"Nothing negative to say about 'The Negatives' latest release, its all good"  (Apr. 14, 00) ALBUM REVIEW

Negatives Pirates Stealing Babies (Proletariat Records)

     For several years now, the loudest thing to come out of the sleepy little town of Ortonville, Michigan, is all-out, old school, East Coast organic punk via the Negatives.  Now, with a brand new set of Oi! tunes, Negatives have taken residence locally and will surely spread their infectious raw punk high and low throughout Michigan's underground music circuits.  Hard, fast and noisy dual-guitar punk riffs abound over top of Robbie Badd's primal drum beats while Dan Nixon's gruff vocal bursts are belted out with non-stop angst and fun all in one.  This true punk recording also won't let you forget the bass guitar as it holds down the low end real thick.  The Negatives almost sloppy one-take garage sound gives a live feel to make you think the Sex Pistols meets Rancid meets Dropkick Murphys.  Rocking tunes of note include 'Two-Facedness', 'Highschool Hellcats', and 'Pirates Stealing Babies'.  This album is all high energy punkers punk rock 'n' roll that makes you want to see this band live and chant along with the vocal hooks while kicking around the mosh pit.  Pick up this album at local record shops and check out Proletariat Records website at [our old address].  Negatives will also perform and have this record available at the Free Rock Show to benefit Multiple Sclerosis at Island Park this Saturday beginning at 2 p.m.

"Chokeslam Headlines" (Mar. 20, 00)

The Citizen

     Ortonville's Chokeslam recently presented a concert for the St. Anne's Youth Group that benefited  the Pontiac Rescue Mission Kids Club.  Matt Booth, one of the core leaders of the St. Anne's Youth Group, coordinated the event so that local teens who wanted to share their talents could do so in a way that they could give back to their community.  Booth's band, Chokeslam, is a local band that is quickly gaining recognition with recent performances at St. Andrew's Hall in Detroit.  The benefit raised more than $1,700 for the mission.  Other bands on the bill included: Turnstyle, Summerhouse, The Fresh El Camanios, Wits End, Switch Bored and Flatline.