Category: Concert news
Posted by Melody Baetens on Tue, Jul 1, 2008 at 10:36 AMWin a pickguard autographed by Bon Jovi
To coincide with Bon Jovi's July 7 concert at the Palace of Auburn Hills, we're giving one lucky reader a signed pickguard autographed by the entire band. To enter for a chance to win, send your name and address to contest@detnews.com. Put "Bon Jovi Pickguard" in the subject line and enter only once by July 10. One reader will be chosen at random to receive the pickguard.
Throughout its hugely-successful career, Bon Jovi has had 10 sold out shows for Palace Sports & Entertainment. To buy tickets for the July 7 concert, click here.
Category: Around Town
Posted by Melody Baetens on Fri, Jun 27, 2008 at 11:30 AMA sneak peek at the Russell Bazaar
Yesterday, Thursday, I got to check out the sneak preview event at the Russell Bazaar. The Bazaar is a 60,000 square foot marketplace in the Russell Industrial Center. The RIC is a seven building complex designed by Albert Kahn that was completed in 1925. It is home to many local artists and musicians.
At the sneak preview there were only a handful of booths in operation. Artists (such as famed poster designer Mark Arminski) had their stuff on display and for sale. When it's completed, the project hopes to have at least 150 vendors selling everything from pet supplies, books, arts & crafts, jewelry to cell phones. Booth rental is as low as $375 per month.
In addition to the shopping, the Russell Bazaar has a food court and a stage for live music. The food court is cute and colorful. At the preview they served yummy food from Niki's and Loco's, two Greektown restaurants. I'm not too sure about live music, though. With the cement floors and walls, the Russell Bazaar has a cavernous sound. I'm wondering how good live music will sound in there. Maybe once all the vendors move in it'll deaden the sound a bit. We'll see.
All in all, I'm excited for this thing to get up and running. If you are a vendor interested in setting up shop, call (313) 972-7009, or e-mail info@russellbazaar.com.
Category: Local bands
Posted by Melody Baetens on Thu, Jun 26, 2008 at 2:52 PMLocal line up for Warped Tour announced
Here are the bands scheduled to play at the local stage at this year's Vans Warped Tour, which comes to Comerica Park parking lot on July 18.
Monument Monument
Brandenburg
Octane and Illite
Champions of Breakfast
The Silent Years
One Man's Opinion
Which Way is Home
The Hand Me Downs
Street Justice
Manna and Quail
Live Nation says: "We believe that this is the best, and most diverse, lineup we've ever featured on the Detroit local stage. Thanks to everyone who's helped me out in the past, I hope to see you all out and about in the Detroit music scene!"
I've heard of most of those bands, and most are pretty good. Brandenburg is a former Detroit News Battle of the Bands finalist. Champions of Breakfast, the Silent Years and Manna & Quail are probably the biggest names of that line up. It should be a fun day!
Category: Local bands
Posted by Melody Baetens on Wed, Jun 25, 2008 at 12:13 PMThe Go brings delicious '60s fun to the BoHo
On Saturday, June 28, local psych-rock group the Go will celebrate the release of its new 7-inch single with a show and a party at the Bohemian National Home in Detroit.
Last night, Tuesday, I was hanging out playing music with my friend Annette Walowicz, who is doing the artwork for the Go's new single. She let me take a sneak peek at the cover and we listened to the songs. The A-side, "Knock Knock Banana," is absolutely bursting with sugary pop hooks and rhymes. The B-Sides, "Pin the Tail on the Donkey" and "Grow A Moustache" are just as fun. The release is meant to be a record for kids, somewhere in the vein of cheesy '60s and '70s children's shows.
The single (pressed on yellow vinyl!) is being released on Bellyache Records, a local label that also recently released a full-length album by indie-pop group Scarlet Oaks. Bellyache Records is a division of the Bellyache Candy Shoppe, which has developed a special candy bar to coincide with the Go's new single. The Knock Knock Banana Crunch chocolate bar will be available at the release party on Saturday.
California-based groups Thee Makeout Party and Audacity will open the show. DJ Anytime (aka Steve Nawara) will spin bubble gum pop all night. Check out the poster (also illustrated by Annette) for more information.
(Full disclosure / shameless promotion: I have a band with Annette called the Swamp Sisters and we also have a song out on Bellyache Records.)
Category: Random Thoughts
Posted by Melody Baetens on Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 11:52 AMIn today's Detroit News
Freelancer Liz Hill reviews last weekend's Rock City Fest.
I tell you how to make a Jaminade.
Lastly, here's a short article on the new Caesars Windsor. Tonight I'm going to the private, high rollers-only Billy Joel concert for the grand opening. So more on that soon!
I'm heading off for a rock and roll weekend out of town soon, so you probably won't hear from me next week. Saturday is the first day of summer and the longest day of the year -- use it wisely!
