(http://www.myspace.com/armsforvenus)
Hometown: Cleveland
Sounds like: "Powerful, hardcore-inspired indie rock led by the second coming of Etta James."
Fun fact: "A few years ago, our bass player's band had to follow Henry Rollins at CBGB's. At roughly the same time, our singer was hit on by a much-older Captain Sensible of the Damned. Coincidence?"
Playing: Wednesday, December 7, at the Grog Shop
Why you should see them: "If Ian MacKaye was born a woman with an amazing voice, we still wouldn't sound anything like Fugazi. But he'd tell you to see us." -- Matt Wanous, guitars
Band: K-ration
(www.k-ration.net)
Hometown: Cleveland
Sounds like: "Three thirtysomething guys playing some sort of post-punk."
Fun fact: "Our drummer's name is Pugsley. No, really, that's actually his name."
Playing: Tuesday, December 6, at the Beachland Tavern
Why you should see them: "'Cause Tuesday is an awesome night for bands, we have sweet T-shirts, and you can eat real K-rations as you watch the show." -- Ken Blaze, vocals and bass
Band: Susan Weber
(www.susanweber.com)
Hometown: Cleveland
Sounds like: "Patti Smith, Catherine Deneuve, and Grace Slick -- all morphed together, giving you a brain massage. Strong, never pretty, original rock."
Fun fact: "I call my band Monet's Orbit, and all my musicians happen to be artists. My bassist, François, paints in lights and shadows. My drummer, Wishbone, makes movies."
Playing: Sunday, December 4, at the Barking Spider
Why you should see them: "Music is hip. Words are hip. We swish our hips, you swish yours, time stands still. That's it." <-- Susan Weber, lead vocals, electric and acoustic guitars
Band: Broke by Monday
(www.brokebymonday.com)
Hometown: Cleveland
Sounds like: "If you put the Clash, Sublime, Led Zeppelin, and the entire island of Puerto Rico in a blender and then topped it off with a little Public Enemy and Sizzla, that would be sort of close."
Playing: Sunday, December 4, at the Agora Theatre
Why you should see them: "$9.99 isn't a lot of cash to avoid hearing 'Damn, you should've been at the Agora last night!' all day on Monday, December 5. And it's our CD-release party. And anybody who has seen us knows that when we throw a big show, we don't f@#% around. Check our site if you haven't heard us yet (free music downloads for other broke people!)." -- Brian Marsh, vocals and guitar
