Author Archives: rraarrss

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About rraarrss

I am all the coffee. Music maker, flyer doodler, show booker, anxiety haver.

DIT – Changing For The Better In The Near Future!

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After over five years of a wonderful time on the WordPress format, DIT is taking a leap to a new platform. After much talk and consideration, it seems that wordpress is no longer the most functional site for the most-used purposes of DIT.

Expect soon, a site which will function entirely on mobile, as well as on a computer. The site will consist of the calendar list format (ie the sidebar and shows page here) as well as a month-to-month calendar view for those not that into scrolling.

The page will also have a form to submit an event, so that anyone in town booking/playing/promoting has a simple way to share information about their DIY event. No need to email or create an account, just fill out the form and it will get to the site admins, who can add it to the site.

For those who are still interested in write-ups for events, every event on the list calendar will be clickable with a link to the facbook page, as well as a spot for more information. It would be ideal if people would write up descriptions for the site, so that people who don’t know certain bands can get a general idea! It’s always been a fun part of the site, but interest has dwindled in the last two years, so we are no longer promoting write-ups as the focus of the site.

We hope to keep this wordpress account going for archival purposes. Five+ years of show write-ups, along with useful articles is nothing to throw away. Any resource this site has now, we’d like to keep available.

Thank you all for your continued support of DITkalamazoo! Without people playing/making/doing/experiencing, this is all meaningless. Hopefully the new site means an easier way for folks to get involved. Any questions can always be directed to ditkalamazoo@gmail.com.

Two Shows / Many Sounds / Wednesday Night – Satellite / Milhouse 7.15

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If you feel so inclined, this Wednesday there will be two shows back to back! Satellite Records, now always beginning their shows at 6:00 PM will have sounds from the noisy gnar full band of legendary locals FORGET THE TIMES, as well as outta towners THE KBD SONIC COLLECTIVE. Expect soundscapes and meditation, with breaks filled with the sound equivalent of harsh reality.

Beyond that, MILHOUSE will be having a living room (or possibly porch) show, featuring some excellent folks out of one of our favorite cities, Milwaukee! HEAVY LEAVES and JACK TELL play their own personal brands of sad, contemplative folk. Singing songs that feel relateable as they do important.

This show will also feature locals MISERY LOVES CO., the solo project of Josh Miller of Forget The Times/Shoto. If he can play two shows, assuredly you can make it to at least one as a spectator! Also local ARIC SMEJKAL of Edith will be bringing his excellent solo works. Both locals are going to bum you the fuck out but you’ll probably also really dig it.

SATELLITE RECORDS starts at 6:00.  $5 suggested donation.

MILHOUSE starts at 9:00. donations always suggested.

be excellent.

Gnarly Noise And Earnest Songwriting – PALEHOUND (Boston, MA), GUPPY, PETRILLO – Milhouse – 6.3

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Sometimes I get so excited about a show in Kalamazoo, I don’t even know what to say. Or rather, I have plenty to say, but it all sounds like endless embarrassing gushing to a friend IMG_2579you think is too cool to hang out with you. That might be the perfect tone for this event, but I’ll keep my elated word-vomit to a minimum and try to get to the crux of the whole thing.

So here’s what you need to know:

PALEHOUND is the full-band songwriter project of Ellen Kempner out of Boston, MA. They are on Exploding In Sound records which, if you’ve been to a Milhouse show in the last 3 years, you may have seen a label-mate or two of theirs (Krill, Porches., Kal Marks, formerly Speedy Ortiz – and other great projects that have played around Kalamazoo). The music could be compared to many of those related artists. The guitar work is on point, never trite or expected, and the songwriting is personal but also clever. I love it, and in all likelihood you will love it too. If you have any doubts about the excellence of this band that you don’t know, know that they are currently on a tour with Alex G and Speedy Ortiz, and have just happened to decide to make a stop in some dingy Kalamazoo basement just because.

Also bringing the warped hooks for days and out there guitar work are two local super-groups so to speak.

