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Last Updated:
Mar 19th, 2008 - 07:43:02 |
There comes a time in life when one decides to be part of the solution or stand idly by thus lending himself, consciously or not, to the problem. Some whine, tortured ghosts that they are, haunting the streets, bars and living rooms of Michigan’s audio fiends, as others silently grumble, aching for change here while searching Craigslist for apartments in Brooklyn.
Fuck that.
I haven’t even set up what the conflict may be and already I’m talking in grandiosities about taking sides on productivity and the curse of the idle. What topic has garnered such an intense line of attack?
The answer is a subject quite close to our hearts, the Michigan music scene and the bands that really matter.
“As many complaints as I could’ve ever mustered about the fractured Detroit vs. the rest of the State weirdness that exists in the mitten, it’s a small issue compared to troubled coke-fest that is New York music right now,” said label co-founder and Brooklyn resident Justin Spindler.
The Ann Arbor-based record label Quite Scientific (aka Qui-Sci) has grabbed hold of the reigns to fight for solutions in our state (literally and musically metaphorical) because they’re thinking on a large, modest and uncompromising scale. They have a diverse set of artists and have a fresh approach to the industry.
“I think most of our artists are able to handle most of their own business within Michigan — our job is to get them to a point where they have business to handle outside of the state,” said Spindler. “Qui-Sci contracts artists one album at a time. We want to be the stepping stone to get Michigan bands out of Michigan and into the national and international scene,” added Ann Arbor-ite and the other half of Qui-Sci, Brian Peters, when I sat down with him, as well as label mates Canada, The Dead Bodies and Chris Bathgate.
“The original idea was to put together a compilation of mostly Lansing bands with some other Michigan bands, too. We also wanted to put out the Hard Lessons EP. Both of those projects didn’t come into fruition; then Spindler heard Canada’s song 'Hexenhaus' on MySpace and was sold on them,” Peters said.
Around Christmas-time, after seeing Canada at Espresso Royale in Lansing and falling in love with what they heard, Brian and Justin went to Ferndale to pitch Qui-Sci and get Canada on board. The Connection was made over a Taco Bell feast, which subsequently made Brian sick to his stomach. I am reminded of a gem quote from Wayne's World: “If you blow chunks and she comes back, she’s yours. But if you spew and she bolts, then it was never meant to be.”
It was meant to be, and both parties knew it. The Canada EP was solid, but when they went into the studio to record with Brian, the result was a critically acclaimed album that garnered nationwide recognition; a beautiful array of harmony and melody, considered by many to be the best indie album of the year.
“The original idea was that we just wanted to get friends to play together for fun — a stupid basement band,” said Canadian Steve Rajewski whose “stupid basement band” is set to tour almost non-stop in March, including four nights in Austin with Bathgate and The Dead Bodies for the infamous music and media event, South by SouthWest.
“What makes them great is the live show. Love the record, but the live show sells them. They are seven unreasonably charming people who pretty much have everyone eating out of the palm of their hand by the end of each show. If I could have them tour every day of the year, I don’t doubt that they’d be one of the bigger bands in the country,” Spindler said.
On the topic of bands that should be bigger than they are, The Dead Bodies are by far one of the best bands in Detroit and mysteriously enough, they don’t get nearly enough of the attention they deserve.
The Dead Bodies recorded Mr. Spookhouse's Pink House (set to release on Quite Scientific on March 10) between 2003-2004. Justin Spindler — friend and fan of The Dead Bodies — had wanted to put out the record for a long time and once Qui-Sci felt like it had a strong foundation, they began talking about when and how to release it. The idea started out as an EP, but The Bodies later agreed to put out the full-length album.
