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.
The first time I went to PJ’s Lager House I was armed with my dad and a birth certificate in hand, it was in 2004 for the Constantines, and I couldn’t make it past the door. I understood why they wouldn’t let me, but on Saturday, Nov. 21st 2009 I went armed with my girlfriend, license and an ancient Mini Disc recorder; a personal victory I kept to myself.
PJ’s is an awesome venue with small decorated folk guitars hanging from the walls, concert posters and a variety of other elements you have to experience for yourself. The bar tenders are friendly and Gilmore’s Grill is illuminated by Christmas lights outside. A humble man (whom I assume is Gilmore) was bundled up in jacket cooking a variety of food from burgers to portabella mushroom sandwiches. My girlfriend has IBS and she was ecstatic to be able to order something she could eat without fear of getting sick.
The CD Release show made a wonderful night out of a spastic day. I also want to apologize to anyone that may get sick within the next week because I really shouldn’t have been breathing in the venue at all. I interviewed Big Livy on their new release “Letter Man” and will release the first interview of the Sunday Idiom with today’s post.
I am thankful that there are still real people, doing real things. Cooking on a grill in November. Grassroots album releases. Seasonal sickness. There is hope in small intimate places all around Michigan and I will never stop supporting them.
Big Livy heals my soul. The first time I saw them was when I first started promoting the Sunday Idiom at concerts and the review is here. The humble quality Big Livy possesses still emanates from their stage performances, but is also a part of the individuals. Rooted in rock and roll Big Livy also bring tides of atmospheric soul. There were few people left at the bar when Big Livy took stage and they kept the crowds attention the entire night. Big Livy released their album “Letter Man” and you can purchase here, as well as listen to my interview with Big Livy below.
Big Livy preforms at the Atlas Bar on Dec. 12th for a Stock the Stuffing benefit concert.
I didn’t realize it until Anthony Retka informed me that he is also in the band the Mourning Voices, whom I reviewed the first time I saw Big Livy.
Tone and Niche deliver a wonderful combo of guitar and violin that elevates and accentuates their music. Its often bands with violin exists solely because of the violinist and this isn’t true with Tone and Niche. This is a solid act of folk-rock perfect for films, road trips and relaxing evenings at the bar. They’ve released a a surprising amount of albums and EP’s too, a rarity for some bands. They released a double disc live album and you can purchase it here. You can also visit their myspace page here.
Tone and Niche perform at the Liberty Street Brewery in Plymouth on Nov. 28th and at Memphis Smoke in Royal Oak on the Nov. 29th.
I had the hardest time writing this review because of the mixed feelings I occurred while writing it. I believe in constructive criticism and in growth. And I write reviews from the heart because I know none of the technical lingo other reviewers use to describe artists.
SugarSpell delivered a straight-forward folk-rock performance that I enjoyed, but I found myself frustrated with the feeling that these songs were intended for something greater. I said to my girlfriend, “These songs NEED organ.” and she said, “I can hear the Cello in every song, but the cellist isn’t on stage.” And I was pissed because I heard something undeniably in the songs and couldn’t quite gather it all in the live performance. There was something in the song lyrics too, but because its harder to understand lyrics live for the first time I couldn’t relate. And I was bummed I hadn’t listened to SugarSpell before going to see them live. So I started writing this review, pulled up SugarSpell’s myspace page, and said, “What the fuck!” It was all there, everything I wanted and needed to hear in SugarSpell’s music; bells, Organ, percussive shakers, quirky stringed instruments, reverby intimate vocals, samples and other unique and clever ways of delivering the stories SugarSpell delivers best.
What I came to realize is that its expensive to travel with the instruments and the musicians needed to deliver SugarSpell’s songs. This is why it’s important to support SugarSpell so that they can tour and play with everything they need. SugarSpell is special and reminiscent of artists like Hayden or even Shawn Mullins (but a better, more expansive Shawn Mullins). So, SugarSpell, thanks for proving me wrong and keeping it real. You can get their new album Check Engine here.
Olive Garden in Rochester Hills provides satisfying budget American Italian food at a quality level that is to be expected. Entrées Olive Garden offers many dishes that are expected of an Italian restaurant. In addition to that, they constantly offer a new specials menu with unique options. The sauces satisfy, the portions are large, and the variety of choic […]
Papa Vino's on Centerpoint in Pontiac satisfies the desire for authentic Italian restaurant food at a price much less than expected. Entrées With fresh ground pepper, sautéed garlic, and olive oil, these dinners do not disappoint. The food is tasty and filling. Papa Vino’s offers more entrées under ten dollars than most Italian restaurants in the area. […]
Loccino in Troy tries to look like fancy authentic Italian food, but the facade crumbles when the food arrives. Entrées The poor quality of the food stands paramount. Everything about the restaurant portrays fancy authentic Italian, except the food, which is Americanized and cheap while priced as if it’s fancy. Those with a weak stomach would be advised agai […]
