August 30, 2011
Subscribe

PJ 20 Destination Weekend in Milwaukee, WI 2011

Anyone headed to Alpine Valley this weekend for the show???  If not, you will be missing out if you enjoy music from Pearl Jam, The Strokes, Queens of the Stoneage, Mudhoney and many more. Check out this link from their festival site regarding the two shows this upcoming weekend.  I will be there for Saturday’s festivities, really looking forward to the Strokes.  http://bit.ly/niq5fh

I think this is one incredible lineup for under $70 considering it has many iconic bands and lasts all day.  I also noticed that the main act, Pearl Jam, has a museum on the grounds of Alpine Valley.  This seems like a fairly classy festival. 

If you are unfamiliar with the following bands, click the links next to their name.  You may be surprised what comes out of your speakers! 

PEARL JAM - http://bit.ly/IsMxC

THE STROKES - http://bit.ly/mv3A0

QUEENS OF THE STONEAGE - http://bit.ly/7qNrUj

MUDHONEY - http://bit.ly/z2a2c

Enjoy!

August 28, 2011
Subscribe

NE VS. DET 2011

So, the decision to be a part of this game was last minute, as I was searching online for some deals on slickdeals.net.  And in the corner of the page I see “Lions tix $10”.  This was a deal to good to be true even though it was preseason.  Clicked the link bought four tix then headed to the game last night.  Tickets were legit even though they were emailed to me from an unknown source.  At any rate, the seats were in the endzone about 4 rows in the upper level.  Not bad for $40. 

During the first quarter Det was able to get within range for our top scorer to put some points on the board.  Hanson is the most consistent player and a great asset for the Lions.  Next up, my pal Nate Burleson runs in for a touchdown which was a 9 yard pass from Stafford. 

The second quarter was eventful as well since all starters were still in the game.  Next up, it’s Scheffler time for glory, running in the 20 yard pass from Stafford.  Again Hanson’s kick is good this time and for two other field goals during the 2nd.  Toward the end of the 2nd, Brown ran it the pass from Hill for a touchdown.  Detroit was on fire people. 

The third quarter has some damn good defense but little offense to speak of. By this time, a good chunk of the crowd had exited Ford Field. 

Fourth Quarter Williams gets the touchdown which was passed from my favorite quarterback from MSU, Drew Stanton No 5!

Will be back for MNF in a few weeks! 

August 24, 2011
Subscribe

Great Golf @ a Great Resort in Northern Michigan

This past weekend, 24 friends and I headed up to Gaylord, MI for a long weekend of golf at the Loon. Our package included three days worth of golf at two different courses, lunch, dinner and 3 nights at a brand new condo at the resort. The resort is very clean, friendly staff and great place to stay and golf for the weekend. The first course we played on the way up was the Sawmill in Saginaw, MI. This was your average 18 hole 6,500 yard course. Cost was $25 for twilight which included the cart. Again, this place was on the way to Gaylord and nothing that special. The other concern I had with the Sawmill was how long it took to get through 16 holes of golf. Unfortunately, we were unable to finish all 18 holes this night.

The Loon was a pleasant place to start our first round of golf in morning. Long par 3 and long par 5’s. Exactly what I was looking for. I started out playing par golf but ended up shooting in the high 90’s. My biggest problem this past weekend, were my clubs not truly fitting me. They are standard clubs which are rated for people under 5’10”. I am 6’4” which would explain why I was sooo inconsistent wiht my golf. At any rate, I got fitted at Carl’s Golfland this week and ordered new customized clubs which needed to be 1.5” longer than standard clubs. The best shot I had all weekend was on hole 13 (Par 3) when I landed on the green less than 5 inches from the cup!

Next day we played the Lakes which is a part of the Oshtego Club Resort. Great layout, greens were in excellent condition. I had a better round here, but not by many strokes compared to my first round at the Loon.

Overall, The Loon and The Lakes of Gaylord are great course to check out for your average golfer.

August 17, 2011
Subscribe

Last Night’s My Morning Jacket Show at the Meadowbrook Theatre in Rochester, Michigan 8/16/11! 

First off, if you have never heard of these guys, go do yourself a favor and pick up their last three LP’s.  All LP’s were brilliantly written by the frontman Jim James.  If you have heard of MMJ, go to a show next time they are in your area.  Seriously, I see quite a few show a year (25 this year so far) and this is in the Top 5 of not only this year but the last five years or so. 

Here is the set list from the show in Detroit!!!!!  Seriously, it lasted well over 2 fin hours!!!

