Heavy Glow

Pearls & Swine and Everything Fine

(self-released)

heavyglowmusic.com

Singer-guitarist Jared Mullins grew up in Olmsted Falls but moved to San Diego a few years ago to pursue a history degree. While there, he formed the hard rock group Heavy Glow in 2008, but he recently moved back to Cleveland because the central location makes touring easier. Often categorized as stoner rock, the band goes for something a bit mellower here. The mid-tempo rocker “Headhunter” features bluesy guitar licks and whispered vocals. It sounds more like Cream than Queens of the Stone Age. The first single, “Look What You’re Doing to Me,” combines Black Keys-inspired garage blues with Foo Fighters-like hooks. The shredding guitar licks that reverberate over the course of this album suggest these guys could have a future as Guitar Hero spokesmen.

This article appears in Jun 4-10, 2014.

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at jniesel@clevescene.com.