Author: Damian

Spring-ing into action

books, Concert Listings, Music

Last things first if you’re into Devo (and if you’re not, why read this blog?): there’s a free The Beginning Was The End book event tonight at the OTR Stillhouse, courtesy of our friends at the Mercantile Library.

Details and the free registration link are here. I’ll see you there – I’ll be the guy wearing the Energy Dome.

Let’s take a gander at the music shows coming our way.

Tomorrow night, catch Mom Jeans at Bogart’s

Thursday:

  • Colin Hay is coming all the way from the Land Down Under to the Taft Theatre
  • Brandy Clark and Hayes Carll play the Ludlow Garage
  • Less Than Jake (no relation to Better than Ezra) plays Bogart’s
  • Too Many Zooz (more like too many z’s) plays Madison Theater
  • Bumpin’ Uglies and Bikini Trill play Madison Live

Friday it’s time for a Come to Jesus session. Jesus Jones, that is, at Ludlow Garage.

On Saturday, Alex Salcido of The Harmed Brothers plays Camp Springs Tavern, and the Madison Theater hosts the jam band Spafford. (No relation to Susan Stafford, the original letter-turner on “Wheel of Fortune.”)

Blues dude Noah Wotherspoon plays the Rabbit Hash General Store’s “Sunday Music Behind the Stove” series on 3/21 – music starts at 2:30.

Breaking news: this coming Monday, we’re shutting down our music blog.

Beach Fossils are at Bogart’s next Tuesday, 4/2 with Nation of Language.

TC Superstar plays a free show at MOTR next Wednesday, 4/3.

I really hope their band name is a tribute to T.C. the true superstar of “Magnum, P.I.” (apologies to Larry Manetti).

Shows next Thursday, April 4th:

  • Raul Malo of The Mavericks brings his amazing voice to Ludlow Garage
  • Chicago Farmer & the Fieldnotes play Southgate with Joe’s Truck Stop
  • Camp Springs Tavern hosts their bi-weekly Bluegrass Jam

On Friday, April 5th:

  • William Fitzsimmons plays Southgate
  • The Rabbit Hash String Band will be at Plain Folk Café in Pleasant Plain, OH
  • Badfish (a tribute to Sublime… or to gas station sushi) plays the Madison Theater

Ludlow Garage hosts Dave Mason’s Traffic Jam on Saturday, 4/6.

The Tillers play the Rabbit Hash Music Behind the Stove series on Sunday, 4/7.

Supremely talented singer/songwriter John Moreland plays Ludlow Garage on Thursday, April 11th.

That same evening, Brothers Osborne play the Mike Brady.

Hot Ticket Alert!

The Violent Femmes are playing the old Annie’s on Friday, May 17th. Not only that, but they’re playing their first two albums cover to cover!

Get yer tix here.

And come November 3rd, Drive-by Truckers will be bring their Southern Rock Opera Revisited Tour to Bogart’s. Let there be rock!

Tickets for that gig go on sale to the general public on this Friday.

Podcast Promo/Hot FREE Ticket Alert!

If you’re old enough to remember the 1990s, and if you’re even slightly into music, and you appreciate great writing, you really owe it to yourself to check out the 60 Songs That Explain the ’90s podcast.

Rob Harvilla, a senior staff writer for The Ringer, spends each episode breaking down a single song from the ’90s. Actually, he spends about half of each episode on a series of digressions, often about his time growing up in northern Ohio in the 90s, before finally getting to the featured song. And the digressions are great – brilliantly written, completely engaging, and typically hilarious… and the humor is usually self-deprecating.

Rob’s written a book to accompany the podcast, and he’ll be talking about both at the OTR Stillhouse on Friday, April 26th. Better yet, list member Jay Stowe will be conducting the interview!

It’s yet another freebie from our friends at the Mercantile Library. Sign up here. (Unfortunately that event is the same night as the Guided by Voices/Wussy show at Madison Theater, so I’ll have to cut out early to get across the river in time for Wussy’s set.)

Speaking of Wussy…

They’ll be playing a trio house concert (Chuck, Lisa, Mark) at Casa de Dubbatrubba on Friday, May 10th. If you’re keeping score at home, this’ll be their third home show at my home. Much to my utter delight… and my wife’s ever-increasing odds for sainthood.

Hot tunes

Waxahatchee’s new album Tigers Blood is fire.

The album’s songs got their live debut during a club show at the Empty Bottle in Chicago – check out some clips in this Stereogum article. (Hat tip to list member Joe Sampson for the link.) And here’s an interview with Katie Crutchfield in Pitchfork.

Cleveland’s own Dave Hill is right up there with Rob Harvilla on the writers-who-are-hilarious-and-musically-inclined scale. (Check out his books Parking the Moose, Tasteful Nudes and Dave Hill Doesn’t Live Here Anymore for proof.) Dave’s also a musician, and his band Valley Heat has a rockin’ new single out.

Here’s to Music Moms

I’m not a fan of The Facebooks, but I loved this post from Buffalo Tom bassist Chris Colbourn (and the comment from his bandmate Bill Janovitz):

(Hat tip to list member Lisa Collins for bringing it to my attention.)

Here’s to the faithful departed

R.I.P. Karl Wallinger (The Waterboys, World Party) and Eric Carmen (The Raspberries, cheesy movie soundtracks).

Video above courtesy of list member Todd Butler.

Album Cover of the Week(s)

Nothing says “raising hell” like a crewcut, a sports coat, and a piano singalong.

March(ing) Bands

books, Concert Listings, Music

Happy John Philip Sousa Month!

Let’s see what’s on the ol’ Koncert Keeper, shall we?

Tomorrow night:

  • Mike Mains & the Branches play Madison Live
  • Alex Salcido (of The Harmed Brothers) plays the Southgate House lounge
  • Camp Springs Tavern hosts their bi-weekly Bluegrass Jam

On Friday:

  • Lydia Shae has an album release show at the Woodward Theater, with Daniel Noel and The Laurelys
  • Ron Pope plays Ludlow Garage
  • The old Annie’s has The Broken Hearts: Ultimate Tom Petty Tribute

Saturday, Southgate House hosts a benefit show that kicks off at 1:30 p.m.

