Hey, guys! I grew up listening to classical music, opera and musical theater, but somewhere along the way, discovered rock and metal. Hearing bands like Nirvana, A Perfect Circle, AFI, RED and Seether opened up a new world to me, and I’ve worked in the music business ever since. I graduated with a Master of Arts Degree in Theatre from Michigan State University and started working as a reporter for Gannett Michigan. I also scored my first radio job on an alternative station in Michigan. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing Billy Corgan, Slash, Zakk Wylde, Metallica's Kirk Hammett and many more. Fun fact: I don’t like going to the movies. I can't sit still that long! Thanks for listening, and God bless!
Anne Erickson
Video Flashback: Sponge, ‘Molly (Sixteen Candles)’
Who doesn't like good '90s jams? I'm personally a big fan of '90s music, and it's great to see bands like Sponge still cranking out new music and playing shows. Catch Sponge live at the Machine Shop on April 15 with a special CD release show for 'Stop the Bleeding.' For more information on the show, go here.
Thousand Foot Krutch at the Machine Shop Tonight
Christian hard rockers Thousand Foot Krutch are out on the road with Brian “Head” Welch’s band Love and Death, and the trek hits the Machine shop tonight. The guys are out in support of their new full-length album, ‘The End is Where We Begin,’ which entered the Billboard 200 charts at No. 1 earlier this year. Check out the band’s latest music video for ‘War of Change’ below.
Video Pick: RED, ‘Release the Panic’
Christian hard rockers RED released their fourth studio album, ‘Release the Panic,’ earlier this month. Now, the band is out on a tour to promote the release and, lo and behold, they’re coming to the Machine Shop in Flint on April 20!
Video Flashback: Red Hot Chili Peppers, ‘Under the Bridge’
I admit that I love a good, heartfelt rock ballad, and it's even better when that track is stripped down to bring out the emotion. For that reason, the Red Hot Chili Peppers' 1991 ballad 'Under the Bridge' has been in my head for weeks. Get nostalgic with me by watching the video below.
Video Flashback: RED, ‘Breathe Into Me’
Everyone at the Banana knows that RED is one of my favorite rock bands. Not only do the guys make some really great, heavy, in-your-face rock tracks, but they always kill it live. All weekend here at the Banana, you have a chance to pick up the band’s latest album, ‘Release the Panic,’ before you can buy it online. Check out the details here.
Video Flashback: Soundgarden, ‘Fell on Black Days’
With the news that Soundgarden are playing Rock on the Range this year, plus the fact they're playing a sold-out show at the Fillmore in Detroit tonight, Chris Cornell and the boys have certainly been on my mind as of late. They simply rock!
Weekend Jam: Thousand Foot Krutch, ‘Be Somebody’
Thousand Foot Krutch are back, and after catching them on the Uproar Tour last summer, I was pretty excited to hear they were coming to the Machine Shop this spring. Check out Thousand Foot Krutch's tune, 'Be Somebody," below.
Weekend Jam: Demon Hunter, ‘Dead Flowers’
It’s no secret that I’m a big Demon Hunter fan, so it should come as no surprise that I was stoked to hear the guys would be playing the Machine Shop this winter! Demon Hunter will takes the stage at the Shop on Tuesday, Feb. 26, along with In Flames, All Shall Perish and Detroit’s own Battlecross. Check out the band’s lyric video for “Dead Flowers” below.
Video Flashback: Foo Fighters, ‘Everlong’
I’ve been on a ‘90s alternative rock kick lately, and today, I decided to look up some old Foo Fighters videos just for fun. The one that really caught my eye is the Foo’s 1997 video for “Everlong,” the second single off ‘The Colour and the Shape.’ This is probably my favorite Foo song, and this video is killer even a decade and a half after its release!
2012 Video Highlight: Linkin Park, ‘Burn It Down’
With 2012 coming to a close, I've been looking through some of the videos that came out this year, and I have to say that Linkin Park's "Burn It Down" tops my list. Not only do these guys put on a great live show, but their videos are ridiculously intricate and intense, and it's cool to see them still rocking it a decade after "Hybrid Theory."
Holiday Tune: August Burns Red, ‘Jingle Bells’
It’s hard to believe that Christmas is only a few days away! In the spirit of the holiday season, the guys of metalcore band August Burns Red released an album of Christmas tunes this year, titled ‘August Burns Red Presents: Sleddin' Hill,’ which marks the band’s first all-instrumental release. Check out August Burns Red’s rendition of ‘Jingle Bells’ below.
Video Flashback: Hinder, ‘Lips of an Angel’
Hinder are headlining the Banana’s annual Binge Before Christmas is this Sunday, and who can forget the band’s 2006 hit, ‘Lips of an Angel?’ I have a soft spot for rockers who can really pull off a ballad, and that’s just what Hinder did with this track, which was inescapable back when it was released. Watch the video below!