Dayton Music

‘On The Way To The Punchline’ Gives Smug Brothers Boost For 2014

February 20, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

When it comes to the Dayton music scene, Kyle Melton and Don Thrasher are in knee deep with their involvement. Along with their daily obligations, the two are currently in the middle of working on setting up this year’s forthcoming Dayton Music Fest. For many, the Dayton Music Fest is a yearly welcome party of sorts, a chance to observe all the bands that perform around town on a nightly and/or weekly basis. For Melton and Thrasher, it’s an opportunity for them to showcase the marvelous talent that continues to grow each and every year. The duo also works closely together on signing talent to Thrasher’s local record label Gas Daddy Go.

It’s no small task to tackle what these two take on, but they wouldn’t have any other way. Melton and Thrasher also make up half of the group Smug Brothers. The band, which got its name from Motel Beds guitarist Darryl Robbins during a recording session, will be releasing On the Way to the Punchline February 25^th. Since the inception of the group 10 years ago, On the Way to the Punchline will mark Smug Brothers first time they are physically releasing a full-length album.

On the Way to the Punchline has been in development for over two years now. Starting in the friendly confines of Melton’s basement, Smug Brothers started going to work on the album in the Spring of 2012. Melton, Thrasher, bassist Shaine Sullivan, and guitarist Brian Baker teamed up with Darryl Robbins to record a session. The album was finished and was ready to be released in June/July of 2012.

“We hit a rough patch”, Melton explains when asked about the delay of releasing Punchline. “[Don and I] got tied down with the Music Fest stuff…it just kinda fizzled.” Sullivan at the time had his hands full with his involvement with South Park Tavern and working on purchasing what would become Canal Public House. “In early 2013, we wanted to regroup and let’s get back together. Shaine said that he was going to bow out,” Melton added.

With an opening for a bassist, Thrasher spoke to Larry Evans, who most people would recognize for his contribution to the dazzling local rendition of The Band’s ‘The Last Waltz’. Thrasher learned the Evans was very attracted to the idea of joining up with a band somewhere around town.

“I really wanted to get back into playing while I was between bands, and I really loved Smug Brothers’ previous work”, Evans said during a recent interview. At around the time Sullivan exited the band, Thrasher mentioned to Melton that Evans was interested in joining a band. “I saw Larry at a show in South Park Tavern, and I said that I heard was interested. I asked him if he wanted to be in Smug, and he said yes.”

With the void of Sullivan filled and Evans eager to get rolling, Smug Brothers went back to work and released the EP Strictly Triggers. “Larry brings a lot of enthusiasm, and he is a great fit”, Thrasher explained. One thing you will notice when you listen to Strictly Triggers is the EP’s single ‘We Are Fluid’ is Sullivan’s fuzzed-out play. “It just wouldn’t be the same song without Sullivan playing it”, Melton said.

When you dive into On the Way to the Punchline, you immediately catch the band’s signature sound. For those who haven’t had the pleasure of hearing the band, expect to catch on to Smug Brother’s dreamy mid-fi rock sound. For those who have followed Dayton legends, and indie rock darlings Guided By Voices much, you will quickly catch onto Smug Brothers. The opening track, ‘A Guest Not A Passenger’, starts off with Thrasher getting the drums to move onward to a nice, steady march into the brass guitar riffs. Other gems like the acoustic guitar-driven, breezy ‘Over and Outside’ to the indie rocker ‘A Thing For English’ highlight the bands’ expansion of its sound, much like an artist continues to bring various paints and tools to their palette. Melton’s vocals are soft and welcoming, while Thrasher’s drumming in enthralling and exciting. Don’t sleep on Baker and Evans. Their work on bass and guitar throughout the album and EP Strictly Triggers are attention-grabbing as well. On the Way to the Punchline presents listeners to ability to take a glimpse into the gratifying times of 90s indie rock. And with the album’s songs being tight and short, it keeps the clarity and focus that the band strives for.

The band will be taking part of the inaugural event Cabin Fever, and they be performing at South Park Tavern this Saturday night with The 1984 Draft, Human Cannonball, and The Turkish Delights. Show time is 9pm, with the doors opening at 8pm. $5 cover gets you in the show.

REVIEW: Butcher Babies Massacre Cincinnati on Hellpop II Tour

February 16, 2014 By Mike Ritchie Leave a Comment

Before the Mourning (photo by Mike Ritchie)

On Jan 12, ¾’s of the 2014 Hellpop II tour came to Bogart’s in Cincinnati. Due to strep throat taking her voice with a high fever, Maria Brink was unable to perform. However the rest of the twisted circus showed up and gave fans a loud, rowdy show that brought many screaming, thrashing bodies over the crowd barrier eager to say hi.

From LA comes Before the Mourning, a new dawn for heavy music injected with young blood and passion. Three guys and one hot iron maiden came to play for the early evening pit ready crowd. The sweat, saliva, testosterone and estrogen flew as they christened their first stop at Bogarts with a definite Need to Bleed out. Clean melodic yelled vocals by Adam Ryan started the adrenaline opener sweeping over intense opening guitar interplay with pulsing bass and slamming drums. The industrial steam pump beginning of Grim went on a roller coaster ride of impassioned tortured vocals with a violent frantic guitar sound playing up and down your neck like a human fret-board. Slipping through the icy-cold clutches of darkness into mental oblivion. We got a very short break from the nerve wracking mental catacombs with the twangy guitar build of Damned & Forsaken only to be hit by thick Meshuggah riffs. ‘We’re all angels and demons, who’ve lost all feeling,’ the message screamed from the broken heavens as we fall earthbound lying face down slammed in the dirt to wither. By our deeds, not everyone has the right to live but we all have The Right to Die. Someone will be there to bury you. No worries, the light brings loud angels with screaming guitars that will carry you skyward or drop you south. Their sound is as catchy as it is deadly with modern day thrash and infectious melodies. They’re a dangerously delicious taste of deadly absinthe. They finish opening the floor for The Abyss proving humans can throw down just as hard as demons. Before the Mourning is a reminder to celebrate and honor the life of those we lay to rest.

