Monthly Archives: October 2012

10/31: Costumed Creeps Capture Crazed Captcha Writers, force them to scribble reviews–Millhouse’s House Venue of Horror

Happy Holidays

Gif, what gif?

Ever wonder what to do for Halloween? I don’t. I listen to music and go to shows. Occasionally I’ll dress up. Good thing I found an outlet for all of these extracurricular, all-hallowed activities–right in the vicinity of the Kalamazoo area. Like a damned miracle. Crawling into that inclusive concrete basement, pitifully preserving the tatters of my costume  torn-up by the zombified Misfits-guitar player, I expect to be thoroughly covered in fake-blood, real-sweat, and unidentifiable Halloween goo.

I want the music to be heavy in the air as the fleshy lips groaning it out.

Grimey as whatever demon-oozed concoction of booze and perspiration slime has covered the supports beams of the questionably stable house.

Maybe I want to be both things, too. But that’s another matter. A festive fistful of groups are incorporating all the corporeal functions of the holiday in both costume and music,  entertaining blissful escapism in the spirit of Halloween and gritty basement shenanigans.

Listen to the masquerading Misfits, and someone will tear out the Danzig face, then emblematically skull-bash the music right into auditory centers of the brain. Detroit’s Child Bite will be performing the procedure, with what can be assumed as a blood-gurgling tone that eventually curdles out of some heaving dark pit that got filled up with the bass-notes of Cage the Elephant or some other adequately psychosis/psychedelic fused induced rock-noise.

My description may not be perfect, so provided is actual music:

All for the continuing depravity and reckless behavior so attuned to show-going is Anybody But the Cops. The trio of instrumental-punk rockers are currently conquering the basement scene by blistering up a few 2 minute jams and skirting away before proper law-enforcement can nab them. One can only hope that eventually they will be stopped, before the lot of us are dragging ourselves through gardens of Miller 40ozs and fields poorly-costumed plaid to secure a fix of fuck-you induced fun.

I am trying to say they are addicting, fast, and out of control–and it might be fun to catch these shows while their sound is still developing.

But that is too easy. College interns should finish their upcoming DIT Session so viewers aren’t subjected to poorly lit rooms and questionable youtube videos to hear their music:

And if Rory Svekric wasn’t enough Rory Svekric for you, the Milhouser’s will be transmuting plasma sacrifices of party-goers to make a Rage Against the Machine reanimation for those too hip for underground music. Fuck you, don’t listen to what you tell me.

And who let Benji of Wearwolf, the Mushmen, and Lincoln Wars in on the show? Owes me shot of demon-rum for suggesting half of his musical genius. Surprises await, and with cohort Codi in tow, expect ultra-violence, or really anything because N0PARENTZ isn’t afraid of anyone, especially no parents. Or any musical explicative, because really the angst, sadistic humor, or plain insane zanity that is whatever Benji touches is sure to promote some sort of frothy, emotive response–ranging from raging to tearful.

Like the Reptillian? Bagheera is hoofing it to provide some “ex-tillian” entertainment. I can’t say much else. They’re new. Let’s be new together.

For those curious  the event is at Milhouse tonight, temporarily converted into a musical hall of horrors where all the ears can be mutilated, devoured, or otherwise horrifically effected. Only in the most pleasant of manners, though.

Donation, respectful, and starts at 9 p.m. Tonight. Halloween.

Dress up. Not as mandatory.

DIT Sessions: Nathan K – Part 1

Nathan K is a musician based out of Kalamazoo, Michigan. He runs his guitar and vocals through slew of loop pedals as well as a laptop and interface to create an amazing live performance. A handful of audible clips and distortions occurred somewhere within the signal chain, but the songs were too good not to post.

http://www.nathankmusic.com/
http://nathank.bandcamp.com/

DIT Session #24
Nathan K – Ghosts

 

DIT Session #23
Nathan K – Leave Them

Tomorrow: Lost In Translation, Eskimeaux, Chanical Fields, Birdfingers @ Corner Record Shop

Tomorrow night, the latest installment in a recent series of shows at the Corner Record Shop features three Kalamazoo artists, as well as a band on tour from Philadelphia.

Lost In Translation is a three-piece progressive/instrumental outfit that plays in town quite a bit.  If you haven’t caught them yet, come prepared for technical, but contained compositions.

Eskimeaux, who you might have caught opening the first Already Dead Family Reunion After Party at Milhouse last month, features members of Br’er, who also played a set during the ADFR.  This airy, verbed-out duo is led by the songwriting and vocals of Gabby Smith.

Chanical Fields is a young pop-punk group from the Kalamazoo area.  This is their first time playing a DIT(k) promoted event.

