Killer Blues hit Whitehall

The Third Annual White Lake Blues Fest will take place this Sat., May 1 at the Howmet Playhouse in Whitehall. Music starts at 7 p.m. and beyond blues, there will be barbecue, wine and beer (provided by Michigan's own Founder's Brewery.)

The 2010 version brings West Michigan residents music from blues musicians Bill Lupkin the harmonica whiz. Also appearing will be "Them Two Guys," who moonlight as hugely talented blues musicians, but have yet to quit their teaching day jobs in Grand Haven.

The White Lake Blues Festival grew out of one man's passion for blues music...and it funds an exceptionally cool cause- purchasing grave markers for legendary blues musicians buried in unmarked plots because of poverty. If that doesn't excite you, check out the website--it will.

Tickets for this event are $15, and can be purchased at the City of Whitehall and the Harbor Light Credit Union, or at the door.

An Electrifying Performance

By Kelli Kolakowski

Photo: Roddy Chong, credit Marc Weiss

Trans-Siberian Orchestra Review
DeVos Performance Hall
April 20, 7:30 p.m.
myspace.com/tsoofficial


The magnetically charged performance of Trans-Siberian Orchestra took the DeVos Performance Hall by storm last Tuesday night. As TSO’s first non-holiday rock opera, Beethoven’s Last Night brought the audience back to 1827 in Vienna to tell the story of Ludwig Von Beethoven’s last night. Taking place during one of the city’s largest lightening storms, the story was every bit as electrifying as TSO’s energy-packed performance.

Aesthetically, the show was a feast for the eyes, with TSO’s signature flashing lights and the impeccable use of DeVos Performance Hall’s giant projection screen— complete with simulated stars and what felt like a real lightening storm, minus the rain. But it’s difficult to say which was more electric, the storm or the music.

Featuring songs from TSO’s album Night Castle, the show unfolds the journey of the triumphs and failures of man, but is ultimately an epic story of transformation and love. The album contains songs which have mostly never been performed live. It was certified gold within eight weeks of its release and features “Believe” and TSO’s debut of their cover “Nut Rocker.”

The music and the stage performance received multiple standing ovations at points. From unbelievable guitar solos and the immense energy of violinist Roddy Chong, who, at times, played his instrument high above his head, solidified the show.

TSO has played Grand Rapids previously, but creative director and guitarist Al Pitrelli was not part of that show. Tuesday night in Grand Rapids was an evening Pitrelli won’t soon forget.

“It was one of my favorite shows I’ve done in 30 years,“ he said. “I was really taken aback by the enthusiasm and excitement.”

Whether it was the lights, the realistic storm brought forth in front of the crowd or the incredible talent of the band, this show was one Grand Rapids won’t soon forget either.

TSO will continue its Beethoven’s Last Night tour through May 2010.

HoriZEN takes root in new location

Black thumbs of the Greater Kalamazoo area rejoice! The Grand Rapids based Horizen Hydroponics is expanding to a new Kalamazoo location. John and Bridgette Ujlaky, the owners, have been helping Grand Rapids residents grow indoor plants for the last eight years, and increased demand for indoor gardening and growing food at home has led them to expand.

The new location is on the corner of W. Main and Drake, across from Natural Health Center. The official opening will be Sat., May 1. They specialize in providing supplies for indoor, organic, year round, and hydroponic gardening, and provide a level of expertise you can't find anywhere. Hydroponic plants provide greater yield in a smaller space, and more nutritious plants.

HoriZEN was chosen because of the peace and tranquility that can accompany gardening. Indoor gardening is also a valuable teaching tool at home and in schools.

The Clogs and The Seven Fields of Aphelion

Reviews by Theo Andrews

Band: The Seven Fields of Aphelion
Album: Periphery
RIYL: Jon Brion/Brian Eno

The Seven Fields of Aphelion is an epic title for a solo artist, but given the nature of the music, it’s a perfect fitting for the various textures revealed throughout the music.

Every track on the album has multiple layers: spacey synthesizer, with ambiance galore, provides the base while industrial sound effects supply a certain sense of abstractness. On the surface, light piano is played to establish some much needed lyricism. The piano, however, is the most important part of the music; it serves as the gloss over the paint.

Three tracks in particular fully emphasize the aforementioned description: “Slow Subtraction,” “Grown” and “Mountain Mary.” Each track has growing and declining synthesizer with piano providing the emotional impact. If unable to picture this, then think of the soundtrack to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Aphelion’s music can best be described as meditative: perfect of one stays in a spot for a very long period of time. The music appeals to the senses much more than just the eardrums. The music isn’t danceable or foot tapping, but it isn’t bizarre enough to be labeled a turn-off.


Band: Clogs Album:
Genre: Traditional/Classical Folk
RIYL: The Chieftans

The Clogs is a traditional band bordering on the realm between indie and classical folk.
Through its music, the band shows its musical roots, which sounds like it derived from the highlands of Ireland where it isn’t uncommon to hear troubadours belt out tunes.

