Chuck Cleaver and Lisa Walker of the band Wussy are two of the best songwriters in the known universe. They’re also an absolute blast to talk to about (in no particular order): music, their Forever Sounds radio show, bad movies, Swedish Eagle, the Eagles, TV show filling station characters, ball peen hammers, ascots, super-glued teeth, and other important matters. Oh, and fecal matter too – because we’re erudite!
Wussy is doing a full band show at The Woodward Theater on Friday, February 27. Advance Base (the latest project from Owen Ashworth, formerly of Casiotone for the Painfully Alone) and Moontype open the show. Get tickets here.
Chuck and Lisa also do a radio show on WAIF-FM every Tuesday morning (i.e. Monday night when the clock strikes midnight). As Lisa mentioned in our podcast interview, they play music like you’d hear on stations like 97X. And their on-air banter is equal parts enlightening and hilarious. You can find a full archive of their past episodes on Mixcloud and Apple Podcasts.
The Wussy oeuvre is chock-full of gems – there are so many amazing tunes that it’s tough to single out just one. But here’s Chuck’s favorite Wussy song:
Lisa’s description of the interplay between her voice and Chuck’s as a flipped version of John Doe and Exene Cervenka of the band X is a fitting comparison.
You can really hear it in a song like “Airborne.”
Chuck and Lisa also did an digital album of cover songs as a fundraiser for WAIF.
You can get that album here for a pledge of $25 or more.
97X fans no doubt know that Chuck also was the front man for the fantastic Cincinnati band Ass Ponys. (Or “A-Ponys” as we sometimes had to refer to them on 97X in their early days.)
A few years ago, we interviewed Mark Messerly from Wussy for a two-part Rumblings podcast – here and here.
Last, but certainly not least, here’s the trailer for the 1979 movie Angels Revenge:
Goober says “hey!”
3 responses to “97X Rumblings from the Big Bush: Chuck & Lisa from Wussy”
Fred
What a great episode — thank you! I’m a huge Wussy fan and could listen to their banter forever. I like Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, but honestly, I’d take their back-and-forth over Conan’s crew any day.
And thanks for the reminder about WAIF and Mixcloud. I used to use Mixcloud to listen to former 97Xer Mike Taylor’s The Big Beat, but it kind of fell off my radar. Now that I can catch Chuck and Lisa’s show there, I’m also going to check out Trash Flow Radio on Mixcloud.
I’ve been following Lisa’s Spotify playlist, Majestic 12 Radio, and have discovered so many great gems through it. I sometimes struggle to find good music discovery avenues, and their weekly radio show is definitely one I’ll be tuning into regularly now.
Thanks again — I love this podcast!
Thanks for listening, Fred, and we’re glad you enjoyed it. Forever Sounds and Trash Flow Radio are the best – and thanks for pointing us to Lisa’s Majestic 12 Radio playlist on Spotify!
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 14this 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.
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:
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.
Let me be the 427th person to wish you a Happy New Year!
But also let me be the first person to wish you a Slappy New Year!
My resolution is to let you know about the cool musical artists coming to our area as we celebrate “Jam-uary” – which is a rockin’ portmanteau that I totally stole from Camp Springs Tavern in scenic Camp Springs, Kentucky. CST is putting the “jam” into January by hosting live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday all month long:
Bluegrass Jam on Thursdays – Jan. 8, 15, 22, and 29 – starting at 6pm (shows below start at 7pm)
Slim Pickin’s on Friday the 9th
Stick & Bindle on Saturday the 10th
Betsy Smith on Friday the 16th
Witches of the Rifle Range and Kait & the California Kings on Saturday the 17th
Dave Webster on Friday the 23rd
Kurt Adams on Saturday the 24th
T. Lipscomb on Friday the 30th
South of Sin on Saturday the 31st
Whereas I will be jamming more Fig Newtons into my piehole all month long.
OK, let’s take a gander at the other gigs:
Tonight, The Comet Bluegrass All-Stars play… you guessed it… the Comet. Note: The Comet bar is not to be confused with the cleaner that young Robby Benson used to hawk.
On Thursday:
Maggie Antone plays Southgate’s Sanctuary, with Ava Hall opening
A1A (the official and original Jimmy Buffett tribute show) will be at the Ludlow Garage
Hmm, that “A1A” name sounds familiar. Where have I heard it before?
On Friday:
Joe’s Truck Stop plays Northside Tavern
Bogart’s has Ten, A Tribute to Pearl Jam
The Funky Ducks play MOTR with the Brian Bacon Band and SUN.DYLE
Laid Back Country Picker and 9 LB Hammer play Southgate.
Hmm, “Hammer” sounds familiar. Where have I heard that before?
Catch Richard Lloyd Group with The Dummy Ups at MOTR on Saturday. (Richard Lloyd was in Television. Word on the street is that he’s a decent guitarist…)
That same evening, the Liberty Theater has bluesman Mike Milligan & Steam Shovel, and Bogart’s hosts The Four Horsemen. They are billed as “the only album-quality Metallica tribute” but this one works too:
Real Estate plays the Woodward on Tuesday, January 13. I’ll be there, and you should be too! Note: purchasing a ticket to Real Estate does not require a regular mortgage or a reverse mortgage.
G. Love & Special Sauce will be at the Ludlow Garage on Wednesday, January 14. (G. Love & Special Sauce is not to be confused with “Glove and no special sauce” which was a scene from Animal House.)
Jess Lamb & Friends play MOTR on Thursday, January 15, and Southgate has Noah Smith’s Crooner Circus songwriter showcase.
On Friday, January 16, Amythyst Kiah plays Southgate, and Ludlow Garage has The Ultimate Doors. (“Ultimate Doors” in a Garage are not to be confused with the garage door company named after Amy and Erin.)
On Saturday, January 17:
Trampled by Turtles plays the Taft
Denitia (an NPR “artist to watch”) plays the Liberty Theater, with Maria Carrelli opening.
