Karaoke, Cavs Party at Mr. Peabody's Pub

It's been 17 weeks I have been doing this thing.  It has been one hell of a ride thus far honestly.  I have been to multiple venues, restaurants and have seen a fair share of the local Cleveland talent out there.  I imagine in this time I have drank upwards of 150 beers and or shots in that time.  I have had some incredible food and have seen some great bands.  I got picked up by The Cleveland Independent to write some shit for them too and that was a great thing too.  I have met countless people who follow the blog or really dig what I do.  I put this small little dent in the independent Cleveland community and people are taking notice.  I have been contacted for a Cleveland Magazine article.  I have pissed off some bands, but I have made some great contacts and friends as well who are musicians, Bar owners, booking folks, artists, restaurant people and just fans of Cleveland.

I have this blog thing where I pretty much tell everyone who wants to know where I will be any given weekend night yet I still get asked what are you doing this weekend.  That honestly is pretty fucking annoying.  I do this for a reason.  It is so people will actually read the Godforsaken thing.  It just screams to me.  Hey Jason...I seriously don't read your blog.  I have alienated people a bit doing this thing but for everyone I have alienated I replaced with more interesting people in my life.  Some of my old friends dig what I am doing, some have this hidden animosity towards it, others don't get it, others are possibly jealous of it somewhat.  Why, I have no idea.  I just want to go out there and have some fun.   

My cohort in crime, Mrs. 52 Weeks of Cleveland, stopped asking "is anyone coming out?" about a month ago because after countless disappointments, no shows, and hearing shit like he'll only go to things he plans, so I said fuck it.  I'm just going out to have fun.  You want to come along for the ride please feel free.  You want to check out some great bands, and new bars?  Let's go I am down.  So I have turned folks on to people like DJ Kishka, Scoliosis Jones, Whiskey Daredevils, Schwartz Brothers, Heelsplitter, Jack Fords.  Or to bars like the Beachland, Prosperity, Bar Symon, Smedley's and the Happy Dog.  I make mistakes.  I make them all the time but thus far for 2010 me and this wonderful city are batting 1000.  I have yet to be out anywhere and shake my head and say wow that was stupid, or man that sucked.  If Cleveland were a racetrack I would be hanging in the winners circle because it seems like I have picked nonstop winners for the last 17 weeks of doing this.  

The one thing I do love about this city is the fact there is such an eclectic mix of things to do.  Polka , Rock-n-Roll , great food , great beers , good value , Americana , Bluegrass , Art , Theater .  It's all there guys.  The shopping list is pretty much covered kids.  I can find anything I am looking for within that famous "20 minutes" of wherever I might be.  I support anyone and every place I go.  I even support the bands I might have been somewhat critical on.  You are out there doing it.  You are the scene and making this entire ride of mine possible.  I respect you like you would not believe.  I want people to go out and check out the local independent bands, bars, clubs, restaurants and businesses.  If I didn't want you to succeed I wouldn't be trying stuff like this Guerrilla Barfare thing I got going on Saturday.  

Yeah, Saturday night I picked this random bar in the city of Cleveland.  It's on the outskirts of town.  It is never packed and I want to load the place for just that one night.  I want them to make some cash and show them that yes indeed the people of Cleveland actually do give a shit and they can come together to give you a night to remember.  I picked Mr. Peabody's over at 4967 Pearl Road.  I have no ties to them.  I have no hidden agenda other than to make their night.  The rub?  As great of an idea I hear this is I can't get people to go.  Maybe I am lacking the street cred or something or maybe people are afraid of karaoke.  I know there are folks playing in bands that night that can't make it out.  That is understandable.  I know the Cavs are playing that night too but what does it matter what flat screen TV you are watching it on that night?  Frankly I will be glad if they turn the sound down at the bar for the karaoke.  The commentators are either sound like idiots or assholes.  All they do is piss me off most of the time.  Who knows maybe they won't start until after the game.  

So the thing is this.  I stopped having party like things after my disastrous birthday party last year when I hired on the talents of a couple local bands to play Now That's Class and only a handful of people showed up.  Then I tried again for New Years and again that was lackluster.  I loved the folks that came out, but at the same time you ask 100 and you get 10.  It's a horrible ratio.  There are a small handful of folks that come out to a lot of the stuff I do.  I appreciate them for that.  It's always a good time.  However it seems the more important it is to me the more people show their apathy.  I'm not trying to change the world or feed starving kids here.  I am not trying to torture people either yet you would think I was asking for an organ donation.  Hey guys I want you to come out and have a good time and share in this incredible thing I got going here.  Stop acting like I am trying to pull your teeth out while I punch you in the balls.  It just bugs me is all that people are afraid to try something out of the norm.  If it sucks, you fucking leave.  It really is just that simple.  17 weeks I have been doing this, not once have I said it sucks and left.  Well...almost if you don't count that horrible U2 and Elton John bullshit at the House of Blues.  It's not about the bar, or band.  It is about the company you keep while you are there.  That being said I hope to see you out Saturday so I can feel like a rock star this time around and make this Peabody cat some cash.                

Edison's, good beer, so-so pizza and Revolutionary jazz

Yeah this one is going to be short.  I honestly didn't stay very long.  I stayed long enough for a couple beers, a slice of pie and about 5 songs.  Edison's used to be the hip hang out years ago when the Tremont area was just starting to make a name for itself.  It has stood its ground serving up a great beer selection without ever changing much.  Local artists work lines the walls of the narrow corridor-esque back dining area.  Not very good artwork this time around mind you.  Reproductions of old vintage postcard blown up selling for $295 is not really art to me kids.  I'll just buy new postcards at Hopkins 5 for a buck.  The asking price on them makes me want to frame my stuff for a show and give people a bargain.  There is a pool table in the back with minimal room to really shoot but still gets a bit of action and a patio out back that is comfortable during the warm spring and summer months.

