Roll-vember

Concert Listings, Music

Let’s get rolling with the concert rundown…

First, the Melvin Seals & the Jerry Garcia Band show that was supposed to happen tonight at Ludlow Garage has been postponed. But the Del McCoury Band gig at Memorial Hall is still a go, and the Ben Levin Trio plays Dead Low Brewing with special guest Noah Wotherspoon.

It’s gigs galore on Saturday:

  • The Steeldrivers play the old Annie’s
  • Silversun Pickups are at Ovation in Newport
  • Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening rock and rolls into the Icon (see what we did there?)
  • The Yugos play Bircus Brewing in Ludlow
  • Last but certainly not least, Styx will be rockin’ the Paradise Hard Rock Casino. No Dennis DeYoung, but Tommy Shaw, James Young and the living Panozzo brother (Chuck).

Oh, and Rob Fetters kicks off another round of “Fetters is Cheap” – streaming live shows from his home. He promises “crowd faves plus more debuts of rarities.” You can tune in via Rob’s website.

Early on Sunday, Ben Levin & Friends will again be playing the Hard Rock Casino from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Davy Knowles and the Noah Wotherspoon Band play the Southgate House, and there’s a Play It Forward benefit concert at the Madison Theater, with my old radio boss Gary Burbank listed as a “speaker”… makes sense, as he was a Pioneer in radio (see what we did there?).

Tuesday is an evening for music legends. Bob Dylan plays the Aronoff, and John Hiatt & the Jerry Douglas Band will be at Memorial Hall.

If he were really “me” he’d still go by Robert Zimmerman

That same evening, someone named TobyMac has a sold out show at Taft. I thought TobyMac was a menu item at Keystone Bar & Grill, but apparently he’s an “American Christian hip hop rapper and singer.”

TobyMac… no, wait…

On Wednesday, I’ll be at MOTR Pub, along with list members Jacqui and Dave Killen (remember their Parlor & Patio house shows? I miss them…). Former Parlor & Patio performer (say that three times fast) Brett Newski and his full band (“The No Tomorrow”… they’re from Milwaukee, you do the math) will be playing at 9 p.m., followed by Adam Flaig (of Mad Anthony). Brett’s a very entertaining dude, and you can’t beat the MOTR ticket price. Join us, won’t you?

Also on Wednesday, The Lone Bellow plays Taft, and the Hooten Hallers are at Southgate.

Thursday, GWAR plays Bogart’s and Dennis Quaid plays Ludlow Garage. Yes, that Dennis Quaid, the actor. Guess he got tired of punching the clock with his fellow actors on movie sets.

Bogart’s and Ludlow Garage are pretty close to each other – fingers crossed that GWAR sits in with Dennis for his encore. Or vice versa… although that might not end well for DQ. Also on Thursday, Neal Francis plays Taft. I don’t know much about Neal’s music, but I know his promo photo makes him a dead ringer for Nigel Tufnel:

  • Goes on by 10
  • Goes up to 11

Next Friday, November 12th, Gary Clark Jr. plays the Icon, The Wild Feathers play Madison Theater, and Spyro Gyra plays Ludlow Garage. When I was younger, I used to love Spyro Gyra…

Spyro Gyra… no, wait…

Gig Pics

What a fabulous show by the Cereal Killers at MadTree last Friday — including a special guest appearance by our neighbor Amy Hueneman doing vocals on a Pretenders song! Great crowd too, including list members Dave Tellmann, Whit & Barb Gardner, Bruce Roy, Todd Butler, and Dan Bockrath (who brought several of his high school buddies – do NOT attempt to keep pace with them on drinking).

On Sunday morning, I joined Dave & Mindy Tellmann at the Hard Rock Casino for the Ben Levin brunch show with Chicago blues legend Bob Stroger (I misspelled his name last week – sorry Bob!). Bob is 90 years young… amazing voice and great stage presence. Noah Wotherspoon was on guitar too!

Dave, Mindy and I were joined by Dave’s son Joe (of This Pine Box), Joe’s friend Liam and none other than one of Joe’s non-traditional CCM classmates: John Curley of the Afghan Whigs! When you go to live shows, good things happen.

Two feet from stardom. I had the French toast… John had an Impossible Burger.

Dave and I interviewed John Curley on our 97X podcast in April of 2020. Just sayin’.

