MCR Picks: D Pollen
friday, may 21——————————–
the band: Thunderbirds Are NOW! (Friday, Hastings Stage at 8 p.m.)
the advocates: Mr. Gary, Ryan N. Sult, Jacquie
At the Hamtramck Blowout, TAN! lit up the Belmont like the Central Park Christmas tree with a set that included headstands, anthems and blatant audience-to-band-member genital cupping. Who doesn’t want to see how the band tries to top that? -Mr. Gary
the band: Back in Spades (Friday, Hastings Stage at 11 p.m.)
the advocate: Ryan
If you haven’t seen Back in Spades yet, “the time is now!” These days a lot of parents are buying into the ‘Mozart for Babies’ phenomenon, but it sounds like these guys had Sonic’s Rendezvous Band pumping from day one. Their debut release, The Time is Now, has become on a standard of the MCR office Hi Fi. We’re thrilled to hear they’ve been behind the mic at the White Room to bring us more of what we desire. -Ryan
the band: Whiskey Tenor (Friday, Buzz Dome Stage at 9:30 p.m.)
the advocate: Mr. Gary, Big Matt
Even without the prominent placement of the word “whiskey”, this would still be good old fashioned drinking music by any other name. Melding the worlds of folk, Americana and country, Whiskey Tenor slinks through laid back musical excursions not unlike the various styles of Wil Oldham. It won’t be loud and it won’t be flashy, but this set should be solid regardless. -Mr. Gary
the band: Whirlwind Heat (Friday, Hastings Stage at 12 a.m.)
the advocate: Amanda, Ryan N. Sult
Give your ears a break from garage rock/bluegrass/country/r&b and just FREAKOUT! Of course, if you really wanted to give your ears a break, Whirlwind Heat would be the wrong choice entirely. However, if you want to see some skinny dudes flopping on the floor like goldfish who rocked themselves right out of the bowl, this is the band for you. -Ryan
the band: The Salt Miners (Friday, Buzz Dome Stage at 11:30 p.m. – also, Sunday, Hastings Stage at 4:00 p.m.)
the advocate: Mr. Gary
Tim Pak sits in with members of the Trash Brats and Disgratziata to pluck out some bluegrass tunes. Yes, that’s right, bluegrass. Both of the Salt Miners’ performances should be easy highlights of the weekend. -Mr. Gary
more friday picks:
from jacquie: The Dollfaces (Friday, Tangent Gallery Stage at 10:15 p.m.)
from big matt: Prime Ministers (Friday, Tangent Gallery Stage at 8:15 p.m.)
from amanda, big matt: The Elevations (Friday, Hastings Stage at 1 a.m.)
saturday, may 22——————————–
the band: The Ruiners (Saturday, Tangent Gallery Stage at 10:15 p.m.)
the advocate: Mr. Gary, Ryan N. Sult
God only knows what these guys are capable of now that they’ve received even the slightest redemption in the public eye. The best bet is that whatever the band pulls out Saturday night, it’ll be really loud and destructive in some way. -Mr. Gary
the band: A Thousand Times Yes (Saturday, Buzz Dome Stage at 7:30 p.m.) – Easily my favorite band from the area right now, as I can’t say that I’ve ever heard a band that sounds quite like this – it’s like garage-Americana with peppy undertones and cool dual-vocal parts. Something about the music is spooky, almost eerie, and yet, at the same time, completely uplifting. Hell, the live shows even feature flute solos by bassist Sparx – I mean, seriously, how can anyone go wrong with a flute solo? -Mr. Gary
the band: Gore Gore Girls (Saturday, Hastings Stage at 11 p.m.)
the advocate: Amanda, Big Matt
In their own words, “The Stooges meet the Ronettes.” These are the type of girls that rock circles around the boys. Plus, they take their name from a 1972 Herschell Gordon Lewis horror film about go-go girls in distress – how cool is that? -Ryan
the band: Bedford Drive (Saturday, Buzz Dome Stage at 9:30 p.m.)
the advocate: Mr. Gary
I’m sure the kids will be down for this set, but even the scenesters need to be careful, lest they find themselves tapping their feet and nodding their heads to Bedford Drive’s infectious take on catchy two-guitar rock. The band’s live sets are remarkably tight, and this one should be energetic, to say the least. -Mr. Gary
the band: Audra Kubat (Hastings Stage @ 6 p.m.)
the advocate: Jacquie, Ryan N. Sult
Audra Kubat has a voice made of gold – there I said it. Her capacity to shape musical lines is incredible and she possesses a unique ability to pull back the intensity, leaving phrases dangling in mid-air. -Ryan
more saturday picks:
from jacquie:
Tiny Steps (Buzz Dome Stage @ 11:30 p.m.)
The Sights (Hastings Stage @ 12 a.m.)
from big matt: BBQ – eating is good!
sunday, may 23——————————–
the band: El Boxeo (Sunday, Hastings Stage at 5:00 p.m.)
the advocate: Mr. Gary
The last time I saw El Boxeo was something like a year-and-a-half ago, but the show involved keyboards, a violin, someone switching between bass and guitar, multiple vocalists (both male and female), and some terribly catchy songs … and just think — the band’s had a year-and-a-half to improve on that stellar first impression! -Mr. Gary
the band: Bad Wizard (Sunday, Hastings Stage at 9:00 p.m., and also on Saturday, Hastings State at 10:00 p.m.)
the advocate: Mr. Gary
Rock. Rock. ROCK. The slightly stoner-rock, very 70’s-rock tendencies of Bad Wizard will rock the socks right off your feet, through your shoes and right out to that damned ‘missing sock planet’ that only washing machines seem to be able to reach. The band plays twice at D*Pollen, which means there’s no excuse not to check out at least a few minutes of this touring band at some point this weekend. -Mr. Gary
the band: Jettison Red (Sunday, Buzz Dome Stage at 10:30 p.m.)
the advocate: Mr. Gary
For some reason, most hipsters seem to have issues with Jettison Red’s well-polished rock-and-roll stylings (I think it has something to do with some weird scene aversion to the term ‘radio-friendly’). Regardless, the band’s tight live, and most certainly worth checking out for anyone planning on sticking around for the close of D*Pollen Sunday night. -Mr. Gary
more sunday picks:
from jacquie:
The Come Ons (Hastings Stage @ 11 p.m.)
from big matt:
Tough & Lovely (Hastings Stage @ 10 p.m.)
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