Akron's Ultrasphinx has a new self-titled CD

Akron Empire would like to welcome guest blogger Dominic Caruso for this review of the new record by Akron rockers, Ultrasphinx. Dominic has also written about Dolly Rocker Ragdoll, Travelogue, the Ultrasphinx/Bad Trouble split 7", and ShiSho. If you're interested in guest blogging or having your local band written about, please email us at AkronEmpire [at] gmail dot com.

This Band Could Be Your Life: Ultrasphinx
by Dominic Caruso

Ultrasphinx album art by D-WREX

Ultrasphinx (Joe Dennis, guitar; Aaron Rogers, bass; and Ian Cummins, drums) has a new full-length self-titled album available digitally now, or as a limited edition CD, available on April 26. The album presents 12 songs in a thoroughly cool 36-minute flurry guitar rock that successfully fuses a number of styles: math-rock, metal, shoegazer, stoner-rock, and punk, into an often hypnotic emulsion.

Several of the new songs pack a wallop into 2 minutes (or less) of focused, precise fury. This includes the disc’s first two songs, “Bark at” and “the Moon,” which build a masterful tension with Dennis’ chiming, fiery guitars atop Rogers’ punchy bass lines and Cummins’ feverish drumming (and just below all that in the mix, is Dennis’ with an Ian Curtis-like vocal delivery). It’s pretty fantastic stuff. As impossible as it would seem, the band just builds more energy, punch, and precision into the next two songs: “X is the Nth Loneliest Number,” and “Useless Phantoms.”

Ultrasphinx at The Saint in Asbury Park, NJ. Photo by Jeff “JCK” Klemm

Versions of “Left Objects” and “Stoned Hearts,” from the group’s 2013 split 7" with Bad Trouble make up a portion of the new record’s core, and they sound excellent in this new context. The stately rhythms and cascading riffs of “Left Objects” drift into the spaced-out “Garden Slugs I,” and the pummeling, defiant “Stoned Hearts” sounds incredible along side the angular, punkiness of “Username _Assword,” a song which might be my favorite of this new batch. Luckily I don't have to choose, and neither do you.

Ultrasphinx at Annabell's in Akron, Ohio - Photo by Matt Stansberry

The instrumental track “Movies About Horses are Stupid” somehow manages to be psychedelic and and totally, expansively metallic in the space of the same minute and thirty seconds. “Tight Leafs” is a glorious blast of hardcore that opens the door to the sprawling eight-minute “Ruling Planets.” The record closes with the contemplative, yet off-kilter “Garden Slugs II.”

Ultrasphinx at the Stone Tavern in Kent, Ohio. Photo by Jason Prufer

What are they singing about? I have no idea. There seems to be a sort of sinister futurism as a running theme throughout the record. “Stoned Hearts” might arguably be a break up song. Or something else entirely. Ultrasphinx is like a number of my favorite bands (like, say, The Fall, or pre-Green R.E.M.): I like them even more because I don’t exactly know what they’re saying. I understand the atmosphere, the mood, and the overall message of uneasiness, tension, and suspicion. The fire Ultrasphinx is bringing couldn’t come at a more opportune time. See their mercilessly propulsive live act around town this spring: they’re well worth the price of admission.

Check out Ultrasphinx
Buy or pre-order the new album: http://ultrasphinx.bandcamp.com/
Friend the heck out of them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ultrasphinx
Get tweets from them: @Ultrasphinxxx

Ultrasphinx will play live at the Auricle in Canton on Saturday, April 19 (with Jucifer and The Got It Got It Need It); and at the Stone Tavern in Kent on Saturday, April 26 (with Murderedman).

Book Review: A is for Akron

Book Review: A is for Akron
by Brit Charek via Akron Empire

I've lived a few places in my life—San Francisco, Chicago—but when asked what city has given me the best memories and opportunities, the answer is a no-brainer: Akron, Ohio.

So naturally, when Joanna Wilson asked me to review the new book she co-authored, A is for Akron, I jumped on it and knew I would enjoy it. What I didn't expect was all the new things I learned about my adopted hometown, past and present.

For example, did you know Akron has a Marble Museum? Or that the Cuyahoga Valley National Park has been listed by Popular Mechanics as one of the "10 National Parks to See Before You Die"?

A few of my favorite sections are "B is for Blimp" (of course!), "K is for Keeping Up with the Art Scene," and "N is For Neighborhoods." Beyond all the cool facts I learned, I especially enjoyed all the photos: some recent, and some dating as far back as the 1880's.

A is for Akron is a delight for locals, former locals, visitors and aliens. The authors' hometown pride is clear and infectious. This book is essential to anyone who has ever called the Rubber City home.

