Tag Archives: Beachland Tavern

Concert Review: Those Darlins / Turbo Fruits / Henry Wagons – Beachland Tavern – Cleveland, OH – 09/21/2010

Face it, the Beachland Tavern was really not that heavily packed last night, but every music lover that set foot in that bar for the Those Darlins / Turbo Fruits / Henry Wagons show all were treated to an amazing evening of music.

Three bands with three different backgrounds played the small stage not caring one bit how many tickets were sold. They were there to rock out and have fun with their fans, and that is exactly what happened.

It’s been about a year since Nashville’s Those Darlins graced Cleveland with their beauty, not to mention their amazing music making abilities.  The ladies had a rough start to the summer when one of the Darlins took a tumble at a Southern Ohio music festival breaking her arm.  This was just a small set back but their ladies (and drummer Lynn) had to take an unwanted break.  Just a few months later the band regrouped, recorded a second album to be released in 2011, and hit the road doing what they love to do best.

If anyone knows something about the man behind BHP (you know, the guy who writes all this stuff) it is one thing: BHP hearts Those Darlins.  I saw them 4 times alone last year.  Overly impressed with their sound and live show-woman-ship, I never missed a show.  Needless to say when I discovered they were coming back to the Beachland, I made plans to be there.  I was excited to see them and hear perhaps a new song or two (more on that in a bit) but what I did not expect was the surprise that was the opening act, a man named Henry Wagons.

The moment I walked into the tavern I looked at the stage and there he was, a 6-foot tall Australian man with an acoustic guitar in hand.  With shaggy hair, glasses, mustache and a sweet green headband he was already playing a song to the minimal crowd that seemed to suckle around the edges of the bar.  He sung with an outlaw country vibe that immediately caught my attention.  I felt I was listening to an Aussie version of Waylon Jennings but also had an amazing sense of humor.  He called out the crowd a few times, made reference to the longest walk ever he experienced at Cleveland-Hopkins Airport and ended his songs with comedic heavily acted strums to his guitar.

Playing his own rendition of Kenny Roger’s “The Gambler”, or so he said, the crowd went crazy for it.  I laughed when Henry Wagons said just before playing the song , “I wanna be like Kenny Rogers in another 10 to 15 years,” and also commenting that he lacks the silver-lining at the current moment.  Another track he played had him screaming “Willie Nelson” over and over, it was amazing.

The winning song of his set to me was a cover of “Never Been To Spain”, a classic Elvis song that was in fact, not written by Elvis.  While playing his set he commented that he was just one man from his band back home called Wagons and that it was his first trip to the states as well as his first night with Those Darlins and Turbo Fruits.  After taking to his manager, who was touring with him later in the evening, I learned that they could not afford to have the whole band come over this time around but hope to change that next time they go on tour.  After buying a Wagons CD after his set and listening to it on the way home all I have to say is this: I can not wait till Wagons plays the states.  The CD is incredible.

Up next was another Nashville act called Turbo Fruits.  They were a blend of Nashville and Detroit that was overly impressive, think Hank Williams meets Detroit Cobras.  They had 50’s riffs in some songs and dipped into a blues feel during other tracks that had me almost overanalyzing them at times.  My conclusion of them was simple though, they were a kick ass band that really put on a show.  I especially enjoyed “Dreams For Sale” and “Volcano” and even went so far as to grabbing their LP after the show to check them out some more.

Finally the headliners of the evening, Those Darlins, took to the stage.  This time around there were five folk on stage, the three Darlins, drummer Lynn, and some other dude.  One would assume that they have a touring guitarist to help out with their shows or perhaps even help Nikki Darlin with some of the guitar duties seeing how she did break her arm in half as mentioned earlier.

Regardless, Those Darlins wasted no time jumping into their set starting off with “Who’s That Knocking At My Window”, a familiar track to most of the crowd.  They sounded just as amazing as the previous times I saw them, if not better.  They looked happy to be up on the stage and aimed to make sure all were going to have a good time.

Things soon changed for the good when the band decided to play a series of new songs from their upcoming release.  With no setlist guiding their performance the girls would shout out the names of the songs and jump into them.  Playing tracks like “Boys”, “Be A Brother”, and “Waste Away” it was clear that their sound had taken a turn from the country/punk feel their first album displayed so well.

