The Detroit music scene in the early 2000s was a Wild West of raw artistry and uninhibited creativity. Bands like The White Stripes, Electric Six, and The Dirtbombs emerged from this vibrant chaos, and within this scene was Bogue, a band with an unorthodox configuration and an infectious spirit. Two decades later, a long-dormant Bogue recording is finally being unearthed, offering a glimpse into the grit, energy, and soul of Detroit’s rock renaissance.
Bogue’s surviving guitarist Mike Walker (a Marquette resident) recalls the band's beginnings in the iconic Cass Corridor, now known as Midtown Detroit. “It was a rock 'n' roll environment. Everyone had cool boots, and everywhere you turned, someone was playing guitar,” he reminisced. The area was infamous for its high crime but celebrated as a creative hub.
Bogue’s configuration stood out: two guitars, no bass, and drums. While unconventional, this setup felt natural. “The guitars we chose had a bottom end, so the bass seemed almost superfluous,” he explained. He and his bandmate, Dan Meister, thrived on interplay, blending bass-like guitar lines with rhythmic ingenuity. The result was a distinctive sound rooted in punk rock yet infused with Southern soul and Motown vibes.
Their inspirations spanned from Otis Redding to the John Spencer Blues Explosion. “Somehow, our interpretation of R&B came through a punk rock filter—or maybe a non-filter,” he laughed, emphasizing their raw and unpolished approach.
In 2002, Bogue recorded with Jim Diamond at Ghetto Recorders, a studio as gritty as the music it birthed. Located in a former chicken processing plant behind Detroit’s State Theater, the space exuded authenticity. “It smelled, but not like chicken,” he quipped. Diamond’s expertise in "dirty rock 'n' roll" helped craft an album that captured the band’s essence. With a mix of vintage analog equipment and DIY spirit, Bogue recorded the entire project in two days. Initially intended as a demo, the recording ultimately stood as a testament to their ethos: capturing moments rather than perfect notes. “Miles Davis said the notes are 1%, the attitude is 99%. That’s what we were about,” Walker explained.
However, the story of Bogue is tinged with tragedy. Both bandmates, Meister and drummer Matt Blake, have since passed away. Dan, battling addiction, tragically took his own life, while Matt succumbed to a sudden heart attack.
These losses left a profound impact. “Dan’s death shook me in a way I’m still processing. It put a pin in my personal development,” he admitted. Struggling with grief, he turned to alcohol before eventually finding sobriety. Rediscovering the recordings after decades provided a new sense of purpose. “I was worried people would see this as a vanity project, but I realized it didn’t matter. What mattered was sharing something cool and honoring Dan and Matt’s memory,” he shared. Encouragement from old friends in Detroit cemented his resolve to release the album.
Listen to Kurt Hauswirth's full interview with Mike Walker of BOGUE:
The forthcoming release, "How’d You Feel About Talkin’ To Me," slated for November 2024, is more than a musical artifact; it’s a tribute to the raw energy of an era and the enduring power of artistic collaboration. It’s also deeply personal, as reflected in the album notes, where the guitarist penned a heartfelt remembrance.
“The writing process was emotional,” he admitted. “But it was important to give Dan and Matt their due, to immortalize what we created together in that wild, unpolished time.”
With support from the Detroit music community, Bogue’s music will finally reach an audience beyond the Cass Corridor. It’s a testament to the resilience of creativity and the enduring legacy of a band that embodied the spirit of Detroit rock-and-roll.
As Walker reflected, “There’s no reason this music can’t come out now. It’s about sharing something meaningful—and that’s timeless.”
The album is published via Jett Plastic Recordings; visit their website for more information.
The preceding interview was part of a broadcast of The Shuffle on November 23rd, 2024.
