MUSIC Summer concerts rock area

A variety of musical styles will be on tap in the region this summer.
By JOHN BENSON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
It's time to turn up your radio, roll down the windows and get ready for the summer 2006 concert season. However, the drive appears to be more of the down-memory-lane variety than cruising newly paved roads by up-and-coming bands.
One look at the list of names packing up the tour bus this summer and you'd swear it was 1996. Nine Inch Nails, Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Sammy Hagar, Faith Hill & amp; Tim McGraw, The Black Crowes, Counting Crows and Goo Goo Dolls are the most notable acts coming through northeast Ohio and western Pennsylvania.
And what would a summer concert season be without the Dave Matthews Band, which has become Gen X's Jimmy Buffet with obligatory sold-out summer outings. There are also plenty of country superstars -- Rascal Flatts, Toby Keith and Kenny Chesney -- joining alt rock acts -- The Flaming Lips and Matisyahu -- and metal bands -- Avenged Sevenfold, Coheed & amp; Cambria, Slayer, Staind and Shinedown -- scheduling dates. Speaking of hard rock, Ozzfest XI, with System of a Down and Ozzy Osbourne headlining, will once again skip Blossom Music Center, forcing fans to road trip into Columbus (July 21 at Germain Amphitheater) or Pittsburgh (July 18 at Post-Gazette Pavilion). Still, the summer concert calendar is as long as it is diverse. Take a look!
AGORA THEATRE, 5001 Prospect Ave., Cleveland (all Ticketmaster locations or www.ticketmaster.com)
Matisyahu, 8 p.m. June 15, $25. Hasidic rap beats out gangsta country and Christian death metal as the least likely genre to emerge in 2006 with this New York-based MC leading the way.
BLOSSOM, 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls (all Ticketmaster locations or www.ticketmaster.com)
Styx with the Cleveland Contemporary Youth Orchestra, 6 p.m. Thursday, $7.50 to $42.50 (Part of Blossom BBQ and Music Festival). This arena rock legend hopes to present its "Mr. Roboto" catalog in new light by incorporating a regional orchestra.Charlie Daniels Band with special guests Keith Anderson, Julie Roberts and Hot Apple Pie, 3 p.m. May 28, $7.50 to $30 (Part of Blossom BBQ and Music Festival). This fiddlin' legend likes to tell a tale about the time the devil went down to Georgia.New Cars/Blondie, 7:30 p.m. June 4, $20 to $75. No Ric Ocasek and the passing of northeast Ohio native Ben Orr means these New Cars -- with Todd Rundgren handling vocal duties -- are hoping to get new mileage out of recycled hits. Co-headliner Blondie is along for the ride.Loretta Lynn, 7 p.m. June 10, $29.75 to $64.75. Forever a "Coal Miners Daughter," Lynn remains a country music queen for the masses.Bruce Springsteen, 7:30 p.m. June 16, $93.50. With a new folk covers album in stores, you get the sense The Boss is reliving his youth this summer for fans to enjoy.Nine Inch Nails with Bauhaus and Peaches, 7 p.m. June 27, $15 to $65. "With Teeth" showing, Trent Reznor goes goth this summer with legends Bauhaus as opener.Clint Black & amp; Dwight Yoakam, June 24. Traditional country fans with alternative leanings will get a perfect slice of the Nashville pie from Black and Yoakam.Tom Jones with Etta James, 7 p.m. July 12, $50 to $75. Sex symbol or not, Jones proves it's all in the hips with his classic "What's New Pussycat" swagger.Poison & amp; Cinderella, 7 p.m. July 19, $25 to $55. You can turn back the clock but trying to fit into acid wash jeans and medium-sized T-shirts is another story. Still, look what the cat dragged in ... again.Brooks & amp; Dunn with guests Sugarland, July 20. Dressed like late '80s Bon Jovi, this country rock duo sure can kick out the jams.The Dave Matthews Band, 7 p.m. Aug. 2, $40 to $59.50. Like "Ants Marching," fans flock to see the Dave Matthews Band tour every summer, usually resulting in sell-out shows.Kuyahoga, 4 p.m. Aug. 3, $19.50 to $35. A warm-up date of sorts for the big three-day Lollapalooza event in Chicago, this special show features some of the biggest alternative rock names, including The Flaming Lips, Death Cab for Cutie, Sonic Youth, The Hold Steady, She Wants Revenge, Secret Machines, Wolfmother and The Go! Team.Toby Keith with Joe Nichols and Show Dogs, Aug. 11. The Texas singer brings his country music swagger back to Blossom for a night of rowdy red, white and blue singing and picking.James Gang, Aug. 16. After years of promises, this seminal classic rock act rides again for a tour that includes a show somewhat near its old stomping grounds, Kent State University.Steely Dan with Michael McDonald, Sept. 1. Classic rockers looking to relive, um, classic rock will have a hard time passing up a night of "Hey Nineteen" and the Motown-lovin' Michael McDonald.
