Photo by Sarah Megysey Article by Alisa Manna Professor Greenhouse started their musical career in Kent, Ohio but are now making their way to Denver, Colorado at the end of July. What began in 2008 as a one-man acoustic-folk act has transformed into a three-piece rock ‘n’ roll explosion. Though the band went through several incarnations during the past four years, Professor Greenhouse are finally satisfied with their arrangement. The current line-up consists of vocalist-rhythm guitarist Chris Wallis, drummer Bob Vokac and lead guitarist Charles “Carl” Welch. The band r...
In an old Nashville house transformed into a recording studio, Ryan Humbert and an eight-piece band geared up to record a stunning 18 songs in four days. The result: a heart-driven pop rock album infused with Americana, highlighting the trials and tribulations of human relationships. “Sometimes The Game Plays You” is an observation on how people interact in love and loss, but it’s not all heartbreak. “The last two songs,” Humbert pointed out, “they remind you that you’ll get through all the hard times and come out the other side a stronger person.” The music embodies the...
We caught up with Dalin Jones, bassist and vocalist of Son Of Neckbeard, Canton, Ohio's own horror rock band. Here's our 10 questions for Son of Neckbeard: Who the hell is Neckbeard? Neckbeard is the being. He is the alpha and omega. He is the creator. He's so much bigger than anyone could ever be. We always pictured him as some type of Viking god, but it takes so many parts to be a god. So we're the Son of Neckbeard. Tell me about what inspires your sound? There's just a really broad spectrum. We're fans of everything from Sleep, FuManchu and all the way back to bands like The Doobie...
Mr. 101 is a hip-hop fusion outfit out of Canton. Normally, appending the word fusion to the end of anything is a red flag for me - jazz fusion is usually bad jazz, Japanese-Mexican fusion is a dinner engagement I'm waiting to miss and hip-hop/rock fusion usually ends up being a rock band with a vocalist finally ready to admit they can't sing. Not everything ends up embodying the stereotype, however, and "Brain the Cerebral Balance" is much more the exception than the rule. From the drum crash that introduces the first track, "Introducing 101," to the subdued rock guitar that closes the set...
Brooklyn prog-punk rockers Pterodactyl have origins in an off-campus house at Oberlin College with a big, smelly basement crusted in mildew. At first listen it might be hard to believe something so melodic could foster under such circumstances, but on the band’s latest effort, “Spills Out,” it’s exactly on point. The group evolved as a house party band hosting numerous touring acts where they got a feel for what was going on in other parts of the country. “It was awesome,” guitarist/vocalist Joe Kremer said. “Matt Marlin (drummer/vocalist) and I lived in this big house. We bou...
Now That's Class - Thursday, Nov. 10th On third album Spills Out, Brooklyn noise-punk mischief-makers Pterodactyl have mutated from their abrasive loft-show roots into a glorious, broken-pop juggernaut. The band's squealing, sweat-soaked art-bustle had rapidly put them alongside contemporaries like Oneida, These Are Powers and Parts & Labor; but Spills Out gently leads the trio towards the uplifting, wistful harmonies of '60s rockers like The Zombies, CSNY and the pre-acid Beatles-- "When John was a heavy drinker and the songs were kind of sad," says bassist/vocalist Jesse Hodges. Pterodactyl...
Fu Manchu- Wednesday, November 9th at 8pm (with Honky / The Shrine) Tickets- $12 in advance/ $15 day of show "Fu Manchu will be preforming their album In Search Of… at the Grog Shop! Released in 1996, In Search Of… is still praised as the ultimate st0ner rock album! Originally formed in 1985 as a Black Flag-influenced hardcore punk band called Virulence / Fu Manchu has since become one of hard rock’s most celebrated names. The band released its first single, “Kept Between Trees” in 1990 and in the years following, helped give rise to a celebrated style of heavy music tagged “...
Any modern hipster who thinks that they have it made would have been delighted to brag about going to see the Black Angels for free at the Newport Music Hall in Columbus. They would have combed their bangs in their face, worn a tight zip-up hoodie with skinny jeans and pranced in, holding hands with their girlfriend talking about the latest trends in art and stoner rock. I, on the other hand, secured my tickets with the booking agent along with a photo pass for my sister’s boyfriend and got ready to be as judgmental yet open-minded as I could. I have gotten pretty into the Black Angel...
Rather than sleeping in on a rainy April morning, the four guys huddled in a living room were meticulously planning their set for that night's concert. For the Canton-based indie rock band A Minor Bird, it was just another show. And if the band's professionalism and talent are any indication, there will be many more shows to follow—shows that will undoubtedly take them to even bigger stages. Hailing from Malone University, A Minor Bird has played at a variety of area venues and opened for bands such as Switchfoot and mewithoutYou since forming in June 2008. Last year, they released the...
