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2 nights only!! - TODD’S REUNION NIGHTS - 11/28 & 12/23

2009-11-27T09:04:00.002-05:00

GO BACK IN TIME FOR TWO NIGHTS ONLY AT THE TODD'S REUNION NIGHTS!

Travel back in time to the decade of decadence- the'80s-this holiday season to revisit a Detroit dance club that was the epitome of '80s glory. Todd's, formally known as Todd's Sway Lounge, was a gay nightclub on Detroit's far eastside that was on the cutting edge of the new wave of eighties music and lifestyle.

Detroit club impresario- Stirling, first approached the owners of the venue in 1983 and convinced them to try out a dance music night on Monday evenings to cater to a growing subculture of club kids. The owners welcomed this idea, and a new dance party, "Modern Dance Mondays" was launched. Stirling hired the eclectic DJ Charles English to spin the latest in dance music, Euro-pop, new wave and even some punk classics and funk gems thrown into the explosive mix of music that had the patrons up and dancing the night away. When Monday nights became thee popular weekly destination, they expanded to Thursday nights as well. The nightclub was one-of-a-kind as it featured more than just a dance floor. A basement theater was dubbed "the video coffin" that showed cult films and videos and was first hosted by Kory Clarke (later of the band Warrior Soul) and then hosted by film auteur/bartender-the fabulous Marla for 6 years, upstairs featured Benson's couture clothing boutique called "Transvestia Dementia" (and later turned into a record store "Blitz Records" run by Michael Fiscus) and the vintage clothing/record store/ art gallery called "Chaos," run by promoter Sue Static. Todd's also became a premiere concert venue and hosted many bands on its stage. A variety of acts such as The Alarm, Violent Femmes, Screamin Jay Hawkins and later The Pogues with guest guitarist Joe Strummer performed there. The Todd's dance parties became a main component of '80s subculture here in the city. The party lasted for almost a decade, up until the club changed ownership in the early '90s.

There will be two Todd's reunion nights coming up on Saturday, November 28 and Wednesday, December 23 for patrons of the club to revisit the music and friends of this era. The reunions are hosted by Stirling and Sue Static and feature DJ Charles English spinning the familiar tunes that had you dancing decades ago. The nights will feature drink specials of the drinks that the bar made famous, photo collages from that era and online access to chat with Todd's fans across the country. One special out of town guest returning for the reunion is Benson. A portion of the proceeds will also benefit MAPP (Midwest AIDS Prevention Project) in honor of the many Todd's employees.

The reunions will be at The Corktown Tavern

located at 1716 Michigan Ave. in Detroit. (313-964-5103)

8pm doors, 21 & over welcome and $7 cover.

For more information check out

www.staticrecords.com/shows

PHOTOS & WORDS: Widespread Panic - Royal Oak Music Theater, 11-24-2009 - words and photos by Andrew Bender

2009-11-26T00:20:00.005-05:00

Southern jam rock legends Widespread Panic took the stage at the Royal Oak Music Theater Tuesday night and MCB's Drew Bender was there to witness the hotness.

I'd been excited to see Panic for some time, as the last time they'd come to Michigan was over the July 4th weekend in 2008 for the inaugural Rothbury music festival. But the last time they'd come to Detroit was in 2006, only a few months after lead guitarist Jimmy Herring had joined the band. And they have continued to come a long way in these past 3 years. I can hardly give an objective, unbiased review of this show, as Widespread Panic has become one of my favorite live acts in the last few years.

I left work at three o'clock on Tuesday, hoping to see them perform at the live acoustic performance at Goodnight Gracie's in Royal Oak. I'd received word of the free show from my wife who'd heard it on 93.9 the River - I was in Atlanta at the time for work. She texted me and called me almost simultaneously - so I really knew it must be important. "You'll never guess . . . Panic's playing a free acoustic set before their show on Tuesday!" and I knew that her excitement was all for me as I'd traveled several hundred miles to see them since 2006 - Chicago, Kansas, Rothbury - certainly not as far as many I knew. OVer the next couple of days, the big jam music websites picked up on it and it got announced on their news pages, "Widespread Panic to perform acoustic set." So receiving text messages, I came to find out on my way up to the ROMT that the band would only be letting in some small number of people. When I got there, there were already sixty people in line, and nobody knew who would be let in. Finally after much anticipation the first 60 or so people in line were given wristbands and told they'd be ushered back to the ROMT for a special performance. I happened to luck out with a wristband myself and got some shots of that set. When we were finally ushered in, we were disappointed to find out that it was not an acoustic performance whatsoever, but rather just a 4-song soundcheck-type performance. Now, don't get me wrong - seeing Panic with 60 other fans was amazing and I was grateful for the opportunity to see and enjoy and shoot them in that condition - four great songs, sweetly sung for a select few who got there just early enough. Check out the photos from the pre-show set below and read on for some words about the rest of the evening and photos of the main event.

The mini-set was very cool - just a few people dancing around and having a blast seeing the band. The band was bathed in blue light. Apparently, the lightboard operator was not on the job and as a photographer, I was challenged with finding interesting ways of capturing 6 musicians saturated in intense blue light. A sweet, fun, jazzy mini set that included a serene Pilgims, and an inspired Time Waits with guitarist Jimmy Herring's delicately intentional jazz licks. In between were a solid Can't Get High, and rockin Weight of the World that had the small crowd in a frenzy. After that 4-song mini-set I said goodbye to some friends and jumped in the car - I raced home to put those shots up online and get the rest of my shit together for the show. I nuked and then inhaled a frozen burrito - molten on the outside and bean-flavored slushy style on the inside (just like I like 'em). Said hi and bye to the wife and our friend and was out the door back to the venue.

Wandering around and seeing lots of old friends in the crowd, I headed up to the stage to get set up again to shoot in front of the rail. As I'd seen before, the light was bright enough for slower lenses, but was just dominated by a permeating blueness. And as a photographer, I prefer that to the redness any damn day. Opening up with From the Cradle, Panic seemed to tell the metro-Detroit crowd to ignore whatever the national media might say about Detroit as lead singer and frontman John Bell's (or JB) powerful southern, whiskey-tinged vocals summoned the crowd to life. Segueing into Old Neighborhood, Herring's slide sounded sweet as Jojo Herman's keys rang true indeed. This slid slowly into Thought Sausage, a dirty southern number with abrupt transitions and funk to the rafters.

As I slid back from the rail to stop taking photos and wandered toward the back to find some friends, the band started up in a slow funk as a friend grabbed me walking by - Picking Up the Pieces. Then, One-Arm Steve took the place by storm and shook it up a bit. A rousing cover of Neil Young's Walk On kept the pace going with bassist Dave Schools dropping huge bombs on his 6-string bass. Closing out the first set were a trippy Second Skin, funky and martial Greta and a percussive Better Off that ended the set at over 90 minutes.

