About

Detroit’s Home
For Everything Rock

Welcome to Rock in Detroit (or Rockin’ Detroit)! 

I began this website in 2023 driven by two desires.  The first was curiosity.  The Detroit rock scene is multifarious–composed of musicians, fans, club owners, radio shows, Facebook groups, record sellers, promoters, bookers, recording studios, labels, etc.  Who is doing what?  What is out there?  Where can I hear a great band tonight?

People know others in their particular pocket, and maybe some outside, but there is no place where one can stand and have an overview of all that is going on–nowhere to get the big picture.  That’s where Rock In Detroit comes in.  This site is intended to be a repository of information about the Detroit rock scene. 

The second desire was the urge to give back to the world that I, as a musician and fan, have gotten so much out of over the years.  I wanted the site to be a reflection of the glory of Detroit’s rock past and the vibrancy of its present.  And, more than that, I wanted it to promote its future by providing a place for all those listed above to connect and coordinate. 

If you have any ideas how this site can better serve the Detroit rock community, please contact me.  Suggestions, contributions, collaborations, and inspirations, all are welcome.

Peace & Noise,

Tony Dillof
Founder, Rock in Detroit

I am a die-hard musician and a die-hard music fan. I have been playing instruments since the age of six, starting with Boys Choir and Piano, moving through the drums (eventually studying jazz at Berklee in Boston), and all the while teaching myself guitar, and then writing and recording songs and albums.

And I’m a HUGE fan of the Detroit Rock Music scene–it’s so raw and real. And the best part? The love. Yes, there is so much love to be shared here it’s mind boggling, and it flows freer than wine.

Rock in Detroit can make sure fans like me don’t just respond “interested” or “heart” to a concert flyer post on social media, but that they do the research and find out where they’re really going to have the best time that night and then mark it on their calendar. Sometimes it’s a wicked hard choice. But I believe in making that choice after being informed, or better yet, informing yourself. The power to choose your own journey through rock ‘n’ roll is open to us. Wouldn’t Chuck Berry be proud?

Kevin Knupp
Senior Editor, Rock in Detroit

I grew up in El Salvador – a small country where rock music is often limited and stigmatized. Despite these challenges, my love for music began when I discovered Blink-182’s “Enema of the State”. From there, I dove headfirst into the world of heavier and faster music, each new discovery fueling my passion even further.

This journey led me to pick up the guitar and start playing in cover bands, performing at small shows wherever I could. My camera was always by my side, and I began documenting these performances – capturing the raw energy of live music. Through photography, I found a way to merge two of my passions: the adrenaline of live music and the powerful visual storytelling of concert photography. There’s something uniquely rewarding about freezing those moments, seeing intensity and emotion in the faces of musicians and the crowd alike.

My “real” job brought me to the USA, eventually coming to Detroit – a legendary city where music is a main component of its history. What I love most about Detroit is its thriving, eclectic music scene. Here, it’s possible to find every genre of music, from hip-hop to death metal, sometimes all in a single night. While the abundance of shows can feel overwhelming, resources like Rock In Detroit make it easier for music fans like me to discover and enjoy the incredible variety this city has to offer.

Eduardo Gomez
Staff Photographer, Rock in Detroit

I began playing drums as a kid, going from the small toy sets, to eventually a real drum set of my own. When I was eight years old, I saw my first real concert – KISS at The Palace of Auburn Hills in 2000. I had never seen anything like that in my life and it left a lasting impression. As I got older, I honed my craft, taking lessons, going to more shows, and learning to put on the best live performance I can, wherever I’m at.

During my college days, I was a member of the Michigan State University Drumline. My final game was the 2014 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. My love for live shows was on full display during these years, as playing for thousands of screaming fans produced a rush I cannot begin to describe. After college, I knew I had to continue with music. I became the drummer of Lansing-based band Jenn’s Apartment in 2014 and joined another Lansing-based band, Dogsneeze, in 2019.

When I came across Rock in Detroit, I was ecstatic that a local music community was being created online. While I love playing shows and recording music, it is often difficult to properly network with the numerous social media channels, venues, navigating bands that are and aren’t active, etc. Rock in Detroit makes it easy for bands to connect with other bands and venues, and where fans can stay up-to-date on what’s going on in the local Detroit music scene.

Justin Pine
Web Specialist, Rock in Detroit