Turning Stone (self-released)
If it sounds like the Drexels are an old school Cleveland punk band well-versed in the legacy of acts like Rocket from the Tombs and Pere Ubu, that's because they are. Dating back to the '80s, singer Bobby J has played in a number of bands, including the Gorbals, the God Squad and Krumble. He once collaborated with the MC5's Wayne Kramer and recorded a single for Kramer's 2001 compilation Beyond CyberPunk. He's in fine form here as his sneering vocals (he tends to speak more than he sings) distinguish tracks such as "Jack Rabbit" and "Betting Man's Gold." The sludge-y guitars in "Two Hearts," an album highlight, make the song sound a bit like a cross between Dinosaur Jr. and Television.
The Drexels perform with the Down-Fi and Short Rabbits at 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1, at the Beachland Tavern.
