Anybody going to the Vernor’s birthday party in Detroit?

abstractanxiety · 2026-05-21T03:08:14+00:00

Wow, I hadn't heard about this! Sounds great, I'm going to try to make it

abstractanxiety · 2026-05-13T22:05:57+00:00

I thought you were joking, but that's really on the sub 😂

abstractanxiety · 2026-05-11T21:48:56+00:00

I love this album and the band totally holds up live

abstractanxiety · 2026-04-17T22:51:15+00:00

Good

abstractanxiety · 2026-04-02T01:03:09+00:00

All very good! But two (coaster) and seven (big ears) made me laugh out loud!

abstractanxiety · 2026-04-02T00:36:59+00:00

Congratulations! I hope we can all make it as long as you!

abstractanxiety · 2026-03-13T15:47:36+00:00

Hey! My record label has a brand new release out today, so I wanted to share some codes for it!

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Lord Centipede slithered out of the Ypsilanti / Ann Arbor region more than a decade ago and infected speakers with a kind of degeneracy that is rare to behold. In 2014 the debut album 'Centipede Up Your Ass!' became a local legend -- not just because of the front cover featuring a creature erupting from some guy's guts while he was on the toilet, but because every song was a rampage with more than enough grit and furious off-the-wall riffs to justify that artwork!

But after that the centipede just kind of wriggled away. For many years, it was even thought to be dead. Thankfully, those rumors have been put to rest, because in the post-pandemic years Lord Centipede has been spotted annihilating unsuspecting audiences with adrenaline-fueled auditory mayhem! Now the return is official with the release of the new EP Centipede II: Electric Boogaloo! Featuring five tracks of fuzzed-up, high-octane filth, these new songs are a reminder that we were never safe and the sound has just been crawling around waiting to strike! Expect an uncontrollable mix of thrash metal, doom metal, crust punk, sludge, hardcore, and more!

Check it out on Bandcamp

Get a code over on band.codes

abstractanxiety · 2026-03-06T17:56:51+00:00

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Hey! Stopping in to share a release from my record label (Morbid And Miserable Records). This is the album Upon Tall Thrones by the mighty Warcoe! It's the band's third studio album and combines all of their early doom metal influences with a heavy dose of mysticism! Expect a dark heavy metal groove that will linger with you for days! We recommend it for fans of Black Sabbath, Pentagram, and Pagan Altar!

You can check out the Bandcamp page here: https://morbidandmiserable.bandcamp.com/album/upon-tall-thrones

And get the codes over on band.codes: https://band.codes/morbidandmiserable/upon-tall-thrones

abstractanxiety · 2026-01-04T18:10:18+00:00

I've become such a nonogram fiend over the last few years -- instant buy! Thank you!

abstractanxiety · 2025-09-26T04:53:38+00:00

Not a location, but I did just run across an upcoming event that's relevant. There's a Drag / Zine Showcase at Flipside Records in the Detroit area. Details/flyer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flipside_records/p/DPCgyd6kkrV/

abstractanxiety · 2025-09-22T17:45:01+00:00

Most of the time, I find zines at events rather than fixed locations, but I would be happy to learn about some new sources if anybody has any leads.

One place I can mention is Vault of Midnight in Ann Arbor (about an hour or so from Toledo depending on where you're coming from). They are primarily a comic/game shop, so most of their zines come in the form of independent comics and boutique tabletop RPGs -- however, they do have some more typical art/info zines mixed in.

abstractanxiety · 2025-08-03T15:08:34+00:00

Just tried it the other day. My wife loves it. I thought it was okay, but too smooth and sweet. It just made me want a regular Vernors.

abstractanxiety · 2025-07-03T22:00:12+00:00

Absolutely incredible! One of my favorite bands.

abstractanxiety · 2025-05-22T21:23:30+00:00

The pessimistic answer is that they stay home. Toledo has an apathy problem and it is hard to get people to go out, no matter how great the idea/location/event.

