Our fundraiser at The New Way Bar in Ferndale was a smashing success (well, I got smashed anyway) thanks to the self-less jams of Riverside Drive and The Kingsnakes. Both bands bashed the small, but well-packed room with unadulterated rock straight from the gut. They raised nearly three-hundred dollars for Michiganbands.com, securing our web-presence for 2003. We'd like to thank all the true believers in local music who cared enough to show up and support the cause, even if you were only attracted to a great double-bill. Click "Read More" for the details.(photo: K.R. Broderdorf of The Kingsnakes and his gold-top Paul)
A Date with Napoleon K
Because Webmaster Rick couldn't make it on account of a gig, I called on my faithful friend Napoleon K to accompany me to the The New Way Bar for the first-ever Michiganbands.com fundraiser - compliments of Riverside Drive and The Kingsnakes.
K was still editing video when I picked him up from the offices of WROK in Royal Oak; he produces "City Beat", a local cable show that has featured local musical acts such as The Brother's Groove, Blackman & Arnold, Face, and The Wrenfields, who were celebrating their CD release party at Memphis Smoke this very night (sorry I couldn't be there Wrens).
"I didn't realize we were going to the prom," K teased, noticing I'd dressed up for tonight's event. I knew I'd be over-dressed for the room, but I figured if I was going to be taking people's hard-earned money I'd better look like I knew what to do with it.
"Don't complain, K. I'm the only date you've had in over a year," I replied sarcastically.
Xina, Defender of The Revolution
Entering The New Way, we were immediately charged cover - explanations be damned. "Don't worry," chimed-in Xina, local music's warrior princess and the organizer of tonight's event. "You'll be getting it all back later." Xina's the twenty-one year-old singer for Riverside Drive. She's been singing for the last five years, but only seriously since she'd breached the age of consent for the club scene. She's engaged to founding member Buddy Charles and together with RSD they're constantly doing shows for this benefit or that, dedicating much of their time and talent to others.
This is the secret to Xina's "Revolution" in the local music scene, a master plan of mutual respect designed to conquer apathy among the general public. How did she put it? If you want the community to care about local music, the local musicians have to show they care about their community. A fitting conviction from a singer who's real name (Alexina) literally means, 'the defender, or helper of mankind.'
The gang's all here...
Once we'd settled on a small table close to the stage, it wasn't long before The New Way started filling up. Kilkenny's, Nick Woods and Dan Stackpoole arrived and joined K and I at our table. Just a week before we'd ventured all the way to Mt. Clemens to see Kilkenny live based solely on their impressive single, "Marvin". Now they were good enough to return the favor - besides, The New Way was right in Nick's back yard and Dan's always ready for a party, rowdy Irishman he be. Inner Recipe guitarist Erik Kluiber tapped me on the shoulder and said he'd enjoyed Ty Stone's LA stories on our site. I thanked him and mumbled something unintelligible and retarded, already well lubricated by alcohol and a little put off by Kluiber's close-up intensity; It's like meeting Jeff Spicoli in person. But his intensity works great for the band. Check out Inner Recipe's tune "Stone's Throw" on their MP3 page - good stuff.
One disadvantage in publishing your opinion on a weekly basis is having to confront the bands you've dis'd in person. Though I'm definitely in the minority opinion when it comes to the spastic inventions of clown-shockers Downtown Brown, the band was good enough to show up in full to support Riverside Drive and to promote their upcoming shows. Xina's a die-hard fan of the band who's live show is reported to be one of the most intense experiences around. You can read her review of the Downtown Brown's latest release, "Moist & Ridiculous" by visiting our reviews page.
Met at least one member of the progressive quartet Hotsmoke, but forgot if it was Tim, Tom or Dan Kessel or drummer Aaron Sinka . But I did get a flyer for their upcoming gig at The Berkely Front on Friday the 13th. When asked about influences, the mention of King Crimson and "Starless and Bible Black" got me all excited. You can listen here for comparisons.
Crazy Mark showed up at the bar with his assistant in tow to promote CrazyMarkTV and his own brand of Detroit's Weirdest Music. Crazy Mark's controversial cable show can be seen on Oakland County-Community Media Network (check his link above for show times). He promised we aint seen nothing yet - stay tuned.
Seven Mile Sun was somewhere in the house (as evidenced by another flier that made it home in my pocket), though I didn't get a chance to chat with them. They'll be opening at Radiocraft's CD release party on Jan 10th at The Magic Bag. Known as "The Amazing Two-Man Band". Seven Mile Sun does 'rock/pop/alternative... with an edge.'
Super Model-T donated some cash to the cause. I only know that becuase I made change for Xina who forwarded to me their good tidings. Thanks guys.
Finally, Kat showed up with her boyfriend Gary (who looks just like "The Edge" by the way) and joined our little table (drunkards on one side, tea-totalers on the other) in time to catch The Kingsnakes bring the house down.
Retro-Spectacular
Riverside Drive gave about an hour's worth of blood sweat and blues on stage with Xina belting out RSD originals and covers from friendlier times in rock's history, including The Allman Brother's version of "Stormy Monday" and Zeppelin's "The Rover" and closing with an ass-kicking version of "We're Gonna Groove." The band shined when they took-off on improvisational tangents that reminded of Plant's vocal riffing with Page, or Janis' riffing with Big Brother and The Holding Company. In any case, It reminded me of days long past, when we used to get high while listening to music in the dark and watching the lights flicker on the Sansui.
The Kingsnakes took the stage around 11:30 and smoked the house raw with a passionate mix of retro covers and originals from their forthcoming debut. This is definitely 'As Detroit as it gets', 'kick out the jams muther-fuckers' rock and roll injected with amplified testosterone. Napoleon K told me the similarity to the MC5 was uncanny - though I'm too young to know first-hand. A thick haze of retro-friendly incense wafted from the top of bassist Tommy D's amp, filling the room with a cloud of sweet smoke that made my throat go as raw as the music. Guitarists Danny Muggs and K.R. Broderdorf bounced and bounded in place while drummer "Peelo" Pelloni pummeled the skins from a small, dark corner of the room. Tommy Mann cupped the mic, closed his eyes and transported the crowd to another time in Detroit's musical history, when rock ruled the radio and locals graced the airwaves.
Highlights of the raucous set were a note-perfect rendition of Zep's "How Many More Times" and The Kingsnakes very own, "Green Aura" which appears as track 6 on the unplayable demo I received from manager Alex Handy (damn thing just won't cue-up no matter how much I beg. I really miss LP's). Can't wait for the full-length CD due out early 2003. Great show for such a small room; a magic moment for local rock and a moving gesture by the music community - regardless of what mizerly cynics have to say.
More text and pictures to come....watch for updates.
- Mitch
•See more photos of this event at The Kingsnakes Fans Website.