Got Starz in their eyes…
Written by: Matt Wardlaw
Saturday night is full of opportunity for Cleveland music fans to see a lot of great live music - but isn't it always? The Beachland Ballroom offers one-stop shopping for music geeks to take in a boatload of kick ass rock bands - all in the same building! We've already discussed International Pop Overthrow - which will be happening in the Tavern portion of the Beachland complex.
Meanwhile, over in the Ballroom - hellfire, damnation, and a whole lotta guitar solos will be unleashed courtesy of a triple bill that is nearly guaranteed to borrow 2.68 % of your hearing - permanently.
View CommentsCleveland Bachelor’s Show of the Week: Trouble Books
Written by: Cleveland Bachelor
Who here went to last week's The Low Anthem show? Raise your hands. OK, put your hands down - I can't see you anyway, seeing as how you are reading this on your computer and all. If you did go to the show, you already know I'm two for two in my concert suggestions so far. For those of you that didn't go, well, guess what - I'm two for two. You should've gone. And don't just take my word for it. Believe me, Matt's looking for any excuse possible to fire me from this gig - had I messed up and suggested a bummer, I'd be gone.
The Low Anthem show was a wonderful, wonderful concert. Those guys have such tremendous chops. I have a post up on my blog over at Cleveland Bachelor if you want to check it out, but if you are like me, you want to think about the future, not the past. And right now, your immediate Clevo future has a special treat in-store, NEO style. (No, Keanu Reeves and his band are not coming to town, NEO is an acronym for Northeast Ohio, silly!)
This Tuesday, an all Northeast Ohio line-up will be gracing the stage of the Beachland Ballroom. First up will be local troubadour Brian Straw, bringing traditional bard and song work to bear. Headliner duty goes to Akron-based indie folk rockers, Good Morning Valentine, brings their laid-back love songs.
I'm pretty sure you'll be content with the show discussed above as is, but I've been saving the true feature for last ... Trouble Books. I am going to throw any sense of ironic detachment out the window right now and tell you, with all sincerity and unhip earnestness, I absolutely LOVE this band. I first came across them at a wintry quiet show at the Beachland a year and a half or so ago and have been smitten ever since. I've had a few local favorites the past couple years - Unsparing Sea, Afternoon Naps, The Hot Rails - but even as my fickle tastes bounce about, nothing has changed the pure affection I have for the music this band makes. Just ask Kevin at Music Saves - he's long been listening to my whining about how every time the band seems to play, I have to miss it. One show I didn't miss, though, was when the duo played a tremendous outdoor set at Music Saves this past record store day. I still think about that show and smile. And you better believe that I'll be in attendance at the Beachland this week - these guys bring something so special in their simplistic experimentation and gentle song-crafting, ahh. I can't wait.
Furthermore, for you readers seeking an Addicted To Vinyl connection - Dear Leader Matthew and I have traded a bunch of music back and forth over the several months (though it feels like decades) of our friendship. He burns me Gin Blossom live bootlegs, I gave him the Trouble Books United Colors album on vinyl. I'm pretty sure he still hasn't listened to it. I think you know who the better friend is right now. Just sayin'.
Alright - enough Matt-bashing. He's a good guy and I have every reason to expect his presence at Wednesday's show. We're both looking forward to seeing you there, too.
How 'bout some tunes? Listen to these....
"Transient Color Glories" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFQD-AQjft8
"Abandoned Greenhouse" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DYsLxk0ToY
"Shaky Science" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdLBE-HyyNQ
Additional picks from CB and the ATV staff:
Tuesday, August 11 - (Matt) - Trashcan Sinatras at the Grog Shop. Rub your eyes a bit, and then you can believe that you are really reading this. The Trashcan Sinatras are really touring the United States, and they really have a Cleveland date! TS are one of those bands that I SHOULD have been a fan of in the 90s, and I've been working to add them to my ever-growing musical arsenal of likes! Jeff from Popdose reached out recently to let me know that they have a new album out, and subsequently I noted that they had a date booked at the Grog Shop. How can you miss this one? "Obscurity Knocks," and it happens to be calling your name! Come one, come all.
