Pitchfork Fest? Nah, I'm going back to Cleveland that weekend . . .
While I did, in fact, enjoy my time at the Pitchfork fest last year (can't beat Sonic Youth performing the whole of Daydream Nation -- I don't care what you say), and while the prospect of seeing Public Enemy do It Takes A Nation of Millions and Mission of Burma doing Vs. -- not to mention the chance to see TNV on the really big stage (hopefully Pitchfork has the foresight to put 'em on the really big stage), I've got better plans for that weekend.
That's right, I just got word that there's a Mirrors reunion July 19 at the Beachland in Clevo. There's basically no excuse to miss this one, as it's not every day you get a chance to see one of the original Cle Big Three (Electric Eels & Rocket from the Tombs being the other two) back together. Hell, you're never gonna see the Eels reform and RFTT already did their reunion thing (which ruled) a few years back, so yer a damned fool if you miss out on this one.
If you're not familiar with 'em, Mirrors were probably the best "straightforward" underground Cle rock band of their time (I say "straightforward" in the sense that they weren't as nihilistically epic-minded as the Rockets or as abrasively violent as the Eels), and if their only sin was that some of their early stuff might have sounded too much like the Velvets, they're forgiven because they pretty much literally learned their craft while sitting at the feet of Lou and Sterl during the days when Cleveland was a favored stop for the V.U.
Fans of Ohio rock who don't have Mirrors' Hands in My Pockets should track down a copy now, as it includes most of the group's essential material from the 70's. Another Nail in the (Remodeled) Coffin is good as well, but I'd say start out with the early stuff.
See ya in Cleveland, gang.
