Best local music

March 28, 2007

The Best of Local Music
Best Blues Band: Bacon & Eggs
The Bacon & Eggs blues band have honed a reputation as one of Northern Michigan’s hardest-working groups over the past few years. They’re currently performing nearly every week at venues ranging from Harbor Springs, Charlevoix and Benzie County all the way to Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo.
The band performs Chicago-style blues, a genre with an urban edge. They’ve also distinguished themselves by playing outside the box with their own original songs and innovative take on the blues.
Bacon & Eggs have a sense of authenticity -- they’re not “blues bores” or poseurs. They have a crisp and confident laid-back style that lures in the listener and then springs a surprise with a dual-guitar attack that builds a sense of power and suspense. Nor do they neglect the classics -- late in a Bacon & Eggs show, you’ll find the band cutting loose with a rocking take on blues standards that lights up the crowd.
Recently, the band recorded their second album of 10 songs, “Out of Touch,” with all tunes written by Dan “Lumpy Jones” Chrystler, who performs on vocals and guitar. Rounding out the band are Donn Johnson on guitar, Freddie “G” Guetschow on drums, Matt Marsh on bass/vocals, and Phil “Mississippi” Coryell on harp. Keyboardist Tim Wire lent his talents to the new CD. Check them out at venues such as the Big Eazy in TC, the Flight Deck in Charlevoix, and the Villa Marine in Frankfort. For info, check out
www.baconandeggsbluesband.com.

Best New Band: Rusty Blaides
The honky-tonk sounds of Rusty Blaides make this band a novelty among Northern Michigan groups. The Blaides perform mostly-original tunes in the tradition of old-school country from the 1930s through the ’50s.
Guitarist-vocalist Mark Camp, best known for his work with The Dopes, is the frontman and songwriter for the group, with the persona of Rusty Blaides serving as a friendly doppelganger to channel such influences as Johnny Cash, Hank Williams and Bob Wills.
Rounding out this cowboy hat sportin’ band are Don Julin on mandolin/lead guitar, Dave Collini on drums, Joe Wilson on pedal steel guitar, and bassist Kevin Gills. All are moonlighters from other groups in the region: Gills performs with The Dopes, Wilson with Steppin’ In It, Collini with local jazz artists, and Julin with the Neptune Quartet.
Recently, the band released its first album, “So Long Gone,” a collection of 14 original songs with a deep country swing groove.
So, if you ever have a yen to take a trip to the honky-tonks of Nashville’s Musicians Row, then Rusty Blaides is your ticket
to ride.
“Musically, honky-tonk is a cross between square dance fiddle tunes and Tin Pan Alley jazz, which is where country swing comes from,” Camp said in a recent Express article. “What makes this music exciting and fun to me is that it has so much history to it.”


Best All-Around Band: The Stray Dogz - Horndogs
The Stray Dogz keep the good times on a roll through a blend of New Orleans-style funk, rock, swing and blues, winning Express readers’ hearts as “Best All-Around Band.”
Following is a statement from the band:
“Stray Dogs, Horndogs, What is the Pedigree ?
The Stray Dogz first met when legendary pack leader Newt Cole put out a howl for a New Years Eve 1995 gathering, to be held at the Town Hall in Empire. What was created on that full moon night became known as The Fabulous Horndogs. These dogs prowled the clubs and summer beach parties of Northern Michigan for a decade. The Fabulous Horndogs consisted of The Stray Dog rhythm section:Mike Marois, guitar; Jim Murphy, drums; Joe Williams, bass; Tim Wire, keyboards. The Horn Dog horn section includes: Newt Cole, sax; Jimmy Gallagher, trombone; Jamie Carlin, trumpet. Put the two packs together and you get “ The Fabulous Horndogs.”
Update to what’s happening now.
Newt caught the scent of sunny Florida ,and when not out howling there, he warms his bones on the beach. He takes an occasional journey back north to hang with the pack and howl some notes. Without their leader, the remaining dogs in the Horn pack ventured off to other things. The loss of the Horn pack forced the Stray Dog pack to hunt on their own. Through their ability to rock the House and keep the party jumping, they went on to thrive .... making many new friends .... enjoying tasty morsels.
Flash Update:
The Stray Dogz have run into another horn pack, led by the fiery trombone player Hank Lawler who plays in a New Orleans “tailgating” and Memphis “slush pump” style.
And the incredible multi instrumentalist Roger Russo playing all the saxes, flute and Blues harp. Throw in Jamie Carlin on those spine shivering trumpet notes and you better look out.
With the Stray Dogz laying it down and the new Horndogs with their growling sax, sliding bone ... well ... you get the picture. This is going to be hot.
Their den is located at the Cedar Tavern in Cedar, MI. You can catch the goings on every Wednesday night, 9 to 12. It is an open mic night where you can bring yourself or an instrument and join the howling. All dogs welcome.
They also perform periodically at private parties, the Holiday Inn patio scene each summer, and at Union Street Station, where they’ll be performing this coming April 6-7 as the new Horndogs, up to snuff with seven players.
For more information Google fabuloushorndogs.com.