ROX-TV hits Simons After Dark for the Ouija Macc show, performances included HB The Grizzly, Zitro, and others. The house was on fire.
Welcome back to the ROX-TV website. It’s turning out to be a busy week in the Murder Mitten and we’ve been making the rounds. Tonight, we are going to recap the scene on Wednesday night at Simons, talk a little bit about the artists, and anything else that comes to mind. We appreciate the returning readers and also welcome any first timers checking us out. So, without further to do, let’s get to it…3,6,9 one more time…
Wednesday 3pm
I was recently in Arizona for the Juggalo Weekend shows at the Rialto Theatre. After the festivities wrapped up and ROX-TV was headed back to Michigan, we learned about the Ouija Macc tour that had a Michigan stop. We made plans to attend and that’s exactly what we did. After taking care of some things at home, I hopped in the Impala and headed south towards Detroit.
The show was going down at Simons After Dark in Allen Park, with the doors opening at 6:30pm. From covering Ouija lately, I knew that it would be a packed house and that is always a good thing. This music thing we get down with is nice in the car, or at the crib, but everyone knows the best way to hear it is in the flesh. Not only that, it does a person good to get out with the tribe. Thats how we maintain our sense of community, gathering with like-minded people and enjoying the night.
I ripped down I75 and before long ran into some moderate traffic and bullshit construction. I call the areas “Michigan Gardens” and the state flower might as well be a fucking traffic cone, because they are everywhere. Apparently, these traffic barrels are in season year-round, so you can admire them from just about anywhere. From Detroit to the Upper Peninsula, the traffic woes of this state never cease.
Most interesting I think, is the fact that I’ve rarely seen MDOT workers anywhere near these gardens. It’s almost like they put them up for sport but forget to return for the actual work. I know this sounds harsh, but I’ve been yet to be proven wrong. Perhaps if they set up one construction zone and worked on that stretch until it was complete before moving on, things would make more sense. But hey, I don’t work for MDOT and cannot speak to that bureaucracy. I’m sure politics, like everywhere else isn’t designed for effectiveness. If that’s the case, they are really killing it in Michigan.
Southwest Detroit 4:30pm
I arrived in the zone around 4:30pm or so. I was meeting up with the Rude Boy and DJ Carlito for some pre-show antics. Getting off at the Schaefer Highway, I was glad to be on secondary streets again. The highway is built for headaches, and I had my fill driving in. I cruised down to the meet up spot and linked with the Los Drifters. The Animal had come out to play, and before long we were having a few laughs, a few sips, and rocking them oldies.
Early reports from Simons After Dark were promising, with fans arriving to set it off proper. By the time we left out for the show, word had been sent that the place was packed to the brim. Our only hope was that the local fire marshal was tied up for the evening.
Allen Park 8pm
We finally got our crew up and moving. We arrived in the area of Simons a little after 8pm and found the parking lot and neighborhood completely flooded with vehicles. To say that parking was at maximum capacity would have been appropriate. Nevertheless, The Animal found a spot by accident, right out back, and this saved us a five-minute walk. We met our people near the door and made our way in. Just like early reporting, Simons was fucking packed like sardines and the energy of the place was great.
Zitro
We arrived in time to catch Zitro’s performance and he owned the stage. Rudy took to the stage and gave Zitro a righteous introduction. I had caught Zitro a few times prior to this event, I believe at Simons last year and also at the GOTJ21 in Ohio. The Demon from Detroit was bringing the heat and the crowd was really into his set. This guy is really starting to make some noise, so check him out if you can. I spoke with Zitro after his set, and he was in high spirits. He said that he had gotten a lot of his fans to come out to the show and was happy with the turnout. We both agreed that this was the biggest crowd we had experienced at Simons, and it was nice to see. Zitro said he was working on some things, and I picked up a few stickers from him. They had his merch out and people were grabbing up shirts and the like.
