Thank goodness it’s finally Pumpkin Spice Season! (Aw, who am I kidding? It’s been Pumpkin Spice season since July 5th. It’s about commerce, not the calendar.)
Let’s see who’s spicing up the concert calendar…
Matisyahu plays the Taft tomorrow night.
On Wednesday:
Agent Orange plays Southgate (orange like a pumpkin)
Men I Trust play the Bobby Brady
Dark Star Orchestra is at the Ovation
GWAR is at Bogart’s
Coco Montoya plays Ludlow Garage
On Thursday:
Dale Watson plays Southgate, with Matt Hillyer as the opener
Easy Honey is at MOTR (lead singer is a 90s Anthony Kiedis lookalike- see video below)
Bullet for My Valentine plays the Cindy Brady
Also on Thursday, KISS plays the Coliseum, on their 26th and final (for now) “final” tour.
Bob Dylan (Ever heard of him?) plays the Carol Brady on Friday evening. Back in the 90s, my wife was a huge Dylan fan.
That same evening, The Zombies play Ludlow Garage. (We appreciate the Zombies waiting until it was seasonally appropriate to do a tour.) Culture Queer is at Northside Tavern. And the old Annie’s has “Led Zeppelin 2.”
Plenty o’ shows on Saturday:
The Laurelys play Neltner’s Farm Fall Fest in the afternoon (1:30-4:30 p.m.), and Sami Riggs plays the Camp Springs Tavern (across the road from the farm) that evening.
Tommy Emmanuel plays the Taft
Zach Nugent (no relation to the Motor City mouthpiece) plays a Grateful Dead set at Ludlow Garage
Comedian Lewis Black will be at the Hard Rock Casino
Chelsea Ford & the Trouble are at Neltner’s Farm on Sunday afternoon, and Bob Mould plays a solo electric show at the 20th Century Theater that evening, with Jason Narducy as the opener.
The Ophelias and Living Hour play MOTR on Monday, October 23rd.
Messa and Maggot Heart are at the Woodward on Tuesday, 10/24.
Soft Machine will be at Ludlow Garage on Wednesday, 10/25. I love a good soft machine!
The Furious Bongos unleash their fury at Ludlow Garage on Thursday, 10/26, and Ke$ha (it’s pronounced “Key-Dolla-Sign-HA!”… or so I assume) plays the Ovation in Newport.
Jethro Tull’s Martin Barre plays “A Brief History of Tull” at Memorial Hall on Friday, 10/27, and Etta May is at Ludlow Garage. Back in the 70s, I was in love with Etta May.
No, wait, that was Elly May. My bad.
Saturday, October 28th is action-packed:
Ray Vietti, Ben Knight and Stripmall Ballads play Neltner’s Farm in the afternoon, with Stripmall Ballads also playing Camp Spring Tavern that evening.
Donna the Buffalo stampedes into Ludlow Garage
Husbands play Madison Live
Georgia Middleman and Sami Riggs play a “Downtowne Listening Room” gig at 1628 co-working space at 315 W. Court Street. (I feel like they should’ve picked a different name for the space, given the address…)
On Sunday, October 29th, the Tye Dye Band (featuring list member John Sandman) plays Washington Park at 11 a.m. as part of the Fall Fest weekend (full Saturday/Sunday lineup is here.) And Mike Oberst and Justin Cefalu wrap up the musical lineup at Neltner’s Farm.
Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade has a gig at the Jan Brady on Monday, 10/30.
Steve Hackett (no relation to Buddy) wraps up Rocktober with a gig at the Taft on Tuesday, 10/31. That evening also is Halloween.
Which means Wednesday 11/1 is the official kickoff of Peppermint Candy Cane flavor season.
The track is from their forthcoming release Misfits & Mistakes: Singles, B-sides & Strays 2007–2023.
Part of this complete Breakfast
Longtime “This Week in Live Music” favorites Japanese Breakfast did a show at Radio City Music Hall recently, and the encore included a cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Only Living Boy in New York.”
Fetters plays like a Mother
Rob Fetters has a new album out. You can order it here.
From Rob’s email: MOTHER is a collection of 11 new slightly-warped guitar-pop meditations on relishing life’s ass-kickings—past, present, & future.
MOTHER features contributions from Matt Malley (Counting Crows), Belinda Lipscomb (Midnight Star), Alice Peacock, Bam Powell, Bob Nyswonger, Noah Fetters, and Swany Fetters .
Album Covers for Halloween
Nothing’s scarier than some stereo dynamics…
Actually, a Barbershop Quartet is scarier…
But this guy’s Bond villain vibes really creep me out. And you should never mess with someone named Thelma.
I’ve been slacking on my Koncert Keeper duties. (Sorry, life got in the way.) But now I’m back, baby… just in time to be the bearer of some really sad news:
These back-to-back gut punches have music fans reeling.
Carlton and Chris brought joy to so many folks all over the world – not just through their music but also through their spirit. May both live on.
(And ICYMI, check out the 97X Rumblings from the Big Bush podcast episode where Dave Tellmann and I talked to Carlton and Happy from the RC Mob prior to their reunion shows late last year.
Tomorrow, the Newbees headline the free show at Fountain Square, and list member Keith Neltner has a opening for his art show at MOTR Pub. The show is called “Blood & Ink Rising Up from Underneath” and it’ll be at MOTR through Oct. 24. Here are details about the opening celebration:
Speaking o’ Farmer Keith, they’re kicking off the Neltner’s Farm Fall Festival music lineup on Saturday in Camp Springs, KY, with TLipscomb and Chaya J. The full music list is below, and details about the Fall Festival can be found here.
