Concert Calendar
It's finally time for outdoor venues to start holding shows, which must mean that it's time for another concert calendar. As always, bold means I'm 95% certain to be there and italics means I'm more than usually interested.
Remember to check out my radio show every Sunday from 2pm to 4pm. I play lots of good music in every genre imaginable, announce gigs, and occasionally give away tickets. Listen in Cleveland at 91.1 FM, or tune in on the internet at wruw.org.
May
W 5/06 and R 5/07 - The Bouncing Souls @ Grog (two nights). These DIY punk icons are on their 20th anniversary tour.
F 5/08 - Electic 6 @ Grog. Their albums are quite good, especially Fire with its excellent single Danger! High Voltage. The one time I experienced their live show it was pretty bad. You be the judge.
M 5/11 The Crystal Method @ HOB. That could be very interesting, but it's a bit pricey.
T 5/12 - Fallout Boy @ Tower City Amphitheater (with many openers). They want to be punk, but they are really more pop. Listed especially for xhollydayx, but I'd probably listen if she didn't like them.
W 5/13 - Kevin Costner & Modern West @ HOB. Yes, THAT Kevin Costner. WTF?
W 5/13 - Bonnie Prince Billy @ Beachland Ballroom. The new album Beware is good, but not up to the standards of the last few discs.
S 5/16 - Mudhoney @ Grog (Late Show). Mudhoney doesn't play many shows, and almost none away from the west coast, so if you like them take advantage. I have a free ticket. Huzzah!
Su 5/17 - Expecting Rain @ Beachland Tavern. CD Release party. Free. onabus is their lyricist. Their last album was very good pop; he says this one is totally different.
T 5/19 - Spinal Tap @ PSQ. Well, sort of. Also features music from A Mighty Wind. To me it's not worth the high cost, but maybe you just have to hear "Break Like the Wind" live and acoustic. If so, knock yourself out!
M 5/25 (Memorial Day). Brett Michaels (of Poison) @ Ribfest at TCA. xhollydayx doesn't eat red meat, but with the star of one her favorite reality shows performing I might get her to Ribfest anyway. Of course, the music might make me ill.
Su 5/31 - Tragically Hip @ HOB. They are Canadian idols, but draw much smaller crowds state-side.
June
T 6/02 - The Supersuckers @ Peabodys. Loud, angry rock. I've seen them and they are fun.
W 6/03 - Pete Yorn @ HOB. Ultimate starts that night, and for all I know he sucks live, but he'll always get listed because I love, love, love For Nancy (Cos It Already Is).
F 6/05 - Neil Innes @ Winchester. A member of the The Rutles and The Bonzo Dog Band, plus he worked with Monty Python. Let's see Paul McCartney match that.
S 6/06 - Dave Brubeck Quartet with Kurt Elling @ PSQ. The show that was supposed to be last weekend was rescheduled for this date.
Su 6/07 - Nice Jewish Girls Gone Bad @ Grog. Be honest - you just laughed reading the name, didn't you?
M 6/15 - The Hold Steady @ Beachland Ballroom.
W 6/17 - The Detroit Cobras @ Beachland Tavern. Dammit, it's ultimate night so I won't get to see this guys for about the fourth time. They find old songs nobody knows and cover them awesomely.
S 6/20 - Whiskey Daredevils @ Grog. The Daredevils are the rare local band that's worth paying to see - and apparently they're now touring Europe. How about that? Their new album is pretty sweet if you like outlaw country.
Su 6/21 - The Offspring @ TCA. I'm not actually a huge fan, and I'll be out of town anyway, but Self Esteem is one of those songs from when I was in high school that is permanently etched on my brain.
T 6/23 - Natalie Portman's Shaved Head @ Grog. Yes, that's really their name. Their CD actually isn't 1/2 bad; more like 1/4 bad.
F 6/26 - Charlie Hunter @ Wilberts. He plays jazz guitar with amazing skill, often going with 7 or 8 string guitars. I've seen him, and will again, but not this night as I've got plans.
S 6/27 - Jonathan Richman @ Beachland Ballroom. xhollydayx needs someone to go to this show with her since I'll be gone. His most recent album was excellent.
T 6/30 - Diana Krall @ PSQ. I'm not meeting PSQ prices to see Mrs. Elvis Costello, but I like her music.
July
F 7/03 - Zappa Plays Zappa @ HOB. If anyone gets to do a tribute band to Frank Zappa, it's his son Dweezil, who has also done the best cover of Baby One More Time that has ever been or that will ever be.
T 7/07 - Josh Ritter @ Beachland Ballroom. Hell yes. I still need to buy at least two of his albums, maybe three. Great live performer.
W 7/08 - Dave Alvin @ Beachland Ballroom. If it wasn't ultimate night I'd be there in a heartbeat. He's got some great solo stuff, plus he's been in such bands as X and The Knitters.
