Concert Listings

Jam-uary rocks!

97X, Concert Listings, Concert review, Music, podcast

Let me be the 427th person to wish you a Happy New Year!

But also let me be the first person to wish you a Slappy New Year!

My resolution is to let you know about the cool musical artists coming to our area as we celebrate “Jam-uary” – which is a rockin’ portmanteau that I totally stole from Camp Springs Tavern in scenic Camp Springs, Kentucky. CST is putting the “jam” into January by hosting live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday all month long:

  • Bluegrass Jam on Thursdays – Jan. 8, 15, 22, and 29 – starting at 6pm (shows below start at 7pm)
  • Slim Pickin’s on Friday the 9th
  • Stick & Bindle on Saturday the 10th
  • Betsy Smith on Friday the 16th
  • Witches of the Rifle Range and Kait & the California Kings on Saturday the 17th
  • Dave Webster on Friday the 23rd
  • Kurt Adams on Saturday the 24th
  • T. Lipscomb on Friday the 30th
  • South of Sin on Saturday the 31st

Whereas I will be jamming more Fig Newtons into my piehole all month long.

OK, let’s take a gander at the other gigs:

Tonight, The Comet Bluegrass All-Stars play… you guessed it… the Comet. Note: The Comet bar is not to be confused with the cleaner that young Robby Benson used to hawk.

On Thursday:

  • Maggie Antone plays Southgate’s Sanctuary, with Ava Hall opening
  • A1A (the official and original Jimmy Buffett tribute show) will be at the Ludlow Garage

Hmm, that “A1A” name sounds familiar. Where have I heard it before?

On Friday:

  • Joe’s Truck Stop plays Northside Tavern
  • Bogart’s has Ten, A Tribute to Pearl Jam
  • The Funky Ducks play MOTR with the Brian Bacon Band and SUN.DYLE
  • Laid Back Country Picker and 9 LB Hammer play Southgate.

Hmm, “Hammer” sounds familiar. Where have I heard that before?

Catch Richard Lloyd Group with The Dummy Ups at MOTR on Saturday. (Richard Lloyd was in Television. Word on the street is that he’s a decent guitarist…)

That same evening, the Liberty Theater has bluesman Mike Milligan & Steam Shovel, and Bogart’s hosts The Four Horsemen. They are billed as “the only album-quality Metallica tribute” but this one works too:

Real Estate plays the Woodward on Tuesday, January 13. I’ll be there, and you should be too! Note: purchasing a ticket to Real Estate does not require a regular mortgage or a reverse mortgage.

G. Love & Special Sauce will be at the Ludlow Garage on Wednesday, January 14. (G. Love & Special Sauce is not to be confused with “Glove and no special sauce” which was a scene from Animal House.)

Jess Lamb & Friends play MOTR on Thursday, January 15, and Southgate has Noah Smith’s Crooner Circus songwriter showcase.

On Friday, January 16, Amythyst Kiah plays Southgate, and Ludlow Garage has The Ultimate Doors. (“Ultimate Doors” in a Garage are not to be confused with the garage door company named after Amy and Erin.)

On Saturday, January 17:

  • Trampled by Turtles plays the Taft
  • Denitia (an NPR “artist to watch”) plays the Liberty Theater, with Maria Carrelli opening.

Eaglemania hits Ludlow Garage on Sunday the 18th. Note: Eaglemania may result in excessive hotel charges.

Liberty Theater has Back2Mac (Fleetwood Mac tribute) on Thursday, January 22.

On Friday, January 23:

  • Charlie Starr (of Blackberry Smoke) plays Ludlow Garage
  • Bogart’s gets in on the tribute band action with Thunderstruck (“America’s AC/DC tribute band.”)

on Saturday, January 24:

  • Low Gap plays Southgate with Julia DiGrazia as the opener
  • Richie Furay (Buffalo Springfield, Poco, Souther-Hillman-Furay Band) is at Ludlow Garage
  • Rob Thomas plays the Hard Rock Casino

Hey look, it’s another tribute band: Pet Sounds plays Ludlow Garage on Sunday, January 25. Note: “Pet Sounds” (the Beach Boys tribute band) is not to be confused with a See ‘n Say:

On Monday, January 26, The Faux Frenchmen play Memorial Hall.

The Sadies and Krystal Peterson play Southgate on Wednesday, January 28.

On Thursday, January 29, it’s The Infamous Stringdusters with Mountain Grass Unit at the Taft.

Gigs on Friday, January 30:

  • Umphrey’s McGee plays the Peter Brady
  • Woodward Theater has a very nice triple bill with Sharp Pins (GBV-esque), Good Flying Birds, and Artificial Go. I’ll be at that gig with list member Ken “Lobby Boy” Laube (he’s on Inhailer Fridays 11a-3p)
  • Southgate has a Dave Matthews/Tim Reynolds tribute band called Monkeys on a String.

Annnd the month wraps up on Saturday, January 31 with:

  • The Collies (my son’s in that band!) playing The Vault in Mt. Lookout from 8-11 p.m. First beer’s on me!
  • The Tillers and Maria Carrelli at Southgate
  • Jimmy Davis Blues at Liberty Theater
  • And yes, there are not one but two tribute band shows: Let’s Groove Tonight (Earth, Wind & Fire) plus a Kool & the Gang tribute band at Ludlow Garage, and Madison Theater has “Tell Me Lies: The Fleetwood Mac Experience.”

We love it live!

Erika Wennerstrom playing a sold-out show at The Columbia: spellbinding! (Great to see list members Kevin, Tom, Jamie, Rico, and Coffee Kyle in the house too!)

(If you’re keeping score at home, Erika’s show was Concert #40 for me in 2025.)

The dreaded “In Memoriam” section

Joe Ely was a rare gem.

Raul Malo had a voice from the heavens.

Steve Cropper was a soul man through and through.

Record exec Howie Klein was one of the few good “suits.”

Perry Bamonte played guitar with The Cure for 15 years and rejoined them for their recent tours.

My admiration for their admiration

I get positively giddy when artists I like show some love for other artists I like.

And Chuck and Lisa from Wussy gave a shout-out to Buffalo Tom on one of their recent “Forever Sounds Radio” shows on WAIF-FM:

Speaking of Buff Tom, lead singer Bill Janovitz speaks the truth:

A list of the lists

The website Album of the Year (one of my go-to sites for new releases) has links to dozens of year-end “best of” lists.

And shout-out to John Richards of KEXP for putting this 2025 release from the band Suzzallo on my radar – it’s a rocker:

Here’s Suzzallo’s live in-studio performance on KEXP:

Shameless self-promotion

The three most recent “97X Rumblings from the Big Bush” podcast episodes feature Dave Tellmann and I chatting with:

  1. the folks behind Undertow Music (they book the house shows that I’ve hosted).
  2. Chris DeVille, the managing editor of Stereogum and author of the new book Such Great Heights: The Complete Cultural History of the Indie Rock Explosion.
  3. former 97X DJ Rictile and list member Todd Butler about the old 97X Home Invasion live broadcasts (warning: post contains photos of scantily clad men).

Out, out, damned Spot(ify)!

Speaking of Stereogum’s Chris DeVille, he lists several bands who have pulled their music from Spotify.

Laura Burhenn (The Mynabirds) also makes a strong case for choosing an alternative on the Undertow site.

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek has invested €600m Euros — nearly $700m USD — in Helsing, an AI military start-up of which he is now Chairman. Spotify is literally using money generated from artists’ work to create death and destruction in our world. And recently, Spotify has started taking money from their US subscribers to pay for ICE recruitment ads.

Hot ticket alert

Wussy is playing a full band show at The Woodward on Friday, February 27. Get tickets here.

Letters to the editor (and hope for the future)

From list member Lisa Collins:

Album Cover(s) of the Week(s): New Year, New You!

Leg warmers sold separately.

I’m all for figure control, but if I tried Fran’s cover pose, I’d fracture several vertebrae.

Yes, “Boogie” will be my morning exercise routine in 2026. Especially if I can scale walls and crash through windows like the S.W.A.T. team:

‘Tis the season (for songs)

97X, Concert Listings, Concert review, Music, podcast, woxy.com

It’s a December to remember. Especially with 0% aper.

Unfortunately for music lovers like you (and me!), the ol’ Koncert Keeper tends to be mostly holiday shows. But there are a few nuggets worth digging for in the music mix. Let’s peek at our presents:

This Wednesday is Ween Wednesday at The Columbia in the East End. They’ll be spinning the live At The Cat’s Cradle album from 6-10 p.m. BYOB.

On Thursday, the Liberty Theater in Lawrenceburg, Indiana hosts a free Songwriters in the Round show featuring Anne Bangert, Steve Covington, and Charlie Overman.

Friday shows:

  • The Raisins (the Cincinnati ones, not the California ones) kick off a two-night stand at the Woodward
  • MOTR hosts a free Indie Rock Extravagant-za with Girl Gordon, Kind Skies (Lexington), and Pout
  • Moviola, the Wussy Duo, and Nervous Verbs play The Comet
  • Damien Escobar is at Ludlow Garage. (If you go, tell him he spells his first name incorrectly.)
  • Old Crow Medicine Show has a “Holiday Hootenanny” at the Taft Theatre
  • Monday Night Big Band Holiday Show at the Redmoor
  • Yung Gravy (not a Thanksgiving leftover) is at Ovation

Saturday:

  • The Raisins are back at the Woodward. I have a ticket for this show but can no longer use it – if you want it (free!), hit me up via text, or the comments, or passenger pigeon.
  • Dead Centric plays Stanley’s
  • Noah Smith’s Crooner Circus (songwriter showcase) at Southgate
  • Ludlow Garage has Aja, a tribute to Steely Dan

On Sunday, December 7:

  • Soul Coughing plays the Madison Theater
  • Steel Panther plays Bogart’s

Heart plays the Carol Brady on Monday, December 8.

(Carol had too much of Alice’s favorite dish: “Sam The Butcher’s Sausage Stuffing.”)

Thievery Corporation plays Bogart’s on Tuesday, December 9. (Fun fact: “Thievery Corporation” is the official LLC name for Ticketmaster.)

Oh, and the Phil DeGreg Trio plays “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at Memorial Hall on 12/8 and 12/9.

The Taft Theatre hosts back-to-back holiday shows:

  • Straight No Chaser “Holiday Road” on Wednesday, 12/10
  • Preservation Hall Jazz Band “Creole Christmas” on Thursday, 12/11

Gigs on Friday, 12/12:

  • Eric Gales at Ludlow Garage
  • Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder do a Christmas show at Memorial Hall
  • The New Royals (funk revival) play two sets at MOTR

Saturday, 12/13:

  • Samantha Fish, Cedric Burnside and Jon Spencer at the Ludlow Garage
  • A Very Motherfolk Christmas at Bogart’s
  • Cinci Folk Festival (Maria Carrelli, The Montvales, Jolly Old Hawk, et al.) at Southgate
  • Crown Watts performs the music of Rush at the Madison Theater

Ludlow has Irish Christmas in America on Wednesday, 12/17.

Shows on Thursday, 12/18:

  • Liberty Theater has another free Songwriters in the Round show with Rachel Holt and Naomi Carman
  • Jess Lamb & Friends do a jam session at MOTR
  • The SunBurners and Queen City Silver Stars play an Island Christmas show at The Redmoor (they do the same show on Friday 12/19 also)

Friday, 12/19:

  • Erika Wennerstrom plays a sold-out solo show at The Columbia on Eastern Avenue. Didn’t get tickets? You can’t say I didn’t warn you:

That same evening, Over the Rhine kicks off their three-night “Acoustic Christmas” stand at Memorial Hall, and Chris Isaak plays the Hard Rock Casino

Saturday, 12/20:

  • The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band at Southgate
  • Over the Rhine at Memorial Hall
  • “An Olde English Christmas” with Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits at Ludlow – there’s a matinee show and an evening gig. BYOB.

Then, the Xmas lull kicks in. But there’s still time to get the perfect gift for someone special.

On Boxing Day (Friday, 12/26), Ludlow has ESC4P3 (a Journey tribute band).

On Saturday, 12/27:

  • Bershy plays Madison Live, with Multimagic and Phanta
  • The Woodward Theater hosts a “Holiday Hangover” show with Sylmar and Mosant

And finally, the year will wrap up with a bait-and-switch bang as the Hot Red Chili Peppers host a Red Hot countdown to 2026 at the Ludlow Garage on New Year’s Eve.

That same day (Lord willin’), your humble scribe will be celebrating yet another birthday.

We love it live!

The Mynabirds (a.k.a. Laura Burhenn) put on a great show at The Columbia last night. Laura is super-nice, she had high praise for woxy.com, and she brought her dog along on tour.

The Cereal Killers masquerading as The Distractions were note-perfect on their Elvis Costello set, and Dot.Dot.Dot. did justice to their R.E.M. covers at The Village Theater in Covington.

Foxy John loves it live too!

Speaking o’ R.E.M., here’s a shot of list member John Fox (2nd from right) hanging out with Mike Mills and Steve Gorman (Black Crowes) after the Howl Owl Howl show in Indy. Steve and his brother (at right) went to WKU with John’s brother and sister.

Live on tape is pretty cool as well!

MJ Lenderman & The Wind on Austin City Limits is well worth the watch – go to the 26:37 mark for the start of their set.

Two thumbs up for new Crooked Fingers

Eric Bachmann and friends with a new tune called “Cold Waves” – so hot right now!

The “97X Rumblings from the Big Bush” podcast gets Freek-y

Dave and I chatted with Freekbass. Check it out here or wherever you get your podcasts, and check out the post on the 97Xbam website for some bonus content, including a throwback Sleep Theater show on video.

Letters to the editor

List member Bruce Frasure shared this bit of musical lore via Jason Narducy’s Instagram:

Nearly seven years ago, I did a blog post about the sudden disappearance of the band Sons of Bill featuring brothers James, Sam, and Abe Wilson. Just this week, 1/3 of the mystery was solved via this comment:

And list member and official Old People Fall Headguard Hat Spokesmodel Dan Lewis aired yet another grievance after we published this photo in our last post:

You’re right, Dan, I am the worst. Speaking of Python, you might want to spend some of your retirement time tutoring the youth of America.

