The Rockometer: Mission of Burma, Ladyhawk, and F*ck Buttons

Mission of Burma Signals, Calls, and Marches/Vs/The Horrible Truth About Burma Matador/Ace of Hearts In Our Band Can Be Your Life, Michael Azerrad's look at the roots of indie rock, he introduces his chapter on Mission of Burma with a quote by Byron Coley and Jimmy Johnson from Forced Exposure, "Mission of Burma played a noisily aggressive brand of guitar pop that was always real f*ckin' close to just-what-the-doctor-ordered, but most of the time it seemed like nobody cared. Why? Well, people are a**holes, I guess." I had a different excuse. When Mission of Burma were first active between the years of '79 and '83, I was but a youngster listening to John Denver, Simon and Garfunkel, Neil Diamond and whatever else I could find in my old man's record collection. How was I to know that my old man's records were decidedly un-rock? Later in life, after I had my personal musical awakening, Mission of Burma would fall into the unfortunate category of "Heard of 'em/Haven't listened to 'em." I fully understood that Mission of Burma were an important band, but now, I was the a**hole ignoring them for whatever flavor of the month band was burning up alterna-rock radio that month. It wouldn't be until Mission of Burma reformed, nearly 20 years after their break-up, and I found myself reading Azerrad's book, that I stopped being an a**hole and gave this band a listen. Man, was I an a**hole. Mission of Burma early work showed them as America's answer to Joy Division, but with more aggression, less depression, and more noise. You can hear their influence in everyone from Fugazi to Sonic Youth. While their first single, "Academy Fight Song," and EP tracks "(This Is Not) A Photograph," and "That's When I Reach for My Revolver" (All gathered on the expanded Signals, Calls, and Marchers) raged with the feelings of youthful displeasure common for those living in the Reagan years, there was much more to this band than rousing the force of collective shouts and fists-in-the-air from the kids in the front row. With Roger Miller's incisive and forceful guitar work, a heavy and technically precise back end provided by bassist Clint Conley and drummer Peter Prescott, and tape manipulator Martin Swope, lurking behind the scenes, cutting, slicing, and re-feeding live sound back into the mix, Mission of Burma were far more daring than many of their dissatisfied peers. Perhaps no song encapsulates Mission of Burma's complicated relationship history and its challenging view of structure and convention more than "Trem Two," the first single from their first full length, Vs. In the liner notes, Prescott, Conley, Miller, and producer Rick Harte relate how it went from an unpopular choice at its time of release in '82, to one of their most requested live songs for the modern day version of the band. Miller's guitar is heavily treated in echo and delay, blurring the boundary between notes, while it repeats a slithering and seductive riff. There isn't a cracking chorus to be found and the vocals rarely rise above a meditative tone. You can't stomp, mosh, or stage dive to it. No wonder those accustomed to Burma's first singles were so confounded. "Trem Two" was a cerebral number, rewarding for an attentive listener intent on slicing through the static with a careful pair of ears and big, bulky headphones plugged into the hi-fi. Consequently, its exactly the type of track that stands out in this newly re-mastered form. Yet, it's not like Mission of Burma entirely abandoned the sound that gained them their initial following in Boston and the Northeast. It's just that on Vs the raging moments were either less direct and less obvious than their early period output, as on "Learn How," "Mica," and "The Ballad of Johnny Burma," or, as was the case with "This is Not a Photograph," consigned to the end of the album. The Horrible Truth About Burma was that their live shows were wildly inconsistent. The title of the record itself, is the band's own admission of this fact. As my only live experience with Mission of Burma was during their 2006 tour for the Obliterati, where they'd obviously worked out all the kinks, I can only rely on those who where there, like Tristam Lozaw, who was quoted in Azerad's book as saying, "When they were good, they were very very good, but when they were bad they were horrid...Because they took chances, you never knew whether you were going to get one of the most spectacular experiences of your life or if it was going to be a ball of incomprehensible noise." The ten tracks on the original release, and the four new to the reissue, were all taken from Mission of Burma's final tour. And true to their form, or lack thereof, Prescott recounts in the liner