Those April showers are a distant memory. They’ve been replaced by May pollen.
But plenty of live tunes are in bloom too, including a rare Cereal Killers show. Let’s get into it!
Tonight, you can catch Cockburn at Memorial Hall.
Oops, my bad, the video above is Frank Cockburn. It’s Bruce Cockburn who is playing Memorial Hall this evening.
Other shows tonight include:
The Arcadian Wild w/ River & Rail at the Woodward
Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass at the Taft
Ovation is hosting a Clown show. I hear there will be lots of jugglers there. Oops, my bad. Juggalos.
Tomorrow night, the Smoking Popes will be at Madison Live. They’re from Chicago, just like the white smoke Pope!
Also, Lettuce and GZA from the Wu-Tang Clan will be co-headlining a show at the Taft.
And Dave Mason brings his “Let it Flow 2025 Tour” to Memorial Hall. It sounds a little something like this:
On Thursday, you can choose Furious Bongos (Ludlow Garage) or Napalm Death (Bogarts, with The Melvins).
Or you can chill out with the Farm Jam at Lost Bridge Beverage Company (North Bend, OH), featuring Sean Geil of the Tillers. And Liberty Theater has the Tray Wellington Band with Adam Gilliam.
Tray Wellington Band is a high energy progressive bluegrass band, led by IBMA award winner Tray Wellington. This band continues to push themselves musically to draw on the influences that continue to shape their musical mold.
Oh, and Jim Gaffigan kicks off six shows over the course of four days at the Taft.
This Friday and Saturday, Springfield will be the center of the musical universe.
Springfield, Ohio is hosting a FREE music festival called IndieCraft. Here’s the lineup:
Wild Pink and Aaron Lee Tasjan for free? You’re damn right I’ll be there Saturday!
(I like what I’ve heard from Snarls too. And I’ll be there in time for The Back Alley – the ticket price is right.)
Shows a bit closer to home (unless you live in Springfield) Friday evening:
Tommy Prine plays Southgate with Conrad Moore and Jordan Lee King
Rachel Baiman is at Liberty Theater with Maggie Noëlle of Magnolia Boulevard
Ben Levin plays Arnold’s
Alex Salcido (of The Harmed Brothers) plays Lost Bridge Beverage Co. in North Bend
Ludlow Garage has FJ: a tribute to Foreigner AND Journey featuring Constantine Maroulis (“sixth-place finalist on American Idol season 4!”)
For some strange reason, you see a lot of FJ band fans on the golf course.
And the Madison Theater has Kid Kentucky and the American Badass Band… yes, that’s a Kid Rock Tribute. Or you can go to the waste treatment plant on Kellogg Avenue near Lunken Airport for free. Potato/Po-tah-toe.
Speaking of punchable faces, Truist Arena (NKU) has Gutfield Live on Saturday.
And here’s the list of shows that actually will be entertaining on Saturday:
The aforementioned freebie Wild Pink, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Snarls show in Springfield
JJ Grey & Mofro w/ The Marshall Tucker Band on the lawn outside the Hard Rock Casino
Jeffrey Osborne at Ludlow Garage
Plazmatic album release show with Electric Indigo and Cousins at the Woodward
Hyryder (Grateful Dead tribute) at the Madison Theater
On Sunday, The String Cheese Incident and The Wood Brothers play the Rose Music Center, and Travis Talbert will be at the Lost Bridge Beverage Co.
On Monday and/or Tuesday, you can be part of a massive 69 at Memorial Hall.
The Magnetic Fields will be performing their 1999 triple album masterpiece 69 Love Songs in its entirety over those two nights.
Also on Monday:
A Place to Bury Strangers, The Serfs, and The Mall play Northside Tavern
The Toasters play Southgate
Next Wednesday, May 21, the always progressive, cutting edge lineup of shows at Riverbend kicks off with… (checks list)… Billy Idol and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. Who needs the Bill & Ted phone booth when you can just buy a ticket to a Riverbend show?
Next Friday, Dark Star Jubilee weekend kicks off in Legend Valley (nee Buckeye Lake):
Other shows on Friday, May 23:
Blues singer Carolyn Wonderland plays Southgate’s main room with Scotty Bratcher opening
Angela Perley and Hello June are upstairs in the Southgate Revival Room
Ricky Nye Inc. plays the Southgate Lounge for free
Hunter Root plays the Liberty Theater in Lawrenceburg, Indiana
The Ben Levin Quartet plays The 1931 (at the Hilton Netherland downtown)
On Saturday, May 24, it’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for: The Cereal Killers play Big Ash Brewing!
Regular readers* of this…uh, whatever the heck this is… know that I’m cuckoo for CK and their amazing repertoire of classic punk, new wave, power pop, and just plain damn fine songs. It’s like a 97X Modern Rock 500 come to life!
*all 3 of them
Cereal Killers gigs have been as rare as hen’s teeth over the past several months. They are the local band equivalent of a century plant:
Some flowers are so rare and extraordinary that they bloom just once in a lifetime—or even once in a century! These plants may require decades of patience, but when they finally burst into bloom, the display is nothing short of spectacular.**
Rare and extraordinary? Check. Decades of patience? Well, maybe just months, but it feels like decades. “The display is nothing short of spectacular” is 100% accurate!
As usual, I’ll be offering my “first beer’s on me” guarantee that this show will be time well spent. Just present this voucher (which I totally did NOT steal from some unsuspecting artist on the interwebs) on your phone and I will buy your first beer.
**it should be noted that although I compared the Cereal Killers to a plant that blooms only rarely, I am NOT comparing them to the corpse plant, whose unique aroma when it blooms every 7-10 years has been described as “smelling like cheese, garlic, smelly feet, diapers, or rotten fish.”
Other Saturday shows that you won’t be attending because you’ll be at Big Ash drinking free beer and rocking out to great tunes:
North by Northside kicks off a two-night run at the Northside Tavern
Carriers have an album release show at the Woodward with Gardener and Dyan
Maria, etc. has an album release show at the Liberty Theater with Anna Applegate
Brit Floyd “Wish You Were Here” 50th anniversary show at the Rose – it’s sold out, but fear not, you can catch the same band on the same tour at the same venue in August…
On Sunday, 5/25, Kinda Grassy plays Lost Bridge (Carriage House Farm).
Monday, May 26 is Memorial Day, a day when we pay tribute to fallen soldiers… typically by grilling hot dogs at the pool.
The Garcia Project (Jerry Garcia Band tribute) plays the Woodward on Tuesday, May 27.
On Wednesday, May 28, I’ll be motoring up to Cleveland to catch The Wedding Present and The Tubs at the Grog Shop.
Peelander-Z and Penfold’s Revenge play Southgate that evening too.
Young Widows play the Woodward on Thursday, May 29 with Kowloon Walled City and Fotocrime on the undercard. And Stanley Clarke kicks off a two-night stand at Ludlow Garage.
Midwest Fest kicks off on Friday, May 30.
Other shows on Friday, May 30:
Casey Campbell plays Lost Bridge Beverage Co.
Nikka Costa is at the Woodward
Dallas Moore w/ Pure Grain at the Liberty Theater
Taft Theatre has An Evening with Jon Stewart… it’s sold out
Wrapping up the month, Italian guitar phenom Matteo Mancusco plays Ludlow Garage on Saturday, May 31.
American Aquarium plays the Southgate House on Sunday, June 1, with Justin Wells opening. I plan to hit that show. Eric Johnson is at Ludlow Garage that same night.
We love it live!
Ken “Lobby Boy” Laube, his friend Suzanne and I went up to Columbus to see Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds on 5/2. What a show! Our seats were pretty far back on the main floor, but we bum-rushed the stage during the 2nd song and stayed there for the duration of the gig. Nick’s a live wire!
List member couples Rico & Ashley and Jay & Alyssa also were in attendance. Nick loves us all.
