Detroit River Days 2010

Celebrating the friendly relationship that Detroit has with it's Canadian neighbor to the south (Windsor) this year is going to be rad at the Detroit River Days Festival happening June 18th - 21st in downtown Detroit. There are a ton of activities going on downtown from the fun run to the car show.  I have already been to the festival website a few times to double check the live music schedule because of what I saw.

Friday, the kickoff celebration starts with 90's alternative rockers Spin Doctors, who last performed in Detroit October 5th, 1991.  Now I was not much of a fan back in the day but think nostalgia!  I want a Spin Doctors T-shirt.  I had not clue these guys were still performing live.  Good for you Spin Doctors!  I am sure you will rock the waterfront.















Saturday Detroit will have the honor of welcoming to the Michigan Lottery Stage... MC HAMMER!  Last here on May 15th, 2009 at the Fox, I hope Hammer isn't "2 Legit 2 Quit" performing the song, "U Can't Touch This." Ooooohhhh oohhhhhh ooohhhhhh oooohhhh oooh ooh ohhh.  Actually it would be cool to see him do The Adam's Family Theme song from the movie.
















To top it all off, Sunday night, Blues Traveler will perform starting at 8:30pm.  What a tour de force of early nineties music!  No doubt John Popper will rock that harmonic.  I've heard he's lost some weight too (no joke).  Blues Traveler last came through Detroit for the Meadowbrook Music Festival July 24th, 2008.

If you get a chance to go down for one of these iconic artists at the Michigan Lottery Stage, please do not hesitate to send me pics or reviews.

Summer Music in Michigan

There is nothing I enjoy more than camping out for a weekend, heading out for a night, or dropping by for a day at one of Michigan's many summer festivals.  I have always been looking for a site that has it all, or most of it anyway, when it comes to dates, times and websites for all the festivals and I think I have finally found it.  Madmanmike.com is your yearly Michigan festival guide.  It has all the festivals arranged by month and date and includes websites if they are available where you can get updated festival info.

I have only sampled a few of our great state's summer festivals but have never been let down.  Some standouts include Islandfest in Kalamazoo and Wheatland Music Festival in Remus, MI.  Have fun this summer and feel free to let me know what festivals you are going to!

The Heidelberg Rock Project

In 1986 Tyree Guyton, his grandpa and his wife started cleaning up Heidelberg St. in Detroit.  From the junk they collected they transformed vacant lots in to works of art.  The Heidelberg Rock Project is a benefit concert that will support a program for children to learn about the project and about art in general.  The concert takes place tonight at the Magic Stick.

Hendrix of the Ukulele

This guy is being hailed as a ukulele playing virtuoso like what Jimi Hendrix or Eddie Van Halen are to the the guitar, this guy is to the tiny Hawaiian instrument.  Rock on Jake Shimabukuro!  If you are in the Detroit area tonight Jake is playing at the Detroit Institute of Arts Friday Night Live event.  He will do one show at 7pm and one at 8:30pm.  The video is of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps."

The Avett Brothers July 24th

The Avett Brothers , a North Carolina band combining rock, punk, country and bluegrass, will be playing The Fillmore in Detroit on July 24th.  Check out the band's website here or click the Amazon add to listen to some samples from their new CD "I and Love and You."  I own their album The Second Gleam and it is awesomely rad!  On their site you can listen to parts of songs on all their albums.  I and Love and You is their first major label album and was produced by the legendary Rick Rubin. 

Dude, Rick Rubin looks like a rad Santa!

Detroit Hoedown 2010

The Detroit Downtown Hoedown is upon us once again.  Last year Willie Nelson closed the 3 day free country music festival put on by CBS Radio and 99.5 WYCD.  This year the headliners will be Dierks Bentley (Friday), Uncle Kracker (Saturday) and The Zac Brown Band (Sunday closer).  Other standouts include Longneck Strangler (Saturday, I just like their name), Bullhonkey deluxe (Sunday, like the name) and The Orbitsuns (Sunday, the play bingo night at 4 Green Fields).