Thursday, August 13 - (Matt and CB) - There is a free (ahem, FREE) Lawton Bros. show at Blue Arrow Records. Week after week, Blue Arrow Pete & Debbie are giving us cooler and cooler reasons to come into their already bad-ass little shop. Moreover, prior to the headlining act, Kid Flamingo (aka I Rock Bill) will DJ and Prisoners will play a set. This show is just the latest - check it (and them) out!
Friday, August 14th - (Matt) - Former Faith No More lead singer Chuck Mosley celebrates the release (finally!) of his new solo CD Will Rap Over Hard Rock For Food with a CD release show at the Beachland. This CD has been literally 10 years in the making - I've moved three times and been a part of two different radio shows during the time span that this thing has been in the works! We can claim Chuck as one of Cleveland's own - he's been living here for over a decade, and is a generally awesome dude. Speaking of awesome, my good high school pals Red Giant will be opening the gig, and will assure that everyone in attendance at the Beachland leaves with just a little bit less hearing than they came with. There's a great cover story in this week's Scene Magazine with the entire story behind the making of the new Mosley disc - check it out here.
Saturday, August 15 - (Matt and CB) - The Cedar-Lee's cult film series gets even awesomer than usual with this weekend's screening of ... The Lost Boys. I fucking love that movie. During the day, check out Great Lakes Brewery's Burning River Fest OR the puppy love fundraiser at Happy Dog featuring performances by Coffinberry, Uno Lady, and Mother Country Madmen - proceeds benefit a number of local animal rescue shelters. Click here for more information.
Saturday, August 15 -(Matt) - As much as I endorse The Lost Boys screening above, there's no way that I'll be missing the Cleveland debut of Chickenfoot - Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony, and Chad Smith, at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The show is free, and you can get tickets via WNCX, who I assume are giving them away via on-air giveaways. Considering that tickets for this show are a wee bit expensive in every other market, you really can't pass up this riff-tastic opportunity. Mark this one down as the day that Cleveland caught a break and 1) didn't get skipped in the tour routing, and 2) actually got a hella good deal on the ticket price!
Click here for the complete weekly rundown from CB!
View CommentsNew Music: Cracker, Jenny Owen Youngs
Written by: Matt Wardlaw
Hello kids,
Thought I would spotlight briefly, a couple of things that have been in my ears this past week.
First, a few links of interest for your enjoyment:
Leading up to the Rock Hall induction ceremonies, I've been talking Metallica with my former radio comrade Chris Akin and Cleveland Scene's D.X. Ferris. The first installment can be found on Scene's newly re-born C-Notes Music Blog here.
Also on the Scene site, Anastasia Pantsios shares details from the opening night of Blue Arrow Records and Books. As one that doesn't really enjoy the opening night crush, (unless it is Van Halen or Springsteen,) I haven't been yet myself, but it's on the schedule for this week!
My buddy Ryan has a chance for you to win the new live CD and DVD from Stevie Nicks. Get your name in the hopper by going here! Smashing!
The Lemonheads covers record that was scheduled for release late last year, is finally scheduled for June.
Michael Penn talks about a lot of things during a SXSW interview, including a total flashback to the days of Hypercard!
Locally, Don Henley spent 20 minutes on the phone with Bill Lewis/WNCX, the day before the Eagles concert at Quicken Loans Arena. After the show, my good pal Bear posted a great recap on his Cleveland Rock and Roll website.
Finally, I'm quite stoked to read about a two CD "legacy" edition that is on the way for the classic Lenny Kravitz album Let Love Rule. I want one.
Cracker have more than just a little bit of sneaky nature bundled inside the works of the Cracker machine. They have this knack for dropping new Cracker albums on the unsuspecting music fan, seemingly from out of nowhere. Such is the case with Sunrise in the Land of Milke and Honey (pre-order from Amazon,) the new Cracker album that will be released on May 5th. I believe Cracker have at least one more great album in the tank, and while this isn't it, it is DAMN good.
Continuing the solid groundwork laid by Greenland (2006) (purchase), Sunrise is the no-bullshit straight up rock record that music fans have been waiting for. Blasting through 11 tracks in under 40 minutes, Lowery spits out rapid-fire lyrics that are signature Lowery.
