For those of you that have a sweet-tooth for good music, tonight you can just consider Louie’s Trophy House grill the Willy Wonka Chocolate factory of rock.

Irregardless of actual order, we’re going to start talking about Sleepeater right now. Why? Because they’re from Portland, and you kiddos know what comes from Portland: Wheat! Here at DIT we love wheat just as much as we love Alternative Psychedelic Rock, and Sleepeater is good at the latter of the two, which as previously stated, we respect highly, so check them out.

http://myspace.com/sleepeater

Three Mile Island hails from Petaluma, California (Not Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) and plays some type of weird Bluegrass inspired Garage Rock. I say weird in the nicest way possible, because I like them, and you can believe me when I say that because I write for this blog and half of these bands on here are weird and that’s the best part. They have great presence on stage and it’s stuff you can sing along to and I know how much people like to sing along to music so that ought to be great.

Widow’s Hatchet is a metal band with a female lead singer that seems to take ques from all around the metal spectrum. They’ve gigged from Grand Rapids to Detroit, playing metal that feeds off of the blood that seeps from the black, brutal roots of the giant mother metal tree.

Lastly, local staple Good News will be adding and subtracting (maybe even performing some long division) musically with their Post-Math-Instrumental-Rock that’s so technical and precise they use TI-83 calculators to compose most of their tunes. Joking aside they really are technical and precise, and you should catch them at Louie’s tonight because their shows are always super legit.

The music starts at 9pm. The fun starts shortly before. The cost is 5 dollars. See you down there.

A few years ago I had the privilege of seeing a rare reunion of Small Brown Bike through a window at a sold out show.   That night, the boys from Marshall, MI brought enough energy to overflow Kraftbrau and spill out to those of us watching from the outside.  These guys are known for their dominance around the turn of the millennium emo-post-hardcore-punk scene.  Along their label mates on No Idea Records (i.e. Hot Water Music) Small Brown Bike breathed fresh life and energy into a tired punk genre.  I’m excited to say that I’ll have another chance to see these amazing musicians (hopefully from the inside this time).

The Casket Lottery is a similar story from Kansas City:  Midwest kids rocking the world, breaking hearts with a hiatus, and triumphantly returning to blow our minds once again.  I don’t have the same personal connection with these guys as SBB, but I know they will be phenominal.  Just watch this live video and you’ll get it:  (oh, btw: the drummer was also in the Appleseed Cast for a while)

Acting as our local representatives, Kalamazoo’s own MINUTES will be starting off the show tonight.  If you haven’t seen them yet, you’re missing out.  They’ve had a spot in my top 5 local bands since their formation in 2009.   Here’s two videos, because their radness can’t be contained in just one:

The Strutt.  9pm.  $14.  The best thing happening in town this whole month.  Seriously, if you’re into punk, post-hardcore, or generally great music, this show is a must.

Photo by Mark Finazzo

That’s right. A free show at the Strutt on Saturday, May 14 at 9pm.

Tim Tapper is a familiar Kalamazoo face to many of us. His tendency towards sincere lyrics and a potent combination of clear melody and heavy walls of sound have appeared in many past projects. Tim favors the solo sound currently, appearing once again on the scene with fresh and candid songs that ring true.

Band Name is a caustic, fun punk band from Philly.

The Philly Crawlers are the purest form of Kalamazoo psychedelic alterna indie fun rock roll rock that there is.

Got any plans for tonight?

DIT(K) would like to humbly offer a suggestion. First, Art Hop at 5pm. Then step on over to The Strutt for a veritable feast of local music. AND IT’S ALL FOR FREE!!!

If you’re not aware of what Art Hop is, here’s a brief synopsis. The first Friday of every month,  downtown Kalamazoo opens it’s doors to all kinds of local artists. Local businesses display a wide variety of paintings, photographs, sculptures, crafts and mores. Add some random street performances plus free food and drink samples and you’ve got just one of the many reasons that makes Kalamazoo so awesome!

And then there’s this:

Our very own Forget The Times will be embarking on their first full length tour. In order to celebrate and send them off in style, we’re throwing a FREE SHOW at The Strutt. Local superstars Fiona Dickinson and Jake Simmons & The Little Ghosts are joining up to make this the best show we possibly can!

I dare you to find a more diverse lineup of music. Dark Folk, Rock ‘N’ Roll and Free Jazz. Check it:

Are you wondering what to do now that school is out?  Well you can stop your search because former Hot Water Music frontman, Chuck Ragan, is heading into Kalamazoo next Monday! Since HWM disbanded in 2006, Chuck has been taking his folk-rock gig around the world, touring with the likes of Social Distortion, Gaslight Anthem, and Frank Turner.

Ragan’s sound embraces the traditional American folk feel and sound, but still holds on to the gritty and emotional energy that made Hot Water Music one of the most beloved punk bands of the past decade.  Check out Chuck’s styles in the videos below and then make sure to head to The Strutt on May 9th.

