Beachland Ballroom

May 07, 2025

Opening Acts: From Local Flavor to Southern Chaos

by Andrew Latshaw

Before Mac Sabbath served up their theatrical metal madness, the crowd at the Beachland Ballroom was treated to a double-shot of opening acts that each brought serious energy and attitude to the stage.

Dollar Drafts kicked off the night with a gritty, no-nonsense set that showed why Cleveland continues to be a breeding ground for raw rock talent. With their hometown advantage and loyal fans up front, they delivered punchy riffs, driving rhythms, and a garage-punk vibe that felt both nostalgic and fresh. Their performance had just the right amount of reckless energy, setting the perfect tone for the madness to follow. If you’ve been sleeping on Cleveland’s local scene, One Dollar Drafts is your wake-up call.


On a side note, I did have to laugh at the confusion that this local band’s name caused at the show! When I saw the ticket early on, I thought to myself: “Wow! Dollar Drafts for a 2x band show? There are going to be a lot of drunks for such a short evening!” Then these guys came out, started tuning and I thought that they were FLUMMOX, having never seen them before. Then the vocalist comes out and steps up to the mic and makes an announcement!


He said: “I have been asked by the bar tenders to make this announcement! The beer on tap is NOT $1 tonight! Let me be perfectly clear, WE are Dollar Drafts! The beer at the bar is NOT $1 drafts! I repeat, WE are Dollar Drafts!”

Not gonna lie… while I personally do not drink, this made me laugh so hard for several days after the show!


When FLUMMOX took the stage, the energy in the room shifted—from rowdy to mesmerized. Hailing from Tennessee, FLUMMOX isn’t just a band you hear—they’re a band you experience. With a sound that defies labels and a stage presence that borders on performance art, their set was among the most memorable parts of the night.


From the first note, it was clear this trio doesn’t play by the rules. Their music is a chaotic blend of progressive metal, sludge, punk, funk, and theatrical flair that somehow fuses together into something cohesive and utterly captivating. It’s as if Primus, Mastodon, and Mr. Bungle had a wonderfully unhinged baby raised on southern grit and acid-drenched stage shows.


Lead vocalist and bassist Alyson (Aly) Dellinger commanded the stage with magnetic intensity, delivering guttural screams, haunting harmonies, and sarcastic banter with ease. Their facial expressions alone deserve their own award—equal parts menace, mischief, and madness. Guitarist Blake Caggiano shredded through complex riffs and time signatures like it was second nature, swinging from jazzy licks to full-on sonic assaults without missing a beat. And behind the kit, drummer Harley “H-Bomb” Capps was an absolute beast—driving the rhythmic chaos with precision and power.

But beyond the musical chops (which are insane), FLUMMOX impressed with their commitment to weirdness. Their costume elements, disjointed movements, and theatrical expressions made the performance feel like part metal show, part fever-dream circus. You never knew what was coming next—and you couldn’t look away.

Even in a room full of fans waiting for the spectacle that is Mac Sabbath, FLUMMOX held the room. Heads were banging. People were watching with raised eyebrows and wide grins. You could feel the crowd collectively thinking: “What the hell is this… and why do I love it so much?”

If you’ve never seen FLUMMOX live, add them to your must-watch list immediately. They’re not just opening acts—they’re a full-blown experience. And if this Cleveland performance is any indication of where they’re headed, they’re going to leave a trail of stunned, smiling fans in every city they play.

Together, both bands perfectly preheated the stage for Mac Sabbath’s main course. It was a night of eclectic metal goodness, where each act offered something entirely unique, and left this photographer eager for more!

It was finally time… it was time to turn on the griddle, a start cooking! It was now time for MAC SABBATH!

When Ronald Osbourne took the stage this night at the Beachland Ballroom, it was transformed into a surreal fast-food fever dream as Mac Sabbath rolled through Cleveland on the second leg of their 10-year anniversary tour. Known for their tongue-in-cheek parody of Black Sabbath classics with a greasy twist, the self-proclaimed “Drive-Thru Metal” band delivered a performance that was as theatrical as it was musically tight.

From the moment they took the stage, frontman Ronald Osbourne had the crowd in the palm of his glove-covered hands. Clad in clown makeup and armed with a pair of giant spatulas, he led the band through a deep-fried setlist of fast food-themed anthems like “Frying Pan” and “Sweet Beef.” Guitarist Slayer MacCheeze, drummer Catburglar, and bassist Grimalice brought a level of musicianship that reminded everyone that behind the absurd costumes and props, these are talented rockers who take their parody seriously.

This time around, due to this being an anniversary tour, Ronald seems to have swapped one of my favorite props, he came out in a tuxedo instead of the usual themed straight jacket. While I do understand the reason, I personally preferred the latter of the two.

The visuals were just as wild as the music. With flashing burger-themed light displays, oversized props, and constant theatrics, the show played out like a metal-themed Saturday morning cartoon on a sugar high. Fans were fully onboard, many decked out in their own fast-food cosplay and singing along with every satirical lyric. While the costumes are top notch, what seems to tickle me the most is the fast-food themed drum kit of the Catburglar! That kit is amazing! I am not even a drummer, and the sheer artistry in that kit is worth the price of admission to me!

Photographing the performance was a challenge-turned-delight—constant movement, dramatic lighting, and unpredictable stage antics made every frame a unique capture. The Beachland Ballroom’s intimate vibe added to the energy, creating a perfect backdrop for Mac Sabbath’s brand of controlled chaos. Due to the color scheme they use from familiar fast-food chains, mixed with the black light of the venue the show was truly a challenge to photograph… while editing, seeing what pics did turn out made this all the more of a treasure to me!

Ten years in, Mac Sabbath proves that satire and heavy metal make a delicious combo. Whether you’re a die-hard Sabbath fan or just in it for the novelty, their live show is one you won’t forget—and in Cleveland, they served it up hot. Growing up with the likes of Weird Al, I have seen many people do satire type things over the years! If pressed, I would cover a Mac Sabbath show over Weird Al every day of the week! These guys play with every ounce of their hearts! Their commitment to the show and the audience is unparalleled to any other act or artist I have ever seen!

There are times that Ronald Osbourne will take those ketchup and mustard squirt bottles and will squeeze them into his mouth before hosing down the audience with them! Their nonstop antics on stage will have you in stitches from their introduction to their final bow of the evening!

I have shot Mac Sabbath a total of 5x times now… They are my favorite band to cover, and I do not see that changing any time soon! If you have not taken in a Mac Sabbath show yet, you are seriously missing out. Follow them on their social media platforms and keep an eye out for these guys to hit a venue near you, I promise you that they will not disappoint! 

Whether you’re there for the parody, the performance, or just the pure weirdness, Mac Sabbath delivers and after this show, I’m already hungry for the next round.

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