Cover Story
Brian Wilson’s latest tour may be your last chance to hear his masterpiece live
When Brian Wilson’s musical director Paul Mertens calls, it is the week after a show in Ra’anana, Israel. As the band was onstage performing Pet Sounds, the Beach Boys’ epochal 1966 album, two terrorists attacked a cafe in downtown Tel Aviv, killing four and injuring five. Good vibrations were rarely so needed or welcomed. “We…
Is flipping burgers really rock-bottom? These are Michigan’s lowest paying jobs.
Remember when you got your first job and felt like a millionaire? Making minimum wage was totally fine; that is until your friend got a job and you found out he made more than you. Suddenly you’re feeling like you make the least amount of money within your circle of friends. But, who is actually…
“Regenerate Detroit” benefit dinner, plus all pumpkin everything feast
Dine for Detroit’s culinary future, plus an all-pumpkin menu.
This is getting out of hand: More creepy clown sightings in metro Detroit
Yesterday we told you about a creepy clown sighting in Clinton Township that happened early Sunday morning. A sinister-looking jester was spotted around 2 a.m. just standing in a car wash, waving to a car full of passersby. These types of sightings have been happening all over the country, particularly in Greenville County, South Carolina,…
Report: EPA fails to deliver environmental justice in Flint and elsewhere
New report rakes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over toxic coals for failure to protect poor and minority communities.
Anti-nuke groups to mark 50 years since Fermi 1’s partial meltdown
Hear nuclear experts talk about our brush with atomic disaster in 1966, and the problems we face today.
Our picks for best tacos on National Taco Day
If it were up to us, everyday would be Taco Day.
Die Antwoord brings their special kind of crazy to the Fillmore next week
South African rap group Die Antwoord is sure to pull in a big crowd to the Fillmore as they bring their “Zef” movement to the US next week.
There’s another Luke’s Diner in town: Ferndale coffee house will also rebrand for a day
Last week we brought Detroit-based Gilmore Girls fans some glorious news. Midtown bakery Avalon International Breads will transform into Luke’s Diner for a day on Oct. 5. They’ll pour free (FREE!) cups of coffee from 7 a.m. to noon, and have teased that they have other Gilmore-inspired tricks up their sleeve. Well, it turns out…
Kanye West reschedules Palace show due to ‘family concerns’
We’ll have to wait a little longer to see Pablo again.
Former President Bill Clinton makes surprise Pontiac appearance
“Tell people if you don’t want someone to drive the truck off the cliff, do not give them the keys,” Clinton says of the choice voters face on Nov. 8.
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals rejects pensioners’ challenge of EM law 2-1
The court’s dissenting opinion: ‘retirees feel that the City’s bankruptcy was resolved through a game of musical chairs in which they were left without a seat.’
Protesters push back after Donald Trump fundraiser at Dan Gilbert-owned building
Apart from the caravan of food trucks stationed in Cadillac Square, downtown workers had another lunch break option this afternoon: a staged protest beginning in Campus Martius Park ended on the doorstep of Quicken Loans’ headquarters. Organized by local activists Elena Herrada and Bill Wylie-Kellermann, a group of 15-20 protesters equipped with signs (“no corporate…
Get your write on this November
Have you ever wanted to write a novel? Maybe you’ve had an idea in your head for years. Perhaps something just came to you one day and you thought, “Hey, this would make a good story,” but for whatever reason, you got a case of the One Days and never got around to it. Well,…
Art critic Holland Cotter’s Wednesday CCS talk rescheduled for next month
The Grey Lady’s art critic will return next month.
An expensive education: Pittsfield Twp. must allow Islamic school, pay $1.7 million
A landmark decision shows the high price of communities trying to balk Islamic institutions.
Como’s Restaurant inspection reports show history of bugs, uncleanliness, expired food
The restaurant must resolve all outstanding health code issues before reopening, according to Oakland County.