Other Saturday shows include:
Blackberry Smoke at the old Annie’s
The Mars Volta at the Mike Brady
Braxton Brewing in Covington will celebrate the release of their BonBonerie Opera Cream Stout with live music from StringSource and opera singer Grace Graham.
The Witches of Rifle Range play Neltner’s Tavern (yes, it’s a Neltner lovefest.. no, he’s not paying me)
Lotus Land (the American Rush Tribute) plays Ludlow Garage
Last, and certainly least, Nickelback is at Riverbend
GA-20 plays the Woodward Theater on Sunday, and Brian Setzer brings his “Rockabilly Riot” to the Taft Theatre on Tuesday.
Wednesday is an action-packed night for live music:
Speedy Ortiz is at MOTR (8 p.m. ticketed show)
Mt. Joy plays the Carol Brady
Great Lake Swimmers are at Southgate
Eric Johnson plays Ludlow Garage
Neal Francis plays the Woodward on Thursday, while Christopher Cross goes sailing into the Ludlow Garage.
From “Sailing” we shift to swimming: Johnnyswim plays Bogart’s on Friday 10/6.
That same evening (10/6), Briscoe plays a free show at MOTR.
Dave Webster plays Neltner’s Tavern on Saturday, 10/7.
On Sunday, 10/8, The Brook & The Bluff are at Memorial Hall, and Valley plays the Woodward Theater.
Helmet plays Bogart’s on Tuesday, Rocktober 10th, and that same evening Phish kicks off a two-night stand at the Nut House, a.k.a. The Nutter Center.
On Wednesday, October 11th:
Juliana Hatfield plays a solo show at the Woodward
Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals play the Greg Brady
Ekoostik Hookah is at the old Annie’s on Thursday, 10/12, and Tim Reynolds and TR3 play Ludlow Garage.
Shows on Friday, October 13th:
The Church plays Madison Theater
Songwriter extraordinaire Jimmy Webb is at Memorial Hall
Moon Taxi and The Stews play the old Annie’s
On Saturday, 10/14, the Madison Theater has a double bill of bands with fun names: Moon Hooch & Doom Flamingo. That same evening, Ax & The Hatchetmen are at Madison Live and Foreigner* plays the Hard Rock Casino.
*Featuring one original member– but at least it’s Mick Jones
Blues artist Joanne Shaw Taylor plays Memorial Hall on Sunday, October 15th.
Guess who’s coming to the Marsha Brady on Monday, October 16th? No, not the Guess Who. It’s Yes.
(I never tire of seeing Derek Smalls and Squiggy together…)
Love it live
Since our last post, your humble scribe has thoroughly enjoyed killer shows from Cereal Killers, Drive-by Truckers with American Aquarium, James McMurtry, and both nights of the Guided by Voices 40th anniversary shows in Dayton. Oh, and a Barenaked Ladies free show downtown.
Cancer sucks.
List member Michael “Rico” Carrico lost his brother Kevin to cancer four years ago. It not only sucked because Kevin was so young (25), but also because Kevin had survived a bout with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma a few years earlier and was studying to be a pediatric oncologist when he succumbed to Ewing’s Sarcoma.
In Kevin’s honor, Rico and his family and friends have raised funds for the National Collegiate Cancer Foundation, which provides scholarships to young adults who have been diagnosed with cancer. Their biggest annual fundraiser is a golf scramble – this year’s event is next Saturday, October 7th, at California Golf Course. If you’d like to register or just make a donation, you can do so here.
Album Cover of the Fortnight
And in your next life, may your garments look less like couch coverings.
First, an apology. List member Mighty Joe Sampson pointed out that our previous post’s headline was a bait-and-switch. You can’t call a post “Cruel, Cruel Summer” without paying it off with some Bananarama. So here you go, Joe:
Oops, my bad. Let’s try that again:
Ah, that’s better. OK, now, on with the show(s).
Thursday:
The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band plays a free show (paid VIP tickets also available) at RiversEDGE in Hamilton, with Cristina Vane as the opener.
The TyeDye Band (fronted by list member John Sandman) plays a free gig at Washington Park as part of their Roots Revival series.
Devon Allman and Donovan Frankenreiter play the Madison Theater.
James Taylor & His All-Star Band are at Riverbend
All four shows are guaranteed to be hot, hot, hot.
(Sorry Joe, not gonna add a Buster Poindexter video… )
On Friday:
Sam Bush plays the old Annie’s – it’s an indoor show
Michigander headlines the free concert at Fountain Square
Danielle Nicole plays the blues at a freebie show at Levitt Pavilion in downtown Dayton
ZZ Top (featuring two original members) and Lynyrd Skynyrd (featuring two fewer original members than ZZ Top) play Riverbend, with Uncle Kracker (featuring one original Kracker… or uncle… or both)
On Saturday, the Cereal Killers bring their inimitable brand of vintage punk and new wave music to Big Ash Brewing.
By now, you should know the drill: first beer’s on me.
Other Saturday gigs include Black Flag at Ludlow Garage, Barry Manilow at the Coliseum (not a lot of overlap in the Venn diagram of Black Flag and Barry Manilow fans), and Live with Fuel at the Hard Rock Casino. “Live with Fuel” sounds like a commercial for a drag racing event (non-RuPaul version):
Or “Live with Fuel” could be be a Zoolander scene:
Speaking of fire, Ring of Fire: the Music of Johnny Cash opens at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.
