We live our lives by
the philosophies of popular songs.
Zelda Fitzgerald

If there is one Milwaukee band that presents a preview of the music of tomorrow, it may well be considered to be the XCleavers. This budding young band has combined the spirit of reggae, the power of rock, and the automation of electronics to create a contemporary style of original music.

Terry Tanger, lead guitarist, and bass player Tom Lesions combine their talents to write the main theme of most of the XCleavers' material. Keyboard player Ernie Alvarez and drummer John Gaskell provide their input.

"Terry and I sketch the picture, John and Ernie paint it," says Lesions.

The members of the one-year-old band came together from different musical backgrounds. They were influenced by bands ranging from the Byrds to Genesis, from Buffalo Springfield to Ultravox.

The XCleavers have recently cut their first single. Although it's a low budget, extended play (EP), it receives quite a bit of air play on local radio stations and appears in juke boxes around town.

"If you can't do it right, do it cheaper," said Tanger in reference to the band's first recording effort. Cut in 10 hours, it contains "Smooth Wild & Dirty, Klubb Talk and Butt I Will." The foursome is presently working on another single to include "No Brain Needed and Do the Confusion."

"Longevity is the key to success," says Gaskell. "We plan to be around for a long time. We don't only play together - we are all good friends."

With speakers to blow and power to burn, the XCleavers include up-to-date copy material, "beat-up 60's tunes," and original material in each set. They can be seen at Starship Encounters and the Metropole. You can also catch them at Summerfest.

As their song says, they are just "spending money, having a great time."

A new album by X will be out in early June and on June 3 and 4, the Los Angeles group will make its Milwaukee debut at the Starship Club. On the local scene: The XCleavers, the popular Starship band, have put out a catchy three song single called "Those XCleavers" (as in meat, not as in Ward, June, Wally and the Beaver). Side A's "Smooth, Wild & Dirty," speeds along like an easy-riding sports car curving mountain roads. The music buzzes at a spritely speed while smooth harmonies sail on top. Odd rhythms pleasantly punctuate "Klubb Talk," song one on Side B. But the best song on the record is "Butt I Will." Reggae beats, emotive guitar break, pumping keyboard accents, and a moody vocal shift at the end makes this song one of the best local efforts, ever. Working through Arc Audio Studios, Jim Eannelli (guitarist with The Shivvers) produced the record effectively.

The Waiting Game not only is the title of the XCleavers' second album, but also is an apt description of the group's current situation. The only remaining band from Milwaukee's first phase of new wave talent, the quartet has been in a state of growing expectation ever since:

• Its song "Skip a Beat" qualified as a Milwaukee hit, receiving heavy and extended air play on WLPX and WMSE.
• It consistently packed in crowds at some of Milwaukee's prominent clubs.
• It walked out on the Milwaukee Arena stage on an hour's notice and with its energetic performance of catchy dance tunes, won a enthusiastic response from thousands gathered to see the "Police."
• Its first LP sold more than 3,000 copies - without distribution and without extensive touring beyond the Milwaukee area.

It has been slow but a steady plateau is just ahead - the larger audience, beyond the club scene.The collection of songs complied in The Waiting Game could push the XCleavers over the hump, because the album takes off where the last one ended.


As "Skip a Beat" suggested a sinuous side to the band's pert melodies and non-stop rhythmic bounce, new songs such as "Nothing Else Matters" indicate the maturing of those musical notions.

The song still demonstrates the XCleavers' facility with a hook line. After one or two listening's, the tune lodges itself in the right corner of the brain and refuses to budge. But on the new album, songs are memorable for reasons beyond jingle-like catch phrases,

With its coiling melody, xylophone lacings infusions of guitar and saxophone at choice moments, and provocative lyrical implication, "Nothing Else Matters" burrows its way into the subconscious. Other cuts, such as "Silence the Critics" and "On my Mind" stir similarly haunting moods.

