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Jan 19th, 2010 - 13:22:35 |
The Electorate
by Adriel
Eric Cronin, also known as Codine, grew up in Detroit’s Downriver community. The young Cronin learned piano from family members, which laid the foundation for his classical training in bass and guitar. He soon found inspiration in the irresistible electronic music emanating from Detroit in the early-to-mid-'90s. “Instead of spending my time practicing with bands, I was programming drum machines and sequencing synths for hours every day,” says Cronin.
After a brief stint working security for St. Andrew’s Hall, Codine worked in promotions for Mission: Detroit. Through that organization and DetroitLuv, Codine’s music was introduced to a wider audience. Inspired by IT, Cronin created an alias for his electronic productions, borrowing the name of a computing/distributing system called Codine (not to be confused with the drug codeine) and began releasing music on various labels.
In 2008, D Records released a Beatport-exclusive digital track on The Melting Point compilation. His upcoming release, Blue Room, comes out in November and features remixes from Jared Wilson and Brian Kage.
You can catch Codine this Friday at the Park Bar in Detroit. | RDW
The Zone
by Origix
As a teen in Ann Arbor, Yoshi admired the hip-hop movement. The swagger and style made him want to be a part of the art form, and with the influence of his older brother he started writing. “I began entering poetry slams and, at the same time, rapping and spitting poetry at my church and other functions in the community with friends,” Yoshi explains. With his first rhymes being Christian-based, it's no wonder why his words reflect a positive message today.
On stage, he incorporates spoken word with his live bass playing skills along with singing hooks to involve the crowd. “It’s good for the soul and I’m able to communicate what I’m going through in a way that ordinary language can’t,” Yoshi reflects. Last year, he released a studio EP Headknod Odyssey and this fall he will drop the album The Awakening. The majority of production on The Awakening is done by brother/producer Akira Shelton, a professional musician. Together, they're making music the masses can relate to! Visit myspace.com/aktiveyoshi. | RDW
The Zone Radio with Origix & DC airs Saturdays 8 p.m.-12 a.m. on 89.3 fm; streaming live on whfr.fm. Visit myspace.com/thezoneradio & 2Raw4fm.com for more info.
Deep Cutz
by Jeff Milo | photo by George Morris
Jesse Shepherd-Bates (pictured) says something about bringing “seven guitarists” to Friday’s Obama rally/concert, Barack N’ Bowl (Garden Bowl w/ Satin Peaches and Smashed Windows on 10/10) and I’m not surprised. That’s common for the intriguing and exhilarating JSB Squad, spearheaded by the young multi-instrumentalist and aided by (almost) countless local musicians, including Mick Bassett. This lineup could be as large as 14 players. Pure guitar-n-drums propulsions, like some relentless rocket-launched forklift of roots-rock, rich in flavor with inevitable flashes of shredded exertion, but wound up by beautiful vocal melodies and goosebump-falsettos.
Also, check out The Factory in Rochester this week for My Dear Disco and Carjack.
That said, I hope by now all of you are registered to vote. Frankly, this may be one of the most tumultuous and important years in human history. Whatever happens, consider the future and consider coming together. No more of this contemptible fear-inspired partisan tunnel vision. Consider unity, progress, and where we’ve gone wrong. This is a torch-passing year between generations. Vote! More: myspace.com/jsbsquad | RDW
Motor City’s Burning
by Eric Allen
Already proven to be good enough for local act The Bill Bondsmen, The Cola Freaks (pictured) are now gaining approval from the posterboy of the nu-punk-rock movement, Jay Reatard. These Danish punks, who opened for the Bondsmen on a tour through Europe, are now setting the table for the Reatarded one himself on his quick jaunt through America this month.
The band's sound is kind of a mix of the Bondsmens’ delightful American hardcore and Reatard’s pop/punk for the new millennium. Fortunately for us, the band will be in the Motor City to take part in the fantastic show going down at the Magic Stick on October 15. Along with Jay Reatard and The Cola Freaks, you will get a big slice of Detroit punk with our forever favorites, Terrible Twos.
In other news, there is a big benefit going on over at the Lager House this Friday night featuring some really great bands who are coming together to help out children in Liberia. Joining the cause are Dan John Miller of Blanche, The Decks, American Mars and our new favorite lo-fi ragers, Gardens. Be sure to check out Gardens — they are nothing short of fantastic. | RDW
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