GUPPY are a product of folks from The Reptilian, Anybody But The Cops, Shoto, and Ackley Kid. Equal parts undeniably hooky writing and well placed noise and gnar, Guppy are quickly solidifying themselves as some of the most compelling noisy emo bands in West Michigan. Expect a tape from them soon, but until then most of their work can only be heard live, so come check it out!

And finally PETRILLO who are a super group of women who have been doing nothing but bringing the creative ruckus to DIY and other circles in Kalamazoo for YEARS, though not often musically. They have found each other and are now making some of the most interesting music I have personally see come out of Kalamazoo in years. If you are finding things to be much to formulaic, and you’d like to see something a bit more off the wall (the range of influences you could pin to this band are staggering, honestly) that still strikes a chord emotionally, this band is for you! They have no recordings. Come to the show and find out for yourself.

This show starts at 8:30 PM! Please bring money for the touring act. Be excellent to each and every person around ya. Email ditkalamazoo@gmail.com for the address.

FUZZ.REVERB.FEEDBACK. – Skull Kid (PA) | Take One Car (NY) | Edith | Cardboard Highway | Welcome Neighbors – 5/28 – Rey Mysterio’s

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Too many bands on this bill to waste your time being long-winded about the whole thing. Two out of towners. Three locals. One house. Lots and lots of hooks and yelling. Too good to miss! But don’t take my word for it, listen to the sounds yourself.

SKULL KID (Pittsburgh, PA) sound like the band you’re going to get obsessed with this summer

 

TAKE ONE CAR (Poughkeepsie,NY) sound like the lines you’ll get stuck in your head for days that you might accidentally falsely attribute to mewithoutYou

 

EDITH (here) sounds like if Alex G broke into your band’s practice space with some friends and just started fucking around with some new stuff you haven’t heard yet

 

CARDBOARD HIGHWAY (here) sound like Kalamazoo in 2009 though you just moved here last year so you’re not entirely sure what that’s all about but it feels nostalgic as all get out.

 

WELCOME NEIGHBORS (here) sound like a new band that you might not have heard and wont unless you just go to the show yourself and give it a listen.

TWO GROUPS FROM FAR AWAY SO DONATE. BE KIND TO REY MYSTERIO AND HIS ABODE.

Tours/Reunions/Celebrations – Anybody But The Cops (tape release + tour kickoff) | The Gray Beast | Another One | Guppy – Milhouse – 4.5

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This show is too good to waste a bunch of words on, so I’m going to keep it brief. On this day of days, this springtime Sunday, some Milhouse music will be happening.

15.04.05Local queerdo/weirdo band ANYBODY BUT THE COPS will be releasing their first set of recordings that sound subjectively better than any of their other recordings, as well as preparing for a 2 week long tour. Described as “Post-Jazz Punk for the Pre-Reset World” and “musical garbage disposals” ABTC are guaranteeing you something along the lines of 20 minutes of music and hopefully minimal un-mic’d banter. The new release is coming out on ALREADY DEAD TAPES. Check it out! Or buy it at this show to save on shipping.

THE GRAY BEAST are dancy, catchy, wordy fellas from Marquette, MI, fronted by the profound and profane genius Sycamore Smith. Having last seen them open for Child Bite, you can be sure that this band kicks it. They are on tour and they have a demo to sell ya, so don’t be scared to check it out.

ANOTHER ONE are a pop-punk band without the bullshit. They are here to present you a hook once instead of three times because that sort of repetition is time that could be spent playing two more songs. So that’s what they do. Old friends out of Grand Rapids that have not yet played Kalamazoo, so give them a warm welcome.

GUPPY are equal parts excellent songwriting/song structure and heavy chaotic noise. It blends together in the most perfect way. The band was on a hiatus for a bit, but now with Jose from Anybody But The Cops on bass, their back at it. Check the hype

DONATE TO THE OUTTA TOWNERS AND TO THE TOURS. BE EXCELLENT. BE THERE RIGHT AT 9:00 TO SEE GUPPY KICK IT OFF. TREAT YOUR FRIENDS WELL AND MAKE NEW FRIENDS. BE MINDFUL OF THOSE AROUND YOU. WOMEN AND QUEERZ TO THE FRONT FOREVER.