The show is located in downtown Detroit at the Hart Plaza and includes 3 stages (river, lower and upper) for all day entertainment.  Here is a link to the schedule of performances and a $3 off coupon for any hat at one of the "Gone Country" booths.

The Beat in Ferndale

The Beat is a classic English ska band formed in 1978 that will be performing at the Magic Bag on Thursday, May 20th at 8pm.  After their disbanding in 1983 there emerged two forms of The Beat, a UK version and a US version both led by former members.

I am not sure which band this one is but if they were known to collaborate with members of The Specials back in the day I am a fan.

Journey Tribute Band review and Outback Blues Band

The show that I posted about last Friday was amazing! Despite an opening act, Space Nelson, that went on for way too long, the Journey Tribute Band, Frontiers, blew me away.

The lead singer sounded just like Steve Perry and his facial features were also similar. He was so convincing that people in the men's room were wondering if he was really singing. The guitar player looked just like Jason Mewes from the Jay and Silent Bob duo, and could really wail. The drummer and bass player were also featured in a 5-7 minute drum/bass solo that rocked as well.

They closed the show with "Anyway you Want it" which was a little disappointing. Since were in Detroit and all I would have liked an extended "Don't Stop Believing" but I would not hesitate to see this band again! They will be in Lansing on Feb. 27th!

I also want to tell you about another cool band that I have not seen live in concert but that I have family ties to. My uncle Howard Brodbeck (Lehigh t-shirt) is the drummer for The Outback Blues Band that hails from Phoenix, AZ. and is now scheduling shows in and around the Southwest United States. You can check out their website here that includes photos, bios, and even some music. So if you live in the Phoenix area go see one of their shows!

Happy Darwin Day, Valentine's History and Winter Blast 2010

Thanks to Wikipedia for the Darwin photo!

Today is the 201st birthday of Charles Darwin, the famous English scientist and explorer who came up with the theory of evolution after his exploration and study of the animal inhabitants of the Galapagos Islands, turtles especially. Through what Darwin called "natural selection" he theorized that living things evolve in order to survive, which explains the diversity of species.

In honor of Darwin there are many informal gathering and educational events that go on today around the world that are collectively part of "Darwin Day." The closest event to Detroit will take place in Madison, Wisconsin. Titled the Darwin Day Symposium, three speakers will address the U-W Madison crowd, answer questions and display exhibits on Saturday, February 13th.

History of Valentine's Day

Although Pope Gelasius I declared February 14th Saint Valentine's Day in 496 AD the history of the actual day(s) goes back to Ancient Rome. It was the Ancient Romans who celebrated the marriage of Zeus and Hera (Greek gods) between January and February. In Rome they actually had a fertility festival, called Lupercalia, in the city February 13-15th. All over Ancient Rome it is said that the festival Juno Februa ( Juno the purifier) was celebrated February 13-14th. Once the Catholic Church came along the festivals were prohibited and Saint Valentine was installed to persuade pagan people to follow the church.

Winter Blast 2010

However you decide to celebrate Lupercalia. If you are in the Detroit area then you should get downtown to the Winter Blast. It's a huge festival that started in 2005 to get people out and about in downtown for the Superbowl. It has survived and continued as a way for people to enjoy downtown outside, even in the frigid cold that is a Michigan winter.

Activities include free ice skating, wine tasting, and plenty of live music with three stages. I also saw that there will be ice sculptures and sledding hills with snow made by Shanty Creek. Too cold for you? Get inside one of the warming tents or stations for marshmallow roasting or warm your belly Saturday night with the downtown bar blast, a 13 bar pub crawl with transportation by The Night Move.

Ye Olde Butcher Shoppe and Junior Brown

The Midtown area of Detroit will be gaining a new grocery store this year in Ye Olde Butcher Shoppe. It will offer high end meats and other gourmet products as well as everyday grocery and home needs at prices that compete with suburban grocery stores. The business will occupy the former home of Zaccaro's Market, that went out of business one year ago after only one year. Shoppers complained of high prices. The brothers Solaka, Michael and Peter, have decided to revive Ye Olde Butcher Shoppe, a popular market their father started in the 1970's and 80's in Lafayette Park.

