Minibeast at MKeUltra in Milwaukee on May 17, 2026

Since 2011, former Mission of Burma drummer Peter Prescott has been releasing music in the group Minibeast, backed by two Providence, RI musicians -- drummer Keith Seidel and recent addition Pete Weiss on bass. They produce a minimalist, crunchy experimental noise rock and the audience at MkeUltra was definitely absorbing and appreciating all the energy that Prescott and lads had on display.

Purchase their music here.

Recording information:

MINIBEAST
2026-05-17
Milwaukee, WI
MKeUltra

Peter Prescott: guitar, keyboards, voice
Pete Weiss: bass
Keith Seidel: drums

Setlist:
Improv Jam (3:08)
Town Crier (7:48)
Exclusive (4:43)
Id Night (3:50)
Nearo (5:33)
Cookie Data (5:40)
X-Ing (6:36)
On Ice (7:18)

Total time = 44:36

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes for this blog

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 in ORTF on stand
Additional source: mono soundboard feed from Brian Hospital
Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96
Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads 

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16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (283 MB)

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320 kbps mp3 files (172 MB)

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video of the band performing in Medford, MA two months prior to this gig:

tat songs at MKE-Ultra in Milwaukee on May 10, 2026

Tom Sadler has been releasing music for several years under the moniker tat songs. This Chicago (by way of western Massachusetts) musician often serves up guitar-based experimental pop and improvisations, but for this short set he concentrated on synthesizers and some vocals. The eight relatively short songs were atmospheric (even at times ethereal) but had enough complex rhythms to maintain interest. 

Tom told me that this was his first show in Milwaukee and I certainly hope he returns again soon.

Purchase his most recent album here.

Recording information:

TAT SONGS
2026-05-10
Milwaukee, WI
MKE-Ultra

Tom Sadler: electronics and vocals

Setlist:
01 Gold Rolex (1:47)
02 Western Lip (5:15)
03 Broken Stream (3:36)
04 Elsa Strum (2:56)
05 Likeness (3:55)
06 Five of Cups (4:51)
07 Ghostwriter Blues (3:39)
08 Get Out (5:15)

Total time = 31:14

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 in ORTF
Additional source: mono SBD from Brian Hospital
Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads (these will automatically download):

  

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (166 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that sort of thing

320 kbps mp3 files (100 MB)

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Toby Summerfield at MKE-Ultra in Milwaukee on April 23, 2026

I first became aware of Toby Summerfield because of his recent release on the dependably excellent Island House Records label, although he had been active for many years in the Chicago free jazz scene in the early 2000s, working with an impressive roster of musicians such as Jaimie Branch, Frank Rosaly, Josh Berman, Fred Lonberg-Holm and Quin Kirchner, to name a few. 

He came to MKE-Ultra a few weeks back on a solo tour supporting his excellent album on Island House, Bodies of Water. He moved seamlessly between several guitars, culminating with a piece on pedal steel.

Purchase his most recent album here.

Recording information:

TOBY SUMMERFIELD
2026-04-23
Milwaukee, WI
MKE-Ultra

Toby Summerfield: guitar and pedal steel

Setlist:
01 Post Pond (5:33)
02 The Pools Below Tannery Falls (4:08)
03 Caulk the Wagon and Float It - The North Branch of the Chicago River (4:28)
04 The Dog River (4:22)
05 The Shaker Dam at Reservoir Pond (5:23)
06 Slowly Down the Russian River (2:20)
07 Grant Brook (6:23)

Total time = 32:37

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes for this blog

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 in ORTF
Additional source: mono soundboard feed
Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii
Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads (these will automatically download):

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (155 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that sort of thing

320 kbps mp3 files (100 MB)

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Luke Schneider at MKE-Ultra in Milwaukee on May 6, 2026

Almost exactly two years ago I recorded Luke Schneider performing a lovely set at the 2024 Milwaukee Psych Fest. He returned to Milwaukee a few days ago to perform in the warm confines of MKE-Ultra. Once again, this was an absolutely beautiful set of ambient music where the audience was encouraged to sit down and absorb the vibrations. 