I have been reluctant to head back over to Edison's because an old school friend blew his brains out in the bar a few years back.  So honestly getting me to Edison's under normal circumstances would have been a difficult task.  Enter, John Kuegeler and the Revolution Brass Band.  John is an old ghost of mine from high school past.  A really good friend from back in the day as a matter of fact.  He tipped me off to his band after coming out to the Nomo show a couple weeks back.  There are 8 folks in the band.  They have horns and drums and that's all they need.  They cover it all from the New Orleans sound to reggae to plain old funky traditional swing.   They are "Cleveland's newest experimental second-line, afrobeat, new jack swing, free-range, certified organic, fully-operational shape-shifting brass band."  Given the fact I still get a little creeped out by Edison's, and I had been going nonstop for 3 days all I could really muster was like an hour.  It wasn't that they were bad or anything.  I thought they were great and aside from the jackass that yelled out for them to play Slayer I would love to see them in larger venue anywhere but Edison's.   

Here's the rub on the Edison's overall experience though and why seeing bands there annoys me a bit.  The bands play in the front room which comfortably seats next to no one or like 20 people tops.  Doesn't matter if there is a 3 piece, 8 piece or 20 piece band in there if you have to take a leak you are actually a part of the band.  The stairs going to the bathroom more or less share the stage with the entertainment.  However they have been making due with it for many years the exact same way and usually have a decent crowd.  The beer selection is incredible.  They have quite a lot of craft brews there.  The food comes from next door, and I think it is a separate thing but still it is called Edison's Pizza Kitchen.  If I was hammered I think I would have liked the pizza more.  It's semi-New York style, thinner crust but way too much sauce on it.  Plus a slice is $2.50.  I think it is a bit much.  The slices aren't like a giant movie style fold over piece you see the Mafia folks eating at the corner pie store.  6 or 8 of them would make a large pie, more like 8 I am thinking.  So you are looking at a $15-$20 pizza here when you do the math that isn't anything to sing about.  Summary:  Great band, great beer, questionable art, so-so pizza, and a weird bathroom situation.         

Scoliosis Jones at the Spitfire 4.24.10

Ahhh Spitfire with your glorious cage you beckon me in once again to see some rock and roll.  The place itself was pretty damn crowded on Saturday night for this show.  It is always great to see that many people coming out especially in the shitty cold weather and rain we had all day.  It was so packed it was hard to really move around too well with the camera, however I did get some great shots.  Drummer shots unfortunately for the Jones band were eclipse by that giant bass.  The Spitfire added a little something-something in an upgrade since I was last there.  Since the vantage point is blocked by the giant beer cooler and some stupid supporting beam (who needs that right?) they put in a camera that hooked to the flat screens they have at the bar.  This baby is pointed right at the stage House of Blues style.  So, you can actually see the show without getting doused in beer like some slutty chick in a wet t-shirt contest or won't have to duck from the occasional angry mosh pit elbow in the gut.  Nice little added touch Spitfire, well fucking played.

So, I got to say this first and foremost.  The opening act the Hellbound Grifters had a lot of support in the crowd.  A lot of hooting and hollering done by family members doesn't mean you got it down to a science just yet.  I will say this last time I saw them they had no PA and were playing straight from amps, and they didn't have a bass player either.  The sound from that show was night and day.  You could tell they had done some work since then to polish up for this show.  If I am not mistaken this was their first real gig.  I could be 100% wrong but let's just go with that.  I get what they are doing, and they are having a shit load of fun up there.  But...you knew that was coming.  The guitar was really out of tune and they were all off a bit at times.  It just wasn't 100% gelling for me at times.  What they lacked in that blended sound they made up for in enthusiasm for what they were there to accomplish, which was rocking that fucking place out.  I don't think the Spit has monitors so part of it could have been not hearing the mix right.  I am not sold on them yet but I think in time they could have their shit together.  

The Randy Rhodes guitar however I think needs to go.  If you are ballsy enough to play that fucking thing you need that shit tuned up right from note 1.  I think Vince has the swagger to pull that off but looks ain't shit if you can't deliver on it.  The vocals were decent, and as much of a fan everyone else was of the Johnny Cash cover I just wasn't into it.  Jake, the Bass player was actually keeping up pretty well and the drummer Levi was pretty good on his kit.  So you ask did I like it?  I sure am criticizing the fuck out of these guys honestly, but with practice and a few more gigs under their belts they are going to turn out alright in time.  Just don't rush it, tune the guitar off the bat and bring what you brought to the table Saturday only slow it down.  The adrenaline rush of the packed house had a lot to do with them being somewhat off.  I'd like to see these cats again in like 3 months time.  I have no doubt that they actually do have the swagger to rule that stage.  Hints of some good stuff were in there Saturday night they just need some practice to put it all together.

Scoliosis Jones, with a new drummer mind you were also a little bit off.  Nothing to do with the drummer.  I thought he did a fine ass job.  Did I dig the show?  Abso-fucking-lutely.  However the between song banter sounded canned a bit, but the rock was still there at the very least.  I think Singer-Bassist Ty might have been hopped up on 'roids because there was a rage thing going on with him.  At times he came off almost too serious.  The first time I saw these cats they were laughing and having a good time.  I didn't think the hillbilly drummer added anything to the mix in the old line up so with him out I was actually kind of pleased.  A.C. Jones looked like trucker Elvis, it was a great look with those shades.  For not being with them for too long I would have sworn he was with them for years.  But like I said there was some element of the "just having fun playing some rock and roll music for some fans" was lacking.  It lost some spontaneity from the last show.  It was a bit stiff is what I am getting at here.

I think the Spitfire has a decent enough sound system but without floor monitors and being used to hearing the mix would throw anyone off.  I think it threw both bands off enough to take them off their game a bit.  I think a lot can be said though for the musical ability up there in the Jones family.  Ty knows how to manhandle that bass, Heidi Sue has some decent pipes and Leroy knows how to play that guitar like a champion.  I mean really knows how to play it too.  Watching him in the moment on stage you can tell he is 100% focused on that thing.  So while the openers were too relaxed I think Scoliosis Jones just wasn't relaxed enough at times.  Lesson to learn kids?  Just have fun on stage.  The people that come to see you want to be entertained.  Just get up there, play some rock and roll music and have fucking fun.  Lose the ego, but keep the swagger.  I would rather see a tight band, having a good time up there than the shtick any given night of the week. 