Words of wisdom

And in case you missed it (I sure did), apparently the Mountain Goats song “No Children” went viral on TikTok. (Read more here.) Lead singer John Darnielle has the right perspective on it:

But when people do find it, it affirms for those of us who make indie music that when the broader public is exposed to it, there’s more people who would like it if they get a chance to hear it. The consolidation of radio and the diffuse nature of the media landscape means that there’s lots of good stuff that people don’t generally hear unless it gets a viral moment…

…Our childish dreams of how these things work have value. So when something like this happens in my life, well, that’s a dream come true. We did not tell people, “Check out ‘No Children,’ you’re gonna love it.” No. they took it and they ran with it, and it’s beautiful. If there was more stuff like that in the world, the world’s a better place. Not just for me, but for whoever, because there’s a million fun songs out there for people to find that people do not need to be told by the influencer factory which one to listen to.

John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats in this Variety interview

Watch this

The War on Drugs live in a studio… amazing.

You can see all three songs that The War on Drugs performed on CBS Saturday Morning via the embedded videos in this article.

Random Album Cover of the Week

I don’t need a gym membership, I just need a turntable. Upper arms, waistline and hips don’t lie.

Have a great week!

No Tricks, All Treats

Uncategorized

The first treat is the Cereal Killers gig at MadTree tonight, 7-10 p.m. EDT. Sage advice from list member/Cereal Killer Howard Cohen (lead singer and driver of the Winnebago):

Dress in layers and pray it doesn’t rain

The forecast looks semi-promising (my glass is half-full, and that’s not rainwater). The second treat is a glass that’s completely full: a free MadTree beer (or non-alcoholic beverage) from me. Usually when I open my wallet a few moths fly out, so you’ll want to take advantage of this limited time offer.

That’s my bank! And my account balance!

Other gigs of note tonight: Earth, Wind & Fire will be playing the Horseshoe Jack Hard Rock Casino, Will Hoge plays Southgate, and Hyryder opens a two-night stint at the old Annie’s.

Hyryder will still be playing Annie’s on Saturday (perhaps it will be the same song, as they are a Grateful Dead tribute band).

Also on Saturday:

  • Todd Rundgren (a fave of Dan “Who needs a bullpen?” Lewis) is playing the Icon
  • Rodney Crowell* will be at Memorial Hall
  • Peabo Bryson is at Ludlow Garage
  • Blessid Union of Souls will play an acoustic set at Music Resource Center (a.k.a. MRC) in Walnut Hills (tickets here). Jacob Strom is the opener, which is a real treat. My oldest son used to play in a band with Jacob (and the son of list member Matt Fellerhoff) back in high school – they formed their band at MRC, a wonderful place for teens to learn about music and life.
  • the Tom Petty tribute band Tom the Torpedoes plays Hamilton’s Urban Backyard (which sounds like a place you’d find a lot of used syringes, but it’s actually a bar on Main Street in Hamilton with a covered outdoor stage, food trucks, etc.)
  • Carter Bridge is the featured musical entertainment at Neltner’s Farm Fall Fest (with The Pour Hours playing on Sunday… the last day to enjoy this great family-friendly event)

*Last time I saw Rodney Crowell live was waaay back in the late 80s when I worked at local country music station B-105. He was part of the lineup at the station’s annual “Free Day in the Country” free concert… the running gag was “What has 100 arms and legs and only 3 teeth? The front row at Free Day!”

We love Blue Monday, but this week we’ll also have Blues Sunday: Joe Bonamassa will be guitar-slinging at the Taft, and another bluesy guitar hotshot, Carolyn Wonderland, will be at Southgate.

But wait, there’s more: Ben Levin will be playing the first of his “Ben’s Blues Brunch” shows at the Horseshoe Jack Hard Rock Casino at 10 a.m. on Sunday, with special guest Bob Stronger. Lose yourself in the music… lose your money at the craps tables.

Ben & Bob are also playing Schwartz’s Point on Monday.

On Wednesday, Dawes plays Taft with opener Erin Rae, and The Districts play Madison Live. (And Ben Levin has yet another gig, his trio is playing at Ghost Baby).

Ben’s new album is called Still Here… his tour schedule should be called “Playing Everywhere”

It’s not exactly music, but Mystery Science Theater 3000 has always been music to my ears (and eyeballs). MST3K Live comes to the Taft on Thursday. I don’t think I’ll make it, as I prefer the “classic” cast members. Besides, I’ll be…uh… busy… that evening.

