
Way back in early 2004, Sally Clark (Strict Management) sent me a copy of Austin-based What Made Milwaukee Famous’ debut, self-released album, Trying to Never Catch Up. At the time I was doing live radio webcasts on both my old blog server (TexasGigs.com) as well as on TexasRadio1.com…entitled…of course…The Fine Line Show. Trying to Never Catch Up went into immediate heavy rotation both on the Internet radio shows, as well as in my personal CD player.
Bandmembers Michael Kincaid and Drew Patrizi not only wrote all the lyrics for this 11-song CD, they also produced it along with co-producer Lars Goransson. A few songs were actually recorded and engineered by our local hero Matthew Barnhart at the Echo Lab in Denton.
I did have the great honor of webcasting WMMF at the (I believe the first) Spune Wall of Sound Festival at Hailey’s in Denton back in 2004. Unfortunately, I was doing live broad/webcasts at the time, so I don’t have a recording of the show. However, I still remember how amazing the band was and how blown-away the crowd was by the band’s sound.
What Made Milwaukee Famous create pop that’s rockin’ enough to shake the rafters at your favorite venue, but would also be a perfect backdrop to a drive down the coast. It’s energetic, forceful, and impassioned.
What Made Milwaukee Famous knows how to build buzz in their local Austin, TX music scene. They’ve done their time at the South by Southwest music festival, been featured on Andy Langer’s Next Big Thing on 101X, and played famed Austin City Limits TV Show (PBS), with Franz Ferdinand no less, as one of few unsigned bands in the show’s 32 year history to ever take the stage.
Already having been celebrated by spots on Billboard and Rolling Stone bands-to-watch lists, as well as appearances on WXPN’s World CafĂ© in Philadelphia and Steve Lamacq’s Music Show on the BBC, opening slots with the Arcade Fire and Black Keys, and Snow Patrol, plus their ACL Festival appearance, their debut CD, trying to never catch up, lands the band at the top of their game and ready to take on the world.
Fast-forward to the summer of 2006 (that’s like now), and you’ll find the band signed to Barsuk Records (Aqueduct, Death Cab for Cutie, Nada Surf, They Might Be Giants, John Vanderslice, Mates of State, Starlight Mints…etc…) and this week, re-released Trying to Never Catch Up with a handful of songs from the original self-released album, along with some brilliant new tuneage. Click here to purchase a copy.
This week is CD Releaseapalooza for What Made Milwaukee Famous - check it:
Friday, August 25: Waterloo Records in Austin - 5:00 PM - In-Store Performance - Free Beer!
Friday, August 26: The Beauty Bar in Austin - Listening To Party - Free Vodka
You’ll also find the boys on stage at this year’s ACL Fest in Austin on September 16th.
Here’s a track for this fabulous new album:
“Sweet Lady”.mp3
You can also find some tracks on the band’s MySpace page.
