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The end of the world may be near, but that doesn't mean we took the week off from producing a Weekly Volcano music section. Quite the contrary, actually. See for yourself below. We'll be in the kitchen mixing the Kool Aid ...

SWIMSUIT/CITY CENTER/SECRET TWINS

City Center is one of three Michigan bands currently touring the U.S. together. Sharing a van is not an issue, as Swimsuit and Secret Twins draw from the same pool of tight-knit talent. Dina Bankole plays guitar in both Secret Twins and Swimsuit, and her bandmates are likewise busy: bassist Amber Fellows has a side project with Thomas called Damned Dogs, and Shelley Salant has drummed with Detroit lo-fi act Tyvek. Secret Twins' Tim Thomas rounds out the cross-continental carpool. Fred Thomas has been told that, "Those five people comprise three of the most important bands in town." - Jason Baxter

BREAD & CIRCUSES

Bread & Circuses make lyric-heavy songs that generally tell a story, and many times lead singer and songwriter Marcus Buser allows himself to be the de facto bad guy in his own tales. "I'm very OK with not being the hero," says Buser. - Rev Adam McKinney

AGENT ORANGE

Agent Orange is old, and so are you. You listened to them on a boombox, right? A real boombox, about the size of a microwave. - Volcano Staff

J-MAR DA SIK

Black Anger was the most revolutionary, progressive, street hip-hop this city has ever produced. No group has stepped up in their place to mix politricks with the streets like Black Anger did. They were like our city's version of Dead Prez, minus the annoying college-kid fan base. Da Sik is the descendent of this movement, honing his skills under the guidance of E-Real, Kendu and DJ Sayeed. - Josh Rizeberg

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