Date: June 20th, 2011
Location: Mears, Michigan

Text by Jim Hoey

This summer in Michigan, something went down around Mears, Michigan, a small town near the Great Lakes and one of the largest area of dunes in the country. An old music festival fairground was reopened, called Val Du Lakes, one which used to host bands like Aerosmith and Metallica back in its heyday.

Bill Cosby: great flow and best footwear at the fest. Photo courtesy of Jim Hoey

This time around though, some locals on the West Michigan music scene organized a weekend festival mixing rock and rap (and camping) and managed to snag the reclusive Glassjaw as headliner, with Del the Funky Homosapien and Brother Ali along for the ride too. It was really a coup for a group of smalltown scenesters to put this all together, giving local rappers and rockers a chance to share a stage with some living legends and pull fans from Detroit, Lansing, Grand Rapids, and as far away as Chicago and NY, to this far off spot. Unfortunately, the rains came and some high pricing may have kept some people away. But for the hardcore who came out, the reward was a two-hour plus set from Glassjaw, (who rarely play live these days and are touring limitedly to support their new EP Coloring Lines), a sick late night performance by Del the Funky Homosapien, a last show from Michigan’s own If He Dies, He Dies, and lots of local acts all around.

Check some videos and pics below to get a feeling for what the hell is happening in Michigan.

Glassjaw

This is a clip from their show as headliners, it was 2-plus hours with lots of old songs, as well as new ones from the Coloring Book EP. Despite Crohn’s Disease, lead singer Daryl Palumbo still sings and flails and rivets the crowd, but they just don’t play out that often, so this performance was a major treat, (even though only a handful of MIchigan’s faithful made it out).

If He Dies, He Dies

This video above is from the main stage, but their show later inside “The Barn” was even sicker. Live brutal hardcore, intense guitars, mayham, pure rock.

Photo by courtesy of Jim Hoey

Duhjuanyay

The “Dave Grohl” of rap, he tripled during this fest as head organizer, drummer in If He Dies, He Dies, and in his posi solo rap project.

Del the Funky Homosapien

Cali’s own rap legend, still going strong.

Brother Ali

 A little political, but all flow. Also from around Michigan, or parts West, I believe.

Lost Coves

Drummer William Saunders (formerly of Detroit’s Nain Rouge) relocated to Brooklyn, and met up with bass player Dylan Ricards to create some DOOM sounds. The only other NYC band invited, besides Glassjaw.

Duhjuanyay (photo by courtesy of Jim Hoey)