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Contents 6. Filmmaker Jennifer Champagne - Amber Fritz 8. Bloodline Riot - Dan Ursem 9. Tempesta - Jeff Marzolf 10. Benny And The Jets -Benny Jet 12. Paulina Jayne - Kyle Bogenschutz 14. 2nd Annual Crystal Lake Bloodbath 16. Taking Back Sunday / The Used - Julie Sikora 18. Detroit Music Awards - Darian Counts 20. Welcome To Rockville - Chris Balow 27. Hugo From Tantric - Darian Counts 28. Choice Cuts - Eric Harabadian 30. Horoscope - Aluna Michaels Contributors: Benny Jet, Eric Harabadian, Darian Counts, Aluna Michaels, Marc Nader, Dan Ursem, Julie Sikora, Amber Fritz, Kyle Bogenschultz, Jeff Marzolf Graphic Design: Granger Graphics Marc Nader, Sr. Photgrapher Additional photos: Alchemy Photographic. TheBestofDetroit.com Cover Photo: Jennifer Ilene Miller Publisher: Granger Publishing Inc. LLC Promotional Administration : Amanda Blanchard Editor: Darian Counts
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“When I came into Jennifer’s class, I had no idea what I wanted to do. By the time I left the class, I knew exactly what I wanted to do, I was passionate about it, and I had been given the tools to do it in the real world. She taught me what I needed to know and gave me the confidence to know that I could do it.” – Ashley Benton.
A Toast. To Filmmaker
Jennifer Champagne
By Amber Fritz
Working in the film industry, is no easy task to say the least. We work insane hours, lose time with our friends and loved ones – Jennifer Champagne makes it look easy. And when the tough gets going, Jennifer gets smiling. With her patented Diet Coke in hand she has been dominating many aspects of the Michigan film community. Please meet this amazing and award winning producer, director, writer, mentor and friend. Amber Fritz: First thing first, do you miss working at Dairy Queen in Munising? JC: Hysterical. Did Ryan Anderson put you up to this? I miss eating Dairy Queen Turtles on Lake Superior in the summer. or shift in the production output and those small Amber Fritz: Besides being an amazing mentor and teacher,Photo youbyalso have had many of your own companies will flow back to the big companies Robyn Von Swank moments in the spotlight, what is it you are most and so on. proud of from your own success? At that time film incentives were more CanadianJC: Proudest professional moment was producing based and that was considered runaway JC: I like going to the movies. Hanging out with friends. Traveling. I really love the creative energy and second unit directing a documentary about production. Now it’s become a monopoly board in Detroit right now – the layers of music, film, art Border security and getting to use my journalism throughout the United States. Now runaway production has become a phrase used in California and the whole creative dialog that has formed. I background to conduct interviews. To engage – as production is running away to whichever with people, help them tell their story and put love being outside when the sun is out and just State can offer the best return. This has created a enjoying life. I miss Lake Superior and the Pacific forth my best efforts to keep the documentary Ocean a lot in the summer, so trying to spend time balanced was something I am proud of. The film element of freelance versus job stability. went on to screen for the then POTUS and the there is a good thing as well. Queen of Sweden. It was written up in the New So right now, my opinion across the board is that Amber Fritz: I love how I’m going to wait to talk York Times. To have that happen before I turned independent or studio – we are witnessing a time where it has become survival of the fittest. about movies, and it’s the first thing you mention. 30 was pretty great. Budgets are budgets and people need to eat. It’s What made you want to get into the business? that trickle down effect – if you’re dealing with Amber Fritz: What are your ten year goals? a small budget, then someone, somewhere isn’t JC: I am a creative, I love working with creative people and that whole collaboration of creating JC: I’d love to be writing, producing and directing eating. We’re all guilty of it. We’re all guilty of trying to maximize the most out of our budgets, my own films. something out of nothing. That process is it’s what we do as filmmakers, but the reality still exhilarating and each project is something new Amber Fritz: Are you currently in development on remains. Someone, somewhere is getting hit. and wondrous. How can you not love that? anything? Amber Fritz: What is your advice to anyone Amber Fritz: What made you decide to teach wanting to get in the business? JC: I am currently directing a documentary film Capstone these past three years? about an up and coming urban country singer JC: That’s a great question. I came across a post JC: The energy of young filmmakers is amazing. songwriter Paulina Jayne. This young woman is where a recently college graduate complained They aren’t jaded. Everything is exciting and new. incredibly talented – just watching her flourish on Facebook about his full time editing job. His over the past four months has been inspiring. To be able to share my own experience with a position was that based on his degree, his Final brilliant creative collective, this next generation of Cut Pro certification and knowledge of After Michigan filmmakers and generate opportunities I am also packaging four feature films as a Effects – that he was maybe 20 people in the producer – Ten Years Too Soon (Comedy), Jake for them, show them how to generate Stevens: The Last Protector (Action), The Woods State with his skill set and way too overqualified opportunities for themselves – opportunities to have to take direction from his boss. I hated (Horror), and Finding Henry (Suspense) which I that I did not have at their age, feels good. I doing it, but I pointed out that in the world of plan to direct. The Woods and Finding Henry I had to move to California at 23 to work in the film his degree did not necessarily mean anything entertainment industry. My students don’t have hope to film in the Upper Peninsula. and it certainly didn’t mean a guarantee of a job. to. They have the opportunity to use the skills That to have job security right now is a pretty big they have gained in my class to make it here and Amber Fritz: How do you feel about the way deal. If he were to move to LA – he’d be lucky to hold their own on any set. What isn’t there to like filmmaking is currently going in terms of get hired as a production assistant, working 18 independents work versus studios? or feel good about having a hand in something hour days and doing grunt work for a couple years awesome like that? JC: I think it’s an interesting time. Years ago the before he may get an opportunity like he has now. Appreciate what you have, get all the experience amazing Tom Sito gave a great lecture on the Amber Fritz: And what is the greatest you can and make it count. ebb and flow of the industry. Where the larger accomplishment for you within the program? companies swell and grow, groups of artists will JC: Seeing the sense of pride that my students had break off and create startups – things will go along Amber Fritz: And we all appreciate you! Thank in creating their projects and essentially the brand for a while until something happens like a strike you for your time, Jennifer!! of their class. That pride is everything. Amber Fritz: We will certainly get into the business, but what is your favorite activity other than working insane hours on sets? Anything you’d like to tell the lovely folks about yourself?
