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Brian Hospital

@brianjhospital

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mostly drums + thing-doer @mke_ultra
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From getting seller’s permits, filing as a public entertainment premise, acquiring licenses, informing the neighbors (then hoping they didn’t have objections), navigating the alcohol distribution process, meetings with every kind of inspector, and even scheduling inspections with the cops, starting a venue is no joke. Part 3: @brianjhospital of @mke_ultra The construction, plumbing, electricity, general city, and CPTED [(Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design)] inspections took over half a year, with the formal process seemingly determined mostly by each inspector’s mood. However, Brian expected far worse—a phase he anticipated as “development hell,” given it was likely a low priority for the city. He described each step as refreshingly easier than he could have ever hoped. Considering that 4 to 7 nights a week there’s loud music blaring, it’s remarkable they’ve not just been tolerated, but welcomed by the neighborhood. “In talking to other bands that come through on tour, they’re like, ‘I tried to do the same thing in Chicago, in Minneapolis, in Cleveland, in San Francisco, in Portland, etc. It was prohibitively expensive, there was too much red tape, blah, blah, blah.’ This must be some weird unicorn thing. And I kinda believe that. It defied my expectations in that way.” The main perks have been the inviting neighborhood, a chill landlord, and respectful attendees. But the main thing that makes it all worth it is the performances. When asked about his favorite shows at the venue, he recounted several nights, featuring bands like @petpeeves_official, Cornelius Sludge, @bimbo_band, @fullnudemke, @star_jelly_mke, and more. Another stroke of serendipity was the journalists and media outlets who have consistently promoted shows. “I’ve been very surprised by the support we’ve gotten from media, musicians, word of mouth, show-goers.” Among these, Brian listed @pietlevy of the @journalsentinel, @milwaukeerecord, @radiomilwaukee, and @wmsemke. Check out their website to view upcoming events: mke-ultra.com. #milwaukee #milwaukeemusic #mkemusic #milwaukeeevents #mke by @brianjhospital
SHOW UPDATE!!! The Nice Strong Arm had to postpone their tour, but instead of canceling next Friday's show 11/06 at MKE Ultra, we decided we wanted to play for you anyway!! 😍 Check out this sick bill!! 🖤🐈‍⬛️🖤 @mke_ultra ANTI-EVERYTHING @the_anti_everything - Political hardcore from the post-industrial hellscape of Kenosha-Waukegan. 💀 SEX, FEAR @sexcommafear No Wave love from Madison 🖤 KEY OF EVIL @key.of.evil - experimental noise grooves front MKE 🐈‍⬛️ PBS - @jdsstuff @alonzodorning @andysteffenhagen Milwaukee noise and rock music 🐈‍⬛️ ALL AGES Doors 6:30pm / 7:30 show MKE ULTRA, 1535 W Mitchell St 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤 Ticket link in bio. #gobrewers #mke #milwaukee #livemusic #rocknroll by @brianjhospital
Do you know show etiquette? We sat down with Brian Hospital, a founder of MkeUltra, and asked him the three things folks can do to be respectful during performances. Part 2: @brianjhospital of @mke_ultra 1. Stay for the whole night! Most venues use the “Touring Band Sandwich” model: a bill featuring local talent, followed by a touring band, and ending with another local group. “We do the sandwich because that touring band? It might be their first time in Milwaukee. It’s a DIY tour. They’re booking themselves. They hopefully have friends here and bands. The locals are the bands that are responsible for the draw.” 2. Be present, enjoy the show, and use your phone for recording only. 3. Stand up and gather in close to the performers (if you’re able). While there are couches, they are intended for folks who need to sit. Of course, some events here are different. A film screening is a perfectly fine situation to take a seat. But if a band is out there ripping, get the crowd in! Brian repeatedly expressed the venue’s genuine gratitude for its patrons. “We were worried about people getting in fights, breaking stuff, throwing up in the bathroom—all that stuff that you expect. I mean, it’s a knock-on-wood scenario that just straight up doesn’t happen.” What’s perhaps the most shocking discovery is that