One Percent, the debut album from area rockers The Strongest Proof, gets its official CD release party this Saturday at The Mad Hatter in Covington. The album was released on Phratry Records, the local label home to bands like Caterpillar Tracks and Humans Bow Down that recently scored a national deal with Stickfigure Distribution. The band is joined by Krinj, Thistle and Columbus' Miranda Sound for the 9 p.m. show. Pay the cover and you'll get a copy of the new disc for free.
The Strongest Proof's debut is a must-have for Guitar Rock fans thanks to the imaginative interplay between Tony Roth and Matt Tomlinson, whose impulsive arrangements and telepathic energy recall the scorching duality of Fugazi guitarists Ian MacKaye and Guy Picciotto. Fugazi fans will also be drawn to The Strongest Proof's writing style, which takes Punk's energy and funnels it through their own creative, impetuous sensibility. With choke-hold melodies and an equally adaptable rhythm section, The Strongest Proof barrels through thick-n-heavy thumpers like "Windswept" and "Where Are We Going" and more spread-out, expansive tracks like "One50" and "The Curse," infusing each cut with a raw, palpable fervor and a structural adventurousness that incorporates neck-snapping breaks and ear-grabbing rhythmic shifts. While some who tinker with the Rock & Roll formula in more artistic ways tend to sap out all of the testosterone in the process, One Percent proves that you can still make unique and interesting Rock music without cutting the balls off. (thestrongestproof.com)
Rumors, Lies and General Misunderstandings
· Local Horror Punk greats The Vladimirs are gearing up for the release of (and tour behind) their new CD, Serpent Girl, which is due early next year on the Horror-specializing, Washington state-based indie label, Blood and Guts Records. The band — which recently inducted new drummer Eric Tuffendsam (formerly of The Curbsquirrels and Caruso) into the fold — performs this Friday at Top Cat's, along with Banderas, 16 Piece Bucket and Indy's The Black Hand.
If you haven't heard the Vlads yet, pick up a copy of the group's recent "catching up with" retrospective, Scars of the Vladimirs, which features tracks ranging from 1997 up through this year. The re-introduction CD — which contains one unreleased track — was released this summer through Blood and Guts. (thevladimirs.com)
· Saturday at The Loft (above Tickets sports bar in Covington), it's time for "Jingle Jam 2005," a celebration of late, local Jam faves Four Ohms' past and future. The show will feature performances from the two bands spun off of the original incarnation — The Ohms (who won this year's Cincinnati Entertainment Award for best "Jam Band" in the city) and Cats Walking Backwards — as well as a reunion set by the original Four Ohms.
· The long-running "Leo Coffeehouse" acoustic and Folk music series, presented by local Folk organization the Queen City Balladeers, is moving to a new home again. This Sunday's 7 p.m. session with Jake Speed and the Freddies and Carrie Smiley will be Leo's last stand at the Old St. George church in University Heights, where it has been for the past few years. The series is moving to the Founders Hall in the Zion United Church of Christ in Northside. Leo Coffeehouse moves into its new home on Jan. 8. (qcballadeers.org)
· Friday, Stanley's Pub in Columbia-Tusculum hosts a benefit for Save Our Strays, a pet-friendly organization designed to help the stray cat population with various spay/neuter programs. Locals Philospher's Stone, Pike and the Chuck Land Band perform and if you add a buck to the $5 cover charge, you will receive a copy of the SOS benefit CD, Free Lap Dances Vol. 2: Return of the Snuggler, which features tracks from several local performers.
· Saturday, the Southgate House in Newport hosts the second annual "Festivus Maximus" benefit concert for the Autism Society of Cincinnati. The 8:30 p.m. show was created by members of the band Kelp and features performances from Kohai, The Matthew Shadley Band, Visceral Elixir, Le TechnoPUSS13S, Pale Beneath the Blue, Beau Alquizola Band, Steven Gregory, Kelly Thomas and the Fabulous Pickups, Stash and out of towners Infinite Number of Sounds and Sleepybird.
