07/18/05
The staff at Times Beach has been on a bit of a Rock kick in recent months, as
witnessed by the bands we've been seeing, hearing, signing. We have told you
about the
Muggs, Detroit's favorite purveyors of Old-School Blues Rock. What
we may not have told you (but you may have noticed, if you're a semi-regular
visitor) is that not only is their first, self-titled album finished, it is ready
and available for purchase. Could we feel any giddier?
Another serious Rock Band we have "contracted" is England's Black
Moses, and that came about a little bit like this... Music Conventions
like CMJ and SXSW are strange beasts, really. Commonly referred-to as "Music
Exec Vacation" or "A&R Spring Break," the main goal of industry attendees is
to see bands they already know, like, and work. We're as guilty of this as the
next person, but every once in a while, usually when the show you wanted to see
is sold out or just plain too crowded, people venture into other clubs to see
bands they have never heard of. At the risk of sounding overly cynical, most
of the time there's a good reason said bands have never and will never be heard
of again. So it was at SXSW when we couldn't see "Band X," wandered into a club
on 6th Street, and got our trousers handed to us by a band we had not previously
known. That band was Black Moses, and they
not only rocked us sense- and pants-less, they literally restored our faith in
the Beast we call Rock N' Roll (The Muggs did not play SXSW). Black
Moses is Jim Jones (ex-Thee
Hypnotics), Graeme Flynn (ex-Penthouse)
and David Axford (The
Morgans)-- three men with a hell of a R&R CV. Raw, Inspired and Inspirational,
Loud, Funky as Hell, and Raunchy, Black Moses strummed,
strutted, and slammed their way into our hearts with an élan we hadn't
seen since the last time we collectively considered joining a religious cult.
We left convinced that the English are too damned lucky, that their album Royal
Stink had to be made available in the U.S., and that we had to be the
ones to get it. Some of us later went out drinking with the
Mosii, thinking we could keep up... we couldn't, so instead we went
about securing the rights to Black Moses' Royal
Stink. Times Beach will soon be making Royal Stink available for the U.S.A.,
which will take some weeks. In the meantime, however, while we wait on our good
people at the pressing plant, we are able to make a very limited number of British
CDs available. Do yourself a favor: click your way to the Black
Moses artist page, then on to their
webpage , and finally, treat yourself to their CD. If Evangelical revivals
felt as good as this band, we'd all be bible-thumpers.
On a quieter, if no less rocking side, we have signed and have waiting in the
wings for an October release Ypsilanti's own Vailcode.
Imagine Thom Yorke and Alex Chilton having a torrid love affair, and a jealous
Jeff Tweedy poking a tiny little hole in their "protection" (we're assuming one
of them to be female... it's a stupid image, we know... bear with us). Anyway, Vailcode's artist
page will be up shortly, and we think you'll understand what we mean.
Also up for an October release are Asbury Park's favorite sons (well, maybe bar
one), the Ribeye Brothers. Two founding members
of Monster Magnet, one current member of Lord
Sterling, and we can't blame you for thinking "Times Beach done gone Stoner
Rock?" Well, while we dig the heavy stuff... a lot, the story with The
Ribeyes is that they somehow managed to convince us that their Garage//Country/Swamprock
thing would shoot straight up the charts... Here we go! You can't blame us for
trying... Their upcoming album, Bar Ballads and Cautionary Tales is
a psychedelic scorcher, and includes an amazing re-telling of The
Minutemen's "Working Men Are Pissed." Makes us miss D Boon even more,
for we think he would've really dug this...
