Yeah, sure, Dayton (a.k.a. “The Gem City”) may be the birthplace of aviation, but more importantly it’s the home of Nick Kizirnis. 97X fans know Nick from his “landlocked instrumental surf trio” The Mulchmen, who released a couple of great albums in the mid- to late-90s. But he’s been part of the music scene since his high school days playing at Canal Street Tavern (inspired in part by the great music 97X was playing). Nick has recorded with The Breeders (“The Dirt Eaters”) and Tobin Sprout (Guided by Voices) and released several solo albums… and he has a band album coming out soon. We chat about the Dayton scene… and his theremin prowess too!
Nick’s first band (The Obvious) formed in 1985. The Mulchmen released two albums in the late 90s, and in 2019 they re-formed with Jim Macpherson (Breeders) on drums to play the Dayton Music Festival. You can listen to their releases on Bandcamp.
When the Mulchmen broke up, Nick joined Tobin Sprout (Guided by Voices) in a side project called Eyesinweasel. You can check out his solo music on Bandcamp, Soundcloud and Nick’s website.
Nick’s current band includes guitarist/vocalist Kyleen Downes, bassist Bryan Lakatos, and drummer Kelly Morelock, and they have a new album coming out soon.
Photo credit: Jen Hunter
Here’s a shot of Nick and the band at this year’s Porchfest.
Jason Narducy is an accomplished solo artist (billed as Split Single). He’s also part of Bob Mould’s band, the touring bassist for Superchunk, and part of the Michael Shannon/Jason Narducy & Friends tours showcasing R.E.M. albums. Oh, and he’s written a book of stories about his life as a “band person” called Mostly the Van(Volume 1) and has a second volume coming out soon.
But wait, there’s more: his first band Verböten (which he formed when he was 10) is credited by Dave Grohl as the “origin story” for his musical journey. Learn more about Jason’s early years, how the R.E.M. “pop-up band” came to be, and why he enjoys doing solo “house show” tours.
Jason formed his first band (Verböten) when he was 10 – his dad would drive them to gigs around Chicago.
Later he was in the aptly-named duo Jason & Alison, which added more members to become the band Verbow. That group released albums on Epic in 1997 (Chronicles)and 2000 (White Out).
Jason joined Bob Mould’s band as bassist/backing vocalist in 2005 and has performed on most of Bob’s releases since then.
He started touring with Superchunk in 2013, and has been performing with actor Michael Shannon since 2014.
Here are Jason and Michael Shannon on Late Night with Seth Meyers in 2024 talking about the Murmur tour.
Their 2025 tour led to this magical moment in Athens, GA, with all four members of R.E.M. on stage with Jason and Michael and the band.
As we talked about in the podcast, Mike Mills joined the band at their tour stop in Bloomington, Indiana this spring to sing on several tunes.
And Mr. Mills also sang the band’s praises after the show.
The supergroup also include Jon Wurster (Bob Mould, The Mountain Goats, formerly of Superchunk) Dag Juhlin (The Slugs, Poi Dog Pondering), John Stirratt (Wilco) and keyboardist/composer/arranger Vijay Tellis-Nayak.
Jason’s doing a house show tour that kicks off October 1.
And his book Mostly the Van (Volume One) is “a collection of stories involving some of the peculiar, awkward, and sometimes inspiring moments in his music life.”
If you still have a soft spot in your heart for 97X (“the future of rock and roll!”) then mark your calendar for the first-ever (and perhaps last-ever) 97Xtravaganza!
It’s Saturday, October 10th from 6-9 p.m. at The Columbia, 4311 Eastern Avenue in Cincinnati.
(Yes, it’s an old church – perfectly fitting for a radio station that saved so many souls from bland corporate radio.)
Longtime Breakfast Club co-host (and promotions maven) Julie Maxwell will be there.
So will Mike Taylor, who was the station’s program director from 2001 through 2010.
Meaning Mike was there for the 97.7FM signoff, the woxy.com Longworth Hall era and the ill-fated Austin version.
We’ll interview Julie and Mike for a live episode of the “97X Rumblings from the Big Bush” podcast.
We’ll also do 97X modern rock music trivia.
The winners will claim bragging rights AND fabulous prizes chosen especially for them. What sort of prizes, you ask? Great question, we’re asking it ourselves. But they’ll be great, trust us!
We’ll also play commercials, promos and comedy bits from the station.
And we’ll do a Q&A with all the station staffers in attendance.
Scheduled to appear:
“Gentleman” Jim Mercer (the bravest weekend warrior)
Dolly was as country as Granny’s cornbread, but she also rocked!
The Columbia will be paying tribute to Dolly with the debut of their “Music Movie Night” this Sunday, starting at 5pm.
Bring your friends, your favorite drinks, and your love!
As if losing Dolly weren’t enough, we lost Dr. Frank-N-Furter too!
And because these things happen in threes, let’s also pour one out for Jaye P. Morgan, the queen of The Gong Show. Until she got canned for this incident:
Jamie’s probably at Tony Packo’s, but there’s another kid from Toledo coming to town tomorrow night: Gary Louris. He and his bandmates in The Jayhawks will be rocking Fountain Square as part of the Friday freebie concert. Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle open the show at 7pm. Tons o’ music list members will be there, along with your humble scribe. Come on down! (Wait, that’s not The Gong Show, that’s The Price is Right…)
You know what else is worth checking out? Live music! Let’s get to the September gigs to remember.
The most important show will be on Thursday, September 24th. Lisa Walker of Wussy and Elizabeth Nelson (of The Paranoid Style) are playing at my house. (Suck it, Daft Punk!)
It should also be noted that Lisa and Elizabeth are playing another show in the ‘nati on Sunday, Rocktober 4. That gig will be at The Columbia in the East End. Tickets here.
OK, back to our usual chronological order.
On Tuesday (9/1) Margo Price plays Ludlow with Jeremy Ivey opening the show.
[See what we did there?]
Wednesday, September 2 events:
RÜFÜS DU SOL (best umlauts since Mötley Crüe) plays Riverbend with Fcukers (best typo since… forever)
The Columbia stays busy with another Ween Wednesday (7-9 p.m. – spinning GodWeenSatan Live this month – BYOB)
Chance the Rapper (not Chance the Monopoly card pile) plays the Jan Brady
Shows on Thursday, September 3 include Steve Forbert at Southgate, and Third Eye Blind at the Ovation (tickets were $10.27 or $10.71 because WEBN and KISS 107.1 are sponsoring it – our whole family is going – wish us luck!)
Tons o’ tunes on Friday, September 4:
Squeeze, Adam Ant and Haircut 100 play the Rose Music Center in Dayton
O.A.R. is at the Peter Brady, with Gavin DeGraw and KT Tunstall
Ludlow Garage features Double Duran (“the ultimate Duran Duran experience”)
Tristan headlines the Fountain Square free show
The Chris Comer Trio plays Juniper’s (8-11p)
Los Honchos play a free show in the Southgate House Lounge (9:30p start)
Ludacris plays a post-game concert at Great American Ball Park (the Reds season has been pretty Ludacris too!)
Last but certainly not least, Stanbury Park in scenic Mt. Washington features a First Friday event and the musical act will be The Love Handles (featuring our friend and neighbor Aron Levin)
My belly can vouch for the amazingness of the burritos from the Mi Familia food truck.