Eaglemania hits Ludlow Garage on Sunday the 18th. Note: Eaglemania may result in excessive hotel charges.
Liberty Theater has Back2Mac (Fleetwood Mac tribute) on Thursday, January 22.
On Friday, January 23:
Charlie Starr (of Blackberry Smoke) plays Ludlow Garage
Bogart’s gets in on the tribute band action with Thunderstruck (“America’s AC/DC tribute band.”)
on Saturday, January 24:
Low Gap plays Southgate with Julia DiGrazia as the opener
Richie Furay (Buffalo Springfield, Poco, Souther-Hillman-Furay Band) is at Ludlow Garage
Rob Thomas plays the Hard Rock Casino
Hey look, it’s another tribute band: Pet Sounds plays Ludlow Garage on Sunday, January 25. Note: “Pet Sounds” (the Beach Boys tribute band) is not to be confused with a See ‘n Say:
On Monday, January 26, The Faux Frenchmen play Memorial Hall.
The Sadies and Krystal Peterson play Southgate on Wednesday, January 28.
On Thursday, January 29, it’s The Infamous Stringdusters with Mountain Grass Unit at the Taft.
Gigs on Friday, January 30:
Umphrey’s McGee plays the Peter Brady
Woodward Theater has a very nice triple bill with Sharp Pins (GBV-esque), Good Flying Birds, and Artificial Go. I’ll be at that gig with list member Ken “Lobby Boy” Laube (he’s on Inhailer Fridays 11a-3p)
Southgate has a Dave Matthews/Tim Reynolds tribute band called Monkeys on a String.
Annnd the month wraps up on Saturday, January 31 with:
The Collies (my son’s in that band!) playing The Vault in Mt. Lookout from 8-11 p.m. First beer’s on me!
The Tillers and Maria Carrelli at Southgate
Jimmy Davis Blues at Liberty Theater
And yes, there are not one but two tribute band shows: Let’s Groove Tonight (Earth, Wind & Fire) plus a Kool & the Gang tribute band at Ludlow Garage, and Madison Theater has “Tell Me Lies: The Fleetwood Mac Experience.”
We love it live!
Erika Wennerstrom playing a sold-out show at The Columbia: spellbinding! (Great to see list members Kevin, Tom, Jamie, Rico, and Coffee Kyle in the house too!)
(If you’re keeping score at home, Erika’s show was Concert #40 for me in 2025.)
former 97X DJ Rictile and list member Todd Butler about the old 97X Home Invasion live broadcasts (warning: post contains photos of scantily clad men).
Spotify CEO Daniel Ek has invested €600m Euros — nearly $700m USD — in Helsing, an AI military start-up of which he is now Chairman. Spotify is literally using money generated from artists’ work to create death and destruction in our world. And recently, Spotify has started taking money from their US subscribers to pay for ICE recruitment ads.
Hot ticket alert
Wussy is playing a full band show at The Woodward on Friday, February 27. Get tickets here.
Letters to the editor (and hope for the future)
From list member Lisa Collins:
Album Cover(s) of the Week(s): New Year, New You!
Leg warmers sold separately.
I’m all for figure control, but if I tried Fran’s cover pose, I’d fracture several vertebrae.
Yes, “Boogie” will be my morning exercise routine in 2026. Especially if I can scale walls and crash through windows like the S.W.A.T. team:
Johnny Gill (of New Edition) plays the Ludlow Garage on Sunday, November 23.
Feast week starts Monday, November 24, with BOTH of my son’s bands (The Collies and Van Winkle) playing The Comet in Northside.
On Wednesday, November 26 (a.k.a. Thanksgiving Eve, a.k.a. the biggest bar night of the year), The Distractions (a.k.a. Cereal Killers) will be doing an all-Elvis (Costello) set, along with Dot.Dot.Dot. doing R.E.M. at The Village Theater in Covington. Be there!
Other shows that same evening:
The Woodward has An Evening with Ray’s Music Exchange. They will be joined by members of Ernie Johnson from Detroit, who will then play at MOTR starting at 10:30.
The Liberty Theater features an Adam Wade Gilliam album release show, with The Spectacular Fantastic.
Southgate’s Revival Room features Shelter from the Storm (Dylan tribute) and the Dead Revival Band (GD tribute)
List member Keith Neltner has created another cool design for the Maker’s Mark album featuring tunes from The Tillers and Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle. The release shows (plural this year!) are at Arnold’s on 11/26 and 11/28:
Friday, November 28 (a.k.a. Black Friday):
Freekbass plays his Funksgiving show at Urban Artifact (look for a 97X Rumblings podcast interview with Freekbass coming soon)
Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle at Arnold’s
Mama Said String Band plays the Liberty Theater, with Dave Lacey & Ten Pound Hammer
Stolen Faces (Grateful Dead tribute band) play the Woodward
On Saturday, November 29:
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones play a “Jingle all the Way” (not sure if that’s a Christmas reference or a revenue reference) show at the Taft
Tripping Billies (DMB tribute) at Ludlow
Last, but certainly not least, The Mynabirds play an Undertow show at The Columbia on Eastern Avenue. Tickets are available here.
If you’re not familiar with The Mynabirds (solo nom-de-stage of Laura Burhenn), check out her new release on Bandcamp.
Bandcamp, not Spotify… here’s the only Mynabirds song selection you’ll find on Spotify:
Right on!
Finally, Stevie Nicks plays a sold-out show at the Coliseum on Sunday, November 30. Resale tix in the cheap seats are going for $350 (and TicketBastard will once again charge exorbitant fees on the resale, even though they already collected fees on the original sale).
A Halloween treat
Katie Crutchfield (Waxahatchee) and her twin sister Allison (Swearin’) teamed up with MJ Lenderman and super-producer Brad Cook to form the band Snocaps, and they dropped a tasty album on 10/31. Read more on Stereogum.
