Satellite Records is hosting an evening of Experimental sounds tomorrow. Add that to the Jack Tell / Heavy Leaves / Aric Smejkal / Misery Loves Co. show at Milhouse and you’ve got a well rounded night of music!
Local favorites Forget The Times will be kicking off with a set of striped back Ambient drone featuring lots of Saxophone looping and feedback manipulation. Get ready for it!
Show starts at 6pm. $5 suggest donation (for the touring band). All ages.
THE KBD SONIC COOPERATIVE
is coming in from Toledo to give us a heavy dose of Electronic Minimalism. Check these videos for a sample of what’s in store:
If you feel so inclined, this Wednesday there will be two shows back to back! Satellite Records, now always beginning their shows at 6:00 PM will have sounds from the noisy gnar full band of legendary locals FORGET THE TIMES, as well as outta towners THE KBD SONIC COLLECTIVE. Expect soundscapes and meditation, with breaks filled with the sound equivalent of harsh reality.
Beyond that, MILHOUSE will be having a living room (or possibly porch) show, featuring some excellent folks out of one of our favorite cities, Milwaukee! HEAVY LEAVES and JACK TELL play their own personal brands of sad, contemplative folk. Singing songs that feel relateable as they do important.
This show will also feature locals MISERY LOVES CO., the solo project of Josh Miller of Forget The Times/Shoto. If he can play two shows, assuredly you can make it to at least one as a spectator! Also local ARIC SMEJKAL of Edith will be bringing his excellent solo works. Both locals are going to bum you the fuck out but you’ll probably also really dig it.
SATELLITE RECORDS starts at 6:00. $5 suggested donation.
MILHOUSE starts at 9:00. donations always suggested.
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 you 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.
Too many bands on this bill to waste your time being long-winded about the whole thing. Two out of towners. Three locals. One house. Lots and lots of hooks and yelling. Too good to miss! But don’t take my word for it, listen to the sounds yourself.
SKULL KID (Pittsburgh, PA) sound like the band you’re going to get obsessed with this summer
TAKE ONE CAR (Poughkeepsie,NY) sound like the lines you’ll get stuck in your head for days that you might accidentally falsely attribute to mewithoutYou
EDITH (here) sounds like if Alex G broke into your band’s practice space with some friends and just started fucking around with some new stuff you haven’t heard yet
CARDBOARD HIGHWAY (here) sound like Kalamazoo in 2009 though you just moved here last year so you’re not entirely sure what that’s all about but it feels nostalgic as all get out.
WELCOME NEIGHBORS (here) sound like a new band that you might not have heard and wont unless you just go to the show yourself and give it a listen.
TWO GROUPS FROM FAR AWAY SO DONATE. BE KIND TO REY MYSTERIO AND HIS ABODE.
This show starts in just a few hours (6pm), so we’ll make this brief:
SIR RICHARD BISHOP is an incredibly talented guitarist that has been making waves in underground music since 1979. He’s led the band Sun City Girls and Rangda in addition to creating an impressive body of solo work. His most recent albums have been released by the Drag City label. His sound draws heavily from various World Music and Avant-garde influences. Prepare yourself for a truly sublime and trans-formative experience tonight. This is not one to miss!
ROBERT MILLIS is a founding member of Climax Golden Twins and AFCGT. He has also produced some excellent solo work including film scores, sound installations and many contributions to the Sublime Frequencies label. Robert has self described his music as “Pete Seeger trying to cover Revolution #9 by The Beatles”
SEAN & FIONA are a local duo project from Sean Hartman of Forget The Times and Fiona Dickinson of Saltbreaker. They perform only on special occasions with this project. This will their 4th show in about that many years. Their sound draws from Free Jazz, Folk and Classical influences and is largely improvised.
Doors are at 6pm tonight and music kicks off at 6:30 sharp!
$10 cover for the touring artists
All ages are always welcome!
Satellite Records is located at
808 S. Westnedge (next door to 4th Coast and Bagel Beanery)
Any questions, call them at (269) 381-0218
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.
Local 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.
It’s true, THE RUTABEGA are not a new band – nor is HUNGRY MAN (well, maybe they are, very little info is out there). But, they are both new to the Milhouse basement,
flyer by Kasey Chaos!
and Hungry Man is new to Kalamazoo ears. You’ll find in Kalamazoo that many bands travel through multiple times, due to the numerous factors that make our city so great to play in. If you’re looking for something you haven’t yet seen in a basement around here, this is a good opportunity. With both of these bands, you’re going to find hooks that don’t quit, and some hard hitting gnar. Get into it.
