Sonic Rendezvous
By Shepherd Express
Sonic RendezvousApr 27, 2023
John Kruth
As a young New Jersey teenager John Kruth was fortunate enough to see legendary musical acts in New York City at places like the Fillmore East.
Today, his discography numbers over a dozen albums and his collaborations as a multi-instrumentalist reveal even more.
He’s played music with Ornette Coleman, Violent Femmes and last episode’s subject Peter Stampfel. Kruth has also written biographies on Rahsaan Roland Kirk and Townes Van Zandt. During his time in Milwaukee, one memorable evening. Kruth even took over Ma Fischer’s with Rick Danko of The Band.
On this episode of Sonic Rendezvous, John Kruth takes us through his musical trajectory.
Peter Stampfel
If Les Paul is the most recognized figure to come from Wisconsin‘s music scene, then Peter Stampfel might be the most important local musician you may not have heard of.
From Milwaukee’s Piggsville neighborhood, Stampfel made his way to Greenwich Village to become a member of the Fugs and form the Holy Modal Rounders--possibly the first psychedelic folk band ever.
Not too long ago the 85-year-old Stampfel overcame a condition called dysphonia and had to relearn how to sing. His return was all the more remarkable in that he released a five CD box set called Peter Stampfel's 20th Century in 100 Songs. He recently spoke with Sonic Rendezvous.
Warwick Seay and Jennifer Mueller of Circle A
Riverwest's esteemed Circle A Cafe will be closing its doors after more than 22 years of operation in Milwaukee. On this episode of Sonic Rendezvous, we sit down with owners Warwick Sea and Jennifer Mueller about the intimate club, it's history, and some of the most infamous nights in the venue's history. We wish all the best to Warwick and Jennifer as they move forward!
Victor DeLorenzo
Today on Sonic Rendezvous, we're talking with the original drummer of Milwaukee's Violent Femmes, Victor DeLorenzo. Forever Milwaukee's prodigal sons, the band's debut album turns 40 years old this year. DeLorenzo talks about his background in theater, how that evolved to avant garde music over time, the infamous Pretenders story and much more. Don't miss this episode!
Malcolm Michiles
Malcolm Michiles, aka Old Man Malcolm, has an extensive history in Milwaukee music. On this episode of Sonic Rendezvous, we talk about his origins as a DJ, how that eventually led to involvement at the tail end of Wild Kingdom, the formation of Citizen King and more. There's also a healthy appreciation for the former Sydney Hih building, and a look back at a different era of Milwaukee music.
Cheryl Pawelski
You may not know this, but a Grammy-winning record producer got her start in Milwaukee. Cheryl Pawelski has held positions with Capitol Records, Warner Music Group, Rhino Entertainment and many more, but it all began at Radio Doctors in her hometown. On this edition of Sonic Rendezvous, we talk to Cheryl about getting her start in Milwaukee, moving out to Los Angeles, and ultimately co-founding her own label, Omnivore Records, where she currently presides.
Tory Mayek
From his early beginnings in music to what would ultimately become the beginnings of hip hop in Milwaukee, Tory Mayek has grown up around the constantly pushed boundaries of Milwaukee's music scene. His father helped produce "Yo! It's Happenin'" and "Rap It Up!" for MATA public access television, and he would later move into the band Big Bang Theory. After spending two decades in Los Angeles, Mayek returned home to Milwaukee and is now part of the Nightcrawlerz, with a regular radio show on WMSE, as well as DJ gigs and curating things like the Anti Art Gallery. Here is his story.
Mike Jarvis
As a young man with wide eyes and open ears Mike Jarvis ventured from Waukesha into Milwaukee’s music scene. With Ball Turret Gunners he got an early taste of being in a band. In Root Cellar he began sending his own songs into the world, a journey that would peak with the pop confection and heavy jangle of The Blow Pops and The Lackloves. Both bands would make a mark beyond the local scene. After a hiatus Jarvis has returned with Elephonic, the group that incorporates strings and orchestration creating a signature sound.
