6/30/09

FREE BEER at the Bastone REALLY

BASTONE

No Joke, buy a burger and get a FREE BEER!

Many of us forget there are two breweries in Royal Oak.
The Bastone has some very tasty beers for summer including a Saison
(a nice Belgium Whit that goes great with the Salmon Burger).

Check it out this week only Mon - Thurs from 4pm - Close
419 S Main St
Royal Oak, MI 48067
(248) 544-6250
on

PHOTOS: Rock the Bells 2009 by Andrew Bender

MCB's Andrew Bender was up at the DTE Music Center on Sunday for the 2009 Rock the Bells tour as it rolled through Michigan.

Billed as the premier hip hop festival, RTB brought such highly regarded artists as Tech Nine, Big Boi of Outkast fame, Reflection Eternal with Talib Kweli, the Roots, and NAS with Damian 'Jr. Gong' Marley, and old skool legend KRS-One was the master of ceremonies keeping everybody entertained between sets. Busta Rhymes was slated to also be performing at the Detroit show, but he had to cancel at the last minute, supposedly due to a conflict with the BET awards the same night and the venue was offering a refund to anybody who wanted it before they entered the venue. It's unclear how many people took advantage of that, and Palace Entertainment was not forthcoming with numbers regarding attendance, but clearly it was a pretty dismal turnout for an amazing day of music.


As a photographer and writer, I hate getting jacked around by the venue and PR people who don't have their $#!t together, and such was the case on Sunday. Without any information or instructions, I finally made it to meet up with their contact to get my photo pass only to be informed that following the first 3 songs the credentialed photographers were to be escorted outside the gates to wait for the next act to go on. I was fortunate to also be granted a press credential, so after the 3 songs of shooting, I ran back to drop my camera gear at my car, go back into the venue to see a few songs and make some notes, then run back to get the camera and repeat this five or six times. What crap. Such was my experience at the Rock the Bells. This was apparently the policy of the tour, not Palace Entertainment, although they couldn't or wouldn't actually show me anything with this policy written on it.Usually I prefer to see shows at smaller venues from bars to theaters because those giant stadium and pavilion venues only care about one thing - getting as much of the concert goers dough as they can squeeze out. Sure bars and theaters want that too, but at the pavilions and arenas, the whole thing is set up to make their job easier, not to enhance the audience's experience.

Enough bitching - here's a little bit about the actual festival and the music.

I showed up after a few of the earlier acts had already performed, just in time to see Tech Nine take the stage with a thumpin' off the hook set. Unfortunately, it seemed that the venue was less than one-third full, although the audience that was there was definitely enjoying it. Following Tech Nine was the project Reflection Eternal featuring Talib Kweli and DJ Hi-Tek. They pulled out some of Kweli's older joints and some newer material and soon enough they had arms wavin in the air (like they just didn't care?) and the crowd on its feet. In between acts, old school rap legend KRS-ONE kept the crowd entertained with some mad freestyle and some proselytizing about what hip hop really is. To quote the band Sublime:

Watch him he'll take hip-hop to a higher ground.
cuz I know (How do I know?)
And I know because of KRS-ONE.

After Kweli and Hi-Tek were the band I was most excited to see - the Roots, who I've seen a few times in their new steady gig as the house band on the new Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Several bands have played on the show with the Roots as their backing band, and it's just SICK! Playing old favorites and some newer tunes off of their newer albums like Rising Down, I'm always impressed by this hip hop band that includes ?uestlove on drums, Black Thought spitting some great rhymes, Tuba Gooding Jr. on sousaphone (how many hip hop bands have a tuba player??), Kamal Gray on percussion, Captain Kirk Douglas on guitar, and Owen Biddle on bass. With the Roots and other acts, it's always interesting to see how they arrange the music - always different than studio albums and always adds a novel element that keeps the audience and fans engaged.

After the Roots was Big Boi from the hip hop group the Outkast who brought a taste of the dirty South up North to Michigan. Even though the sound was pretty messed up during his set, Big Boi's southern hip hop style still came through as the Hotlanta star brought his A-game. The last spot of the day belonged to NAS and Damian 'Jr. Gong' Marley who brought an incredible mix of hip hop and reggae to the day as NAS would spit some lyrics to a reggae back beat after which Damian would perform his own or his father Bob Marley's songs, including a great cover of the hit 'War.'

Even by the time the headliners were performing, the venue never got close to half full, which was a shame for such a great day of music. I see a lot of bands skip Detroit on their tours and it's really too bad that the people of Motown and Detroit Rock City can't make it out to shows. Of course, when the economy is in the toilet, a LOT of people have been out of work for a LONG time, and things don't seem to be getting much better, it's hard to justify even a $20 lawn ticket (particularly when that comes up to $30 after fees and all that - but that's a rant for another day). But you'd think the promoters and venue would do more to help fill the seats. Apparently even a stage full of great artists just isn't enough - hopefully as the economy improves and people's job situations start to turn around, bands won't be taking a risk just by coming to Detroit.

Werd!!
-drew

"MCB IS DETROIT"
Check out more MCB-VIDEOs here
on

Wed - 7/1 -- Let your inner superhero loose tomorrow - Hit Detroit Comics for a few rags then grab a cold one and flick at The Magic Bag

With summer revving up we suggest a superhero kind of day tomorrow and you can start it off by heading on over to Detroit Comics who just celebrated 2 years in business - located in Ferndale just north of 9 mile on Woodward they have all the latest releases and cool action figures that you just have to score for your summer reading...you can read Moby Dick any time - how about the latest Wolverine graphic novel? Maybe some vintage Wildcats or The MAXX?
Dr. Fate or Sandman? Score a couple of goodies and then run across the street to check out XMEN Origins over at The Magic Bag with some pizza and few cold brews...

