Friday Night Live - The DIA - Every Friday Night 6pm-10pm

This guy never made it to The DIA Friday Night Live events but you can and check out some of Detroit's best local music kicking it out at the museum...

Tomorrow and next week's line ups are listed below
http://www.dia.org/calendar/friday_nights/index.asp

Friday, August 01, 2008
Friday Nights Live @ The DIA
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Zebula Avenue - 7 & 8:30 p.m.
Detroit-based world beat ensemble Zebula Avenue plays an infectious variety of multi-ethnic, danceable music. Female vocals and rhythm section provide a wall of sound, driven by multi-layered percussion. Rooted in American rhythm and blues and rock, they are influenced by world-beat legends Buena Vista Social Club, King Sunny Ade, and Bob Marley.

Friday, August 08, 2008
Friday Nights Live @ The DIA
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

American Mars - 7 & 8:30 p.m.
Since its inception in the late 1990s, American Mars has been a musical anomaly in their hometown of Detroit. The band has persevered for nearly a decade with its unique brand of atmospheric roots-influenced rock. American Mars has embraced a more direct approach to both songwriting and its sense of theme and place in one of its latest records, Western Sides.

DRUMOFF 2008 - your local Guitar Center - Starts Fri Aug 1st 2008

Following the regional finals on December 6, finalists will be headed for Los Angeles in January, where they will perform before a panel of celebrity judges (past judges include, Stewart Copeland (The Police), Travis Barker , ?uestlove (The Roots), Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), Stephen Perkins (Jane’s Addiction), Josh Freese (NIN), Kenny Aronoff, Joey Castillio (Queens of the Stoneage) Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath), Steve Smith (Journey) and Alan White (Yes) in the final Guitar Center Drum-Off competition to see who will become Drum-Off ‘08 Champion.

DRUMMERS UNITE!

Guitar Center Announces Launch of World’s Largest Drum Competition

Guitar Center Drum-Off ‘08 - Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Offering Grand Prize Worth Over $45,000

For 20 years, Guitar Center has been committed to providing drummers across the country the opportunity to pursue their musical aspirations and achieve their dreams by way of the world’s largest drum competition: Guitar Center Drum-Off.

Starting August 1st, drummers can sign up for their chance to win over $45,000 in cash and prizes, joining over 5,000 drummers from across the country to compete for the title of Guitar Center’s Drum-Off Champion ‘08. Like all Guitar Center music programs, Drum-Off is designed to provide developing artists with support-based opportunities that vastly improve the potential for their success as professional musicians. Drum-Off inspires up-and-coming drummers to further their musical aspirations, while at the same time encouraging the local music community and providing a platform for local musicians to network and be discovered.

Guitar Center’s Drum-Off ‘08 champion will win an impressive package of prizes, including $25,000 cash, a Roland TD-20 kit, and a custom designed drum kit by DW, Pearl, Gretsch, Tama, or Orange Country Drums as well as a drum, stick, cymbal, and drum head endorsement deals, be featured in Modern Drummer magazine, and in a Guitar Center ad campaign, along with a VIP appearance @ NAMM 2009 and shopping sprees with Levi’s, Converse and Guitar Center. A Monster Energy Drink endorsement deal is also part of the prize package, making the total prize package worth over $45,000.

In addition, Sabian, Zildjian, Remo, Pro-Mark, Vic Firth, Evans and Rhythm Tech are all proud sponsors of Drum-Off 08. Several winning alumni from Guitar Center’s previous Drum-Off competitions have gone on to have incredible drumming careers, including Cora “CC” Dunham (Prince; Drum-Off ’02 Champ), Eric Moore (Bobby Brown, Sly and The Family Stone, Infectious Grooves; Drum-Off ‘03 Champ), Tony Royster Jr. (Jay Z; Drum-Off ’95 Champ) and Thomas Pridgen (The Mars Volta), who became the Guitar Center Drum-Off champion in 1993 when he was just 9 years old!

How It Works:

Sign-ups for the preliminary rounds of the Drum-Off competition begin August 1, and run on a “first-come, first-serve” basis, with a maximum of 30 registrants per store.

Contestants must sign up with a Guitar Center drum department associate at their local store -- no phone or Internet sign-ups are available.

