Tonight: Man Man and Mystery of Two at The Rock Hall

...And it's free. Gig poster by John G.

From the IRCWHQ Newsdesk: Drummer Gets a Release Date Plus News From Dead Weather, Uncle Bob, The Cribs, and Death

* The Patrick Carney side project, Drummer, consisting entirely of Akron area drummers playing other instruments than drums (Except for the one drummer who has to play the drums in the band) will be released September, 29th on Audio Eagle Records. Another preview track, "Feel Good Together" is available for download now via Pitchfork. * Speaking of side projects, the new Jack White band, Dead Weather, has an album due out next week and the fine young men at Buddyhead have posted a couple from said album. * New Robert Pollard releases aren't exactly the things of news, since let's be honest, there's a new Pollard release every other month. Yet, when that new release is by his new band, Boston Spaceships, who happen to be his most successful project of recent years, then, yes, it is news. From 0 to 99 will be out October 6th on GBV Records. * Fresh off his stint playing with Modest Mouse, The Smith's Johnny Marr has joined forces with the UK band, The Cribs for their latest long player, Ignore the Ignorant. For a limited time, you can download the album track "We Were Aborted," from the Cribs' website. And while the UK release date for Ignore the Ignorant is set for this September, it probably won't be available state side until late this fall or early winter. * Lastly, I want to leave you with one very rad concert announcement. The Detroit proto-punk band Death, whose lone release was re-issued on Drag City Records earlier this year, will be making a very rare live appearance at The Beachland Ballroom on Sunday, September 29th. If you're unfamiliar with their story, I highly suggest checking out Mike Rubin's piece, "This Band Was Punk Before Punk Was Punk," published earlier this year for the New York Times. And come to think of it, I highly suggest checking out that album, For The Whole World to See, too.

"High Until We Die" and "Reception" by Coin Under Tongue

Recording in A Place to Bury Strangers' Death By Audio Studios, it's almost too easy to draw comparisons between the Coin Under Tongue and APTBS. Hell, both bands share a love of love tooth-cracking discharges of guitar via extreme effects pedals. Yet, to leave the introduction with no more than notes of their similarities, is to ignore the fact that Coin Under Tongue are drawing from a far wider pallet than the feedback loving British acts of the late '80s and early '90s. On both "Reception" and "High Until We Die," Coin Under Tongue pair their love of piercing feedback with guitar riffs which are practically doom-like at times. And while I can't say I ever wanted to hear a band channel both Sabbath and Joy Division in the same song, now that I have, I'm wondering why no one thought of this combination sooner. MP3: Coin Under Tongue - Reception MP3: Coin Under Tongue - High Until We Die Death by Audio Records recently released an EP of Coin Under Tongue's recent output entitled, The So Far EP, for free download. Check it out here.

"Repeat It" by Mystery of Two

Indebted to Cleveland's punk/post-punk legacy, but not re-enacting it, Cleveland's Mystery of Two pull off this delicate task without falling into the same trap as many a modern band -- namely, sounding like their record collections. And to far too many modern, post-punk bands, sounding like their record collections means the same old arc of Joy Division, Jesus and Mary Chain, and My Bloody Valentine. For Mystery of Two, Pere Ubu, is an obvious touchstone, on "Repeat It," if only for Ryan Weitzel's foreboding and dramatic vocal delivery. His guitar work, on the other hand, alternates between sleek, agile tones, and blasts of fury, amped up post-rock and guitar pedal overload. When paired with a rhythm section featuring the nimble and propulsive work of Nick Riley on drums, the only possible result is to do as the title says, and "Repeat It." Mp3: Mystery of Two - Repeat It July will be quite the busy month for the Cleveland trio. Tomorrow, July 8th, they'll be opening for Man Man at the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame as part of the Rock Hall's free summer concert series. Later this week, they'll be making an appearance at the Ingenuity Festival taking place in downtown Cleveland. Lastly, there's the matter of their album release party, which will be July 31st at the Beachland Tavern. Mystery of Two Exit Stencil Records

