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| Show Review: Frogapalooza '04 Saturday, March 13th |
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Mitch writes
 So, where was I? Oh yeah, Saturday March 13th, the second night of Frogapalooza @ The Bullfrog in Redford. What, you thought I forgot about it? Nah, I din't forget. it's just that I was abducted by aliens who attacked me repeatedly with an anal probe. Took them months to get rid of me. Anyway, here are some blurbs about Feels Like Falling, Amazon Blonde, Seven Letters, FunEnder, Gary Jibilian, Logan, Cobalt Party Revolution, Jackie Blue, Super Model-T and Radiocraft. Sorry, most of the pics have mysteriously disappeared, but we'll post 'em if we find 'em.
Getting to the bar by one o'clock in the afternoon on a Saturday was tougher than I thought it was going to be. Like some decrepit, old scenester (God, somebody, please make it stop), I hobbled into the bar sometime before two, completely missing the first act. Good thing webmaster Rick made it early.
Having missed Backhand at 1pm (sorry guys) I got to The Bullfrog just in time to catch Feels Like Falling, a young group from Rochester. I wouldn't be surprised if this was their first actual bar gig (I think I was playing cafeterias and record stores at that age). But the band is definitely keeping busy; gigs posted on their website consist of Elks, Lions and Knights of Columbus halls and a skating rink or two. Work it boys.
"We'd like you all to clap along to this one," said singer/guitarist Brian Devall, then added with sarcasm, "It would just make us feel GOOD about ourselves." A swipe of dark hair hung lazily over his eyes, making him look like the illegitimate spawn of Joey Ramone. It was a good contrast with the more innocent look of Nick Nealer who shared vocal and guitar duty. The band bludgeoned the crowd with a few more tunes just like they were bashing it out in mom's basement. Devall chimed in again. "This one's, like, the second song we ever wrote," he said, pausing for a beat. "But it still rocks." And they were off again. Their music was relatively formless and dark, almost gothic, but that's perfectly appropriate to growing up in America in the early twenty-first century.
Amazon Blonde began with a groove that told me right away this band is miles beyond singer Britney Bockleman's last project.  Wrapped in pink feather boa's and sporting a pair of blue granny-specs, Bockelman bounced and bounded all over the stage, so animated that her face was usually obscured by a curtain of cascading goldie locks. Band members Vladamir Tovbin (guitar), Jason Smith (bass) and Todd Shanahan (drums) locked-in with the beat and let the Amazon stomp on the stage and belt-out the vocals. Seems like she's learned a few moves from Kingsnakes singer Tommy Mann, who was "manning" the bar while Britney wailed and whirled on stage. She slowed down only long enough to pluck at her keyboard which was also decorated with a purple boa. A very lively and colorful performance.
Seven Letters attracted, among many others, devoted fans Amy & Ron to The Bullfrog once again. I executed a R.A.M. on them several months ago and since they really liked what they heard on disc (namely, Immigrant Blue's debut CD), they bought yours truly a drink (thanks again!). Amy took pictures of the band with her cell phone while Ron and I settled back to enjoy the show. The band hasn't released a debut CD yet, but all of their music is currently available for downloading FREE at their website. With the amount of love songs Seven Letters produce, sounds like they'll be a big hit with the ladies. I know at least one fan with a cell-camera who'd agree.
The biggest surprise of the evening came from FunEnder whose rousing opener commanded, "Turn Signal Mutherfucker! Use It!" That grabbed the attention of the entire crowd, most of whom busted out laughing. I should have known we were in for a rare treat when I saw that the drummer included a modified gas-can with a chrome stand as part of his drum kit and the guitar player's instrument was made of transparent blue Plexiglas™. FunEnder has an unusual, angular sound that's pretty unique. Think Fez meets Soul Coughing meets Limp Bizkit. They rely a bit too heavily on dissonant guitar intros and lyrical expletives, but I can safely say I've never heard anything quite like it. Worth checking out - but there's no website, no mp3's, no contact info. They came, they entertained, they disappeared. A musical enigma to watch out for. FYI: They have been known to play Mac's Bar in Lansing on occasion.