Shows on Saturday, September 5:
Shovels & Rope play a free show at RiversEdge in Hamilton, with Cris Jacobs also on the bill
Lydia Loveless plays a 6:30 show at MOTR with Liteweight Champion
Funky Ducks and Fish & Wildlife Service take the late shift (9:30 start) at MOTR
The Rose hosts the “Ohio is for Lovers” Festival featuring Hawthorne Heights, Silverstein, Saves the Day and more
Valley of the Sun plays the Liberty Theater
Dayton’s Levitt Pavilion hosts a free Reggaefest with The Meditations as the headliner
Wu-Tang Clan and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony play Riverbend
Parker Barrow and the Dave Lacey Band play the Liberty Theater on Sunday, September 6.
Monday, September 7 is Labor Day.
All kidding aside (for a moment, at least), let’s remember the wise words of Billy Bragg:
Eric Clapton plays the Mausoleum on Tuesday, September 8 with Jimmy Vaughan opening the show.
Shows on Friday September 11:
The Eagles Project (free show) at RiversEdge
Joanne Shaw Taylor (blues – free show) at the Levitt in Dayton
Hyryder (a Grateful Dead tribute band) at The Redmoor
Helado Negro at Memorial Hall
Taj Farrant (blues) at Ludlow
Gabe Lee and Will Overman play a free house concert in Pleasant Ridge (ticket info is here)
Gladys Knight is at the Taft – no Pips. but maybe the concession stands will have the next best thing:
On Saturday, September 12, the Cereal Killers will venture outside the friendly confines of the ‘nati — but still well within the 97X listening range — and play at Hamilton’s Urban Backyard.
If I’m not in Bloomington, Indiana for a Hoosiers football game, I’ll be there.
Other shows on 9/12:
Beth Hart plays the Taft
SofaBurn Inc. presents SodaGives 2026 — a fundraiser supporting healthcare cost for artists — with The Light Wires and Joe’s Truck Stop at The Redmoor in Mt. Lookout
Mike Oberst plays New Riff Distilling
Hank Williams Jr. plays Riverbend
On Tuesday September 15, Clem Snide plays Southgate and Pitbull and Lil’ John are at Riverbend.
Wednesday September 16:
Turnstile, Thundercat and Porches play the Cindy Brady
Bob Log III with Whiskey Shambles at MOTR
Gigs on Thursday, September 17:
Sabbath “Long Live Ozzy” at the Liberty Theater
The Gin Blossoms, Blues Traveler and Spin Doctors play Riverbend (I’m pretty sure I saw at least two of those bands at a H.O.R.D.E Fest show at Riverbend 30+ years ago)
Ludlow garage has “Live and Let Die: The music of Paul McCartney”
Noah Smith’s Crooner Circus opens up the big tent at Southgate
Concerts on Friday September 18:
Ratboys (UPDATED: this IS the national act from Chicago!) headline the Fountain Square freebie with great Indy (the city) indie (the music) band Wishy also on the bill. Jack White is at the Ovation – and you’ll likely be able to hear him from the Carol Brady
The Fixx, Colin Blumstone (The Zombies) and Peter Asher play Ludlow Garage
The Spectacular Fantastic, Graceless Minds and Jake Borgemenke play the Liberty Theater
Bouncing Souls at Bogart’s
Southgate has the Red Hot Cinci Peppers and Audioslaves (plural)
Oxymoronic show alert: the Hard Rock Casino has a Yacht Rock Review
On Saturday September 19, My oldest son and I will be in Cleveland for the Rush concert. I go waaaaay back with them.
Closer to home, the Fort Thomas merchants must be doing a nice job peddling their wares, as they have a packed lineup for their “Merchants & Music” event, with Toad the Wet Sprocket headlining the festivities, and The Tillers, Noah Smith, and the Gina and Johnny Band also on the bill.
Other 9/19 shows:
Peaches plays Bogart’s
Dokken, Lita Ford and Lynch Mob play the Rose
Matt Waters & the Recipe with Easy Mark & Those Moving Targets at MOTR
Hard Rock Casino once again doesn’t live up to its name, they have Air Supply
Sunday, September 20:
Asleep at the Wheel plays Memorial Hall
Gogol Bordello at Bogart’s
Eric Johanson plays Southgate
The Redmoor does! They have an Earth, Wind & Fire tribute band (called “Just Vince and the Fellas”) on Monday, the 21st night of September. (And Judah & the Lion are at Bogart’s – they’re too young to remember.)
On Tuesday September 22, Ida plays an Undertow show at The Columbia.
After last year’s really impactful Coin Toss tour, Dan and Liz are inspired to continue reconnecting with this part of their shared musical history. This will be Ida’s second tour with Undertow and they are excited to continue revisiting their beginnings as a duo and interpreting their body of songs in a stripped-down acoustic setting.
Get a taste of the full band sound here and get your tickets here.
Also on 9/22, Joe Pug is at the Southgate House.
Concerts on Wednesday September 23:
Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys play Southgate with Kyle Eldridge and the Kentucky Cowhands opening
Riverbend has the Hayley Williams Show with Magdelena Bay and Rico Nasty
Thee Sacred Souls, La Lom and The Womack Sisters bring all sorts of soul to the Peter Brady
On Thursday, September 24:
Lisa Walker and Elizabeth Nelson play my house – tickets
Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country and Molly Tuttle play the Taft
Ludlow Garage has Dead Letter Office (a tribute to R.E.M.)
The Disco Biscuits play Bogart’s
Memorial Hall has Let Me Be Frank: A tribute to Frank Sinatra featuring Jack Garrett and the Atomic Wise Guys
On Friday, September 25:
SG Goodman plays Southgate with Abby Hamilton as the opener
Jason Ringenberg (of Jason & the Scorchers… or Farmer Jason if you have kids) is at Southgate in the Revival Room (Jason is featured in the Honky Talkin’ documentary written and directed by list member Eric Weltner – watch it for free here.)
Pokey Lafarge and Cicada Rhythm played Ludlow Garage
Liberty Theater has Henhouse Prowlers with the Comet Bluegrass All-Stars
Sara Bareilles is at the Taft
Organized Gentlemen play Harmony Hill Vineyards
Augustana headlines the Fountain Square freebie with Joe Jordan. (Note: “Joe Jordan” is not to be confused with two members of New Kids on the Block.)
Shows on Saturday, September 26:
The Dan Tyminski band plays the Liberty Theater
RiversEdge features Signs of Life (the American Pink Floyd) for free
The Rose Music Center has the Flashback Funk Fest featuring Morris Day & the Time, The Ohio Players, the original Lakeside, and Confunkshun
Not to be out-funked, Ludlow Garage features Party Train (a tribute to the GAP Band)
Here, I did the work for you:
Do you have a Garmin watch that keeps telling you that your sleep has “not enough REM”?
Then perhaps you should consider a road trip to Detroit on Saturday 9/26 for the Michael Shannon/Jason Narducy & Friends Lifes Rich Pageant tour stop at the Majestic Theater. I have a free ticket for you (bought it before consulting the family calendar – my wife’s nephew gets married that evening).
On Monday, September 28:
The Buena Vista Orchestra plays Bogart’s
Whitney plays the Southgate with Oscar Lindsey as the opener
Wait a minute… “Oscar Lindsey”… are you thinking what I’m thinking (let’s hope not, for your sake):
Does the Six Million Dollar Man know about this band? He’d go running to see them!
Annnnd the month wraps up on Wednesday, September 30 with Bleachers and This is Lorelei at the Carol Brady, and Jim Henson’s Labyrinth in Concert at the Taft.