"No Time No Hope" by Times New Viking

With 2009 being the year lo-fi broke, as in other lo-fi bands not named Times New Viking making serious inroads into the independent underground as well as other lo-fi bands not named Times New Viking not living up to their buzz band status, one could forgive the Columbus, lo-fi pop trio had they decided Auto-Tune to be the new lo-fi, and trashed their established aesthetic for something with a bit more fidelity. They didn't. Instead, "No Time No Hope," serves as a reminder to all those who have followed TNV that coating your songs in hissy fuzz means nothing if your recording didn't start with a proper pop song. MP3: Times New Viking - No Time No Hope Times New Viking's fourth album, Born Again Revisited, will be released September 22nd on Matador Records. Times New Viking Matador Records

"If I Were a Carpenter" by Sweet Tea (Feat. Members of The Black Angels and Heartless Bastards)

The fact that "If I Were a Carpenter," the first single released by Sweet Tea, a collaboration started by Erica Wennestrom of Heartless Bastards and Alex Maas of The Black Angles, sounds like The Velvet Underground goes country is by no means a knock on either of these two talents. In fact, I could think of many ways a side project combining the dark, probing psychedelic rock of The Black Angels and the rustic, rugged rock of Heartless Bastards could go horribly wrong. Taking a song made famous by June Carter and Johnny Cash and adding pedal steel, primitive drumming, and lots and lots of reverb isn't one of them. In fact, by finding this middle ground, they make a compelling argument that Sweet Tea just may be one of those rare side projects which matches or exceeds the output of their principal bands. MP3: Sweet Tea - If I Were a Carpenter You can expect a 7" single by Sweet Tea containing "If I Were a Carpenter" with the b-side, Ray Price's "Crazy Arms" to be available digitally later this month and on vinyl this September. Heartless Bastards Black Angels Fat Possum Records

What I Did On My Summer Vacation

It's been a while, hasn't it? In the past week I've been stressed and depressed about my state of joblessness, then stopped feeling sorry for myself and took a weekend trip to Philadelphia to visit some very good friends of mine. While in Philadelphia, I saw the famous Rocky statue and climbed the famous Rocky stairs outside the Philadelphia Rocky Art Museum, and I also got a chance to see Jay Reatard with TV Smith of the Adverts at Johnny Brenda's. It's a damn shame TV Smith didn't have his paperwork in order when the tour was in Cleveland one week prior to the Philly date. He's still looking spry and rather fit for 53 and he hasn't lost any of his punk rock ethos. Taking on a Billy Bragg type role of electric troubadour, his solo performance was a poignant attack on The Man and all his hideous forms. Following TV Smith, Jay Reatard did as Jay Reatard does -- In a whir of flapping afros and flying v-guitars, he and his bandmates ripped through tracks from his two singles collections and his one solo album, Blood Visions, in near double time, barely taking any time between songs, and only speaking to the crowd to brusquely announce the next number or to remind overzealous audience members in the front row that he appreciates his personal space. Then, came the real magic. TV Smith joined Jay Reatard and band on stage for a three song encore which included The Adverts' "Gary Gilmore's Eyes" and "We Who Wait," a track Jay Reatard covered on his Blood Visions album. It was the feel good moment of a feel good weekend where I could forget about all my recession related maladies. And now that I'm back, and have a refreshed mind and body, we should start seeing regular updates on I Rock Cleveland again. I've got a stack of nearly 20 albums in various states of review waiting to be published, and my RSS reader and inbox are both on fire with special goodness this morning. Stay tuned...

Drive Time Radio with Kid Flamingo and the 185th St. Shuffle: Playlist: 6.27.09 (Blue Arrow DJ Stage @ Waterloo Arts Fest)

