Herzog (Cleveland Slacker Rock) Plays Shea Stadium on August 22nd Along with Clarence, Pup, and Soda Bomb

DOWNLOAD: Herzog - "Fuck This Year" (from Cartoon Violence)

Herzog has spent the last few months camped out at Kevin McMahon’s Marcata Recording in New Paltz (The Walkmen, Widowspeak, etc), working on their follow up LP to 2012's Cartoon Violence (Exit Stencil) and are now venturing out to play some shows.

Herzog's last disc, Cartoon Violence, earned the band positive reviews from the likes of NME, Pitchfork, and NPR’s All Songs Considered as this disc found the band expounding and improving upon the aesthetic and themes that deservedly earned them comparisons to iconic bands in the pantheon of ‘90’s “slacker-rock.” NME said: "This isn’t bullshit slacker rock. It’s the real fucking McCoy".



On the band's Cartoon Violence disc, the songs continue to explore the fringes of many genres ranging from 1970s FM radio Americana balladeering ("Dreaming Man II"), McCartney-esque pop stylings ("Feedback"), and straightforward power-pop ("Alexander the Great"). The melodies remain soaring and elegant, the arrangements beautifully complex and catchy, and the instrumentation ideally and intelligently complimenting the lyrics of each song. But don’t be mistaken---the loving nods to the 90’s are still present with songs like “You Clean Up Nice,” which is reminiscent of Jawbreaker at their poppiest but infused with a more flippant attitude towards the weight of the world. "The Ballad of Rich People" conjures up images of Keep it like a Secret-era Built to Spill, with its wild guitar-work---both slide and solo.

Herzog is playing Shea Stadium in Brooklyn on August 22nd, along with Clarence (form. Savages), PUP, & Soda Bomb. Cover is $8 and doors are at 8PM.

Links:
Herzog

HotChaCha - Cleveland Agit-Punk Band Plays Two NYC Shows in March

HotChaCha is a Cleveland-based art punk band composed of Jovana Batkovic (vocals), Greg Gebhard (guitar/keyboard) and Roseanna Safos (drums). The band does not have a permanent bassist, but utilizes fill-in bassists on tour. The band plays a progressive rock influenced by a blend of shoegaze and punk. -- Wikipedia



HotChaCha has been touring incessantly over the past few years --- traversing the East Coast, the South, and Midwest countless times --- refining their over-the-top live show. Front woman Jovana Batkovic is one of the most engaging live performers we've ever seen --- out in the audience, up on the bar, or down on the stage --- she has the unique ability of making the audience an integral part of the experience.

The band is playing two NYC shows in March - the first is on Saturday, March 3rd at Brooklyn Fire Proof (119 Ingraham Street) and the second is March 25th at Cake Shop where the band is playing with Electric Eel Shock from Japan.



The band has undergone a few lineup changes in the past year but they continue to incorporate elements of post-punk, dance, and new wave that creates an entrancing environment that brilliantly balances the delicate and the forceful.

*Joining HotChaCha on the March 3rd date will be Upstate New York's, Summer People. These two bands have spent a lot of time together on the road in the past year that led us to release the limited edition 12" Split-EP, "Do It", which featured 4 songs by each band.

Links:
HotChaCha

HotChaCha Release New Video for "Traffic" from "Fantastic Static" EP

DOWNLOAD: HotChaCha - "Pleasure Cruise"

In today's iTunes-centric world, I'm always impressed when a band and a label make the effort to give the listener a reason to buy music. Too many record companies seem to have forgotten the experience of holding the product in your hands and having a defacto "object d'art". HotChaCha's latest EP "Fantastic Static" is available on a limited edition vinyl pressing (300 uniquely colored vinyl with unique screened jackets) through Exit Stencil's website.

On "Fantastic Static", the third release for HotChaCha on Exit Stencil Recordings, the energy of their riotous live show has been captured and recreated as close to perfectly as possible. Here you have the sound and feeling of a band that has been touring incessantly for the past three years---writing, living, and breathing together as one commanding unit---and winning over audiences and the media wherever and whenever they play.

Singer Jovana Batkovic continues to draw lyrical and linguistic inspiration from her multinational upbringing but more noticeable here is the confidence and tenor of her delivery---exuding a self-possession and presence on par with any of the Joan Jetts, Karen Os, and Chrissie Hyndes of the world.

With this 5-song EP, HotChaCha shows that it has grown into the complete package---a renowned live band that is able to harness that energy in a recorded format. "Fantastic Static" further serves as foreshadowing for things to come with HotChaCha’s follow-up LP, expected sometime early 2011.