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (215 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that sort of thing

320 kbps mp3 files (109 MB)

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video of a performance Los Angeles in August 2025:

Dryhouse Ruins at MKE-Ultra in Milwaukee on April 23, 2026

A few weeks ago we had another chance to catch up with local drone legends Dryhouse Ruins at MKE-Ultra. As expected, there was a lot of interesting improvisation happening with this band. Each member has been in several Milwaukee bands going back to the late 1980s and it was a delight chatting with a lot of local musicians at the club who were in attendance and supporting their friends in the band.

Purchase their most recent release here.

Recording information:

DRYHOUSE RUINS
2026-04-23
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee-Ultra

Jeff Mitchell: guitar

Jim Warchol: guitar
Damian Strigens: bass
Ben Derickson: drums

Setlist:
01 One (19:11)
02 Two (12:09

Total time = 31:20

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes for this blog

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 in ORTF
Additional source: mono SBD (kick drums)
Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96
Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (170 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that sort of thing

320 kbps mp3 files (90 MB)

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Human Ant Farm at MKE-Ultra in Milwaukee on April 30, 2026

Human Ant Farm is a new enough band on the Milwaukee scene that they don't have a Bandcamp account. Yet they have several delightful tracks on streaming service Spotify, and their stage presence at this show betrays quite a bit of confidence born of performing experience. Their songs were very well-written with a good range of textures, dynamics, and emotions. I was impressed and hope to record them again soon.

MKE-Ultra is fast becoming one of my favorite venues in town. I have started to tell everyone who will listen (and a few who won't) about the immaculate vibes at this former tavern which eventually became a notorious biker hangout before finally being rented by a trio of musicians as a rehearsal space. They now book shows there most nights of the week. Andy, Brian, and David always make me feel at home when recording there, and I have yet to meet a musician who didn't enjoy playing in this intimate and welcoming space.

Check out their instagram page here.

Recording information:

HUMAN ANT FARM

2026-04-30

Milwaukee, WI at MKE-Ultra

Jacob Renard-VerVoort: vocals

Chase VerVoort: guitar and vocals

Kendall Karpinski: guitar

Sam Knutsen: bass

Tillman Fryer: drums

Setlist:

01 Can Texas Beat It? (4:14)

02 Nuts and Bolts (4:09)

03 Scribbled Lines (4:31)

04 Lighthouse (5:44)

05 Saving Face (6:01

06 Who's Writing (4:43)

Total time = 29:22

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 in ORTF configuration

Additional source: mono SBD feed from Andy Worzella

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii

Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (207 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that sort of thing

320 kbps mp3 files (101 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible

video of their set last May at Cactus Club:

Alexander Adams - Seth Davis - Jeff Goulet at MKE-Ultra in Milwaukee on August 6, 2025

A few weeks ago I returned to the intimate MKE-Ultra club on historic Mitchell Street on the near south side of Milwaukee to record a night of avant garde jazz and experimental music. The headliner for the evening was a group consisting of a pair of musicians from Chicago (percussionist Alexander Adams and guitarist Jeff Goulet) who teamed up with Kansas City-based Seth Davis on guitar and electronics.

It was a joyous, skronky uninterrupted 31-minute set of high energy and inventive music which I found exhilarating. Goulet and Davis eschewed traditional virtuosic guitar pyrotechnics in favor of doling out complex textures and tones. Adams more than held his own against the sonic onslaught of the guitarists.

Recording information

ADAMS-DAVIS-GOULET
2025-08-06
Milwaukee, WI
MKE-Ultra

Jeff Goulet: guitar
Seth Davis: guitar and electronics
Alexander Adams: drums

Setlist:
01 Entire set (31:01)

Total time = 31:01

Microphones: Beyerdynamic MC930 pair in ORTF
Additional source: excellent stereo soundboard feed
Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96
Software: Audacity, xAct

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes for this blog

https://alexanderadams.bandcamp.com/
https://jeffgoulet.bandcamp.com/
https://sethandrewdavis.bandcamp.com/
https://mke-ultra.com/

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (213 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that sort of thing

320 kbps mp3 files (93 MB)

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