He has a radio program on WXOU out of Oakland University
Wild At Heart
Today has been a good day despite the fact that I thought this blog would've been finished by now when in fact I'm just starting. Most of my friends know that I love my buffets. I don't eat as much as I used to do when I was younger but I like having a variety of food to choose from when I eat. Well I found what just might be the best buffet in the state of Michigan. Located in Madison Heights next to Target & Circuit City at 32153 John R Rd, the Fuji Japanese Buffet is the first Japanese seafood buffet in the state of Michigan. If you like sushi, they had over 20 types available made fresh by three chefs behind the counter including my favorite like tuna and yellowtail as well as stuff like octopus and various vegetarian styles. They also had numerous types of shrimp (and not those small shrimp you get at so many other places), seaweed, mussels, soups, fruit and desserts. The food was great and I tried some stuff, like mango soup, that I never tried before which was all just wonderful. The waitresses were nice and the remodeled seats were very beautifully laid out. I can just tell you that I will be there at least once a month if not more. You can not go wrong eating here and this is highly recommended eating. I'm so glad I found this place. Go to www.fujibuffet.com for more information.
The Motorcity Special record release party at the Music Hall went over well this weekend. The night started with the rocking jams of Mr Shz followed by the Brazillian garage rockers Canja Rave, electric dance beats of the Electric Fire Babies, psychedelic sounds of Duende! and the oldies rock influenced Wrong Numbers. Each of the bands played a great set with a lot of energy which was recorded for an upcoming live album. There were a few tech issues with feedback on some songs but overall it was an excellent experience. If the recordings can capture half the power of each of these bands, this first limited edition vinyl pressings should be a wonderful addition to the music collections of Detroit rock enthusiasts. Usually projects like this have a weak band or two, but each band was unique and really strong which is really unexpected. What the label is doing is focusing on live performances and not bands in particular. For example, the own the rights for the Mr Shz performance at this show and nothing else. After the pressing has been completed, the masters will be destroyed and only those that were made will exist. Some of these bands that show up in future shows might only get represented on vinyl at these shows so fans should look to get these before they become hard to find rarities. I hope this adventure succeeds and I'm looking forward to the next show at the Crofoot on July 31st and currently features the Beggars, Jesus Chainsaw Massacre, Black Lodge, Marco Polio and the New Vaccines and WOLFBAIT. To purchase this record or get your band involved, go to http://motorcityspecial.com.
Speaking of local shows, the week is kind of slow but their are plenty of choices for the weekend including the Country Hoedown at Hart Plaza. Here are some choices from me.
Tuesday 5/11 - Men At Work lead singer Colin Hay @ the Ark
Friday 5/14 - Justin Moore and Randy Hoser start the Country Hoedown @ Hart Plaza, Satin Peaches and Lightning Love @ Majestic Cafe, the Howling Diablos @ Callahans, School of Rock performs "Gods Of Metal" @ Eagle Theatre, Bare Naked Ladies @ Toledo Zoo Ampitheater
Saturday 5/15 - Uncle Kracker ends the 2nd day of the Country Hoedown @ Hart Plaza, Insane Clown Posse and Kottonmouth Kings @ Meadowbrook Theatre, rockabilly Koffin Kats @ the Token Lounge, Maze @ the Fox Theatre, MC Chris @ Blind Pig, School of Rock performs Aerosmith @ Eagle Theatre
Sunday 5/16 - Zac Brown Band ends the last day of Country Hoedown @ Hart Plaza, School of Rock performs "Ladies Of Rock" @ the Crofoot
Monday 5/17 - J Geils Band lead singer Peter Wolf @ St Andrews Hall
For road trippers, check out this line-up for the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame charity event this Saturday starring Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Richie Furay formerly of Buffalo Springfield (“For What It’s Worth,” “Kind Woman”), inductee Terry Sylvester formerly of the Hollies (“Long Cool Woman,” “Bus Stop”), Fefe Dobson (“I Want You” “Ghost,”), Tommy James and the Shondells ("Mony Mony," "I Think We’re Alone Now"), Gene Chandler (“Duke of Earl,” “Groovy Situation”), Sheila E. ("The Glamorous Life,” “A Love Bizarre”), Mark Farner formerly of Grand Funk ("The Loco-motion," "Aimless Lady," “Some Kind of Wonderful,” “Bad Time”) and MC Hammer ("U Can’t Touch This," “Too Legit to Quit”). The house band will feature some of rock and roll’s most talented musicians in Ricky Byrd (Joan Jett, Roger Daltrey) and Jeff Carlisi (.38 Special) on guitar; keyboardist Rob Arthur (Joan Osborne, Peter Frampton); Liberty DeVitto (Billy Joel) on drums and Jeff Adams (Starship) on bass. I think I'm going just for Tommy James who I have always been a big fan of.
Tune into my show on WXOU 88.3FM from 8-10AM this Saturday morning on WXOU 88.3FM or www.wxou.org for your chance to win tickets to see Cracker & Reverend Horton Heat at the Majestic.
Band of the week: In honor of this weekend's Hoedown at Hart Plaza, this week's artist of the week is rockabilly/country star Wanda Jackson who I had the pleasure of seeing perform at the Henry Ford museum during Rock Stars and Guitars. For someone in their 70's, she put on a brief, though lively show. In 1956, she won a talent contest which led to her own radio program but was turned down for a record contract under the excuse that female artists don't sell. Known to many as the The First Lady (or Queen) of Rockabilly, she eventually released a number of powerful rockabilly songs which only had local play with the exception of "Fujiyama Mama" (which hit number one in Japan). These songs got her on tour with the one and only Elvis Presley who she briefly dated while on tour with him. She was way ahead of her time with this style of rock n roll but and she looks beautiful performing to as she also made a lot of her own outfits. As rockabilly declined in popularity in the mid-1960s, she moved to a successful career in mainstream country music with a string of hits between 1966 and 1973 though has done a number of rockabilly revivals over in Europe where she has gotten a second wind. She was inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. Here are a few of her songs. Her voice is still almost as powerful today as it was back then.
For something a little different, don't forget Motorcity Comic Con where you can shop for comics and toys, see movies, plays games and meet famous celebrities such as the newly added Marina Sirtis who played "Deanna Troi" from Star Trek: Next Generation TV series and films. Among the many guests are Linda Blair, Todd "family Ties" Bridges, Tia Carrere, Jim "Enter The Dragon" Kelly, Ray (Darth Maul) Park and Adam West to name just a few. Go to www.motorcitycomiccon.com for a full list and schedule.