Media Junkie

Pure Entertainment - Pure Detroit's 11th Birthday - Live at the Magic Stick, Detroit MI - 11 December 2009

It must be obvious that as a Metro Detroit local, I am a big supporter of local bands and businesses.  I frequent mostly independent local record shops such as Record Time (shameless plug for the best record store in Detroit), love local bands such as The Silent Years, The Summer Pledge, and more recently, The Great Fiction, and proudly wear Made In Detroit and Pure Detroit apparel. 

In celebration of Pure Detroit's 11th birthday, 11 bands and artists gathered together last night at the Magic Stick for over five hours of pure entertainment.  A diverse musical lineup that stretched from psychedelic rock, funk, hip-hop, pop-rock, country, electro, and bluegrass ensured that there would be something for just about anybody, and showcased some of Detroit's best bands.

A Nice Time - Moby, Live at St. Andrew's Hall - Detroit, MI - 29 September 2009

I must admit, I was not a Moby fan from the beginning.  I, like many others, discovered Moby through his critically acclaimed album Play.  For what it's worth, the music elitist in me feels it's worth mentioning that I was on board before the album became a success, having heard several tracks on the local NPR station (most notably "If Things Were Perfect", which remains one of my favorite songs on the album). 

We first saw him live at St. Andrew's Hall in 1999 in front of a small, but incredibly energetic crowd.  This was still our earlier days of discovering electronic music and one of the first genre concerts we'd been to, so we had little idea of what to expect.  The crowd was packed in so tight that when they jumped, you jumped - mainly because you were practically lifted off your feet anyway. 

Moby was a ball of energy, running about the stage, playing his guitar, switching to bongo drums, and keyboards - though I'm pretty sure about 95% of the show was all pre-recorded DAT tapes back in those days.

We've seen him many times since then - traveling for the second leg of the Play tour in 2000, where I discovered Hybrid, at the Area: One and Area: Two festivals with the likes of Outkast and the legendary David Bowie, and in mid-sized venues such as our own State Theater (now known as the Fillmore Detroit) - but it seems apropos that 10 years after our first experience and touring behind his best album since Play, Moby would return to the place we first saw him at.  Only this time, the experience was much different.

Sound the Toll - Bell X1 Live at the Bling Pig - Ann Arbor, MI - 24 September 2009

Irish rockers Bell X1 recently made their first stop in the Metro Detroit area to perform in front of a packed house in Ann Arbor's famous Blind Pig.  Little more than a dive bar, The Blind Pig has hosted such legendary acts as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and R.E.M. early in their careers.  It may not look very pretty, but it's a surprisingly fantastic venue for concerts.  The sound carries well in the cramped confines, and the dancefloor is large enough for attendees to get down or rock out, if they so choose.

Bell X1 are one of those bands who are very divisive.  Many liken them to other pop-rockers such as Coldplay, and the comparisons to U2 are practically inevitable simply because they hail from the same part of the world.  Fans dig their catchy tunes and lead singer Paul Noonan's cleverly written lyrics, chock full of classic one-liners.  Detractors hate them for many of the same reasons, arguing the hooks are cheesy and the lyrics aren't nearly as clever as Noonan thinks they are.  Most of all, hipsters like those kooky kids over at Pitchfork Media - who only listen to the coolest bands, of course - hate them because one of their songs appeared in the popular television show The O.C.  This instantly makes them sellouts, naturally, because no self-respecting band would ever try to promote their own music via a show with millions of viewers.

So I guess you can call me a sellout too, because Bell X1 put on one of the best live shows I've seen this year, living up to the great rock 'n' roll history of the venue. 

Poster Boys - The Summer Pledge Live at the Post Bar, Ferndale, MI - 20 August 2009

After a short but spirited set at Rochester's Gold Music and Arts Festival only days earlier, Detroit's spacey post-rockers The Summer Pledge made a lasting impression on the crowd at Ferndale's popular nightspot, the Post Bar.  There were plenty of reasons for the crowd, who were packed in the small main floor area like sardines, to walk away satisfied: the roughly hour-long set was loud and the band was as energetic as I'd ever seen them, playing in front of a great deal of friends.

The Post isn't really a concert venue - it's a bar.  There is no stage, no lighting, which doesn't make for a picture-friendly environment, so I wasn't able to capture any shots of the show, but my near-photographic memory hasn't failed me one bit. 

...wsg Jason Lytle - Live at the Crofoot Ballroom, Pontiac, MI - 22 July 2009

With the release of his first solo album, the promotional machine is now in full gear for Jason Lytle as he plays a series of headlining shows and opening sets for artists like Explosions In The Sky and Neko Case.  I guess I shouldn't complain that Detroit was not one of the lucky cities picked for a headlining show.  After all, we did get the very special layover performance at Scrummage University, an intimate afternoon solo set that was set up in a matter of hours.  The Scrummage show was an experience I'll never forget, but I was still a little bummed I wouldn't get to see Jason perform with his new backing band.

