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They don’t play out much and haven’t released anything in awhile, but their melodic and harmonic 60′s inspired twangy garage punk was super-upbeat and fun…unlike Greg Ashley, who plays solo acoustic guitar and has some of the most wrist-cutting level of depressing songs I’ve heard.

We made it through most of Ashley’s set but I was literally falling asleep and starting to feel sick (turns out it wasn’t his music but probably what I ate for dinner) so we had to leave before seeing Space Raft, another Milwaukee band on Dusty Medical that I really like. Fortunately Space Raft does perform quite a bit – and is working on a new album – so I’ll get to see them again soon.

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Both “Paper Airplanes” and “Iron Eagle” have a chill 70′s rock vibe, without sounding old or stale. The guitar, vocals (Jordan Davis) and keys (TJay Christenson) provide a brightness to the solid rhythm section (Tyler Chicorel on drums, Jon Heibler on bass). The sunny sound has me longing for outdoor summer shows (one of the first times I saw Space Raft was up in Appleton at the Mile of Music festival a couple of years ago where they played in the back of an alley, lit by a brilliant patch of sun on a perfect August afternoon).

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I’m not familiar with Sugar Stems’ other releases so this all-acoustic live recording gives me my only glimpse into what sounds like bright, poppy rock. I was able to find one song from this LP in its non-acoustic form on Bandcamp, “Like I Do,” and it’s a great 60′s-meets-the-GoGo’s tinged rocker.

From Dusty Medical Records’ Facebook press release blurb:

Proof positive that change CAN be good, “Stems’n’Friends”, the new LP from Milwaukee, WI’s pop kings and queens Sugar Stems strips down their amped-up take on power-pop with no loss of intensity or energy.

Recorded at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in February of 2013 as part of radio station WMSE’s “MKE Unplugged” series of live broadcasts, “Stems’n’Friends” finds the band utilizing acoustic guitars as well as keyboards, xylophone, and additional vocalists to produce a sonic tapestry of upbeat, melodic joyousness. Incorporating tracks from both of Sugar Stems’ LP’s (“Sweet Sounds of the Sugar Stems” and “Can’t Wait”), “Stems’n’Friends” serves as both a fantastic introduction to this irrepressible band and as a great addition to the collections of those already familiar with their glittering pop greatness.

“Friends” include Andy Harris (of the Goodnight Loving and Phylums) on keyboards, Tabman (of Holy Shit! and Phylums) on xylophone, and vocalists Katie Harris and Claire Carlson. Although not originally intended for release, Sugar Stems were pleased enough with the recording to approach Milwaukee’s Dusty Medical Records about pressing it on vinyl. “Stems’n’Friends” will be released in a STRICTLY limited edition of 300 copies, never to be repressed.

If you’re familiar with Sugar Stems you’ll know this already, but this is stellar pop music, played by one of the foremost practitioners of the genre. Don’t sleep on this one.

Recorded live at UWM on 2/21/13 for WMSE’s MKE Unplugged series

Sugar Stems:
Betsy – vocals, acoustic guitar
Drew – acoustic guitar, vocals
Steph – electric bass
Jon – drums

Friends:
Andy Harris (Goodnight Loving, Phylums) – keyboards
Tabman (Holy Shit!, Phylums) – tambourine, xylophone
Katie Harris – vocals
Claire Carlson – vocals

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The Mistreaters “Grab Them Cakes” 2000. Big Neck Records.The first release from local Milwaukee power-grunge-punk-rock band. Very local: the guys still live in my neighborhood (hi Kevin and David!). Sooooo good and absolutely blistering live performances: we saw them play often at the Cactus Club – sadly I missed the show when the Mistreaters appeared with the White Stripes.

I interviewed the band for The Shepherd Express in 2000 when they told me the story behind recording this album. In order to capture the raw intensity of their live performances, they recorded “Grab Them Cakes” during a couple of afternoons in a friend’s living room (with the help of several cases of beer.)

The Mistreaters went on to release “Playa Hated to the Fullest” in 2003 on Estrus Records and a self-titled album in 2012 on Dusty Medical Records (guitarist Kevin Meyer’s label) after playing their last show at the Cactus Club in December 2011.

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