notes, that the shows got progressively worse as the shows wore on. You would never guess it from the quality of these recordings. Crisp and clean, they seem to reveal a band at the height of their game, not one capable of a "ball of incomprehensible noise." Most notable among the tracks included on The Horrible Truth About Burma, is "Peking Spring," a song that by all rights should have stood along side Photograph, Revolver, or "Academy Fight Song," as one of their greatest anthems, but was never put to record, for the band had already tired of it by the time they got to recording Signals, Calls, and Marches, and Vs. Like Miller, Prescott, Conley, and Swope's replacement, Bob Weston, who are active again, recording and touring as Mission of Burma, we're all a little older, and a little wiser, but nonetheless, still rocking. Hell, some of us may have even taken Miller's tinnitus as a warning and wear earplugs to shows these days. Being older and wiser, I think we can all appreciate the second chance afforded by these remastered albums. So, whether you overlooked this band the first time around, ignored them during your college years, or have yet to sample any of their recent output, it's time we all stop being a**holes and give Burma the attention they deserve. This is essential listening. MP3: Mission of Burma - Max Ernst (Signals, Calls, and Marches) MP3: Mission of Burma - That's How I Escaped My Certain Fate (Vs) MP3: Mission of Burma - Weatherbox (The Horrible Truth About Burma) Signals, Calls, and Marches: 10 out of 10 on the Rockometer VS by Mission of Burma: 10 out of 10 on the Rockometer The Horrible Truth About Burma by Mission of Burma: 8 out of 10 on The Rockometer Note: In addition to previously unreleased tracks, each of these reissues come with a bonus DVD with live concert footage. Never one to care for bonus DVD's, I can attest to the fact that for once, these discs are definitely worth their inclusion. Ladyhawk Shots Jagjaguwar After a slight detour into weirdsville on 2007's Fight for Anarchy EP, Vancouver's Ladyhawk return with a set of gruffy, rugged tunes refining the booze fueled, Neil Young inspired rustic rock sound of their debut. Following the opening tracks ("I Don't Always Know What You're Saying" and "S.T.H.D") where lead guitarist Darcy Hancock reaffirms his standing as one of indie rock's modern guitar heroes, the album takes a decidedly dark turn. It turns out the young love that sounded so boundless and powerful on "Teenage Love Song" from their self titled release, has gone to sh*t right quick. "Fear," "Corpse Paint," "(I'll be Your) Ashtray," "Faces of Death," and "Ghost Blues" aren't exactly the stuff of lovebirds fluttering about the Canadian wilderness. The pain is all to real in Duffy Driediger's voice as he's a shaky, manic mess on "Ashtray" and even more so on the rickety, lament "Faces of Death, " as Hancock's desperate, flailing guitar solo retreats, and he's left alone with the broken down refrain "There's no such thing as endless love." If all of this sounds too heavy for one heart to take, the band do provide a break in the form of "Night Your Beautiful," where light, lifting Do-da-do's, a la Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side" coexist with one thick, bad-ass stoner rock riff, and again on "You Ran," a fleeting, two minute shakedown filled with re-verb, prickly feedback, and even more wild ax work. See, even at their darkest and most desperate, Ladyhawk can't forsake rock and roll. MP3: Ladyhawk - I Don't Always Know What You're Saying Shots by Ladyhawk: 8 out of 10 on The Rockometer Fuck Buttons Street Horrrsing ATP Recordings Where the sound of blenders, garbage disposals, and cuisanarts meets shimmering melody, you'll find Fuck Buttons. At their best, as on "Sweet Love for Planet Earth" and "Bright Tomorrow" they combine elements of harsh noise and soothing ambient sounds, to create a singular movement transcendent of those divergent genres. Yet, while they're more than capable of producing more of these moments, there are times on Street Horrrsing (namely the middle sequence of "Ribs Out," "Okay, Let's Talk About Magic," and "Race You to My Bedroom/Spirit Rise") where one gets the impression that the Britol (England) duo are guilty of indulging their abstract half and reining in their gentler side, content to let the blenders do their thing accompanied by tribal beats, incomprehensible yelps, or generally slow moving and/or uninspired melodies. Even with its faults, Street Horrrsing is a promising debut record that hints at greater possibilities in the future should they learn to perfect their mix of the haywire and the heavenly. Youtube: Fuck Buttons Bright Tomorrow Street Horrrsing by Fuck Buttons: 6 out of 10 on The Rockometer