· Cincy native Katie Reider and her band present a holiday show at the Southgate House Friday. Reider is joined by Visceral Elixir and newcomers the Kelly Evans Trio for the 9 p.m. concert. (One Percent, the debut album from area rockers The Strongest Proof, gets its official CD release party this Saturday at The Mad Hatter in Covington. The album was released on Phratry Records, the local label home to bands like Caterpillar Tracks and Humans Bow Down that recently scored a national deal with Stickfigure Distribution. The band is joined by Krinj, Thistle and Columbus' Miranda Sound for the 9 p.m. show. Pay the cover and you'll get a copy of the new disc for free.
The Strongest Proof's debut is a must-have for Guitar Rock fans thanks to the imaginative interplay between Tony Roth and Matt Tomlinson, whose impulsive arrangements and telepathic energy recall the scorching duality of Fugazi guitarists Ian MacKaye and Guy Picciotto. Fugazi fans will also be drawn to The Strongest Proof's writing style, which takes Punk's energy and funnels it through their own creative, impetuous sensibility. With choke-hold melodies and an equally adaptable rhythm section, The Strongest Proof barrels through thick-n-heavy thumpers like "Windswept" and "Where Are We Going" and more spread-out, expansive tracks like "One50" and "The Curse," infusing each cut with a raw, palpable fervor and a structural adventurousness that incorporates neck-snapping breaks and ear-grabbing rhythmic shifts. While some who tinker with the Rock & Roll formula in more artistic ways tend to sap out all of the testosterone in the process, One Percent proves that you can still make unique and interesting Rock music without cutting the balls off. (thestrongestproof.com)
Rumors, Lies and General Misunderstandings
· Local Horror Punk greats The Vladimirs are gearing up for the release of (and tour behind) their new CD, Serpent Girl, which is due early next year on the Horror-specializing, Washington state-based indie label, Blood and Guts Records. The band — which recently inducted new drummer Eric Tuffendsam (formerly of The Curbsquirrels and Caruso) into the fold — performs this Friday at Top Cat's, along with Banderas, 16 Piece Bucket and Indy's The Black Hand.
If you haven't heard the Vlads yet, pick up a copy of the group's recent "catching up with" retrospective, Scars of the Vladimirs, which features tracks ranging from 1997 up through this year. The re-introduction CD — which contains one unreleased track — was released this summer through Blood and Guts. (thevladimirs.com)
· Saturday at The Loft (above Tickets sports bar in Covington), it's time for "Jingle Jam 2005," a celebration of late, local Jam faves Four Ohms' past and future. The show will feature performances from the two bands spun off of the original incarnation — The Ohms (who won this year's Cincinnati Entertainment Award for best "Jam Band" in the city) and Cats Walking Backwards — as well as a reunion set by the original Four Ohms.
· The long-running "Leo Coffeehouse" acoustic and Folk music series, presented by local Folk organization the Queen City Balladeers, is moving to a new home again. This Sunday's 7 p.m. session with Jake Speed and the Freddies and Carrie Smiley will be Leo's last stand at the Old St. George church in University Heights, where it has been for the past few years. The series is moving to the Founders Hall in the Zion United Church of Christ in Northside. Leo Coffeehouse moves into its new home on Jan. 8. (qcballadeers.org)
· Friday, Stanley's Pub in Columbia-Tusculum hosts a benefit for Save Our Strays, a pet-friendly organization designed to help the stray cat population with various spay/neuter programs. Locals Philospher's Stone, Pike and the Chuck Land Band perform and if you add a buck to the $5 cover charge, you will receive a copy of the SOS benefit CD, Free Lap Dances Vol. 2: Return of the Snuggler, which features tracks from several local performers.
· Saturday, the Southgate House in Newport hosts the second annual "Festivus Maximus" benefit concert for the Autism Society of Cincinnati. The 8:30 p.m. show was created by members of the band Kelp and features performances from Kohai, The Matthew Shadley Band, Visceral Elixir, Le TechnoPUSS13S, Pale Beneath the Blue, Beau Alquizola Band, Steven Gregory, Kelly Thomas and the Fabulous Pickups, Stash and out of towners Infinite Number of Sounds and Sleepybird.
· Cincy native Katie Reider and her band present a holiday show at the Southgate House Friday. Reider is joined by Visceral Elixir and newcomers the Kelly Evans Trio for the 9 p.m. concert. (katiereider.com)
CONTACT MIKE BREEN: mbreen(at)citybeat.com
