THE ZOU – “Soon! OK?” Official Music Video from their new album KILLS – Part 1! The CD Release Party happens Saturday May 25th at The Lemon Grove in Youngstown!
The album is available at www.iTunes.com/thezou and a physical CD can be mailed to you within 24 hours by purchasing at cdbaby.com .
Matt Jauch, vocalist and lead guitarist of Cleveland Ohio’s Ragers, has one astonishing musical resume. Jauch has played in the acclaimed lo-fi jangle pop project, Boatzz plus other Cleveland staples including Chalkline, Solo Flyer, and Stimulus Package. Jauch said that with Ragers he is taking on lead guitar duties while in the past he was more of a rhythm player. Jauch is quite well-versed in playing many genres and subgenres of music. “Style-wise I have done a lot. Hardcore, Emo, radio-rock, indie-rock, and Brit-rock. As you get older ,it’s fun to venture into different genres and challenge yourself to be competent with writing and playing different styles. With Ragers, you’ll hear those old influences here and there in the lead playing and noodling that I do,” Jauch said.
Listening to Cleveland’s Extra Medium Pony’s full-length debut, “11868,” I was immediately hooked because it reminded me of the pure, honest emotion and musicianship of Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers, The Grifters, Silkworm and The Beatnik Filmstars. For Extra Medium Pony singer/songwriter and guitarist, Rick Spitalsky, “11868” is an honest musical showcase. The band’s debut clearly shows that the subject of heartbreak is the perfect ingredient to a passionate pop song. This album was an actual godsend for me, as it was a therapeutic listen for me as well.
“The number 11868, is the apartment building I lived in with my ex-girlfriend when things were going well. It seemed to be a magical place and when we moved out it was like something was lost or left behind. We split up a couple of months after and needless to say, it was shitty. I wrote these songs full of raw emotion and passion and that’s why I think so many people have been reacting to it. I don’t get the satisfaction some people might get out of the songs, hearing them as upbeat, poppy anti-love songs,” Spitalsky said.
After an 8-month hiatus, Neon Avenue, returns to the scene fully rejuvenated with their latest release, “Welcome To Reason.” For Justin Edwards, vocalist/guitarist/pianist of Neon Avenue, the song craft on the band’s new full-length was a creative release of emotions . Edwards said that “Welcome To Reason,” has been reflective of some challenging times. He said as the band progresses, they hope to reach in more optimistic and positive territories.
I first saw Pittsburgh’s Amplifiers open for hometown heroes, Sam Goodwill the fall of 2010. I immediately got into the band’s sound as it nostalgically reminded me of the post- rock glory of listening to post- rock staples such as Life and Times, Seade, Stella Ink, Failure, Shrimpboat, HUM, Centaur, Starflyer 59, with occasional big-rock meets shoegaze nods to Swervedriver. From my alternative historian viewpoint, I always see every post genre from “90’s eyes.” The album’s state of the art production quality gives it a nice modern tinge and filled out sound.
It was a cold and damp weekend, the usual accoutrements that garnish the average fall season in northeast Ohio. Fall is not complete without these cozy bedfellows defining the atmospheric barometric mood. With bone chilling temperatures and remnants leftover from my “annual” fall cold, nothing stopped me from my usual venture to Cedars Lounge. It was worth the travel, because it was an magical evening of music.
Photo Courtesy of Jami Blaire Lasky
Turbo Lovers frontman and guitarist, Bj Lisko is sticking to the traditional punk and rock ‘n’ roll sound, but with a powerpop tinge, on the band’s new album, “Hopelessly Addicted.” This effort will mark the band’s 6th release.
“The new disc is our first full –length since our 2009 release, ‘Roll Your Vice.’ It has a lot of the same elements that our previous records have had, and takes on a life of its own as well. The full-length, ‘Roll Your Vice,’ sort of set the tone for what I wanted Turbo Lovers to be about and ‘Hopelessly Addicted,’ takes it a step further. It’s definitely got a no- frills rock ‘n’ roll vibe to it , but we structured a lot of it in a pop format this time,” Lisko said.
