Late last year, unique Cincinnati Rock crew Injecting Strangers unveiled its first EP, the great three-track sampler Nightmare Nancy. This Friday, the band is ready to celebrate the unleashing of its first full-length, the wonderfully entertaining Patience, Child (made available online Oct. 28). The group will play a free album release party at MOTR Pub (1345 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, motrpub.com) Friday with guests New Wave Rebellion from Nashville, Tenn. Showtime is 10 p.m.
Though it’s unclear whether timing the release to Halloween was intentional, it is certainly fitting. With theatrical flair and a playfully progressive Pop slant, Patience, Child at times brings to mind the swaggering, glammy cheekiness of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, while several tracks have distinct references to Halloween-y themes. The album kicks off with a horror-movie scream that leads into the boisterous “Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde,” while “Haunted Heavens” also fits the All Hallows’ Eve vibe perfectly, with its sinister spoken-word passages and eerie choral background vocals. It’s like Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” filtered through Queen, Public Image Limited and The Nightmare Before Christmas and then re-filtered through a modern Indie Rock mindset. And then there are the “Nightmare Nancy” tracks (“Pt. 1” and “Pt. 2”), a mad two-part “horror story.” Like Halloween itself, though, the ominous moments are never sharply menacing thanks to the band’s buoyant songwriting.
Patience, Child showcases Injecting Strangers’ deft writing skills. The group pulls off the difficult task of crafting music that is arranged uniquely and creatively, yet still has an incredibly infectious sense of Pop melody, making for an album listening experience that is a thrill ride from start to finish. And it’s not always about blatant flamboyance. The great track “The Snow” has more of a subdued, melancholic feel than much of the other material, but the great hooks, trickling guitar and rich Beach Boys-esque harmonies are just as strong as anything on the album. Other highlights include “Shooter Upper” and its high-octane, New York Dolls-ian boogie; “Detroit,” which struts like Bowie at his Ziggy Stardustiest; and closer “Teacup,” a fractured acoustic ballad that brings to mind Daniel Johnston.
Find more info on Injecting Strangers at injectingstrangers.com and purchase/preview Patience, Child at injectingstrangers.bandcamp.com.
Get Live (Music) for Halloween
With Halloween falling on a Friday this year, pretty much every bar you go to will feature some sort of spooky twist. Along with Injecting Strangers’ album release party, here are a few other great options if you’re in the mood for some good live music on Halloween or Halloween eve.
• Dynamic, groovy and fun rockers Automagik are putting out a limited edition, Halloween-themed EP, Monster Party, for the holiday. The five-track collection features appropriate tracks taken from the group’s two albums. as well as the new title track. The band will have Monster Party available at its show Thursday night at the Thompson House (24 E. Third St., Newport, Ky., thompsonhousenewport.com). The 8 p.m. event also features area acts Dark Colour, Motherfolk, Celestials and Young Colt, plus a live art performance by Kara Mitchell. Costumes are encouraged — those wearing the best ones will be rewarded with a piece of Mitchell’s artwork. (automagikmusic.com)
• What could very well be the best local Hip Hop show of the year goes down this Thursday at Rhinegeist (1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, rhinegeist.com). Reflection Eternal, renowned Cincinnati-based producer/artist Hi-Tek’s collaboration with legendary MC Talib Kweli, headlines the 8 p.m. concert, marking a rare appearance by the duo. Thursday’s lineup also features Cincinnati heroes Mood, who took Cincy Hip Hop nationwide in the ’90s, Buggs Tha Rocka (who’s prepping a new album release for early December), Trademark Aaron (whose new video for “The Best,” featuring Easy Lantana, recently premiered on Vevo’s home page), Clockworkdj (Mac Miller’s official DJ), Valley High, Eddie Vaughn, Aida Chakra and many others.
Tickets for the 8 p.m. concert are $20 in advance (through cincyticket.com) or $30 at the door (if there are any tickets remaining). .
• The Pariahs and The Cincinnati Suds, two superb Cincinnati Garage Rock bands, don’t play out too much, but when they do (especially together) it’s usually a packed show and an uproariously great time. The two entities reteam for a special free Halloween night party at The Comet (4579 Hamilton Ave., Northside, cometbar.com). Showtime is 10 p.m.; admission is free.
• Two more of Cincinnati’s finest — The Hiders and The Perfect Children — join forces Friday night for a 9 p.m. Halloween party at new bar/restaurant The Littlefield (3930 Spring Grove Ave., Northside, littlefieldns.com) and neighboring event space at Pallet 23. There will be costume contests and food and drink specials throughout the night. It’s a free event, but donations and other proceeds will benefit the Cincinnati Northside Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation.
CONTACT MIKE BREEN: [email protected] or @
CityBeatMusic
