1/31/11
Wild At Heart
It looks like they are predicting a big storm to come through the Detroit area starting Tuesday night. Make sure you are prepared because nothing is worse than being stuck in the snow and not being able to get out which is why I always carried a shovel in the back of my truck and extra mittens.
It was a sad week for music lovers starting with the passing away of Detroit native Gladys Horton at the age of 66. Gladys grew up in Inkster and in her teens started the Casinyets and later at the age of 16, the Marvelettes. She got the lead vocal job after Georgia Dobbin’s father forbade her to sing in nightclubs. The group went on to hit is big with songs like "Please Mr. Postman", "Beechwood 4-5789" and my favorite "Don't Mess With Bill". She left the group in 1967.
Today was with the death of five-time Oscar-winning composer John Barry, who wrote music for a dozen James Bond films and developed the twanging guitar riff in the suave spy's theme music. He wrote music for “Dr No”, "Goldfinger," "From Russia with Love," "Thunderball," "You Only Live Twice," "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," "Diamonds are Forever," "The Man with the Golden Gun," "Moonraker," "Octopussy," "A View to a Kill" and "The Living Daylights". Other films included “Dancing With Wolves”, "Robin and Marian," "Somewhere in Time," "The Cotton Club," "Peggy Sue Got Married" and "Howard the Duck". Despite his classic scores, Barry was also an innovator, being one of the first to employ synthesizers in a film score (On Her Majesty's Secret Service) and to make wide use of pop artists and songs (Midnight Cowboy).
Despite those passings, there are some good shows coming up this week:
Tuesday (2/01) – tapes n’ tapes @ Blind Pig
Wednesday (2/02) – Decemberists @ Royal Oak Music Theatre
Friday (2/04) – The Spinners and Stylistics @ Caesar’s Windsor, the Americana sounds of Hoots and Hellmouth @ the Ark
Saturday (2/05) – jam band Umphrey’s McGee @ Fillmore, Foxy Shazam @ Crofoot, Macpodz @ Magic Stick
I’m working on a few things right now for future blogs so have a good week and stay warm.
UPCOMING: OMD 11 March
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Friday, March 11
Crofoot Ballroom
1 South Saginaw, Pontiac, MI
Ooh, I'm excited about this one! The sad/awesome truth is, I'd rush out right now to see ANYONE who was on the Pretty in Pink soundtrack (Duckie 4 Ever!) and this show will put me at 50% of the bands on the record (Dork 4 Ever!).
Do you think they could possibly be more sick of this song? Well... I'm not. I think they should open and close with this song. Actually, I could probably still sing all the tracks from "The Pacific Age," in order.
And hey! They've got a new album coming out! And they're offering us a free cut right here. Holy shit, McCluskey's voice hasn't changed at ALL. Damn, sounds good.
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark Tour North America in March
in Support of their latest critically acclaimed album
"History Of Modern"
*****
'Cause for exaltation' - NPR
'Synth pop icons re-emerge with '80s allure intact… Andy McCluskey's ageless croon still conjures ghosts in the synth pop machinery, as vintage Mellotrons weep quasi-operatic tears.' – SPIN
'OMD has the dignity that made them huge first time' - News of the World
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, one of the UK's most iconic bands, are back with their first new album in 14 years. The appropriately entitled 'History Of Modern' via Bright Antenna Records through Warner Music Group's Independent Label Group, has already sold over 100,000 copies. And what a return!
Andy McCluskey has called it 'our best album since Architecture and Morality' – and few would disagree. The album was produced by OMD and mixed by one of the UK's most in demand producers Mike Crossey (Artic Monkeys/Blood Red Shoes/Razorlight).
Last autumn the classic OMD line up of Andy McCluskey, Paul Humphreys, Martin Cooper (keyboards) and Malcolm Holmes (drums) embarked on their sold-out 'History of Modern' European tour. The press raved. The Times praised their “well-crafted song structures, lush arrangements and energetic stage performance” while Q Magazine declared them 'soaring synth-pop of the highest order'.
The tour is now officially heading stateside this March with North American stops including Boston, NY, LA, SF, Toronto and playing select shows at this year's SXSW. It will be the group's first US outing with the original line up since their 1988 stadium tour with Depeche Mode. After three years of critically acclaimed sold- out concerts in the UK and Europe these dates will feature the band mixing their most celebrated and classic hits; 'Enola Gay', 'So In Love' 'If You Leave' and 'Souvenir' with new songs, creating a distinctly contemporary live show.
It's nearly thirty years since OMD first harnessed their creative and commercial powers, and 2010's comeback album 'History Of Modern' proves they still have a way with a warm melody and interesting lyric. For all their love of experimental German music, the Wirral duo remains at heart, slaves to the pop song. History of Modern is a powerful, pulsating, vibrant testament to their shared pop sensibility. Tracks such as 'Pulse', 'Save Me', 'Sister Marie Says' and 'The Future' are huge dancefloor fillers while downtempo gems 'Bondage Of Fate', 'If You Want It' and 'Sometimes' are simply beautiful, classic OMD songs that invoke their pioneering and influential electronic roots. Many of today's electro artists such as LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy, Mark Ronson, The XX, MGMT and The Killers have repeatedly cited OMD as a massive inspiration.
