Rustbelt Rock Review

By: Z.M. Delgado

Rustbeltrockreview.com

Volume #183: The Foundry Grand Reopening feat. Vandalizard, Church&State, Libcor & Gemini Lounge

The Foundry Concert Club, 4256 Pearl Rd, Cleveland, OH 44109

March 29th, 2025

Hello my friends and welcome to the one hundred and eighty third installment of the Rustbelt Rock Review. This week I have a pretty special event on the docket. It is, of course, the grand reopening of The Foundry at it’s new location on Pearl Road. Now for me this was a night of hard decisions. You see, there was no less than four other gigs going on at the same time around town. I had a tough time choosing where to direct my attentions. In the end I choose to be at the Foundry’s inaugural show which meant I would be checking out some quality Punk Rock. On the bill was Vandalizard with Church&State, Libcor and Gemini Lounge. I made contact with Joha, and together with my wife by my side, we rendezvoused with the Vandalizard crew and headed out to the show. Puffing vapes and munching gummies we traveled the highways on a mission to Rock N’ Roll. We arrived shortly after doors, parked the car and made our way over to the club. We followed a long path along the side of the building and found a side door; which is the main entrance. We paid the cover and headed inside. Just like that, the Foundry was officially back! We took a minute to peruse the room. It was spacious and for the time, sporadically populated. The place was nice. It had a good vibe. The bar and merch were to the left. The stage was dead ahead. The walls were painted in a customary flat black. There were some very fancy lighting rigs on the ceiling and a fog machine was clearly at work keeping the room’s atmosphere soupy. They only thing that the place definitively lacked was the accumulation of stickers and graffiti that every concert club needs. (This of course will come in time, and by the end of the show The “new” Foundry was well on it’s way to earning it’s first layer.) We bought a round of drinks and made our way out back to the patio area. This was a nice bonus. The old Foundry had us out on Detroit Ave to smoke and relax; no drinks allowed of course. If not on the street we were forced into the parking lot adjacent to the club and we were under constant police scrutiny. The new Foundry has a bitchin patio out back where concertgoers can enjoy drinks and smokes in peace and not have to worry about the intrusive eyes of John Law. So those are my initial thoughts on the new club. As patio drinks and doobies unfolded, time did pass. Soon enough 8:30 hit and it was time for the real test of this new location... It was time for some Rock N’ Roll!

We heard the tell tale signs of a soundcheck firing up and we made our way inside. By now the sporadic crowd from earlier had swelled to a very respectable population. We approached the stage and readied for the action. Up first was Gemini Lounge. This is a four man Punk outfit made up of Vocals, Guitar, Bass and Drums. They opened up very hard, fast and aggressive. The Vocals had a ranting sort of quality. Intermittently the Vocalist would also bust out an intense scream that had a powerful effect. These Vox were delivered by a singer who displayed excellent stage presence. On their second song he ran and jumped up onto, and then off of, the kick drum. In addition he had loads of amusing stage banter that filled up the spaces between tracks. Their songs were short and sweet; striking with ripping speed. It was during this set that we got to see those fancy new lighting rigs in action for the first time and let me tell you they were impressive. Equally impressive was Gemini Lounge who was undoubtedly tearing it up.

I was really enjoying their set, as was the crowd that surrounded me. People’s attention was completely locked in as they headbanged and danced. The crowd gave up strong applause at the end of each song, as Gemini Lounge kept us all thoroughly entertained. I was wowed by the prowess of the Bass player who laid out sick and grooving lines on song after song. Meanwhile the Drummer delivered a driving Punk style with some nice fills. They broke out some lounge core action late in the set that earned a big cheer from the fans. They closed with a fantastically blazing number that had some heavy Vocals and a killer Death Metal breakdown. It was wild. The crowd howled in approval as Gemini Lounge finished up. I believe they played a total of twelve songs before calling it a set and what a set is was. With an unquestioned energy Gemini Lounge broke the seal on the new Foundry and officially began a new era. With the first band complete we refreshed our drinks and made our way back to the patio to enjoy the beautiful weather.

All in good time we were right back inside as we strapped in for some more music. Second in lineup was Libcor. This is a four member, female fronted, Alternative Rock band. They are built from Guitar/Vocals, Guitar, Bass and Drums. I found it interesting that the Vocalist played an electric Guitar while the 2nd Guitarist held an acoustic. (Their second Guitarist was apparently playing with an injured hand.) They had a sound that was Rockin’ yet smooth. Their Bass Player was getting down, constantly moving and grooving. Throughout the set he would beguile us with his wicked play and excellent onstage moves. They singer had a big vocal presence that was strong and soulful. The Guitarist laid out some nice lead licks, that peaked my interest. The crowd, which had grown considerably, was into them right off the bat.

They introduced their fourth track as their “Oi Song.” This one was fun and silly with a romping Bass line and of course a lot of Oi’s. For their fifth song the Guitarist put down his instrument and assumed Vocal duties. He sang a mostly chill, nice sounding song for a long while. Then abruptly the song switched styles completely and turned into a screaming fit. After this performance, Vocals were resumed by the first guitarist and we were treated to a continuation of the smooth soulful sounds from the beginning of the set. I’m pretty sure they played eight songs before taking a bow. The crowd cheered big time as Libcor closed out. They had an undoubtedly solid style that really seemed to impress everyone in attendance. With the second band checked off the list, I secured another drink and headed back to the patio.