Now doesn't that sound SUPER?


pencils by MCB fav Jae Lee
Wednesday July 1st 2009
X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE
Doors 8 p.m.
Film 9:30
21+
$2.00

on

Tues 6/30 -- HEART - DTE Clarkston


Need a little pick me on a drab dull dismal day?
Head on out to DTE for the HEART concert
this place is going to filled to the rim with brimming fans who need to get a fix
MCB's Good Girls Being Bad will be there with an entourage of talent
Classic tunes perfect for a holiday week jumpstart
Wsg Michael Grimm
Today, Tuesday, June 30 7:30p
at DTE Clarkston, MI
Price: $42 and $25 pavilion and $10 lawn
7774 Sashabaw Rd.
Clarkston, MI 48348
(248) 377-0100
on

6/29/09

Mon 6/29 -- Aran Ruth - LJ's Lounge Detroit

Head on over to LJ's Lounge tonight for a few quick cold ones and killer tunes as Aran Ruth spins all night to celebrate summer 2009 kicking into full swing
LJ's Lounge
2114 Michigan Ave
Detroit, MI 48216-1305
(313) 962-0013
on

FREE TICKETS: The Dead Weather @ Fillmore Detroit

We have a Douche Hardy loser (winner)
stop emailing us and thanks!
I had a pretty cool contest idea for these tickets but fuck it - I am heading out on an MCB vacation and just need to get rid of them fast - there is a catch though - the winner of these tickets must wear the shirt shown below to the show - simple huh?
yeah right - lets see you don that shit all night!
10th emailer with the title
"I will Douche Hardy up for the Dead Weather"
gets the pair of GA no-seaters shown above
winner must pick up tomorrow as I am going somewhere fast
with no return flight booked
motorcityblog at earthlink dot net
You may have heard about the new special section of front seating at The Fillmore Detroit
Its kind of like VIP section right up on the GA floor
The Dead Weather
Friday July 24th 2009
Fillmore Detroit
2115 Woodward
Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 961-5451
on

MP3 Mondays on MOTORCITYBLOG

MP3 Mondays on MOTORCITYBLOG
Photo by Paul Hitz

take a look / listen

Canadian songbird Melissa McClelland is about to release Victoria Day, her third full-length album produced by husband Luke Doucet. For a taste of what to expect, check out the MP3 of her beautiful duet with Ron Sexsmith “Seasoned Lovers.”And if you haven’t already, be sure to give the gritty and sassy “GlenRio” a listen.

If These Trees Could Talk

Above The Earth, Below The Sky Available NOW

If These Trees Could Talk return with their long awaited full length album “Above the Earth, Below the Sky.” Recorded during the summer of 2008 under the watchful eye of Tim Gerak (6P7), the album is a dark emotional journey that picks up where the debut EP left off. With the roots of the album firmly planted within the industrial boomtown of Akron, Ohio, The Trees have made every effort to evoke the desperation and triumph felt by a city in despair and rebirth.

Utilizing a dynamic range of auditory explorations fluctuating from delicate to deafening The Trees have once again provided their listeners a primed and ready canvas upon which they may paint their own visions of chaos and serenity. The types of images only seen when our eyes are closed or when the true nature of a world operating under insanity and irrationality is exposed.While maintaining integrity in their music, The Trees have managed to forge their own artistic path in the face of many gimmick and copy-cat bands. They have managed to self-release and maintain steady sales of both their albums to date, while pairing up with The Mylene Sheath to release their albums in the vinyl format to rave reviews around the globe.In addition, The Trees have solidified their presence in the post-rock world by licensing “Malabar Front” from their 2006 EP for inclusion in the online trailer for the Sony PLAYSTATION®3 release “inFamous”.

MP3 Download"What's In The Earth Belongs To You" http://www.sendspace.com/file/wlhn12
Download Beach House (MP3)

After recording and performing live with such musical juggernauts as David Bowie, Elvis Costello, Perry Farrell, Moby, and Ronnie Spector, The Tall Pines brings Petruk's silky alto to the forefront. Described by NPR as sounding like "the lost sister of Dusty Springfield" with a voice that has the ability "to melt the frost off your windshield," Petruk’s singing perfectly compliments Davis’ clever songwriting and the band’s skillful backing. Campfire Songs moves seamlessly between raucous, foot stomping jams on songs like "Good Woman" and "Seniorita" to such crooning country ballads as the aptly titled, "No One Sings Like You." Those longing for the nostalgia of country music’s past eras along with those who have an appreciation for such modern day acts as Jenny Lewis or She & Him can easily find something to love in The Tall Pines timeless sound.

Original Stranglers Front Man Hugh Cornwell Releases New Album, Hooverdam Available for Free Download!(In Stores September 8, 2009; Invisible Hands Music)

See Cornwell on tour in September

Hugh Cornwell is a man of the people.


The original vocalist, guitarist and main songwriter for punk and new-wave legends The Stranglers, has made his new album, Hooverdam, available for free download to anyone and everyone… right now!

The music is available worldwide from Hugh’s website , which can be viewed in twelve languages (English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Farsi, Russian, Mandarin, Turkish, Italian and Japanese), making Hugh’s music freely available to most of the world’s population.Why make it available for free? “Everything that’s ever been recorded or filmed is now online and free – whether the copyright owners like it or not, and any work of artists that is honest – either from decades ago or right now – has intellectual value that will always translate into monetary value,” explains Charles Kennedy, head of Invisible Hands Music.

This is a great record, made without ProTools, AutoTune, or any other piece of performance-enhancing stuff. It comes from the heart of a great thinker, writer and musician, and will be shared and listened to for decades to come. Physical copies will be available on vinyl and as a triple-sleeved digi-pak CD/DVD, which will contain Hugh’s film “Blueprint,” featuring live studio performance inter-spliced with an interview with Hugh at the Tate Gallery in London. Both Hooverdam and “Blueprint” were recorded in Toerag Studios with producer Liam Watson (best known for producing the White Stripes’ Elephant).