The book will be on sale at several local locations and at A is for Akron's website starting this Tuesday, March 18.

You can celebrate the launch of the book at Musica on Thursday from 6-9pm. Authors Karen Starr and Joanna Wilson will be on hand at to sign copies of their book. Food will be for sale at Urban Eats, which is connected to Musica, and Musica’s cash bar will be open for drinks and don't miss out on the free photobooth courtesy of The Magnolia Photobooth Company. The fun continues at 9pm with an After Party, featuring a performance by Roxxymoron. Click here for more details.

For more information about A is for Akron visit:
A is For Akron's website
A is For Akron's Facebook
A is for Akron on Twitter

Tyron Hoisten with the Firestone Park Community Center Theatre Program

People in Your Neighborhood: Tyron Hoisten 
with the Firestone Park Community Center Theatre Program
by Joanna Wilson

I made a new artist friend recently, playwright Tyron Hoisten.  I met him at an arts & culture organizational meeting and he invited me to a dramatic reading performance of his original play "The Baby Experience" at the Main Library last Wednesday, March 5th.  The performance was the result of a new theatre program that is being organized through the Firestone Park Community Center.  The newly formed program, Theatre Ahead, intends to stage productions to entertain the whole family.  If last Wednesday's performance of "The Baby Experience" is indicative of what is to come, I'm excited for Akron's expanding theatre scene!

Young playwright Tyron Hoisten currently works with the Firestone Park Community Center and their new theatre group.

Hoisten explained to me that he wrote the humorous play, "The Baby Experience," after watching the TV series The Cosby Show.  "Looking at this show, I realized that you can be funny without being inappropriate....it's definitely harder to write comedy where no one is being picked on or put down and there are no stereotypes present, but it's possible and much more rewarding."  Cosby's influence is clear in this delightful production about a young expectant couple sharing one last evening's meal with their older family members--and a friendly, hungry plumber--before the new baby arrives.

The dramatic reading of "The Baby Experience" at Main Library last week.

The ambitious Hoisten shared with me that he began writing plays when he was fifteen years old, and admires the careers of juggernauts Eddie Murphy and Tyler Perry.  Referring to Perry, Hoisten says "This guy wrote, directed and acted in his own productions; he was in control of his own talent. This really inspires me."  So far, I'm very impressed with Hoisten's efforts to write plays that are simply entertaining but complex in character.  In the past, Hoisten has also written plays commissioned by Project RISE (Realizing Individual Strength through Education) of Akron Public Schools that dealt with topical issues such as homelessness.  I can't wait to see what Hoisten does next!

So mark your calendars for Wednesday April 16th for "The Easter Dinner," another original play written by Tyron Hoisten.  This production is presented by Becoming a Light Ministries and will take place at Main Library--admission is free.

Mardi Gras Treats at West Side Bakery

King Cakes from The West Side Bakery.  Photo used with permission.

Mardi Gras Treats at The West Side Bakery
by Joanna Wilson

It's Mardi Gras in Akron--a time for decadence before you vow to give it all up for Lent.  While I'm not exactly promising to abstain from sugar anytime soon, I do look forward to the seasonal sweet treats that accompany Mardi Gras.  This year, I ordered my king cake from The West Side Bakery in Pilgrim Square, on West Market Street.

King cakes are a New Orleans tradition that originated in France.  It is a cinnamon braided pastry bread topped with icing and sugar crystals in the colors of the Mardi Gras celebration: yellow, green and purple.  King cakes from The West Side Bakery also include two strands of plastic beads--the sort one acquires along the New Orleans parade route--and a miniature plastic baby that you can hide within the cake yourself.  Tradition has it that whoever finds the baby in their slice of cake will receive good luck in the upcoming year.

Beignets at The West Side Bakery.  Photo used with permission.

This year while at the bakery, I also picked up another New Orleans tradition, beignets-- deep fried dough covered in powdered sugar.  It reminds me of an adult donut and the perfect compliment to coffee.  The West Side Bakery also has Mardi Gras decorated cookies--the perfect seasonal treat for the kids.

Mardi Gras cookies at The West Side Bakery.  Photo used with permission.

If you're interested in indulging yourself, you better act quickly.  These special Mardi Gras treats are only available for a limited time--through today and tomorrow (Monday March 3rd and Tuesday March 4th).  Call to place your order.

West Side Bakery is located in Pilgrim Square at 2303 West Market Street, Akron OH 44313
(330) 836-4101
They have a second location in Green at 1840 Town Park Blvd in Uniontown OH 44685
(330) 899-9968
or check them out online at http://thewestsidebakery.com
or on facebook: The West Side Bakery