Monday, June 30, 2014

Wilson & Against the Grain - Back In Town and Blowing Ear Drums

Last Saturday we had the pleasure of seeing Against the Grain and Wilson play back to back at The Magic Stick. Both bands spent most of the last year on tour and it was nice to have them back in town for the night. The venue was hotter than hell, the space was packed, and the crowd was rowdy and full of life.

Against the Grain got people moving and shredded their set. I don't know how they play so fast and so tight, I just know that it's really fun to watch and admire.

Wilson’s fans were going crazy before they even hit the stage. Wilson came out with force and played so hard that they blew the speakers after one song. This just hyped the crowd up even more. The room was filled with chanting until they got back on stage. It was the most hyped I have seen a crowd in years. Wilson reinforced their stance as the best live band in Detroit. The lights, the antics, and the songs were all on point. Check out a couple videos from their set below.



Kudos to both bands for blowing our ear drums and showing everyone such a great time. Have fun on tour and keep making us proud.

You can order a copy of Wilson’s latest album Full Blast Fuckery on vinyl here and keep up with them on Facebook here.

You can keep up with Against the Grain here.

Keep watching these stars rise!


~S

Win Tickets to See King Buzzo @ Small's

King Buzzo of the Melvins is coming to Small's this Wednesday, July 2nd to play an acoustic set. He is the only remaining original member of the Melvins and he has put together an acoustic show that even Rolling Stone had to stop and write about. You can check that out here.

If you were ever a Melvins fan, or a Nirvana fan for that matter, you don't want to miss the chance to catch Roger Osborne a.k.a. King Buzzo live. His live show promises to be just as crazy as his hair. He will be performing alongside Emma Ruth Rundle and Buck Nell. Tickets for the show are $15 in advance and can be purchased at smallsbardeteroit.com. We also have two pairs to give away to two lucky fans! To enter to win, please email your full name to hipindetroit@gmail.com. We will randomly draw two winners the day of the show and we will email them with details on how to claim their prize.

 Doors are at 8 p.m. and Small's is located at 10339 Conant in Hamtramck.


~S

Friday, June 27, 2014

Woodbridge Summer Fest

Summer is officially here and with it comes a ton of festivals and reasons to drink outside. This Saturday is quite possibly the best of both of those worlds.

Woodbridge Summer Fest is taking place this Saturday outside the Woodbridge Pub. We attended this festival last year (but with a slightly different name) and it was one of the highlights of our summer. The event featured 2 stages with great Detroit acts playing back to back. That sounds pretty typical of any festival, but what made this one different was that the bill featured some bands you wouldn't typically see at the other popular fests and it was way more chill. You could just hang out on the grass, drink a beer, and listen to some great music. We expect this year to be just as great, if not better.

The lineup this time around features a wide array of music. The list includes Cold Men Young, The High Strung, Deastro (back from the dead with the full band!), Destroy This Place, Le Voyage, Palaces, Carjack, Parthenogenesis, Citizen Smile, The Paper Sound, Ronny Tibbs & The 305's, Belterra, Tart, Moon Lake, DVASPrude Boys, The Means, King Eddie, Young Punk, Humons, Anna Bitzinger, River Spirit and Liquid Monk. The music starts at Noon and Cold Men Young hits the stage last at Midnight. You can check out all of the set times on Facebook here.

Woodbridge Pub is located at 5169 Trumbull in Detroit. Admission to the event is free. There will be beer and delicious food available for purchase outside or you can head inside to enjoy a drink in the pub. For all of the details on Woodbridge Summer Fest and to get updates throughout the day, head over and "like" it on Facebook.


~C

Saturday @ Small's - Lizerrd's Record Release Show!

This Saturday, June 28th Lizerrd will be releasing their first record at Small's. The 5 piece, self-proclaimed punk rock and roll band features Anthony Gentile on Vocals, Guitarists James North and
Joshua Tafelski, Jheremie Jacque on Bass and Larry Johnson on Drums. Although they classify themselves as punk, we all know that is a pretty broad term nowadays. There's definitely some metal and hardcore influences mixed in there and even just straight up rock 'n' roll. You can see what we mean by checking out the song "Be Here Now" off of the new album No Matter What You Have Done on bandcamp here.

If you like what you hear, make sure you head out to Small's to pick up a copy of the record. That will be the only way you can hear more from Lizerrd for now, as the band plans to only release this album on vinyl initially. Joining Lizerrd at Small's on Saturday are Snakewing, All The Wild Children and Burned or Buried. It will only cost you $5 to get in the door if you are 21+ and $10 for 18-20. Records will be available at the show for the super low price of $5. But, that's just a release show blue light special and the price will double after Saturday! So, that's even more reason to head out to the show! Doors will open at 8 p.m. and the music kicks off at 9:30. Small's is located at 10339 Conant in Hamtramck. For more details on this show, click here.


~C

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Belle Isle Conservation Efforts Buoyed By Volunteers

Ever since Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources was appointed as caregiver of Belle Isle, I have had renewed interest in the park. Prior to this summer, I had only visited the island as part of the Tour de Troit Ride and to check out the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. I’m embarrassed to admit that horror stories about the public restrooms and the idea of swimming in the Detroit River have kept me away.

Fortunately, the DNR has been tireless in promoting the progress they've made on Belle Isle: removing hazardous trees, increasing safety with the presence of state police and state conservation officers, and improving the aforementioned “bathrooms of horror”. Even this cynic finds that kind of enthusiasm infectious. After watching featured videos on the DNR site, I decided to get involved with the Belle Isle Conservancy.

The Conservancy is actually a fusion of four former organizations: Friends of Belle Isle, Belle Isle Botanical Society, Belle Isle Women’s Committee, and Friends of the Belle Isle Aquarium. Its official goal is to “work with the City of Detroit to ensure a successful partnership that coordinates both public and private support of Belle Isle as a public park,” in the areas of marketing, community engagement, research and planning, program and project implementation, and fundraising for capital projects. For those interested in furthering the mission, the Conservancy hosts a Stewardship Day on the third Saturday of every month.


