Editor’s Note:

Hello all,

I’m sitting here this morning, reading my copy of the Beverly Cleary classic Ramona Quimby, Age 8.  My choice of reading material ties into CB’s show of the week pick for this week…..kinda.  Actually, not at all – I really just wanted to stop by and apologize for the lateness of this week’s post – it’s been a busy week here at ATV HQ!

Dear ATV readers,

I can’t tell you how happy I am right now, as I type this. I just returned from the Buffalo Wing Festival I endorsed on these virtual pages this time last week and now I get to endorse a live performance this week of what is, without a doubt, the very clear front-runner for the Cleveland Bachelor Album of the Year award, Ramona Fall’s Intuit.

Ramona Falls is the stage/recording name that indie rock virtuoso Brent Knopf (better known for his role in the Portland trio, Menomena). I’ve long admired Knopf’s work in the band and have been looking forward to this solo album for as many months at Kevin at Music Saves has been telling me about its existence.

I nearly wet myself with excitement when a rep at Knopf’s label, Barsuk Records, sent me over an advance copy and ever since have been telling anyone and everyone (often multiple times to the point of obnoxiousness) how wonderful it is), and since the album was released on August 18th, I’m pleased to report that every single person who took my advice and picked up a copy (or downloaded one) has reported back that I was indeed right. Pop culture criticism provides the very sweetest kind of “I told you so” moments.

I think my esteem for this record and the performer responsible for it is by this point clear, so I’ll leave you with the following. Here is a link to my lengthy review of the album last month as posted on Citizen Dick and links to a pair of youtube videos I found of Knopf and his background players performing my two favorite tracks on Intuit, “Melectric” and “Diamond Shovel.” Unfortunately, the dude who posted them disabled the ability to embed them directly on the ATV page.  (Editor’s note:  Nice going, dick!)

See you at the Beachland Tavern on Saturday, September 12th!

CB

PS – If it helps seal the deal, the band in the ballroom that same night is none other than Polka Floyd.  That’s right, a polka troupe from Chardon providing their very own tribute to Syd Barrett and co.

(Editor’s note:  Other Girls and The Modern Electric are also on the Ramona Falls bill…for only 8 bucks?  Hell yeah!)

Other Picks From ATV:

Saturday, September 12th – (Matt) – Now That’s Class is going to melt on Saturday night with a reunion gig from Amps II Eleven, featuring support from The Hot Rails, Cobra Verde (featuring alleged ATV reader Ed Sotelo in their lineup, poor bastards,) Little Sister, and Proctologists.

Sunday, September 13th – (CB) – Ra Ra Riot/Maps & Atlases at the Grog Shop.  Great double bill/chance to see two great bands in the wonderfully intimate confines of the Grog.  P.S. – They have beer there.

Tuesday, September 15th – (Matt) – Former Black Flag leader and SST Records mainman Greg Ginn brings two of his projects to the Beachland Tavern for a low-dough gig.  Prior to the Beachland show, Addicted to Vinyl and Broken Headphones present a free in-store performance with Ginn at Blue Arrow Records at 7pm featuring a set from Greg Ginn and the Taylor Texas Corrugators, followed by your chance to meet and greet with Greg Ginn!

Friday, September 18th – (Matt) – For those of ya’ll that dig tribute band fun, the 80s tribute Mega 80’s is quite a good time, as Mel and I discovered when we attended their last performance at the House of Blues.  They busted out a couple of relative obscurities – D. Mode’s “Just Can’t Get Enough” and “A Little Respect” by Erasure, come to mind.  We also had fun figuring out how much of the performance was live from track to track, and the players in Mega 80’s are just as cheesy as you would expect them to be.  They’re back at the House of Blues next Friday (9/18) and are worth the trip out of the house.

Click here for the complete rundown from CB, a list that we’re pretty sure contains no tribute band endorsements.  And if you’d like to feel hungry and envisious, all at the same time, make sure that you check out his recap of the Buffalo Wing Festival!