Darian Counts Presents Darian Counts Presents Darian Counts Presents
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LIVE 1 Photo by Marc Nader
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detroit live october 2014 6. FOREVER FESTIVAL / SAFE IN SOUND 8. OUR VODKA 9. HALL & OATS REVIEW 10. BENNY AND THE JETS 11. JENNY MCCARTHY / FLEETWOOD MAC 12. THEATRE BIZARRE 14. AEROSMITH 16 FASHION SPREAD 18. FLABOOM 19. THE MACHINE SHOP 20. THE RETURN OF VINYL 21. JUDAS PRIEST 25. HENRY ROLLINS 26. KENNY OLSON 27. FILMMAKER DAVID HOOPER 32. CHOICE CUTS
FOREVERFESTIVAL/SAFEINSOUND
THEATRE BIZARRE
Contributors: Julia Sikora, Eric Harabadian, Jeff Marzolf, GT, Anne Schultz, Korynne Hatcher, Jason Fortier, Christian Palasty, Aluna Michaels, Benny Jet, Darian Counts Graphic Design: Granger Graphics Additional Photos: Marc Nader, Joe Orlando, Eric DiRezze, Brian Quintos,
ROLLINS
AEROSMITH
HALL & OATS
Jeff Mintline, Michael Weintrob Cover Design: Marc Nader Publisher: Detroit Live Media LLC Cover: Marc Nader, Hair by Stacia Kemen, Makeup by Kimber Leigh Promotion: Amanda Blanchard Managing Editor: Darian Counts Editor: Anne Schultz Photo Editor: Marc Nader
For Advertising call 734-775-9991 or email: darian@detroitlivemagazine.com
FLEETWOOD MAC
JUDAS PRIEST
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FOREVER FESTIVAL AND SAFE IN SOUND By Julia Sikora Photos Marc Nader
Over the two-day span on September 19
featured various Michigan-based DJs, such as Elektricity’s resident DJ Trblmakr and Channel 95.5 and iHeartRadio DJ Boji. Other local acts included Dopadelic, Double Down, Food Fight, Fun Fakt, K@dog, Michael Aaron, Popshit, and Trill Clinton.
Day one featured headliners 3LAU, Nervo, and Krewella with openers HeRoBust, DJ Godfather, and A Guy Called Amir. Day two coincided with Safe In Sound, a bass music festival that will wrap on the west coast at the end of October. Safe In Sound openers included Drew32, Adam Abstrakt, Terravita, and Caked Up, with Destroid, Adventure Club, and Flux Pavilion headlining. In addition, a small local stage
I’ve been to my share of music festivals – from Warped Tour to Uproar to 89x Chill on the Hill – but I’ve never seen anything like this. For me, Forever Festival was a nightclub under a concert pavilion, a mix of music, fashion, and ambiance that drew from every possible expressive outlet, mostly rave and bohemian, but also scene and goth.
and 20, a dozen DJs took to the main stage, providing almost seven hours of continuous music each night at Freedom Hill’s annual Forever Festival celebration of modern electronic music and dance culture.
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AT FREEDOM HILL
and Grumpy Cat on a stick. There were hula hoops and hacky sacks and metallic spinners and glowsticks. There was an excessive amount of plastic beads and a noticeable lack of fabric. And yet it all fit, held together by a collective love of electronic music and dancing.
And dance they did. My intense respect goes out to those who stayed at the front of the stage all weekend. By the middle of Day Two, I was exhausted, but the crowd on the main floor never stopped. That’s the allure of electronic music festivals, though, I’ve discovered – perpetual energy and excitement, fun that never stops. Even when the show was over each night, the show wasn’t really over. After parties ran until four in the morning at both Elektricity There was fur and glitter and neon. There were legwarmers and in Pontiac and Bleu Detroit, featuring Nervo, 3LAU, Excision of Destroid, and Adventure Club. animal accessories. There was a clear love Not willing to let the energy die down during of Pikachu. There was the wait to get out of the parking lot, one a knit hat with Yoda’s concert-goer had cranked up his stereo and was face on it and a t-shirt dancing on the roof of his car as I walked by. Now that’s dedication. that read “Fear the Beard.” There was a dinosaur hobby horse First up was DJ 3LAU (rhymes with wow), who
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hails from Las Vegas. Fairly low-key behind the board, he grabbed my attention halfway through his set when he jumped up on the table to rev up the crowd. His use of pop throwbacks in his mixes was also much appreciated. It’s not every day I get to hear Eiffel 65 or Kylie Minogue. 3LAU was followed by Australian duo Nervo. Twin sisters Mim and Liv shined onstage, clearly adored by their American fan base. For an EDM newbie like myself, they were the definition of pop electronic. Featuring crisp techno beats and sweet, airy vocals, I could easily see them landing on Top 40 radio in the U.S. in the near future. Then came Krewella. Another family affair, Jahan and Yasmine Yousaf stole Forever Festival for me. With Chicago origins, the pair’s music had a gritty edge to it that greatly appealed to my inner Detroit rocker. Powering through a set that featured nearly their entire discography, the duo were not just talented producers, but talented performers as well. Favorite tracks of the night included “Killin’ It,” “Come & Get It,” out the night, it was obvious to me that the and “Enjoy the Ride.” crowd was there for Adventure Club. The pair came on the scene in 2012 with a series of The second night began with Destroid. A four- remixes, finally releasing their own material in piece dubstep/bass music act featuring the 2013. Well-known tracks featured in their set combined talents of Excision, Downlink, and included “Gold (feat. Yuna)” and “Need Your KJ Sawka, Destroid took the stage with drums Heart (feat. Kai).” The true crowd-pleaser of the and specially crafted guitars that mimicked the night, however, was a remix of Flight Facilities effects of standard mixers. Clearly aliens from “Crave You,” which sampled Lana del Rey’s the dark side of some distant, futuristic planet, “Summertime Sadness.” All across the crowd, the faceless instrumentalists wore gas masks girls jumped up on boys’ shoulders at Adventure and armored space suits. Unlike anything else I Club’s request to sway back and forth to this saw all weekend, this musician/producer hybrid wistful love song. act is definitely one to keep an eye on. British producer Flux Pavilion took the stage last. Next up was Adventure Club, a Canadian duo A returning act from the first Forever Festival, out of Montreal. Though Flux Pavilion closed Flux is best known for his heavy-hitting “I Can’t
Stop,” which was sampled for “Who Gon Stop Me,” a Jay-Z/Kanye West track featured on their joint album as well as the soundtrack for The Great Gatsby. A methodical mixer, his set had a noticeable ebb and flow. High-energy dubstep tracks like “Do or Die (feat. Childish Gambino),” “Hold Me Close,” and “Bass Cannon” dropped off into slow, orchestral interludes, including Luke Skywalker’s theme from the original Star Wars trilogy. Alas, Forever Festival/Safe in Sound could not actually go on forever. Some would go on to after parties, and some would dance on top of their cars. Others – myself included – would head home to recover. Until the next EDM festival, that is.
