This week’s list of gigs is “more rock, less talk goofy memes”… Sorry, but the latest round of news makes it harder to be all fun and games.
Tonight:
Kitchen Dwellers and Neighbor play RiversEDGE in Hamilton
Smashing Pumpkins do an outdoor gig at the Ovation in Newport
Comedian Tom Segura kicks off a two-night stand at the Aronoff
Ben Levin plays Big Ash Brewing
Local bluesperson Erin Coburn plays a free gig on Fountain Square
Last but certainly not least, America’s AC/DC tribute, Thunderstruck, plays the Event Center at Little Miami Brewing in Milford
I’m thinking of starting a band that plays country versions of New York Dolls and Heartbreakers songs and calling it “Thunder’s Truck”…
UNITED KINGDOM – JANUARY 01: MUSIC MACHINE, CAMDEN PALACE Photo of Johnny THUNDERS, & The Heartbreakers L-R Walter Lure, Billy Rath, Jerry Nolan, Johnny Thunders (Photo by Erica Echenberg/Redferns)
Saturday:
Ray Lamontagne and Sierra Ferrell at the Brady
Ben Levin plays at an outdoor gig at Miami Whitewater Park from 7-9 p.m.
Kentucky Struts at Southgate
Veronica Grim, Alex Salcido (of The Harmed Brothers) and Hayden Kaye play Fountain Square
The rescheduled Haim show happens at the Marsha, Jan, and Cindy Brady on Sunday.
That same evening, Jeremy Pinnell, Wonky Tonk and Dead Man String Band are doing a free show on Fountain Square.
On Tuesday, New Found Glory plays Bogart’s, and the Woodward Theater will be screening Freakscene: The Story of Dinosaur Jr.
Bright Eyes and Alex G play the Greg Brady on Wednesday, June 1st, and Ben Levin plays Ghost Baby.
On Thursday:
Darrell Scott plays Memorial Hall with Ben Sollee as the opener
Joslyn & the Sweet Compression play Washington Park as part of their freebie Roots Revival Series (full list of shows is here)
Erin Coburn is “Rocking the Roebling” on the Schmidlapp Event Lawn by the Christian Moerlein Lager House in Smale Park
Marcy Playground swings (get it?) into Ludlow Garage
Next Friday, June 3rd, Inhailer Radio celebrates their 5th anniversary with a big gig at Madison Live:
Other gigs that same evening:
Mad Anthony returns to the Southgate House stage, in the Lounge
Clownvis Presley and Jimmy Psycho play Southgate’s main room
Lagniappe plays a free show at scenic Stanbery Park in even more scenic Mt. Washington
Ben Levin plays Wiedemann’s Brewing
The Hard Rock Casino becomes the Hair Rock Casino with Skid Row, Warrant and Winger upping the Aqua Net ante. (No ripped acid-washed jeans, no entry….)
Next Saturday, June 4th, the Sawyer Point Summer Concert Series kicks off with a real hootenanny:
Free admission
The Southgate House has a quadruple bill of local/regional bands: Bohemian Funk, Trippin’ Roots, The Electric Indigo, and Dead Humor.
Oh, and Mother Nature will revoke my tree-hugger card if I don’t mention Cincy VegFest at Burnet Woods (11 am-6pm)… yoga, plant-based food demos, and live music with headliner Wonky Tonk.
Concert reviews
List member/Cereal Killers guitarist/This Week in Live Music neighbor Matt weighs in on The Who’s gig:
List member/neighbor Barb loved Tears for Fears at Riverbend:
And my co-worker Bob, a.k.a. DJ Bob, who worked at Cooter’s decades ago, had this to say:
Freebie Outdoor Shows this summer
I’ll try to mention some notable gigs in my weekly list, but Cincinnati.com has a comprehensive list here.
Everybody wants to rule the world. Except me. I’d settle for the dogs staying off my side of the bed.
But Tears for Fears said everybody wants to rule the world. And they’ll be at Riverbend tonight, along with Garbage… dogs like garbage too!
Other gigs tonight include Will Kimbrough at Southgate and Al Stewart at Ludlow Garage. Al’s more of a cat person.
The two-day Big River Get Down kicks off at RiversEDGE in Hamilton tonight as well. Here’s the full schedule:
On Saturday:
Martin Sexton plays Ludlow Garage
The Heavy Hours play Southgate
It’s Night #2 of the Big River Get Down
SNL funnyman David Spade plays the Taft. Let’s hope he makes his audience crack up half as much as Chris Farley made him crack up in this sketch:
Miranda Lambert plays Riverbend on Sunday, with Little Big Town. Country shows always seem to draw a crowd there. I’m really hoping Memphis-Kansas Breeze comes to town this year.
On Tuesday, John R. Miller and Vincent Neil Emerson play Southgate, and Tabitha Johansen Tori Amos is at the Taft Theatre.
on Wednesday, Elephant Stone plays MOTR and Valerie June plays Memorial Hall.
