Marquette Music Scene

Author: PWBear

  • A Record, A Memory, A Farewell

    Mike Walker’s Journey from Bogue to Closure

    Bear/Marquette Music Scene

    I had the privilege of meeting Mike Walker not long after he moved back to the U.P. — some years ago. We’ll go with that, because I honestly don’t remember exactly what year it was at the Upfront & Company, and that place has been closed for almost 13 years now. What I do remember is meeting this cat who clearly knew a thing or two about heavy bands. After a short conversation outside, Mike looked at me and said, “We need to be friends.” And we have been ever since.

    Sure, the Upfront is long gone, but some memories are still sharp. We did some cool things before the club was abruptly — and stupidly — taken away from us.

    Of course, I’m not just Mike’s friend. I’ve been a fan of just about everything I’ve seen him do musically. So when I heard he was bringing a 20+ year-old demo back to life, I couldn’t have been more excited. The release got delayed — unfortunately for him, but fortunately for us — into a time when we’re both active again. I had the absolute privilege of sitting down with my friend this week to talk about the release and about an era where I can only fill in the blanks with stories from the people who lived it.

    Origins of Bogue

    Bear: So you weren’t with the band from day one. How did it start, and how did you end up joining?

    Mike Walker: Matt and Danny formed the band in late ’99. I was working at the Gold Dollar — tiny rock club in Detroit. They played their first show there. I knew Dan from P.W. Long’s Reelfoot and stuff like that. When they played as a two-piece, I immediately knew: I need to be in that band. They needed it, and I needed it. We spoke the same musical language.

    We found out we lived next door to each other. One day I was taking out the trash, he said hey, we ended up at the bar, then two hours later, we were in the practice room. Just like that.

    Bear: Do you think you changed the sound?

    Mike Walker: Yeah, I’d say so. Dan and I had that Keith Richards/Brian Jones “ancient art of basket weaving” thing. Two guitars working together. It just gave things more beef, more thickness.

    Bear: You were in Gravatar before Bogue. Very different sound. Did you carry anything over?

    Mike Walker: I don’t write music thinking, “Today I make this style.” In Gravatar, we loved free jazz and the Melvins — and it shows. I still love both. With Danny, we naturally leaned more toward Booker T. and the MGs meets Jesus Lizard. No conscious style shift — just different chemistry.

    I played the same guitar, amp, and pedals in both bands. Just different results.

    The Detroit Scene

    Bear: What was the Detroit scene like at that point?

    Mike Walker: Huge city, huge music town. Even with millions of people, you end up seeing the same 150 folks at shows. There were overlapping circles — garage rock, noise, punk, metal — all at the same bars. Gold Dollar wasn’t just garage or noise, it was everything.

    When people talk about that era now, they name White Stripes, Electric Six, Von Bondies, Dirtbombs. We played with all of them. The Henchmen, Rocket 455 — everybody was influencing everybody. No one was copying, but we all had the same Kinks records and Zeppelin albums. Same roots, different flowers.

    Bear: There was definitely a kind of abrasiveness to Bogue’s sound that set you apart from other Detroit acts of the time — You all had the same Kinks records, but it seems that you wore the more obscure deeper experimentation of those bands on your sleeve in comparison to bands that are now looked at, maybe, as more radio friendly from Detroit in that era. What’s your take on that?

    Mike Walker: True. Nobody thought they’d get rich doing this. If you wanted that, you left Detroit. It wasn’t until Jack and Meg [White] were on Conan that anyone thought, “Maybe this could work.”

    Bear: What was a Bogue show like?

    Mike Walker: Sweaty. Fast-paced. No rambling between songs. Just run it and keep people moving.

    Bear: The crowd?

    Mike Walker: Good vibes. No mosh pits. At a friend’s wedding on Belle Isle, someone from the Yacht Club said it looked like an Austin Powers-themed event — not because of any actual costume theme, just the wild mix of vintage clothes and garage rock flair people showed up in. That was our scene. Total Nuggets-comp energy.

    Recording the Album

    Bear: The record was done at Ghetto Recorders, right? What were the sessions like? Chaotic? Focused?

    Mike Walker: Yeah, Jim Diamond’s place. Old chicken processing plant behind the Fisher Theatre. Cinder block building. Jim knew what he was doing. He had some leftover tape and a day so he said, “Let’s make a demo.”

    We were tight as hell, practiced constantly. Tracked 14 songs, mixed vocals — all in a day. We thought it was just a demo to shop to labels.

    Bear: So chaotic focus?

    Mike Walker: Exactly. Lots of cocaine and alcohol. But we knew how to operate.

    Loss & Perspective

    Bear: Sadly, working in and around music death is just a part of it. Dan and Matt are both gone. How did that shape how you look back?

    Mike Walker: I’ve lost a lot of people. Dan’s death — suicide — hit me, but I don’t think I processed it until years later. Matt died a couple years after that. Heart attack behind his drums.

    I buried it. Buried myself. More booze, more coke. When I got sober a few years ago, my uncle randomly found the Bogue demo. I hadn’t heard it in 15 years. I cried.

    Those guys were my best friends. No one else on Earth really shares that history with me.

    I thought: maybe someone out there remembers and cares. I reached out to friends in Electric Six, Rocket 455, others — they all said, “Let’s get it out.”

    So yeah, this release? It’s closure. I need it out in the world to move forward.

    Chaputa! Records and the Vinyl Release

    Bear: The original vinyl plans fell apart. How did Chaputa get involved?

    Mike Walker: First label screwed me. Lied. Lawyered up. Picked up the pieces with help from friends. I reached out to every label I could remember — then found Chaputa in Portugal.

