Sunday at Comerica Cityfest,Northern Lights Lounge,& The Lager House-D

Sunday at Comerica Cityfest,Northern Lights Lounge,& The Lager House-D
Current mood: crazy
Category: Music

I think the title says it all. It was a wild, rockin' Sunday in the city.  If you were there and followed our trail, you already know.  If you you weren't, this is how it went.  Sunday started for the DR2 clan by heading into the city for Comerica Cityfest.  95 degrees in the shade, food everywhere and music on stages at every point on the "T" that was the tastefest.  After wandering through and sampling the incredible selection of food offered thoughout the fest it was time for the main course, Detroit rock-and-roll.  The music began by catching The Silent Years on the Pure Detroit Stage at 5:00.  Josh Epstein's vocals combined with the upbeat melodies had us thinking that we wanted to see this act again.  Their upbeat pop/rock blend was a great start to a day that just kept getting better.  as the mercury soared and it became a battle to stay cool, DR2 split up.  H-Hour was 6:00, when Cheap Trick opened on the Motor City Casino Stage and The Cetan Clawson Revolution was jammin' at the New Center Stage.  Cheap Trick came on stage to a huge crowd!  They may be aging a bit but these guys can still rock!  Robin Zander came out and got the crowd going with a promise to do all the favorites from the past, (Dream Police, Surrender, etc..) and some new stufff from their, just-released disc, their first studio album in 3 years! Tom, Rick, and Bun E. helped him keep the promise.  if, like me you remeber these guys from the 80's, you couldn't help be amazed that they are still going strong, an awesome show!!Then it was off to see the Cetan Clawson Revolution.  These guys, Marc winter on bass, Andrew Spaulding on drums, and Cetan Clawson on lead guitar and vocals, opened up on the New Center stage to a small crowd that quickly grew as they began their set by blazing through their bluesy-rock originals, including White Heat.  This 3-piece has a very original mix of alt rock, blues, and garage sound that has you thinking of the White Stripes and Brian Schram while still keeping a very Blues rock feel.  I kept thinking of Detroit's own Danny Mehtric and the Muggs sound as I listened to these guys.  A very solid, fresh, sound, keep an eye on this group and catch their show if you can, I know I will!I will try to keep moving quickly it was a loooong night and we've just begun.  Next was a quick jog back to the Pure Detroit Stage for the Hard Lessons.  The first of two shows for them on Sunday.  You can always count on a great show from this motor city trio but they outdid themselves this night.  As the temperature soared and the crowd quickly grew to huge proportions, Augie, Koko, and the Anvil lit it up with a show for the ages.  They powered through all of the crowd's favorites, opening with Carey Say's and and continuing through Bamboo, Sea and Be Scene(with augie admitting it was written about Detroit), Wicked Man, their amazing cover of Hey, Hey, My, My, and all the others we all know so well.  But, undeniably, the highlight came near the end of the show when Augie went out into the crowd, stood on a chair and proceeded to talk to the crowd about a basket of topics.  The amazing year they have had, where he comes from and most importantly where he chose to stay, DETROIT!  Augie made it clear that while "others" went off to Nashville and the like, and told him they should also get out they chose to stay here.  It was amazing to here him put this into a long, unrehearsed, heartfelt message about our city. I can't say how proud it made me!  Unbelievable, big props to the whole group for staying real and staying in the city.  But....it doesn't end their. As we left the fest at about 8:00, we realized the night was still young and there was an after-party at the Northern Lights Lounge with The Brave Rifles.  So... we headed that way. Talking to Sean before the show, we mentioned that after their set we were heading over to The Lager House for the Hard Lessons.  We told him we would see him there later, since he live "within crawling distance" as he said.  Ray, Chris, Sean, Steve, and Adam came on about 10:15 and tore through a set of their very recognizable originals.  We have seen these guys a few times now and they never dissapoint,  Sunday night was no exception. Their distinct style, energy and the quality of their music is a must-see if you ever get the chance.Next, and yes the night was not over yet!  We jumped back in the ride and ran over to The Lager House.  If you like Detroit Rock and have not been to the Lager House, you are missing a Detroit Classic!  Everyone who is anyone has played the Jerome P. Cavanagh room.  Auggie said that they began on a Sunday at the Lager House and they were going to come back to a Sunday night at the Lager House.  But first, The Thunderbirds Are Now!  This group of Detroit rock crazies is all energy, personality and big sound!  What a ride!! Between Scott Allen's hysteria on keyboard, Matt Rickle's expressions on drums, Ryan Allen's guitar and vocals, and Julian Wettlin's steady bass these guys grab your attention. They definitely "leave it all on the playing field", giving everything they have for the full time up on stage.  There are no slow songs in their set!!  What a show! Before the end of their set Augie came out, to stand in the crowd and watch the show, but he obviously couldn't contain himself and ended up on stage rockin with T.A.N.!!Which leads us to the finale.  The HardLessons..Part Two.  I have already said so much about this Detroit gem that I don't want to be repetitive but a few highlights from the show.  To start, during the first song augie lost his pic and preceded to use a credit card like he did "back in the day"!  What a madman, he didn't miss a beat, with Koko and the Anvil they rocked right through a completely different set than earlier in the day! I could go on forever but I think you get the idea.  Don't miss a chance to catch them if you can.  I think very soon we will be paying a lot more to see them.  I think big things are on the horizon for them!!Well....that's it!  the night end with the DR2 gang headin' home and dropping into a rock-induced stupor.......until next week!!!!!!D