Coming back for a second set, I realized that I needed to slow down a bit on the various whisky drinks that kept being handed to me as I needed to get home after the second set and do some work. But for the second set itself - well, it just kept on coming as amazing Panic song after amazing song came forth with only Angels on High being played off their last album. I remember hearing Disco > Diner and Jojo's keys on Disco and JB's vocals in Diner mixing sublimely with Makers Mark as my feet were incapable of staying put and my arms flailed about in a white boy freak out. Machine > Barstools was very nice, but the rest of the second set was just pretty incredible (and I don't get to see the band all that much). The soft gentle tones of Gimme transitioning into the heavy percussion opening beats of southern swampy Fishwater, itself moving into a massive drum solo, then drum and base waves rolled over the gyrating crowd before the rest of the band joined in for a super spacey jam of Space proportions and into the drunk and cathartic Proving Ground, into another jam and just as the crowd was drifting off into the void, the band rolled back into Fishwater. Ending the set with the Jerry Joseph cover Climb to Safety, it was certainly a huge night of Panic in Detroit - or Royal Oak in any case. The encore performance of Old Joe and Ribs and Whiskey showed that a Tuesday night before Thanksgiving, is a party night for any year.

It was truly wonderful seeing so many people last night that I've met over the last year as a photographer with Motorcityblog. I'd like to dedicate this piece to MCB Editor extraordinaire Kirk Rukenbrod - Happy Birthday Kirk!! Thanks for Everything!!!!

WERD!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

-drew

2009-11-25T13:56:00.037-05:00

Greetings and salutations from the Professional Spectator for Mid November.

For those who may have missed some events over the past week, or opted for others as it has been JAM PACKED, here’s what we're seeing:

November 18 – Phish & The Brothers Groove – Phish opened their fall tour here in the Motor City, finally playing downtown in the venue that defined the live ROCK album Cobo Arena. Phish has led the jam scene with live recordings of their shows, and their performance in Cobo gave them the opportunity to release a live album to stand next to Kiss Alive, Live Bullet, or even Live Trucker.

Unfortunate that times are rough enough the single show of their reunion tour did not sell out here. While Cobo did have plenty of people packed up to the rafters, those that did get in saw a balanced set of fan favorites, classics, and new jams segueing between the up-tempo rockers like Sample in a Jar, the bluegrassy Poor Heart, and the improvisational stretch through Mike’s Song>I Am Hydrogen>Weekapaug Groove.

Check the Set List Here

Catch the Audience Recording here

As a Live Phish Veteran, this show certainly fell somewhere in the middle of favorites. Hyped from the Show Closing Character Zero we took the short hop to the Park Bar via People Mover to catch the last half of The Brothers Groove.

As Detroit Funk goes these guys have it in the bag, and they certainly spilled deep cuts all over the floor upstairs with the Motor City Horns. Nice to hear the underappreciated Johnny “Guitar” Watson’s Ain’t That A Bitch, included with Zappa’s Dirty Love.

MCB Photos of The Brothers Groove

Nothing on the horizon with the Brother’s Groove, don’t miss them next time.

November 19 – 7 Million Jigawatts CD
Release – Here’s a first, take a small art gallery, fill it with people, serve drinks and sushi, and toss in a rock band for good measure. Excellently presented in Kaiser Suidan’s Next Step Studios Gallery in Ferndale, the intimate space worked well for 7 Million Jigawatts’ Taking Flight CD Release. 7MJ gave us a boisterous combo of rock and soul including tunes from the new CD. Check them out if you haven’t already.

November 20 – Wiyos @ the DIA, Detroit Dizzy Dames @ Corktown Tavern – Friday Night Live! At the DIA may be the coolest ongoing program in Detroit’s Cultural District. Check out Live Bands in The Diego Rivera Room.. This definitely ain’t your stuffy museum of old.

The Wiyos brought a mixture of Old Time music with a modern twist to a room they said, “May be the coolest room we’ve ever played.” Check out the Wiyos when you get a chance, it’s real music. Best quote of the night, “Country music used to be good before Nashville got a hold of it.”

See the MCB Pictures of the Wiyos

Later that evening the Detroit Dizzy Dames were showing it off at the Corktown Tavern with the Phantom Shakers. While I love the Corktown Tavern, it’s not the best venue for burlesque. Kitschy and charming the dames do have talents beyond being beautiful.

November 24 – Widespread Panic Royal Oak Music Theater - Not that I have an opinion, but Widespread Panic may be the best touring band on the scene right now… Good to have them back in the metro area after a 5 year absence, they filled the ROMT with more out of towners on tour than locals who should be in the know.

The River sponsored a pre show “acoustic Set” at Gracies, which turned into 70 people admitted for the Sound Check in the theater proper.

Par usual Panic delivered the heat and moved that crowd for nearly 3 and a half hours. Just coming off a scorching 3 show run in Milwaukee it ain’t easy coming up with a fresh set list, and they did a phenomenal job taking us from bouncing bass lines of One Arm Steve to the soulful ballads Jack and Old Joe. Finally, this tour they have stopped ending the show on a slow tune and ripped Ribs and Whiskey to bring the house down.

Check out the Audience Recording -

Not Bottorrent Savvy? Stream It Here

On The Horizon – The week is still busy and we’ll do what we can to overcome the tryptophan poisoning.

Nov. 25 – America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – Get up, get out, Everyone loves a parade!

Nov. 25 – T-giving eve local super showcase: Ty Stone & The Truth, Doop and the Inside Outlaws, Robin Horlock, The Deadstring Brothers, Whitey Morgan, Brandon Calhoon and Bixy Lutz @ St. Andrews

Nov. 25 – Howling Diablos & The Infatuations @ The Cherry Hill Theater

Nov. 25 – Sponge @ The Majestic Theater

Nov. 26 – Dance off that Turkey and Pie at The Detroit Cobras @ The Majestic Café

Nov 27 – Get your Dead on at Rob Zombie @ The Fillmore

Nov. 28 – Howling Diablos bring the groove to the suburbs @ Callahans in Auburn Hills.

Nov. 29 – Bixy Lutz @ Club Bart

BLOG MOMENT and other shit to do tonight in dietroit

2009-11-25T12:07:00.020-05:00

One of the best things about having your birthday on Thanksgiving

is it always turns into a week long event without an end in sight

This year is no different - just a little extra special

for reasons I will not disclose and the MCB machine

is hitting the streets all night in typical fashion

with a maniacal directive and ominous tendacies

MCB Road Rager

TONIGHT

Here are a few other things to do

but most important is to stay out of our way

Duende! play Corktown Tavern

Chris Codish Trio play Bakers Keyboard Lounge

Lola Morales plays Black Lotus Brewery

National Ghost plays a show at New Way Bar Ferndale

WOODWARD play Berkley Front

Eastside Elvis plays Cadieux Cafe

Blue Snaggletooth play The Elbow Room Ypsi

BANNED FROM EARTH play FLOYDS in Lincoln Park

but the choice show for tonight
for any detroit music lover
has to be
the return of
THE SIGHTS

When I moved back to Detroit in 2003 the word from many
I encountered was that The Sights were the best band in town...