Local competitions start September 23rd in all 214 Guitar Center locations from nationwide.

One winner from each store will be chosen to move up to district competitions (24 locations), followed by regionally hosted semi-finals (6 locations) and culminating in the final championship Drum-Off in Los Angeles in January of 2009 (exact date and venue TBD).

COMPETITION DATES:

STORE PRELIMS: September 23rd, September 30th, and October 7th.

STORE FINALS: October 14th

DISTRICT FINALS: November 4th

REGIONAL FINALS: December 2nd

GRAND FINALS: January 2009

Following the regional finals on December 6, finalists will be headed for Los Angeles in January, where they will perform before a panel of celebrity judges (past judges include, Stewart Copeland (The Police), Travis Barker , ?uestlove (The Roots), Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), Stephen Perkins (Jane’s Addiction), Josh Freese (NIN), Kenny Aronoff, Joey Castillio (Queens of the Stoneage) Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath), Steve Smith (Journey) and Alan White (Yes) in the final Guitar Center Drum-Off competition to see who will become Drum-Off ‘08 CHAMPION.

5th Annual Detroit Blues Cruise 2008 - Detroit River - Sat Aug 2nd

5th Annual Detroit Blues Cruise on the Diamond Jack's River Tours

Sponsored by the Detroit Blues Society

Root Doctor and Mike Espy Band with Yakity Yak.

The ship boards at 7:45pm sharp.

Ticket price of $35 per person includes cruise, food and music.

A cash bar will be available.

POP MONTREAL 7 - October 1st-5th 2008

We know this is a ways out and not in the motorcity but MCB is planning to send 2 of our reps over to this one....stay tuned for more info and possible freebies. - kirk

POP MONTREAL 2008 CONFIRMED ARTISTS:
Burt Bacharach, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Hot Chip, The Persuasions, Dan Deacon, Ratatat, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Cori Bishop (aka Elyse Weinberg), United Steel Workers of Montreal, The Dodos, Liam Finn, Wintersleep, Dark Meat, Headlights, Playdoe, Dabaaz, Kim, Eric Bélanger, The Veils, WIRE, Black Kids, St Catherines, Vetiver, Silver Apples, Thomas Function, Julie Doiron, Chad Van Gaalen, Dominique Grange & Jacques Tardi, Great Lake Swimmers, Katie Moore, Socalled, Woodhands, You Say Party! We Say Die!, Sam Shalabi, Gatineau, Jason Collett, Chocolat, Irma Thomas, Wedding Present, Evangelicals, Beach House, Jana Hunter, Cex, Teeth Mountain, Teki Latex, D’Urbervilles, Michie Mee, and so much more...

Passes on sale now and tickets for individual shows also available.
For details and updates, please visit:
http://www.popmontreal.com/

www.myspace.com/popmontreal


POP MONTREAL INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL CELEBRATES LUCKY NUMBER SEVEN
October 1-5, 2008

2008 is sure to be a year like no other for POP Montreal. This year's fest will feature artists like the legendary Burt Bacharach and New Orleans Soul Queen Irma Thomas, alongside poetic-punk troubadour Nick Cave, the seminal and brilliant WIRE, and the godfathers of experimental electronic psych Silver Apples.

Also appearing will be the single most important benchmark for a cappella music, Brooklyn's The Persuasions, and other stand-outs including Canadian rap legend, Michie Mee, upstarts like Black Kids, Ratatat, Dan Deacon and The Dodos, as well as Hot Chip, Dark Meat, Great Lake Swimmers, Beach House, Vetiver, T. Raumschmiere, Teki Latex, Ste Catherines, Liam Finn, and reclusive Neil Young collaborator Elyse Weinberg (she's awesome, Google her, or check her out on eMusic.)

In addition to all the amazing music, there will be a specially commissioned composers series with, among others, original pieces by Socalled, performed at porn theatre Cinéma L'Amour. This year, POP introduces its very first gear exchange and record shop, the enigmatic art of Mingering Mike and also...Kids POP!


THE POP MONTREAL SEGMENTS!
KIDS POP (NEW THIS YEAR!)
This year, kids and youth can explore Montreal’s innovative cultural scene at Kids Pop. A variety of shows, demonstrations and workshops will be offered that connect artists with young folks in order to share skills, encourage artistic expression and enjoy Montreal’s cultural offerings.