Over the many years, Cincinnati, Ohio has been home to such wonderful musical greats including, Libertines US, Caterpillar Tracks, The Ass Ponys, Afghan Whigs, Thistle, The Fairmount Girls and Mad Anthony, I could sure can go on and on.
Mind-expanding music from the Mahoning Valley and beyond, from the
studios of Golden String Radio in Youngstown, Ohio. Featuring special guest Jimmy Martin of the Jimmy Fro Podcast. Brought to you by
Lenz’s Artistic Dermagraphics, Guitar Slinger Music, American Auto
Painting and The Youngstown Rock & Groove Co.. c. 2013.
To me, Cleveland, Ohio, circa the 80’s through the early 90’s, was a very underrated time in that it cranked out many acts that have yielded great power. It brought us the raw sounds of The Pagans (in the late 70’s) the pure aggression of Starvation Army , the thunderous rock of Prisonshake, the catchiness of The Mice, and all the way to the classy stage presence of The Revelers. The underlying subgenre of music that was always within reach in the Northeastern Ohio area, was powerpop, all things jangly, and all things good –heartbreak-songs-that-hit –home.
One of those bands which really hit home for me was Paranoid Lovesick and Medicine Men (later known as Medicine Show). The two bands have a wonderful, inspiring story packed with clever songwriting and infectious hooks. I remember the excitement of finding a copy of Medicine Show’s 1994 CD full-length “Welcome To The Show,” at the used bin. Just the coolness of songs like “Tune In, Turn On, Drop Out,” “Lucky The Dog” “Wait For You,” and “Swirl,” just capture the perfect essence of a fun neo-psychedelic powerpop gem, with a nice trippy humorous touch. Paranoid Lovesick had some powerful stompers including, “Universal Boat,” “Marginalia,” “Postman Bob” and an awesome cover of Badfinger’s 1973 gem, “Icicles.” This cover appears on the Copper Music Badfinger Tribute compilation, “Come And Get It: A Tribute To Badfinger” (1995).
In 2012, Paranoid Lovesick was included in writer and musician, Joe Oestreich’s book , “Hitless Wonder: A Life in Minor League Rock and Roll. Oestreich is a good friend of the band and plays bass in the Columbus, Ohio Powerpop band, Watershed. Like Paranoid Lovesick and Medicine Show, Watershed has also played Cedars Lounge numerous times. In fact, their recent Youngstown performance was at Cedars Lounge in June 2012.
The ALL NEW Rust Belt Rock Show! Now even MORE mind-expanding music from the Mahoning Valley and beyond, from the studios of Golden String Radio in Youngstown, Ohio. Brought to you by Lenz’s Artistic Dermagraphics, Guitar Slinger Music, American Auto Painting and The Youngstown Rock & Groove Co.. c. 2013.
This episodes guest is Dave O’Malley who you can catch every Wednesday night at 7 p.m. on the Eclectic Electric Show w/ Gretchen on Golden String Radio.
Also, Jeff did some digging in the local music record vault and will be playing some classic thrash/speed metal by Youngstown’s Dementia (late 80′s) and Warren’s Decimator (late 80′s early 90′s)
Music this week from Sam Goodwill, The Building, Andre Costello and the Cool Miners, Decimator, Dementia and more!
This episodes music from the local record vaults are two area Thrash/Speed metal bands, Dementia (Youngstown) and Decimator (Warren)
From their 1988 demo Plead or Bleed
From their LP Do Unto Others
The Youngstown Rock’s Rust Belt Show is now on Golden String Radio Fridays 7pm-9pm. Listen in as Vike and guest play local and regional music, discuss recent and upcoming shows, and other matters of marginal importance.
Rust Belt Rock Show will also be available as a podcast on Youngstownrock.com and iTunes.
This weeks guest is Dave O’Malley who you can catch every Wednesday night at 7 p.m. on the Eclectic Electric Show w/ Gretchen on Golden String Radio.