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BLOODLI
Dan Ursem talks with Jason Caine of Bloodline Riot
and ability to really bring a wide palate of creativity”
Bloodline Riot has been tearing up the music scene for the last three years, and guitarist Jason Caine is a driving force behind these metal monsters. Bloodline provided direct opening support to Saliva this spring at the Token Lounge and after their high octane nine song set, Jason sat down and gave some insight on the method to the bands madness. “Bloodline Riot has been together for about three years. In that time the band has gone through various evolutions. I feel the lineup we put together in the past six months is something special. Everyone brings a creative element to the band but the same time we get along like family, we are like brothers, everyone is happy, everyone is on the same page, in the past we’ve had situations where the musical creativity has been fantastic yet not all members were on the same page as far as goals, I feel that’s really important and they do too.” Jason also spoke highly about the bands current vocalist, “We are on our third singer, his name is Rooster, a great guy who brings a real charisma to the band, great energy. He is a natural. The thing I really appreciate about him is that he started out doing heavy metal stuff, which is what I first heard him singing. But he also has a couple tracks with beautiful vocals. The guy has a versatility 8
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and so he comes on and he nailed it, NAILED The writing process is a crucial IT! Especially that chorus, the high notes, element to any musical process just nailing it I was like, you’re the guy, we got to do this occasionally. That emotional range that and Bloodline has a very he can get, I’ve been trying to nudge him into specific method of writing. bringing some of that range and emotion to our Jason went on to explain, stuff.” “Usually I get the ball rolling, Currently the band is busy writing new and then everyone adds in material and gearing up to start laying down their own stuff. By the end some new recordings, of the day everyone has their own input, and that’s “We are going to start recording the beginning important, I want everyone of April, we have studio time set up, and we to have input and it feel like a have two songs we will be recording and then collaborative effort. From my save up some more money, and be writing own experience, the happiest more, we definitely want to make sure what I’ve been in bands is when I feel like I have input creatively. we put out there is the best we can. We are I feel like if you contribute your probably going to try and write 10-20 tunes and own creativity to a project your pick the best from those. Hopefully by summer is the plan. Definitely looking forward to getting heart will be in and you’ll be new material out there” happy compared to someone just saying hey, play this. So our In keeping up with the idea of process is very collaborative.” grassroots and DIY promotion, Jason utilizes social media to keep Bloodlines presence alive Playing live shows, the band tries to avoid the monotony of and well, sticking to the same set, and boring the fans who come out “We are all over the internet, all you need to go is google Bloodline Riot and we are everywhere. to see them. I do all our social media, I try and really keep up “We will switch up the order, on that” we try to change it up so Bloodline Riot brings an explosive, high people don’t feel so predictable if they’ve seen octane ferocity to the scene and can be seen us before, and occasionally we will throw in a playing all over Detroit and the surrounding cover here or there.” areas. You can head to www.bloodlineriot.com or simply take Jason’s advice and google them, The first time Rooster and Jason jammed to keep up to date on all the great stuff that is together, Jason was blown away by Roosters currently happening with these monsters of rendition of Alice in Chains Man in the Box metal. “His favorite band is Alice in Chains, and when I heard that I said, I want to hear you do Man in the Box from a vocal perspective, I know as a singer it’s not the easiest thing,
T E M P E S T A IMPORTED TO DETROIT
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By Jeff Marzolf
The country of Switzerland is world-famous for many of its top-notch consumer products, like Rolex Watches and Swiss Army Knives. But one product that the country isn’t known for is its popular music, especially Rock Music. Other than Krokus back in the day, it’s a challenge to name another well-known musical act from Switzerland. The country’s only real claim to fame with regard to Rock Music is that it was at Lake Geneva where the incident took place that inspired one of the greatest Rock n’ Roll songs of all time, “Smoke on the Water,” by Deep Purple. Past history aside, the members of the Swiss Hard Rock/Country Rock band Tempesta are doing their best to change the country’s meager representation in the music world. The band is bound and determined to put itself and Switzerland on the musical map. Unlike the legendary Deep Purple, Tempesta chose to record and mix its latest record, “Roller Coaster,” not in Switzerland, but in Michigan, at Rustbelt Studios in Royal Oak. In doing so, members of Tempesta fulfilled a dream of working directly with Producer and Engineer extraordinaire, Al Sutton. Tempesta’s style combines Hard Rock, Metal and Country Rock. Listening to “Talk of the Town,” from 2011’s, “The Other Side,” sounds as much like Kid Rock as the man himself, who the band admires greatly and tries to emulate with its style. It was through listening to and researching the liner notes of “Devil Without a Cause,” that the band discovered Sutton at Rustbelt Studios. Thalmann had trouble putting into words his admiration for Sutton. “He’s unbelievable. He’s a pleasure to work with,” he said. Thalmann added, “He’s a genius.” The four-man band performed a powerful five-song set for an enthusiastic crowd at Small’s in Hamtramck last month. Prior to taking the stage, the boys enjoyed a few cold ones while playing a few lively games of “Backroom Bingo.” Local music publicist and Citizen Zero Manager Kathy Vargo hosted the Bingo Party along with Dan from Showtime Detroit. The bingo-playing newbies won a few prizes to take back with them to their native land, including some Detroit wearables. The set was an undeniable success—prompting Vargo to state after the show, “I didn’t know what to expect, but they are really f-ing good!” The two original members, lead singer and rhythm guitarist Reto Thalmann and drummer Armin Brüwhiler, have been together for 20 years. Lead guitarist Pascal Fuchs and bassist and backup vocalist Ruedi Kälin have been with the band for about 10 years. Tempesta translated means “storm” in Italian. Thalmann chose the name after thumbing through an Italian dictionary. Drummer Brüwhiler liked the name because he felt it was unique—and the name reflected the nature of the band. The band features Thalmann on lead vocals, along with some excellent backing vocals by Fuchs and Kälin. It’s refreshing to hear three distinct voices come together in harmony. The combo of Fuchs and Kälin will cont on pg. 17
Benny & The Jets FROM THE MIND OF BENNY JET
The Column
OBAMACARE IS YOUR FRIEND. Usually I keep the column about music and bands, which this will be. But sometime it is cool to start off with an attention grabber. It just burns me to see so much money and time is being spent by political parties trying to convince people if OBAMACARE is good, or bad. Wouldn’t it be nice to take all that advertising money and help people! If you are a full time musician (who has never had health care) or on Medicare or Medicaid, or know someone who is, then you know OBAMACARE IS GOOD. If your not, or don’t know anyone who is, THEN YOU JUST DON’T KNOW.
