Marquette is gearing up for a spooky night of music and costumes as the annual Rock 'N Roll Halloween event returns to the Ore Dock Brewing Company on Thursday, October 31st. Local musician Gretchen McKenzie, a multi-genre performer, sat down in Studio A to talk about the exciting lineup, which features four local bands taking on the personas of famous acts for one night only.
The show promises to be a night filled with surprises and musical transformations, with bands covering a variety of iconic artists. "We did this a couple of years ago," Gretchen shared, "It's a bunch of local bands covering more famous bands. It's not an original idea, but it's just super cool to see what people can make happen."
One of the acts to look forward to is Liquid Mike's Mike Maple (& friends), who will perform as Helmet. Another band, Fridge Buzz, known for their experimental noise-band sound, will take on the challenge of transforming into Daft Punk. "I have no idea how they’re going to pull that off," Gretchen said with a laugh, "but I’m excited to see it."
Gretchen herself will be performing with Bimbo, a group that usually consists of her and her brother Dawson. For this special event, however, they’ll add a few extra musicians to recreate the iconic sound of The Go-Go’s. Gretchen’s excitement about the event is contagious: "It’s just so much fun. It’s a lot of extra work, but I love that all these musicians are down to do this."
There will also be a local twist, with musicians swapping roles across bands. "My brother and I are both joining Curfews for their Joy Division covers, which will be really great. I get to play synthesizer, which I know you're a fan of," she said, as we shared a moment of enthusiasm for synth sounds.
In addition to the music, the night will feature a costume contest with prizes. Gretchen encourages attendees to get creative and show up in their Halloween best. "Hopefully everyone shows up in their Halloween best. Why not? It’s Halloween!" she said.
Kurt Hauswirth spoke with Gretchen in Studio A:
The Rock 'N Roll Halloween show has quickly become a beloved event in Marquette. As Gretchen notes, "It’s a really fun way to get introduced to local bands you might not listen to otherwise." She hopes the tradition continues for years to come, adding, "If anyone wants to start working on a Halloween cover band for next year, come find me."
"Rock 'N Roll Halloween" takes place on Halloween, Thursday, October 31st at 8 pm ET at Ore Dock Brewing Company. The event is 21 and up with tickets available for a reduced rate prior to the show.
The preceding interview was part of a broadcast of The Shuffle on October 26th, 2024.
