Month: October 2025

Boo! And Now-vember!

97X, Concert Listings, Music, podcast

I’m back from my all-too-brief sojourn to sunnier climes. But I feel better than Tricky Dicky back in the day!

Let’s TCB and dive into the upcoming gigs.

Tuesday’s shows run the gamut from throwback to… older throwback:

  • Everclear plays Bogart’s
  • The Music Box performs Genesis Live (a 1973 release) at Memorial Hall
  • Yes plays “The Fragile 2025 Tour” at the Taft. The Fragile came out in 1972. Which was a big year for audiophiles.

Joshua Radin plays Ludlow on Wednesday, and Otis Gibbs is there on Thursday.

Otis Gibbs is a songwriter, storyteller, painter, photographer, and planter of 7,176 trees. He once wrestled a bear and lost. He’s been called “the best unknown songwriter in music today,” but if you ask him, he’ll just say he’s a folksinger.

Friday is Halloween!

That evening, White Reaper plays Southgate, with Worlds Worst as the opener. When I think of orange, scary, and “World’s Worst” I think of this:

You can smash that pumpkin in Mt. Washington on Saturday.

Or you can just sit around feeling guilty.

Saturday is also the start of Now-vember!

That evening:

  • Jeremy Pinnell plays an album release show in the Southgate Sanctuary, with Kristina Murray and Cristina Vane
  • Tooth Lures a Fang also has an album release show at Southgate, this one will be in the Revival Room with Bear the Moon, and Boy Bandicoot
  • Steve Hackett plays a “Genesis Greats, Lamb Highlights, and Solo Tour” show at the Taft.

Meanwhile, I’ll be down in the Music City to see The Beths at Brooklyn Bowl, Nashville. Check out this KEXP live session and you’ll see why I’m willing to make the road trip.

Aging rockabilly fans should note that Sunday’s Lee Rocker show at the Ludlow Garage has been cancelled, and a young popster named Knox will be there instead. Meanwhile, I’ll be making my way back from Nash-vegas by way of Lexington, to catch Kathleen Edwards at The Burl. Dave Purcell sent me.

Next Monday (11/3), there’s a hobo in your garage! Hobo Johnson & the Lovemakers play the Ludlow Garage.

Next Tuesday, November 4, is Election Day. Rock the vote!

Josh Ritter is at the Taft that evening, and Memorial Hall has “Both Sides Now: The Music & Lives of Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen.”

Wednesday, November 5 is another Ween Wednesday at The Columbia in the East End. They’ll be spinning The Friends EP and La Cucaracha from 6-10 p.m. Stop in, hang out. BYOB!

Judy Collins plays Ludlow Garage on Thursday, 11/6. Meanwhile, I’ll be up in Boston for Buffalo Tom’s three-night “Please Come to Boston” festival.

Shows on Friday, November 7:

  • ekoostik hookah plays the Liberty Theater
  • Southgate House has An Evening with Cory Branan in the Revival Room, and Clownvis Presley in the Sanctuary
  • Tito Puente Jr. plays Ludlow Garage (I listened to his dad for years and thought he was fabulous)

Shows on Saturday, November 8:

  • Memorial Hall hosts the return of the Blues & Boogie Piano Summit featuring Ben Levin, Carl Sonny Leyland, Ethan Leinwand & Valerie Kirchhoff (St. Louis Steady Grinders) and Ricky Nye
  • All Time Low with Mayday Parade, Four Year Strong and The Paradox at the Cindy Brady
  • Jon McLaughlin & Eric Hutchison at the Ludlow Garage
  • There’s a Downtowne Listening Room show at the Mansion Hill Sanctuary featuring Karly Davidson with Charlie John

Wishy plays Madison Live on Tuesday, November 11. Their debut full-length Triple Seven was one of my 2024 faves – please join me for that gig!

That same evening, The Stray Cats will be at the Taft. (We see what you did there, Lee Rocker!)

On Wednesday, NOW-vember 12, Thomas Dolby plays Bogart’s (“She blinded me with Lysol”), and The Mars Volta plays Ovation.