Guitar shows. Nice idea at the All Around Bar in Taylor. Timmy 2 Tone’s Guitar Show and Tone Fest.(music swap-meet and jam) The event featured The Bluesairmen. No Left Turn, SRP (Sean Allendorf) Jesse Manns, Downriver Dan, guitarists Jason Bone, Joe Legreci, Mike Ferencz, drummer Curtis Sumpter and bass player for the stars, James Cloyd.
Eating healthy and cheap at McD and free WIFI. Hmmm, two Mc-Chicken sandwiches hold the Mayo, hold the buns, side salad - no dressing, small back coffee, ahhhh. Pretty much the movie star, rock star diet! Skip the dressing and the carbs, (as in breads, donuts, bagels, pizza, cake, chips) it will help you slim down.
Tomm Looney partners with my friend JT the Brick on Fox Sports Radio. The show recently moved from it’s longtime overnight time slot, to evenings. (7 till 10 pm in Detroit find the show via FSR on iHeart phone app or via foxsportsradio.com) When I GOOGLE Tomm Looney it mentions the radio show, his twitter, his voice over & ring announcer work , that he was the voice of the Best Damn Sports Show Period - TV show, that he can bench press 400 pounds! In addition he is now the Executive Producer of the motion picture “AVENUES”. In the movie, Saul Sanchez, returns home to the rough Los Angeles neighborhood known as The Avenues after serving a decade-long prison sentence. Based on a true story. “Avenues” tells a deeply personal story of fatherhood and the isolation felt by former convicts.
Coming Sunday June 1st: Gordy’s Music presents the Michigan Guitar Show. At Taylor Town Trade Center on Ecorse Road west of Telegraph in Taylor.
McD giving away the Michigan Festival and Event guide, (michiganfun.com) full or places and things to do in Michigan, includes contact numbers. Great for bands looking for gigs. Lets see Wyandotte - Spring Fling, Belleville -Strawberry Festival, Mio - Music and Art, Ann Arbor - Summerfest, Manchester - Community fair, New Baltimore - Fish-Fly Festival, Bay City - Wednesdays In the Park Concert Series, Livonia - Spree, Trenton Fest, Allen Park Days, Lincoln Park- Downriver cruise, Woodward Dream Cruise, Edward Chef Zac Peterlin is bringing fine dinning Hines Cruise, on and on. Places to go, things and live music (yours truly Fridays 6 till 9pm dinner show) to Farmington Michigan. to do and LIVE MUSIC! Some may know Chef Zac from his days at John Cowley and Son’s Irish Pub some from the new PETERLIN’S RESTAURANT on Farmington Road south of 9 mile. From New Orleans sauteed shrimp, Andouille sausage, bell-peppers, garlic and onion in a mildly spicy sauce served tossed with rice pilaf. To House-Made Meatloaf blended with in-house seasoning,served with redskin garlic mashed potatoes, beef demiglace and corn succotash. Chef Zac say’s “at PETERLIN’S, customer service is the key ingredient!”
For more information to contact Benny or to hire Benny and the Jets Band or Benny Solo call 313 730 1627. See Benny Thursdays OPEN MIC at Redford Moose, Fridays 6 till 9 pm dinner show at PETERLIN’S RESTAURANT in Farmington and Saturdays 6 till 9pm at Do Hickey’s Pub in downtown Wyandotte. 10 LIVE
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“Times like these when you hold on tight, you’re broke and penniless, but you love your life.” – Paulina Jayne.
PAULINA JAYNE By Kyle Bogenschutz
For some in the entertainment industry, success is often and unfortunately misconstrued as being defined by the amount of dollars lining a wallet or red special edition Ferrari’s tightly stowed in the garage of a 20,000 square foot mansion. For 18-year-old country music artist Paulina Jayne success lies simply and meaningfully in the impact lyrics and melody can have on the lives of listeners. “Those are the lyrics to my song ‘Times Like These,’” Jayne said of the quote above. Pilfering through photos on Instagram one day, as most normal teens like Jayne will do, she came across one of a young girl with those exact lyrics electronically pasted on top of the picture, as if to tell the social media world these are words that help push me through in moments of personal reflection, seeking encouragement and hope. If Jayne needed yet another reason to believe she’s doing exactly what she was put on this earth to do, there it was, boldly staring back at her. ”When I saw that I was just like wow, this is so cool,” Jayne said. “If I have the ability to impact people I better do a good job at impacting them and spread the message. In a way, just like that song ‘Times Like These’ does.” Humble and friendly as ever, Jayne’s musical journey has reached levels far beyond those first precious strokes of the piano at the age of six. Encouraged to play classical music in her performing infancy on the keyboard, including the likes of Bach and Beethoven, Jayne found purpose and meaning at a time in her life when, looking back, she needed it the most. “Some people go to a therapist, I go to my piano,” Jayne said laughingly. “If I’m feeling down, I’ve got my instrument to beat on. I truly believe everybody has to find a way to get their emotions out and music is my way. “I don’t really know how to explain it but it’s sort of like this sixth sense that you’re given or you’re not given and you have to accept it graciously.” First performing in her living room in front of 50 classmates and family members, Jayne admits she never imagined more opportunity would arise. Following her second show, a performance at the now closed Hayloft in Mount Clemens, Jayne signed her first contract. Now represented by The 513 Agency, Jayne’s profile has increased significantly in recent months. 12 LIVE
“Basically, they’ve just come in and taken over this publicity Photos by Jennifer Ilene Miller DETROITLIVEMAGAZINE.COM
aspect and totally transformed,” Jayne said. “It’s really quite phenomenal. They’ve created such a buzz about what I’m doing and the music I’m putting out; it’s really cool. “The platform is so different and they’re getting a lot of recognition from different photographers that are coming to different events and just recognize how special the events have been because of the 513 Agency and how they’ve produced them.” One of those platforms is the iconic Saint Andrew’s Hall in Detroit, headlining for Live Nation’s Road to Faster Horses series premiere this past March. “That was probably my favorite show I’ve ever played,” Jayne said. “The only show that could trump it would probably be opening for Sheryl Crowe or playing out at the Watershed Festival in Washington.”