The music itself is a rollicking mix of rhythm & blues, rockabilly and post-punk. Early on the disc, “Going to the City” rolls and blares like a train shimmying its way down the tracks, a motor-mouthed wordsmith riding on top. “Delightful Nightmare” follows, slinking into view on a murky bass line to tell the tale of a ghostly lover.


Closing out the album, Hugh gives us jangly guitars, a surprise saxophone solo and a dose of punk attitude in “Banging on at the Same Old Beat.” “So give me one more hit / Can’t get enough of it / And if you’re tired of it / Well I don’t give a shit.”

See Hugh Cornwell on Tour in September:
09/08: Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda's
09/09: Long Branch, NJ @ Brighton Bar
09/10: Washington, DC @ Black Cat
09/11: Bordentown, NJ @ The Record Collector
09/12: New York, NY @ Highline Ballroom
09/13: Boston, MA @ TT The Bear's Place
09/15: Montreal, PQ @ TBA
09/16: Hamilton, ON @ This Ain't Hollywood
09/17: Toronto, ON @ The Mod Club
09/18: Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom
09/19: Milwaukee, WI @ Shank Hall
09/20: Chicago, IL @ The Abbey

"Those Darlins will soon be roaming this great nation, bringing all Americans together the only way we know how: sheer freak spectacle. But don't just come see the spectacle, be the spectacle. We want you. We dare you. We, in fact, need you. Have a drink, have a dance. Don’t worry about the environment being intolerant, too cool, too lame, too country, too anything. EVERYONE is invited; you’re one of us."

"It’s Summer 2009, and, damnit, be here with us in the now. Don't let the economic downturn ruin your appetite for some basic human relief: a good time.Say yes... we already have. And we are bringing gifts (records, drinks, maybe even a kiss from our merch-man Byron) to the folks ready to lead the charge with us at every show. Grow some fur, burn your laurels, let us see your inner spirit animal. "

And, until then, enjoy Red Light Love

on

PHOTOS: DROPKICK MURPHY'S @ Freedom Hill, June 28, 2009



Opening for The Offspring, Freedom Hill was treated to the sounds of Dropkick Murphy's. MCB photographer Gene Schilling was there to capture their energy on stage.

"MCB IS DETROIT"
Check out more MCB-VIDEOs here
on

Detroit Pillow Fights


PILLOW FIGHT DETROIT
LIVE! Tomorrow!
REAL GIRLS! REAL FIGHTS!

DOORS @ 7

Tri City Trade Center
475 South Schafer Hwy
Detroit, Mi 48217

Tomorrow's Roster:
Natalie Explosion vs Sybil Starr
Jackie Hammer vs Corporal Punishment
Karma Kazi vs Princess Ivanna
Scarlette Borden Vs Hazel Tucky

COME ON OUT, See the girls get rowdy during their bouts, autographs, swag and fun!
on

PHOTOS: THE OFFSPRING @ Freedom Hill, June 28, 2009



The Offspring put on an amazing show at Freedom Hill last night, the weather was perfect, and the crowd was going crazy. Playing several new tunes from their latest release, "Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace", they also went back into their extensive catalogue playing such classics as "Come Out and Play", "Self Esteem", "All I Want", and "Why Don't you Get a Job."

This photo set is from Gene Schilling, MCB Photographer, more to come from the opener "Dropkick Murphy's" real soon.

"MCB IS DETROIT"
Check out more MCB-VIDEOs here
on

Thurs 7/2 -- BAD PARTY @ Painted Lady HAmtramck

Bad Party
Thursday July 2nd 2009 8PM
PAINTED LADY
2930 Jacob
HAMTRAMCK MI
come check out a FREE BAD PARTY
w/ DARK LINGO & TERRIBLE TWOS
on

7/7/09 -- THE NEW DEAL TOUR w/ Audrye Sessions and Paper Route @ Magic Stick

AUDRYE SESSIONS ANNOUNCES
THE NEW DEAL TOUR WITH PAPER ROUTE

BAND RECOGNIZES FANS AFFECTED BY ECONOMY
PAYING TO GET INTO A SHOW
IS SO PRE-RECESSION!

Tough economic times might keep some music lovers from catching their favorite band when they're in town, but for fans of Audrye Sessions this may not be the case. The band is teaming up with Paper Route for the New Deal tour, which kicks off July 6th in Newport, KY and goes through the end of the month.

Fans can submit their tales of financial woe to an email address found on the Audrye Sessions Myspace page. The band will select the best stories in each city and give away free tickets- as many as the venue permits- to those people.

The idea for this tour struck a chord with the band. "Art thrives during difficult times...Times of economic crisis, political turmoil and social injustice always spark an artistic movement of some sort," said Alicia Campbell, Audrye Sessions' bass player. "The art of music should always remain accessible, especially in times like these...when it's needed the most."


Tour dates for Audrye Sessions:
7/2 - Milwaukee, WI - Summerfest
7/4 - Des Moines, IA - 80/35 Festival

With Paper Route:
7/6 - Newport, KY - Southgate
7/7 - Detroit, MI - The Garden Bowl @ Magic Stick
7/8 - Cleveland Heights, OH - Grog Shop
7/9 - Columbus, OH - The Basement
7/11 - Providence, RI - Jerky's Live Music Hall
7/12 - Cambridge, MA - Middle East Upstairs
7/14 - New York, NY - Mercury Lounge
7/15 - Washington, D.C. - DC9
7/16 - Hoboken, NJ - Maxwell's
7/17 - Philadelphia, PA - Kung Fu Necktie
7/19 - Pittsburgh, PA - Garfield Artworks
7/21 - Grand Rapids, MI - The Intersection- Front Lounge
7/22 - Chicago, IL - Schuba's
7/23 - St. Louis, MO - Firebird
7/24 - Columbia, MO - Mojo's
7/25 - Lincoln, NE - Box Awesome
7/26 - Denver, CO - Marquis Theatre
7/27 - Salt Lake City, UT - Club Vegas
on

