All posts by Brian Mc

Random

Dave Hause & Cory Branan To Play Akron’s Gurley House!

Leave a comment

Stoked is one word that explains how I felt when Dave Hause gave me the thumbs up Thursday that he would play the Gurley House in Akron with his current tour mate Cory Branan.

A few weeks back, I noticed the the guys had a one day break from touring.  Since they for whatever reason had no Cleveland stop, I asked them to play a house show.  They were all about it.  So, with short notice, I reached out to the Gurley House in Akron and asked if they were down for a show.  Once I got their OK, they helped me recruit two amazing local bands, Signals Midwest and Harvey Pekar, to jump on the bill.  It is going to be an awesome night.

Dave Hause is most commonly known for being in the amazing punk rock band The Loved Ones.  Hause also has been doing the solo thing for a few years now (more on that in an upcoming interview I did with him).  He dropped an amazing full-length album earlier this year titled Resolutions that everyone needs to hear.

Cory Branan is a singer / songwriter from Mississippi who has just an amazing voice and sound.  Branan has worked with Lucero in the past on their albums and vice-versa.  His name is actually dropped on the Lucero song “Tears Don’t Matter Much”.  If you have not heard of him yet, you are missing out.

With such short notice though, I need everyone to please spread the word.  I would love to have a nice turnout for these guys.  If you plan on going, bring some cash for donations.

Special thanks to Jeremy of the Gurley House for hosting the show on such short notice and also to Corey for making the above flier.  Also big thanks to Signals Midwest and Harvy Pekar for agreeing to play.

This is going to be a really fun show so you should all come on out.  What else do you have going on a Thursday night in December?

Babble Blog, Cleveland, Good Times, Indie, Music, Music Video, Photography, Punk, Road Trip, The Awesome

Remember Me???

Leave a comment

Many apologies for not updating this site as much as I want to.  Happy belated Thanksgiving.

As many of you know, I was quite the traveling body this past month.  Sometimes “me” time is a good thing.

Last weekend, I got to check out a new city that I  hope to return to one day soon – Asheville, NC.  I did way more than I had expected to while stumbling around that town (literally at times).  I took in a parade, cheered on a local flat track roller derby bout, drank way too much micro-brewed beers (oyster stout is where it’s at!), ate amazing Himalayan food, tried a wasabi chocolate truffle, climbed a mountain and sat atop of Chimney Rock (see pics below),  and best of all, I did so in great company.  That right there is what I am thankful for: Making amazing memories.

I hope everyone has enjoyed their holiday and did not spend their entire net-worth on stupid Black Friday.  I’m sorry, I could care less about deals.  You work retail for 10+ years and you despise that day after Thanksgiving.  People are rude, inconsiderate, and just plain ol’ insane.

I missed my chance last night to see an amazing band I got into earlier this year.  Seahaven made a stop at Now That’s Class in Cleveland and I made a decision to not attend.  I regret that decision a lot.  Have you heard of this band yet?  Check it:

They are pop punk indie rock and I can not get enough of them.  From what my friends told me, they were incredible last night too.  I will be talking about them some more very soon.

So why would I skip out on seeing such a great act?  No, it was not because I had to work ass early this morning.  It was because my pals at Eulogy Tattoo were having their third annual Black Friday sale. 

Wait?  Did I just say Black Friday?

Yes, I just stated I endulged in a Black Friday event after I just had so many nice things to say about it.  Boo hoo.  This was different as it is not technically retail…  They were selling select $20 tattoos. 

I know you have already look at the pic to the left and asked yourself what in the hell is that?  That’s my Black Friday deal and I did not have to fight one person getting it.

<— This, my friends, is a Cliff Owl.  Who is Cliff?  He’s the man behind Eulogy Tattoos in Canton and a pretty swell fellow. 

Why did I get such a thing?  I think the question should be, why have you NOT gotten one?