05/18/05
Let’s get the bad news out of the way first... The Detroit
music scene has lost yet another brother, when Jim
Anders, bassist for local Stoner
Rock legends Novadriver,
as well as Grinder
passed away of an apparent heart attack. Jim was a friend
to us here and a regular contributor to the goings-on at our
sister company Rustbelt Studios, and our friends at Small
Stone Records. Jim leaves behind a wife and 15 month-old
son. His passing has left us all in shock, and our hearts
and minds are with Roberta and Avery Anders. The Detroit music
community has come together on this tragic occasion and some
tributes have already been set up, like a trust fund for little
Avery... Donations can be sent to Avery James Anders c/o Grinder
L.L.C., 27387 Woodward Avenue, Berkley Michigan 48072, and,
as per Jim’s wishes, Darrin McCarty’s Cancer Foundation
@ http://www.cancerfoundation.org/
. We are sick of this untimely-passing thing; let it be known
that, effective last week, we abolish all death, 4ever.
Now some good news, please... The
Hentchmen have recently completed
a three-week stint opening for the
Black Keys, and all reports
are that the tour was an unqualified success. Our Hentchies
have been working awfully hard down south, and have earned
a respite, if brief, so they will be taking a week off before
their homecoming gig here in the D on May 21st @ the Corktown
Tavern.
In other news, the Muggs,
our most recent signing, must be happy to hear that their
forthcoming self-titled album is being pressed as we speak.
The national release date is July 19th, but if you’re
a Detroit-area resident, expect the album to be available
earlier. Other Muggs
happenings include an invitation to appear on Small Stone
Records’ second installment of Sucking the Seventies,
with a cover of Humble Pie’s
I Don’t Need No Doctor. They recently unveiled said
cover at one of their gigs, and I would be remiss if I didn’t
tell you that it brought down the house at Detroit’s
Shelter. Expect major renovations in the near future...
And while we’re speaking of signings, word from all
respective attorneys is that we’re close to signing
some new acts...
Firstly, from Asbury Park, New Jersey, one city in America
that may have a worse rep than our own Motor City, the Ribeye
Brothers have street cred
that most bands would kill for: singer Tim
Cronin and drummer Jon
Kleiman were founding members
of Monster Magnet,
and Lord Sterling’s
Jim Baglino plays bass... The
other two are pretty good, too. Think the
Creation meet the Gun
Club playing Monster
Magnet and you’ll have
a general idea of what we’re so damn geeked about...
Secondly, let’s talk about Powertrane.
If you’re a fan of Detroit rock, the name Scott
Morgan will set off alarms and
sirens in your head... The
Rationals, Sonic
Rendezvous Band, The
Solution (with the Helllacopters
backing him), etc... again, the word “cred” comes
to mind. Now Scott is busy with his new band, Powertrane,
and we are busily getting the legals together to bring this
amazing piece of Detroit/Ann Arbor style rock to you. We’re
close… Oh, so close we can almost touch it, goddamn
it! Cursed
Lawyers!!!
Thirdly, we’re in “talks” with yet another
cred-heavy band, Black
Moses from the U.K.... Fronted
by former Thee Hypnotics
singer Jim Jones
and including bassist Graeme
Flynn and drummer Dave
Axford, who honed his chops
playing for the likes of the Original
Sinners and Gang
of Four. We saw these guys play
in Austin and were so blown away, our dear “president””
decided it would be a good idea to try to woo them by trying
to drink them under the table... Wrong move, these guys are
seasoned Rock veterans, and we think he’s in a way still
paying for it... Anyway, Fates willing, we will be releasing
Black Moses’
heretofore only-available-in-the-U-K debut album,
Royal Stink, reasonably soon.
Another item of interest to y’all might be that Times
Beach is taking advantage of our automotive connections Detroit,
get it?), and “collaborating” with Dodge by providing
our artists’ music for an upcoming website... check
back for more info on our big attempt at “Selling Out.”
02/28/05
South by Southwest is coming up,
and we've decided to have a party about it.
But we didn't stop there... we decided to have it in Austin,
and to invite a few musical friends. Our own Man Incorporated
will be performing his one-man punkarama to the delight of
any of you that would like to attend. Also performing will
be Powertrane,
Scott Morgan's new project. As some of you might know, Scott
is what we refer to as Rock N Roll Royalty ‘round here
in Detroit, and– if you believe in six degrees and whatnot
– connects us and our little get-together to the cream
of Detroit's musical giants like the Stooges, the MC5 and
Scott's own former band Sonic Rendezvous, quasi- directly...
