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SUPPORT THE DMA's
dma's
Benefit shows will be held at Xhedos Cafe on 9 Mile in Ferndale this weekend.
Friday:
6:45 beth stalker
7:00 sentimental shark [ryan hertz]
7:30 john finan
8:00 jim cecil
8:30 annie capps
9:00 jan krist
9:30 jill jack/billy brandt/david mosher
10:00 ethan daniel davidson
10:30 patrick thomas
11:00 the wrenfields

Saturday:
7:00 dave huff
7;30 jen cass
8;00 sean fitzgerald
8:30 tim diaz
9:00 ben cyllus
9:30 jere stormer
10:00 dan minard
10:30 lisa hunter
11:00 company of strangers

NON-THRIFT THRIFT STORE
Don't worry, if the CEO of your local thrift store gets nabbed for insider trading forcing the closure of the store, you can still get those hip vintage tees. Of course, you'll have to drop 2 grand on them.

Aaron Carl Perkins is a painter who moved from Pontiac to St. Louis "for the light" (?) - let's us all now pray for his depraved soul...

"I learned everything from Jack," says bass player.

90% Just like Record Executives.

Concert Review: Ben Kweller, Death Cab For Cutie @ Royal Oak Music Theatre

Death Cab For Cutie Ben KwellerNot that Royal Oak ever has great parking, but with a show like this in town forget it - what parking spots? Last night another all ages show pays off, as hundreds were on hand to check out super emo kids Death Cab For Cutie. Seems their last visit went well since the majority of people were there to see them, including myself. Not exactly the world’s most ‘get-up-and-party’ type of band, but they make up for it in pure groove. Call it emo, power pop, whatever - Deathcab rocks.

Their set was made up of shoe gazing riffs on top of a steady backbeat right out of U2's Unforgettable Fire album. Death Cab for Cutie's lineup of Ben Gibbard (guitars, keyboards, vox), Nick Harmer (bass), Jason McGerr (drums), and Chris Walla (guitars, keyboards) made me feel as if 1988 never came and went. I like that. If you get a chance DO check them out soon.

Ben Kweller's set was initially hampered by technical difficulties, made light of by the band, but after about ten minutes they had it goin’. More poppy and upbeat than Deathcab, Kweller relies on inventive lyrics and a topnotch band. It will be interesting to see if Kweller continues into more mainstream rock. The addition of former Dashboard Confessional guitarist Mike Stroud seems like a step in the right direction. -- Christopher Chouinard

DIG THAT PURPLE HAIR, BOBBY!
Want to see what a real live rock band looks like? Grab this week's Billboard... gracing the April 3 cover is the Motor City's favorite rockers THE GO!

AND HE'S GOT ocean front property in Pontiac.

YEAH, WELL... we'd rather come somewhere else.

BIG CITY BLACKOUT

darkness
The Darkness reigned over Detroit this past Sunday night.
Report One from Whatevs.
Report Two from Glorious Noise.

He'p! He Be Honkin' His Bobo!
"When I sing 'Don't Wanna Miss a Thing,' the crowd roars and everybody sings
along and I get this incredible feeling in my heart - and in my groin."
--Aerosmith lead singer STEVEN TYLER in the New York Daily News.

HEY K.I.D., wanna Trade Spaces?

SECOND THOUGHT, maybe you'd be better off trading with EM.

Hate the Caterer? I Hate the Band!

TRY sleeping with your hands above the covers.

FASHION STATEMENT.

Nice tits, Em!
In the the grand Detroit tradition pioneered by Jerry Vile, Mark J. Norton, Mike Murphy, Danny Doll Rod and Steve King, Eminem does drag in his new video "My Band" which is available online at a few sources.

RADIO FEVER
Good news for local rock on the airwaves: Chris Handyside and Greg Siemasz are taking over 97.1 for 3 HOURS every Saturday (8-11pm), starting this week! We're told they'll be spinning Detroit music and getting to the heart of matters like "Is it OK to yell 'movie' in a crowded firehouse?" They'll also be segments like "This Week in Detroit Rock History", "Two Minute Record Reviews (aka Count-Pointercount)" and the "Hott Jam Zone". Down the line there may even be some interviews and live bands.