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Sharks

Also appearing is UK based band Sharks.  Forming in 2007, these British rockers have crossed the Atlantic to join Mr. Ragan in supporting Social Distortion’s tour.  As usual, music (or video) speaks louder than words:

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The Almanac Shouters

After 3 tours, 2 albums, and 2 fun filled years of  strummin’ and shoutin’, Kalamazoo’s Almanac Shouters are calling it quits.  The band has decided to disband as Nola (banjo/vocals) has graduated (with 2 degrees!) from WMU, and is headed off into the real world.  With the final show being planned for July, the Shouters plan to  play only one Kalamazoo show in both May and June.  That means that chances are running out to see this bunch of friendly folks.

Doors are at 7pm, and the Almanac Shouters start at 8pm.  Tickets are $10 in advance*** or $12 at the door.

***Since the end is near, the Shouters are subsidizing their pre-sale tickets.   Get in touch with them on facebook or however you see fit and they’ll pay $3 of your ticket.  That means you can see this killer show for only $7.  Message DIT if you can’t find a way to contact the Shouters.

Don’t have $35 to spare or aren’t old enough to see Guided By Voices at the brand new Pyramid Scheme?

Have no fear! Kalamazoo’s got plenty going on as always!! Not one but THREE great shows!

The Reptilian, Chinook, Joshualien, PILE @ Louie’s Trophy House Grill

Chris Clavin, The Almanac Shouters, Circle Get Square!, Kyle Hall @ The Waffle House

Bastard Train @ The Strutt

Here’s to help you make a more informed decision on which to attend:

The Reptilian –

Chinook –

PILE –

Chris Clavin –

The Almanac Shouters –

Bastard Train –

Tonight at Louie’s starting at 9 o’clock you can find some of the most astronomical music in the Kalamazoo area.

Photo by Rebecca Lessem

HORDES, hailing from Lansing, Michigan, book themselves as “… An exercise in taking the monotone to it’s unmusical zenith. A blasting howl perverted by the endless piles of rubble and scarred concrete that were once the heart of the city echoing on and on in septic waves of dissonance…” So if that sounds like your thing. If that tickles your little inner ear in a pleasant way, you should probably come down to the show.

And if you’re into HORDES you most certainly will like Boron Nuzzle. A local staple for weird music weird-os, Boron Nuzzle will literally blow your ears off with their spaced-out, experimental, glitch, drone, jamming that defies most explanation. Luckily, they did a set at WIDR that I’ve linked to below.

Come subject yourself to the abnormality of HORDES, Boron Nuzzle, and Tie Die down at Louie’s for the nominal fee of $5! It’s gonna be totally crazy!

Wednesday, your obligations are thinning. You’re itchin’ for some LOUD METAL to release all that tension but don’t want it to be just you and Lord Satan rockin’ out with beer on your living room couch?  You’re in luck!  DJ Whiplash will be at Louie’s Trophy House here in Kalamazoo at 440 E. North Street, open for all ears, spinning everything from death, black, thrash, sludge, doom, NWOBM, and more!

Entry to this event is FREE!

Tonight, The Strutt is getting down in a very atypical way – but that’s always the way when Duke and the Loose Cannons are involved. Featuring the renegade jazz stylings of Leonard Duke, his sousaphone, and his band of relaxed heavy artillery, things are sure to get a bit out of focus for everyone involved.

Leonard Duke and the strangest sousaphone ever

Also on the docket, Cassandra Weekly with the help of some of her friends, is going to be laying down some smooth soul ranging from classic to current tunes that the whole family will love. Cassandra’s got a big voice, and this is the last chance to hear it before she moves on out to Californi-way, so slide on through The Strutt tonight.

The doors open at 8, the music starts around 9, the drinks are plentiful, and the cover is FREE. Check it out my babies.

Then you might like what The Strutt has to offer this TONIGHT!

Two of Kalamazoo’s brightest newcomers are coming together to support a band touring all the way from Seattle, WA. I’m talking about TOTALLY RAD / NO BAILS / THE CURIOUS MYSTERY of course!!

After you’re done searching through the house for plastic capsules filled with teeth rotting processed sugar, eating far too much food, spending time with distant and unwelcomed relatives, or whatever else you’re supposed to do on Easter, come on down to your friendly neighborhood The Strutt and celebrate the correct way. BY WATCHING A KICKIN’ SHOW!!

Check it out:

The Curious Mystery has a lot going for them. They’ve got a killer garage/soul sound that many bands try for and few really pull off. Plus, they’re on one of the coolest and most respected indie labels, K Recs (Calvin Johnson, Kimya Dawson, Mahjongg, Old Time Relijun, City Center…).

The band has an amazing ability to jump between sweet soul melodies, lo-fi garage punk riffs and spaced out psych jams à la Captain Beefheart. All the while managing to stay fresh, interesting and concise.

We here at DIT(K) are more than a little excited to see them live!

You haven’t really been to a concert until you’ve seen local heavy weights Totally Rad. They’ve got just one goal: TO STOMP OUT WINTER’S LAST HOLD ON MICHIGAN AND BRING IN THE SUMMER FUN ONCE AND FOR ALL!!!

Totally Rad is a pop punk band with a heavy dose of surf rock throwback. Featuring members of HMS, Victory! that “just wanna play music that people can dance to.”

Rounding out the night is UFO Dictator‘s own garage punk gods and goddess NO BAILS! When the man behind such a legendary Kalamazoo record label starts a band, you know it’s gonna be good. They DO NOT disappoint!

Doors at 8:30. First band at 9:30. $5. ALL AGES