"Somewhere in Detroit": Underground Resistance, Submerge, Techno and the Detroit Way

Somewhere in Detroit is a new short film about Detroit’s greatest musical collective since Motown, the cooperative and record label dubbed Submerge and UR (Underground Resistance). The mini-documentary reveals intimate conversations, providing unique insights into the tight-knit co-op at the center of Detroit techno-the creators, pioneers, and futurists who embody the spirit of the genre.
Roland Articles has also published an in-depth story, “Underground Resistance, Submerge, and the Detroit Way,” featuring voices from the documentary expanding on its themes with exclusive anecdotes.
articles.roland.com/the-detro...

[@rolandglobal]

For those who would like to dig deeper into the story, please check out articles.roland.com/the-detroit-way

[@thomasfitz]

Real Right 💪🏾

[@ajotech]

Roland it’s time that you update the RD-2000 please please PLEASE! Yamaha did it with the Montage M now it’s your turn to take the lead away from the garbage that Nord and Korg is putting out.

[@totallypixelated]

I hope this video and article means that the Roland Corporation is giving the folks in Detroit everything they need in fiscal terms to make all these great things happen. This is a truly inspirational video. I hope Roland recognises that techno and house music has been absolutely key in making the company what it is today. I hope that this video is a sign that they're paying it back.

[@Madrrrrrrrrrrr]

What a BS. Social Justice Values? Who said that? Wajeed? UR never was about what the money told you to say. NEVER! Underground Resistance is OVER for years now. It's basically a reissue label. The new stuff is just young people trying to copy the old UR sound. This not about the meat and potatoes realness or being true to yourself or where you are coming from. This is like the Netherlands where i live where most people just say fact free BS to get money. And it doesn't matter what Mad Mike says anymore. The money won.

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

What year was Techno first established in Detroit? I didn't notice a date, in the 90s Techo was huge in Europe and probably and by 2000 software became aa way for maany more to make Techno. I made some Techno My self but it sounds nothing like what come from Detroit but its still Techno.

[@voluptaslaborandi]

I grew up in East Berlin/Brandenburg as a white suburban kid and came into contact with music from Detroit in the mid-90s. This raw, self-reliant, and independent behavior, charged with certain humanistic values, deeply impressed and influenced me. The music is futuristic, full of soul and spirit, danceable, powerful, and empowering. I DJed for a while at TRESOR Berlin on Leipziger Straße, one of the many lesser-known DJs. I had some gigs there. One was with and before James Pennington 1998. His red double EP still echoes in my mind today. On one label side it said: "break the chains." That's true. There are so many visible and invisible chains from which everyone must break free. Especially the mainstream culture, with its cults around money, fame, and its cultural homogeneity under the guise of supposed diversity, firmly chains people. Greetings from East-Berlin !

[@svenl.69]

I just confirm this. The flow that came over with UR in the nineties to east germany was awesome.

[@MrM0saic]

We lived it bruv

[@SnakeBush]

i grew up in Kentucky and i love Brandenburg

[@voluptaslaborandi]

@@SnakeBush Is your Brandenburg located in Germany or Kentucky ?

[@objectivityisourfriend9631]

Love this comment. Thank you! We are all looking at the cultural homogeneity and how algorithms on Spotify and IG and even Soundcloud just promote the same-sounding stuff. Thanks for sharing your story.

[@lucamaniaci]

Imagine showing this to all those Instagram "DJs", with 0 musical culture but a lot of followers, bought or obtained thanks to advertising, or because they are "good looking", who rape the word "techno" because it's trendy. In most cases these people play shitty music that passes off as "techno". Forever respect and love for those who really started the game! 🖤

[@sonquatsch8585]

that music does not pass for techno. if u have heard the real deal, u cannot ever mistake it.

[@lucamaniaci]

@@sonquatsch8585 sure, if you are smart enough

[@Smart_Robot_01]

Techno died when it gave birth to electronic music! You’d know that if you were really a true fan of the music. Techno died man, it died, electronic music it its child! Reality!