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Think Globally, Drink Locally
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by Jeff Marzolf
t’s official. Detroit is now the home of the very first Our/Vodka micro-distillery in the U.S. That’s right. Detroit Rock City is now also Detroit Vodka City. The highly anticipated opening of Our/ Detroit became a reality when the distillery opened its doors to an enthusiastic group of supporters in August. Our/Vodka is a global brand based in Berlin, Germany that teams-up with local entrepreneurs who have a shared vision of supporting the local community. The distillery/tasting room in Southwest Detroit is run by the team of local entrepreneurs Sara Aldridge, a native Detroiter and Kate Bordine, originally from Cleveland. The co-owner’s mission is simple: “We collaborate to bring authentic Detroit flavor to the brand while strengthening our mission to invigorate Detroit through community engagement, outreach and celebration.” Both are quick to point out that they are thrilled with the positive response that they’ve received from the neighborhood. Our/Detroit is located in the Hubbard-Richard neighborhood of Southwest Detroit, which is between Mexicantown and Corktown. The location is ideal according to co-owner Bordine. “We get a lot of foot traffic because of the restaurants nearby. We want to be a conduit between the two neighborhoods,” she said. The building had been abandoned since 2000 and has been through extensive renovation to accommodate the distillery and the tasting room. Our/Vodka is slated to open distilleries in other U.S. cities including New York, Boston, Seattle and Miami, but the one in Detroit will always be the first. The idea of the brand is to create the vodka from the same recipe in every distillery, but use ingredients sourced as local as possible. Using ingredients from local sources means that each city not only lends its name, but also a specific local character to the vodka. Our/Detroit Vodka is smooth and fresh with a fruity note, and composed to mix well with any mixer. The tasting room stays true to local sourcing by using Metro Detroit based McClure’s Bloody Mary Mix and McCleary Brothers drinking vinegar in its cocktails. The cocktails are unique and delicious—and the drink menu will vary seasonally. The design of the bottle is simple, yet attractive. The 375-milliliter clear bottle with a crown cap sells for $16.99 per bottle. The tasting room also features the work of local artists. “We give space to highlight artists who might not ever get a chance to display their artwork to the public,” Aldridge said. A prime example is the eye-catching mural on the side of the building that was done by Detroit native Ndubisi Okoye. “The woman in the mural is a native Detroiter—and the combination organic and geometric shapes symbolize the rebirth and restoration of the city,” said Okoye. Take part in the rebirth of Detroit and enjoy some dynamite cocktails at Our/Detroit. 2545 Bagley St. Detroit, MI 48216. Tasting room hours are: Wed-Fri 4pm, Sat & Sun 1pm. Visit the distillery Web site to learn more: http://ourvodka.com/ourdetroit/ Photo by Lisa Boyle
HALL & OATES Story By Eric Harabadian Photos Marc Nader
Closing out the 2014 summer concert season at Freedom Hill was a band that has consistently played the Detroit area since they began some 40 years ago. Showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon, Daryl Hall & John Oates brought their Philly soul-based entourage to the Motown stage in full effect. Opening the show was a young fellow Philadelphia singer-songwriter named Mutlu. Conditions for the Freedom Hill season closer were chilly and brisk, but that did not deter the sold out crowd from fully absorbing the warm and funky vibes the solo acoustic neo-soul guitarist was laying down. Songs like “Livin’ It” and “Shaky Ground” seemed to mine territory from the camp of artists like Bill Withers, Amos Lee and Ben Harper. He also playfully engaged the audience with an original love ballad ala Barry White called “Caramel” and even covered a jazzy version of Michael Jackson’s “Rock with You.” After a brief intermission Hall & Oates hit the stage to the familiar rhythmic syncopations of their first mega hit of the night; “Maneater.” As bassist Klyde Jones supplied the perfect bopping groove, Oates and multi-instrumentalist Charlie DeChant traded guitar and sax solos respectively. The ‘80s catalog kept on coming as “Out of Touch” followed, with a rockier feel than the original. “Say it Isn’t So” continued the set, with extended jams from guitarist Shane Theriot and, again, DeChant’s wailing tenor sax. After some brief announcements the duo dipped back into their rich treasure trove of ‘70s material for “Back Together Again,” “Las Vegas Turnaround (Stewardess Song)” and the classic “She’s Gone.” At this point in the show it seemed like the band began to shake off the pervasive evening chill and was hitting their stride. “Sara Smile,” of course, was a crowd favorite and got everyone into a sing along mode. Hall switched from his lovely blond F-hole Telecaster guitar to keyboards for the truthful and testimonial “Do What You Wanna Do (Be What You Are)” and then revved the party up for drummer Brian Dunne, percussionist Porter Carroll and keyboardist Eliot Lewis to lock in for an extended throw down on “I Can’t Go For That.” At this juncture the hot coffee, cocoa, blankets and alcoholic provisions were fully engaged by the crowd to deflect the cold. They were firmly planted for the duration and thoroughly welcomed the band back for two sets of encores. The first started somewhat easy with their iconic “Rich Girl” and then picked up the pace for the bouncy “You Make My Dreams Come True.” In particular, Hall’s heavily distorted Rhodes-like piano gave this an extra special gospel kick. Round two found the mighty Hall & Oates leading the charge, with more ‘80s confections; “Kiss on My List” and “Private Eyes.”
BENNY & THE JETS The Column
Roy Orbison? You remember the song “Love Hurts” by Nazareth? Love hurts, love scars, love wounds, and mars, any heart, not tuff or strong enough, to take a lot of pain, take a lot of pain, love is like a cloud, holds a lot of rain. Love hurts .... ohh, ooh, love hurts. Love Hurts, written by Bordeaux Bryant in the 1960’s, not for Nazareth but for the Everly Brothers. The song was covered by Roy Orbison some 15 years before the Nazareth hit version many of us remember. Interestingly the WHO had a version, Jimmy Webb, Emmylou Harris, Cher, Journey, Joan Jett, Heart, Juice Newton, That 70’s TV Show, Robin Gibb, Keith Richards, Triumph, and Rod Stewart all covered the song.
City vs War Machine - KISS tribute. ThunderkissRob Zombie. Sins of A Madman- Ozzy. Ty Stone, an interesting singer song writer. Pistol Day rock and roller to have never covered Parade’s original song-Your Just a Rock Star’s someone else song? But now he has a cover Girlfriend. D Counts and the Billionaires, Holing LP on it’s way that includes. Break on Through, Diablos, Critical Bill, Eliza Neals, Shock Wave, Revolution, My Generation and Foxy Lady. Mercy Brown, Kaleido, Greg Gdaniec’s Deep Cut, Alan Turner, Rezination, Cruzin Jupiter, Bullet Bob Seger may have been more successful then Prof Snow, on the list of bands to watch. some of his counter parts like the Frost, MC-5, Mitch Ryder and Grand Funk Railroad, because There is a great list of Michigan Rock and Roll Bob was a great song writer. Interestingly Bob’s songs on the biggest songs Old Time Rock and Roll (and his only #1 song) Shakedown, where not written by www.michiganrockandrolllegends.com web site. him? Yet Bob’s original song Turn the Page was a great cover hit for Metallica. Not only the well known Bob Seger, Alice Cooper, Ted Nugent songs, but rare recordings Bob Seger covered Tina Turner’s Nut Bush by Michigan Rock and Roll Legends like Frijid City Limit. Tina had one of the all time great Pink, the Woolies, Rationals, Tonto and the covers songs, Proud Mary, originally done Renegades, Commander Cody, Dick Wagner, by Creedence Clearwater Revival. She took a Hank Ballard and the Midnighters, Jack Scott, popular male song and made it her own. A huge and Nathaniel Mayer. hit record. A great cover song.
The WHO did a cover, but who, does a cover song? Why do a cover song? Roy Orbison a legendary singer song writer, covers a song that 15 years later Nazareth has a hit with, then even Original Silver Bullet Band drummer Charlie Keith Richards covers. Allen Martin told me the comparison of original George Harrison liked Roy Orbison (the Traveling renditions of songs with the, sometimes Wilburys) Van Halen liked Roy Orbison, they many, re-imaginings of the songs. It’s far covered Pretty Woman. In fact Van Halen more interesting to sort through what each covered many songs, You Really Got Me, artist brings to the table when we hear them Dancing in the Street, Won’t Get Fooled interpreting the same material...why would Again, Lucille. an artist choose to cover a song?..money? It’s a guaranteed hit? A tribute to the original Most everyone covers songs. Elvis covered artist? Because the song resonates so strongly many songs, from Hound Dog to Blue Swede with the life of the cover artist? Ego? I can Shoes. Elvis even covered Frank Sinatra. sing or produce it better? There’s definitely an Frank covered the Beatles (the song interesting conversation there. “Something” on the all time most covered songs list). Beatles covered Motown and Chuck Berry. Locally, cover band 50 Amp Fuse, using the name Your Generation in concert? Nightmare Alice Cooper might have been the only Detroit’s only Alice Cooper Tribute. Alive Rock 10 LIVE
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Your’s Truly, Benny and the Jets Band was voted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends - HALL OF FAME. There is a great story and photos on the site about our band. Stories about our time on the road with Bo Diddley, Freddy Boom Boom Cannon, Ricky Nelson, Chubby Checker, Steppenwolf, and Ted Nugent. For more information about Benny and the Jets Band or Benny Solo call 313 730 1627 find us on Facebook at www.facebook. com/bennyandthejets To read more about Michigan artists and songs, visit the website at wwwlmichiganrockandrolllegends.com
Photo Marc Nader
Jenny McCarthy By Jeff Marzolf