On Thursday, 11/13:

  • 10,000 Maniacs (the non-Natalie version) play Ludlow Garage
  • MOTR features Clay Cole (Pavement and Wild Flag) solo with Bridget Battle (Tweens) and Lisa Walker (Wussy)

Feast on these big shows Thanksgiving Week!

Check out that promising band of youngsters The Collies at Valley View Lounge in scenic Williamsburg on Saturday, November 22. Then, because Thanksgiving Week is about overindulgence, catch The Collies again at The Comet in Northside on Monday, November 24. Also on the bill that evening is yet ANOTHER band for which my son Gabriel is the drummer. Double-double your fun!

Another super-cool gig, on 11/26 (Thanksgiving Eve), features “This Week in Live Music” faves Cereal Killers masquerading as “The Distractions” and doing a full set of Elvis Costello tunes, along with Dot. Dot. Dot. (featuring more local luminaries) doing R.E.M. covers.

[Fantastic gig poster is the handiwork of Justin Lynch, who will be playing with Dot. Dot. Dot.)

I don’t even know if The Village Theater serves beer, but if so, the usual Cereal Killers offer of “first beer’s on me” holds, just use the secret phrase “Less than Zero.”

Then, on Black Friday, you can dance away that third helping of Aunt Edna’s stuffing with Freekbass during his “Funksgiving” show at Urban Artifact. Get tickets here.

On Small Business Saturday (November 29), The Mynabirds will be playing an Undertow Show at… an undisclosed location. But it’s in the East End. And it hosts “Ween Wednesdays”… and the name of the venue rhymes with “The Dolumbia.” Get yer tix here.

Singer-songwriter Laura Burhenn has made music as The Mynabirds since 2010, releasing four critically acclaimed and stylistically different albums on Saddle Creek: What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood (2010) & GENERALS (2012), both produced by Richard Swift, Lovers Know (2015), and Be Here Now (2017). Her 5th album, It’s Okay To Go Back If You Keep Moving Forward, will be out 11/7/25.

Pour some (more) Sugar on me

Bob Mould’s post-Hüsker Dü trio (with David Barbe and Malcolm Travis) released a new tune (below) and announced two shows each in NYC and London next May. More here from Stereogum.

Oh, Neko…

I’ve previously chronicled the Neko Case hissy fit at the Taft from many moons ago. She’s still at it. Look, I totally understand her discomfort with an armed guard. But making an 11th hour request and then still refusing to play? Uncool!

What’s the Rush?

Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson are hitting the road next year with drummer Anika Nilles for a Rush “Fifty Something” tour. As a longtime Rush fan (first concert was Rush at Barton Coliseum in Little Rock, Arkansas back in ’81), I’m happy that Ged and Alex will be performing the songs that they wrote the music for, after a decade away. Sure, it won’t be the same without The Professor, but that’s not the point. Neil’s not coming back, and Geddy and Alex deserve to do what they love.

Shameless self-promotion

ICYMI (and you’re not alone), the 97X Rumblings from the Big Bush podcast is back. (Dave and I are trying to get our listener count above 13.) The most recent episode features our interview with Tim Quirk and Jay Blumenfield of Wonderlick (and formerly of Too Much Joy). They were a joy to chat with, their new album is a dandy, and they have interesting day jobs too.

Mailbag

In case you missed list member Jay Stowe’s comment on last week’s post, here it is:

“A Quick One (While He’s Away)” cannot be beat. I may be going out on a limb here, but I’m willing to defend this statement: The Who at their motherloving best.

Amen, Brother Jay! The video is worth a second spin.

And not that you asked, but if you did give me the old “Beatles or Stones” question, my answer would be:

  1. The Who
  2. The Kinks
  3. The Rolling Stones
  4. Herman’s Hermits
  5. The Beatles

(Don’t @ me, Lisa Collins!)

Album Cover(s) of the Week(s)

Oh, yeah, baby, back that Jass up!

It IS a bit of a head-scratcher, as you don’t appear to have any redeeming qualities other than excellent taste in hairstyles and attire.

4 responses to “Boo! And Now-vember!”

  1. Lisa+Collins Avatar
    Lisa+Collins

    Oh, I am @ing you, Damian! Blasphemy!! And after I sent you that Replacements video this week – hahaha!

