LONG LIVE DEATH : show review by Jeff Howitt 9/13/15 BLIND PIG in ANN ARBOR, MI

Since 2009 the surviving Hackney Brothers along with guitarist Bobbie Duncan who was already playing with them in the Vermont Reggae band Lambsbread have been bringing to Life the Legend of DEATH. A band imagined by Eldest Bother, David Hackney whose Prophetic and specific Vision of the group in name, sound and approach made for a difficult fit in the mid '70's when producers and taste makers in the music industry were working to split up Rock 'n' Roll from what was popular with the People into separate "playlists" and "genres". Becoming just a shade away from the "race records" of old unless you were willing to go Disco.

Regional stations like W4 and CKLW out of Windsor where you could hear Alice Cooper, The Temptations, James Gang and Funkadelic all elbowing past each other were getting beat back by remote programmers, "In Iowa or somewhere in the Mid-West..." as bassist Bobby Hackney was told straight out by the Big Eight's Tom Shannon at the time. This stripped DJ's of the power to play little or almost anything that they happened to like. Gone were the days when you took your acetate to the station and made the case for your record to get broadcast. Payola had gotten sniffed out and in true American fashion became Gift-ola. Still, even when they had a sympathetic ear to the records merit, as you know most could not get past the name. DEATH.

Some may not think of it much these days but before the music industries deliberate separation of cultural and stylistic collaborations, many "Pop"-ular songs of the day had themes of spiritual experience and social justice set to a Beat. It wasn't until the late '70's when that brand of content again found a place in the hit parade. Much of which had it's genesis in the chugging, grinding factories of the auto industry here in the former Arsenal of Democracy, Detroit City. Drummer Dannis Hackney recalls as he worked the assembly lines, handing off hoods and floor boards in rhythm with the machine and you'd be as he put it, "Dancing inside the repetition."

As everything started to go Disco, it was Patti Smith and her '75 album HORSES that Dannis sites as being the first Punk record to get through to him. He used to walk around his neighborhood chanting, "HORSE! HORSES! HORSES!" Rocking his shoulders as he repeated the phrase. Smith who at one point spoke on how bands from the '60's like her late husband's group MC5 were taking on and trying to change a disparate World and she saw Punk as a means to re-imagine our Earthly domain and literally create a New World. Their opener tonight "Relief" is an anthem about the Power of Rock 'n' Roll. Where "Black" and "White" have found common ground beyond the institutional divisions we inherited. It's the antidote and the answer.

Not that the band doesn't dip into some Soul, as with their cover of Marvin Gaye's "God is My Friend" in tribute to their fallen sibling and their Faith. Songs from their period as ROCKFIRE FUNK EXPRESS prior to david's ecstatic inspiration for DEATH fit well with the fresh material from the recently released N.E.W. and conjure the psychic infrastructure of that New World Patti spoke of. DEATH doesn't disappoint with what brought them to attention though. Their brunt social commentary mixed with internal spiritual analysis is even more relevant today in "You're a Prisoner", "Let The World Turn" and "Politicians in My Eyes".

This was the bands first show in Ann Arbor and the crowd that gathered on this Sunday Night

at the Blind Pig crowded in close to the stage, head banging and even moshing throughout the entire set. Though the band lives in Burlington, Vermont and travels more days than not they still deeply identify with the Motor City. This night was special too in the fact that DAS opened the show. AKA Donald Angelo Schwenk who you may remember from the movie A BAND CALLED DEATH was who took the fateful box of 45's to Car City Records that he received as payment for doing the artwork for what would become the album " III " years later.

Earlier in the day the band was making pit stops around Metro Detroit and the City proper visiting friends and family when I got a call from their manager Tank Alston wanting to know if I was up for a visit from the guys. They had been by the house almost two years to the day for tacos before their excellent set at DIY FEST in Ferndale and I had already interviewed the band and afterwards accompanied them for load in when they were booked for Metallica's shot at making ORION FEST happen on Belle Isle the year before but I still had to pull myself together to look DEATH in the face one more time. With these guys there is no need to fear the reaper though.