CHEVROLET AMPHITHEATRE, One Station Square, Pittsburgh (all Ticketmaster locations or www.ticketmaster.com)
X-Fest featuring Staind, Blue October, Three Days Grace, Hurt and People in Planes, 5 p.m. May 29, $22.50. Alternative and rock acts join forces for this radio show along the Allegheny River.Bobby Vinton, 7 p.m. June 4, $13.20 to $40. Roses are red, violets are blue, Pittsburgh loves its Steelers and Bobby Vinton too.The Povertyneck Hillbillies, 7:30 p.m. June 9, $25. The region's up-and-coming country act celebrates its new self-titled CD with a party among friends.Donnie Iris and the Cruisers, 7:30 p.m. June 10, $15 to $22.50. Steel City singer reminds fans "Love is like a Rock" with a hometown show.The Clarks, 7:30 p.m. June 24, $28.50. Pittsburgh's hometown rock act celebrates summer in style.Black Crowes with Robert Randolph, June 25. Brothers Robinson is back with a vengeance on this blues guitar-heavy bill.Ashlee Simpson, June 15. Live or Memorex? Find out for yourself when Simpson tours this summer.Fiona Apple, Aug. 8. The extraordinary singer tours her latest release, "Extraordinary Machine."
HEINZ FIELD, 100 Art Rooney Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa. (Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com; Steelers Web site at www.media3.steelers.com; or call (412)323-1919.
Steelers World Championship Celebration concert featuring Bon Jovi with Nickelback, 6 p.m., July 23, $39.50 to $125.
HOUSE OF BLUES, 308 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland (all Ticketmaster locations or www.ticketmaster.com)
Gavin DeGraw with opener Rachael Yamagata, 7 p.m. Saturday, $11. This popular adult alternative hero returns to Cleveland on a "Chariot" of hype and success.Ben Kweller, 7:30 p.m. June 16, $22.50 advance/$25 day of show. Indie rock fans really need to experience this underrated singer-songwriter.Mike Doughty, 7:30 p.m. June 17, $22.50 advance/$25 day of show. Erstwhile Soul Coughing member Mike Doughty keeping the beat in the new millennium.Les Claypool, 8 p.m. July 22, $22 advance/$24 day of show. The eccentrically delightful former Primus bass player remains a popular option for discerning alt rock fans.
MELLON ARENA, 66 Mario Lemieux Place, Pittsburgh (all Ticketmaster locations or www.ticketmaster.com)
Pearl Jam with Robert Pollard, 7:30 p.m. June 23, $53.50. The last band standing out of the grunge invasion -- Nirvana, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains -- releases its best album in over a decade.
PLAIN DEALER PAVILION, 2014 Sycamore, Cleveland (all Ticketmaster locations or www.ticketmaster.com)
Michael Stanley and the Resonators with Jonah Koslen, 7 p.m. June 3, 22.50 to $37.50. Northeast Ohio's favorite son keeps the fire alive with his annual summertime show.The Jagermeister Music Tour featuring Staind with Three Days Grace and Hurt, 7 p.m. June 7, 32.50 advance/$35 day of show. The tour is sponsored by Jagermeister. What else is there to say?Mushroomhead & amp; Chimaira, 6 p.m. June 17, $25 advance/$30 day of show. Northeast Ohio metal bands team up for co-headlining show to celebrate CMJ Music Fest.The Allman Brothers Band, June 21. Ramblin' band remains definitive boogie jam act.The Sounds of the Underground featuring As I Lay Dying, In Flames, Trivium, Cannibal Corpse, The Black Dahlia Murder and more, 1 p.m. July 8, 29.99 advance/$35 day of show. No Ozzfest XI in northeast Ohio means this heavy metal fest becomes the show to see in 2006.Counting Crows & amp; Goo Goo Dolls, July 11. Two '90s alt rock bands desperately trying to remain relevant while obviously living too much off their past.Panic! at the Disco, 6:30 p.m. July 12, $18.50 advance/$20 day of show. With an '80s influence and punk mind-set, this Las Vegas band has become MTV2 favorites overnight.