Forever Sounds: forever cool
Lisa Walker and Chuck Cleaver do a weekly show on WAIF-FM called “Forever Sounds” and they’re giving out a digital album of cover songs (GBV, Bill Fay, Joni Mitchell, The Bats, Hüsker Dü and many more) to folks who pledge to support their show.
You’ll find the pledge form and past episodes here.
The full Wussy band also did a couple of songs — including a brand new one — at the new Cincinnati Public Radio studio with former woxy.com Lounge Acts engineer Brian Niecz.
Kathleen Edwards and her fantastic band the next night in Louisville: transcendent!
Three nights of Buffalo Tom in Boston – including John Wesley Harding, Moving Targets, and a Pogues tribute band as openers, an acoustic set that included several tasty covers (see setlist below), a band Q&A, and much more: Stupendous!
Wishy at Madison Live last night: not too shabby!
But we don’t always love it live
Rickie Lee Jones played a great set at Memorial Hall.
Patty Griffin? Not so much. I understand the desire to feature several new songs – I expect that from most artists with a new album out. But to completely ignore a large part of your catalog — including the most popular songs — is not my cup of tea. The set was pretty much a snoozefest.
Wright State pitching star on Miami U. turf
Good old Robert Pollard – he can make a cool tune out of city and school district names.
Forget Bitcoin – invest in Lu!
Chuck Prophet can see the future. And the future is pure Lucinda Williams gold!
The full post is here. Chuck’s Substack is worth a subscribe.
Mailbag
In case you missed this fun exchange in the comments section of our last post, list members Lisa Collins and Dan Lewis took issue with my Beatles ranking:
Here’s that Westerberg clip that Lisa Collins sent me:
And Dan Lewis is right about me fitting in with the Goad Family. I certainly have the wardrobe for it:
Speaking of retired Cincinnati Reds superstar salesman Herb Tarlek Dan Lewis, I’m happy to report that he has found another modeling gig that’s perfect for his golden years. He’s the official spokesperson for this product:
“Fall” doesn’t mean the season, it means taking a tumble. Here’s Dan modeling the product:
“Collision to the elderly head” would be a great name for a punk band!
Album Cover(s) of the Week(s): Hair today, gone tomorrow
Her hair took up so much space on the cover that they had to reduce the font size of the type.
Ditto for “Lee Michaels” (we all know it’s really a young Richard Lewis.)
One response to “Tofurkey tunes”
Dan Lewis
Tyrannical power at its worst. I’m reminded of the Holy Grail Monty Python quote “see the violence inherent in the system. Help help, I’m being repressed.” You can’t fight city hall…
Congrats, you’ve nearly made it through “Dryuary!” Now it’s time for a portmanteau that’s even more cumbersome (but not in the Seven Mary Three way), and not really a portmanteau TBH. But when Febrockuary rolls around, you can put on your concert-going shoes (Doc Martens?) and get out to a gig or three.
On Thursday, the Woodward Theater has Donny Benet with Yusef Quotah. Check out Donny’s promo photo:
It’s giving off some serious “love child of Dom DeLuise and ‘Meathead’ from All in the Family” vibes.
Ludlow Garage hosts “Family Tradition: A Hank Williams Jr. Tribute” on Friday. (I hope they play the Monday Night Football Theme that Junior sang… complete with the Jazzercise background dancers.)
That same evening, CG5 plays the Woodward, and MOTR kicks off the preliminary rounds of the Bockfest Sausage Queen competition. (Eat your heart out, Abe Froman.)
The full Sausage Queen schedule, rules, and judging criteria are here.
Febrockuary kicks off Saturday with a full slate o’shows – although most of them are of the tribute band variety:
JD Shelburne plays the Liberty Theater, with Jordan Dermody as the opener
Madison Theater hosts “Tell Me Lies – The Fleetwood Mac Experience” while next door at Madison Live it’s Riddim Fest
The old Annie’s has “Grunge: The Sounds of Seattle”
Bogart’s hosts “Cash Unchained: The Ultimate Johnny Cash Experience”
At Memorial Hall, it’s “Genesis ReTouched” (a tribute to late 80’s to late 2000’s Genesis concerts… quite specific!)
On Sunday, check out the Positively Mainstrasse event at the Village Theater in Covington. It’s a Cincinnati Children’s “Giving Hope to Kids” fundraiser and features dozens of local artists doing Dylan covers. Who knows, maybe Timothée Chalamet will show up…
[Artwork for the poster above by list member Keith Neltner.]
Sunday is Groundhog Day too!
The Chris Comer Trio plays the “Jazz at the Memo” series on Monday, Feb. 3rd, and they’re doing something interesting:
Following last year’s debut at Memorial Hall, The CC3’s (Chris Comer Trio) return engagement will feature a unique inspired arrangement of the landmark ambient piece MUSIC FOR AIRPORTS by Brian Eno. The evening will conclude with an original collaboration by all three CC3 members called MUSIC FOR SPACESHIPS, juxtaposing the styles of the meditative Eno composition and the jazzy groovy “outer space music” of the Comer trio. This concert is in-part a tribute to Cincinnati musician and radio legend Ron Esposito, who has performed MUSIC FOR AIRPORTS and collaborated with The CC3 many times.
“Music for Spaceships”… far out, man! Almost as far out as this version:
Shows on Wednesday, Feb. 5:
Cheryl Renee plays the blues at Arnold’s
The Blue Wisp Big Band is at Caffe Vivace
The Columbia (see our previous post for more on this event space) has WEEN Wednesday, and the album will be The Pod
Highly Suspect plays the Mike Brady on Thursday, Feb. 6th.