Last time it was the Getz/Gilberto album that sparked the conversation. This time it's a vinyl copy of Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys that Bobbie immediately spies and the guys started talking about the Wrecking Crew documentary and the Brian Wilson movie Love & Mercy which led us back to Motown and the Funk Brothers. Eric Kacir of Will Sessions happened to be over and I mentioned he and the band had toured and recorded with Detroit's First Psychedelic Son, Dennis Coffey. McKinley Jackson's band The Politicians also came up when the Brothers noted they played their first gig with him way back when. We got deep into their upbringing trying to play R & B and Blues showcases as kids at places like Masonic Temple and being of the luckier "Rock" bands that didn't get their instruments and themselves thrown into the street.

Before we knew it their downtime was up and it was time to get on the road. DEATH were thankful for having a Rock 'n' Roll Embassy of sorts to hang tight in after a crazy weekend at RIOT FEST and before the show tonight. We continued our chat, laughing and hand shaking into the driveway. Tank and the guys made sure I was coming to Ann Arbor and invited Eric along as well. At the venue Tank pulled me aside and I don't want to say told me but definitely insisted I introduce the band back on stage for their encore. Beating back my nervousness especially as the crowd needed really no hyping up from the first chord struck, I summoned my best Stanley Madhatter and took to the mic once the band cleared the stage.

"All right let's keep it going for DEATH! I know the guys want to give you a little more but they just need to know that you want it! On the count of three. Say DEATH with me...
1 - 2 - 3 DEATH ! 1 - 2 - 3 DEATH ! 1 - 2 - 3 DEATH !

CHECK OUT DEATH'S INDUCTION INTO THE SMITHSONIAN : http://bandwidth.wamu.org/video-death-has-been-called-the-first-punk-band-now-theyre-in- the-smithsonian/

KEEP UP WITH THE BAND AT : http://www.deathfromdetroit.com

CHECK OUT BOBBY HACKNEYS NEW AUTOBIOGRAPHY HERE : http://www.rocknrollvictims.com

Koffin Kats Don't Care for Your Whiny Ass Shit

The bad boys of Detroit punk-psychobilly make their return to The Motor City to perform at this year's stacked Blackout BBQ Festival. After blowing the minds of audience members, including mine, at The Southgate House in Kentucky, I briefly spoke with bass player and lead swooner, Vic Victor, about plans for a new album, scaling down their rigorous tour schedule, and what exactly will keep the sharply dressed men busy; and in such a short amount of time, Mr. Victor provided me with more than I asked for.

Bills Bills Bills
As we got a little bit older, within the last two years, [we took] the money that we were getting from the band and turned it around into businesses that could keep us at home...not because we wanted to be at home, but because as a band grows you can only play Chicago so many times a year, you can only play L.A. so many times a year, ya' know?  We were going through the schedule and we were going through the west coast every six months on rotation.  The guarantee stayed the same, it was just expected that we would come back.  We needed to do that to keep exposure happening but also to pay our bills. Less time on the road means more time in Detroit, and in order to make up for performing less shows, we're doing screen printing and embroidery (Industrious Dudes Merchandising). We do that to basically make ends meet at the end of the month.  We've been really fortunate, but it only goes so far. People not in bands don't understand that it might cost you $200 to get to the next city, it might cost you $6,000 to get to the next city.  There's so many factors and we put ourselves so far in debt, but I don't want to be 45 years old and be in the same spot I was in when I was 25 years old and neither does anyone else in this band.

Tour Life
We got to a point where we were like, we needed to tone it back, and in our personal lives things were happening. Like, we needed to be home a little bit more than two months out of the year, so in the last year and a half we scaled back the amount of shows that we've been doing, and instead of 250 shows, we're doing about 100, maybe a little bit less.

