Recap: Yacht at the Pike Room

Yacht played at the Crofoot's Pike Room on February 20th.

Opening for Yacht that night was Johnny Headband. They've been lying low for a while, (probably having to do with Keith being a part of Electric Six, which tours constantly) but now their back, and they're going to be releasing a new album soon. I've seen Johnny Headband play several times before, but this time it seemed like they were kind of phoning it in. I'm used to seeing them work themselves into a major sweat. I'm talking about fat guy stuck in a sauna levels of sweat. They've set the bar pretty high with their previous energetic performances, and they didn't meet it this time. They'll be playing this Thursday for the Blowout, 11PM at Small's Bar. Maybe they'll be more into it when it's not a Monday night.

Yacht didn't have a projector get-up like they did they last time they were in town, but that probably would have made the smaller Pike Room seem cluttered. The overall crowd numbers were probably less than their appearance last August, but the crowd still filled out the room, which isn't a bad turnout at all for Michigan on a Monday night.

The band still goes with the theme of Jona in black, and Claire in white. Claire even goes as far to make sure that the microphone, microphone stand, and cowbell she used is white. That's dedication.

From the first song, Yacht threw themselves into their performance. Claire was always doing her ephemeral dancing during the music (unless she was playing the keyboard), and Jona never let up with his intensity. During one song, Claire walked amongst the crowd, placing her hand on the foreheads of the fans. It was as if she were giving her blessing.

They ended the set with crowd-pleasures "Psychic City", "Dystopia", and "Shrangi-La". Unlike most other bands who just let the "merch guy/girl" work the table all night. After the performance the band hangs around at the table so long as there's still fans. They chatted with fans, signed autographs, and posed for pictures. Why aren't they famous yet?

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I'm a dork, I live in the Detroit area, and sometimes I take blurry photos on an outdated camera

The 2012 Metrotimes Blowout Starts Tonight

The Blowout starts tonight with the kickoff party at the Magic Stick tonight, with the following 3 days happening across Hamtramck. The biggest difference this year, is that Gates of Columbus will no longer be the largest venue of the place to buy your wristband in Hamtramck. Polish National Alliance Hall is the large Hamtramck venue this year. It's on Conant and Belmont, just a few blocks north of where you're used to going. You can also get wristbands at Detroit Threads.

There's no shortage of things to see, and MCB would like to direct your attention to what we think are some standouts.

Thursday
10:00, Electric Fire Babies at Smalls. Electric noise that makes you move.
11:00, you have a touch choice between the kitchy electro-pop of Charlie Slick at The Painted Lady, or the equally kitchy Johnny Headband at Small's
12:20, Lettercamp at Baker's. Some of the best synth-pop around these parts.

Friday
10:20, Danny and the Darleans at Skipper's Bar. What has Danny Kroha been up to? Time to find out.
11:20, Katie Grace at Kelly's Bar. If you liked The Syreens, The Salt Miners, or Shotgun Wedding, it's time to see Katie on her own.
12:20, Baker's, Fur. Great post-punk.

Saturday
9:20, Pewter Cub at Kelly's Bar. I'm running out of ways to summarize bands in just one sentence. They're good, just go see them.
11:20, The Hentchmen at PNA Hall
1:00, The Dirtbombs. If this festival had a headliner, this would be it.

FREE Tickets Vinyls and other goodies from MCB Vacation - Child Bite, Saw Doctors, Lyle Lovett, Ty Stone, Human Nature, Blue Snaggletooth, Band of Skulls

We wanted to celebrate Feb 29th with a few freebies...we are still on an extended MCB Vacation and this has taken like 2 days to compose as we squint in the sun under these palm trees sipping cool drinks and enjoying cool buzz but we will be returning soon so here are a handful of giveaways to keep you satisfied on this free day...we will post more details about each next week...email motorcityblog@earthlink.net  for your chance to win

