Free Electric Six Song for Download

Detroit, MI - Recently, electro-dance rockers ELECTRIC SIX dropped in on A.V. CLUB in Chicago, IL to film their take on the Dr. Suess holiday classic, "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" for their acclaimed live performance series, "A.V. Undercover." The video was posted to overwhelming acclaim and the attention warmed the band's itty, bitty heart.

And what happened, then? Well, in their hometown of Detroit, MI, Electric Six' small heart grew three sizes that day. And then the true meaning of Christmas came through, and Electric Six decided to offer the MP3 of the song too!

Download "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" here:
http://www.electricsix.com/grinch.zip

"E6 would like to thank The Onion, and especially the A.V. Club in Chicago for making it possible today to give our rendition of 'You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch' to you, the people," said the band in a statement. "Hang this song next to the mistletoe to increase your shot at that girl that wouldn't give you a chance in hell otherwise! Slip it into the christmas party punch bowl along with some ether for extra holiday joy! But most of all, let it never be said that we ain't give you nothin' fo chrimbo. Merry Christmas, bitches..."

Catch Electric Six live at St. Andrew's Hall

December 23rd, 8:00 PM 

$15

Nagging Reminder: Detroit Derby Girls This Saturday

Detroit Derby Girls

The Grand Prix Madonnas vs. The Pistolwhippers

@ The Masonic Temple, 500 Temple St., Detroit

Doors open at 6pm. Bout at 7pm. $15 ticket. Kids 12 and under in free (limit 2 per ticket)

Buy tickets now at Brown Paper Tickets

I had the chance to get some pre-bout analysis from The Pistolwhipper's Captain, Lazer Beam:

Detroit Area Dork: How would you assess the Pistolwhippers' lineup change since last season?
Lazer Beam: Our line-up has changed a lot since last year. We only had 8 returning skaters coming into this home season. We made a trade for boo D. livers, who is a huge asset to our team. We also got two transfers from top-ranked WFTDA leagues and six rookies. New people means new energy, which is a positive thing. I think we still have work to do, but we all have been working hard and already have made huge improvements.
Detroit Area Dork: What are the assets and weaknesses of the Grand Prix Madonnas that you're preparing for?
Lazer Beam: Racer McChaseHer is for sure an asset to the GPM. She was an alternate on Team USA. We definitely have to keep an eye out for her. Overall, they are a hard-hitting team and play defense well. The GPM are altogether a solid team, but if any of their weaknesses come out in the bout, we will be sure to exploit them.
Detroit Area Dork: Any change to the Pistolwhippers' uniform since last season?
Lazer Beam: No changes. We didn’t really have to since the ladies in burgundy and pink look great in everything.

Preview: RE:GENERATION MUSIC PROJECT

Of all the current genres of music, electronic music in all its guises, is probably the most malleable. While the results are sometimes mixed, there are countless songs upon albums of electronic music taking, mutating and in the process re-inventing a genre of music. RE:GENERATION, a music project sponsored by Hyundai Velostar  is the latest and by far the most ambitious undertaking of using electronic music to redefine and re-energize American culture’s most influential genres of music. RE:GENERATION is a soon to be released documentary of the electronic artists who were paired with some of the America’s most famous and historical (and still living) names in music. The documentary focuses on the collaborative songwriting and studio process of five tracks, each telling a story of how all the artists were impacted by what their partners brought to the table.

The entire documentary, directed by Amir Bar Lev, whose past documentaries include “My Kid Could Paint That” and “the Tillman story” is due to air in select theaters in February. The collaborations for RE:GENERATION  include:

1. Mark Ronson  taking on Jazz  - "A La Modeliste" (with Erykah Badu, Mos Def, Trombone Shorty, members of the Dap Kings and Zigaboo Modeliste)
Listen Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAP4Y0r8BB4

2. DJ Premier - Classical - "Regeneration" (with NAS and the Berklee Symphony Orchestra)
Listen Here: http://www.youtube.com/embed/wAaa7XTtsPE?rel=0

3. The Crystal Method - R&B - "I'm Not Leaving" (with Martha Reeves of the Vandellas and the Funk Brothers) Listen Here: http://www.youtube.com/embed/IiGOb-JW554?rel=0

At the Identity Festival this year while interviewing Ken Jordan from the Crystal Method he told me their experience working with Martha Reeves of the Vanellas and The Funk Brothers was of one of this year’s most memorable events. Besides the studio time they were able to visit Detroit with Martha and get a real insight into the culture of our city and its influence on today’s music.

