Pop Punk Show. Milhouse. 9 pm. First show of the year.

The Valenteens
No Bails
Disatronaut

Donations accepted.

The Valenteens
Chicago, IL
The Valenteens Bandcamp

It’s the music that was playing on a mixtape your first love made for you. You shared your first kiss while “Kowabunga” played in the back ground. It was sensational and left feeling like a punk rock rebel. You never listened to the lyrics until later when it became the mixtape that would cause you inexplicably cry while listening. Eventually, while sobbing, you found yourself ripping the tape out of the cassette deck saying something along the lines of, “this music keeps me from getting over you!” You shook your fists at God for making you such an emotionally misunderstood skater. You pushed the tape back into the player. You were angry until “…For the Painfully Alone” started playing. For the first time, you heard the lyrics and it dawned on that everything would eventually be fine. You drive into the night a new person, finally understanding the growing pains involved with growing up.

No Bails
Kalamazoo, MI
nobails.com

One day, Bill had enough of the bullshit. He thought about it deeply as he walked home from his middle school bus stop. For some reason, that night he prayed. Bill asked God for guidance while simultaneously cursing his mom for giving him this shitty, at home haircut that now warranted the nickname Elvis. Kids are cruel.
Bill dreamt of many things until suddenly his eyes opened Useless Eater stood in his room, holding a guitar and a skateboard. For some reason, Bill wasn’t afraid. Bill asked for advice. Eater said, “take these tools, get a haircut, go to basement shows, and your bully problems will be gone.” Faintly in the background Bill could hear a light beeping. It gradually got louder and turned chaotic as the songs from the album “Epyx Shredder” played over top. Visions of naked women and vert ramps took over his teenaged mind with splatters of quick trauma (like shits so big he bled type stuff).
He woke up that morning in a cold sweat.
From that day forward, things were different. Things made sense. He had a new nickname, Grease. E Dude. He loved it.

Disatronaut
Grand Rapids

When Amy called Clarissa and said they were going to a basement show, Clarissa was less than enthused. She and Tyler had just broken up a few days before and she didn’t know how she would survive without the strong, quarterback arms of her ex. She wondered how he could do this so close to prom.
Amy assured Clarissa that everything would be fine. That this show would get her mind off things and that there would be lots of cuties there. Clarissa got out of bed, threw on some beat up hoodie and leggings, and walked downstairs. Her father was sitting in the recliner in the living room and turned to see her as she walked out the door. He usually felt the urge to say something about her outfits and how low cut the shirts were. When he saw her outfit, he smiled thinking perhaps that stage of her life was finally over. He stood up, walked to the mantle, kissed his shotgun and said, “I guess I won’t be needing you anymore, she’s all grown up and only respectable boys will come over now”. With that, he threw the gun in the lake.
Clarissa had never been to a house show before. She had never been to a show really. Except for Brittney Spears a few times in middle school. Amy told her these shows were different, that they were more fun and she’d meet way cooler people.
“Cooler?” Asked Clarissa.
“Yes, cooler,” said Amy.
“I don’t know,” said Clarissa, “Brian listens to stuff like punk and I don’t like it.”
“No,” sniped Amy. “Your brother listens to Tool and is a tool. You’ve never heard anything like this before.”
They walked into the basement as Disatronaut played. It was true, Clarissa hadn’t heard anything like this before. It was loud, yet poppy. She wanted to dance, but realized her years of ballet were futile in such a cramped space, so she just jumped up and down with everyone else.
Any other night, she would have been crying if someone had sweat on her. She would have been angry if her make up ran because she was too hot. She would have acted insulted it some punk rock dude hit on her, but not tonight.
She felt like she had lost it. Then found it. Then lost it again. In all the turmoil, she felt happy. She was dancing her ass off when suddenly a guy she went to school with tapped her on the shoulder.
“Grease?” She asked.
“Yeah, but here, my friends just call me Bill,” he said.

Pop Punk Show. Milhouse. 9 pm.

The Valenteens
No Bails
Disatronaut

Donations accepted.

Holy guacamole this weekend is going to incredible at The Forbidden Zone! Starting tonight, music of all different types will be showcased in what will soon be another legendary basement. The line up for the next two days is comprised of super energetic punk and surf music on Friday, and drudgy, multi-genre, weird-but-in-a-good-way music on Saturday.

12/5 – Ping Pong, Anybody But The Cops, Big Strong Boys, The Uncanny@ The Forbidden Zone

Warning: Punk Rock is not dead. The bands you will be hearing may make your head explode and your brain leak from your nostrils. You may experience breif amnesia because you can’t process how good this is going to be. Nothing after this night may really compare/ hold up. Now that you’re warned…

Ping Pong
bandcamp

Ping Pong ia coming out from Ann Arbor to show us what’s what about psychI garage rock unlike anything you’ve ever heard!
Songs like, “Boogie Basement,” and “There She Is,” showcase how chill things start, but gradually become more noisy. The Adventures of Pete and Pete would have had this band on their soundtrack if they had existed back then. Don’t miss out!

