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1/1/09

Smitten By Detroit - January 1st 2009

MCB's Anna Hergot provides "Smitten by Detroit"
for your reading pleasure whenever the hell she feels like it.
Enjoy!

"It's a New Year,
I'm glad to be here
It's a fresh spring,
So let's sing."


Happy New Year MCB readers!
May all your wildest dreams and fantasies come true in 2009!

2009 the year of many things to look forward to:
like this!
how about this? yeah stars are neat.
and this one!? those piggy banks are getting a lot of love.
for all you astrology lovers.

Let's go back to 2008 for a minute. Namely, the date 12.23.08:
Went to see the Xmas Xtravaganza @ Magic Stick, Detroit,


Hosted by the record label: Hell City Records:
Great group of gentleman.
I was not sure what to expect as I had just learned about the record label and glanced briefly at the bands performing that night, but they sure knew how to throw a hell of a party (no pun intended). The event was set up with the merchandise and such for sale in the back of the venue, there seemed to be a decent crowd that centered around the front of the stage and 4-5 bands performing on the bill. I walked in around when the band, NOMAN, started their set. All I can say is keep your eye on these guys. They really got the crowd riled up and dancing a few songs in. Fantastic group of dudes that really dished it out for Detroit that night. Next show of theirs is coinicendently at the Magic Stick, again, January 15th.



Hell City Records Xmas Xtravaganza:
Bands in order:
Noman
Amino Acids
The Gepetto Files
FUNK NITE 12.26
KSK 12.27
URPD-homeless 12.29

Amino Acids were up next, the venterns of Detroit rock, last time I saw these guys was probably at the age of 14, when I used to sneak out of my parent's house and hitch a ride with older friends and see shows in the motorcity. It was like a reunion (10 years later) and they didn't leave me unsatisfied. They opended with a cover from Black Sabbath, which was followed by their intense, in-your-face, aggressive surf-core jams. For those that haven't seen the Amino Acids play live, it's always a treat, especially their stage performance.
You're not sure if you're at a rock show or about to be a victim of random larceny.
I recommend making it to one of their shows in the near future.

To wrap up the set, The Gepetto Files mounted the stage along with their deranged and schizophernic puppets. This was really a creative treat. The band was behind the puppet show, providing the music as the event unfolded and the puppets provided the crowd with a storyline that would frighten Mr. Rogers. This puppet show has been around for a decade or so providing punk rock puppet entertainment to countless basements and venues. Half-way through the set the memebers came in the crowd and passed out random holiday gifts. I received a stuffed animal and hub cap. The hub cap now is a permenent fixture on my bathroom wall.

Funk Night @ RIC. 12.26.08
Sure, the line was long to get in but it was worth it
for the funkest dance party around.
---Biggest one yet!

Saturday, December 27th, 2008
@ The Loft-Flint, MI/ Kinetic Stereokids:
It was amazing to see the full band come out and play a post-xmas show in their hometown. The crowd was fevent. I was thunderstruck. They were seriously the most eclectic and engaging band I know to date. That's it. .....go go go go go go go see them..IF they fail to leave you awed, captivated or speechless, i'll be a monkey's uncle. Look in the near future for these guys going on tour and releasing a new album!

Monday, December 29th, 2008:
Dishing out Food for the Homeless w/ UPRD:
I had a rewarding opportunity to hang out with the Detroit organization, United Peace Relief-Detroit (UPRD) on Monday afternoon. I was contacted via myspace by one of the members, Jean, asking if I could come help serve left over cake and bananas to a homeless shelter in Detriot and take some photos. I'm a strong beliver in helping those less fortuante and think any little altristic actions we can all do will really make a difference. Especially since during the Holidays, the message to help our brothers and sisters is just more emphasized. Jean pulled her truck around to the Shelter near MLK blvd and third and with a smile got out of the truck yelling loudly, " I got cake and bananas to anyone that wants any!" I've never seen such a desperate swarm of people rush to a vechicle full of food before; it was surreal, emotional and bittersweet. Say what you will about the homeless and unfortuantes of Detroit but they are still people in need and helping depict UPRD's cursade was the most fullfilling thing i've done in a long time. Stay posted to my myspace page: www.myspace.com/olive_yew as I hope to help out for oraginazations like Jean's in the future.

Next week I go to NYC! I'm taking a break from the Detroit scene and go walking the streets of Brooklyn, camera and notebook in hand to catch a glipse of the music community out there. If a blog entry seems suffice i'll post it.

One thing for sure is a visit to the infamous
on the Lower East Side.

Take care. Happy New Year MCB!!

UPRD's site is @ www.myspace.com/uprdetroit

Pictures for events depicted above found at:
www.flickr.com/photos/heartstohearts

Anna Hergott's myspace for future news/events: www.myspace.com/olive_yew
Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/kalihel

www.myspace.com/olive_yew
www.flickr.com/heartstohearts

"SBD IS DETROIT"