It’s been a brutal winter. Can I say it’s been a b-s winter? Cause it has been an absolute b-s winter. After what seemed like it was gonna stay grey forever, The Black Keys came to The Royal Oak Theater (about 20 miles north of Detroit) last night for a tax day rage that got our great city of Royal Oak all full of piss and vinegar to really kick off what’s going to be a great summer. April in the D makes my heart “flutter.”
The crowd was ready for a night of action as the Keys sold out the 1500 person venue that goes by the name of El Royal Oak Music Theater (which, for those of you who don’t “hable espanol” “El” Royal Oak Music Theater is spanish for…. “The” Royal Oak Music Theater)… One of my favorite music spots in Detroit, it’s got good acoustics, good vision from everywhere, a great bar in the back, and seating in the balcony if you feel like chilling. We got there about 10 minutes before the opener, Jay Reatard, went on stage. Justin won two tickets through a local radio station, WDET, so it didn’t take long to unload those to a couple of kids whose frowns turned upside down (lame)… and we had beer money for the night. Chalk up two for the good guys.
Into the Theater, and off to the left, in the back. Good view cause we’re at the front edge of the 3rd tier, we’ve got a rail for our beers (with the red bull mixer) and the acoustics seem to filter back towards us. I really feel like it’s the best spot in that joint. I’ve seen a bunch of other acts there, most notable Ben Harper and Modest Mouse… pre-radio hit “Dashboard” that is… I HATE it when a great band has a radio hit and suddenly 14 year old girls are going to their concert. No offense to 14 year old girls everywhere, but YOU RUIN MUSIC FOR ME. Okay, maybe a little offense to 14 year old girls… Anyways, I’ve been closer and didn’t enjoy the music quite as well at this venue as when I’m in back. But you feel more in tune with the music and the band and the crowd when you’re closer, so… just a different vibe.
The opening band was all business… they came out and just got right into it. No talking, no banter, one song after another. Two electric guitars… flying V’s mind you… yeah, that’s right. Flying V’s… and a drummer. They would fade a song, and the singer would yell out the next song and the drummer went right into it. Our friend Jerry made a comment that the band was “given a half hour to get in as many songs as possible… and they weren’t wasting anytime.” Nor were they wasting any hair gel cause they all had ridiculously long hair, but the afro lead guitarist’s was the jamminest… I think I saw that thing at the bar ordering beers while he was playing his final tune. I was imaging them in their hometown and crazy kids all over the floor dancing hard and arms flailing, one song right into the next… no rest for the crazy. It was actually really cool and I give them massive props for a show like nothing I’ve ever seen before… Unfortunately, here, it seemed lost on a crowd that was just silly-geared up for the boys from Akron, Ohio.
The opener finished and the screen went up to show a massive tire on the back of the stage that said The Black Keys. The Keys recorded their first four albums in an abandoned rubber warehouse that used to facilitate Goodyear tires. They are known for their lo-fi recordings, using tools like 8mm, and known for leaving distortion and background noise in the recording. You can imagine why they sit well with a Detroit crowd.
Of course, no let down with the music. Using a style that’s near and dear to the people of Detroit in our own infamous White Stripes, a lead guitar/singer and a drummer, The Keys are, without a doubt, Dan Auerbach’s band. He leads with the guitar, seems to have great control over the stage and his surroundings… yet I couldn’t take my eyes off Pat, the drummer. Arms flailing, he’s got an incredible style seemingly holding the drum sticks like a pencil, and just really pounding away. But Dan’s guitar screech and distortion kept drawing me that way too. It was just a great, rock and roll concert, with a twist of blues. These guys wailed.
Afterwards, we went to a local dive bar called Gusoline Alley. And as we were hanging out listening to Iggy and the Stooges on the jukebox, I remember thinking “man, i love this city.”
Saw a bunch of people I know, and everyone was excited and ready for a great summer of fun. Screw the economy, forget the election, gas prices can get bent… it’s gonna be a great summer.
