APRIL 15-21, 2009 | VOLUME 11 ISSUE 9
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6 | REAL DETROIT WEEKLY | may 6-12, 2009
“It’s very hard trying to run a gallery in these times. People cannot buy art as I feel they would like to.”
Marianne Burrows Unfiltered Art by Robert DelValle In the not too distant past Detroit boasted over 100 art galleries and studios. It goes without saying that there’s been a serious attrition rate in recent years. Izzy’s Raw Art Gallery is one of the few surviving stalwarts from those days, and it’s continued existence has a lot to do with the creative people who call it home. Marianne Burrows continues to labor there even if the returns aren't always commensurate with the deposits. Real Detroit Weekly talked with Marianne about her art, the state of galleries in America and the future of Izzy’s. Describe yourself as if this was a MacArthur Grant interview: Who are you? What are you at Izzy’s? How long have you been a Detroit-based artist? I’m an artist with an unrelated background in textiles, restaurants and graphics. I eat, sleep, breathe and dream for art. I’ve been actively pursuing it for two years, but it’s always been there. Currently I’m a floor sweeper and organizer at Izzy’s Raw Art Gallery. What inspires you? My inspiration comes largely from observations about my landscape ... about social concerns and the mental landscape. What is it about this city that prompts the artistic impulse in others? In a place like Detroit, where houses are deteriorating on their foundations, multiple story buildings are empty ... historical treasures are covered in graffiti and urban decay is everywhere ... it’s impossible not to be creative. Something is opened, like a can is opened, when one decides to make that step and be a
10 | REAL DETROIT WEEKLY | may 6-12, 2009
Detroiter. Detroit becomes a possession, as if we own a piece of it and carry pictures of it in our wallets. That passion ... is what makes us so damn productive and creative. What are the chief obstacles in running an art gallery in this crisis-haunted heartland we call America? It’s very hard trying to run a gallery in these times. People cannot buy art as I feel they would like to. I spent my last $40 today on groceries, I’ll probably return bottles for gas later this week. When there isn’t a lot of money to spend and you’re enjoying more time at home, home improvements start to happen. Decorating starts to happen ... You excel in both painting and photography — do they complement each other or are they different approaches with different goals? Photography is my brain’s extension. There are some things I cannot put into words or do with paints but I can take that picture. A lot of times I will have the idea of exactly what I want to take a picture of before I take it. Painting is my escape. I get to be somewhere else for awhile and draw out of me, colors, memories, sensations ... I need both of them ... doing just one would make me feel incomplete. What future plans do you have for both the gallery and yourself? In May, I'd like to involve the Lager House, Slow’s and Izzy’s in an art hopping night on Michigan Ave. I’m planning a gallery crawl August 15, called Green Art for a Green Detroit. Tom Page of Detroit Synergy is helping with a bike tour that will take place that morning. I plan on curating at least three venues as well as displaying some of my art. | RDW More info: 248.207.7547 or izzysrawart.com
Words by Dustin Rubies, Ronit Pinto & Terra Bella Photos by Ronit Pinto, Geno Bisoni and Miss SheLa
us
straight serio @ the bank
Corporate Bangin’ At MBargo Longtime party promoter and events planner Jason Dristan, or “Dritty” as he is affectionately titled, is at it again. This time around, he has brought his charm and knowledge to Lucky Strike Lanes and MBargo nightclub in Novi on Thursday night. And, if you were lucky enough to be a VIP attendee, it was quite the shindig indeed. The VIPs were treated to free bowling, free pool, free food, free booze and fresh jams by club staple DJ Captn20. “It’s great in these times to throw a free event,” said Dritty. “We wanted to give a big thanks to everybody and show them a good time.” As corporate events sales manager for Lucky Strike Entertainment, Dritty often utilizes the clubs for corporate events and alternative meeting places for businesses and the like, bringing an untraditional flare to the boredom of board meetings and beyond. “It’s like a classroom lounge,” he said. “It beats the Hilton.” On Thursday, there were people from all industries — marketing, promotion, hospitality — and many of the patrons had never visited the lanes before. “It’s great to see this place,” says Karen McDaniels, who was representing the hospitality industry. “I’ve never been here before, and we would love to have an event here. I’m blown away.” On May 16, MBargo will launch their outside patio with a big kickoff event. “It’s like Willy Wonka land here,” says Dritty. “You can go to five bars without leaving.” DDays can definitely attest to this claim, and so can the regular variety of partygoers who are quick to spend their weekend in the massive Fountain Walk complex. “Lucky Strike is better than the blue collar bowling alley — younger and hipper,” says Tony Webb. “It makes the sport more glamorous.” Sweat Soaked Good Times On Friday night, DDays was feeling the heat of the summer approaching and that left us with a decision to make. Should we make this night even hotter, or attempt to cool it down? Our love for the nightlife found us looking
fashionable friends @ oslo
to steam things up even more by heading to Oslo’s Fierce Hot Mess — a fun, gay but open party the first Friday of every month. Real Detroit staffer Adriel Fantastique was tearing apart the decks as well as Kelly Pinko, spinning everything from Madonna to BritRock, disco and deep dance cuts. The crowd apparently didn’t get the memo about getting sweaty and wild by the amount of awesome, time consuming hair-dos and well-dressed dudes floating around. We’re talking about some major uptown sensibility coupled with a savage downtown attitude. DDays has made it to this Fierce Hot Mess a few times before, and we’ve always admired the way the music played at Oslo separates it from the rest of the scene. “There’s a burgeoning underground gay scene,” said Fantastique, who has been producing events in the city for years. “There’s definitely a culture developing.” And, from what DDays can tell, Oslo is certainly leading the pack. Cha-Ching On Saturday night, The Bank was out of control … but then again, when is it not? Needless to say, even the manager couldn’t get a word in edgewise. DDays can’t blame him though. Buses were pulling up left and right, higher-ups in suits were running around like chickens with their heads cut off, bachelor and bachelorette parties were off the hook, and you couldn’t tell where one gathering of people started and the other ended — anarchy! Needless to say, The Bank was bankin’ big that night. “There are going to be a lot more special events this summer,” says co-owner Alex Kristoff. “Tonight, we had a Yin and Yang party, where the boys dressed in black and the ladies dressed in white. Basically, we had 1,500 people come out to do it.” It wasn’t just those people there, though. From peeps dressed to the nines stepping out of limos and Jaguars to tattoo-covered, everyday Joes, it seemed everyone was bringing fabulous in their own special way. You seriously can’t keep DDays away from this place. | RDW may 6-12, 2009 | REAL DETROIT WEEKLY | 11
AllDolledUp
DrinkUp
Katie Barkel
Brooklyn Summer Ale
It was vintage love at first sight in the TV Bar when we laid eyes on this budding filmmaker at a hip-hop evening featuring the likes of Nick Speed, Apollo Brown, Chief and Finale. In Detroit, you never know what you may see on any given night. So when we met Katie, she stood out like a decadent cupcake in the middle of a salad bar with only iceberg lettuce. Katie makes her “skatter-brained” style seem effortless. Not to mention she has a wicked eye for a bargain! She draws her style inspiration from Rolling Stones hype-man, Keith Richards and keeps Tom Waits on heavy rotation in her iPod. Her advice for the new fashionistas on the block, ”Wear leather jackets and don’t comb your hair.” The "just rolled out of bed look” never seemed so put together!
Leather Jacket (Corktown Yard Sale) ... $1.00 Members Only Jacket (Lost & Found) … $14.00 Skirt (Salvation Army) … $3.00 Tights (Gift) ... Free Shoes (Foot Prints) … $20.00 Purse (Lost & Found) … $24.00 Total: $62.00
Garrett Oliver is regarded as the foremost authority on pairing beer with food, his book The Brewmaster’s Table is the bible on the subject, and as the brewmaster of Brooklyn Brewery he produces enough ales and lagers to complement a world of cuisines. Their summer seasonal is a light, golden style reminiscent of English "luncheon ales" and is quite enjoyable with a sandwich served on a patio on a sunny afternoon. Delicate hopping lends a grapefruit aroma with hints of cedar and shortbread but keeps the taste clean and uncluttered. The pleasant biscuit flavor is from the carefully selected English malts. This refreshing, yet flavorful drink can be found at many beer stores, but Western Market in Ferndale is the only store to stock a quantity that rivals the standard heap of Oberon. — Jarred Gild
— Adrienne Williams
TattooTown Motor City Ink
27175 Van Dyke Ave., Warren 48093 myspace.com/motorcityink • 586.619.7236 What sets you apart from the person sitting next to you? What maintains our identities as fashions fold into one another, blurring the concept of individuality? For many, tattoos are the rebellious answer to name tags that line us up and sit us down. Whether it be a warm memorial to a loved one who has passed or a meaningless stamp that still carries the authority of beauty and design, tattoos, while increasingly popular, still remain an art form that not only lasts, but breeds and renews individuality. Like snowflakes, no tattoos are the same — each carries a unique story, form and function. For Motor City Ink, a tattoo parlor that resides just north of a city that is constantly struggling to secure its 21st century identity, tattoos are taken as seriously as it gets. Step into Motor City Ink of Warren and you’ll understand just how seriously this array of artists pursues their craft. Dozens of black binders are filled to the brim with original artwork of all varieties. The walls are plastered with Detroit’s most memorable landmarks and sections of skyline. Most importantly, the crew of artists residing behind the counter and manning the tattoo guns, are not only caring and knowledgeable, but devoted to turning your wildest tattoo fantasies into fully realized pieces of one-of-a-kind art. — Ryan Patrick Hooper
12 | REAL DETROIT WEEKLY | may 6-12, 2009
Goin' Tribal
Show your wild side with these lobe stretchers. Relax ... It probably looks more painful than it is.
Nothin' Wrong With a Lil Pride
Support your local tattoo artists (or studio, if you prefer) with this fiery hot tee. Available in an assortment of sizes — sleeves may vary.
Can’t Possibly Be True — Italian researchers revealed in March that at least one method of increasing penis size actually works (but that it would take a highly motivated man to take advantage of it). Writing in the British Journal of Urology, a team from the University of Turin had volunteers attach weights of from 1.3 to 2.6 pounds for six hours a day for a six-month period and found that their flaccid-state lengths increased by an average of almost one inch. — Retired New York City police detectives Stephen Caracappa and Louis Eppolito, who were convicted in '06 of assisting the mafia (including with assassinations), were sentenced to life in prison plus 80 to 100. However, because the men retired before being charged, they are entitled by law to their lifetime pensions of $5,313 a month and $3,896 a month, respectively. — Army Sgt. Erik Roberts, 25, was injured in Baghdad in '06 by a roadside bomb, his leg required 12 surgeries before supposedly healing, but last year a life-threatening infection was discovered. Roberts underwent a 13th surgery that was covered by his private health
insurance, however a costly, rigorous antibiotics regimen was subject to a $3,000 co-pay, which Roberts asked the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay. The agency refused, because Roberts had gone outside the system. Only when a CNN reporter called the matter to the attention of U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown in March did the agency relent. Unclear on the Concept — The Web site informationageprayer. com offers a daily service of invocations (using voice-synthesizing software) for Catholics, Protestants, Jews or Muslims. Starting each day reciting the Lord’s Prayer (or the Islamic Fajr) is $3.95 a month. Hail Marys are 70 cents a day for 10. A Complete Rosary Package is $49.95 a month. Each prayer is voiced individually, according to a March report on livescience.com. Coming Soon to Reality TV — CMT has scheduled an August startup for Runnin’ Wild ... From Ted Nugent, in which the rock singer, hunter and uninhibited gun advocate will spend five episodes training novices on how to survive in the woods. In the final episodes, Nugent and his 18-year-old son will hunt them down, with the last one
16 | REAL DETROIT WEEKLY | may 6-12, 2009
to avoid capture declared the winner. People Who Should Have Left WellEnough Alone — In April, sex offender Barry Whaley was under suspicion for failing to register his new address. While being questioned at a police station in Fairbanks, Alaska, he asked an officer to retrieve a laptop computer from his car so that it would not get stolen. When the officer brought it to him, Whaley mentioned a flight simulator program he had been using, which the officer asked to see. As the computer powered up, child pornography appeared — Whaley was arrested. — In April, police in Copley Township, Ohio, were called to a restaurant where Erik Salmons, 39, was allegedly intoxicated and annoying customers. Officers declined to arrest him but did insist that he call someone for a ride home. Once at home, Salmons decided he was insulted at being thought of as intoxicated and so drove himself to the police station and demanded a breathalyzer. He failed it and was arrested. | RDW Chuck Shepherd: newsoftheweird.com Send your weird news to weirdnewstips@ yahoo.com
SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY FOUND by Kync Smith; Manistee, Mich.
by Robert del Valle
air @ hope in desp les johanson char
And She Probably Rolled a Great Cigarette, Too! There’s many a femme fatale to be found in the universe of grand opera, but no dark-star of passion and sultriness shines brighter than that supernova named Carmen. Bizet’s antiheroine reigns supreme as the most voluptuous vamp in music. In Carmen, Don Jose, a happy corporal, was on the straight and narrow until gypsy gyrations sent his career into a nosedive. Next thing he knew, it was goodbye to mom, so long to faithful love, adios to a pension — and hello to a hot love triangle involving him, Carmelita, and a bullfighter named Escamillo. The MOT is throwing us into this ring of fire starting May 9, at the Detroit Opera House. Seriously, kids — you will NEVER find anything this good on Desperate Housewives! More at motopera.org. Expanded Notation James Stephens has produced canvases that can only be likened to those of Thomas Hart Benton — that is, if Tommy had painted them while enjoying peyote between trips to the easel. We mean that as a compliment, because the Short Stories that Stephens now has on display at the Lemberg Gallery are profound glimpses of the mystery behind both everyday objects and everyday experiences. Stephens knows how to delineate opposing forces with a masterful use of color. Thru June 6. 23241 Woodward in Ferndale. Go to lemberggallery.com. Bea Arthur RIP Shame we never saw those naked photos ... Light in Darkness Julie Fournier understands art is the only true stimulus package that works — and the works that she has assembled for a solo flight at Johanson Charles soar with a spirit that is both dynamic and knowing. Hope in Despair — Detroit discerns the passionate stubbornness in the human condition that will not admit defeat and will always ascend past an atmosphere of gloom. This is yet another impressive leaf in an artistic resume that keeps getting better with every show. Starts May 8 and there will be a Meet the Artist reception that evening. 1345 Division More: juliefournier.com.
