Musician/soundman/Lazy-I intern Brendan Greene-Walsh passed along some rather grim news last night about Melbourne Australia band Electric Jellyfish, who played at O’Leaver’s last week. The gig was part of a cross-country tour that included Chicago, Detroit and then Brooklyn this weekend. They never made it.

Brendan got a call yesterday while driving around town from a reporter from the Cleveland Plain Dealer, asking about Electric Jellyfish. What the reporter told him caused Brendan to pull over to the side of the road. The band was in a fatal accident on the Ohio Turnpike yesterday morning; their 2001 Chevy Tahoe flipped, skidded and smashed into a concrete barrier after trying to avoid a deer in the road. Electric Jellyfish guitarist Hayden Rodney Sweeney, 23, and his wife, Bridget O’Brien, 26, died at the scene. Three other band members were taken to the hospital, but were not seriously injured, according to the Plain-Dealer article, here. Sad, scary stuff.

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Very impressive crowd last night at The Waiting Room for The Family Radio/MC Chris show — maybe 150? I can’t tell you who was the primary draw, but there were a ton of faces there I’ve never seen before.

The Family Radio came out at around 10 with frontman Nik Fackler in full-on ghost warrior face paint. The four-piece blazed through a half-hour of proggy, indie rock that highlighted Chris Senseney’s intricate guitar work and Fackler’s sing/scream energy. I liken them to a Soviet version of King Crimson with a smattering of Arcade Fire thrown in for good measure. Since it began a few years ago, the band has constantly evolved, from a laid-back warm-hearted chamber-folk project to an intense, all-out prog-punk theater routine. I don’t know if I was more mesmerized by the music, the band or the video of a Final Fantasy game that was projected on the screen behind them. Somehow, it all just seemed to fit. Fackler said last night’s gig will be the last one for awhile as he’s begun shooting his full-length motion picture, Lovely Still, which will keep him busy through spring.

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The weekend is upon us.

Tonight at The Waiting Room it’s former wig-wearing sensation Scout Niblett with Thunder Power!! and Alessi. $8, 9 p.m.

Over at O’Leaver’s, it’s The Jack and Jim Show, Miracles of God and Brian Poloncic. $5, 9:30 p.m.

Saturday’s big show is the big Speed! Nebraska showcase at O’Leaver’s featuring The Monroes, Domestica, and Ideal Cleaners. All three bands will be celebrating the release of must-have new material. I guarantee this show will exceed O’Leaver’s tiny capacity. Get there early. $5, 9:30 p.m.

Down at Slowdown Jr. it’s Coyote Bones with touring bands Coupleskate and Belfrie. $7, 9 p.m.

Sunday at The Waiting Room it’s Rogue Wave with Port O’Brien, $10/$12, 9 p.m. Meanwhile, over at O’Leaver’s, it’s The Stay Awake with Dim Light and Meneguar. $5, 9:30 p.m.

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