In other news there was this fucking guy.  I understand he goes by the name Drunkin' Art from Stibbs over at Smedley's.  Well maybe he doesn't go exactly by that.  He probably just goes by Art.  So apparently he gets around if he is known miles away at Kamm's Corner.  At first I thought he was the father of one of the kids playing in the Hellbound Grifters because he started yelling at the Drummer like a pissed off T-Ball dad would if his kid didn't hit the ball hard enough.  As a matter of fact he was talking nonstop shit to pretty much anyone that would give him the time of day.  I wasn't even drinking and I wanted to pop the loud mouth in the face.  There is just something about a belligerent drunk acting like an asshole that can spoil an evening for everyone.  Beyond the heckling the guy was smashed to the point he walked like he shit his pants.  I really didn't see him actually drinking so I assume they might have cut the guy off, and if they didn't they should consider it.  Coming from a life working behind the bar a lifetime ago and DJ not so long ago I know what people like that can do to a bar.  It's funny for like a minute then it gets old real quick.  Other than that I had a pretty decent time Saturday at the Spitfire and I still don't like the cage.                       

Cleveland Independents Deck

I just want to hip everyone to the folks running Cleveland Independents.  I seriously could go on and on for what they are doing for the local area food scene however they have done quite a good job of it on their own site.  What I will say is "The Deck" is one of the best values around for people who support local area independent restaurants.  The Deck itself is loaded with 52 different $10 gift certificates (coupons) for a ton of ridiculously incredible local hot spots.  The deck is essentially a deck of playing cards neatly packaged that you can carry around in the car, your purse or pocket.  So for $29.95 you get $520 in discounts to your favorite local restaurants making it much easier to nudge you into trying out that place you heard about from your friends, local area blogger or media source.  

Directly taken from their website  Cleveland Independents:

Imagine being able to save $10 at 52 of your favorite, locally-owned Cleveland Independents restaurants. Each card in The Deck features a $10 special offer from some of Northeast Ohio’s favorite restaurants. No wonder The Deck is ideal for corporate gift-giving or for anyone who loves to explore the area’s many diverse, local flavors.

• Each card features an informative description of the restaurant as well as its special offer
• Each card is a $10 Gift Certificate at the restaurant it describes
• Each card includes the restaurant’s location and phone number.
• Each card is easy to redeem. Present it to your server. It’s that simple!

Terms and Conditions:

• Card valid for one use unless restaurant specifies otherwise
• Valid only when used in conjunction with the purchase of one entrée
• Limit one card per party
• Cards are not accepted on any major holidays including Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve
• Cards may not be used in conjunction with any other offer including Cleveland Independents’ Gift Certificates
• Cards apply solely to the food portion of the bill
• Cards do not include costs for alcohol, tax or gratuity
• Cards are valid through December 30, 2010
• In the event of a restaurant closing or change of ownership, no refunds and/or redemptions will be made

The Wayback Machine

So a friend of mine was playing out last night and an old friend since I was 5 years old had the itch to go out with the wife.  Wonderful lovely people.  The suggestion came out to head down to the Cadillac Ranch.  My friends wife likes to go out and dance and whatnot.  Me, not so much of a dancer.  As a matter of fact one of the last times I recall even dancing was at The Chamber and that at least 10 years ago.  And you know what happened that night?  Well honestly I don't remember much either, however I do remember dancing with some random girl and then out of nowhere just like in the movies my head snaps back a little after someone sucker punched me in the face.  I pretty much laughed it off because it really didn't hurt but it was something out of a dream sequence.  All I remember was shaking it off, laughing a little thinking holy shit I just got jacked in the face.  I soon spotted the little goth fucker running away out the door to make an escape.  

I haven't been back to the Chamber since to my knowledge that wasn't under duress or force, and I didn't go to the Cadillac Ranch either if you are still guessing.  Baby steps might get me to the Cadillac Ranch.  I just don't think I am ready for bull riding, bad music and overpriced cocktails. I just am not a big Friday night person for whatever the reason, but I wanted to have an early night, a little music and hanging with friends.  Back in the day when I was the average age of the clientele of the bar we chose I would hit up Fagan's, The Basement, various bars in the Flats and any one of the bars in the Lakewood area.  I went to a lot of great places when I was in my 20's.  I used to love the Lift, 9 of Clubs-Alter House, Metropolis, Smart Bar pretty much all the hip wannabe hip clubs with doormen and trendsetters.  So to think back and reflect on it I was probably "that guy" back then.  Now I am that old guy or something.   Last night I decided to get nostalgic and went to one of the dumps I used to frequent; Around the Corner in Lakewood.

Well it's not really a dump anymore.  The patio is huge, they expanded the thing into a warehouse space in the back, they have a party room off to another side but the main room looks very much the same minus the rickety chairs and tables.  By the same I mean it still has that rustic looking ugly green wall paper and looks like a Yacht Rock bar.  I never really did ever like to come here to be quite honest when I was younger and I really don't have much intention of going back there as a hey I really want to go to Around the Corner kind of night.  The tree still grows on the outskirts of the patio which I always thought was silly but now I appreciated it as the sole standing reminder of the place I remember.  

The servers were great, I believe ours was named Vanessa and she was attentive and as sweet as pie.  Same with all of the bar staff I came into contact with.  Service is great.  The bar is comfortable and the band was great.  It was Chris Allen and Brent Kirby doing their acoustic kind of thing.  Two incredibly talented musicians up there on stage.  No one was really paying much attention to them though fortunately for folks that wanted to do so.  There were very few people in what once was a packed to capacity room 20 years ago.  I only saw Chris a couple of times jump on stage at a couple other shows but he is a very talented songwriter.  I actually heard him unknowingly on NPR when they were doing a special on The Ohio City Singers Christmas CD.  This cat has worked with folks like Don Dixon and Mitch Easter.  To put that in layman's terms these are the guys behind some of the best records by bands like REM, Counting Crows, and Pavement.  Tonight he worked with Brent Kirby blending together a great Americana set including originals from both of their many releases and covering everyone from Springsteen to Uncle Tupelo.

