Mustard Plug wsgs The Mushmen & Sierra Miffed
18+ Standing Room Only Show | 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian Mustard Plug started out in 1991 in the punk clubs, basements, and dive bars of the Midwest, playing punk-influenced ska music before most people in the U.S. had ever heard of ska. They embraced a DIY work ethic that had been ingrained in them growing up in the 1980s hardcore punk scene, and applied it to everything they would ever do together as a band. Mustard Plug self-released their first cassette tape, 1992’s Skapocalypse Now!, and played constantly to earn enough money to record their first album, 1994’s Big Daddy Multitude, which was released on legendary NYC label Moon Records. With their newfound national distribution and exposure, the band climbed into their van and performed their music for new fans across North America. For their next album they enlisted their heroes, the Descendents’ Bill Stevenson and Stephan Egerton, to record their breakthrough ska-punk classic Evildoers Beware at The Blasting Room. After meeting the crew from Hopeless Records in the beer line at a Descendents show at the Whisky-A-Go-Go, the band teamed up with the then-fledgling LA punk label to release the album to an eager and rapidly expanding fanbase. Released in 1997, Evildoers Beware solidified the band’s own take on the genre, combining the edginess of punk and the danceability of ska with sure fire melodic pop hooks. Through relentless touring and word of mouth, Evildoers Beware sold over 150,000 copies and solidified the band’s position within the burgeoning third wave ska scene. The band even flirted with commercial radio play with their cover of The Verve Pipe’s “The Freshman,” but decided mainstream pop fame was not for them. They never shot a video or commercially released the song despite the radio buzz. During the first decade of the new millennium, as the media’s focus on ska waned, the band returned to the ska underground, touring constantly and taking their explosive live show further afield to Europe, Brazil, and Japan. While many of their 90’s ska peers went on hiatus or moved from the genre, Mustard Plug doubled down, organizing the hugely successful Ska Is Dead tours from 2004-2009. In 2007 the band returned to The Blasting Room and released their darkest and most critically acclaimed record, In Black and White. The 2010s brought more touring and playing higher profile festivals including Riotfest, Back to the Beach, Amnesia Rockfest, The FEST, Pouzza, Groezrock, and more. In March 2020, while touring Australia, Mustard Plug watched as the live music industry began to collapse in front of their eyes. As the COVID-19 pandemic spread, the band was forced to take a 16-month hiatus. Stuck at home, they workshopped songs for a new album. The band returned to The Blasting Room recording studio in January 2023 with their longtime producer, Bill Stevenson. Teaming up with ska label Bad Time Records, they released the new album on September 8, 2023. Where Did All My Friends Go is a return to form for Mustard Plug, with melodic dance floor bangers and darker lyrical themes inspired by the pandemic and the unraveling of modern society. The album is sure to please both older fans from the 90s and the new generation of ska fans who have been building the genre’s momentum in recent years. The band is currently doing what they do best: touring in support of the new album. They will be playing around the U.S. throughout the next year, continuing their 32-year run and adding to their career tally of over 2,000 shows.
The Red Sea Pedestrians wsg. The Nathan Moore Affair
This is a 18+ event with standing room only17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian The Red Sea Pedestrians are a one-of-a-kind, full-blown, instrument-swapping fusion between tradition and the here-and-now. We’re talkin’ high-energy world-beat grooves, hypnotic laments from the earth, songs of celebration and wonder, all filtered through the band’s original vision. RSP is a melting pot of six distinct singer/songwriters and multi- instrumentalists, exploring a warped and beautiful blend of Klezmer, Rock, Gypsy Jazz, and American Roots music.