“When I tell the audience that I love them, the sentiment is entirely true. I feel an emotional transaction with the crowd that is powerful and profoundly intimate. I stand before you all – strangers – witnessing you both individually and collectively, and sense an unbounded love. This love is true. It is not symbolic, metaphorical, or platitudinous. I see before me a group of human beings, precarious and vulnerable, granted a brief time on this earth, each filled with a shocking potential for beauty and terror, good and evil, and with the extraordinary capacity to give and receive love. At that moment, love is the appropriate response.”
True to his word, “Disco Dan” Lewis was at the Son Volt show, along with his friends John W. (also a list member) and Steve (the voice of “The Oasis” – the station that is now on 97.7 FM… I remember that frequency!).
Other list members in attendance: Dan Bockrath, Gene Dow, Mark Morse, Tim Morse, Andy B., Tom W. and Jamie. Dan Bockrath summed up the show quite nicely:
Fantastic show from Son Volt at The Ludlow Garage. Bumped into many longtime music friends at the gig. Up close and personal for a career spanning set. Amazing!
Meanwhile, list member Kevin Sullivan snuck down to Nashville to catch Lucy Dacus at the Ryman:
An updated version of the 97X Modern Rock 500… with a new spin!
Inhailer Radio (catch Ken “Lobby Boy” Laube Fridays 11a-3p!) is doing an updated version of the old 97X Modern Rock 500, counting down the top 500 indie songs over Memorial Day Weekend.
And this year, they’re expanding the list of songs and extending the listening window with “qualifying laps”:
If you tune in to the 500, you might just catch your ol’ pals Dave and Damian doing a few breaks.
Shameless Self-Promotion (while also promoting the Indie 500)
Dave and I also interviewed Inhailer’s Music Director, Nils Illokken, about the station and this year’s countdown for a “very special episode” of our “97X Rumblings from the Big Bush” podcast. You can catch that episode on 97Xbam.com here, or on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean, or any other podcast platform that hasn’t banned us yet.
Hot Ticket Alert
X and Los Lobos play the Rose Music Center on Sunday, September 21. They’re calling it the “99 Years of Rock ‘n Roll” tour.
I already have my ticket, courtesy of Steve “El Blanco” White.
The Sad Section
A heartfelt FB post from list member “The Lovely & Talented Elizabeth Cannon”:
Follow-up single “Spirit of ’76” — which Peters co-wrote, as he did for most of the band’s songs — recounted his early days of discovering punk rock and name-checks the likes of Johnny Rotter and Siouxsie Sioux.
“The song is about the most important time in my life,” Peters wrote in the program for the Strength tour. “I had my whole life mapped out before me and life seemed pretty unexciting. Then I saw bands like The Jam and The Buzzcocks and U2, and things and they really had an impact on my life. It gave me the courage to leave something behind and go out and try to build a new life for myself.”
Here’s a shot of Mike Peters with Mr. K and Jetson from 97X, along with some fans (not pictured: The Lovely & Talented Elizabeth Cannon):
And R.I.P to singer/songwriter Jill Sobule, who died in a house fire.
Sobule was known for taking control of her career by fundraising so she could make her next album. In 2008, after two major record companies dumped her and two indie labels went bankrupt beneath her, she raised tens of thousands of dollars from fans so she could make a new album.
“The old kind of paradigm, where you’ve always waited for other people to do things, you’d have your manager and your agent,” she said at the time. “You’d wait for the big record company to give you money to do things and they tell you what to do. This is so great. I want to do everything like this.”
Shortly before her death, Sobule had written and recorded a provocative song titled “J.D. Vance Is a C***” in collaboration with friends Michelle Lewis and Kay Hanley under the name Sugar Tits. The song, filled with biting satire and rhymes, quickly went viral on social media, thrusting Sobule back into the spotlight in her final days. It’s not radio-friendly. It’s not my best song, but it does get to the point.”
Public Service Reminder for hipster parents of teens
Album Cover(s) of the Week(s)
There’s so much to love in this one. The outfits, of course. The amazing hairdo on the woman… or is that a beaver pelt? And best of all, the band name that’s illegible on that busy background. But we don’t need to read that! Everybody who is anybody knows that’s Johnny & Nadine Rexroat (and the Gospel Travelers).
“Great day for a hike! Let’s put on our best dresses and our white high heels and start ‘going through the land.’”
One response to “Tunes in bloom”
Fred
“And the Madison Theater has Kid Kentucky and the American Badass Band… yes, that’s a Kid Rock Tribute. Or you can go to the waste treatment plant on Kellogg Avenue near Lunken Airport for free. Potato/Po-tah-toe. ”
I was eating and almost spit out my food LOL
Like an agitated monkey, I’m about to fling some poop at you.
But you should be used to it by now – I do it every few weeks! If you can navigate around the verbal shite, you’ll find some cool concerts to check out.
Shows on tap for tonight:
Henhouse Prowlers and Moonshine Drive at the Liberty Theater in Lawrenceburg
William Elliott Whitmore and Dave Hause at the Woodward, with Micah Schnabel opening
The Screaming Orphans at Ludlow Garage
Comedian Sebastian Maniscalco is at the Coliseum
Saturday shows:
Sylmar does two sets at MOTR
Buffalo Nichols plays the Liberty Theater
Southgate hosts the Newport Music Roots Festival (doors 3 p.m.) – details below
Woodward Theater has “Play for L.A.” – a benefit for fire-impacted musicians. The lineup includes Rae Fisher, The Montvales, Jess Lamb, Siri Imani and more.
Mike Detmer and Adam Gilliam play the Lost Bridge Beverage Co. in North Bend
Christine Harvilla Duo with Colleen Clark plus Sami Riggs at the Boone County Courthouse
Annie’s hosts Grateful River III (a benefit for Down Syndrome) – details below
On Sunday, Ben Levin Blues Band is doing the Rabbit Hash Music Behind the Stove Series at 2 p.m., and the band Lawrence plays Bogart’s in the evening.
Woodward has An Evening with Yo La Tengo on Tuesday. I’ll be at that gig, along with several other list members. Because Georgia, James and Ira are badasses!
Shannon McNally plays Southgate on Wednesday.
Thursday gigs:
Shadowgrass in Southgate’s main room, and Jake Blocker in the Revival Room
“Sons of Cream” (Kofi Baker, Malcolm Bruce and Rob Johnson) play Ludlow Garage. (Maybe they should call themselves “Half & Half”?)
Liberty Theater has a Comedy Night featuring Adam Minnick
Concerts next Friday, March 28:
The Blind Boys of Alabama with Shemekia Copeland at Taft Theatre
Chicago Farmer & the Fieldnotes at Southgate
The Outlaws at Ludlow Garage
Cody Ikerd & the Sidewinders Album release show w/Joe Clark at Liberty Theater
Little Miami Brewing’s event center has “Night Moves: The Ultimate Bob Seger Experience”
Blue Note in Harrison hosts The Prince Experience (pancakes not included)
The slate on Saturday, March 29:
Liberty Theater has a Rebel Whiskey tasting (4 FREE tasting!) from 5-7, followed by the Lowdown Brass Band
Blackhawk at Ludlow Garage
Lily Rose at Bogart’s
Bumpin’ Uglies at Madison Theater
Willi Carlisle at Southgate in the Revival Room
Annie’s has the all-female Led Zeppelin tribute band Zepparella
Blue Note features “Midnight Blue” (Foreigner Tribute) with One Way to Rock (Sammy Hagar tribute)
Shows on Sunday, March 30:
The Star Devils play Rabbit Hash in the afternoon
Sarah Shook & the Disarmers are at Liberty Theater (I plan to go to that show)
JD Simo and Luther Dickinson (of North Mississippi Allstars) at Southgate
Ricky Nye will be tickling the ivories as only Ricky can on Monday, March 31 at Memorial Hall, and Taft has The Faint with Plack Blague.