Young Bands
I fucking can't stand it when a band goes out on tour, especially a younger band, and all they do is whine, whine, whine.  For the first eight years of the band, we were working odd jobs and we were working our asses off to be able to say to our bosses, 'Hey, can we take a month off', 'Hey can we take two months off', and 'Hey we got something coming up, can we take three months off?' Eventually we worked ourselves out of  normal job into this job, but I can't fucking stand whining about being on tour.  When you're playing to people and people paying your bills, what the fuck is there to complain about? Yeah everyone loses their fucking girlfriend or boyfriend because they're away for two weeks or whatever; or you make stupid decisions, or people assume that you're making stupid decisions, that's the sacrifice that you make when you're in a band. I see so much whiny ass shit it's obnoxious. (Laughs) If you're in a band, you just need to realize that you revoke all ability to whine, and just be grateful you're out there.  If you're making a living being in a band, you have no fucking room to complain.

New Shit
I'm working at it at the same pace as the first album.  The first album, I wasn't in any hurry, I didn't know I was going to be recording it.  I just wrote songs because I was learning how to play music, learning how to play the style of music which would eventually become Koffin Kats, and I'm taking that same approach where the second to the most recent album was always like 'we're going to record on this date, let's have this many songs done', and really I work really well under pressure. We have enough material out where I don't need to put anything out, I'm just kind of waiting for these gems to pop up in my head.  I probably got a handful of songs at the moment and I kind of wanted to take things back to the beginning. I'm two sided on this. I can't fucking stand the people that go, 'Wow, that band, they're never as good as their first album', because I don't believe that. A lot of my favorite bands, their albums are cool, but it's about seeing the progression for better or worse. To be in a good band, you have to make these moves and it might be an awesome direction or it might go the other way. I'm not too proud to say that I don't miss how the old sound was...I put whatever effort into that album with the same mentality that I'm putting into this one.

The Detroit Influence
Really the only factor that Detroit has in our sound is our location is ten minutes outside of Detroit.  I didn't get into MC5 or Iggy Pop or Ted Nugent...but it's just a place that we're from.  The Detroit influence doesn't have any more effect on us, or I should say has the same effect, to any other band from anywhere in the US.  In a sense, what MC5 and The Stooges created [or] what Alice Cooper created, we could've been from Idaho and had the same exact influences as what the bands from Detroit would. We've never been a band to say, 'Oh we're from Detroit, that's what made our sound', or 'We're hard-working because we're from Detroit'. No, we're hard working because we didn't want to work the shitty jobs that Detroit had to offer for us. So if there's any influence Detroit ever had upon us, it's the career that we had to look unfortunately forward to.


Koffin Kats will perform at Saturday's Blackout BBQ, and my only suggestion is to leave your whiny ass shit at home or Vic Victor may put you in check.

Email breeehenry@gmail.com to win Koffin Kats's "Our Way & the Highway"
*will mail to any location, contest ends on Friday, August 14, 2015 at 6:00 PM

THIS WEEKEND: MC5 50 YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION in Lincoln Park on July 11 & 12

                                                          *Poster by Carl Lundgren*

 

 

This summer rock music legends MC5 (The Motor City Five) will be honored with a 50-year retrospective exhibit and concert in their Detroit-area hometown of Lincoln Park, Michigan at the Lincoln Park Historical Museum. An open reception will be held July 11th with a concert July 12th. The exhibit will run through Labor Day, September 7th, with regular museum hours Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1:00 to 6:00 P.M. Admission to all events is free though donations to the Lincoln Park Historical Society are encouraged.

Emerging from metro Detroit’s fertile local garage rock scene of the 1960s, the MC5 launched themselves from the blue-collar town of Lincoln Park in 1965. Their career as a band ended in 1973. In between there were major label record deals, critical acclaim, world-wide tours and an ever-growing legacy and cultural relevancy that has outlived most of the band itself. Consisting of Rob Tyner (Derminer) (1944-1991) on lead vocals, Fred "Sonic" Smith (1949-1994) and Wayne Kramer (Kambes) (born 1948) on dueling lead guitars, Dennis "Machine Gun" Thompson (Tomich) (born 1948) on drums, and Michael Davis (1943-2012) on bass guitar, the group eventually recorded three studio albums and released several collector item 45 rpm vinyl record singles.

