The Marquette Tribune » Carey Peck

Haggerty hosts works of local Jesuit

Carey Peck — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Professional photographer Don Doll, S.J. does not need Pictorialism's fancy assistance. Doll's photography has been published in National Geographic and in the "A Day in the Life" book series.,”Pictorialism, a movement to make photography imitate fine art and painting, died in the early 20th Century and gave photographers more creative freedom. Professional photographer the Rev. Don Doll does not need Pictorialism's fancy assistance.

The Haggerty Museum of Art's exhibition dedicated to Doll's photography, entitled "The Grandeur of God," opened Jan. 31 and runs until April 13. Doll's work has been previously seen in National Geographic and in the "A Day in the Life" book series.

"Doll has photographs that show first hand things in our world," said Lynne Shumow, curator of education at the Haggerty Museum. "His work shows people in difficult situations and gives people a better understanding of the world we live in."

Doll, a Milwaukee native who attended Marquette University High School, visited the museum for the exhibition's opening and will return Monday. Shumow said Doll came early so faculty could familiarize themselves with him.

"Professors, or even students, can set up classes or just meet up with Doll," Shumow said.

Doll traveled with Jesuit Refugee Services and documented relief work in locations such as Uganda and Sudan, Shumow said. He captured the tragedy of land mine victims in Angola and tsunami survivors in India. Doll's experience with the Lakota people from the Rosebud Reservation, S.D. is also on display.

"Doll's photography is topical with today's society and is socially relevant," Shumow said. "He has traveled all over the world and seen some really harsh things going on here."

The exhibition marks the second time the museum has displayed Doll's work, but this particular exhibit includes works not previously shown. From panoramic shots the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail to photographs of Doll's dying mother entitled "Go in Peace," the exhibit contains a broad collection of new and old art.

In the future, Shumow said the museum is working on an exhibit geared toward students based on contemporary video that features international artists. She said the contrast between Doll's traditional photography and contemporary video art should motivate students to get out and visit the museum's presentations.

The Haggerty Museum is open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily (until 8 p.m. on Thursdays). Admission is free.

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Tea Leaf Green to infuse the Rave with jam band antics

Carey Peck — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 06:00:00 +0000

"I've heard it is cold as hell over there now," said keyboardist and vocalist Trevor Garrod.

Guitarist Josh Clark, drummer Scott Rager, bassist Reed Mathis and Garrod come from San Francisco, Calif.,”Infusing live jam band antics and rock, Tea Leaf Green finally visits Milwaukee and the Rave Sunday during its heavy touring.

"I've heard it is cold as hell over there now," said keyboardist and vocalist Trevor Garrod.

Guitarist Josh Clark, drummer Scott Rager, bassist Reed Mathis and Garrod come from San Francisco, Calif. Garrod said the San Francisco music scene was diverse and eclectic enough to allow Tea Leaf Green to make a name for itself.

"There's been a core group of musicians that are more in our scene," Garrod said. "We all have an attitude that there's room for everybody to be successful. It's not a really big competitive thing, no one is trying to sabotage each other's gear."

Tea Leaf Green should survive the Wisconsin cold. For the past 10 years, Garrod said the band has overcome difficult times by sleeping on strangers' floors and eating whatever they could find.

"It's a lifestyle, and if you don't really enjoy the constant travel, turmoil, adventure and romance of it, then you're not going to like it," Garrod said. "If I stay home for a couple weeks, I start to get a little antsy."

The band's former bassist Ben Chambers left after realizing the touring life did not fit him.

"He just stood up and said, 'I don't want to do this anymore. I don't like touring,'" Garrod said. "It's an understandable thing, but for us it was all kind of flabbergasting."

Garrod said the band respected Chambers' feelings and moved forward. They knew bassist Reed Mathis, a member of Tulsa, Okla. jazz act the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, and admired his abilities.

"We called him up and asked him if he wanted the job not really expecting him to say yes," Garrod said. "He's really given us a whole new breath of life and got us a lot more excited about the music."

