Things That Make You Say Hmm: Drowned in Sound Asks Is Music Journalism Dead?

Drowned in Sound's editorial series, Music Journalism R.I.P?, is a must read for anyone with an interest in music criticism. The series is now up to about 20 articles examining its thesis from every possible angle. In short, the answer ot is the question is music journalism dead, is no. Or, is it yes? Or, it depends on who you ask. Laura Nineham, upon considering the role of the critic in Web 2.0, concludes: Critics in the age of Web 2.0 do the hard work for us. They sift through an incredible amount of music so we don’t have to, letting us know which artists to avoid like Swine Flu and which albums are worth treating ourselves to. While, Mogwai's Stuart Braithwaite is a tad more cynical: In 2009 the source of critical opinion has changed but the outcome is the exact same. Swap 90s NME for 00s Pitchfork and people are still willing to buy into pretty much anything they are presented with. Both publications have of course championed some great music but isn’t it a little bit sad that with all the music now at our fingertips we still need someone else to tell us what to like? As is Chris Roberts: The present day: there were now a billion illiterate bloggers telling you how INCREDIBLE Fleet Foxes were, so music journalism died...There was Oasis, a crushing, soulless, corporate beast, and you weren’t allowed, by editors, to criticise them, for years, so dissent and maverick opinions died. This set a pattern. A herd mentality replaced enjoyable argument. We lost, they won. Pity the brave soul who asks if Bon Iver (or whoever) might not actually be a tiny bit over-celebrated, if he/she wants to be commissioned again...The mediocre thrived and the talented shuffled off, or, with less dignity, and I know about this one, dumbed down in order to pay the rent. Personally, I agree more with John Doran of The Quietus: Some magazines will die, blogs will pass, and even the most vaunted outlets may some day fall out of favor, but there will always be Rock 'N' Roll writers, whether they're needed or not: So I guess what I’m saying is; if music journalists think for themselves they’ll be fine. If they reject orthodoxy and act like they’re rock and roll writers not writers who occasionally write about rock and roll, they’ll be alright. And if they aren’t; well it doesn’t matter too much. The Quietus will end (hopefully not straight away, but hopefully before we start treading water). (I hope I don’t but) I will probably hang around for a few years lowing like a cow. Mooing on and on about how music journalism isn’t what it used to be back when Lester Bangs – a drivelling, shite spouting racist thunder cunt (who had flashes of utter, utter genius) was a god and, oh, isn’t this ska stuff good? And wasn’t Mod brill? And, oh, why can’t it still be Britpop, when music was proper? And when I do this there will be some vicious young hack standing behind me sharpening his blade, ready to spill my useless claret all over the killing floor. Drowned in Sound: Music Journalism R.I.P?

Tonight: The Music Saves Five Year Store-A-Versary Party With Yeasayer, Ponytail, and Unsparing Sea

Melanie Hershberger and Kevin Neudecker are great people, have great taste in music, and are great friends, and they just happen to be celebrating a big anniversary tonight. Their little music store that could, Music Saves, turns five today, and to celebrate they're hosting a special show at The Grog Shop with Yeasayer, Ponytail, and Unsparing Sea, and a post-party at the B-Side, beneath the Grog Shop, featuring a dj-set by headlining act, Yeasayer. To put their success in perspective, just ask yourself, how many stories have you read over the past decade about the decline of the music industry, and the death of record stores? Next, consider what Waterloo Road in Collinwood was like when Music Saves first opened in 2004. I'll help you out, there was The Beachland, Music Saves, and not much else. Now, look at Waterloo. In those five short years, it's transformed itself into one of the premier destinations for music and art in the City of Cleveland. I'm not saying Kevin and Melanie are responsible for a neighborhood's rebirth...but, there's no denying that the success of their store, and their belief in the neighborhood played a definite role in its renaissance. Yeasayer - Tightrope (Live) Ponytail - Beg Waves (Live) And that's not all. The Five Year Store-A-Versary party continues next weekend at Music Saves and The Beachland. Arrive early for a 7 o'clock in store performance by Ramona Falls (A new Menomena side-project) and stay late for The Veils and Foreign Born at the Beachland and another after show party, this time with The Veils on the turntables.

The Rockometer Vs The Review Stack Vol III feat. Oneida, Wilco, Dinosaur, Jr, and More, Much More

