Double Dose of Local Record Release Parties

Natives of The New Dawn- Royal Oak Music Theatre- March 31, 2006

The always touring Natives took a few nights off the road, in order to prepare for their record release party for their new album, “Need Something”.

The six piece collective brought their good vibes and good times to Royal Oak for three entertaining forty minute sets, in front of a crowd of around 1,000 people. The record release party, which doubled for an event for the Stay & Play Social Club, saw Natives acting as the house band for the event, and pumping their new release to boot.

Lead by Joe Fikany and emcee Vince Mann, the group launched into new songs such as “Good Day” and “People” throughout the different sets. The band also touched on older material, such as “Mr. Bill Collector” from their 2004 release “Sunshine Chronicles”. The group’s brand of R&B fun, with jam based rock fit in well with the people in attendance The group seemed loose and played to the crowd well; even though half of them were watching the show, and the other half were mingling and probably making business connections.

It was too bad for the people that spent most of their time at the bar (but wisely taking advantage of the 15 dollar drink ticket deal), because the Natives put on another quality show.

Upcoming Shows:

• 4/20- Mac’s Bar- Lansing, MI
• 4/21- Bell’s Brewery- Kalamazoo, MI
• 4/29- Emergenza Festival @ The Note- Chicago, IL
• 5/11- The Verve- Terre Haute, IN
• 5/12- Wisefool’s Pub- Chicago, IL

  Bump wsg West Indian Girl & The Matt Keil Band- Majestic Theatre- April 14th, 2006

  Grosse Pointe's four piece Bump hit the busy Majestic for their record release party for the new release, “Incredible Consequences”. Early on the group gave the crowd a dose of their new material, as they played their entire new album, front to back. Generally, this is a tricky proposal, but Bump pulled off the 75 minute set, and kept the crowd of 800 of mostly young college age students enthralled.

  Lead singer Yorg Kerasiotis spent most of his time on his synthesizer, as he helped create the alluring sound of the band. The band shined most on tracks such as “Concrete Lullaby”, and “Oblique”. Guitarist Chris Sterr jumped in to sing a few tracks, while bassist Eric Novak spent most time in between playing giving the crowd the metal horn salute; but everyone looked like they were having a good time. The group didn’t waste time on cheap concert tricks, and they kept their roots rock sensibility intact, but were very tight in their musicianship.

  Where as Bump seemed to have the crowd’s attention, most people seemed lost on the sounds of LA based band West Indian Girl. Lead singer (or that’s how it seemed) Mariqueen, who seemed more like a guest tamborinist instead of a singer, the group seemed out of place on the bill during their 50 minute set. Perhaps future gigs in the area will put them in more cohesive of a concert bill.

  Local act the Matt Keil Band opened the show, and had much of the early support from the crowd. The four member group mixed originals and covers in their 30 minute set of blues based rock.

  Bump’s Upcoming Shows:

  • 4/19- Intersection- Grand Rapids, MI
  • 4/20- Bent River Brewery- Moline, IL
  • 4/21- Martyr’s- Chicago, IL
  • 4/23- Ascot Room- Minneapolis, MN
  • 4/25- Rascals- Winona, MN
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