Cover Story
How Greta Van Fleet paved their own stairway to heaven
In a dimly lit lobby of Royal Oak’s Rustbelt Studios, Greta Van Fleet drummer Danny Wagner opens a bottle of water. “They’re always late,” he says of his three bandmates, brothers Josh, Jake, and Sam Kiszka. They are in fact late by half an hour, and I have to wonder if their rock ‘n’ roll…
Our guide to the top Movement after-parties of 2018
When Paxahau took over DEMF and renamed it Movement, they may have considered calling the annual festival FOMO instead. Because with so many incredible acts and parties to choose from, you will always be missing out on something. At times, the feeling can be so overwhelming that it causes you to rush from party to…
Uhh Yeah Dude podcasters are coming to the Magic Bag
Long before the first episode of the Uhh Yeah Dude podcast aired in 2006, friends Seth Romatelli and Jonathan Larroquette have been shooting the shit. Described as “a weekly roundup of America through the eyes of two American-Americans,” the Uhh Yeah Dude bros leave politics and current events to the pros. From pop culture, quirky…
Latest Scarab Club exhibit is a deep dive into interpretation
Under pressure. Under the weather. Underneath. The word “under” is defined as “extending or directly below” yet it evokes something personal within each of us. The Scarab Club hosts [Under], a multimedia, juried exhibition that explores the many interpretations of the word through the eyes and hands of over 25 artists. Among some of the…
Get fuzzed up with indie-rock wizard King Tuff at El Club
What do you get when you cross Ty Segall’s former project the Muggers, a Fender Stratocaster, and an itching malaise? Why, that’d be Sub Pop Records’ neo-psychedelia darling Kyle Thomas, aka King Tuff, who has returned with a new elevating installment of his intergalactic garage-rock wizardry. Less glam with less fuzz than Black Moon Spell,…
Prison guards: Michigan is deliberately hiding extent of prison kitchen horror show
Since Michigan privatized its prison kitchens in 2014, problems with Trinity and Aramark’s employees have been well documented. But of all the issues, one that corrections officers say hasn’t received much attention is also perhaps the most dangerous — gangs are trying to exploit Trinity’s weaknesses to exert control over the food supply. Former corrections…
Decemberists to switch it up at Hill Auditorium
For some, the precociousness of baroque-pop outfit the Decemberists might be hard to swallow. Frontman Colin Maloy’s heavy-handed vocabulary — paired with obscure folklore and the warbling vocals — has solidified the Decemberists as indie’s favorite nerds. The five-piece will be on the road in support of their eighth studio record I’ll Be Your Girl,…
Let’s talk about R-E-X, baby — Dinosauria returns to the Detroit Zoo
Hold onto your butts because shit is getting straight up Jurassic. If you’ve ever daydreamed about what it might be like to walk among gentle giants triceratops and brontosaurus — or get freaked out by a terrifying T-Rex — then Dinosauria at the Detroit Zoo is for you, returning as the largest dinosaur adventure of…
Billionaire Dan Gilbert grabs $618M in taxpayer money for new projects
Some Michigan residents will soon start paying their taxes to Dan Gilbert instead of the state. The Michigan Strategic Fund on Tuesday gave final approval for tax incentives worth $618 million for Gilbert, who at an estimated net worth of $6.3 billion is Michigan’s richest resident. The $618 million will help Gilbert pay for four…
You no longer have to wait in line for Detroit Nine Inch Nails tickets
In an effort to thwart scalpers, Nine Inch Nails frontguy Trent Reznor made tickets for his upcoming 2018 tour initially available only in person. What that meant was if you wanted to brood at NIN’s upcoming Detroit dates at the Fox Theatre on Monday, Oct. 22 and Tuesday, Oct. 23, you had to get your ass up…
Rust Belt Market to debut outdoor patio bar during Ferndale Pride
The newest component to the ever-evolving Rust Belt Market is an outdoor patio bar holding the business’s signature industrial-botanical vibe. Co-owner Chris Best built out the bar — called Bar Hop — on a small slice of private property at the Rust Belt’s doorway facing the Nine Mile and Woodward intersection. The area used to…
Ex-Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick apparently has a blog and just wow
A Kwame Kilpatrick truther website has been created in an apparent effort to dispel negative perceptions about Detroit’s ex-mayor and raise money to help get him out of prison. “Contrary to widespread rumors, speculations, and innuendos, Kilpatrick’ s case has nothing to do with any ‘missing’ or ‘stolen’ money, nor the bankruptcy of the city…
Detroit lands another luxury brand as G-Star RAW plots a July opening
If you ever thought Detroit was a premium jeans desert, consider your thirst quenched. Metro Times first reported in March that the Dutch denim brand co-owned by Pharrell Williams, G-Star RAW, had posted a managerial job opening in Detroit — which had us wondering where in the city the premium retailer might set its sights. As…
Michigan civil rights board says state law prohibits LGBT discrimination
Michigan’s current ban on sex discrimination extends to discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, the state’s civil rights commission has found. The commission voted 5-0 on the interpretation today in a move the director of law and policy for the Michigan Department of Civil Rights describes as “opening the door to the hall…
Lady of The House’s Kate Williams named one of America’s 10 best chefs
Food & Wine magazine has named Lady of The House chef Kate Williams one of America’s top 10 chefs. Williams opened her Corktown restaurant in 2017 and since received praise from local and national outlets. GQ named Lady Of The House one of America’s top 10 restaurants, and it was one of the nation’s 28…
Downriver church creates transgender support group after conversion therapy scandal
A Downriver church is holding support sessions for transgender youth after another church in the area made national headlines earlier this year for planning a controversial workshop some likened to conversion therapy. The Stand With Trans Downriver Support Group held its first session last night at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. Designed for trans people between the…
Rejoice! Seattle’s ultimate girl squad Thunderpussy will play the Pike Room
What’s in a name, anyway? Though there may be a brewing Supreme Court battle that will determine whether these Seattle rockers can trademark their scandalous name, the raucous output of Thunderpussy is far more interesting. Earlier this year, Thunderpussy released their Greatest Tits EP, described as a “taste tester, tongue teaser, titty twister,” as it contains tracks…
Protest of the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix planned for this weekend
A group of local residents and park users opposed to the Detroit Grand Prix running on Belle Isle will gather on Saturday, May 26 at Belle Isle’s entrance to protest the race. The protest is organized by Belle Isle Concern, which is working to get the race removed from the island. The group’s basic argument is…
Detroit’s new ‘creepy-ass Mickey Mouse’ statue draws mixed reactions
“The Spirit of Detroit.” The Joe Louis Fist. The Alexander Macomb Monument. “The Hand of God.” And now, “Waiting.” A new statue has entered the realm of the iconic in downtown Detroit — if only geographically speaking. Because unlike its older, more esteemed peers, “Waiting” is very — er, modern. More specifically, it looks like a…
Detroit’s JR JR returns after cancelled tour to kick off free Beacon Park concert series
If you haven’t been keeping tabs on Detroit’s JR JR, you’re not alone. Formerly known as Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., the indie-pop duo fell off the map after they canceled the majority of their 2017 tour plans (including a doubleheader at El Club) due to illness. Well, here’s some good news if the band’s disappearance bummed…
3-year-old shot in head near River Rouge border with Detroit
A three-year-old boy is reportedly in critical condition after he was hit in a drive-by shooting on the Detroit-River Rouge border this weekend. Media outlets report that Jamar Lee Quinn Jr. was shot in the head while he was sleeping at his great-grandmother’s house early Sunday morning. The incident happened on the 400 block of…
Michigan anti-pot-legalization group drops opposition in surprising about-face
A committee created to derail Michigan’s marijuana legalization initiative has dropped its opposition to the effort in a surprising about-face intended to undermine the ballot proposal by the Committee to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol (CRMLA). The opposition group, the Committee to Keep Pot Out of Neighborhoods and Schools, is urging the state legislature to adopt…
Check out this historic Detroit pad for sale for $1.2 million
If you happen to have $1.2 million burning a hole in your pocket, why not scoop up a 12,000 square-foot historic mansion? You know, keep it hella casual and very sexy. Built in 1902 for an esteemed pharmaceutical businessman, organizer of the Detroit Orchestral Association, and trustee of the Detroit Museum of Art, the Frederick Stearns…
Michigan Senate votes to ban weed-infused beer and wine
The Michigan Senate has voted unanimously to ban weed-infused beer, wine, and alcoholic drinks. If the State House approves the law, use of any part of the weed plant in alcoholic drinks will be prohibited. Of course, that leads to the question, “How will those who want to get high and drunk at the same…
A first look at the DIA’s ‘Star Wars and the Power of Costume’
A long time ago, what began as a spirited, youthful insurrection gradually grew into a vast, all powerful empire, a now inescapable cultural juggernaut that continues to dominate our imaginations and drain our wallets. More than 40 years ago, Star Wars was just a weird little space opera, a wild tangle of ideas that only…
Jack Lessenberry resigns from Metro Times following suspension
Like many of you, I read yesterday’s Deadline Detroit story about longtime Metro Times columnist Jack Lessenberry, which detailed accusations of inappropriate behavior involving female colleagues and students at Wayne State University’s journalism program. Unlike the rest of you, however, I was faced with a difficult decision on how to respond. The lengthy Deadline Detroit…
Chris Cornell’s wife sounds off on ‘botched’ Wayne County autopsy a year after singer’s death
When Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell took the stage for a sold out show at the Fox Theatre on May 17, 2017, no one knew that it would be his performance. Some in attendance reported that something was noticeably off about his stage presence, while others remained in awe of his visceral vocal power. Mere hours…
Bloomfield Hills high schoolers hack database to give themselves better grades
Leave it to kids in one of Michigan’s best school districts to have figured out how to hack the district’s grading system and (presumably) give themselves A’s. A message posted to the Bloomfield Hills Schools website alerts parents that “a couple” students made “some poor choices lately,” hacking into the district’s student information system and…
CDC: It’s once again safe to eat romaine lettuce in Michigan
Federal health officials say that romaine lettuce tainted by E. Coli virus that sickened 172 people across 31 states — including two Michiganders — is no longer in the supply line. “The romaine lettuce being sold and served today is NOT the romaine linked to illnesses,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tweeted. E. coli update:…
Doo Wop Project and DSO reimagine Motown at Orchestra Hall this weekend
For as much as Motown loves its Motown, it’s not like one can regularly walk into one of Detroit’s incredible old theaters and witness a band pounding through the classics with an excellence that rivals the originals. But this weekend presents such an opportunity when the The Doo Wop Project performs at Orchestra Hall with…
Michael Jackson to be honored with Detroit street naming for Detroit Music Weekend
Today, on the 35th anniversary of when Michael Jackson debuted his signature dance move, the moonwalk on national television, it was announced that the King of Pop will be honored with his very own street in Detroit’s theatre district. During a press conference Thursday, more details of the upcoming Detroit Music Weekend were revealed, including the renaming…
Activists will gather at City Hall Friday to demand shutdown of Detroit incinerator
A confederation of local environmental activists and members of environmental groups from all over the country will gather in front of the Spirit of Detroit statue Friday morning to demand the closing of Detroit’s trash incinerator. Breathe Free Detroit, a large local coalition of groups opposed to the incinerator, will have their ranks strengthened by…
Detroit rapper and producer Tony K makes enemies with new release, ‘Run’
Iraq-born and Detroit-raised rapper and producer Tony Khnanisho, who goes by Tony K, first broke headlines with his Drake-Game of Thrones mashup, Views From the Throne. A year later, Khnanisho has been extremely prolific in the Soundcloud realm, releasing 9 singles, including “Run,” out today. The song is an aggressive, albeit catchy, warning to Khnanisho’s…
Central Kitchen, Atwater, and Great Lakes to launch downtown Detroit beer garden
Central Kitchen + Bar will soon pour Atwater Brewery and Great Lakes Brewing Company beers in a new summer beer garden in Cadillac Square. Kegs in the temporary 6,000-square-foot beer garden will be tapped on Friday, May 25, and the garden will remain in place until Monday, Aug. 12. It will be located across the…
Mackinac Island rated top summer travel destination in U.S.
Americans in search of a summer vacation destination appear to be lured by a lack of cars and an abundance of fudge. Mackinac Island has been ranked the most popular summer destination in the country this year by Travel website TripAdvisor. The ranking is based on the greatest seasonal increase in hotel booking interest. The 4-square-mile island beat out places…
PETA once again names Detroit a top 10 vegan city
Detroit is one of the nation’s top cities for vegan eating, PETA says. The group put Detroit in the number six spot on its list of the nation’s top 10 cities for plant-based dining. It marks the second time Detroit has made the cut. From PETA: A longstanding favorite in the community, Detroit Vegan Soul…
Spread Deli and Coffee Shop is coming to the Cass Corridor this summer
A new deli and coffee shop called Spread is planning a July opening near Cass and Willis in the Cass Corridor. Co-owner Tersion Yatooma tells Metro Times that the shop is designing a simple menu with around ten sandwiches and several coffee drinks. “It’s going to be clean cut, nothing too pretentious, a couple coffee…
*Paid Actor designer Dessi Terzieva reveals inspiration behind rainbow-colored film series
If you’ve ever stayed up past 1 a.m., you’ve likely caught a glimpse of a paid programming commercial where the simple, yet dramatized task of opening a pickle jar causes a flurry of anxiety and frustration. These actors who fumble with impossible bra straps and back-straining lightbulb changes are, in fact, just that. Paid actors…
Report: MSU will pay at least $500 million to Nassar victims
Michigan State University has reached a $500 million settlement with hundreds of young women abused by Larry Nassar, media outlets report. The settlement was announced Wednesday by the California law firm representing the survivors. It came after two days of talks between lawyers for the school and lawyers for the survivors. Of the $500 million,…