Also, Jeff did some digging in the local music record vault and will be playing some classic thrash/speed metal by Youngstown’s Dementia (late 80′s) and Warren’s Decimator (late 80′s early 90′s)
Music this week from Sam Goodwill, Gossip Culture, The Sleeps, The Building, Andre Costello and the Cool Miners, Decimator, Dementia and more!
And don’t forget tonight at Cedars Lounge
Wild Kindness Record’s Bon Voyage 23 N Hazel Party
9PM (Proper ID required)
Performances by:
The Building (Youngstown)
Andre Costello & The Cool Miners
Rahkeem Brown (Youngstown Poet)
The Raspberry Reich (Youngstown avant-garde)
Also, Records & Local Wares, Comic & Art Vendors & Cheap and delicious vegan goods by SPACEbakery!
Photo Courtesy of Below The Sound
When someone says the words “Mid and “West” to me, the first thing I think of is my 
favorite genre of music of all time, noise rock. Whether it be Die Kreuzan, Killdozer, Halo of Flies, Scrid, Big Black, Libido Boyz, Tar, Sound of Rails, Janitor Joe, and Season To Risk, I love it all. Even East Coast noise rock bands like Pitchblende (being my all time favorite), BALL/Gumball, The Honeymoon Killers, Action Swingers, Unsane, Spore, Stress Magnets and Polvo all hit near and dear to my musical “wheel house.” Even the noisy post punk from the Pacific Northwest and West Coast is quite stellar. Well, anyone who knows me well enough, knows I could go on and on the topics of the raw, rustic , edges of the ‘90s. Whether it’s the Industrial, lo-fi, post punk, heavy, or post-hardcore end of this lovely genre, at the end of the day, noise rock is pure art to me plain and simple.
As fellow passionate music journalists in the Northeastern Ohio area, Gossip Culture brainchild, Ryan Sheridan and I had some pretty in- depth conversations about the ever-so-changing music climate. These discussions are filled with “ah-hah moments, critiques, twinkles of reminiscent auditory nostalgia, chuckles and guffaws. It’s been rewarding to have numerous “parking lot chats” with a fellow “herald of the musical pen.” We both provide our devoted audiences with well –crafted gifts of music journalese, just in the same fashion that a baker creates gourmet pastry delights of mouth-watering bliss. Our underground literary feats serve as helpful cultural alerts that encourage readers to catch a glimpse of independent talents.
Pittsburgh, PA’s The Van Allen Belt is an endless swirl of musical influences from dream pop, classical, and Brazilian psychedelia. The band’s discography includes Meal Ticket To Purgatory (2007), Vancouver And All The Reasons Why EP (2010) and Superpowerfragilis: Or How I learned to Stop Caring and Love The Drug (2010).
I must say that the band’s past few performances at the Lemon Grove Café mesmerized me and I was indeed in my bliss. The Van Allen Belt is currently working on their new album, Heaven On A Branch ,as well as crafting ideas for a new EP. The Van Allen Belt’s creativity continues to grow. The Van Allen Belt songwriter, author, producer and keyboardist, Benjamin K. Ferris, agrees that the attitudes and the technologies within the band’s music have matured.
Mike Montgomery guitarist and vocalist of Ampline. Montgomery also plays in the project R. Ring with Kelley Deal of the Breeders, Kelley 6000, The Last Hard Men. This photo is of Montgomery performing with R. Ring at Cedars Lounge August 2012. Photo Courtesy of Gary S. Angelo
On Thursday August 30th at Cedars Lounge, R. Ring played a fabulous, heartwarming and intimate set. R.Ring includes Kelley Deal (The Breeders, Kelley Deal 6000, The Last Hard Men) on vocals and guitar and Mike Montgomery (Thistle and Ampline), on vocals and guitar. Being the quintessential noise rock addict that I am, the most intriguing moment of the night was when the band covered Shellac’s riveting track, “Ghosts,” which appears on the essential Shellac album 1000 Hurts, released on the mighty Chicago, Illinois’ Touch and Go Records.