  1. Victory Dance
  2. Circuital
  3. You Wanna Freak Out
  4. Off The Record
  5. I’m Amazed
  6. Anytime
  7. Lowdown
  8. Wonderful (The Way I Feel)
  9. Slow Slow Tune
  10. Lay Low
  11. Dondante
  12. Gideon
  13. Smokin From Shootin
  14. Run Thru (End Only)
  15. First Light
  16. Touch Me I’m Going To Scream Pt.2
  17. Touch Me I’m Going To Scream Pt.1
  18. War Begun
  19. Encore:
  20. Wordless Chorus
  21. The Day Is Coming
  22. Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around (Tom Petty cover) (with Neko Case)
  23. Holdin’ On to Black Metal
  24. One Big Holiday

The highlight of the night was the opening song “Victory Dance” with the lead singer working the crowd and then “Touch Me I’m Gonna Scream Pt.2”
Classic! 

The best part about this show was the fact that I started with Lawn seats got the upgraded pit tix and was literally 10 ft away from the band their entire show.  Check out my pics from the show including the one with the poster made for this show only 150 hand printed, as well as the drum head that the band gave to me.  I now have a solid music memoralbillia collection in my basement. 

Thank to MMJ for an amazing show!!!

August 10, 2011
Subscribe
Q
What kind of music was the event? I am not really into anything but Rap, R&B and top 40 so I have never hear of them. Glad you had fun even though the venue sucked!!!
sportsindetroit
A

Indie punk rock. Take greenday and add some pop to it. The venue was this huge banquet hall, not really fitting for a rock show?

August 10, 2011
Subscribe

Lykke Li WSG Foster the People @ House of Blues Chicago (Official Lollapalooza Afterparty)

Foster the People opened this show around 11:00pm Friday night after Muse and Coldplay ripped through a 2 hour set.  The venue is one of the best sounding venues I have ever been to.  FTP, great upbeat new indie band from LA that has some crazy hooks in their sounds off their first LP.  The are best known today for “pumped up kicks”   Here is a vid from the show - http://bit.ly/qJHMmH  These guys are on the brink of making it big in the rock indie scene.  Next time the come around the midwest they will be selling out venues holding more than 3K people. 

Lykke Li impressed so much that I will always have respect for her and her band no matter what musical direction they take.  Lykke Li sounded as if the record was playing full blast in the background. This band is very popular in Europe and gaining popularity in the US.  Bet, next album they will be playing much larger venues if they decide to swing thru DETROIT!  Check out here performing “Rich Kid Blues” at this place.  Love this chick! http://bit.ly/ptVwfR Her set list included:

  1. Jerome
  2. I’m Good, I’m Gone
  3. Sadness is a Blessing
  4. I Follow Rivers
  5. Please Stay (Duffy cover)
  6. Dance Dance Dance
  7. I Know Places
  8. Little Bit
  9. Youth Knows No Pain
  10. Love Out Of Lust
  11. Rich Kid Blues ***Video from Show above ^^
  12. Get Some
  13. Encore:
  14. Unrequited Love

Overall, my experience at the lolla afterparties were great.  Next year, I will only be attending afterparties instead of the actual festival.  Better sound, small venues and some good ole late night fun. 

July 31, 2011
Subscribe
After checking into my hotel located in the heart of Indianapolis, I was on a mission to find a great place to grab dinner and drinks.  This downtown area is a TRUE downtown.  They have many options for dinning out, getting drinks or some entertainment.  After grabbing some tapas at a great spot call Barcelona, we headed to the Massachusetts Blvd area for some after dinner drinks.  To my surprise, the bars in the area were quite busy as I was told by the bartender that there were many concerts in the downtown area that night.  So, since I am one of the most spontaneous people you will ever meet, I decided to hit the Taking Back Sunday show at the Egyptian Room.  Show was held in this theatre/banquet hall that could probably hold 3,000 people standing room only.  However, tonight’s show only had about 1,000 people.  Sound was good, venue lacked character.  Drinks were quite expensive ($10 for a Miller light, $8 for mixed drink).  Thursday opened this show which was definately a pleasure since it had probably been 8 or so years since I had caught them a warped tour or similar.  They ripped through a set of nearly 10 songs with a video screen playing political propaganda vids.  Next up, Taking Back Sunday.  I have caught these guys live about 5 years ago at the Meadowbrook Theatre in Rochester, MI.  They were good then and just as good today.  Fair amount of energy from these guys considering they were playing a venue that was only 30% to capacity.  They started out things with some oldies from their first LP and finished with a few new ones from an upcoming LP.  New sounds a bit generic or similar to their other albums.  Crowd was somewhat into it, but not like if they were playing in Detroit.  Would I recommend this venue for a show, absolutely not!