Jenny McCarthy already has quite an extensive resume: Playboy Playmate, “Singled Out” Host, actress, best-selling author, and most recently co-host of The View. But now she has added comedy show emcee to the list. McCarthy brings her, Jenny McCarthy and Friends, “Dirty, Sexy, Funny” Comedy Tour to the Sound Board at the Motor City Casino Friday, October 17, 2014 at 8 p.m. The live show features the comedy of five of the most raunchiest, bawdy women comics that McCarthy could find. McCarthy spent three years touring the country looking for female comics that made her laugh. “I went from club to club to club, writing on napkins, finding girls, auditioning them, then doing workshops, and putting it together on stage and making a live show from it,” she said in an interview with Boston.com. The end result was exactly what she’d hope for the tour. McCarthy, who by her own admission is not a stand-up, decided to create media vignettes featuring herself that the audience sees throughout the show. Even though it’s a female cast, it’s not just for girls in the audience. The shows have been 50-50, which has been wonderful, because it was created to be for men and women according to McCarthy. She threw “Dirty” in to the title because she knew that the word would attract the guys. The comics definitely bring up things that happen in the bedroom. But according to McCarthy, the guys can laugh at it because it’s nothing that’s too harsh, just funny. The comics include Los Angeles based comic Justine Marino, who specializes in single-girl humor. Comedian Tammy Pescatelli, the former “Last Comic Standing” contestant, features a brand of humor that appeals to the mostly middle-aged, female crowd. The raunchiest of the comics according to one reviewer is Paula Bel. Her profanity-laden observations covered everything from the problems of being single in your 40s to genitalia jokes. Finally, there is Lynne Koplitz, who kind of has the vibe you’d expect of a vodka-drinking, middle-aged aunt. It sounds like a well-rounded group. If McCarthy does what she has done during past shows, like the one in Boston, the audience in Detroit can expect some random surprises. It’s different from the normal stand-up comedy show because she gets bored. “I have A.D.D., I can’t just sit there. So I make all the segments different, funny, and I fill the in-between spaces with really funny videos,” she said. According to McCarthy, “Everyone that’s left the show has said, “Oh my God, it’s amazing!” So, the proof is in the reviews. Casino October. Tickets are $37, $30 and $25 and available through Ticketmaster. For more information visit Olympia Entertainment: www. olympiaentertainment.com
Fleetwood Mac By Eric Harabadian
On Wednesday October 22 , 2014 The Palace of Auburn Hills is proud to bring back to the concert stage after a 16 year absence the legendary Fleetwood Mac. Keyboardist-vocalist Christine McVie has re-joined band mates Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham for their “On With the Show Tour.” The reunion marks the first time the multi-Grammy winning ensemble has travelled together since 1998’s “The Dance Tour.” The band reconvened with Christine briefly when she joined them on stage for their classic “Don’t Stop” at a London concert in 2013. Collectively they brought the house down and decided to try and tap into their collaborative musical magic once again. nd
The saga of Fleetwood Mac is an intriguing and interesting one. They are a band that has existed since 1967 and, although fraught with many changes— both personal and professional— have stayed the course and stood the test of time. Founding fathers drummer Mick Fleetwood and bassist John McVie were on the ground floor of the ‘60s British blues movement doing apprenticeships with groups like John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and the like. The duo partnered with guitarists Peter Green and Jeremy Spencer for their 1968 recording debut entitled Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac. Thus was the beginning of a rock dynasty that began as sort of a blues-rock jam band and, with the emergence of American singer-songwriters Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham in 1975, became one of the biggest selling pop groups in music history. Although the band had enjoyed a modicum of, primarily, FM radio airplay, with early hits like “Black Magic Woman,” “ The Green Manalishi ( With the Two-Prong Crown),” “Bare Trees” and “Hypnotized,” massive mainstream success eluded them until 1975’s eponymous Fleetwood Mac release. That album single-handedly put the band on the map, with a string of chart-topping singles; including “Say You Love Me,” “Rhiannon,” “Over My Head” and “Landslide.” They kept that hit machinery going two years later, with the follow up release Rumours. That record even spun more gold, with “Go Your Own Way,” “ Dreams,” “Don’t Stop,” “You Make Loving Fun,” “Second Hand News,” “Gold Dust Woman” and “The Chain.” The early ‘80s saw minor follow ups like “Gypsy” and “Hold Me” but nothing that would compare to their early hit status. Their last studio album to date was 2003’s Say You Will. Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Christine McVie, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham have kept themselves active over the years as solo artists, band leaders, business entrepreneurs and so on, but, according to resounding reports from fans and the Fleetwood Mac camp alike, it just feels right being back with Christine in good spirits, healthy and ready to hit the road.
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LIVE 11
s Storytelling Masterpiece
Anne Schultz / photos Marc Nader
F
rom Halloween house party to decadent masquerade ball, Theatre Bizarre continues to entice and lure curious minds to experience and share in its intertwining and layered story at this year’s Illusionists Ball. Creator and visionary John Dunivant will once again transform the Masonic Temple into a surreptitious world for guests to explore. It’s not just a Halloween bash; it’s an interactive work of art that we get to become a part of and is hands down, one of the most impressive, unique and unforgettable experiences to be had.
On Friday, October 17 from 6:30 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. and Saturday, the 18 from 6:30 p.m. to 4:00 a.m., performers in giant metal wheels, stilt walkers, fire breathers and many more await our arrival where we will hand off our tickets, take a program and walk into the world of beautifully disturbing and wonderfully weird things to things to see and interact with. Not only do the magnificent, grand displays and dioramas feature Dunivant’s artwork and fascinations, but the Masonic Temple itself becomes his canvas. There’s something inviting and captivating about being surrounded by things that are faintly familiar and nostalgic without knowing what’s really going to happen. While there are scheduled performances going on throughout the night, who is to say what hundreds to thousands of masked and costumed guests surrounding you are going to do? That’s the best part
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This year Theatre Bizarre will host a preview gala night. “The first year at the Masonic was such a crazy experiment. Many lessons were learned. The preview night this year will include an open bar, strolling dinner and valet parking. Guests will also be able to see special performances from past shows, highlights from this year’s show, and exclusive gala night only sets.
societies is much more about celebration.
On the main night, there are plenty of new things to explore. Among the new, familiar images from Dunivant’s Expatriate Parade series will be present in forms of enlarged pieces from the series to a diorama surrounded by glass that goes to the ceiling that showcases a taxidermy goat with a Ferris wheel on its back which is a representation of Theatre Bizarre’s journey from the evicted grounds to the Masonic. The dichotomy that is present in the Expatriate series is “good and bad. This is kind of like that too. To see the beauty in that. The color palette was like, well mud. It’s like when you mix all the colors together and get murky brown. It’s the shit you don’t want to paint with. I want to embrace that because it was an allegory of life.” Even though the initial departure from the grounds was a difficult for Dunivant, he along with Theatre Bizarre has made a journey to the other side. And while the whole parade itself was a constant mixture of happy and sad, the transformation and evolution from bizarre carnival to the alluring mystery of secret
David J will be with a full swing orchestra Friday night only. “The brass section in this room sounds amazing. To be able to work with a hero and have this swing orchestra and then do “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” in this Cab Calloway jazzlike version is something you’ll only be able to hear right here and nowhere else in the world. It’s like a historic event to me,” said Dunivant.
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One of the special guests this year, for both evenings, is David J of Bahaus and Love and Rockets. “I was a huge fan. So to be able to have one of my heroes here is awesome. Bahaus created Goth. Nobody sounded like them in the 70’s; they were innovators. I love innovators.”
Despite the event only being two nights, the preparation that goes into creating the greatest masquerade on Earth is a year long process. The entire event consists of a staff of up to 150 people each night of the event. How does one go about preparing for something on such a large scale? Says Dunivant “Meetings start in January and are endless and you get to deal with things like 70+ pages of fire reports, codes, and regulations. “ Additionally, the costume department is constantly adjusting costumes for all of the characters from elevator operators, ushers to
the ticket collectors. Virtually every Wednesday night of the year, there are different groups of people that come and sew. “They don’t just do costumes. They do curtains and anything that is fabric,” states Dunivant. “No detail is over looked when it comes to creating the world of Theatre Bizarre.” The building’s interior is draped with lavish swags, filled with custom built cabinetry and displays, and even has a perfect amber hue to illuminate the warm, saturated Bosch inspired color palette of the environment. One of the ongoing challenges is each year Dunivant says is that there’s more pressure, more work to amaze.”At the fairgrounds we could blow stuff up. It’s harder at the Masonic . It was designed in the 20’s. Smaller doors and entrances, foyers. However, the architecture is gorgeous and serves as a good base and we build on that.”
presence with a mother who was a hard core Roman Catholic and a father who was a hard core Southern Baptist? “My parents just didn’t get me. They never talked to me much. I was lost in my own world and going to those things (roadside attractions/tourist traps) helped fuel stuff.” Dunivant recalled attending some of the last true traveling side shows. “I remember this one...all the side show gaffs, with hoaxes and illusions. I remember looking into this lens and seeing this miniature woman who was in a jar. They did it with a reverse telescope or something like that, I thought it was incredible. I knew I felt like I was being conned but I didn’t care. It was still cool. Seeing those illusions was cool. It is easier to appreciate as a child, to lose yourself in the reality of something, and then later you learn it’s just a guy in a mask. I’m trying to maintain that illusion.” The environment has a museum like feel in the sense that everywhere you look, there are details, and secrets that will begin to unveil themselves. “If you’re paying attention you will pick up on little things. You can piece together a larger story. I want it to be so layered that you miss stuff and you want to come back,” said Dunivant.