So where is the problem?   Seems like I had a decent night, right?  Staying in the main original barroom was fine it was anywhere outside that general area I took issue in.  Not because it of the bar itself it was more of a people thing for me.  Old man Jason just wasn't hip to hanging with the much younger crowd.  The last time I saw that many Ed Hardy T's was in the TJ Maxx clearance bin.  The Baby Gap sized shirts on these cats was disturbing to me.  The girls weren't much better and there really is something to be said for some sense of modesty.  It wasn't everyone in the bar but apparently the hip fashion trend for most is looking like that Situation dago and Snooki from the Jersey Shore, which for the record I only watched once, but was well enough for me to understand it.  Most of the people were orange in hue from the fake baking and just had a presence that shouted "Yes, I am a douchebag".  The girls...ah the girls.  Yeah lots of cute girls but the titty popping low cut stuff on some of you was a bit much even for me.  The super short skirts that leave nothing to the imagination I think could have been worn by strippers at The Lido.  Again...old man 52 Weeks of Cleveland just found some of the folks a tad over the top.  

The bathroom...ah yes the bathroom.  There are a couple of them.  The one in the basement is disgusting.  There was piss all over the floor and it is a giant 3 urinal stainless steel troff thing.  It is a hideous metal beast that splashes urine all over the fucking place.  Someone did the honors of puking all over it on one end early on in the night and as the night went on it was never cleaned up.  Beyond the puke it was still disgusting with piss all over the floor.  Just seriously pay better attention to the cleanliness as every so often you might just have a grown adult at your bar in the evening.  So the bathroom is strike 2, the people were strike 1, strike 3 for me was the fact they serve everything, minus bottled beer out of plastic cups.  Seriously Around the Corner folks I am not at some frat party and as an adult I am not coming to your bar to drink in a plastic fucking cup.  I was drinking Tequila rocks, lime.  It does not belong in a plastic cup.  For that matter neither does a pint of Guinness. Fuck it...none of it belongs in a plastic cup.  

Add to the fact I kind of wanted to watch some of the Tribe game they either don't have Fox Sports Ohio there or they couldn't find it on TV either way that was kind of silly.  To end the night off the Bouncer comes through the bar like a deranged maniac with a bull horn shoeing people out like cattle.  Really?  You seriously need a bull horn?  I so wanted to shove that thing straight up the guys ass. Around the Corner is like this training camp for the people who aren't quite ready to take their douchebaggery to the West 6th Street level.  I imagined the Pink Floyd meat grinder from the wall just churning out preprocessed popped collar, orange hued, cleavage popping, 3 sizes too small shirted guys and girls getting them ready to send them out to West 6th.  Do what you are doing Around the Corner, you obviously are making some coin and have a lot of fans.  The place was pretty crowded most of the night.  However, probably not going to get me back in there any time soon.             

Beachland Barn Dance

The Beachland has put a lot of time and effort really trying to grow the local Independent Folk-Americana scene.  They have been booking more and more of underground National acts as well in the genre.  Some completely country and some more of that New Grass sound.  If you check the upcoming acts they have on the concert board right now it is pretty damn impressive.  You have country music legend Wanda Jackson coming May 13th.  The chick is in her 70's and still rocking it out.  Shelby Lynne coming May 5th, Wayne "The Train" Hancock May 19th, Yonder Mountain String Band June 9th, and the an all star line up with Cracker, Horton Heat and Splitlip Rayfield May 16th.  The list of Alt-Country artists coming to the Beachland in the upcoming couple months is amazing.  

Personally I am pretty excited for all these shows just because bands like these rarely used to come to the area.  The closest you could get to country would be the major players that came out to Blossom.  Number one it's not the same thing.  There is a huge difference between the mainstream large venue acts and the ones that play the Beachland.  For years I have been seeing bands like Old 97's, Charlie Louvin, Shooter Jennings and countless others here.  These are bands that have a very dedicated fan base here in the Cleveland area.  It just took a venue like the Beachland to seriously take a huge risk to try getting them here to play Cleveland.  People travel from miles around the area just to get a chance to see some of these folks.  But not only is the Beachland promoting the Outlaw and Alt-country acts they are fostering a growing scene in the area of local acts that played Friday night at the 2nd Beachland Barn Dance.  

The first Barn Dance was such a huge success it was a no brainer to book a 2nd similar show.  As far as value goes presale tickets were $5.00 and the door was $7.00.  So for less than a buck a band you get an entire night of entertainment.  The Barn Dance is more of the whole New Grass genre.  This is old-timey country music that ran the gambit from traditional Appalachian bluegrass folk stylings of One Dollar Hat, Too Far Gone and the Timberwolves to a more hardcore Bluegrass sound of Hoots and Hellmouth and Heelsplitter.  Also on the bill was a band of younger guys from Hiram Ohio the Hiram Rapids Stumblers.  Now I am not saying the other Ohio bands aren't great but The Hiram Rapids Stumblers show the most promise of really being a driving force in this country revival in Cleveland.  

The Stumblers are a group of younger dudes and honestly I don't think they have any idea exactly how good they are.  I am pretty sure they know they are good, but seriously they have no idea they are "that" good, as in you could tour with a national act good.  As you all know me and names...well, I just am not good with them but you got Lester - Fiddle, Banjo, Vocals, Scottie - Guitar, Vocals, Dusty - Upright Bass, Vocals, Jesse - Guitjo, Vocals, Handsome Bruce - Mandolin, Jay - Slide Guitars, Banjo.  They really handle their instruments with more skill than their youth might lead you to believe.  They have a great professional sound but one thing I would like to see is more of the eye contact while playing in that circle.  It's kind of like at times they are just playing solo with a bunch of other guys around them.  So less looking at the instruments and more focus on each other.  I think it's just polish at this point for them because they still sound incredible.  All the vocals were pretty damn good, and instrumentation was pretty close to flawless.  Throw in an accordion in this thing and I would be all set. 

It was kind of a double headliner thing with Hoots and Hellmouth and Heelsplitter.  Both bands step away from the more traditional bluegrass sound.  Bluegrass on amphetamines maybe?  The first up was Hoots, a 4-piece outfit for Philly PA.  They run the gambit from soulful country ballads to high energy foot stomping countrified anthems.  When I say stomping I literally mean it.  They play on these mini stage boards that are mic'ed up and have tambourines attached to them that they stomp on to create a backing beat for most of their songs.  They put on a longer set than the opening bands clocking in at just over maybe 45 minutes.  Frontman duties are pretty evenly split between Sean Hoots and Andrew "Hellmouth" Gray.  Hoots looks like the live version of a young Kris Kringle from the old Christmas special A Year Without a Santa Claus.  He is highly animated on stage dancing a gyrating like he is possessed by the soul of the music that comes out of his mouth and guitar.  "Hellmouth" Gray is more subdued but is quite the balladeer himself.  Rounding off the band were Rob Berliner on  mandolin and vocals and John Branigan on the bass. 
   

