By Andy Zupke

Photography by: Jessica Turnbull

Upon walking into the BBC Upper Level on February 17^th, my wife and I were immediately greeted and hugged by Jayme Dawicki, who thanked us for coming, which showed us a gratitude and appreciation that is sadly uncommon among musicians.

The night started out with a folk-rock group from Madison called The Sharp and Harkins Band. It’s hard to say anything about this band, as they seemed to be “just there”. None of the band members really seemed to be enjoying performing their music, especially the bass player who kept playing octaves as if he’d recently discovered them. The band didn’t get into the music until they started playing covers. A Johnny Cash tune got a lethargic audience somewhat worked-up enough to be ready for the next band.

Jayme Dawicki Band went on next. Plagued by technical problems, the show threatened to go down-hill quickly. Luckily, Jayme Dawicki and her accompanists are true performers, and the show went on with the fun and friendly atmosphere that they’re known for. Jayme’s compositions are varied and interesting, each song changing feel and mood. Her lyrics are sometimes fun and playful, sometimes wistful. She shows influences from the great female storytellers like Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez, especially in songs like, “Jokin’ Joe, Miss Kitty, and Me” and “72 and ½ Toyota Truck”.

Her accompanists- Jordan Roepke, Dylan Brown, and Jeff Brueggeman- all shined through the set. Jordan, a mere 20 years old, is one of the most impressive guitar players in this city, and any band would be lucky to have him. The Jayme Dawicki Band creates a welcoming environment that is sure to keep the listeners coming.

The final band was Neverstatic, a reinvigorated band with a new line-up. They’re an acoustic-rock band that features two cello players giving the band a deep and dark ambience, although the sound guy didn’t really find a niche for them in the mix until the third song.

Jordan again shows his talents, this time on electric bass, with his fellow Downrazor bandmate Heath playing 12-string acoustic guitar. Their new singer Amanda has excellent stage presence, playful and bordering on flirty, with a voice to match. She blends with the band well, despite little slips into a style that may be too soulful (think Christina Aguilera). Neverstatic was highly entertaining and could definitely be placed in the “up and coming” category.

On our way out, Jayme Dawicki once again gave us a smile and thanked us for coming. It’s always nice to see musicians who understand the value of their fans, and how crucial it is for them to go home feeling like they’re part of something. This is the incredible value of local music. By supporting it, you can really feel like you’re supporting something unique that most people don’t know about, but you’ll feel good if a few more do because of you.

For more information on the Bands, Venue or Big Andy’s Milwaukee Music Support:

The Sharp and Harkins Band - http://www.myspace.com/harksharp
Jayme Dawicki Band - http://www.myspace.com/jaymedawicki
Neverstatic - http://www.myspace.com/neverstaticband
Upper Level - http://myspace.com/upperlevel
Big Andy - http://www.myspace.com/bigandybassplayer

by Jack Roman

To help make you a legend for throwing your first New Year’s Eve cocktail party, here is a “professional” board of experts. The combined knowledge here includes Jack, with 13 years specializing in event planning and hosting, Dan who has spent over 10 years preparing some of the best dishes at top restaurants, and a 23 year old harlot, Kristen, who loves to party and has the photos to prove it. The only way to blow this shindig is if you don’t make it to the club by 12 midnight; but you can handle that on your own, right?

The Drinks

As a group we decided that any legendary party is a classy party, so you will want to focus on the basics. Get a couple of premium vodkas, like Kettle One, Stolichnaya or Grey Goose. A premium gin, like Bombay goes very well with New Year’s cheer. And lastly, one highly coveted bottle of Scotch, something like the Glenmorangie. There are better scotches out there, but this one is bad enough for everyone to like.

If you’re expecting wine drinkers, you should have at least one bottle of Fat Bastard Red, a Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio and several bottles of Martini and Rossi champagne on hand. If you expect Diddy or Fiddy Cent to show up, you will have to drop the $275 on the Louis Roederer Cristal from East Point Pick n’ Save. However, all your going to find in Milwaukee is 1998-2000, the ones preferred by your average hip-hop mogul date back to 1997 and 1995, so expect some disappointment there.

When it comes to mixers, rely heavily on anything that will turn your drink some shade of rose. Namely, cranberry juice. Remember the Cosmopolitan, with the help of four chics from New York, kick started the American martini revolution. Also keep tonic, pineapple juice, club soda, cola and a selection of Press Cocktail Sodas on hand. These will make your guests think that you’ve done this before. Have OJ and white cranberry juice cocktail out of the refrigerator and in a decanter and they’ll know you’re a pro.

The Food

If you’re going to liquor them up in a classy way you have to keep them fed in the same manner. Chef Dan says to ditch the potluck idea, and go over to Metro Mart. “For 10-15 people invest a Grant, $50 for you people who don’t see them too often, in a cheese and vegetable platter, sausage platter and shrimp cocktail platter. Now wrench another fifty out of your wallet and drop it on chicken satay skewers, a vegetarian pasta salad, some cheesy spinach dip and French bread.” These are the basics and really all you need to have.

Want to make it special? Dan says to get couple pounds of beef tenderloin, some charcoal and some cooking skills. Then prepare a spread of medium-rare grilled filet topped with Gruyere cheese and a balsamic reduction dipping sauce. Serve them cut into small squares with beef under cheese and use black plastic picks stuck through them as the handle. “You just know these wont last long, but it’s only the late comers who will suffer the consequence.” Which ever way you go with food, don’t forget a fresh holiday cake, German chocolate should suffice.

The Scene

“Women love parties. Men just love to drink.” Keep that in mind, Kristen says, when you start inviting people. “You want to tilt the percentages toward more ladies than men and at least as many singles as couples. This will ensure every one has fun and that they keep telling stories about your party throughout the year.”