Mayor Tom Potter: We may change Woodward Ave.

Was that Tom Potter with Bobby Brown?

Tom Potter: "Condoleeza's "Big Blunder"?

Will Tom Potter testify??

Tom Potter: Ashes Get Hotter?

report from the k-zoo
peacejam

CREEM BASH

Creem Magazine held a DVD premiere for IGGY & THE STOOGES: LIVE IN DETROIT at CPOP on Saturday, March 27. The crowd of Detroit rock elite included Creem gurus Robert Matheu and Brian Bowe, Detroit punk priestess Niagara, poet and activist John Sinclair, Fondas' singer Julie Benjamin and Gore Gore Girl front woman Amy Surdu among many others.

Sinkholes & Potholes

and the Motor City's gradual descent down into the depths of Hell.

ONLY DETROIT

tom potter needed to restore order:
"I mean it, I'll shut the doggone cameras off and we can go for it, baby!!"

detroit public works
Well, actually they don't.

This Just In

Jason Stollsteimer of the Von Bondies was not injured in a incident.

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COMING TO A TOWN NEAR YOU: THE MC5!!!!
start the revolutionYes, you read that correctly. The original MC5 members will be launching a worldwide tour as DKT/MC5 and releasing a DVD. The tour will begin this June and include a stop in Detroit as well as other major cities across North America, Japan, Australia, Canada and Europe. The original MC5 members Wayne Kramer, Michael Davis and Dennis Thompson will be joined by a revolving cast of musicians that will include Evan Dando (Lemonheads), Nicke Royale, Marshall Crenshaw, Deniz Tek (Radio Birdman) and Mark Arm (Mudhoney).

The DVD, SONIC REVOLUTION: A CELEBRATION OF THE MC5 LIVE CONCERT, captures the MC5's live performance in March 2003 at London's 100 Club. It also will include an original master tape of Leni and John Sinclair's promotional video Kick Out The Jams, interviews, archival footage, home movies and old videos with brand new commentary by the Davis, Kramer and Thompson. If that's not enough to peak your interest, this surely will - U.S. Dept. of Defense footage of the MC5, taken from the government’s investigation of the notorious rock group during 1968’s Democratic National Convention. It will be released July 6.

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I DUNNO, 4?

Lately, it seems like a lot of folks are on the Bob Seger bandwagon, courtesy of his recent induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. However, did you know that a group of local scalliwags set out to honor Bullet Bob in their own way a year and a half before the rest of the music world? Ladies and gentlemen, allow MCR to introduce you all to the Seger Liberation Army. Back in 2002, TJ Potter (Bantam Rooster/The Dirtbombs/Detroit City Council), Jim Diamond (The Dirtbombs/local studio guru), Pat Pantano (The Dirtbombs/The Come-Ons) and friends laid down covers of two of Seger's earliest singles, "Chain Smokin'" and "Heavy Music" and released them on a Big Neck Records 7" that is apparently still available. The SLA is apparently more than just a one-shot deal, as all signs on the Big Neck Records website point to the release of a second SLA 7" sometime in 2004. Check out the label's MP3 download page to hear the SLA's cover of "Chain Smokin'," as well as a cover of Seger's first single, "East Side Story," which will appear on the forthcoming release. -Mr. Gary

Real Detroit and Metro Times (1, 2) both give us recaps of what went down in Austin during SXSW.


The City of Detroit told the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History "Not Now" when they asked for some financial help
. The museum is in big financial trouble, so if you have an extra million dollars the museum could really use it.

Recorded at Hotel Yorba?
van lear roseProduced and arranged by Jack White, Van Lear Rose is due out on April 27. Maxim Blender gives it five stars.






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THOSE CRAZY FRENCH
What if Bisou Bisou was actually from France, but sang in Portuguese?

HEARTBREAK HOTEL: He ain't Hendrix, but...
Shyeah right haggis-breath, and Alex Harvey hails from Royal Oak.

NEWS TO ABUSE
HEY GREEN APRON: "I'll take a nonfat, nowhip caramel-laced latté AND four Megadeth tracks."

David Byrne: My Life in the Gush of Boasts (still pretentious after all these years)

Meanwhile, Tom Potter was Seen Shopping at Crazy Larry's Tuxedos on Telegraph Road....

