MUSICMARAUDERS

Words & Photos By Greg Molitor ( ReMIND Photography ) The Majestic Theater - Detroit, MI What is Dark Star Orchestra? At face value, the band performs The Grateful Dead songs along with a few original tunes. Some call Dark Star Orchestra a cover band; others see the group as a ‘tribute’ band. Definitions aside, one cannot rely on labels to gauge the true power behind Dark Star Orchestra’s mission. On January 26, 2011, I made a trek to Detroit in order to do my own measuring of worthiness...I needed to see firsthand if Dark Star Orchestra was merely a group of performers playing cover songs or if the band represented something beyond a collection of notes and lyrics written by others. I arrived to The Majestic Theater in Detroit with a few friends around 8:30 P.M. After some general hobnobbing in the parking lot, I met with my crew and entered the building. The Majestic Theater is a decently-sized single-level venue that is attached to a smaller venue and a bowling alley. The show...

Words by Greg Molitor ( ReMIND Photography ) For those who may not know, Ultraviolet Hippopotamus, aka UV Hippo, is Michigan’s premier improvisational rock band. Hailing from Grand Rapids, the quintet has become a touring juggernaut over the past few years, and while the band commands respect unlike any Midwest touring act with mindblowing technical ability coupled with heartfelt original tunes, Ultraviolet Hippopotamus is still in its maturation period. The band utilizes a number of styles, and in doing so, performs the shit out of any genre of it feels like owning on any particular night. The adventurous attitude held by its members combines into a beast of a collective force as the group’s efforts result in some of the freshest tension and release moments of the 21st century. This is serious music... Check out the two shows from Ultraviolet Hippopotamus found below. The first show, from Bell’s Brewery in Grand Rapids, contains a unique take on Pink Floyd’s Animals performed in its ...

Words By J-man I love assembled projects, where musicians step outside of their normal comfort range to come together with musicians of different backgrounds to bring us something new all together. Though I am not a huge fan of electronic music, I was looking forward to the possibilities of Praang. We arrived at Quixote's in Downtown Denver just prior to soundcheck to meet with Jason Hann of Praang, EOTO & The String Cheese Incident. We met with Jason backstage. As we set up our gear, another gentleman (wook) wandered into the room and began running cable. He informed us that he would be operating the lasers for the evening. When questioned about who he was with, the man said, "No one. They told me not to come out." We all laughed and smiled at the absurdity of the situation. The man continued with his set up and we proceeded with the interview... I was really pleased with Jason's responses and openness. Furthermore, it was nice to feel such warmth and kindness fr...

Words By J-man The ever so incredible Henhouse Prowlers are on the brink of releasing their third and most anticipated album yet. This group of extremely talented musicians showcases some great tracks from their new album on this show. Enjoy this set from a couple of weeks ago from their home state of Illinois... Enjoy! Henhouse Prowlers Live at Rock Island Brewing Company on January 14, 2011. www.henhouseprowlers.com

Words By J-man It's rare that one sees two bands of such a high caliber on the same bill. In regards to talent it could have gone either way; Cornmeal could have opened or WhiteWater Ramble could have filled the slot. WhiteWater Ramble took the opening slot due to Cornmeal's increased popularity and fanbase. It was going to be a killer night regardless, due to the fact that I was surrounded by a handful on my closest friends. We entered Cervantes, acquired our drinks and settled into our respective location on the main floor. Whitewater hit the stage playing a few moderate tempo songs with great organization and overall production. Turning to my friends, I could see their pre-show conversations die off as they took in WWR. Cervantes had a better crowd than I had seen in attendance that early, ever. A few songs deep, the energy really picked up and the place began to move like crazy. I was so excited to see such a great response to such a great band. Patrick Sites came charging...

Words By Andy Zimmer For those of us who live in America’s Midwest snow-belt, the past month or so has been pretty bleak. Dishwater-grey skies, bone-penetrating winds, and a dull and lifeless feeling that hangs in the air; this is what we live with for months on end during the dead of winter. It is during these times when I find myself yearning for the bucolic days of spring. Just to see the sun peek over the horizon and to feel its warmth upon my frost-chilled cheeks... ahhh, that’s the stuff! I thought that with my pick this week I would try and coax the sun out of hiding, if just for a brief moment. My plan is to offer up this excellent show from the Spring of ’73 for you listening pleasure. Aside from it being a very high quality show through and through, including solid versions of “Playing In The Band” and ”Eyes of The World”, it features the most ridiculously smoking version of “Here Comes Sunshine” that I think I’ve heard. It is definitely worth your while to check out this twe...