Their iconic, self-professed mantra and single, "Kick Out The Jams”, albums on both Atlantic and Elektra, and a devastating live show born in and around Lincoln Park and raised on the stage of Russ Gibb’s famed Grande Ballroom, where they regularly shared the bill with local legends Alice Cooper, Ted Nugent and the Amboy Dukes, Iggy and the Stooges, and other Detroit-bred bands, helped land The Five on tours and concert bills with international rock royalty including The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Big Brother and The Holding Company, Cream, The Yardbirds, and The Mothers of Invention. Moreover, high-profile gigs like their legendary performance in the face of, or perhaps in tandem with, a rioting mob at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago helped catapult the band’s high intensity image and aggressive political stance into the international consciousness. Subsequent European tours by The MC5 helped plant the seeds of high-energy rebellion that would manifest as the English punk scene of the mid 1970's. It is both their early roots and the lasting influence of The MC5 that will be honored and recognized this July 11th and 12th.

On Saturday, July 11th from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. a public reception will be held for the opening of the Exhibit “50 Years of the MC5” at the Historical Museum, housed in the city’s Depression–era post office building. The exhibit highlights iconic photos of the group taken by Detroit photographer Leni Sinclair and Lincoln Park-raised Emil Bacilla; original psychedelic posters by Carl Lundgren, and Gary Grimshaw, another Lincoln Park-bred lad; band memorabilia, including personal artifacts from the Derminer/Tyner family; and rare band-related artifacts from local collectors.

 

On Sunday, July 12th from 2:00 to 6:00 P.M. a concert and picnic will be held at the Lincoln Park Band Shell in Memorial Park on Fort Street at London. The historic band shell, built in 1955, is one of the earliest sites where the MC5 played. Bands schedule to perform include Timmy’s Organism, Rocket 455 and Chatoyant.

 

Former band members Wayne Kramer and Dennis “Machine Gun” Thompson have been invited to attend, as have the families of those members who have passed on, Rob Tyner, Fred “Sonic” Smith and Michael Davis. While Kramer is unable to attend, Thompson will be in attendance at both the Saturday and Sunday events. During the afternoon concert, a “Key to the City” will be presented by Lincoln Park Mayor Tom Karnes to each band member or family in recognition of the homegrown musical brilliance the MC5 shared with the world. Food vendors will be on site at the park as well as picnic baskets encouraged.

 

The Lincoln Park Historical Museum is located at 1335 Southfield Rd, Lincoln Park, MI 48146

The Lincoln Park Band Shell in Memorial Park is located at 3240 Ferris Ave, Lincoln Park, MI 48146

  

Both days events are free to the public.

 

                                                         *Photo by : Leni Sinclair*

REVIEW: The 2015 Cinetopia International Film Festival DAY THREE- Danny Says

 

 

Day three of the 2015 Cinetopia International Film Festival found me at the Detroit Film Theatre for two screenings. Second film for the evening was Danny Says.

 

Danny Says is a documentary on the life and times of Danny Fields. Since 1966, Danny Fields has played a pivotal role in music culture of the late 20th century.

 

 

 

 

*SPOILER ALERT. I go into some detail in regards to scenes from the film. Proceed with caution.*

 

 

In his early years as a journeyman editor for the teen magazine Datebook in the mid-’60s, he caused waves by publishing John Lennon’s quote that the Beatles were bigger than Jesus. His early days also included hanging out with Andy Warhol’s Factory scene and becoming friends with Lou Reed, Nico, and others in the scene.

 

 

  

He talked his way into becoming the Doors’ press agent and a big move with them was recommending a shorter radio edit of the Doors' Light My Fire that turned it into a big hit for the band. His work with the Doors helped him score a job with Elektra as a A&R rep.

Danny Fields has a long history with Detroit. He traveled here and ended up getting the MC5 and Iggy and the Stooges signed to Electra. Iggy Pop is interviewed at length about Danny and those days and has lots to offer to the film. Danny tells a story about the day he knew he was done with the Stooges when their drummer Scott Asheton drove a truck, that was too high, under a overpass in Ann Arbor and ended up causing costly damage to both the truck and the overpass. David Bowie ended up flipping the bill for all the damage. Iggy has a nice laugh recounting the story after Danny does.   

 

 

 

 

In 1974, Danny discovered the Ramones at CBGB’s and asked to be their manager. They said he’d have to buy them a new drum kit first. So he borrowed the money from his mother and got them signed to Sire Records. 