PUCES POP
In its 4th year, Puces Pop is a DIY festival that celebrates independent creation. It features a marketplace of handmade goods, a record sale and gear swap, a series of free arts & crafts workshops and a mini-seminar on business skills for self-employed artists. And it's all kicked off by a fashion show with a $2000 prize!

ART POP
The Visual Arts component of Pop Montreal, Art Pop's purpose is to showcase fun and exciting artists that resonate with the youthful energy of its musical counterpart. Look out for some wild technologies, superheroes, Japanese copycats, French activists, teenage passion, digital vandalism and crazy good times in general. And cute cats, too.

SYMPOSIUM - Talk Music to Me!
A music conference like no other: all programming is artist-driven, interdisciplinary, and reflective of Montreal's diverse and lively culture. They will be bringing together a discerning and savvy force of thinkers and artists to present panel discussions, keynote interviews, listening sessions, as well as hands-on workshops and round-tables.

FILM POP
More musically inclined than ever before, with Paris' Vincent Moon's views on All Tomorrow's Parties, workshops on writing music for film, rockabilly the 514 way, NFB 3-D reveries, and some headlining surprises, you'll definitely want to be watching more attentively during this 5th edition of Pop's cinematic offspring.

Save the 4th Street Fair - Video by Paul Unger

Thanks to Paul Unger for hitting us to post this important piece.

"Hi...I saw your posting about the 4th street fair being cancelled, so I decided go and document (i guess you could call it that) the fair and got some good responses on camera about just why the festival almost came to an end, I inner combined it with past footage and it seemed to blend well. If you would like to post it be my guest. Here is the link...thanks, Paul"

X BALL 3 - Clutch Cargos - Sat Aug 2nd

Reminder: Opening at CPOP this Friday - Please God Save Us

Make sure to save some time on Friday early evening to check out the opening at CPOP Gallery on Woodward Ave. in Detroit

Its the book release from Derek Hess (detroiter) who will be in town for the meet and greet from 6pm-9pm

(couple samples of some old school above swiped from http://www.derekhess.com/ )

check all the details here

this is a do not miss for sure -
Hess's artwork kicks some serious ass and then some...

DETROIT BOOK SIGNING
AUGUST 1STC-POP GALLERY

COLUMBUS BOOK SIGNING
AUGUST 2ND
MAHAN GALLERY

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS BOOK SIGNING
COVENTRY STREET FAIR
AUGUST 7
THMAC'S BACKS BOOKS

AKRON BOOK SIGNING
AUGUST 8TH
GOOD LIFE TATTOOING & BODY PIERCING

FREE CD: Monte Negro's CICATRIX due out Aug 5th

1st emailer to gone WITH A MAILING ADDRESS gets this golden nugget

"MTV Tr3s has joined forces with Monte Negro and two other California-based alternative rock bands (Astra Heights, The May Fire) to bring their diverse takes on the burgeoning Latin alternative scene to the West and Midwest for six weeks in August and September. With a new records coming out on August 5th from Monte Negro (Cicatrix / Epic Records), the tour kicks off on August 6th in San Diego.

The music of Monte Negro, defies a simple description. Most say melodic rock, which is true, yet there are distinct undertones and layers making it eclectic and bohemian, American yet definitely worldly. Their music has landed them in magazines such as Spin, La Banda Elástica, and Billboard, they have worked with famed producer Tone (Green Day, Carlos Santana) and played alongside a diverse line up of bands like Todos Tus Muertos, Matisyahu, 311, Coldplay, NIN, Incubus, At The Drive In, and Molotov. Monte Negro most recently performed with the Mexican alternative band Zoe and L.A.’s multiethnic band, Ozomatli. Monte Negro was also MTV Tr3s’s “Descubre & Download” artist (January through March of 2008). The band’s new release Cicatrix will be featured on The LEAK July 29th – August 5th (www.music.mtvtr3s.com).