[@NextSound170]

Shiiiit I know i’m on the right path with a statement like this. Well said

[@warrenc1829]

I grew up listening, and breakdancing, to Electro as a kid. And when Detroit Techno arrived, it was everything I’d been waiting for. I still listen to it every day, and those records are my most treasured possessions. Amazing music that really spoke to me as a youth in the post-industrial bleakness of northern England.

[@jimmygraham2326]

Me too bro, the sound of my youth but so many missed out. Derrick may wild times would still resonate today. As we say its "grim up north" and i loved it.

[@shrouds]

Mad Mike is such a fuckin G. Ultimate respect for always keeping it real, DIY and underground

[@anthonyrothercom]

love and respect to Detroit and UR

[@giullianomg]

I'm from Brazil but there's something about this failed globalized way of life, this late capitalism that makes me identify a lot with Detroit and the people of Detroit. Electronic music became my great passion thanks to these people who gave birth to this movement. Today I have my synthesizers and my drum machine, which are my only refuges when I'm tired of everything. I don't like being those conservative guys who criticize new generations and the way they do things, but the roots of Techno can never be forgotten! Techno is culture, Electronic Music tells the story of the world!!!!

[@grambo4436]

I would not say capitalism but the vest way to describe is the political economy.

[@westerncivilization]

Capitalism didn't fail. Socialism kills. There is a complete difference between the generation in this vid and today's worthless youths.

[@ravenorama]

I visited Detroit in 2017 to take part in an art show and was lucky to visit Submerge, which I didn't know was open to the public at the time except by appointment. Cornelius kindly came and gave us a lift to Submerge from the Motown Museum; John E. Collins gave us a detailed tour of the museum. It was mind blowing, having grown up with Detroit techno and Underground Resistance records on mix tapes, to visit the place and meet the people who started it. I hadn't previously heard of Electrifying Mojo who inspired Detroit techno (and was an early supporter of Prince). When I got back to the UK I curated an event in Nottingham Contemporary art gallery; we invited Dj Stingray and Keith Tucker (K1) to DJ, plus screened a film by Edgar Arceneaux made in collaboration with UR.

[@moonmonkey303]

It started in 89 when i bought my first Detroit techno record and today I'm still in love with electronic music. Even though I'm European, Detroit will always be the birthplace of Techno, it's soul and it's heartland. Big love to Mike and everyone, thank you for all the amazing records and parties.

[@suttonshouse1588]

I grew up in east London going to warehouses, basements, fields, aircraft hanger and tunnels listening to these guys records, mixed in with the stuff coming out of Chicago, New York, Sheffield and London (other places too). The joy, pleasure and sheer euphoria those times and memories this gives me is truly wonderful. THANK YOU

[@deadman568]

Detroit techno when it arrived was nothing like the world had heard before. A social commentary on the deprivation of a city that once thrived economically. It was almost incomprehensible how such beautiful music came from a city that was in decay.

[@JohnWarehand]

I'm going to miss the premiere of this, because I'll be DJing for the first time in a club. It's a techno night and I'll for sure be playing some UR. (Then getting home and watching this). Love live UR.

[@woe1969]

have a great night - enjoy it :)

[@travelfoxxxx]

congrats...represent.

[@BillyBatsonMarvel]

🙏🏾

[@PaulWilliams0]

How was your gig?

[@JohnWarehand]

@@PaulWilliams0 Ah thanks for asking mate. It went well - really good support from other DJs and some nice feedback from those in the club too. Learned a bit as well, which is what I wanted. Got some UR in too :)

[@blakecasimir]

Discovering Model 500 and UR in my teens in the mid 90s changed my life. Detroit Techno hugely influences my own music, and remains a passion for me to this day. Beautiful people, soulful music.

[@linuxbender]

I grew up in a foreign country, in the middle of Europe. Racism and fear often accompanied me, it doesn't matter what color you are or how well you fit in. Your music has shaped me and helped me in many situations. Thank you UR and to the open and friendly techno scene.