Truth be told - after checking them live a few times
I was sold as well on a band that seemed fresh every time out

and sounded better with every beer they drank
but then The Sights were no where in sight

and with every passing year watching new bands form
and fade from the various members
one had to wonder if The Sights
were done for good?.?

A few weeks ago there was an email from The Sights Army
who detailed the new EP - a wildly anticipated show (TONIGHT)
as well as a forthcoming new release in 2010

We posted up the info and within hours many of our out of town PR contacts
were emailing us about The Sights hailing them as one of Detroit's best

The band plays a show tonight at The Magic Stick Detroit
If you love Detroit music this is a do not miss show

MCB will be documenting the show tonight
and we have a copy of the new 12" vinyl
to giveaway to the 13th emailer
motorcityblog@earthlink.net

HaPpY bIrThDaY mUtHa F****r!!!

2009-11-25T11:01:00.001-05:00

HaPpY

bIrThDaY

mUtHa

F****r!!!

and thanks for

EVERYTHING!

FREE CDs & FREE CONCERT: WEEZER

2009-11-25T10:19:00.003-05:00

MCB was asked to post up about a contest that the band WEEZER is running

where the winning school gets a free concert by the band

I just checked the stats and Grand Valley State University (GVSU)

is currently in 5th place and gaining momentum

so you may be thinking

"I don't go to college - what's in it for me?"

Well we got you fools who aren't in school covered

be emailer #1 #2 #3

motorcityblog@earthlink.net

with a mailing address to get a copy of the just released CD

RADITUDE

shipped right to your door

if your lucky your mom will bring it right

to your room and you wont even have to

stop playing your XBOX

check the contest here

http://www.facebook.com/TMobile

Those blues sunglasses are just like the ones I bought at Incognito in 1979

Baroness @ the Magic Stick by Jeremy Whiting

2009-11-25T09:27:00.002-05:00

Baroness kicked some major ass last night at the Stick. MCB was on hand to check out the southern fried brutality and get some shots.

Today is Kirk MOTORCITYBLOG's birthday. And yes it is one word and all in CAPS.

2009-11-25T07:40:00.002-05:00

What do you give the man who has everything? Appreciation.

I met Kirk at the Pontiac Vibe event a few years back. He was there doing video with Sue who explained what MCB was all about. "Hot women, fast cars and Rock-n-Roll". And it is, but so much more. It's a place of opportunity and a feeling of community and belonging.

That comes from Kirk.

I know much of my success comes from the opportunities that Kirk has either offered or fought for me to get. I have have met many of my favorite musicians, actors and artists - it's unreal. I have also had the opportunity to grow as a photographer and to build a clientele. And he does this for so many people it would take a year of non stop list writing by four hundred and seventy six million people to get half the list done.

Seriously Kirk works hard to make sure he promotes everyone equally. True, he might have a few favorites but, unless your a completed Detard, he promotes the band no one knows with the same passion he would for a big named artists. Actually that's bull shit. He would promote your stuff more and harder if you are the no name band. I have seen quite a few bands become more popular with MCB on their side.

And it goes for more than just music. He is a huge supporter of the arts as well. This past PAF (People's Art Festival) he spent more than a grand so that other people could promote themselves or their businesses. Many of us at MCB benefited from the "MCB Lounge". He promotes the events at the DIA , Music Hall and many local independent business. He also gives away more free stuff than any other media in Dietroit.

I think Kirk is one of the best things the city of Detroit has. Someone who sees and knows what's right about the City. Someone who loves this area more than anyone I know. He does it because he wants to, and does it all for free. Now ask the CEO and she'll tell you it actually costs him.

Kirk has an amazing and beautiful wife. Karen is a way cooler chick than me. She puts up with Kirk and all his genius ideas and raises their two supercuteomgIwannaeatthemup kids. He's a family man who likes to spend Sundays at home with his sons. I personally don't know how Kirk does any of this. Did I mention his very fancy job? You know "science labs" and all. Yeah. Seriously. Superman.

So I ask you, all of you who have benefited from knowing Kirk, to take a moment and say, "Thank You" the next time you see him. I have a feeling he'll be hearing it for the whole year.

And no, Kirk, you can't blow it off and say it's because of all of us. There wouldn't be all of us if it wasn't for you. Thank you Kirk, I am proud to call you my friend and Happy Birthday.

Local Ad Agencies attempts at 'Selling Detroit'

2009-11-24T14:26:00.003-05:00

As part of CNN's ASSIGNMENT DETROIT Special Project, CNNmoney.com asked 5 Detroit ad agencies (McCann Erickson, GlobalHue, Doner, Campbell-Ewald, and Leo Burnett) this question: "Why would anyone smart, young, and creative move to or stay in Detroit?" Here are the ads they created to answer that question. Vote for your favorite! (If any...) CNN will announce the winner Dec 2.

Feeling that these 5 ads completely missed the point, we designed our own version:

What do you think? Is there the ability to write-in a vote? If so, why not pencil my name in there? I'll buy you a beer if you do...

New Video from GOREVETTE - “Lustfully Yours”

2009-11-24T13:59:00.002-05:00

Some things are just meant to be.

When the legendary Nikki Corvette arrived with equally revered rock critic Robert Matheu at a Gore Gore Girls show in Los Angeles, he instinctively knew that she and bandleader Amy Gore would be natural compatriots. Both women have toured the world, rejecting trends and gimmickry to play the authentic, powerful rock n’ roll they’ve made their religion. They became friends that night, not industry associates but real pals.

When Corvette relocated to her native Detroit for family reasons, she and Gore began to spend time together, spending hours talking about music while hanging out by the record player.

With members of each woman’s bands in different cities, they originally conceived the idea of doing a punk cover band, playing their favorite songs from bands like the Buzzcocks and the Damned.

That soon changed when Nikki brought her tune “Lustfully Yours” to the table. Amy Gore, a formidable guitarist and writer, began writing songs specifically for Nikki that carry on the ‘Shangri-Las meets Ramones’ v sound she is famous for while incorporating lyrics rejecting the artificiality of current feminine ideals (“Fake It”) and making stand for the hedonistic fun of dancing, cars and staying up all night.

“Rock n’ roll, above all else, should be fun,” said Gore.

Enlisting Lianna Castillo (bassist from the Gore Gore Girls) and Al King (Powertrane) on drums, the line-up was compled, and Gorevette began playing festivals and club shows. When it came time to record their EP, they split time between both Jim Diamond’s Ghetto Recordings in Detroit and Rock City Studios in Ann Arbor, MI, Gore producing and the songs. Gorevette were honored to have Radio Birdman guitarist Deniz Tek playing lead guitar on 'Nothin's Gonna Stop Me' and trading licks with Amy Gore on 'Brand New Lover'.