Sonic Youth tonight @ Royal Oak Music Theatre

Sonic Youth play tonight at ROMT
get your tickets to the show at Royal Oak Music Theatre
for the June 29th show - this is going to be a good one!
openers: The Entrance Band

get tickets here
on

Fri 7/3 -- BAAR BAZAAR @ Magic Stick Detroit

5th Annual BAAR BAZAAR @ Magic Stick Detroit
Friday July 3rd 2009 8PM

Magic Stick
4140 Woodward Ave
Detroit Michigan 48201

Now celebrating five years,
The Baar Bazaar brings local sellers of indie crafts, vintage clothing, records, comics, collectibles and other fun finds together in the Majestic Complex in an occasional flea market setting.
There is something for everyone to enjoy,
including free performances by local bands while you shop!
on

The ‘dotte Arts Project Summer Festival 2009

WHAT:
THE ‘DOTTE ARTS PROJECT PRESENTS IT’S THIRD ANNUAL SUMMER FESTIVAL IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE WYANDOTTE STREET ART FAIR.

· OVER 30 ARTISTS SELLING THEIR WARES JULY 8-11, 10am-9pm
· LIVE MUSIC STAGE FEATURING LOCAL ACTS
FROM ALL OVER THE METRO-DETROIT AREA

· SOLAR POWERED MUSIC STAGE BY CRESIT ENERGY
· PUBLIC ART INSTALLATION BY MARK BOMMARITO
· LIVE ART DEMONSTRATIONS

· RON THOMAS BMX STUNT BIKE RIDER PERFORMING FRIDAY & SATURDAY
· ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL T-SHIRT ART PROJECT SPONSORED BY www.detroitmfg.com
· T-SHIRT DESIGN BY AUDREY PONGRACZ

WHERE:
DOWNTOWN WYANDOTTE, CORNER OF ELM AND FIRST

WHEN:
JULY 8-11, 10AM-9PM

Why the heck should you go to Wyandotte?
The ‘dotte Arts Project presents its third annual summer festival July 8th-11th.
The ‘dotte Arts Project, the ‘dAP, presents a stellar festival of emerging arts, live music and art demonstrations during the Wyandotte Street Art Fair, July 8th- 11th.
The festival will be on the old theatre lot at First and Elm.

The City of Wyandotte provides its own power, has an extensive recycling program and is soon to be home to four windmills. To continue in the self-sustainable spirit of Wyandotte our music stage is solar powered for the second year! Equipment provided courtesy of Cresit Energy of Wyandotte. Last year the ‘dAP stage was run completely by solar power which saved not only energy but the city thousands of dollars in money for electricity to run the music stage. The batteries ran on stored power one of the days which was stormy and overcast for most of the day. The ‘dAP is honored to showcase such a forward thinking company with products that work so well!
For more information go to www.cresitenergy.com

The music stage is going to feature some of the best local acts that metro-Detroit has to offer. The headlining performance will be Dan Miller (of Blanche and Goober in the Peas). Some other great highlights include Silver Ghost a side project of ex- guitarist and vocalist of the Von Bondies, Marcie Bolen. Also included are some acts more local to Downriver including Hiding in Thailand, Dune Buggy Attack Battalion and Jura.
The music line up varies with the Friday line up being that of a more rockin’ nature and Saturday will feature a indie, folk, bluegrass feel. The Friday and Saturday line ups were set up by The Crofoot which is working with the ‘dAP on many projects to come.
Go to www.thecrofoot.com .


Live art demonstrations including a mural by a myriad of artists. The Henry Ford Pottery and Ceramics club will be throwing pots and making other ceramic objects during the festival. Children will be invited to make shirts on site too!

Mark Bommarito sculpts with found objects and the objects
he found for this outdoor sculpture are gas station signs.
He created it as a social commentary about our oil appetite
and what it’s doing to our foreign relations.
It’s going to be 15 feet tall!


The Roosevelt High School Art Club, Alumni and Tawnya Au, the art teacher in charge of it all, will be working with kids of all ages to paint t-shirts. Part of the proceeds for this will go to help the arts at Roosevelt High School. “It really makes us happy to do this”, says Jeremy E. Hansen, co-chair of the ‘dAP, “because it melds with our mission to promote and proliferate the arts of Wyandotte.” Robert Stanzler is a man who supports the arts and is doing it in a big way by donating all the shirts and the silk screening of the design on them.
He is the person in charge of www.detroitmfg.com .

Friday and Saturday there will be a full schedule of stunt bike riding by Ron Thomas. Ron Thomas attended Roosevelt High School is now a professional BMX stunt rider and owns Rise Above Entertainment. Thomas will be performing on Friday and Saturday at 1pm, 5pm and 8pm in the ‘dAP area.

The best part of the festival are the over 30 emerging artists selling their wares. This is the highlight and purpose of the ‘dAP Summer Festival to promote emerging artists. Many of these artists are beginning their art careers and some of them are on the cusp of hitting the scene in a major way. The work varies from low brow to traditional with a mixture of jewelry and some funky craft making in between.

“We strive to embrace the arts at all levels,” says Aimee Rodriguez, co-chair of the ‘dAP, “One of the best ways to ensure that art continues in any community is to sell their work especially the work of artists who are just now trying to figure out what they want to do.”

2009 is the first year the ‘dAP is going to have an artist create the t-shirt design. We are proud to announce that the first design will be created by Audrey Pongracz. Pongracz is on fire this year being voted Best Local Artist by Real Detroit Weekly and she was also elected one of Six Artists to Watch Under 30 by the Metrotimes. Pongracz started her art gallery career at River’s Edge Gallery in Wyandotte.
She continues to show at River’s Edge Gallery and at 323 East of Royal Oak.