Album Cover(s) of the Week(s)

Yes, needlepoint rocks!

Uh, the photo perspective really highlights Steve’s pants, which are so tight we can tell what religion he is. Somebody please cover that with a Dawn throw pillow!

Ah, yes, a balm for sore eyes. But wait, is that Steve Gibbons in the back? Is he wearing pants?

2 responses to “‘Tis the season (for songs)”

  1. Lisa+Collins Avatar
    Lisa+Collins

    Hey Damian! Thought of you today when I was at Plaid Room Records getting nostalgic! I was perusing The Smiths section when a young man – couldn’t have been twenty yet – told me they have the really good albums “in the back”. He was looking for the same albums – my faith in the youth of America was restored!

    Reply
    1. Damian Avatar
      Damian

      That’s great, thanks for sharing, Lisa! (P.S. you told him Morrissey was a wanker now, right?)

      Reply

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Tofurkey tunes

Concert Listings, Concert review, Music, woxy.com

There are NO turkeys in this lineup o’ live tunes.

Before we get to the main courses for the next couple of weeks, let’s take a gander at a really big show coming to The Columbia in December.

I’ve often dreamed of spending an intimate evening with Erika Wennerstrom… now I’ll get to do it in an old church! Tickets are available here.

OK, now let’s see what’s cooking a bit sooner.

On Thursday:

  • 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)
  • NAS does Illmatic live with the Cincinnati Pops at Music Hall

On Friday:

  • Whiskey City’s Liberty Theater has a Four Roses tasting 5-8 p.m., followed by Heather Redman & the Reputation
  • Draven & the Ravens at MOTR
  • You can da-doo-ron-ron to Ludlow Garage to catch former teen heartthrob Shaun Cassidy.

If there are any Shaun Cassidy leftovers, be sure to store them properly.

Saturday shows:

  • Rhett Miller (Old 97s) and Bob Schneider at the Madison Theater
  • The Steep Canyon Rangers at Memorial Hall
  • The Local Honeys and Maria Carrelli at the Liberty Theater in Lawrenceburg
  • Kashmir: The Spirit of Led Zeppelin Live! at Ludlow Garage
  • KC & the Sunshine Band at the Lawrenceburg Event Center
  • The Trans-Siberian Orchestra plays two shows at the Coliseum

On Sunday Black Violin is at the Taft, and Wishbone Ash settles into the Ludlow Garage.

Little Image and Coastal Club are at Madison Live on Tuesday, and Sevendust plays the Ovation with Cory Marks.

Silverstein (not Shel) plays Bogart’s on Wednesday.

Shows on Thursday, GO-vember 20:

  • Brett Dennan at Ludlow
  • Buffalo Wabs & the Price Hill Hustle at Southgate
  • a free Songwriters in the Round at Liberty Theater, with Billy Alletzhauser & Ali Edwards (of Ruby Vileos)
  • Kitchen Dwellers and Them Coulee Boys at Madison Live

Gigs on Friday, November 21:

  • Molly Tuttle at Memorial Hall, with Birdtalk and Cecilia Castleman
  • An Evening with the Trey Anastasio Band at the Greg Brady
  • Hunter Root and Harley Day at the Liberty Theater
  • Honour Rae plays an album release show at Southgate, with Tracy Walker
  • The Taft Theatre has a tribute two-fer: Strangelove: The Depeche Mode Experience with Electric Duke: a Tribute to Bowie
  • Madison Theater has Signs of Life: The American Pink Floyd.

Wait, I thought this was the American Pink Floyd:

On Saturday, November 22:

  • Pigeons Playing Ping Pong play the Madison Theater, with Dizgo
  • Kruger Brothers are at the Liberty Theater
  • Domecrusher (feat. list member Todd Q.) plays North Second in Hamilton
  • The Jonas Brothers (another generation’s Shaun Cassidy) play the Coliseum
  • The Collies (my son is the drummer) play the Valley View Tavern in scenic Williamsburg, OH
  • Lauren Ruth Ward plays an Undertow show in the 45202 zip code. Get tickets here.

Here’s an excerpt from Lauren Ruth Ward’s interview on a site called c-heads:

Johnny Gill (of New Edition) plays the Ludlow Garage on Sunday, November 23.

Feast week starts Monday, November 24, with BOTH of my son’s bands (The Collies and Van Winkle) playing The Comet in Northside.

On Wednesday, November 26 (a.k.a. Thanksgiving Eve, a.k.a. the biggest bar night of the year), The Distractions (a.k.a. Cereal Killers) will be doing an all-Elvis (Costello) set, along with Dot.Dot.Dot. doing R.E.M. at The Village Theater in Covington. Be there!

Other shows that same evening:

  • The Woodward has An Evening with Ray’s Music Exchange. They will be joined by members of Ernie Johnson from Detroit, who will then play at MOTR starting at 10:30.
  • The Liberty Theater features an Adam Wade Gilliam album release show, with The Spectacular Fantastic.
  • Southgate’s Revival Room features Shelter from the Storm (Dylan tribute) and the Dead Revival Band (GD tribute)
  • List member Keith Neltner has created another cool design for the Maker’s Mark album featuring tunes from The Tillers and Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle. The release shows (plural this year!) are at Arnold’s on 11/26 and 11/28:

Friday, November 28 (a.k.a. Black Friday):

  • Freekbass plays his Funksgiving show at Urban Artifact (look for a 97X Rumblings podcast interview with Freekbass coming soon)
  • Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle at Arnold’s
  • Mama Said String Band plays the Liberty Theater, with Dave Lacey & Ten Pound Hammer
  • Stolen Faces (Grateful Dead tribute band) play the Woodward

On Saturday, November 29:

  • Bela Fleck and the Flecktones play a “Jingle all the Way” (not sure if that’s a Christmas reference or a revenue reference) show at the Taft
  • Tripping Billies (DMB tribute) at Ludlow
  • Last, but certainly not least, The Mynabirds play an Undertow show at The Columbia on Eastern Avenue. Tickets are available here.

If you’re not familiar with The Mynabirds (solo nom-de-stage of Laura Burhenn), check out her new release on Bandcamp.

Bandcamp, not Spotify… here’s the only Mynabirds song selection you’ll find on Spotify:

Right on!

Finally, Stevie Nicks plays a sold-out show at the Coliseum on Sunday, November 30. Resale tix in the cheap seats are going for $350 (and TicketBastard will once again charge exorbitant fees on the resale, even though they already collected fees on the original sale).

A Halloween treat

Katie Crutchfield (Waxahatchee) and her twin sister Allison (Swearin’) teamed up with MJ Lenderman and super-producer Brad Cook to form the band Snocaps, and they dropped a tasty album on 10/31. Read more on Stereogum.

Forever Sounds: forever cool

Lisa Walker and Chuck Cleaver do a weekly show on WAIF-FM called “Forever Sounds” and they’re giving out a digital album of cover songs (GBV, Bill Fay, Joni Mitchell, The Bats, Hüsker Dü and many more) to folks who pledge to support their show.

You’ll find the pledge form and past episodes here.

The full Wussy band also did a couple of songs — including a brand new one — at the new Cincinnati Public Radio studio with former woxy.com Lounge Acts engineer Brian Niecz.

Places (and People) that are gone

Tommy Keene is gone.