Glenn Rehse of Plasticland
Today on Sonic Rendezvous, editor David Luhrssen and Blaine Schultz talk to Glenn Rehse of psych rock band Plasticland. The band was one of few in Milwaukee to make a splash outside of the city and country, and the three discuss the origins as Arousing Polaris, touring Europe, and the many twists and turns of the band's career along the way. The episode is a great window into the origins of psych rock and some of the mod and UK roots that influenced the band's style.
David Luhrssen
Today on Sonic Rendezvous, we're talking with David Luhrssen, managing editor of Shepherd Express. Prior to the current iteration of the magazine, Dave helped found X-Press, a fan zine focused on underground music and culture that would inevitably become this very publication. We talk about the genesis of the magazine, his travel history and how that helped him to discover new music that hadn't made its way to Milwaukee, and the various career turns that saw him move to the Milwaukee Journal before coming back to Shepherd Express.
Milwaukee Rock Posters: Ron Faiola, Paul Host and Tim Noble
On March 25, Milwaukee Rock Posters Radio Show will broadcast it’s 200th episode. Ron Faiola began the Milwaukee Rock Posters website as a digital collection for Milwaukee music ephemera, branching out to include a regular radio program hosted by Paul Host and Tim Noble as part of their Saturday afternoon show on WMSE 91.7. The 200th episode will feature music from the 2022 Lest We Forget concert that celebrated local music.
Faiola, Host and Noble are all veterans of Milwaukee’s music scene. In this Sonic Rendezvous, the trio dive into the rabbit holes where local music history continues to be uncovered.
Wanda Chrome & The Leather Pharoahs
Wanda Chrome & The Leather Pharaohs have maintained a healthy DIY philosophy for decades. From self-booked tours that included CBGBs to a handful of European treks to maintaining a South Side compound that is home to creatives, artisans and like-minded bands the Milwaukee trio’s philosophy could be boiled down to: Other bands talk about it, they do it. Marie and Cliff Ulsberger stopped by for a chat about life and rock and roll.
Doug LaValliere, Judy Simonds and Clancy Carroll of "Taking The City By Storm"
Capturing the history of a transformative era in Milwaukee’s music scene is no easy task. However, that is what Doug Lavalliere, Judy Simonds and Clancy Carroll set out to do in the creation of Taking The City By Storm, a documentary which explores Milwaukee music from roughly 1975 – 1985. Over 80 people were interviewed for the movie, spanning the genres of power pop to new wave, punk, glam and more. We talked about the years of production that went into the documentary, including compiling source materials that were sitting in basements and attics for decades and gathering interviews in a steaming hot Miramar Theatre. The film is screening at the Beloit Film Festival on February 26 and 27, as well as the Green Bay Film Festival on April 15th, but you can learn more about it here on Sonic Rendezvous.
Jack Koshick
Jack Koshick got his start in the music biz in NYC working with Caravan of Stars shows, in the aftermath of the payola. He later managed Badfinger during their tenure in Milwaukee. Taking over from Café Volaire in 1987 his Odd Rock Café on Kinnickinnic Avenue felt like a roadhouse with a CBGB pedigree. Scores of local bands played the room with the likes of Bo Diddley, The Feelies, Gene Clark, Johnny Thunders, GG Allin, Doug Sahm, Soundgarden and Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown.
Who else do you know who’s been on a first name base with Beatles, created Metal Fest and bar-hopped looking for karaoke with The Crusher? Barely slowing down, Koshick still works in promotion, as well as offering his experience to local a band that includes the next generation of Koshicks, Tigera.
Stanley Ryan Jones
With his imposing height Stanley Ryan Jones was an easily recognized figure in Milwaukee’s clubs during the Punk/NewWave era. The photographer captured enduring images of legends like Iggy Pop and Lenny Kaye, as well as local personalities like The Shivvers.
He moved on from photography to jumping from airplanes to fight wildfires out west, then returned to Milwaukee and and dove into mixed media then collages. Jones spoke with us recently about his adventures at punk hotel The Norman and run-ins with Elvis Costello’s goon squad.
Mary Bartlein
Decades ago, a chance encounter in a record store in Liechtenstein set Mary Bartlein on a musical journey that continues to this day. A vagabond student with a Eurail pass, she made a point to stop in record stores in the cities she visited and asked what local music they recommended. At the hole-in-the-wall shop in Liechtenstein she was pointed to the music of Andreas Vollenweider, the Swiss harpist. Bartlein was intrigued by his take on instrumental music and it influenced her radio shows.