For those who missed Drive Time Radio with Kid Flamingo and the 185th St. Shuffle at the DJ stage during the Waterloo Arts Fest, here's the playlist: 1. Ramones - Do You Remember Rock 'N' Roll Radio 2. Exploding Hearts - Rumours in Town 3. Cheap Trick - He's a Whore 4. Yo La Tengo - Little Honda 5. Gentleman Jesse and His Men - All I Need Tonight (Is You) 6. Nick Lowe - Heart of the City 7. The Jam - Town Called Malice 8. The Rubinos - I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend 9. The Kinks - Top of the Pops 10. The Smiths - The Queen is Dead 11. Guided by Voices - Return to Saturn X 12. The Replacements - Left of the Dial 13. Spoon - Fitted Shirt 14. Pavement - Summer Babe 15. Wreckless Eric - Whole Wide World 16. T Rex - Telegram Sam 17. David Vandervelde - Can't See Your Face No More 18. Kevin Drew - Backed Out On The... 19. Spacemen 3 - Walkin' With Jesus 20. Spiritualized - This Little Life of MIne 21. Gang of Four - 545 22. The Vaselines - Son of a Gun 23. Buzzcocks - I Don't Mind 24. Mission of Burma - This is Not a Photograph 25. Mott the Hoople - All the Young Dudes (Jeff and I were asleep at the controls and this came on. Not that I'm complaining) 26. Parts and Labor - The Gold We're Digging 27. McLusky - To Hell With Good Intentions 28. Times New Viking - Teen Dream 29. The Thermals - Pillar of Salt 30. Archers of Loaf - Harnessed in Slums 31. Black Flag - TV Party 32. The Mice - Second Best 33. The Black Keys - Set Me Free 34. Michael Stanley Band - My Town (This could have been ironic or it could have been the Pabst) 35. Cobra Verde - Modified Frankenstein Thanks to everyone who stopped by and said hi. None of this would have been possible without all the hard work of Melanie at Music Saves and everyone else who helped put on the festival, Blue Arrow Records, and that cooler of ice cold Pabst next to the DJ stage provided by Blue Arrow Records. The ice cold cooler of Pabst is as good excuse as any I have for playing Michael Stanley Band.

Reminder: Made in the 216 and Waterloo Arts Fest This Weekend

In addition to the Waterloo Arts Fest happening this Saturday in the neighborhood in and around the Beachland Ballroom, there's a second Cleveland-centric festival going on in the Gordon Square neighborhood on Detroit. Made in the 216 will feature local goods made in Cleveland, eats from local eateries and after party shows at the Happy Dog both Friday and Saturday night. Friday's bill features Mystery of Two, The Dreadful Yawns and The Stereo Workers Union, while Saturday's show will include performances by Hot Cha Cha, The Very Knees and JJ Magazine. More information on Made in the 216 can be found at the Room Service blog and by searching Made in the 216 on Facebook. Now, about that Waterloo Arts Fest. Don't forget I'll be dj-ing with my good friend Jeff Sierputowski under our alter egos -- Kid Flamingo and the 185th St. Shuffle -- from 3:30 to 5:30 at Blue Arrow Records. Also, Melanie at Music Saves has put together the definitive guide to the Arts Fest which I'm copying and pasting below. NOON THE FEST BEGINS!! Head straight to the Beachland so you have your choice of all the great wares at the ROCK ‘N’ ROLL FLEA MARKET (goes until 5pm) 12:00-1:30 DJ Gaw spinning at Blue Arrow Records 12:30 YO-YO Master Steve Brown performing in the street 12:45 Check out new Waterloo favorites The Lighthouse and the Whaler at the Beachland Tavern 1:00 The Helper T-Cells performing for kids of all ages on the Kids Stage 1:30-3:30 Miss Allisun spinning at Blue Arrow Records 2:00 Arte Povera at the Beachland Tavern Stage 2:30 Heelsplitter (americana) at the Sculpture Garden Stage 3:00 Go on an historic walk of the neighborhood with Councilman Michael Polensek (a HUGE Fest supporter!) and State Representative Kenny Yuko! Priceless! 3:15 The Muttering Retreats at the Beachland Tavern Stage 3:30-5:30 Drive Time Radio w/Kid Flamingo and the 185th Street Shuffle DJ set at Blue Arrow Records (Bill from I ROCK CLEVELAND and Jeff, The “Outgoing” Mayor of Waterloo) 4:00 Picklefight Puppet Theater (Leia from Afternoon Naps doing her puppet thang in the street) 4:30 The Modern Electric at the Beachland Tavern Stage New phenoms getting a bunch of buzz! 5:30 DJ Lawrence Daniel Caswell spinning at Blue Arrow Records 5:45 Home and Garden at the Beachland Tavern Stage Local legends includes members of Pere Ubu 6:15 Church of the Lazy B@stards (old school country) at the Sculpture Garden Stage 7:00-9:00 After Party in the Beachland Tavern! $5 donation to Arts Collinwood gets you free food, a free drink, and a shot at great raffle prizes like a MUSIC SAVES gift certificate! DJs Chris Kulcsar and Tony Merritt will be the hosts for the evening, too! After AFTER PARTIES – starting at 9pm This is Cleveland (All the Stuff I See) closing party at Low Life Gallery hosted by our friend Justin aka Cleveland Bachelor. Arte Povera will DJ, and you will have a great time Jonathan Richman and Vic Chesnutt at The Beachland Ballroom Mr. Gnome at the Beachland Tavern Waterloo Café Cocktail Party – Wind down with some drinks at our new neighborhood watering hole