Cal Garrison responds to NASA’s claim there’s a 13th astrological sign
Ophiuchus, who? NASA recently released an article claiming a 13th astrological sign might mean that you’ve been reading the wrong horoscopes your whole life. For some of us, this forces us to face an existential crisis, questioning the very core of our identity. Suddenly our inner monologue sounds something like, “If I’m not a Gemini, then…
Creepy clown spotted in Clinton Township
Last week we alerted our readers to Insane Clown Posse’s statement about those incredibly creepy clown sightings happening around the country. In short, their PR guru Jason Webber said the reports of clowns trying to lure children into the woods are really nothing to worry about. These things happen, you know. And while our fears…
The iron man of Hazel Park: Wayne Barnett’s improbable comeback
Since August, Barnett has won more races at Hazel Park than any other jockey.
We chatted with Warpaint before their show at Saint Andrew’s Hall
When a band releases a huge album, tours the world for over a year, and play music festival after music festival, down time is a must. Well, more than a must. That’s exactly what the indie rock band Warpaint did before gearing up to get back in the studio again. “We took a break and…
Dine Drink Detroit adds additional week, new eateries to annual dining event
More Dine Drink Detroit to love this year.
ICP responds to those creepy-ass “killer clown” sightings happening around the country
There have recently been a flurry of news reports about a cluster of creepy clown sightings in Greenville County, South Carolina. If that sentence alone isn’t enough to make you feel weird inside, then we’d like to add that these reports include sentences like, “One resident said she saw a clown with a blinking nose…
Detroit Restaurant Openings & Closings: September 2016
Stay caught up on all that’s going on in Detroit dining.
RIP man bun — you can now decorate your beard with jewelry
The newest trend that makes you think, “Why?”
After earlier, disastrous Michigan visits, Donald Trump speaks in Novi tonight
After a rather disastrous visit earlier this month to Flint, Trump has decided to give it another try in Michigan.
Pre-order His Name Is Alive’s newest and possibly best ever record right now
Get in now on one of the best records of the year, OK.
Side Dish: Inside the scatter-brained mind of Flowers of Vietnam’s George Azar
Late nights, spliffs, and Hot ‘n Ready – all ingredients for inspiration in this chef’s world.
These photos sum up how awful everyone’s commute was this morning
Not today, Satan.
Former insurance executive to open Korean restaurant under Zingerman’s partnership
Zingerman’s to add a Korean street food restaurant to its growing family of companies.
TV miniseries on inequality zooms in on Flint
A TV miniseries about inequality in America has an episode focusing on Flint’s water crisis hosted by Rosario Dawson. It will be televised Friday night, but a screening next week in Flint will involved a lively discussion afterward.
Detroit News endorses Libertarian for president
The endorsement caused a friend to catch a serious case of the lulz, remarking: ‘Given the shitshow that is Trump, old Nolan Finley is reduced to backing a good-natured stoner.’
Chicago’s Ed Sura watches Detroit’s growing food scene in awe
Find out what this Chicago chef thinks about how we’re doing things here.
Review: Kanye West’s Saint Pablo Tour – God dream or really expensive Yeezy commercial?
If God is the big capitalist in the sky, then Kanye West is certainly his son, sent to earth to inspire, influence (and infuriate) the masses. Of course, West’s relationship with the “most high” is long-documented, through his own creative works and the countless thinkpieces it spurs, and his Saint Pablo Tour, which descended…
Cult alt-folk artist Paleface at PJ’s tomorrow night
Paleface’s been a mainstay of alt-folk and borderline Americana since he first burst upon New York City’s infamous “anti-folk” scene in the mid 1980s.
Red Wings will honor Gordie Howe in sweetest way ever
Giving us all the feels.
Bill Schuette issues major ruling on Detroit schools, doesn’t mention the thousands he’s accepted from pro-charter DeVos family
Schuette has received nearly $140,000 from the pro-charter DeVos family
Grab your sleeping bag because you might be able to see the Northern lights tonight
Michigan could be covered with the spectacular lights.
Chains: First Calexico, now Bakersfield Cal Mex-inspired eatery making its way to Detroit
What’s next, The Fresno??
6 concerts to see this week for $20 or less
Going to shows is sometimes that perfect pick-me-up from that midweek slump or having no plans on a Friday night. What makes them even better is when you don’t have to pay a shit ton of money to see an awesome show. Here are 6 shows happening this week will be nice to your wallet. …
Record review: ‘Drummer B presents the People Mover’
Drummer B succeeds in telling where Detroit has been, and also where it’s at.
Mutate, don’t stagnate: Mark Mothersbaugh in conversation
Spuds, Booji Boy, Kraftwerk, Iggy Pop, ‘Human Highway,’ Bruce Conner, and making music for commercials — this and much more in our exclusive, exhaustive interview with the Midwestern genius.
Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit at the Michigan Theater this weekend
See these talented kids strut their stuff at an Ann Arbor matinee this weekend.
Your chance to be on the Family Feud is now
Auditions to be on the classic show are happening in Detroit.
Gilmore Girls fans should prepare to lose their sh*t: Luke’s Diner is coming to Detroit
Avalon International Breads, the already famous Midtown bakery that’s run by Ann Perrault, has announced it will transform into Luke’s Diner for a day. If “Luke’s Diner” means nothing to you, then you should probably just click away now, but those of us who are rabid fans of Amy Sherman-Palladino’s brilliant comedy-drama series Gilmore Girls…
Former 1 percenter Chuck Collins comes home to Detroit to discuss inequality
Tonight and tomorrow, a 1 percenter raised in metro Detroit makes his case for tackling inequality and committing to the common good.
Like them or not, new laws provide framework for dispensaries, extracts
We know where marijuana law and access in Michigan is going in the short term. Two recent legal developments have laid it out. The first development is that there will be no vote on legalizing recreational use of marijuana on this year’s ballot. It’s been lingering on life support as MI Legalize went through various…
Kamasi Washington and the Next Step
As increasingly difficult as it has become to get people excited about jazz, a genre perceived as intimidating and therefore too easily dismissed, Kamasi Washington can’t seem to help but do just that. You may know him from his most recent contributions to Kendrick Lamar’s powerhouse political hip-hop album To Pimp a Butterfly, but the…
Adam Reverie goes for it
This past July, Adam Reverie was one of several emcees to drop bars when Sway Calloway brought his morning show Sway in the Morning to Detroit. It’s debatable who had the hottest 16 bars, but Reverie’s emotion and energy — he kept spiting well after the beat stopped — defiantly made his presence felt. Even…
Jessica Hernandez talks new album, playing in Detroit, and hating Donald Trump
Jessica Hernandez hates Donald Trump. “I’m a Mexican-American, so it’s scary to see someone like Donald Trump make it this far in this election,” Hernandez says. “I’m a first-generation American, my dad is an immigrant, my grandparents are immigrants, everyone in my family is an immigrant. When I see someone say these awful things while…
Politics & Prejudices: Profile in courage
“This is about fairness, justice, and making sure all children have a chance to learn in a safe environment.” — John Austin, president, Michigan Board of Education Most politicians have approximately the courage of a warehouse rat that suddenly sees the watchman’s Jack Russell terrier bounding into view. This is one reason why Michigan is…
Yuzu Sushi Co. introduces Detroit to the trendy sushi burrito
The sushi burrito. It’s been a part of the trendy mashup food vernacular for at least the past five years, starting with the popular Sushirrito chain that hit San Francisco. The idea was to load upward of 1 pound of wasabi and ginger-laden sushi-grade fish, sticky rice, and fresh-cut ribbons of veggies, and snugly pack…
Savage Love: Cheats
Q I’m a guy, 35, and a cheating piece of shit. I’m engaged to a woman I love, but earlier this year I cheated on her. I have no excuse. She discovered the dating app I used, and we worked through that. But she doesn’t know that shortly after her discovery, I went ahead and…
Detroit artists celebrate the revelation of Brian Wilson’s Pet Sounds
“When you listen to Pet Sounds, use earphones in the dark. If you listen in the light, you look around and see things … but in the dark you can hear it all,” says Brian Wilson. Pet Sounds, the Beach Boys’ 1966 masterpiece LP, requires that listeners make themselves vulnerable. Wilson’s ornate orchestra of voices,…
Feedback
Jack Lessenberry’s Politics & Prejudices column “Detroit: Could it have been different?” (Sept. 21) included a parting shot at Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette. That earned a comment from marcuskadams, who posted: I miss the good old days when the GOP offered genuine leaders like William Milliken. Instead, the DeVos Syndicate puts a turd on…
