Like most or all of the songs you will hear if you attend this show, this post will be short and to the point.
MARINE CORPSEare a hardcore band out of Bloomington, IN, making their second appearance in Kalamazoo. Loud, fast, angry, and just the best people. They get rave reviews so if this seems like you’re thing you’re probably going to love it.
JANE IRE also came to Kalamazoo for Marine Corpse’s last trip, and are from Cleveland, OH. I cannot find recordings, but word on the street is their queer hardcore.
DICYCLE are Grand Rapids grind. Enough said.
ANYBODY BUT THE COPSare your friendly neighborhood trash compactor of punk and related sounds.
DONATE TO THE TOURING BANDS, FOR REAL. SHOW AT 9:00.
Kalamazoo has become notable for being a go-to spot for DIY touring bands. Houses are packed, people are nice, the couches are bedbug free, and Michigan has limited poisonous creatures – all good news for the band on the go.
For all the hard work Kalamazoo does to make this town a good time for bands that come here, the amount of locals that really get out there and travel sometimes seems small. that’s why No Bails and Anybody But The Cops, embarking on two tours on the same day, is a notable happenstance.
NO BAILS are a long time West Michigan force of garage rock and sloppy punk, a key band associated with UFO Dictator, the mysterious local label responsible for bringing you all that is good in garage punk sounds once a year. No Bails are playing for the first time at Milhouse, and then taking off on a tour promoting their new new new new new record Epyx Shredder
ANYBODY BUT THE COPSare the scattered noise punk group that has played Milhouse more than anyone of that description. After 2.5 years and 3 drummers, they are going on their first tour. They cannot stop drawing traffic pylons.
This show is mainly to raise up some funds to begin these two tours, and to kick things off on the right foot. In order to do that, there’s even more!
If we’re trying to run the gamut of Kalamazoo punk in one small show, that means including a brand new band. TALVISOTA will be playing their second show ever. They are a two piece, because nobody really likes bass anyway, and they are nervous so show up on time and put their minds at ease.
Also on-the-spot painting will be had by friends of No Bails Michael Bailey.
Donate. Show starts at 9:00. Respect the house, friends new and old, and yourself. Be kind, rewind.
Kalamazoo’s most notorious punk/ska band The Mushmen will be blowing up the toilets at Old Dog Tavern with their friends The Sailor Kicks, and Joe Disastr.
Joe Disastr is a folk-punker from Illinois who’s got a pocket full of familiar melodies as well as some originals. Here’s a quieter moment from his live set:
Grand Rapids’ Sailor Kicks play uptempo americana with smooth harmonies, occasional horn flourishes, and guitar + bass that’ll transport you back to 1997.
Finally, The Mushmen have been skanking their way to the top of Kalamazoo’s music scene with their all-in high energy live show. Here’s a full length video for their song “Buy the ticket, take the ride”
For a peek at what these dudes look like up close and in person, check them out performing “Sleep” live at 89.1 WIDR-FM:
I honestly thought Benji might leap through my monitor and tackle me to the ground. But he’s a sweetheart, come give him a hug this Saturday at 8pm at the Old Dog Tavern.
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!
THIS SHOW IS TOO GOOD TO SPEND TOO MUCH TIME TALKING ABOUT IT.
cutting to the chase
CHILD BITE are the gnarliest, noisiest punk band out of Detroit. They last played Kalamazoo Halloween 2012 and are looking forward to gracing us with their presence once more.
THE GRAY BEAST is the full band project of wordy and wild genius Sycamore Smith out of Marquette, MI.
FROSTBITER is Matt the masked bat Maverick in whatever form he feels like. The set is promised to be nothing like FROSTBITER. If you’ve never seen FROSTBITER, then I have no idea what to tell you.
ANYBODY BUT THE COPS have either written a few songs with many changes, or are playing at least 28 different tracks for you, all about 5 seconds long. Supposedly this is a punk band.
THIS SHOW IS AT LOUIE’S. THERE’LL BE DEAD ANIMALS LEERING AT YOU WHILE YOU DONATE 5 DOLLARS. 8 PM IS DOORS. BE THERE, BE SQUARE, BE EXCELLENT, BE 18 AND UP.
Milhouse has got the cure for yr Monday blues. A rock solid lineup of local and touring weirdos ready to Rip It Up!
Check the technique:
Spray Paint are a fresh up-and-coming Rock band from Texas. All kinds of interesting elements make up their unique sound. Garage fuzz, No Wave skronk, Post Punk dance, Rock & Roll reverb. Debut full length LP out now on S.S. Records. Be sure you grab a copy at their show tonight!
Frostbiter is a side project from the mysterious Matt Maverick. Dueling synthesizers playing coldwave minimal electronica. Might even hear a little saxophone. Come nod yr head to this.
Surprise Attack is a local Noise Rock Power Trio. Sid and Poncho on the drones and Saxsquatch on the skins. Prepare yrself for liquid trance jazz sound waves. Let it take you away.
