Suzy - Detroit Music

Local Music - CHUCK BURNS

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 19:17:00 GMT

CHUCK BURNS is one of those guys that falls into the LOCAL LEGEND category. Having been in Seduce, Speedball, Universal Temple Of Divine Power, The Shaky Jakes, The Meanies, The Skeemin' No Goods (and more) Chuck certainly knows Detroit, music and everything in between.

Most recently he has been working on his own stuff and just put out a brand new solo record called GOSSIP IS THE DEVIL'S RADIO.

(CD design and artwork by CHOPPER!)

When I talked to Chuck about the new record he told me "it's totally local, and since I did everything ON the record, it's completely solo." Meaning Chuck did the guitar, bass, drums, vocals and anything else that you hear on this record. How cool is that? So not only is Chuck Burns a legend, he's also a huge talent. So...I suggest you take a listen and share it with your friends.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO CHUCK BURNS - GOSSIP IS THE DEVIL'S RADIO -NOW!!

Local Music - PISTOL DAY PARADE

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 16:49:00 GMT

PISTOL DAY PARADE

Members:
Dave Fuller, Rob Banks, Guido Johnson, Jason Lollio, Dave Coughlin

You've most certainly heard these guys before on WRIF. AND...you may have heard the new track BETTER popping up on the air! We've been getting lots of calls about the new tune, so we wanted to make sure that you knew exactly what it was and how to find info on the band!

PISTOL DAY PARADE ON FACEBOOK

PISTOL DAY PARADE WEBSITE

Local Music - GHOSTS OF AUGUST

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:09:00 GMT

Ghosts of August is a five piece band from right here in the Motor City! Formed in 2007, Ghosts of August have "been working tirelessly" to gather fans and attention...We think they're doing a pretty darn good job! We've been playing this track on the RIFF and A LOT of you have been requesting it!! (Thanks for the feedback!)

Band members:
Dave Holowchak - Vocals
Steven Lee - Guitars/Vocals
Terry Freers - Bass
Kenny Lee - Drums
Paul Delmotte - Guitars

GHOSTS OF AUGUST - DISEASE

See 'em live at The Crofoot Ballroom in Pontiac on December 9th!

GHOSTS OF AUGUST FACEBOOK PAGE!!

CHECK OUT THE GHOSTS OF AUGUST WEBSITE HERE!!

Local Music - THE OCTOPUS

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 17:36:00 GMT

The Octopus is a band that has been around Detroit for a while. They went away for a bit, and then they came back. There have been some line-up changes and some slight refinements in the tunes, but each and every time that the front woman, Masha, gets up on the stage and starts belting it out, you know exactly why you're there...to see a bad ass chick rock your face off!!!

The band currently features: Masha Marjieh, Joe Frezza (The Wildbunch/early Electric Six), Dale Wilson, Adam Cox (The Dead Bodies)

Check em out!!

Latest tracks by the_octopus

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE OCTOPUS' FACEBOOK PAGE!!! (hear tunes, see pics, show dates and more!)

Local Music - THE HANDGRENADES

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 20:17:00 GMT

THE HANDGRENADES

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT SOME OF THEIR TUNES AND SEE WHEN THEY ARE PLAYING!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH SOME VIDEOS OF THE HANDGRENADES!

“Whoever writes it, sings it.” Listen to The HandGrenades, and you’ll quickly understand. With three contributing songwriters out of a four-man roster, The HandGrenades are a talented bunch. Brothers Andrew & Tom Pawelski, along with Nick Chevillet, take turns sharing lead and backing vocalist duties (along with lead guitar, rhythm guitar, and bass), while Joby Kaslowski provides a consistent backbeat on the drums. If you’re digging a particular tune, be sure to check out who’s singing lead vocals, and you’ll instantly uncover the song’s mastermind.

With at least 5 years of songwriting under their belts, Detroit natives Andrew Pawelski and Nick Chevillet began to look for others to join in making music. In 2007, the elder Pawelski brother, Tom, joined the duo and shortly after, they snatched up the talents of drummer, Joby Kaslowski. This foursome quickly became known to local audiences as The HandGrenades.

Boasting a polished sound, with no shortage of catchy hooks, it’s not surprising that The HandGrenades cite The British Invasion as a primary influence. Additionally, prominent two and three-part harmonies are reminiscent of early Motown and undoubtedly contribute to the band’s rockin’ retro feel. The HandGrenades’ high-energy live shows are a definite must-see—as a staple of their engaging performance, they distribute instruments to the audience and invite them to play along.

