This Week in Live Music: September 30-October 6

books, Concert Listings, Music

Wow, it’s nearly October. Or should I say Rocktober? You know the month will rock you like a climate-change-induced hurricane.

Let’s get right to the rock. And the tober.

Monday, Nashville band The Medium is at MOTR, with Nave Netoow opening. Here’s the promo photo of Nave:

Note to self: if Nave offers a carrot/orange smoothie, politely decline.

On Tuesday, Yung Gravy is playing Bogart’s. He’s a rapper from the hip-hop hotbed of Rochester, Minnesota. After watching one of his videos, I can’t figure out if he’s serious or if it’s an Andy Samberg short from SNL.

You can chase that Gravy with some Catfish, as Catfish & the Bottlemen are at Bogart’s on Wednesday. That same evening, Church Girls are playing Urban Artifact, with Soften and Fycus, and Lee Ann Womack is at Memorial Hall with Sarah Siskind.

Thursday, Mt. Pleasant String Band plays the Southgate Lounge, Blackfoot Gypsies hit Madison Live, Bam Powell performs solo at Latitudes, Cody Johnson is at Bogart’s, Mynah Tones play MOTR, an Eagles tribute band (The Eagles Project) is at Memorial Hall, and Ben Levin will be playing the “Top of the Park” rooftop at the Phelps Hotel.

Plenty o’ music from which to choose on Friday:

  • the Adrian Belew Power Trio plays Ludlow Garage with Saul Zonana
  • Sublime with Rome is at Riverfront Live
  • Com Truse plays Madison Theater
  • Dead Centric is at Urban Artifact
  • Chris Comer plays The View at Shires Garden
  • Riverfront Coliseum hosts the Legends of Hip Hop featuring E-40, Mystikal, Scarface, 8 Ball & MJG, Too Short, Bun B and Pastor Troy.

Saturday has a full slate o’ tunes too, including the Cripple Creek Music Festival in Fort Mitchell:

  • The Harmed Brothers play Neltner’s Farm Fall Fest starting at 1:30
  • Jukebox The Ghost is at Madison Theater
  • Plastic Ants, This Pine Box and the Amprays play MOTR
  • ghost man on second is at Lucius Q
  • Ludlow Garage has the tribute band The Dirty Doors
  • If you’re into clean comedy instead of Dirty Doors, Nate Bargatze is at Taft.

Last but not least, there’s a free show in Eden park:

The event is a fundraiser for the Community Program for Recovery, a non-profit that helps recovering alcoholics and addicts living in transitional recovery housing.

On Sunday, Neltner’s Farm has a Kentucky Showcase: The Poor Hours, T. Lipscomp, Chris Lloyd, Randy Steffen and Sami Riggs. Luckman Coffee in Mt. Washington is hosting a #LocalFoodRocks event from 4-6 p.m., featuring local food and local bands BackBeat and Prestige Grease. That evening, Man Man plays Top Cats… with GRLwood also on the bill (let’s hear it for Title IX!) and Go Go Buffalo.

Good Reading

Actor Griffin Dunne has a funny story about his former neighbor Ric Ocasek. And there’s a great interview with Tommy Stinson of the Replacements in Rolling Stone. Money quote:

Obviously, we wanted to be successful with everything we did. But we also were the first ones to fuck it up half the time. … Most of the time in fact. … OK, all the time!

Tommy Stinson of The Replacements

Speaking of the ‘Mats and f-ing up, list member Mighty Joe Sampson ordered the new Replacements deluxe set called Dead Man’s Pop, which contains the original Matt Wallace mixes of Don’t Tell A Soul (on LP and CD), plus a 29-song live concert recording from 1989, and a disc of outtakes, including some tunes with Tom Waits. Perhaps because Joe is 10 times the Replacements fan as anyone else I know, Amazon sent him 11 copies, not 1.

Thanks, Bezos!

Joe even contacted Amazon to alert them of their $600 error, but they told him to keep his bounty.

It’s not like Jeff Bezos needs the money for alimony payments or anything. Joe was kind enough to gift me with one of the sets. Much obliged!

Hot Ticket Alert

Debbie Harry and Chris Stein from Blondie will be at Walnut Hills High School on Monday, October 7th, with artist/director Rob Roth, for a Joseph-Beth sponsored book event for Debbie Harry’s new memoir Face It, along with a “visual presentation.”

Ticket price includes a pre-signed copy of the book.