Other Saturday shows:

  • Sammy Rae & Friends at Bogart’s
  • Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band at the Lawrenceburg Event Center in Hoosier country
  • Grateful River 2 – a benefit For Down Syndrome – is at the old Annie’s
  • The Ark Band: 7th annual Bob Marley & the Wailers tribute concert at Ludlow Garage
  • Flying Underground and String Theory play Taproom on Ludlow

Oh, and don’t forget to “Spring forward” on Saturday evening.

This Sunday, the Stardevils play Rabbit Hash General Store at 2:30 (which will feel like 1:30). In the evening (which will feel like the afternoon), Josh Ritter plays a solo show (“Works in Progress + Songs You Know”) at Memorial Hall and Hannah Wicklund plays Top Cats.

The California Guitar Trio plays Southgate on Monday, 3/11, and the Woodward Theater screens Ghosts of the Chelsea Hotel.

On Tuesday, 3/12, The Dollyrots are at Southgate.

Celtic band Screaming Orphans plays Ludlow Garage on Wednesday, 3/13. (‘Tis the season…)

On Thursday, 3/14, Marc Broussard is at the Taft Theatre and Leslie Mendelson plays Southgate’s Revival Room, with Ashley Peacock.

Friday, 3/15: Spokes (a band featuring Jeffrey Seeman and Mickey Foellger of the band Wheels… see what they did with the new band name?) plays Southgate.

Shows on Saturday, 3/16:

  • Camp Springs Tavern celebrates 8 years with music from Mike Oberst (Tillers), Justine Cefalu, Todd Lipscomb and The Northern Kentucky Derby – and food from Marty’s Waffles and wine from 4 Mile Wine Co.
  • Emmaline plays Ludlow Garage
  • The Downtowne Listening Room features Brittany Gillstrap, Taylor Henry, and Sami Riggs in the round at Memorie Makers Café in Florence, KY

Sunday, March 17th is St. Patrick’s Day. Don’t forget to Irish Spring forward.

On St. Paddy’s evening, Margo Cilker plays the Southgate House. I plan to attend that show – her new album Valley of Heart’s Delight is delightful.

Stop Making Sense will be on the big screen at Woodward Theater on Monday, 3/18.

Sierra Hull plays Memorial Hall on Tuesday, 3/19 with Gabe Lee as the opener.

On Wednesday, 3/20:

  • Rhiannon Giddens plays Memorial Hall
  • Grouplove (the band, not the orgy… also not the band Orgy) is at Bogart’s

Beth Bombara plays Southgate’s Revival Room on Thursday, 3/21, with The Montvales opening the show.

Gigs on Friday, 3/22:

  • Shovels and Rope play the Southgate House (I’ll be there)
  • Black Violin is at the Taft
  • Joshua Radin plays Ludlow Garage

Saturday, 3/23:

  • JJ Grey & Mofro at the Taft
  • Karla Bonoff and Livingston Taylor play Memorial Hall

Jill Sobule is at Southgate on Sunday, 3/24 and Ambrosia plays Memorial Hall.

Raisins rocked the house

Great reunion shows from Rob, Bob, Ricky and Bam at The Woodward Theater.

I’ve got a fever… for Cabin Fever

The Cabin Fever festival at several unique venues (including a funeral parlor!) in Ludlow, KY a couple of weeks ago was fan-freaking-tastic. Highly recommended next year for catching up on some stellar singer-songwriters and local bands. It’s a DORA district too, so you can drink as you bop down the street. Proceeds benefitted Music Fund Cincinnati, a non-profit started by list member John Sandman.

Byrne, baby, Byrne

From David Byrne’s How Music Works book. It’s powerful stuff too!

Buffalo. Boston.

New tunes from my favorite band, that talented trio from Beantown known as Buffalo Tom? Yes, please!

Album Cover of the Week(s)

We’re not sure if this counts as “dancin'” or old Mack had too much chili before his gig.

Album Liner Notes of the Week(s)

I signed up… and included the 25 cents for postage too!

Episode 666: Nixon Now! Nixon Forever!

97X, Music, podcast

Wait a minute, something ain’t right with that button…

There, fixed it!

Friends, we’re gathered together today for a very special episode of “97X Rumblings from the Big Bush” as we pay tribute to the man who saw Jesus at McDonald’s at midnight. The man who impregnated Debbie Gibson. The man whose antipathy for Don Henley knows no bounds, and whose love for Martha Quinn is eternal. The man, the myth, the Mojo-est MoFo of them all. The Bo-Day-Shus Mr. Mojo Nixon!

(Photo above is from Mojo’s last performance, on the Outlaw Country Cruise.)

Dave “The Dick Cavett of Modern Rock” interviewed Mojo in 1990, and that interview clip is part of this episode – and stick around for his live in-studio performance of “I’m in love with Oprah” from 97X back in 1986.

Here’s a recent photo of Mojo with Dave… Mojo’s wearing the same shirt in this photo that he was wearing during his final performance!

Every performance was entertaining. You’d never know he was a double-major (political science and history) graduate of Miami University…

And every Mojo encounter was memorable… here’s 97X super-listener Dave Lenehan’s tales:

Mojo went out in his trademark, inimitable style.

Here’s another song Mojo did in the 97X studios in 1986, with Mr. K.

A Mojo promo liner from the station:

Vinyl album from the 97X studio:

In recent years, many of us have enjoyed listening to Mojo on Outlaw Country. Here’s their blog post interview with him from 2017.

A Mojo documentary came out last year.

Rest in peace, Mojo… you’ll always be on our Wall of Fame.

Got My Mojo Workin’

Concert Listings, Music

R.I.P. Neill Kirby McMillan Jr. — better known as Mojo Nixon.

He really liked that red shirt… he was even wearing it when list member Dave Tellmann caught up with him a while back.