Gary Jibilian and and his latest drumming accomplice Dave Taylor took the stage and began with a couple of tunes off Gary's debut, "Galaxy Rodeo" (the title track always reminds me of Jeff Berlin's debut). They played an
instrumental cover of The Beatles "Dear Prudence" before continuing the set with some new material that will appear on Gary's next release, including a smoking number called "Reactor". If you've never had the pleasure, Gary Jibilian plays the NS/Stick, an 8-string hybrid instrument that that is tapped with both hands. Gary's added a lot of flair to his set since the last time I saw him perform; his use of effects and a mellotron-like looping device has expanded and his leads have evolved. A number of people commented on how talented Gary is, and it's absolutely true, but after about twenty minutes of furious tapping and reliable drumming the "wow-factor" dissipated and the tedium set in - at least for me. I had the same reaction when I saw GJ at the IRock back in 2001. Unless your an instrumentalist who's into pure technique, there's not much for the average ear to grab hold of. I'm hoping he reaches a bit further on his next release to includes some performers who can give his talent a more approachable context (I've been rooting for an opera singer, but I won't hold my breath). During a lull in the set, Gary commented in the mic, "Mitch asked me what I've been listening to lately. Well, I said 'Nothing! I've had to learn all these runs!'" Somewhere therein lies the crux of my argument. Still, an act you must check out if you haven't already.
Jason from 83rd Dream and his lovely wife dropped by to donate a beautiful basket of baked goods from Gerald's Gourmet Coffee Shop in Clawson. It was supposed to be auctioned off to help us raise money, but I think we gave it to the sound man for the excellent job he did all weekend. We just wanted to thank them again for such a thoughtful gesture.
Logan from Seven Mile Sun followed Gary's act and, unfortunately, played to a very light audience. Those who had spent the afternoon at The Bullfrog were filing out and those who normally frequented the clubs had yet to appear. Their loss. It's amazing how well Logan carries the SMS act solo - just his great voice and the sound of an acoustic guitar filled the room - very organic. Logan has a much better impact live than on disc. It's his personal chemistry. He's got tons of charisma that you can only really experience in a live setting. He told me he just got signed to Medea Records, which, conveniently enough, is his
fiancé's label. Lucky for him, she has impeccable taste, having also signed Factory 81, Arizing, Deathgirl.com and Cobalt Party Revolution (who performed later that night). Logan also told me he would be working with two musicians from The Syndicate to create new material for his next release. We'll keep an ear out for for the new stuff. In the meantime, pick up Seven Mile Sun's debut and get up to speed.
By the time Logan finished his set it was time to kick out the nubiles (those under 21) which thinned out the crowd considerably. I started to worry the room would never fill up. I worried we were wasting the band's time. I worried that we were wasting the bar's time. I worried that I was wasting my life. Then I copped an attitude about who didn't show up and I went even further into downward spiral. Truth is, I'm wrapped a bit too tight for this gig - which is why, from time to time, I disappear completely (not that anybody noticed, right?). Sometimes MB feels like a complete waste of time, energy and talent on something that nobody seems to care about but the musicians themselves - and they're only in it for the promotion. But making people care about local music is our self-appointed task (Why, for Godssakes, why?) and at that moment, it felt like we were failing miserably.
But just then, or perhaps it was after a few stiff drinks when my doubts had me contemplating a blindfolded jog onto Telegraph road, as if the Gods of Independent Music had responded to my wavering faith, Cobalt Party Revolution accosted the stage and lit up the room which, almost mystically, had filled up with warm bodies sometime during my anxiety attack. When the beats started beating, and the hip started hopping, a smile of gratitude broadened on my weary face. Their humorous and lighthearted rhymes were exactly what I needed, and what the crowd wanted by evidence of the cheers and shouts that followed every song. Two short, chubby dudes with a 6'5" string bean in the middle, all with mics, pre-recorded beats and an occasional prop (e.g. bullhorn, flashlight, "Applause" sign) turned a dour and depressing room into a club party with impressive energy. I had to smile and shake my head when it was all over. CPR had "revived" the room and reminded me why I ever bothered with all this: because local music can lift your spirits, bring you joy and make you feel amazing when it seems a cynical world is sucking the life, time and money out of you. It's almost impossible to get that experience from a stadium show or large, impersonal venue. It was something special.