From the album opening "Yalla Yalla" (I had a girl, Nantucket Massachusetts. She had a lisp, but man her ass was perfect,) to "I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right" (Don't you look down in that hole, cause the devil come out, and keep you for his own,) Lowery really brought his A-game on this album. Cracker axeman Johnny Hickman spreads his unmistakable guitar licks all over Sunrise, and grabs a solo writing credit with "Friends" (Well, I'd never sleep with your ex-girlfriend, even if she starts to flirt with me again,) one of the finer tracks on the album.
Cracker reeled in a ton of special guests for this album, including John Doe (vocals on "Shine a Light,") and a slew of special guests for "Darling One," which features Kevn Kinney (Drivin' n' Cryin',) Adam Duritz and David Immergluck (Counting Crows,) and singer-songwriter Shannon Worrell, to name a few. Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey is the band's first album for new label 429 Records, and hopefully we'll get to see some full-band shows supporting the new album, if we're lucky.
BEST TRACKS:
"Yalla Yalla"
"Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out With Me" (the first single) (download)
"Friends"
"I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right"
"Hand Me My Inhaler"
BONUS LISTENING:
"Something You Ain't Got" (download) from Greenland
ADDITIONAL HOMEWORK:
Greenland (2006) (purchase)
Gentleman's Blues (1998) (purchase)
The Golden Age (1996) (purchase)
Kerosene Hat (1993) (purchase)
Cracker official website
Cracker on the Live Music Archive
My apparent love for potty-mouth female singers led me to the music of Jenny Owen Youngs via "F*ck Was I" from Batten The Hatches, an album I bought via Itunes on a whim, after hearing the track from a friend. Youngs' Nelly cover of "Hot in Herre" was an additional purchase I had to make while hanging out at Itunes. Some of you might be familiar with Youngs, from hearing "F*ck Was I" on the hit television program (just wanted to use those three words to sound like "announcer guy nerd") Weeds, a spotlight slot that ultimately helped score Youngs a record deal with Nettwerk. If you missed all of that stuff....well, that's a shame - but now's a great time to catch up!
New Jersey-born Youngs is about to release her second album Transmitter Failure on May 26th, produced by Dan Romer (Ingrid Michaelson, April Smith, The Woes.) Her earlier work is more acoustic-based, and Transmitter Failure will flesh that sound out for the first time with a multitude of instruments including keys, horns, digital drum tracks, flute, glockenspiel, and even a full string section on some tracks. For those that are anxious to hear the new album, (me! me! me!) Youngs will preview the new album with an EP release, Led To The Sea on April 7th.
Youngs shares the following info regarding the new album:
“I wanted to make something that would move people emotionally, but also move them physically. I did not want to end up touring for another three years on a record that wouldn't offer people the opportunity to move. So. Dan and I set out to make something that was, quite simply, more fun to play live. In the process, my writing took turns I didn't expect.”
Dig that. Jenny Owen Youngs will hit the road for a tour with Jukebox The Ghost that goes all over the place with sadly, no tour date for me here in Cleveland. But for the rest of you, check here to see if Jenny is coming to your neck of the woods!
Here's the title track from Led To The Sea, for your enjoyment. Hope you enjoy it - it's my favorite thing that I've heard this week!
Jenny Owen Youngs - Led To The Sea
BONUS LISTENING:
(video)
ADDITIONAL HOMEWORK:
Purchase Batten The Hatches from Amazon - CD or MP3
Jenny Owen Youngs on Twitter
Jenny Owen Youngs on Myspace
View CommentsHey Cleveland! Here are the details for Record Store Day at Music Saves + Black Sabbath vinyl details + more!
Written by: Matt Wardlaw
I made my way over to Music Saves on Thursday night to pick up a couple of things: They had ordered Ready For The Flood per my request, the newish album from principal Jayhawks members Mark Olson and Gary Louris.
Ready For The Flood is the first new studio album from the duo since Olson's 1995 departure from the 'Hawks, and was produced by Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes. The album was released overseas late last year and finally got a U.S. release earlier this year via New West Records, who added a couple of bonus tracks to the U.S. release. One of those bonus tracks in particular would make Ready For The Flood worth the purchase alone, even if the rest of the disc was blank. "Precious Time" is a fan favorite originating on the "Mystery Demos" compilations from the 80s/90s that have been circulated in trading circles over the past few year, and now is finally available on Ready For The Flood. Hell yeah.