    I emailed the demo. Escar, who runs it, responded within an hour: “Let’s do this.” It was 4 a.m. over there.

    He’s been amazing. Transparent, honest, helped with U.S. distro. Their catalog is full of weird fuzz bands, Scandinavian stuff, and all with beautiful packaging. Total care and craftsmanship.

    Vinyl, Streaming, and Distribution

    Bear: Is it a remaster or something else?

    Mike Walker: Just a straight remaster. Jim pulled the tapes. No overdubs, no touch-ups. Just cleaned it up. When he sent it back, I could hear things I hadn’t noticed before. Mastering is black magic.

    Bear: Is that the end of the musical story?

    Mike Walker: Yep. Maybe some live tapes out there, but I don’t have them. That’s it.

    Bear: Where can people get it?

    Mike Walker: Bandcamp U.S. distro is Get Hip Recordings. Chaputa Records. Locally: The Emporium, Jim’s Music, Yooptone Music and this weekend at the Ore Dock [Brewing Company]. Geoff & Jon’s Record Show all weekend long — they’ll have copies.

    Bear: Appreciate your time, man.

    Mike Walker: Absolutely. Thanks for digging into this with me.

  • Triple Platinum in Gwinn

    Niko Moon Brings the “Good Time” to Gwinn Tonight

    If your Monday night plans are still up in the air…

    …wait, Monday plans? Well, when someone as big as Niko Moon comes to the outskirts (we’re definitely the concert touring outskirts), we don’t always get to choose the day. So: Yeah, THAT Niko Moon—the guy behind the laid‑back radio country hits like “Good Time” and “Paradise to Me.”

    Niko Moon performing live

    Obviously, it’s not every week the Yoop lands a national name like this, let alone Gwinn, but The Big 3—a non‑profit, dedicated to producing incredible events in the Gwinn area, now in its third year—has really been trying to put their money where their mouth is. Love him or not, Niko knows how to bring a high‑energy, feel‑good show. His mix of pop‑country, beach‑vibe grooves, and Southern charm has been filling up festival grounds and summer stages across the country, and now it’s our turn.

    Image Courtesy of Niko Moon

    Expect a set full of singalongs, smiles, and plenty of dancing—whether you’re into mainstream country, backyard party anthems, or just looking for a solid reason to get out and enjoy live music in the U.P.

    Rise Music Group Artist Hayden Coffman & Singer/Songwriter Gabe Bailey are set to open.

    A quick final note: From what we normally cover and from my writings, you may very well know this isn’t this writer’s thing—but honestly, I couldn’t be happier to see this kind of professional event rockin’ the central U.P. Kudos to The Big 3!

    The gates open at 7, and if you don’t already have tickets, they’re $40 all day long.

  • DR3WPALOOZA: A Birthday Bash Turned Community Force

    Drew Collister in 2023 at “Drewpalooza 1” at Dig’s in Marquette.

    What started as a simple birthday party among friends has grown into a full-blown three-day music event with heart, purpose, and a whole lot of community spirit. Drew Collister, the founder of Drewpalooza, didn’t set out to create a festival—but that’s exactly what happened.

    “The first year, it was just a birthday bash,” Drew recalls with a smile. “A few close friends, a couple acts, a DJ booth—and way too many logistics packed into a tight space. But it sparked something. I realized I wanted to do more. I wanted it to mean something.”

    By the next year, Drewpalooza moved to Pine Grove in Republic, Michigan, where it found its rhythm and a new mission: raising funds for local causes close to Drew’s heart. In 2024, the event supported Do It For Daniel, a vital local nonprofit focused on mental health awareness [Editor’s note: Both Drew and I played football for founder Jeff Olson — he’s not only a Hall of Fame football coach but a great man and mentor]. This year, the cause is Ainlsey’s HALO, a pediatric cancer-focused organization that also funds scholarships in dance, hockey, and more, all in memory of a young girl whose spirit continues to inspire.

    “Ainsley was only eight years old when she passed away,” Drew explains. “Her family created HALO—Help And Love Others—as a way to keep her legacy alive. They support the children’s hospital in Ann Arbor, help with scholarships… it’s just incredible what they do.”

    That focus on heart has resonated with artists and attendees alike. “The number of people reaching out asking to be part of this year’s Drewpalooza blew me away,” he says. “Eighteen acts, three days, and for the first time, artists from outside the U.P.—including Wisconsin—are making the trip.”

    And it’s not just the lineup that’s growing. Last year’s crowd packed Pine Grove to capacity by midday. “The Pine Grove crew were doing head counts and just looked at me like, ‘Yeah, you’re full,’” Drew laughs. “But the support has been amazing. People dancing, singing, nodding along… those moments are why I keep doing it.”

    Drewpalooza 2 @ The Pine Grove in Republic.

    Dr3wpalooza bands hit the stage at 6:30 tonight and 12:30 pm on Fri & Sat

    So why Republic? Why Pine Grove?

    “I played there before, and the staff is incredible,” he says. “They help with everything—security, 50/50 raffles, even shutting down the street if needed. They’re a big reason this works. I’m only 25, and the logistics of this are a beast. Having a team that supports the vision makes all the difference.”

    Drew’s background in music—playing in projects like No Expectations and Stetson—helped him build a network that now fuels the lineup. “I’m always out catching shows, checking out who’s playing where, following Marquette Music Scene to see what’s going on. A lot of these connections came from just being part of the community.”

    And that community feeling was on full display last year, when headliners Spun invited everyone who had played over the weekend to join them on stage. “It was this wild, spontaneous, We Are the World moment,” Drew says. “Everyone came together. I got choked up seeing it.”

