Blaine Schultz writes of Milwaukee's Liquid Pink:

In the late 1970s, the term “Rustbelt” was coined to describe all the manufacturing jobs exiting cities like Milwaukee. But true to its European artistic roots, young bands exploding with original music made sure they had venues to perform in. There really were no rules, maybe just a few role models like the Beats or the Stooges or the Ramones. DIY was not an option, it was the lone muddy trail.

So before you groan about the lack of a local music scene, take a look at these folks. Like Crispus Attucks, they were the first. Before punk turned into new wave turned into MTV/college/indie turned into alt-country, there were no lines to blur. Everything was a blur. A real cool blur.

Liquid Pink

Liquid Pink had the dual advantages of living in the same house and having a manager with a grasp on reality. An album recorded in a legitimate studio and a clutch of other tracks is the legacy of this band who knew exactly what it was about – chiming pop hooks a la Big Star, the open-minded sonic view of the Velvet Underground and the crunch of the early Who. The band’s personality drew from Peder Hedman’s songwriting as much as the tension among its members. Bassist Dale Kaminski was as easy-natured as drummer Rob McCuen was volatile. Keyboardist Julie Neidzieko’s talent brought another layer to the music. I have not had a favorite band since Liquid Pink called it a day.

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