@ short stories ry lemberg galle
No Shit Anne-Lise Coste refrained from making fun of our execrable French when we met her at the Susanne Hilberry last week. In a similar vein of courtesy she answered a number of questions and led us to a deeper appreciation of her works now on display there. Coste prefers that a primitive immediacy project from her pieces and she is not averse to either abstruse interpretation or humorous speculation as to what she’s aiming for. There’s a veritable flood of ideas behind each paper-thin bagatelle and each epic broadside. Oh, and the title of the exhibit is merde merde merde, you + you + you, tell me tell me tell me. You’ve been told, so go go go to 700 Livernois before June 6. Anima Metaphoric art is always welcome here because first we instinctively sympathize with creations that mimic to some degree the discipline of prose, and second, more metaphoric art in the world means less work for mimes. Let us encourage you to make a stop at Detroit Industrial Projects on May 8, when an exhibit called Thwarted Soul exhibits the talent of Diane Whitehead. This exhibit features an installation in which figurative paper drawings are crumbled, cut, suspended, folded, constructed and deconstructed. Thwarted Soul is an intriguing example of thematic evolution from one creative discipline to another — a motor running by itself or (if you prefer) a canvas choosing its own colors. Ms. Whitehead is from NY but is now a resident of the Russell. Thru June 6. Why is everything running in The D until D-Day? 1610 Clay Avenue. Adam Supplied the Names Adam Gabriel Winnie is a rare artist who goes beyond portraiture — his subjects reveal everything — from tortured pasts to glorious vindications — yet they stay within the carefully marked boundaries of classic representation. Winnie took William Burroughs, Frida Kahlo, Kurt Vonnegut, Aldous Huxley, Georges Bataille, Marina Abramovic and Meret Oppenheim to his studio, painted them and then brought the whole party to Da Vinci’s Salon & Gallery in Ann Arbor. They’re there now. 305 S. Main. Call 734.214.7041. | RDW may 6-12, 2009 | REAL DETROIT WEEKLY | 17
by Sara Kandel
photo by Christopher A. Jablonski
Slows Bar•B•Q
Hope and a Happy Stomach Just past the heart of Corktown, in a strip of Detroit where the former major attraction was once Tiger Stadium, lies the artistically beckoning front door to Slows BarBQ. During dinner rush on a Friday evening the wait spills outside. Exposed brick, clean lines and hardwood provides a modern setting to a cozy restaurant where the crowd, a mix of young and old, artists and professionals, keep the atmosphere alive with a constant buzz of chatter and occasional burst of laughter.
Next on the agenda was the beef brisket — a personal source of satisfaction for Perrone. “We use Niemen Ranch beef through Cisco,” he said. “They’re this small collective of farms with all vegetarian feed and they don't use hormones ... I’m really proud of that.” Taking a que from the table next to ours, CPC put in an order for a side of pulled pork. It was as good as it looked — tender and juicy.
Feeling dwarfed by a high ceiling, gazing out the Michigan Ave. window front, CPC was too lost in thought to even attempt carrying a conversation above the murmur of the crowd. While swirling a glass of wine and staring at the imposing and majestic Michigan Central Station we felt overwhelmed by the story the window told: the greatness of old Detroit, the hopelessness that emerged, and inside Slows, the possibilities of the future. Before being lost to a wine induced haze, our sweet waitress Tia, brought out the Charles Bronson salad. As salads go, this spinach creation with tomato vinaigrette dressing seemed subdued but the leaves, applewood bacon and Gouda cheese were tasty fresh though.
hesitation, declares these the best ribs ever tasted … or better put … devoured.
wonders half slab of slows and brisket @
2138 Michigan Ave., Detroit • 313.962.9828 • slowsbarbq.com Monday through Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m., Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Then came the first entree, a half slab of ribs. Where to start with the ribs? Oh, yeah … Wow! “We rub them with 13 spices and then smoke them in our Southern Pride smoker,” said Slows partner and head chef Brian Perrone.
18 | REAL DETROIT WEEKLY | may 6-12, 2009
The way they are smoked a lot of the fat is rendered from the meat but the ribs remain flavorful and rich, yet they leave the palate feeling clean — perhaps it’s the smoking process — whatever it is, this CPC writer, without
Feeling the onset of fullness creeping, we knew we hadn't much more room, but we're swayed to continue. “We try to get everyone who comes through the door to have the mac and cheese," Perone said. The mac and cheese was better than expected (even for being full), nothing like the out-of-a-box variety — this baked side was spicy and flavorful. CPC noticed pepper but couldn’identify the other spices. No wonder Perrone wants everyone to try the mac and cheese — it truly is a notable dish worth returning for. CPC ordered a second glass of Girasole Pinot Noir, a mild wine with a hint of cherry that left the palate with an ever so slight, desirable tickle. Don't forget to check out the patio, opening soon, it's the perfect place to sample one of Slow's many brews. | RDW
photos by Geno Bisoni
by Terra Bella
Pub 13 Just Like Old Times By its name alone it's hard to believe Pub 13 is anything more than another corner bar. Located in the heart of downtown Ypsilanti’s resides a hoppin’ pub containing more spunk than an ADHD child. Yeah, I said it. “It’s the most fun you can have with your clothes on,” says general manager R.C. Ticknor. I’m sure the soon-to-be bride with male genitals strapped to her forehead would agree — even after the pianists made her come up to the front and stand in the spotlight so that they could humiliate her …all in good fun, of course. Pub 13 is known for its award winning piano show, that leaves patrons begging for more. Every week, Wednesday through Saturday from 8 p.m. – 2 a.m., anyone can enjoy the dueling pianists who play requests ranging from '80's rock and hair bands to Kid Rock, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, The Beatles and much, much more.
What’s your specialty drink? A Reach Around.
“Their musical knowledge is unlimited and their energy is amazing,” said Ticknor. “Frank “The Tank” Turner has been a Pub 13 piano player for over three years and is one of our favorite musical entities." With the addition of other talented artists with different musical backgrounds, Pub 13 is one of Michigan’s best and most exciting dueling piano shows.
What’s in that? Berry vodka, vanilla vodka, Blue Curacao and Red Bull.
These musicians deserve all the praise they receive because they’ve created a superb environment, entertaining the crowd and making patrons part of the show. And it’s definitely a show — one that hasn’t been done right since back in the day.
Word Association: What’s the first word that comes to mind when you hear "A Reach Around"? Sexy time!
“This bar is one of the last of its kind,” says Ticknor. “We provide unique, one-of-a-kind entertainment based on old western saloons.” Back then pianos were one of the only kinds of musical entertainment for bar guests. Now, it’s merely a preference. Those cowboy’s probably couldn't even imagine a place like Pub 13 — music, drinks and more. | RDW 20 | REAL DETROIT WEEKLY | may 6-12, 2009
Drink Up with Bartender Christina Poindexter
What does it taste like? A firm grip and a good shake. What’s the best setting for the drink? Use your imagination.
Napkin Notes Hours: Monday – Saturday 11 a.m. – 2 a.m. Sunday 12 p.m. – 2 a.m. Digits: 734.485.4120 Location: 13 N. Washington St., Ypsilanti Web: www.pub-13.com
Now Showing
Logan's Lackluster Legend
tyson opens may 15 Anvil! The Story of Anvil .... Part This is Spinal Tap, part The Wrestler, part American Movie — fully engaging. Alternately humorous and heartbreaking, this documentary provides a great glance at some unsung metal heroes. th partner not an ideal ba
X-Men Origins: Wolverine Starring Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston, Will.i.am and Lynn Collins. Written by David Benioff and Skip Woods. Directed by Gavin Hood. Rated PG-13. by Kirk Vanderbeek Prequel, prequel, everywhere a prequel. In this X-Men installment we’re given a glimpse into Wolverine’s past, from his youth in which he witnesses the man he had known as his father being murdered (it’s such a bummer when a movie opens with mediocre kid acting) through his duty in damn near every war alongside his bloodthirsty brother Victor (Schreiber), who will eventually become his arch nemesis, Sabretooth, to his consorting in a team of mutants being led on questionable missions by an even more questionable leader by the name of Stryker (Huston). It’s after leaving this
X Marks the Spot X-Men (2000) There’s just something about the fully assembled team that is so much more appealing than Wolverine’s solo origin story — he may be a standout character but his coolness stands out more sharply in contrast to the lameness of a fellow character like Storm. Yeah, I said it ... deal with it. Wait … why is getting so windy in here? Holy shit! There's a totally wicked lightning storm outside all of a sudden; I hope my computer doesn’t short circ-
group that Logan (the man behind the moniker) ends up in the middle of nowhere, working as a lumberjack and living with a schoolteacher. But eventually, Sabretooth starts hunting down the old team, completely screwing up Logan’s wilderness love shack. But it’s nothing a little adamantium infusion won’t fix …
Wolverine has its rare moments of fun, but there is simply no scene that captures any of the necessary "wow" power of the franchise. Written and directed in a paint-by-numbers fashion, the origin story is boring and doesn’t shed any necessary light on this character, nor does it create many memorable action sequences. This film is simply dragged down by too many weaknesses, including lame logic (even by comic book standards), stiff dialogue (“Do I look like a man who exaggerates?” Umm … I don’t know. What does one look like?) and some inexcusably cheap looking effects — which is easily, as an action film, the movie’s greatest transgression. Give me X2 or give me rest. | RDW
by Kirk Vanderbeek X2 (2003) Everyone in the know, knows that this is the standout feature in the series. Even director Bryan Singer must’ve known he’d blown his X-load with this one, opting out of the third flick in order to swap franchises (and comic book worlds from Marvel to DC) to direct Superman Returns. And in classic sequel fashion this flick ups the ante on the action but, luckily (and surprisingly), doesn’t sacrifice story. X-kudos to X-U, X2.
24 | REAL DETROIT WEEKLY | may 6-12, 2009
X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) I have a theory that someone at the theatre must have thought it'd be funny to slip ecstasy into my drink when I saw this flick, because I have many times been accosted for expressing a fondness for this movie. I haven’t watched it a second time, and maybe I should, but for now ignorance is bliss, and I can happily continue to think that this was a damn fun movie. And I’ll keep on hugging strangers and chewing on this pacifier, too.
Crank: High Voltage .. This film, like the first, knows that it’s nothing but a live action video game, but this time the programmers lost a bit of their byte. They’ve upped the violence and the gore quite a bit, but not the action or ingenuity, which kind of tips the scales in a bad direction. earth .... earth features shot after perfectly composed shot of countless creatures exhibiting infinitely interesting behaviors in some of the most gorgeous corners of our world. Honestly, if you put a drunk tourist with a Handicam in these locations they couldn’t help but get good footage, so you can imagine what these professionals deliver. Fighting .. ½ This flick is fighting a losing battle, because for every hit there’s a much harsher miss: the acting’s OK but the characters are bland and boring; some of the ‘70s-esque cinematography is good but the fights look like they were shot in a blender, etc … There is absolutely nothing driving the story along. Nothing. Hannah Montana the Movie .. With a lead actress that smiles with all the sincerity of a shark, and musical sequences so awful that they make me long for the music of the friggin’ Jonas Brothers, it’s no wonder this movie fails so miserably. The Informers . ½ This movie is a cloud of carbon monoxide. Obviously not every script can be a warm hug; plenty of films function perfectly well as a stiff handshake, but The
Informers … well, The Informers is a slow, steadily tightening grip around your esophagus, one that causes a palpable sigh of relief and a flood of welcome oxygen when it finally loosens its hold. Lymelife ... This movie looks nice and is fairly well acted but the whole thing feels sort of hollow, flat and more than a bit distant — a simply passable indie drama in which each scene fades from memory as soon as it passes. 17 Again ... 17 Again does not deliver anything new with its overly familiar story, but with a rather decent lead performance from the capable Zac Efron the flick is just good enough to coast by. Sin Nombre .... This is the kind of movie that is so grimy and coarse that it forcefully rubs grit beneath your fingernails, leaving you feeling dirty long after it’s over; not to mention the fact that it’s violent enough to shake up even the boyz ‘n the hood. And yet somehow it remains accessible. The Soloist ... ½ With two acting giants like Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx at the reins of a film, it pretty much goes without saying that its performances are very noteworthy. The film does occasionally float too loftily, the occasional sequence feeling a bit overly grandiose, but when The Soloist is grounded it’s great. State of Play .... State of Play is light on the action and heavy on the chatting, and luckily the script is far less bland than its boring title may suggest, fending off its generic downfalls with good details, well-delivered, witty asides and effective subtlety.
guess what happens next?
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
a loooooong string of women in his wake. But Connor is starting to realize that perhaps his childhood love Jenny (Garner) has always been “the right one.”
Starring Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Michael Douglas, Breckin Meyer and Lacey Chabert. Written by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore. Directed by Mark Waters. Rated PG-13.
If that’s not a recipe for some generic Krogerbrand comedy I don’t know what is. Just thinking back on this movie has me feeling as jaded and annoyed as one of Connor’s ex-lovers — and I only spent 100 minutes with the prick. Here’s the problem: you obviously know everywhere the film is going before it starts and if you’re anything like me, you won’t give a shit about his eventual reformation. The guy’s an asshole, that’s where his emotional rubber band always snaps back to, so anything he learns will only be temporary. So fuck this character. And fuck this movie. And sorry for my unnecessary and semi-embarrassing psychoanalysis hack job of a film that really doesn’t warrant it. | RDW
by Kirk Vanderbeek In A Dipshit’s Carol (sorry, not the real title … just wishful thinking), Connor Mead is given a glimpse of his past, present and future relationships by a series of ghosts hoping to show him the error of his womanizing ways on the eve of his younger brother’s wedding. Apparently, Connor’s adoptive uncle (Douglas) planted some chauvinistic seeds in young Connor’s brain and he’s spent his whole life since loving and leaving
Valkyrie John Ottman Varese Sarabande Classical in just about every sense of the word, this original score by John Ottman reaches for towering majesty with every track and grasps a firm hold nearly every time. Alternating between the use of tender yet commanding string sections and percussive and pounding rhythms that eerily mirror a crowd of marching Nazis, Valkyrie’s score is both stirring, menacing and inspiring, forming not only a great collection of music to accompany the film but also a disc of exactly the kind of compositions that inspire the synapses of your brain to fire off a bit more rapidly, wonderfully complementing an all-night study session. And if you’re studying WWII it simply could not be more appropriate. — KIRK VANDERBEEK
12 Monkeys
I like Fear and Loathing, but this is the last truly great movie that director Terry Gilliam has made. With a post-apocalyptic time-traveling plotline so twisted that it’s hard to keep your eyes from crossing the first time you watch it, 12 Monkeys also features extravagant visuals, giddily crazed performances and an ending that allows for countless interpretations. — KIRK VANDERBEEK
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Battle For Terra Written by Evan Spiliotopoulos. Directed by Aristomenis Tsirbas. Rated PG. by Kirk Vanderbeek If I didn’t know any better, judging by the quality of the film, I would guess that the names of the writer and director (see above) were some sort of complicated anagrams meant to mask their identities. That or they combined the names of absolutely everybody they know and adopted those colossal fusions as handles behind which to hide. But … I would be wrong. In this animated flick (also being shown in 3-D), Terra, a peaceful planet populated by creatures that look like the sperm of ET (some weird sort of synthesis between sea monkeys and the creatures from Mac and Me), is invaded by ruthless and brutal killers. And guess who they might be? Oh, but of course, it’s us. We’re out to steal this planet from these androgynous, inexpressive little weirdos because we’ve screwed ours up and we can easily convert their atmosphere to oxygen, which, of course, will be at the expense of their entire population. But one of the human soldiers is wounded and subsequently cared for by one of the Terrians, and against all odds, they learn a thing or two about each other and strive to stop the impending war.
tres jolie
Paris 36 Starring Gerard Jugnot, Clovis Cornillac, Kad Merad, Nora Arnezeder and Pierre Richard. Written by Christophe Barratier, Pierre Philippe and Julien Rappeneau. Directed by Christophe Barratier. Rated PG-13. Now playing at Landmark’s Maple Art Theatre. by Kirk Vanderbeek In its first ten minutes, Paris 36 introduces us to Pigoil as he happily works backstage at a Parisian theatre, disagreeing with union activists and being made a cuckold of by his cheating wife. Shot after beautiful shot rapidly unfolds with true aplomb before we are finally struck with the opening title. And wow! I was totally sold, completely ready to entrust myself to this film. Unfortunately, I had just invested in the cinematic equivalent of AIG, and my shares were set to steadily plummet.
rd son
wall•e's basta
This movie looks good in wide shots and terrible in close-ups. You wouldn’t be able to tell any character from the others if it weren’t for little details like missing eyebrow hair or unique jewelry. On top of this, the storytelling is sloppy, bludgeoning the viewer to death with its hackneyed morality themes. Skip this film like a stone and watch the infinitely superior Wall•E. | RDW
So, after his wife leaves him and the theatre in which he works is co-opted by a crook, Pigoil tries to raise his son, but as he is perpetually drunk and out of work, his unending love for the boy isn’t enough and his mother eventually takes him away. But, in an effort to reunite with his son, Pigoil and some mates decide to re-open the theatre and make a name for themselves, alslo discovering a fresh young starlet along the way — but any path of good intentions is, as always, paved with plenty of problems.