IMHO, Mike Brady IS highly suspect. We never found out how his first wife died… mysterious circumstances, no doubt. And somehow we’re supposed to believe that a guy who mixes up architectural plans with a Yogi Bear poster can afford a luxury home and a live-in housekeeper? Is “Cousin Oliver” really Mike’s love child from an affair that his first wife found out about? And what’s the deal with the AstroTurf yard? Is Mike covering up (literally) a backyard grave? Tune in to my new true crime podcast “Here’s the Untold Story of a Man named Brady…” as we do a deep dive into the clues hidden in plain sight. (Tiger knows a lot more than he’s letting on.)
Plenty o’ shows on Saturday, Feb. 8th:
Hot Tuna plays the Ludlow Garage
H.R. (of Bad Brains) plays Southgate, with Knife the Symphony
Vanessa Collier headlines the Cincinnati Winter Blues Experience* at Manor House (*not to be confused with the Cincinnati Winter blues experience of having snow and ice on sidewalks for weeks on end…)
Electric Indigo, Eastwood, and Funky Ducks play a free show at MOTR
The Woodward Theater hosts “Dark Wave” (a covers show benefitting the Freestore Foodbank). Lots of local bands on the bill, including Wussy, Fairmount Girls, Tweens, Leggy, and Static Falls. The full lineup is here.
Last but certainly not least, when you think of “Hard Rock” your mind no doubt goes right to the titans of that genre: Black Sabbath, Metallica, and Air Supply.
One of those three bands will be at the Hard Rock Casino on 2/8.
On Wednesday, Feb. 12th, the Redmoor in Mt. Lookout hosts “Forever Simon & Garfunkel.” Have you ever seen the Photoshop version of S&G’s Bridge Over Troubled Water album cover with Paul Simon removed?
It makes Artie look like Donny Benet:
Mdou Moctar plays a special acoustic performance at the Woodward on Thursday, Feb. 13th.
Friday, February 14th is Valentine’s Day. I choo-choo-choose you to be my favorite blog post reader.
When love is in the air, our minds naturally turn to thoughts of noted romantic balladeer George Thorogood, with his equally lovestruck band the Delaware Destroyers. They’ll be at the Hard Rock Casino. (When typing this, I nearly transposed the “C” from Casino with the “R” in Rock, by accident. But it made me realize I could do that on purpose and score some promotional ad dollars from Enzyte.)
Where was I before I nearly got in trouble with Citizens for Community Values? Oh, yes, concerts… Other shows of note on Saint Valentine’s Day (I threw in the “Saint” to get ‘em off my case):
Josh Morningstar & his band play Southgate’s Revival Room
Liberty Theater has CFG & the Family with Heather Redman & the Reputation
Unlike the Hard Rock, Ludlow Garage knew the V.D. assignment – they have “Lovesongs: a tribute to The Cure”
Little Miami Brewing Co. hosts “Captured: The Ultimate Journey Tribute”
On Saturday, Feb. 15th, the Liberty Theater features the Mama Said String Band with Andrew Hibbard. The Downtowne Listening Room has EG Knight and Maria Carrelli. Also, Valentine’s Day is over.
Joe’s Truck Stop hits Rabbit Hash’s “Music Behind the Stove” series on Sunday, Feb. 16, and Todd Lipscomb plays Arnold’s on Tuesday, 2/18.
R.I.P. Garth Hudson, the mad professor
Now there’s no one left in The Band. Garth was the oldest member, and it seems fitting that he was the last to go, as he was the rock of that group in so many ways.
Amanda Petrusich also paid tribute in The New Yorker.
And now, my favorite Band song… with Garth just coolly crushing it on sax:
Sidebar: Now is probably not the time to get into the petty squabbles and financial dealings of The Band, but reading this in the AP obit made me super-sad, and even more of a Team Levon guy:
In recent years, Hudson struggled financially. He had sold his interest in the Band to Robertson and went bankrupt several times. He lost one home to foreclosure and saw many of his belongings put up for auction in 2013 when he fell behind on payments for storage. Hudson’s wife, the singer “Sister” Maud Hudson, died in 2022.
Joan soldiers on
I’ve always liked Joan Armatrading’s music, and think she deserves a bit more recognition.
I agree! Blurb above is from this interview in The Independent. Her most recent album is How Did This Happen and What Does It Now Mean.
Well, the title of my new album is How Did This Happen and What Does It Now Mean. I have no answers and I haven’t met anybody who has, but I hope we get rebooted to something a bit more balanced. I think we’ve become polarised because when you’re face to face with somebody, things such as body language and eye contact stop us doing certain things. That doesn’t happen on social media, then it spills into the real world. We’re not going to get rid of all wars and disagreements, but the album title is asking how on earth do we get out of this situation that we’re in and get back to a nicer place.
Hot Ticket Alert
More info and a ticket link on the Woodward website.
And this event — a lecture from author Michelle Zauner, who also fronts longtime 97Xbam faves Japanese Breakfast — sold out before I could tout it:
But I can at least mention that the newly refurbished/remodeled Mercantile Library is even more amazing than it was before, and the annual membership is totally worth it to get dibs on great literary events. (Poet Laureate Ada Limón will be there on 8/27.)
That’s Sooo Cincinnati ticket alert
Billy Joel and Rod Stewart are playing the Bengals stadium on Saturday, September 20th. I don’t know when tickets go on sale, but I DO know it’ll cost a gazillion dollars to see two dinosaurs.
Railbird lineup
It skews fairly “mainstream country”:
I’d rather spend $2.49 for this Jelly Roll action:
Music is Medicine
Singer-songwriter Laura Burhenn, who records as The Mynabirds (and does house tours via Undertow!), asked Janine Awan to design two complementary poster for her Bandcamp merch site.
A portion of the proceeds from both posters will go to support the World Central Kitchen’s important work in the US and abroad in areas torn by war and climate disaster.
Meet new singles in your area!
The winter new music freeze is finally thawing out. Check out new singles from The Tubs (loved their last album, they remind me so much of Richard Thompson), Lucy Dacus, Sharon Van Etten, and a posthumous release from The Chills/Martin Phillipps.