Looking ahead to October 1st, Modest Mouse and Caroline Rose play the Ovation and Los Lonely Boys are at Ludlow Garage.
We love it live!
A rockin’ Courtney Barnett show at Ovation.
Todd Lipscomb in the friendly confines of Camp Springs Tavern.
And a really cool freebie in Dayton last Saturday called Porchfest, featuring dozens of local bands playing porches and backyards in the St. Anne’s Hill neighborhood all afternoon. BYOB, BYOchair and enjoy the tunes!
Speaking o’ porches, this Saturday is Play Music on The Porch Day across the globe. Find a gig near you on the map at the link. List member Chuck Wiggins and his friend Jeff Yaw are hosting an acoustic jam at Hamilton’s Urban Backyard. And I’ll be attending a gig about 300 yards from my house:
Support local radio!
Inhailer Radio has a fall fundraising campaign going on all month long. You can donate here. And here’s why you should:
Inspired by the late, beloved stations WOXY and WNKU, Inhailer Radio has championed independent artists, emerging voices, local music, and the spirit of discovery that commercial radio often leaves behind. Every contribution helps fund music licensing, streaming infrastructure, programming, technology, and the volunteers who keep the station on the air 24 hours a day.
Support local cancer research, education and care
I’m participating in this year’s Ride Cincinnati cycling event on Saturday, September 26. I’ll be biking 30 miles in honor of my dear friend LJ, who died from glioblastoma last November, as well as for all those who are currently battling cancer. If you can spare a few bucks, please support me here.
Let’s put on a show!
If you have a few spare millions left in the couch cushions (after donating to my Ride Cincinnati efforts, of course), maybe we* can buy the Madison Theater.
*I’m using the royal “we” – as in you buy it, and get royally screwed by me.
AI is getting so much better — at spam!
Check out this comment on last month’s post:
They had me at Augustus and Def Leppard… they lost me at “seasonal palette.”
Well, ready or not, here comes August – the month that gets its name from Augustus Gloop, the fat kid who got sucked up into the chocolate pipe (not as dirty as it sounds) in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
Augustus Gloop also was the inspiration for these sophisticated Def Leppard “Pour Some Sugar on Me” lyrics:
I’m hot, sticky sweet From my head to my feet, yeah
In other words, Augustus Gloop rocks! And you can too – let’s take a look at all the hot, sticky sweet shows coming your way in the month ahead.
(Note: this post covers only August gigs. If you’d like listings for August and Everything After, please contact Counting Crows.)
My oh my, the sweetest treat comes right out of the chute (again, not as dirty as it sounds):
Cereal Killers play Big Ash this Saturday, August 1st! (a.k.a. “tomorrow”)
They will play all your favorite 97X hits, some Petty… and maybe an Oompa Loompa song for good measure. The usual d2 discount will apply – first beer’s on me (with coupon):
There are other shows on Saturday — although they pale in comparison to the big Cereal Killers gig, much like Cereal Killers’ lead singer Howard Cohen’s skin pales in comparison to Oompa Loompa skin:
The Levitt Pavilion in Dayton has a free Rock Fest event, with headliner Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys
Chris Stapleton plays the Bengals Stadium (my missus will be there with the Jazzercise gals. You’ve been warned!)
Yonder Mountain String Band and East Nash Grass are at the old Annie’s
Evanescence plays Riverbend
The Grove and Casey Campbell play Radio Artifact
Ludlow Garage hosts Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience
(Accent on the “criminal” part.)
Deke Dickerson plays Southgate’s Revival Room on Sunday, August 2, with Kyle Eldridge opening.
On Tuesday:
The Black Keys and Eddie 9V play Ovation in Newport – still on the fence about going
Andrew Bird plays Taft with a symphony orchestra to be named later
Wednesday is both a WEENsday and a Weenieday. The former because The Columbia in the East End will be spinning Ween’s Quebec album from 7-9 p.m., and the latter because Barry Manilow is playing the Coliseum. If you’re downtown, please watch out for Fanilows.
On Thursday, Watchhouse plays the Taft, and Styx and Chicago bring their “All the Hits” tour to Riverbend.
Cincinnati Parks is sponsoring the On Point Music Festival Friday August 7 – Saturday August 8 at Sawyer Point & Yeatman’s Cove. Here’s the lineup:
Other gigs next Friday (August 7):
Chuck Prophet (and band) at Ludlow Garage
J. Roddy Walston & the Business play the Fountain Square freebie, with The Bright Light Social Hour
The Collies (a dog days of summer band if ever there were one – also the band that my son is in) play the Anderson Tap House Good Time Charley’s (by Four Seasons Marina) – please join me!
RiversEdge in Hamilton! has Ozzmosis (a tribute to Ozzie Nelson Ozzy Osbourne) with the Warped Band (a tribute to Home Depot lumber the Warped Tour)
On Saturday, August 8, the two-day Arcade Music Fest kicks off in Covington.
Tori Amos plays a sold-out show at the Taft, with Bartees Strange
Lynyrd Skynyrd (featuring zero original members!) and Foreigner (featuring one original member!) play Riverbend
Boney James is at Ludlow
The Fraze Pavilion in Dayton has BaconFest
Rod Stewart brings his “One Last Time” tour to Riverbend on Sunday, August 9, with Richard Marx opening.
On Monday, August 10, The Stray Cats play the Rose Music Center in Dayton and Five Finger Death Punch plays Riverbend.
It’s dueling Dayton concerts on Tuesday, August 11:
Joe Bonamassa and Gov’t Mule at the Rose
Howard Jones at Fraze
Meanwhile Cincy has The High Kings at Memorial Hall
Lotsa gigs on Wednesday, August 12:
Goo Goo Dolls and Neon Trees at the Rose
Simple Plan and Bowling for Soup at the Mike Brady
The Beach Boys play PNC
Fraze has Get the Led Out
TyeDye (feat. list member John Sandman) plays Arnold’s (6-8 p.m.)
Shows on Thursday, August 13:
Andy Frasco & the UN with Kitchen Dwellers at the old Annie’s
Jack Harlow at the Marsha Brady
Terrance Simien plays a freebie at the Levitt in downtown Dayton
Soul Pocket does a free show at the Behringer-Crawford Museum in Covington
Whimmydiddle kicks off on Friday, August 14 at RiversEdge, with Sam Bush and Bronwyn Keith-Hynes topping the Friday night bill, and The Jack Wharff Band and Ben Chapman on Saturday. General admission is free, and the full lineup can be found here.
Other shows on Friday, August 14:
Courtney Barnett at the Ovation (I’ll be at that gig!)
The Mountain Goats play the Taft Theatre
Aldo Nova at Ludlow
Tusk (yes, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band) at Memorial Hall
The Funky Ducks at Stanley’s
Abby Holiday at Fountain Square
Rick Ro$$ plays a post-game show at Great American Ball Park – maybe he can lend some of his $$ to the Reds.
Saturday, August 15 is another busy day for concerts:
Chris Smither plays Southgate
Todd Rundgren is at the Ovation
The Hiders play Carriage House Farm in North Bend
Chicago Farmer & the Fieldnotes at the Liberty Theater
Todd Lipscomb plays Camp Springs Tavern (I’ll be there!)
McGuffey Lane is at the Levitt
Ludlow Garage hosts Kashmir (“the spirit of Led Zeppelin live”)
Hard Rock Casino has The Concert: a Tribute to ABBA
Tracy Walker plays New Riff Distilling
Rose Music Center hosts the Totally Tubular Festival featuring Thomas Dolby, A Flock of Seagulls, The Motels, The Producers, Animotion, The Escape Club and Tommy Tutone
Steve Earle plays solo and acoustic at Ludlow Garage on Wednesday, August 19.
