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Mar 19th, 2008 - 07:43:02 |
subbacultcha
by Keith N. Dusenberry | photo by will yates
“I had initially planned to do a sweeping indie-folk-pop show with full
bands, but the usual venues were taken already,” Brandon Zwagerman says
of his Dec. 23 Mittenfest. “The Corner Brewery (720 Norris St.,
Ypsilanti) were kind enough to help me out and even give us the whole
day, but they asked that it be a rather low-key acoustic affair. Thus,
I tried to invite a wide array of acts that can adapt to such
parameters, and I think the outcome will be appropriately cozy.
“Since I’ll be coming back to Michigan from New York myself, I was sure
to invite some other expatriates who still have Michigan in their
blood, such as Fred Thomas (of Saturday Looks Good To Me fame, now in
Portland), Actual Birds (Dustin Krcatovich, also in Portland) and Emily
Jane Powers (now in Chicago). It’s a homecoming; that’s what the
holidays are about.”
Zwagerman also asked artists like Frontier Ruckus, next-big-thing
singer/songwriter Chris Bathgate (pictured), Patrick Elkins, Matt Jones
and Misty Lyn to perform at Mittenfest. The show doubles as a benefit
for 826 Michigan, a non-profit children’s’ literacy organization in Ann
Arbor. | RDW
Keith wears gloves. Email keith@realdetroitweekly.com.
kill your radio
by Aaron Rajala
Finding a venue in Hamtramck reminds me of something straight out of a
Choose Your Own Adventure book. After you turn down a street with no
sign, drive into a residential area and park in somebody’s driveway,
you earn the right to walk down a narrow ass alley and enter a dive bar.
But as you can probably guess that is the kind of shit I get off on
because I get to see sweet local bands such as The Manginas. These guys
(and girl) came straight out of the basement and into my heart.
Everything about the band is raw and punk as fuck; from the pounding
riffs to the faulty equipment (I think one of the doodads got messed up
resulting in the bass being extremely low volume) to the C clamp on the
lead singer’s guitar.
Their instrumentals are, for lack of a better phrase, badass. The hooks
are catchy and the beats are pounding. To me, they are THE definition
of a punk band — the style, the name, the lyrics, everything. I can’t
really compare them to a specific band, I can merely enlighten you to
the joy of seeing them live and hope that you will perpetuate the
existence of local punk music.
Be on the lookout for this trio so you can be the kid who can be like
“Shit, I knew about those guys before they were on the radio.” See ‘em
Dec. 31 at the Labyrinth. More info: myspace.com/bloodymanginas.
| RDW
Enough mamel toe for everyone: letters@realdetroitweekly.com.
the loop
by RDW Staff
Most everybody knows some soul songs, but there are a number of people
who seemingly live to find the most obscure soul tracks ever put out by
the most obscure labels many, many years ago. Like so many lovable
oddballs, these people like to get together to celebrate their mutual
passions. Or just have a hot dance party.
“In Europe, soul clubs have existed since the ‘60s,” said DJ Robert
Wells, who will host the inaugural Ann Arbor Soul Club dance party at
the Blind Pig on Thursday, Dec. 21. “Basically, it’s nothing more than
fans in a certain region with a common interest and reverence for this
music holding dances and keeping the spirit alive, giving the music the
respect it deserves. There’s been a soul club revival of sorts in the
U.S. as well, in cities like L.A., Chicago, Seattle and even now where
I’m from, Lawrence, Kan.”
Brad Hales will accompany Wells in the DJ booth. “We play all original
45 rpm singles, from the early-‘60s to the early-‘80s,” Hales said.
What can we expect to hear from this night the duo hope to make a
monthly occurrence? “Northern soul. Rare soul records like you’ve never
heard them before — all made for prime dancing! Real classy shit. Stuff
that sounds Tamla-Motown, only BETTER! And many of their independent
contemporaries that they put out of business. Also some ‘70s
‘crossover’ and maybe a touch of the late-‘70s/early-‘80s ‘modern’ soul
as well. Rare and obscure things that you will probably never hear on
the radio … or anywhere else.“ | RDW
electrophile
by Amy Hubbarth
Holidayze are here again. Spike the eggnog and pass around the
Christmas tree. What is there for a bunch of dancing Detroit elves to
do?
The weekend’s a stocking full of goodies, old and new. The new hot spot
for the househeads is happenin’ at the Rhino downtown this and every
Saturday, where the folks from Urban Groove are pleased to present Norm
Talley, Delano Smith and Aaron-Carl for all your old school groovin’
and movin’. And can you believe it’s been 10 years of Family? Friday at
the Works let Adriel tickle your memory with Mathew Boynton, Brian
Gillespie, Derek Plaslaiko, Jason Kendig, Patrick Russell, Carlos
Souffront and a special Poorboy Reunion with Dat and Jay Langa. Make
the Yuletide gay Saturday with the Coitus Interruptus boys for Sass,
with dance records and holiday cheer for all … check
myspace.com/sassdetroit for details. And don’t forget the tradition of
“U” … Untitled, that is. Returning home to the Shelter, let Greg Mudge
(pictured), Ryan Elliot, Mike Servito, Ryan Crosson and Seth Troxler
relieve you of holiday stress the day after you sing Happy Birthday to
the Big J (meaning that’ll be Tuesday). So ho ho ho, there you
go! | RDW
It's all 'canes and hos: letters@realdetroitweekly.com.
british hype watch
by Keith N. Dusenberry
“Matisyahu CD/DVD To Reach Stores In Time For Boxing Day Sales” — ChartAttack.com (“Your Canadian Music Source”)
Now, I know this isn’t technically “British” news, but come on, Canada
wants to be a real part of her motherland (and not some weird
sorta-former step-child) so badly you can smell it from here. Anyway,
whew! The Hasidic reggae-rapper’s new disc will hit shelves in time for
our friends to the north to burn up their freshly unwrapped gift-cards.
Yay, eh? | RDW
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