Crowd Life
The place was packed, but that didn’t stop me from making the rounds and talking to friends. The tribe was out, and it was good to see familiar faces. Like I said before, we are humans and for a healthy existence, life requires participation outside of the cold digital world from time to time. Get out, throw on your dopest outfit, get intoxicated, make a scene, but most of all socialize. Humans are built for it and that’s what we do best. Isolation and digital life will lead you to a lonely existence full of depression and missed opportunities. Even if it sounds like a pain in the ass and Netflix is tempting you, next to a pair of pajamas…rise up and get out. By the time you arrive at the venue, your spirits will be on the rise. Get out and mix it up. Live a little Jones or die sad and alone.
The room was bursting with humanity, and it was great to be there. The drink line wasn’t too bad and the staff at Simons rocked it out, getting out drinks as fast as possible for the thirsty masses. From what was happening, it was best to buy three or four drinks at a time to cut down on wading through the crowd, but everyone was in good spirits and the energy was right.
Ouija Macc and DJ Chunk
The opening acts brought out a lot of people, but the real prize of the night was Ouija Macc and DJ Chunk. The madman from Las Vegas hit the stage and commanded the crowd with expert timing. The Juggalos and Juggalettes in attendance had been waiting all night for the big release and it had arrived. Ouija’s presence was almost too much for the stage and the music boomed out of the speakers.
Cell phones were out, pictures and videos were being taken, and it was impossible to move. But I think that is ok, because everyone was right where they wanted to be. Ouija took the crowd along for a wicked ride, dropping some of his biggest songs of the now time. The crowd was going word for word, and the fire was burning bright. I can’t say enough about Ouija’s energy and his live performances. They are not to missed if one can help it. And judging by his rise, catching him in intimate venues will soon be a thing of the past. If you can get out to see him now, I recommend you do it. Don’t let the opportunity pass you on by. You were warned.
After the show I was able to talk with DJ Chunk and ask him what he thought of the show and the crowd. DJ Chunk said it was a “great night” and that playing at Simons had been a dope experience. I dig DJ Chunk; the guy is really approachable and always has a smile on his face. His work on the one’s and two’s is dynamite, and it was always a pleasure to hear him rock a party.
Violent J
During the Ouija set, I noticed that Violent J had made his way into the event and was posted up near the pool table. At first no one noticed, but once word got out, a crowd formed around him, with Juggalos paying their respects to the OG King. The Rude Boy headed over after the Ouija set with DJ Carlito and the Psychopathic Legends began to chop it up. Eventually the Rude Boy introduced me to Violent J proper and we spoke for a bit. “It’s good to be able to put a face to the name finally” Violent J said and we shook hands.
I had interviewed him for “Forever in the Jects” (Project Born’s book available on Amazon) and he had also written the foreword of “My Life The Funhouse” (Rude Boy’s book, also available on Amazon). We attended the same show (Styx) for Rudy’s birthday, but I hadn’t really had a chance to properly rap with the OG in a relaxed setting. By then the Ouija set had ended and the Juggalos were milling around for a chance to talk to Violent J.
The Simons staff, repeatedly tried to get the crowd to move on, but it was difficult. To have one half of the Insane Clown Posse in the house was too much for some of the Juggalos and they took some persuading. The Wolf eventually had to use his loud voice and the message resonated. Ouija Macc cruised over to our location after he was done meeting with fans, and I was able to share a few words with him as well. It was a great night to be alive.
Black Horse Cantina in Delray
After bidding Violent J, Ouija Macc, and DJ Chunk goodbye, we headed over to the spot. The one and only Black Horse Cantina. Rudy’s homies own and operate the place, and we were greeted at the front door. The crowd was really live, even for a Wednesday, it felt like a Friday night. By then, we were in dire need of some food, but I knew the kitchen was probably closed. The owner took care of us though and brought out several plates of food, and also a few rounds of drinks. A real class act in my book and I would not soon forget his kindness and top shelf good will. If you’ve never been to the Black Horse Cantina, do yourself a favor and get down there today. I requested the DJ play the Watusi, and we burned the night down. By 1:45am, I was ready to be heading on the long track north. I bid the Los Drifters farewell and left Southwest Detroit in my rear-view mirror. I was going home, but someday soon I would be returning.
Signing Off,
Mike Shepard
ROX-TV Head Writer
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