Just Haircuts and Jackets

Goodbye <3

2007-09-20T11:55:00.000-07:00

Well, dear readers, it's time to quell the rumors and shed light upon the latest news on the JHaJ front. After a lot of deliberating, vacillating, and kind of freaking out, I have decided to put Just Haircuts and Jackets to rest. It's been a phenomenal year, above and beyond what we could have ever expected from a tiny fan-blog, but times are a'changin' and it looks like this will be the end. As most of you know, Erik recently graduated from MSU, and moved to Austin, TX. I just began my last year of college, with the expectation of graduating and moving to Chicago by next August. This whole “trying to graduate and figure out what to do with life” is actually pretty time-consuming (who would have thought?!?!), and just isn't leaving me any time to put in the work and effort to keep the blog up to the standards I'd like. So, in the anniversary month of our one-year-old blog, it's time to say goodbye.

I don't quite know how to wrap things up in a way that will do JHaJ justice. Do I share my favorite experiences? Do I individually thank all the people who have made such an important impact on my life? Do I make a top 10 list of my favorite MI songs (oh god, I don't even think I could do that, WAY too difficult...the only song guaranteed to be on the list would be Hearts and Flowers!)?

I think instead, I will leave some parting words in hope that my discoveries and experiences this year might inspire action in others. I learned two big things during my work with JHaJ. The first, and most obvious, is that there is a HELL OF A LOT of great music in the state of Michigan. But it doesn't stop at just great bands...there are wonderful musicians, awesome venues, and a huge audience-base.

Which brings me to the second big thing I learned this year: The amount of passionate people who are willing to work hard to keep the Michigan music scene alive is staggering. For me, ELFest was the perfect example of this. So many people came out of the woodwork to help create a monumental weekend of music. The kindness and generosity brought to that tiny backyard was overwhelming, all with the desire to foster a kick-ass musical environment for 2 days.

For reasons like this, I really believe we have a unique and wonderful indie music scene here in Michgian. “Scenes” grow and change and develop and move on, but the little time I've been able to spend as a part of it has been life-changing. I can only hope that the music of our home-state will encourage others to take part in promoting these musicians and to keep the scene thriving.

Thank you all for the support you've given to Erik and I during this crazy blog endeavor. We never expected JHaJ to grow in the ways it did, and we never could have been successful without the support of both musicians and music appreciators. Although there will be no more blog, all of the MI music I've grown to love will still be very close to my heart. I will still be star-struck by GLMS, I will still have a tiny heart flutter when I hear 100 Years, I'll still scream like a little girl when I hear Zach Curd sing, I'll still get emotional when (dreamy) Bathgate plays “Last Parade on Ann St.,” and don't worry: I'll continue to see Canada at every possible chance.

I hope to see you all at our showcase this weekend at the Elbow Room (info in the post below). We'll drink to the bands that we love, Just Haircuts and Jackets.

Love,
xoxo,
Annie Moss

Our Final Shin-Dig

2007-09-20T11:54:00.001-07:00

JHaJ Birthday Showcase, featuring:
Zoos of Berlin
Starling Electric
Elm From Arm
Sycamore Smith

The Elbow Room, Ypsi
$6
Doors at 9:30

The Onion?

2007-09-04T20:15:00.000-07:00

Bathgate paves new territory in his unknowing quest to take over the world

September Concert Calendar

2007-08-30T09:49:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JHAJ!

Yes, it's true...we've been your Michigan blogging neighbors for an entire year now. What a lovely year it's been! We're trying to expand our horizons here at JHaJ for our second year, so there will be a whole new group of musicians added to the concert calendar and show coverage. As always, please feel free to leave comments with amendments/corrections. Happy Autumn!
xoxo,
annie moss

Sept. 1
-Tone and Niche, The Wednesdees at Cadieux Cafe in Detroit
-The Sights in Pontiac

Sept. 2
-Thunderbirds are Now!, Sunday Painters, Marissa Guzman, The Amino Acids, Desolation Angels, Serenity Court, Ghost City, Johnny Headband at Detroit News/Comcast Stage in Pontiac
-Head and Toe, Drunken Barn Dance, That's Him! That's The Guy!, Chris Bathgate at the DAAC in Grand Rapids

Sept. 3
-Canada, Patrick Elkins, Lieutenant Nun, Kevin McGorey, Alina Simone, Mason Proper at Canada House South in Ypsi

Sept. 4
-Brandon Wiard and the Saviours at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor

Sept. 5
-Chris Bathgate, Misty Lyn, Matt Jones at the Lager House in Detroit
-Dirt Road Logic at the Intersection in Grand Rapids

Sept. 6
-Zoos of Berlin, Citizen Smile, The Go, The Singles at Royal Oak Music Theater in Royal Oak

Sept. 7
-Great Lakes Myth Society, Frontier Ruckus, Head and Toe, Dirt Road Logic, The Bell Tree at Mac's Bar in Lansing
-Mason Proper, Perhapsy, The Coast at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor
-Tone and Niche live on WDET in Detroit
-Tone and Nice, Murder Mystery at TC's Speakeasy in Ypsi
-Woodman, The Wildbirds with Hotness, Ben Cyllus at the Magic Stick in Detroit
-The Sights, Dan Neal at Cadieux Cafe in Detroit

Sept. 8
-Great Lakes Myth Society at Barnes and Noble in Ann Arbor
-Great Lakes Myth Society, Chris Bathgate, Creaky Boards, Ching Chong Song at the Elbow Room in Ypsi
-The Pop Project, Eons, The Hard Lessons at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor
-Frontier Ruckus, Combat Corduroy, Asphodel Fields, Fernelity, Olivet, Day Walker & The Skychild, The Giving Tree, Eyes of an Enemy, Hollow Heroes, Common Shiner, The Kinds at the Kalamazoo Theatre in Kalamazoo
-Head and Toe at Good Beans Cafe in Flint
-The Bell Tree at East of Averill in Flint
-The Sights, Dirt Road Logic, The Darts, Minor Planets at Mac's Bar in Lansing

Sept. 9
-Brand Wiard and the Saviours at Serendipity Cafe in Canton
-The Novel Citizen at Arts and Apples Festival in Rochester
-Misty Lyn at The Elbow Room in Ypsi

Sept. 11
-Frontier Ruckus, That's Him! That's The Guy! at Scene Metrospace in East Lansing

Sept. 12
-Chris Bathgate, Canada, The Cotton Jones Basket Ride, Andrew Dost at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor

Sept. 14
-Head and Toe at Earthwork Harvest Gathering in Lake City
-The Hat Madder, The Royal Affairs, Relapse (opening for Oh My God!) at Mac's Bar in Lansing
-The Oscillating Fan Club at the Belmont in Hamtramck

Sept. 15
-Frontier Ruckus, Flatfoot at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor
-Head and Toe at Earthwork Harvest Gathering in Lake City
-The Darts, Lay of the Cid, Hollow Point at Replay Entertainment Exchange in Lansing

Sept. 16
-Annie Palmer at the Dreamland Theatre in Ypsi
-Tim Monger at the Old Town Tavern in Ann Arbor
-Head and Toe at Earthwork Harvest Gathering in Lake City

Sept. 17
-Wildcatting, Fast Computers at The Belmont in Hamtramck

Sept. 19
-Chris Bathgate at the Dreamland Theatre in Ypsi
-The Great Fiction, Judah Johnson, A Stitch-up at the Royal Oak Music Theatre in Royal Oak

Sept. 20
-Child Bite, Lee Marvin Computer Arm, Juice Boxxx, Bonde do Role at the Magic Stick in Detroit
-Chris Bathgate at the Neutral Zone in Ann Arbor
-Sycamore Smith at Red Eye Cafe in Saginaw

Sept. 21
-Johnny Headband, The Hard Lessons, The Noisettes at The Magic Stick in Detroit
-NOMO at The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor
-Chris Bathgate, Ellery at Lemonjello's in Holland
-Sycamore Smith, Clear Days Always at the DAAC in Grand Rapids
-Head and Toe, The Bell Tree, Daniel Roth at Replay Entertainment Exchange in Lansing

Sept. 22
-Zoos of Berlin, Starling Electric, Elm From Arm, Sycamore Smith at JHaJ's Birthday Showcase at the Elbow Room in Ypsi
-Mason Proper, The High Strung at CAID in Detroit
-The Darts, Brandon Wiard and the Saviours, Sh! The Octopus at the Painted Lady in Hamtramck
-NOMO at Festival of the Forks in Albion
-Chris Bathgate, Frontier Ruckus, Head and Toe at the DAAC in Grand Rapids
-Beilby's Ball, The Bell Tree, Stargazer at A.J's cafe in Ferndale

Sept. 23
-Breathe Owl Breathe, Frontier Ruckus, Chris Bathgate at the Kraftbrau in Kalamazoo
-Tim Monger at the Steak Hut in Detroit
-Sycamore Smith, Dondo Rappleyea at Amsterdam Espresso in Detroit

Sept. 28
-Great Lakes Myth Society, Frontier Ruckus, Deastro at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor
-Drunken Barn Dance, Brandon Wiard and the Saviours at Crazy Wisdom Tea Room in Ann Arbor
-Sh! The Octopus at The Union in Clarkston

Sept. 29
-The Hard Lessons at Red Ink Studios in Flint
-The Darts, Liam and the Sinners at Nunica Cafe in Nunica
-Wildcatting at the CAID in Detroit

Sept. 30
-The Oscillating Fan Club, Wildcatting, Qui at the Magic Stick in Detroit

2007-08-29T07:39:00.000-07:00

Mick Bassett, Berr Kerkey Sessions Volume II. December, 2006

(photo by Chris Bassett)

Bassett's Berr Kerkey Sessions Volume II, begins with some tinny percussion that fused into a dirge-like opener, “Baby, I'm Just A Man A' Means.” I was kicked off my seat when the first song started gaining momentum. Weird, non-melodic piano licks threw me off in the beginning, but finally a jazzy piano theme began to meld with the staunch percussion. Honestly, a bit awkward to hear at first, but I couldn't stop listening!

The first song set the tone for the rest of the album- bizarre jazz themes mixed with Bassett's (yes, I'm gonna say it) Dylan-esque voice. Or, to reference a Michigan artist (oh-so-much more appropriate), he has an element of Alec Jensen's vocal trade-marks. There's also a bit of early Pangram-era Jonathan Visgr thrown in the mix.

I sort of get the impression that Mick sat in a studio one day and played around with previously seeded ideas and came up with this ambiguously themed EP. “Haunt Me Clean” stood out as my favorite, and possibly the most accessible track. I'm curious as to the inspiration behind the reoccurring “circus” tracks, comprised of eerily generic organ-grinder melodies. It was a neat addition to the record. The sound of Berr Kerkey was incredibly different from my experience of seeing Mick perform live with a full band. Which, you know, is great. I like musical diversity within an artist.

I'll be honest. Some people won't dig this record. But I HIGHLY recommend tracking a copy down, and at least taking one listen. It was nothing less than captivating. Seriously, this was a refreshing side-step away from my indie-folk roots.

Mick Bassett
MySpace

Upcoming Michigan Shows
Oct. 4 — Kraftbrau Brewery in Kalamazoo

WE'RE DOING ANOTHER SHOW!

2007-08-24T11:07:00.000-07:00

Guess what, fellow Michiganders?!? September is JhaJ's birthday month! We've been bloggin' our hearts out for about a year now, and in recognition of this, we've decided to put together a showcase of Michigan bands to perform at the Elbow Room in Ypsi. So, mark your calendars for Saturday, September 22, and come check out some lovely music from around the state.

(HUGE thanks to Jon Cendrowski for making this awesome poster. You're gettin' a buncha PBRs from me.)

For our first bar-venue based JHaJ showcase, I wanted to book bands that we really haven't covered much. I dug back into my concert memory reserves and I came up with 4 bands; each that I've only had the chance to see perform once, but who made a really great impression. We're bringing musicians from ALL over the mitten state to the Elbow Room, offering up a smorgasbord of music and performance styles, hopefully providing kick-ass night of music-making awesomeness. A few thoughts and details of our beloved Showcase performers:

Zoos of Berlin (Detroit, MI)
Zoos has thus far been a well-kept JHaJ secret. Erik and I have been huge fans for a while, but haven't had many opportunities to check them out in concert. They've got groovy vocals and keyboards, and the one time I saw them in concert, they pulled out horns and strings and blew me away with their sound. Have you listened to their “Century Rail” Demo? IT IS SO AMAZING. I'm thrilled to have Zoos of Berlin as our headlining act for the JHaJ showcase.

Starling Electric (Ann Arbor, MI)
In no parallel OR non-parallel universe could I out-wit Erik's description of Starling Electric: “Glammed-out baroque and psych stomp of the highest order,” (because, honestly, who could weave words better than that??). These guys decorate their stage with string lights and acrylic foliage, and are seriously engaging performers. Rest assured you won't see another band like Starling Electric unless you get your hands on a time machine.

Elm From Arm (Ann Arbor, MI)
I'm already a huge fan of Matt Jones, and I love his dual personalities as acoustic singer/songwriter AND front man of a synth-flavored jam-rock-band. The one time caught Elm From Arm in concert, right away I knew this was a band to be excited about. These guys are great performers with a lot of energy and their music pulls off unique orchestration and exceedingly interesting lyrics. Also, let's hope they play their full-band version of “Threadlines”- already a great song, but the electric guitar and keyboard rifts take this song to a whole new level.

Sycamore Smith (Marquette, MI)
Sycamore has been entertaining northern Michigan audiences with witty narrative for the past several years after splitting from the duo, The Muldoons. I was first introduced to the music of Sycamore Smith at Keweenawesomefest in Houghton, MI last February, and his kazoo-clad performance was captivating. The artist (albeit in third person) claims, “his scribblings focus on the gruesomely funny exploits of dip-shit characters whose twisted histories unfold over the course of countless interconnected songs.” I've also heard him referred to as “the heart-throb of the UP.” So we're incredibly lucky to have him traveling down to Ypsi for our show.

The specs:

JHaJ Birthday Showcase, featuring:
Zoos of Berlin
Starling Electric
Elm From Arm
Sycamore Smith

The Elbow Room, Ypsi
$6
Doors at 9:30

Bring lots of friends.

xoxo!
annie m.

OMG

2007-08-23T18:40:00.001-07:00

Has anyone else heard this awesome news about Chris Bathgate getting a UK record deal?!? Bathgate gave a brief interview on MSU's student radio station, 88.9 The Impact, during their local music show and informed Lansing fans of his intended winter tour of Europe AND of the "Cork Tale Wake" UK release. I don't have any more specific info at the moment, but I'll post more as the story develops.
CHRIS BATHGATE MIGHT JUST TAKE OVER THE WORLD.
LITERALLY.
xoxo,
annie moss

Patrick Elkins

2007-08-22T09:59:00.000-07:00

Book Review on Popmatters

2007-08-21T14:35:00.001-07:00

Somewhere, past the brick-mortar-town-gown of Ann Arbor, in the wildest wilds of Washtenaw County, Chris Bathgate lives on an old farm. It was in this secluded locale that some of Michigan indie folk's finest gathered last Saturday to sing, camp, drink and add another event to the annals of Michigan 'fest history: Farmhousefest.

Unfortunately, to reach said wildest wilds, the JHaJ crew had to overcome both construction and accident-related traffic, so we missed the first half of the day's acts, including Bathgate and That's Him! That's the Guy!. And then we set up our tent during Misty Lyn, so I only caught her last song, the searing desperation of which was the first of many fine complements to the dilapidated barn backdrop.