Following the band's last studio album Taught to be Proud, Garrod said they recorded a new album with Mathis earlier this year.

"We're still kind of brainstorming (the album's name)," Garrod said. "It's a delicate process."

Garrod said the album is song orientated with not a single track going over five minutes. While the album will contain brand new songs and older live songs, the album is not a shift in new directions.

While the new album's track list leaked online, Garrod said he appreciates the time, energy and effort people put in finding out about a band's work early. However, he said he is still divided on the subject.

"I don't know if it's necessarily detrimental to sales or anything if it gets leaked. It's kind of fun for people to get the early leaked version," Garrod said. "If someone is gung-ho to find it, they will."

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Tea Leaf Green to infuse the Rave with jam band antics

Carey Peck — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 06:00:00 +0000

"I've heard it is cold as hell over there now," said keyboardist and vocalist Trevor Garrod.

Tea Leaf Green should survive the Wisconsin cold. For the past 10 years, Garrod said the band has overcome difficult times by sleeping on strangers' floors and eating whatever they could find.

The band's former bassist Ben Chambers left after realizing the touring life did not fit him.

"He just stood up and said, 'I don't want to do this anymore. I don't like touring,'" Garrod said. "It's an understandable thing, but for us it was all kind of flabbergasting."

Garrod said the band respected Chambers' feelings and moved forward. They knew bassist Reed Mathis, a member of Tulsa, Okla. jazz act the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, and admired his abilities.

Following the band's last studio album Taught to be Proud, Garrod said they recorded a new album with Mathis earlier this year.

"We're still kind of brainstorming (the album's name)," Garrod said. "It's a delicate process."

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MAM’s ‘Sensory Overload’ exhibit is anything but static

Carey Peck — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 06:00:00 +0000

The Milwaukee Art Museum has a different yet equally provoking idea.

While static art holds its own importance, the MAM is displaying its kinetic (relying on motion or moving components) and Op (optical illusion based) art collection with "Sensory Overload: Light, Motion, Sound, and the Optical in Art Since 1945," a visual festival illuminated with lights, interactivity and optical illusions.,"”Sensory overload" carries diverse meanings for people. Some might visualize a giant bowl of Reese's Puffs cereal paired with Powerman 5000 tunes or nude skydiving.

The Milwaukee Art Museum has a different yet equally provocative idea.

"('Sensory Overload') is based on a body of work from the museum's permanent collection," said John McKinnon, curatorial assistant of modern and contemporary art at the MAM. "It was an opportunity for us to show objects that had not been seen in many years to show the strength of the collection in this area."

McKinnon said the MAM is giving these experimental art forms their due by giving people another chance to experience overwhelming pieces of art like Stanley Landsman's walk-in "Infinity Chamber" and Erwin Redl's "Matrix XV."

"The seemingly infinite amount of light by Landsman's walk-in 'Infinity Chamber' and Redl's 'Matrix XV' provides experiences of spatial illusion," McKinnon said. "'Infinity Chamber' is a room 8-foot by 8-foot with mirrors and lights which translate into an illusion of unending space."

LED lights dangling in a 50-foot by 25-foot room make up Redl's "Matrix XV." McKinnon said observers receive an immersive and palpable feeling of space.

"These works are prime examples of why 'Sensory Overload' is not just a static show, but one to be seen and experienced," McKinnon said.

"Sensory Overload" exhibits art that McKinnon called technological historical landmarks and models. According to McKinnon, art sprang from minds during the Industrial Revolution's shifting conditions and environments because "artists were responding to their new reality by using industrial materials as a new form of realism."

Light spectacles and euphoric illusions are only a slice of "Sensory Overload." Early film changed media and delivered another perspective to view art with, McKinnon.

"Projected images gave a new sense of time and space that was previously unavailable," McKinnon said. "The relationship to still objects changed forever after this development."