Album Covers of the Week(s)
Decca certainly didn’t “sell the sizzle” with the adjective they used to describe Earl. Was “versatile” the best that they could come up with? It feels like the album cover equivalent of a “he’s got a great personality” blind date.
There’s a LOT going on with this cover. Good luck coming up with a coherent narrative based on this imagery. The girls is writing in an album (who writes in an album?) while dreaming of a fur trader who doubles as a malt shoppe owner, and he in turn is dreaming of a photographer from 1872. Also a chef is going overboard with the pepper – so much so that the liquid splashing out of his saucepan is black. And there are two anthropomorphic ink blots who get feature credit…
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:
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.)
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.
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.
The concert slate could use a bit more stuffing. That’s fine, it leaves room for family gatherings… or for watching a WKRP in Cincinnati rerun.
But there are a few shows, which is a reason to be thankful.
Skip the can-shaped cranberry sauce, and feast on The Raisins instead.
Bob, Rob, Bam and Ricky have shows on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at the Woodward Theater. (They also have a documentary movie out that features performances from their March shows – check out the interview on WVXU Cincinnati Edition.) The Saturday gig is sold-out, but tickets remain for the other two shows.
Other Wednesday shows include Northern Kentucky Derby at Southgate House, and State Champs at Bogart’s.
Thursday is Turkey Day! (Or in my house, Tofurkey Day!)
Speaking of expanding waistlines, Bret Michaels is at the Hard Rock Casino on Friday.
Also on Friday:
Jeremy Pinnell kicks off a two-night stand at Southgate House with a solo set, along with Justin Wells.
Freekbass hosts “Funksgiving” at Radio Artifact, with Tracy Silverman Project.
The Raisins are at Woodward
Saturday gigs:
Jeremy Pinnell plays a full-band show in Southgate’s main room, with G.W. Garner and The Montvales also on the bill.
The Ark Band plays Ludlow Garage on Saturday
Memorial Hall hosts Christmas with the Celts
The Whiskey Shambles, Veronica Grim, and The Shivers in Southgate’s Revival Room
The Raisins at Woodward (sold-out)
Unless you’re going to NYC for the Jesse Malin benefit shows on 12/1 and 12/2 (more on that below), there’s a bit of a lull in the ol’ Koncert Keeper. Maybe you can do some holiday shopping.
Or go see your friend’s band:
On Friday, 12/6, the animals (but not The Animals) are out in full force:
Benjamin Tod & Lost Dog Street Band at Bogart’s
Spirit of the Bear and Bear the Moon in Southgate’s Revival Room
The Surfrajettes and Kyle Eldridge play Southgate’s main Sanctuary – that should be a rollicking good time!
Ludlow Garage crams three tributes into one band, when Magical Mystery Doors plays tunes by the Beatles, Led Zep, and The Doors
On Saturday, 12/7, Noah Smith’s Crooner Circus takes over all three Southgate House stages:
Other 12/7 shows include:
Tropidelic at Bogart’s
Mosant and Ascension Day at the Liberty Theater
Siren Suit with Girl Gordon and Marsha at Urban Artifact
Ludlow Garage has Aja: A Tribute to the Music of Steely Dan, with shows at 3:30 (when they play The Royal Scam in its entirety) and 7:30 p.m.
Then there’s another lull in the schedule. Maybe you can make sure the Christmas lights are hung.
The English Beat plays Ludlow Garage on Thursday, 12/12.
On Friday the 13th:
Erika Wennerstrom (Heartless Bastards) kicks off three nights of solo shows at The Loon Wine Bar in Northside. (Friday and Saturday shows are sold-out, but they added a 6 p.m. Sunday show. Tickets on sale here.)
Ludlow Garage has A John Waters Christmas on Friday and Saturday
The Tillers have a 10th anniversary vinyl release of Hand on the Plow (with cover artwork by list member Keith Neltner)
Motherfolk has “A Very Motherfolks Christmas” at Bogart’s on Satuday, 12/14.
Tears on our Cheek
R.I.P. Randy Cheek (Libertines, Ass Ponys, The Ready Stance, et al.) Here’s a loving tribute from Chuck Cleaver:
Here’s to you, Randy!
Joy to the Wussy World
Now more than ever, we need the healing words and music of our friends in Wussy, on their new release Cincinnati Ohio.
It’s hard to believe that Eric Bachmann’s recent Undertow show was off my radar. Heck, he’s played an Undertow show at my house before (2019):
And I applied to host his show this time around. But somehow I missed the listing – thank goodness an alert list member tipped me off that morning, and I DID catch the show thanks to list member Jeff B.
Eric played a cool venue in South Fairmount called the Lunken Lounge. Hopefully there will be more shows there in the future.
Craig Finn also ditched my living room for the Woodward Theater this go-round on his solo tour. (Can’t blame him.) What a great storyteller!
List member Dave Tellmann and I finally made it over to Dan McCabe’s new venue, Whiskey City’s Liberty Theater, in Lawrenceburg, IN. What an amazing place to see a show! And we saw a fantastic high energy performance from Low Cut Connie.
The opening band, Sweat, from Pittsburgh, was great too!
Dan McCabe has some great shows lined up over the next couple of months… check ’em out here and support a great dude who has spent decades bringing great music to our area.
List members Joyce, Matt, Pam, and I also enjoyed the “Words and Music” event featuring Karin and Linford of Over the Rhine (photo above)… especially because we got a sneak preview of updated/upgraded/expanded Mercantile Library. It officially reopens on 12/2.
We now occupy both the 11th & 12th floors of 414 Walnut Street and have more seating areas, more workspaces, more light, more bathrooms, more bookshelves, and, most importantly, more books.
The Reading Room
Tip o’ the tam to Kevin Sullivan for the link to a Jesse Malin feature in the NYT in advance of Jesse’s return to the stage on Dec. 1 and 2, with dozens of high profile friends.