Currently, the monthly Stewardship Day is focused on the removal of invasive plant species that disrupt the resident animals’ ecosystems, as part of a $470,000 grant from Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. However, the day I attended was dedicated to digging up weeds and crabgrass and planting two trees in front of the Belle Isle Police Station, which will be repurposed as a Welcome Center. After three gratifying hours of working alongside devoted Conservancy members, volunteers, and DNR employees, we filled up at least three trucks worth of compost and planted two statuesque elms.





If you would like to donate time or money toward Belle Isle Park’s restoration, visit Belle Isle Conservancy. To RSVP for the next Stewardship Day on July 19th, e-mail Mebby Pearson at Melvadean.Pearson@gmail.com


~KT

See What's New with Tunde at The Loving Touch

I find the phrase “you need to see Tunde Olaniran live” coming out of my mouth a little too often. I have made it my personal mission to turn as many people as possible on to his music and even more importantly, onto his live show. Tunde is the most talented musician in Detroit right now, he has the full package. From flashy outfits, to funky dancers, to a full stage show, he is on the top of his game. Let’s be honest, at this point I have seen him too many times and I am still finding new things to love at every show. Tunde will not lead you astray or let you down, period.

He will be playing The Loving Touch this Saturday, June 28th with Mexican Knives, Siamese, Calcaska, and DJ Matt Rose. I'm sure he will have a new outfit, a new dancer, or something else I haven't seen before, because he is always changing his show and making me smile. Tickets for the show are $5 for 21 and over and $10 for those 18 to 21. The Loving Touch is located at 22634 Woodward Ave. in Ferndale.


~S  

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Win Tickets to the Wilson Vinyl Release Show!

Last summer Wilson released their latest full length CD, Full Blast Fuckery, with a huge release show at The Pike Room. This weekend they are re-releasing the album on vinyl and they are planning an even bigger bash than last time around!

Wilson has been very busy over the past year and has reached new heights in their career. They have been bringing their fuckery to stages across the country, by land and by sea. The guys have been hitting the stages of many major music festivals and even partied on a cruise ship, joining bills with bands like All That Remains and Shai Halud, as well as even bigger names like Sevendust and Slayer. This summer they are embarking on a tour with He Is Legend, sharing stage with Rob Zombie, and even playing on Motörhead's Motörboat in the fall. So, to say that this is a show you won't want to miss is an understatement. Wilson rarely plays at home anymore, so when they do it's one hell of a party!

This Saturday, June 28th you can catch Wilson at the Magic Stick along with Against the Grain, Ana and Red Stone Souls. Tickets are only $10 in advance or $12 at the door. To save yourself a couple of bucks and pick yours up ahead of time, click here. There is also a presale package available for $20 that will get you in the door and you'll get a copy of the album. Another awesome perk to buying presale tickets is that Wilson has teamed up with Monster to giveaway a guitar. If you pick up tickets online before Midnight on Friday, your name will be entered in the hat to win the guitar below, signed by all of the bands playing on Saturday!


Speaking of giveaways, thanks to our friends over at Black Iris Booking, we are giving away one pair of tickets! If you would like to get your name in the hat, we're making it pretty simple. You can just email us your full name to hipindetroit@gmail.com. But, we're going to up your chances to win! You can also tag us in a post about this show on Twitter or Instagram (@hipindetroit)! If you let us know that you are letting the world know that you want to get in on the fuckery this weekend, your name will be thrown in the hat not just once, but twice. That doubles your chances at winning! You can even email us and tweet at us, getting your name thrown in 3 times total! Hit us up on Instagram, Twitter and email us, you're in the hat 5 times. The more you spread the word, the more chances you have to win!

The party starts at 8 p.m. on Saturday and all ages are welcome. Make sure you get there early so you don't miss out on any of these great bands! In the meantime, check out Wilson's new music video for "If You Ever Leave Me, I Will Find You". And just for the hell of it, take a trip down memory lane to the Wilson & Hip In Detroit PBR Party a couple of years back. We've been lucky enough to work with Wilson since the beginning of Hip In Detroit and we're so happy to see them getting the attention they deserve!




~C

A Special Release from Ryan Dillaha & The Miracle Men

It’s easy to take life too seriously and forget how great most of us truly have it. We get caught up in our commutes, our bills, our family feuds, and all of the bullshit that comes at us in everyday life. Music has always been my escape to get away from everything else. I am always working for the weekend and the next big show. There is something magical that happens in the dimly lit bars of this city that I don't think you can get anywhere else. Normal people who work 9 to 5 jobs become rock stars and use their superpowers to fill rooms with smiles and laughter.

Ryan Dillaha & The Miracle Men are one of those amazing bands that makes sure that everyone who comes out to see them had a excellent time. They are talented musicians who know how to entertain. When you attend one of their shows you can't help but get up and dance.

This Friday they are throwing a party at The Magic Bag in Ferndale and releasing a 45 on New Fortune Records. This release is extremely important because it is the only music that they recorded with their recently deceased friend and bass player, Michael Millman. The band made a point to release these songs in honor of Michael. It is not easy to deal with losing someone that you love, especially someone that you made music with, but the best thing we can all do is throw one hell of a party for the release.

I asked Ryan Dillaha to define what music meant to him, to talk to us about the release of the album, and to tell us a little more about himself. He is one of the most charming people that we have ever interviewed. He actually made us smile and cry in just a few paragraphs. There is no doubt that he is an infectious person with an amazing personality and a kind heart. He is someone who understands that you can't take life too seriously, sometimes you have to just throw on a hat, grab your friends, down a shot, and dance.