Important to note, PETRILLO IS a new band – a new local! One of the things that makes this new band particularly special is that there are four members that you may have never seen play. Kalamazoo has a habit of having the same 15 people cycle around in several different bands, and it’s exciting to see a band that is not that at all – but also comprised of heavily active and involved members of several facets of Kalamazoo’s weird artsy world. I’m being secretive because it’s more fun for you to find out all on your own.
This show starts right at 9:00 at the good ol’ Milhouse. Please bring money for The Rutabega and Hungry Man who are traveling from South Bend and Chicago. Be excellent to each other. Make a new friend and start a band with them. Email ditkalamazoo@gmail.com for the address.
Tonight, Kalamazoo will be in the presence of greatness.
These days, that’s almost not saying much. There are so many incredible shows happening a regular, weeknight basis that it’s easy to become callous to the level of talent our little city attracts. Well, let me try to convince you that tonight stands out at least a little bit from the rest:
Let’s talk about Hypercolor.
First, I suggest letting the above link play while yr browsing. Because at the end of the day, no matter how well written a DIT post is, it’s basically just a colorful way to try and convince you to actually stop and listen to the band.
Hypercolor is from New York City. They are an instrumental trio with a wonderfully complex yet deceptively simple songwriting approach. The kind of music that simultaneously appeals to music scholars and casual listeners. Songs often have an unusual flow with slight atonal quirks or unexpected changes. But there is still a wonderful Pop edge present at all times. They’re not afraid to explore but have no wish to alienate the listener in the process.
Hypercolor just put out a new album on Tzadik Records. If you’re familiar with the label run by Avant-garde luminary, John Zorn then you already know this show can’t be missed. If not, maybe you got a chance to see their label mates Les Rhinoceros at Milhouse. This show will be of the same caliber.
Here’s what Tzadik has to say about the band: “A crazy collaborative jazz-rock unit out of the new generation of Downtown improvisers, Hypercolor is a bizarre trio that blends Beef- heart, Sonny Sharrock and ’80s punk with contemporary classical orchestral textures, spastic world music rhythms and noise improvisation. Sonic madness featuring the twisted guitar of Eyal Maoz, the deep toned bass of James Ilgenfritz and the grooving drums of African music aficionado Lukas Ligeti.”
Opening up the night will be locals The Uncanny & Forget The Times.
*This is an early show!* Music will start at 6pm
$5 donation is suggested for the touring band
All ages are always welcome
Please, no booze or drugs. Safe space!
Satellite Records is located at
808 S. Westnedge
Next to 4th Coasts & Bagel Beanery
Punk is an endless scrawling abyss of sounds, concepts, theories, notions. Some things are to be expected, and others may shift your paradigm of what is to be considered.
This show is going to bring a lot of variety to the table, but what you can count on in common among all is genuine ferocity. Whether simplistic or complex, whether goofy or sincere to the core, it’s all done with captivating intensity – and if that’s your dig then you’re going to love this.
ED SCHRADER’S MUSIC BEAT is generally two-band sonic onslaught, paying homage to past innovators in the proto-punk as well as no-wave experimentations, while bringing something entirely new to the table. Ed Schrader has said in interviews that, though having had the opportunity to tour with some great projects, his favorite shows are the smaller, stranger, more focused shows – and Kalamazoo knows how to bring that, so lets see if we can make that happen.
DESIRING DEAD FLESHare a long-standing staple of Michigan punk. They are guaranteed to make you feel a certain youthful nostalgia – either because you saw this band back when you were still wearing zipper pants and an all-too-crisp leather jacket with safety pinned patches, or because you will see these young kids totally shredding for the first time and remember how you first got into this crazy punk world. Be ready to let go of yourself for a bit and just have fun, it’ll be hard not to.
SEVENTEEN AGAIN are making their return to Kalamazoo basements and a return to your hearts, now featuring Brok Leshman on bass and featuring tons of new songs to try out on you. Seventeen Again remain the best under 20 minutes in Kalamazoo. They’re playing first so don’t miss ’em.
1/3rd of Anybody But The Cops kind of looks like this
ANYBODY BUT THE COPS have always been and will always be too complicated for their own good – but you have to admit they are some snappy dressers. Come participate in the gnarly mess. No PA’s no masters.
This show begins right at 9:00 PM with Seventeen Again, so do not miss! Ed Schrader and Desiring Dead Flesh are on two different tours, so please please please bring cash for donation and/or merch. House venues don’t accept square and if you want to know why I’m sure the donation collector can give you a solid explanation. Be excellent to each other first and foremost. We’ll be excellent to you. Email ditkalamazoo@gmail.com for the address to Milhouse.
DITKalamazoo 