“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
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.
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.
Did you go to the big show downtown last night? I did! It was everything I hoped for and more!
I’m referring, of course, to the Dave Alvin & the Guilty Ones show in downtown Dayton at the Levitt Pavilion, with Dayton’s own The Mulchmen doing a stellar opening set.
Why yes, that is Jim McPherson of The Breeders on drums for The Mulchmen. I challenged him to an arm-wrestling contest after their set. It did not end well for me.
The Mulchmen and Dave Alvin both sounded great – Dave even busted out a few Blasters tunes. Admission was free, and Levitt Pavilion allows attendees to bring their own food and beverages (cans only). Such a deal!
Alrighty, let’s take a gander at some upcoming live shows in the Tri-state area.
Tonight, it’s The Invasion of the Swifties, Part II. I’m not a Taylor-lover (or ex-lover… no songs about me) but I’m also not a hater. CincyMusic had a great take on Taylor-mania:
Just down the street from Paul Brown Stadium (that payroll company isn’t paying me, so I’m using the old name), local blues wunderkind Erin Coburn will be playing at Sawyer Point at 4 p.m., followed by The Classic Rock Experience (6pm) and the AC/DC tribute band Thunderstruck (8pm).
Greensky Bluegrass is at the Bobby Brady.
Levitt Pavilion in Dayton (perhaps you’ve heard of it?) has another freebie show tonight, featuring Ernie Johnson from Detroit.
Last but not least (except in Liam Gallagher’s rankings), Noah Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Garbage and Metric are at Riverbend.
Then there’s a bit of a lull in live gigs as we celebrate our independence with discount fireworks.
On Thursday:
Tab Benoit plays a free show at the Levitt Pavilion in Dayton (yes, that place again)
Noah Wotherspoon will be “Rockin’ the Roebling” in Smale Park (the stage by Moerlein)
The Harmed Brothers Duo does a freebie at Washington Park
Candlebox is at Bogart’s
Chicago is at the PNC Pavilion
(Yours truly will be at Summerfest in Milwaukee, watching Jenny Lewis, Horsegirl, The Regrettes, The War on Drugs and perhaps a bit of Dinosaur Jr.)
Friday:
Lettuce and Steel Pulse play the PNC Pavilion
3 Doors Down and Candlebox are at the Rose Music Center
The Steve Miller Band will be at The Hard Rock Casino (“Take the money and run”…)
Kansas plays the Taft
The Sunburners play a free show at Stanbury Park in scenic Mt. Washington (a.k.a. “Anderson Heights”)
(Yours truly will still be in Milwaukee, watching the Reds-Brewers game)
Saturday (7/8) shows:
Future Islands are at Bogart’s
Lettuce and Steel Pulse head up the road to the Rose
For those who just can’t get enough T-Swizzle (or couldn’t drain their bank account for tickets), RiversEdge in Hamilton! has Kanin Wren’s Taylor Swift Experience for free.
Dream Theater is at the Ovation in Newport on Sunday (7/9) and Post Malone plays Riverbend.
Belinda Carlisle goes (or Go-Gos) to the Rose Music Center on Tuesday, July 11th.
The High Kings play Memorial Hall on Thursday, July 13th, and RiversEdge has “Nirvani” and “Fooz Fighters.” (Isn’t “Dave Grull” in both of those bands?)
Braxton Brewing in Covington, KY is hosting the Paradise Music and Beer Festival on 7/14-15:
Also on Friday, July 14th, Jessica Lea Mayfield headlines the free show at Fountain Square. I’ll probably make that gig. You should join me, unless you’re the type of person who likes Neil Diamond, then you can catch Super Diamond, the Neil Diamond tribute band, at Ovation.
Other shows on Saturday, July 15th:
Ruby Vileos has an album release show at The Loon in Northside, with special guest Tyler Ramsey (formerly of Band of Horses).
Fall Out Boy plays Riverbend
George Thorogood & the Destroyers are at Fraze Pavilion
The Cincy Blues Fest happens in Fairfield
Jesse is a friend…
… and he needs our help. Longtime “This week in live music” favorite Jesse Malin was climbing onto the bar at Webster Hall in NYC during a concert in late March…
In early May, he suffered a rare spinal stroke, and has been paralyzed from the waist down since. A Sweet Relief fund has been set up to help with Jesse’s medical bills.
“The reports from the doctors have been tough, and there’s moments in the day where you want to cry, and where you’re scared. But I keep saying to myself that I can make this happen. I can recover my body.”
