If you don’t know who the Elephant 6 collective is, you’ve probably at least heard of some of the bands. Neutral Milk Hotel, Olivia Tremor Control, Apples In Stereo, Of Montreal & Elf Power, just to name a few. The last band is who this article is more or less about. Jimmy Hughes, the guitarist for Elf Power, has another band by the name of Folklore and they will be playing the No Fun House this Tuesday, June 15. Folklore is exactly what you want out of a summertime concert. Catchy vocals, lo-fi guitars, horn sections and every song has a care free feeling that makes you want to dance the whole night through.

On tour with Folklore is Chicago band Bears Of Blue River. They bring all the same great vibes of Folklore except they utilize more acoustic instruments. Think something like Fleet Foxes or maybe early M. Ward. Their songs are warm, beautiful and makes the listener want to feel alright.

The third band playing the show will be The Parlor Scouts from Forest Glen, Maryland. Parlor Scouts are one of the happiest bands you will ever hear. Every song is so full of unbridled joy that you can’t help but have at least a glimmer of happiness. At the same time, they have a very experimental element to their music. Some of the guitar parts and rhythms have a distinct post punk and no wave influence to them. This sound could perhaps best be described as ‘Avant Twee Pop’. Definitely worth checking out.

Finally, as if this show didn’t already have enough variety and awesome bands, The Number Eight will be providing the local support. Tim and Carman have a unique approach to their music by combining drum machine, feedback and distortion to the sometimes stale singer/songwriter style. They’ve been perfecting these songs for a few months now are starting to hit on something very special. You’re not going to want to miss out on this.

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.

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.

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.

4/25 – 9PM doors
Donation based show

The Reptilian (Kalamazoo) – We’re a mathy, emotional post-hardcore band who is now a three-piece. We’ll have demos of our newly recorded material for this show. This is going to be the last day of a mini tour with two of our labelmates: Joie De Vivre and Annabel. myspace.com/thereptilianband

Joie De Vivre (Rockford, IL) – Midwestern emo. Beautifully layered, dynamic songs from a sextet that features organ, horns, and other instrumentation. myspace.com/joiedevivreband

Annabel (Kent, OH) – More throwback emo. These guys have a huge sound and rock way harder than you would even expect when they play live. myspace.com/annabelrock

Merchant Ships (South Bend, IN) – Younger screamo band on the technical side of things. The kind of band that loves to go for big gang sing-alongs. myspace.com/merchantships

This show is happening the same day as the Evan Greer show at the Peace Center but you can and are encouraged to attend both as the Peace Center shows starts at three that afternoon and this doesn’t start until nine.

Come to the Peace Center to unwind before the stress of finals week. We will be having a fantastic FREE show that you do not want to miss.
Where: The Wesley Foundation, WMU Campus, 2101 Wilbur Avenue
When: Sunday, April 25th, 3 PM

Who:
EVAN GREER (Jamaica Plain, MA)
(http://www.myspace.com/evangreer)
“Evan Greer continues to write inspiring folk music in the tradition of the great protest singers. ‘Never Surrender’ contains an urgency and earnestness that is uniquely his…and he’s a heck of a guitar player. I suspect that songs like ‘Ya Basta!’ and ‘Picketline Song’ will be heard at the barricades for years to come.” –Tom Morello, of Rage Against the Machine

ANNE FEENEY(Pittsburgh, PA)
(http://www.myspace.com/annefeeney)
Pittsburgh-based agitator Anne Feeney performs music that she says is
designed to “comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.” Not many
women have chosen to walk the path of Woody Guthrie, but Feeney has
made a career of it for the past 35 years. She has lived her life on the
frontlines – performing at thousands of rallies, picket lines and
demonstrations over the years

THE ALMANAC SHOUTERS (Kalamazoo)
(http://www.myspace.com/thealmanacshouters)
We are a midwest folk-punk band based in the student ghetto of Kalamazoo, MI. The name comes from a project of the legendary Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie.

FRUITMEAT (Kalamazoo)
(Kjartan Code and guests)