(I caught all of Misty's set, and she performed beautifully as ever. CANNOT WAIT FOR THAT NEW ALBUM, MISTY!! xo, annie)

As the name would imply, Farmhousefest was a concert that was as much about its location as it was about its music. I couldn't help but feel like I was visiting the unlikely collision of a 1960s hippie commune and a less-dusty version of the rural settings soon to be skewered in Judd Apatow's sure-to-be-awesome music biopic parody Walk Hard; slightly weathered and removed from society, a place where worldly pressure can be forgotten in a few acoustic strums (or cello bows or snare rolls courtesy of two pine branches). But even if any of the performers or attendees were trying to commune with Nature, Nature wasn't interested in communing back — my guess: she's not a fan of the High Life — and instead just dropped sheets of rain down on us and forcing Or, The Whale to play in the basement where I later woke up a victim of craziness good and bad.

Some time before this, Matt Jones continued to get closer to receiving the amount of credit and praise he deserves as a songwriter (actual quote from Great Lakes Myth Society's Greg McIntosh: "Matt Jones, if I could fuck your songs, I would!"), Canada finally put those trees they're always singing about to work (the aforementioned branches-cum-drumsticks) and Frontier Ruckus delivered what I think might have been their greatest set ever. You could say that it's because everything about Farmhousefest was so Fruckus-y or I could babble on about how Matt's voice and songs could have grown from the farm's soil (and Zach's saw was probably stolen from a nearby shed and Eli's beard was given to him by a plowman's ghost), but I'd rather say it was just an effing great performance by a band that continues to get better every time I see them.

Misty Lyn
MySpace

Upcoming Michigan Shows
Sept. 5 — The Lager House in Detroit with Matt Jones

Matt Jones
MySpace

Upcoming Michigan Shows
Sept. 5 — The Lager House in Detroit with Misty Lyn

Canada
MySpace
Web site

Upcoming Michigan Shows
Aug. 30 — The Michigan Union Ballroom in Ann Arbor with The Singles
Sept. 12 — The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor with Chris Bathgate, The Cotton Jones Basket Ride (Mike Nau of Page France), Andrew Dost (Anathallo).
Oct. 6 — (Scene) Metrospace in East Lansing with Chris Bathgate and AM Syndicate

Frontier Ruckus
MySpace
Web site

Upcoming Michigan Shows
Aug. 29 — Alma College in Alma with Blase Splee
Sept. 7 — Mac's Bar in Lansing with Great Lakes Myth Society
Sept. 8 — The State Theater in Kalamazoo with Combat Corduroy, Asphodel Fields, Fernelity, Olivet, Day Walker & The Skychild, The Giving Tree, Eyes of an Enemy, Hollow Heroes, Common Shiner, and The Kinds.
Sept. 22 — The DAAC in Grand Rapids with Chris Bathgate, Head and Toe and Happy Hour
Sept. 23 — Kraftbrau Brewery in Kalamazoo with Breathe Owl Breathe and Chris Bathgate
Sept. 28 — The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor with Great Lakes Myth Society

People outside the state are listening too!

2007-08-02T07:54:00.000-07:00

Here's a lovely little mention of Chris Bathgate on the Best Week Ever blog that links to an even more enthusiastic piece in Nine Bullets, (which also contains a comment pointing readers in the direction of Matt Jones' MySpace). In addition to being oh so meta, it's just further proof that thanks to the Internet, the good music of the Great Lakes State is grabbing listeners' ears in the other 49 (even if those jokesters at VH1 didn't read the original post long enough to figure out that A Cork Tale Wake is the new Bathgate record).

Thanks to Brandon for bringing this to our attention.

PS Look ma, I'm blogging again!

-Erik

August Concert Calendar

2007-07-30T12:56:00.000-07:00

Well kids, summer is almost over. Only one month left!

Let's make the most of it, shall we? As always, please leave any comments with any corrections or new info to add to the calendar.
xoxo!
annie m.

Aug 2
-Great Lakes Myth Society at Michigan Theatre in Ann Arbor
-The Hard Lessons, Child Bite, Empty Orchestra at Total X-Scape in Flint
-Zoos of Berlin at the Lager House in Detroit

Aug 3
-The Pop Project, El Boxeo, Onett at Saginaw County Fair in Chesaning
-The Hard Lessons, Mazinga, The Sheeny Men at the Elbow Room in Ypsi
-New Grenada, Solitary States and Jimmy Ohio at the Lager House in Detroit
-Onett, Ju-Jajuba, Laconic Euphoria, Spectral Mornings at DAAC in Grand Rapids
-Sycamore Smith, The Poetry Haters at Carmelita’s in Calumet

Aug 4
-Javelins, Child Bite at The Belmont in Hamtramck
-Chris Bathgate at Crazy Wisdom Tea Room in Ann Arbor

Aug 8
-Natural Monuments, The Foundry Field Recordings, Elm From Arm at the Elbow Room in Ypsi

Aug 9
-Jes Kramer, Songs with Toys, The Wrap, Onett at Kraftbrau Brewery in Kalamazoo

Aug 10
-Onett, Sounds of Sirens at Uncommon Grounds in Saugatuck

Aug 11
-Those Transatlantics, Canda, Deastro at the Elbow Room in Ypsi
-Frontier Ruckus, Combat Corduroy, Asphodel Fields, Fernelity, Olivet, Day Walker & The Skychild, The Giving Tree, Eyes of an Enemy, Hollow Heroes, Common Shiner, The Kinds at Kalamazoo State Theatre in Kalamazoo

Aug 12
-Annie Palmer at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor
-Jeremy Vallender at Lawn Chair Film Festival in Saginaw
-Segernomics, Fields of Industry at Jackson Jam Fest in Jackson
-Sounds of Sirens, Onett at Fifi’s French Press in Mt. Pleasant

Aug 13
-Sycamore Smith, Missoula Oblongata at the Vista Theatre in Negaunee

Aug 15
-Canada at Royal Oak Music Theatre in Royal Oak

Aug 16
-The Word Play, The Low Hello, Blase Splee at the Belmont in Hamtramck
-Freer, Javelins, Those Transatlantics at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor

Aug 18
-FarmHouse Fest! w/ Chris Bathgate, Canada, Or, the Whale, That’s Him! That’s The Guy!, Matt Jones, Misty Lyn, Frontier Ruckus, Need Based Paint
-Johnny Headband, Aquarius Void, Ghost City at the Belmont in Hamtramck
-Camerata, Segernomics, Alec Jesnen at Fifi’s French Press in Mt. Pleasant

Aug 24
-Thunderbirds are Now!, Mason Proper, Natural Monuments at The Magic Stick
-The Hard Lessons, The Muggs, The Silent Years at Howell Opera House in Howell
-Chris Bathgate at Michigan State University in East Lansing

Aug 25
-The Hard Lessons, Augustana at Michigan State University in East Lansing
-Chris Bathgate with Joe Robinson, The Encyclopedias at the Ugly Mug in Ypsi
-Tim Monger at Crazy Wisdom Tea Room in Ann Arbor

Aug 28
-The Hard Lessons at the Intersection in Grand Rapids

Aug 29
-Frontier Ruckus at Alma College in Alma

Aug 30
-Great Lakes Myth Society at Michigan Union Ballroom in Ann Arbor
-Freer, The Silent Years at Hard Rock Café in Detroit

Aug 31
-The New Green at the Elbow Room in Ypsi

2007-07-27T06:53:00.002-07:00

Hi loves:
Oh goodness. I am a terrible blogger. We're taking care of a few personal things at the moment; but come August, we'll be up and running with all the enthusiasm JHaJ can muster. Hope everyone is having a lovely summer, and we'll be seeing you in a few weeks!
xoxo,
Annie Moss/JHaJ

PS: CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS!!!!-

Saturday, August 18th, gates open at 2pm

come and listen to music for the evening, camp out in our yard so you won't have to drive home!
bring some food for yourself, and some beverages for yourself, bring some of both to share!

we'll have a campfire at the end of the night!
you can drink from a garden hose!

but best of all, there is LIVE MUSIC!!!!!
from:

Or, the Whale
CANADA
Frontier Ruckus
Matt Jones
Misty Lyn
Chris Bathgate
That's Him! That's the Guy
Need Based Paint

Carpool, because parking is limited!

For more info, visit:

Celestial Bicuit

2007-07-27T06:53:00.001-07:00

2007-07-26T20:30:00.000-07:00

2007-07-18T07:44:00.001-07:00

July Concert Calendar

2007-07-03T13:26:00.000-07:00

Looks like it's going to be a busy month! I've been doing a little myspace music research over the past few weeks, and you'll notice a few new bands added to this month's calendar. Hopefully you'll find something that suits your taste! As always, please add a comment to ammend or correct any of this month's calendar.
xoxo,
annie m.

July 4
-Chris Bathgate, Susan Fawcett, Hawks and Owls at Short’s Brewery in Bellaire
July 5
-Comerica City Fest w/ Thunderbirds Are Now! in Detroit
-Chris Bathgate at Manistee Jaycees Bandshell Concerts on the River in Manistee
-The Dardanelles, Son & Heir, Seymore Saves The World! at Kraftbrau in Kzoo
-Matt Jones at Café Classics in Monroe
-Bless You Boys at Muskegon Summer Celebration in Muskegon
-Carawae, Self Against City at Mac’s Bar in Lansing
-Woodward at The Whitney in Detroit

July 6
-Thunderbirds Are Now!, Downers, The Faithless at Reputation Clothing House Show in Livonia
-Carjack! at Comerica Taste Fest in Detroit
-Tally Hall in Interlochen
-Patrick Elkins w/ MC Trashpedal, Charlie Slick at Liberty Plaza in Ann Arbor
-Johnny’s Little Rocketship, Bless You Boys, Patrick P. Lewis at Kraftbrau in Kzoo
-Carawae at Myspace Café in Roseville
-Head and Toe, Kid Condor, Beilby's Ball at Good Beans Café in Flint
-Fred Thomas, Calvin Johnson, Bad Thoughts at The Neutral Zone B-Side in Ann Arbor

July 7
-Comerica City Fest w/ The High Strung at Pure Detroit Stage in Detroit
-Chris Bathgate at a Houghton house show in Houghton
-David Martin (TH! TTG!) at Scene Metrospace in East Lansing
-Segernomics at Old Town Bar and Grill in Brooklyn
-Manna and Quail at Jonas Stock Day Two in Warren
-Head and Toe, Brownstone Café in Battle Creek

July 8
-Comerica City Fest w/ The Hard Lessons, The Silent Years, The Singles at Pure Detroit Stage in Detroit
-The Hard Lessons, Thunderbirds Are Now!, Human Reunion at the Lager House in Detroit
-Chris Bathgate at a Marquette house show in Marquette
-Matt Jones at Old Town Tavern in Ann Arbor

July 9
-Josh Daniels and The Addictions, Heroes and Villains, Kelly Jean Caldwell at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor

July 11
-The Dead Bodies, Mason Proper, The Architects at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor
-Betamales, Red Light Chamber Choir, Simonnewcomb at the Dreamland Theatre in Ypsi

July 12
-The Hard Lessons at Short’s Brewery in Bellaire
-Chris Bathgate in Harbor Springs
-Sycamore Smith at Red Room Theatre in Marquette
-Bless You Boys, Days Difference at The Break Room in Grand Rapids
-Head and Toe at Moonlight Film Festival in East Lansing

July 13
-Great Lakes Myth Society, Starling Electric, Elm from Arm at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor
-Sh, The Octopus!, Minor Planets, Tone and Niche, Annie Palmer at Small’s in Hamtramck
-Patrick Elkins, Betamales at Luther House Co-op in Ann Arbor
-Flatfoot, Dirt Road Logic, The Peddlers at Jacoby’s in Detroit
-Sons of the Gun, Bulletproof, The Hat Madder, The Cetan Clawson Revolution at the Elbow Room in Ypsi
-The Plurals, Kid Kondor, Head and Toe at The Loft in Flint

July 14
-Shadow Art Fair III at the Corner Brewery in Ypsi
-Tone and Niche, Todd Deatherage at Cadieux Café in Detroit

July 15
-Chris Bathgate, Frontier Ruckus, Head and Toe, The Plurals at the Kraftbrau in Kzoo

July 16
-The High Strung at Herrick District Library in Holland

July 17
-The High Strung at Winegarden Library in Fenton

July 18
-The Novel Citizen, Cat-a-Tac at the Lager House in Detroit

July 19
-Offramps, Sons of the Gun, Hotness at The Roche Bar in Port Huron

July 20
-The Hard Lessons at Taste of Kalamazoo in Kzoo
-Mad Hatter w/ MC Trashpedal at River’s Edge Bookshop in Wyandotte
-Patrick Elkins w/ MC Trashpedal at The Elbow Room in Ypsi
-Johnny’s Little Rocketship, Bowling For Soup at Venetian Festival in St. Joseph
-Bless You Boys, Glowfriends at Lemonjello’s in Holland

July 21
-That’s Him! That’s The Guy! at Jumberlack Manor in Muskegon
-Onett, Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate), The Darts at Michigan Fest in Brownstown
-Patrick Elkins w/ MC Trashpedal, Jamie Easter, Lord of the Yum-Yum at The Painted Lady in Hamtramck
-The Darts, Man at Arms, The Royal Affairs, Freer at Mac’s Bar in Lansing
-The Plurals, Head and Toe at State Grounds in Hastings

July 22
-The Word Play, Natural Monuments at Replay Entertainment Exchange in Lansing

July 24
-El Boxeo, Natural Monuments, The Word Play at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor

July 26
-Jeremy Vallender at The Red Eye Café in Saginaw

July 27
-Canada at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor
-Zoos of Berlin, Freer, The Sights at the Magic Stick in Detroit
-The Great Fiction, A Stitch-Up at The Lager House in Detroit
-The Muggs at the Magic Bag in Ferndale
-Woodward, Natives of The New Dawn! at Bell’s Brewery in Kzoo
-Beilby’s Ball, Radio Jetstream at McGready’s in Monroe

July 28
-Woodward, Natives of The New Dawn! at the Magic Stick in Detroit
-Beilby’s Ball, Radio Jetstreatm, The Plurals at Scene Metrospace in East Lansing

July 29
-Javelins, The Hard Lessons, Zoos of Berlin at the DAAC in Grand Rapids
-Chris Bathgate, Frontier Ruckus, That’s Him! That’s The Guy!, Arrah and The Ferns at The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor
-Woodward at Mac’s Bar in Lansing

Matt Jones, Misty Lyn, Carol Catherine in Houghton 6/26/07

2007-06-29T10:35:00.000-07:00

Hey! My name's Kevin and I live in the Houghton, which is a small town in Michigan's UP where some really incredible things happen. I volunteer for WMTU, a pretty sweet college radio station (4.4 Kilowatts!), and we like to throw sweet concerts. Were you at Keweenawesomefest? I hope so. Houghton is the best small town in Michigan to hear and play music.

Last Tuesday, WMTU brought Matt Jones, Misty Lyn, and Carol Catherine right downtown to the Keweenaw Brewing Company. We set things up on the deck out back, moved some tables, and our ridiculously courteous and talented sound dudes fixed all the feedback so it sounded near-perfect.

Misty's set was beyond belief. Her arsenal of beautiful, heart-rending songs seemed infinite, and the audience loved her; groups emerged from bar seeking the creator of the songs that drifted into the KBC. She finished with an Elliott Smith cover, Biggest Lie, and it was all too much to handle.

Matt played next, with only a small intermission due to the looming gray clouds. I can't believe it didn't rain; I had ELFest flashbacks for the entirety of the night. Matt's dreamlike poetry kept us dry though, and he played way more new ones than I expected. Who's excited for that reportedly half-finished new album?