Part of this is due to Tim Hale's production, which suspends the Cleavers' pop songs in an airy, mysterious environment that sometimes recalls the pop-psychedelia mode of the Bangles, or, to a lesser degree, REM. The XCleavers' second album indicates more of a Ramones' influence, as on "Skip a Beat" or frenetic reggae as on "Walkin' in Quicksand."

An Unncessary Sameness

The jerky rhythms and buzzy guitars that underlie much of the XCleavers music tend to give some a sameness that somehow seems unnecessary given the strength of other cuts. The next step for the XCleavers should be the larger audience. Their music has amassed a large, devoted regional following, and both the albums contain more potential hit songs that most major label's releases.

But it would be interesting to see what the XCleavers would come up with if they weren't consistently concerned about filling dance floors. How would a ballad sound? Or songs were shifting rhythms? We'll only know - the band can only test themselves - once it becomes a recording act first, a live band second. It may be entirely possible that the XCleavers creative possibilities and musical career are just beginning to develop. "The Waiting Game" shows they have the potential. Now let's hope the XCleavers get a deserved opportunity to expand.

Those XCleavers earned an enormous amount of local good will with their fine performance, on only hours' notice, opening for the Police at the Arena a few months ago. Above all I was impressed with how hard the band worked. When Terry Tanger played guitar with his teeth he seemed to gnaw so furiously I feared he break the strings. There was little doubt after the Police show that his band wants to succeed on a national level. These guys are driven.

"The Waiting Game," the band's second album, is another determined step forward. Produced by Tim Hale, who also produced their first album, "The Waiting Game: captures the best qualities of Those XCleavers without restricting the band. This album seems like an amalgamation of rock styles of the 80's. The sound includes swatches of reggae, ska, power pop, heavy metal, traditional hard rock, and , for lack of a better word, Elvis Costello style pop rock. This is a protean band, but you can dance to all of these songs.

The band has slated "Silence the Critics" as the first suggested track for airplay. That's no surprise, it has already enjoyed a long life on WMSE-FM. Carter Hunnicutt's keyboards swirl around a riff that seems to plant itself deep in your brain. As for the lyrics: if I were as powerful as the critics the XCleavers sing about, we'd be listening to Richard Thompson, Lou Reed and Van Morrison on the radio instead of Quiet Riot and Night Ranger. "In God We Trust," the album's opening track, is another candidate for airplay.

You can pick up "the Waiting Game" at a record release party Saturday at Century Hall on Farwell Ave. Doors open at 8 p.m.. Her Majesty's Secret Service will open the show. The album is included with price of admission. If you can't make the party, you will be able to buy the album at many local record stores for $5.49 according to Matt Hana, promotion director for the band.

The XCleaers also have made a music video of "Silence the Critics." Hana said MTV has requested a copy for its "Basement Tapes" feature. You should be able to see it locally at Hooligan's Super Bar, 2017 E. North Ave, or one of the other local bars that show music videos. Or you can write Dallas Cole of WKTI-FM and tell him you want to see it on his Saturday morning video show.

The XCleavers are another one of those Milwaukee bands that got their start playing danceable cover music at loft parties. What eventually separated these guys from the competition was their knack for turning out catchy, memorable tunes that glue themselves into the space between your ears after one listen.

Built around the power trio of John Gaskell (drums), Terry Tanger (guitar) and Tom lesions (bass) and enhanced by the trashy organ sounds of Ernie Alvarez, the XCleavers' music is lean, economical and electric. Mid-tempo rockers are their forte, songs about interpersonal affairs and nights misspent at the rock clubs.

"Klubb Talk" is very '60's-ish because of the Sir Douglas Quintet / ? and The Mysterians organ. For some reason, "Smooth, Wild and Dirty" has always reminded me of Slade at their best, although I'm sure fans will argue that point. A reggae sounding percussion approach is incorporated into "Butt I Will," not a reggae song, but yet another catchy rocker perked up midway through by a good guitar solo.