As luck would have it, I still got my chance to see Lytle and his friends perform as an opening act for alt-country singer Neko Case.  While the experience taught me that I am most definitely not a Neko Case fan, I can at least thank her for giving Lytle an excuse to return to the Metro Detroit area for an excellent 45 minute set.

Along with friends Rusty Miller on guitar, Rob Murdoch on bass, and former Grandaddy drummer Aaron Burtch on drums, Lytle played a short, sweet set of mostly new material from Yours Truly, The Commuter, with a few old favorites peppered in.

Mr. Sandman's Quadruple Album Release Prom - Live at the Crofoot Ballroom, Pontiac, MI - 05 June 2009

The Silent Years lead singer Josh Epstein has gone on record as stating he wants their shows to be more elaborate productions - an experience to remember, instead of audience members just watching musicians sing and play instruments.  As one of the minds behind last night's 5 band prom-themed concert event at the Crofoot Ballroom, he should take pride in the knowledge that the first such experience was a smashing success.

If you were not at the Crofoot Ballroom last night, I feel sorry for you.  Moreover, you should feel sorry for yourself.  I want you to go to the nearest mirror, raise your right hand into the air, and smack yourself across the face as hard as you can.  Go ahead.  I'll wait. 

Done?  That's what you get for not attending what was undoubtedly one of the most magical concert experiences I've ever had the pleasure to participate in. 

Flying high with Doves - Live in Detroit, MI, 30 May 2009 at the Majestic Theater

I will admit that I am completely new to England's indie rock trio (or quartet, for the purposes of touring), Doves.  They were one of those bands that had always received heaps of critical praise and I always meant to check out, but just never really got around to until the release of their newest record, Kingdom of Rust.

Rust is easily one of 2009's best records thus far, so when the opportunity to see them live in Detroit came up, I knew I couldn't miss it.  In addition to the accolades they've received for their studio releases, I had heard Doves were a can't-miss live band.

Boy, they weren't kidding.

Record Store Day '09 at Rock-A-Billy's

For the second year in a row, independent record stores across the country have united to celebrate their continued existence in the age of digital downloads and big box stores.  This event, known as Record Store Day, is meant to show a mutual appreciation between the customers who frequent these small shops and the stores themselves. 

Local and national artists throw their support behind the event, offering exclusive freebies or purchases that can only be found at a store that belongs to the Coalition of Independent Music Stores.  This year, the likes of The Flaming Lips, My Morning Jacket, and New Order all had special items you could only get at your local indie shop, and many stores celebrated with amazing discounts and in-store performances.

One such store was Rock-A-Billy's in Utica, Michigan, who had a day of live music set up in the tiny stage area at the back of the shop.  As one might expect, these were all local artists including - who else - The Silent Years, who played a nifty four song acoustic set of material from their upcoming EP, Let Go.

Yet Another Silent Years Show - Live in Pontiac, MI, 10 April 2009 at the Pike Room

Lately it probably seems that this blog might as well be the official fan club of Detroit's The Silent Years, and perhaps it should.  No matter how many shows I see, I still want more.  Capping off a tour with The Color Fred, the new project from former Taking Back Sunday member Fred Mascherino, and Detroit's own Craig Owens, whose bands Chiodos and Cinematic Sunrise have both gained lots of national attention, The Silent Years are playing two shows at Pontiac's Pike Room in support of their friend.  If last night's performance was any indication, anyone in the Metro Detroit area who happens to be reading this right now should make sure they're in that cramped little bar tonight.

Not only did The Silent Years put on another excellent set, but Owens and his band, whom I'll confess I had never even heard of until last Sunday, provided an evening of entertainment for the enthusiastic crowd.

Motor City Rock Revue - Live in Detroit, MI, 05 April 2009 at the Magic Stick

Capping off an extraordinary four-day weekend, a break from the stress of work and life and a celebration of my 30th birthday, the first Motor City Rock Revue took place last night at the Magic Stick.  What will hopefully become an annual tradition in Detroit started out with a bang and featured local favorites The Muggs, Friendly Foes, Deastro, and of course, The Silent Years.  There were eight bands in all and for twelve bucks you'd be hard pressed to find a better evening of entertainment.

I've certainly made no secret of my love for The Silent Years on this blog, and to anyone who will listen.  Despite the presence of seven other bands, TSY were my first priority last night and even though I witnessed some incredibly talented musicians doing their thing all night long, the fact still remains the same: The Silent Years are the best band to come out of Detroit.