HID- What does music mean to you?
Ryan Dillaha- "Any intimacy I have ever experienced in my life has involved music in some way. I think it comes from my first encounters with music, which were always through my parents. They would have parties in our basement, and spin 45s all night, drink highballs, and do a lot of those old 50’s dances. I think I learned then that music is dancing with your lover and laughing and drinking with your friends. Plus, it makes corporate greed and the imminent demise of the planet easier to take."

HID- You describe your music as Detroit Americana, define that term.
Ryan Dillaha- "Musicians are asked to describe their music a lot, and as Elvis Costello once said, “Talking about music is like dancing about architecture.” I think most of us would prefer people to just listen and make up their own minds. But, since you have to entice folks to check you out, that phrase was probably an attempt to refer to many influences in few words. To me it means all the folks that came to Detroit from all corners of this country and all the musical expressions they brought. Except for techno. Fuck those dudes. I kid! I kid!"

HID- You are releasing a 45 on New Fortune Records. What made you decide to work with that label?
Ryan Dillaha- "Of all the label folks we met with, Kevin Pachla served by far the best champagne and sported the dopest gold rope chain. The choice was obvious. Also, he is a friend of mine and has helped me with other projects, and he knew Mike, so it was nice working together on getting this record made and released."

HID- Your bass player Michael Millman recently passed away. First of all, we would like to offer our condolences to all of you and all of the people who loved him. We read that these are the only songs that he ever recorded with the band. Was it important to you to make sure that they were released in his honor?
Ryan Dillaha- "Thanks very much. It was a hard loss for all of us in the band, and of course for all of his family and friends. We were—and in some ways still are—in shock. Mike was a dear friend and brother to us, and his bass playing was exceptional. Just before Mike passed away, our drummer Tim Rios left the band for a job that was demanding a great deal of his time, so I’m really glad we recorded three songs last summer to document a moment in time that turned out to be more fleeting than we all thought it would be. We had planned on just putting these songs on the next record, but now that we have a new line up, we wanted to release them to celebrate the music we made and the laughs we had with Mike. I was driving to an interview once and I was talking to Mike on the phone. I said good-bye and Mike said, “Hey wait!” I said, “What?” He said, “Don’t forget…it’s M-i-l-l-m-a-n.” At the interview I said, “I have the best bass player in the entire Detroit music scene,” because I believed that and I wanted Mike to read it in print. The quote didn't make the published interview, so I had to include it here. Mike was a real creative force on the bass. Any band in town—in virtually any genre—would have been lucky to have him. I learned a great deal from him about both playing music and being in a band. I’m glad we have these recordings to listen to. Mike was more excited that day in the studio than I had seen him at almost any other time. He was proud of the music that we made together, and that always meant a great deal to me."

HID- There is a $10 cover for the show, but it comes with a special download. Tell us about that.
Ryan Dillaha- "I forget whose idea it was, but I think it’s a good one and it wasn't mine. I got together with John Freeman and friends from Dutch Pink and Oak Bones, and someone had the idea that we should give people more for their hard earned dollars, so we’re giving four downloads at the door: one from each act on the bill."

HID- Where do you find your amazing hats?
Ryan Dillaha- "Same place Johnny Griffin got his pants: Copenhagen."


HID- What is your drink of choice and why?
Ryan Dillaha- "Captain and Coke because of the alliterative quality of the order. Also, I like cheap beer and will imbibe a small amount of Irish whiskey on special liturgical observances and holidays: any given Tuesday, for example."

HID- Your stage show is as entertaining as your music. How did you learn how to take over a room and own it so well?
Ryan Dillaha- "Thanks a lot for saying so. It’s probably due to the fact that as the youngest of three children, I had to take over the room as a child in order to get any affection whatsoever. Kidding. But, if there is one thing I learned growing up as a skinny dude downriver, it’s that you look a lot tougher with some bad motherfuckers standing beside you. So playing with Jason, Jeremy, and Jesse certainly makes it easier to command attention and set the mood in the room. The truth is, I’m not sure how whatever happens at our shows happens, but I will say that I just genuinely feel so much joy when we’re playing that I don’t think about it much at all. I try to keep my heart open at all times, and the fun we’re having on stage is usually contagious."

HID- Anything else that you would like our readers to know?
Ryan Dillaha- "I would love them to meet our new rhythm section. We have Jeremy Mackinder on the bass, and Jesse Soriano on drums. Both have twenty years experience in bands and on the road. Add our lead guitarist Jason Portier, and those three have sixty-some years experience between them. I have already learned a lot from playing and rehearsing with these three guys, and the band has a muscle, a swagger, and a soul that makes playing music with them an absolute blast. We are going to be hitting the road in late summer, and we hope to have a full release out very soon!"


Ryan Dillaha & The Miracle Men play this Friday, June 27th at The Magic Bag with special guests Dutch Pink, Oak Bones, and John Freeman. Tickets are $10 at the door, but as Ryan mentioned, this fee includes a digital download form all four bands to take home with you. Doors are at 8 p.m. and The Magic Bag is located at 22920 Woodward in Ferndale.


~S

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Kaleigh Baker is Singing the Blues

The best part about the rebirth of Detroit is all of the people who are moving back to Michigan. I have recently had a lot of friends find their way back to The Mitten and I could not be happier about it. They left when the economy was failing and returned as soon as things started to turn around. Let's face it, if you're into music there is no place like Detroit.

Each friend that returns passes on a new band or artist that they were into when they were out of town and I have been making sure to take a listen when someone makes a recommendation. There is all kinds of music being made all over the country and I want to hear as much of it as I can. One of those recommendations caught my ear and is coming here to play a few shows this week. 

Her name is Kaleigh Baker and she has one of the most sultry voices I have ever heard. She is originally from New York, but has lived in Florida the last few years. Her EP, The Weight Of It All, has been well received and has put her name on the map. Hear it for yourself here.