The HandGrenades were signed to Sound Artifacts Music in August 2009. They released their debut, self-titled, full-length record in late 2009, and it is currently available in the US and EU via digital distributors. The HGs spent most of 2010 writing, recording, and mixing their Three Cheers for the Wonder Years EP (their first release with Sound Artifacts Records)...AVAILABLE NOW! Pick up an EP locally, in hard copy, or online in the US and EU via digital distributors.

Local Music - DALE EARNHARDT JR JR

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 20:13:00 GMT

If you've listened to our HD2 station, RIFF2, you might be familiar with this next band...if not, take a second and get familiar with DALE EARNHARDT JR JR!!

Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr is a duo consisting of Josh Epstein and Daniel Zott (with the addition of touring members when they are on the road or playing live) and have nothing to do with Nascar, Dale Earnhardt or anything remotely associated with those things. They are however getting a lot of world wide acclaim and notoriety for their new record "It's A Corporate World" that is out now!

If you've got a second check out some of thier tunes by CLICKING HERE.

Or listen to thier first single off the record titled "Morning Thought" right here: (you can even enter your email HERE and get a free download emailed to you!)

It's A Corporate World by Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.

Tour dates and everything else can be found by clicking around on that page as well.

See 'em live in Detroit at St. Andrews Hall with Danny Brown and Prussia on June 25th! CLICK HERE for tickets.

Local Music - THE DIRTY AMERICANS

Mon, 16 May 2011 19:55:00 GMT

THE DIRTY AMERICANS...

If you haven't heard of them, you might be new to the area. These dudes have been rockin' Detroit for years and they do it with that all inclusive party atmosphere that you WANT to be involved in! I've seen 'em live a bunch of times, and each and every time I walk away wanting to hang out more and belly up to the bar with them! What I'm saying here is, quite literally...THE DIRTY AMERICANS are my party bros!

They've got a new record coming out soon, and you should be aware of that! You can get it on iTunes on June 14th...so mark your calendars and get ready for a bunch of summer songs for your BBQ parties...just don't forget the beer!

CLICK HERE FOR THE DIRTY AMERICAN'S FACEBOOK PAGE.

CLICK HERE TO STREAM THE FIRST SONG FROM THE NEW RECORD!!

A little bit more about them:

One of Michigan's top live acts, the Dirty Americans dedicate themselves to continuing the heavy stoner riffs and workman-like raw vibe you can only find in one place...Detroit!. Drawing inspiration from as well as playing with such legendary Michigan rockers as the MC5, Iggy and the Stooges, Alice Cooper, Ted Nugent , and Kid Rock (both massive northern michigan shows on Boyne Mountain)....the Dirty Americans cary a heavy torch!

Roadrunner Record's promotion of the first album Strange Generation produced by Paul Ebersold (Saliva/3 Doors Down) in 2004 generated a top 10 video in Japan and the UK, music on prime time TV (Alias) and songs in such playstation games as Wayne Gretzky Hockey, ATV3, American Chopper, and GT4.

Their success overseas led to major festival appearances around the world including 2 shows for Japan's summer sonic festivals, Turino's Freefest with the Stooges, a Co-head liner with Jet at Festimad/Spain, as well as Download Festival/Donnington,UK, Rock Am Ring & Rock Im Park/Germany...all the while maintaining their do it yourself Motor City rebelious stance.

The new album "BLACK FEATHER is a self produced (Jeff Piper/Jeremiah Pilbeam) full length effort that was mixed by Tim Patalan (Sponge, Taproot) and features a cover of the Bob Seger System's "Lucifer" on which keyboardist Jimmie Bones (Kid Rock) appears. More able to experiment since their break from Roadrunner Records, this is a darker and considerably more psychedelic effort...so dig out the headphones, turn it up, and tune out!*********************************************************
"They're a gritty, down and dirty Michigan rock band, I think they're one of the best bands we've produced in Michigan, ever!" - Gary Graff/Rolling Stone/Billboard/Detroit Free Press, citing MC5, Alice Cooper, and Iggy and the Stooges, "You can mention them in the same breath as all those historic rock bands"

"Harking back to a more classic era, title track and lead single Strange Generation is The Who for the 21st Century!" - Tom Day/HIT PARADER

"Dirty americans go straight for the jugular with killer riffs, melodies and honest sunny stoner vibes, rock music at its uplifting, unpretentious best..strange generation is one of the years essential purchases!" 4/5K's - Dom Lawson - KERRANG!