S 7/11 - Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson @ Classic Park (Eastlake). I assume you know who they are.
Su 7/12 - VNV Nation @ Peabodys. xhollydayx is a big fan of them, and their new album will be coming out in June.
T 7/14 - Judas Priest @ TCA - I've never actually seen Priest. I have seen their opener, Whitesnake, and once was definitely enough.
M 7/20 - Chris Thomas King @ Wilberts. He's best known for playing the archetypal 'guitarist at the crossroads' in O Brother, Where Art Thou?.
T 7/21 - T-Model Ford @ Beachland Tavern. Blues the way it was originally: loud, lowdown and dirty. Dude's older than my grandfather, and a lot meaner.
S 7/25 - Squirrel Nut Zippers @ Cain Park. Cain Park is my favorite outdoor venue, and this looks like the best of the options.
T 7/28 - Wreckless Eric & Amy Rigby @ Beachland Tavern. Both have a multitude of good songs.
August
W 8/05 - Candy Kane @ Beachland Ballroom. Blues singer. Had a checkered life, what you'd probably call 'earthy'. Favorite of drag queens everywhere. AND... it's ultimate night.
T 8/11 - The Arrogant Worms @ Cain. It's only $2. I guarantee you that they are worth $2, assuming you like laughing your ass off.
S 8/22 - Heaven & Hell @ Nautica. This is essentially Black Sabbath with the line up from 1980-82 meaning that Dio is fronting. I saw this line up in 2007 and it was absolutely amazing. Shame Nautica is such a lousy venue.
September
F 9/04 - Peter Frampton @ Taste of Cleveland @ TCA. Listed solely so I can mention High Fidelity, which mocks Baby I Love Your Way in depth. Well, that and it's during Taste of Cleveland, so it'll probably be cheap.
S 9/05 - Lita Ford @ Taste of Cleveland @ TCA. I didn't know this, but apparently she did have other hits besides Kiss Me Deadly. Although that's more than enough :-)
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, Lakewood Civic Auditorium, E.J. Thomas Hall (Akron). Dropped the Jigsaw Saloon, which went out of business, at least temporarily.
It was a pain in the ass to put all the links in there; don't get used to it. Let me know if you find a broken one.
Man, there are a lot of good shows on Wednesdays. Not enough to make me skip ultimate, but enough to make me ponder it for a second or two.
See hooloovooo? There are gigs in Cleveland worth going to.
Remember to check out my radio show every Sunday from 2pm to 4pm. I play lots of good music in every genre imaginable, announce gigs, and occasionally give away tickets. Listen in Cleveland at 91.1 FM, or tune in on the internet at wruw.org.
May
W 5/06 and R 5/07 - The Bouncing Souls @ Grog (two nights). These DIY punk icons are on their 20th anniversary tour.
F 5/08 - Electic 6 @ Grog. Their albums are quite good, especially Fire with its excellent single Danger! High Voltage. The one time I experienced their live show it was pretty bad. You be the judge.
M 5/11 The Crystal Method @ HOB. That could be very interesting, but it's a bit pricey.
T 5/12 - Fallout Boy @ Tower City Amphitheater (with many openers). They want to be punk, but they are really more pop. Listed especially for xhollydayx, but I'd probably listen if she didn't like them.
W 5/13 - Kevin Costner & Modern West @ HOB. Yes, THAT Kevin Costner. WTF?
W 5/13 - Bonnie Prince Billy @ Beachland Ballroom. The new album Beware is good, but not up to the standards of the last few discs.
S 5/16 - Mudhoney @ Grog (Late Show). Mudhoney doesn't play many shows, and almost none away from the west coast, so if you like them take advantage. I have a free ticket. Huzzah!
Su 5/17 - Expecting Rain @ Beachland Tavern. CD Release party. Free. onabus is their lyricist. Their last album was very good pop; he says this one is totally different.
T 5/19 - Spinal Tap @ PSQ. Well, sort of. Also features music from A Mighty Wind. To me it's not worth the high cost, but maybe you just have to hear "Break Like the Wind" live and acoustic. If so, knock yourself out!
M 5/25 (Memorial Day). Brett Michaels (of Poison) @ Ribfest at TCA. xhollydayx doesn't eat red meat, but with the star of one her favorite reality shows performing I might get her to Ribfest anyway. Of course, the music might make me ill.
Su 5/31 - Tragically Hip @ HOB. They are Canadian idols, but draw much smaller crowds state-side.
June
T 6/02 - The Supersuckers @ Peabodys. Loud, angry rock. I've seen them and they are fun.
W 6/03 - Pete Yorn @ HOB. Ultimate starts that night, and for all I know he sucks live, but he'll always get listed because I love, love, love For Nancy (Cos It Already Is).