Paris 36 is as light and airy as a croissant and sweet as frosting, but that’s sort of all it is (which makes for one helluva stomachache). None of the plotlines are very developed beyond their slick surfaces, but what the film lacks in propulsion it does make up for in aesthetics. Regrettably, this ends up feeling like a beautiful paint job on a rather unstable dwelling. Oh well, c’est la vie, there is some easy fun to find here (if you don’t look too hard). | RDW
"this one's for my homies"
Is Anybody There? Starring Michael Caine, Bill Milner, Anne-Marie Duff, David Morrissey, Rosemary Harris and Leslie Phillips. Written by Peter Harness. Directed by John Crowley. Rated PG-13. Opens at Landmark’s Maple Art Theatre, 5/8. by Kirk Vanderbeek Edward (Millner, who made such a wonderfully auspicious debut in ‘07’s Son of Rambow) is a boy living in an old folk’s home with his two parents who run the establishment. Dissatisfied with damn near everything in his life, Edward fancies himself a wee little ghost hunter, much more interested in the dead than his own nearly dead housemates, spending his free time attempting to contact the ghosts of the deceased and fascinating himself
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with such morbid items as a tape recording he has captured of an old man’s death rattle. Edward’s cantankerous little nature finally meets its match when the reluctant Clarence (Caine), formerly The Amazing Clarence, a traveling magician, moves in, thumbing his nose at the whole ordeal and quietly mourning the loss of his wife.
Is Anybody There? starts off a bit muddled but quickly finds its rhythm, crafting a surprisingly sweet and largely likeable tale. The relationship this couple of cranks forms may be a bit familiar but its not wholly typical, and with Caine portraying his steady skill and Milner proving he’s no one-trick pony, it’s very easy to find yourself swept up in their blossoming bond. Every time the story falters a bit, in steps a wonderful moment to keep it on track, and it’s very easy to overlook this film’s few shortcomings because it features the most important filmic element in bulk: heart. | RDW
by Captain Kirk Vanderbeek The swarm of paparazzi and Trekkies poised maniacally in front of the Beverly Hills Four Seasons is terribly disappointed as I draw near and prove to be “nobody.” Extended Sharpies are rapidly withdrawn, the surfaces of countless Star Trek items left unmarked, as a path clears through the throng and I seek the relative safety of the nearby shuttle bus. Once aboard, surrounded by other members of the press, I assume I’ve discovered a brief respite from the Trek mania, but I quickly discover that there is simply no escaping it, as I find myself seated amongst a group of journalists in the midst of a Star Trek trivia contest (the victor standing valiant with his knowledge of a Klingon opera). And I, well … I couldn’t tell you less about the folklore if I tried, having seen none of the television shows and only the original motion picture, which in my youth served as both a bitter disappointment and a highly effective sedative — “Star Wars this is not!” Of course, I’m familiar with all the traditional trappings of Trek that have a tractor beam set on anyone with any sense at all of pop culture, but other than sharing a namesake with the longtime captain of the USS Enterprise (after whom I was not named!), the Trek has had very little to do with my life. So why am I so excited to see this movie? Is it the meager buzz that the Electric Enterprise drinks I’m being served before the screening are inducing (the Enterprise apparently tastes like Malibu rum, in case you were wondering) or is it the palpable buzz of excitement in the theatre as the red curtain parts and the enthusiastic crowd bursts into anticipatory applause? Whatever it is, it’s working. Send my apologies to Luke Skywalker and Han Solo and beam me right on up. I can’t yet disclose my feelings on the film (sneak peek: it does not disappoint), so let’s fast-forward to the next morning as the people
“I hope they’ll accept these changes to their canon that they hold so dear, which are definitely changes, but I don’t think [we] do anything other than tell a great story differently.” responsible for the film talk about what it takes to re-brand such a significant franchise. Many members of the cast and crew are present, but Leonard Nimoy, the man known as Spock for over 40 years who shows up in the new film despite having previously stated that he would never do another Star Trek movie, draws a great deal of warranted attention. “Mr. Nimoy,” begins an eager reporter, “in the original series, episode 32 …” A big laugh and a few sighs of relief spread through the room as it becomes clear that he’s only kidding, and Nimoy offhandedly joins into the moment, joking, “Wait a minute; I remember it well! I’ve got it; go ahead!” Whoever said that Trekkies don’t have a sense of humor? All kidding aside, what was it about this film that convinced Nimoy to come out of his Spock retirement and once more don his signature pointy ears? He explains, “The makers of this film reawakened in me the passion I had when we made the original films and series. I was put back in touch with what I cared about and why I enjoyed being involved with Star Trek. So it was easy to come on home.” Zachary Quinto, the actor portraying the new and younger Spock of this prequel, describes the opportunity to work with Nimoy as “an incredible honor.” He goes on to say, “The whole experience for me was so fulfilling, beyond my wildest expectations in terms of getting to know him and understanding how this character has informed his creative process and his life. It was great fun. I’ve gotten asked a lot if there was pressure because of Leonard’s involvement and my response has always been to the contrary, actually. Having
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him as a resource and such a generous available support system actually made it so much easier for me to step into this experience.” Nimoy again jokes, “He sounds like Spock, doesn’t he? So intelligent … ” There is undeniable good nature and humor between the old and new generations of Trek, but also a real heartfelt honesty — you can virtually see Nimoy passing Quinto the metaphorical torch with a knowing smile, a pat on the back and the encouragement to “live long and prosper.” But how, with such a fresh take on something so beloved since 1966, can the filmmakers avoid offending purists? Aren’t they at all concerned about an eventual knock at the door, on the other side of which stands a bitter group of Trekkies with their phasers set to kill? J.J. Abrams (best known as the writer/producer/ creator of Lost — another show that has rapidly developed its own rabid fan base), director of Star Trek, explains that “because the script was so strong, because the characters were so good and because the actors were so good, I felt like the risk of playing with something that was precious to many people was, to me, such a worthy risk.” The man with perhaps the most weight on his shoulders is Chris Pine, the new (or, rather, old? oh, time travel and prequels … ) Captain Kirk, a self-admitted “Star Wars kid,” responds to this pressure by choosing not to respond to it at all. “I have no control over what people think,” Pine says, “and if I were to spend energy on that I would be a lifeless, deadened human being. So I hope that they like it, but I just simply have no control. We’ve done a good job I think, I’m proud of it and
I hope they’ll accept these changes to their canon that they hold so dear, which are definitely changes, but I don’t think [we] do anything other than tell a great story differently.” One of the more controversial aspects of the film is the absence of Pine’s predecessor, William Shatner. J.J. Abrams addresses Shatner’s YouTube video posting (in which Shatner, alongside his daughter, somewhat bitterly responds to a quote from Abrams in which he describes having “tried desperately to put him in the movie”) as an unfortunate misunderstanding. Abrams explains, “Nothing would have made us happier than to have William Shatner in this movie. You try to figure out a way to put him in, and every time we did, it was a gimmick. So ... ” Screenwriter Robert Orci interrupts, “We decided this,” pointing to a Spock quote on his T-shirt which reads: “Logic clearly dictates that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.” But what of the man from whose lips those words originally spilled? Did Nimoy miss his Shatner on the set of Star Trek? "Did I miss him?" asks Nimoy, "I can’t honestly say that that’s the right word to describe my feelings … I pointed out to him that we’re even now, because he acted in one of the Star Trek movies that I was not in, and he had to admit that that was true. And we’re over it; I think it’s history. I think he genuinely wants the movie to be a success.” For now, the true success of the film remains unknown, though it certainly seems imminent. And as to any future sequels? Well, everyone involved is remaining very tight-lipped about that potential, deeming it “presumptuous” to discuss the future before the present has even happened (though you’d think they’d be acclimated to time travel by this point), but I think it’s very safe to assume that we’re still very, very far from Star Trek’s final frontier. | RDW Star Trek opens 5/8
“S
o I’m glad were not talking on the phone,” Sixto Rodriguez says to me as I began to sit down in the chair next to him. He stares deep into my eyes, orders up two pints of Motor City Brewing Works' finest brews and proceeds to move his glass in for a toast. I began to form the words and develop a spur of the moment cheer, “Congratulations on the success of Cold Fact and Coming to … ” Rodriguez holds out his hand as if to say "stop." “This is to you, Eric. To you … ” he says trailing off. The idea of Rodriguez, the Detroit legend who is finding fame through the recent reissues of his influential psychedelic/ folk albums Cold Fact and Coming To Reality, toasting me is one that sends shockwaves through my brain. I instantly start shuffling through pages of notes, looking for questions to ask or trying to figure out something poignant to say. Yet, in order to understand the nerves inside that pulsate every time Rodriguez begins to prophesize about politics, talks about his family or reminisces about the recording process of his albums, one must understand the singer/songwriter’s past, present and future. Born in Detroit on July 10, 1942, Sixto Diaz Rodriguez was the sixth child born to his parents and was raised in and around the Cass Corridor. Growing up interested in music, he received his first guitar at age 16 and immediately began writing his own music. Picking up steam while playing shows under the name “Rod Riguez,” he would release several singles on the Impact record label before re-recording them for his essential classic psychedelic/folk record, Cold Fact. Despite having fantastic songs and amazing production from Funk Brothers' Dennis Coffey and Mike Theodore, the album bombed financially.
“We did it all in like under a month … Cold Fact was not a lot of work. The sessions were all very quick. it was easy.” Attempting to follow up quickly with another record, Rodriguez released his also-classic second album, Coming To Reality. Yet, the public’s reception was even more lukewarm than that of the first album. Left with no other choice, Rodriguez found himself back in the Cass Corridor working in building demolition and restoration in order to support his growing family. Despite Rodriguez anonymity in the streets of Detroit for the past 40 years, the recent re-release of both albums has set the wheels in motion for a fantastic comeback. As we sit, chatting about the future, it's obvious through his words that Rodriguez is ready to accept anything that comes his way. Whether it be the international tour that he will start this week or just going back to busking on street corners, Rodriguez will be there with his guitar, ready and waiting. Tell me about your childhood? What was it like? We were a large family and the thing is that my mother died when I was three. My dad was my role model and I learned so much from him. He was a working class, high working class, very strong guy and he is just my role model. Listen, he’s only been gone a few years, but it feels like he is still here. They say the heart never braves the dead ... I think like anyone’s childhood I had a lot of influences. I was living in Detroit when there were three and a half million people and so that was a completely different environment that it is today. I think back to John F. Kennedy, and the reason he got elected was because he wanted a $1.25
minimum wage. I say that because $1.25 spoke to us. We were very much a working class family. When did you first get into playing guitar and singing? I started playing when I was 16 and the thing is I listened to anybody who had a guitar and sang ... I just wanted to know how they did it. Early on it was, “Who’s writing this material?” and later on it became, “Who’s producing?” and “How’s it being released?” You keep getting deeper into it. Did you immediately start writing your own material? I think we tend to imitate and mimic what’s out there. I listened to so much music so it all influenced me. The big band era … You can’t get around that stuff … Whoever was doing vocal stuff like in the ‘70s with Neil Young and Dylan, The Beatles and all those people. I want to cover as much turf as I can. I love playing, but I love listening as well. How did you go from being this young, unknown cat to working with the Funk Brothers on Cold Fact? The thing is that I met a guy named Harry Balk — my whole career has been about introductions — that’s the deal with this music thing. It’s like someone says, “I want you to meet this guy who’s playing this stuff.” That is how you get to that point … So Harry Balk wanted to record me and I signed a hard seven year contract [laughs] … so I had to live with that, but then again he was the guy that was throwing some bread at me. It was just all introductions.