 

 

 

Danny Says is largely crafted from over 250 hours of present-day interviews and items from Danny Fields’ immense archive  including thousands of photographs and audio cassettes. One particular audio cassette that Danny has features Lou Reed hearing the Ramones for the first time and raving about them.  

 

Many musicians are interviewed for the documentary including Judy Collins, Alice Cooper, Lenny Kaye, Wayne Kramer, and Tommy Ramone.

 

Visit the films website HERE.

 

 

Former MC5 manager John Sinclair is interviewed in the film and spoke after the screening of the film. John had many stories to tell about those glory days that were a little before my time. Being the music lover that I am, I soaked it all in like a sponge. I also had a chance to hang with John briefly after the screening to hear some more stories.  

 

 

 

 

The Cinetopia International Film Festival is running now till Sunday, June 14.

Visit cinetopiafestival.org for full film descriptions, trailers and dates/times/locations of all screenings and events.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Static presents…FOXFEST! Music & Art Festival - Women Musicians Rock for Women's Groups

The second edition of FOXFEST Music & Art's Festival features more music, art and entertainment than last year's debut! This year features five female-fronted Detroit rock bands, seven women artists, and a dozen local vendors with the night's proceeds to benefit three local women's groups.

The date is SATURDAY, MAY 16 at 8pm and 18 and over patrons are welcome. Admission is $10 and proceeds benefit the Detroit based women's groups, Alternatives for Girls, Girls Rock Detroit and Genesis House.We will also be collecting donated goods for the Congregation of Every 1 to distribute to the city's homeless shelters. The event will be held at THE TANGENT GALLERY/Hastings St. Ballroom located at 715 E. Milwaukee in Detroit. (313-873-2955)

Featuring Music By:

She Hound

SHE HOUND – A new band led by the fiery vocals and presence of Margaret Doll Rod, SHE HOUND will headline the show with their Detroit rock n' roll!

White Shag

WHITE SHAG – This power trio has been storming the streets of the motor city since their debut in 2012. Citing influences such as the MC5 and The Stooges, White Shag is Detroit rock in its purest form, ripping up every stage as if it were the last one they will ever play on! www.whiteshag.com

BONEHEAD - This new band started as a solo project by Alexandra Lary, Bonehead has evolved into a high energy pop rock and roll band with catchy tunes you wanna make out to! Expect romantic fun vibes! http://bonehead.bandcamp.com/

AUDRA KUBAT, EMILY ROSE, MICHELLE HELD & ALISON LEWIS - These four talented and diverse singer-songwriters will perform their songs together for one powerhouse performance!

Ms. WILLA RAE & THE MINOR ARCANA - Acoustic blues that will make you stomp your feet. A brand new band delivering soulful music rooted far in the past with a hint modern, Detroit grit.  Www.facebook.com/willaraeadamomusic

DJ Cait Ash will spin iconic female artists from the 70's, 80's and 90's and on!

Three local poets; Dena Luckett, Lianna Trimble, and Veronica Frick will also perform between sets.

Seven women artists will also display their works at the event: Julie Fournier, Christen Carolin, Crystal Mielcarek, Beth Amber, Jackie McKown, Stella Rothe Wilfinger and Marianne Audrey Burrows.

A dozen local vendors will be displaying their wares including: CreepynCute Shop, Crafty Darling Detroit, Susan Sunshine Boutique, Paparazzi Accessories, Harmon Arts, Strange Definition, More Than a Mitten, It Works/In a Pikle, Rae Jaen Shey Creations, and In Art I Trust and more.

The local non-profit coalition The Congregation of Every 1 will be there collecting items to be distributed to the shelters. www.facebook.com/congregation1

Alternatives for Girls.org – The Detroit-based non-profit organization has been active for the past 25 years in helping homeless and young women avoid violence, teen pregnancy and exploitation, and help them to explore and access the support, resources and opportunities necessary to be safe, to grow strong and to make positive choices in their lives.

Girls Rock Detroit.org - a community organization dedicated to fostering girls' creative expression, positive self-esteem, and community awareness through rock music education and performance.