Dunivant recalls “The first five years was still a backyard party. But when it stopped (20052007), I realized all the things I loved doing - the set design, the painting, the sculpture, graphic design, all of it - creating this big environment was one of the most satisfying things I’ve ever done.” For the longest time Dunivant said his father would often asked him, “ So when are you going to get a real job?” Says Dunivant “One year they decided to come out to the party and check it out and they were like, this is incredible!” Dunivant’s mother, now can be found living at the Masonic for days helping and prepping for the event. So when you enter this year’s Illusionists Ball, take the time to let everything sink in. Take in the sights, the scents, and tastes. The imagination, craftsmanship, and thought that goes into Theatre Bizarre is truly amazing.
Many of Dunivant’s curiosities, memories and The experience will prove to be both intriguing metaphoric symbols can be found throughout and entertaining. his artwork and Theatre Bizarre itself. When asked if guests are, in a way, experiencing all the things that go on in his head, Dunivant replied, “Yep, pretty much. Even though [Theatre Bizarre] is a party, a lot of it is deeply It’s obvious to those who know Dunivant and personal.” Growing up in the Detroit area, in a to anyone who steps foot into his imaginary household where there was a strong religious reality that he has a great love for what he does.
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www.theatrebizarre.com
LIVE 13
Photos Marc Nader
“Let Rock Rule”; that’s the title of the current multi-city tour that Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Aerosmith have been on for the duration of the summer. And they had no less than Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators along for the ride. Probably every hackneyed and shopworn cliché has been used to describe artists of this magnitude but “electric” certainly could be one encompassing term that qualifies.
ATDTE
to them in soulful shards of intensity. The show was also being videotaped and transmitted live via Yahoo.com. The bad boys from Boston played like they had something to prove and delivered a powerful set lasting over two hours. These veterans know what the audience wants and served up an ample helping of smoking hot jams including “Train Kept ‘A Rollin,’” “Eat the Rich,” “Love in an Elevator” and “Crying.” Steven Tyler is, of
The show began in a timely manner at 7:30pm sharp as Slash and crew hit the stage with a vengeance. Assuredly, a lot of people were anticipating a hefty assortment of Guns & Roses material and this band did not disappoint. They also performed a number of tunes off their two albums Apocalyptic Love and the justreleased World on Fire. Slash pulled out all the stops and proved why he is one of the all-time guitar greats. From classicallyflavored Spanish inflections to bluesy slide and beefy solo blasts Slash has lost none of his sense of musical adventure. And Kennedy was the perfect foil; both on the newer original tunes and GNR classics like “Paradise City,” “Mr. Brownstone,” “You Could Be Mine” and “Sweet Child ‘O Mine.” The band played for slightly over an hour and kept the party resoundingly up tempo, steamy and action-packed. After a brief intermission the crowd was sufficiently primed for more world class rock “n” roll and America’s musical ambassadors Aerosmith gave it 14 LIVE
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course, one of the great charismatic front men of all time and he craftily and stealthily worked with various camera angles, technical aspects and special effects from the crew taping the concert to truly engage the fans in their performance. At various points in the show Tyler would designate a throwback to the band’s ‘70s heyday, with songs like “Toys in the Attic,” “Sweet Emotion” and “No More No More.” Further highlights—of which there were many— included Joey Kramer’s extended drum solo on “Jaded,” Aerosmith celebrating guitarist Joe Perry’s birthday by bringing Slash up for a jam on “Mama Kin” and the cavalcade of multiple guitar changes that graced the stage; from Tom Hamilton’s gold metal flake and video effects basses to Perry’s assortment of vintage and colorful custom axes. Countless cell phones flashed their LEDs and filled the air bringing Tyler to the stage for show stopper “Dream On.” He sat down at a stunningly white grand piano and played that familiar descending melancholic chord sequence as if it was for the first time. Bringing the tune to its dramatic crescendo confetti and smoke filled the air in a satisfying finale to a very special night. Eric Harabadian
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#FLABOOM
By GT
Flaboomydoomdoomski (an overwhelming quantity of joyously new conclusions being drawn before your eyes) should be the uplifting feeling of our city on the rise! Since our last union, Detroit has experienced wondrous jazz festivities, the Tigers extending their playoff contending lead, Lions winning with awesome DEE, Virgos partying like crazy and I’ve been reunited with a “Biddle Bee.” A “Biddle Bee” is an alumnus of Biddle Elementary School located on Seebaldt of Detroit’s west side. Our nickname was the Bees. Thats where I ment Randy. Randy was one of my best friends because he was cool, he was nerdy like me, and he was small (also like me), but with enough athleticism to be recognized. Randy was, by far, the most elusive competitor in the game of “tag.” Watching and studying him makes girls, and all us boys, look stupid with angel-fish-like moves, causing collisions on many occasion, was the final touch that led to my fond football memories. Randy didn’t play organized football. Randy played piano! Randy still plays piano and has been playing since rotary-dialed home phones. He is professionally known as Randall Poindexter, and he is an amazing contributor to our society. In the All-American made genre of Jazz, from this musician’s perspective, there seems to be strict gate-keepers strategically placed in Detroit, New Orleans, New York, Chicago, St. Louis and more, to govern swing, feeling, dynamics, groove and the ability to “cook.” To “cook,” musically, is to create something new and highly enjoyable as in, “Those cats were cookin’!” These security minded jazz gurus will intimidate or make you wait until they say it’s time for you to jam. Randall Poindexter, like many of our Detroit-born jazz greats, has shared his gifts throughout the world and has played with many of the greats; however, he’s far from militant or intimidating. He’s also fusion, Latin, R&B & Neo-Soul as he likes to exemplify with his group “Next Phase.” I’ve always encouraged a balance of teaching to our young minds and Randy delivers a cool, encouraging yet highly experienced jazz mind that offers patience with rewards to the young musician eager to learn. I would definitely recommend finding Randall Poindexter to the jazz lover or the jazz student that wants to find or sharpen their chops (technique). Randy is at the Seafood Market located in Harmony Park, Detroit on Thursdays from 5:30p-8:30 p.m. Find “Fingers” Poindexter at Firewater Bar & Grill on John R and E. Grand Blvd in Detroit every other Friday from 6-9 p.m. (call ahead to make sure). I’m looking forward to surprising him at one of the above locations, but I usually find him closer to my area at the world’s oldest stand jazz club… Baker’s Keyboard Lounge. After a Sunday of NFL football, take your appetite, your instrument, and/or your hungry jazz ears to Baker’s (Livernois & 8mile) where Randall performs Sunday nights from 8p-12 a.m. Call ahead to confirm his presence at Baker’s. Flaboom!!!
