Many things can be said about Detroit, not only as a city, but also as a pioneer in the music scene. In a city constantly changing and adapting, the music begins to reflect it, not only in popular music of the mainstream, but also in bands and individual musicians. Such a band was conceived in January of 2012. Crafting a style of their own by seamlessly blending styles of music such as punk, psychobilly, hardcore, classic rock n’ roll and a hint of classic horror, the Gutter Ghouls are creating a style completely unlike anything in Metro-Detroit.

The Gutter Ghouls began as a project of Branden Gelineau (upright bass/lead vocals, ex-Distinguished Gentlemen) and Kevin Hardy (drums/backing vocals). Soon they were joined by Billy Causey (guitar/backing vocals) and hit the ground running, immediately booking countless shows and recording their self released ep ‘Motor City Murderbilly’.

The band began to gain instant notoriety through a grueling regiment of shows, promotion, and recognition from countless national and local bands. Having performed with such acts as the Misfits, the Chop Tops, the Stolen Babies, the Krank Daddies, the Strikers, The Everymen and the Independents, the Gutter Ghouls have transformed from a small opening act to a mainstay in the Michigan music scene.

With a new album in the works, as well as a new music video and plans for touring, keep an eye out for the Ghouls! For fans of psychobilly, punk and the Devil himself, grab a beer and a shot, light up a cigarette and hold on tight!

For nearly a decade, The Fisticuffs have been proving themselves as a band to be reckoned with. Their songs are fast paced, complex in nature and direct in delivery. While many bands in the Celtic punk genre lean heavily on played out and sped up traditional pub melodies accompanied by lyrics that are heavy on shtick but low on substance, The Fisticuffs make every effort to steer clear of these pitfalls. According to singer Bobby Baldwin, “If you want that leprechaun b.s. don’t buy a Fisticuffs record, go eat at a Bennigans.” The earth pounding drums and bass of Tony Dellorto and Neal Farrell meet head on with the thrashing guitar work of Sean Moriarty. On top of this mix Dave Beneventi’s mandolin and Arcadia Kust’s fiddle unleash melodies that, depending on the song, can dampen your eyes or clench your fists. Through it all are Baldwin’s growling lyrics about family, hard work, a great many sins, and life on the South Side of Chicago. The band are known for their raucous live shows that can be described as equal parts Irish wake and soccer riot. These kinds of heart racing performances are achieved by the groups love and respect for their music, fans and from the experience gained from years of playing all over Chicago and the eastern United States. In a musical landscape where the term Celtic punk is often synonymous with watered down punk rock, The Fisticuffs are hell bent on standing out. They’re all whiskey, no water.

Hot Bagels are a fuzzed-out, lo-fi, garage punk rock band. The band released Toasted this month digitally and on cassette via Be Happy Records (vinyl coming in February). The 15 mind melting tracks on Toasted range from 43 seconds to just over 3 mins in length and were recorded in “cars, basements, apartments, and practice spaces” around the city over the last three months. Hot Bagels is the essence of DIY and a band to watch and experience in 2014.

P&C are a Philadelphia/Chicago duo that creates upbeat punk rock indie jams. Peter & Craig have been playing their drum/guitar rock tunes since 2005. This performance will be a special one, fresh off the first installment of Chicago’s TWO PIECE FEST!