Train comes chugging into the Rose Music Center on Tuesday and Pentatonix is at Riverbend. (Pentatonix is NOT a doom metal band… if you go expecting one, you’ll be quite disappointed.)
Wednesday:
The Offspring, Simple Plan and Sum 41 are at Riverbend
The TyeDye Band plays Wunderbar in Covington
tu:NER [“a musical trio comprised of Trey Gunn, Markus Reuter, and Pat Mastelotto, that celebrates the music of the Double Duo era (1998 to 2003) of King Crimson”] is at Ludlow Garage
RiversEDGE has Satisfaction: a tribute to the Rolling Stones and the Billy Rock Band
Darlingside plays Memorial Hall next Thursday (8/31) and Ludlow Garage has an evening with Ottmar Liebert.
Next Friday and Saturday (9/1 and 9/2), Guided By Voices celebrate 40 years with an amazing lineup:
Other Friday 9/1 shows include Los Straitjackets with the Jake La Botz Trio at the Woodward Theater, Modern English at Ludlow Garage, and Union Son doing an acoustic show at Stanbery Park in scenic Mt. Washington.
9/2 shows include Men without Hats at Ludlow Garage, and the Kings of Late Night (Craig Ferguson, Jay Leno, Arsenio Hall) at the Hard Rock Casino.
Staind will leave their mark on the Hard Rock Casino on Sunday, 9/3.
Monday, September 4th is Labor Day. Here’s your holiday P.S.A. from Billy Bragg:
Smashing Pumpkins play PNC Pavilion on Tuesday, September 5th. (The W.A.S.P./Armored Saint gig slated for the Cindy Brady has been cancelled.)
Skid Row (featuring a lead singer not named Sebastian Bach) and Buckcherry play the Rose on Wednesday, 9/6.
Bobbing for Tickets
Tickets go on sale Friday for Bob Dylan’s Oct. 20th show at the Carol Brady. Buy ’em at the box office and save on the TicketBastard fees.
Concert review X 2
List member Dave Green raved about Charley Crockett’s gig at the Peter Brady. Meanwhile, faithful readers (all two of them) will recall that the last post from a poorly written, sporadically published, lazily distributed, rarely read blog made this audacious claim:
That prediction was 110% accurate. Or 25% accurate, because it might’ve been the show of the year! The Beths were amazing. Elizabeth Stokes writes some fantastic songs, and the three dudes in the band aren’t just great on guitar, bass and drums but they also contribute strong backing vocals. Great sound, stellar set list, enthusiastic crowd… and an inflatable fish on stage. Perfect! (Opener DISQ was very cool too.)
Mic Drop
It’s yet another sign-off for 97X – list member Dave Tellmann and I wrapped up our “Rumblings from the Big Bush” podcast with Episode 97.7. We only had about 13 regular listeners, but they appreciated it:
Dave was hoping that our final episode might earn us some “M.A.S.H. finale ratings” but I told him ours would be more like South of Sunset.
(Look on the bright side, Dave – our show is bigger than Glenn Frey’s!)
Album Cover of the Fortnight
This might be the most unintentionally creepy album cover ever. I’m not quite sure what’s going on here, but I think Rex Allen Jr. might be stalking Billy Barty.
Nearly five years ago, Dave and Damian started a podcast about 97X. They had no idea what they were doing.
They still don’t know what they’re doing, but they DO know that as they stumbled through nearly a hundred episodes, they had a blast reconnecting with station staffers, listeners, advertisers, record reps, and even some bands that made the station so special.
But now they’ve caught up with nearly everyone affiliated with the station (in both the 97X and woxy.com era).
They had the distinct privilege of co-hosting the Mercantile Library’s event with 97X book author Robin James.
They helped usher the 2023 97X Modern Rock 500 from crazy idea to amazing reality, thanks to more than 30 former DJs, Dave’s son Jack (producer extraordinaire) and our friends at Inhailer Radio.
Dave and Damian sucked at promoting the podcast, but somehow, some way, through the magic that was and IS 97X, listeners found it:
“I am not sure you guys realize just what impact having this modern rock format has had on my life… your podcast has brought about all of these thoughts, feelings, and memories of the soundtrack of 21 years on my life. I thank you for playing your part in it back then and I thank you for creating this podcast to help me process just what those 21 years have meant to me.”
“Anyway, I know you’ve heard it before, but you did a hell of a job preserving the mental health of lots of weird sullen people in our corner of the Rust Belt. I cried real drunken tears from Baltimore when the terrestrial signal died and I’ll never be able to tell you how important you all were in helping me get to adulthood.”
“Thanks for the pod. It is like finally being able to talk with someone about the treasure that was WOXY.”
“There are so many bands and songs that make me think so fondly of 97X. 97X will forever have a place in my heart.”
“That was about the only good thing about where I lived: 97X came in crystal clear and was like an oasis among the fields of corn. The music you played opened my mind and heart to soundscapes so different than anything I’d ever known. You took me to places I was sure I’d never get to go. How lucky was I!… Really I just wanted to let you know how much 97X meant to me in my teen years. You truly saved me. I can’t fully express how much you did. But I am Here in large part because of this station. You gave me hope and an outlet. I heard you, and my spirit felt heard in return.