The new tracks are compiled for The Lustfully Yours EP, available Tuesday, January 26, 2010 on itunes USA and Internationally, Rhapsody, Napster, eMusic, IMVU, LimeWire Store, Amazon MP3 & Amazon on Demand.

About Nikki: 1978 saw the birth of Nikki Corvette's career with the release of the Nikki Corvette and the Convertibles single "Young and Crazy" b/w "Backseat Love" and "Criminal Element". This was all happening in Detroit during the punk rock explosion where Nikki would see herself sharing the stage with The Ramones, Johnny Thunders, The Romantics and many more. By 1980 the band name was changed to Nikki and the Corvettes. They would release their legendary debut album on BOMP! Records, an incredible mixture of 60's style girl group vocals, twangy guitars and teenage pop with plenty of punk rock attitude, with songs about cruisin for boys and fun in the sun. The album and band would influence everyone from The Go-go's (to go for more of a "pop" sound) all the way to The Donnas (see the lyric "I wanna be like Nikki Corvette" from Gimmie My Radio), and around the world to Japan with The 5678's.

About Amy Gore: Amy was born in Detroit, Michigan and in 1997 she founded the Gore Gore Girls, the first of few all-female bands of the garage rock genre. Along with other bands such as The White Stripes, The Dirtbombs, The Detroit Cobras and others, the Gore Gore Girls helped establish the modern American garage rock scene of the 1990s in Detroit. Gore’s talents are myriad: she is a ferocious guitarist who has helped bring Gretsch hollowbody guitars their due, a songwriter who distills the perfect pop gem and a studio pro whose unerring ear brought Gorevette to light.

The Lustfully Yours EP
Strange Girl Recordings

1. Nothings Gonna Stop Me*

2. Lustfully Yours

3. Baby Let's Rock

4. Fake It

5. Honey Don't You Know?

6. Brand New Lover*

7. Candy Man

* Featuring Deniz Tek on lead guitar Produced by Amy Gore

Nothings Gonna Stop Me, Brand New Lover & Candy Man
Recorded & Engineered by Pete Bankert, Rock City Studios, Ann Arbor MI

All other tracks recorded & engineered by Jim Diamond, Ghetto Recorders, Detroit MI

Listen to Gorevette here!
http://www.myspace.com/gorevette

Detroit Cobras - Majestic Cafe - Thanksgiving Thursday 11/26

2009-11-24T12:17:00.005-05:00

Photos by MCB's Shane Glenn

There is something to be said for a band that plays a show on the holidays

That band for the past few years has been The Detroit Cobras and they are not breaking stride this year as they take on another Thanksgiving Thursday providing us all with an alternative to that extra plate of turkey with stuffing or pumpkin pie that was just put back into the fridge after dinner.

The last time I met up with Rachel and Mary

was before last years Thanksgiving Benefit Show for COTS and we talked about many things including a timeline for a new Cobras record...

3 months 6 months 9 months ??-

it doesn't matter because new record or not

Tied and True is still one of the best albums put out by a Detroit band and we are hungry for more but at the same time still satisfied with what we have on our plate. So we will wait a little longer with our fingers crossed that these bad ass betties who run this crew called the Cobras will bring it as soon as possible to our eager ears.

So after you check out the parade on Woodward

and watch the Lions get stuffed as you do the same

get yourself over to the Majestic Cafe

and show your thanks for a Detroit staple

that delivers all the fixin's

MCB has 1 copy of Tied & True for emailer #1

RebeccaMich will be shooting the show

and will be handing off the winner

make sure to say thanks when she is done

MELT BANANA - Pike Room Crofoot Pontiac - Sat 11/28

2009-11-24T10:21:00.005-05:00

MELT BANANA

CHILD BITE

DOWNTOWN BROWN

THE SUMMER PLEDGE.

The Pike Room

1 S Saginaw

Crofoot Pontiac

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 28

doors at 8PM

tickets: $10

(buy tickets)

Melt Banana will melt your face off with blistering runs of madness

mix in a little grind core punk
topped with some shredded desctruction
perfect for a saturday night in the "yak"
Get to this show!

Wild At Heart

2009-11-24T00:03:00.001-05:00

Wild Bill Ketelhut provides the "blog" to this anti-blog
He has a radio program on WXOU out of Oakland University

Wild At Heart

I was thinking of getting tickets to the Lions Thanksgiving day but it is considered sold out or at least all the cheap seats are taken so it looks like I wil be spending Thanksgiving at home watching episodes of Smallville or Eureka. Already bought a turkey and I guess I could do my laundry before it starts crawling away (it might be too late for that). Thanksgiving itself was historically a religious observation to give thanks to God, but is now primarily identified as a secular holiday where we give thanks to football and tons of food. Of course giving thanks for the Lions might be an oxymoron but we won't dwell on that since they did manage to beat the Browns. There were many different days on which Thanksgiving was celebrated including on October 3, 1789 when George Washington created the first Thanksgiving Day designated by the national government but it wasn't until October 6, 1941 that both houses of the US Congress passed a joint resolution fixing the traditional last-Thursday date for the holiday beginning in 1942. BTW, if you want to recreate the original Thanksgiving feast, you will need the following menu = duck, geese, venison, fish, lobster, clams, swan, berries, dried fruit, pumpkin, squash and many more vegetables. Don't forget the local Thanksgiving Day parade upon which coverage will start on Thursday, November 26th starting at 6AM and will feature ex-WXOU DJ Lauren Podell (among others) reporting live from Woodward Avenue. Live broadcast starts at 9AM, with special guests Bethenny Frankel of The Real Housewives of New York City, Cheryl Burke of Dancing With The Stars, former American Idol contestants Danny Gokey and Josh Gracin & performances from Dave Edwards of Detroit’s own The Look and Detroit blues-legend Johnnie Bassett. Maybe this is the year I go down and check it out.

It is always a nice time to catch that holiday movie and if you are looking for a family friendly film, try "Planet 51". Simply, the film follows a NASA astronaut, Captain Charles "Chuck" Baker (Dwayne Johnson or as we know him, The Rock) who lands on Planet 51 thinking he's the first to set foot on it. When he discovers it is inhabited by little green people who live in a white picket-fenced world reminiscent of 1950s America, he covers in fear and hides. Of course, the aliens, inspired by a sci-fi themed invasion film series thinks he is an invader and the army comes to kill him. Luckily, he is found by Lem, a young kid who has just got a job at the local planetarium who helps him hide and works, along with his nerdish buddies, to get him back to his ship. The films also has numerous rip-offs for us to keep an eye out for including tributes to Alien, Star Wars, ET, duck and cover PSA's, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Terminator, etc which is almost annoying at times and I think the film gets hurt by the reliance of using celebrity voice-overs by such actors as Jessica Biel, Gary Oldman and John Cleese. Personally, there are some damn good voice actors out there that I think add a more to a film but I know that studios want names which seem stupid in the average animated film. Despite these few issues, the film should appeal to the kids and as long as the adults don't mind something sci-fi oriented, this might be a good choice to enjoy with the family. My grade is a C+.

