Former This Is Exploding frontman Joshua Jesty releases his
first fully formed CD, Girl, on Saturday at the Winchester
(12112 Madison Ave., Lakewood.) Filled with harmonies and hooky guitar
melodies, the dynamic disc alternates between big power-pop and gentle,
unplugged introspection. Jesty describes the sound as a mix of “Sufjan
Stevens and Sunny Day Real Estate and Big Star and Weezer.”
Technically, Girl is his fifth solo outing. It follows a
late-’90s effort he recorded while in high school and a 2006 collection
of the prolific singer-songwriter’s recordings. He also recorded a
February-themed collection and a set of minute-long songs called
Finally, Joshua Jesty Will Be With You in a Minute, which he
plans to release later this year. Jesty plays most of the instruments
on his albums and he normally takes the stage solo, but he’s leading a
five-piece band at the CD- release show.
Unsparing Sea and Return of Simple open. Doors open at 9. The $8
admission includes a copy of the album.
Cleveland metal band Law of Destruction is featured alongside
Weezer and other bands on Guitar Center’s new Fresh Cuts Volume
4 compilation with its tune “On the Edge.” The series showcases
music by national bands and Guitar Center employees. Law of Destruction
includes local department managers Kyle Kniceley and John Comprix (who
also plays with Beyond Fear and Tim “Ripper” Owens.) LOD’s full-length
debut is on hold while Comprix tours with other projects.
Cleveland prog bands Syzygy and Gravity are playing
Progfest at Pittsburgh’s Pepsi Roadhouse this weekend. Visit
3rprogrfest.com for more
details.
Johnny Mohawk & the Assassins‘ “12 oz of Fury” has
been nominated for Best Punk Song at grassroots web community Just
Plain Folks. Vote at jpfolks.com.
Goodmorning Valentine are touring to Seattle and back on two
motorcycles. The trio kick off their trek on Tuesday, August 11, at the
Beachland Ballroom (15711 Waterloo Ave.). Trouble Books and Brian Straw
open. Doors open at 8 p.m., tickets $5. Follow the adventure at
ilikethatbike.blogspot.com.
dferris@clevescene.com
This article appears in Aug 5-11, 2009.