What was the recording experience like on Cold Fact? I’m just lyrics … Vocals and guitar. Vocals against guitar. I’m a voice against guitar and really I’m just a rhythm guitar player. Everyone else fills up behind me. We really weren’t even in the studios that long … we did it all in like under a month, but we weren’t even there all week. We did sessions and it was very quick. Cold Fact was not a lot of work. The sessions were all very quick. It was easy. It wasn’t that much. When you heard the record, did you think it would be a hit? Oh, yeah … We all thought it would and I lost lot of friends when it didn’t hit. Well, not lost friends, but people were disappointed we didn’t hit. A couple of my female friends, but I don’t need to tell you about heartbreak. How did you prepare to come back from the commercial failure of the first record to record Coming To Reality? Neil Bogart ... suggested to Clint Savant from Sussex Records that I should go to London to do my second album. It was very exciting to be coming from Detroit to London, back when money meant something. It was the same thing as Cold Fact though. It was just under a month ... both albums were just so instantaneous. After all the touring that you will do this year, do you think you will record a third record? I would like that. The thing is we develop as we go along. You don’t have to write the best songs in the world … You just have to have your feelings out there and that’s what I want to do. I’m all about finding words, but I don’t want to push them together. | RDW Rodriguez • 5/9 • Magic Stick
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he adulation of the press can be somewhat frustrating at times, as words can often remain lifeless on a page and leave your band looking a little lame. Ask Brooklyn’s Vivian Girls. They know a little about the subject. “When we were reading the reviews for our first album they all kind of said the same thing,” says the band’s guitarist/vocalist Cassie Ramone. Despite repetition of some misconceptions, the Vivian Girls have blown away listeners with their impressive body of work that mixes fast-paced pop/punk with the sounds of Spector and S.O.A. Real Detroit Weekly chatted with Ramone about the fallacies of the Vivian Girls.
f there’s anything one should know about Richard Lloyd, it’s the fact that Richard Lloyd likes to learn. Soaking up knowledge like a sponge, it’s clear that he can talk circles around anyone, regardless of the subject. South African music? Check. Moses? You got it. Magnetized cars? Sure, why not? Regardless of whatever he may chose to talk about, (which, for the record, is a mess of things) one thing remains certain: Lloyd loves life. Real Detroit recently caught up with the guitar guru about, well, everything under the sun. Lloyd began his career in the early ‘70s with punkrock band, Television. Influential, cutting-edge and technically proficient, the act became cult legends in New York. Since, Lloyd has continued to follow that same thread, constantly reinventing himself by producing with different artists, writing poetry and short prose and touring with his Sufi-Monkey Trio. “The whole group of us are in this little tin can,” gripes Lloyd while heading from Tennessee to Texas. “One of the perks of being on a rock ‘n’ roll tour is that you don’t need to know where you’ve been or where you’re going or where you are,” Lloyd says. “You just simply ask the tour manager. He will only reply with the following words: ‘look at your itinerary.’” Coming soon on the itinerary is Detroit; a place that was skipped over last time Lloyd was in town, “because of an outbreak of, oh we’ll say Swine Flu, why not?” Swine flu or not, the guys are on their way to D town with a thirty track set-list full of goodies from Television, Lloyd’s other projects and a little Jimi Hendrix. “We don’t take requests, we don’t play ‘Free Bird,’” Lloyd remarks. “I love everything I do and every breath I take, everything I see and everything I make,” rhymes Lloyd. Toting himself as a truth teller and lover of losing, Lloyd may come off as otherworldly in his proclamations, yet you still take him seriously. “If you’re having fun now, wait’ll you decipher what I’m actually saying, because every single word is related to every other single word that I have used because I’m a superb hypnotist,” said Lloyd. Perhaps that’s why he leaves us so enthralled. For more information: richardlloyd.com. | RDW Richard Lloyd • 5/11 • Corktown Tavern
In preparing for this interview I kind of noticed that you guys get a lot of press basically saying the same things over and over again… Some people will write, “Vivian Girls combine punk, shoegaze and surf,” which are the genres on our Myspace.
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nimal Collective’s latest full-length release, Merriweather Post Pavilion, is one of the highest elevations of the 21st century’s musical obsession with everything burnt with electro-pop gasoline. In the same way hairstyles define a generation, the click and whir philosophy of music’s wayward affair with electronically fueled jams are becoming fingerprints of the time. Merriweather Post Pavilion is a musical landmark, combining layer after layer of sampled, electronic bliss into a fresh context that exists within the fad, but takes extreme lessons from the past. These are big claims, and when tossed directly into the face of Animal Collective’s David Portner (a.k.a. Avey Tare), it doesn’t have the impact that one might expect. Portner and the rest of Animal Collective are continually focusing their creative energy into positive formats, but day-by-day realizing the realities of a fickle musical industry. Real Detroit recently spoke with Portner about progressions in the band and between members and the indie media’s relentless mission to paint Animal Collective as a weird gaggle of mysterious dudes. Considering the fact that you guys have all been friends and making music since high school, how have the relationships between the band members transformed and how is it related to the music Animal Collective makes? It’s definitely changed a lot for some of us more than others. There have just been a lot of ups and downs … It’s been a real learning process of how it relates to our relationships with each other, how we maintain friendships with people outside of the band and what we’re involved in and what we’re trying to do, which has grown to a point. Luckily, we’ve been able to put ourselves individually into positions where we are happy and content for the most part, especially in the sense that we can make it work and have gotten it to a place where we don’t need to struggle. It’s always been fun to play, but there has been other baggage along the way. Why is it that the indie media continually tries to pin the title of “weird and mysterious” onto your chests? Unfortunately, people just say what they say. People interpret the stuff that we do as weird or that we are weird, out there, stony guys who love the forest and worshipping nature. I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that we’ve never created an image of ourselves. To us, it’s just more about the music — it’s hard for us to talk about it. We just do it, you know? | RDW Animal Collective • 5/18 • Royal Oak Music Theatre
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There is the whole shoegaze scene that people tend to associate you with. Do you feel like you even fit in there? I think we’re loosely associated because we’re buddies with those bands, but I wouldn’t say we are in that scene. I feel like we hop around a lot with the Cause Commotion scene, the Brooklyn house party punk scene, there is the whole Wavves thing and the hardcore scene. We totally jump around. Everyone plays up the fact your from New York. Does the fact you are from the Big Apple influence your sound in a big way? The city of New York has had an influence on our sound because it would be hard to start a project and not be influenced by your surroundings. We were primarily influenced by bands like The Wipers and ‘80's hardcore and just wanted to play really fast. Writers talk a lot about your band being all girls … Do you think if you were dudes it would sound any different other than your voices? When we were starting the band we were never like, “OK, we’re an all girl band and we are going to make really feminine music.” It was more like, “Let’s just make music that we all like.” | RDW Vivian Girls • 5/7 • The Crofoot’s Pike Room
F
or Ty Stone, a rising country music artist, it all started with a Detroit Pistons game. His friend got courtside seats for his birthday and passed Ty’s demo to Kid Rock who Sam knew would be there. After that, the rest is history. Rock must have liked what he heard, because within a few weeks, Stone was back at a Pistons game singing the National Anthem. “It was nerve wrecking; it's just you in the middle of an empty basketball court with a microphone—it's dead-silent and Lebron James, Ben Wallace and a few thousand basketball fans are staring at you. I must have been in the bathroom with a pitch pipe for a half-hour before I went out. At least when I perform, it’s a bit dark and I have a band to hide behind. It was the most nervous I had ever been.” Rock got Stone signed to Atlantic Records, and now is about to drop his first EP, Four on the Floor at his CD release party on the Detroit Princess called Shiprocked, Saturday, May 16. (Did they say “on a boat”?!) Ty says, “This EP is very Detroit, I picked these songs because I knew I would be dropping it in my hometown.” With tracks like “Bob Seger” and “Downriver” (a shout out to his downriver peeps) it's easy to see. There will be a live performance by Ty Stone and The Truth, as well as performances by Robin Horlock, Brandon Calhoon and Frankie D’ Angelo at this all night party.
Stone plans to spend the summer promoting his EP and gathering material for his first full-length album, due sometime next year. The past few months have been a whirlwind of activity—hanging with Kid Rock, meeting his friends, recording, writing songs all over the country with different artists and promoting his EP. “This is like a musician's dream, you always hope one day some rock star will pull up in a limo and your career will explode; Stone says. "That’s pretty much what happened, a few weeks after I gave Rock the demo he left a voicemail on my phone and next thing I know, boom, I’m on his private jet getting signed by Atlantic.” In a place known for rock 'n' roll, Motown and hip-hop, the last thing to come to mind is country music, but out of all the closed down factories, is emerging a new artistic community, more than just a coincidence, it’s a phenomenon. Artists like Ty Stone, the Truth, Whitey Morgan & the 78’s, Doop and the Inside Outlaws are quickly growing in number and receiving national attention. “The scene is growing, and its all super-positive, everyone is very supportive of each other” Stone states. The genre is quickly differentiating itself from the rest of country music as “outlaw country” just like everything to come out of the city, it's uniquely Detroit. The connections between the South and Detroit grows stronger day by day. Stone explains, “ There is a community of country folk in Detroit, whose families moved up from the South when the coal mines closed looking for jobs at the auto factories.” | RDW Ty Stone • 5/16 • Detroit Princess
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lion complex is amazing in and of itself. Throwing in a celebrity DJ like Samantha Ronson makes it all the better.”
T
here is only one place to be on Friday, May 9 for all you gossip addicted, nightclub-loving fiends — the grand opening of Club Sound Board at MotorCity Casino Hotel. "This party will be something Southeast Michigan has never seen before," said Bill Borenstein, vice president of entertainment and theater opperations at Club Sound Board. "The venue's sound, light and video system is explosive. We are very excited about DJ Samantha Ronson kicking off the grand opening." The venue boasts four bars and multiple private suites, valet parking and ultra convenient self-parking. The excitement surrounding the launch is contagious, but beyond the launch, Detroit is priviledged just to have a great new spot to add to the nightlife scene. “Sound Board is Detroit’s state of the art performance venue that is being turned into a mega club on special nights,” Borenstein says. Through a partnership with Vital Productions, Sound Board promises to keep reeling in big-name entertainment. Vital has a track record that proves them an industry leader in the promotions and events biz. They host weekly events at places like the Bosco and Mon Jin Lau and throw some of the best Halloween and NYE parties in Detroit. "We are very excited," said Jody Haddad, founder of Vital Productions. "The grand opening of a $30 mil-
38 | REAL DETROIT WEEKLY | may 6-12, 2009
Building a reputation based on her musicianship, as well as troubled relationship with Lindsey Lohan, DJ Samantha Ronson creativity can be linked through family genes. Twin sister Charlotte is a fashion designer and older brother Mark is a successful and famous DJ/music producer. Mark Ronson discovered Lily Allen and was an integral part in Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black album. Samantha has made a name for herself playing parties for the likes of Sundance, the American Music Awards, Maxim, ElleGirl Prom, Blender and the VMA’s in Miami. Ronson, born in London to Ann-Dexter Jones (writer and socialite) and Laurence Ronson (real estate entrepreneur), had a music infused upbringing thanks to step-dad Mick Jones. She performed with a rap group at age 16 under the moniker, Low Lifes. She opened for JC Chasez on his Schizophrenic tour and is signed to Roc-A-Fella Records. As the label’s first rock act, she never officially released an album but found success with her track “Built This Way,” featured in the film, Mean Girls. She now DJs and co-owns The Plumm, a New York City nightclub. Making the four-hour flight to Detroit from L.A., Ronson will be setting the soundtrack to the night. Doors open at 9 p.m. Get tickets at all Ticketmaster locations and Ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available through the MotorCity Casino Hotel Box Office Friday through Sunday. To charge by phone, call (248) 645-6666. | RDW Samantha Ronson • 5/9 • MotorCity Casino’s Sound Board
Subdued Sexuality
in my ear
Peaches I Feel Cream Beggars XL At 40 years old, Peaches still possesses the power to transform the most average of women into savage and sexual beasts of the night. With the twist of a knob and the lick of a deviant lyric, girls hesitant of making the first move or sneaking out into the darkness of the witching hour are instantly evaporated into thundering forces of hormonal domination and sleek, trailer park sexuality — lipstick smeared, hair electrically charged with dollar store hairspray — till a man no longer desires class, but rather burying his hands deep into the damsel dirt of raunchiness. For those beyond awkward glances and hallway showdowns, Peaches splits the nine-to-five grind into the superheroes’ realm. By day, a sharply altered business suit with designer coffee equipped. By night, a burning flame of chrome and leather prowling through the nightclubs for a chunk of man to use at her disposal. Although all things that go bump in the night must rest their cloudy heads, Peaches’ grinding electro-clash wars, rough-edged synths and elementary erotica poetry allows the ladies (and the men who chase them) to break the chains of societal norms and slip into something a bit more comfortable — electronic debauchery on all levels of the dance floor. A lifestyle for some, but on Peaches’ latest release, I Feel Cream, only fleeting moments of sexual satisfaction under a blanket of strobe lights are warranted. On t
Yusuf Meet Cat Yusuf Roadsinger (To Warm You Through The Night) A&M Records When most musical artists get to the twilight of their careers, it seems they are often faced with trying to keep themselves in the public eye. Apparently the easiest way to do this is to release a substandard CD exclusively through some horrible retail outlet, i.e. Wal-Mart or Starbucks, and just watch the cash fly in. Frankly, Yusuf, aka Cat Stevens, could have done this, but he’s far more talented and capable. Instead, he
The Menthols Playing a scrappy blend of jammy punk rock with metal flicked into it, The Menthols are a tight four piece that will remind many of The Stooges and Motorhead. If you’re into tight jam sessions, drinking beers with your buds and fun times, then you will want to see this band when they play the Painted Lady on May 9. Check out these fantastic records the band has selected:
introductory track “Serpentine,” Peaches marches across ground traveled many times in her surprisingly lengthy career — minimalist synths hug tightly to the click and whir of button push beats while suggestive moans and vulgarity take responsibility for some sort of bedroom eye hook. While a disappointing welcoming mat, Peaches quickly flips the script with “Talk To Me,” a bass-driven, Tina Turneresque riot that not only pleases, but evokes the sexy courage one might need to slide across the dance floor and beg a stranger to, you know, actually talk to them. On “Billionaire,” it’s debatable if Peaches’ hiphop soaked anthem about boning the rich and famous in lavish hotel rooms is a clearcut sample from some Dead Kennedys track from the Frankenchrist days (which,
has released Roadslinger, an honest and open pop effort, with an immense feeling of integrity and sense of classic songwriting that one would expect from the author of “Peace Train” and “Wild World.” Light and mellow, Yusuf controls Roadsinger like he has always done on all of his records, in the manner of a folk troubadour acting as a pop maestro. “Thinkin’ Bout You” is far and away an impressive single with swelling lush strings on it’s pre-chorus buildup which transforms into a powerful chorus. Yusuf’s ability to go from quiet to loud and back again turns a somewhat timid singer/songwriter piece into a full on band blowout. “Welcome Home,” “The Rain” and “Be What You Must” follow this formula and stand out as some of most impressive tracks on Roadslinger. — ERIC ALLEN
