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12/27/15

ON THE SCENE: Black Christmas 2015 at the Majestic in Detroit (with Photos + Live Footage)

The annual Black Christmas show took place at the Majestic Theatre last night and MCB was there to capture some of the night's activities.


The Suicide Machines at the Majestic Theatre

"New Girl" and "S.O.S." LIVE  
 





Koffin Kats at the Majestic Cafe

"Chaos" and "V8 Nighmare" LIVE    
     






War On Women at the Majestic Theatre





Black Christmas attendees enjoying The Black Dahlia Murder
 
 

** Video Footage by: Ambervillain Films **
** Photos by: Regina Elizabeth **

12/22/15

UPCOMING (Sat. Dec. 26): Black Iris Presents- BLACK CHRISTMAS at the Majestic Theatre Complex in Detroit

We have a cure for those post X-mas blues!
  It's the annual Black Iris BLACK CHRISTMAS show at the Majestic Theatre Complex.
It's back and bigger than ever for 2015!  



Full Line Up for 2015 show includes:
 


Braidedveins (Record Release)

Multi-grain (Detroit) (FINAL SHOW EVER)



This show is being presented by: Black Iris Booking

            
The show goes down on:    
 Saturday, December 26, 2015 at the Majestic Complex

Tickets: $27.50 Advance / $30 day of show
6pm/All Ages
 


The Majestic is located at: 4120 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201

Visit the event page on The Majestic Complex webpage HERE.

NEXT WEEK: Free Admission for 30 Americans @ the DIA

FREE ADMISSION WEEK for 30 AMERICANS
FREE ADMISSION WEEK for 30 AMERICANS
FREE ADMISSION WEEK for 30 AMERICANS

DIA Logo One Line Blue

Identity, triumph, tragedy, pride, prejudice, humor and wit. 
30 Americans: An exhibition bound by one nation and divided by 30 experiences.


Free Admission to 30 Americans from December 28 to January 3

Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see a diverse range of contemporary artists in one show, from Basquiat to Kara Walker and Nick Cave to Kehinde Wiley, only on view at the Detroit Institute of Arts until January 18.

Special Extended Hours:
Monday, December 2810 a.m.- 7 p.m.

Tuesday, December 299 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Wednesday, December 309 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Thursday, December 319 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Friday, January 1: Museum Closed
Saturday, January 210 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday, January 310 a.m. - 5 p.m.

See 30 Americans for Free from December 28 toJanuary 3

About 30 Americans:
A dynamic showcase of contemporary art by African American artists, this exhibition explores issues of racial, political, historical and gender identity in contemporary culture. See more than 50 paintings, sculptures, installations, photographs and video drawn from the Rubell Family Collection, created by many of the most important African American artists working over the past 30 years, including Kerry James Marshall, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Kara Walker, Nick Cave, Kehinde Wiley, Carrie Mae Weems, Robert Colescott, Glenn Ligon and Lorna Simpson.
Image Credit: Sacrifice #2: it has to last (after Yoshitoshi's "Drowsy: the appearance of a harlot of the Meiji era") (detail), Iona Rozeal Brown, 2007, enamel, acrylic, and paper on wooden panel. Rubell Family Collection, Miami

12/17/15

UPCOMING (Sat. Dec 19): Detroit Santarchy


This Saturday (December 19) marks the 16th year for the annual Detroit Santarchy event.

Hundreds of people decked out as Santas, Elves, and even a Krampus or two will descend on bars in Detroit.

The event kicks off at the Gaelic League Irish American Club located at 2068 Michigan Ave. in Detroit. From this location participates can ride the Santarchy buses to over ten different bars in Corktown, Cass Corridor, and Eastern Market.

The actual participating Pub Crawl Bars will be announced the day of the event.
 
Holiday costumes are mandatory to participate in this event.

Tickets for the event and bus bar-crawl are $20.00 and can be bought starting at 7pm at The Gaelic League the night of the event.

Buses will also pick up and drop off Santas from these Metro Detroit locations:
Ypsilanti - (Tap Room) 201 W. Michigan Ave.(1 bus if enough santas show interest)
Ferndale - (Zeke's) - 240 W. 9 Mile Road - (3 buses) - 6:45*
Livonia - (K of C Hall) - 19801 Farmington Rd - (2 buses) - 6:30*
Dearborn - (New Place Lounge) - 22723 Mich Ave - (2 buses) - 6:45*
Monroe - (129 Lounge) - 129 E. Front St - 6:30* (1 bus)
Plymouth/Canton - The Plymouth Roc 1020 Ann Arbor Rd. 6:45(1 bus)
Downriver/Southgate - (Mallies Bar) - 19400 Northline Rd - 6:45* (2 buses)
Warren/Roseville - (Johnny B Good's) - 26230 Groesbeck Hwy, Warren - 6:30*(1 bus)
*bus departure time

All buses head to the Gaelic League Irish American Club. 
Around 8:00-9:00pm the buses will start to spread out to the 12+ bars from that point.