All Hail the Yeti (photo by Mike Ritchie)

LA’s monstrous mythological contribution of not yet but someday legendary status, All Hail the Yeti turned the stage into the Sawyer/Hewitt family game room, spread with time-weathered skulls, bones, animalized upholstery and some tenderized taxidermy. Either they shop at the international house of bones or trap and kill their stage props before the tour. It’s a coonskin, gator bait grim reaper starring center stage in the bull-headed bazaar, draped and dapper with tribal feathers and fishnet. The Loch Ness was probably hidden somewhere in this wild-west nightmare sipping on dehydration and dust.

They open by taking us on a trip down to the Deep Creek in Big Bear where special chemicals and pollutants mix to create the Alice in Chains version of Creedence Clearwater spiked with some BLS swamp water. The flannel-soaked whisky’s flowing When the Sky Falls, shooting bullets at the moon as sky-bound vermin fall in the fire. We get hot and heavy in the dark Suicide Woods, screaming through the trees in search of the wildebeest. Fee fi fo fum, it smells the blood of everyone. We’re held by impaled burning wood scorched by flame as After the Great Fire graphically tells the haunting tale. The spirits and souls of charred victims young and old cry through the guitars searing notes: I am the devil in the smoke, I am the ghost. After the fire we get three minutes of drowning intensive Bloodguilt. It was time to move the f’n place around. The dirty, fighting, bullet flying old west comes to modern day Cincinnati on The Art of Mourning. Campfire harmonicas fire up a blaze of sound as bodies sway in the fragile wind, tried running from the angel of death, roped, drawn and quartered by noon, wife, victim of outlaw rape and shot, gone and buried too soon. Revenge is sought, the cross will lead you. Blood spilt for blood; the crow’s eyes see all. Walk with her in spirit to heavens call. Turning their backs on their Hollywood home and better for it, they’re a nasty, smelly boogie man campfire tale come to life. AHTY is the 2006 brain child of singer, tattoo artist Connor Garritty and guitarist K.J. Duval. Quickly earning a reputation of stalking their audience with a dead in the eye stare, their shows have left behind a metal hunter’s stake of human remains, oddities, parts and limbs lying about. With savage guitars riffs and dark melodious melodies AHTY is what you’d listen to, blocking out the pain trying to escape out of a bear trap.

Devour the Day (photo by Mike Ritchie)

From Memphis and the remains of Egypt Central, Devour the Day start out with a Joey Chicago bass funkin, air hammering, sheet-metal sparks flying beat with jamming guitars of Get Out of My Way or be trampled. It’s electric dance floor destruction at its schizophrenic best. You and Not Me cries for salvation that can’t be seen through another’s eyes. Handshakes to Fistfights comes in looking for trouble, road weary from death’s hand in back-street Memphis. They’ve risen and fallen, too late to turn back now, no point in relapsing to rehab, time to evolve. Ft. Wayne drove them crazy, infatuation isn’t love. Respect… must be earned, and you don’t deserve it. Run away, like a little bitch, you’re not worth it. Their classical piano keyed rock anthem Oath is a promise of a homeward bound to that special someone. Time for a Blackout, everybody freak out, the sign of the times is here. It’s a catchy, bouncy hard rock sing-along. The ‘closer’ opening beat of Move On has infectious techno-pop effects carried by strong emotional vocals and punctuated bass slides. Blake Allison pulls a strong vocal ‘tool’ out on Good Man trying to cast the demons out with the light. New CD Time & Pressure is available at www.devourtheday.com.

The Butcher Babies‘ massacre began when three guys and two loud and proud women teamed their admiration of Marilyn Manson, Slipknot, Slayer, Iron Maiden, Cannibal Corpse, Joan Jett and Gwen Stefani (yep) into their version of musical butchery. Their style is also heavily influenced by iconic grindhouse horror classic The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and the modern day malicious theater of House of 1000 Corpses and The Devils Rejects. However the person holding the most influence, watching from the metal heavens above, is the queen of early 80’s punk, metal and shock, The Plasmatic’s Wendy O’Williams. Her bad ass, don’t give a s—t what people thought attitude resonated with the band not only influencing their on stage attitude but for the first several years Heidi Shepherd and Carla Harvey’s stage attire consisted of black nipple tape in tribute to Williams persona. What young, impressionable youths wouldn’t be impacted by a crazy mohawk sporting chick driving a school bus into a wall of TVs in the desert? They also took their pluralized name from the Plasmatic song Butcher Baby and gained early attention via YouTube for a performance of F—–g Hostile. They’ve recently retired the tape for more fully dressed metal garb stating that they’ve paid respect and now it’s time to evolve. They self-released their first EP in 2011 and a comic book at Comic Con by Harvey, who’s also a novelist and licensed funeral director and embalmer.

The Butcher Babies (photo by Mike Ritchie)

Their show is a wild, vicious display of power with decibel shredding double vocals, pulverizing guitar, bass, drums and hot female aggression. In January 2012, they released Mr. Slowdeath and in May premiered the video from their EP, signing with Century Media in November and embarking on a two month tour with Marilyn Manson. Days later they began recording Goliath, releasing the I Smell a Massacre single in June. Goliath was released in July, touring the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival Jagermeister stage in support. Touring continued with Danzig, Texas Hippie Coalition and A Pale Horse Named Death. The album is a story about the forsaken, shunned by society, festering in the underground, transforming into the Goliath in a world where the more heinous the act, the greater your legend becomes. Thematic songs about the demons around us and trauma suppressed memories that still scream in our sleep. The alluring demonic hell-bred combination of two beautiful voices singing and screaming out ravaged throat-tearing angst counter balancing hope and rage in the same cage with intense brutality.

The blood red illuminated curtain opens, the crowd stands ready for pit-stance. The smell of bloodshed fills the room with Heidi’s impassioned emerald-ended blonde warrior scream. The massacre’s back here again from a year ago, as the audible mauling begins with the opening throat slit riffs of Henry Flury. The beast inside comes out at night. Two predatory animalistic voices ready to drive insanity into your brain. We see the dark side of the mirror; if these broken glass feelings won’t cut you with frenetic speed, the Butcher Babies will. We feel Harvey’s agony with these feelings of remorse, it’s gonna be a long ride. Shepherd’s high peaked shredding shrieks prove it’s amazing the stuff you do and the sh- you f- up when you’re In Denial. Brunette song siren Harvey lays down the hypnotizing strong melody as the perpetual movement continues. They’re plasmatic princesses of battle-torn burlesque in a Mad Max world.