Genesis House - Women's housing units provided by the Detroit Rescue Mission. While residents at one of the three locations, they are able to work towards stability, education and training, and find employment to meet their needs. A wide range of supportive services, including case management, education, mental health, employment and substance abuse aftercare services are available to help residents succeed. (www.drmm.org)

SWEET SPIRIT FROM AUSTIN MAKE THEIR DETROIT DEBUT

Join us for an evening of indie pop rock music featuring Sweet Spirit from Austin, Texas. The band are on a spring tour in support of their self-titled debut EP released in February. The EP was produced by Mike McCarthy who is known for his work with the Canadian power pop band Spoon.

Boy/girl alternate vocals and a horn section make this band stand out among the pack. This attracted the singer of Spoon who invited them on their tour and hooked them up with their producer, McCarthy. A full album is also in the works for release this summer on indie label Nine Mile Records.

The band has been receiving numerous accolades in their hometown and after three shows at this year's SXSW music festival, the rest of the country is catching on as well.

"Fun and catchy with a flawless blending of countless genres they’re just that good."  - OVRLD

"Sweet Spirit is a spectacular band that can let your imagination go wild. The best thing we've seen at SXSW" - I Heart Music

Also performing this night will be:

Sweet Spirit - The band developed their sound with a diversity and balance of influences. Delivered in sultry harmonies with as many guitars as possible, Sweet Spirit gives exuberant voice to the struggles of loving and living. www.sweetspiritatx.com

White Shag - This power trio has been storming the streets of the motor city and taking no prisoners! Citing influences such as the MC5 and The Stooges, White Shag is Detroit rock in its purest form, ripping up every stage as if it were the last one they will ever play on! www.whiteshag.com

Eleanora - Eleanora is an eclectic mix of various musical styles and flavors. It is the result of a collaboration between classically trained and self-taught musicians. They call their music Chamber Pop! www.facebook.com/EleanoraLive

The show is on SUNDAY, APRIL 26 at 8 pm. The venue is New Dodge Lounge located at 8850 Jos. Campau in Hamtramck. Please call 313-874-5963. 21 & over are welcome. Admission is $5.

For more information on this event please check out the website: www.sweetspiritatx.com or www.whiteshag.com

LIVE REVIEW: FOXYGEN live at Crofoot Pontiac - Words/Jeff Howitt Photos/Sarah Cook

I must admit upfront that my girlfriend sent me a "First Listen" link on NPR.com for the new FOXYGEN record a mere 24 hours before their performance. I wield that word tamely, as it was, truly something to behold.  I listened to Thurston Moore's new album, "The Best Day" first, which was sweet and what I hoped for after him playing with a doomier approach. Then I tackled the FOXYGEN record, "…And Star Power", which had me laughing at myself as I kept going back to my desk top to check if it were still them with all it's Sebadoh-ey lo-fi playfulness and classical Pysche-Pop ala Tommy James and The Shondells.

 

Before this evening, to some degree, the topic of, "Where are the Lux Interiors these days or Rocky Horror Picture Show? Where is my Good/Bad Taste?", had often become the conversation I found myself in. Bringing to mind something John Sinclair said years back in an interview with Michigan Journalist Jeff Milo. "Rock n Roll'll never die, man...'cuz it's like a zombie…". With that I have always waited for the MONSTERS.

 

I do have to give it up to those Labels and Artists who took Captain Beefheart's "10 Commandments for Guitar Players seriously"; like Burger Records, Thee Oh Sees, Ty Segall and recent buzz babies King Tuff reminding EVERYONE that it is so much better to rock the FUCK out than overstate their role in a pre-set looped sample while bodily rocking so unnecessarily hard to a beat that they had no creation in beyond the choice of setting.

