Detroit 2002 in Music

I know that everybody is sick of reading all of these “best of 2002” lists and the usual end of the year recommendations, but I have nothing else to do on a Tuesday evening in Macomb County, so here’s my take on 2002 in Detroit music.

I’ll dispense with the obvious first: the White Stripes have pretty much cornered the market on the Detroit “garage scene”.  We all know and love them and now the rest of the world knows and loves them.  It’s hilarious to read the New Musical Express (NME) from the UK – there are more articles on Detroit bands in there than there are in the Metro Times or Real Detroit.  As well as showing the rest of the world what talent lies in the Motor City, the White Stripes have opened the door that will lead a whole bunch of other well-deserved Detroit bands to prominence across the USA and overseas.  Already, the Von Bondies, the Electric Six and the Cobras have either signed a major deal or are on the verge of signing one.  As I write this – the Electric Six have the #2 selling single in the UK.

 Enough of the hype: it’s time to remember all of the other cool stuff that has occurred well below the radar screen of the musical press.  We can start with some of the releases that came out in 2002: the Paybacks, the Gore Gore Girls, the Hentchmen, the Sights, the Fags, Ko & the Knockouts, Dirtbombs, Piranhas, Waxwings, Brendan Benson, Margaret Doll Rod (and I few more that I’m sure I missed) all put out new albums/CD’s during the year.  There were at least a couple of Detroit compilations that I know about: Ghettoblaster, vol. 2 and the Flying Bomb Records Christmas Surprise package.  Ghettoblaster was recorded over a bunch of Sunday night (and later Friday night) sessions at the world-famous Motor City Brewing Works.  People would pile in, drink some fine locally-made beer (I can now stop grieving over the departure of Stroh’s) and watch some of Detroit’s finest bands perform.  The results are now available on one CD – you still need to get down to the Brewing Works if you want the beer though.  The Flying Bomb Compilation put together all of those fine Christmas 45s that have been put out over the years with some notable exceptions due to record label legal departments.

 As usual the year was filled with all sorts of great shows at places like the Lager House, Magic Stick and the Old Miami.  It was great to see Alvin’s reopened as a rock & roll bar and it was sad to see Lili’s close down for the final time.  Hamtramck will never be the same and that little bar on Jacob managed to pack enough great times for many lifetimes.  The crowds at the Lager House seemed to grow exponentially through the year and culminated at the jammed-pack Ponys/Sights and Hentchmen show.  The only way to get a breath of fresh air was to stick your head into the open window in the bathroom.  But I sure wasn’t complaining – where else can you see that kind of musical talent for $5?

 It’s nice to rave about all of the great new bands in Detroit like the Bloody Hollys (soon to be renamed as the Cyril Lords) and whine about the breakup of my perpetual favorites – the Buzzards, but it’s time to give credit to some bands that have rocking for twenty years or more in this town.  You don’t read about them in Spin or the NME but here’s to Cinecyde, the Sillies, the Trash Brats, Bootsey and the 3D Invisibles.  You have my appreciation and thanks!!!!!

 The Hentchmen have been around ten years and one of my favorite evenings was that 10-year anniversary show at the Stick.  Lots of cool extras, including videos, guest stars from the Hentchmen past and a rock & rolling great time.  If you haven’t seen it – the Hentchmen have put out a DVD video of “Lasabre Radar”; $3 gives you the right to play and enjoy this 3-minute definition of what the essence of  rock & roll should be over and over and over….(you get the idea). 

 It was also a year where one of the great musicians in Detroit – Steve Sortor passed away.  A celebration of his life was held at Paycheck’s and those lucky enough to be there got to see a reunion of two of Steve’s former bands – the Roommates and the Mutants.

I don’t know what 2003 will bring us – hopefully some more well-deserved success for all of those hard-working bands in the Motor City.  In either case I look forward to another year of standing around in crowded, smoke-filled bars, bumping into people, listening to great music and just thinking – “I sure am glad to be living in Detroit !!!”