17-04-2025
Chris Jericho to headline South Milwaukee's Crusherfest with band Kuarantine
South Milwaukee may be Crusher Country, but on May 31 Crusherfest is Jericho.
Chris Jericho, who has wrestled for World Wrestling Entertainment and most recently All Elite Wrestling, will not be in the ring but instead on stage with his band Kuarantine.
Jericho has long balanced being a pro wrestler and a rock star as the frontman for his other band Fozzy. Kuarantine first debuted in May 2020, according to the Crusherfest website, with its inaugural release 'No No No' hitting No. 25 on the Billboard mainstream rock charts.
The band's single, 'Silver Spoon,' released in 2022, entered the Billboard mainstream rock charts as the second most added song, the Crusherfest website reads.
'They seem like really nice guys,' Crusherfest Chairperson Peggy Clark said of speaking with representatives of Kuarantine. She said everyone was super responsive and 'they've been nothing but amazing.'
Crusherfest, the bi-annual festival in South Milwaukee celebrating the life of pro wrestler Reggie 'Da Crusher' Lisowski, is happening May 31-June 1 at the Bucyrus Commons, 1101 Milwaukee Ave.
The last Crusherfest was held in 2023.
The first Crusherfest happened in 2019 when the life-sized bronze statue of South Milwaukee native Da Crusher was revealed. The statue was the result of a GoFundMe campaign.
Crusherfest, originally planned as a yearly event, has encountered a few hiccups from the pandemic to construction at the event space, which led to it becoming bi-annual. Clark said talks are still happening to possibly hold it every year.
'I think it's something we'll look at because the excitement is crazy,' she said.
Organizers aren't done with this year's event yet with Clark teasing 'one more big surprise coming.'
She said, 'This might be the biggest one yet.'
That big announcement could come in a few weeks around when the Countdown to Crusherfest fundraising event is held at the Bucyrus Club, 1919 12th Ave., from 3-10 p.m. May 3.
The event will feature food and a full bar along with raffles and auctions. Clark highlighted a few items up for grabs include a chair autographed by Da Crusher and Mad Dog Vachon, a book autographed by John Cena and a Hurricane (the wrestler) Funko Pop.
Live wrestling is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., according to the event page.
Clark said this year organizers put more focus into the music. Here is the band schedule for the event:
Saturday, May 31:
Larry Lynne, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Blues Addiction, 2 to 4 p.m.
Bad Behavior, 4 to 6 p.m.
Richrath Project 3:13, opening for Kuarantine featuring Chris Jericho
These last two bands have a $25 reserved seating ticket with only 150 reserved seats available. Seating assigned on first purchase basis.
A Kuarantine meet and greet is scheduled immediately after the concert on the stage. Only 50 $150 meet and greet tickets will be sold, which grant purchasers a picture with their camera and an autographed item of their choosing.
Clark said 18 meet and greet tickets sold within the first few hours of availability on April 16.
Tickets are on sale on and will be picked up on the night of the concert. Photo ID is required for ticket pick up.
Sunday, June 1:
Polka Mass, 10:30 a.m. to noon featuring the music of Jeff Winard
Jeff Winard, noon to 2 p.m.
The Squeezettes, 2 to 4 p.m.
Addiction, 4 to 6 p.m.
Crusherfest has hosted many wrestling legends over the years and this year is no different. The following have been announced for this year's event:
WWE Hall of Famer Tito Santana
Former WWE (then WWF) Superstar Steve Keirn
WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy Hart
Former WWE and ECW wrestler Tommy Dreamer
Former AWA and WWC tag team the Texas Hangmen
AWA interviewer Ken Resnick
Former AWA, ECW and WWE wrestler Al Snow
Former WWE wrestler Scotty 2 Hotty and Keagan Garland (his son in his rookie year of pro-wrestling)
Visitors to Crusherfest can enjoy shopping at various vendors selling everything from vintage clothing to handmade art. Clark said Crusherfest doesn't charge vendors who participate in the event.
'We charge them a deposit but if they show up, they get it back,' she said.
Clark noted this year will have a more diverse lineup of food adding in Chinese, French cuisine, and other 'really neat options.' Food trucks signed up include Atwood Hwy BBQ and Sweet Delight selling kettle corn, according to the Crusherfest website.
Clark said many food trucks sold out in 2023 with between 40,000 and 45,000 visitors.
The Mr. Saloon competition returns on June 1 featuring keg holding, trivia, throw-the-drunk, sausage eating and beer drinking. The winner gets a championship belt. Clark said about a half dozen people have signed up already, which is more than competed in the event its first year in 2019.
For more information on the festival, go to
Contact Erik S. Hanley at Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on X @Redheadliner.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Chris Jericho to headline Crusherfest with band Kuarantine