Pongracz has shown with the ‘dAP since its inception in 2007. She is extremely supportive of the ‘dAP and the ‘dAP mission to promote emerging artists. We are honored to feature her design this year. The squid is a cephalopod that inks to protect itself from predators which is similar to what many artists do when they paint or create. The image created features a squid is hugging the ‘dAP as a submarine. We hope artists continue to embrace the ‘dAP because we certainly embrace and want to help them!

This year the ‘dAP will prove to top its first two years with vim and vigor July 8th-11th at the corner of Elm and First in downtown Wyandotte during the Wyandotte Street Art Fair.

Music Schedule 09
the ‘dotte Arts Project Summer Festival!

Wednesday: July 8th
5pm As of Now
6pm The Set Up
7pm Santos
8pm Hiding in Thailand

Thursday: July 9th
5pm Handgrenades
6pm Jura
7PM Howard Glazer
8PM Dune Buggy Attack Battalion

Friday: July 10th
8-8:45 Manna & Quail
7-7:45 Daniel Zott
6- 6:45 Silver Ghost
5-5:45 milieu
4- 4:45 Charlie Slick
3- 3:45 Port to Port
2- 2:45 Oscillating Fan Club
1- 1:45 Back to the River, Back to the Forest

Saturday: July 11th
8-8:45 Dan Miller
(of Blanche and Goober & The Peas)
7- 7:45 Frontier Ruckus
6 6:45 Misty Lyn and the Big Beautiful
5- 5:45 Tone and Niche
4- 4:45 Charlene Kaye
3: 3:45 This Is My Suitcase
2: 2:45 Scarlet Oaks
1: 1:45 Petal Shop
on

PHOTOS: MISS DERRINGER @ the Crofoot Pontiac 6-24-09 by RebeccaMich



The self-proclaimed Blondie meets Johnny Cash meets the Misfits entertaining rock band played their second ever Detroit show at the Crofoot this past Wednesday night. MISS DERRINGER, based out of Los Angeles, is no stranger to Detroit however.

Influenced by groups like the Ravonettes and Envy, a Japanese Noise group, Miss Derringer hopes their being unique characters and eclectic sound will be an influence on future music to come.

When asked what music inspires them, before I even finish asking MD, “The Detroit Cobras”, who actually have their first album on the same label as MD, is shouted out immediately. Morgan, Ben, Cody and Sylvan, rounding out the members of Miss Derringer, had nothing but praise for the city of Detroit, and believe strongly in the music and art scene here and what it has done to shape culture.

This band is fresh, and puts on a killer live performance. Lead singer Liz McGrath is also an LA based artist, which shines through in her unique look and the way she handles the stage and works the crowd as if the show was delivered personally to everyone that came. Nothing gets Miss Derringer going more than the positive vibe they receive from a crowd. That they did, taking time to sign each and every autograph, pose with fans and chat. When talking about their new record, Morgan Slade, songwriter/guitar, and husband to Liz McGrath, calls it something that would remind you of an Irish Mob War from the 60s.

Winter Hill, on July 14th.
on

6/26/09

Music on the Brain - by MCB's Andrew Bender

Music on the Brain
I’d written most of this week’s column before I’d heard yesterday that self-anointed King of Pop, Michael Jackson, had died yesterday at 50 years old. I’ve read and watched a bit of the coverage going on and can’t help but think back to when Princess Diana died in terms of the outpouring of reflection, reminiscence, sentiment and emotion. I was 10 years old when Thriller came out, and it was one of the first albums my older brother and I owned - we listened to it way too many times. I’m sorry to admit it, but I never bought parachute pants (I’ve just never been that cool), I never mastered the moonwalk, and I never danced around with a single glove. Despite everything else (and I do mean ‘everything’) Jackson was a songwriter, musician, and performer the likes of which we shall never see again.

Glide Magazine’s Hidden Track section has a great piece today with a number of examples of jazz, rock, and jam bands from Phish to Miles Davis to Santana that have covered Jackson’s work.
Click here to check it out. I highly recommend it.

As a memory researcher, I find it amazing that we can engage in mental time travel, merely with the trigger of something like a photo or a song. Seeing images from the Thriller video brings me back to when I was ten or eleven watching MTV in my best friend’s living room – I can practically smell my friend’s shaggy golden retriever basking in the sun as we stared in amazement at the video’s special effects. So what will I (try to) remember Michael Jackson for? Here’s a few things that come to mind, but the list is by no means exhaustive: Michael Jackson wrote ‘We Are the World’ with Lionel Richie, he collaborated with Paul McCartney and Quincy Jones, or
As Dave Chappelle said, “He wrote Thriller. THRILLER.”
He was the Scarecrow in the movie adaptation of ‘The Wiz,’ and he taught me that human beings can move their bodies in almost unimaginable ways (no, he didn’t teach me personally – sheesh). Most of all, I have the utmost admiration for all that Michael Jackson did to bridge divides between people through projects such as the ‘Heal the World,’ ‘We Are the World,’ being a voice for HIV/AIDS in America. Rest in peace Michael.

On a lighter note, last week I wrote about expectations in music and made some comparisons about how our memory and experience fuels both our expectations and our appreciation of art and music. To some degree, music appreciation is all about taste. Some people love old school hip hop, whereas others might prefer radio friendly country music. Similarly, I suspect that many jazz enthusiasts probably have little appreciation for or understanding of a lot of punk and scream or noise rock. However, as I mentioned last week there’s the idea of openness to new and different genres than one may otherwise be comfortable with. To me, it’s largely about letting go of, or at least managing, one’s expectations. A lot of people go to the same restaurants, order the same dishes, and are perfectly content with that – there’s no risk and the reward is predictable. Others like to try new things, risking a bad meal with the potential for discovering something new and amazing.

