American Mars to Play Wyandotte's Studio 142

In 1993, Thomas Trimble's first band was banned from the

The group, Weeping Rachel, was banned because of what Trimble called "excessive volume."

Now, nearly 20 years later, Trimble will be returning to Wyandotte this summer for two shows with his current outfit, American Mars.

Together since 1997, American Mars will play Wyandotte for the first time Friday night at . The band will be sharing the bill with Who Saved Who and Destroy This Place. The night begins at 9 p.m.

A month later, American Mars will return to play the festival that had banned Trimble all those years ago. They will be playing the Riverfront Entertainment Stage at 8 p.m. July 14th.

For those thinking they can skip one show and catch the other, Trimble says each show promises to be different, highlighting different aspects of the band's strengths. Tonight's gig will feature the band's strongest songs from their last two records. The street fair gig will see a broader, festival-like set list.

"The street fair show is a bit longer, so we'll throw in some covers and try and keep the energy up," Trimble said. "You have to be careful playing the mellower stuff outside."

There's no need for festivalgoers to worry about their eardrums this time around. American Mars is a much different band than Trimble's old group. They are a roots-influenced, Americana-tinged rock band heavy on atmospherics, complete with pedal steel and stand-up bass.

While Metro Detroit isn't exactly known for its Americana music scene, the band has been able to establish itself amongst area rockers. Using the Internet as well as supporting gigs for national touring acts such as The Avett Brothers and The National, American Mars has achieved legitimate success. Their most recent record, 2008's Western Sides, was released on Gangplank Records.

In addition to their collective success, the band members are a veritable who's who of local talent.

Drummer Alex Trajano has played all over the area with bands like The Twistin' Tarantulas and The Oblivion Project. He's also a producer at public radio station WDET.

Bass player Garth Girard also has played with a number of local bands, including the band he fronts, the jump blues group Bull Halsey.

David Feeny, guitarist and pedal steel player, owns Tempermill Studio in Ferndale, one of the area's most respected recording studios. He's a veteran of numerous bands and played pedal steel on country legend Loretta Lynn's record Van Lear Rose, which was produced by Jack White.

Thomas Trimble leads this band of impressive musicians. Singer, songwriter and guitarist for the group, he also teaches writing at Wayne State University.

These Wyandotte shows are somewhat of a homecoming for Trimble. Though he never called the city home, he was born at the and attended elementary school at .

Preparing to release a new record, Trimble says the passing of time is a theme he's been exploring in his most recent writing. If this is the case, whether he realizes it or not, his return to Wyandotte is perfectly timed.

"Being grateful is something I've been thinking a lot about lately, as well as the challenges of being creative as we all look down the barrel of middle age," Trimble said. "I like the idea of people taking music outside the barriers of youth and relevance."

American Mars will play Studio 142 at 9 p.m. tonight. The Americana rock band will return to play the Wyandotte Street Art Fair on July 14th.