FOCUS IS BACK WITH A NEW LP

Focus had a big hit "Hocus Pocus"around the globe in 1973 and I saw them play live at Bowen Field House, EMU. They were fabulous live! My guy pals all loved this band and now here they are once more....Check them out!

Dutch Rock Legends FOCUS Release New Album 'Golden Oldies' On April 14, 2014

London, UK – Dutch rock legends Focus will be releasing their eagerly awaited new album on April 14, 2014. Titled 'Golden Oldies', the new release features re-recordings of classic Focus tracks, featuring “Hocus Pocus”, “Sylvia”, “House Of The King” and others. Focus has recently embarked on a world tour in support of their forthcoming album.

Thijs Van Leer explains, “Producing 'Golden Oldies' is tricky. Both the die hard Fans and the 2014 Focus-members were having doubts about this enterprise, because we didn't know if the recent recordings would match the original material, notwithstanding the fact that we had so much fun in doing the session, quick, romantic, virtuoso, full of funny moments & profoundness; But... the final mix turns out to be fantastic and we all are proud to release this album at our earliest convenience!! Halleluya!!!”

With their unique brand of progressive rock, Focus manifested themselves at the start of the '70s as the most successful and appreciated of all the Dutch pop-rock exports. Fronted by founding member Thijs Van Leer, and best known for their hits “Hocus Pocus”, “House of The King” and “Sylvia”, the iconic Dutch music masters are back with their new album, which is guaranteed to please their legions of fans!

After a comeback in the early 2000's, the band has gone from strength to strength, with their last studio album 'Focus X' still receiving considerable support from music fans across multiple genres. Along with Thijs van Leer on vocals, flute and keyboards, back on the drums is beloved Focus drummer Pierre van der Linden, who joined the group on their second album 'Moving Waves' in 1972.

Internationally renowned for his rhythmic skills, Pierre remains a defining factor in the Focus sound. Bassist Bobby Jacobs, who comes from a well-acclaimed Dutch musical family and guitarist Menno Gootjes, who participated in Focus at an earlier stage, complete the band's current line-up.

Most recently, the group's 1972 worldwide hit “Hocus Pocus” was featured in the major motion picture 'Robocop' starring Samuel L. Jackson, Gary Oldman and Michael Keaton.

To purchase Focus 'Golden Oldies' CLICK HERE

For more information: http://www.focustheband.com

Focus is managed by 

QEDG Management www.qedg.co.uk

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, 

PH: 828-350-8158 (USA),  

glassonyonpr@gmail.com

FUZZ FEST at WOODRUFFS

Bad Indians

Photo credits: Sara Osburn     

It hadn’t been long since I was at Woodruff’s to see a show but I couldn’t remember the last time I didn’t have to sludge through several inches of snow to get there so hearing the muffled music coming through the glass windows as I crossed the street was one of those pleasant reminders that spring was here. I was excited to see the lineup Chris Taylor of Blue Snaggletooth and Jukebox Productions, had put together for this final night of Fuzz Fest and the end of days for Woodruffs, which is soon to become Maiz Mexican Cantina.

When I walked in Lord Centipede was onstage. I had recently spotted their drummer, Justin at The Worst Bar alongside Ypsi Mayor Paul Schreiber and EMU President Susan Martin downing 20 foot lengths of Bratwurst for an ingenious fundraiser via bratwurst eating contest benefiting FLY Children's Art Center. The gusto shown gulping down bratwurst for a good cause was impressive but relocate that same energy behind a drum kit and you are in for a treat and as always, Lord Centipede did not disappoint. A self-proclaimed “Hardcore/Thrash/Doom Metal Trio”, these guys perform heavy, driving, powerful rock and roll that’s just dripping with Angst. Hail Lord Centipede!!!

Lavamoth's sweet logo

Lava Moth “hails from the four corners of the stoner rock universe” and brought all of their fuzzed out awesomeness to Fuzz Fest. Featuring former members of 500 Ft of Pipe and Shotgun Logic, Lava Moth has made a name for themselves in Detroit. This is the set when I really started to notice the awesome throw back liquid psychedelic lighting being done by The Overhead Army. I can’t remember the last time I saw someone actively using overhead projectors for lighting effects. Way to go with this psychedelic touch to the festival!