    Looking ahead, Drew has ideas for how to keep growing while staying true to the grassroots vibe. There’s talk of expanding across the street from Pine Grove, adding a tent or more outdoor space. Northern Lights Campground is already on board to help with overflow. There’s even a big announcement planned for next year—though Drew’s keeping that one close to the vest until the time is right.

    When asked what spirit animal would represent the festival, Drew doesn’t hesitate long: “A lion. Not just because they’re powerful, but because they protect and care for their pride. That’s what this is about—coming together to help and love others. That’s what I try to live by.”

    He’s quick to shout out those who’ve helped make it all happen: Globe Printing for last year’s sold-out merch and this year’s expanded run; local food trucks like The Island and others; backline and sound support from Spun; and the tireless crew at Pine Grove. “It takes a whole village,” Drew says, “and I’m lucky to have one.”

    Bands hit the stage tonight (Thursday) at 6:30 PM, then again Friday and Saturday starting at 12:30 PM—with music running straight through until close each night. There’s no admission fee, but plenty of chances to support the cause throughout the weekend. All proceeds will help raise funds for AINSLEY’S HALO, so come ready to enjoy the music and make a difference.

  • Strong Drinks, Heavy Hearts & Queer Country: The Bootstrap Boys Hit Marquette

    As Marquette rolls into Pride Month, it’s only fitting that The Bootstrap Boys are rolling into town with their outlaw brand of Queer Country grit and soul. Kicking off June with a heavy dose of heart, harmony, and honky-tonk, the band brings their Heavy Hearts Honky-Tonk Tour to the Ore Dock Brewing Company just as the country starts flying its rainbow flags.

    Bear caught up with them for a quick e-mail Q&A ahead of the show to talk grief, grit, road life, and the stories behind the songs:

    Bear: The Heavy Hearts Honky-Tonk Tour — that name hits with some weight. I know you lost someone close last year… has the tour been a way of carrying that memory forward?

    Jake Stilton: We have been no strangers to grief and great loss in this band, but this was one of our own founding members, and it hit real hard. We go on because there is no other option that honors his memory or the years of hard work and dedication that we, as individuals and a group, have poured into this project. Yes, it is with very heavy hearts, but we do go on.

    Bear: You’ve always blended tradition with grit — where would you place The Bootstrap Boys on the country music map? Closer to Cash, or just way out in the woods on your own?

    Jake: Out in the woods on our own is how it feels, but I honestly don’t know if that sentiment translates to the gen pop or not. Johnny Cash is definitely still spinnin’ on the record player.

    Bear: Songs like Poverty Line and ’57 Chevy paint vivid pictures. Can you share the story or inspiration behind one of those — or a newer one?

    Jake: ’57 Chevy tells the story of my father buying a car from a guy — before he shipped off to Vietnam — that didn’t think he would be returning. He bought it for $10 and then took it out in a field and rolled it, just for kicks. That’s the story as I remembered it when I wrote the song, anyhow.

    Poverty Line is semi-autobiographical and the first song I wrote for this project, back somewhere in a blurry 2012–14 range of time.

    Bear: You’ve hit a lot of rural spots across Michigan. How does playing in places like Marquette or Grayling compare to more metro crowds in other states?

    Jake. We find the weirdos wherever we go. It’s like some invisible bat signal or something goes up, and the people that are tuned into that frequency just show up. It’s like, “Oh, you don’t fit in? Come say hi!” Or, “Oh, your friend group thinks you’re strange? Well, we think they’re strange! Get over here!”

    The main difference is more about the time you get to spend with a smaller town’s more intimate crowd, versus sometimes being rushed with a larger metro crowd at a venue that’s ready for the next act as soon as you’re finished.

    Bear: Touring can be both exciting and exhausting. How do you keep the energy up and the camaraderie strong on the road — or do you just fight it out in the van and hug it out later?

    Jake: We have become adept at blowing off a little steam and then getting over it immediately. At this juncture, we mostly know what buttons not to push. I love a good view when traveling, and the drummer loves a good nap. Lil Mama likes to curate songs, and the bass player likes to game with headphones on. We give each other as much space as five adults rambling around in a 30-year-old RV can give each other, I would think. We also have a healthy inside joke catalog to draw from, and humor helps everything.

    Bear: For someone hearing you for the first time at Ore Dock, what’s the one song they have to catch — and what does it say about The Bootstrap Boys?

    Jake: Apropos to the tour name, Strong Drinks for Heavy Hearts is a song that’s resonating a lot with me right now. I suppose that’s saying we like to drown our sorrows. Inasmuch — come out and cheers us! Don’t make us drink alone. We’ll do it, but we’d prefer to cheers y’all back.

  • Make-Believe Spurs: Swamps, Songs, and Sparkle

    Make-Believe Spurs: Swamps, Songs, and Sparkle

    Bear | Marquette Music Scene

    If you’ve spent any time near live music in the Upper Peninsula over the last few years, chances are you’ve found yourself in front of The Make-Believe Spurs.

    This Marquette County-based trio has made their mark the old-fashioned way—through relentless gigging, heartfelt songs, and a whole lot of sparkle. Bars, houses, festivals, street corners, you name it—they’ve probably played it. And we’re lucky for that, because these three are the real deal.

    Their debut album A Thing With Feathers drops June 11, and I couldn’t be more excited to see it shared with the world. Last week, I got to hang out with them at my office for an afternoon—talking music, regional roots, a bit of activism, and the delightful weirdness of life as a hard-touring band in this wild corner of rural America.

    The Beginning

    Bear: Let’s start at the beginning—how did you all end up coming together as a band? I saw it sort of unfolding online, but what’s the official story?

    Brian Wallen: It’s a fun story.

    Molly Wallen: (To Brian) You’re already smiling.

