Misery Jackals
(self-released)
To the punks: If you’ve just started spinning the Misery Jackals
EP, don’t stop after the first few notes. To the hillbillies: Brace
yourselves; the Misery Jackals play a kind of punk bluegrass they
affectionately call “pillbilly browngrass.” The title of the second
track, “Crack and Similac,” suggests as much. It’s hard to believe this
musical mix could work, but the Misery Jackals pull it off, offering a
tight, banjo-heavy sound. Their “punk” roots are apparent in their
hilarious, off-the-wall lyrics, which they claim are based on true
stories. These guys are such a capable punk band that they could drop
the country shtick and not miss a beat. — Liss Vickery
CHEAP TRAGEDIES
Volume 1: Souvenirs & Evidence
(Mad at the World)
The war for America might not be over, but on Tony Erba’s scorecard,
the Cleve has long been in the loss column. On Volume 1, the
Cheap Tragedies frontman reports from a blasted class-warfare
battleground. Compared to their 2000 and 7 EP, the
band is now battle-tested and ready to rock. The Tragedies wisely
carried over standouts “Going Going Gone (Vanishing Americana)” and
“The Target Shoots Back” from the EP, preserving the memory of lost
Cleveland landmarks. In monster grooves like “Arcanum Arcandrum,”
guitarists Jeff Grey and John Millin are downright anthemic. “Going
Going Gone” ends with a barked “Nothing’s left in Cleveland!” But
that’s not exactly right; the bad times make for good music. —
D.X. Ferris
Cheap Tragedies perform with Dr. Know, Pass Out Knives, the
Kilroys and Start Suckin’ at 9 p.m. Thursday, May 14, at Now That’s
Class (11213 Detroit Ave., 216.221.8576, myspace.com/nowthatsclass).
This article appears in May 13-19, 2009.