Y’all know the drill.
Leave the jerks at home.
Bring a friend.
Donate to the touring band.
Buy some merch.
Doors at 8pm.
Respect.
Kalamazoo, forever splitting at the seams with music, is unruly almost every day of the week. Saturdays are usually the most chaotic, as that’s when the most band requests come in and the most shows are able to be set up. Sometimes, bands that fit perfectly together will all want the same day, though they have nothing to do with each other. Sometimes, you’ve just got to have three touring bands play at one show. With there, Saturday March 8th is filled to the brim with hard hitting punk, post hardcore, distortion and feedback.
GREYS coming all the way from Toronto, Ontario are a loud rock band encompasing well-melded aspects of punk energy and passion with a subtle catchy appeal. Personally one of the best live shows I witnessed last year.
DEADSETfrom Milwaukee are a new band featuring old friends from ALTA. Heavy hardcore and metal, brought to you by the experts in our Wisconsin sister city.
STELLA of Columbus, Ohio bring their own brand of noiserock and post punk that’s weird enough to get you interested, heavy enough to keep you listening.
PLUS LOCALS BODIES (A new screamo two piece featuring some of the swellest folks you ever did meet) and ANYBODY BUT THE COPS(local favorite disaster punk band without microphones)
STARTING AT 8:00 PM. THREE BANDS ON THREE TOURS DONATE DONATE DONATE. RESPECT THE HOUSE AND BE GENERALLY EXCELLENT.
If you’re familiar with Milhouse, hell, if you’re familiar with Kalamazoo basement shows, then you are familiar with the concept of eclectic. there’s a little something for everyone, and there’s damn near a little bit of everything. Especially when delving into the warped worlds of noise, punk, and jazz, you find the variations are vast and wonderful. This Friday, expect a bit of all of that with these artists.
FRANKIE TEARDROP is out of Athens GA, and are making their third appearance in Kalamazoo, though first basement show. Witnessing their performance at the Already Dead Family Reunion this past summer, I was completely floored by their chaotic melding of harsh noise and punk. Their stage-presence is mesmerizing and unprecedented, and though their recordings are an excellent way to get to know the basics of their repertoire, it pales in comparison to the live experience.
Joining Frankie for this show will be locals:
SURPRISE ATTACK – A new outfit (or rather a revisited fairly old project) consisting of local busy bees in the experimental and jazz worlds Sid Redlin (solo work, Boron Nuzzle, Sista Mista, Banjohater), Poncho (FuzzTown, JoshuAlien) and Saxquatch (Saxquatch & Bridge Band, Prognosis Negative, former to almost every band in town at least a little). Surprise Attack is a driving improv project, taking influence from jazz at it’s core, but presented with a modern love of electronic manipulation.
ANYBODY BUT THE COPS – the variable grab-bag of sounds with a stop on a dime penchant for leaving you wondering just what band it is you’re seeing at all. Essentially a bunch of punks doing everything in their power to not get bored while playing music. The attention span of a gnat, the speed of a caffeine fiend.
Show will start at 8:30! As usual, this show is donation based. Frankie Tear drop our just kicking off their tour and need to get to the next stop, so any amount is helpful. Be respectful to everyone. Be the best person you can be, it’s probably somewhere in your new years resolution anyway.
Whhaaaa? Kalamazoo’s favorite sons are returning home? Taking a break from their tour with Useless Eaters, The Spits are making a somewhat impromptu appearance at Louie’s Trophy House Bar and Grill.
If you haven’t yet heard….The Spits are a band that originated in Kalamazoo, MI over 15 years ago. A “PUNK FOR THE PEOPLE”-kind of band on IN THE RED RECORDS they have toured all around the world and made some serious waves. Hold onto your butts, Kalamazoo.
What makes this all even crazier is that they will be debuting 6 new songs at 9 O’Clock sharp! Doors are at 8!
Find more details about The Spits official tour here….
To me, it’s sometimes baffling the distance many musicians travel just to end up in a basement in the midwest. Not that I’m complaining, really, I’m celebrating! Reveling in the fact that a small college town can functionally and consistently bring in artists from far, to enjoy their works.
This show happening at Milhouse on Monday, September 23rd is a prime example of this sort of trek. Two different tours, two different ends of the Northern American continent coming together. SCREAMING QUEENS are traveling all the way from Vancouver, BC, and KRILL are by contract coming all the way from Boston, MA.
SCREAMING QUEENSa noisy, heavy queer punk outfit. Their sound is driving and mean, but not cliche, and throws back to some old-school experimenters, but with a new flare.
KRILLby contrast are a catchy experimental fuzzed out pop concoction. They’ve got all the hooks but I would not call them predictable. These folks are friends of Speedy Ortiz, veteran performers of the Milhouse basement, and certainly if you enjoy Speedy, you’re guaranteed to dig Krill.
DITKalamazoo 