With the art of Victor Vasarely, Josef Albers and Stephen Antonakos on exhibit, "Sensory Overload" does what it suggests; it goes above and beyond what a normal person's five senses can handle. McKinnon said he hopes the MAM continues presenting modern examples of what innovative artists can create.

Sensory Overload opened Jan. 24 and will remain on display until October 2009. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for students.

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MAM’s ‘Sensory Overload’ exhibit is anything but static

Carey Peck — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 06:00:00 +0000

The Milwaukee Art Museum has a different yet equally provoking idea.

The Milwaukee Art Museum has a different yet equally provocative idea.

LED lights dangling in a 50-foot by 25-foot room make up Redl's "Matrix XV." McKinnon said observers receive an immersive and palpable feeling of space.

"These works are prime examples of why 'Sensory Overload' is not just a static show, but one to be seen and experienced," McKinnon said.

Light spectacles and euphoric illusions are only a slice of "Sensory Overload." Early film changed media and delivered another perspective to view art with, McKinnon.

"Projected images gave a new sense of time and space that was previously unavailable," McKinnon said. "The relationship to still objects changed forever after this development."

Sensory Overload opened Jan. 24 and will remain on display until October 2009. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for students.

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Holiday Gift Guide: Games & Gadgets

Carey Peck — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 06:00:00 +0000

People claiming that the Nintendo Wii is the ultimate party tool have no idea what they're talking about. Bring together some musically inclined friends and start replicating Simon Says on a bunch of plastic toy instruments.,”For the person who rocks out on a Fisher Price Toy Drum Set: "Rock Band" for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3

People claiming that the Nintendo Wii is the ultimate party tool have no idea what they're talking about. Bring together some musically inclined friends and start replicating Simon Says on a bunch of plastic toy instruments. Jokes aside, "Rock Band" builds upon what "Guitar Hero" does and includes an incredible selection of songs. Don't be surprised when people start getting evicted from their apartments. Price: $170 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3

normally, but demand issues might increase price

For the person that wants both quality and quantity: "The Orange Box" for the Xbox 360 and PC

"Half-Life 2: Episode Two" could easily end up as the game of the year for its brilliantly designed narrative and hands off approach to teaching gamers what to do. "Portal" could also end up as the game of the year thanks to studio Valve trimming away the fat and leaving only the best. "Team Fortress 2" might take the award of game of the year for being the best multi-player experience available. Wait, "The Orange Box" contains all these games and more? For a normal price? Purchase confirmed. Price: $60 for Xbox360 and $48 for PC

For the person that lives in an ocean of music and computer CDs: Imation Disc Stakka CD & DVD Management Tool

There isn't a single gamer alive who hasn't lost disc three of "Wing Commander III: Heart of the Tiger" or their copy of "StarCraft." The Imation Disc Stakka is a computer assisted disc carousel that pampers CDs and DVDs with comfort. Use the included software to search through discs stored in the carousel and pop them out when needed. With every day that goes by, society moves a step closer to Star Trek. Price: $90

For the person that forgot the PlayStation 3 could play games: "Call of Duty 4," "Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction" and "Uncharted: Drake's Fortune"

While the PlayStation 3 makes for a great Blu-ray Player and Playstation 2 (upscaled games look gorgeous), who honestly bought one for those purposes? Most people want to play some next-generation video games, not see every wrinkle on Tim Allen's face in "Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause" on Blu-ray. "Call of Duty 4" gives PlayStation 3 owners an addictive multi-player experience while "Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction" and "Uncharted: Drake's Fortune" deliver platforming fun mixed with enjoyable combat. Price: All $60

For the person with nine different remote controllers: Logitech Harmony 550 Universal Remote

What's worse than visiting a videophile's apartment only to play eeny, meeny, miny, moe with remotes trying to figure out which one turns on the television? Nothing. The Logitech Harmony 550 Universal Remote is the solution. After connecting to a computer and configuring the remote, one button can turn on the television, receiver, switchbox and DVD player. Price: $122