When genres like New Age, World, Ambient, Electronic, are tossed around, Bartlein simply calls it Instrumental Music. As a pioneering woman DJ, she has been on the Milwaukee airwaves for over 30 years. Her three-hour interview and music programs allow deep dives that artists dream of. She’s also worked behind the scenes at Milwaukee’s Bastille Days as well as festivals in New Orleans.
Julie Brandenburg
Julie Brandenburg’s enthusiasm for music has taken her from playing in bands to leading bands, and from writing string quartets to composing electronic music. Her early resume includes playing with Trance and Dance Band and Liquid Pink.
By the time she formed Trueheart Susie, Brandenburg had become something of an analog to Bluegrass legend Bill Monroe in that she selected players for the group from diverse musical personalities and gave them room to contribute. Some of them would move on to form groups of their own. Not unlike Monroe.
As an educator, she mentors her students. As a musician, she plays with Lost Tribes of the Moon and will soon release the solo album Aqua Vocalis.
Tom Crawford
This time around on Sonic Rendezvous, we're talking with WMSE mainstay and station manager Tom Crawford. With nearly four decades at the station, Crawford has been the connecting point for so many different sounds and eras of Milwaukee music that has come through the MSOE-based studios. In this interview, he talks about his early days of growing up in Bay View, finding his calling in music, and the early beginnings in local radio.
For more Sonic Rendezvous, check out ShepherdExpress.com
Divina Infusino
Today on Sonic Rendezvous, Allen Halas and Blaine Schultz talk with music journalist Divina Infusino. You may remember seeing Divina's name as the author of many, many music articles for the Milwaukee Journal. We talked about her history in journalism, being a pioneer for women in music coverage and newsrooms in general at that time. Now residing in San Francisco, we also catch up with what she's been up to as of late.
For more Sonic Rendezvous, check out ShepherdExpress.com
Liv Mueller
Today on Sonic Rendezvous, Allen Halas and Blaine Schultz talk to Liv Mueller, a singer/songwriter that has a storied history in and around Milwaukee's music scene. We discuss bands including The Screaming Lillies and The Lovelies, her eventual musical journeys to Austin and Nashville to make music, and how it led back to making music in Milwaukee. Don't miss it!
For more Sonic Rendezvous, check out ShepherdExpress.com
Dr. Philip Naylor and David Luhrssen
Today on Sonic Rendezvous, Blaine Schultz sits down with Dr. Philp Naylor, a professor that teaches on the history of rock and roll at Marquette University, as well as David Luhrssen of Shepherd Express. Along with Bruce Cole, the trio worked on a book entitled Milwaukee Rock and Roll, 1950-2000: A Reflective History. Learn about some of the earliest iterations of rock and roll in Milwaukee, all the way up through the first wave of punk and post-punk music in the city in this fascinating discussion.
Justin Perkins
Today on Sonic Rendezvous, Allen Halas and Blaine Schultz talk to Justin Perkins of Mystery Room Mastering. You've more than likely heard Justin's work, as he's remastered projects from Milwaukee bands like The Shivvers, all the way up to classic acts like The Replacements. We discuss the process of mastering using damaged source materials, restoring projects to their original glory and more. You can check out Mystery Room Mastering at MysteryRoomMastering.com.
For more Sonic Rendezvous, check out ShepherdExpress.com
Kevin Hutchison
Today on Sonic Rendezvous, Allen Halas and Blaine Schultz talk to photographer Kevin Hutchison. Recently, Kevin began uploading his photos of iconic Milwaukee bands as well as punk legends to the Lest We Forget group on Facebook. Now residing in Texas, Kevin tells us of how he got his start with photography in the clubs, as well as the photo book that he has compiled.
For more Sonic Rendezvous, check out ShepherdExpress.com
Introducing: Sonic Rendezvous
Sonic Rendezvous is a podcast dedicated to looking at the past, present and future of Milwaukee's music scene. Hosted by Allen Halas and Blaine Schultz, generations of local music will come together to share the stories that create a time capsule of the city's history.
Find out more about Sonic Rendezvous at ShepherdExpress.com