Recorded in Detroit and Seattle while Jon and Adam were attending school there, the album was finished before they even called themselves a band. The freshly mixed record represents the utterly eclectic blend of sound The Bodies are able to produce as they grab from an array of influences, yet sound like no one you’ve ever heard. At the same time, “It’s an anything goes kind of album” corpse Jon Weir said. “We had no intention on playing live as a band; we just wanted to record the craziest music we could,” fellow cadaver Adam Cox said. “It’s a misleading album because it doesn’t represent how we sound live at all. We’ve thought about putting a disclaimer on it; that probably wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
Rounding out the label is Ann Arbor neo-folkster Chris Bathgate, who will be releasing an album with Qui-Sci on May 29. Though still young, Bathgate is a Michigan musical veteran who has an affinity for nostalgic sound while he forges a progressive resonance of his own creation. Perhaps Spindler said it better than I could … or at least choose to: “He’s more than your run-of-the-mill singer/songwriter. He’s really honest and bizarre in terms of what he chooses to write music about. He’s also a consummate performer. Gah ... it’s really hard to write about Chris without it turning into one big jerk-off session. Basically, he’s really, really good ... but that doesn’t make for a good article, right?”
Well, no, Spindler, that doesn’t leave me with much to work with, but I believe readers get the point.
Bathgate connects with the listener, live or via recordings, because he completely comprehends the delicate relationship between melody and diction.
Perhaps that’s the ultimate unifier at Quite Scientific Records; across the board, from the founders to the artists on the label to the next artist/band that hasn’t even been signed yet, the music remains poignant, well-crafted and entirely remarkable. This local label is packing a lot of power and, with time, will unify the Detroit scene with the rest of the state while introducing the country to their new favorite bands.
Quiet Scientific: a sonically balanced equation. | RDW
More info: www.quitescientific.com or www.myspace.com/quitescientific.
Also: www.myspace.com/canada; www.myspace.com/thedeadbodies; www.myspace.com/chrisbathgate.
Best Electronic Artist:
Kenneth Thomas
by Keith N. Dusenberry
Traditionally, Detroit is Techno Town; but this year, Real D’s readers recognized the steady rise of trance and progressive by voting Kenneth Thomas as Motown’s Best Electronic Artist.
Constantly pushing forward toward his goal of being “able to take this sound around the world and make a long-sustaining career out of it,” the one-time Motor resident DJ reached new heights this year, signing with Paul Oakenfold’s Perfecto Records and touring across the globe with the heavyweight himself.
The current moment finds Thomas playing six or more shows a month at venues across North America and compiling his first mix for Perfecto, set for summer release with the working title Perfecto Summer mixed by Kenneth Thomas. “It’s a precursor to my proper Perfecto Presents CD that will be out late this year or 2008,” Thomas explains. He’s also doing a bunch of remix projects and some A&R scouting for Perfecto. “They kinda fell off releasing any singles the last four years due to the industry fluctuating so much,” Thomas says, “but I’ve got Paul back on the idea of recharging the label and coming back proper this year.” All that, and a big Perfecto summer tour!
But don’t think his rising profile will give Thomas cause to abandon The D. “The truth is, this city has been amazingly receptive to the sounds I love,” he says. “Maybe parts of the local dance music scene haven’t been the most supportive, especially in the beginning, but there has always been a clear base of support for this sound. It’s actually been pretty amazing — every step of the way I’ve found a solid core of people that have embraced this sound. … I also feed on the working mentality of this city. I put so much work and effort behind this sound I love so much, and I thrive on the ‘do it yourself’ mentality of this city, that I don’t want to leave. Detroit is an underdog city; I thrive on that. I like being the underdog. So, in that sense, what better place for a ‘trance’ DJ than Detroit.” | RDW
More info: www.djkenneththomas.com.
Best Pop Act:
The Silent Years
Not long from now, The Silent Years will be the next Maroon 5-type pop/rock crossover superstars — and their Motown hometown will be able to say we knew them way back when … (Special note to the person who voted for “Kid Mothafunkin POPRock!” — we’ll buy you a 40 next time we’re on your side of town. We anticipate that to be in … um, hmm.)
Best Band: The Hard Lessons
They’re the vanguard of Detroit’s next generation: three super-talented souls so selfless and sincere, so explosive and invigorating, making passionate, bluesy, hard-driving rock — it’s no wonder you voted The Hard Lessons as Detroit’s Best Band. Actually, this is their second-straight Best Band award. It’s an outbreak of love at first sight and first listen — as their fan base continues to swell.