    Brian: Molly and I are married—we’ve been playing music together since 2017 as a duo. We moved to the U.P. about three and a half years ago. One of our good friends, Mavis, kept telling us about each other. She’d say, “I think you guys would really hit it off.” We’d see each other at parties or around town, and I’d always tell her, “Anytime you want to sit in or jam, let me know.” She always said, “Okay, I’ll think about it.” That went on for about a year and a half.

    Then one night she came to one of our gigs. I gave her the same invite, and this time she just said, “I’ll start tomorrow.” She showed up at the next gig—and we’ve been a band ever since.

    Molly: And the wild part? We’d never actually heard her play before.

    Mavis Farr: That’s what made it fun. Total leap.

    Bear: That’s awesome. I’ve seen it happen before—my uncle (MMS HOFer George Bengtson) joined a band the same way. He just pulled up a piano at a bar one night, started playing, and they (MMS HOFer Kurt Gronvall) couldn’t shake him after that. Still the best piano player I’ve ever seen.

    What’s in a Name?

    Bear: So, the name—Make-Believe Spurs. There’s something pointed but playful about it. What’s the story behind that?

    Mavis: I wrote a novel called Make-Believe Spurs during NaNoWriMo. We’d been texting back and forth trying to come up with a band name—two weeks of ridiculous ideas. Then I remembered that one. I’d basically been sitting on a band name for 16 years without realizing it.

    Bear: Honestly, I expected something deeper—but that still tracks. The name hits a certain tone, especially with, y’know, the atmosphere out there right now.

    Brian: Funny you say that. You’re the second person this week to ask if it’s a Trump reference—like, “Make-Believe Spurs,” a twist on “Make America Great Again.” Totally unintentional, but I kind of love that it can be read that way.

    Bear: Well, I wasn’t actually quite thinking of the “bone spurs,” but that is pretty hilarious.

    Sounds and Sparkle

    Bear: Now, genre-wise—I know labels are imperfect, but I do think they help create a kind of universal language to describe sound. So for someone just discovering you, how would you describe your sound?

    Molly: Our business cards say “sparkly alt-folk.” But that only kinda scratches the surface.

    Brian: Yeah, we say “alt-folk” mostly because we’re not strictly a traditional folk band. We’re not country, not bluegrass. We’ve got elements of all that, but we don’t want to fully commit to any one lane.

    Mavis: Yeah, it’s more like…

    Molly: We just want people to have fun. We pick songs that let you escape for a little while. And we’re always sparkly.

    Bear: You’re definitely sparkly sitting here. You try, and it works.

    Swamps, Birds, and Feathers

    Bear: Alright, let’s talk influences. Not just bands—but songs, scenes, maybe even non-musical stuff. What’s shaping the way you write and perform?

    Brian: Swamps.

    Mavis: And birds.

    Brian: Swamps and birds, for sure. We all love nature. Mavis has been deep into birding and swamp-walking for a long time, and she pulled us into that world too.

    Molly: Or “Here’s every bird I saw on my drive today.”

    Bear: That sounds a lot like my messages with my partner lately.

    Have you seen the wolf-corgis?

    Molly: What?

    Bear: They’re these wolf-looking dogs, but they’re corgis. I just saw a picture today. Little corgi butts, big wolf faces. It’s ridiculous.

    Brian: We love dogs, and drifting around looking at dogs. It’s a whole vibe.

    On Hope and the Album

    “People are struggling to find hope right now… and birds don’t give a f***. That’s inspiring.” —Brian

    Bear: Since we’re already talking birds—does that tie into your album title, A Thing With Feathers?

    Brian: Absolutely. It’s a double reference—to birds, obviously, but also to the Emily Dickinson poem. People are struggling to find hope right now, and birds… well, they just don’t give a f*ck. That’s inspiring.

    Molly: That’s what we’re working toward. Just… being in nature, staying light, letting it fly.

    Bear: I could use a little more of that in my life. I like to tell myself I have more of it than I do.

    Road-Tested Tracks

    Bear: The album really caught me off guard, in the best way. It kind of blew me away. If the right person hears it, they’re going to wonder why this isn’t on New West or something. You all are out there working your asses off, and it shows….

    Molly: We have. We really have.

    Bear: That’s why I think there’s a real shot here. You’re not tied down by businesses or brick-and-mortar career obligations. A lot of people I know with great records aren’t in a position to run with it, but you just might be.

    So, are you playing most of these songs live now?

    Brian: Yeah, most of them.

    Bear: Has anything surprised you once you started playing them out? Maybe a song that came together unexpectedly, or one the audience latched onto in a way you didn’t expect?

    Molly: I’m trying to think—we usually play our songs live for a while before recording, so they really settle. But it has been a minute since some of them were written.

    Brian: One that stands out is our first single, “Crow.” I literally wrote that while walking around our neighborhood in Ishpeming… He said, “What if you gave it some drive? Make it more Black Crowes.” That changed the whole energy of the song.

    Mavis: That “crow energy.”

    Brian: Exactly. First time we played it live, people really responded. And that’s when I knew—okay, this one’s a keeper. It ended up being our first single.

    Roots and Reach

    Bear: Your lyrics are pretty rooted in the region. Do you ever worry that might limit your reach? Or do you think people outside the U.P. will connect with it the same way folks connect with music from-about Appalachia or the Delta?

    Molly: I actually think that kind of specificity makes it more powerful. People up here are used to feeling overlooked. Having music that speaks directly to this place matters—and we have people all over the country who’ve followed us and really connected with that.

    “These songs are like chapters in a bigger book.” —Brian

    Brian: I just write what I see around me. That’s how I’ve always written—whether it’s the Southwest, Indiana, or the U.P. I guess I’d call myself an observational songwriter. These songs are like chapters in a bigger book.

