In anticipation of the 2011 Arts, Beats, and Eats Festival coming to Royal Oak Labor Day weekend, the Urbane Life will be talking to some of the festival’s biggest and best bands and performers. Keep checking back to keep up on this year’s acts.
Amy Gore and Her Valentines
Budweiser Stage, Sunday Sept. 4, 8 to 9pm
Amy Gore’s first band, the Gore Gore Girls, were one of the main players in Detroit’s famed garage explosion of the late 1990′s. What was meant to be a one-off performance at this year’s Metrotimes Blowout has turned into a new band for Amy Gore–a Detroit supergroup, even. In addition to Gore, the band includes Patti Smith’s son on guitar, the former bassist of the Von Bondies, and the drummer from Fletcher Pratt. The music is a sort of “power pop Americana with an edge” according to the press release and–despite the fact that they’re still working on their first release–is already generating lots of buzz. Below, Amy Gore answers our Urbane Life A.B.E. Q&A’s:
Q:Â The Arts: What artist or piece of artwork best represents your band?
A:Â The Joe Louis Fist statue on Woodward Ave! It has become The Valentines’ (un)official mascot.
Q:Â The Beats: Name your Top 5 Michigan musicians/bands of all time.
A:Â Only 5? Ok, I’ll try, but it is hard to narrow it down! Here goes:Â Ron Asheton , James Williamson, Wendy Case, Fred ‘Sonic’ Smith, Nikki Corvette, Alice Cooper (kind of from Michigan!), Del Shannon, Dan Kroha, Suzi Quatro.
Q: The Eats: What’s the best restaurant in Metro Detroit?
A:Â Ok, now this is unfair. There are so many places … downtown, I love Union Street & Vince’s. Up north a bit I’ll say Cafe Muse & Anita’s Cafe.
Q:Â Favorite music festival moment of all time.
A:Â Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick throwing a guitar pick at me from close range at what was Pine Knob. I caught it and, playing the smart-ass, threw it right back. He smiled at me, moved to another mic stand, took a pick from there and promptly threw another in my direction. This pick landed directly in my boot. Once I managed to get it out of the bottom of my boot and into the daylight, I could read what was on the pick. It read, “Go To Hell. Signed, Rick Nielsen”.
Q: There’s over 200 bands playing the festival. What is it about your band that people will remember you for?
A:Â My hair and my Gretsch. I hope people can make out the songs, too.
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