    Reply
    1. Damian Avatar
      Damian

      Sorry Lisa! That Westerberg/SNL clip was very cool. Speaking of very cool, I just updated my list and put Gerry & the Pacemakers above The Beatles.

      Reply
  2. Dan Lewis Avatar
    Dan Lewis

    You’ll Walk Alone…. After the Hermits and Pacemakers rankings. And you look like you’d fit right in with the Goad Family.

    Reply
    1. Damian Avatar
      Damian

      The Goad Family and I are taking a cruise next summer. It’s a Ferry Cross the Mersey.

      Reply

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A quick one (while he’s away)

Concert Listings, Music

Time sure flies when you’re working double time. (Oh, and trying to squeeze in a game or ten of pickleball.) Rocktober is rolling past too fast. And I’m out of town* starting tomorrow.

*I know security experts recommend NOT disclosing when you’ll be away from home. But one of our offspring** will be standing sentry at our palatial estate, along with our two vicious attack dogs, who will lick you to death.

**not a member of The Offspring

Sooo, we’re just gonna do a quick one (while I’m away) and we’ll get back to our usual hijinks next weekend.

Tomorrow, Ray Vietti (of The Harmed Brothers) plays a gig at Jukebox Beverages in Mason. (List member Jay is the proprietor of Jukebox – stop by and check out their handcrafted beverages.)

Earlier in the day, you can catch live music at Neltner’s Farm in Camp Springs, KY. Here’s the Fall Fest music lineup for the rest of the month:

My Morning Jacket plays Ovation in Newport on Monday, with Balthvs opening.

On Tuesday:

  • Eric Johnson plays Memorial Hall
  • Jon Batiste is at the Taft Theatre
  • They Might Be Giants open up a two-night stand at the Madison Theater in Covington

Here’s how the shows are billed:

2 very different shows. 2 “Evening with” performances. 8 piece band. 3 horns. 2 sets. 0 openers. Starts early. Gets loud.

Oh, and the NKU Jazz Ensemble plays A Tribute to Chuck Mangione at Southgate

On Wednesday, it’s TMBG at Madison, and Mushroomhead at Bogart’s. (Yes, Bogart’s is back. Make sure you’re up to date on your tetanus shots.)

Thursday shows:

  • Jess Lamb & Friends jam session at MOTR Pub
  • “Revisiting Creedence” at Ludlow Garage
  • “The Linda Ronstadt Experience” at the Redmoor in Mt. Lookout

Next Friday (10/24) is action-packed:

  • moe. at the Taft
  • Sam Bush plays the old Annie’s
  • Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening at Hard Rock Casino
  • the all-female Beastie Boys tribute band “She’s Crafty” plays the Madison Theater
  • Girl Gordon is at MOTR
  • The Atlanta Rhythm Section plays Ludlow Garage
  • Marielle Kraft is at Southgate
  • comedian Dana Gould is at the Commonwealth Comedy Club in Dayton, KY – he’s really good

Shows next Saturday, October 25:

  • JBM Promotions presents Americana Fest, with Junior Brown, Bill Kirchen, Robbie Fulks, Elizabeth Cook and so many more bands on all three Southgate House stages (doors 3pm/show 4pm)
  • the Dan Tyminski Band plays the Liberty Theater
  • Gov’t Mule is at Ovation
  • Trauma Illinois plays Jukebox Beverages
  • Lotus Land (a Rush tribute*) is at Ludlow Garage
  • comedian Nate Bargatze opens up a two-night stand at the Coliseum

*I wonder if the Rush tribute bands are pissed that Geddy and Alex will be back on the road next summer.

Next Sunday, October 26, Rickie Lee Jones and Patty Griffin play Memorial Hall. I’ll be back in town for that gig.