We love it live!

The Beths in Nashville: amazing!

Kathleen Edwards and her fantastic band the next night in Louisville: transcendent!

Three nights of Buffalo Tom in Boston – including John Wesley Harding, Moving Targets, and a Pogues tribute band as openers, an acoustic set that included several tasty covers (see setlist below), a band Q&A, and much more: Stupendous!

Wishy at Madison Live last night: not too shabby!

But we don’t always love it live

Rickie Lee Jones played a great set at Memorial Hall.

Patty Griffin? Not so much. I understand the desire to feature several new songs – I expect that from most artists with a new album out. But to completely ignore a large part of your catalog — including the most popular songs — is not my cup of tea. The set was pretty much a snoozefest.

Wright State pitching star on Miami U. turf

Good old Robert Pollard – he can make a cool tune out of city and school district names.

Forget Bitcoin – invest in Lu!

Chuck Prophet can see the future. And the future is pure Lucinda Williams gold!

The full post is here. Chuck’s Substack is worth a subscribe.

Mailbag

In case you missed this fun exchange in the comments section of our last post, list members Lisa Collins and Dan Lewis took issue with my Beatles ranking:

Here’s that Westerberg clip that Lisa Collins sent me:

And Dan Lewis is right about me fitting in with the Goad Family. I certainly have the wardrobe for it:

Speaking of retired Cincinnati Reds superstar salesman Herb Tarlek Dan Lewis, I’m happy to report that he has found another modeling gig that’s perfect for his golden years. He’s the official spokesperson for this product:

“Fall” doesn’t mean the season, it means taking a tumble. Here’s Dan modeling the product:

“Collision to the elderly head” would be a great name for a punk band!

Album Cover(s) of the Week(s): Hair today, gone tomorrow

Her hair took up so much space on the cover that they had to reduce the font size of the type.

Ditto for “Lee Michaels” (we all know it’s really a young Richard Lewis.)

One response to “Tofurkey tunes”

  1. Dan Lewis Avatar
    Dan Lewis

    Tyrannical power at its worst. I’m reminded of the Holy Grail Monty Python quote “see the violence inherent in the system. Help help, I’m being repressed.” You can’t fight city hall…

    Reply

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97X Rumblings from the Big Bush: Howard Cohen is the main Distraction

97X, Concert Listings, Music, podcast

Howard Cohen, lead singer of the “Rumblings from the Big Bush” house band Cereal Killers, joins the “Rumblings” dynamic duo to talk about a fun gig the night before Thanksgiving, when he and his bandmates will be covering Elvis Costello & the Attractions songs as “The Distractions.” And they’ll be joined on the bill by the band Dot.Dot.Dot. covering R.E.M. tunes, and Chalk Eye. Howard also talks about 97Xposure and why he and his bandmates keep on keepin’ on. 

You can find out more about the Cereal Killers on their Facebook page.

Dot.Dot.Dot. – the band on the bill covering R.E.M. — includes Wes Pence of Middlemarch and The Ready Stance, as well as Justin Lynch (Filthy McNasty, Poke, and Wojo) and Aaron Zlatkin (Wojo) with Kyle Knapp (The Turkeys) handling the Michael Stipe vocal duties. You can read Brian Baker’s profile of the band in CityBeat for more info.

Here’s a shot of Cereal Killers as The Ramones from Halloween last year.

And here’s Howard with his cherished 97X box cutter.

See you at the show on 11/26!

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:

Falling for live music

97X, Concert Listings, Concert review, Music, podcast

Wow, it’s almost the Fall.

(Sorry, wrong The Fall.)

Fall (season, not band) means it’s time to sip on your Pumpkin Spice latte. Or dip your Pumpkin Spice Oreos into Pumpkin Spice Almond Milk. Or have a bowl of Pumpkin Spice Frosted Flakes. Or spread some Pumpkin Spice cream cheese on your Pumpkin Spice bagel. Or snack on some Pumpkin Spice pretzel crisps, or Pumpkin Spice graham cracker Goldfish, or a Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tart.

Or better yet, just put on some Pumpkin Old Spice deodorant, and get thee to a Fall gig or three.

You’ll be falling for Fall shows so much that your friends will start calling you Mrs. Fletcher.

Tonight, the Front Bottoms “10 Years of Back on Top” tour is at the Ovation in Newport. And Peach Pit plays Bogart’s* the Madison Theater… although it’d be more on-brand if they played the Peach Pit After Dark in Beverly Hills.

It’s worth noting that Steve was ahead of the curve on non-alcoholic “functional” beverages. They later helped him fight flying sharks.

*Note: several recent and upcoming shows have been moved from Bogart’s to the Madison Theater. Apparently, Bogart’s had some “unforeseen venue maintenance” – which probably means all those years of having hideous restrooms are coming back to haunt them.

On Thursday:

  • The Avett Brothers play Ovation, with Heartless Bastards – great double bill!
  • Leo Kottke is at Ludlow Garage
  • Southgate hosts the monthly “Crooner Circus” songwriter showcase

Friday shows:

  • Melissa Etheridge and the Indigo Girls play PNC Pavilion
  • John PayCheck (son of Johnny) and Wes Shipp are in the Southgate Sanctuary
  • Eric McM and Sharp Toys play “a doom-folk nightmare carnival” free show in the Southgate Lounge
  • Mosant, Harlow, and Happy Tuesday are at MOTR
  • GWAR is at the Madison Theater… bumping TUSK: the classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute… and breaking the Cincinnati area’s streak of having a Fleetwood Mac tribute band every month.

We’re at that age where rock stars are at that age

Billy Joel cancelled his Paul Brown Stadium gig with Rod Stewart that was originally slated for Saturday. And the X & Los Lobos “99 Years of Rock ‘N Roll” show at the Rose in Dayton on Sunday has been cancelled. In fact, that entire tour has been scrapped. Major bummer, as I was really looking forward to that gig.

But there still are a few shows on tap for the weekend.

Saturday:

  • Inhaler (a.k.a. the band that Bono’s son is in, not Inhailer Radio) plays Bogart’s The Madison Theater (you definitely didn’t want to inhale when you were in Bogart’s bathrooms)
  • Sungaze, Leggy, and Laveda are at MOTR

Sunday:

  • Mat Kearney is at the Taft
  • Walter Trout plays Ludlow Garage
  • Kid Congo & The Pink Monkey Birds play MOTR with Motorbike

On Monday, The Damned plays Bogart’s Madison Theater (Bogart’s bathrooms were damned… and the toilets and urinals were dammed).

Papa Roach and Rise Against are at PNC on Tuesday.

Next Wednesday, 9/24, Kaleo plays the Taft with Stephen Day and Júníus Meyvant. Meanwhile, your humble scribe will be in Detroit, to see The Tubs at Third Man Records.

The Whispering Beard Festival kicks off on Thursday, September 25. Tickets.

Also on Thursday, the always-entertaining Low Cut Connie plays the Woodward, and Liberty Theater has a Songwriters in the Round free show with G.W. Garner and Ben Turner.

