What Made Milwaukee Famous charge into 2006 with a remarkable year behind them. Critics have been buzzing about WMMF since their unforgettable 2005 SXSW showcase. Their "elegant pop" (Billboard) has landed them shared billing on shows with The Arcade Fire, The Black Keys, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, The National and Snow Patrol. The year culminated with their national TV debut on the legendary PBS show Austin City Limits, which featured WMMF and Franz Ferdinand. Rarely in the series' 30 yr. history has an unsigned band performed on the show.
In their critically acclaimed debut, Trying to Never Catch Up, WMMF deftly weave a web of melodic pop gems shot through with electronic-fused choruses, tight rhythms, edgy guitars, and colorful vocal arrangements. Their infectious, intelligent and emotional debut led both Billboard and Rolling Stone to list them as a new band to watch, and garnered a recommendation for "Album of the Year" by The Austin Chronicle. Silent Uproar wrote that "WMMF blends Death Cab for Cutie/John Vanderslice rock with the swagger of Austin counterparts Spoon. The result is delightful and dynamic."
What Made Milwaukee Famous is Michael Kingcaid (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Drew Patrizi (keyboards, vocals, guitar), John Farmer (bass, vocals), and Jeremy Bruch (drums, vocals), each bringing a diverse range of influences to the stage. Their music employs an exhilarating blend of classic persuasions and fresh enthusiasm; instantly accessible, yet intricate enough to appeal to discriminating audiences. WMMF draws on influences from a span of eras -calling to mind everyone from classic Television to Candy-O-era Cars to the raucous romp of The Kinks - blending the quirks and energy of The Knack and XTC with My Bloody Valentine textures and Jeff Buckleyesque vocal acrobatics.
The enthusiasm and support for the album is especially positive. What Made Milwaukee Famous has been featured on shows such as WXPN's influential World Cafe in Philadelphia and Andy Langer's Next Big Thing on 101X in Austin. They continue to receive airplay on college and community stations across the country and overseas, including Steve Lamacq's Music Show on the BBC. WMMF are equally engaging live - the Chronicle picked What Made Milwaukee Famous second behind Spoon as the best live band in Austin, and Pop Matters wrote "live, these guys exude amiability and a genuine love for playing. Bottom line, they're fun AND talented - a cut above the rest."
With a potent debut CD catching the attention of new music fans and industry heavyweights, a live performance that radiates with ambitious energy while showcasing their pop sensibilities, and an upcoming tour, What Made Milwaukee Famous are poised to inspire audiences of many stripes, and make a profound impact on the landscape of pop music.