Monte Negro is a bilingual band that has devoured enough music genres over the years to do justice to the bilingual and bicultural musicians that constitute the group. Digesting healthy portions of Jane's Addiction, The Cure, The Clash, and the Sex Pistols, Monte Negro has also piled onto its proverbial plate Latin-alternative rockers such as Caifanes, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Maldita Vecindad, Mano Negra, Soda Stereo, and Spinetta. "

BEEKEEPERS - CAID - Sat Aug 2nd

Looking for a great show this weekend to check out????
Head on over to CAID for a great lineup including the CD release from Oscillating Fan Club - Beekeepers - Zoos of Berlin - Kindle

Don't know where CAID is located??
Its over on the mid-west side of detroit off rosa parks and merrick

FREE CD: Pop Project - Fifth Ave Billiards RO - Thur July 31st

MCB has a copy of the latest from The Pop Project for giveaway if you email us GONE 1st email gets it and must include a mailing address (US ONLY)

The Pop Project

Thursday, July 31st 2008

wsg The Fifty - Lightning Love

Fifth Avenue

(Royal Oak, Michigan)

18+

5 Dollars

Doors at 9PM

DJMATTA - La Dolce Vita - Every Tuesday - NO COVER

The Cannibals - Zeitgeist Theatre

The Abreact proudly presents Hungarian playwright George Tabori's masterpiece
"The Cannibals"
running August 1st through the 16th at The Zeitgeist Gallery and Performance Venue.

George Tabori, who died in 2007 at the age of 93, is a Hungarian-bornplaywright and director, and is regarded as a very significant figure in 20th century theater, especially as a translator of Bertolt Brecht. This dark, disturbing, and yet warmly human play, was the first play after World War Two to occur wholly in Auschwitz, where Tabori's father died in 1944.

The story of two Auschwitz survivors who reunite 25 years later, they are joined by the children of those who perished to re-enact the dinner partythat determined all of their fates. This epic story of history and memory,described by Tabori as a "horror farce", uses a unique mix of psycho-drama,revue, and tragi-comedy to examine the terrible choices these men wereforced to make, and brings the death camp's slogan, "One man's death isanother man's bread", horribly and viscerally to the stage.

The play is directed by the winner of Boxfest 2007, Alison Christy, and features a powerful lineup of familiar faces, along with some new ones,including- Dax Anderson, Keith Kalinowski, Katie Galazka, Linda RabinHammel, Josh Campos, Lisa Melinn, David Legato, Sandy Menzel, SeanPavarenti, Rob Rose, Frannie Shepard-Bates, Carolin Hayes, and LaurenSchafer.

Show times and dates are:
Fri. and Sat. August 1 - 2 at 8pm
Sunday August 3 at 4pm

Fri. and Sat. August 8 - 9 at 8pm
Fri. and Sat. August 15 - 16 at 8pm

Admission is $10.00 at the door.
Reservations can be made by phone at 313.485.0217 or atreservations@theabreact.com
For additional info visit www.theabreact.com and www.zeitgeistdetroit.org

FREE TICKETS: The Chopper Show 2008 - Corktown Tavern - Sat Aug 9th

MCB has a free pair of passes for this show next weekend..totally gone


Chopper Show Detroit/Art Show
Corktown Tavern
1716 Michigan Ave. Detroit
3 PM August 9th, 2008 $12
248-924-0298

This year’s Chopper Show Detroit focusing on motorcycle design and fabrication expands its art show. 30 feet from historic Michigan Ave and next to the ruble of Tiger Stadium.

Explore the metal work of artist/chopper builder of Ron Finch from his metal creatures and plant life, to his legendary choppers custom painted in the Finch fashion. Chopper and Rat Rod builder Keith Coleman will show his metal sculptures which have included a life size bull on Biddle Ave in downtown Wyandotte.

Jimbo Easters psychedelic nightmares, BrickWall bio echinoid photos, Lynne Spanke’s 11’ by 11’ chopper rider mural along with hide and metal sculpture Leather Man is some of the art on display.

Special guest artist Mark Arminski known for his collectible rock art posters will be displaying a new 2008 Chopper Show Detroit poster along with his posters and original paintings.

There are 24 artists in this outdoor day long event along side Detroit’s various chopper and custom bike builders. As in years past, Garage Built, Voodoo Choppers and the Detroit Brothers will be bringing their rolling sculptures to admire.