FREE VAGRANT CATALOG featuring James Vincent McMorrow
Our good friends over at Vagrant Records have a few new releases up their sleeves such as the new PJ Harvey, the Alexander album and the new Edward Sharpe album but we wanted to let you know about one of our new favorites:
Below is a link to check out a few of his singles
"This Old Dark Machine"
If I Had A Boat"
Have a listen and then email
for your chance to win a Vagrant Catalog Swag Pack
delivered right to your door
which will include all of these releases
in either vinyl or CD plus others TBD
good luck and thanks! Vagrant Records
STARS - The Five Ghosts
Pete Yorn - Self-titled
Murder By Death - Good Morning, Magpie
J Roddy Walston and The Business - Self-titled
Fistful of Mercy - As I Call You Down
The Hold Steady - Heaven Is Whenever
FREE TICKETS: The Moondoggies - Crofoot Pike Room - Feb 3rd
email motorcityblog@earthlink.net for your chance to win a pair of passes
February 3rd 2011
This THURSDAY do not miss THE MOONDOGGIES with QUIET LIFE
and more at the Pike Room inside the Crofoot Pontiac
February 3rd 2011
This THURSDAY do not miss THE MOONDOGGIES with QUIET LIFE
and more at the Pike Room inside the Crofoot Pontiac
Tonight: Phantasmagoria At The Magic Stick
Swing my The Magic Stick tonight to catch Phantasmagoria. The electronic duo is based out of the Ypsi/Ann Arbor area and don't make it to Detroit too often. What a nice way to hang out before the impending snow doom! Also, it's free!! Make sure to swing by Phantasmagoria's bandcamp page to check out their newly released album: Spirit
-jr
-jr is a musician/dj/blogger/writer from Detroit, MI. He performs in the bands The Jesus Chainsaw Massacre and Sheefy Mcfly & The Delorean. He also writes a cultural blog covering the ins and outs of the Detroit Music Scence as well as pop culture. When Dj'ing he uses the handle DJ JCM. He has been an integral part of the Detroit Music mechanation for the past 10 years. He knows just about everything about music on both a local and national level. His opinon is gold and is infallible. This is what's been in my ear lately.
FREE TICKETS: THE RAVEONETTES return to Magic Stick Detroit on Sunday April 3rd 2011
Last time The Raveonettes came to town we met up with the danish duo in the stairwell for a quickie type interview...although time was limited and they were just arriving late to the Stick both Sharin and Sune were cool to chat with the ol MCB....click the pic to check out the vid and email us to enter to win a pair of tickets to this upcoming killer show
motorcityblog@earthlink.net
MCB vintage video interview with The Raveonettes
motorcityblog@earthlink.net
MCB vintage video interview with The RaveonettesTHE RAVEONETTES
WSG TAMARYN
SUNDAY, APRIL 3RD
DOORS AT 8PM
$15 COVER
ALL AGES
http://majesticdetroit.com/2011/01/31/the-raveonettes/
The Raveonettes are a Danish alternative rock duo, consisting of Sune Rose Wagner on guitar, instruments, and vocals, and Sharin Foo on bass, guitar and vocals. Their music is characterized by close two-part vocal harmonies inspired by The Everly Brothers coupled with hard-edged electric guitar overlaid with liberal doses of noise, very similar to The Jesus and Mary Chain. Their songs juxtapose the structural and chordal simplicity of '50s and '60s rock with intense electric instrumentation, driving beats, and often dark lyrical content (e.g., crime, drugs, murder, suicide, love, lust, and betrayal), similar to another of the band's influences, The Velvet Underground
SUNDAY, APRIL 3RD
DOORS AT 8PM
$15 COVER
ALL AGES
http://majesticdetroit.com/2011/01/31/the-raveonettes/
The Raveonettes are a Danish alternative rock duo, consisting of Sune Rose Wagner on guitar, instruments, and vocals, and Sharin Foo on bass, guitar and vocals. Their music is characterized by close two-part vocal harmonies inspired by The Everly Brothers coupled with hard-edged electric guitar overlaid with liberal doses of noise, very similar to The Jesus and Mary Chain. Their songs juxtapose the structural and chordal simplicity of '50s and '60s rock with intense electric instrumentation, driving beats, and often dark lyrical content (e.g., crime, drugs, murder, suicide, love, lust, and betrayal), similar to another of the band's influences, The Velvet Underground
1/30/11
Fusion Shows Third Birthday @ The Crofoot
Come out and support local musicians...
Christopher Abalos, Steven Branstrom, Matt Tankersley, & Matt Galbraith
will bring their ambient ~ alternative rock sound to the stage!
Your Best Friend,
Steve:Guitar/Vocals, Dale: Bass/Vocals, Nick: Drums/ Vocals, John: Guitar/Keys/vocals
Hailing from the Metro Detroit area is a progressive pop-rock four-piece that brings originality, talent, and above all, fun into their music.
Formerly touring under the name "No, Really!", the band has caught the attention of a wide array of people through their self-released EP and previous tours
Robots in the Garden
Members: John Conner, Joshua Dillon, Joey Fava, Eric Gaither
The Vitamin Water "People's Choice Winners" at the 2010Detroit Music Awards are currently working on a new CD and will be playing some new music at the show!
The Rebel Rousing band from Cincinnati, Ohio bring one the most rambunctious shows to a stage you'll ever witness. The band name originated from a slang phrase used by students at frontman Eric Sean Nally's high school where Foxy Shazam meant "cool shoes". On February 7, 2010, their single "Unstoppable" was featured in Super Bowl XLIV and the videogame NHL 11, and also on Cartoon Network's second live-action show: Tower Prep, as a theme song. If you haven't seen Foxy Shazam in a smaller venue.. you better do it fast because bigger stages are beckoning ! 
MCB's Dan Sultana will be hanging out at The Crofoot Snapping photos of the Birthday Bash ! Make sure you check out MOTORCITYBLOG after the show to see if you & your friends Mug Shots make the final cut!
1/28/11
Rodriguez - 3 show marathon ending at Park Bar Detroit - TOMORROW!!
Rodriguez will be doing three performances in one marathon night in Detroit Rock City.
Cass Cafe - No Cover
Solo performance
7:30pm
Donovan's Pub - No Cover
Solo performance
9pm
The Park Bar – $5 Cover
with Dave Shettler, Brad Hales and Matt Smith
11pm
Wild At Heart – Eilen Jewell interview
Wild Bill Ketelhut provides the "blog" to this anti-blog
He has a radio program on WXOU out of Oakland University
Wild At Heart
He has a radio program on WXOU out of Oakland UniversityWild At Heart
I was sitting at the corner of the bar at Abeline’s in downtown Rochester, a small bar built inside a house, which caters to the Americana scene. Think of it as what the Ark would look like if it was located in Hamtramck. Eilen and her band stopped in Rochester for two sold out shows which had her playing a wide variety of new and old music ranging from her songs “Rain Roll In” to “Final Hour” along with covers of Loretta Lynn (a whopping three songs) and Them along with their version of “Shakin’ All Over” by Johnny Kidd and the Pirates. She will bring her music to the Ark tomorrow night in a line up that includes the Swell Season, Mavis Staples (who she has played with before) and Judy Collins. She is very excited about playing the festival, noting that the Ann Arbor is a wonderful place to play music and very open to embracing artists. The only thing she is not looking forward to is keeping her set to 20 minutes which means she has to make sure to keep her storytelling to a minimum.
