Brick Through the Window: An Oral History of Punk Rock, New Wave and Noise in Milwaukee, 1964-1984

by Steven Nodine, Eric Beaumont, Clancy Carroll

An oral history of Milwaukee's punk rock and related music scenes from 1964-1984.

Genres: Music

698 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a culmination of Steve Nodine's previous, work-in-progress "The Cease is Increase", which was, unfortunately, beset with typographical issues, churned out with, as a reviewer noted, a food processor instead of a word processor - but, it is a story desperately needing to be told. Recruiting co-authors, Clancy Carroll, Eric Beaumont, and Dave Luhrssen, this updated oral history of Milwaukee punk from1964-1984 is now beautifully written, and creatively arranged with a natural chronological flow of bands, personalities, and stories from each to the next. The sights, sounds, attitudes and flavor of this most vivid musical history springs from these pages. As a minor character in this history myself (although my name, to my chagrin, misspelled as Mueller instead of Miller, appears a few times), perhaps my only significant contribution was that I informed Caleb Lentzner in the summer of 1975 that the flat I was renting at 1828 N. Arlington would be available as I planning to move out to room with Mark Schneider (Red Ball Jets) on Marshall St. (a few blocks away). That four flat house on Arlington became Haskel Hotel (Milwaukee punk central!)

[Steven Nodine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it :) You can get a copy at www.brickthroughthewindow.com

[Elizabeth Judd Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not actually finished…
A good history of punk and new wave in the Milwaukee area—it’s just really long, and the constant interview style wears me down quite quickly, so I keep reading short bits, then taking long breaks in between. I’m sure this is partly down to the fact that I was about 10-12 when most of these bands were playing, so I’ve heard of them, and know some of their music, but I wasn’t part of the scene. I’ll finish this book, it might just take quite awhile.