They’re just trying to return the kindness Jesse has always shown to them:
Jesse still has his PMA – positive mental attitude:
Live Performance Video of the Week Year
Waxahatchee and M.J. Lenderman at the Americana Music Awards, with an all-star backing band that includes Buddy Miller, Don Was, Larry Campbell, and Jen Gunderman. Top notch!
Album Covers of the Weeks
Cornucopia… accent on the corn.
This “little singing band” used the Thanksgiving tablecloth to make skirts and ties (or are those dickies?).
You can throw the albums shown below onto the turntable after Turkey Day to make those pounds melt away – it’s a miracle!
Ya got concerts, folks! Right here in the River(front) City. Concerts with a capital “C” and that rhyme with “G” and that stands for “Gee, I should probably go to a show or three.”
Speaking of Shirley Partridge Marian the Librarian, The Mercantile Library hosts Karin Bergquist and Linford Detweiler of Over the Rhine on Tuesday as part of their “Words and Music” series. The event is sold out – good thing I got my tickets long ago.
Meanwhile at Ludlow Garage, Patty Griffin, Hayes Carll, and Lori McKenna are doing a sold-out “sharing the stage” gig. And Amythyst Kiah plays Southgate.
Here’s an interesting show on Wednesday:
That same evening, the Hackensaw Boys play Southgate (with Mike Oberst & Justine Cefalu opening). And Dawes plays the Taft. Remember when Dawes was called Simon Dawes and they played a gig at the old Alchemize bar in Northside back in 2006 with Chad VanGaalen and Band of Horses? I do, because I was there!
Speaking of cookies with jam, Camp Springs Tavern hosts their bi-weekly Bluegrass Jam on Thursday.
Johnny Delaware goes to Indiana on Friday, to play the Liberty Theater, with The Hiders also on the bill.
Saturday is a big day for shows:
Flatland Cavalry plays the Bobby Brady
The Paul Thorn Band is at Memorial Hall
Jess Williamson (who recently collaborated with Waxahatchee) plays Southgate
Madison Theater has Start Making Sense: A Tribute to Talking Heads
Everclear and Buckcherry are at the Lawrenceburg Event Center… we’re assuming it’s called “The Compound Words Tour”
Warrant and Lita Ford play the Hard Rock Casino (Aqua Net hairspray sold separately)
Last, but certainly not least on the Saturday roster, Ludlow Garage has the tribute show you never knew you needed… “Toast: The Ultimate Bread Experience.”
There must be a lot of folks in the Tristate who said “Baby, I’m-a Want You” to this, as there are not one but two shows (3pm and 8pm).
Personally, I’d rather go for Toast on a Stick.
Low Cut Connie plays the Liberty Theater next Sunday (11/17), with the band Sweat (good luck Googling “Sweat Band”) as the opener. List member Dave Tellmann and I will be at that show. That same evening, Will Hoge plays the Southgate.
Next Monday, 11/18, Woodward Theater screens the Ani DiFranco doc 1-800-On-Her-Own.
Wishbone Ash plays Ludlow Garage on Tuesday, Nov. 19th.
Wishbone Ash: pairs well with Toast!
Craig Finn of The Hold Steady plays the Woodward on Wednesday, November 20th, with Katy Kirby as the opener. List member “Rico” and I will be there. Remember when Craig Finn played that house concert in Cincinnati back in 2017? I do, because it was my house!
That same evening, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder play Memorial Hall.
Americana power couple Gillian Welch and David Rawlings play the Taft on Thursday, 11/21 and Wayne “The Train” Hancock plays Southgate.
Shows on Friday, 11/22:
The Wood Brothers at Taft
The Tubes at Ludlow Garage
Tiny Moving Parts at Southgate
TyeDye Band (featuring list member John Sandman) at Plain Folk Cafe in Pleasant Plain, OH.
Liberty Theater hosts a free Singer/Songwriter Night
On Saturday, 11/23:
The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band and Joe’s Truck Stop play Southgate
Ric Hordinski and Kim Taylor play the Woodward
Hyryder (Grateful Dead tribute) at Madison Theater
Mark Gibson and Danni Nicholls play a “Downtowne Listening Room” show at the Hellmann Creative Center in Covington, KY
Ludlow has Strangelove: The Depeche Mode Experience… with special guest Electric Duke (tribute to David Bowie)
On Sunday, 11/24, Ballyhoo! and Keep Flying are at the Liberty Theater, Ace Monroe is at Southgate, and Hard Rock Casino has Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening.
“I believe in the power of the individual — don’t get me wrong — but I’ve always just found that it distracts from the point. Why do we like a song? Is it because of who’s singing it to us? Or is it the song? And I just think it’s the song. For me, it is. For me, it’s about the song and what the music does. It can be very distracting when it becomes, ‘Oh, I love Bon Iver so much. I want more Bon Iver. I want to see Bon Iver. I want to get his autograph.’ I’m sensitive to it, and the attention can be overwhelming. I’m also uncomfortable with it because it distracts from the point that music delivered me to myself.”
We need some “Divine Intervention”
Matthew Sweet recently suffered a debilitating stroke in Canada. There’s a GoFundMe to help pay for his medical bills and ongoing therapy and care.
I couldn’t make the Cereal Killers show at Big Ash the weekend before Halloween, but I love their Ramones vibe:
No, I didn’t get tickets for the Jack White show at Bogart’s. But list members Dave Tellmann and Rico did.
I DID, however, catch all three Buffalo Tom shows during their “Please Come to Boston” festival, along with comedy from Eugene Mirman and Dave Hill, book readings from Tom Perrotta, Bill Janovitz, and Dave Hill, and a band Q&A hosted by comedian/actor Mike O’Malley.
Dave Hill is hilarious, btw.
And last night Wussy and the Chris Brokaw Band (feat. Chris Brokaw from Codeine and Come, and Clint Conley from Mission of Burma) were fantastic at the Woodward.
(That’s Brenda Sauter of The Feelies sitting in on bass.)