Who knew I had so many records in the virtual review stack. And who knew I had so many words in me. I think we can finally call an end to my recession induced writer's block. Oneida Rated O Brah/Jagjaguwar Any triple album, like Oneida's Rated O, contains a certain amount of selfishness on the band's part. When Oneida's Kid Millions discussed the album with Dusted Magazine, he made it fairly clear that this three disc set was principally about The O making an album for themselves, for at the end of the day, it's the members of Oneida who have the closest connection to the band and their work. So, what can you expect in the 120+ minutes of Rated O? Well, in the first 30 minutes there's post-industrial dub ("Brownout in Lagos,") tribal techno ("What's Up Jackal,") something resembling late '90s IDM crossed with '80s soundtracks ("10:30 at The Oasis,") and crushing, rumbling motorik ("Story of O") all channeled through the ears of one of our era's pre-eminent experimental rock bands. And being a triple album, it only gets deeper, denser, and more cerebral from there -- Primitive riff-rock meets Sandinista! ("Ghost in the Room,") and electro-doom ("Luxury Travel,") are but two more of the unique genre clashes you'll encounter. But is Rated O any good? Well, now, that's a tricky question, isn't it? Two more weeks, nay, two more months may be needed to realize its true scope. And even though the calendar reads mid-July, I'm very comfortable in my assertion that Rated O will be one of the more, if not the most challenging record you'll hear all year. (N/R) MP3: Oneida - I Will Haunt You MP3: Oneida - What's Up Jackal MP3: Oneida - Saturday Wilco Wilco (The Album) Nonesuch As others have noted before me, Wilco (The Album) can be taken as a collection of Wilco's recent work, from Summerteeth through Sky Blue Sky. And while not a greatest hits collection per se, it does contain many of the same sentiments and styles of the albums which have preceded it. And to that end, the the purpose of Wilco (The Album) is answered immediately by Jeff Tweedy in "Wilco (The Song)" with the tongue in cheek chorus, "Wilco will love you, baby." This is one for the fans of Wilco's brand of red-eyed ballads and mid-tempo, jangly rock. Now, that being said, if you didn't enjoy Wilco's foray into krautrock on A Ghost is Born with "Spiders/Kidsmoke," you probably aren't going to be enamored with its companion piece on Wilco (The Album), "Bull Black Nova." Similarly, if you found the bulk of Sky Blue Sky adult contemporary stylings to be lackadaisical, the star power of Feist, won't be enough to save "You and I." Still, one has to consider Wilco (The Album) an improvement over Sky Blue Sky. Not only does have the familiarity factor going for it, something which no doubt will appeal to long time fans, but finally, Tweedy has freed some space for designated shredder, Nels Cline, to do more than rehash old Steely Dan albums. The man has been a revelation on recent tours, and now, that he's added some Sonic Youth to his Steely Dan, he should prove to be a revelation on record, as well. (7/10 on the Rockometer) Future of the Left Travels With Myself and Another 4AD/Beggars Group US With Future of the Left's second full-length, Travels With Myself and Another, we may finally be able to put the ghost of Mclusky to rest. The members of Future of the Left certainly would like nothing better. At a recent live performance, FOTL's bassist Kelson Mathias responded to repeated requests for old Mclusky songs from a member in the crowd with the pointed jab, "I don’t go to your job -- McDonald’s -- and shout where you used to work, Burger King." Ah, yes, these Welshmen sure do have a humor about them. They also have an album in Travels with Myself and Another, that had our heckler bothered to play, matches the Mclusky discography in intensity, fire, and searing wit. Starting with the opening guitar blast of "Arming Eritrea" Travels with Myself and Another maintains a sharp, militaristic tone. The bass, though often operating in lower octaves remains tight and clear, while drummer Jack Egglestone relies mainly on bass and snare to give many of Travels' numbers a marching cadence. Then there's Andrew Falkous, always quick to savage the ears with curt, forceful guitar lines and always quick to skewer any and every Welshmen with his sharp tongue, he's now taking on bigger and better targets, like God, religion, money, and power. When coupled with focus of Egglestone and Mathias, it makes him more than just a sneering malcontent, but a sneering malcontent ready to lead his troops from the stale ale houses of Cardiff and onward to revolution. (8/10) MP3: Future of the Left - Arming Eritrea MP3: Future of the Left - The Hope That House Built YOUTUBE: Future of the Left - The Hope That House Built We Were Promised Jetpacks These Four Walls Fat Cat Initially, I cringed at the tag "Scottish Emo" placed on the trio of Frightened Rabbit, The Twilight Sad, and We Were Promised Jetpacks. Who wants to have anything to do with the word emo and all its baggage in the year 2009? It certainly isn't a micro-genre any of these acts would have chosen for themselves. Yet, when you listen These Four Walls, the debut release by We Were Promised Jetpacks, there is something undeniably emo about it. Vocalist Adam Thompson can sure get emotional, and he has that whole whisper to a wail vocal range thing down pat. And the Jetpacks are most apt at building their guitars to grand, arching, crescendos. Sure, there's hints of more modern acts -- a post-punk drum beat knicked from Franz Ferdinand here, a glistening instrumental passage borrowed from their country-mates, The Twilight Sad, and more than a hint of early British Sea Power. Yet, e-word remains. Their youth, aggression, and love a big, shout-about in the chorus (see "Quiet Little Voices,") all point to the Scottish equivalent of