From the IRCWHQ Newsdesk: Record Store Day at Music Saves, Lottrey League Update, and Exit Stencil Profile

Music Saves will be participating in the first (and hopefully annual) Record Store Day on Saturday, April 19th. There will be specials, prizes, exclusive releases, a live performance outside the store featuring Bears, The Helper T-Cells, and Marie Corbo, and a coloring contest. In case you're wondering, why yes, I did color my entry with MS Paint, and no, I'm not trying to influence the outcome of the competition in any way. Kevin and Melanie from Music Saves really do rule. The Cleveland Scene has a lengthy story on the ongoing preparations for the Lottery League showcase happening at the Beachland on Saturday, April 12th. This unique, one-time event features 150 Cleveland musicians, who subjected themselves to a random drawing in order to create over 30 new bands. Each band has had two months to put together a 10 minute set with original material. More information on the Lottery League can be found here. The Midwest music blog, People With Animal Heads, recently published an interview with Ryan Weitzel of Exit Stencil Records and Mystery of Two. With new releases by Spanish Prisoners, Hot Cha Cha, and The Dreadful Yawns due out in the first half of the year, this looks to be a big year for the Cleveland based label.

"Dig Lazarus Dig!!!" by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

If it seems like the ageless Nick Cave has been around forever, well, it's because in musical terms, he has. His discography stretches way back to 1980 and the influential post-punk band, The Birthday Party. And not only has he released too many albums for me to take the time and count on Wikipedia or All Music Guide, some of his best work has been produced in just the last few years. It started with 04's Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus, then continued with last year's "Mini-Seeds" project, Grinderman. One could even say that his career has been reborn, if one wanted to make the obvious segue into his latest album with The Bad Seeds, Dig Lazarus Dig!!! While Cave is quick to point out that he was keen on finding a more expansive sound for his latest album with the Bad Seeds, there's still plenty of nasty guitar grit left over from his work with Grinderman. It may not be the focus of the mix, but as Cave spins the tale of a modern day Lazarus scratching and scavenging his way through life in New York City, vicious bits of six string squalor punctuate Larry's maddening struggle with living life as someone who should be dead. MP3: Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds - Dig Lazarus Dig!!! Youtube: Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds - Dig Lazarus Dig!!! Dig Lazarus Dig!!!, the 14th album by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds will be out April 8th on Anti- Records. The title track was recently included on the Anti- Records 2008 Sampler. It can be downloaded from the Anti- Records blog and includes tracks by Bob Mould, Billy Bragg, Man Man, Devotchka and others. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds Myspace Anti- Records

"You on the Run" by The Black Angels

Around these parts, Directions to See a Ghost, the second album by Austin rockers, The Black Angels, is easily one of the most anticipated releases of 2008. Their debut release, 2006's Passover, was a heavy and mesmerizing take on the classic psychedelic sounds of bands like The Velvet Underground and 13th Floor Elevators, which aptly captured the fear, paranoia, and anger of living during a new age of warfare. A relentless touring schedule brought the band to Cleveland multiple times, and included a high profile opening slot for The Black Keys' homecoming gig on their Magic Potion tour, as well as one memorable night at the Beachland Tavern where their extended set closed with a shredding cover of the Stooges classic "I Wanna Be Your Dog" and a good old freak out jam with members of Vietnam that went way past bedtime for more than one office worker in the crowd. Although "You on the Run," the lead cut from Directions to See a Ghost, may feature an Eastern vibe drifting in and out of their big, thick drone, this isn't one of those neo-hippie love fests. With ominous, primal drum beats and squelching guitar solos, it's clear The Black Angels aren't stopping their explorations into the seedier side of psych rock anytime soon. And why would they? If you've seen the band on recent tours, and heard the new material they've been previewing, then you're well aware that the sinister sounds of Passover were only the beginning. MP3: The Black Angels - You on the Run (via Stereogum) Directions to See a Ghost will be available digitally on April 15th with the physical release following on May 13th. Rumor has it, The Black Angels may be joining forces with The Warlocks this Summer for a tour of mind-melting proportions. The Black Angels The Black Angels Myspace Light in the Attic Records photo by Briana Purser

"Shaky Science" by Trouble Books

Quiet and unassuming, Trouble Books have this horrible habit of getting lost in the chatter of the crowd when they open for better known acts. Yet, if you put down the Pabst and the cell phone, and stop talking for a moment, you'll notice a small group of dedicated listeners at the front of the stage, and you'll hear Keith Freund, Linda Lejsovka, Mike Tolan, and whomever else happens to be a Trouble Book for the evening, spin some of the most charming and carefully crafted tales of every day life backed by fragile strands of sound, whispering through the speakers. On "Shaky Science," from their latest self-released record, The United Colors of Trouble Books, Freund and his band perfectly capture the spirit of a lazy day, as slowly strummed guitar and ambient rays of sound peer through the windows like the first rays of sunshine on a do nothing Sunday, while he plainly requests, "It would be super cool if you decided to stay/I don't have anything I have to do since yesterday." Then, just as the sun is about to brighten the room, and perhaps, bring them to action, it recedes back behind the clouds of Northeast Ohio's ever present gray. MP3: Trouble Books - Shaky Science Trouble Books Myspace Trouble Books

The Breeders to Premiere Mountain Battles with an Online Listening Party Tonight

The Breeders will be premiering their new album, Mountain Battles, due out April 8th on 4AD Records, with an online listening party at 6 PM EDT tonight at their web home, Breeders Digest. This online event will include video of the band as they had their own listening party in Dayton while they listened to a test pressing of the album.

