The Boston Phoenix has released "50 Bands/50 States," a ranking of the Best All-Time Band, Best All-Time Solo Artist and the Best New Band from each state. Sadly, none of the Badger State winners are Madison musicians. Those Beantown journalists picked Milwaukee's Violent Femmes as Wisconsin's best all-time band and Eau Claire's Bon Iver as best new band. Rap artist Brother Ali was picked as our best all-time solo artist. Note to Boston: Brother Ali only spent his early childhood years here. He identifies himself as being from Minnesota.
Sugar River Records owner Andy Ziehli wrote for Rick's Café before the music monthly ceased publication last year. Now Ziehli has started Americana Gazette, a newspaper dedicated to Southern Wisconsin roots rock. Issue 1 featured Madison bands like Dear August and Clear Blue Betty.
Biff Blumfumgagnge of the Gomers is loading up his iPod for the Senior Scenester Potluck, a social gathering of longtime Madison musicians being held this Sunday, July 13, from 5 to 10 p.m. at Tenney Park. On a Forum thread at TheDailyPage.com, Biff says he already has MP3s featuring the Appliances, Tar Babies, Irishman, Cattleprod, Swamp Thing, Spooner and Poopshovel, but he's still looking for tracks from Nobody I Know Likes This Government, Clip the Daisies, Go Go Man, Other Kids and the Actual Sighs. Potluck guests should bring $5, a dish to pass and an instrument to play.