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Always remember… Flaboom has universal potential, due to its versatile applications in life’s exciting moments. I truly encourage you to try Flaboom out for yourself. When you do “give it a spin”, hit me up on my twitter account @ FlaboomGT and let me know about it. GT www.GTtcp.com 18 LIVE
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THE MACHINE SHOP
by Anne Schultz
shows is one way that Zink gives back to the community by helping them with their various causes. “As far as bands, I love to see band grow from here…like seeing the guys from It Lies Within go on a national tour, Battlecross, Frequency 54 when they went out and toured.” Even for bands like Pop Evil who are from the other side of the state, have made The Machine Shop into a place they call home. But don’t think for one minute that the venue is genre biased. The Shop has opened and welcomed several country artists such as Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, and Eric Church onto its state. Maybe not what you’d expect, the place has really been great for country music fans. “It’s like Beatle mania. When that artist walks on the stage, those people go crazy. Sometimes people make fun of us for doing country shows. Country shows are fun. That’s where rock came from is country. Eric Church, he played here a few times and he’d play Clutch before going on. It s a real rock show. Any dude making fun of country shows, all they gotta
do is come to one show and realize that there are a lot of cute girls here. “ Even with Photo Jeff Mintline burlesque shows and comedians such as Brian Posehn (October 3) and Doug Stanhope f you’ve never been to the place, you’ve at stage. They have a common thing at every show. (October 24), it all fits with what The Shop least heard of it. You are also likely to know You’re not just showing up wondering who is is doing. You know that when you go there someone who has been there or even played going to be playing; you know who you are that you’re going to see something live and there in their own band. Local bands. National coming to see.” entertaining. bands. It doesn’t matter because it’s a venue that all bands love and want to play. It’s not When the place first opened, the stuff you see Like any business, there were some tough just a venue. On stage, backstage, in the crowd on the walls today is stuff came from Zink’s times to get through and Zink had wondered in front of the stage - it’s a community of garage. Stuff that both he and Craig owned. whether or not they were going to be able to people who come to rock out and share their Over the years, the venue has received a make it. “My damn pride took over me and I love and passion for music. You may arrive as makeover and he says, “We just added more thought, I’m going to make this work because a stranger, but you leave as one of them; it shit to the place. We put a fresh coat of paint this is very personal to me. And it’s become doesn’t matter where you’re from. Ever since on it and replaced the carpet. It’s funny, you’ll me. It is what I am...The Machine Shop. So The Machine Shop opened its doors in 2002, see people come in here with their feet kind if it doesn’t go, I feel like I failed. Not just as brothers Kevin and Craig Zink continue to of stuck to the floor sometimes. And we’ll be a business, but me personally. I could have prove that something authentic and good can like sorry, Hank III was here last night. There’s moved on to other things but this is very live in a city where you’d least expect. nothing you can do when there’s that much much a passion for me to do this.” beer in the place from the night before,” The Machine Shop embraces its environment laughed Zink. What would happen if it was said today that and all the people who come out. The there’d be no Machine Shop tomorrow? name itself pays homage to Flint being the While the Shop has grown over the years and There’d be a void that’s for sure. “I don’t think automotive birthplace. Zink explains, “Back become a staple not only in Flint, but as a anyone knows that but us. It would leave a when we were growing up there were machine Michigan venue, Kevin is quick to point out that hole in my heart. And maybe it’s because shops everywhere. It wasn’t the way it is the success of the venue has everything to do we’re the underdogs. We are where we are. now. When something needed to be repaired with working collaboratively with others. One But, there’s a different thing here. And I like it. you took it to the machine shop. So, that is of the bands that he met before the place was I like being a part of it. just a part of Flint and part of the shop rats. even opened was Clutch. “They had our backs Plus with the motorcycles, hotrods, and the from the time we opened. They were willing To learn more tattoos…it all revolves around machines. Rock to come here over and over again. I feel like about the Machine and roll is a machine itself. It’s a legit rock club, they’ve very much been a part of this. They did Shop and view in a legit blue collar town.” a live double disc here and filmed videos. All upcoming concert very positive and supportive.” Even today when dates, visit www. The concert lounge is a destination. People Clutch plays The Shop, they sell out. When themachineshop. come here with a purpose. Zink states that asked how he thought things were going to turn info he understands that people pay their hard out, Zink replied, “I didn’t think it would go like earned money to come see bands and with it did. I didn’t think we were good enough or that in mind, he and the staff work really hard cool enough, and shame on me, for the bands to ensure that everyone has a personable to want to come here at first. And all of the and positive experience. “I wouldn’t do this sudden after a few months, people started if it wasn’t anything but a rock and country talking about the place and it just had positive type of place because that is what I enjoy. I stuff going out.” want to go to work and like what I do. People don’t come here to bump chests; they’re here Building relationships and helping people and because they all love the same band that is on organizations in the community with benefits
I
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Vinyl
and stand next to another music lover buying used albums from Bob Marley, Lou Reed, or Billy Joel. Raymond and Rick both indicated that their typical customer is in to buy new and used vinyl. They buy a lot of classic rock, Indie and alternative, and new hip hop. The bottom line is, they all want the same thing- a relationship with their music and they don’t get that with the digital format. iTunes doesn’t give you the excitement of opening up the Django Unchained soundtrack and seeing the blood splattered vinyl or seeing the psychedelic colors of the Chris Robinson Brotherhood vinyl. It doesn’t give you full posters of the song lyrics with The Black Keys Brothers album or engorged glossy books in the Eddie Vedder Into The Wild soundtrack.
The return of
by Christian Palasty
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Live concerts and garage bands have long proven that music loving people want a relationship with their music. They want to not only hear it, they want to smell it and touch it. They want to rock out to the chords or mellow out to the jams. This relationship waned in the 80’s when vinyl gave way to cassettes and again with the introduction of CD’s. The introduction of the MP3 file format in the 90’s and the resulting explosion of digital media has nearly ended the deep relationship for many music lovers. It’s not that they stopped listening to music, they simply stopped having the relationship that the previous generations had all the while the music transformed from a full, rich sound to a more and more compressed digital format.
declining sales in CDs and even iTunes, it reports that vinyl sales are increasing (a mere increase of 33% in 2013). Rick Leannais, the manager at Dearborn Music in Dearborn, said “kids listen to MP3’s and the music is so compressed and then they walk by their parent’s stereo and hear vinyl on full speakers and they have never heard that sound.” Rick attributes a large part of the renewed interest to Record Store Day. Celebrated on the third Saturday in April, the daylong event was conceived in 2007 to generate interest in the independent local music stores. “Last year we had some 400 new releases and 75% were exclusive releases.”
“Kids are coming in and they get their knowledge from the Internet about a song or how it originated. But they can come in and talk about it in the LP section and all that information is right there on the album jacket,” says Rick.
Many listeners already know the love of vinyl and they question why one wouldn’t listen to vinyl. ‘There’s a different sound and a different experience as opposed to hitting shuffle,’ said Raymond. There are those in the know and everyone else. The great thing about record stores is that they are always welcoming to the not-yet vinyl people and they’re eager to share their knowledge and experience. Frequent any According to the Statista, vinyl sales in 1993 of the record stores in and around Detroit, including Found Sound and Dearborn were around 300,000. In 2007, sales rose Music, and hear what you’ve been missing to 1 million and in 2013, 6.1 million. Vinyl Declining sales, rampant piracy and the pressing plants have increased in numbers out on. Both stores also sell turntables and disappearance of neighborhood music receivers for those looking to upgrade to in the US and companies like Rainbo stores is a clear sign to some that the just get started. Records produces over 6 million albums a honeymoon is over. The music industry year. Hamtramck is even home to Archer has struggled to maintain sales and So the question isn’t “Why vinyl?” but Record Pressing, where they press 7” and they have only just in the past few years “Why not?” realized that the fad aka vinyl was actually 12” records. a true growth potential. “There’s a lot of New album releases are coming out in 13 to 25 year old kids out there buying vinyl,” says Raymond Hayosh, manager of vinyl and the supply isn’t always keeping up with the demand. Consider Jack White’s Found Sound in Ferndale. “It’s not a fad for them, it’s just a post iPod world now. Lazaretto album: it’s the best-selling vinyl People are listening to vinyl and cassettes album in 20 years, it was sold out all over town, and broke the boundaries of what again.” you could do with a vinyl album. Consider With digital media, tracks or albums can that Side A plays from the inside to the be downloaded without ever really seeing outside of the disc, dual groove technology where you can play either an electric or the album cover. One can listen to the entire album and barely learn the names acoustic intro depending on where one drops the needle, and Side A contains a of the songs or the words to the songs. The consumer has a detached relationship hand-etched hologram, the first of its kind on vinyl. with the music and it’s no wonder that vinyl has quietly emerged from the closets Consumers can walk into a record store and the basements and found its way back onto the charts and in the hearts of and buy the latest release from First Aid Kit, The Avett Brothers, or David Bowie many. Just as Nielsen reports out on the 20 LIVE
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FOX
R OCT E T A E H T
20TH
Judas Priest by Jason Fortier
welcome. Do you enjoy any of the metal subgenres of power, speed, thrash and damn near anything from the NWOBHM including, but not limited to Def Leppard, Saxon, Iron Maiden? The Metal Gods say, you’re welcome.
Ok… so I guess it is a little about their past, how can it not be? In all fairness though it could just as well be about their present and Redeemer of Souls may be the best current metal album out today. It is an album that had to be made. It needed to be put out there to remind everyone that there are people making metal albums by the thousands. Yet there is only one group of Metal Gods and that is Judas Priest. Redeemer of Souls is full of Metal tracks that are just that, METAL. These are the types of songs that will remind us metal heads that although emotions and trying to be scary with corpse paint and growling are all well and good, None of that can compare with a group of musical innovators with nothing left to prove. That is this album. Never Forget these are the songs of a person who knows the Secrets of the Dead and been through Photo Eric Haggard Hell & Back. This is for the person going Down In Judas Priest has been writing metal music for will they be live? With a group like Judas Priest Flames in Cold Blood while doing the March of over 40 years? Their new release Redeemer of it isn’t a question of IF they will be awesome, but the Damned through the Halls of Valhalla to find the Redeemer of Souls. THIS IS METAL! Souls, stands head and shoulders above anything what levels of awesome(ness) will they reach? other “classic” metal band have done, with How can I make such a statement? Well here’s a possible exception of Iron Maiden or Black how. Do you like those leather and stud bucklers, So I believe my job is done here. You will go see Sabbath. But this isn’t an article about their past vests, shin guards and collars your favorite Metal the Metal Gods at the Fox Theater on October 19th in the Year of Our Lord 2014 and give thanks or who they are better than, I think all those bands like Slayer, Venom or even Behemoth to Judas Priest for damn near everything metal arguments can be settled with two words: Metal wear? The Metal Gods say, you’re welcome. Gods. Done. Do you like when your favorite metal band uses that you love. Harley Davidson’s as live musical props on stage? And once again the Metal Gods will say, you’re Do you like your twin guitar attacks with back Priest will be bringing Metal to the Fox Theater welcome! and forth leads? The Metal Gods say, you’re on October 19th. You may ask, how awesome
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KIP MOORE - FILLMORE DEC
Dan Ursem
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By Jason Fortier
HENRY ROLLINS
I was in my early 20’s and working at 91.5 WUPX in Marquette, MI. It was the college radio station, the on-campus bastion of music that was different in the Upper Peninsula. I hosted an hour program on Tuesday nights called Metal Maddness with Jayce “the Ace” during Thrash-n-Trash Tuesday. It didn’t pay. I didn’t care; I LOVED IT! It was the single greatest thing I had ever been a part of. But, I wanted more. So I interviewed to be the Promotions Director, didn’t get it. I remember being pissed because they hired someone else. I was clearly better than that guy. But I dealt… Moved on… Kept DJ’ing and doing the college thing. Becoming a better DJ, branching out and moving from just being “a meathead jock” metal guy (thanks Kent) to learning about ALL types of music that wasn’t on “regular” radio. A new year of hiring for the executive staff came around and this time, screw the Promotions Director, that job was lame. I was going for News Director! Long story short, I didn’t get it. Why? Who knows? But guess what! That guy flaked-out also and I got the job. I also inherited the news program on Friday mornings called Radio X News, The Show. So I got my buddy Matt to be my co-host and we started going. You know, the normal PSA’s, remember finals hours at the library and what is going on in Cahodas (our administrative building). It was normal, it was boring. I’ll stop now because you are probably wondering… JASON! What does this have to do with Henry Rollins! This is about him, not you! He is coming in concert, not you! Stop talking about yourself!!! SHUT UP!!! I’m getting to it. It will all make sense in a minute.