The after-party consisted of embarrassing drunk things, a wrestling match between me and Matt Jones, the singing of Great Lakes Myth Society songs, other memories I was not involved in or can't recall now, and UP-famous (Michigan-famous?) Tyler D. rap battling himself. The UP is this fun all the time, and you should come visit. We can find you a couch.

Thanks to WMTU's summer staff, the KBC, Matt, Misty, and Carol for creating one of the most memorable summer nights I've ever had. The town is still talking about it, and my favorite thing that's come out of it is my friend Adam's tribute to Tuesday night. What a state.

-Kevin Eder

Strawflower's Waltz, No. 2

2007-06-25T09:52:00.000-07:00

I grew up in Kentwood, a typical suburb about 15 minutes south of Grand Rapids. My best friend Tim and I started getting into music, specifically punk and ska, in the 8th grade. Grand Rapids is not really a "tour" city...ya know, like a city that bands plan on going to while they're on tour. So we had to either drive a while to see national acts, or settle for local stuff. Settling for local stuff meant you couldn't be too picky...so we went to metal shows, punk shows, ska shows, and shows where bands played a weird mixture of all these styles. This was in the late 90's. One of the best places to see shows in GR around that time was in the basement of Vinyl Solution. Vinyl Solution was an independent record store. Herm Baker worked there, he now owns Vertigo and he's a stand up guy. But I didn't know him then. Anyway, they had shows in the basement. It was usually the same people at all the shows and you got to know people. You had the people you disliked because they danced like assholes. You had the girls that you never talked to, but always kinda looked for. It was a pretty tight community.

I have a lot of fond memories of that place. This one in particular was a Bounty Hunters show. they played really heavy ska, it was pretty weird. There were probably 25-30 kids in this little basement, almost everyone in the mosh pit (it was the 90's and mosh pits were considered totally bad ass). Someone got the idea that I should crowd surf (also considered cool at the time), so I did. But crowd surfing wasn't allowed and they were pretty strict about it. So when the guy doing security saw me, he pulled me down by my neck. It kind of hurt, but what i was really upset about was that when he pulled me down, he grabbed the neck of the shirt I was wearing that night...which just so happened to be a Crass shirt I stole from my brother's room without asking him. So there I was, in a sweaty (mostly other people's sweat) ruined shirt that wasn't mine. I was a little worried that my brother would be pissed about it. There was this dirty punk kid sitting outside wearing an Operation Ivy t-shirt and he offered to trade shirts. Since mine was all wet and stretched out I took him up on the offer. My brother never found out about the shirt and I still have the Operation Ivy shirt, but it's pretty beat up.

But I guess my favorite memories from Michigan shows, or involving Michigan music really revolve more around the people. They were people from a certain place and time. I still see some of them, and we don't really talk, but we recognize each other. Tim and I usually hung out with kids we met at shows, we dated girls we met a shows, we got drunk for the first time with kids we met at shows, we smoked our first cigarettes with kids we met at shows, we didn't really hang out with kids from our high school. It was a pretty cool time and place to grow up.

-Kyle

2007-06-22T07:31:00.000-07:00

things to be excited about

2007-06-21T11:53:00.000-07:00

I’ve frequently acknowledged that my favorite concerts are those of the small and intimate variety. I like being able to stand at the edge of the stage, singing (ok SCREAMING) along with the band and cheering my heart out when I hear live music. So when I started to hear rumblings along the MI-music rumor mill about a new Lansing neighborhood music venue, I was intrigued. By day, The Replay Entertainment Exchange is just what the name entails- trade old DVDs/CDs/Comics in for credit towards new forms of similar entertainment. By night, they open up a decently sized back-room venue for local and touring bands. I caught Child Bite and Sink With me at Replay last week, and I had a very enjoyable evening. The sound was quite decent (if not a LITTLE too loud…but the very kind Replay staff had ear plugs on sale! 50 cents might just save my ears yet…), there was plenty of audience space, AND they had film clips silently projected on the wall behind the bands. Let me tell you, watching Leave it To Beaver silently rolling behind Sink With Me was pretty kick-ass. Replay has nearly 5 shows a week booked through the summer, so this is a place to keep your eyes on. Not only an exciting venue for Capitol City locals, Replay boasts a couple of great summer lineups that are worth a little travel to mid-Michigan!

Replay Entertainment Exchange

The Neutral Zone’s doin’ something new! Check it:

“THE NEUTRAL ZONE’s LATEST HIT: “THE B-SIDE”

June 6, 2007 (Ann Arbor, Michigan) –Blind Pig beware, there’s a new kid in town. While the Neutral Zone has been giving teen bands the opportunity to perform on a real stage for years, thanks to their recent move, the teens are reinventing their venue to unveil The B-Side, a 400 plus capacity all ages concert space in the heart of downtown. Like other all-ages venues around the country, The B-Side will reach out to booking agents and touring bands in hopes of becoming a regular stop for artists like Ian McKaye (The Evens/Fugazi) or Brother Ali (Rhymesayers), who are known for playing to all ages crowds. Teen performers will still have plenty of opportunities to play at the B-Side, and there will always be an opening spot reserved for youngsters when touring acts are headlining.
For more info and a complete schedule of upcoming shows, check out www.myspace.com/thebsidevenue”

Who has a plethora of seasonally themed, house’n’chimney clad buttons, and dressed as a SubSprawl cheerleader for Halloween?
THIS GUY!
It’s no secret that JHaJ LOVES Livonia based record label, Suburban Sprawl Music. Which justifies our geeked-out excitement for the upcoming Suburban Sprawl Summer Showcase ’07. 8 SubSprawl affiliated bands will split a two night bill in the Ann Arbor area next weekend. This is an event you don’t want to miss. Major details on the bitchin’ poster below, but check out SubSprawl’s myspace or website for more info.

xoxo,
Annie Moss

Strawflower's Waltz, No. 1

2007-06-18T13:05:00.002-07:00

It’s a well-known fact that Annie and I like to talk, but we thought it’s time we gave you the readers a chance to speak up and share your favorite Michigan music moments. We’re calling it Strawflower’s Waltz, appropriating the title of a Chris Bathgate song about a particularly memorable music-related moment. Here’s the first Strawflower’s featuring …

I saw your call for Michigan song stories.
So here's mine.
It's a classic Michigan song which, other than the "here, dog, come on,
dog, want you to go to Telegraph Road, right now, get a good deal," is
probably the best known by all people who grew up around here.

In seventh grade we had to sing "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald."
And, being seventh graders, we couldn't help filling in with "neeer, neer neer, neer neer neer neer neeeeeer" between the verses, which made our teacher steaming pissed. She was a turquoise-knit-suit-wearing social studies teacher named Ms. Bozek, and I don't think she quite enjoyed having to teach classes full of snotty-ass Ann Arbor middle schoolers year after year.

On the day of the concert, when we sang the song for the sixth graders,
some of us got REALLY into the neer neer neer part, which we had been warned against doing at all. After the show she pulled us into her classroom, red-faced with indignation (I can still remember it against her amazingly bleached and voluminous hair), and shouting "you have no respect for this song! They were sailors, and now they're dead!"
And, because I was a total shit, I actually replied: "well that
wouldn't have been the case if she'd put fifteen more miles behind her."
-Jordan

Even though I’ve always loved music I had a hard time getting into the local music scene. I think part of it had to do with the fact that when I was 21, the age that most kids are going out and drinking their first legal beers and rocking out with their friends, I was living with my older brother. As massively extroverted as I was excruciatingly introverted, he had his own band and a record label that put out albums for bands that I considered to be the coolest in town. In my mind, the local music scene was the combination of coolness, musical knowledge and cute outfits that I was worried I couldn’t measure up to. Sure, I’d go see my favorite national bands when they came into town, and would occasionally go to a local show if someone expressly invited me, but for the most part the scene was outside my frame of reference and I had no idea how to change that.

Still, no matter how introverted I was there have always been things in my life that take me out of myself. Music, especially live music, is one, and Halloween is another. Something about dressing up as someone else is so freeing that it’s always been my favorite holiday, and I took the pressure off the social minefield of my high school by deciding that I would treat every day like Halloween. It’s the one night that I’ll brave a new club or a party full of strangers in the effort to make something happen, something to make that night feel different from all the others of the year. So, it seems fitting that when I first saw what would become my favorite local band they were all dressed up as zombies.

I had been to the Magic Stick on Halloween before and it offered everything I wanted. More than a dive bar but less than a hot club, it’s low-key and fun at the same time. I decided to go to the 2006 Zombie Dance Party without much thought about what bands were playing, so I was blown away when Great Lakes Myth Society took the stage. Right away I noticed Tim’s gravity-defying hair, Greg’s exposed frontal cortex and everyone’s blackened eyes (a look I had perfected in high school, by the way) but mostly I was struck by the music. In addition to the fact that everyone in the band was clearly a consummate musician, they sang songs about events and feelings that were completely familiar. By mining their own pasts and the legends of this state for material they tap into experiences that we can all relate to, to powerful effect.

That was my last show of 2006, but a few months later I made a New Years resolution about music. I decided that I would get serious about learning to play the guitar, try writing my own melodies and lyrics, and branch out in terms of what I listened to. I also decided that I would get over my fear of the local scene and start going to see more live music. Maybe I had finally hit the right age or state of mind because I’ve found it pretty easy to do, made easier by the practically endless number of talented musicians that play in the area. Great Lakes Myth Society has remained my favorite but I’ve added many more to the list, including several bands that they’ve shared the stage with.

I can’t thank Great Lakes Myth Society for this change in attitude but their music has been the perfect complement to it. They capture what it feels like to be invested in a place. When, even though the economy is ebbing ever downward and everyone I know is having trouble finding a job, it’s nice to live in the area that you’ve always been. It’s that continuity that makes changing your life especially rewarding, not that I’m planning on giving up zombies anytime soon.
-Leah

Send your submissions for Strawflower’s Waltz to justhaircutsandjackets@yahoo.com, and they just might end up on the Internet!

Weekend of June 8 — Quite Scientific Records Bash at the Elbow Room and Great Lakes Myth Society CD Release Party at The Magic Stick

2007-06-11T08:01:00.000-07:00

Part the First:
One of the biggest challenges that comes with being a music fanatic is the battle with familiarity. I’d venture to make a Klostermanian estimate that 85 percent of heavy listeners are quite content with the bands, records and songs that they love. If that is the case, the remaining 15 percent is made up of those who actively seek the new stuff and share it with everyone else; this portion of the population is usually represented by older siblings, recommendation-giving friends, Internet seekers, DJs, rock writers, and — ugh — bloggers.

Nonetheless, I too can be guilty of wallowing in familiarity, which is probably why I found myself doodling on fliers during The Dead Bodies’ set at the Elbow Room Friday (it was the first time I’d heard them), yet uttering my nine millionth “Woooo!” in response to the opening melodica riff from Canada’s “Look to the Trees” (it was the second time I’d seen them in less than a week).

This being the case, Elm From Arms deserves some delayed applause for placing something we’re well acquainted with — singer-songwriter Matt Jones — in new surroundings. Thankfully, when Jones’ idiosyncratic vocals find themselves in the realm of jam-prone bar rock, it’s more like A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court and less Black Knight.

And yes, a MySpace favorite = familiar, but hearing a full-band rendition of “Threadlines” was certainly a treat. Electrified, there’s an even greater play between the lumbering verses and spidery instrumental breaks, like a Mr. Hyde who metamorphoses not into Henry Jeckyll but some bizarre arachnid with an affinity for odd time signatures.

The ever-transforming Chris Bathgate showed up in solo-electric-with-the-aid-of-digital-looping mode, proving that if there’s anything better than one Bathgate voice, it’s several layered Bathgate voices.

While the rest of the United States will get to know Canada for the next two months, Ypsilanti got the band for one more night. As exciting as it is to continue hearing newer material from the Canadians, it’s sad to see the free-for-all antics of their late winter/early spring shows have calmed down into a more controlled divide between the songs Joe sings and the songs Steven sings.

I Am A Bolt Of Lightning

The Dead Bodies

Part the Second:
Have you ever taken a long look at the Magic Stick’s ceiling? To me, it seems that during the renovations that created the Majestic Theatre Complex, the only echo of the building’s past spared from the cover of paint or black curtains were these aging overhead slats. Within those boards, there must be some increasingly low-frequency reverberations from the venue’s halcyon vaudeville days mingling with the remnants of some classic independent rock and roll performances. I imagine the “oohs” and “ahhs” prompted by Houdini melting into Neutral Milk Hotel’s only Mitten State appearance.

Count the rumble of Great Lake Myth Society’s Compass Rose Bouquet release party among that which has so righteously shook that lumber. While GLMS may not carry the recognition of the others who have left their mark on The Stick (YET), their Saturday performance was yet another example of why they ought to.

Compass Rose is a major triumph for Great Lakes, and their performance celebrating it’s release to the public cleared the bar that the record sets so high. Fans fed on a streaming diet of “Debutante” (which could launch every show for the rest of the band’s career), “Summer Bonfire,” “Heydays” and “March” eagerly gobbled up the album’s other tracks, even if a faulty direct line prevented Tim from pouring baby makin’ accordion noise over some of the opening tracks.

Yes, there’s an increased energy on the new record, and yes, it’s found it’s way into the live show, but not always in the way you’d think. “Debutante” and “Summer Bonfire” went off like a string of M-80s, but the midtempo sway of “Raindrops and Roses” burned bright, too, thanks to some epic strumming coupled with Fido’s punishing snare and bass drum work.

Though the accordion problems temporarily derailed the set’s momentum, they were a distant memory by the time Greg descended into the audience to deliver the final “Wines” in “The Gales of 1838.” Surrounded by fans and friends, his sad, slow tale of drug smuggling was the last to be lifted towards that hoary ceiling. They may have put a shinier coat on themselves, but Great Lakes Myth Society will always look good in the dimming light of a grimy lantern.

Opening support came from a rootsy Chris Bathgate — who has found an unexpectedly killer complement in Chris Dorman’s dulcimer — and the twangy American Mars, but the night belonged to GLMS.

-Erik

Canada
MySpace
Web site

Upcoming Michigan Shows
July 27 — The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor
August 11 — The Elbow Room in Ypsi

Chris Bathgate
MySpace
Web site

Upcoming Michigan Shows
June 12 — The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor opening for Memphis and Apostle of Hustle
June 29 — (Scene) Metrospace in East Lansing with Jen Sygit
July 4 — Short's Brewery in Bellaire with Susan Fawcett and Hawks and Owls
July 5 — The Manistee Bandshell in Manistee
July 7 — House show in Marquette
July 8 — House show in Houghton
July 12 — Street Music in Harbor Springs
July 15 — Kraftbrau in Kalamazoo with Frontier Ruckus, Head and Toe and The Plurals
July 27 — The Tap Room Annex in Ypsilanti with The Setup
July 29 — The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor with Frontier Ruckus
August 24 — U-Fest at Michigan State University

The Dead Bodies
MySpace
Web site

Upcoming Michigan Shows
June 18 — The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor
June 19 — The Belmont in Hamtramck with Serenity Court

Elm From Arm
MySpace
Web site

Upcoming Michigan Show
July 13 — The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor with Great Lakes Myth Society and Starling Electric

Great Lakes Myth Society
MySpace
Web site

Upcoming Michigan Shows
June 22 — The Elbow Room in Ypsi with The Minor Planets
June 23 — Barn show in Dexter with Dave Boutette (see MySpace for details)
July 13 — The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor with Elm From Arm and Starling Electric
August 30 — University of Michigan Union Ballroom

American Mars
MySpace
Web site

June Concert Calendar

2007-06-08T13:03:00.000-07:00

We're a little late on this one...sorry! Also, it looks a little sparse, so I'm nervous that I've missed some dates. As always, please add a comment with any corrections or additions.
Go, music lovers, Go!