Sweet: Win a Pair of Tickets to See Ha Ha Tonka at The Beachland Tavern Tomorrow

Thanks to the good people at Bloodshot Records, I've got two pairs of tickets for tomorrow's Ha Ha Tonka show at the Beachland Tavern. Since this is such short notice, we'll do this on a first come first serve basis. Simply send an email to irockcleveland at gmail dot com with the subject line "Ha Ha Tonka Tickets" and the first two to reply will get free two spots at the door for tomorrow's show. And if you need a reminder as to what you're getting yourself into, check out the single "Close Every Valve to Your Bleeding Heart," which was posted here last week.

A Fist Full of Jams: Spiral Stairs, Those Darlins', The Very Best, Brian Olive, and Ganglians

So, Pavement's Stephen Malkmus has kept himself active releasing albums on Matador Records with The Jicks, and now Pavement's Spiral Stairs, aka Scott Kannberg, has his own solo album slotted for Matador this fall. What are the chances they get the old band back together? Oh, probably none, but a boy can dream, right? Pavement reunion wishes aside, Spiral Stairs' "Maltese Terrier" sounds like a Pavement song, if the boys in Pavement had cared about playing in tune all those years back. In other words, it won't kill the urge for that Pavement reunion. MP3: Spiral Stairs - Maltese Terrier The debut album by the fun loving, garage rock 'n' country trio, Those Darlins' comes with one of the more interesting pre-order freebies I've seen a while. Stop in to your local indie store, like Music Saves, and with the purchase of the vinyl/cd combo and you get a free pair of BluBlockers. Of course, you get music, too. Like this jam, "Red Light Love," where they come off as the Southern version of the Detroit Cobras. MP3: Those Darlins' - Red Light Love So, let's say you're Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend and you're tired of people saying that you ripped off the music of Africa for your own benefit when you recorded your debut album. What do you do? Work with a bona fide African like Esau Mwamwaya, of The Very Best, of course. I kid. I really, do. And the only reason I kid is because "The Warm Heart of Africa," and its mix of dancehall, reggae, and American pop music has some serious summer jam potential going on. MP3: The Very Best feat. Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend - Warm Heart of Africa (Download via RCRD LBL) It's unfair to throw names like Lennon or McCartney around when talking about modern songwriters, but, damn, Brian Olive's sunny, sleepy-eyed, bundle of optimism, "There is Love," sure does make me think Lennon. MP3: Brian Olive - There is Love "Lost Words" is type of song I've always wanted to hear from Animal Collective -- Start with that Brain Wilson infatuation, add some studio twiddling, a little bit of re-verb, and, most importantly, a honest to goodness melody -- and it's not by Animal Collective, but Ganglians. Go figure. MP3: Ganglians - Lost Words

