Favorite Milwaukee Concert (Madison, Green Bay, Adams: scorpions, school, live)

[Milwaukee City]

Pearl Jam, completely overrated. I put Queen and Pearl Jam and the Black Crows as some of the most overrated bands ever, oh and Cheap Trick.

[Vegas_Cabbie]

Originally Posted by Milwaukee City

Pearl Jam, completely overrated. I put Queen and Pearl Jam and the Black Crows as some of the most overrated bands ever, oh and Cheap Trick.

Pearl Jam? Maybe...
Black Crows, Cheap Trick... Yep...
Queen?

Not a chance.

[twotoneshoes]

AFI at Summerfest in a rainstorm. One of my best memories of Milwaukee.

[thefragile]

Originally Posted by Milwaukee City

Pearl Jam, completely overrated. I put Queen and Pearl Jam and the Black Crows as some of the most overrated bands ever, oh and Cheap Trick.

Actually, the most overrated group of all time is The Beatles.

Anyway back to the topic, Depeche Mode too. I think 3 times? I've always loved them.

[cheese plate]

I've seen Foo Fighters, Depeche Mode, etc. Those bands and those (big) venues just aren't my thing. I mean, I like a few early Depeche Mode songs and they were OK 15-20 years ago at Summerfest or whatever, but music just doesn't have the same visceral impact for me if I'm squeezed behind 10,000 people, looking at a band on a big screen and listening on cavernous speakers. To each his own, I guess.

Cheap Trick has only had a couple hits, not sure how they could be overrated. Keep in mind that they were originally from Rockford, but broke out in Milwaukee. The band moved here and early on had a Milwaukee vocalist (who later went on to form popular local band Bad Boy), they had a Wisconsin manager (legendary Ken Adamany), etc. Because they're basically Milwaukee locals, you hear way more about them than you would pretty much everywhere else (except maybe Japan and a few other countries where they are huge). Side note: Badfinger also spent time living in Milwaukee during the 70s, so along with them and Cheap Trick and locals like Shivvers and RPMs and Orbits, and Tony's Tygers members touring in the 70s versions of 1910 Fruitgum/Ohio Express, Milwaukee's power pop scene in the 70s was arguably the best in the world.

Unless you think the Beatles were the greatest band in history, they are by definition "overrated" I guess, because critics generally place them as the best ever, they sold the most, etc. I'm not a huge fan, but in terms of impact, well, they were giants for sure. And Badfinger, Cheap Trick, and the rest of the Milwaukee power pop scene would certainly have agreed.

[ranger17]

i've loved seeing Cheap Trick live since '79/80 and have seen them anywhere from headline tours at the old Colosseum here to bars/clubs and back to arenas. I always just took them as a good R&R band, sure they had some radio hits (a couple classics) and have had good album sales over the years, but for just a fun live show they never were off all the times I saw them.
That said, for whatever reason they've seemed to have as many "greatest hits" packages as actual album releases, which after awhile does get a little old. And come to think of it, while they put on good shows in the big arenas (esp at what seemed to be their height of popularity here in 80's), i enjoyed them best at the clubs. Which for many bands may be the best way to see/hear their music.

[cheese plate]

For me, it's the way to see every band!

A friend of mine saw the 'Stones in a small LA club ("secret" show warm-up) a few years back, and just like in a small club/bar punk show, he was up front for most of it, jumped onstage, sang part of a song with Mick, etc. Much different from when I saw them at Camp Randall 20 or so years ago, when they looked like ants and there was no beer sold and people couldn't smoke and there was that booming echo that made all the sound seem a little "off" and so on. Bleh. "I thought this was Maaaaad town," said Mick disgustedly, haha. Most bands prefer a smaller club to an arena, beyond the obvious financial impact of the arena, and you can see it in their performace.

[ranger17]

Originally Posted by cheese plate

For me, it's the way to see every band!

.

i'd say the only time i may disagree is for bands that include a large stageshow. From the old Rush tours (saw them in 78), to Kiss to even TSO's holiday tours, certain bands offer a full 'experience' that while their music in a small and perhaps stripped down format would just rock a club, sometimes just sitting back and being blown away visually as well is worth the arena admission.

just my .02 of course.

[thefragile]

Originally Posted by ranger17

i'd say the only time i may disagree is for bands that include a large stageshow. From the old Rush tours (saw them in 78), to Kiss to even TSO's holiday tours, certain bands offer a full 'experience' that while their music in a small and perhaps stripped down format would just rock a club, sometimes just sitting back and being blown away visually as well is worth the arena admission.

just my .02 of course.

That's how it is with NIN, their stage set was fantastic. Even better if you smoke some herbage. Pearl Jam's was good too. Simple but effective.

[ranger17]

Originally Posted by thefragile

That's how it is with NIN, their stage set was fantastic. Even better if you smoke some herbage. Pearl Jam's was good too. Simple but effective.

saw NIN along with the Jim Rose(?) side show and Marilyn Manson (early on) here in Madison some years ago. They were great live, loved the visuals on the big screen during "Hurt".

Wasnt my usual "crowd" per say but that was quite the night.