4. Pretty Lights - Country - "Wayfaring Stranger" (with Dr. Ralph Stanley and LeAnn Rimes)
Listen Here: http://www.youtube.com/embed/XqMGKf4qSSw?rel=0

5. Skrillex - Rock - "Breakn' A Sweat" (with members of The Doors)
Listen Here: "http://www.youtube.com/embed/E0PfECI4IH0?rel=0"

Follow the RE:GENERATION Music Project at:
www.regenerationmusicproject.com

www.facebook.com/regenerationmusicproject

www.twitter.com/regeneration

2nd Annual - HOLIDAZE Ball @ The Crofoot

youtube.com/ovillainz

facebook.com/ovillainz

Wild At Heart movie review – The Man Nobody Knew: In Search Of My Father, CIA Spymaster William Colby

Wild Bill Ketelhut provides the "blog" to this anti-blog

Wild At Heart





For those like me who had no idea who William Egan Colby was, here is a brief look at his public life courtesy of wikipedia. He spent a career in intelligence for the United States, culminating in holding the post of Director of Central Intelligence from September 1973 until he was replaced by George H W Bush in January 1976. He served with the Office of Strategic Services during World War II and joined the newly created Central Intelligence Agency afterwards. Before and during the Vietnam War, Colby served as Chief of Station in Saigon, Chief of the CIA's Far East Division, and head of the Civil Operations and Rural Development effort, as well as overseeing the Phoenix Program (all of which are looked at in the documentary). After Vietnam, Colby became Director of Central Intelligence under Nixon and Ford. In 1977, Colby entered public life and founded a DC law firm, Colby, Miller & Hanes, and worked on public policy issues.


On Saturday, April 27, 1996, Colby died in what appears to have been a boating accident near his home in Rock Point, Maryland. I do have some brief recollections of this from the news at the time and remember there was some suspicion of foul play despite being ruled a natural death. Of course, you can always expect that when a controversial spy figure dies when everyone believes he is healthy. Think of the number of spy thrillers where that happens.


However, this movie, by his son Carl Colby, is not a thriller but a documentary about his father’s career. William E Colby was a big player in some of the most interesting events of the middle part of the 20th Century, from Pearl Harbor to Vietnam. While not the most fascinating subject for a full length documentary, we do get a nice opening look at a spy during the start of the CIA’s career.


The documentary starts at the time he met his wife which coincides with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. We see him joining the army and working with Scandinavian troops to slow down Nazi movements in that part of the war. From there, we follow his family to Italy working with the OSS and then Saigon/Vietnam before ending up with his highly controversial stint as CIA Director.


The movie has some nice historical photos of his family and film clips of everything from dead bodies floating in the waters off Pearl Harbor to a wonderful fly-on-the-wall listen to President Kennedy talking about overthrowing of South Vietnamese President Diem. However, as the documentary moves on, it was hard for me to keep my focus on Colby’s life. I enjoyed the talks with his wife about what it was like to be a spy’s wife and how much she really knew about her husband’s work.


I feel I would have liked to have heard more from the family despite how young the kids were when the majority of the major events were going on. To truly get the man, I would have also liked to see more of his post-spy days up unto his death but that get puts on the back burner here. If the reason for this film was for Carl to know his father better, I’m not sure he really accomplished that goal by what is on the screen.


We have a lot of interviews with some heavy hitters but despite some talk about his early WWII training, I don’t feel I even got a real look into what made the man. The movie is a nice look at some of the history of Vietnam and a little brief tease about spy’s but I feel the urge for more information about the man and his family to truly get a feel for what his life was like.


Unfortunately, despite some nice historical footage and an interesting subject, I left the film feeling a bit unsatisfied. The film itself opens December 16th at the Maple Art Theatre.