We all agreed on a dress code. After all, it is New Year’s Eve! While prom dresses should have been burned years ago, an evening dress for ladies and a button down, clean shoes, slacks and a tie for guys and creates a good look for those late night photos. Otherwise, don the latest in fashion forward gear including a velvet jacket, aviator sunglasses at night, and/or 80’s inspired garb.

Kristen also says to focus on decoration. “If it’s a New Year’s party, make it festive; get the black plates and plastic cocktail glasses; some flowers and make creative use of tinsel. And to round it out, low lights and good music.” Also, make sure you have plenty of disposable cameras laying around, in addition to the host’s digital camera. There’s no better invite for next years party then some photographic reminders of the debauchery of the previous year’s event.

-Jack Roman

It was a freezing cold night on December 2^nd as my wife and I walked into the Mad Planet in Milwaukee. The headliner was Marcella, a group we’d seen before and enjoyed greatly. I hadn’t checked on the openers to find out what to expect, but I’m glad I didn’t, because my expectations were completely blown away.

The night started with an incredible band from Appleton called Sunday Flood. This band is heavy, passionate, and intense. Sunday Flood has the rhythmic complexity of Tool, with odd time signatures and intricate drumming, but with a melodic sound all their own. From the very first song, I was hooked. My foot was tapping, my head was bopping, and my lips were smiling. Each member brought incredible talent and voice to the band. The singer part sang and part screamed, giving emotional intensity to the already physically intense riffs. The bass player had the gain cranked, while still retaining both melodic and rhythmic importance in the band. The guitars drove the songs forward in a roller-coaster ride of dynamic hard rock.

Find out More About Sunday Flood and Listen to Tracks at:

http://myspace.com/sundayflood

The second band was another one for complex musical tastes. Self-Evident, from Minneapolis, was as intense and rhythmically complicated as Sunday Flood, but in a different way. As a jazz enthusiast, I can always spot a metal band that has dabbled in the genre, and Self-Evident definitely has a jazz flair to their music. They use intricate rhythms and staccato riffs filled with full jazz chords and dissonance that would get Thelonious Monk bopping his head and spinning, while still retaining a rock and roll edge to the music, making the band completely unique and original.

Find out More about Self Evident and Listen to Tracks at:

http://myspace.com/selfevident
http://www.self-evident.net

The final band was Marcella, which rounded out the evening very nicely, giving us a laid back sound that felt calming at the end of the night. Marcella is a female fronted rock group with dynamic tunes and tight musicianship. The singer/pianist gives the music a sultry, playful edge that commands the attention of the audience, while the guitarist on the other side of the stage dabbles in different effects and ways of playing that gives the music more atmosphere and modernity. The rhythm section creates a swinging bluesy feel that lures in everyone else who hasn’t already succumbed to the music.

This was one of the best local concerts I’ve been to in quite a while. It was one of those rare nights where each band left me wanting more. You can check out all three bands on their Myspace pages.

Find out More About Marcella and Listen to Tracks at:

http://www.myspace.com/marcellamusic
http://www.marcellamusic.com

Written by Andy Zupke
http://www.myspace.com/bigandybassplayer

Friday night was an amazing night for my guest and I. We spent the hours between 6:30pm and 9:30pm at a grocery store. You heard it right. 3 hours of food, wine, conversation at what Whole Foods calls Community Table.

Consider that on Friday nights chef Tim Mclean hosts an intimate evening for a small group of people featuring rare wine, fine dining, great conversation and fellowship. What a truly unique and creative experience.

We parked conveniently below Whole Foods and made our way through the store to a room on the far west side of the building that is visible from North Ave. Perhaps you’ve seen it? It’s a complete kitchen with all the accoutrements one would find in a newly remodeled home.

The decor and composition of the place lends itself to a relaxed and homestyle feeling. Add a fridge stocked with a variety of beers (I split a large Sapporo with my guest), wines and water and it’s not difficult to settle right in.

Chef Tim Mclean’s disarming and friendly disposition makes for a fun, casual and interactive evening. As he frequently states “Its about you tonight” and it definately was.

The first thing we did, after brief introductions and light conversation, was to grab baskets and go shopping in the store. Included in the price of admission are all of the ingredients to the dinner you are going to watch Chef Mclean prepare. How do you know what ingredients to choose? Choose whatever you want - the night is about you and its your hosts challenge to combine your selected ingredients into a superb 5 course meal.

As we walked around the store with wine glasses in hand we chose ginger, sun dried tomatoes and Japanese eggplant from the vegetable section to name just a few. From the fresh fish section we chose Chilean Sea Bass and jumbo scallops. We selected choice filet from the meat department as well.

The idea is to work together to draw some consensus about the overall dinner for the evening. It wasn’t difficult for the 6 of us to decide what we wanted although we were considerate of some milk aversions as well as any allergies the group might have had.

Once everything was loaded into the baskets we returned to the kitchen/dining room and dove into some more wine and appetizers while Tim prepared our first course, then second, then third, then fourth (you get the point) course. We…were…stuffed. Dessert is not one of the courses participants are allowed to select because Chef Mclean likes to sometimes prepare fresh pastries which require extra preparation time.

Are there other 5 course fine dining options in Milwaukee? Of course there are and they are very good, but I doubt they come close to being as entertaining, informative and interesting as this one.

Every Friday

Individual Seats are $60pp

Private Parties can be reserved for 10 or more.

Whole Foods
2305 N Prospect Ave
(414) 223-1500 or email tim.mclean@wholefoods.com

Welcome to the Reviews section of The Milwaukee Scene where we eat, drink, listen, enjoy and tell you all about it.