5th Annual Punk Rock Formal

Prom can be a big deal for a lot of teenagers, but if you were into punk rock you probably didn't think twice about events at your school. You were too busy going to shows and rocking out to attend that shit. I guess in retrospect, if prom would have had some live music instead of a crappy DJ, I may have wanted to go.

Once a year the Magic Stick and Bill Bondsmen hold an event called Punk Rock Formal. I have attended this event in the past and had an excellent time. One year I even bought one of those ugly gowns that you see at the Salvation Army and had a great time pretending it was 1982. I think this is a great excuse to wear that old bridesmaid dress that your friend said you were totally going to wear again paired with that fur you inherited from grandma and the clutch that you got at the thrift store. All of those things are just sitting in your closet begging for an opportunity to get out and have fun, this Saturday the 25th is your chance. To top off the night, this year's formal features a killer musical lineup including Bill Bondsmen, Nice Hooves, Rebel Spies, Fuck You Pay Me, and Nervosa.

Tickets are only $7 a piece or $10 for a couple. Doors for the event open at 7 p.m. and The Magic Stick is located at 4140 Woodward Ave. in Detroit. This is one formal where it is okay to get drunk in fact it's encouraged.

~S

Another Crazy Night at Small's w/ Bill Bondsmen

After partying at Andrew W.K. on Friday, Christie and I couldn't wait to get to Small's on Saturday for the 10th Anniversary Bill Bondsmen show and party even more. Every time we've seen Bill Bondsmen, they put on a great show and Saturday was no exception.

The lineup included Population, Fuck You, Pay Me, Rawdogs, and Minus 9. We did get there a little late, but caught most of Minus 9's set and they were pretty good. They are a two piece drum and bass hardcore/thrash band from Ypsilanti totally worth checking out. After Minus 9, Rawdogs were up. We've seen them before and were looking forward to catching them again. We were particularly curious to see what the one guy would be wearing at this show, considering he was wearing pretty much nothing the last time we saw them. Apparently Saturday night was a 'military' theme for their outfits. You have to love a band that dresses up for their shows. If you haven't checked out Rawdogs yet, you really need to and can do so here and even download a free song, "Up All Night".

Last but certainly not least, we got to see the main event, Bill Bondsmen. As usual, they were a blast. I am a little disappointed that there weren't more people there to celebrate with them, though. There was cake, people! Cake! Regardless, the people that were there were obviously having a great time and enjoyed the show just like us. Check out a song from their set in the video below and we better see you all there next time! Congrats on 10 years guys!

~B

Celebrate 10 Years of The Bill Bondsmen!

This weekend Bill Bondsmen will be celebrating 10 years of existence. That's quite the accomplishment, if you ask us. We can't even count how many bands we've seen come and go in Detroit over the last decade. To stick it out AND still have a bunch of fans is definitely worth celebrating. 

So this Saturday at Small's, Bill Bondsmen are throwing their 10th Birthday/ Anniversary Bash. As with any proper party, there will be cake and gifts, but only for the first 50 people. Joining Bill Bondsmen for the evening of fun are Fuck You Pay Me, Population, Rawdogs and Minus 9. The band will also be joined on stage by Dave Cocagne from the Feisty Cadavers for a few songs. 

In preparation for Saturday's shindig, and in honor of 10 years, we asked Bill Bondsmen's own Amado Guadarrama to give us the "Top 10 Reasons You Should Go To the Bill Bondsmen 10th Anniversary Show this Saturday". 
And here they are:

10) It's $32 less than the cheapest Young Jeezy ticket, which is also on Saturday.
9) You missed the last 9 anniversaries.
8) Population is gonna bring the Dracula rock to Small's all the way from Chicago!
7) Fuck You, Pay Me: Cleveland rippers with the legendary Tony Erba (Face Value, 9 Shocks Terror), A man who looks like a cross between Booger from Revenge of the Nerds and Laddie from the Lost Boys.
6) The other 2 bands.....(Rawdogs and Minus 9)
5) We're playing some tunes that we haven't touched in years (and probably should've left alone).
4) We got Dave Cocagne to come onstage with us and play not one, not two, but THREE Feisty Cadavers songs!
3) There's gonna be a cake.
2) Like most 10 year old's parties, there's gonna be tantrums, sick kids and embarrassed adults.
1) 10 years of being too punk for hardcore kids, too hardcore for punk kids, too weird for garage rockers and too garagey for weirdos is no small feat. Come on down and party down with us. You'll only regret it the next morning!

Cover for this all ages show is only $8 and doors will open at 8 p.m. For all of the details, head over to the Facebook event page here.

~C