Jack Oblivian will be headlining this year’s show with four other rock-n-roll bands, Apostle TK, The Meltdowns, Dale Beavers with Virginia North and Operative A. Special performances by Foxy Fearless and the Motor City Dolls. A saucy fashion show by Mother Fletchers Detroit area’s ultimate destination for vintage clothes.

A day of choppers, art, music and fashion make for Detroit’s most unique summer event.
For info go to: http://www.choppershowdetroit.com/

After Luna Lounge head back to the Main Art for FIGHT CLUB Fri/Sat @ 12MN

find your way there
find your way out

FREE TICKETS: Premiere of "New Directions" - Main Art Theatre - Sat Aug 2nd

email us at GONE for a free pair of passes - yeah!

You are invited to the World Premiere of "New Directions"! The Pilot
episode of the series, filmed right here in Metro Detroit. It's a show
based on one basic concept, change.

"New Directions" is the story of a clandestine life makeover program
that uses divining methods such as tarot cards to determine where a
person's life needs to go. Good or bad, the New Directions
organization effects this change by whatever means necessary, filming
these "interventions" and their often disturbing results. The pilot
episode focuses on Nolan Stokes, an average individual whose path in
life is altered due to an intervention by those who make up the main
elements of the New Directions organization.



Please join us for a great night out in Royal Oak!

Saturday August 2nd – Doors at 3PM, screening starts at 4PM
Main Art Theater
118 N Main St
Royal Oak, MI

Tickets are $10 and available at the door, ticket price includes
screening and afterglow party at Luna.

After the screening an after glow is planned at club Luna! They have
generously opened their doors early for our exclusive use. The Old
Fashion Hot Dog Company will be there serving all you can eat hot
dogs, polish sausages, chips and pop with a 1930's flare! (Veggie dog
options also available)".

We hope you will be able to join the cast and crew for the world
premiere of this great show. This will be the ONLY public screening
before the producers go before the networks, so don't miss out!

Also showing will be three great short films!

"The Bob's 2" – World Premiere
Directed by: Mike Madigan
Running Time: 4:00 Minutes
Synopsis: Picking up where the comedic hit "If You Search Woman aka
The Bobs" left off, our two down-on-their- luck Bob's find themselves
staked out at the zoo in front of the monkey exhibit, hoping for their
Mary's to come by and give them at least a passing glance. They've
got the do's, they've got the clothes, but do they have the sweet
moves needed to win over the girls' hearts?

"Cadence"
Directed by: Mike Madigan
Running Time: 15 Minutes
http://www.myspace. com/cadence2008
Synopsis: In a reality where human contact has become devalued, Andrea
finds herself caught within a never-ending cycle of helping others
reawaken long-forgotten feelings for each other. Yet the ritual has
grown repetitive for her, as she questions whether or not it's too
late to make an actual difference.

"LaughcrY"
Directed by: Matthew Peach
Running Time: 30 Minutes
http://www.myspace. com/laughcry2007
Synopsis: "LaughcrY" explores our desires and our reluctance to test
those desires. Yasamin and Lena were college lovers who never put
their relationship to the test. Meeting again eight long years later,
they remember the laughter, but it's the tears that are hardest to forget.

Wild Sweet Orange - Crofoot Ballroom - Fri Aug 1st

Wild Sweet Orange plays the Crofoot this friday night with detroit's own Manna and Quail - this is the 1st show of the tour and just before they play Lollapalooza.

Here is some footage from the last time WSO played the crofoot and MCB's Amy Palomar caught up with the guys for a few questions...

FREE TICKETS: DIRTFEST 2008 - Birch Run Expo Center - Sat Aug 2nd 12noon-8pm

MOTORCITYBLOG will be out at DIRTFEST 2008 this coming saturday as a media sponser
We have 1 pair of tickets for freebies (will call at gate) to the 1st reader who asks for them
email us at motorcityblog@earthlink.net

The 12th annual Dirt Fest is upon us and yes, reentry is allowed. Dirt Fest '08 will feature more than 60 artists performing on five bigger and better stages. Catch dozens of national acts as well as tons of the best local and regional talent. Special attractions this year include: Team Young BMX, Rockstar Energy Drink Party Crew, CLASH Wrestling, 100+ vendors, vegan & vegitarian food, hidden alliteration, turntable battle, beard competition, contests, giveaways, free crap and much, much more!"