“I think that was probably in my freshman year, when I said ‘mom, dad, let’s do this.’ This could be really fun. Every kid gets to go to high school, every kid is told to go to college after high school, and I think I want to do something a little different. “And my mom is a big proponent of doing something different. Fortunately, they jumped on board and we started just cranking away and now here I am.” Here she is, Paulina Jayne, standing outside of Saint Andrews Hall signing autographs, posing for pictures, and interacting with fans of all ages for an hour before her show, even mobbed doing the same for fans for two hours once the show was over.
Paulina Jayne, sought out by Milake Pictures to have a documentary filmed about her life, career, and new management team at The 513 Agency, chronicling a 10-month journey, in hopes Jayne has quickly become a name to know of pitching the finished product to several in Detroit, beginning to branch out to even networks including HBO. further horizons nationally. Filming of the documentary began at the None of this success would be possible perfect time back in February, when Jayne though, without Jayne, and her support received a phone call from Grammy Award system, making the commitment to utilize winning record producer Toby Wright, and enhance her gift. offering a private audition for NBC’s hit show ‘The Voice’ in Nashville. “I decided that with that seriousness I would also have to put in a heck of a “I walked into a non-descript small building lot more work so I started working with and sat down in a group of about 100 to Herschel Boone (worked as a voice coach 150 different people,” Jayne said. “We for Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow) and started were all there for the same purpose and trying to refine my guitar skills and my that was to audition and it was kind of, piano skills,” Jayne said. thinking back to it, it was kind of a strange
sort of lay out. It was kind of a Russian Roulette kind of thing where they would basically say all right you’re next, let’s go.” When the time came for Jayne to perform in front of several producers and casting agents in Music City, she was certain not to forget her roots in the Motor City, walking into the audition with a versatile pallet of songs to perform from very different genres. “My audition, I guess it went well, I thought it went well,” Jayne said. “I sang ‘Wake Me Up’ by Avicii, I did my own little thing to it, and then I sang ‘Natural Woman’ by Aretha Franklin so, mixed it up a little bit. “They actually asked me, ‘I thought you were a country artist?’ And I said, well I am country but it doesn’t mean that I can’t take a good ole Motown song or a pop song and make it a little country. So, I threw them off a little in my audition but I don’t think they minded it very much.” Now just weeks away from graduating Grosse Pointe South high school before heading off to college at Belmont University in Nashville come fall, Jayne plans to study music business, learning all aspects of maintaining and managing a career in the industry. Until then though, the 10-time Detroit Music Award nominee (over two years) has a busy summer ahead, scheduled to perform at 99.5 WYCD’s Downtown Hoedown at Comerica Park, opening for Brothers Osbourne. “I think this is my third year playing and WYCD treated me really well this year and gave me a great slot on May 30 at 7 p.m.,” Jayne said. “I’ll be playing right before the headliner on the second stage.” Jayne is also scheduled to headline at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor at the end of the month and will collaborate with the band TwentyForSeven for a music video shoot in June. With things taking off in her young career, if Jayne’s head ever balloons to a size too large to fit in the front door of her home, she has the perfect person more than willing to bring her right back down to earth. “If there’s anybody who I want to humble me, if I’m ever for a moment on my high horse, my dad will say something.”
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CRYSTAL LAKE BLOOD BATH at the pike room
Hosted by rawradiox’s Heather Hooker and Vinny Ricco, the event encourages not only attendees but the performing artists to dress or somehow creatively incorporate the horror theme into their shows. Taking place at the Pike Room above the Crowfoot the event will offer a free Friday the 13th Bloodbath sampler featuring artists from the Bloodbath as well as Bloodbath bracelets to attendees. In addition to some eis h of the areas best hip hop artists r o o son V and Ja and rappers; this years Bloodbath will te y L Young incorporate a live ariel performance by Lorilei Skye. And for the discriminating Friday June 13th Undaground Soundz Horrorcore fan This years event will Administration and Last Laugh Records will offer a VIP area Says Voorheis” We plan bring one of this summers coolest shows on offering a VIP area so fans can get a to Pontiac. If you are a fan of The Movie Friday the 13th (or horrorcore in general) you chance to meet some of the performers and enjoy dinner and drinks “.. wont want to miss this rap / hip hop styled celebration of a movie that kicked off an entire genre. Says promoter Jason Voorheis” We’ve Don’t miss this great event. put together a killer lineup this year, we were To get more info a Search facebook. lucky enough to get all three members of Project Born. Frank Nitti, Pint Capone and Polk “2nd annual Friday the 13th Frost will all be there. We also have Jigsaw and Crystal Lake Bloodbath” Young Lyte.”