The Get Up Kids. This isn't a knock on the band as much as its a warning. Don't be surprised if These Four Walls leaves you with an insatiable urge to rock out Four Minute Mile or Red Letter Day. (6/10) YOUTUBE: We Were Promised Jetpacks - Quiet Little Voices YOUTUBE: We Were Promised Jetpacks - Roll Up Your Sleeves Dinosaur, Jr Farm Jagjaguwar No longer a question of should Dinosaur, Jr get the band back together, or why they got the band back together, or even if the original lineup of J Mascis, Lou Barlow, and Murph still has it after all these years, but the question is now, how long can they keep this up? Not content to do the traditional reunion route of performing classic albums during one-off gigs or taking a victory lap to replenish the coffers, the original lineup has now been back together for two albums and numerous tours, and as their most recent release, Farm, shows, this is a band who is a vital and necessary as ever. From the all-consuming fuzz of "I Want You to Know" to squelching opening solo of "Over It," to the sinewy outtro during "Plans," Mascis' guitar is and remains the focus of Dinosaur, Jr, perhaps now more than ever, validating those Neil Young comparisons, both in sound and style, and as a mentor for the new generation. And while his gurgle and mumble vocal delivery will never make him a singing sensation, there's significantly more confidence and clarity in his voice, as if he's finally ready to emerge from behind his giant stack of amps. If the guitar mastery of Mascis is a given, what hasn't been a given in recent Dinosaur, Jr releases, going as far back as 93's Where You Been and 94's Without a Sound, is consistency. Most of their albums have been a mix of obvious singles ("Feel the Pain," "Out There, "Start Choppin'") and album fodder. This isn't the case with Farm. Nothing in the album's sixty minutes seems forced, or out of place -- not "See You," a mid-tempo ballad featuring a winding, almost jammy riff, and not "Said the People," a slow, murky, psychedelic piece. Even the Lou Barlow numbers, "Your Weather" and "Imagination Blind," are far more integrated into the album than they were on the band's first comeback attempt, Beyond, no longer sounding like someone sandwiched some of his Sebadoh tracks in the middle of a Dinosaur, Jr album. Farm ends abruptly on that second Barlow track, "Imagination Blind," leaving the album open-ended. Not that Dinosaur, Jr has anything left to prove at this stage in their career, but it does seem to be sending a clear message to anyone who doubts their motives -- "Here's 60 minutes of our best work, and we could have easily done 60 minutes more." (9/10) MP3: Dinosaur, Jr - I Want You to Know YOUTUBE: Dinosaur, Jr - Over It Blank Dogs Under and Under In the Red Blank Dogs have some hooks while doing a lo-fi version of New Order on tracks like "Slowing Down" and "Falling Back," and they do manage to conjure up the requisite levels of moroseness when they do their lo-fi version of Pornography-era Cure on "Blue Lights and "Setting Fire to Your House," and "Around Your Room," but the question remains, "Do we really need lo-fi, new-wave, dance pop?" I'm comfortable and even fond of lo-fi punk, lo-fi pop, and lo-fi garage, even the lo-fi folksiness of bands like Ganglians and Woods have their moments, but at some point the underground will have to come up with some new tricks, else shoddy mics, thrift store keyboards, salvaged mixers, and twenty-second hand guitars will be as cliche as autotune. (5/10) Florence and the Machine Lungs Universal/Island Who is Florence and what is this Machine? Well, in her early days gigging around London, Florence was Florence Welch and the Machine was any bloke she could get to stand in on guitar. In that guise, performing weathered, worn, and pained soul tunes, she was positioning herself to be the English and female equivalent to Jack White. With a powerful voice, a love of the old blues, and a persona not averse to dirty business, her early singles only added to her mystique -- "My Boy Builds Coffins," "Kiss With a Fist," and "Girl With One Eye" -- you needn't even listen to know Florence was one woman who didn't mess around. For her full length debut, Florence has a new machine. Well, it's not really a new machine, it's a very old machine -- the major label machine. And with Florence, the major label machine is doing the same thing its always done -- trying to take an unknown and make her a star. This means those dusty, old grooves are gone and in their place are much bigger productions, dance beats, and an amalgamation of Kate Bush, Sinead O'Connor, and Bat for Lashes. I miss the old machine. (5/10) YOUTUBE: Florence and the Machine - Rabbit Heart YOUTUBE: Florence and the Machine - Kiss With a Fist YOUTUBE: Florence and the Machine - Dog Days Other Girls Perfect Cities Audio Eagle As my arch-nemesis at Defaliens said while trashing this band with their usual blend of libel, slander, and homo-erotic d*ck jokes, Other Girls are "Pop-punk for adults." And quite honestly, that short description isn't too far off. With a mature sense of construction, incorporating precise and slicing guitar riffs with diverse bits of modern indie from the likes Interpol and Band of Horses into the standard, three-minute, verse-chorus-verse pop song, they've made the rare power pop album that doesn't crash after that initial sugar rush. (7/10) MP3: Other Girls - Hey Fella Ya Fell Moby Wait for Me Mute Moby's Wait for Me relives the more elegiac and pastoral moments of both his breakthrough record, Play, and its follow-up 18. Is the fact that there isn't one dance-floor stormer, or one obvious pop moment a problem here? Depends on your expectations. Wait for Me is perfect for lazy afternoons and late nights. Gearing up for that late night? Not so much. (6/10) YOUTUBE: Moby - Pale Horses YOUTUBE: Moby - Shot in the Back of the Head

