Welcome to a new installment from NDFY headquarters that we like to call Rocksploration, where we’ll take a look at the less-publicized, just as buzzworthy music loving cities that are just off the beaten path.

Living in the flatlands of America has its advantages when it comes to exploring the rockness of neighboring cities. The driving distances are reasonable, drinks get cheaper and cheaper the further you get from the big city, and often times the shows that are in cavernous, impersonal venues in Chicago are rolling through much more intimate confines in the smaller Midwestern cities. This philosphy could probably translate on the coasts, too - catch the Chinatown to Philly or US-1 to San Diego for a less-sceney, probably more comfortable peek at a buzz band.

I realized this a couple of years ago when a good friend moved from Chicago to Milwaukee and I had an excuse to explore that city as an of-age music fan (I grew up there, but there’s a dearth of all-ages venues in the Brew City). Without further ado, here’s my look at a perfect rocknroll road trip north to town that made Schlitz famous:
Kick it off with a mix of solid Mil-town artists like the Violent Femmes, The Promise Ring, and The Obsoletes for the 90 minute ride and get ready to discover that Milwaukee’s music scene proves that it’s more than “Chicago’s northern-most suburb.”

The center of the Brew City’s indie scene is arguably the Cactus Club. Located in the uber-trendy hipster haunt of Bay View, the Cactus has been attracting both local and national independent-leaning acts for over a decade. Alumni of the self-described “super shithole” include the White Stripes, Interpol, and Queens of the Stone Age. The joint has been closed for remodeling this summer, but reopens triumphantly tomorrow (August 9th). With a cool new decor, the Cactus Club promises to continue the tradition of cold, cheap beer and dirty rocknroll on the south side of Milwaukee.

Stonefly Brewery, formerly Onopa Brewery, is a cavernous space in the emerging Riverwest neighborhood of Milwaukee that also attracts national indie-pop acts and adds the occasional jam band to the mix. Hipsters and hippies alike enjoy the outstanding house brews and better-than-decent bites while enjoying such recent shows as Two Gallants, Earlimart, and Thunderbirds Are Now!

Mad Planet has picked up some of the all ages slack that ensued after the closing of the legendary Globe East punk club about 5 years ago. Also located in Riverwest, Mad Planet is a dirty pool-hall-cum-rock-club that won’t go out of its way for anyone (you have to leave the show and run down the street for a beer if it’s an all ages affair because the club doesn’t have an all ages liquor license), so if you’re gonna hang here you’d better be ready to throwdown. Upcoming shows include the Detroit Cobras, the Black Lips, and David Yow of the Jesus Lizard.

Linneman’s Riverwest Inn rounds out our musical tour of Milwaukee with one of this writer’s favorite bars anywhere and a brand new music room to attract some of the best acoustic and rock acts in the Midwest. Enjoy local microbrews like Capitol and Lakefront on the cheap in the homey confines while enjoying such upcoming shows as Sunday Morning Chameleon.

So yeah - if you want to check out a show that sells out in your major metropolis of a home base or you’re just up for a little exploration in the name of rocknroll, grab a bus/train/pal with a car and hit a smaller burg…you might find yourself feeling right at home.

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