So, again, I’ve gotten way behind in updating. School and work have been keeping me busy, but not busy enough to keep me from going to concerts. ;) Speaking of school, I had to write a paper about a "subculture," so I chose the great people of the Detroit music scene. I interviewed 16 different musicians, 3 in person and the rest online.** Really interesting stuff, and the fact that I was able to get so many people to cooperate on such short notice just goes to show how genuine and down-to-earth they all really are. (I submit the final draft of my paper next week; maybe I'll post it on here for everyone to read if I get an A.)
May 30th, I met up with Richie Wohlfeil (Danny & the Darleans, Saturday Looks Good to Me) at his shop, Lo & Behold! Records & Books, in Hamtramck to do the first interview. I spent a couple of hours there, browsing and listening to great music. His shop is definitely worth checking out; it has a great, familiar atmosphere and an excellent selection of records, books, and all sorts of other treasures.
Me with Detroit Pleasure Society
After that, I headed to another interview and my first concert in Michigan in two weeks: Detroit Pleasure Society. I interviewed Ben Luckett while the dance instructor was teaching the other concert goers 1920s dance moves, and then stayed and watched Detroit Pleasure Society’s two sets. It was my fourth time seeing them, and this time I actually met the rest of the band. New Orleans Night is a new, great monthly tradition at PJ’s Lager House. I’ve plugged it before in previous posts, but I’m doing it again because that’s how awesome it is. The last Wednesday of every month (until further notice): free dance lessons and two sets of Dixieland jazz. Can’t beat that.
The next night, I interviewed Jeffrey William Thomas (Gardens) at PJ's Lager House before going to work. His interview was the shortest of the three, but we ended up talking about my trip and all of the travelling and touring he's done. I'm very fortunate to have developed friendships with these musicians and definitely appreciate their willingness to help me out. Thanks, guys!
Jackson, Jesse, & Patti Smith
June 1st, my dad and I went to a show that was a lot different from what we usually go to: Patti Smith at the Detroit Institute of Arts. I hadn’t heard much of her music, but I know both of her kids, Jesse Paris Smith (Belle Ghoul) and Jackson Frederick Smith (The Orbitsuns), and my dad has been a fan of her for years. Our tickets were general admission, and we arrived early enough to find seats in the middle of the second row. Laura Finlay and her banded opened, and then Patti Smith came on and performed with her kids. It was cool seeing their chemistry on stage. Patti had a great rapport with the audience; definitely a fun night, thanks to the incredibly talented Smith family.
We stopped by PJ’s Lager House right after the concert for a few minutes to say hi to Richie Wohlfeil, who was DJ-ing in-between sets. We got there just in time to see Richie and Jeffrey dancing with each other. That brief minute or two was probably the highlight of my night.
Danny & the Darleans
Saturday, June 9th, was my brother’s birthday and a show at The Elk Club in Ann Arbor. At this frat house turned restaurant/venue, Danny and the Darleans opened for Amy Gore and her Valentines. It was a very small, intimate setting, which is my favorite way to see live music. I’ve been told by numerous people that Danny Kroha is probably the most famous person I know, but he doesn’t act like it. He’s very humble, always booking smaller shows and playing just as passionately whether there are 10 or 100 people in the audience. We ended up having to leave before Amy Gore’s set, but did get to meet Darleans bassist Colleen Burke’s dog, Baba D, on our way out. :)
Matt Smith & The Crooks
The following Monday, June 11th, my good friend Alyson and I met up at PJ’s Lager House to see The Crooks. This was one of those shows where I went in knowing nothing about the opening bands and was pleasantly surprised when they rocked. Streetwalking Cheetahs (Detroit) and The Cry (Portland, OR) are two excellent bands that I highly recommend looking into. The Cry kind of remind me of The Fratellis, who are notoriously known by those who know me best as the only band I’ll ever dance to. I acquired both of their CDs, and have already downloaded them to my phone. Good stuff. The Crooks were the last to play, and their set was a lot different from how they’ve been playing lately. Matthew Smith (Outrageous Cherry, The Volebeats) filled in for their bassist Taylor Reynolds. Ben Van Camp, who recently started doing vocals and playing guitar, went back to drumming to cover for their new(er) drummer, Kyle Schanta. Different arrangement, but still just as awesome as always.
Me with My Killer, My Master
Thursday, June 15th, I was lucky enough to be able to leave work a little early so I could catch my brother’s friends’ band, My Killer, My Master, as a part of the “Downriver Massacre” at The Active Room in Wyandotte. My Killer, My Master is the only reason I’ll ever brave the deathcore scene. Anybody who knows my brother and his friends knows that they are completely serious about not being serious. Yes, their vocalist does harsh vocals and they are “deathcore,” but they pepper their songs with jazzy melodies and actual music. They are also quite entertaining, dancing around and interacting with their audience as they perform. Never a dull moment.
Mind Fish
After leaving the Active Room, I got ready and went to Mind Fish’s Kickstarter CD release show at the Ottawa Tavern in Toledo with my friend Liz. The Ottawa Tavern is now one of my favorite venues; it’s very welcoming and has all sorts of graffiti and artwork all over the building. It usually takes me a couple of times before I feel comfortable at a venue, but Liz and I felt right at home at the OT. The concert was probably the best I’ve been to since I got home from my trip. Very high energy, tons of fans wearing kitty-cat face paint, and confetti. I’ve said it before, but Mind Fish might be the only good thing to ever come from Ohio. They’re incredibly talented, and yet, on more than one occasion, they’ve performed for and given away their CDs and other merchandise for free, which is proof of their character. They only have one other show this summer: July 12th at The Basement in Columbus, OH with YouTube sensation Julia Nunes. Check them out if you’re in the area.
The Sights
The next night, June 16th, was one that we’d all been waiting for: The Sights’ first official show at home after the first part of their tour, playing with Kelly Jean Caldwell and Reigning Sound. EVERYBODY was there for the performance. The Sights opened the show and knocked it out of the park. I don’t know why anyone would ever schedule them first at a concert; they’re an incredibly hard act to follow. I missed part of Kelly Jean’s set, but did hear her sing “Destroyer” and had the words stuck in my head for days. And then, Reigning Sound. I hadn’t heard them before this show, but had seen a lot of hype online. They lived up to and exceeded my expectations; I’ve been listening to them all day on Spotify.
There you have it. Not sure what’s going on this weekend yet, but you can bet it’ll be concert-filled. Keep on rockin’.
**Special thanks to: Danny Kroha (The Gories, Danny & the Darleans), Mary Cobra (The Detroit Cobras), Bobby Harlow (The GO, Conspiracy of Owls), John Nash (Electric Six, Kim Fowley’s Psychedelic Dogs), Mike Alonso (Electric Six), Christopher Tait (Electric Six, Belle Ghoul), Richie Wohlfeil (Danny & the Darleans), Jeffrey William Thomas (Gardens), Ben Luckett (Magic Jake & the Power Crystals, Detroit Pleasure Society), Raquel Falcon (Jeecy & the Jungle), Colleen Burke (Danny & the Darleans, Outrageous Cherry), Robert Mulrooney (Bootsey X & the Lovemasters), Zak Bratto (Growwing Pains), Troy Gregory (Kim Fowley’s Psychedelic Dogs), Jackson Frederick Smith (The Orbitsuns, Amy Gore & Her Valentines), and Stephen Nawara (Colorwheel).
(If you haven’t listened to any of their bands before, you should probably do that right now.)
(If you haven’t listened to any of their bands before, you should probably do that right now.)
PS: Here's the video that I referenced in the title of this blog, in case you haven't seen it already.