"So Messed Up" by Tall Firs

All it takes is one quick listen to Tall Firs' Too Old to Die Young, their second release for Thurston Moore's Ecstatic Peace, to hear how this Brooklyn electronic folk band have found the perfect home on the Sonic Youth guitarist's record label. The dueling guitars of Dave Miles and Aaron Mullan recall the quieter moments of Sonic Youth, or like-minded Nineties bands like Eric's Trip or Sebadoh, while their vocals share Moore's laid back, everyman style of delivery. These references are most evident on numbers like the lead track, "So Messed Up," where a delicately reserved intro of interwoven guitar lines and rolling drums, gradually gives way to lines such as "We were acid crazed, teenage tweak-outs/Those booze filled days of pills and freak-outs/Tonight we'll be all right/We'll make it through tonight." They're not celebrating the wild days gone by as much as they're plainly admitting their existence. When they repeat, "Tonight we're so messed up/We're so messed up" there's no exclamation point, and there are no high fives. They didn't just score a six pack of cheap beer from their older brother. No, they're older now, and those reckless nights now come with consequences, "We're not too old to get drunk/But we're too old now to die young/We're so messed up." MP3: Tall Firs - So Messed Up Tall Firs Tall Firs Myspace Ecstatic Peace

It's a Good Friday for Rock and Roll

Not only is it a good Friday to rock, it's a good week to rock, as well. Parts and Labor, Pterodactyl, Paik, and National Suicide Day are at MOCA, Health and Crystal Castles are playing the Grog Shop, and Coffinberry and The Luxury Flats will be at The Beachland Tavern. If that's not enough, it's the third Friday of the month. Do you know what that means? Polka Happy Hour at The Happy Dog from 6 to 9. Youtube: Parts and Labor - The Gold We're Digging Youtube: Pterodactyl - Polio Youtube: Health - Crimewave (Live with Aa) Youtube: Crystal Castles - Alice Practice (Live) Youtube: Frankie Yankovic (Live on Johnny Carson) Also this week, Hot Rails cd Release party at The Beachland Tavern on Saturday night, The Cribs at the Grog Shop on Sunday night, Langhorne Slim at The Grog Shop on Tuesday night, and lastly, British Sea Power at the Grog Shop on Wednesday, and Citay and Psychedelic Horseshit at the Beachland Tavern, on Thursday night. Youtube: The Cribs - Moving Pictures Youtube: The Cribs - I'm a Realist Youtube: British Sea Power - Remember Me Youtube: British Sea Power - No Lucifer Youtube: Langhorne Slim - Restless (Live)

"J'accuse" by Hot Cha Cha

I have it on good authority that the four young ladies in Cleveland's Hot Cha Cha have been tearing up local stages with some of the best live shows around town. I can't confirm this rumor as I've been out of action for a bit, but trust me here, unlike most of my other sources, this isn't just some loud mouth I overheard at the bar after a few Pabst, this one's legit. Now, while I can't vouch for their performances, even if their myspace photo galleries seem to back up everything I've heard, I can vouch for their music -- a playful, powerful, and sophisticated mix of big city, post-punk and new wave that sounds far more refined than their Cleveland address might imply. MP3: Hot Cha Cha - J'accuse Hot Cha Cha's debut EP will be out on Cleveland's Exit Stencil Recordings later this year. They're playing The Tower on March 22nd with Sinkane, Daisy, and Houseguest, and will be in Kent the following week, the 28th, at The Zephyr with Beaten Awake. Hot Cha Cha Myspace Exit Stencil Recordings

"Always Wanting More" by Jay Reatard

Ostensibly about a dysfunctional relationship, "Always Wanting More," the first track from Jay Reatard's upcoming 7" series for Matador Records, is also common refrain heard from the legion of fans devoted to this underground Memphis rocker. From his many two-minute, garage punk masterpieces, to his rowdy live sets that rarely hit the 20 minute mark, Jay's always leaving 'em wanting more. With its big, bright and fuzzy guitar lines, hummable melodies, and simple, sing-along chorus, "Always Wanting More" will likely send the dedicated members of Reatard Nation into a frenzy, as they ever so impatiently wait for his next move. And for those of you new to the joys of Jay Reatard? I have a feeling you'll be wanting to hear more, too. MP3: Jay Reatard - Always Wanting More You can find "Always Wanting More" along with more new tunes (including tracks from the post Blood Brothers/Pretty Girls Make Graves band Jaguar Love, The New Pornographers, Times New Viking, a cut from the remastered Mission of Burma discs, and more) from Matador Records on the free digital sampler, Intended Play, available now at the Matador Records website. "Always Wanting More" will also be released as part of Matador Records' Jay Reatard 7" series, the first of which "See Saw"/"Screaming Hand" will be out on April 8th. Jay Reatard Matador Records