Shows on Friday, 9/26:

  • Dwight Yoakam and The Mavericks (great double bill!) play PNC
  • The Gibson Brothers play the Liberty Theater
  • Whispering Beard keeps on beardin’ with beardos
  • The AmpFibians (surf rock) play Southgate’s Lounge (tickets are $2 – a low-dough show!)
  • Ludlow Garage has “Live from Laurel Canyon” – billed as “an evening of live music and narrated stories of some of the most influential songwriters who lived in Laurel Canyon in the mid 1960’s and 70’s.” (not scheduled to appear: some of the most influential songwriters who lived in Laurel Canyon in the mid 1960’s and 70’s)
  • The Talk low festival (similar to the old MusicNow festival) kicks off and runs through Monday, 9/29. Full lineup is here.

On Saturday, 9/27, the Filthy Heathens play the Liberty Theater. “Filthy heathen” was what Aunt Esther loved to call Fred G. Sanford.

Other 9/27 shows are of the tribute variety:

  • Signs of Life: The American Pink Floyd at RiversEDGE (free!)
  • The Redmoor double dips their Macca with The Ultimate Beatles & Wings Experience (unless it’s just a Beatles tribute band and a sale on Buffalo wings).

On Sunday, 9/28, Matt Hecker and Joe’s Truck Stop play the Southgate, and Lene Lovich is at Ludlow Garage.

Monday, 9/29 features the show you’ve been waiting for all month – if you’ve been waiting for the legendary double bill of BabyTron and ShittyBoyz. They are playing Bogart’s The Madison Theater. (When you think of ShittyBoyz restrooms, you naturally think of Bogart’s.)

Septuneber (yes, it’s still a thing!) wraps up on Tuesday, 9/30 with:

  • Garbage and Starcrawler at the Ovation (indoor show)
  • Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Nicholas Kristof will discuss his new book Chasing Hope: A Reporter’s Life at the Aronoff. Tickets. (BTW, balcony seats are $5, Loge is $10, and Orchestra level is $15.)

We love it live!

James McMurtry and his band were superb, as always, at the Woodward. List members Geoff S. and Kevin S. (no relation) were in the house.

The next night I was back at the Woodward for Momma and Villagerrr. Taylor from Inhailer was there, of course. He goes to more shows than I do!

Noted local photographer Jon Calderas was there too, and offered me tickets to the Weird Al/Puddles Pity Party show last night…

… where I ran into list members David and Amy G. Weird Al put on a great show, too!

My house concert worlds are colliding

Craig Finn (who played my house in 2018) interviewed Chuck and Lisa of Wussy (who have played my house several times) for his That’s How I Remember It podcast. The episode is great, and it’s here. It also features Lisa’s shout-out for 97X:

You can never step into the same River Roots Festival twice

Because you’ve changed. And the River Roots Festival organizers have cancelled the headliners.

My guess is that “a changing entertainment landscape” = “we’d have a mountain o’ debt because tickets aren’t selling.” Speaking of “a changing entertainment landscape” I hope the Bogart’s bathrooms are OK.

Maybe Big in Iowa will finally live up to their name

Dave Tellmann shared this AmericanaUK (not an oxymoron, I suppose) article about Big in Iowa in their “More People Should Really Know About” series.

“So why are a band defunct for over 25 years worth seeking out? Because they were good. They released four albums that should be in any self-respecting collection of Americana…”

Shameless self-promotion

Speaking o’ Dave Tellmann (“the Gene Rayburn of modern rock” – shown below), he and I chatted with longtime 97X listener and “Rumblings from the Big Bush” superfan Jayson (not Jason) Alexander on our latest episode. Check it out and get some bonus content here.

Kids these days…

They have talent! List member Anne Robinson shared this clip of a local 16-year-old guitar virtuoso, playing live in the new Cincinnati Public Radio studio recording space.

Town Hall invaded by robot!

I hope he comes to a Cincinnati City Council meeting next. See the amazing footage here!

Album Cover(s) of the Week(s)

In honor of Roktoberfest…

Oh Käpt’n, my Käpt’n!

The Vokal Produktion on this album is wunderbar! And the cover model is the Teutonic Olivia Newton Johann.

Septuneber

97X, Concert Listings, Concert review, Music, podcast

Hey, if “classic rock” radio stations can use the terms “Rocktober” and “Rollvember” then the staff at 97Xbam (all one of us) can coin our own phrase for the 9th month of the year.

We hope your Labor Day weekend was gloriously labor-free. Now let’s get back to work on the gigs:

Tonight:

  • Ani DiFranco plays the Taft with Hurray for the Riff Raff opening
  • Woodward Theater has The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis with Touchdown Jesus
  • It’s another Ween Wednesday at The Columbia. Tonight they’ll be spinning the Ween album Quebec

Thursday:

  • Ludlow Garage has the Texas Headhunters feat. Ian Moore, Jesse Dayton, and Johnny Moeller
  • Burning Witches play Madison Live

(Remember that before you burn a witch, you have to make sure she weighs the same as a duck.)

The Whimmydiddle Festival kicks off a two-day stand at RiversEDGE in Hamilton on Friday, with The Devil Makes Three and Town Mountain on the bill. Saturday, Grace Potter headlines with Taylor Hunnicutt and Clay Street Unit.

Other Friday shows:

  • Red Wanting Blue and Justin Wells plays Southgate’s main room
  • Colby T. Helms & the Virginia Creepers play the Southgate Revival Room
  • Electric Cars and Tragic Blonde Weekend are at the Woodward
  • CFG & the Family play the Liberty Theater
  • Miller & Other Sinners do the free gig at the Levitt in Dayton
  • The Redmoor in Mt. Lookout hosts Fleetwood Gold, which is either a Fleetwood Mac tribute band or a classic Cadillac
  • Ludlow Garage has Toast: the Ultimate Bread Tribute

Note: Toast is the Ultimate Tribute to the band Bread, and this is the ultimate tribute to toast:

It should be noted that Ludlow’s Toast is NOT on a stick.

Saturday is jam-packed with gigs:

  • Whimmydiddle Night 2 (Grace Potter, Taylor Hunnicutt and Clay Street Unit in case you’ve already forgotten the info from a couple paragraphs ago… and I get it!)
  • Carriers play a free show at MadTree Oakley, with the Wussy Duo and Lylak also on the bill, starting at 6 p.m.
  • Bonnie Raitt plays the Rose in Dayton, with Jimmie Vaughan & the Tilt-a-Whirl Band opening
  • The War and Treaty play Music Hall
  • The Brooks Werner Band will be at the Liberty Theater
  • Barrington Levy plays Ludlow Garage
  • The Red Clay Strays and The Dip are at the Carol Brady
  • The Redmoor has the Dead Revival Band
  • Dead Centric is at Stanley’s, with I Dig Pig as the opener

Back in high school, I dug the Pig too. My afterschool job was at the Piggly Wiggly in Morrilton, Arkansas.

Morrilton is also home to Petit Jean Meats, makers of a Mock Chicken Loaf.

Was there really a need in the lunch meat category for “mock chicken loaf”…???

Speaking of mockery, The Beach Boys play the Fraze on Sunday.

That same evening, Jerry Cantrell and Filter play Bogart’s, and Southgate House features Renegade: The Songs of Warren Zevon.

