The Columbia

I like American Music

97X, Concert Listings, Concert review, Music

Do you like American music?
I like American music
Don’t you like American music, baby?…

… I like all kinds of music.

Well, actually not Swedish death metal. And not bro country – other than this brilliant tune:

I also like Kiwi music. Uh, not this kind:

But this kind:

That’s Jonathan, Ben, Liz, and Tristan of the New Zealand band The Beths. They’re fantastic, and so fun live. Which is why I’m super-pumped to see them with Spoon and Squirrel Flower tomorrow at Ovation in Newport.

If you’re in town, you should be there too! But you’re probably in D.C. at the the Great American Pork Festival State Fair. Looks like a sold-out rager:

I heard they were out of both ice cream and Vanilla Ice. But I’m sure they have plenty of deep fried algae on a stick!

Here’s hoping you’ll be back in time for the July gigs – let’s take a lookie-lou at the listy-list.

The first day of the July is also the first Wednesday of the month, which means it’s Ween Wednesday at the Columbia in the East End. 7-9 p.m. BYOB.

Oh, and Noah Kahan is playing a sold-out gig at Great American Ball Park.

On Thursday:

  • Noah Wotherspoon plays the “Rockin’ the Roebling” freebie on the lawn by the Cincinnati Lager House (formerly Moerlein)
  • Ernie Johnson from Detroit plays a freebie at the Levitt Pavilion in Dayton
  • The Summit, Electric Indigo and Hey Dreamer play Southgate

Friday:

  • River Shook (who used to go by the name Sarah Shook) plays Southgate
  • The Funky Ducks play MOTR with Dilly & the Doves and Fish and Wildlife Service (a John Ruthven triple bill!)
  • Ludlow Garage has the Artimus Pyle Band “honoring Ronnie Van Zant’s Lynyrd Skynyrd” (if they really wanted to honor that band, they’d give it a rest)

On Saturday, we celebrate 250 years of independence.

And what better way to honor America and celebrate the Spirit of (19)76 than to exercise our right* to see a KISS tribute band (Mr. Speed) for free at RiversEdge in a city named after a hit musical (Hamilton)!

*2nd amendment original text: A well regulated KISS Army, being necessary to the rocking of the hottest band in the land, the right of the people to keep and bear love guns shall not be infringed.

Keep rockin’ the 250th, ‘merica! Here’s hoping we make it to 251 years. And here’s hoping you make it to July 5 with all your fingers intact.

The fittingly named American Aquarium wraps up a big ol’ USA weekend at Ludlow Garage on Sunday, July 5.

On Tuesday, July 7, Buju Banton & Stephen Marley bring their Roots and Rhymes Tour to the old Annie’s.

Shows on Wednesday, July 8:

  • Jack Johnson with Hermanos Guitierrez at Riverbend
  • TyeDye plays Arnold’s (6-8p)
  • Toast (the best of Bread) at Ludlow Garage

(Why doesn’t anyone eat toast that has an image of Jesus on it? I’ll bet it tastes divine!… I’ll see myself out.)

Hey, hey, he’s the only surviving Monkee – Mickey Dolenz plays the Fraze on Thursday July 9. Other shows that evening include these freebies:

  • Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears at the Levitt
  • The Newbees at Behringer-Crawford Museum
  • RiversEdge has Lamont Landers, plus Ernie Johnson from Detroit.

Personally, we prefer 70s TV Lamont.

But that Lamont always got upstaged by Fred.

There are tons o’ shows on Friday July 10:

  • Bob Dylan plays the PNC Pavilion with Lucinda Williams and the John Doe Folk Trio
  • Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ with Laid Back Country Picker at Ludlow Garage
  • Steep Canyon Rangers play a freebie at the Levitt in Dayton
  • The Chris Comer Trio plays Juniper’s Gin Bar in Covington (8-11pm)
  • In the Pines headlines the Inhailer Radio “513 Airwaves” show on Fountain Square
  • Taft has The Ultimate Tribute to the Bee Gees
  • Memorial Hall has Awaken: the music of Yes
  • Organized Gentlemen at Harmony Hill Vineyards
  • “Listening Factory” at Factory 52 features 3 “next gen” writers: Abigail Horan, Dixie Nash, and Kamdyn Metcalf
  • Moose Miller plays a house concert in Pleasant Ridge. It’s free, but you need to RSVP here.

