Regner Rocks Concert Series

Live Music in West Bend

Our neighbors in West Bend and in Washington County are welcome to enjoy free live music at Regner Park on Thursday nights.

Here’s a look at the 2022 lineup for the Regner Rocks Concert Series. You’ll also want to take a look at the ukulele auction to benefit the West Bend Music Academy. Thank you so much to local artist Allen Moehr for his vision and talent!

June

Thursday, June 9

Betsy Ade & the
Well-Known Strangers
7:00-9:00

Betsy Ade & the Well-Known Strangers (BAWKS) have been entertaining Midwest audiences with their cello-infused alternative pop/rock sound since 2015. The band has released 5 CD’s. This includes a ull-length album, several EPs, and an exciting range of fun and influential videos.

Drop Bear Collective
5:30-6:30

Dropbear Collective is a 4 piece modern rock outfit from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The band formed in early 2018, quickly began writing original music, and hasn’t stopped since. They released their debut album in late 2019. With a growing following, the quartet redefines modern rock and roll.

Thursday, June 23

The Whiskey Belles
7:00-9:00

Hank Williams passion, Carter family harmonies, with a little Hee Haw mixed in for good measure. The WhiskeyBelles are an all-female traditional country and Americana trio based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Belles are widely known for captivating shows featuring their own take on classic and obscure vintage-country, Americana, folk-revival and roots-country tunes, with their witty originals sprinkled in.

Jeff Barelmann
5:30-6:30

Jeff Barelmann is a singer/songwriter from Kirchhayn, Wisconsin. With influences varying from The Carter Family to CCR to Jason Isbell, Jeff Barelmann encompasses a true Americana sound in his music

July

Thursday, July 7

photo: sebastian madej

BRETT NEWSKI & the No Tomorrow
7:35-9:00

“Showcases the unapologetically frank but not overly aggressive nature of 90s alt. rock perfectly.” -American Songwriter

Coming off recent collaborations with Nada Surf’s Matthew Caws, Barenaked Ladies co-founder Steven Page, and Brian Vander Ark of the Verve Pipe, 90’s influenced alt-rock outfit BRETT NEWSKI & the No Tomorrow launches eight new tracks, a soundtrack to his book titled “It’s Hard to be a Person: Defeating Anxiety Surviving the World, and Having More Fun.”

He has been featured on Rolling Stone, NPR, American Songwriter, SiriusXM, Boston Globe, Paste and SPIN.

Newski has played alongside acts like Pixies, Violent Femmes, Courtney Barnett, Manchester Orchestra, Better than Ezra & New Pornographers. He continues to tour over 100 dates per year.

Newski’s podcast Dirt from the Road dives into strangest travel stories, mental health boosts, and how to navigate the hurdles of being a person in modern times. Guests include The Lumineers, All American Rejects, Dashboard Confessional, Guster, Heartless Bastards, Verve Pipe, Toad the Wet Sprocket and Frank Turner.

“Newski’s live shows are part rock n’ roll, part stand up, and part therapy. In the end, the room is won over.” –Jim McGuinn, The Current, MPLS

“I like the sound and the way he is forcing the world to contend with him.” -Brian Ritchie, Violent Femmes

Genevieve Heyward
6:15-7:15

Since she can remember, Wisconsin based singer-songwriter Genevieve Heyward has grown up with music in her life. Adept at both guitar and piano, she writes her songs based on raw emotion and relatable experiences that cuts through with melody and sultry tone. Straight out of high school, she dove head first into music: touring nationally and internationally, either by herself, with her band, or with other well renowned artists. She has released numerous records throughout her career and doesn’t plan on stopping. Her music has hints of indie folk, bedroom pop and indie piano pop, all tied in with her own spin and topped off with a unique and rich voice. Her songs and performing style incorporates humor and connection, making the audience feel heard and immersed.

Kill Aniston
5:30-6:10

After having been part of Sad Breakfast, one of the most influential bands of the emerging Mexican underground indie movement, Josué Guijosa began his KILL ANISTON project in 2004. Armed with his acoustic guitar and his voice, Guijosa has released 10 albums since then, with sounds strongly influenced by folk rock, country and indie rock. His lyrics talk about his life experiences, love and travel. Kill Aniston has participated in major festivals such as Vive Latino in Mexico and Sonorama in Spain and has shared stages with artists such as Jimmy Eat World, Phoenix, Evan Dando, among many others. Recently, more than 1200 people attended his most recent show in February at Plaza Condesa, accompanied by Hummersqueal and the Catalan band Cala Vento.

Thursday, July 21

Craig Baumann
7:20-9:00

Born 1982 and raised in Oconomowoc, WI. Craig learned to play guitar and drums at age 8 and started gigging at age 12. A good journey thus far with plenty of challenges, in music and life.