"Hard Feelings" by The Constantines

The Constantines 2005 release, Tournament of Hearts, was more of a reserved affair for the Canadian band who've earned numerous comparisons to iconic rockers like The Clash, Fugazi, and The Boss throughout their career, as subtlety, texture, tension and release took precedence over pure sonic assaults. It's not that I have anything against maturity -- cars, babies, mortgages, and paying your bills on time are all worthy pursuits, but sometimes life needs a little kick. The kind of kick that can only be provided by post-punk guitar work. With an intricate and ominous intro similar to the blistering "Nighttime/Anytime (It's Alright)" from 03's Shine a Light, "Hard Feelings" finds The Cons revisiting their old ways with intensity, urgency, and, oh, a smattering of emotion. There are "Hard Feelings," after all. MP3: The Constantines - Hard Feelings Kensignton Heights by The Constantines will be out April 29th on Arts & Crafts Records. Their spring tour includes an April 22nd date at The Grog Shop. The Constantines on Myspace The Constantines on Arts & Crafts

Real Life Emotional Trash: One Man's Recent Struggles with Anxiety and Panic Disorder

This column has nothing to do with rock and or roll. It is partly inspired by Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, and his honesty in detailing his history of panic attacks, migraines, and depression. Panic disorder is a condition I've been dealing with as well. As you may have noticed, during the month of February, I Rock Cleveland went on a bit of a hiatus. I wasn't well enough to blog. Hell, I wasn't well enough to do much of anything except visit doctor's offices and hospital rooms. As the worst has passed and my life has returned to something resembling normal, I feel comfortable in sharing my story. Hopefully, someone out there dealing with anxiety, panic, or depression will see these words, and realize they're not alone. There is hope. February should have been better. February could have been better. February was a month I'd like to forget. Thankfully, there's not much I remember about it. I remember vague scenes like being curled up in the fetal position on the couch for hours. I remember watching the clock, counting the hours that I've been awake in the early morning when I should have been asleep. I remember calling my mother early one morning, begging her to stay at my apartment for a few days because the anxiety was getting worse, and the panic attacks were getting more frequent. I remember shaking uncontrollably, popping another pill, then worrying whether I was taking too many pills, and fearing I'd end up like Heath Ledger from the growing number of medications working their way through my system, and finally not shaking so much for an hour or two. The scenes I remember are the things I'd much rather forget. During the past six years I've had to learn to live with general anxiety disorder and panic disorder. These conditions run deep in my family. My grandmother went through many of the same things I experienced this past month, some 45 or 50 years ago. While, it hasn't been a constant battle, it hasn't been easy, either. I'd go one year on medications. One year off. One year with medications and therapy and the next two years I'd be fine. Then, this past February, the anxiety came roaring back. I'd been sick for much of January, first the flu for two and a half weeks, then a variety of GI issues. Never a hypochondriac, I found myself worrying about every little tick or twitch in my body. In order to alleviate my fears, I started making a list of everything I shouldn't worry about. It started with panic attacks and how they've never killed me before, and soon grew to three or four pages long and included such illogical fears like worrying about worrying because I was worrying so much and the more I worried the more I feared the condition I knew couldn't kill me, might just do that. Eventually, my anti-anxiety list wasn't enough to keep my anxiety at bay. I ended the month of January with a massive panic attack work. Perhaps, the worst I ever experienced. I remember screaming "I'm not Ok" and "Call an ambulance," and I remember being dizzy and confused and hyperventilating, and the ambulance seemingly taking forever to get to the office, although it couldn't have been more than five minutes, then a few hours later, being discharged from the hospital with a diagnosis of dehydration. While my official diagnosis may not have read "Panic Attack" I knew what happened. I'd been through all of this before. After my first panic attack nearly six years ago I went through a series of tests including an MRI to examine my head, and numerous tests to examine my heart. When they all came back clear, we were left with anxiety and panic attacks. Since I knew what I was up against this time, I really believed that this bout would be a short one. I called my doctor and made an appointment for Monday, I called the therapy center and made an appointment for Tuesday, I'd be back to my old self in two weeks. Strange how things don't always work out as planned. When I saw my doctor that Monday I was in denial over how bad my anxiety had been during the past month. I chose not to go back on the anti-depressant that had helped me in the past, and instead got a prescription for a medication to take during the times when things got bad. The following day, when I was at the therapy center, it was suggested I make an appointment with their psychiatrist. I declined. I was going cope this time around with as few drugs as possible. Little did I know that things would get bad, worse, and even worse than that. Within two weeks, my insomnia had gotten so bad that I wasn't sleeping more than three or four hours a night. I found one pill in the evening could get me to sleep for an hour or two, and then when I was wide-eyed awake again at four or five A.M., another half a tab could get me