This time Johnny Will Die of Embarrassment!

hangin' with the reverend
the rev
The Gore Gore Girls hang with Rev. Horton Heat along with pal Deliah Dewyld of Dangerville at The Club Soda (Kalamazoo, MI) on March 20. GGG frontwoman Amy Surdu also recently chatted with Recoil Magazine for a pretty interesting interview.

Speaking of Dangerville, if you've got their guitar, give it back, yo. It is most certainly the coolest ax in the Midwest, so if you know anything about its disappearance, speak now.

SEND EM to Gore Gore Girls and Sirens shows!

Get Well Miss Aretha!

Album Review: On- The Demolition Doll Rods

The Demolition Doll RodsThe Demolition Doll Rods' latest album, aptly titled "On" might be the breakthrough album of the year. It's "On," it's seriously big-time "On" -- on the money, on top, right frickin' on, on time, on schedule, and on my Top Ten CDs of the year. The Demolition Doll Rods put more bounce to the ounce than your average legendary Detroit garage band -- with "On" they claim their independence, and make the tough stand as one of the Last Great Detroit Outlaw Bands.

The Demolition Doll RodsFrom the opening cut Get it On to the closing classic Big Rock Candy Mountain, the Doll Rods not only prove that LESS is more, but also that their trash-rock aesthetic is classy trash -- while most of the vaunted garage scrapings traipsing over the boards in these fellaheen Republican days are just plain rubbish. We all know it's not to polite to point, so we won't.

The Doll Rods are also MORE rock than the latest million-dollar big-label signing. Danny "Doll Rod" Kroha's credentials are impeccable, unimpeachable, and Margaret and Christine have earned their cred, which, in Detroit, is no small accomplishment. Don't believe me, go ask Bob Ritchie.

The Demolition Doll RodsBuy multiple copies of this CD and give 'em to your friends so that the next time they're suffering through some dumbfuck band's El Crap-Ola set on a Saturday night in July at the Magic Stick, they can feel smug knowing that in a few short hours they can be back in their cars with their stereo blasting the Doll Rods' "On." And remember this - approximately ten thousand people claim to have seen the Gories in their prime, but like Mick Collins said of this phenomenon, "That's a load of shit - I can name every person who saw us!" Don't miss the Demoltion Doll Rods. You want to be able to brag that you were the first kid on your block to buy "On," dontcha? I thought so. Next week: The Go Take Over the World, Beginning Right Now. - Ivan Suvanjieff

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THE GO ON ESPN 2
Will Bobby Harlow reveal his Final Four Fantasy team? Probably not, but The Go are slated to appear tomorrow morning between 7 & 9AM on ESPN 2's Cold Pizza morning show. ESPN chatted with The Go at SXSW last week and taped their performance.

GLORIOUS NOISE tells you to screw Jet and listen to Detroit Rock n' Roll. Yeah man!

FINALLY, we have added a Back In Spades live gallery that follows the band from the beginning. Check it out in the Live Galleries at the lower right.

GET A LOAD of this: No dumping in Saginaw.

HOW we get material for the Dish: read and be amused.

WWJD, anyway?

I SEE AN IMMEDIATE THREAT
This takes a while to load, but you really should watch it. When you're done, you'll be all riled up again... come on back to MCR and we'll show you how to take action.

HMMM... WHAT TO DO?
punk voter

THE GO @ SXSW
If you're lucky enough to be reading this in Austin, Texas today, check out The Go tonight at 8:30 (The Trading Post). ESPN will be in the house to interview the boys and tape part of their performance for ESPN's Cold Pizza show.

SCREW UNLEADED
Neil Young gets there just fine with vegetable oil.

SOCCER MOM PANTY TWIST
Funny how these same soccer moms can't get enough of Will & Grace, Elton John and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.

THE CHART REPORT from Uncle Grambo.

JACK WHITE JOINS BOB DYLAN FOR ENCORE
According to our tipsters on the motorcityrocks.com message boards, Jack White took the stage at Detroit's State Theatre to join Bob Dylan last night (March 17). Jack stepped in on guitar and vocals for "Ball and Biscuit" - a second encore.

