And there was much rejoicing, for there was a new concert calendar...
Last Sunday I accomplished a major culinary achievement. I made roasted a chicken and made chicken broth. I'm not at all sure how this ties in with concerts, but I'm proud of it.
Anyway, this calendar features the Black Keys back at the Cleveland Agora, a solo show by Keys guitarist Dan Auerbach and a free show Cleveland punks the Beatnik Termites. Hopefully I can actually go to some shows this time around, the last few months have been busy and financially strapped, often at the same time. Since I got my first big heating bill today, I'm doubtful as to how much I'll get to go out.
November
F 11/21 - The Aquabats @ Agora Ballroom. mokatz informs me they have a kids TV show now, which is totally odd and yet oddly appropriate. In any event if you like catchy ska lyrics sung by men in super hero costumes, the Aquabats are the band to provide it.
F 11/21 - Freekbass @ Beachland Ballroom. I'm not going to see the Cincinnati funksters, who have been produced by Bootsy Collins.
S 11/22 - Casiotone for the Painfully Alone @ Beachland Tavern. This indie weirdo is worth seeing once. I have, and that was probably enough.
T 11/25 - Electric 6 @ Grog. They can't possibly as bad as I thought they were when I saw them, given that their albums have catchy song titles and funny lyrics. Plus, it's my birthday that day.
T 11/25 - Fishbone @ Peabodys. 80s ska-punk band. I saw them in 1998 and they were brilliant then. Of course, this is a decade later, but D'Angelo is still in the band, so it can't be that bad.
W 11/26 - The Prodigals @ Beachland Ballroom. This Irish band returns to the site of their live album.
W 11/26 - Whiskey Daredevils w/Uncle Scratch's Gospel Revival @ Jigsaw Saloon. This is a newer venue in Parma. The Daredevils are loud obnoxious country, Uncle Scratch is... scary.
F 11/28 - Mifune @ Grog. Local afrobeatesque band.
S 11/29 - The Beatnik Termites @ Beachland Tavern. Unquestionably the most famous band to come out of Case Western Reserve University, the Ramones-esque punk of the Beatnik Termites made them one of Kurt Cobain's favorite bands. They are presenting a free show to follow up their appearance at the 2008 Studio-A-Rama. Featuring one of my fraternity brothers as the lead termite.
Su 11/30 - The Pietasters @ Grog. They were a decent ska band once. Oh yeah, and one of their openers is called Mein Skampf. Classy.
December
S 12/06 - Rambler 454 @ Grog. Another free show from the local alt country outfit.
Su 12/07 - Dragonforce @ Agora Theater. Loud, fast metal. Is there any other kind?
T 12/09 - Ken Burns @ PSQ. Documentary filmmaker does speaking engagement.
S 12/20 - Ike Willis & Ugly Radio Rebellion @ Winchester Tavern. Long time Frank Zappa band member with his own outfit, performing Zappa tunes.
S 12/27 - The Heartless Bastards @ Beachland Ballroom. Rock trio; female lead singer has ridiculous voice. PK likes them. I saw them with him once, and I think they're good but don't quite do it for me.
S 12/27 - Mustard Plug @ Agora Ballroom. Still my favorite ska band. They have an album out that I don't own. That makes me twitch.
Su 12/28 - Alex Bevan @ Beachland Tavern. WMMS's favorite son, the Skinny Little Kid From Cleveland Ohio.
F 12/30 - Kathleen Edwards @ Kent Stage. The blurb makes her sound good. I know little about her, but I've had good luck with Canadian altcountry types before.
S 12/31 - Dominick Farinacci @ Nighttown. We did this for NYE two years back and they were great.
January
M 1/05 - AC/DC @ Quicken Loans Arena. Their new single? Pretty damn good. If someone wants to give me free tickets I won't complain at all.
1/6 through 1/11 - Rent @ PSQ. No Day But Today.
W 1/14 - Reel Big Fish @ HOB. As best as my memory serves, the last time I saw them Micah was covering his recently pierced nipples with both hands while moshing to Sell Out! Good times.
