CoolCleveland Review

What I Meant To Say
Zach
Buffalo ZEF Records

Parma-born singer-songwriter Zach is tireless. In the last decade, the Akron native has released nine albums and performed 200+ shows a year. He's played onstage with everyone from Dave Matthews and Neil Young to War and Chicago. And on his latest soulful effort, What I Meant To Say, he delivers his ten best and most organic-sounding tracks yet. He veers away from John Mayeresque territory and stretches out into a distinctive folk-rock/Americana take on pop music. Think Counting Crows with a Freedy Johnston-like sensitivity... and yet, he can get the funk out when he likes.

Zach recorded Say in Atlanta with producer Nick Chawala (Collective Soul, Gym Class Heroes) and the duo seem to have struck a creative chord together. "A Way Through" opens the festivities, with a rumination on Zach losing his father to terminal cancer. You find yourself thinking about the end of the line/ I find myself thinking about it more than I mind... he sings and you feel the disc (like his others) pull the direction of the disc into heartfelt existentialism. "Runaway," "Sky is Falling," "Some Love," "What Are You Afraid Of?" and the set-closer "World on Fire" are among the highlights here -- though "Apple Pie" could (and should) be this summer's funky-crunchy anthem of looking forward and staying real. Let's face it, you're fed up with what's on the radio in your car anyway. Zach's got a lot to offer; you'll definitely enjoy his craft.

Check out Zach's mad touring schedule and his new record by visiting http://www.ZachMusic.net.

From Cool Cleveland Managing Editor Peter Chakerian peterATcoolcleveland.com

This Friday at Firestone high School!

Random Acts of Music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhUVp_EQT_0

Brother's

Brother's Lounge is possibly the best venue in Cleveland for music. They have a nice stage, atmosphere, lights, and sound. And they are cool to work with - at least they have been with us. We were asked to perform there as part of an unsigned music series.

Bruce Hicks - http://www.brucehicks.com/ - came out again and got these wonderful and candid shots of us! Thanks Bruce!


We got there and loaded in. They have a patio section good for loading. But i have to say a major downside is the lack of parking. There is a lot across the street behind my friends restaurant. However this lot is apparently only for my friends customers. The entire lot holding a good 100 spaces. I parked there to unload as it was the easiest option at the moment. I got 1 load across the street and into the club.
The second one however, prompted the owner of the My Friends (of manager) to come actually running out into the street to tell me that she's gonna tow my car cuz it's only her customers who can park there (and there was actually only one sign in one small section of the lot - not where i was parked - that mentioned anything about parking only for her place). I politely told her i would move my van as soon as i unloaded my gear. I had my last load in my hands, and my hands were full.
To this, she said you cant park there. I'm gonna tow you, shrugged, and made to go back inside. I raised my voice and said i will move as soon as i put this stuff down. To which she shrugged - which was from her body language the same as flicking me off. There happened to be a space opening up in the club parking lot, so i dumped my gear there, and Jen sat in the spot while i moved my van.

So i would advise not dealing with that establishment. I dont think they have much in terms of vegan dining anyway, but she was harshly over-dramatic for no reason whatever. It quite upset me. Silliness.
But all that went away when we set up to rock. We were the middle band. We plowed through a pretty upbeat set, bringing it down a little for one of our best versions of Some Love, and then took it back off ending with a romping Ever After.

Which included a nice dancing section, and some dance-off head butting between Cameron and I!

Our now famous TV. People love watching TV. So now they can. At our shows.

Dominic rocking out a groove.

After our set, we roamed around and made our way to the outdoor patio for a few band shots. We have never had a full band picture taken. So, we thought we'd give it a try.

Backstage. Shenanigans... And you know we'll probably end up using this one...

This Friday!

Designed by Angie Rutter.

We will see you then!

Video

Live at Northside with the Band in Jan 2009.

Z Valentine's for that special someone

Vote for Zach!

Vote for Zach as Bets Local Band in the Akron Life and Leisure Best of 2009!

http://www.akronlifeandleisure.com/akronbest-09.asp

You can also vote for your other favourite Akron places, like 91.3, Mustard Seed, Musica, Evening for Chuck!!

Send to all your friends!! Please!

Thanks for taking that extra minute to bring democracy to Akron!!

Most Ever Sincerely,
Zach

Back in the studio?

last night we had a band "business" meeting (traded our instruments for laptops/portfolios & wings/beer.) among other things, we learned how to spell "blog". okay, I'll go first.

so, tonight the band was due back into the studio (top secret Cleveland locale) to demo a new song or two we've been working on for future records. however, the new place doesn't seem to be ready to roll quite yet, due to some unforeseen technical difficulties. so, we'll reschedule.

"demoing" is a potentially cool way for us to record our musical thoughts so we can listen with fresh ears later on (ok, and an excuse to rock.) we'll probably be re-record it down the road once the song has had a chance to evolve (provided we've raised enough capital from the sale of our current/upcoming records...).

many, many new exciting things on the horizon...stay tuned!!

comment away......

- Dominic

Welcome to 2009! This Sunday the 11th, I will be returning to the Mustard Seed cafe in Montrose to perform! The show kicks off at 11:30am, and it is part of their delicious Sunday Brunch! Hope to see you there!