Southgate has a couple of options on Thursday:
Charlie Hunter & Scott Amendola Duo play the Southgate Sanctuary
Joe Buck Yourself plays the Revival Room
Speaking of Joe Buck, here’s a fun game to play this fall – it’s a variation on the old “Hi Bob” game. Watch a football game where Joe Buck is the announcer and take a drink every time he says “pass is caught”… you’ll be hammered before the 1st quarter is over.
Next Friday is a busy night for gigs:
Kitchen Dwellers and Neighbor play RiversEDGE in Hamilton
Smashing Pumpkins do an outdoor gig at the Ovation in Newport
Comedian Tom Segura kicks off a two-night stand at the Aronoff
Local bluesperson Erin Coburn plays a free gig on Fountain Square
Last but certainly not least, America’s AC/DC tribute, Thunderstruck, plays the Event Center at Little Miami Brewing in Milford.
The Angus and Malcolm of the late 1800s.. or more like the Liam and Noel Gallagher.
Next Saturday (5/28), Ray Lamontagne plays the Carol Brady, with Sierra Ferrell as the opener. Also, local band Kentucky Struts plays Southgate.
Due to a recent COVID outbreak within the touring group, the Haim show originally slated for 5/19 has been rescheduled for Sunday, May 29th. That same evening, Fountain Square has a nice freebie show featuring Jeremy Pinnell, Wonky Tonk and the Dead Man String Bang.
Cool cover of an amazing original
Jenn Wasner has a new album out under the Flock of Dimes moniker (she also is in Wye Oak) and she does a great cover of a gorgeous tune from the woefully underappreciated Joan Armatrading. Here’s a live version from her appearance on KEXP:
The original always gives me goose bumps too. Here’s Joan doing it live:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjQG8zYCQFw
This Teacher is a Wussy
Congrats to Mark Messerly, bassist for Wussy, on being a finalist for Educator of the Year.
Why I love Jon Wurster’s social media posts
Jon is the drummer for Superchunk… and Bob Mould… and the Mountain Goats… and he’s part of The Best Show… and he’s well worth a follow on the socials – you know, your Facegrams and Instatweets and such.
Shameless Self-promotion… and local music promotion
The latest episode of the 97X Rumblings from the Big Bush podcast (available wherever you get your pods… but not your Tide Pods) features our interview with Brian Niesz, who engineered 400+ live performances on woxy.com. If you go to our post on 97XBam.com, you’ll find a few of Brian’s favorites – including one from Magnolia Electric Co. Brian is keeping the old woxy.com “Lounge Acts” name alive with live performances from bands on WCPO.com. Check ’em out here.
Album Cover of the Week
Let the double entendres commence. (The album is actually pretty good… in other words, I think you might really enjoy some new Peaness.)
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 HorseshoeJack 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.”
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!
I come to you with cap in hand, asking your forgiveness for my disparaging comments about the local nine (technically 10 now that there’s a DH) last week. As a wise man once said:
“How about everybody just settle down and celebrate and cheer for the team.”
The guy whose dad bought the team
I was so very wrong last week when I said that this year’s Cincinnati Reds roster consists mostly of players from the Reds’ minor league affiliate Chattanooga Lookouts, only now they’re wearing uniforms with less of a “Mr. Potato Head eyes” vibe.
In reality, the team is more like players from the Reds’ low-A minor league affiliate Daytona Tortugas, only with a logo that has less of a juice pouch vibe:
But, as a wise man once said, “be careful what you ask for.”
OK, enough yapping about baseball. Let’s get to the gigs.
Moon Tooth is at Top Cats on Monday. List member Ken Laube once lost a tooth at Top Cats, in a fight with Chris Knight. (I’m kidding… although singer Chris Knight did get into a fight there…) Wait, breaking news: the Moon Tooth show has been cancelled. But Chris Knight is OK. So’s Ken.
On Tuesday, Justin Bieber is at the Coliseum. I’ve already incurred the wrath of Phil Castellini, so I don’t dare risk pissing off the Beliebers. But I will say I liked his music better when he was in NSYNC.
Wednesday night, Dylan is at Southgate House! (That’s Dylan LeBlanc.) And Candlebox plays an unplugged show at Memorial Hall.
Thursday, James McMurtry plays a solo show at Memorial Hall. List members John Sandman, Michael Orzali and I will be there. You should be too – Mr. McMurtry’s last album was one of the best of 2021.
Or you can check out local reggae band The Cliftones at the Cincinnati Zoo’s Tunes & Blooms. Admission is free after 5 p.m., music starts at 6, and you just might run into list member/Cereal Killers frontman Howard Cohen at the Great Lakes Brewing table. (More on the Cereal Killers later.)
Other Thursday shows:
Stick Men (featuring Tony Levin and Pat Mastelotto from King Crimson plus eight-string touch guitarist Markus Reuter) is at Ludlow Garage.
Ashley Cooke plays Top Cats (list member Ken Laube used to cook at Zino’s, just down the street…) Breaking news: the Ashley Cooke show has been cancelled… but Ken can still make you a Zinover.
