‘The EEKS E.P.’ by The EEKS

  Today we take another trip to the local scene with a band from downriver Detroit, The EEKS. They are releasing their very first EP next month but through my connections with the band, I got a download of it yesterday. I have a chance to listen to it a few times now and I promised them I’d review it. Note, just because I am friends with the band does not mean I am biased. In fact, if a friend of mine makes music that I don’t like, I’m more likely to tell them. Just ask Todd or Davy. So don’t think I’m taking it easy on them when I say I like it. It’s just fact. Let’s dive in.

  First and foremost let’s talk about the band in general. The EEKS are a classic four piece horror-punk outfit comprised of guitarist Eric Giles, drummer Rogan, Scotty Hinsin on vox and Jon C. on the dirty Casio to bring in the low end. These guys haven’t been playing together long but have already made a splash in the Detroit scene. They have been wowing crowds with their subversive, upbeat punk rock goodness all around Detroit, and this is their first official release.

  This EP does what all music should do, capture the essence of the band. Every bit of The EEKS live performance shines through on this record. They have a simplified punk sound but it’s played at just the right tempo to dance around to. Rogan’s 1-2-1-2 on drums will get you bouncing your in your car or wherever you are cranking out these tunes. The mix of Jon’s dirty low-end Casio and Giles’s creepy guitar sounds sprinkled throughout songs add melody without shoving it in your face. All of that mixed with Scotty’s spine shivering vocals and this band lives up to the name The EEKS. They’re high energy, no bullshit, punk rock. There’s not much more to say besides it’s just good. It’s not perfect, but it’s good.

  I have very few criticisms and all of them small. First and foremost, get dirtier. This band has the potential to be really gritty and they are missing out on it. Maybe an extra track of really gross keyboards low in the mix and under it all. Something to really make your blood curdle. Second, mix it up a bit more. These guys have a great sound but it never hurts to experiment a bit. Maybe a slow, muddy song or a song twice as fast and extra noisy. Just have fun with the framework laid down. Other than that, I love this record and can’t wait for more.

  If you want more be sure and check out The EEKS playing at The State Bar in Detroit on Sunday, Setember 12th for only $5. It’s a fundraiser for them to release this very EP, so go support local music! And if you ant more info and news from The EEKS, check them out on Facebook. Enjoy!

Song: ‘Gotta Have It’
Note: This is not the official artwork. I just made some for my own iTunes.

‘Play Themes from the Dark Pink Circus’ by Heroes and Villains

  Today I thought I’d put the spotlight on another local band I know. Hailing from the new cultural center of the Detroit Metro area, Hamtramck. I wish I knew where my copy of this CD was so I could tell you more about the dates, personal and such but in my many moves it seems to have disappeared. Instead, I’ll just relate how I came to know of Heroes and Villains. 

  A long time ago, I used to be in a band with a kid named Sean Owens called The Deep End. Sean just happened to be related to the drummer Andrew. Andrew and Heroes and Villains became our idols. The band we’d always hoped to be. We were so excited when Andrew came to one of our shows. That was the most nervous I’d seen Sean since our first show. Afterwards, Andrew told us he dug it and then gave us tips. “Syncopation. Look it up.”. Months later, Sean and I were lucky enough to go see Dylan at The Palace for free (Seans mom had a sweet hook up for The Palace. We even saw Roger Waters for free once.) and all of Heroes and Villains showed up. Good group of interesting guys.

  After Sean and I drifted apart, I didn’t see Andrew much. That’s usually how those things go. It wasn’t until fairly recently, when going to see my friend, and mayor of the Hamtramck underground,  Richie Wohlfeil play a show with his band that I ran into Jeffrey Fournier, bassist for Heroes and Villains. He instantly recognized me as “Heroes and Villains biggest fan”. And a good time was had by all.

  Heroes and Villains are one of those bands that defy classification. They’re psychedelic, noisy, punk and garage all mixed into a class five hurricane of freak out tunes. Their sound is best summed up by the band themselves, “Music to kill yourself to.”. Andrew keeps a minimalist drum set busy with his hard hitting, “syncopated” (I hope he reads this) rhythms. Ernie has such layered and spacey guitar to balance with his monotonic vocals. Jeff lays down subtle and sweet bass lines to pull everything together and keep it from flying off the handle. Together they add a much needed dose of insanity to the local music scene. Too many bands play it safe. Heroes and Villains are not one of them. This is what sets them apart most and draws people like me to them. As Richie put it to me, while arguing about who really is their biggest fan, “Heroes and Villains are like The Velvet Underground of Hamtramck. Everyone who hears them is changed.”.

 I hope this review helps push them to put out their second album that I have been waiting for years to hear. If you wanna hear more, check them out on their myspace. Until next time, loose your sanity in the best way and stay cool.

Song: ‘Strawman’