It's been a pretty rough decade for Flesh-n-Bone, the most troubled member of Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. He was the first member of the Cleveland-bred rap crew to release a solo album, but he torched his own career almost immediately with a series of gun-wielding run-ins with the law. Last year's Bone reunion show at House of Blues didn't help matters: He was arrested onstage for a 10-year-old warrant.
Last week, Flesh released Blaze of Glory, his third solo album and his first in 11 years. These days, it sounds like he's ready to put his rocky past behind him. "I messed up," he admits. "But I went in there and I had to dig deep. I got educated in prison. I found my peace and my understanding and myself in prison."
Now 38 and living in Los Angeles, Flesh says he has regrets, but he won't dwell on them. And he's more than aware that the eight years he was in prison and away from the rap game might as well be a lifetime. "One of my main concerns was how can I come back and have an impact after so many years?" he says. "I have a story to tell. Not a lot of people have a package like this."
Blaze of Glory is all about struggling through the past to find a more hopeful future. As for Bone's future? Flesh says it's unlikely the five members — including his younger brother Layzie Bone and cousin Wish Bone — will ever record together again. "We're not on the same page," he says. But he's not ruling out more reunion shows. "We have 18 years of history under our belts. We can go out there and do that any time. But I need to lace my own boots now."
NET NOISE IN PERSON: Loyal fans of Uncensored Net Noise spend Friday nights in front of their computers, attentively tuned to the online local music show. But this Friday you're gonna have to shower up and put on some clothes if you want to help celebrate the Uncensored Net Noise Birthday Bash at the Phantasy. Local rockers Morality Check, Demons Within, and Hell Razor will perform; funnyman Anthony Savatt hosts.
Uncensored Net Noise, part of the Morning Show Central network of online radio stations, broadcasts every Friday night at 9, playing music, interviewing artists, and hosting bands in its East 40th Street studio. Their fifth-anniversary will be recorded and streamed, just in case you don't have any clean pants handy. It starts at 9 p.m.; tickets are $5. Find more info at morningshowcentral.com.
USE YOUR NOODLE: The previous four Pop Up Parties were pretty awesome, but they lacked one thing: noodles. This Friday's Pop Up at Noodlecat remedies that. In addition to drink specials and music by Graydar, you can order slurpalicious noodles from chef Jonathon Sawyer's late-night menu. The free bash starts at 10 p.m. at 234 Euclid Ave. on Public Square. For a review of Noodlecat's grub, flip over to Eat in this issue.
DREAM BIG: Saturday's Inception party at the Euclid Tavern will feature DJ NSPYR and almost a dozen other DJs spinning house, dubstep, and drum and bass on three floors, including the roof. It's all part of the Euc's revitalization project. It starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10; call 216-231-7066.