Video of Blue Snaggletooth by Jason Buchanan

I had a chance to talk with Chris Taylor of Blue Snaggletooth whose Jukebox Productions is responsible for conceiving, planning, promoting and executing Fuzz Fest. He was very pleased with the turnout and is happy to have it been such a successful event. His plans now are to focus on Blue Snaggletooth. “We need to finish our 2nd album which is tracked but still needs to be mixed. Then the group needs to put all our energy into getting the album: promo, touring and hopefully some video shoots.” – Chris Taylor

Lizerrd’s Anthony Gentile

Lizerrd was formed in the Fall of 2011 for the purpose of playing a Halloween show as the Jesus Lizard. They had so much fun they decided to keep playing. They actually played that first show right there at Woodruff’s. Now they aren’t just doing Jesus Lizard covers, they have their own material and if you like Black Flag, Minor Threat, Easy Action, you’ll probably dig Lizerrd. You can also catch Lizerrd’s Anthony Gentile, Jheremie Jacque and Larry Johnson in Disinformants who played Thursday night of Fuzz Fest.

I finished my evening with the Bad Indians set, a band I’ve been looking forward to seeing for a long time. I was not disappointed. Bad Indians totally lived up to their hype. Jeff Milo describes Bad Indians as, “psych-torched, garage tumbled, surf rock. They like reverb, pedals and aren't afraid of getting dark and spooky,” which is a completely apt description of this act who are definitely worth getting out and seeing. Let me mention again the awesome light show from The Overhead Army; the Bad Indians have a perfect genre-bending sound for this type of lighting and really made the set and Fuzz Fest memorable.

Bad Indians

I was glad to have made it to Fuzz Fest but at the same time I feel some remorse for the end of another Ypsilanti live music venue. Fuzz Fest may have been the last good rock & roll show in Ypsi for a long time.

Jason Osburn a Kimchi and craft beer fueled artist, graphic designer, chef, daddy, and writer. (not necessarily in that order) He’s worked in and around the music industry in Detroit and Nationally for the better part of 20 years. 

saddleproductions@gmail.com

http://micraftbeerculture.com/

MARGARET DOLL ROD'S VINYL EP RELEASE PART Y MAY 10!

"It really doesn't matter what planet you are from… 

Spin it, revolve it, party with it, release it… 

Yes that's right 

MARGARET DOLL RODS RECORD RELEASE PARTY 

May 10th at PJ's Lager House… 

with THE VOLCANOS, STOMP ROCKETS, 

and disc jockey ADAM STANFEL." Margaret Doll Rod

"Margaret Doll Rod's amazing solo act is something to witness with distorted guitar, bass drum, tap dancing and impassioned vocal delivery Margaret Doll Rod entertains the crowd with raw energy." Wizard of Livonia

FUZZ FEST: CAVEMAN WOODMAN AND BLUE SNAGGLETOOTH

Photo credits: Brian Rozman

Caveman Woodman and Blue Snaggletooth? Sounds like an episode of the Flinstones, doesn’t it? Not in Ypsilanti and not in the breakfast joint-turned-music venue-soon to be taco stand? 

Thursday through Saturday, Jukebox Productions will host Fuzz Fest. 3 nights of Loud, Fun, Fuzzy, Overdriven, Rock & Roll. Ever since Willie Johnson of Howlin’ Wolf’s band cranked up his gain in the early ‘50s, guitarists have been searching for awesome, loud, bone crunching, distortion. Michigan has been a hot bed of high-intensity rock and roll since the ‘60’s and this week you can hear an awesome sampling of what that search has returned.

Caveman Woodman is gnarly, swamp stomp, dirt covered, fur wrapped musical evolution. You may have caught him guerilla rocking outside a Detroit show or playing atop the cement patio wall outside of PJ’s Lagerhouse and now you can see him in Ypsi on stage as a duo with Bam Bam Moss.

“We're super excited to play Fuzz fest. It's just me on fender jag and Brandon (Bam Bam) Moss (the drummer for Bars of Gold) playing primitive, fun, train off the tracks rock-n-roll! We have a vinyl record coming out on Bellyache Records on May 31rst. We're really excited about Friday night’s lineup. Chit Chat is one of our new faves.”
          -Caveman Woodman 

Blue Snaggletooth

Blue Snaggletooth is “Psychedelic, D&D, Rock & Roll with muscular grooves and furious guitar work”. Fronted by Chris Taylor (Mazinga, Powertrane, and Michigan legend Scott Morgan) and featuring Guitarist Casey O'Ryan and bassist Joe Kupiec, both rock & roll prodigies steeped in hard rock and classic boogie. "They're not brothers, but they should be," says Taylor. Mike Popovich drives the train from at the helm of the drumkit. The band’s first release, ‘Dimension Thule’ sold out its first pressing and the band is working on a new album.

