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The great thing about local music is that it belongs to you. It’s like a lifeline—something that reaches you through word of mouth and that you pass on to friends, not learn about through torrential doses of media exposure. This is a list of ten local bands whose live show is exemplary of how great a local music scene can be. With the ravine between the Detroit and Ann Arbor scenes getting smaller by the day, I thought it was important to include a few “Detroit bands” that are definitely worth checking out as well. Some on the list are at major label status while others are perfectly comfortable with just playing house shows. But no matter where they fall in the musical hierarchy, each of these bands possesses something really great and conveys it impeccably in their live show. 1. The Avatars Deemed the “new” next big thing, the Avatars are quite possibly the best band in Ann Arbor. If you’re looking for some intense stage presence, and nothing short of an incredible live show, look no further. They are the perfect blend of heartfelt soul and raucous, dirty rock’n’roll. 2. The Von Bondies So, like I said, there will be some Detroit bands in the mix, and I don’t think I could make this list without adding in the Von Bondies. Some might argue that since their latest release, Pawn Shoppe Heart, on Sire Records, their “world tour,” and the immediate media tsunami that hit them following Jack White’s fist heard round the world, they can hardly be called local music anymore. However, in my opinion, it’s not the level of success that a band attains that determines whether or not they can still be called “local,” it’s their attitude. And as for The Von Bondies—unbelievable musicianship, incredible records, and probably the best live show aside—this band is completely down to earth and no matter how high they climb, they’ll always be a “Detroit” rock’n’roll band in the purest, rawest sense. 3. Saturday Looks Good To Me What can I say about these guys other than “unpredictable.” I mean that in a good way. Fred Thomas had a vision about having a band that thrived on nothing other than the music. There would be a capricious rotation of members and live shows that ranged anywhere from trashy punk rock to something that sounds straight off a Zombies record. The result is Saturday Looks Good To Me. No guarantees about what the show’ll be like, but it’s gonna be good. 4. Showdown At The Equator I always describe this band as “really great music for a lazy day of doin’ nothing except lying in bed watching the afternoon erode.” However, a description like that isn’t very convincing of a good live show, I suppose. So I’ll just add that in addition to making really great recorded music, seeing them live is something pretty incredible, too. The music could be categorized as dream-pop, but the songs are pretty bouncy and summery with just a tinge of wistfulness. 5. The Bang! Yeah, I’m fully aware that this isn’t a band, but how could I be expected to make a list of “live shows you need to see” and not include The Bang!? For those who have not yet had the opportunity, this is a dance party that held at the Blind Pig about every month or two that can be described in just one word: sexy. The music is everything from rock’n’roll to ‘60s soul, from BritPop to HipHop, and the dance floor is just one big sea of sweaty writhing. Not a dancer? Don’t worry. This is a great place for people watching as well. I once heard The Bang! referred to as the “Studio 54 of Ann Arbor” and I’m not sure how founders Jason Gibner and Jeremy Wheeler feel about that, but all I have to say is that when you have stories about girls stripping completely naked to try persuading the bouncers to let them in and near-death experiences outside the club, you’re doing something right in my opinion. Keep up the good work, guys! 6. The Dirtbombs You have to ask yourself this question: Is one drummer ever enough? Not for Mick and the rest of the Dirtbombs. Another “Detroit” band that is completely worthy of the “local music” tag. Formed over a decade ago, the Dirtbombs are the epitomy of raunchy rock’n’roll done however the hell they want to do it. Fronted by ex-Gories leader Mick Collins, the Dirtbombs is another band under a perpertual lineup change that always seems to click. And two simultaneous drummers beating daftly doesn’t hurt either. 7. Dabenport The term “local” means nothing to me when talking about this band. They are, hands down, one of my favorites—local or otherwise. Slowcore, dream-pop, alt.whatever-you-want-to-call-it—there’s probably several different genre boxes you can put this band in, however, it’ll never matter because every other band within that genre won’t even come close. Frontman Aaron Dresner’s songwriting is this cathartic, painfully melancholy, but somehow satisfyingly lighthearted amalgamation that stands alone. An incredible live show that compliments their records perfectly. 8. The Elevations If you want to see a band pull their heart out of their chest on stage, this one’s for you. The Elevations are a nine-piece Motown/soul band lead by the feverishly gut-wrenching vocal delivery of Sean Ike and accompanied by a seething horn section. Check ‘em out—I guarantee there won’t be a single butt in a seat. 9. The All-Night Push These guys (and girl) are pretty new, but aren’t treading very lightly. For only having a handful of shows under their belt, this band is nothing short of incredible. Karl’s bluesy guitar progression and boiling vocal delivery, mixed with Jansen’s muddy swamp mixture of Wurlitzer and bass organ and vocals that sound like the love child of Jack White and Jello Biafra (I mean that in a good way) and Patrice’s droned, “Meg-ish” drum patterns makes for a pretty outrageous show. Definitely worth checking out. 10.
Esmae Some might call it “noise rock,” but I don’t
think noise has ever sounded this good. How good? So good, in fact,
that the band finds vocals to be entirely superfluous (except those
belted out through a kazoo). A mixture of drums, bass, guitars,
sythesizers, effects pedals and tape loops, this band is most definitely
something you need to “experience.” The construction
of their live show using what they use would seem to be full of
impossibilities, however, they pull it off beautifully and leave
you wanting more every time.
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