Eric Stevenson: The Official Tattoo Artist of the Rustbelt Rock Review

The fans were packed in tight as we returned to the stage. With a fresh can in my hand, I found a spot with a good view of the coming storm... A storm better known as Church&State. For those of you who don’t know, Church&State is a four man, heavy ass, Punk band with a sharp political edge. They are built from Vocals, Guitar, Bass and Drums. Their style is the very definition of the word aggressive. They have great gang Vocals and their Drums are relentless. Their Guitar is like a buzzsaw and their Bass really moves. In short, hard edged music coupled with political lyricism and absolutely vicious Vocals come together to forge a destructive sound. They opened up super intense. I made notes early on praising both the Drum and the Bass work. “Hard and fast,” with “churning riffs” was how I described their second song. Also calling it “Devastating,” as well as simply “Bad Ass.”

Fans were dancing down in front, two stepping and headbanging; giving up generous applause after each track. That sort of thing makes up the majority of my notes on the set. Short descriptions of just how much the fans were feeling it and how much they were getting down. Song after back breaking song was served up and with each addition to the set, more action occurred on the floor. The motion didn’t stop as peeps two stepped their way through the musical onslaught. The went by quick, only six songs long, but it was a brutal display none the less. The crowd roared as Church&State finished up and left us all begging for more. We once again followed our migratory pattern of acquiring more drinks and moving to the patio to burn. There we refreshed our souls as we killed the necessary amount of time. With that time eventually killed, we returned to the stage and prepared for our headlining act.

And just like that we were at the final name on the bill: Vandalizard. With a significant buzz on, and a good vibration in my head, I was ready for the set. Up on the stage the band ran through a short soundcheck track which immediately sparked dancing on the floor. The crowd was amped and ready to go, so Vandalizard promptly got down to business. Opening up with “Jenny Destiny” they kicked things off just right. The Basswork was slippery and the Guitar riffs tight as they ran through their opening number. Huge applause was issued by the crowd as they transitioned into “Walk The Earth.” This is a fun time jam, that had people dancing and singing along from note one. I frantically made notes, as I was dazzled by the Foundry’s new lighting rig. Up next was “Dissonant Dude,” which kept the crowd moving, as now the two step started up again. The dance floor was alive and well as Vandalizard broke into “Bad Influence.” With cutting riffs and great energy this song drove fans wild. Ska riffs and lead licks ushered in “You Should Have Been First.” Here the drum work was smooth and sly as the Bassline took a walk all over town. “Good Deeds” was hard driving and fast; inspiring a spontaneous circle pit. Next they dropped my personal favorite cut from their album, “Roaches.” This song has some wicked lead licks, heart string chords, sing along Vocals and is always a pleasure to see live.

Then they served up “On the Trax” when to Bass player, Swamp Donkey, suddenly dropped his pants for the duration of the song. Next came a new one entitled “The Grove.” This was hard and fast and had the kids down in front tearing up the dance floor. Here we got the classic sea shanty, “Show me the Way to go Home,” re-imagined and Punkified. After this Vandalizard kicked out their southwestern tale, “Coyote’s Teeth.” This one starts out kind of mellow, but builds until it ends in quite Rockin’ territory. Fast, energetic and with big Vox, “Heartless” kept the dancers dancing. Finally closing out the set they played their show stopping jam “Ramona.” This one starts out melodic with softly sung vocals and nice licks. Soon though a heavy riff appears, the Drums pick up and of course, the two step followed. On the song rolls, through a Ska breakdown and into the big ending where fans and band alike sang out “Shine On!” The dance floor didn’t stop until the last note rang out and then the crowd roared. The applause was long and well deserved. Vandalizard had truly brought down the house and had closed out The Foundry’s opening night with power and style.

So the crown dispersed and headed for the exits. We packed up, loaded the cars and headed east. The whole ride home I couldn’t stop thinking about what an absolutely awesome show it had been. Gemini Lounge was a blast. They had a fiery performance that christened the new club with unquestioned heat. Libcor really impressed me. They brought a very smooth Alternative vibe to the Punk show and it was a nice change of pace. Church&State was savage. They tore the stage up and threw down with power and aggression. Finally Vandalizard killed it. Playing a nice long set, digging deep into the catalog and showcasing their incredible songs on a most important occasion. So yes Cleveland, I am happy to report that The Foundry is back and better then ever. I am glad that I was there for the inaugural show and I can’t wait to go back. On that note I will bid you a fond farewell. Bang your heads, hoist your horns and always wear your earplugs.

Until next time, Rock on, Rustbelt,

-Z.M. Delgado

Rustbelt Rock Review

Rustbeltrockreview.com

3/30/2025

Links:

Vandalizard

https://www.facebook.com/p/Vandalizard-100092590599377/

Church&State

https://www.facebook.com/groups/355368476500516/user/100072134704576/

Libcor

https://www.facebook.com/LibCor