BY BILL SMITH
MUSIC CRITIC

The Thor Platter Band has recently released their debut CD “Looking for Sunshine,” which has been garnishing attention from many within the music press in Cleveland. Including, Cleveland Scene’s “13 bands to watch in 2013” as well as making an appearance on Channel 3 Live on Lakeside. Although his name may bring to mind the mystical Norse god featured in the successful line of Marvel comic books, and films, this Thor wields an equally powerful weapon: his music. Platter was born and raised in western New York, yet relocated to the Cleveland area as a young man. Platter has been drawn to music even at a young age, playing in several Blues Rock bands in Buffalo as well as Cleveland. However it isn’t until recently Platter stepped out on his own as the front man of his band. The members of this ensemble include Mr. Platter on guitar, vocals, and harmonica, Billy Compton on bass guitar, Chris Hanna on keyboards, and Matthew Knott on drums.  Click here for the whole story

BY BILL SMITH
 MUSIC CRITIC

The musical landscape of the 1990’s was a fun and experimental time. Especially for those of us who were fortunate enough to live through those days. Artist were creating new genre’s of music, by combining styles of music that at first thought wouldn’t necessarily appear to go well together. Jazz and Hip Hop, Metal and Hip Hop, Alternative Rock and Country Music, and so on, and so on. Some of it was good and some not so good. But at last those days are behind us now. Right in the middle of all this was Grant Lee Phillips and his band Grant Lee Buffalo. Some of you might remember Grant Lee Buffalo, some of you might not. They were an Alternative Rock trio from Los Angeles, California who were influenced as much by Husker Du as they were Hank Williams. Grant Lee Buffalo were praised by critics, but had limited commercial success. Grant Lee Buffalo spawned two Top 40 hits on the US Modern Rock charts, “Mockingbirds,” and “Truly, Truly.”

Fast forward twenty years to today and we find Grant Lee Phillips as a mature solo recording artist, who has apparently left his days of Grunge Rock far behind him. “Walking in the Green Corn” is Phillips latest release and is a drastic departure from what some of his fans may be familiar with from his days of fronting Grant Lee Buffalo.  Click here for the whole story

BY BILL SMITH
MUSIC CRITIC

There seems to be a over saturation in the music business these day of just about every genre there is, especially with Folk Roots Rock, or Americana music. My guess is that since Rock and Roll is extinct, this is the most pure and closest thing to Rock and Roll there is right now. In a sea of sound-alikes it's hard to distinguish oneself from the rest of the herd. Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors is one such band that is definitely making their form of music stand out from the rest of the pack.  Click here for the whole story