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ric
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Local Rock Scene
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Jan 8 17:06 UTC 1998 |
LOCAL ROCK AND ROLL
I'm entering this item to keep Grexer's informed about good bands that are
sprouting up all over Michigan, and when they'll be in town.
I'm big into the local music scene, ever since I started listening to The
Verve Pipe back in 1993 when they were just a local band. It was then that
I discovered that bands don't have to be big-time to be good..
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| 58 responses total. |
ric
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response 1 of 58:
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Jan 8 17:10 UTC 1998 |
Here are a few of my favorites....
#1 Domestic Problems
"DP" as they are called for short has been around for 4 or 5 years. They
released their first CD "Scattered Pieces" back in early 1996.. by the time
they released their second CD in October 1997, "SCattered Pieces" had sold
well over 10,000 CD's.. they've sold nearly 20,000 CD's now and more ever yday
as the band expands into new territories.
They're really a very pop-oriented band with hardly a trace of the musical
angst you hear in so many new bands today. They're a "fun" band with great
live shows... They pack the bars in GR, Kalamazoo, and East Lansing, and are
starting to draw big crowds in places like Traverse City, Ann Arbor, and
Chicago.
The music is pop with funk and scat influences.. very contagious and very
danceable.
There are sound clips and more information about Domestic Problems on their
web site (which is NOT designed by me :) at http://www.domesticproblems.com
/
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ric
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response 2 of 58:
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Jan 8 17:15 UTC 1998 |
#2 - Fat Amy
I've been listening to Fat Amy for quite a while now.. they were the second
local band I ever went to see (after The Verve Pipe)... I started doing a web
site about them in late 1995, and started doing their official site at
http://www.fatamy.com/ in March of 1996, nearly 2 years ago.
Fat Amy rocks. Hard.. they're not heavy metal, but their very guitar-based
rock, with pop-like lyrics and a bit of punk influence in some of their songs.
They used to do a lot of covers, back in the old days.. I've heard them do
killer renditions of "Gold Dust Woman", along with some old Jeff Buckley
songs, Van Halen, and Dag Nasty (an early 80's punk band). They don't really
do the covers any more.. maybe 1 cover during their longer shows that they're
headling.
They also pack the bars in East Lansing and Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. And
Iowa City. Don't ask, I don't know, they're just really popular in Iowa City,
such that it makes it worth the trip just to go there (with stops in Chicago)
As always, sound clips and lots more information available from the web site
at http://www.fatamy.com/ - you can even win a free Fat Amy CD if you get
on the announcements list.
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ric
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response 3 of 58:
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Jan 8 17:17 UTC 1998 |
#3 - Nineteen Wheels
A nice, grass-roots style rock band, there's nothing fancy about these guys,
they just write good music. Their first CD is currently avaialble on AWARE
Records, but the band recently signed a record deal with Columbia Records.
Their AWARE CD is on shelves across the country, at places like Best Buy,
Tower Records, etc... *ANY* store in the country can order it.
19 Wheels has toured the country twice with the ESPN X-Games and has appeared
on the Jenny Jones show.
Sound clips and information? You guessed it... http://www.19wheels.com/
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ric
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response 4 of 58:
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Jan 8 17:21 UTC 1998 |
While I'm thinking about it.. let me tell you a little bit about AWARE
REcords.
AWARE is a little chicago-based indie record label that does basically one
thing - they produce compilations every year featuring some of the best
unsigned talent in the country...
Past compilations have featured bands like Hootie & the Blowfish, Better than
Ezra, Matchbox 20, The Verve Pipe, Jackopierce, and many others who went on
to major label fame and fortune.
Fat Amy and Nineteen Wheels were featured on the AWARE 4 Compilation in 1996.
Nineteen Wheels' debut CD actually was released by AWARE Records.
Domestic Problems, along with the other two bands, was featured on the AWARE
Michigan compilation released earlier this year.
AWARE felt so highly about the Michigan music scene that they produced their
first regional compilation devoted to the area. IT's a great CD.
http://www.awaremusic.com/
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ric
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response 5 of 58:
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Jan 8 21:16 UTC 1998 |
BTW, Domestic Problems appears tonight at the Blind Pig, doors open at 9:30,
DP goes on around 11:30 (after the opening band)
Saturday night, Julie Earle (jules, on m-net) is doing her karaoke show at
the Bridgewater Tavern in Bridgewater (on Austin road between Saline and
Manchester).. it's a lot of fun
Friday January 16, Fat Amy appears at Rick's American Cafe
Saturdyay January 29, Fat Amy appears with Dorothy & Scott Fab at the Blind
Pig
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senna
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response 6 of 58:
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Jan 8 22:37 UTC 1998 |
Haven't I seen this item before?