Also gracing the partygoers with their "crazy geek bop" (as
per our PR guru, Becki) will be our dear friends and Lookout
Records recent signees, Troubled
Hubble. All in all, a good time is sure to be had by any
and all that show up. The party is in Austin, at Friends,
on the 17th of March, from noon to five PM... there will be
free stuff (yep, that includes Shiner
Bock...). Come, let us entertain you, yes... you!
01/25/05
Michael Falzon Tribute Huge Success!!!!
On the eve of what would have been Michael Falzon’s
35th birthday - four months after his fatal motor accident
- his close family, friends, fans and other all-around music
lovers paid tribute to the spirit of life and rock and roll.
A huge crowd, selling out the Small’s club with ease,
filled the room with hugs, tears, Michael stories, jokes,
smiles, and incredible music. The celebrated Detroit drummer,
who manned the crow’s nest in bands like Gold Cash Gold
and other bands around the city, was remembered in a style
that would delight him.
Hey Sailor, The Rioteers and The Nice Device all rocked with
the salty groove and blistering spirit that only Motor City
acts can conjure. Three headliners in their own right, they
asphalted the room for the onslaught of the long overdue return
to the stage of Gold Cash Gold.
And it was more than worth the wait!! The now classic line-up
of Eric Hoegemeyer, Steve Zuccaro, Dino Zoyes and Nick Lucassian
took the stage no holds barred for an intense performance.
Why this band is not worshipped in at least 29 countries around
the world is a mystery, that twists the brain of any well-informed
music maniac. Each song an intricate mix of joyful, celebrating
lust, pensive moodiness, and slamming guitar chords, set to
music that is deeply rooted in everyone’s favorite record
collection. Falzon’s night proved that Gold Cash Gold
are more than motivated to prove their point. Again!! They
Rock!!!
[It seems the band is already knee-deep in preparation for
a new full album, which should find its release later this
year. Watch this space for more info.]
Overall, an impressive amount of money was donated to Michael’s
mother. If anyone feels like donating a further gift through
this website, please e-mail us, and we will give you the info
on how to proceed. Furthermore, there are still special Michael
Falzon Tribute buttons, and posters for sale, all proceeds
of which will go to Michael’s family.
(see the store at http://www.goldcashgold.com)
11/17/04
The Hentchmen album, FormFollowsFunction,
is now available in record stores and here
online! Get your copy today! Be sure to check out the
enhanced portion – the “Love” video! There
is also a little surprise at the end of the CD!
In related news, lots of college and non-commercial stations
have added The Hentchmen
into rotation: call your local station
today to request it!
11/6/04
The man we love to call MAN Incorporated
is freshly back from a successful and brutal tour of the British
Isles and its Flu. By all accounts, MAN
Incorporated is recruiting allies for his cause everywhere
in Britain... all of this without the help of Bush's re-election.
"Punks (sic) not Dead," anyone? Watch an interview
MAN did while in the UK here, on Detonator
TV.
10/28/04
With less than a week to go
before Election Day, I think we’re all in need of some
good news. With that in mind, let us share with you... some
good stuff:
Firstly, as we have recently joined forces with a nationwide
distributor, our newest release, Form Follows Function
by the Hentchmen, will be
available nationally on November 16th. If things go well,
not only will we as a nation actually know who will be president
by that date, but also you as a consumer (and isn’t
that what citizenship is all about?) will be able to find
and/or order Form Follows Function, the
Hentchmen’s newest oeuvre, as well as our “older”
artists’ catalog at your local record store. Of course,
you’ll still be able to get it here first.
Secondly, whilst on the subject of Hentch, the video for “Love”
will be broadcast, featured and displayed on
MTVU (we think the “U” stands for “University?”
on the week of the 1st of November on their new artist show,
The Freshmen (ahh, that clears that one up), as well
as on the corresponding website www.mtvU.com.
