The amount of musical talent in Detroit never ceases to amaze me. But like with anything, I have my favorites that I try to see anytime they're playing around town. Bear Lake has quickly become one of those favorites so when they posted on Twitter about a CD Release show they were playing in Pontiac, I checked out the music of the artist celebrating his new album on this night and instantly Brae became another local musician to add to my rotation of favorites.
I love going to these type of shows as I was well acquainted with Bear Lake's stuff, was intrigued and excited by the samples of the new Brae album I heard online but knew very little about The Bends. I always love going to shows with multiple acts including some I am not familiar with for the element of surprise. Sometimes the surprise is an awful one, but I've been lucky to avoid that lately at local shows.
Up first was Detroit trio The Bends whose set focused on their full length "Those Who Worked" which came out in October of last year. With Kevin Briski on guitar and vocals, Aaron Kub on guitar and Denny Scheibe on drums, the band's sound is a mix of rock genres including garage with a bluesy twist. Highlights of the set included the blues-rock burner "The Flight To Varennes" and the surprisingly gentle ballad "Your Heart". As I listen to some of these songs again on their Bandcamp page, I'm regretting not picking up this CD, something that will have to be rectified soon. Add The Bends to the list of great music coming out of Detroit.
Bear Lake was next and this marked my third time seeing this rising band. They've had a few songs placed on television programs and their current album "If You Were Me" was one of my favorites of 2011, and landed them on the CMJ Album Charts as well. They're certainly poised to be another band that breaks out nationally from the area, with a sound that has been compared to everyone from Radiohead and Death Cab For Cutie to Snow Patrol. But, frankly, Bear Lake are making much better music than the fluff coming from the likes of Snow Patrol lately, if you have not caught them live make sure that changes soon.
As much as I enjoy the majority of their studio stuff, their live set adds a harder edge to some of their more polished studio material. They stretch out some of their best tracks like "Raid Out" and set closer "It's Over" to great effect, and Jon Rice, who also handles lead vocals, showcases his work on lead guitar with extended soloing not found on the studio versions. A lot of hard work and a ton of shows has put Bear Lake near the top of live acts in Detroit right now, their sets are that good.
Closing out the night was the act the majority of those in attendance had come to see, Brandon Husken and his project Brae. With this being Husken's CD release show, the Pike Room was filled with friends, family and associates. I swear I had the feeling we were the only ones in the room who didn't know Husken and the band in some way, but it was great to see such overwhelming support as that was as packed as I've ever seen the Pike Room. Husken has been a drummer with various bands in the Detroit music scene for over 20 years but decided to make a go of it with his own project, Brae, releasing his first album in 2008. This show marked the release of his third album, the wonderful "Another Time And Place", a much more collaborative effort. And many of those collaborators joined him onstage for the show.
Husken's stage set-up is rather unique. As both the drummer and lead vocalist, he stands at the front of the stage with a full drum kit around him while he also sings. Being that close gives you a whole different perspective on the drummer, who is normally buried at the back of the stage, and it was really a singular experience to watch someone that in command of the drums within inches of you. Husken was joined onstage by seven others during the set, including five who played on "Another Time And Place", and a string section of Brandon Cota and Jenna Bottiaux. Jon Sheard handled lead guitar while Adam Serruys also was on guitar, mainly acoustic. Rounding out the band was Takashi Iio on bass, Jason Warnke on keyboards and Erica McManus on backing and co-lead vocals on many of the songs.
Husken warned that he was a little under the weather and his throat was bothering him, but you really couldn't tell during the show. Not only was his drumming impressive, he was in fine voice throughout their set. The band went through the majority of the new album including the title track, "Truth", "Together" and "That Was Then", and the material sounded as good live as it does on the CD. I'll have a review of the CD up soon as well, as it's surely slated to be one of my favorites to come out of Detroit this year. Husken seemed a bit overwhelmed at times over the turnout and, as an outside observer, it was truly heart warming to see. Brae produces a mixture of rock, pop, country and folk influences that meld into fantastic, melodic music. Hopefully this project will become a mainstay in the Detroit music scene, as well as finding an audience outside of it, and I hope to catch Husken and his band again and often.
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