Grace Potter plays Taft on January 22. Tickets are on sale now.

Concert review

Brett Newski rocked the house at the Parlor & Patio show on Friday. He’s a very entertaining dude, and a nice guy to boot. Parlor & Patio has two more shows on tap for 2019, you really should get to one… or both!

Shameless Self-promotion

You’ll find a new episode of the 97X Rumblings from the Big Bush podcast on this website, as well as on Spotify, iTunes and Podbean. Dave Tellmann and I chat with “Gentleman Jim” Mercer, the dean of all part-time DJs at 97X.

Have a rockin’ month!

Episode 21: Gentleman Jim Mercer, Weekend Warrior

97X, podcast

97X had dozens if not hundreds of part-time DJs over the lifetime of the station, but no one else can top the tenure of “Gentleman” Jim Mercer, who worked weekend and vacation fill-in shifts for a whopping 14 years, from 1990 through 2004. His dedication and professionalism made him the ultimate weekend warrior. Dave and Damian talk to Jim about his day job, how he got the DJ gig, and how he made his shifts sound so smooth.

Jim nearing the end of a Saturday shift in 2004. This photo was taken by Luann Gibbs.

Like most radio stations, 97X typically had five full-time shifts: mornings, midday, afternoons, evenings and overnight. Having Jim as a part-timer for more than a decade was a luxury. He could — and did — handle any weekend shift, and was always willing to fill in on the evening and overnight shifts to cover vacations.

The NBA gives out a Sixth Man of the Year Award for someone who is the best performer coming off the bench. Gentleman Jim was the 97X equivalent of the Sixth Man of the Year for 14 years running.

Left to right: Jim Mercer, Julie Maxwell, Bakerman, Sledge and Kathy Lucas, at a 97X reunion in 2009.

When Bakerman did the final break on 97X, he gave a special shout-out to Jim.

Jim and Steve Baker in the press box for the Miami-UC game in 2016.

People (still) have the power!

97X, Music

A tip of the ol’ 97Xbam cap to Dan Reed (yes, THE Dan Reed of WXPN) for sending a nice essay our way. The Medium post decries the rise of music recommendations that are increasingly made by machines instead of people. In short, algorithms ain’t got no rhythm. The piece was penned by Craig Snyder, yet another kid who was “ruined” by listening to 97X in his formative years:

Craig later worked at EMI (shh, don’t tell Johnny Rotten) and is now Director of Music Partnerships at ReverbNation. Please read the entire piece. I love Craig’s passion for the music, and how he’s encouraging all of us to rage against the machine(s):

Amen to that, Brother Craig! Taking his cue, I’ll mention yet again that the new album from Jesse Malin is fantastic, and I’m offering my Double D Money Back Guarantee™ for his show at Southgate House on Friday, November 15th. If you go to the show and aren’t completely satisfied by Mr. Malin’s music and stage presence, I’ll refund your ticket price out of my own pocket.

People still have the power. Let’s use it!

This Week in Live Music: September 23-29

Uncategorized

Welcome, officially (but not officiously) to Fall. Monday, September 23rd is the Autumnal Equinox. 

Summer's going fast, nights growing colder 
Children growing up, old friends growing older  
(name that tune... without using Google search)

9/23 is also National Great American Pot Pie Day. We suggest you celebrate by cooking a Swanson’s pot pie in the oven for about 80 minutes, and then enjoying how the crust burns your tongue yet the veggies inside the pot pie are still ice cold.

Oh, and 9/23 is National Checkers Day… as in Nixon’s dog.

Almost makes you wistful for those carefree, PAC-free days, doesn’t it?

OK, enough meandering, let’s get to the gigs.

Monday, a Beach Boy and some Zombies walked into a theatre. No, it’s not the setup for a joke, it just means Brian Wilson and The Zombies are playing Taft. Also, Bad Religion is playing Bogart’s, with Dave Hause & The Mermaid and Emily Davis.

Jesse Dayton is playing Southgate on Tuesday, with the Taylor Shannon Band and Mike Stinson. Broadside is at Top Cats, and Scott Stapp of Creed is playing Bogart’s. (If you’re keeping score at home, that means Bogart’s has Bad Religion on Monday, and bad religious guy on Tuesday.)