Thank you, friend, for listening. So long for now…
“She was vilified, humiliated at times, metaphorically crucified when alone and in her twenties. Everything she stood up for and against then, including racism in the music industry, has been proven to have been needed and right. She wasn’t just trying to look out for herself. She was the original truth sayer who wouldn’t go easy into the night. The original “difficult” woman who didn’t make it easy. Because easy wasn’t the right thing to do and it wasn’t the truth. Gone too soon. Nothing compares to you.
Irish comedian and actress Aisling Bea on Instagram
Kudos to Pink and Brandi Carlile for paying tribute to Sinéad that evening at their concert in Cincinnati. Without a doubt they each owe her a debt of gratitude for blazing the trail.
Today we lost Robbie Robertson, the bandleader of The Band, one of the all-time great groups.
Sorry to bring you down. Let’s try to brighten the mood by looking to the future…
Oops, that’s not gonna help. The first gig on Ye Olde Koncert Keeper is Ted Nugent. He’s playing the Rose Music Center tomorrow night.
Fear not, though, as there are several decent gigs tomorrow:
Ruby Vileos plays a free gig at Washington Park
Erin Coburn does the freebie at Smale
Yonder Mountain String Band, Railroad Earth, and Leftover Salmon play the Taft Theatre
Drivin’ n Cryin’ plays Ludlow
Fraze has a “Happy Together” gig (that’s more like it!) featuring The Turtles, Little Anthony, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Vogues, The Classics IV and The Cowsills.
On Friday:
Yonder Mountain String Band, Railroad Earth, and Leftover Salmon try to fumigate the Rose.
The Samples play Ludlow Garage
Here Come the Mummies are coming to the old Annie’s
The Beach Boys play the Hard Rock Casino
Kenny Roby (of 6 String Drag) plays the Southgate Lounge
Saturday, JD McPherson plays Southgate and Brett Dennan is at Ludlow Garage.
On Sunday, the ageless Willie Nelson headlines the Outlaw Music Festival at Riverbend, with John Fogerty, Gov’t Mule, Kathleen Edwards, Particle Kid, and Myron Elkins also on the bill.
Tuesday, Disturbed, Breaking Benjamin and Jinjer play Riverbend.
When I hear the name “Ghost” my mind immediately goes here:
But the band Ghost (a “GRAMMY-winning Swedish theatrical rock band” per the bio… I thought that was ABBA) has a sold-out show at Riverbend on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Rose hosts a tribute to Ghost ABBA, and Al Stewart plays Memorial Hall.
Next Thursday (8/17):
Asleep at the Wheel plays Memorial Hall
RiversEDGE in Hamiltucky has the Cordovas, Scotty Bratcher, Duane Betts and Palmetto Hotel
Edwin McCain is at Ludlow Garage
Steven Page (formerly of Barenaked Ladies) plays a freebie at Village Green Park in Fairfield
Dead Centric (yes, a GD cover band) for free at Evendale Pavilion
Jump: America’s Van Halen Experience at Ludlow Garage (free chaps to the first 50 attendees)
Next Saturday, 8/19:
Noah Wotherspoon and Eric Jerardi play a free gig at the Levitt Pavilion in downtown Dayton
Black Owls, Heavy Hinges, and The Tigerlilies play Southgate
Next Sunday, the Old 97s play Southgate, and the even older Jethro Tull wheezes into Rose.
The show of the summer is on Monday, August 21st: The Beths play the Woodward Theater.
They aren’t just New Zealand’s finest, they are one of the finest bands going. So you’d best be going to this show. Opening act is DISQ, so it’s a great twin bill.
On Tuesday, 8/22, Marcus King, Charley Crockett, and Molly Tuttle play the Mike Brady, and Jethro Tull fiddles flutes around at PNC.
(Our favorite Jethro… yet not in Jethro Tull or The BoDeans.)
Crackerjack Cracker
The Cracker gig at the old Annie’s a couple of weeks ago was really enjoyable. A very strong set list of Cracker, Camper and more. David Lowery + Johnny Hickman = music magic. List members Howard Cohen (Cereal Killers at Big Ash on 8/26!) and Todd Butler were in the house too, which added to the festive atmosphere.
Where does the summertime time go? Seems like the ol’ globe’s spinning a bit faster these days. Or maybe I’ve just been day-drinking again. Either way (or both), it’s time for a fresh batch of live tunes. Let’s go to Ye Olde Koncert Keeper:
Tonight:
Ruby Vileos has an album release show at The Loon in Northside, with special guest Tyler Ramsey (formerly of Band of Horses). This show is sold-out.
Fall Out Boy plays Riverbend
George Thorogood & the Destroyers are at Fraze Pavilion
Blood, Sweat & Tears drop into Ludlow Garage
The Cincy Blues Fest happens in Fairfield
Abby Holiday plays an album release show at Madison Live
On Sunday, JD Souther plays an “all the hits, some of the stories” show at Memorial Hall.
Tuesday, the Tedeschi Trucks Band plays PNC Pavilion with Ziggy Marley as the opener. I’ll be at that gig, courtesy of list members Whit & Barb Gardner, who have had the misfortune of living across the street from me for more than two decades.
On Wednesday, Say She She is at the Woodward Theater with Abby Jean, and the Jan Brady has the “Sad Summer Fest” featuring Taking Back Sunday, The Maine, Motion City Soundtrack, PVRIS, Hot Mulligan, Stand Atlantic, Sincere Engineer and Mom Jeans. (Mom Jeans – I’m a big fan!)
