Rib Cook-Off Cleveland - Cleveland, OH Ohio

Lawless LAWLESS

Website: lawlesscountry.com

ACleveland area favorite, and a regular at the Rib Cookoff, Lawless is a high-energy country band whose unique sound is a blend of classic and modern styles. Based in Cleveland Ohio they have developed a reputation as the hardest working, and most popular, country band in the area. Three years of nonstop performances to bigger and bigger audiences earned Lawless an ever-growing group of faithful fans.

The guys in Lawless also have their fair share of fans amongst country’s superstars. Dwight Yoakam, Gretchen Wilson, Neal McCoy, Dierks Bentley, Joe Nichols, and Andy Griggs are just some of the country greats who have shared a stage with Lawless, coming away impressed by the band’s music, professionalism, and onstage energy.

With the release of their first cd Long Gone Lawless shows off their strong musical talent and commitment to country music. All five songs were written and composed by the band and captures their diverse country style.

AFTERMATH

op, Psychedelic and British Invasion come together in concerts performed by Aftermath, Experience the Sixties tribute. Aftermath will perform at Berea's National Rib Cook-Off on date/time.

From The Byrds, Beatles, Hollies, Rolling Stones and Turtles to Grass Roots Paul Revere & the Raiders, Monkees and Strawberry Alarm Clock, Aftermath Experience the Sixties is the total 60s experience.

Pictured from left to right are band members:
Dave Holb; Joe Brummelstone; Willie Tasby; David Snyder; Kim Pizzino; Mark Bolin; Tom Tasby.

What the Audience Says:

“I couldn’t believe my ears; it was just like being there!”

“They had me dancing all night long!”

“I had to smile when I saw them all decked out in their costumes and playing the music that I remember so well!”

“I may be too young to remember the 60’s, but I still have fun when Aftermath plays!”

Aftermath, Experience the Sixties' show is perfect for festivals, concerts and dances. Audiences find Aftermath an irresistible combination of all the right ingredients for an evening of entertainment suitable for the entire family.

The Girls Band

Website: thegirlsband.com

Performing throughout NE Ohio over the past 5 years, The Girls Band brings solid 3-part harmonies and unique, musical and rhythmical arrangements to Rock, Pop, R&B and Country music. This multi-talented group of musicians – 5 Guys and 3 Girls – has over 200 years of collective performance experience. The Girls Band brings an energetic and entertaining approach to many Classic-Rock songs, with a unique flavor of electric and acoustic guitars, and coupled with keyboards, drums, bass, and horns, they present R&B in a style reminiscent of the ‘big’ band sound – Performing classics such as Ooh Baby Baby, I’ve Got the Music in Me and Dance to The Music, up to the more recent Fighter by Christina Aguilera and Walk Away by Kelly Clarkson, The Girls Band cover genres of music and songs that will satisfy anyone’s taste. Without a doubt the energetic, musical-edge along with the strong, melodic and well-structured harmonies, are the highlights of the band.

Dashboard Lights

Website: dashboardlights.net

he vision of Don DePasquale, Dashboard Lights performs a spectacular concert to the music of Meat Loaf for over a decade. Full of talented performers and musicians Dashboard Lights is an exciting event that is sure to excite any Meat Loaf fan. A dazzling use of effects has prompted comparisons to a mini version of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The show captures the timeless appeal of the music of Meat Loaf and composer Jim Steinman, who together created one of the best-selling albums of all time with "Bat Out Of Hell" which has sold 43,000,000 copies worldwide. The performance is complete down to the detail with costumes, lighting, special effects and stage set. A Projector back drop featuring pictures and video help to enhance the entertaining concert experience. Each song features memorable effects that may include fog, snow, bubble, and faux fire machines.

Dashboard Lights has graced such venues as several bars, Rib Cook-Offs, and County Fairs. They have also performed at the Rock-n-Resort, as well as the Nautica Pavilion. Dashboard Lights is the ultimate tribute to Meat Loaf and a must for any large musical venue.

the spazmatics

Website: spazmatics.org

In a world of diminishing intelligence, and questionable talent, four brave men stand alone in the fight for the de-simplification of technology. They long for the day when science was wielded only by the true geniuses, and computers were the farthest thing from being user-friendly.

Four men, united by pocket protectors and bad hygiene decided that no longer would they live in obscurity, content only being masters of cyberspace. They bravely cast aside their fears of rejection and decided that the time is right for geeks, nerds, and dorks to be proud of their taped up glasses and ill-fitting clothes, and restore "their" music to its rightful place.