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Holiday Gift Guide: Games & Gadgets

Carey Peck — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 06:00:00 +0000

People claiming that the Nintendo Wii is the ultimate party tool have no idea what they're talking about. Bring together some musically inclined friends and start replicating Simon Says on a bunch of plastic toy instruments. Jokes aside, "Rock Band" builds upon what "Guitar Hero" does and includes an incredible selection of songs. Don't be surprised when people start getting evicted from their apartments. Price: $170 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3

normally, but demand issues might increase price

For the person that wants both quality and quantity: "The Orange Box" for the Xbox 360 and PC

For the person that lives in an ocean of music and computer CDs: Imation Disc Stakka CD & DVD Management Tool

For the person that forgot the PlayStation 3 could play games: "Call of Duty 4," "Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction" and "Uncharted: Drake's Fortune"

For the person with nine different remote controllers: Logitech Harmony 550 Universal Remote

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Turner Hall Ballroom hosts South Dakota group

Carey Peck — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 06:00:00 +0000

"We played a couple of shows in Milwaukee," said Spill Canvas lead vocalist Nick Thomas.,”With its latest album No Really, I'm Fine and a bustling touring schedule, alternative rock group The Spill Canvas returns to Milwaukee at the Turner Hall Ballroom Friday.

"We played a couple of shows in Milwaukee," said Spill Canvas lead vocalist Nick Thomas. "We played with Motion City Soundtrack, OK Go, and the Plain White T's in one of the Rave's bigger rooms and that was amazing."

Thomas, joined by drummer Joe Beck, bassist Landon Heil and guitarist Dan Ludeman, started The Spill Canvas in his hometown of Sioux Falls, S.D.

"[Sioux Falls] is not the most functioning machine of music, but now there's a new wave, a new generation of young kids that are starting to play music, and even just new bands with older musicians that have been living in Sioux Falls for a long time," Thomas said. "It's good, but it's more of a local thing."

Thomas said musicians must realize when it is time to move out of a situation and spread a band's music. He said a band should accept its origins and push its way into mainstream audiences and west coast hot spots.

"[Leaving Sioux Falls] was almost out of necessity," Thomas said. "You have to play at as many places as possible and now we're constantly touring."

However, The Spill Canvas hit a minor speed bump when former bassist Scott McGuire left the band in 2006.

"Scott was at that natural point to move on," Thomas said.

The band picked up its current bassist, Heil, as a temporary musician to help record No Really, I'm Fine. Thomas said that Heil is an incredible musician and harmonizes magnificently with the band. As Thomas' former elementary school friend, it's no surprise Heil fits with The Spill Canvas so well.

"We're still testing the waters with Heil," Thomas said. "He's one of our best friends, though. Every day it gets closer to what he's going to become in the band."

Thomas said Heil's contributions to the band are apparent. Heil did not impair the band because, according to Thomas, No Really, I'm Fine had significantly better first week sales than the band's last album. While he is pleased with the album's critical and financial successes, Thomas is not too concerned about the numbers game.

"We're not really interested in shooting straight to the top immediately," Thomas said. "We want to build something organically and want to have more longevity. We want a career out of this rather than go straight to the top, and then fall to the ground on a loyal fan base we've made over the years."

Fans shouldn't worry about The Spill Canvas transforming into something else like a hip hop group, just to bring in financial gains.

"It's all about getting and keeping the old fans, but also appealing to other people as well," Thomas said. "I think we're doing our best in that."

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Turner Hall Ballroom hosts South Dakota group

Carey Peck — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 06:00:00 +0000

Thomas, joined by drummer Joe Beck, bassist Landon Heil and guitarist Dan Ludeman, started The Spill Canvas in his hometown of Sioux Falls, S.D.

"[Leaving Sioux Falls] was almost out of necessity," Thomas said. "You have to play at as many places as possible and now we're constantly touring."

