Promote your event / Contact MCB

YOU HAVE REACHED MOTORCITYBLOG.
email us anytime motorcityblog@gmail.com



3/31/15

APRIL: Art X Detroit


Midtown, Downtown, Eastern Market
April 9-12, 16-19, 25-26, 2015

Art X Detroit: Kresge Arts Experience (AXD) is a 10-day festival of dance, literary, musical & theatrical performances, film screenings, visual arts installations, workshops, panel discussions & interactive experiences. AXD presents works created by the 2013-2014 Kresge Eminent Artists and Artist Fellows. AXD will be hosted at multiple venues throughout Midtown Detroit and beyond over a three-week period in April & is FREE to the public.

AXD is presented by The Kresge Foundation and produced by Midtown Detroit, Inc. AXD partners include: Kresge Arts in Detroit, College for Creative Studies, Creative Many, and MOCAD.

ONGOING: Howdy Doody on display with VIPs from the Paul McPharlin Puppetry Collection @ the DIA



It’s Howdy Doody Time at the Detroit Institute of Arts!

VIPs from the Paul McPharlin Puppetry Collection
Now through September 20, 2015

Some very important puppets (VIPS), including the iconic Howdy Doody marionette, will go on display beginning Friday, March 20 at the Detroit Institute of Arts. The VIPs feature some of the oldest and best known puppet personalities that will be displayed through September 20, 2015.

The collection includes two sets of historic puppets, an 18th-century Venetian comedia del arte (art comedy) cast and American colonial era Punch and Judy. Punch and Judy are comedic hand puppets from 18th-century New England with ornate theater play-boards and miniature stage props.

Joining them will be Howdy Doody, the famous marionette from the first nationally syndicated American television program, The Howdy Doody Show. Howdy will appear wearing his original cowboy boots and buckskin gloves. He has not been on display at the DIA since 2009, when a U.S. Postal Service stamp was created in his honor.

Credit line for attached image: Howdy Doody, Velma Dawson, 1948, wood dough, cloth, leather, wood. ©Detroit Institute of Arts

Hours and Admission9 a.m.–4 p.m. Tuesdays–Thursdays, 9 a.m.–10 p.m. Fridays, and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. General admission (excludes ticketed exhibitions) is free for Wayne, Oakland and Macomb county residents and DIA members. For all others, $8 for adults, $6 for seniors ages 62+, $4 for ages 6–17. For membership information, call 313–833–7971.

PHOTOS: TYCHO @ Royal Oak Music Theatre 3/27

Tycho performed to a sold out crowd at the Royal Oak Music Theatre last Friday. If you weren't there, you missed a good one!

Fortunately, we have some photos from the gig so you don't totally miss out...

Link to full set HERE










###


3/30/15

STATIC, CreepynCute Shop/The Smiths present...DETROIT ZOMBIE APOCALPSE III - "CANCER FEARS THE D"


STATIC, CreepynCute Shop/The Smiths present...
DETROIT ZOMBIE APOCALPSE III - "CANCER FEARS THE D"
A Benefit for the American Cancer Society via The Walking Hope!

Get ready Detroit! STATIC/CreepynCuteShop/The Smiths invite you to join them this spring for DETROIT ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE III - Cancer fears the D! A Benefit for The American Cancer Society via The Walking Hope for ACS (a Walking Dead and pop-culture themed fan site dedicated to raising awareness and funds for ACS and cancer charity) The charity raises awareness and hosts fundraisers that benefit the American Cancer Society. Visit the Walking Hope here: www.facebook.com/TheWalkingHope2 
The Zombie Apocalypse is an entertainment extravaganza featuring music, burlesque, sideshow acts, an apocalyptic art gallery, vendors and more! It commences on Saturday, April 18th at The Tangent Gallery/Hastings Street Ballroom located at 715 E. Milwaukee in Detroit. 18 & over admitted, 8 pm doors - 8:30 pm showtime, $10 suggested minimum donation. Dress to impress in your deadest attire! Hunters welcome! Citizens BEWARE!!!


Event Emcees: Dirk Belligerent & OTTO the Autopilot of Culture Vultures Radio Show and Auctioneer Dean Vanderkolk
 
Silent Auction: All vendors will be donating items to be auctioned off with proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society via The Walking Hope.  
 
