Jackie‘s second album arrives on Saturday, September 19.
Peabody’s (2045 E. 21st St.) will host the CD- release party, with
Lovesick Radio opening. Doors at 7 p.m., tickets $6.
The album, Almost Broken, has been a long time coming, but it
shows in the music. “Suddenly” is a radio-ready rocker, and the album
has a handful of power ballads (like “More Than This”). Since the
Cleveland singer’s 2005’s debut, her backing band has reshuffled and
stepped up its game. Guitarist Patrick Ols (APG, ex-Gatlin) shows off
on crunchy tunes like “The Choice” and “Faithful.”
Mushroomhead main man Steve “Skinny” Felton helped the band connect
with its inner aggression in the writing process. The group recorded
the album with Mike Brown (Gerald Levert, Trendy) at Lava Room
Recording.
Team Jackie is putting together a special stage show for the release
show. Manager-dad Sam LaPonza says the group is in talks to sign on for
a six-week overseas USO tour.
The Ohio Hip Hop Awards will be held September 18th-20th with
events — from workshops to live performances by Cam’ron and
Dipset — taking place all over town. The awards are on September
19 at Clevland Convention Center. Visit ohiohiphopawards.com for a full
schedule.
Chiodos singer Craig Owens personally chose Cleveland’s Hot Mess
Electric to open his solo show at the Grog Shop (2785 Euclid Hts.
Blvd., Cleveland Hts.) Wednesday, September 23. Automated Loveletter
also play. Doors are at 6 p.m., tickets are $12 advance, $14 day of
show. Hot Mess singer Justin Vaughn used to play with members of
the Promise Hero in the Honor Role. Guitarists Jeff Dennis previously
played in Asking for the World and guitarist Ian Eberhardt was in Saint
Helena. The dark pop group is getting ready to record their second
release, which will feature live favorites like “Tongues” and “By a
Thread,” alongside catchy new songs like “Coattails.” Check them out at
hotmesselectric.com.
Singer-songwriter Brian Straw has a new band, the Buried
Wires. The power-pop group also features
vocalist/keyboardist/guitarist Alex Tapié, bassist Matthew
Gengler (Aloha) and drummer Dan Price (Megachurch, ex-Machine Go Boom).
“This is not my new backing band,” says Straw. “It’s a collaboration.”
The group makes its live debut Friday, September 18, at the Happy Dog
(5801 Detroit Ave.) with Afternoon Naps. Showtime is 9 p.m.; admission
is $5.
This article appears in Sep 16-22, 2009.