Few bands in Milwaukee have earned the kind of reputation for searing live performances that The Danglers enjoy.
So, it seems perfectly natural that the progressive band – which draws on elements of prog rock, metal, jazz and more for its high-voltage style – would issue a live CD.
"Live at Circle A" was recorded at the Riverwest venue in February on a portable digital recorder. The result is a disc that packs all the sweat and vibe of a club gig. The shows were The Danglers' 13th anniversary performances.
"We try to record everything we do," says drummer John Sparrow. "We attempt to capture magic whenever and wherever it might occur. Also, over the years fans have said they enjoy our studio releases, but they lack what the live shows have, such as energy, spontaneity, improv and even 'sexiness.' We wanted to give our fans the CD they have wanted for 14 years and have something that truly represents the band's sound and vibe not just our songs."
The band – which also includes violinist, vocalist and guitarist Jason Loveall and bassist Dave Gelting – is augmented by a couple guests – keyboardist Matt Long and saxophonist Jason Wietlispach – on the 11-track disc, which runs more than 70 minutes.
"There is material from past records," says Sparrow, who says there are also a couple new songs, too. "The incentive to hearing or owning those tracks now, is that the songs finally have the sound or energy that fans and the band wanted but may have lacked."
There is also a trio of covers: Pink Floyd's "Astronomy Domine," Radiohead's "The National Anthem" and King Crimson's "Sailor's Tale." These, however, are only available on the physical CD release, not via digital download.
"We do cover Pink Floyd semi-regularly," says Sparrow. "The fans love it and we like the contrast from some of our more aggressive material like our tune Ascend for example. We hadn't done the King Crimson in years and I am not too sure what triggered us to do it, possibly the anniversary aspect of the show.
"However, the stand out cover is 'The National Anthem' by Radiohead. It features Jason Wietlispach on saxophone, and the song is amazing; it speaks for itself. We really made it our own."
Sparrow says the recordings from the shows exceeded the band's expectations.
"And then some," Sparrow enthuses. "When we initially listened back to the tracks we were excited about the energy and performance of each song. The sound quality was good, too. ... It still retains the dynamics that The Danglers use as part of our style and sound."
You can experience those dynamics via the CD, which you can buy at Rush-Mor in Bay View, The Exclusive Co. on Farwell Avenue or online at CDBaby.com. You can also download it – minus the cover songs – via iTunes and other online shops.
The Danglers' next hometown show is at Linneman's Riverwest Inn on Saturday, Oct. 22, but you can also hear the band on WMSE's Local/Live show on Tuesday, Oct. 18 ay 8 p.m.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
