Category Archives: Cleveland

70's, Cleveland, Indie, Music, Music News, Punk, The Awesome, Vinyl

Cleveland’s Blue Arrow Records To Release Jonathan Richman Singles

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JoJo_17-hr_photo_credit_Rory_EarnshawI am so stoked to be able to share this:

Cleveland’s Blue Arrow Records have started their own record label with the same name and first on their roster is the amazing Jonathan Richman.

Seeing that I am huge fan of them both, I could not help but stop what I was doing tonight to share the good news.

Jonathan Richman is easily one of my favorite singer-songwriters out there.  His career reaches all the way back to the 70s with the Modern Lovers and has continued over the years with him turning more into a solo artist.  I have always appreciated his upbeat outlook on life as well as got a kick out of seeing him in There’s Something About Mary and Kingpin.

Blue Arrow Records is a brick and mortar record store staple on Waterloo in the East Cleveland neighborhood of Collinwood. Owned by the good folk Pete and Debbie Gulyas, the store has been selling vinyl and other music related formats/memorabilia since 2009.  I adore that store (and the owners) and have found some incredible gems there over the years including a lot of Richman’s catalog.

The Gulyas’s actually used to own a shop on Coventry in Cleveland Hts. and met Richman in the area some 18 years ago.

Over the years, a friendship was formed between the Gulyas’s and Richman.  Just a few years back, Richman asked the Gulyas’s to help sell merch on an East coast tour.  It just makes sense that this is happening.

On March 1st, Blue Arrow will release 7-inch singles by Richman, “O Sun” and “Keith”.  There are plans for a full length to drop in the Fall as well as extending the label to other acts in due time.

Click on the album covers below to place your pre-order today at Blue Arrow Records ($10 each – Ships in April):

O Sun 7-Inch Single  Keith 7-Inch Single

Richman is actually playing the Euclid Tavern on March 8th with Tommy Larkins on drums.  If you know what is good for you, you will make it and see him perform.  It is a show not to be missed.

Cleveland, Comics, Documentary, New Release, Watch This

Cleveland’s TurnStyle Films Drops Trailer For “Draw Hard”

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DRAW HARD

Cleveland’s very own TurnStyle Films just dropped a trailer for their well-deserved documentary about local illustrator and comic book artist, John G.

Chances are if you live in Cleveland, you have seen his drawings more than one time.  He is the man behind the sandwich of the month artwork for Melt Bar and Grilled, has done many fliers for local concerts, and is the illustrator for the underground comic  The Lake Erie Monster with artist Jake Kelly.

Judging by this trailer, this is going to be an amazing documentary about one of the most talented men in Cleveland.  I can not wait to see it.

Acoustic, Alt Rock, Cleveland, Download This!, Music, Punk, Rock

Download This: Signals Midwest – Wherever I Might Land

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Signals Midwest - Wherever I Might LandI am always stoked to hear when bands I’ve befriended are getting ready to go on their first European tour.

Signals Midwest recently announced that they will be taking their talents overseas in September.  The band will be playing 24 shows in 24 days.  There is no doubt in my mind that this will be one of the coolest experiences for them boys.

As if it is not hard enough to tour the states in a used and abused mini-van while crashing on couches, imagine flying your gear over the pond and playing shows in an all new environment.

This will not be cheap by any means and is going to be self-funded by the band who have already admitted paying $5,000 alone for the flights.  This of course does not even include any of the souvenirs they will be buying me.

In an attempt to help them pay off some of those expensive flight tickets and passport fees, the band threw together an acoustic EP on Bandcamp titled Wherever I Might Land.  

For a mere $5, you can not only help out the band make their debut overseas tour a tad more comfortable, but you can also snag a great EP full of slowed down versions of their material and a brilliant cover of Iron Chic’s “Time Keeps On Slipping Into The (Cosmic) Future.”

The money earned from this release will help offset any costs for the band.  I think this is an excellent approach at recovering some of the costs incurred rather than jumping on a Go Fund Me campaign and begging for some extra cheese.

