Black Jake is still visibly pissed. "It was an annoying thing," he says. "It was this local thing but it was really contentious. I hate it when somebody's got a good idea, and then some overbearing bastard comes in and ruins it because of their own hang-ups. It got us all riled."

Oh, well. The band got a great song, "The Ypsitucky Rustbelt Revival," out of the whole experience. That's what they do — they're given lemons and they make a tobacco pipe and moonshine. They're passionate, rowdy and a shit-tons of fun. Besides, how many other bands do you know who write songs about their chickens?

Black Jake & The Carnies' Sundry Mayhems album is out now. They play Small's in Hamtramck on July 22. Visit blackjakeandthecarnies.com for more.

Brett Callwood writes City Slang weekly in Metro Times. Send comments to cityslang@metrotimes.com. Twitter: @city_slang.

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