WHITE RHINO in DETROIT at Lager House This Thursday!!! 5.27.10

Look out Detroit get ready to get punched in the face with pure rock and roll for your soul!!

WHITE RHINO ANNOUNCE 2010 NATIONAL TOUR IN SUPPORT OF THEIR NEW EP ‘HEROIN THUNDER' with a stop in Detroit this Thursday!

Austin’s very own trio of “rock & roll animals” White Rhino hit the road for the first time in 2010 to promote their highly-anticipated new EP, Heroin Thunder.

2009 saw the band release two well-received slabs and make two successful West Coast tours, and 2010 is shaping up to be even an even bigger beast of a year.

The thick southern grooves of “Burn My Candle”, the taut, sprawling darkness of “Certain Death”, rage with the combination breakneck guitar and psychedelia of the title track, making the new Heroin Thunder EP a benchmark release for White Rhino.

In support of the EP, WR will be traversing the US, plundering venues and shattering ear drums from New Orleans to NYC to Seattle to LA and all points in between.

MYSPACE.COM/WHITERHINOROCKS

facebook.com/pages/White-Rhino/205596765337

This is a ROCK show you MUST attend!!

I have always enjoyed seeing a White Rhino show when I was spending a lot of my time in Austin, Texas!!

Follow me on Twitter @navdo

FREE VINYL: Jessica Lea Mayfield - Majestic Cafe Detroit - Friday 6/4

be the 3rd emailer for a piece of hot ass pink vinyl

from Jessica Lea Mayfield who plays Majestic Cafe Detroit

with Among the Oak & Ash on Friday June 4th 2010

JLM has played multiple times here in the motorcity

both on tour as a supporting act but also a few times

touring on her own and its always a great show

we appreciate her and the JLM team always reaching out the MCB

check her out here and get to this show!

http://www.myspace.com/jlmayfield

NEXT WEEK: HATCH meets Gwen Joy = Women, Animals and Things - Cafe 1923 Hamtramck - 6/1 - 7/10

 

 

" Women, Animals, and Things." 

 

Gwen Joy's solo show coming up for HATCH next week

 

The show is running June 1st to July 10th but the opening is June 18th

 

Cafe 1923

2287 Holbrook St

Hamtramck MI 48211

 

New Paintings & Rare Joy Toys

will be available at this show

 

 

THIS FALL ON TEEVEE: Detroit 1-8-7

As much as we enjoy the additional buzz Our Fair City has been getting in the past year or so, sometimes all I can think to say is "oh shut up."

I appreciate that ABC has decided to acknowledge that Detroit exists. I can even live with the fact that this fall's "Detroit 1-8-7" is yet another "gritty cop drama" — because, after all, what else IS there on TV? — with poor writing and direction.

But I'm not sure I'll forgive them for this:

"Detroit, Michigan. Home of the auto industry, Motown Records, and the highest murder rate in the country."

That's just inaccurate. At best, lazy; at worst, inflammatory.

I wanted to mention the show anyway, initially because it's interesting to see programs like this, sometimes just to watch the backgrounds and hunt for familiar landmarks (see also the much less insulting -- and much sexier -- "Detroit SWAT"). But the show isn't even filming here. According to imdb.com, "Detroit 1-8-7" is shot in Atlanta. Yeah, the one in Georgia.

Which, by the way, is also in the top 15 highest murder rates in the US (according to 2008 FBI figures).

And while Detroit's numbers are actually closer to Atlanta's than to top-ranking New Orleans', I guess we get extra trendy points.

Yay us.

Wild At Heart

Wild Bill Ketelhut provides the "blog" to this anti-blog
He has a radio program on WXOU out of Oakland University

Wild At Heart

Looks like Bret Michaels won Celebrity Apprentice but it was nice to see Cyndi perform a new song off her upcoming blues album, "Memphis Blues". I played a song off the album this past Saturday and was pretty impressed and I should be considering some of the talent she brought in. She assembled a team of impressive session players like Stax vets Lester Snell and Skip Pitts along with Hi Rhythm Section players Leroy Hodges and Howard Grimes to help her cut the album and then brought in high profile guests such as harmonica great Charlie Musselwhite, Ann Peebles (of “I Can’t Stand The Rain” fame), organist Toussaint, guitarist Jonny Lang and the great BB King. The album will be out soon and she'll be in town July 1st at the Motorcity Casino and I hope to see you there.