On Saturday September 22nd at The Royal Oaks located on 924 Oak Street Youngstown, Ohio Radar Secret Service will take the stage with Batt Lion and Moon Hairy. Photo By Gary S. Angelo
Forming from the embers of the Akron, Ohio acts Radar Secret Service, New Body Type, Human Caveman, and QIX, David Bay Leaf has grown to be a minimalist post-punk opus. The band’s sound is well anchored by Robert Ledyard’s (of Radar Secret Service) compelling vocals and bass lines, guitarist Gabe Schray’s angular Dan Electro chimes and the propulsive rhythm of drummer Scott Davidson.
On August 18th at Cedar’s Lounge, David Bay Leaf celebrated the release of their 2012 split effort with Youngstown, Ohio’s Batt Lion. The split includes the songs “Boring Grotto” and “Open To Experience.” The bill also included the acts, Filmstrip from Cleveland, and Fishwives from Youngstown.
Also this Saturday September 22, at The Royal Oaks, located at 924 Oak Street Youngstown, Ohio Radar Secret Service will take the stage with Batt Lion and Moony Hairy. The show will be free.
Pilot The Mind will play at Cedars Lounge Saturday September 8th. The Show starts at 10 PM and admission is $5
Today local post-rock unit, Pilot The Mind, is flying above the formulaic “musical box.” In short, the band continues to think outside of the box and has successfully mastered the art of tying in musical influences outside of the traditional hard rock coventions. Bassist, Chris Krejci believes the band has successfully mastered the art of this musical mission. The band is by far not a cliché or tied to a specific genre,but wholesomely organic in nature.
Members of Third Class at an East Palestine High School talent show with their friend Derek Baker. On Saturday August 18th Third Class will play at The Lemon Grove Cafe with Hardluck Heroes & Sexy Pig Divas
When making my usual “weekend appearances” at Cedars Lounge, I and my many colleagues always engage ourselves in a memorable music discussion. Anyone who knows me well to a “T” knows I pretty much have the “gift of gab” when it comes to music whether it’s local, national or international. No matter what happens between Saturday night and the responsibilities of the week, I still return to these in depth discussions in my mind, kind of like a tape recorder.
One memorable conversation that just so happened at the right time was a Friday August 3rd night at Cedars with friends, Matt Zackeroff, Paco Magallon and Eric Tharp. They are great music conversationalists and musicians, by the way. Zackeroff asked the question, “What currently active local band has been together for the longest time?” Now we all know that bands in this area have formed, disbanded, went on hiatus, and reformed. The question is, who has been together for the longest amount of time, but has been active all those continuous years? Someone, I think it was Zackeroff ,settled on the answer; Third Class. I can definitely agree with this answer. Other bands that came to our minds were The Zou and Rebreather (which probably came to my mind).
After playing in the local industrial act, Denial Stage and the post-hardcore outfit, Relic, local musician, Rick Polo, delves into vast introspective territory with his latest project, Maranatha. The band includes Miranda Tusinac, on lead vocals and guitar and Rick Polo on guitar and vocals.
All Photos Courtesy of Gary S. Angelo/Youngstownrock.com
Varg Freeborn, founder and owner of the business, Guitar Slinger Music, located at 14 S. State StreetGirard, Ohio said he has been a customizer for all his life. Today Freeborn and his wife Katie Papay Freeborn own Guitar Slinger Music. Freeborn’s journey into the world of customizing began with 15 years of experience building custom motorcycles and cars. In addition to customizing, Freeborn knew he was a guitarist at heart and worked to acheive entertwining these two trades.
Columbus,Ohio’s Old Worlds recaptures that perfect essence of the early roster of Tooth and Nail Records circa early to mid 90s drawing in post shoegaze elements of Starflyer 59, Puller, and Roadside Monument with the finesse of Shudder To Think. The band’s gifted talent for creating ambient landscapes gives them a sound that is authentically theirs.
