Tag Archives: guppy

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.

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.

Post-Punk From Eastern Europe And So Much More – Milhouse – May 7th

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Maybe one of the most surprising things for people when they first learn about all the basement shows happening in Kalamazoo, is just how far some bands travel to play here for these small audiences in these strange settings. I have heard multiple people over the last year express shock at bands from New York or Portland “why are you here? how did you get here?” The fact remains that many bands prefer the unconventional, the DIY for touring, but at first encounter it does seem quite strange.

Kalamazoo has hosted countless bands from this continent, but artists traveling in from abroad, especially for basement shows, is a rare treat. And this Wednesday, Kalamazoo has a rare and wonderful treat for you in the form of Macedonian dancy post-punk band, BERNAYS PROPAGANDA. If you like hard-hitting, get-yer-ass-movin’ punk, this is just the thing for you.

And now you know where Macedonia is

If that was not cool enough on it’s own, Bernays Propaganda are on tour with GHOST MICE of Bloomington, IN. Ghost Mice were here not long ago, supporting the KCAC at a benefit show. If you haven’t seen them, they’re a long standing energetic acoustic folk punky project, long associated with Plan It X Records.

PLUS this show will include two locals who have never played Milhouse before – GUPPY – who are a new project without any recordings, but feature members from The Reptilian, Shoto, George Costanza, and Ackley Kid so you know it’s going to be good. THE MUSHMEN will also be making their first appearance to the Milhouse basement, promising to get you dancing.

Please bring money for the touring groups as Macedonia is unfathomably far away from our little Midwestern city. Respect the venue, respect everyone around you, make some new friends. SHOW STARTS AT 900, don’t be late!