Press | The Cream City Sound (March 1984)
Milwaukee Magazine March 1984
The Cream City Sound
Where to Find the Best Music in Milwaukee
by PERRY M. LAMEK, JUDITH P. WOODBURN and DAN CALLAHAN
There are dozens of popular rock bands around that deliver fetching music at the expense of substantial content, while the esoteric ideology of others precludes valid commercial accessibility. Singer-songwriter Pat McCurdy has proved to be one of those rare performers able to consistently strike an even balance between form and content without sacrificing a shred of artistic integrity.
Born from the ashes of Yipes! -- the power-pop outfit that McCurdy led through two nationally distributed LPs on the RCA-Millennium label in 1979 and 1980 -- The Men About Town represent a refined, unclichéd approach to the business of creating rock music.
Unlike Yipes!, this is not a band predisposed to faddish influences. They've consciously avoided the commonplace, and as a result have emerged as one of the area's truly original acts. By drawing upon diverse sources -- including 40s swing and 50s rock 'n' roll -- the Men About Town continue to demonstrate a dynamic, yet sophisticated, presence. And with former Yipes! bassist Pete Strand, keyboard extraordinaire Bob Pachner, and newly added drummer John Torrol, the charismatic McCurdy at last appears destined to success on his own terms.
Excerpted from a larger article on Milwaukee bands.
The Cream City Sound
Where to Find the Best Music in Milwaukee
by PERRY M. LAMEK, JUDITH P. WOODBURN and DAN CALLAHAN
PAT McCURDY & THE MEN ABOUT TOWN
There are dozens of popular rock bands around that deliver fetching music at the expense of substantial content, while the esoteric ideology of others precludes valid commercial accessibility. Singer-songwriter Pat McCurdy has proved to be one of those rare performers able to consistently strike an even balance between form and content without sacrificing a shred of artistic integrity.
Born from the ashes of Yipes! -- the power-pop outfit that McCurdy led through two nationally distributed LPs on the RCA-Millennium label in 1979 and 1980 -- The Men About Town represent a refined, unclichéd approach to the business of creating rock music.
Unlike Yipes!, this is not a band predisposed to faddish influences. They've consciously avoided the commonplace, and as a result have emerged as one of the area's truly original acts. By drawing upon diverse sources -- including 40s swing and 50s rock 'n' roll -- the Men About Town continue to demonstrate a dynamic, yet sophisticated, presence. And with former Yipes! bassist Pete Strand, keyboard extraordinaire Bob Pachner, and newly added drummer John Torrol, the charismatic McCurdy at last appears destined to success on his own terms.
Excerpted from a larger article on Milwaukee bands.