Eilen had always liked music and started playing piano at the tender age of 7. She grew up in Idaho and the family had moved to Alaska for a year for a failed job opportunity. On the ride back to Idaho with her parents and week old brother in the car, Eilen felt comforted by the playing of Beethoven that her father was playing in the cassette deck. She remembers being moved by the music and she “would play air piano with the dog in the backseat”. She would take lessons and become classically trained in both piano and violin.
When she turned 15, she got her first guitar. She started taking lessons but stopped and became essentially self-taught as she was concentrating more on singing and just using the guitar as a way to accompany herself. She soon found herself playing farmer’s markets and playing with her friends. Around 2002/3, Eilen, wondering what she wanted to do with her liberal arts degree (she didn’t study music but kept up her Piano), decided that music was “the only thing I really loved doing”.
While she admitted “She’s So Unusual” by Cyndi Lauper might have been her first album, given to her by a friend, she was more interested in early roots music, whether it be blues, gospel or bluegrass. She “thought I was discovering all this music but learned other bands did so first” (such as the Rolling Stones, etc). Going through her dad’s old 60’s and 70’s records, she found music by Howlin Wolf and Mississippi John Hurt. Mostly she was “curious about the names but it was love at first listen”. She also enjoyed the scratchiness of these old vinyl records pining that today, most music is over produced which caused it to lose some of that early vitality. We seem to agree that there is something special about those old recordings that newer digital releases can’t seem to capture.
Looking at her songs, I found two common threads in them, the first being “heartbreak”. While happily married now, she admits to having many failed relationships. When thinking of love, she admits to being “naïve and romanticizing as well’ and while she doesn’t have a dark outlook on life, there is truth in sadness. Part of it might also come from growing up in Idaho where the culture expects keeping your emotions hidden. If someone asks you how you are doing, you just say “fine” since it is impolite to say sad things. Only your closest friend do you tell the truth to what is bugging you. When I heard those old blues song, like those by Billie Holiday, it “was like talking to a friend”. Trying to recapture some of that in her music makes her songs more meaningful. She admits that along with sad songs, she is also drawn to sad stories and paintings as well. Thinking back to being a kid, the classical music she was drawn to was always in a minor key, like Chopin’s “nocturnes”.
The second thread is traveling which reminded me almost of the hobo lifestyle. She admits that there still is a life of riding the rails in Idaho. While not a hobo herself, she admits “after college, I was driftless, living out of my car (by choice) and that suited me”. Her family didn’t travel much but she “always wanted to see the world” and when they family did travel; it was very poignant for her. Eilen stated that “in the 6th grade I was reading a book and came across the word “wanderlust” and that’s what I have”. When I travel, I love to stop at museums and other attractions, but it is different for Eilen. I “like to aimlessly walk when I reach a new town”. The idea is to walk out of the hotel and passively walk and look around without any real goal. She “like(s) to absorb where I am. It’s the going I like, very meditative”.
While starting off with a very folk sound, it has become something more. A blend of what reminds me of delta blues permeates the music along with a old southern country feel. With the band, she admits she lost some fans when she added a drummer. “Folk still has a fear a rock” and when we started playing in certain shows “people worried about the drums before they were even played”. Of course, Ann Arbor seems to be above that and accepts musicians as they are so it creates a wonderful atmosphere unlike anything I have ever experienced. I would say that her music does seem a bit more removed from traditional folk in sound and her newest album, coming out in June/July is supposed to be a blend of the sparse acoustic sound of her first album mixed with the more 60’s Brit rock feel of her third. They finished recording it so it is just a matter of time now. She admits “I locked myself in a Idaho cabin for 10 days in August to write 2 songs a day” which became the backbone of this recording and there is a big 60’s Brit invasion influence.
When not touring or writing she likes to cook and admits “I like to do one thing at a time”, so when on the road she stays focused on the performance and rarely writes.
Make sure to check out Eilen if you get the chance. If you can’t get a ticket for the Folk Festival, she is sure she will get back around sometime. Remember, despite being sold out, if you get to the venue when they open the box office, the usually release a few extra tickets for those first in line. You can keep track of her projects and touring schedule at www.eilenjewell.com and she just updated she will be in Austin for SXSW on March 17th.
FREE TICKETS: Rick Springfield - SOUNDBOARD Motorcity Casino Detroit - Fri Feb 18th
email to enter to win a pair of tickets to see Rick Springfield
at the SOUNDBOARD Motorcity Casino Detroit
on Friday Feb 18th 2011
motorcityblog@earthlink.net
contest open to all women name jesse
who include full name and telephone#
Rick Springfield
Friday Feb 18th 2011
SoundBoard MCC
motorcityblog@earthlink.net
contest open to all women name jesse
who include full name and telephone#
Rick Springfield
Friday Feb 18th 2011
SoundBoard MCC
Need custom leather goods? Hook up with our pals over at WARPATH
Straight from the streets of Dietroit check out WARPATH Leather Goods
MCB Approved!
TONIGHT: The Sights - The High Strung - Matt Jones - PJs LAger House Detroit
In case you missed the last MCB Happy Hour where The Sights and The High Strung rocked it out you can catch them tonight at Lager House with Matt Jones adding the 3rd dimension to the evenings stellar lineup....
Read more here and get this show supporting Detroit rock and fucking roll
UPCOMING: Van Halentines Day - Corktown Tavern
VanHalentine's DayWSG: Panama!
The worlds greatest Van Halen Tribute Band!
(from Cleveland, Ohio)
The Beggars
The Dudes of Solid Dudes Kitchen
Corktown Tavern
1716 Michigan Avenue
Detroit, MI 48216
313.964.5103
UPCOMING: Henry and June - Magic Stick Detroit - Fri 2/11
HENRY & JUNEFriday, February 11, 2011
Magic Stick Lounge
Detroit, Michigan
Tickets: $10 advance/$12 door
Available via Ticketmaster and Magic Stick box office
You may know them as the precursor to The Soledad Brothers and Boogaloosa Prayer, or as composers of "Goin' Back To Memphis," a song often included in The White Stripes' live show since 1998... and on Friday, February 11, 2011, Henry & June will take to the stage in Detroit again for the first time since 1996, and for only the second time since their demise more than a decade ago.