Heelsplitter ended the night with a high energy set.  The Splitters are a multi-instrumentalist 4 piece from Cleveland consisting of Baggins - Banjo, Dr. Hoople - Guitar, Klaus - Mandolin and Kicker - Guitar.  All share duties with vocals and slapping around on a homemade one stringed weed wacker monstrosity of a bass aptly named Frankenbass.  They started out on the stage and ended up doing an all acoustic final couple songs on the Ballroom floor. Heelsplitter is probably the hardest working band of the line up playing shows pretty frequently in the Cleveland area.  You can find them all over town from The Beachland, to Parnell's or even an occasional stint at Now That's Class.  

It was a great time and pretty decent draw for the Beachland and I am hoping it takes off and becomes a regular thing.  They even had an MC for the evening in Miss Firecracker who entertained the crowd between the sets on her own little personal stage on the floor.  Miss Firecracker sings overtly sexually charged sing-a-longs with themes from pickles to pussy.  No kidding kids and the crowd loves singing along about her pussy cat.  Part singer songwriter and part comedienne she is an absolute blast to check out. So the next time you see the Barn Dance coming back to the Beachland y'all come on down and set a spell.  You will have a good old time and it is very easy on the wallet. 

Brent Kirby & The Shapeshifters + bonus New Soft Shoe

I was late on this whole Jack Fords thing.  The first time I got to see or hear Brent Kirby or any of his many projects was one of my first stops on my 52 Weeks tour at the now defunct Town Fryer for a benefit concert.  I was amazed at the song craftsmanship seeing this cat play solo.  Throw him in front of the Jack Fords and you have pure rock and roll with this hint of an Alt-Country Wilco thing hiding in the background.  Just when you thought they would get more twangy they got more rock.  The talent in the Jack Fords alone is ridiculous to say the least.  

Fast forward a couple weeks later and I check Brent do a solo show again at Brothers lounge.  He was doing quite a lot of the material that would end up on his new CD Last Song on the Soundtrack.  Just a guy and his guitar.  Turn the clock ahead to Thursday April 9th and I had to check out his project he is playing in called The New Soft Shoe; a Gram Parsons tribute band.  To say I was blown away would be an understatement.  Tribute bands in Cleveland are all over the place.  For the most part they are all pretty cliche, and 90% of them are metal. I have even seen a Santana cover band out there which I don't 100% get but that really has nothing to do with where I am heading here.  The Gram Parsons legacy is legendary.  Without him it is doubtful you would have the country twang of some the Stones records, you wouldn't have Emmylou, and Nudie suits never would have happened.  

There are certain things in life you probably shouldn't fuck with.  Live rattlesnakes, red headed girls with crazy eyes and trying to cover Gram Parsons, The Byrds, and The Flying Burrito Brothers come to mind.  Not only does The New Soft Shoe pull it off they also do it with respect and true homage to the man himself.  We aren't talking greatest hits material here.  We are talking about the entire Gram Parsons library.  They don't just do it well these guys absolutely 100% nail it.  I did my homework this time folks.  The band consists of Brent Kirby on guitar and vocals, Al Moss on Pedal Steel from Hillbilly Idol, Jon Niefeld on drums from such bands as The Rembrandts (yeah the Friends theme folks), Tom Prebish on bass from Bar Flies and Boys From County Hell, and Andy Leach who is somewhat of a mystery man band history-wise.  Put them together in one group and you have one hel of a line up.  Throw in one other cat named Adam Constantine on Keys and this is also the line up for the Shapeshifters.

It is always nice to be pleasantly surprised by a band.  It's even better to be surprised twice by virtually the same band.  When I heard solo release I just thought like a solo set, a guy and his guitar.  I knew nothing of this Shapeshifter business.  So since these two shows happened back to back last week rather than focus in on the tribute show which you honestly have to see to believe I think the Last Song on the Soundtrack release show is what you need to know about.  First off, the CD itself is amazing, go buy one.  It is not just full of twangy pop songs either.  It's the kind of shit you see VH1 Storytellers.  Songs with meaning and purpose.  There are songs in here if it was 1989 that I would put on girls mix tapes to try to win the affection of a young lady.  What do I liken it to in this decade that the kids would understand?  Pop songs with catchy hooks, incredible instrumentation and lyrics with actual soul.

The show itself was at a packed Happy Dog.  Imagine that, me at the Happy Dog?  The opener was Doug McKean, front man for The Boys From County Hell.  He did a great short set and is well worth checking him out beyond The Pogues Tribute he pulls off so well.  I think I actually pissed him off asking for a Pogues song but oh well.  I had to ask, he does Shane MacGowan better than Shane MacGowan does and all with nice teeth.  He sings and plays guitar solo singing some great roots style Americana songs.  He was joined on stage with Brent for a couple tracks and Sorca McGrath who hail from Dublin Ireland. Sorca had an incredible voice.  He was a great warm up for what was too come, and very talent songwriter himself.  

After seeing the New Soft Shoe the night before from a musician standpoint I knew what I was in for.  I however didn't expect what was delivered.  It was a flawless show.  The crowd was into it and the band was eating it up never missing a hook.  The band itself was incredibly talented.  I can't say there is one single standout performer at all.  Every single one of them added something to the mix in this ensemble.  I have never seen a Pedal Steel played live before and there is something eerily haunting about the sound of that instrument.  It is melodic and completely unmistakable in sound, and Al Moss played that thing well.  When it is singled out in the mix it takes you back to a 70's honky tonk listening to songs about trains, drinking and the girls that broke your heart.  It does not look like an easy instrument to master.  Just setting this thing up looked like putting a tent together with all of its stakes, pedals, parts and pieces.  It is an instrument that requires an intense about of focus and Al owned that thing all night.