June 8

June 9

-The New Green, Treetown Underground, Bulletproof at The Elbow Room in Ypsi
-Sycamore Smith at Calumet Theater in Calumet

June 10
-The Mighty Narwhale, Jes Kramer at DAAC in Grand Rapids

June 12
-Chris Bathgate at The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor
-Matt Jones at the Dreamland Theatre in Ypsi

June 14
-Matt Jones, Annie Palmer at The Ugly Mug in Ypsi
-Nomo at Liberty Plaza in Ann Arbor

June 15
-Child Bite, Cages (buffalo) at Replay Comic Shop in Lansing
-Matt Jones, Misty Lyn at The Trinity House in Livonia

June 16
-Child Bite, Benny Stoofy, STNNNG, Kill the Vultures at Scrummage University (not really a university) in Detroit
-Nomo at Top of the Park in Ann Arbor

June 17
-Nomo at DAAC in Grand Rapids
-Annie Palmer, Real Live Tigers at Fifi’s French Press in Mt. Pleasant

June 19
-Natural Monuments, Sayonara Tiger, The Cut Scene at the Elbow Room in Ypsi

June 22
-Zoos of Berlin, Great Lakes Myth Society, The Minor Planets at The Elbow Room in Ypsi
-Jeremy Vallender, Those Transatlantics, Everthus! The Deadbeats at Rubbles in Mt. Pleasant

June 23
-Great Lakes Myth Society, Dave Boutette at the Summer Barn Concert 12075 Island Lake Rd. in Dexter
-Sycamore Smith at Lower Harbor Boathouse in Marquette

June 25
-Frontier Ruckus, Fred Thomas, Drunken Barn Dace, Palomar at the Elbow Room in Ypsi
-This Is Dear Country, Matt Jones, Misty Lyn at Recreation Lanes in Iron Mountain

June 26
-Matt Jones, Misty Lyn at Keweenaw Brewing Co. in Houghton

June 27
-Jeremy Vallender at Scottish Inn in Saginaw

June 28
-Matt Jones at the Neutral Zone in Ann Arbor

June 29
-The Pop Project, Syscrusher, The Recital, Child Bite at Suburban Sprawl Summer Showcase Day 1, The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor
-The Hard Lessons at Kraftbrau Brewery in Kalamazoo
-Matt Jones, Annie Palmer at Four Friends in Grand Rapids
-Chris Bathgate, Jen Sygit at Scene Metrospace in East Lansing

June 30
-El Boxeo, Javelins, The Silent Years, The Word Play at Suburban Sprawl Summer Showcase Day 2, The Elbow Room in Ypsi
-Zoos of Berlin, The Oscillating Fan Club, Duende!, Troy Gregory and The Stepsisters, Dutch Pink, Pinkeye, The Misteriosos, The Questions Siddhartha, Ancourage, Wildcatting, The Bored Housewives; Blue Moon Festival at Contemp Art Institue of Detroit

GLMS releases new record TOMORROW!

2007-06-08T11:47:00.000-07:00

My inbox has been flooded with GLMS press links recently. Take a look at the links below for record reviews, interviews and articles about the much loved GLMS. Also, head over to the Magic Stick in Detroit tomorrow night for their CD release party:
Compass Rose Bouquet Release Party
Great Lakes Myth Society
Chris Bathgate
American Mars
Magic Stick, Detroit
9pm/$8

Real Detroit interview with Jamie Monger
Handmade Detroit hearts GLMS
Detroit Free Press
Metro Times record review
MI Daily record review
Web Vomit record review

xoxo,
annie

ELFest, one more time

2007-06-06T11:41:00.000-07:00

Wow. Whoa. Yikes. Thanks. Seriously, thanks. June 2 and June 3 will go down as two of the greatest days of my life, and it’s all thanks to you the musicians, you the fans. You the people in the blue house who smiled from your screened-in porch at a massive collection of musicians named after a sea mammal. You the people who huddled together in a muggy basement to watch Natural Monuments. You who had tarp water dumped on your head during Chris Bathgate’s set.

And thanks to you, Annie Moss, my lovely partner in blogging, the organized one, the “what-do-we-do-if-it-rains” one, and the only person who could’ve pulled this off.

It may come as no surprise that the Great Lakes Myth Society set was my favorite part of the weekend; it could earn this title based solely on the two terms that it has now lent to the festival-going parlance: “roof people” and “encore possum.” Between the stripped-down tunes and the crowd/band interaction, it was one of those blow-your-brain-through-the-back-of-your-head moments. Who thought you could bring an atmosphere of barroom camaraderie to a soggy backyard? The beer-swilling sing-alongs — and the shouting they inspired — drew the festival’s only noise complaints, but I wish the neighbors would have just come over, tipped back a PBR and joined the community.

Because that’s what this weekend was all about, a celebration of a community. A community so respectful, they’ll shut up for 45 minutes so the precipitation doesn’t drown out Chris Bathgate; so invested in music that they’ll shake to The Novel Citizen, even if they’d never heard of the band before they took the stage; so welcoming that they’d embrace a wannabe rock journalist and a fast-talking shutterbug who just wanted to give something back.

Good lord, this is schmaltzy — I’ve got more Mitch Albom in me than I’d like to admit. And that’s probably why I cried during “Heydays.” But I was feeling a little stirred-up when the Narwhale played “Night Lights,” and the water works started going again during the Canada set.

By now, most of you know I’m moving to Austin, Texas at the end of August, continuing my music criticism pursuits as well as my relationship with the greatest female to ever walk this planet. I like to think that there’s events like ELFest that happen down there, but I know there isn’t, because there’s one thing missing: the Michigan music community. This is a great time to love music in our state, and ELFest is but a tiny — though amazing — part of it.
-Erik

Damnit, Erik, now I'm all choked up. He said everything perfectly. Thank you all for helping to create one of the most amazing weekends of my life. Thank you all for helping to support the music and community we have grown to love so dearly.

Erik, you are going to be missed. Thank you for being so passionate about music, thank you for BLOGGING, thank you for inspiring me, thank you for keeping me sane, thank you for being such an amazing friend.
xoxo,
Annie

So, who wants to play ELFest 2008? =)

ELFest 2007

2007-06-04T14:06:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone-

Erik and I are attempting to gather our thoughts, emotions and photographs from the past few days. We’ll be up and running soon with a full blog post about ELFest. In the meantime, please let me pass along our deepest thanks to everyone who helped make this event possible. This weekend surpassed our wildest hopes; audience, musicians, fest helpers, we absolutely could not have done this without you. If you have any ELFest pictures you’d like to share, leave your photo links as comments on the blog or on our myspace.

ELFest:
The Beginning

The End

All the in-betweens will be up soon.
With more love than ever,
xoxo,
Annie and Erik.
<3

Honestly… Who would steal 40 sack lunches?!

2007-05-29T17:27:00.000-07:00

Some very lovely ladies are helping out with ELFest sustenance. Read on!
xo,
JHaJ

A story for the ages:
Carl: I ate some Triscuit crackers in the car, you should have had some.
Eric: Well, maybe if you told me they were delicious Triscuit crackers I could have enjoyed them with you.
Carl: I'm sorry.
Eric: Well, "sorry" doesn't put the Triscuit crackers in my stomach now, does it Karl?

Alright Guys and Gals,

ELFest is upon us, and this means a serious rallying of the troops. As starving artists and those who support our starving artists’ friends (which inherently makes us broke) we thought it would be a good idea to implement a pot-luck type atmosphere at ELFest. It is NOT required, but would be greatly appreciated. Kelly, Laura, and Kristen are going to coordinate it so Annie and Erik can do what they do best- be the king and queen of the ball.

Here’s the deal:

-There are over 160 people CONFIRMED for the event, so every little bit helps folks!
-Bring a dish that could feed 5-8 (more if you want!) people.
-send a message via facebook or myspace to Kelly Waterman, Laura Schelhas http://www.myspace.com/heartsoverflame, or Kristen Gray http://www.myspace.com/kristengray and let them know what you are bringing and what day you are bringing food.. although potato salad has a special place in all our hearts- we don’t need all 160 of you bringing it.
-For our vegetarian friends, please note if a dish has meat in it!
-Be creative! I know you’ve gots that special sauce (no, not that one) for a delicious dish.. so do work, son.

Thanks!

Laura, Kelly, and Kristen

ELFest details

2007-05-29T11:07:00.000-07:00

Directions and Parking
Mapquest is best.
1016 Michigan Ave.
East Lansing, MI 48823

That will get you to the house. It’s blue and has a porch with white pillars. The best place for you to park your car during the day is the neighborhood behind the house (it's on busy street with NO street parking). There are a few streets that have clear NO PARKING ANY TIME signs, but if they are not marked, you can park as long as you want until 2am. Since it’s over a weekend, you can also try across the street at MSU’s campus- just be sure to read signs, there are several places that are 24 hr no parking zones. Please do not pull into the driveway to park, we will ask you to move immediately! If you are planning to stay in East Lansing over night, please note that you cannot park on ANY public streets over night (some streets it’s no parking 12-2am {these are marked as such}, some it’s 2am-6am). You can pay and park in a public parking lot, or talk to the locals you are staying with about parking in their driveway.

ELFest Saturday night afterparty!

Hosted by Jon Cendrowski and Will Yates
The Revolutionary Politics of a DanceParty
508 Virginia Street
East Lansing, MI 48823
Don't miss this party. Seriously.

5 Days!!

ELFest!

2007-05-27T16:10:00.000-07:00

Well, here it is. The week of ELFest. Crazy, no? Below is the lineup-
with times- for the two days. Keep checking back all week, as we will
keep you posted on last minute changes, and give you more detailed info
about parking, after-parties, stories about Annie freaking out, etc.
See you all very soon!!
xoxox,
JHaJ

ELFest
June 2, 3
12pm-9pm
Annie's backyard
1016 Michigan Ave
East Lansing, MI 48823

Saturday, June 2

12:00-12:40pm The Kid Breaks
12:40-1:20pm Jess Kramer
1:20-2:00pm Tim Monger
2:00-2:40pm Drunken Barn Dance
2:40-3:20pm Stargazer
3:20-4:00pm The Victrolas
4:00-4:40pm Zach Curd
4:40-5:20pm The Novel Citizen
5:20-6:00pm This Is Deer Country
6:00-7:00pm The Mighty Narwhale
7:00-8:00pm Natural Monuments
8:00-9:00pm Great Lakes Myth Society

Sunday, June 3

12:00-12:40pm Incidental Music
12:40-1:20pm Broads of Canada
1:20-2:00pm That's Him! That's The Guy!
2:00-2:40pm Alan Patrick Scheurman
2:40-3:20pm The Dardanelles
3:20-4:00pm Patrick Elkins
4:00-4:40pm Onett
4:40-5:20pm Jim Roll
5:20-6:00pm Camerata
6:00-7:00pm Frontier Ruckus
7:00-8:00pm Chris Bathgate
8:00-9:00pm Canada

2007-05-23T13:37:00.000-07:00

2007-05-23T10:25:00.000-07:00

Unnamed Record Feature: Punching Bee Music: Volume One

2007-05-22T10:25:00.000-07:00

If there’s any gripe we at JHaJ have fielded multiple times in our eight-plus months on the Internet, it’s this: Why do you guys only cover bands from Detroit and Ann Arbor? My usual response to this is “Check the band links,” and if you do that, you’ll find that while the majority of our favorites do hail from those aforementioned cultural hubs, but we do provide passage to the MySpace pages of bands that spell “home” “M-o-u-n-t P-l-e-a-s-a-n-t,” “E-a-s-t L-a-n-s-i-n-g,” “A-l-p-e-n-a” and “M-a-r-q-u-e-t-t-e.”

Still, our particular living arrangements do lend themselves to a bit of geographic bias, so it’s with great pleasure that I allow the Punching Bee Music: Volume One compilation to usher in the JHaJ’s reimagining of the record review.

Quick history lesson: Punching Bee is a collective of over 30 musicians from Grand Rapids that came together in 2005, operating under the following credo: “Coming from our homes. Playing with our hearts. Buzzing in your ears.” You may have read something we’ve written about stage-packing indie-pop cutie-pies The Mighty Narwhale — they’re Punching Bees. You may have seen that Jes Kramer is playing ELFest — she’s a Punching Bee, too. But that accounts for less than a third of the collective’s membership, so let’s meet a few of the other bands, with the help of Punching Bee Music: Volume One.

Matt Ten Clay — Good Lord
Grand Rapids is notorious for being a conservative Christian hotbed — this is the city that spit out Dick DeVos — so it didn’t surprise me any to find a song on the Punching Bee comp that takes the piss out of some of the best-known passages of the Good Book. What was surprising was to find such sentiment housed in a twangy foot-stomper. Putting religious uncertainty on top of a musical style with right-leaning tendencies might be an easy juxtaposition, but Clay sets the bar higher by making some space in the mix and filling it with the buzz of acoustic guitar strings.

Please, Oh Please! — Freeland, MI Falters
You say synthesizers don’t go with shouts that have a little bit of Anathallo in their reverberations. I’d like to prove you wrong with the chorus of “Freeland, MI Falters.” I say the kind of urgency in a song like “Freeland” hasn’t appealed to me since high school. You can prove me wrong by saying that there’s a little part in all of us that will always be drawn to minor-leaguers with epic dreams like Please, Oh Please! We’re both right.

PS Please, Oh Please! went on permanent hiatus at the end of March. You’ll probably never be able to see them live, but you can download nine of their songs for free here.

The Mighty Narwhale — Nightlights
Collin’s enunciation and elongation of the “10 mile radius” lyric makes this one for me. The entirety of “Nightlights” inspires nostalgia for nocturnal expeditions under clear skies, but it’s this seemingly insignificant choice that captures those moments and our feeble attempts to make them last longer than the unfeeling hands of time will allow. “Nightlights” feels like sweatshirt weather, damp grass beneath my toes and someone else’s head on my shoulder. That’s pretty much where that inclination towards minor leaguers with epic dreams lives, isn’t it?

All of these songs are streaming on the artists’ MySpaces. Also, we're still looking for a name for this feature. Anybody got an idea?

Matt Ten Clay
MySpace

Upcoming Michigan Shows:
June 6 — Jukes in Grand Rapids with Nathan Kalish and the Wildfire

Please, Oh Please!
MySpace

The Mighty Narwhale
MySpace

Upcoming Michigan Shows
May 25 — Kraftbrau in Kalamazoo with Deep Sea Creatures
June 1 — Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts
June 2 — ELFest in Annie's backyard
June 10 — The DAAC in Grand Rapids with Jes Kramer (fundraiser show!)

The Low Hello, Natural Monuments, El Boxeo, Wildcatting, Syscrusher at Mac’s Bar in Lansing 5/18/07

2007-05-21T09:02:00.000-07:00

MAC’S BAR!!! DAMN THAT HORRIBLE GRAFITTI! Despite having to avoid potential seizures, Friday night was one of the best nights I’ve had at Mac’s in a long time. I was anxious to check out some new (to me) bands (The Low Hello, Wildcatting and Syscrusher), and see some of my favorite JHaJ veterans (El Boxeo and Natural Monuments).

