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Tickets at:
https://lh-st.com/shows/10-30-2021-wavves/
UPDATED ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Proof of vaccination status through the Clear Health App or a negative Covid-19 test result obtained within the last 72 hours, for indoor shows only.
The word ‘brat’ has followed Nathan Williams around for almost a decade, but at the age of 30, with a fully-fledged business to his name, as well as the ongoing success of band Wavves, his rebellious streak has proven not just purposeful but pretty damn inspiring. The San Diego native knows how to play the system, so when the major labels came knocking a few years ago looking to turn Wavves into the next so-called saviours of radio rock’n'roll, Williams and bassist Stephen Pope made sure they used it to their advantage.
When Warners came along and offered them a cash advance too good to refuse, they accepted while being shrewdly aware of what they were getting themselves into. “We still owned all of our shit, which was the most important part for us. For them it was a shot in the dark.” The day to day of being signed to a major, however, was unpredictable and beyond their wildest nightmares. “I figured it would run the same as [prior label] Fat Possum, just with more people. I was wrong.” By the time they were readying to release their second Warners album – 2015’s ‘V’ – shots were fired. Williams released single ‘Way Too Much’ on Soundcloud before the label had approved it, the label forgot to sign off on the artwork and, in the end, Wavves felt swept under the rug. Ultimately it felt like a career step backwards.
Today, during a Monday lunchtime hour, he’s making time between meetings to talk about forthcoming sixth Wavves record ‘You’re Welcome’ in the stock room at Ghostramp’s Chinatown-based LA skate shop. Opening in October 2016, Ghostramp is the physical embodiment of a vision that harks back to before Williams made the first Wavves’ albums in his parents’ garage. It’s a merchandise store, it’s a label, it’s a tangible community in a time when the digital age has taken the confidence out of physical product. And – what’s more – it’s working. ‘You’re Welcome’ is the soundtrack to this new lease of freedom. It’s Williams’ tongue-in-cheek rebirth as a self-released, self-actualized, self-promoting punk kingpin, and despite putting his money where his uncensored mouth is, he’s emerged not just unscathed but with the upper hand. “I’m my own boss and that feels great,” he smiles.
The album was put together wholly differently from ‘V’, too, which was recorded live as a band album together with guitarist Alex Gates, drummer Brian Hill and Stephen in the studio. ‘You’re Welcome’ is mostly comprised of Williams’ oddball, sample-led brainstorms. He came up with 40 tracks, now whittled down to twelve, fat-free punk zingers. “I’d come up with an idea, fool around with it, have Brian come in and play drums, then figure it out.” A sample nerd, Williams delved into his obsession with 1950s doo-wop and – surprisingly – international folk, including Cambodian pop and ‘70’s psychedelia from South America.
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UPDATED ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Proof of vaccination status through the Clear Health App or a negative Covid-19 test result obtained within the last 72 hours, for indoor shows only.
DRINK THEIR BLOOD started in Kalamazoo with an intention on blurring genres and pushing musical boundaries. As self described 'beastcore', they incorporate heavy music with an occasional jazz interlude incorporating saxophone.
Together, the group has played venues across Michigan and will continue push the envelope sonically.
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UPDATED ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Proof of vaccination status through the Clear Health App or a negative Covid-19 test result obtained within the last 72 hours, for indoor shows only.
Passafire’s latest single, Keepin’ On, serves as a mission statement for the veteran rock-reggae outfit as they continue to forge ahead through their second decade of reimagining the boundaries of the current rock-reggae landscape.
Unflinchingly optimistic, Keepin’ On shows off what Passafire does best: expertly blending the macro/political and the micro/personal. The rock-steady anthem weaves together Passafire’s take on global warming, economic uncertainty, and technology’s threat to personal privacy with the band’s dedication to survival, intent on thriving by any means necessary.
“We are very grateful to be where we’re at with awesome fans that sustain and support us,” said Passafire’s bassist Will Kubley. “But every band wants to get to the next level” quickly pointed out lead guitarist/lead singer Ted Bowne. “We keep reaching new milestones and having new meaningful events, but we still have many ambitions we want to achieve. So we’ve got to keep going until we do.”
