Tag Archives: ska

The Mushmen, The Sailor Kicks, and Joe Disastr at Old Dog Tavern Saturday May 17 2014

Leave a reply

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.

Let ’em know how many of your smiling faces they can expect to see bobbing in the front row by RSVPing to the Mushmen & Friends Facebook event.

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

Leave a reply

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!