Local H at The Stache

What a great night.

Benjamin Howell Photography

Three cheers for Local H - a true sonic force. And Scott is a great guy to boot (as far as my limited and humble opinion goes). Watching him personally run their merchandise table was a thing of beauty; some of what it’s really all about. Working hard and connecting with people in a genuine way. That goes for anything you’re doing.

It explains their loyal, fervent fan base. The crowd was respectful, excited, attentive. It was a joy to play for such a room full of people. And possibly more delightful were some of the conversations I had after our set; sounds, songs, music, life. This show was a real treat - thanks to everybody out there, convening for just…a ‘cool night of living.’

Shout out to Stoop GoodNoise, Slumlord Radio for opening the show. Hi, Intersection, PBR! Benjamin Howell - killer photos.

Bill even got in to see MEGA 80s; what more could you ask for?

Woodruff's - 9/28/2011

RETRO SERIES:
Woodruff's - 9/28/2011

VALENTIGER had a slew of shows at Woodruff's in Ypsilanti throughout 2011 and 2012; it's hard to keep them all straight.  I can tell you it was always a fun stage and a nice little place to see a show - dimly lit is always a plus in any bar for me.  It was a busy time for VALENTIGER as Rider's bachelor party was coming up that weekend, Pulaski Days was right around the corner and the band was preparing for and organizing their infamous Frontman Show.  We shared the stage with Cash Harrison, del Brutto and Vince Dynamic for a solid bill.  I mean, this is back when shows were $5 and actually started at 8PM.  You really couldn't go wrong, here. 

Pyramid Scheme - 9/24/2011

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Pyramid Scheme - 9/24/2011

A lot of things came together for this pretty epic bill back in 2011.  At the core, it was essentially an artist reception and after party for Artprize, which was still relatively new at the time.  Within this frame work were melded Short's Brewery, VALENTIGER, Chance Jones (Joshua Burge of Revenant fame), The Little Village and the Pyramid Scheme music venue (which had also just opened a few months previously).  Short's brought some 'new' brews in at the time especially for the show including Grasshoppa, Black Cherry Porter and Ale La Reverend.  Everything was adding up to be a stellar night and it proved, indeed.  There was no shortage of stage show or talent with any of these bands and I think the Short's beer was brewing an especially rowdy crowd.  For, by the time VALENTIGER closed the night, it was near pandemonium.  Shirey broke a string and played a good chunk of the night with the backup ASAT Classic.  There were waves of chanting and heckling and a wild Bill Kahler was thrashing about like a madman on the bass.  From there, it was only a matter of time before Shirey was standing up on the sub, shredding, all while Joel, Campanelli's front man, eventually made his way onto stage to belly flop during an inevitable rendition of Pavement's "Summer Babe."  At that time, the band was swept away in a whirlwind of shows and writing, touring and recording; there wasn't much time to think about it.  But in retrospect, having these three acts pulled together into the newest venue in town, with one of their favorite breweries supplying special beers all while capping off an international art contest right within our little city was pretty cool; one for the books.

Pyramid Scheme 12/16/17

What a great bill – from Mertle to Blanca Luz to Major Murphy and the Valentiger boys closing out the night; what more could one ask in these relative genres?  Mertle rolled onto the scene in their van formerly belonging to The Shins and opened the evening with their sailing sounds and solid grooves.  This then led us into Blanca Luz sounding tight as ever, Cedric’s guitar ripping into the night.  It was great to hear fellow three-piece Major Murphy pump out their tunes, including ‘Mary,’ which is gaining some traction for them.  And for us, we were in what is always an interesting position of mixing new, unreleased tunes with some of our more familiar material and we thoroughly enjoyed it.  Everyone in attendance seemed, to me, to be noticeably united and the room as a whole was especially attentive and supportive.  There was a very warm vibe and a fluidity to the night which is worth noting and I want to thank everyone who came out and shared a night of music with us – because we all made it happen together.  Thanks for singing along and dancing.  Thanks for listening and chatting, buying records and supporting us.  Thanks for yelling, ‘Free Bird!’ I guess; we all gotta do something.  A live show, for us, is a two-way street.  We’re all in the same room, at the same show trying to do our thing and have a good time.  It was a good one – thanks again, all.  So, here’s looking forward to 2018 – cheers and see you soon!

Of note:
*Valentiger played 4 new songs
*Shirey is/was trying to bring back “dease” – as in ‘decent’
*Rider had the new Valentiger camera out and about, snappin’ some shots
*Bill did NOT eat 13 tacos, but will eventually