Both of these awesome acts are on the Friday night bill along with 9 other great Michigan acts.Here’s the lineup below and a link for more info on all 3 high-intensity nights of Fuzz Fest.

FUZZ FEST FACEBOOK EVENT
Friday April 11 

The Muggs
Destroy This Place
Blue Snaggletooth
Chit Chat
The Boss Mustangs
Scissor Now
Van Houten
Caveman Woodman & Bam Bam Moss
HISS
Wizard Union
Wiccans

Jason Osburn a Kimchi and craft beer fueled artist, graphic designer, chef, daddy, and writer. (not necessarily in that order) He’s worked in and around the music industry in Detroit and Nationally for the better part of 20 years. 

saddleproductions@gmail.com

http://micraftbeerculture.com/

TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND TICKET PRESALE ENDS TONIGHT!

Pre-sale is on for Tedeschi Trucks Band, Greensky Bluegrass and Houndsmouth at Freedom Hill on June 17. Use the password "Hill14" at this link: http://bit.ly/TTBFH.

Hurry, pre-sale ends at 10pm on April 10.

POPULAR DETROIT GUITARIST RICK STEL DIED AT AGE 60

Guitarist Rick Stel photo: © Ingo Rautenberg

**UPDATE**

OBITUARY AND FUNERAL INFORMATION HERE

Sad news today, we lost another loving Detroit soul...Guitarist Rick Stel fought a brave battle against cancer...He was so good and his music was compelling. I remember the first time I saw him play it was in Ann Arbor with Jim McCarty's Mystery Train. I was there to film Jimmy but my camera kept pulling me to the left where Rick was playing.

He was magical to watch..he really was...our prayers are with his family and friends.....he was beautiful ❤️

JB Blues interviewed Jimmy McCarty 
about Rick's passing...
it's a lovely piece..
 click here to read more

THIS FRIDAY ON THE ROCK AND ROLL LAWYER SHOW

Sheldon and the gang will be interviewing author, Steve Miller, whose tome Detroit Rock City is in everybodies hands and conversations these days...

People interviewed for this book include Dan Carlisle, Mitch Ryder, Stirling Silver, VC Lamont Veasey, Ron Cooke, Don Was, Mark Norton, Hiawatha Bailey, Brian Pastoria, Tom Morwatts, Jerry Brazil, Dave Leone, Jann Uhelszki, Pete Cavanaugh, Punch Andrews, Scott Morgan, Deniz Tek, Scott Richardson, Steve Fogey, David Teegarden, John Sinclair, Gary Rasmussen, S. Kay Young, K.J. Knight, Dennis Thompson, Jon Landau, Frank Bach, Rick Kraniak, Leni Sinclair, Sigrid Smith, Dennis Dunaway, Norm Liberman, John Koslosley, Pete Woodman, Susie Kaine, Jack Bodner, The worlds most pissed off guy Rick Stevers, Bill White, Donny Hartman, Shaun Murphy, Dave Palmer, Suzi Quartro, Ray Goodman, Gary Quackenbush, Becky Tyner, Jim McCarty, Jimmy Recca, Niagara, John Kordosh, Cathy Gisi, Robert Matheu, Nikki Corvette, Art Lyzak, Mike Rushlow, Skid Marx, Nick Kent, Dave Hanna, Ric Siegel, Peter Rivera, Gil Bridges, Mark Parenteau, Gail Parenteau, Michael Bruce, Jim Kosloskey, Cindy Lang, Tony Reay, Charlie Auringer, Tom Weschler, and Dick Wagner.

To listen to the show, airing Friday, April 11 at 6 PM EDT, go to http://www.tunein.com and type WCXI in the search bar. If you're mobile, download the free TuneIn app for your phone or other device.

Posted by Cheri Clair
Booking Agent/Promoter · Lincoln Park, Michigan
 Creative Director, Publicist RocknRoll Lawyer Show
https://myspace.com/cheridetroitmusicannex
http://facebook.com/Cheri.Detroit 
rockistar@gmail.com

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