Went to the Ringwald Theatre this past weekend to see their newest production of the Charles Busch play "Die! Mommie! Die!" which pays homage to the the movies from the 1950s and 1960s that featured strong, sometimes dominating female leads, such as those by Bette Davis (Dead Ringer) and Joan Crawford (What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?). The plays stars lounge singer Angela Arden who is attempting to resuscitate her floundering career. She's unhappily married to her movie-director husband Sol Sussman and cheating on him with her tennis instructor, the well endowed Tony Parker. Angela and Sol have two children, the gay and emotionallly disturbed Lance and "daddy's girl" Edith who hates her mother. Also, don't forget the maid Bootsy who is infatuated with Sol. After returning from a failed financial trip to raise money for his newest film, Sol confront Angela about her affair, cancelling her credit cards and consigning her to inhouse imprisonment. Feeling trapped, Angela poisons her husband. The children and maid suspect that foul play might be involved and they mean to find out if their mother killed their father. In the meantime, old questions about Angela's sister death come to light that may also seem to indicate that she might have been killed too. While not a big fan of the last Busch production I saw at the Ringwald (Vampire Lesbians Of Sodom), by contrast I found this production very well cast and the plot moves right along. Some of the casting might have been too good as there were a few moments when the actors are trying not to laugh at each other's performance (esp a certain lipstick scene on the couch where one actor had trouble looking at his cast mate without laughing). Joe Bailey brings Angela to life (Charles Busch played the role in drag in the premiere) and sets a high bar for the rest of the cast. If you are looking for something slightly preverse and fun, you cannot go wrong with this little gem of a piece. My grade is a A-. For more information, go to www.whowantscaketheatre.com.



Not much esle going on this week and only a few shows stand out for me to recommend. Here they are:

Wednesday (5/26) - Good Old War @ the Magic Stick

Thursday (5/27) - George Thorogood & The Destroyers @ Caesars Windsor "The Colosseum", James Taylor w/Carole King @ Palace Of Auburn Hills

Friday (5/28) - The Crystal Method @ Vain Ultra Lounge, country rebel David Allan Coe @ Blondies

Saturday (5/29) - Irish musicians Gaelic Storm @ The Ark, Shirock @ Saline High School (Saline), local bands Deastro w/Silverghost and Lettercamp play Human Reunion 7" release party @ Majestic Cafe

Sunday (5/30) "The Happy Together Tour" w/Grassroots and Turtles @ Pine Knob

Monday (5/31) last day of Movement Music Festival @ Hart Plaza

Hope you have a good week and enjoy Memorial Day!

FREE TICKETS: Red Bull Air Race 2010 - Windsor - June 5th & 6th 2010

MOTORCITYBLOG will be covering the Red Bull Air Races again this year

and as usual we have some tickets to give away

email to win - motorcityblog@earthlink.net

Detroit Gets a Three-peat

with Red Bull Air Race World Championship

One race, two counties, hundreds of thousands of fans

The Red Bull Air Race World Championship – Windsor, Ontario.
Touching down in five countries worldwide this year, and for the third time over the Detroit River, the Red Bull Air Race World Championship features the world’s best race pilots in a motor sports competition that combines speed, precision and skill.
Using the fastest, most agile and lightweight racing planes, pilots navigate a low-level aerial track made up of air-filled pylons, flying at speeds reaching 230 mph just 10-20 feet above the water while withstanding forces of up to 12g.

