Akron's four-piece band, The Vinyl, is one of those perfectly crafted rock groups with an accessible, radio-friendly sound that isn't over-produced or full of cheesy gimmicks. These guys play no-nonsense rock, and their sound is polished and well practiced for only just getting their start in the local music scene. The Vinyl is set to release its self-titled EP July 24, and the six-song disc is full of laid-back tunes that are perfect for lazy summer days. The disc begins with “Never The Same,” a tune full of watery guitars and hints of surf rock influences. The track picks up with c...
Kevin Braun and Gina Kanter are The Modulated Tones, a fuzzy, psychedelic duo who sound a lot like what The Velvet Underground would be doing today if its members stuck around to experience '80s shoegaze. The twosome released its debut EP, “Turning On,” this month, and it is a collection of seven mind-bending, feedback-laden jams they call “the musical equivalent of a hash joint; or several.” With screeching guitars, Braun's droning, Lou Reed-esque vocals and some noisy, spacey sounds in between, the release feels like a dark and magical ride through sonic space. “Day Tripper...
Husbands & Wives, a group of four hardworking and talented lads who hail from Canton, finally released their debut album, “Prepare To Meet Thy God,” July 14. But this was no quiet release with the CD silently placed on record store shelves. The group took to The Auricle the same night as the debut for an album release show that gathered a packed venue and a whole slew of impressed listeners. It was amazing to see this band play live and know that they roam the streets of Northeast Ohio as everyday pedestrians like you and me. The group puts on such an incredible show that those butter...
There is no denying that there has been a wave of '90s nostalgia in the music world lately, and some of the most beloved bands from 20 years ago are reuniting and releasing music to cash in on the craze. But some bands from the decade have been consistently going strong and evolving without slipping into obscurity. One such band is The Offspring, those punk-drenched dudes from California with huge hits like “Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)” and “Come Out And Play,” among many others. The band is not only celebrating the 20th anniversary of its second album, “Ignition,” this year, but...
If you've seen River City Extension play, you are familiar with the set up. A small stage is filled to the brim with band members howling with delight and raw emotion through every blood-pumping lyric and note. If you've never seen this large ensemble play, you are truly missing out on a wild and theatrical display from a group of breathtakingly talented musicians. The band returned to Akron's Musica June 30 with an opening set by Ben Henderson, which the crowd learned would be his last on this particular tour. Henderson's quiet acoustic strumming was accented with his gritty yet soulful...