 

*WATCH IT HAPPEN HERE!

http://wgntv.com/2014/10/17/foxygen-performs-live/

 

 

The following morning I read the headline on Pitchfork that "Foxygen Freak Out on Chicago Morning Show" just a mere twelve hours after they left little of the stage in Pontiac's Crofoot Ballroom. There have been regional crossroads such as these before, like when Tav Falco's Panther Burns played Marge Thrasher back in '79 when the squares didn't know what was happening. It really is a litmus test to produce something that you must deliberately pay attention to and not as a spectator but as an accomplice.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U-k32L0KCc

 

 

*I HAVE TO INCLUDE THIS CLIP OF COURSE OF OUR OWN OH SO VERY YOUNG MC5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q635h-bX14A

 

 

The duo of Sam France and Jonathan Rado led a band that totaled nine members, three of them high knees and kicking back up vocalists, through a rousing set that could be as gentle in balladry as if Boy george fronted Roxy Music then suddenly everyone had guitars snug in their guts like machine guns and were piling themselves on the drum riser like some pyramidal all seeing eye. Sonically slaying the entire crowd that minded not a bit when the squeal and moan of fuzz lasted minutes before the next shift of revelry.

 

Don't believe me? Not possible? Suck it up buttercup and go see what is causing all the smoke on the horizon next time you can. The MONSTER stirs...

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OeLtvVjCI4

 

 

Album Review: The Infatuations - "Detroit Block Party" out now on AcidGroove Records

Summer. Party. Record.  That's really all you need to know about The Infatuations new album Detroit Block Party (Acid Groove Records).  With a familiar Detroit flavor thrown in as an added bonus, the band has a familiar sound that references Motown, The MC5 and P-Funk all in the same song. And the new full-length showcases the fun, versatile style in grand fashion.

In case you've been hiding under a rock, you might not know that Mayor Duggan might as well declare 2014 as the summer of The Infatuations.  Since the record release show with Ty Stone back in May, The Infatuations have been everywhere.  Festivals, block parties, even Tigers games at the CoPa. This summer has been one big coming out party for the band, and this record has been the soundtrack.

At its core, The Infatuation are the brainchild of founding members Marco Lowe and Christian Draheim, and Detroit Block Party is the culmination of that dream.  The duo make up the songwriting/production team Dra/Lo, and along with drummer Robert Myers their unique, funky flavor is all over this record.  But the band as a whole is what brings the music to life, both on tape and live.  The Infatuations have a retro-soul vibe in the same vein as Vintage Trouble or Fitz and the Tantrums, but with a distinct Detroit rock edge. You can dance to and just as easily play air guitar to any song on the record.  

"Tonight We Celebrate" kicks off the record as a perfect radio-ready dance party anthem.  With a slinky-funky disco groove, and an infectious refrain, it's nearly impossible to resist singing  "Don't stop the mu-sic!"  As with "Dancin on My Knees" and "Diamond Disco", the band sometimes rides the line of cliched disco, but pulls it back in with Draheim and Behnan's edgy rock guitar work.  Add to the mix the storng, soulful voice of Caleb Gutierrez and The Infatuations are a four star restaurant.  Gutierrez really carries the record and keeps listeners engaged as he easily shifts dynamics between sweet and soft  on "Yesterday Morning" and sharp and assertive on "Box of Shells."  And even though the band switches up the vibe here and there, it has a cohesive feel that makes you want to listen to the whole record without having to skip around.

All in all, Detroit Block Party is exactly what it says it is. A funky, rockin' dance record with a little something for everyone. Make sure you grab a copy and catch the band at one of the many live appearances this summer.

But, you don't have to take my word for it. Take a listen right here and give it a spin.

This Sunday - Grande Ballroom Event in Columbus OH, Louder Than Love!

While the rest of the country was grooving to the sounds of the "Summer of Love" in 1967, Detroit was the epicenter of a more gritty and raw sound that came to define rock music. On Sunday, July 20th, Shadowbox Live presents the film Louder Than Love – The Grande Ballroom Story, winner of "Best Documentary Award" by the prestigious Las Vegas International Film Festival.

Louder Than Love is the greatest untold story in Rock N' Roll history as revealed by the musicians, artists, and people that lived it.
Some of the all-time greats including The Who, Janice Joplin, Sly and the Family Stone, Led Zeppelin, The Kinks, Elton John, Bob Seger, Joe Cocker, CCR, Van Morrison, Jethro Tull, Ted Nugent, Jefferson Airplane, The Moody Blues, Deep Purple, Steve Miller, Jeff Beck, Mitch Ryder, Bo Diddley, Fleetwood Mac, Rod Stewart, BB King, Pink Floyd, Traffic, BST, Cream, The Grateful Dead and many, many, others graced the stage of the Grande Ballroom. The MC5, who many credit as the original punk rock band, was the house band at the Grande.