Shows on April Fools’ Day:
The Surfrajettes with Black Widow at Madison Theater
Al Stewart & Livingston Taylor at Memorial Hall
The Righteous Brothers “Loving Feeling Farewell Tour” makes a stop at Taft. (If you’ve lost that loving feeling, see your urologist!)
Wednesday, April 2 is another WEENsday at The Columbia in the East End (4311 Eastern Ave.) and this month’s featured WEEN album is Chocolate and Cheese… so they’ll have some chocolate-covered cheese to share.
I plan to attend that event. You should too – The Columbia is a very cool space (with a vintage jukebox in the basement), and WEENsdays are free and you can BYOB!
Tunes & Blooms kicks off at the Cincinnati Zoo on Thursday, April 3. Moonshine Drive and Pickin’ Pear will be on the T&B stages. The full April lineup is here. That same evening, right down the street, you can catch The Seven Wonders (yes, yet another Fleetwood Mac tribute band) at Ludlow Garage.
The Liberty Theater in Lawrenceburg has a Record Fair April 4-5.
Shows on Friday 4/4 include Judah & the Lion* at Bogart’s and Eaglemania “The World’s Greatest Eagles Tribute”** at Ludlow Garage.
* If Bogart’s says their bathrooms are clean, they’re lion… er, lyin’.
**Pretty sure the world’s greatest Eagles Tribute is playing the Sphere in Las Vegas.
On Saturday, April 5:
The Young Dubliners play Ludlow Garage
John Waite is at the Taft
Queensrÿche plays Belterra Casino in Florence, Indiana
Patterson Hood is at the Whirling Tiger in Louisville, with Lydia Loveless as the opener
Sunday, April 6, Ludlow Garage has The Phil Collins Experience (warning: contains no Phil Collins).
We love it live!
MJ Lenderman and Wild Pink at the Green Lantern Bar in Lexington KY was off-the-charts amazing (set list is here). A Top 5 all-time show for me, thanks to list member Frank B.
“Once music and work and money all become the same thing, it gets hard to do it casually. But that was the reason I was able to do anything meaningful in the first place,” he admits. “You can see that through my whole life, just being able to go to a friend’s house and make something and not worry about what it is.”
Now hear this!
The new album from The Tubs is top-notch. Richard Thompson meets Hüsker Dü.
Speaking of Richard Thompson, Bandcamp has a great feature about his influence on younger artists. Sayeth Mary Timony:
“His tone is always amazing, but here’s the thing—most importantly—his songwriting is great. He’s kind of the total package, in that he does both songwriting and playing guitar very well.”
And let’s not forget our old friend Ohio River Valley humidity.
But sweating is good for your health.
Uh, well, it was good for you. (R.I.P. Richard.) Let’s get to some gigs and feel the burn.
On Tuesday, Alice Cooper plays the Rose.
The Comet Bluegrass All-Stars play a free gig at Greenhills Commons on Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. Meanwhile, PNC Pavilion has “Rumours of Fleetwood Mac” and Yächtley Crëw drops anchor at Ludlow Garage.
On Thursday, list member Mighty Joe Sampson and I will be in the Windy City for the Buffalo Tom show at Metro Chicago. After all, I have to retain my status as BT’s #1 superfan.
Shows a bit closer to home that evening:
The Verve Pipe plays a freebie on the Fairfield Village Green (6-9 p.m.)
Mike Oberst and Justine Cefalu play Washington Park
The Menus will be “Rockin’ the Roebling” at Smale Park
Lawrenceburg Civic Park has Katmandu: Bob Seger Tribute
Ruthie Foster headlines the free show at Levitt Pavilion in Dayton
Five Finger Death Punch and Marilyn Manson play Riverbend
Camp Springs Tavern has their bi-weekly Bluegrass Jam
Two festivals kick off on Friday:
On Point Music Festival at Sawyer Point has a ton of great Cincinnati bands, and is FREE!
Voices of America Country Music Fest at VOA Metro Park in West Chester has a ton of bro country… and costs $$$.
R.I.P. Bob, one of the best.
Other Friday shows:
Soul Pocket plays a freebie at Blue Ash Towne Square
Blair Crimmins & The Hookers (Dixieland Jazz) playing for free at Levitt Pavilion (so yes, that means free Hookers in Dayton… probably not the first time)
Moonbeau and The Orphan The Poet are at Fountain Square
RiversEDGE has Rumours ATL (yet another Fleetwood Mac tribute band) and Angela Combs
Luther Ray & the Flood, Matt St. George, and B.C. Shinault play Southgate
Hard Rock Casino hosts the “I Love the 90s” concert with Vanilla Ice, Rob Base and Montell Jordan playing their greatest hit (singular).
Aronoff Center has Piano Men: Generations – the music of Billy Joel and Elton John
The On Point Festival continues on Saturday, Ludlow Garage has “Bruce in the U.S.A.” and comedian Brian Regan will be at Turfway Park.
https://youtu.be/ikT-WrG-aq8
Albert Lee and Jeremy Clyde (of Chad & Jeremy fame) play Ludlow Garage next Sunday, 8/11.
On Tuesday, August 13th:
Robert Earl Keen plays Ludlow Garage
Wheatus plays Southgate House
Speaking of Wheatus, this Rolling Stone article from April about their song “Teenage Dirtbag” was pretty interesting.
Gigs on Wednesday, 8/14:
Bush, Jerry Cantrell, and Candlebox play Riverbend
Switchfoot, Blue October, and Matt Nathanson play the Ovation in Newport
Taj Farrant plays Ludlow Garage
The Ben Levin Band plays a free show at Fountain Square (5-8 p.m.)
Shows on Thursday, 8/15:
Fraze has the Sweatin’ to the Oldies Happy Together Tour featuring The Turtles, Jay and The Americans, The Association, Badfinger, The Vogues, and The Cowsills… if you are a doctor specializing in joint replacements, you really should set up a booth at that show.
RiversEDGE has the Red NOT Chili Peppers and Emo Kids (that’s a band… Hamilton under-indexes on emo kids)
There’s a “New Wave Nation 80s Tribute” at Fairfield Village Green
Ault Park’s free show features Floyd & the Walkmen
Dweezil Zappa plays the Ovation on Friday, 8/16. Remember when Frank Zappa and his daughter Moon Unit were on Letterman talking about the unusual names Frank gave his kids? I sure do – it was classic!
That same evening, Taft Theatre has “One Night of Queen” and Blue Ash Towne Square has “Parrots of the Caribbean” – either a tribute to Jimmy Buffett or to Gilbert Gottfried’s character in Aladdin.
The Jayhawks play Memorial Hall on Saturday, August 17th. List members Whit and Barb will be there with yours truly and my lovely bride, who couldn’t name a Jayhawks song to save her life. (You’d think that being married to me for 27 years would have “Tailspin” in heavy rotation on her playlist.)
That same evening, Ana Popovic plays Ludlow Garage, and Callie McCullough and Maria Carrelli play a Downtowne Listening Room gig in Burlington, KY.
The Doobie Brothers and Steve Winwood play Riverband on Sunday, August 18th. I heard Rerun has a front row seat.
Joe Bonamassa plays the Fraze on Tuesday, August 20th.
And Deep Purple’s “One More Time” tour stops at Riverbend on Wednesday, 8/21. Is there an opener? Yes…
I’m renaming my living room “Wussy Arena”
Chuck and Lisa will be playing at my house yet again – on Saturday, October 19th. Tickets go on sale 8/12. Here’s their full Undertow fall tour:
A Triple Dip of Live Licks
My buddy Paul hooked me up with a free ticket to the Foo Fighters show. It had been a loooong time since I’d seen a stadium show (The Who, on their first of their gazillion “farewell” tours… back in ’86-ish at Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium). The Foos did what they do – rock! I have no idea where Dave Grohl gets his energy… and I have no idea how his vocal cords are intact with all that screaming. Pretenders sounded great too, and it was cool to see Wolfie Van Halen fronting his band Mammoth.
