The brainchild of frontwoman Tracey Thomas (#Akronsound, Unit 5), THE CRONES play energetic and exciting cover songs from your favorite female-fronted New Wave bands of the ’80s. Tracey and her group of talented female musicians are all over the age of 50, and they have been rocking capacity crowds since their debut in July of 2023. Their rapid rise in popularity is easy to understand as the band’s seasoned musicianship shines through entertaining renditions of songs made famous by Blondie, Joan Jet, Kate Bush, Cindi Lauper, The B52’s, and many more. These Girls Still Want To Have Fun and you will too when you catch a live performance by THE CRONES!  

Akron-based Sudden Middle-Aged Death Syndrome (SMADS) is a collective of four friends and music fans focused on having fun and sharing some of their favorite songs. Raised on Saturday morning cartoons, the glory days of early MTV and college rock, SMADS plays songs by The Ramones, Blondie, Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, Husker Du, Pavement and others. With original music in the works, SMADS continues to expand its repertoire. Since forming in 2023, the band has performed at Buzzbin, Jenks Building, The Matinee, Jilly’s Open Mic Nights and during the 2025 Highland Square Holiday Stroll.