Visit www.DIRTFEST.com for more info and tickets

FREE 12" VINYL from Witch Hats - The Belmont - Fri Aug 1st

If you are planning on hitting up this show (you should) and you would like a copy of the latest 12" vinyl from Witch Hats out of Australia email us (1st reader only) and we can hook it up

This freebie must be picked up AT THE SHOW !!!

Lee Marvin Computer Arm

The Witch Hats

Frustrations

The Belmont Bar

Hamtramck MI

9 p.m.

$6.

18+

WILD AT HEART - Monday July 28th 2008

Here is today's blog - Bill
Bill Kettelhut provides the "blog" to this anti-blogHe has a radio program on WXOU out of Oakland University

Wild At Heart

Wild At Heart
The time is fast approaching for my favorite car show of the year (though saying car show doesn’t really seem to do it justice). The 2008 Concours D’Elegance (http://www.meadowbrookconcours.org/) will be this Aug 3rd at Meadowbrook Hall and I cannot wait. The Concours is special among car shows because the vehicles are hand-picked to appear in the show and is recognized as one of the most prestigious annual auto events. This means that you won’t see Bob’s ’64 Chevy, but will instead be presented with some of the most beautiful and unique cars to grace Meadowbrook Hall’s lawn (a 1920's Tudor-revival mansion built by the widow of John Dodge which you can also tour). One the highlights for this year’s show will be the North American debut of the BAT 11, the newest member in the family of Berlinetta Aerodinamica Tecnica concept cars (previous BAT’s were designed by the legendary Nuccio Bertone and Franco Scaglione in the mid-1950s, built on the Alfa Romeo 1900 Sprint chassis and are highly regarded for their futuristic but functional curves).

This BAT was designed by Michigander Dr. Gary Kaberle. Also included in this year’s show is Ed Sweeney’s 1956 Aerocar, the only airplane in history certified for highway driving. It is easily converted from airplane to car, in minutes, by folding and detaching the wings. Among the other cars that grace the lawns, expect to see cars which fall into the following categories: significant Ferraris, 8 Litre Bentleys, 16-cylinder cars, vintage motorcycles with sidecars, the class of 1933 (a landmark year in automotive history), Voisin cars and cars which celebrate the 100th anniversary of both General Motors and the Model T. It should be a great show and will be my fifth annual appearance at the festival. I will have someone from the Concours on my show on Thursday (tune in between 8-10AM on http://www.wxou.org/).

I had the pleasure of talking to Brandon T Jackson this past week. He is a local actor who plays in his first big summer film with Tropic Thunder. He plays a young rapper, Alpo Chino, in the film whose best moments come when he plays against Robert Downey Jr (who plays Kirk Lazarus, an Australian actor who gets skin pigmentation so he can play a black army hero). Jackson stated that most of the dialogue was improved on the set (such as a Jefferson’s monologue) and it is one of the reasons to see the movie when it premieres on Aug 13th. Brandon was pretty down to earth and seems to really appreciate what he has. He grew up in the Detroit suburbs and has had some limited success appearing on his own TV show with Wayne Brady, a part in the movie ‘Roll Bounce’ and a comedy tour ‘Teens of Comedy’ which he hopes to continue.

His one piece of advice for young actors growing up in Detroit is to make sure to get a good education because knowledge is power. I will be doing a preview of the film when it gets closer to its release date.Dan McGowan stopped by the studio this week and we talked about his movie premiere of “The Tower” which happened last Thursday at the Main Art Theatre. This locally made horror film (filmed in downtown Detroit and Pontiac, MI) is not bad for a first time low budget effort. Inspired by Raimi and low budget horror films like ‘Rock N Roll Nightmare’, the film focus’s around an abandoned tower which has a mysterious light despite having no power (the film was based a real Detroit urban myth). Doug is driven by a desire to uncover the reason for the light and disappears into the tower. His sister Lucy has a dream that her brother is trapped inside and embarks on a journey to rescue him. Along the way she comes across flesh-eating demons and mysterious otherworldly creatures.