Shows this coming Tuesday:

  • Bob Mould does his solo electric thing at Memorial Hall, with J. Robbins
  • Bogart’s has the Yacht Rock Revue
  • Katie Pruitt and Jess Nolan play Southgate’s Sanctuary
  • Upstairs in the Southgate Revival Room, it’s Thelma and the Sleaze with Leggy

Shows next Wednesday, the 10th of Septuneber (yes, I’m sticking with it until it sticks):

  • Leon Bridges and Charley Crockett (“The Crooner and the Cowboy”) play the outdoor stage at the Marsha Brady*
  • Soccer Mommy is at Bogart’s
  • Chevelle plays the PNC Pavilion
  • AJ Lee & Blue Summit (California bluegrass) at Southgate in the Revival Room
  • Skerryvore (Scottish music) plays Ludlow Garage

*we chose Marsha for the outdoor stage because it always reminds us of this classic outdoor clip:

Shows on Thursday, Septuneber 11:

  • Gangstagrass plays Ludlow Garage
  • Scotty Bratcher and Johnny Mullenax play a free show at RiversEDGE
  • Liberty Theater has a free Songwriters in the Round show with Ryan Moore, Dave Lacey, and TC Eckstein
  • Erin Viancourt (country music… from Cleveland!) and Andrew Hibbard are at Southgate
  • Little Big Town plays Riverbend with Wynonna Judd and Shelby Lynne

(Morrilton, Arkansas is a Little Big Town, because it has a population of 6,992 yet it still has the temerity to mock chicken.)

Friday, Sept. (up to you whether it’s an abbreviation for September or Septuneber) 12:

  • James McMurtry and his band play the Woodward, with Betty Soo opening (I’ll be at that gig)
  • Bonnie Raitt and Jimmie Vaughan circle back to the area to play the Greg Brady
  • The Doobie Brothers and the Coral Reefer Band play Riverbend
  • Carson Lowe & Kayla Rose with Harley Day at the Liberty Theater
  • Poppy plays Bogart’s with MSPaint
  • Southgate House has Back to Mac, which is either a tribute to Fleetwood Mac or Mac Davis (Mac D. had the better perm back in the day)

Shows on Saturday, September (I give up) 13:

  • Momma plays the Woodward, with Villagerrr (not a typo) – I’ll be there!
  • Conan Gray is at Riverbend
  • The Liberty Theater in Lawrenceburg, Indiana has an improv comedy show (featuring one of my co-workers in the troupe called Crash Course)

Tuesday, September 16:

  • “Weird Al” Yankovic and Puddles Pity Party are at the Ovation in Newport
  • Todd Lipscomb plays Arnold’s
  • The Close Trio and Jonathan Cody White play a Downtowne Listening Room show at the Historic Boone County Courthouse
  • blink-182 is at Riverbend – this was their finest hour:

We love it live!

I think we had a record number of folks cash in their “free beer” coupon at the last Cereal Killers show at Big Ash. Which was great. But the tunes from Cereal Killers were even greater.

Dave T. and I also attended a joyful house show featuring Jay and Tim from Too Much Joy — now in the band Wonderlick — in Hamilton.

(Tim and Jay might be coming soon to a podcast near you… )

Speaking o’ podcasts

The Kelce Bros and T-Swift…

… are no match for the “97X Rumblings from the Big Bush” Bros and Julie Maxwell.

Tune in via the link below.

The “97X Rumblings from the Big Bush” podcast is back, baby!

Maine gets it

Saw this posted on a shop window in Portland and fell even more in love with Maine:

It’s a New Tunes Bonanza!

Uh, that’s not what I had in mind. (But I still love you, Hoss!) I was referring to the new releases from Superchunk (below), Kathleen Edwards, and The Beths. Put yer ears on ’em!

Reason #2,327,097 why I love Chuck Cleaver

This exchange between Dave Tellmann and Chuck on FB was pure gold!

Akron rules!

Album (and 45 rpm) Covers of the Week(s)

The Bonanza cover above was a bonus. But here’s the back cover, so you can see an action photo of Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, and Pernell Roberts contributing those sweet vocal harmonies to mix:

Spoiler alert: It involves booze. Thomas returned to the Hotel Chelsea, declaring, “I’ve had eighteen straight whiskeys. I think that’s the record!” Which means the record above is a record of the record.

The 80s sure were a different time.

Hot August Night

97X, Concert Listings, Concert review, Music, podcast

Yes, it’s time for the obligatory annual Neil Diamond album cover:

We certainly hope he’s playing air guitar and not miming… er… playing the upright organ.

Then again, our current president’s signature “dance move” makes him look like he’s… pulling a Rick Wakeman and playing with two organs at once.

But enough about that wankfest.

Speaking of hot August nights, it’s also time for the semi-annual promotion of a Cereal Killers live gig. Their shows are more precious than a diamond (Neil or otherwise), and they’re back at Big Ash Brewing this Saturday, August 23.

My usual Cereal Killers offer will be in effect: show up, rock out to their vintage punk, modern rock, and new wave tunes (it’s 97.7% straight from 97X playlists – Elvis Costello, The Clash, X, REM, Guided by Voices, The Jam, Billy Bragg, The Smiths, Squeeze, The Cramps, Southern Culture on the Skids… ), and get a free beverage from me! Worth it just to watch the moths fly out of my wallet!

But before you get thee to Big Ash on Saturday, here are a few other gigs to consider.

On Thursday:

  • Noah Smith’s Crooner Circus (a recurring songwriter showcase) rolls into the Southgate House Revival Room (lineup is here)
  • Rachel Mousie and the Casey Campbell band play Washington Park
  • Ludlow has Black Circle, a Brazilian band doing 90s grunge songs.

On Friday, Dave Tellmann (co-host of the 97X Rumblings from the Big Bush podcast*) and I are seeing a free house concert in Hamilton by Wonderlick (band featuring Tim Quirk and Jay Blumenfield of Too Much Joy). Well, I think we’ll be seeing two former members of Too Much Joy play an acoustic house show… it’s quite possible that some rando from Hamilton mentioned “two dudes” and “too much joy” to Dave and offered him a free “Wonderlick.”

*If you were one of the 13 regular listeners of the 97X podcast and wish Dave and I would do some new episodes, you wish just might be granted. Soon.

Other Friday gigs:

  • Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band is doing a free show at the Levitt in Dayton
  • Lou Barlow (Sebadoh) and Bobby Bare Jr. (GBV) are doing an acoustic song swap at Southgate
  • Stacy Mitchhart plays Ludlow Garage
  • The Outlaws play the Fraze in Dayton
  • The Collies (a.k.a. the band my son Gabriel plays drums in) will be at Big Ash Brewing

Saturday shows:

  • Cereal Killers at Big Ash Brewing (great tunes, free beer)
  • Southgate hosts the world film premiere of Honky Tonkin’ and the Honky Tonk Hoedown with Jason Ringenberg, The Royal Hounds, and Jerry King & the Rivertown Ramblers.
  • The Del McCoury Band plays the old Annie’s – this gig has been cancelled
  • The Liberty Theater in Lawrenceburg has Briscoe with Miles Miller
  • 311, Badflower, and Sitting on Saturn are at the Ovation
  • Rob Thomas is at the PNC Pavilion
  • Mama’s Black Sheep and Courtney Wilder play a Downtowne Listening Room show at the historic Boone County Courthouse

On Sunday, Pat Sajak’s favorite band, Caamp, plays an outdoor gig at the Jan Brady, and Ozomatli plays Ludlow Garage.