We mentioned the Ruby Vileos album release earlier… Billy Alletzhauser’s other band The Hiders also is working on some new music. Dave Tellmann and I chatted with Billy and his Hiders bandmate Beth Harris about that (and towns in Arkansas… and Ass Ponys… and much more) in the latest episode of the 97X Rumblings from the Big Bush podcast.
Modern Rock 500 heavy hitters
97X superfan Scott Buckley created an interactive data visualization that allows you to get a snapshot view of the various artists in the 2023 97X Modern Rock 500 on Inhailer Radio and quickly see where their songs landed. Check it out here.
Speaking of Inhailer Radio, former 97Xers Matt Sledge and Jae Forman now have weekly airshifts there, along with list member Ken Laube (Fridays 3-7pm).
Album Cover of the Fortnight
Dennis Coffey makes his own Declaration of Independence. He’s a red, white and blue (and maroon and fuchsia) hero!
It sounds like the setup to a joke: “A punk rock guitarist and a preacher’s daughter walk into a theater…” But when Billy Alletzhauser and Beth Harris starting singing songs together in 2004, the result was pure magic. Their band, The Hiders, is the Kevin Bacon of music, with connections to Ass Ponys, The Afghan Whigs, Throneberry, Wussy, Heartless Bastards, Band of Horses, Plow On Boy, Comet Bluegrass All-Stars, Pearlene and more. And their sound is an amazing amalgamation of folk, country, rock, psychedelia, bluegrass, and indie rock. We talked to B & B about their start, the band’s evolution, Billy’s Ass Ponys tenure, Beth’s harmony vocal work with Erika Wennerstrom and Heartless Bastards, the Hiders most recent album (2021’s Forever at the End) and their plans for the year ahead.
“One of Cincinnati’s musical treasures.”
Mike Breen, Cincinnati CityBeat
You can put your ears on Forever at the End via the player below.
Alletzhauser and gifted harmony vocalist Beth Harris, the two constant Hiders in a rotating roll call of stellar talent, have assembled an impressive canon over the past decade and a half, and all without the questionable assistance of a label structure.
Brian Baker, Cincinnati CityBeat, 2021
Here’s their 2009 session on World Cafe from WXPN (home of 97X alum Dan Reed):
Billy Alletzhauser’s old band, Ruby Vileos, (a 97Xposure finalist back in the day) got back together to do a new record. Here’s it is via Bandcamp:
Ruby Vileos is doing an album release show on Saturday, July 15th at The Loon Wine Bar in Northside, with special guest Tyler Ramsey. Looks like the show is sold-out, but if they release more tickets you can get them here.
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!
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.
On May 11th, author Robin James discussed her new book The Future of Rock & Roll: 97X and the Fight for True Independence at The Mercantile Library, with your friendly neighborhood podcast hosts Dave and Damian. The event was streamed via Crowdcast, but due to the dreaded technical difficulties, the first 10 minutes of the discussion have been lost to the ether. However, we reconnected with Amy Hunter from the Mercantile Library staff so she could reprise her intro and then this episode picks up the discussion when the audio came onto the Crowdcast feed.
The event was co-sponsored by Downbound Books and Shake It Records. Approximately 200 folks were in attendance, many sporting their vintage 97X and band t-shirts:
Amy B. Hunter gave the intro. Learn more about The Mercantile Library here.
Dave – the James Lipton of modern rock.
Many 97X staffers and loyal listeners were in attendance. L to R above: Gentleman Jim Mercer, Dave, Robin James, Damian, Matt Harris.
Bill “Billy D” Douglas and his lovely bride serve as book models. (If you’d like to order a copy or three of Robin’s book, you can do so here through Downbound Books.)
Howard Cohen from Great Lakes Brewing supplied the adult beverages. (Howard also is lead singer of the local band Cereal Killers.)
I let you down yet again (you should be used to it by now). I’m tardy with my list of gigs so I didn’t get to tell you about the New Pornographers show at Memorial Hall last night. That said, the show was sold out. Besides, I don’t know why people need New Pornographers, the old ones still work just fine.
Tonight, Southgate House is hosting The Nude Party. (It’s a band, get your mind out of the old pornographers gutter.)