Having filmed most of the movie in a recently fire damaged building, this leads to a nice atmosphere for the film that makes it better than a lot of its current competitors. The story suffers from the typical low budget pains of back-lighting, some stilted dialogue and overlong scenes, but these are minor and there is plenty here for the low budget fans. The film will be making the festival rounds (Dan is hopeful for Sundance) and will be having other local screening so keep a look out for this film when it next rears it head. I give the film a C+ for it’s wonderfully played bad guy and it’s nice use of local talent and locations.

For more info, go to thetowermovie.com.I would also like to give kudos out to a young singer Hana Pestle who opened the Blues Traveler/Live/Collective Soul show last Thursday. This cool, attractive 19 year old singer came on my show that morning and played a few tunes, including a nice cover of Radiohead’s “Creep”. This is her first big tour and she is traveling with her father whose job as a teacher has allowed him to act as her tour manager as she learns the ropes. She loves this tour and esp times when the guys from Collective Soul invited her onstage with them or Popper played harmonica with her during her set. For more info, check her out on http://www.myspace.com/hanatunes.

Last Friday was a great day for free music in Detroit with concerts at both Campus Martius and the RenCenter. Guitar legend Rick Derringer put on a great show by the waterfront playing his hits, such as “Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo”, “Real American” (used by Hulk Hogan as his intro music) and the song he made famous with his first band the McCoys, “Hang On Sloopy” (which is the official rock song of Ohio). Upcoming free shows will include The Guess Who – August 1, Kansas – August 8, Blue Oyster Cult – August 15 and from my hometown of Rochester, NY, Foreigner – August 22. This Friday was also a 4th Friday which included performances by the Bacon Brothers (yes, Footloose fans unite) who weren’t bad in a folk indie sort of way (I really liked their song “Artie” about a giant squid) and Carlene Carter (the daughter of June Carter and Johnny Cash) who played a lot of Carter family favorites along with a nice version of her father’s “Ring Of Fire”. The fourth Friday in August will feature local favorite Nomo and reggae star Julian Marley. It is nice that there are some nice free events that people can go to and have a good time. Afterwards, on my way back I let a street performer by Greektown Casino juggle knives over my head fulfilling a life long dream of show biz aspirations.

I hope everyone has a good week and look for me at the following events – 7/31 Neil Diamond @ Palace Of Auburn Hills, 8/1 Rancid @ Clutch Cargos, 8/2 Hippifest @ Pine KnobJand the wonderful Sunday show at Freedom Hill featuring Frankie Avalon, Fabian and Bobby Rydell (last weeks Doo Wop show with the Tokens and Lou Christie, got me excited about this one). Later.Wild Bill does a radio show on Mon & Thurs mornings 8-10AM on WXOU 88.3FM or http://www.wxou.org/ and he can be seen on myspace.com/wildatheart_13.

WILD AT HEART - July 21st 2008

Bill Kettelhut provides the "blog" to this anti-blogHe has a radio program on WXOU out of Oakland University

Wild At Heart

This post was meant be dropped by Blogger's autopost that doesnt work - SAGINAWSOME!

Wild At Heart
What a wonderfully busy weekend, esp for folk music fans in Detroit this past weekend. Besides Crosby, Stills & Nash at Meadowbrook, we had Buffy Saint-Marie, Ricki Lee Jones and Michelle Shocked at the Concert Of Colors. CSN actually sounded wonderful despite my being worried about Crosby's voice. I have heard too many people say they have been disappointed in their shows due to his dependency on drugs (esp in the 80's when Crosby got busted and sent to jail). One of my buddies saw them years ago and told me Crosby kept disappearing backstage leaving Stills and Nash wondering if he would come back out. However, I must say they sounded good and the rain in the air couldn't keep the crowd from getting excited for songs such as "Teach Your Children" and "Southern Cross".