Ty Stone is on the road and heading home to the motorcity to headline the Fillmore Detroit on March 20th...with a new record American Style about to hit the street and his popularity soaring you can win a pair of tickets to see him before he hits breaks out big
More info here - http://www.tystonemusic.com/

MCB has had a few copies of the latest vinyl release from Ann Arbor's Blue Snaggletooth in house for a few weeks and we were waiting for a Detroit show to post a giveaway...we just cant wait any longer..the 1st and 2nd emailers get the wax ...limited pressing and kick ass..this record will cast many a spell on you...  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blue-Snaggletooth/105410702837250?sk=info

The Motorcity's own Child Bite released a limited edition green 10" vinyl a week or so ago via Joyful Noise  (we told you we have been on vacation for a few weeks maxing out the MCB credit card)...get this vinyl keeper free from MCB now or hurry now to purchase from the label who are rolling out the monthly flexi disc collections (remember..we gave one of those away a few months back)

Band of Skulls is coming to town playing a show at St Andrews Hall on April 2nd 2012
we already gave away some tickets to the show but you can win a copy of the latest 12" LP now
http://motorcityblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/free-tickets-band-of-skulls-st-andrews.html

We are super stoked to be giving away a pair of tickets to the upcoming Lyle Lovett show at The Fillmore Detroit on March 10th plus we have a signed tour poster and a few other chunks of swag (CD's vinyls etc) to offer up ... get tickets here
http://www.lylelovett.com/



The Saw Doctors are coming back to town opting to play downtown Detroit at St Andrews Hall this time ...check out the latest video above and email us for a pair of tickets to the show on March 22nd

HUMAN NATURE, Australia’s leading pop vocal group with millions of albums sold worldwide, is storming America in a big way with their first US tour, a new album release, The Motown Record. and a spectacular PBS Special. The chart-topping male quartet is embarking on its first U.S. tour this spring. “Human Nature: The Motown Show presented by Smokey Robinson” is a spectacular evening of entertainment, featuring Motown hits that leave audiences young and old dancing in the aisles and cheering for more. Paying tribute to the Motown sound, Human Nature’s distinctive versions of these ever-popular favorites represent everything audiences love about the songs, performed and arranged by four supremely talented young men who sing and dance their way through theMotown hit list. ticket information, visit www.humannaturelive.com.

or email us here at MCB - we have a pair of tickets ready to roll

for the upcoming show at Fisher Theatre on March 24th 2012

Gentle Reminder: Boom Chick has a free show at the Crofoot

Boom Chick

Wednesday, February 29th, at the Crofoot's Vernor Room

Doors at 10PM, FREE

Boom Chick is Frank Hoier on guitar & vocals and Moselle Spiller on drums. Formed in Brooklyn, NY Sept 2009, their sound is a reflection of their ecstatic love for early American rock & roll, surf guitar, early country music & Delta blues. They have released one album to date, Show Pony and as of February, 2012 a 7" single Shake Can Well. Since 2010 Boom Chick has completed 4 full American tours. Beginning February 2012 a 3 month tour will again bring them to every corner of America. Boom Chick’s debut album Show Pony made Magnet Magazine’s Best of 2010 List: Hidden Treasures. In the past year they’ve had their music featured in skateboard videos for Thrasher Magazine and Element Skateboards. Their song “Ghost of Bo Diddley” was featured in ESPN’s series The Kids, and Big Star Jeans’ fashion teaser All Day, starring Ilona Struzik

SLAW- Something Like A War by John Kalogerakos

(click image to enlarge)

Enjoy this weeks edition of SLAW with your new cartoon favorites

Evans and English

Read more about Something Like A War creator John Kalogerakos here

 

DO NOT MISS: Noir Fetish Event Sat March 3rd

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New Book about the Cass Corridor

Cass Cafe is hosting a celebration of Detroit's Cass Corridor on Saturday, March 3, from 6 - 10 PM with a community gathering and a book release event for Detroit's Cass Corridor, the latest title in Arcadia Press’ Images of America series. Authors Armando Delicato and Elias Khalil will be in attendance to meet the public, and sign copies of their newly published book. The event also features light snacks and a cash bar. The event is free and open to the public.