Ok...Andy Leach ladies and gentlemen.  Holy shit.  To say he is animated playing his guitar is an understatement.  The way he plays his guitar makes you think quite possibly he was born with it in his hands.  His skills playing lead or rhythm make me wonder why in the world I have not seen more of him in the area.  He is really into playing.  It is like he hears every single note he hits.  There are times he gets into this trance like state playing this thing that I don't even know if he remembers that he is actually playing in a band.  You'll catch him smiling when he is on and it sounds good, and then there are times he plays that thing like he is taming some wild stallion breaking the notes into submission until they come out perfect.  When that happens he gets this quizzical look on his face that says holy shit did I really make that noise come out of this thing?  It's as if his hands are somehow a part of the guitar, like some mad music scientist fused his hands to the thing to make these amazing sounds come out of his amp.  

The beats were kept going by Niefeld who never missed one.  He was on fire the entire night with this Charlie Watts-esque mellow thing going on.  Understated in the background, smiling yet serious he kept rocking his kit the entire night.  Tom Prebish himself has a great voice doing a lot of the back up duties as he manhandles his bass most of the night pounding out the grooves like it's nothing.  He had this smugness to his playing that said oh yeah, this thing?  I play a little...and play it well he does.  The only cat that wasn't with the Soft Shoe when I saw them was Adam Constantine.  He is a great keyboardist who was able go from honky tonk player to absolutely rocking the thing out on certain songs slapping those plastic ivories like he owned his corner of the stage.  There were a couple guest musicians up there with Chris Allen doing a couple songs on the guitar and Matt Charboneau on bass who plays on the CD release.

Kirby...I have said a lot about Brent in previews reviews.  He is a talented entertainer who is comfortable on the stage.  You can tell he is proud of the CD he put out, and he has every right to be.  He is an incredible Songwriter and it is proven in his live performance and on Last Song On the Soundtrack.  All the while being 100% professional on the stage he smiles and genuinely loves what he is doing up there.  His respect for the musicians he plays with on and off that stage is legendary in the area.  He respects those in the Cleveland music community from the bar owners, folks that book him to play and his fans.  Even I got a shout out at the show and to my surprised got a decent amount of applause.  I am still not completely comfortable with my D-list celebrity but honestly it is nice to be recognized by someone up there that is actually out there playing bars and clubs 4 or 5 nights a week at times.  

His artistry those last couple nights as a Frontman was spot on.  First off with The New Soft Shoe he can pull off Gram Parsons.  As a long time Parsons fan knowing this is as close I could ever get to hear Parsons music live and I was beyond impressed at his command over the vocals.  I never thought I would hear $1,000 Wedding ever done live or Ooh Las Vegas for that matter and done so well for that matter.  He can pretty much pull off anything in that Alt-Country vein of music as I have heard him do Son Volt, Tupelo and Wilco pretty damn good too.  His new solo record was the feature of the night though at The Happy Dog and it really is a great piece of work.  Well worthy picking up when you check him out next time he is playing in his many musical incarnations.  He is a Roots and Americana singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist that writes incredible songs that capture the heart and soul of life inside or outside of Cleveland.  These are road songs, love songs, and pop songs that run the gambit of emotion.  He is a storyteller with a guitar plain and simple.  

The CD is reminiscent of the blue collar Midwest.  It's pretty raw without sounding gritty, yet not overproduced at all.  There are the heartstrings tugging ballad-esque cuts like Somewhere Down the Line, honky tonk sounding cuts like Don't Cry For Me, and introspective catchy Dylan-esque pop tunes like Silently Stepping Out Surreal.  What it really boils down to is Kirby put out a blue collar working mans record that fans will enjoy, but will most likely never get into mainstream airwaves.  I am not saying it shouldn't, not at all and I am sure fame and fortune were not the driving force behind putting this out.  I am saying this is a pioneering record that can pave the ways from the rest of the folks in this Roots Americana Cleveland music scene to follow.  It just proves you can make a good straight forward rock and roll record these days without screaming vocals, and speed metal guitars.  While the band, and the instrumentation is great it's Brent Kirby as a true Midwest American balladeer that shines through on this release.  

There is this new focus in Cleveland on just writing songs these days.  It is artist like all these above mentioned that are changing the landscape of Cleveland Music.  It's the roots thing that has slowly been taking off over the last couple years.  You have everything out there these days from the balls out rock and roll from bands like the Hot Rails, Jack Fords to the rockabilly riots of Scoliosis Jones, Uncle Scratch, Whiskey Daredevils, to the new grass sounds of The Misery Jackals and Heelsplitter.  Even bluegrass is making head waves with bands like One Dollar Hat and The Hiram Rapids Stumblers.  Cleveland has a lot of offer in the realm of music.  It is a tight knit community of bars, clubs, bands and fans.  They all know each other and treat each other with respect, and help each other out.  It's actually a pretty cool scene to be a part of right now, and it was definitely a blast checking out those last couple of Kirby shows.                                                  

Unedited Prosperity Social Club

There are certain things in Cleveland that need a multimillion dollar renovation. Places like Hopkins Airport, the Lake Front, and even the old Coast Guard Station come to mind. Hopkins reminds some visitors of a bus station that allows air travel. The Lake Front is one of the most underutilized waterways in the country. The old Coast Guard Station looks like something out a Scooby Doo mystery cartoon. However there are places in Cleveland that do better without. If you put the Beachland against the House of Blues the Beachland wins on atmosphere alone. Pit the Spitfire against and it's steel cage match of a stage versus somewhere like a Savannah and the Spit leaves it a bloody mess.

The rock and roll I grew up with was never pretty and clean. Rock through the ages for that matter has been dirty and raw. Elvis was proof of that in the 50's, Metal in the 80's, grunge in the 90's, and the rebirth of Independent music in this decade. The polished stuff comes off as fake, and real fans or the connoisseurs, if you will, don't fall for the bullshit. Whenever I hear "Supergroup" it is guaranteed to suck. Over processed in music leads to catchy, campy teenage schlock. Over Processed in the realm of restaurants or venues is just as bad. It is actually kind of depressing to see an old landmark turn into an Applebee's clone. In an attempt to make it look like an old tavern they stock the walls with kitschy old photos, memorabilia, and even go so far as to age the wood to make it appear more rustic. It's a sham and most of the public is easily fleeced.