As for the album? Oh, it's fantastic. Hopefully you caught the pair on Letterman, and if you missed that, here's the video for your viewing pleasure. Olson/Louris are on the road right now as we speak, and just played a showcase at SXSW. Go catch 'em if they're in your neck of the woods....and when you see them, tell them to get their asses to Cleveland or anywhere in Ohio for a show!
PS - I've been telling everyone I know to pick up the Gary Louris solo album Vagabonds, also produced by Robinson and released last year. It's a great companion piece, and one of my favorite records from 2008.
I also picked up Oohs and Aahs from Say Hi (To Your Mom,) which came out a few weeks ago. The internet sez:
Written and recorded in the home studio of critically acclaimed Seattle via Brooklyn via los Angeles DIY icon Eric Elbogen, Oohs & Aahs is an extraordinary and consistently witty album of dimly lit indie rock fables that ponder many hues of gloom, lust and inevitability and beauty of imperfection. Even for fans of Elbogens past work, it's a marvel of modern post-pop.
Indeed. I took a listen to this one on the listening station at Music Saves, and was sucked in by the 80s-esque synths that are sprinkled throughout Oohs & Aahs. Additionally, I'm a sucker for one-man-band kinda things, and Say Hi certainly fills the bill on that one.
Fun fact: I was actually searching for something new with female vox to listen to, and came away with Say Hi instead. Those damn synthesizers will get me everytime.
Stop in at Music Saves and take a copy home for yourself.....tell 'em that Addicted to Vinyl sent you, and I'm sure they'll give you some sort of discount, and hopefully they'll give me a free Dr. Pepper. Or a picture with Vinyl the Cat. Or both.
Here is a song sample for your listening pleasure:
Say Hi - Maurine
If you want some good humor, read the "un-FAQ" on the Music Saves website. I like this one:
Do you guys have an indie rock section?
Someone actually asked this once after looking around for 20 minutes. We’re not sure what he meant by indie rock. We only have 2 sections: New and Used.
Record Store Day at Music Saves:
Got the official email update from Music Saves with the rundown on their planned offerings for Record Store Day. If you're not on their email list already, sign up now!
RECORD STORE DAY 2009 – FULL(ish) DETAILS
Saturday, April 18, noon-11pm at MUSIC SAVES!
Other places on the street are working on stuff for that day, too, so spend the day on Waterloo! Details TBA!AT MUSIC SAVES:
10% off entire purchase when you come in wearing an indie record store t-shirt
Grab bags of CD mystery – super cheap!
Goody bags for all!
An array of fabulous prizes
Diorama contest!The prize is a $100 gift certificate to MUSIC SAVES! The TEAM will pick the winner! Your diorama must be music themed! Yes, it must be created inside a shoebox! DIORAMA DEADLINE IS 10pm, Thursday, April 16!
(If anyone has spare shoeboxes lying around the house, please drop them off at the store for those who are shoebox-less!)OUT store performances from:
THE VERY KNEES
TROUBLE BOOKS
BRIAN STRAW
(Times TBA)
Here is the list of releases for RSD – the ones we will have. It’s ridonk. Seriously – 52 lines worth of ridonk below.
There will be limited quantities of (almost) everything. We are trying to get enough to go around, but if there is something you can’t live without, you best get here early in the day. Last year, the eager peeps were standing outside our door when we opened. We will not be providing security, beers, or Snuggies® if you want to camp out overnight.