The Butcher Babies (photo by Mike Ritchie)

Heidi and Carla, much to the chagrin of front stage security invite everyone in the back to ‘find a way’ to the front. Going back to the Butcher Babies EP and a visit from Dr. Feelgood himself, Mr. Slowdeath, as no less than 20 ‘surfers’ did the climb of life during the, hungry for more guitar/bass riffs, making their human-handed way towards the stage within arm’s reach during blood-drenched, emotionally scarred words. The babes and babies called for that one ugly word with fists in the air, screeching like a tortured soul with unanimous headbanging. It was a leather and lace request/order with boot-licking loud good taste from the crooning voice of a hell’s angel on aged whisky. They wanted the biggest Bogart‘s circle pit ever as they enraptured everyone in full Hi-Def sledge-thudding, secret candle lit meeting Deathsurround sound. Let’s hear you scream Cincinnati! This city of angel’s creeps down the alleys of disease, destroying your innocence, passion and dreams, turned into a different person by drugs, booze and sleaze. Every town has a Magnolia Blvd. The babies get ready to end the show with an old-school Axe Wound to the damaged ear and soul. The crowd falls into the enchanted banshee delivered curse as Heidi, Carla and Henry each take to the railing, standing tall, surveying all who lingered.

They bow, exiting as the house lights come on. But…wait, an attendant ran on stage flashing the index finger. We get one more song. Like a shot call in a riot, or moshpit, we get chemically compounded by octane with C8H18 as the Gasoline flows.

(Due to severe illness Maria Brink and In This Moment were unable to perform on Sunday January 12 at Bogart’s. The show was made free, and Before the Mourning, All Hail the Yeti, Devour the Day and Butcher Babies performed as scheduled. In This Moment rescheduled for February 3rd with tickets honored.)

Dayton Metro Library Celebrates Funk: Local Roots of a National Phenomenon

February 13, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Dayton, Ohio, was in many ways the epicenter of funk music in the 1970s and 80s. Local funk bands achieving national success include the Ohio Players, Slave, Lakeside, Heatwave, Sun, Zapp, and Faze-O. The Dayton Metro Library celebrates the local roots of funk music with local musicians, teachers and others who will share their experiences and reflect on the era. The free program takes place on Saturday, February 15, 1:00-3:00 p.m. in the Main Library Auditorium, 215 E. Third Street, downtown Dayton. The short film Dayton, Ohio: The Land of Funk by Adam Greaser will also be shown.

Featured guests at the program will be:

Dr. John “Turk” Logan was a disc jockey and program director at WDAO Radio who promoted funk music, gave air time to local bands and helped propel them to national success.
Marshall “Rock” Jones was a founding and long-time member of the Dayton’s first nationally renowned funk band, the Ohio Players. Although they toured the world and gained 14 gold and platinum awards for their music, the Players kept Dayton as their home base and mentored many of the future funk musicians from Dayton.
Larry Lee was a former student mentored in music at Roosevelt and RothHigh Schools. He played with members of several local funk bands before becoming an NFL player with the Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos. After retiring from football, he returned to music and created the band Back in the Day.
Kweku Ayangade (formerly Donald Sutton), a former music teacher at Roosevelt and Roth High Schools, mentored many of Dayton’s outstanding funk musicians, including Larry Lee who said he was “instrumental in my life”
Basim Blunt is host of the funk music radio show Behind the Groove on WYSO. He helped train students from Dayton Public School’s Ponitz Career Technology Center to interview artists and musicians in connection with the exhibit Visual Voices: Visions of the Funk at the SchusterCenter. “I hope Dayton will realize that fans from all over the world revere the music that came from this city,” he says.

The library event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the library’s External Relations Department at 937-496-8901.

John Legend To Return to Springfield For Hometown Concert

February 8, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Nine-time Grammy winner and Springfield native John Legend will perform a live show on the campus of Clark State Community College March 1 in support of a nonprofit agency that’s working to make a positive impact on Springfield’s youth with a pre-concert college fair.

The Be About It Movement celebrates fathers and seeks to motivate them to step up and be involved in their kids’ lives. The agency seeks to leverage the combined strength of all of Springfield’s social agencies to improve the community and support families throughout the region.

The college fair will be held Saturday, March 1, at the Clark State Performing Arts Center at 300 Fountain Ave. in Springfield from 4 to 6 p.m. Families and students from all backgrounds and ages will benefit from the fairs participants and the resources they share.

The concert will be held in the same building from 7 to 9 p.m. Doors will open at 6:30. The show will feature local artists, including Vaughn Anthony, and will close with a performance by Legend.

Tickets cost $20 and can be purchased at the Clark State Box Office Tuesday–Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at (937) 328-3874.

The college fair/concert is the third Be About It Movement event since December 2012. Anthony, John Legend’s brother, is the founder of the nonprofit and is organizing the event.

Independent Comics, Film and Music To Be Celebrated At Inaugural I.C.E.

January 31, 2014 By Juliet Fromholt Leave a Comment

Saturday February 1^st marks the debut of the Independent Creators Expo, seasonally appropriately nicknamed I.C.E., at Wright State University’s Student Union. To the naked eye, I.C.E. May appear to be like a comic book convention and that’s a good starting point for understanding the event. But you won’t see Wolverine, Batman or Spider-man playing a prominent role at this show.

Artwork from Jason Young’s Veggie Dog Saturn

“I want I.C.E. to be the show where people go to see original work and support the mediums they love at ‘ground zero,’ where it all begins,” says Brandon (Bjay) Johnson of Studio Akumakaze, the Kettering art/design studio hosting the event.

As the name suggests, I.C.E.’s focus is on the work of independent comic and graphic artists much like Columbus’ popular Small Press & Alternative Comics Expo (S.P.A.C.E.), which has celebrated many of the Dayton area’s independent comic creators for many years.

With its own manga-style comic book, SCRAP, Studio Akumakaze is part of a longstanding community of comic creators in the Miami Valley that includes Justin Wasson and Jason Young of Buyer Beware Comics, among many others.