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TAKING BACK SUNDAY TAKES DETROIT
Having
seen Taking Back Sunday twice now, I can honestly say that no one has more fun at a Taking Back Sunday show than lead singer Adam Lazzara. From the moment he walked onstage in Detroit, he had the crowd
Review by Julia Sikora Photos by Marc Nader transfixed with that permanent boyish Up Car” found themselves mixed in with smile of his. When he wasn’t center-stage Taking Back Sunday essentials, including swinging his microphone around, Lazzara “You Know How I Do,” “What’s It Feel Like was grinning wickedly at front row fangirls to Be a Ghost?,” and “Number Five with a and innocently mugging for camera phone Bullet.”My personal favorite song, “Better pictures as if – after thirteen years and six Homes and Gardens,” came at the height albums – he still hasn’t gotten used to the of the set. Coming off of the band’s beloved thrill of having a crowd show up to see his “A Decade Under the Influence,” Lazzara band. introduced this new track, confessing that he debated leaving it off the album because But show up they did. The Fillmore Detroit of its highly personal lyrics, which detail the sold out for Taking Back Sunday’s April near-failure of his marriage. In the end, he date, a show they co-headlined with The decided the song was too good to leave off Used. Taking Back Sunday started the the album, and more importantly, the night’s night off fast with “Stood a Chance,” an setlist. angst-ridden track, and the second single off their most recent album Happiness Is... The set ended far too soon after that, the Throwing back to their first album Tell All band closing with the two songs that put Your Friends, the band followed up with them on the map, “Cute without the E (Cut “Timberwolves at New Jersey,” drawing the from the Team)” and “Makedamnsure.” It’s gratitude of their longtime fans. hard to watch them walk off stage at the end of the night, but Taking Back Sunday never The rest of the night was your standard fails to leave behind that buzzing, steady Taking Back Sunday mixtape, lots of the hum of energy and excitement that will hold old and the best of the new. Brand new us over until they return. songs, such as “Flicker, Fade” and “Beat
We Are All The Used
by Julia Sikora Photos by Marc Nader
Known and adored for their musical belligerence and high-energy performances, The Used delivered a stand out set when they hit up The Fillmore Detroit in early April on their co-headlining tour with Taking Back Sunday.
egged his audience on, demanding circle pits and walls of death during the last few songs of the set. McCracken, now clean and sober, is truly on his game for this tour. His love for and belief in the communal power of music is ever-present, and it shown through brilliantly in each note and every heartfelt I hate to start off on a down beat, but I will word he said to the crowd. say I was surprised by the absence of the band’s new material, recently released on Coming down from the frenzy, McCracken their sixth studio album, Imaginary Enemy. steadied the crowd with the mournful and Reminiscent of The Used’s early sound, Imaginary Enemy is a politically charged, ‘message to the masses,’ concept album. After opening with the album’s single “Cry,” however, the band opted to fall back on earlier material, mainly singles and crowd favorites, including “The Taste of Ink,” “The Bird and the Worm,” and “All That I’ve Got.” That’s not to say that anyone was let down. From casual listeners to longtime devotees, no one can fault the hits. They are the anthems we grew up with, from the day we first heard them on the radio to the night we experienced them live. And experience them we did. From “Take It Away” right down to “Pretty Handsome Awkward,” the audience never let up – pushing, shoving, moshing, and crowd surfing – all in typical Used fashion. Also typical, front man Burt McCracken 16 LIVE
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melancholy “On My Own” before closing the night with “A Box Full of Sharp Objects.” Bookended by riffs and lyrics from Nirvana and Rage Against the Machine, this altered take on the band’s first single left the crowd chanting “F*** you, I won’t do what you tell me.” It was the perfect ending and the perfect sentiment because as McCracken said at the beginning of the night, we are all the used.
TEMPESTA CONT. remind listeners of the combination of Michael Anthony and Eddie Van Halen. Thalmann didn’t start off as lead vocalist for the band, but he starting singing lead after he couldn’t find anyone who fit the bill. “We couldn’t find a suitable singer, so I took over the role,” Thalmann explained. The band’s hit single, Crazy, off of its 2011 CD “Unbounded” depicts life on the road as a rock band. The tune is a party jam or one to listen to repeatedly behind the wheel on a long road trip. But according to Thalmann, being crazy with each other actually keeps them sane. “We have fun together. You have to have fun, otherwise we’d go crazy,” he said. In other words, the band practices what it preaches. The band spent a month in Detroit holed up at Rustbelt working on the 12 song recording that is due out in the fall. “We’ve been out a few times while we’ve been in town, but mostly we’ve been working on the record,” Thalmann explained. When asked if folks back home were concerned about the band coming to Detroit, Thalmann said, “We heard a lot of negative stories about Detroit, especially since the bankruptcy. Some people even warned us of coming here. They were wrong!” The band’s influences include Van Halen, Metallica, Kid Rock, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Nickelback, and Pink Floyd just to name a few. The band started writing songs for the trip to Detroit to record a year ago in its home studio in Switzerland. The new album features a broad range of songs ranging from heavier rock to country rock. According to the four band members, “We took the liberty not to set boundaries but to give each song its own touch. Roller Coaster takes the listener on a musical journey and we hope people will appreciate the variety.”
