I rarely ever complain about having too many options on a weekend, but this Labor Day proved even too much for me. First of all, I've had this weird cold that doesn't seem to leave me and returns whenever I have plans; it seems to have started right about the time the Gold Dollar closed, so maybe I just haven't adjusted yet to that loss.
Well, enough with the excuses - on Friday night my escapades started with a trip down to the Magic Stick for the Detroit Punk City CD release party. The CD totally rocks - it has the 12 Angry Steps, The Intoxicats, Gutterpunx, Mazinga, Dead Heroes, Unfriendlys, Lanternjack and the Hillside Stranglers. Each band does 3 songs and this CD is essential to your collection. On Friday I managed to catch the 12 Angry Steps, Dead Heroes and Lanternjack and was happy to see that the CD does a great job of catching these bands at their best.
Saturday came much too quickly and I figured out that I was supposed to be in about 3 places at the same time. My apologies to the Buzzards and Static Rituals, but I finally decided to catch the last Stroker Ace show and then hightail down Woodward to the Magic Bag for the Cynics. This only meant that I spent more time in my car than actually listening to music, but I want to bid a fond farewell to the girls and guy of Stroker Ace. They were a really cool band and at least they left a 45 behind for the memories. I just managed to catch the Cynics at the Magic Bag. They lived up to their 'garage rock legend" hype and I was glad to have made the trip.
After all of this - I really needed a rest, but that was not in the cards when I heard that two of my old favorites - the Murder City Wrecks and Demolition Doll Rods were back in action at the Old Miami. Rumors are rampant that this venerable night spot is soon to close, so I wasn't going to let a few diseases stop me from attending. The Wrecks were just plain awesome - this band rarely plays, but the wait just makes each show more special. Any thoughts of an early night quickly vanished as the Wrecks tore through a great set and just left everybody waiting for more. After a movie and cartoon interlude, which I spent exploring the Old Miami back yard, it was time to welcome back the Doll Rods. The Doll Rods sounded better than ever with Margaret and Danny taking turns while playing on top of speaker columns or just jumping into the audience. This show just put a capper on an incredible weekend.
Some notes: The Wrecks will be playing soon at the 3rd Street Saloon, the Doll Rods have a new 45 coming out, the White Stripes have returned from their British tour, the Gore Gore Girls are recording a new 45 and an album. And mark your calendar for Halloween - besides being the day before my birthday - the Ghoul will be back at the Magic Stick along with the Paybacks and 3D Invisibles - it will be rocking !!!!!