Month: November 2022

A December to remember

97X, Concert Listings, Music, podcast

This holiday season, instead of buying matching his and hers GMC gas-guzzlers (totally believable…), why not buy tickets to some shows around town?

Their 1st show in nearly 30 years (12/17 at Madison Theater) is a fundraiser for cancer research – what’s not to love?

And while you’re at the gigs, maybe buy some merch to support the artists. Speaking of which, December 2nd is Bandcamp Friday:

On the first Friday of the month since March of 2020, we’ve waived our revenue share to help support the many artists who have seen their livelihoods disrupted by the pandemic. Over the course of 23 days, fans have paid artists and labels more than $84 million dollars, helping cover rents, mortgages, groceries, medications, and much more. If you’re among the nearly 800,000 fans who have participated, thank you.

If you’ve started to feel guilty about buying music on any other day of the month, here’s something to keep in mind: on Bandcamp Fridays, an average of 93% of your money reaches the artist/label (after payment processor fees). When you make a purchase on any other day (as millions of you have, with close to $1 billion now paid directly to artists), an average of 82% reaches the artist/label. Every day is a good day to support artists on Bandcamp!

Your This Week in Live Music editor suggests you check out the new album from Gladie on Bandcamp. It slaps, as the kids say. Or used to say last week… they’ve probably moved on to a new slang term by now.

Okey-dokey, let’s get to the gigs:

On Thursday, December 1st, the Redmoor in Mt. Lookout hosts an Island Christmas Holiday (“White Christmas meets Bob Marley”) with The SunBurners, Queen City Silver Stars and The Merry Gentlemen. Ben Levin plays Dee Felice, and Thelma and the Sleaze (great band name!) play Southgate, with Wonky Tonk opening the show.

Friday, Ryan Adams brings his brilliant songs and his hefty baggage to the Jan Brady. In “love the sinner, hate the sin” fashion, I’ll be at that gig.

We’re all conflicted about Ryan.

That same evening, The Steel Woods will be tearing up the tiny Madison Live room, and Ben Levin plays Ghost Baby.

And Friday & Saturday, The Comet in Northside hosts a benefit for the Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition, with several local bands on the bill, including Quotah, New Moons, Toon Town, The Bellowing Pines, National Barks (Friday night) and The Harlequins, Heist, The Tangees, The You Suck Flying Circus (Saturday). (BTW, “The You Suck Flying Circus” is a strong candidate for Band Name of the Year.)

On Saturday, Trampled by Turtles play the Peter Brady. “Trampled by Turtles” always calls to mind this:

If Turtles aren’t your speed…

… Hyryder (Grateful Dead tribute band from Indy) will be at the old Annie’s, Maurice Mattei & the Tempers play a free Christmas show in the Southgate House Lounge, Styx will be rockin’ the Paradise Hard Rock Casino. And Ludlow Garage has Lotus Land, a Rush tribute band.

We only air-drum to the best…

On Sunday, 12/4, Foxing is at Madison Live, and Ben Levin plays Schwartz’s Point.

Next Thursday, December 8th, The Struts play Bogart’s… and Ludlow Garage keeps the tribute band vibe going with Tusk – The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute.

On Friday, 12/9:

  • Whiskey Bent Valley Boys play Southgate’s Revival Room
  • Al Jardine of the Beach Boys plays Ludlow
  • Ben Levin will be playing with legendary bluesman Lil’ Jimmy Reed at Dead Low Brewing.

On Saturday, December 10th, Christmas and Hanukkah come early, as Cereal Killers will be playing a killer gig at Big Ash Brewing!

You’ve heard me extol the many virtues of the Cereal Killers before. Their playlist is like a trip back to the 97X days – Elvis Costello, Joe Jackson, INXS, Southern Culture on the Skids, The Jam, The Clash, Guided by Voices, X, The Plimsouls, Warren Zevon… with some Tom Petty and Cars thrown in for good measure. Just so freakin’ good. (And their drummer is a real heartthrob.) It’s killing me that I can’t make that show… I’ll be in D.C. for the weekend, watching my wife’s niece play b-ball for the McDaniel Green Terror as they take on the Goucher Gophers. (Yes, “Green Terror Gophers” sounds like a Roger Corman horror flick… or bonus Caddyshack footage.)

Please go to the Cereal Killers show in my stead. You won’t regret it. (Pro tip: Big Ash Brewing is offering bonus bucks if you purchase a $50 or $100 gift card… it’s practically the same as getting free beer from your ol’ pal d2.)

Nikki Lane plays Southgate on Sunday, December 12th. That should be a stellar show too.

The Mob Rules!