My grade is a C+

(2) FREE FLEXIDISC 12 month subscription from MCB and Joyful Noise Records

You know how we love our vinyl here at MCB

We have a killer contest here just for the holidays

remember back it the day when some magazines and books

would insert a flexible vinyl sheet that you could listen to on the record player? 

Well they are back and you have a chance to win a yearlong subscription

on a monthly series from Joyful Noise Records

Both MCB and Joyful Noise are providing

(1 each) 12 month subscription

AND

the limited edition custom made storage box

to (2) lucky winners

email motorcityblog@earthlink.net for you shot at this awesome freebie

 

Joyful Noise Recordings announces the 2012 Flexi Disc Series!

 

This monthly subscription features new exclusive recordings from 12 amazing artists including of Montreal , Deerhoof, Tortoise, Akron/Family, Lou Barlow, Jad Fair, Richard Swift and others. Each release is limited to just 500 copies on clear, single-sided Flexi Discs.

 

WTF is a Flexi Disc?

In case you are unfamiliar, a Flexi Disc is essentially a thin, single-sided vinyl record which is flexible (hence the name), and rather obscure. However it is playable on any standard turntable. Back in the day flexis were often packaged inside magazines and even in cereal boxes.

 

The Joyful Noise 2012 Flexi Disc Series will feature a different artist each month for the duration of the year. All of the releases will be strictly limited to 500 copies on single-sided clear flexi discs. Digital will NOT be made available. That's right, these songs will only be available on these 500 physical units. All of the songs featured in the series are 100% new and unreleased and will never be released in any other format.

 

The bands featured on the 2012 Flexi Disc Series include: Akron/Family, Danielson, Dead Rider (ex US Maple), Deerhoof, Jad Fair (Half Japanese), Lou Barlow (Sebadoh/Dinosaur Jr.), Make Believe (ex Cap'n Jazz/Owls/Joan of Arc), of Montreal, Racebannon, Rafter, Richard Swift and Tortoise.

 

Subscription to the series costs $4 / month, with an additional "Deluxe" box set package available as well.

 

Order at Joyful Noise here:

http://www.joyfulnoiserecordings.com/catalog/jnr100  

FREE TICKETS: Wu Tang Clan - ROMT - 1/4/2012

Win tix to the upcoming WU-TANG CLAN show at Royal Oak Music Theatre

email motorcityblog@earthlink.net to enter to win

Get tickets at http://www.royaloakmusictheatre.com/

FREE iTunes $25 gift card - BANDS!! Enter to win maurices HomeTown Sound Contest

maurices asked MCB to mention their Hometown Sounds contest and they are giving away a $25 iTunes gift card to one lucky reader (card gifted to MCB) - email motorcityblog@earthlink.net to win

maurices Hometown Sound is searching for the next hot up-and-coming band in the country.

What’s at stake WILL change the winning band’s career. The winner will perform live at their local maurices and receive a trip to Los Angeles to shoot their own music video. They'll also receive prizes from maurices as well the opportunity to perform during a maurices branded daytime showcase at SXSW 2012 in Austin, Texas.

All eligible bands will be entered into a round of public voting, with the potential to get their music in front of millions of visitors to the site. At the end of this round, the Top 50 bands will be considered by a panel of music industry judges who will then select 4 finalists. These 4 bands will have their music featured in maurices stores and on the mauricesmusic site during a 7-day period for another round of voting to determine the Grand Prize Winner.

Check this link for more info

http://mauricesmusic.sonicbids.com/

Saturday: Detroit Derby Girls Bout at The Masonic Temple

Detroit Derby Girls

The Grand Prix Madonnas vs. The Pistolwhippers

@ The Masonic Temple, 500 Temple St., Detroit

Doors open at 6pm. Bout at 7pm. $15 ticket. Kids 12 and under in free (limit 2 per ticket)

Buy tickets now at Brown Paper Tickets

FREE DOWNLOAD: BT "Hymn"

A "social experiment" of sorts, classically trained and Grammy-nominated American music producer, composer, audio technician, multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter
BT
asked his fans if they would be interested in a free download from his Soundcloud. With an overwhelming YES -- BT encourages you to download for FREE a track he created while
"Inspired by watching the irregular isorhythms of my christmas lights (this and avoiding doing email)."