something I liked to talk about.” He answered something about how cool it was and how back in the day people would come on and off stage at those clubs and just jam with each other. I asked a few other questions about Greg Ginn from Black Flag, he answered, I forgot to hit record on my DAT recorder (sigh) and the interview was over. The news paper guys had already left and it was just me, Henry and the person who was guiding him around Marquette. I said thanks and summoned the courage to one final thing. Did I ask Oct. 17th ask for an autograph? Nope. Did I ask for some swag? Nope. I promised the radio folks I’d ask if he’d come down to the station and say hi to everyone, he was an icon there to many. And So back to the story. It was normal, it was to my surprise, he said yes! So after his boring. I was told one morning that this spoken word show he came down signed guy, Henry Rollins, was coming to Northern an autograph or two and took a picture Michigan University and I was going to with the crew and went on his merry way. interview him. Wow, this guy had been on MTV as the lead singer of The Rollins Band, That was it, or at least how I remember it. in a GAP ad, wrote some books and was J the lead singer of some band called Black Flag. I come from a small town in Michigan, Why does this long ass story matter? Probably doesn’t to you, but to me it was this is clearly the biggest thing I have ever the first BIG thing I ever did and here I am done. So I started reading about this guy, listening to his music and listening to things talking about this larger than life guy again as I start another chapter wondering if I he listened to. Trying to figure out what to can do this, time will tell. ask Mr. Rollins that he hasn’t been asked a million times before. This is my shot. My So let’s wrap this up. Henry Rollins is first REAL shot! Don’t be a dick Jason! So coming and you should go. You should I researched, got nervous and researched go and hear him rant about all things some more. The day finally arrives. that don’t make sense to him, the ones I remember from almost 20 years ago was I am ushered into this room with the other about how he couldn’t understand why media. Let me tell you when I say other everyone was so afraid of gay people, how media it was me and the guys from the college news paper. Where were the “real” RuPaul worked out at his gym and was totally ripped and bad ass and how we reporters and news guys in Marquette? here in Michigan didn’t even know that Don’t they know who is here? Anyways… It was me and the college news paper guys. James from Ypsilanti was one of the coolest Henry says hi, we say hi and the news paper people in the world. You may know this guy James as Iggy, but anyways… He’ll guys start in on him. Why did you do the probably also apologize about what he Gap ad, you know it really upset your punk said about Robin Williams (we like famous based fans? Henry replied with something people’s heads on a plate), he may talk about how much more punk could it be to say a few things and take the establishments about his trips to support the troops and money, why not. Next. What’s it like being maybe if you are lucky he’ll talk about how cool music used to be and still can be. the Liar guy? I could hear Henry’s eyes roll in his head. That was such a dumb question Hey Henry, I’ll see you October 17th at the I don’t even remember his answer. Hell I Royal Oak Music Theater, maybe you will could answer for him, it’s a cool song that see me? Even if you do you probably don’t got airplay and you are pissed at me for remember that nervous college kid who that? I could see they were losing him. did his first interview with you, but he’ll So I asked him, “What was it really like always remember you. Thanks Henry. playing with the guys from Bad Brains in the DC scene when you were coming up?” He looked at me with a look on his face as if to say “FINALLY someone asked me
Royal Oak Music Theater
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Photographer: Michael Weintrob
but something he said really stood out to me. He said that leaving was for the best but that it was the worst time in music to leave a Platinum album-selling band. He said that while he had the time of his life, it was just time for him to create new opportunities for himself and see how else he could put his signature mark on music. Something that also stood out to me was how humble Kenny truly is. When you have bands like Metallica singing your praises, been personally asked by Jimi Hendrix’s family to work on projects, and are sought after by some of the best in the business, typically I would expect his ego to be sky high. Kenny simply says that he has truly been blessed to live the life that he has and stated that it’s a good thing because music is all he knows how to do.
M O T O R C I T Y G U I TA R G R E AT by Korynne Hatcher
“He’s got a real voice with his guitar, which is a rare talent” –Paul Rodgers of Bad Company
describes that moniker in the music sense as the border of where Detroit Rock City meets Motown. He was surrounded by music as his “Kenny is and will always be considered part of grandfather, father, and uncles were always the Metallica family. As for his guitar playing, playing music, primarily guitars. Although he that simply speaks for itself and needs no started out playing drums, at the age 11 he further comment” –James Hetfield of Metallica decided to sell his BMX bike and skateboard and bought his first electric guitar. He states Quotes like these are what I found as I did more that it “was all over” at that point. He left and more research on Detroit native Kenny high school in metro Detroit seeking better Olson, who has played in so many bands over surroundings and finished high school in his career that it’s easy to lose count. A lot Traverse City. Although the scenery may have of people know him as one of the founding been greener, he quickly moved back to Detroit members of Kid Rock’s Twisted Brown Trucker after graduation and dove headfirst into the Band which became his home for 11 years. music scene. Shortly after that he joined his They had platinum selling albums from the late first band who played for the neighborhood 90’s until the late 2000’s. Eventually everything and while that may seem on a small scale now comes to an end. Since Kenny has never been led to his first paying gig at an ice cream social afraid of change, he decided to leave the band which ended up being shut down by the cops in probably the worst time to do so in the music due to the microphone being stolen. Laughing industry as this was the height of labels losing as he remembered that story, he stated that he money and not being able to pay artists. This definitely jumped in with both feet and had no was the middle of when bands had to deal with clue what this life would bring to him. downloading of music illegally, and the fear of making six figures coupling touring with album As he reminisced more and more about the era sales to hoping to make enough gas money to he grew up in with regard to music and classic fill their gas tank of the tour bus. Kenny decided cars it definitely reminded me that this is the to re-group, change course and seek out other epitome of a Detroit born musician. opportunities. Thus, began bands such as 7 Day Binge with Fuel drummer Shannon Boone, When asked about his influences, he the Kenny Olson Cartel, Five Star Carnie with mentioned several times that Curtis Mayfield respected Detroit bassist John “Wolf” Abel, as was one of his favorites. Also on that list were well as working with the incomparable Chaka Miles Davis, Howlin’ Wolf, Bootsy Collins, Khan and Peter Keys from Lynyrd Skynyrd. Kenny Muddy Waters, Iggy Pop, Tom Waits, and Chaka has experienced things that most musicians only Khan. That led into a discussion about forming dream of. a super group. I laughed as he kept adding, I reminded him that a stage is only so large. Born in Royal Oak. MI in November of 1967 and growing up just north of 8 Mile, Kenny calls We didn’t discuss Kid Rock much as so much himself a “True Woodward Avenue Kid.” He time has gone by since that chapter in his life 26 LIVE
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Not only a “Rock and Roll” musician, Kenny has definitely built quite the diversified portfolio. He recently worked with R & B artists Faith Evans and Kelly Price. Currently, he is working on a couple country projects and has plans to write with some hip hop artists. He said over and over again how blessed he feels to be able to work with such a variety of artists and how thankful he is to have been given the opportunities he has been given. No less than 10 upcoming projects are in the works for Kenny who also stated that in addition to working on some movie soundtracks, getting back together with 7 Day Binge, and working on an undisclosed project in LA, Kenny said that he is looking forward to “coming home to make a bad ass record.”
Commitment to truth local filmaker shares his 911 journey
By Darian Counts
September 2014 marks the 13th anniversary of the September 11th attacks on America. Out of respect for America, the truth and those who were killed in the attack and subsequent wars we present this article. This article doesn’t necessarily reflect the views of the staff , ownership or advertisers of Detroit Live Magazine.
