Feeling Fuzzy as Fuzz Fest 10 celebrates a decade of raw rock fury at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor
Fuzz Fest 10
Since its inception at Woodruff’s in Ypsilanti, Fuzz Fest has stood as Michigan’s last bastion of independent rock music. Over three nights, a tidal wave of 33 fuzzed-out garage, punk, psych, metal, ambient, experimental, and noise bands will descend upon the Ann Arbor area. Those who witness these spectacles are changed for the better. They will become part of Michigan’s DIY rock family.
What began as a birthday celebration for founder Chris (“Jukebox”) Taylor quickly transformed into a full-throttle showcase of the state’s loudest, weirdest, and most uncompromising rock ’n’ roll. Ten years later, the festival remains a cornerstone of Michigan’s underground, where the amps sizzle, the air reverberates with feedback, and the room is washed in a psychedelic liquid light.
Presented by Jukebox Productions, Fuzz Fest 10 keeps the tradition alive at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor, cramming in non-stop, back-to-back sets that melt faces and test eardrums. Fueled by Faygo, printed by VG Kids, and lit by Eternal Eye, this milestone year isn’t about reinventing the chaos. No friends, this is about cranking it louder, celebrating a decade of distortion, and proving once again that Michigan’s rock scene thrives in the underground.
I have been fortunate enough to have experienced all ten Fuzz Fests. I stumbled upon Fuzz Fest on a Friday night, celebrating my birthday with an adventure to see The Muggs. What I got was a family of fellow music lovers that I love dearly. Thank you, Chris, Adam, Karl, Otis, and the whole Fuzz Fest crew! If you’d like to run through the last ten years, here you go.
DAY 1 of Fuzz Fest 10
Kat Steih and the Ferals
Kat Steih and the Ferals fuse progressive punk and glam theatrics with surreal storytelling, creating an emotionally charged voyage in sound. Edgy and dramatic, the band played an eclectic art-rock infused with dark ambience. Their cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Communication Breakdown” was otherworldly.
Black Swan Dive Bomb
Raw and unfiltered punk is the name of the game with Black Swan Dive Bomb. With a smiling snarl, this band whips out sonic rebellion. Fans of The Clash and Dead Kennedys will bask in the ion glow of this band.
Suede Brain
You want maximum rock soaked in the blues, you’ve got it with Suede Brain. Playing high-octane rock and roll that boogies to the beat of the Motor City. When you want to sweat with the fever that only rock music can deliver, fire up Suede Brain.
A Rueful Noise
One of the delights of Fuzz Fest is the wildly divergent and uncategorizable music that surfaces at a show. Case in point: A Rueful Noise. Hailing from Lansing, I’ve been a fan of their The Ashen Glow, which delivers a compelling fusion of sludgy goth, new wave, punk, and psychedelia. Their performance was worth the wait. The dark intensity and layered atmospherics in their music bloomed with kaleidoscopic vibrancy when heard live.
The Beggars
The Beggars crashed the Fuzz Fest party, bringing the heat that is pure Detroit rock and roll. Pure fun with every dial set to 11, this band played to the house of a couple of hundred as if there were a couple thousand. Flamboyant foot stomping music belted out with hip shaking ferocity, The Beggars bring you just what the doctor ordered.
Time Creep
Art rocking Time Creep layered musical cake with pulsing aural frosting. The effect was a low-impact, high melody romp. Fans of Lou Reed will love the tasty morsels from this band.
Wired God
From a land of heavy riffs and thundering rhythms emerges Wired God. A behemoth hellbent on rage, this band hits hard with punches reminiscent of Kyuss and Down—a fuzzed-out stomping performance.
Lord Centipede
Unleashed from the void is the sludge metal monster Lord Centipede. Skull-crushing rhythms and a barrage of razor-sharp riffs penetrated the crowd with seismic force: a caustic blast wave of fury in the mold of Napalm Death and The Melvins.
Cyrano Jones
Cyrano Jones conjured a blissful set of psych-blues that took us on an interstellar voyage—the retro-tinged psychedelia a la 13th Floor Elevators, with grooves to spare. Cyrano Jones makes music that brightens the soul and is uniquely their own.