The Low Hello started out the evening with some few tuning problems, but attained pitch perfection quickly to perform a fun and friendly, albeit slightly messy, show. The guys played off each other’s energy really well and seemed to be having a great time onstage. Which made me have a great time in the audience. I’m not completely sold on their sound yet, but I’m anxious to listen to their EP for a cleaner indication of this band’s sound.

Natural Monumets is hands down one of the best indie-pop bands in the current Michigan music scene. Alec Jensen’s awesome Dylan-esque voice, the intriguing lyrics, and catchy –yet incredibly original- songs… I love seeing this band perform. I can’t wait to see what they bring to ELFest, forcibly being transformed into an acoustic band for the evening.

Absent were the traditional umbrella dancers from El Boxeo’s set. However, Zach Norton donned a bear head for the evening, which made for a cute and fuzzy change to the normal El Box performance. I hadn’t seen El Box perform in several months, and they played just as impressively as I remembered. John Krohn jumped onstage adding vocals for “The Rope,” which was thrilling due to: A) the rareity to see this song live and B) it's one of my favorite songs from Livonia.

I was slightly disappointed in Wildcatting’s set. I mean, don’t get me wrong: the band played a very tight set, their sound was pretty great and the audience seemed to be into it. However, I’d heard from several people that Wildcatting usually provides (sorry for the lame vocab choice) pretty wild and unpredictable live performances. Maybe it was just an off night? I’ll check ‘em out again for sure.

Syscrusher ended the evening with an epic performance energy only attainable by John Krohn and Ryan Baldaras. The sound definitely held some resemblance to ex-MI band, The Casionauts, but was enjoyable none-the-less (or possibly because of it?).

This was a very well-booked and well-attended show. Hopefully we can count on some similarly good lineups at Mac’s in the near future
(ie: )

The Low Hello
Web site
MySpace

Upcoming Michigan Shows:
May 31 — Corktown Tavern in Detroit w/ Beaten By Yuri, Belflur and Deleted Scenes
June 1 — Jacoby’s in Detroit

Natural Monuments
MySpace

Upcoming Michigan Shows:
June 2 —ELFest in East Lansing!
June 19 — The Elbow Room in Ypsi w/ Sayonara Tiger and The Cut Scene
July 22 — The Replay Entertainment Exchange in Lansing w/ The Word Play
July 24 — The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor

El Boxeo
Web site
MySpace

Upcoming Michigan Shows:
August 3 — Saginaw County Fair w/ The Pop Project

Wildcatting
MySpace

Upcoming Michigan Shows:
June 23 — Bohemian National Home in Detroit
June 30 — THe C.A.I.D in Detroit w/ the Oscillating Fan Club, Duende, Zoos Of Berlin, Ancourage, The Questions

xoxo!
annie moss

2007-05-17T08:40:00.001-07:00

2007-05-15T10:23:00.001-07:00

Hey, neat! We have a blog again!

2007-05-14T06:55:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's true, I graduated from college. Whether or not taking such a long reprieve from blogging, however, is still debatable. Nonetheless, JHaJ returns, less than three weeks away from the tear-your-face-off awesomeness that will be ELFest.!

On that note, we regret to inform you, dear readers, that The Hard Lessons are no longer on the ELFest bill. Straight from the Augie’s mouth:
“We have to be back in NYC to meet with some folks and rock a show during ELFest. I'm definitely bummed since it looked like we were going to be in town.”

But do buck up, because there are still 24 amazing acts confirmed for our little backyard gathering (The Next Door Neighbors have also had to cancel due to a travel-related conflict).

So while you wait in giddy anticipation for ELFest, you can check out our two new — and yet-unnamed — features. The first is a weekly recording feature, with which Annie and I will keep all of y’all informed on the releases from Michigan artists that are floating around out there for purchasing and loving. We’ll listen to one CD (or LP or seven-inch or mp3 or whatevs) a week, and tell you all about it on the Internet. Not a record review, per se, more like a record impression.

The second is something we’ll need your help for. We want you to write to us — at justhaircutsandjackets@yahoo.com — about the first time you heard your favorite Michigan songs. We’ll take contributions from fans and bands alike, and of course we’ll be writing about our experiences from time to time, too.

Finally, we’ll need your help again in naming these new additions to our bloggy repertoire. Think of a song title or lyric from a local band that fits the feature, and send it to us in an e-mail with the subject line “Naming Your Features.” If your suggestion is chosen, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that your idea is forever ingrained on the Information Superhighway.

That’s all for now, kiddos. Hope to see you all very soon!
-Erik

May Calendar

2007-05-05T17:51:00.000-07:00

Erik's busy putting on his cap and gown, so I'm posting the calendar this month. Apologies- no cute and clever references about May. All I've got is:

As always, please leave a comment with any info we may have missed.
xoxo!
annie m.

May 5
-The Gentleman Callers, Horse Cave Trio, Rusty Thimbles at Juke's Bar in Grand Rapids
-The Low Hello at The Replay Entertainment Exchange in Lansing
-Kelly Jean Caldwell, The Willowz at The Bohemian National Home in Detroit
-Virgil Walters at The Power Center in Ann Arbor

May 6
-The Mighty Narwhale at The Elbow Room in Ypsi
-Mason Proper at Art in the Loft in Alpena

May 9
-Sari Brown, Evan Bicker Williams, Joshua Marcus at the Dreamland Theater in Ypsi
-Kelly Jean Caldwell, Laura Veirs and Saltbreakers at The Magic Stick in Detroit

May 10
-Jeremy Vallender, The Avery Set at The Red Eye Café in Saginaw

May 11
-The Novel Citizen, Vankles and The Pedestrians at the RHS Variety Show in Rochester Hills
-Sink With Me, Anchors For Reality, Remembering Yesterday, Hollowpoint, Strength In Numbers, Not Another Hero at Blingerz in Quincy
- Kyle White, The Antivillans, The Epitomes, Todd Deatherage at Andrew's Bar Art Show in Ypsi

May 12
-Electric Six at St. Andrew's Hall in Detroit
-Nomo at The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor
-The Gentleman Callers at Wolverine Gun Club in St. Charles
-Jes Kramer, Julie Belle, Pistolbrides at DAAC in Grand Rapids
-Sink With Me, Dryvel, Incarta at The Rock Spot in Lansing

May 15
-Javelins, The Silent Years, Fields at The Lager House in Detroit

May 17
-Freer, Sidharttha, The Questions, The Go at The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor

May 18
-El Boxeo, Natural Monuments, Syscrusher, The Low Hello at Mac's Bar in Lansing
-SikSik Nation at The Lager House in Detroit
-The Royal Affairs at The Belmont in Hamtramck
- empire! empire! (i was a lonely estate) at Dawn of a New Day Café in Saginaw

May 19
-The Hard Lessons at Short's Brewery in Bellaire
-Terrible Twos, Reptile Forcefeild, and Carjack at The Lager House in Detroit
-The Singles, Extra Blue Kind, The Lessmores at Jacoby's in Detroit
-Son and Heir, Jes Kramer, Emma at a house show in Ann Arbor
-Jacets at The Shelter in Detroit

May 21
-Mason Proper, Three More Shallows, empire! empire! (i was a lonely estate), Clublight at Mac's Bar in Lansing

May 25
-The Mighty Narwhale, Deep Sea Creatures at Kraftbrau in Kalamazoo
-The High Strung (CD Release Show), The Henchmen, Mano y Mano at The Lager House in Detroit
-Sycamore Smith, Hell Town Trio, Tommy Kilometer at Peter White Library in Marquette
-Sari Brown, Andru Bemis, Bailey Cook at Eagle Street Theater in South Haven

May 26
-The High Strung at the Canton Cup Soccer Tournament in Canton
-Matt Jones at The Crazy Wisdom Tea Room in Ann Arbor
-The Novel Citizen, Prussia , The Vankles, and Brandon Grenier at Rochester College in Rochester Hills
-Onett, Head and Toe, Ben and Bruno, Beilby's Ball at Scene Metrospace in East Lansing
-Sycamore Smith at Stucko's in Marquette
-The Singles at the Chelsea District Library in Chelsea
-Charlie Slick, Car Jack, Jaye Thomas at Jacoby's in Detroit
-Jes Kramer at The Farmhouse in New Boston

May 27
-Charlie Slick, Syscrusher at Kraftbrau Brewery in Kalamazoo

May 29
-Black Wizardz, Jes Kramer at Diamond Star House in Kalamazoo

May 30
-Canada, Frontier Ruckus, Pelle Carlberg
-Sari Brown at Zingerman's Roadhouse in Ann Arbor

May 31
-Chris Bathgate, Wilamena, Gentalmen Callers, Arthur Autumn at Mac's Bar in Lansing
-Emily Bate, Jes Kramer at Four Friends Coffee House in Grand Rapids
-The Low Hellow, Beaten By Yuri, Belflur, Deleted Scenes at Corktown Tavern in Detroit

a quick photographic update

2007-05-02T06:56:00.000-07:00

The Epitomes, Chris Bathgate and Mason Proper in East Lansing 4/27/07

La Remodea at The Green River Cafe in East Lansing 4/28/07

xo,
annie

Type of Label: Indie

2007-04-26T08:41:00.000-07:00

Hello My JHaJ Darlings:

I sincerely miss you, being stuck in school/study mode is not very much fun this semester, and I’m longing for the time when I can regularly attend concerts again.

In addition to the above bitching, I have an announcement and request going out to all Michigan musicians:

Erik and I would like to begin including blog posts about various recordings from MI musicians. We won’t be “reviewing” the albums per se, but instead posting our thoughts/ideas/feelings about the music. Hopefully this will give our readers some new ideas for MI albums to try out. So, Michigan Musicians, if you would like us to take a listen and include a little something about your recordings, please send us a myspace message or email (justhaircutsandjackets@yahoo.com) and we’ll give you our mailing address. A few of you have already sent copies of your records, which we still have and appreciate greatly!

We have several new features that should appear on JHaJ very soon, so be sure to keep checking back for lots of MI music excitement.

xoxo!
annie moss

It's that time of the semester again …

2007-04-20T17:05:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,
Sorry we haven't been at shows lately. As the spring semester — and my final semester — winds down, I've been quite busy writing for Capital News Service, while Annie is taking her bows in the MSU Department of Theatre's production of "She Loves Me."

Speaking of which, you should go and see her. I know I will.

So, once again, sorry April hasn't been our most out-and-about month. But come May, you'll see our show coverage return to its usual state.

Madison House

2007-04-19T07:03:00.000-07:00

Hi friends.
You may remember us mentioning a little event called MadisonFest once or twice on JHaJ.
Yes? Maybe?
Well, Ann Arbor's very own Madison House needs new tenants. Check out some of the house details on the Madison House Blog and contact Brandon with any questions/interest. Wouldn't it be great to continue the legacy of Madison House backyard shows?

xo,
annie

TOTALLY AWESOME FEST 3

2007-04-18T11:33:00.000-07:00

Taking place in Ypsi next weekend. If you've never been to the Dreamland Theatre, you NEED to check it out. It's a puppet theatre and totally eerie and surreal and AWESOME. There's a lot of really kick-ass stuff going on during Totally Awesome Fest, here are the details:

THE 3RD ANNUAL TOTALLY AWESOME FESTIVAL
----------------------------------------------------------
YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN APRIL 27-29

FRIDAY, APRIL 27
@ THE DREAMLAND THEATER
www.dreamlandtheater.com

7 PM THE DREAMLAND PUPPET TROUPE
7:30 EMILY BATE
8 PM SANTA + RUDOLPH
8:30 PATRICK ELKINS
9 PM BOXCARS
9:30 MELTING MOMENTS
10:15 APE TIT
11 PM MARTES MARTES
11:30 CARRIE MORRIS (shadow puppet show)
12:00 LORD OF THE YUM-YUM
1 AM CHARLIE SLICK

SATURDAY, APRIL 28
@ THE BANANA TINA

NOON EUGENE + RUSTY
1 PM JUNESEY
1:30 JORDAN MASON
2 PM FOREST BRIGHT
2:30 THE LIQUID MUSIC ENSEMBLE
3 PM KEVIN DOLE II (author reading)
3:30 SAFETY KIT
4 PM JEN WILKE
4:30 PET THE WARRIOR
5 PM ERIN DAISY
5:30 DAS CHRITZ
6 PM JES KRAMER
7 PM S LOCA
7:30 SIMONNEWCOMB
8 PM EMILY JANE POWERS

SATURDAY NIGHT @ THE DREAMLAND THEATER

10 PM FOREST PEOPLE
11 PM IF
MIDNIGHT WIDE-EYED
12:30 FIRTEEN.COM PRODUCTIONS FILM SHOWCASE

SUNDAY, APRIL 29
@ THE BANANA TINA

11 AM - 2 PM PANCAKES
NOON + 4th STREET JUG BAND
12:45 VIDEO GAMES
1 PM GYROVAGI
1:30 BEAR MOUNTAIN PICNIC
2 PM FAVORITE DAUGHTER
2:30 JIM + MONICA
3 PM ANIMATIC
3:30 BAM
4 PM TREETOWN UNDERGROUND
5 PM ALMUS MAGNUS
5:30 AMBIT
6 PM JAV

SUNDAY, APRIL 29 @ THE DREAMLAND THEATER

7 PM ANNIE PALMER
7:30 MATT JONES
8 PM BETAMALES
8:30 ZACH WALLACE
9:30 RONEN GOLDSTEIN
10 PM AMOEBA KIDS
11 PM CHILD BITE
MIDNIGHT MYSTERY SUPRISE GUEST ???

and the HEADLINER:

BEN MILLER'S TAKE-HOME FASHION SHOW ALL DAY EVERY DAY!!!

xo,
annie

East Coast Journal, Vol. 1

2007-04-18T05:16:00.000-07:00

Your not-so-intrepid New York correspondent has indeed seen a lot of Michigan bands play in the past month. However, he's been too busy (lazy?) to actually update ya'll on them. Here's a quick game of catch-up, in amateurish photos and video.

Electric Six, Bowery Ballroom, 03/24/07

Mason Proper, Gramercy Theatre, 03/31/07

Patti Smith (ex-Michigan!), Star Lounge (Hotel Chelsea), 04/03/07

Breathe Owl Breathe, Galapagos Art Space, 04/11/07

The Hard Lessons, Pianos, 04/12/07

The Hard Lessons, The Creek and the Cave, 04/13/07

Awesome Color (ex-Michigan!), The Creek and the Cave, 04/13/07

-Brandon Zwagerman

Greg McIntosh, Matt Jones, Misty Lyn, Jim Roll, Jamie Monger, Chris Bathgate in Ann Arbor 4/14/07

2007-04-15T10:50:00.000-07:00

Amazing lineup, eh? Rumor has it, yesterday afternoon at the Old Town Tavern, these musicians drunkenly decided to hold a "secret show" at the Quack Media offices in Ann Arbor. After some furious myspace and text messaging, word made it to Lansing and I hit I-96 East.

Although I had previously seen each of these musicians perform, never before had I seen them in this context: completely acoustic, sharing instruments, breaking capos, everyone playing with everyone else (oh my gosh, hearing Misty, Chris, Matt and Carol harmonizing was breathtaking), cello and violin accompaniment by Colette, Tania AND Carol Catherine, taking a little artistic liberty with choice of guitar chords, and communal flasks of whiskey being passed between the musicians and the audience.

It was great to witness a rare Jim Roll performance. I sang my heart out to the communal chorus in Bathgate's, "Every Wall You Own." Hearing the unplugged version of "Big Jim Hawkins" was gloriously spine-tingling (and perhaps the highlight of my evening). HUGE thanks to everyone who made this event possible, and to everyone who spread the word around. I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday evening.