Speaking of big shows, don’t forget the Royal Crescent Mob concert at the Madison Theater on Saturday, December 17th. Former 97X and WVXU Nightwaves legend Dan Reed (now a host at WXPN in Philly) will be spinning some funky tunes before the RC Mob hits the stage for the first time since… oh… 1994! The show is a benefit for the Tri-State Cancer Research Fund, because cancer has been extremely cruel to the band:

With drummer Carlton Smith recently diagnosed with brain cancer (Glioblastoma), singer David Ellison, recently treated for Prostate Cancer and the loss of guitarist B’s wife, Cincinnati Attorney, Sallee Fry in May, 2022, to Pancreatic Cancer, the four band members, decided there is no time like the present to celebrate life and revel in the joy of playing music together and the healing spirit music embodies in the human soul.

Dave Tellmann and I interviewed David Ellison and Carlton and bassist Happy Chichester on the two most recent episodes of our “97X Rumblings from the Big Bush” podcast. Such great guys – and if you were around in the late 80s/early 90s, you know that the RC Mob shows were legendary. Ira Robbins in his Trouser Press band profile says it best:

Pressing “pause”

Not that they asked me, but if Forecastle wants to “strategize” they should get back to the Americana/indie-heavy lineups that they used to book.

Pressing “rewind” on “When I see you smile”

List member Elizabeth Cannon (at left below) got a photo with John Waite when she was in high school…

And Elizabeth shared that same photo with that same John Waite at his show at Memorial Hall recently:

The end (of the year) is near!

Time for your “favorite albums of 2022” list. Last week’s releases from Gladie and Caitlin Rose are making a late push to be included on mine. If you care to share, you can drop your list here.

Album Cover of the Week

Yep, just Bob & Karen… kinda like that one couple at Thanksgiving dinner, where you’re not quite sure how they’re related to you.

Episode 90: Carlton and Happy from the RCMob make us happy

97X, Concert Listings, Music, podcast

Carlton Smith and Happy Chichester formed the super-cool, super-tight rhythm section of the Royal Crescent Mob. They — along with lead singer David Ellison and guitarist “B” — are getting the band back together to play two fundraiser shows to benefit cancer research. They’ll be rocking the house at the Athenaeum Theatre in Columbus on Friday, December 16th and the Madison Theater in Covington, KY on Saturday, December 17th.

We talked to Carlton and Happy about how they got together way back in the mid-80s, their legendary live shows at Bogart’s, what 97X meant to their band, and why they’re looking forward to performing as a group once again.

Flyer for a Royal Crescent Mob gig back in the day, featuring a great Carlton caricature.

Tickets for both shows are on sale now at the links above. Pro tip: avoid the Ticketmaster fees on the Madison Theater show by purchasing your tickets at the Heritage Bank Center (a.k.a. Riverfront Coliseum) box office (M-F, 11a-3p).

97X Year 10 poster signed by B and Carlton

Former 97X and WVXU Nightwaves DJ Dan Reed, now at WXPN in Philly, will play a DJ set to open up both shows. Here’s more from the press release promoting the Madison Theater show:

The 1980’s-90’s Indie faves, The Royal Crescent Mob (RC Mob) have announced they are Getting Back On the Bus for a Really Big Show, a special 2 night reunion, Dec 16 in Columbus OH and Dec 17th in Covington KY./Cincinnati to benefit the Tri-State Area Cancer Research Fund.

The band last performed together almost 30 years ago, disbanding in 1994.

All four original band members, David Ellison, Harold “Happy” Chichester, Carlton Smith and Mr. B (Brian Emch). will be performing.

With drummer Carlton Smith recently diagnosed with brain cancer (Glioblastoma), singer David Ellison, recently treated for Prostate Cancer and the loss of guitarist B’s wife, Cincinnati Attorney, Sallee Fry in May, 2022, to Pancreatic Cancer, the four band members, decided there is no time like the present to celebrate life and revel in the joy of playing music together and the healing spirit music embodies in the human soul.

After vaulting up to the top 20 in college radio airplay, the band signed to the Sire / Warner Brothers label. The Mob gained national exposure touring with acts like The Replacements, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Living Colour, and the B-52s. Their legendary live shows developed quite a following of their own including Dave Grohl, who mentions the Royal Crescent Mob, as his favorite band back in his teenage days when he worked at Tower Records in DC.

The full Dave Grohl note and article about Happy are here.