Henry & June...
as remembered by lead guitarist Dooley Wilson:
"We were fresh out of high school, we had all graduated together from Maumee, [Ohio], and we were essentially learning how to play our instruments when we originally formed as a trio. I think it was late '92. Jimmy [Danger] and Ben [Swank] had come out of this anarchical and cacophonous punk outfit called "Weird Harold," and I was newly-divorced from playing heavy metal and had become obsessed with blues. I figured with Jim fronting us on vocals and holding down rhythm guitar, and Benny's loose cannon drumming, I could evade the pitfall of sounding like any kind of cheese-ball blues act. The results were quite raw and boisterous, but that's what we wanted. I was driven by Bukka White and Fred McDowell and they were coming at it from a sensibility more rooted in, maybe, The Stooges, and we were into stuff like The Gories and The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, so the raw edge to the sound, as well as the conspicuous absence of a bass player was something I enjoyed at the time. It's amusing for me to contemplate how we were then: insecure white kids from the suburbs trying to make music that sounded like the postwar ghetto of Chicago meets a Big Muff pedal, and we used to get scared driving through dicey neighborhoods in Detroit and Flint to either see or play shows. One of the times we went to Chicago to play The Empty Bottle, we spent the prior afternoon getting lost in the barrio looking for a restaurant. Some would-be car thieves ended up helping us out with directions, one of whom observed that we "looked like a Zima commercial."
At some point, I started learning slide and finger-style playing in open tunings on the guitar, and began to implement that into our sound. This led to us getting a bass player, Johnny Walker, who had been playing in Todd Swalla's (of The Laughing Hyenas) side project called Autopilot; kind of a psychedelic pop/shoe-gazer outfit. Things came together pretty quickly, and we benefited tremendously from the help of The Laughing Hyenas, who had taken an interest in us and were determined to get us signed to Touch and Go Records, which never happened. The upshot of this was we got to play a lot of great shows around the region on bills with the Hyenas. I think there was even some press floating around that referred to us as their "little brother band, " a distinction I wore with pride. The downside of this upshot was that the last days of Henry & June were spent playing our established set (all songs in the key of E, down to the very last) all over the place; that is, just playing shows and getting burned out on ourselves and not doing anything new or creative of improvisational. By the time we had our first single pressed and ready to peddle, the band was already dead, and we reunited for a small handful of shows just to sell the damned record. At the risk of sounding immodest, I still feel like that single was a fantastic record, and I'm not alone in that sentiment. Moreover, when I listen to it, as well as some of the other stuff we had recorded, I'm struck by how damned GOOD we were in spite of our musical shortcomings... but I'm only talking about when we were good. Some nights, we were plenty terrible. At any rate, I'm proud of what we did, all in all. In those days, the early-to-mid '90s, there weren't many folks out there doing this sort of thing. I don't recall there being a genre distinction like 'garage blues,' because there weren't enough people on the radar doing it to comprise a genre. We were very much a beautiful anomaly."
TONIGHT: Vinyl Power, People Power! - Stanley T. Madhatter Benefit at New Dodge Lounge Hamtramck - Thur 1/27 6pm
Vinyl Power, People Power! - Stanley T. MadHatter
Tonight come on out and remember our good friend Stanley T Madhatter.
Stanley was our Master of Ceremonies for the Motorcity Special
and we have donated a special prize pack
of vinyls records and posters for the silent auction tonight
New Dodge Lounge
8850 Jos Campau Hamtramck USA
6pm
MadHatter - you will be missed!
A Great Interview: Doop Duprie
Call me a geek, but I am a fan of NPR/APM Radio. It's like storytime for adults. And given the repetitive musical choices we have on local radio, there is always something new. One of my favorites is The Story with Dick Gordon, a show that takes place at 8pm on most nights on 91.7FM. One of my fave episodes/interviews is about how Doop Duprie (of the Inside Outlaws...a great live band!) manages his musical career and his job in this shit-pie economy, specifically River Rouge, MI. To hear the interview, click the link below:
For Labor Day, we take you to River Rouge, Michigan. An industrial enclave just down river from Detroit, it's a town full of union workers, including Don "Doop" Duprie. Growing up, everyone he knew was in a union; his granddad worked at the steel plant and his dad fixed police cars for the city. Nobody thought about college, and Doop got his union card right out of high school. Jobs were well-paid, but River Rouge always seemed teetering on the edge of ruin.
Things are improving with the economy, but people are still without work and others are losing their homes to foreclosure. Doop is now making music full time. His music is all about River Rouge, and the working people that have prospered and suffered there. Doop talks to Dick about how he expresses economic disappointment and frustration through music.
Be sure to check out Doop and the Inside Outlaws (and others) this Friday, January 28th at PJ's Lager House. Cover-$5.
Be sure to check out Doop and the Inside Outlaws (and others) this Friday, January 28th at PJ's Lager House. Cover-$5.
The Pixies are coming! The Pixies are coming!
Mark your calandar for Friday, April 22, 2011 because The Pixies are going to be playing at the Fox Theater in Detroit.
The Boston-bred alternative rock band will be playing songs from their influential 1989 album Doolittle, which is sure to make for an amazing show.
For more information on The Pixies, visit their website.
You can also find them on Myspace.
And just for a shits and giggles, here is a pretty kick-ass song by The Pixies "Hey".
1/26/11
The HandGrenades - Magic Stick Detroit - 1/28 EP Release
With a new year, comes new music - and Detroit rockers The HandGrenades are no exception.
The HGs are ringing in 2011 the best way they know how...with an EP Release!
What: Three Cheers for the Wonder Years EP Release Party
When: Doors @ 8pm, Friday, January 28, 2011
Where: Magic Stick Lounge
4120 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201
Detroit rockers The HandGrenades are celebrating the release of their new EP, Three Cheers for the Wonder Years on 1/28 at the new Magic Stick Lounge, with special guests Big Mess and Jesse and the Gnome (featuring members of The Satin Peaches). Doors are at 8pm, with a $5 cover charge. All ages are welcome.
