Things have been quiet in the Scat Records camp since the release of last year's Prisonshake album. But now comes word from label head Robert Griffin that a reissue of Bill Fox's Shelter from the Smoke is now available on CD and double LP.

In the '80s, the songwriter fronted dreamy Cleveland garage-poppers the Mice, a trio that would have sent the hearts of Elephant 6 fans aflutter had they been around a decade later. (Superchunk fans would also be wise to listen to 'em.) But Fox's stripped-back Smoke, which was originally released on now-defunct NYC label spinART Records, is described by Scat thusly:

Definitive reissue of Bill Fox's 1997 debut album. Comprised of home recordings from the previous several years, most of the songs are acoustically based and rife with personal atmosphere, and survey a complete spectrum between folk and pop. The songs are anchored by Bill's versatile voice, often in harmony with himself, as well as his high-level songcraft and deft though spare arrangements. There are also four dynamite electric tracks with Bill's short-lived early 90s group, The Radio Flyers. 23 songs in all - this edition compiles both previous releases of the album, which had varying tracklists, along with the beautiful 1995 Scat 45, "Bird of the World" b/w "I May Never Know." The CD jacket is a miniature tip-on gatefold with a matte finish, and was printed as a true duotone. The first-ever double vinyl pressing ($14) has a standard single-pocket design and matte finish, pressing at RTI, mastering by Golden, and includes a free mp3 download of the album. Design in both cases is spare and true to the original. No liner notes or glorification, the music speaks well enough for itself.

Grab it -- as well as a compilation album from the Mice -- right here.

Jon Gitchoff

The two Johns: Linnell (left) and Flansburgh. Slideshow here.

They Might Be Giants has been playing all of its beloved 1990 album Flood in select cities on its current tour. St. Louis - long one of the most popular markets for the band - had the honor of hearing one of these performances last night at the Pageant.

This special enticement likely contributed to the show selling out. Although TMBG swings through town annually, the full house tickled the bespectacled John Flansburgh, who proudly mentioned it several times from the stage. The feel-good times continued for the next two hours, as TMBG mixed hit after hit with new tunes from this year's educational kids album, Here Comes Science.

After the rocking new song "Meet the Elements" and chestnut "James K. Polk" -- introduced as coming from a pre-Flood EP, but later popular due to its appearance on 1996's Factory Showroom - the sing-alongs started: cue "Theme from Flood" and the ageless pogo-pop hit "Birdhouse In Your Soul." Although keyboardist/accordionist/vocalist John Linnell promised Flood in order, that didn't quite happen -- the twanging boot-stomp "Cowtown" and a raucous version of "Why Does the Sun Shine?" (I believe the version rerecorded for Science) cropped up, and the sequencing of Flood's songs was haphazard.

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photos by Keegan Hamilton

Chris Ballew of PUSA

​No self-respecting St. Louis music fan went to see the Presidents of the United States of America at Taste of St. Louis last night. Between Sea Wolf, Michael Franti, the Big Muddy Records rooftop party, Darker My Love, and the Cardinals game there was a whole bevy of "better" things to do than to go see some one-hit wonder goof rock band from the '90s sing songs about peaches and insects and lumps.

Bullshit. The Presidents rock.

Perhaps, as a native of the Pacific Northwest who grew up listening to PUSA blow the roof off every venue between Portland and Bellingham, this reviewer is more than a little biased. But I'll be goddamned if there is a band on this green Earth that puts on a better rock and roll show than PUSA.

