Christian Death’s “Baby Bats Parade,” Tour Rocks Through Milwaukee

Thursday June 4th, rock band Christian Death along with openers: Gene Loves Jezebel, Descartes A Kant, and Black Season Witch, rocked X-Ray Arcade with vengeance. 

On a warm early-summer evening in Cudahy, Wisconsin, fans of goth, deathrock, and dark alternative music flocked to the, “very famous,”  X-Ray Arcade. Dressed in black lace, leather jackets, platform boots, and classic band tees, attendees represented multiple generations of the gothic underground scene. With music starting at 7 and summer just emerging, it was a perfect warm night, with the sun still shining on the arcade mixed bar mixed punk rock venue.  

Located at 5036 S. Packard Avenue in Cudahy, Wisconsin, X-Ray Arcade opened in February 2019 as an all-ages music venue, arcade, bar, and community gathering space. Founded by a group of likeminded people in the Chicago/Milwaukee DIY scene, led by musician Nick Woods of the Milwaukee punk band Direct Hit!, the venue transformed the property into a home for independent music and gaming culture.

Designed with a do-it-yourself ethos, X-Ray Arcade quickly became a hub for local and touring artists, hosting concerts, open mics, community events, and retro arcade gaming. Since opening, it has earned a reputation as one of the Milwaukee area’s most welcoming and inclusive live-music venues, helping fill a longstanding need for a smaller, more down to Earth performance space while supporting Milwaukee’s creative community.

Black Season Witch

Opening the evening was Black Season Witch, a Chicago based industrial goth duo who immediately set the tone with a dark and atmospheric performance. As attendees began to fill up the room, Black Season Witch’s performance, a blend of gothic rock and post-punk influences, created a moody backdrop that captured the audience's attention from first to last song.

While many attendees may have arrived unfamiliar with the band, Black Season Witch quickly earned new fans through confident stage presence and a tight performance.

Known within the modern gothic rock scene for incorporating their dark sound along with cinematic goth film backdrops that draws fans in. Their growing reputation has earned them opportunities to share stages with established names in the underground music community through their extensive touring throughout the U.S.

Descartes A Kant

Next up were Descartes A Kant. Their performance brought about a whole different feel to the venue and for a band known for being theatrical, and their own style of music, it made for one of the best-looking sets I've ever seen at X-Ray Arcade. Although the band still holds an underground status their tight performance with compelling visuals, unique props, and synchronized movements made their performance stand out compared to many other at X-Ray Arcade.

Descartes A Kant was founded in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, and has managed to build an international fan base from their mix of music and theater. Over time, this band has received critical praise for their releases and incredible live shows.

With styles of music ranging from alternative rock, cabaret, punk and performance art, Descartes A Kant kept the audience on their toes and wondering what the next moment would bring. Charismatic, their singer engaged the crowd while the band played everything from aggressive rock music, to melodic tunes.

Gene Loves Jezebel

Gene Loves Jezebel was next on the bill. This older gothic rock group had a set that was full of nostalgia and timeless hits. From the second they stepped onto the stage, the regulars sang along, with newer fans cheering them on from the sidelines. Energized from the last two openers, fans loosened up, moving forward to Gene Loves Jezebel, dancing and cheering. 

Gene Loves Jezebel got together in the early 80s, and became one of the most popular gothic/alternative rock groups in their circle.

This British group rose up from the ashes of British post-punk, and its records such as Promise, as well as The House of Dolls helped cement its place among many of the staples that continue to be lplayed in gothic clubs everywhere.

Christian Death

Christian Death didn't waste any time playing the music that they’re famous for along with a pinch of theatrical bits of darkness; exactly what fans came to see. Front man, Valor Kand commanded the room, drawing every fan in while keeping that signature sinister attitude.

One of the best things to see was how well the audience knew the songs. From the smallest guitar riff, to each individual word, all the fans sang and cheered; a real celebration not only of this group but the influence they have had for a whole sub culture.

Christian Death emerged in Los Angeles in 1979 and became one of the most influential bands in the development of American gothic rock and deathrock. Founded by vocalist and songwriter Rozz Williams, the group combined dark, theatrical imagery with themes of religion, death, and social alienation, distinguishing itself from the broader punk movement of the era. 

Their debut album, Only Theatre of Pain (1982), is widely regarded as a landmark recording in the deathrock genre, helping to define the sound and aesthetic of the emerging gothic underground. Following Williams's departure in 1985, guitarist Valor Kand assumed leadership of the band, leading to disputes over the group's name and legacy. Despite lineup changes and controversies, Christian Death remained an enduring presence in alternative music, influencing generations of gothic, industrial, and darkwave artists while maintaining a devoted international following.

Upcoming Dates

Those of you who couldn’t make it out to see The Baby Bats Tour in Cudahy should check out Christian Death's official page through this link and enjoy the band themselves.