DO YOU LIKE DOING THINGS?  OF COURSE YOU LIKE DOING THINGS.  THAT’S PROBABLY WHY YOU ARE HERE ON THIS BLOG.

THERE IS A THING TO DO TONIGHT AT SHAKESPEARES.

INFLATABLE BEST FRIEND (ALBUM RELEASE)/BROTHER GRUESOME TOUR KICK OFF

SPECIAL GUESTS: THE WRAP and M. SORD

HOLLA.

Former Michigan garage rock natives-turned-L.A. power pop sensation The Singles shall be kicking off their nationwide tour in Kalamazoo at Bell’s Eccentric Cafe this Thursday, July 10th along with special guests The Hemingers and Boring People.  The show starts at 8:00 p.m. and is a $6 cover.

The Singles latest release, ‘Look How Fast A Heart Can Break,’ is a non-stop barrage of catchy hooks, instant melodies, infectious harmonies and incredible changes in the vein of T. Rex, The Flamin’ Groovies, Badfinger and The Move.  Guitarist/vocalist/chief songster Vincent Frederick and drummer/vocalist Nicky Veltman are veterans of Detroit garage rock (Frederick with an earlier incarnation of The Singles, Veltman with the Gore Gore Girls), hence a dirtier rock ‘n’ roll root is still evident underneath the groups sunshine sound.  Self-described as “Buddy Holly on a bender,” the trio, with a rotating cast of bassists, have been receiving a lot of positive press for their most recent album from sources like The AV Club, CMJ and USA Today, the latter having said of the video featured below: “If you need a rock ‘n’ roll release… I think I have the perfect song. The Singles’ ‘Inamorata’ hooked me instantly. The duo, which formed in Detroit, pulls from some of my favorite bands to create a glam garage sound all its own.”

Coldwater’s The Hemingers will close out the night.  They bring the party to the people with their Classic Signature Series garage punk.  Vocalist Ben Lyon designed the flier adorning the top of this article.

Kalamazoo’s Boring People will open the show.  Forlorn songs played with high-octane energy, Boring People have spent the last year and half greasing up their gears in dingy basements and smokey bars.  They are ready to take on big stages and bright lights.

Bell’s Eccentric Cafe is located at 355 E. Kalamazoo Avenue in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  Doors are at 8 p.m. with Boring People kicking things off promptly at 9. The cover is $6 and Bell’s is ages 21+ after 8 p.m..  Any additional questions can be answered by calling (269) 382-2332.

Halifax shoegaze trio Kestrels are visiting the states on tour with their new EP ‘The Moon is Shining Our Way’.  They will be making a stop in Kalamazoo this Sunday, July 6th at Louie’s Trophy House Grill, 440 E. North Street.

The Canadian fuzz poppers released ‘A Ghost History’ in 2012.  This new EP is a precursor to their next full-length expected in 2015.

Kalamazoo’s response to the question ‘what happens when you mix classically-trained chops with 8-bit synth pop?’ Katy Needs A Life will perform her infectiously catchy numbers with her trademark charismatic stage presence, caffeinated by a Descendents-level of pre-game coffee chugging.

Tim does not exist. is the moniker that singer/songwriter Tim Tapper has chosen to use for his material nowadays.  This January he made one of his most recent recordings available for listening in its entirety on YouTube with a download link available on the page.  It’s an enjoyable, fuzzy, self-reflecting listen.

Louie’s is located at 440 E. North Street in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  The cover is a suggested donation of $5 and doors at 8:30 P.M. with the show kicking off around 9 P.M.  See you there!

Let me tell you something about the show that is happening tonight at this new house venue that I haven’t been to you yet called “The Box.” It is going to be hard. Local Yokels Seventeen Again will be selling their DEBUT 12″ LP “Invoke” at the show because it is literally a “record release show” and you should take this opportunity to listen to them, if you haven’t, and/or buy the record, because this is the first time you can.

Oh, and what’s that, you’re not sold on this show yet but you’re still inexplicably reading this post? WELL HAVE I GOT A TREAT FOR YOU. LIFE IN A VACUUM will be travelling from Ontario CANADIA AGAIN, as they rocked the Millhouse last year ’round this very same time of year.

I was at the show and it was wild. And therefore I trust their opinion about who to play with. And that means that even though I know nothing about Congratulations other than the youtube video I have been linked to, I am still suggesting that you check them out.

And filling the line up out as extra local support is Talvisota.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to see some solid Kalamazoo hard-core rock ‘n roll TONIGHT at THE BOX. Check the Facebook event for more deets (location, etc). TGIF, YA’LL.

It’s a beautiful day, and if that weather person ain’t a damn lie, it’s fixin’ to be a gorgeous night.  If you’re looking to get out of the house, Milhouse in the Vine Neighborhood has 4 acts performing in their basement for your eyes and ears to feast upon.

Bloomington, Indiana’s Dust From 1000 Years are returning to Kalamazoo for the first time in 4 years.  By college town standards, that’s an entire generation later.  Well, there’s a reason it’s been so long: Dust From 1000 Years are reunited after an extended absence from performing.  If you were familiar with their music before, it has retained that forlorn sense of ennui and contempt in attitude and remains spacious yet grungy in sound.

The song “Party Song” from their new release ‘Moon’ sums up their outlook quite well:

http://shyb.bandcamp.com/track/party-song

Kalamazoo’s English rose Fiona Dickinson is on board for this one.  Whether her performance shall be with a full band or solo acoustic remains to be disclosed.

Peter Cook, currently of Kalamazoo’s Boring People, will appear to play a few covers and older songs from past bands he’s been in.

Josh Miller, Milhouse resident and Seventeen Again/Forget The Times guitarist will be performing as Misery Loves Co., just he and a drummer.  The act is definitely NOT this Misery Loves Co.

Milhouse is located in the Vine Neighborhood.  If you don’t know the address, you can message ditkalamazoo@gmail.com or post on the Milhouse Facebook (recommended)https://www.facebook.com/groups/milhouse/ that you need to be sent the address.  While there is no entry fee, we suggest bringing a few dollars to donate to the touring band.  It’s a hard life there out on the road, gas is expensive.  Things should be getting underway around 9 p.m.!  See you there!