FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2025

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THE PERIODICALS

8:00 PM to 9:30 PM

 

From Madison and Milwaukee, The Periodicals merge British northern soul, classic R&B, and alternative rock to create an inventive, soulful, and searching sound that will have you snapping your fingers and tapping your feet, but can catch you off-guard just as easily as they catch you singing along.

 

Formed in 2013, The Periodicals are a British/American Wisconsin-based ten-piece band featuring guitars, horns, keyboards, violin, and sensational vocals that have been earning rave reviews for their tight live sets and unique blend of British northern soul and alternative rock.  Whether it’s on the festival stage or in the intimacy of a downtown bar, The Periodicals rock the house - blowing the dust off and thumbing through a rich catalog of original material with a classic feel, along with their take on some iconic cuts of British northern soul.  "Part of what makes the chemistry in this band so great is that although we are a mix of people from across the community and we come from all kinds of different places and backgrounds, we are united in our love of this music and how important it is to share it.”

 

Fresh from a series of standout shows last year that included The Mile of Music, La Fete de Marquette, and Project North Festival, 2025 sees the band playing a number of prominent dates in support of a new live recording and video.

 

Bad Haji

6:30 PM to 7:30 PM

 

Bad Haji is returning for an encore performance at Metro Jam 2025.  The band which is based out of Kaukauna, WI was founded 40+ years ago by brothers Rod and Paul Zimmerman.  With Rod on lead guitar and vocals and his brother Paul on drums and vocals, they have been playing Rock and Classic Rock as the main stay of the band since day one.  LeRoy Dehne, originally from Manitowoc, now residing in the Kaukauna area, rounds out the band on bass guitar and vocals since he joined the group by chance after jammin’ with the brothers at an open mic back in 2011.  "Rockin’ the Rafters” is their motto!  Bad Haji draws influences from the bands of the 60's through the 80's such as:  Grand Funk Railroad, ZZ Top, Led Zepplin, Deep Purple, Alice Cooper, UFO, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles and many more.  Enjoy strong vocals by the "brothers" and intense musicianship throughout as Bad Haji takes you along on a Classic Rock ride.

 

Jimi Anderson

5:15 PM to 6:00 PM

 

One voice…one guitar…a thousand unforgettable moments.  Jimi Anderson, known for fronting the high-demand rock band “Warden” and his fan-favorite acoustic project “Acoustic Co.”, is a force on any stage solo, duo, or trio.  Whether he's going it alone or sharing the spotlight with handpicked talent, Jimi brings the same soul-shaking energy and heart.

 

Jimi’s acoustic solo show is the stuff of legends audiences can’t help but sing along, shout out requests, and hang on every word. With a voice described as both buttery and gravelly, and a masterful command of the guitar, Jimi reimagines everything from country to pop to rock with fresh emotion and timeless style.  From the first note, it’s clear this guy has a heart of gold and a sound that sticks with you long after the last chord.

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SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 2025

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THE JAYHAWKS

8:30 PM to 10:00 PM

 

The incredible harmonies and distinctive arrangements of The Jayhawks set them apart from the rest of the Minneapolis music scene that emerged in the 1980s.  Over the course of almost 4 decades, 11 albums, countless memorable live shows and enough personal drama to fill a couple of  “Behind the Music” episodes, this beloved band soared to heights few ever achieve while winning the hearts and minds of numerous critics, fans and peers in the process.

 

After releasing 2 Indie albums in the 80s, The Jayhawks had become a driving force and inspiration behind the growing Americana movement in the early 1990s.  Combining the talents of singer-songwriters Gary Louris and Mark Olson, The Jayhawks released their major label debut, the acclaimed Hollywood Town Hall (1992) on the Def American label.  This was followed by Tomorrow the Green Grass (1995), which produced the alternative radio hit single “Blue”.

 

When Olson left to pursue a solo career, Louris singularly took over the songwriting role in The Jayhawks creating the band’s enduring sound on some of their best selling and well received albums including Sound of Lies (1997), Smile (2000) and Rainy Day Music (2003).