On Wednesday, Patty Griffin is at 20th Century Theater in Oakley, with former V-Roy Scott Miller as the opener. I’ll be at that gig, because I adore Patty Griffin. Other shows that evening:

  • The Brother Brothers are playing Southgate
  • Dressy Bess is at MOTR
  • Joel Ansett is at Listing Loon
  • Chainsmokers are at the Coliseum
  • Andy Grammer performs at Bogart’s. (Update your scorecard with some bad grammer.)

Thursday, Nora Jane Struthers & the Party Line play Southgate, and Felix Pastorius’ Hipster Assassins roll into the Ludlow Garage.

Friday night, our old pal Chris Comer starts what will be a recurring weekend gig at The View at Shires Garden, the new rooftop bar at 309 Vine Street.

I still miss the Chris & Rob Late Night Talk Show on WAIF-FM.

There are several other notable gigs that evening:

  • Brett Newski plays the Parlor & Patio house concert in Ft. Thomas (I’ll be at that gig)
  • Devotchka and The Joy Formidable form a great twin bill at Woodward Theater
  • Tommy Emmanuel plays Taft with Jorma Kaukonen, making that show a picker’s paradise
  • Tracy Walker plays the grand opening of the new Braxton Barrel House in Ft. Mitchell
  • The Toasters, Scotch Bonnets and Newport Secret Six are at Northside Yacht Club
  • Stoney LaRue plays Madison Live
  • Warrick & Lowell play MOTR with Nick Dittmeier and Chelsea Ford & The Trouble
  • REO Speedwagon chugs into Rose Music Center

We also have two multi-stage festivals on tap Friday through Sunday. The Rhythm Brew Art & Music Festival takes over Riverfront Live.

And down in Louisville, Louder than Life rocks the Kentucky Expo Center fairgrounds.

Saturday, the Neltner’s Farm Fall Festival kicks off (pumpkins, games, corn maze, petting zoo… learn more here). It’s a great place to bring the family because A. it’s a legit family farm, not some hay bales on asphalt, B. the Neltner family is super-nice, and C. they’ll have live music every Saturday and Sunday through 10/27. Here’s the lineup:

Also on Saturday, a white trash guy and a redneck walk into a shed. That’s not the setup to a joke… actually it is… Kid Rock and Hank Williams Jr. are playing Riverbend. That same evening:

  • Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers and Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper play Miami University-Middletown (affectionately known as MUM)
  • Filter plays the Hollywood Casino in Lawrenceburg (affectionately known as Hoosier Hollywood)
  • Not a music show, but should be fun: Southgate hosts the annual beard and mustache competition known as Big Whisker Revival IV. In the Cartoon Mustache category, the smart money is on Dick Dastardly, Snidely Whiplash and Yosemite Sam… but Yukon Cornelius might sweep.

On Sunday, the Women of the Blues show in Southgate’s main room features Cheryl Renee, Kelly Richey, Kelly Walker, Alice Hoskins and more (doors at 1:30). The Cowpokes and Jane Rose & the Dead End Boys play a free afternoon show in Southgate’s Lounge. Amy Gerhartz and Jonathan Cody White play the Downtowne Listening Room, and Billy Alletzhauser (The Hiders, Ass Ponys) plays MOTR with Remnose.

Good Reading

Matthew Caws of Nada Surf wrote a nice tribute to former Ohio resident Ric Ocasek of the Cars, who passed away last week and Jonathan Richman sings the praises of the Rubinoos.

Shameless Self-promotion (disguised as reunion news)

Bauhaus recently announced a gig at the Hollywood Palladium on November 3rd. Their most famous song is “Bela Lugosi’s Dead,” a nine-minute-and-36-second dirge that was a popular “bathroom break” song at 97X.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0MX-ekH4sw

If you listen to the 97X Rumblings from the Big Bush podcast, you’ll note that my co-host Dave Tellmann and I try to keep each episode’s length to “two Bela Lugosi’s Deads”… or roughly 19 minutes. Oh, and since we mentioned that podcast, the latest episode features a 5th grade weather reporter, Abe Vigoda’s birthday, romance tips from Fabio and news about John Curley’s XXL t-shirt. You can listen via the 97Xbam.com website (which includes bonus content – photos, videos, etc.) or on Podbean, Spotify or iTunes.

Hot Ticket Alert

My main man Jesse Malin is playing Southgate on Friday, November 15th. Dude is brilliant. New album is stellar.