FULL DETAILS OF THIS LIST (or as much as we have to offer) WILL BE POSTED ON OUR WEBSITE EARLY NEXT WEEK!!AKRON FAMILY LIMITED 7”
BLACK KIDS LIMITED 7”
BLITZEN TRAPPER LIMITED 7”
CAMERA OBSCURA LIMITED 7”
LEONARD COHEN LIMITED 7”
COLD WAR KIDS LIMITED Live CD
ELVIS COSTELLO 7”
CURSIVE/LADYFINGER LIMITED 10”
DEAD WEATHER LIMITED 7”
DECEMBERISTS LIMITED 7”
DEPECHE MODE LIMITED 7”
DR.DOG/FLOATING ACTION LIMITED 7”
BOB DYLAN LIMITED 7”
FLAMING LIPS/BLACK KEYS LIMITED 7”
FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS LIMITED 7”
GREEN DAY Dookie LP
GRIZZLY BEAR LIMITED 7”
GUIDED BY VOICES Hold on Hope LIMITED LP
IRON AND WINE LIMITED Live CD
JANE’S ADDICTION LIMITED 7”
JANE’S ADDICTION Nothing’s Shocking & Ritual De Lo.. LPs
JESUS LIZARD LIMITED 7” box set
JENNY LEWIS (with Elvis Costello) LIMITED 7”
LYKKI LI/EL PERRO DEL MAR LIMITED 7”
MAGNOLIA ELECTRIC CO. LIMITED 7”
MC5 LIMITED 7”
METRIC LIMITED 7”
MODEST MOUSE LIMITED 7”
MY MORNING JACKET Live CD/LP
NEW ORDER LIMITED 7”
OBITS LIMITED 7”
PAVEMENT Live in Germany 12”
RADIOHEAD vinyl singles
SILVERSUN PICKUPS LIMITED Pikul 12”
SMITHS LIMITED 7”
SONIC YOUTH/BECK LIMITED 7”
SONIC YOUTH/JAY REATARD LIMITED 7”
CHARLES SPEARIN (Broken Social Scene) 12”
REGINA SPEKTOR Begin to Hope LP
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN LIMITED 7”
STOOGES LIMITED 7”
TALKING HEADS Talking Heads: 77 LP
THERMALS/THAO LIMITED 7”
THESE ARMS ARE SNAKES/RUSSIAN CIRCLES LIMITED 12”
VETIVER LIMITED 7”
TOM WAITS LIMITED Live 7”
WHISKEYTOWN LIMITED 7”
WILCO DVD
YEAH YEAH YEAHS It’s Blitz LP
NEIL YOUNG Live 1968 LP
VARIOUS THRILL JOCKEY Records Toreism LIMITED LP+zines
VARIOUS This LP Crashes Hard Drives Label Comp LIMITED LPWe told you, it’s RIDONK!
Lots of cool stuff on that list, although I'm bummed to hear that the Wilco vinyl reissues have been bumped to June. I guess that makes my day a little bit less expensive - count me in for that there Wilco live DVD!
Speaking of Vinyl:
On the heels of my recent update about the new album from Heaven & Hell (*cough* Black Sabbath *cough*) The Devil You Know, I discovered via the fine folks over at the Steve Hoffman music forums that all of the Dio-era Black Sabbath stuff has been freshly reissued on vinyl. Get your mitts on Heaven & Hell, Mob Rules, Live Evil, and Dehumanizer by clicking on the linkity-links (which benefit your friends here at Addicted to Vinyl) or visit your favorite local retailer.
It's nice to see that they are reasonably priced too, at 17 bucks a pop (Live Evil is 23 bucks, since that's a double disc affair.) Wish that more labels would get the memo on how cool that is!
More more more! A new record (we're talkin' vinyl here!) store for Cleveland!
The following details were also within the info-loaded chock-full-of-musical-nutrients-that-taste-better-than-Spam-from-the-local-7-11 newsletter from Music Saves:
BLUE ARROW RECORDS AND BOOKS OPENS ON MARCH 26, next THURSDAY, at 7pm!
Pete and Debbie, former owners of Renaissance Parlour and partners in This Way Out and damn cool folks, are opening this store right down the street from us, past Shoparooni, cross the side street, and it’s next to Low Life Gallery, in the building with the blue arrow on it!
They’ll feature quality used LPs, 45s, and 78s from the 1950’s to the present, in a range of musical styles. They’ll also have magazines, t-shirts, furniture, and other cool merchandise.
The floor is covered entirely with vintage album covers. IT – IS – AWESOME!
AND they have a stage that will be used for performances and DJ events! DJs will be spinning all day during the Waterloo Arts Fest on June 27th!
We couldn’t be more excited to have these guys join our little Waterloo family, and we hope you’ll show them some love by stopping in sometime soon!
FYI – WATERLOO WILL HAVE A TOTAL OF 3 RECORD STORES WHEN THIS PLACE OPENS! WELCOME TO CLEVELAND’S VINYL DISTRICT!
That's enough for now, right?
Right.
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