This new book highlights the story of what is arguably Detroit's most famous neighborhood in photos and text. The March 3rd event is also conceived of as being a Cass Corridor celebration and reunion of sorts, and the public is invited to bring and share their memories and stories of the Cass Corridor with the authors and attending guests. A multi-media slideshow of images from the book will play during the event.

Authors Delicato and Khalil share their love of this unique neighborhood in their book, copies of which will be available for purchase at Cass Cafe the evening of the event.

Cass Cafe is located at 4620 Cass Avenue, just south of Forest Avenue in Detroit’s Cass Corridor. www.casscafe.com, 313-831-1400.

Wild At Heart

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

Wild At Heart

Since I have been back in Rochester, I am still looking for the great local bands. Unlike Detroit, most of the bands around here are cover bands. Most are decent but occasionally I find one that strikes my fancy. The Rochester War Memorial (now Blue Cross Arena) is home to the Amerks (hockey), Nighthawks (field hockey), Lancers (soccer) and Razorsharks (basketball) and they frequently bring in local bands to play before the games start. Being a Runaways fan I have to love a band named Cherry Bomb which opened up this past weekend for the Razorsharks playing some cool rock N roll to get the fans in a frenzy and even the team mascot got into the act.

The Razorsharks won that game in OT in their bid to be the #1 seed in their conference. After the game I went to the local Finger Lakes Casino to check out the AMSoil Championship Snocross Series. This is the same event that recently played the Silverdome. I started the evening checking out the buffet which while a bit pricey was delicious.

I then went to watch the racing which was more exciting than I thought it would be. The track was outdoors but luckily the sun was out for a bit. The events took place with 4-15 snow mobiles racing. The earlier qualifiers were about 7 laps and usually ended with 1 snow mobile getting the lead and winning the race. Later events went more laps and those got exciting. When talking 18 laps, there are more chances for mistakes and lead changes as snow mobiles start lapping other racers. That allowed for certain racers to make up distance as the last race saw 4 lead changes with the last coming during the last turn on the track. You can catch the Farmington, NY race on NBC Sports at 5PM on Sunday, March 4th. The recent race from the Silverdome can be see on the same channel/same time on March 11th.

After the event, I did some gambling and won 85 bucks which was pretty exciting. I used that money to buy tickets for some upcoming concerts including Hot Tuna, Lady Antebellum and a down payment for Van Halen. Speaking of concerts, here are a few coming up that I would recommend.

Wednesday (2/29) - Orgy @ Machine Shop

Thursday (3/01) - Electric Fire Babies @ Small's

Friday (3/02) - The Sights @ Small's, Rick Springfield @ Fillmore Theatre

Saturday (3/03) - Commander Cody Band @ Callahan's, Dutch Pink and the Muggs @ Small's, Black Keys @ Joe Louis Arena, Outsiders and Badfinger w/Otis Day @ Meyer Theater (at MCCC in Monroe)

Sunday (3/04) - Southside Johnny & Asbury Dukes @ Magic Bag, Coco Montoya @ Callahan's

Monday (3/05) - Coco Montoya @ Callahan's

Show Preview: Zeds Dead, AraabMUZIK and Omar Linx ROMT, Sat. Mar. 3rd

I had the chance to catch Zeds Dead a few months ago at the Global Dub Festival. They were the find of the night for me, playing something way beyond what a typical dupstep set might include. It was trippy, bombastic and pulled out tricks from the past as well as the future. So, it's a treat for me to see them again this Saturday at Royal Oak Music Theatre.
Also on the bill is hip hop mixmaster, Araabmuzik, which Spin featured in their underground hip hop issue. I've listened to his Electronic Dream mixtape and it's an amazing array of trance, dub and hip hop. His latest is Instrumental University which has instrumental tracks from some of the rap tracks he's supplied the music on. One last reason to go is to catch the GL&M Dolls as they always provide a show a little bit something more than anticipated.