Fun for the entire family:
- An awesome opportunity for family fun downtown Detroit!
- Incredible, eye-level race action and jaw-dropping excitement – fans will experience one of the most innovative and exciting new sports around.
- Visit the Renaissance Center Wintergarden and check out the airplanes designed by local schools for the Red Bull Air Brush contest display.
Fun for over 21:
- Official kick-off party on Saturday, June 5 (10 p.m. – 2 a.m.)
- Public Admission fee $5
- Runway @ Reliv
- Entertainment
§ Dam-Funk
§ Peanut Butter Wolf (Stones Throw)

Fans can enjoy the race on both sides of the Detroit River
- General Admission Spectator Tickets
- 4 locations is Windsor
- 4 Locations in Detroit
- Race Club Hospitality (available in both Windsor and Detroit) Exclusive setting includes exceptional viewing of the race, top-quality sound and vision, food and beverages and special features.
- General Admission Pricing
- Adults $25
- Children $10
When: June 5 and 6
Who: Midwesterners of all ages

For ticketing information please visit

www.redbullairrace.com

Good Old War - MAgic Stick Detroit - Wed 5/26

Good Old War is performing on Wednesday May, 26th

at Magic Stick in Detroit

Pennsylvania indie-rock trio Good Old War is at its lush heart

with their second album: the eponymous Good Old War

(to be released on June 1 by Sargent House)

A natural evolution from the band's debut Only Way to Be Alone, Good Old War , radiates with the band’s unbelievable harmonies warmth and vulnerability, both qualities undoubtedly cultivated by the band's hands-on self-production, and the environment of solitude in which the album was created.

http://www.myspace.com/goodoldwar

DIY Festival this Memorial Weekend - Ferndale

SURVIVING: Members of Morphine @ Magic Bag

You'll still be surprised how much sound just three guys can make.

MEMBERS OF MORPHINE
Dana Colley, Jerome Deupree & Jeremy Lyons
Magic Bag, Ferndale
May 28
Doors 8 p.m.
$12.00 adv.

RESCHEDULED: Killing Joke at Crofoot

The Killing Joke show at the Crofoot, originally slated for Thursday this week, has been rescheduled for December 9. This is why I double and triple check before I go digging out my best 80s neon ensemble.

Killing Joke
Featuring the Original Lineup
THURSDAY DECEMBER 9
Crofoot Ballroom
1 South Saginaw, Pontiac, MI
doors at 8PM
$15 in advance

Support Local Design and Fashion with a British Twist : Brit Chic Fashion Show, May 26, 2010

British transplant Jan Thompson, a metropolitan Detroit fashion designer, will formally introduce her Brit Chic Designs line of apparel and accessories with a May 26 benefit fashion show at the Black Lotus Brewery in Clawson, Mich., from 7 to 9 p.m.

The Royal Oak resident founded the company to celebrate her British heritage and to help grow and diversify the economy in her adopted home state.

“I’ve lived on three continents and traveled the world, and I’m fascinated by differences between cultures, especially in fashion and design. It’s helped me develop an eye for fun, stylish clothing and accessories, and it prompted me to start this brand,” Thompson says.

Thompson’s line includes Brit Chic Girl and Brit Bloke t-shirts for women and men, Brit Chic military tees and two new custom messenger bags that will debut at the May 26 event. The bags are handmade in Clawson and the apparel is printed in Royal Oak. The line is available at local boutiques including Incognito in Royal Oak, Sole Sisters in Rochester and Triple Thread in Clawson, as well as online at http://www.britchicdesigns.com/.

Also featured, an ambient mix and musical soundscape

from local musician Greg Thompson of

Global Gypsies

 

For those of you that cannot make it, be sure to check back on MCB for images of the event.

UPCOMING: Human Reunion 7" Release Party

You're going to want to get an early copy of this one. I hear the packaging is extra-awesome.

Human Reunion "Carbonics" 7" RELEASE PARTY
with Deastro, Silverghost, and Lettercamp
Majestic Cafe
May 29
9pm 18+

FREE TICKETS: The Wig Out - Majestic Detroit - 6/12

enter to win a pair of tickets for this years Detroit Wig Out

motorcityblog@earthlink.net

Detroit Wig Out

is a one-night wig-wearing party

on June 12, 2010

Magic Stick in Detroit

Since rare is the day in Detroit when it feels nothing but hip to wear a wig

This year’s Detroit Wig Out features an incredibly funky mish-mash of entertainment,

from Detroit born and bred soul, garage rock, funk, and even an all-women’s barbershop quartet.

All this for only $10 a ticket!

Also, check out our website at http://detroitwigout.com for the latest news and to read the blog, Wiggy in Detroit, covering Detroit Wig Out entertainers, news flashes and wig-buying, wig-styling and wig-wearing tips.

Raising $$$ for Charity - National Bone Marrow Transplant Link in Southfield

Pictures: The Kickstand Band & Visqueen @ The Majestic Café

Wild At Heart

Wild Bill Ketelhut provides the "blog" to this anti-blog
He has a radio program on WXOU out of Oakland University

Wild At Heart

Overlooked by the passing of Ronnie Dio is a local jazz great, pianist, bandleader, and composer Hank Jones who passed away at the age of 91. He was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi but his father moved the family to Pontiac, Michigan. Inspired by the bop musicians, he started playing that style of piano and got his first big break when from 1948 to 1953 he was accompanist for Ella Fitzgerald. During this period he also made several historically important recordings with Charlie Parker (one of the greatest jazz musicians ever). He continued with an impressive resume which saw him working with the likes of Artie Shaw and Benny Goodman, staff pianist From 1959 through 1975 for CBS studios (including backing guests like Frank Sinatra on 'The Ed Sullivan Show'), being on stage at the piano behind Marilyn Monroe as she sang "Happy Birthday Mr. President" to John F. Kennedy and contributing as pianist and conductor with the Broadway musical "Ain't Misbehavin'". I had the pleasure of seeing him at Jazzfest last year for a beautiful performance and I'm glad I did. I'm at that point where a lot of the musicians I love are getting to that age where they will retire or pass away and I'm thankful for festivals like Jazzfest that keep bringing in quality performers like Hank. This is an earlier Band Of Week contribution from me.





Speaking of which, it looks like Tastefest might not happen this year which has always been a rich collection of recording artists coming through like the Avett Brothers, Spoon, George Clinton, etc. I hope things turn around before more wonderful events like this disappear like the Michigan State Fair or Belle Isle Grand Prix. Please support the festivals and events which happen in and around Detroit that help take away the bad taste of some of the more serious issues in the area.

Speaking of something exciting in Detroit, we have the current production of "Tosca" at the Detroit Opera House which will be there all weekend. I have covering the opera for the past five years and can honestly say this is perhaps the finest opera I have had the privaledge of seeing. The story is about an escaped political prisoner who escapes and is hidden by the help of his friend who is a famous painter. The painter's wife is very jealous and thinks that her husband is hiding a secret affair. The city's police chief and his second in command are corrupt and cruel (for Robin Hood fans, think the Sheriff of Nottingham and Sir Guy of Gisborne) and lay a trap for the girl to give the whereabouts of the prisoner that her husband so gallantly refuses to tell. When she betrays him, he refuses to forgive her and he is soon sentenced to death. She plots to free him and win back his trust but like most opera, the heroes don't have very happy endings. All the actors in this piece have strong voices and moments to really show their talent. After the first act, we basically have three 1/2 main characters to follow which gives a lot of time to get in depth and really start to feel for the characters (whether it be anger at the viallians or pride in the hero). If you are going to see 1 opera in your life, this might be the one you want to watch. I give the production a A+ and you can find more info at www.motopera.org.



Enjoy the weekend and tune into my show tomorrow for you chance to win some nice Iron Man 2 items or midnight movie passes for Tim Burton's "Pee-wee's Big Adventure" at the Main Art Theatre (8-10AM Saturday morning on 88.3FM or www.wxou.org). Going to see Die Mommie Die @ the Ringwald so look for reviews on Monday's blog.

Come One, Come All! The High Strung's Monster Album, 'Dragon Dicks' release - Saturday May 22!

THE HIGH STRUNG

PRESENTS:

wsg

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.

& Macrame Tiger

This show will be awesome.
Come check these bad boys out!!