Yes, they are best known for one song that came out in 1995 and yes, their last album (yes, they still make new albums) wasn't very good. But this is a band that takes the high art of rock music, sees the silliness in it, and plays to the bone with windimill strummin', drum kit standin', finger-tappin', guitar-swingin joy.
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Bryon Miller

Hot Cha Cha, in the flesh

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Cicero's hosts a riotous bill of epic proportions tonight. First up are long-distance-locals the Natural Selection. If you missed our feature a few weeks ago -- or missed the band's show then -- here's your chance to catch the act's funk-da-fied dance party again. Also on the bill is Cleveland's own Hot Cha Cha. The band makes the Yeah Yeah Yeahs look like a coffeehouse acoustic act. Says D.X. Ferris in last week's paper:

The all-woman quartet's fuzzed-out guitars, can't-sit-still beats and Teutonic-angel vocals are accurately classifiable as ethereal indie-garage pop, melodic punk or raw-nerve alternative. Singer Jovana Batkovic says you check them out if you want to "cry, laugh or masturbate -- but mainly to actually see a live show and be entertained." The group's set is always a hot-and-bothered experience, and they throw in covers such as the Cure's "Boys Don't Cry."

MP3: Natural Selection, "Down Elevator"

MP3: Hot Cha Cha, "Ticket Away from Prague"

Although it's Tuesday, you wouldn't know it from tonight's hectic concert schedule. First, at Off Broadway, it's Josh Ritter -- although if you don't already have tickets, you might be out of luck. According to Off Broadway's Twitter, "a few [are] available at the door at 8PM. Otherwise--SOLD OUT." If you don't make it in, soothe your feelings with Roy Kasten's feature and the following MP3/video.

MP3: Josh Ritter, "To the Dogs or Whoever"

Langhorne Slim is also on the bill.

Now, if Ritter isn't your speed, Gil Mantera's Party Dream is at the Firebird. I'm not sure what else to say about these Cleveland electro-crazies, especially because D.X. Ferris described 'em best earlier this year. Snag a video here. El Ten Eleven is also performing.

Last, but not least, at the Pageant is the final '90s act in our four-day trip back to the grunge future...

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Because it's Friday, and warm, and nobody wants to be at work and even my non-Ohio friends found this hysterical. Shades of Parry Gripp, no? Tip to Nick for finding it.

Last weekend when I was visiting my parents, I had the pleasure of taking a music-centric tour of Cleveland and some of its music landmarks. The timing was fortuitous, because the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies are taking place this Saturday, April 4, in the lakefront city. Those getting the nod this year include Metallica, Run-DMC, Spooner Oldham, Wanda Jackson, Jeff Beck, Bobby Womack and Little Anthony and the Imperials. I also had the chance to preview the Bruce Springsteen exhibit now at the Rock Hall, and have a slideshow below. Check out both things!

SLIDESHOW OF THE BOSS

SLIDESHOW OF ROCK HALL/CLEVELAND STUFF

Artist: Cursive

Album: Mama, I'm Swollen

Label: Saddle Creek

Equation: Equation of an Elliptic Cylinder

Tonight's not only the grand re-opening of the Bluebird (as the Firebird), it's also the return of Gil Mantera's Party Dream, by far the hippest thing Cleveland has going for it. (I speak from experience.) D.X. Ferris previews the show right here, and talks about the act's new album Dreamscape, which you can download from here. Listen to a new track from it at donewaiting.com. (Tip of the hat to irockcleveland.com for pointing these links out.) I personally love the new album, despite a lack of guitars; it's super danceable and super electronic, like M83 with focus.

GPMD, "Bunz Therapy"

Now, because Rust Belt folks must stick together, GMPD is pals with Pittsburgh's Grand Buffet -- a duo which opened for Girl Talk here in January. And lo and behold, the same YouTube user who posted that GMPD vid happened to have a high-quality vid of Grand Buffet doing "Top Seacrets," which was by far the best song they performed at last month's Pageant show. You might recognize the backing song as being originally by one Mr. Don Henley. Brilliant. Video after the jump. More >>

Prisonshake is making its first St. Louis appearance in over three years tonight at the Bluebird (Preview here, feature on the band here, gank MP3s here.) The blog I Rock Cleveland was at the band's show last weekend in (where else?) Cleveland and has a review and pictures. Go check it out.

-- Annie Zaleski