To turn the cliché on its ear, everything new can be old again. That's the case in Mt. Clemens as the longtime rock club Hayloft celebrates its grand reopening with a big weekend of shows planned for Friday and Saturday.
The former live music and local hangout -- hard rock in a party atmosphere was its calling card -- closed in early 2007. It reopened in the spring of that year with a Key West vibe. (It was known first as the Keys and later the Sand Bar.) But island-themed music didn't fare too well with the nightclub folk in Mt. Clemens, and it eventually closed.
Building owner and former Hayloft Liquor Stand proprietor Ron Masters enlisted the help of co-owner Mike Scott to rebuild with two goals: Create a whole new look and atmosphere and build a calendar of great live shows.
"Every color you could possibly think of in the pastel rainbow was used in the place," Scott says. "It was not the place I grew up in and loved to go see shows at."
There's a new black-and-gray paint scheme, and the walls are adorned with former Hayloft Liquor Stand memorabilia, including old concert posters and live photographs of bands that once graced the Hayloft stage.
Operating under its new moniker as simply the Hayloft, the venue had its soft opening in mid-September. "Just saying we painted and put up some pictures does not scratch the surface for how it looks," Scott says. "It's a whole new place."
New plasma TVs, a state-of-the-art sound system and additional dressing rooms for bands are among the updates that help update the site's former vibe. The aim is to turn the club into a premier concert venue for touring and local acts.
Folks in the local music scene are already enjoying the changes.
"Before, you'd walk in there and feel like you were in a dance club. Now you walk in and you know you're gonna have a great rock show," says Jeff Cavataio of Shotgun Opera. "It made a lot of people sad when the Hayloft went away, and I think Mike's doing us an honor by bringing it back."
Friday's grand reopening bill features national act Days of the New with local openers Core Effect, Babcock, Shotgun Opera and Tyranny. Doors at 7 p.m. $15.
On Saturday, look for local faves Critical Bill, Facture, Krank Nine and Arazi. Doors at 7 p.m. $10. As part of opening weekend promotions, Friday's ticket stub is good for free entry on Saturday.
Other notable shows on the calendar: Metalheads will gear up for Otep, Ill Nino and Walls of Jericho (Nov. 9); nostalgic hair-metal fans can catch Stephen Pearcy from Ratt with Britny Fox (Dec. 6).
140 N. Main Mt. Clemens. 586-468-1010. For more: www.myspace.com/thehayloftvenue.
Fresh peaches
Detroit rockers the Satin Peaches have landed the opening spot on the eclectic Alejandro Escovedo's October U.S. tour, which kicks off Wednesday in Minneapolis. No Detroit stop is planned. Chicago (Oct. 17) and Cleveland (Oct. 19) are the closest for folks looking to catch the hometown boys.
The UK-released "Morning Maid" disc and a run on the NME Freshers Tour have given the group solid presence overseas. Influential British music mag NME said this about the band: "Forget the greased-up garage rock and proto-punk of the Stooges and the White Stripes, the Satin Peaches are Motor City's new favorite sons."
For more: www.thesatinpeaches.com.
Comfy couches
A new singer-songwriter series is set to kick off at 8 p.m. Saturday in Wixom with rootsy Lansing band Steppin' In It. Guests will enjoy the sounds of local artists while relaxing on comfy couches, chairs and stools within the showroom of Newport Furnishings. Dress is casual and the environment is smoke-free.
Concertgoers are encouraged to bring a dish to pass for a potluck in the lobby. The potluck begins an hour before the concert.
The series features host Steven Johnson, publisher of MichiganFolkLive.com.
Scheduled artists include: Jill Jack & Billy Brandt (Nov. 22), Matt Watroba (Dec. 13), Tim Grimm (Jan 17) and Annie & Rod Capps (March 14)
29240 Lyon Oaks, Wixom. 248-910-4941. For more: www.comfycouchconcerts.com.
Rachel May is a member of local bands Broadzilla and Novadriver. Send music news to her at rmay@freepress.com.