Now is the time to fulfill the need for dweeb. And so Davy, Neil, Myron and Winston became THE SPAZMATICS... a rare combination of brains and beat. A group way past their time, and not ashamed to admit it. In a strange time traveling accident our heroes were hurtled through space and time. Traveling 25 years into the future they are now here in the year 2010. 1985 might be a distant memory to you, but to the Spazmatics, it's as close as yesterday. Now their mission is to take you on a journey back to a time when synthesizers, drum machines, and infectious beats had preppies and yuppies moving to the nu-wave groove of the geeks they despised. A time when day-glo clothing and hairstyles resembling geometric shapes were the norm. Back when MTV ruled, Michael Jackson was cool and VH1 was for the old folks. Here is a little known Spazmatics factoid: Researchers at MIT used the music of the Spazmatics in dairy farms to see if it would stimulate cows to produce more milk. Reports indicate that the music was successful and the cows did produce more milk, but unfortunately, it all had an expiration date of March 4, 1985.

CLEVELAND's BREAKFAST CLUB

Website: clevelandsbreakfastclub.com

Voted Best Cover Band by Cleveland Scene in 2007, Breakfast Club has more pure talent and experience than pretty much any other cover band you'll find. As Cleveland Scene noted, "You don't want to hear Journey; you want to feel them. And for that, you'll need Breakfast Club, Cleveland's most authentic group of '80s rockers."

Frontman Dave Brooks made his name in the Cleveland area in bands Risque, IV Play, and Gotham City. He moved to LA, and was signed to Priority Records as their first glam-metal act, Slammin' Gladys. The band sold thousands of records and toured with notable acts such as Warrant and Southgang. He has released two solo CDs and produces and engineers recordings for some of the area's top bands.

Guitarist Billy Morris rose from local to international fame with his extensive touring & recording with such greats as Paul Gilbert, (RacerX & Mr. Big), to a recent line-up in the band WARRANT and being a touring guitarist for heavy metal legends Quiot Riot. But the touring and backing up such bands became a bit much so Billy decided to stay home and dedicate his time to writing and recording new music for future release.

Bassist Brian Dossa toured the country with the Doors cover band, Moonlight Drive, and also played with local greats such as the Tony Lang Band and the Mike Farley Band. In the words of Cleveland Scene, "They're workhorses -- you'll find them playing somewhere every weekend night of the year. And their set list is vintage glitter-and-glam -- from Journey to the Outfield, Bon Jovi to the Violent Femmes. Whether you lived the '80s or missed them altogether, the Breakfast Club is your time machine. Don't forget your leggings."

STONE PONY

Website: stoneponyband.com

What else can be said about the Stone Pony Band that hasn't already been said time and again in the 5 short years this group of talented musicians has been together? Hailing from northeast Ohio, this group of 9 veteran musicians honors the music of New Jersey's own Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. From New York to Chicago and all points in-between, Stone Pony has been turning heads, satisfying the hardcore Boss / SSJ fans, and consistently winning over new fans to the awesome music of Springsteen & Southside.

Their sound, energy, and especially their ability to incorporate audiences into every live performance have received rave reviews from their fans, affectionately known as "The Herd." This energy transcends the need for "look-alikes;" the spirit and power of great music is what drives a Stone Pony show, not the often impossible task of looking and sounding just like the original. This band honors Springsteen the Writer, the Lyricist and the Performer. The music truly does do all the talking!

So just who is the Stone Pony Band? Lead singer Kelly Derrick fronts the band with a vocal style and stage presence that is hauntingly like the originals he tributes. Don Day drives the low end on the Bass Guitar and is partnered in crime with "Captain" Kevin Morgan on Drums and vocals - a rhythm section to be reckoned with to be sure. Doug Powell handles all of the guitar duties while his brother Jim "Otis" Powell takes care of laying down the Organ, piano and bells. The newest member, Brent "Flounder" Lane completes the keyboard section with his soulful, tasteful, rockin' piano, organ and strings. The featured part of Stone Pony, The North Coast Horns, is Darrin "The Lone Ho" Clark on the Slide Trombone, "Big" Al Widmer on the trumpet and the incredible sax work of Dave "Dank" Frank.

Come on out to see Stone Pony and you'll understand what Scene Magazine, The Cleveland Plain Dealer, The North Coast Voice, and a host of other top media organizations are raving about: A Stone Pony show is not just another bar gig. It is a concert event!

