THE GREENHORNES
(1:00 AM / MAGIC STICK)
Another band with Detroit roots, the Cincinnati/Indiana three-piece have, at times, been like those tiny two-circle-top lego pieces, playing in a band with Jack. Playing in a band with Brendan. Playing with Dave. Then Alison. Alright, maybe those aren’t all household first-name statuses, but it’s big stuff nonetheless. The Greenhornes, around since the late ’90s, are solid. When they’re playing their own stuff, it’s great. It’s classic. It’ll make you smile. Plus, you’ll totally recognize the dude with the thick glasses.
THE HOOD INTERNET
(1:00 AM / MAJESTIC CAFE)
Mind-blowing. Good mashups will never be a dead art. It not only takes a keen ear and the ability to beat-match, but some sort of semblance of what’s going on in the music world. And, um, sweet acronym nicknames like ABX and STV SLV. But really, the only important thing you need to know going into this is: Passion Pit vs Juvenile, Sleigh Bells vs Usher, Eve/Swizz Beats vs Radiohead. And it’s good. It’s all good. Like fucking crazy good. Do not miss this.
THE SIGHTS
(12:15 AM / MAGIC STICK)
Does stadium blues rock exist? Somewhere in Detroit it does. Still sitting atop the ever-shifting Detroit music scene, this four-piece is able to continually maintain a well-recorded and dangerous live sound that continues to impress, even after 10 years and six albums. With 2010’s “Most of What Follows Is True,” The Sights have achieved an unprecedented level of song and studio craftsmanship. In an era of soulless keyboards, drum machines and Autotune, The Sights respond with thrillingly catchy songs. No gimmicks, no studio trickery – just rock and roll from the heart.
JUICEBOXXX
(12:00 AM / MAJESTIC CAFE)
Midwest rap. Milwaukee white 23-year old cyberspace-abusing constantly-touring synthesized electronic rap. That about covers it. That, and Chuck D calls him “the Buddy Holly of hip-hop”.
MILLIONS OF BRAZILIANS
(11:45 PM / MAGIC STICK)
“Bro Bar Rock” would be insulting. But describing MOBs sound as anything but in-your-face slightly-contained noise and energy would be inaccurate. Touring with Electric Six last year helped the cause, as did adding-through-subtraction Auggie Visocchi (of Hard Lessons fame). As if they needed any more melting-of-the-face musicians in this mule pack.
FRIENDLY FOES
(11:15 PM / MAJESTIC CAFE)
Friendly Foes were a 90s-influenced 3-piece band that played really loud, really fast, and really fun for almost 3 years. They have recently broken up (no bad vibes, tho) and thought it would be fitting to play their last show at a festival called Fucking Awesome, because that pretty much sums up the time they had together. If Superchunk, the Pixies, and the Juliana Hatfield 3 was/is your thing, come watch Friendly Foes jam one last time before they put this thing to bed.
CONSPIRACY OF OWLS
(11:00 PM / MAGIC STICK)
New creepy, psychedelic rock out of Detroit? You’ll give it a shot, mainly because of its The Go ties. But also, it’s pretty fresh and imaginative…in a dreamy ’60s kind of way.
ILLY MACK
(10:30 PM / MAGIC STICK)
Please don’t make any Motown comparisons. That shit is old. This is a Detroit gal who has a beautiful voice, that’s the end of the comparisons. The musical talent that is required of this two-piece, and their ability to play multiple instruments per set. Well, that goes beyond compartmentalizing musical genres and prejudice. There most certainly will be big things to come from these two. Stay tuned.
SLUFTER
(10:15 PM / MAJESTIC CAFE)
Twisted videogame dance electronic something something. Not the kind of show you’ll see out anywhere normal, at any normal bar operational hours. Not very polished, but that’s not what the kids like these days anyway.
THE HOUNDS BELOW
(10:00 PM / MAGIC STICK)
Nobody really cares what you think of Jason Stollsteimer personally. What matters is that this is his best band and lineup to-date. Playing with the likes of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Raveonettes, and the Black Angels will help with that. Americana and bluesy-ish…does sad doo-wop make sense? Dropping “Jason and” from the band name helps, as this is one impressive collection of musicians.
SOLITARY STATES
(9:30 PM / MAGIC STICK)
Keep it simple. Not overly-produced, and neatly rock authentic, these dudes play a few shows here and there. They all have enough musical experience to know that over-the-top sometimes comes across that way.
MOBIL / GRAND DAD CRUNK
(9:30 PM / MAJESTIC CAFE)
Indie DJ opportunist meets mixtapes, “indie” hip hop and popular music. Spitting lyrics and busting rhymes never seemed so white. Who knows what’s in store with genre-bending and samples galore in the same place at the same time.
DEADBEAT BEAT
(9:00 PM / MAGIC STICK)
Has pop music ever been about taking things seriously? Has pop born in Ferndale ever been able to be taken seriously? No disrespect. Lo-fi, surf-pop, songs about pizza toppings. You will be correct to assume there will be energy in this live set. All other presumptions need to be thrown directly out the window.
YUPPIES
(8:30 PM / MAGIC STICK)
Yuppies were formed in summer of 2007, when Boogs, Kevin and Noah met at the local roller skates clinic. They threw some notes together, with drums, and traveled around the USA playing jokes on people. Then Jeff washed ashore on Omaha beach, and they started playing stupid pop songs, with some dumb hard songs too.