It was more than just tattoos for me though, it was about seeing a group of friends for a few hours after a hectic day at work.  That right there made my holiday much more meaningful than standing in a Wal-Mart with a mob of people Thanksgiving night at 10pm surrounding a shrunk-wrapped pallet of DVDs ready to shank someone so you can save $2.47 on a shitty DVD.  I am just not into that.

I am, however, all about hanging out with a bunch of good people and getting a tattoo that many people out there would probably regret.

Acoustic, Music, New Release, Pop, Punk, Review, Rock, Vinyl

7″ Vinyl Review: Roll The Tanks – Goodnight Jimmy Lee

Leave a comment

If it looks like cake and smells like cake, it must be cake right?  Not in this case.  This cake-looking and smelling thing I speak of is the birthday cake scratch n’ sniff 7″  titled Goodnight Jimmy Lee by LA rock act Roll The Tanks.  The two song 7″ was released on Sabot Productions in early October.

The threesome, who have toured already with Against Me!, have have sparked the interest in many and not just because they recruited Mighty Mighty Bosstones’ Joe Sirois to play drums.  They have rubbed elbows with the right people and played their asses off making sure the world noticed them.  Their determination and hard work has paid off as the band will be dropping a full length debut titled Broke Til Midnight.

Title track “Goodnight Jimmy Lee” is a catchy-sounding yet brutally honest tribute written about the late Jimmie Lee a.k.a. Jay Reatard.   “Now he’s gone and I’m no Jimmy Lee” bounces over catchy guitar playing that screams 90s alternative rock.  As fun as the song is, the deeper meaning pays homage to an artist who left this world far too early in his career.  The b-side, “Pistolero”, is a cross between that twangy country rock all the kids seem to be getting into these days with indie rock of the 90s.  The acoustic-driven song almost carries a nice Fake Problems feel, but far more upbeat.

I am looking forward to hear what Roll The Tanks can dish out on their debut.  Until then I have the feeling I will be listening to these songs on a regular basis as well as scratching and sniffing the cover smelling the goodness that is birthday cake.  Did I mention that the cover smells like cake?  Yes, I may be a little excited about this.

Cleveland, Funny, Sports, WTF

W.T.F. Browns…

Leave a comment

Yes, the Browns game today was total crap.  Hell, the season has pretty much been total crap and as a lifetime fan of the franchise, sometimes it is just so hard to be a Browns fan.  Regardless, I am in it for life.  I would not have it any other way.

Don’t worry, my site is not turning into a sports page or anything, I do, however, want to share a fun hoodie my pal Nick from Flagrant-T came up with.  It is simple, to the point, and aimed at all you frustrated Browns fans out there:

I have already rocked mine last week when coming home from my trip to Austin and a whole slew of people got a kick out of it.  With today’s loss, it is safe to say I will be wearing this tomorrow to work.

$20 and it is yours (use the code TAILGATE today for 10% off your order).  Head over to WTFShirtz.com and grab one for yourself today!  While you are at it, check out the “I Shaved My Balls For This?” shirt I actually sported during day three of Fun Fun Fun Fest.  Needless to say, everyone loved it.

Music, Punk, Rock, The Suck

Luther & Tom May (of the Menzingers) Cancel Current Tour

Leave a comment

Yesterday morning was not a good day for punk rockers Luther.  While on tour in Chicago with Tom May of the Menzingers, the band was involved in a pretty rough accident.

From what I gathered on their Facebook post, everyone was taken to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

The van, properly named Vandross, was totaled forcing the band to cancel the last stretch of their tour.  This includes their stop in Cleveland that was supposed to happen this Monday with Signals Midwest and Two Hand Fools at Now That’s Class.

As much as I am bummed I will not get to see Luther this Monday, I am relieved that no one from the band was seriously hurt.  Hopefully they will be able to make it to Cleveland one day soon.

If you have not heard of Luther, head on over to their Bandcamp page and check them out.  They kind of kick ass.  Check out the review I did on their recent release.