ARE WE NOT ON FIRE? Kent-based rockers The Library Is on Fire pay tribute to Devo

The guys in Kent-based indie-rock outfit the Library Is on Fire, which includes ex-members of Party of Helicopters, Gold Circle, Freakin' Conniptions and the Lindsay, are planning to move to New York City this summer. But before doing so, they have a blowout party coming up at Akron's Lime Spider (207 S. Main St., 330.762.2350) on Friday, May 11. They'll premiere their new video for the tune "New Corner" and give away free pizza. The video is a remake of Devo's "Jocko Homo" video, which was also filmed at Kent State's Governance Chambers. The band's also just finished recording a full-length album at Waterloo Studio, with Todd Tobias (Guided by Voices) turning the knobs. Pittsburgh garage freaks Dirty Faces and Akron's Jakeway open the show at 9 p.m. Tickets are $5. — Jeff Niesel

Summer Programming at WBWC

As it has for the past 25 years, Baldwin-Wallace College's radio station WBWC 88.3 FM is taking advantage of the summer lull to break format and host its music marathons. From 7 a.m.-1 a.m. each Thursday through August 30, it will devote its airwaves to a single artist. Each week, the host or hosts will play live tracks, demos, B-sides, requests (call 440.826.7846) and interviews, along with an artist's well-known material. On Thursday May 10, the subject will be that patron saint of sensitive, misunderstood college kids, Morrissey, as DJs Desolation (how appropriate!) and Archimedes host the station's fifth annual Smiths/Morrissey marathon. May 17 is devoted to Pink Floyd, May 24 will feature the Doors, and May 31's annual U2 marathon, hosted as usual by Todd Richards and Mary Cipriani, will honor the 20th anniversary of the band's seminal album Joshua Tree and preview its new 3-D film, U23D. Go to wbwc.com for more info and a complete schedule of marathons.

— Anastasia Pantsios

The Vans' Man

With the exhibit Warped: 12 Years of Music, Mayhem and More, devoted to the punk-rock-oriented Vans Warped tour, hanging in its exhibition halls through Labor Day, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is bringing back Warped tour founder Kevin Lyman (who was in town for the show's opening). He'll talk about the complexities of putting together such a touring music/extreme sports/lifestyle festival and running a production company that has spawned other such festivals including Taste of Chaos, as part of the Rock Hall's ongoing From Songwriters to Soundmen: The People Behind the Hits series. It's in the Rock Hall's 4th Floor Theater at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 16. It's free but call 216.515.8426 to make a reservation. — AP

Townes Tribute

Virtually any alt-country or Americana artist has probably listened to some Townes van Zandt. The native Texas singer-songwriter, who died in 1997 at 52, was a retiring alcoholic who did little to promote his own career, but his songs, with their vivid sketches of lonely characters in desolate situations (the Willie Nelson/Merle Haggard hit, "Pancho and Lefty," is probably his best known) influenced an array of artists such as Lucinda Williams, the Cowboy Junkies and Steve Earle. A group of local performers is taking advantage of an off-night at the Beachland Tavern (15711 Waterloo Rd., 216.383.1124) to present a Tribute to Townes Van Zandt starting at 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 15. Organized by local Americana singer-songwriter G.S. Harper, the lineup includes Harper, fellow singer-songwriter Pete McDonald, occasionally rootsy indie rockers the Dreadful Yawns, and Bobby Lanphier, known for performing with his own band the Bitter Disappointments as well as his guitar-slinging for the Whiskey Daredevils. Admission: $5. — AP

Beaten Backs Johnston

The Kent indie rock act Beaten Awake isn't just opening for singer-songwriter Daniel Johnston on Saturday, May 12 when he plays the Grog Shop (2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., 216.321.5588). The guys will play a set of their own tunes and then back the offbeat Austin, Texas-based singer for a couple of songs during his headlining set. Tickets are $12, and the Muttering Retreats start things off at 9 p.m. — JN

The Dead Matter Matters

Midnight Syndicate's Ed Douglas plans to start filming his horror movie The Dead Matter this summer and is looking for male and female leads in their early 20s to early 30s who can commit to a four-week shoot. Send headshots and resumes to Midnight Syndicate Films, P.O. Box 249, Chardon, OH 44024. For more information visit thedeadmatter.com. — JN

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