[@donthewatcherthomas]

Met Juan Atkins long time ago I'm from Cali I had a 808 and a moog prodigy in 1984 techno hop in Crenshaw was my sole purpose thanks Detroit

[@recloose2041]

Cool story! LA DETROIT connections strong...

[@wastedyouth2794]

beautiful, is there something like that still around today?

[@kennethhymes9734]

Thank you for highlighting the side of Detroit music history that is not choreographed soul, but genuine people's music.

[@gabrieltavarez7902]

shout out to ROLANDO, for putting SOUTHWEST Detroit on the map 🇲🇽😎✌🏼❤️

[@vincewatson_official]

You did great guys...every congrats. Nice to see my script on the walls at 11.22 also. This story has NEVER been more important than now. Right Fucking Now.

[@brandondecarlo8619]

Mike and UR are global treasures.

[@Nosh_Feratu]

Mike Banks 🙌 guy is just something else. . 100% genuine pioneer, the grand master. endless respect for the man and everything he does, Submerge and its mission are super important.

[@isaac.anthony]

So many LEGENDS came from Detroit, multiple generations of innovative music, amazing!

[@DJKL]

THANK YOU DETROIT!

[@jciarvi]

Awesome...Im blessed for be in Detroit...tks for all Mentors of Detroit Underground History \o/

[@OddgitTheGreat]

The premiere was fantastic!! the Q&A was so good, thank you for making it happen!

[@recloose2041]

Thanks for coming out, was a great night!

[@BobSayG]

Wow!! Mad Mike agreed to do interview ? I am in!!

[@thomasfitz]

Mike has done many interviews on & off camera before

[@RobertDoosh]

"many" ​@@thomasfitz

[@BobSayG]

@@thomasfitzI know but he doesn’t do it often.

[@MrQmason]

Thank you Roland for giving these people their props !

[@ACCOUNTANTB]

J. Mills, Juan Atkins, Kevin Sauderson, D.May....Stingray.....stars everywhere and everytime i reset my mind and really wonder what is actually electronic Music....always...

[@fractalarchitect]

So good to hear from these humble pioneers of electronic music.

[@alexgonzalezMI]

Grew up in Detroit. Still live here. I'm not as involved in the scene as I used to be in the 90's but I always have love for what we did and what continues today. Lost a lot of good people over the years, but Detroit is still strong with Techno.

[@nottingham1]

RESPECT from England ❤

[@detroitologist]

It's cool to get a history lesson that you didn't hear 25 years ago. I took a few courses on Detroit History at UofD and when the discussion about music started we never got to the present - techno music. The professor didn't have any material available really and didn't even know how big techno was. I didn't even know much about it or how big it was, I think the first real book that came out would have been Techno Rebels in the late 90's. People weren't lounging on couches at some art gallery or coffee shop lecturing about the history of the music. I hope to visit the museum some day. So I heard loud and clear the part where the underground music academy is going to teach people to dj. Music production isn't the weak point. Some people have gotten soft but there's still good records being made. But the artform of dj'ing, selecting tracks and creating the third song, has been lost. It's not just that Cdj's and Rekordbox are sterile and boring. Everything about the dj set is highly programmed... and we all know who is against the programming.

[@StudioMagnetique]

A massive thank you to all of the innovators who gave me the music that changed my life. With love from England.

[@FazeredTube]

As a person forever shaped by techno I watched this with my hairs standing on end. Wonderful.

[@daavneeq]

43, From small town North East England, long time fan of Detroit Techno. You changed the world, not just music. Respect forever and eternal thanks.

[@MrM0saic]

I live in the Detroit metro area. Been to ALL the warehouses in the city EVERY weekend in the 90’s. I witnessed the evolution and DE-evolution of the underground scene. Loved every minute

[@rhd808]

dope mini doc wish it was longer ! love it!!!

[@lorenzodeboehmler8928]

One love ☮️word to Detroit. Thank you . 💜

[@DameMusicOfficial]

Big respect to the whole team!! Thanks for being so influential over all these years. Big up from Berlin

[@edvardthomson7264]

Awesome... I still remember ordering UR records back in the day and id have to send the 2 faxes.... each fax was half of my credit card. Then like 3 months later a package of absolut gold would rock up at your door step. Thanks Bridgette and Mike! :) From Sydney, Australia.