She is coming to Michigan to play a few shows and to begin recording her first full length album. She will be playing June 26 at The Lager House with The Catfish Project and Joe Firstman and June 28 at Straycat Lounge with Jennifer Westwood and the Handsome Devils.

Here’s a video of Kaleigh performing "Born to Be Bad" live to give you an idea of what you are in store for if you attend the shows.


That voice just does it for me! If you feel the same, you should check her out when she is in town, or at least start following her on Facebook, this lady has a bright future ahead of her!

~S


Hell City Takes Over the New Dodge!

Hell City Records will always hold a special place in my heart. It was the last record label that my friend Jason Lockwood owned before passing away a few years ago. At the time of his passing I thought his small DIY label would fade away, but a few good friends stepped up and made sure to keep his label and his dream alive.

Jason loved punk rock and loved to help bands get on their feet. If your band was in town and didn't have a place to stay, you would be sleeping on Jason's couch and he would pay for some food with the last $5 in his pocket. When I first met him he was putting out compilations of Detroit artists, called Unity Crew Detroit, and was about to open a record shop that was called Idle Kids. Music and the Detroit scene were his passion. 

To this day Hell City continues to throw great punk rock shows and release as much local music as they can. This time around, Hell City is trying to raise money to help Axe Ripper put out a full length that will be called Hell is Real. They are hosting a show this Wednesday, June 25th that will feature Axe Ripper along with Unidentified Drunken Injury, Snakewing, and Karmic Lava at The New Dodge in Hamtramck. They are only charging $6 to get in the door and 18+ are welcome to attend. Doors for the show are at 9 p.m. and the New Dodge is located at 8850 Joseph Campau in Hamtramck. If you're into punk rock or metal or just want to help small DIY labels keep the scene alive, head out and throw into the pot. 


~S

Monday, June 23, 2014

Get Into The Pit

Last week we wrote an article about becoming a successful band in Detroit and one of our recommendations was to point out you shouldn't play around town too often. Well, this week we're going to give the opposite advice to Bahamut who are one of the best metal bands around, to them we say, play more often!

The last time we saw this band live was back on the winter at Berserker Fest. They opened up the the show at The Loving Touch and caught the ear of every person in the room. The only sad part was that not enough people were there to experience how great they really are.

This time around I would like to see more people get to experience their sound. If you're a fan of metal there is no excuse for you to miss this show because the lineup was tailored just for you.

They are playing a two day metal fest this Friday and Saturday, June 27th and 28th called Get Into The Pit, which is being sponsored by Hard Edge Radio. The two day lineup includes :

Friday-
Karmic Lava
Mare Crisium
Coven 13
Downspeed (Toledo,OH)
Hate Unbound
Genocya (Lansing, MI)
Bahamut
From Blue To Gray (Mt. Pleasant, MI)
The Worst Of
Ugly But Proud
Kastura

Saturday-
Underland (special early set)
Soldiers Last Breath
Relik
Deadringer (Flint, MI)
At Deaths Behest
Imminent Sonic Destruction
Fall From Disgrace
At The Hands Of Victims
Demonshifter (Toledo, OH)
After The Minor (Flint, MI)
Swans On Fire
Hell Rides North
A Sleepless Malice (Flint, MI)
Dismemberment (Columbus, OH)
Forsake The Fallen
Underneath It All

Tickets for the event are $10 a day or $15 for both days. You can purchase them in advance here: https://www.freshtix.com/events/getintothepit2014

Doors are at 3 pm on Friday and and 3:30 pm on Saturday. The event will take place at Rocky’s Pub, which is located at 12850 Sibley Rd., Riverview, MI. Our friends over at InkAddict are also going to have a table at the event, so make sure to stop by and see all their newest merch.

~S



Old Man Markley

Everything has to grow up at some point, even punk rock. The evolution of punk rock has taken many paths, some good and some very bad. Old Man Markley is one of those bands that found a way to mix punk rock with bluegrass and make it sound oh so sweet.

Old Man Markley is a 7 piece band from L.A. that is part of the Fat Wreck Chords music family. They have been playing together since 2007 and recently topped the Bluegrass charts with their latest album Down Side Up, which was recorded with none other than Fat Mike himself. They have toured with everyone from NOFX to No Use For A Name and were even part of the Tony Sly tribute album.

They are playing the Magic Stick in Detroit this Thursday, June 26th with Jeremy Porter & The Tucos, Fishgutzzz & His Ignorant Band (of The Goddamn Gallows) and Zander Michigan. We think that it's going to be a killer show, so we took the opportunity to talk to the bands drummer Jeffery Fuller to learn more about them before the show. Not only did he give some great answers, but the band sent us a gift to give away with a set of tickets to the show, which were given to us by Black Iris Booking. Check out what he had to say and keep reading to find out how to win.


HID - Your latest album Down Side Up was recorded by none other than Fat Mike, owner of Fat Wreck Chords. Can you tell us a little bit about working with him to make this album?
Jeff Fuller - "Yes, Fat Mike did co-produce the album. We love working with him and were open to his suggestions. Let's put it this way: he's been writing songs for longer than a lot of us have been alive, so he knows a thing or two about lyrics and song structure."

HID - What was your reaction when you found out that the new album debuted at number one on the Billboard Bluegrass charts?
Jeff Fuller - "We were stunned! We heard about it a few hours before our gig with the Dropkick Murphys in New York City. Our first record placed at #8, and we were hoping Down Side Up would end up somewhere close to that. But #1, we never thought that!"

HID - I just watched a video from one of the shows in Japan, the crowd was going crazy. Can you tell us a little bit about what it was like touring Japan, Europe, and Canada?
Jeff Fuller - "Japan was amazing! The fans are so friendly and stoked that an American band has come to their country. Between songs, they are so quiet, wanting to hear what we are saying over the mic. This is the exact opposite of most other countries.
Europe is a lot of fun and not as hard to get around as most people think. Almost everyone speaks English, especially the younger generation. It's kind of weird traveling in Europe because you can drive a short distance and be in another country with a different language and customs. It's something Americans are not used to.
Canada is easy because it's basically like touring America: a lot of long scenic drives and English as a primarily language. Eh?"