Thirdly (and I suppose, fourthly), we are releasing two E.P.s
this month: Better Living Through Creative Selling
by Ethan Daniel Davidson,
and The Pinwheel E.P. by one of our newest signings,
Mark Dignam. Ethan’s
E.P. contains an alternate, angrier version of the song “Drive-By
Diplomacy” from his upcoming album Free The Ethan
Daniel Davidson Five, wittily entitled “Drive-By
Diplomacy 2.” Yeah, as W would say, we’re good
at that “imagination stuff”... Also on the EP
are two new songs not available anywhere else: “Terrorist,”
the uplifting saga of what some would call a freedom fighter,
and the self-descriptive “My
Black Dog Days”, as well as three other previously
unreleased songs. Just in time to be late for the election!!!
Pinwheel, by our favorite Irish expat, Mark
Dignam, is an EP that, though not nearly as political
in theme (he’s waiting for the album for that), expands
upon Mark’s already formidable songwriting skills. Two
songs, “Pinwheel” and “Jane,” will
also be featured on Mark’s upcoming full-length, but
what makes this EP so special are the other three unreleased
tunes: “Transatlantic,” “Cinders,”
and “Everything”... It’s nice to be able
to combine the words “heartfelt” and “literate”
in the same descriptive sentence for once.
In studio news... chissakes, where to start? Mark
Dignam finished not one, but two records with Gold
Cash Gold’s Eric Hoegemeyer manning the controls,
the first of which is the aforementioned Pinwheel.
Eric has kept busy, also producing Audra
Kubat’s newest tome, as yet untitled. One of
these days we’ll have to sequester him to mix the thing,
though it sounds pretty damn-near mixed to us. By the way,
Audra has moved away from
us, away from our beautiful Motor City, to the greener pastures
of New York City, and we don’t mean she now lives in
Central Park. She’ll be playing a lot out there, so
keep an eye and an ear out. Ethan
seems to have managed the same feat as Mark,
squeezing in a trip to “Old Europe” for the purposes
of purchasing strange Turkish instrument with unspellable
names for people to play on songs written in Prague for the
then-unplanned EP... whew! And our latest signing, those lovable
Muggs,
have also been recording their forthcoming debut. Just a couple
of touch ups and some ear candy left to finish, and word has
it our president (Times Beach or USA? You decide, and please...
no fence-sitting) will owe them a case of beer... something
about they “couldn’t possibly get the thing done
so quickly?”
So much for the good stuff... one short piece of news in keeping
with our recent habit of mentioning obits: John Peel, (in)famous
BBC DJ passed away on October 25th at the entirely-too-young
age of 65. (Royal) We find ourselves reminiscing about all
the shitty 3rd generation bootleg tapes of his very influential
show that we bought back in the day; those tapes changed
our life... ? Oh, and he was instrumental in breaking
many a now-famous group. Nevertheless, he will be sorely missed.
Hopefully that will be the last obituary fir a while…
there have been too many and frankly, we’re getting
sick of this crap.
Lastly (promise), let’s get this one over with... our
political position should be clear to anyone who actually
reads this page; while we fully realize that alternative music
tends to thrive during politically conservative/oppressive
times (anyone remember the 80’s? hmm?), we
think it’s time for things to change... back to rationality
and normalcy, please. With that in mind, we would like to
politely remind you to vote, early and often, as
our Windy City brethren might say and do. And we’d like
to suggest a more viable alternative candidate than Ralph.
Is it too late to add Jon Stewart to the list? Kudos, Jon,
you’re our hero for telling
the bastards off.
09/16/04
Times Beach is mourning the loss
of a great friend. Michael Falzon, drummer for Gold
Cash Gold from June 2002 to January 2004, was killed
in a motorcycle accident Monday evening. He was a good person
and a talented musician; the Detroit music scene will not
be the same without him. For those who would like to pay their
respects, the viewing will be held at Potere and Modett Funeral
Home in Downtown Rochester (at 4th and Walnut) Friday,
September 17 from 3 to 9 PM. A choir will be performing
at 7 PM. The funeral will be held at Potere and Modett 11
AM on Saturday, and there will be a procession to White Chapel
Cemetery. Please keep Michael's friends and family in your
hearts and minds.