most Milwaukee venues aren’t competing; they’re collaborating. Brian mentioned @cactusclubmke, @xrayarcade, @falconbowlmke, @lastrites_mke, and @sabbaticmke (just to name a few!) not as rival venues, but as collaborators who have been tremendously supportive since day one. “We’re all part of this ecosystem. It’s tough to be a touring band, to be a musician, to be a venue, and it’s only getting tougher. It’s as much cooperation as possible, which is one of the things that makes it a delightful and rewarding milieu to inhabit.” View upcoming events: mke-ultra.com. Benevolent Creative is a marketing firm that uses our page to highlight the positive, impactful nature of creative work, featuring skilled artists, artisans, musicians, changemakers, and thought leaders in the arts. #milwaukee #milwaukeemusic #mkemusic #milwauk by @brianjhospital
Milwaukee has Craigslist to thank for MkeUltra, a venerated performance venue on the city’s South Side that welcomes celebrated DIY local and touring talent. From its early days as a religious gathering place to its later incarnation as a biker gang’s clubhouse, the building has lived many lives. If the walls could talk, they’d probably write an album. Part 1: @brianjhospital of @mke_ultra Brian Hospital, a drummer and former UWM math teacher, inadvertently turned a band practice space into a event venue alongside bandmates Andy Worzella and Dave Pacifico. Collectively, they had a bunch of gear, an enduring enthusiasm for live music, and thought, why not? The campy walls of fake brick, real brick, and stone create a rock-solid foundation for this venue reverberating with character. They’re adorned with delightfully kitsch decor, featuring everything from standout vintage lamps to mounted taxidermy spectacles. April 11, 2025 marked the first show at the location Brian described as off the beaten path, open to any kind of event, and “scrappy.” Since then, MkeUltra has hosted 265+ shows, 575+ unique performances, and 821+ total performances (i.e., counting bands who returned). And this isn’t even counting the private events. MkeUltra is also the only venue (as far as we know) that’s out here cooking rice and beans before every show so the musicians have something to eat. Make sure to check out their website to see the lineup of upcoming shows and visit them soon: mke-ultra.com 💫 Benevolent Creative is a marketing firm that uses our page to highlight the positive, impactful nature of creative work, featuring skilled artists, artisans, musicians, changemakers, and thought leaders in the arts. #milwaukee #milwaukeemusic #mkemusic #milwaukeeevents #mke by @brianjhospital
playing this humdinger with star jelly at a barber shop the day b4 thanksgiving. let's get loud and let's get our hairs cut. @star_jelly_mke @the_crosses_band @nicholasbluetooth @adrenochrome_208 @ortizbrosmke c u @ the show. 🤙 by @brianjhospital
i post this as i am watching the 2008 carter smith film THE RUINS (currently available on netflix). some decent 2008-style gore in this one... pretty cool when the german dude gets his legs amp'd. N E WAY... next thing i'm doing at @cactusclubmke with @poor_ridley. as the flyer states, we'll be performing alongside @pecking_order_band, @waterspoutsband, and @intacinternational. all good uns! N E WAY... c u at the show! 😎 by @brianjhospital
next show i'm playing with @star_jelly_mke is cumming up at the mf GARDEN LODGE. v stoked to see @celraychi and @fog_lamp_bay. c u at the showWw ✌️ by @brianjhospital
playing this thing tomorrow with @star_jelly_mke. (our set is like 8:30 i think? but watch the whole damn thing if u r there obvs) c u at the show 😎 by @brianjhospital
playing this thing in madison on friday at @mickeys_madison. it's a late one, so don't forget yr Adderall PM! c u at the showwwww by @brianjhospital
i am playing this thing at @quartersmke on saturday. only hometown show with @star_jelly_mke that is currently in the books! c u there ✌️❤️🛸 by @brianjhospital
playing (and working) this thing with @poor_ridley on sunday (at @mke_ultra of all places). thax said he'd be there, so u kno it's gonna b somewhat decent! see you at the showwww... by @brianjhospital
playing this thing today at @gbufo.museum. my first show playing drums with @star_jelly_mke 😎. c u in the PIT (wherein the pit is of course a dope record store in green bay.) ✌️ by @brianjhospital

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