    Molly: It’s kind of autobiographical, in that way.

    Activism and Identity

    Bear: So switching gears a bit—you’ve been visibly involved in some anti-fascist organizing around here. How does that activism blend into your music? Are the two always connected?

    Brian: At first, I thought they were separate. But it didn’t take long to realize they aren’t. I started writing songs that were more directly political, and when you’re standing in front of a crowd at a protest with TV6 filming, you’re going to be associated with that. We had a talk about it as a band, like—are we okay with that? And it took about five seconds to say yes. Because it’s the right thing.

    Molly: There was a little hesitation at first, because we were worried about losing gigs.

    Brian: Yeah, but the reality is—we still have to pay the bills. We were worried, but we haven’t lost much. We’re not out there preaching every night. We’re just being us.

    Molly: And we’re pretty good at reading the room. We want people to have a good time.

    Brian: Right. We play the songs that feel right, and people take from them what they want.

    Community Rising

    Bear: Have you noticed other local acts starting to get more outspoken lately?

    Brian: Yeah, actually. There was an event at Ore Dock Brewing Company recently—kind of a soft protest with the theme “music by the people, for the people.” The Knockabouts, Union Suits, Cold Spring… great lineup.

    Molly: We had a solid crowd. Everyone was supportive.

    Mavis: I’ve done tons of shows like that, and this was the first time I’ve ever seen every band stick around to watch the others. Nobody bailed. That felt special.

    Bear: That’s the heart of it.

    Freeform Flow

    Bear: You hate setlists, huh?

    Mavis: We hate setlists. The adventure of not knowing what we’re going to play is half the fun.

    Brian: Sometimes I’ll launch into something brand new without warning. Mavis just rolls with it. Molly scrambles for lyrics.

    Molly: He’s a creative handful.

    Mavis: We treat it a little like the Dead—never the same twice.

    The Chaos Chronicles

    Bear: Alright—fun question time. If your band had a spirit animal?

    Brian: Crow.

    Molly: Crows. Or maybe two wolves and a bunch of crows.

    Mavis: Or an alpaca in a crow hat.

    Molly: …or yeah, we can’t decide.

    Bear: So all of them?

    Molly: Yeah

    Bear: I can accept that. What are you listening to right now that would surprise your fans?

    Molly: I’ve been listening to Taylor Swift’s new album. Again.

    Brian: That might surprise some people.

    Mavis: SZA and All the Yes records up through 1981.

    Brian: Also SZA. And a lot of Springsteen lately.

    Bear: I don’t really believe in “guilty pleasures” myself: I mean I like black metal and No Doubt.

    Bear: Touring rural America always brings out some chaos—got any best, worst, or weirdest gig stories?

    Brian: Oh yeah. There was the guy who randomly started chanting “Trump!” at a show. Totally unprompted. We were about to play a Dolly Parton song, and I was just talking about how much I admire her. Out of nowhere, he yells that the only place Dolly belongs is in the kitchen or my bed—and then just starts yelling “Trump!”

    Molly: He kept trying to get me to drink so I’d dance more. Definitely one of the worst.

    Mavis: That was one of the few shows where I was like, “Molly, I’m not leaving your side tonight.”

    Brian: Then there was the haunted band shell in Manistique. Dead bird inside. Windy as hell. When we got home, Mavis’ daughter’s bed was literally on fire. And her mom almost got blown off the porch by the wind.

    Molly: It was chaos. That was the night our car blew up right there too.

    Brian: Oh yeah, we had to drive Mavis’ car home.

    Mavis: Yep, that was a wild night…

    Brian: But the best nights? Playing outside at Blackrocks in the summer. People dancing, weather’s perfect—it just clicks.

    Bear: That’s the dream.

    Molly: Except for the noise ordinance kicking in at 9 p.m. and everyone yelling at us to keep going.

    Bear: Classic.

    Start Listening

    • Whippoorwill – three-part harmony (Jason Molina cover)
    • Crow – swamp rock with energy
    • Lady Superior – part of the rock set
    • Late September Dreaming – a slow burner

    Find The Make-Believe Spurs

    themakebelievespurs.com
    Instagram & Facebook: @themakebelievespurs
    Streaming on: Spotify, Apple Music, etc.

    Bear: Perfect. I think that’s a wrap. Thanks for the stories—and the sparkly vibes.

  • Resinator 25 in the Rearview!

    As Bear had committed off to Escanaba on 4/19, to visit with that crew and some potential clients, we felt we would be remiss if we left Resinator ’25 uncovered. Fortunately, friend of MMS & WUPX Music Director Jack was rarin’ to go. – Bear

    Kognisjon is back, lighting up Marquette once again with its signature 420 (well, 4/19) festival and exclusive beer release. With a stacked bill of Michigan (and a little Wisconsin) heavy music and a fresh beer release to boot.

    Caving Grounds started off the show and shocked the crowd awake with some songs off of their newest EP, “Northern Desolation.” Their blend of hardcore grit and post-metal atmosphere made for a unique, bleak but energizing experience and got the crowd more than ready for what was to come.

    Following Caving Grounds was La Crosse, Wisconsin’s THE GREY AREA. They brought a powerful instrumental, atmospheric set, which would make you float with their spacey riffs, then slam you back down into the ground with their heavy breakdowns. Imagine if Pelican and Russian Circles had a Michigan cousin raised in a planetarium, constantly staring at the northern lights.