another hour. When I finally woke in the morning, I'd often be shaking with anxiety. Another half a tab would calm me down. I knew I couldn't go on like this. I was always tired, but I couldn't sleep. I was always anxious, and I had trouble bringing myself back down. I told myself that panic attacks, as frightening as they may be, were not deadly. Yet, when the next one came, that was no comfort. I could barely function at work. I could barely function as a man. It was time to go back to my doctor and get a prescription for the anti-depressant that had helped me in the past. Later in the week, after a cross town drive I had no business making on two hours of sleep, my therapist would provide me with a note giving me the rest of the week off from work, providing me some time to get adjusted to the new (old) drug. There was just one problem. Anti-depressants often take two to three weeks to work their way into the blood system in order to be effective. I didn't have two weeks to wait. I needed relief as soon as possible and the pill I was taking in combination with the anti-depressant was providing less and less relief. After one day of not leaving the couch and shaking and shivering all day, I called in reinforcements. Mom. The next week wouldn't be easy, but at least I had support. There would many rough moments where I was wrecked with anxiety and fear, and more appointments and follow ups to other appointments, and at long last, some slight improvement. However, once it was suggested I could return to work, anxiety got the best of me once again, and I was on edge all day. I knew something had to be done, I just didn't know what. My instincts said hospital, but without my doctor's approval, whose voice mail was so inconveniently broken, and who didn't have office hours the next day, I would not be able to be admitted. Yet, I tried anyway. The first time to the ER, I was sent home with two Valium and told to relax. They wouldn't admit me unless I was suicidal, homicidal, hearing things, or seeing things. I couldn't pass that test. The next morning, things were still hellish, so it was back to the ER with 50% more desperation than the last time. Still, I couldn't pass the test, so I was sent home with a prescription for Ambien, and told to relax. It wasn't until I took Ambien that evening, and had the worst drug trip of my life (legal or otherwise), and found myself in the hospital for the third time in a little more than 24 hours, that I was finally admitted. I never imagined I'd end up in the psych ward at the local hospital, but that's exactly where I found myself at 6 o'clock that morning. There's not much to do there, but wait. The rooms don't have tvs or anything with cables. The wing's locked down. When you look around, you'll notice a lot of depression, and a couple cases of people being way past gone. One, happened to be my roomie, let's call him John the Ripper. Why John the Ripper? Well, all day and all night, John would rip 'em and it'd smell just like the hospital food. There was one other person who was beyond gone. She roomed across the hall from me and she would spend all hours pacing the halls, talking to herself in Spanish, sometimes she'd laugh, other times she'd be blowing kisses. At least she was happy. My first day at the hospital was hell. My brain was still fried from the sleeping pill I had taken the night before. Instead of the recommended 8 hours of sleep, I had one, maybe two. To make matters worse, my insomnia kept me awake the whole day. And to make matters even worse than that, I needed a cigarette like I never needed one before, and my many pleas for some of that sweet nicotine gum went unanswered. When I met with the social worker, an attractive young woman whom I'd rather not have met in the psych ward, and she asked me how I was doing, I said, "I'd kill for a cigarette." Maybe that wasn't my best choice of words, considering my situation and my surroundings. Finally, when I saw the psychiatrist later that afternoon, and he looked at the drugs I was taking, we had a breakthrough. I had long suspected that the one was doing me more harm than good, but it helped hearing a doctor confirm my suspicions. Things have steadily improved over the two weeks since I've been released from the hospital. I'm no longer on edge all day, and I haven't had another panic attack yet. I've been sleeping better than I've slept in nearly a month, I've left my apartment for places other than doctor's offices, and for the first time in nearly four weeks, I made it back into the office. I've even been writing again. It took a lot longer than I thought it would ever take, but I can honestly say that I'm on the highway to health. That being said, I'm under no illusion that this story is over. There may be more bad days, but at least now, I have hope. I know I'm winning this battle, and whether it's two weeks from now, or two months from now, I will be back to the person I was before this latest round of anxiety and panic. There are a lot of people I'd like to thank for helping me through this hard time. First my family. My mother and my brother have both spent time at my apartment while I struggled with my condition, and my grandmother has been an invaluable resource as she's dealt with nearly everything I've had to endure. I don't know what I would have done without them. I'd like to thank Chris and Harry for filling in for those days I couldn't write. Also, I'd like to thank my friends Katie, Jeff, Jeff, Cami, Mike, Mike, Matt, Megan, and Laura and everyone else who offered their support. Next, I'd like to thank Wendy for reading my rambling, sometimes scattered emails, and recommending Brian Eno's ambient albums -- they may not rock, but they sure did the trick when I couldn't listen to much else. And to my friends at The Grog Shop, Beachland, and Music Saves, and everywhere else we rock in this rockin' town of ours, I'll be seeing you soon. Bill.