Pint-sized punk poet Jesse Malin

I’ve seen Jesse live several times and he always puts on a killer show… sadly, the crowds are usually pretty sparse in Cincy. Let’s change that, with my Double D Money Back Guarantee™: if you go to the show and aren’t completely satisfied, I’ll pay you back the ticket price out of my own pocket. I’m not rich, I’m just super-confident that Jesse Malin will rock your world. Here are two tracks from the new album that showcase his range.

That’s a wrap – have a great week!

Episode 20: World’s Youngest Weatherperson, Trivia winner and Wacky Bits

97X, podcast

97X was a small but mighty station in many ways. Being in the outskirts, in the fringes, left of center, off of the strip (to paraphrase Suzanne Vega) with a small (but dedicated) listener base allowed us to get away with stuff that other stations couldn’t or wouldn’t do. Not just with our music playlist (or lack of a playlist, really), but also with the other stuff that made its way to our airwaves, like having a 5th grader do the weather report…

… doing live “remote” broadcasts from the lobby, throwing birthday parties for Abe Vigoda, and sharing secrets from romance novel cover model Fabio.

  • Sexier than Fabio

In this episode of the 97X Rumblings from the Big Bush podcast, Dave and Damian chat with the 5th grade weatherperson, play some bits, and also announce the winner of the 97X 10th Anniversary “Name the 4th Band” contest.

“Others”?

Congrats to Colin Miller for winning the trivia contest by correctly identifying the 4th band: Sleep Theater.

You can listen to the latest episode via the player above, and you’ll find all the episodes on Podbean, Spotify and iTunes.

And since we mentioned Suzanne Vega…

This Fortnight in Live Music: September 9-22

Concert Listings, Music

Yes, this time aroundwe’re covering a two week stretch, a.k.a a fortnight. But not Fortnite. Apologies to all our tween subscribers.

WORST BURP EVER! - Fortnite Funny Moments with the Crew ...

I’ll be out of town most of next week, inspecting Hurricane Dorian damage in the Outer Banks of North Cackalacky (from the comfort of a hot tub). So let’s get to it… and two it!

Glen Hansard was scheduled to play the Taft on Monday. But it got cancelled:

We are sorry to announce that have to cancel tomorrow night’s show in Cincinnati due to illness.  This is something we hoped to avoid as we know how much time and energy goes into making a show happen. We would like to thank all of folks who planned on coming for their understanding. Again we apologize for this inconvenience and look forward to returning to The Taft soon. Refunds are available at point of purchase.

https://tafttheatre.org/events/2019/09/glen-hansard

On Tuesday, ZZ Top and Cheap Trick play Rose Music Center. If you’re keeping score at home, that’s spinning guitars and five neck guitars, respectively.

That same evening, Elizabeth Moen is at Southgate, and Ben Levin plays at Arnold’s.

Wednesday, Adam Ant brings his Friend or Foe tour to Taft, and Morrissey is scheduled to play Fraze Pavilion, with Interpol as the opener. (We say “scheduled to play” because Moz has been known to flake out on shows before. He’s like the bastard son of George Jones and Axl Rose.)

Heaven knows he’s still miserable now.

Shonen Knife is at Southgate, with Me Like Bees opening. Them Coulee Boys are also at Southgate, in the Revival Room, with the Restless Leg String Band. “Thrash crossover legends” (just reading the press release) DRI play Northside Yacht Club, with Deathwish, Uncle Sammy & the Warlords and (earmuff it, tweens) Fuckin Basterd. Meanwhile, the resurgent Jonas Brothers play the Riverfront Mausoleum.

Thursday night, Lord Huron will be holding court at Taft. Lord Licorice will still be playing Candyland.

You should see his Red Vine!

On Friday, Chuck Cleaver plays the early show (7 pm) at Urban Artifact, with William Matheny, then Nappy Roots plays the late show (9 pm) with Triiibe and In2itv3. Chely Wright plays Southgate’s main room, and Honeysuckle is in the Revival Room. Bad Suns are at 20th Century, Starset plays Bogart’s, and Gladys Knight is at Taft.

Meanwhile, in the Land that Time Forgot (West Siiiiiidddee!) Sebastian Bach plays the Skid Row album at the Blue Note in Harrison.

The Raconteurs come to the Taft on Saturday, with opener Olivia Jean. CityBeat has a nice profile of the Raconteurs Cincinnati rhythm section (Jack “Little Jack” Lawrence and Patrick Keeler). Will Johnson plays a living room show in the Lebanon area, and Andrew Salgado and Jonathan Cody White play the Downtowne Listening Room.