[@MrMatcho7]

So, so, so inspiring... Submerge, Drexciya, UR ! Forever ! Detroit lives ! 🙌🔥❤️

[@u9s0e9r]

This should be 100.000 hours long!!!!!!!

[@AzimFathi]

Mad respect Mr. Banks for speaking the truth, you definitely inspired me and changed my life. No doubt. From Detroit to Iran, we love you.

[@KBBFreeMusic]

I got my hands on couple of UR records in late 90's in Eastern Europe and that music changed my life. It changed how I see and hear everything and for that You have my admiration and respect. Thanks

[@ibdam1]

Growing up in Detroit in the early 80s and personally knowing some of the creators like Juan, Mike, Vernon E., Bruce Bailey, Kelly H and others was amazing. Seeing the growth of Detroit’s Techno from basement parties to college gigs at Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan, and Michigan State to becoming a worldwide experience makes me proud to be from Detroit. Thank you for sharing this content.

[@DowntempoCityFunk]

UR 003 in background - one of the most important tunes for my life since high school times.

[@emzed1275]

I got my hands on a UR003 T-shirt….feel the same

[@photosynthesis69]

Not gonna lie I’ve known the song for yearss but I didn’t really “get it” or like it untill I heard it in a dj Stingray set at Movement. When he dropped it I was like “oh I know this song.” Come to find out I already owned a copy on vinyl that Mike Banks had personally gave me few years prior. Now it’s hanging on my wall.

[@jakobthiesen]

good job Roland. Please send all the synths to Detroit!

[@Jay-xg4ew]

never been prouder to be a techno producer in detroit

[@thenowschool]

Goosebumps when ever I hear Galaxy 2 Galaxy.....

[@FREDgiannelli]

I miss the old Detroit... telepathic.love from the Kooky Scientist

[@thomasfitz]

Would play your tracks in my car driving to parties in Detroit 96-98’

[@FREDgiannelli]

@@thomasfitz Kool, haven't played in Detroit in years. Detroit doesn't love the Kooky Scientist anymore. Their loss...

[@pipecock412]

@@FREDgiannellitry being less of a tool

[@FREDgiannelli]

@@pipecock412 Thomas D. Cox from bumf#ck Ohio.

[@DJREKT313]

so proud to be a detroit native still living here

[@gabrielmarks154]

This is so beautiful❤️ I need to visit Detroit and Chicago and pay my respects to the greats that started it all, so much knowledge and history behind the music we hear today!

[@guiom77]

Thanks Roland ‼️‼️💥🙏☮️

[@Moskalus]

Yesssss

[@SimoneRusso-hv2bi]

Keep up the good work tanks for the miusic detroit ❤❤❤❤❤

[@teknik12k]

I've always felt lucky to have grown up near Detroit and to have stumbled on the local techno scene in 1991.

[@jackryan7312]

This was such a good watch, respect to Roland for making this!

[@gkhan2973]

Thanks for this amazing upload, UR FOREVER!

[@reggiedokes]

Good job. The more info out there about our Detroit stories and electronic music, the better. One love.

[@mapple_]

great doc, more of these please !!!

[@Trevor_Reznik]

Thank you!

[@youANDme_official_303]

Much love & respect for keeping it real!

[@MattNucleus]

Thank you Mike for being you. For your music and for being a guide to myself and many others for so many years. Always underground. Always UR.

[@awaken-your-highest-self]

Really looking forward to this.Mike Banks and the Underground Resistance collective are a inspiration on so many levels. Underground Techno Soul untouched by the hidden hand

[@beesting6135]

Thanks Roland TR 909

[@augustopalma]

An institution and an inspiration for years and years to come, much respect.

[@dropbassnetwork]

living legends and inspirations. excited to see this.

[@j_c_r]

Can't wait! Much love to UR and Mike!