for obvious reasons, is intriguing in and of itself). By the time the sexual yet maternal sensuality of “Mommy Complex” strikes the eardrums, you’ll wonder what idiot repeated the same track several times on I Feel Cream, and might even consider writing an angry letter to her record label. But don’t fret! Peaches is only an escape, a quickie in a dirty bathroom stall, an excuse to act and feel like someone you really aren’t while grinding your goods up, down, over and across the dark annals of the club. But when push comes to shove, our day jobs suck. Our bodies never look as good in fresh morning sunlight as they do in the light of the moon, and all parties must end. And, unfortunately for us, Peaches’ latest only keeps us soaked in illusion for so long. — RYAN PATRICK HOOPER
So Cow So Cow Cheater Slicks Yer Last Record Wavves Wavves Jail Jail Can Monster Movies Cheater Slicks Yer Last Record Wizzard Sleeve Wizzard Sleeve Black Sabbath Black Sabbath Neu Neu72 The WhoRidas The WhoRidas
Bachelorette
Blank Dogs
My Electric Family Drag City
Under and Under In The Red Records
New Zealand based multi-instrumentalist Annabel Alpers sounds so natural surrounded by machines. Her vocals, as wispy as they are chalky, looped and double-tracked, seems to gush in a dreamy reverie as it soars over blippy synths and disco-rumbled beats and narrates a world very much at terms with the coldness of technology (“Her Rotating Head”). Alpers has experimented in the realms of psychedelic and surf, which shows on some of the clangy guitars and head-swimming fuzz effects persistent throughout My Electric Family. — JEFF MILO
With Blank Dogs debut for In The Red Records, Under and Under, now released, the band’s mastermind Mike Sniper has continued to build upon his promise that the sound of his group would be one that was only identifiable as that of the Blank Dogs. Relying on vauge vocals, catchy synths and basic guitar, Sniper has created an album that shows potential to supercede all the hype about lo-fi bands. “Open Shut” and “No Compass,” in particular, blow through the wall of other fauxnew wave/fuzz junk being made and stand out as pure pop songs. — ERIC ALLEN
may 6-12, 2009 | REAL DETROIT WEEKLY | 41
The Electorate
Motor City’s Burning
by Adriel Fantastique! The seductive and alluring appearance of Canada’s latest creative export may initially attract fans that are more interested in a pretty face than quality dance music. Fortunately, Sydney Blu’s DJ and production skills quickly turn them into true fans. The Ottawa native, considered to be Canada’s “First Lady of House", has been creating waves around the globe with her fierce sets and top-notch releases. Her ambition and talent have transformed her from relative obscurity into a star. Influenced by the “electro-tinged tribal house” sound, Blu’s first release, “The Steps I Take,” garnered critical acclaim and generated buzz. Her first compilation, YTO 2004, was one of Canada’s top releases that year. Blu soon became an in-demand fixture on Canada’s dance circuit, playing venues like Guvernment and Stereo. Not content to just play music, Sydney stepped up her production efforts. Original tracks and remixes flowed forth, released on labels including PBR Recordings, Don’t Look Productions and Rawthentic Music. In 2008, “Give It Up For Me” became SB’s biggest hit and perhaps her most defining recording yet. Released by Mau5trap and remixed by Deadmau5, the track firmly placed Sydney among the world’s most celebrated producers — reaching number one on Beatport’s “Electro” chart and number three on their main chart. An upcoming tour has Sydney Blu performing internationally. She makes a local stop this Saturday at Nove Lounge. | RDW
by Eric Allen
The Zone by Origix If you look at most maps; Canton Twp. is not even represented. Miles west of The D, between Westland and Plymouth in Canton Twp. you will find Madio, who used to be known as TexT in the group Verb. “Hip-hop is the true story of the underdog coming out on top," said Madio. "That is why there is always a place for Canton in hiphop. I will rep the 'burbs around the globe.” Now solo, it’s a whole new game for him. “The focus is still the same," said Madio. "I’m still an artist trying to make good music that I like, and find people who like it just as much.” Working with AKA, Lipton and Charlie Beans helped him supply the beats needed to pursue rapping with a fresh slate. Look for Madio promoting his first solo effort, Suburban Bread, as well as promoting his crew P.O.D. (Pursuing Our Dreams). Visit MyNameIsMadio.com. | RDW The Zone Radio with Origix & DC airs Saturday’s 8pm-12am 89.3 fm, stream at whfr.fm, Visit myspace.com/thezoneradio & 2Raw4fm.com
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As one half of The King Khan and BBQ Show, a founding member of The Spaceshits and Mind Controls and a sometimes member of Demon’s Claws, Montreal native Mark Sultan is not only busy constantly creating new musical output, but simply put, he is the absolute motherfucking man. With a voice that will remind brains everywhere of something like the vocal chords of Eddie Cochran or maybe even Buddy Holly, not only is this singer/guitarist/drummer’s voice completely moving, but it’s also timeless. The same thing can be said about Mark’s music. A conglomeration of Chuck Berry meets The Sonics and every important early rock ‘n’ roll figure or garage rock band that ever slashed holes in their amps to make distortion, Sultan makes a sound all his own with his trusty guitar, hi-hat and kick drum. On May 13, he will be opening up for long time friend and bandmate King Khan and his fabulous soul/R&B group, The Shrines, at the Magic Stick. Joining in on all the fun are Detroit rock ‘n’ rollers, The Readies. In slightly more local news, the Johnny Ill Band will be releasing their debut seven-inch this week via Kit from Kommie Kilpatrick’s new record label, Kaboodle Records. Kind of punk, kind of not, but ultimately catchy as fuck, the Johnny Ill Band will be playing a record release show this Friday, May 9, at Hamtramck's most lovely punk bin, The Painted Lady. Looks like another lost night on Jacob St. | RDW
Deep Cutz by Jeff Milo For local southern-swathed indie/folk-pop mystics Scarlet Oaks, 2009 is bringing on considerable changes. The band, started by Steve McCauley and Noelle Lothamer in late '07, has solidified its line up with James Anthony on guitar and Joe Lavis on bass. After their distinctive debut, '08’s Innocence Isn’t Easy and mix of the harmonious and the rough crackling, the shuffled pop and the gritty grind, the band will release Canadien Dew EP in July on Bellyache Records. As opposed to Innocence’s tough drawn out process with member changes and re-recordings, Canadien Dew is recorded with said-line up, mostly live (at Ghetto Recorders). “Like the South for other artists,” said McCauley, “living in the City of Detroit is a pretty big part of my lyrical content. It’s hard to be sentimental and upbeat a lot of the time with all of the economic problems and decay. So that cynicism makes its way into the songs.” Still, McCauley adds, “strong bonds and great friendships” have also brought their warming influence onto the new EP. The band plans a Midwest/ southbound tour this year. See them live My 9 at Berkley Front; May 15 at the Downtown Hoedown in Hart Plaza. More info: myspace.com/scarletoaks. | RDW
by Daniel Yowell
Survival of the Fittest Resident Evil 5 Playstation 3, Xbox 360 (review copy) / Capcom In Resident Evil 5, the series that introduced the survival horror genre continues its evolution by taking on more elements of straight action shooters, dumping unnecessary or outdated contrivances and finding new, innovative ways to maintain its signature, pulse-pounding tension. If Resident Evil 4 was a full-blown franchise overhaul, RE5 is a continuation, introducing its own fair share of twists, most notably co-op play. Not since spinoff Resident Evil Outbreak has co-op play been included in the series, but RE5 does a superb job of making it work. In singleplayer mode, gamers control RE veteran Chris Redfield, who is accompanied at all times by an AI-controlled special agent partner named Sheva Alomar. Unlike Ashley in RE4, Sheva is no damsel in distress. She is a smart, capable partner who will save you nearly as many times as you’ll save her. But despite the overall quality of the single-player mode, co-op is
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truly the best way to experience RE5, and is available in local split screen, LAN or online. Like Left 4 Dead, RE5 trades in the terror of isolation in the face of imminent danger for the anxiety of protecting yourself and your partner and working together in harrowing situations. The campaign only lasts about 12 hours, but it’s a game that you’ll want to play through at least twice — once in single-player and once in co-op. Taking a cue from Dead Space, RE5 no longer allows players to take refuge in a safe menu screen to catch their breath during a fight and look at maps or inventory. All menus are now presented in real time, adding more intensity to combat and keeping players fully immersed in the game world. Typewriters once used for saving have now gone the way of the item box, and have been replaced by an autosave feature. The merchant from RE4 is also gone, but items can still be purchased during breaks between each chapter. Gameplay, however, is virtually identical to RE4’s, including characters’ inability to run-and-gun. In classic RE fashion, all aiming and shooting must be done while your character is stationary. What all gamers should be able to agree on is that RE5 is one of the best pieces of eye candy to hit consoles this year. Rich textures and incredible “blown out” lighting effects bring to life the desolation and sweltering heat of the
Madworld Wii / Sega
fictional African territory of Kijuju, where RE5’s story takes place. The desert atmosphere is a welcome change from the dark, gloomy castles, caves and laboratories that the series has depicted so many times in the past. As the series’ greatest departure from classic survival horror, RE5 resembles action shooters like Gears of War almost as much as it does the first RE. While this may be disappointing for survival horror purists, this trend bodes well for RE’s continued status as a mainstream, industry-leading franchise and not just a niche product. | RDW
About once a year a game comes along that is a must-buy for mature Wii owners. Madworld is that game. Like No More Heroes last year, Madworld combines unique, stylized visuals with over the top violence and frenetic Wii remote controls to create a satisfyingly warped, hilarious gaming experience. Madworld’s black-and-white, comic book art style are sure to conjure up images of Frank Miller’s Sin City. The only color in Madworld comes in the form of bright red splashes of blood and gore. Players control a chainsaw-wielding maniac named Jack as he participates in a twisted carnival of carnage in a barbaric reality game show that challenges contestants to extravagantly slaughter their opponents for maximum points. Madworld may be a short ride, but it is a wild one that mature gamers should definitely consider taking. | RDW
Queensryche 5/9 • Emerald Theatre Straight out of Washington, ‘80s American metal godheads Queensryche, are known for one thing and one thing only … playing extremely heavy metal that blurs the line between prog rock and classical music. Sound a little weird? Not in the minds of millions of metalheads the world over who have bought over 20 million of their records up to this point in their career. Join the converted and become one yourself this weekend at the Emerald Theatre when Queensryche plays their three-suite classical piece/concept album entitled American Soldier and melts the faces of the Mount Clemen’s masses. 46 | REAL DETROIT WEEKLY | may 6-12, 2009
Prohibition Party 5/9 • Ye Olde Tap Room Who could believe that 76 years ago it was illegal to drink in Detroit? Our beer and alcohol-addled brains can’t get our heads wrapped around that one. Thankfully, the geniuses in the government at the time decided to rescind the prohibition on alcohol and we are know able to celebrate the anniversary of such an amazing day at the Eastside’s most infamous bar, Ye Olde Tap Room. Not only will there be authentic music and costume contests for the best ‘20s and ‘30s inspired garb, but Ye Olde will also be offering up drinks at 1933 prices with five cent beers and collectible mugs in which to imbibe from. All hail beer!
Dinner with Coffey 5/13 • Northern Lights Lounge After witnessing the amazing site of Rodriguez playing with Dennis Coffey this weekend, you are definitely going to need more of one of Detroit’s best guitarist in your life. Well, you’re in luck, as Dennis Coffey, famed Funk Brother for Motown and Rodriguez producer, has a new weekly jam night happening every Wednesday at the fantastic Northern Lights Lounge. Join Dennis as he makes your hump day more enjoyable by jamming the way from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m. This is the perfect opportunity to see one of Detroit’s most influential musicians playing at one of the best lounges in the city.
Benefit for Dorian Fiddler 5/7 • Bert's Warehouse Theatre This past Friday, May 1, Detroit native and favorite soul/funk guru Amp Fiddler unfortunately lost his son, Dorian Anthony Fiddler, who succumbed to complications from Diabetes. At only 18 years old, Dorian was Amp’s entire world and now the Detroit music community is getting together to help the Fiddler family with funeral costs. Join them for the One Love Jam, which will occur Thursday night, May 7, at Bert’s Warehouse Theatre in Eastern Market and feel free to contribute what you can to the cause. Join in on the celebration of Dorian’s life and bring your own love to the mix by bringing your instruments and DJ equipment to jam with or just singing along.
Charlie Hunter 5/7 • Magic Bag Under the guitar tutelage of Joe Satriani and as organ player for Michael Franti’s group, The Dispoable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, musician Charlie Hunter grew up with the intentions of being the best musician possible by learning from the best musicians around. Now out on his own, Hunter is creating music that stops at no barriers and runs the gamut of jazz, funk, blues and soul with his group, the Charlie Hunter Trio. Catch this fantastic jam fest of eclectic sounds when Hunter takes over the stage Thursday night, May 7, at the Magic Bag in fabulous Ferndale.
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wednesday 5/6 clubbin’ 17th Street Bar and Grill Wild Wednesdays w/ Nick Pruitt and DJ Chrome 586.264.8644 Bar Louie (Novi) Ladies Night w/ DJ David Boji 248.662.1100
film Magic Bag Taken 248.544.3030 or themagicbag.com
live music
Bullfrog Bar Noh Worry Wednesdays w/ Chief 313.533.4477 or myspace.com/bullfrogbarandgrill
Andiamo Dearborn Kim Fairchild 313.359.3300 or andiamoitalia.com
Goodnight Gracies (Royal Oak) The Kitchen Sink w/ Joshua Adams 248.544.7490
Andiamo Grosse Pointe Woods Stephan Kukurugya 313.886.9933 or andiamoitalia.com
Hayloft Made In Detroit Wednesdays w/ DJ Jace 586.933.3503 or myspace.com/thehayloftvenue
Andiamo Livonia B and B 734.953.3200 or andiamoitalia.com
Luna DJ Smashley w/ Suburban Hijinx and DJ How-Well 248.589.3344 or lunaroyaloak.com MGM Grand’s V The Final Frontier 877.888.2121 or mgmgranddetroit.com Mon Jin Lau Shanghai Wednesdays w/ DJ Tom T, DJ Matt A and Bruce Cobb 248.689.2332
Andiamo Novi Neouvote 248.348.3838 or andiamoitalia.com Andiamo Osteria Royal Oak Jody Raffoul 248.582.9300 or andiamoitalia.com Andiamo St. Clair Shores Lakefront Cliff Erickson 586.773.4104 or andiamoitalia.com
Callahan’s Alberta Adams 248.858.9508 or atcallahans.com Cliff Bell’s Hammond A-100 Organ Jam 313.961.2543 or cliffbells.com Club Bart Open Mic Jazz With D’Nise Jonson 248.548.8746 or myspace.com/clubbart Elbow Room Frontier Ruckus w/ Paleface 734.483.6374 or ypsielbow.com Fillmore Detroit Lamb of God w/ As I Lay Dying, Children of Bodom, God Forbid and Municipal waste 313.961.5451 or livenation.com Garden Bowl Berg Sans Nipple 313.833.9700 or majestictheatre.com Harbor House Sky Covington and Scott Reiter 586.791.6070 Magic Stick Cursive w/ Man Man and Andrew Wright 313.833.9700 or majestictheatre.com Max M. Fisher Music Center Spring Civic Experience II 313.576.5111 or detroitsymphony.com
Andiamo Sterling Heights Bob Kerrigan 586.532.8800 or andiamoitalia.com
Memphis Smoke Terrie Lea Trio w/ The Showdown Band 248.543.4300 or memphissmokeroyaloak.com
Andiamo Warren Frank Ricci 586.268.3224 or andiamoitalia.com
MotorCity Chromatics Lounge Maximum 80’s 866.782.9622 or motorcitycasino.com
Teddy’s Time Square DJ Who of the 95.5 Bombsquad 586.247.0900 or myspace.com/ teddystime
Baker's Keyboard Lounge Ronnie McNair and Company 313.345.6300 or bakerskeyboardlounge.com
New Way Bar Jimmy McCarty 248. 541.9870 or myspace.com/newwaybar
TNT’s Hip Hop Wednesday w/ Moe Nitty and Caddy C. 586.792.1435 or tntsbar.com
The Blind Pig The Vibrators w/ Joe Buck Yourself & Captain Sean, The Amino Acids, The Pussy Pirates and Bantha Fodder 734.996.8555 or blindpigmusic.com
New York New York The Fixxd 586.275.3914
Post Bar (Novi) Wyld Wednesdays w/DJ Joey A and DJ Ricky T 248.465.9600 or postbar.com
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Trowbridge House of Coffee The Beatboys w/ TRS, Joe Vargas, Steven Robert, Aran Daniels, Metaphaze, Aran Daniels and Erno the Inferno 313.265.9822 or thc313.com
The Grand Bazaar 5/8 • MOCAD The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit is one of the outstanding and upstanding establishments that Detroit hides within its invisible boundaries. This week Detroiters can stand up and help the museum by attending their fourth annual fundraising event, The Grand Bazaar. For the event, the MOCAD will be transformed into a market with fine goods, much like one might find in Morroco, and attendees will have their chance at getting some beautiful products ranging from vintage clothing and jewelry to antiques and art pieces from several highly regarded artists. Head to the MOCAD this Friday, pick up some fine vintage wearables or art and help support Detroit’s local art movement.
