Heywood Banks

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.”

The infinite sadness

Concert Listings, Music

Sorry to start off on a sad note… notes, actually… but ye olde music list is a man down. He was a good man too. Mark Celsor – longtime Cincinnati Recreation Commission staffer, Mt. Washington neighbor, active in the community, musician, music lover… just an all-around great dude. Heart attack. 65. I just spoke with Mark at the Waxahatchee show… of course he was there – Mark attended tons of concerts over the past 50 years. A week later, he was gone. R.I.P. M.C. You’ll be sorely missed by friends and family.

While we’re still in sadness mode, I want to remind you that May is Mental Health Awareness Month… and it’s also the month that we lost John Erhardt (Ass Ponys, Wussy) and Scott Hutchison (Frightened Rabbit). Those factoids are related.

It’s not just about musicians, though. It’s about family, friends and neighbors. The link above has some good resources and suggestions for ways to reach out and help out.

May is also the month we lost my friend Kim Collins (sister to three folks on this list, friend to countless others) to a heart attack, at age 52. Kim was an avid music fan, and her way-too-soon passing was both the inspiration and the impetus for this list of live gigs. Go to a show… and savor it!

Friday night Cereal Killers play Fries Cafe in Clifton, from 7-11 p.m. First beer is on me, as we drink a toast to Mark, Kim, John, Scott… and to the music that touches our hearts. (Watch out for Cereal Killers lead singer Howard Cohen though… he might touch lower.)

Other notable gigs on Friday:

  • Leon Bridges plays the Jan Brady.
  • Heywood Banks is at Ludlow Garage.
  • Run to the (Western) Hills to catch Iron Maidens (female Iron Maiden tribute band) at the Blue Note in Harrison. The lead singer’s stage name is Bruce Chickinson. Not sure if they have an monster mascot named Edwina… but they probably use the same hair care products.

Speaking of great hair, there’s one more show on Friday – it’s a supermarket matinee. Local musician Chris Cusentino plays the Hyde Park Kroger (great tunes, good prices!) from 4-8 p.m.

Tune up on Aisle 7!

I’m not sure what section Chris will be in (Produce? Not Dairy because he isn’t cheesy…), but his gig will be more melodic — and just as entertaining — as the “show” at another retail location:

Chris Cusentino is playing the Hyde Park Kroger again on Saturday… from 11:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. (Is he sleeping in the stockroom?) Chris’ brother-in-law is a big Deadhead, and he always asks Chris to play “China Cat Sunflower”… which Chris refuses to play. So if you’re picking up some delicious Kroger® Sea Salt Dry Roasted Sunflower Kernels (just $1.99!) and roll past CC, ask him to play “CCS”… it’ll be a hoot!

Saturday (and some Sunday) evening shows:

  • Camp Springs Tavern hosts Jam on the Creek, with great local music (Randy Steffen, Michael Moeller, The Pour Hours), food (Little Rock Farm) and beer (Fifty West).
  • Joe’s Truck Stop has an album release party in the Southgate Lounge, while upstairs in the Revival Room it’s The Mango Furs.
  • Coney Island hosts Appalachian Festival (Sunday too!).
  • Yonder Mountain String Band headlines both evenings (Sat-Sun) of the Rivergrass music festival at the old Annie’s.
  • Testament, Exodus and Death Angel play a sold-out (and likely quite loud) show at Madison Theater.
Must be a UK fan…

On Sunday, in addition to the aforementioned festivals above, Mudhoney plays the Southgate House, and Deftones play the Cindy Brady.

Mud. Cindy Brady. They go together. But they’re separate shows.

On Tuesday:

  • AJR kicks off the Riverbend season (Good lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise…).
  • Band of Heathens and Chicago Farmer are at the Woodward.
  • Last — and least — the Mixtape Tour (i.e. New Kids on the Block, Salt ‘n Pepa, Rick Astley and En Vogue) hits the Coliseum (speaking of ancient artifacts).

Wednesday:

  • Guitar wizard Eric Johnson plays Ludlow Garage.
  • Victor Wooten/The Wooten Brothers play Memorial Hall.
  • Lung is at MOTR.

Next Friday marks the return of the Parlor & Patio house concert series, with Ritt & Wilder Dietz playing at the home of list members Dave and Jacqui Killen, in scenic Ft. Thomas, Kentucky. Ft. Thomas is known for its “cake eaters” but at P&P, they serve pie!

The P&P show is sold out (live music + pie = high demand), but they have Jesse Terry booked for 6/16. Get yer tix now!

Other shows on Friday, May 13th:

  • Marc Cohn plays Ludlow Garage (he’ll be walkin’ in Clifton….)
  • The Ghost of Paul Revere gallops into Taft
  • Bitch, Katie Cash and Kristen Ford are in Southgate’s Revival Room
  • Night Owl and The Hiders (duo) play a free gig in the Southgate Lounge.
  • Garth Brooks opens a two-night stand at Paul Brown Stadium.

Gig radar

King Cobra is gone for good, but Timberwolf is back, baby!

Standing ovation, every ride!

And for this year’s Timberwolf Amphitheatre shows, you don’t have to purchase a ticket to the amusement park. The Avett Brothers kick off the series on Tuesday, June 28th. Full summer lineup and ticket links are here.

The Afghan Whigs just announced a hometown show at Bogart’s on Sept. 11. And Built to Spill is playing the Woodward on Monday, August 22nd.

Jesse is a friend… of democracy

Jesse Malin and Eugene Hütz (Gogol Bordello) teamed up to cover the Pogues to drum up donations for the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation.

Love your mom… KISS your dad

Happy Mother’s Day to all the real mothers. And Paul Stanley had some sage advice for all of us

as he paid tribute to his dad, who passed away last April at the age of 101.

Pearls of wisdom from the guy who wrote “Love Gun”… who’d a thunk it?

Album Cover of the Week

We’re turning over an old Leif. Because the back cover can’t be any worse.

May the Sixth be with you

Concert Listings, Music

Hello friend! It’s purt near May (that’s how we say it in Arkansas) which means it’s purt near time for another Cereal Killers gig… or two! But I reckon we have a few shows before then too. Let’s take a look-see.

Friday, Khruangbin and Toro y Moi are at the Sam the Butcher Music Center. You remember Sam the Butcher, don’t you? He was the one who always delivered meat to Alice the cook at the Brady Bunch house.

Nice package!

Other gigs on Friday evening:

  • Gavin DeGraw plays the Horseshoe Jack Hard Rock Casino
  • Brit Floyd is at the Taft
  • Ben Levin rocks BrewRiver
  • Sierra Ferrell plays Southgate. According to list member Dave Green (who also plays bagpipes in the 35th Indiana Pipes & Drums), Sierra likes to make her own stage costumes by modifying thrift store clothes. I think she should call this outfit “Partridge Family Bus”:
C’mon get happy…

On Saturday evening, you can get some clean laughs with Brian Regan at the Mike Brady Music Center.

Or you can head to Camp Springs Tavern to enjoy a cold beverage, served up by guest bartenders (and brothers) Chris and Nathan Dye, founders of the local brand design agency Dye Brothers (fitting name, ain’t it?).

All tips earned that night will be donated to the Karen Wellington Foundation for Women LIVING with breast cancer, so it’s a good time for a great cause. The missus and I will be there for a spell. Hope you can join us!

NRBQ plays Southgate on Sunday.

On Wednesday, The Happy Fits are at Top Cats.

Thursday, the Walter Trout Band plays Ludlow Garage.

Next Friday (5/6), the Cereal Killers play at Fries Cafe in Clifton!

Remember, the first beer is my treat.

That same evening, Leon Bridges plays the Carol Brady. Which was your favorite Carol Brady hairdo?

The only correct answer is #3.

Ben Levin plays Wiedemann’s Brewing.

Comedian/guy who sings “Toast” Heywood Banks is at the Ludlow Garage.

And Engelbert Humperdinck plays the Taft. I hear he does a cover of “The Humpty Dance,” while wearing the glasses…

Next weekend features a flurry of festivals

Here are the gig posters:

Support local artists

Music Fund Cincinnati is a new non-profit established to promote free events and provide financial assistance to local musicians.

Please consider volunteering your time and/or making a donation.

A Public Service Announcement to the people who go to shows to talk

I’d like you to STFU. Andrianne Lenker of Big Thief put it a bit more politely:

“When music is happening in a room, there’s a performer onstage playing and doing their craft, when you enter into that space, try to be mindful of what’s happening and pay attention and don’t talk,” Lenker said. Later in the message, she rephrased the same thought: “When you come into this space where music is happening, even if you’re coming just to see a specific act play, be mindful if there is somebody performing and playing, to either listen or at least be quiet so that other people can listen. Or go and put yourself elsewhere.”

Her full message can be found in this Stereogum article

I couldn’t agree more. Wanna chat? Go to the lobby… or just go home!

Gig pix

James McMurtry put on a stellar solo show at Memorial Hall. I knew he had a way with words but was impressed by his gee-tar pickin’ too!

Valley Heat is spreading…

Remember the podcast I touted last week, called Valley Heat? We have another convert – Cereal Killers frontman/Great Lakes Brewing rep Howard Cohen:

The show is so damn funny, including the music. Check it out posthaste.

Album Cover of the Week

List member Ted Gardner wants to know if this is the worst or best album ever made? What say ye? You can put your ears on it below… enter at your own risk!

Have a great week!