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Arts & Entertainment

Ferndale Bands Well-Represented at this Year's Metro Times Blowout

Here are 10 local bands to watch and what they have to say going into the March 2-5 music fest in Hamtramck.

Every year, come the first weekend of March, hundreds of bands, rappers, fire breathers, wild ones, nut cases and drunks gather in Hamtramck to be a part of the Metro Times Blowout – the country's largest local music festival.

Over the course of four long, sloppy nights March 2-5, the bar-heavy town of Hamtramck gets ransacked by some of the best talent Metro Detroit has to offer.

When it comes to reppin' a town hard, Ferndale bands are no slouch. Now in its 14th(!) year, Ferndale area acts make up a significant number of groups performing at this year's festival. So here are some Q&As with 10 bands we think are worth checking out and some honorable mentions that are worth a wink as well.

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Band: Butt Babies
Performing: Saturday, March 5, Atlas Bar, 1 a.m.

Yep. They're called Butt Babies (we can hear the collective gasps from the Ferndale Mothers Against Offensive Band Names Association now). But seriously, don't let the name deter you. Instead, let it lure you in. Spastic, lo-fi, but super catchy, Butt Babies somehow manage to make everything come out the right end. Bassist Scott Davidson plops a few answers on us.

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Ferndale Patch: What can people expect from your band at this year's Blowout?
Scott Davidson: An embarrassing emotional meltdown.

Ferndale Patch: Who are you looking forward to seeing at this year's Blowout?
Davidson: Swimsuit and Human Eye this year.

Ferndale Patch: Postshow meal poll: Hit up something in Hamtramck or head back to Ferndale and grab some Taco Bell?
Davidson: 8 Mile Grill.

Band: Golden
Performing: Saturday, March 5, Kelly's Bar, 9:20 p.m.

Sisters are doing it for themselves (with a little help from their friends). Made up of actual siblings Bonnie and Caitlin Drinkard, along with local shaman Phreddy Wischusen and Jonny DeFrancesco, Golden is positioning itself as Ferndale's answer to Neutral Milk Hotel (but one that actually plays shows) or Fleetwood Mac (minus all the sex drams). Caitlin Drinkard warms us up with some answers to our questions.

Ferndale Patch: What can people expect from your band at this year's Blowout?
Caitlin Drinkard:
We are really excited to be playing our first Blowout! You can expect loads of pyrotechnics, a full gospel choir and dazzling choreography. If those don't work out, I think we'll be the only Blowout band with ukulele, singing saw and a saxophone? 

Ferndale Patch: What are some fond Blowout memories and who are you looking forward to seeing at this year's festival?
Drinkard:
I remember seeing the Volebeats play at the Painted Lady a few years ago and it ruled. They don't play very often, but their latest record is on constant rotation in our living room. It's so dreamy. This year, I'm psyched to see Prussia, Bad Indians and Legendary Creatures, who we're actually playing with! I can't wait.

Ferndale Patch: Post-show meal poll: Hit up something in Hamtramck or head back to Ferndale and grab some Taco Bell?
Drinkard: Definitely Ferndale Taco Bell.

Band: I Love Lightning Bugs
Performing: Friday, March 4, Whiskey In The Jar, midnight

I Love Lightning Bugs are new to the Blowout this year and are already shooting for the stars. The grandiose moves of U2, Psychedelic Furs, the National and New Order can be heard in its melodramatic, bass-guitar-driven brand of rock. Its uplifting music for a depressing time. Below, bassist Rob Shelby sheds some light.

Ferndale Patch: What can people expect from your band at this year's Blowout?
Rob Shelby: We are gonna give it our all. Some new songs, a new drummer and a new band logo all being debuted at the Blowout.

Ferndale Patch: What's your favorite memory of Blowout over the years?
Shelby:
When (now defunct local band) A Thousand Times Yes played "Attack Of The Demographics."

Ferndale Patch: Post-show meal poll: Hit up something in Hamtramck or head back to Ferndale and grab some Taco Bell?
Shelby:
It's got to be Taco Bell. Isn't that what that Lady Antebellum song is all about?