Speaking of Slippery Creek, they’re opening for The Del McCoury Band next Friday at Memorial Hall. That same evening, Melvin Seals and the Jerry Garcia Band play Ludlow Garage, and the Ben Levin Trio will be at Dead Low Brewing, with Noah Wotherspoon.

Gig Pics

List member “Lenny” is right. Bob Mould abso-fu#&^in’-lutely rocked the house last Friday. Amazing energy and a stellar career-encompassing set list from a dude who has been doing it a long, long time. (More on that later…) Opener Jason Narducy was great as well.

When Jason signed his album for me, he pointed out that my first name is spelled the same as the lead singer for the band Fucked Up. Birds of a feather…

Every touring band’s nightmare:

Akron, bringing the whole state down yet again…

Listen up

This Fresh Air interview with Nick Lowe from 2001 is still quite fresh:

Matt Lacefield, a former WVXU Nightwaves DJ, posted this tasty audio from Hüsker Dü’s concert at the Jockey Club back in 1984:

We told you Bob Mould’s been rocking for a long time…

BTW, Matt has a new music playlist/blog/online radio show thing called The Unfamiliar. You can listen to the 15-song first episode here… and you can listen to our interview with Matt about his Nightwaves days and his new venture in the latest episode of the 97X Rumblings from the Big Bush podcast.

Random Album Cover of the Week

Come for the body shaming, stay for the polka.

Have a great week!

Episode 70: Getting (un)familiar with Matt lacefield

97X, Music, podcast

Matt Lacefield played cutting-edge music on a Cincinnati radio station… but it wasn’t 97X. While Dave and Damian were on the air at 97X in the 90s, Matt was a DJ for Nightwaves, which aired overnights on WVXU-FM. So we were kindred spirits… and still are, because Matt loves discovering new music. He’s sharing his latest favorites via his blog/podcast called “The Unfamiliar.” We chat with Matt about his radio days and how he finds and shares the latest and greatest indie tunes.

97X served as a gateway to a life of music discovery for Matt, just as it did for so many other Tri-state teenagers. Here’s an excerpt from Matt’s blog:

My older brother, three years older and close enough in age to be an influence (for better or worse), also played a big role in my music obsession as a teen.  He was tuned in to U2, the Talking Heads, INXS, the Smiths, and so much more.  The walls of his bedroom were lined with racks of cassettes full of bands who were completely foreign to me.  Like the scent of a pie on the windowsill, the sounds coming from down the hall lured me in. I would sneak into his room, borrow cassettes, listen to them when he wasn’t home, and sneak them back. This exposed me to bands like R.E.M., Husker Du, the Minutemen, and the Replacements. In hindsight, this was the beginning of my love of digging for new music.  I had also heard him listening to a radio station that I had never heard of, WOXY – 97X FM, broadcasting from Oxford, Ohio, playing the same music that lined his walls. For me and so many others my age who lived in Southwest Ohio, discovering 97X was like striking gold. It provided a soundtrack to my life until it went off the air in 2010.

From the “About” page of Matt’s blog

Matt’s podcast is called The Unfamiliar, and you can listen to the first episode below.

https://the-unfamiliar.com/the-unfamiliar-episode-one-10-1-21/

Here are a couple of shots of Matt’s extensive music collection:

Live to play another day

Uncategorized

If you need a bit of inspiration (or motivation) to get to a show or three, this photo ought to be worth at least a thousand words of encouragement:

Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit with Brittney Spencer at the Ryman Auditorium. Photo Credit: Joshua Weichman

Live music – there ain’t nothin’ else like it. Here are your opportunities for communal energy this week:

Tonight, Bob Mould is going to rattle the rafters of Memorial Hall. Which is great, because I’ll be up in the nosebleeds, along with list member Dan Bockrath. Can’t wait. Also, Ben Levin has an album release party at BrewRiver.

On Saturday, Whitney Rose plays Southgate House. If you’d rather hear “Ramble On Rose” you can head to Stanley’s for U.S. Blues, a Grateful Dead cover band.

Breakfast of champions…

Speaking of stoned, Stone Temple Pilots play the Madison Theater on Tuesday. We miss Cap’n Scott Weiland, but Jeff Gutt is at the controls now. Is Herr Gutt any gut? Ich weiss nicht!