Great Lakes Myth Society
MySpace
Web site

Upcoming Michigan Shows
May 4 — 313.jac (Jacoby's) in Detroit
June 1 — Mac's Bar in Lansing w/ Frontier Ruckus, The Peddlers
June 2 — ELFest in East Lansing (!)

Matt Jones
MySpace

Upcoming Michigan Shows
April 26 — The Kraftbrau in Kalamazoo w/Chris Bathgate and Misty Lyn
April 28 — Tap Room Annex in Ypsilanti w/Orpheum Bell
April 29 — Totally Awesome Fest
June 2 — ELFest in East Lansing (!)

Jim Roll
MySpace
Web site

Upcoming Michigan Shows
June 3 — ELFest in East Lansing (!)

Misty Lyn
MySpace

Upcoming Michigan Shows
April 26 — The Kraftbrau in Kalamazoo w/Matt Jones and Chris Bathgate

Chris Bathgate
MySpace

Upcoming Michigan Shows
April 15 — Old Town Tavern in Ann Arbor
April 19 — CD RELEASE PARTY at The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor w/ Canada and Alex Belhaj
April 26 — The Kraftbrau in Kalamazoo w/Matt Jones and Misty Lyn
April 27 — MSU International Center in East Lansing w/ La Remodea, The Epitomes and Mason Proper
May 31 — Mac's Bar in Lansing w/ Wilamena, Gentalmen Callers and Arthur Autumn
June 1 — Jacoby's in Detroit
June 3 — ELFest in East Lansing (!)

News in our myspace inbox!

2007-04-14T14:30:00.000-07:00

Passing along some info from Those Transatlantics:

Hey all,

I just thought I'd take this chance to formally let the JHAJ crew know that:

1) Our search for a new vocalist is over.

2) Chris has left the band.

This should be the end of the incredibly intense period of trasition that the band has been through in early 2007.

For more information on these changes, please feel free to check out the latest blog,"Crazy Developments Developing At An Astronomical Rate," at out MySpace page.

2007-04-12T21:04:00.001-07:00

2007-04-12T08:24:00.000-07:00

2007-04-12T07:14:00.001-07:00

Ann Arbor has The Bang! Lansing has The RPD

2007-04-12T05:24:00.000-07:00

Repost from Myspace.

Who:
The Revolutionary Politics of a Danceparty (aka The RPD)
Music mixed by:
Jon Cendrowski (Casionauts/Child Bite)
Zach Norton (El Boxeo/Chi;d Bite)
Jonas Parker

What:
THE RPD No. 3 - Dancing, Drinking, People Coming Together, Letting
Loose, Gettin Free, Gettin Busy Livin

Where:
HK House
6183 Gossard, East Lansing

When:
10:30 PM til Sunrise
Friday April 13, 2007

Why:
see what.

great times are always had at the HK House. lots of dancing to MI music. ya' know.
xo,
annie

In case you needed a reminder …

2007-04-09T20:59:00.000-07:00

The weekend of April 6-8, 2007

2007-04-09T20:40:00.000-07:00

The Mighty Narwhale, Arrah and the Ferns, Great Lakes Myth Society at The Blind Pig 4/6/07
This show was the perfect kick-off to a fantastic JHaJ weekend.

Saturday began with an unseasonably cold trip to the steps of the Detroit Institute of Arts for the Michigan musician photo shoot. Yes, Annie and I aren’t musicians, but we gratefully accepted an invitation to the Canadians’ attempt to document the scene in one large photo.

What started as something of a clusterfuck of bands milling around got organized under the directorial hand of freelance photog extraordinaire Doug Coombe. He had us jump, pump our fists, pretend to fight, pose pensively around The Thinker and ultimately sweet-talked the whole thing into the Diego Rivera Court for some much warmer shots.

Not all of the photos have hit the ‘net yet (anybody hear from the guy with the sheet-over-the-head large format camera?), but Annie managed to sneak out of the proceedings to snap a few shots.

Then it was off to the Lager House, for what some called a dream JHaj line up: The Pop Project, The Mighty Narwhale and Great Lakes Myth Society (close, but it doesn’t beat ELFest).

Messrs. Curd, Lawson, Kempa and Yates began the late-night goings-on with another stellar live preview of The Stars of Stage and Screen. Maximum yuks and hooks were to be had, particularly when the break in “House of Books” found Zach commanding the crowd to empty the room until the song was over. You’d never think a band would be so excited about playing to no one.

My first taste of The Mighty Narwhale was kind of like being presented with a new dish around the family dinner table: you can make some assumptions based on looks (seven scruffy members and kitchen-sink instrumentation are usually right up my alley) but you don’t know if you’re really going to like it until you sink your teeth in.

Well put me in a iconic Life Cereal commercial and call me Mikey, because hey, I liked it! A little gamy at first — synth + violin + trombone is an exotic combination — but satisfying in the end; off-kilter without the worry of an upset stomach, cute but with no chance of cavities. When writing about big bands like the Narwhale (Broken Social Scene, Arcade Fire, Architecture in Helsinki, Anathallo, et al), I often lean on the phrase “beautiful noise,” but for this Grand Rapids septet, the metaphor of a penny arcade music machine set adrift in Lake Michigan is more appropriate.

Oh, Great Lakes Myth Society. Your self-titled record soundtracked my winter, and I eagerly await Compass Rose Bouquet to perform the same service for my summer. In the meantime, continue to deliver sets like Saturday’s, where the energy is high and flows like so many beers down your throats and the throats of your fans.

The new songs are great (you know how we feel about “Heydays,” one of four Compass Rose tracks streaming on the band’s MySpace). There’s a marked difference in the dispositions of these songs; it’s not like the boys have gone all lovey-dovey on us, but in live form, the songs from the new record are definitely the June/July companions to their January/February predecessors.

Speaking of which, I hope I’m never at a show at the beginning of April where the “sweetheart this city has beautiful, beautiful snow” outro from “Isabella County, 1992” actually speaks to the outside conditions. I’d like to think this means GLMS have the ability to control the weather, but if that was so, the explosive “Debutante” would have melted every snowflake in Wayne County.
-Erik

Great Lakes Myth Society
MySpace
Web site

Upcoming Michigan Shows
April 13 — The U Club at the University of Michigan with Black Moth Super Rainbow and Small Sails
May 4 — 313.jac (Jacoby's) in Detroit with Manna and Quail

The Mighty Narwhale
MySpace

Upcoming Michigan Shows
April 12 — Students for a Sustainable Earth benefit at Kraftbrau Brewery in Kalamazoo with Son and Heir, Happy Hour and The Giving Tree
April 19 — Skelletones in Grand Rapids with A Paschal Circus
May 25 — Kraftbrau Brewery in Kalamazoo with Deep Sea Creatures

The Pop Project
MySpace
Web site

Upcoming Michigan Shows
April 28 — The Magic Stick in Detroit with Rescue (LAST SHOW!!!), LaSalle and Russian Circles

ELFest!!!

2007-04-05T21:33:00.001-07:00

You may have heard some rumblings about this, so let us make it official

CUE TYMPANI ROLL AND TRUMPET FANFARE

Just Haircuts and Jackets is pleased to announce and present to you: ELFest!

You may ask yourself, “What is ELFest?”

Well, ELFest is a live, two-day acoustic affair taking place in the backyard of none other than Miss Annie Moss.

You may think, “I don’t know where this backyard is.”

Said backyard is located at 1016 Michigan Ave. in East Lansing (we called it ELFest ‘cuz it’s in East Lansing).

You may wonder “When is ELFest?”

It’s taking place Saturday, June 2 and Sunday, June 3.

Yes...2007.

You may lie awake at night, pondering “Who will be playing ELFest?”

Ponder no more:

The Hard Lessons
Canada
Great Lakes Myth Society
Chris Bathgate
Frontier Ruckus
The Mighty Narwhale
Natural Monuments
Camerata
Jim Roll
Matt Jones
Zach Curd
That’s Him! That’s The Guy!
Next Door Neighbors
Timothy Monger
The Victrolas
Drunken Barn Dance
Alec Jensen
Patrick Elkins
The Dardaneles
Alan Patrick Scheurman
Kaylan Mitchell
Jes Kramer
Emily Jane Powers
The Novel Citizen
Onett
Mesozoic Kids
Incidental Music

“Will this cost me anything?” you may think, thumbing through your wallet.

Yes. A $5 admission fee will charged; but instead of going into our grubby, little blogging hands, it will go into the less-grubby (or more-grubby... who knows) hands of the children at Michigan State University’s Community Music School.

So come one, come all to what will assuredly be the best way to kick off your summer.

Annie and I both agree — and will talk to you at length about this — that backyard shows like ELFest are one of the many things that make Michigan’s local scenes so great. There’s really no reason not to come.

As always, stay tuned to JHaJ for more information as it comes down the ol’ pipeline.

-Erik

2007-04-04T07:05:00.001-07:00

April gig calendar

2007-04-03T09:08:00.000-07:00

April showers bring dogs in raingear, rubber ducks and a Chris Bathgate CD release!

Jeez, is it April already? Beautiful days with temps in the 60s followed by a freak couple of days of snowfall (check your local forecast, my friends)? Yep, that’s April. But don’t you fret, because there’s a plethora of shows for you to see while waiting for a time when the sun actually shines on a continuous basis.

April 4
—Chris Bathgate, Misty Lyn at the Tap Room Annex in Ypsi
—Natural Monuments, The Extraordinaires, Segernomics, Arrah and the Ferns at the JMAC in Jackson

April 6
—Great Lakes Myth Society, The Mighty Narwhale, Arrah and the Ferns at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor
—Chris Bathgate at the Crazy Wisdom Tea Room in Ann Arbor
—The OffRamps at Rubbles in Mt. Pleasant
—Molly Jean, Mick Bassett at Magdalena's Teahouse in Lansing
—Freer, The Butterfly Explosion, Zoos of Berlin at The Bohemian National Home in Detroit

April 7
—Great Lakes Myth Society, The Pop Project, The Mighty Narwhale at The Lager House in Detroit
—The OffRamps, Bedford Drive at TC's Speakeasy in Ypsi
—Child Bite, Tartufi, Syscrusher, The Playback at (Scene) Metrospace in East Lansing
—Mick Bassett and Annie Palmer at Fifi's French Press in Mt. Pleasant
—SikSik Nation, Christopher Plum and the Administration, The Sons of the Gun! at Boulders in Plymouth
—The Dead Bodies at Norther Lights Lounge in Detroit

April 8
—Matt Jones, Dan Kahn at the Elbow Room in Ypsi

April 10
—Zoos of Berlin, CALLA at the Magic Stick in Detroit
—Son and Heir, The Whigs at The Intersection in Grand Rapids
—Minor Planets, King Kong, Vince Dynamic at Mac's Bar in Lansing

April 11
—Chris Bathgate at the Elbow Room in Ypsi

April 12
—The Satin Peaches, The Dardanelles, Alex Winston at The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor
—The OffRamps at Union Street Station in Traverse City
—The Mighty Narwhale, Son and Heir, Happy Hour, The Giving Tree at Kraftbrau Brewery in Kalamazoo

April 13
—Black Moth Super Rainbow, Small Snails, Great Lakes Myth Society at the U-Club in Ann Arbor
—Chris Bathgate (full band!), The New Green, Porchsleepers, New Lunch at The Elbow Room in Ypsi
—The OffRamps at UpFront & Company in Marquette
—Jess Kramer, Ribbons of Song at Four Friends Coffee House in Grand Rapids
—MC Trashpedal, The Mood Romantic, The Ne'erdowells, Drunken Barn Dance at Andrew's Bar in Ypsi
—Peddlers at MSU Battle of the Bands in East Lansing

April 14
—Terrible Twos, SSM, The Idol and The Whip at The Halfass in Ann Arbor
—The OffRamps at UpFront & Company in Marquette
—Perhapsy, The Bell Tree, Jason Guitarstring, Flying Victrolas, The Epitomes at the First Presbyterian Church in Brighton
—The Royal Affairs, Freer, The Jealous Type, JBoozer at The Elbow Room in Ypsi

April 15
—Chris Bathgate at the Old Town Tavern in Ann Arbor
—Onett, Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, Jes Kramer at the DAAC in Grand Rapids

April 16
—Jacets, The Day Manolete Was Killed at Xhedos Café in Ferndale

April 19
—Chris Bathgate (CD Release), Canada, Alex Belhaj at The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor
—The Singles, Mike Vasas, The Pantones at Kraftbrau Brewery in Kalamazoo
—Capitol City Punkfest with The Cartridge Family, Space Brains, Fun Ender at Mac's Bar in Lansing
—The Mighty Narwhale, A Paschal Circus at Skelletones in Grand Rapids
—Black Jake and the Carnies, Annie Palmer at The Corner Brewery in Ypsi

April 20
—LaSalle, The Bell Tree at the Albion Coffee House in Albion
—NOMO, ODU at the Neutral Zone in Ann Arbor
—Annie Palmer, American Mars, The Betamales and The Dreadful Yawns at The Elbow Room in Ypsi

April 21
—The Hard Lessons, The Silent Years at St. Andrew's Hall in Detroit
—LaSalle, Wildcatting, The Jehovah's Witness Protection Program at Juke's in Grand Rapids
—The Last In Line, The Singles at Rochester Hills Public Library in Rochester
—Mike Vasas, Liam McKay at Rubble's in Mt. Pleasant
—NOMO with ODU at Alvin's in Detroit
—The Hotness, The Decks, Johnny No Stars, SikSik Nation at The Elbow Room in Ypsi
—The Novel Citizen at the Neutral Zone

April 23
—The Dardanelles, Sister Suvi, Disposable Thumbs at Kraftbrau Brewery in Kalamazoo

April 26
—LaSalle, Wildcatting, The Jehovah's Witness Protection Program at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor
—Chris Bathgate, Matt Jones, Misty Lyn, Breath Owl Breath at Kraftbrau Brewery in Kalamazoo
—Lazy Genius, Son and Heir at QandT's in Grand Rapids

April 27
—Mason Proper, Chris Bathgate, The Epitomes at the MSU International Center in East Lansing

April 28
—Rescue (FINAL SHOW!), The Pop Project, Russian Circles, LaSalle at The Magic Stick in Detroit
—Mason Proper, The Architects and more at the Neutral Zone in Ann Arbor
—That's Him! That's The Guy! At Jacob's Well in Traverse City
—Totally Awesome Fest with Jes Kramer, Annie Palmer, Child Bite and more in Ypsi
—Matt Jones, Orpheum Bell at the Tap Room Annex in Ypsi
—Freer, Troy Gregory, The Stepsisters at The Northern Lights Lounge in Detroit
—Sons of the Gun, SikSik Nation at Juke's Bar in Grand Rapids
—The Dead Bodies at the Belmont in Hamtramck

Rescue

2007-04-03T07:35:00.000-07:00

As you might know, Rescue will be playing their final show at the Magic Stick on April 28. Rescue has been a strong presence in the Michigan music scene since 2000, and will be sorely missed. Their most recent record, Paranoid, is FANTASTIC and quickly became one of my favorite albums of 2007. Front-man Al Scheurman wrote a bittersweet parting letter to friends and fans of Rescue; you can read it on their myspace blog.

xo,
annie

2007-04-01T16:20:00.001-07:00

A few things to check out

2007-03-30T08:28:00.000-07:00

Canada interview at SXSW on Splashcast

GLMS SXSW tour blog on AllMusic

Mason Proper as Spin.com's Band of the Day 3/39/07

Download: Matt Jones, Live at Keweenawesomefest in Houghton, MI

Fields of Industry live on WCBN 3/28/07

2007-03-29T19:44:00.000-07:00

Mason Proper at the Subterranean in Chicago 3/24/07

2007-03-29T08:14:00.000-07:00

One of the most interesting things about getting out to see Michigan bands in Chicago is the differences and similarities between the audience reactions. I saw Mason Proper at the Subterranean last Saturday.