Fiona Apple, Aug. 10. The extraordinary singer tours her latest release, "Extraordinary Machine."
POST-GAZETTE PAVILION, Route 18 At Route 22, Pittsburgh (all Ticketmaster locations or www.ticketmaster.com)Rascal Flatts with Gary Allan, 8 p.m., May 27. "Here's to You" Rascal Flatts fans with another local date by this fun-loving band.Brooks/Dunn with Sugarland, 7 p.m. June 3, $37.50 to $49.75.Jimmy Buffett, 8 p.m. June 6, sold out. Parrotheads unite with flip-flops and booze in the blender for this cherished summertime tradition.The Dave Matthews Band with G. Love & amp; Special Sauce, 7 p.m. June 9 and 10, $36.50 to $56.50.Gretchen Wilson with Blaine Larsen, 5 p.m., June 17, $20 to $65. "Redneck Woman" gets "All Jacked Up" for her first headlining tour.Nine Inch Nails with Bauhaus and Peaches, 7 p.m. June 30, $20 to $49.50.Brad Paisley, 8 p.m. July 7. You can bet it's "Time Well Wasted" when this West Virginia native brings his pop country style to the Steel City.Sammy Hagar & amp; The Wabos with Michael Anthony, 3 p.m. July 9, $9.37 to $50. It's a Van Halen mini-reunion with Michael Anthony joining Sammy Hagar for a midset hour-long jam on "Top of the World." If they don't play "Summer Nights," rioting will occur!Lynyrd Skynyrd with 3 Doors Down, 7 p.m. July 14, $22.50 to $65. If you're a Southern rock fan, you must attend this show or risk losing your redneck status.Counting Crows and Goo Goo Dolls, July 15.Ozzfest XI with Ozzie Osbourne, System of a Down, Disturbed and many, many more, 9 a.m. July 18, $30.75 to $100.75. At the ripe old age of 115, Ozzy Osbourne keeps the "Crazy Train" rolling this summer.Kelly Clarkson, 7:30 p.m. July 19, $25 to $75. "Since You've Been Gone" means Kelly Clarkson is here to stay.Chicago with Huey Lewis and the News, 7:30 p.m. July 21, $20.75 to $71. The heart of rock 'n' roll is beatin' ... in Pittsburgh. As for Chicago, you can't stop a great brass section.Vans Warped Tour with Less Than Jake, AFI, NOFX and more, 11 a.m. July 27, $28.75. While other musical festivals have ebbed and flowed from year to year, this DIY punk-inspired bill remains the best with a reasonable ticket cost and an insane amount of bands.Kenny Chesney with Dierks Bentley, July 30. Nashville's superstar has the tunes and the chops to become the Garth Brooks of the new millennium.John Fogerty and Willie Nelson, Aug. 2. After touring with John Mellencamp last summer, Fogerty calls upon another Farm Aid veteran, Willie Nelson, to keep the message alive.Trace Adkins, Aug. 5. Louisiana native Adkins likes his country traditional with a hint of honky tonk magic.Poison & amp; Cinderella, 7 p.m. Aug. 11, $12.50 to $39.50.
Tom Petty & amp; the Heartbreakers with The Allman Brothers, Aug. 16. Holy cow! It's a night of "American Girl" and "Ramblin' Man."Toby Keith, Aug. 25.Steely Dan, Aug. 30.Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Sept. 10. Nothing gets CSNY madder than a Republican president and a controversial war overseas. The result is The Freedom of Speech Tour.Roger Waters, 8 p.m. Sept. 24, $34 to $129.OK, so it's not the Pink Floyd reunion you were hoping for, but the legendary bassist is performing "Dark Side of the Moon" in its entirety.
QUICKEN LOANS ARENA, (formerly Gund Arena), One Center Court, Cleveland (all Ticketmaster locations or www.ticketmaster.com)Rascal Flatts with Gary Allan, 7:30 p.m. June 11, $44.50 to $51.75. "Here's to You" Rascal Flatts fans with another local date by this fun-loving band.Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, 8 p.m. July 1, $57 and $87. The Soul II Soul Tour returns with Hill and McGraw letting audiences see what marital bliss is all about.