And list member Dave Lenehan shared a couple of Mojo stories on Facebook:

Someone dug up this audio of Mojo (a Miami U. alum!) and Skid Roper on 97X with Mr. K:

And Ken Katkin paid tribute to Mojo on his Trash Flow Radio show. Listen here.

Outlaw to the very end. Amen.

OK, let’s talk live music.

Friday night shows:

  • Joe Pug and Hello Darling play the Southgate House
  • War Hippies and Blake Tyler are at the old Annie’s
  • Neck Deep plays the Ovation

On Saturday, your faithful scribe will be in Ludlow, Kentucky for their Cabin Fever extravaganza. The lineup of local artists is outstanding:

And proceeds benefit Music Fund Cincinnati, a non-profit started by list member John Sandman and his wife.

Other Saturday shows:

  • Saving Escape, Sunmates, and Knotts play MOTR
  • The Aronoff hosts Blackout featuring Siri Imani
  • Songwriter and longtime Jimmy Buffett Coral Reefer band member Mac McAnally kicks off a three-night stand (Sat/Sun/Tues) at Ludlow Garage.
  • Bogart’s has Gimme Gimme Disco: A Dance Party Inspired by ABBA. If you go to that gig, be sure to break out your best ABBA threads.

(Not sure if that’s ABBA or stunt doubles from “Logan’s Run.”)

Joe’s Truck Stop plays the Rabbit Hash “Music Behind the Stove” series Sunday at 2:30 p.m. If you go to that show, be sure to wear your best “BJ & the Bear” outfit.

(Greg Evigan hair by Vidal Sassoon. Shirt from Botany 500. Buttons sold separately.)

Mac McAnally wraps up his Ludlow series on Tuesday.

Speaking of (‘Til) Tuesday, Aimee Mann plays a sold-out show at Memorial Hall on Wednesday, with Jonathan Coulton as the opener. And Gaelic Storm storms the Taft.

Next Thursday (2/29) is Leap Day

A.k.a. the 17th birthday of list member Ted Gardner. Teddy Boy can celebrate with Eric Gales at Ludlow, or Bryan Adams at Truist Arena. The opener for the latter gig is “Eurythmics Songbook featuring Dave Stewart”… which is a better name than “the guy without Annie Lennox.”

Next Friday, March 1st, The Raisins reunite for the first of three consecutive sold-out shows at the Woodward Theater. I’ll be in the house for that one.

Other 3/1 shows are Steel Wheels at Ludlow Garage, Moonbeau and Sappha at MOTR, and Mammoth WVH at Bogart’s.

Saturday, March 2nd is action-packed:

  • The Raisins are back on the Woodward stage
  • The Tillers kick off a two-night stand at Southgate – both shows will be recorded for an upcoming live album
  • Joe Bonamassa plays the Taft (giving blues-rock guitar freaks a massa-ive bona)
  • Madison Live hosts “An Evening with Sofaburn” – acts include Mike Montgomery, Lung, Super City, Shadwick, Wilde with Quiet Hollers, and Mosant
  • Plain Folk Café in Pleasant Plain, OH has An Evening with Dead Centric (that should be pleasant)
  • Molly Hatchet plays the Madison Theater
  • Annie’s hosts Aces High: The Music of Iron Maiden

On Sunday, March 3rd, The Tillers are back at Southgate and rolling tape for the live album.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo plays Memorial Hall on Tuesday, March 5th. And Socks in the Frying Pan and Enter the Haggis play that same venue the following evening (3/6). (“Socks in the Frying Pan and Enter the Haggis – part of this complete Celtic breakfast!”)

Local Lixx

Hat tip to list member Reid McCreary for recommending Mol Sullivan’s new album Goose. Definitely worth a spin or three:

Future Shows of Note

  • Guided By Voices and Wussy (full band!) play Madison Theater on 4/26.
  • They Might Be Giants play Madison Theater on May 14 and May 15
  • Pixies, Modest Mouse, and Cat Power at the Carol Brady on 6/5
  • Railbird (June 1-2 in Lexington) and Bourbon & Beyond (Sept 19-22 in L-ville) lineups below

Fast Car goes Back to the Future

I’m no fan of the Grammys, but it sure was nice to see Tracy Chapman back on a stage… and back on the charts.

Possibly Bogus Album Cover of the Week

List member Howard Cohen shared this one, but he warned me it could be fake news:

After a bit of internet sleuthing, I think it’s the handiwork of graphic designer Cris Shapan, who does a lot of retro fakery that’s friggin’ hilarious. Check out his work on Facebook but be prepared to laugh your buttocks off. Here’s a fake TV Guide listing:

And here’s a fake ad:

Real Album Cover of the Week

This is actually more disconcerting than the fake album cover, TBH.

February made me shiver

Uncategorized

I’m shivering with anticipation…

I’m anticipating some Heinz ketchup.

Why yes, that is a young Corey Feldman at his impish best. (And Casey Kasem with the voiceover at the end.)

Actually, my real anticipation is for new albums, including releases from Buffalo Tom and Waxahatchee. First singles are out already, and they’re delicious:

Superchunk has a tasty new tune out as well… with the less-than-uplifting title of “Everybody Dies.”

Now let’s take a look at the concerts coming our way in the not-so-merry month of February.

Shows on Friday, February 2nd:

  • The Montvales have an album release party at the Woodward Theater, with Jordan Smart and Maria Carrelli also on the bill.
  • Lung, Touchdown Jesus, The Metric Ton, and Bug Juice play Northside Tavern
  • The Outlaws play Ludlow Garage.
  • A rodent will predict the weather about as well as the Super Doppler-brandishing TV meteorologists usually do.

Yours truly will be volunteering at Winter Beerfest on Saturday, Feb. 3rd. I’ll mostly be volunteering to drink some beer.

Perhaps I’ll get so hammered that Disco Night at Annie’s will be appealing to me.

Or the L.A. Guns show at the Blue Note in Harrison.

Pure Grain plays the Rabbit Hash General Store at 2:30 on Sunday, Feb. 4th.

On Thursday, Feb. 8th, Ellis Paul plays Southgate.

On Friday, Feb. 9th, Umphrey’s McGee plays the Ovation, and The Hiders and Royal Holland are at MOTR.

