Crazy Man's Basement

Back in 1999, several Milwaukee-area teachers decided to take a break from the classroom to indulge themselves with a little r & r (rock 'n' roll, that is). Crazy Man's Basement started out with a straight-up guitar and vocal format but the addition of drums and bass soon led to a full band that would take them into the regional festival circuit. Best known for a wide mix of finely tuned covers from the likes of Dave Matthews and U2, CMB grew an audience at such a rapid pace that original material soon found its way into the act. Crazy Man's release, There and Back, has received huge Internet radio play; the subsequent single, "Everything", made its way onto local radio. Winning the 2005 WAMI for CD of the Year is a testament to a band that has taken its progress step by step. For a solid dose of what they like to call "real roots rock", check out CMB at Shank Hall Saturday, May 14 with the Mahp.