The Phantasy is Quite Literally On Fire

It's too early to say where and when and how, but there were most definitely flames shooting out of the building on Detroit in Lakewood which houses The Phantasy and The Symposium. And although I haven't been to The Phantasy in years, it saddened me to see the building going up in smoke. It's bad enough that we had someone like Phil Lara killing rock clubs, now this.

Top Jam of the Week: "1, 2, 3 Party!" by Mission of Burma

"1, 2, 3 Partyy!," may not sound like your typical Mission of Burma song title -- A quick scan of Mission of Burma's releases reveals such "light" fare as "Nancy Regan's Head," "That's When I Reach for My Revolver," and "That's How I Escaped My Certain Fate." Plus, let's be honest here, Roger Miller, Clint Conley, Peter Prescott, and Bob Weston have all been around for a while and aren't exactly the party 'til you puke types. Yet, even if the sentiment may not be familiar, the sound surely is: The propulsive bass rumble, subtle studio manipulations, and multi-directional guitar riffs of "1, 2, 3 Partyy!" all hearken back to vintage Burma singles like "This is Not a Photograph," and the aforementioned "That's How I Escaped My Certain Fate." MP3: Mission of Burma - 1, 2, 3, Partyy! The Sound, The Speed, The Light by Mission of Burma will be out October 6th on Matador Records. It will be preceded by the "Innermost" 7" single on August 18th. Mission of Burma Matador Records

Help Wanted: Photographer Needed to Shoot The Pitchfork Music Festival

Are you going to Pitchfork music festival next weekend and are you handy with a camera, as in you take pictures with something other than a point and shoot or your iphone? Do you want to go to the Pitchfork music festival and take pictures? Do you know someone who fits into either category A (Is going and is handy with a camera) or category B (Wants to go and is handy with a camera)? Get in touch with me ASAP. I have an extra three day ticket and a photo pass for you.

Tonight: Man Man and Mystery of Two at The Rock Hall

...And it's free. Gig poster by John G.

From the IRCWHQ Newsdesk: Drummer Gets a Release Date Plus News From Dead Weather, Uncle Bob, The Cribs, and Death

* The Patrick Carney side project, Drummer, consisting entirely of Akron area drummers playing other instruments than drums (Except for the one drummer who has to play the drums in the band) will be released September, 29th on Audio Eagle Records. Another preview track, "Feel Good Together" is available for download now via Pitchfork. * Speaking of side projects, the new Jack White band, Dead Weather, has an album due out next week and the fine young men at Buddyhead have posted a couple from said album. * New Robert Pollard releases aren't exactly the things of news, since let's be honest, there's a new Pollard release every other month. Yet, when that new release is by his new band, Boston Spaceships, who happen to be his most successful project of recent years, then, yes, it is news. From 0 to 99 will be out October 6th on GBV Records. * Fresh off his stint playing with Modest Mouse, The Smith's Johnny Marr has joined forces with the UK band, The Cribs for their latest long player, Ignore the Ignorant. For a limited time, you can download the album track "We Were Aborted," from the Cribs' website. And while the UK release date for Ignore the Ignorant is set for this September, it probably won't be available state side until late this fall or early winter. * Lastly, I want to leave you with one very rad concert announcement. The Detroit proto-punk band Death, whose lone release was re-issued on Drag City Records earlier this year, will be making a very rare live appearance at The Beachland Ballroom on Sunday, September 29th. If you're unfamiliar with their story, I highly suggest checking out Mike Rubin's piece, "This Band Was Punk Before Punk Was Punk," published earlier this year for the New York Times. And come to think of it, I highly suggest checking out that album, For The Whole World to See, too.

"High Until We Die" and "Reception" by Coin Under Tongue

Recording in A Place to Bury Strangers' Death By Audio Studios, it's almost too easy to draw comparisons between the Coin Under Tongue and APTBS. Hell, both bands share a love of love tooth-cracking discharges of guitar via extreme effects pedals. Yet, to leave the introduction with no more than notes of their similarities, is to ignore the fact that Coin Under Tongue are drawing from a far wider pallet than the feedback loving British acts of the late '80s and early '90s. On both "Reception" and "High Until We Die," Coin Under Tongue pair their love of piercing feedback with guitar riffs which are practically doom-like at times. And while I can't say I ever wanted to hear a band channel both Sabbath and Joy Division in the same song, now that I have, I'm wondering why no one thought of this combination sooner. MP3: Coin Under Tongue - Reception MP3: Coin Under Tongue - High Until We Die Death by Audio Records recently released an EP of Coin Under Tongue's recent output entitled, The So Far EP, for free download. Check it out here.

"Repeat It" by Mystery of Two

Indebted to Cleveland's punk/post-punk legacy, but not re-enacting it, Cleveland's Mystery of Two pull off this delicate task without falling into the same trap as many a modern band -- namely, sounding like their record collections. And to far too many modern, post-punk bands, sounding like their record collections means the same old arc of Joy Division, Jesus and Mary Chain, and My Bloody Valentine. For Mystery of Two, Pere Ubu, is an obvious touchstone, on "Repeat It," if only for Ryan Weitzel's foreboding and dramatic vocal delivery. His guitar work, on the other hand, alternates between sleek, agile tones, and blasts of fury, amped up post-rock and guitar pedal overload. When paired with a rhythm section featuring the nimble and propulsive work of Nick Riley on drums, the only possible result is to do as the title says, and "Repeat It." Mp3: Mystery of Two - Repeat It July will be quite the busy month for the Cleveland trio. Tomorrow, July 8th, they'll be opening for Man Man at the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame as part of the Rock Hall's free summer concert series. Later this week, they'll be making an appearance at the Ingenuity Festival taking place in downtown Cleveland. Lastly, there's the matter of their album release party, which will be July 31st at the Beachland Tavern. Mystery of Two Exit Stencil Records