“We have this really rich music scene here in Ohio. Y’know, I have friends who played with Miles Davis and Bootsy Collins, or toured the world with Dr. John. Here in Columbus, you’ll find yourself sitting next to the guy who spent ten years playing bass with Ray Charles. It all gets blended together. I sometimes feel like Ohio is the only place where my music makes sense. It’s too eclectic and far-flung for the rest of the world. James Brown, Led Zeppelin and The Meters are all equally important in the way I hear music.” 

Happy ChiCHESTER IN THE ARTICLE ABOVE

Columbus blogger Drew Layman has a great post about the RC Mob and their first release, Omerta, on his The Quiet One blog. He also has a cool post about their major-label debut, Spin the World.

RC Mob’s major label debut hit the charts in 1989.
Westerberg, actually… RC Mob opened for the ‘mats back in the late 80s.

Post-RC Mob, Carlton Smith and Happy reunited in Howlin’ Maggie, the band fronted by Happy. (Here’s a link to a live recording of a 1996 show from that band.)

Hap has also released music under his own name.

https://happychichester.bandcamp.com/
https://e.issuu.com/issuu-reader3-embed-files/latest/twittercard.html?u=futurepublishing&d=roc284.issuu&p=1

“To be honest with you, yeah, I’m a very happy person,” he smiles. “And I don’t know if that’s because it’s my name, or because I’ve had the incredible good fortune of being able to record and write my music. But being happy, yeah, it’s my natural state. And as long as I get to hit my drums and play music for few hours every day, it’s pretty easy to stay happy.”

See you all at the Big Show!

Episode 89: Get (back) on the bus with David Ellison of the Royal Crescent Mob.

97X, Music, podcast

The Royal Crescent Mob was a longtime 97X favorite. Now the band is getting back together for the first time in nearly 30 years, for two fundraiser shows – Dec. 16th in Columbus and Dec. 17th at the Madison Theater in Covington, KY. Proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society and the Tri-State Cancer Research Fund. We talk to RC Mob lead singer David Ellison about the reunion shows, the early RC Mob days, the impact cancer is having on the band, and his longtime career as a tour manager for several bands, as well as pop stars like Miley Cyrus. 

Hap, David, Mr. B and Carlton

Tickets for both shows are on sale now at the links above. Pro tip: avoid the Ticketmaster fees on the Madison Theater show by purchasing your tickets at the Heritage Bank Center (a.k.a. Riverfront Coliseum) box office (M-F, 11a-3p).

Former 97X and WVXU Nightwaves DJ Dan Reed, now at WXPN in Philly, will play a DJ set to open up both shows. Here’s more from the press release promoting the Madison Theater show:

The 1980’s-90’s Indie faves, The Royal Crescent Mob (RC Mob) have announced they are Getting Back On the Bus for a Really Big Show, a special 2 night reunion, Dec 16 in Columbus OH and Dec 17th in Covington KY./Cincinnati to benefit the Tri-State Area Cancer Research Fund.

The band last performed together almost 30 years ago, disbanding in 1994.

All four original band members, David Ellison, Harold “Happy” Chichester, Carlton Smith and Mr. B (Brian Emch). will be performing.

With drummer Carlton Smith recently diagnosed with brain cancer (Glioblastoma), singer David Ellison, recently treated for Prostate Cancer and the loss of guitarist B’s wife, Cincinnati Attorney, Sallee Fry in May, 2022, to Pancreatic Cancer, the four band members, decided there is no time like the present to celebrate life and revel in the joy of playing music together and the healing spirit music embodies in the human soul.

After vaulting up to the top 20 in college radio airplay, the band signed to the Sire / Warner Brothers label. The Mob gained national exposure touring with acts like The Replacements, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Living Colour, and the B-52s. Their legendary live shows developed quite a following of their own including Dave Grohl, who mentions the Royal Crescent Mob, as his favorite band back in his teenage days when he worked at Tower Records in DC.

About the members of the The Royal Crescent Mob

David Ellison is currently tour manager for Miley Cyrus, Camila Cabello, and Kesha, and formerly was the tour manager for Jay-Z, Demi Lovato, Avril Lavigne, Alanis Morissette, Adam Lambert, Goo Goo Dolls, and Panic at the Disco.

Happy Chichester, formerly was in Howlin’ Maggie and toured with The Twilight Singers,  before embarking on his solo career  releasing several albums and singles.

Carlton Smith also played with Howlin’ Maggie, and currently plays with Columbus Soul and Salvage and also working as a TSA Agent.

Mr. B has played guitar at the Florence Christian Church in Florence, KY and volunteered at Melodic Connections, a music therapy program based in Cincinnati.