After checking into my hotel located in the heart of Indianapolis, I was on a mission to find a great place to grab dinner and drinks.  This downtown area is a TRUE downtown.  They have many options for dinning out, getting drinks or some entertainment.  After grabbing some tapas at a great spot call Barcelona, we headed to the Massachusetts Blvd area for some after dinner drinks.  To my surprise, the bars in the area were quite busy as I was told by the bartender that there were many concerts in the downtown area that night.  So, since I am one of the most spontaneous people you will ever meet, I decided to hit the Taking Back Sunday show at the Egyptian Room.  Show was held in this theatre/banquet hall that could probably hold 3,000 people standing room only.  However, tonight’s show only had about 1,000 people.  Sound was good, venue lacked character.  Drinks were quite expensive ($10 for a Miller light, $8 for mixed drink). 

Thursday opened this show which was definately a pleasure since it had probably been 8 or so years since I had caught them a warped tour or similar.  They ripped through a set of nearly 10 songs with a video screen playing political propaganda vids. 

Next up, Taking Back Sunday.  I have caught these guys live about 5 years ago at the Meadowbrook Theatre in Rochester, MI.  They were good then and just as good today.  Fair amount of energy from these guys considering they were playing a venue that was only 30% to capacity.  They started out things with some oldies from their first LP and finished with a few new ones from an upcoming LP.  New sounds a bit generic or similar to their other albums.  Crowd was somewhat into it, but not like if they were playing in Detroit. 

Would I recommend this venue for a show, absolutely not!

July 31, 2011
Subscribe

Social Media today, tomorrow, future

Interesting take on what Social Media has become, where it is heading and what to expect from SM in the near future.  By Author Erik Qualman of Socialnomics. 

July 24, 2011 • 1 note
Subscribe

Hilton Road Cafe - Ferndale, MI (Never Again!)

My first time here…

Small interior with only 3 booths and “diner counter” seating.  Very friendly waitress which started things off on a very positive note.  She took our order and promptly brought our drinks.

I ordered the avocado BLT wrap with a cup of cream of mushroom soup.  Soup was homemade and pretty tasty.  The wrap was on the smaller side but was also fresh and good.   My wife ordered the southwest chicken wrap with cole slaw.  Both were good but nothing too amazing.  Basically, it was one of those places that you would not rush back to but you might also return to when in the area.  It was slightly above average for a coney/diner. 

However, while waiting for the check we saw one of the cooks (you can see the kitchen from the booths) take a huge bite off of a spatula of what looked like cole slaw.  REALLY!  Pretty gross that the cooks are in the back casually eating the food that they are serving using the serving utensils!  I can’t get the sight of dripping cole slaw being stuffed into his mouth right in the middle of the kitchen.  BLAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

This sealed the deal that I will not be making it back to the Hilton Road Cafe anytime soon.

The other thing that boggles my mind are all of the positive reviews for this place on yelp.  They have 45 reviews with an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars.  The owners must have “juiced” the reviews!

July 19, 2011
Subscribe
Pitchfork Music Festival Recappedddd!  So, this was one long weekend in the summer heat at beautiful (j/k) Union Park, Chicago.  The average temperature for this weekend was hot (90’s and up).  Friday July 15th TuNeYaRd’S - Female vocalist with a great range from reggae to indie rock.  Definately one of the best shows at the festival.  Check em out at http://tune-yards.com/ Last but not least for Friday was Das Rascist.  Kind of remind me of a mix between a tribe called quest and OFWGKTA.  They can be found @ http://dasracist.net/ Saturday - Best show of the day =  Fleet Foxes.  Great live band if your into the indie folk scene.  Sounds range from Bon Iver to Band of Horses.  A band to watch! fleetfoxes.com Sunday=Funday!  Best day to great a heineken and sit in the 96 degree heat!  Caught OFWGKTA and Cut Copy.  Both acts are two of the best new acts in the past few years.  Great live shows, high energy, gets the crowd into it.  Go to for video’s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UMlVgb0_eU and for Cut Copy check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DESZtsyE3sw

Pitchfork Music Festival Recappedddd! 

So, this was one long weekend in the summer heat at beautiful (j/k) Union Park, Chicago.  The average temperature for this weekend was hot (90’s and up). 

Friday July 15th

TuNeYaRd’S - Female vocalist with a great range from reggae to indie rock.  Definately one of the best shows at the festival.  Check em out at

http://tune-yards.com/

Last but not least for Friday was Das Rascist.  Kind of remind me of a mix between a tribe called quest and OFWGKTA. 

They can be found @ http://dasracist.net/

Saturday - Best show of the day =  Fleet Foxes.  Great live band if your into the indie folk scene.  Sounds range from Bon Iver to Band of Horses.  A band to watch!

fleetfoxes.com

Sunday=Funday!  Best day to great a heineken and sit in the 96 degree heat!  Caught OFWGKTA and Cut Copy.  Both acts are two of the best new acts in the past few years.  Great live shows, high energy, gets the crowd into it. 

Go to for video’s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UMlVgb0_eU

and for Cut Copy check out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DESZtsyE3sw