Oh.. and if you share, download, tweet, relike, myface, etc etc ... he will be happy to do it again with more free muZic- O RLY!

Hymn[808] by B T

Listen, and download away!

Concert Preview: Morrissey, Kristeen Young Royal Oak Music Theatre Sunday, Dec. 17

As a special early Christmas gift (although he'd never call it that!) Morrissey will be gracing Royal Oak Music Theatre with his presence and unflappable voice this Sunday. While he doesn't have a new album out - he may not even have a label, Morrissey will be pulling from his huge catalog of songs and even pulling a few surprises . I've heard rumors (even seen video)of him playing his breathtaking "I Know It's Over" from his days fronting the Smiths on this tour.
Morrissey is often recognized as the most important British musician of his generation. The New York Times recently stated, ”Morrissey isn’t just any singer: he has become one of the defining rock stars of the past few decades by virtue of his grand voice, his grander songs, and his charming habit of playing with melodrama”.His influence is felt worldwide through the countless artists that cite him as their primary inspiration.
.
If you show up early, you'll catch the thrilling and emotional Kristeen Young, who was actually interviewed here on MCB a few years ago when she did a small show at the Modern Exchange. YOUNG will play material from her most recent seven-song EP, V THE VOLCANIC (released in April), on which she worked again with legendary producer Tony Visconti (David Bowie, T. Rex, Morrissey), who contributed bass and guitar and also produced her 2009 album Music for Strippers, Hookers and the Odd On-Looker. This time, Young drew upon the cinema, writing originals inspired by supporting characters—some of them quite unexpected: Violet Bick in Frank Capra’s 1946 favorite It’s A Wonderful Life (“V The Volcanic”), the Angry Apple Tree of 1939’s The Wizard of Oz (“I’ll Get You Back”), Lucy Westenra in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1992 take on Bram Stoker’s Dracula (“Why Can’t It Be Me?”), Old Lodge Skins in 1970’s Little Big Man (“Now I’m Invisible”), the android Pris from 1982’s Blade Runner (“The Devil Made Me”), Sarah Jane Johnson in Douglas Sirk’s 1959 melodrama Imitation of Life (“Imitation of Life”) and Cleopatra in he 1963 Elizabeth Taylor/Richard Burton adaptation of Cleopatra (“Fantastic Failure”)…the exception to the supporting character rule
.Kristeen has been personally invited by Morrissey to open for him, most recently this past summer for his shows in the U.K. The video for “Fantastic Failure” was shot amid the landmarks of her hometown St. Louis and directed by LA video director Seaton Lin.

Detroit Santarchy 2011 - Sat 12/17

http://www.detroitsantarchy.net/

LIMITED ENGAGEMENT: "Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone" - Cass City Cinema - Fri 12/15 - 12/23

PALE GRIOT FILM PRESENTS THE DETROIT THEATRICAL PREMIERE OF THE DOCUMENTARY “EVERYDAY SUNSHINE: THE STORY OF FISHBONE” AT THE CASS CITY CINEMA WITH POST-SCREENING Q&A WITH THE FILMMAKERS OPENING WEEKEND.

LIMITED ENGAGEMENT, ONE WEEK ONLY!
December 15th to December 23rd
Cass City Cinema
3420 Cass Avenue
Detroit, Michigan
*Post-screening Q&A with filmmakers
http://www.casscitycinema.com/

"Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone"
directed by Lev Anderson and Chris Metzler
narrated by Laurence Fishburne
featuring Fishbone, Flea, Ice-T, Gwen Stefani, Perry Farrell, Bob Forrest, Branford Marsalis, and George Clinton.     website: http://www.fishbonedocumentary.com/

Synopsis: EVERYDAY SUNSHINE is a documentary about the band Fishbone, musical pioneers who have been rocking on the margins of pop culture for the past 25 years. From the streets of South Central-Los Angeles and the competitive Hollywood music scene of the 1980's, the band rose to prominence, only to fall apart when on the verge of "making it."