Band: Legendary Creatures
Performing: Saturday, March 5, at Kelly's Bar, 11:20 p.m. 
 
It just makes sense: If it's good, good people will rally around it. Such is the case with former duo turned full-band jangle-folk project Legendary Creatures. Led by cousins Sarah Vaughn and Matt Luke (formerly of Black Lodge), and featuring members of Computer Perfection and Macrame Tiger, LC is sort of like a Ferndale-band version of Voltron, but less violent (we think?). Below, Vaughn tells us how Legendary Creatures connect. 

Ferndale Patch: What can people expect from your band at this year's Blowout?
Sarah Vaughn: We have some new songs we've been working on and we're going to have Nick Maher playing the Wurlitzer and some other instruments. He's really, really good! We're really excited about the new songs! 

Ferndale Patch: What's your favorite memory of Blowout over the years?
Vaughn:
Last year was our first year playing the Blowout. It was just my cousin Matt and I and we only had a couple songs. It's crazy to see how much has changed since then. We played at Skipper's Bar with Self Says. I had no idea who he was, but I knew he was a rapper. Little did I know he would love our set and we would love his. We've played a couple shows with him since and made a really good friend. This year I'm really excited to see Golden. I'm not just saying that because they're playing the show with us either. I feel lucky that it worked out that way, though. They're my new favorite. 

Ferndale Patch: Post-show meal poll: Hit up something in Hamtramck or head back to Ferndale and grab some Taco Bell?
Vaughn: I'm gonna try to make everyone in my band a nice meal before leaving. I love cooking and I think it would be fun/quiet before having such a crazy night.

Band: Lettercamp
Performing: Wednesday, March 2, the Magic Stick (pre-party), 11:15 p.m.

Ever since the debut of Madonna, music's fascination with the dance-pop vixen has yet to go out of style (peep the likes of La Roux, Florence and the Machine, Robyn, and yes, even Lady GaGa, for proof). Ferndale has its very own in the form of Lettercamp's Liz Wittman, who, along with her band of handsome gentlemen, concoct bulletproof bangers designed to fill your lungs, get your body talking and to go gaga, too. Below, Wittman gets us up to speed.

Ferndale Patch: What can people expect from your band at this year's Blowout?
Liz Wittman: People can expect Lettercamp to be a lot of fun. Our set is totally danceable, electronic and exciting. We use a number of back-lit screens and silhouettes to make our set as much a visual experience as much as an auditory experience. 

Ferndale Patch: What's your favorite memory of Blowout over the years?
Wittman: Overall, my favorite thing about Blowout is the camaraderie. But if I had to name one thing, it would be last year's Blowout. Lettercamp and Friendly Foes played the same night within an hour of each other. I remember finishing up the Lettercamp set at the (Gates of Columbus) Lounge and then hauling ass over to the Belmont to close out the night with Friendly Foes. After Friendly Foes finished our last song, I remember just collapsing on the monitor. I was so exhausted, hungry and my feet were killing me. But I sat there and the only thing I could think was, "That was so much fun!" 

Ferndale Patch: Post-show meal poll: Hit up something in Hamtramck or head back to Ferndale and grab some Taco Bell?
Wittman: Well, I must say I am becoming quite attached to Del Taco after a long night of playing, drinking and dancing. It will mostly depend on who is driving.

Band: Macrame Tiger
Performing: Saturday, March 5, Baker's Street Car, 1 a.m.

Every city needs at least one over-the-top, unconventional, genre hopping six-piece indie rock collective, right? Ferndale's got one in Macrame Tiger, a band that sounds like all your favorite records being played at once. Sounds kinda crazy, but somehow, it works. Multi-instrumentalist Kerry Teeth chewed on a few of our questions for us.

Ferndale Patch: What can people expect from your band at this year's Blowout?
Kerry Teeth: 
This year we're going to be even more heavy-handed with our rock 'n' roll and homemade confetti blaster. It's a party, right? Tons of new songs for everyone, too!

Ferndale Patch: What's your favorite memory of Blowout over the years? What are you excited about this year?
Teeth: 
Last year was the year we really cemented ourselves in the scene, so that was rad unto itself. We're stoked to perform with our Loco Gnosis family in 2011 at Baker's Streetcar (Pewter Cub, Woodman, Crappy Future).

Ferndale Patch: Post-show meal poll: Hit up something in Hamtramck or head back to Ferndale and grab some Taco Bell?
Teeth: 
We're all broke, man. I keep a box of fried chicken in my freezer and a few bottles of cheap wine on the buffet just in case anybody wants some din-din when we get home. Usually we're so drunk though, we just wander toward any old eatery.

Band: Old Empire
Performing: Saturday, March 5, Gates of Columbus Lounge, 11:20 p.m.

Part of the fun of Blowout is all the excessive drinking and running around. If that's your bag, may we recommended a stop at the Gates of Columbus Lounge to drink in the the whiskey-soaked sounds of Old Empire? With a Mike Ness snarl, and a Wilco-esque stomp, OE plays the kind of alt-country that is more punk than honky tonk. Singer/songwriter Gabe Dodson knocks a few questions back for us.

Ferndale Patch: What can people expect from your band at this year's Blowout?
Gabe Dodson: People should expect to see three dudes and two ladies melting faces and breaking hearts. We also make butts shake.

Ferndale Patch: What's your favorite memory of Blowout over the years?
Dodson:
My Blowout memories tend to get a bit blurred. Now, I won't deny that the ol' bread soda plays some part in this; nonetheless, my Blowout memories tend to follow the same wonderful template. I go see a band where I run into some people I didn't think I'd see. Then, we go see more bands, at least one of which none of us thought we'd see. In doing so, we all have a great night celebrating the familiar and loving discovery.

Ferndale Patch: Post-show meal poll: Hit up something in Hamtramck or head back to Ferndale and grab some Taco Bell?
Dodson: A late-night diner meal with friends is a great way to cap an evening at the Blowout. I'll likely have one of those fried-chicken-strip-pita-bread sandwiches. Besides, it's been about nine months since I've consumed Taco Bell and I'd like to keep that streak alive.

Band: Prussia
Performing:  Thursday, March 3, at New Dodge, 9:20 p.m.

Helium-high vocals, jaunty African rhythms and an equal love of Phil Spector, the Smiths and Animal Collective, the momentum for Prussia has been building for the last few years. Eclectic and hectic, Prussia could blow up at any moment. This is a good thing. Lead singer Ryan Spencer A's our Q's. 

Ferndale Patch: What can people expect from your band at this year's Blowout?
Ryan Spencer: We are a five-piece band that makes sensibly dark, experimental pop music. We will play seven songs and bring dat swag like Ellen Degeneres. 

Ferndale Patch: What's your favorite memory of Blowout over the years?
Spencer: Last year was cool for me, because we played in this tiny place and there were a lot of people. At one point, I didn't know if we'd be able to get our (equipment) on stage. Afterward, I slept on a floor at some afterparty. Fun times. 

Ferndale Patch: Post-show meal poll: Hit up something in Hamtramck or head back to Ferndale and grab some Taco Bell?
Spencer: I usually wait until the morning after. I gotta work the next day. ... Wake up hungry and hung over. Go to work hazy and wait until 3 p.m. to get a free shift meal at LPZ. That Taco Bell ain't even meat, son. 

Band: Robin Goodfellow
Performing: Thursday, March 3, at Mars Bar, 10 p.m.

Chill Wave seems to be a term thrown around quite a bit when describing white dudes who makes synth-based soundscapes on laptops in their bedrooms. They're white, and they have synths, but we're not really sure Chill Wave suits the more abrasive and goofy Robin Goodfellow, who often perform with mysterious singers dressed in ghost costumes, and with pyramids on their heads. A.P. MacKinnon one half of RG, along with Computer Perfection's Nathaniel Burgundy IV – attempts to demystify. He does a bad job.

Ferndale Patch: What can people expect from your band at this year's Blowout?
A.P. MacKinnon: Robin Goodfellow will swallow the sun and digest the moon.

Ferndale Patch: What's your favorite memory of Blowout over the years?
MacKinnon: Our favorite Blowout memory would have to be 2010, when Robin Goodfellow was birthed. Happenstance brought us together – one of our fathers, the owl, directed us to follow the eighth constellation to the warning of Venus, and there we found the black beat which carried us on to the finer circles of Aristus. After we had melted in the alluvial sands we returned to the Gates of Columbus Lounge, beat in hand, and proceeded to recount our tale through dark storms, and blinding suns. From then on Nathaniel Burgundy IV and A.P. MacKinnon knew their obligation to the Orion Correlation and have continued to steady their hand towards its purple skies.

Ferndale Patch: Post-show meal poll: Hit up something in Hamtramck or head back to Ferndale and grab some Taco Bell?
MacKinnon: After such an event, Mr. Burgundy will certainly find himself enjoying Ferndale's finest Mexican fare. Mr. MacKinnon, however, thrives on a strict liquid diet and will return to his favorite flagon.

Band: Zoos of Berlin
Performing: Thursday, March 3, New Dodge, 11:20 p.m.

Zoos of Berlin are musical aristocrats, creating a world where airy jazz flourishes collide with Berlin-era Bowie, Brian Eno-esque soundscapes, and shards of avant rock that touch upon everything from King Crimson to Guided by Voices. They are most likely better than your band. Singer/guitarist Trevor Naud let's us know what's up.

Ferndale Patch: What can people expect from your band at this year's Blowout?
Trevor Naud: New songs – good Lord permitting.

Ferndale Patch: What's your favorite memory of Blowout over the years?
Naud: Last year at the Gates of Columbus Hall, pretty much toward the end of a Saturday night show, I remember seeing a dozen or more couples kissing in that long hallway between the actual "hall" and the "lounge." I don't normally go for PDAs, but this was spontaneous and sexy. United Kissers of America. 

Ferndale Patch: Post-show meal poll: Hit up something in Hamtramck or head back to Ferndale and grab some Taco Bell?
Naud:
I like Clock (now closed) and I've stopped at the Checkers a few times. Ideally, Zoos drummer Collin Dupuis, who lives in Hamtramck, would have some great stew or an Ethiopian red lentil mash made with clarified butter. Everyone would be invited. 

Honorable Mentions: More Ferndale bands jamming this year's Blowout.*

Bars of Gold - Friday, March 4, Small's, 10:40 p.m.
Brain Rottar - Thursday, March 3, Baker's Street Car, 10:20 p.m.
Carradine - Thursday, March 3, Small's, 9:20 p.m.
Child Bite - Thursday, March 3, New Dodge, 12:20 a.m.
The Cold Wave - Saturday, March 5, Small's, 10 p.m.
Computer Perfection - Thursday, March 3, Atlas Bar, midnight.
Deadbeat Beat - Thursday, March 3, Small's, 10:20 p.m.
Destroy This Place - Saturday, March 5, Small's, midnight. 
Fawn - Wednesday, March 2, the Magic Stick (pre-party), 10 p.m.
Illy Mack - Thursday, March 3, Small's, midnight.
The Kickstand Band - Friday, March 4, Gates of Columbus Hall, midnight.
Scarlet Oaks - Thursday, March 3, Gates of Columbus Lounge, 9:40 p.m.
The Sights - Thursday, March 3, Gates of Columbus Lounge, 11:40 p.m. 
Songs From The Moon - Thursday, March 3, Whiskey In The Jar, 12:40 a.m.

*Apologies to anybody we missed. It's not like we can know where everybody lives.

Correction: Lettercamp plays at 11:15 p.m. at the Magic Stick on Wednesday and the Clock in Hamtramck is closed.

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