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out come the freaksNEW AT CREEM
Yes, it's breaking news here at MCR every time Creem updates their website. Out Come the Freaks: get the complete story of genre splicers Was (Not Was), who's first record has recently been reiussued with bonus tracks. Then, Brian Bowe is the first person (that we're aware of) to ask Jason Stollsteimer what "C'mon C'mon" is about... turns out Jack wasn't the first one to show him the brass knuckles.

Stopping at the Stick:
cooper temple clause
The U.K.'s beloved Cooper Temple Clause made a tour stop at the Magic Stick last Sunday. Photo: Chrisotopher Chouinard

WE LIKE THE MOON
And we guarantee that you will like this.

PEACE IS MAKING A COMEBACK
And an organization called PeaceJam is leading the way. We'll have more for you on the PeaceJam documentary in the upcoming weeks.

live at the magic bag
show review
Mr. Gary and Big Matt check out 19 Wheels record release show for their new album Jawbreaker.

THERE'S ALL KINDS OF WAYS TO GET
INTO THE ROCK N' ROLL HALL OF FAME

Bob Seger's found a way to do it with his sole No. 1 Billboard LP Against the Wind. The K-I-D will be on hand tomorrow night at NYC's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel to hand over the induction. The Gov hops in on the craziness by planning to declare Monday Bob Seger Day.

OF COURSE, THERE'S OTHER WAYS TO DO IT... Kneepads Made the Man.

MITCH RYDER'S FOUND SEVERAL WAYS
When's he gonna get some props, yo?

HAMTOWN'S HOFFA CONNECTION?
Deathbed accounts reveal that Hamtramck may have been his final resting place.

HEY, I TAKE OFFENSE TO THAT
Plus, you get crabs when flying to LA.

Concert Review: 19 Wheels CD Release @ Magic Bag

19 Wheels
Ahhh, joy of joys … I arrived at the Magic Bag just in time to almost completely miss the opening set by The Gelheads from Chicago. The few songs I did catch from the guitar-pop three-piece were quite rockin’, though, as during the last two songs, the singer/guitarist went off on a few long and winding guitar solos that made my ears happy.

Seeing local four-piece Jettison Red play next served as a nice introduction to the band, since I’d really known nothing of them before. The group’s set started off a bit slow, but at some point during the band’s third song, the energy level picked up, and Jettison Red was tight from that point out. John Krebs was an excitable lad, thrashing about on his guitar while trading riffs and vocals with Chris Wujek, while Nicky Styxx and Paul Barning laid down a more-than-ample rhythm section. Set highlights included fierce performances of “The Suicide of Me” and “I Don’t Need,” though it seemed that the standout portion of Jettison Red’s performance was Krebs’ soloing in general (especially during the band’s closing cover of The Beatles’ “I Want You / She’s So Heavy”).

… and of course, from there, 19 Wheels took the stage and pumped out a set that included almost every song from the band’s recently released Jawbreaker album. “Bitter,” “(The Best of) Juliet” and “Erase Me” were early set highlights from the new material, as Chris Johnston once again proved why he has one of the best live voices in the Detroit area. Scott Owens got his time to shine on lead guitar as well, especially during the late-90’s throwback “Colorado” (which, as an added bonus, came complete with quick minute or so of David Bowie’s “Panic in Detroit”). On this night, though, the most impressive element of the band seemed to be the rhythm section. Tim Marzorati laid down impeccable bass lines, while drummer Rob Dickey kept the beat down solidly all night. The band also threw in a few tracks from Sugareen (“Broken TV,” “Rabies,” “So Cool” and “Boomtown”), though nothing in the set seemed to top a very heartfelt and sincere encore performance of Johnston’s ode to his young daughter, “Ruby Love.” -Mr. Gary

PREACHIN' IT REAL
A few simple words of wisdom from Marlon Brando along with some soothing accompaning chords have uplifted my soul and once again made me whole.

Concert Review: The Transfer with Until Sunday, Tripside, Auto-Reverse @ The Shelter

The TransferSitting in the band's van on the way to the gig, I realized how much drive our local bands have. While my hands were frozen, due to the broken heater, I sipped on my Corona for some form of warmth - it became clear…tonight’s show was as much about the DESIRE to rock out for themselves, as it was for the kids attending. An all ages’ show, on a Friday night brought out all the new-wave punk our fair city is hiding.

