Letter To The People

Publisher's Commentary
by Rökker

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Letter to the People - December 2013
by Rökker
December 2013
(2273) Page Views

This issue is dedicated to the memory of Peter Streicher. I first met Pete around the time he and his brother Todd were starting up a music magazine that included a whole lot of humor called the Rock n’ Roll Probe, if memory serves correctly, in 1994.

Editorial meetings in the garage were fun times and the most memorable headline was their infamous “STONES CANCEL” just a few days before the Rolling Stones were to play Camp Randall in Madison. Nothing gets you famous faster than controversy!

Of course, the newspaper industry is not for everyone, believe me, and the brothers moved on to other ventures. Pete worked at Sleepless Nights Studios in the early days of duping, producing CD and cassette covers for a zillion bands.

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Nikko - photo by Rökker Nikko
photo by Rökker

Letter to the People - November 2013
by Rökker
November 2013
(2509) Page Views

This issue is dedicated to the memory of Chris Williams. Chris worked the door of many venues and bars over the last 30 years in Madison including the Black Bear, Barrymore, Paradise and Genna’s. He was a no bones guy, very good at his job. He lost his life in an apartment fire in Monona, a tragic loss.

RAWARDS: I’ve been telling you about Raw Madison: Natural Born Artists for the last few months, and after working their events, I have met some wonderful and talented people. Now they went and made me a judge for the Rawards. I had to vote, along with other judges, to get down to 3 finalists after the public voted for the top 5. Now, the winner in each category (hair style, make-up, photo, music, etc) will move on to regional and national competitions, as Raw is a national organization.

Rawards will kick off at the High Noon Saloon in Madison on Thursday, December 5th. Come down to be a part of the experience and find out what RAW is all about! Cocktail dress is suggested, so get your suit or dress on and come find me at the High Noon, I’ll be doing complimentary Rökker Vodka tastings. Go to RawArtists.org/Madison or RawArtists.com/Milwaukee for more info.

THE RED ZONE: You can find plenty of Rökker Vodka at the Red Zone in Madison (formerly the Regent Street Retreat for those who are still in the dark), they’ll have two nights of Rökker Vodka tastings and drink specials coming up in November. Find me sampling during the Wookiefoot show on 11/22 and Wheelhouse on 11/27. Wheelhouse is the band made up of ex-Mighty Short Bus meets ex-Lucas Cates band guys. They’re really good and releasing a cd this month. Maybe we’ll get lucky and Frank will give us a call for an interview! And if you’re in the area, stop into Regent Street Liquor and pick up a bottle…. they just picked us up!

TREKSGIVING: Rökker Vodka and Ale Asylum are sponsoring this show coming to the Frequency on Friday, November 29th. The show will be the last for The Killer Dolphin With Rabies. The bill also includes War of Abaddon, The Unessecary Gunpoint Lecture, The Circuit Theory, Poppa Bear, and the Pussy Vultures. Presented by Trex Promotions, the show will feature Rökker Vodka mixers for $4, Free Beer (till it’s gone), and a Free Raffle. Bring your earplugs, this one’s gonna be loud!

CONTROLLED CHAOS: One of my favorite Rökker Vodka fans, Sheila Shera, runs a Facebook group called Controlled Chaos and every year she throws a big, debaucherous party. This year, that party will be held at the Frequency in Madison on Friday, December 6th. Bands will include Sexy Ester, Shane Shane, Cowboy Winter, and Royal Station. Rökker Vodka tastings and specials, no doubt!

MAD MARCUS: Tune in Saturday nights from 10pm to midnight on WORT 89.9fm for the Mad Marcus Rock and Soul Revue. Marcus spins rock, funk, soul, and R&B like no other. I guess he bought Clyde Stubblefield’s old record collection some years back, and now he’s spinning stuff the Funky Drummer was inspired to listen to. If you’re out of town, go to wort-fm.org or get the Tunein.com app.