Category: Show review
Posted by Melody Baetens on Mon, Jun 16, 2008 at 4:06 PMLast Saturday: Detroit before and after dark
I actually went out and did something during the day this weekend! I'm not a big fan of the sun or heat (I burn easily, and sunscreen is no match for the sun's evil rays). This Saturday, however, I took a walk around Hamtramck and ended up at the Taste of Hamtramck Life event at Zussman park. It wasn't Cityfest or anything, but it was a nice neighborhood event.
This event's purpose was to highlight Hamtramck's delicious and diverse food options. There was Polish, Mexican, Bangladeshi, Irish and soul food on hand. I tried some vegetable samosas that were really tasty. The Hamtramck Police Department was auctioning off all the stuff they accumulated over the year -- mostly unclaimed stolen property. They had lawnmowers, snow blowers, computers, televisions, stuff used to grow pot, and about 40 bikes. Watching the auction was entertaining to say the least. I got my boyfriend a BMX-style bike for $5. He was stoked.
Seeing all those bikes inspired me, so my friend Paulette and I hopped in the car and took a much-needed air conditioned ride down Van Dyke to Eastside Bikes. I got a 1974 Schwinn Breese three-speed. It's a beauty. I have a killer Diamondback racing bike, but it has a thousand gears and the tires are very skinny. They're no match for Hamtramck's roads and alleys. I wanted an old school bike just for riding around town and I got one.
I really wanted to catch the Rock City Fest day party at the Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit, but I wanted to ride my new bike more. I did go to the Majestic Theater Center Saturday night to see a few bands. (Funny enough, I ended up parking in the same place I stood when I played the 2004 Detroit Rock City Fest. There's no relation to this Rock City Fest.) I noticed when I went in the back door of the Garden Bowl was that for all three nights of Rock City Fest, it was possible to see the bands playing the Garden Bowl for free. No $20-$30 wristband needed! I'm sorry I didn't know that sooner, that would've been useful information for some people.
The first thing I saw upon entering the Garden Bowl was Four Hour Friends. This band features Stephen Palmer, formerly of Back in Spades and Ghost City. Pretty much every band Stephen Palmer is in is awesome. He's a great guitar player, a talented songwriter, and he has that kind of personality that makes you believe him as an artist. What I mean by that is that he's funny, but not goofy, and he really doesn't care what anybody thinks. I'd love to see this band again, maybe not in a crowded bowling alley.
We went over to the Majestic Theatre, gave Jeff Milo a high five, and got situated with some drinks. Friendly Foes had the crowd captivated already. We wanted to see what else was going on so we went to the Magic Stick where there were only about 40 people milling around waiting for F'ke Blood to play. We took this opportunity to check out the Magic Stick's new rooftop patio. It isn't open to the public yet, but I knew the guy with the key, so we got to check it out. It's awesome. The view of Woodward leaves a lot to be desired, but hanging out outside under the glow of the Garden Bowl's neon sign sounds like a good plan for the summer. They'll have a bar out there too, so if the other two bars have long lines, you now have a third option. The deck is scheduled to open to the public Sunday at 8 p.m.
When we came back inside F'ke Blood had started to play and the crowd had increased greatly. The band's most notable members are Marcie Bolen (formerly of the Von Bondies), Dion Fisher (formerly of the Go), Deleano Acevedo and Steven Darson. The band had the visuals down (video screen behind the band members, who all looked great), but the music was good but not my style. Check out their MySpace page and take a listen for yourself.
Sloan hadn't gone on yet when we arrived back at the Majestic Theater so I hung around by the bar and socialized. I talked to Carey Gustafson of Glass Action about some cool new clients she has. Detour's Johnny Loftus cracked me up with talk of nothing in particular. Greg from Great Lakes Myth Society told us the story of how the Detroit Police showed up his bands show earlier that day at the aformentioned CAID and told them to turn it down (which is funny becase GLMS isn't really that loud to begin with). I saw Elle from the band Elle & the Fonts who told me about her new blog. I also ran into Detroit News freelancer Liz Hill who was covering the event for this Thursday's My Time. Several jokes went around about the first time so-and-so saw Sloan a million years ago and such-and-such now-defunct rock venue.
Finally, Sloan came out and started rockin' immediately. I didn't stay long enough to hear any of my favorite Sloan songs, but it was just nice to hear them live again. Their sound is just so comforting.
Check out more Rock City Fest recaps here, here, here, and of course check out this Thursday's Detroit News for our coverage.
Category: Around Town
Posted by Melody Baetens on Fri, Jun 13, 2008 at 11:21 AMRock City Fest, Bluesong, Deadstring Brothers, Taste of Hamtramck and more
Killer weekend coming up! I hope it doesn't rain too much.
