Story by Kelly Guzman
The Pabst Theater in Milwaukee wasn't even half full for The Outfield show last Thursday night (July 10), but the couple hundred fans were ready for the group that hit the music scene in the mid-'80s.
Photos by Terry Mayer
The founders of the band, Tony Lewis (lead vocals and bass), along with John Spinks (bass), along with drummer Jeff Gish, formerly of the popular Milwaukee band The Now, took the audience on trip back to a time of big hair and loud music and even shared some new tunes. Gish is on tour with the band for the summer and hails from Elkhorn, WI. The Outfield didn't disappoint the fans who came to hear the first hits off their debut album, Play Deep, which was released in 1985. They obliged with "Say It Isn't So," "Everytime Time You Cry," "61 Seconds," "Talk to Me," "Mystery Man" and "All the Love in the World." Midway through the set, Lewis chatted about their new CD due out later this summer. Lewis, with his distinct voice, belted out "All about Love" and "Seven Days."The Outfield also played tunes from their third release, Voices of Babylon, including the title track and "My Paradise." All the while the audience was singing along.
The last song of the set brought fans who were loudly requesting "Josie! Josie!" all night to their feet for "Your Love." The song's lyrics start as "Josie's on a vacation far away..." Fans overtook the lower part of the stage for an impromptu dance and the lone security guard had troubles clearing them away. The band didn't mind and kept playing.
The Outfield came back out for one encore song Led Zepplin's "Rock and Roll."
The three-member band and their music were the focus on the stage-no flashy backdrops, obnoxious costumes or headache-inducing light shows-a welcome change these days.
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