The Matinee Opens Its Doors in Cleveland with a Free Show Featuring The Very Knees

A new rock club is set to open on the West Side of Cleveland tonight. The Matinee Cleveland, located at 2527 W 25th Street, will kick off its schedule this evening with a free show featuring The Very Knees, Black Girls, and Akron's Strange Division. Also this weekend, Cobra Verde will be the house band at The Garage Bar on Saturday night from 10:30 until close. Should you attend, you'll be treated to Cobra Verde classics, some tunes from the still-have-no-idea-when-its-ever-gonna-come-out new album, as well as choice covers of Blondie, Van Halen, The Easter Monkeys, New Order, The Cure, and others.

The Black Keys' Video for "Strange Times"

The new video for "Strange Times," the first single for The Black Keys' forthcoming album, Attack and Release, on Nonesuch Records, answers the question what happens when you put band members Dan Auerbach and Pat Carney in a laser tag arena? Hijinks, of course. It also answers the question, what happens when Auerbach and Carney are put in a laser tag arena and they're armed with real lasers while unsuspecting teenagers are armed with nothing more than standard issue laser tag weapons? Hijinks, hysteria, and one big explosion. Attack and Release by The Black Keys will be out April 1st on Nonesuch Records. In the meantime, you can practice your own laser tag with real laser guns skills at the Black Keys website. The Black Keys The Black Keys Myspace Nonesuch Records

Releases in Brief: Lots of 'Em

Here's the good news. I'm finally back on the highway to health. During the past month, I've been to sh*t and back, and have emerged a stronger man. Also, during the past month, the cds have been piling high on my coffee table. Here's the first edition of Releases in Brief, my first attempt at catching up with some of the notable discs that came out while I was unbloggable. Blood on the Wall Liferz Social Registry Let's do a little experiment. Imagine for a moment that you're in your favorite record store browsing through the "B's" and you come across Blood on the Wall. You've heard of them, but never heard them, yet you remember a conversation at a show where it was mentioned they're a pretty rad band. One cd is titled "Liferz" and the other is "Awesomer." Which one would you pick? I think most of us would pick Awesomer. C'mon, could there be anything more awesome than awesomer? Well, in this case, yes, and what's awesomer than Awesomer is Blood on the Wall's third disc for The Social Registry, Liferz. For someone from the 120 Minutes Generation, Blood on the Wall's Liferz is manna from heaven. It's got the boy, girl vocal thing down. They're also proud graduates of the soft-loud-soft-loud Pixies school of rock music dynamics: sometimes they shout, sometimes they whisper, and sometimes they wail, and all of it's done with the requisite amount of fuzzy feeling reverb. MP3: Blood on the Wall - Hibernation British Sea Power Do You Like Rock Music? World's Fair/Rough Trade It would be unfair of me to chastise British Sea Power for not making another album more like their debut, The Decline of British Sea Power, but...damn, I wish they'd make another album like The Decline of British Sea Power. Their sophomore release, Open Season, was an atmospheric, somewhat languid affair, that lacked the intensity of their debut where thrash and moody post-punk produced an exhilarating, wild and unpredictable listen. Seeking to right the ship after Open Season, British Sea Power, returns with a rock album. Not just any rock album, mind you, a grand, epic rock album, named Do You Like Rock Music?, daring any and every rock music fan to ignore it at their own risk. Since, if you like rock music, how could you possibly not like an album named Do You Like Rock Music? Well, if anthemic, new millenium arena rock isn't your thing, then British Sea Power's version of rock music may not rock well, at all. It's as if they tried too hard to make a statement as large as U2 or The Arcade Fire, and lost focus on what made their name in the first place. MP3: British Sea Power - Waving Flags Youtube: British Sea Power - No Lucifer The Shackletons The Shackletons Loveless Records I know I'm not alone in lamenting the fact indie rock doesn't rock as much as it saunters and strolls these days. Also, I know I'm not alone in lamenting the fact that post-punk has come to be associated with moody, atmospheric London and NYC bands indebted to Joy Division, instead of the American independent tradition of post-punk like DC trailblazers, Fugazi. Seemingly out of nowhere (more specifically, Chambersburg, PA) The Shackletons have come to right those two wrongs on their self-titled debut album for Loveless Records. It's like they're on a one band crusade to rescue long dormant words like "angular, " "urgent," and "Fugazi-esqe" from zines and scenes long gone by. MP3: The Shackletons - Your Movement Youtube: The Shackletons - Your Movement Youtube: The Shackletons - The Ship Youtube: The Shackletons - The Breaks Team Robespierre Everything's Perfect Impose Records Being a fan of electro-punk, glitchy punk, lo-fi punk, and basically anything under the indie banner that has some kick to it, I was prepared to love Everything's Perfect, the new disc by Brooklyn synth-punks Team Robespierre. The keyboards sure sound retro, in that trendy Brooklyn kinda way, and they sure got those call and response vocals down pretty well, but it just doesn't work. Something's not right here. At 10 songs and 17 minutes, Everything's Perfect, is about 8 songs and 13 minutes too long. Maybe they're a "live" band and couldn't capture the "right" sound on disc. Maybe there are people who like to hear two dudes yelling over second-hand keyboards. Whatever the case, from my comfortable couch in Cleveland, Ohio, Team Robespierre come off as one of those quintessential Brooklyn bands who get raves from those in The City, but whose act falls flat once it's heard outside of the usual hipster havens. MP3: Team Robespierre - 88th Precinct The Whigs Mission Control ATO While The Whigs won't be winning any originality in underground rock contests any day soon, they do have plenty to offer for those who like their alterna rock mixed with the sounds of the south. Think Kings of Leon, My Morning Jacket, Being There era Wilco, or even Buffalo Tom, and you should have a pretty fair notion of how this one plays out. MP3: The Whigs - Right Hand On My Heart