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Photos By Thebestofdetroit.com and Alchemy Photographic
Jason Caine
DMA’S
This April I attended the Annual Detroit Music awards. Vie attended before but this year I was especially excited due to the fact I would be sitting down in front with my good friends ShowTime Dan, Jeff Marzolf and other Detroit bigwigs. Attending the DMA’s is always a great time. It feels like attending the player’s ball. Every type of music is represented from country to electronic to rock, pop and a few genres’ I haven’t quite put my finger on. It was great to see Marshall Crenshaw back up on the stage after all these years but what really interested me was the socializing and interaction. The reception area was a who’s who of the Detroit Music scene. You couldn’t take a step and not run into current, past and future Detroit stars. Rich Pyle, Christina Chriss, Audio Engineer Chuck Alkazian, Kelley Jean The Infatuations, Doug Podell, Danny D, Dead in 5, Paulina Jayne and a million more. Congrats to all of the fantastic artists who went home with awards that night. But in if you ask me, it felt like a win for all who attended, whether or not they took home an award…
VJ Strokenfold and Kelley Jean
Christina Chriss and Paulina Jayne
See you next year. Dead in 5
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Darian
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Laura Mendoza and Jorge Cortez
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WELCOME TO Zakk Wylde Sold Out! The 40,000 tickets that were designated for the 2014 Monster Energy Welcome to Rockville show have sold out. It’s not really a surprise to me now, as Florida has been clamoring for a festival like this for many years. We have been spoiled in the Midwest with festivals like Orion 2013, and Rock on the Range within three hour driving distances. Destroying all previous attendance records, fans came from across the world to see some of the biggest names in hard rock and metal. Among those included Rob Zombie, Avenged Sevenfold, Seether, Staind, Volbeat, Trivium, The Pretty Reckless, Chevelle, Korn, Kyng, Black Label Society and many more. I was informed by my cab driver that fans have been lining up as early as 7:10am to get their spot in line for Saturday’s main stage headliner Avenged Sevenfold. Some
We Came As Romans
of those fans had stopped off and gotten crowns he leapt onto the speaker stack and down into the photographer pit finally making his way to to wear in the hot Jacksonville sun, to honor the top of the barricade so shred some riffs into their song “Hail to the King.” eager ears. In the effort to try and cover as much Saturday started with Digital Summer smashing ground as I can, I hoof it back to the Fire Museum stage to catch Rev Theory who dominated the though their main stage setlist with ease. The Rockville pre-party at 1904 Music Hall the night crowd eager to get out of the line and into the before. Joining the band to help throttle them rock ran up to the stage to secure their spots. info overdrive is former Puddle of Mudd guitarist Lead singer Kyle Winterstein, belted out the Paul Phillips. I spoke with Phillips briefly backstage lyrics to “Forget You” which is the first track of and he said, “This is the best music we’ve made their album Breaking Point. He then climbed and I’m happy to be back on the road with this up to the top of the drum riser and jumped band!” off skying high enough to dunk on a 12 ft. rim. Over on the Metropolitan stage, Gemini Middle Class Rut was up next and I am always Syndrome has similar thoughts about getting up close and personal with the crowd. Guitarist amazed how much noise and power can come Richard Juswick decided that the stage was just out of a two-piece band. They really play with the power of five players and they can jam! Back too far for the crowd to see him play guitar so
Avenged Sevenfold
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Volbeat
O ROCKVILLE
Article and Photo’s by Chris Balow
Rob Zombie on the Fire Museum stage, Adelitas Way also kicked off their set with a new rhythm guitar and bass player. Before they played their new single “Dog on a Leash,” lead singer Rick DeJesus said “Well this might piss off security, but anyone who wants to meet me in the pit can come over the barricade and say hello right now!” The band broke into the song, and wave after wave of crowd surfers glided over the barricade to party with a better view. Hell Yeah was welcomed to the stage, and took the tired remains of the Adelitas Way crowd and gave them a boxer’s version of a title fight. Drummer Vinnie Paul pounded the skins so hard on “Blood for Blood” that he was chewing up drumsticks every 30 seconds tossing them violently into the excited crowd. The best performance of the afternoon hands down went to Alter Bridge. During the hottest part of the day with the sun beating down the crowd the quartet threw down a dominating seven-song performance. Singer Myles Kennedy really knows how to draw in his audience with melodic soulful singing paired with the skillful guitar work of Detroit native Mark Tremonti. They performed their hits “Rise Today” and “Metalingus” and you could feel that the crowd was desperate for more from them. Despite what they may have written, Avenged Sevenfold’s Saturday headlining performance was certainly not a nightmare. Chanting their arrival to the pulse of the fire bursts the crowd was more than ready to hear “Shepherd of Fire” which opened their set. Alter Bridge Flaming skull-face bats and a giant skeleton king wielding a sword adorn the backdrop of the Huntington Beach, California group’s stage. Singer M. Shadows knows how to evoke the sun-beaten crowd. He starts the “Hail” chant and soon enough 40,000 concertgoers chant in unison before Zacky Vengeance and Synister Gates hit the unmistakable interlude for “Hail to the King.” As they do at every show the band dedicated a song “Fiction” to their fallen drummer James “The Rev” Sullivan. Shadows took time out to thank the crowd for their energy and said that he had a distinct feeling that he was going to bring it back tomorrow for Rob Zombie and Korn. He was right! Sunday’s performances were kicked off with The Pretty Reckless on the Metropolitan stage. It was my first time seeing this band perform. Singer Taylor Momsen comes out in copper polarized sunglasses and a gothic style dress. The entire performance is being well received by the audience and she looks like a possessed doll from a horror film, writhing around on stage and seductively dancing around her microphone stand. The audience loves it. Before I know it their set is over and it’s off to see Kyng rip it up on the Jagermeister stage. I saw Kyng open for Seether and I have been jamming to their single “Electric Read the rest of this article and see photos of the entire experience at
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The Pretty Reckless
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Dan Ursem
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Tantric’s
H U G O FERREIRA
“Living in Detroit taught me a lot about life. I mean lets face it, you have to be careful what mistakes you make in Detroit.”
Since 2000 Hugo Ferreira has been front man for the band Tantric. The band hit the scene with its first release “Breakdown” and immediately gained success. Their self titled debut album went platinum propelled mainly on the success of the track “Breakdown:” While the bands Wikipedia lists Louisville Kentucky as its starting point, my conversation with Hugo gives another city credit for much of his inspiration for his Tantric career.
