My days may be numbered, but I’m bad at math. When I feel bad at math I wear my headphones and listen to math rock.

A particularly dense genre, math rock is filled with unconventional time signatures and complex rhythms, though the intertwining melodic phrases holds a listener in place. Culminating during the ‘90s in urban music centers such as Pittsburg, Washington D.C., and L.A., math rock found itself a name through a combination of its atypical meters (for example, 7/8, 11/8, 13/8) and the exploration of sonic textures through layering guitars.

It’s a genre that becomes more rewarding upon repeated listenings. Curious? Come to Milhouse on the 4th for local and touring “mathy” bands.

Four different bands for your enjoyment. We have The Reptilian, who might be a familiar name to you folks. They’re playing more shows later in the week, so keep yourself posted on DIT updates.

As a special treat, Edhochuli travels from the far away land of Pittsburg, after riding the Interstates for about three months. Be sure to familiarize yourself through their bandcamp, as their music is heavy, their singer is intense, and their guitars are loud.

From Chicago we have Ronnie Dobbs have been touring with Edhochuli. Take a look at their bandcamp too, as any band name alluding to the TV show “Mr. Show” deserves it. Ronnie Dobbs employs similar complex rhythms as Edhochuli, but they offer surprises in terms of melody and dynamics. You can find a track titled “Bong Iver” off the link. That wasn’t a typo. Give them a look and a listen.

Lost in Translation is another local Kalamazoo group, and while they fit in the math rock genre, they also provide more groove for the average listener. Three guys who know how to jam well, their fluctuations in rhythm will pull you in. They’ll make your feet move too.

Our days may be numbered, but what better way to spend them than watching math rock musicians. Please bring a few dollars to Milhouse for the touring bands.

Respect the bands, respect the music lovers, and respect yourself. Respect math.

This Friday, the Stabbin Cabin is hosting a benefit for the legal fees of some local environmental activists. Hailing from Grand Rapids, we have punk rockers The Amoebas and Protected Left. They’ll be joined by four local acts: the fast-paced basement punk of Abortion Survivors; Tim Tapper’s minimalist folk rock; self-proclaimed “spazzy punks” Anybody But the Cops; and Endangered Feces. Suggested donation $5—it’s for a good cause!

Two people from Kalamazoo and four from Grand Rapids have been arrested for protesting the DNR’s Mineral Rights Auction, where the state of Michigan sold the rights to extract natural gas using the destructive technique known as fracking. Please come out to support our friends who have fought to protect our state from this highly polluting practice, and enjoy a great night of excellent local music!

Listen to the bands here:

http://www.myspace.com/wearetheamoebas

http://protectedleft.bandcamp.com

http://www.myspace.com/abortionsurvivors/music

http://soundcloud.com/tim-tapper

http://anybodybutthecops.bandcamp.com/

Donate to the legal defense fund here:

http://lansingstopfrackingfund.chipin.com/bail-money-to-stop-fracking

Rock N’ Roll extravaganza, this Saturday at the Courthouse.  It’s kind of like what your parents were doing at our age except its 2012, so less LSD.  But no worries, There will be plenty of Rock N’ Roll, dancing, and all the booze your arms can carry to the show.  It’s free as always, but Fine Fine Titans and Ami Saraiya are on the road so let’s help them get home.  What I’m trying to say is bring donations.  We’ve also got three bands from Kalamazoo, so, with a total of five bands, this shit’s going late.

Starts at 9 – Check the links below – bring donations – peace

Fine Fine Titans – Here from Grand Rapids to get us feeling feisty enough to start dancing violently.  Fine Fine Titans is an intense hardcore experience full of soaring screams, rockin’ power vocals, metal chugs, melodic bridges, and no deficiency of two-stepping break downs – be prepared.

http://www.facebook.com/finefinetitans/app_204974879526524

Ami Saraiya And The Outcome – Going to slow it down a bit and add a little of Ami Saraiya’s soulful jazz singing to the lineup.  Sure to make you feel good, the outcome lays down a smooth, exciting cabaret pop-rock, while Saraiya’s beautiful melodies reel in the listener – once again, be prepared.

http://amisaraiyaandtheoutcome.bandcamp.com/

Brass Bows – Get drunk, get in front of a crowd, and play some Kalamazoo Rock N’ Roll, this four-some knows how to do it.  Brass Bows is always a good time with lots of dancing, maybe even some wild antics and explicit behavior.

http://www.facebook.com/brassbows/app_204974879526524

Jake Simmons And The Little Ghosts – Kalamazoo’s Jake Simmons plays Rock N’ Roll and folk – all of it.  Simmons and the Little Ghosts incorporate bits and pieces of a long Americana tradition, combined with emotive and soulful vocals, to form a complete and novel American sound.

http://www.facebook.com/jakesimmonsmusic/info

Proconpro – More Kalamazoo Rock N’ Roll! Proconpro lays rock down, strips it bare and proceeds to build it back up with whatever they please – as long as it’s rockin’

http://www.myspace.com/proconpro

RESPECT THE BANDS. RESPECT THE VENUE. RESPECT EACH OTHER.

Tomorrow night at Victory House: plenty of emotionally charged, soul-wrenching rock to soothe the Sunday doldrums. George Costanza is on the road playing a couple shows with Underscore Adia and A Life of Arctic Sounds, both from Pennsylvania.  The three are finishing up their mini-tour here in the Vine – Don’t miss it!

Check out the links below.  Don’t forget donations. please and thank you.

Underscore Adia – A fierce, yet steady, litany of post-hardcore and pop-punk sounds- provocative in all the right ways

Underscore Adia – Bandcamp

A Life of Arctic Sounds – an acoustic duo from Pittsburgh,  whose beautifully haunting ambiance doesn’t drown out the essence or the rhythm

A Life of Arctic Sounds – Bandcamp

George Costanza – Kalamazoo’s own trio of buddies making smooth melodies without skimping on the hardcore or the hard emotion

George Costanza – Bandcamp

and as usual . . .

Respect the bands.  Respect the venue.  Respect each other.

Getting hardcore this Saturday at the Courthouse, we’ve got three touring acts coming though (Survivalist – Columbus, Gypsyblood – Chicago, Regret, The informer – Kansas City) plus Kalamazoo’s own Lost in Translation.

Survivalist – Post-Punk band from Columbus who keeps the math rock melodic and progressive without losing the rough edges

http://www.facebook.com/SRVVLSTBand/app_204974879526524

 Gypsyblood – Lo-Fi indie rock from Chicago – noisy but always steady – raw, yet immediately captivating

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gypsyblood/140189656034033?sk=app_204974879526524

Regret, The Informer – Post-punk screamo band from Kansas City – get ready to throw down!

http://regrettheinformer.bandcamp.com/

Lost In Translation – Instrumental Indie Rock trio jamming mathy goodness

 Please bring some cash for donations!

Respect the venue. Respect the bands. Respect each other.