The Magic Bag
22920 Woodward Avenue
Ferndale, MI 48220-1737
www.themagicbag.com
(248) 544-3030
Doors at 8pm
$8

River's Edge Gallery opening:Monkeys, flowers and unearthed - May 21st

COME DOWN FOR OUR BIG 3RD FRIDAY ON MAY 21st!!

more info at
www.artattheedge.com

Rivers Edge Gallery
3024 Biddle Ave.
Wyandotte, Mi. 48192
734-246-9880

So you didn't win the Buzzcocks Tickets?? Forget about it and check out openers The Dollyrots - Sat May 22nd

ATTN: to everyone that entered the free ticket contest for The Buzzcocks
we already notified the winners and turned in our list for the show
we do not have any additional tickets
we are not entertaining any special requests for trades or personal favors

although those emails have been very fun to read

There are still a few tickets left and here is another reason to get to this show

The DOLLYROTS!

MCB should be meeting up with the band for a video inteview

Have listen here and get to this show !!

The Dollyrots were founded by longtime friends Kelly Ogden and Luis Cabezas -- whose relationship stems back to eighth-grade middle school. In 2004, the band self-released their debuted "Eat My Heart Out” to rampant success before being picked up by Lookout!/Panic Button Records.

Their rising profile led to a slot on the Vans Warped Tour, where they hooked up with drummer Chris Black and solidified the final band line-up. The tour proved not only to be a huge stepping stone for the band, but also an opportunity to connect with one of its VIP artists, Joan Jett.

Jett took a liking to the band and signed them to her label Blackheart Records. In 2007, revitalized and ready to conquer with their newfound home, the band released “Because I’m Awesome” CD to rave reviews, and was voted "Coolest Song In The World -- 2007" by the listeners of Little Steven's Underground Garage and now The Dollyrots are currently putting the finishing touches on their highly anticipated upcoming full-length release due Summer 2010 on Blackheart Records.

John Grant w/Midlake - Magic Stick Detroit - Sat May 22nd

Introducing John Grant

on tour with Midlake



MIDLAKE
JOHN GRANT
SATURDAY, MAY 22 – MAGIC STICK
$12/14 * AA * 8:00 PM

MCB's Jeremy Whiting will be covering this show at the Magic Stick May 22

The Courage of Others is the lusted after follow-up to Midlake’s 2006 cult classic The Trials of Van Occupanther. Existing outside the plane of trends and even time, Midlake has once again conjured a novel world, but one that seems to have existed forever. Looms of intricately textured keyboards, flute, guitars and voice are woven into broad cloaks of sound, all riding the wave of songwriter Tim Smith’s sweeping vocals. Recorded over the course of two years in their Denton, Texas studio, The Courage of Others is the result of the band’s quest to create a complete work. It is an album in the classic sense, meant to be digested in a single sitting and given the opportunity to become more than its constituent parts. Here the band blends early Brit folk influences with thick-throated guitars to propel themselves toward new sounds and emotions. Creeping and epic, The Courage of Others is positioned to be the latest installment in the important and ever-evolving discography of one of modern music’s most unique torchbearers.

John Grant’s Queen of Denmark, released April 6 on Bella Union, is a record of personal redemption and vulnerability. Its raw lyrics and quaint, quiet vocals lay bare the emotional crisis John Grant found himself in after his breakups with his boyfriend, TC, and breakup of his former band, The Czars, and the still un-resolved anger he has over growing up in a conservative Christian family in Texas as a gay child. Backed by Texas’s Midlake, Queen of Denmark is moody and mellow, subversive (i.e. the tounge-in-cheek “Jesus Hates Faggots”) and self-deprecating. Recalling the halcyon days of ‘70’s AM gold, Queen of Denmark is partly the product of a pension for his parents’ Supertramp, John Denver and Abba 8-tracks, though his own music leans more toward Harry Nilsson, Scott Walker and Randy Newman. You’ll find Queen of Denmark’s melodies soothing at the same time its lyrics burrow down to that one remaining exposed nerve – bending and plucking it like an E string. Queen of Denmark is already being celebrated by the BBC as “One of the most deeply satisfying debut albums of recent times.”

