Jazz double bassist Charlie Haden modeled another pathway to upending the established musical order: the role of the insurgent. Playing for years behind many of music’s most overt sonic mavericks, Haden unassumingly did much to break down barriers separating genres and styles. Continue reading
While any music fan would likely be hard-pressed to recognize the name of Thomas Erdelyi, his contributions to the Ramones, the birth of punk rock and rock ‘n’ roll as a whole long ago earned him a critically important place in the American musical pantheon. Continue reading
After two years of uncertainty and (near) radio silence, there are signs that Wisconsin’s Bon Iver might be ending its extended musical hibernation. Continue reading
The Mothership, the signature stage prop of funk pioneers Parliament-Funkadelic’s legendary performances, has been rescued from storage and will go on display at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. Continue reading
A new reissue of “Superunknown,” the best album recorded by grunge godfathers Soundgarden seeks to acknowledge the 20th anniversary of the record’s arrival and to resurrect its reputation among fans when so much as happened in the years since then. Continue reading
More than 20 years after releasing their seminal album and then breaking up, post-hardcore band Slint has temporarily reunited to highlight a box-set version of the record. But at the group’s recent show in Chicago, the combo proved they could still execute the music’s bold vision, but not with anything approaching a visionary’s passion. Continue reading
If anyone needs a little cheering up after having to dig out the winter hat and gloves again, guitarist John Fahey’s “When The Springtime Comes Again” might be the remedy you seek. Continue reading
“Come as you are” couldn’t have been a clearer statement of purpose for the music of Nirvana and Kurt Cobain. Continue reading
As if many Wisconsinites’ longing for summer wasn’t already overheating, the lineup for Milwaukee’s Summerfest music festival was announced on Wednesday morning. Continue reading
On this side of the Atlantic, few figures of the 20th Century can claim to be a greater exponent of Irish music than Tommy Makem. Continue reading
Soundbytes Music Column 