I don’t know Bars of Gold, but I can’t help but feel like I do and why they’ve decided to become musicians is also riddled with unanswered questions, but they settle in my stomach, my feet, my chest, my arms. I think about them often, like old friends whose short-lived visits create the memories that last lifetimes. They leave me in awe. There is an excitement in the air when I know I can make it to a show. Hell! In honor of Black History Month I played Bear Vs. Shark and Wildcatting for my kids with the reasoning that this is a Michigan band upholding the spirit of Chuck Berry, Little Richard and all before them. None of them really gave a shit, but one of my older members said, “I like this. I can feel it.” That statement alone means more than most can understand and it will live with me the rest of my life.
Bars of Gold are hardworking people- they have to be, because creating such a dynamic between the audience and their music isn’t easy, if it was easy, most other bands would’ve accomplished the connection- they haven’t. There is an unrelenting core in Bars of Gold and its surreal to watch them perform; photographs and YouTube videos will never be able to capture what it’s like to be in the audience. I’ve seen them twice before- once as Bars of Gold and once as the Talking Heads and this review marks the third. And when Bars of Gold brought elements of Mandolin, Banjo and vocal manipulation I knew this would be a band I could follow for the rest of my life. I hope Bars of Gold are successful enough to create the music they want for the rest of their lives and are able to live off of it too. Maybe I am being selfish because in all honesty I don’t want to wait to be disappointed by a new Mars Volta album every year or continue paying money for CD’s that don’t live up to their expectations.
It’s hard for me not to break down with tears in my eyes and thank Bars of Gold repeatedly for motivating me to just “be”. All of my hostility, frustration and sadness is left behind after an evening of Bars of Gold. Sadly people reading this may believe I’m dramatic or exaggerating, but they are horribly mistaken. Music is what I find hope in; it’s what I use to make it through my day, just like others who find God at their bed sides or hope in their Presidents. Everybody needs something to believe in.
And like I’ve mentioned, I don’t know why Bars of Gold decided to become musicians, but with their decision they’ve managed to get a 325 lb. dude to dance with fever and spirit. And when I left the show this time I mentioned to my girlfriend that I needed to lose weight- not for her of course, but so that I can dance without fear of having a heart attack – we both laughed.
As a side note I wanted to mention that in 2009 I listened to over 140 CD’s and that maybe one-third of them were worth listening to again. Out of those listenable CD’s maybe only a dozen or so I would take with me for the rest of my life. It’s a problem for me because it’s really hard to say someone else’s form of expression isn’t good- it bothers me to do so; just like it bothers me when others dismiss Bars of Gold just because their singers is too abrasive or that the the songs don’t have a proper chorus. My eyeball usually twitches and I remind myself to just let it go. It’s as if people can’t appreciate the energy and emotion behind music anymore. Months ago I talked to another local band’s singer that I really enjoy watching and he seemed almost jealous of Bars of Gold, dismissing them by saying the drummer was going to leave the band and the singer is too monotone. If anyone can enlighten me on the validity of such things, please do, but in all honesty I don’t believe this people have a fucking clue. And it doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. You can Catch Bars of Gold at the Hamtramck Blow Out at Smalls in Hamtramck at 10:40 p.m. (never trust the start time) on Friday March 5th. After this post there will be another about Loco Gnosis and their showcases for the event. I’ve never been and so that instantly makes me an asshsole or some dude without a clue.
Jehovah’s Witness Protection Program “Knockin’”
The first impression I got from JWPP was, “Hell Yes” someone with the musical delivery system reminiscent of the 90’s. There is a rhythmic driving force behind JWPP that I really love and vocals that have an appeal hard for me to articulate. This two piece band is a power house whose wall of noise is meant for large speakers or live performance. Most rock and roll enthusiasts will applaud that JWPP understand what’s been missing all these years. Dark, growing and lurking somewhere on the streets JWPP’s “Knockin’” is a solid EP that reminds me of bands like Helmet and The Toadies before they got too old to deliver.
You can see them live at these dates:
November 7th at the Elbow Room with Amino Acids
November 28th at Small’s Bar
December 26th at the Majestic Cafe
Visit Loco Gnosis Records
My full-time job is in the field of child development with high-risk youth between the ages of 6 and 18. On most days I leave work and drive home with feelings of frustration and helplessness. Our children lack direction in every aspect of our living. They have been created by a society whose surroundings and ideologies perpetuate the life-support system that made their problems possible in the first place.