HID - Punk and Bluegrass are two genres of music that do not usually blend together, how were you able to make this work so well?
Jeff Fuller - "I think it's because half of the band comes from a primarily punk music background and the other half comes from a primarily country/folk/bluegrass background. We listen to all styles of music, though. Having drums in a bluegrass band seems to make people think we sound more punk rock, and maybe that's true. Or it's punk of us to put drums in a bluegrass band, or punk of us to put banjo or fiddle or autoharp, etc. in a punk band. You can look at it either way. We have a punk mentality for sure, and a lot of our lyrics show that. If the listeners want to say we are this or that, then that's fine, we understand. Just close your eyes and listen to the music. Do like it or not? At the end of the day, we just try to write good music."

HID - Have you ever played Detroit before? If so what do you remember from your last visit? If not what are you expecting?
Jeff Fuller - "We played the Fillmore in Detroit in late 2011 when we were on tour with NOFX. I love playing those old theaters! I remember that stage being huge. That's about all we got to see in Detroit, the inside of the venue, which is very typical for any city we play. Hopefully we will have more time to walk the city this go-around. And hopefully Detroit will come out in full force to show their love for our music!"

HID - You contributed a song to the Tony Sly tribute album that Fat Wreck Chords put out last year. How did you become involved with that project?
Jeff Fuller - "Fat Mike asked us and of course we said yes! In early 2012, we did a tour with NOFX, Lagwagon and No Use For A Name. We got to know Tony and the band really well on that tour. We've done our fair share of covering punk rock bands in the past that (Fat) Mike knew we would add a unique sound to the compilation. "Feel Good Song Of The Year" is one of our favorite songs to play live. All the proceeds for the album go to the Sly family, so get out there and buy one, or five."

HID - What is your go to fast food stop when you are on tour?
Jeff Fuller - "Whole Foods. We are probably the healthiest band on the road. We try to hit every Whole Foods in each city we play in, so if you work there, watch out."

HID - Annie and Katie are always rocking the best cowboy boots, I have always wanted a pair. Any advice on where to find bad ass ones like theirs?
Jeff Fuller - "Ebay!"

HID- Anything else that you would like our readers to know?
Jeff Fuller - "We hope that the last time we played Detroit had enough effect on people that they are excited we are coming back to the Motor City. I mean, who doesn't want to build a car while listening to our music?"


If you would like to see the band for free and get a copy of the the bands 7" Stupid Today, email your full name to hipindetroit@gmail.com. We will draw a winner the day before the show and give them details on how to claim their prize. You can also buy tickets in advance for only $10 here.

If we still haven't convinced you to go to the show check out this video, you won't want to miss this one.



The Magic Stick is located at 4140 Woodward Ave. in Detroit and doors for the show are at 8 p.m.


~S

Friday, June 20, 2014

Slows - The Best BBQ in Town

Slows Bar BQ has been a Detroit favorite, and one of my personal favorites for years now. The restaurant has been featured on Food Network, in countless magazines, and has even been mentioned by quite a few A-List celebrities after being in Detroit. It is on my list of places to take out-of-towners when they are here for a visit and every time I get the chance to eat at Slows, it's a special treat. However, there are shockingly still a few people out there that have never been to this Detroit staple.

Located on Michigan Ave. in Corktown,
Slows brings in diners from all around the city and far out into the suburbs. On any given day, at pretty much any time of day, there is a line to get into the place. Sometimes it's over an hour, but if the time is right, you only have to wait a few minutes. However, fans of this restaurant simply don't care about the wait, that's just how good it is. And, despite the time it takes to grab a seat, once you are at your table your food comes out rather quickly. That's in part because the BBQ masters at Slows cook their meat all day long, making it smokey, tender, and all around delicious.

Although Slows is known for its BBQ, which commonly includes an assortment of meat, they also have vegetarian options and a wide variety of delicious sides. That's not to say the meat isn't great too, with options including chicken, ribs, brisket, pork, and even catfish. However, there are two other things that people rave about. One is The Genius, a vegetarian version of a pulled pork sandwich that will make anyone's mouth water. The other fan favorite is the Mac-N-Cheese. We've heard more than once that this side dish is addictive and that they, "must put crack in it." It's crusty, it's gooey, and it has just a little kick to it that makes it probably the best macaroni and cheese in the world.

On my latest visit to Slows, my dining mate and I each got a side of Mac-N-Cheese (because, trust me, you won't want to share it), shared a side of Coleslaw, and each got our own sandwich. She went with The Reason, which is pulled pork butt topped with coleslaw and dill pickles. I went with my absolute favorite, The Yardbird. It features pulled chicken in a mustardy BBQ sauce, with mushrooms and cheese mixed in, and 2 slices of bacon on top. It's not exactly the most health conscious of meals, but hey, at least there are some mushrooms in there! All sandwiches are served on your choice of Texas Toast or a Kaiser Roll, I suggest the Texas Toast. You'll probably want to fork & knife it you go that route though. If you aren't into sandwiches so much, don't worry. Slows has a long list of entrees, most of which come with your selection of 2 sides. You can check out the full menu here.

If you have been to Slows more times than you can count and none of the above is news to you, here are a couple things that you may not know. Last year Slows expanded their restaurant and now has a second bar as well as some additional seating. They also host a Late Night Happy Hour every Monday night in the new bar area with free homemade chips, a rotating menu of appetizer specials, and great drink specials. Last, but definitely not least, don't forget about Slows To Go located at 4107 Cass Ave. in Midtown. This carryout location offers most of your favorites from Slows as well as a ton of other menu options. They even do bulk ordering/catering. You can check out the Slows To Go menus here. And don't forget, there are even Slows To Go satellite locations inside Ford Field and at Cadillac Square in the Summer.

