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Profile: Urinal Cake Records (on Metro Times Music Blahg – “Urinal Cake Records’ First Year + New Gardens (Grows)”) “Urinefested” Local Label Showcase -2 day Fest in Detroit June 21-22nd at P.J.’s Lager House (1254 Michigan Ave), Friday: The Clone Defects, Terrible Twos, Moonhairy, Obnox, Ritual Howls, Mountains and Rainbows – - Saturday: Johnny Ill Band, Protomartyr, Growwing Pains, Drugs Dragons, K9 Sniffles, Feelings, Guinea Worms, and the Keep On Trash DJs. — Visual artwork displays by Jeff Arcel, Thelonious Bone, Davin Brainard, Zak Bratto, Joe Casey, Luke Chapelle, Jimbo Easter, Andy Gabrysiak, Ben Lyon, Johnny Lzr, Kara Meister, Nai Sammon, Timmy Vulgar, and Matt 7 http://urinalcakerecords.com – pjslagerhouse.com ~ There seems to be a lot of local DIY record labels, lately. But Johnny Ill nonchalantly shrugs that into perspective: “Shit, there could be no one to put out your music. I’m not dong it, so I’m glad guys like Eric are doing it…” It’s still a rarity, says Ill (a.k.a. John Garcia of The Johnny Ill Band,) for someone (like Eric Love of Urinal Cake Records) willingly financing and spending time resources for local songwriters to produce, package and distribute their works. “The worst thing that could happen [...]
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Oh Criminals, Where Art Thou?
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City Slang: Weekly music review roundup
Send CDs, vinyl, cassettes, demos and 8-tracks to Brett Callwood, Metro Times, 733 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI 46226. Email MP3s and streaming links to bcallwood@metrotimes.com. We had previously received a sampler CD from Funky D Records signees The Royal Blackbirds, and the full album Shot Down landed on our laps this week. Thanks to the presence of singer Rebecca Saad, there’s a cool, kinda Amy Gore-esque feel to the bluesy garage rock, perfectly highlighted by covers like “I Can Only Give You Everything” and the title track. The originals are cool too, and Tino Gross has dragged out the dust and grit from these youngsters. Great piece of work, all told. This week’s City Slang stars the Horse Cave Trio sent in the 2010 single “I Am the Sheik” (Funky D), and it’s worth another mention because it’s so damned gnarly, nasty and heavy. These guys are known for their rockabilly swagger, but they can let out an unholy roar when they want to. Detroit Frank DuMont loves his hometown so much, he put it in his name. His band is called the Drivin’ Wheels, and the logo was designed by Gary Grimshaw. Mind you, his new Let Me Be [...]

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Letters to the Editor

Our readers sound off on Detroit music's also-rans and more

By Metro Times readers

Published: November 17, 2010

Tear down that fence

Just read the excellent article by Curt Guyette regarding the land that belongs to the city ("Bamboozled," News Hits, Nov. 3). It is so remarkable that this situation has gone on since the Dennis Archer administration! What was Archer thinking? Really! What was he thinking? Since the City Council didn't approve any transfer of property to Moroun, what is the fuss? Why doesn't the city just tear the fence down and send him the bill? Why does he think he should have something that doesn't belong to him. It belongs to the city! Period!

Thanks so much for keeping on top of these types of issues. —Ann Brown, Madison Heights

Obscure Detroit rock trivia

The recording "Go Baby," mentioned in Metro Times (The Music Issue, "Detroit's greatest hits that should have been," Nov. 10), was actually done six months before the band R.U.R. even existed, by a sort-lived Detroit outfit called the Antennas. I know, because I played guitar on it. In addition to "Go Baby," we recorded another song called "Corporation Rule," with more pungent lyrics (as the title suggests) than the distraught teenage lovesick sentiment of "Go Baby." As a hopefully interesting aside, Punk Rock magazine was available in most supermarkets and drug stores in the outlying suburbs at that time, underscoring the fact that the whole punk rock phenomenon in Detroit wasn't nearly as insular or groundbreaking as many aging punk rockers would now have you believe. Bursting bubbles amid the rubble, uncordially yours. —Rif Fitzgerald, Bloomfield Hills

What about Johnny?

I read with great interest your gathering of Detroit's greatest hits that should have been, but I lost interest when none of your writers mentioned the many contributions to Detroit's music scene by Johnny Angelos. The Reputations, the Torpedos and the Mighty Quick were some of Johnny Angelos' bands. Johnny wrote, recorded, produced, sang, played harmonica and sometimes guitar on his early releases, "Dreamin'," "Pop Star" and "No Drugs." Due to his early passing, Detroit lost one of its greatest talents. Johnny lived Detroit's rock 'n' roll blues, he never left home without his suitcase of harmonicas. He was even lead singer for Ted Nugent.

How your writers missed John Angelos is disappointing. Maybe they are all too young to remember Detroit's true rock star. —Greg Charles, Ann Arbor

Send letters (250 words or less, please) to 733 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI 48226; faxes to 313-961-6598; e-mail to letters@metrotimes.com. Please include your telephone number. We reserve the right to edit for length, clarity and libel.

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