On Thursday, August 20, Annie’s has Lettuce (but not the Taylor Farms kind!)
And RiversEdge has Sensamotion, which is (choose all that apply):
a reggae band
the brand name of a truck stop restroom condom
an updated version of the old “Magic Fingers” motel bed massage
what 70s disaster movies were filmed in
On Friday, August 21:
Wildermiss Young Heirlooms play a freebie at Fountain Square
Arts Fishing Club plays a free backyard show in Pleasant Ridge (reserve your spot here)
The Temptations and the Four Tops play the Hard Rock Casino
Riverbend features TLC and Salt-N-Pepa with En Vogue
Shows on Saturday, August 22:
Peter Hook (Joy Division, New Order) & the Light at Bogart’s
Noah Wotherspoon at the Liberty Theater in Lawrenceburg, IN
Tommy Emmanuel plays the Taft
Stanley Jordan is at Ludlow Garage
Slave (Dayton funk legends) play a freebie at the Levitt
The Rose Music Center has the Happy Together Tour 2026 featuring The Association, The Troggs, Jason Scheff (of Chicago), Gary Puckett, The Fortunes, Ron Dante (of The Archies), The Vogues and The Cowsills
Bust out the Aquanet for Mötley Crüe with Tesla and Extreme at Riverbend on Tuesday, August 25.
Shows on Wednesday, August 26:
Tedeschi Trucks Band with Alabama Shakes at Riverbend
On Thursday, August 27, Hiroshima plays Ludlow and Levitt has Bad Co. Legacy
The Jayhawks play a free set at Fountain Square on Friday, August 28. I’ll definitely be there!
That same evening:
Brothers Osborne play the Rose
Knotts have a record release party at the Woodward with Moonbeau
Ludlow has Strangelove (a Depeche Mode tribute)
Gigs on Saturday, August 29:
Heather Redman & the Reputation at the Liberty Theater
Ray’s Music Exchange at the Woodward
Noah Smith has an album release show at Radio Artifact
Bret Michaels with Great White at the Rose
the family-friendly Fountain Square freebie features “Karate Girls”… guess they’ll have to put their clothes on
ZZ Top tops off August with a show at the Fraze on Sunday, August 30.
We love it live!
Good times in July with Death Cab for Cutie/Jay Som at Megacorp – with list members Todd and Regi and Mighty Joe.
The ageless wonder Nick Lowe with Los Straitjackets at Memorial Hall – with list member Dan “Reds in ’27” Lewis:
And Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit (not pictured*) at the Rose with list members Whit & Barb (not pictured), Dan Bockrath…
… and Tonya, Arnie, and Angelique:
*Isbell’s show was a “no photos or video” show – I respect that.
Arnie gets special props for adding friends to the distro list for this monthly silliness. Feel free to do the same. And Dan Bockrath offered this pro tip for attending any show that isn’t sold out: look at the seating chart on the day of the show, and any “blue dot” seats = instant free upgrade.
New tunes turn-ons
The Tubs continue their power-pop brilliance. I love them so much!
(List member Ken “Lobby Boy” Laube and I will be road-tripping to see them in Cleveland on 10/19.)
And Wishy also just released another tasty confection.
In memoriam
Bonnie Tyler may be gone, but her literal video will live forever.
On a much more serious note, my heart was filled with joy when Jeff Tweedy gave a shout-out to the late great Jay Bennett during the Billy Bragg/Wilco Mermaid Avenue set at Solid Sound.
The Jay Bennett era of Wilco was the best version of that band, and I will fight anyone who disagrees. Check out the Jay Bennett documentary for a deeper dive.
TicketBastard still sucks
Shameless Self-promotion
Dave Tellmann and I had a great time chatting with John Fox (editor of Cincinnati Magazine, former editor of CityBeat and Everybody’s News) on our 97X “Rumblings from the Big Bush” podcast. Check it out here.
Album Covers of the Month
If their priority was looking friggin’ awesome, they can consider that box checked! (Clockwise from top: Kojak’s brother, Tony Orlando, Tim Conway and Michael Gross)
We can’t decide which design element we like more: the pixelated band photo or the illegible font for the band name. Nice work, Mylon. Or is it Mylor? Myloo?
Parting shot
But probably not as much as I regret paying some of my hard-earned Piggly Wiggly bag boy paycheck on a Starship concert back in the early 80s.
2 responses to “Dog days, sweet tunes”
Stu McCulloch
One change and one addition:
Wildermiss has been replaced by Young Heirlooms on Aug 21.
Noah Smith has an album release show at Radio Artifact in Aug 29.
Do you like American music? I like American music Don’t you like American music, baby?…
… I like all kinds of music.
Well, actually not Swedish death metal. And not bro country – other than this brilliant tune:
I also like Kiwi music. Uh, not this kind:
But this kind:
That’s Jonathan, Ben, Liz, and Tristan of the New Zealand band The Beths. They’re fantastic, and so fun live. Which is why I’m super-pumped to see them with Spoon and Squirrel Flower tomorrow at Ovation in Newport.
If you’re in town, you should be there too! But you’re probably in D.C. at the the Great American Pork Festival State Fair. Looks like a sold-out rager:
I heard they were out of both ice cream and Vanilla Ice. But I’m sure they have plenty of deep fried algae on a stick!
Here’s hoping you’ll be back in time for the July gigs – let’s take a lookie-lou at the listy-list.
The first day of the July is also the first Wednesdayof the month, which means it’s Ween Wednesday at the Columbia in the East End. 7-9 p.m. BYOB.
Oh, and Noah Kahan is playing a sold-out gig at Great American Ball Park.
On Thursday:
Noah Wotherspoon plays the “Rockin’ the Roebling” freebie on the lawn by the Cincinnati Lager House (formerly Moerlein)
Ernie Johnson from Detroit plays a freebie at the Levitt Pavilion in Dayton
The Summit, Electric Indigo and Hey Dreamer play Southgate
Friday:
River Shook (who used to go by the name Sarah Shook) plays Southgate
The Funky Ducks play MOTR with Dilly & the Doves and Fish and Wildlife Service (a John Ruthven triple bill!)
Ludlow Garage has the Artimus Pyle Band “honoring Ronnie Van Zant’s Lynyrd Skynyrd” (if they really wanted to honor that band, they’d give it a rest)
On Saturday, we celebrate 250 years of independence.
And what better way to honor America and celebrate the Spirit of (19)76 than to exercise our right* to see a KISS tribute band (Mr. Speed) for free at RiversEdge in a city named after a hit musical (Hamilton)!
*2nd amendment original text: A well regulated KISS Army, being necessary to the rocking of the hottest band in the land, the right of the people to keep and bear love guns shall not be infringed.
Keep rockin’ the 250th, ‘merica! Here’s hoping we make it to 251 years. And here’s hoping you make it to July 5 with all your fingers intact.
The fittingly named American Aquarium wraps up a big ol’ USA weekend at Ludlow Garage on Sunday, July 5.
On Tuesday, July 7, Buju Banton & Stephen Marley bring their Roots and Rhymes Tour to the old Annie’s.
Shows on Wednesday, July 8:
Jack Johnson with Hermanos Guitierrez at Riverbend
TyeDye plays Arnold’s (6-8p)
Toast (the best of Bread) at Ludlow Garage
(Why doesn’t anyone eat toast that has an image of Jesus on it? I’ll bet it tastes divine!… I’ll see myself out.)