Moose is a great name, btw! My dad loved telling me baseball stories that involved this Moose:

Let’s also pause for a moment to appreciate the fact that Bob Dylan (age 85), Lucinda Williams (73), and John Doe (also 73) are still doing their thing. Here’s Lu in a Paste Magazine interview talking about the songs on her new album:

It’s just… things are crappy and shitty right now. So, I wrote some songs about it. I have to admit: I do like pushing people’s buttons. I want to wake them up. People need to get mad and say, “Come on, let’s do something!” There’s always some decision you can make—something you can do to make a difference. 

Amen, sister!

Shows on Saturday, July 11:

  • Muse at Riverbend
  • Hot Magnolias headline the free show on Fountain Square
  • Sabbath Knights (featuring Vinny Appice) play Sabbath and Dio at the old Annie’s
  • The Filthy Heathens and The Damn Shames at the Liberty Theatre in Lawrenceburg, IN

The band name Filthy Heathens conjures up some Sanford & Son memories too!

Follow the flaming arrow to the Rose Music Center on Sunday, July 12 to catch Ted Nugent. But you’d better bring some Wang Dang Sweet… Dorothy Lane Market Killer Brownies?

Tuesday, July 14 might have you on the horns of an indie rock dilemma:

  • Death Cab for Cutie plays the Ovation with Jay Som as the opener
  • The Strokes play Riverbend

(I chose Horn #1: I’ll be at the Death Cab/Jay Som show.)

The Funky Ducks continue their run of shows with other animal bands, playing Stanley’s Pub with Interprid Cat on Wednesday, July 15.

Shows on Thursday, July 16:

  • Lyle Lovett and his Small Large Band are at the Taft (Lyle certainly can have an oxymoronic Small Large Band if our country can have an oxymoronic/moronic Department of Government Efficiency)
  • Sun Kil Moon plays Ludlow Garage
  • Memorial Hall hosts Back to Black, the music of Amy Winehouse
  • The Turkeys play the Behringer-Crawford Museum freebie
  • The Rose Music Center has a “Wow, they’re still together?” quadruple bill with Jefferson Starship, The Atlanta Rhythm Section, Firefall, and Orleans
  • Save your cash and head to the Levitt Pavilion free show in downtown Dayton for some killer blues from Larry McCray – he’s from Magnolia, Arkansas

Arkansas fun facts from a kid who grew up there (and rarely uses “Arkansas” and “fun” in the same phrase)

Magnolia, Arkansas is the home of Southern Arkansas University, whose mascot is the Muleriders.

Souther Arkansas Logo

They’re in the same conference as the University of Arkansas-Monticello. Their mascot is the Boll Weevils.

Next month: the Arkansas Tech University nickname for both the men’s and women’s athletic teams.

Plenty of shows on Friday, July 17 as well:

  • Trampled by Turtles at the Rose
  • Eddie 9V and Johnny Mullinax play a free show at RiversEdge
  • Ludlow Garage has Richie Furay
  • Levitt Pavilion features the John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band(J2B2)
  • Vince Gill plays the Taft
  • Victor Jones tops the Inhailer Fountain Square bill, with Dearest and Horsesitter
  • Matthew Shelton has an album release show at the Woodward
  • Wilco plays an outdoor show at the Burl in Lexington

On Saturday, July 18, Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets play Memorial Hall. I’ll be at that show with list members Dan “Reds in 2027!” Lewis and Bruce F.

That same evening, Benson Boone will backflip his way into the Coliseum. And Bogarts has Smells like Nirvana… which is either a tribute band or a musty flannel shirt.

Gigs on Sunday, July 19:

  • John Mellencamp brings his Greatest Hits tour to Riverbend
  • The Fabulous Thunderbirds play Ludlow Garage
  • Young Heirlooms and Weedbloom play Westwood Town Hall
  • Harry Connick Jr. croons at the Fraze Pavilion
  • Pablo Cruise cruises into Memorial Hall

If you go to the Pablo Cruise show, be sure to get the t-shirt!

On Tuesday, July 21, Sarah McLaughlin plays the PNC Pavilion with Allison Russell, and Jason Newstead & the Chophouse Band are at Southgate.

On Wednesday, July 22, the Woodward Theater hosts “Korean rock girl band” Rolling Quartz. Here’s their promo photo:

Looks like a mashup of the Village People and one of those local theater murder mystery shows.