Speaking of articles of clothing, or a lack thereof, Nelly plays the Fraze on Thursday.
Keep your clothes on Rose, the Nelly gig is sold-out. But you can catch Ludacris, Flo Rida and Ashanti at the Hard Rock Casino… or see the Crash Test Dummies for free at Village Green Park in Fairfield. Yes, Fairfield.
On Friday, Cracker plays the old Annie’s. A Cracker show is always good.
I’ll be at that gig, along with list member/Cereal Killers front man Howard Cohen, who also would like to remind you of this upcoming event:
The old Annie’s also has a show next Saturday, 7/22: Stephen Marley and Subatomic Sound System. And Joey McIntyre of NKOTB fame will be at Ludlow Garage. Other 7/22 gigs:
Moonbeau plays Madison Live
Mecklenberg Gardens in Clifton has an interesting “Two for the Show” gig featuring local duos:
On Sunday, 7/23, Vanilla Fudge will be in the Ludlow Garage.
If you’re into album artwork, you might want to check out a movie called Squaring the Circle (The Story of Hipgnosis) – it’s playing the Woodward Theater on Monday, July 24th:
Lyle Lovett brings his large hair and his Large Band to Rose Music Center on Wednesday, July 26th… meanwhile across town, the always-perfectly-coiffed Donny Osmond plays the Fraze. And speaking of amazing hair, Soul Glo plays Woodward Theater.
That same evening, Pink plays Great American Ball Park with Brandi Carlile, Grouplove and DJ Kid Cut Up (which may or not be list member Dan Lewis in disguise).
Shows on Thursday, 7/27:
500 Miles to Memphis plays a free show at Smale
Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle do a freebie at Washington Park
The Red Hot Chili Pipers (not Peppers) play Ludlow Garage. IMHO, this is the hottest Piper:
On Friday, July 28th, The Regrettes headline the free show at Fountain Square. I just saw this band in Milwaukee (photos below – more on the Milwaukee trip later) and they are a lot of fun. The lead singer is a force of nature. Well worth checking out.
Other gigs that evening include The Temptations and The Four Tops at Rose and Ramble On Bros (yes, a Grateful Dead tribute band) play the “Music Under the Moon” series at Cincinnati Nature Center. More info here.
I’ll be out of town the first week in August. In case we don’t chat before then, here are the gigs for that week:
(Oh, and Culture Club/Howard Jones/Berlin play Riverbend on 8/5 too.)
“Mil-e-wau-kay… the good land”
As mentioned previously in this rambling post, I was in Milwaukee recently. I went with list member Dave “Deuce” Richmond and his buddy Matt “no nickname that sounds like going to the bathroom” Voss.
Last Thursday, we hit Summerfest and saw Horsegirl, Jenny Lewis, The Regrettes, The War on Drugs, and caught the very tail end of Dinosaur Jr’s set… all for a mere $26. Such a deal!
I also saw Milwaukee’s Brett Newski (who played a house show at the home of list members Dave & Jacqui Killen a few years back) in the crowd at one of the stages.
On Friday, we hit the Reds-Brewers game. I was bummed to miss Japanese Breakfast, Brett Newski, and Built to Spill at Summerfest (free admission!)… but on Saturday morning at the Milwaukee Airport, I chatted briefly with Doug Martsch of Built to Spill. Turns out that in addition to being an amazing singer/guitarist/songwriter, he’s also a very nice guy!
Riding like the wind… if the wind is going about 6 m.p.h.
Friends, I’ve signed up to ride my bike 24 miles (in a row… crazy, I know) in the Ride Cincinnati event on 9/17 to raise funds for the UC Cancer Center and the Barrett Cancer Center. If you could see it in your heart (and find it in your wallet) to support me, I’d greatly appreciate your tax-deductible donation. 100% will go directly to life-saving cancer research and care right here in our community.
Me on a training ride:
Mailbag
A blog post comment from The Lovely & Talented Elizabeth Cannon, a longtime friend and the former marketing maven at Riverbend:
The bigger question might be “Who is more of a prima donna – TayTay or Noel?”
Album Covers of the Fortnight
Joe Stampley is a dead ringer for Cousin Eddie in National Lampoon’s Vacation.
James Brown may be Soul Brother #1, but Soul Brother #2 has to be Hansel Vibbert. He’s just oozing charisma and raw sex appeal.
Did you go to the big show downtown last night? I did! It was everything I hoped for and more!
I’m referring, of course, to the Dave Alvin & the Guilty Ones show in downtown Dayton at the Levitt Pavilion, with Dayton’s own The Mulchmen doing a stellar opening set.
Why yes, that is Jim McPherson of The Breeders on drums for The Mulchmen. I challenged him to an arm-wrestling contest after their set. It did not end well for me.
The Mulchmen and Dave Alvin both sounded great – Dave even busted out a few Blasters tunes. Admission was free, and Levitt Pavilion allows attendees to bring their own food and beverages (cans only). Such a deal!
Alrighty, let’s take a gander at some upcoming live shows in the Tri-state area.
Tonight, it’s The Invasion of the Swifties, Part II. I’m not a Taylor-lover (or ex-lover… no songs about me) but I’m also not a hater. CincyMusic had a great take on Taylor-mania:
Just down the street from Paul Brown Stadium (that payroll company isn’t paying me, so I’m using the old name), local blues wunderkind Erin Coburn will be playing at Sawyer Point at 4 p.m., followed by The Classic Rock Experience (6pm) and the AC/DC tribute band Thunderstruck (8pm).
Greensky Bluegrass is at the Bobby Brady.
Levitt Pavilion in Dayton (perhaps you’ve heard of it?) has another freebie show tonight, featuring Ernie Johnson from Detroit.
Last but not least (except in Liam Gallagher’s rankings), Noah Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Garbage and Metric are at Riverbend.
Then there’s a bit of a lull in live gigs as we celebrate our independence with discount fireworks.
On Thursday:
Tab Benoit plays a free show at the Levitt Pavilion in Dayton (yes, that place again)
Noah Wotherspoon will be “Rockin’ the Roebling” in Smale Park (the stage by Moerlein)
The Harmed Brothers Duo does a freebie at Washington Park
Candlebox is at Bogart’s
Chicago is at the PNC Pavilion
(Yours truly will be at Summerfest in Milwaukee, watching Jenny Lewis, Horsegirl, The Regrettes, The War on Drugs and perhaps a bit of Dinosaur Jr.)
Friday:
Lettuce and Steel Pulse play the PNC Pavilion
3 Doors Down and Candlebox are at the Rose Music Center
The Steve Miller Band will be at The Hard Rock Casino (“Take the money and run”…)
Kansas plays the Taft
The Sunburners play a free show at Stanbury Park in scenic Mt. Washington (a.k.a. “Anderson Heights”)
(Yours truly will still be in Milwaukee, watching the Reds-Brewers game)
Saturday (7/8) shows:
Future Islands are at Bogart’s
Lettuce and Steel Pulse head up the road to the Rose
For those who just can’t get enough T-Swizzle (or couldn’t drain their bank account for tickets), RiversEdge in Hamilton! has Kanin Wren’s Taylor Swift Experience for free.
Dream Theater is at the Ovation in Newport on Sunday (7/9) and Post Malone plays Riverbend.
Belinda Carlisle goes (or Go-Gos) to the Rose Music Center on Tuesday, July 11th.
The High Kings play Memorial Hall on Thursday, July 13th, and RiversEdge has “Nirvani” and “Fooz Fighters.” (Isn’t “Dave Grull” in both of those bands?)
Braxton Brewing in Covington, KY is hosting the Paradise Music and Beer Festival on 7/14-15:
Also on Friday, July 14th, Jessica Lea Mayfield headlines the free show at Fountain Square. I’ll probably make that gig. You should join me, unless you’re the type of person who likes Neil Diamond, then you can catch Super Diamond, the Neil Diamond tribute band, at Ovation.
Other shows on Saturday, July 15th:
Ruby Vileos has an album release show at The Loon in Northside, with special guest Tyler Ramsey (formerly of Band of Horses).
Fall Out Boy plays Riverbend
George Thorogood & the Destroyers are at Fraze Pavilion
The Cincy Blues Fest happens in Fairfield
Jesse is a friend…
… and he needs our help. Longtime “This week in live music” favorite Jesse Malin was climbing onto the bar at Webster Hall in NYC during a concert in late March…
In early May, he suffered a rare spinal stroke, and has been paralyzed from the waist down since. A Sweet Relief fund has been set up to help with Jesse’s medical bills.
“The reports from the doctors have been tough, and there’s moments in the day where you want to cry, and where you’re scared. But I keep saying to myself that I can make this happen. I can recover my body.”
We mentioned the Ruby Vileos album release earlier… Billy Alletzhauser’s other band The Hiders also is working on some new music. Dave Tellmann and I chatted with Billy and his Hiders bandmate Beth Harris about that (and towns in Arkansas… and Ass Ponys… and much more) in the latest episode of the 97X Rumblings from the Big Bush podcast.
Modern Rock 500 heavy hitters
97X superfan Scott Buckley created an interactive data visualization that allows you to get a snapshot view of the various artists in the 2023 97X Modern Rock 500 on Inhailer Radio and quickly see where their songs landed. Check it out here.
Speaking of Inhailer Radio, former 97Xers Matt Sledge and Jae Forman now have weekly airshifts there, along with list member Ken Laube (Fridays 3-7pm).
Album Cover of the Fortnight
Dennis Coffey makes his own Declaration of Independence. He’s a red, white and blue (and maroon and fuchsia) hero!
It sounds like the setup to a joke: “A punk rock guitarist and a preacher’s daughter walk into a theater…” But when Billy Alletzhauser and Beth Harris starting singing songs together in 2004, the result was pure magic. Their band, The Hiders, is the Kevin Bacon of music, with connections to Ass Ponys, The Afghan Whigs, Throneberry, Wussy, Heartless Bastards, Band of Horses, Plow On Boy, Comet Bluegrass All-Stars, Pearlene and more. And their sound is an amazing amalgamation of folk, country, rock, psychedelia, bluegrass, and indie rock. We talked to B & B about their start, the band’s evolution, Billy’s Ass Ponys tenure, Beth’s harmony vocal work with Erika Wennerstrom and Heartless Bastards, the Hiders most recent album (2021’s Forever at the End) and their plans for the year ahead.
“One of Cincinnati’s musical treasures.”
Mike Breen, Cincinnati CityBeat
You can put your ears on Forever at the End via the player below.
Alletzhauser and gifted harmony vocalist Beth Harris, the two constant Hiders in a rotating roll call of stellar talent, have assembled an impressive canon over the past decade and a half, and all without the questionable assistance of a label structure.