A fresh face in the promising Detroit music scene, The HandGrenades are a talented bunch. Boasting a polished sound, with no shortage of catchy hooks, it's not surprising that The HandGrenades cite The British Invasion as a primary influence. Additionally, prominent two and three-part harmonies are reminiscent of early Motown and undoubtedly contribute to the band's rockin' retro feel.
Three Cheers for the Wonder Years is The HandGrenades' sophomore release, and their first with Sound Artifacts Music. The EP was produced, engineered, and mastered by Josh Wheeler at Fitter, Happier Studios (Detroit, MI) and mixed by Kevin McMahon at Marcata Recording (New York, NY). McMahon has worked with several independent artists, notably The Walkmen and French Kicks.
Three Cheers for the Wonder Years is set to be released on January 28, 2011, both in hard copy, locally, and in the US and EU via digital distributors.
The HandGrenades are online at myspace.com/listentoHandGrenades and facebook.com/TheHandGrenades
Detroit: Art as Logo - MONA Museum of New Art Pontiac - Sat 1/29
Detroit: Art as Logo
Saturday 29 January, 2011 - 5pm to 9pm
private view: Friday 28 February, 2011 - 1pm to 5pm
Playing free and loose with synchronicity, Jef Bourgeau has pulled together
a sort of prequel to his Art as Logo series from the 1990s.
Throwing art into reverse, he has recently created a group of preliminary
diagrams and sketches for paintings now 20 years old.
web book: www.wix.com/detroitart/artaslogo
The Art Room
7 North Saginaw, #1A
Pontiac, MI
USA
Director: Jessica Hopkins
tel: +248.520.0208
email: detroitartroom@gmail.com
FRIDAY NIGHT: Fareed Haque & MathGames in Ypsi
Master guitarist Fareed Haque and his brand new funk, electronica, dance band MathGames is coming to the Elbow Room in Ypsilanti this Friday night! If you’re a fan of truly amazing guitar players, you’ll love Fareed. Not to mention, if you love crazy, spaced out jazzadelic, funktified, tasty grooves, this is one not to be missed. The best part of seeing any Fareed Haque performance, is you never know what you’re gonna get! It could be a psychobilly version of Prince’s hit “Kiss,” or a seriously cerebral groove that’ll make your head explode – you just don’t know (and that’s half the fun!). MCB's Andrew Bender will be at the Elbow Room getting his mind blown and taking photos amidst the musical insanity.
Opening for MathGames is the Brennan Andes Trio - led by the bass player for Ann Arbor's funkathon party band the Macpodz Brennan Andes, this is a great way to start the night.
Opening for MathGames is the Brennan Andes Trio - led by the bass player for Ann Arbor's funkathon party band the Macpodz Brennan Andes, this is a great way to start the night.
Fareed Haque & MathGames
with special guests Brennan Andes Trio
Friday night Jan. 28th, 2011
10pm
The Elbow Room
6 S. Washington St.
Ypsilanti, MI, US
$5 21 and up / $8 for 18-21
MathGames made its recent debut at Chicago's Mayne Stage theater in November of 2010. See some video at the link below to see how this unique trio is transforming light and sound into a funktronica sweatbox. Combining the phenomenal skills of guitar master Fareed Haque with the wildly entertaining drumming of Greg Fundis, and the solid and sweet foundation supplied by Alex Austin on bass, you get a MathGames equation that will perplex but eventually satisfy your thirst for knowledge. The band will continually provide new sights and sounds, utilizing video and light artists whenever possible. Surprises are in store. YES!
with special guests Brennan Andes Trio
Friday night Jan. 28th, 2011
10pm
The Elbow Room
6 S. Washington St.
Ypsilanti, MI, US
$5 21 and up / $8 for 18-21
MathGames made its recent debut at Chicago's Mayne Stage theater in November of 2010. See some video at the link below to see how this unique trio is transforming light and sound into a funktronica sweatbox. Combining the phenomenal skills of guitar master Fareed Haque with the wildly entertaining drumming of Greg Fundis, and the solid and sweet foundation supplied by Alex Austin on bass, you get a MathGames equation that will perplex but eventually satisfy your thirst for knowledge. The band will continually provide new sights and sounds, utilizing video and light artists whenever possible. Surprises are in store. YES!
FREE TICKETS,Tshirt,VINYL - Motorcity Special#4 Detroit Ladies Live - Smalls Hamtramck - Sat Feb 12th
Save the date for the next Motorcity Special Live Recording and Vinyl Record Release Concert featuring "Detroit Ladies Live" at Small's Hamtramck on Saturday Feb 12th 2011
email to enter to win a pair of passes to the show, tshirt, poster, vinyl and free beer from yours truly...winner also gets a vinyl voucher reserving a copy of the vinyl recorded that night.
motorcityblog@earthlink.net
VISIT:
email to enter to win a pair of passes to the show, tshirt, poster, vinyl and free beer from yours truly...winner also gets a vinyl voucher reserving a copy of the vinyl recorded that night.
motorcityblog@earthlink.net
Motorcity Special continues promotion of Detroit music scene
with 4th Recording & Vinyl Release Concert
Motorcity Special #4
"Detroit Ladies Live"
Live Recording & Vinyl Release Concert
Saturday February 12th 7pm-2am
Small's Bar 10339 Conant St Hamtramck MI USA
Small's Bar 10339 Conant St Hamtramck MI USA
Confirmed Musical Lineup:
Jessica Hernandez & The Deltas
Betty Cooper
Old Empire
MYDOLS
&
Rachel May
This special event will be hosted by comedienne
This special event will be hosted by comedienne
Julia Saboda (aka Citizen Kate) and spinning Detroit vinyl in between sets
will be Laura The Boom! (DUENDE!).
This live recording will be pressed to limited edition RED vinyl only.
Presale Vouchers will be available to reserve a copy of this limited vinyl pressing.
Presale Vouchers will be available to reserve a copy of this limited vinyl pressing.
*LIMITED VINYL RELEASE*
MOTORCITY SPECIAL LIVE VOLUME THREE
MOTORCITY SPECIAL LIVE VOLUME THREE
will be available the night of the show.
