Michigan Indie Review

Band: Cowboy Messiah Title: American Zen Released: 2006 Tracks: 14 Recorded at: The White Room, Detroit Mi Recorded by: John Smerek Band Members: Andrew Lindblom (guitars and vocals); Tommy Lee Torgerson (drums, harmonica, percussion); Jason "J" Peters (bass) Like many first time releases, Cowboy Messiah’s “American Zen” moves in a lot of different directions, the band not quite having settled on any particular sound. There are cow-punk, rockabilly, beer-hall anthems (Little Late For Me, Rhythm Of The Night, Ballad of Bobby Badass), a disco-tinged instrumental jam (Innerphonic), some standard pop-rock fare, (I Want Mine) a quasi-ska number sans the horns (Watch It Burn), and another that just tries to rock your face off (Fight Song). It’s in that last category that Cowboy Messiah seem to shine, particularly on a hidden extra called “Rock & Roll Band”. The raw energy and thrust of that track leaves little time for pretense, pumping your ears like a ...

Frog Island Park 5.26.06: It’s a balmy spring evening at Frog Island Park near Ypsilanti’s historic Depot Town. Despite what you might expect, there’s no island in sight and any of the legendary, fur-covered, flying “smeet” frogs that might be lurking among the moss-covered rocks have yet to make their presence known. But the week’s rains have finally subsided leaving a dense blanket of humidity in their wake and allowing tonight’s big plans to commence after yesterday’s cancellation. Frog Island Park consists of a large sunken field surrounded by trees and grass-covered banks. According to a local resident, it acts as an emergency flood basin for the nearby Huron River, but it’s mostly used for soccer games, community events and Ypsilanti’s annual Jazz Festival. Tonight it will be ground-zero for a unique performance featuring South Normal , a popular indie-rock band from Chelsea, MI. A break in an overgrown tree line reveals the park’s street-level entrance. A handwritten sign is...

For those of you out there who might be prog-curious but you're not sure where to get your ears wet, you're in luck. We've put together a side by side comparison of two 2005 releases that haven't received their fair due. If you're serious about expanding your musical horizons beyond the latest fad and into more adventurous territory, we suggest you check out Space Nelson's "Don't Panic" and Eyestrings "Consumption" , two impressive releases from two progressive, yet distinctly unique Michigan bands. Band Name: Space Nelson Source: Inspired by guitarist John Piasentin's "spacey" paperboy Band Name: Eyestrings Source: Taken from a line in William Shakespeare's "Cymbeline" Band Members: John Piasentin (Guitar/Vocals), Pete Hopersberger (keys/vocals), Gary Lock (bass guitar), Eric Fischer (drums) Band Members: Ryan Paramenter (Keys/Vocals), Mathew Kennedy (bass, moog, theramin), Alan Rutter (guitars/vocals)...

by mitch phillips I was graciously invited to attend the third CD release party for Stephanie Loveless' debut entitled, "Steffie Sings For Her Sex Change" which took place at her house in Ferndale last Saturday night. About twenty people were there when I arrived with prog-rocker John Ludi . I dragged him with me in case I didn't know anyone else there. John knew Steffie in a previous lifetime and incarnation when he was known as "Tim" in band called Soft War . Seems we all changed names or identities at least once since we'd met; evidence of a perpetual search for our place in the world, I suppose. As it turned out, Storm Records point man Norm Andreson was in attendance, as well as Cyndi Summers of Veggies in Mottion , three transsexuals, a handful of activists, and friends in every size, shape, age, gender and color. I ordered my Steffie' CD months before the party, but it never arrived. Apparently, the first recording was sc...