When it comes to professional sports, Pittsburgh and Cleveland are bitter rivals. Thankfully, the rivalry doesn’t extend to the world of rock ‘n’ roll. Clevelanders tend to support Pittsburgh bands, and people from Pittsburgh tend to support Cleveland bands.

Pittsburgh-based Get Hip Recordings, for example, has just announced that it’s “proud” to present two new tracks from Cleveland’s iconic proto-punk outfit, Pagans, who recently reunited to release 2014’s Hollywood High and embark on a limited tour.

Taken from the sessions that produced Hollywood High, “Hopped Up” and “Nowhere Girl” demonstrate that the punk act hasn’t lost its touch as Pagan frontman Mike Hudson sneers and spits his way through the songs, exhibiting as much vitriol as he did back in the ’80s. “Hopped Up” is streaming now; the 7-inch single will be available on vinyl and as a download on Sept. 2.

This article appears in Aug 24-30, 2016.

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at jniesel@clevescene.com.

One reply on “Pittsburgh Label Issues New Single From Iconic Cleveland Punk Band Pagans”

  1. “The Godlike Power of the Pagans” is one of the best live albums from the 1980s. ….Raw Power, indeed.

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