The best rock 'n roll has always been nihilistic, misogynistic, and dangerous. Rolling Stones, Stooges, and Dead Boys: yes. Grateful Dead, Springsteen, Dave Matthews: no. It was never intended to be the voice piece for the DNC (voting for the lesser of two evils isn’t exactly rocking the vote) or a GAP fashion statement for baby boomers past their sell by date like Lenny Kravitz, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Madonna. Which brings us to Cleveland’s The It*Men who are 100% Altamont, 0% Woodstock. The It*Men are a throwback to the crazed frat rock insanity perpetuated by the likes of early '60s legends like The Sonics and The Wailers mixed in with the borderline overindulgence of pioneering hard rockers like The MC5, Blue Cheer, and Black Sabbath.

Thursday’s CD release party for Greatest Its on local imprint Davenport Records affirmed The It*Men’s status as Cleveland’s rock 'n roll animals who just don’t give a damn. I don’t want to imply that this is mindless '80s hair metal revivalism like Andrew WK or The Darkness, but rather a return to more innocent times when listening to Alice Cooper or KISS on the radio under the covers past your bed time would be enough to piss off your parents. It*Men song titles like Doing Drugs For You, Death Machine, and Altamonster should be enough to clue you into the band’s aesthetic -- quite refreshing considering that these youngsters are supposed to be part of the oversensitive Emo generation that has spawned rubbish like Bright Eyes and Dashboard Confessional.

Part Rob Tyner and part Iggy Pop, It*Men vocalist Ken “Action” Janssen is probably Cleveland’s most out of control and unpredictable frontman since the late Stiv Bators, fueled by frustration, lust, and gallons of PBR. Last night was no different – at one point Janssen spewed beer out of his mouth into the air like a Roman fountain! Nearly as visible is lead guitarist Matt Cassidy who seemed to spend half of the show on his knees arching backward, flailing away like Hendrix. The other guys, Ben Gmetro (rhythm guitar), Dave Molnar (bass), and Charlie Druesdow (drums) are of the too-cool-too care school, laying down the musical foundation for the crazed antics of Janssen and Cassidy.

In sum, The It*Men create incendiary rock 'n roll, which will make you believe. They rarely perform live – so if you missed them last night, that’s mighty unfortunate - but the CD is readily available in town. by Cool Cleveland contributor Ben Vendetta (:divend:)