Their new material mixed up 70’s rock with indie rock yet did not drop the sound where they came from.  It was a good sound that all in the house went crazy for.  I know I am not the only one excited for their upcoming release.  To make matters even better, Lynn was providing back-up vocals on some of the tracks while Nikki focused on her singing duties losing the guitar.  Every time the girls announced a new song was being played the crowd just stood their in great anticipation for what was going to come next.  I can honestly admit that there was not one new song they played that I did not like and I was not the only one who felt that way.  These girls were turning heads at the Beachland and it was not just from their good looks.

Wrapping up their set they played “Red Light Love”, “Wild One” and “Night Jogger”, a new track off their recently released 7″ split with Funsticks, a Jesse Darlin and Lynnwood side project.  Making things even more fun they played the Funsticks song that appears on the 45 as well.  Yeah, I might have picked one of those up al well…

This was one of the better shows I have been to as a whole seeing that I enjoyed all three bands that played.  I can not even tell you the last time that I was this entertained by acts I had never heard of before.  I went in there looking for a country/rock night and left with a whole other experience.  Henry Wagons and the new material by Those Darlins were the major winners for me.

To think I almost skipped out on that show too.  I am so glad I talked myself out of it.  Totally worth it.

Contest: Win A Pair Of Tickets To The 9/21 Those Darlins Show & Their Night Jogger 7″!!!

Update: Contest is CLOSED!  Congrats to Gretchen for snagging up the Those Darlins prize pack courtesy of Oh Wow Dang Records!  Have fun at the show!!!


I have a pair of tickets to the upcoming Those Darlins show at the Beachland Tavern on 9/21 for one lucky winner.  I will also toss in freshly pressed copy of the their recently released Night Jogger 7″ as well.  See below for how to win…

Those Darlins are back at it again.  The trio of fine, fun ladies and drummer Lynn are back on the road looking for a good time nightly in various cities across the good ol’ USA.  Recently the band dropped a split 7″ featuring a new Those Darlins track on one side and a Funstix track on the other.  This is just a small taste of their new album which is scheduled to drop in early 2011.

Head over to the Those Darlins revamped web page for a listen at both tracks and even score yourself a free download of “Night Jogger” for a limited time.

Better yet demand that all of your friends head up to the Beachland Tavern with you on 9/21 to check out these country/punk darlings and Turbo Fruit.  It is going to be a good time and your help is needed to bring the party.  If you do not, you are missing out.  How do I know?  Because I have been there, done that, and would not mind doing it all over again – in fact I will be there (please hold your comments).  Their shows are not to be missed so just get your butt up there ok?

So how do you win?

All you have to do is comment below and make sure you enter a valid email address.  One winner will be chosen randomly to win a pair of tickets to the 9/21 Cleveland show and a 7″ of Night Jogger.

This is for the Cleveland, Ohio show only so I need to keep this contest local.  This contest was made possible buy the amazing folk at Oh Wow Dang Records.  I will pick a winner on this Saturday Monday evening, so hurry up and throw down a comment!!!

Tour Dates (in case you were wondering…):

SEPTEMBER:
9/10 – Atlanta, GA – The Earl #
9/11 – Asheville, NC – The Grey Eagle #
9/12 – Myrtle Beach, SC – Island Bar
9/14 – Chapel Hill, NC – Local 506 #
9/15 – Washington DC – Black Cat #
9/16 – New York City – Bowery Ballroom #
9/17 – Cambridge, MA – T.T. the Bear’s #
9/18 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl #
9/19 – Philadelphia, PA – Kung Fu Necktie (early show) #
9/19 – Philadelphia, PA – Kung Fu Necktie (late show) #
9/21 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Tavern $
9/22 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall $
9/23 – Pygmalion Festival – Champaign-Urbana
9/24 – Iowa City, IA – The Mill $
9/25 – Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon $
9/26 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue @ 7th St. Entry $
9/28 – Omaha, NE – Slowdown $
9/29 – Lincoln, NE – Lincoln Calling
9/30 – Kansas City, KS – The Record Bar $

OCTOBER:
10/2 – Louisville, KY – Headliners Music Hall
10/7 – Dallas, TX – Sons of Hermann Hall %
10/8 – Austin City Limits Festival
10/8 – ACL After Party @ Emo’s +
10/9 – Laredo, TX – Old No. 2

# W/The Strange Boys & Gentleman Jesse and His Men
$ W/Turbo Fruits
% W/The Soft Pack
+ w/The Black Lips

Download This!: Backyard Tire Fire – “Good To Be”

Dear blog,

Today I had a long day at work and really just wanted to get up and run away.  The time was moving slow and my concentration was long gone by the lunchtime hour.  I tried listening to my iPod and nothing was capturing my attention.  I was having difficulties finding something to jam to and it was making the day crawl even slower.

