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Festival Preview - Rothbury |
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Written by Art Michalski
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Wednesday, 02 July 2008 |
 Fans of jam-rock and
all things associated with it have been pretty bummed over the past
few years with the behemoth Bonnaroo festival. “Sellout”
cries have been loud as everyone from The Police to Kanye West to
Metallica have headlined the massive festival, alienating the traditional jam-fans but helping its rise in
the American festival ranks.
For the fans who feel
betrayed by the shift in the Bonnaroo bill, their hopes are
renewed as the inaugural run of the Rothbury Festival set its sights
on the west side of Michigan this 4th of July weekend.
Located 20 minutes north of Muskegon, Rothbury invades the Double JJ Ranch for the best in jam rock, roots rock, hippie bands; whatever
you want to call it. But don’t think there aren’t
a few wild card surprises thrown in there for good measure. Here’s a day by
day preview of what to look out for at Rothbury:
Thursday, July 3rd:
Music gets going at 6:30, but stays with a bluegrass and
experimental route for the warm up evening. Dweezil Zappa does his
tribute to his father, with his “Zappa Meets Zappa” show
starting around 9 and ex-Grateful Dead member Mickey Hart plays at
10 P.M.
Friday, July 4th:
The first proper day of the festival kicks off around noon and run until 3 A.M or so; much
more festival-like. Ex-Wallflower
leader Jakob Dylan and his new band, the Gold Mountain Rebels will be bright and early at 12:30. The Wailers continue their summer trek as
they play at 2:15. Later in the afternoon is where things get tricky.
Unlike Kanye West, who didn’t start at Bonnaroo until 4:15
(A.M.- that is), Snoop Dogg will hit the stage at 4:15 P.M., for a set that will hopefully
remind us of the old Snoop, as opposed to the family and
corporate friendly Snoop that we've seen the past few years. 311
(6:15) may not be a jam band, but their affinity for weed and aliens make
them friendly to the typical Rothbury festival-goer. Modest Mouse is another
curve ball for Rothbury, but the chart topping indie rockers start at
7, before the crescendo of two Widespread Panic sets, going from 8:30
to midnight. Les Claypool and the rest of the Primus will be kicking
out the rock-funk starting after midnight to close out Friday.
Saturday, July 5th:
The Black Keys continue their run on almost every single festival in the U.S. this year, as they play at 5:30 P.M. But most of the buzz for
the festival has been for The Dave Matthews Band headlining set that
evening, starting at 9 P.M. Most of the DMB fan club snapped up early
(and cheap) tickets for this show far in advance. Also, every night
will feature DJ sets until almost dawn, with the Crystal Method doing
a DJ set at 1:30am that night.
Sunday, July 6th:
The final day of the festival wraps as former Phish lead singer Trey
Anastatio plays at 4:30, and John Mayer plays at 6:45. Mayer is busy
battling his inner musical demons these days; one minute trying to be
the next Stevie Ray Vaughan, the next minute doing a solo for a Fall
Out Boy song. Indie hip-hop duo Atmosphere tours behind one of the best albums of the year, When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint
that S--- Gold, as they team up with albino rapper Brother Ali
at 7:30. The festival is put to rest by former Grateful Dead member
Phil Lesh and Friends, playing starting at 8:30.
The Rothbury
Festival still has tickets available, starting for $244 for the
weekend package. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com.
Additional festival information is available at
www.rothburyfestival.com.
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Summer Festival Preview - July |
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Written by Alex Therrian
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Monday, 30 June 2008 |
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It was just a couple
years ago when this preview wasn’t very long at all.
In fact, there weren’t that many festivals the entire summer, let alone
enough to break them down by month. But with tour costs rising and
bands paying more for gas, hotels, and groupies, more bands are opting
for the festival circuit this year, more so now than ever. This year
offers a slew of festivals that cover nearly every major market in
the country. At first glance, it looks like Jack Johnson and the
Flaming Lips are hellbent on playing every one of these festivals
this year. Here's what's going on in July.
 Rothbury Festival - July
3-6, Muskegon, MI The
hippies and jam bands that passed on Bonnaroo will be heading to MCB’s
homestate of Michigan for a 4th of July weekend festival on the
west side of the state. The first year for this festival will be an
interesting affair, mixing a diverse lineup and trying to be the
first sustainable festival in Michigan. Dave Matthews Band, John
Mayer and current jam kings, Widespread Panic, will headline the bill. Primus and Snoop Dogg are two of the more puzzling names on the bill, but will be
different enough to get plenty of fans for their sets. The Crystal
Method will host a DJ set one of the nights, while 311 plays their
first festival in well…forever. Expect a full preview here, later this week.
What to expect: The
Bonnaroo crowd from 2003, and lots of green activities, including green plants in baggies.
Tickets: Four day
passes for $224.75 are available and limited number of VIP Weekend passes at $475 each available.
Website:
www.rothburyfestival.com
Pitchfork Music
Festival- July 18th-20th, Chicago, IL
Yeah, Bohb had a tough time getting to Pitchfork last year, so we’re hoping he can
make it this year. The first night promises to be a classic night in
hip-hop where Public Enemy performs their iconic It Takes A
Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back album in its entirety.
