Dolly Rocker Ragdoll
I caught this dude’s show at the Buzzbin Last Friday Concert in July and was completely (and pleasantly) stunned to find out that someone from Canton is delivering such oozing, primal and bizarre blues-punk music. Onstage Dolly Rocker Ragdoll is a crazy mess of bright pink hair and vintage black clothes that accentuates his graveyard pallor. Banging away on a sweet-ass old Kay guitar and running it through a strange network of amps and ancient reverb, his music is primitive, noisy and spooky, reminding me of the whacked-out psychobilly of early Cramps and the fevered howls of Roky Erickson and The 13th Floor Elevators. Album to be released in November. The Tosspints The Tosspints are a family of tough-as-nails, hard-drinking, hard-working, blue-collar Michiganders who play no-nonsense street-punk rock with an Irish twist. Their stage show is mean, gritty and super energetic. Imagine The Pogues if they had the energy and cacophony of Black Flag and you’re getting close. Definitely for fans of Flogging Molly or Gogol Bordello. Albums to get: “11 Empty Bottles” or “Cenosillicaphobia” Luminoth If you’re into bands with depth and substance, then Knoxville’s Luminoth might be the medicine you need. Melodic and harmonious with thunderous, intricately crafted songs that draw on the best of alternative metal and progressive rock, this band has a drive that is foreboding, mysterious and epic. Luminoth sound like The Doors playing heavy metal. Vocalist Adam Henry has some seriously wicked pipes on him and can really sing as well as scream like a banshee from hell. Live, these guys are a force from another dimension. Album To Get: “Cabal” Mr. Clit & the Pink Cigarettes Deranged, noisy, creepy, raw and loads of fun. You’d never guess that this trio (two gals and a guy) would come from a small town in Indiana. Regularly touring through the Midwest, I highly recommend catching these nutballs because their live show is the stuff of legend — gothic Barbie dolls, maniacal jokers, bats and kisses. Like a Tim Burton movie meets some warped Dr. Seuss punk rock.