Email ditkalamazoo@gmail.com for the address.

Punk Throughout The Ages – KNIFE THE SYMPHONY, THE SHANKS, BROWN COMPANY, FACE-EATER – Milhouse – 3.21

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If you like punk rock – cool, if you like post hardcore – great, if you like old school thrash – 15.03.21excellent, if you like experimental punk – perfect. It’s all represented at this particular Milhouse show, plus more!

KNIFE THE SYMPHONY come from Cincinnati, and make me re-think what I thought I knew about Ohio. This band was on the bill for one of the first shows I saw in Kalamazoo, back in 2007, and one of the only Kraftbrau (rip) shows I attended. They killed it then, they’ll kill it now. It’s heavy, noisy, and no bullshit.

THE SHANKS are KTS’s tour buddies coming from Toronto bringing their own stylish blend of fuzzed out rock ‘n’ roll with some stoner metal and punk goodness. Their sound is probably too dialed-in for a basement show, so it’s in all likelihood going to completely blow you away.

BROWN COMPANY are local legendary punk experimenters. Never before have you felt like a 15 minute long song completely embodied what you felt like was missing from your intake of punk. It’s noisy, it’s vocal-less, there’s a theramin, and they’re about to be your favorite local if they haven’t won your heart already.

Finally, FACE-EATER are the thrash metal newcomers, playing their 2nd show out and their first house show. Their new demo rips way harder than a demo has any right to. Give them a warm welcome, they’re kicking this whole damn thing off and would love to see your faces lost in a sincere headbang.

BRING YR MONEY, BRING THE FUNK. BE EXCELLENT TO EACH OTHER, RESPECT THE RULES OF THE HOUSE. SHOW BEGINS RIGHT AT 9:00. EMAIL DITKALAMAZOO@GMAIL.COM FOR THE ADDRESS.

NEW BANDS – NEW BANDS – NEW BANDS Petrillo | Hungry Man | The Rutabega – Milhouse 3.13

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It’s true, THE RUTABEGA are not a new band – nor is HUNGRY MAN (well, maybe they are, very little info is out there). But, they are both new to the Milhouse basement,

flyer by Kasey Chaos!

flyer by Kasey Chaos!

and Hungry Man is new to Kalamazoo ears. You’ll find in Kalamazoo that many bands travel through multiple times, due to the numerous factors that make our city so great to play in. If you’re looking for something you haven’t yet seen in a basement around here, this is a good opportunity. With both of these bands, you’re going to find hooks that don’t quit, and some hard hitting gnar. Get into it.

Important to note, PETRILLO IS a new band – a new local! One of the things that makes this new band particularly special is that there are four members that you may have never seen play. Kalamazoo has a habit of having the same 15 people cycle around in several different bands, and it’s exciting to see a band that is not that at all – but also comprised of heavily active and involved members of several facets of Kalamazoo’s weird artsy world. I’m being secretive because it’s more fun for you to find out all on your own.

This show starts right at 9:00 at the good ol’ Milhouse. Please bring money for The Rutabega and Hungry Man who are traveling from South Bend and Chicago. Be excellent to each other. Make a new friend and start a band with them. Email ditkalamazoo@gmail.com for the address.

March 5th – Get With The Loudness – Satellite Records / Bell’s Brewery

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As usual, there’s too much going on in Kalamazoo, and barely enough time. But you can dancount on everyone working together to bring you shows starting and different times, so everyone can go to everything! (if that’s the kind of Thursday you’re ready to have).

First things first, the first show is at SATELLITE RECORDS and features out of town hardcore punk experimenters out of Philadephia, SOUL GLO. Soul Glo have a somewhat oldschool punk sound blended with a lot of unusual takes on hardcore. Straightforward punk never seems to be the thing Kalamazoo loves, so this would be worth checking out.