I like to think of pop music as similar to fast food, or perhaps to those family feedbag restaurants like Fridays, Applebees, or Bennigans. What you’re getting has been vetted and tested to be widely acceptable and although individual tastes may vary, it’s as widely appealing as possible.

Another analogy for pop music that I’ve lately been using comes from psychology – specifically from research on our perceptions of physical beauty and attractiveness. A number of studies have shown that what makes someone’s face physically attractive, at least in a scientific sense, is being as average as possible. However, by ‘average’ I don’t mean plain, but rather in the statistical or mathematical sense where features and spacing between those features is all in the middle. Nose not too big or too small, eyes not too far apart or to close together, and so on. Similarly, a lot of the most popular music doesn’t push the boundaries and seems to be an amalgam of acceptable traits – not too long or too short, standard verse-verse-chorus-verse-chorus-verse-bridge-chorus format – anything that doesn’t make the listener think about changing the station. To stretch the analogy a bit further, it’s often those with mostly ‘average’ facial features and one deviant feature (nose a bit too big, eyes too far apart, etc) who we consider to be truly beautiful – almost as if they’re more human and more interesting or accessible as a result of the defining characteristic. Similarly, I think that a lot of the ‘great’ or ‘break out’ pop music has stuck to most of the formulaic tendencies of such radio-friendly tunes but has made some significant deviation from that formula keeping the general framework palatable and familiar while doing something different enough to make people take notice. In that sense, pop music and science have a great deal in common – both take existing ideas and build on them in relatively small increments to generate something a little different that’s interesting and hopefully somewhat novel.

If you extend the metaphor to philosopher Thomas Kuhn’s idea of paradigm shifts – after all of these small modifications and tweaks to existing models, a whole new approach can come about that has a lasting impact on what’s being done after the acceptance of the new approach. Kuhn’s definition of paradigms was restricted just to science, but others have since adopted it to all sorts of other areas. Examples of this include Elvis Pressley and white boys making rock and roll, Jimi Hendrix changing the concept of how to use/play the electric guitar, David Byrne and Brian Eno’s 1981 album ‘My Life in the Bush of Ghosts’ as a new model for electronic music, Nirvana and the widespread birth of grunge rock, or Sublime’s genre-bending combination of punk, ska, reggae, and rock. Okay, these may not exactly fit the definition of paradigm shifts (perhaps the rock and roll or Jimi examples are better analogies) but the general idea is that pop music is popular because it conforms to our expectations until someone comes along and throws those expectations out the window in a new way that changes all the rules.

Next week I’ll be covering the Rothbury Festival in western Michigan, but I’ll try to get a little post up on Friday, and hopefully something that’s relevant to the festival season.



MOTB Festival(s) of the Week:
This week was a real toss up of sorts –
the Detroit Windsor International Film Festival is going on around Wayne State University, and the College for Creative Studies and the rest of the Cultural Center, not to mention downtown Windsor as well. Click here for more info It should be a great time for cinema lovers of various stripes.

For metal heads and music lovers out there, the Stars and Stripes Festival in Mt. Clemens goes on from Friday through Sunday featuring Uncle Kracker, Ratt, Night Ranger, Morris Day and the Time (really?), Dokken (yes, that’s rockin’ with Dokken), and Edgar Winter (I might go just to hear him play his amazing song ‘Frankenstein’ in person). Rock out with your cock out or at least hang out with your wang out.

Shows this weekend:
Friday - 6/26
Melissa Etheridge @ MotorCity Casino Hotel
Leon Russell @ Magic Bag
Warhorses, Mr. Gnome & Lions @ Small's – CD Release Prty
Jay Reatard @ Magic Stick
Millions of Brazilians, Oatmeal @ Factory

Saturday - 6/27
Uncle Kracker @ the Stars & Stripes Festival in Mt. Clemens
Dr. John @ the Magic Bag
Charlie Wilson @ Chene Park

Sunday - 6/28
Rock the Bells @ DTE w/the Roots, NAS, Damien ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley, Busta Rhymes, & more
Greg Cartwright @ Alley Deck
The Offspring & Dropkick Murphys @ Freedom Hill

Monday - 6/29
Sonic Youth @ Royal Oak Music Theater

Have a great weekend y’all!!
WERD!!
-drew

"MCB IS DETROIT"
Check out more MCB-VIDEOs here
on

The Return of MONEYPENNY

MCB's longtime contributor MoneyPenny was recently involved in a rock em sock em crash em up derby car accident that has put her on the back burner so to speak but she is returning in full flavor and should be 200% in no time flat...

But as the old man once said...

"I'm not dead yet!"

So here's a few bits and pieces from Miss MoneyPenny

as I dodge the glue factory one more time...

Picked up Spinnerette on Tuesday and it's fucking insane good.

Dance in the car, sing out loud and don't care who notices good.
Brody works with proven geniuses and has the brass to pull it off. Just in time for summer, she has gifted us with several new anthems to drive angry to. Ghetto Love is the hit, Sex Bomb is my personal favorite. If this don't make your booty move: you suck. Brody: if that's really your ass on the back cover, then hat's off to you, lady.
Whenever these guys hit town I want to love their faces off.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/33318098@N04/3661896912/
http://www.spinnerettemusic.com/

I'm still struggling a bit after my mashup on Crooks road.
Dear Drivers Everywhere:
HANG UP THE FUCKING PHONE AND PAY ATTENTION!
My neck is slowly healing, but I am dying to be myself again before I have an identity crisis. I'm feeling rather old. I caught myself pseudo-dancing to the spazz jazz that they play on the Weather Channel during "your local on the 8's" recently.
It is time to check myself, as I am currently wrecking myself.