The next night was a bit more pastoral – Ben Levin Band at the Cincinnati Nature Center for their monthly “Music Under the Moon” series. (August is sold out, but tickets remain for the 9/13 gig with Jam Band Jovi… great name!)
And I wrapped up my trifecta last weekend with the Totally Tubular show at Riverbend on Saturday. I never thought I’d utter the phrase “Wang Chung rocked” but they did. Good times hanging with Taylor Fox from Inhailer Radio, too.
I took it easy this weekend – only one live show: S.G. Goodman at Southgate. The “S.G.” stands for “So Good” – fantastic show! List member John Sandman and his wife Julia were there.
Raise the Roof!
Speaking o’ John and Julia, they started a non-profit called Music Fund Cincinnati and they’re currently raising funds to build a stage at Carriage House Farm. You can donate to the cause here.
Ride that Bike!
Speaking o’ donating to good causes, your favorite live music/concert blogger/goofball will be participating in this year’s Ride Cincinnati event in September to raise funds for cancer research and care. My good friend LJ recently was diagnosed with brain cancer, and I’ll be riding to honor him and his brave battle. If you can find it in your heart/wallet to make a donation, I’d greatly appreciate it. And I’ll do my best to do you proud.
Mayall: all blues, all the time
This Vanity Fair piece about John Mayall, who recently died at age 90, highlights his devotion to the blues… and lists the many rock legends who got their start thanks to him.
Album Covers of the Week(s)
Jerry’s taking full advantage of his medical marijuana card. ‘Til Tuesday.
Looks like the dude up front might mime “shooting love”…
It’s “purt near” August (as my Arkansas kinfolk the Beverly Hillbillies would say). I reckon we should take a gander at some live music.
Uncle Jed rocks! There plenty of other rockin’ shows coming to town, but first, this:
Perhaps the “unforeseen circumstances” were “not selling enough tickets to a show with Slash and three blues artists.” But I know this is a massive disappointment for those who were anxiously awaiting the Tri-state debut of the Solidarity, Engagement, Restore, Peace, Equality N’ Tolerance tour.
AJR plays the Coliseum on Tuesday. AJR = brothers Adam, Jack and Ryan in the band. Whereas Jar Jar = George Lucas jumping the shark.
On Wednesday, Japanese punk band Otoboke Beaver plays Bogart’s. And you-you-you oughta know that Alanis Morissette plays Riverbend, with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts and Morgan Wade also on the bill.
That same evening, Jake Speed & the Freddies play a free show at Burnet Woods from 7-9 p.m. (Weather permitting… but if it rains AND it’s your wedding day, Alanis will show up.)
Also on Wednesday, Dave Mason kicks off two nights at the Ludlow Garage. Unless he gets stuck in Traffic. And if he does, Alanis will sit in for him.
Speaking of traffic jams, downtown will be hopping on Thursday night:
Foo Fighters play Great American Ball Park, with Pretenders and Mammoth WVH
The Cincinnati Music Festival (CMF) kicks off at the Bengals stadium, with MC Lyte and KRS-One on the bill
If neither of those gigs is your speed (or in your price range), you can catch Ruby Vileos for free at Washington Park, or join in on the bi-weekly Bluegrass Jam at Camp Springs Tavern.
Friday is “Festival Friday”
the Nelsonville Music Festival kicks off in… you guessed it, Nelsonville, OH (sorry Alanis). The Felice Brothers, Amyl & the Sniffers, The Deslondes and Killer Mike are on the schedule.
Night 2 of the CMF features Maxwell, Ne-Yo, Fantasia, and the original Lakeside.
Other Friday shows:
Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew play a “Remain in Light” show at Bogart’s.
Lyle Lovett is at the Rose in Dayton
Gabe Lee and Sophie Gault play Southgate
The Bill Frisell Trio plays Ludlow Garage
Ben Levin plays the Cincinnati Nature Center’s Music Under the Moon concert series. (Ben’s show is sold-out, but tickets still remain for the 8/23 and 9/13 shows.)
—- SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION —
List member Dan Bockrath needs to part with his two tickets to the Remain in Light show listed above. (Because he’s going to see the Bill Frisell gig that same night. Don’t tell Alanis.) Here’s Dan’s note:
“The RIL show is essentially sold out, but I bought my seats several months ago. I have a 2-top table in the lower balcony. Asking what I paid for – $110 for the pair.” Dan’s digits are 513-493-7307. Ring him up if you’re interested.
This special advertising section has been brought to you by the Geek of Seats
———————————-
Saturday’s a doozy for live music:
Steve Earle plays a solo acoustic show at Ludlow Garage
Black Flag plays the old Annie’s
Zapp plays a free show at the Greg Brady after the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame 2024 induction ceremony (noon start).
Warren Haynes is at Rose in Dayton
Riverbend hosts the Totally Tubular Festival featuring Thomas Dolby, Modern English, Men Without Hats, Wang Chung, Tommy Tutone, Bow Wow Wow, Eddie Munoz of The Plimsouls and Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey. (In their heyday, Thompson Twins were a trio… now it’s just one dude. I hope Alanis sticks around for that!)
Nelsonville has Bonnie Prince Billy, Bob Mould, Snõõper, Courtney Barnett and several more bands on the bill. (Full list here.)
CMF features New Edition and En Vogue, among others. (Full lineup is here.)
Next Sunday (7/28):
Warren Haynes plays PNC
The Struts play the Bobby Brady
the bluegrass band Never Come Down will be at the Woodward
Nelsonville wraps up
Primus and Coheed & Cambria play the Jan Brady on Tuesday, July 30th, while across the river, Taking Back Sunday and Citizen will be on the Ovation stage. (“Taking Back Sunday” on a Tuesday… Alanis, where are you?)
Bowling for Soup will be at Bogart’s on Wednesday, 7/31, and Ludlow Garage hosts Tusk (“America’s #1 Tribute to Fleetwood Mac”).
Three freebie shows to choose from on Thursday, August 1st:
The John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band (John Jorgenson on acoustic guitar, mandolin and vocals; Herb Pedersen on banjo, acoustic guitar and vocals; Mark Fain on bass; and Patrick Sauber on acoustic guitar and vocals) plays the Levitt Pavilion in Dayton
The Casey Campbell Project is at Washington Park
Lawrenceburg Civic Park has a tribute to Hoosier boy John Mellencamp, called “Small Town”
Or if you want to part with some of your hard-earned cash, you can buy tickets to see Johnny A & Davy Knowles at Ludlow Garage.
I don’t know how to break this to you gently, so I’m just going to come right out and say it: The Creed show at Riverbend on Friday, August 2nd is sold-out.
No one in this world, so far as I know—and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me—has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people.
H.L. Mencken… talking about the promoter of the Creed show
Fear not, Coastal Club has a vinyl release party at the Woodward that same evening, with Moonbeau and Michael Williams. David Shaw of The Revivalists does a special VIP acoustic show at the Fitton Center in Hamilton in advance of the Big River Get Down. Oh, and Luke Combs kicks off a two-night stand at the local NFL Stadium.
The aforementioned Big River Get Down happens on Saturday, 8/3:
(Thao & the Get Down Stay Down are not playing the Big River Get Down… Alanis, come back!)
Other 8/3 shows include:
Jeremy Pinnell headlines a SofaBurn Inc. fundraiser supporting healthcare costs for artists – that show is at The Redmoor in Mt. Lookout
Jewel and Melissa Ethridge at the Rose
John Sebastian and Jimmy Vivino at Ludlow Garage
S.G. Goodman at Southgate (a reschedule of her June show) – I’ll be at that gig.
On Sunday, August 4th:
Riverbend has a Jimmy Buffett tribute feat. the Coral Reefer Band
10cc plays Ludlow Garage
Music Fun Facts
Contrary to popular belief, the band 10cc did NOT get their name from… er… how can I put this delicately… bodily fluids emanating from a dude’s… um… you know… when he… um… you know.
