Lo-Watt Radio at Prosperity Social Club, Cleveland Ohio

Lo-Watt Radio is easily one of my favorite bands out there right now. I have tried to make sure any trips to the northern part of Ohio are timed out to see one of their shows.

The band usually plays two one hour sets when I have seen them. There is not a slow moment to their show.

I have tried to explain Lo-Watt Radio before. They are a four piece band with bass, drums, vocals, and some variation after that.

Mike Harvin leads the band on vocals, playing guitar or accordion, and harmonica.

Doc Blankenhorn plays everything else. Seriously. Doc switched guitar, violin, mandolin, banjo, and some other stuff. AND he can totally rock out on any of them. Watching the smoke come off of his fingers is a treat! The fact that Doc brings his full arsenal of instruments out to each show is to be admired.

Ron Cerosky on bass, and his partner in rhythm, Joel Geiser on drums are flawless. I have watched numerous bands with good musicians suffer from issues in this department. Bass players playing one note and drummers sounding like they need caffeine is, in my book, the number one problem with any band. Joel and Ron are experienced musicians who take pride in what they do. I challenge you to find an imperfection with the two. A lively but not too aggressive drummer is rare. Lo-Watt has the rare perfectly consistent drummer.

The band does a good number of original songs, and you will like all of them. They are honest and real, written with sincerity. Live, the songs do have an emotional feel. Speaking of hearing them live, this is the kind of band that could build a legend on it's performances.

I was able to see Lo-Watt Radio play a Christmas show at the very cool Tremont venue, the Prosperity Social Club. They did great versions of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town", "Blue Christmas", and others. Each song was played with honesty. The guys were not laughing or goofing their way through sloppy holiday covers, the way some other bands might. Lo-Watt Radio played each traditional song with their original style. Lo-Watt could put together a great live Christmas album from this show if they wanted. Your grandma or your child would enjoy the folk rock treatment given to the songs by the band.

I talked to the guys for a bit after the show. The humble crew let me know that they are working on a new studio album and they are planning some future shows. Their music is already begging for a live album though.

Let me give a mention to Prosperity Social Club! This is a very cool place! Several in my group had dinner here, and they loved the food! They said it was tasty and affordable. My wife and I had a dessert and several cups of coffee for under $10. We enjoyed what we had. I would easily go back to Prosperity again. It was crowded, but we were constantly being asked if we needed anything.

Oh, one last thing. Lo-Watt Radio sells a 5 song EP at their shows called the Crushing Plant. At the shows I have been to, the asking price for the EP is"whatever you feel like paying." If you go to their show, be generous. This is a hard working band that deserves your support! The only problem with the 5 song EP is it leaves you wanting a full length CD! I have linked to their site on the right.