Rustbelt Rock Review

By: Z.M. Delgado

Rustbeltrockreview.com

Volume #186: The Bouncing Souls, H2O, Dave Hause and The Mermaid & School Drugs

April 26th, 2025

Cleveland Agora 5000 Euclid Ave #101, Cleveland, OH 44103

Good afternoon to you, my esteemed music aficionado. Today I have a fresh tale to tell you of my most recent musical adventure. This week I found myself headed to the hallowed halls of the Cleveland Agora. There I was fortunate enough to be seeing my all time favorite Punk band: The Bouncing Souls. With them they brought the legendary H2O, with additional support provided by Dave Hause and The Mermaid as well as School Drugs. It was a Saturday night in Cleveland, and I was feeling fine. I was already plenty high when Joha scooped me up. Our next stop was the home of Noah (Guitar/Vandalizard) where we pregamed in preparation of the show. In good time we set out and headed west along route 2. We paid our fee ($20) and parked the car. The evening was chilly and the air had a slight bite to it as we walked from the lot to the door. Then it was wristbands, tickets and security checks, all in quick succession. Once inside we made for the merch table where I secured a new Bouncing Souls T-Shirt. We headed to the floor, where I broke out my bag of gummies. Joha and I each indulged, along with hits from our vapes, as we waited for the show to begin.

There was a decent sized early crowd in place as we surveyed the stage. Up first was New Jersey’s School Drugs. This is a five man band, made up of a Vocalist, two Guitars, Bass and Drums. They opened up and immediately connected with the crowd with a cover of Dead Boys “Sonic Reducer.” They continued on with some hard, fast and very aggressive Punk action. The songs came in quick succession, with rapid starts and stops. It wasn’t long before my stoned brain lost track on how many songs had been played. Despite this, I was thoroughly enjoying the set… and I was not alone. The crowd surrounding me seemed to be completely locked in and loving what School Drugs was serving up. The music was intense and their singer had some pretty solid stage presence. He jumped around and flailed, at one point even spitting in the air and catching it in his mouth. The band produced some hard driving rhythms, great riffs and an action packed vibrations. They brought the set to a cataclysmic peak with “Modern Medicine,” then closed out the whole affair with “Feel Like Shit.” These two tracks brought the set to an end with the finality of a head on collision. The crowd erupted in a massive cheer, sending School Drugs off with reason to hold their heads high. Over the course of their (maybe) 16 song set, they effectively tore through the eardrums of everyone looking. With fire and aggression they Rocked the early crowd, and readied us for all that was to come. The lights came back up and we retired to the smoking corral, where we roasted a joint.

With the joint roasted, and beverages refreshed we heard the first notes ringing out. We scurried from the lobby, down to the floor with the utmost haste. We weaved through a still swelling crowd just in time to catch Dave Hause and The Mermaid midway through their opening number, “Autism Vaccine Blues.” I noted that the band was made up of five musicians: Guitar/Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Drums and Keyboards. I was immediately drawn into the smooth and soulful Rock sound that Dave Hause and The Mermaid was providing. With a sound that sat somewhere between The Bouncing Souls and Bruce Springsteen, Dave Hause and The Mermaid had undeniable heart. Frontman, Dave, packed significant charisma and had no trouble connecting with the crowd early. He led the fans in Whoas, Oh’s and bouts of hand clapping that kept everyone engaged from note one. Most of the time he led the band from behind his guitar and mic stand; but at times he would put down his ax and take the mic in hand. During these episodes he was a flurry of activity and crowd interaction. Deep into the set they dedicated a song to Donald Trump, Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. The band then broke into the undeniably danceable song “Dirty Fucker.” This led to a big cheer followed by a crowd singalong with a little call and response. They played a total of eight showstopping jams, and absolutely entranced the audience of the Agora for the entirety of their time. I really enjoyed the set and thought Dave Hause and The Mermaid put on one hell of a show. They took their bows and left the stage to enormous applause. With our second act now complete, we returned to patio where we again blazed the reefer with impunity.

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

Back inside and down on the floor, we found the crowd now bursting at it’s seams. We struggled to navigate ourselves to a good location in preparation for what was about to go down. It was time for a band that truly should need no introduction: Punk Rock Legends, H2O. This five man outfit is made up of two guitars, Bass, Drums and one passionate Vocalist. Opening with “5 Yr. Plan” the entire room exploded with energy. The band called out “My friends look out for me like family!” and the pit erupted. Bodies began to swirl madly, as the energy surged. Near the pit I saw a father, holding his son up, bouncing in place. The two of them were Rocking out and having a great time and I thought to myself, “THAT is what it’s all about.” Passing the torch, securing the legacy, making sure that the music lives forever.” But I digress. Up next came “Nothing to Prove” and with it the pit raged. Bodies ricocheted and collided. Fists pumped in the air and voices were raised; singing along and oozing positivity. That was the way things stayed for the duration of the set. H2O provided a string of classic Punk staples, and the fans absolutely ate them up. On songs like “Family Tree,” “Faster than the World” and “One Life, One Chance” generations of Punk fans came together and threw down. It was magnificent and magical. H2O pulled no punches as they assailed us with a constant stream of high speed PMA. Playing a total of twelve songs, and closing out with “Guilty by Association,” H2O lived up to their legend while simultaneously surpassing all expectations. The crowd howled with joy as H2O finished up and said good night. The fans dispersed and we elected not to return to the patio. Instead we navigated ourselves to a good spot on the floor and hit out vapes. There we rendezvoused with five more of our compatriots while we waited. Fortunately the wait wasn’t too long, or at least that’s how it felt. Passing the time in good conversation with old friends can do that to you.