Three Grebes with OVERLY POLITE TORNADOES and Hopie Jo
18+ Standing Room Only Show 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian Overly Polite Tornadoes are a husband & wife duo from Kalamazoo, MI (featuring Mark Andrew Morris & Holly Klutts-Morris from Tambourina). They play a mix of Introspective Bedroom Pop and Shoegaze. They are celebrating the release of their 3rd full length album, available on Vinyl and CD! Three Grebes is a project born out of a mutual love of improvisational music, exploring new ways to create delicate music, and making sure they eat at the best empanada place in every town. Beth McDonald (tuba and electronics) plays in the Ken Vandermark-led Edition Redux, and is well-entrenched in Chicago’s improv scene; her solo work stands as a testament to sonic exploration. Franki Hand (guitar, violin, accordion, vocals) has been a cog in Kalamazoo’s new music scene for a decade (she’s a member of Petrillo, Kalamazoo Drone Society, Wowza, and handturner). Ike Turnds. er can be seen riding his bike throughout town, probably with Sleep’s Dopesmoker playing in his ears; he’s in a million bands, too (Wowza, Out, Kalamazoo Drone Society, New Standards Men). They have a new album out that they’re happy to share with you at this show! This performance will feature their dear pal Kenni Dankert providing visual elements throughout the show.
May Erlewine & The Motivations Winter Dance Party
This is a 18 and over event with standing room only. 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian On a few special dates each year, singer-songwriter May Erlewine breaks from her Americana and folk roots to front The Motivations: a seven-piece dance-party funk band that dishes up boogie jams and classic soul cuts. The project was born in the winter of 2016, when Erlewine set out to make music and create a positive space for the weary and grieving. That idea eventually took shape in the form of retro-groove dance parties meant to get people moving, make them feel connected, and help them celebrate the moment — and each other. The result? Shows that deliver feel-good fun and small revolutions to shake things up, just enough. The Motivations feature Phil Barry on guitar and vocals, Joe Hettinga on synth, keys and vocals, Eric Kuhn on guitar and vocals, Max Lockwood on bass and vocals, Mike Lynch on organ and keys, Terrence Massey on trumpet and vocals, Brandon Proch on saxophone and Michael Shimmin on drums, percussion and vocals.
Dopapod at Bell’s wsg Earth Radio
This is a 18 and over event with standing room only. 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian Since 2007, Dopapod has been known for their eclectic style and complex arrangements. Composed of Eli Winderman, Rob Compa, Chuck Jones, and Neal “Fro” Evans, the band thrives on live improvisation and has built a devoted fan base. Their energetic performances and innovative sound are reflected in a series of albums that chart their musical journey. They bring a vibrant energy to the stage, captivating audiences with their technical skills and creative interplay. Dopapod’s live shows are a testament to their ability to blend structured compositions with spontaneous improvisation, creating a unique experience every time.
Dopapod at Bell’s wsg Desmond Jones
This is a 18 and over event with standing room only. 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian Since 2007, Dopapod has been known for their eclectic style and complex arrangements. Composed of Eli Winderman, Rob Compa, Chuck Jones, and Neal “Fro” Evans, the band thrives on live improvisation and has built a devoted fan base. Their energetic performances and innovative sound are reflected in a series of albums that chart their musical journey. They bring a vibrant energy to the stage, captivating audiences with their technical skills and creative interplay. Dopapod’s live shows are a testament to their ability to blend structured compositions with spontaneous improvisation, creating a unique experience every time.
PRETORIA WSG. GET TUFF, THE DOOZERS
This is a 18 and over event with standing room only event. 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian Pretoria (Grand Rapids) Pretoria is a five-piece indie-rock band from Grand Rapids, Michigan that’s known for their guitar-driven sound, three-guitar harmonies, and catchy hooks. The band’s style incorporates elements of post-punk, retro rock, and power pop, and some say their music is both smart and energetic. Get Tuff (Lansing) Bio – drama-pop for the devil in you. When the going got rough, Get Tuff was born out of necessity. RB Roe, a touring musician for the better half of a decade, traded their guitar for GarageBand demos while on the road. Inspired by the glitchy witchcraft of POPPY and Hayley Williams’ multimedia therapy, Get Tuff is a respite, an outlet, and a backbone drenched in pop production. According to Roe themselves, Get Tuff exists as “a reminder that there is strength in vulnerability and there is an innate humor in the depths of despair that, as a person with mental illness, can come from things that others may deem small and benign.” The Doozers (Detroit) The Doozers are a high energy indie/new wave band hailing from the suburbs consisting of four members: Sean Donnelly (Vocals, Guitar), Parker Grissom (Guitar), Melanie Kelley (Bass), and Kyle Garland (Drums). Wherever the Doozers are, the dancing follows. The Doozers’ sound is influenced by bands like Cage the Elephant, The Districts, Hippo Campus, and Catfish and the Bottlemen. Their performances are known for their energy, dancing, and stage diving. https://www.facebook.com/TheDoozersBand/
