Die Kreuzen Reunion May 26 in Milwaukee | Lest We Forget at Turner Hall

I'm clearly not the first to bring up the Die Kreuzen Reunion show set for May 26 in Milwaukee. There has been quite a bit of press generated already. Basically, the "Lest We Forget" event at Turner Hall was already marked off on my calendar as a must attend event. With the strong lineup of bands getting back together (before Die Kreuzen jumped on board,) who could miss this one? It all started with a Facebook page.

Who is scheduled to perform? Thirteen bands to be exact. It starts at 6pm, and runs just past midnight. Bands like Xposed 4Heads, (3) XCleavers, Tense Experts, Lubricants, Dummy Club, and St. Bernard will take their turn on the Turner Hall stage. In between all of this, I'm sure that there will be chaos and fun, as it's sure to be a reunion of not only bands but long lost friends. Bring a name tag to this one, as some of us have not seen each other in three decades.

For me, I get to see a few bands that were just before my time. The Lubricants came and went just before I got to go to clubs. Judging by the Xposed 4Heads web page, I should look forward to cuts from their cassette titled "Annoying Sh*t in a Bag." I wonder what the value of one of their original bags is now? Okay, perhaps I was old enough to see these guys, but I don't remember running into them when I was in The Crusties.

The Blackholes are famous for songs like Nazis From Outer Space, Blitzkrieg Over Kenosha, and Warren Span. I personally performed with the Blackholes during a one-off fill in gig in Madison. Mark Shurilla is too famous to remember me, as I tried my best to do those songs justice on my punk rock drum kit, but I'll never forget that show. The Barrymore theater was full, and people actually clapped after each song.

Closing the show will be none other than St. Bernard. I don't have link to this band. When I look up St. Bernard, all I get are dog, and church parish sites. They could be four ballerinas playing kazoos for all I know. Tickets for Lest We Forget are going fast, and I'm guessing that it will sell out. See you at Turner Hall!

Milwaukee's 1980's Music Scene Revisited

Someone from the 1980's Milwaukee Music Scene had died recently. His death prompted another 80's musical icon to set up a Facebook page that honored his passing, and the passing of many other great Milwaukee musicians. Our guitar player died just six weeks ago and as expected, his name was added to the page. I lost another great musical friend two years ago, and his name was posted as well. As the list of names kept growing, I received notices with every addition. I left the group. It was too hard to take.

Milwaukee's Musical Pioneers of the 1980's
Those Milwaukee musical pioneers certainly died too young, as most of them were in their 40's and 50's when they passed. I suppose that the ones who "lived fast" did die young, as the Circle Jerks song dictates. I rejoined the group when I noticed that the page had morphed into something so much more than a very depressing tally of the dearly departed. The Lest We Forget - Deceased Milwaukee Scene page is now a meeting spot for those who realize how important, powerful, amazing, and special it was to be part of that artistic moment.
Whether you were a spectator or participant, I truly feel that the 1980's punk scene in Milwaukee was a "happening" that doesn't come together too often. Perhaps everyone has their time, but I just can't bring myself to think that watching someone DJ, while lounging in a private area of a club will bring back amazing memories thirty years from now. The ingredients for something much more special has to include artistic and musical mavericks, something to rebel against, empty buildings in decrepit neighborhoods, and club owners willing to take a risk. I was too young to get into The Starship, but when the gates opened for me, I jumped at the chance to be part of that artistic family.

Thirty years have passed, and perhaps that is enough time to weather the rough edges, bury the grudges in silt, and allow us to come together to remember some of the amazing things that happened in Milwaukee. I'll never forget watching Sacred Order at Niko's, just days before my 18th birthday. I slid in under the radar only to get the once over from the bartender. The crowd was thin, but I was a paying customer. They let me stay.

Jay Tiller was my local drumming idol, and Sacred Order was tighter than tight. I probably had just enough money for a couple of beers, and no more. Second and National was not the best place to be at 2am, but punk clubs rarely opened in neighborhoods that were clean and well lit. For me, it's fitting that the face of Sacred Order would be the person who set up the online meeting place for what has now become a repository of amazing photos, stories, and memories that have come back to life.