Here is another chance for us to support a local business! I think this sounds like a destination grocery store that I will head out to at least to experience it. But probably will not be an every week shopping destination. I am looking forward to seeing what kind of specialty meats or cheeses they might offer. If they offer products I can't get anywhere else I will definitely make this a shop stop.

Junior with his custom made guit-steel, Big Red

Because I live in Ferndale I always check out what is going on at the Magic Bag Theater when looking for concerts. They always have some pretty good acts going on and tonight is no different. Tonight at 8pm fans of country, rock, soul or just music in general will have the chance to enjoy the unique experience that is Junior Brown.

Brown is a country musician, singer, songwriter and producer that invented his own "guit-steel" instrument allowing him to play electric guitar and lap steel guitar at the same time. His deep voice is reminiscent of a young Johnny Cash and his original material is classic country. His love of Ernest Tubb and his father's piano propelled him from the backwoods of Indiana to the success he is having right now as a country artist that has mass appeal in the genre bending town of Austin, TX. Enjoy the Junior Brown original "Highway Patrol" below.

Ferndale Blues Fest and Fritter's

Today marks the kickoff of the Ferndale Blues Festival with the first performers taking the stage at 7pm tonight at Angel's Cafe with the Tom Dennis Trio. The festival lasts through Feb. 6th with nightly concerts at many bars and restaurants in the downtown area with proceeds going to the Michigan AIDS Coalition and Ferndale Youth Assistance charities.

As a part of the festival there will also be a BBQ rib cook off taking place at Dino's on Saturday Feb. 6th. The "rib burn" will take place from noon-5pm with entertainment by the Reefermen to follow.

A free shuttle will be running festival goers from venue to venue on Friday and Saturday to catch all the acts. For some beer, blues and BBQ head to the Ferndale Blues Festival this weekend or next!

FRITTERS

Apple Fritters is like the dive bar of donut shops in Ferndale. There is nothing fancy about the inside. Bare bones tables and chairs with a no non-sense aura about it. The kind of thing you expect when you think local dive bar. I had the pleasure of stopping in at this local Ferndale donut shop this morning for some coffee and a fritter.

They have all the fresh donuts out on the counter and some on the shelfs for display for you when you walk in. I of course chose the apple fritter due to the name of the establishment and a large coffee. I will tell you the fritter was fantastic and the coffee good too! In an effort to help out local businesses I will try to frequent The Apple Fritter Doughnut Shop more often, but I will tell you it will not be difficult to do. Head out as early as pre-dawn and as late as mid-afternoon for some fritters!

Old Crow Show recap and Lez Zeppelin preview

OLD CROW SHOW!

Thanks to my wife for getting some tickets to the Old Crow Medicine Show in Ann Arbor two weeks ago!  Awesome time, although I was hoping for a Wagon Wheel encore.  They played a bunch of stuff from "Tennessee Pusher" that I expected.  What I did not expect was special guest Ed Helms from "The Office" and The Hangover movie.  He came up on stage about halfway through the second set and joined the band on banjo.  You can read the concert review at www.annarbor.com.

LEZ ZEPPELIN w/ Broadzilla 

Tonight only at the Magic Bag in Ferndale "All girl. All Zeppelin" cover band, Lez Zepplin, will be playing a show for $15 starting at 8pm.  I have never witnessed this band play before but I am a Zeppelin fan so I may venture out to the experience.  They have been getting rave reviews since they formed in 2004 and have headlined some of the major national musical festivals, including Bonnaroo.  Visit their blog here.

Joining Lez Zeppelin will be Broadzilla, the motor city's own answer to all female hard rock.  This Detroit trio "jam out.." with fast guitar, blazing drums and the sultry scream of their lead vocalist.  I could not find member names on their website www.broadzilla.net.  From the looks of it they have done some touring nationally and even some in London, so they better be good.  You can get a taste of Broadzilla's "Hellbound" on their myspace page (linked above).

