Not 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.
Labels: Von Bondies
Yes, 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).
Labels: MC5
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
Produced and arranged by Jack White, Van Lear Rose is due out on April 27. Maxim Blender gives it five stars.
Labels: White Stripes
The 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.
From 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.
Buy 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 SuvanjieffLabels: Demolition Doll Rods
Labels: White Stripes
NEW AT CREEM

Sitting 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.
Labels: Von Bondies
Labels: MC5

There 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.Labels: Von Bondies
Labels: White Stripes
Labels: White Stripes