However, The Spill Canvas hit a minor speed bump when former bassist Scott McGuire left the band in 2006.

"Scott was at that natural point to move on," Thomas said.

"We're still testing the waters with Heil," Thomas said. "He's one of our best friends, though. Every day it gets closer to what he's going to become in the band."

Fans shouldn't worry about The Spill Canvas transforming into something else like a hip hop group, just to bring in financial gains.

"It's all about getting and keeping the old fans, but also appealing to other people as well," Thomas said. "I think we're doing our best in that."

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Milwaukee native amuses audiences with stage theatrics

Carey Peck — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 06:00:00 +0000

A Milwaukee native, McCurdy travels across Illinois, Minnesota and his home state performing original cabaret-influenced songs and conversations about humorous topics.,”Whether "Weird Al'' Yankovic chants another parody song or Gallagher demolishes his millionth watermelon, singer-songwriter Pat McCurdy spins unique hilarity and musical entertainment worth seeing again and again.

A Milwaukee native, McCurdy travels across Illinois, Minnesota and his home state performing original cabaret-influenced songs and conversations about humorous topics. McCurdy previously amused national audiences during college tours with concerts soaked in audience participation.

"In the past I performed nationally with college tours," McCurdy said. "Now it's currently just the Midwest area with around 27 to 29 live shows a month."

After his last albums Fainting With Happiness and My World of Love spurned constant jumping-around, catchy lyrics amid hilarious shows, McCurdy returns to the record studio with his newest independent album, 15 Favorites.

"It's basically the same concept as the rest of my albums, but there's more singing in it and some fun overdubbing as well," McCurdy said. "I'm going to keep recording music as well, but the next album is a live album."

Although McCurdy will visit the Miller Time Pub, 509 W. Wisconsin Ave., Nov. 14 and Club Paragon, 3578 S. 108th St., Nov. 25, he has not visited the Milwaukee area music halls as often as other surrounding states' establishments.

"The Milwaukee area is not a really friendly place for music," McCurdy said. "I really don't want to be playing at these small coffee houses or cafés and such."

McCurdy said he also laments the decreasing amount of singer-songwriters in the music industry. Bands like the New Pornographers and Of Montreal gladden McCurdy because of their original songs and interesting musical productions.

"Song writing is a dying craft and it's just not as interesting now," McCurdy said. "Of Montreal has music that I can hum along to. It's really interesting to listen to and in my own songs I try to keep it interesting too. I work on (my songs) hard."

Check out McCurdy's Web site for an up to date concert schedule.

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Milwaukee native amuses audiences with stage theatrics

Carey Peck — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 06:00:00 +0000

"In the past I performed nationally with college tours," McCurdy said. "Now it's currently just the Midwest area with around 27 to 29 live shows a month."

"The Milwaukee area is not a really friendly place for music," McCurdy said. "I really don't want to be playing at these small coffee houses or cafés and such."

Check out McCurdy's Web site for an up to date concert schedule.

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Chicago natives Lucky Boys Confusion set to open show

Carey Peck — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 06:00:00 +0000

Lucky Boys Confusion, a group from Chicago suburbia, dives into multiple musical genres with the cooperation of Kaustubh Pandav, guitarist and keyboardist Adam Krier, drummer Ryan Fergus, bassist Jason Schultejann and guitarist Joe Sell.,”Feeding off enthusiasm and crowd energy, the rock/ska band Lucky Boys Confusion drops into the Varsity Theatre with Reel Big Fish on Sunday expecting uproarious cheering.

Front man vocalist Pandav, also known as Stubhy, said he lives off an excited crowd and knows Reel Big Fish gets people rowdy like Lucky Boys Confusion does.

"The more the crowd gets into it," Pandav said, "the more the band can get into it."

Lucky Boys Confusion returns to Milwaukee after consistently visiting over the past 10 years and has played shows at the Rave and Summerfest. This parallels Pandav's thoughts because it appears live concerts are Lucky Boys Confusion's future.