I just was not having it.

Luckily I got an email from my pals at Thirty Tigers and everything changed.  They emailed me to tell me about a band called Backyard Tire Fire.  I admit I chuckled at the band name but knew it had to be something interesting if the three decade big cat people were sending out emails about them.  I decided to take a moment and check out the video…

Needless to say that was all it took for me to become a fan.  On February 16th the band will be releasing Good To Be on Kelsey Street Records / Thirty Tigers.

In support of the release the band will be touring all over the place and will be making a stop in Cleveland on May 1st at the Beachland Tavern.  I have a feeling it’s going to be one of those shows not to be missed.

Download This!Backyard Tire Fire – “Good To Be”

Thirty Tigers had this to say about the release:

Over their eight-year career as a band, Backyard Tire Fire has created a presence in the music world that is hard to ignore. Their fifth full length release Good To Be was produced by Los Lobos’ Steve Berlin and is a culmination of guitarist/vocalist Ed Anderson’s 13-year journey on the road of rock and roll. With this release Backyard Tire Fire delivers an album full of working-man songs that demonstrate their upbeat, glass half full approach to life.

Dale Watson Is A Friend Of Mine – A Recap Of The 01/19/2010 Beachland Tavern Show

A couple of weeks back I had the pleasure of seeing Austin’s very own Dale Watson & His Lone Stars at the Beachland Tavern with my pal Dale, not Watson. It was a cold January Tuesday night but once inside the tavern full of real country music lovers one would think they were in Texas with the atmosphere and fun attitude spread about during the performance. Cowboy hats were optional and I only saw a couple during the evening to be quite honest.

A brief history how Dale Watson’s music and I came to be before I even go on… I was working at the record store I once managed with my pal Dale, not Watson. Dale picked up a CD one day with a guy on the cover who had a couple tattoos and almost looked rockabilly mixed with some Chris Isaak appeal (here is a link to the album we had in our hands). I honestly thought once the CD began we were going to listen to some rock act that never made it but the moment Dale Watson’s voice came across the speakers both our mouths dropped open.

It was country music, not that crappy pop country music, but honest and wholesome country with some outlaw attitude added. His voice was baritone and ever so comforting. I was instantly reminded of Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, and even Waylon Jennings while listening to the CD. Dale was more astounded than I and he became a huge fan in moments time. Sometimes picking up a random CD out of a pile of what looks like nothing just to check out the sound is worth it.

I later on would learn that Dale Watson was more of an underground DIY type of artist who preferred to do things his way even if it meant he would not gain immediate popularity. He is friends with Jackass star Johnny Knoxville, and has released 18 albums (live & studio) over the past 15 years. Many of the songs are about being on the road doing his thing, truck stops, and life.  Not all is cheerful though as some songs are written around the love of his life who he lost to a car accident in 2000 as well as how Dale Watson coped through the ordeal.  His downward spiral of abuse and depression from the tragedy luckily ended in time for the artist to continue going through with his passion.

Dale Watson has come through town a couple of times now over the years but for whatever reason I missed out.  Dale, not Watson, though made it to a prior show and had nothing but good things to say.   I always was curious to see him live so the moment I found out Dale Watson was coming back to Cleveland I owed it to myself to make an appearance and thanks to Dale, not Watson, I was able to set aside time to ensure I would be there.  There was no way in hell I was going to miss this opportunity as seeing someone as charismatic as Dale Watson.

Upon walking into the tavern that night I was shocked to see that I was actually one of the younger fans in house but I did not let that bother me at all. Before I knew it some older gentleman sitting at the bar was telling me stories about his tattoos and a Bic pen (don’t ask). He was beyond entertaining and I think was more than half in the bag before the show even started. I never did catch his name.  A couple other folk there I actually knew so prior to the show we hung out and talked Watson.

With no opening act Dale Watson & His Lone Stars took the tiny stage and delivered an amazing show. Having been the first time I witnessed them live I made sure to plant my feet right next to the stage and held my ground until the last song was played.  I also was equipped with my trusty camera so I may have taken a photo or two.

Having the fans provide the set list during the evening proved Dale Watson and crew were all about putting on the best show possible. A couple of times Watson would acknowledge the shouted out song and tell the fans he was going to save that for later but for the most part when some one shouted out a track the band played it. Playing tracks new and old I got a better taste of his material that evening than I ever imagined. Still learning his catalog I was most excited to hear “Country My Ass” and “Exit 109”.