And it’s a vague statement, but a problem rooted in the human condition. And I drive home with hundreds of these thoughts, statements and ideas. I eat dinner with them, sleep with them, wake with them, shower with them. And when I walked into the Pike Room Thursday night the first thing I saw was a clown dancing with a blowup doll. My frustrations were swept away and I relaxed. I saw my girlfriend smile and I found myself falling in love with her all over again.
The clown returned to the stage minutes later dressed in drag whose gown, feather boa, long white gloves, and high heels made men in the audience hoot and holler. I laughed and laughed. My girlfriend and I melted as we ignored the world and focused instead on a clown dressed in drag. And in one swell movement he tossed his clothing to the floor and ran off the stage into the audience exposing his pasties adhered with masking tape. This clown fought gravity as he tried to twirl his pasties, the audience was shocked into laughter and I too was among them. There was a word in sharpie marker on the back of his whitey tighties that I could barely read, and instead the word is left to my imagination. And today I am still laughing with the memory.
Duende! was the next act to take the stage, beginning their set with the song “Never (to You)”, a favorite of mine off of their newest album “Remnant Of A Remnant.” Their album was recorded and produced by Matt Verta-Ray whose band Heavy Trash was the headliner of the evening. Duende’s performance last evening was a fast paced wooden rollercoaster ride filled with enough western and urban grit to remind of a fantastic b-movie horror film. Duende ended their set with the song “Garbage Man”, a marauding song that’s became an instant classic in my mind. Lead singer Jeff Howitt emerging himself into the audience with microphone stand and all to finish the song. I’ve come to believe that “Garbage Man” is my Detroit national anthem. Duende! is a band for fans of Detroit rock and roll, heavily stylized guitar and those of you who love cross-genre music.
Heavy Trash review later this evening…
<a href=”http://www.locognosis.com”>Loco Gnosis</a> Records is representing a wide range of artists and this is my first review off of their label. You can find all my Loco Gnosis Record reviews in the categories section.
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<a href=”http://www.myspace.com/devilfishband”>Devilfish “Sugar Sandwich Monster”</a>
The trick about Devilfish’s music is that its best listened to while being productive. I’ve accomplished a lot while listening to “Sugar Sandwich Monster” I’ve done laundry, paperwork, filed CD’s in my basement- all with a smile on my face. I’ve even took a few moments to spastically dance to songs that caught my attention. It’s an instrumental album and the similarities are reminiscent of Dick Dale, the Melvins and as my Father says, “It’s like a modern day Duane Eddy.” There is energy in this music and Devilfish has more to offer than typical surf-rock. The song Doom Cloud does something for me, something more than just beaches and rock and roll- I get excited and inspired.
Recommended if you like: reverb, surf and fuzz guitar, The Melvins, instrumental metal bands, movie soundtracks, Dick Dale and The Ventures.
I saw bars of gold at the Woodward Avenue Brewery in Ferndale whose local beer is wonderful and affordable.
are rock and roll scientists; they build and break their music with technique and energy creating an explosive momentum that feels as good as it sounds. This band loves their music and because of their love they wield a personality that is irreplaceable. Bars of Gold is dancing music and whether the audience finds themselves clapping, dancing or shouting they find it in themselves to feel a part of the music. Bars of God is a religious experience and the reason I find myself falling in love with music over and over again. The singer channeled the energy into the audience with stage antics that will leave me telling stories for lifetimes, just like my father told me stories about artists like The Stooges and Queen. Bars of Gold is undeniably unique using oscillating synthesizers, spastic and technical guitar and piano in a manner that fit perfectly into the rambunctious foot stomping music. The drumming kept the explosive and evolving rhythm intact in the entire time. Bars of Gold finished their set by covering Psycho Killer by the Talking Heads and left me embodied with the rock and roll spirit. I talked with the singer after the show and they are playing a set of Talking Heads songs at the Crofoot in Pontiac on Halloween night. This band is in a similar spirit of bands like the Constantines, Bear vs. Shark, and At the Drive-In. A few people mentioned the singing reminded them of Modest Mouse. Bars of Gold is their own band and doesn’t necessarily sound like anybody else, but the energy and love they share with their audience is the same. Bars of Gold consist of members of local band Wildcatting as well as now defunct Bear Vs. Shark.