“I thought that a show that focused entirely on original work and independent creators would be a nice companion show for Gem City Com Con [also held at Wright State],” says Johnson. “And also be a good way to kick off the year and stir up some excitement for the artistic community before the convention season begins in the spring.”

Another departure from the more traditional comic book convention is that in addition to comic/graphic artists, I.C.E. is welcoming local, independent filmmakers and musicians. Nightbeast and Red Hot Rebellion head up the musical offerings and filmmakers Eric Widing (Hellhounds) and Shawn Burkett (Concept Media) are among the motion picture guests who will also be joined by Dayton area horror host Baron Von Porkchop.

“In my opinion, it wouldn’t have made sense NOT to include [filmmakers and musicians],” said Johnson. “Independent music, film, and comics are all driven by the same desires: to create something new, to improve their individual genre/medium, to rebuild the heritage and credibility of their medium, to celebrate the things that inspire them to be an artist, and to challenge the mainstream with fresh new ideas/concepts. It only made sense to bring them all together and create an atmosphere that would be ripe with creativity and also be a place to share ideas, network and help one another reach a bigger audience.”

How To Go:
Independent Creators Expo (I.C.E.)
Saturday, February 1st, 10am-5pm
Wright State University Student Union Hall
Admission $3

Sleep Fleet Celebrates Release of New EP

January 30, 2014 By Dayton937 1 Comment

So far the new year in Dayton has brought great music around town for us all to enjoy! This weekend is no exception!

On Saturday, February 1st, Sleep Fleet returns to Dayton after six months – a time far too long for music fans. The Sleep Fleeters are releasing their brand shiny and new EP, Hudson & High, at a show at Blind Bob’s in our fine city. The album courtesy of the fine folks at Brain Candy Records is available at the band’s bandcamp page and is not to be missed.

Sleep Fleet is joined by the dynamic new trio Brat Curse! Their new self-titled record is another great new release for 2014! These ex-Pharohs musicians play a pop-tinged punk that is a reminder of the excitement of the D-I-Y and post-punk movements before alternative became commercial!

Dayton’s own Dear Fawn will be playing their first set with their all new five-person line up! You can hear some of Dear Fawn’s fine songs from their terrific CD, I Played the Queen on the band’s Soundcloud page! This is another new band that promises to be another great addition to our music scene.

Track List for Hudson & High

	1.	I Wanted It All 02:04
	2.	I’ll Stay 02:49
	3.	Happy Alone 02:55
	4.	Chief 02:10
	5.	Three Sides 02:18
	6.	Why Don’t You Want Me? 02:39

Cross-posted at Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative

Crooks On Tape: Schmersal Putting ‘Fingerprint’ Back On His Hometown

January 30, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

John Schmersal is frantically running around his Los Angeles apartment during our recent phone conversation. In the background, you can hear him shuffling papers, closing and opening doors to what could be cabinets and his vehicle. “Sorry, I’m just getting everything taken of around here before I head out,” Schmersal says to me. He’s heading out to start touring around the United States and parts of Europe with his band, Crooks on Tape, and they’ll be stopping in Dayton Thursday night for an album release show at the Rockstar Pro Arena on East Third Street.

In 1994, Schmersal joined Dayton area band Brainiac. The band had originally formed in 1992 with vocalist/guitarist/keyboard player Tim Taylor, bassist Juan Monasterio, guitarist Michelle Bodine and drummer Tyler Trent. A typical Brainiac show would consist of an exhilarating high-energy mix of punk and electronic blasts.

With the shows being dubbed some of the best to catch, the band quickly received attention outside Dayton. They opened for bands like The Breeders and Jesus Lizard, and Beck. In 1993, Brainiac released their first album Smack Bunny Baby. After Bodine left, Schmersal joined and Brainiac went back to the studio soon releasing Bonsai Superstar. The following year Hissing Prigs in Static Couture dropped. The albums sparked major record labels to start coming and sign the band. Brainiac was ready to take the world by storm, and highlight just how incredible the music scene in Dayton was.

Then tragedy stuck. In 1997, a car accident took Taylor’s life, and soon after, the band disbanded. “We tried to make it work after his passing”, Schmersal said. “It just didn’t feel right.”

After the disbanding of Brainiac, Schmersal formed the band Enon in 1999 while living in New York. That band consisted of Schmersal and Rick Lee and Steve Calhoon, previously of the New York rock band Skeleton Key. Enon would follow the footsteps of Brainiac with synthesizers and with a number of percussion sounds that Lee created. The band would release their first full length album Believo! in 1999 with Onhold following in 2001, High Society in 2002, and Hocus Pocus in 2003. In 2005, Enon released Lost Marbles & Exploded Evidence, which was a collection of singles and internet-released songs along with a bonus DVD. 2007 came, and Enon dropped it’s final album Grass Geysers…Carbon Clouds, and disbanded for good in 2011.

In the winter of 2010, Schmersal and Lee met up with drummer Joey Galvan in Los Angeles. The plan was simple, according to Schmersal. “The three of us got together and started to jam out. See what happened. We didn’t record anything, which was really a shame.” Following the sessions, the trio realized they had something special. So, the next time they reconvened, they started the tape and began recording everything. Those sessions went on until the spring of 2012 and were then compiled and edited into Crooks On Tape’s first album Fingerprint.

Fingerprint is a dazzling display of the blending of Schmersal and Lee’s work with guitars, synthesizers, samplers, and loopers and Galvan’s drumming. “Galvan really brings a different style to the music. It really comes together”, Schmersal says.

The opening song, ‘Duper’ is full with compelling hooks that immediately grab your attention. The heavy-guitar riffs on ‘River Bait’ give you the glimpse on what Schmersal took out of the Brainiac and Enon experiences. Geto Boys sampled ‘A Hazmat Dream’ gives way to distorted vocals. The slow-build to quick finish ‘Clergyman Segway’ gives way to the dreamy, beautiful, R&B-like ‘Barging In’. Fingerprint doesn’t let you get you comfortable. It jumps around with all kinds of diverse sounds and rhythm. The improvisation of the recordings gives the album a freedom of experimentation, which is wonderful.

