Band: The Same Things (www.thesamethings.com; www.myspace.com/thesamethings)
Hometown: Akron/Canton
Sounds Like: “A mash-up of Squeeze and the Dream Syndicate, or Yo La Tengo covering Elvis Costello . . .Well, almost that good.”
Fun Fact: “It’s not very fun — our bass player almost cut his ring finger off a few weeks ago. It should be back in working condition by our next show.”
Playing: Saturday, February 4, at the Lime Spider, Akron
Why you should see them: “To support local music and stuff. Also, the Spider has kickass grilled-cheese sandwiches (and beer selection, but you knew that).” — Friday Mike, guitar and vocals
Band: Sugar Magnolia (www.floydtribute.com/sugarmagnolia.htm)
Hometown: Cleveland
Sounds Like: “Past and present members of Wish You Were Here and other bands, reuniting to jam out their favorite Grateful Dead tunes after five years off. We may be a little rusty, but the heart is still beating.”
Fun Fact: “We’ve gone through more drummers than Spinal Tap. We can’t even remember some of their names!”
Playing: Saturday, February 4, at House of Blues
Why you should see them: “We’re pro musicians, playing timeless American rock and roll. And I’ll even buy a shot of Jäger for the first five strangers who ask. What a deal!” — Eroc Sosinski, bass and vocals
Band: Keratoma (www.keratoma.net; www.myspace.com/keratomamusic)
Hometown: Cleveland
Sounds Like: “Pantera/White Zombie/ Marilyn Manson/Ministry”
Fun Fact: “The singer’s girlfriend is a Suicide Girl, and before every song she holds up the name of the song on poster board, like a boxing round. And the logo is a big middle finger.”
Playing: Saturday, February 4, at Peabody’s
Why you should see them: “Because they hate you.” — Thomas Shaffner, guitars
Event: Violent Playground (www.industrialstrengthmusic.com)
Hometown: Cleveland
Sounds Like: “The music in a really cool club that you’d see in a movie like The Matrix or Blade.”
Fun Fact: “DJ Cable was the originator of the now infamous Chamber in Lakewood and longtime host of the legendary industrial program Nerve Damage on WCSB.”
Happening: Friday, February 3, at the Phantasy
Why you should go: “A unique mix of old and new industrial-goth-alternative club tracks. You’ll hear seamless beat-mixing and segues between the likes of Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, Sisters of Mercy, and the Cure, blended with VNV Nation, Combichrist, Delerium, and Covenant.” — DJ Cable
This article appears in Feb 1-7, 2006.