David Shaw’s Big River Get Down kicks off on Thursday, July 23 and runs through Saturday, July 25. Headliners include David’s band The Revivalists (Saturday) as well as Band Of Horses and JJ Grey & Mofro (Friday). Full lineup is here.

Other shows on Thursday the 23rd include Brit Floyd at PNC Pavilion, Keiko Matsui at Ludlow Garage, and Bleed the Freak (Alice in Chains tribute band) at the Woodward.

Friday, July 24:

  • Brit Floyd rolls up the road to the Rose Music Center in Huber Heights
  • Liberty Theater has Baywater Call with the Austin Tyler Lee Band
  • The Filthy Heathens are back (don’t tell Aunt Esther!) opening for Them Dirty Roses at the old Annie’s

Shows on Saturday, July 25:

  • Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit play the Rose Music Center. My lovely bride and I will be there, much to the dismay of our oldest son…
  • The Collies (the band that our oldest son plays in) will be at Anderson Township Pub
  • Sungaze plays the Liberty Theatre with opener Phanta
  • Stewart Copeland is at the Ludlow Garage. But I don’t think he’ll be pounding the skins. It’s a spoken word tour called “Have I Said Too Much? The Police, Hollywood and Other Adventures”

Anne Bangert, Chris Damele, and Tim Brownlee play Northside Tavern on Sunday, July 26.

On Tuesday, July 28, The Magic Tuber Stringband plays the Woodward Theater with Mavis Guitar (feat. Travis from Wussy) as the opener. I miss the magic tubers of my youth.

That same evening:

  • Hilary Duff plays a sold-out show at Riverbend – don’t ask me why it’s sold out, I have no idea. Is she a TikTok thing now?
  • Graham Nash plays the Madison Theater… oh wait, no he doesn’t. The Madison Theater was abruptly shuttered a couple of weeks ago. But there’s some hope that it may reopen under new management.

In the interim, refunds are being issued for all shows.

On Wednesday, July 29:

  • Train, Barenaked Ladies and Matt Nathanson play Riverbend
  • Nektar plays Ludlow Garage
  • Shallow Side, 3 Years Hollow, Trackside and Gravel Switch rock the old Annie’s
  • TyeDye Band does their monthly Final Wednesday show at Wunderbar in Covington

Pure Prairie League is at Ludlow Garage on Thursday, July 30.

“Pure Prairie League” also would be a great name for the official fan club for this show:

And the month wraps up with these Friday, July 31 gigs:

  • Adam Wayne Gilliam Band with Van Winkle and Jeremy Gilliam of Grand Dorado at the Liberty Theatre
  • Marshmello DJs a postgame show at Great American Ball Park

Let’s sneak a peek into August, shall we? On Saturday, August 1:

  • The Levitt Pavilion has a free Rock Fest and the headliner is Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys
  • Chris Stapleton plays Paul Brown Stadium
  • Yonder Mountain String Band and East Nash Grass are at the old Annie’s
  • Evanescence plays Riverbend
  • Ludlow Garage has “Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience” (Neverland sleepovers sold separately)

We love it live!

Robyn Hitchcock with a full band (other than the encore when he went through the crowd strumming his acoustic guitar and leading us all in a rousing “Waterloo Sunset” singalong) was tons of fun at Southgate. (It was especially cool to see Lisa from Wussy in the audience joining the singalong.) Robyn’s wife Emma Swift opened and joined him and the band on a few tunes too.

Tommy Stinson didn’t draw much of a crowd at the Woodward on a Tuesday, but he rocked the house (along with Karla Rose and Tim Schweiger & the Middlemen).

The dude’s a pro’s pro (he’s only been playing live for about 46 of his 59 years) and a good time was had by all – none more so than list member Dave Lenehan’s son Paul (named after Tommy’s Replacements pal Paul Westerberg):

I was back at the Woodward a night later, to see James McMurtry and his band, along with Bettie Soo. Hat tip to Jon Calderas for the ticket – you can see Jon’s photos of the show for CincyMusic here.

The Cereal Killers gig at Big Ash was a blast! They’re a real-life version of a 97X playlist (only hairier).

Speaking of long list radio stations, the 97X “Back to the Future of Rock and Roll” fundraiser for the Butler County Historical Society this past Saturday was a home run. It’s truly heartwarming to hear folks talk about what that station meant to them. And it’s always a treat to see some of the ol’ 97X gang.

(Jen Dalton and I were the eye candy, obvi.)