Saturday will feature ex-Pulp singer Jarvis Cocker and the indie band
du jour of the moment, Vampire Weekend. Definitely check out British
rapper Dizzie Rascal that day as well, as well as the Wu-Tang
combo of Ghostface and Raekwon and the humorously titled F—k
Buttons. Spoon and Dinosaur Jr.
headline the final night of the festival.
What to Expect:
Hopefully no women trying out for “Flavor Of Love 4” and
plenty of tributes to Ol’ Dirty Bastard.
Tickets: One day passes
are $30, three day passes for $65.
Website:
www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com
Mile High Music Festival- July 19th & 20th, Denver, CO
For those jam fans a little closer to the West Coast that couldn't make it to Bonnaroo or Rothbury, Denver is hosting its own festival this summer. The Mile High Music Festival boasts a strong lineup, with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers headlining a Saturday that also features Citizen Cope, Spoon, Lupe Fiasco and O.A.R. Sunday's show will feature a huge double headline of Dave Matthews Band and The Black Crowes as well as John Mayer, The Roots and The Flobots. This is one festival that gets it right by packing a lot into a shorter amount of time.
What to Expect: West Coast jammers that will be more worried about offsetting their carbon footprint than hooking up with hippie hotties.
Tickets: 2-Day passes for $150
Website: www.milehighmusicfestival.com
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The Police State |
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Written by Bohb Blair
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Friday, 27 June 2008 |
 It is rare that I share a story about someone else, but this one could not be ignored. It happened to my friend, or perhaps my friend happened to it… his name is John Louse. This is my recap of how he relayed it to me:
Voicemail #1 from John Louse: "Dude, call me I need to talk to you."
Voicemail #2 from JL: "Call me as soon as you can, we have things to discuss."
Voicemail #3 from JL: "Dude, I have a serious situation to discuss with you."
Phone Call from Bohb Blair: Hey, sorry it took me so long to get back to you, what’s up?
JL: Dude, I am dealing with a situation here. I had a run-in with a police ocifer (dialect note: JL pronounces the word ‘Officer’ as ‘Ocifer’ for some reason. I have always assumed it was a posturing of disrespect to the role of the police as JL has issues with government mandated authority figures.) BB: Oh no… what happened?
JL: I was standing in my yard the other day and a police car pulled up and the cop asked me to come over to his window. Of course I refused as I was on private property and was not legally bound to leave my private property without a warrant. I know my rights.
BB: Ummm, yeah…
JL: So the cop demands my name and address and to see photo ID. I gave him my name and address, my address being the very property I was standing on, and told him I had no photo ID on me. Which was true. This is the mistake I made, because in actuality I did not have to provide him with my address, only my name.
BB: OK…
JL: Then he tells me that if I do not have photo ID that I need to come stand in front of his car for video identification. Of course I again refuse citing my previously stated knowledge that I do not have to leave my private property without a warrant. Also, I know that I am intoxicated and that if I leave my private property then he COULD arrest me for public intoxication, so this was a very strategic move on my part.
BB: Sounds wise…
JL: Yeah. So, this cop is getting visibly annoyed. I know you haven’t seen my place, but I have a fence around the yard that is about waist high.
BB: OK…
JL: So this cop, he starts RUNNING towards me! Now Bohb, I don’t know what his intentions were. I’m not sure if he was planning on attacking me, if he was going to jump on me, if he was just trying to cover ground quickly or maybe he was going to jump the fence. But, the next thing I know the cop is on the ground. I swear Bohb, I didn’t touch him.
BB: Oh no…
JL: I think maybe he tripped over a root
BB: Oh no…
JL: So now the cop is really mad and he is yelling at me and telling me I have to come over to his squad car and I have to provide ID. I told him again that I was NOT going to leave my private property and that I had no photo ID to provide. That I had given him my name and address and that was all he would receive without a warrant.
BB: Oh no…
JL: So this cop, he’s getting really mad now and he continues to yell at me as he goes back to his squad car.
BB: OK…
JL: So, he’s gone for a while and then he comes back
BB: And?
JL: Bohb, you won’t believe it. This cop, he gave me a CITATION for having a BONFIRE in a RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD! (in total disbelief)
BB: Ummmm, John? Did you have a bonfire going in your yard?
JL: Yeah
BB: What were you burning?
JL: My mail.
BB: What? (Incredulous) John, did you have a shirt on at this time?
JL: No.
BB: Do you still have that huge beard and unkempt hair?
(ed. note: Some may call this particular style of unkempt hair a mullet.)
JL: Yes.
BB: So, you are trying to tell me that you were burning your mail in a bonfire in the yard of your residential neighborhood and that a cop came by, probably because he got a call from a concerned neighbor, where he encountered a shirtless crazy looking man who refuses to show ID and is completely uncooperative?!
JL: I was completely within my rights. I was using the fire to cook food, which is legal. I checked.
BB: John, you are insane.
