MUSIC NEWS

Cleveland Local Music, Local Bands, Concerts, Blogs & More

Arzenous "Phokuz" Hall, hip-hop

Hometown: Los Angeles

Years performing: 10

Day gig: salesman

When Cleveland native Arzenous Hall moved to Los Angeles a few years ago, he had dreams of finding fame and fortune. So far he's making inroads with the former by recently winning the first Open Mic Throwdown Contest for national hip-hop star Ludacris' new online venture WeMix.com. After posting a freestyle rap as Phokuz, Hall sat back and watched the track win it all. "The prize was custom WeMix gear signed by Ludacris, and $500, but it was more of an exposure thing for me," said 2002 Cleveland School of the Arts graduate Hall, who calls downtown Los Angeles home. "I've got a good buzz out there. I'm just an artist out here getting a little shine. I'm real humble about everything but my music speaks for itself. It's really good, and I'm just looking to get it into the right hands right now. I'd say it's more Kanye (West) and Ludacris. I'm more commercial, more club, more Justin Timberlake. It's a new style of hip-hop" Three songs short of having written a full album, Hall said he's looking forward to releasing Phokuz's debut effort sooner rather than later. You can keep up with Hall on MySpace. Continue reading "Freestyle hip-hop artist Arzenous 'Phokuz' Hall hits Los Angeles and wins" »

Plain Dealer Pop Music Critic John Soeder will be at Thursday night's "American Idol' concert. Look for his review here shortly after the concert ends along with photos and interviews with winner David Cook and others.

Nearly 40 years after his scene-stealing Woodstock appearance, Richie Havens is still going strong. The legendary folksinger headlines a benefit concert Friday, Sept. 5, at Playhouse Square's Ohio Theatre to raise money for the Center for Social Justice at Case Western Reserve University's School of Law. Havens, 67, gave us a ring from Jersey City, N.J.

Continue reading "Richie Havens on Barack Obama, 'Nobody Left to Crown' and the power of song" »

Dierks Bentley's biggest hits talk about having a lot of leaving left to do and going "free and easy down the road."

It isn't just songwriter hyperbole. Bentley, who headlines Saturday's 17th annual WGAR Country Jam, is one of country's most prolific tourers, averaging more than 250 dates a year.

Continue reading "Dierks Bentley to headline WGAR Country Jam" »

Growing up in Cleveland, Terrence Howard used to lose himself in the easy-listening music of Bread, Don McLean, the Carpenters and others.

"You could actually turn on the radio and have the most wonderful experience by yourself, you know?" said Howard, 39. "If I didn't have that, we wouldn't be talking right now. . . . I wanted to make beautiful music like that."

Continue reading "Raised on Cleveland radio, actor Terrence Howard launches music career with "Shine Through It"" »

Electric-guitar pioneer Les Paul has been chosen as the honoree for the 13th annual American Music Masters series, presented by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Case Western Reserve University and Gibson Guitar Corp.

"Les played a big role in the pervasiveness of the guitar in popular music and in rock 'n' roll particularly," said Terry Stewart, president and CEO of the Rock Hall.

Continue reading "Guitar pioneer Les Paul will get his due at American Music Masters salute in November" »

In last year's series finale of "The Sopranos," mobster Tony Soprano plopped himself down in a diner. Cue "Don't Stop Believin'." (Apparently, the jukebox hadn't been serviced since the Reagan administration.) Cut to black.

Did Tony live happily ever after? Or was he whacked?

Mass confusion ensued, but as far as I could tell, everyone missed the point. Being trapped anywhere within earshot of Journey's ultimate power ballad? Clearly, a fate worse than death!

Relax, Journey fans. Just kidding. Besides, I know I'm outnumbered.

The resurgent band headlines a sold-out concert Saturday at Blossom Music Center, where founding members Neal Schon (guitar) and Ross Valory (bass) and longtime associate Jonathan Cain (keyboards) will introduce us to Arnel Pineda, the new Filipino singer they found via YouTube.

Continue reading "'Don't Stop Believin' finds new generation of fans; Journey to perform at Blossom Saturday, Sept. 6" »

It's too easy to sit back and marvel at Brad Paisley's guitar prowess. Sure, his fingers are so fast that even Superman would find himself going, "Whoa, boy. What just happened there?''

Paisley has the riff stuff. He always has. But what the West Virginia native who played to a near sell-out crowd at Blossom Music Center Friday night has refined is his stage persona. It's almost like the Charisma Fairy plunked him on the head with her magic mike stand.

Continue reading "Brad Paisley goes to warp speed in Blossom show" »

"American Idol" fans with short-attention spans should find relief in the show's national concert tour this time around. Unlike past years, this summer's coast-to-coast American Idols Live! Tour consists of "mini concerts and not a lot of group numbers," reassures third-place finisher Syesha Mercado.

Performing in the order they were eliminated on TV, the top ten contestants from season seven of "American Idol" will each perform three to five songs at Cleveland State University Wolstein Center Thursday.

Continue reading "'American Idol' tour has a little something for everyone" »

Brian Lisik Band, rock

Hometown: Akron

Years performing: 6

Day gig: Sun Newspaper reporter

Looking ahead, Akron-based singer-guitarist Brian Lisik is thinking about a new band album due out later by early 2009. Already receiving stage time are new songs "Change on Your Own" and "I'm Satisfied." "If we're known for anything, it's kind of the raggedy, Stonesy-meets-Replacements kind of sound," said Lisik, a Rubber City native. "Our 2004 album 'Baggage' was a more produced studio album, whereas our 2006 album 'Happiness is Boring' was just a get in there and turn on the tape recorder and go at it album, like a rock band record. This one sort of unintentionally splits the difference. It's almost my Led Zeppelin 'III' record." Lisik said also in the works is a DVD documentary, which could be released around the same time as the new CD. You can see the Brian Lisik Band - Lisik, Steve Norgrove (bass, mandolin, harmonica, guitar, vocals), Ben Evans (piano, organ, vocals), Craig Lisik (guitar) and Andrew "Drez" Madonio (drums) - in action as part of Americana Fest 2008 at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern, 15711 Waterloo Rd., Cleveland. Also on the bill are Deke Dickerson & The Ecco-Fonics, Michael Hurtt and the Haunted Hearts, Lost State of Franklin, Hayshaker Jones, Doug McKean and the Stuntmen, Al's Fast Freight, Chris Castle, Frank Ian, Martini Five-0 and Open Range Torch Songs. Tickets are $8. Call 216-383-1124.

Continue reading "You Should Hear: Brian Lisik Band - Upcoming CD not too polished or too raw" »