Keb’ Mo’ has a sold out solo show at Memorial Hall on Sunday, and the Denim Wedding Tour with Blake Berglund and Belle Plaine is at Southgate in the Lounge.

Hip huggers.

Monday, Sept. 16 — Sunday, Sept. 22

Monday, Sept. 16, Sun Kil Moon plays Woodward, continuing the Woodward’s tradition of scheduling shows that I’d really like to see for dates that I’m out of town (see also Built to Spill). And in a “you got chocolate in my peanut butter” show, Blink 182 and Lil’ Wayne play Riverbend. It’s the greatest pairing since Robby Benson and Donny “Ralph Malph” Most in a Reese’s commercial:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwGQ_w9lgHw
In the 70s, lots of people walked down the street with an open jar of peanut butter.

Kacy & Clayton play Southgate on Tuesday (9/17), and Marianas Trench is at Madison Theater.

Ludlow Garage has been rescheduling a lot of the shows that were supposed to happen over the past few weeks, but as of this writing, it appears that the Tyler Hilton show on Wednesday 9/18 is a go.

The much-anticipated Ludlow Garage 50th Anniversary show is Thursday (9/19), with Dweezil Zappa playing his dad’s Hot Rats album. That same evening, Indigo Girls are at Taft, and MeatWound, Thunderclap and Ball of Light play Northside Yacht Club.

The Bourbon & Beyond Festival kicks off Friday in Louisville at the KY Expo Center.

And the Overcast Hip Hop Festival starts its two night stand on Friday. It was originally slated for Top Cats but has been moved the Thompson House (old Southgate).

Also on Friday, 9/20:

  • The Mavericks play Taft
  • The Breeders play a free show at Dayton’s Levitt Pavilion
  • The Ghost Wolves visit MOTR
  • Steel Pulse plays Ludlow Garage
  • Murder by Death is at Woodward
  • Jason Eady is playing Southgate
  • Erica Blinn plays Camp Springs Tavern.

If you like to gamble on whether or not marginal bands from the 90s will still be any good in 2019, Eve 6, Fastball and Vertical Horizon are playing the Hollywood Casino in Lawrenceburg, Indiana.

Saturday 9/21:

  • Dan Bern is at York Street Cafe
  • Unknown Hinson and Vincent Neal Emerson play Southgate
  • Crash Test Dummies play the 25th anniversary of God Shuffled His Feet at Memorial Hall
  • Agnostic Front ups the anniversary ante by playing a 35th anniversary show at Northside Yacht Club with Prong and Spear
  • Horace Greene, Life Brother and Mom & Dad are at Urban Artifact
  • Frank Gambale is at Ludlow, with Dennis Chambers, Sean Wayland and Mike Pope.

On Sunday, the Outlaw Music Festival comes to Riverbend, with Willie Nelson & Family, Bonnie Raitt, Luke Combs, Brothers Osborne and more.

That same evening, Ludlow hosts Jimmy Herring and the 5 of 7.

Notes from last week

The Avett Brothers show after the Reds game was a lot of fun. I took my 16-year-old daughter Leah – so glad that she’s finally acquiring her old man’s stellar taste in music. 🙂 Leah and I also saw Jake Speed & The Freddies at Stanbury Park in scenic Mt. Washington (a.k.a. “Anderson Heights”) on Friday night. Well, I call him Jake Speed, but Leah calls him “Mr. Riordon, my 7th grade English teacher at Walnut Hills.”

Album of the Week

One of my all-time favorite under-the-radar artists, Jesse Malin, has a new album out called Sunset Kids, produced by Lucinda Williams. Please put your ears on it now and thank me later.

Album of the other week

Since this is a fortnight post, let’s double down on the tunes. Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires, Natalie Hemby and Maren Morris have teamed up to become The Highwomen (a distaff version of the Willie/Waylon/Johnny/Kris Highwaymen). Their self-titled debut is out now.

This cover isn’t on the album, but it’s on a movie soundtrack:

Shameless plea for Cystic Fibrosis donations

As noted in a previous post, I’m riding 32 miles in the Cystic Fibrosis Cycle for Life event in Cincinnati this Saturday. Thanks much to those who have already donated. If you haven’t, there’s still time… and I’m only $25 away from hitting the $1,000 mark in donations, which would be pretty friggin’ cool. Don’t feel obligated, but if you are so inclined, you can do so here: http://fightcf.cff.org/site/TR/Cycle/42_Greater_Cincinnati_Cincinnati?team_id=82559&pg=team&fr_id=7574#teamRoster

Album cover of the week

Nick Nolte? Dog the Bounty Hunter?