The venue is small, and as Mason Proper was setting up, I started eavesdropping. An embarrassing habit, I know. “I heard this lead singer is, like, crazy,” one guy warned his friend. As the set started, the crowd seemed to get into it; there was plenty of dancing and general enjoyment while the band played for the unruly crowd (even though lead singer Jonathan Visgr lost his glasses sometime during the second song…).

Mason Proper played their re-working of “Life’s Cornucopia,” during which Brian Konicek trades his guitar for some bizarre new instrument, to stunning effect (it looked almost like a dulcimer! Is Mason Proper now employing a dulcimer?!? Amazing…). Post-show, I tried to get some of the crowd’s thoughts on the band. One couple who had just moved from San Francisco was “thrilled on our first night in Chicago.” Another guy applauded “the lead singer’s Frankenstein dancing.”

Overall, Chicago loved Mason Proper.
-Katie Canavan

Hugs all around

2007-03-29T08:09:00.000-07:00

Dearest JHaJ readers:
The time has finally arrived! We have decided to expand our JHaJ family and include blogger correspondents in locations that Erik and I can’t always reach. Our good friends, and fellow MI music lovers, Kevin Eder (Houghton, MI), Brandon Zwagerman (Queens, NY), and Katie Canavan (Chicago, IL) will be periodically contributing concert coverage about MI music that travels to their respective locations. We are incredibly excited to be joined by these very knowledgeable cohorts, and to increase the amount of coverage we’re able to provide.
Just one more way to say YES to MI.
xoxo,
annie moss

MI in OH

2007-03-26T05:24:00.000-07:00

Mason Proper live on WOXY.com today 3/26/07 at 3pm.
xo!

2007-03-23T11:18:00.000-07:00

Sorry there's no information on the flier, but it's 8 p.m. tonight at the Tyler Van Dusen Center on the campus of Alma College. FREE for Alma kids, $5 for everybody else.

2007-03-23T08:01:00.001-07:00

2007-03-23T05:19:00.001-07:00

These boys bring their milkshakes to the yard.

2007-03-21T05:23:00.000-07:00

I don't even know what that means. But, for the cutest picture in the world AND a nice little article:

Childbite in Real Detroit Weekly

Onett, The Darts, Mason Proper at Mac's Bar 3/18/07

2007-03-20T05:43:00.001-07:00

I don’t want to write too much about Mason Proper, only because I think I captured my reaction best on the podcast which we'll post at the end of the month. As you will hopefully be able to tell from the audio clips within the podcast, it was a superb set, the finest I’ve yet witnessed from the Propers. Meanwhile at the show, we made new friends in Onett, who answered a few brief questions from Annie and I while sipping on some well-deserved soft drinks. They won't be together for very much longer, so catch these kids while you can and then pay attention to their future projects — there's plenty of potential within Onett.
-Erik

Onett

The Darts

Mason Proper

Onett
Web site
MySpace

Upcoming Michigan Shows:
April 15 — The DAAC in Grand Rapids w/ Casiotone for the Painfully Alone and Jes Kramer

Mason Proper
Web site
MySpace

Upcoming Michigan Shows:
March 23 — Beggar's Banquet in East Lansing
March 27 — The Lager House in Detroit w/ Birdmonster
April 27 — Michigan State University International Center w/ Chris Bathgate, The Epitomes, La Remodea and more

Kevin McGorey (Roman Numerals), David Martin, Zach Curd, Kevin Mahler at Magdelena's Tea House in Lansing 3/16/07

2007-03-20T05:40:00.000-07:00

The singer-songwriter is probably the easiest target for criticism within any local music scene. There’s just something about the acoustic guitars and rampant introspection that rubs people the wrong way, and that wrong-way-rubbing ends up being aired in all sorts of public forums.

But you know what? You can’t have a great bands without great singer-songwriters, and that’s what was on display at Magdalena’s Tea House last Friday — along with one of the most singular figures I’ve ever seen step to a coffee-house mic.

Kevin McGorey of The Word Play (performing under the stage name Roman Numerals ), David Martin of That’s Him! That’s the Guy!, Zach Curd of The Pop Project and Kevin Mahler of Coach Mahler and the Athletes put their solo work on display along with some choice cuts from their respective collective entities, providing a peek at the songs’ foundations.

As Roman Numerals, Kevin McGorey was fueled by a quiet intensity that he brings in part to The Word Play (intensity yes, quiet no). And who’d’ve thought that his cover of Justin Timberlake’s “What Goes Around” wouldn’t be the only JT tribute of the weekend?

During one of the night’s many “VH1 Storytellers” moments, David Martin talked about how the song he was about to play was written about the loud heater in the old, creaky house he lives in. That’s a perfect story for him to tell, because I think an old, creaky house is an appropriate analogy for the set he played that night.

You may know Zach Curd as a piano man, but he’s apparently putting in a lot of time on the guitar recently — a baritone guitar, nonetheless. There was no bari to be had on Friday, but a red SG in alternate tuning provided the deeper chug beneath his songs.

Said songs were great as usual and as strange as it was to see Zach not behind his keys, there were glimpses of the axe-man swagger he surely had to employ in his stint as second guitarist for Thunderbirds Are Now!

Kevin “Coach” Mahler was without his band of athletes, though he did have a handful of in-laws in attendance. His was a bizarre mix of folk, country and comedy told through rambling verse and the occasional blast on his holstered harp. I’m at a loss to fully encapsulate his contribution to the show, just as I’d be at a loss to describe Kevin off-stage. Nonetheless, a highly individual performance from a highly individual performer.
-Erik

Beyonce (with an accent over the 'e' or the 'o'), Against Me! cover band, A band closely resembling The Word Play at The Panopticon in Lansing 3/17/07

2007-03-19T08:08:00.000-07:00

St. Patty's Day at the Panopticon in Lansing was entertaining, to say the very least. The evening started out with two dudes with microphones singing over some pre-recorded hip-hop beats. The "lead singer" announced himself as, "Beyonce (with an accent over the 'e' or the 'o')" (the whole thing- that's actually what he called himself), appropriately, as he covered various Destiny's Child and Justin Timberlake tracks (do we just call him JT these days? Erik is the one up to date on the latest pop culture fads...) as well as an amalgamation of his own creations. Some of the most vivacious performers I've seen since Charlie Slick, these guys kicked of the night in a hilarious way.

Jon Cendrowski, Brandon Sczomak and Nate Frusti banded together and covered a dozen or so Against Me! songs. Although I'm not a big Against Me! connoisseur, their enthusiasm and audience scream-alongs made the band's set a lot of fun.

Against Me! cover band

After some rushing around to obtain adequate equipment, Kevin, Brent, Ian and Brandon of The Word Play decided to play a few songs. Many drinks were consumed by this point, and because of that, EVERYONE LOVED THIS SET. The guys made the absolute best of a drunken situation with unfamiliar instruments. I loved it. But, just for the record- The Word Play didn't perform that night... just a group of boys closely resembling said band...

Thanks very much to John Krohn for helping me experiment with my two new cameras! A few of these photographs were taken by him.

xoxo,
annie m. <3

2007-03-14T07:18:00.000-07:00

2007-03-11T20:45:00.000-07:00

The Novel Citizen at Mac's Bar 3/9/07

2007-03-11T11:50:00.000-07:00

There's a trombone. And some seriously groovin' bass-lines. Their sound sort of walks the line of both Wolf Parade and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones (remember them?), but still maintains a unique concept. I'd like to see The Novel Citizen play with Mason Proper, The Wordplay or Javelins; any of these bands would make great musical compliments. I picked up a copy of their EP, Reciprocations, and was quite impressed with the sound. Check out this new JHaJ band- they put on a good show.

The Novel Citizen
MySpace
Web site

Upcoming Michigan Shows
March 20 — The Blind Pig with Melophobia
March 30 — Elbow Room with Buffalo, Wildcatting, In Civilian Clothing
March 31 — Kraftbrau Brewery w/ These United States, Paleo

xo,
annie moss <3

The Pop Project, Page France, Canada at The Blind Pig 3/7/07

2007-03-09T13:10:00.000-08:00

This was the most fun I’ve had at the Blind Pig in a long time.

I always love seeing The Pop Project. Their songs transfer very well to a live performance, and it was great to hear material from their upcoming album (Stars of Stage and Screen, released in June of this year- finally!). You need to see this band in concert, not only because of their super fun and inventive songs, but because they have the best stage personalities of any musicians around. Between Will Yates’ constant “I have perfect pitch!” stories, and Zach Curd’s spontaneous decisions about audience participation, The Pop Project is sure to hold your attention during their entire set. You have to give these guys credit for being a constant presence in the Michigan Music scene since 1999.

The Pop Project

Audience participation in House of Books (“everybody switch places with the person on the opposite side of the room from you.” Next time, be prepared to “be detached.”)

Page France (Suicide Squeeze Records) were definitely the audience favorite. Some of the most committed musicians I’ve seen onstage, they were completely involved with all the sounds they were creating as a group. Canada and Page France recently recorded 6 new songs, and QuiSci is releasing a 10" vinyl EP entitled, French Canadians (get it?). Canada joined Page France onstage for their final song, and provided a lovely preview of the French Canadian music.

Page France

Page France

Page France + Canada

Canada played their last Michigan show before heading out on their SXSW tour. They’re beginning to stray away from playing This Cursed House material, and their new songs are really amazing. So, even if you are a bit tired of the much circulated This Cursed House, go see Canada perform in the next few months- you’ll be blown over with new music. My favorite new Canada song is Homes and Jewels, in which Amy is on drums, Ryan picks up a guitar, Kaylan grabs a violin and everyone sings a bunch. It’s awesome.

Canada- Homes and Jewels

Canada and Page France- Hexenhaus

The Pop Project
MySpace
Web site

Upcoming Michigan Shows
April 7 — The Lager House with Great Lakes Myth Society, The Mighty Narwhale

Canada
MySpace
Web site

Upcoming Michigan Shows
March 23 — The Halfass with Castanets, Shapes and Sizes
April 19 — The Blind Pig with Chris Bathgate (CD Release), Alex Belhaj

xoxo,
annie moss <3

Since JHaJ won't be doing any official Blowout coverage...

2007-03-07T07:16:00.000-08:00

lots and lots of Blowout info in Metrotimes

Follow SLGTM and Bathgate around the world

2007-03-06T13:28:00.000-08:00

Our fellow bloggers, Celestial Biscuit are hosting a Saturday Looks Good To Me tour blog written by keyboardist Scott Sellwood. So check in with CB throughout the next few months to keep tabs on Chris Bathgate and SLGTM news.

Canada on WOXY

2007-03-06T11:44:00.000-08:00

On Thursday March 8 at 3:00pm, Canada will be live on WOXY.com (independent radio station out of Ohio). Tune in to their website for the interview and live studio performance. Check out other JHaJ favorites on WOXY: Mason Proper, The High Strung. WOXY is one of my favorite indie music resources, they consistently produce good stuff. So check ‘em out.

xo,
annie

awwww...

2007-03-05T17:38:00.000-08:00

well, i guess it's a good thing

2007-03-05T17:35:00.000-08:00

Blowout in Pitchfork
(thanks BZ)

Keweenawesomefest at Michigan Tech in Houghton, MI 2/23-24/07

2007-03-03T20:29:00.000-08:00

There certainly has been a huge buzz throughout Michigan for the past week. People keep writing, talking, asking about Keweenawesomefest. Who would have thought that so many musicians and people throughout the Midwest would take a chance on such a diverse music festival in the very tip of the Upper Peninsula? But the events of this infamous weekend in February are going down in the Just Haircuts and Jackets history book. Not only because of the great performances that took place in Houghton, but because of the overwhelming amount of love, respect and appreciation for the entire Michigan music community that manifested during KFest.

KFest was put on by the college radio station, WMTU at The Black Box theatre on MichTech's campus. This was hands down the best concert space that I've ever been in. The stage was huge, lots of audience space and AMAZING LIGHTS AND SOUND. I have never seen such flattering and exciting light designs at a music concert, and the sound was fantastic.

One of the reasons why I love local music is the mutual need between the musicians and the audience. The musicians are thankful for any audience they can get; and as a fan there is something irreplaceable about the intimacy of a local show. Keweenawesomefest embodied this completely. It was like a big lovefest between the performers and the audience.

My cohort in KFest-ing, Katie, and I recorded some of our experiences on the road trip up to Houghton as well as our thoughts on the various musical acts. We also managed to talk to a few musicians (as well as of the of the KFest organizers, Kevin Eder) about their thoughts on Michigan music, and took a few sound clips from the performances. This all has turned into our first official JHaJ podcast! Fair warning: this podcast is an hour long (oh my god)! However, considering the 12 hours of music and a 2-day event, we decided to keep all the material. So, to hear our thoughts and newly gained inspirations from KFest, download our Podcast:

Click the "advanced" tab in the upper left hand corner of your ITunes, click "subscribe to podcast" and enter the URL:

http://justhaircutsandjackets.base-2.net/podcast

Then subscribe to the Just Haircuts and Jackets podcast. There should be a little arrow to the left of the JHaJ podcast, and it should drop down to Keweenawesomefest. It should begin downloading right away, but if it doesn't, click on "podcasts" under "library" and click "refresh" at the bottom. If you have any trouble downloading the podcast, try it a few times- but then be sure to contact us (justhaircutsandjackets@yahoo.com).
(HUGE thanks to Katie and Matt for helping us get this podcast up and running).

Arrah and the Ferns

Sycamore Smith

Matt Jones and Carol Catherine Gray

Mason Proper

The Mighty Narwhale

Charlie Slick

MC Trashpedal

To everyone involved in making this event happen, thank you. We feel so lucky to have taken part in such a fantastic musical event. IT WAS AWESOME.

Can't wait till KFest 2.

xoxo,
annie moss

The Word Play, Natural Monuments, Rodeo Ruby Love and El Boxeo at The Elbow Room in Ypsi

2007-03-03T11:53:00.000-08:00

After the massiveness of last weekend, it was nice to take in a smaller show. The kind of show where if a band isn't playing, they're up at the front of the crowd. The kind of show where everybody's friends and playful chiding flys freely. The kind of show where you can finally see Natural Monuments (to quote Annie, so satisfyingly pop-y). The kind of show where you can get The Word Play to do an encore, even if they're almost ready to pack up. The kind of show where I can dance under an umbrella and a sheet.

What grows into KFests gets planted at these shows.

2007-03-03T11:52:00.001-08:00

Satuuurday Looks Good To Me, Starling Electric and Chris Bathgate at The Blind Pig, 2/23/06

2007-03-02T14:35:00.000-08:00

Annie and I are trying to keep show review posts on a “professional” deadline schedule, and I’m already failing miserably.

So yes, this show did happen a week ago. But would I feel comfortable not posting about it because it happened a week ago? Absolutely not. It may have been no KFest, but it was gushworthy.

Our favorite singer-songwriter set the stage for the evening, leading off with a couple of old favorites enhanced by some auxiliary sound care of a looping pedal — no KT Tunstall-style “make a drum beat by looped smacks to the body of the guitar,” thank God — striking the perfect balance of intimate solo Bathgate and big noisy backing band Bathgate. At this point, there’s no trick he he can’t pull out of those rolled-up sleeves; if he showed up at a show in a one-man band outfit a la Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins, it would sound more soulful than anything any chimbley sweep ever choked up.

