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Page 2-The Michigan Daily/New Student Edition-Arts-Thursday, September 9, 1993
Local bands carry on tradition
by Nima Hodiaei
some people are so setback in their
ways and so stubborn in their thought
that they still mention the MC5 and the
Stooges as the real deal here in the Ann
Arbor/Detroit area.
While it's true that these bands
cleared the way for an entire musical
generation thatfollowed, there are bands
here in Ann Arbor today making music
just as fine and sublime as Iggy and the
boys and not getting teary-eyed every
time those names are mentioned.
Forget the grunge-ola flannel wear-
ing monsters that fling their long hair up
in the Great Northwest, or the country-
tingedholes-in-jeans wearing crew who
still think R.E.M. are the best damn
"shiney, happy people" in this forsaken
world ofours. RightalongUS-23 you're
gonnafid some tunes,baby.But, among
all the flyers that are posted everywhere
advertising loads of shows, it can be-
come easy togetlostamongstitall. Well
here's a list of 10 (alright, so it's 11) of
the coolest bands to get started with:
Big Chief- Sub-Pop cashed their
money in on. this local gem and the
initial investment seems to have paid
off. Although they don' tplay out around
find the group chillin' in an Ann Arbor
coffee shop or walking along State
Street. You might also have seen them
when they opened for the Beastie Boys
last summer. Keep on listening, for
they're sure to make some bigger and
badder waves in the future.
Frank Allison & the Odd Sox -
Fun bands just aren't what they used to
be, but Frank and company still know
how to have a damn good time anyway.
You'll probably see their names all over,
because they like to get out and party
and play while they still can. And isn't
that what life's about?
Holy Cows-Still THEband in my
book when it comes to Ann Arbor talent
(well, they're actually from Chelsea,
but who's counting?). The Cows take
the best of the Replacements and mix
them in with a little HuskerDu and Soul
Asylum to boot, and come out with a
fine sounding concoction. They're a
great band to catch live, bringing up
visions of Minneapolis' glory days.
Morsel - They've made quite a
name for themselves in the local com-
munity and word on the streets is that
the best is yet to come. Hightail it over
to their next gig and see for yourself.
Slot - Remember your
grandmother's famous (or is that, infa-
mous?) meatloaf? She'd take a little bit
of everything she could gather in the
kitchen and throw it together. That's
Slot. Alwaysengaging,alwaysperplex-
I
FILE PHOTO
Big Chief signed with Sub-Pop - the previous home of bands like Nirvana.
ing- - -- -
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Weathervanes - Pretty cool locall
rock outfit. This is the type of band
you'd expect to see at a biker bar and
that's actually a decent compliment.
Restroom Poets -The name alone
wins the prize. Cool guys producing
cool music. A little like R.E.M. with
Stipe getting a good swift kick in the
pants.
Uncle Chunk - Foot stompin'
groove music you can really lose all
your troubles in (for a night anyway).
Tear off a hearty portion of the Chunk
and enjoy.
The Monarchs-' 50s Surf Rock is
an apt description for this band. Take the
Beach Boys. Throw them into a blender
with the Cramps. And this is the inter-
esting result.
Train ofThought-If demos alone
are any indication of a band's chances,
then Train of Thought is on the road to
bigger and better things. One of the
true finds of this past year.
Gangster Fun - OK, so they're
not really from Ann Arbor (Detroit,
actually), but if you're into ska you've
got to check out their shows. Consis-
tently one of the greatest live perfor-
mances to attend in the area.
While this list is small and probably
doesn't do much justice to the dozens
of bands that I didn't mention (who are
all an integral part of the local scene),
Ann Arbor's the place to catch some of
the best .young talent you're likely to
hear anywhere.
Grab your belongings, head up to
the University and don't forget what
you supposedly came here to do. Be-
cause it'll be easy to lose sight of
studying when there aresomany sounds
awaiting you.
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Slot is one of the latest bands in Ann Arbor to have people buzzing. Their music incorporates a variety of sounds.
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But we do have just about everything else"'!
FULL LINE OF ART SUPPLIES
On the 2nd Floor of
Michigan Book & Supply
Ilk
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Calligraphy supplies
Ceramic tools, clay, glazes
Black & white dark room supplies
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Broad range of colored pencils, crayons,
pastels
Extensive selection of decorative papers
and boards
Wide variety of artist's paints for students
and professionals
friendly and knowledgeable sales eople!
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