The Royal Crescent Mob headlined the 97X 10th Anniversary Concert at Bogart’s back in 1992.

set list from an RC Mob show
From a Bogart’s show in 1992, possibly the 97X 10th anniversary show…
RC Mob doing “Fire” at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. in 1987
“Get on the Bus” from the same D.C. show as above
Live in Columbus in 1991
Some great footage of the RC Mob in the studio with Ohio Players legend Leroy “Sugarfoot” Bonner in March of 1991.

Turkey time! (also tofurky time)

Concert Listings, Music

Can you believe it’s almost time to go over the river and through the woods to your grandmother’s house? I can’t either – mostly because I thought your grandmother moved to Del Boca Vista years ago. Or maybe it was Del Besta Bicko…

Well, yer grammy may not make it to many gigs anymore, but that doesn’t mean you can’t. Let’s look over the menu.

On Tuesday, Gable Price & Friends play a sold-out gig at Madison Live. (Also, the kitchen is out of turkey, but we can substitute tofurky.)

She can hear him all the way down in Florida.

Wednesday evening, you can enjoy Smut at MOTR (their new album came out Friday and it’s pretty tasty… unlike Aunt Betty’s green bean casserole).

On Thursday:

  • Tenci plays MOTR, with Freedom Nicole Moore
  • Chris Knight plays Southgate, with Ben Knight and Chance Stanley
  • Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown play Ludlow Garage
  • Tommy Goodroad and Willie & the Cigs play Madison Live
  • Woodward Theater screens Meet Me in the Bathroom, a movie about the NYC music scene of the early 2000s.

I would love to be a fly on the weirdly-angled wall on Friday night, when Ludlow Garage hosts the SoCal Punk Invasion, featuring Black Flag, T.S.O.L., The Dickies and Total Chaos. I’m sure those bands have played some weird basement gigs in their day, but probably not a venue with a wall 10 feet from the stage. At least Ludlow is removing their airline seats for this show.

Why yes, that is Doc from Love Boat… full afterschool special is here.

Also on Friday, the Menzingers play Bogart’s.

Oops, these are Kid Zingers, not Menzingers.

Memorial Hall hosts The Eagles Project. If you want to see these guys playing acoustic versions of Eagles songs, go for it:

If you squint hard enough, the guy on the far left looks a bit like Don Felder

And the Hard Rock Casino has The Jacksons – Jermaine, Jackie, Marlon… and of course your favorite Jackson (and mine)… Tito!

The Southgate House hosts the Cincy Groove Music Fest on Saturday – bands are listed on the hand turkey below:

Also on Saturday, Danielle Ponder plays the Taft Ballroom, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (a.k.a. Elmo & Patsy for the highbrow set) plays two holiday shows at the Coliseum. But remember:

Will Hoge and Dave Hause play Southgate on Sunday. And John Waite (who is no longer a Baby) will be “Missing You” if you don’t go to his show at Memorial Hall.

Thanksgiving Week might be loaded with extra calories (I blame the marshmallows on the sweet potatoes*)…

… but it’s rather thin on concerts.

*Marshmallows on sweet potatoes is like a hat on a hat. Stop it – the potatoes are sweet enough on their own.

Of course, you’ll want to spend Turkey Day Eve with Jackyl at the old Annie’s. Maybe swing by Del Boca Vista on the way and bring grandma – she loves Jackyl!

Once a rocker, always a rocker…

You can dance your stuffing off next Friday, November 25th, with the FUNKsgiving show at Ludlow Garage featuring Freekbass and the Bump Assembly.

That same evening, Southgate has two shows of note:

  • The Harmed Brothers and Carriers play the main room (Sanctuary)
  • The Speed Hickeys play their first gig in eight years in the Southgate Lounge

On Saturday, 11/26:

  • Trouble No More (an Allman Brothers tribute – they’ll be playing Eat a Peach in its entirety) and the Rebirth Brass Band play the Taft,
  • You can get on the “Love Train” with The O’Jays at Hard Rock Casino,
  • Woodward hosts An Acoustic Evening with July for Kings,
  • Johnny Berry & the Outliers play Southgate with The Kentucky Struts opening,

Down about Low

R.I.P. to Mimi Parker, drummer and co-vocalist for the band Low. She had been battling ovarian cancer for a few years. Mimi and her husband Alan Sparhawk formed Low in Duluth, Minnesota in the early 90s.

Paste Magazine has a nice remembrance. And Robert Plant paid tribute to Mimi with a couple of songs at a recent concert:

Thankful for you

I realize this semi-regular music missive is a mishmash-y mess (like Uncle Harold’s potatoes). If you actually read it on a semi-regular basis, thanks!

Album Cover of the Week

Perfect for losing those Thanksgiving pounds… especially if you live in Del Boca Vista!