The new album is a song cycle with all acoustic instrumentation with classically trained voices that almost sound like jam sessions. “Red Seas,” for example, begins with beautiful guitar that is eventually joined by a bouncing beat of percussion that sounds like it was played on a wooden box. Toward the end of the song, wind instrumentation dominates which leaves the listener asking: “what am I listening to?”

The Creatures in the Garden of Lady Walton is steeped in escapism. Since the album is a song cycle, there’s a story if you listen to the songs in chronological order.

Cadillac Sky plays the Riviera

Cadillac Sky, a bluegrass band out of Texas, will be playing at the Riviera Theater in Three Rivers on Saturday, April 24.

The band has received accolades from just about every angle, generating cheers for their originality and phenomenal songwriting. They are on tour promoting the release of their new album, "Letters in the Deep," available in June on Dualtone.

On their third full-length album, Cadillac Sky has teamed up with Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys for production. You can hear samples of their work, and grab a free download here.

Tickets for Saturday's show are available now for $12, or $15 at the door. The show starts at 9 p.m.

Record Store Day @ Vertigo (4/17/10)

Photography by Evan Daniels

Vertigo Record Store

Hanging 'round the campfire with Brett Dennen

It's easy to picture Brett Dennen as the camp counselor everyone loves. The easy-going, frequently barefoot Dennen says he learned to write and perform in his teens while working as a camp counselor in California. His singing style has been called a cross between Dave Matthews and Jack Johnson, and his lyrics would suggest there's a little bit of Woody Guthrie thrown in.  He's playing at Hope College this weekend and REVUE caught up with him for a quick phone chat before he flew in.  Read it!

Meijer Gardens brings more than big blooms this summer

The headliners for the 8th Annual Frederik Meijer Garden Summer Concert Series have been released...and chances are there are one or two or ten shows you wont want to miss. Tickets for non-members go on sale May 15 for all performances, but Garden Members get a 2-week head start.

(Hint: At 1,750 seat amphitheater capacity, it behooves you to ante up with the membership fee because competition for some tickets might be a little steep.)

Performances will be:

May 21- The Doobie Brothers

June 10- Bela Fleck, Zakir Hussain, and Edgar Meyer

June 16- Kenny Loggins

June 17- Buddy Guy w. J.J Grey and Mofro

June 30- The Levon Helm Band w. James Hunter

July 9- Mary Chapin Carpenter

July 16- Umphrey's McGee

July 25- The Indigo Girls

July 26- Natalie Merchant

July 29- Chris Isaak w. Marc Broussard

Aug. 5- Natalie MacMaster

Aug. 7- Lyle Lovett and his Large Band

Aug. 9- Melissa Etheridge

Aug. 11- A Prairie Home Companion w. Garrison Keillor "Summer Love" Tour

Aug. 15- George Thorogood and the Destroyers

Aug. 25- Brandi Carlile

Ticket prices and showtimes vary. For more information, click here.

Local music makes some NOISE!

Local music website, KalamazooNOISE.com will be hosting a giant, enormous, one might even say epic showcase of local talent.

On April 29, at The Strutt, more than 15 area performers and bands will hit the stage to show of their rock star skills. The best thing: It will only cost you a 5 buck cover.

"It's pretty cool we can bring all these great bands together on one night in our name," said Munson Haver, NOISE! Editor, "but more importantly it will be a great event for the local music scene to sink its teeth into."

Performers include:

The Hex Bombs,

Ghosts of the Great Lakes,

Hello Victor,

Ender,

Please Promise,

Branden Mann and the Reprimand,

Dead Scene Radio,

Elm Street Riot, Brena,

Trixy Disco,

The Sedgwyck Agent,

Crash City Saints,

Dunktank,

Kathryn Tapper,

Sara Never Loved Me, and

Glennerd (featuring Glenn Willis of Their Teeth Will Be Of Lions)

The show is 18+ and begins at 8 p.m.

Calling all teens!!!

If you are an aspiring actor or know what a gaffer does, the Civic Theater needs you! Auditions will be held for the casts and crews of "The Pirates of Penzance Jr.," and "The Big Friendly Giant." The catch: you have to be between 14 and 19 years of age.

Both casts will be needed for all performance dates, and if you want, you can perform in one, and crew another. 30-40 teens will be needed for the performances, including acting, singing, and dancing performers.

Audition will be held at:

East Grand Rapids H.S.- Tues., April 20, 5-8 p.m.

East Kentwood H.S.- Fri., April 23, 5-8 p.m.

Jenison H.S.- Tues., April 27, 5-8 p.m.

Northview H.S. Fri., April 30, 5-8 p.m.

Involvement in local theater remains the best way to get a start in this industry, so if this is something you think you will enjoy, then get out there!

Get Your Dance On!

By Theo Andrews

It’s time to make the Midwest move!

