Paris, Texas

It’s been like a million years since this Madison-by-way-of-Milwaukee by way of somewhere in the Arizona desert act has played anywhere in the state of Wisconsin. So what’s been going down with the five-piece? Probably toiling over a follow-up to the punchy Brazilliant EP, recordings that are rumored to be the band’s best work to date. Certainly more to follow.

Solid Gold

Before Saturday, no member of the paying public will have seen this band perform outside of a Bassett Street basement. The Spiritualized/Dandy Warhols-influenced four-piece fits into the emerging barbiturate climax rock sub-genre with a catalog of songs chock so full of historical allusion, they would make Herodotus wet. A recent interview with a group member divulged themes to be included on the secretive set-list as “explosions” and “the zodiac.” On fire!

Five Dollar Foundation
With the recent addition of keyboard upstart Zaid Maxwell, Five Dollar Foundation has gelled into one of Madison’s true power pop stalwarts. With influences including Elvis Costello, Napalm Death and “the bitter Wisconsin winters,” FDF sounds pretty, but wins you with their flossy lyrical stylings. Ear candy that makes one pause a bit, the perfect combination for an aurally inspired reverie.