The Lemonheads Live @ The Grog Shop Cleveland Hts. 06.22.09

Prior to leaving for the Grog Shop Monday night, the number one question on my mind was which Evan Dando would should up with The Lemonheads. Since he's been recording and touring regularly the latter half of this decade, first on his 2003 solo album, Baby I'm Bored, and later with two Lemonheads albums: 2006's self titled-release and '09s Varshons, the only consistent thing about his performances has been his dreaminess. Well, at least that's what my lady friend's say. Whether you get a coherent grateful Dando eager to share his songs, or a less than lucid one, more interested in boozin' and druggin' than his band, that's another story. Taking the stage in a cheap sport coat, and faded vintage tee, Dando didn't even bother to acknowledge the Grog Shop crowd before quickly strumming his way through "Being Around" and "Allison's Starting to Happen." The lack of formalities didn't seem to matter to the thirty-somethings and the younger fans who would gladly pay to hear anything from The Lemonheads classic 1992 alt-rock album, It's a Shame About Ray. The Lemonheads have always a loosely knit band in the loosest sense of the word. Even in their hey-day, members rarely stayed for more than an album or two. So, when the band joined Dando, and they appeared especially rag tag even for Lemonheads' standards, you had to take it with a grain of salt. The rhythm guitarist and the bassist were so young, they couldn't have been more than toddlers when It's a Shame About Ray first came out, while the drummer was an older gentleman who looked like he fought even more Rock 'N' Roll battles than Dando. Regardless of their appearance, the did prove very apt with the back catalog following Dando's lead on "My Drug Buddy," "It's a Shame About Ray," and "Confetti," adding some girth to song's which tended to the folksier side of the power pop spectrum on record. The only time they stumbled was when Dando may or may not have added an abstract guitar solo to "Green Fuzz." I say may or may not because it wasn't really apparent if he was set to jam, or just lost his place in the song. That one's up for debate. Also up for debate was Dando's lucidity in general. After closing the set with "Outdoor Type," he left his guitar stranded against the amp, screeching uncomfortable feedback. Dando would return for two encores -- the first with a full band and the second just him and his guitar. Each time his lack of communication left the crowd wondering if he was really done for the night or merely going back stage for another drink. Another awkward moment with the band during "If I Could Take I'd Tell You," which we won't call an abstract solo, and a hurried and haphazard take on "Frank Mills," answered that question. To Dando's credit, he never labored those missteps. He just shrugged his shoulders and played the lovable slacker he's always been. The Lemonheads Set List -- Grog Shop Cleveland Hts 6.22.09 1. Being Around (Evan Dando Solo electric) 2. Allison's Starting to Happen (Solo electric) 3. Down About It 4. Hospital 5. Green Fuzz 6. My Drug Buddy 7. It's a Shame About Ray 8. Rick James Style 9. Into Your Arms 10. Big Gay Heart 11. Great Big No 12. Confetti 13. Layin' Up With Linda 14. Mexico 15. Waiting Around to Die 16. Outdoor Type 17. I Just Can't Take it Any More 18. Why Do You Do This to Yourself 19. If I Could Talk I'd Tell You 20. Rudderless 21. Skulls (Solo electric) 22. Frank Mills (Solo electric)

Coming This Week: A Whole Lotta Rock

Tonight, Monday, June 22nd: The Lemonheads, Filmstrip @ Grog Shop Tuesday, June 23rd: Crocodiles, Beaten Awake, Dirty Sweet @ Beachland Tavern. Thursday, June 25th: Ha Ha Tonka @ Beachland Tavern. Def Leapard, Poison, Cheap Trick @ Blossom. Friday, June 26th: The Germs @ Now That's Class. The Church, Adam Franklin (of Swervedriver) @ Beachland Ballroom. Coffinberry CD Release show with Bill Fox, Founding Fathers, Uno Lady. Saturday, June 27th: Johnathan Richman, Vic Chestnut @ Beachland Ballroom. Black Moth Super Rainbow @ Grog Shop. Mr. Gnome @ Beachland Tavern. Waterloo Arts Fest feat. 10 bands, 4 Djs, street performers and all kinds of goodness. Sunday, June 28th: Jay Reatard, TV Smith (of The Adverts) @ Grog Shop.

Moving Pictures: "Vivre Sans Temps Mort" by Double Dagger

Not that I'm trying to spoil the ending of this clip, but...all that work, spent meticulously assembling model cars, for what? A grand accident scene the likes of which is rarely seen with model cars or otherwise. The plastic carnage in this clip puts my Zen Arcade diorama of smashed Hot Wheels to shame. Here I thought I was all artsy recreating a classic album cover with my busted cars in a shoebox and Double Dagger up the ante one thousand fold. P4KTV: Double Dagger - Vivre Sans Temps Mort More by Double Dagger is out now on Thrill Jockey Records. Th Double Dagger Thrill Jockey

