Break out the bondage pants and Bengay: A rash of seminal punk bands are reuniting for summer tours, including X, the Fall, GBH, and local legends Rocket From the Tombs. Not to be outdone, storied shit-kickers the Pagans, one of the most ill-tempered bands this town has ever birthed, will re-form for a performance at the Rock Hall on Saturday, August 9.
With such quarrelsome anthems as "What's This Shit Called Love" and "Dead End America," the Pagans were irreverent and confrontational, known for their callous attitude and raucous live shows. Their sound was propelled by lightning-fast guitars and frontman Mike Hudson's gritty snarl.
The Rock Hall bill will also feature rare sets from excellent Akron art casualties Tin Huey and atonal antagonists the Pink Holes, who will be performing their final show. Again.
· Cleveland's finest metal band, Keelhaul has selected Boston-based producer Andrew Schneider (Scissorfight, Milligram) to record its much-anticipated third LP. According to the group's website (www.keelhaul.info), the tracks will be laid down this summer, and the new record, on Hydrahead, will be out by the end of the year.
· The Ohio City rock club PIT Cleveland is seeking area artists to contribute paintings, sculptures, photos, and other art for display. Artists interested in contributing can contact Kristy at 216-939-1863 or [email protected].
· MC Arrogant, frontman for the excellent Cleveland hip-hop troupe the Chop Shop Renegades, is the host of Talent Search Saturdays at Club XO (8307 Madison Avenue). The show, which runs from 8 to 10 p.m., features eight hip-hop and R&B acts per week; the winner takes home $200. Call 216-961-7245 for more details.
· Kent psych-popsters the All Golden have amiably parted ways with drummer Charlie Druesedow, who has turned his focus to his other band, Cleveland folk rockers the Dreadful Yawns. The All Golden recruited former Party of Helicopters drummer Jon Finley to take Druesedow's place. The band will play a pair of dates with Guided by Voices this month, including Akron's Lime Spider on June 27.
· Two new Disengage videos lensed by esteemed director Darren Doane (Pennywise, Snapcase, MXPX) can be seen on the band's website, www.disengage.net. The songs, "Every Sunday" and "Angel's Night," also appear on Disengage's 2000 debut Obsessions Become Phobias.
· Swedish doom gods Candlemass will play a free acoustic set at Cooper'stown on Saturday, June 14. The event, which takes place from noon to 2 p.m., occurs in conjunction with the band's performance at the inaugural Brave Words and Bloody Knuckles Six Pack Weekend. Members of Swedish thrashers Entombed, supergroup Force of Evil (featuring current and former members of Mercyful Fate), and power-metal favorites Falconer will also be at Cooper'stown for a meet-and-greet and autograph session. Just hope that Candlemass's supersized frontman, Messiah Marcolin, steers clear of Cooper'stown's greasy grub.
