When we first opened in 2004 we were taken care of by all of the local show-bookers…which actually existed in a fair number back then.

Carly Marcoux began bringing in acts that were friends of hers, bands she liked, and other people she knew locally. She brought The Remains of Brian Borcherdt (Brian and Graham of Holy Fuck) in a few times, The High Water Marks (fronted by Hilarie Sidney of Apples in Stereo), and a little band from Detroit named The High Strung.

We fell in love with them. They consistently tore Phog apart as one of the most electric live bands we STILL have ever seen in our building. They strutted around the room, walking on benches and stools, and playing rock and roll unlike anyone before or since at Phog.

And that’s why we asked The High Strung to play Phog Phest 3, and they are BOOKED! If you’re unfamiliar, there’s a LOT to know about this squad. For starters, shortly after playing Phog, The High Strung’s phenomenal tour van was on it’s absolute last legs…and was a spectacle. They left their tour bus on the steps of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They left a plaque and a note with the bus that read (in order):

“This is a 1988 Chevy G30 used by The High Strung. Although the odometer reads 8,621 miles, it is actually 318,621 miles. The spray painting was done by various people all over the country but never by anyone in the van. The van contains countless notes, photos and song ideas inspired by those met along the way.”

“Dear Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, We believe rock and roll can make man heroic, make man Superman, can make giants out of the audience and artists alike … The High Strung’s donation to you is a wild multicolored beast of a vehicle that, despite its age and demand placed upon it, carried us to 500 shows across America without asking us to cancel one. Oh, yeah, and don’t you worry about any potential towing costs, the keys are in the ignition.” The keys were taken from the ignition during the excitement. HA.

Also, in 2005 they toured libraries in Michigan, which spurred an August 4, 2005 episode of This American Life on NPR titled “Dewey Decibel System“. THEY WERE A STORY ON THIS AMERICAN LIFE! Awesome.

The High Strung were featured in an interview in Daytrotter in September 2006 in an article titled “The High Strung: A Tattered Atlas for a Co-Pilot and a Friend in Uncle Bob” about their ever-working ways, and relationship with rock icon Bob Pollard, of Guided By Voices! They play with regularly with this rock icon. Incredible!

Aaaaaaaand, they have a song called The Luck You Got that is the theme song of the Showtime series, Shameless. And their song, “Standing At The Door of Self-Discovery” is featured in the trailer for the new Will Ferrell movie “Everything Must Go”. Kinda crazy.

We’re completely thrilled to have them play the event, which might mean that Phog Phest 3 will be a breeding ground for meeting our Detroit music community friends that we don’t NEARLY see enough of. It will be a delight to see our old friends at it again.