Jukebox the Ghost Live Photos from MOTORCITYBLOG

Jukebox the Ghost played a show last thursday at the belmont in hamtramck so we sent one of ours over to share a few drinks and take some photos of the band as they passed through the motorcity promoting the new record

"What could make a Pre-Med student stop wanting to be a doctor? How about selling out an 800 person venue and turn away at least 100 more for the release of your first CD? That's what happened with there first CD "Live and Let Ghost".

Ben Thornwell (piano, vocals), Tommy Siegel (guitar, vocals) and Jesse Kristen (Drums) create this piano driven Grunge-Pop group. The three met in college at George Washington University in Washington DC. Each coming from diverse back grounds.

Ben is a classically trained pianist from Kentucky, Tommy is a self taught guitarist and self described "hippie kid" from Virginia and Jesse 'Med School No More" Kristen a self taught drummer who grew up on punk and ska is from Massachusetts.

They focus on working with each others strengths making sure only the best comes out. And it does! This trio gave a great live performance this past Thursday and was a crowd favorite. With witty lyrics, great composition and killer harmony their passion and energy grabs you and won't let go until they say it ends.

Check out tour dates along with two big shows (Philly and NYC) and look for "Live and Let Ghost" to hit stores nation wide in April.

Can't wait??? buy direct from thier myspace page

So if you haven't heard of Jukebox the Ghost, you haven't been listening." - Amy Palomar

Original Post for the show here

Jukebox The Ghost @The Blind Pig

Jukebox The Ghost

w/The Elwin

Saturday, June 1st, at The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor

$16, early show, doors at 6:30

Jukebox the Ghost released their third album, Safe Travels, in June of last year. The album marks a period in the band’s career that’s steeped in change, both personally and professionally. The band themselves relocated from Philadelphia to New York City and played over 200 shows since the release of their last album in 2010. In the midst of so much change, the band spent months in the studio creating what would become “Safe Travels”, a record that represents a shift in the band’s creative trajectory.

FREE CD GIVEAWAY: Jukebox the Ghost - Belmont Bar - Thur Jan 31st

We gave a pair of these tickets away Saturday night over at the Wood to your Mother show

But we have copy of the new CD to offer up to the 1st emailer

the tickets and CD are gone - thanks for all the emails!

Jukebox the Ghost

Thursday January 31st 2008

The Belmont Bar

10215 Jos. Campau

Hamtramck MI

313.871.1966

This is their first show after the Washington DC cd release party

Visit them over at myspace.com/jukeboxtheghost

Check out the rest of the artists over at The MuseBox

Here are the live photos from the show thanks to Amy Palomar

RESTAURANT REVIEW: Honest?Johns Bar and Grill by LAWRENCEcreative

What the hell, why not? I like food. I like cooking food. Some of my favorite television is about food. I will admit to having fantasies about me and Giada de Laurentiis, a bottle of extra virgin olive oil, and perfectly sliced veal medallions, and afterwards meeting up with Anthony Bourdain for a beer or six at Honest John’s while high-fiving my accomplishments. But I digress… here is my review of:

Honest?John's Bar & Grill

488 Seldon Street . Cass Corridor . Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 832-5646
Owner: John Thompson

According to their website, Honest?John's was...wait a minute...John doesn't have a fuckin' website.  If you want some info on his place, get off your ass and drive down to the Cass Corridor.  Yes, I said Cass Corridor.  Get over it.  In case those two words intimidate you, I'll give you a little heads up on one of my all-time fave Detroit hangouts.

Here's what I had for my Valentines Day Dinner (Forgive the crappy Palm Pixi phone images):

Cajun Gumbo ($4 bowl) – knowing that I would probably get a nasty look if I asked what exactly was in the mix, my description is purely based on taste.  Chicken, Andouille sausage, Okra, green pepper, onions, rice and the perfect combination of cajun spices and sauce.

This gumbo is filled with such creamy goodness and heat that I would have no problems selling off someone elses kidney to pay for the recipe.  It should be noted that this was so thick it could technically be eaten with a fork.  The heat, subtle at first, grew increasingly warmer as I ate, but never overwhelming.  I am sure if you are a one of those that prefer the psychotic endorphin rush of habaneros or ghost chilis, this will be like eating water for you, but for us mere mortals, it is a perfect amount for a cold winters night in the D. 

Beer Battered Onion Rings (a few bucks, I forgot to write it down) - Beer batter.  Onions.  'nuff said.

I hate onion rings.  Why?  Cuz everytime I bite into one the onion comes completely out leaving me nothing but the breading.  The kitchen in John's found the perfect balance between onion size and beer batter and each bite was accompanied by the right amount of onion and breading.  Plus, simply good flavor, if not a little bit too greasy.  But dammit, greasy is good.

1/2 Pound Ground Round Sirloin ($5.95) - A half pound sirloin patty (direct from Eastern Market) on a bun with lettuce, cheddar cheeze, feta cheese and grilled onions.  Cooked Medium.  (My choice of toppings, not theirs.  You can choose from a pretty typical assortment of toppings.) 

There is a certain hierarchy of burgers in my life.  This has been discussed and debated over the years by friends and family, and everyone always has their own choices.  One cannot debate anothers choice for their 'order', but can only accept it as their choice.  Because of John's cooks abilities to cook a damn good bar burger with great ingredients, always cooked to perfection per your order, their burgers fall in my Top 5 All-time Best Burgers:

1) Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger in Ann Arbor
2) Millers Bar in Dearborn
3) Red Coat Tavern in Royal Oak
4) Honest?John's Bar and Grill in Detroit
5) Any Big Boy® Double Decker in the nation

All in all, if you're looking for a perfect not-quite-hole-in-the-wall bar in the D with a fantastic jukebox (once considered the Best Jukebox in the book Jukebox America: In Search of the Country's Greatest Jukebox) and great comfort food, Honest?John's is well worth the trip to the D!  Maybe I'll see you down there...

FREE MP3: "Someone to Wake" featuring Will Johnson from Centro-Matic

This is an add from yesterday - we had to wait for the NPR piece to run (you may have heard it yesterday around 4:30-5pm) and we can post the free music now

so here is the MP3 - click here!

Our pals from These United States thought our MCB readers would appreciate this little drop on the anti-blog so check it out....TUS was here in Detroit and played the Lager House where MCB's Scott Strelecki got a chance to shoot some photos and interview the band

"Another chapter in Christian Kiefer’s Of Great and Mortal Men: 43 Songs for 43 U.S. Presidencies unfolds, as the promised “free 44th song” for President-elect Obama becomes available this Friday.

“Someone to Wake,” penned by Kiefer and featuring Centro-Matic vocalist Will Johnson, is a retrospective of eight years of national and international turmoil, positioning Obama as a voice of the future.

“It was the only song that did not have the benefit of an actual Presidency to comment upon,” Kiefer notes. “Still, the sea change in positive thinking is a remarkable contrast to the previous administration. That’s songworthy material.”

Listeners should check http://www.43presidencies.com/ for links to the song starting Friday, January 16th 2009.

“Someone to Wake” includes an original portrait of Obama by Rama Hughes, and a lyric and credits page that accompanies the box set’s full color book.

The song will be unveiled live January 17th at Washington, DC’s Sixth and I Historic Synagogue, during an evening devoted to the project that features Kiefer’s collaborators Jefferson Pitcher and J. Matthew Gerken, as well as guests Nellie McKay, Tim Fite, These United States, Jukebox the Ghost, Laura Burhenn, Denison Witmer, Reid Maclean, Silver Darling, Joe Pug, and many more."