The band just released a video for the song "Target" (below).



Links:
HotChaCha

HotChaCha Release New EP // Show at Pianos on Nov. 12th

DOWNLOAD: HOTCHACHA - "Naked Glass"

Cleveland art-punk band HotChaCha have a new EP, "Fantastic Static" (on Exit Stencil), which is already getting great reviews. The new five-track EP is the first to capture the power of the band's live set -- The Heard said "I can hear, see, smell and even taste the raw power on Fantastic Static."

On "Fantastic Static", the third release for HotChaCha on Exit Stencil Recordings, the energy of their riotous live show has been captured and recreated as close to perfectly as possible. Here you have the sound and feeling of a band that has been touring incessantly for the past three years---writing, living, and breathing together as one commanding unit---and winning over audiences and the media wherever and whenever they play.

Singer Jovana Batkovic continues to draw lyrical and linguistic inspiration from her multinational upbringing but more noticeable here is the confidence and tenor of her delivery---exuding a self-possession and presence on par with any of the Joan Jetts, Karen Os, and Chrissie Hyndes of the world.

The balance of the delicate and the forceful from multi-instrumentalist Mandy Aramouni continues to provide HotChaCha with their signature, reverb-soaked atmosphere (imagine the sound of the XX if they were the Runaways!) but here, the drive and immediacy is palpable and dramatic. The interplay of Heather Gmucs (bass) and Roseanna Safos (drums) provide the band with their heartbeat, dictate the mood, and seamlessly transition from pensive to explosive and then some.

The band is playing a show at Pianos on Friday, Nov. 12th along with Caveman, Beresford and Apollo Run. Tickets are $10 and HotChaCha plays at 9PM.

Links:
HotChaCha

Oberlin's Like Bells Announce Two Shows in NYC in March/April

DOWNLOAD: Like Bells - "Atlas" (from Like Bells' self-titled debut)
DOWNLOAD: Like Bells - "Nothing Collapses" (from Like Bells' self-titled debut)

Like Bells is a mostly instrumental band formed in 2006 by three students at Oberlin College/Oberlin Conservatory of Music. This trio-now-turned-foursome for touring purposes, released their debut LP on Exit Stencil in the spring of 2009 and received strong reviews. Press from the time of the release compared the band to a mixture of The Dirty Three, Do Make Say Think, and Godspeed.

The band is playing two local-area shows in late March/early April. On Monday, March 29th they will be playing a free show at Zebulon (258 Wythe, Brooklyn) w/ The Slowest Runner In All The World and Ellie Fortune. On Saturday, April 3rd they will be at Piano's (no show info. posted yet).



Like Bells write songs that challenge listeners without alienating them with songs of epic length and esoteric instrumentation—a frequent lynchpin in the instrumental band toolbox. Rather, they pay strict attention to melody—often accomplished by minimalist vocals, or the beautiful strings of Garrett Openshaw soaring high over the effulgent understructure created by the intricate drumming of Will Mason, and the inspired and uniquely tuned guitar work of Gabe Baker.

Within the short confines of traditional song lengths, Like Bells transport the listener with melodies that are simple, complex, beautiful, and powerful.

Links:
Like Bells

Mystery Of Two Play The Charleston on Thursday (10/1) and Piano's on Saturday (10/3)

DOWNLOAD: Mystery of Two - "Repeat It" (MP3)

You have to love a band that can capture the proto-punk urgency of bands like Television, Pere Ubu and early Talking Heads and create music that sounds fresh and alive. Cleveland's Mystery of Two is touring behind their recently released self-titled second disc (Exit Stencil Recordings) and are in town for two shows this week.

The first show is Thursday night at The Charleston (Why doesn't The Charleston have a decent website?? Someone other than me might want to know cover charge, set time, etc.).

The second show is at Piano's on Saturday night with Exit Stencil label mates HotChaCha. Cover is $10 -- HotChaCha goes on at 10PM and Mystery of Two play at Midnight.