Hey, hey, he’s the only surviving Monkee – Mickey Dolenz plays the Fraze on Thursday July 9. Other shows that evening include these freebies:
Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears at the Levitt
The Newbees at Behringer-Crawford Museum
RiversEdge has Lamont Landers, plus Ernie Johnson from Detroit.
Personally, we prefer 70s TV Lamont.
But that Lamont always got upstaged by Fred.
There are tons o’ shows on Friday July 10:
Bob Dylan plays the PNC Pavilion with Lucinda Williams and the John Doe Folk Trio
Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ with Laid Back Country Picker at Ludlow Garage
Steep Canyon Rangers play a freebie at the Levitt in Dayton
The Chris Comer Trio plays Juniper’s Gin Bar in Covington (8-11pm)
In the Pines headlines the Inhailer Radio “513 Airwaves” show on Fountain Square
Taft has The Ultimate Tribute to the Bee Gees
Memorial Hall has Awaken: the music of Yes
Organized Gentlemen at Harmony Hill Vineyards
“Listening Factory” at Factory 52 features 3 “next gen” writers: Abigail Horan, Dixie Nash, and Kamdyn Metcalf
Moose Miller plays a house concert in Pleasant Ridge. It’s free, but you need to RSVP here.
Moose is a great name, btw! My dad loved telling me baseball stories that involved this Moose:
Let’s also pause for a moment to appreciate the fact that Bob Dylan (age 85), Lucinda Williams (73), and John Doe (also 73) are still doing their thing. Here’s Lu in a Paste Magazine interview talking about the songs on her new album:
It’s just… things are crappy and shitty right now. So, I wrote some songs about it. I have to admit: I do like pushing people’s buttons. I want to wake them up. People need to get mad and say, “Come on, let’s do something!” There’s always some decision you can make—something you can do to make a difference.
Amen, sister!
Shows on Saturday, July 11:
Muse at Riverbend
Hot Magnolias headline the free show on Fountain Square
Sabbath Knights (featuring Vinny Appice) play Sabbath and Dio at the old Annie’s
The Filthy Heathens and The Damn Shames at the Liberty Theatre in Lawrenceburg, IN
The band name Filthy Heathens conjures up some Sanford & Son memories too!
Follow the flaming arrow to the Rose Music Center on Sunday, July 12 to catch Ted Nugent. But you’d better bring some Wang Dang Sweet… Dorothy Lane Market Killer Brownies?
Tuesday, July 14 might have you on the horns of an indie rock dilemma:
Death Cab for Cutie plays the Ovation with Jay Som as the opener
The Strokes play Riverbend
(I chose Horn #1: I’ll be at the Death Cab/Jay Som show.)
The Funky Ducks continue their run of shows with other animal bands, playing Stanley’s Pub with Interprid Cat on Wednesday, July 15.
Shows on Thursday, July 16:
Lyle Lovett and his Small Large Band are at the Taft (Lyle certainly can have an oxymoronic Small Large Band if our country can have an oxymoronic/moronic Department of Government Efficiency)
Sun Kil Moon plays Ludlow Garage
Memorial Hall hosts Back to Black, the music of Amy Winehouse
The Turkeys play the Behringer-Crawford Museum freebie
The Rose Music Center has a “Wow, they’re still together?” quadruple bill with Jefferson Starship, The Atlanta Rhythm Section, Firefall, and Orleans
Save your cash and head to the Levitt Pavilion free show in downtown Dayton for some killer blues from Larry McCray – he’s from Magnolia, Arkansas
Arkansas fun facts from a kid who grew up there (and rarely uses “Arkansas” and “fun” in the same phrase)
Magnolia, Arkansas is the home of Southern Arkansas University, whose mascot is the Muleriders.
They’re in the same conference as the University of Arkansas-Monticello. Their mascot is the Boll Weevils.
Next month: the Arkansas Tech University nickname for both the men’s and women’s athletic teams.
Plenty of shows on Friday, July 17 as well:
Trampled by Turtles at the Rose
Eddie 9V and Johnny Mullinax play a free show at RiversEdge
Ludlow Garage has Richie Furay
Levitt Pavilion features the John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band(J2B2)
Vince Gill plays the Taft
Victor Jones tops the Inhailer Fountain Square bill, with Dearest and Horsesitter
Matthew Shelton has an album release show at the Woodward
Wilco plays an outdoor show at the Burl in Lexington
On Saturday, July 18, Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets play Memorial Hall. I’ll be at that show with list members Dan “Reds in 2027!” Lewis and Bruce F.
That same evening, Benson Boone will backflip his way into the Coliseum. And Bogarts has Smells like Nirvana… which is either a tribute band or a musty flannel shirt.
Gigs on Sunday, July 19:
John Mellencamp brings his Greatest Hits tour to Riverbend
The Fabulous Thunderbirds play Ludlow Garage
Young Heirlooms and Weedbloom play Westwood Town Hall
Harry Connick Jr. croons at the Fraze Pavilion
Pablo Cruise cruises into Memorial Hall
If you go to the Pablo Cruise show, be sure to get the t-shirt!
On Tuesday, July 21, Sarah McLaughlin plays the PNC Pavilion with Allison Russell, and Jason Newstead & the Chophouse Band are at Southgate.
On Wednesday, July 22, the Woodward Theater hosts “Korean rock girl band” Rolling Quartz. Here’s their promo photo:
Looks like a mashup of the Village People and one of those local theater murder mystery shows.
David Shaw’s Big River Get Down kicks off on Thursday, July 23 and runs through Saturday, July 25. Headliners include David’s band The Revivalists (Saturday) as well as Band Of Horses and JJ Grey & Mofro (Friday). Full lineup is here.
Other shows on Thursday the 23rd include Brit Floyd at PNC Pavilion, Keiko Matsui at Ludlow Garage, and Bleed the Freak (Alice in Chains tribute band) at the Woodward.
Friday, July 24:
Brit Floyd rolls up the road to the Rose Music Center in Huber Heights
Liberty Theater has Baywater Call with the Austin Tyler Lee Band
The Filthy Heathens are back (don’t tell Aunt Esther!) opening for Them Dirty Roses at the old Annie’s
Shows on Saturday, July 25:
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit play the Rose Music Center. My lovely bride and I will be there, much to the dismay of our oldest son…
The Collies (the band that our oldest son plays in) will be at Anderson Township Pub
Sungaze plays the Liberty Theatre with opener Phanta
Stewart Copeland is at the Ludlow Garage. But I don’t think he’ll be pounding the skins. It’s a spoken word tour called “Have I Said Too Much? The Police, Hollywood and Other Adventures”
Anne Bangert, Chris Damele, and Tim Brownlee play Northside Tavern on Sunday, July 26.
On Tuesday, July 28, The Magic Tuber Stringband plays the Woodward Theater with Mavis Guitar (feat. Travis from Wussy) as the opener. I miss the magic tubers of my youth.
That same evening:
Hilary Duff plays a sold-out show at Riverbend – don’t ask me why it’s sold out, I have no idea. Is she a TikTok thing now?
Graham Nash plays the Madison Theater… oh wait, no he doesn’t. The Madison Theater was abruptly shuttered a couple of weeks ago. But there’s some hope that it may reopen under new management.
In the interim, refunds are being issued for all shows.