Have a great week! And have a great next week!

This Week in Live Music: September 3-8

Concert Listings, Music

Hello, Cincinnatti (sic)… are you ready to rock?

Yes, KISS had a typo on their commemorative t-shirts (Only $50! Such a deal!). But it’s doubtful that many of the faithful in attendance even noticed. The KISS Army just wants to rock and roll all night, they don’t want to have a spelling bee.

Lett’s gett intto tthis week’s shows, shall we?

Meek Mill is free! But his concert at Riverbend on Tuesday night isn’t free. Future also will be present, as will YG and Megan Thee Stallion. At Stanley’s, it’s RumpRyder the portmanteau band featuring members of the Rumpke Mountain Boys and Hyryder.

Wednesday, Orchestral Manoeuvres (not a typo, I’m not British but they are) in the Dark (a.k.a. OMD) is playing Bogart’s, Rachel Baiman and Mike Oberst are at Southgate, and Live, Bush (that last comma was much-needed) and Our Lady Peace are appearing at the Rose Music Center.

Live Bush

On Thursday, local bands Moonbeau and This Pine Box are playing the free show at Newport on the Levee, 7-10 p.m. Flying Lotus is at Madison Theater, Adam Lee, Dylan Walshe and Brooke Blanche triple-headline the Southgate House Revival Room, and the Ben Levin Duo double-headlines BrewRiver.

Friday night, the pace picks up:

  • Amos Lee plays Taft with Madison Cunningham as the opener
  • Stabbing Westward is at Riverfront Live (formerly Annie’s, and host to many stabbings over the years)
  • Harbour (again, not a typo, and I’m still not British) has an album release show at Woodward, with Sylmar, Spirit of the Bear and Coastal Club
  • Walk Off The Earth plays Bogart’s
  • Southgate House has all three rooms going – Hank von Hell haunts the Sanctuary, Patrick Sweany is in the Revival Room and New Moons, Tigerlilies and Oso Bear are in the Lounge
  • The Almond Butter Band (a tribute to the Allman Brothers Band) plays Fretboard
  • Last but certainly not least, Dr. Noah Drake (Rick Springfield) is playing PNC Pavilion, with Patty Smyth and Scandal and Greg Kihn also on the bill. Remember when Patty Smyth and Scandal played a free show at the Serpentine Wall in the mid 80s? I do. My friend Tom was going to the show, and I could have joined him, but he was meeting up with his high school buddy “Skid” and in the interest of avoiding jail time, I make it a rule to never hang out with someone named Skid… unless his last name is Roper.

On Saturday, you can finally see a winner at Great American Ball Park: the Avett Brothers are playing an on-field concert after the 4:10 p.m. Reds-Diamondbacks (not a typo… D-backs is stupid) game. Your ticket to the game is also your ticket to the concert, per Dan “Trevor Bauer just needs to tweak his mechanics” Lewis. I’ll be in Section Nosebleed, Row O.

That same day, David Shaw’s Big River Getdown is getting down at Rivers Edge in Hamilton!, with The Revivalists, The War and Treaty, Brent Cobb, Southern Avenue, Neil Francis and Chris Gelbuda. Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band is playing a free show at Levitt Pavilion in Dayton. Rick Springfield, Patty Smyth & Scandal and Greg Kihn roll up to Huber Heights to play the Rose Music Center. Leon Bridges is playing a Cincinnati (not Cincinnatti) Children’s Hospital fundraiser at the Aronoff, Chris Shiflett (Foo Fighters) is at Top Cats, Wonky Tonk plays Camp Springs Tavern, and the Jay Jesse Johnson Band and Sonny Moorman (acoustic) share a bill at Fretboard Brewing. Jay Jesse Johnson is no relation to Raymond J. Johnson Jr… or maybe he is.

