ROX-TV RINGS IN THE NEW YEAR AT THE LEGENDARY HARPOS WITH INSANE CLOWN POSSE, PROJECT BORN, TRE LB, AND MANY MORE.

Welcome back to the ROX-TV website. Before we get into the greatest New Year’s Eve party in Detroit, I want to send a huge shoutout to my very special homegirl HB The Grizzly. Due to her amazing kindness and goodwill, this article was made possible. HB is a friend and an amazing artist, if you haven’t checked her music out yet, do yourself a favor and get plugged in. As everyone knows, the party was going down in Detroit last night at the legendary venue Harpos on Harper Avenue in between Newport and Lakewood Streets, near Chalmers respectively.

Harpos was originally called the “Harper Theatre” and was built in 1939. The cost at the time was around $290,000 dollars, or so the story goes. The theatre was designed by architect Charles Nathanial Agree (born April 18th, 1897, and passed away on March 10th, 1982), who moved to Detroit at the age of twelve in 1909. Agree graduated from the Detroit Y.M.C.A Technical School in 1917 and opened up his own firm…or so the legend goes.

Charles Agree’s first project in Detroit was the Whittier, which was completed around 1922 (The luxury apartments offered services of hotel to the residents and has a famous history all its own including visits by The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Eleanor Roosevelt, and even the infamous Purple Gang during prohibition). Agree would go on to build numerous theatres, ballrooms, and office buildings in and around Detroit during his lifetime. Some of the buildings are included in the National Registry of Historical Places.

Harpos aka Harper Theatre was built in the fashion of the “Streamline Moderne” (an international art deco style that came into prominence in the 1930’s). The style was inspired by aerodynamics and usually featured curving forms and long horizontal lines. If you’ve ever been to Harpos, these features are present. The building is smooth and unique and stands out if you’re looking with the right set of eyes.

Over the years, Harpos aka Harper Theatre had numerous lives from a theatre, a disco, to a metal destination in the 1980’s that saw some of the biggest names in the genre perform there. One day, I’d like to cover Harpos in depth, but there is not enough time or space to hit all the major points in this article, so that will have to wait for now.

My own history with Harpos began in 1998 when I went to see Insane Clown Posse and GWAR play the Hallowicked show. I was eighteen at the time and couldn’t convince anyone to make the trip to Detroit with me, so I went alone. For anyone who is not familiar with the area, it has been historically known as a “rough area” for many years. In 1996 this was highlighted tragically when Steve G. Krass (Front man for Detroit Punk bands Feisty Cadavers and Skeleteens) was murdered in January of 1996 outside of Harpos during an attempted carjacking. Other stories of trouble were recalled in a Detroit Metro Times article by Christina Clark (published in 2017).

It was reported that Meatloaf had his vehicle and equipment stolen out front during a visit or so the legend goes. I can attest to the very real danger that the area offers. Back in 1998 after the Hallowicked show, I made my way back to my shitty Geo Prizm only to find that the Juggalos who had parked behind me had their car stolen during the show. All that remained was a pile of glass and an empty parking spot. The Canadian Juggalos were left with some serious headaches and although I felt bad, I could offer them nothing more but a ride in the opposite directions.

(Author’s Note: During the New Year’s Eve bash, shots could be heard from all sides in the distance. Although shooting off guns on New Year’s is nothing new, my father used to do it every year and I carried on the tradition as I grew up, the frequency around Harpos was pretty steady and never left the back of my mind. Sometimes you’re in charge of your own safety. I get it and I’m fine with that. I don’t want to confuse gun shooting in celebration with shots fired during a crime, but I took the precautions needed to ensure my own safety during the trip to Harpos. It is a rough area and I will leave it up to the readers to figure out what I’m saying)

New Year’s Eve

I was excited to be going to the Insane Clown Posse’s New Year’s Eve show at Harpos and would be meeting Bob Rox in the parking lot. I packed up a small bag with things that I would need or might want during the ride down, and from there I started watching the clock. The journey was about an hour and ten minutes from my crib, and I wanted to get there early. Sometimes the parking lot party at Harpos can be just as good as the movement going on inside.

I remember going to an Esham show back in the early 2000’s with my homeboy Keller (RIP) and arriving early. As most people plugged into the underground scene know, Esham was the originator of Acid Rap in Detroit and was pivotal in the underground world during the 1990’s and beyond. If you go online you can find reports that Esham was the first rapper to perform at Harpos in the 1990’s.

Because Esham would sometimes have lots of openers, we opted to party in the lot before the show. Almost twenty years later, I found that nothing had changed as far as the parking lot festivities.