If you are looking for music, you have a lot of choices this week starting on Tuesday 24th with folk/pop singer Brett Dennen w/the blues rock vibe of Grace Potter & the Nocturnals @ St Andrew's Hall or the jam rock sounds of Widespread Panic @ Royal Oak Music Theatre. Wednesday 25th sees Chris Brown @ Royal Oak Music Theatre, bad boy country artist David Allen Coe @ Harpos (nice sequel to the rocking hardcore Hank III show last week), alt rockers Jesus Lizard @ The Crofoot, and local acts Sponge @ the Majestic, Robin Horlock @ St Andrews Hall, the Sights w/SSM @ Magic Stick and Jane Of Arc open for Local Natives @ Pike Room. You can spend Thanksgiving on Thursday 26th with Kem, Forever The Sickest Kids, Shontelle, etc doing the halftime show for the Lions Thanksgiving Day Game and then later see the Detroit Cobras @ Magic Stick. Friday 27th brings from Scotland, indie pop artists Camera Obscura @ The Crofoot, Christmas favorite Mannheim Steamroller @ Fox Theatre, hard rocker Rob Zombie @ The Fillmore and local maniacs Millions Of Brazillians opening for the Electric Six @ St Andrews Hall. Saturday 28th sees a wide variety with Jeff Daniels and a number of local folk acts @ Michigan Theatre, the wonderful Sam Roberts Band w/Sloan & Hard Lessons @ Fillmore, the instrumental band Pelican @ the Shelter, Star Wars In Concert (with live narration by Anthony Daniels aka C-3P0) @ the Palace Of Auburn Hills, Japanese band Melt Banana (think Asia's Sonic Youth) @ the Pike Room, the always rocking Muggs open for Satin Peaches @ Magic Bag and a wonderful local band Octopus plays the Detroit Derby Girls afterparty @ the Majestic. Sunday 29th sees All Time Low w/We The Kings @ The Fillmore and a repeat performance of the Mannheim Steamroller @ Stranahan Theatre (Toledo).

In other music news, Ringo Starr has a new album announced for January entitled "Y Not". While not in time for stocking stuffers, this should be a fun album with lots of guest stars including Paul McCartney along with collaborations with Joe Walsh, Joss Stone, Gary Wright, Van Dyke Parks, Dave Stewart (Eurymics), Ben Harper, Richard Marx and Detroit's own Don Was. Also, Cyndi Lauper confirmed that she would be releasing a new album in Spring 2010 and is currently writing her autobiography "Often Imitated, Never Duplicated". Send me my copy now:)

I hope everyone has a safe holiday and I'll catch you all next Monday.

DO NOT MISS EVENT: Noir Leather / Franz+Shape - Saturday 11-28-2009

2009-11-23T22:34:00.001-05:00

DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW

Noir Leather presents

ELECTROBOUND

FRANZ+SHAPE from Italy

Fetish Fashion Show

BMG of Ectomorph

DETHLAB

DR DISKODUST

Saturday 11/28

Blondies Detroit

2281 W Fort St

Dietroit MI

visit www.NoirLeather.com

for more info and get to this show

Ongoing: The Accidental Mummies of Guanajuato

2009-11-23T15:58:00.002-05:00

DC is a longtime contributor to the MCB

ACCIDENTAL MUMMIES of GUANAJUATO • Now Through April 11, 2010

Detroit Science Center

Last week, the Detroit Science Center invited MCB to come down and have a gawk at their new exhibit, The Accidental Mummies of Guanajuato.

Let's talk first of all about how cool it is that this exhibit's worldwide tour is kicking off in Detroit. The mummies have their own museum in Mexico, but the group has been packed up for three years on the road. We know a little about empty husks in our old town here, and these are every bit as graceful as anything you'd find on West Grand.

The DSC has customized the upper level of the center -- where I had personally never been -- for the 10,000 sq. ft. exhibit. On first entering, you get a feel for what the Guanajuato area cemetery is like today, with the extensive, stacked crypts, which have been recreated and decorated by Detroit volunteers. Rather than the somber experience we're accustomed to here in the U.S., the cemetery is bright and, dare I say, lived-in. It doesn't hurt that some of it is currently decorated for Dia de los Muertos. Skeletons rarely get more cheery. And talk to Carlos while you're in the cemetery. He's got wisdom.

In the main section of the gallery, the majority of the (glass-cased) mummies are displayed upright, contrary to how they were interred and mummified. This gives the visitor a chance to see them face-to-face, as it were, as well as in 360°. Information about the lives of the individuals (largely theorized, as most of these people were peasants with no documentation) is posted nearby, along with forensic recreation sketches of how they looked in life. And more on this in a moment, as it's one of the most interesting parts of the entire exhibit.

The mummies on display originated from several segments of society, although all were exhumed during the same time period, in the mid-1800s. They are displayed just as they were found -- some completely without clothes, many with only their socks, and a few with clearly visible braids and decorative accents. The adults ring the walls of the main room of the exhibit, having died ranging from their teens to, in the extraordinary case of "The Witch," their 70s.

I mention the adults because, yes, there is a display of infant mummies as well. Truth be told, this was one of my favorite parts of the exhibit.

Infant mortality is a fact of life, albeit one we tend not to want to look at directly. The little mummies here are displayed with the same reverence with which they were laid to rest, but what's especially interesting is their accoutrement -- one displays a vivid red, stuffed sacred heart, while another still clutches the doll with which she was entombed.

The far end of the exhibit is where the science gets to happening. Because of the curious way in which these bodies were mummified -- purely through accidental conditions -- their physiology was generally untouched. To get a deeper view -- and understanding -- of the mummies, several specimens were given full-body CT scans here at Oakwood in Dearborn, with the resulting images displayed on large video screens near replica labs. There were also extensive x-rays and, for extra fun, endoscopy of the body cavities. And yes, that is a giant spider nest in that abdomen. Also on display is a reconstruction of the facial structure of one of the mummies, created by a forensic artist, with a clay build-up on a replicated skull. It's fascinating on both a scientific and humanizing level.

There's nothing particular squeamish about this exhibit, although it will certainly tickle one's morbid fancies. The mummies are displayed with enough matter-of-factness to avoid seeming exploitative, including the cluster of infants. Still, I wouldn't say that it's an easy go for the terribly faint of heart. Not that we have many of those readers here, of course. But you've been warned. By which I mean, go see this exhibit!

