Creme Soda-Tricky Zingers

The winds of nostalgia are now carrying me back to the Midwest, and to one of my all time favorite cities for this post. Milwaukee might not be a musical mecca (though there were plenty of good punk bands coming out of there at one time) but there has always been an oddball contingent that would occasionally peek their head out from below the surface and issue an inherently out of touch classic. And this be one of them. Perhaps it's the fact that there really isn't a scene, or that they live in Chicago's shadow, but I've always appreciated the weird shit that Milwaukee concocted. Now, this isn't the weirdest thing out of that city, but it's definitely something that lacks an established context. These guys move from soft rock, to proto punk, to full on psych rock, and all points in between. Just as diverse as their fashion sense.

Here

Die Kreuzen-Cows and Beer 7"

One more reason to love Milwaukee. Hmm...this might be the best hardcore disc ever released. It's a tough call, but yeah, I think I'd pick this one. It gets kinda difficult to follow this band after their self titled album (though October File certainly has some great moments). And I don't think we need to explore their Cheap Trick tribute side project. Instead, lets just appreciate some Midwest greatness. Utterly essential listening.

Here

The Frogs-My Daughter the Broad

I've never hid my love for Milwaukee. And while the Frogs aren't the only reason I love that city to the North, they certainly enhance my opinion of Brew City. A while back, every ball bag in indiedom was singing the praises of these brothers. Eddie Vedder, Billy Corgan, any other ass face that idiots were dumb enough to listen to were proclaiming the greatness of the Frogs. Now, it seems like few people care. Unfortunate, really since there are few musicians that can match their versatility. Spanning Tyrannosaurus Rex folk whimsy, to T Rex's glam stomps, to Saccharine pop, to weird grampa vocals about dead goats, these guys delivered the goods. And what funny goods they were. Check out these song titles: "Who's Sucking on Grampa's Balls Since Grandma Ain't Home Tonight?" and "Grandma's Sitting on the Corner with a Penis in Her Hand Going 'No, No, No, No, No'". Don't forget songs that deal with ultimate body modification involving the addition of "earlobes for cocks." April Doom.

Here