Eagles Club (The Rave) 8/21/2008
Milwaukee, WI

The show started in Kill Hannah’s signature manner; green lasers and white fluorescent lights mounted on every guitar cutting through the dark and hazy venue. It’s now known that the main event has finally taken to the stage and the wait is finally over. The energetic crowd is very diverse with a predominance of younger concert goers. The mood seemed to be relatively relaxed with the opening bands Innerpartysystem, The Medic Droid, & the White Tie Affair however the atmosphere electrified with the arrival of the headliners!

As always Matt Devine delivers an excellent performance to ensure that the entire crowd is involved and participating. Playing previous local favorites such as Kennedy & Unwanted (an anthem for the disenfranchised) the band also added a few of their newer releases such as Lips Like Morphine & Crazy Angel which were all crowd pleasers. Those who have followed the band since its advent definitely appreciated the decision to play Hummingbirds the Size of Bullets which was a song from the bands debut album “Here are the Young Moderns”. Interestingly enough, the song Welcome to Chicago Mother Fucker was one of the closing songs added to the show. A song rarely played outside of Chicago, it was decided that since they were close enough to their home town the great tune deserved to be played and was well received!

The Milwaukee show was the last stop before the bands anticipated farewell show at the Metro in Chicago which followed a few days later. This marked a well deserved break in their latest US tour “Hope for the Hopeless” which will start back up at the end of September in the UK (which is also the start of their European leg). Look for video updates from Sleep Never of the tour on their website and MySpace.

http://www.killhannah.com/
http://www.myspace.com/killhannah/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kill_Hannah

Band Members

• Mat Devine – Lead Vocals, Guitar
• Jonathan Radtke- Guitars, Background Vocals
• Dan Wiese- Guitars, Background Vocals
• Greg Corner- Bass Guitar
• Elias Mallin- Drums

Directed by Sona
Reviewed by Brian Dell

“I’m sick of that fake thug RnB rap scenario, all day on the radio
Same scenes in the video, monotonous material
Y’all don’t hear me though
These record labels sling our tapes like dope
You could be next in line to sign and still be writin’ rhymes and broke
You’d rather have a Lexus or justice?
A dream or some substance?
A Beamer or necklace or freedom?”
-Dead Prez, “Hip Hop”

“Behold Something Bigger Than Tupac.”
The title of this film alone is designed to pique the curiosities of its audience. Tupac Shakur is one of the defining figures of hip hop, a symbol and a legend to some, and the film argues the shooting not only killed Tupac but the entire genre as well. What, or in this case, who, could possibly be bigger than Tupac? Sona, the director and subject of this film, gives a simple enough answer to that question: it’s him.

This is one of the gutsiest statements I’ve ever known anyone to make with a straight face, and “Behold” spends the majority of its running time convincing you that it’s true. Immediately digging into the rapper Nas, and later baring its teeth at Sean “Puffy” Combs and others, the recurring message of the film is that hip hop used to be a meaningful, rich form of expression, but now, thanks to record labels eager to mass-produce the same indulgent stereotypes, hip hop has been diluted to watered-down immoral trash. Sona rejects all the entrenched ideas of degradation and consumerism, making a good case against the rappers who carelessly flaunt diamonds as bling in their videos, while others are fighting and dying to procure these flashy status symbols.

Easily, the highlight of the film is Sona’s relentless criticism of the low cultural standards to which we hold ourselves. He has an uncommonly forceful personality and seems fearless towards any doubt or threat which might come his way. Certain montages are skillfully edited, the voice overs sound clear and strong, and much of the original footage was shot in high-definition which is a cut above what most local filmmakers are capable or interested in achieving. These scenes look very detailed and improve the presentation considerably.

