Madcity Nights - January 2019
Show previews around the Madison Area
by Max Ink
January 2019
John Primer
photo by Eric Kriesant
MoodTrain
with Daily Smoker, Amber Sebastian
Friday, January 4 @ 7:00 PM
Bos Meadery
Madison’s MoodTrain is usually a groovy improv instrumental jam duo featuring guitarist Travis Ziegler and drummer Verge Manyen, but this show will feature guest bassist Joe Leonard to promote the band’s debut release Great Lakes Airlines Volume I.
By Rökker
Bryan Drewyor (One Man Human Band)
Every Monday @ 6-9:00 PM
Come Back Inn
Bryan Drewyor (One Human Band) performs every Monday night at the Come Back with drums on his feet, a guitar in his hands, and a harmonica around his neck, with a rustic and soulful voice singing a variety of folky originals and covers. By Rökker
Reverb Live: Sensuous Enemy, Lorelei Dreaming
Saturday, January 12 @ 9:00 PM
Crucible
Madison finally has a Goth club again with the opening of the Crucible on the East Side. Madison’s Sensuous Enemy plays industrial-flavored dance music and Chicago’s Lorelei Dreaming is dark and 80’s synth-y, so it’s the perfect time to break out the Black Number One and support the new club by dancing your soul off! By Mike Huberty
German Art Students, Howler, Gentle Brontosaurus
Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 10:00 PM
Mickey’s
Creating nimble-witted new wave pop since 1997, The German Art Students will hang with the dark, three-piece trio Howler and indie jangle-pop quintet Gentle Brontosaurus who features x-members of Baristacide and TL;DR. By Rökker
John Primer & the Real Deal
Club Tavern
Saturday, January 12
Primer’s blues music resume includes two Grammy nominations, the 2018 Blues Music Award for Outstanding Musician on Guitar, tenure in the blues house band at the fabled Theresa’s, and spots as right-hand guitar man to bigger-than-life players including Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, and Magic Slim. Primer’s blues style is more intimate and less boisterous than some of his predecessors and contemporaries, with lyrics that drive to the heart of angst and loss. His newest CD, Soul of a Blues Man, will be released in February.
By Dave Leucinger
Jimmy Murn/Allison Merten/Pinhead McFly
Sunday, January 13 @ 8:00 PM
High Noon Saloon
Madison Punk Rock stalwart Tim Budziszewski from Government Zero has an acoustic alter ego named Pinhead McFly (inspired by his Back To The Future obsession) and used to play in a band called BoRd with Jimmy Murn, who returns to Madison from the sunnier climes of California for an acoustic show. Hopefully they’ll recapture some of the old pop-punk magic in addition to bringing out the new stuff. Allison Merten is a multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter who’s a little more folky, but has a distinctive voice.
By Mike Huberty
Charly Bliss
with Active Bird Community and Disq
Thursday, January 17 @ 9:00 PM
High Noon Saloon
While FRZN Fest isn’t happening this year High Noon hosts two nights that come very close. The first features raucous power-pop rockers Charly Bliss fronted by vivacious Eva Hendricks. The smart, tart quartet are joined by grinning indie-rock punks Active Bird Community and local rabble-rousers Disq. By John Noyd
Vanishing Kids (Record Release)
with Tubal Cain, Cave Curse
Saturday, January 19 @ 9:30 PM
Crystal Corner
Formed in 2000, these post-punk shoegazing progressive rockers keep ticking and will release their 5th album “Heavy Dreamer” on Svart Records. Formerly based in Portland and Seattle the band now calls Madison home. They’ll be joined by their buds Tubal Cain and Cave Curse. By Rökker
Pat Stillman and Friends
featuring Paul Filipowiscz
Thursday, January 24 @ 6:00 PM
Lewis Station Winery (Lake Mills)
Legendary Blues guitarist and Chicago Blues Hall of Fame member Paul Filipowiscz joins Pat Stillman’s band for the night. Catch this one off performance and know that it is Thirsty Thursday at the winery, glasses of wine are half price and there is no cover. Bam.
By Rökker
Westside Andy with Glenn Davis and the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys
Knuckledown Saloon
Saturday, January 26
For several years, Highway 11/14 at the Rock/Walworth County Line was one of the best blues destinations in the state, thanks to Glenn Davis and the Silver Moon. Davis’ guitar work stayed true to his Chicago roots, and remains so years after the last notes were played at the Moon.
By Dave Leucinger
Gregory Alan Isakov with special guest Danny Black
Sunday, January 27 @ 7:30 PM
Overture Center
A songwriter who captures a valiant underdog balladry that speaks from a steady beating heart, folk-rock chronicler Isakov paints in earthy tones with first-hand knowledge as a farmer as well as multi-talented musician. Opener Danny Black is Good Old War’s Dan Schwartz’s instrumental, guitar-only project. By John Noyd
The Wailers
Wednesday, January 30 @ 7:00 PM
Barrymore Theatre
Bassist and founder of Bob Marley’s band The Wailers, Aston “Familyman” Barrett is joined by original Wailers guitarist Donald Kinsey and saxophonist Glen DaCosta. Together they have continued to keep the Wailers together as Bob Marley requested, keeping him alive through the reggae music. By Rökker
Post Animal and Ron Gallo
Thursday, January 31 @ 8:30 PM
High Noon Saloon
The second, almost FRZN Fest night, ends the month on a high note. Chicago’s psychedelic collective Post Animal grooves in jubilant tunes packed in happy imaginations, while surreal funk-rock philosopher Ron Gallo bring his most excellent, “Stardust Birthday Party,” to a night overflowing in divine vibes.
By John Noyd
Madtown Mannish Boys CD Release
Knuckledown Saloon
Friday, February 1
Borrowing their name from a Muddy Waters’ song title, this local ensemble has become favorites across generations through a busy performance schedule, solid musicianship, and a variety of material with origins in the blues of the 1960’s and early 1970’s.
By Dave Leucinger