Too often is the case that we are introduced to new and exciting bands that are on the path to musical success to have them taken away from us without any warning or explanation. This week we have another Austin-based band that was doing well and just dropped off the face of the Earth. What Made Milwaukee Famous, our artist for the week, have somehow vanished. With an unfinished website promoting their 2008 album, lack of activity on their websites, and no official statements as to their whereabouts (though recent research [read trolling] has discovered a show back in April and talks of a new album), we here at the AotW section feel What Made Milwaukee Famous are qualified for our October theme.
What Made Milwaukee Famous, formed in 2003 by Michael Kingcaid, Drew Patrizi, John Farmer, and Jeremy Bruch, was named after two things: Schlitz beer (their slogan was “the beer that made Milwaukee famous”), but only by way of the Jerry Lee Lewis song “What Made Milwaukee Famous (Has Made a Loser Out of Me).”  The quartet began playing their well-composed powerpop tunes about heartbreak, and relationships to audiences, slowly but surely gaining traction. By 2004 the band had self-released their first album, Trying to Never Catch Up, and was on their way to breaking through. One year later they were playing with Franz Ferdinand at the Austin City Limits Festival and making their appearance at South by Southwest.
In 2006 the famous indie label Barsuk (home to such acts as Death Cab for Cutie, Rilo Kiley, and They Might be Giants) picked up What Made Milwaukee Famous, re-releasing Trying to Never Catch Up, re-mastering it, and adding a few new songs. Two years later they released What Doesn’t Kill Us, showing their growth as a band and their improvement upon their own sound. The new album also featured the addition of another member to the band, Jason Davis, providing more feeling and energy to the band if there was anything missing before.
Not only did the band have good tunes and talent, they were humble and affable people. I had the fortunate experience of catching What Made Milwaukee Famous at Detroit Bar several years ago for my 21st birthday. It’d been a tough time for me and at the time I’d been using their music (and copious amounts of alcohol) as a crutch. I remember drunkenly talking to them, sharing cigarettes and drinks, and having my song request taken, and each one happy to talk to an appreciative fan. It’s this type of band that nobody wants to see go by the wayside.
Somehow What Made Milwaukee Famous wandered off into the musical abyss of inactivity. Before their disappearance, the band managed to throw us some music videos featuring Evil Dead tributes and Lance Armstrong. Thanks to social networking sites we have noticed a glimmer of hope for the future of the band.  Until we can solidify the regrouping of the band, you can get your fix below!
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Thank you Andy!! I totally forgot about this band, I saw them several years ago with Franz Ferdinand…they are great! Great article too.