Jim Eannelli, guitar player for the regionally known pop group The Shivvers, produced this record. He did little to enhance or subtract from the XCleavers but captured the band as they sound live.

Good fortune seems to be on the side of the XCleavers.

It was 3:30 p.m. on the day of the Police concert last month when band member Terry Tanger got a call, asking the XCleavers to open the sold-out show. The scheduled backup band, Reflex, had canceled at the last minute. Tanger had to round up the other band members and get them to the Arena immediately, since they were scheduled to play at 7:30 p.m. But he couldn’t find bass player Tom Lesion. Lesions, a part-time furniture mover, could have been anywhere in a 300 mile radius. Ultimately, he was tracked down to a house in Milwaukee and he made it to the Arena on time. Opening for the Police, said Tanger, "has given us a lot of credibility. It’s really increased our visibility."

If there’s ever been a time in the band’s four-year history when increased credibility will help, it’s now. The XCleavers, with one rather successful local album behind them, are completing work on a second. They say this record will be their all-out attempt at a national contract. "It’s time to jump out of this market," Tanger said. This could be the year for those XCleavers. Their first album sold more than 3,000 copies locally, with three songs receiving radio play. The new album, finished but yet to be mixed, was recorded by Horizon Productions at Streeterville Studios in Chicago. Tim Hale is the group’s producer.

Tanger said the band hopes a national company will press the album. The group has been sending out demo tapes from its first album, asking companies to contact them to hear more, then sending songs from the new album. In the last few months, Tanger said, they’ve had four national nibbles.

The Police gig notwithstanding, the XCleavers have more going for them than mere good luck. They have a strong local following. It’s almost assured that wherever the XCleavers perform, a big crowd of enthusiastic dancers will show up. The group also seems to have hit upon just the right lineup of musicians, with versatile vocals and strong songwriting skills.

Guitarist Tanger, bass player Lesions and drummer John Gaskell founded the group. They had several keyboard players before Carter Hunnicutt two years ago fortuitously walked into a Mainstream Records store, where Tanger works. The group needed a new keyboardist. Hunnicutt purchased a keyboard magazine. Assuming Hunnicutt played, Tanger asked him to rehearse with the group. "He’s more than we bargained for," Tanger said. Hunnicut writes music, sings and plays guitar. But it’s his buzzing keyboard lines, coursing through most songs at high speeds, that give the music a special character, a recognizable XCleaver sound.

Three band members write music. Tanger said Lesions writes in more of a punk style, preferring rougher, more aggressive lyrics. Hunnicutt’s inclination is toward a more sophisticated sound. And Tanger describes himself as "a sucker for pop songs." "Somebody will write it," he said, "then we take it to the basement and it really becomes an XCleaver song. It’s a band effort. Tanger has written a lot of music. He calls "Silence the Critics," which is on the new album, his best song to date. "I had the melody in my head for years," he said. The song semi-humorously lambasts critics for being insensitive and sometimes uninformed. Tanger said the lyrics are part of observations he has made about the treatment local bands get from the media.

Tanger said he’s interested in the local music scene and wishes there were more opportunities for new bands. "There’s really not enough clubs in Milwaukee right now. It’s hard for new bands to get a following. The Starship (a former Downtown nightclub) was great . . . it was a liberal place. Anybody could play there."

The XCleavers have a respectable roster of jobs lined up. But it’s hard to live on local rock and roll alone. Tanger, who has a college degree in anthropology, still is employed at Mainstream. Lesions, a printer by trade, still moves furniture. Gaskell has a part-time job making communion hosts at a convent. Hunnicutt recently earned a degree in theater. The group’s name, incidentally, has nothing to do with television’s Beaver Cleaver family. Tanger said it grew out of Lesions’ fascination with meat cleavers. The X was added somewhat randomly. If the group’s luck holds out, the name might become more familiar soon.