[@DetroitBureauofSound]

BEAUTIFUL!! Shouts out to Roland for this, long live UR

[@benedetandrea]

You shape my life and you still do. Mike is the big brother I've always wanted to have and every word from him is perfect. Thanks to have done what you did and what you will continue to do for Detroit and the rest of the world. Peace from Planet Rome❤🎧

[@SimoneRusso-hv2bi]

Mad Mike ❤❤❤ UR all catalog ❤❤❤

[@bodoelsel]

Mad Mike Banks is a legend. Period.

[@BliterTV]

THX Roland 👍, THX UR ♥

[@brycenew]

AMAZING!!!

[@zombiestars42]

With deep respect.

[@phug0id]

UR, Submerge, Drexciya, & Detroit forever!

[@TheRonseye]

Sensational Doco...much love and respect-Enclave(Melbourne Australia)

[@ireyjam]

Yes!

[@mattdubspun7916]

Love and Respect to Metroplex, KMS, Transmat, UR and all Detroit Artists/DJs. I thought that Detroit had a decline in jobs in the early Eighties. My neighborhood in Chicago was based off the steel industry and when automotive production in Detroit slowed down that hurt my neighborhood too. Aside from Detroit Techno being great music and a futurist statement maybe our rough early Eighties resonate with each other's souls. Congratulations Mad Mike on being documented. Dreaming of future success for all. Peace! .

[@Manmademadman]

God bless these people (and countless others) who cemented in sound our music and influenced us almost infinitely, mostly without compensation or their due thanks!

[@PUMIC]

Excellent 👏

[@VEsound]

Thanks Roland, it would have been so good to see a longer video of this Detroit techno story... I'm listening my The Final Frontier vinyl again and it has such a soul... Detroit forever in our hearts

[@brimans3092]

This is the trailer isn't it?

[@GavinBlane]

Might have start watching this every morning.

[@timwaldmann5689]

Nice documentary! Thank you

[@ChristianSmithChannel]

looking forward to this one. i always had much love for detroit!

[@iamdavidrosalie]

Detroit for life

[@Kayr311]

Really nice documentary! More please :)

[@jasspurpower4252]

Remain Underground!🖖

[@ottokoppius6997]

For those who know!

[@bottin1]

Thanks Mike for asking a then pretty clueless italo dj to add his signature to the Submerge wall. Looking forward to the premiere.

[@Spwandy]

This is fantastic!!

[@amado7760]

Keep up the amazing work, really nice. Congratulations

[@cedricdetroit313]

Really wonderful report respect for all the people who contribute to the city of Detroit city engraved in my heart my soul ❤️

[@DarrenJHorgan]

Awesome,,, the First and Final Frontier!

[@selectsbyeyerie]

Amazing top vibes

[@djtricks1]

Inspiring,great talents from Detroit Techno💚..not forgetting those Machines from Japan (Roland 💚) many thanks for this mini insights of love for the music & their love for the community.! As many have mentioned you did indeed changed our lives around the globe with your futuristic music ! Thank you.. UR ! Bless! 🌞

[@bigupz6818]

Nice. Still have my UR cd from back in 91-92 here in Australia.

[@the-bonser3059]

If you know about Nocturbulous Behaviour you’re a real one

[@BasementTracks]

And if you have the Panic EP that has the same UR-011 cat# as Nocturbulous, then you are a bad, bad mammal!

[@CG-hj1cu]

This is fantastic

[@NoQualmsTheArtist]

That was awesome! 💯

[@supersmileyclub544]

I've loved electronic music since I was about 12, which would have been in 1983, loved electro which was my first real passion musically. I guess it was around that time that I first heard 'clear', amazing. I progressed into house and techno around 87, first heard 'strings' on the dancefloor at Spectrum at Heaven, London. Man, that was special, the place went so wild they played it twice. Never got to check out Detroit, though once on a flight to LA I had a choice of stopover location, so I chose Detroit just to say I'd been there, sat in the airport for about 6 hours, but I can now say I've been there, though one day would love to go to DEMF. Love UR.