I missed the opener Auto-Reverse, but local boys Tripside and The Tranfer showed me there's much more to local rock than our current baked in the 60's craze. New Yorker's Until Sunday helped spice it up a notch with their high-energy axe swinging - the snazziest stuff this side of Nirvana. Try to make it to some of these early night gigs, and see why there’s more than the garage to Detroit. -- Christopher Chouinard

DAVID WAS brings NPR the lowdown on the new Mac software Garageband and gives us a taste of what it sounds like.

DRESS TO IMPRESS
You can now get Von Bondies' dresses from NME, what'll those crazy kids think of next?

For the record, our friend Uncle Grambo beat us to the scoop on the VB's show by a good 3 days. But he doesn't have that hot photo of Marcie looking right atcha with sheer desire.

Melody Licious takes a look at the band This Frequency Five. The band will be playing at the d.art collective benefit tonight at Alvin's Other bands on the bill tonight include Bisou Bisou, The Amino Acids and All Before Now.

"The Grizz" gives us the lowdown on area St. Patrick's Day activities.

The Freep is now in day 3 of it's story on the rebirth of Midtown. You can only read the story if you buy a paper, but the coverage had been quite interesting.

Beware, 75 is closing between 8 Mile and the Davison from tonight at 9 through Monday at 5 a.m.

The K-I-D is set to induct Bob Seger into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Monday. The show will air on VH-1 on March 21st. On Sunday the Free Press will have a special Bob Seger section. Other inductees in this year's class include, Traffic, Prince, George Harrison and ZZ Top.

If you aren't reading the Detroit Blog well you should be. The pictures and stories from the explorations they do are great.

the show
album review

the album
show review

LOVE, LIFE AND LEAVING
The Fotog shows a glimpse into his decent side.

OVER AT THE FREEP: "I like to describe our sound as what the Animals might have sounded like making records for Berry Gordy," says singer-guitarist Visocchi, 22. And more lowdown on hot new band The Hard Lessons. Get to the Magic Stick early tonight and celebrate the release of their new single... this one's worth your hard earned cash.

FRIDAY NIGHT
this friday
The opening night of a monthy occurance of dirty, dirty alcohol-soaked fun featuring resident dorkwavers Rob Theakston, Michael Doyle, , Jonnie O and special guest Ron Zakrin (a.k.a. Goudron). The Peacock has a new location at Woodward and Grand Circus Park.

VON BONDIES talk to NME about the verdict.

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I GOTTA TESTIMONIAL OF MY OWN
Can't speak for you all, but the MCR crew STILL hasn't had an opportunity to see the MC5 documentary MC5: A True Testimonial. The single soldout showing at the D.I.A. left a good many of us out in the dark. Finally, however, the company producing the film has found time to let some us actually see it. A theatrical release is in the works - unfortunately not on film, but in "video-friendly venues."

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GENERAL MOTORS sticks with the whole made in Detroit theme by nabbing Pas/Cal's tune "Come On, Let's Go" for a Saturn commercial. Pitchfork recently reviewed Pas/Cal's new album.

Album Review: Pawn Shoppe Heart - The Von Bondies

Von Bondies
Von BondiesThere are a couple common topics that continue to arise in thinking about the new Von Bondies’ album Pawn Shoppe Heart. The first and foremost of these is the production. For those that have heard the Von Bondies’ previous album Lack of Communication, there is quite a surprise in store with the first spin of the band’s debut major label effort. The dirty, nitty-gritty and bluesy garage sound that permeated Lack of Communication is lurking around in spirit, but the album is crisp and clean from start to finish. Vocals are clear, never muddy and balanced with clockwork precision.

How do people in Detroit Garage Rock City feel about this phenomenon? The sentiments are as varied as the ice cream selections at Ben & Jerry’s. Detroiters love the messy garage rock sound that bursts from the seams of Jim Diamond’s Ghetto Recorders. Still, it is intriguing to hear a Detroit band release a record with gleaming, crisp production. There is the possibility that everyone in town has secretly wondered what that would sound like. For the most part, it sounds pretty good. For the first time, it truly pulls the Detroit sound out of the garage and aligns it closer to the sound that mainstream America is used to hearing on the radio. While Pawn Shoppe Heart doesn’t have the Raw Power and energy of Lack of Communication, it is most certainly an enjoyable listen.

