A Recollection: Cleveland, Oh, June 27th, 2004

The KraysWhat follows is all that I can recall from my ill conceived journey to and from a musical event in the warm summer evening in and around the suburbs of Cleveberg.

I finished work (with a sixteen year old who may soon be visiting a stripper pole near you) and mounted, yes mounted my bike for the treacherous ride through many a suburb to the most worthless and decrepit bar on the east side of Cleveland - maybe even the MidWest. Since I had to work, I understood that my trip, via bicycle, would steal time from the enjoyment of the “musicians” I was to see. So be it. I knew I didn’t care about Chaotic Alliance (kids from Clevo) or the latest spiky haired punk bands to come through: Monster Squad and Cropknox. I figured the Krays would be taking the stage last, since not only had they been around the longest, they were one of the few punk bands still playing at the time that weren’t in need of instrument theft (others included US Bombs, The Stitches, The Briefs and The Clorox Girls). 

After nearly being hit by a few vehicles and yelled out, I arrived to find that not only were The Krays not headlining, but they were all ready a few songs deep into their set. But have no fear, for The Rhythm Room being the phenomenal piece of garbage that it was did not have a bouncer positioned at its door. I was able to simply walk in. The Krays were in the midst of a new track that I neither wanted to hear nor cared for all too much. It ended, though, and the group segued into “Rip and Tear” from their first album on Eyeball Records (which seems to have been co-opted recently by laughable emo bands). So, I was excited to hear an older song, but realize that a two hundred and fifty pound black man was in the process of accosting me. My guess was he’s the bouncer.

I was told the cover was five bucks. I explained that the show, by this point in the evening was more than half over, but the section of the brain that’s dedicated to reason in the bouncer had been slowly gnawed away over the years by cheap beer and cigarette smoke from standing around in this shite bar in Cleveland.  He told me to get the *** out.  Now, I’m not the smartest man on the face of the earth and tried to assume that everyone at least wields the intellect of small child. I persisted in my negotiations and am told again to get out. This time I leave prompted by the thought of this man removing me. That wouldn’t benefit anyone.

For a time I stood outside and heard The Krays chat it up with the crowd, a good three minutes between songs, and for a punk band that’s an entire song and a half.  But, at least I got some exercise.