Fashion in Detroit, A Motor City Year and OCMS show

Fashion in Detroit has announced that it will hold its spring fashion show at Shed 3 in the Eastern Market on March 19th and 20th from 1-6pm.  The line up of designers has not been mentioned but promises to be a good one according to "Project Runway" alum Joe Faris.  Faris, who resides in Troy, came up with the idea for the shows.  Read the article here.

A Motor City Year, a new book by John Sobczak, features 365 images of Detroit from the Woodward Dream Cruise to the Eastern Market.  Sobczak discussed how the images reflect the "fabric" of Detroit on Wednesday evening at the Detroit Historical Museum.  Read the article here.  Sobczak has a similar book titled "Cleveland Classics."

Old Crow Medicine Show, a bluegrass revival/old time acoustic group and one of my personal favorites, is doing a show tonight in Ann Arbor at the Michigan Theatre.  I am sure the concert will feature many of their classic hits like "Wagon Wheel" and "Tell it to Me" as well as new songs from their most recent album (2008) Tennessee Pusher.

Dylan at the Fox, Grunge cover bands and Pongtoberfest

Tonight, for one night only, Bob Dylan will be playing at the Fox Theatre in Downtown Detroit.  The show starts at 7:30 and tickets are going for anywhere from 39.50 to 70 bucks.  After researching the set lists from previous concerts on this tour at bobdylan.com, it looks like he's doing a lot of older songs, not just the stuff from his latest album "Together Through Life."  Dylan has also released a Christmas album, "Christmas in the Heart."  Proving that he really doesn't care what anyone else thinks.

Also playing tonight are a pair of Seattle Grunge cover bands, Ten (Pearl Jam covers) and Badmotorfinger (Soundgarden covers), at Ferndale's Magic Bag.  Tickets are $10 in advance and the show starts at 8pm.  This might be a sweet show to see and for only ten bucks it's a steal.  Plus The Magic Bag also serves beer from the WAB across the street so you can drink some quality microbrews while you listen to the sounds of your youth... if you are 27 like me.  I will say that Nirvana was probably my favorite grunge band of the early 90's.  Their tribute band, Nevermind, is currently touring but is playing in North Dakota tonight.  It seems as though all three, plus an Alice in Chains tribute band were touring together as the Sounds of Seattle Tour, but some legal stuff got in the way and Nevermind had to leave the tour.  Bummer, because having all those grunge tribute bands in one night would have been awesome.  It's good to know that some people are still buying flannel shirts and ripped up jeans.

I was recently invited to Pongtoberfest, or Poctoberfest? in Ferndale.  Some really cool people that my wife works with are holding this event at the Ferndale VFW hall tomorrow, Saturday November 7th.  It is a giant beer pong competition and is invite only.  Sadly, I will not be able to take part, but the good news is that events like this take place.  I wish the best of luck to all the team and wish to partake in the future.

Good Food, Good Drink, Good Music, Good Fun and Good Feelings

Food, Drink and Music

I recently visited the legendary Memphis Smoke restaurant, bar and live music venue in Royal Oak to take in a concert by The Wall Clocks.  They described themselves as an indie rock band, but they are really so much more.  I witnessed some wicked guitar playing as the Clocks ran through some originals as well as a mini set of covers.  The crowd was small but appreciative and the food was amazing.  I highly recommend the Beef Brisket sandwich done Memphis Style (on a hamburger bun with cole slaw).  The brisket comes slathered in Memphis Smoke's sweet BBQ sauce.  I regret not bringing any of it home so much I sung the blues.  During a break the bassist of the Clocks handed us a bill for their album opening which was last night (Thursday) at the Hard Rock Cafe downtown.  Although I did not get to go I am sure it was good.