 

Louris continues to write and tour with the longtime core group of Marc Perlman, Karen Grotberg, and Tim O’Reagan.  While the touring lineup has changed over the years and Olson briefly reappeared in 2010 to record and tour, this classic lineup maintains a commitment to excellence and forward motion in their shows and in their recordings.  Paging Mr. Proust (2016) was produced in Portland with Peter Buck and Tucker Martine and found the band moving in several new exciting directions.  The band's 10th studio album, Back Roads and Abandoned Motels, was released in the summer of 2018, featuring Jayhawks versions of songs Gary Louris had previously written with other artists plus 2 new compositions.  In July 2020 The Jayhawks released their latest album, XOXO that features songwriting and lead vocal contributions from all 4 core members.

 

The Jayhawks have made music in 5 different decades and are as vital now as they were in 1985.  They definitely have earned their reputation as a true American treasure.

 

ARIEL POSEN

7:00 PM to 8:00 PM

 

Ariel Posen stands as a beacon of artistic ingenuity, transcending conventional boundaries with an unparalleled musical vision that defies categorization.  The Montreal, Canada based guitarist/vocalist draws comparisons to the styles of John Mayer and Sting.  At the core of his creative odyssey lies an unwavering commitment to artistic expression, weaving together a sonic tapestry that resonates with profound authenticity and emotional depth.  His music is a testament to the boundless possibilities of artistic exploration, seamlessly melding elements of heartland rock & roll, electrified Americana, blue-eyed soul, R&B, and Beatles-inspired pop into a singular, captivating sound.  With each soul-stirring lyric and every emotive chord progression, Posen invites listeners on a transformative journey, transcending genres and touching the very essence of human experience.

Ariel Posen's artistic brilliance has garnered widespread acclaim, earning him standing ovations from enraptured audiences and accolades from industry luminaries alike.  Rolling Stone heralds him as "a modern-day musical virtuoso," recognizing not only his exceptional skill as a guitarist but also his innate ability to evoke profound emotion through his artistry.  Furthermore, Posen's impact extends far beyond the confines of his instrument, as evidenced by his nominations for Breakout Artist of the Year and subsequent recognition in categories such as Rock Artist of the Year and Recording of the Year at the esteemed Western Canadian Music Awards.  In every facet of his craft, Ariel Posen epitomizes the essence of artistic excellence, leaving an indelible imprint on the landscape of contemporary music and inspiring generations to come.
 

DICKIE
5:30 PM to 6:30 PM

 

Dick Prall is a master of what a recent interviewer called “self-deprecating indie rock.”  For almost a decade, the 55-year-old Iowa artist has been best known as Dickie, the loving nickname that his late mother bestowed on him before she passed away in 2013. Dickie’s newest release, the Headful of Hiss EP, is a gleaming testament to his ever-strengthening gifts as a songwriter, spanning lush folk, irresistibly catchy pop, yearning alternative, windswept heartland rock, and the timeless sensibility of ’60s classics.  Produced in Des Moines by Bryan Vanderpool of illustrious folk-pop duo The Well Pennies, the record comprises five exquisitely well-wrought songs that cloak ruminations on anxiety, substance abuse, and depression in majestic, sweetly tuneful, aw-shucks beauty.

 

Prall grew up in Sheffield, Iowa, and he lost both his father and his older brother at a very young age.  A youthful admirer of the Beatles and R.E.M., he didn’t take up guitar until he was 25.  Four years later he had already released his debut (as Dick Prall Band), 1998’s Somewhere About Here, which the alt-country bible No Depression celebrated as a “track-by-track monster.”  He became a linchpin of the Chicago scene, and his next album (as Starch Martins), 2001’s Dressing Up the Failure, won praise from the Chicago Sun-Times for achieving “a brand of rootsy power-pop that is smart, introspective, and filled with great hooks.”  His solo debut, 2005’s Fizzlebuzzle, was “a box of chocolate for your ears” (Performing Songwriter), while 2007’s Weightless featured Glen Phillips on one of its “daring, original songs” (Chicago Tribune).  Dickie’s self-titled 2015 debut album topped several year-end “Best Of” lists.  The follow-up, 2019’s Minus Thieves, was “delightfully out of step” (Little Village) and co-produced by Pat Sarsone (Wilco).  With Headful of Hiss, Prall says, “My goal is to write a song that I like and I’m confident enough to share with other people. And that’s really it.”
 