Laurence Fishburne narrates EVERYDAY SUNSHINE, an entertaining cinematic journey into the personal lives of this unique Black rock band, an untold story of fiercely individual artists in their quest to reclaim their musical legacy while debunking the myths of young Black men from urban America. Highlighting the parallel journeys of a band and their city, EVERYDAY SUNSHINE explores the personal and cultural forces that gave rise to California's legendary Black punk sons that continue to defy categories and expectations.

At the heart of Fishbone's story is lead singer Angelo Moore and bassist Norwood Fisher who show how they keep the band rolling, out of pride, desperation and love for their art. To overcome money woes, family strife, and the strain of being aging Punk rockers on the road, Norwood and Angelo are challenged to re-invent themselves in the face of dysfunction and ghosts from a painful past.

Artist Development Summit @ MOCAD - Fri 12/16

Friday December 16th, 6:30 - 8:00 PM 
Saturday, December 17th from 10AM to 5PM 

Location: Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit
Fee: $12.00 (advance registration required)

Developed by ArtServe Michigan and the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit and presented in partnership with the College for Creative Studies and Cranbrook Academy of Art, this 1.5-day summit is designed to empower artists of all disciplines to take the next step in building sustainable professional creative practices.

The Artist Development Summit will be a lively mix of presentations, provocations, discussion and opportunity to connect. It will also be a key opportunity to share your ideas, knowledge and skills with other participants. The Artist Development Summit will conclude with an "unconference" of targeted discussions exploring how to shape the future of Detroit as an Artist-centered City. The multi-phase Artist Development Summit will bring together artists and specialists from across a broad spectrum of disciplines, to share their knowledge and expertise.

The summit will offer the opportunity for serious, working artists to gather information on expanding their professional practice. Topics covered will include writing for artists, independent publishing, funding your work, intellectual property and strategic planning to define and realize a personal vision of success. Featured presentations will include ArtServe Michigan's Cezanne Charles, Stephanie Pereira from Kickstarter, and noted artists Mel Nichols from George Mason University, and Tyrone Williams from Xavier University among others.

This is also your chance to hear about two new exciting initiatives being launched by ArtServe Michigan - Community Supported Art Detroit and Lawyers for the Creative Economy.

The workshop is for artists of all disciplines - including visual, literary, film, theatre, dance, performance, new media and other artists. Space is limited. Coffee & Tea will be provided both days. Artists must register and pay in advance at http://bit.ly/vtotgf
 


 

This Week in Art - Motor City Brewing Works - Wed 12/14

Matthew Hanna
TOTEM

Wednesday December 14, 2011 7-10pm
In celebration of my 50th birthday I am asking fifty of my closest friends,
colleagues and mentors from the last twenty-five years of making art in
Detroit to collaborate with me.
Adding their mark to a post card that I mailed them and then returning it to
exhibit at Motor City Brewing Works 470 West Canfield Detroit MI 48201

TONY MIELLO SIGNS COPIES OF NEW GAPO THE CLOWN COLLECTION - Green Brain Comics - Wed 12/14

Green Brain Comics
13210 Michigan Avenue
Dearborn, MI
​ 313-582-9444
www.greenbrain.biz

 

​

LOCAL CREATOR BRINGS WEB STRIP TO PRINT AND TO GREEN BRAIN COMICS

TONY MIELLO SIGNS COPIES OF NEW GAPO THE CLOWN COLLECTION

 

Green Brain Comics is proud to welcome cult favorite web cartoonist Tony Miello for a signing of the new collection GAPO THE CLOWN: BIG, FAT AND GREASY.

For years, New York native Tony Miello has been an active member of the Detroit area cartooning community. Recently finding wider acclaim as artist on the Wolfman Mac's Chiller Drive-In Theater comic book as well as the Fat Momma comic books from the SciFi Channel's Who Wants to be a Superhero.

Gapo the Clown is Tony Miello's id unleashed. He's the host of Gapo's Super Happy Fun Show, a top rated children's television show. Because he's on TV kids and parents love him, but everyone that works with him sees Gapo as he really is. His lack of morals and human decency are always leading him and the poor people around him into odd situations that lead to hilarity.