Slash self-titled Like so many rock virtuosos before, GNR axe-slinger Slash has gone on his own, but this time with an all-star supporting cast that features a different vocalist on each track. Where Slash’s Snakepit was clearly a cash-in on the GNR image, and well, let’s face it, this is, too, on the new album it’s much better particularly because of the time and effort put into this. The songs are simply better. The singers obviously are, too. And there’s a real surprise or two to be had. Among his guest crooners that lend their talents to serious standout tracks are The Cult’s I...
They may have changed their name, but don't let it fool yo. The Suite D's are packing as much punch as they ever did when they were the Sweet Delights. Ed. note: This article first appeared in the Spring 2010 Youngstown Pulse. By B.J. LISKO Youngstown Pulse Magazine YOUNGSTOWN – It’s no surprise that the remaining members of what once were The Sweet Delights, now The Suite D’s are a close knit group. When the band dropped from eight members to five in late 2009, they had to continue under their former name for three shows before they could start a new. The internet features, the MySp...
Take one mic-swinging vocalist who throws himself to the floor, the crowd, the walls, and into his band mates. Toss in two in-synch guitarists who shred and toss their instruments around. Add a fleet-fingered bassist and a rock-solid drummer holding it all down. Mix in equal parts high energy and catchy hooks, and voilà! This formula renders Sparks The Rescue. August 10th at Grog Shop! 8/10 Grog Shop • Cleveland Hts. ...
This local trio plays a clear, catchy blend of folk rock and blues, some covers (think Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, and then Neil Young revisited) and some original material. All three are music veterans — vocalist and acoustic guitarist Karyn Morgan opened for Stevie Nicks. 10/2 Water Street Tavern • Kent ...
Blues/roots guitarist and vocalist Tommy Castro will perform at Wilbert's Food & Music in Cleveland tonight. Castro will be performing songs from his Alligator Records debut, Hard Believer. Castro won four 2010 Blues Music Awards -- more than any other artist -- including, for the second time in his career, the coveted B.B. King Entertainer of the Year Award (the very highest award a blues performer can receive) as well as the award for Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year, Contemporary Blues Album of the Year (for Hard Believer) and Band of the Year. Castro's brand new Alligator...
In a music industry driven by gimmicks and celebrity, it’s hard for an act to stand out. Fortunately for Cleveland’s Megachurch, they not only stand out – they stand on their own. The band started as the fusion of two other local acts. Brian Hill played bass with This Is Exploding, and Mikey Baranick did the same for Machine Go Boom. Dan Price pounded percussion for both outfits. When the two bands splintered at roughly the same time, the three came together and aren’t planning on looking back. Megachurch started with a simple format: They were two bassists and a drummer who wan...
As one of his many side projects, The Dead Milkmen’s guitarist and vocalist Joe Genaro, under the name Joe Jack Talcum, plays a toned-down style of music reminiscent of his early ’80s punk-rock days. This summer he’s touring with The Bassturd, with whom he recorded a split 7-inch. ...
For the last decade, Interpol has been one of the darlings of the independent music scene. Their seminal first album, “Turn On The Bright Lights,” was released in 2002 to massive critical acclaim. Nearly ten years later, they’re still going strong. Interpol is famous as a New York City band, but part of their roots are right here in Ohio. Their very first U.S. tour began in Cleveland, at a little spot called the Grog Shop. Ever since, they’ve made a point of stopping in Ohio when they can. “We always have good shows in Ohio,” said Daniel Kessler, guitarist, vocalist and founding...
Florida-based extreme/death metallers Hate Eternal are touring on their new album, Phoenix Amongst the Ashes. Founder/lead guitarist/vocalist Erik Rutan's metal pedigree is well established with stints in Morbid Angel and producer credits on albums by Cannibal Corpse, Goatwhore, Nile and more. Quality death here, folks. ...
The word on Relaxer is strangely specific and strangely unanimous. Across the board, what you’ll hear people say is that they are one of the most impressive bands Akron has produced in recent years. And one of the laziest. Their lineup is a patchwork of some of the area’s most influential musicians of the past decade. Lead guitarist Jamie Stillman and drummer Cory Race are in Party of Helicopters. Keyboardist Steve Clements was in Houseguest. Rhythm guitarist/vocalist Joseph Scott is in Michigan’s White Pines along with Clements. Clements and Stillman were in the short-lived Drummer, ...
Painted in tribal body paint and stacked six deep on the stage, armed with an instrument that looks like a post-apocalyptic weapon, Motograter is the kind of band that would look right at home performing in the Thunderdome. Motograter, formed in 1995, is named after its signature instrument, a four-foot-long steel beast formed from the remains of a child’s swing set, screen-door springs and industrial cable. It is played with a drumstick and produces a rich bass sound that they call “pure evil.” The motograter was conceived of and built by Bruce “Grater” Butler, one of the band...