OK, let’s focus on the future. The Future of Rock and Roll, that is. Robin James wrote the book about 97X, and thanks to Northside’s Downbound Books and Shake It Records, she’ll be talking about it with a couple of knuckleheads at the Mercantile Library this Thursday. If you’re one of the faithful 200 who registered for this event, you can hear from Robin, get a book signed and enjoy some tasty Great Lakes Brewing Co. beverages courtesy of our ol’ pal Howard Cohen (Cereal Killers… more on them later).
If you can’t attend in person, you can stream the event on Crowdcast here. (Great Lakes Beer not included.)
Tomorrow night, Richard Thompson plays a solo acoustic show at the 20th Century Theater. I’ll be there, of course. Forget about King Charles III, to me, King Richard is the Brit who rules.
KT Tunstall and Martin Sexton are also playing a double bill tomorrow, at Memorial Hall.
On Thursday, if you can’t make the Merc, Memorial Hall is hosting An Evening with the Cowboy Junkies.
Wait, wrong sort of Cowboy Junkie…
Friday night, Chuck Cleaver and Lisa Walker from the band Wussy are playing at my house. (Apparently they didn’t learn their lesson from the first time I hosted them back in October of 2022 and totally fanboyed out.)
John “Don’t call me Cougar” Mellencamp also kicks off a two-night stand at the Aronoff on Friday. And The Comet hosts BurritoFest 2023 on Friday and Saturday.
The Taft Theatre has some interesting shows lined up:
An Evening with Natalie Merchant on Sunday
The Wood Brothers with Shovels & Rope on Tuesday, May 16th
David Cross on Thursday, May 18th
Roger McGuinn does a “Songs & Stories” gig at Memorial Hall on 5/18.
On Friday, May 19th, Cereal Killers play at MadTree Brewing in Oakley. 7-11 p.m. First beer’s on me.
I won’t be dressed like that… unless you ask nicely.
That same evening, Frank Turner plays Bogart’s and Leo Kottke is at Ludlow Garage.
On Saturday, 5/20, Dopapod is at the Madison Theater, Steve Goodie and Eric Gnezda play a comedy music show in Florence, KY, and Fountain Square hosts the KISS tribute band Strutter.
The Gem City shines
Dayton, Ohio (birthplace of flight… and the Deal sisters) has some really nice freebie shows coming up this summer at the Levitt Pavilion downtown, including Dave Alvin, John Doe, Tab Benoit, Ernie Johnson from Detroit, and Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys. The first gig is The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band on Thursday, June 1st. Check out the full lineup here.
Mailbag
List member Mighty Joe Sampson, a resident of a posh Cincy suburb, wrote:
This longtime subscriber is formally objecting to your slanderous comment about Madeira aka “the friendly town.”
You’re right, Joe. Madeira is very accepting of strangers… as long as they follow the instructions to leave the DoorDash food delivery on the front porch.
Those wacky Brits… I don’t know how in the heck you can guard a horse when your helmet obstructs 70% of your field of vision and your “chin” strap is well above your chin. But… “tradition!”
After 97X signed off in 2004, “the future of rock and roll” stayed alive as woxy.com – with many fits and starts (and stops) along the way. “Angel investors”… LaLa.com… Future Sounds… Oxford… Longworth Hall in Cincinnati… Austin, Texas. The dot-com version had several homes, and more lives than a cat, before finally ending quite abruptly on March 23, 2010.
We talk to the folks who experienced all those ups and downs, and lived to tell the tale: Shiv, Mike Taylor, Joe Long, Brian Niesz, and Bryan J. Miller share their stories of the woxy.com era.
Matt Shiv (l) (music director) and Mike Taylor (program director) from WOXY.com
One of the highlights of the move to woxy.com (and the move to a former recording studio in Cincinnati) was the expansion of live, in-studio performances – the fabled “Lounge Acts” engineered by Brian Niesz.
And Brian Niesz, who moved back to Cincinnati after the Austin demise of woxy.com, now works at WCPO-TV (Channel 9) and revived the Lounge Acts format.
I still owe you a beer, because Cereal Killers had to cancel their Earth Day gig:
I blame global climate change. But I’ll try to stay positive, like CK and The Hold Steady advise.
Rather than lament what could have been, let’s take a look at the future.
Tonight, Ben Folds plays Music Hall with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, and Shakey Graves is at Bogart’s. Music Hall has an orchestra pit, and Bogart’s is a pit… same difference.
Tomorrow night, Tesla plays the Greg Brady. Greg used to drive a Tesla.
Too soon?
