Born and raised in Shaker Heights, 25-year-old rapper Product A.D. lived in Northeast Ohio until he was 17. He now calls Atlanta home, but he hasn't forgotten his roots. "I remember writing my first verse when I was 11 or 12," he says. "At the time, I was listening to Bone. They influenced me a lot."
Product A.D. swings into town this week for a pair of shows, both with a live band. First up is a benefit at the Glenville Recreation Center on Friday, with proceeds going to the formidable Glenville Titans pee-wee football team. On Sunday he plays a Martin Luther King Jr. celebration at Peabody's.
"I want to keep coming back to Cleveland, to that support and love Cleveland gives," he says. "I know if you show love, they show love back, no matter who you are."
Just Us, Dave Michaels, and the Music on a Mission Band are all on board for MOMapalooza, a benefit for the Music on a Mission organization, which brings music-education programs to impoverished people. The show starts at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Savannah in Westlake. In addition to live music, there will be swing dance lessons. Tickets are $10; learn more about the program at musicmissioninc.com.
City/Ruins: Art in the Face of Industrial Decay, a documentary about Cleveland's industrial and noise scenes, is now available as a DVD preorder. The filmmakers hope preorder sales will help offset disc-duplication costs. The DVD, which comes with a bonus disc featuring the movie's score, is available for $15. Get your copy by e-mailing producer Stephen Petrus at [email protected].
Sweet Apple, the indie-rock band featuring Cobra Verde's John Petkovic and Tim Parnin, have started recording their follow-up album to last year's Love & Desperation. The group — which also includes Dinosaur Jr. guitarist J. Mascis and Witch bassist Dave Sweetapple — plan to release the record sometime this year. Sweet Apple are now on tour with indie noisemakers Dead Meadow.
The 15th-annual High School Rock Off kicks off this weekend at House of Blues, with the first two rounds of competition happening on Saturday and Sunday. Subsequent rounds take place over the next two weekends. They all lead to a Final Exam on February 12, when a winner will be crowned. Tickets are $10. Go to kisscleveland.com/rockoff for more information.