For Schmersal, the show Thursday will be a great homecoming for him. “I still have family around town. So it will be fun to get to see them, catch up, and enjoy being home again”, Schmersal said when asked about returning to Dayton. “It will be cool to see the old town again.” What’s even special about the return of Schmersal is the fact that Crooks On Tape’s Fingerprint is the first album released from their venture with Misra Records, now located in Dayton, Ohio. “Leo [DeLuca, head of Misra] and I was always kept in touch, and he really wanted to sign the band”, Schmersal explained.

Crooks On Tape are currently on tour, and will perform at the Rockstar Pro Arena Thursday night, starting at 7:30pm. $8 cover in advance and $10 at the door. The show is for all ages.

Fingerprint is now available from Misra Records.

Track List:

1. Duper

2. If Feelings Mean a Thing

3. Tito’s Riser

4. The Regiments

5. Melting the Ice

6. Summer’s End

7. River Bait

8. Milo’s Creeper

9. A Hazmat Dream

10. Wandered Again

11. Clergyman Segway

12. Barging In

Looking Forward to Days To Come

January 30, 2014 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

There are bands that become successful because of intense and expensive record company promotion that repeatedly tell us that this entertainer is a musician, regardless what your ears may tell you. There are bands that dominate the radio, the ‘net stream, and iTunes because they have a look. There are bands that become well known because of the producer that records the music, even before we hear that first chord. And there are bands that become successful for the simple reason that they are good, they successfully write music that captures the often ignored inner need we all have for a great song. Dayton’s own Motel Beds are one example of a band that is simply a good band that consistently delivers great songs.

With the Misra Records recent release of their recent collection, These Are The Days Gone By, PJ Paslowsky, Tommy Cooper, Ian Kaplan, Derl Robbins, and Tod Weidner remind us that even without the music industry machine, without some hypoallergenic created look, great music can not only be consistently created – it can be created in your home town.

Days starts with the eponymous album track, a rocking reminder that art and commerce should connect when the time is right. And for this band, the time is right with every song you hear on this collection. These are the Days Gone By – a standout track from the ‘Beds Tango Boys album – demonstrate the way that the guitars-bass-drums approach of rock and roll can still be made fresh and exciting. If you do not start to sway when you hear the twin guitars of Cooper and Robbins, you should check your pulse; and if the bass does not make you dance… “Well, how you feeling right now? Are you still with us?”

The next song Ocean Flows from the ‘Beds 2009 EP Go For A Dive connects the listener to the best in high intensity yet rocking lofi-ish sound. Songs such as this recall the early and best of bands like R.E.M. when the vocals did not have to be so highly mixed as to over-power the music. While this lesson is repeatedly ignored by Top 40 radio, The ‘Beds are able to make the most out of a mix that encourages the listener to feel the different instruments of the song. It is important to note that the current arrangement of Ocean Flows illustrates the impressive drop-your-jaw drumming of Ian Kaplan that becomes a full out attack on later ‘Beds recordings such as Sunfried Dreams and Dumb Gold. And live, wow… you will wonder how Kaplan can lift his arms after a show.

With Skymade Suit and Cactus Kiss the band reveals early ideas that will be more fully realized on later work. Skymade Suit was the first track on the ‘Beds 2003 EP Hasta Manana and show a different side to the band. Suit was recorded with only Paslosky, Cooper and Kaplan before being joined by current members Derl Robbins and Tod Weidner. The evolution of the band is demonstrated when comparing songs such as Skymade Suit and more recent work such as Surfjerk, Smoke Your Homework, and Valentimes. Cactus Kiss originally appeared on the 2007 collection Local Losers – a release to benefit WWSU radio — and then on The ‘Beds Moondazed album and more importantly helps place The ‘Beds into a constant evolving swirl of Beach Boys influenced rock psychadelia.

The alternative version of Sunfried Dreams is a welcome visit into the creative process of the band. It is one of only two songs on the album to include keyboards; the alt version of Dreams has a different all around feel than the version that ended up on the album of the same name. One has to wonder if this alternative version is a glimpse of a band that would have moved along a different path than the road taken.

Standouts on the record include Tropics of the Sand that include the vocals of the always terrific Kelley Deal (R. Ring, The Breeders), Surfjerk, Lights On and Smoke Your Homework – Songs that have long been featured on local radio, all four songs in rotation on WUDR. It is impressive how Paslosky and Deal wrap their vocals around the song. They sing and sound as if they have been singing together for years! When their cascading vocals hit the song title together, you believe that they are yearning for a tropic somewhere together. You feel it. With Lights On and Surfjerk you hear the welcome addition of Tod Weidner (Shrug and heck too many projects to list here). The additional strength on bass and on vocals on other tracks greatly strengthens the overall sonic texture of The Motel Beds. And if you have seen the band live, you know firsthand how much Weidner adds to the performance!

One of the best discoveries on the album is the cover – and it is the only cover on the album – of Matthew Sweet’s I’ve Been Waiting, an often overlooked track from his terrific album Girlfriend! The ‘Beds demonstrate their understanding of indie-college music by tacking the song and infusing urgency in the song that Sweet’s focus on classic indie-pop melody understates. The Motel Beds make the song feel more immediate and more plaintive than Sweet ever could. And considering that Matthew Sweet once had an indie hit with a song called Sick of Myself – that is really saying something.

Throughout all twelve tracks on this album you almost miss noting the captivating vocals of PJ Paslosky. Instead of grand standing and singing in some strange grandiose manner, Paslosky extends his voice in ways that draw the listener into the songs. Whether listening to an early song by the band or something from their latest album of new material, Dumb Gold, you find yourself drawn to him. Drawn not because of an industry manufactured buzz or some odd notoriety, but a gravity that a gifted vocalist creates.

Do not miss this collection – part retrospective, part review, and part exploration – consider this a road map of good songs for your music loving soul.

Information about the band can be found at motelbedsmusic.com and misarecords.com.