Sunday, The Head and the Heart plays PNC Pavilion, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue are at Riverfront Live, the B-52s play Rose Music Center with Berlin and those hard working folks in OMD. And Pat Metheny is playing Memorial Hall… I hope he packs a blow dryer on his tour bus:

Pat Metheny… or Dennis Quaid after sticking his finger in a light socket… or a Fraggle Rock cast member

Also on Sunday, comedian Brian Regan will be at Taft Theatre. He’s a funny dude.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5W6JyF7br8

Notes from last week

That house concert in Mt. Adams on Sunday was great. Noah Wotherspoon was killer. The Almond Butter Band (Allman Brothers tribute band – playing Fretboard this Friday) was great, Just Strange Brothers did a fantastic set of Talking Heads tunes, and the kids in Jukebox (including Joe Tellmann and Jacob Strom) were outstanding. Mark your calendar for next year.

Hot ticket alert

Devotchka and The Joy Formidable form a nice double bill for the Woodward on Friday, Sept. 27th, and Michael Franti & Spearhead are playing Riverfront Live on Wednesday, Oct. 30th.

Good reading

The Washington Post has an interesting article about The Hold Steady and how they are ditching some conventions with their music releases and touring plans, and there’s a nice feature about the first solo release from Ass Pony/Wussy member Chuck Cleaver in Cincinnati Magazine.

But I’m more interested in newer stuff, and for lack of another word, indie stuff. Home projects. There’s a certain type of creativity that I enjoy.

CHUCK cLEAVER

Album cover of the week (please avert your eyes)

Summer’s gone, but the music is still going strong.

How will the wolf survive?

97X, books, Music

Louie Pérez gets it. He knows what being in a band and making music are all about. I’ve been reading the book More Fun in the New World, co-written by John Doe of the band X. It features essays from several early 80s luminaries from the L.A. punk/cowpunk scene: Dave Alvin (The Blasters), Jane Wiedlin and Charlotte Caffey (The Go-Gos), Keith Morris (Black Flag, Circle Jerks), Mike Ness (Social Distortion), Maria McKee (Lone Justice), Sid Griffin (Long Ryders), Peter Case (Plimsouls), Chip Kinman (Rank & File), plus contributions from now-famous fans such as Shepard Fairey and Tony Hawk.

Louie Pérez of Los Lobos wrote about how they became part of that scene. On May 4th, 1980, they opened for Public Image Ltc. and got pelted with spit, beer bottles, loose change… whatever the punk fans could get their hands on. But they didn’t let that dissuade them. Shortly thereafter, they met The Blasters, and became friends with that band. Their big break came when they opened for The Blasters at the Whisky a Go Go. According to Louie, there was a bit of hesistation from the audience, but at least there were no projectiles:

Community… spirit… a good vibe. Yeah, that’s the stuff. Tell us more, LP:

Having a great time with new friends, bonding over a shared love of music. Man, I totally understand that. I feel like the community he’s describing in L.A. in the early 80s also existed among the people who worked at and/or listened to a tiny radio station in Oxford, Ohio, from the early 80s through the mid 2000s.

Our humble abode

That’s why Dave Tellmann and I do our podcast – to share stories, reconnect with the tribe, and keep the flame alive.

The book is well worth a read. And the music made by those bands is certainly worth revisiting.

This Week (and a Day) in Live Music: August 26-September 2

Concert Listings, Concert review

Yes, that’s right, for this edition of TWILM we’re throwing in a bonus day absolutely free. That’s nearly 15% more than our regular TWILM at no cost! How do we do it? We buy in volume and pass the savings on to you!

“It’s one louder”

Before we get into this week’s gigs, I need to apologize for not letting you know that Stevie Wonder and Chance the Rapper were playing in Dayton yesterday. My bad.

OK, moving on to this week. Wow, can you believe it’s almost Labor Day? Thanks to WEBN, the station that plays four AC/DC songs every hour, summer in Cincinnati always ends with a bang. Also thanks to WEBN, summer ends with the country’s largest outdoor display of mullets, jorts and prison ink.

Kentucky side or Ohio side? Yes, that’s correct.

It’s a relatively quiet week for live music, and a few of the gigs have a novelty flair to them. Knotts plays MOTR on Monday, with Circadian Clocks also on the bill. Tuesday, Roots of Creation plays Top Cats. Their website bills them as “electronic dance music, jam, reggae, rock, ska, world group from New Hampshire.” Their new album is Grateful Dub: A Reggae-Infused Tribute to the Grateful Dead.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2W33u-2J1c

Columbus reggae band Quasi Kings opens. Your dreadlocks must be at least one foot long to enter the show.

Zapruder Point plays The Listing Loon on Wednesday.