Gary Clark Jr. plays the Peter Brady on Monday, and Creed (not the good ones) plays the Mausoleum.

Tuesday:

  • The Tedeschi Trucks Band and Whiskey Myers play Riverbend
  • Robert Randolph plays Ludlow Garage

Ruthie Foster plays Ludlow Garage on Wednesday, August 27.

Shows on Thursday, August 28:

  • UB40 at Bogart’s
  • Rebirth Brass Band plays Ludlow Garage
  • Deke Dickerson & the Whippersnappers play Southgate with Kyle Eldridge opening
  • Liberty Theater has a free Songwriters in the Round show with Keagan Hatton and Dave Hudson
  • Improvement Movement and Magoo play a freebie at RiversEDGE in Hamilton (“Home of the Wonderlick!”)
  • Ben Knight and Willy Tea Taylor do the free Washington Park roots show
  • Fraze hosts the Happy Together Tour featuring The Turtles, Jay & The Americans, Little Anthony, Gary Puckett, The Vogues, and The Cowsills – sponsored by a reverse mortgage company and/or a lift chair brand, perhaps?

On Friday, August 29:

  • JP Harris and Anthony Ray Wright are at the Liberty Theater
  • You wanted the best, you got the best… Völkerball is Germany’s Best Rammstein tribute band! They’re playing the Ovation.
  • You wanted the ultimate, you got the ultimate… Rumours: the Ultimate Fleetwood Mac tribute – at Ludlow Garage
  • You wanted the weirdest double bill tribute, you got the weirdest double bill tribute: Sabbath (“the complete Black Sabbath experience”) with Night Moves (“the ultimate tribute to Bob Seger”) at the old Annie’s. NOTE: this gig has been cancelled.

Shows on Saturday, August 30:

  • Jim Trace & the Makers play Rabbit Hash General Store at 5 p.m.
  • Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe at the old Annie’s
  • Emi Sunshine and Wonky Tonk are at Southgate
  • The Levitt Pavilion in Dayton hosts Reggae Fest

And list member Mark Griffin has a reco for all of us (via FB):

Past episodes of Mark’s most excellent streaming music show Gray Days and Gold can be found here.

We love it live!

Emma Swift put on a great show at The Columbia. New tunes (her new album drops 9/12) plus some amazing Bob Dylan covers (her album Blonde on the Tracks is top notch!) in an old church (The Columbia at 4311 Eastern Avenue – home of Ween Wednesdays!) with stellar acoustics.

We love it live… but we love our spouse too!

I showed amazing restraint by NOT dragging my wife to the Mountain Goats/Craig Finn show that just so happened to be in Bar Harbor, Maine while we were vacationing in Vacationland.

Besides, we were getting up before the crack of dawn the next day to see the sunrise at Acadia and then hike the Beehive Trail. We were the Mountain Goats!

Of course, when we got back to the ‘nati, my wife sent me this Instagram clip:

She knows me too well.

Real country

I think the “S.G.” in S.G. Goodman stands for “so good.”

Real Horny

No, this is not about a “Wonderlick.”

I’m digging what Jim’s digging

Jim Wilbur of Superchunk is exactly as down-to-earth and no-frills as I thought he’d be in this clip where he shares some fave albums:

Everything’s fair game for the Gamecocks

True story: when I went to see Ozzy at the Pine Bluff (Arkansas) Convention Center back in early 1982, it was shortly after Ozzy’s bat biting incident (and two weeks before Randy Rhoads passed away) and venue security was patting down pretty much everyone. My long-haired friends gave me the pint of whiskey they hoped to sneak into the show, telling me “you’re clean-cut, they won’t frisk you.” Sure enough, they all got stopped and I waltzed right through with the Jack Daniels jammed into my jeans. Security probably thought I had the wrong date for Baptist Youth Night. Ah, memories…

Album Cover(s) of the Week(s)

They might be the opener for Wonderlick.

I just feel like we needed a palate cleanser after my most ribald post ever.

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Dawg Daze of Summer

Concert Listings, Concert review, Music

We were sweatin’ to the oldies (and the new songs) for most of July.

But August has been refreshingly mild so far. (“Refreshingly mild” also is a great description for Chuck Mangione’s catalog. RIP, Chuck!)

Summer sounds are sweet. But they may not be Sweet. Newly minted list member Scott R. pointed out that the “Sweet” listed on the bill with Molly Hatchet and April Wine at the Rose this past weekend is not the real Sweet.

I spent the next several hours tumbling down the Sweet rabbit hole. It was totally worth it, if for no other reason than seeing Andy Scott’s… wait for it… sweet hairstyle:

Read more here.

Currently, there are two versions of Sweet that are active, this one we wrote about, which features the original member Andy Scott and another one which was formed by Steve Priest. But Priest passed away in 2020 and the band continues actively using the name and touring with no original members, especially in United States and Canada. While Scott’s version usually tours across Europe. Source: https://rockandrollgarage.com/sweet-announces-their-final-studio-album-full-circle/

We pride ourselves on our journalistic integrity (currently we’re 0-2 on both journalism and integrity) so we apologize for directing you to the not-so-Sweet imposters.

While we’re on the topic of switcheroos, I also need to note a Minnesota mix-up from my last post. Semisonic had to bail on their tour with Toad the Wet Sprocket and Sixpence None the Richer (Semisonic bassist John Munson had a stroke in February and is still recovering). But their Twin Cities* counterparts The Jayhawks are taking their slot on the bill tonight at the Rose Music Center.

*Jayhawks leader Gary Louris is from Toledo, the Glass City!

Another concert of note this evening is Emma Swift, playing a show at The Columbia in the East End.

Emma in an old church will be heavenly! There are still a few (pew) seats left. Get your tickets via Undertow (same company that books the house concerts I’ve hosted). I’ll see you there!

The Black Crowes, will be roosting at the Rose on Wednesday. And Ralph Stanley II and the Clinch Mountain Boys play Southgate, with the Whiskey Bent Valley Boys opening. That’s a lot of Boys.

It’s also another Ween Wednesday at The Columbia (4311 Eastern Avenue). Stop by anytime between 6-10 p.m., listen to a Ween album (this month’s is Live at Stubbs 7/2000) and meet some really cool people. Oh, and I might be there too – but I will leave if I’m messing up the vibes.

Tons o’ gigs on Thursday:

  • Men I Trust are at the Mike Brady. (The show was originally supposed to be Men I Don’t Trust but they bailed out at the last minute.)
  • Maria Carrelli and Buffalo Wabs and the Price Hill Hustle play the freebie at Washington Park
  • RiversEDGE has a freebie too: The Eagles Project. (Maybe halfway through their set, substitute Don Henley will kick substitute Don Felder out of the band.)
  • More free tunes: Rubén Albarrán (frontman of Café Tacvba) plays the Levitt in Dayton*
  • The Temptations and the Four Tops play the Rose
  • The Aronoff has Piano Men: Generations (a tribute to Elton John and Billy Joel)
  • the Voices of America country festival kicks off at Voice of America Park in West Chester – Darius Rucker and Carly Pearce are on the bill.
  • Annie’s hosts Spafford… not to be confused with OG Wheel of Fortune co-host Susan Stafford.

