Detroit, Michigan, Show #20

[Jozzy]

"97.3 percent of what I see out here consists of the inside of our van, fields of corn, backed-up traffic, and the bowels of rock clubs — usually just the dressing room and the stage. If there is a decent bathroom backstage I may not even leave the dressing room all night. That's what happened last night in Detroit. It was cold in a crappy neighborhood and just the thought of moving seemed uncomfortable. So after load-in I made a sandwich with turkey and salami, sliced up some tomato with a plastic spoon, kicked aside an empty mouse trap and sat down for a lovely one-course meal in an unkempt, dusty "green room." A pit bull yelped in the distance. A side of chips and salsa rounded up my carb intake. My doctor says I need more salt and carbs in my diet so I pile that stuff on whenever I can."
-Trevor Dunn

Dang, even Trevor is piling on.  Hamtramck isn't even in the top 10 of Detroit's crappy neighborhoods.  and cold? I think "brisk" is a much better way to describe that evening.   

All things considered, Detroit is pretty large... so yeah, Hammytrammy is definitely not the worst of it. Still, there's no denying that it's a shitty neighborhood. Cold? Hardly. Try Harpos, Melvins! Ever see a guy laying in his own filth and blood at a show? Then surely, you've never been to Harpos. (kidding! Please! Don't ever go to Harpos!)

By the way, it was Trevor that wrote that article. I had a gut feeling I was going to read something along those lines. I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel my heart sink into my feet for a second when I read that paragraph, but hey... it was half expected..

My studio area (soon to be former studio area) is right behind the second photo shown in the article.

I wonder what they had for dinner. Polski food, I should hope!!!

Agreed on all points. Hamtramck is definitely not even close to being the worst part of Detroit. Sure, it's not great, but it's not all that bad either. Now Harper Avenue is a different story. If the Melvins decided to play Harpos I honestly would probably would skip it, and that is normally not even a consideration when the Melvins come to Michigan.

My buddy and I hit this place up before the show because I have been wanting to try it forever. I was not disappointed!
http://www.thepolishvillagecafe.com/

[JUDY]

Right on. There are a few really great spots for Polski food in Hamtramck. You went to the second or third best 

Oh gawd, I have so many horror stories from Harpos. Been there more times than I'd ever care to admit.

Trevor was right about the green room area being a dusty little grime hole. That first photo in the article of Buzz and Trevor was shot in there. It's more like a storage area with old restaurant tables, a couple of shitty couches, and a bucket just in case you happened to bring your own beer.  After reading that article, I gathered that they got in and out of town as quickly as possible.

When I met The BIZ the other night, Detroit was one of the things I asked about. I was like, "So, just out of curiosity, I'd like to know...what do you think?" Coady had a few things to say. His descriptions led me to believe he wasn't exactly digging the scenery, but he was trying to be polite about it.  Scott told me a story about how he saw someone practically get beat to death (and possibly stabbed) one night in front of the Magic Stick. No one really likes to come here. A lot of the cool things in town are hidden gems, so it's not like Chicago or New York where everything is just there in front of your face.

To any outside Detroiters driving in for shows, be sure to stop into that KING VIDEO place across the street if the Melvins or any other cool band ever decide to come back. That place is a riot.

Meh.

Did I mention that I had a blast ??? 

[Jozzy]

Right on. There are a few really great spots for Polski food in Hamtramck. You went to the second or third best 

This thread is getting off track, but what place would you recommend to go to in that area? Seems like the Melvins are going to keep playing there so I might as well start checking out the restaurants in the area. It came down to the Polish Village or Polonia with me deciding on the Polish Village.

[JUDY]

Right on. There are a few really great spots for Polski food in Hamtramck. You went to the second or third best 

This thread is getting off track, but what place would you recommend to go to in that area? Seems like the Melvins are going to keep playing there so I might as well start checking out the restaurants in the area. It came down to the Polish Village or Polonia with me deciding on the Polish Village.

No worries. I don't really think it's gotten too off track. It's all relevant to what we've seen in the tour diary - and what's left merch wise is being updated from other members at each gig.

Judging by the sandwich Trevor reported to be eating in the dumpster area, I hope they read this and decide to try some awesome food next time they visit. Polish Village rocks, but I think Polonia is the best. Anthony Bourdain approved.

[Ron Maiden]

I have a scar on my lip from it being busted open at Harpos. and that was just during the music videos.

my speakers were stolen form my car in the parking lot. the guy whom drummed in a band i played there with got his window busted out . not to mention the "security guard" wanted to beat his ass. AND WE PLAYED THERE. That place ius the pits. I used to see every Clutch show until they took their shit to Harpos.

[DC]

How has glen survived Michigan for so long?

[spunkmonkey]

How has glen survived Michigan for so long?

I don't know. Dan and I left 15ish years ago.

Stockholm syndrome?

[EGO the Living Planet]

Great show, as usual. I had a fantastic time. I talked 5 dudes I work with into going and all of 'em loved it. I talked to Dale for a minute after the show but I got tongue tied. Sorry I didn't get a minute to catch up with Glen, or anyone else from the board. Where were all you fuckers on Thur for the Big Biz show?

[Dan_Halen]

When I met The BIZ the other night, Detroit was one of the things I asked about. I was like, "So, just out of curiosity, I'd like to know...what do you think?" Coady had a few things to say. His descriptions led me to believe he wasn't exactly digging the scenery, but he was trying to be polite about it.

I had fun when I was flown to Detroit two years ago. An old college friend flew me and some other friends in to play jazz during the cocktail hour at his wedding. (and also to be guests) Then again I'm not sure I was ever in Detroit even thought the plane ticket said so. We stayed at the Dearborn Inn and the wedding was basically across the street and a gargantuan building called "The Henry Ford" We had to sign a bunch of waivers and agreements just to be able to bring any sort of equipment in there. I was bummed cus I wanted to really go into detroit and go digging for records but there wasn't time.

[jules]

Article in Detroit News from 20 September:

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120920/ENT04/209200309/1424/ENT04/Rock-band-Melvins-seeks-Guinness-record

[Ham Sandwich]

We were on board Detroit AFTER the shit went down. 

It was a bombed out looking place like Dresden after the Jombi's flew through there.    It was a real shame to see.  I had always heard about the cannibalism in Detroit but until that night I thought this was the stuff of legends, the kind of thing soldiers told one another around tire fires at night.
But I am a black liar if I didn't see a feral street urchin type gnawing on a femur outside of the ....

[rictus]