08/30/04
New
Hentchmen Video Up →
08/30/04
Ah,
the dog days of summer... But August has been a decent
month for us so far, the weather's been nice, not too hot
or humid... that kind of thing. We have little or nothing
to complain about, really...
Then along come the
Muggs and sign to Times Beach...
and presto! The mood here has changed drastically from "ho-hum-good
enough" to "I love you-" drunk.
A little background on one of Detroit's favorite bands. This
Detroit trio –composed of Danny Methric on guitar, Tony
DeNardo on low end keys, and Matt Rost on drums– have
known each other for years, even playing together briefly
in other projects. After a year that saw the
Muggs become one of Detroit's hottest and best-loved
live bands (it doesn't hurt to have three of the nicest people
in MurderCity as members), the group had to take an unexpected
hiatus when then-bassist DeNardo suffered a near-fatal stroke
that paralyzed the right side of his body. Thanks to benefit
concerts, help from friends, and extensive and continuing
therapy, DeNardo's condition has improved greatly, and he
has adapted by learning to play his bass lines on a Fender
Rhodes piano with his left hand. With all this in mind, it
must be said: a Muggs concert is, quite frankly, an amazing
show. One would be hard pressed to think of a group of musicians
who look and act more glad to be on a stage than the Muggs
do. But make no mistake, we're talking about a rock show...
and the Muggs? They just rock.
If the name Danny Methric seems familiar, it's because during
DeNardo's recovery, Methric was asked to play lead guitar
for Detroit garage supergroup The
Paybacks, which usually also includes two of our Hentchboys.
Danny still tours with The Paybacks when he and the other
Muggs aren’t playing their quasi-residential gigs at
the Cadieux Café in Detroit.
The
Muggs are slated to go in the studio soon to record
their first album, scheduled for release early next year,
with endless gigging to follow. The new contract and the ensuing
upcoming Muggs release have us all –band and label–
with our respective briefs and panties in bunches. Tony DeNardo
says of the arrangement, “I’m very happy and excited
to be recording an album with Times
Beach Records. It seems like the perfect move for us,
and I’m looking forward to being label mates with [artists
who] are good friends as it is, so it feels like being surrounded
by brothers and sisters. Very comforting.” Comforting
indeed...
08/20/04
MAN
Inc in the News! Detroit News’ artist of
the week.
08/09/04
Couple a news, folks: Barely
back from what can only be described as a triumphant tour
of all things U.K., Ethan D Davidson
is back at work putting the finishing touches on his upcoming
new record, Free The EDD Five.
Not content with just doing that, he and the Five are also
playing a show this Friday, August 13th at the notorious and
scary Small's
Bar in Hamtramck, Michigan. Other shows and trips of note
that involve TB artistes include Man
Incorporated doing two potentially very large gigs:
Thursday, August 12th, Man Inc. will be playing at the Melody
Inn in Indianapolis, IN, for this year's Midwest
Music Summit, and he'll be back in
the D by the 15th to incite the crowds at the Warped
Tour stop at the Pontiac Silverdome. Maybe the Man
and the crowd can figure out what to do with that now-useless
hulk of a building?
07/09/04
We have a couple of news items to pass on to you, dearest
peoples:
Firstly, we have Ethan Daniel Davidson
on tour in Jolly Old Britain. After a short stint of globetrotting,
our merry wandering troubadour has met up with his cohorts,
the Ethan Daniel Davidson Five,
to give the British Isles a bit of love. Should you happen
to be over there, visiting or living, we suggest you visit
one of the venues the Five (technically six) are playing.
To see which of the venues is closest to you, check either
our own Times Beach Tour
page, or else see Ethan's
website. Be assured, Ethan and the boys put on a heck
of a show.
Speaking of the British Isles, we have another bit of good
news. We are extremely happy to be able to announce that we
have inked a deal with our favorite expatriate songwriter,
Mark
Dignam. Mark is an accomplished— as well
as Irish— singer-songwriter who has chosen to make his
home here in the States. Mark has released more than a few
of critically acclaimed records, and has had songs appear
on the soundtracks of acclaimed indie films. Now it will be
our turn to do the releasing. He seems to be on the road constantly,
and in the past has toured with an amazing array of artists
both here and in Ireland, including the likes of David Grey,
Joan Armatrading and Vic Chestnut. Mark will be recording
his first album for Times Beach right here in Detroit in the
coming months. We are all looking forward to this time and
welcome him into our little family with open arms and a pint
of Guinness. While we wait, get to know Mark a little bit
by dropping by his own personal spot on the web.
06/29/04
"We are happy as ants in a bakery to be able to present
you with Gold Cash Gold's
single,
Damaged ,
as a free, downloadable single.
Enjoy"
06/01/04
Hooray for names!
The
Hentchmen have officially dubbed their upcoming album
Form Follows Function. We're
not completely sure what it means, but isn't that what makes
a great album title? The master is on its way from Ann Arbor
as we type; the final sounds should be promo-ready within
a week. Keep your ears open, kids!
05/27/04
We have news, for the sake of Pete!
First off, a quick note to let all y'all know that Matt McGuire is currently taking his one-man punk revival, MAN INCORPORATED, on what we like to call a barnstorming tour of the British Isles. MAN INC is guaranteed to heal your aching punk soul; no snake oil will be sold here. The tour dates are listed here (link to tour page), and we seriously recommend your attendance if you find yourself lacking in the punk, and anywhere near the cities listed.
Secondly, we are glad to let you know that the Hentchmen record is finished, meaning "mixed." In chronological order, that means that it now goes to be mastered, manufactured, and assembled, all in time for an early September release. We are planning to make the 12" vinyl edition available well before that. Stay tuned.
04/24/04
Eureka! New News, people!
We here at Times Beach Records are pissing ourselves in glee
over the inking of a deal with one of our favorite Detroit
bands... We have signed The
Hentchmen, fer chrissakes!
This deal started off as a merry conversation on a brisk Fall
night at Detroit's famed Lager
House. On the patio, freezing over pints of Bell's,
the idea came up just prior to a particularly energetic Hentchmen
set. Things were discussed and promised drunkenly that took
attorneys a few months to sort out, but the result is that
The Hentchmen are now part
of our happy little (but growing) family. Dave Allison, our
fearless leader, is unusually excited about this, and thought
(out loud) that the Hentchmen will be "a great asset
to our label," before returning to the couch to nap.
The Hentchmen are equally
happy, claiming they like us for being a "young, exciting
label that can't be pigeonholed," and are especially
excited about the change of having an in-house promotions
team, and the promise of lots of PBR at their recording sessions.
The Hentchmen have
in fact been recording their next record already, during the
time of negotiations. Tentatively called Form Follows Function,
the album is already nearly complete, and a video for the
first single, Love, has already been shot. The
Hentchmen will certainly be hitting the road to support
their fall release.
Anyway, we hope you are happy for us, as we are certainly
happy for you...
04/02/04
New and Improved:
This time around we have good news, bad news, and just plain
news. The "just plain news" should be fairly obvious
if you have ever visited our humble home before: there is
an outhouse full of new stuff on the site. We refer to it
as "new and improved." The "New" includes
a Tour page, with up-to-date information about where our peeps
are visible and audible. In our continuing effort to make
friends around the globe, we have also added a Links page
that includes and will include peoples with whom we share
a common Weltanschauung (will that get us some German friends?
Please?). Also new is our Message Board. Do yourself and us
a favor and take a look inside. It could prove to be more
than just informative. Do I dare say it could be "fun?"
As for our "Improved," it came to our attention
that our video-offerings were very troublesome when it came
to actual viewing. We're sorry... And we've finally gotten
our little luddite brains around the problem and— lo
and behold! — we fixed the problem! So, what this means
to you is that not only are the damn things now viewable,
but you can download them, as well. Phew...