On Wednesday, July 29:
Train, Barenaked Ladies and Matt Nathanson play Riverbend
Nektar plays Ludlow Garage
Shallow Side, 3 Years Hollow, Trackside and Gravel Switch rock the old Annie’s
TyeDye Band does their monthly Final Wednesday show at Wunderbar in Covington
Pure Prairie League is at Ludlow Garage on Thursday, July 30.
“Pure Prairie League” also would be a great name for the official fan club for this show:
And the month wraps up with these Friday, July 31 gigs:
Adam Wayne Gilliam Band with Van Winkle and Jeremy Gilliam of Grand Dorado at the Liberty Theatre
Marshmello DJs a postgame show at Great American Ball Park
Let’s sneak a peek into August, shall we? On Saturday, August 1:
The Levitt Pavilion has a free Rock Fest and the headliner is Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys
Chris Stapleton plays Paul Brown Stadium
Yonder Mountain String Band and East Nash Grass are at the old Annie’s
Evanescence plays Riverbend
Ludlow Garage has “Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience” (Neverland sleepovers sold separately)
We love it live!
Robyn Hitchcock with a full band (other than the encore when he went through the crowd strumming his acoustic guitar and leading us all in a rousing “Waterloo Sunset” singalong) was tons of fun at Southgate. (It was especially cool to see Lisa from Wussy in the audience joining the singalong.) Robyn’s wife Emma Swift opened and joined him and the band on a few tunes too.
Tommy Stinson didn’t draw much of a crowd at the Woodward on a Tuesday, but he rocked the house (along with Karla Rose and Tim Schweiger & the Middlemen).
The dude’s a pro’s pro (he’s only been playing live for about 46 of his 59 years) and a good time was had by all – none more so than list member Dave Lenehan’s son Paul (named after Tommy’s Replacements pal Paul Westerberg):
I was back at the Woodward a night later, to see James McMurtry and his band, along with Bettie Soo. Hat tip to Jon Calderas for the ticket – you can see Jon’s photos of the show for CincyMusic here.
The Cereal Killers gig at Big Ash was a blast! They’re a real-life version of a 97X playlist (only hairier).
Speaking of long list radio stations, the 97X “Back to the Future of Rock and Roll” fundraiser for the Butler County Historical Society this past Saturday was a home run. It’s truly heartwarming to hear folks talk about what that station meant to them. And it’s always a treat to see some of the ol’ 97X gang.
The Tubs, my favorite Welsh performers (apologies to Tom Jones) have signed with Merge Records, the label co-founded by Mac and Laura from Superchunk. It’s a match made in indie rock heaven. (And I’ve known about it since I saw The Tubs in Detroit last September and happened to be wearing my Merge Records t-shirt – Tubs drummer Taylor mentioned they’d just signed with them.) Now The Tubs have a new single out, with a tour in the offing for the fall. (Looks like I’ll be roadtripping to Cleveland again.)
Finding their way (without Neil)
From all reports (including here and here) Rush is crushing it on their new tour, with new drummer Anika Nilles more than holding her own in a very unenviable role.
I’m excited to see Anika with Geddy and Alex. And she’s excited to be playing with them — not just because they’re rock gods but also because of this:
Mailbag
I’m very tardy with this response about first concerts from list member Todd Butler:
First concert is a great icebreaker for any group including this one. I think I was 7-8 when my sister took me to a triple bill at Blossom Music Center 1974-5?
John Sebastian of Welcome Back Kotter fame
Firefall
Seals & Crofts (“Summer breeze“)
Firefall softrocked and I was hooked on live music from then on!
Maybe The Beths will do a cover of Firefall’s “You are the Woman” when we’re at the show tomorrow night, Todd!
Album Covers of the Month
Hey kid, be careful if he asks to “play your kazoo.”
The Royal Palace Beefeaters have gotten really lax with their dress code. .
These dudes all went to the same barber and said “Give me the Wolfman Jack.”
It’s been 43 years since 97X first started airing “modern rock for Cincinnati and Dayton” from a nondescript building in Oxford, Ohio. And it’s been 22 years since it signed off – and 16 years since woxy.com went silent. Time flies… and the Butler County Historical Society wants to celebrate the station in a fundraising event on June 27, with THE Voice of 97X, Steve “Bakerman” Baker, Jen Dalton, co-host of Good Morning Cincinnati on Channel 12 (she got her media start as a student intern at 97X), Matt Sledge (who worked at 97X, WNKU and Inhailer radio) and your ol’ 97X pals Dave and Damian. We talked to Bake, Jen and Sledge about the upcoming trip down memory lane.
The event is a fundraiser for the Butler County Historical Society. And it should be a lot of fun. You can get tickets here.
Bake’s a stone cold double legend. The voice of 97X (that’s his voice in the movie Rainman), longtime co-host of The Breakfast Club, and also THE voice of Miami University football and basketball. (He’s quite fittingly a member of Miami U.’s Hall of Fame.
Jen Dalton has been gracing the Cincinnati TV airwaves since 2006.
Jen landed her first television job as co-host of Cinema 64 with Bob Herzog. She was then reunited with Bob when she made the switch to Local 12 in October of 2006. They now work together on Good Morning Cincinnati and co-anchor the ARC Cincinnati program at 8am on STAR-64. Jen also co-anchors the 9am news on Local 12 and anchors the breaking news/traffic desk.
Matt Waller (better known simply as “Sledge”) not only spent a decade at 97X, he later worked weekends for WNKU-FM, another Cincinnati area radio station that played similar artists and was near and dear to its listeners’ hearts. And he spent a few years doing a weekly airshift at Inhailer Radio, the current bastion of “modern rock” in Cincinnati (and streaming worldwide!). Inhailer also hosted the 40th anniversary Modern Rock 500 in 2023, and every year since has presented their own spin on that cherished countdown with their “Indie 500” over Memorial Day weekend.
And your friendly neighborhood 97X Rumblings podcast co-hosts (and 97X alums) Dave and Damian will be there. Mostly because we thought we could dress in period clothing and do a reenactment of the infamous Goo Goo Dolls/sound man fight at “Day in Eden” back in 1993.
Jae Forman just couldn’t quit radio – although she did take a 23-year “gap year” after her long stint at 97X back in the 90s and a few stops at other stations in Nashville and Albuquerque.
Now she shares her energy, enthusiasm, and ear for great tunes on Inhailer Radio on Tuesday afternoons (3-7 p.m. Eastern). We talk to her about her Inhailer show, Boston, Beastie Boys, boxcutters, music festivals, the grunge-splosion, and… reptiles.
As Jae mentioned in our podcast interview, her radio revival started over Memorial Day weekend in 2023 when nearly three dozen former 97X DJs teamed up Inhailer Radio to broadcast a very special edition of the beloved “Modern Rock 500” as a way to pay tribute to 97X, which came on the air 40 years prior.
These days, you can catch Jae’s “Planet of Sound” show on Inhailer via the website or the app (Apple or Android). And if you’re in the Cincinnati area and have a high-definition radio, you can tune in on 90.9 FM HD-3.
If you miss the old 97X message boards, don’t forget that you can connect with Jae and the other Inhailer staffers via their Discord server here: https://discord.gg/aZtGJHJ72V. Maybe Jae will even hook you up with a throwback 97X keychain…
And of course the inspiration for the name of Jae’s Inhailer show came — fittingly enough — from a Boston band.
Actually, April showers bring May flowers. And Mayflowers bring Pilgrims. And Pilgrims bring smallpox. But that’s not why we’re here. (Actually, it IS why we’re here here.)