Meet the artist and check out his new book on Wednesday, December 14th from 4 to 7pm. The signing will be followed by Green Brain Comic's monthly Comic Jam, an open format improvisational cartooning event, from 7 to 10pm.

GREEN BRAIN COMICS is located at 13210 Michigan Avenue in East Downtown Dearborn.

For more information check the website at http://www.greenbrain.biz  or call 313-582-9444​

Facebook events:
https://www.facebook.com/events/199652250116405/  (Book signing)
https://www.facebook.com/events/258903774167553/  (Comic Jam)

http://www.gapotheclown.com/ ​
http://www.boneyardstudio.com/

 

FREE TICKET GIVEAWAY: GIRLS 'N GIFTS show with HELL's BELLES GIRLIE REVUE,THE AQUANETTES, and ROCK 'N' RUMMAGE this Saturday - Dec.17

MCB is pleased to hook you up with tickets for the GIRLS 'N GIFTS show taking place THIS SATURDAY! E-mail us at motorcityblog@earthlink.net with your name and the subject "Girls 'N Gifts" for your chance to win a ticket for yourself and a guest.





The GIRLS 'N GIFTS SHOW:
Saturday, December 17 at Callahan's Music Hall in Auburn Hills with:

- Hell's Belles Girlie Revue (Witness the art of Detroit's finest classic burlesque troupe)

- The Aquanettes (All female surf induced rock)

- Rock and Rummage (Traveling rock and roll flea market. Pick up a one of a kind treasure for that special someone this holiday season.)

- DJ Eugene the Machine

Doors at 8PM
18+
$10.00 at the door

Callahan's Music Hall is located at:
2105 South Boulevard
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
Phone number: 248-858-9508

Show Reviews: I Love Lightning Bugs, The Smiths United, Fur and the Blueflowers 12/09/2011

Last Friday in Ferndale was a fantastic night, as the city hosted a couple of excellent shows with local bands during their annual Winterfest. I heard there were ice sculptures and a Ferris Wheel, but I didn’t see any of that, what I did see were some excellent bands playing at the Rustbelt and Magic Bag.

I kicked off the night at the Rustbelt market with I Love Lightning Bugs. If you haven’t been to the Rustbelt, it’s worth checking out as dozens of local artists have their works for sale. The Luddites played first with a fun set of jazz swing music. I Love Lightning Bugs came on next playing a short but sweet set of their delicious indie pop that included a chugging version the Pixies “Head On”. Their other songs pulled from their recently released “Kensington” album. Here’s their performance of “Head on.”

A short cold stroll across the road brought me to the Magic Bag where four of the area’s finest local bands were all on the same bill. Unfortunately, I missed John Nelson and his Girlfriends, but I did catch Fur midway through my favorite song by them, “Pretty Thoughts.” Fur is always great live. There is the comparison to She Wants Revenge, but after seeing both bands play with only a week between, I honestly think Fur played a more engaging and tight set. Here’s a video of one of Fur’s songs from the night:

The always brilliant Blueflowers played next with Kate at her pitch-perfect best. With this latest incarnation of the Blueflowers I think they have really captured their best sound yet. It’s an edgy, Americana sound where Tony Hamera’s understated guitar work shines next to Kate’s vocals. The fullness of the sound is rounded out nicely with acoustic guitar and backup vocals. Here’s a video of them performing the title track from “In Line with the Broken-Hearted.”

Capping off the night is the band that salutes the band that meant more to me than any other, The Smiths United. I think I’m on my second hand now on counting the number of times seeing the Smiths United play, and let me tell you, they get better with each show. They probably have close to 50 Smiths/Morrissey’s songs they can play, so they always keep the crowd guessing which songs they will include. Tonight’s set ranged from the crowd pleasers like “There Is A Light..” and “How Soon Is Now” to a few obscure tracks like Morrissey’s “Boy Racer” (which was played for “the infamous Boy Racer” in attendance) and “These Things Take Time” which I caught on video below.

One more mention the music in between the sets was DJing from Jennifer Jeffery. If you know her from her shows on Strangeways Radio, you’ll know she has a knack for playing those special “under the radar” songs from years ago that make you feel so happy to hear again.