Drink and Fun

Last Saturday a few of us went out to watch the MSU vs. Iowa game at a local Ferndale establishment called Rosie O'Grady's.  O'Grady's is located on Nine Mile Rd. west of Woodward and is a huge bar with this awesome "$2 domestic pints during a televised Michigan sporting event" deal.  But the wait for a table was so long (2 hours) that we decided to pass for the time being and head to Dino's Lounge for dinner.  I strongly suggest the B.F.J. ( Big, Fat, Juicy) burger.  It comes stuffed with four cheeses and pepperoni and is served on a sesame seed bun with all the trimmings.  The only draw back to Dino's is their draft beer selection and beer prices (no specials).  But I made due with a bottle of Pabst.  

Halfway through dinner a live band started to play.  I do not remember their name but the lead singer was pregnant.  They were pretty good but the music was so loud that no one could hear anyone else at the table, whatever, if it's too loud you're too old I guess.

After dinner we went back to O'Grady's and had a few $2 Miller Lites as we watched the last second demise of the Spartans.  Then we turned on the Red Wings game, which was also a disappointment.  The table next to us at Rosie's was playing the quarters drinking game, and it took us three tries to get the channel switched to the Wings, but the place is so huge.  We saw a bus boy whose shirt said "Go To Guy" on the back... as he clearly was the go to guy.

Good Drink

Bud Light Golden Wheat is on special at The Rock On Third in Royal Oak.  Bottles are $2.50 for beer of the month.  It's sweet tasting, but still good, not quite Bell's Oberon, but like a cheaper version for when you can't taste anymore.

Good Feeling

I recently was gifted some underwear for helping run music at a wedding.  But these underwear are no fruit of the looms.  EXOFFICIOS Give-N-Go boxers are a high tech, breathable, boxer brief with something to prove.  Designed for rugged outdoor activity and camping, the Exo's, as I call them, keep you comfortable and dry all while offering tremendous support for the nether-regions.  I teach tennis for a living and these bad boys give me more than enough support with maximum comfort.  Guys, if you don't have a pair of these, get one.  That's right, just one.  Exos are good for at least two or three workouts without a wash.  Just for kicks, they were field tested and approved by the African Wildlife Foundation.

Rad shows this weekend and Lazy Boy DUI

I like to find out about new music in the Detroit area as much as I can.  I also love going to see live music of all kinds.  That's why I have checked out concerts that are happening this weekend in the Detroit metro area and am making my recommendations.  

First up, Emmy Lou Harris will be playing at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor tonight starting at 8pm.  Harris is of course a world famous country music/Americana singer/songwriter.  With her she will be featuring the Red Dirt Road Boys and Buddy Miller.  I could not find anything on the Red Dirt Road Boys but I did, fortunately find Buddy Miller's myspace page.  Although he is from Nashville he does not have the polished glitzy sound to go with.  His sound is stripped down and more raw than most Nashville contemporaries.  Kind of like the White Stripes of Country/Blues.  He does have some slower songs, but even those seem more genuine due to the "lack" of production.  My favorite is "Gasoline and Matches" a duet with his wife Julie.  So if you are in the Ann Arbor area tonight check out Buddy Miller, a guy Steve Earl calls, "the best country singer working today."  Also check out the website www.buddyandjulie.com

Just to prove to you all that I'm not only a country music fan and that I like all types of music I have to mention Tigersapien.  Tigersapien is an electronic/dance foursome that hails from the cities of Philadelphia and New York City.  I think what is rad about this band is that they perform live with more than a laptop or a synthesizer.  There are live drums, guitar, etc.  They will be playing the Magic Stick in Detroit on Saturday (tomorrow) the 24th.  They report on their myspace page that they are currently unsigned to a major label, but they sound pretty polished.  Their music is pretty danceable but I like their name and band mascot the most.  The tigersapien is a human with a tiger head, pretty hilarious.

Lazy Boy DUI

Add your reclining chair to things you may not operate when you are having a beer or nine. 

In the small Northern Minnesota town of Proctor comes this story about a man who has pled guilty to crashing into a parked vehicle while driving his motorized recliner home from a local bar.  The man is 62 year-old Dennis LeRoy Anderson and authorities report that his blood alcohol level was 0.29 at the time of his August 2008 crash.  According to the AP article, the motorized chair was equipped with a stereo and cup holders and powered by a converted lawnmower.  The judge has ordered 2 years of probation for Anderson.  

