The Akron Sound refers to the independent music, largely
new wave and
punk rock, coming out of
Akron, Ohio
Akron () is the fifth-largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Summit County. It is located on the western edge of the Glaciated Allegheny Plateau, about south of downtown Cleveland. As of the 2020 Census, the city prop ...
, in the late 1970s.
In the late 1970s, following the international success of local band
Devo, talent scouts combed the city. Soon, several compilation albums promoted the Akron Sound, a multifaceted
music scene led by
the Waitresses
The Waitresses were an American new wave band from Akron, Ohio, best known for their singles " I Know What Boys Like" and " Christmas Wrapping." They released two albums, ''Wasn't Tomorrow Wonderful?'' and '' Bruiseology'', and two EPs, '' I Co ...
and
Rachel Sweet
Rachel Sweet (born July 28, 1962)
accessed May 2, 2014.
, and many artists of regional prominence including
Tin Huey
Tin Huey is an American experimental rock and new wave band from Akron, Ohio, United States, that formed in 1972 and disbanded in 1982.
History Original lineups
Initially named Rags, the band started with Mark Price (then known as Wesley the Sta ...
,
Liam Sternberg
Liam Sternberg (born July 28, 1949 in Akron, Ohio) is an American songwriter and producer who wrote the Bangles hit "Walk Like an Egyptian". Sternberg first got noticed as part of the late 1970s " Akron Sound" which included Devo and the Waitresse ...
,
Bizarros, and
Rubber City Rebels.
Local clubs that featured these bands included The Crypt and The Bank.
Photos, recordings, and artifacts are collected at The Akron Sound Museum in downtown Akron.
See also
*
Culture of Akron, Ohio
References
*
The Akron Sound: The Heyday of the Midwest's Punk Capital' by Calvin C. Rydbom (The History Press; March 5, 2018)
Notes
Music scenes
Music of Ohio
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