Wild At Heart

Wild Bill Ketelhut provides the "blog" to this anti-blog

Wild At Heart


Here in Rochester we just had our first snow of the year though it didn’t last long. Of course it happened on my day off which is annoying because I had plans to go to Buffalo but at least I didn’t have to drive to work. I did end up going to Buffalo one day early after work to visit the beautiful O’Shea Theatre and watch the ‘Addams Family Musical’ which had some beautiful sets. I wasn’t overly sold on the music or plot but it had enough going on to make it enjoyable. I do recommend watching the old TV series if you can find it.

Other than that, it has been a pretty boring week though I did discover the joy of Google ebooks. I have been looking for some early science fiction books from the 1800’s (like William Stephens Hayward’s “The Cloud King” and “The Triumph Of Women” by Charles Rowcroft) and found most of them online for free. Not totally sold on reading books online since my eyes don’t like reading off the screens for more than an hour at a time which sucks for a long novel, but it is cool I don’t have to put down $2,000 for a book I just want to read once. Still, it is nice to know one can find stuff like this (the Gutenburg Project is another great website for early books that are past their copyright status). Some books on Google are just a few chapters which can lead to disappointment when the novels are hard to find (like those Iceberg Slim novels I’d like to read but no library seems to own).

Not much else going on, so I’m just getting ready for the holidays by trying to hit a few themed events here and there like this living nativity.



Luckily I had all my shopping done months ago so I can avoid the malls.

If you are looking for something to do this week, here are a few shows I would recommend:



Wednesday (12/14) – Delbert McClinton @ The Ark


Thursday (12/15) – Nick Moss & the Flip Tops @ PJ’s (Ann Arbor), Mike McCourt Memorial featuring Stewart Francke @ Callahans


Friday (12/16) – Harper @ Rochester Mills Brewing, Verve Pipe @ Magic Bag, Five Finger Death Punch @ Compuware Arena


Saturday (12/17) – Koffin Kats @ Small’s, Rise Against & Taking Back Sunday @ Fillmore, Trans-Siberian Orchestra @ Palace Of Auburn Hills, Harper @ Canadian Blues South Museum (Windsor), Devil Wears Prada @ Royal Oak Music Theatre, Alexander Zonjic @ Crofoot


Sunday (12/18) – Morrissey @ Royal Oak Music Theatre, Celtic Women @ MSU Auditorium, Craig Owens @ Pike Room

I was going to try and find some crazy Christmas song from Dr Demento or something like that but next to “The Grinch”, my favorite Christmas tune is “The Little Drummer Boy” so here are the Celtic Women performing this awesome song.

I couldn't find a Morrissey Christmas song.

"Rockin' for MACS" - Fund/Awareness Raiser for Michigan Anti-Cruelty Society - 9 bands rocking for 1 cause - Atwater Brewery Detroit - Sat 12/17

This holiday season, nine of Detroit's favorite bands are joining together at

New Dodge Lounge to rock out and support the Michigan Anti‐Cruelty Society!

What: Atwater Brewery presents: Nine Bands. One Cause. Rockin' For MACS!

When: Saturday, December 17th, Doors @ 8pm

Where: New Dodge Lounge

8850 Joseph Campau

Hamtramck, MI 48212

"Rockin' for MACS" will feature nine bands performing at Hamtramck's New Dodge Lounge as a benefit for the Michigan Anti‐Cruelty Society. Attendees can enjoy FREE entry with donation of CAT & DOG food/toys/bedding, or bring a 5 dollar cover donation. All donations will go toward MACS.

For more information on what items to bring, visit:

http://www.macsshelter.org/wish_list/wish_list.htm

Featuring (in order of appearance):

DIRTY CHANNEL

CN PRATT & THE ROSE CULT

AMATEUR ANTHROPOLOGIST

THE WALL CLOCKS

THE BLUE SQUARES

I LOVE LIGHTNING BUGS

PHANTASMAGORIA

MACRAME TIGER

THE HANDGRENADES

Doors are at 8pm, and music starts at 8:45. Plus, enjoy Atwater drink specials!

Come drink, rock, and be merry...and know that just by being there, you'll be helping Michigan's stray, injured, and forgotten animals.