Recorded live at Northern Lights Lounge on October 16th, 2010, this
psychedelic colored vinyl record (plus show poster)
psychedelic colored vinyl record (plus show poster)
will be available for limited purchase for the first time.
*VOLUME THREE ARTISTS*
HAFLIFE
*VOLUME THREE ARTISTS*
HAFLIFE
THE HIGH STRUNG
TROY GREGORY
THE MELTDOWNS
THE BROADCAST, THE MAKE & THE FUSS
(SCHOOL OF ROCK St. Clair Shores)
Don't miss the biggest MOTORCITY SPECIAL event yet!
THE BROADCAST, THE MAKE & THE FUSS
(SCHOOL OF ROCK St. Clair Shores)
Don't miss the biggest MOTORCITY SPECIAL event yet!
VISIT:
www.motorcityspecial.com
THE MOTORCITY SPECIAL FACEBOOK PAGE:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Motorcity-Special/113067518708556?ref=ts
THE MOTORCITY SPECIAL FACEBOOK PAGE:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Motorcity-Special/113067518708556?ref=ts
FREE TICKETS to screening of The Hungry Ghosts - Detroit Institute of Arts - Sun 1/30 5:30pm
PHOTOS:
Want to check out the new film by Michael Imperioli at the DIA this Sunday?
email us for your chance to win a pair of passes to the screening
motorcityblog@earthlink.net
email us for your chance to win a pair of passes to the screening
motorcityblog@earthlink.net
MICHAEL IMPERIOLI IN PERSON
presenting The Hungry Ghosts
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
5:30pm
FREE TICKETS: Ólafur Arnalds - St Andrews Detroit - Wed 1/26
Email motorcityblog@earthlink.net to enter to win a pair of tickets to see Icelandic neo-classical artist Ólafur Arnalds' return to the US, performing at St. Andrews Hall this Wednesday, January 26th.
The 23-year old composer recently scored the Sam Levinson-directed film, Another Happy Day, starring Demi Moore, Kate Bosworth, and Thomas Haden Church, among others, and attended Sundance this weekend for its premiere. (Listen to his piece for "Lynn's Theme" from the film). He also spent the year working on soundtracks for two other films - BlinkyTM starring Max Records (Where the Wild Things Are) and the Icelandic film Jitters (entitled (Órói in Icelandic) - and debuted his first performance with a full symphonic orchestra conducted by André de Ridder (Nico Muhly/Damon Albarn) last July in the UK.
Ólafur has been on a world tour in support of his acclaimed sophomore album, ...and they have escaped the weight of darkness, available now on Erased Tapes. His live show will feature his electronic chamber pop and classical compositions with a string section, framed by a light show and visuals. To celebrate his return to the US, Ólafur has also set up a contest so that every fan that "shares" a show via his website can then enter to win a chance to win tickets to that particular show. IcelandAir is also sponsoring the tour, where one can win a pair of tickets and a flight to Iceland Airwaves this fall!
This is the first time he's performed in the states in several years.
FREE TICKETS: Young The Giant - Pike Room Crofoot Pontiac - Sun 1/30
for your chance to win a pair of tickets
to check out
Sunday January 30 2011
89X Radio Presents:
YOUNG THE GIANT
at the
Pike Room Crofoot Pontiac
6:30pm $8 adv; $10 DOS
Young the Giant write the sort of soaring, melodic rock 'n' roll that’s bound for greatness. From the jolting percussion and anthemic chorus of "My Body" to the lovesick fervor of "Cough Syrup" to the uptempo, sun-stained pop of "I Got," the California five-piece's stunning debut features an arresting collection of songs that announce the presence of a vital new band. "Islands" marries off-kilter jazz rhythms with vocalist Sameer Gadhia's haunting falsetto to create an unnerving effect; the electric slide guitar that punctuates "Street Walker" shrouds the song's dance beats in mystery; and it’s impossible to interpret the wall of chiming guitars in "Twelve Fingers” as anything less than pure joy. Possessing a well-honed song craft that usually belongs to far more seasoned musicians, the band’s members only range in age from 20 to 22.
Young the Giant write the sort of soaring, melodic rock 'n' roll that’s bound for greatness. From the jolting percussion and anthemic chorus of "My Body" to the lovesick fervor of "Cough Syrup" to the uptempo, sun-stained pop of "I Got," the California five-piece's stunning debut features an arresting collection of songs that announce the presence of a vital new band. "Islands" marries off-kilter jazz rhythms with vocalist Sameer Gadhia's haunting falsetto to create an unnerving effect; the electric slide guitar that punctuates "Street Walker" shrouds the song's dance beats in mystery; and it’s impossible to interpret the wall of chiming guitars in "Twelve Fingers” as anything less than pure joy. Possessing a well-honed song craft that usually belongs to far more seasoned musicians, the band’s members only range in age from 20 to 22.
Comprised of Gadhia, Jacob Tilley (guitar), Eric Cannata (guitar/vocals), Payam Doostzadeh (bass) and Francois Comtois (drums/vocals), Young the Giant present a diverse set of musical ideas, one that's as varied as their ethnic backgrounds—Indian, Persian, British and French-Canadian among them. But they share a sophisticated sensibility and they're all natives of Orange County. If they sound polished, it's because they've been playing music together since high school. They garnered a loyal live following through shows around Irvine and Newport Beach and released their Shake My Hand EP in 2008, a seven-song collection that includes a version of "Cough Syrup," which became a favorite on KROQ.
After opening up for the Whigs and Kings of Leon at Chicago's House of Blues and making a pit stop at South by Southwest, the band signed with Roadrunner in August 2009. Working with producer Joe Chiccarelli (The White Stripes, The Shins, My Morning Jacket) on their debut, they tracked most of the songs live at Sunset Sound Studios in LA. Their self-titled album is set for a digital release on October 26, 2010 with a physical release to follow in early 2011.