Hugo Ferreira
From 1992 until just after 2001 Detroit was home for Tantric’s Hugo Ferreira. Royal Oak, Southfield as well as 8mi. and John R. were the future Tantric frontman’s stomping grounds. Says Ferreira ”Detroit is a unique place, I really value the time I spent there. It was an important time in my life and the city really influenced me.” Hanging at 90’s hotspots like “The Motor Lounge” and 4th Street Billiards, Hugo became what he considered a native Detroiter. “Living in Detroit taught me a lot about life. I mean lets face it, you have to be careful what mistakes you make in Detroit. There just seems to be a quality about the people of Detroit. There is something about the city; The Detroit area breads such unique results in art and expression. There is something about that city that forges teenagers into adults in a completely different way that no other city does. And only people who are from there can actually understand. It instills a gritty realism. I am very grateful to the city for what it taught me.” Hugo: Well I really wanted to release it as the first single but we weren’t able to do that. I Darian: Tell me about your new song “Loss of mean if that song is not a hit then I don’t know words”. I got a chance to listen to that and it what is. In reality I’d have liked to have seen it has a great groove. get a little more play from radio when it was released, but for whatever reason that wasn’t Hugo: Loss of words is a cool song because the case. But there’s still time, the song is it has a soft acoustic feel, yet in the most new, I’m really proud of it and I think the work beautiful eloquent way the song tells someone stands on its own. to fuck of. I mean it’s a bit tongue in cheek but it’s a great song. Darian: I know it can be tough without radio
support. But I bet your true fans found a way Darian: Another song that just grabbed my by to get the song without radio support. the throat was the song “Misquita” I mean in my opinion that song is a hit. Hugo: Oh Yeh, The recording industry can be tough these days. It sometimes seems like a Hugo: That was actually the first song. It’s such lot of music is just pre-packaged cookie cutter a bad ass song. I was so determined to make type stuff. It’s as if some companies feel that if that the first single. I wrote that song and it’s they put enough money behind a song, people got kinda a country feel to it. I thought it would will buy it, and for the most part they are right. be a huge hit. I had some input from my good But Ill tell you one thing…I have some of the friends Shooter Jennings (son of Waylon) and best fans in the world. I consider my self lucky I really hoped that song would go to the top. to have them. I’ve had some good breaks in Darian: The song captured me in the first few my career and I’m grateful for that, a lot of seconds. Why do you think it didn’t take off as musicians don’t get a shot and I’m glad to have mine. well as you expected?
WWW.TANTRICROCKBAND.COM
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Photo by Philippe Reynaud
w/s/g
Ray Street Park & Bloodline Riot
MAY 30TH TOKEN LOUNGE in Westland LIVE 27
M A Y 2 0 1 4 Wishbone Ash, Blue Horizon (Solid Rockhouse Records SRR 20010-2): This British quartet has been delivering consistently solid guitar-based rock since 1969. In that time they’ve weathered some personnel shake-ups and what not, but have always managed to remain a good draw and globally revered act. Perhaps that’s because Wishbone Ash—the brand—is about quality and integrity in the music. With charter member Andy Powell at the switch that classic passion from the band’s early records is still intact. There are some great songs here that are progressive and jam-oriented, yet are tuneful and contain killer hooks. “Take it Back” features superb group harmonies and atmospheric chord phrasing. “Deep Blues” is a nice boogie rocker and “Being One” blends soaring vocals and tricky rhythm twists that will keep the listener on their toes. “Tally Ho!” is another track that is exceptional, both for its classic twin guitar attack and topical lyrics. With ten well crafted tunes in all any self-respecting rock fan can’t go wrong adding this to their collection. Essential! ###
Jack Bruce, Silver Rails (Esoteric Antenna/MVD Audio MVD 6278A): Singer-songwriter/ bassist/multi-instrumentalist/producer/legend Jack Bruce has done just about everything one can do in the music business. Having released several solo albums and band projects the Scottish musician has always prided himself on his artistic diversity and eclectic taste. True to form his latest release adheres to those principles. First of all, Bruce is in great voice and conveys, arguably, some of his most evocative and impassioned vocals since his Cream or West, Bruce & Laing days. He also partners with his old writing cohort Pete Brown on a number of the songs as well as spotlights many guest players; including Phil Manzanera, Cindy Blackman Santana, Robin Trower, Uli Jon Roth and Bernie Marsden. There are some great pop hooks and bluesy outings on tunes like “Fields of Forever,” “Rusty Lady” and “No Surrender.” But things get a little distracting when the leader tries to be too experimental or obscure. However even at his weirdest, Jack Bruce is a treasure and it’s good to see him out there with some fresh product under his own name. ###
Thom Douvan, Brother Brother ( www.thomdouvan.com ): Long before the documentary film Standing in the Shadows of Motown turned The Funk Brothers into international stars, Ann Arbor, Michigan guitarist Thom Douvan was cutting his teeth with the famed session players back in the mid-‘80s. Fast forward to the present day and Douvan has relocated to California, but his heart remains in the soul music and jazz of his Michigan youth. Hence, he’s cut a smooth and jazzy record dedicated to original Funk Brothers Johnny Griffin and Richard “Pistol” Allen that spotlights instrumental versions of vintage and contemporary R&B/soul hits. Backed by an amazing group of session players, Douvan does some tasteful reworkings and reimaginings of The Isley Brothers’ “Harvest for the World,” Earth, Wind & Fire’s “That’s the Way of the World,” Marvin Gaye’s “ What’s Going On” and other classics. Douvan has a guitar tone and style that is warm and relaxed. He’s short on flash and long on laying in the pocket. And the arrangements are clever and surprising, such as the 12/8 African mambo that morphs into a 4/4 shuffle on Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely” or the straight ahead bebop swing that transforms Chaka Khan’s “Ain’t Nobody.” Brothers and sisters, sit back, kick off your shoes and let guitarist Thom Douvan groove your night away! ### 28 LIVE
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Gregg Allman, All My Friends: Celebrating the Songs and Voice of Gregg Allman (2 CD/DVD, Rounder Records 11661-35394-00): Where does one start with a tribute to one of the all-time musical greats that feature people of equal stature? This audio and video extravaganza was recorded live at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia in January of 2014. Not only is the music direction in the capable hands of native Detroiter Don Was, he also laid down the bass for the majority of the artists who graced the stage on this special night. And who are the folks that gathered for the event? Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks and the Allman Brothers Band, Susan Tedeschi, Zac Brown, Trace Adkins, John Hiatt, Widespread Panic, Vince Gill, Martina McBride, Dr. John and many more! Allman himself sits in as well on his trusty Hammond B3 organ and joins Jackson Browne on guitar for a couple tunes. There are 26 numbers covered on this package, including a rousing finale featuring Allman leading the ensemble on the traditional gospel tune “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.” ###