So whether you've never been to Slows, it has been awhile since you went, or you were there yesterday, this is a delicious option in Detroit that you should go to very soon. Just remember to give yourself a little extra time and go hungry. I guarantee you will be stuffed when you walk out and you will rarely have leftovers because it's just too good to not finish. Slows is located at 2138 Michigan Avenue in Detroit. For hours and directions, visit SlowsBarBQ.com.


~C


Spend Your Weekend at the Detroit Riverfront for Riverdays!

This weekend head down to the Detroit Riverfront for Detroit Riverdays. This three day event features something for everyone, with a Taste of Detroit food court, tours of tall ships and a Coast Guard Cutter, Jet Ski demonstrations, carnival rides, sand sculptures, street performers, and two stages of live local music. Some of the bands performing this weekend include, Lightning Bugs, Zander Michigan, Le Voyage, Nigel & The Dropout, Kaleido, The Ruiners and The Infatuations. For the full lineup of music, click here.

Detroit Riverdays kicks off on Friday, June 20 and runs through Sunday, June 22nd. Admission is only $3 during the day and $5 after 5 p.m., but children 3 and under and seniors 65 and older get in for free. This year the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is offering a promotion called Free Friday, which means you can get in the gates for free between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Friday. Once you are in, you can stay until close without having to pay admission. The festival runs from 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. on Sunday. For more information and a full list of events, visit RiverDays.com.

Don't forget! Riverdays is all leading up to the Detroit Fireworks on Monday, June 23rd. Click here for more info.


~C

Thursday, June 19, 2014

De La Tierra Art Show

There is a growing art community in Detroit and we couldn't be happier about it. The Red Bull House of Art and The Tangent Gallery are just two of the many places that have been hosting events with with new artists, new ideas, and new material almost every month. A new spot has popped up across from the Red Bull House of art and Saturday, June 21st they are hosting their first event. The show is called De La Tierra which is Spanish for “from the earth”. This is a collaborative art show, each piece is the brainchild of two artists coming together and creating a piece based on the meeting of both of their minds. Each “couple’ will have three collaborative pieces and one personal piece.

The artistic teams are as follows:
Allison Vince & Salam Rida 
Ben Saginaw & Julian Spradlin
Ash Nowak & Jon Dones
Jess Hicks & Daisuke Hughes
Ben Wolf & Vanessa Cronan
Michael Eugene Burdick & James Noellert
Robb DiMaria & Əllən RÚtt 
Amber Locke & Patrick Quinn
Amanda Itria & Gregory Ducharme



This show is a one night only event from 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. This event was curated by Salam Rida and Allison Vince. The address for the event is 1550 Winder, Detroit, MI. This is your chance to check out what artists in Detroit can do when they put their minds together.



~S

Bees, BBQ and Bands at Corktown Tavern this Friday Night!

It has been all over the internet lately. The bees are dying. Some sites say it is from parasites, some from disease, others from stress, the environment, and worker bees just picking up and leaving their colony, as though they are on strike. Whatever the reason is, this is actually a very serious problem. Without bees, who will pollinate our plants?

There are many organizations working to solve this problem and save the bees. This weekend, a group of Detroit bands are coming together to draw awareness to this issue and raise some money for the Pesticide Action Network North AmericaDharmapalaThe Loveseats,Pulp CultureThe Means and The Static Dial are putting on a benefit show this Friday, June 20th at Corktown Tavern. Not only will there be 5 great bands playing, but there will also be some free BBQ! It's only $5 to get in the door, with 20% going to PAN and some proceeds also going towards Help For Our Disabled Troops.

Corktown Tavern is located at 1716 Michigan Ave. in Detroit. Doors open at 9 p.m. For more details, visit the Facebook event page here.

~C

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Getting Foxy with Foxy Shazam

When I was a little kid my dad used to put on records and dance with me around the living room. He is the reason that I love bands like Led Zepplin, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Elton John and one of my all time favorites, Queen.

Queen is known for two things, being great musicians and legendary live shows. Their 1985 performance at Live Aid has been ranked the best live performance of all time by many different polls over the years. The fact that I will never be able to see Freddie Mercury has always bothered me, that was until I found a band that is just as interesting and just as epic live. That band is called Foxy Shazam.

Foxy is one of those bands that I immediately liked when I heard their album, but loved when I finally saw them live a few years ago at St.Andrews. The way they take over a room is indescribable and must be experienced in person at least once. They banter with the crowd, they dance, they have a bad ass trumpet player, and they have a larger than life sound. Horns and pianos can make or break a band for me and in Foxy's case the keyboard and trumpet are right on point.

Check out this live video to get taste of what I am talking about:


But, don't just watch a YouTube video and take my word for it, come out and see Foxy for yourself as they return to Detroit and play the Magic Stick this Sunday, June 22nd. They are touring in honor of their latest album Gonzo, which was recorded with none other than the famous Steve Albini. You can stream the entire album for free here. Our friends in Larry & His Flask are opening the show and tickets are only a measly $15 and can be purchased here.

