Monthly Archives: June 2010

Sunday Night at The Strutt: a review

I’m a little late in the game here but I wanted to write up a review on Sunday night to tell you all what you missed. And you missed something good, guys. You really did. It makes me sad. See? I’m sad now that I think back to Sunday night. Thanks a lot guys. NOT COOL.

However, it wasn’t a very good night for a show anyway- I almost didn’t show up if it weren’t for a certain call I received from Sean Hartman to come down. I understand why maybe some of you didn’t show up, it was cold and rainy. I wanted to go to sleep and hope for a warmer day. We all did. BUT YOU MISSED OUT. YOU REALLY DID. It was more than worth stopping watching SLC punk to go. Stevo would have been proud.Image and video hosting by TinyPic I think. He wouldn’t want me watching the idiot box instead of supporting my local music scene. Or maybe he wouldn’t have cared. Who even cares if he cares, anyway.

First: I’m going to be honest, i missed the first two bands: Maus Haus and Burning Hotels. It’s too bad because if I had known how good these guys were I would have shown up earlier.

From listening to Burning Hotel’s Myspace, they’re like listening to comets falling to earth. PhotobucketThe music is clear and cold, like what you would expect from a hunk of ice and rock, but it’s fiery and makes you want to jump up and dance for a long, long time. The guitars and drums work together to form a dynamic sound that makes your ears burn up on impact. Chance Morgan’s voice is beautiful, and his lyrics are honest. Which is something I appreciate, because its refreshing. I can’t say enough about these guys. So sad only 10 people showed up to hear them. I’m shaking my head in sadness for us. Way to make us look bad Kalamazoo. WHERE WERE ALL OF YOU??????!?

Maus Haus is a special band. Photobucket
I love it when bands use a synthesizer and samples and are able to make it sound good without sounding like a kitschy throw-back 80s pop new-wave band. Woah that was a lot of adjectives. These guys are awesome. Imagine the kind of music you would hear at a dance party with a bunch of your favorite people- this would be the soundtrack to your entire night. Go to their Myspace and hear them and you will see what i mean. I will not compare them to Animal Collective, but if you like Animal Collective, you’re going to like them. Trust me.

Astroline:  These Kalamazoo locals closed out the night, and let me tell you- it was a damn good close-out. We were all tired, but no one was tired enough to leave before these guys played. If you’re familiar with the musics of Jeremy Ruggles and Dan Flack, you’re going to like their new (or old depending on how you look at it…) incarnation. Sunday night was their first Kalamazoo show, and it was a real treat to experience it. If you get a chance, please go see them wherever they are playing next. I highly suggest that you do.

PhotobucketI saved the best for last in this post with Netherfriends. I really enjoyed this guy’s music. Apparently he usually has a full band, and it’s apparently better, but just him by himself made me sit up and listen. Now, mind you, I’m tired out of my mind. I was basically woken up out of my nice warm bed by Sean to see this random show I wasn’t really interested in seeing at first, and I get there, and sit down, and end up dropping $5 for this guy’s EP. Which is well worth it. It’s only two songs but he gave me a CD and a nice big pink poster. Also, can i just mention the vinyl here? Holy crap. IT’S PINK VINYL. PINK. And the album art is perfect. It reminds me of his music, with all of its galaxies and collaged flowers on the front, and it’s just flippin’ cool. Not to mention this guy is so sweet and nice! Sometimes you go to a show and like a band’s music and then you go up to them afterwards to talk to them and they blow you off like you’re nothing. This guys really just loves to talk to people, and was super cool. NICE GUY, NICE MUSIC= AWESOME. His music is like being swathed in a nice warm hug of sounds and prettiness, with just a slight bite. Maybe like a monster from Where the Wild Things Are . I think of all the times I’ve been to shows and all my pals are there and we’re hanging out and some unassuming guy comes up to the mic with a synth and starts playing this wonderful music that makes you stop in the middle of updating your Facebook status from your phone and just listen. You guys need to check out this guy before he and his band blows up, because I tell you what- he’s playing Pitchfork this year in Chicago and I predict a lot of people out there are going to be experiencing the same thing I felt on Sunday night.

So, this is all i have for now, loves. Continue to check back here at DITKalamazoo for more reviews.

First Bands Added To The Midwest Noise Conference

The Midwest Noise Conference is happening September 11 and here at DIT Kzoo we’re hitting the ground running. We’ve already got four excellent local bands confirmed and more on the way. First up is the always absurd Sid Redlin with his group Boron Nuzzle. Secondly, we have Unitard. Featuring two Kalamazoo originals and fellow WIDR DJs Richard Bowser and Brad Miller. I’ve also talked to Josh Tabbia and he will be doing his best to bring Problems That Fix Themsleves in all it’s glory to the conference. Finally, I’ve confirmed with Jeremy Ruggles that he will be unveiling a new project for this event. Jeremy Ruggles & The Mind Death Quintet. It’s the JR songs you know and love except this time backed by a psychedelic sonic assault specifically designed to destroy your sense of being. Get ready for it.