JL: I was doing nothing illegal
Note: John Louse is now pursuing this in court. Rather than pay the $75 fine he is risking 90 days in jail and a $750 fine to have this heard by a jury of his ‘peers’. If they can find any.
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Artist Spotlight - Filter |
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Written by Alex Therrian
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Thursday, 26 June 2008 |
 We did a little blurb
on the band’s show in Royal Oak right before their Rock on the
Range date, but we didn’t get much of a chance to talk about
their new record and tour then; so here it is.
After a quick mini-tour
back in May, Richard Patrick and company is criss-crossing the
Midwest on some upcoming dates behind the release of their new album, Anthems For the Damned. The album keeps things modern
enough, but keeps Patrick’s vocals in the forefront and the
signature Filter sound. First single “Soldiers Of Misfortune”
is obviously a dig at the current war, but sympathizes with the
soliders on their plight overseas. The single did well on rock radio,
but there are plenty of other songs worth talking about: Tracks like
“What’s Next” and “The Take” sound damn
good live, as evident with their early songs on tour and harkens
Patrick’s first band he played in... something called Nine Inch
Nails (Heard of it? Yeah, thought so).
Songs like “Cold”
and “Kill The Day” give listeners a taste of the softer
side of the band, and recalls one of the band’s biggest songs,
“Take a Picture.” After not releasing an album since
2002, Patrick was done with his record contract and decided to
release “Anthems” on his own, on Pulse Records, a label
he created. The band is zeroing
back in on the Midwest in the next couple of weeks, with a show on
June 30th at Gatorz in Toledo and the Machine Shop in
Flint on July 3rd. Filter plans on being on the road
throughout most of the year, as the band gets in full swing with a
re-energizing album and a tour that’s just as good. Make sure
you celebrate the 4th of July week with Filter in between
the fireworks.
Filter has two
shows in the area coming up; June 30th at Gatorz in Toledo
(near University of Toledo), tickets are $20 and are available
through www.ticketmaster.com.
The July 3rd show at the Machine Shop in Flint are $15 and
are available through www.etix.com.
Additional dates can be found at www.official-filter.com | | No comments for this item |
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Movies Opening June 27th, 2008 |
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Written by MCB Staff
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Wednesday, 25 June 2008 |
 WALL•E: What if mankind had to leave Earth, and somebody forgot to turn the last robot off? Academy Award®-winning writer-director Andrew Stanton (“Finding Nemo”) and the inventive storytellers and technical geniuses at Pixar Animation Studios (“The Incredibles,” “Cars,” “Ratatouille”) transport moviegoers to a galaxy not so very far away for a new computer-animated cosmic comedy about a determined robot named WALL•E. After hundreds of lonely years of doing what he was built for, WALL•E (short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class) discovers a new purpose in life (besides collecting knick-knacks) when he meets a sleek search robot named EVE. EVE comes to realize that WALL•E has inadvertently stumbled upon the key to the planet’s future, and races back to space to report her findings to the humans (who have been eagerly awaiting word that it is safe to return home). Meanwhile, WALL•E chases EVE across the galaxy and sets into motion one of the most exciting and imaginative comedy adventures ever brought to the big screen.Joining WALL•E on his fantastic journey across a universe of never-before-imagined visions of the future, is a hilarious cast of characters including a pet cockroach, and a heroic team of malfunctioning misfit robots. Filled with surprises, action, humor and heart, WALL•E was written and directed by Andrew Stanton, produced by Jim Morris, co-produced by Lindsey Collins and features original and innovative sound design by Academy Award®-winner Ben Burtt (“Star Wars,” “Indiana Jones,” “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial”). (DISNEY/PIXAR) Rated G.
 WANTED: Based upon Mark Millar’s explosive graphic novel series and helmed by stunning visualist director Timur Bekmambetov—creator of the most successful Russian film franchise in history, the Night Watch series—Wanted tells the tale of one apathetic nobody’s transformation into an unparalleled enforcer of justice. In 2008, the world will be introduced to a hero for a new generation: Wesley Gibson. 25-year-old Wes (James McAvoy) was the most disaffected, cube-dwelling drone the planet had ever known. His boss chewed him out hourly, his girlfriend ignored him routinely and his life plodded on interminably. Everyone was certain this disengaged slacker would amount to nothing. There was little else for Wes to do but wile away the days and die in his slow, clock-punching rut. Until he met a woman named Fox (Angelina Jolie). After his estranged father is murdered, the deadly sexy Fox recruits Wes into the Fraternity, a secret society that trains Wes to avenge his dad’s death by unlocking his dormant powers. As she teaches him how to develop lightning-quick reflexes and phenomenal agility, Wes discovers this team lives by an ancient, unbreakable code: carry out the death orders given by fate itself. With wickedly brilliant tutors—including the Fraternity’s enigmatic leader, Sloan (Morgan Freeman)—Wes grows to enjoy all the strength he ever wanted. But, slowly, he begins to realize there is more to his dangerous associates than meets the eye. And as he wavers between newfound heroism and vengeance, Wes will come to learn what no one could ever teach him: he alone controls his destiny. (UNIVERSAL PICTURES) Rated R.
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