    Next up was Negaunee’s The Hard. When they took the stage, you’d better have had your boots on, because they turned Marquette into the Bayou with their swampy riffs. Sludgy, groovy, and unapologetically filthy, their set really got the crowd moving with a circle pit in the middle of the bar room. This band has a soft spot in my heart as they were the first group I saw live when I moved to Marquette. Bonus points to Andy for complimenting my Eyehategod shirt.

    Continuing to bring the heat was Lansing’s four-piece Room-101. I personally had never heard of this group before, but from their first song, it was like a magnet was embedded into my head, and the floor was made out of iron. A doom/death metal outfit with a sound that hits like a collapsing cathedral, they brought a thick, suffocating sound. If you were there, you know that even their equipment wanted to bang its head.

    And what better way to end a “4/20” fest than the Stoner Metal band Bog Witch from West Michigan? From the first note, it was like a cloud of smoke smacked you in the face, and when it disappeared, you were back at the DnD table with their tabletop RPG and fantasy inspired tracks. Their sound was a slow moving beast, dragging through layers of fuzz. Each track felt like a journey through a fantasy campaign: dragons, graveyards, necromancers, you name it, they riffed about it. Think Sleep meets Dungeons & Dragons, and in classic Stoner Doom fashion, they pushed the time limits of the city ordinance, but I don’t think anyone was complaining.

    Another year in the books and more necks that’ll need a brace come Monday. Kognition’s 420 Fest helps prove that the U.P. heavy scene is alive, loud, and louder than ever. If you missed it, well, to quote Caving Grounds Vocalist, “you’re a buster.” – Jack Wolgamott

    From Elk Rapids, Michigan, Jack is the Music Director at NMU’s WUPX, where he’s majoring in multi-media production. In his free tiem Jack enjoys writing riffs and making music with his friends.

  • 4/20 Bringing the U.P. Heavy Pt II

    4/20 Brings the U.P. Heavy Part II

    Yes, we’re Marquette Music Scene, but we really love to see other towns in the U.P. kicking musical ass, and since re-opening as a BYOB/C establishment a couple of years ago Escanaba’s historic “The Delft” has been really bringing it on the musical front across the board, but this is the second year they’ve worked with RezDog Promotions for a 4/20 heavy show.  Now I’m just going to assume RezDog is another Lexie/Jason Keshick, of Ghidora, project, and we’ll get to them later.

    I guess I’m going to preface this by saying I couldn’t find any music by Electromag (looks like rockers from the powerhouse WI stoner/doom scene), and only limited music by Gallows Grove. I also don’t have a running order so I’m just going to start with the Grove.


    What I did hear sounded like some pretty straight up Metallic Hardcore, and it definitely didn’t turn me off.  I was talking with Caving Grounds Alex Wickstrom and he said, “They’re my favorite Esky band right now” they’re “somewhat metalcore, somewhat nu-metal and somewhat djent and they just blend it well.”  He was also very high on Jocelyn’s vox.  Though to be 100% transparent this doesn’t sound like it’s going to be my cup of tea, but if Alex is big on them they’re definitely worth checking out.  Also, sounds like they’re good folk who like to give back to their communities so that always gains major points with me.



    Goin’ down the list lets take a qui9ck look at Wisconsin Djent juggernauts Heavy lies the Crown.  Again, I have to be completely honest and say that other than thinking “Oh, this is interesting” when I first heard Meshuggah’s 1998 full length “Chaosphere” djent just has never interested me.  However, if you are into it, these guys oughta get your juices flowing.  Heavy groovy riffage with wild tempo and time changes, in your face vox and pounding drums. There is no doubt that djent has solidified itself as a permanent sound in metal, and Heavy Lies the Crown seems poised to dominate the midwest.

    As Bullets Baptize a Party on the stage…. ….and off.

    I caught As Bullets Baptize at last year’s Booney Bash at Michhistrigan Campgrounds on US2 (they’re playin’ Friday night again this year).  They play a style of thrashcore that will appeal to all kinds of rock and metal fans.Rippin’ thrash riffs from across the thrash spectrum, moshable breakdowns, fun solos, killer groove and solid tough guy gruff vox that should get your neck rockin’.  For fans of Bay Area thrash, Thrashcore like Devildriver or (lets go old school) Superjoint Ritual, and there’s a lot here nu-metal fans would enjoy as well.  The -core elements may turn some folks off, but these guys are a real party on (and off the) stage.  They’re the first band of the “He Has Resin” tour which is closing a three day run at the Delft.

    This brings us to Phase Meridian who are in the Archives as “Progressive Sludge.”  Well, I guess that’s what we can call the style, you know the style that put Mastodon in Arenas after starting out a wacky grindcore band.  There is going to ba A LOT of appeal to these cats, they’re gonna come at you from all angles with crunchy swamp riffs, to bouncy groovy -core/thrash, clear death metal influences, and more.  I will admit that his is the style that sort of turned me away from Mastodon, but live these bands tend to bring it.  Starting as Red\\Shift in 2011 they didn’t have too much output until closer to 202, but two of these cats were busy in the now defunct but totally prolific Oak Pantheon.  They’ve really been putting in the effort post pandemic with multiple singles, and it sounds like there’s a new full length in the works.  I’m very curious to see these cats live, but I fully expect the crowd to be going absolutely wild.

    Rounding out the “He Has Resin” grouping is Stoner/Doom (soon to be) titans Thundergoat.  As I mentioned before the Wisconsin Stoner/Doom scene is pretty off the charts and these guys fit the bill completely   Covering the Stoner/Doom spectrum the way many doo from mid to fast paced, almost High on Fire thrashers, to almost SUNN0))) droning Thundergoat keeps you guessing and your neck wreckin’. Their humor definitely plays into the game as well with track titles like “Chunker Bunker,” “Killer Bong, dude” and “Jake The Stoner Snake Roberts.”  This is the kind of band that I use to bring heavy classic rock fans over to the darker world of underground metal and I can’t wait to have them try to blast my already weathered ear drums.

