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..58 responses total.
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 /
#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.
#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/
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/
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
Haven't I seen this item before?
maybe in the last agora :)
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.
(((winter agora #49 is linked as music #108)))
It's like deja vu all over the place.
Hey Rick, shall we exchange tapes?
I would be I don't really do any taping :)
(Taproot. local hardcore band. Korn and their roadies love them. they play tomorrow at the Majestic.)
....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?>>
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.
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.
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 . . . .
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...)
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.
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.
"pressing" ? ? it ain't like squirtin' hot vinyl bay-bay
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.
OK, so what's this band Getaway Cruiser which appears to be local, and which is getting heavy promotion?
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.
Would I like them? :)
You might, but you're a hard guy to pin down Ken. It's a hip-hop/rock combination that works very well. Dina the vocalist is quite a good singer.
All three of the Getaway Cruiser discs are in play stations at Borders. The new disc sounds kind of catchy... I might bite
(I've been curious about Getaway Cruiser as well, having seen ads for them at Discount, Borders, and Tower. it was the poster at Borders that caught my eye, what with its listing of songs featuring Pras and Kool Keith, which perked my mental brew.)
Watch for the upcoming Ann Arbor Music Festival, featuring local bands Spider the Cat, Mondo Mod and Mr. Largebeat. The festivities will take place Aug.15 at the West Park band shell starting at 1 p.m.
RE #29 I just may be able to make that event, as I'll be moving into the area over this coming weekend.
UPDATE ON THE ANN ARBOR FREE MUSIC FESTIVAL!
The bands that will appear at the show are:
Spider the Cat at 1:00 p.m.
Mondo Mod at 2:00 p.m.
Mr. Largebeat at 3:00 p.m.
and from Detroit TREBLEHEAD at 4:00 p.m.
bring a blanket and a picnic lunch, it's FUN at West Park!!
(um, what date?)
where is West Park?
It's off of Seventh in Ann Arbor, between Huron and Miller.
Oops! The date is Sat. Aug.15. The music starts at 1:00 p.m. Sorry 'bout leaving the date off.
No problem, thanks for telling us!
"Mond Mod" is playing! (the band, not the movie). Mondo Mod is the band that "Eric the guy who runs Boss Guitars" is in.
Ooops, I entered my local music query in the wrong item! :)
COMING NEXT WEEK! The Mr.Largebeat CD release party and rock opera, "Mystery of the OVNIs: A Tale of UFOs", will take place at the Heidelberg on Sat. April 24. The CD will be performed in its entirety. If you are interested in Theremin music, UFOs or non-bar band uniqueness, come on down. The opening band will be Spider the Cat. The Heidelberg is at 215 N. Main (upstairs). Entrance is in the back. Hope to see you there!
Are there going to be any interesting concerts (rock or jazz) between 12 June and 20 June, when Jon and I will be in town?
That would be hard to tell. If you are there during Summer Fest/TOP, there will be the free concerts at TOP and there are always the Summer Fest concerts, some of which may be jazz.
Your humble fairwitness plans to be at the final two nights of Ann Arbor's Top of the Park festival. Saturday is Madcat & Kane, and Sunday is George Bedard. Both at 7 pm. Any comments on the music at TOP this year?
I just saw Poignant Plecosthamus perform at the Gypsy Cafe last night. As usual, they were great. For those of you who didn't know they only have 2 more performances in the area before they disband. PP is playing at the Bird of Paradise on Aug. 24th. Their final concert is on Sept. 3, but I don't remember where. Check these guys out while you have the chance. I have NEVER heard anything else like it. They are truly unique performers. I'll miss their concerts.
Oy...I knew they were disbanding, but I had no idea it was so soon. I was out of town anyway. <sigh>
I pass along a completely unconfirmed report from the local band Delta 88's mailing list: "The Gypsy Cafe' is the best place in town to see live music, and it looks like they may be cancelling their live shows in order to close earlier! Show them that you want live music at the Gypsy by going to see as many shows there this month as possible! Don't let a good thing die!"
Gah! That's horrible. I saw some of my favorite concerts there.
I wouldn't agree that it's the best place in town to see live music. Ugh. But it would be too bad if this is true. It may also have to do with the fact that Joe Tiboni no longer works there.
It isn't the best venue in town, but most of the good local music I've seen, I've seen there. Yikes....
Perhaps it would be better to say that it is the best, or most active, venue for local artists.
Being smoke-free is a big plus in my book.
RE#47 -- What has Joe moved onto now, do you know? I haven't seen him recently.
Last I talked to him, he said he was giving up his two part-time jobs (one of which was Gypsy Cafe) for one full-time job.
I read some story on him recently, perhaps in the Observer. He got a job at a local public radio station.
Yeah, it was the Observer, if it was the same story I read.
Bad News: The Gypsy has no events list posted for the month of September, and there is an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting scheduled there for the time slot when their poetry readings once were. I figure these aren't good signs... Good News: A band including three members of Plecostomus will be playing there Friday evening, according to flyers. So they aren't giving up on music right away, and those of us what want to can hear some of the P.P. guys one last time.
P.P. is also performing with poet Richard Tillinghast at the downtown Borders next week. I think it's on Tuesday, but my Current isn't handy.
Oh cool, his gig at WEMU turned into a full time thing than...(RE: Joe) /s/than/then
It appears that the Gypsy Cafe has closed, the space is now taken up by the Food Co-op's coffee shop.
You have several choices: