Cover Story
Detroit City FC’s unlikely birth — and unlikelier rise to popularity
Here at Harry’s Detroit, a two-story brick sports bar on the south end of the Cass Corridor in June 2014, members of the unlikeliest soccer fan group in the U.S. have spent the last hour inhaling burgers and beer while watching the World Cup match in the round of 16 between Greece and Costa Rica…
Prepare to blow your own damn mind with Ubu Web’s six hours of electronic music made by women
Six hours of free MP3 downloads of women making electronic music can be had right here: Pauline Oliveros, Eliane Radigue, Joan La Barbara, Laurie Spiegel, Barbara Golden, People Like Us, and many more. Such amazing stuff, all in one place, thanks to that deep well of cultural works, Kenny Goldsmith’s Ubu Web (give that man…
Detroit’s proto-punks Death unveil a new video for ‘Playtime’
And here we have a fun and heartwarming video for the song “Playtime” off of Death’s album N.E.W.! Playtime from DEATHWORLDWIDE on Vimeo. With the release of archival LP For The Whole World To See and the eye-opening documentary “A Band Called Death,” David, Dannis, and Bobby Hackney of Detroit’s proto-punk band, Death, finally received…
Check this brand new track ‘Expressive’ off Slum Village’s brand new album ‘YES!’
Here’s a real reason to celebrate on this hump day: funky, hypnotic, and excellent new music from Detroit’s incomparable Slum Village. “Expressive,” produced by J Dilla, features BJ “The Chicago Kid” and Illa J. The album it’s from, YES, will be released on June 16, 2015, and the song first debuted on sneaker pimps Complex’s site yesterday. …
Drink Up
Maestro Dobel The first-ever multi-aged clear tequila, Maestro Dobel is a fairly new player in the agave scene. Founded in 2008, the brand was created by Domingo “Dobel” Beckmann, the 11th generation leader of Jose Cuervo. He worked with master tequila distillers Marco Anguiano and Luis Yerenas, which is where the “maestro” in Maestro Dobel…
Listen live now to George Clinton talking about some stuff
Maybe they’ll ask him what that stuff on early Funkadelic albums about the Process Church was all about? Regardless, we’re certain that this live stream on the Red Bull Music Academy’s site of an interview with the genius will be entertaining. It’s billed as “Dr. Funkenstein and the alien from the Mothership Connection discusses his…
Movement is coming: Check out this new music video from GRiZ
Movement is coming
ICYMI: Music made just to soothe cats!
The Collective Evolution site posted links to music that was created just to soothe actual cats. On the off chance that you’ve not seen this in your Facebook/ Twitter feed a dozen times already, you really need to check this stuff out. In the spirit of Raymond Scott’s proto-ambient records created to soothe babies, the…
Aaron Dilloway raised over $5K for quake relief via online sales of Nepalese field recordings
If you’re even the most casual fan of contemporary experimental, noise and/or drone-based sound, then surely you are hep to Wolf Eyes co-founder (and tape/ live sound manipulator extraordinaire) Aaron Dilloway. His prolific and excellent label and mail-order distribution company Hanson opened a physical store in Oberlin, OH fairly recently. Dilloway spent many years in Brighton, and Ann…
‘Man Up’ event at Wayne State calls for the end of sex trafficking
Man Up, an anti-sex trafficking event, takes place on Saturday at Wayne State.
Dining pop-up offers Faygo-inspired fare Thursday
Black Cherry wild boar kabobs? Peach Faygo vinaigrette? Grilled Swordfish with pineapple watermelon Faygo salsa? Whoop whoop.
Vinsetta Garage to appear on ‘Best Bars in America’ tomorrow
Vinsetta Garage on national TV tomorrow night.
Detroit water shut-off notices being issued this week
The Detroit Water & Sewerage Department (DWSD) has begun posting shut-off notices for Detroit residents who may have their water service disconnected because of past-due bills. An estimated 25,000 residential accounts who are at least 60 days past-due or have more than $150 in overdue payments could expect to see a warning posted on their…
Jerry Vile proves that all ‘contemporary art’ is a ‘temporary con’
“Con” is to deceive, to defraud through illicit or immoral activities typically for financial gain. Then there is “Temporary,” fleeting, a lack of permanence, to vanish. “It’s almost as if the public were begging to be hoodwinked.” Jerry Vile says.
Southwestern High School slated for $31m redevelopment as manufacturing facility
The former Southwestern High School in Detroit will be the site of an expanded manufacturing facility for Sakthi Automotive, an expected $31 million investment that is slated to house 650 employees. “This project is a prime example of how cooperation between the State, the City, Detroit Public Schools and the private sector can help create…
Olive Garden tries again: Breadsticks with a side of breadsticks
Olive Garden will give you sandwich-sized breadsticks, with breadsticks on the side.
Behold, the new Better Made potato chip app
O brave new world
Reader sends rare photos of Belle Isle Bridge’s dedication in 1923
Rare photos from that fall day 92 years ago.
Sat., May 16 in Hamtramck: Free, cool world music festival ‘Porous Borders’
This Porous Borders fest looks like a well-curated day of free music in Hamtramck! We’re especially stoked about oud player Victor Ghannam, as well as the junior mariachi orchestra playing the festival.
Planning group surveying for input on economic development
The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG), a regional planning agency, is asking residents from across the region to fill out a survey on economic development. The survey, launched in conjunction with the Metropolitan Affairs Coalition (MAC), is meant to gather perspectives and attitudes toward economic development in the region, SEMCOG says. “This survey, plus…
McAllister Singers: Kid-fronted Detroit gospel from the early 1970s
Here’s a treat: three cool tracks from the local Saint label, of the kid-fronted McAllister Singers. These tracks were all captured from the original 45s and uploaded to YouTube by noted gospel collector and DJ Aaron Bushman. I’m pretty sure I have at least one of these, but my records are currently not in any…
Thousands turn out for first ever Red Bull Hart Lines event in Detroit
The event, which featured qualifying rounds on Friday and finals on Saturday, transformed Hart Plaza into a skateboarding contest course.
State Sen. Virgil Smith arrested in connection with shooting near home
State Sen. Virgil Smith (D-Detroit) has been arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault with a gun and malicious destruction of property in connection with an alleged shooting outside his home on Detroit’s north side, according to Detroit police spokesperson Officer Nicole Kirkwood. Smith allegedly fired a gun several times at his girlfriend’s car outside his…
Take a public art bike tour this weekend
Another cool thing to do this weekend.
Southwest Detroit gets three colorful new murals from Mexican artists
Earlier, we mentioned the Inner State Gallery and Mexico City’s Fifty24MX were bringing 11 Mexican artists to Detroit for a joint show in honor of Cinco de Mayo. As part of the show, the gallery brought three artists to paint murals in Southwest Detroit. On Friday, we checked out the progress on the murals. Two of the…
Detroit comedian half of the duo who brings us ‘Negrotown’
Key & Peele promote season five with “Negrotown.”
Shepard Fairey to paint largest mural to date in Detroit
The location of Fairey’s largest mural has yet to be revealed, but we’ll bet it will be on a Dan Gilbert-owned building.
45 at 33: Hall and Oates “I Can’t Go For That”
Did you forget that Hall and Oates are playing the Fox tonight? You can’t forget that, no no no no can do. To get you pumped, here is one of the only great tracks from the entire 45s at 33 craze — their timeless “I Can’t Go For That,” pitched down to a narcotic speed.…
ACLU, coalition groups call for suspension of federal task force involved in shooting of Terrance Kellom
The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan (ACLU), along with a coalition of local groups, have called for the suspension of a federal multi-jurisdictional task force involved in the shooting of 20-year-old Terrance Kellom. Kellom died last month after the task force — known as the Detroit Fugitive Apprehension Team (DFAT) — executed a search…
Check out this super handy map of vendors at Eastern Market
Eastern Market just wants to make shopping easy for you.
Photo of the day: Wayne State grad tells it like it is
Based on her wit alone we think she would probably make a valuable addition to the workforce.
Regional Transit Authority to announce process for master plan
After a multitude of hiccups, the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan (RTA) is taking a step forward in developing a comprehensive plan for public transportation across metro Detroit. The RTA says it will hold a press conference on Tuesday to roll out the beginning of a planning process to develop a regional master transit…
13 of the yuckiest music videos we could drum up … all for you
Taking down 13 of music’s yuckiest videos.
Take your mom to a vintage base ball game this Sunday
Take mom to a vintage base ball game this Mother’s Day.
Stream Mexican Knives’ killer debut album for free, right now
On Tuesday, one of Detroit’s very best bands, Mexican Knives, released their entire debut album straight to the Internet (bandcamp). They sent us one song to highlight, with a great description of it, below the link. Mexican Knives by Mexican Knives Zach Weedon explains “Beach Song” thusly Background: I just wanted to write a posi…
Rick Snyder will not run for president in 2016
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder — on the heels of a presidential poll that showed a local reporter performed stronger, and a day after a ballot proposal he touted as a way to fund road infrastructure across the state went down in flames — has decided not to make a long shot bid for the White…
Cinco de Mayo exhibition opens at Inner State Gallery
This Cinco de Mayo exhibition highlights 11 emerging Mexican artists.
‘Possibly in Michigan’: awesome creepy new wave video art cannibal opera from 1983
Drop everything if you’ve never seen this work of video art from 1983 by Cecelia Condit. Possibly in Michigan is twelve minutes long, and wow, it’s really something. Possibly in Michigan from FVANG on Vimeo. The full description of the piece is as follows: Possibly In Michigan is an operatic fairytale about cannibalism in Middle America.…
Trial date for ex-Detroit narcotics cops accused of stealing drugs
A trial date for two former Detroit police officers accused of stealing drugs, extortion, and making false arrests has been scheduled for next month in federal court downtown. According to a federal indictment, the officers — Lt. David “Hater” Hansberry, 34, and Officer Bryan “Bullet” Watson, 46 — began an alleged conspiracy in June 2010…
Chartreuse to open, patio at Gold Cash Gold in the works
Just a few tidbits to look forward to in the coming weeks. Sandy Levine, owner of Oakland Art Novelty Company and the soon-to-be-opened Chartreuse Kitchen & Bar has announced a hard opening date. It’s all set to debut May 19, and owner Levine says, “We can’t wait to show you the space, have you order…
The 6th annual Fashion Massacre is Saturday
Fashion Massacre turns six.
Human Skulls: Detroit area’s best new punk band
Did you catch them opening for Black Lips at Blowout last week? Ann Arbor’s Human Skull is easily our best new punk band. The song “J. Ramsey,” for instance, off their first demo released eight months ago, begins with the line “She knows too many people now,” which drags you in right away because that’s…
MOCAD to host second Detroit-Berlin Connection conference
This group will host its second annual Detroit conference on May 20 at MOCAD.
Fever Haze plays Crofoot tonight
East Meets West Michigan with Holland, MI rock group The Fever Haze Woodward Avenue Brewers hosted Holland, Michigan band The Fever Haze last Thursday night as part of MT’s Blowout series. And tonight, you get to see them again at the Crofoot in Pontiac, at 8 p.m. Fever Haze formed in 2012, making it through…
United Sound Systems in Detroit may receive historical designation; likely impact proposed I-94 widening
A Detroit City Council committee will consider a historic designation for a recording studio in Midtown that may force the state of Michigan to revamp a $2.7 billion reconstruction of I-94 in the city. A bevy of classics were record by some of the world’s most well-known musicians at United Sound Systems Recording Studio on…
Naked Michigan couple arrested after fleeing from police, endangering child
A Michigan couple was arrested earlier this week after Clare County Central Dispatch received a call reporting a vehicle traveling the wrong way down U.S. 127. Deputies attempted to pullover the Chevy Blazer and even deployed stop sticks, but the driver fled, only to come to a stop and continue to flee on foot. An undressed 23-year-old…
A Detroit Free Press reporter polled better than Rick Snyder among Arizona Republicans
On the heels of watching his ballot proposal to fund roads get crushed at the polls on Tuesday, Republican Gov. Rick Snyder might have second thoughts about whether he actually wants to make a long-shot bid for the White House. And then there’s this: Last week, Detroit Free Press reporter Paul Egan, writing on Snyder’s…
$70m residential, commercial proposal calls for over 330 residential units in Brush Park
A $70 million development announced Wednesday is expected to bring over 337 new residential units online by late-2016 in Detroit’s historic Brush Park neighborhood. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said at a press conference Wednesday afternoon the city struck an agreement with Brush Park Development Partners, which includes members of Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert’s real…
8 spring-y things to do this weekend in metro Detroit
Celebrate spring this weekend
Ken Collier/ Club Heaven tribute at Whiskey Parlour this Saturday, May 9
Iconic ’90s Detroit parties are given tribute in this party, which is a benefit for the Detroit Sound Conservancy!
Watch: Fox 2 hopes we have a ‘dry hump day’
Jay Towers’ reaction is priceless.
Prop 1 went down hard; worst defeat for a ballot proposal in 50 years
Proposal 1, which by all accounts was doomed from the moment of its inception, endured the worst loss of a ballot proposal in 50 years, writes reporter Chad Livengood in The Detroit News. The prior low mark was set in 1980, when 78.8 percent of the electorate beat back a measure called Proposal A that…
A look at Checker’s Thursday pop-up
Pok and thyme wontons are some of the items you can expect at an upcoming pop-up at Checker’s.
Wilson’s second album is due out June 30
Wilson’s second album will be here soon.
Feedback: A 75-year-old woman called to say MT is the “soft paper Playboy” because “it’s got a little bit of porn in it, but it has some damn good writing”
Soft paper Playboy In our Best of Detroit issue, we erroneously said Madison Heights was in Macomb County. A polite reader rang us up to let us know. The following is a message left on Michael Jackman’s voicemail: Hello Mr. Jackman. I live out in Mount Clemens and I’m a 75-year old lady. I love…
How Rick McQueen found inspiration to brew up a line of all-natural drinks
In 2007, after working for 24 years in the automotive business, Rick McQueen decided he needed a change. As he puts it, the inspiration for his new venture came from his faith and his family. You see, McQueen’s family is from the South, and he recalls his grandfather brewing sweet tea for the family, a…
InkAddict opens first retail spot
For several years InkAddict apparel has only been available online. The company’s screenprinted T-shirts, tanks, and hoodies were made locally (first in a basement, then in Sterling Heights, and later in Ferndale), but customers still had to wait for a box to arrive on their doorstep to enjoy their wares. For folks who love the…
Horoscopes (May 6 – 12)
ARIES (March 21-April 20): The pace of things is faster than a speeding bullet. Holding your own is less of a problem for you than being able to let go of the idea that you can’t handle this. When all of your support systems are on the fritz, you’d be surprised at who and what…
Going track by track with Valid on his solo debut ‘Reach High’
Metro Times first met Valid last September, when he joined local producer and DJ jMAC for their collaborative album Beyond Physics. Fast forward another eight months and Valid is super excited about his first solo release, Reach High. The Detroit-born artist sat down with MT to dig into some of the tids, tads, and tales…
Western Where Records revisits the jukebox era
Since 2012, Eric Love has been better known in Detroit’s rock ‘n’ roll circles for putting out punk records by the likes of Terrible Twos and Protomartyr on his label, Urinal Cake. But he’s billing his new project, Western Where Records, as an old-fashioned country “jukebox” 45 label. We sat down with Love for a…
Politics and Prejudices: Think again about Snyder’s school plan
Let’s be honest about something: The last time an elected school board got any notice in Detroit, it was when it was discovered that the board’s president, one Otis Mathis, was functionally illiterate. As in, couldn’t write a coherent sentence. That, however, wasn’t enough to get his fellow board members to ask him to resign.…
Raise the Bar: Catch a game at Cheli’s Chili Bar
When you don’t have tickets to a game, access to countless flat screens and a view of the giant stone tigers that guard the front gates of Comerica Park isn’t a bad backup plan. Cheli’s Chili couldn’t be any closer to that Kentucky bluegrass, save if it was inside the stadium, and there’s no place…
African wire-cars cruise into the Motor City
While growing up in Africa, Chido Johnson learned about the tradition of creating toys out of whatever materials were available. A favorite toy of Johnson’s was functional toy cars, created almost entirely out of discarded wire. As fate would have it, Johnson wound up moving to the Detroit to teach sculpture, and the romantic notion…
Savage Love: Teaching moment
Q: Last summer, I reconnected with a high school teacher I hadn’t seen for a year. We first met when I was 15, and I had nothing but respect for him and his intelligence. I also had a crush on him for the next four years. Fast forward a year. He is sexting me and…
National Arab Orchestra aims to spark a musical awakening
It’s been said music crosses cultural and historical barriers. And while metro Detroit’s music scene has always been diverse, Arabic music rarely enters the conversation. Conductor, musician, and educator Michael Ibrahim wants to change this. The National Arab Orchestra will take the Masonic Temple stage for a gala performance at 8 p.m. Friday, May 8,…
Five things going on in metro Detroit dining this week
Time for deals, Detroit — In case you didn’t realize, Detroit Restaurant Week is in full swing again. That means that 17 Detroit restaurants are offering $30 fixed-price meals, a deal that means you can enjoy the outsized flavors with an appreciably smaller bill. No sense listing them all here, but some of the hotter,…
Ask a Juggalo: What careers are Juggalos common in?
Q: What careers are Juggalos common in? A: Juggalos are in contracting. You know, whether you do tile or drywall or rough carpentry, whatever. Ridiculous amount of my personal homies are all over the place with that. Lot of uniforms being worn. A lot, a lot, are gas station attendants. A lot of them here…
Detroit and Baltimore: Similar but different
The killing of 19-year-old Terrance Kellom by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officer Mitchell Quinn last week came right on the heels of the death of Freddie Gray, who was fatally injured while in custody of Baltimore police the week before. Gray’s death came on the heels of the murder of Walter Scott by a…
Despite edgy premise, ‘The D Train’ gets derailed
The D Train / C+ In Richard Linklater’s 2011 film Bernie, Jack Black proved that with the right material (and, one assumes, direction) he could dial back the self-deluded man-child shtick and create a character that was simultaneously bigger than life and believably authentic. His portrayal of the real-life Bernie Tiede was both sweet and…
Drink Up
Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth 16.5% ABV Vermouth is often an afterthought. Perhaps not to educated liquor aficionados, but to the average drinker, vermouth might be a rarely purchased specialty, or a misunderstood mixer. But the truth is, one of the best liquors in the world is a vermouth. Antica Formula, often called the “King of…
Canfield gets craftier with Jolly Pumpkin Detroit
To open a franchise of a brewery-empire-turned-pizza-restaurant across from the now-venerable Motor City Brewing Works seems a directly competitive move. Perhaps the now-hip Midtown crowd is finally big enough to draw some real market positioning for its young, trendy dollars? The gauntlet long left on the center stripe of West Canfield Street has, bravely and…
Red Bull Hart Lines event continues Detroit’s trend as a skateboarding destination
A new event called Red Bull Hart Lines will transform Hart Plaza into a skateboarding course, where 20 of the nation’s top skateboarders will compete on two distinct lanes, incorporating Hart Plaza’s existing architecture along with new structures designed by California RampWorks. We spoke with skateboarder and longtime Detroiter Derrick Dykas, who is engaged with…