This is just proof that genius inventors also like to go out for a few beers too.  We are glad you're ok Dennis.  Don't let this keep you down.  We can't wait for the motorized ice fishing shack!

Wilco, Manoogian Mansion and a Tour de Ferndale

Wilco

Tonight at 7:30pm Wilco will play a show at the Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor.  Price for the tickets is $30, which is not bad for an act like Wilco.  Their most recent album, Wilco (the album) on Nonesuch Records is out now and will probably be featured at their show tonight.  I have never been to a Wilco show, but I've heard they are sweet.

Wilco (the alternative rock band) is a result of the split of the popular alternative country band Uncle Tupelo.  Jay Farrar went his way forming Son Volt and other solo projects while the rest of the members led by Jeff Tweedy formed Wilco.  The term "wilco" refers to the voice procedure term "will comply."  Find more history of the band and their music here.

Manoogian Mansion

The Mayor of Detroit is supposed to live in the Manoogian Mansion in downtown Detroit.  But Mayor Dave Bing does not want to.  It costs $160,000/year to maintain the 4,000 sq. ft. mansion that was a gift to the city of Detroit in 1966 by the Manoogian family, founders of Masco.  I say if Bing doesn't want to live in it, the city should sell it to a brewpub or microbrewery to transform it into a restaurant/bar/brewpub a la McMenamins on the west coast.  Bing maintains a condo in Detroit so that he could run for mayor.

Tour De Ferndale

Ferndale has some popular night spots.  The WAB, The Post, Como's, Dino's, they're all so crowded during the weekend.  But what about the other guys?  The bars that don't attract the young crowd on traditional bar nights.  I think those are the real champions of downtown Ferndale.  They are the heart and soul of any neighborhood.  They are legendary bars that can do without the glamor and glitz that the others relish in.  They have a history that you can't make up, and they have a cozy feel to them.  They make the neighborhood what it is. 

Thanks to Brett Callwood's review on metromix for the pic

My brother and I started our night off at Tony's.  A small sports bar with a strong baseball theme on Woodward Ave. north of 9 mile.  We sat down at old worn out bar that looked like it had seen some things next to some older gentlemen who were there for the Phillies vs. Dodgers playoff game. When we ordered our drafts (miller lite for me of course) they came in oversized pint-and-a-half glasses.  There was a simple piece of paper advertising the world famous chili for $3.50.  It seemed that most of the patrons had just finished either softball practice or a game and were there for a couple beers.  The total capacity of the place said 78.

After Tony's we walked in the freezing cold down to the New Way bar, also on Woodward but closer to 9 mile.  When we walked in the place was dark and there were only 3 people there.  One was the owner, one was the bartender, one was just a lady who said she was old enough to be our mom (she didn't look that old).  It seemed like a good place to see live music.  On the way out I picked up an add for the band Bazooka Jones that is playing there Saturday night starting at 10pm. We decided to have just one beer there (cash only, no tabs).  They were also watching the Phillies vs. Dodgers game.

The last stop on our Tour was the best.  We walked further south on Woodward, just north of 9 mile to Danny's Irish Pub.  There we picked up a game of darts (no points cricket) with a younger looking guy that seemed to be a regular.  The crowd here was younger but the feel was still neighborhood bar, cozy and dimly lit, and you probably wouldn't want to touch the floor with your bare feet.  The juke box was also a pleasant surprise, featuring albums from Iggy Pop, The MC5, The Jam and Operation Ivy.  There was an old guy at the bar in suspenders that looked like he didn't know where he was.  I am not sure if he could talk.

After losing $1 in darts and then winning $3 in darts we decided it was time to go.  It was still a work night for one of us.  But I was glad that we decided to leave the house on this Thursday night to plunge ourselves into the neighborhood bar scene in Ferndale.  They are not fancy, you won't find hot young coeds slurping vodka cranberry and it won't be crowded.  But you will find a community that loves to go out for some beer drinking, dart throwing and good times.