However, “Behold” is not without its flaws. While the voice overs are solid, the sound in most of the interviews is at best hard to hear, and at other times it is closer to impossible to understand. Another major issue comes from the repetition and length of the film- there are numerous times when shots from one part of the movie will be replayed exactly the same later on, or arguments will be repeated too often, making the feature-length running time seem perhaps twice as long as it needs to be. The film would also have benefited from more “natural” footage of Sona, showing him performing, in studio, or in everyday life. While viewers will come away with a clear knowledge of Sona’s views, they will have a hard time identifying his music or who he is outside of his “Voice” persona.

“Behold Something Bigger Than Tupac” is an interesting message film and a study on the cult of personality. This is the area where it achieves considerable success. Sona “The Voice” is a lot bolder than most Wisconsin filmmakers and his confidence really counts for something in that community. At the same time “Behold” leaves room for improvement with the next effort from this production team, who likely will be able to hone their efficiency and style on more polished future films. As long those projects have the sincerity and risky ideas that this one does, they’ll find an audience without any trouble at all.

Star Bar Lounge occupies approximately 1/3 of the overall space and features 2 flush mount multipurpose LCD TV’s, intimate seating and an LED enhanced bar. The space has just the right amount of bar space and dance floor space to make for a high energy and intimate experience all at the same time.

While walking through the space I find it to be a reminiscent blend of both Mantra and The Rock Shop with its own flair and appeal.

A huge sound system is about to go up that I’m confident will be put through its paces at Razor.

A third, sunken area, is custom designed for VIP patrons and features excellent access to the clubs amenities while providing unparalleled privacy.

All in all Star Bar and Razor are shaping up to be a great new addition to The Milwaukee Scene and we look forward to seeing the place in action.

Star Bar and The Razor Room can be found on Milwaukee Street just south of Wisconsin Avenue at:

631 N. Milwaukee Street
Milwaukee, WI

or online at:
http://www.therazorroom.com/

One surprising thing about downtown Milwaukee is how few cheesesteaks are available in a city that loves to eat and specifically eat anything with cheese in it!

A couple other shops exist outside downtown proper but if you want a convenient cheesesteak for lunch or after hours Chubby’s is the sweet spot.

The menu selection is incredibly vast. Perhaps i was naive about the evolution of the Philly Cheesesteak but it was surprising to find that the cheesesteak can be delivered with steak, chicken or even vegetarian! I’m going to have to stop back and try each of those selections. As for the Philly itself at Chubby’s I found it incredibly tasty!

Red and Green Peppers, fried onions, steak and cheese all prepared at ordering time make for a warm, fresh meal. The bread was soft and tasty but held together perfectly as I chowed down my meal.

One thing you HAVE to try when you make it to Chubby’s are the fries! They are both seasoned and breaded which makes for a unique french fry experience that I have had no where else. I would put them up against Saz’s fries any day.

Like all of my favorite places to frequent, Chubby’s is locally owned and operated. This isn’t terribly suprising in downtown Milwaukee, however this kind of fast, tasty food being conceived and delivered by long time Milwaukeeans adds extra meaning to the experience.

They deliver and they’re open late. Theres no reason not to get a tasty meal at Chubby’s Cheesesteak.

Chubby’s Cheesesteaks
2232 N. Oakland Avenue
Milwaukee, WI
414.287.9999
http://www.chubbyscheesesteaks.com

Join our Cheesesteak Discussion Thread:
http://www.themilwaukeescene.com/forum/index.php?topic=7589.0

Two floors of indoor entertainment in addition to a third rooftop floor make for a great space to tip a few beers or throw massive weekend parties. Amongst the vast amount of party space and flat screen TV’s Bottleggers features a DJ Booth, a stage for live acts, pool tables, dart boards and sofa lounges - all certain to provide a wide array of entertainment possibilities.

Without much fan fare Bootleggers showcased its capabilities on the weekend of Riversplash 2008 treating customers to a friendly and social staff that seemed willing to socialize and accommodate our requests for tall drinks, information and photographs.

A beautifully designed space, Bootleggers is sure to please a wide audience so be sure to stop by and hang out.