Michigan sees sharpest spike in gas prices of any state
Michigan gas prices have climbed above an average $3 per gallon to their most expensive in about three years, AAA reports. The average price for a gallon of gas has risen to $3.02 across the state — a level not seen since August, 2015. That average is up 14 cents from just a week ago,…
Be still our ’90s-loving hearts — Liz Phair is heading to Detroit
Ready to feel old? OK, good. Though it’s hard to believe that Liz Phair’s groundbreaking debut record, Exile in Guyville, is turning 25, it’s even harder to believe that it’s been eight years since her last release (2010’s Funstyle). To be Phair, the wait is finally over to catch a glimpse of this rocker angel.…
Shelby Twp. police deliver police car karaoke after Twitter campaign success
Officers of the Shelby Twp. Police Department are singing a different tune after accomplishing their goal of gaining 5,000 new Twitter followers last week. How are they celebrating? With a nauseating version of “Police Car Karaoke,” as promised. The campaign, which was launched May 5, promised that if the official Shelpy Twp. Police Dept. Twitter…
‘Iconic haute dog’-maker Loaded Links is setting up shop in Troy
A new “America-style hot dog bistro” is planning a summer opening on Big Beaver Road in Troy. Loaded Links will offer what it bills as gourmet dogs — beef hot dogs free of hormones, steroids and antibiotics, as well as Wagyu and Kobe options. Owner Randy Ayyar says via a press release that his dogs…
Why Abdul El-Sayed’s long-shot bid for governor merits attention
Ahead of Michigan’s 2018 gubernatorial election, the Metro Times editorial staff will interview the top contenders. When Abdul El-Sayed delivered the commencement speech at his graduation from the University of Michigan in 2007, former President Bill Clinton, who took the stage after him, joked that the then-22-year-old had a future in politics. El-Sayed, a Muslim…
Why not just pull out of NAFTA?
NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, was never popular in Detroit. “There goes my job,” a student who was an auto worker told me when it was passed in 1994. Indeed, there are far fewer manufacturing jobs now in the United States than there were then — about 5.5 million fewer. Dan Ujczo, an…
‘Star Wars and the Power of Costume’ goes behind the scenes of that galaxy far, far away
As the massive twin banners hanging on the front of the Detroit Institute of Arts have been warning for the past few weeks, Star Wars is coming to the art museum, with Star Wars and the Power of Costume set to open this weekend. But what exactly are Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, some droids, and…
Review: Sterling Heights’ Korea Palace serves some of metro Detroit’s best Korean
One of the treats about eating Korean food is the array of a half-dozen side dishes — banchan — that come with the meal. That the little plates of banchan will appear soon after you order is just assumed by the mostly Korean clientele at Korea Palace — you won’t find a reference to them…
‘Life of the Party’ is a party pooper
When her husband, Dan (Matt Walsh), tells Deanna (Melissa McCarthy) that he wants a divorce, she’s blindsided. But she quickly — like, super, super, unrealistically quickly — bounces back and decides that the time is right for her to finally go back to university and finish her archeology degree. She had dropped out when she…
Savage Love: Denver’s Oriental Theater
Savage Love Live at Denver’s Oriental Theater last week was epic. I fielded sex questions in front of a sold-out crowd, singer-songwriter Rachel Lark performed amazing new songs, comedian Elise Kerns absolutely killed it, and Tye — a token straight guy plucked at random from the audience — joined us onstage and gave some pretty…
Motor City native Rob Paulsen is a human cartoon
You might not recognize his name or even his face, but odds are if you’re a certain age, Rob Paulsen is the sound of your childhood. As one of the leading voice-over talents of the last four decades, the Detroit-born Paulsen has voiced hundreds of familiar toons, beloved by generations of fans. His IMDb page…
Horoscopes (May 16-22)
ARIES: March 21 – April 20 You need to look at what’s going on from the standpoint of what “real” change is all about. There’s a big difference between transforming things from within, and just “moving the furniture around.” Some of you are 100 percent there with the process of waking up, and others have…
Review ‘Deadpool 2’ is a dud
There were cheers and delighted snorts as the adult-rating warning came up in the multiplex at my public screening of Deadpool 2. Heads-up! This movie contains strong violence, strong language, and references to sex! Hooray, apparently, for some people. I didn’t laugh. I was sad. Imagine a truly adult comic book movie, one that tells…
CannaCon and the business of cannabis
There seem to be two major influences on the legal marijuana industry development. One track is the business end, with folks who want to get into the business — or already are — blowing full steam ahead where they can and chomping at the bit where they can’t. The other track is at all levels…