However there are still bars, nightclubs and restaurants in Cleveland that don't feel the need to make these multimillion dollar upgrades to become more like a Disney themed fun park than what they are. Opening any sort of watering hole is a huge risk. Certain areas of Cleveland have more bars and restaurants per square mile than churches. Yet over the past few years these spots have done just fine without the ginormous wads of cash thrown into them. The aforementioned Beachland and Spitfire come to mind in that regard. Who would have thought a concert venue outside of Collinwood would be going 10 years strong and be the catalyst for the rebirth of the Waterloo area? Who thought a punk rock dive like the Spitfire would drive a spike through the vein of a sleeping music genre? And so the Spitfire begate Now That's Class, and they begate even more small clubs on the west side of Cleveland.

The Happy Dog is another that only took a little spit shine, a unique simple menu and some live music and entertainment to turn it into a viable hipster option. Then there are places like Steve's Lunch and the Hot Dog Inn that essentially didn't do a damn thing and remain standing strong in a horrible economy. Some have not been able to capitalize though like the Phantasy or even have gone by the wayside like the Agora. The Agora however had a nice little shove into the depths of failure due to some bad business dealings with a certain less than scrupulous area promoter. Tremont is a home to many of these old style eateries. Sure they have some high end rehabs out there that work well in the area but they have places like the Lincoln Park Pub and Edison's. What they also have is a hidden gem on the outskirts of the Professor Avenue Tremont hub called Prosperity Social Club.

Prosperity Social Club was born from the ashes of the old Oasis. A tavern that got little to no traffic over the years because of the reputation of being a little on the dumpy side. I can honestly say I had never even went into it when it was the Oasis for that exact reason. Only after a few short years of taking it over Bonnie Flinner has lost the stigma of being a dump and taken on a new one. A much better one as a matter of fact. They serve incredible food, have an excellent beer and wine list and host local entertainment. The bar itself has undergone minimal upgrades since the days of the Oasis. It has the feel of an old German party hall with style. The bar and dining area have rich hardwood accents throughout. The bathrooms are reminiscent of a middle school faculty lounge. The walls are loaded with old school beer memorabilia that work well with the true rustic decor. The main room has a small stage for the mostly acoustic local and national acts to play. The smaller room to the back has retro lounge furniture, dining tables, a real old style bowling machine, a pool table and a tiki hut cabinet that is home to classic board games such as Battleship, Candy Land and a circa 1987 Cleveland Trivia game. Walk outside and you will find an amazingly spacious patio with picnic tables and retro lounge furniture. We are talking those old metal bouncy chairs mom and dad, grandma and grandpa had in the backyard. It's like walking into a time warp of sorts.

I went twice just to take it all in last week. The first was to check out a Canadian country outfit called the Silvertones that Happy Dog Opry DJ Clinton Holley turned me on to the night before. The second night was to check out for myself if the food was as good as everyone said. So Saturday was a night of live music, booze and debauchery then a nice meal Monday on the patio on a perfect Cleveland spring night. Saturday the band was tight. They were a little three piece outfit that did some rockabilly light with a hint of alt-country. All in all a nice double set of some covers and originals that wasn't too loud to not be able to hold a conversation and not to quiet that you couldn't pay attention to the music if you wanted to. I can't call them great because Cleveland has an amazing Americana scene going on now with bands that absolutely blow me away. Beer selection was excellent. They have a few taps with some micros and a nice selection of bottles from Schlitz to Lambic. The shots were strong, mixed drinks were stiff. The wine list is pretty all encompassing but the standout had to be the fresh Sangria as it looked amazing. I just didn't feel like running the triathlon that night. We mostly sat in the back taking it all in that night checking out the crowd, listening to the band, playing a shitload of Cleveland trivia and talking with friends. The staff was friendly and service was very quick even at the peak of the evening.

Monday night for dinner we sat out on the patio. The night was perfect. To say the food was incredible was an understatement. For appetizers we had the Panko Breaded Fried Oysters and Roasted Vegetable Empanadas. Both choices were amazing. The oysters were full of flavor and cooked to perfection and the empanadas were stuffed with cheddar, black bean corn salsa and creole rice. For entrees we tried out the Sausage and Seafood baked Ziti and the Hungarian Stuffed Cabbage. The portions were huge and every bite was full of flavor. I think the standout was the Stuffed Cabbage. These were dense and stuffed with a pork and beef mixture with just a small amount of rice. The Paprikash sauce that covered the Pigs and potatoes was amazing. It was thick, rich and loaded with that Hungarian old world flavor. As I ate this monstrous meal the church bells were ringing out in the distance the Hallelujah Chorus and it became almost spiritual for me. After a meal like that you have only two choices; go into battle or take a nap. No dessert but a couple of drafts, 2 appetizers and two entrees and the bill came to just over $50 and change. It was a value for that price. Old world comfort food, and an old style vibe make Prosperity well worth checking out on my 52 week Cleveland tour.

Beachland Barn Dance Friday

Just wanted to throw out another additional plug for the Beachland Barn Dance Friday night going on in the ballroom.  You can still get tickets now for $5 or pay $7 at the door either way it's a bargain for what you get.  Six bands, well plus Miss Firecracker hosting is always a treat, so you really get 7 bands in total.  That, my friends, is a great deal.  I never have been good on math but you are looking at less than $1.00 a band pre-sale price.  Nonstop entertainment from 8pm until the wee hours of the morning, or when the cows come home but don't ask me my country watch is broken.   

The thing about Cleveland which might shock the outsiders looking in is that we have an incredible growing Americana music scene here.  Hell even as a long time resident of the area I had no idea of the growing underground country scene we had going here until I saw a show a few months ago featuring a string band outfit called One Dollar Hat and a high speed east side bluegrass on speed sounding band called Heelsplitter.  Call it Outlaw Country, Alt-Country, Bluegrass, Folk, Browngrass, Pillbilly or whatever you want this ain't your mama's country.  Some of it might be your great grand mama's country in some cases because the bands are all over the board from traditional Appalachian folk to New Grass.  None the less you will hear some of the most amazing twangy strummin', hoedown fiddlin', jug blowing mother fuckers you will ever lay your ears on.  