Accidental Awesomeness

Last night’s last-minute show was a fantastic success, with a good head-count at the door, two great touring acts we didn’t know we were gonna have, and two local bands picking up the slack – Andy Savina nearly killing himself as he biked in from work to play the set. Good times were had, merch was sold, and Eric Ayotte and Busman’s Holiday got a little more money for their gas tank. Good luck on the rest of your tour guys!

This week has a lot of good things happening in the Zoo (maybe more than we think if last night was any indicator). Of course, the Grow Fangs/Problems that Fix Themselves Weekend tour kickoff is an event not to be missed. Sunday, though will be a real day to remember.

The Corner Record Shop will be hosting Paraniod Time out of Grand Rapids at 6:30 Sunday evening. That bill is still otherwise wide open, but we’ll see what develops in the next few days.

The real trouble starts at 9 though, with two excellently rockin’ shows going on at the same time in two different places, with The Strutt putting on The Reptilian, Joie De Vivre, Empire! Empire! and Bolyn while The No Fun House hosts Chicken Little, Our Lady…, and the Almanac Shouters‘ semi-official tour kickoff (and hopefully their CD Release too, fingers crossed) .

Yeah, it’s lame that we’ve got two excellent shows competing directly, but some things just can’t be helped. Either way, it’s gonna be a good night, so make sure you check out some music somewhere.

Last Minute Folk Show At The No Fun House

Eric Ayotte from Plan-It-X Records is on tour and had a Michigan date drop on him last minute. The good people at the No Fun House have decided to jump in and try to save the day. Come on over at 9pm tonight to see Eric folk it up with Busman’s Holiday, Andy Savina & Benji Puppies! Bring some donations for the touring acts/buy their merch.

Midwest Noise Conference

DIT Kalamazoo has just started working on a noise/avant garde festival for this fall called the Midwest Noise Conference. On September 11, The Strutt will be hosting an all day event featuring some of the finest acts in noise, free jazz, avant garde, noise rock, psych, ambient & drone music. We will be alternating artists on both stages throughout the day to bring you the maximum amount of weird music possible. We’re also planning on having local and regional record stores, record labels & tape labels come and set up vendor booths.

Stay tuned for upcoming details…

If you have any questions, or would like to get involved, email us at ditkalamazoo@gmail.com

June 11th. Daniel Francis Doyle

This guy is playing La Iglesia this Friday at 9pm with Grow Fangs!, Problems That Fix Themselves, The Cell Phones (Chicago). You should be there.

Breakin’ Things In

Well, it’s summer time in Kalamazoo (Really, it’s summertime for the entire northern hemisphere, but I’m not so concerned about Tibet), and Kalamazoo is doing summer right. This season is chock full of already-booked shows, and there are plenty of excellent bands we’re still working with getting slotted in before the snow flies. This week is no exception, with a few particularly rockin’ sets tearin’ down the houses.

This Friday (June 11th, 9pm) the returning champions The Grow Fangs! will be playing the Iglesia’s upper room. Joining them is the one-of-a-kind noise outfit Problems that Fix themselves. Both of these groups will be setting up and welcoming the Texan touring act Daniel Francis Doyle, a delightfully eclectic sort of musical fella. It’s gonna be a rockin’ sockin’ good time.

This show is also on a short list of remaining dates for La Iglesia, so come and enjoy  one of Kalamazoo’s longest-standing house venues before the lease is up and everybody gets married.

DIT Kalamazoo is Relocating!

In an effort to better serve our community, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to pack up and slide over to WordPress – a site that offers a bit simpler usability and a longer list of tools than our previous digital location. Additionally, we’ll be gearing this site more towards the folks that are looking for shows to see, and less for the folks that are booking the shows.

As always, if you’d like to book a show somewhere in Kalamazoo through us, let us know through our still very functional email: ditkalamazoo (at) gmail (dot) com.

Nothing To Do On A Sunday Night?


Then why not come over to The Strutt?!? We’ve got a night of catchy melodies, relaxing ballads & some dancing tunes too:

Netherfriends – They’re playing this year’s Pitchfork Music Festival. Come see them before they get mega famous. You’ll get all the hipster points. I promise. Beautiful indie pop from Chicago.

Maus Haus – More of that up and coming summertime pop musics. This time from California. You’ll love it.

Astroline – Jeremy Ruggles and Shane Carlson’s old high school band reuniting for a select few shows.

Burning Hotels – Good time pop rock form the great state of Texas.