Joining Soul Glo are local revived favorites SEVENTEEN AGAIN, as well as a gnarly no-wave punk band GET FUCKED (THE BAND).

THIS SHOW STARTS AT 6:00 PM! Early show so that you can leave and get on with your life, or continue on to the free show at Bell’s. Please bring donation for Soul Glo, as they are making their way on tour.

The show at BELL’S features three beloved local bands. Comes see them in a room that’ll moldmake them sound how they’re supposed to.

EVERYONE AND THEIR EMPTY CUPS are long-standing grungy punk fuckery you can dance to.

MOLD are locals possessed by prog gods, the names of which you never knew.

and THE SHORTLIFE are the most sonically pleasing punk band in town.

This show is free for those who are 21+, and does not exist for those who aren’t. Starts at 9:00 PM. Tip yr bartender.

Milhouse Show – Punk In All It’s Infinite Derivative Glory – ED SCHRADER’S MUSIC BEAT | DESIRING DEAD FLESH | ANYBODY BUT THE COPS | SEVENTEEN AGAIN – 2.27

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img090Punk is an endless scrawling abyss of sounds, concepts, theories, notions. Some things are to be expected, and others may shift your paradigm of what is to be considered.

This show is going to bring a lot of variety to the table, but what you can count on in common among all is genuine ferocity. Whether simplistic or complex, whether goofy or sincere to the core, it’s all done with captivating intensity – and if that’s your dig then you’re going to love this.

ED SCHRADER’S MUSIC BEAT is generally two-band sonic onslaught, paying homage to past innovators in the proto-punk as well as no-wave experimentations, while bringing something entirely new to the table. Ed Schrader has said in interviews that, though having had the opportunity to tour with some great projects, his favorite shows are the smaller, stranger, more focused shows – and Kalamazoo knows how to bring that, so lets see if we can make that happen.

DESIRING DEAD FLESH are a long-standing staple of Michigan punk. They are guaranteed to make you feel a certain youthful nostalgia – either because you saw this band back when you were still wearing zipper pants and an all-too-crisp leather jacket with safety pinned patches, or because you will see these young kids totally shredding for the first time and remember how you first got into this crazy punk world. Be ready to let go of yourself for a bit and just have fun, it’ll be hard not to.

SEVENTEEN AGAIN are making their return to Kalamazoo basements and a return to your hearts, now featuring Brok Leshman on bass and featuring tons of new songs to try out on you. Seventeen Again remain the best under 20 minutes in Kalamazoo. They’re playing first so don’t miss ’em.

gifz

1/3rd of Anybody But The Cops kind of looks like this

ANYBODY BUT THE COPS have always been and will always be too complicated for their own good – but you have to admit they are some snappy dressers. Come participate in the gnarly mess. No PA’s no masters.

This show begins right at 9:00 PM with Seventeen Again, so do not miss! Ed Schrader and Desiring Dead Flesh are on two different tours, so please please please bring cash for donation and/or merch. House venues don’t accept square and if you want to know why I’m sure the donation collector can give you a solid explanation. Be excellent to each other first and foremost. We’ll be excellent to you. Email ditkalamazoo@gmail.com for the address to Milhouse.

Mysterious Music And More At Rey Mysterio’s House – 2.21

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The most mysterious house in Kalamazoo is having a particularly mysterious show, featuring newer bands who have no recordings available. However, from what I’ve gathered, every performance is going to be sick in it’s own way.

What we do know about

BABY KID is out of Chicago, and they write some good warped tunes that’ll warm your blisteringly cold heart and general February existence.

APE NOT KILL APE are out of Grand Rapids and will be bringing their own blend of surf rocky noise and post punk.

CHARLES ROGERS is from Grand Rapids and that’s not actually his name

WWEMO will be playing their second show this week and also their second show ever. I got the exclusive that they are super excellent by watching their set two nights ago.

Be excellent, compliment Rey on his house and wrestling moves, donate to the outta townerz.