There will also be many autographed photos, original artwork and other items from Walking Dead stars up for auction including an autographed Walking Hope hoodie signed by 55 of the cast members! 

Music by:
Leena Allure
  Burlesque by:
  • Lushes LaMoan
  • Chrissy Chaoss
  • Magenta DeMure
  • Leena Allure 
  • Belly Dancer: Shetan Noir
Magenta DeMure
 Other Performers:
  • Christopher "The Big Icky" - The Human Blockhead and Dare Devil
  • Thomas The Odd - Strongman
  • Tracey Coakley - Flaming Hoops
  • Mel Vicious - the Grinder Girl
  • Live painting by Armageddon Beach Party
Mel Vicious
Apocalyptic Art by:
  • Jody Bauman
  • Brain Lewandowski
  • Crystal Mielcarek
  • Pauly Everett
  • D-tritus John Juan
  • 9 Designs Emporium
  • Chris Reed
  • Steven Gamburd
  • Brittany Shute
  • Matt Hutfloetz
  • Steve Czapiewski
  • Candi Randazzo-Boik

Artisans/Vendors:
  • CreepynCute Shop
  • Front Page Free Press 
  • Graven Images Metalworks
  • Classic Horrors by Steve Bjema
  • Phoenix Cafe
  • D-Tritus Dark Green Art by John Juan
  • Lily's Steampunk Emporium
  • Custom Creations by Danielle
  • Zachariah Messiah Art
  • 3D BeautyBar.com
  • Detroit Beard Collective
  • Armored Hearts Chainmaille
  • Paparazzi Accessories by Kasandra Delghingaro
  • Andrea's Minis
  • Crafty Darling Detroit
  • Fenton Tattoo and Piercing
  • 9 Designs Emporium
  • VooDoo Doll's Accessories
  • Detroit House of Pain
  • Tarot Cards by Shetan Noir

For more information on this event: Check out the event page at http://on.fb.me/1GkDk44 or www.facebook.com/DetroitZombieApocalypse

JEFF GERMAN & THE BLANKETY BLANKS RETURN TO DETROIT

 
Americana artist and former Detroiter, Jeff German along with his band the Blankety Blanks, return for a hometown show on Friday, April 10 at 9 pm at PJ's Lager House in Detroit. This show kicks off the release of their new single "Woodshed" and will preview songs from their upcoming album. The Blankety Blanks will headline the show which will also feature two local bands to start off the night of music .

Featuring performances by:

The Detroit Ditch Diggers  (9:30 pm)-This band is influenced by Wilco and The Flying Burrito Brothers and play alt-country, blues-rock Detroit style! www.facebook.com/thedetroitditchdiggers

Jeremy Porter & The Tucos (10:30 pm) - The Tucos play original Rock and Roll. They love their power-pop but they're influenced by Gram Parsons, Uncle Tupelo and Waylon Jennings as much as Cheap Trick, The Replacements and X . It makes for an interesting, hooky blend of energy, melody, distortion and twang. Goes great with a cold PBR, whether you are crying in it or raising it up and singing along. www.thetucos.com

Jeff German & the Blankety Blanks (11:30 pm) - The band hails from Columbus, Ohio but guitarist/frontman Jeff German is a native Detroiter. He is known around these parts for his previous work fronting the rockabilly trio The Flyin' Saucers, who regularly performed in Detroit. He also fronted The Curdogs and was the sideman to Bloodshot Records artist Lydia Loveless and americana singer Amy Black.

They released the album "12 Rounds" in 2014 on Wisconsin indie label Slothrop Records. Describing his music as "Midwest music for the working class," the record is best played loud and served with a cold beer after a long week.

The album received airplay and accolades nationally and internationally as well, having found fans across the globe. The music website Ruta 66 from Spain said the album is "A very pleasant surprise. Superb."

The label released his new single, "Woodshed" as a five-song CD with four bonus tracks that will not be included on the forthcoming album, which is scheduled for a Fall release. The CD will be available at the show for $5. The band's official tour starts in May and will continue thru the release of the album.

For more information on Jeff German & The Blankety Blanks check out www.jgblanketyblanks.com

PJ's Lager House located at 1254 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, 48226. 313-961-4668
www.pjslagerhouse.com 21 & over are welcome and cover is $6.

