Local Music U Want: Home

Dead Boys

Formed in 1975 from the breakup of protopunk rockers Rocket from the Tombs, Dead Boys were among the first wave of punk and was known as one of the rowdiest and most violent groups of the era. Young Loud and Snotty was one of two studio albums released by vocalist Stiv Bators, lead guitarist Cheetah Chrome, rhythm guitarist Jimmy Zero, bassist Jeff Magnum, and drummer Johnny Blitz.

Dead Boys, Cleveland, 1977
Photograph by Dave Treat
Dave Treat Photographs of Dead Boys

Dead Boys, Cleveland, 1977
This photograph served as inspiration for the cover of Young Loud and Snotty.
Photographs by Dave Treat
Dave Treat Photographs of Dead Boys

Pere Ubu

Pere Ubu is the other band that formed out of the ashes of Rocket from the Tombs. While David Thomas has been the only constant member of Pere Ubu, members have included Peter Laughner, Tim Wright, Scott Krauss, Allen Ravenstine, and Wayne Kramer, among others. Ubu’s “avant-garage” style has proven influential to musicians from progressive rock to new wave.

Pere Ubu, Enigma Records Press Release, 1988
Craig Bobby Collection of Publicity Materials

The Styrenes

The Styrenes are a protopunk band that formed in 1975 from members of some of the first Cleveland protopunk bands: the electric eels and the Mirrors. The Pagans spanned both the first wave of punk and the postpunk era, with members that went on to form other bands influential to the Cleveland scene, including the Droogs, Cobra Verde, and the Cramps. During the 1990s, the Pagans’ Mike Hudson sang for the Styrenes.

The New Salem Witch Hunters & Death of Samantha

More indie garage rock in style than punk, the New Salem Witch Hunters and Death of Samantha frequently played with local punk bands because of their emphasis on original tunes and their manic stage shows, better suited to the hardcore punk audience. Musician Dave Swanson has played with both groups. According to Thurston Moore, writing in the liner notes to If Memory Serves Us Well: "When Sonic Youth first played Cleveland way back in the mid 80s it was at some biker bar that John Petkovic booked and he had his band Death of Samantha open up. I gotta say I was unprepared for the mania this kid brought to the stage.”

Devo

Devo took their name from the concept of “De-evolution,” the brainchild of Kent State students and band founders Gerald Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh. De-evolution posited the regression, rather than evolution, of mankind, as evidenced by the dysfunction and herd mentality of American society, and proven—at least as far as witness Casale was concerned—by the Ohio National Guard shootings of protesting Kent State students on May 4, 1970. The band broke through to the mainstream in 1980 with their album Freedom of Choice and the popular MTV video for “Whip It.”

The Waitresses

The Waitresses were formed in 1978 as a fictional new wave band by Akron musician and songwriter, Chris Butler. The Waitresses became a full-fledged band in 1980 with the addition of singer Patty Donahue, jazz saxophonist Mars Williams, drummer Billy Ficca, keyboardist Dan Klayman, and bassist Tracy Wormworth. They recorded two albums, Wasn’t Tomorrow Wonderful? and Bruiseology, before splitting in 1984.

Tin Huey

Tin Huey is a new wave band from Akron formed in the mid-1970s. Influenced by Captain Beefheart and Frank Zappa, their arty punk-pop style is infused with free jazz. Although the line-up has changed, members have included bass guitarist Mark Price, guitarist Michael Aylward, drummer Stuart Austin, saxophonist Ralph Carney, and guitarist Chris Butler.

15 60 75 (The Numbers Band)

Led by guitarist and lead vocalist Robert Kidney, the lineup over the years for 15 60 75 (The Numbers Band) has included Chris Butler of Tin Huey and the Waitresses, Gerald Casale of Devo, and Terry Hynde (brother of the Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde), with occasional support by David Thomas of Pere Ubu. The band’s music contains a spectrum of musical genres, rhythms, and moods, and has been compared to the J. Geils Band, Sun Ra, Captain Beefheart, and King Crimson.