DJ Raz launches Northside Nights — Cleveland Music Night at Tremont's Duck Island (2102 Freeman Ave., 216-621-7676) at 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 3. The abundantly enthusiastic DJ began spinning "funk and rare-groove" at clubs in Athens in the mid-'90s. He started publishing the webzine WFNK there before spending three years on the road with Cincinnati-based funk icon Freekbass. He moved to Cleveland shortly afterward and ran the East Side studio Flux-adel Recording Division. Raz plans to spin local music at the monthly event, which he envisions as an "incubator — or at least a sounding board" for area artists. Read more about the event and witness Raz's limitless enthusiasm at wfnk.com.
Mentor metalcore/hardcore band Pale Creation just released a new 12-inch, "Wake of Temptation"/"Rose Colored Haze," through Baltimore's A389 Recordings. The A-side features typically parched vocals from Integrity's Dwid and a meaty guitar riff, alternating between melodic interludes and harsh hardcore flourishes. "The song is based on wondering whether I side with the dark or with the light," explains vocalist Nick Brewer. "Those lyrics just came out of nowhere." Formed in the early '90s, Pale Creation have picked up momentum lately. Later this month, the group will also release a split single on the California label Hellfish. "The band has been around for a long time, but we're more serious now that we're on A389," says Brewer. "We have a lot of songs in the works. We're also making a remix album that's pretty cool." Pale Creation play the Pirates Cove before the Entombed show, which starts at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 3, at Peabody's (2045 E. 21st St., 216-776-9999, peabodys.com). Find more information at myspace.com/palecreation.
Former Picadilly Circus singer-guitarist Allen Ilg is releasing a new album, Where We Gonna Fall, a roots-oriented collection of alt-country and rock tunes that sounds like Train and Edwin McCain. "I was going for a raw feel because I didn't have a full band, but I wanted it to sound like I did," says the Tallmadge-based Ilg. "I'm really happy with it." After a CD-release show at 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 3, at Musica (51 E. Market St., Akron, 330-374-1114, akronmusica.com), he'll embark on a short tour that includes dates in Charlotte, Wilmington, and Orlando. Tickets to the Musica show are $7. Go to myspace.com/allenilg for more info.
Cleveland's answer to Lady Gaga, pop singer/pin-up Cali Miles has spent the better part of the past year in L.A. and Miami promoting her club-friendly new single, "All Nite." She returns to town to host the Naughty School Girl Party at 9 p.m. Wednesday, June 2, at the Barley House (1265 West 6th St., 216-623-4979, barleyhousecleveland.com). "I want to bring that Miami/Vegas/L.A. vibe to Cleveland this summer with a monthly party," says Miles. "There will be gorgeous go-go dancers, a breakdancing performance by the 216 Beatriders, and I'll be performing 'All Nite.' The song really represents the spirit of the party atmosphere — never wanting the party to end and being taken over by the music." DJ Charlie Chan and DJ Glitterati will also spin. Admission is free.
Notable because it was one of the few times the band played its terrific 1978 debut album, The Modern Dance, in its entirety, Pere Ubu's Beachland Ballroom show from March is now available as a paid download at hearpen.com, where the concert is labeled "Pere Ubu: The Annotated Modern Dance." The "official bootleg" even comes with original artwork.
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