Public Enemy, Welcome to the Terrordome: 20 Years of Rock, Rap and Revolution (DVD, Cinevision International, www.publicenemy.com ): Few popular music acts, regardless of genre, have had the social significance, political savvy and crossover appeal that Public Enemy has had. This documentary by Robert Patton-Spruill captures leader Chuck D and company in their element; in Europe on the concert stage, behind the scenes and doing interviews. A wide cross-section of artists weigh in on how PE affected their musical vision; including Henry Rollins, DMC, Talib Kweli, Tom Morello, Jonathan Davis , The Beastie Boys, Ice T, Ice Cube, KRS-One and others. The group’s prime movers Chuck D and Flavor Flav talk about how the group evolved from Spectrum City to become one of the most socially and politically controversial musical entities of the last two decades. Special features are sparse but, with a running time of 108 minutes, there is plenty of content to sink your teeth into. Rap and hip-hop have never been the same since Public Enemy hit the scene and this multiple award-winning film gives you ample insight as to why. ###
MIKE CAREY MUSIC 1673 FORT STREET WYANDOTTE MI 48192 734-283-4550
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NOW ACCEPTING NEW STUDENTS
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Taurus (April 20 – May 20) – Happy birthday Taurus! Invigorating Mars moves direct and inspires you in terms of eating habits and fitness. Meditate on positive affirmations for your body, energy levels and self-esteem. Visualize energy of the Universe in every cell! Windows of opportunity may open at work – don’t hesitate or balk. Trust and leap forward!
HOrOSCOPE BY ALUNA MICHAELS, M.A.
Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21) -- Mars moving direct clears out old anger and frustration lodged in your subconscious. Meditation makes this a smooth process and releases the energy safely. Mid-month you’ll notice better communication about money. You can also bring up sexual or intimacy issues with your partner and find solutions. Health-wise, you’ll see how old anger causes bad eating habits and can be free of them!
Gemini (May 21 – June 20) – You can start a fun, positive new relationship! Enjoy this initial time, and also be sure s/he matches your spiritual path and blends with your future goals. This sort of connection can be long term, so be ready for commitment! If already partnered, you can Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21) – If discover new things about each other. Be single, you can meet someone through vocal about what you appreciate about him/ friends or fun activities. Your pets could her and love will be even stronger. even play matchmaker by having a person approach you to talk about them! Cancer (June 21 – July 22) – If partnered, you’ll have a romantic Meditation is the best tool you have to renaissance by finding cool things you overcome emotional triggers. Family and both like to do together, and seeing each home issues will likely drive you crazy, so other with fresh eyes. Communication will before you react, find a quiet retreat spot be good, so you’ll feel flirty and happy. and take a few breaths! (The bathroom is Enjoy this playful time as a gift from the always a safe excuse for a few moments Universe! of privacy!) Also observe how you rile yourself up in your own mind. Regular Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19) – This spiritual centering will help you avoid those will be a great work month. You can get a tendencies so you’re more serene. promotion or a new job! In general, you’ll feel appreciated by co-workers, and also Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22) – Working with by family. It’s a good time to have a party affirmations will be very powerful right now. or gathering, since your Remember not to skip the vital step of using home has such positive denials – cleansing statements that release energy and people will the old and create fertile “mind soil” for the feel blessed being there. new! Have strength behind your statement You’ll be very inspiring, of release and of affirmation. Also let trusted so dare to give people spiritual friends know what you’re working intuitive messages on manifesting so they can visualize too! you receive trough meditation. Be vocal Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22) – May is a with praise, even over major prosperity month for you! Meditate small things. on your value as a member of the Universe! You deserve abundance! Focus on the fact Aquarius (Jan. that there is plenty for everyone and don’t 20 – Feb. 18) – Mars limit your ability to receive by feeling shy moving ahead reabout having a receptive consciousness. invigorates your spiritual Lack comes from not claiming divine supply. goals. Design a new So make your claim and inspire others! P.S. approach to meditation. prosperity can also come in the form of Try a different sort of relationships and intimacy. yoga class. Pick up an inspirational book. You Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22) – Exciting can even sense new Mars moves direct in your sign. You’ll feel spiritual guides helping energized physically, and empowered you, because you’re on personally. Meditate on how you can be a higher level of soul a push-over in romantic, family and work evolution. Like Capricorn relationships. Draw up a plan of action to pals, your positive words have stronger boundaries. Mid-month, have extra power now, approach those people and calmly discuss so bless others with your the changes you need to make. By taking insights. Even a smile responsibility for your weakness instead of gives people a mystical blaming them, bonds will heal and flourish. boost! 30 LIVE
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Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20) – Meditation is increasing your self-worth. As a Pisces, it’s crucial to acknowledge your strengths and not just weaknesses! Your confidence makes communication better with family, and also at work. You can express boundaries and opinions gently, but with clarity behind them. You’ll also feel more comfortable with sexuality. Knowing your spiritual power makes you feel less vulnerable so intimacy is less scary! Aries (March 21 – April 19) – May is a great month for new relationships, and to make current partnerships feel new! Meditate with affirmations about the qualities of the perfect partner you want. Also meditate on qualities you can cultivate to be a better partner yourself. Forgive past relationships. Also release the negative stuff about your current bond if not single in order to change it for the better. Be open to new possibilities of positive karma between both of you! Aluna Michaels is a second-generation astrologer and Soul Evolutionist practitioner. She also holds a Masters in Spiritual Counseling and has been teaching and consulting for more than two decades. Her book “Spiritual Gifts of the 12 Astrological Signs” is now on Amazon in Kindle version. Ms. Michaels is available for appointments in her home or by phone. Call (248) 583-1663 or visit www.alunamichaels.com
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