For more of the 16th annual Detroit Santarchy visit their website and Facebook event page for up to date information.

MCB PICK OF THE WEEK: FREE VINYL from NEW FORTUNE HOLIDAY FEAST - LAGER HOUSE DETROIT - Friday 12/18/15 (with paid admission)



w/ RYAN DILLAHA & THE MIRACLE MEN
THE OLD SHATTERHAND
PAYBACK THE THIEF
GOLD CRAYON


PJ's Lager House
1254 Michigan Ave.
Corktown
Detroit, MI



12/16/15

SATURDAY: Ableton Push 2 / Live 9.5 Launch Event, FREE!


Detroit Ableton User Group Workshop 
Ableton Push 2/Live 9.5 Launch Event 


Saturday, December 19th, 2015
4:00pm – 7:00pm EST

1846 Michigan Ave

This workshop is a chance to get hands-on with some of the latest and most cutting-edge music production tools available from the people who know it best.

Find out more about Live 9.5, Push, and Link:


This is a FREE public event. Show up early there is limited seating.

:: About Brandon Murphy ::

An academically trained multi-instrumentalist, Brandon began studying drums at age 8 and bass guitar at age 12. His early musical involvement began in the Detroit jazz, improv, avant-garde, and rock scenes.

After relocating to Chicago to pursue a degree in Jazz Performance, Brandon became an active participant in the jazz and electronic circles - regularly performing in both.

In 2009, Brandon became an Ableton Certified Trainer and began working closely with some of Chicago’s best and brightest musicians, rappers, touring artists, producers, and DJ’s. His sound design work has been used by The Blue Man Group, and his innovative finger drumming tutorials have been featured on Create Digital Music.

In addition, he co-founded Push Beats - an artist collective and weekly A/V night, featuring local and international beatmakers and visual artists, as well as co-founded the Chicago Max/MSP User Group, and furthermore co-led the Chicago Ableton Live User Group. As a performer, Brandon has shared the stage with such acts as Carl Craig, Lorn, Bernie Worrell, James “Blood” Ulmer, and Hugh Masekela.

His areas of instructional expertise include production, audio engineering, computer music theory, live/studio setup configuration, and performance/improvisation.


:: About Benjamin Davis ::

Ben has been an active contributor to the ever-growing modular synth community since 2009. In 2013, he co-founded Macro Machines; a company that created a pioneering new system of patch recall for the modular user. Most recently, he has been designing a suite of cutting-edge performance modules for one of the biggest forerunners in the eurorack industry, Malekko.

12/15/15

Check out the Michigan Science Center over the winter break!

The Michigan Science Center is kicking it into high gear for winter break. Check out all these options!



Extended Holiday Hours
While schools are out for holiday break, the Science Center has extended its hours of operation. Hours over the holiday are as follows:
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Dec. 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, 31
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2
Noon – 6 p.m. on Dec. 27 and Jan. 3
Closed Dec. 24, 25 and Jan. 1.

A big draw in the coming weeks will be MiSci’s 3rd birthday celebration, taking place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 26. Sponsored by MGM Grand Detroit - Touching Communities, Touching Lives, this celebration gives back to the community with free general admission. The party will feature a community birthday cake and special activities.

“We’re thrilled to give the gift of free admission and to brighten up the holidays with a bit of science cheer,” said Dee Dee McKinney Odom, director of public affairs for MGM Grand Detroit. “As a dedicated community partner, this is just one of many ways we’re making a difference locally.”

With the festive spirit in mind, MiSci is hosting gift-making workshops, Dec. 19-20. Surrounded by the fun and inspiring environment of Toytopia, a limited engagement exhibit, participants will become toy builders by creating a holiday present for somebody special. There will be four to six gift options for attendees to choose to build, which cost $5 or $10 to make. Kids also will get the chance to wrap their presents during the workshop.

