Like Dylan, Lennon/McCartney and Hendrix, Rebecca Black is inspiring a generation of musicians. Her song "Friday" has, swept the Web, scoring more than 15 million views. The teen singer's auto-tuned vocals, cheesy lyrics and even cheesier video for "Friday" -- mom lent her $2000 to make it -- have also motivated musicians to create emo, country, metal, Chipmunk and even Dylanesque covers. We've posted a sampling below. Feel free to use comments to, um, comment or share links to other slices of Friday awesomeness.
Metal Friday
Country Friday
Jonas Brothers Wannabees Friday
American Idol Friday
Slightly Sarcastic Teen Girl Friday
Doughy Middle-Age Guy Friday
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Local Music ///
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COMING IN SEPTEMBER…
School isn't the only thing starting in September. It's also time for arts organizations to start their new seasons. Fall 2010 holds big musical productions and art exhibitions for West Michigan, so don't miss our second annual arts issue.
Important Dates:
Ad Deadline: Aug. 20
Editorial Deadline: Aug. 13 Delivery: Aug. 27 |
Theatre ///
Community ///Film ///
Recently released at Sazerac Lounge was the trailer for Clean Break, which was written by local filmmakers, Jacob de la Rosa and Ryan Lieske. Produced through Collective Studios, the film stars Joseph Scott Anthony, Ashley Marini, Rick Reed, and Sophie Ni and will be premiering at Thriller! Chiller! festival in October.
Random Quote ///
—Comedian Doug Benson (See our interview with Benson here.)
Random Notes is compiled by Revue staff and minions including Brian Edwards, Amy Lundquist, James Nichols, Elena Nieman, Lindsay Patton-Carson, and Melinda Wilcox.
Gods of Kansas have shared the stage with Nazareth, Bret Michaels and Winger. On July 30, the band brings its ‘80s hair metal to Planet Rock in Battle Creek. For more info, check out Gods of Kansas at gokrocks.com … Local musician, Lisa Bridenstine, recently released a documentary on Michigan’s music scene. The documentary, called Weekend Warriors, features local bands such as Their Teeth Will Be of Lions, Please Promise, onlytheashesremain, Doctor! Doctor!, and Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte, among others. You can get your copy by emailing Lisa at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
, by sending a message to myspace.com/chunkmedia, or placing an order at chunkmedia.bigcartel.com. The DVD is $7 (plus shipping) … Grand Rapids locals are stepping their game up to help with the Gulf Coast oil disaster. SuperDre, La Famiglia, Chance Jones, Juleus, AB & Coconut Brown, Gray Theory, Nathan Kalish and the Wildfire, Cain Marko, The Fainting Generals, and Head are playing an all ages show at Billy’s Lounge on July 11. Cover is a $10 donation, but is bumped down to $7 with a donation of supplies (supplies needed are sheets, towels, paper towel, toothbrushes, dish gloves and original blue Dawn dish soap). All supplies will be sent to the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary (seabirdsanctuary.com) and all money raised will go to the Louisiana Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue Program … A new open mic night is coming to Sazerac Lounge in July. Hosted by Jack Flash, the open mic will be every Wednesday this summer from 10 p.m. until 12 a.m. starting July 7. The evening will feature special guests from local bands, as well as the occasional out of town guest … The Outer Vibe is bringing its second year of Rock Camp to Grand Rapids. Last year, the camp was held in Lansing. For 2010, the camp for kids ages 12-18 will be held at St. Cecilia Music Center the week of July 19. Kids with some experience at guitar, bass, drums, piano or singing are encouraged to enroll and will be placed in bands according to their interest and skill. 
Josiah Gentry is giving away his new CD for free at his CD release show on July 9 at The DAAC. Admission is $7, and Gentry will be joined by guests TwoTonTyran, Camarie¸ Coweta, and Chris Dupont … Mark Lavengood is releasing his “newgrass” instrumental album at Founders Brewing Company on July 17. He’ll be playing with Red Sea Pedestrians, a Kalamazoo band that will also be releasing an album on that date. 