1/24/11
THIS WEDNESDAY: Dark Star Orchestra | Majestic Theater
What? You didn't hear? It's time to bust out the tie-dyes, tune in, turn on, and yeah. . . Dark Star Orchestra, whose Grateful Dead covers are played in the same style, as the original. Some swear that they close their eyes and are transported back to 1980, or 1969 or 1992 or whatever show or song they happen to be performing that night. Dark Star Orchestra is coming WEDNESDAY NIGHT to Detroit’s Majestic Theater. As any Deadhead who’s seen them will attest, these guys are phenomenal! Dark Star Orchestra built their reputation by reproducing entire shows, song-for-song, from the Grateful Dead’s history.
MCB’s Andrew Bender will be at the Majestic shooting the show and possibly spinning in circles by the back stairs. If you buy him a drink, the ghost of Jerry Garcia may appear.
Check out DSO playing the classic Dead tune ‘China Cat Sunflower.’
Dark Star Orchestra
Majestic Theater –8pm
Wed. 1/26/2011 – All Ages Welcome!
$20 in advance/ $25 day of show
Majestic Theater –8pm
Wed. 1/26/2011 – All Ages Welcome!
$20 in advance/ $25 day of show
MCB’s Andrew Bender will be at the Majestic shooting the show and possibly spinning in circles by the back stairs. If you buy him a drink, the ghost of Jerry Garcia may appear.
Check out DSO playing the classic Dead tune ‘China Cat Sunflower.’
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
I normally don’t print pictures my friends send me on my blog, mainly because I get so many and most aren’t that funny, but I really enjoyed this new keyboard my buddy Saad sent me. Finally a keyboard that goes back to simpler days and just has what I need and none of that fluff stuff. Now, I just need to know where I can buy one.
Speaking of that music button, here are a few shows this week that you might want to try out.
Wednesday (1/26) – Sugarcoats @ Magic Stick
Thursday (1/27) – Martin Sexton @ Royal Oak Music Theatre
Friday (1/28) – white sugar Joanne Shaw Taylor @ Callahan’s, Macy Gray @ MotorCity Casino, day 1 of Ann Arbor Folk Festival w/Avett Brothers and Citizen Cope @ Hill Auditorium
Saturday (1/29) – Loverboy w/April Wine @ Caesar’s Windsor, day 2 of Ann Arbor Folk Festival w/Mavis Staples, Swell Season & Judy Collins @ Hill Auditorium
Sunday (1/30) – the rockin’ zydeco sound of CJ Chenier & Red Hot Louisiana Band @ Callahan’s
Monday (1/31) – the acoustic pairing of John Hiatt and Lyle Lovett @ Michigan Theatre
It is a very good week for those that love folk and Americana music. I will miss the Ann Arbor Folk Festival being in NY and Judy Collins almost makes me want to make the trip. I will however be seeing Eilen Jewell when she stops here in Rochester prior to appearing at the festival so look for that later in the week. If the show says sold out on the website, it is good to know that they usually release a few upper balcony tickets the day of the show and those first in line can usually get a ticket. I did that three years in a row and got tickets every time. It is usually one of the best shows of the year if you can make it. I also saw Hiatt and Lovett when they played together last year and it was one of the best shows of the year as well as the Michigan Theatre being one of the nicest venues to see a show (both sound and atmosphere are wonderful).
Also pointing out to my friends that Cyndi Lauper has spent 30 weeks on the blues charts with “Memphis Blues” and I can’t wait to see if she gets that Grammy for best Blues album. Wanted to send a shout out to my friend Robo Rob who does a hip hop show on WXOU. He told me about a wonderful artist named Nellie McKay, a wonderfully unique singer who also appeared in “Three Penny Opera” with Cyndi on Broadway. That same year she released “Pretty Little Head” which contained a duet with Cyndi entitled ‘Beecharmer’ and it took me three years to track down this album and the song is wonderful. Thanks Robo for the tip. If you like artists like Jill Sobule, Nellie should be right up your alley. She played the Ark yesterday.
I’m wrapping this up now so I hope you enjoy the week. I’ve had to shovel snow everyday but one last week and hope it is better in Detroit. Take care and catch you for that Eilen Jewell interview.
He has a radio program on WXOU out of Oakland University
Wild At Heart
I normally don’t print pictures my friends send me on my blog, mainly because I get so many and most aren’t that funny, but I really enjoyed this new keyboard my buddy Saad sent me. Finally a keyboard that goes back to simpler days and just has what I need and none of that fluff stuff. Now, I just need to know where I can buy one.
Speaking of that music button, here are a few shows this week that you might want to try out.
Wednesday (1/26) – Sugarcoats @ Magic Stick
Thursday (1/27) – Martin Sexton @ Royal Oak Music Theatre
Friday (1/28) – white sugar Joanne Shaw Taylor @ Callahan’s, Macy Gray @ MotorCity Casino, day 1 of Ann Arbor Folk Festival w/Avett Brothers and Citizen Cope @ Hill Auditorium
Saturday (1/29) – Loverboy w/April Wine @ Caesar’s Windsor, day 2 of Ann Arbor Folk Festival w/Mavis Staples, Swell Season & Judy Collins @ Hill Auditorium
Sunday (1/30) – the rockin’ zydeco sound of CJ Chenier & Red Hot Louisiana Band @ Callahan’s
Monday (1/31) – the acoustic pairing of John Hiatt and Lyle Lovett @ Michigan Theatre
It is a very good week for those that love folk and Americana music. I will miss the Ann Arbor Folk Festival being in NY and Judy Collins almost makes me want to make the trip. I will however be seeing Eilen Jewell when she stops here in Rochester prior to appearing at the festival so look for that later in the week. If the show says sold out on the website, it is good to know that they usually release a few upper balcony tickets the day of the show and those first in line can usually get a ticket. I did that three years in a row and got tickets every time. It is usually one of the best shows of the year if you can make it. I also saw Hiatt and Lovett when they played together last year and it was one of the best shows of the year as well as the Michigan Theatre being one of the nicest venues to see a show (both sound and atmosphere are wonderful).
Also pointing out to my friends that Cyndi Lauper has spent 30 weeks on the blues charts with “Memphis Blues” and I can’t wait to see if she gets that Grammy for best Blues album. Wanted to send a shout out to my friend Robo Rob who does a hip hop show on WXOU. He told me about a wonderful artist named Nellie McKay, a wonderfully unique singer who also appeared in “Three Penny Opera” with Cyndi on Broadway. That same year she released “Pretty Little Head” which contained a duet with Cyndi entitled ‘Beecharmer’ and it took me three years to track down this album and the song is wonderful. Thanks Robo for the tip. If you like artists like Jill Sobule, Nellie should be right up your alley. She played the Ark yesterday.