No stranger to therapy (he very publicly talks about his struggles with depression and suicidal ideation) Grant is never too afraid to communicate his insecurities, making Queen of Denmark refreshingly candid. Already, his raw and powerful performances, including a last-minute early stand in slot at this year’s SXSW festival are being noted for their sheer emotional energy.

Doors @ 8pm
Get Tickets Here!!

Earthlings? and Sweethead @ Spaceland May 17th 2010

MCB's latest addition to the ranks is wonderfully talented Kelli Hayden

KHP is an old school pal of MCB's Moneypenny and

she will be chiming in every so often from Los Angeles

with her killer photos and bad ass attitude

The band Sweethead, featuring Queens of the Stone Age's Troy van Leeuwen, has had a month long residency at Los Angeles' Spaceland for the month of May, playing free shows on Monday nights. Cool, huh? Well last Monday, their 3rd show in, I specifically attended for one of the opening acts, Earthlings?. Having always missed their desert shows at Pappy and Harriet's in Pioneertown, I figured this would be an incredible opportunity to finally see their set. I love Dave Catching and anything musically he and the dream boys are involved with and this usually involves amazing "desert rock". This particular collaboration features musical talent such as Pete Stahl (Goatsnake, Scream, Desert Sessions) respectively on vocals, Darlin' Dave Catching (Eagles of Death Metal) on guitar, Brian O'Connor (Eagles of Death Metal) on bass and keys, Adam Maples on drums, Edmund Monsef (Goon Moon) on guitar, Clint Walsh (Dwarves) on guitar, and the honorable memory of the late Fred Drake. The tunes these guys produce might just be the type that makes you bob your head while holding a cool brew in one hand, and puffing and passing a smokey treat in the other, but I wouldn't be so quick to label it as "stoner rock". It's also been defined as "...secret voyages into inner being that lead to crowded parties stockpiled with psychedelics...". Whether psychedelics are your thing or not, there's actual musical talent, songwriting, and even theatrical mood lighting that offers great sophistication considering the extremely talented gentlemen who make up the group, as if their lineup and stage presence alone wouldn't be convincing enough. Having zero substances in my bloodstream during their set - other than a few semi-cold Stella's, I immediately felt in the "zone" with one of the songs they opened with; "Tea Glitter". It was quite a scenario with Stahl bouncing around the stage, Dave Catching doing what he does best, Brian "Big Hands" O'Connor rockin' the keys, and the rest of the group putting on a stellar performance. It was a completely intimate setting, also proving to be so when Stahl commanded the crowd to "Come closer!" to the stage as they began to perform. As friendly as it may have been on the eyes, heart, and ears, the lens on my camera unfortunately displayed otherwise. Fog and dark lighting are always a fucking awesome accessory to add to stage presence but can threaten the lives of perspective photographs of such a performance. Consider it the music's way of telling you to see it for yourself.



After the Earthings? set, Sweethead graced the stage with their romantic and exquisite elegance. They've recently welcomed a new member to the band on guitar, Eden Galindo. He fits right in perfectly, appearing as though he's been a member since day one. They opened up with "The Sting" and ripped right through their set but took it down a notch for "Amazing Vanishing Conquest" and then immediately brought the fury back to close with their hit, "The Great Distruptors". Named after a David Bowie B-side (a damn good one at that), this mix consists of a sultry Serrina Sims who rocks the vocals in lethal stilettos and a mini-dress and never misses a fucking beat alongside Troy van Leeuwen on guitar, backed by a rhythm section consisting of Norm Block on drums & Eddie Nappi on bass, both of who were members of the Mark Lanegan Band, and now introducing an amazing Eden Galindo on guitar. Their U.S. debut album was released May 11, 2010 on The End Records. Get some.



The lineup consisted of Zander Schloss & Sean Wheeler - which apparently featured Mark Lanegan himself that night, Earthlings?, Sweethead, and Red Fang.

It's been confirmed that the Eagles of Death Metal will be performing with Sweethead next Monday night at Spaceland for the close of their month long residency. Joshua Homme and Alain Johannes are said to be joining the stage as well. This will be an incredible show not to be missed.

xo,
KHP