Thus concludes today’s German lesson…

I find myself on the horns of a musical dilemma on Wednesday. Chuck Prophet & the Mission Express are playing Southgate, and I really want to go to that gig. But it’s also my wife’s birthday. Not just any birthday either – it’s her Steve McGarrett birthday!

The big 5-0…

So I might have to miss the Chuck concert in the interest of maintaining harmony at home. Or maybe I can just go to the Chuck Prophet concert and get my wife a personalized BD greeting from 90s indie rock heartthrob Evan Dando of The Lemonheads.

The only problem with that plan is my wife has no idea who Evan Dando is… she’d probably be happier if I gave her a box of Lemonheads.

Also on Wednesday, Memorial Hall is hosting The Musical Box: A Genesis Extravaganza. It’s a re-enactment (don’t call it a tribute) of the band Genesis (circa 1970-1978), not the biblical book. Although that could be cool too, what with all the nakedness.

Weigh station ahead – trucks, please present your fee waybill

Fee Waybill! It’s fun to say. It’s also fun to know that The Tubes still have their wacky lead singer Fee Waybill (along with other original members: drummer Prairie Prince, guitarist Roger Steen and bassist Rick Gator Anderson) in their lineup.

They’ll be playing at the Ludlow Garage on Thursday, and playing their 1981 album The Completion Backward Principle in its entirety.

Also on Thursday, The Steel Woods are playing Madison Theater, and the Southgate House is chock-full of good music: The Wooks are playing the Sanctuary (main room), Joshua Powell, Freedom Nicole Moore, and Hyssop are in the Revival Room (upstairs) and Stephen Babcock and Brad Goodall of the band Ona are playing a free gig in the Lounge (bar).

All of the gigs listed above are merely appetizers… the main course is Cereal Killers at MadTree next Friday, October 29th.

For the uninitiated, Cereal Killers played their first gig at Sudsy Malone’s on Short Vine in 1989, and their current set list consists predominantly of songs from late ’70’s British & American punk, with a dash of the New Wave, a dollop of garage rock, a heaping helping of hijinks, and a side of shenanigans. It’s like 97X is still on the air, but better because it’s live! List members Howard Cohen and Matt Hueneman are in the band (and their new drummer is Chris Glen – he was in local faves Plow on Boy back in the day). The patio show is absolutely free… and yours truly will buy your first round of beverages. You truly can’t afford to miss it!

[List member Dave “The Reuben Kincaid of Modern Rock” Tellmann, co-host of the 97X Rumblings from the Big Bush podcast, will also be at MadTree. We’re happy to sign your earbuds…]

While we’re on the subject of podcasts, this Andy Richter interview with John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants was quite entertaining:

For a real newsletter, try this:

List member Cullen “My dad is delusional – he thinks the Reds can win it all next year” Lewis is killin’ it weekly with his Friday Links newsletter on Substack. (Whereas I’m so out of it, I thought “Substack” was a footlong with extra meat at Subway.) If not for Cullen and his cool coverage of music, fashion, art, and culture, I never would’ve heard this tasty new tune from Corridor:

Cullen also featured this new gem from Lightning Bug:

You can (and should) subscribe to Cullen’s Friday Links email via the link above.

A tip o’ the 97XBam cap to list member Joe Sampson for the link to the NYT profile of Adam Granduciel of The War on Drugs. Really looking forward to their new album. Ditto for new music from Charly Bliss, who recently opened for Japanese Breakfast in NYC (a d2 dream gig).

Check out this audio-only live concert recording of Japanese Breakfast from WXPN in Philly (also courtesy of Mighty Joe).

Gig Pics

The photo above of Elvis Costello & the Imposters was taken by list member Todd Butler, who also provided a nice overview of the new Icon venue:

It is like a rectangle box with U shaped balconies (2) although top level was closed. Floor is concrete with connected folding chairs that were cushioned and were impressively quite comfortable. Most seats and sight lines I thought were good. They used modern construction methods to avoid support structures blocking views. Good amount of bathrooms so not much wait there. Beer line was long however.

If you know Todd, you know the beer line (or lack thereof) is crucial to his experience.

Todd’s profile on Untapped. He’s always thirsty.

Have a great week!

Elvis is Everywhere

Concert Listings, Music

Elvis Presley truly is everywhere… ever since he went undercover in 1977, as part of the secret agent program he joined in 1970.