R.I.P. Spaceman

Paul Daniel Frehley grew up in the Bronx, getting his mind blown at 15 when he witnessed the Who’s first U.S. show. He joined the other three guys in Kiss when they placed an ad in the Village Voice classifieds. “Lead Guitarist Wanted with Flash and Ability,” the ad declared. “No time wasters please.” Ace definitely didn’t waste their time. He was just 21, still living with his parents in the Bronx, but he was already oozing star power — the kind of kid who gets the nickname “Ace” when he’s just 16. His mom drove him to the Kiss audition. They shook their heads at his fashion sense — but flash and ability were never a problem for this guy. — from this tribute from Rob Sheffield

Let’s all have a cold gin in his honor. And enjoy this cinematic tour de force farce with Ace’s solo cover tune as the soundtrack:

97X Rumblings from the Big Bush: Wonderlick and the (Too Much) Joy of Playing Live

97X, Music, podcast

Tim Quirk and Jay Blumenfield of Too Much Joy also perform as Wonderlick, and Wonderlick’s songs as just as catchy, witty, and entertaining as TMJ songs are. Tim and Jay clearly still enjoy engaging with fans too. In fact, they see many advantages to the house concert shows they’ve done of late.

We were thrilled to have Tim and Jay joined us to share road stories. talk about Wonderlick’s new release Wonderlick Goes to War, and reminisce about 97X and their appearance at the station’s 10th anniversary show. 

Dave and Damian caught Wonderlick’s recent house concert in Hamilton.

The show was hosted by an English teacher – given Wonderlick’s literate lyrics, that totally tracks. Their band name is based on a character from a Don DeLillo novel, and their song “Rhinoceros” from the new album is based on Eugène Ionesco’s play of the same name.

Here’s a quick clip of that song from the Hamilton house show:

Tim Quick chronicled their house tour adventures with a daily tour diary. You can read all the entries here.

Wonderlick’s latest release is Wonderlick Goes to War.

The cover art for the album was done by Ian Drescher.

Longtime 97X fans will remember that Too Much Joy was part of the 97X “10th Anniversary” sold-out show at Bogart’s back in 1992.

Both Tim and Jay have interesting careers off stage too. Tim was a key figure in the development of the Rhapsody music player, serving as music editor and VP of music programming, and then helped with content programming for Google Play, and still works in the digital content realm.

During the Hamilton house show, Tim mentioned how a beer jingle helped pay for his family’s health care. You can read more about that here.

Jay is an award-winning director and producer, director, and writer, specializing in unscripted/reality TV, including the Showtime reality series Gigilos.

Jay also co-hosted a podcast called The Jay & Tony Show Show. You can listen here.

Thanks for your time, Tim and Jay, and keep crushing it!

Rockin’ the ‘tober!

Uncategorized

Guess what month it is?

And guess what day it is?

Yep, it’s Ween Wednesday at The Columbia (4311 Eastern Ave.) and they’ll be Rocktobering the Vote!

Also playing this evening: Franz Ferdinand at Bogart’s The Madison Theater. (The bathroom struggle is real at Bogart’s.)

Thursday shows:

  • Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel at Ludlow Garage (list member Dave Green will be there)
  • Hayes Carll & his band at Southgate

On Friday:

  • Tyler Childers and Hayes Carll (hmm, didn’t he just play?) at Riverbend (list member Dave “Double Dip” Green will be there)
  • Scotty Bratcher Band featuring Noah Wotherspoon at the Liberty Theater in L-burg, IN
  • Madison Theater has “Women in Blues from Beale Street”
  • The Orchestra (starring ELO and ELO Part II members) plays the Taft
  • Beth Stelling does a comedy set at the Woodward

Saturday gigs:

  • Sungaze plays the Liberty Theater
  • WAIF radio celebrates 50 years at Five Points Alley in Walnut Hills (6-10 p.m.), with free music from WAIF DJs including the Wussy Duo, Nick Maurer, and more.
  • Judas Priest and Alice Cooper play Riverbend

On Sunday:

  • Here Come The Mummies come to Bogart’s The Madison Theater (they used all the Bogart’s toilet paper for their stage outfits)
  • Ludlow Garage features “the Music of ABBA” (not scheduled to appear – not even in hologram form: Agnetha, Benny, Bjorn, and Anni-Frid)
  • Newport (the NKY city, not the cig brand) features Mammoth Music & Arts Festival, with headliners Fishbone and Cowboy Mouth.

The Psychedelic Furs play Ovation on Tuesday, with Gary Numan as the opener.