As I cannot do much more than sit, I take pictures from wherever I rest.
Oddly, even though I'm not very mobile;
life is just as intersting if I look hard enough.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33318098@N04/sets/72157620548592276/

It was great to get out last Friday at the Showtime 20th party. I took a few pictures of MCB folks, but in my pill induced haze I really only took a few shots. Great people at that place though, I see Brett Michaels is the new fashion guru of the masses.

I saw more guyliner w/ cowboy hats than I ever did in the 80's.

It was a good crowd and good times.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/33318098@N04/sets/72157620434532245/

As if losing Farrah and Ed wasn't enough, MJ went and stole their thunder like a MF. Wings gave up the cup, Kate plus 9 is over, Iran can't use Twitter, and Korea maybe wants to blow us off the map. Not to make light of any of these subjects, but I think we all need some cheering up.

Here is a brand new unrelease MP3

from a new band called The Lost Fingers

Download Link: Billie Jean – Michael Jackson (The Lost Fingers Cover)

More on The Lost Fingers coming soon…


Since pot is still illegal,

what's better than panties for a pick-me-up?

I have a friend in Switzerland that makes super-sexay panties.

He is called the "Pantichrist"

and will deliver us from boring.

I was the very first US customer, and I am happy to say that his work is fantastic. Each pair has his original pop-art hand -applied, so no two pairs are exactly alike. Strangely, for such fancy pants, they are still relatively affordable. Every girl needs to fire her lame-o cotton florals for a sassy new pair of these.

Get you some, and tell 'em MCB's MoneyPenny sent cha.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/33318098@N04/3662631937/in/set-72157620572872040/ http://www.myspace.com/panti_christ
http://pantichrist.com/

Just using what's left of the old noggin to come up with ideas.

You know, gotta fill my brainspace with something.

The helljob is mind-numbing.

Wishing you all a fantastic weekend!

Cheers,
Moneypenny

"MONEYPENNY IS DETROIT"
Check out more MCB-VIDEOs here

on

REMINDER: Single Barrel Launch Party TONIGHT!

A group of talented musicians, filmmakers, writers, and artists have put
together a new website called, www.SingleBarrelDetroit.com
Tonight is the official launch party at the Park Bar Detroit.
It will be an unusual event.
We hope you can make it.
A homage to Detroit's Music, Architecture and Arts Official Launch Party and Sneak Preview Friday June 26, 7PM
FREE at the Park Bar.
have joined forces to celebrate the launch of a new website dedicated to Metro Detroit's flourishing music, art and film communities.
The site, is part urban explorer and partfilmmaker.
Films on the website capture live music performances inunique and inspiring locations around Metro Detroit. For example, AranRuth in the Detroit Opera House; Charlene Kaye in the abandoned LeePlaza Hotel; Rodriguez in front of the Diego Rivera frescoes at the DIA; and Daniel Zott in front of Carl Oxley's murals in Woodbridge.The goal is to bring international attention to the city of Detroit and her musicians.
Every shoot brings together photographers, directors,graphic designers, audio engineers, writers, and musicians to create alasting impression of our city in a medium (website) that allows eachcraft to show its skill.Songs recorded live at the shoots will be available for free download onthe site. Also featured will be photos and journalistic pieces thatinvite the viewer to interact with the band and the locations indifferent ways.The launch party will take place at the Park Bar, a cornerstone ofDetroit's ever growing art community.
The event is totally free.
It will feature musical performances by Alan Scheurman and Daniel Zott, along with asneak preview of the film work soon to be available onSingleBarrelDetroit.com.The site itself will feature videos of live musical performances bylocal and national artists in unique locations all around our fair city.
Come join us for the launch of this spectacular new effort!
Tonight!
on

Sun 6/28 -- WOODMAN @ The Factory Rochester


Catch WOODMAN this Sunday night over at the Factory in Rochester

Like the Osmonds, The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players, the Jackson 5, Kings of Leon, The Shaggs, The Muldoons, The Carter Family and The Brady Bunch, Woodman believe that making music can be a family affair. Frank Woodman, songwriter, singer, and rhythm guitar, 19 year old son Derek Woodman on tremolo soaked lead guitar and 17 year old daughter Hillary Woodman with haunting vocals, are Woodman. Registered Nurse and aspiring songwriter, unable to get a band together due to afternoon shift restrictions, recruits his young ones to flesh out his plaintive songs. The experiment worked, with the Woodman voices melding together for some sweet Americana. Songs about childhood joys, lost innocence and stolen car rides, show their love for the American folk song.

on

FREE TICKETS: 7/9 -- Zappa Plays Zappa @ Sound Board Detroit

MotorCity Casino Hotel is proud to announce Zappa Plays Zappa
at Sound Board on Thursday July 9th at 8pm
MCB has a free pair of tickets to the 1st person
who can name Frank Zappa's band
that produced the album "Freak Out"
put this in the title of your email


Zappa Plays Zappa is a tribute led by Dweezil Zappa, the oldest son of the late composer and musician Frank Zappa, devoted to performing the music of Frank Zappa.

Apart from Dweezil Zappa on lead guitar, the band members consist of Scheila Gonzalez, Pete Griffin, Billy Hulting, Jamie Kime and Joe Travers. At the 51st Grammy Awards in February 2009, Zappa Plays Zappa won best rock instrumental performance for their performance of "Peaches en Regalia".

Tickets are also available through the MotorCity Casino Hotel Box Office Friday-Sunday.
To charge tickets by phone, call (800) 745-3000.

or here

on

Fri 6/26 -- The Chop Tops / Koffin Kats / DJ DEL @ Northern Lights Lounge

Rockabilly Greaser Rock
The Chop Tops
The Striker
The Koffin Kats
DJ Del
sponsered by:
Murray's Pommade, Lucky 13, Gretsch

Friday, June 26, 2009 at 9pm

Northern Lights Lounge
660 W. Baltimore
Detroit, MI
313 873 1739

$5 Cover
21+
$2 PBR and Strohs
Serious Rock N Roll Fun
on

6/25/09

2 NIGHTS!! -- BROADZILLA / Motorpsychos / Rock n Rummage

team up for a dual show weekend in Redford and Ypsi
Head on out to The Dawg House on Friday where the opener is BROKE
and then on Saturday night at The Elbow Room w/ Collateral Damage
on

6/24/09

WOW!!! -- Win CRUE FEST 2 prize pack - Visit Exposure Detroit for contest details!!!