"No Time No Hope" by Times New Viking

With 2009 being the year lo-fi broke, as in other lo-fi bands not named Times New Viking making serious inroads into the independent underground as well as other lo-fi bands not named Times New Viking not living up to their buzz band status, one could forgive the Columbus, lo-fi pop trio had they decided Auto-Tune to be the new lo-fi, and trashed their established aesthetic for something with a bit more fidelity. They didn't. Instead, "No Time No Hope," serves as a reminder to all those who have followed TNV that coating your songs in hissy fuzz means nothing if your recording didn't start with a proper pop song. MP3: Times New Viking - No Time No Hope Times New Viking's fourth album, Born Again Revisited, will be released September 22nd on Matador Records. Times New Viking Matador Records

"If I Were a Carpenter" by Sweet Tea (Feat. Members of The Black Angels and Heartless Bastards)

The fact that "If I Were a Carpenter," the first single released by Sweet Tea, a collaboration started by Erica Wennestrom of Heartless Bastards and Alex Maas of The Black Angles, sounds like The Velvet Underground goes country is by no means a knock on either of these two talents. In fact, I could think of many ways a side project combining the dark, probing psychedelic rock of The Black Angels and the rustic, rugged rock of Heartless Bastards could go horribly wrong. Taking a song made famous by June Carter and Johnny Cash and adding pedal steel, primitive drumming, and lots and lots of reverb isn't one of them. In fact, by finding this middle ground, they make a compelling argument that Sweet Tea just may be one of those rare side projects which matches or exceeds the output of their principal bands. MP3: Sweet Tea - If I Were a Carpenter You can expect a 7" single by Sweet Tea containing "If I Were a Carpenter" with the b-side, Ray Price's "Crazy Arms" to be available digitally later this month and on vinyl this September. Heartless Bastards Black Angels Fat Possum Records

What I Did On My Summer Vacation

It's been a while, hasn't it? In the past week I've been stressed and depressed about my state of joblessness, then stopped feeling sorry for myself and took a weekend trip to Philadelphia to visit some very good friends of mine. While in Philadelphia, I saw the famous Rocky statue and climbed the famous Rocky stairs outside the Philadelphia Rocky Art Museum, and I also got a chance to see Jay Reatard with TV Smith of the Adverts at Johnny Brenda's. It's a damn shame TV Smith didn't have his paperwork in order when the tour was in Cleveland one week prior to the Philly date. He's still looking spry and rather fit for 53 and he hasn't lost any of his punk rock ethos. Taking on a Billy Bragg type role of electric troubadour, his solo performance was a poignant attack on The Man and all his hideous forms. Following TV Smith, Jay Reatard did as Jay Reatard does -- In a whir of flapping afros and flying v-guitars, he and his bandmates ripped through tracks from his two singles collections and his one solo album, Blood Visions, in near double time, barely taking any time between songs, and only speaking to the crowd to brusquely announce the next number or to remind overzealous audience members in the front row that he appreciates his personal space. Then, came the real magic. TV Smith joined Jay Reatard and band on stage for a three song encore which included The Adverts' "Gary Gilmore's Eyes" and "We Who Wait," a track Jay Reatard covered on his Blood Visions album. It was the feel good moment of a feel good weekend where I could forget about all my recession related maladies. And now that I'm back, and have a refreshed mind and body, we should start seeing regular updates on I Rock Cleveland again. I've got a stack of nearly 20 albums in various states of review waiting to be published, and my RSS reader and inbox are both on fire with special goodness this morning. Stay tuned...

Drive Time Radio with Kid Flamingo and the 185th St. Shuffle: Playlist: 6.27.09 (Blue Arrow DJ Stage @ Waterloo Arts Fest)

For those who missed Drive Time Radio with Kid Flamingo and the 185th St. Shuffle at the DJ stage during the Waterloo Arts Fest, here's the playlist: 1. Ramones - Do You Remember Rock 'N' Roll Radio 2. Exploding Hearts - Rumours in Town 3. Cheap Trick - He's a Whore 4. Yo La Tengo - Little Honda 5. Gentleman Jesse and His Men - All I Need Tonight (Is You) 6. Nick Lowe - Heart of the City 7. The Jam - Town Called Malice 8. The Rubinos - I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend 9. The Kinks - Top of the Pops 10. The Smiths - The Queen is Dead 11. Guided by Voices - Return to Saturn X 12. The Replacements - Left of the Dial 13. Spoon - Fitted Shirt 14. Pavement - Summer Babe 15. Wreckless Eric - Whole Wide World 16. T Rex - Telegram Sam 17. David Vandervelde - Can't See Your Face No More 18. Kevin Drew - Backed Out On The... 19. Spacemen 3 - Walkin' With Jesus 20. Spiritualized - This Little Life of MIne 21. Gang of Four - 545 22. The Vaselines - Son of a Gun 23. Buzzcocks - I Don't Mind 24. Mission of Burma - This is Not a Photograph 25. Mott the Hoople - All the Young Dudes (Jeff and I were asleep at the controls and this came on. Not that I'm complaining) 26. Parts and Labor - The Gold We're Digging 27. McLusky - To Hell With Good Intentions 28. Times New Viking - Teen Dream 29. The Thermals - Pillar of Salt 30. Archers of Loaf - Harnessed in Slums 31. Black Flag - TV Party 32. The Mice - Second Best 33. The Black Keys - Set Me Free 34. Michael Stanley Band - My Town (This could have been ironic or it could have been the Pabst) 35. Cobra Verde - Modified Frankenstein Thanks to everyone who stopped by and said hi. None of this would have been possible without all the hard work of Melanie at Music Saves and everyone else who helped put on the festival, Blue Arrow Records, and that cooler of ice cold Pabst next to the DJ stage provided by Blue Arrow Records. The ice cold cooler of Pabst is as good excuse as any I have for playing Michael Stanley Band.

