Rustbelt Rock Review

By: Z.M. Delgado

Rustbeltrockreview.com

Volume #207: Beast Killer, The A-10’s & HAMS

September 13th, 2025

Dunlap’s Corner Bar, 3258 W 32nd St, Cleveland, OH 44109

Hello Cleveland and all points beyond! I, Z.M. Delgado, have returned from the city streets with a fresh tale to tell of Rock N’ Roll magnificence. This weeks adventure begins like many others: with Joha’s arrival in my driveway. We saddled up and headed west on our way to Dunlap’s, for a decadent night of Cleveland Punk Rock. It promised to be an epic evening indeed, with three of Cleveland’s best bands on the bill: Beast Killer, The A-10’s and HAMS. It was probably around 8:30 when we pulled up. We parked and headed inside, passing by band members who were still loading in the last of their gear. We paid the cover, walked on by and began to mingle. Immediately we fell into conversation with Chris from Beast Killer and Keith of The A-10’s. At a slow trickle the room began to fill up. Not long passed before the arrival of Jimmy “The Dook” Fedor of Roxxxstarradio. Together we ripped our vapes, munched edibles and shot the shit for a while. At some point in here a friendly fellow sent a magic mushroom gummy my way, which I ate with much appreciation. Soon we were joined by TyeDye Kevin, who came through with a pair of monster joints. (These things were huge! We described them as King Kong’s fingers... but I digress.) We adjourned to the street where we roasted one of those behemoths with glee. I have to shout out TyeDye Kevin’s bud. I can’t remember the name of the strain, but to be sure it was some fire flower. By the time we finished the first of the Kong joints, we were ripped and ready to rock. Lucky for us things were about to jump off at Dunlap’s, as HAMS were just plugging in and getting ready to do their thing. We took our places around the “stage” and prepared for what was to come.

Down on the floor the boys and I surrounded the area where the band was set up. Already I fought the itching anticipation that was rising in my thoughts. My mind, now thoroughly blasted by reefer, was ready to received the riffs. Lucky for me it was just about “go time” at Dunlap’s Corner Bar. HAMS, their Bassist and Guitarist adorned in their trademark animal masks, were gearing up to launch. For those of you who are new to the group, let me give you the low down. HAMS is a four man Punk bulldozer made up of Vocals, Guitar, Bass and Drums. They kicked things off with their perennial opener “Oh Yeah!” and never looked back. The Wolf headed Bassist led off with plucky notes which resonated around the room. This was followed by punishing, Pig faced, Guitar licks. The band was pure energy right from the get go, and that is an understatement. While all members of the act were seen Rocking our significantly, it was their frontman who drew the most attention. He was a whirlwind of activity; stomping the floor, ranting and raving, always in the faces of the crowd. He towed his mic around, his voice raging, then he’d hold it out for the crowd to sing along.

And sing along they did! Among others, the infamous Swamp Donkey (Bass/Vandalizard) was seen adding backing vox continuously. And he wasn’t alone. No, all across the floor fans were seen screaming their lungs out, side by side with the Ham-tastic Vocalist. The crowd Rocked out hard, danced and clapped their hands in time with the beat. In short, they lost their shit... and rightly so. There’s no other way to put this: HAMS killed it. Plain and simple. They completely murdered. On cuts like “Come Back,” “Kill It” and “Riot” they just barely held back pandemonium. Over their twelve song set they taught a crash course in mayhem. Closing out with “Broke Forever” the floor became an enormous singalong and set the kids spinning in a frenzy of dancing. The crowd screamed in approval as HAMS finished up and I for one was blown away. It had been a phenomenal set; intense and action packed. With it now at a close, the fans drifted away from the stage. We found our way outside and into our second “King Kong Finger.”

We blasted that joint, and I got caught up in a lot of conversations. Before I knew it I heard the tell tale sounds of our next act, The A-10’s, firing up. In a rush I made my way through the bar and slid into place as the band ripped through their slamming track, “Lipstick Kiss.” Now it is important you know that The A-10’s are a severely Bitchin’ Punk Rock group. They are made up of Vocals, two Guitars, Bass and Drums. When I pulled up the crowd was already moving to the music. Dudes were dancing, spinning and stomping around while The A-10’s shredded. The music was hard and fast and the performance was intense. The band threw down, Rocking out and tearing up the set, while their singer went nuts at center stage. This cat was wild! He wrestled his mic stand and strangled himself with his chord. He climbed up on the speakers, dropped to his knees and collapsed to floor... only to pop up and hoist the mic stand to the ceiling! Behind his antics the band was laying out some serious shit, and it was blowing me away. Bad ass, hard and fast, The A-10’s were crushing it.