In addition to gift-making workshops, MiSci will be engaging kids with Holiday Adventures at MiSci the week of Dec. 28. First through third graders can participate in Toy Adventures, Dec. 28-Dec. 31, while discovering and building antique toys, creating light-up jewelry, exploring the world of electricity, playing brain games, experimenting with silly putty and more. Fourth through eighth graders have a larger task at hand, with the chance to learn about simple and complex machines, while building a refurbished bike to take home. With the assistance of Detroit Eastside Community Collaborative and Back Alley Bikes, attendees will learn how a bike’s levers, gears, axles and wheels function.

First through third graders have the choice to attend one or all days, while fourth through eighth graders must attend all four days in order to participate. Both camps include lunch, exploration time in MiSci’s exhibits and other hands-on activities. Visit the MiSci website for more information on Holiday Adventures.

The largest, most complete, best-preserved T. rex ever – A T. rex Named Sue – which has been on display in the museum’s ITC Gallery since early October, will be leaving MiSci on Jan. 3. Dinosaur enthusiasts won’t want to miss their last chance to see the life-sized skeleton cast of Sue, or the separate cast of Sue’s 5-foot long skull that roars and growls, among the other interactive activities incorporated into this awe-inspiring exhibit.


MiSci invites science fans, age 21 and over, to spend their third Thursday at After Dark, MiSci’s monthly happy hour. From 5 - 8 p.m. on Dec. 17, After Dark will feature demos with a mixologist, vintage video competitions, extreme dot-to-dot challenges and more. Cost is just $10 per person and includes one drink ticket. Additional drinks are available for purchase. Purchase tickets online or at the door.

OPENING FRIDAY: Enjoy Denial @ Inner State Gallery


 

Friday, December 18th From 7-10pm at Inner State Gallery
Enjoy Denial by Denial

Click Here To Join The Advanced Collector Preview -

 
Opening December 18th, Inner State Gallery is proud to present Enjoy Denial a sensory overload of pop art from button-pushing contemporary artist Denial. Amassing a global following, the Canadian-born street artist challenges society to re-examine the ways in which we perceive a variety of socioeconomic and political issues.
 

Featuring works spanning Denial’s nearly decade long career, his often satirical approach works to combat mass media, consumerism and advertising by taking familiar imagery and objects and re-contextualizing them into unique artistic statements that drive the viewer to question the worth and difference (if any) between art and advertising.


 
Building on a long line of pop driven work, Enjoy Denial finds Denial harnessing the negative corporate energies spewed upon society and turns them back against the established power structures that control our everyday lives. With this exhibition, Denial peels back layers of overloaded advertising and logos to shine a not so subtle light on the deceptions society combats daily from corporations.


 
Fans of the Canadian artist will Enjoy the re-purposed corporate signage; animated and fused with Denial’s signature stencil style. This collection takes the baseline advertising medium of commercial offices and literally ‘flips the script’ to create unique 3-D assemblages with messages that challenge the very same corporate model that originally spawned them. A highly curated night of music includes a live performance from one of Canada’s premiere MCs, Lee Reed of Warsaw Pact among others. Reed’s heavy-handed musical dismemberment of politics and corporate greed pairs perfectly with Denial’s visual critiques.


 
In a world obsessed by transient consumption and unchecked capitalism, Denial is often the only coping mechanism available to the masses that must carry on.


The exhibition is free and open to the public - Artist reception is Friday, December 18th from7pm - 10pm.

Inner State Gallery

1410 Gratiot Avenue
Detroit, Michigan 48207 (Directions)

12/14/15

WIN FREE TICKETS: Black Iris Presents BLACK CHRISTMAS at the Majestic Theatre Complex in Detroit on Saturday, December 26


We have a cure for those post X-mas blues!
  It's the annual Black Iris BLACK CHRISTMAS show at the Majestic Theatre Complex.
It's back and bigger than ever for 2015 and Motorcityblog has your way in for FREE this year!


Full Line Up for 2015 show includes:
 


Braidedveins (Record Release)

Multi-grain (Detroit) (FINAL SHOW EVER)



This show is being presented by: Black Iris Booking

**********
Would you like to win a pair of tickets to the show?
Then e-mail us at ambervillainfilm@aol.com with the subject "Black Christmas" and let us know what band on the Black Christmas lineup you are looking forward to seeing the most this year.
Include the band in the body of your e-mail along with your full name.
(Winners will be notified via e-mail on Monday, December 21)
**********

            
The show goes down on:    
 Saturday, December 26, 2015 at the Majestic Complex

Tickets: $27.50 Advance / $30 day of show
6pm/All Ages
 


The Majestic is located at: 4120 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201

Visit the event page on The Majestic Complex webpage HERE.