Laredo LAREDO

Myspace: myspace.com/laredoohioband

his six piece group share many common goals, the foremost being that if it isn’t fun for the players it won’t be fun for the audience. This being said, Laredo’s main objective was to play high energy current country dance music and make it fun for all. The bands enthusiasm on stage and friendly demeanor off stage has allowed Laredo in just a few short years to become one of the most sought after groups on the local circuit. A variety of the most current country hits, classic country songs and original compositions can be heard at Laredo performances. Our set list is updated monthly to reflect the current trends in the media.

Laredo has become a household name to local country fans and dancers. Yearly appearances at the Parma Rockin' Rib CookOff, Cuyahoga County Fair, Medina County Fair, Portage County Fair, Tops Great American Rib Cook Off, Avon’s Heritage Festival, A Taste of Cleveland, numerous local festivals and fairs as well as playing at the top local clubs in the area have kept Laredo in the forefront of the Cleveland Country Circuit. Most recently Laredo appeared at the 2008 Jamboree in the Hills in St. Clairsville, Ohio and was featured at the Jamboree VIP party. Laredo has performed at the WGAR Country Jam and has been the opening act for many national acts as well up and coming stars.

THE CLAYTON BROTHERS

Website: xanga.com/clayton_brothers
Myspace: myspace.com/claytonbrothersband

he Clayton Brothers Band and their style of “primitive rock and roll” have discovered, almost by accident, that they have filled the void of a long neglected audience.

The group was assembled by five musicians that simply wanted to have some fun playing some of the old songs that they enjoyed.

Being “Baby Boomers,” songs from the 50’s and 60’s seemed to be a natural choice.

Rather than follow the usual “oldies dance” formula, the Claytons chose a more “primitive” approach. Selecting lesser known songs along with some big hits and choosing songs which have a little more “attitude,” the band looked toward The Kinks, Animals, Carl Perkins, Yardbirds, Paul Revere & the Raiders, and a number of others to compile their song list.

The band soon discovered that they weren’t alone in their enjoyment of these great songs. One fan said to the band, “we stopped going to hear bands because no one was playing our music…” The audiences have continued to grow each year and their feedback confirms that this era of rock and roll is truly special and still loved by people of all ages. The connection between this music and the audience has become more than even the Claytons could have imagined.

The Brothers, all seasoned players, came together in 2004 to form the band.

Brother Bill’s steady beat punctuates the three guitar sound that has become the “Clayton” trademark. His tastes lean toward the British Invasion and other group songs of the sixties.

Brother Gary, lead guitar and vocalist, provides the guitar riffs which are the signature to so many of the songs of the era. Gary is our long-lost brother and comes to us after a stint with Yearbook.

The original Clayton is brother Terry. In addition to bringing a solid rhythm guitar and vocals to the band, he is also a successful country-western songwriter. He helps this rock and roll outfit be “a little bit country.”

The voice most often heard at a Clayton Brothers show is that of brother John. In addition to his rhythm guitar, bass and vocal duties he is also the link between the band and it’s audience. John’s fondness for the British Invasion and his taste for folk rock brings out the gentler side of the band.

The Clayton Brothers Band is one of the few groups which can boast four accomplished vocalists. Brother Rob’s taste for the blues give the band yet another dimension. His vocal interpretations of blues based rock along with his steady bass and soaring harmonica complete the mix.

In performance The Clayton Brothers Band has a very basic goal. Have fun and invite the audience to have fun too.

Check this band out. They make it very difficult to avoid having a great time.

The Clayton Brothers Band…Primitive Rock and Roll for the “now” generation.

The New Century Beatniks New Century Beatniks

Jack Kerouac is sooo last century. What the millenium demanded was a respawning of beatniks, and fortunately for Berea's National Rib Cook-Off, we found a tightknit band of 21st century dharma bums. So if you find yourself looking for a happy fix this Memorial Day weekend, drag yourself to the cook-off and have a listen to these angelheaded hipsters.

The New Century Beatniks started out as a 3-piece band in 2000, playing many local venues and also traveling as far as Willoughby, Twinsburg and southern Ohio. Having periodic guest musicians throughout the years, they’ve recently expanded to a 5-piece band and continue to play as both the 3-piece and 5-piece bands for many various occasions. All of the members originally hail from Berea or surrounding cities and several of the members still call Berea home.

Most of the members have been in rock bands since the 70’s, including Stairway, Unknown Stranger, The Millionaires, The Cleveland Boys, and Love Affair, who had a regional hit with Mama Sez. The multi-talented musicians switch instruments throughout the evening, and all of the members sing lead and back-up vocals, and many songs are done with 4- and 5-part harmonies.

Most of their unique song selection is from the 60’s, but also includes music from the 70’s to today. Many of the songs make you sit back and say, “ahh, I remember that time in my life when that song was out”.