There were new songs on display too, from the record Chris committed to tape the day after Great Lakes Myth Society wrapped-up Compass Rose Bouquet.

Add Starling Electric to your list of “must see every time they play” bands. Glammed-out baroque and psych stomp of the highest order, and so damn catchy — in the time it’s taken me to write this review, the chorus to “I Was Guilty of Black Collar Crime” still has not dislodged itself from my frontal lobe.

And tremendous showmen, those Starlings. With foliage covered stage — and frontman Caleb Dillon — plus cheeky dialogue, the set provided a trip to the 1960s I’ve always hoped existed.

Who could follow Starling Electric? Who? Perhaps a Saturday Looks Good To Me riding a homecoming high? YES!

Well, homecoming is a relative term. As Fred Thomas said near the end of the set, “We’re Saturday Looks Good To Me, from Ann Arbor, Michigan” — at which point he indicated the band (which boasted Canada’s Ryan Howard on drums and Chris Bathgate on bass and guitar) before sheepishly pointing to himself — “and Portland, Oregon.”

There was plenty and shimmy and shake to be had, much of which coming care of a cameo by Miss Betty Marie Barnes. It was just great to see the Pig jam packed, everybody dancing and smiling and all around happy to be Fred’s “sweet, sweet children” for one night.

Saturday Looks Good To Me
MySpace
Web site

Upcoming Michigan Shows
March 24 — The Magic Stick with The Paybacks

Starling Electric
MySpace
Web site

Chris Bathgate
MySpace

Michigan State Press! Great Job!

2007-03-02T11:21:00.000-08:00

GLMS in The Big Green

"Dreamy" in the news

2007-03-01T09:33:00.000-08:00

Chris Bathgate in Metro Times

March gig calendar

2007-03-01T07:52:00.000-08:00

A Batman cake?!?! I guess that makes up for the fact that only The Singles and The Dirtbombs want to play on my birthday.

If you're allowed one day of the year to be a little greedy, it should be your birthday. Whatevs. The real birthday treat is a plethora of March shows, right?

P.S. You're all invited to my Billy Joel Birthday Bash in East Lansing.

March 1
—SikSik Nation, The Bloody Hollies at The Belmont in Hamtramck

March 2
—Headed for the Ditch: A Michigan Tribute to Neil Young release show w/ The Hard Lessons at The Kraftbrau in Kzoo
—5th Annual Sound and Vision Festival w/ Charlie Slick, Das Chritz, Ambit at 555 Art Space in Detroit
—Mason Proper, The Dead Bodies (dual CD Release Party), Great Lakes Myth Society at The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor
—Mike Vasas at the JMAC in Jackson
—The Pantones at The Cappuccino Café in East Lansing

March 3
—The Royal Affairs, The Charms at The Lager House in Detroit
—That's Him! That's The Guy!, Matt Hopper, Leroy Stagger at the Jumberlack Media Manor in Muskegon
—The Singles CD Release Party w/ The Lessmores, Citizen Smile at The Magic Stick in Detroit
—Great Lakes Myth Society at Huron Athletic Club in Port Huron
—Brandon Wiard and the Saviours, Duende, Hoots and Hellmouth, The Jehovah's Witness Protection Program at The Elbow Room in Ypsi

March 4
—Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate), Little Brazil at Mac's Bar in Lansing

March 6
—Canada w/ Page France, Margot & The Nuclear So and Sos at Calvin College in Grand Rapids

March 7
—Canada, The Pop Project w/ Page France at The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor

March 8
—The Silent Years, Akron/Family at The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor
—Mason Proper w/ Stars of Track and Field at The Intersection in Grand Rapids

March 9
—Sari Brown, Will Fossum, Amanda Farmer at Magdalena's Tea House in Lansing
—Zoos of Berlin, Starling Electric, MC Trashpedal at The Halfass in Ann Arbor
—Nomo, The Novel Citizen, Burnin' Man at Mac's Bar in Lansing

March 10
—Mason Proper and Dead Bodies CD Release Party w/ Great Lakes Myth Society at The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor
—Mike Vasas at the JMAC in Jackson
—The Pantones at The Cappuccino Café in East Lansing
—The Novel Citizen, Onett, Lamp at Rochester College in Rochester

March 14
—Annie Palmer at The Elbow Room in Ypsi
—Jacets, Emergency Care, The Jaded Reason at Touchdown Café in Ann Arbor

March 15
-Elm from Arm w/ ela at Small's in Hamtramck
—Annie Palmer, Dan Roth, Mark Lavengood at Magdalena's Tea House in Lansing

March 16
—Kevin from The Word Play, David from That's Him! That's the Guy! at Magdalena's Tea House in Lansing
—Jim Roll, Annie Palmer, Todd Deatherage at The Tap Room Anex in Ypsi

March 17
—The Mighty Narwhale, Bear Hugs, Nate Kalish, The Wildfire at The Break Room in Grand Rapids
—Scotty Karate, David Grammer and the Periods, Annie Palmer, Patrick Elkin and more at Andrew's B&G in Ypsi
—"Run Drugs Out of Town" featuring The Epitomes, Tips, The Man and more at Miller Early Childhood Center Gym in Brighton
—MC Trashpedal, Patrick Elkins, Perhapsy at Andrew's Bar in Ypsi
—Mike Vasas at Magdalena's Tea House in Lansing
—Mason Proper at The Big Barn in East Jordan
—SikSik Nation, Minor Planets, The Royal Affairs at The Elbow Room in Ypsi

March 18
—The Mighty Narwhale at Tarry Hall Roller Skating Party in Grandville

March 19
—Mason Proper at Mac's Bar

March 20
—The Novel Citizen, Melophobia at The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor
—Perhapsy at the U of M Diag in Ann Arbor

March 21
—Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate), Purple Watch Out, Sullivan Sky at Club Bart in Ferndale

March 22
—The Royal Affairs, The Questions, 4 Dead Flowers at Mac's Bar in Lansing

March 23
—Corner Brewery Acoustic Music Fest in Ypsi w/ Nick White, Annie Palmer, Matt Jones, Jesse Tack, Billy Catfish and more
—Timothy Monger at The Tap Room Annex in Ypsi
—Frontier Ruckus, Anathallo at Alma College in Alma
—The Silent Years at The Lager House in Detroit
—The Pantones at Corktown Tavern in Detroit
—Canada, Castanets, Shapes and Sizes at The Halfass in Ann Arbor

March 24
—Child Bite and Stationary Odyssey Split EP Release Party at Small's in Hamtramck

March 25
—Annie Palmer at Memphis Smoke in Royal Oak

March 27
—Perhapsy, Them Roaring 20's at Mac's Bar in Lansing
—Mason Proper w/ Birdmonster at The Lager House in Detroit

March 28
—Natural Monuments, Either/Or, Darling, Camerata at Kraftbrau in Kzoo
—Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate), Syscrusher at Mac's Bar in Lansing

March 29
—The Singles, The Dirtbombs, The Films, The Vigilantes at UofM Ballroom in Ann Arbor

March 30
—Telefon Tel Aviv, Post Prior at The Halfass in Ann Arbor
—The Pantones at Mac's Bar in Lansing
—Chris Bathgate, Beilby's Ball, Head and Toe at Albion Coffee House in Albion
—Calvin College Festival of Faith and Music featuring Anathallo, Sufjan Stevens, Neko Case, Emmylou Harris in Grand Rapids
—The Novel Citizen, Buffalo, Wildcatting, In Civilian Clothing at The Elbow Room in Ypsi
—The Looms, Jen Wilke, Almus Magnus, Annie Palmer at The Corner Dog in Ypsi

March 31
—Misty Lyn, Paul's Big Radio at The Belmont in Hamtramck
—The Royal Affairs, SikSik Nation, Hat Madder, The 77's at Mac's Bar in Lansing
—The Mighty Narwhale at the Clique Bowling Alley in Grand Rapids
—The Novel Citizen, The United States, Paleo at Kraftbrau in Kzoo
—JungleKatAgility, Sah, Knife the Symphony in Marquette

And of course, Blowout X begins Wednesday, March 7 and ends the following Saturday. That's way to many shows to type out, so here's a link to the official schedule.

As always, if we've missed anything or made a major goof, be sure to tell us in the comments section.
-Erik

Aw, shit: Construction begins on US-23

2007-02-28T11:03:00.000-08:00

If, in the next few months, you're headed to the Pig or The Halfass or The Tap Room or The Elbow Room or Arbour Vitae or anywhere in the general A2/Ypsi area via US-23, give yourself some extra time.

Single-lane closures on 23 from Brighton to Dundee from March through Fall

As only one lane will be closed at a time, no detour routes are being established.

So remember, long-distance showgoers:
Dodge the Lodge
AND
Just one lane free on 23.

Best Local Record Label: Quite Scientific

2007-02-28T05:41:00.000-08:00

Qui Sci in Real Detroit Weekly

Also on their "Best of 2007" List:
The Silent Years
The Hard Lessons
Frontier Ruckus
Chris Bathgate

2007-02-28T05:17:00.001-08:00

2007-02-27T08:15:00.001-08:00

2007-02-27T08:14:00.001-08:00

2007-02-27T08:11:00.000-08:00

KFest

2007-02-26T19:04:00.000-08:00

Well. It's over. I'm still recovering. What an amazing weekend of music. I think this past weekend was probably the best overall Michigan music experience I've ever witnessed.

There were some great bands, and there were some not so great bands. But it kind of didn't matter. Everyone in attendance had to make a huge effort to get out to Houghton, so the people were there for the MUSIC. The amount of respect between the audience and the musicians was absolutely phenomenal. Keweenawesomefest was the perfect example of why I love local music. I cannot express how amazing and inspiring this event was. BUT this might help...

JHaJ correspondant, Katie Canavan, accopanied me to the UP and together we recorded short reviews, observations and musican interviews throughout the weekend- it's going to be our first JHaJ Podcast! We're still getting all the kinks worked out, so check back a little later in the week for our Podcast to be posted along with short reviews and more coverage of all the bands that performed. In the meantime, check out some photos from the event:

The Mighty Narwhale

Mason Proper

Misty Lyn

JungleKat Agility

Arrah and the Ferns

Tyler and Kevin- The KFest Men

Thanks to everyone involved in creating this amazing event. We will be back very soon to talk more about it.

Erik and I are having a big official meeting tomorrow. Get ready for some big changes at JHaJ. We've got a to-do list that's taller than I am.

We love you all.
xoxo,
annie moss

Oh My!

2007-02-21T05:26:00.000-08:00

We're still here- we promise! We've been gearing up for this weekend:

Oh man, I am so excited! Check their facebook site for fantastic descriptions of the musical artists on the bill. With a few veteran JHaJ favorites (Mason Proper, The Mighty Narwhale, Annie Palmer) and some new (to me) names (Terrible Twos, This is Deer Country, Sycamore Smith), this is sure to be an exciting 2 days of music. All the details can be found on the Kfest myspace page. And be sure to check back with us in a few weeks for our first official JHaJ PODCAST!! Podcast coverage of Keweenawesomefest. It's gonna be huge.

However, if you CAN'T make it to Houghton, there is plenty of stuff to keep you busy down under the bridge. Possibly most exciting (Erik's been jumping up and down about this for days) is the Saturday Looks Good To Me/Starling Electric/Chris Bathgate show at the Blind Pig on Friday 2/23. SLGTM hasn't played a show around here in quite a while; where better to kick-off their tour than Washtenaw County?

Apparently there is a very last minute secret show at The Neutral Zone tomorrow night 2/22. It looks like it will be a great show, so snoop around myspace a little bit if you are interested in learning more about the lineup.

AND The Hard Lessons (w/ Dirt Road Logic) are playing Friday night at Mac’s Bar in Lansing. If anyone knows how to heat up Mac's, it's the Hard Lessons.

Obviously there is a ton of other stuff going on around the state. This is a great weekend to get out there and see some music! Have fun!
LOVEXOX,
annie moss

2007-02-16T09:04:00.001-08:00

A final word on the Michigan music family portrait

2007-02-13T18:37:00.000-08:00

Looks like it's been moved back to April 7 at 3 p.m. Location still undecided. Check out Canada's MySpace blog for the complete details.

2007-02-13T05:56:00.000-08:00

Updated Repost: Michigan Musicians!

2007-02-10T12:26:00.000-08:00

*Please contact Canada's Myspace Page to let them know if this works for you (or with any questions/ideas etc)

Looking at Thursday February 22nd?....What time could everyone meet up at the West Park Band Shell (or another location, if you have one in mind)? Can you take lunch breaks if need be?

Confirmed for this so far:

Great Lakes Myth Society
Chris Bathgate
That's Him! That's The Guy!
Tom (War Between The States)
Sh! The Octopus
Sweet Ride Caddy
Dave Lawson (Pop Project?)
Zach Curd (Pop Project?)
Zoos of Berlin
The Dardenelles
Mike Vasas
Sarah Gardiner (photographer)
Child Bite
MC Trashpedal
James Collin
Windmill Music
Annie Moss + Erik Adams?
Bobby Pennock
Matt Jones
Carol Catherine
Zach Norton (w/ El Boxeo gang we hope)
Timothy Monger (of course)
Gregory McIntosh (of course)
Annie Palmer
Misty Lyn
Frontier Ruckus
Virgil Walters
Scott Sellwood (of SLGTM and Drunken Barn Dance)
Fred Thomas
El Boxeo
The Hard Lessons
Brandon Wiard and the Saviors
The Novel Citizen

Misty Lyn had the incredible idea of using multiple photographers for this, as there are so many talented camera wielders in the area, each with their own style....So....if you're a photographer and would like to take a picture of this for everyone, let us know and we'll add you to the list. (Thank you Misty Lyn).

We realize this is a huge undertaking, and that we're sort of ripping off Sub Sprawl (bless their hearts), but if we can pull it off it'd be a lovely thing to look back on in 40 years for everyone involved. We emailed every band/musician in the Metro Detroit area we could think of, but please feel free to ask around/bring anyone you want with you to this event.

......................

So we have this idea for a publicity photograph, sort of like the Harlem Jazz picture from 58 (attached at bottom--this is the photo I was talking about), we'd like to get as many Michigan musicians in one picture as possible, kind of like what Sub Sprawl did, only with even more people.

Date and location as yet unknown. Let us know if you are interested in being a part of this! We are so lucky and proud to be a part of such an amazing music scene in such a wonderful part of the world. Join us to document this moment in time!

2007-02-10T11:53:00.001-08:00

Chris Bathgate, Matt Jones and Command Prompt at The Panopticon in Lansing, 2/11

2007-02-09T12:04:00.000-08:00

Just found out about this one on the MySpace. It's an early show, 4 p.m. start time. Check the PanopticonSpace for more details.

Vote for The Silent Years!

2007-02-09T11:10:00.000-08:00

Sometimes comparing music from a critical perspective just isn't enough to determine what's the greatest. Sometimes you've just got to put artists head-to-head and let the fans decide. That's just what Spin.com is doing to determine their 2007 Artist of the Year. And wouldn't you know it, our very own The Silent Years find themselves in The Underground division battling NCAA Tournament-style for this yearly honor. Go here and vote to help lift the band to victory!

And after you vote, check out their video for "Someone To Keep Us Warm," featuring the finest in dowel rod-assisted animation:

The Silent Years
MySpace
Web site

Upcoming Michigan Shows:
Feb. 16 — The Lager House in Detroit
March 7 — Blowout Preview Party with The Satin Peaches and The Muggs at The Magic Stick in Detroit
March 8 — The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor with Akron/Family

2007-02-08T08:42:00.001-08:00