Shows on Saturday, Feb. 10th:

  • Dan Bern is at Southgate
  • Manor House in Mason hosts the Cincinnati Winter Blues Experience V – band lineup is here
  • Billy Alley & the Pollies play a free show at MOTR
  • The Downtowne Listening Room is hosting a bluegrass show with My Brother’s Keeper at the Madeira Silverwood Church
  • Trippin’ Billies (Dave Matthews Band tribute) plays Ludlow Garage

On Sunday, 2/11, The Laurelys play a free show at MOTR.

Jeffrey Martin plays Southgate on Thursday, 2/15.

Friday (2/16):

  • William Elliott Whitmore will be at Southgate (his new album came out this week -it’s quite good)
  • Iswhat?! plays MOTR
  • Bone Thugs-N-Harmony plays the Ovation
  • The Loon in Northside hosts “The Love Hangover: an evening of lovely and lovelorn duets” – tickets here

Saturday, February 17th is a busy evening for gigs:

  • Fairmount Girls have a vinyl release show at MOTR, with Scrawl (yes, Scrawl!) opening the show
  • The Kills play Bogart’s
  • Domecrusher (featuring list member Todd Quincy on keyboards) is at the North 2nd Street Tap & Bottle in Hamilton – late-breaking news: The North 2nd Street Tap & Bottle (a.k.a. N2) is shutting down:

Seems like a cool place that supported live local music. Shame it’s closing. If you know of a backup venue for Domecrusher to play, let me know.

  • Get the led out (or in) with ZOSO: Ultimate Led Zeppelin Tribute at Ovation

Adrian Vanderberg plays Ludlow on Sunday, 2/18.

I have no Soul

Note from list member Lisa Collins about the January edition:

I thought you might have included an RIP for David Soul with this edition. “Don’t Give Up On Us Baby” was a hit for Hutch in the mid- late ‘70’s – maybe he can be one of your album covers next month!

I actually remember the song better than I remember Starsky & Hutch because that fantastic show was on ABC and we couldn’t pick up the signal from the Little Rock ABC affiliate at my childhood shack in Hagarville*, Arkansas.

*Not named after Sammy… or the comic strip Viking.

However, I did feature this David Soul album cover in a “This Week in Live Music” edition from long ago:

R.I.P. Hutch… here’s a posthumous hug from Huggy Bear.

Columbus loses its cool

Columbus radio station WWCD 92.9 (formerly CD101, and later CD102.5 — “Central Ohio’s Alternative”) is signing off tonight after 33 years on the air. It is (soon to be was) an independently-owned station, with live DJs, playing music (including songs from local artists) that you couldn’t hear anywhere else on the dial. Surely that sounds familiar to those who loved 97X.

“Radio done right is about more than charts and ratings – it’s about community, and it’s about people. I was always brought up on the belief that with music and radio stations, even if you own the license, you are beholden to the community that you’re in. A strong music scene is part of the ecosystem of a city that makes it vibrant.”

Randy Malloy, owner and president of WWCD 92.9, in the article linked above

Sticking a fork in Pitchfork

Noted music aficionado Anna Wintour recently gutted Pitchfork, laying off a bunch of staffers and announcing that the remaining skeleton crew will be absorbed into GQ.

Pictured above, Anna Wintour, in her Halloween costume as a member of Lucius. Pictured below: Lucius.

Read the Pitchfork eulogies/lamentations from Consequence of Sound, Deflector, and NPR’s Ann Powers.

This “small-batch music blog” doesn’t want to let you down, so lemme tout a new album I’ve really been digging. It’s the debut release from an alt-country band from Norwich, England, of all places. The band is called Brown Horse, and the album is “Reservoir.”

Album Covers of the Fortnight

It’s a happy day for Ronnie and Sandy because the record label promised them a year’s supply of hairspray.

Wait a minute, this isn’t an album… it’s a cookbook!

New Year, New Tunes

Concert Listings, Music

Happy 2024! May your year be filled with peace, prosperity… and some live music!

Breaking news!

Sorry to interrupt our usual programming, but we had to inform you that sales legend (and longtime This Week/Fortnight/Month in Live Music whipping boy) Dan Lewis has hung up his Cincinnati Reds spikes sport coat.

Dan spent 17 years in sales for WLW, and another 17 in sales for the Redlegs. He’s certainly earned his retirement.

And we promise to stop poking fun at Dan “Reds in 2024, but not me” Lewis now that he’s a man of leisure.

Speaking of leisure time, your favorite Koncert Keeper blogger will be out of town for a couple of weeks. I’ll be hangin’ with Donny & Marie… and Punchy.

So let’s take a look at the entire January roster o’ shows.

Monday night, Memorial Hall has “Cincinnati’s King Records: A Musical History – featuring Ben Levin.”

On Wednesday, Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke kicks off a two-night stand at Ludlow Garage. Benji Shanks (not the prison weapon) is also on the bill. Also, ska band Mustard Plug plays Southgate.

Charlie and Benji (not the adorable dog from the 1974 movie or the 2018 reboot) will be back in the Garage on Thursday. That same evening, Jason Carter of the Del McCoury Band will play the Woodward Theater.

Friday shows:

  • Beth Harris plays an unplugged (no relation to Mustard Plug) happy hour freebie show at MOTR. Two sets starting at 5 p.m. Highly recommended!
  • The Godz (legendary hard rock band from Columbus) play the Blue Note in Harrison
  • Ludlow Garage has the Ultimate Doors (no relation to AE Garage Doors)

Next Saturday, Jan. 13th:

  • Musical comedian Heywood Banks plays the Sorg Opera House in Middletown
  • Non-musical comedian Nate Bargatze is at the Coliseum
  • Musician-who-was-in-a-comedy-show Noah Reid (David’s boyfriend in “Schitt’s Creek”) plays Bogart’s
  • Najee plays the Ludlow Garage

Friday, Jan. 19th:

  • Memorial Hall has four great singer/songwriters – it’s the “On a Winter’s Night” tour featuring Lucy Kaplansky, Patty Larkin, John Gorka, and Cliff Eberhardt.
  • King Buffalo plays the Woodward, with Rezn and The Harlequins
  • Dead Letter Office: A Tribute to R.E.M. will be at Ludlow Garage
  • The old Annie’s hosts Grunge: The Sounds of Seattle. (flannel shirts and leggings under cargo shorts sold separately)

The tribute band conga line (Gloria Estefan sold separately) continues on Saturday, Jan. 20th, as Ludlow Garage hosts Kashmir – Classic Led Zeppelin Live and Madison Theater has Signs of Life: The American Pink Floyd. (“Oh, by the way, which one’s fake Pink?”)

