Will live reputation help break This Moment in Black History?

This Moment in Black History recorded its third studio album over the winter.
By JOHN BENSON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
During one of its few sets at last month's annual South By Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas, Cleveland-based punk rock act This Moment in Black History found itself performing a gig in a small venue right on the street.
With the club's windows wide open, one passer-by after another was intrigued enough by what they heard to stop and catch a song or two. What may seem like natural or inconsequential events to most are ultimately the greatest affirmation for a hungry up-and-coming band looking to catch fire.
While drummer Lamont "Bim" Thomas admits such a scenario is promising in theory, he suggests something else was at play.
"Yeah, our guys are just loud," Thomas laughed. "That helps."
Local debut
Still, This Moment in Black History, which was formed four years ago, remains one of northeast Ohio's more interesting acts with an explosive and caustic sound that has continually positioned the band for something bigger. The outfit makes its Youngstown debut Saturday at Cedars Lounge. Thomas, who played the venue more than a decade ago with various bands, is looking forward to his return.
He's also keeping his fingers crossed that This Moment in Black History's reputation for memorable live performances will start to break the band. A European tour is scheduled for this fall.
"I hope something cool happens for us soon," Thomas said. "We all work regular jobs and try to keep ourselves available to tour and do more ambitious things, but we're still struggling to pay our rent here and there."
Homage to Public Enemy
In hopes of gaining more exposure by association, This Moment in Black History recorded its third studio album this past winter in Chicago with famed producer Steve Albini (Nirvana, Jesus Lizard). Titled "It Takes a Nation of A--holes to Hold us Back," the new project is obviously an homage to Public Enemy ("It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold us Back & quot;) with Thomas characterizing the album as "thinking man's punk."
"We're not singing about girls and cars and [expletive]," Thomas said. "We're singing about stuff that means something to us but I can't suggest that anybody take it and use it as their manifesto or whatever. There's a little something on there for everybody; a young kid can get into it but an older dude can rock it and not feel stupid."
He quickly added, "And you have the sonic capability of Steve Albini, so you're not getting just garbage."