4:45pm Hitting the road

I left my house at 4:45pm and began the trek down to Detroit. New Year’s Eve traffic can be shifty at times, but I wasn’t too concerned about fucked up drivers on the roadways, at least not at that hour. By the time I would leave Harpos, that would obviously change some. I encountered light traffic down US23 and had time to smoke cigarettes and play some “warm up music” from ICP and Project Born.

I-96 offered slightly more traffic and required some maneuvering. The traffic increased to moderate but still wasn’t too bad until the split at 96 and 275. I continued on with my car aimed at Southfield and when the opportunity came, I shifted onto the Lodge from 696. I had driven this stretch of road for years when I worked in Detroit, so I was able to go on “auto pilot” and let my mind wander.

Besides the big show, there had been some very tragic news a few days earlier when it was learned that Half Pint of Project Born had passed away unexpectedly. The news had spread around the underground rather quick and Violent J released a really touching statement about it on the Psychopathic Records website. https://www.psychopathicrecords.com/post/a-message-from-vj

I thought about Project Born in silence as I drove on. I had spoken with Polk D on the phone about it and the loss was hitting the group pretty hard. Nevertheless, they were going to play the show in honor of Half Pint and to celebrate his life and music on stage. I can’t think of a more difficult thing than taking the stage and performing with that kind of grief, but like Violent J suggested in his post “any real musician will tell you that performing live can sometimes be like therapy for the soul”.

As I left the Lodge and eased onto I94, I was getting close to my destination. The roads were clear, and other than a State Trooper on the Lodge, I didn’t see too much heat on the highways. The weather was cold, but not in an overpowering way. It was chilly, but the kind of chill you underestimate until you have to stand around for a while. I didn’t bring a coat because I didn’t want to lug the fucker around. I figured Harpos would be toasty from the Juggalos and Juggalettes posted up inside, but more on that in a minute.

6:05pm Arrival in Detroit

As it got dark outside, I traversed the last bit of uneven road on I94 (due to the forever Michigan Gardens aka road construction) with some sketchy moments. Whoever comes up with the construction configuration must be smoking crack because I found myself in a shifting lane that was normally the tight shoulder of the highway. There was no room for error and to top it off, the god damn road was irregularly uneven. It felt like I was going over small hills, which shifted the weight of my car to the driver’s side and made for some uncomfortable moments. For some strange reason I had the urge to ram the concrete wall out of frustration, but it passed.

I found exit 222 and finally got off the highway stretch of my journey. I was glad to be off the highway but had to do some quick lane changes on Chalmers because there was a few things going on there and a relatively short amount of time and space to get into the right lane. After a quick U-turn in traffic on Chalmers after passing Harper Ave, I was back on track and found myself in front Harpos. I called Bob to see where he was, and he replied that he was out back. I took the former remnants of Newport Street and came around back into the tightly positioned parking lot of Harpos. I94 was hugging the edge of the lot and made for some interesting backdrop scenery.

The lot was filling up with Juggalos and Juggalettes, who were getting warmed up for the show. Blunts, booze, and plenty of other party favors were floating around. I parked my car, said a tiny prayer for its safety during the show and then walked down to find Bob. Harpos had a few security vehicles floating around, which I was glad to see, but secretly wondered what good they could really do if someone wanted to get into my Impala. Nevertheless, my hat was off to the security cats willing to work the lot. I linked up with Bob and a chick named Virginia, who had never been to Insane Clown Posse show and had come with Bob.

We assured her that she was in for the night of her life. It can be sometimes hard to explain the dynamics of the experience of a Clown Show to the un-initiated, but I knew she would never forget the glorious Juggalo/Juggalette view from the pit. We chilled in the lot and bumped local Detroit rap as shows from the past took the forefront of our conversations. I could hear sporadic gunfire which at first seemed to be coming from the other side of the highway but eventually could be heard from all sides. The doors opened at 7pm, but we hung back until the lot started to thin out, in hopes of avoiding a chilling wait in the cold Detroit air.

7:30pm The usual lineup

We could no longer hold in our enthusiasm and decided to try the line out front. I stopped to take a picture of the iconic artwork on the backside of Harpos before we went any further. The parking lot was old and slowly decaying naturally, with areas of heavy mud in spots (more on that when the show ended).

We rounded the corner and ran into a long line of Juggalos and Juggalettes underneath the epic facade out front. Drifting to the back of the line, we took our place and hoped for a quick entrance. The metal detecting and security inside the front door was causing the line to creep slowly and allowed for the winter air to zap our bones.

