2 July 2011: Goodnight Gracie’s
Despite the storm which ripped though Ann Arbor around 9:00 PM, washing away some of the heat and leaving some amazing skies I did head out to see some rock and roll and wasn’t disappointed.
Up first was SUBOURBON SON a one-man band playing honky tonk Rockabilly and Country turns. I have this image in my mind of him playing in the background of some early 50s rural crime film. He played a set that contained originals and covers that was very enjoyable.
I don’t really know what to make of THE MODFATHER with his kinda edgy New Wave sound. I think that I need to hear him again.
STUPIDITY, from Sweden was the band I was looking forward to checking out and they delivered. Hitting the stage in wearing black and red, they played tough, strong, Hi Energy Garage Punk with hints of; The Cramps, The Dead Kennedy’s and reminded me of the great Swedish band The Nomads. They commanded the stage and had me on my feet and bopin’ along. I took a moment between sets and asked both Singer Erniz and Drummer Tommy if there was any one record, band or artist that made them want to play in a band? Erniz talked about The Kinks as being a big influence, and noted that he collected versions of Louie, Louie. Tommy said that 60’s Garage Rock and 70’s Punk were a big influence and noted The Nomads as a band that were a part of his musical map.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from THE CANASTA'S, but they quickly won me over playing a mix of 40s and 50s Swing, Rock, Rockabilly and pop. You could close your eyes and hear them filling out the background in a Noir Film, or a light comedy from the 50s. They were a perfect complement to STUPIDITY in that they brought a similar stage presence and energy, but were playing from a different songbook. I don’t have much info on them, they seem to be a fairly new band, but like Van Houten they appear to be one of the new area bands to keep an eye on. Their singer has a look that is both skinhead girl and 50s pop singer, and a voice that would fit right in at a martini bar, think Doris Day or Julie London. I will end just by saying I kept hoping that they were going to break into a version of AC/DC’s Highway to Hell.
Over all it was a great show, and reminded me that I really need to get out to see more bands live.