ADVENTURES WITH NIKOLAI: Nikko and his friend Maya planned a party for their fellow 5th grade friends. Party goers filled themselves with pizza and lemonade while listening to music. I’m not sure how many hit the dance floor under the disco ball, but I do know that the Cupcakes from local cakester Cup Cakes a Go Go were a huge hit, and it was Nikko who took the first hit in the face with a frosted cupcake… oy! Foooooood Fiiiiiiight!

Lets just say his face was still crusty the next day. What a fun time!

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Lizzie and Sophie, BFF Lizzie and Sophie, BFF

Letter to the People - October 2013
by Rökker
October 2013
(5082) Page Views

This Month: Halloween Highlights, Maximum Ink’s Spooktacular, RAW Madison, Sal Serio turns 50!, and Adventures with Lizzie and Nikko.

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Lizzie's ponytail  Lizzie's ponytail

Letter to the People - September 2013
by Rökker
September 2013
(2433) Page Views

This issue is dedicated to the memory of the Regent Street Retreat/Annex. Also, Red Zone Madison, Funk’s Pub, The Music Zone, and Adventures with Lizzie.

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Momma Rökker - Dancing Queen - Atwood Summerfest, 2013 - photo by Dan Schneiderman Momma Rökker - Dancing Queen - Atwood Summerfest, 2013
photo by Dan Schneiderman

Letter to the People - August 2013
by Rökker
August 2013
(2439) Page Views

In Memoriam of Genevieve Breton, Guy Bolduc, and Yves Boulet. Plus: Sky Road Fly Cd Realease, Farewell to Keith Daniels, Atwood Summerfest, and Adventures with Mama Rökker!

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Letter to the People - July 2013
by Rökker
July 2013
(2661) Page Views

This month:  Backstage Vibe On The Rox, Luna Mortis, Lords of The Trident and Tiger Clutch CD Release Party, Chic: The Mini-series, Rökker Vodka tastings, and Adventures with Nikko and Lizzie!

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Lexi and Lizzie at dance recital 2013 - photo by Rökker Lexi and Lizzie at dance recital 2013
photo by Rökker

Letter to the People - June 2013
by Rökker
June 2013
(2374) Page Views

This issue is dedicated to the memory of Phil “Philo” Buerstatte (Last Crack, White Zombie). A brilliant mind and sometimes tortured soul, his genius behind the drum set inspired many a drummer, both in Madison and throughout the world. His enthusiasm and charm contagious, he is legend. May his memory be a blessing in the hearts and minds of those who loved him.

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Letter to the People - May 2013
by Rökker
May 2013
(2687) Page Views

Dual Covers: You are holding one of the rare issues of Maximum Ink that has two covers. I’ve been following Colorphase for a while now and was excited to get them on my cover, but when the Die Kreuzen story came through, I was faced with a dilemma. Up and coming new band or legendary punkers from Milwaukee… my solution was both. Congrats to both bands! Catch Colorphase at their CD Release party on May 10th at the Frequency in Madison and see the Die Kreuzen reunion on May 26th at Turner Hall in Milwaukee.

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Lizzie's new glasses 4/2013 from her instagram - photo by Lizzie Lizzie's new glasses 4/2013 from her instagram
photo by Lizzie

Letter to the People - April 2013
by Rökker
April 2013
(3259) Page Views

Thanx to Liz Cassity, Mike Steldt of Milwaukee RIP/Benefit, Barry Roberts has 47 friends of mine on Facebook, Rökker Vodka in a Internet TV Webseries, Adventures with the Klutzy Lizzie

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bryan carlstrom with don bakken of last crack bryan carlstrom with don bakken of last crack

Letter to the People - February 2013
by Rökker
January 2013
(2408) Page Views

This issue is dedicated to the memory of Bryan Carlstrom. Bryan was an engineer and producer for many of the great albums since the late 80’s. He worked on many recordings with legendar producer Dave Jerden including Jane’s Addiction, Alice In Chains, Anthrax, Kiss, Last Crack, Rattlebone. The latter two bands, Last Crack and Rattlebone featured Madison based musicians.

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