WORLD SPACE PARTY: DETROIT

WORLD SPACE PARTY: DETROIT
at 
Michigan Science Center 
April 11th, 2015
8pm-1am
 
ART X and the Michigan Science Center host Detroit's official entry into this worldwide event - also known as "Yuri's Night"- in commemoration of the first spaceflight by Yuri Gagarin on April 12th, 1961 - but celebrating all human activity in space. Join tens of thousands of people around the world this April to dream about where we're going, explore where we are, and celebrate where we've been at the World Space Party!


Here are some of the highlights of this special night! 
ROCKET LAUNCH 
Witness the two-story Saturn V rocket and Space Shuttle models rumble to life and launch via projection-mapped animation by New D Media Arts, synchronized to an experimental DJ score featuring live performances by musician Audra Kubat!
PLANETARIUM EXPERIENCE 
Be the first to see a developing short film about life on a new frontier. This hard sci-fi vision of survival in the first sustainable city on Mars is meticulously researched and shot on location in the deserts of the American West. 
WEBCAST - simultaneous events worldwide! 
Live Painting by: Armageddon Beachparty ! Aerial Performance by: Irina Laura Borealis ! 
Themed Cocktails! Interactive Science Exhibits! Space Cinema! More! 


All-ages, open to the public. No cover. Dress for the future!

This is the ART X showcase of Daniel Land, 2014 Kresge Fellow in Film Directing. 
The event marks the 54th anniversary since we first escaped the cradle, so come party for a reason - and represent Detroit to the rest of the globe. 

Sponsors include: Midtown Detroit, the Cinetopia Film Festival and AirTime Trampoline Park.
Michigan Science Center is located at 5020 John R. St. in Detroit. 313-577-8400 www.mi-sci.org

3/28/15

Show review: Gosh Pith, Nigel & the Dropout and Marcus Alan Ward

Most nights I have to drive at least 30 minutes to get to hear some local music I really love. The suburbs of Oakland County just isn’t the place to catch indie dance synth bands. Thursday night though I got lucky and was able to see three bands bring their unique versions of indie, dance and pop to Keego Harbor’s B One Ballroom.
Marcus Alan Ward  photo: MPAD Media
The opener of the night was Marcus Alan Ward who drove up from Cleveland for the show. He started his set with an amplified version of Elton John’s “Benny and the Jets.” MAW then followed it up with a short set of R&B and funk all with a gritty rock edge. With his talents on full display, playing synth, guitar and singing, I could hear Prince, Hendrix and a more current R&B influence in his songs.

Nigel & the Dropout photo MPAD Media
Nigel & the Dropout were on next and honestly I hadn’t heard much about them before the show but one guy told me they were his favorite local band. From their first song I was immediately blown away with their sound and visuals. They play a mix of indie electronic with soaring guitars. I would say they sound like MGMT, if they never ended up self indulgent and sucking, so that’s not really a good comparison. On most the songs they share vocals with the guitarist doing most the vocal chores. For only two guys they effectively make a lot of wonderfully, blissed out noise. Towards the end of the set one song had an epic intro that transformed into a punky, electric track. They have plenty of potential to get places and I could imagine their songs used in movies for indie club scenes.

Gosh Pith photo by MPAD Media
Last up was Gosh Pith. A band I have heard a lot about but never seen play. Again just 2 guys, but the sound is a complete left turn from Nigel & the Dropout. They play an original mix of dub, psychedelic and indie dance that comes across as hazy, mysterious and kind of sexy. Under dark lighting, they both sing different parts in each song but the guitarist probably sings the most with his distinctive voice. When I met him he was kind of a low spoken guy but on stage his voice takes on this strange quality, a sort of a reggae chanting, very rhythmical and hypnotic.
My only disappointment with the entire night was there weren’t more people to make the trek out to B One because they missed a high quality show. Who knows how many more we’ll get in the suburbs of OC?
You can see more pics of the show at MPAD Media




3/27/15

ADRENALINE MOB AT THE MACHINE SHOP.