National CD Releases ///
Art ///|
COMING IN AUGUST…
Summer’s not the only thing that’s hot this month. Don’t forget about our second Hot Issue, where we’ll let you know what the hot trends, businesses and entertainers are in West Michigan.
Important Dates:
Ad Deadline: June 23 Editorial Deadline: June 16 Delivery: June 30 |
The Daily Bread for Friday, June 5:
It's opening day for a couple of new ventures on the West Michigan entertainment scene. First, the venerable Bells Brewery christens its beer garden this weekend in Kalamazoo with a pair of performances today and tomorrow by Greensky Bluegrass wsg Head for the Hills. The music starts at 9:30 both nights. The beer starts flowing sooner...There' also a new website covering the local and national music scene launched at midnight last night (this morning?). It's called Backstage All Access, and it features tons o' music photography and news from the West Michigan music scene, as well as podcasts, blogs and even some humor. It's being launched by REVUE Contributing Photographer Anthony Nowack and there's a blog post by our own Associate Editor Lindsay Patton. (Not that we're pimping it too much or anything.) BAA joins a growing list of web and blogsites that are covering the local music scenes including Sounds Good Ink and Kalamazoo Noise...There's also a funky new casual dining spot that will be opening in mid-July on Grand Rapids East Beltline: The Twisted Rooster. It's a new concept that's being brought to the market by Meritage Hospitality Group, which owns Wendy's of Michigan and O'Charleys. The Rooster is a brand new, totally independent concept (ie, it's not a franchise) that's going to classic American fare with lots of locally grown ingredients. No website yet, but check them on the book of Face.
The Daily Bread for Thursday, June 4:
The world is a vampire. We got word that The Smashing Pumpkins, also known as Billy Corgan and three other musicians who didn't play on the Pumpkins epic albums, announced they'll make a tour stop in Grand Rapids at the Orbit Room on Thursday, July 8. Tickets go on sale a week from tomorrow at 10 a.m. This is a 16+ show (under 16 needs a parental unit)... The Ace of Cakes will be in GR this September 14-15 to do a book signing at Schulers and make a cake for Hospice of Michigan... Calvin College has already begun booking its fall concert series, announcing three acts: Van Dyke Parks, The Books, and Over the Rhine. OTR is the opening concert following the fab rehab of the Performing Arts Center... Over in Holland, the Park Theater announced that the Enter the Haggis Show on Sunday, June 13 will be an Industry Night Show. So if you work in the restaurant and bar business, you can get half-off admission and drink specials. Hmmm. Think if you just wear a pair of black pants and a white shirt with food stains on it, they'll let you drink cheaply? (Just a thought. And please notice, no Hollander jokes were used in the writing of this item.)... Don't forget, the ever popular Art Hop in Kalamazoo is the first Friday evening of the month and that's tomorrow. It's fun, and free... Be sure to check out some exclusive interviews that REVUE snagged with a couple of oldies but goodies: Kenny Loggins and Leon Redbone.
The Daily Bread for Wednesday, June 3:
The Waterfront Film Festival announced that Secondhand Serenade will play an opening night show on June 10. The emo-acoustic-rock band lead by singer-songwriter John Vesley had a hit with the song “Fall For You.” At dusk, music turns to movies with short films, including Oscar-winner "Logorama."
A touring musician selling 10,000 CDs doesn't sound that impressive, but how about this: What if he sold all of those CDs at shows? That's the claim by publicists for British singer-songwriter Bobby Long, whose Dirty Pond Songs is a 10 song collection of acoustic folk. Long makes his first visit to Grand Rapids on June 26 for a show at the MixTape Cafe.
The man who brought Black Sabbath to the ballet has resigned. Gordon Peirce Schmidt, artistic director of the Grand Rapids Ballet for the past twelve years, has resigned to pursue other interests. No word on a replacement yet, but sources say ballet-goers should expect some of the 2010-2011 season to change.
