This Just In

I'm still trying to come to terms with the fact that I'll be missing tons of great shows this weekend because I'm sick, but I am taking a little comfort in the fact that The Juliets, one of my favorite Detroit-area bands, just released their brand new debut for free download. So I'm gonna go take some more cough syrup, play Nintendo and listen to it right now. You should too - at least the listening to it part.

I don't really suggest the cough syrup part. In fact, I really don't understand how people use this stuff in a recreational manner. The bottle I have says in large letters on the side: PARENTS: TALK TO YOUR TEENS ABOUT COUGH MEDICINE ABUSE. Add this to the list of reasons I'm not sad I don't have a child. I can't really see that conversation going my way.

Me: Hey you.
Kid (probably playing video games or watching TV, not really having any desire to talk to me): What?
Me: I wanted to talk to you about cough medicine abuse.
Kid: What? Why?
Me: Because it says to right here. On the side of the bottle.
Kid: Cough medicine tastes disgusting.
Me: I know - that's what I said. I mean, who knew you could, for instance, mix a bottle of it with say, Sprite and Vodka and have it be palatable?
Kid: Whoa. People do that?
Me: I guess so - I saw it in a rap video once. I guess they call it, "Sippin' the sizzurp." Or something. They say it provides a killer high.
Kid: Wow - really? I wouldn't have ever thought of that.
Me: Oh. Well, um, please don't ok?
Kid: Whatever.
Me: I'm glad we had this talk.
Kid: Please leave now.
Me: Ok. Love you.

Wonder Twins: Women: A Celebration of Art & Culture @ the Crofoot

If you didn't get your estrogen fix last Saturday at the Women: A Celebration of Art & Culture, you can get a taste of what you missed via this week's Wonder Twins. If you did, you can relive moments of the evening through the eyes of these very special ladies. You can also play a game called, "How many times did the Wonder Twins use the word 'vagina' in this week's column?" (Answer: Lots of times, though, "No more than any other column" is also an acceptable response).

It was a really nice event, and Phreddy Wischusen should be proud of his little lady brainchild. My only complaint was that more than once during the evening, the music being played in between sets via compact disc started to skip. And skip. And skip. And nobody immediately stopped it. I don't think there is a sound in the world that makes me more violent than that of a CD on the fritz when nobody with the power to stop it taking notice. It's like psychological torture. I know people get busy and wrapped up on stuff, but this seems to happen a lot at restaurants and stores etc. Knock it off, please.

If I've riled you up, check out these Post-Its that look like tiny blades of grass. It will relax you.

So much to do this weekend - most of it in Pontiac!

My, oh my, so much to do this weekend! So many musical stylings to hear live and in person. Though you hardly need my guidance, these are the shows on my radar:

Tonight - 52 Week High for free dollars at the Pike Room It's free, and their song "Stimulus" is the best political number of the year. I will not be attending sadly, as I have socks to darn. Plus this idea of something being "free" feels wrong. I love to pay for things. Especially parking.

Tomorrow - Women: A Night of Art and Culture at the Crofoot Industrial Complex in Pontiac Again in that far away place of Pontiac Michigan! So many great bands, artists and even lady comedians (these exist? We'll just see about that).

Sunday - FAWN w/ The Cold Wave at the Loving Touch in Ferndale
This Sunday take a break from Pontiac and go to a place in Ferndale with a name that could easily be mistaken for that of an "oriental massage" parlour. After all, that's the kind of place you usually go on Valentine's Day by yourself, right? Plus it's your first chance to see FAWN do a full set. You can read more about FAWN in this week's Metro Times. The article is just so good.

Monday - Leslie and the Ly's at the Pike Room in Pontiac
After a day away, you're missing Pontiac right? Well, go back on Monday and experience Leslie and the Ly's. Champions Of Breakfast will be playing as well! If this video doesn't convince you, I bet nothing will.

Wonder Twins at the WAB

Jewish porn and sexting raspberry blondes. Just another night for the Wonder Twins...

Also, this video is from that very show. The song is even referenced in our piece. Such accidental artistic synergy is so rare these days. Don't worry - you are losing nothing in sound quality here. This is exactly what it sounded like if you were there. I believe that YouTube is telling me that Trever Long took this video. Or somebody who stole his identity.

Please oh, please movie film, play in Detroit at some point.

Yo La Tengo each and every day

When Yo La Tengo played the Crofoot at the end of January, they ended their set with an invite to the audience to "join them tomorrow night in Madison." Though I wish I were the one who actually took them up on this offer, I'm glad somebody did! It's totally awesome that the band agreed to play the traveller's request ("Drug Test" from President Yo La Tengo - an "oldie but goodie" as the aged like to say) AND sent it out to "everybody in Pontiac Michigan tonight." I am guessing this is the first time ever a song played in Madison, Wisconsin was dedicated to the sad, struggling city of Pontiac.

Cute tops!

I'm not 100% sure why this exists, but it is pretty much my favorite thing in the world right now. Bravo AJ and Sean. You Cold Wave boys are funny.