Shout out to John Kiesewetter for the nice article on WVXU’s website, as well as Eric Schwartzberg for his piece in the Journal-News, and of course Jen Dalton (former 97X student co-producer) for interviewing Bake and helping us class up the event.

We have fewer places to love it live

In addition to the aforementioned Madison Theater shutdown, Dayton’s Yellow Cab Tavern announced that they’ll be closing their doors for good on October 31.

New tunes Monday

The Tubs, my favorite Welsh performers (apologies to Tom Jones) have signed with Merge Records, the label co-founded by Mac and Laura from Superchunk. It’s a match made in indie rock heaven. (And I’ve known about it since I saw The Tubs in Detroit last September and happened to be wearing my Merge Records t-shirt – Tubs drummer Taylor mentioned they’d just signed with them.) Now The Tubs have a new single out, with a tour in the offing for the fall. (Looks like I’ll be roadtripping to Cleveland again.)

Finding their way (without Neil)

From all reports (including here and here) Rush is crushing it on their new tour, with new drummer Anika Nilles more than holding her own in a very unenviable role.

I’m excited to see Anika with Geddy and Alex. And she’s excited to be playing with them — not just because they’re rock gods but also because of this:

Mailbag

I’m very tardy with this response about first concerts from list member Todd Butler:

First concert is a great icebreaker for any group including this one. I think I was 7-8 when my sister took me to a triple bill at Blossom Music Center 1974-5?

  • John Sebastian of Welcome Back Kotter fame
  • Firefall
  • Seals & Crofts (“Summer breeze“)

Firefall softrocked and I was hooked on live music from then on!

Maybe The Beths will do a cover of Firefall’s “You are the Woman” when we’re at the show tomorrow night, Todd!

Album Covers of the Month

Hey kid, be careful if he asks to “play your kazoo.”

The Royal Palace Beefeaters have gotten really lax with their dress code. .

These dudes all went to the same barber and said “Give me the Wolfman Jack.”

Feb-YOU-ary rocks

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

Don’t come at me for not pronouncing the “r” in “February.” Nobody pronounces the “r.” Other than insufferable snobs.

February is more of a “Meat Diamond” month. Even for vegheads like me!

Don’t pronounce the “r” – unless it’s in “rock!” Let’s see what’s rockin’ the Tri-State in the alleged shortest month.

Actually, because this might get to your eyeballs while Jam-uary is still winding down, just a quick reminder that the triple bill of Sharp Pins, Good Flying Birds, and Artificial Go is at the Woodward on Friday night. I’ll be there! And if JAM-uary is more your jam, Umphrey’s McGee plays the Greg Brady.

Oh, and the extremely talented and gregarious T. Lipscomb plays Camp Springs Tavern on Friday, and South of Sin is there Saturday. And The Tillers, Maria Carrelli, and 2-22s are at Southgate on Saturday, and my son’s band The Collies play The Vault in Mt. Lookout that evening (8-11) too!

FebYOUary kicks off Sunday:

  • East Nash Grass with Andrew Hibbard at Southgate
  • Downtowne Listening Room has a matinee show (2:30 start) at the Historic Boone County Courthouse featuring Buffalo Rose with Bryce Mullins
  • Ricky Nye hits the Wiedemann’s Brewing stage early, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
  • Diana Krall plays the Aronoff
  • The Lovin’ Spoonful* plays Ludlow Garage

*Note that The Lovin’ Spoonful does NOT contain a full day’s supply of vitamins and minerals. Nor does it contain John Sebastian – he’s too busy welcoming back Mr. Kotter. And he has an excuse note from Epstein’s mother.

Monday is Groundhog Day.

If we pause for a moment to think about it, Bill Murray owes a lot of his career success to rodents.

Let’s focus on seabirds instead: Dean Johnson and Lily Seabird play the Southgate House on Wednesday. [Aren’t you glad I didn’t write “let’s focus on Johnsons instead”? (Get your mind out of the gutter! I am referring to Ray, of course…)]

Actually, let’s focus on another Johnson instead, like list member Rico does. He really likes the new album by Dean Johnson, so he’ll be at that show, which mean’s it’s an official RicoReco™.

