Lyle Lovett

July flies by…

Concert Listings, Music

Wow, would you look at the time?

It’s “purt near” August (as my Arkansas kinfolk the Beverly Hillbillies would say). I reckon we should take a gander at some live music.

Uncle Jed rocks! There plenty of other rockin’ shows coming to town, but first, this:

Perhaps the “unforeseen circumstances” were “not selling enough tickets to a show with Slash and three blues artists.” But I know this is a massive disappointment for those who were anxiously awaiting the Tri-state debut of the Solidarity, Engagement, Restore, Peace, Equality N’ Tolerance tour.

AJR plays the Coliseum on Tuesday. AJR = brothers Adam, Jack and Ryan in the band. Whereas Jar Jar = George Lucas jumping the shark.

On Wednesday, Japanese punk band Otoboke Beaver plays Bogart’s. And you-you-you oughta know that Alanis Morissette plays Riverbend, with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts and Morgan Wade also on the bill.

That same evening, Jake Speed & the Freddies play a free show at Burnet Woods from 7-9 p.m. (Weather permitting… but if it rains AND it’s your wedding day, Alanis will show up.)

Also on Wednesday, Dave Mason kicks off two nights at the Ludlow Garage. Unless he gets stuck in Traffic. And if he does, Alanis will sit in for him.

Speaking of traffic jams, downtown will be hopping on Thursday night:

  • Foo Fighters play Great American Ball Park, with Pretenders and Mammoth WVH
  • The Cincinnati Music Festival (CMF) kicks off at the Bengals stadium, with MC Lyte and KRS-One on the bill

If neither of those gigs is your speed (or in your price range), you can catch Ruby Vileos for free at Washington Park, or join in on the bi-weekly Bluegrass Jam at Camp Springs Tavern.

Friday is “Festival Friday”

  • the Nelsonville Music Festival kicks off in… you guessed it, Nelsonville, OH (sorry Alanis). The Felice Brothers, Amyl & the Sniffers, The Deslondes and Killer Mike are on the schedule.
  • Night 2 of the CMF features Maxwell, Ne-Yo, Fantasia, and the original Lakeside.

Other Friday shows:

  • Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew play a “Remain in Light” show at Bogart’s.
  • Lyle Lovett is at the Rose in Dayton
  • Gabe Lee and Sophie Gault play Southgate
  • The Bill Frisell Trio plays Ludlow Garage
  • Ben Levin plays the Cincinnati Nature Center’s Music Under the Moon concert series. (Ben’s show is sold-out, but tickets still remain for the 8/23 and 9/13 shows.)

—- SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION —

List member Dan Bockrath needs to part with his two tickets to the Remain in Light show listed above. (Because he’s going to see the Bill Frisell gig that same night. Don’t tell Alanis.) Here’s Dan’s note:

“The RIL show is essentially sold out, but I bought my seats several months ago. I have a 2-top table in the lower balcony. Asking what I paid for – $110 for the pair.” Dan’s digits are 513-493-7307. Ring him up if you’re interested.

This special advertising section has been brought to you by the Geek of Seats

———————————-

Saturday’s a doozy for live music:

  • Steve Earle plays a solo acoustic show at Ludlow Garage
  • Black Flag plays the old Annie’s
  • Zapp plays a free show at the Greg Brady after the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame 2024 induction ceremony (noon start).
  • Warren Haynes is at Rose in Dayton
  • Riverbend hosts the Totally Tubular Festival featuring Thomas Dolby, Modern English, Men Without Hats, Wang Chung, Tommy Tutone, Bow Wow Wow, Eddie Munoz of The Plimsouls and Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey. (In their heyday, Thompson Twins were a trio… now it’s just one dude. I hope Alanis sticks around for that!)
  • Nelsonville has Bonnie Prince Billy, Bob Mould, Snõõper, Courtney Barnett and several more bands on the bill. (Full list here.)
  • CMF features New Edition and En Vogue, among others. (Full lineup is here.)

