U Weekly. Serving The Ohio State University in Columbus Ohio

Weird Al Yankovic

Tonight @ The Ohio State Fair



Cledus T. Judd? Richard Cheese? Amateurs. The true king of parody, “Weird Al” Yankovic, will be making a stop at the Fair this week. Yankovic is touring in support of “Straight Outta Lynwood,” his most successful album to date thanks to the single “White and Nerdy,” a send-up of Chamillionaire’s “Ridin’.” Fans might think that listening to Yankovic’s albums gives them the whole picture and see no point in going to see a live show. However, Yankovic pulls some gems out of his extensive backlog of songs that he was not allowed to record on an official album and performs them live. With the creative freedom permitted at a live show, Yankovic can turn McCartney’s “Live and Let Die” into “Chicken Pot Pie” or James Blunt’s “You’re Beautiful” into “You’re Pitiful.”

—Steve Patrick

Spanish Prisoners

Friday @ The Basement

Essentially the one-man-as-a-band project of local musician Leonid Maymind, the Spanish Prisoners are set to celebrate his/their full-length debut “Songs to Forget.” Maymind was assisted by a host of other local talents, but the record’s disparate ideas and kitchen-sink approach are obviously the products of creative freedom (as opposed to consensus). Each of the album’s songs are clustered in varied sonic textures (strings, electronics, strange murky noises, etc.), but at the heart of each is an attention to songcraft. Maymind may alter between neo-folkie and lo-fi tinkerer, but more than anything he’s a singer with a song.

—Stephen Slaybaugh

CD101 Summerfest

Saturday @ The LC

This weekend marks the third annual Cd101 Summerfest. Past headliners have included Cake and World Party. This year’s Summerfest includes seven acts for the “Low Dough” price of $5. The fest will be headlined by the “Lazy Eye” rockers Silversun Pickups, with additional performances by VHS or Beta, the Cliks, Sea Wolf, and DJ Shapeshifter. Summerfest will also include performances by two local acts, Miranda Sound (whose Myspace describes the band as “Ohio rock with harmonies that will break your face,”) and the Judas Cow. The blend of diverse acts for such a low price makes CD101 Summerfest one of this summer’s must-see events.

—Haley Kish

Quiet Riot/Slaughter

Saturday @ The Ohio State Fair



Sometimes you just have to bang your head. Thankfully, a double dose of ‘80s glam metal and hair band glory is coming to Columbus. Quiet Riot, famous for the rock staples “Cum On Feel the Noise” and “Metal Health,” is hitting the road in support of their 2006 effort, “Rehab.” Lead singer Kevin DuBrow’s vocals have remained amazingly intact over the years, considering the abusive high notes he has hit for almost three decades. Slaughter, the aptly named brainchild of lead singer Mark Slaughter, is also coming along for the ride. Guitarist Jeff Blando and bassist Dana Strum have just come off of a tour in Vince Neil’s backup band, so their playing should be on the mark. No surprises here, but it is going to be a hell of a show.

— Steve Patrick