F 1/30 - Nightmares on Wax @ Grog. Woot!
F 1/30 - The Black Keys @ Agora Theater. On sale Friday 11/21. I've seen them so many times that arguably I should save my funds for bands I haven't seen. But those bands aren't as good as this.
February
W 2/04 - Harptallica @ Peabodys. Yes, it does seem to be someone (or rather, multiple someones) playing Metallica on the harp. Bonus points for an unusual instrument, negative points for copying Apocalyptica. It's incredibly cheap, so I may satisfy my morbid curiosity. Look for the youtube video.
R 2/05 - Lily Tomlin @ PSQ. I got to see the revival of her one woman show "The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Galaxy" on Broadway, and she's damn funny.
R 2/19 - Black Violin @ EJ Thomas. Classical meets hiphop.
March
R 3/05 - Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys @ Beachland Ballroom. Solo show. Tickets on sale 11/21.
T 3/24 - Kodo @ PSQ. Japanese drums for the win.
April
F 4/17 - Frankie Valli @ PSQ. "Honey, I thought we were seeing Jersey Boys tonight. Who is this joker?"
M 4/20 - Stephen Sondheim & Frank Rich @ EJ Thomas. The preeminent Broadway writer and former NY Times theater critic team up for a presentation.
How do you find local shows? Try these: Pollstar. Beachland Ballroom & Tavern, Grog Shop, Peabodys, CSU Convocation Center, HOB, Winchester Tavern, Kent Stage, Agora Theater & Ballroom, Wilberts, Quicken Loans Arena, Night Town, Playhouse Square, Rock Hall, Cain Park, Blossom, Tower City Amphitheater, Plain Dealer Pavilion, The Odeon, Lakewood Civic Auditorium, The Euclid Tavern, E.J. Thomas Hall (Akron), Jigsaw Saloon.
Hilariously, the House of Blues corporate site was reported by FireFox and Google as being a reported attack site. "Attack sites try to install programs that steal private information, use your computer to attack others, or damage your system. Some attack sites intentionally distribute harmful software, but many are compromised without the knowledge or permission of their owners." Nice job, corporate IT guys. That's the first time I've ever seen that happen.
Anyway, this calendar features the Black Keys back at the Cleveland Agora, a solo show by Keys guitarist Dan Auerbach and a free show Cleveland punks the Beatnik Termites. Hopefully I can actually go to some shows this time around, the last few months have been busy and financially strapped, often at the same time. Since I got my first big heating bill today, I'm doubtful as to how much I'll get to go out.
November
F 11/21 - The Aquabats @ Agora Ballroom. mokatz informs me they have a kids TV show now, which is totally odd and yet oddly appropriate. In any event if you like catchy ska lyrics sung by men in super hero costumes, the Aquabats are the band to provide it.
F 11/21 - Freekbass @ Beachland Ballroom. I'm not going to see the Cincinnati funksters, who have been produced by Bootsy Collins.
S 11/22 - Casiotone for the Painfully Alone @ Beachland Tavern. This indie weirdo is worth seeing once. I have, and that was probably enough.
T 11/25 - Electric 6 @ Grog. They can't possibly as bad as I thought they were when I saw them, given that their albums have catchy song titles and funny lyrics. Plus, it's my birthday that day.
T 11/25 - Fishbone @ Peabodys. 80s ska-punk band. I saw them in 1998 and they were brilliant then. Of course, this is a decade later, but D'Angelo is still in the band, so it can't be that bad.
W 11/26 - The Prodigals @ Beachland Ballroom. This Irish band returns to the site of their live album.
W 11/26 - Whiskey Daredevils w/Uncle Scratch's Gospel Revival @ Jigsaw Saloon. This is a newer venue in Parma. The Daredevils are loud obnoxious country, Uncle Scratch is... scary.
F 11/28 - Mifune @ Grog. Local afrobeatesque band.
S 11/29 - The Beatnik Termites @ Beachland Tavern. Unquestionably the most famous band to come out of Case Western Reserve University, the Ramones-esque punk of the Beatnik Termites made them one of Kurt Cobain's favorite bands. They are presenting a free show to follow up their appearance at the 2008 Studio-A-Rama. Featuring one of my fraternity brothers as the lead termite.