Bootleggers
1023 N. Old World 3rd St
http://bootleggersmke.com/
http://www.myspace.com/bootleggersmke

DJ Delicious opened the night followed by guests of honor Dave Navarro and DJ Scribble. Exciting, high energy sets provided an intense focal point for the evening.

Staff wore traditional black outfits along with face paint. It wasnt clear (to me) what the costumes and makeup were supposed to represent but it certainly added to the special event feeling of the night.

Its difficult to tell from the pictures but one thing that really struck me besides the wall design was the excellent lighting. Very design oriented and creative - it added a great deal to the ambiance for me. It’s an element I think is overlooked at many venues.

Short (but strong) drinks were around $7.00 for top shelf mixers.

Be sure to check out this latest Milwaukee hot spot.

Apartment 720 is located at 720 N. Milwaukee Street between Wisconsin Avenue and Mason Street.

I didn’t know much about the plot or premise of the movie beyond the blip or two I had seen on commercials, however being a news junkie I was aware of some of the buzz coming from some religious voices calling for followers to boycott the movie. Needless to say this only served to further pique my curiosity so I was anxious to check it out for myself.

The Golden Compass is very much a story in the vein of Harry Potter or The Lord of the Rings in the sense that the plot centers on a special child with a special destiny coupled with an epic journey. It was refreshing to see our hero cast as a girl but not a common stereotype of a girl but an actual person acting and behaving in gender neutral way.

The female actresses in this film are excellent and definitely take center stage. Both Nicole Kidman (Marisa Coulter) and Dakota Blue Richards, who plays the hero Lyra Belacqua, put completely believable performances. Again, the raw and human portrayal of Lyra was a refreshing change from the typical roles boys and girls too often play in movies.

I was skeptical of the overtures made in the news by the Catholic League and others but their concerns are certainly understandable after viewing the film. Of course as in any good versus bad epic such as Star Wars there is a group that encompasses and institutionalizes the evil. In the case of Star Wars it is the Empire and in the case of The Golden Compass it is the Magisterium where conformity and order and the spreading of doctrine are of the highest priority. It is difficult to avoid the overt similarities between The Magisterium and institutionalized religion. From their attire to their doctrine the references are too many to ignore. Modern mythologies all too many times make guarded and artistic references but it was refreshing to see this story being told unabashedly.

The final component of the film that I wish to describe are the ancillary characters that help draw the film together. The Polar Bears which you have undoubtedly seen are awesome. The characters are well placed, well conceived and useful to the plot. There are not too many names, places or people to keep track of which make the film easy to understand and follow although for some may make it a bit childish at times.

Part Epic Fantasy, part social commentary I found The Golden Compass to be a sometimes simple, easy to understand yet entertaining voyage.

Our group decided to entertain 5 different dishes between us as well as try a sampler appetizer platter which included any 4 items.

Each of us found at least one of the appetizers to be our favorite with mine being the yogurt based dip. We also tried the hummus, the dolmeh and a spicy tomato based dip shown below. Only complaint here is the appetizers didnt arrive with bread so we had to drool for several minutes while they delivered some more bread to the table.

The atmosphere was very consistent with what my imagination was expecting to find at a Turkish restaurant. Deep woods furnished the establishment with bright windows delivering light and airy contrast. The walls were a bit sparse with ethnic artwork, however I expect that details may be filled in or altered as the establishment gets its footing. There was also a nice patio outside that is conveniently positioned right on the corner of the street for ample scenery.

Several dark leather couches surround a fireplace in the middle of the restaurant providing a cozy, relaxing feel to the establishment. A nice, unique touch in my opinion which sets a pleasant atmosphere.

We ended our evening by dining on several delicious dishes. I ordered the lamb shank which was covered in cooked eggplant and served in a dish of sweet tomatoe sauce. We also tried the spicy meatball plate, the lamb shoulder and the apricot chicken. Their specialty dish, Iskender, is pictured below and is served with a side of yogurt that brings out the many wonderful flavors in the dish.

The chicken with apricot was exceptional as well. I intend to have the two dishes pictured when I return next time.