Next Friday, February 6, is a busy night for gigs:

  • Magnolia Boulevard plays the Liberty Theater, with the Mama Said String Band opening
  • The Laurelys have an album release show in Southgate’s Revival Room, with Lydia Shae, Maria, etc., and Jim Trace & the Makers joining them on the bill.
  • Ward Davis plays Southgate’s main Sanctuary room

Shows on Saturday, February 7:

  • Dead Low Brewing hosts “Brews & Browse Sweetheart Market” (a hippie-leaning local artist craft fair) from 2-6 p.m. with The Rec playing Grateful Dead tunes. So you can tie one one and tie-dye one on!
  • Highly Likely hosts the Midwinter Meltdown (boy, we sure can use that!) at Stanley’s
  • Daniel Wayne and Matt Mooney play a free show in Southgate’s Lounge
  • Ben Levin Organ Trio plays Japp’s
  • The New Wave Orchestra* plays the Taft

*per the press release: this immersive concert event takes the most iconic New Wave tracks of the 1980s and transforms them with a vibrant orchestral sound, electrifying neon-lit staging and striking 80s-inspired costuming

(Or you could just re-watch John Hughes movies.)

Next Sunday, February 10, is Super Bowl Sunday.

Over the Rhine (the band, not the neighborhood) plays an “Infamous Love Songs” gig at the Mercantile Library on Tuesday, February 10. Tickets were expensive ($60) but the OTR faithful snapped them up, and it’s sold out.

Mike Dawes (Brit fingerstyle guitarist) plays Ludlow Garage on Wednesday, Feb. 11.

Ralph Stanley II and the Clinch Mountain Boys play Southgate on Thursday, Feb. 12, and Liberty Theater has a Songwriters in the Round free show featuring Tanner Dane and Mason Hutchinson.

Shows on Friday the 13th:

  • Memorial Hall has “On a Winter’s Night” featuring Cliff Eberhardt, John Gorka, Lucy Kaplansky and Patty Larkin
  • The Wombats play Bogart’s
  • Vicki Peterson (The Bangles) and John Cowsill (The Cowsills… and Beach Boys) play Ludlow Garage
  • Ben Levin Organ Trio feat. Candice Ivory at Caffè Vivace

Saturday, February 14th is Valentine’s Day. [This reminder brought to you by Esther Price Candies, Hallmark, FTD, and the National Restaurant Association.]

Let’s focus on another Johnson, like list member Rico does. Here’s a printable card you can use for your (current or future) sweetie:

VD shows:

  • Drink The Sea (featuring Peter Buck, Barrett Martin, Alain Johannes, and Duke Garwood) is at the Taft
  • David Lacey & Ten Pound Hammer with the Naomi Carman Trio at Liberty Theater
  • Joe’s Truck Stop plays their monthly Honky Tonk Dance at Southgate

Here’s some PR info about Drink The Sea: Expect an evening of original music from the supergroup’s two debut albums, along with classic songs from their former bands. The performance will also feature original films by award-winning filmmaker Tad Fettig, synchronized to the setlist.

(I didn’t know a band could have two debut albums… that’s impressive! Also, I think The Rock’s fanny pack is a Tad Fettig.)

The Descendents and Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls play the Jan Brady on Sunday, Feb. 15.

On Wednesday, February 18:

  • Kelsey Waldon & the Muleskinners and Gabe Lee play Southgate
  • Taft Theatre has The Rush Tribute Project, playing Moving Pictures plus “hits and deep cuts”

Your humble scribe’s first-ever concert was Rush at Barton Coliseum in Little Rock, Arkansas back in 1981, on the Moving Pictures tour. I had way more hair back then, and here’s the candid high school yearbook photo (replete with Rush concert t-shirt) to prove it:

(I’m giving Epstein’s hairdo a run for its money… )

On Thursday, Feb. 19:

  • esperanza spalding (apparently a fan of e e cummings) plays memorial hall Memorial Hall
  • There’s a James Taylor Tribute at The Redmoor in Mt. Lookout
  • Liberty Theater has The Eagles Project as part of their “Third Thursday Tribute Series”

(Oops, that’s a real Henley, not a bogus one!)