Craig’s early music career involved getting to know the blues genre. “You will hear it in everything I do. My grandfather is a vintage country player. You’ll hear it in everything I do. I love the sweet soul grooves of Stax and Motown etc. You’ll hear it in everything I do.”

“I believe there are two kinds of music, good and bad. Genres are made to be broken.”

“Every note is a word, every phrase a sentence, every song a chapter. Let me tell you a story.”

CB now owns and operates a full-service family-owned music store in downtown Waukesha, WI outpostmusicwi.com
and manages the non-profit jamforjam.org

CB is currently doing performances with The People Brothers Band, Craig Baumann and The Story, The Smokin’ Bandits, solo/duo, and the occasional Fat Maw Rooney sighting. Expect a new FMR album in the next few year. Yes, really.

Eugene Gruber
5:30-7:00

Eugene Gruber is a prolific singer and songwriter performing beautiful originals and acoustic classics across the land. This friendly man in the music scene will help take the edge off with his smooth and balanced vocal attack.

August

Thursday, August 11

Bruce Humphries & the Rockabilly Rebels
7:00-9:00

Bruce has opened for major acts like the Brian Setzer Orchestra, Hasil Adkins, Hank Thompson, Rosie Flores, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, Lee Rocker, Slim Jim Phantom, etc. He has sold music world wide and has played some major rockabilly festivals – Coney Island Rockabilly Fest (Brooklyn, NY), Uno-Go-Go (Chicago IL) and Wisconsins own SYMCO. He plays Gretsch guitars and sometimes, in the privacy of his own home, plays the spoons.

Bruce is backed by guitarist Lorenzo Ripani, bassist John Steffes and drummer Kurt Weber, and have found regional success with area festivals and fairs along with local and international radio play.

Jesus Villa & the Unrulies
5:30-6:30

If there’s a dive bar at the corner of Country and Rock, The Unrulies would be the house band. The Unrulies are a motley crew of experienced musicians that assembled in early 2022 as the backing band for Jesús Villa.

Jesús Villa is a Milwaukee-based singer-songwriter whose songs speak to your heart before getting stuck in your head. He has performed regularly around southeastern Wisconsin for over ten years, and his songs have been featured on local independent radio.

August

Thursday, August 25

Old Soul Society
7:00-9:00

Old Soul Society is a Wisconsin based act that is rooted in Americana with branches into Folk, Rock, Soul, Blues & more.

Old Soul Society’s focus on the craft of songwriting is displayed in the rich, textured musical layers they create to underscore the emotionally raw delivery of singer-songwriter Derek Ramnarace’s introspective and heartfelt lyrics.

These details combine into a powerfully stirring live performance that has been winning over audiences everywhere.

The star is burning bright for Old Soul Society and only appears to be getting brighter with the release of their debut album “The Farmhouse Sessions”

Sun Silo
5:30-6:30

Sun Silo is a four piece art rock group based in Kenosha Wisconsin. Combining elements of psychedelic rock, jazz, and dream pop, the group maintains to write and release music with an explorative spirit and lighthearted creativity.

Formed in March of 2018, the group has recorded and released one single entitled “Easy Now” and a three track EP entitled “Three By Four”. The band takes a hands on approach to every aspect of their output. From writing, recording, mixing, mastering, visual artwork, and design, the group produces and arranges all of their own work.

“The visual elements that go hand in hand with releasing music are important to us. We do take it seriously but at the same time we have a very relaxed approach to how we produce our artwork. I think this allows us to stay productive and healthy.” AWJ

Sun Silo continues to write original music, perform, and record. With a full length’s-worth of material already written, they intend to begin recording, releasing, and touring this material.

The Playlists

Volume I

Curated playlist featuring the artists and bands playing at Regner Rocks in June, 2022.

Volume II

Curated playlist featuring the artists and bands playing at Regner Rocks in July, 2022.

Volume III

Curated playlist featuring the artists and bands playing at Regner Rocks in July, 2022.

Free Admission

Free Live Music in West Bend, Wisconsin

Any event held in outdoor and public spaces is free to attend. We’re looking to create awesome experiences for our neighbors to enjoy. And we’re also looking to help others along the way. There’s power in numbers, right?

The HomeGrown Music Festival is presented by the HomeTown Foundation and our partners. We are a non-profit organization that distributes funds to other non-profit organizations and good causes in Washington County.

Our 2022 event partners are The West Bend Moose Lodge and Chix 4 a Cause.

They’re firing up the grill and serving cold beverages.

Donate to The HomeTown Foundation

A donation helps us to pay for park and facility rentals, pay the artists, purchase food and beverage for events and running the HomeTown Foundation.

Donate safely and securely to the HomeTown Foundation via PayPal.