The Crook and The King

But thank goodness the best Elvis (Elvis Costello) usually comes to Cincinnati on his tours. Mr. Costello (a.k.a. Declan Patrick Aloysius McManus) and his fantastic band The Imposters will be playing the Icon this Saturday. I really like Elvis…

But Elvis isn’t everywhere on Saturday… Cowboy Junkies will be at Ludlow Garage (list member Tom Woeber will be at that gig), local Tom Petty tribute band Tom the Torpedoes play Fretboard, and Pat Metheny is Memorial Hall. Check out Pat’s sweet hairdo in the promo photo:

He looks like he could be a member of Fraggle Rock:

Speaking of family-friendly fun, load the kiddies in the family truckster and head to Neltner’s Farm in Camp Springs, KY for their Fall Fest, going on now through October 31st. List member Keith Neltner’s family has operated a farm on that patch of land since 1892, so it’s legit, not like those “throw some pumpkins and hay bales in a parking lot” joints. Neltner’s Farm Fest activities including horse-drawn wagon rides, a model train display, a corn maze, pick-your-own pumpkin patch, petting zoo, pony rides, homemade food and ice cream, farm shop, seasonal apples, barrel train and so much more… including live music 1:30-4:30 p.m. on the weekends (weather permitting). The Kentucky Struts play this Saturday and Randy Steffen plays on Sunday. The full slate is here.

The fabulous Jimmy Vaughan plays Ludlow Garage on Sunday. That same evening, David Ramirez and Matt Costa are at Southgate.

Church Girls (the band, not the personality type) will be at Northside Tavern on Tuesday. I really like this band’s sound and am very tempted to go… then again I’m an old man – I’m not even sure I’m allowed in Northside. Besides, it’s a school night. But you can talk me into going.

Also on Tuesday, Bad Bad Hats (Pat Metheny sure could use one) are at Southgate.

You have several options for live tunes on Thursday:

  • Chris Stapleton plays Riverbend on a very nice triple bill with The Marcus King Band and Yola.
  • Lucero and Morgan Wade play Taft’s basement Ballroom (a show that was moved from the Icon… which is like being banished to the kids table at Thanksgiving Dinner).
  • Mannequin Pu$$y (that’s the official Cincinnati Enquirer spelling) is at the Woodward Theater.
  • Suzzy Roche and her daughter Lucy Wainwright Roche play Southgate’s main room…
  • … while Stephen Babcock and Brad Goodall of the fine band Ona play a free gig in Southgate’s Lounge.
  • Camp Springs Tavern hosts an Open Bluegrass Jam. It’s BYOB. (Bring Your Own Banjo.) I hear these open jams are almost as good as when Jed Clampett danced while Flatt & Scruggs played:

Next Friday (October 22nd) is a big night for gigs too:

Bob Mould plays Memorial Hall. List member Dan Bockrath and I will be at that one. It’s a solo electric gig, but his touring band buddy Jason Narducy will open the show.

If you thought Pat Metheny’s hair was impressive, it’s nothing compared to the dudes in A Flock of Seagulls.

Photo taken after they ran…

They’re playing the Ludlow Garage next Friday.

That same evening, Ben Levin has an album release party at BrewRiver, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness is at Icon, and The Bronson Arroyo Band plays Bircus in Ludlow, KY. (List member Dan “I Heart Former Reds” Lewis will probably be at that gig.)

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that my mother-in-law’s favorite artist, Michael Bublé, is at the Coliseum. Although frankly, I’d rather see this guy in concert:

His hit single is amazing!

“You are looking live…”

Here’s a very cool set from Waxahatchee, live at KEXP studios in Seattle (hat tip to list member Bruce Frasure for the link):

But you’re not hearing it live…

There was a snafu at the Austin City Limits Festival and they pulled the plug on Phoebe Bridgers’ set during “I Know the End”… and Phoebe was not amused. (Rightfully so, that song was the killer set closer when list members Mighty Joe Sampson, Michael Carrico and I saw her in Columbus a few weeks ago.)

Speaking of Mighty Joe, Phoebe’s sound snafu was almost as bad as when the Cincinnati Parks hired-gun audio dude cut the sound on the Goo Goo Dolls when their set went over its allotted time during their Day in Eden performance at Eden Park back in 1993. Mighty Joe (who weighed about a buck-twenty) had to put Robbie from the Goos in a headlock to keep him from attacking the sound guy.