Best Band To Get Signed To A Major Label: The Raconteurs
It was sort of a given that this band — co-fronted by Jack White and Brendan Benson — would get signed to a major label. We’re not saying it’s cheating in this category to have a White Stripe in your band, but … either way, their slightly popped up blues and garage rock was destined for national success.
Best Rap/Hip-Hop Solo Artist: Phat Kat
He might be on a label outta San Francisco now, but Phat Kat keeps Motown close to his heart — and based on your votes, it appears you heads keep him close to yours. (Even though about half of you wrote “Fat Cat,” we still counted ‘em.)
Best Rap/Hip-Hop Group: Subterraneous
Of course, Detroit is known for rap — 8 Mile and all that, but you guys know better than to sleep on the ‘Yak. The Pontiac/Detroit label/crew known as Subterraneous (Records) keeps hitting new heights with their conscious lines and smooth, yet passionate, flows. More than a crew or label, Subterraneous is, as they say, a movement.
Best Jazz Band: Hot Club of Detroit
We love Django, you love Django, they love Django — sounds like a recipe for a jazzy lovefest to us! But seriously, Hot Club are talented musicians and innovators who do far more than ape the fast-fingered giant standing in the corner of any jump-jazz band’s practice space. (Wow, that sounds weird!)
Best Funk Band: Larry Fratangelo’s One Nation Under a Buzz
Down on Larned in Detroit, there is a growing sensation that is sweeping the city. Funk has come back with a fury and it has taken over The Buzz Bar. Every week, Larry Fratangelo leads the revolution and keeps Real Detroit Weekly readers dancing in the street with his jams. As far as the man’s cred, he is about OG as OGs can come. Fratangelo, who was once a member of Parliament Funkadelic, brings the house down with his bad-ass funk every Friday night.
Best Folk Artist/Group: Frontier Ruckus
Frontier Ruckus sounds like The Byrds on their country record, Sweetheart of the Rodeo. Except, they sound even more country and folksy than The Byrds did. Therefore The Byrds + More Folksy = Real Detroit readers love Frontier Ruckus.
Best Blues Artist/Group: The Muggs
Muggs frontman Danny Methric plays the white boy blues like no other. Tall and skinny, with glasses and wild sideburns, Methric may not look like a classic crossroader, but give him a guitar and all would-be critics just shut up and boogie.
Best Club DJ: Mike Anthony
There are a very select few people in town who make it seem like the party follows them; DJ Mike Anthony is one of those lucky few people. He could be walking down the street and people would probably just start dancing around him like in one those Pepsi commercials. What can we say, the man can make people shake their ass!
Best Hardcore/Metal Band: Bill Bondsmen
To say the Bill Bondsmen are intent on destroying the world is an understatement. The band’s lyrics may be full of hate, but they do give loving nods to one of Detroit’s favorite newscasters and '80s American hardcore. Musically, the band takes its cues from bands like Black Flag, Poison Idea and The Adolescents, while also putting a unique Detroit spin on it.
Best Solo Artist: Chris Bathgate
Make no bones about it, Chris Bathgate writes extremely smart and beautiful indie folk pop. The Quite Scientific artist may have a backing band, but since the band falls under his name we are willing to make an exception. Bathgate’s brand of hip folk is something that is nostalgic, but at the same time extremely progressive.
Best Cover Band: The Mega 80’s
The Mega 80’s don’t just cover songs. They make the bands that they are covering look like pathetic amateurs. No matter whether the band is dressing up as Mötley Crüe, Devo or Bruce Springsteen, the band has always had a reputation for picture perfect song perfection. Real D readers surely appreciate The Mega 80’s attention to detail and their relentless show schedule.
Best House Band: The Reefermen
Since they play out so much at a limited number of places, it’s sorta rare for a house band to attract a really sizable following, but The Reefermen have done it. Calling The Fifth Avenue in Royal Oak their home, the band perfects its classic rock sound at its gigs there every single Tuesday night.
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