The High Strung, Scarlet Oaks, Croff Family Band at The Belmont, Sept 12

Around 9:25 in the pm, Friday night, I was feeling a bit lethargic and thought about making my way to The Belmont a little late. “Eh,” thought I to myself, warily, “bands probably won’t even start until 11. I’m just going to hang out here and do nothing for awhile” To pass some time, I thought I’d listen to the Jason Croff’s solo stuff on his MySpace page, which I had been putting off for no other reason than laziness. Croff tickles ivory for The Dead Bodies (a Post-Rockist fave) and Four-Hour Friends, and would be playing his original songs at The Belmont that night under the moniker Croff Family Band.

And after just one minute of listening, I was off my ass and in action.

I was pretty much blown away, and after listening to “She’s a Lush” I was on the phone with The Belmont asking what time the first band was going on. 10:00 sharp? Fine. By the time “Make a Little Time” had finished playing, I was dressed and ready to go, but made a little more time to listen to “Love” before the girlfriend and I were out the door, leaving behind a nearly full can of High Life. Seriously, I know!

We made it through the downpour and flash floods of last night’s weather event and walked in the door just as the band began playing. I’ve been bragging for awhile about the great diversity of music the Detroit Indie scene currently enjoys, and it’s about time that we had an ELO or a Badly Drawn Boy in our midst, something with a little more shuffle and a little more swing, and Croff’s post-Lounge pop was a refreshing and danceable treat. The first song started with a weirdly long intro, and as I made my way up to the stage, I nearly ran into someone’s grandma, probably Croff’s, who was trying to find her way away from the stage to the back of the room, probably to get some earplugs. Sorry Grandma Croff.

The band was joined for a few songs by a saxophonist and a chanteuse who’s in some other band–I didn’t hear the name. They were great (I used to hate the saxophone!) and added a little jazziness to Croff’s music (and yes, I realize that “jazz” isn’t really a word that some Detroit scenesters particularly welcome, but get over it). Great stuff. Croff just finished recording his third album, which should be out soon. Croff’s Family Jamboree next hits Northern Lights on October 11.

Speaking of jamborees, Scarlet Oaks followed with their usual driving honky tonk gusto. My biggest problem with The Belmont is that it’s too damn crowded in front of the stage to move, due to the narrowness of the space. As a result, you’re usually always going to be looking between people’s shoulders or over somebody’s head to see the band, and you certainly don’t have any room to pull off any sick dance maneuvers. Scarlet Oaks shouldn’t be playing there. They should play some big VFW hall with lots of dance floor. It’s kind of hard to pay close attention to this band since a) you’re drawn to all the people unselfconsciously fancy toe-tappin’ or dosey doughin’ around you, or b) you begin fancy toe-tappin’ or dosey doughin’ yourself, which what was happening further back in the room last night. Not a bad effect for a band to have on the audience, I must say. Scarlet Oaks also played a great cover of Bob Dylan’s “You Ain’t Going Nowhere,” from The Basement Tapes.

As for The High Strung, they are seriously one of my favorite Detroit bands. I wouldn’t ever say that they’re “The Best Band in Detroit” or anything completely useless like that, but I can honestly say that when I’m watching The High Strung live, I feel during that hour of time that I’m watching the best band in the world. They’re one of those bands that are so good that you feel kind of guilty that you paid only $5 to see them. They have so much energy and confidence on stage, which surely comes from playing over a thousand shows or something (and that’s not kidding around or hyperbole either), but the funny thing about it is that they’ve never really blown up, not nationwide nor in the city. Sure, they have their fans, but people don’t flock to their shows or think it’s much of a big deal when they’re playing out. It’s weird. Is it because their nationwide tours consists of playing local libraries, and that’s not cool or something? Is it because they’re signed to a minor label, Park the Van? I mean, everyone makes such a big deal when The Dirtbombs or The Detroit Cobras play a show (not that those bands aren’t great), but The High Strung has been around just as long, and put out their best album yet last year.

And, as a friend of mine pointed out last night, you could spend an entire evening watching Chad Stocker play bass guitar and be thoroughly satisfied with your evening. You wouldn’t think anyone could be that good at the bass until you see him live. He was even featured in Bass Player Magazine!

So The High Strung killed last night as per usual, and I’m glad to have been there to see it and to write about it, because for some reason, none of the other Detroit sites seem to give them that much love. The High Strung will be releasing a 12-song EP (what?) out in October, titled CreEPy on Park the Van, and their new album produced by David Newfeld (Broken Social Scene, Los Campesinos) will be out early next year.

The High Strung play next at the DIY Street Fair on Sunday at 5:00 in the pm.
Scarlet Oaks next play at the same DIY Street Fair on Saturday at 5:15 in the pm.
Croff plays next at the Northern Lights Grille in Detroit on October 11.