LOCAL MUSIC - DENNIS COFFEY

Wed, 04 May 2011 16:53:00 GMT

I finally got to see the amazing DENNIS COFFEY at the Detroit Music Awards last month...and he blew me away (as did Mayer Hawthorne when he joined him on stage!) I thought I would share this with you guys...he's kind of a big deal. Check him out! If you don't know...now you do!

CLICK HERE FOR DENNIS COFFEY'S WEBSITE.

Biography:

Dennis Coffey is an American original. Only in America (and specifically, only in Detroit) could one man play guitar with a group of legends as diverse as Del Shannon, The Temptations, and George Clinton and Funkadelic. However, the list of iconic artists, producers and writers Dennis has worked with the world over only scratches the surface of what the man has done and the contributions he's made to the canon of popular music.

Dennis Coffey first began to make his mark as a member of The Royaltones, a group which had hits in the late 50's and early 60's and who performed sessions with other artists, including Del Shannon. From there, Dennis moved on to a distinguished run as a session guitarist for various labels operating at the peak of Detroit's influence as a hub of musical innovation and commercial success. He's perhaps best known for his work as a member of the legendary Funk Brothers, backing a veritable trunk load of hits for Motown, specifically The Temptations' classics "Cloud Nine," "Ball Of Confusion," and "Just My Imagination." It is in those works that his introduction of the wah-wah guitar sound to Motown (and soul / R&B in general) first reared its head, and the resulting influence on all kinds of popular music continues to reverberate to this day. His work with The Temptations is just the tip of the iceberg, though... he's on stuff like "War" by Edwin Starr... "Band Of Gold" by Freda Payne...on and on the list goes.

In the early 70's, Dennis struck out on his own as an artist, film scorer and producer. He scored the cult classic film Black Belt Jones. He recorded "Scorpio" in 1971 as part of his second solo record and first for Sussex ("Evolution"). "Scorpio" was a million selling single and was a key foundational track in the history and development of hip-hop, totally apart from its status as a funk classic. Dennis has recorded several other solo records, and he has co-produced a million seller in Gallery's Nice To Be With You as well as cult record Cold Fact by Rodriguez, a release that has gained increasing notoriety over the decades since it initially appeared, and which is now regarded as a rediscovered gem. He also continued session guitar work through the 1970's, appearing on such disco classics as "Boogie Fever" by the Sylvers.

Dennis is also featured in the 2002 film Standing In The Shadows Of Motown, further cementing his legacy as a key contributor to the development of some of the most cherished and important popular music of the 20th Century.

So, yeah... the man's important. This isn't just a history lesson, though. Dennis has continued to write and perform music. He's a lifer. Now, it's time for a new chapter. An opportunity to both remind music fans of what he's done and show them what's to come.

Local Music - THE MUGGS

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 17:52:00 GMT

If you're not familiar with Detroit's own THE MUGGS...well, then let me familiarize you really quickly...because you ALL should know about these guys!

The Muggs have been around for 11 years...they've played WRIF's Harleyfest, Opening Day, The Hamtramck Blowout, Arts Beats & Eats, Winterfest etc...They've been a staple at many of the main venues in town drawing in huge crowds that love their gritty bluesy rock! You many have even seen them featured on television! (They were on Fox's Next Great American Band...and PBS's Rock N' Roll Safari)

I love this band and so should you!! They've got a new cd coming out on APRIL 29th...it's their third LP and it's called BORN UGLY on BellyAche Records Shoppe. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO.

You can see them live AND get the new cd at THE MAGIC BAG in Ferndale on FRIDAY APRIL 29th for their CD Release show!

CLICK HERE FOR SHOW DETAILS.

For all things MUGGS...CLICK HERE!

And to hear one of my favorite jams from THE MUGGS...click on the link below!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DevsTroCwQ

Local Music - WILSON

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 16:32:00 GMT

Wilson is from both the Detroit and Lansing area...they've been around since 2009 and you may have seen them around at shows here in there opening up for the likes of Steel Panther, Dillinger The Escape Plan, Saving Abel and more. They've really been out there trying to rock all of your faces off...and we are actually giving you another opportunity for YOUR face to get rocked off by Wilson! They are going to be playing our big OPENING DAY PARTY at THE FILLMORE in Detroit THIS FRIDAY - April 8th! CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO!

For more info on WILSON...then by all means, CLICK HERE.

And check out WILSON'S zombiriffic video for SNAKE EYES: