THE SPITS
18+ Standing Room Only Show | 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian Originally from Kalamazoo, Michigan, brothers Sean and Erin Wood formed The Spits with Lance Phelps in 1993 after realizing rock had gone limp, hated partying and just plain wasn’t fun anymore. And even though they didn’t even know how to play, the self-professed deliquents who grew up with New Orleans–style jazz and bluegrass “got cultured” and formed a band dead set on reminding the world how to have a good time. The Spits didn’t fit in with the punks or the garageheads when they landed in Seattle two years later, but carved out their own path with a series of empty open mic nights and parties under a bridge in the University District. Things started snowballing a year or two later with a good word from Mudhoney’s Steve Turner and a reputation for livewire gigs. By the late 90s/early 00s, The Spits were almost as famous for rowdy shows and outrageous costumes as they were for their acid-fried melodic rippers. Releasing five LPs over the next decade-plus, in addition to EPs and 7-inches, the gospel of The Spits spread far and wide, expanding the band’s live legend further and further while giving more fans the chance to hear their uniquely catchy songwriting and punk mayhem. And while several band members have come and gone since their formation, including Wayne Draves and Josh Kramer, The Spits have never lost their edge, never lost their live chops and most importantly, never lost that sense of beer-soaked chaos.
Elephant Revival
2025 Bell’s Beer Garden Summer Concert SeriesThis is a 18 and over event. 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian Elephant Revival is a unique collection of multi-instrumentalists blending elements of Celtic, Americana, Folk and Indie Art Rock. The band consists of Bonnie Paine (vocals, cello, djembe, washboard and musical saw), Bridget Law (fiddle, vocals), Dango Rose (upright bass, mandolin, vocals), Charlie Rose (banjo, pedal steel, mandolin, vocals) Darren Garvey (drums, percussion, vocals) and Daniel Sproul (guitars, vocals) of Rose Hill Drive. The music they create together is like weather systems meeting in the sky, Bonnie’s warmly haunting voice either merging with the rhythms and melodies of the band or providing a counterpoint and transforming it.
THE DEAD SOUTH
2025 Bell’s Beer Garden Summer Concert SeriesThis is a 18 and over event. 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian The Dead South have never been about constant reinvention, but about full commitment to their own singular way. With confidence in their sound and style and trust in each other, The Dead South arrive at the cusp of explosive global success in an enviable, and well-earned, position: total autonomy. It doesn’t really matter what you call their music – progressive bluegrass, alternative Americana, country, folk and western, what matters is that this is theirs, and people from all different backgrounds, beliefs, experiences, languages and ages love it. True blue right through, The Dead South don’t shy away from ruffling traditionalists’ feathers from time to time, as they flawlessly execute banjo rolls and lightning-fast mandolin tremolos, 3-part harmonies and songs of classic themes -murder ballads, disloyalty, ghosts and the like, all with a wink and a smile. As they continue their climb to the top, The Dead South have learned an important lesson: If you’re going to be outsiders, you’d better be great. Confirmed by the passion of their Dead South cosplaying fans, who go to concerts in the band’s signature look, this four-piece acoustic set from the middle of the Canadian prairies have found their people. Good Company, as they call themselves, is a global community of vastly dissimilar folks who might not see eye to eye, but who stand shoulder to shoulder at the gigs.
Superchunk
18+ Standing Room Only Show 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian Following a series of worldwide tours celebrating the 30th anniversary of their landmark album Foolish in 2024, Superchunk’s return to the road is heralded by “Bruised Lung,” their first new song in over a year. Since releasing their first 7-inch in 1989, Superchunk have run the gamut of milestone albums: early punk rock stompers, polished mid-career masterpieces, and adventurous curveballs. “Bruised Lung” finds them as vital as ever, a scorching guitar anthem that at once recalls what has earned Superchunk their reverent following while looking forward to their future. “Bruised Lung” is elevated by Merge Records favorite Rosali on lead guitar and backing vocals. Catch Superchunk all over the country this fall.
The Baseball Project Featuring members of R.E.M. and The Dream Syndicate with The Minus 5
2025 Bell’s Beer Garden Summer Concert SeriesThis is a 18 and over event. 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian The Baseball Project are 5 friends who are veterans of the Alternative / Indie Rock scene (and who in fact helped create it), starting in the early 80’s. The band features members of R.E.M., The Dream Syndicate, The Minus 5, Young Fresh Fellows and Filthy Friends. These are just a FEW of the countless bands that Scott McCaughey, Steve Wynn, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Linda Pitmon perform in. They come together in this “supergroup” to focus on the fascinating stories that baseball spawns – character studies of both the heroic and the oddball variety. You don’t need to be a student of the game to dig them though – often times baseball is just a jumping off point for deeper stories of triumph or failure….or hilarity – all while playing their infectious and rockin’ brand of power pop/ jangle folk / Indie Rock that they do so well! The Baseball Project formed in 2007 when all 5 band members were attending a party for R.E.M.’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Steve and Linda were there as guests of Peter Buck but were only passing acquaintances of Scott, who was a touring member of R.E.M. At some point in the very wee hours of the party, McCaughey and Wynn found themselves leaning against the same bar and struck up a raucous conversation that ricocheted from music talk to baseball. They both confessed a longstanding and hitherto unrequited desire to write and record an entire album of songs that would dig deeper into the game and the psyche of the more eccentric characters that have played it. Linda (drummer in Steve’s band, The Miracle 3) wandered past and heard the promises being made to “maybe one day try to do it”. Being a huge baseball fan herself, she threw down a challenge to the pair to finally do it. They immediately set about writing and sharing tracks long distance (Steve and Linda live in NYC and Scott is in Portland, OR). Within a few weeks the trio of baseball fanatics with killer record collections had booked studio time at Jackpot Studios in Portland. After a couple of short writing and acoustic rehearsal sessions in Scott’s living room (Linda played a peach crate), they commenced recording and in 4 short days completed the 13 tracks that would soon become their first release, “Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails”.
Kalamazoo Academy Of Rock
This is an all ages event. Kalamazoo Academy of Rock is back at Bell’s! These youth bands have been wow-ing audiences for years – come on down for a show like no other! For more information about KAR visit www.kzoorock.com
Kalamazoo Academy Of Rock
This is an all ages event. Kalamazoo Academy of Rock is back at Bell’s! These youth bands have been wow-ing audiences for years – come on down for a show like no other! For more information about KAR visit www.kzoorock.com
Kalamazoo Academy Of Rock
This is an all ages event. Kalamazoo Academy of Rock is back at Bell’s! These youth bands have been wow-ing audiences for years – come on down for a show like no other! For more information about KAR visit www.kzoorock.com
JON HAYES & THE COMPANY W/ DEERFIELD RUN & WRITER’S ROUND FEAT. Jack Droppers, Pete & Bergie and Carrie Mcferrin
18+ Standing Room Only Show | 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian Jack Droppers & the Best Intentions have released 4 albums in the last 8 years. Jack Droppers is allergic to guinea pigs. Jack Droppers & the Best Intentions have won a couple of awards for their last 2 LPs, received praise from critics across the world, and been featured in NPR music’s Tiny Desk Contest recap. Jack Droppers often feels sad when his favorite basketball team loses. Jack Droppers & the Best Intentions have toured all over the United States and have shared the stage with many Billboard charting artists. Jack Droppers has crashed two cars. Jack Droppers will be performing solo for this show. Pete & Bergie is a husband-and-wife folk duo from Kalamazoo, Michigan, comprising Chris and Hannah Peters. They perform friendly folk songs, drawing influences from 1960s and 1970s folk artists like Peter, Paul & Mary, Simon and Garfunkel, and Bread. Their music features pleasant vocal harmonization and intricate finger-style guitar playing. They have released several EPs, including “Pieces of Work, Vol. 4” in April 2024, featuring songs like “Claira,” “Best Friend,” “Keep Me Humble,” and “Radio Flyer.” In addition to their studio recordings, Pete & Bergie have performed live at various venues and festivals. Carrie McFerrin has been through it all: love, heartbreak, joy, pain, motherhood, personal and professional struggles, and an upbringing in northern Indiana. But she survives, she thrives, she persists, and most importantly for us, she writes songs of the deepest empathy and depth of feeling, and delivers them to us with a husky Michigan twang. Kinda country, kinda indie folk, all original, never one thing but everything she needs to say. Michigan’s Sweetheart belongs to the world, to her two children, and to her own restless muse. Deerfield Run blends blues rock with a touch of country and a dash of funk, serving up a tasty musical blend that’s irresistible to audiences. Hailing from Grand Rapids, MI, the band delivers strong original songs and surprising covers pulled from a deep back pocket of classic tunes. As a group of seasoned West Michigan musicians with influences ranging from Al Green to Eric Clapton to the Eagles, their powerful instrumental and vocal performances captivate audiences of all ages. Their debut, self-titled album was released in September 2017, and the group released their new album, Reckless, in September 2020. Jon Hayes with his soulful tones and a storytelling ability reminiscent of Bon Iver and NEEDTOBREATHE, this musician carries an unwavering commitment to authenticity and honesty. His mixture of storytelling and song-craft has made him a favorite among locals and Jon’s candid nature and humor have put him on a circuit of performing everything from house concerts and listening rooms to local eateries and festivals. His first album, “Between You & Me,” was a work of intimate honesty with his listeners, which was received well by fans, supporters, bloggers, and playlists alike, but he’s now returning with his next work: “Something More”. This project pulls in more of Jon’s influences such as Allen Stone, Gavin Degraw and of course… more John Mayer! CD’s will be available for purchase so that you can take this project home with you long before streaming services gain access.
WHITE DENIM
This is a 18+ event with standing room only17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian White Denim is a freewheeling American rock and roll band formed in Austin, Texas in 2006. Over nearly 20 years and 13 albums the band has continued to energetically explore new territory, consistently delivering a musically sophisticated and inventive product both on record and on stage. James Petralli and his exceptional group put the music first. You will not see a better live band if you live to be a million.
