Another Brick in the Waltz

While postpartum depression and nuclear fallout are downers, it's the aftermath of a great party that gives rise to our leaden sighs. Local polka ensemble Haunted Cologne plans to take full advantage of America's un-birthday, otherwise known as the day after the Fourth. "We're gonna make July fifth Polka Dependence Day!" declares HC's accordionist, Andrew Jemsek, in reference to tonight’s show at the Willow House.

Jemsek, drumming brother Tristan, and recent-addition guitarist Trent Morue are at the forefront of the polkacore movement with their ebullient brew of surf, polka, and pop-punk. Stirring up frenetic head-banging and boisterous waltzes in equal doses, the boys nabbed a New Times Best of Phoenix award in 2006. They also popped up in two recent documentaries: Eli Kluger's Phoenix Rising, a concert film chronicling the local music scene, and Hi, My Name Is Ryan, a flick revolving around friend, cohort, and New Times cover boy Ryan Avery. (The latter movie recently garnered the attention of Morgan Spurlock of Super Size Me fame, MCA of the Beastie Boys, and hardcore-punk icon Ian MacKaye.)