 


Adrenaline Mob MS

Adrenaline Mob is on tour supporting their newly release album, Dearly Departed. They timed the tour to be a part of the Machine Shop's 13th anniversary. This Saturday, March 28, 2015 at the Machine Shop in Flint, MI Adrenaline Mob will be opening for Drowning Pool.


Adrenaline Mob
Opening for Drowning Pool
Doors:
wsg: Full Devil Jacket
Machine Shop
3539 Dort Hwy.
Flint, MI

Adrenaline Mob 2014

MCB DO NOT MISS - WIN FREE TICKETS: Benjamin Booker live at Magic Stick Detroit Monday 3/30/15



Well its Friday and a chilly one at that 
but the ol MCB has a quick fix for that gang

Sure you have plans for the weekend 
but what about Monday night?

Let's think ahead people!

If you caught the Jack White shows last year then you were introduced to Benjamin Booker who was the opener for both gigs and in case you didn't notice he is playing this coming Monday over at soon to be dance club The Magic Stick Detroit

Read some more about Benjamin Booker here 
and get your tickets now


Broker than a joke? 

email motorcityblog@earthlink.net for your chance to win




3/26/15

High Risk featuring Shigeto at Trinosophes on April 1st

Doors at 8pm
General admission: $12
Reserved seating: $20

Advance tickets available at Trinosophes. Reserved seating going fast!

Kopecky at The Blind Pig Friday 3/27


Formerly known as the Kopecky Family Band, the Nashville based group Kopecky head out for tour after SXSW. They hit The Blind Pig on Friday March 27th. 

New album "Drug for the Modern Age" available May 19, 2015

- ITUNES ($7.99 pre-order & immediately download "Quarterback") - http://smarturl.it/kopecky-itunes
- AMAZON (digital, CD and vinyl) - http://smarturl.it/kopecky-amazon
- OFFICIAL WEBSTORE – http://smarturl.it/kopecky-webstore





Next week: Chappo with Big Data at The Shelter Detroit



New York's psychedelic disco-inspired quartet, Chappo return to Detroit next Thursday night, April 2, opening for Big Data. With a Flaming Lips meets the Killers vibe, CHAPPO's synth take on west coast psychedelia bring us from the 60's into galaxies far away. Now the band moves on to support the release of their latest LP, FUTURE FORMER SELF with their leading single, "Hang On". Entertainment Weekly says the slow-building single, "proves how cosmic CHAPPO can be, setting countryish slide guitars adrift in a synthesizer nebula." Their new release Future Former Self finally comes out on May 12th on Votiv Music. 


"Come Home"

Big Data with Chappo
Thurs. April 2        8:30 
 The Shelter, Detroit

3/25/15

Ryan Allen & His Extra Arms CD Release This Friday at The Berkley Front




Spreading his legs from Destroy This Place, Ryan Allen, also of Thunderbirds Are Now! and Friendly Foes, will celebrate today's release of "Heart String Soul" this Saturday at The Berkley Front.  This is the second solo release from the  Destroy This Place guitarist, and also a pop junkie's bona fide dream. Allen spoke of recording with his father, starting a label, and discussed one of my favorite tracks off the album, "Young American Nomads." 

Motor City Blog: Let's begin with Two Brains Recording Company. What made you want to start your own label?

Ryan Allen: Starting Two Brains was really done out of necessity. I could have spent time trying to find somebody to release the album (and I'm very much appreciative that Scotty Hagen and Bellyache Records released my first solo album), and while I'm super confident in the recording and the songs, I would never expect anybody to necessarily want to release a pop album by a 35 year old guy with no band who can't really tour. So instead I just decided to keep with the theme of this project, and because it's so personal to me, just releasing it under my own "label." I put that in quotes because really the label is no more than a logo, a Facebook page, a website and a couple of releases under its umbrella. By those standards, anybody can start a label. But it's not like Nick (my label partner) and I went and got it incorporated or anything. It's just a stamp to put on our projects to make it feel more legit. It should also be said that I couldn't have done any of this with out Nick Piunti's help. He's the man.


MCB: Are there plans to add more artists to the label?

RA: Not currently. The label's purpose is to release solo music by myself and Nick Piunti, who is putting out an incredible pop record in March on Two Brains as well. It might grow in the future, but I certainly don't have the money to release anything by anybody else, let alone myself.


MCB: What is the record label's philosophy?

