The Deep End

Adam Marth has only attended one music festival in his life.

But this year, he gets to perform in one.

Marth will be playing for a crowd during the 21st annual Salt River Acres Rock-N-Reggae Bash this Saturday alongside several rock and reggae bands.

Marth, a Brighton sophomore, is singer and guitarist for a local rock band called The Deep End.

“In terms of what to expect, I really don’t know,” Marth said. “I’m just excited to be playing with a lot of good bands. There are a lot of well rounded bands in the lineup.”

Kris Carr, owner of Salt River Acres in Shepherd, said she expects between 4,000 to 6,000 people to attend.

The Rock-N-Reggae Bash music festival begins at 10 a.m. and ends around 9 p.m.

It features several live bands playing on two separate stages, with no breaks between the music.

Tickets can be bought at the gate for $40.

“We have some of the most popular bands in the state come and play for us,” Carr said. “They play rock and reggae.”

This year’s band lineup features The Deep End as well as several others, including Lucky Brown, Crop Circle, Four Finger Five and Covert Ops.

Marth said he and his bandmates are ecstatic to be playing for such a large group of people.

“This is probably the most legit show we’ve played,” he said. “I’m pretty sure we’re playing on the main stage the whole time.”

Carr said there will be several vendors throughout the festival grounds.

Food, drinks, clothing and other items will be available for purchase.

Attendees are allowed to bring their own food and drinks.

Alcohol is allowed on the grounds for those of legal age, but will not be sold at the festival. All drinks must be in cans – no bottles allowed.

Parking is free for any vehicle that comes with 4 or more people; otherwise there is a $5 parking fee.

No glass, household furniture, pets or fires are allowed on the event grounds, Carr said.

“We just want everyone to come and have a good time, have a safe day and enjoy the nice weather,” she said. “It looks like it’s going to be a nice day.”

Elliot Barton, a Mid Michigan Community College student and bassist for The Deep End, said the festival will provide a nice study break for students.

“It’s the last week for potentially a lot of people at CMU,” Barton said. “The weather’s supposed to be nice, it’s supposed to be a good time. People can come out and listen to some good music.” - Cm-Life

There’s something special about the town of Brighton. No other area in Livingston County has produced so much quality music, from the indie rock of Tiger! Tiger!, the crashing punk of Apathetic Critic, to the political rap-rock of Giraffe Attack. All have moved on to become flagship bands of the local scene. But of all Brighton’s exports, the most thunderous and hardest rocking is, without doubt, The Deep End, and they make themselves known once more with their latest album, “Cacophonous Groovechild.” The Deep End, composed of singer/guitarist Adam Marth, guitarist Dillon Kuiava, bassist Elliot Barton and drummer/singer Mike Benskey, has been kicking around for … - Wastenaw Voice

Lights dimmed, chatter ceased and shuffling of instruments and equipment halted. Suddenly, music filled the void as foot stomping, head banging and a little “hell yeah!” erupted from the crowd as The Deep End opened the show recently at The Blind Pig. Surrounding the stage area, fans screamed, danced, pushed and shoved, while these musicians unearthed new songs, kicked their feet up to old favorites and performed a couple of covers with a Deep End twist. It was a performance that earned the band a chance to headline its own show when The Deep End returns to The Blind Pig on May 5 with other local bands, Lucky Brown, Ben Daniels Band and AFC. Performing for four years, The Deep End brings an original sound, combining styles of classic rock and 90s jam band and reminding fans of artists from past and present. “Brilliant! Sound was great, venue is great, band is great,” said Cory Paliewicz, 22, of Cadillac, a geography major at Central Michigan University, on seeing the Deep End for the very first time. “Reminds me of Dave Matthews, hard rock, Pearl Jam, Eddie Vedder.” The Deep End, a quartet out of Brighton, is one of many up-and-coming, young and talented bands hitting the metro Detroit bar scene. Fans like Paliewicz enjoyed the show, as the opening band on a Thursday night The Deep End attracted a large and boisterous audience that filled the main stage area. The band may have liked it even more.
“It was a goal of mine, along with the band, to play The Pig,” said drummer Mike Benskey 19, a Washtenaw Community College student. Other band members include: Adam Marth, 19, lead guitarist and vocals and bassist Elliot Barton, 19, both students at CMU, and Dillion Kuiava, 19, a political science major at Michigan State University on rhythm guitar. All are from Brighton. “The Blind Pig is rocking man, has great sound, plus all the history at The Pig,” Kuiava said. “It was Kurt Cobain’s favorite small venue. “We go up there rock out, have a good time. The best part is watching the people have a good time with us. That’s the best part of music.” Previously, The Deep End has played a variety of venues, including Brighton Center for Performing Arts, Howell Opera House, The Hayloft in Mt Clemens, The Shelter in Detroit and The Whiskey Bar in Dearborn. Other upcoming gigs include Reggae Fest on May 1 near Mount Pleasant and The Pig. For more information on The Deep End: http://myspace.com/bandthatisdeep. - Wastenaw Voice