Shadowbox Live will create a true Grande Ballroom experience by interlacing the film with live music and the light shows made famous by the venue. Joining the stage with Shadowbox Live's house band BillWho? will be special guest, founder and lead guitarist of the MC5, Wayne Kramer. The Grande was equally well known for its psychedelic posters and handbills used to promote the shows. Original Grande Ballroom poster artist Carl Lundgren and Grande photographer Leni Sinclair will be in attendance. Laura Grimshaw, wife of the late poster artist Gary Grimshaw, will also be present at the event. Before and after the show, there will be a gallery and sale showcasing authentic art and photography from these artists in Shadowbox Live's Backstage Bistro. Louder Than Love producer and director, Tony D'Annunzio, will also be on hand to introduce the film. A portion of the proceeds from the show will go to Wayne Kramer's foundation, Jail Guitar Doors USA, an outreach that brings musical instruments and education programs to prisons across America.

If you check out our page at www.facebook.com/events/1495941753972296/ it has all the event information!

SHOW REVIEW- Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine at The Magic Stick in Detroit

Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine returned to Detroit proper last Sunday to the Magic Stick and Motorcityblog was there to witness it.

 

The place was well attended especially for a Sunday night. The need for punk is indeed not dead. I consumed a few beers before Jello's set to loosen up for what was surely going to be a high energy show. A big shout out to "Roadie Pete" for purchasing me a celebratory drink for my birthday. Jello Biafra ended up being the icing on the cake for the rest of the evening.

 

If your a fan of Jello Biafra and his previous work including his stint in the Dead Kennedy's, his spoken word shows, and numerous other band collaborations, and are on the fence about seeing Jello at 56 years old with a new band, then you better get yourself straight because a live Jello show has not changed much from the 70's. This is Jello's first proper band since the Dead Kennedys and Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine will not let you down.

 

 

 

The band formed in 2008 and has since released two full length albums as well as two EP's. The 90 minute set for the night included a healthy dose of new material from these albums including "Three Strikes", "Shock-U-Py!", and "The Brown Lipstick Parade". Similar to the Dead Kennedys, the Guantanamo School of Medicine material is often political in lyrics and loud, fast, and rhythmically consistent musically. You can easily sing along to the new material and much of the crowd did just that.

 

 

 

 

 

Between songs,and during extended intros to them, Jello gave us some rebellious political angst fueled spoken word that he found a career in after the breakup of his first band. Targets included Michigan governor Rick Snyder, the city government of Benton Harbor, wealthy corporations, and local school boards. Jello called to crowd to take action and his words were completely genuine and passionate. Jello also strayed away from the political spoken word to talk about his passion for Detroit local music including bands that shaped his own musical path including the MC5 and The Stooges. Jello spoke about the recent passings of Stooges Ron (in 2009) and Scott Asheton (in 2014). He wondered out loud how his life would have been like if he had never heard the Stooges. He couldn't imagine it.       

 

 

 

Jello Biafra did not forgot his musically roots and played Dead Kennedys material as well. Song's included "California Uber Alles", "Nazi Punks Fuck Off", "Kill The Poor", and "Holiday In Cambodia".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long time friend of Jello, Karen "Queen Bee" Neal came out for a duet with him on the classic Dead Kennedy's "Too Drunk On Fuck". The Dead Kennedy's material had the crowd in a frenzy and stage diving ensued. Jello himself stage dived multiple times during the set. 

 

 

 

 

And I can't write a review of the show without mentioning Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine's take on the Wesley Willis classic "Rock N' Roll McDonald's". Jello has released several Wesley Willis albums on his label Alternative Tentacles and the performance was a Ode to an artist he has great love for, and by the reaction of the crowd, many others do as well.

 

 

 

 

Live footage from the show courtesy of Ambervillian Films. 

Photos by Adrianne Johnston.