Did I mention my other two saviours that Saturday night? The lovely Fish rescued our mangled merchandise table by showing us how to roll up our MB shirts and label them by size so we could keep things straight in a darkened corner of the bar. Bless your heart and experience, fishy. And Molly, thanks for being there, taking pictures (whatever happened to those pics anyway?), keeping us company and working with the limited light. You're both great and we really appreciate your help and support.
Next up was Jackie Blue. Webmaster Rick and I have been corresponding with bassist/keyboardist Tom from this band since the beginning of Michiganartists.com several years ago. Jackie Blues were one of the first, if not the first band to sign on with Michiganbands.com. Finally, after years of trading e-mails, we were lucky enough to play host to a live performance of this talented, energetic, and organized band (they brought a sizable and dedicated following along with them that night). Jackie Blue's sound is, according to their own bio, 'a bombastic combination of Motown soul and funk with the psychedelic feel of the late 60's and 70's'.' That about nails it. Carrie, their singer, reminds me of a cuter Janis Joplin or a tougher Grace Slick. Powerful pipes in any case. They played a mix of originals off their two
previous releases, "Complexification Part II" and "Behind Me" and nailed some crowd-pleasing covers including Joplin's "Bobby McGee", Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit" and closed with Led Zeppelin's "When the Levee Breaks". Jackie Blue had the now sizable sizable crowd primed and pumped. Oh, and they dedicated a song to MB when I told them they could only do two more songs - it's titled, "Shit List". So much love, so little time. ; )
I hated to, but had to rush Super Model-T through their set because of an unscheduled but spirited performance by the band Hinged which was pushing everything else back. But, as always, the SMT boys were well-lubricated, untroubled and ready to rawk! It didn't take long for them to pack the dance floor with their very likable pop. This was the second or third time I'd seen them perform live and I have to say, there probably isn't a band in Detroit that has as much heart as Jeff, Art and Clinton. What they lack in refinement they more than make up for with character, great songwriting and a spirited following that makes you want to be a part of it. They played some favorites off their excellent debut, "Something For Your Misery", some new material they've just recently recorded at The Tempermill in a two-session marathon, and they topped it all off with a smart cover of The Beatles "Why Don't We Do It In The Road?" which the crowd just ate up on the dance floor.
It's no secret on MB that Radiocraft is one of my absolute favorite local bands. I'm on about them all the time (I know, it's irritating - even to them!). Their debut, titled [IN STEREO], is still one of the best discs I've heard come out of the local independent scene. And now, they're nearing completion of a sophomore release, some of which I was privileged to preview just days before the show. The record is being produced by Michael Lutz (pronounced Loots) of Brownsville Station fame and rocks quite a bit harder than their debut. But rest assured, the quality of songwriting, attention production detail, and passionate delivery are still a hallmark of their sound. Frogapalooza was the perfect opportunity for them to try out the new songs on a live, hungry audience. The reaction was very favorable so the crowd was rewarded with a couple of Radiocraft favorites and closed with another powerful cover of The Rolling Stones "Gimme Shelter" - which diehard fans request at every show because they perform it with such conviction. Just excellent.
The smell of beer and sweat permeated The Bullfrog at 2 a.m. The dance floor was still full of smiling, wandering, chatty patrons who really didn't want to go home. Several bandheads from previous acts stuck around and traded stories in the parking lot while they packed away their equipment. And so ended the second night of Frogapalooza @ The Bullfrog - which came off better than we ever could have hoped. Thank you all for a memorable night.
- Mitch
Read Mitch's review of Friday, March 13th's show
Sunday, March 14th review coming someday....
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Re: Show Review: Frogapalooza '04 Saturday, March 13th (Score: 1)
by romeoredneck on Thursday, July 29, 2004 @ 15:26:22 MDT
(User Info | Send a Message) http://www.radiocraftmusic.com | | Glad to see you're back, Mitch. Thanks for the kind words and it was a pleasure taking part in your show. Looking forward to another. Much thanks to Jeff for letting me use his Marshall. It's got to be the best one I've ever heard. |
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Average Score: 4.33
Votes: 6
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