Speaking of sounding good, Thursday and the Max E Fisher for the opening day was highlighted by a performance of the Detroit Symphony and native american folksinger/educator Buffy Saint-Marie, who is looking very spry for her age. Her biggest hit was actually sung by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes ("Up Where We Belong" from the film 'An Officer And A Gentleman'), but I loved the version which she played at the concert which will forever make the Cocker/Warnes version pale in comparison. I really enjoyed the way she incorporates Native American chants and instrumentation into her songs which make for a very special show. Along with her very controversal song "Universial Soldier", she also did songs like "He's An Indian Cowboy in the Rodeo" and "The Big Ones Get Away" and in my opinion, was the highlight of the festival.My radio station, WXOU 88.3FM (http://www.wxou.org/) was present on Sat and Sun and I would like to thank everyone for showing up and giving support to the mavericks of college radio. I would also like to thank the staff of the Concert of Colors (esp the second floor crew which watched my booth when I would walk around) and my new friends at the other cool Detroit area station - WHFR 89.7 - which even had me on for a few minutes prior to the Terrance Simien set. Simien is a grammy award winning zydeco musician who has been an ambassador for zydeco music. He has worked to get zydeco it's own Grammy category (which he won in it's first year) as well as working numerous education programs letting kids learn about the zydeco heritage. He also was the first zydeco musician to play in Cuba and Mauritius (which has the biggest native Creole population) as part of cultural exchange programs.I also got to meet Don Was (esp after our hour and fifteen minute interview on last Thurs), Mitch Ryder, Wayne Krammer, John Sinclair, Michelle Shocked (again) and got some drops from Toots Hibbert of Toots and the Maytals.

That really made it a great experience and all the performers were great though Toots had some microphone issues for the first 20 minutes of his set but they ended strong. One of the strengths of the festival is musical diversity and next to Buffy, I was really impressed by Sudan United For Peace which was a jam session of numerous African musicians such as singer Abdel Gadir Salim, vocalist Abu Araki and the Al Balabil Sisters. It is just special to hear quality international music in a great venue with a crowd that just gets it.Also, I met my nemesis Bam who was stationed at the table across from me. Besides trying to set the building on fire, he kept giving me the evil eye the whole time I was there. However, by the last day we did make peace and get our picture taken together at the photo booth.

For those who were there, Bam was the squirrel at the nuts vendor. I'm hoping my photographer friend is going to put the picture on the site to see us.

Besides the serenity of the Concert of Colors, I also spent Friday morning at the Warped Tour. I wasn't overly excited by the line up this year but heck, I was getting in for free. The one band I will recommend was Oreskaband, an all female Japanese ska band which rocked the Hurley stage early in the morning and if I had paid to get in, they would have made it all worth it by themselves (I willbe playing the on my Thursday show - 8-10AM on http://www.wxou.org/).

I also enjoyed the Horrorpops and the Aggrolites which both had ska backgrounds. The odd girl out was Katy Perry which despite being indie, just seemed out of place surrounded by bands like Chiodos and Pennywise. I was only able to catch a couple of songs because I had to work the Boris show afterwards. After warped, I really wasn't ready for the opening bands (which included Torche) since my head was pounding, but Boris' experimental Japanese rock (started in the hardcore punk scene) was excellent.

They are more similar to bands like current Blue Cheer or old Motorhead, so if you like that, try out Boris. Like the Watson Twins, Boris also records their albums on analog.I will be having Dan McCowan on my show Thursday morning talking about his new movie "The Tower" which will be showing at the Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak on July 23rd at 8PM. The cost is only $5 and you can read more about it on http://www.thetowermovie.com/.

Part of the film was shot at the Eagle Theatre in downtown Pontiac. Come out and support the local film scene before the movie hits the festival circuit.I hope to see some of you at the Cavalera Conspiracy show at Clutch Cargo's tomorrow and I will be seeing 2 movie previews tomorrow afternoon - Tropic Thunder & Henry Poole Is Here - which I will be talking about in my next column. I will be interviewing Brandon T Jackson, a local Detroiter who appeared in Tropic Thunder which I will be airing that on my July 28th show.

Check out my myspace page http://www.myspace.com/wildatheart_13 for more stuff coming up.

A quick pet peeve. I noticed at Warped Tour and the Concert of Colors that some people working the booths looking half dead when they are at these events promoting their station, newspaper or whatever. At the Concert of Colors, I was constantly talking to people while some other tables saw their people leave early because no one was talking to them. If you are working a table at an event, you need to be willing to be a little animated so people think you are worth talking to and learning about what you have to promote. Such a simple concept. I had one girl at the Warped Tour sitting me for a whole hour without smiling once. WOW. Lighten up girlfriend!

http://www.myspace.com/wildatheart_13
http://www.wxou.org/