    This brings us to the band I will in now way try to hide my excitement to see.  A couple of weeks agoI was doing my usual bi-weekly Midwestern demo check in the Archives and I found Cröven had dropped one completely under the radar.  After talking with them it was so under the radar taht “We didb’t’ even really mean for people to hear it” to which I said “WHY THE FUCK NOT?”  It’s been a LOOOONG time since I’ve been this blown away by a demo.Cröven captures the vibes of the early 80’s underground in a rarified manner, they are wearing their influences of Mercyful Fate, Cirith Ungol, Manilla Road, Venom, Angelwitch and so much more directly on their sleeves.  Vocalist/Axeman Corey Anderson’s sneer is right there with the likes of Chronos, but still very much his own, and his axe work on this demo is superb (though I will say he needs a bit of work on those solos, chaos is okay, but sometimes they just are slightly off, but that’s to an elitist nitpicker).  I can’t wait to see if these guys can bring it live the way it sure looks like they do on video.  If they can, they need to have this demo pushed the furthest reaching corners of the traditional metal scene because someone besides me (and former WUPX/LA Weekly/Century Media cat Clint “The Crippler” Mayher) and these guys have a great chance to be “huge in Europe” (iykyk) in 10 years.  I could also see these guys picking up some nasty covers and mixing their awesome originals and maybe even throw something wild and “new” at the rural bar scene.

    Finally, we come to Ghidora.  I called these guys “one of the hardest working bands north of Chicago” last year and they’ve definitely continued to run with it.  Once again, full transparency, these guys ARE NOT my style, but they are good folks, a family band, hard workers, and amazing community stewards and I will help them in any way I can.  Musically what can you expect?  Well, honestly, I hear Slipknot IOWA Part II.  they are definitely one of those bands in this nu-metal revival that rides the fence between new metal and metalcore, but they simply sum it up in a glorious way “Rez Metal.” as all members of the band, I already mentioned as family,  are members of the Hannahville Indian Community.  Ghiidora is all about Lexie/Jason Keshick & Sheldon King groove over some extremely tight drumming from Jose McKitrick. Seriously, if anything impressed me musically with Ghidora its definitely Jose.  Vocalist Carissa Keshick brings a fun varied approach and I believe she’s really coming into her own.  After much lobbying from many of us, Ghidora will be playing Milwaukee Metalfest in a couple weeks, and they’ll also be on the same night as the aforementioned As Bullets Baptize on the ‘25 Booney Bash.
    So there ya have it.  If you’re of the HEAVY, if you aren’t either at Kognisjon in Marquette or The Delft in Escanaba on Saturday are you really heavy or are you just someones brother?

    Get out and wreck your neck this weekend (oh, I will give you a pass if you’re of the heavy, but still want to catch May Erlewine’s special album release shows in Marquette because her new “rockinest album ever” is pretty damn rockin’).

  • 4/20 Bringing the U.P. Heavy!

    4/20…

    …um, okay…

    …4/19 is bringin’ the heavy to music fans in the central U.P. – Part I: Resinator

    In celebration of cannabis (and beer) and heavy rock, as Marquette’s Kognisjon Bryggeri brings back Resinator ‘fest for it’s 2nd Annual Appearance (there is no First Annual! damn it!) and down in Escanaba the Deflt once again paired with Ghidora, one of the hardest working heavy music bands in the Midwest, for their 2nd Annual Invasion of 4/20.

    Both shows feature badass heavy rock and metal from around the U.P., Lower Michigan and Wisconsin; and both shows are guaranteed not to disappoint.

    First up, though I won’t be in attendance this year, we’re going to talk about the Marquette festivities.  A FREE! Heavy Rock and Metal show in Marquette, last years was one of the most packed nights the Kog has seen, and this year could easily be no different.

    Firing the show off is a band we tried to late-book onto the show last year, things just couldn’t line up, but the scene vets that make up Caving Ground jumped at the opportunity this year, and if you’ve had the chance to catch their version of Extreme Death/Sludge/Crust influenced Hardcore you know that necks will be wrecking right off the start.  Sure, I’ll call this crossover, but don’t expect nice rockin’ rhythms like DRI, this is dirty, nasty modern Metallic Hardcore bound to rip your fucking face right off. A versed metalhead can tell these cats have been all over the place in their history and they wear those influences right on their sleeves.  Yes, its unequivocally Hardcore, but if you “hardcore dance” in one of their pits someone in a battle jacket is most likely going to put you on your ass.

    Next up is LaCrossee, WI doomsters (post-rock whatever the fuck you wanna call it) The Grey Area. I admit I was only able to jam “A Slow Burn and Many Cancelations” once, but it didn’t disappoint or surprise me.  It’s spacy, stonery riffage ala rockier Neurosis or modern Earth.  If you like to just zone out, this will be a band for you to smoke a doob (i assume Higher Love will be running specials, but don’t smoke it at the Kog) lay back and get lost in doomy soundscapes.

    Swampy local Experimental Sludgsters The Hard.return to Resinator next, with their eclectic hard hitting mix of rock, sludge, doom, death, thrash, and hardcore.  You can always expect wrecked necks, crowd participation, mosh pits and apparently these days Andy telling us he’s (and we’re by default) old.  If you haven’t caught this three piece before be ready to be pummeled by a dual vocal attack between Andy and the versatile demonic music vixen Jaki, Andy’s riffs channeled from all styles of heavy, and one of the most solid rhythm backbones in the region: the aforementioned Jaki’s crunchy bass riffs and the ultimate dad rocker drummer in the U.P. Dave Swartz.(seriously Dave will wreck you while you try to keep up).