Show Review: Big Gigantic, Paper Diamond and K@Dog

Royal Oak Music Theatre held another stellar dubstep show Friday night. K@dog started the night with his downtempo set of electronic music sprinkled with some high energy moments that was a preview of the onslaught of sound to come.

K@Dog

Paper Diamond followed and having just played here a short few weeks ago, many of the crowd knew what to expect as they piled towards the main stage area.While Paper Diamond's set up was a sparse laptop and his iPad, he made the most of it playing tracks from his latest ep, Levitate and adding in his hip hop and dance remixes.

Paper Diamond

Big Gigantic, the headliner of the night, took the stage with the duo playing in large cylinder columns housing them and their instruments. Unlike other dubstep artists, Big Gigantic bring something special to their sound with their main instruments being saxophone and drums. The sax and drums played an even larger part of their show with their thematic songs that build up and sustain themselves with jazz-inspired sections that kept the crowd dancing the entire night.  

Big Gigantic

Lastly, I cannot blog about a dubstep show without including about the spectacularly dressed and energetic crowd. The crowd for this night was what might be best described as "intergalactic hippie dress" with shiny clothes with a mock rasta-touch. Here's a slideshow my entire set of pics from the show.

This Post by Mikel O.D. of

VOLBEAT

Volbeat is a very unique sounding metal band hailing from Copenhagen, Denmark. The band has best been described as a blend and fusion of rock, metal, and rockabilly, citing such artists as Elvis Presley and Megadeth as major influences.
Beyond Hell/Above Heaven is Volbeat’s fourth full length studio album released in 2010. The most recognizable song being “A Warrior’s Call”.The song was written for Danish boxer Mikkel Kessler and even starts out with the line ‘Let’s get ready to rumble!’ There’s even a battle cry of “Fight! Fight! Fight!” that’s shouted by Kessler himself. It’s a larger-than-life song from a unique band.
Just in case you were wondering where the name Volbeat comes from, it’s a combination of Volume and Beat put together.

Archie Powell and the Exports - Quarters - Milwaukee - 2/24/12

It has been probably been about 20 years since I have been to Quarters, a music venue in Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood. Now called Quarters Rock and Roll Palace, this venue is greatly improved . Kudos to the bookers, in which they are bringing bands in that otherwise, would never perform in Milwaukee. Friday night was Archie Powell and the Exports, a four piece from Chicago via Madison, WI. They have released one cd so far, “Skip Work” and have a new release scheduled for May. The second they hit the stage, the crowd went crazy. Patrons were singing along to every song, frantically jumping up and down playing to the tremendous energy of the band. This is no Dave Matthews sing along, this was a PBR fueled “we love these guys” adoration. The band performs sharp three minute loud rock and roll songs. Pure power garage pop, tons of hooks and catchy rhythms. Every song remains in your head and then becomes your favorite Archie Powell song. Until the next one. This is a band that loves to play live and play together. Reviews I’ve read compare them to Elvis Costello and Weezer. I don’t see it, as they are much better than Weezer. I can hear a minor influence of Tom Petty in the vocals and some of the choruses reminded me of s slightly more energetic Camper Van Beethoven. Musically, it did remind me of the great power pop band from Nashville, The Shazam. The only downside to the evening was the insanely drunk guy in front who kept throwing punches at people. It was entertaining to watch to the band try and kick him to keep him away from the stage.