I tried to ignore the damp cold which cuts through clothing like a hot knife in butter. To take my mind off the fact that I was almost shivering, I decided to capture some more iconic images for the article.

Beyond that, I let my ears tune into conversations behind us and in front. The Juggalos and Juggalettes that we encountered in our position in line had travelled from Chicago, Ohio, and elsewhere around the country to celebrate the first ever Insane Clown Posse “New Year’s Eve” concert (there had reportedly been a variety show years back, but not an actual full on concert). https://www.themorningsun.com/2021/12/29/icp-ready-to-welcome-2022-virtually-from-harpos/

As the line progressed, we finally found our way inside and out of the night air. Walking into Harpos is almost like walking back in time. The historical vibe, which starts out front, was on full display once we crested the front door. If I squinted my eyes a little and used my imagination, I could almost peel back the years and catch a glimpse of days long past. The front lobby definitely felt “old timey” and for all the changes over the years, nothing had really changed at all. The feeling was encompassing and neat.

8:01pm The night heats up

Juggalo and Juggalettes were everywhere, and the lobby was a warm refuge from the Harper Avenue breeze. I started to see familiar faces from my time in the scene and it felt good to be amongst Juggalo family. I can say this with absolute certainty: there isn’t a more close-knit family within the music world, where strangers are still “related”. I suppose the Dead Heads can relate but I think the Juggalos/Juggalettes have something even stronger.

I saw kids with their parents, and it brought a smile to my face. This scene is enduring and will live on forever, with each new wave that comes in at high tide.

For my own ride, it has been fascinating to see how the culture has progressed through the years and I plan on writing a book about it in the near future. But for all that has changed, the common core of the Juggalo experience remains. We are brothers and sisters in arms.

After taking in the wonderful interior of the Harpos lobby, we pushed on. After arriving in the main part of the building I observed two very large banners on either side of the theatre, which paid homage and tribute to Half Pint. It was touching to see, and my hat is off to Psychopathic Records and Insane Clown Posse for honoring the man in such a fitting way.

For anything to last, there has to be reverence paid to the history and what came before. To honor a fallen brother speaks to that and it was the right thing to do. In a day in age when nothing older than a few hours or days lasts, it’s good to know that someone is tending the light.

10:03pm Project Born takes the stage

I was in milling around by Tre Lb’s merch table when I heard a familiar sound. It was Project Born’s intro music for the evening, and I needed to be down in the pit immediately. I made my way down to the stage and got ready for the set.

There had been a few opening acts prior to PJB but I was too busy taking everything in to catch their names. I’ve often spoken about it in other articles, about the fact that as I’ve gotten older, I now take more time to absorb the entire scene, not just the stage.

Lots of the ICP shows in Detroit take place in iconic buildings with rich histories and I always take time to notice things that I might not have when I was a teenager.

Harpos may be eighty some years old, but it still is magnificent even with age. They don’t build places like this anymore and I didn’t want to overlook a thing (like I probably did in 1998 and in the early 2000’s on previous trips to Harpos).

Frank Nitty and Polk D took the stage and the night truly began for me. I felt the energy of the evening and I thought about what might be going through PJB’s head during the show. Although I could feel a sliver of sadness, the celebration of Half Pint’s life warmed my soul.

For anyone who has not caught Project Born live, I suggest that you do so immediately. They always show up ready to grind and bring a high energy vibe that is rarely seen these days, or back in the day for that matter. They are true professionals, with a knack for making great music consistently forever. I’m honored to call Nitty and Polk my friends and quickly posted up in the front to capture as much as I could, both as a fan from the early nineties and also as a writer. The Juggalos and Juggalettes showed PJB mad love and rightly so. Project Born was the first act signed to Psychopathic Records and has been rolling with the Insane Clown Posse ever since. Family for real.

10:55pm Backstage

After Project Born ended their set I chilled in the pit for a bit. A short time later my homie Gary, who had been filming the set from the stage came out to grab me. We made our way back to the “green room” where Nitty and Polk D were posted up. We talked for a bit and caught up. I expressed my deepest sympathies for their loss and eventually the conversation shifted to some more lighthearted topics, but Pint’s passing was never far away.

The Insane Clown Posse was set to take the stage and from where I was standing, I caught a glimpse of Violent J taking the stairs to the stage. The moment everyone had been waiting for had finally arrived. I made my way through the inner workings of the backstage, following the path I had come in on.

I made it the opposite edge of the backstage area but had to pause because the stage clowns were lined up near my exit. I will be honest when I say this, but there are places you get stuck in that you hate…like traffic, court, the secretary of state, and grocery lines.

