Last Friday some friends of mine and I hauled our happy asses to The Globe Theatre in Kalamazoo to take in the Stikyfüt CD Release show. To say that I was extremely excited for this concert and album would be as understated as saying that teenage boys only somewhat look forward to the first time a girl touches their boner.
With a lineup that included Combat Corduroy and Fly Paper, I knew this was going to be a night to remember. Or forget, given that The Globe had the delicious 8.3% ABV pale ale Raging Bitch on special, not to mention the fact that I had started drinking before we even arrived. After some great conversation with show-goers (including Jay from Zombie Apocalypse NOW! and Jason from Branden Mann and the Reprimand), three kickass sets of music, $40 worth of beer and some embarrassing photographs, I was eventually asked to exit the premises. And by “asked to exit” I mean “carried out.” Apparently there exists such a state as “too drunk to be here.” Who knew?
I don't remember seeing a sign that read "Don't Pass Out in the Urinals."
Unfortunately, given this unexpected departure I was unable to secure my copy of Labels Are For Soup Cans to bring home with me. Luckily, it’s available online. While I customarily enjoy just bitching about shit or making dick jokes, I did want to take the time to share what I enjoy about this album and band. But don’t expect me to weave some magical word tapestry where I make touching, nostalgic references or compare some melodic note sequence to the gentle, hypnotizing song of a mystical fairy, flying around a shimmering rainbow that’s been shot out of a unicorn’s ass.
Which may or may not involve Skittles.
I was blown away by Stikyfüt the first time I caught their show at the Live Loud N Local music festival at Papa Pete’s last summer. This Kalamazoo-based foursome really brings a seemless and badass integration of funk and blues to their style of alternative rock. The instrumentation is extremely tight, and vocalist Emily Detweiler’s soulful singing really rounds out the music.
As for the album itself, just go buy it already. Seriously. Labels Are For Soup Cans definitely exudes the true sound and energy of a live Stikyfüt performance. There wasn’t a track on this EP that I didn’t like, but being a huge blues fan, Empty Nester was definitely my favorite. Another bonus is that the music never seems to drown out the vocals, something I see a lot of in local bands’ albums in what I assume is an effort to keep things balanced (which usually fails).
The band already has several shows booked over the coming months, including Hoodilidoo in June, and is looking to play more outside of the West Michigan area in the future. Be sure to get out and catch one of their performances. And keep your eyes on these guys. Ass-kickery is inevitable.
Visit Stikyfüt’s website, find them on Facebook or snag a copy of their album here.
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