on the wall CPop Gallery It’s All About CPop runs through 5/31 313.833.9901 or cpop.com Cranbrook Art Museum Loose Canon runs through 5/10 248.645.3323 Detroit Institute of Arts Master Pieces runs through 5/15 The Art of Norman Rockwell runs through 5/31 313.833.7530 or dia.org The Ellen Kayrod Art Gallery Active Elders runs through 5/8 313.833.1300 MONA Made in China runs through 5/30 248.210.7560 or artchannelnet.org Motor City Brewing Works This Week in Art 313.832.2700 or motorcitybeer.com Oakland University Art Gallery Idee Fixe runs through 5/17 248.370.3005 or oakland.edu/ouag
wednesday 5/6 Northern Lights Lounge Dinner With Coffey w/ The Dennis Coffey Quartet 313.873.1739 or myspace.com/northernlightslounge
Paul Kotula Projects I Have a Craving For You runs through 6/6 248.544.3020 or paulkotulaprojects.com Robert Kidd Gallery Rick Vian: New Paintings runs through 5/9 248.642.3909 Scarab Club Women Image Women runs through 5/17 313.831.1250 or scarabclub.com
on stage Aaron DeRoy Theatre Halpern and Johnson runs through 5/17 249.788.2900 or jettheatre.org Detroit Repertory Theatre Finding the Burnett Heart runs through 5/24 313.868.1347 or detroitreptheatre.com
Cush DJ Don 586.469.8388 or myspace.com/johnnygsmtclemens
Hilberry Theatre All My Sons runs through 5/16 One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest runs through 5/8 313.577.2972 or hilberry.com Meadow Brook Theatre By Jeeves runs through 5/17 248.377.3300 or mbtheatre.com Michigan Opera Theatre Carmen runs through 5/17 313.237.7464 or michiganopera.org Performance Network Theatre Fences runs through 5/24 734.663.0681 or performancenetwork.org The Purple Rose Theatre Bleeding Red runs through 6/30 734.433.7782 or purplerosetheatre.com The Ringwald Theatre Songs From an Unmade Bed runs through 6/1 248.545.5545 or whowantscaketheatre.com The Second City Kwame A River runs through 5/31 248.348.4448 or secondcity.com
Post Bar (Novi) DJ Markie 248.465.9600 or postbars.com
Double Olive Cocktail Lounge DJ Just Nick 313.359.5533
Pulse Lounge Hot Pot Thursdays w/ Todd Weston and Guy Lafleur 313.420.0313
PJ’s Lager House Seaside w/ Body Holographic 313.961.4668 or myspace.com/lagerhouse
Ernie’s Social Thursdays w/ Jasmin Medar and Chris Backos 586.286.8435
The Ritz Circus Obscene w/ Cybertrybe 586.756.6140 or myspace.com/theritzrockbar
The Post Bar (Auburn Hills) Jeff Gurney 248.370.8909 or postbar.com
Fuse Lounge and Bar DJ William Novah 248.652.2585
Rosie O’Grady’s (Chesterfield) DJ Jerry Curtis 248.766.1546
Saint Andrew’s Hall The Sounds 313.961.8137 or livenation.com
Hayloft College Night w/ DJ Jace 586.933.3503 or myspace.com/thehayloftvenue
Taste A Deeper Shade of Seoul w/ DJ Seoul 313.962.8700 or tastepizzabar.com
for laughs Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase Comedy Jamm 734.996.9080 or aacomedy.com
Luna 80’s Night w/ DJ Paul and The Luna Dancers 248.589.3344 or lunaroyaloak.com
Go Comedy! The Golden Hour/Proving Grounds/ Fresh Sauce 248.327.0575 or gocomedy.net
Kickers Bring Back the 80’s w/ DJ iMix 734.261.5500 or kickerscomplex.com
Joey's Comedy Club Erik Blake 734.261.5500 or kickerscomplex.com
thursday 5/7 clubbin’ 17th Street Bar and Grill College Night w/ DJ Chrome and DJ Mike Anderson 586.264.8644 Corktown Tavern A Ron Asheton Retrospective w/ DJ JR 313.964.5103 or corktowntavern.com The Corner Bar DJ Matt A 248.647.2958 or thecornerbarmi.com
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Paint Creek Center for the Arts Rochester Community Schools Art Exhibit runs through 5/9 248.651.4110 or pccart.org
Majestic Cafe Skintight w/ Erno the Inferno and Sicari 313.833.9700 or majestictheatre.com Mixx Lounge Ladies Night w/ DJ Paul Martindale and DJ Whip 248.347.6499 or myspace.com/mixxnovi
Teddy’s Time Square DJ/VJ Mike Fresh 586.247.0900 or myspace.com/teddystime live music Andiamo Dearborn Kim Fairchild 313.359.3300 or andiamoitalia.com Andiamo Detroit Riverfront Paul Ventimiglia 313.567.6700 or andiamoitalia.com Andiamo Grosse Pointe Woods Dean DiPierro 313.886.9933 or andiamoitalia.com
Necto College Night w/ DJ Hardy 734.994.5436 or necto.com
Andiamo Livonia B and B 734.953.3200 or andiamoitalia.com
Northern Lights Lounge Sofa-King Fresh w/ DJ Equad, Ohkang and O’Nasty 313.873.1739 or myspace.com/northernlightslounge
Andiamo Novi Joyride 248.348.3838 or andiamoitalia.com
O’Tooles (Royal Oak) Mug Night w/ DJ Jag 248.591.9226
Andiamo Osteria Royal Oak Bob Mervak 248.582.9300 or andiamoitalia.com
thursday 5/7 Andiamo St. Clair Shores Lakefront Jody Raffoul 586.773.4104 or andiamoitalia.com Andiamo Sterling Heights Kroon 586.532.8800 or andiamoitalia.com Andiamo Warren Frank Ricci 586.268.3224 or andiamoitalia.com Asiatic Acoustics Sky Covington w/ The Masquerade Gallery 313.576.7015 Baker's Keyboard Lounge Three of a Kind w/ Al Livingston 313.345.6300 or bakerskeyboardlounge.com The Blind Pig Scared To Death w/ Casanova Frankenstein, Dead Reagan, Nikki P and Starlight Special 734.996.8555 or blindpigmusic.com Callahan’s Smokin’ Joe Kubek w/ Bnois King 248.858.9508 or atcallahans.com Cliff Bell’s The Jef Reynolds Trio 313.961.2543 or cliffbells.com The Crofoot’s Ballroom 3OH!3 w/ Family Force 5, The Maine, Hit The Lights and A Rocket To The Moon 248.858.9333 or thecrofoot.com
Hayloft In His Image w/ Mindcandy and Federal Case 586.933.3503 or myspace.com/thehayloftvenue IROCK Nightclub Ken Roberts 313.881.7625 or irocknightclub.com Machine Shop Steven Pearcy w/ Spiral Crush and Bud Slawter myspace.com/themachineshop Magic Bag Charlie Hunter 248.544.3030 or themagicbag.com Max M. Fisher Music Center Mingus Dynasty Band 313.576.5111 or detroitsymphony.com Memphis Smoke Howard Glazer & the EL 34’s 248.543.4300 or memphissmokeroyaloak.com MotorCity Chromatics Lounge Maximum 80’s 866.782.9622 or motorcitycasino.com New Way Bar Syn w/ The Sugar People 248. 541.9870 or myspace.com/newwaybar New York New York Tantric w/ Pistol Day Parade, Mystery Key, Odayin and Chaos Rains 586.275.3914
The Crofoot’s Pike Room Vivian Girls w/ Crystal Antlers, Lee Marvin Computer Arm and Gardens 248.858.9333 or thecrofoot.com
PJ’s Lager House Bad Party w/ YOUU, Oatmeal, Earwhigs and the Space Band 313.961.4668 or myspace.com/lagerhouse
Dooley’s Shotgun Soul 586.323.3501 or dooleysirish.com
Small’s Bella Morte w/ Ego Likeness smallsbardetroit.com
Fifth Avenue (Novi) The Killer Flamingos 248.745.4011 or fifthavenuebilliards.com Fishbone’s (St. Clair Shores) The Hogans 586.498.3000 or fishbonesusa.com
for laughs Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase Laurie Kilmartin 734.996.9080 or aacomedy.com
54 | REAL DETROIT WEEKLY | may 6-12, 2009
Chaplin’s Comedy Club Jef Brannen 586.792.1902 Club Bart Bart’s Comedy All Stars 248.548.8746 or myspace.com/clubbart Go Comedy! Soapbox Derby/9 O’ClockComedyHour/ Missionary Accomplished 248.327.0575 or gocomedy.net Joey's Comedy Club Erik Blake 734.261.5500 or kickerscomplex.com Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle Rob Little 248.542.9900 or comedycastle.com
etc Main Street Billiards Summer Glam 2009 Hair & Fashion Show Mainstreetbilliards.net
friday 5/8 clubbin’ The Bosco The Rotation w/ Brian Gillespie Frankie Bank$, Don Valley or Michael Geiger 248.541.8818 or thebosco.com The Box Sports Bar and Grill DJ Mike Ill 586.228.0465 Cactus Jack’s DJ Darkness 586.739.6946 Centaur Bar DJ Todd 313.963.4040 or centaurbar.com Commune DJ Captn20 248.544.6250 or myspace.com/communelounge
Rehabilitating Mr. Wiggles by Neil Swaab
The Corner Bar Sexy Fridays w/ DJ Pannos and DJ Mannos 248.594.6272 Cush DJ Latex 586.469.8388 or myspace.com/johnnygsmtclemens Elysium Lounge DJ Fingers 313.962.2244 or elysium-lounge.com Exodus Lounge Derek Fox w/ Dan Andres 313.962.7093 Finny McCool’s DJ Falu 248.585.3665 Fuse Lounge and Bar DJ William Novah 248.652.2585 Gator Jake's DJ Tony 586.983.3700 or gatorjakes.com
Gracie’s Underground Nu Skool w/ DJ Jag 248.298.0330 or goodnitegracie.com Kickers DJ Mikael Jones 734.261.5500 or kickerscomplex.com Madison’s Pub Pub Becomes Club w/ DJ and VJ 586.468.7777 or madisonspub.com Main Street Billiards DJ OJ 248.652.8441 or msb-bar.com MBarGo DJ Tom Keeling 248.374.3420 or mbargonovi.com MGM Grand’s Ignite DJ Joey A 877.888.2121 or mgmgranddetroit.com MGM Grand’s V DJ Mike Anthony 877.888.2121 or mgmgranddetroit.com
Bruce in the USA 5/8 • Magic Bag Bruce in the USA! Bruce in the USA! I was Bruce in the USA … Oh we mean, “Born in the USA,” but after all, who doesn’t want a little more of The Boss in their lives? This week the greatest Springsteen tribute band around, Bruce in the USA, will be heading to Detroit for a show at the Magic Bag. Hear all the classics like “Jungleland,” “Thunder Road” and “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)” and the best part is that you get closer to the action than you could ever at a real Springsteen concert. Be ready for a rockin’ night with the best thing [since the real Boss], Bruce in the USA comes and recreates note for note Springsteen perfection.
