Erie's Sonic Medusa will throw a CD release party for "American Standard" on Aug. 22 at the Beer Mug. Special guests include the Laundromat and Hard Luck Story.

Mercyhurst College has unveiled the list of films for September in the Guelcher Film Series.
"Young@Heart" will open it up on Sept. 10. It's the story of a a group of New England senior citizens who cover songs by the Clash, Coldplay, and more.

Also coming: "The Band's Visit" on Sept. 17 and "The Counterfeiters" on Sept. 24. Show times are at 2 and 8 p.m.

Oh, yeah: Mercyhurst will also feature the Dirty Dozen Brass Band with Trombone Shorty on Sept. 19. Tickets are $40 for gold circle, or $35 for adults. Put this one on your don't-miss list.

I am not the world's biggest Foreigner fan, but, man -- they delivered a blistering, impressive show in front of perhaps the largest CelebrateErie crowd in history on Saturday. New singer Kelly Hansen not only sounded a lot like Lou Gramm but was a terrific front man as well -- confident, energetic, and totally in command.
What a treat, too, to catch Jason Bonham on drums, who slyly reminded us of his huge Led Zeppelin gig by adding a dash of "Kashmir" to his drum solo. Later, Foreigner segued into "Whole Lotta Love," too. They also turned in white-hot versions of their own songs -- including a ripping "Dirty White Boy" and stellar "Urgent" with Jeff Pilson shining on the all-important sax part which Junior Walker played on record.
That was the highlight of the weekend for me. Neal McCoy, unfortunately, I found a lot less satisfying. He smiles a lot and sure has an engaging personality but the band and McCoy did way too much audience pandering, serving doses of Village People (?), Commodores, and other surprising covers that felt out of place for a country band.
With Souled Out, you got what they promised: Slick, entertaining Motown and R&B covers. They worked hard, and actually asked the city if they could play longer, so you know they were having fun. So did we.

Of course, with Souled Out -- and McCoy -- we also got our singing Mayor, Joe Sinnott. He was in heaven singing "My Guy" on Friday, then engaged in Garth Brooks' "Friends in Low Places" with McCoy. He didn't make it out on stage with Foreigner but that's only because plans hit a snag. The city tried to find a boys choir to augment "I Want to Know What Love Is" but that didn't work out. The mayor, I believe, was going to join the choir for that, but no matter. Foreigner didn't miss a beat.

The crowds felt extra large this year -- not only at the main stage, but around Taste of Erie, and evening in the late afternoon and early evenings. The city deserves high marks for how well organized the event was, and how much it truly delivered. Remember, it's free but only because sponsors galore muster up a little civic duty by pitching in.

Nice job, all around.

Original Beatles' drummer Pete Best and the Cryers are booked to play the Theatre 145 in Erie on Sept. 19. Cryers backed up members of the Bay City Rollers and the Hollies at an earlier Theatre 145 show this summer.

Mas Nova will spring back into action with an Aug. 30 show at Sherlock's.

Kid Rock, the Jonas Brothers, and Lil Wayne are booked to play at MTV's VMA Music Awards, which will be broadcast Sept. 7. Britney Spears is another likely performer. She's appearing in promotional ads for the show but hasn't actually been booked, yet.

Metallica has announced the dates for its North American tour....and you won't find any near us. Ditto, unfortunately, Trans-Siberian Orchestra -- a staple here since 2002 and automatic sellout at Tullio Arena. Erie is not listed on the band's Christmas itinerary. Blame that on a couple factors: The show's production has grown so large it's hard to cram it into an arena the size of ours. Plus, as costs go up, it makes it more paramount the show plays larger venues. The civic center just doesn't have enough seats -- the show has basically outgrown the market.

Consider that TSO will play two shows at Buffalo's HSBC Arena (Dec. 6), another two at Pittsburgh's Mellon Arena (Dec. 17), and four at Cleveland's Quicken Loans Arena (Dec. 29-30). When they can sell out stadiums, why play to only 6,000 or so fans here? It's the same reason we'll never see Kenny Chesney or AC/DC again --they can make more money elsewhere.