Birdfingers will be performing solo at this event.  If you aren’t familiar, this is Bennett Young’s songwriting project, who is part of the Double Phelix collective.  Expect deep-voiced, Americana tunes eerily reminiscent of Bill Callahan.

The Corner Record Shop is located at 1710 West Main in Kalamazoo.  The show starts at 9:00pm.  Don’t forget to bring money, as there will be donations accepted for Eskimeaux’s gas tank and records at the store that you will want to purchase!

Halloween Weekend Show

Image

You have a lot of options for your Halloween weekend. I know. But there’s this little show going on at Shakespeare’s. It’s a hip-hop show. With rappers like…

Matt Black and MC Friendly. Many Kalamazoo music fans should recognize Matt Black as one of our former hometown heroes, and he’s coming back down from Grand Rapids with the talent and skills that have historically paid the bills. The years since his move have been nothing but kind, and the craftsmanship he brought to his unparalleled production and intellectually stimulating lyrics have aged like fine wine since the too-rare-to-die era. MC Friendly is a like minded spirit, and their collaboration is the local hip-hop equivalent to when peanut butter and chocolate slammed together to make those Reese’s Cups.

Nunca Duerma is a DJ from Chicago who will be repping with Grandoise. Nunca is one of those rare DJs who can combine a modern electronic sensibility with beats that are distinctly within the echelon of hip-hop. He has the ability to craft catchy backing tracks that taste somewhat like British Electro-Hop while maintaining percussion that borrows more traditionally from an early 90’s west coast palette. The combination is nothing less than delicious.

Dezert Eez are a local hip-hop trio whose talent was not at all unnoticed. Former WMU students, they are no strangers to sharing the stage with hip-hop legends, opening for such icons as KRS-One, Slum Village, and Inspectah Deck. They combine a didactic lyrical delivery evocative of Mos Def with recognizable sampling techniques that utilize classic R&B.

Oh, there’s also this guy named Del the Funky Homosapien. You may have heard of him.

The show is tonight at 9 at Shakespeare’s Lower Level (the venue formerly known as The Globe). Tickets are $15 at the door, $10 in advance, but be forewarned that they are selling out like flapjacks at a lumberjack convention.

10/27: Forget the Times, Trace of Lime, Old Man Mason, and Former Tenants @ The Courthouse

 

This Saturday there will be a show featuring Forget The Times, Old Man Mason, Trace of Lime, and Former Tenants at The Courthouse. The Courthouse is a new venue that is looking to entrench itself solidly within the Kalamazoo music scene.

 

Forget the Times is a psychedelic noise band from Kalamazoo, MI that has a tendency for free-jazz improv. Although their sound may be chaotic and eclectic, even those not interested in noise music are sure to have a good time. Fans of Captain Beefheart are sure to be in for a treat. If you’re interested in seeing some orderly chaos, this is the band for you.

http://forgetthetimes.bandcamp.com/

 

Former Tenants is another local band that is coming out for the sole purpose of melting faces. With a brand of energetic punk rock, they are one group that is sure not to disappoint.

 

http://formertenants.bandcamp.com/

 

Old Man Mason is a band from southwest Michigan and Indiana that comes bearing a dark, heavy sound that is sure to please any sludge fan. The raw power that emanates from their instruments is not a constant barrage however, they provide many requiems in which you can ponder what exactly you were doing with your life before this moment.

 

http://oldmanmason.bandcamp.com/

 

Trace of Lime is a progressive rock group from the Detroit area that puts a modern twist on classic hard rock. Fans of Wolfmother and AC/D will probably not be disappointed. They are known to put on a pretty fun show with plenty of stage antics.

 

The show will be donation based so please donate some money to these fantastic bands that are sure to rock your socks off in one of the sweetest basements around.

 

TONIGHT: ZOMBIE PROM @ THE BLACK LODGE

Darkness falls across the land…

The midnight hour is close at hand…

Ah, do you remember your prom? A celebration of all your least favorite pop songs that were over-saturated by your local radio station, full of hormone driven misfits dancing around in a trance-zombie-like fashion.

At The Black Lodge, we like to tell it how it is. That’s why we’re putting together ZOMBIE PROM, a chance for you and your sweetie to relive the fun of dressing up with all the post-modern ironic zest of dressing up like zombies! Featuring music that is actually good without the high school dramatics, with a tiny dash of FUN FUN HORROR.

Inflatable Best Friend will be kicking things off with their fun, dance-ready punk rock. Coming on the heels of the release of their new album “DMT Bike Ride,” they should be full of surplus amounts of HAMMAGE.

Arson Party is a progressive metal band with members from both Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo. Best described as hardcore metal as written by a set of meticulous, obsessive-compulsive hands. Their melodically sung lyrics have been known to get stuck in the heads of innumerable Michigan metalheads.

That’s Blood are some local punk rockers with a heavy sound sprinkled with small fingerprints of 80’s California hardcore.

Abortion Survivors are another group of local punk rockers who shred and shred and then, even though one would think t’would be enough of said shredding, decide to shred for additional amounts of time. Speed, pep, and go, that should indeed make the body flow.

Cavalcade are a band from Lansing that perhaps is the closest to sounding directly like some sort of Satanic spell that could summon a veritable zombie apocalypse. Their sound is an evil hybrid beast, with vocals skewing towards what one might find a black metal record with instrumentation that finds an inexplicable place between doom and surf punk.

Show starts at 9. Get in the spirit and come as a zombie with your sweetheart! Or alone in some sort of Halloween costume! You could potentially come by yourself as yourself, but that shows a definitive lack of the ghoulish Halloween spirit.

For any additional information, visit the Facebook event page or Facebook page for The Black Lodge.

Tonight – 10/25 – Sugar Baron, Saxsquatch & Bridge Band, Fox @ The Courthouse

Big Show tonight at the Courthouse!

Three act’s set to jam late into the night.

Check it out below . . .

Sugar Baron, a talented as hell trio from Pontiac, MI, is making an extra stop on their fall Tour, Kzoo. Hard to classify, Sugar Baron synthesizes Rock n’ Roll, club mixes, and experimental-indie for a truly unique sound: Bro-step, maybe?

http://www.facebook.com/SugarBaronMusic/app_204974879526524

Fox is a local Band with influences ranging from sixties psychedelic rock to the new blues of today.

http://www.facebook.com/foxtheband

Saxsquatch & Bridge Band is a group of Kalamazoo musicians whose collected styles and skills make for a jam to be remembered. Front man, Saxsquatch, Blasts insane Jazz/blues intonations from an old saxophone, while the Bridge band lays down any form of rock they wish.

http://saxsquatch.net/

No Fun House Solo Acoustic Show 10/25

Three pensive, melodic artist will be performing Thursday, October 25th at the No Fun House. This show features folks who are not usually spotted in this setting, and a touring act featuring an instrument not usually seen either.

SILPHIUM BLOOMS is a long-time solo project of Tyler Bassett, guitarist of the Nwe Sprytes. Though he has been playing under this name for a few years, the projects emergence for a show is a rare occurrence  one you do not want to miss.

JOSH MILLER of William Bonney/Forget The times/Seventeen Again will be performing something very different from what one who knows those projects can expect. Instead of screaming and thead bobbing, expect a lyrically driven solo performance. This will also be Josh’s first solo show, so come out and support this rad dude who is always so supportive of the music scene here!

STILL SWEET features Darian Scatton, member of the Philadelphia band Br’er who were in town last month for the Already Dead Family Reunion. Still Sweet is a solo harp performance, something you do not usually experience in a living room (or any?) setting.

http://stillsweet.bandcamp.com/

SHOW AT 8:30! Bring Dollars for the touring dude!

Huge Screamo Show @ Wayne Manor

Chicago screaming cuties Acidic Tree will be holding down Wayne Manor Saturday night to help out their new wax release “dead on our feet” from Turn of The Century Records. On tour for just a few days, they made sure we were one of the lucky cities to get a chance to help out!

http://acidictree.bandcamp.com/

They are on tour with Half Milk, another cute-as-cute-can-be screamo band from Chi-town.

http://halfmilk.bandcamp.com/

Supporting is mid-michigans finest epic black metal infused screamo, Old Soul. And their small-town angsty counter-part, Quietus.

http://oldsouloldsoul.blogspot.com/
(you’ll just have to believe me about Quietus, too punk for blogs)

And finally, a couple hometown brews, 17again opening the whole shin-dig, and Great American Witch Hunt closing it out! Come out and bring your frowns, as well as a few buxx for the touring bands!!

NOT ONE TO MISS

10/19 – Flare Jeans, Deep Waters, & Tim Tapper and The Terribles @ Corner Record Shop

TODAY! Come to the Corner Record Shop to buy some vinyl and to listen to some great tunes.

There will be a touring act and two locals joining the fun.

Flare Jeans Indie/Emo/Pop from Louisville. Check out this new band! They have an EP on their bandcamp for your enjoyment!

Locals Include…

Deep Waters
Mellow.
Check out their bandcamp.

Tim Tapper and The Terribles
Amazing singer/songwriter tracks.
Tonight, the show will feature a full band performance that you won’t want to miss.
Check out the bandcamp!

9PM.
Bring DONATIONS for the touring band.
Come support your local record shop by purchasing a few records while listening to music!

Respect the Bands. Respect the Shop. Respect Yourself.