In a blink of and eye the lights went out and the song “Don’t You Forget About Me” by Simple Minds began to ring out through the PA. The fans were packed in tight and the room seemed to be vibrating with anticipation. It was time for The Bouncing Souls! As I am sure you know, The Bouncing Souls are a four man Punk band from New Jersey. They are made up of Guitar, Bass, Drums and Vocals. The crowd erupted in a roar as the band walked out and took their places. The lights came up and immediately they exploded into “East Coast, Fuck You!” Without delay or and reservation the moshpit started up and it would not stop again for a good long while. Next came the classic song of brotherhood, “Manthem.” This is without a doubt one of The Souls most beloved tracks and to hear it so early in the set was astounding to me. “Hopeless Romantic” was next, followed by “Kate is Great,” which had the crowd singing along so loud you could hardly hear the lead vocal. Next the treated us to a real rarity, “Shark Attack.” After all these years and many many Souls shows, this was amazing and hilarious to see live. “10 Stories High” summoned beautiful melodies and raised voices all around. Balloons drifted about the club; bouncing above the pit as The Souls dug deeper into the catalog. “The Ballad of Johnny X” was followed with “The Gold Song” and then “Sing Along Forever.” The crowd went nuts, in a frenzy of hand clapping for “Here We Go.” Things got a bit sentimental on “That Something Special” but then the intensity picked right back up on “No Regrets,” “No Comply” and “That Song.” By this point the crowd was on absolute fire. An impassioned explosion emerged for “Kids and Heroes,” the crowd singing as one on the beautiful chorus. “The Freaks, Nerds and Romantics” absolutely rocked, as it comically recounted tales of their early tours. The crowd roared in approval, the moshing stopped for the first time in 45 minutes and the band left the stage. All, that is, except for frontman, Greg. He stayed on and donned an acoustic Guitar. It was at this moment that I knew we were about to witness something special. He broke into some lightly strummed chords and presented us with a touching unplugged version of “Ghosts on the Boardwalk.” With voiced raised and hands clapping in unison, the crowd joined in on the performance. With seeming spontaneity, the remaining members of The Souls, along with guys from the other bands, joined Greg on stage providing backing vocals. It was amazing. But, for me at least, things were about to go way off the charts.

The rest of the band returned, yet Greg held on to his acoustic. Then they broke into a song I truly love. A song I desperately wanted to hear, yet never thought I would. A gem tucked away at the end of an album. One of my all time favorite Bouncing Souls songs: “Ship in a Bottle.” This was a moment of magic for me. I sang at the top of my voice, as did those who surrounded me as we all proclaimed the we were “going down with the ship.” The night could have ended right there and I would have went home overjoyed, but The Bouncing Souls were not finished yet. The room erupted as the first notes of “Lean on Sheena” rolled out of speakers and things only got more intense when “Private Radio” followed. The new single “United” played here, featuring guest keys performed by a member of The Mermaid. Sadly, it was time to close out the show and The Bouncing Souls chose to do it with the biggest of their big guns. First came “True Believers;” the anthem that every Souls fans has written across their heart. The crowd danced and screamed and moshed with passion as they shouted out the beloved lines, proclaiming: “We are the true believers!” And then finally, in closing, they dropped the only song that could possibly come next. The only song that packs enough heart to close out a set like this. The song that can lift you up from the darkest of places: “Gone.” The scene was pandemonium. The scene was beauty. The pit unleashed one final glorious melee. 2,000 voices raised together, singing out the solitary word... Gone. It was utterly intense. It was magnificent. It was an uncompromisingly beautiful sort experience... the sort that you can only achieve at a Bouncing Souls show. Our hearts swelled our emotions ran over. The room was filled with sweat and smiles. The Bouncing Souls said goodnight. One by one they left the stage, leaving only The Pete alone with his guitar. The trailing notes of “Gone” rang out for a time before they too expired. The Pete left the stage and the crowd roared. The lights came up and just like that, it was over.

We shuffled up and out of the Agora, making our way back to the car in high spirits, no pun intended. All of us still dizzy from the whole experience. School Drugs had kicked off the show with a bang. Their set was intense and I really loved their singers energy. Dave Hause and The Mermaid were awesome. Plain and simple. They played with a lot of heart and had an undeniable connection to the crowd. H20 was incredible! Their decades long campaign of positivity is still being waged and it is still winning hearts and minds. They tore the roof off the Agora and left us begging for more. Finally, The Bouncing Souls were nothing short of magical. They have the unique ability to reach into my chest and touch my heart in a way no musicians ever have. Their music is unparalleled and their live shows are unforgettable. We rolled all the way home elaborating on these themes until I was finally dropped off in my driveway. I rolled inside, tore down some pizza and headed to bed. That’s how I left it, so I suppose that’s how I’ll leave it… Thanks for reading.

Until next time, Rock on, Rustbelt,

-Z.M. Delgado

Rustbelt Rock Review

Rustbeltrockreview.com

4/27/2025

Links:

The Bouncing Souls

https://www.bouncingsouls.com/

H20

https://www.facebook.com/H2Ogo/

Dave Hause and The Mermaid

https://www.davehause.com/