UPCOMING (Sat. Dec 19): We Wish You an Ugly Christmas II with Ugly But Proud at The Ritz in Warren

 We Wish You an Ugly Christmas II Reunites 80's Thrash Metal Bands for Charity on 12/19 at The Ritz
Headliners Ugly But Proud Celebrate 30th Anniversary
 
The 2nd annual We Wish You An Ugly Christmas – a concert featuring mostly 80’s Detroit thrash metal bands is at The Ritz in Warren, MI on Saturday, December 19, 2015. 
 
Admission is $10, or just $5 with a donation of a new unwrapped toy or 4 canned goods/nonperishable goods. 
A portion of the proceeds and ALL donations to the event will benefit local charities All About Animals, a Metro Detroit pet rescue, and the Warren chapter of Goodfellows, helping needy families and individuals during the holidays. 
 
Ages 18 and over are welcome to attend.
 
Pioneering thrash metal punks Ugly But Proud headline the show. Formed in 1985, the Detroit band is celebrating its 30th Anniversary.  Although only releasing two albums “Knuckles From Nowhere” (1987) and “Bein’ Ugly is Alright” (1994), Ugly But Proud was a major force in the Detroit thrash metal scene throughout the 80’s and 90’s. Ugly But Proud is equal parts Motorhead, Exodus, Judas Priest and Alice Cooper.  Renowned for their high energy, theatrical live performances, Ugly But Proud will also be debuting two new songs at the show. 
 
Ugly But Proud’s mosh-pit inducing peers: Gore, Blasphemous and Raw Image open the show - making this perhaps, the largest reunion of Detroit thrash metal bands of the 80’s and 90’s eras in recent years.
 
Hard Edge Radio’s Howie Herula and Rachel May are hosting the event, with May’s Dio focused Black Sabbath Tribute “Banned from H.E.L.L.” also performing that night. “This will be an incredible night of raw, Detroit thrash metal – a line up that hasn’t been seen since the hey day of Blondie’s and the Graystone Theater,” says Herula.  “It’s a rare reunion of some of the most influential bands of the thrash/metal/punk and hardcore genres, benefitting two important local charities,” he adds.
 
The lineup for the entire evening shapes up like this:
(Doors open at 7pm)
 
UGLY BUT PROUD - 30th Anniversary
12:00 - 1:00

GORE
11:00 - 11:40

BLASPHEMOUS
10:00 – 10:40

BANNED FROM H.E.L.L. (Dio-era Black Sabbath)
9:10 – 9:40

RAW IMAGE
8:20 - 8:50
 
 
The Ritz is located at 24300 Hoover Rd. in Warren, Michigan. 
For more information please call The Ritz at 586-756-6140 or visit http://theritzvenue.com or http://facebook.com/theritzvenue 
 

12/13/15

THOR- Documentary Film Screening and Live Performance Show Review (with Interview and Live Footage)

I didn't know much about Thor as a band apart from the wild antics of their front man and knew even less about the music that they had released or performed. That is until viewing the recently released documentary "I Am Thor".

The band Thor can be entertaining for both the music and also for the kitsch factor of the group. Thor first caught my attention years ago after hearing tales of a wild front man complete with muscles as well as over the top outfits, swords, and tales of blowing up hot water bottles till they burst and bending steel on stage. I was simply entertained by the sheer absurdity of the band and what it represented. I enjoy larger than life stage presence and uniqueness from the acts I see live and Thor sounded right up my alley.
 
  
The documentary "I Am Thor" follows Thor frontman John Mikl Thor from his first wave of rock star fame in the 70's and 80's, to the breakup of the band, and then his comeback in 1997 till the present. I'm always game for a good documentary film about a musician and thisone did not let me down. John Mikl Thor has lived a far more entertaining life than most people could ever dream of. From being a highly successful bodybuilder who has won over 40 titles around the world including Mr. USA and Mr. Canada titles, to being a certified rock musician as well as a writer and actor in films. Jon was even asked to join The Misfits after the departure of Glen Danzig, but was too busy with his own band to accept. This is just another interesting chapter in the life of Jon Mikl Thor. These achievements as well as the disappointments are chronicled in "I Am Thor". You really get to into the mind set of Jon as he takes you into the darkest parts of his life including a suicide attempt, a nervous breakdown, and a stroke. Along with the dark you get the light as you see Jon and Thor forge a comeback that includes the band heading overseas to play some well received shows.  