A cluster of sponsors are teaming up to throw one euphoric dance party featuring local talents SuperDre, Spydre Murphy, DJ Kung, and DJ Curtis Avison. These spinners will provide the crowd with a palette of frenzied beats and an uncontrollable spat of rhythms to move to.

The party’s location is embedded inside the Citizenshirt warehouse (955 Godfrey); a truly inspired choice for music and movement. Also included is a performance by West Michigan’s premier break dance crew, 61syx Teknique.

Citizenshirt, The Litribune, and The Red Cross of Greater Grand Rapids are sponsoring the event with all proceeds going to the Measles Initiative.

Doors open on April 10, 2010, at 8 p.m. and ends at 2 a.m. 21+. $5 cover charge.

A Rocker's Paradise

Story and photo by Elena Nieman

As far as opening acts go, Dommin, far exceeded my expectations. The band hit The Orbit Room's stage with its dark new wave/semi-emo/post hardcore style. Intense vocals coupled with a five-string bass guitarist (who has Vic Victor looks), heavy guitar and keys set this band apart from other up-and-coming acts. I especially enjoyed its cover of Depeche Mode’s “People are People.” If you haven’t heard Dommin yet, I highly suggest you check it out.

Next to hit the stage was We Are the Fallen. Former Evanescence band members back up Carly Smithson, who is former American Idol finalist.

Then, finally the moment I’d been waiting months for. HIM took the stage in a flurry of screaming fans. The set list was a crowd pleaser, including songs “Wings of a Butterfly,” “Join Me,” “Killing Loneliness,” “Poison Girl,” and my personal favorite, “Wicked Game,” a Chris Isaak cover song gone dark metal. As far as stage presence goes – aside from Ville Valo’s incredible singing voice – Valo was almost immobile, only moving slightly and stomping out beats while never leaving desired place on stage. He also made a point to do a lot of conversation with the crowd between songs, but his strong Finnish accent made it hard to understand what he was saying. Musically, my months of waiting paid off big. The songs sounded a lot like they do on the albums, but with much more feeling.

Top Brass: Lubriphonic comes to Holland

Lubriphonic, a Chicago- based soul-funk-rock band will be playing at the Holland Park Theater this Fri., April 9.

The band is 7 strong with a full brass section, percussion, guitars and keyboard. In what appears to be a truly collaborative effort, it's members have played with other, and in many instances very famous acts (acts like Lenny Kravitz and Buddy Miles and Otis Rush), but share the stage equally as part of Lubriphonic.

They got their start as the house band at the legendary Checkerboard Lounge in Chicago's Hyde Park area. Since then, they have released two albums, and are working on a third entitled The Gig is On. Their shows are energetic- even people who don't dance will dance. Free sampler here!

Lubriphonic is:
Giles Corey - Vocals & Guitar
Richard King -Drums
Pennal Johnson - Bass
Garrick Patten - Sax
Ron Haynes trumpet /congas
Norman Palm - trombone
Andrew Toombs - Keyboards

Sharing the stage will be local roots artist Greg Nagy, who also released an album recently, entitled, Walk that Fine Line.

The show begins at 9 p.m. and doors will open at 8:30.

Twiztid - Intersection (4-5-10)

Photos by Anthony Nowack.

Music for the Mind

Band: The Seven Fields of Aphelion
Album: Periphery
RIYL: Jon Brion/Brian Eno


Review By Theo Andrews

The Seven Fields of Aphelion is an epic name for a solo artist, but given the nature of the music, it’s a perfect fitting for the various textures revealed throughout the music.

Every track on the album has multiple layers: spacey synthesizer with ambiance galore provides the base while industrial sound effects supply a certain sense of abstractness. On the surface, light piano is played to establish some much needed lyricism. The piano, however, is the most important part of the music; it serves as the gloss over the paint.

Three tracks in particular fully emphasize the aforementioned description: “Slow Subtraction,” “Grown” and “Mountain Mary.” Each track has growing and declining synthesizer with piano providing the emotional impact. If unable to picture this, then think of the soundtrack to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Aphelion’s music can best be described as meditative: perfect of one stays in a spot for a very long period of time. The music appeals to the senses much more than just the eardrums. The music isn’t danceable or foot tapping, but it isn’t bizarre enough to be labeled a turn-off.

Friday...

It's looking like a lovely weekend, and many of you have the day off. If you are wondering what to do with it, allow us to help- UNLIKELY ALIBI.

The Fort Wayne, IN based ska/reggae band will kick off their spring tour at Jukes (Leonard St.) to promote their new album, "At the Ready." The album was released (to great reviews and lots of online buzz) on the Stubborn Records label in Jan. and you can get a sneak peek here.

Also appearing will be The Bastards Alliance, a GR based punk band. Music begins at 9:30. Until then, if you are fortunate enough to have the day off, call your friends and cook some hot dogs. It's too nice not to.