On Thursday…

Yes, KISS will be playing Riverbend, as part of an alleged farewell tour. Gene Simmons turned 70 yesterday, so perhaps instead of spitting blood he’ll be spitting Geritol.

In a KISS-related story, Ace Frehley will be playing a Dodge dealership in East Hanover, NJ next month.

On Friday, Macy Gray was supposed to play Ludlow Garage, but that gig has been rescheduled to October 15th. But here are the gigs that are on: Dailey & Vincent play Memorial Hall; Will Payne Harrison, Chelsea Ford & The Trouble and My Brother’s Keeper are in Southgate’s Revival Room; Lagniappe is playing Bircus Brewing in Ludlow, Kentucky, with circus acrobats also working the room (really!); the Nick Netherton Band and Noah Smith play the free show at Sawyer Point; Ben Levin and Noah Wotherspoon play Mansion Hill Tavern; The Doors of Chicago are at Bogart’s; and This Pine Box plays Blind Bob’s in Dayton’s Oregon District, a venue and district that both could use some positive vibes.

Saturday, Steve ‘n’ Seagulls, a Finnish band that plays bluegrass versions of metal songs (seriously, I couldn’t even make that up), is on Southgate’s main stage, with ClusterPluck as the opener.

Meanwhile, the Steepwater Band plays Southgate’s Revival Room, Lagniappe (and tightrope walkers) are back at Bircus, and Pearl Crush is at Northside Tavern along with Britt and Brooklynn Rae.

Sunday, Judah & The Lion, Steven Puth and Public play Sawyer Point as part of the fireworks festivities, starting at 5 p.m. Mike & The Moonpies are at Southgate, and rockabilly band Lara Hope & The Ark-Tones are at MOTR.

List member Dave Tellmann, the Detective Phil Fish of Modern Rock, has caught wind of a block party in Mt. Adams called The Annual, featuring tunes from 3 p.m. until midnight, including an Allman Bros. tribute band at 7:30 and the Just Strange Brothers (CCM folks) doing a tribute to Talking Heads at 10 p.m. I’m intrigued. I’m hoping to go, even though I’ll probably have to walk a bit due to the fireworks cluster/closed streets. Who’s with me?

Next Monday is Labor Day. This song is required listening:

Notes from last week

List member Todd Butler and I caught Todd Lipscomb (and friends Brandon and Adam) at Camp Springs Tavern on Saturday night. Camp Springs Tavern is a neat little bar owned by list member Keith Neltner, whose multi-generation family farm is just across the street. If you haven’t been to CST, you really need to check it out, it’s got a great vibe, a nice little outdoor patio, and live “down-home” music most weekends.

Todd Lipscomb at Camp Springs Tavern

Blatant self-promotion

Another episode of the 97X “Rumblings from the Big Bush” podcast, co-hosted by super sleuth Dave Tellmann and yours truly, was recently posted on this website, as well as in iTunes, Spotify and Podbean. In this edition, we chat with John “JJ” Jesser, the original Breakfast Club co-host.

Hot ticket alert

There are only a handful of tickets left for the Brett Newski house concert at Parlor & Patio (the home of list members Jacqui and Dave Killen) in Ft. Thomas on Friday, Sept. 27th. Get yours here with the password Parlor

Mini movie worth watching

Hat tip to list member Joe Sampson for the link to a mini-movie about the making of the Tiny Changes album, an all-star tribute to Frightened Rabbit’s brilliant 2008 release The Midnight Organ Fight.

Band name of the week (NSFW variety)

Album cover of the week

If only they still taught kids in grades K-6 how to do “The Monkey” and “Funky Broadway”… the world would be a better place.

Have a wonderful week and a day!

Episode 19: John “JJ” Jesser, morning newsman and nighttime rocker

97X, podcast

 John “J.J” Jesser worked side by side with The Bakerman on the original Breakfast Club morning show in the early days of 97X… and he’s got the coffee mug and t-shirt to prove it.

JJ started out as a part-timer during his Miami University undergrad days, and did news, DJ shifts, production… and played in local bands like The Vagrants as well.

JJ on the left, his friend, roommate and bandmate Mr. K on the right

In this podcast episode, Dave and Damian talk to him about those early days, find out what he’s up to now… and discuss his “metal name” and pet poop.

These days, John works for a company that makes an app that connects patients with doctors for live online visits. He’s still rocking too, playing guitar and singing in the Cleveland band Verve Daddy.