Then there are places that you find yourself momentarily stuck, that you wished would last forever…like backstage at an ICP show.

If the clock stopped for some unknown reason, perhaps a lifetime…I would have been fine with it. For me, catching a glimpse behind the curtain is one of the most thrilling aspects of being a Juggalo and backstage is the magic zone.

I leaned up against the Faygo boxes lining the wall, careful not disturb the buckets of Faygo, waiting to bless some Juggalo or Juggalette in the pit. The set list was taped to the wall, and I couldn’t help myself and snapped a quick picture of it. I live for those moments and the last year has been a solid gift from above.

11:02pm The show must go on

Violent J and 2 Dope took the stage and the whole place erupted into a giant party. Once the stage clowns made their way onstage, I was free to pass back out into the crowd for a front row seat to the greatest show on earth. After the intro, ICP launched into “Your Rebel Flag” (Track number 13 on the Carnival of Carnage, PSY1004, released on October 18th, 1992. The album was the first Jokers Card of the first deck). For those of you who were not around back in 1992, Insane Clown Posse was light years ahead of the crowd when it came to repudiating racism.

“Fuck your rebel flag”. A longtime favorite among old school Juggalos, who faced serious pushback from the mainstream and rednecks in the early nineties for embracing rap music. I know it seems impossible today, but in 1992 things were a lot different in America on many spectrums.

From there the Dark Carnival exploded into an unstoppable machine of energy, music, and Faygo. The set list included a healthy range of tracks spanning the decades. Another song that stuck out, which I enjoyed greatly from the 90’s was “Hey Vato” (Track seven off the first “Forgotten Freshness” album, released on August 22nd, 1995). As I listened to the music, I was flooded with memories from the past and the years collided in my mind. For a moment I was fifteen again…but eventually I made it back into my older present self.

Insane Clown Posse paid a really dope tribute to Half Pint as the show continued to roll. The songs kept coming and so did the good time memories and vibes. As the clock ticked down to midnight, there was a giant clock projected onto a screen on the “2nd level” of Harpos for all to see. We counted down the seconds together and when the New Year arrived, the Juggalos and Juggalettes were treated to a full on Faygo dance party assault as “Bang Pow Boom” kicked off.

To describe this moment is pretty tough as far as words go. Good music makes the hair stand up on my arms, gives me visible goose bumps, and makes my forehead go numb with a strange feeling of euphoria. It’s a physical reaction caused by music, and I’ve lived with it my entire life. When I encounter these songs, I pay full attention because although I can’t explain it in scientific terms, I use them as internal compasses. My body reacts and I listen.

12:30am 2022

I survived the main floor and even grabbed a two-liter bottle of Faygo for a souvenir. It had been an amazing night and although the Juggalos and Juggalettes were continuing to party down until 4am, I needed to get back on the road towards the 810. As I walked out into the night with Bob and Virginia (who had been absolutely soaked to the bone in the pit) we encountered a bit of excitement on the way out. As we walked out the front door, one of the Harpos staff shouted for Bob to come hold a ladder. Apparently, there was some suspicious smoke coming from the lights near the famous Harpos sign. Someone ran to grab a fire extinguisher and the smoke was investigated. Thankfully it was only a bird nest, that had been placed in an unfortunate spot on the top of one of the lights by a razor walking bird. Crisis had been avoided and all was well.

As we rounded the corner back into the parking lot area, we encountered another situation in the distance. There was a van full of Juggalo and Juggalettes trying to leave but found themselves stuck in about 9 inches of mud. Bob and I sprang into action and tried to push them out. I figured it was a great way to start out the new year with some solid karma. As we pushed with all our might, it was close but simply not enough. In classic Juggalo Family action another Juggalo leaped forward to help us push, without being asked either. Family, it’s just what we do.

With the power of three Juggalos and the driver gunning it, we were able to get them out of the mud and on their way. It was the right thing to do, and it made me feel good. Kindness is fucking free and easy to give away, so don’t be afraid to dish a little out. I bid Bob and Virginia fare well and walked back to my car. Thankfully it was still where I left it and showed no signs of tampering. I fired up the Impala and hit Harper Avenue. It had been an amazing night on a lot of different levels, and yet again…another experience with the Dark Carnival that I will never forget. Onward and upward in 2022. Thanks again to my homegirl HB The Grizzly. It was truly an amazing night, and I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy it without your kindness and help.

Signing Off

Mike Shepard

ROX-TV Head Writer

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