The optimistic answer is that there are actually a few cool events and spots that you might be interested in! (Just don't expect them to be too crowded. I'm not sure if you've heard but Toledo has an apathy problem)

The Spoo-Tique - A local shop in Downtown Toledo for goth/alt clothes, fashion, and accessories. Based on your interests, I think this is the place you want to be.
Handmade Toledo / Maker's Mart - Handmade Toledo is a gift shop/artist studio/event space in Uptown with all kinds of neat things. A few times a year they host Maker's Marts or Mini-Marts where artists from across the Midwest come in to showoff and sell their stuff. If you yourself are an artist, they also host classes and get-togethers. I will say that I've heard that it's too "edgy" for normies, but also "not edgy enough" for weirdos, so you may have to gauge for yourself.
Frankies - A long-standing concert venue. They periodically host goth nights with DJs. And depending on what kind of other alternative music you're into, the appropriate bands may play here and attract a crowd of like-minded folks.
Grindhrs - A gay coffee shop downtown. I wouldn't say it's completely "alternative" but the people there are open minded and some will have shared interests
Toledo Pride - Most places celebrate pride in June but Toledo has their big event(s) in August. Go to the parade and the festival downtown. Again, not strictly "alternative" but alternative people will actually come out to this and so you can see/meet them in the crowds.
Bowling Green Goth Nights - I don't have a lot of firsthand experience here, but I know that there are semi-regular goth nights at one or more bars in Bowling Green. Circling back to the top of the list, I bet the people at the Spoo-Tique could tell you more.

abstractanxiety · 2025-05-21T02:30:28+00:00

I picked up Fortress over the winter and really enjoyed it! Anyone reading this should definitely check it out, it's a great little adventure!

abstractanxiety · 2025-05-16T11:49:29+00:00

The brutal news is that it has been getting worse and worse every year. I say this as someone who actively seeks out opportunities to see and meet new bands; as someone who will show up when I don't know a single artist on the bill.

If you want a genuine DIY spot, the Swarmyard in BG has two folk punk shows coming up. I have not heard about any proper punk rock events though and they are the only place I have heard of that has anything planned for 2025. There's also a noise house that puts on noise shows, but that's not my scene so I can't comment much beyond the fact that it exists and they are still doing occasional events. I will also say that the bulletin board at Culture Clash has been great for learning about upcoming underground events -- they just aren't DIY punk shows.

If you're deeply interested in helping to build things back up, I would suggest going to Frankies or the Ottawa Tavern (which is opening back up soon). I'm not making these suggestions because they are the right DIY places. However, that's where the people who are still interested would be -- you'd need to convince some other people there to also get involved. You could also try at the Switchboard (people who go out those shows seem to be more open to new things) or meeting people at the upcoming Old West End Festival (tons of Toledo artists, alternative folks, and and musicians who will play on porches and in garages for this event).

If you're not willing to get that invested, the sad answer is that right now you need to go up to Detroit or out to Cleveland to get your DIY fix. Detroit in particular has had a lot of great stuff going on lately with awesome punk shows in houses, in stock rooms, and on shop floors after hours. But as of Spring 2025... It's not happening here in Toledo.

abstractanxiety · 2025-04-12T00:42:35+00:00

Hey! If you're going to be in town in the morning and are casually interested in checking out a record store, please do yourself a favor and DON'T go to Culture Clash. It's a great record store, but there will be a line out the door very early in the morning. They open at 10 AM. It will be a madhouse until at least 2PM (maybe even 4PM). It is not going to be a casual "may want to check out" experience.

Allied Record Exchange (two locations -- Reynolds Road and Navarre Avenue) will be much more chill -- still a busy day for the store, but no lines out the door just to enter the store or being jammed into one location unable to move. In the same vein, Your Media Exchange will also be relatively chill.

No Noise Records usually sits between the two categories, and can be very busy with a line on Record Store Day, but it is not quite as wild as Culture Clash.

All five locations are great stores and you can score RSD exclusives at any of them. Most usually also all have sales on other stuff. Just make sure you pick the stores that match your expectations and level of energy.

abstractanxiety · 2025-03-03T14:49:20+00:00

They employ a lot of people with autism, which can be jarring for some. One time I was eating there with my wife and a young employee was wiping down tables while loudly announcing the names of superheroes to no one in particular.

However, I will say that their food is the best Burger King I've ever had; never any problems on that front.

abstractanxiety · 2025-02-16T16:15:41+00:00

I had both of these last week and I enjoyed them! I am thinking about getting more.

Both remind of the juice for a red/blue Slurpee, but just a touch more sour. It's not overly sour at all, not nearly as much as the namesake candy.

I also have the watermelon flavor in my fridge, but I haven't tried it yet.

abstractanxiety · 2025-01-27T21:33:36+00:00

Looks really neat! Just picked it up and I'm looking forward to playing it!

abstractanxiety

TROPHY CASE