Man, this turned dark quickly… let’s make like Plymouth and Rock this month!
But first, before the strong rains come and wash all the crops away (shout-out Clarence Carter’s “Patches”), some non-broken breaking news: my son took a hard tumble in his backyard (the perils of homeownership) and messed up his elbow. Thankfully no bones are broken, but his band The Collies had to cancel their gig Friday night at The Vault. (Despite our pleas to channel his inner Rick Allen.)
Instead of the Collies, you can catch the Funky Ducks, Eastwood, and Dilly & the Doves at MOTR or Organized Gentlemen (featuring my co-worker George Simon) at Ghost Baby.
Here’s hoping our son recovers quickly — and that he doesn’t become the Wally Pipp of the Collies.
There’s more animal action on Saturday: Gorilla Biscuits and the Circle Jerks at Bogart’s. (BTW, Circle Jerks are the official band of April.)
That same evening, Southgate House hosts a Jimmy D Celebration of Life.
Here’s the full lineup:
And Ludlow Garage has Sabbath: Long Live Ozzy. (Do you want to tell them or should I?)
Patterson Hood (of the Drive-by Truckers) and John Moreland play Ludlow on Sunday. I’ll be in the house Garage for that one. Over at the (Southgate) House, it’s Handsome Dick Manitoba, The Strains, and Rat Trap. And the Comet Bluegrass All-Stars play the venue that gave them their name.
Mirah plays the Woodward on Tuesday to wrap up March. Oh, and Good Flying Birds, Touch Girl Apple Blossom, and Personality Hire play an in-store gig at Feel It Records on Ludlow in Clifton.
This coming Wednesday isn’t just Ween Wednesday at The Columbia. It’s also April Fool’s Day.
For people of a certain age who grew up in the Cincinnati area, it’s the annual reminder that WEBN used to not suck.
On April Fool’s Day, my slightly less sarcastic brother-from-another-mother Daniel Tosh will celebrate at the Peter Brady.
Meanwhile, Mammoth (Wolfie Van Halen’s band) will be at Bogart’s. The Aronoff hosts The Simon & Garfunkel Story. And Memorial Hall has “Seals & Crofts 2” (Brady Seals, cousin of Jim and former co-lead singer of Little Texas, and Lua Crofts, daughter of Dash Crofts).
True story: Dash Crofts (at right in the photo above) was the real inspiration for the middle child in The Incredibles.
Uh, they took some artistic liberties.
On Thursday, April 2, it’s a double dose of Jo(h)nny and Nicole. Tunes & Blooms kicks off at the Cincinnati Zoo (6-8 p.m. – free admission after 5) with Jonny Estep on the main stage, and Nicole Polara in the Grove. Meanwhile, Danielle Nicole plays Ludlow with Gina & Johnny.
Friday, April 3:
Nick Hexum (311) plays Ludlow Garage
The Redmoor has “Fins Up!” (a Jimmy Buffett tribute show)
Ludlow has “Rick Nelson Remembered (starring Matthew and Gunnar Nelson).” I don’t really remember Rick, but I remember Matthew & Gunnar had — and perhaps still have — luscious manes of hair.
(Are we sure they’re Rick Nelson’s kids, and not Fabio’s?)
On Saturday, April 4:
The Tillers and Harlot play Southgate
Avery*Sunshine plays Ludlow
Rachel Holt and Brooks Werner are at the Liberty Theater.
Jeffrey Lewis & the Voltage play Southgate on Sunday, April 5.
On Tuesday April 7, “platinum-selling* indie superstar” Ben Rector plays “Songs from America” with the Cincinnati Pops at the Aronoff, and Our Lady Peace rocks Bogart’s.
*Let’s call Ben Rector on April Fool’s and say “I would like to purchase some platinum from you.”
On Wednesday the 8th, Madison Cunningham plays Memorial Hall with special guest Sam Weber, list member John S. and his TyeDye band play Arnold’s from 6-8 p.m., and The Emo Orchestra featuring The Spill Canvas is at the Taft.
“Known for transforming emo and alternative hits into cinematic arrangements alongside a popular band from the genre, Emo Orchestra and The Spill Canvas bring a unique show that merges nostalgia, emotional storytelling, and orchestral grandeur. Together, on stage, they will perform a curated mix of their own fan-favorite songs alongside reimagined classics from across the emo genre—backed by the full orchestra.Fans will hear songs by My Chemical Romance, New Found Glory, A Day To Remember and more in a way they never have before.” [Guyliner sold separately – Ed.]
Shows on Thursday April 9:
Jim Lauderdale & the Game Changers play Southgate House with Krystal Peterson opening – I’ll be there!
Memorial Hall has An Evening with Chris Thile
Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers at the Taft
Tunes & Blooms: Jake Speed & the Freddies (main stage) and Clark Jenkins (Grove)
The old Annie’s has The Broken Hearts: A Tribute to Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Soul Asylum plays an acoustic set at Ludlow Garage with special guest Corey Glover – it says so right on the LG website visual:
Not so fast, my friend! Turns out that it’s notLiving Colour lead singer Corey GLOVER.
Instead, it’s Corey CLOVER.
It’s pretty bad when AI is calling YOU a deepfake:
(Good luck searching the interwebs for “Corey Clover” though. Our computer overlords keep trying to give Corey Glover results.)
Gigs on Friday April 10:
Wayne “The Train” Hancock plays Southgate’s main room, with Kyle Eldridge opening
Brett Newski plays a free show in the Southgate Lounge — I’ll be at that one
Ludlow garage has Steely Dead (“a sonic fusion of the Grateful Dead and Steely Dan”)
AJ and Allie play Bogart’s
Sami Riggs hosts a “Listening Factory” show at Factory 52 featuring Ryce Mullins and Scott Siefferman
Beth Stelling
Gigs on Saturday April 11:
Lee Fields and the Monophonics are at the old Annie’s
49 Winchester place the Ovation
Pat Metheny’s Side Eye III+ is at the Taft
Jim Trace & the Makers play Plain Folk Café
Tony Holt and The Wildwood Valley Boys play the Liberty Theater
Southgate has Back 2 Mac (Fleetwood Mac tribute) with No Good Ponies (music of Linda Ronstadt)
My under the radar gig of the month (UTRGOTM for short) is Sunday April 12 at the Northside Tavern: Gladie headlines with Maura Weaver and Eatt also on the bill. Damn straight I’ll be there- school night be damned! Gladie’s new album absolutely rocks.
Their previous one was great too, and lead singer Augusta was kind enough to include a personal note when vinyl versions were delayed.
That same evening (4/12), Southgate’s Revival Room has “Girls Rock Cinci Remix Showcase” with Girl Gordon, Moonbeau, Swelle, Milque, and Blue Light Room. And Penny and Sparrow played the Ludlow Garage
Lake Street Dive is at the Ovation on Tuesday April 14
The Surfragettes play Southgate on Wednesday the 15th with Bethlehem Shalom as the opener.
Thursday April 16:
The Del McCoury Band plays Memorial Hall
Tunes & Blooms features the Shelby Lore Band and Cecil Jackson & Dry Ridge
Stick Men featuring Tony Levin, Pat Mastelotto and Markus Reuter at Ludlow Garage
The Liberty Theater in Lawrenceburg, IN has their “Third Thursdays Tribute Series” with “Aja, the Music of Steely Dan.”