After the show my pal Dale, not Watson, and I struck up a conversation with the drummer of the band as well as their road manager. Both gents were very cool people and after a little time passed we learned that Watson likes to drive the tour bus himself amongst other things. We even all shared a shot and toasted to my birthday that was happening in just a couple hours.

The shot you ask? A Jagerbomb…  Yeah I know, not too country.

Soon they introduced us to Dale Watson who was just hanging out at the bar drinking a beer and chatting with a couple other fans. Needless to say Dale Watson was just as cool as the other members. He kindly chatted to the both of us and Dale, not Watson, told Dale Watson that he “felt like a little kid meeting Hanna Montana.” Laughs were shared about but I know how Dale, not Watson, felt. Even if Dale Watson is not at the top of the charts we both see him as a musical icon and to meet him and talk to him was a big deal.  I could not have asked for a better evening of music that night and thanks to Dale Watson & His Lone Stars I also have some memories to accompany my most recent birthday.

Here’s a little snippet of the show thanks to Dale, not Watson, who filmed it with one of my cameras:

Have you found yourself interested in Dale Watson?  Here are a couple of my recommendations:

Announcement: Greg Ginn In-Store Performance at Blue Arrow Records 9/15

Here is some exciting news!!!  Matt at Addicted To Vinyl and I have decided to stop battling one another and joined forces in putting on a free pre-show performance featuring an amazing musician.

I’ll pass it over to Matt to explain:

A long time ago in a galaxy not really that far away….

Setting the scene: On a random Monday afternoon,  Pat the Producer forwards an email my way with an opportunity attached to do something with Black Flag founder and SST Records owner Greg Ginn.

Currently on tour with two of his projects, Jambang, and Greg Ginn and the Taylor Texas Corrugators, Ginn will be at the Beachland Ballroom on Tuesday, September 15th for a low-dough gig  in the Tavern.

Once we found this out, Brian and I put our heads together and decided to do something cool!

Prior to the Beachland show, Addicted to Vinyl and Broken Headphones are pleased to present a free special in-store performance at Blue Arrow Records and Books with Greg Ginn and the Taylor Texas Corrugators that will start at 7pm.  Ginn will meet and greet with fans after the performance, and then we’ll all head over to the Beachland to rock it up with the Corrugators and Jambang!

Here’s a few Ginn stats for ya:

–  #99 on the list of The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All-Time, according to Rolling Stone Magazine.

– Founded SST Records in 1978, an influential label responsible for a wide variety of releases, including albums from The Meat Puppets, The Minutemen, Husker Du, Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr, and Bad Brains, just to name a few.

– Since breaking up Black Flag, Ginn has recorded a few solo albums, and has performed with the bands HOR, Fastgato, The October Faction, Gone, Confront James, EL BAD, Mojack, The Texas Corrugators, Jambang, and also played bass with Tom Troccoli’s Dog.

Enough with the stats, let’s rock!

Here’s a recap of the details:

WHAT: Greg Ginn & The Texas Corrugators, in-store performance

WHEN: Tuesday, September 15th at 7pm

WHERE: Blue Arrow Records and Books, 16001 Waterloo Rd. (down the street from the Beachland)

COST: FREE!  Come hang out with Greg Ginn, and then make your way over to the Beachland for a great low-dough night of rock and roll with Ginn, the Corrugators, and Jambang!

We promise that a rip-roaring good time will be had by all, and you’re provided with the additional benefit of having a good reason to go hang out at Blue Arrow Records and Books, the latest and greatest reason to visit Cleveland!  Fox 8 News just featured a nice story on Blue Arrow recently – check it out below!

greginn

Thanks Matt!

Now I would like to note something about Greg Ginn right quick just before you all start grabbing your entire SST catalog for autographs and making mental notes of all the questions you want to ask him.  I asked Greg if he would be interested in doing an interview about his punk history and asked to talk about influences from other punk acts out there that got him to where he is today.

He politely informed me that he does not care to talk about the past but prefers to focus on the present time and future.  I can completely respect his decision to deny a chat about the past so don’t be surprised if the former Black Flag front man does not care to discuss his punk history.

Greg is more concerned about his current projects and I completely understand why he prefers not to talk about an era he is no longer involved in.  Greg is no longer a punk rocker but more of an amazing musician and has put together some really interesting bands.  Think rock, jazz, and jam.  I can not wait to see him live.

The pre-show should be a lot of fun so come out and then check him out at the Beachland!

Thanks to Greg Ginn for agreeing to do this little event as well as Matt and Pat for pushing the idea.  Major thanks to Pete at Blue Arrow Records for allowing us to invade his store for a few songs.