Old 97s play Buffalo on Oct. 8 and Cleveland on Oct. 10, which means they'll be driving right by us on I-90. Wouldn't it be cool if someone alertly snapped them up for a Thursday, Oct. 11 show?

Just a thought. Check that: A pipe dream.

That's a shame because TSO has plenty of devoted fans here. Now they'll have to see the group in

The death of Issac Hayes came as a shock over the weekend. Though best known for "Shaft," he was also a stellar songwriter, producer -- and character actor, as "South Park" showed. He was a key songwriter and musician at Stax; he co- wrote Sam & Dave's biggest hits, and some by Carla Thomas and Johnnie Taylor, among others. He also collaborated with Dionne Warwick and Millie Jackson.
As a performer, ironically, he also put his stamp on other people's songs, most notably "Walk on By" and "Never Can Say Goodbye."
Hayes ws elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.

It's almost official: Dirty Looks and Harpo will play the Warner Theatre on Oct. 5. Tickets will be $22.50; stay tuned for on-sale information. It'll be the band's first Erie gig since 1996.

Beachland Ballroom says its Oct. 31 show with Lords of the Highway will be Sugar's final gig with the band. That's a shame; she's a joy to watch, and a huge reason why the band draws so well -- including its Erie shows at Beer Mug. Their web site doesn't list any more shows for Erie.

Dirty Looks will play Erie's Warner Theatre on Oct. 5. Henrik Ostergaard and company also plan to bring in two other acts, including a national one for the comeback show. Stay tuned for details.

Sugarland's "Love on the Inside" hits No. 1 on the next Billboard album chart. The country duo lists an Oct. 18 concert at the Tullio Arena with guests Kellie Pickler and Ashton Shephard. Stay tuned for on-sale info.

Erie's Matty B. and the Dirty Pickles have set an Aug. 22 date at Sara's for the CD release party of "Picklebilly," which will feature 14 originals. It'll be an outdoor show from approximatley 6 to 9 p.m. Look for a feature on the CD and the band in the Aug. 21 Showcase.

Billboard reports that the Clash's opening gig for the Who at Shea Stadium in New York in 1982 will be released on CD in October. The set draws heavily from their then-new "Combat Rock" and "London Calling."

Billboard also reports that Best Buy will exclusively offer a live CD/DVD release by the Police that was filmed in Buenos Aires during their wildly successful reunioin tour. "Certifiable" will be released on Oct. 7.

Tickets will go on sale Aug. 15 for David Byrne's Oct. 23 concert at Cleveland's Allen Theatre. They'll be available through tickets.com and by phone at 866-546-1353.

Also, Old 97s have added an Oct. 10 show at Beachland Ballroom. Tickets will go on sale Aug. 15.

According to USA Today, actor/comedian Robin Williams is embarking on a rare comedy tour. He'll play Cleveland's Allen Theatre on Oct. 10. (By co-incidence, comedian David Sedaris will be in the larger Palace Theater the same night).

Check playhousesquare.org. to see when tickets will go on sale. You know this will sell out, quickly.

Also, David Byrne will bring his tour to Cleveland's Allen Theatre on Oct. 23 and Pittsburgh's Carnegie Music Hall on Nov. 7. He'll play songs from "Everything That Happens WIll Happen Today," a joint CD with Brian Eno, as well as songs from Talking Heads' albums that Eno produced. He'll also draw from the only previous Byrne/Eno album, "My Life in the Bush of Ghosts" (1981).
On-sale dates will be announced later.

This also just in: Hard-rock band Dirty Looks with Henrik Ostergaard is looking to play an Erie show in early October. We'll let you know more when more is confirmed.

LiveDaily reports that Iron & Wine will play Buffalo's Asbury Hall at the Church on Nov. 14. No on-sale date is listed, yet.