You will be amazed, and awestruck by the line up that is playing the Beachland on Friday.  Most of these folks are from the area with the exception of the showcase band Hoots and Hellmouth who hail from PA.  (check out their CD here The Holy Open Secret or Hoots and Hellmouth)  All share one common bond though in expressing the times we are living in by throwing back to real roots Americana music.  This isn't some Toby Keith overproduced Ford Truck commercial music.  This is down home music with a feeling and true American soul.  These are young kids playing like The Hiram Rapids Stumblers along sided seasoned vets like One Dollar Hat.  These are family folk making music fueled by beer and just to have a good time like Heelsplitter.  These are barkers and buskers playing on the city street festivals just because they love to play.

I think new music has proven one thing over the last couple of years.  Nickleback's will come and go, and I do sincerely hope they do go and keep going into obscurity.  True America folk will always be around.  The music of the past is making a come back.  Woody Guthrie would smile down upon any one of these bands for continuing on the great American songbook the way they do.  I applaud the Beachland for fostering this scene over the last few years and letting it grow to be as big as it is now.  The last show was packed.  I expect the same this Friday.  If you want to jump in on this New Grass revival then come on down and sit a spell on Friday night.  I'll be there.  This is music in it's most bare form; naked, unplugged, straight on true American made, God bless A-fucking-merica, born in the USA, no frills, hoot and holler hootenanny music.  See y'all there.                   

In Tall Buildings, Nomo at the Grog Shop

First off I will say this had it not been for the fact I was taking Monday off for opening Day I probably would have been irritated at the start time of the show.  Grog Shop, seriously, I absolute love you but at times you frustrate me to no end with your start times.  It is a Sunday night there is no reason to start a show with 3 bands after 9pm.  I get it.  I understand why you do it.  You need to make money at the bar.  I understand but there are multiple bands I would come to see if you just had an earlier start time.  Working folks in Cleveland do not go to shows at the Grog during the week for that simple fact.  All my friends say the same thing to me.  I feel better getting that out in the open though.  It needed to be said.  You are an incredible venue rich in Cleveland music history.  You have an awesome place.  Your sound is great.  Your late night weekday shows kill me though.  It seriously has to be a HUGE band for me to come on a weekday though because I have to be a functioning adult the next day.  The venue itself is a nice small rock club.  They serve great beers.  The service is always excellent.  I have never had a bad time at the Grog Shop.

So on the bill for the night was Nomo, Cleveland Zoo and In Tall Buildings.  I have been wanting to see Nomo for a couple years but the timing never worked out until Sunday night.  I am very glad I was able to come to the show because they were great.  The first band went on some time after 9pm.  In Tall Buildings is a melodic indie rock band out of Chicago.  The band itself is the solo brainchild project of Erik Hall who just so happens to be a touring member of Nomo.  Without getting too obscure I was thinking something along the lines of the pop of The Jim Yoshii Pile Up with a little of the drone of Explosions in the Sky.  The touring band was comprised of Jake Vinsel on bass and Quin Kirchner on drums who both are in Nomo as well.  They had a nice tight set that went on a little over a half hour.  The crowd was a bit sparse through the set, oh who am I kidding the crowd was sparse through the entire show.  I was kind of in disbelief because Nomo is usually a decent draw here in Cleveland.  So lots missed out on getting turned on to In Tall Buildings who were really damn good.  Given time these guys should gain some major buzz with the talent they have backing them up on stage.

Kids, here is where it may get ugly.  I feel horrible about saying this because the next band was Cleveland Zoo.  These are super young area kids trying to do some music so I am going to be as nice as possible.  I guess the easy way to say this is they really weren't my style of music.  It was just this really messed up concoction of reggae, punk and hell I don't know.  I just could not get into them at all.  It was like listening to a record of Sublime B-sides or something. They had some fans in the Grog though as most of the people there were actually there to see them.  So hey more power to them.  They obviously have a decent fan base and don't need my approval.  However that being said I think they need a lot of work.  It seriously was like listening to 3 different bands at the same time.  The main thing I didn't get was how exactly did they get booked on to this line up?  It didn't fit at all.  It was nothing like the style of music that was to come.

After a short break and a pretty drawn out set by the Zoo Nomo started setting up the stage.  Nomo is an afro beat band that hail from Ann Arbor Michigan, or used to as they all seem to be based out of Chicago now.  They are anywhere from a 5 piece to a 9 piece band.  When I first heard Nomo it was the track Nu Tones from the album of the same name.  First off do yourself a favor and you tube that song to see them in action.  I assumed they were some prodigies of the late Fela Kuti in Nigeria that I would never see in my lifetime.  Little did I know they were just some white boys from Michigan.  I was absolutely floored by the professional sound of the music they were creating.  Genius would describe the sound more than anything.  Mix in tribal grooves, funky bass, some guitar licks and two of the most amazing horn players and you have Nomo.

Nomo is fronted by Elliot Bergman who is a multi instrumentalist (as are many in the band).  He creates some of the devices he uses on stage and makes more to sell for fans and musicians.  I won't lie here because as you can see in the picture the cat has the charisma of the Jesus.  He seriously looks like if Jesus moved to Soho.  Get over the Jesus look and move on to the music where he is nothing short of flawless.  Drum details were handled by Kirchner and Hall with Hall doubling down on guitar.  The double drum thing was incredible.  It is always amazing to see drummers go head to head, and it was especially cool to see it with that afro beat sound.  Vinsel slapped the bass around like it was some rag doll busting out funk grooves that would make Bootsy drool.  Justin Walker did double duty on trumpet on some digital synth device that was part theremin and part space horn.  It was amazing and I still have no clue what the hell it was. 

The set was short but I can't blame them due to the small turn out.  They kept the music pretty solid for about an hour with little between song banter.  I would imagine it would be hard to come from a venue in Ann Arbor with about 1,500 to play for less than 50 in Cleveland.  I will give it up to the Cleveland Zoo fans and band for sticking around to check out the Nomo set.  I don't know why it was so dead.  They have a new(er) record out.  They area phenomenal band, but Sunday night at the Grog I don't know if people are afraid to risk getting out at 1am or what.  Nomo closed out the set with Nu Tones and it was a great way to end the evening at the Grog.  If folks weren't already shaking and dancing they were at the end of that cut.  I certainly hope they do come back so more people in Cleveland can get hip to their afro beat sound.