 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 Wednesday Night: Official MCR Pre-Party Come join the Motor City Rocks crew as we celebrate all the fine acts playing at the MCR showcases during the Conference. We’ll be having a few beers and spinning tracks from the artists that will be gracing the 313.JAC (Jacoby's) stage on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Maybe we’ll even throw in a few tracks from Matt’s Punk Band for good measure … Thursday Night: Desolation Angels: This alcohol-fueled Detroit country-rock three-piece is as likely to hit listeners with a blast of riffs reminiscent of Replacements or Social Distortion as it is jangly finger-picking.  Timothy Monger: The Great Lakes Myth Society frontman warms up for that act’s Friday headlining slot with a solo performance Thursday night. Expect to hear blissful pop songs broken down into their starkest, most striking elements, because Monger’s cool like that.  New Grenada:
This abstract pop band proves there’s still creative substance left in
the Motor City. God only knows what surprises wildman
multi-instrumentalist Shawn Knight will have in him for the set, though
MCR really hopes they’ll involve his fencing helmet. The Prime Ministers: The Prime Ministers are known for no-nonsense, no-frills pop-rock, and the band certainly does it well. Todd Wicks’ raspy voice is unreasonably strong, adding a slightly dirty sound to otherwise clean and proper songs. The Fuzz: This Lansing act plays synthesizer-addled pop songs that play like a diverse  version of The Rentals. The Fuzz tends to
incorporate projected imagery into its sets, making the band’s live
shows true multimedia experiences. As a collective unit, the band
has an inexplicable obsession with garden gnomes, as well. Friday Night: Tenley: Understated pop is Tenley’s musical weapon of choice. Catchy songs + razor sharp guitar fills = good times. Molly Jean: Young singer-songwriter Molly Jean created quite a stir when she played (longtime Detroit scenster/Audra Kubat manager) Stirling's B-Day Bash leaving the locals curious to hear more. Stirling signed her as a management client shortly thereafter and we look forward to hearing more from her. Porchsleeper: Formerly an alt-country act, the ‘Sleeper’s pretty much dropped the country and taken up worshipping at the respective altars of Paul Westerberg and Angus Young. Expect a great deal of beer drinking and air guitaring during this set. Loretta Lucas: This MCR favorite has it all – stark songs, a deceptively strong voice, and a sweetly unassuming demeanor that captivates audiences. Watching Lucas perform is like setting a musical timeline back to see the beginning of Loretta Lynn’s career - and it’s nothing short of amazing to experience in person.   Great
Lakes Myth Society: Wow, wow, and wow again.
The band’s recently released debut full-length serves as a concept
album/reverent love letter to the geography and history of
Michigan. Subjects MCR staffers hated in middle school never
sounded so lush, vibrant and breathtaking. This band’s fine
musicianship and stunning live harmonies make this one of the few sets
of the Conference that’s legitimately worthy of being deemed as ‘must
see.’ Saturday Night: Hairshirt: This modern art-pop trio headlined January’s MCR/Whatevs showcase, and MCR  enjoyed it so much
that we asked the guys to drop in on this showcase as well. The
songs are simplistic and the performances often minimal, but the band
still gets toes tapping regardless. Battling Siki: This roots-rock bunch spotlights haggardly warbled vocals and super slick guitar work; for a general idea, think Clutch’s Neil Fallon fronting a countrified Black Crowes.  A
Thousand Times Yes:
This trio manages to pull pop, rock and even hints of punk from a
string-miked acoustic guitar, a bass, an occasional flute and a
drumset. The band’s three-way vocal parts are to die for, by the
way. The Questions: Jim Morrison; angry beat poetry; Rod Argent; cool sunglasses; blues; the dark side of the Stray Cats … The list of influences goes on, as does the band’s penchant for crazy live performances. There’s no definitive answer for The Questions, and that’s what makes the band so damned good in the first place.  The Javelins: MCR has no idea how far
these three would fly if you tossed them in an Olympic event, but we do
know that this frantic art-punk trio stole the show back at January’s
MCR/Whatevs showcase. These youngsters have energy and style to
spare, and calling the band’s live shows ‘invigorating’ doesn’t do them
justice. MOTORCITYROCKS.COM PANEL: MAKING THE INTERNET A HOME FOR YOUR MUSIC MCR will host a panel featuring Mark Graham, Zac Johnson, Rob Theakston, Ryan Sult & Sam Valenti. To be held on Saturday, April 23 at 2:30-3:50pm at Cobo Hall, this panel will address several topics relating to creating a presence online and effectively promoting music through the internet. More specifically, topics will include Creating an Effective Website, Digital Distribution, the Role of All Media Guide and other content providers, Music and Blogs and Marketing Music Online. - Gary Blackwell **Thanks to Brian Sleeper for coming up with the MCR @ MC2 poster. |
|
 © 2004 motorcityrocks.com :: all rights reserved |
|