friday 5/8 Mon Jin Lau MJL Fridays w/ DJ Powdrblu 248.689.2332 Necto Pride w/ DJ Jace, DJ Mark and DJ John G 734.994.5436 or necto.com Northern Lights Lounge DJ Frankie Bank$ w/ Baby Pepper and The Family Pleasers 313.873.1739 or myspace.com/northernlightslounge Nove Lounge DJ Kalendr w/ DJ Tom T 248.336.9936 or myspace.com/novelounge Post Bar (Novi) MC Jevon Hollywood w/ DJ iMix 248.465.9600 or postbars.com Rosie O’Grady’s (Chesterfield) DJ Jerry Curtis 248.766.1546 Teddy’s Time Square DJ Eclipse 586.247.0900 or myspace.com/teddystime Tonic Fridays w/ Nick Craig and Ryan Richards 248.334.7411 or tonicdetroit.com Trowbridge House of Coffee Will Sessions w/ Frankie Raines 313.265.9822 or thc313.com
live music Andiamo Detroit Riverfront Notorious 313.567.6700 or andiamoitalia.com Andiamo Grosse Pointe Woods Dean DiPierro 313.886.9933 or andiamoitalia.com Andiamo Livonia The Ray Ward and Mike Moore Duo 734.953.3200 or andiamoitalia.com Andiamo Novi Sky Island 248.348.3838 or andiamoitalia.com Andiamo Osteria Royal Oak Kroon 248.582.9300 or andiamoitalia.com Andiamo St. Clair Shores Lakefront Nouveaute 586.773.4104 or andiamoitalia.com Andiamo Sterling Heights Alex Tranjano 586.532.8800 or andiamoitalia.com Andiamo Warren Frank Ricci 586.268.3224 or andiamoitalia.com Asiatic Acoustics Sky Covington w/ The Masquerade Gallery 313.576.7015 Augie’s Rockstar 248.588.3120
56 | REAL DETROIT WEEKLY | may 6-12, 2009
Baker's Keyboard Lounge Josh Davis and the Nu-Jazz Collective 313.345.6300 or bakerskeyboardlounge.com The Belmont Hollow Ox w/ Oblisk, Sea Turtle Restoration Project, Kindle, Indian Guides, Jura and Summer Pledge 313.871.1966 or thebelmontbar.com The Berkley Front Carradine w/ The Actor and Repents 248.547.3331 or myspace.com/theberkleyfront Boney’s Nite Club Rival w/ Rocksteady and The Loftees myspace.com/boney39sniteclub The Blind Pig Smokey “Baby Powder” Johnson 734.996.8555 or blindpigmusic.com Blondies Nightwatcher myspace.com/officialblondiesnightclub Bullfrog Bar Full Strike Frenzy w/ It Lies Within and Misconcieved 313.533.4477 or myspace.com/bullfrogbarandgrill Cadieux Café The Rea Deal Big Band 313.882.8560 or myspace.com/ cadieuxcafe Callahan’s Larry Lee & Back in the Day 248.858.9508 or atcallahans.com Club Bart Even Exchange 248.548.8746 or myspace.com/clubbart Cliff Bell’s Sean Dobbins and the Modern Jazz Messengers 313.961.2543 or cliffbells.com Corktown Tavern Bullcock! w/ The Luckouts and Graveside Manner 313.964.5103 or corktowntavern.com The Crofoot’s Ballroom Fear Blind w/ Giftus 248.858.9333 or thecrofoot.com The Crofoot’s Pike Room The Satin Peaches 248.858.9333 or thecrofoot.com DB Coopers Room13 248.398.7951 or dbcoopers.net Double OO Pub Mcrad w/ Aggro or Die, UDI and SCWH 313.592.9705 or myspace.com/doubleoopub Elbow Room Cetan Clawson w/ Tone & Niche, Mike Boyd and Chris Degnor 734.483.6374 or ypsielbow.com Emerald Theatre Paul Green’s School of Rock Tribute To AC/DC 313.913.1920 or emeraldtheatre.com Fifth Avenue (Novi) Some Kinda Jones 248.745.4011 or fifthavenuebilliards.com
Fishbones (Greektown) The Brian Sheehan Band 313.965.4600 or fishbonesusa.com Fishbone’s (St. Clair Shores) Grievous Angel 586.498.3000 or fishbonesusa.com Garden Bowl Replicas 313.833.9700 or majestictheatre.com IROCK Nightclub Stained Glass Torture w/ Mechanism of Misery, Kill Our King, Throughts From A Padded Room, First Born Dead and Cavalcade 313.881.7625 or irocknightclub.com Luna The Christina Chriss Band 248.589.3344 or lunaroyaloak.com Machine Shop Tantric w/ Ashes of Soma, Nuroksol and Core Effect myspace.com/themachineshop Magic Bag Bruce In The USA 248.544.3030 or themagicbag.com Magic Stick The Kills w/ The Horrors and Magic Wands 313.833.9700 or majestictheatre.com Max M. Fisher Music Center Jennifer Frautschi w/ John Blacklow 313.576.5111 or detroitsymphony.com Memphis Smoke The Reefermen 248.543.4300 or memphissmokeroyaloak.com MotorCity Amnesia Thrillride 866.782.9622 or motorcitycasino.com MotorCity Chromatics Lounge Maximum 80’s w/ Blood, Sweat and Brass 866.782.9622 or motorcitycasino.com MotorCity Sound Board Morris Day and the Time 866.782.9622 or motorcitycasino.com Mugshot’s Bar and Grill Mark Dingle 586.421.5273 or myspace.com/mugshotsbarandgrill New Way Bar The Hosts w/ The People’s Temple and The Wednesdees 248. 541.9870 or myspace.com/newwaybar New York New York Avarice w/ Known Felons, Spitting Nickels and The Guise 586.275.3914 The Painted Lady The Jrugs w/ Progress and 1592 313.874.2991 or myspace.com/paintedlady Paychecks The Backhands w/ Santosis 313.874.0909 or myspace.com/paycheckslounge PJ’s Lager House Whitey Morgan w/ Rachel Brooke and Pat V. & the Detroit 3 313.961.4668 or myspace.com/lagerhouse
friday 5/8 The Ritz Zero To Ruin w/ Aventity, Hi8us, Deadringer and Nerve Hammer 586.756.6140 or myspace.com/theritzdetroit Small’s Easy Action w/ Kevin K Band smallsbardetroit.com TNT’s J Graves w/ The Callbacks, Imported Stock and Sunny Side Up 586.792.1435 or tntsbar.com Token Lounge Ruins of Tommorow w/ Robots in the Garden and Publik Parking 734.513.5030 or myspace.com/tokenlounge
Joey's Comedy Club Erik Blake 734.261.5500 or kickerscomplex.com Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle Rob Little 248.542.9900 or comedycastle.com
saturday 5/9 clubbin’ The Belmont Rock and Rumage w/ DJ Dougie Tangent 313.871.1966 or thebelmontbar.com
Eden Love Hate w/ DJ Godfather 877.269.3336 or myspace.com/edennightclub Elysium Lounge DJ Roc Boy 313.962.2244 or elysium-lounge.com Fuse Lounge and Bar DJ William Novah 248.652.2585 Gracie’s Underground Vibe Saturdays w/ DJ Phil Agosta and Ilya 248.298.0330 or goodnightgracies.com Kickers Social Saturdays w/ Jevon Hollywood 734.261.5500 or kickerscomplex.com
Centaur Bar DJ Mike Clark 313.963.4040 or centaurbar.com
Luna Alternative Dance Night w/DJ Paul 248.589.3344 or lunaroyaloak.com
Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase Laurie Kilmartin 734.996.9080 or aacomedy.com
Clutch Cargos Dance Party w/ 95.5 clutchcargos.com
Madison’s Pub Pub Becomes Club w/ DJ and VJ 586.468.7777 or madisonspub.com
Chaplin’s Comedy Club Jef Brannen 586.792.1902
Crave Jade Saturdays w/ Jody Haddad, DJ Matt A, Tom Keelng and Jared Sykes 248.566.4499
Main Street Billiards DJ Matt Fox 248.652.8441 or msb-bar.com
for laughs
Go Comedy! The Go Comedy All-Star Showdown/ Dark Matter 248.327.0575 or gocomedy.net
58 | REAL DETROIT WEEKLY | may 6-12, 2009
Holly Hotel Comedy Club Steve Hoffstetter 248.634.5208
MBarGo DJ Captn20 888.231.7975 or mbargonovi.com
Leonard Cohen 5/9 • Fox Theatre Known as one of the most prolific songwriters on the planet – both past, present and future – Leonard Cohen has secured his place in musical history by writing some of the most beautiful songs that ever existed. Gems like “Suzanne,” “I’m Your Man” and the eternal classic, “Hallelujah” have left people scrambling in the dust for decades trying to write a lyric half as well as the man born in Quebec in 1934. In addition to being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year, Cohen has launched a world tour campaign that brings him to the Fox Theatre this and will offer up an opportunity to hear some magical music. Do not – we repeat, do not – miss this show.
saturday 5/9 MGM Grand’s Ignite DJ Earl Mixin’ McKinney 877.888.2121 or mgmgranddetroit.com MGM Grand’s V DJ Mike Anthony 877.888.2121 or mgmgranddetroit.com MotorCity Casino Sound Board Grand Opening w/ DJ Samantha Ronson 866.782.9622 or motorcitycasino.com Necto DJ Mo Reese w/ G Major and DJ Decks 734.994.5436 or necto.com Nove Lounge Sydney Blu w/ Marcus Beier 248.336.9936 or myspace.com/novelounge Oslo Hybrid.Tech w/ Deadlines, K Attic and J Stat 313.962.7200 or oslodetroit.com Post Bar (Novi) Seductive Saturdays w/ DJ Joey A and DJ Ricky T. 248.465.9600 or postbar.com Pulse Elev8d Saturdays w/ DJ SirReal 313.420.0313 Rosie O’Grady’s (Chesterfield) DJ Jerry Curtis 248.766.1546 Scores Bar and Grill Social Saturdays w/ DJ Falu and Nick Pruitt 248.974.8494 Teddy’s Time Square DJ Jeff 586.247.0900 or myspace.com/ teddystime Tonic Ladies Night w/ DJ Lyrikal 248.334.7411 or tonicdetroit.com The Works Exhibit D w/ Aux 88, DJ Rec, Baatin, T. Linder, DJ Seoul, DJ Primeminister, Norm Talley, DJ Sicari, Drew Pompa, Frank Raines, Asylum 7 and more 313.961.1742
live music Andiamo Detroit Riverfront Detroit All Stars 313.567.6700 or andiamoitalia.com Andiamo Grosse Pointe Woods Dean DiPierro 313.886.9933 or andiamoitalia.com Andiamo Livonia Beth Stalker 734.953.3200 or andiamoitalia.com Andiamo Novi Ricky C 248.348.3838 or andiamoitalia.com Andiamo Osteria Royal Oak Rasche and Flynn 248.582.9300 or andiamoitalia.com Andiamo St. Clair Shores Lakefront Sharon Jones Trio 586.773.4104 or andiamoitalia.com
Andiamo Sterling Heights Colton Witherspoon 586.532.8800 or andiamoitalia.com
Emerald Theatre Queensryche 313.913.1920 or emeraldtheatre.com
Andiamo Warren Frank Ricci 586.268.3224 or andiamoitalia.com
Fifth Avenue (Novi) The Bomb Squad 248.745.4011 or fifthavenuebilliards.com
Asiatic Acoustics Sky Covington w/ The Masquerade Gallery 313.576.7015
Fishbones (Greektown) Toxic Groove 313.965.4600 or fishbonesusa.com
Augie’s Rockstar 248.588.3120 Baker's Keyboard Lounge Caleb Curtis Quartet 313.345.6300 or bakerskeyboardlounge. com
Fishbone’s (St. Clair Shores) The As Is Band 586.498.3000 or fishbonesusa.com Fox Theatre Leonard Cohen 313.471.661 or olympiaentertainment.com
The Berkley Front Speedy Greasy w/ Scarlet Oaks 248.547.3331 or myspace.com/theberkleyfront
Hayloft Almost Free w/ Caution Frog, The Big Pink Black and Faded Ways 586.933.3503 or myspace.com/thehayloftvenue
The Blind Pig Electric Six w/ Living Things and Millions of Brazilians 734.996.8555 or blindpigmusic.com
IROCK Nightclub Lights Out Vegas w/ Remedy Blue, Jiva, Killing Kimberly, Back Street Cadillac and more 313.881.7625 or irocknightclub.com
Blondies Blood of the Prophets w/ Fetus Eater and Pavious myspace.com/officialblondiesnightclub Bullfrog Bar Early Show: Epidemik w/ Autopzy, Damn Dnation and Jupiter Child 313.533.4477 or myspace.com/bullfrogbarandgrill Bullfrog Bar Late Show: Blind Mans Bluff w/ Grand Circus and Far From Civilized 313.533.4477 or myspace.com/bullfrogbarandgrill
Machine Shop Gavin Rossdale myspace.com/themachineshop Magic Bag Fifth Way w/ Woodward 248.544.3030 or themagicbag.com Magic Stick Rodriguez w/ Kelly Jean Caldwell 313.833.9700 or majestictheatre.com Max M. Fisher Music Center Barbara Cook 313.576.5111 or detroitsymphony.com
Cadieux Café The Mourning Voices 313.882.8560 or myspace.com/ cadieuxcafe
Memphis Smoke Dr. Pocket 248.543.4300 or memphissmokeroyaloak.com
Callahan’s Detroit Blues Society Monthly Meeting and Open Jam 248.858.9508 or atcallahans.com
MotorCity Chromatics Lounge Maximum 80’s w/ Serieux 866.782.9622 or motorcitycasino.com
Cliff Bell’s Chris Collins 313.961.2543 or cliffbells.com Corktown Tavern National Ghost w/ Cowboy Messiah 313.964.5103 or corktowntavern.com The Crofoot’s Pike Room Rookie of the Year w/ Monty Are I 248.858.9333 or thecrofoot.com DB Coopers Room13 248.398.7951 or dbcoopers.net Double OO Pub DownWards w/ After The Quarrel, Wreckless Fate, The Idiots and Stupid Children With Hammers 313.592.9705 or myspace.com/doubleoopub Elbow Room Black Jake & the Carnies w/ Flatfoot, The B-Sharps and Bone Orchard Revival 734.483.6374 or ypsielbow.com
Mugshot’s Bar and Grill Ante M 586.421.5273 or myspace.com/mugshotsbarandgrill New Way Bar The Orbitsuns 248. 541.9870 or myspace.com/newwaybar New York New York Blind Leads Nakid w/ 13 Dead and Illy Mack 586.275.3914 Northern Lights Lounge The Pop Project w/ Those Transatlantic and Sh! The Octopus 313.873.1739 or myspace.com/northernlightslounge The Painted Lady The Menthols w/ Fontana, Johnny Ill Band and The Haberdashers 313.874.2991 or myspace.com/paintedlady Paychecks Sweet Crystal w/ Insaenz and Rabid Havoc 313.874.0909 or myspace.com/paycheckslounge
may 6-12, 2009 | REAL DETROIT WEEKLY | 59
Pat Pantano 5/8 • CAID Put aside all the hoopla that has been going on with the CAID and after-hour parties just for a moment. Sure, they were fun and we had a lot of great times there, but let’s not forget the original intentions of the CAID … After all, CAID does stand for Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit. With that thought in mind, the CAID is kicking off a new exhibition from famed Dirtbombs/Come Ons drummer Pat Pantano. Known as the photographer behind several of Detroit’s most famous records [namely White Stripes and the Hentchmen], Pantano’s series of fantastic head shot photos will be on display starting May 8 and will run through July 3.