Friday, Feb. 20:

  • Ben de la Cour at Southgate
  • Badflower at Bogart’s (BYOC – Bring Your Own Claritin)

Saturday, Feb. 21:

  • Ricky Nye Inc. featuring Noah Wotherspoon at the Liberty Theater in Lawrenceburg, IN
  • The New Usuals album release show, with Heavy Hinges, and The Spectacular Fantastic

OR, you can take your pick from a Tribute Band twin spin:

  • Cincinnati Transit Authority (tribute to Chicago) at Memorial Hall
  • Ludlow Garage has Classic Stones (either a tribute to Mick, Keef & the boys or a tribute to fossils… same difference, actually)

On Sunday, Feb. 22:

  • The Lone Bellow at the Taft Theatre
  • Adam & Ringo (of Mad Anthony) have a 40th Birthday Bash at Southgate House. It’s an early show (because they’re 40) and it features Mad Anthony plus pulled pork and sides! Music + food for $10. Such a deal!

Dave Hause & The Mermaid plus Two Cow Garage are at Southgate on Tuesday, Feb. 24.

Guitarist Matteo Mancuso plays Ludlow Garage on Wednesday, Feb. 25.

Thursday, Feb. 26:

  • The Low Gap show that was postponed due to Snowmageddon ’26 is at Southgate (for reals this time). Julia DiGrazia opens.
  • Liberty Theater has a Songwriters in the Round free show featuring Sarah Asher, Tay Bronson, and T. Lipscomb

Friday, February 27 is more like Februar-ME, because my faves Wussy are playing a full-band gig at The Woodward Theater, with Advance Base and Moontype as the openers.

That same evening, Nat Myers and Jay Skaggs are at Southgate.

FebYOUary wraps up on Saturday, Feb. 28 with a Downtowne Listening Room show at The Columbia in the East End (home of WEENsdays starting in March!):

If you’re unfamiliar with the Downtowne Listening Room process, you need to request an invite via this link, indicate the # of tix you want, and then you’ll be on the list. More info:

We ask $20 donations (cash) per attendee at door on show day. 100% goes to the artists. There will be free snacks, sweets and soft drinks. Plus free parking.

Other shows on 2/28:

  • Sylmar has a record release party at the Woodward
  • Joe Bonamassa plays the Taft
  • Nicholas Jamerson is at Southgate
  • Tasting Color plays Stanley’s
  • Roger Klug Power Trio and Frontier Folk Nebraska at MOTR
  • Laid Back Country Picker with Adam Wade Gilliam at Liberty Theater

Laid Back Country Picker is what I would look like now if I had stayed in Arkansas:

(That’s a party line telephone, just like the one we had when I was growing up in the sticks.)

February is the Billy Barty of calendar months.

So we may as well include Sunday, March 1 in our listings:

  • Snõõper plays the Woodward
  • The Wood Brothers are at the Taft (yes, we know, Wood Brothers at the Woodward wood make it funnier)
  • Memorial Hall has “All You Need is George” (Jam-band legends Jackie Greene, Steve Kimock, Pete Lavezzoli, Reed Mathis, Berry Duane Oakley, and Gil Assayas unite for a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of George Harrison’s timeless legacy)

House concert early notice

Jason Narducy (Split Single, bassist for Bob Mould, touring bassist for Superchunk, soon to be touring with actor Michael Shannon and a crack band doing REM’s Lifes Rich Pageant album – I’ll be seeing that tour in Bloomington, IN on 3/16) will be playing my house on Thursday, May 14th. Mark your calendars now. Ticket info to come later. The gig was originally slated for Friday, May 15th, but I got “Pirner-ed”:

An ovation for the Ovation venue

The PromoWest indoor/outdoor spot in Newport (with the redonk name) is finally lining up some strong gigs:

We love it live!

Real Estate put on a strong show at The Woodward!

Art Imitates Life Imitating Art (or Jeff)

Check out this surreal scene down in Mexico:

The original Instagram post is here.

Brother, can you spare a dime… and another $1,499,999.90?

The O.G. Southgate House is up for sale. Let’s go not quite halfsies and buy it!

David + David (and this dumbass)

List member David Groff has an entire box of Alpha-Bits cereal after his name:

All those letters mean he’s good with crunching numbers. He created a mega-list of all the songs that ever appeared on a 97X Modern Rock 500 (other than the missing 1998 list – help us find it!) then joined our 97X Rumblings from the Big Bush podcast to quiz Dave and me.

Suffice it to say that the Daves I know are a lot smarter about modern rock than I am.

And if you’d like to listen to all the 97X Modern Rock 500 songs in chronological order (by release date) from oldest to newest, check out the playlist Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. 

He fought the law and HE won

Ken Katkin is one cool kat. Not only because he hosts the always rockin’ Trash Flow Radio on WAIF-FM (Saturdays, 3-5 p.m.), but also because he did this:

Let that be a lesson for all of us. Don’t let the law-breaking goons get away with it!

