Alt-Nation: Starting May Off Right

Rough Francis

The sons of Death return to the Columbus Theatre to lay a smackdown of ’70s Motor City inspired rock ‘n’ roll. I call them the sons of Death because three members of the band are sons of the Hackney brothers who had the band Death in the early ’70s. Death has come back to public eye in recent years due to the attention from the documentary, A Band Called Death. However, Rough Francis aren’t lost in the shadow of Death’s spotlight by any means. I may be a little biased toward any band that draws heavily from early ’70s Detroit bands like MC5 and The Stooges (both of which I’ve seen Rough Francis cover) but Rough Francis are the real deal. One of the best young live bands I’ve seen in recent years. Rough Francis released a killer album last year in Maximum Soul Power.  Cuts off Maximum Soul Power like “Ruffians,” I-90 East,” and “Not A Nice Guy” harness the aggression of early ’70s punk rock. They mix in some psychedelic by re-working the MC5’s “Black to Comm” to their version called “Comm to Space.” Get there early for local garage rockers Gymshorts, who will get things heated up.

Rough Francis and Gymshorts rock the Columbus Theatre on May 1.

The Relationship

The Relationship is an alt-rock super groups of sorts composed of members of Weezer, U.S. Bombs, and The Bravery. The band was formed by Weezer guitarist Brian Bell and Nate Shaw from Die Hunns. The Relationship has been around for several years; they released a self-titled full-length in 2010 and this month released a 7-inch single for the tune “Oh Allen.” The Relationship remind me a little of early ’70s Kinks with a modern alternative slant. It’s not bad. This should be a cool show. Get there early to check out local alt-rockers Satellites Fall who are putting together a one-of-a-kind set just for this show.

The Relationship, Gringo Star, and Satellites Fall will rock The Met Café on May 1.

Cannibal Ramblers

Cannibal Ramblers kick out swamp blues in psychedelic squalls. They are essentially a blues band, but there is so much more happening than say with your typical bar blues band. Singer/guitarist Mark Milloff is a beast on slide guitar and the rest of the band gels behind him. Cannibal Ramblers take the tradition of the blues and rock it to a whole other dimension. This is an excellent, no-risk opportunity to check them out if you haven’t already.

Cannibal Ramblers and The Cider Mill Stompers play a free show at Nick-A-Nee’s on May 2.  

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