Last Saturday night, four bands from the Wisconsin Pop Explosion (which blogs here) played host to the group's Spring Fling. The evening featured the of music, drinks, snacks, and raffles, showcasing the "Voltron-like" network's component members, described in last week's Isthmus as "aural proof of the strength and originality of Madison music."

The four bands playing at the Spring Fling, held at the King Club, were featured on Dane101 last week. They are The Runners-Up (who include a Dane101 contributing writer), Ric Rac Attack, Charlemagne, and The Super Eights, which also happens to be the order they played on Saturday. Playing hosts to the fling in between sets was the The Secret Wedding Party, a "fairly unmusical, yet totally danceable" duo. Some (blurry) photos of their performances appear in order below the fold.

The King Club was decked out in tissue streamers and flowers, fitting with this weekend's transformation of spring into summer. The first three bands played well-received sets, particularly Charlemagne, which is in the midst of producing its follow-up to 2004’s self-titled album.

An amusing element to the showcase was watching musicians do double-duty in their various bands. One member of The Runners-Up stayed put to play with Ric Rac Attack. Charlemagne includes no Attackers, but does include a Runner-Up. The Super Eights appeared to be the human nexus of the ‘splosion, featuring a Runner-Up, two Attackers, and Karl der Grosse himself. Dizzying…

The show was capped by a performance from the Super Eights, which included an assist from intermittent member Brady Potts. Potts, also of The Haints, left Madison last summer to live and drive in L.A., and was back in Madison for a short visit. Formerly the group's keyboardist (a position since taken over by Carl Johns), he played guitar at the Spring Fling to the crowd's delight.

If the poster at top looks familiar, that 's because it was designed and printed by Nathan Meltz, the force behind the Pop Explosion, who is also a featured artist through this week at the rock poster display at Firecracker Studios on Winnebago.

For more info the WI Pop Explosion, the new issue of Rick's Café has a detailed look at what it is all about. Pick it up on a newsstand near you!