Track List for These are the Days Gone By:

1. These are the Days Gone By
2. Ocean Flows
3. Skymade Suit
4. Cactus Kiss
5. Surfjerk
6. Valentimes
7. Lights On
8. Western Son
9. Tropics Of The Sand
10. Sunfried Dreams (alternate version)
11. I’ve Been Waiting
12. Smoke Your Homework

Cross posted at Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative

REVIEW: Moshpits & Lighters IV Return to McGuffy’s

January 27, 2014 By Mike Ritchie Leave a Comment

Sleepers Awake (Samantha Stewart Photography)

On Saturday December 21, Daniel DeDoncker’s musical masterminded showcase of rock and metal returned to the scene of last year’s event to celebrate another year of great local, regional and out of state music. M&L alumni Amongst Villains, Avenue Sky and headliners In The Cut returned this year joined by 2013 newcomers Springfield’s Abrade the Regal, Gathering Mercury, Sleepers Awake, newly formed Soul Shadow, Columbus scene vets Overtheory and War of Change.

Columbus’ result of Tool, Opeth and Mastodon in a car wreck after killing the gecko and the cave man together, Sleepers Awake started the show with the eight minute Slave Within. The first 90 seconds sounding like Maynard Keenan fronting Opeth before Chris Thompson’s Akerfeldt growl hit. An acoustic laced metal tune with bits of Serj Tankian added in, playing four songs from the Ascensions record and taking their name from a line by Kyle MacLachlan’s character in Dune. Apparitions is another eight minute mood swinger of dark melodic blues, subdued singing and virtually growless. Saint Condemned is Opeth thrash meets death metal vocals tag teamed with impassioned singing and Burdened. Formed in 2005, their June released Ascensions is an homage to the prog-rock metal ingredients of their Canadian brethren. They’ve shared stage time with Ceterum, The Black Antler, Red Sun, Neon Warship and Grand Mammoth among others.

Soul Shadow

Dayton’s newest father and son double-team, times two Soul Shadow came out for their trial/baptism by fire playing their first live gig ever in front of a packed McGuffys house. The music’s definitely in the family for these guys as drummer Aaron Mayes is the offspring of singer/guitarist Kyle Mayes and bassist Justin Ankeney was reaped by guitarist Shad Ankeney. They’ll spend 2014 playing and recording, building a loyal army of Shadow Soldiers until world domination occurs. They debuted a set of originals and covers starting with the Mudvayne’ed beginning of Forgiveness with elder Mayes giving a BLS flavored singing style/biker’s growl to the lyrics. They then introduced the next metal Symphony of Destruction asking if everyone’s ready for some Metallica? Are you ready? Well, too damn bad, here’s some snarled Mustaine done Soul Shadow style. Old-schoolers that know their history laughed off such snide musical treachery. Their second original, a social commentary on governmental operation, growls you’re No Damn Good. We get the sweet demonic kiss of the zombie and one way ticket down highway 666 to 1965. A tribute to all those we lost in 2013 was played slow, with dark, deep reflections. For Now we must move on, but we will see them again.

Springfield’s Abrade the Regal is a band that has and will play, well, just about anywhere and seem to fit in no matter who’s on the bill. With a mix of grunge and rock, they can please just about any ear and leave it ringing. Starting with Fight for You, they mix a recipe of rock and STP meets Creed with the cretin Creedins rightfully getting their asses kicked. They don’t plan on stopping ever and will See You in the Afterlife at the great big gig in the sky. They spent most of their stage time Screaming at the World that there’s way too much to be pissed about. But they always Reach the End with style.

Gathering Mercury (Samantha Stewart Photography)

The new and improved Gathering Mercury version late 2013 and beyond debuted bassist Parisa Samavati and keyboardist Alyssa Welker playing with a harder more aggression edge. Singer/guitarist Ashley Stacy turned up the spunk and machismo, surrounded by a bill of heavier bands. They got Down With the Sickness immediately, showing off their Disturbed new creation. They brought out the tranquil Bliss to calm everyone down. While the rain brought floods outside, we got off on a Halestorm inside. They debut new tune Detox and play show set closer Carousel.

The second reps from C-Bus and returning M&L cast mates Amongst Villains brought back the hard driven southern rock sound that kept them coming back. Josh Marshall forsakes his seasonal sweater (bah, hum-bug) switching to denim, and we don’t blame him. They start with the anti-networking anthem Every Bridge Burned then Marshall laid his Henry Rollins singing voice on crowd pleaser Black River Ruin then hits vocal weight on Heavy Is the Crown. My Name In Vain’s Dave Nester helped out behind the kit. They came with mistletoe, warm salted nuts and kisses for everyone.

Overtheory (Samantha Stewart Photography)

Columbus scene vets Overtheory came to Dayton to spread their version of intellectual hard rock. Slamming bodies forward, they showed McGuffy’s what Alrosa, O’Shecky’s and all other venues ‘up the road’ already knew. Played crowd favorites for new ears Decide, Fatal Flaw, Break and new tune Solution, bassist James Guest, once again managed to not self-decapitate during the set, hard as he may try.

Dayton’s champions of Christ-like metal War Of Change came waving the flag of spiritual warfare high. Birthed early in 2012, they’re following in the hallowed footsteps of Alice in Chains, Pillar, Disciple, Pantera and many other metal warriors. Singer Johnny Baxter came out gas masked, dressed for combat. He’ll make you a believer of the shield and otherwise. Though he resembled a bearded Last Samurai, he charged the stage like a protesting/determined William Wallace ready to take a few souls to a better place. He pulled the best Lajon Witherspoon out of his throat for the bass-groovin opener Our Allegiance, singing out a loud battle cry for all our brave men and women fighting for our freedom. We’re put into the stranglehold of a Stronghold. They played the crimson Sabbath for U2 and on any given Bloody Sunday. Hero is about the ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus. When the devil delivers temptation and brings the evil, This Means War. Speaking of temptation, Baxter also confessed to being a 20 year A-Z recovering addict, heroin bringing him to his knees during the last two. Finding God during a 2 year prison sentence and released in May 2010, he’s been clean for three years and three months, as he loudly, triumphantly proclaimed ‘yes, HE is real.’ They finish, filing a biblical Chapter 13 on Revelations refusing to be marked by the beast.