I’m wrapping this up now so I hope you enjoy the week. I’ve had to shovel snow everyday but one last week and hope it is better in Detroit. Take care and catch you for that Eilen Jewell interview.
Brooke Fraser - The Tivoli Brisbane Australia - Friday 1/28/2011
You may be wondering why we are posting about a cool show on the other side of the world right? Well the fact is we are sending one of our MCB correspondents to meet up and video interview the fantastic Brooke Fraser at her sold out show in Brisbane Australia! There is no limit on the MCB credit card and since our retreat from the video interview has been so successful (last one was with Goober and the Peas in May 2010) we decided to buck up and dig in with Brooke at The Tivoli in Brisbane AU which is one of Brisbane's classiest joints
How can a the MCB pull these kind of moves?
How can a the MCB pull these kind of moves?
Cred brother!
plus we got peeps all around the world and we are sending one of our usually behind the scenes contributors Petey to hook in and give us the scoop on Brooke Fraser who is making some mighty big waves with her smash single "Something in the Water"
Read more about her here and stay tuned for some premium onsite coverage by our roaming Brisbane reporter Petey very soon who will be checking in for Friday night's soldout gig for something a little different from the MCB
Something In The Water - Brooke Fraser (TWHP Buzzsessions)
from The Wild Honey Pie on Vimeo.
Call to Action : Do Not Cancel the Season
Wednesday, January 26th, 7:30 am
Orchestra Hall – 3711 Woodward Avenue
Greet the 25 member Executive Board
as they enter to vote on whether to cancel the rest of the season.
Engage them politely
Ask them to do the right thing: NOT cancel the rest of the season.
Ask them to tell management to negotiate in good faith,
Too cold? Stay in your nice warm car and honk!
Bring friends, supporters, former DSO employees, donors, season ticket holders
Take yourself and a friend to breakfast
Local businesses are hurting because of the strike.
Wait to see how the Board votes!
Results of the vote will SHOW us where they stand.
Happy Art New Year from CCS - Multiple Personalities: CCS Faculty Now! - 1/28/2011
Center Galleries presents:
**Opening Friday, January 28, 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. (note extended reception hours)
Multiple Personalities: CCS Faculty Now!
Work by over 100 CCS Faculty members from all departments.
Last names beginning A-L @ Center Galleries, Ford Campus
Last Names beginning M-Z @ Valade Family Gallery, Taubman Center
Exhibition runs through February 19.
Center Galleries
Manoogian Visual Resource Center
The Walter & Josephine Ford Campus
College for Creative Studies
301 Frederick Douglass
Detroit
HOURS: Tuesday - Saturday, 10am to 5pm
Valade Family Gallery
A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education
College for Creative Studies
460 W. Baltimore
Detroit
HOURS: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.
(for this exhibition ONLY)
Also on view at Center Galleries
In Alumni & Faculty Hall:
Modern Translation: New Work by Kyohei Abe, Photography '99
IDENTITY: A Symposium - CRANBROOK - Fri 1/28 & Sat 1/29
two-day symposium on January 28th and 29th, 2011.
A student organized symposium, IDENTITY presents a wide range of views from
a variety of academic disciplines. We hope you will join us for two days of
presentations, conversations and events which engage artists and thinkers
with unique points of view on this topic. In conjunction with the program,
there will be an exhibition of current work by Academy students in the Forum
Gallery.
All presentations and panels will take place in the Cranbrook Institute of
Science Auditorium.
Please park in the parking deck adjacent to the building.
For directions to the Auditorium, please visit:
http://science.cranbrook.edu/contact-us
For more information on IDENTITY, visit:
http://contemporaryconnections.wordpress.com
FRIDAY January 28, 2011
3:00 pm
Welcome and Introductions
3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Presentations and Panel Discussion: Identity and Art, Design, Architecture
Gregory Kordsmeier
Ph.D. Candidate, University of Wisconsin, Department of Sociology
The Creation of Artistic Identity by Individuals on the Periphery of Art
Worlds
Troy Oglesby
MFA Candidate, Cranbrook Academy of Art Architecture Department
Rectifying Resource Relocation: a solution focused approach to designing for
Internally Displaced Persons
Leslie Atzmon,
Professor, Eastern Michigan University, Art Department, Graphic Design and
Design History
Persuasive Identity (or Design Doesn't Exist in a Vacuum, You Know!)
Doug Skidmore
MFA Candidate, Cranbrook Academy of Art Architecture Department
Design Contained: Saarinen vs. SANAA - the identity of art, design and
architecture in synthetic practice today
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Identity Exhibition Opening and Speakers Reception (Forum Gallery)
SATURDAY January 29, 2011
10:00 am- 12:00 pm
Presentations and Panel Discussion : Identity and Place
Allison Rowe
MFA Candidate, California College of the Arts, Social Practice
Why Care About Canada? Canadian National Identity and its Natural Resources
Ilan Vit-Suzan
Ph.D. Candidate, University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture
Rome's Indigitamenta and Teotihuacan's "Masked Specialists: Political
Control over Multi-ethnic Populations through Abstract Art
Robert Dorgan
Associate Professor and Director, Downtown Design Center in UNLV's School of
Architecture
Crafting Identity in Small Town America
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Presentations and Panel Discussion : Identity and Culture
Jeremy S. Joseph
Ph.D. Candidate, University of Wyoming: Department of Psychology
Changes in Self-Identity Following a Traumatic Experience
Natascha van der Zwan
Ph.D. Candidate, New School for Social Research, Department of Politics
Introducing the Worker-Owner: Organized Labor and the Identity Politics of
Finance Capitalism
Petra Kuppers
Associate Professor of English, Women's Studies, Theatre and Dance, Art and
Design
Cross-cultural Experiments at the Site of Anthropology, in the Space of
Literature
Cranbrook Academy of Art & Art Museum
39221 Woodward Avenue
PO Box 801
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48303-0801