RA: To break even.


MCB: I listened to the album, but noticed this is a solo album. Will there be a backing band playing with you?

RA: Yeah, the whole idea behind Ryan Allen & His Extra Arms is that it's me and whoever I ask to contribute to the recordings. This time around I played almost all of the guitars, bass, percussion, and singing. I had Sean Sommer (Destroy This Place) play drums on nine of the 11 songs (I played them on "Keep Me Around" and did a second drum track on "Why Are You Freaking Me Out?"). My brother Scott Allen (Thunderbirds Are Now!) played keys on a few tracks, as did Zach Curd of the Pop Project. My dad sang on one song, and played a little organ, bass and guitar here and there. Nick Piunti played some guitar on a track as well. Andy Reed - who graciously mixed, mastered and gave it some extra TLC - also played a little guitar and did some harmonies. So it's really my thing but the folks who contributed to it added their own flavors to the mix, which I'm really happy about. For the live show, Sean Sommer will be playing drums, and Mike Majewski (The Silent Years/Rescue) is on bass. It's coming together really well so far, and I hope we can keep playing together after the show.


MCB: I saw you mentioned recording this album in your childhood home and recruiting your father to help engineer. What was that process like, and why there? Is your father in the music business?

RA: Yeah, it seemed like a really natural thing for me to do. I'm surprised it took me this long to finally do it. My dad has played music all my life (and since he was 13 or something) and has been really influential and helpful to me in my own music "career" (I hate that word, but I don't know what else to call it). My dad has recorded various things for my bands over the years, and he's had a pretty nice studio in the basement for a real long time. He's a great musician and just a good guy (he's my dad, after all!), and we had a blast doing the record together. It gave us a chance to bond and spend time together, and making a record with my dad is probably one of the things I'm the most proud of in my life.





MCB: Would you say that there is a certain theme that run through the album?

RA: Yeah. The album is the probably the most personal thing I've ever done. There are lots of songs about my wife, my son, my family, my friends, my experiences playing music for so long. There's a few tunes about just my observation of things around me and my opinion on life in general, and it all congeals together to form - what I think, anyway - is a pretty complete thought. It's really just about where I'm at as a 35 year old guy with a family and a full time job, but also with a real passion to create art and share that with whoever might want to listen. 


MCB: One of my favorite songs on the album is "Young American Nomads". What was the inspiration behind this song? (I love the build-up towards the end)

RA: Thanks! I feel like it's kind of a weird one on the album, so I'm glad you like it. Lyrically the song is more or less about a time in my life when I didn't really have much to worry about but hanging out with my friends and trying to have as much fun as possible. It's kind of a snapshot of my time during college - which is a time period that I really haven't written about much in any of my other songs, and some lyrics are very specific to events that happened. There's a line about throwing eggs, which is a real thing that happened back in school that will go down as one of the most fun nights ever. My roommates and I went to some party and we all got super drunk, ended up wrestling each other all the way back to our apartment, got into our place and started throwing eggs at each other inside the house. The next day we woke up with smashed eggs all over the place and it was just a huge mess. The crux of the song is kind of about how that kind of thing could never really happen now because of the way that life's real responsibilities take over, but that it's fun to look back on things like that and think about how they shaped you. 

Musically it was really based on trying to fit that opening riff in the song. Most of the song existed besides that riff, but I felt like the song needed something unique and I came up with that (which is kind of a rip off of George Harrison's "What Is Life"). Anyway, I was pumped on that, but then struggled to figure out a bridge for the song, so instead I wanted to just go for a big The Who-style ending. Sean really kills it on the drums on that song.


MCB: I know you're still playing shows with Destroy This Place, but do you have plans to tour in support of this latest effort?

RA: Not particularly, but I'd definitely entertain trying to do a few out of town things if there opportunity presented itself. Chicago, Toronto, Cleveland, even New York... those places aren't far, and if it was workable, I would for sure explore the option. 


"Heart String Soul"  is available to purchase now, and is also included in the price of admission. Ryan Allen & His Extra Arms will perform at The Berkley Front at 9 PM this Saturday (March 28th) with support from Love Axe and Javelins. Admission is $10/$15 for couples, and free if you've already purchased the album (bring proof of purchase to the show).