Reminder: Made in the 216 and Waterloo Arts Fest This Weekend

In addition to the Waterloo Arts Fest happening this Saturday in the neighborhood in and around the Beachland Ballroom, there's a second Cleveland-centric festival going on in the Gordon Square neighborhood on Detroit. Made in the 216 will feature local goods made in Cleveland, eats from local eateries and after party shows at the Happy Dog both Friday and Saturday night. Friday's bill features Mystery of Two, The Dreadful Yawns and The Stereo Workers Union, while Saturday's show will include performances by Hot Cha Cha, The Very Knees and JJ Magazine. More information on Made in the 216 can be found at the Room Service blog and by searching Made in the 216 on Facebook. Now, about that Waterloo Arts Fest. Don't forget I'll be dj-ing with my good friend Jeff Sierputowski under our alter egos -- Kid Flamingo and the 185th St. Shuffle -- from 3:30 to 5:30 at Blue Arrow Records. Also, Melanie at Music Saves has put together the definitive guide to the Arts Fest which I'm copying and pasting below. NOON THE FEST BEGINS!! Head straight to the Beachland so you have your choice of all the great wares at the ROCK ‘N’ ROLL FLEA MARKET (goes until 5pm) 12:00-1:30 DJ Gaw spinning at Blue Arrow Records 12:30 YO-YO Master Steve Brown performing in the street 12:45 Check out new Waterloo favorites The Lighthouse and the Whaler at the Beachland Tavern 1:00 The Helper T-Cells performing for kids of all ages on the Kids Stage 1:30-3:30 Miss Allisun spinning at Blue Arrow Records 2:00 Arte Povera at the Beachland Tavern Stage 2:30 Heelsplitter (americana) at the Sculpture Garden Stage 3:00 Go on an historic walk of the neighborhood with Councilman Michael Polensek (a HUGE Fest supporter!) and State Representative Kenny Yuko! Priceless! 3:15 The Muttering Retreats at the Beachland Tavern Stage 3:30-5:30 Drive Time Radio w/Kid Flamingo and the 185th Street Shuffle DJ set at Blue Arrow Records (Bill from I ROCK CLEVELAND and Jeff, The “Outgoing” Mayor of Waterloo) 4:00 Picklefight Puppet Theater (Leia from Afternoon Naps doing her puppet thang in the street) 4:30 The Modern Electric at the Beachland Tavern Stage New phenoms getting a bunch of buzz! 5:30 DJ Lawrence Daniel Caswell spinning at Blue Arrow Records 5:45 Home and Garden at the Beachland Tavern Stage Local legends includes members of Pere Ubu 6:15 Church of the Lazy B@stards (old school country) at the Sculpture Garden Stage 7:00-9:00 After Party in the Beachland Tavern! $5 donation to Arts Collinwood gets you free food, a free drink, and a shot at great raffle prizes like a MUSIC SAVES gift certificate! DJs Chris Kulcsar and Tony Merritt will be the hosts for the evening, too! After AFTER PARTIES – starting at 9pm This is Cleveland (All the Stuff I See) closing party at Low Life Gallery hosted by our friend Justin aka Cleveland Bachelor. Arte Povera will DJ, and you will have a great time Jonathan Richman and Vic Chesnutt at The Beachland Ballroom Mr. Gnome at the Beachland Tavern Waterloo Café Cocktail Party – Wind down with some drinks at our new neighborhood watering hole

Sweet: Win a Pair of Tickets to See Ha Ha Tonka at The Beachland Tavern Tomorrow

Thanks to the good people at Bloodshot Records, I've got two pairs of tickets for tomorrow's Ha Ha Tonka show at the Beachland Tavern. Since this is such short notice, we'll do this on a first come first serve basis. Simply send an email to irockcleveland at gmail dot com with the subject line "Ha Ha Tonka Tickets" and the first two to reply will get free two spots at the door for tomorrow's show. And if you need a reminder as to what you're getting yourself into, check out the single "Close Every Valve to Your Bleeding Heart," which was posted here last week.

A Fist Full of Jams: Spiral Stairs, Those Darlins', The Very Best, Brian Olive, and Ganglians

