Tag 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.

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.

Akron, Breaking Up, Cleveland, Live Shows, Music, Music News, Punk, The Suck

The Facials To Play Their Last Show

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It is always sad to see a band call it quits.

What’s sadder is when it is a band full of your friends who you have known for a long time.

Facials 1

Akron/Cleveland punk act The Facials recently announced that they are going to throw in the towel.  In a proper approach, they are going to play one more show before disbanding.

Note that the band is not breaking up because they hate each other but rather because they are soon to be a bit distant from one another.

I have seen the Facials countless times and have always enjoyed their live shows.  From playing the ever elegant Chuck’s Steakhouse in good ol’ Akron, to playing both stages at the Agora in Cleveland, I can honestly say they have played solid sets.

They have shared stages with Rancid, White Wives, Street Dogs, Whole Wheat Bread, Civit, Swingin’ Utters, and even The Menzingers just to name a few.

Hell, I remember the time the band did a NOFX set.  That was one hell of a night…

Facials

Bummed to see them split, but I understand totally.  I know they didn’t want it to end, and I  think Chad said it best on his Facebook post about the band coming to an end:

There has never been a show that lacked the energy we aimed to create, so hopefully everyone can make it out one last time to end it right!

I consider myself lucky to have befriended these guys.  I was introduced to them back when The Narcoleptics X5 were still playing drunk shows in the early 2000s.  I liked their Pennywise approach and tried to hit every show they played.  From there, I would see other live shows with them and party until I would fall down a flight of steps.

I remember when we would all hit up the Warped Tour and be the old men heckling all the kids.  Good times.

As the years passed, things started slowing down for them with their day gigs taking up their free time and most of the band getting married and whatnot.  I really am stoked to hear that they are going to play one last show.  This will be the prefect farewell to a bunch of good dudes what have been doing their thing for almost 13 years.

Come see the band play one last hurrah at Now That’s Class on Friday, March 21st with special guests Night Sweats, The Old One-Two, and a couple other acts to be announced.