Human Skull
Ann Arbor embodies the indie rock ethos and power of bands like The Replacements and Hüsker Dü. They have been a steady feature of many a Fuzz Fest, and it seems fitting for them to be rounding out the night on the floor where fans can get up close and personal. Performing their evocative music seemed to cause the lights to shine harder and the room to hum—a brilliant set by a legendary band.
Sonic Smut
Imagine the love child of The Mothers of Invention and Funkadelic, and you are getting close to the wild and wonderful sounds of Sonic Smut. Oozing with psych grooves, the hypnotic drums, luscious keys, and mesospheric guitars sear the soul like a solar flare. Your mind scrambles for a handhold as the music slams into your psyche like a tidal wave. On top of marvelous original music, they played fabulous covers of “Earache My Eye” by Cheech Marin and “You Keep Me Hangin On” by Holland–Dozier–Holland (played in the blistering psychedelic vein of Vanilla Fudge). What a way to cap off the first night of Fuzz Fest 10.
Day 2 of Fuzz Fest 10
Hivemind
Coming down from Bay City to fire up day two of Fuzz Fest 10 is Hivemind. Using a no-holds-barred approach, this band had a bluesy thunder that reminded me of early Clutch. Heavy and hard, they had the crowd amped for more fuzz.
Virga
Channeling a dreamy surf soundtrack is Virga. Wistful guitars, insistent rhythms, and introspective vocals, their set shimmered like diamonds on the sea. Atmospheric with melodies unbound, Virga is heaven on earth.
Dunamis
Laying down some righteous grooves with commanding riffs is Dunamis. Featuring two powerhouse drummers, this band’s driving rhythms and infectious riffs took hold with an iron grasp. Fans of legendary heavy psych rockers such as Dust and Budgie will dig Dunamis.
Lucius Fox
Illuminated by the cosmic liquid light show, Lucius Fox crafted an astral-prog soundscape that defies description. That two people can create music that imparts the feeling of blasting into the celestial expanse at the speed of light is mind-boggling. Visionary, profound, and sublime, Lucious Fox was magnificent. Their set included new songs such as “Superior” from their forthcoming album The Death and Life of the Great Lakes. Get yours on September 12th, 2025.
Cherry Drop
When Cherry Drop hits the stage, you’d better be prepared for action. This band is unapologetically wild. The throttle is wide open as they tear into one raging song to another. The vibe is maniacal, savage, and explosive. While experiencing Cherry Drop live, you feel that all hell has broken loose. The motto for a Cherry Drop show is fucking hold on tight! Their new album, Evil with Imperfections, is out now!
Good Man’s Brother
From a heat shimmer over a nameless desert rides Good Man’s Brother. With meaty twin guitars propelled by a rock hard rhythm section, they lay down original tunes that are both classic and refreshingly new. Their cover of Grand Funk’s “Sins A Good Man’s Brother” with Chris Taylor on lead vocals packed a serious punch.
Carbon Decoy
Every time I experience Carbon Decoy, I walk away utterly enthralled. Their performance at Fuzz Fest 10 was nothing short of phenomenal. Playing a heavy complement of tunes from their latest masterpiece, Crush the Sun, you couldn’t help but be moved both physically and emotionally. They left everyone in speechless wonder as their massively hypnotic and visceral music consumed us entirely.
Ladyship Warship
Saturated with kaleidoscopic riffs burnished with the blues, Ladyship Warship drove home the essence of Fuzz Fest 10. With magnetic drums and urgent guitars, they took us on a trip. Tunes such as “Rita’s Last Ride” from their latest album, Lacrimosus Intolerantem, invited the audience to cruise into their imaginative soundscape. The question became, who would be the same person on the other side?
Mazinga
Ann Arbor’s punk legends, Mazinga, gave us a fun and boisterous performance. In rapid-fire succession, they tore through their set at full throttle. Sure, we may have been blazing down a dark path playing chicken with a Super Karate Monkey Death Car at 547. But, hey, fuck it, I’ve got Taco Bell in hand.
Slumlord Radio
Straight out of Grand Rapids, Slumlord Radio went all-in with their brand of raw jet-fuel rock. Like a shot of Jager chased with a Jack Daniels chaser, this music hits hard and leaves you smiling. Loud, proud, and unmistakable, Slumlord Radio pounded out tunes like they owed them money.
