The Jet City Fix "Fire it Up" with new album

As the year comes to a close we all remember the tragedy that could have been that was averted by quick acting on the part of our local Fine Line staff on February 17th. (Click here for my story on that.)

The Jet City Fix who started the fire with their pyrotechnics are set to release their absurdly-titled album "Play to Kill," the last song on which bears the name "Fire it Up," something they are clearly familiar with.

See the details on their message board .

If said titles are a joke, I'm not sure the musicians and club owners of Minneapolis quite get it, not to mention the families and friends of the people who died at a Great White concert in New Jersey just days after our near miss here.

Airwaves Dream


Mei Young tries to hide behind the microphone at KQ Sunday night.

I returned to radio on Sunday night (after an absence of about 17 years) with an appearance on KQRS's Homegrown program with Mei Young and David Campbell. Ben Weaver was this week's musical guest. We talked a little about Ben's recent tour of England and how traditional American music has been so well received in Europe in recent years. As an example of that, I pointed out that a month or so ago I'd posted the track listing of a mix CD of recent local music called "Look Ma No Prince" that I'd made for my friend Andrew Zincke in London. Though the mix CD was mostly pop and rock the heartbreaking country ballad Big Ditch Road tune "Not To Me" was a stand out track for Andrew who liked it so much he included it on a mix tape for his father. (On the other end of the spectrum, however, another stand out track for him was "Are You For Real?" by Astronaut Wife.)

Ben Weaver will make his first live appearance since his return from another successful European tour with an appearance at the Turf Club on Saturday night as part of another installment the Heartbreak and Harmony showcase, this one also featuring Kid Dakota and the Ashtray Hearts.

Minneapolis plays Milwaukee

Details on Saturday's fun in Milwaukee will follow, but just to wet your whistle, here are a couple pictures I took about 2:30 a.m. Saturday night outside the Onopa Brewing Company on Center Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin after Faux Jean's final show with Jean Angel and Faux Wayne.


Members of Faux Jean, the Hang Ups and the Melismatics in Milwaukee on Saturday night (click for full size)


Sean Hoffman of Faux Jean and Marcel Galang of the Hang Ups (click for full size)