Gig pics

List member Dan Bockrath and I were treated (thanks for the freebies, list member Geoff Curless!) to a great double bill at PNC this past Tuesday: Margo Price and her band opened up for Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats. Both artists crushed it!

List members Jeff and Jill Franco also were in attendance. Jill has been a teacher at Sands Montessori for years – she taught Dan’s daughter and all four of my kids. So of course we had to get a pic with “Miss Jill” to send to our now-grown kids, just to prove that their grade school teacher still rocks!

Photo credit: Jeff Franco… taken while balancing a beer can and a pizza box

Well, that should do it for this week’s edition… STOP!

Oh, thanks for helping promote the 97X Rumblings from the Big Bush podcast, Elvis. The newest episode features our interview with Dayton-based singer/songwriter Jayne Sachs.

OK, we’ll finish right where we started, with a bit of “Elvis is Everywhere.”

https://youtu.be/mpb4ZAAP6Z4
Fun fact:  Mojo Nixon has a degree in political science and history from Miami University in Ohio.

Have a great week!

Episode 69: Jayne Sachs, Stellar Songstress

97X, Music, podcast

Jayne Sachs credits her discovery of 97X (thanks to her now-husband) with putting her on the singer/songwriter path. She’s been able to carve out a career in music, and has picked up plenty of accolades along the way, including winning 97Xposure in 1995 and garnering two first place wins (in different years and different categories) in The John Lennon Songwriting Contest. We talked to Jayne about her Xposure spoils, her performing career, record label interaction, and her current songwriting work in Nashville.

You can listen to Jayne’s latest songs on her songwriting website.

The Jayne Sachs Band won 97Xposure in 1995. Here’s a news story about that year’s finals, as it aired on Cincinnati’s WXIX-TV (Channel 19), with 97X’s Ali Castellini as the on-the-scene reporter and Jae Forman announcing the winning band on stage at Bogart’s:

Jayne has released several albums as a solo artist and with her band.

Here’s “I Recognize”, one of several songs from Jayne that got airplay on 97X:

Jayne Sachs – Back To You (2014) from Gary Mitchell on Vimeo.

The Jayne Sachs Band at WNKU’s Studio 89 in 2013.
Screen grab from our video interview with Jayne – her guitar is always nearby.

Workin’ for the Weekend

Concert Listings, Music

True story: When list member Howard Cohen joined us on a Zoom meeting for a live version of the 97X podcast, he had been painting a room in his house, and was wearing a bandanna that made him look like a dead ringer for the lead singer of Loverboy.

Uh, to be clear, we’re talking the 1982 version, not the 2014 look.

That led to a few jokes about Howard fronting a fictitious Loverboy cover band named “Coverboy.” (We trademarked it, so don’t try to steal it.)

Second true story: Howard actually fronts a real band, Cereal Killers, and they do a ton of great covers. (Sorry Mike Reno, no Loverboy… yet!) And Cereal Killers will be playing MadTree on Friday, October 29th, starting at 7 p.m. What a Halloween weekend treat!

More like “I gotta rock!”

Speaking of treats, if you show up and say “boo” to me (I’m no John Hiatt), I’ll buy you a beer. Tell a buddy, bring a friend, but don’t you dare miss this big show.

Speaking of big shows, let’s quickly run down this week’s gigs (all subject to covid-related cancellation, so check the venue website first):

Jeremy Pinnell has an album release show tonight at Southgate House.

Jon Spencer & the Hitmakers (guess his former backing band imploded…thanks, I’ll be here all week) play Southgate on Monday.

On Tuesday, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats will be at the Icon, with Margo Price as the opener. List member Geoff C. hooked me up with two tickets – caller #7 right now gets to be my “plus one” (wait, is that supposed to be a prize?).

Victor Wooten featuring the Wooten Brothers (sounds like Victor’s doing double duty) will be at Memorial Hall on Tuesday as well.

Dispatch will be at 20th Century in Oakley on Wednesday. If they don’t sell dispatchouli™ at the merch table, they are really missing a great revenue opportunity. (I’ve already trademarked it…). That same evening, the Lydia Lunch Retrovirus plays Southgate, and The Toadies play Madison Theater in Covington, with the Reverend Horton Heat as the opener.

Thursday you can pick up what Brand X is selling at Ludlow Garage.