"Molalatladi" by BLK JKS

Oh, how I wish the sound of South African football was the chorus of "Away, away ah-oh" from BLK JKS' "Molalatladi" and not the infernal vuvuzela? Don't know what a vuvuzela is? Well, be thankful you haven't heard the constant buzzing of that long plastic horn which has been dominating South African stadiums during the Confederations Cup. Don't know who BLK JKS are? Well, you'll want to get yourself acquainted to this rootsy, rock band from South Africa with an affinity for American psychedelic rock, the folk stylings of their homeland, and the type of reggae-inspired jams the Bad Brains would kick out when they weren't tearing sh*t up. With the World Cup less than a year away that's plenty of time to learn a simple chorus and turn it into a football chant. What do you say South Africa? Will you give it a chance? MP3: BLK JKS - Molalatladi After Robots by BLK JKS will be out September 8th on Secretly Canadian. BLK JKS Secretly Canadian photo by Mikhael Subotzky

"Close Every Valve to Your Bleeding Heart" by Ha Ha Tonka

Ha Ha Tonka sure know how to pull those tattered heart strings of an unemployed man who spends too much time pondering his lot. "Close to Every Valve of Your Bleeding Heart" is a sad song, and a drinking song, with the added punch of some Doestoevsky name dropping. At first its, "Only Doestoevsky would dream up a pair like us." Then, as the band picks up steam, and guitar picking and a lonely, broken voice become power chords and audible frustration, it's "Only Doestoevsky could kill off a pair like us." Now, that's some good sounding desperation. MP3: Ha Ha Tonka - Close Every Valve to Your Bleeding Heart Ha Ha Tonka's latest release, Novel Sounds of the Nouveau South, is out now on Bloodshot Records. They'll be in Cleveland this Thursday, June 25th, for a show at The Beachland Tavern. Ha Ha Tonka Bloodshot Records photo by Calvin Engel

"When the Devil's Loose" by A A Bondy

While A. A. Bondy may have plugged in for "When the Devil's Loose," the title track to his forthcoming sophomore release, he hasn't lost the intimacy which made American Hearts such a delightful listen. Like much of his debut, "When the Devil's Loose," is rustic and hushed, birthed in rural America, and delivered with plain simplicity. The only difference being, this time around it sounds as if he's found a new new friend or two, and a long extension cord to run out to that withered old back porch. MP3: A. A. Bondy - When the Devil's Loose When the Devil's Loose by A. A. Bondy will be out on Fat Possum Records September 1st. A. A. Bondy Fat Possum Records photo by Clare Felice

From the IRCWHQ Newsdesk: Larchmere Porchfest, Summer Solstice @ Cleveland Museum of Art, Devo Recording Update and More

* A unique event is taking place this Saturday afternoon and evening in the Larchmere neighborhood of Cleveland. Porchfest runs from 2 - 6 with a full slate of performances by local musicians taking place at residential porches. Hence, the name Porchfest. Later that evening, the days' events will move to Shaker Square where Other Girls, JJ Magazine, Goodmorning Valentine will perform at the main stage. More information can be found here. * Not to be outdone in the unique department, the Cleveland Museum of Art is throwing a Summer Solstice celebration Saturday night. The event is headlined by Dan Deacon, who is scheduled to perform at 10:15, with Cleveland's fast rising drone rock stars, Emeralds closing out the night's festivities at 1. * Devo continue to work on their forthcoming full length album, and by the time the album is finished there may be a few familiar names listed in the credits. In an interview with Spin.com, Mark Mothersbaugh speaks about a colloboration with LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy as well as the potential for future work with Justice and Fatboy Slim. * Speaking of classic Northeast, Ohio bands in the studio...Pere Ubu have a new disc slated for release this September. * Cobra Verde's John Petkovic recently spoke with Mike Shanley of Blurt.com and as always, Petkovic delivered some choice lines. On the band's Rolling Stones' cover, "Play With Fire," being featured in the HBO series True Blood, he had this to say: "After that came out, ABKCO, the Stones' publishing company was calling and emailing every single day to make sure that they got paid up because we got tons of downloads on iTunes after the show aired. I told them, "I understand that Mick and Keith don't have the luxury to fall back on day jobs, but we do." * Lastly, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced the schedule for this year's Summer Concert Series. All shows are free of charge and will take place outside the rock hall, weather permitting. The schedule is as follows: Wednesday, July 8 Man Man and Mystery of Two Wednesday, July 22 Akron/Family and Black Swans Wednesday, Aug. 5 Chairlift and JJ Magazine Wednesday, Aug. 19 Gil Mantera's Party Dream and This Is a Shakedown!