    Continuing the tradition of bringing bands from below the bridge, Lansing’s Room 101 comes to Marquette bringing a style of Death/Doom that this area rarely if ever sees. Traditional Death/Doom leaning on the Doom side showing influences from the likes of early Thergothen & My Dying Bride however, I’d say that the gothic influence is replaced by a more droning psychedelic influence, with a mix of harsh and clean vox.  These guys will appeal to a wide variety of heavy music fans as long as they’re cool with harsh vox.

    Headlining this year’s Resinator Release Party is longtime Cognition/Kognisjon (they go back to the old location) collaborator, and a band maybe even swampier than The Hard, Ludington, MI’s Stoner/Doom titans Bog Wizard.   These cats are definite Wizards in the world of Stoner/Doom continuing a Michigan tradition laid out by cats like Beast in the Field, Buffalo Witch, and one could even drop an Acid Witch on there.  Expect smokey Satbbath-esque riffage sometimes slowed down to an extreme drone, tempo changes from the ultra slow to mid-paced, and a mix of clean and harsh vox.  I mean, if you’re fans of Stoner/Doom and don’t like these cats I don’t know what to say.  I will say that without a doubt I’ll be bummed to miss them, but if this is the Central U.P. Heavy show you choose you are definitely in for another special night.

    Next up, in Part II (tomorrow) we’ll talk about the aforementioned 420 invasion happening at the Delft. 4/20 is bringing U.P. Heavy!!!  We’re driving down and we couldn’t be more pumped!

  • July Music Explosion!

    Marquette Music Scene & Beyond ExplodeS into non-stop music action for the Summer!!!

    Not that June was slouching, with great performances from local all stars Rockestra; the city band and orchestra doing their things; regular appearances from our incredible local & regional talent nearly every night at regular spots across the Yoop, and venues like the Ore Dock & The Crib stepping up booking major and underground tours swinging through the area (Charlie Parr, Jeffrey Foucault & Eric Koskinen (ODBC), The Jimmy’s (ODBC & Mqt. Blues Society) and the Primitive Rage/Skinned Alive Tour (Crib)) pushing all kinds of buttons for fans of Country and Americana to Hardcore/Grindcore and even Death Metal (not to leave out the likes of Rally in the Valley or Drewpalooza 2).

    Well, as we fire into July and Independence Day celebrations, the Marquette Music Scene (and Beyond) ABSOLUTELY EXPLODES into musical chaos for the rest of the summer!

    Starting off this weekend’s highlights, a little off the beaten path for Marquette, but Calumet’s Camping & Music FestivitIes Dam Jam is back for it’s 7th year with a huge array of regional stars including the Stan P Band, Steve Leaf, Not Quite Canada, Soul Responsibility, and much more Dam Jam is bound to have something that will tickle the fancy of Americana, Rock & even EDM fans.  Well worth the trip.

    Back in our region, starting the in-town highlights this weekend is Kognisjion Bryggeri, bringing up Grand Rapids based Jesse Ray and the Carolina Catfish debuting their brand of rockin’ blues/Americana in the Marquette City limits before appearing at a few other festivals across the U.P. this season.  Ridng the success of their ’23 full length “Sick-N-Tired” JRCC has been making waves across the region and starting to poke into that national level touring tier.  If you like hard driving roots rock, groovy blues, or just straight up killer old school rock and roll you’re not going to want to miss this set in such an intimate environment.  Who knows, these guys are pretty hot, it may be your only chance to see them in Marquette for FREE!  Show kicks off at 7 pm!

    The cats down at The Ore Dock Brewing Company aren’t going to be slouching against Jesse Ray as they bring back  hard working Michigan Swamp Rockers Stonefolk for a two night run.  They’ll rock the crowd with a mix of originals and covers with vibes from outlaw/trucker country to funk to indie-rock/jazz and R&B all while wearing their Little Feat, Gram Parsons, The Wood Brothers and more influence right on their sleeve.  Marquette is definitely getting spoiled in the varied roots rock department this weekend with Stonerock kicking off both Friday & Saturday nights

    Of course, I’ve mentioned 2 of the 3 venue breweries, and, well, Blackrocks is definitely keeping it interesting as well this weekend with the Marquette debut of Ann Arbor’s C.A.R.M.a Quartet bringing their “eclectic traditional and improvisational music” to town backed by Grammy award winning harmonica virtuoso Peter Matcat Ruth and Grammy winning percussionist John Churchville.  A quick spin through their available streaming material and you know you are In for a roots treat with some flair you are lucky to catch live.  They’ll be on stage both Friday & Saturday so there’s plenty of a chance to catch ALL of these badass highlights this weekend.

    Also worth the trip, if you managed to get seats, Garrison Keillor & Company are gracing The Crystal Theatre stage in Crystal Falls. Always a great venue to catch any kind of performance.

    Of course, the bands I mention here are out-of-towners that all are on the cusp of being “that band we saw just before they were big,” ya know our array of extremely talented locals are spread across the region with The Crunge @ Smarty’s, Sky Pilots @ Pine Grove, familiar singer songwriters @ Superior Culture, regular appearances from Derrell Syria & Bradley Brownell @ Drifa, and much more.  Be sure to check MarquetteMusicScene.com for schedules or the NEW Marquette Music Scene page on Facebook  (MarquetteMusic49855) for the most up to date information.

    We’ll be back early next week to talk about more Independence Day celebrations AND the BIG Big 3 Concert in Gwinn headlined by Country artist Chase Matthews who is coming off a major arena tour with Luke Bryan…