Akron musicians – THE DEVIL STRIP

‘Vapor punk’ band Perfect Girl reintroduces itself as an instrumental duo

January 16th, 2020

by Conor Battles Akron rock duo Perfect Girl are in the midst of a rebuild. Guitarist Sam Holik and drummer Jake Ross have been tasked with reshaping their sound in the wake of former bassist and v... Read More...

I Hate It Too combines emo and post-hardcore on moody debut EP

January 13th, 2020

by Conor Battles Akron post-hardcore five-piece I Hate It Too combines swirling, distorted rock with melodic emo sensibilities on their self-titled debut EP. Vocalist Eddie Gancos, guitarists Shane... Read More...

‘My aim is to be me,’ says West Akron rapper D.Hilla

December 12th, 2019

by Kyle Cochrun “I'm not one of these fictitious rappers,” says Demichrius Hill, the 23-year-old Akronite who records under the moniker D.Hilla. By this moment in the evolution of rap music, the ar... Read More...

Bluesman Patrick Sweany returns to Akron on Dec. 28

December 12th, 2019

Words by Ted Lehr Old Time Ways I don’t know how many times I’ve seen Patrick Sweany perform. It’s definitely more than 50, but probably less than 100. I first discovered the Massillon native through ... Read More...

The apocalypse, synthesized on ‘Happiness’ by Incentive

November 18th, 2019

by Kyle Cochrun Uniontown-based producer James Osborne uses synthesizers to forecast the end of the world. Think rutilant dust plains split by rift valleys gushing hellfire, bulbous purple clouds raining m... Read More...

The Insane Clown Posse plays Kent

October 14th, 2019

words and photos by Kyle Cochrun A juggalo pushes through the crowd clutching a black plastic trash bag and yelling, in his best impression of a ballpark hotdog salesman, “Dead Bodies! I got dead bodi... Read More...

Hardcore band Coop turns horror movies into songs

October 10th, 2019

by Conor Battles Friday the 13th is an appropriately eerie time to catch up with Coop, Akron’s hardcore masters of horror. When we meet on Sept. 13, frontman Zach Butcher wears a t-shirt for the 1... Read More...

Super Babes create ‘organic goddess rock’ on their first EP

September 26th, 2019

by Kyle Cochrun “We’re organic goddess rock at its motherf---ing finest.” That’s Bridget Reckless describing her band The Super Babes, a two-girl rock outfit from Youngstown whose first EP, ... Read More...

Rapper BMims ‘wants Akron to have a bigger stamp’

September 5th, 2019

interview by Trvaughn Clayton Benji, also known as BMims or Benjimims, is an Akron-born rapper with a unique flow that allows you to vibe and connect with his music no matter your situation. He puts ... Read More...

Hip-hop duo Neon Vice chases ‘witty and gorgeous’ sound

July 15th, 2019

words and photos by Kyle Cochrun Lounging inside a second-floor recording studio in Barberton, surrounded by walls adorned with covers for records by Herbie Hancock, Prince, Curtis Mayfield and other top-sh... Read More...

‘I’m Black, I’m Brilliant, and I’m an Entrepreneur,’ says Da'Shika A. Street, founder of BABE Magazine

Collage artist Adrienne Slane uses century-old paper to tell contemporary stories

Local tattoo artist turns to murals and motivational speaking

Sheena Mason’s business is more than a dance studio

Into the Muck | Buchtel students take project-based learning to Panzner Wetland Wildlife Reserve

A week after Akron limited private gatherings, 15 complaints but no fines

Love letters from the 1930s reveal a uniquely Akron romance | Chapter 5

Crafted Meadery offers contemporary brews, home delivery

‘I can be your Antidote at the end of a hard day:’ Madison Cummins releases sophomore album

Brian Lisik’s ‘Gudbye Stoopid Whirled’ wasn’t supposed to be about the pandemic — but it is

Longtime rocker Harvey Gold is ‘all the versions’ of himself on new album

When classic rock heroes made headlines at the Rubber Bowl

Becoming a parent made me a better advocate

The doctor is in: Milk alternatives

Oh, poop! Potty training in a pandemic

Tips to help your child with ASD have a happy holiday season