"It's not so much an alternative as something completely different," says Collective member Richard Bump. "Our shows are all-ages. No alcohol, smoking, or drugs are allowed inside the collective space. All our shows are on a donation basis. We are democratizing the scene by creating options that have not existed."
Earthworm's first major musical event takes place Friday, July 20. Canadian political powerviolence group Think Don't Pray will headline.
The former storefront has already hosted an art show by illustrator Samantha Stevens, while the venue's back alley has served as an outdoor movie theater for political documentaries, obscure horror and cult flicks, and vintage skate videos (complete with live skating). The Collective also plans to host poetry readings and live theater.
The small space opens daily at 11 a.m., serving free coffee and bagels. Neighborhood kids visit to color during the day while adults read. A library is stocked with zines and books about Allen Ginsberg and European witchcraft. The room is decorated with original sketches and signs from the recently defunct Dodie's Diner.
"It's a DIY [Do It Yourself] arts and performance space that supports artists that generally aren't supported by the corporate media -- the bourgeoisie," explains Chadd Beverlin, another Collective member.
· 91.3-FM the Summit, Akron's member-supported adult-alternative station, will present a free, members-only concert on Wednesday, July 25. Connecticut alt-rockers the Alternate Routes and local roots-rock heroes Roger Hoover & the Whiskeyhounds will play. Visit www.913thesummit.com for more information.
· Wred Fright presents an extravaganza on Friday, July 20 at Bela Dubby (13321 Madison Avenue, Lakewood). Novelist Carl Robinson will join Cleveland author-musician Fright for readings from their latest books. Afterward, the Dad of Rock and the Balomai Brothers will play live off-kilter rock. The free show starts at 7 p.m.
· Industrial-rock terror squad Fascist Insect has added guitarist Brian Price to its lineup. The band plays Mahall's 20 Lanes (13200 Madison Avenue, Lakewood) on Wednesday, July 20.
· 91.1 FM-WRUW, Case Western Reserve's student radio station, is accepting submissions from local bands for its annual Studio-A-Rama concert. Bands will receive a free recording of their set. Visit www.wruw.org for more details.
· Aaron Melnick, the lead guitarist from Integrity's classic lineup, returns to town Wednesday, July 25 for a show at Now That's Class (11213 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood). Melnick is playing with Wolfdowners, a fuzzy, scuzzy Queens-based punk-rock band.
· Want to party with thrash revivalists Municipal Waste? Find out where they'll unwind after Friday, July 20's Agnostic Front show, at www.clevescene.com/blogs. Visit for online exclusives, including interviews with Fascist Insect and Sonic Temple, Cleveland's Cult tribute. Also, read exclusive show previews from the Slow Poisoner and Pterodactyl.