Album Cover(s) of the Week(s)

It’s probably not Bernie. Bob maybe, but not Bernie.

If “quartet” is what they’re going for, I’d say five is more than enough.

These fine folks are struggling with basic math too, but we’ll grade them on a curve because they used a sweet font that conjures up memories of Evel Knievel’s jumpsuit.

New Year, New Tunes

Concert Listings, Music

Happy New Year, my friend! May your 2025 be rockin’!

I hope your resolutions are holding up well, too.

It’s not exactly a monster lineup of concerts, but let’s check the ol’ calendar to see what’s brewing the the live lab.

Tomorrow night, Memorial Hall has Queen Of The Queen City, The Musical Times of Mamie Smith. The band will be Ben Levin, Candice Ivory, Noah Wotherspoon, and Brandon Pettiford. And the Woodward Theater screens Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story.

On Wednesday, Hillary Hahn (the NKY singer-songwriter, not Hilary Hahn, the violinist) plays Arnold’s, and The Gilmour Project: Wish You Were Here is at Memorial Hall. The Gilmour Project is:

  • Pete Lavezzoli (drums with Black JGB, Oteil & Friends), and Hilary Hahn plays Arnold’s
  • Jeff Pevar (lead guitar with CSN, David Crosby/CPR, Joe Cocker, Ray Charles, Bette Midler, Phil Lesh & Friends, Ricki Lee Jones, Marc Cohn)
  • Berry Oakley (bass & vocals with Allman Betts Band, North Mississippi All-Stars, Blue Floyd & The Doors)
  • Mark Karan (guitar & vocals with Bob Weir, RatDog, The Other Ones, Dave Mason)
  • Scott Guberman (keyboard & vocals with Phil Lesh & Friends, Keystone Revisited)

The Gilmour Project isn’t: David Gilmour.

Thursday, The Daniel Wayne Band (more on them later) plays MOTR. And if you’re into pro wrasslin’, Lori’s Roadhouse in West Chester has something big… er, little, in store.

Shows this Friday:

  • Peter Mulvey plays Southgate
  • Ernie Johnson from Detroit is at the Liberty Theater in Lawrenceburg, IN
  • Ludlow Garage has The Ultimate Doors
  • Ludlow Theater rolls out the red(s) carpet for the Bronson Arroyo Band

On Saturday:

  • Pelican and Knife the Symphony play the Woodward
  • Southgate House hosts Blind Mouse (a Radiohead tribute band)
  • Annie’s has the KISS tribute band Strutter

I wonder if, when Strutter hits the stage, they say “you wanted a reasonable facsimile of the best, you got a reasonable facsimile of the best”…

A week from tomorrow — on MLK Jr. Day, no less — it’s inauguration day for, as Jeff Tiedrich calls him:

a quadrice-indicted twice-impeached once-convicted popular-vote-losing adderall-huffing insurrection-leading ear-diapering testimony-ducking judge-threatening lawyer-ignoring debate-avoiding witness-tampering day-one-dictatoring disabled-veteran-dishonoring inheritance-squandering rube-fleecing clown-makeup-smearing language-mangling sneaker-hawking serial-sexual-predating draft-dodging casino-bankrupting butler-bullying daughter-perving hush-money-paying real-estate-scamming bone-spur-faking ketchup-hurling justice-obstructing classified-war-plan-thieving golf-cheating stock-manipulating weather-map-defacing war-criminal-pardoning horse-paste-promoting paper-towel-flinging race-baiting tax-evading evidence-destroying charity-defrauding money-laundering diaper-filling 88-count 78-year-old fluorescent-tangerine narcoleptic fart factory. 

Next Tuesday (1/21), local singer/songwriter/all-around-great-guy Todd Lipscomb plays Arnold’s.

Liberty Theater has a free Songwriters in the Round show next Thursday (1/23) featuring Harley Day and James Reed.

