The Hooten Hallers These guys are right the hell on, playing just balls to the plasterboard blues rock. Smoke and whiskey vocals mingle with gruff falsetto harmonies, with bits of real wailing guitar intercepted. Like Jack White met up with George Thorogood, got all loaded up on blow and tried to sober up by jamming booze into their guts. It's a free blowing, go screw yourself, fest of well, hooting and hollering. They put a record out fairly recently. You should go get it and like the song says, “just leave me alone.” Village Bicycle Now, ol' Axelrod has always been of the persuasion...
Since forming in 2008, Akron’s Mockingbird, made up of Chadd Beverlin (drums), Mike Gilpatrick (bass) and Andy Strickland (guitar, vocals), having been shredding the scene in the Rubber City with its heavy hybrid of stoner rock and progressive metal. Since releasing its self-titled debut record in 2010, the band has been through a few changes. Fans of the band will notice than they are back down to a three-piece, as bassist Gilpatrick explained: “We were working with a few guitar players, looking for a bigger sound, but it just wasn’t working out like we thought it would.” Accordingly...
December 16 - Cleveland - The Winchester After a few year's hiatus, Motter Flynn reunites for this show, which will also serve as a send-off to Mike as he prepares to move to Los Angeles! Motter Flynn is a three piece indie alternative, rock n’ roll band from Cleveland, Ohio which formed in 2007. Their catchy songwriting and unique on-stage chemistry garnered them much deserved attention. Although the Motter Flynn sound is truly their own, they cite bands such as U2, Radiohead, Smashing Pumpkins, and R.E.M. as influences. A track on their EP release, Just For You, won Ultimate-Guitar....
White Cadillac establishes itself as hard rock/metal force to be reckoned with By Mark Stevens “The greatest band alive. Ever.” That’s how B.J. Lisko ends an interview about White Cadillac. He laughs after he says it. Of course he doesn’t mean it. Then again … “Nobody makes a racket like we do on stage,” he said earlier in the interview. “It sounds arrogant, but I think we’re in a class by ourselves when it comes to that. But you should be confident about your band. “If you’re not confident, why bother? That’s kind of what rock ‘n’ roll is al...
Sleaze rockers Faster Pussycat made their way to Ripper Owens Tap House this weekend, playing in one of the most intimate settings their longtime fans can remember. And the band didn’t hold back. Jersey-based three-piece Cascadence opened, tempering pop-catchy tunes with ear-bleeding vocals. “We’re kinda poppy, but before it gets too poppy, Johnny Oak rips it!” said Bryan Vitalo, who plays bass and sings. Oak ripped it hard enough to impress even the fans who’d come to see Faster Pussycat, who were excited to get autographs from the boys from Jersey, too. After Cascadence, the...
What a simple joy bowling can be. Whether it’s an afternoon trip to the lanes with the family or a night out with friends, bowling is always a welcome cure for breaking up winter monotony. Plus, it’s an activity that one doesn’t have to be very good at to enjoy. So when Akron’s The Oxnards invited me to roll a few frames at Stonehedge, I was more than happy to oblige. Their brand of manic “Talking Heads meets The Ramones” (as vocalist and guitarist Wes Cowie puts it) rock has already gained the band some loyal followers in the Akron area, helping to pack the house at recent Anna...
Underground Airplane : Underground Airplane When I saw these guys at Old Glory a few months back, I begged ‘em to send me a record. Though they hail from Norwalk, Ohio, these guys bring a street vibe to every song on this first record, a self-titled album. It’s grungy psychedelic hardcore, like if Cobain and company had taken speed instead of smack. UA is a three-piece that has complex enough riffs to makes you wonder how they pull it off live (but I assure you, they do). Matt Beebe is a vocalist who’s not afraid to be himself and try new things, constantly switching in...