I can confirm, however, that my new band D5W is named after a fluid.
We love it live
Fun shows from Band of Horses (Bogart’s) and Hurray for the Riff Raff (Woodward) and Aaron Lee Tasjan (Fountain Square).
Magic moments happen live
Speaking of Aaron Lee Tasjan’s free show at Fountain Square, someone in the audience requested his song “Alien Space Queen” but ALT said “we just found out that we only have an hour set, so we had to cut some songs… but come to the merch booth after our set and I’ll play it for you acoustic.” Sure enough, he did – playing that tune and his song “Pants” for a dozen or so folks huddled around. Super cool!
Why (most) radio sucks today
Bill Janovitz, lead singer of Buffalo Tom, speaks the truth in this Boston.com Q&A:
Why the Spotify algorithm might not be much better
This Stereogum article talks about how an obscure B-side (“Harness Your Hopes”) became Pavement’s most streamed song on Spotify… and how the Autoplay function may be rewarding “safe” songs… and how “streaming payola” is coming soon. Oh joy!
Songs that don’t suck
Deer ticks suck, but Deer Tick doesn’t
And let’s savor R.E.M.’s network TV debut on Letterman, shall we?
That clip is from 1983… man, I feel old.
Album Covers of the Week(s)
Oh Barbara, you’re such a brazen hussy.
Jack, you should get Barbara Dewey’s phone number… from the bathroom wall.
Gee Willikers, it’s not officially Summer yet, and we’re already melting. Just as the great Rod Serling predicted.
We’ve got more sizzling shows than Rozzi Famous Fireworks, so let’s plunge right in.
On Thursday, you have your pick of freebie shows:
The Tillers play at Washington Park
The Menus serve up a freebie at Ault Park
Noah Wotherspoon will be (blues) Rockin’ the Roebling (Smale Park)
Fairfield Village Green hosts the Fooz Fighters
Proxima Parada and Happy Landing are doing the free show at RiversEDGE in Hamilton
Wildermiss and The Smug Brothers play Levitt Pavilion in Downtown Dayton (BYOB!)
Lawrenceburg Civic Park has an Elton John tribute
If you insist on spending your hard-earned cash, you can check out Al Di Meola at Memorial Hall or Robert Glasper at Ludlow Garage.
Friday night:
Reverend Horton Heat and Supersuckers (Eddie Spaghetti! Metal Marty! Chango!) play the old Annie’s
TyeDye Band (feat. list member John Sandman) plays Plain Folk Café in Pleasant Plain, OH
The Used are at Bogart’s (seems fitting – that venue is quite used)
Mike Wade and the Nasty NATI Brass Band play a freebie at Levitt in Dayton
Last and certainly least, New Kids on the Block, Paul Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff will be at Riverbend.
Or a colonoscopy.
Friday (June 21st) also marks the 27th wedding anniversary of your humble scribe and his long-suffering wife. She will be celebrating by going to West Virginia for a “trail run.” Which basically means that instead of spending time with me, she’d rather hang with this guy:
And no one in their right mind could possibly blame her for that choice.
The Right Reverend Horton Heat is back in action on Saturday, this time playing a free show at Levitt Pavilion in scenic downtown Dayton. (Or maybe it just seems scenic after you’ve had a few free beers.) I’ll be at that show, stocked cooler and lawn chair in hand, along with list member Dave “the Father Murphy of Modern Rock” Tellmann and our friend “El Blanco.” Earlier that day, Tracy Walker plays for free at the Smale Esplanade (5-7 p.m.)
Non-free shows that evening include Charlie Musselwhite and Elvin Bishop at Ludlow Garage, Matt St. George at MOTR, Mr. Speed (a KISS tribute band) at Fraze, and Janet Jackson at Riverbend. I’m sure the Janet Jackson show will be Dyn-O-Mite!
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday:
Kurt Vile and the Violators play the Taft
Moonbeau is at Madison Live
Will Kimbrough is at Southgate
Krystal Peterson plays Carriage House Farm in North Bend (1 p.m. show)
The Robert Randolph Band plays a freebie at Fountain Square, with Lauren Eylise and The Perfect Children (that’s a band, not to be confused with my kids)
Blues rocker Carolyn Wonderland plays Southgate on Tuesday, June 25th, with Shelley King opening the show.
Next Wednesday (6/26), Noah Wotherspoon plays a free show at Fountain Square, and Donny Osmond plays the Carol Brady.
Next Thursday (6/27) is plenty busy too:
Eric Johanson (blues) plays Ludlow Garage
Chris Knight plays a full-band show at Southgate
Ben Levin performs at HighGrain Brewing’s new Brentwood location
Dreamboat Annie (a Heart tribute band) will play Lawrenceburg’s Civic Park
Camp Spring Tavern has their bi-weekly Bluegrass Jam
Next Friday (6/28):
Dada does a “Return to Dizzkneeland” show at Southgate
Santana and Counting Crows at Riverbend
Ghostface Killah at Madison Theater
Hollywood Nights (a Bob Seger tribute band) at Ludlow Garage
The Vindys with The Hathaways at Levitt in Dayton. Who’s your favorite Hathaway? Here’s mine – she’s smokin’:
Buddy Guy plays the Taft on Saturday, June 29th, with Christone “Kingfish” Ingram as the opener. Did I ever tell you about when I was working at B-105/WDJO (“all oldies all the time!”) back in the late 80s and somehow finagled a photographer’s pass for that year’s Chicago Blues Fest, and was front row for Buddy Guy and Junior Wells playing an acoustic set? Lying pays off, kids!
[The photo above wasn’t taken by me (Paul Natkin took it), but it could’ve been if I knew how to operate the prop camera I brought along.]
Other 6/29 shows include The Arcadian Wild at the Woodward, Mad Anthony at Southgate, Yonder Mountain String Band at the old Annie’s, and Nashville singer/songwriters Sarah Peacock & Dannie Nicholls playing a Downtowne Listening Room show at the Hellmann Creative Center in Covington.
The Beach Boys, having tired of Aruba, Bahama and even Kokomo (Indiana), are taking their surfboards to Kettering, Ohio on Monday, July 1st. Because it’s the Fraze that pays.
On Tuesday, July 2nd, Riverbend will have a show by Third Eye Blind… as predicted by the great Rod Serling:
We can’t tout two Reverend Horton Heat shows without also mentioning a rockin’ Sister.
Er, actually it’s Sister Hazel. And the only people who could make you believe that they are as good as Sister Bertrille would be the best spin doctors. Well, it’s your lucky day, because Spin Doctors are on the bill with Sister Hazel at Mason’s “Red, Rhythm & Boom” show on July 3rd! SH and SD both will be opening up for Rozzi Famous Fireworks.
[Sidebar: I get the “rhythm” and the “boom” part of the Mason show, but what’s up with the “Red”?… Is it because it’ll be “red hot”? Or because it’s MAGA country? If they’re trying to play off “Red, White & Blue” then “Rhythm” is… out of rhythm… OK, I realize I’m giving this waaay too much thought. Better to be like the WVa banjo player.]
That same evening, Tinfoil Hat Cowboys will play the free “Wildcard Wednesdays” show at Factory 52.
Ernie Johnson from Detroit will bring a different kind of fireworks to Smale Park on the 4th of July and Hamilton’s RiversEDGE has That Arena Rock Show, just as our Founding Fathers intended.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers will sock it to you at Riverbend on Friday, July 5th.
Domecrusher (a band featuring list member Todd Quincy on keyboards) plays 513 Hamilton on Saturday, July 6th.
The holiday weekend wraps up with The Amish Outlaws at the old Annie’s on Sunday, 7/7.
We love it live
Pixies/Modest Mouse/Cat Power at the Brady was a great triple bill.
I met up with a college buddy in D.C. for GBV at a tiny club (The Atlantis, modeled after the famous original 9:30 Club) – killer show!
