The last time Blowfly (aka Clarence Reid) played Cleveland, two years ago, the rapper had a rather unpleasant experience at the Lakewood Travelodge where he stayed. "The hotel clerk was real pushy about getting an autograph for a friend of hers," he recalls. "She was a total pain in the ass, but I love my fans, so I gave her one. Then she called me a pig on Facebook. Well, maybe so, baby, but that means you begged a pig for an autograph! What does that make you? I raised pigs in Georgia. I know what is ruder and nastier than a pig, and you won't like the answer! Here's a hint: It smells like the devil and has a white stripe down the middle of its back."
Blowfly's name is often tossed around when the subject of early rappers come up. ("The Sugar Hill Gang weren't even potty-trained when I recorded 'Rap Dirty' in 1965," he says.) He built his reputation on X-rated songs like "Electronic Pussy Sucker," "Butt Pirate Luv," and "Shitting on the Dock of the Bay." And at 73, he's showing no signs of slowing down. On his upcoming album Black in the Sack, he reworks Sam Cooke's "Chain Gang." "People will think my nasty parody will make Sam turn over in his grave," he says. "But he was way dirtier than I could ever hope to be."
Reid returns to Now That's Class at 9 p.m. on Thursday. So get ready. "I'm planning to do to Cleveland what I do everywhere: lay down the nastiest funk that ever hit speakers, and make the girls shake their ass and the men laugh themselves to the merch booth to buy their dates my nasty records." Niggarochi and Mr. California open. Tickets are $12, $10 in advance.
Rubber City Revival
Red Sun Rising, the Unclean, Via Lotus, Hey Monea!, and Love Turns Hate will perform at the inaugural Rubber City Music Festival on Saturday. The fest, which takes place at Falls River Square in Cuyahoga Falls, is "dedicated to creating a platform for emerging local musicians to share their talents with a broad audience." Organizers hope the event will be worthy followup to the This Is Akron showcase held earlier this year. Admission is free.
A Spazmatic Celebration
When he was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2008, Joe Gammalo didn't expect he'd live much longer. He's now fully recovered after a successful transplant, and on Thursday, at the Intercontinental Hotel, he'll perform with local cover band the Spazmatics when they play the inaugural A Celebration of Life, commemorating organ donors and their recipients. (Gammalo's son Tony is a member of the Spazmatics.) It's a private event, but Gammalo recommends fans make organ donations to Donate Life Ohio or Lifebanc.
Another Year, Another Debacle
Old Akron and Kent punk bands Repeat Offender, Queue Up!, the Attitude, the Chants, the Vulcanizers, and K.I.N.D. reunite to play the annual punk reunion fest Debacle, which takes place at 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Outpost in Kent. Organizers will dedicate the show to former Action and Satisfiers drummer Cliff Bryant. Tickets are $8.
Touch Turns 12
Ohio City's Touch Supper Club celebrates its 12th anniversary with free Moet & Chandon, appetizers, and cake at 9 p.m. on Saturday. DJs Go and Impure, plus R.A. Washington, will spin, and the Touch food truck will be parked outside. While the club is officially 12, owner Robert Ivanov has been in charge for only the past seven years. Admission is free.
