One of the greatest things for a music fan in a college town such as Madison is the incredible variety of talented, down-to-earth, rockin’ local bands. The scene here is quite large, and this week the college crowd has the chance to check out three of Madison’s finest — the German Art Students, Spin Spin Coupling and Driftless Pony Club — all in one show. A local indie showcase of sorts, the show promises to offer a good-sized helping of alternative-indie music that will have all the hipsters dancing in the aisles.
Local favorites the German Art Students (www.thegermanartstudents.com) have been a Madison-area mainstay since the days of O’Cayz Corral, giving them a serious seniority advantage over many recently-formed local groups. But fear not, as the Students’ sense of rock has not diminished over time. The quartet puts a little bit of everything into its music, from punk to new wave to even a Civil War re-enactment, and everyone is guaranteed to leave a German Art Students show having heard at least something they like.
Even Rolling Stone magazine recognizes the greatness of the Art Students — in the magazine’s February 2003 issue, it named the Madison music scene number five in the country, and named the German Art Students one of three bands to keep an eye on.
Joining the Students is Spin Spin Coupling (www.spinspin.org), self-proclaimed “sensitive arena rock.” The group spends much of its time touring the Midwest, with plenty of stops in Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota, and has thus earned a multi-state reputation for its unique brand of alternative and hard rock.
Spin Spin Coupling members list as their influences everything from Weezer and the Pixies to Elvis Costello and Twisted Sister, so expect the unexpected from this group. There has been some member-shifting over the past few years, but it seems that a lineup is fairly well set at this point, which just means an even more solid performance.
Spin Spin Coupling has two EPs under its belt — spring 2002’s Days of Clouds and spring 2003’s One Train May Hide Another — the latter of which has received stellar reviews across the board. Look for catchy pop hooks, an incredible array of talent from every member and songs that just won’t get out of your head.
Driftless Pony Club (www.driftlessponyclub.com) closes out the lineup with its true-to-form indie rock. Having played everything from the “Doty Street Move-Out” to an opening slot for indie/alternative favorites Mates of State, Driftless Pony Club is another Madison fixture with a rabid following that is second to none. The band plays almost constantly, sometimes putting in four or five shows a month — quite a feat for a group made up of college students. Driftless Pony Club has played nearly every venue in Madison as well, from the Anchor Inn to Electric Earth.
This versatility serves the band well, as show-goers never leave disappointed. Driftless Pony Club offers up an ideal blend of alternative and pop rock, and adds to the blend the unique indie sensibility that makes the group fit in so well on the Madison scene, but also makes it stand out enough to be remembered.
Of course these three bands aren’t nearly all Madison has to offer in the indie-rock forum, but rest assured they are a better-than-average representation. The show will be a great chance for some of Madison’s finest to re-introduce themselves to returning students, and should prove to be an evening of fun and, most importantly, rock ‘n’ roll.
The German Art Students, Spin Spin Coupling and Driftless Pony Club play tonight at Luther’s Blues (1401 University Ave.). Doors open at 9 p.m. and there is a $5 cover at the door.