Nothin’ doing next Friday. Would be a great night for the debut of Coverboy™. Just sayin’.

New Tunes

A new song from The War on Drugs? Yes, please! A new song from The War on Drugs with Lucius doing background vocals? Even better!

The new album from Strand of Oaks is quite tasty:

This song is a real earworm – love the lyrics too:

ICYMI

Most local venues are requiring proof of vax (or, in some cases, a recent negative test). HT to list member Lisa Collins for the article here. Got a problem with that? The singer from Trampled by Turtles has something just for you:

Gentle Reminder

If you’ve yet to contribute to the Kevin Carrico Scholarship fund, which will provide need-based financial support to young adult cancer survivors between the ages of 18 and 35 who are pursuing higher education throughout their treatment and beyond via the National Collegiate Cancer Foundation, you can donate here. Thanks on behalf of list member Michael Carrico (Kevin’s brother) and myself.

Quote of the Week

“Music is magic and I feel like the luckiest person in the world that I’m allowed to share it.”

Tim Showalter of Strand of Oaks

It’s Friggin’ Rocktober!

Concert Listings, Music

Where does the time go? Seems like only yesterday it was September. Oh wait, it was. But the time for Earth, Wind & Fire is over. (And Green Day‘s mom just woke them up.) Now it’s Rocktober, which is way cooler than the Catalina Wine Mixer.

And Rocktober is starting strong with…. (wait, are you sure… can you re-check the date… really?)… Earth, Wind & Fire. Wow, sorry that I prematurely put you out to pasture, EWF. I guess Mark Twain was right when he said “When Rocktober starts, I want to be in Cincinnati, because they always get concerts one month later.” Or maybe it was Hal Holbrook who said that… same difference.

Hal Twain

Twain also said, “Earth, Wind & Fire is my jam!” They’re playing the Icon downtown tonight – the show is sold out. But fear not, you can catch Pure Prairie League at the Ludlow Garage. Wait, that show is sold out too. Welp, maybe you can just stay home and watch the documentary about Superchunk’s 2001 tour of Japan.

Or check out the new album from Jesse Malin. It’s a bop, as the kids say.

Tomorrow Walk the Moon is playing Bogart’s… they originally booked shows for both Saturday and Sunday, but the Sunday gig is cancelled. It’s like Twain said, “when you are a one-hit wonder, there are no second acts.” Wait, maybe that was Hal Linden.

Something’s Fish-y about this case…

Also tomorrow, local Tom Petty tribute band Tom the Torpedoes will be playing Big Ash Brewing. My friend Chris Comer is in that band, playing keyboards. Benmont Tench’s shoes are mighty big ones to fill, but Chris is up to the task. I’d be there for sure if I weren’t out of town.

Btw, if you’ve yet to listen to the Broken Record podcast episode with Benmont Tench, please do so post-haste.

Local fave Ben Levin will be tickling the ivories at Wiedemann’s tomorrow night as well, with another blues wunderkind, Noah Wotherspoon, also on the bill. (You can see the full list of Ben’s gigs on his website.)

Tuesday, Roctober 5th: Modest Mouse plays the Icon with Future Islands also on the bill, and Chris Thile is at Memorial Hall.

Wednesday, Roctober 6th: The Struts amble into the PromoWest Pavilion in Newport. List member Gil Kaufman, who has seen a gazillion shows (all for free… the perks of being a big-time writer) is a big fan and says they put on a fun show.

Larkin Poe plays Bogart’s on Thursday (I’m sure you’re as tired of the Rocktober shtick as I am). Local fave Jeremy Pinnell has an album release show at Southgate next Friday.

Don Felder (a.k.a. the guy whom Glenn Frey and Don Henley railroaded… hot take) is playing the Lawrenceburg Event Center on Saturday, 10/9, and “Lynyrd Skynyrd” is playing Riverbend. I put quotes around “Lynyrd Skynyrd” because IMHO, that band came to an untimely end on October 20th, 1977.

I know I’ve been slacking on these updates. I’ll do better in the future, I promise.

Speaking of promises, I have a favor to ask of you. My friend and co-worker Michael “Rico” Carrico lost his brother to cancer a couple of years ago. His brother Kevin passed away while he was in med school working to become a pediatric oncologist… after he had beaten Hodgkin’s Lymphoma as a teenager… a cruel twist of fate which is heartbreakingly tragic on so many levels.