Brian Baker, Cincinnati CityBeat, 2021
Here’s their 2009 session on World Cafe from WXPN (home of 97X alum Dan Reed):
Billy Alletzhauser’s old band, Ruby Vileos, (a 97Xposure finalist back in the day) got back together to do a new record. Here’s it is via Bandcamp:
Ruby Vileos is doing an album release show on Saturday, July 15th at The Loon Wine Bar in Northside, with special guest Tyler Ramsey. Looks like the show is sold-out, but if they release more tickets you can get them here.
Wow, is it June already? June: our favorite month AND our favorite Johnny duet partner.
I know I’ve been slacking on keeping you abreast of the live local gigs. May was a bit busy. Really!
We had one kid graduate from O.U. (“Oh yeah!”):
[Peter was a triple major (Data Analytics, Finance, and Business Information Systems) and graduated summa cum laude. If you help him find a job, I will pay a finder’s fee (out of the savings on my healthcare plan and grocery bill).]
Lest I forget, our youngest, Andrew, also put on an overpriced robe, as he graduated from Walnut Hills High School:
This fall, he’ll be wearing ugly candy cane/barber pole overalls at Indiana U.
Since we last chatted, there was a fabulous 97X book event at the Mercantile Library.
Chuck Cleaver and Lisa Walker from Wussy played my house yet again!
My podcast pal Dave Tellmann and I even made it onto Channel 12, where we were interviewed by former 97X Breakfast Club intern Jen Dalton… and I wore a headset that made me look like the spitting image of noted Hollywood heartthrob Clint Howard:
But the really rewarding part of the whole Modern Rock 500 was stuff like this:
OK, the May madness is over. Let’s turn to June’s tunes. (BTW, I’ll be covering a full month’s worth of concerts, as our whole fam-damily will soon be off to Alaska to see the glaciers before they all melt.)
The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band plays a free gig at Levitt Pavilion in Dayton tonight.
On Friday:
Damien Jurado plays the Woodward Theater (good dude, just bad spelling of his first name)
Caitlin Rose and Andrew Combs are at Southgate
The Harmed Brothers play as part of the free Fountain Square “Indie Fridays” concert series (full summer lineup is here)
Zac Brown will perform after the Reds-Brewers game at GABP. (Look for list member and Reds sales all-star Dan Lewis in the front row – he’ll be the shirtless guy with “I ❤ Zac” painted on his chest.)
Saturday has a whole slew of gigs:
Wussy plays a house concert in Dayton, KY (of course I’ll be there, I’m a stalker)
Barenaked Ladies (not to be confused with Shirtless Dan Lewis) play PNC, with Semisonic and Del Amitri also on the bill (Del Amitri – that’s the band that was on Late Night with David Letterman when I was in the studio audience!)
Adrian Belew and Jerry Harrison are doing a “Remain in Light” concert at Newport Music Hall in Columbus
Sawyer Point has a free concert featuring Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass, Jake Speed, and Henhouse Prowlers
.38 Special and Loverboy play the Fraze in Dayton. If you enjoy cheesy 80s videos, this one is tough to top:
Dallas Moore has an album release show at Southgate on Sunday, with Ricky Nye also on the bill.
On Tuesday, June 6th, All Time Low plays the Newport venue that has reached an all-time low with its god-awful corporate name… which is why we still call it the Ovation.
On Wednesday, June 7th, Rose Music Center has the Kenny Wayne Shepherd “Backroads Blues Festival” with Eric Gales and King Solomon Hicks. That same evening, The Minks play Southgate.
Next Thursday, 6/8, Sylmar and Electric Indigo play the free “Rockin’ the Roebling” show at the Moerlein Lager House in Smale Park. (Full summer schedule is here.)
Hank Williams Jr. and Old Crow Medicine Show are at Riverbend on Friday, June 9th.
On Saturday, June 10th, Cereal Killers play Big Ash Brewing. Tell a buddy, bring a friend, but don’t you dare miss this big show! First beer’s on me.
Recent text reply from a friend/list member when I mentioned the Cereal Killers yet again:
Maybe, but I don’t know if I can amply express how damn good they are. If you enjoyed the 97X Modern Rock 500, you’ll love this gig.
I feel duty-bound to mention the other shows that evening, albeit whilst holding my nose:
Fraze has the “I Love the 90s Tour” featuring Sugar Ray’s Mark McGrath, Treach of Naughty by Nature, Kid N Play, All-4-One, 2 Live Crew, DJ Kool, and Color Me Badd. And Ludlow Garage hosts Bronson Arroyo’s tribute to Pearl Jam. It’s kinda like “pick your poison”… only without any members of Poison.
Sunday, 6/11 Jim Lauderdale plays the Southgate, with Lillie Mae.
Dead & Company make their final tour stop in Cincinnati on Tuesday, June 13th.
That same evening, Pat Metheny is at Memorial Hall.
The Pixies play the Mike Brady on Wednesday, June 14th with Franz Ferdinand and Bully – great triple bill!
On Thursday, 6/15, Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers and Dex Romweber (Flat Duo Jets for the win!) play Southgate. Love the gig poster:
That same evening, The John Doe Folk Trio plays a free gig at the Levitt Pavilion in Dayton — and they play a ticketed show on Friday, 6/16 at the Woodward, with Chuck & Lisa (Wussy Duo…. tired of playing my house) as the opener.