That same evening, The Electric Indigo, Junior Citizens, and Nick Fed Trio play MOTR.

On Sunday, Jan. 21st, there’s… wait for it… another tribute show! Memorial Hall hosts All You Need is Love (“a celebration of the 60th anniversary of The Beatles’ arrival in America”).

On Tuesday, Jan. 23rd, Digable Planets will do a 30th anniversary show for their debut album Reachin’ (A New Refutation of Time and Space) at Bogart’s.

Michael Oliva of The Harlequins plays an Artist in Residence show at MOTR on Wednesday, 1/24, with Pretty Mean and The Dolly Daredevils. (Michael is playing MOTR every Wednesday in January.)

Story of the Year will be at Bogart’s on Thursday, 1/25.

Shows on Friday, Jan. 26th:

  • Sugadaisy,This Pine Box, and DJ Freakboys play MOTR
  • Mol Sullivan has a record release show at Woodward Theater
  • Mr. Big (no relation to the “Sex in the City” character) plays Ludlow Garage.

The Commodores play the Hard Rock Casino on Saturday, Jan. 27th (not to be confused with “Easy Like Sunday Morning”… wait, yes, it IS!). Meanwhile, over at Tribute Band Central (a.k.a. Ludlow Garage), it’s the Hot Red Chili Peppers.

No, the Hot – Red – Chili – Peppers. See what they did there? (Tube socks sold separately.)

On Sunday, Jan. 28th:

  • Steve Poltz plays the Woodward Theater
  • Branford Marsalis (not to be confused with Wynton Marsalis… but that’s tough to do) plays Memorial Hall.

Long Live Rabbit Hash!

The Rabbit Hash General Store has a “Sunday Music Behind the Stove” Series with artists performing at 2:30 p.m. Here’s the lineup for the next few months:

Long live people who are still alive!

Reader Kevin Sullivan flagged this story from The Atlantic:

It’s a good read for folks of a certain vintage… (looking at you, Dan “I’m Retired” Lewis) and not just because it has “Fee Waybill” in it. (Also, it sounds like the Greenwich Odeum is the Ludlow Garage of Rhode Island.)

Speaking of Geriatric Rock, check out Dan Lewis rocking what he likes to call “The Banana Hammock” (because it’s so comfy):

Concerts in Space!

The Washington Post has an article where the author speculates about playing music in space (not the Grateful Dead kind… or maybe so!). Hard pass for me. I’ll stick with this:

Jim James Jams!

Here’s part of a pre-New Year’s note to the My Morning Jacket email list from lead singer Jim James:

Here are some things I tell myself to try and remember, perhaps some of them may resonate with you:

Take time to tell the people close to you that you love them and are grateful for them. Take time to sit quietly and do the same for yourself – give yourself some extra love and self-care. Look in the mirror every morning and say “I LOVE YOU (insert your name here)” even if you are sad. Go to therapy. Get out in nature and close to the source. Find God in your own way. Hug a friend. If you can’t hug a person, hug a tree or a sweet animal friend, and try to give as many hugs as you can. Don’t be afraid to ask for love if you need it, most folks aren’t mind readers and are usually happy to help if only we ask. Go to an art show, see some live music or sports or performance of any kind, and connect with folks in the real world. [emphasis mine]

Frank & Dave’s faves

List member Frank B. shared his favorite albums of 2023:

  • Wednesday – Rat Saw God
  • Superviolet – Infinite Spring
  • Geese – 3D Country
  • MJ Lenderman – Live and Loose
  • Sparklehorse – Bird Machine
  • Yo La Tengo – This Stupid World

And list member Dave Purcell (now based in Albuquerque) shared his top picks for last year, along with his wife Amy’s favorite books. Those lists are linked below. (+1 on his pick of The Tubs Dead Meat – love that album!)

Album Covers of the Month

No pigs were harmed in the making of this album.

Brother Bill really knows how to pay a compliment! (I think I saw his mother at The Tubes concert.)

Not sure if this is the cover of an album or the cover of a Hardy Boys mystery.

Not sure if this is “Clare Fischer” or Charles Nelson Reilly on “Match Game ’74.”

HollyDaze

Concert Listings, Music

However you choose to celebrate the holiday season, please don’t spin any of those overplayed seasonal tunes within earshot of me. It’s not just Mariah, it’s also Andy Williams, Bobby Helms, Brenda Lee… basically the same 12-song rotation that’s been shoved down our earholes since November 1st.

There are good Christmas songs (R.I.P. Shane and Kirsty), but you’ll rarely hear them on iHeart/Cumulus radio stations or in the malls.

Thanks, my spleen feels vented now. On with the shows!

Tonight, Ben Levin plays Schwartz’s Point, and then he’s got his big Holiday Blues Revue on Thursday.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy plays a “Wild & Swingin’ Holiday Party” at the Taft Theatre on Wednesday.

On Saturday, it’s a Sophie’s Choice for the stoners:

  • Afroman’s “Merry Spliffmas” is at Annie’s
  • Hyryder (Grateful Dead tribute band) plays the Madison Theater

After those smokin’ Saturday shows, all is calm, all is bright… two adjectives that my school teachers never used to describe me.

Things pick up a bit after the fat guy heads back to the North Pole.

On Friday, December 29th, Sylmar and Bendigo Fletcher play the Woodward, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra trots out their usual holiday tuneage at the Coliseum.