On Friday night, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit kick off a two-night stand at the Cindy Brady. My lovely bride and I will be at that show courtesy of list members Whit and Barb Gardner.
Also on Friday, Will Kimbrough plays Southgate, and “Tusk” (either a Fleetwood Mac tribute or a tribute to Smedley the original mascot for Cap’n Crunch Peanut Butter) plays Ludlow Garage.
Jason Isbell will be whipping out his 400 Unit again on Saturday at the Peter Brady. (That’s not as dirty as it sounds.)
Speaking of not dirty, you can’t get more squeaky clean (and let’s be honest, lily white) than the Madeira-Silverwood Presbyterian Church. And that’s the venue for a Downtowne Listening Room show featuring 3 Nashville singer-songwriters: Rob Harris, Marcia Ramirez and Mike Waldron.
August Burns Red plays Bogart’s on Sunday, and the “Terrible, Thanks for Asking” tour comes to Woodward Theater.
On Monday, May 1st, Memorial Hall hosts Majesty – A Tribute to Queen. Rumor has it Harry and Megan are miffed that they aren’t on the guest list.
On Tuesday, May 2nd, Snail Mail plays the Woodward. List member Mighty Joe Sampson and I will be there, bringing the average age up by 15 years.
Father John Misty plays Bogart’s on Wednesday, May 3rd. Speaking of misty, Bogart’s now has a misting tent… wait, my bad, that’s actually just spray from a broken toilet.
Other 5/3 gigs:
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss play the Rose Music Center in scenic Huber Heights
Gary Clark Jr. is at the Cindy Brady
Kamasi Washington is at Ludlow Garage on Thursday, 5/4 and Memorial Hall is really living up to the “memorial” in their name, with yet another tribute: The Electric Light Orchestra Experience… “the American ELO!”
Next Friday is Cinco de Mayo… a day when many Americans like to pay tribute to a historic victory by the Mexican Army by… getting hammered on Corona and margaritas?
That’s kinda f*cked up… speaking of which, F*cked Up is playing the Woodward that night. Jess Lamb & the Factory are at City Nights (like a local version of Austin City Limits). And Ludlow Garage hosts Live at the Filmore (Allman Bros. tribute).
Next Saturday, May 6th:
Houndmouth plays the Ovation (yes, the Ovation, not using that ridiculous corporate name)
Billy Idol sneers his way through a show at PNC Pavilion
The Amy Ray Band (she of Indigo Girls fame) plays Ludlow Garage with Kevn Kinney as the opener – that’s a heapin’ helpin’ of ATL goodness!
Sylmar, Massing and Moonbeau (that’s 3 local bands, not a law firm) are at Southgate.
Some horses run around a track in Louisville.
On Sunday, May 7th, Australian songwriter John Butler plays Memorial Hall.
Distant Early Warning
The Beths are playing the Woodward on August 21st… if you don’t go to that show, we can no longer be friends.
Kerry Gray was the program director at 97X in the late 80s/early 90s, and a radio “lifer.” He was a real live wire – super-energetic, enthusiastic, funny as heck… and also completely into the music. In fact, Kerry and Phil Manning teamed up to expand the back catalogue of the station, and they also launched the first ever “Modern Rock 500” in 1989.
In this episode, Julie Maxwell, Julie Maxwell, Jeff Rohrs, Mike Taylor and Steve Baker join Dave and Damian to share their remembrances, and the episode wraps up with some archival audio of Kerry and Brett Heartz on-air at 97X back in October of 1989.
Kerry also launched the radio career of “Bubba the Love Sponge” – whom Kerry met at a nightclub in Terre Haute, Indiana, then brought onto his show as an intern. In 2016, Kerry was on his way a new job as co-host of a syndicated morning show with Bubba in Florida when he was in a car accident. At the hospital, testing revealed multiple tumors on his brain… and Kerry battled brain cancer for a year before passing away in March of 2017 at the age of 50.
Very fitting that Kerry’s celebration of life was a dance party.
KERRY began his radio career at 15 and spent 30+ years in radio, which included WEQX/MANCHESTER, VT-ALBANY, NY, KBCO/DENVER, WEDG (103.3 THE EDGE)/BUFFALO, and CJXY (Y108)/HAMILTON, ON.
KERRY had a larger-than-life personality and a really great heart. His presence made people around him want to be better. He was one of the sweetest and weirdest guys I ever knew.” — former WEDG Program Director James Kurdziel