Avenue Sky (Mike Ritchie)

Back from Flint Michigan, Avenue Sky returned with new material and some familiar favorites. It’s another ‘show of a lifetime’ and was the return of the Day of the Intruder for these hard rock melody makers. What We Seek takes a hard thumpin sound of Disturbed with some metal-core screams slide-fingering into some nice metal rhythms. The slow but heavy beginning melody of Pattern of Descent took us ‘down there’, picking up some meaty riffs on the way below. They slowed it down (a little) with the speed of Dragonflies, playing rock that could blow out most coffee house windows. They paid tribute to the Deftones with the dreamlike eerie Passenger car ride with Matt from In The Cut. They also paid tribute to Iron Maiden on the opening riff of Don’t Make Waves. Avenue Sky incorporates hard rock melodies, with loud, heavy riffs borrowing from both metal-core and NWOBHM bands creating a distinct musical hybrid of Lamb of God, Disturbed and Deftones.

In the Cut (Mike Ritchie)

Event MC’s In the Cut took the stage to the late night devoted standees. The Xmas Aftermath intro played signaling in the hellaciously happy holiday season and maybe taking a piece from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Opening up Wasted, they played two new tunes but there’s Dust on the lyrics sheet as DeDoncker multi-tasks. They go six degrees of Kevin Bacon on Tremors. They got the Eye of the Tiger for Rocky IV displaying a profound love for 80’s training montages with the song they ripped off/wrote No Easy Way Out. F-Drago! Apollo lives and comes back as a robot to fight later (it was past midnight and past a few drinks). Until the End came off the new CD, a fun fan sing-along. In the words of hand-written guitar slogans everywhere, lettuce faq and Cross the Rubicon. Also from the new CD, Our Hearts Our Fire followed by dark ballad If Tomorrow Never Comes. DeDoncker took a minute as the set progressed to introduce/serenade the family matriarch as Mrs. DeDoncker had the best seat in the house. The next tune they wrote in the 70’s and sold it to a little known band (at the time) called Journey. Then they went their Separate Ways. They’re headlining the fourth Moshpit & Lighters show and thankfully no one Left Bleeding. Some of their shows have been known to Break personal-space boundaries. They reminded us we’re all imperfect mortals trying our best to walk the right path From Eden to Exile. They finished the fourth M&L with some loving Hatred Divine encoring with an old-school tune all about Love.

Motel Beds Celebrate New Album, New Record Deal With A Special Twist

January 14, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Ian Kaplan, drummer for the Dayton rock band Motel Beds, is sitting at one of the tables near the bar area at South Park Tavern with myself and the band’s manager, Dave Obenour. The establishment has a pretty decent crowd on this night, even with snow blanketing the city. The mix of classic rock along with some other genres is blaring through the speakers. The superior collection of beers and their fantastic pizza once again gives the patrons the feeling of ecstasy and fulfillment. To those who come here frequently, it’s just another night. While sitting at our table, Kaplan leans his back on the column that is positioned right behind him. While I was drinking one of the assortments of MadTree Brewery that South Park Tavern has on tap and Obenour was taking in his beer of choice, Kaplan slips on a glass of water with a lemon floating around with the ice cubes. It seems that he is savoring this evening at the tavern.

In all actuality, this evening at the tavern is probably a nice break from the chaotic road that Kaplan and his other band mates (Tommy Cooper, Darryl Robbins, PJ Paslosky, Tod Weidner) have been traveling on. For starters, the group re-released their 2011 album Sunfried Dreams on vinyl for the first time in July from Brian Candy Creative and threw a vinyl release party at Blind Bobs. In August, two huge events took place: the band signed a deal with Misra Records and played at the Fraze Pavilion located in Kettering, Ohio. This Saturday, Motel Beds will be releasing their first album under the Misra Records label These are the Days Gone By and will be playing a show at Yellow Cab.

The signing of Motel Beds to Misra Records is one of the recent big splashes for the label. Leo DeLuca, who is part of the folk rock band Southeast Engine, took over the company in 2010 from Cory Brown. Brown, who is owner of Absolutely Kosher Records located in Emeryville, California, signed Southeast Engine while he was running Misra. When DeLuca took over, he operated the label in Durham, North Carolina till 2012. At the time he decided that it was time to pack it up and move back to his hometown, Dayton. DeLuca has signed R. Ring, which features The Breeders’ Kelley Deal and Ampline’s Mike Montgomery, and also has released the debut album from Crooks on Tape (which includes Brainiac’s John Schmersal).

“I have talked to Leo a couple of times over the past couple of years”, Kaplan said on the beginning of Motel Beds being signed on to the label. “I think he saw the momentum building and he said let’s try this out. We were very flattered.”

These are the Days Gone By will consist of 10 songs that the band has previously released over the years, along with two never-before-released tracks.

“With us getting signed with Misra and us being together for 10 years, Leo wanted to put out a ‘retrospective’ of sorts”, explained Kaplan. “We thought that this would be a good introduction for people who don’t know us yet.” These are the Days Gone By has been remastered by Carl Saff, who has helped master albums by Guided by Voices, Dinosaur Jr. just to name a few. Another new wrinkle to the album, Weidner went back and added bass parts to the songs. For fans that have come to know and love the band, they will be thrilled to have this as part of the already impressive catalog that the band has released. For folks that will be hearing the band for the first time, they will be experiencing the band’s eclectic blend of surf rock to the hypnotic lo-fi play. The songs are quick in time with most not going longer than 3 minutes, but leave a long-lasting impression that make you continue coming back for more. To most around the Dayton area, Motel Beds is one of the premiere bands that give outsiders an inside look at just how good our scene is here.

The first 500 LP’s released will have a little something distinctive. Each of the album covers has been individually hand-painted by the artists at We Care Arts, which is located locally in Kettering, Ohio. We Care Arts is a non-profit organization that helps emotionally, mentally and physically disabled adults and youth achieve greater personal independence. To do so, We Care Arts provides a variety of art classes and experiences. They also promote the artist’s individuality, self-esteem, community skills, and ability to focus, life skills, responsibility, confidence and job skills. Extensive training is provided for each artist in a creative area appropriate for his/her interests including painting, pottery, computer art/design, jewelry making and sewing. Through the creation and sale of their individually crafted items, artists are able to affirm their self-worth, take steps back into the mainstream of society and receive a supplemental income. We Care Arts provide all training and materials to artists and a portion of the proceeds of all sales is returned to the artist. The remainder goes back to program funding.