We had a chance to talk to Daisy and ask him a few questions before the show and he is just as charming on paper as he is on stage. The best part is that he refers to Detroit as their second home and shows our city a little love, something that we rarely hear from out-of-towners there days.
Photo Credit: Steven King

HID-
Describe Foxy Shazam in one word.
Daisy Caplan- "Vituperative."
SIDENOTE: (Webster's definition- "containing or characterized by verbal abuse")
HID- Who are you biggest musical influences?
Daisy Caplan- "The sound of wind blowing thru the window of a speeding car, and the sound rain on a tin roof at night."
HID- You're known for your live show, what do you think makes your live performance so special?
Daisy Caplan- "Cash rebates: we actually mail out $50 checks to everyone who attends the show. It really helps our fans with monthly bills."
HID- Tell us a little about recording your latest album Gonzo with Steve Albini. What was the experience like for you?
Daisy Caplan- "Really comforting. Steve is like the nurturing godfather of rock and roll. Instead of mashed potatoes and gravy, he makes fluffy coffee."
HID- What's the one item you have to bring on tour and why?
Daisy Caplan- "Pants, because it's illegal not to wear them in most places."
HID- What's your go to food choice when on the road?
Daisy Caplan- "Caviar, Goldschlager, $100 bills (to light Cuban cigars with), veal, etc... Just kidding, Chipotle at best."
HID- You have played some pretty epic shows in Detroit. Do you have any great memories from those shows that you would like to share with us?
Daisy Caplan- "Detroit is our second home... Some of our best friends live there, and we have always had perfect shows. Never a dull moment, and a couple memories that will last a lifetime, both onstage and off... I know Pontiac isn't Detroit but that one show at The Crofoot where people just kept stage-diving and then some kid pulled down his pants onstage was pretty magical."
HID- Where do you see this band in 5 years?
Daisy Caplan- "Still touring the galaxy, hopefully. (With a stop in southeastern Michigan.)"

Doors for the show open at 7 p.m. and the Magic Stick is located at 4140 Woodward Ave. in Detroit. Head out and see them live or hear about how great it was the next day from your friends and regret missing the show.


~S

Dark Wave Rising

If you’re craving a bit of Bret Easton Ellis grittiness to your evenings out, Thirst Wave really satisfies. I had high expectations heading to Small’s for Thirst Wave last Friday night, when I realized their resident DJ is none other than DJ Pleasure Kitten. For the unacquainted, she used to spin at Luna’s Elektro Wednesdays in the late ‘00s and knows how to craft a dark dance party. Friday’s playlist did not disappoint, including songs from Depeche Mode, Ministry, and Q Lazzarus (the latter accompanied by at least one male dancer attempting to tuck his member between his legs a la The Silence of the Lambs).


Despite a predominantly goth crowd, campy ‘80s singles like ABC’s “The Look of Love” and Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s “Relax” had everyone on their feet. I know I had a blast, because I’m not sure if I imagined the smoke machine and laser lighting, or if that’s just what it feels like to be intoxicated and surrounded by people with such an intense respect for New Order that they put their drinks down and run to the dance floor at 1:55 a.m.

The next Thirst Wave is Friday, June 20th at 9 p.m. Small’s is located at 10339 Conant in Hamtramck. No cover for 21+, $2 for 18+.


~KT

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Andrew Jackson Jihad Tells You Why You Should be at the Magic Stick Thursday Night!

The dudes from the the folk punk band Andrew Jackson Jihad are currently on tour with Dogbreth and Cheap Girls and this Thursday, June 19th they are stopping by the Magic Stick in Detroit. We had an opportunity to check in with them on tour. Read ahead to see what these silly guys had to say and then head up to the Stick to see them play live and in person this Thursday.

HID- Go to tour food and why?
AJJ- "Arugula because it tastes good on its own without any dressing."
HID- Smelliest person in the tour van and why?
AJJ- "Mark because he is always the last person to commit to showering."
HID- Worst show you have played in the last year and why?
AJJ- "Not playing a show is the worst kind of show."
HID- What song do you hate playing live and why?
AJJ- "Songs that we hate don't get played live."
HID- You used a lot of toilet paper in your music video for "Temple Grandin". What did you do with it after the video was over?
AJJ- "Joe Stakun rolled them back up to take them home. The toilet paper eventually met its destiny."
HID- Why should someone check out your live show?
AJJ- "Cheap Girls and Dogbreth are both awesome. We're playing too."
HID- Have you ever been to Detroit before? If so, tell us about your experience. If not, tell us what you expect from what you've heard.
AJJ- "We've played the Magic Stick a couple times before. It's always been great, besides carrying gear up three flights of stairs."
HID- Anything else that you would like our readers to know?
AJJ- "If you're tired, pull over. If you're hungry, eat something" - Dogbreth

The Magic Stick is located at 4140 Woodward Ave. in Detroit Tickets for the show are $12 and can be purchased in advance here.

Check out Andrew Jackson Jihad's latest music video for the song "Temple Grandin" off their latest album on SideOneDummy Records called Christmas Island.



~S

The Hip In Detroit Do or Die Guide for Local Bands

Photo Credit: Joe Gall Photography

Everyone has a list of recommendations for bands these days. Some of the advice they mention applies to Detroit and some simply does not. We have a different music scene here than anywhere else in the country, in the world for that matter. We have seen our share of bands make it from this city and plenty of bands die before their time. We thought it was time for Hip In Detroit to put together a list of advice for local bands, from the mouths of your favorite hip ladies. Take it or leave it, here’s our two cents.

1- Not pressing a physical copy of any Full Length or EP is a mistake.
Some of us, no a lot us, still like to buy a CD or an album. We listen to them in our cars, play them on our record players, and even frame the really cool covers on our walls. For these reasons it's a good idea to have at least a few physical copies of the album.

2- You should be going out and watching other bands and supporting the local music scene. 
If you show up and watch other bands play it shows two things to others. The first is that you genuinely like music, even if it's not you on stage you still get enjoyment out of hearing someone else play music live. It's also a great way to network and encourages those bands to make a point to come see your band the next time you play. It also might make that band more likely to book a show with you in the future. Sharing the love is beneficial for everyone involved.

3- Don't forget about your fans. 
Taking your fans for granted and acting like you're too cool for them is the fastest way to fizzle any hype that your band has. When someone takes their time and spends their money to come out and see your band, you owe them. Would it kill you to say hello, shake a hand, and make them feel appreciated? Staying back stage is okay when you're Beyonce, but you're a local band. Get out there, walk around, and say hello! If you make someone feel wanted and needed, they will come back to get that feeling again. 