Passafire is set to embark on their Keepin’ On Tour in spring of 2020, and will play both coasts and the Midwest, as well as several festival dates.
Since forming in 2003, Passafire has released a total of six studio albums and boasts credits like producing with Paul Leary (Sublime, Pepper, U2, Slightly Stoopid), #1 albums on both the Billboard and iTunes Reggae charts, and sharing stages with rock-reggae OGs 311 and Pepper, and legends Toots & the Maytals, the Wailers, and John Brown’s Body, who in the band’s early years, inspired them to explore reggae with a gritty edge.
“We like to mix tight, clean reggae grooves with distorted guitar riffs” insisted Ted, “We’re ‘90s kids,” added Will, “we love rock, hip-hop and metal equally. It was always natural for us to straddle the line between genres.”
Passafire’s name is a take-off on The Wailers’ classic Catch a Fire album and the band’s hypervigilance towards honoring the culture without appropriating it combined with their unwavering dedication to the expansion of their skills as musicians, producers and songwriters, has led the band to create a sound that stands out from their peers.
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UPDATED ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Proof of vaccination status through the Clear Health App or a negative Covid-19 test result obtained within the last 72 hours, for indoor shows only.
There is darkness in the poetry of Ultimate Success Today, Protomartyr’s fifth album. The theme of things ending, above all human existence, is present and reminiscent of Cormac McCarthy’s ‘The Road’.
‘Day Without End’, the first song, sets the tone for the whole album. “This is the dawning of the day without end / when fear steps into light”. The music here sounds delicate, airy and at the same time carried by an insistent, light, metallic drum part by Alex Leonard and a punctuating bass line by Scott Davidson.
There are exquisite, subtle gifts from other instruments that always heighten the guitar, instead of fighting with it. They help to create a harmonious wall of sound all of its own. This was intentional. Greg Ahee wanted to use different textures other than pedals, and the drone quality of some of those instruments colours the guitar and the whole sound with a warm, rich in reverb, yet all-consuming landscape for Joe Casey’s voice.
The album was recorded in a late 19th century church Dreamland Recording Studios in upstate New York, which still has its original high arched ceilings, creating a natural and eerie reverb. Protomartyr co-produced these songs with David Tolomei, who thought they would capture the essence of the place. The quality of sound enhances the idea of disappearance, of dissolving away through the high ceiling. Sometimes it brings us back to life and “Everybody’s hunted with a smile / being processed by the boys”. And it sounds like “a riot in the streets”.
The musicians that joined the band for these recordings are Jemeel Moondoc (Alto Sax), Izaak Mills (bass clarinet, sax, flute), Fred Lonberg-Holm (cello) and Nandi Rose (vocals). They were encouraged to bring in ideas of their own, making this a collaborative and open work. These wind and string instruments add richness to every song. Greg Ahee was inspired by Bennie Maupin’s ‘Jewel in the Lotus’ and by how everything moves harmoniously, in togetherness. Being open and together could make us stronger for “When the ending comes is it gonna run at us like a wild-eyed animal”. In ‘I Am You Now’ there is a section where the drums keep it grounded, the bass melodic, a beautiful drone of guitar, cello and sax, that sounds suspended, until everything comes crashing again, followed by a sustained guitar chord for every line.
Ultimate Success Today moves like a river, with waves of sound that are quiet, loud, empty, full, but flowing together and shaping itself around the words. The songs flow from ‘Day Without End’ to the final song ‘Worm in Heaven’, “I was here / I was / or / never was”, one to the next with no silence, just the dying of a sound or recordings from the woods/world outside the studio.
Our world has reached a point that makes us afraid: fires, floods, earthquakes, hunger, war, intolerance…There are cries of despair. Is there hope? Greed is the sickness that puts life in danger - “a floating shadow of a hand across my heart”.
“I wish you well, I do / may you find peace in this world”. Ana da Silva
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UPDATED ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Proof of vaccination status through the Clear Health App or a negative Covid-19 test result obtained within the last 72 hours, for indoor shows only.