FREE TICKETS / CDs: Electric Six live @ St Andrews Detroit + copy of "KILL" - Fri 11/27

2009-11-23T14:57:00.003-05:00

MCB has a pair of tickets to giveaway to see

ELECTRIC SIX

who play a show this coming Friday night

@ St Andrews Hall Detroit

The winner of the tickets also gets a fresh of the press copy of

KILL

the latest record release from the band

Check out the latest video from E6

which has been out for a while now

The band has some balls - the video and new record say that for sure
Nice work guys.

And they are right in saying

"You can't kill Detroit"

Electric Six "Body Shot" (2009) - NSFW 18+ from

Another Reybee Productions, Inc. on Vimeo.

winning random emailer to be chosen on Wed 11/24

FREE TICKETS / VINYL: Millions of Brazilians - St Andrews Hall Detroit - Fri 11/27

2009-11-23T14:45:00.007-05:00

MCB has a pair of tickets to the upcoming MoBz show

also the winner of the tickets get the latest vinyl release

"Half Horse/Half Horse"

We have covered the guys plenty of times over the past few years

shown here are a few random photos from past shows

the guys just put out some new music

and obviously are touring with E6

If you haven't had a chance to see Millions of Brazilians live

check them out this Friday night

at St Andrews Hall Detroit

get info/tickets here

random winner chosen on Wednesday 11/25

Rodriguez and The Party Stompers - VFW HALL 4553 - SW Detroit - Wed 11/25

2009-11-23T13:37:00.001-05:00

UPCOMING SHOW: Widespread Panic - TOMORROW NIGHT 11/24 - Royal Oak Music Theater

2009-11-23T12:30:00.003-05:00

Southern jam rockers Widespread Panic take the stage tomorrow night at the Royal Oak Music Theatre, and MCB's Drew Bender will be on the scene to snap a few shots of this epic band.

Hailing from Athens, Georgia (where so many other cool bands have also gotten their start) Widespread Panic - or just 'Panic' as their legions of rabid fans call them - take the stage at 7pm. Tickets are still available at the Royal Oak Music Theatre and MCB recently got word of a FREE semi-secret acoustic session the band is doing at 4pm at Goodnight Gracie's in Royal Oak, just around the corner from the ROMT.

Check out some shots from Panic's 2008 performance at the Rothbury Music Festival.

323East Gallery presents: DAVID FOOX - Sat Nov 28th 6-11pm

2009-11-23T11:22:00.002-05:00

David Foox at 323East Nov. 28th

Artist Reception This Saturday!

Stop by from 6p - 11p

Foox arrives in Detroit this week after spending the past 2 months in Beijing, China with Art openings at notorious and illustrious FEI SPACE in Beijing’s art district and the UCCA Store, China’s equivalent of the MOMA in NYC.

Please Join 323East in welcoming David to town

and check out his amazing new collection.

This will be his only US Solo Exhibition in 2009 / 2010.

Now On Sale: Limited Edition Print and Chinese Organ Donors

RSVP to this event on Facebook

Check out David Foox's Website

Artists turn to the creative muse for any number of reasons, but David Foox may be the only one who admits in his curriculum vitae that it was the stressful New York State Bar Exam that prompted him to pick up the brush. It was a decision that proved fruitful for all concerned - he passed the exam ( with flying colors, no doubt) and then proceeded to become an eclectic master in a wide variety of genres and styles. Some recent chapters in that creative odyssey are worth noting here: Foox created the Organ Donor Dolls, a beguiling array of creatures who dwell happily in that grey area between satire and dark humor.

Nevertheless, they draw attention to an important cause that should come to mind every time you renew a driver's license.Foox pumped up the regional head office of Adidas Shoes in Frisco, Texas with an expansive mural that celebrated more than just the joys of running. Feng shui and primary colors never worked so well together in the Lone Star State!And speaking of feng shui (or matters more weighty), Foox was invited in October of this year to contribute several pieces to a certain Beijing art gallery owned by Chairman Mao's granddaughter. Another great leap forward on that curriculum vitae.Now add a slew of other projects to that list (including a rewarding foray into sculpture), and you may have a clearer notion as to why Foox is judged to be one of the most original and exciting artists working today.Or better still see his November 28 show at 323 East and examine a side to this artist that may surprise you - even after all we've written here.Foox is pursuing new goals these days - goals that will complement his growing interest in symbolic art and an equally urgent desire to come to terms with certain personal matters in his life. Artists do not dwell in ivory towers after all - and there is much to be said about the therapy that comes with work.

READ MORE HERE

and get to 323East this Saturday

November 28th 2009

6-11pm

FREE VINYL: The Lincolns UK new record - "Hot Blond Bitches"

2009-11-23T09:35:00.002-05:00

Being a slack ass sucks!

MCB missed The Lincolns UK Record Release Party on Nov. 14 @ Park Bar

but we ran into our pal Marc Nischan who wasn't a slack ass because

he showed up for our MCB Showcase on Thursday night at Small's

The Lincolns UK released their debut album

Hot Blonde Bitches

November 14th at the Park Bar in Detroit.

Recorded in the summer of 2009 at High Bias Recordings in Detroit

by underground scenester Chris Koltay,

the album captures the raw energy of The Lincolns UK

and harnesses it in a limited edition vinyl EP and a full length CD,

together in one package.

Listen to preview tracks at myspace.com/thelincolnsukdetroit

Pick up a copy and support local detroit rock'n'roll!

be the 5th emailer and get our copy of the vinyl

motorcityblog@earthlink.net

PHOTOS: THE WIYOS @ the DIA by PAUL HITZ

2009-11-23T08:47:00.005-05:00

THE WIYOS, hot off their tour with Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan and John Cougar Mellencamp this Summer played to a packed house this Friday at the DIA, surrounded by the amazing murals of Diego Rivera

Friday Night Live!

The DIA has always been known for great art, but they've also got a reputation for presenting great live music. You can experience music from around the world and around Detroit at Friday Night Live! The new DIA is open late every Friday night with live music, art-making workshops, drawing in the galleries, guided tours and much more. Activities take place from 6 to 10 p.m. and are FREE with museum admission. See below for upcoming Friday Night Live! events. The new DIA. Let yourself go!

http://www.dia.org/calendar/friday_nights/index.asp

MCB Pick of the Week: Thanksgiving EVE - Lager House Detroit - Wed 11/25

2009-11-22T20:12:00.006-05:00

MCB pick of the week

Wednesday

11.25.2009

Lee Marvin Computer Arm

w/ The Terrible Twos

The Readies

Silver Ghost

The Johnny Ill Band

www.pjslagerhouse.com

Young American Comedy Tour - Wed 11/25 - Detroit City Theatre

2009-11-22T20:06:00.003-05:00

A young man is walking through a small village one day and decides to stop by a bar and have a beer. He walks into a bar, and sees a grizzled old man, crying into his beer. Curious, the young man sits down and says, "Hey old timer, why the long face?"