Anybody But The Cops
bandcamp

Usually when a bands genre is defined as “psycho (blank),” it’s usually tame in comparison to the pure psychosis Anybody But The Cops evokes. The band name is absolutely perfect for the way they play, as it is like you’re running as fast as you can, hopping fences, and being a badass. That’s right, the songs make you feel like a badass! The music is technical, fun, an unlike anything else in the scene right now. Don’t miss out.

Big Strong Boys
Now, I heard the word from a bird that Big Strong Boys are a local band that showcases hard beats a livetronics. Though I’ve never personally seen them, and I can’t seem to find anything online, I’m going to put it out there that they’re amazing and do something that’s been done before in a new way so it sounds outstanding. Kalamazoo bands never let me down before, and for this particular show, no one should be expecting less than greatness.

The Uncanny
The Uncanny

Time to get weird. The Uncanny is a mystical, phsyco-surf band. Comprised of all local artists, The Uncanny brings a new feel to an old genre. Some of their work is completely instrumental and easy to get lost in. It’s so good because it would be just a great in an old batman episode as it is now. Other work is chaotic with thrashy lyrics and slight uneasiness. It gives surf a new name as issued by a band from the state with the most coast line in the continental U.S.

This event will start at 9 pm. It’s gonna be rad, so don’t feel bad about throwing down $2 to support the touring act. Below is a FB link to the event page where the address becomes easy to find. Have fun!

But wait… There’s more…

12/6 – Mudwest, Liberte, Obscene Color @ The Forbidden Zone

It’s about time we took it down a notch. BUT WE CAN’T HELP OURSELVES. If you can’t handle the heat, get out of the kitchen!

Mudwest
Facebook!
Soundcloud!!!

On their Facebook page, the band Mudwest says this about themselves:

” About: God Awful. Loud and Sad. Lansing,
MI.”

OH MY GOD, THEY ARE SO FREAKING AWESOME! Their music is so droney, but so hype. I can’t explain why it’s impactful, it’s just easy to get lost in. Seeing them live will surely be loud and sad. God awful, though? More like God awesome!

Liberte
Facebook!

This Livonia garage band is full of energy and ready to rock. They started in 2011 and released the song, “Shoes”. The song was rockin’, and left audiences waiting for more. Since then, their work has been much more secretive and lives through live shows. Don’t miss out!

Obscene Color
Bandcamp!!!

Obscene Color is a multi-genre band based out of Detroit. Their music is rock with a hint of alternative. It’s pretty and melodic with a certain heaviness that isn’t too overbearing. It’s really good stuff, so don’t miss out!!!!!

This show starts at 9. Please bring a little cash to the event as all the bands are travelers and need gas. It’s going to be super fun, so put on your party boots and see an awesome show.

TWO AMAZING SHOWS. TWO AMAZING DAYS. THE FORBIDDEN ZONE. <em>DON’T MISS OUT!

Just when you thought all the good tunes were behind us, Louies Back Room brings in another incredible line up.

Batcave 

http://batcave.bandcamp.com/

Have you ever wondered what Batman listens to in the Bat Mobile? The answer is Batcave. Not that you’d need anymore information than that to be completely invested, they have a psychedelic, post-punk sound that’s easy to dance along to.

The Counter Elites

http://mycounterelites.com/

Prepare to get kicked in the face by rock-n-roll!  The Counter Elites are traveling all the way from the dirty D to bring Kzoo that classic punk rock sound.  The music is reminiscent of the Ramones, Dead Kennedy’s, and Crass.  The songs range in meaning, but are mostly politically .

 Inflatable Best Friend

http://inflatablebestfriend1.bandcamp.com/

Oh, I’m sorry. Did you want to take a breather from the awesomeness of the night? That’s a real shame because Inflatable Best Friend is coming at you with some straight Kalamazoo post-punk, garage rock!

 M. Sord

http://msord.bandcamp.com/

Drums. Keyboards. Man. These are the three things that make up M. Sord. Mike Sord created this one-guy-gig in 2002 to try and recreate/pay homage to the synth music of the 80’s. Let your guard down and enjoy everything about M. Sord’s totally rad electronic, Nintendo-like jam sessions!

Doors open at 8:30 p.m. The Show is scheduled to start at 9:30 p.m. There is a $5 suggested cover. Be there or be square!

It’s starting to get cold, so lets get cheery and listen to folk!

Tim Tapper
https://soundcloud.com/tim-tapper
This music has a vast musical range to accompany beautiful lyrics with a major undertone of activism. Songs like, “Temporary Place”, “Open Mouth, Insert Foot,” keep you begging for more. This music will surely tug on your goddamn heartstrings.

Alex Young

Electric and technical, let’s follow Alex Young through his dreamy guitar licks and poetic voice. His lyrics are have are almost transcendentalist in the sense that you know what he’s saying, but it can mean so much more.

Alex Kostka
http://alexkostkamusic.bandcamp.com/
Let’s all band together then sing and sway to the music by Alex Kostka. His songs will keep you thinking and will linger in your mind long after they’re over.

Neil Shah
Have some fun listening to and being around a really awesome guy!

Amazingness is happening at House Of Cards tonight starting at 8.

Also, if this show isn’t enough fantastic folk for ya, there’s another show at Ruperts featuring Wood Spider, La Ruche, and Maray Fuego.