Lower Leisure Class w/ The Wild Woodys
This is a 18 and over event with standing room only. 17 and under admitted with a parent or guardian With whole-hearted soul and voice, Kalamazoo’s Lower Leisure Class write, release, and perform energized earworms grounded in rock ‘n’ roll while sailing through the sonic stratosphere. The sextet’s acclaimed debut LP, Stories from the Lower Leisure Class, supplies “an unmistakable, identifiable restless sound” to listeners who’ll keep “spinning this record… over and over again”, according to Local Spins’ Ryan Boldrey. “To see this group shape their music around those stories is where things take off,”, writes Derek Phillips at Glorious Noise. “It’s new, but steeped in nostalgia and references any good midwesterner will recognize.” Their stage skills burnished to a fine shine as members of powerhouse Michigan bands including King Tammy, the Sinatras, and the Sleestacks – all of whose Leppotone recordings command a cult following to this day – the LLC move audiences to dance, sing along, activate, and engage. The Wild Woodys The Wild Woodys are a rockabilly, blues, surf band formed in 1984 by Scott Spears (guitar) and Phil Glennie (upright bass), and shortly after drummer Bruce Gioacchini. The band played extensively throught the Midwest until 2012 with a home base in the Kalamazoo area. With the departure of Bruce and Phil in 1998 brought in Kirk Harrier (now with Delilah DeWylde) and later Dan McCoy (now with The Moon Rays) on drums and Greg Cohen on bass. The band finished in 2012 with Phil Glennie back on bass and Jim Murphy (Johnny Apollo) on drums. The band did shows opening for: The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Johnny Winter, Jimmie Vaughan, Lonnie Mack, Kenny Wayne Shepard, Mason Ruffner, The Stray Cats, The Blasters, Mojo Nixon, Chubby Checkers, BR549, The King Bees, Big Sandy, The Smithereens, Edgar Winter, The Kentucky Headhunters, & Montgomery Gentry. The band produced albums in 1986 (self titled), 1987 (WWII), and 2003.
Charlie Millard Band and Elisabeth Pixley-Fink
18+ Standing Room Only Show Charlie Millard Band From Michigan’s northern lower peninsula, the Charlie Millard Band has developed a unique sound, voice and thought-provoking lyrics/poetry of their own. Always playing lots of festivals and venues, mainly across the Midwest and Canada, percussionist Will Harris, Jercat Millard on guitars, and Charlie on the keys/organ/Rhodes bass, strive to give you a musical experience, like small movies for the ears. Elisabeth Pixley-Fink Elisabeth Pixley-Fink is a Michigan-based singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. Her blend of distinctive folk and bratty garage rock hits you in the chest with guts, trust and hunger. Heartbreaking and heart-making.
Craft Music: Songs in the Summer
2024 Bell’s Beer Garden Summer Concert SeriesFor tickets to this performance click here Bruce Uchimura, Conductor Guest Vocalist, To Be Announced Craft Music is heading to the Beer Garden for the first time! Locally sourced from the bar to the stage, Craft Music features entertaining, casual, and truly eccentric flavor profiles. It’s a concert experience you’ll want to sample again and again. Craft Music: Songs in the Summer pairs jazz, pop, and show tunes from the Great American Songbook with hits from the Broadway stage. Didn’t get tickets for the sold-out Craft Music: Great American Songbook performance on May 22? Join us for Songs in the Summer! Must be 21 years or older to attend this performance. GET TICKETS FOR THIS IN-PERSON CONCERT $10 College Student Tickets can be purchased with a valid student ID on the day of the performance at the venue’s ticketing window or purchased in person at the Epic Center’s Community Box Office. College Student Tickets are intended for students 18 years or older and can be purchased individually. Under 18 Tickets can be purchased at any time for children who will be accompanied by a guardian. These can be purchased at any time with an adult ticket. Bell’s Eccentric Cafe requires all children under the age of 18 to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. By purchasing tickets, you agree to these requirements. For tickets to this performance click here