Ben Levin plays Shire’s Garden.
Comedian Lewis Black will be ranting at the Taft.
Friday is Earth Day. Hug a tree…
… or better yet, plant one.
On Friday evening, Olivia Rodrigo plays a sold-out show at the Alice the Cook Brady Music Center.
Olivia is so hot right now… but so was Alice back in the day!
A whole slew of shows is slated for Saturday:
Jimmy Webb plays “The Glen Campbell Years” at Memorial Hall.
The Quebe Sisters play Southgate House’s main room, and Addison Johnson teams up with Mic Harrison (of the late great V-Roys) for an acoustic duo set in the upstairs Revival Room.
Aly & AJ are at Bogart’s
Kenny Loggins plays the Hard Rock Casino
Ludlow Garage hosts Lotus Land – A Tribute to Rush.
You’ve gotta have a monster pair of brass balls to try to fill Neil Peart’s drum stool. (Oh, you’ll also need a metric ton of drums and cymbals, some wind chimes, maybe a gong…)
On Sunday, the always-entertaining Robyn Hitchcock plays the Southgate House… and Journey plays the Coliseum.
Looks like the “new” Journey has removed the Steve Perry Journey literal video of “Separate Ways” from YouTube… (ironic when you think about how they discovered their current lead singer) so you’ll have to go hereto enjoy it.
The following week is rather light on gigs, so let’s cover those here:
Suzanne Vega plays Tom’s Diner Ludlow Garage on Wednesday, April 27th.
On Thursday, April 28th:
Leo Kottke plays Ludlow Garage
Chuck Mead (of BR-549) is at Southgate
Restless Leg String Band plays the Zoo’s Tunes & Blooms
Steve Hackett is at the Taft
On Friday, April 29th:
Sierra Ferrell plays Southgate (list members Dave Green and Michael Orzali are big fans)
Khruangbin and Toro y Moi are at the Brady
Gavin DeGraw plays the Hard Rock Casino
Brit Floyd is at Taft
Ben Levin plays BrewRiver
Comedian Brian Regan plays the Brady on Saturday, April 30th, and NRBQ will be at Southgate on Sunday, May 1st.
Must-see May gigs
The Cereal Killers are back with their inimitable combination of songs from late ’70’s British & American punk, with a dash of the New Wave, a dollop of garage rock, a heaping helping of hijinks, and a side of shenanigans. It’s like 97X is still on the air, but better because it’s live! If you’re on this list and you’re in the house for this gig, the first beer’s on me!
Actually Damian says “Hell Yes!”
And if you can’t make that raucous evening gig due to your advancing years, fear not, Cereal Killers have a matinee show (3-5 p.m.) at MadTree on Saturday, May 14th!
Then you can take a quick nap — or enjoy the early bird special at Bob Evans — before catching a fantastic blues lineup at 20th Century Theatre:
Mark the calendar in your Day Runner now, and put it in your PalmPilot too!
Concert reviews
The Waxahatchee show at Woodward was stellar – and it was great to see list members Bruce Frasure (and his lovely bride), Taylor Fox (of Inhailer Radio), Kevin Sullivan, Dave Roberto and Joe Sampson in 3-D. (Mark Messerly of Wussy also was there and said a new album from Wussy is forthcoming!)
Katie Crutchfield’s beau Kevin Morby joined her on stage (in a stunning jacket from the Fess Parker collection, no less!) for a few songs, including covers of Magnolia Electric Co. and Dylan (Bob, not LeBlanc).
Meanwhile, list member David Reid thoroughly enjoyed the Jack White gig at the Carol Brady Music Center that same evening:
Just got home from the Jack White show. So good! Dude is the complete package: Nasty-great guitar, empassioned, from-the-gut vocals, good songs and dynamic stage presence. Left knowing I’d seen something pretty special.
My new favorite podcast
OMG, Valley Heat is hilarious! It’s like A Confederacy of Dunces meets Arrested Development meets Fernwood 2 Night. Doug’s deadpan delivery, a wacky cast of characters, fun music references, the bogus promo spots, and great theater-of-the-mind audio all combine to create a perfect storm of humor. I binged every episode this weekend and was laughing the entire time.
It’s a Small (Woody) World…
Last week’s wacky album cover:
Prompted this comment from list member Lisa Collins, whose mom (Carol Jean) lives in Florida:
Just an FYI, Woody Woodbury is an acquaintance/friend of Carol Jean. He is 98 years old and lives in Fort Lauderdale. He goes every Sunday to breakfast at the same place Mom goes. They’ve become breakfast buddies – haha.
And list member/Cereal Killers frontman/online detective Howard Cohen tracked down a lovely archival photo of the spot where the album was “taped, unexpurgated and unrehearsed from the night club floor of the Bahama Hotel in Ft. Lauderdale”:
Album Cover of the Week
Remember Dionne Warwick? Remember Pricing Charts? Remember K-Mart? (This album is in pretty good shape for being 50 years old.)