Hello South Bend!?!

Just a quick note to let all of you know that I'll be away the next couple days as I make my way to South Bend, Indiana for a job interview. While I'm not quite ready to launch I Rock South Bend, or I Rock Mishawaka, as the recession continues to hamper the job market here in Cleveland, I have to look at all the possibilities, and right now, South Bend is a very real possibility. Should something of the utmost rockingness occur in the next couple days, I will do my best to keep you guys informed. Else, expect the regular rocking to resume on Wednesday.

Cleveland Agora Says Goodbye for The Summer

Writing for the Plain Dealer, John Petkovic is reporting that the legendary Cleveland Agora, is taking a summer vacation of sorts. Turns out the Agora has not been able to financially recover from its deal gone bad with local promoter and owner of the Jigsaw Saloon, Phil Lara, and will be closed for the next three months. As you may recall, Jigsaw's dream of a Cleveland concert network anchored by the Agora died a spectacular death this past spring, with promises unkept, bills piling up, and his partners at the Hi-Fi bailing. Perhaps Lara's biggest offense, as if ruining the reputation of the Agora wasn't bad enough, was the fact that he was unable to make payment to the Black Keys for a pair of sold out shows at the Agora in January. Agora owner, Hank La Conti, insists the Agora will re-open in the fall, but I don't think anyone would be surprised if the continued fallout from the Jigsaw mess would cause La Conti to permanently shutter its doors.

New Track by Drummer (feat. Pat Carney) Premiering at Donewaiting

The good people at Donewaiting.com are premiering "Mature Fantasy,"a new track by the Akron supergroup, Drummer, whose most famous drummer of the group of current or former drummers is Patrick Carney of The Black Keys. Rock it. Now.

From the IRCWHQ Newsdesk: TMIBH/Child Bite Split 7" Release Party, More Release News, and More Assorted Goodness

* Cleveland's This Moment in Black History and Detroit's Child Bite are celebrating the release of their new 7" split single on Forge Again Records with a show this Friday at the Grog Shop. Even better, the first 50 people in attendance at the show will get the single for free. * Also in the news, is Cleveland's Hot Cha Cha. Their first full length, The World’s Hardest Working Telescope and the Violent Birth of Stars, has just been sent off to mastering and should be ready for a fall release. * Remember Wild Yaks? That burly, Brooklyn band featured on I Rock Cleveland a few months back? They've recently released a handful of mp3's onto the unsuspecting internet via The Fader. "Tomahawk" and "River May Come" are both very much recommended. *The ever prolific Robert Pollard is being, well, prolific. Today marks the release of his latest side project, Cosmos, with Richard Davies. Also in the pipeline is another solo disc, Elephant Jokes, due out on August 11th on GBV records and a new Boston Spaceships single set to be released on Subpop as part of their singles club.

Introducing Drive Time Radio with Kid Flamingo and The 185th St. Shuffle

After much deliberation and much Stroh's, I'm proud to announce the formation of the greatest dj team since the Buzzard Morning Zoo: Drive Time Radio with Kid Flamingo and the 185th St. Shuffle. We (Myself and Jeff Sierputowski) will be making our debut at Blue Arrow Records on Saturday, June 27th from 3:30 to 5:30 as part of the Waterloo Arts Fest. We'll be spinning what I like to refer to as "All Things Rock" -- a mix of classic rock, garage, punk, psych, indie from the '60s through modern times. And lest you think Drive Time Radio with Kid Flamingo and The 185th St Shuffle is the most ridiculous name in the history of record playing you should read some of the names we didn't go with -- AC's Magic Hammer and Mark Price's Short Shorts, King Kosar and One Touchdown Tommy, Han Keilbasa and Obi Won Pierogi -- I think you get the idea. We had no shortage of ludicrous aliases.

