DEBORA SHAULIS | On the Scene A busy summer for area musicians

Summer is almost here. Time for kids to close their school books. Time to plan a vacation in a faraway place, or at a familiar seaside retreat. Time to slow down, unwind, soak in the sun.
Unless, of course, you're a musician in a band.
The Hern Brothers Band will travel to Put-in-Bay to perform for the first time. Put-in-Bay, a small island west of Cleveland in Lake Erie, is famous for its historic homes, fishing, shopping, boating and especially nightlife.
The Hern Brothers Band has added a twist to its set list, founding member Rick Hern says. During the second of the band's three-part shows, The Hern Brothers changes names to The Brothers Hern and switches from classic and contemporary rock covers to disco and funk tunes. Songs by KC and the Sunshine Band, Wild Cherry and others of that era are performed as medleys. Musicians even don afro-style wigs to complete the disco theme.
"Not only is it very comical, it's very danceable," Hern said of the set. It's equally amusing to Hern that disco and funk were the popular styles of music when he and his brother, Dave, started the band nearly a quarter century ago.
With shows in Put-in-Bay (May 28-29, June 19-20 and Aug. 28-29), Geneva-on-the-Lake (Friday) and Conneaut Lake, Pa. (May 30, July 4 and Sept. 5), The Hern Brothers Band is floating the idea of bus trips for locals who want to join in the fun. Call the band's hot line at (330) 534-0811 for details.
As for some special events closer to home, The Hern Brothers Band will play June 5 at the fifth anniversary party for Jillian's, the nightspot in Southern Park Mall, Boardman, and July 2 after the Small Ships Revue in Sharon, Pa., Hern said.
'DiverseCity' series
The second CD in the "diverseCity" series by Ohio Music Review is about to be released. Thirteen bands from northeast Ohio made the cut, and two of them are from the Mahoning Valley.
A CD release party will be at 6:30 p.m. Friday at The Lime Spider, 207 S. Main St., Akron. Eight of the 13 bands on the compilation CD will be there. Gates Called Beautiful, from Youngstown, will give the final performance of the night.
Gates Called Beautiful prides itself on smart, accessible rock 'n' roll and a foundation of faith in God. Members are Jason Garzanich, lead vocals; Jesse Fellows and Tommy Jack, guitars and vocals; Andrew Labedz, bass and vocals; and Alan Williams, drums and vocals. From Akron, they will head north to play Saturday at the Cleveland Music Festival with at least six other bands.
Also on "diverseCity" Volume 2 is Reclining Nude, which plays funk rock with some jazz elements. The Warren-based band features vocalist Jay Busse; guitarist Matt Petrarca; bass player Shane Ollila; and drummer Brad Meehan. Reclining Nude will play June 5 at Hammer Jacks in Warren.
Let's show no apathy toward Indifference, a hard rock band with plenty of local connections. Indifference will be one of two supporting bands for Joey Belladonna, former lead singer of Anthrax, this Saturday at The Dome Concert Club, U.S. Route 422, Girard.
Indifference's new drummer is Mark Grabowski, who previously belonged to well-known rock band Ivet. Lead singer Chin is from Youngstown and once was associated with the band Cyrus. Songwriter Chris Ochtyun also is from Y-town. Rounding out the quintet are guitarist Khaled Dajani of Pittsburgh and bass player John Guentner of Cleveland.
With influences ranging from current bands Staind and Nickelback to grunge-era Alice in Chains, Indifference's sound will be a slight contrast to Belladonna's metal-rock background.
In competition
The best times may be ahead for OhM, of Salem, which plays rock, reggae, hip-hop and more. OhM features vocalist Emily Strawn; guitarist Mike Bowlin; bass player Steve McKinley; DJ and vocalist Brad "DJ Decap" Dillon; guitarist, percussionist and singer Dan Whitman; and percussionist Greg Rock.
OhM was a semi-final winner in April at a "Battle of the Bands" contest at Peabody's Down Under in Cleveland. The finals will be June 13. OhM will be one of 10 bands to compete.
OhM members also are finalizing plans for Local Flow 3, a music festival that will be from 12:15 p.m. to midnight May 29 at Salem Saxon Club. The musically-diverse day will include performances by The Breezeway, Metalourd, S.O.C., Pea Soup, P.H.C., Harlequin's Voice, By the End of the Year, Turncoat, Hoodwink, SCAP and Third Class.
Nonperishable foods also will be collected at Local Flow 3 and given to Salvation Army.
OhM also is involved in a show July 10, again at the Salem Saxon Club, to benefit the Salem chapter of American Red Cross.
Get to know OhM for yourselves by dropping by Scanlon's Nightclub, 241 E. State St., Salem, this Saturday night.
XDebora Shaulis is entertainment editor. Write her at shaulis@vindy.com.