saturday 5/9 PJ’s Lager House Bricktown Station 313.961.4668 or myspace.com/lagerhouse
Tonic Live Dance Party w/ 95.5 248.334.7411 or tonicdetroit.com
The Ritz Satan’s Toilet w/ The Fury, Zombie Ritual, Johnny Roastbeef, D.I.E, Themforstrohs and Death 586.756.6140 or myspace.com/theritzdetroit
Asiatic Acoustics Sky Covington w/ The Masquerade Gallery 313.576.7015
RockStarz Halloween w/ Crazy Train 734.522.7744 or myspace.com/rockstarzbarandgrill
Baker's Keyboard Lounge The Noah Jackson Trio 313.345.6300 or bakerskeyboardlounge. com
Small’s Mustard Plug w/ St. Thomas Boys Academy smallsbardetroit.com
Bullfrog Bar The Mic Rocker Sunday w/ Foolish 313.533.4477 or myspace.com/bullfrogbarandgrill
TNT’s Mansfield Park w/ Purgatory Groove, Smoke, Stack Horizon and Broken 586.792.1435 or tntsbar.com
Cliff Bell’s Solitary States w/ Orpheum Bell, Jenny Knaggs and her Sureshots 313.961.2543 or cliffbells.com
Token Lounge Send More Cops w/ The Shaky Jakes and Helicon and Who’s This We 734.513.5030 or myspace.com/tokenlounge
The Crofoot’s Pike Room Krista 248.858.9333 or thecrofoot.com
Trowbridge House of Coffee Innerphonic 313.265.9822 or thc313.com
for laughs Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase Laurie Kilmartin 734.996.9080 or aacomedy.com Chaplin’s Comedy Club Jef Brannen 586.792.1902 Go Comedy! The Go Comedy All-Star Showdown/ Dark Matter 248.327.0575 or gocomedy.net Holly Hotel Comedy Club Steve Hoffstetter 248.634.5208 Joey's Comedy Club Erik Blake 734.261.5500 or kickerscomplex.com Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle Rob Little 248.542.9900 or comedycastle.com
sunday 5/10 clubbin’ The Box Sports Bar and Grill DJ Dirty White 586.228.0465 Elysium Lounge DJ Kim James 313.962.2244 or elysium-lounge.com Mixx Lounge Sunday Funday w/ DJ Spudd 248.347.6499 or myspace.com/mixxnovi Northern Lights Lounge Karaoke w/ Northern Lights Crew 313.873.1739 or myspace.com/northernlightslounge
60 | REAL DETROIT WEEKLY | may 6-12, 2009
Pulse Simply Sundays w/ DJ SirReal 313.420.0313 or pulsedetroit.com
live music
Elbow Room Crude w/ Unit 21 and Nightbringer 734.483.6374 or ypsielbow.com Memphis Smoke The Volebeats 248.543.4300 or memphissmokeroyaloak.com MotorCity Chromatics Lounge Maximum 80’s 866.782.9622 or motorcitycasino.com PJ’s Lager House Bricktown Station 313.961.4668 or myspace.com/lagerhouse
for laughs Go Comedy! Timeless/Big Time/Elemnopy 248.327.0575 or gocomedy.net Maxie’s Comedy Shoppe Steve Hoffstetter 810.232.2500
monday 5/11 clubbin’ Bullfrog Bar Open Mic Movement w/ DJ Melle Mel and Red Bone 313.533.4477 or myspace.com/ bullfrogbarandgrill Double Olive Cocktail Lounge DJ Drew 313.359.5533 Lucky Strike Bomb Squad Bottomless Bowling w/ DJ Shortstop, DJ Ryan Richards, DJ Paul Martindale, DJ Who, DJ David B. and DJ Matt Camron bowlluckystrike.com Necto Monday Factory w/ DJ Jinx and Joey P 734.994.5436 or necto.com
Northern Lights Lounge Punk/80’s 313.873.1739 or myspace.com/northernlightslounge Woodbridge Pub Slow Jam Monday Nights w/ Frank Raines, Erno the Inferno, Jesse Cory and DJ Sicari 313.833.2701 or myspace.com/ woodbridgepub
live music Club Bart Open Blues Jam 248.548.8746 or myspace.com/clubbart Corktown Tavern Richard Lloyd w/ Bootsy X & the Lovemasters 313.964.5103 or corktowntavern.com The Crofoot’s Pike Room John Doe and The Sadies w/ Duende! 248.858.9333 or thecrofoot.com Dooley’s Jeff Gurney 586.323.3501 or dooleysirish.com Jazz Café at Music Hall Allan Holdsworth 313.887.8500 or musichall.org Magic Stick The Dears w/ Great Northern and Eulogies 313.833.9700 or majestictheatre.com MotorCity Chromatics Lounge Kaleidoscope 866.782.9622 or motorcitycasino.com New York New York One Love 586.275.3914 PJ’s Lager House SSPS w/ Moss Folk 313.961.4668 or myspace.com/lagerhouse
tuesday 5/12 clubbin’ Baker's Keyboard Lounge DJ No Name 313.345.6300 or bakerskeyboardlounge.com Goodnight Gracie’s (Royal Oak) Boombox Tuesdays 248.544.7490 or goodnitegracie.com MBarGo School House Rock w/ DJ Donovan Tate 248.374.3420 or mbargonovi.com Northern Lights Lounge Things Done Changed w/ Uncle Paulie and Equad 313.873.1739 or myspace.com/northernlightslounge Sakana Sushi Lounge Full Flavor w/ DJ Kraig Love and Reggie Harrell 248.336.2555 or sakanasushilounge.com
tuesday 5/12 live music Andiamo Grosse Pointe Woods Dean DiPierro 313.886.9933 or andiamoitalia.com The Belmont Unicornium w/ B-Tong, Tamagawa, Oldine and Shit 313.871.1966 or thebelmontbar.com Cadieux Café The Fabulous Imperials 313.882.8560 or myspace.com/cadieuxcafe Club Bart Honkey Tonkey Tuesday 248.548.8746 or myspace.com/clubbart
62 | REAL DETROIT WEEKLY | may 6-12, 2009
The Crofoot’s Ballroom Bonnie Prince Billy w/ Lightning Dust 248.858.9333 or thecrofoot.com
MotorCity Chromatics Lounge Dream Catchers 866.782.9622 or motorcitycasino.com
The Crofoot’s Pike Room Owl City w/ Lydia 248.858.9333 or thecrofoot.com
PJ’s Lager House H30 w/ Traveling Merchants 313.961.4668 or myspace.com/lagerhouse
Jazz Café at Music Hall Allan Holdsworth 313.887.8500 or musichall.org Max M. Fisher Music Center Spring Educational Concert Series 313.576.5111 or detroitsymphony.com Memphis Smoke Jeff Maylin 248.543.4300 or memphissmokeroyaloak.com
The Ritz No Brakes 586.756.6140 or myspace.com/theritzdetroit
General
Help Wanted
The Grand Bazaar
Now Hiring
Marketplace at MOCAD for its fundraiser! Saturday, May 9th 11am-4pm 4454 Woodward Ave, Detroit www.mocadetroit.org/benefit2009
ATTN: Get Paid To Lose Weight
23 more people needed in this area to lose up to 30 lbs. in the next 30 days! Limited time offer! Call 800-846-3588 www.JP30DayDiet.com
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S.W Detroit Apartments
760 Campbell, 512 West Grand Blvd 2199 Lansing. One Bedrooms $450 Studios $375 2 Bedrooms $500 Utilities included Call Jessica at (313) 463-8424 or Call Monique at (313) 414-0263
Full Time leasing consultant. Great Community, seeking dedicated, friendly Person to assist in Rental units, and Marketing. Please Fax Resume to: (313) 368-1294
Now Hiring
COOKS, Waitstaff Please contact James at: (586) 739-6946
Looking For
Hot, cute, fun servers, shotgirls! (day/ evening) Contact: Trina at: (248) 435-2494 Hide Out, Clawson
Couples Massage
And Ladies Early Bird $40 Morning Special. Relax, enjoy a nurturing, relaxing 60 min. massage that includes a blend of many modalities. In our home or yours, by a classy and respectful couple, either therapeutic or sensual AND FOR THE LADIES Enjoy Therapeutic Massage Any Morning Before NOON Special Morning Rate FOR LADIES ONLY 6:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. $40 Massage. Call TIM: (586) 443-0940 Mt Clemens.
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In/Out Calls. 7 Days. (248) 918-5093
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Sooth Aches and pains. Hot oil sensation w/an free gift, $65. Call (248) 416-6077
MALE MASSEUR -It really is true what they say, everything begins and ends with your feet, if your feet are relaxed, your entire body will become relaxed as well, my foot massages are so relaxing you'll have to fight to stay awake, IN CALL only 248-821-0303
A Brazilian Touch
Experience an exotic affair. Soft to deep body strokes that will leave you feeling like a Brand New Soul. Call me... (248) 978-1729
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may 6-12, 65 january 7-13, 2009 | REAL DETROIT WEEKLY | 49
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by Cal Garrison ARIES: It isn’t that someone doesn’t care, it’s just that they’re on a downswing and all their energy is being consumed by things that have nothing to do with how they feel about you. Needing to be the centerpiece in someone else’s life rarely gives us anything but sorrow. Don’t keep trying to change their mind. Disappear for a while. You don’t need to hang around and hold their hand through this process. If you could take your attention off what you’re not getting from them, you’d see that your own life is on an upswing and this bozo is just dragging you down.
TAURUS: How easy it is to play both ends to the middle. If you keep this up, issues of integrity are bound to come to the surface. Maybe you’ve been able to justify speaking out of both sides of your mouth, and maybe there’s a need for you to do what’s expedient. If I were you I’d take a good long look at your motives for doing either one; because anything you do out of fear, or out of some need to hoard what’s slipping away, will not yield anything productive. The burning question of the day is: how much will it cost you to stop telling people what they want to hear?
GEMINI: There’s always a certain sense of satisfaction that comes from being able to say, “I told you so." You were right about this all along. Now that you’ve been vindicated, the ones who didn’t listen will want to patch up their differences. If that’s the way it goes, don’t lord anything over them and try to forgive them for being so stupid. This lesson has taught you more about yourself than 100 years of therapy. What you take from it won’t be clear for a while, but the first part of the lesson seems to be about knowing enough to trust your intuition 100 percent of the time.
LIBRA: You’ve gone past a certain point with this and there’s no way you can go back. If it was easier in the beginning it’s because nothing was at stake; now all of a sudden this is a big deal. You’ve already made yourself clear. It’s someone else’s turn to get real. And what you’re afraid of is that all the credit you’ve given them may prove to be worthless. The prospect of yet another disillusionment shouldn’t threaten you — you’ve had enough of them to know that it’s always a sign of growth. This time the odds are pretty good that whoever this is, will be true to their word.
SCORPIO: This turned out to be such a good thing you’re blown away by it. Something must have clicked because you seem to be flowering instead of all business and under control. After the last few months you’ve seen that it doesn’t matter how much you try to do the right thing; life works better when you let the right thing be whatever’s true for you. Others may find fault with some of your recent choices. Don’t take their judgments to heart. Half the time what people find fault with is something that, underneath it all, they wish they could have.
SAGITTARIUS: You can’t be held responsible for all of this, some of it has to do with the times we’re in. The sense that you’re about to lose it all, or have already lost it, is a feeling that’s coming up for a lot of us. In your case, right now you’ve got everything you really need. Don’t obsess about the future or waste one ounce of energy worrying about money; the money myth is getting blown out of the water as we speak. Focus on what you do have and keep your thoughts directed at things that help you remember what’s really important.
CANCER: Too many people have taken you for a ride for you to think that soand-so isn’t up to the same thing. Your soft heart makes you gullible and your savior complex wants to dive in and rescue anyone who comes along with a good sob story. Between those two elements you wind up falling prey to one nut after another. Falling in love with someone’s potential is always risky business. What you see in your current piece of work is a far cry from who they really are. Get a grip, my dear. What looks like a dream come true is really just a nightmare in disguise.
LEO: You got yourself into this. You knew where it would go. This is what happens when you lead people on. I don’t know what led to this lapse in integrity but I hope you’ve learned enough from the experience to see what it gets you. Outside of the mixed messages that keep screwing up your relationships, things are going pretty well. Part of you is so happy just doing your thing, other people and their stuff and the whole question of love, doesn’t even matter right now — keep it like that for a while. You’re too busy rearranging your priorities to be clear about much else.
AQUARIUS: You aren’t sure you need this but you seem to want it more than anything. That alone should tell you something. I’d tell you to walk away from this right now but you won’t listen. Sometimes our best lessons put us through the mill. The worst case scenario is that you’ll wind up disillusioned and/or trapped in an experience that bores you to death. Your life would be easier if you knew how to read people a little better. What looks like exactly what you’ve always wanted has come to teach you that compulsive attractions inevitably wind up falling apart.
VIRGO: You’ve had it with someone else’s nonsense but you’re willing to put up with it a little while longer. As long as it doesn’t prevent you from doing what you need to do for yourself right now. Pressure from various sources are making you wonder why you're dong all of this. On top of that there’s a lot of psychological stress coming from God knows what. Keeping the inner balanced with the outer will be harder than usual. And as far as other people and their nonsense goes, at this point it would be great if they were more willing to put up with some of yours!
PISCES: You’re trying like hell to gloss over things that for anyone else would be cause for alarm. It’s so clear that all of this is a ploy, and it might buy you some time but if you continue to not take action, you’re going to wind up looking like a total coward. If in the act of being kind, you stab all of your principles in the back, what does that get you? Those who are there for you are starting to wonder if they misplaced their trust. It looks to me like you’re at one of those points where the heat of the spotlight is making you wish it was easier to be true to yourself. | RDW
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CAPRICORN: You’re finding out a lot about who your real friends are — it happens to the best of us. And it’s always a lesson in what happens when we outgrow our connections. Whoever isn’t there for you doesn’t know how to get over themselves. Don’t waste your energy trying to do it for them. All it comes down to is, you’ve outgrown this situation and if you keep sticking around trying to fit in to it, you’ll make yourself sick. The last thing you need is more drama. Cut the cord to whatever’s making the act of breaking away any harder than it has to be.
may 6-12, 2009 | REAL DETROIT WEEKLY | 69
Words + photo by Ryan Patrick Hooper
Real Detroit bumps into some diehard Trekkies at the Detroit Science Center’s Star Trek: The Exhibit, which runs until September 7. Angel? That is the loveliest name I’ve ever heard outside of a strip club. Angel Garrison: Thank you very much! But let’s get back to intergalactic business. Considering the fact you just checked it out, why would one come down to the Detroit Science Center to check out this exhibit? Joe Leal: We’ve been Trekkies since we were kids. We totally grew up with Star Trek, and of course, Captain Kirk is the original Captain Kirk! He’s the real captain. AG: And we definitely wanted to come down in preparation for the movie … get into the whole feel of everything and see what kind of cool stuff they had. Some of the highlights in the exhibit that made you wet your pants? JL: I guess the simplicity of some of the things they used on the set — it looked so high tech back then, you know? And now, when you actually get up close to it, it looks like you could’ve made it in your buddy’s basement. On some of the sets, you could even see the 70 | REAL DETROIT WEEKLY | may 6-12, 2009
brush strokes! AG: I liked sitting in the Captain’s chair. (laughs) When it comes down to the movie, are you apprehensive at all about the idea of having a young Hollywood cast and a prequel plot? AG: It’s never been promoted as the original Star Trek, you know? It’s a what-if Star Trek, so they can do whatever they want. The characters all seem very, very close — they look the same, they talk the same — and I’m excited. JL: I’m interested to see if the prequel eventually runs into the ‘70s-era Star Trek, you know? Since the new movie will draw back to what is equivalent of their college days, do you think there will be a shot of Captain Kirk smoking a bong in his dorm? AG: Oh, even if they don’t show it, I’m sure he did! (laughs) JL: I’m really interested to see if William Shatner will have a cameo in the new movie. AG: I know Leonard Nimoy will be popping up, but you never know! Ready to drop some last words up on these humans? JL: Star Trek: The Exhibit was definitely cool and worth the money. AG: Come down and get into the mood, get into the feel and back into the swing of things before you see the movie. Live long and prosper, right? JL: Live long and prosper, everyone! | RDW