This is one of the coolest contests we ever offered here on the anti-blog...
- Kirk MCB

Win 2 tickets
1 Casio Digital Camera
1 photo pass to shoot ALL bands!!!

click here and visit EXPOSURE DETROIT
for all the contest details

Starring
Mötley Crüe
Godsmack
Theory of a Deadman
Drowning Pool
Charm City Devils

CRUE FEST 2
The White Trash Circus
7/19 - Camden, NJ - Susquehanna Bank Center
7/21 - Cuyahoga Falls, OH - Blossom Music Center
7/22 - Tinley Park, IL - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
7/24 - Minot, ND - North Dakota State Fair (Mötley Crüe only)
7/27 - Auburn, WA - White River Amphitheatre
7/28 - Portland, OR - The Amphitheater at Clark County
7/30 - Mountain View, CA - Shoreline Amphitheatre
7/31 - San Bernardino, CA - San Manuel Amphitheater
8/1 - Las Vegas, NV - The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
8/3 - Salt Lake City, UT - USANA Amphitheatre
8/4 - Englewood, CO - Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
8/5 - Albuquerque, NM - Journal Pavilion
8/7 - Spring, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
8/8 - Dallas, TX - Superpages.com Center
8/9 - Kansas City, MO - Sprint Center
8/11 - Maryland Heights, MO - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater – St. Louis
8/12 - Indianapolis, IN - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
8/14 - Cincinnati, OH - Riverbend Music Center
8/15 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
8/16 - Pittsburgh, PA - Post Gazette Pavilion
8/19 - Mansfield, MA - Comcast Center
8/21 - Virginia Beach, VA - Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater
8/22 - Bristow, VA - Nissan Pavilion
8/23 - Raleigh, NC - Time Warner Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek
8/29 - Atlanta, GA - Lakewood Amphitheatre
8/30 - Charlotte, NC - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
9/1 - Saratoga Springs, NY - Saratoga Performing Arts Center
9/3 - Syracuse, NY - New York State Fair (Mötley Crüe only)
9/4 - Scranton, PA - Toyota Pavilion
9/5 - Darien Lake, NY - Darien Lake Performing Arts Center

www.cruefest2.com to purchase tickets

on

FREE TICKETS: Fri 6/26 - The Science Fair w/Radar Pilot and Toy Monsters @ Berkley Front

Want to check out 3 great detroit bands play this Friday?
Want to do it for free no cover charge?

The Science Fair w/Radar Pilot and Toy Monsters
play a killer show at the Berkley Front
and we have a few guest spots available to you
the readers of MCB

get on the guest list - motorcityblog@earthlink.net
on

Sun 6/28 -- Detroit Demolition @ Capital Square Detroit


Official Rock The Bells After Party Detroit
Sunday June 28th, 2009

Hosted By Nas, Supernatural and Phat Kat
DJ Sets By
Questlove,Pryslezz & DJ Graffiti

Capital Square
205 W. Congress
Detroit, MI 48226
21+, DOORS AT 9PM
no sucker sunday in effect
on

Have your music featured in Michigan made Film!!!

Michigan -Made Feature Film offers local bands & musicians a chance to compete for inclusion in the film’s soundtrack-
Submissions now through July 20th.

The producers for the Michigan-made feature film, Annabelle & Bear, are pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for Michigan bands and musicians, to compete for a chance to be featured on the film's soundtrack, with one lucky band or musician winning a cameo in the film.

Written and directed by Amy Weber, Annabelle & Bear will be shot locally and around the state of Michigan. But what really makes this production stand out from all other films being shot here is this: Annabelle & Bear will have a 100% Michigan cast and crew. So it’s only fitting that the soundtrack features Michigan talent as well.

The producers are only looking for original music that is owned exclusively by the band or Musician for this competition. Please do not submit music or songs that you
do not have exclusive ownership of. Send us anything and everything you
have that fits the emotional tone of the film.

The producers are looking for original local Rock compositions to use in the soundtrack. Stylistically, the prospective music should be in a Classic Rock vein- (ie: Seger, Springsteen, Clapton, Steve Miller Band) ranging from ballads to full out jams, lyrical AND instrumental. The prospective submissions can be melancholic, tying lyrically to the film’s emotional arcs, such as a disconnected and lost soul, a wounded spirit, an innocent love, love that heals, believing in someone, being saved by love. While not having to be specifically written about the narrative, the overall feeling of the song should be emotional.

The producers are also looking for a single thematic piece of music to use throughout the movie. We would like simple, emotional acoustic melodies (ie: Brokeback Mountain) that we could build on during transitions and montages, as well as original songs that help capture the film's story of love and redemption.

Visit http://www.annabelleandbear.com/ and click on MUSIC to read more about the rules of competition and to submit songs and music.

Selected pieces will be posted on the http://www.annabelleandbear.com/ website for
visitors to vote for their favorite piece of music. All songs will be selected by the producers for the soundtrack, and one lucky band or musician with the most votes, will win a cameo in the movie.

Competition begins on Wednesday, June 24th, 2009, (10:00am) and ends Monday, July 20th, 2009. (6:00pm)

The producers are excited to spotlight the musical talent, from here in Michigan and encourages everyone to submit your best.

The Story:
Annabelle & Bear is the dramatic, tender story of a man who suddenly finds himself thrust into fatherhood, and the unexpected journey that leads him to discover the life-altering love found in the heart of his little girl.
on