Words By Andy DeVilbiss The reason true, old school soul's worked for over 50 years? It knows and accepts its simple recipe of hot, naked truth. Make it in the back raw and real, but serve it up front hot, heartfelt and honest. It doesn't front, and it's direct. The band kicks open the door and says, “Gonna do it tight and sweet and we're gonna crush it. Remember, it's all about the singer.” Then, when he's damn good and ready, the singer strolls in, picks up the mic and you hear everything you need to hear with just that first note. “I ain't hiding. All I got is my sweat, my story, my voice. And if you're lucky, a cape.” That sense of honesty is mostly what I want out of a soul singer. The Dap-Kings backed Amy Winehouse on “Rehab, which, despite it's beloved status amongst “WOOOOO!!!!” girls, is a vapid rant about treatment facilities. I feel for you, Amy. You like to party and do not like to stop. Chin up, kid. That is... Chin up, only if you haven...

Words By Karen Dugan ( www.tinyrager.com ) Photos By Eric Reichbaum ( www.ericreichbaum.com ) & Karen Dugan The Bitter End- New York, NY For music heads like us, it is nights like these that we live for, nights like these that we crave! The nights where one of your favorite musicians step outside of his genre to show you a softer side. The nights where one of your favorite musicians surprisingly join a stage he wasn't slated to be on. It's the moments when the music takes a drastic turn in the most unexpected ways and the musicians you love show you that they have more to give in a way you could imagine. On this night Bernie Worell, a founding member of Parliament Funkadelic and well known for his work with The Talking Heads, would carry us into his musical world and show us just how he interprets Jazz Standards. As I entered The Bitter End, a venue I had never frequented prior to this night, I recall feeling a musical presence immediately. I can't put this sentiment in...

Words By Zach Zeidner Atlantis McCoy Tyner can easily be hailed as one of the most influential Jazz pianists of all time, his contributions to the hard-bop and post-bop world are innumerable. His intricate work on the piano with his left hand creating dominant countermelodies that rightfully compliment the right hand work proves to be quite astonishing. McCoy Tyner began playing piano at the age of thirteen where he cited bebop pianist Bud Powell as his main influence. In his early career he played with a Benny Golson and Art Farmer in Jazztet. Eventually he left to become a consistent player for John Coltrane’s quartet that included Elvin Jones on drums and Jimmy Garrison on bass. Tyner played and toured extensively with Coltrane until 1965 when he left to pursue his solo career. Tyner explained how Coltrane’s work had become too atonal and free due to his hardcore involvement in the avant-garde movement for him to contribute anything worthwhile to the music; as a result Tyner felt t...

Words By Chris Cundari Bringin' the soul to the 706! The Bad Manor in Athens, GA The night was young and a cool breeze flew freely throughout the streets of downtown Athens. There was an elevated sense of solace in the air as Zach Deputy approached the stage @ The Bad Manor. I spoke with him briefly before the show, about different gear questions and his upcoming dates on the road. Zach was very kind and appreciative of the coverage of the show, and couldn't wait to get down! His set started around 10:45, with his unique and eccentric set up gracing the stage. The crowd was very strange to say the least. About 30 people crowded the stage as Zach's set began. As the night progressed, about 150-200 people ended up getting down to the sweet sounds of Zach's overdubs. Always a high energy show, Zach layed down funky 70's-esque bass lines, beautiful guitar melodies, and his calypso-island infused drum beats to soothe the ears of the listeners. From start to finish, the ...

Words & Photos By J-man Aggie Theatre; Ft. Collins, CO Looper and solo artist Keller Williams joined forces with picking duo The Keels for a night of music at the Aggie Theatre in Fort Collins, Colorado. I have seen Keller countless times over the course of the past eight years of my life. In the beginning I was a big Keller fan. I thoroughly enjoyed the uniqueness of what Keller did as a musician. His odd chord formations along side his quirky lyrical arrangements sucked me in. Year after year I would see Keller playing the same songs, with the same chords and same antics. His loops seemed to remain unchanged as the years progressed. I slowly lost interest in Keller's projects, until I saw Keller & The Keels. Guitar slinger and flat picking guru Larry Keel has been pleasing die hard bluegrass/string fans for years. Along side his wife Jenny on bass, they create a really full and developed sound and draw an almost cult like following. I have enjoyed just about everything t...

Words By Stevie Tee If you think that it costs $25 or more to see professional class, internationally touring DJs you have been misled by the current generation of rock star DJs. Far from the fabled lost city of rave that is Detroit and just outside of the cultural vibrancies of Ann Arbor, every Thursday at the Elbow Room in Ypsilanti, MI the Alibi Crew puts on a show that is free before 11 PM or only 2 or 3 bucks any time after. Don’t let the price tag fool you; some of the finest Drum ‘n’ Bass and Jungle mixing in the entire country is going down. That’s right. Ypsilanti, Michigan’s most notorious local band dive bar puts on free music that packs clubs and festival crowds in Europe, Canada and other electronic music centric regions. Let’s talk about some of the artists involved who make up the Alibi Crew. Some of the resident artists in the Alibi Crew include MC Teddy and DJs Sinistarr and The Vanisher. The Vanisher is a drum ‘n’ bass and jungle DJ and producer who often warms up the...