Saturday, December 30th is a very busy night for concerts:

  • Jess Lamb & The Factory (featuring Siri Imani) plays MOTR
  • Rumpke Mountain Boys kick off a two-night stand at Annie’s
  • Root Cellar Extract plays Plain Folk Café in Goshen
  • Tickled Pink (Scott Covrett, Bob Nyswonger and Bam Powell) plays the Pub in Rookwood

On Sunday, December 31st:

  • The Rumpke Mountain Boys ring in the new year at Annie’s
  • Foxy Shazam plays the Foxy Carol Brady
  • Your favorite writer of a semi-coherent, sporadically-published list of Cincinnati-area concerts will celebrate his birthday… by attending the wedding of one of his wife’s co-workers.

Coney Island Baby

Did you hear the news that MEMI is draining the Coney Island Sunlite Pool for good, and building a concert venue in its stead?

Oh goody, a state-of-the-art venue to host those cutting-edge Lynyrd Skynyrd/Kid Rock double bills!

Best Coast, best advice

Bethany Cosentino from the band Best Coast put out a really good solo album this year… and not many people heard it. She talked to Stereogum about her disappointment. Money quote:

I just genuinely think the record I made is really fucking good, and I love it. And again, that’s what matters. I guess maybe at the heart of this message is: If you really love something, do it. Don’t give up. Don’t overthink it. Don’t say, “Well, I should just do the other thing that works already.” No. Do the think you wanna do. Make the thing you wanna make. You know what? If it doesn’t work out, that’s OK.

And the story has a bit of a happy ending, thanks to the dumpster fire that is whatever Twitter is called now.

Album worth a spin

I’m really digging the new release from a UK band called Witching Waves.

Read an interview with the band members here and check out the album below:

Matt & Dave

Cincy meets Indy when Matt Berninger chats with David Letterman.

Hot Ticket Alert

Alvvays plays Bogart’s on Friday, 4/19, and Jerry Harrison & Adrian Belew bring the Remain in Light tour to that same venue on Friday, July 26th. (The Bogart’s box office is open Mondays and Fridays from noon-5, and it opens two hours before showtime on the nights of a show — purchase your tickets there to save big on fees.)

Favorites of 2023

Steven Hyden of Uproxx has it right:

Before I share my list, I need to repeat my regular “year-end list” disclaimer. If you already know the drill, feel free to skip ahead.

1) Ranking albums is dumb … We all know this. Art isn’t a competition. I can’t really distinguish between my 13th favorite album and my 15th favorite. This is all talk. None of it really matters.

2) … but it’s kind of fun … Of course it is! Because it’s about sharing music recommendations. And I do mean share — make your own lists and show them to me, especially if you’re the sort inclined to complain about lists. Put yourself out there and let me complain about you, too!

3) … because it’s really about discovering an album or two (or possibly more!) that you might not have known about otherwise. Exactly!

Now, let’s rank!

Steven’s list is here. Other lists:

And this site compiles several “best of” lists into… you guessed it… a list!

If you care to share your 2023 favorites, post them in the comments.

Album Covers of the Week(s)

Slim and Rampal not only know how to rock, they also know how to rock a gorgeous robe!

Merry, Happy, etc.

’tis the season… to ROCK!

Concert Listings, Music

Wow, can you believe it’s December already? I don’t think I’m ready for the “holiday of savings” or the “sale-a-bration” or the “December to Remember” or whatever other slogan some poor junior copywriter has to come up with (until s/he’s replaced by A.I.).

But I AM ready to rock… always. (And Alvvays!)

Let’s take a gander* at the upcoming shows.

*no relation to the Christmas goose… we hope, because if he is, we have some bad news to deliver.

Tonight:

  • Braxton Brewing’s Dark Charge release day features live music from Tracy Walker, Zeb South and Jeremy Short
  • Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real are at Bogart’s
  • Ben Levin 3 plays Wiedemann’s
  • Camp Springs Tavern has an evening with Alex Salcido (of The Harmed Bros.)
  • Ludlow Garage hosts Aja: a Tribute to Steely Dan
  • Ramblin’ Rob’s “Dead to the Core” show at Annie’s is a benefit for WAIF-FM
  • NoahIMean? and Tobotius of Animal Crackers host a turntable workshop at the Music Resource Center (tickets)

On Sunday, Jason’s Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening will be at the Greg Brady (because Greg was a rock god too!).

Want your own Johnny Bravo moment? On Tuesday, you can be a movie star! Jerry King & the Rivertown Ramblers will be playing a FREE show in the Southgate House’s Revival room. And the honky tonkers and rockabilly boppers in the crowd might end up in a movie, because the show is being filmed for an upcoming documentary. (More here.)

The Preservation Hall Brass Band plays a Creole Christmas show at Memorial Hall on Wednesday, and Meshuggah will be rocking the Jan Brady.

Pop (or bluegrass) quiz: “Kentucky Thunder” is:

  1. the street name for off-brand Oxycontin.
  2. Ricky Skaggs’ backing band.

Trick question… it’s both! But only #2 will be playing Memorial Hall (with Ricky) on Thursday.

That same evening, Steel Panther plays Bogart’s and Thunderstruck (“America’s AC/DC”) plays Annie’s.

On Friday:

  • Ben Levin plays Element Eatery
  • Ludlow Garage hosts Christmas with the Celts
  • Carriers play live at Music Resource Center

Next Saturday‘s smorgasbord:

  • Heartless Bastards play the Woodward
  • You can see Pigeons Playing Ping Pong (the band at the Madison Theater, or the YouTube channel from the comfort of your own home)
  • Welshly Arms will be arm’s length away at Madison Live
  • Mike & the Moonpies play Southgate, with Justin Wells and Erin Viancourt
  • LEZ Zeppelin will be in Ludlow Garage

On Thursday, 12/14, you can catch Tab Benoit and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band at Taft, or see A John Waters Christmas at Ludlow Garage.

On Friday, 12/15, Over the Rhine kicks off a three-day stand at Memorial Hall. (Sunday 12/17 show is at 4 p.m. for those who want to catch a show, catch the early bird special at Bob Evans, and catch a full night’s rest.)