On Father’s Day, I got to see my son’s band play a brief opener set at Madison Live.
(He’s on drums… drummers never get much photo love.)
And last night, Dave Tellmann, Todd Quincy, Todd’s wife Christy (or Christi, or Kristy, or Kristie, or Kristi…) and I were treated to Los Lobos and Little Feat. Los Lobos are an American treasure – always stellar. And Little Feat “knew the assignment” – they were “Willin'” to play the hits.
Have van, won’t travel
I also was supposed to see S.G. Goodman at Southgate this past Friday, along with list members Matt and Pam Fellerhoff, and “Rico”… but S.G.’s van had other ideas:
Thankfully Rico and I, along with another co-worker and their friends, made lemons out of lemonade by having dinner at Tuba Baking Co. in Dayton, KY (great German food, including veggie options) and then playing semi-inebriated pickleball in Ft. Thomas. Because I am humble, I can neither confirmnor deny that I crushed Rico and our colleague Cathy in a 2 vs. 1 match, then proceeded to beat Rico in a head-to-head matchup (because he thought Cathy was “holding him back.”) *Ron Howard “Arrested Development” voiceover: “Cathy was NOT holding him back.”*
A gentleman never reveals the score of his pickleball matches. But suffice it to say that the next point Rico scores against me will be his first.
Album Covers of the Weeks: Whipping out the organ
Exactly what type of “organ” are we talking about here?
Oh, I see, the woman on the first album cover is staring at Eddie Layton’s organ. We’ve gotta admit, it’s quite impressive! And apparently he’s into bondage.
OK, enough of these organ double single entendres. Let’s switch to something wholesome, like piano.
There, that’s much better. No one could possibly find something puerile and vulgar about a Dick Hyman album, right?
Happy 2024! May your year be filled with peace, prosperity… and some live music!
Breaking news!
Sorry to interrupt our usual programming, but we had to inform you that sales legend (and longtime This Week/Fortnight/Month in Live Music whipping boy) Dan Lewis has hung up his Cincinnati Reds spikes sport coat.
Dan spent 17 years in sales for WLW, and another 17 in sales for the Redlegs. He’s certainly earned his retirement.
And we promise to stop poking fun at Dan “Reds in 2024, but not me” Lewis now that he’s a man of leisure.
Speaking of leisure time, your favorite Koncert Keeper blogger will be out of town for a couple of weeks. I’ll be hangin’ with Donny & Marie… and Punchy.
So let’s take a look at the entire January roster o’ shows.
Monday night, Memorial Hall has “Cincinnati’s King Records: A Musical History – featuring Ben Levin.”
On Wednesday, Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke kicks off a two-night stand at Ludlow Garage. Benji Shanks (not the prison weapon) is also on the bill. Also, ska band Mustard Plug plays Southgate.
Charlie and Benji (not the adorable dog from the 1974 movie or the 2018 reboot) will be back in the Garage on Thursday. That same evening, Jason Carter of the Del McCoury Band will play the Woodward Theater.
Friday shows:
Beth Harris plays an unplugged (no relation to Mustard Plug) happy hour freebie show at MOTR. Two sets starting at 5 p.m. Highly recommended!
The Godz (legendary hard rock band from Columbus) play the Blue Note in Harrison
Ludlow Garage has the Ultimate Doors (no relation to AE Garage Doors)
Next Saturday, Jan. 13th:
Musical comedian Heywood Banks plays the Sorg Opera House in Middletown
Non-musical comedian Nate Bargatze is at the Coliseum
Musician-who-was-in-a-comedy-show Noah Reid (David’s boyfriend in “Schitt’s Creek”) plays Bogart’s
Najee plays the Ludlow Garage
Friday, Jan. 19th:
Memorial Hall has four great singer/songwriters – it’s the “On a Winter’s Night” tour featuring Lucy Kaplansky, Patty Larkin, John Gorka, and Cliff Eberhardt.
King Buffalo plays the Woodward, with Rezn and The Harlequins
Dead Letter Office: A Tribute to R.E.M. will be at Ludlow Garage
The old Annie’s hosts Grunge: The Sounds of Seattle. (flannel shirts and leggings under cargo shorts sold separately)
The tribute band conga line (Gloria Estefan sold separately) continues on Saturday, Jan. 20th, as Ludlow Garage hosts Kashmir – Classic Led Zeppelin Live and Madison Theater has Signs of Life: The American Pink Floyd. (“Oh, by the way, which one’s fake Pink?”)
That same evening, The Electric Indigo, Junior Citizens, and Nick Fed Trio play MOTR.
On Sunday, Jan. 21st, there’s… wait for it… another tribute show! Memorial Hall hosts All You Need is Love (“a celebration of the 60th anniversary of The Beatles’ arrival in America”).
On Tuesday, Jan. 23rd, Digable Planets will do a 30th anniversary show for their debut album Reachin’ (A New Refutation of Time and Space) at Bogart’s.
Michael Oliva of The Harlequins plays an Artist in Residence show at MOTR on Wednesday, 1/24, with Pretty Mean and The Dolly Daredevils. (Michael is playing MOTR every Wednesday in January.)
Story of the Year will be at Bogart’s on Thursday, 1/25.
Shows on Friday, Jan. 26th:
Sugadaisy,This Pine Box, and DJ Freakboys play MOTR
Mol Sullivan has a record release show at Woodward Theater
Mr. Big (no relation to the “Sex in the City” character) plays Ludlow Garage.
The Commodores play the Hard Rock Casino on Saturday, Jan. 27th (not to be confused with “Easy Like Sunday Morning”… wait, yes, it IS!). Meanwhile, over at Tribute Band Central (a.k.a. Ludlow Garage), it’s the Hot Red Chili Peppers.
No, the Hot – Red – Chili – Peppers. See what they did there? (Tube socks sold separately.)
On Sunday, Jan. 28th:
Steve Poltz plays the Woodward Theater
Branford Marsalis (not to be confused with Wynton Marsalis… but that’s tough to do) plays Memorial Hall.
Long Live Rabbit Hash!
The Rabbit Hash General Store has a “Sunday Music Behind the Stove” Series with artists performing at 2:30 p.m. Here’s the lineup for the next few months:
Long live people who are still alive!
Reader Kevin Sullivan flagged this story from The Atlantic:
It’s a good read for folks of a certain vintage… (looking at you, Dan “I’m Retired” Lewis) and not just because it has “Fee Waybill” in it. (Also, it sounds like the Greenwich Odeum is the Ludlow Garage of Rhode Island.)
Speaking of Geriatric Rock, check out Dan Lewis rocking what he likes to call “The Banana Hammock” (because it’s so comfy):
Concerts in Space!
The Washington Post has an article where the author speculates about playing music in space (not the Grateful Dead kind… or maybe so!). Hard pass for me. I’ll stick with this:
Jim James Jams!
Here’s part of a pre-New Year’s note to the My Morning Jacket email list from lead singer Jim James:
Here are some things I tell myself to try and remember, perhaps some of them may resonate with you:
Take time to tell the people close to you that you love them and are grateful for them. Take time to sit quietly and do the same for yourself – give yourself some extra love and self-care. Look in the mirror every morning and say “I LOVE YOU (insert your name here)” even if you are sad. Go to therapy. Get out in nature and close to the source. Find God in your own way. Hug a friend. If you can’t hug a person, hug a tree or a sweet animal friend, and try to give as many hugs as you can. Don’t be afraid to ask for love if you need it, most folks aren’t mind readers and are usually happy to help if only we ask. Go to an art show, see some live music or sports or performance of any kind, and connect with folks in the real world. [emphasis mine]
Frank & Dave’s faves
List member Frank B. shared his favorite albums of 2023:
Wednesday – Rat Saw God
Superviolet – Infinite Spring
Geese – 3D Country
MJ Lenderman – Live and Loose
Sparklehorse – Bird Machine
Yo La Tengo – This Stupid World
And list member Dave Purcell (now based in Albuquerque) shared his top picks for last year, along with his wife Amy’s favorite books. Those lists are linked below. (+1 on his pick of The Tubs Dead Meat – love that album!)
