Sweat. Credit: Courtesy of Sweat
Rock N Roll Damnation Night, an event that takes place at 9 p.m. on Saturday at the Happy Dog, offers an indie rock alternative to the Rock Hall Inductions taking place downtown at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.

The show will feature four gritty rock ‘n’ roll bands, including the Pittsburgh-based psych-pop band Sweat and New York rockers Mick’s Jaguar. Cleveland’s MC5-influenced Leisure Beams and the Akron-based garage-punk outfit the Bics are slated to perform as well. DJ Demolition will spin between sets.

There will also be a rock-themed Happy Dog food and drink menu and rock-themed sweet treats from Rudy’s Strudel.

“Maybe first coined by Bon Scott on Powerage back in 1978, a year that saw both hard rock and punk locked in a battle for the future of rock n roll, [‘rock ‘n’ roll damnation’] refers to the decadence of the riffs, the escapism of the beat,” says Mick’s Jaguar singer John Martin in a press release. “Maybe the Aussies were on to something. Forty years later, Mick’s Jaguar subscribes to the elemental particles of rock ‘n’ roll: guitar, bass, drums. Then, [we] add a couple more guitars and some unhinged ranting into a microphone and turn the whole thing up way past 11. It’s maximum hard rock ‘n’ roll. Sweats, Mick’s Jaguar, Leisue Beams, and the Bics are rock ‘n’ roll bands. Cleveland is a rock ‘n’ roll town. And Saturday night’s all right for fighting. Let there be rock.” Subscribe to Cleveland Scene newsletters.

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This article appears in Oct 9-22, 2024.

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at jniesel@clevescene.com.