Monday, August 13, 2007 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com ortspage@ michigandaily.com 734-763-0379 rants, "We are the ones against the media terror / Pop-culture propa- ganda that's been shoved in our CALENDA R face." That anti-posturing attitude suits the band perfectly. The hon- esty and emotion at the forefront Since we won't be in publication of their mosic is undeniahie and again until Sept. 4, here are some authentic. of the noteworthy events and film of course, like their well-known releases through the end of August. predecessors, Freer doesn't draw the line at being earnest and real. Their music is, for all its rawness, 8.17 extremely well-crafted with an The Invasion undeniable pop sensibility that Quality 16 and Showcase will appeal to fans of the Shins and Superbad a playful sense of experimentation. Quality 16 and Showcase Jeremy's practiced keyboard skills tie the band's sound to decades of the best pop. "Ordinary Beauty," 8.19 another track from the debut, fea- Trinidad Tripoli Steel Band tures sweeping synth flourishes The Ark while drummer Nick Adams deliv- 7:30 p.m. $15 ers choppy beats reminiscent of the Flaming Lips. Later in the same 8.21 song, Jeffrey Freer's melodic bass Nashville and Mike Latcha's plodding guitar The Michigan Theater arpeggios combine with dreamy 7 p.m. (Regular ticket prices) multi-part harmonies to invoke a New Rilo Kiley Album uniquely beautiful transcendence. Released Live, Freer has a habit of - to Under the Blacklight use Jeremy Freer's own words - "freaking the fuck out." On at least 8.24 one occasion, they have taken cues from the Who and smashed equip- The Macpodz eqi-The Blind Pig ment on stage, and Jeffrey has a 930 p.m. $7/Under 21 $10 tendency to launch himself into the crowd. Their shows are power- Mr.tBean'ssHoliday ful and exciting, and their tireless touring has led to more exposure The Nanny Diaries and wider acclaim. This is the kind Quality 16 and Showcase of band any fan of local music loves Rufus Wainwright to see - an original group talent- The Michigan Theater ed enough to mix the best of the 7 p.m. $32.5O-$d4.00 old with their original sound that The Ten belongs in the same league as any The Michigan Theater of today's best indie acts. With their originality and bold 8.27 honesty, Freer does their prede- cessors proud, and proves them- Duck Soup selves to be more than just this The Michigan Theater year's replica of the old greats. 7 p.m. (Regular ticket prices) 8.28 M F Doom The Blind Pig 9:30 p.m. $25 This Thursday, Freer w I be, as one member put it, "freaking the fuck out" at the Blind Pig. A bit 'Freer' than your average rock Punk rockers pay, screaming dudes with Mohawks. Once upon a time, artists like homage to their roots the Clash and Elvis Costello Freer played tuneful By MATT RONEY pop-rock that Thursday Daily Arts Writer was neverthe- at 9:30 p.m. less impacting $6,18+ $9 Punk rock wasn't always neces- in its own way,$'+ sarily about loud power chords and defying expec- At the Blind Pig tations and smashing boundaries. Detroit's Freer seeks to follow in their footsteps. Formed by brothers Jeremy and Jeffrey Freer, Freer takes a cue straight from the early punk-rock greats. Their music is raw and often holds a bit of righteous rage. In "I Think You Know," from Fre- er's debut Secret Chorus, Jeremy Although not without its flaws - some sequences go on a bit too long - "Stardust" is a huge irre- FILM IN BRIEF Shining 'Star' "Stardust" At Quality 16 and Showcase Paramount Just because you've already seen this summer's "Harry Potter" grind and "The Golden Compass" is still months away, that doesn't mean you can't still get some big- screen fantasy satisfaction. And "Stardust," based on the not-quite- for-kids fairytale by perennial cult favorite writer Neil Gaiman, cer- tainly satisfies. Downtrodden shop boy Tris- tran Thorn (newcomer Charlie Cox) goes in search of a fallen star to impress his beloved. To his surprise, the star is a young woman named Yvaine (Claire Danes, "Shopgirl"), and as they dodge witches bent on eating Yvaine's heart for immortality and power-hungry, fratricidal princes, Tristan learns what it really is to love, and how a shop boy may just be a boy who temporarily works at a shop. sistible charm with the spirit and 8.29 sly sense of humor of "The Prin- The Ditty Bops cess Bride." Its earnest sentimen- The Ark tality and cheerful performances 8p.m. $17.50 make it the perfect film for a date, Balls of Fury or for any adult who doesn't think Qualityh16and Showcase that growing up means losing his Courtesy of Paramount imagination. "Ican't believe 'Rush Hour 3' beat 8.31 MATT RONEY us in the box office, eitheri" Death Sentence Quality 16 and Showcase MORE ONLINE Check The Filter for Daily Halloween at michigandaily.com/thefilter Arts updates in the wonth Quality 16and Showcase ot August.