However you choose to celebrate the holiday season, please don’t spin any of those overplayed seasonal tunes within earshot of me. It’s not just Mariah, it’s also Andy Williams, Bobby Helms, Brenda Lee… basically the same 12-song rotation that’s been shoved down our earholes since November 1st.
There are good Christmas songs (R.I.P. Shane and Kirsty), but you’ll rarely hear them on iHeart/Cumulus radio stations or in the malls.
Thanks, my spleen feels vented now. On with the shows!
Tonight, Ben Levin plays Schwartz’s Point, and then he’s got his big Holiday Blues Revue on Thursday.
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy plays a “Wild & Swingin’ Holiday Party” at the Taft Theatre on Wednesday.
On Saturday, it’s a Sophie’s Choice for the stoners:
Afroman’s “Merry Spliffmas” is at Annie’s
Hyryder (Grateful Dead tribute band) plays the Madison Theater
After those smokin’ Saturday shows, all is calm, all is bright… two adjectives that my school teachers never used to describe me.
Things pick up a bit after the fat guy heads back to the North Pole.
On Friday, December 29th, Sylmar and Bendigo Fletcher play the Woodward, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra trots out their usual holiday tuneage at the Coliseum.
Saturday, December 30th is a very busy night for concerts:
Jess Lamb & The Factory (featuring Siri Imani) plays MOTR
Rumpke Mountain Boys kick off a two-night stand at Annie’s
Root Cellar Extract plays Plain Folk Café in Goshen
Tickled Pink (Scott Covrett, Bob Nyswonger and Bam Powell) plays the Pub in Rookwood
On Sunday, December 31st:
The Rumpke Mountain Boys ring in the new year at Annie’s
Foxy Shazam plays the Foxy Carol Brady
Your favorite writer of a semi-coherent, sporadically-published list of Cincinnati-area concerts will celebrate his birthday… by attending the wedding of one of his wife’s co-workers.
Coney Island Baby
Did you hear the news that MEMI is draining the Coney Island Sunlite Pool for good, and building a concert venue in its stead?
Oh goody, a state-of-the-art venue to host those cutting-edge Lynyrd Skynyrd/Kid Rock double bills!
I just genuinely think the record I made is really fucking good, and I love it. And again, that’s what matters. I guess maybe at the heart of this message is: If you really love something, do it. Don’t give up. Don’t overthink it. Don’t say, “Well, I should just do the other thing that works already.” No. Do the think you wanna do. Make the thing you wanna make. You know what? If it doesn’t work out, that’s OK.
And the story has a bit of a happy ending, thanks to the dumpster fire that is whatever Twitter is called now.
Album worth a spin
I’m really digging the new release from a UK band called Witching Waves.
Read an interview with the band members here and check out the album below:
Matt & Dave
Cincy meets Indy when Matt Berninger chats with David Letterman.
Hot Ticket Alert
Alvvays plays Bogart’s on Friday, 4/19, and Jerry Harrison & Adrian Belew bring the Remain in Light tour to that same venue on Friday, July 26th. (The Bogart’s box office is open Mondays and Fridays from noon-5, and it opens two hours before showtime on the nights of a show — purchase your tickets there to save big on fees.)
Favorites of 2023
Steven Hyden of Uproxx has it right:
Before I share my list, I need to repeat my regular “year-end list” disclaimer. If you already know the drill, feel free to skip ahead.
1) Ranking albums is dumb … We all know this. Art isn’t a competition. I can’t really distinguish between my 13th favorite album and my 15th favorite. This is all talk. None of it really matters.
2) … but it’s kind of fun … Of course it is! Because it’s about sharing music recommendations. And I do mean share — make your own lists and show them to me, especially if you’re the sort inclined to complain about lists. Put yourself out there and let me complain about you, too!
3) … because it’s really about discovering an album or two (or possibly more!) that you might not have known about otherwise. Exactly!
Wow, can you believe it’s December already? I don’t think I’m ready for the “holiday of savings” or the “sale-a-bration” or the “December to Remember” or whatever other slogan some poor junior copywriter has to come up with (until s/he’s replaced by A.I.).
But I AM ready to rock… always. (And Alvvays!)
Let’s take a gander* at the upcoming shows.
*no relation to the Christmas goose… we hope, because if he is, we have some bad news to deliver.
Tonight:
Braxton Brewing’s Dark Charge release day features live music from Tracy Walker, Zeb South and Jeremy Short
Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real are at Bogart’s
Ben Levin 3 plays Wiedemann’s
Camp Springs Tavern has an evening with Alex Salcido (of The Harmed Bros.)
Ludlow Garage hosts Aja: a Tribute to Steely Dan
Ramblin’ Rob’s “Dead to the Core” show at Annie’s is a benefit for WAIF-FM
NoahIMean? and Tobotius of Animal Crackers host a turntable workshop at the Music Resource Center (tickets)
On Sunday, Jason’s Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening will be at the Greg Brady (because Greg was a rock god too!).
Want your own Johnny Bravo moment? On Tuesday, you can be a movie star! Jerry King & the Rivertown Ramblers will be playing a FREE show in the Southgate House’s Revival room. And the honky tonkers and rockabilly boppers in the crowd might end up in a movie, because the show is being filmed for an upcoming documentary. (More here.)
The Preservation Hall Brass Band plays a Creole Christmas show at Memorial Hall on Wednesday, and Meshuggah will be rocking the Jan Brady.
Pop (or bluegrass) quiz: “Kentucky Thunder” is:
the street name for off-brand Oxycontin.
Ricky Skaggs’ backing band.
Trick question… it’s both! But only #2 will be playing Memorial Hall (with Ricky) on Thursday.
That same evening, Steel Panther plays Bogart’s and Thunderstruck (“America’s AC/DC”) plays Annie’s.
On Friday:
Ben Levin plays Element Eatery
Ludlow Garage hosts Christmas with the Celts
Carriers play live at Music Resource Center
Next Saturday‘s smorgasbord:
Heartless Bastards play the Woodward
You can see Pigeons Playing Ping Pong (the band at the Madison Theater, or the YouTube channel from the comfort of your own home)
Welshly Arms will be arm’s length away at Madison Live
Mike & the Moonpies play Southgate, with Justin Wells and Erin Viancourt
LEZ Zeppelin will be in Ludlow Garage
On Thursday, 12/14, you can catch Tab Benoit and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band at Taft, or see A John Waters Christmas at Ludlow Garage.
On Friday, 12/15, Over the Rhine kicks off a three-day stand at Memorial Hall. (Sunday 12/17 show is at 4 p.m. for those who want to catch a show, catch the early bird special at Bob Evans, and catch a full night’s rest.)
Other 12/15 shows:
Pink Talking Fish (a fusion of Pink Floyd, Talking Heads and Phish) plays the Madison Theater
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony plays a hip-hop holiday show at the Ovation
Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits hosts an Olde English Christmas at Ludlow. That show might be BYOB:
On Saturday, Dec. 16th:
Mike Oberst & Justin Cefalu play Camp Springs Tavern
Motherfolk plays “A Very Motherfolk Christmas” at Bogart’s
The Atlanta Rhythm Section is so into the Ludlow Garage
Woodward Theater hosts a screening of Freakscene: The Story of Dinosaur Jr.
And on Sunday, 12/17, you can jazz up your life by seeing Ben Levin at Schwartz’s Point.
I’ll have a Blue(s) Christmas without you
Speaking o’ young Ben Levin, he’s hosting a great lineup of Blues artists for a good cause on Solstice evening:
Guided By Voices has a new album out. Nowhere To Go But Up is merely their 39th studio album, and only the third of this year.