Louie & The Flashbombs

4:00 PM to 5:00 PM

 

Powered by Louie Lucchesi’s unmistakable voice, Louie & The Flashbombs perform original songs co-authored by Lucchesi and veteran Milwaukee songwriter Mike Benign.  The group’s songs blend Lucchesi’s love of 1970s New York City rock with Benign’s knack for hooky alternative pop.

 

In early 2021, Lucchesi approached Benign about putting music to a batch of lyrics that Lucchesi said were "pouring out of me."  By the end of that year, the duo had completed nearly two dozen songs. They quickly turned their attention to assembling a live band.  With the lineup solidified, rehearsals began in January of 2022.  The chemistry was immediate and joyous—a rarity not lost on six veteran musicians who'd played in too many bands to count over the years. Louie &The Flashbombs made their live debut in May of 2022.  Since then, the band has delighted audiences at a steady stream of club and festival shows.

 

In May of 2023, Louie &The Flashbombs released "Shiny New Skin," a five-song EP recorded with Jeff Hamilton at Hamtone Audio in Milwaukee.  The band released its first full-length album, Bang! in April of 2024.

 

LaForce 3 Peace

2:30 PM to 3:30 PM

 

LaForce 3 Peace guitarist and band leader Joe LaForce has been lighting up local Manitowoc and regional stages for over 45 years.  He first cut his teeth with hometown favorite Whiskey/McKree Band, teamed up with Gary Rosenbauer in the acoustic duo Savanna, and played with many others, eventually collaborating with Manitowoc’s own legend, Jim "Bruiser" Krueger.  "I was lucky to spend time and make music with Bruiser in The Normal Adults, his influence, both musically and personally, was nothing short of profound."

 

Today, Joe plays electric and acoustic guitar (and sings) with LaForce 3 Peace, a spirited trio featuring songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Steve Weber on keyboards/vocals and Louisiana Musician’s Hall of Famer Tom Barrow on drums/vocals.  Their repertoire is a colorful mix of classic and progressive blues, funk-rock favorites, and a few Weber originals.  "As a well-seasoned player, I’m drawn to music that challenges, inspires and hopefully entertains!"  Expect the sounds of Eric Clapton, The Meters, Rare Earth, Dave Mason, Jim Krueger, Tom Petty, Robben Ford, and many more!
 

The Taxmen

1:15 PM to 2:00 PM

 

The Taxmen a young highly talented Milwaukee-based band, featuring Anthony (Bass), Jeff (Guitar), Will (Guitar), and Will (Drums), are not only known for their Beatles covers, but also for their original compositions.  Their performances encompass classics from the 1950s to the present day.  Blending the familiar with the new, The Taxmen are carving out their unique space in the local music scene, captivating audiences with their diverse repertoire of popular covers and original songs.

 

 

Murphy Blvd

12:00 PM to 12:45 PM

 

The name Murphy Blvd comes from a road that leads into North Star Camp near Hayward, WI.  That is where Don Gibson and Bob Feller first met some 30+ years ago. Don is a retired Physician Assistant living in Grafton and Bob Feller is a retired teacher and coach living in Manitowoc.  About two years ago, a third member was added to the group, Biff Hansen, a long-time educator with the Manitowoc Public School District. Biff is also retired and lives in Manitowoc.  Some of their favorite venues to play are the Stage Door Pub in Manitowoc, where they host open mics and at open mics in Port Washington.  They have also performed at the Cedarburg Cultural Center.

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