Mystery of Two - CMJ Festival, Spike Hill, Brooklyn, NY 10-21-08


Here is Mystery of Two's upcoming tour dates:

Oct. 01, 2009, 8:00PM, The Charleston, Brooklyn, New York
Oct. 02, 2009, 8:00PM, Asbury Lanes w/ HotChaCha Asbury Park, New Jersey
Oct. 03, 2009, 8:00PM, Piano’s w/ HotChaCha, New York, New York
Oct. 04, 2009, 2:00PM, Ruintown w/ HotChaCha (Skate Board Party & BBQ), Baltimore, Maryland
Oct. 05, 2009, 9:00PM, HMAC w/ HotChaCha, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Oct. 06, 2009, 8:00PM, The Velvet Lounge w/ HotChaCha, Washington, Washington DC
Oct. 07, 2009, 8:00PM, The Boot w/ HotChaCha, Norfolk, Virginia
Oct. 08, 2009, 10:00PM, The Tin Roof w/ HotChaCha, Charleston, South Carolina
Oct. 09, 2009, 9:00PM, The Caledonia w/ HotChaCha, Athens, Georgia
Oct. 24, 2009, 8:00PM, CMJ Showcase @ The Charleston, Brooklyn, New York

Links:
Mystery of Two's MySpace Profile

Exit Stencil CMJ Showcase: Live Video from Mystery of Two, HotChaCha and The Dreadful Yawns

Cleveland-based record label Exit Stencil Recordings had a showcase at Spike Hill on the first night of CMJ. I missed Spanish Prisoners who opened the show but I was able to film some of Mystery of Two, HotChaCha and The Dreadful Yawns' live set.



All of the bands were great but Mystery of Two's updated take on 70's punk (sort of a Television meets the Talking Heads sound) was the highlight of the evening.

Check out Exit Stencil's website for vinyl and CD releases from all of these bands.

Most of the Exit Stencil bands aren't playing outside of the Cleveland area for the remainder of the year but HotChaCha will be back in NYC this month for a show at Annex on November 21st.

Links:
Mystery of Two
HotChaCha
The Dreadful Yawns

Exit Stencil Showcase at Spike Hill's Tomorrow Night: My Pick for CMJ Day 1

I told myself that I wasn't going to do CMJ this year...Oh well, I guess some resolutions are meant to be broken. Tomorrow night, Exit Stencil Recordings is doing a showcase at Spike Hill in Williamsburg with some great bands from the Cleveland area.


Here are some details, videos, mp3s, etc. on the bands that are playing:

8pm - Spanish Prisoners: "...one of those squirrelly artists that runs le gamut from a weird freak folk (with spry banjo, dobro, accordion, Wurlitzer, Neil Young-ish harmonica, etc.) to an even more skewed inversion of rough-hewn, '70s influenced indie-rock. No wonder he once backed Daniel Johnston; they've both got a nice artistic screw loose." -
The Big Takeover

Spanish Prisoners backing Daniel Johnston @ Highline Ballroom, Feb '08



9pm - Mystery of Two: "Not quite post-punk, not quite New Wave, this
Cleveland trio nonetheless shares traits with both (angular guitar parts,
occasional synth bleeps), but adds other components Sonic Youth noise
and Feelies guitar drive to come up with something less derivative.
Occasionally the embers ignite into conflagration, which is when the band
rises above the rabble." - Creative Loafing

"Desolate" - Mystery of Two

10pm - HotChaCha: "This all-girl Cleveland foursome packs a helluva
punch, with loud, edgy pop/rock and no apologies. The tracks are huge and
in your face and frontwoman Jovana Batkovic¹s vocals are spot-on with any
other female lead in the business." - Slug Magazine

"J'accuse" - HotChaCha

11pm - The Dreadful Yawns: "Folk rock with a shade of psych, The Dreadful
Yawns swathe the genre with more boy-girl singing adorableness than the
Mommas & The Poppas on a Corey Haim-sized prescription drug binge."
-Verbicide Magazine

"Kill Me Now" - The Dreadful Yawns

12am - Home and Garden: Classic Cleveland avant-rock featuring a rare on
stage performance by both original Pere Ubu member's, Scott Krause and
Tony Maimone!

Cleveland's Mystery of Two Play Shows In Brooklyn Tonight and Tomorrow

Cleveland's Mystery of Two is in town this weekend for two shows in Brooklyn. Tonight's show is at Spike Hill (184 Bedford Ave, Williamsburg) and tomorrow night's show is at Tommy's Tavern (1041 Manhattan Ave, Greenpoint).

Mystery of Two has a 70's art-punk feel to their music and the closest points of comparison would be Rocket From the Tombs/early-Pere Ubu or Television. Singer Ryan Weitzel has a similar vocal style to Pere Ubu's David Thomas and the band's music has some of the same free-form, wall-of-sound elements of both Ubu and Television. There are a number of live and studio tracks streaming on the band's MySpace page. All of the tracks are well worth a listen - good starting points are "Desolate", "Corner" and a punked-up cover of Canned Heat's "Going Up The Country".

Links:
Exit Stencil Recordings