Su 11/30 - The Pietasters @ Grog. They were a decent ska band once. Oh yeah, and one of their openers is called Mein Skampf. Classy.
December
S 12/06 - Rambler 454 @ Grog. Another free show from the local alt country outfit.
Su 12/07 - Dragonforce @ Agora Theater. Loud, fast metal. Is there any other kind?
T 12/09 - Ken Burns @ PSQ. Documentary filmmaker does speaking engagement.
S 12/20 - Ike Willis & Ugly Radio Rebellion @ Winchester Tavern. Long time Frank Zappa band member with his own outfit, performing Zappa tunes.
S 12/27 - The Heartless Bastards @ Beachland Ballroom. Rock trio; female lead singer has ridiculous voice. PK likes them. I saw them with him once, and I think they're good but don't quite do it for me.
S 12/27 - Mustard Plug @ Agora Ballroom. Still my favorite ska band. They have an album out that I don't own. That makes me twitch.
Su 12/28 - Alex Bevan @ Beachland Tavern. WMMS's favorite son, the Skinny Little Kid From Cleveland Ohio.
F 12/30 - Kathleen Edwards @ Kent Stage. The blurb makes her sound good. I know little about her, but I've had good luck with Canadian altcountry types before.
S 12/31 - Dominick Farinacci @ Nighttown. We did this for NYE two years back and they were great.
January
M 1/05 - AC/DC @ Quicken Loans Arena. Their new single? Pretty damn good. If someone wants to give me free tickets I won't complain at all.
1/6 through 1/11 - Rent @ PSQ. No Day But Today.
W 1/14 - Reel Big Fish @ HOB. As best as my memory serves, the last time I saw them Micah was covering his recently pierced nipples with both hands while moshing to Sell Out! Good times.
F 1/30 - Nightmares on Wax @ Grog. Woot!
F 1/30 - The Black Keys @ Agora Theater. On sale Friday 11/21. I've seen them so many times that arguably I should save my funds for bands I haven't seen. But those bands aren't as good as this.
February
W 2/04 - Harptallica @ Peabodys. Yes, it does seem to be someone (or rather, multiple someones) playing Metallica on the harp. Bonus points for an unusual instrument, negative points for copying Apocalyptica. It's incredibly cheap, so I may satisfy my morbid curiosity. Look for the youtube video.
R 2/05 - Lily Tomlin @ PSQ. I got to see the revival of her one woman show "The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Galaxy" on Broadway, and she's damn funny.
R 2/19 - Black Violin @ EJ Thomas. Classical meets hiphop.
March
R 3/05 - Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys @ Beachland Ballroom. Solo show. Tickets on sale 11/21.
T 3/24 - Kodo @ PSQ. Japanese drums for the win.
April
F 4/17 - Frankie Valli @ PSQ. "Honey, I thought we were seeing Jersey Boys tonight. Who is this joker?"
M 4/20 - Stephen Sondheim & Frank Rich @ EJ Thomas. The preeminent Broadway writer and former NY Times theater critic team up for a presentation.
How do you find local shows? Try these: Pollstar. Beachland Ballroom & Tavern, Grog Shop, Peabodys, CSU Convocation Center, HOB, Winchester Tavern, Kent Stage, Agora Theater & Ballroom, Wilberts, Quicken Loans Arena, Night Town, Playhouse Square, Rock Hall, Cain Park, Blossom, Tower City Amphitheater, Plain Dealer Pavilion, The Odeon, Lakewood Civic Auditorium, The Euclid Tavern, E.J. Thomas Hall (Akron), Jigsaw Saloon.
Hilariously, the House of Blues corporate site was reported by FireFox and Google as being a reported attack site. "Attack sites try to install programs that steal private information, use your computer to attack others, or damage your system. Some attack sites intentionally distribute harmful software, but many are compromised without the knowledge or permission of their owners." Nice job, corporate IT guys. That's the first time I've ever seen that happen.