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The Electorate
by Adriel Fantastique!

Craig Gonzalez makes me happy when I see him at a party. Having survived the rave-tastic '90s together, I know that when he’s playing, the party must have a special quality. Gonzalez’s journey began when he was a kid listening to hip-hop. He became enamored with the art of DJing and yearned to develop those skills. In '94, a friend took him to his first underground techno event where he developed a taste for the music and affirmed his fascination with the DJ aspect of it. The fact that the event was DJ-driven struck a nerve. “There was always something that I found interesting with DJing itself,” says Gonzalez. “Maybe it’s the idea of taking other people’s tracks and forming my own kind of story with them. It can be pretty powerful if done correctly.”

He soon found opportunities to tell his story. His first gigs, as part of the Cast Audio crew, put him alongside techno heavyweights like Adam Beyer, Neil Landstrumm, Adam X and Heather Heart. Mike Huckaby and John “Bileebob” Williams booked him for 3 Floors of Fun and Industry. He’s also played at Movement and other killer gigs.

Come see Gonzalez, along with his hero Derek Plaslaiko, at Oslo’s One-Year Anniversary this Saturday.  | RDW

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The Zone
by Origix

J-Bone is far from a newcomer to the Michigan rap scene. In and around his hometown of Inkster, his debut album, Bonifide is considered a local classic. In '09, his grind is even more focused. J-Bone's follow up, Bone Appetit, is a reflection of his daily life in hip-hop mixed with old 'n' gold party rhymes. “I have many styles," says J-Bone. "Depending on the beat I have, I’ll adjust to the music wherever the track takes me. I like to flow about what’s on my mind — partying or just MCing — just being me. I’m unpredictable with the flow.”

Bone Appetit will be out early this spring on Too Tuff Productions. “T.T.P is like an extended family," J-Bone informs. "We are always looking out for each other and making sure everything is all good.”

Take notice the next time someone hands you a show flyer, J-Bone might just be on the bill. Since his first live show years ago, opening for Esham, he can for sure rock a stage with the best of 'em. Visit myspace.com/jb1andonly.  | RDW

The Zone Radio with Origix & DC airs Saturdays from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. on 89.3 FM. Stream at whfr.fm. Visit myspace.com/thezoneradio & 2Raw4fm.com.

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Deep Cutz
by Jeff Milo

So if Ferndale is the soup bowl inside which all the noodly letters of Detroit’s local music alphabet gingerly float, then Woodward Avenue Brewers provides the broth. It’s been so for a while, but it’s becoming clearer that this is the place … to be, so to speak, to run into bands. Since some of us are becoming too broke to drive down from the suburbs to the Magic Stick, this place always provides a flavorful, affordable night out.

And that’s the case this winter — particularly with “Karaoke in the WAB Lounge” hosted by suave master of ceremonies, Millionaire Matt, and local artist/organizer Carey Gustafson tending the bar. It’s every Sunday at 9 p.m., with $2 pints, no cover, a full menu for late dinners and 60,000 songs in Millionaire’s catalog! On the right night, this can become an informal, impromptu concert, with local musicians in the crowd inevitably downing enough cheap pints to get the gusto to belt a few out. Do yourself a favor, go shake your ass and slaughter a song, and have a beer with friends on these cold winter nights, Sundays at Woodward Ave. and Troy in Ferndale. More: myspace.com/woodwardavenuebrewers.  | RDW

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Motor City’s Burning
by Eric Allen

If you don’t know about the Shaw rock ‘n’ roll dynasty, then shame on you! The legendary line of Detroit musicians and scene supporters are friends with practically everyone around town. Truly, the nicest people you will ever meet.
Unfortunately, Jim Shaw was diagnosed with cancer in late-December and has been left to struggle with what is always a life-changing ailment. It’s clear that Jim has the ability to fight the disease, but he and his wife, Sandy, could use some help with the inevitable pile of medical bills the family now faces.

The Shaws are coming together to put on a fundraiser for Jim at the Magic Stick on February 7 and it's set to be a raucous lineup of rock ‘n’ roll. Oblivians/Reigning Sound frontman Greg Cartwright will headline, while local bands such as The Space Heaters, The Fondas, The Go, Tyvek, Human Eye and The Dial Tones will open. In addition to music, there will also be a charity art auction from Detroit artists to benefit the cause.

Jim Shaw's one of the greatest guys in our city and I hope that you'll make it out to support him and his family.  | RDW 


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