Other 12/15 shows:

  • Pink Talking Fish (a fusion of Pink Floyd, Talking Heads and Phish) plays the Madison Theater
  • Bone Thugs-n-Harmony plays a hip-hop holiday show at the Ovation
  • Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits hosts an Olde English Christmas at Ludlow. That show might be BYOB:

On Saturday, Dec. 16th:

  • Mike Oberst & Justin Cefalu play Camp Springs Tavern
  • Motherfolk plays “A Very Motherfolk Christmas” at Bogart’s
  • The Atlanta Rhythm Section is so into the Ludlow Garage
  • Woodward Theater hosts a screening of Freakscene: The Story of Dinosaur Jr.

And on Sunday, 12/17, you can jazz up your life by seeing Ben Levin at Schwartz’s Point.

I’ll have a Blue(s) Christmas without you

Speaking o’ young Ben Levin, he’s hosting a great lineup of Blues artists for a good cause on Solstice evening:

I’ll have a Blue Christmas without Shane

R.I.P. Shane MacGowan of The Pogues. Worst teeth, best songs.

Stop me if you’ve heard this before…

Guided By Voices has a new album out. Nowhere To Go But Up is merely their 39th studio album, and only the third of this year.

And guess what? It rocks! Check out the Paste review. I love this line from it:

To be a Guided By Voices fan is to be happy within your place orbiting around a flaming sun that, somehow, still burns as aggressively as it did in the early 1990s.

Pat king, in his Paste review

Geddy Lee Effin’ Rocks!

Geddy wrote a memoir. This CBC interview is well worth watching. Here’s a quick clip where Ged talks about being a part of Canada’s premier power rock trio (suck it, Triumph!):

Album Cover(s) of the Week(s)

Seems like a kids album, right? Guess again, my friend:

If you have an especially keen eye (or too much time on your hands), you might’ve also noticed the song entitled “Marty Feldman Two Step.”

This album seems pretty innocuous too… I was afraid to check out the track list.

Jive. Turkey.

Concert Listings, Music

No turkey for me, thanks. I’m a veg head.

And I don’t speak jive. But I know Beaver Cleaver’s mom does.

Let’s speak a universal language: music! But before we get to the gigs in the near future, just a quick reminder that pre-sale tickets were made available today for The Raisins reunion shows next March 1st and 2nd at The Woodward Theater – the code is: porkopolis.

Tonight:

  • The Menzingers play Bogart’s
  • Tiny Moving Parts and World’s Greatest Dad (which could be a warning label on a Swiss watch and a coffee mug screen printing, respectively) are at Southgate in the Revival Room
  • John R. Miller plays Southgate’s main room (a.k.a. Sanctuary)

On Friday, Meshell Ndegeocello plays Ludlow Garage.

Saturday gigs:

  • In the Pines (new album is pretty good) plays the Woodward, with Lung and Mol Sullivan also on the bill
  • Memorial Hall has An Evening with Joan Osborne
  • Ludlow Garage features Bruce in the U.S.A. (“The world’s #1 tribute to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band”) – almost as good as this act:

Sunday is a busy day for shows:

  • Black Stone Cherry plays the old Annie’s
  • John Waite and his band are at Memorial Hall
  • The O’Jays make a “Last Stop on the Love Train” tour appearance at the Greg AND Peter Brady

The Whiskey Shambles play Northside Tavern on Tuesday, 11/21, with Achilles Tenderloin and Sarah Dactyl also on the bill.

Wednesday, November 22nd is Thanksgiving Eve… and you can feast on live music:

  • Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band plays Southgate
  • Ernie Johnson from Detroit is at MOTR
  • Maria Carrelli will be playing at Arnold’s in conjunction with the limited edition vinyl release of a live album she recorded at Arnold’s back in April. The album artwork is from list member Keith Neltner, in collaboration with Maker’s Mark. The first 150 people to show up will get the album for free!

Details from the Arnold’s Facebook page:

These aren’t just regular albums. There is a ton of work that goes into them. Releasing these Thanksgiving Eve albums for free has been a passion project for Arnold’s owner Chris Breeden and celebrated graphic designer Keith Neltner for over 5 years now. They handle every aspect of this release from the vinyl pressing all the way to stuffing the records into the sleeves at the end. 

Next Thursday, you’ll be too stuffed on stuffing to see a show.

But you can dance it off on Friday, 11/24 during the Funksgiving show hosted by Freekbass at Radio Artifact (in the Urban Artifact taproom). Or try this:

Other shows on Friday 11/24:

  • Trouble No More and Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country kickoff a two-night stand at the Madison Theater
  • Buffalo Wabs and the Price Hill Hustle are at Southgate
  • Tweens play MOTR
  • Night #1 of Inhailer Radio’s “Inspired” fundraiser concerts at The Woodward – full lineup:

Gigs on Saturday, 11/25:

  • Night #2 of the Inhailer fundraiser shows (Woodward) and the Trouble No More/Daniel Donato combo (Madison Theater)
  • Blues wunderkind Taj Farrant plays Ludlow Garage
  • Papadosio plays the Taft
  • Camp Springs Tavern hosts Gehner Dueling Pianos – Holiday Kickoff Show
  • Ben Levin plays BrewRiver
  • Your favorite music list author will be slinging beers at the Mt. Washington Biergarten in the parking lot on Oxford Avenue. Stop by and say hi.

Christone “Kingfish” Ingram puts a bow on Rollvember with a show at Ludlow Garage on Thursday, 11/30.

I went to a rock concert and a ballgame broke out… or vice versa

Foo Fighters and Green Day are both playing Great American Ball Park this summer. Foos have Pretenders and Mammoth WVH opening. The Green Day lineup also includes Smashing Pumpkins, Rancid and The Linda Lindas. Look for list member Dan “Reds win it all in ’24” Lewis in the front row for both shows.

Have we learned nothing from “Disco Demolition Day”?