*that’s a new music list record for most diacritical marks in one bullet point! We are well on our way to journalistic integrity!

On Friday evening, The Funky Ducks play Stanley’s. Two of the Ducks played an acoustic set at the home of list members Chuck and Christine Ackerman this past Friday, and they sounded great!

(I know what you’re thinking right now: “How did that moron get invited to Chuck and Christine’s house?” The short answer is: “They needed someone to clean the pool.”)

The Arcade Music Festival also kicks off a two-day stand in Covington on Friday, with strong “old school MPMF” vibes:

The festival transforms the underutilized, historic Arcade Tunnel on Pike Street into a main stage with immersive light activations by BLINK artist Dan Shields. Featuring 50+ bands, 40 vendors, and performances across 8 venues, it turns downtown into a walkable celebration of sound, art, and community.  (Source: CityBeat) Get tickets here.

Other Friday gigs:

  • America plays the Rose
  • Ashes & Arrows are at the Levitt, with M. Ross Perkins
  • Andrew Dice Clay… yes, he’s still around… plays the Ovation in Newport
  • Carrying Underwear headlines the VOA Country Festival. (Wait, make that Carrie Underwood. Carrying Underwear is at another festival.)
  • Speaking of carrying underwear, Ludlow Garage hosts Hollywood Nights (please note the spelling of “nights,” this is a Bob Seger tribute, not a tribute to The Hollywood Knights, that classic 1980 movie starring master thespian Tony Danza)

Oh, and my neighbor Jim Tucker has an art exhibition opening on Friday at Redtree Coffee & Art in OTR. More here. The exhibit runs through 10/10.

On Saturday, Arcade Fest continues in Covington, Indigenous plays a free show at the Levitt, and Ludlow Garage has Lovesong: The Cure tribute.

Oh, and this guy is headlining the VOA festival:

He’s billed as “Hardy” but I’m 95% sure it’s David Arquette doing some sort of Joaquin Phoenix performance art thing.

According to chief meteorologist Nelly, it will be getting hot in heerre at Riverbend on Sunday.

Ja Rule, Eve, and “special guests” are also on the bill. There’s no Guest more special than this one:

According to Far Out Magazine, the Prince of Darkness himself, Ozzy Osbourne, watched “This is Spinal Tap” at a movie theatre in 1984 and didn’t find it funny. But it wasn’t because he was offended by the satirization of rock ‘n’ roll debauchery as Steven Tyler was; as the outlet explains, Osbourne thought he was watching an actual documentary about a real-life band. Source: https://www.grunge.com/1184003/why-steven-tyler-and-ozzy-osbourne-didnt-like-this-is-spinal-tap/

R.I.P. Ozzy. And please note that the “Nelly” headlining the Riverbend show is American rapper Cornell Iral Haynes Jr. and not Half-Pint’s nemesis from Little House on the Prairie.

Also on Sunday, “Bailey Zimmerman” is the headliner for the VOA festival. Please note this is not the former Arkansas Razorbacks women’s b-ball guard whose father went to high school with your humble scribe.

The Flaming Lips and Modest Mouse are at the Marcia Brady next Tuesday (8/12). Davy Jones said Marcia had some flaming lips.

Train plays a post-game concert at Great American Ball Park (former home of legendary salesperson Dan “Reds in 2025!” Lewis) on Wednesday, August 13. Danielle Nicole is at Ludlow. Flamy Grant (great name) is in Southgate’s Revival Room. And Chuck Brisbin & the Tuna Project play the free “Fountain Blues” series on Fountain Square. (Please note it’s Chuck and Tuna, not Charlie Tuna.)

Next Thursday, August 14:

  • Brit Floyd plays the PNC Pavilion
  • Hippies & Cowboys are at the Woodward
  • Darrin Hacquard and Williams Matheny play the Washington Park Roots series
  • MojoFlo (a neo-funk band, not the Progressive spokesperson) is at the Levitt

Shows on Friday August 15:

  • Smithereens play the Ludlow Garage, with John Cowsill (of the Cowsills) handling lead vocals
  • Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Bobby Rush play the Lawrenceburg Event Center
  • The Woods play the Liberty Theater
  • The old Annie’s has Powerslave: The Iron Maiden Experience… but wait, there’s more, the opener is Whitesnake’d: a Tribute to Whitesnake!

Plenty o’ shows on Saturday, August 16:

  • RiversEDGE in Hamilton has Jared’s Jam, featuring Neal Francis and Crowe Boy
  • Eilen Jewell plays a freebie at the Levitt in Dayton, with Basura Basura as the opener (it means “trash trash”… thanks Duolingo!)
  • The Garcia Project (tribute to the Jerry Garcia Band) is at the Woodward Theater
  • Lil Wayne is at Riverbend
  • Screeching Weasel plays the old Annie’s (please note that “Screeching Weasel” is the Chicago punk band, and not the punk who closes Taft Road when he’s in town)

On Sunday, August 17:

  • The Sadies play Southgate
  • Brit Floyd makes their 2nd appearance of the summer at the Rose
  • Skillet plays the Fraze

Please note that Skillet is a Christian rock band, and not what mamaw uses to make her famous cornbread.

On Tuesday, August 19, Styx, Kevin Cronin (of REO Speedwagon) and Don Felder (the real one, not the one who got kicked out of The Eagles Project) play Riverbend, and Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox is at Ludlow Garage.

The SNL nepo-baby video crew Please Don’t Destroy does a live show at Bogart’s on Wednesday, August 20. And Frontier Folk Nebraska and the Williamson Brothers are at Southgate.

On Thursday, August 21:

  • Noah Smith’s Crooner Circus (a recurring songwriter showcase) rolls into the Southgate House Revival Room (lineup is here)
  • Rachel Mousie and the Casey Campbell band play Washington Park
  • Ludlow has Black Circle, a Brazilian band doing 90s grunge songs.

We love it live!

Dinosaur Jr. and Snail Mail both rocked the Bobby Brady. List members Ken “Lobby Boy” Laube (Fridays, 11a-3p on Inhailer Radio), Jarrod M., Craig D., and Mighty Joe Sampson also were in the house.

My son’s band, The Collies, played a fun patio show at Anderson Township Pub. (Dumbass Dad forgot to take any photos…) Great to hang out with list members Whit, Barb, Dan, Anne, Phil, and a bunch of other folks.

Nothing’s more psycho than this

Hundreds of ukuleles doing the Talking Heads in Dublin. Why not? (Hat tip to list member Chuck W. for the link.)

Fashion Alert!

The Jeff Tweedy decree makes sense. (Hat tip… mine doesn’t have a fake flower clipped to it… to list member Michael O. for the link.)

News alert!

In a related story, the animatronic Make Believe Band is now seeking a new lead singer.

Album Cover(s) of the Week(s)

Carl’s right, we need to live a little. Put on a fringed shirt, sit on a fence, and sing a love song to a horse…

Carl Smith’s horseplay is no match for Xavier Cugat mounting a big baguette. Better wrap it in plastic, X, or you’ll get Celiac Disease!