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Their music was tough as nails, aggressive and it lit a fire in my belly. The effect was universal it seemed, because all around me the boys were getting rowdy, hurling each other about like bowling balls. I wouldn’t call it a mosh pit… not quite, but there was a lot of action on the floor to be sure. In fact I would have to say that The A-10’s set was probably the high point for crowd motion in the evening. It was no surprise why. On tracks like “My Name is Blood,” “Another Drink,” or “Graveyard” the band drove the fans into a state of madness. Closing out with “Midnight” they blew us all away with their sheer force. Playing a total of ten back breaking tracks The A-10’s showed us exactly how to Rock out on a Saturday Night. It was awesome. Such energy and such adrenaline. It was sheer Punk Rock power. With all that to talk about and yet another, normal sized, doobie in hand, we returned to the sidewalk out front and blazed.

With out buzzes now refreshed, we returned to the floor and made ready for our evening’s headliner: Beast Killer. To my veteran readers, this is an act that you are no stranger to. For those of you who are new to the RbRR, please take notice. The following is testament to utter dopeness that is Beast Killer. This power house two piece Punk Rock act is made up of Guitar/Vocals and Drums. Despite this limited lineup they somehow punch harder than any of their peers. They opened up with their flagship song, “Beast Killer” and from there they blasted our eardrums like thunder. The instant the song began, the crowd started up again. The dancing jumped off and it seemed everyone around me was singing along. Next they broke into the always intense “Wolves.” Here I made the first of many notes about their Drummer Kris. He is some sort of futuristic caveman behind the kit. He has the precision and technique of a cyborg, while delivering each shot with primitive force. His skill cannot be matched; his style cannot be duplicated and his results cannot be questioned. He is a monster and it is always a pleasure to watch him play. With all that being said, next they broke into “Ego Maniac” which was followed by “Violent Creatures,” both of these succeeded in firing up the crowd even further. The HAMS boys were out on the floor, stirring the pot as “It Cycles” popped off. Next they brought their cover of Operation Ivy’s “Knowledge” which always encourages a crowd singalong. While this one played out, drunken fans comically dropped to their knees and bowed down to Guitarist Chris in mock worship.

I believe we got two of the bands most recent singles next: “Have Fun” followed by “Sunburns.” Then they hit us with an incredible rendition of “Comet” which came across tight and raw. It was all passionate vocals, dark lyricism and intense intricate Drum work on “Fairytale.” “Synapse” had the crowd especially fired up. Personally I was shouting like a fool, word for word, as Chris wailed! Finally they closed out with “Sparks” which drove the fans mad one last time. The crowd cheered! They screamed! They roared! They applauded and showed their appreciation in every other conceivable manner. Kris collapsed from his Drum stool and fell sprawling across the floor in exhaustion. Chris stood dripping with sweat and panting behind his microphone. Many fans rushed the band, myself included. We were all in a hurry to extend our congratulations on an amazing set. Beast Killer has never let me down. In fact, they usually blow my mind, but this set was somehow exceptional. They sounded incredible. They played so tight and the passion was all there. I was a really special set and I am so glad I got to see it.

With the final band now finished Joha and I said our goodbyes and made our way to the door. We hit the highways and headed East. For the majority of the ride we just sort of rehashed what a great show it had been. HAMS brought the fire from note one and opened the show up with a shot of adrenaline. The A-10’s delivered an intense bout of Punk Rock fire and kept the crowd thoroughly engaged. Finally Beast Killer shook the rafters and cracked the foundations of Dunlap’s Corner Bar; closing down the show with explosive power. All in all it was a great evening, filled with good people and great music. Joha dropped me off and I bid him farewell. Then I was off to bed with my ears still ringing with the echoes of Rock N’ Roll. I suppose that is as good a way to end an article as any other I have ever conceived. Thank you for reading! I am forever grateful for your continued support. Bang you head, hoist your horns and always wear your earplugs!

Until next time, Rock on, Rustbelt,

-Z.M. Delgado

Rustbelt Rock Review

Rustbeltrockreview.com

9/14/2025

Links:

Beast Killer

https://www.facebook.com/BeastKillerBand/

The A-10’s

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100041018871899

HAMS

https://www.facebook.com/hamsusa2022