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ric
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response 7 of 58:
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Jan 8 23:10 UTC 1998 |
maybe in the last agora :)
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cyklone
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response 8 of 58:
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Jan 9 00:50 UTC 1998 |
On Wednesday, January 21, my band BLAMMO will be appearing at the Old
Heidelberg, fresh from our rockin' New Years Eve show (ask tsty for details
if you want a non-band member's opinion). Mazinga will headline, Salt Chunk
Mary will open, and BLAMMO will be in between. Check out the A2 Observer or
the Current for a rough description of out sound.
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krj
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response 9 of 58:
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Jan 9 04:43 UTC 1998 |
(((winter agora #49 is linked as music #108)))
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orinoco
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response 10 of 58:
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Jan 9 04:54 UTC 1998 |
It's like deja vu all over the place.
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clees
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response 11 of 58:
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Jan 9 15:49 UTC 1998 |
Hey Rick, shall we exchange tapes?
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ric
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response 12 of 58:
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Jan 9 16:47 UTC 1998 |
I would be I don't really do any taping :)
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carson
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response 13 of 58:
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Jan 11 04:20 UTC 1998 |
(Taproot. local hardcore band. Korn and their roadies love them.
they play tomorrow at the Majestic.)
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tsty
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response 14 of 58:
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Jan 13 18:33 UTC 1998 |
....zoundz...NYE with *BLAMMO* was great ...just got back to earth yesterday
from that night (ummm, welll, i can exaggerate a little can't i?)
didn't see/hear anyone but blammo although i have seen mazinga at elsewhere
before.
believe it .. if there is an "aware" lable around somewhere they better
get "aware" of *BLAMMO* in a big hurry. music, harmoney, energy and stage
presence with feeling.
how's that for a fan's report? <<oops, i wasn't supposed to say taht?>>
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ric
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response 15 of 58:
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Jan 13 22:10 UTC 1998 |
If blammo is interested in AWARE, they should get in touch with Dan at AWARE
Records... dan@awaremusic.com
They're very picky though... when you create a national compilation like they
do, they're picking the 15 best bands in the country.
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cyklone
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response 16 of 58:
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Jan 13 22:47 UTC 1998 |
First I have to get those guys and gals into a the studio, though I think we
already got some material that will stand up to anyone's best . . . . BTW,
thanks for the compliment TS.
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cyklone
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response 17 of 58:
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Jan 15 01:34 UTC 1998 |
Today's A2 News had an article about the Green Room (the business, not the
building) being up for sale. I hope someone steps in . . . .
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krj
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response 18 of 58:
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Feb 23 19:59 UTC 1998 |
Supposedly the CD by East Lansing band The Lash is out.
The Lash, who are mostly inspired by The Pogues, have been getting
lots of airplay on the Torch & Twang show on MSU's "Impact" radio,
and I've been looking forward to this disc for a while.
(I used to take music lessons from the mother of one of the band
members...)
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ric
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response 19 of 58:
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Feb 24 17:12 UTC 1998 |
I've heard of them :)
Today is Fat Tuesday, which signifies the release of Fat Amy's new CD
nation-wide. Oddly enough, their first single is called "Bourbon" (which you
can hear if you tune into WIQB's new music show on Wednesday night from 11pm
to midnight). Of course, the release date being Fat Tuesday and the first
single being "Bourbon" is total coincidence, but cool nonetheless. :)
They're doing some all ages shows this week: today in East Lansing at Tower
Records at 7pm, Thursday in Grand Rapids at Vinyl Solution at 6:30pm, and
Friday here in Ann Arbor at Wherehouse Records at 4pm followed by a 21+ gig
at Rick's American Cafe. They'll also be in Ann Arbor at the Blind Pig on
March 5 for a 19+ crowd.
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krj
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response 20 of 58:
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Mar 3 00:07 UTC 1998 |
Where House Records in East Lansing had a note that the first pressing
of the Lash's CD was sold out, and they hoped to get more soon.
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jor
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response 21 of 58:
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Apr 2 04:47 UTC 1998 |
"pressing" ? ? it ain't like squirtin' hot vinyl bay-bay
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krj
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response 22 of 58:
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Apr 2 19:06 UTC 1998 |
Well, whatever you call the process of making one run:
the Lash disc is restocked. I have my copy, but it's still wrapped
in cellophane.
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krj
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response 23 of 58:
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Jun 17 06:38 UTC 1998 |
OK, so what's this band Getaway Cruiser which appears to be local,
and which is getting heavy promotion?
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goose
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response 24 of 58:
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Jun 18 14:49 UTC 1998 |
They're um..local and getting airplay from their Sony/550 release.
The band is made up of former members of Melba, The Impatients, The Bucket
et al.
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