The Summer Pledge.
[cd cover]
Anyone who has been friends with me for the past year has heard me mention this band at least a hundred times. I'm always running off to their shows, listening to them in the car, or encouraging people to go to their Myspace. Most people think it's because I'm friends with all four guys in the band, but really it's because they are one of the most talented local bands I've ever heard. No, scratch that, they are the best band to come out of Detroit in at least ten years. Yes, I'm friends with them, but I feel absolutely priviledged to be able to see them as often as I like right now before they get signed to a major label. And they know I love them, but I have in no way been told or directed by them to spread the word... I do it all on my own.
[@ Garden Bowl]
I've spent the better part of the last 10 years going to shows and hearing local bands. I've dated musicians in the area and have made friends with even more. I have heard the shittiest bands, the most obnoxious, the ones with the prettiest vocals, the ones who seem to play one show and break up - I feel like I've seen it all. In December of 2007, I went with my then-boyfriend to The Summer Pledge's first show. I went because of Matt, my ten-year close friend who I have been supporting musically since the day we met (and he was in my first real obsessive band - Mirrors on Shoes.) I barely knew the other kids in the band (even though Greg was close with all of them,) but I remember stopping halfway through their set and saying to my ex, "Oh my god. This is fucking amazing." It was the first time in years that I actually paid full attention because I was just so impressed and moved.
[@ Lager House]
After my break-up with Greg, I disappeared socially for a while and because of that, I missed a lot of their shows. I missed almost every single show in 2008. I made up excuses or I simply didn't know about them because I stayed so out of the loop, but when last October came around and I remembered how wonderful that first show had been, I went to their Myspace and wrote down the next couple shows. Since then, I have gone to about 15 shows. The only ones I've missed have been out of town or on nights when I literally couldn't be there (like I had a family function I couldn't miss.)
[@ Crofoot Ballroom]
Sometime in March, Dustin (singer/guitarist) gave me the CD before it was released. Since I had gone to so many shows and been around so much, he thought I deserved to hear what it sounded like before the general public. Since March, the CD (in its entirety) has been played over 50 times just on my Windows Media Player. Individual songs (like "You Are You" or "Fences for Teeth") have been played 87 and 93 times, respectively. It's one of the only things that stays on my mp3 player through continuous updates/removals. I have burned the CD for at least five people. This CD may be my favourite CD of all-time. In June, at the "prom", they finally released the CD and it has gotten nothing but glowing reviews from local publications/bloggers. One that I read earlier today called them "the discovery of 2009". And they are completely grateful for all the positivity surrounding them. I've never been to a show where they didn't thank everyone for coming out (and all other bands for playing) at least two or three times.
[@ Lager House]
They have a few shows coming up in the next few weeks, including a big summer party at the Crofoot on July 31st, the Pike Room on August 2nd (which I have to miss because of Manson & Slayer but if it ends early enough and they are the last ones playing, I will end up at this show) and two fests in mid-August; the Fucking Awesome Fest at the Magic Stick on the 14th and the Gold Music & Arts Festival on the 16th. Right before my birthday they are playing at the Post, which is probably the night I'll end up celebrating my birthday with my bar-friends/the band.
[@ Trumbullplex]
Seriously, though, if you haven't heard this band and want to be in on the secret before they end up on MTV and shit, check out the following things:
The Summer Pledge @ Myspace - has four songs, pictures and the list of upcoming shows.
Review of You Are You @ Media Junkie.
Recurring Dream Interpretation - music video (one of the most mellow songs in the world, instrumental.)
Click to view["What's Yr Favorite Collar" @ Crofoot Ballroom/prom]
["Fences For Teeth" @ The Lager House]
[@ Lager House]
If you get a chance, see them live. They are doing a mid-west tour in October (Chicago, Milwaukee, Omaha... a couple other places.) They tour pretty often and all over the place, so anyone on my friends list can probably see them if you wait long enough. And these are small, local shows that never cost more than $5. One day I can see those shows costing $50 and selling out. Seriously. I want nothing more than for these guys to get their dream come true and become as big as they deserve. On top of the beautiful music, the amazing entertainment at the shows, and how gorgeous they all are, they are the also some of the sweetest guys in the universe.
[& these pictures are mine or Lea's except this last one, taken by AJ Manoulian at the prom:]
Rob, Jeremy, Dustin, Matt.
<3