So, Pavement's Stephen Malkmus has kept himself active releasing albums on Matador Records with The Jicks, and now Pavement's Spiral Stairs, aka Scott Kannberg, has his own solo album slotted for Matador this fall. What are the chances they get the old band back together? Oh, probably none, but a boy can dream, right? Pavement reunion wishes aside, Spiral Stairs' "Maltese Terrier" sounds like a Pavement song, if the boys in Pavement had cared about playing in tune all those years back. In other words, it won't kill the urge for that Pavement reunion. MP3: Spiral Stairs - Maltese Terrier The debut album by the fun loving, garage rock 'n' country trio, Those Darlins' comes with one of the more interesting pre-order freebies I've seen a while. Stop in to your local indie store, like Music Saves, and with the purchase of the vinyl/cd combo and you get a free pair of BluBlockers. Of course, you get music, too. Like this jam, "Red Light Love," where they come off as the Southern version of the Detroit Cobras. MP3: Those Darlins' - Red Light Love So, let's say you're Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend and you're tired of people saying that you ripped off the music of Africa for your own benefit when you recorded your debut album. What do you do? Work with a bona fide African like Esau Mwamwaya, of The Very Best, of course. I kid. I really, do. And the only reason I kid is because "The Warm Heart of Africa," and its mix of dancehall, reggae, and American pop music has some serious summer jam potential going on. MP3: The Very Best feat. Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend - Warm Heart of Africa (Download via RCRD LBL) It's unfair to throw names like Lennon or McCartney around when talking about modern songwriters, but, damn, Brian Olive's sunny, sleepy-eyed, bundle of optimism, "There is Love," sure does make me think Lennon. MP3: Brian Olive - There is Love "Lost Words" is type of song I've always wanted to hear from Animal Collective -- Start with that Brain Wilson infatuation, add some studio twiddling, a little bit of re-verb, and, most importantly, a honest to goodness melody -- and it's not by Animal Collective, but Ganglians. Go figure. MP3: Ganglians - Lost Words

The Lemonheads Live @ The Grog Shop Cleveland Hts. 06.22.09

Prior to leaving for the Grog Shop Monday night, the number one question on my mind was which Evan Dando would should up with The Lemonheads. Since he's been recording and touring regularly the latter half of this decade, first on his 2003 solo album, Baby I'm Bored, and later with two Lemonheads albums: 2006's self titled-release and '09s Varshons, the only consistent thing about his performances has been his dreaminess. Well, at least that's what my lady friend's say. Whether you get a coherent grateful Dando eager to share his songs, or a less than lucid one, more interested in boozin' and druggin' than his band, that's another story. Taking the stage in a cheap sport coat, and faded vintage tee, Dando didn't even bother to acknowledge the Grog Shop crowd before quickly strumming his way through "Being Around" and "Allison's Starting to Happen." The lack of formalities didn't seem to matter to the thirty-somethings and the younger fans who would gladly pay to hear anything from The Lemonheads classic 1992 alt-rock album, It's a Shame About Ray. The Lemonheads have always a loosely knit band in the loosest sense of the word. Even in their hey-day, members rarely stayed for more than an album or two. So, when the band joined Dando, and they appeared especially rag tag even for Lemonheads' standards, you had to take it with a grain of salt. The rhythm guitarist and the bassist were so young, they couldn't have been more than toddlers when It's a Shame About Ray first came out, while the drummer was an older gentleman who looked like he fought even more Rock 'N' Roll battles than Dando. Regardless of their appearance, the did prove very apt with the back catalog following Dando's lead on "My Drug Buddy," "It's a Shame About Ray," and "Confetti," adding some girth to song's which tended to the folksier side of the power pop spectrum on record. The only time they stumbled was when Dando may or may not have added an abstract guitar solo to "Green Fuzz." I say may or may not because it wasn't really apparent if he was set to jam, or just lost his place in the song. That one's up for debate. Also up for debate was Dando's lucidity in general. After closing the set with "Outdoor Type," he left his guitar stranded against the amp, screeching uncomfortable feedback. Dando would return for two encores -- the first with a full band and the second just him and his guitar. Each time his lack of communication left the crowd wondering if he was really done for the night or merely going back stage for another drink. Another awkward moment with the band during "If I Could Take I'd Tell You," which we won't call an abstract solo, and a hurried and haphazard take on "Frank Mills," answered that question. To Dando's credit, he never labored those missteps. He just shrugged his shoulders and played the lovable slacker he's always been. The Lemonheads Set List -- Grog Shop Cleveland Hts 6.22.09 1. Being Around (Evan Dando Solo electric) 2. Allison's Starting to Happen (Solo electric) 3. Down About It 4. Hospital 5. Green Fuzz 6. My Drug Buddy 7. It's a Shame About Ray 8. Rick James Style 9. Into Your Arms 10. Big Gay Heart 11. Great Big No 12. Confetti 13. Layin' Up With Linda 14. Mexico 15. Waiting Around to Die 16. Outdoor Type 17. I Just Can't Take it Any More 18. Why Do You Do This to Yourself 19. If I Could Talk I'd Tell You 20. Rudderless 21. Skulls (Solo electric) 22. Frank Mills (Solo electric)

Coming This Week: A Whole Lotta Rock

Tonight, Monday, June 22nd: The Lemonheads, Filmstrip @ Grog Shop Tuesday, June 23rd: Crocodiles, Beaten Awake, Dirty Sweet @ Beachland Tavern. Thursday, June 25th: Ha Ha Tonka @ Beachland Tavern. Def Leapard, Poison, Cheap Trick @ Blossom. Friday, June 26th: The Germs @ Now That's Class. The Church, Adam Franklin (of Swervedriver) @ Beachland Ballroom. Coffinberry CD Release show with Bill Fox, Founding Fathers, Uno Lady. Saturday, June 27th: Johnathan Richman, Vic Chestnut @ Beachland Ballroom. Black Moth Super Rainbow @ Grog Shop. Mr. Gnome @ Beachland Tavern. Waterloo Arts Fest feat. 10 bands, 4 Djs, street performers and all kinds of goodness. Sunday, June 28th: Jay Reatard, TV Smith (of The Adverts) @ Grog Shop.