You've never heard violin like this! The world's premier visionary violinist, Dixon's life mission is to inspire people – and he has done so across North America, including giving three TED talks/performances, ten years at Burning Man, plus radio, TV, and film appearances. Dixon walked away from a distinguished career to follow his dream full-time, and invented a whole new music genre. Based on his classically-trained violin mastery, Dixon now improvises on a 5-string electric violin with a looper to create an all-live one-man symphony. Guided by his remarkable personal story of life transformation, he shows the beauty of doing something seemingly impossible. Dixon's passionate energy will enchant, mesmerize, and inspire you!
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UPDATED ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Proof of vaccination status through the Clear Health App or manually verified at the door or a negative Covid-19 test result obtained within the last 72 hours, for indoor shows only.
Desmond Jones is a five-piece rock/funk/jazz fusion band from Grand Rapids, MI. With original music written to complement the group’s sound as a whole, the music is centered on melodic guitar riffs, groovy basslines, funky drumbeats, and smooth saxophone. The group takes influence from Frank Zappa, The Grateful Dead, Phish, Miles Davis, The Band, and Led Zeppelin to name a few. Desmond Jones puts on exciting and high-energy shows with a high level of musicianship and skillful improvisation. Each show, set list, and song is different from night to night. The group has played over 400 shows in 5 years and has toured the Midwest, East Coast, CO, PA, WV, and more. Desmond Jones is John Nowak, Isaac Berkowitz, Chris Bota, George Falk, and John Loria
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UPDATED ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Proof of vaccination status through the Clear Health App or a negative Covid-19 test result obtained within the last 72 hours, for indoor shows only.
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UPDATED ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Proof of vaccination status through the Clear Health App or a negative Covid-19 test result obtained within the last 72 hours.
From the depths of Kalamazoo's deepest, darkest, crevices emerges a performance specially curated to move your bones. Hell's Bells will featuring a mixture of covers and original music from a collection of the cities most talented entertainers. Pajaro Negro leads off the evening with lyrical prowess that is sure to leave you breathless. Followed by local favorites the Sexy Toxins back in leathers to keep the dance floor moving. The evening concludes with a set of cover material by It Will All Hurt performing a dynamic list of songs by My Chemical Romance, Coheed and Cabria, Placebo, Childish Gambino and Anderson Paak.
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UPDATED ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Proof of vaccination status through the Clear Health App or a negative Covid-19 test result obtained within the last 72 hours, for indoor shows only.
"The indescribable magic of Fleetwood Mac is ready to be released upon Kalamazoo once again!
Featuring Kaitlin Rose and the Band of Thorns with support by Kalamazoo’s Crooked Root, along with many special guest performers. Enjoy all of your favorite Fleetwood Mac Songs, music spanning 45 years, from their biggest anthems to their deepest ballads -- all delivered with irresistible energy.
In 2017 and again in 2018 Kaitlin Rose brought together an impeccable line up of Michigan musicians to create magical, sold-out performances of the music of Fleetwood Mac. Now, Kaitlin returns to bring another stellar collaboration to Bell’s Back Room. Join us to satisfy your Fleetwood Mac love!"
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UPDATED ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Proof of vaccination status through the Clear Health App or a negative Covid-19 test result obtained within the last 72 hours, for indoor shows only.
Fool House is THE ULTIMATE 90's DANCE PARTY! A LIVE musical event paying homage to the golden era of boy bands, pop stars, hip hop, and pop punk. With a larger than life production, this show recreates the sights, sounds, and energy of the biggest stars of the 90's.
Nonstop sing alongs, party throwbacks and choreographed dance moves is what this show is all about! Come prepared to sing your heart out and dance all night long!
RIYL: 90s Music, Dancing, Fun
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That Arena Rocks show is the ultimate high energy and theatrical tribute to "classic" rock n' roll, performing legendary rock anthems that ruled the airwaves in the 70s and 80s.
Including artists like: Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Bon Jovi, Guns n Roses to name a few. This show will take you on a trip back in time, turning every sized venue in to an arena for a night! get your lighters out and your fist in the air. this rock show is more than just music-it’s an experience.
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