Plenty of fun stuff goes on this weekend, starting with the Erie Art Museum's Blues & Jazz Festival on Saturday and Sunday at Frontier Park. This is one I hardly ever miss myself, though it's usually Saturday that I attend on account I'm more of a blues and rock guy than straight jazz.
Mem Shannon's live CD leads me to believe he'll deliver a crowd-pleasing set; the man can not only sing -- he's got one of those gruff, authoritative voices -- but play guitar. He can a little political in song -- "SUV" is a funny rant about gas-guzzlers -- but doesn't preach or talk politics on stage. He's there to entertain. Wallace Coleman Band from Cleveland will bring the mail, too.

Of course, don't overlook our own local talent: Rodger Montgomery Blues Band, Torn Curtain, Mary Alice Brown Trio, and Matt Hudson -- an Erie native, who leads the Chicago group Hudson.

If you need a place to hang after Saturday wraps at Frontier Park, check out Harper at the Docksider. It's a welcome-home bash for bassist Ralph Reitinger, for one thing. Plus, the band plays satisfying blues-rock with a groove, and band leader Peter Harper himself is a soulful, fiery harp player.
Billboard reports that singer Fergie has been cast as a prostitute in "Nine," the movie adaptation of the Broadway show. With Rob Marshall ("Chicago") directing -- and a cast that also includes Daniel Day Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Judi Dench, Penelope Cruz, and Nicole Kidman -- this is a prestige project that sounds like a can't-miss. Don't expect to see it until 2009, however.
In the meantime, Fergie also tells Billboard that she's recording a new Black Eyed Peas' album. Good to see her go back to her band, be a part of the team. Gwen Stefani is finally doing the same; she's recording again with No Doubt.

David Byrne and Brian Eno will release their first joint project since 1981's "My Life in the Bush of Ghosts" in August. On the new web site for the CD, "Everything That Happens Will Happen Today," Byrne says Eno wrote most the music; he sings and wrote most the lyrics. The CD will be available through their web site, www.everythingthathappens.com., free for streaming and also for download. Physical CDs will be released later in the fall.
Byrne will launch a fall tour for the CD, but Eno reportedly will not join him on the road. Byrne says he'll not only play the new songs, but material from "Bush of Ghosts" as well as the three Talking Heads' CDs that Eno produced -- "More Songs About Buildings and Food," "Remain in Light," and "Fear of Music."
That'll be cool. My all-time favorite concert out of hundreds -- thousands? -- I've seen remains the Talking Heads' tour for what would become the "Stop Making Sense" film. I had a front-row seat at an outdoor Chicago venue for my then-favorite band.
Byrne came out by himself, with a boom box, that played the backing for "Psycho Killer." The band slowly emerged, a song at a time, eventually becoming a polyrhythmic powerhouse. Byrne wore the Big Suit, he danced, he ran laps around the stage. The crowd was so overwhelmed that Talking Heads came back out for an unplanned extra encore and did "Burning Down the House" for the second time that night.
Oh, I brought my camera, too, and have some really cool photos. THe only bummer of the night: Someone swiped the T-shirt I bought from right under my chair.
"Well, I'll get a new one on their next tour," I thought.
Talking Heads never toured again.

The Wolfgang's Vault web site, which posts free concerts online, added one today by the Clash from 1979 that was recorded during their first U.S. tour. Get this: It was recorded at Cleveland's Agora Theatre. Check www.wolfgangsvault.com., then click on concert vault.

Billboard and Rolling Stone both report that Bob Dylan will unleash the next installment of his "Bootleg" series on Oct. 7. The three CD package will include outtakes and live versions of songs he wrote for more recent CDs, such as "Modern Times," "Love and Theft," and "Time Out of MInd," as well as "Oh Mercy."