Moving Pictures: "Vivre Sans Temps Mort" by Double Dagger

Not that I'm trying to spoil the ending of this clip, but...all that work, spent meticulously assembling model cars, for what? A grand accident scene the likes of which is rarely seen with model cars or otherwise. The plastic carnage in this clip puts my Zen Arcade diorama of smashed Hot Wheels to shame. Here I thought I was all artsy recreating a classic album cover with my busted cars in a shoebox and Double Dagger up the ante one thousand fold. P4KTV: Double Dagger - Vivre Sans Temps Mort More by Double Dagger is out now on Thrill Jockey Records. Th Double Dagger Thrill Jockey

"Molalatladi" by BLK JKS

Oh, how I wish the sound of South African football was the chorus of "Away, away ah-oh" from BLK JKS' "Molalatladi" and not the infernal vuvuzela? Don't know what a vuvuzela is? Well, be thankful you haven't heard the constant buzzing of that long plastic horn which has been dominating South African stadiums during the Confederations Cup. Don't know who BLK JKS are? Well, you'll want to get yourself acquainted to this rootsy, rock band from South Africa with an affinity for American psychedelic rock, the folk stylings of their homeland, and the type of reggae-inspired jams the Bad Brains would kick out when they weren't tearing sh*t up. With the World Cup less than a year away that's plenty of time to learn a simple chorus and turn it into a football chant. What do you say South Africa? Will you give it a chance? MP3: BLK JKS - Molalatladi After Robots by BLK JKS will be out September 8th on Secretly Canadian. BLK JKS Secretly Canadian photo by Mikhael Subotzky

"Close Every Valve to Your Bleeding Heart" by Ha Ha Tonka

Ha Ha Tonka sure know how to pull those tattered heart strings of an unemployed man who spends too much time pondering his lot. "Close to Every Valve of Your Bleeding Heart" is a sad song, and a drinking song, with the added punch of some Doestoevsky name dropping. At first its, "Only Doestoevsky would dream up a pair like us." Then, as the band picks up steam, and guitar picking and a lonely, broken voice become power chords and audible frustration, it's "Only Doestoevsky could kill off a pair like us." Now, that's some good sounding desperation. MP3: Ha Ha Tonka - Close Every Valve to Your Bleeding Heart Ha Ha Tonka's latest release, Novel Sounds of the Nouveau South, is out now on Bloodshot Records. They'll be in Cleveland this Thursday, June 25th, for a show at The Beachland Tavern. Ha Ha Tonka Bloodshot Records photo by Calvin Engel

"When the Devil's Loose" by A A Bondy

While A. A. Bondy may have plugged in for "When the Devil's Loose," the title track to his forthcoming sophomore release, he hasn't lost the intimacy which made American Hearts such a delightful listen. Like much of his debut, "When the Devil's Loose," is rustic and hushed, birthed in rural America, and delivered with plain simplicity. The only difference being, this time around it sounds as if he's found a new new friend or two, and a long extension cord to run out to that withered old back porch. MP3: A. A. Bondy - When the Devil's Loose When the Devil's Loose by A. A. Bondy will be out on Fat Possum Records September 1st. A. A. Bondy Fat Possum Records photo by Clare Felice

From the IRCWHQ Newsdesk: Larchmere Porchfest, Summer Solstice @ Cleveland Museum of Art, Devo Recording Update and More

* A unique event is taking place this Saturday afternoon and evening in the Larchmere neighborhood of Cleveland. Porchfest runs from 2 - 6 with a full slate of performances by local musicians taking place at residential porches. Hence, the name Porchfest. Later that evening, the days' events will move to Shaker Square where Other Girls, JJ Magazine, Goodmorning Valentine will perform at the main stage. More information can be found here. * Not to be outdone in the unique department, the Cleveland Museum of Art is throwing a Summer Solstice celebration Saturday night. The event is headlined by Dan Deacon, who is scheduled to perform at 10:15, with Cleveland's fast rising drone rock stars, Emeralds closing out the night's festivities at 1. * Devo continue to work on their forthcoming full length album, and by the time the album is finished there may be a few familiar names listed in the credits. In an interview with Spin.com, Mark Mothersbaugh speaks about a colloboration with LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy as well as the potential for future work with Justice and Fatboy Slim. * Speaking of classic Northeast, Ohio bands in the studio...Pere Ubu have a new disc slated for release this September. * Cobra Verde's John Petkovic recently spoke with Mike Shanley of Blurt.com and as always, Petkovic delivered some choice lines. On the band's Rolling Stones' cover, "Play With Fire," being featured in the HBO series True Blood, he had this to say: "After that came out, ABKCO, the Stones' publishing company was calling and emailing every single day to make sure that they got paid up because we got tons of downloads on iTunes after the show aired. I told them, "I understand that Mick and Keith don't have the luxury to fall back on day jobs, but we do." * Lastly, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced the schedule for this year's Summer Concert Series. All shows are free of charge and will take place outside the rock hall, weather permitting. The schedule is as follows: Wednesday, July 8 Man Man and Mystery of Two Wednesday, July 22 Akron/Family and Black Swans Wednesday, Aug. 5 Chairlift and JJ Magazine Wednesday, Aug. 19 Gil Mantera's Party Dream and This Is a Shakedown!