Tonight and Saturday is the Rock City Fest, which if you've been reading this blog or any local newspaper in the last week, you already know all about it. I'm going to do my best to check out the barbeque and party during the day Saturday at the Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit. Sunday night I'd like to check out Sloan, the headliner of Rock City Fest, at the Majestic Theatre. I like Friendly Foes who are on just before Sloan, but they're playing four times in the next two weeks so I'll catch them another time (somehow they bypassed both Rock City Fest's and the Magic Bag's rule of not playing anywhere else within two weeks of your show). I'll probably swing over to the Garden Bowl and see Four Hour Friends and Mick Bassett & the Marthas instead. Or maybe I'll just wander around aimlessly the whole night socializing.
If you don't want to play the $20 per night or $30 for the weekend for Rock City Fest, PJ's Lager House has a great lineup tonight with Bluesong, Shadiamond Le Freedom and Vermont's Nightbirds. As always at PJ's, there's no cover charge. Did anybody hear Shadiamond Le Freedom on "Detroit Today" on WDET today? Also tonight, the Deadstring Brothers play at the Magic Bag in Ferndale.
Whatever you are doing Saturday, swing by the Taste of Hamtramck Life event at Zussman Park. Chow some cheap and delicious ethic food to give you energy for the rest of the day. From 1-7 p.m. you can taste delicious and diverse foods from Polish Village, Kopytko Market, Bengal Masala, Sheeba's, Southern Island and more. Servings are cheap, around $2 each and there is no admission charge.
Like most Saturday nights, there is a ton of live music going on all over the city. Tone & Niche plays at the Cadieux Caf￩ (always a good time). Painted Lady has all-girl punk group Toxic Shock Syndrome. There's even more punk rock with Publife and Pirate Law at Small's. Lastly, still-kinda-new band Speedy Greasy plays at Northern Lights.
Check back on Monday for a weekend recap!
Category: Random Thoughts
Posted by Melody Baetens on Thu, Jun 12, 2008 at 11:52 AMIn today's Detroit News
A recipe for an avocado daiquiri.
The Concert of Colors' full schedule, which looks like a snoozefest to me (sorry).
Also Rock City Fest starts tonight.
Category: Band news
Posted by Melody Baetens on Tue, Jun 10, 2008 at 10:40 AMMick Bassett and the Marthas sign to Cass Records
Songwriter Mick Bassett and his band the Marthas are set to release "Bird on the Line/The Keepers" on locally-based Cass Records on July 18. The release of the 7" vinyl single will be celebrated with a show at the Lager House that same night.
Category: Concert news
Posted by Melody Baetens on Mon, Jun 9, 2008 at 4:57 PMMy picks for Rock City Fest
Is it too early to list my "picks" for this week's Rock City Festival? I don't think so. Here they are. Of course you can also just buck up and see all 50 plus bands.
Thursday
Thunderbirds Are Now! (11:15 p.m. at Majestic Theatre): Loud, fun and danceable tunes from Ryan Allen and the gang.
Champions of Breakfast (11:30 p.m. at Magic Stick): From what I hear, these guys are so good people hate them, which means they must really be good.
Friday
The Displays (8:15 p.m. at Magic Stick): The Detroit News Battle of the Bands winners for 2007! This young garage/punk group will have a special guest this weekend, SSM guitarist Marty Morris.
Prime Ministers (11 p.m. at Garden Bowl): Another Detroit News band! These guys won our Sonic Summer contest in 2006. The judges and their fans really dug their pop/rock tunes and solid songwriting.
Bad Veins (10:15 p.m. at Majestic Theatre): Jason Stollsteimer from the Von Bondies declared these guys were the "best live band he ever saw." Sounds like this Cincinnati duo is worth checking out.
Von Bondies (12:15 a.m. at Majestic Theatre): The aforementioned Jason and his band return to Detroit's stage after a four year absence. Check out new-ish bass player Leann Banks and brand new guitarist Christy Hunt.
Saturday
Barbeque at the Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit (1-8 p.m.): This daytime party at the recently-raided CAID seems like the best part of Rock City Fest to me. Lots of fun pop bands will play, such as the Silent Years, the Decks, Pop Project and Serenity Court. This party wraps up eight days of free and continuous entertainment that the CAID has been hosting since last Friday night. The non-stop event is a benefit to curb some of the costs that friends of the CAID encountered when they were ticketed and their cars impounded after the Detroit Police raided the gallery on May 30.
Nice Device (10 p.m. at Garden Bowl): These Detroit scene veterans are still putting on high-energy shows that explode with catchy hooks and glossy looks. (God, that was cheesy.)
Mick Bassett and the Marthas(Midnight at Garden Bowl): Mick Bassett is so endearing and his demos are great. I have yet to see him play live with this outfit, though.
Sloan (12:15 a.m. at Majestic Theatre): Without a doubt, Sloan makes Rock City Fest. These Canadians crafted amazing pop tunes that have influenced many Detroit songwriters.
Dead Bodies (1 a.m. at Garden Bowl): Quite possibly the best local act at the festival. The Dead Bodies never disappoint.
So there are my suggestions. Check back here after the weekend for coverage of what happened at Rock City Fest. Also, pick up a copy of this Thursday's Detroit News to see my article with the Von Bondies in this week's My Time section.