And
now for the good news:
OK, OK... So SXSW has been over for a little more than a week
now, long enough now for bank accounts and immune systems
to stabilize somewhat, and for short-term memory to morph
into vague long-term recollections. So, what happened? Good
Question, and moreover, one that requires the accounts of
various witnesses to be answered. What we've been able to
reconstruct through various interviews is that there were
a lot of "meetings and networking" (translation:
drinking), there were long lines at all the "important"
shows, and... oh, yeah! We threw a day-party in cooperation
with Simple
Shoes® (thanks for the swag, guys, they fit!), with
appearances by most of our current roster. Our intent was,
as always, to make friends... and to provide our old and new
friends with a mellow, low-key means of entering the "Record
Industry Spring Break" fray; a nice, relaxed atmosphere
of free booze, food and music to get participants acclimated
to the chaos that can be SXSW. Think of it as SXSW training-camp.
Memo for next time: if you want elated peoples with dilated
pupils, provide free Shiner
Bock.
(party
continued from main page...)
In that spirit, it could be said that we fucked up right off
the bat, as we had MAN Incorporated start the whole thing
off, and he is not, if anything, mellow. Matt McGuire’s
set was typically furious and funny, and included some new
songs like the new Detroit fave “Boot to the Lap-Dog,”
as well as the live-only second verse to “Hippie Down.”
Our esteemed guests from media, industry, and the street were
elated. MAN Incorporated had quite a busy SXSW, in fact, not
only opening the festivities at the Times Beach/Simple Shoes
party on the very first day of the festival, but also with
two more sets at Small
Stone’s day-long event on Friday.
Next on the bill were Ethan Daniel Davidson and his “Five.”
Following Man Inc. is always a daunting task for just about
anyone, but the EDD5 laid down an electric, eclectic and energetic
set that included many new songs, as well as “old standards”
from Don Quixote de Suburbia and some well chosen covers.
Word has it they spent the rest of the week sampling the various
culinary, musical and brewed and distilled offerings available
in the wonderful city of Austin.
Ethan was followed by Audra Kubat, whose solo acoustic performance
mesmerized those present by doing what she does best: immerse
herself and the audience in her music. Her set made believers
out of those industry folk who had not gotten to know her
work, and made disciples out of those of us who have been
acquainted with it. Some of our more skeptical, rock &
roll-slanted friends were swooning by the end of the set.
Finally, Deadstring Brothers played a surprising acoustic
set and wound our little shindig down nicely. They were joined
on a few songs by EDD5’s Jason Charbonneau playing lap
steel. Showcasing their unique ability to adapt to each particular
gig’s situation, the Brothers imbued the proceedings
with a calm that perfectly suited the spirit of the party
and saw friends and audience off into the wonderful Austin
weather (remember, we’re from Michigan… it’s
freakin’ cold up in here this time of year) in good
spirits and warm fuzzies.
All in all, the Times Beach/Simple Shoes party could be called
not only a success, but also an important first step into
the crazy world of convention events.
And now for the bad news:
Life gets in the way sometimes… The Times Beach family,
and the Detroit Music community in general has lost a good
friend. Billy Rivkin, formerly the guitar player for Slot,
a critically acclaimed yet criminally underappreciated Detroit
area band from the mid 90s, passed away on March 16th from
complications in his years-long battle with lymphoma. Billy
was not only a good friend and great and innovative musician,
but also a valued contributor to our cause, having been responsible
for the creation, revamping and upkeep of both MAN Incorporated
(link to www.beerforman.com) and Ethan’s (link to www.ethandanieldavidson.com)
websites. All who knew him will sorely miss Billy. Those of
us who were his friends are truly privileged to have had that
opportunity. We feel helplessness at his passing, and while
we are not in a position to help him anymore, we would like
to kindly ask you to consider making a donation to the Leukemia
and Lymphoma Society (link to http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/hm_lls).
You could even do it in his name.
On that note…
03/11/04
Major additions to the
site... media page, links tour dates pages and a message
board to boot!
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