Nickelback, 7 p.m. July 3, $39.50-$49.50.Kenny Chesney with Carrie Underwood and Dierks Bentley, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 24, $54.50 to $64.50.Roger Waters, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27, $57 to $77.TOWER CITY AMPHITHEATRE, 351 Canal Road, Cleveland (all Ticketmaster locations or www.ticketmaster.com)Blues Traveler (Friday), Spin Doctors (Friday), Southside Johnny (Saturday) and Rick Springfield (Sunday). General admission is $6 (includes entrance into Rib & amp; Music Fest) Nothing says ribs more than getting your fingers dirty with rock from yesteryear. Just pick your decade and have some fun.Shinedown & amp; Trapt with Evans Blue and Halestorm, 7 p.m. June 22, $22.50 advance/$25 day of show. It's a rock radio love fest with post-grunge riffs flying all over the place.O.A.R. & amp; the Better Than Everfine Festival, 5:30 p.m. June 24, $30 advance/$32.50 day of show. Columbus roots rock act O.A.R. brings its annual party back to the shores of the Cuyahoga with friends Virginia Coalition, Dropping Daylight, Jon McLaughlin, Matt Nathanson and Bedouin Soundclash joining in the fun.Chicago with Huey Lewis & amp; The News, 7:30 p.m. June 29, 25.75 to $73.25.Unholy Alliance tour featuring Slayer with Lamb of God, Children of Bodom and more, 5:30 p.m. June 30, $39.50 advance/$42 day of show. Still atop its speed metal game 20 years later, Slayer remains under-appreciated in the metal scheme of things.Sammy Hagar & amp; The Wabos with Michael Anthony, 2 p.m. July 4, $15 to $55.Big Head Todd and Toad the Wet Sprocket, July 18. Here are two bands that were once poised for greater success without the material to actually pull it off.Black Crowes with Robert Randolph and Drive-By Truckers July 28.311 with Pepper and The Wailers, Aug. 5. One time rap 'n' rock act 311 has quietly become the alternative band of the new millennium.The Vans Warped Tour with Motion City Soundtrack, Underoath, Senses Fail, From First to Last and Every Time I Die and more, noon Aug. 11, $33.75.
Nickelback, 7 p.m. July 3, $39.50-$49.50.Kenny Chesney with Carrie Underwood and Dierks Bentley, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 24, $54.50 to $64.50.Roger Waters, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27, $57 to $77.TOWER CITY AMPHITHEATRE, 351 Canal Road, Cleveland (all Ticketmaster locations or www.ticketmaster.com)Blues Traveler (Friday), Spin Doctors (Friday), Southside Johnny (Saturday) and Rick Springfield (Sunday). General admission is $6 (includes entrance into Rib & amp; Music Fest) Nothing says ribs more than getting your fingers dirty with rock from yesteryear. Just pick your decade and have some fun.Shinedown & amp; Trapt with Evans Blue and Halestorm, 7 p.m. June 22, $22.50 advance/$25 day of show. It's a rock radio love fest with post-grunge riffs flying all over the place.O.A.R. & amp; the Better Than Everfine Festival, 5:30 p.m. June 24, $30 advance/$32.50 day of show. Columbus roots rock act O.A.R. brings its annual party back to the shores of the Cuyahoga with friends Virginia Coalition, Dropping Daylight, Jon McLaughlin, Matt Nathanson and Bedouin Soundclash joining in the fun.Chicago with Huey Lewis & amp; The News, 7:30 p.m. June 29, 25.75 to $73.25.Unholy Alliance tour featuring Slayer with Lamb of God, Children of Bodom and more, 5:30 p.m. June 30, $39.50 advance/$42 day of show. Still atop its speed metal game 20 years later, Slayer remains under-appreciated in the metal scheme of things.Sammy Hagar & amp; The Wabos with Michael Anthony, 2 p.m. July 4, $15 to $55.Big Head Todd and Toad the Wet Sprocket, July 18. Here are two bands that were once poised for greater success without the material to actually pull it off.Black Crowes with Robert Randolph and Drive-By Truckers July 28.311 with Pepper and The Wailers, Aug. 5. One time rap 'n' rock act 311 has quietly become the alternative band of the new millennium.The Vans Warped Tour with Motion City Soundtrack, Underoath, Senses Fail, From First to Last and Every Time I Die and more, noon Aug. 11, $33.75.