Mike Maimone, vocalist and keyboardist of the Chicago, Illinois experimental project, Mutts, believes his band’s latest 2011 full-length, Pray For Rain reflects the band’s social-consciousness mode of songwritng.
Photo Courtesy of Gary S. Angelo
The landscape of Youngstown’s Indie rock climate owes respectable admiration to Boogie Man Smash. Boogie Man Smash formed in 1987 during a time when Youngstown had a vibrant Hardcore scene including a roster of acts such as The Gutter Snipes, Sacred Hate, The Moat Hamz and Symphony of Terror. Boogie Man Smash stood as a creative, enigmatic force playing a brand of Post Punk that spanned into the territory of the Pixies, meshed into Syd Barret era Pink Floyd with the art approach of Chicago’s Alice Donut. Boogie Man Smash still allowed the Americana influences of Murmur –era REM and Camper Van Beethoven to shed some light on their musical influences. On a Thanksgiving night at Cedars in 2008, I sat down with the brothers Hudak, (Marty and Rob, former BMS frontman), to discuss the glory days of Youngstown’s Penguin Pub and Boogie Man Smash. Rob Hudak was home visiting for the Thanksgiving holiday, so it was a great moment to recapture history.
For over three decades, The Grateful Dead has defined American musical culture. Since the mid 60s, The Dead’s music and lifestyle has been a household name among listeners young and old. The band has even influenced a generation of Alt-rock acts like Screaming Trees, Thelonious Monster, Meat Puppets, Tripping Daisy, Rusted Root and Jane’s Addiction.
Since 2003, James DeCapua and his band, Jones For Revival have been delivering the splendor of the Dead’s influence to local and regional crowds. The band has built musical momentum at regional festivals like RukusFest, VexFest and their very own event, “Jonesfest,” which is held at Nelson Ledges Quarry Park in Garrettsville,Ohio.
After many years of playing in Asleep and practicing in the quaint, loftyBoardman,Ohiodestination, located on 6192 Southern Blvd., Larry Serb was inspired to transform this space into the recording studio, known as Don’t Touch That Studio. What was once Asleep’s practice space is now a full-time recording studio for local and regional bands. Don’t Touch That Studio is owned and operated by Larry Serb.
The East Killbride, Scotland influential force, Jesus and Mary Chain gave the year 1985 a volume-induced, fuzzed out awakening with their Blanco y Negro debut, Psychocandy. The album is not a testament to proto-shoegaze alone. Instead, JAMC successfully drew influences from vintage blues icons like Bo Diddley and Howlin’ Wolf, to charming 60’s female garage groups like the Bittersweets and Shangri-La’s to famous American east coast advant progenitors such as Suicide and of course The Velvet Underground. One can hear Psychocandy’s influences and volume- soaked drone on masterpieces like The Telescope’s Taste (1989), and Loop’s Heaven’s End (1987), the chainsaw buzz of Ecstasy of Saint Theresa’s 1992 effort Susurrate to the somber buzz that is hinted in The Boo Radley’s 1990 debut, Icahbod and I.
Champaign,Illinois has been the ultimate hotspot of some of the most visceral reverb-soaked and wall- of- noise guitar masters of our time. Acts like Hum, Steakdaddy Six and Poster Children are among the few bands that have helped revolutionized theChampaign,Illinois sound, placing this destination on the influential musical map.
Keith Kelly, (aka Keith Courage) bassist of the Youngstown/Warren, Ohio metal band, Dead II Me, says the band is going for a tighter eclectic sound for their new upcoming full-length album. Dead II Me is currently in the pre-production process of their full-length album.
As a former member of Youngstown’s infamous and collectible powerpop act, The Infidels, Larry Kennedy has continuously carried the signature jangly guitar torch with The Jellybricks since late 1995.
Comprised of former members ofYoungstown’s heavy hitters, Aura, Alias X, Cyrus and Fascia, the members of Pilot The Mind progress into sludge post-rock territories.
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