Particularly enjoyable is the single “C’mon C’mon.” The opening riff provides an outstanding hook and the tune is undeniably catchy. Produced by Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads and Modern Lovers fame, this track satisfies the desire to hear a Detroit band with clean, big budget production. If this production experiment could be continued, it would be fascinating to hear what Harrison would do with some other Detroit acts like The Go.

The use of the girls' vocals on several tracks is a welcome addition to the VB's sound. The call and response in "C'mon C'mon" breaks up Jason's howling vocals and adds a fun boy/girl playfulness. One of the catchiest tunes on the album "Not That Social", is sung by Carrie Smith - who surprises us with her appropriately timid, but endearing voice.

Though the Von Bondies have attempted to distance themselves from Detroit and have stated that the city has shown them a tough time, they offer the track "Been Swank" as a salute to the Soledad Brothers' Ben Swank. It's an interesting tribute, but in terms of guitar riffs and chord structure it might be more fittingly called a salute to the song "It Came From Japan" from the Von Bondies' previous album.

Does Pawn Shoppe Heart have the originality and artistry of other recent major label releases from the Motor City such as The Eminem Show, Elephant or Devil Without a Cause? That would be a tough argument to make. All in all, however, Pawn Shoppe Heart is an enjoyable listen and certainly one of the better things that can be found on mainstream radio today. -- Ryan Sult

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AT THE CHECKOUT
What do Detroiters buy when they go to the record store? We asked a couple of our fav stores for their top five local sellers.

YOUNG SOUL REBELS
Located in Detroit, adjacent the the Majestic Theatre complex (4152 Woodward Ave.)
1. Saturday Looks Good To Me (All Your Summer Songs)
2. The Valentinos (Aerosol Dream 7")
3. Iggy & the Stooges (Funhouse)
4. The Ponys (Laced With Romance)
5. The Piranhas (Piscis Clangor)

DEARBORN MUSIC
Located in Dearborn at 22000 Michigan Avenue
1. Leaving Rouge
2. Robb Roy
3. Jill Jack
4. Ethos
5. Inside Five Minutes

DON'T FALL ASLEEP
If lists bore you, cruise over to MTV and check out the King Gordy video with cameos from D12, Obie Trice and even Good Charlotte.

EVEN MORE BLOWOUT
Jacquie Trost brings the lowdown on The Corvairs and Bisou Bisou as well as The Dollfaces.

HEAR IT straight outta Jack's fedora.

Jack White Enters Guilty Plea

Dressed in a snappy BROWN PINSTRIPED DOUBLE BREASTED SUIT w/ HAT, Jack White rushed into the 36th District Courthouse in Detroit at approximately 9:30 AM. White was accompanied by his lawyers and no other local rock celebs were spotted, including Jason Stollsteimer. White stayed hidden inside, and then he was snuck out the back at around 1:30 or so - as the paparazzi lined out in front. The court case was rescheduled for 2:30pm, where White would enter a guilty plea and arrange a plea bargain. Surprisingly, no fans were present. NONE. Only camera crews and paprazzi. Apparently ENGLAND cares more about the Stripes than we do!

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OVER AT THE COURTHOUSE: bargaining in the works.

SUPER TUESDAY

It's Detroit's first Super Tuesday since Motown headed for the Hollywood Hills. The Von Bondies' highly anticipated major label debut will hit stores across the country and they will play a record release show at the Magic Stick that night. Only a few hours earlier, Jack White will appear in a Detroit court for the Magic Stick incident on December 13. Word on the street is that Jason Stollsteimer will be present as well.

If that's not enough for you, the MCR crew will be bringing you a complete recap of the Hamtramck Blowout complete with tons of photos, our favorite shows and catchy anecdotes that will make you laugh, smile and cry... well, hopefully one of the above.

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TUNE IN WRIF...
...tonight at 10-11pm and listen to MCR's Big Matt and Ryan chatting about their favorite local bands. After four solid days o