Lakewood Proto-Punk Legends Headline Studio-A-Rama

[Jim O'Bryan]

Back in the later 60s early 70s, there was an unbelievable music scene happening here in
Lakewood Ohio. Some of it classified as "Proto-Punk" and some as the exact moment punk
music was born. While up for debate, recently the Rock Hall has classified some of their
music as the first "punk music" recorded. That would be "Agitated" by the Electric Eels.

Many writers have wondered what sort of working class angst would fuel such an explosion
in one city at one time. Mirrors, Electric Eels, Poly Strene Jass Band, and members that
went on to form, The Dead Boys, Rocket From The Tombs, The Cramps, Teenage Jesus and
the Jerks, Pere Ubu, and on and on. Who can say what caused it, but it happened and still
reverberates today.

This coming Saturday, Mirrors, which has not taken to a stage in 32 years will return to the
scene of one of their last and most outrageous and bootlegged shows, WRUW's Studio-
A-Rama, where current Lakewoodite and founder of Mirrors Jaime Klimek will take to the
stage with Rock and Roll legend bassman Craig Bell to bring the music alive one more
time. Craig has recently being touring with "Rocket From The Tombs" in Europe, has come
back to make it happen. (That was also the last public appearance of the infamous Electric
Eels, which has been named as influential by bands like the Sex Pistols, Green Day, and
others neu-Punk bands.

Here is Betsy Voinovich's story on the front page:
http://lakewoodobserver.com/read/2013/09/05/lakewood-punk-legends-coheadline-at-studioarama

And a couple songs recorded back in the 70s on youtube.






Check it out!

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[Betsy Voinovich]

mather.jpg (232.73 KiB) Viewed 2563 times

What a location for a stage!

All is quiet in the Mather Courtyard outside of WRUW-- Case's literally underground (it's in the basement) radio station.

Soon this place will be jammed. Studio A Rama starts at 2pm today. If you want to check out the line-up, go to wruw.org. Just make sure you're there by 9PM to see this stage full of Mirrors.

Betsy Voinovich

[Jim O'Bryan]

What a Show! For a band that has not played together in 38 years, and some longer, the
band was tight, well rehearsed and ready for the show. Mirrors had been very much one of
the proto-punk bands that came our of Lakewood in the late 60s early 70s, that has
developed a pretty large cult following around the world. So to see them back was nice, as
I had known them in school, and as friends forever!


Craig Bell, bassist, Claudia Bell, bassist, John Kompier, bassist, hmmm John's mom,
Betsy Voinovich.


A crowd of between 500-700 had gathered in the courtyard at CWRU to see the bands.

Studio-A-Rama started at 1pm, and by 9pm when Mirrors took the stage the crowd was
ready for the co-headliners. It was a crowd of some that remembered the band, and many
young people that were following the You-Tube videos and recent vinyl releases.


Cindy Barber owner of the Beachland Ballroom was there, she is a huge fan of the bands
that came out of Lakewood, Mirrors, Lucky Pierre, Electric Eels, Poly-Styrene Jass Band,
Dead Boys, Rocket from the Tombs, and even Nine Inch Nails. Cindy has been working
to compile data for the Cleveland Rock Annex on Waterloo. (It could have been in Lakewood, but that is for another day, City Hall chose Value World)


Larry Collins of City Buddha, was a DJ at WRUW for the first Studio-A-Rama.


Rock legend photographer Anastasia Pantsios,

Are you convinced you missed the party of the weekend? Come on, when these people
show up, you know you made the right choice.


At 9pm sharp Mirrors took to the stage. Here are the original members, Jamie Klimek,
still of Lakewood. Jim Crook, was a Lakewoodite, and CW Bell, was a Lakewoodite, back
staying at my place so much he might as well have a Lakewood address.


Charles from "My Mind's Eye" record store on Detroit Ave and Cranford, dancing up a storm.
Charles has done much to keep alive the music of Cleveland and Lakewood in the 70s, and
was the muscle behind the show this year. It was great to see him dancing backstage.


Paul Marotta sitting in on keyboards. Paul was a member of Poly Styrene Jass Band, and
the infamous "electric eels" version 3. Which is more than enough cred in the rock world.
The electric eels, were like the big bang, lasted very little actual time, but from them grew
the genre known as punk.


Jamie was a good song writer and classic performance musician.


A great time was had by all.

Check out all of the photos from the show here:
http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/jim-obryan/mirrors-wruw-studioarama-09072013

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