F 6/05 - Neil Innes @ Winchester. A member of the The Rutles and The Bonzo Dog Band, plus he worked with Monty Python. Let's see Paul McCartney match that.
S 6/06 - Dave Brubeck Quartet with Kurt Elling @ PSQ. The show that was supposed to be last weekend was rescheduled for this date.
Su 6/07 - Nice Jewish Girls Gone Bad @ Grog. Be honest - you just laughed reading the name, didn't you?
M 6/15 - The Hold Steady @ Beachland Ballroom.
W 6/17 - The Detroit Cobras @ Beachland Tavern. Dammit, it's ultimate night so I won't get to see this guys for about the fourth time. They find old songs nobody knows and cover them awesomely.
S 6/20 - Whiskey Daredevils @ Grog. The Daredevils are the rare local band that's worth paying to see - and apparently they're now touring Europe. How about that? Their new album is pretty sweet if you like outlaw country.
Su 6/21 - The Offspring @ TCA. I'm not actually a huge fan, and I'll be out of town anyway, but Self Esteem is one of those songs from when I was in high school that is permanently etched on my brain.
T 6/23 - Natalie Portman's Shaved Head @ Grog. Yes, that's really their name. Their CD actually isn't 1/2 bad; more like 1/4 bad.
F 6/26 - Charlie Hunter @ Wilberts. He plays jazz guitar with amazing skill, often going with 7 or 8 string guitars. I've seen him, and will again, but not this night as I've got plans.
S 6/27 - Jonathan Richman @ Beachland Ballroom. xhollydayx needs someone to go to this show with her since I'll be gone. His most recent album was excellent.
T 6/30 - Diana Krall @ PSQ. I'm not meeting PSQ prices to see Mrs. Elvis Costello, but I like her music.
July
F 7/03 - Zappa Plays Zappa @ HOB. If anyone gets to do a tribute band to Frank Zappa, it's his son Dweezil, who has also done the best cover of Baby One More Time that has ever been or that will ever be.
T 7/07 - Josh Ritter @ Beachland Ballroom. Hell yes. I still need to buy at least two of his albums, maybe three. Great live performer.
W 7/08 - Dave Alvin @ Beachland Ballroom. If it wasn't ultimate night I'd be there in a heartbeat. He's got some great solo stuff, plus he's been in such bands as X and The Knitters.
S 7/11 - Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson @ Classic Park (Eastlake). I assume you know who they are.
Su 7/12 - VNV Nation @ Peabodys. xhollydayx is a big fan of them, and their new album will be coming out in June.
T 7/14 - Judas Priest @ TCA - I've never actually seen Priest. I have seen their opener, Whitesnake, and once was definitely enough.
M 7/20 - Chris Thomas King @ Wilberts. He's best known for playing the archetypal 'guitarist at the crossroads' in O Brother, Where Art Thou?.
T 7/21 - T-Model Ford @ Beachland Tavern. Blues the way it was originally: loud, lowdown and dirty. Dude's older than my grandfather, and a lot meaner.
S 7/25 - Squirrel Nut Zippers @ Cain Park. Cain Park is my favorite outdoor venue, and this looks like the best of the options.
T 7/28 - Wreckless Eric & Amy Rigby @ Beachland Tavern. Both have a multitude of good songs.
August
W 8/05 - Candy Kane @ Beachland Ballroom. Blues singer. Had a checkered life, what you'd probably call 'earthy'. Favorite of drag queens everywhere. AND... it's ultimate night.
T 8/11 - The Arrogant Worms @ Cain. It's only $2. I guarantee you that they are worth $2, assuming you like laughing your ass off.
S 8/22 - Heaven & Hell @ Nautica. This is essentially Black Sabbath with the line up from 1980-82 meaning that Dio is fronting. I saw this line up in 2007 and it was absolutely amazing. Shame Nautica is such a lousy venue.
September
F 9/04 - Peter Frampton @ Taste of Cleveland @ TCA. Listed solely so I can mention High Fidelity, which mocks Baby I Love Your Way in depth. Well, that and it's during Taste of Cleveland, so it'll probably be cheap.
S 9/05 - Lita Ford @ Taste of Cleveland @ TCA. I didn't know this, but apparently she did have other hits besides Kiss Me Deadly. Although that's more than enough :-)
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, Lakewood Civic Auditorium, E.J. Thomas Hall (Akron). Dropped the Jigsaw Saloon, which went out of business, at least temporarily.
It was a pain in the ass to put all the links in there; don't get used to it. Let me know if you find a broken one.
Man, there are a lot of good shows on Wednesdays. Not enough to make me skip ultimate, but enough to make me ponder it for a second or two.
See hooloovooo? There are gigs in Cleveland worth going to.