Beast In The Field just blew out the Blowout, last night. The formidable noise/metal-rock project played to a modest-sized crowd during an expansive local music festival that’s been ambitiously spread across three cities (each about 10-11 minutes drive away from each other, respectively,) scheduled simultaneously during one weekend. The next show they play, however, will “Not” be a festival; in fact, “Not A Festival” takes place on only one night, in only one venue (Small’s Bar over in Hamtramck), where the only competition will be out-louding their comparably voluminous and downright voracious contemporaries like Ypsi’s Lizzerd and Lord Centipede or Ann Arbor’s Blue Snaggletooth.
Imagine: a wall of amps, drumsticks falling like sledgehammers and these growling big muff guitar FXs slithering out sinisterly sublime riffs as the songs shift from ominous bridges of softer-yet-eerie respite to only surge with tidal wave rhythms into engulfing feedback squalls: Beast In The Field (who hail from Midland MI), dumbfound this writer into futile searching for another way to phrase “mind-blowing…” But, not ear-shattering…(though you might need ear-plugs.) No, this music, along with the music of Blue Snaggletooth (psychedelic-metal), Lord Centipede (punk-metal) and Lizerrd (David Yow-metal), is about bracing you, pushing you and, really, just making you feel alive! And, yes, it’s quite loud. But, as we clarified above, this is “Not A Festival.” (Also playing: Amino Acids, Snakewing, Coffin Feeder, Touch of North America and Busby Death Chair).
But if you’re staying local, we recommend the Crossroad’s Bar & Grill. Woodruff’s may be gone (as a reliable venue for live local music) but we’ll still have shows in Depot Town, now and then. Saturday night features a line of local artists covering a range of artists like Tool, Deftones, Guns N’ Roses, Rage Against The Machine, Jimmy Eat World and Sebadoh. All proceeds will go directly to the Ozone House, a local non-profit providing a safe place, shelter and continued to support to runaway/homeless and high-risk youth in the community. A fun show that funds a noble cause, that can’t be beat, Ypsi. Have a nice weekend!
May 10th Small’s Bar in Hamtramck (10339 Conant) “Not A Festival” is an all ages show. $10 Doors 9pm 9 bands on 3 stages
Crossroad’s Bar & Grill in Ypsilanti (517 W. Cross St) The Spring Cover Spectacular presented by ThinlineExclusive Entertainment. Doors at 8pm – proceeds benefit The Ozone House in Ann Arbor
Jeff covers music for Current, posting weekly show previews and highlighting new bands in the area.