Yonder Mountain String Band

Cruel, Cruel Summer

Concert Listings, Concert review, Music

Late last month, we lost Sinéad O’Connor.

“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

The Goo Goo Dolls play Riverbend next Friday (8/18)… will they try to strangle the sound man like they did at the 97X-sponsored “Day in Eden” back in ’93? O.A.R. opens for the Goos.

Other 8/18 gigs include:

  • In the Pines at Fountain Square
  • 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.

Album Cover of the Week(s)

It’s PERM-anently summer for Mac.

Song of the Season

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!