"Lucky Boys Confusion has nothing in the works album-wise," Pandav said. "We don't want to give throwaway songs to our fans."

Pandav remains adamant about delivering live performances for fans by playing pleasing and esteemed tunes.

"There's always room to find new fans as well," Pandav said. "It's great to see young kids walking around with Nirvana shirts."

Pandav continues work on his new solo project, Shock Stars. He said it's a fresh deviation from Lucky Boys Confusion, combining dance, rock and Michael Jackson-influenced pop.

Die hard Lucky Boys Confusion fans should also check out Krier's side project American Taxi. According to Pandav, American Taxi is quite similar to Lucky Boys Confusion.

As a live performance supporter, Pandav said the Chicago concert scene is impressive.

"Any day of the week you can find 10 different clubs having concerts," Pandav said. "You usually find original bands playing, but you can also find cover bands playing at both big and small venues."

While Pandav said he realizes playing with Lucky Boys Confusion is a job, he cannot help but get excited about his side projects and live shows.

"I just love writing music," Pandav said.

Student tickets are $15 with a Marquette ID and general public tickets are $22. Doors open at 6 p.m., the concert startss at 7 p.m. at the Varsity Theatre. Individuals must be at least 18 years old to attend.

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‘Sexy indie pop’ band, the Blackberries, brings its local flavor to the Annex

Carey Peck — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 06:00:00 +0000

The Blackberries, a local Milwaukee band, formed within guitarist and vocalist Brandon Payton-Carrillo's gray matter as he searched for new Milwaukee members like guitarist Emily Zimmer.,”Transcending standardized musical categories and genre classification, the Blackberries voyage to the Union Sports Annex at 9 p.m. Saturday.

The Blackberries, a local Milwaukee band, formed within guitarist and vocalist Brandon Payton-Carrillo's gray matter as he searched for new Milwaukee members like guitarist Emily Zimmer.

"I started meeting people up in the Milwaukee area like Zimmer," Payton-Carrillo said. "I asked for her to take a position on the spot, but she turned it down. She joined really soon after that, though."

Payton-Carrillo attended high school with bassist Jordan Senz, while Marquette alumna and drummer Jess Cushion recently joined the team.

"The Milwaukee version of the Blackberries hooked up about two years ago," Zimmer said. "I think that's the real beginning of the Blackberries."

According to Cushion, the band continues playing live around Milwaukee at locations like BBC Bar and Grill, 2022 E. North Ave, and Linneman's River West Inn, 1001 E. Locust St. She said this is the first time the Blackberries have played at Marquette.

The band is currently working a new album.

"We're doing the album independently," Zimmer said. "This one is gonna be the first real album we're gonna get pressed and printed and all that jazz."

Although the Blackberries love the Milwaukee area, the group aims to branch out to a wider audience. Zimmer said Milwaukee's accessible live music and distinct selection of bands are reasons to check out the city. She said she wonders why individuals pay to see DJs or to get into clubs but do not want to pay for a live concert.

"The bands are what it's all about," Zimmer said. "There's so much good music out there and it goes under the radar."

While Payton-Carrillo enjoys the Milwaukee scene as well, certain problems distract him.

"Milwaukee has a lot of great bands and a lot of great places to play," Payton-Carrillo said. "But the bands that get a lot of push are ones that are like Whammy members or whatnot. They get a lot of the large free paper press while other bands that are just as good or better get lost in the mix."

Payton-Carrillo stresses live performances without resorting to gimmicky stage productions like tap dancers or armpit symphonies. He said a band should produce a relationship with the audience by singing and playing emotionally driven tracks. Once engaged with a crowd, he said a band can get more personal.

Nevertheless, the Blackberries finds it incredibly difficult to label or compare itself to genres and bands.

"Trying to describe something like our band isn't easy like where some other bands can easily name a counterpart," Senz said. "With us there's so much going on. But yeah, maybe sexy indie pop."