by Michael A. Harberg

I really enjoyed the entire night.

Michael Kingcaid Band played Club Dada on June 17, 2006, that was what drew me to the Gypsy Tea Room last night. Michael is part of What Made Milwaukee Famous (the same WMMF that played TV's Austin City Limits with Franz Ferdinand in September...it aired in November), and they played Deep Ellum on July 6, 2006 as they get ready for Lollapalooza later this summer.

Organ Thief started the music off with a bang! I was first struck by their bass heavy grooves and tight drumming and then noticed that they were playing some pretty well constructed songs. I liked how their songs wasted little time before making my head bob to the groove. My favorite song that they played was "Hard To Say" (the song was called Hard To Say...it is easy to say it was my favorite). Organ Thief is a band I would definitely check out again!

The Stock Market Crash put on the biggest show of the night, with their impressive smoke and light equipment onstage to accompany the band. Their lead singer also won "showman of the night" with his into-the-crowd singing style and (occasionally obnoxious) intentional feedback. I really enjoyed seeing them do things I don’t see everyday, like the bass player simultaneously playing a foot-keyboard. The Stock Market Crash is a live show worth seeing!

The Lord Henry was full of driving beats and danceable rhythms. They really got the crowd going with their high energy rocking. I really liked their sense of humor too! (Check out their poster in the photo gallery)

What Made Milwaukee Famous played the best music of the night and put on a great show doing it! I knew Michael Kingcaid had a great voice from seeing him in June; but with the full band, I was completely blown away. John Farmer is all over the stage (without smashing into anything on that GTR stage) when he plays bass. The full band's sound richly filled the Gypsy Tea Room as each musician seemed to have complete control over their own instrument and together they completely controlled the room. Their songs are tremendously well arranged and while being really catchy at the same time. What Made Milwaukee Famous is a show worth driving distances to see!

I really enjoyed the entire night. The Gypsy Tea Room's staff did a great job making everything run smoothly and getting 4 bands on and off stage efficiently! No wonder they are the reigning Dallas Observer Music Award "Best Live Music Venue."

You can catch the exact same lineup tonight in Denton. Click Here for info.

What do you think?