How about Jack White of White Stripes and Raconteurs hooking up with Alicia Keys? They'll record the theme for the next James Bond film, "Quantum of Solace," due out in November. If anyone can write something that makes sense of THAT title, it's Jack White.

AC/DC will reportedly hit the road for an 18-month tour starting in October to support their next CD - their first studio one in eight years. Don't expect an Erie show. At this point, their legend looms too large for them to play a city our size. They'l'l likely stick to arenas.
Rolling Stone says the tour will open on Halloween in Chicago, preceded by a single -- "Rock & Roll Train" -- that'll hit radio in late August.

Cool news for Creedence Clearwater Revival fans. Reuters reports the Concord Music Group will reissue the band's first six CDs in September. Each one will include extensive liner notes, plus unreleased studio tracks, including some versions of classics the band recorded with Booker T and the MGs.
Look for them to arrive on Sept. 30.

The Rolling Stones' concert film "Shine a Light" -- directed by Martin Scorsese -- will arrive on DVD on Tuesday. It's a must-see for Stones (and Scorsese fans), a thrillingly shot film that puts you practically right on stage while the Stones turn in a fiery, ferocious set at the intimate Beacon Theatre in New York.
Buddy Guy''s guest spot on "Champagne & Reefer" is staggeringly good, while Jack White and Christina Aguilera also appear. The DVD will include four performances not included in the original film -- "I'm Free," "Little T&A," "Paint It Black," and "Undercover of the Night."
And, speaking of the Stones, Billboard reported today that they're leaving EMI for a deal with Universal that includes back catalog and future CDs. That's cool news because we can now assume they have a future.
Also, the European Rolling Stones' fan site -- which is usually pretty reliable -- reports the Stones may tour again as soon as late 2009. That opens the door for a much talked-about Faces' reunion before then which would include Ron Wood and Rod Stewart. But nothing's certain on that Faces' reunion -- it's still speculation.

Fleetwood Mac has announced it will tour in 2009 but not with Sheryl Crow, who had told interviewers she'd hit the road with them. That won't happen.

Up for a road trip? Peter Frampton plays a free outdoor show tonight (Friday) at Seneca Allegany Casino in Salamanca, N.Y.
This is also the weekend for the Pittsburgh Blues Festival at Hartwood Acres. Headliners include Tab Benoit, Lil Brian and the Zydeco Travelers, Sweaty Betty Blues Band (today), Taj Mahal and Joanna Connor Band (Saturday), and Tommy Castro Band, Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk, and Jill West and the Blues Attack (Sunday). See www.pghblues.com for more details.

Terry Lee Goffee -- a Johnny Cash tribute artist -- will headline the Albion Area Fair on Sept. 13.

Don't forget: This is a Buggin' State St. night. I hope that doesn't mean we're inundated with Volkswagens tonight.

Former Hollies' member Terry Sylvester and Ian Mitchell of Bay City Rollers will play at Theatre 145 this Saturday. The Cryers, a New Jersey classic-rock band, will play behind both performers, as well as a set of their own. Tickets are $20, available at the door. Show starts at 8 p.m.

Sad to see Awakened Cafe is closed already. An email late Wednesday indicated the club was shutting down effective immediately. It featured local art, comedy, and music but lasted barely two months.

Summer Festival of the Arts lifts off tonight. The must-see show is Gregg Rolie Band tonight (Friday) at 9 p.m. Apparently people don't believe what they read but, yes, it's true: Role did sing the big Santana hits of the early 1970s; he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Santana, though he left in 1972. But he'll sing the Santana songs he helped make famous, including "Black Magic Woman," "Oye Como Va," and "Evil Ways." He co-produced the first four Santana albums, and put together an amazing, veteran band, as well, that also includes Santana's original percussionist.

Get there early, lawn space might be tight. Plus, you don't want to miss One World Tribe, who are amazing in their own right.