Shows on Friday, Jan. 24:

  • Webb Wilder and Bucket play Southgate
  • Mosant is at MOTR
  • Papadosio kicks off a two-night stand at the Madison Theater
  • Meshell Ndegeocello plays Ludlow Garage
  • Little Miami Brewing Co. hosts The Eagles Project
  • The Blue Note in Harrison has Captain Fantastic (Elton John tribute) with 52nd Street (yes, a Billy Joel tribute band)

On Saturday, Jan. 25:

  • Memorial Hall has “On a Winter’s Night” with singer/songwriters Cliff Eberhardt, John Gorka, Lucy Kaplansky, and Patty Larkin
  • Magnolia Boulevard plays the Liberty Theater, with Pure Grain also on the bill
  • The Montvales play the Woodward, with The Harmed Brothers and Rae Fisher
  • Papadosio is papa-doing it again at Madison Theater
  • Adeem the Artist plays Southgate
  • JD Legends in Franklin, OH has Thunderstruck (America’s AC/DC)
  • The Aronoff hosts The Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular

Noah Wotherspoon plays the Rabbit Hash “Music Behind the Stove” series on Sunday, Jan. 26 (2 p.m. show start) and Tinfoil Hat Cowboys play two sets that evening at MOTR.

The Faux Frenchmen play Memorial Hall on Monday, Jan. 27. Here’s my favorite faux Frenchman:

Memorial Hall has “All You Need is Love: An All-Star Tribute to the Beatles” on Tuesday, Jan. 28.

  • Kasim Sulton – Vocals, Bass, Guitar (Meatloaf, Todd Rundgren’s Utopia, Blue Oyster Cult, Hall & Oates, Cheap Trick, Cyndi Lauper, Patty Smyth, Joan Jett)
  • Steve Kimock – Guitar, Bass (Zero, Oteil & Friends, Jazz Is Dead, The Other Ones, RatDog, Rhythm Devils, Phil Lesh & Friends, Kingfish, Heart of Gold Band)
  • Prairie Prince – Drums (The Tubes, Journey, Todd Rundgren, Blue Floyd, Jefferson Starship, Phil Lesh & Friends, XTC, George Harrison, Chris Isaak)
  • Bobby Lee Rodgers – Vocals, Guitar, Banjo, Sitar Simulation (Jazz is Dead, The Codetalkers with Col. Bruce Hampton, Vassar Clements, Warren Haynes, Widespread Panic, George Porter Jr.)
  • Gil Assayas – Vocals, Keyboard (Kasim Sulton’s Utopia, Todd Rundgren’s Utopia)
  • Mark Rashotte – Guitar (Jake Clemons, Creed, Photograph)
  • Andy Forgie – Vocals, Theatrics (Creed, Photograph)
  • Narrated by Michael Des Barres (The Mistakes, Power Station, Detective, Silverhead)

Not part of the band: Pete Best.

Go to church on WEENsdays

Here’s a pretty cool monthly event going on down on Eastern Avenue (where it’s still called “Eastern Avenue” not the hoity toity “Riverside Drive” section). My friend Eric’s wife Laura runs The Columbia, an old church that’s been converted into a performance space.

I’ve visited the venue, it has great acoustics, a cool vibe, and a vintage jukebox in the basement.

And it’s available for audio and video recording (Ruby Vileos, The Hiders, and Daniel Wayne Band all have test driven it), rehearsal space, private shows, social gatherings, and more.

Follow The Columbia on Instagram, and email the.columbia.cincy@gmail.com for more info.  

A+ on SNL

I’m not the biggest Hozier fan in the world, but he and his band and backup singers did justice to one of the best Xmas songs ever.

Wurster has Slim musical knowledge

Jon Wurster (drummer for Mountain Goats and Bob Mould, formerly with Superchunk) is a great follow on Instagram. His #mynewworstfriend posts are consistently hilarious (see below for a prime example). But he also is a student of the the scene, and his tribute to the late great replacement Replacement Slim Dunlap was fantastic:

List member Joe Sampson and I will always fondly remember talking to Slim at the old Southgate House. The liquor store named Cabooze figured prominently in the conversation.

Jon Wurster also played on this tune (as did Wilco’s John Stirratt):

Winter weather is the Wurst

From the aforementioned Jon Wurster Instagram, where folks can submit weird and wacky photos/images to claim the daily title of his new worst friend.

America is catching on to Wussy

Their new album Cincinnati Ohio made several 2024 year-end best of lists. #50 on the Rolling Stone’s 50 Best Indie Rock Albums, #50 in the Stereogum Top 50, and #36 on Paste’s 40 Best Rock Albums.

Album Covers of the Weeks

My new year’s resolution. It’s a lot better than my current “work and stay poor” plan. I’m struggling with the “think” part, though.

Drinking and driving… what could possibly go wrong?

R.I.P. Slim