The old man looks at him and points out the window, "See that dock out there? I built that dock with my own two hands, plank by plank, nail by nail, but do they call me McGregor the dockbuilder? No, no."
The old man continued, "And see that ship out there? I’ve been fishing these waters for my village for 35 years! But do they call me McGregor the fisherman? No, no."

The old man continued, "And see all the crops in the farms out there? I planted and have been farming those crops for my village for nearly 45 years! But do they call me McGregor the farmer? No, no."
The old man starts to cry again,

"But you fuck one goat..."

MCB gave away a few sets of tickets to this show and this was one of the winning jokes submitted by our lovely readers...
Here is the info on the show.....

Mike Young, a Southfield (Michigan) native is the creator of the Young American Comedy Tour - which stops 9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25 at Detroit's City Theatre. Now based in Los Angeles, Mike has forged relationships with some of Hollywood's heavy-hitters - from Spiderman's Tobey Maguire to Entourage creator Doug Ellin and star Kevin Connolly.

Throughout his time in LA, Young has written for TV, film and more. He is currently working on multiple projects, including a sit-com called Big Kids, executive-produced by Vince Vaughn that he describes as 30 Rock-meets-Funny Or Die. Young sold a show called Forever Young to ABC and he has written a full-length feature film titled Right Angle, which is based on the life of his longtime friend Beverly Hills Mich. resident Adam Niskar, who became paralyzed after diving into a lake 10 years ago. The movie, produced by Camelot Pictures, will be filmed in Michigan. Young said casting has just begun for Right Angle, a story he calls "Juno in a wheelchair" because it blends unlikely humor with a tragic situation.

For now, Young is focused on making his Young American Comedy Tour into Detroit's own Apollo Theatre. On Nov. 25, he's lending the microphone to some of the hottest young comedians in the country - as well as local performers.

What audiences won’t see from their seats, though, is a driving force behind the show – Mike’s brother Robert Young. Robert, a Commerce Township (Michigan) resident, has always been Mike’s biggest fan. When times were tough and Mike was just starting his career in Los Angeles, it was Robert who cheered him on. And today, Robert serves as executive producer of the Young American Comedy Tour.

Get tickets to this show here

MP3 Mondays on MOTORCITYBLOG

2009-11-22T18:28:00.013-05:00

railcars' "Cathedral With No Eyes" 12"

12" EP out now on Stumparumper

MP3: Cathedral With No Eyes

MP3: Passion of Saint Edmund (Rebirth)

Halfway through their epic fall tour, railcars are leaving no corner of the US unloved. Their new EP "Cathedral With No Eyes" is finally out now on on vinyl courtesy of Stumparumper. (Out digitally on Gold Robot)"Cathedral With No Eyes" is the second proper release by railcars. In this record, LA-based multiple-instrumentalist Aria Jalali recounts the life of Edmund the Martyr, a 9th century king of East Anglia with songs about his life and succession to the throne as a young boy, his conquests, his suffering at the hands of vikings and death by their arrows.This time around railcars make an attempt to more accurately recreate the whirling, dizzying fury of their live performances, flowing continuously yet shifting without warning, translating the story of St. Edmund into walls of noise, sputtering drum machines, dying electronics, and tales told in distant shouts.

railcars' debut release came last year as a 7" recorded by Xiu Xiu's Jamie Stewart and they have recently played shows with Crystal Antlers, Handsome Furs, and Former Ghosts. While the recorded output is just Jalali, his live show incorporates more players including live visuals making for quite a visceral experience bringing the songs to life. railcars will be on tour throughout the US throughout the fall. available now at Stumparumper

www.myspace.com/railcarsmusic

http://www.stumparumper.com/

www.gold-robot.com

TRANSFER

Future Selves

(Obscure Magpie Records, November 3rd)

TRANSFER shine on their grand sounding album that is aptly called FUTURE SELVESTRANSFER is poised to release their full-length album aptly titled, Future Selves. Earlier this year, the band secluded themselves in their studio for a month to write the record. Tucked away in the canyons in North San Diego among the influence of coyote howls and cricket bows, they created a collection of songs with poignant and chilling lyrics and sounds broad enough in range to deem undeniable.While exhibiting all the grandeur of British rock, yet rooted in the gritty allure of the American west, TRANSFER beseeches personal discovery. You can either experience TRANSFER by being fully immersed within a good pair of headphones, or, preferably, get caught up in the intensity of their unusually captivating and dynamic live performance. With the impending release of their digital-only second full-length release, Future Selves, TRANSFER stands poised to win over unsuspecting listeners and to elicit praise for its remarkably savvy take on the art of rock music.

That rare act that successfully merges evocative songwriting with pristine musicianship, the ambitiously detailed aesthetics of TRANSFER’s studio recordings frequently draw comparison to My Morning Jacket, while the personally resonating lyrical content often invokes the specter of Jeff Buckley. However, this is not a group content to feel either bolstered or confined by its influences, and with each new release TRANSFER’s sound has grown more expansive, balancing soulful instincts with wildly charismatic rock as you can hear listening to their first single “Losing Composure”.Engineered and mixed by bassist, Shaun Cornell with help from Mark Needham (The Killers), this record proves to be TRANSFER’s most ambitious work that has the potential to get under peoples skins .

MP3 of TRANSFER single "Losing Composure"

http://www.transferband.com/

http://www.myspace.com/transferband

http://www.facebook.com/transferband

Fang Island describes its sound as "everyone high-fiving everyone."

And, the Brooklyn quintet's anthemic and soaring songs make it quite possibly one of few bands befitting such description. Check out MP3s for two new tracks,

"Daisy" (MP3 HERE) and "Life Coach" (MP3 HERE).

Its finger-tapping guitar lines, chanted vocals, triumphant harmonies and overall perky songs hearken to the sort of "Total Music" of the Fucking Champs, Jay Reatard, Ponytail, Kraftwerk, Marnie Stern, Thin Lizzy, et al. But, perhaps more so, its songs are like the music in your head at that moment when everything feels just right: that first kiss, that high score on the video game, buying your first small nation in cash... you know, good stuff.

Nothing embodies the band's sense of optimism and enthusiasm better than this clip of Fang Island performing live for a classroom of kindergartners. Watch HERE.

Fang Island began, oddly enough, as an art school project while the band members were attending the prodigious Rhode Island School of Design (also the foundation for Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Les Savvy Fav, Lightning Bolt, Six Finger Satellite and some band called the Talking Heads.) According to guitarist Jason Bartell, the goal was to "make music for people who like music." That is, music without irony that harnesses its uplifting qualities. Just like a classic rock song or classical symphony can stir us emotionally, Fang Island exists to unlock that spirit.
Fang Island is guitarist Jason Bartell, bassist Philip Curcuru, guitarist Chris Georges, guitarist Nicholas Andrew Sadler, and drummer Marc St. Sauveur.

They all share collective group vocal harmonies and the occasional hand claps. While Sadler is also known for his role in the debauched rock band Daughters, it is only his fretboard skill that translates between the two groups.