Before he passed, I promised him that I would do anything that I could to help fight the terrible disease that took him from us too early.  One of the initiatives that our family has taken up is to help fundraise for the National Collegiate Cancer Foundation to provide services and support to young adults who have been diagnosed with cancer.

List member Michael Carrico

My ask of you, faithful reader (even though I’ve been a less-than-faithful writer), is to contribute to the Kevin Carrico Scholarship fund, which will provide need-based financial support to young adult survivors between the ages of 18 and 35 who are pursuing higher education throughout their treatment and beyond. You can donate here. Think of all the concert tickets you didn’t purchase over the past 18 months (for example, I know for a fact that Dan “The Reds are the Walk the Moon of MLB” Lewis was planning to go to both shows at Bogart’s), and maybe divert some of that cash to an extremely worthwhile cause. Thanks so much. You rock harder than Rocktober!

Episode 68: The Legacy of 97X

97X, podcast, woxy.com

This is a shorter episode, but it’s deep. The culmination of our conversation with 97X station owners Doug & Linda Balogh includes Doug’s “big thought” about the legacy of the station… and how the listeners and the station alums will always be a connected community. 97X Forever! 

In this episode, we reference a recent letter from Jen L., who grew up “in the cornfields of Crosby Township”… she had such kind words to say about the station, and we think her feelings reflect those of many listeners:

That was about the only good thing about where I lived: 97X came in crystal clear and was like an oasis among the fields of corn. The music you played opened my mind and heart to soundscapes so different than anything I’d ever known. You took me to places I was sure I’d never get to go. How lucky was I! 

I remember the summers in high school listening to 97X. I always had leftover notebooks at the end of the school year. So I ripped out all my biology and algebra notes, and used up the remaining pages keeping lists of songs I heard and liked on the radio. I filled pages and pages. I hung on every note, counted each song, waiting for you to backsell what you just played so I could write it down. (Gosh I wish I still had those lists!)

Whenever I could, I kept a Memorex 90 minute cassette in the player so I could spring from my bed in time to hit record/play and catch those songs and make mix tapes. And I waited all week for Saturday overnights when you’d play an album in its entirety. I struggled to stay awake til midnight just to hit record, then turned the volume low so I could sleep. In the morning I rewound to listen back, and was either happy or bummed to find out if the entire album fit on one side. I remember getting XTC “Apples and Oranges” that way, and The Indigo Girls and The Smithereens. Then later I would make my own album covers from a collage of pictures and patterns I’d find in magazines.…

Really I just wanted to let you know how much 97X meant to me in my teen years. You truly saved me. I can’t fully express how much you did. But I am here in large part because of this station. You gave me hope and an outlet. I heard you, and my spirit felt heard in return.

Jen L.
Why yes, that is MTV VJ Alan Hunter with station staffers.
97X alums at a station reunion.
More alums.
97X sticker on the wall at Canal Street Tavern in Dayton.
page from a 1996 radio industry publication

Episode 67: We dig Doug, we love Linda

Uncategorized

Here’s Part II of our second interview with 97X station owners Doug and Linda Balogh. (It’s like a Star Wars triple trilogy… the subtitle for this one is “Episode 5: Revenge of the Good Guys.”) In this podcast, we talk about 97X’s memorable artwork, the outside-the-box thinking that went on at the station, the diversity of programming, and we find out if Doug and Linda ever thought about getting back into the radio game after selling 97X.

Artist Mike Streff created a lot of the early artwork for 97X. Here’s his original “retro” logo art:

Photo courtesy of Marty Balogh

Mike Streff’s work also showed up in 97X ads and promotional items. Here’s an ad announcing the station’s move to College Corner Pike:

Here’s his art on a holiday ad that appeared in Everybody’s News back in the day:

And here’s his cover for the 97X Modern Rock Cookbook:

97X wasn’t the only station to feature Mike Streff’s work. Back when WEBN was actually cool (it’s been so long most folks don’t remember), they would release an album of local band’s songs each year. Mike did the cover art for this one:

During our interview, Dave mentioned the record store lists that Robin James unearthed from Shiv’s artifacts. 97X staffers would call local shops in the area and find out how many albums of 97X artists were being sold during a particular week.

Here’s the weekly schedule of shows on 97X, circa mid-90s:

Many 97X listeners fondly recall listening to Dr. Demento in the station’s early years.