"Pirates" by Mr. Gnome

Cleveland's mr. Gnome have had the misfortune of being saddled with one of the worst made up genres next to nu-rave, namely, trip rock. If they weren't from my home town, I'd swear the British press had a hand in concocting this one, too. Trip rock, the name itself sounds like it originated from some long lost MTV footage of Tricky jamming with Bush during a Mid-Nineties awards show. Still, as much as I hate the phrase, and as much as that non genre kept me away from this band in the past, it just may be the quickest and most concise way to describe their sound. Guitarist Nicole Barille's vocals effortlessly alternate between delicate, breezy whispers to wild-eyed siren calls, and along with drummer Sam Meister, they are able to match Barille's many moods with passages that alternate between ethereal swarms of sound and hard charging alt-rock. Besides, with trip-hop survivors, Portishead, about to release their long awaited third album, maybe the time is right for this thing called trip-rock. MP3: mr. Gnome - Pirates mr. Gnome's debut full length, Deliver This Creature will be out May 8th on El Marko Records, and a CD release party scheduled for April 25th at the Beachland Tavern. Oh, and speaking of gnomes, has anyone else seen this? (via Beggar's Blog) A real life gnome is terrorizing the citizens of a small South American town. mr. Gnome mr. Gnome Myspace El Marko Records

"Eyes of Light" by Awesome Color

Now, this is how you do a side one track one. "Eyes of Light" kickstarts Awesome Color's second album with a psychedelic storm of piercing feedback, a flurry of drums, and a dark, sinister bass riff, and after taking in the first minute and a half, there's no question what comes next. More heavy riffing. Oh, guitarist Derek Stratton, will occasionally take a break or two from slaying during the verses and strum a menacing chord or two, but as the tension continues to mount, you know another dirty, Detroit-style guitar explosion is imminent. Care to guess what track two sounds like? I think I have pretty a good idea. MP3: Awesome Color - Eyes of Light Electric Aboriginies by Awesome Color will be out April 29th on Thurston Moore's Ecstatic Peace Records. Awesome Color Awesome Color Myspace Ecstatic Peace photo by Stefano Giovanni (stefpix.com)

"Bang On" by The Breeders

If you're about to play the new Breeders track, "Bang On," and you're hoping to hear the next "Cannonball," you may want to consider heading to the bargain bins at your nearest used CD store where you'll still find four of five copies of Last Splash with the original "Cannonball." With its ghetto-tech rhythm section, and nothing more than fleeting notes from the guitar, "Bang On," can be a bit disorienting for alterna-teen refugees. Yet, there's something reassuring in hearing Kim Deal's voice after all these years. She still sounds youthful, innocent, and secretly mischievous, as she repeats lines like, "I love no one/And no one loves me," and "I want no one/And no one wants me." MP3: The Breeders - Bang On Mountain Battles by The Breeders will be out April 8th on 4AD, and they will be supporting their new disc with an extensive European and North American tour. A Cleveland date is set for June 3rd at The House of Blues.