4- Taking your female fans for granted is a huge mistake. 
There are a lot of bands that treat their female fans poorly. From assuming that they are only there to fuck someone in the band to disregarding their value as music fans and critics. Female fans tend to be loyal and they are more likely to post about their experience at your show on social media. Females travel in packs, win one over and her whole crew will be there for the next show. These ladies can be your best source of free marketing and can really help you quickly grow your fan base.

5- Printing your bands shirts on cheap t-shirt material is a big mistake. 
You might as well not even bother making shirts at all. If I buy a t-shirt at your show and it itches, it fades really fast, or the logo washes away after the first spin, I feel robbed. I am less likely to keep wearing this shirt (which is free advertising for you), and it will probably make me hold a little bit of resentment towards your band for wasting my money. Go for the good fabric with good ink and charge a few more dollars. Also, as a side note: too much print on the front of a shirt doesn't go over well if you have boobs. If you want the ladies to buy your shirts, keep this in mind when you're coming up with your designs.

6- Just getting on stage and playing the album the way it was recorded verbatim while standing there is a bad idea. 
Standing in a dimly lit room for a few hours to see a band isn’t always as fun as it sounds. Your feet start to hurt and if you don't like the opening bands and don’t have any friends at the show, it can get very boring very fast. Make that wait worth your fans' while by not playing exactly what they could have heard in their car. If you play it exactly the same with no stage show, I'll skip the show next time and just listen to the album. My feet will appreciate the down time and so will my bank account.

7- Don't play too often. 
You have to space that shit out! You need to make the events that you throw special. Don't just play every weekend and get mad when less and less people show up. Play less, and make the people want to come out and see you, especially if you listen to the last bullet point and make sure that they leave the show wanting more. Maybe tonight you wear something special, bring a prop on stage, make a video to go behind the set, or dance your little heart out. We're not saying that every musician needs to get up and put on a show like Tunde Olaniran, but you need to do more than sway back and forth while staring out at the faces staring at you. Make me move, make me laugh, make me experience something that I can’t get anywhere else and I'll make sure I don't miss the show the next time that you play.

8- Don't charge too much for your shows. 
Don't get greedy! There is no reason that you can't make money on a gig, in fact you should make money, but there is a big difference between charging $5 and $15 for a show. A lot more people are willing to drop 5 bucks to come see a band even if they know nothing about them. Very few people would come to a show for 15 if they do not know the artist. And these release shows that cost $10+, but you get a copy of the album need to stop. Maybe I don't want your album. Maybe I just want to check out this show and then if I'm impressed enough, I will buy a copy. You need to decide what is more important, getting more people into your show or making a few extra dollars. Short term versus long term outlook my friends, what's more important to you.

9- Stop thinking the Detroit scene is a clique and that's why you're not getting put on bills and people aren't coming to your shows. 
We hate to break it to you, but if you're good the people will come. There is no secret here, if you're good you will have fans and people will book you because you get feet in the door, thats it. If people aren't coming to your shows, ask yourself what you are doing wrong. Stop thinking it's something that others are doing to you. Not being an asshole always helps too.

10- Not staying till the end of the show when you're playing the gig. 
THIS HAS TO STOP. It might be the biggest dick move of all. We get it, sometimes one member of your band has to leave early to work the next morning or head out of town with the family, but that doesn't mean that all of you get to pack up as soon as you're done playing and leave the venue. You should plan to stay for the rest of the show and only leave early if you have to. Take separate cars, make arrangements to be there for as long as possible. You asked your fans to come and hang out for the night, you're expected to do the same. Plus, someone (either another band or the booking agent) supported you enough to book you on that show. The least you can do is show some respect in return.

12- Quit playing with the same lineup of bands over and over again. 
Ok, you're bros with another band and you love playing together as much as possible. It is really cool when bands team up and start booking shows together, but it cannot be the same 3-5 bands on every flyer. You need to attract as many new fans as you can with every show that you play. You also need to network and meet as many bands as possible. Save the bro downs for special occasions and expand your horizons by playing with as many different bands from as many different backgrounds as possible. You can't get more fans if you keep drawing the same crowd every show.

13- Not sharing positive articles or features that are written about your band/album/or show is a huge mistake. 
If someone took the time to do research on on your band, interview your band, photograph your band, or promote your band in any way, the least you could do is pay them back by sharing it with your fans. Aunt Betty will think it's really cool when she sees that some .com wrote about you and a few pictures from a show that make it look fun might be the tipping point in encouraging someone to come to the next show. It's a win win if you share that article. On the other hand, if you don't return the favor, don't expect that outlet to do you many more favors in the future.

14- Someone else's success doesn't affect you at all. Be happy for others, not jealous.
It's easy to get jealous when someone else is doing well, but there is no reason for this. Someone else's success doesn't cause you to fail. If anything, it brings more positive attention to our music scene and might lead to more opportunities for you and your band in the future. Jealousy is tacky and sad, don't be a hater be a supporter.

15- Depending on Facebook event invites to promote you show is the dumbest thing you can do. 
First of all, do you know how many people will actually look at your Facebook invite? Not many at all. Reach out to as much social media as possible and do not discount the power of flyers and posters. DIY flyering and postering is the best way to advertise your show. If you have time and are creative, a short video teaser or commercial is another great way to advertise. The shorter and the more funny the video is, the more likely it is to be shared around the internet. Reach out to your local papers and blogs and anyone that might give you a little bit of attention and take whatever help you can get! And don't forget to share it! (If you've already forgot about that rule, refer back to #13!)

16- Play your heart out no matter what. 
Don't get pissed because you have to open a show, don't get pissed because the crowd you're playing for is small. Whether are 2 people there are 200, they came out to see you play and to see a good show. Make those people fall in love with you. No one wants to watch you throw a temper tantrum on stage or play a half ass set. If you play a shitty set, you're the one who loses out.



~S&C