Tag Archives: milhouse

Two Shows / Many Sounds / Wednesday Night – Satellite / Milhouse 7.15

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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.

be excellent.

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.

Punk Throughout The Ages – KNIFE THE SYMPHONY, THE SHANKS, BROWN COMPANY, FACE-EATER – Milhouse – 3.21

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If you like punk rock – cool, if you like post hardcore – great, if you like old school thrash – 15.03.21excellent, if you like experimental punk – perfect. It’s all represented at this particular Milhouse show, plus more!

KNIFE THE SYMPHONY come from Cincinnati, and make me re-think what I thought I knew about Ohio. This band was on the bill for one of the first shows I saw in Kalamazoo, back in 2007, and one of the only Kraftbrau (rip) shows I attended. They killed it then, they’ll kill it now. It’s heavy, noisy, and no bullshit.

THE SHANKS are KTS’s tour buddies coming from Toronto bringing their own stylish blend of fuzzed out rock ‘n’ roll with some stoner metal and punk goodness. Their sound is probably too dialed-in for a basement show, so it’s in all likelihood going to completely blow you away.

BROWN COMPANY are local legendary punk experimenters. Never before have you felt like a 15 minute long song completely embodied what you felt like was missing from your intake of punk. It’s noisy, it’s vocal-less, there’s a theramin, and they’re about to be your favorite local if they haven’t won your heart already.

Finally, FACE-EATER are the thrash metal newcomers, playing their 2nd show out and their first house show. Their new demo rips way harder than a demo has any right to. Give them a warm welcome, they’re kicking this whole damn thing off and would love to see your faces lost in a sincere headbang.

BRING YR MONEY, BRING THE FUNK. BE EXCELLENT TO EACH OTHER, RESPECT THE RULES OF THE HOUSE. SHOW BEGINS RIGHT AT 9:00. EMAIL DITKALAMAZOO@GMAIL.COM FOR THE ADDRESS.

NEW BANDS – NEW BANDS – NEW BANDS Petrillo | Hungry Man | The Rutabega – Milhouse 3.13

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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!

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.

Milhouse Show – Punk In All It’s Infinite Derivative Glory – ED SCHRADER’S MUSIC BEAT | DESIRING DEAD FLESH | ANYBODY BUT THE COPS | SEVENTEEN AGAIN – 2.27

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img090Punk 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 FLESH are 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.

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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.

Kalamazoo Throwbacks and Favorites – PROBLEMS THAT FIX THEMSELVES, THE NEW DIET, FORGET THE TIMES @ Milhouse 11.29

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If you haven’t heard, former Kalamazoo project turned Chicago project PROBLEMS THAT FIX THEMSELVES have released a new album. You can read all about it right here, on a lovely earlier DIT post. You can also go to the listening party at Satellite 10697266_10102636338802822_2225884409184879828_oRecords on the 29th, at 6:00PM, where you could win a free copy of the record!

Problems is a long-standing but ever changing noise project from Josh Tabbia, the Chicago counterpart to the Kalamazoo/Chicago tape and record label ALREADY DEAD, which you may or may not be familiar with from the Already Dead Family Reunion – a yearly musical event that happens in the fall based around the label.

Sean Hartman, the Kalamazoo counterpart to the label, will also be performing at the Milhouse show in his full band noise collective FORGET THE TIMES. A large difference in sound and performance style from Problems, this show is sure to illustrate variance of noise music to you, if you are still yet unfamiliar.

Finally, Kalamazoo favorites out of Chicago THE NEW DIET will be making another appearance. Though you may or may not have seen them before, rumor has it that this show will be somewhat of a departure from the stuff your familiar with. If you’re curious as to what that means, you’ll just have to come and find out. Here’s a snippet of an earlier performance of theirs at Milhouse.

Please please please bring money for donatin’ the outta towners, and be sure to take a look at the merch if you’re into that sot of thing! Be excellent to each other. No time for punk time, so be there at 9:00. Email ditkalamazoo@gmail.com for the address.

 

Kyle Landstra (CHI) // Azaleas (CHI) // Fuzz Town (KZOO) || @ MILHOUSE 7/26

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Kyle Landstra (CHI) // Azaleas (CHI) // Fuzz Town (KZOO) || @ MILHOUSE 7/26This Saturday Kalamazoo native Kyle Landstra will be traveling from Chicago with his friends Azaleas (of Original Flowering Earth) to perform in the Milhouse basement with local noise act Fuzz Town.

Be prepared to be immersed in aural stimulation at the hands of these masters of sonic story-telling.

These acts each represent distinct local flavors of ambient, noise, and drone. They each have samples of their art available on the internet, which I have linked to above and below, to give you further insight into what that might mean.

While there is no cover, donations to the touring bands for their efforts in coming here are always suggested. Please be respectful of your surroundings and be generally awesome to the other human beings you share this space with.

There are event listings on Facebook and Google Plus. Please message the administrators of those events for information.

The performances will start at 9. Try not to be late.

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!

Les Rhinocéros, Mold, Seventeen Again – Milhouse – Monday 4/28

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Les Rhinocéros is a really great groovy experimental math rock band from Washington, DC. Don’t take my word for it, there are plenty of places you can find them on the internet. I had the opportunity to catch them at the Milhouse last year and I was absolutely blown away by their technical prowess and ability to create interesting and captivating emotive sounds-capes. If you’re a musician you should really check these guys out. I know that as an aspiring drummer I was inspired by the way their drummer plays.


Seventeen Again are awesome. They are one of my favorite local groups. Seventeen Again is like running with the bulls in Pamplona and falling down but getting out of the way just in time. Their sets are usually short and sweet so don’t miss out.


MOLD I am excited to see MOLD because as far as I know they are a relatively new outfit including former members of PAN. They are driving and volatile. They have conflict, they have resolution. They have angst, they have anger. They just christened a new venue a couple weeks ago at what looks like it was a stellar show.


This is sure to be a great show. You can’t miss seeing talented bands like this grace the same stage in Kalamazoo.