Sun 5/25 @ 8PM
The Cleveland-based Bopkats aka Phil Baron and the BopKats played Americana/roots rock back before that became a thing. The bluesy rocking band with a touch of country worked the club circuit in the first half of the ’80s when all the attention was going to goofy-looking, MTV-ready new wave bands and later, theatrical hair metal acts. Together from 1980-1986, they featured Baron on keys, harmonica and vocals, and lead vocals from sassy singer Mimi Hart out of Athens Ohio, as well as a lineup of the area’s most accomplished roots/blues players.
Baron and Hart will be fronting the reunion concert of the BopKats, taking place at Wilbert’s. Baron has been active in the Chicago music scene while Hart, who teaches at Ohio University, still performs regularly in that area.
They’ll be joined by three of the musicians who did time in the BopKats in the ’80s: guitarists Mike Balas and Steve Downey and drummer Scott Flowers, all of whom still play locally and have racked up time with acts like Blue Lunch, Alex Bevan and the Beatnik Playboys. Also playing will be bassist Bill Watson who plays with the Beatnik Playboys and Hillbilly Idol.
The show is free.
Cleveland, OH 44115