Fang Island begins appropriately with the sound of erupting fireworks on "Dreams of Dreams" leading into a cascading chorus of ringing guitar notes before the group vocal harmonies chime in with the mantra, "they all are within my reach, they are free." The second song, "Careful Crossers" launches in beneath the vocals with a chorus of gleaming guitar harmonies smeared over the marching, syncopated rhythm section.

Elsewhere, tracks like "Sideswiper" hearken to the metal-laced positivity of Andrew WK. "Daisy" sounds like a unique collaboration between the Fucking Champs and Jay Reatard. Throughout the album, it's like listening to the cool version of classic rock -- the type of anthemic pop -- without the cheesiness -- that you wished Journey and Boston could've made.

Fang Island's debut album, Fang Island

will be released February 23rd, 2010 via Sargent House.

http://www.myspace.com/fangisland
http://fangisland.com
http://digital.fangisland.com/

Almanac is the incredible new album from the Brooklyn, NY/Pennsylvania duo Brian Lightbody and Tom Asselin. This is the band's first proper full-length, being released onto the world November 10, 2009 via the La Société Expéditionnaire collective. The recordings began with an M Box and 3 mics in Asselin's Pocono Mountain basement, and over the course of time, acquisition of gear, and massive trial-and-error, the bunker blossomed into One Forest Studio. An empty roller rink was used as a reverb chamber while sampling Brahms' Requiem Mass. Musical recruits were brought in to flesh out ideas with distinct instruments that were affected, layered, chopped and collaged together.Dragon Turtle's Almanac is a heavy trip; a document of transformation, entropy, and causality.

Dragon Turtle evokes Morricone landscapes as if painted by Glenn Branca, where dream atmospheres meet brutal realities of nature and relationships. These forces are both beautiful ("Causality", "Belt of Venus") and destructive ("Moon Fallout", "Burn the Leaves"). The textures and layers move with a sense of urgency and purpose ("Hometime", "Hourglass"). The duality of Tom Asselin and Brian Lightbody's musical relationship is also at play, converging an influence of sound spanning from John Cale and Eno to Post-Punk conglomerates of Folk and Krautrock.“Island of Broken Glass” takes its name from Robert Smithson's sculptural work, recanting destruction and violence inherent in the relationships between nature and man. The lyrics from this song also inspired the cover of the album, a spiraling double helix/DNA strand made of burning books.

"Island of Broken Glass" from Almanac
Dragon Turtle Myspace

Cloud Cult Announce the December 8th Release of a Double-Disc Reissue – They Live on the Sun (2003) and Aurora Borealis (2004) – Remixed, Remastered and with Bonus Tracks!

On December 8th, 2009 Cloud Cult will release a double-disc reissue of They Live on the Sun (2003) and Aurora Borealis (2004) – two of their earliest albums. These two home recorded releases have been re-envisioned, remixed and remastered for the first time by Cloud Cult's Craig Minowa and this special double-disc release will contain previously unreleased bonus tracks. The albums, which are now out of print and could only be purchased at live gigs and select Independent record stores, will be available for the first time nationwide and fans can take advantage of a presale on the band’s web site in late November

www.cloudcult.com

Cloud Cult’s lead singer/songwriter Craig Minowa created these albums during 18 months of seclusion at his Northern Minnesota organic farm after his two-year-old son passed away unexpectedly in 2002. Originally released on the band’s own Earthology Records, they were mainly available on a local level due to a shoe-string credit card budget. Despite the limited distribution, They Live on the Sun landed on Pitchfork’s 2004 Year-End “Found Sound column” and was put into rotation at KEXP, while Aurora Borealis climbed to the Top 5 on KEXP. In addition, both albums found fans at college radio across the US and The Live on the Sun even surpassed major label releases on many stations including Radiohead's Hail to the Thief.

All of the attention these early albums received helped this Minneapolis band break out onto the national scene and it only seems fitting that they reissue these releases as the band is gearing up to hit the road in Spring of 2010 after taking their longest break from touring in 6 years. A self -imposed hiatus, the break gave Craig and his wife Connie time to adjust to being parents again as they welcomed a new addition to their family this October.

Cloud Cult has gone on to sell more than 30,000 copies of its follow-up releases, despite turning down major label offers along the way. In addition, they’ve just ended a very busy year where they played Coachella for the first time, made their late night TV debut on Last Call with Carson Daly and co-headlined a nationwide tour with Margot and The Nuclear So and So’s. Following the reissue this Winter and the Spring 2010 tour, the band is gearing up for a new album release in the Fall of 2010 – so please stay tuned for more news in the near future.

SAN FRANCISCO’S CITY LIGHT

RELEASES SOPHOMORE ALBUM BURNED OUT BRIGHT

DUE JANUARY 26th 2010

BURNED OUT BRIGHT

San Francisco’s City Light is set to conquer the country with their upcoming sophomore release, BURNED OUT BRIGHT. A riveting combination of indie-pop, electronica and straight up rock-and-roll, City Light’s new release begins where the debut album left off and moves a step further, keeping the listener on his toes the whole way through.

Formed in 2006 by Seattle singer-songwriter Matt Shaw and Bay area producer Nick Andre (Gift of Gab, Lateef, Bicasso), City Light is a collaborative effort between artists from across the country with a variety of histories, sounds, and influences. Musician and producer Denver Daley (Desaparecidos, Statistics, Intramural), Seattle’s Andy Fitts (Airport Cathedral Aqueduct) and Marc Bianchi (Her Space Holiday) joined the group in the years since the debut release, resulting in a project that sounds surprisingly rooted, but uniquely informed. Evoking groups like Explosions In The Sky or The Slip, BURNED OUT BRIGHT finds City Light at a new height of collaborative prowess, expertly fusing several genres to form one strongly united offering.
Blending gritty, earnest vocals (ala Bright Eyes) with sunnier, subdued melodies and driving beats, City Light has struck the perfect balance between tradition and innovation. BURNED OUT BRIGHT is sure to please City Light’s existing fan-base, and will undoubtedly bring the group much deserved attention over the next year.

www.myspace.com/citylightproject

Alejandro Escovedo

A Man Under The Influence: Deluxe Bourbonitis Edition

BS 170

Limited Edition Double LP with gatefold jacket

Originally released in 2001, A Man Under the Influence cemented Alejandro's place as one of the premier performers and songwriters to call Texas, or anywhere for that matter, home. Alejandro remains the rare artist who can crawl inside themes of love and loss and redemption and explore them both intimately and personally. With unflinching conviction, Alejandro squares his shoulders and through his music faces up to all that life has to offer, for better or worse.Includes the full length Man Under The Influence (never before available on vinyl in the US), and bonus tracks from his EP Bourbonitis Blues and Bloodshot compilation tracks.

http://www.bloodshotrecords.com/

Consider this your gift of the week

http://www.myspace.com/blacklistmusic