Fri 4/20 @ 9PM
Around the same time Public Square was receiving a renovation, local musician Brandon Abate was doing the same as visionary behind his group Public Squares.
The project started out in 2014 as a solo effort when Abate found himself in between bands. Eventually the drummer-vocalist reunited with former Sidecar bandmates Steven Manko (bass) and Bill Kowalcic (guitar, vocals) to round out the lineup.
“I didn’t really go into it having a plan, other than for once I just sort of wanted to write the way that I write and not try to write to please the rest of a band,” said Abate, who also owns No Problem Printing. “I’m a drummer and a singer, but I play enough guitar and bass to get by.
“This time I sat back and thought, maybe I should try writing like a drummer. That sort of shaped the way things sounded.”
The result is the self-coined genre new wave, rhythm and punk, which boasts interesting time signatures combined with catchy melodies. Abate said he’s a big fan of The Jam’s ability to explore soul music through a punk aesthetic.
Also evident with Public Squares is an obvious Devo inspiration musically, as well as conceptually. Similar to the influential Akron band, Abate and company have created their own universe including each member taking on aliases: Abate is Thuck Apton, Manko answers to Regulus Nine and Kowalcic goes by Dr. Rex Reezin.
“Those are actually the voices in our heads that are directing us to do everything we’re doing,” Abate laughed. “We’re the human vessels to carry forth the mission of the entities that are the driving force behind.”
OK, so there’s a nerdy aspect of the Public Squares, but these days it comes across as endearing. Also, one listen to the band’s recently released debut full-length Nwr&P, it’s easy to fall into their universe especially with the lead track “Your Mental Illness Is Bumming Me Out” and anthemic pop song “Modern Medicine.”
The former is actually a slow waltz on top of blistering drums (remember, Abate is the drummer songwriter), while the latter is already a fan favorite. When it’s mentioned there appears to be a sense of humor in the music, the former Living Stereo member doesn’t disagree.
“We definitely have a sense of humor,” Abate said. “It’s more smart-ass than it is trying to be funny. Of course, I giggle when I announce ‘Your Mental Illness Is Bumming Me Out,’ but it’s sort of like a smart-ass way of looking at the world.
“That song came from me just sort of saying to myself, ‘Oh my God, everybody I know has something wrong with them, and maybe me included.’ That’s a serious statement, but I have a little more fun approaching it.”
Continuing with its artistic vibe, Public Squares’ record release show for Nwr&P finds the trio releasing a square, 8-inch vinyl album Fri 4/20 at Now That’s Class. The gig is billed as Record Store Day Eve with Obnox and Lords of the Highway also on the bill.
It’s safe to say that after decades in the local music scene Abate had landed in a good place able to bang his drum all day while making his own tunes.
“That’s pretty much it,” Abate laughed. “The best part about it, the three of us in this band now have been playing music with each other on and off since we started.
“It feels really cool to be back with a couple of guys that I toured the country with before and put out records with before. We all know each other and how we sort of speak to each other musically. And more importantly, we’re well accustomed to each other’s mental illnesses.”
11213 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, OH 44102
Cleveland, OH 44102