so, i'm pretty sure about the wizard rifle show on tuesday. this is actually a pretty interesting act that i'm just getting my first exposure to.

i've surveyed their discography at this point, and it seems like they're coming off of a lacklustre sophomore effort, after starting off with a pretty solid first record back in 2012. the new record is more similar to their first record, but also seems to be...there's certain stylistic traits that demonstrate that the age difference is substantive, even down to the huskier vocal tone.

i'm pretty picky about rock music nowadays, and there are times when they wear their influences a little bit strongly. but, it's a good mix of influences, and i'm looking forward to it.

i've been out a lot this year, but i think that the closest i got to seeing a solid rock show over the summer proper (that is, since the last solstice, when i saw pelican, earth & helms alee) was the missed screaming females show. i've seen a few random bands here and there, but they've been in odd places, and they haven't really been in the genre of 'loud and complicated rock music'. and, i've missed a few, like, punkish shows but, none of them were really loud like that, either. i skipped loma prieta because i didn't feel like it, and i skipped torche because i didn't want to pay for it. it's rather been a lot of artier local stuff, a lot of jazzy stuff and a lot of techno parties.

i think i needed to get out and have fun, but, the summer's almost over, and it's just kind of like - why didn't it rock? and, the primary answer is because there mostly wasn't much to rock out to, unfortunately. so, i'm hoping this show hits the spot, kind of thing.

i'm less certain about hot snakes. it's just a little too simplistic, sadly. i find these guys frustrating; they almost seem ashamed of their talent. i may end up at the classical show downtown, instead...

...and, the solstice weekend looks like it's going to be a giant dance party, followed by fly pan am and blank mass - neither of which are really rock bands, either.

there's some older acts floating around here, but they seem to want to avoid detroit proper and i'm not traveling to see them. boris won't play here anymore. sleep is around. cloud nothings cancelled their tour date this month. cursive is playing in ann arbor. the city has just kind of fallen off the circuit, in that way.

but, then again, i'm not entirely sure what i'm looking for, either. is there even anything being released?

whether it's next week or the week after, the weather's about to turn, and i'll be a lot more selective. i think you can see that i'm already being a lot more selective - if it was warmer this weekend, i probably would have seen the shows i ducked out on. and, if the selection doesn't turn for the better, i could be in for most of the fall.