Next Sunday (7/28):

  • Warren Haynes plays PNC
  • The Struts play the Bobby Brady
  • the bluegrass band Never Come Down will be at the Woodward
  • Nelsonville wraps up

Primus and Coheed & Cambria play the Jan Brady on Tuesday, July 30th, while across the river, Taking Back Sunday and Citizen will be on the Ovation stage. (“Taking Back Sunday” on a Tuesday… Alanis, where are you?)

Bowling for Soup will be at Bogart’s on Wednesday, 7/31, and Ludlow Garage hosts Tusk (“America’s #1 Tribute to Fleetwood Mac”).

Three freebie shows to choose from on Thursday, August 1st:

  • The John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band (John Jorgenson on acoustic guitar, mandolin and vocals; Herb Pedersen on banjo, acoustic guitar and vocals; Mark Fain on bass; and Patrick Sauber on acoustic guitar and vocals) plays the Levitt Pavilion in Dayton
  • The Casey Campbell Project is at Washington Park
  • Lawrenceburg Civic Park has a tribute to Hoosier boy John Mellencamp, called “Small Town”

Or if you want to part with some of your hard-earned cash, you can buy tickets to see Johnny A & Davy Knowles at Ludlow Garage.

I don’t know how to break this to you gently, so I’m just going to come right out and say it: The Creed show at Riverbend on Friday, August 2nd is sold-out.

No one in this world, so far as I know—and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me—has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. 

H.L. Mencken… talking about the promoter of the Creed show

Fear not, Coastal Club has a vinyl release party at the Woodward that same evening, with Moonbeau and Michael Williams. David Shaw of The Revivalists does a special VIP acoustic show at the Fitton Center in Hamilton in advance of the Big River Get Down. Oh, and Luke Combs kicks off a two-night stand at the local NFL Stadium.

The aforementioned Big River Get Down happens on Saturday, 8/3:

(Thao & the Get Down Stay Down are not playing the Big River Get Down… Alanis, come back!)

Other 8/3 shows include:

  • Jeremy Pinnell headlines a SofaBurn Inc. fundraiser supporting healthcare costs for artists – that show is at The Redmoor in Mt. Lookout
  • Jewel and Melissa Ethridge at the Rose
  • John Sebastian and Jimmy Vivino at Ludlow Garage
  • S.G. Goodman at Southgate (a reschedule of her June show) – I’ll be at that gig.

On Sunday, August 4th:

  • Riverbend has a Jimmy Buffett tribute feat. the Coral Reefer Band
  • 10cc plays Ludlow Garage

Music Fun Facts

Contrary to popular belief, the band 10cc did NOT get their name from… er… how can I put this delicately… bodily fluids emanating from a dude’s… um… you know… when he… um… you know.

I can confirm, however, that my new band D5W is named after a fluid.

We love it live

Fun shows from Band of Horses (Bogart’s) and Hurray for the Riff Raff (Woodward) and Aaron Lee Tasjan (Fountain Square).

Magic moments happen live

Speaking of Aaron Lee Tasjan’s free show at Fountain Square, someone in the audience requested his song “Alien Space Queen” but ALT said “we just found out that we only have an hour set, so we had to cut some songs… but come to the merch booth after our set and I’ll play it for you acoustic.” Sure enough, he did – playing that tune and his song “Pants” for a dozen or so folks huddled around. Super cool!

Why (most) radio sucks today

Bill Janovitz, lead singer of Buffalo Tom, speaks the truth in this Boston.com Q&A:

Why the Spotify algorithm might not be much better

This Stereogum article talks about how an obscure B-side (“Harness Your Hopes”) became Pavement’s most streamed song on Spotify… and how the Autoplay function may be rewarding “safe” songs… and how “streaming payola” is coming soon. Oh joy!

Songs that don’t suck

Deer ticks suck, but Deer Tick doesn’t

And let’s savor R.E.M.’s network TV debut on Letterman, shall we?

That clip is from 1983… man, I feel old.

Album Covers of the Week(s)

Oh Barbara, you’re such a brazen hussy.

Jack, you should get Barbara Dewey’s phone number… from the bathroom wall.

July, she will fly…

Concert Listings, Music

Oh, Hello!

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.

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.