Venue Review: Harpos Detroit, Michigan

Located on Harper Avenue, in East Side Detroit, you wouldn’t assume that Harpos Concert Theater would be packed with heavy metal fans on a regular basis. While being a local favorite venue, thousands of artists have taken the stage at Harpos from, Slayer to Type O Negative. Almost exclusively a heavy metal oriented venue, the dedication of metal fans lies in the fact that night after night the fans, sometimes embarking on a several hour drive, fill the club while almost always staying respectful and well tempered. Sure, there’s the occasional fight but, Harpos Security does an excellent job of severing the problem at the root. Their not the over bearing, eagle eye security you find at most big venues but if need be, the security staff is on the ball like no others I’ve ever seen.
Don’t get me wrong, the security staff do their jobs and well but they do a great job of blending in and not being a suffocating presence therefore insuring a more relaxed concert experience. Inside, Harpos is spacious and uses the 3 tier approach, the 2 top sections contain tables and chairs for the concert viewer who wants to relax and enjoy their favorite band while the bottom tier is standing room only and is prime area for the mosh pits. The bathrooms are big enough to serve 20 or so people at once and at the beginning of the night, are clean and stocked with all necessities. One thing I found that most other similar clubs can not offer is reasonable drink prices and a well mannered, attentive staff. There’s a no $9 beer or cranky bar staff present. I have been going there for over 10 years and have always found the bar staff pleasant. Harpos sound system is and always has been top of the line. You feel the pummel of the kick drum and get the full experience of the face melting guitar solos at Harpos. Another big plus that seems to be quickly disappearing these days, is the fact that you can smoke. As a smoker myself I know how nice it is to have a beer, watch my favorite band and light up a cigarette. Harpos, always a cut ahead, still allows smoking and you’re not designated to one area or down right forbidden to smoke inside as with some other clubs. The parking is ample and security is outside as well as in throughout the duration of the show. They feature a metal detector at the door but provide speedy admission into the club. Overall, for all these reasons, Harpos always was and will remain to be my favorite venue to see bands. A lot of people are a little skeptical of Harpos due to it’s location but I have never had a more enjoyable yet secure concert experience than I have had at Harpos countless times. I would recommend it to any fan of heavy metal and encourage them to visit the venue as frequently as possible. Harpos, from A-Z is a professional and enjoyable place to see your favorite band and my personal favorite.

Type O Negative Detroit, Michigan 4-7-07

I find myself in a smoke filled club in east side Detroit. I’m here tonight to see Type O Negative who is touring in support of their latest album aptly named “Dead Again”. The club is packed and the crowd anxiously awaits the entrance of the band led by the towering front man Peter Steele. The house music stops, the lights go off, the anticipation is thick and without warning….the chicken dance. Full volume, for 20 minutes type O Negative treats their fans to the old classic. They are known for their dark and quirky sense of humor so it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to any true fan. Finally the band takes the stage heading to their respective instruments behind the curtain of thick smoke and neon lights. Before I go on let me just say one thing. I have seen well over 100 live shows in my life from the over the top audio and visual experience of Nine Inch Nails with an attendance of 18,000 to seeing Bile in a small club with maybe 100 other people. I only bring this up because I can say that hands down, Type O Negative puts on the absolute best live show I’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing. Always true to their fans they bring out the usual favorites such as “Black #1”, “Love You To Death” and Christian Woman. Not only are they great live as far as playing the songs well goes but their stage presence is undeniably sinister and commanding. Their ability to mix up their set and throw in the occasional obscure track every now and then insures that I will return every time they are in town. Peter, Kenny, Josh and Johnny known to the world as Type O Negative refer to themselves jokingly as the drab four, an ode to the Beatles “the fab four” and rightly so because this band has written some of the most haunting yet beautiful songs I have ever heard. Back to the live performance. Peter, always quick with the wit keeps the tempo high in between songs and always keeps it funny and entertaining. Did I mention that part of their light show was a sign that lit up with the words “You Suck” and they encouraged the crowd to chant said words in between songs? Ya gotta love these guys. I have seen them 4 times so far and the show seems to get better and better every time. Every one of them are a master of their instrument and by being so, the intensity or anguish or hatred they display so ably on album comes through very well in concert. If there is one thing I don’t like about seeing live bands it’s the fact that some of them sound exactly as they do on cd which to a point is good but in the end you did come to see a live show right? Type O Negative maintains the integrity of the album while displaying that nice flow and flexibility that is vital to any live show. It will be a sad day when they finally call it quits cause not only will we be denied their excellent albums but a live show which is un paralleled in intensity and soul. If you are a fan and have never been to one of their shows you must do it or you will regret. If you’re new to the band pick up their 1993 release “Bloody Kisses” for starters and do not miss em the next time they come to your town. In short, go see Type O Negative live any and every time you can because the band truly shines in that medium.