I have already chipped in and downloaded the EP.  The Iron Chic cover is worth $5 alone…

Signals Midwest European Tour Dates

SIGNALS MIDWEST EU/UK SEPT 2014 TOUR DATES:

05.09.2014 – Volkach (GER) @ Festival
06.09.2014 – Bielefeld (GER) @ Uberseecontainer
07.09.2014 – Copenhagen (DK) @ Underwerket
08.09.2014 – Hannover (GER) @ Monster Records (acoustic)
09.09.2014 – Iserlohn (GER) @ Rad Room Rehearsals
10.09.2014 – Dendermonde (BEL) @ JH Zenith
11.09.2014 – Paris (F) @ La Mecanique Ondulatoire
12.09.2014 – London (UK) @ Old Blue Last
13.09.2014 – Manchester (UK) @ Wahlbar
14.09.2014 – Glasgow (SCO) @ 13th Note
15.09.2014 – Leeds (UK) @ Santiago Bar
16.09.2014 – Nottingham (UK) @ The Chameleon Arts Cafe
17.09.2014 – Birmingham (UK) @ Scruffy Murphys
18.09.2014 – Cambridge (UK) @ The Portland Arms
19.09.2014 – Lille (F) @ El Diablo
20.09.2014 – Diest (BEL) @ Jeugdhuis Tijl
21.09.2014 – Trier (GER) @ Ex-Haus
22.09.2014 – Bad Neustadt/Saale (GER) @ Juze
23.09.2014 – Landshut (GER) @ Wintergarten
24.09.2014 – Wiener Neustadt (AT) @ Triebwerk
25.09.2014 – Graz (AT) @ Sub
26.09.2014 – Micheldorf (AT) @ Baraka
27.09.2014 – St. Gallen (CH) @ Grabenhalle
28.09.2014 – Mainz (GER) @ Haus Mainusch

Cleveland, Indie, Music, Music News, New Release, Pop, Punk, Review, Rock

EP Review: The Public – Shibuya Crossing

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The PublicMr. Joshua Voland promised me a pizza if I reviewed his band on my site, so here we go…

I am kidding about the pizza of course.  I don’t take bribes, even if in the form of delicious pizza.

All jokes aside, Voland did  ask me to check out what his band recently dropped on Bandcamp and man, I am stoked I did.

Shibuya Crossing is the debut EP by Cleveland’s very own The Public.  Lasting just under 20 minutes, this release is impressive as hell.  Not sure why they named the EP after the busiest intersection in Japan, but I am sure stranger things have happened.

Featuring members from Ultra Ultra, Heart Attack Man, and Let’em Run, I already knew in advance that I would be into The Public.

“Liquor Store” was such a powerhouse of a song to start off the EP with.  This will win fans automatically with sing along qualities.  Damn shame it wrapped up so quickly.  I liked that track.

“The Breaks” reminded me of a certain little band from Scranton, PA that people might have heard about.  I loved the lyrics “I was just too set in my old ways.  Trying to pry my way out of your ribcage.”  I seriously could not get enough of this song.

“No Bother” had enough breakdowns and group vocals to make this my favorite cut on the release.  Maybe it was the fact that it reminded me of a Seahaven track for a moment or probably because it was just catchy as hell.  “The Dogs” might have been even catchier though.

As much as I hate to have a negative comment about any song I hear, there was a part in “Mexico” that just did not sit right with me and it was mostly due to a brief group vocal harmony that lasted not even a second.  Voland asked me to be honest on how I felt…

Fans of  the Lawrence Arms, Menzingers, The Tim Version, Banner Pilot, and even Cleveland sweethearts Worship This! need to check out The Public.

This band just kicks so much ass. I am really looking forward to hearing their full length debut which should be out in 2015.

The Public

Check it out and pay what you will on the band’s BandCamp page.

Artist, Cleveland, Derek Hess, Documentary, Film, The Awesome

Check It Out: Forced Perspective – The Life of Artist Derek Hess

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Forced PerspectiveDerek Hess is Cleveland.

I am sure you are asking yourself why in the hell I just stated that.

Truth is, have been sitting here for easily 30 minutes trying to figure out how to start this post and that is what sounded best.  I have the feeling many of you reading this though agree with me.

The Cleveland, Ohio, America, World-Renowned artist Derek Hess has been creating concert fliers, illustrations, artwork and prints for nearly 20 years and finally someone had the right state of mind to do a documentary on him.

To say I am excited is an understatement.  I have been a fan of Hess since I was a kid and have had the pleasure of meeting him multiple times.  I am proud to say I have a few of his prints from over the years and one day hope to obtain an original.

I know the man has been through a lot and I am very curious to learn more about him soon.  I can say he is a quality person and I know this documentary is going to be amazing.

The following comes from the press release:

“Forced Perspective” is a documentary film showcasing the life of artist Derek Hess directed by Nick Cavalier. The film illuminates Derek’s struggle with alcoholism, bipolar disorder, depression and watches him triumph over his personal demons while showing how these experiences help shape his artwork. From Derek’s early flyer work and celebrated sketches to his elaborate mixed media pieces, this film showcases the evolution of Derek’s art and the emotional ripples it leaves behind in the world.

Check out the trailer:

“Forced Perspective” – The Story Of Artist Derek Hess | Trailer 1 from Nick Cavalier on Vimeo.

Forced Perspective is currently in post-production with a release date next year.