Todd, Regi, Tom, Jamie, Matt, Pam, Jay, Alyssa, Dave, Ken, Michelle, Dave, Kevin, Dr. David… it’d be easier to cite the list members who weren’t there – great to see such a strong turnout for our friends in Wussy.
Their new album was on sale at the show – the official release date is this Friday.
Album Covers of the Week(s)
These guys can’t count, but they look really slick.
They’ve gotten worse at counting. And/or they found out about their dad’s clandestine second family.
The 1/4 un-lonely is because his belt is off.
If my math is correct, this guy isn’t wearing pants. And/or T.G. Sheppard just walked in on him.
Do the Right Thing and support live music. Here are your options over the next couple of weeks:
This Wednesday, Richard Lloyd (of Television* fame) plays the Woodward Theater with a full band. Static Falls also is on the bill.
*Television the band, not the medium. But here’s Television on (Spanish) Television:
Also on Wednesday, Judy Collins plays Memorial Hall. Speaking o’ Spooky Season, ol’ “Sweet Judy Blue Eyes” is looking more like a Hocus Pocus witch these days:
Alice Peacock plays the Southgate House on Thursday. She’ll be in the Revival Room, with a lead pipe.
Wait, wrong Peacock!
Friday shows:
The Steep Canyon Rangers play Memorial Hall
Buffalo Wabs & the Price Hill Hustle are at Southgate (maybe the ghost of Pete Rose will show up)
America plays the Taft (they won’t have a headless horseman, but they will have a horse with no name)
Ludlow Garage has Dead Letter Office, a tribute to R.E.M.
This Saturday, Cereal Killers play Big Ash Brewing!
(Continuing my string of ill-timed trips, and jeopardizing my status as a Cereal Killers superfan, I once again will be out of town for their gig. Our whole fam-damily is going to Bloomington, Indiana to see the perennial football powerhouse Hoosiers take on their longstanding Big 10 27 rival, the Washington Huskies.)
Other Saturday shows include the sold-out “BEAT” show at Taft
Former King Crimson members ADRIAN BELEW and TONY LEVIN band together with guitar virtuoso STEVE VAI and explosive Tool drummer DANNY CAREY for the first time to create BEAT, a creative reinterpretation of the three iconic 80s KING CRIMSON albums – Discipline, Beat, and Three Of A Perfect Pair.
ekoostic hookah plays the Liberty Theater
Blues Traveler brings their “30 years of Four” tour to… Turfway Park
Pappy’s Jam Band plays Neltner’s Farm Fall Fest (1:30-4:30)
Lotus Land (a tribute to Rush) plays Ludlow Garage
On Sunday, the Casey Campbell Project plays Neltner’s Farm, Pink Martini plays Memorial Hall, and Taft has Mania, the ABBA tribute.
Next Tuesday (10/29), the Buena Vista Social Orchestra is at Bogart’s.
Next Wednesday:
KMFDM and the Morlocks play the Ovation
The Woodward hosts two showings (7:30 and 10:30) of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, with a shadow cast
Daphne Eckman plays Southgate’s Revival Room
Disco Biscuits (hold the Yung Gravy) play the Madison Theater
Next Thursday is Halloween.
That’s “hallow”-een not “hollow”-een… Hollow is for Easter.
“Rollvember” kicks off a week from Friday. There are several shows slated for Friday, 11/1:
Los Honchos play Southgate
Anthony Ray Wright and Andrew Hibbard are at Liberty Theater
Stacy Mitchhart plays an album release gig at Ludlow Garage
The Jacksons (R.I.P. Tito) play the Hard Rock Casino
I’ll be up in Boston that weekend for the Please Come to Boston festival. My favoritest band Buffalo Tom will be doing three concerts in three days (including an old-person-friendly “matinee” show on Sunday). They’re playing a different album from their 90s oeuvre each show, and the festival also features comedy sets from Eugene Mirman and Dave Hill, and something called “Punk Rock Aerobics”… I’m sure it’s quite the workout!
On Saturday, Nov. 2nd,
Gipsy Kings play the Hard Rock
The Peter Brady hosts “Life is a Carnival – The Last Waltz Tour ’24” with Ryan Bingham, Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench, Jamey Johnson and more.
Trippin’ Billies (Dave Matthews Band tribute) are at Ludlow Garage.
Here’s some Trippin’ Beverly Hillbillies:
The Drive-by Truckers play a Southern Rock Opera Revisited show at Bogart’s on Sunday, 11/3. Shut your mouth and get your ass on that plane into that show!
On Thursday, Nov. 7th, “Turn to Stone: A Tribute to ELO” will be at Memorial Hall, and Yngwie Malmsteen plays the Madison Theater.
On Friday, 11/8:
Goose opens up a three-night stand at the Carol Brady
Billie Eilish plays the Coliseum
Noah Wotherspoon plays the Liberty Theater with Noah Pavey
Saturday, 11/9 gigs:
Wussy plays a full-band show at the Woodward, with the Chris Brokaw Band as the opener.
Jimmy Webb (“America’s Songwriter”) is at Memorial Hall
Samantha Fish plays Ludlow Garage, with Mitch Ryder performing as part of Samantha’s band, and Canned Heat as the opener
Moonshine Drive plays Arnold’s
City & Colour are at Bogart’s with Pedro the Lion on Monday, 11/11.
We live for live
It’s been quite a fortnight for your music-addicted editor. Charly Bliss at the Exit/In in Nashville was great…
The opener, Pronoun, was cool too. And Marc from the one-hit-wonder band Len came up on stage for the encore to do “Steal My Sunshine” with Charly Bliss.
A week ago, list member Ken “Lobby Boy” Laube (check out his show on Inhailer Radio, Fridays 11a-3p) and I went to Columbus to see Superchunk. They rocked!
(Bassist Jason Narducy’s set list – he gave it to a kid in the front row… classy!)