Like most people, filmmaker Dave Hooper watched in horror as three buildings disappeared from the New York skyline taking the America we once new with them. The recurring question of “How could this happen?” was one that echoed in the minds of Filmmaker Dave Hooper hundreds of millions of Americas. Within hours the press began to mention a name that until then most Americans had never heard, Osama Bin Laden. According to the President, Bin Laden hated us because of our freedom and had used his family wealth to launch this vicious attack from the desolate country of Afghanistan. At the time, as unbelievable as the government’s theory of how this happened was, it was considered beyond reproach to question it. David Hooper like almost all Americans accepted it and began to continue with life as usual. Fast forward a decade; while casually surfing the internet Hooper came across a video of George W. Bush sitting in an elementary class reading a book with young students. He noticed something that intrigued him. After the president’s chief advisor, Andrew Card, whispered in his ear “Mr. President a 2nd plane has hit the towers, we are under attack,” the president seemed frozen. Later Bush would claim his main concern at that time was not frightening the students. Consequently while Americans were being slaughtered in airplanes, burned alive at their desks and hurling to their deaths, the president’s main concern was not startling the children. This seemed strange to Hooper. “Why didn’t the president politely excuse himself and get on the matters at hand? Surely the children would have understood.” Also thought Hooper “Isn’t the president putting in jeopardy the lives of every child in the building by remaining there during an attack?” It just seemed…weird to Dave. Surely a bit of research would clear it up. “I’m sure there is a reason he just sat there,” thought Hooper. So he began to casually look into the events of the day. Immediately he came across a video for a group of over two thousand Architects and Engineers (Architects and Engineers for 911 Truth) who risked their careers by signing a petition demanding an investigation that the events of 911, in particular the fall of the third tower, WTC 7. WTC7 was not hit by a plane. We were told that fires fueled by burning drapes, carpet and office supplies melted the fireproofed steel frame building support columns causing it to collapse perfectly into its own footprint. Wait...What? Since when do burning office supplies melt steel? Says Hooper “this is where I began to seriously research. Yet the more I researched the fewer answers I found and the more questions surfaced.” He continues, “I believed the government story without question yet now I had a hard time justifying what I was told with what I saw with my own eyes.” Apparently David wasn’t the only one. In addition to Architects & Engineers for 911 Truth he quickly came across Pilots for 911 Truth, Firefighters for 911 Truth, Police for 911 Truth and 911 families for truth, to name a few. The list was endless. He even found U.S. military generals publicly, not only questioning the government story, but saying unequivocally
that it was false. Yet most of America was unaware of this information. Thus began a trip down the rabbit hole. A trip that consumed him. He was compelled to gain an understanding of what happened that day. His computer became a magnet that constantly drew him in. He would spend hours on end researching the events of that horrific day. Hooper says “This was just too big to ignore, I just couldn’t let it go. As an American I had to know or at least do my best to gain an understanding of what I was seeing, yet instead of answers, every question brought more questions. “I spent months researching until I was left with no choice but to accept the facts. The government story can’t be true.” Upon absorption and acceptance of this revelation Dave was unable to keep it to himself; he had to share it with his wife. But like most Americans she wouldn’t hear of it. She wouldn’t and couldn’t accept it. She claimed he was turning into a conspiracy theorist. He was mistaken and obsessed. Her resistance seemed to evoke more research on Dave’s part to help her see what he saw. The more he found the less she wanted to look. The more pressure he applied, the more she resisted. Says Hooper “It became a serious issue within our marriage, I had to find a way to break thru to her as well as the rest of my family. I decided to produce a movie to help my family see what I saw.”
Albert N. Stubblebine III is a retired Major General in the United States Army. He was the commanding general of the United States Army Intelligence and Security Command from 1981 to 1984. “How easy is it for you to shift your belief system from ‘I totally believe in my government’ to ‘Oh My God! What’s going on?’ That’s exactly where I went in all of this.” – Albert N. Stubblebine III
And so it began, the creation of a movie that would come to be called The Anatomy of a Great Deception. Not to save a country, but to save a family. As a first time filmmaker Dave had a lot to learn. He dove in and began researching filmmaking. His research lead him to esteemed architect Richard Gage, A.I.A., also a former 911 denier who was Richard Gage compelled by physics to challenge Founder of Arche=itects and Engineers for 911 Tuth the government’s story. With the help of Richard Gage and many others Dave Hooper created the film The Anatomy of a Great Deception, a documentary based on actual footage, interviews and news reports that step by step explained why he was convinced the government was not telling the truth. Then the time came for his wife to watch the film. After all, he had spent months creating it; she had to at least look at it. And like a caring wife trying to support her
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Since that time the movie has premiered in San Francisco, Detroit and New York as well as cities all over America and has received critical acclaim from believers and skeptics alike. David’s wife and family now husband she did. There was an incredible fully accept and acknowledge the fact that the amount of information that she had never seen governments conspiracy theory of 19 religious or heard. In the decade since the attacks a fanatics led by a man in a cave overcame wealth of information has become available. the worlds most technologically advance air Whistleblowers, scientists and witnesses have defense system, flying jet liners into steel come out of the woodwork with documented framed fireproof buildings causing them to information that easily discredits the collapse symmetrically into their own foot information given to the American people by print is a lie. That even though the Pentagon its government. Yet few Americans are aware had over an hour warning that it was under of it. The resistance by most people is not one threat of attack it could do nothing to stop the based on information, it’s based on emotion. inexperienced first time pilots from flying a 100 Says Hooper, “Most people at first just cannot ton jetliner at 500 miles per hour at 25 feet accept that the government could even pull off the ground directly into the most guarded off such a deception. Many will not even look military installation in the world. at the information because the repercussions are too world altering. Yet the facts are the
Hooper now spends his time traveling the country talking with skeptics and supporters, answering questions and sharing The Anatomy of a Great Deception with thousands of other Americans that care. More than a few people have switched their opinion from total acceptance of the government’s theory to acceptance of the fact that we are being lied to. When asked what does he hope will come out of this, Hooper answers, “ I would like to see a proper investigation done. I think if nothing else I just want people of future generations to know that not everyone just blindly accepted the reasons we launched wars all over the Middle East. That some Americans had the courage and love for this country to stand up for the truth.” The movie which Hooper hopes can heal the divide between Americans no matter what side of the 9/11 fence they sit, can be purchased at www.AGDmovie.com.
Additiion information on this topic can be found at: Architects and Engineers for 911 Truth www.ae911truth.org Pilots for 911 Truth www.pilotsfor911truth.org Firefighters for 911 Truth www.facebook.com/firefightersfor911truth Military officers for 911 Truth www.mo911truth.org/ And www.rethink911.org/
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Eric Harabadians
Choice Cuts Steely Dan, The Story of….Steely Dan (DVD, Laser Media LM116): F o r many, assuredly, the actuality of a musical documentary on legendary jazz-pop rockers Steely Dan “in their own words” (as the DVD package claims) would be a joy to behold. Principle leaders and songwriters Donald Fagen and Walter Becker have typically
avoided the media spotlight and, for many years, live appearances were quite infrequent. But if you’re expecting some kind of definitive behind-the-scenes take on the band here; this ain’t it! This unauthorized documentary is not too much more than a collection of poorly dubbed TV clips of the band in their ‘70s heyday mixed with more recent performance footage. Included are great tunes like “Do it Again,” “Reelin’ in the Years” and “Aja” but the video looks washed out and the sound is fuzzy. Also, interviews with Donald Fagen and early SD guitarist Denny Dias are poorly lit, contain substandard audio and look like they were shot on someone’s phone. A split screen device the producers utilized to compare and contrast the band in concert between then and now is a nice segment, but not enough to save this whole venture. Disappointing!
