Things are moving pretty quickly for Brisbane, Australia duo An Horse. Kate Cooper (of Iron On) and Damon Cox (who has played with Intercooler and Mary Trembles) were invited to join Tegan and Sara's U.S. tour even before their debut disc was released.

Now that disc -- the "Not Really Scared" EP -- is out and the tour comes to Milwaukee Wednesday for an 8 p.m. gig at The Pabst Theater. Tickets are $25.

That's pretty good for a band that claims it "used to be about procrastination" and was formed as a means for Cooper to avoid "doing things that she was meant to be doing. Like studying or assignments."

Despite that, Cooper found time and the drive to earn a couple degrees and start law school. Luckily for us, she bagged that, though, and stuck with music.

"Postcard" and "Ledge," the first two of five songs on "Not Really Scared" -- which has a great cover drawn by Laith McGregor -- recall the glory days of Bettie Serveert, but with grittier guitars. "Scared as F*ck" gives the record its name, "Camp Out" is sharper-edged and "Shoes Watch" simmers to explosion.

Some other upcoming gigs include:

Chicago-based alt.country superstar Robbie Fulks returns to his regular Milwaukee venue -- Shank Hall -- for a gig at 8 p.m. Friday. Cover is $15.

Presidents of the United States of America play at The Rave on Monday, May 5. Our Andy Tarnoff talked to them, so stay tuned for the full interview on OnMilwaukee.com

Devotchka and Montreal's Basia Bulat at Turner Hall Ballroom on Thursday, May 8. OnMilwaukee.com's Jason McDowell interviewed Devotchka, so watch for that to arrive on the site soon, too. Meanwhile, Bulat's debut disc, "Oh, My Darling," is out on Rough Trade and it's a modern folky record with gritty vocals that are a testament to Bulat's love for Stax, Motown and Sam Cooke.

Jason also talked to Streetlight Manifesto, which plays at Turner Hall with MU330 and The Supervillains at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7. Watch this space! Tickets are $14.

Robin Gibb's son Spencer leads the four-piece 54 Seconds, which recently released "Postcards from California," a disc of laid-back psychedelia. Now Spencer Gibb brings his band to Points East Pub on Saturday, May 10. Stop by and don't bug him too much about his Bee Gee dad.

In what could be the show of the year in Milwaukee, London-based Sri Lankan rapper M.I.A. plays at Turner Hall Ballroom on Monday, May 12 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $27.50. M.I.A.'s genre-defying and long-anticipated second disc, "Kala," was a worthy successor to the landmark debut, "Arula," which blended hip-hop, dance hall and eastern influences into one, giant, addictive rhythm fest.

Marty Willson-Piper of The Church comes to Shank Hall with his band The Electric Mood Maidens and opener Don Dixon on Wednesday, May 14 at 8 p.m. Cover is $15.

Carney and The Brakes team up for a 7 p.m. all-ages gig at The Rave on Friday, May 16. The former is a youthful Cali quartet that draws on everything from John Lennon, Pink Floyd and Jeff Buckley. Meanwhile, The Brakes are a Philly band that recently released its debut full-length, "Tale of Two Cities" on Hyena Records. Tickets are $8.