And guess what? It rocks! Check out the Paste review. I love this line from it:
To be a Guided By Voices fan is to be happy within your place orbiting around a flaming sun that, somehow, still burns as aggressively as it did in the early 1990s.
Geddy wrote a memoir. This CBC interview is well worth watching. Here’s a quick clip where Ged talks about being a part of Canada’s premier power rock trio (suck it, Triumph!):
Album Cover(s) of the Week(s)
Seems like a kids album, right? Guess again, my friend:
If you have an especially keen eye (or too much time on your hands), you might’ve also noticed the song entitled “Marty Feldman Two Step.”
This album seems pretty innocuous too… I was afraid to check out the track list.
If I told you that I’ll be co-hosting a book discussion at The Mercantile Library, you’d think it was some sort of early April Fools’ Day joke, right?
Can’t blame you for that. But it’s legit:
You can register here and pre-order the book here.
Speaking of books, let’s see who has booked a gig in this area over the next fortnight.
On Wednesday, The Queers play Madison Live, with Suzi Moon and The Raging Nathans also on the bill. And a Frank Zappa tribute band called The Furious Bongos will be playing Joe’s Ludlow Garage.
Thursday, Sonny Landreth and Cindy Cashdollar play Southgate, and Beth Harris wraps up her March residency at The Loon, with Abiyah and Heather Redman.
Thursday also is Opening Day for the Cincinnati Reds. List member Dan “Laying the groundwork for 2024” Lewis will be throwing out the first pitch… to companies who haven’t purchased any Reds advertising yet!
Friday evening, Steve Forbert plays Southgate, Leggy has a free album release show at MOTR (10 p.m. start), Emmaline is at Ludlow Garage, and Orleans is doing a 50th anniversary acoustic show at Memorial Hall.
Guess what happens on Saturday?
Oh, and an Irish band called Seafoam Green is playing Camp Springs Tavern that evening.
The band is highly recommended by the tavern’s proprietor, Keith “Smoovie” Neltner. Irish folks in a tavern… what could possibly go wrong? (Don’t tell Liam Neeson I said that.)
Also on Saturday, Jim Messina will be at Ludlow Garage.
Next Monday, April 3rd, Combo Chimbita plays the Woodward Theater.
On Wednesday, April 5th, Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers hit Southgate.
Great news for my inner teenager: Rush is playing Memorial Hall on Thursday, April 6th!
Wait, upon further review, that’s TOM Rush. The good news is he’s not a fly-by-night artist. The bad news for teenage me is he’s also not a “Fly By Night” artist.
Another 4/6 gig of note is Fantastic Negrito at Ludlow Garage.
Friday, 4/7, Ellis Paul plays a 30th Anniversary Tour show at the Redmoor in Mt. Lookout, and Molly Hatchet tears up Ludlow Garage.
A different Ludlow takes the spotlight on Saturday, April 8th. Bircus Brewing in Ludlow, KY has music from the Tom Petty cover band Tom the Torpedoes.
On Sunday, April 9th, after you find all the Easter eggs, Ben Levin plays Schwartz’s Point.
Ahead of her time
Given what we know now about clergy abuse scandals, isn’t it time to reexam Sinead O’Connor’s Saturday Night Live appearance back in 1992? This episode of the Sound Opinions podcast weighs in, and cohosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot (two longtime Chicago music writers/critics) interview Kathryn Ferguson, the co-writer/director of a documentary about Sinead.
https://youtu.be/-VLy1A4En4U
An artist’s job is sometimes to create the difficult conversations that need to be had.
Sinead O’Connor
Alright, sorry to get so serious on you. Let’s lighten the mood with two of the absolute best SNL character actors, Jan Hooks and Phil Hartman, playing Sinead and Sinatra.
Mark your calendar… better yet, Howard your calendar!
List member Howard Cohen and his fellow band members in the Cereal Killers have three – count ’em – three gigs coming up over the next three months:
It’s pretty exciting stuff if I do say so myself… granted, I’m not exactly an impartial observer.
Let’s observe the bands who are coming to town over the next couple of weeks, shall we?
Tonight, Southgate has Rock’n Revival for the Cure, with a slew of local bands:
And Ark Band plays Ludlow Garage.
On Sunday, Ben Levin plays Schwartz’s Point, and Ludlow hosts Nektar… no relation to keytar.
On Wednesday, The Dollyrots play Southgate, with The Von Tramps at the opener, and Altan fiddles around at Ludlow Garage.
Thursday evening, Billy Strings kicks off a sold-out three-night run at the Greg Brady.
Greg Brady loved Strings!
That same evening, Kenny Wayne Shepherd will at the Taft, doing a 25th anniversary tour of his Trouble Is… album.
Friday, Billy Strings has a second helping of the Peter Brady.
Don’t Bogart your Billy Strings tickets.
That same day, Ben Levin plays happy hour at Element Eatery, The Huntertones and Doc Robinson play Woodward, and Vanessa Carlton is at Ludlow. Oh, and ’tis St. Paddy’s Day, too.
Next Saturday, Bogart’s hosts Rumours: A Fleetwood Mac tribute. And Billy Strings plays Night 3 at the Marsha Marsha Marsha Brady.
Marsha Brady thinks Billy Strings is hotter than Alice’s pot roast
And NRBQ rocks the Ludlow Garage.
Southgate House has an embarrassment of riches on Tuesday, March 21st:
The Casey Campbell Band and El Dorado play the main room
Adam Weiner (of Low Cut Connie) plays the Revival Room upstairs
On Wednesday, March 22nd, The Quebe Sisters are at Southgate, and Dead Letter Office (yes, an R.E.M. tribute band), plays Ludlow Garage.
On Thursday, 3/23:
Beth Harris and Freedom Nicole Moore play a freebie at the Listing Loon in Northside
Leo Sayer plays Ludlow Garage
Blake Shelton plays the Coliseum
On Friday, 3/24:
Whiskey Bent Valley Boys, Slippery Creek and Mike Oberst are at Southgate
Them Dirty Roses and The Josephines play the old Annie’s
Aronoff Center has The Blues is Alright tour:
Pokey Bear, second cousin of streetwise informant Huggy Bear on Starsky & Hutch
On Saturday, March 25th:
They Might Be Giants play a sold-out gig at Madison Theater.
Florence Dore plays Southgate (her backing band includes Will Rigby and Gene Holder of the dBs, and Son Volt’s Mark Spencer)
Aronoff has The Simon & Garfunkel Story (per the press release: “The show features huge projection photos, original film footage, and a full live band performing all of Simon & Garfunkels’s hits, including “Mrs. Robinson,” “Cecilia,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Homeward Bound,” and many more.” In other words, since Paul and Artie will never share a stage again, holograms will have to suffice.)
And if the fates cooperate and the stars align, your humble scribe will be in NYC that evening for this show:
On Sunday, 3/26, New Edition (which really should be called Old Edition at this point) will be at the Coliseum, with Keith Sweat, Guy and Tank. Note: “Guy” is a band and “Tank” is another band… in case you were expecting this:
Instant Karma
In our last missive, we mentioned that Dan “Reds: 2027 World Series Champs” Lewis loves Debbie Gibson… right after we listed some incorrect tickets-on-sale info. So who do you think pointed out our error almost immediately?
I’ll refrain from pointing out that we listed TTB, not DTB…
Dan is a superfan of both Dwight and The Mavericks, so the PNC gig is a dream date for him. (So is Debbie Gibson, btw.)
Like father, like son
Dan’s son Cullen also is a music superfan, and in a recent edition of his Substack newsletter he linked to this really cool “Music Map” site where you can type in the name of a band you like and it’ll suggest other bands you may enjoy.
Your own personal hit factory
HT to list member Todd Butler for the link.
Album Cover of the Week
This album came out yesterday. If your band’s name is “The Atomic Bitchwax” you are contractually obligated to play the Freak Valley Fest. It’s a combination as classic as peanut butter and jelly…. or Dan Lewis and Debbie Gibson.
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