July came Swiftly

Concert Listings, Music, podcast

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.”

Jesse Malin in Rolling Stone

Hiding in plain sight

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!

June’s tunes

97X, Concert Listings, Music

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!

And Inhailer Radio trotted out the 40th anniversary of the 97X Modern Rock 500, an event that garnered a lot of publicity.

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.