Of course no Turkish dinner is complete without a Turkish coffee so make sure you give this strong potion a try after your done eating. Entree’s were priced between $14 and $17 for the most part. Our tab including drinks for 6 came to $149.00 without tip so that averaged about $35.00 per person with tip (and cocktails) for what we all would consider an excellent and unique meal.

For more photographs and discussion about Tulip, join us on our Discussion Boards.

Complete Photo Shoot: http://www.themilwaukeescene.com/photos/tulip-071707

Discuss: http://www.themilwaukeescene.com/forum/index.php/topic,3317.0.html

117 N Jefferson St
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 273-5253

Just a little bit south of the bright lights of downtown, on K.K. near Logan Street in Bay View, there is a little shop with a big reputation. The shop is Fashion Ninja boutique, and its reputation is growing as the heart of the independent fashion design community in Milwaukee.

“If I had a microphone and the world’s attention I would tell everyone about the power to make a difference in their community by buying local products,” preaches Areka Ikeler, owner and “Sensei” of Fashion Ninja boutique and the Fashion Ninja School of Sewing and Design. Her boutique and school sells the original designs from the brightest of her 500 plus total students.

Helping to spread the message of purchasing from your local community is www.FashionFlat.com, a website that exclusively features independent fashion designers. While FashionFlat is locally based, it is also larger than just the Fashion Ninja. Currently there are five designers featured on the site which serves as a unifying force amongst fashionistas both locally and nationally. In addition to Areka, of Fashion Ninja, there is Kristy Schomburg of Bill Label, Stevie of ICEBARK and Rochelle Nason of LACKA; all four from Milwaukee, and all four sell their clothes in the Fashion Ninja store. The website also features Sue Havens of Cozy Hoods, who is a designer and artist working out of Brooklyn, NY.

The name FashionFlat is actually a play on words. “The idea behind FashionFlat.com is exactly that, a flat where independent fashion lives,” says website founder Kristy Schomburg, who spends considerable time at the Fashion Ninja store and school. Through the website the ladies offer not only their individual fashion styles, but it is also a “home” for a strong community of independent designers.

Building a community of independent designers is what the website, the school and the store are all about. Areka, who has loved fashion her entire life and studied at the Mt. Mary College Fashion Design program, says there is a real passion in her students to learn and try new things. She also stresses the importance of supporting local fashion scene. “All the small shops make Milwaukee bright. Just one shop is not fun, but 40 shops make it an interesting place to shop,” says Areka. And the designers all agree.

LACKA designer, Rochelle, says small stores and websites give her the opportunity to talk to customers about why it is important to support local business as well as showcase her work. “I think it is perfect for independent designers to get their collections out there.” Rochelle got her start in fashion from a sewing machine handed down from her late grandmother. Mostly self-taught, with a few classes from Areka, Rochelle draws inspiration for LACKA from the hours she spent honing her craft.

Another former student and designer Stevie whose label ICEBARK features hand painted garments, says she likes when someone can appreciate the sweat equity it takes to make a garment. That is why she enjoys being a part of the community. “I have always been artistic, so I decided to teach myself to do design. I design and sell things that I like, thinking that if I like it maybe other people do to.”

Bill Label designer Kristy has different motivations for getting involved in fashion. She relishes the excitement of having something truly different. “It is very fun to meet these designers from all around and it’s a great way to show off what great design work is coming out of Milwaukee.” Kristy’s fashion aspirations started when she was five. She was very good at illustrating fashion, but when it came to sewing, that was a different story. With aggressive encouragement from the Areka, Kristy continued learning and designing for fashion shows, gallery night events and photo shoots.

Although FashionFlat and the Fashion Ninja boutique and school are separate, they have a unique shared identity. The designers know that there is more than just a dollar value involved. There is the value of living in, working in and supporting a community and that is what inspires them to build a place, online and in Bay View, where fashion can truly live.

Support your local designers at:
www.FashionFlat.com
www.FashionNinja.com

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