Rustbelt Rock Review

By: Z.M. Delgado

Rustbeltrockreview.com

Volume #203: Sabon “They Call Me” Album Release Party featuring Quick Mystery

August 16th, 2025

Grog Shop 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd, Cleveland Heights, OH 44106

Hello Cleveland and beyond! It is I, Z.M. Delgado, your guide through the twisting catacomb that is the Cleveland Underground Music Scene. I return to you on the heels of an amazing evening with good tidings and the unveiling of new music. Of course my night started some hours before hand. I, having nothing better to do with my time, decided to spend the afternoon getting stoned and watching concert footage on the internet. Eventually, Joha arrived and he joined me on my endeavor. In good time and several bowls later, we jumped into the car and headed west toward the always exciting Grog Shop. We arrived on the scene probably about a half hour before doors. It was a hot and humid city night. The street was alive with activity, with all the hustle and bustle of a Saturday night on Coventry. There was a nice sized crowd of people milling about in front of the club; a strong percentage of which were wearing Sabon T-shirts. Putting a little distance between ourselves and the waiting fans, we walked down the street, posted up and sparked a joint. There we sat, until the jay was gone, and long after, waiting for the doors to open. In time they did, the crowd formed into a line and that line slowly began to shuffle into the Grog. Comfortable where we were, we opted not to get up, but instead waited until the vast majority of people had entered the Grog. When we finally got inside I was amazed to see the strength of the turn out. The place was well on it’s way to being packed, with people still arriving all the time. We made our way to the merch table and I grabbed a CD then we drifted toward the center of the floor, posted up and waited.

Opening up the show was Quick Mystery. This is a four man band consisting of Vocals, Guitar, Bass and Drums. This was my first time seeing them perform, so I really didn’t know what I had coming my way. What I was about find out was two things. One, Quick Mystery plays a style that is a blend of Indie, Alternative and Hard Rock. And two, this was their final performance. That’s right, Quick Mystery is hanging it up, but not before they played one final show. They opened up with some trippy Guitar riffs and big, clean Vocals. The band had solid stage presence, especially the frontman who was in a constant state of motion. The crowd was immediately into it, dancing and headbanging to the Rockin’ sounds. A well placed Guitar solo set the room ablaze and Quick Mystery was off and running. The set that followed was a blend of styles and sounds. They had songs that were Funky and smooth and others that were more straight forward and Rockin’. From Poppy Alternative tracks, to heavy distorted jams, Quick Mystery kept the genres shifting.

Their were some things that were true no matter what style the band was pursuing. Specifically, that they played with vigorous energy and that the crowd loved it. In fact, I think it is safe to say that the band held the audience completely under their sway for the entirety of the set. None stop dancing, headbanging and even moshing graced the floor as Quick Mystery did their thing. For me the highlight of the set was their closing number. It was then that they called up three of the members of Sabon to join them on stage. They hopped up, whipped out a Trombone, a Saxophone, an extra Drum and jumped into the jam. The crowd went wild and it ended the set on a lively note. The song completed and the singer delivered an emotional farewell to the fans. Once he was done the crowd dispersed and Joha and I made our way back out to the street. There we consumed another doobie before finding out way back inside for the main event.

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

Sabon was just finishing their set up as we came to rest before the stage. Balloons were bouncing around the club and off of people’s heads. Three of the four members of the band were present, as we waited for the Drummer to arrive. When he eventually did, he took to the stage dressed in some silly get up. Apparently it was a crayon costume. Don’t ask me why. Anyway, outfits aside, Sabon was finally ready to begin. For those of you who don’t know, Sabon is a four piece, female fronted, Ska/Punk band made up of Vocals/Saxophone, Guitar/Vocals, Bass/Backing Vocals and Drums. They opened up with “Stupid Smile” and set about introducing us to their new album in it’s entirety. They began with explosive energy, unleashing instantaneously fun vibes upon the packed Grog Shop. Those vibrations were contagious and they swept through the audience like Ska Virus. The kids were movin’ and a groovin’. They were jumping, two stepping, headbanging and Moshing. In general they were Rocking out in every conceivable fashion. The room was wild with activity and overflowing with positivity.

Up on the stage the band was throwing down. Their Vocalist went crazy, moving continuously; leading with her kinetic charge. When she wasn’t singing she would often pick up her Saxophone and beguile us with her woodwind skills. Sabon ran through their album in a blur and left the crowd screaming for more. Midway through the album we got an incredible Drum solo which was both long and impressive. It stretched on and on and really showed off just how incredible Sabon’s rhythm section is. When they finally reached the end of “They Call Me”, and performed the infectious “Chicken Boy” some kid in a chicken mask tore through the mosh pit. He led the melee as Sabon closed out the album with force and showmanship. But they weren’t’ through. No way. Next they took us on another sonic journey, previewing a bunch of songs from their next album for us. It was incredible. In total they played 19 skank worthy ska tracks, finishing with a cover of “We Built This City” by Starship. It was awesome. The crowd roared. They screamed. They howled. For lack of a better description, they lost their shit. In short, Sabon had performed before packed Grog Shop and they had killed it. The crowd reacted in kind.

The lights came up and Joha and I headed for the door. We drove home and agreed that it had been one hell of a night. Quick Mystery warmed up the crowd nicely and if it was really their last show, then they certainly went out on a high note. Sabon had truly conquered. They went wild on their set and left it all on the stage. They undoubtedly Rocked the Grog and impressed the hell out of me while they did it. So that’s all for this week. I want to thank you for reading. But before I go I should say, I highly suggest you go to your nearest streaming service and check out Sabon’s “They Call Me” ASAP. Or grab a copy at the merch table at the next gig. However you consume your music, pick this one up. It’s a great album.

Until next time, Rock on Rustbelt,

-Z.M. Delgado

Rustbelt Rock Review

Rustbeltrockreview.com

8/17/2020

Links:

Sabon

https://www.instagram.com/sabonband/

Quick Mystery

https://www.facebook.com/QuickMystery/

Vol. #203: Sabon Album Release Party w/ Quick Mystery

Vol #201: Trash Bash 2025