T.A.M.I. Show –Collector’s Edition (DVD Shout Factory SF 11742): T.A.M.I. stands for Teenage Awards Music International Cactus, Live in the USA and it was a legendary concert that took (Cleopatra Records CLP place at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium 1802): To us in the “D” in October 1964. It was legendary because guitarist Jim McCarty is a it was one of the first mega-star studded local legend and a favorite concert movies of the rock era. Obviously son; a homeboy who made long before MTV, Midnight Special good as a charter member or anything of that ilk, America was of Mitch Ryder’s Detroit introduced to a diverse cross-section of Wheels, The Rockets and a classic stars from the worlds of rock, R&B blues staple on the Motor and pop; presented together in a way that City nightclub scene. But was never seen before. On one stage there he also jammed with Jimi were the Rolling Stones, James Brown, Hendrix and was on the The Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, Marvin Gaye, ground floor of one of rock’s The Supremes and a host of others. For early jam bands Cactus. On many years this film had not be seen since this live double CD from its original early ‘60s theatrical release. 2006 McCarty reunites with Shout Factory is celebrating the 50th former Cactus compadre anniversary of this historic concert with a Carmine Appice on drums, re-release of the entire show. The audio along with bassist Tim Bogert and video production and re-mastering and vocalist Jimmy Kunes are impeccable and the performances are (Savoy Brown) for a special ones that have influenced generations reunion show at B.B. King’s of music fans. Bonus features include in NYC. McCarty proves commentary by director Steve Binder, he has lost none of his rock ‘n’ roll prowess on classic tunes like “Long Tall Sally” and the original trailer, with commentary by “Parchman Farm.” Kunes tears it up on visceral rockers like “Let Me Swim” and “One John Landis, original T.A.M.I. Show radio Way…Or Another” and the band gets into some down and dirty blues on “Brother Bill” spots and a commemorative booklet. and “Part of the Blame.” It’s been over 30 years since the core of this ensemble has played live on a stage together and it just goes to show; when you got it….you got it! 32 LIVE
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T.A.M.I. Show –Collector’s Edition (DVD Shout Factory SF 11742):
T.A.M.I. stands for
Keith Emerson & Greg Lake, Live from Manticore Hall (Manticore Records MR001): A few years ago keyboardist Keith Emerson and guitarist/ bassist/vocalist Greg Lake reconnected in a London rehearsal studio for some informal songwriting sessions. In between working on new material they would amuse themselves by pulling tunes from their collective back catalog of past work and having a go. The result of those sessions is what you’ll find here. Recorded in May 2010 at the Ridgefield Playhouse in Ridgefield, Connecticut, Emerson and Lake, sans Palmer, provided fans with a most enjoyable and intimate view into their collaborative process. The mood is laid back and relaxed as these musical masters give the audience a brief back story to accompany each tune in their set. They begin, appropriately enough, with an ELP nugget “From the Beginning “as Lake’s resonant voice blends nicely with his jazzy acoustic guitar and Emerson’s subtle piano. From there are somewhat re-arranged classics from the ELP and King Crimson (of which Lake was a one-time member) repertoire. “I Talk to the Wind” from the first King Crimson album is a natural along with a select list of ELP material that covers their entire career; the animated piano romp “Bitches Crystal,” the introspective “Take a Pebble,” the cinematic “Pirates” and the iconic “Lucky Man” among the hits. ###
Sena Ehrhardt, Live My Life (Blind Pig Records BPCD 5161): Don’t let her model perfect looks fool you, this girl’s no pop music wannabe; she can wail! And wail she does on her third release for the Blind Pig label. Cut from the musical quilt that fuses blues, R&B, rock and Americana, this blond bombshell deals a winning hand every time she lays her musical cards on the table. On her previous albums Ehrhardt established herself as a new kid on the block. This is, indeed, a case where third time’s a charm as she has arrived as a great interpreter of songs as well as a mature composer in her own right. Highlights include the soul stirring “Stakes Have Gone Up,” the re-worked perennial “Slow Down,” the dynamically prideful title track and the infectiously funky “Everybody is You.” Well done! -
The Call feat. Robert Levon Been of B.R.M.C., A Tribute to Michael Been ( C D / D V D , Lightyear/ Label Records 5365496125): The Call was a band that emerged in the early ’80s as kind of an American version of U2. Their songs had a rousing energy and were often filled with poetic social commentary and political imagery. At the helm was charismatic front man Michael Been who led the group through MTV staples like “The Walls Come Down” and “I Still Believe.” Been passed away in 2010 and his son Robert—vocalist for Black Rebel Motorcycle Club”—wanted to pay tribute to his father by assembling the remaining original members for a commemorative concert. That show took place in April 2013 at the legendary Troubadour club in Los Angeles, with the band re-creating their hits after nearly two decades apart. Guitarist Tom Ferrier unleashes a balance of space and power in his delivery, Scott Musick drums with grace and finesse, keyboardist Jim Goodwin adds tasteful chords and embellishment while Robert Been seamlessly steps into his father’s shoes as if time stood still. This was truly a one-of-a-kind evening and puts a well-deserved spotlight on a band that enjoyed a fair share of fame but, arguably, should have been bigger than it was. Ultimately, however, this package is a fitting tribute and features a band, with plenty left to say.
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amazing this month! The eclipse creates new neuropathways in your brain. These are avenues paved for subtle levels of thinking. Meditation activates brain waves and strengthens new paths of thought! Show the Universe you’re serious about spiritual growth Aries (March 21 – April 19) – This eclipse by activating the gifts you’ve been given! is healing relationships for you. Meditate about Your intuition strengthens, helping you make being patient with others. When vulnerable, you choices that make life easier. You’ll also have can get irritated and sharp. Believe the Universe insights into others that give you compassion. is opening your heart and that it’s safe to bond Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22) – October’s and trust! Talk with your partner about their eclipse helps with money management. fears of getting closer as well as your own. If Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21) – This single, you can meet someone who’ll challenge Meditation and quiet reflection reveal unhealthy patterns of spending – and also month’s eclipse stimulates intuition. Meditate you to open up in a deeper way than ever reveal negative beliefs about money. Read as usual, and also be open to guidance at all before! books about spirituality and prosperity. Your times of day. Record dreams, too! Ask for insights about health habits affecting moods. Taurus (April 20 – May 20) – If you have mind will open to receive the abundance You likely have a food or environmental allergy. communication problems, especially with your around you! Also, forgive other people for their money fears. They often mask greater Release the food/substance and see how your spouse or partner, please look at your health fears of intimacy and rejection. emotional energy lifts, as well as your physical habits. October’s eclipse gives insights about energy! You can also start a new relationship addictive food behaviors. You can also realize Aluna Michaels is a second-generation if single. foods that trigger allergies. When you’re body is stressed, your mind and emotions will be too. astrologer and Soul Evolutionist practitioner. She also holds a Masters in Spiritual Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21) – The Also, more meditation time comforts you so Counseling and has been teaching and eclipse wants to create an ideal relationship you don’t go to “bad” foods for support! consulting for more than two decades. Her for you! Meditate on what would make you book “Spiritual Gifts of the 12 Astrological the ideal partner. Next work on adopting Gemini (May 21 – June 20) – The Signs” is now on Amazon in Kindle version. Ms. those habits and mindsets. Make a list of your eclipse helps develop relationships. To heal Michaels is available for appointments in her “perfect partner”, then ponder each point your soul more deeply, meditate on childhood home or by phone. Call (248) 583-1663 or visit to see how truly valuable it is, and release memories about first loves. Ponder how you less significant qualities. Then meditate on felt as you moved into puberty when your body www.alunamichaels.com forgiving yourself and all romantic partners developed. What messages did you get about (past and present) for flaws. You can manifest dating and sexuality? Write these things down, wonderful harmony! and then rip the list up. Whether memories are Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19) – good or bad, release October’s eclipse give insights into how you them as a limitation, bring childhood issues into career. Meditate on since they are an old how you’ve blocked success by unconsciously part of you. You’ll move projecting limiting thoughts on supervisors, into a new maturity in colleagues and yourself. Most people do romance and sexuality. this, but right now you can be free of that pattern! Observe your thoughts and behaviors, Cancer (June and change them to become tremendously 21 – July 22) – This empowered! Also make efforts to connect with month’s eclipse wants dear friends you haven’t see in awhile. to free you from dysfunctional family Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18) – The patterns of emotion. eclipse is making you put your money where They can be from your your mouth is spiritually. You believe in the birth family, or your power of meditation, but how often are you current family as an actually meditating? You love humanity, but adult. It’s easy for you how is your patience and compassion level to get into a rut, and with people you encounter? That’s the kind stay in them because of stuff you’ll feel tested about. Walking your you’re comfortable. talk in this way opens your heart chakra and Meditate to dare to helps you feel bonded to others (you often feel change the status quo isolated). Also, don’t make major job decisions when it comes to how in October, since Mercury is retrograde. Wait you respond to others, until next month. and how they respond to you. Even if loved Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20) – Please ones resist, stay strong meditate on forgiving past betrayals, with your healthy ways heartbreaks and other trust issues. This of relating! By midmonth’s eclipse makes you put “funny glasses” November, new positive so you see the present as the past. Cleanse “ruts” are formed and your heart of these ghosts so you have less to life is much smoother! react to. You’re entering a new era of healthy bonding and trust! Also meditate on releasing Leo (July old ideas of God judging you about sexuality. 23 – Aug. 22) – The Universe supports all aspects of pleasure! Meditation will be
Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22) – Happy birthday Libra! This month’s eclipse spiritually guides you with relationships and selfimage. Meditate and see yourself through 4th dimensional eyes. View yourself from your soul’s perceptive. See beautiful divine light shining in every cell of your body. This improves body image, and how valuable you feel to others. Reject 3rd dimensional values! Also watch for impulse spending, since Mercury’s retrograde and you’ll likely regret it later!
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