If you don’t want to read my reflections and skip the bullshit use the Table of Contents Navigation to see pictures, read reviews and click links.
Table of Contents:
Bars of Gold
The Jesus Chainsaw Massacre
The Victorious Secrets
Marco Polio and the New Vaccines
Bear Lake
Lettercamp
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.
The one Michigan based music blog I can rely on is Eat this City. They haven’t failed me since I discovered their website about a year ago and they’ve always keep shit simple- I like that.
I often times I find myself jabbering on about how the music makes me want to float on the clouds or eat freeze pops or break walls. Anyhow, Eat this City posted about PHONOTROPIC’s WICKED AWESOME BARBEQUED MUSICAL SAFARI at the Crofoot Complex and I emptied out couches and Coin Starred the piggy bank to make it. My family did too and it made for a really fantastic evening.
The bands I were able to see were The Victorious Secrets, Bear Lake, The Jesus Chainsaw Massacre, Marco Polio and the New Vaccines, Lettercamp, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. and my favorite Michigan band in 24 years of existence- Bars of Gold. I caught pieces of other bands, but figured because I didn’t watch the majority of the set it wouldn’t be fair to pass judgment.
It was also interesting to be surprised with a Dog and Panther Spot for their new album “What Happened” right before Dale Earnhardt. Jr. Jr.’s set. I really love Dog and Panther and if they don’t play a show before I relocate to Marquette, MI I might be pissed off.
I also don’t understand why nobody dances anymore and why so many people come to a concert to sit and drink beer on the patio. I guess I am just a loser.
Bars of Gold
I’ve reviewed Bars of Gold like 5 times and its possible that this may be the last time I get to see them for a long while. I am moving to Marquette, MI to finish my degree and that means I may be far north for around 2-3 years. Despite Bars of Gold losing their organ, breaking a bass drum head and losing a drum pedal they still delivered a fantastic performance.
They have an album being released through Friction Records on August, 24th 2010 titled “Of Gold”. Their record release show is on September 11th at Founder’s Brewery in Grand Rapids. It will be a religious experience and I hope at least a couple people besides the band dances.
Oh and I just noticed the pre-order is now available. Check it out.
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The Jesus Chainsaw Massacre
The Jesus Chainsaw Massacre were upstairs in the Pike Room delivering a fun and fantastic show. I laughed more than I danced, but that isn’t a bad thing. Why? Because I was having fun. Isn’t that the point?
I can’t help but dig the tongue and cheek attitude delivered on stage. The guys on Eat This City mentioned them before and I am glad I got to see the music in person. Loco Gnosis and Duende! front man joined the Massacre for a song. Good times.
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The Victorious Secrets
The Victorious Secrets are tight and deliver some awesome music fit to air guitar. They are currently in the running for the FreeCreditReport.com commercial- you should click here, vote for them and support Michigan Music. The Victorious Secrets was one of the most radio friendly bands on the lineup with their fun attitude and catchy songs.
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Marco Polio and the New Vaccines
Marco Polio and the New Vaccines always deliver an energetic and bizarre performance. The first time my Fiancée’ and I saw them they didn’t have a drummer and relied entirely on a drum-machine. Now they have a drummer the music is much fuller and I was impressed by the change. I danced more at this show than any other and because I am fat I was too tired to give my all at Bars of Gold =(. Marco Polio blends electronica, eighties noise guitar and stage antics fit for a great time. The best way I can describe
their live performances is with this simple statement, “Regardless if there is one person in the audience or a thousand Marco Polio delivers something worth experiencing.”
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Bear Lake
Bear Lake is reminiscent of My Morning Jacket but allows their music to cascade over the audience. Me and my father bought their CD’s which were extremely affordable (2 for 10 bucks). I am going to listen to them this week and get a couple reviews up on the blog. I really love big synth sounds coupled with the acoustic guitar- it’s a personal favorite of mine. I guess they had songs on Melrose place and stuff… pretty cool for Michigan.
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Lettercamp
Lettercamp delivers a darker side of sexy pop songs complete with a fantastic stage show that ties it all together. There is just something unstoppable about funky bass lines, synthesizers and female vocals. Lettercamp was delivering their 10” vinyl via Five Three Dial Tone Records last night as well.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. was good fun. I didn’t realize the two guys were from other projects one being the Silent Years and the other being the Victorious Secrets. I really love the Silent Years and would have probably caught a show earlier if I knew there was a relationship between the two different bands. I should’ve just taken Eat This City’s advice the first time and saved myself the revelation. Anyhow. I was also presently surprised by the Dog and Panther spot before their set started. I really love Dog and Panther.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. crafts delicious pop songs and I always love when people sing or play strange instruments like the telephones, easy buttons and the other assorted things. The live show was REALLY loud and usually I don’t mind, but something about the treble really fucked me up. It was almost as brutal as seeing Dinosaur Jr., but maybe my old age is transforming me into some picky asshole who always finds the music to loud. Regardless the Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. EP is now for sale and its really awesome. I really hope I can see them again before I move to Marquette.
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