Dead Even will play a one-off reunion show at Peabody's (2045 E. 21st St.) on Saturday, August 1. Scene readers voted the group Metal Band of the Year in 2006. The set will focus on old material like "The Joke That No One Gets" and "Ion." Keratoma/Forged in Flames drummer Jon Vinson will play drums, filling in for Rob Walters, who's on tour with Salt the Wound. Doors at 7 p.m.; tickets $6.
Since the band called it quits in late 2006, frontman JC Koszewski has sung for Garmonbozia and Fenian, but he's concentrating on making merch and promoting wrestling shows. Says Koszewski, "I'm excited to get onstage and play real hardcore. That's something you don't see too much anymore."
Cleveland jazz pianist Joe McBride released an album of pop covers, Lookin' for a Change, this week on Heads Up International. The disc features breezy versions of Gnarles Barkley's "Crazy," Coldplay's "The Scientist," Seal's "Kiss From a Rose" and Corrine Bailey Rae's "Like a Star." McBride also contributes three original compositions.
The blind singer-pianist has recorded for the Cleveland-based Heads Up label since 1992. He grew up in Missouri, and lived in San Diego and Texas (where he enrolled in North Texas State's famed music program) before settling into Cleveland in 2005. Two thirds of his backing trio — guitarist Dan Wilson and drummer Elijah Gilmore — hail from Akron and Cleveland, respectively. The album's traditional jazz sound marks a departure from McBride's previous electronic, smooth-jazz material. His band plays Lorain's Jazz on the River concert series at Black River Landing from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, August 1. Admission is free. Take a listen at myspace.com/joemcbridejazz.
Katie Armiger will play Great Lakes Mall (Mentor Ave. and Plaza Blvd., Mentor) on Tuesday, August 4, in the middle of a month-long mall tour. The teen country phenom from Sugar Land, Texas, will perform two sets: one at noon and one at 6 p.m. Admission free.
Tom Dark has released his solo debut, Scorpio Rising, on his own label, Red Hour Records. The EP features new collaborations with Uncle Scratch's Gospel Revival and the Driven High, in addition to songs from his vaults that were recorded with two of his former bands, the Dark and Stepsister. Download it from SmogVeil.com or go to myspace.com/tomdarkmusic.