Zzvava
Ann Arbor’s Zzvava closed out the second night of Fuzz Fest 10 with their patented feral improvisation indie rock riot. The angular weirdness of their music is way out in left field, yet it hits you in the center with boundless joy from their performance. Each of the band members ride a musical merry-go-round, switching up instruments every couple of tunes. The net effect is a musical muffaletta sandwich that fills you up with goodness.
Day 3 of Fuzz Fest 10
The Soma Sisters
Casting a spell of euphoric rhythms and melodies are The Soma Sisters. As if the lighting and music were perfectly paired, they combined to create a completely meditative experience. Senses heightened, we were prepared for the eclectic mix of music yet to come.
Pepper and the Heavy Boys
Imagine witnessing a ’70s lounge singer in leopard skin pants backed by The Stooges, and you are getting close to what a Pepper and the Heavy Boys show is like. Their set was serious fun with plenty of bouncy rhythms, gritty guitars, and a dynamic singer who knows how to strut.
The Stomp Rockets
Fired up like a ‘69 Camaro sporting a new Holley Avenger carb, The Stomp Rockets brought R&B fueled Detroit rock and roll to the Fuzz Fest stage. They steamrolled in with a snappy rhythm section, fiery guitars, a sexy sax, and snarling vocals. The cherry on top, a wailing harmonica. It was impossible not to get down and get funky with The Stomp Rockets..
Sweet Nothin
Sweet Nothin delivers a vibrant swirl of retro-glam flair and dirty rock ‘n’ roll. Coming all the way out from New Mexico, they played a blistering set dripping with hot licks and ass-kicking beats.
Deniz Tek
Ann Arbor native Deniz Tek carved his name into rock history as the co-founder of Radio Birdman, which brought Detroit’s street tough rock ethos to the Australian underground. Cranking out his spirited guitar driven rock, he captivated the crowd. Replete with masterful storytelling, this performance by Denis Tek was ferociously vivid and timelessly energetic.
Coyote Man
When in need of melodic instrumental music that is cinematic and explosive, you turn to Chicago’s Coyote Man. This trio illuminates vast vistas of sound using propulsive bass, an avalanche of drums, and punishing guitars. The music of Coyote Man blasts open the third eye to reveal the angular mystique of heaven and hell. I couldn’t help but be completely absorbed by their brilliant soundtracks. In a way, I felt like Dave Bowman from 2001: A Space Odyssey. I stood transfixed by the music and murmured, “My God, it’s full of stars.”
Dusty Rose Gang
Bristling with vivacious blue-rock from Detroit is the Dusty Rose Gang. For a hot second, I thought Hendrix and Trower were on stage. As the super fuzzed guitars set fire to the stage, the muscular drums and bass force you to groove. I was blown away by their set of scorching heavy rock and immediately made a beeline to their merch table to pick up a copy of their album A-One from Day One. Trust me, you should get a copy today and thank me later.
The Lucid Furs
In a one-two punch of bluesy fuzz rock, The Lucid Furs came out swinging their freak rock flag. This band never disappoints as they wail with soulful abandon. Soulful and dynamic vocals, incendiary guitar, pummeling drums and bass, The Lucid Furs grab you by the collar and shake you to your core.
The Strains
Detroit street poets and hard rocking evangelists of punk, The Strains ripped the Blind Pig wide open. Packed with dangerous energy, the triple guitar assault, fueled by pulsing bass and bombastic drums, hit you like a train.
Angel Of Mars
Featuring monumental riffs backed by colossal drums and seismic bass, the transcendent doom of Angel of Mars took hold of us all. Overflowing with emotional heft, the vocals transfix you as the vital fervor of the music saturates your essence completely. The profound energy of Angel Of Mars burns you clean.
The Velvet Snakes
Finishing off Fuzz Fest 10 is the sonic hallucinogen of the Velvet Snakes. Snapping and sizzling across your synapse, they play a pyrotechnic set of warped delirium. A final high velocity incantation which shoots an electric charge of psychedelia into your visual cortex for the ultimate climax to Fuzz Fest 10.
Pictures
There are a ton of photos from Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 of Fuzz Fest 10. Feel free to share, but please tell folks where you got them. While you are at it, sign up for our newsletter!
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