On Thursday, October 29th we embarked on what surprisingly did not become a suicide mission into the heart of this great fucked up state’s capital to catch Unum Machina playing their second-ever show at The Frequency.
This was our first real excursion into the Wisconsin underbelly to film the denizens and debauchery in the name of Wisconsin Sickness. I thought it would kill me for sure, so I enlisted some help. Because no one likes to die alone.
My first thought was James. Together we are no strangers to things that will most assuredly kill us. He’s been my willing victim…I mean, partner in crime, through vehicular mailbox assassination, giant deer skunk attacks in the woods, indoor match and firecracker warfare, assault and battery on a Laz-E-Boy by way of machete, and psychosomatic Lime’s Disease from Ed Gein’s ticks, to name a few.
But in the end I was too damn broke to go get him. So I had to turn to two people I was somewhat less fond of killing.
Luke didn’t seem to mind risking his life with me, but Jay had to work at the last minute. I don’t blame him. Would you hop into a car with a mildly agoraphobic, anxiety-ridden shut-in for a two-hour drive into shear madness?
When I informed him that I had only written down partial directions, and we refused the use of his map, I’m sure he breathed a sigh of relief that he had to work. The kind of relief that only comes with a new lease on life. His dinner that night, which happened to be at my house, with my wife while I was in Madison, was probably the greatest meal of his life.
Though he claims he really had his heart set on pizza.
So Luke and I set off into the great unknown, armed with only our half-assed directions, a pocket full of change, the expensive equipment Jay probably sold his soul to the devil himself to afford, and Jack keeping it all company in the trunk.
We got into Madison right on schedule, when suddenly the directions went hazy, we made a few too many loops around the capital, caught a glimpse of the gleaming Majestic Theater, and ended up running late to meet with Mute Grey.
But we did meet up with them across the street from The Frequency, where we talked to them in a spider-infested stairwell about their new music and full-length album slated for a February 2010 release. Unfortunately, singer Meagan Dunham wasn’t able to make it, but the rest of the band was really cool.
Then we moved the car to save twenty-five cents an hour on the parking meters, let Jack get some fresh air for a few minutes, and met up with Unum Machina to shoot an interview in the alley behind the Frequency over the sounds of traffic and drums pounding through the walls.
They recommended we check out another band playing that night called The Wake. I wish I could have talked to those guys before they played about filming a few songs for the site. The music was fast and full of crazy dynamics. They put on a great show. If you get the chance, don’t miss The Wake.
Unum Machina was the next band up, and they put on a killer show despite being sick. It seems the Wisconsin Sickness that night was H1N1. They cut the set short by one song because it was “more painful than they thought it would be,” but it was still amazing.
An Unum Machina set is a little like a rollercoaster ride, with all the right ups and downs to keep the energy level going strong. They take you through thick and abrasive hardcore, soft blues with dueling solos, and upbeat rock that the band just recently learned girls in Janesville are stripping to.
I suck at writing reviews, so just go see Unum Machina for yourself. These guys have real talent and creativity that will hold your interest and keep you wanting more.
Also, the Frequency is a great place to see a show. It’s a small, cozy place with huge sound. The show fliers and band stickers lining the walls and bar, not to mention all the beautiful girls, will give you something to look at while you’re waiting for the next band.
Luke was in charge of the still camera. Here are his photos from the night:
Note the Meth Tooth sticker on the toilet paper dispenser in the bathroom. They are on both volumes of Wisconsin Sickness comps and huge supporters of the site, so it was cool to find that.
Mute Grey, Unum Machina and Meth Tooth have a some badass songs on Wisconsin Sickness Vol. 2 and the Unum Machina song Infected, which isn’t about the swine flu but should have been dedicated to it that night, is featured in the Wisconsin Sickness Vol. 2 promo video.
The live videos and interviews from that night will hopefully be finished and posted up next week.
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