For the final song of the encore, noted Breeder Kelley Deal and Mike Montgomery of R. Ring came on stage to do their song “Cartoon Heart/Build Me a Question.” (R. Ring drummer Laura King is touring with Superchunk right now.)
The opening band, Quivers, was stellar too.
While Ken was waiting in line to get Mac from Superchunk to sign his poster (yes, Mac was at the merch booth – dude’s top-notch in my book), I chatted with the members of Quivers – Mike, Holly, Bella and Sam. They were super-nice to this old man, and funny as heck. Check out their recent live in-studio set at KEXP and you’ll be hooked by their hooks:
List members Dave Tellmann, Todd Butler, Carl “The Truth” Williams and I caught the Eddie 9V/Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears double bill at the Woodward on Wednesday.
And those shows were just the warm-up for another Chuck Cleaver/Lisa Walker Wussy Duo house show at my place this past weekend.
List members Todd, Regi, Tom, and Jamie were in the house, and they can attest that it was amazing.
I didn’t make the Mountain Goats show at Taft, but their stage setup was interesting:
Malin on the mend
Here’s a nice CBS Saturday Morning sessions interview with Jesse Malin.
Shameless Self-promotion
Dave Tellmann and I got the “97X Rumblings from the Big Bush” podcast out of mothballs to chat with Randy Malloy, who went from unpaid college intern to owner of WWCD-FM in Columbus (nee “CD101″… and later “CD102.5″… and finally “CD92.9” before signing off under duress earlier this year).
Here on earth, I’m a bit disappointed that a band named “Rebels” chose conformity in their outfits.
On the other hand (the one with five fingers), at least Rebels don’t struggle with basic math. Or perhaps the dudes are the Gospel Four and the woman is there because her hair is heavenly.
Howdy, we’re short on time and long on concerts, so let’s get into it!
Tonight, Woodward Theater’s Cinema Series will be screening a movie about Brian Eno. It’s called… wait for it… Eno.
Meanwhile, I’ll be in Nashville for the Charly Bliss show at Exit/In. CB is about the poppiest my musical tastes get, but boy oh boy do they put on a great show! (Hence the long car ride.)
Tomorrow evening, Martin Sexton does an Abbey Road show at Memorial Hall.
Thursday:
Chromeo & the Midnight will be at the Ovation in Newport
Michigander plays Top Cats
Tinfoil Hat Cowboys play the Southgate Lounge (free!)
This Friday and Saturday, Bellevue Park Pavilion in Clifton Heights is hosting Rocktoberfest with several local bands playing three stages.
Other Freaky Fun Friday shows:
John Hiatt plays Memorial Hall
Keller Williams (yes, sounds like a real estate company) and the Motet are at the old Annie’s
Parker Millsap and Nat Myers play Southgate’s Sanctuary
Mike Viola will be upstairs in the Southgate Revival Room
The Yugos headline the Indie Friday free show at Fountain Square
Yung Gravy is at Bogart’s
We kinda wish Yung Gravy would tour with Disco Biscuits and play Cracker Barrels from coast to coast.
On Saturday
Tropicoso plays the Liberty Theater in Lawrenceburg, Indiana
Madison Theater has Pink Talking Fish (a fusion of Pink Floyd, Talking Heads and Phish).
On Sunday, The Mountain Goats Trio (John Darnielle, Matt Douglas and Jon Wurster) plays the Taft, with Tift Merritt as the opener. And Justine Cefalu & Mike Oberst play Neltner’s Farm.
Monday, ISWHAT?! plays the Woodward, while list member Ken “Lobby Boy” Laube and I will be road trippin’ to Columbus to see Superchunk at Scully’s. (Catch Ken Fridays 11a-3p on Inhailer radio.) Merge labelmates Quivers open the ‘chunk show. Great double bill!
Next Wednesday, 10/16:
Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes play Bogart’s
Tommy Castro & the Painkillers plays Southgate
Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears play the Woodward, with Eddie 9V as the opener. List member Dave Tellmann and I will be at that gig. (Dave and I have a bonus edition of the old “97X Rumblings from the Big Bush” podcast — the one three people listened to — coming soon!)
Shows next Thursday (10/17):
Bluegrass Jam at Camp Springs Tavern
Mickey Dolenz, the last Monkee, does a “songs and stories” gig at Ludlow Garage
Two indie bands from Chicago, Finom and Moontype, play the Woodward. Jeff Tweedy produced Finom’s latest album at the Wilco Loft.
Madison Theater hosts Puddles Pity Party on Friday, 10/18.
Wussy is playing at my house, again!
On Saturday, October 19th, Chuck Cleaver and Lisa Walker of Wussy will be playing their favorite east side venue, Casa de Damian (my house). The show is sold out, but I DO have my full allotment of five freebies – HMU if you’d like to attend.
Earlier that day, Chelsea Ford & the Trouble play Neltner’s Farm, and that same evening, just down the hill from my house, the California Honeydrops play the old Annie’s. I heard a good report about their live show in Lexington recently.
Wussy has a new album coming out!
We are excited to finally announce our first new record in six years! It’s called Cincinnati Ohio, and features ten tracks that we hope you’ll enjoy. (We were gonna call it The Great Divide, but in the end couldn’t bear to alter this amazing Langford / Calderas cover art).
It features all the regular Wussy folks – me (Lisa), Chuck, Mark, Joe – plus John E. on two songs, and newest member Travis on four songs. Producer and honorary member John Hoffman helmed and steadied the ship (and added some extra flourishes, too). Speaking of honorary members, John Curley recorded some of the basic tracks, and it was nice to have him back on board for those early days, as it was kind of an emotional rollercoaster to start recording again. He helped us navigate those first difficult sessions with a lot of grace and patience. There were many moments where we were all thinking – “is this even gonna work without John E”? We hope this album honors his legacy, as we move forward the best way we know how.
Album artwork is a painting by Jon Langford, based on photo by Jon Calderas. First track:
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