Other 6/16 shows:
Lyle Lovett & his Large Band play Ovation
Bruce Cockburn (“it’s pronounced ‘COE-burn’!”) and Dar Williams are at Ludlow Garage
The Rebirth Brass Band plays Memorial Hall
Matchbox 20 is at Riverbend
On Saturday, June 17th:
Jimmie Vaughan plays Ludlow Garage
Ben Folds is at the Rose
500 Miles to Memphis plays a 20th anniversary show at Southgate
Counting Crows and Dashboard Confessional are at PNC on Sunday, June 18th.
W.I.T.C.H. and Death Valley Girls are at the Woodward on Tuesday, June 20th. Also that night, Mike Gordon is at Madison Theater and Young The Giant and Milky Chance play the Jan Brady.
Gigs on Wednesday, June 21st:
James Taylor & band are at Riverbend
Peter Frampton plays the Rose
Ludlow Garage has a 70s Rock Revival Troubadour Project
Tracy Walker plays a free concert in Burnet Woods (7pm start)
On Thursday, June 22nd:
The Chris Knight Duo and Mic Harrison (V-Roys, Superdrag) play Southgate (American Aquarium has a Southgate date listed on their website, but it’s not on Southgate’s site… guess you’ll have to go and see who shows up)
Peter Frampton comes alive at the PNC Pavilion
Ally Venable plays Ludlow Garage
Stripmall Ballads and Ray Vietti play the Washington Park “Roots Revival” freebie (full summer schedule is here).
On Friday, 6/23:
AJR is at Ovation
Melvin Seals and the Jerry Garcia Band play Ludlow
Sloan plays a freebie at Fountain Square (at least according to the Fountain Square website… it’s not listed on Sloan’s website). Don’t sleep on Sloan, they are great. I’d definitely be at that gig if I weren’t watching glaciers melt.
Saturday, June 24th:
My Morning Jacket plays the Ovation
The SteelDrivers are at the old Annie’s with Stringus Khan and the Restless Leg String Band
Woodward Theater has Victoria Victoria featuring Charlie Hunter
The Surfrajettes and The Nailers play Southgate
Richard Marx plays the Fraze
Debbie Gibson is at the Taft. I wonder how her kid is now…
Legendary bluesman Buddy Guy plays the Rose on Sunday, June 25th, with next gen blues legend Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and Ally Venable on the bill as well. Also, Jesus Jones will be “Right here, right now” if the “here” is Ludlow and the “now” is 6/25.
Toad the Wet Sprocket plays Taft on Monday, 6/26, with Marcy Playground as the opener. That show is “bring your own sex and candy.” That same evening, the Doobie Brothers play the Rose.
Best What’s Happening!! episode ever!
What’s that you say? You’d love to see some bonus What’s Happening!! music content? Your wish is my command:
Santana plays the Rose on Tuesday, June 27th. Or maybe it’s Cheech Marin from Cheech & Chong… I always get those two mixed up.
On Wednesday, June 28th, The Deslondes play Southgate with Esther Rose as the opener (strong double bill!) and Earth, Wind & Fire (strong triple elements!) are at the PNC.
And June goes out with a bang on Friday the 30th:
Dave Alvin & the Guilty Ones play a free show at Levitt Pavilion in Dayton (I’ll be at that gig)
Greensky Bluegrass plays the Rose
The Steel Wheels are in Southgate’s main room
Maurice Mattei & the Tempers play a free show in Southgate’s Lounge (10pm)
Ambrosia is at Ludlow Garage
Homecoming when I’m not home
The National announced their lineup for this year’s Homecoming Festival.
I’ll be out of town when it’s going on, and to be honest, I’m not overly distraught that I’ll miss it.
“20th Century” is right… and I’m alright with that
JBM is booking shows at the 20th Century Theater in Oakley once again. The acts tend to skew toward an older demographic, but this old man is cool with that. I saw two great shows from septuagenarians in May – Richard Thompson and Junior Brown.
Up next, the young whippersnapper Bob Mould (a mere 62!) on October 22nd.
Oh! You Pretty Things
Book publishing guru Jane Friedman tipped me off (in her free Electric Speed newsletter) to this cool site called Album Whale where you can create visually appealing lists of albums to share with friends.
Album Covers of the Month
Listen your way to that beach body you’ve always wanted.
On May 11th, author Robin James discussed her new book The Future of Rock & Roll: 97X and the Fight for True Independence at The Mercantile Library, with your friendly neighborhood podcast hosts Dave and Damian. The event was streamed via Crowdcast, but due to the dreaded technical difficulties, the first 10 minutes of the discussion have been lost to the ether. However, we reconnected with Amy Hunter from the Mercantile Library staff so she could reprise her intro and then this episode picks up the discussion when the audio came onto the Crowdcast feed.
The event was co-sponsored by Downbound Books and Shake It Records. Approximately 200 folks were in attendance, many sporting their vintage 97X and band t-shirts:
Amy B. Hunter gave the intro. Learn more about The Mercantile Library here.
Dave – the James Lipton of modern rock.
Many 97X staffers and loyal listeners were in attendance. L to R above: Gentleman Jim Mercer, Dave, Robin James, Damian, Matt Harris.
Bill “Billy D” Douglas and his lovely bride serve as book models. (If you’d like to order a copy or three of Robin’s book, you can do so here through Downbound Books.)
Howard Cohen from Great Lakes Brewing supplied the adult beverages. (Howard also is lead singer of the local band Cereal Killers.)
