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FLYOVER COUNTRY GARAGE-FUNK
Never let it be said that renaissance garage-rocker Mick Collins is anything less than a man on the go. Sure, he’s a Detroiter to the bone and by address, but he’s spent a good deal of time coast-hopping back and forth across the country lately. Between his work on the left coast with Los Angeles-based punk outfit the Screws and making guest appearances on recordings by New York City pals Speedball Baby, it’s amazing Collins has enough layover time to put another sonic poker in the fire. But the mercurial, howling guitar slinger who played an integral role in such grand rock outfits and ideas as the Gories, Blacktop and the Dirtbombs has just signed on to unleash a whole new musical beast on his fans. He’s just inked with Fall of Rome Records, a new label in Los Angeles, to record and release a full-length funk record under the moniker the Voltaire Brothers.
Funk flavored with Collins’ chockablock, kitchen-sink guitar stylings!? Well, this is the man who recorded a garage-blues cover of Machine’s forgotten disco nugget, "There But For the Grace of God Go I," so, s’pose anything goes ... And if the Real Audio sample of the VBs’ cover of Roy Ayers’ 1975 cut "Funky Motion" is any indication, Collins has the funk. Check it out for yourself at www.fallofrome.com and look for the record early this summer on the shelves of finer area record merchants. Perhaps Le Collins will grace Detroit with a Voltaire Bros. live soiree soon.
ANTI-GRAVITY GRAB BAG
Those maestros of the analog, manipulators of Missile Command, Pong-happy hooligans and all-around spaced invaders, the W-Vibe have landed and taken up residency at, of course, the Garden Bowl. Every Thursday, Dan and Joe and company (including DJ Sleeve) host "Moon Boot," a night of lo-fi electronics, noises, rock ’n’ roll (of the select sort) emanating from both turntables and the W-Vibe’s collection of vintage synths and bloop-and-beat makers. With this much freedom to stretch out and indulge in their own brand of popmusiculture mayhem, you’d best show up ready for a side of adventure with your bowling and imbibing. The Garden Bowl is in the lower level of the Magic Stick portion of the Majestic Theatre complex at 4140 Woodward Ave. Call 313-833-9700 for more info. For an online taste of the W-Vibe universe (including Web issues of W-Vibe-er Dan Augustine’s lamentably defunct zine, Hoofsip) visit home.earthlink.net/~hidprod.
CROSSTOWN TRAIL OF TAILS
If you own a tux, bust it out; if you rent, put down a deposit on a penguin suit, for there are two highbrow Detroit music-related happenings on the horizon. On April 13 (that’s a Thursday), the Royal Oak Music Theatre (318 W. Fourth, Royal Oak) plays host to "A Celebration of Life," the second annual Stewart Francke Leukemia Foundation benefit concert. The shindig will feature live sets by singer-songwriter Francke, gospel group Commissioned and rocker Marshall Crenshaw, plus a keynote address by rock scribe Dave Marsh. Emcee Ann Delisi (as opposed to MC Ann Delisi) will keep the festivities rolling along. It’s all for a good cause – the SFLF helps fund bone marrow searches for leukemia patients. Call 248-828-2865 or visit www.sflf.com for info.
Don’t hang up that tux, yet, though, kids. The very next night – Friday, April 14 – the Motor City Music Foundation presents the Detroit Music Awards at Detroit’s State Theatre (2115 Woodward Ave.). You may want to get your tix early, too, as this year’s awards will be hosted by Mr. Kid Rock and will feature Le Rock and his Twisted Brown Trucker Band. Other performers helping make this a night to remember are Robert Bradley’s Blackwater Surprise, the Contours, Paradime, Johnny Rodriguez’ Fiery Latin Jazz Band, Barbara Payton, a reunited Rhythm Corps and house band the Howling Diablos. Tickets are on sale now – general admission is a mere $15 for all that glitz and glitterati. Call the State Theatre box office at 313-961-5450 for more info. Visit www.detroitmusicawards.com for all the juicy details.
May we recommend Sonic Metropolis for all your Detroit-area music needs? Check it out at sonic.metrotimes.com and tell us whatcha think. Write 'In One Ear' with news, views, counterintelligence and belligerent rants.
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