Band: Roadside Zoo
(www.roadsidezoomusic.com)
Hometown: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Sounds like: “Deep-space cow funk with a splash of silky love. They play anything that makes the booty start hoppin’ and the hips start poppin’. Roadside Zoo has a fresh, original blend of old and new, with influences ranging from James Brown and Stevie Wonder to the contemporary sounds of Red Hot Chili Peppers and Phish.”
Fun fact: “Roadside Zoo is currently featured in the September-October issue of Relix Magazine. They also performed at this summer’s 10,000 Lakes Festival with the likes of Trey Anastasio, the Black Crowes, Les Claypool, and G. Love & Special Sauce.”
Playing: Thursday, November 3, at Wilbert’s
Why you should see them: “The members of Roadside Zoo offer free high-fives to everyone in attendance.”
— Cole DeVilbiss, keys and vocals
Band: Post Mortum (www.postmortum.com)
Hometown: Massillon
Sounds like: “Hardcore music, with an ultra-intense live performance.”
Fun fact: “Post Mortum is probably the only hardcore band around whose members’ previous occupation was farming.”
Playing: Saturday, November 5, at the Spot, Elyria
Why you should see them: “A tremendous live show, with a lineup of four other great bands, all for only $6 advance/$7 day of show.”
— Brysson, guitars
Band: Andy Dolson (www.andydolson.com)
Hometown: Stow
Sounds like: “Andy Dolson sounds like Switchfoot meets Ben Folds Five for a rock show with an acoustic guitar, combining melodic hooks and contemplative lyrics for an all-around aural experience.”
Fun fact: “Dolson just returned last month from Nashville, where he recorded his newest six-song project with Grammy Award-winning producer Mitch Dane, known for his work with Jars of Clay.”
Playing: Friday, November 4, at the Barking Spider
Why you should see them: “You can kick back, grab a drink, and enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere of an old Irish pub, while you’re serenaded by some of the best musicians Northeast Ohio has to offer.”
— Andy Dolson, vocals and guitar
Band: Failed Halo (www.myspace.com/failedhalo)
Hometown: Bolivar
Sounds like: “The Used, Finch, and Hawthorne Heights, with a show that’s unforgettable.”
Fun fact: “Well . . . We’re from a hillbilly town, and for some odd reason, we all don’t spit in a cup.”
Playing: Saturday, November 5, at the Hi-Fi
Why you should see them: “You can party till ya drop, and we’ll be doing it with ya. And at the same time, you can enjoy some music from all sorts of genres.”
— John Ewing, drums and vocals
This article appears in Nov 2-8, 2005.
