Akron’s Bizarros (9PM) had substantial impact on the early indie scene, through their hard-edged records and singer Nick Nicholis’s Clone label, which released records by The Waitresses, Human Switchboard and others.
In a classic case of bridesmaidery, the Bizarros – who reformed in the 21st century – were more influential than popular.
Playing serious, intense, sometimes hypnotic rock with poetically inclined verbiage and pre-Gang of Four jabbing guitars, Bizarros music was strong and affecting. Their half of From Akron (a 1977 album they shared with Rubber City Rebels) is pretty raw and hard to enjoy.
But by the time of their 1979 self-titled album (released by a major label, self-produced with an engineer, wrapped in strictly amateur artwork) the band had developed considerable polish, which they used to good advantage without compromising their strength.
Five subsequent releases followed, the last in 1981, and The Bizarros took a 23-year hiatus, reemerging in 2003 with You Can’t Fight Your Way Up Town From Here.

Brian Lisik & Hard Legs conjured the ghosts of its collective musical past while making its latest studio album, appropriately dubbed Nu Wreckard. Selected as one of the top releases of 2023 by the Canton Repository, Lisik described the short, smart, snotty and irreverent seven-song collection as “born from us getting in a room, making some noise and seeing what happens.”

Nu Wreckard sees Lisik, guitarist Robb Myers and drummer Martyn Flunoy deftly traversing an ocean of genres – from raw ‘50s rock and 90s grunge, to campy ‘70s TV cop show sounds – and features appearances from Lisik’s long-time bassist, vocalist and songwriting partner Steve Norgrove, saxophonist Ian Early (Cherry Poppin’ Daddies), and Akron rock legends The Bizarros, of which Flunoy is also a member. 

Nu Wreckard follows Brian Lisik & Hard Legs’ 2022 release, the intentionally unvarnished, Don Dixon co-produced live album Hotsy Totsy!. American Songwriter placed “Monk,” a searingly profane non-single from that album, among its Top 24 songs of the year. Hotsy Totsy! was also named one of the Canton Repository’s “Best of 2022” releases. 

Lisik’s music has been featured in publications including The Huffington Post, Billboard, Elmore, Americana Highways, Goldmine, DittyTV, and the Bob Cesca Show, and he has shared bills with acts including Tim Easton, Patrick Sweany, Waylon Payne, Wade Bowen, Ass Ponys, Jesse Malin, Chris Knight, Tommy Womack, Nicole Atkins, Two Cow Garage, The Chamber Strings, Eddie Money, and Roger McGuinn. 

No Depression called Lisik’s music “a winning formula of catchy phrasing, jangly guitar riffs and great pop hooks.”  The Seattle Post Intelligencer said the songs make “A rough and tumble garage-y sound…soaked deep in an ocean of chunky guitars.” Music writer Lee Zimmerman said “Lisik writes songs that resonate almost immediately…sharp, smart and full of edgy intensity…bold, assertive and flush with full tilt rock ‘n’ roll.”