Next weekend, try to catch the Ultrasonic Rock Orchestra, fronted by Boston musician and former Erie native Sal Clemente. They play blown-up versions of your favorite classic rock songs by Queen, Beatles, David Bowie, and more. It's an elaborate extravaganza, and it'll settle into Erie Playhouse for four shows -- June 26-28 (at 7:30 p.m.) and June 29 (2 p.m.)

Attention Duke Sherman Blues Band fans. They will play at the Conneaut Cellars Winery Jazz and Blues Festival on June 21 at 3 p.m., not June 14 as was indicated in a paid advertisement. But you can catch them this weekend. They play tonight at Billies inside the Avalon Hotel, and on Saturday at Plummer's in Ripley, N.Y.

Even if you think you don't like bluegrass, you should investigate the Mayville Bluegrass Festival on Saturday or Sunday at Lakeside Park in Mayville, N.Y.. The setting is pristine, right on Chautauqua Lake, and the musicianship is always first-rate.
These groups kick up a bigger ruckus than you might expect. And Saturday features Chris Hillman, a former member of the Byrds. He played a killer verison of "Eight Miles High" at the event four years ago, and also did a nice set of Flying Burrito Brothers' songs.
Tickets are only $15 per day.

This weekend is extremely music heavy. Sounds of Summer features eight performers, starting at 1 p.m. at Liberty Park on Saturday. Don't miss Matty B and the Dirty Pickles, who'll debuta couple new songs at 7 p.m. That event is free. One Under blew away fans atDocksider a few months ago; they return on Saturday. And Coffin Bangers reunite for their first show in ages tonight at Scully's with Sound City Saints, the Trashed, and Lucky Cats also on the bill.

Next week's Showcase will feature interviews with Gordon Lightoot, New York hard-rock band (and future TV stars) Z02, and the Nick Zuber Band, who sound remarkably like John Mayer and Dave Matthews Band. They will play Coconut Joe's on June 20.

A whopping 12 galleries will participate in the next Gallery Night, set for June 13 from 7 to 10 p.m. Urraro Gallery will host host an opening reception for Thirty Days of Drawings by Thomas Gamble and Ashley Robyn Reitz. Urraro will also debut its new second-floor gallery. Steve Troshoke Funk Fotet will play upstairs, while Eastave performs downstairs.

Other participating galleries include Erie Art Museum, Accents by the Bay, Bayfront Gallery, Allen Stoneware Gallerly, Artworks Gallery & Clayspace Studio; Kada Gallery, Glass Growers Gallery, Gearu's Studio 7, Kuhn's Framing & Gift Gallery, Ralph Miller Jewelers & Gallery, and Relish Inct. Studio.

Per usual, the EMTA will shuttle guests on a Bayliner to and from galleries throughout the night.

Billboard magazine reports the Police will play their last show together on Aug. 7 at New York City's Madison Square Garden as a fund-raiser for two New York public TV stations. You can only get tickets through donating; the lowest price is $150 for a pair. The B-52s will open. Tickets become available on June 14.

Van Morrison will play Toronto's Massey Hall on July 7. That opens his 5-city North American tour -- maybe his longest, ever.

With Jon Anderson suffering respiratory problems, Yes has canceled its entire 26-city summer reunion tour. Doctors have advised him to rest a minimum of 6 months, according to press reports. There's a chance the band will re-book the tour when he's healthy but nothing's certain, yet.

When the Grass Roots play Presque Isle Downs & Casino on June 13, lead singer Rob Grill won't be with them. He's out with knee surgery. No word yet on who will handle vocals. You can't ask for a refund, though. This show is free , if you have a Roaring 20s Players Club membership. Memberships are free.

Like everyone else, we're mourning the death of Bo Diddley, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer who was a force of nature. Remember when he played two shows at the Kings Rook, backed by Jake's Blues, back in 1994? He played new songs, classics, and some mildly risque ones. He even did a rap song.
Bo was scheduled to return to Erie for First Night Erie in 1995, backed by the BluesBeaters but never made it here.