Moving Pictures: "Over It" by Dinosaur, Jr

Turns out it's just not the fans who get a bit nostalgic when they hear Dinosaur, Jr's J Mascis unleash his trademark guitar wail. It's the band, too. In the video for "Over It," Mascis, Lou Barlow, and Murph are shredding through city scapes like a bunch of teenagers on skateboards and bmx's. Even if there's body doubles involved for the more advanced maneuvers, which there assuredly are, it doesn't make the scenes of these three indie rock stalwarts revisiting the days of carefree youth any less entertaining. P4kTV: Dinosaur, Jr - Over It Dinosaur, Jr's latest full length, Farm, will be out June 23rd on Jagjaguwar Records. You can preorder the CD, LP, or deluxe CD package now through Secretly Canadian mailorder. The deluxe edition comes with a bonus disc of four b-sides including "Whenever You're Ready," a cover of the old Zombies tune. Dinosaur, Jr Jagjaguwar Records

Top Jam of the Week: "Smashed on Honey" by Coffinberry

From Strokes-like, fashionable, late-night rock on their debu to grimy, almost grunge like guitar rock on 2007's God Dam Dogs, Cleveland's Coffinberry are a band who always seem to be tweaking their sound from album to album. To be clear, this isn't a band who hop on hot genres, nor are they a band with an identity crisis. Rather, they're a group who refuse to let themselves become stagnant, adding and removing ingredients to their sound while never losing sight of the fact of who they are -- one of the Cleveland underground's signature rock bands. With "Smashed on Honey," from their soon-to-be-released self-titled album, Coffinberry have once again undergone a mild reinvention. Had this track come from the God Dam Dogs sessions, chances are it would have been covered in dirty feedback. Now, two years on, the amps have been turned down a notch or two, and the more rustic elements in their sound, the ones which dared to be heard behind the guitar attack, are more evident. Even with a little twang in the mix and the sound of a vintage organ taking over for six string screech, no one would mistake this for Nashville. This is Cleveland, and country rock will always tilt to the rock side. MP3: Coffinberry - Smashed on Honey Coffinberry will be playing a free show, Wednesday, June 10th as part of the Metromix Summer Concert Series at The Beachland Ballroom. Their release show for their forthcoming, self-titled release is taking place Friday, June 26th at the Beachland Tavern. Bill Fox, Founding Fathers, and Uno Lady are opening. Coffinberry Collectible Escalators

Hot on The Internets: New Jams from Yo la Tengo and The Clean

*Yo la Tengo, a band who need no introduction, have a new studio album entitled Popular Songs ready for a September 8th release. The Matablog has the first single, "Periodically Double or Triple," available for download. According to Matador, Popular Songs is one of the band's most diverse albums to date, and seeing as though "Periodically Double or Triple," sounds like something taken from an old compilation of French lounge music, I'm going to believe them. *While The Clean may necessitate a brief introduction, members of Pavement, Yo La Tengo, and Sonic Youth, to name a few, are quite familiar with the output of Kiwi pop's signature band. Formed in Dunedian, New Zealand way back in '78, should you listen to Merge Records' double disc Clean Anthology, you'll hear hints of all those bands and countless others who have been labeled college rock, modern rock, or indie rock over the years. Why is this important? Well, on September 8th, Merge Records will be releasing, Mister Pop, The Clean's first album of new material since 2001's Getaway, and just today they released the first cut from the album, "In the Dream Life You Need a Rubber Soul." MP3: The Clean - In The Dream Life You Need a Rubber Soul

Come Join I Rock Cleveland at the Waterloo Arts Fest

Collinwood will be alive on Saturday, June 27th when the annual Waterloo Arts Fest takes over Waterloo Road. In addition to all the galleries and vendors showing their wares, a very large slate of musical acts have been added to this year's festival. Arte Povera, Hellsplitter, Home and Garden,Mary Taylor-Brooks, Church of the Lazy Bastards, Lighthouse and the Whaler, Modern Electric, Muttering Retreats will be performing at the Beachland and at the sculpture garden. While a full slate of djs have been announced at Blue Arrow Records -- DJ Allisun, DJ Racecard (Lawrence from This Moment in Black History), DJ Charles from WRUW's "On the One," and Bill from I Rock Cleveland with Jeff, The Mayor of Collinwood. Oh, that's me. The Mayor and I will be spinning indie, rock, garage, punk, psych, and other assorted good stuff. Jeff will probably want to play some Bob Seger and I'll have a hard time resisting the urge to play some GNFNR. Set times are forthcoming, so you'll want to keep your eyes on the Waterloo Arts Fest Facebook page for the latest announcements.