Next Wednesday, Rocktober 8th, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram plays the blues at Taft, and the headliner-less River Roots Festival kicks off and runs through Rocktober 12. Full music lineup is here.

On Friday, Rocktober 10th:

  • Johnnyswim is at Bogart’s The Madison Theater (If Johnnyswim at Bogart’s, Johnnygetdysentery)
  • Maria etc. plays the Liberty Theater, with Evan McMillian

Shows on Saturday, Rocktober 11th:

  • Southern Culture on the Skids at Southgate
  • Noah Smith does a live recording of his Crooner Circus at the Liberty Theater
  • Papadosio plays the old Annie’s
  • T-Pain is at Ovation
  • Madison Live has Walk on Homeboys (a Pantera tribute)

On Sunday, Rocktober 12, Hiss Golden Messenger does a solo show at Southgate, with Rett Madison. That same evening, Foghat plays the Ludlow Garage. I hope they get the name right on the marquee:

A.J. Croce is at the Taft on Monday, 10/13.

Neko Case plays the Taft on Tuesday, 10/14. I still haven’t forgiven her for her Taft meltdown several years ago.

Nellie McKay is in Southgate’s Revival Room on Wednesday, 10/15 and Sungaze, Glimmer, and Dravin & the Ravens are at Northside Tavern.

Shows on Thursday, 10/16:

  • Donna the Buffalo (also the nickname of my prom date) plays Memorial Hall
  • Rock this Town Orchestra with Sweet Megg in Southgate’s main room
  • Noah Smith’s Crooner Circus plays Southgate’s Revival Room

We love it live!

It was well worth the trip to Detroit to see The Tubs at Third Man Records. They are so good – and nice dudes too!

I wore my Merge Records shirt… and The Tubs drummer informed me that they had just signed with Merge!

Opener Ryan Allen was cool too.

I also saw All-American Rejects at the Kroger Wellness Festival last week. (That’s a sentence I never imagined typing.) I’m not very familiar with their catalog, but my son wanted to go and I have to pretend to be a good dad every once in a while.

And now, the sad part (Parts I and II)

We recently lost two great dudes who contributed a ton to the Cincy music scene for decades: Jimmy D and Dave Cunningham.

It’s hard to believe Randy Cheek, Jimmy D, and John Erhardt (above, L to R) are no longer here.

The full Enquirer article is here.

Turning sadness into a lasting legacy

A heartfelt note from list member Michael “Rico” Carrico:

I lost my brother to cancer six years ago, and before he passed, I promised him that I would do anything that I could to help fight the terrible disease that took him from us too early.  One of the initiatives that our family has taken up is to help fundraise for the National Collegiate Cancer Foundation, which provides scholarships to young adults who have been diagnosed with cancer.  

Our primary fundraiser is a memorial golf outing, which will be held this year at California Golf Course on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at noon. In the first four years of our outing, we have raised funds to award 95 of these scholarships, and we hope to add on a bunch more this year with the help of friends like you.  Whether that is getting a team together to play in the scramble, providing sponsorship, or donating items for auction, any and all support is welcome and appreciated.

You can donate here. Thanks!

Fallon loves Freekbass

File this one in the “Things I never thought would happen” folder. A woman in West Chester read my Freekbass profile in the July issue of Cincinnati Magazine (I hope you did too!) and sent in the main photo to The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon for his “Lookalikes” segment. Hijinks ensued.

(Irate) letters to the editor

List member Dan “Hey, at least the Reds made the playoffs” Lewis has a bone to pick with my pathetic prose… and my paltry props for his prowess in identifying talent:

I think Dan “Get off my lawn” Lewis has been doing too much day-drinking since he hung up his sales outfit.

But it’s true, Dan was waaay ahead of the curve on Dwight and The Mavericks. However, his track record isn’t exactly unblemished:

It’s also true that I could have pushed that Dwight show harder. Mea culpa X dos. BTW, Los Lobos wound up opening the show. The Mavericks had to cancel due to Raul Malo’s cancer battle.

We’d like to dedicate this next number to cancer:

Album Cover(s) of the Week(s)

He’ll probably get a restraining order instead.

Whoever named this band and album needs some remedial math and English classes.