On Friday April 17:
The Silos place Southgate House. I’ll be there along with list members Dave T. (co-host of the 97X Rumblings from the Big Bush podcast) and our friend El Blanco.
Organized Gentleman (a Cincinnati-based instrumental trio blending guitar, organ, and drums into a groove-forward mix of funk, soul, and jazz, inspired by bands like The Meters, Soulive, and Ghost-Note) play Radio Artifact. You can get tickets here.
Hard Rock Casino has many temptations but it’s doubtful any of them will be in the band listed as “The Temptations” (actually Otis Williams is still in the mix!). The other band on the bill is The Four Tops (minus all four of the original members).
Dead Centric and The Electric Indigo place Southgate on Saturday April 18 and the Michelle Robinson Band plays the Liberty Theater.
On Sunday the 19th Puscifer (Maynard James Keenan of Tool with some friends) plays the Taft with the amazingly hilarious Dave Hill as the opener.
That same evening Ambrosia plays Memorial Hall, and my son’s other band VanWinkle plays MOTR, with Bugday and Hummingbird.
Chuck Meade from BR549 plays Southgate on Wednesday April 22 with Laid Back Country Picker as the opener.
This guy was a laid back country picker too:
Shows on Thursday April 23:
Kenny Wayne Shepherd plays a 30th anniversary of his album Ledbetter Heights at the Taft
Jess Lamb & Friends are at MOTR
Tunes & Blooms: The Tillers and Stick & Bindle
Ludlow Garage has Bohemian Queen – which is either a tribute to Freddy Mercury’s old band or to the barefoot, dreadlocked lady who sells grilled cheese sandwiches in the parking lot at Phish shows.
Oh, speaking of barefoot, I’ll be here:
On Friday April 24:
The Reverend Horton Heat, Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, and Piñata Protest play Southgate’s big room while in the Revival Room you can catch Portland (Oregon) singer-songwriter Jeffrey Martin
Ana Popovic plays Ludlow
Memorial Hall has Genesis ReTouched… which is not nearly as dirty as it sounds.
(It’s actually a tribute to the Genesis concerts of the late 80s through the late aughts.)
Shows on Saturday, April 25:
Ethel Cain plays the Ovation
The Hard Rock Casino has Starship featuring Mickey Thomas (I guess the “Jefferson” part of Jefferson Starship moved on up)
Downtowne Listening Room Sirens of Spring tour: Mama’s Black Sheep + Regina Sayles + Colleen Clark
Vanessa Carlton plays Ludlow garage on Sunday the 26th
On Wednesday April 29:
Mary Gauthier and Stephen Kellogg are at Ludlow Garage.
The Toasters celebrate 45 years of reggae with Rat Trap and U.S. Daggers at Southgate House.
TyeDye plays Wunderbar in Covington
And the month wraps up on Thursday April 30 with a Supertramp tribute at Memorial Hall. (Breakfast in America sold separately.)
Taking a quick sneak peek into May: I’ll be heading to Indy on Friday, May 1 with list members Deuce and Matt for the David Byrne show at the Old National Theater. That same evening, The Outlaws play Ludlow Garage.
We love it live!
The supergroup R.E.M. tribute show at the Bluebird in Bloomington was absolutely amazing. Some dude named Mike Mills sat in on several songs.
And he had great things to say about his experience:
Future house concert performer Jason Narducy was all agog too!
Hat tip to list member John Sandman for the Shawn Colvin ticket – great show at Memorial Hall.
List member Matt Lacefield (catch his “Side Effects” show on Inhailer Radio Saturday evenings 7-9 p.m.) and I I brought up the average age of attendees by about 20 years at the Snõõper, Shrudd, and Pal show at the Woodward. But all three bands brought such great punk energy that we felt decades younger.
Check out Blair from Snõõper getting into the crowd:
The Downtown Listening Room singer-songwriter showcase at The Columbia was a bit twangier than my usual musical adventures but thoroughly enjoyable. Such a great venue!
And last but certainly not least, Wussy rocked the Woodward!
It was great hanging with list members Ken “Lobby Boy” Laube (on Inhailer Fridays 11a-3p) and David & Amy Groff.
We love live poetry too!
Manuel Iris is a treasure, and his readings from his latest book of poetry called The Whole Earth is a Garden of Monsters at the Mercantile Library were powerful and moving. He says he writes poetry as if it’s music – by rhythm.
Manuel’s new book also won the 2025 Ambroggio Prize. The Prize is given annually for a book-length poetry manuscript originally written in Spanish and with an English translation. His English translator is Kevin McHugh, a friend from my ad agency days.
Radio people are happy even when they’re sad
Gary Burbank’s Celebration of Life was a wonderful tribute to a radio legend. It was good to reconnect with my old radio homies too. They’re all crazy, of course, which is what makes them so much fun to be around.
Former WLW superstar salesman Dan Lewis was not in attendance. He had another modeling gig.
Jason Narducy at my place – Thursday, May 14
Jason’s playing a “songs and stories” solo gig at Casa de d2 on May 14th. 8-9:30pm (perfect timing for a school night). You can get tickets here. If you’re not familiar with Mr. Narducy, his first band inspired Dave Grohl to start making music. And he not only organized the R.E.M. tours with Michael Shannon (read more here and here) and assembled a killer band, but he’s also the bassist for Bob Mould, touring bassist for Superchunk, makes solo records as Split Single, and has a new book of road stories out.
Here’s a fun video for a Split Single tune, with the aforementioned funnyman Dave Hill and Anya Marina:
And here’s the full Split Single live set on KEXP:
Don’t let the TicketBastards get you down
Last week I made a box office run to Ovation, Bogart’s, and Ludlow Garage to get tickets for my friends and me. 7 shows. 19 tickets. 1 hour of my time. And we saved $180 in fees.
They don’t make it easy (Ovation box office is only open Tuesday through Friday from 10a-3p… although the woman at the box office said they stay open until 4.) But it’s totally worth it if you know the show won’t sell out. FWIW, the Mike Brady box office is open M-W-F 11a-3p (and you can park right by the box office) and they also sell tickets to Taft and Riverbend/PNC shows there. Ludlow’s box office hours are W-F, 4-9p, and Sa-Su 11a-9p. Bogart’s is noon-5p M-F and also longer hours on show days.
College rockin’
List member Daniel passed along a fun article from Loudwire:
I mostly love your track suit. And your Doug Henning vibes.
Who knew Julia Child had a side hustle?
I’ve never seen someone less excited about love. I think he’s being forced to play guitar against his will, and the Stockholm Syndrome hasn’t fully kicked in yet.
Speaking of kicking in, we can smell what Larry’s smoking with his “High Time” album title and the greenery behind him. But his shirt has made me forget all about Mickey Thomas’ track suit.
After discovering 97X as a Miami University student and interning for Barb Abney, Rob Mason channeled his love of music into founding and running a record label. Old Flame Records featured releases from a slew of bands, including Cloud Nothings, Twin Tigers, and Cincinnati artists such as Carriers, Moonbeau, Frontier Folk Nebraska, and Dawg Yawp. And he’s our only guest (so far) to have released music from a group that won a Norwegian Grammy. Rob shares his stories (including babysitting Kings of Leon during their Oxford visit) and talks about how he’s still passionate about helping cool bands get their music heard.
From my days as a Music Director at WMSR to being an intern at WOXY, I found my love of discovering and exposing people to new music. Different jobs at labels and record stores and even mortgage lenders helped shape me in terms of learning what I liked, what worked/didn’t work, and what I wanted to do and not do with my time and my life.
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