Just as entertaining as Jon is in the film, you also have his fellow bandmates including his ex-wife opening up  and sharing their experiences to camera. Thor drummer Mike Favata and guitarist Steve Price are some of my favorites in the film. They come off as truly genuine guys and have honest and entertaining tales to tell in the film. Highlights include Steve Price saying "They like me better than I like me" in regards to Thor fans and a scene with Mike Favata talking to attendees at a Sweden festival will have you laughing out loud. Both Steve and Mike were in the lineup in the 80's and have made their return to the fold once again during the comeback years. A long and interesting history wrapped up in 90 minutes is no easy task, but director Ryan Wise has done a fine job with the film. Archival footage along with plenty of interviews and new live footage helps tell the tale and keeps it entertaining.

 
 
I finally caught up with Thor recently as the band was on tour in anticipation of the release of the "I Am Thor" documentary. They brought along the film to screen before their live performance at Small's Bar in Hamtramck and I was there to catch the action.

Attendees to the show were pleased when they discovered a free promotional "I Am Thor" hammer waiting for them as they took a seat before the screening of the documentary. I met with the band backstage for a pre-show interview and was told to help myself to the beer and pizza in the room. The band was preparing to do a introduction and Q&A with the audience before the film. 

I had already seen the film and as I was eating and drinking what was offered to me, I took note at how genuine the guys were. These guys I had only seen on film were right in front of me showing the same personality traits that the film captured. The band was excited to talk about the film during the introduction and Q&A with the audience and they discussed their history with Detroit which included the 1985 Thor album "Live In Detroit".

After the film introduction and Q&A were concluded I sat down with the band Thor (Jon Mikl Thor, Mike Favata, Steve Price, and Ben Perman) to discuss the film, wild stage moments, collaborations, punk rock and heavy metal, the movie Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare, and more. Here is the result... 
 


The interview could of ran well into the night, but the band had to prepare to take the stage for a live performance. Steve and Mike came into the venue to view what was left of the movie and I just happened to be there next to them during my favorite part of the film. Watching Mike Favata watching himself in Sweden is something I will never forget.
 
   
Thor took to the stage shortly after the film was finished and was met with a enthusiastic crowd. Many of those in attendance were not even born when Thor was at the height of his success in the 80's. But good music has that effect of never fading away and living on for future generations. Fans were packed close to the stage singing along to Thor classics such as "Thunder On The Tundra", "Anger", and "Rock The City". 
 

 
Jon would often extend the microphone stand to the audience so they could share in the vocal duties. The band even took requests and fulfilled them as with the case of "Keep the Dogs Away".
 

 
Jon has taken the feats of strength out of many of his live performances these days and most of the theatrics now involve costumes and masks, but Thor's live performance holds it's own. There's no denying that the songs are catchy and the performance was solid. The band was having a blast of stage and the audience was right along with them for the ride. The Thor hammers were waving proud in the air.

 
 
After the set the entire band stuck around the merch booth to meet with fans (be sure to view the footage after the live performance footage above). The Q&A may have taken place before the film, but after viewing it as well as the performance, the fans now had a real one on one opportunity to talk to them. Fans brought out their Thor collections to get signed including original vintage vinyl pressings dating back to the 70's. The band was happy to pose for photos and sign anything put in front of them. Jon was very appreciative of me coming out to do what I do and even told me to take what I wanted off the merch table. You could not have asked for a better bunch of guys to hang with that night. 

Do yourself a favor a check out the "I Am Thor" documentary which is on video on demand at this very moment. It's a tale that keeps being told as Thor continues to release new music and tour. The band Thor delivers a live performance that shouldn't be missed and let's face it- rock warriors don't come to town as much as they use to.  
 
    


12/10/15

UPCOMING (Friday, Dec. 11): Zen Banditos, Wizard Union, Seritas, Man At Arms, and Rock N' Rummage at Crossroads in Ypsilanti

This Friday The Crossroads Bar & Grill is hosting a solid night of heavy music!

The lineup for the evening includes:
Zen Banditos- Ypsi punkadelic/stoner-metal
Wizard Union- Ypsi/A2 stoner/doom
Seritas- Saginaw/Midland garage doom
MAN AT ARMS- Ypsi noisy punk/post-punk

Traveling rock n' roll flea market Rock N Rummage will be set up all night as welll for all your last minute Holiday Shopping needs!

Doors at 9PM
$5 cover


The Crossroads Bar & Grill is located at 517 W Cross St, Ypsilanti, MI 48197