It turns out that Jeff Tweedy likes ABBA’s “Dancing Queen”… [story link courtesy of list member Michael “Rico” Carrico, who said “This seems like some well-timed wisdom from one of our favorites that maybe you should make note of there old (cranky, crotchety) friend…] Hmm, guess Rico wasn’t onboard with my Radiohead bashing. He’d better get off my lawn!

The 70s were the best!

I miss those halcyon days when you could you see the “I am Woman” woman and Fonzie singing along with Neil Diamond.

Album Cover of the Fortnight

I feel better than James Brown.

Happy Thanksgiving!

November Reign

Concert Listings, Concert review, Music

Rocktober, we hardly knew ye…

(Jesus gives out full-size candy bars!)

But now it’s Rollvember! Let’s take a gander at who’s rollin’ into town.

But first, this is a Public Service Announcement… with guitar.

You’ve been warned.

OK, on with the shows… on Thursday evening:

  • Jaguar Sun and Television Blonde play MOTR (9 p.m., tix are $15 day of show)
  • Loreena McKennitt is at the Taft
  • The Mat Kearney Acoustic Trio plays Memorial Hall
  • The Cadillac Three are at Bogart’s
  • Rainbow Full of Sound (yes, that’s a Grateful Dead tribute band… how’d you guess?) will be at the old Annie’s, recreating the GDs legendary 1972 tour of Europe.

Rubblebucket plays Bogart’s on Friday.

Here’s your Saturday slate o’ shows:

  • Blues guitarist Walter Trout is at Ludlow Garage
  • Willy & the Cigs play MOTR
  • Southgate House hosts the Queen City Blues Fest (lineup is here)
  • Ovation has Wish You Were Here – The Sight & Sound of Pink Floyd presents “The Dark Side of The Moon 50th and Beyond Tour” (“North America’s biggest, most authentic Pink Floyd stage production in a spectacular tribute of music, performers, lighting, lasers, videos and inflatables.”)
  • Travis Tritt plays the Hard Rock (although he doesn’t play hard rock)

Speaking of casinos, Tuesday is 11/7 (or 7/11 if you’re a Eurotrash Girl or Guy)… and if you’re a fan of Victor Wooten and the Wooten Brothers, it’s your lucky day. They play Memorial Hall.

On Wednesday, 11/8, Popa Chubby (yes, that’s his real name*) plays Southgate, with Luther Ray and the Flood.

*No, it isn’t. But here’s a true story: when I worked on the Gary Burbank Show at WLW, cast member Dukie Sinatra and I would sometimes fill in for Gary on holidays. We had a Popa Chubby tune as one of our “bumper” instrumental beds. As we were coming back from a commercial break. I made the mistake of saying the artist’s name… Duke never let me live it down.

Next Thursday, November 9th, is jam-packed with jams (but not jam bands… sorry Tommy Chong!)

  • The Head & The Heart play the Mike & Carol Brady (see what we did there?)
  • Memorial Hall hosts a musical conversation with Valerie June, Rachael Davis, Thao (of Thao and the Get Down Stay Down fame) and Yasmin Williams
  • Tommy Prine plays Southgate with Jordan Smart
  • Eric Hutchinson is at Ludlow Garage (which isn’t in Ludlow, KY)
  • The Blue Wisp Big Band plays Bircus Brewing (which IS in Ludlow, KY)
  • AJ Croce will be at the Taft
  • Jeff Tweedy’s Fall Book Tour makes a stop at Walnut Hills High School’s auditorium, with Nathan Salsburg as the moderator
  • Last, but certainly not least, you can enjoy some Post Sex Nachos (that’s a band… good thing they didn’t have any instrumental tracks when I worked on Gary Burbank’s show) and Divine Sweater at Madison Live.

(The original Lovin’ Spoonful)

Concerts on Friday, November 10th:

  • Grace Potter plays the Jan Brady
  • GZA and Fishbone are at Bogart’s
  • Freddie Gibbs plays the Madison Theater
  • The Ladybug Transistor plays an early show at MOTR, with Northern Kentucky Derby handling the late shift
  • Memorial Hall hosts The Eagles Project (acoustic) – we hope they play the Eagles new hit “Tush Push”

Eric Roberson plays Ludlow Garage on Saturday, 11/11.

On Monday, Nov. 13th, the Woodward Theater will be screening the fantastic Talking Heads concert film Stop Making Sense.

Nellie McKay plays Southgate’s Revival Room on Tuesday, 11/14, and Amy LaVere and Will Sexton will be in that same spot on Wednesday, 11/15.

On Thursday, November 16th, password presale tickets for The Raisins reunion shows (Mar. 1 and 2 of 2024 at the Woodward) will go on sale.

Not-so-hot Ticket

As list member Michael “Rico” Carrico said, “these top two musical headlines tell you pretty much all you need to know about Cincinnati live music scene.”

And as list member Ken Laube said “‘Nickleback but better’ is a pretty low bar.” (BTW, Ken’s weekly show on Inhailer Radio is moving to Fridays 11a-3p.)

Funny Business

This McSweeney’s piece called “So, You’ve Decided to Start Listening to Radiohead in Your Mid-Thirties” is a knee-slapper. Favorite line:

The true Radiohead experience is 80 percent confusion, 20 percent feigned understanding. That’s the sweet spot. That’s the center of a Yorke peppermint patty.

I Love It Loud (and Live)

List member Mighty Joe Sampson and I saw two relics at once a couple of weeks ago: KISS at the Riverfront Coliseum.

It was as over-the-top as you’d expect, and cheesier than Post Sex Nachos (the food, not the band). Which is exactly what we were hoping for!

The God of Thunder in a cherry-picker? Yes please!

We tried to steal the giant inflatables for our Halloween displays…

Just your average 71-year-old and 74-year-old, wearing sensible shoes.

Flash forward a week and list member Ken Laube and I were at the polar opposite show: Chuck & Lisa from Wussy playing a garage in the back of a gallery in Northside.

No pyro, no confetti cannons, just stellar singing and songwriting. The headliner was a band called Dusk from Appleton, WI. Not too shabby:

Album Cover of the Fortnight

Good ol’ Doug is up for whatever. A great Rollvember roll dawg.