Upcoming: Fight for Air Climb, March 4th

I had heard of these being a big deal in other cities (you know, the ones with sprawling skylines and tons of skyscrapers?) but I never even realized that Detroit had one of its own and apparently, it has been an annual event for the past few years. On March 4th, you can become either a hard core stair-climbing competitor, ready to elbow people out of the way as you round the corners, or just a casual climber out to support a great cause in the 'Fight for Air' Stair Climb at the GM Renaissance Center. The event is a fund-raiser for the American Lung Association, with money raised going towards education, research, and advocacy for pulmonary diseases and conditions such as asthma, COPD, and lung cancer.

The full climb is 70 flights, for a total of 1035 steps (and an elevator ride back down, which I imagine will smell really awesome); a half event is also available. They even have a Firefighter Full Gear Challenge, where participants are timed during their climb to the top in full firefighter personal protective equipment. You can join either as an individual or as a team, but each participant is responsible for the registration fee and raising a minimum of $100 in donations.

Kind of a nice change-up for runners or athletes looking for a slightly different type of event to participate in rather than your typical 5K. And to give you something to work towards and feel inadequate about, apparently the fastest time logged is less than 6 minutes. I don't know about you, but my quads and lungs are buring just thinking about that.

Show Review: Guns N Roses - The Fillmore Feb 21

Billed as "Once In a Lifetime," Axl Rose and company roared into The Fillmore on Tuesday night for a rare, up-close and personal theater date.

Local grunge heroes Sponge opened the show with a quick four-song set leaving the audience anxiously awaiting the headliners. I was curious to see what G N R would bring to the table in such an intimate environment and they did not disappoint.

Hitting stage at 11:30pm, the band ripped through a grueling 3 hour set of classic Guns material and select cuts from Chinese Democracy. It was truly thrilling to see a legendary Arena-Rock juggernaut in such an intimate environment. The most epic moments came during the blistering Appetite tracks like Nighttrain, It's So Easy and the finale Paradise City. There were several bathroom breaks built into the set including several solos and interludes, but seeing gems like Estranged and Civil War up close made the set well worth the wait.

Although Axl is pushing 50 and was battling an illness during the show (his voice gave out a few times), he and his band rocked with an energy rarely seen in bands half their age. As the confetti settled around 2:30am and the band took a final bow, the audience was exhausted and G N R was back on top of the rock universe, almost as if they never left.

Show Review - 12th Planet-Flinch Magic Stick Feb. 17th 2012

(A Flinch moment from the show) 

Last Friday I caught the 12th Planet "The End Is Near Show" at the Magic Stick, and let me tell you, if the end was near I would have left our world with some good memories. The show was a late night affair that had local DJ Satta Don Dada opening while the always photogenic crowd piled in.

While the crowd danced a little before the main acts, it was when Flinch took the stage that the crowd really went crazy.

Flinch's set, which didn't start until midnight, was a frenzied attack of beats, samples and unmatched grooves. 12th Planet's set started around 1:30am and his set was a memorable mix from his new ep, that you can (and should) download for free. The night didn't end until near 3am when the crown stumbled out on legs weary from dancing, sore eyes from the blinding sights, and bleeding eardrums from the pulsing sounds.  The 12th Planet tour isn't over yet and if your reading this with a chance to catch him, well you better buy those tix because the end is near!

This Post by Mikel O.D. of

Sent From Dietroit

TGIFAF! Free Art Friday

Join in on the hunt with Free Art Friday! It's a like a scavenger hunt in the city for cool pieces of art that are free to take home. Here's how it works:

1. An artist creates a custom piece of art – anything from a painting to a screenprint to a sculpture.

2. They write their Twitter handle and the hashtag #FAFDET as well as "Free Art Friday Detroit" on the back of the piece. ...

3. Then they hide their art somewhere in the city.

4. The artist posts a photo clue of the drop spot to the FAFDET Facebook page and tweets with hashtag #FAFDET.

5. Anyone who finds it is free to take the artwork home. We just ask that they tweet or post a photo to this page letting us know it has found a good home.

Good luck!

For more info:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/FAFDET