Portions of the sales from These are the Days Gone By will be donated to We Care Arts. The band posted on their Facebook page recently some of the covers that will be gracing the cover, and the response was incredible. “We are getting interest from all over the United States and we even had someone from Europe wondering how they could get their hands on one of them”, Kaplan revealed. This past Sunday, the band, along with Obenour, went to We Care Arts to check out the album covers and filled the sleeves.

The Motel Beds plans for 2014 as of now include performing at their second South By Southwest Music Festival between March 11-16 in Austin, Texas. They will be also performing at the Nelsonville Music Festival in Nelsonville, Ohio on the weekend of May 29-June 1. Motel Beds also plan on playing some other shows on top of those two festivals. Most importantly, their second album under the Misra label will be started. “We have been writing for over a year already”, Kaplan stated. “We really want to keep our hand close on this next one and really knock it out of the park.”

Before the shows start to come, before the chaotic rush begins again, Kaplan was able to take a deep breath and relax for a second on this cold and snowy evening at South Park Tavern.

And that was plenty good for him.

Motel Beds will be releasing a soft, limited release of These are the Days Gone By and will be playing alongside Good English and Smug Brothers at Yellow Cab this Saturday night. Doors open at 7pm, with the show starting at 8pm. To purchase your tickets early, click on this website: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/546766.

Here is the track listing for These are the Days Gone By:

1. These are the Days Gone By

2. Ocean Flows

3. Skymade Suit

4. Cactus Kiss

5. Surfjerk

6. Valentimes

7. Lights On

8. Western Son

9. Tropics Of The Sand

10. Sunfried Dreams (alternate version)

11. I’ve Been Waiting

12. Smoke Your Homework

UD To Host Film, Discussion Series on American Music

January 14, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

The University of Dayton will host “America’s Music: A Film History of Our Popular Music from Blues to Bluegrass to Broadway,” a six-part film and discussion series about uniquely American musical genres including blues and gospel, Broadway, jazz, bluegrass and country, rock n’ roll, mambo and hip hop.

Each two-hour session will explore an American musical style through film and discussion led by a University of Dayton faculty member. The University is one of 81 sites nationwide selected to host the series. The series is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

“We are thrilled to participate in this exciting program that will explore different types of music, show how modern music has been influenced by older styles and bridge gaps among generations,” said Katy Kelly, communications and outreach librarian and project director.

The series will be complemented by an art exhibit by ArtStreet students and a closing celebration of art, food and musical performances.

All film screenings and discussions are 6-8 p.m. at ArtStreet, Studio B:

“The Blues and Gospel Music,” Tuesday, Jan. 21. Discussion led by Jim Hiller, a guitarist and singer, scholar of American popular song and music therapy lecturer. It will explore the birth of the blues from its African roots to its eventual prominence in places like Memphis, Chicago, New York and beyond. Films: “Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues” (2004) and “Feel Like Going Home and Say Amen, Somebody” (1983).
“Tin Pan Alley and Broadway,” Thursday, Feb. 6. Discussion led by Hiller exploring the 100-year history of musical theater and the story of its relationship to 20th-century American life. Film: “Broadway: The American Musical” (2004).
“Swing Jazz,” Tuesday, March 4. Discussion led by John McCombe, professor and director of undergraduate studies in English. Session spans nearly a century of jazz styles, while also highlighting America’s first integrated all-women swing band. Films: “Jazz: A Film by Ken Burns” (2000) and “International Sweethearts of Rhythm: America’s Hottest All Girl Band” (1986).
“Country Music, from Bluegrass to the Nashville Sound,” Thursday, March 13. Discussion led by Hiller; session traces the emergence of bluegrass from Appalachian descendants of Scotch-Irish settlers into a popular subgenre of country music. Film: “High Lonesome: The Story of Bluegrass Music” (1994).
“Rock,” Thursday, April 3. Discussion led by McCombe; explores the birth of the blues out of the Mississippi Delta. Film: “History of Rock ‘N Roll” (1995).
“From Mambo to Hip Hop,” Thursday, April 10. Discussion led by McCombe and Thomas Morgan, associate professor of American and African-American literature. Session explores how mambo — the Cuban hybrid of traditional danson fused with syncopated Afro-Caribbean rhythms — migrated to New York City from Havana in the 1940s and broke social and musical rules. Films: “Latin Music USA: Bridges”(2009) and “From Mambo to Hip Hop” (2006).
VOICES: America’s Music. March 25-April 25, ArtStreet Studio D Gallery. Reception, 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 15. ArtStreet student exhibit of music, photography and visual art.
1World Celebration, 7-10 p.m., Friday, April 25, ArtStreet Amphitheatre. This second annual event brings together the diverse voices and creative minds of the University of Dayton together with those from the city of Dayton in an end-of-the-year art, food and music celebration.
“America’s Music” is a project by the Tribeca Film Institute in collaboration with the American Library Association, Tribeca Flashpoint and the Society for American Music, through a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor.

For information and to register for the film series, visit http://www.udayton.edu/libraries/events/americasmusic.php or call 937-229-4274.

Crooks on Tape Show on January 30th

January 12, 2014 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Misra Records artist Crooks on Tape will be in Dayton on January 30th with Swim Diver, Bearer of Bad News and Swarm at Rock Star Pro Arena.

CROOKS ON TAPE is John Schmersal (Enon, Brainiac), Rick Lee (Enon, Skeleton Key, Butter 08) and Joey Galvan (Mannheim Steamroller, Anthrax). The band was created out of a simple idea of discovery and musical creation – in their own words: “convene, improvise, and record every moment.” You can listen to their record Fingerprint at The A.V. Club website. Crooks on Tape have been described by this columnist as an exciting and rocking John Cage and Philip Glass sound experiment! Do not miss this opportunity to see them in the area.

Swim Diver is an exciting new band featuring members of Brainiac, Captain of Industry, Oh Condor, Me & Mountains, Human Reunion, The Dirty Walk, and Vinyl Dies. Swim Diver’s music is based on appreciation of the grand and glorious Dayton music tradition. If you are a fan of rock and roll that appreciates your intelligence, than this band is for you.

Bearer of Bad News— one of Dayton’s finest hard rock outfits is also on the bill for that evening with music that melts the rusted fields of the Miami Valley into a sonic attack that is cathartic and empowering at the same time. Swarm plumbs the noise-metal-thrash adrenaline rush of 80s and 90s punk into an organic cacophony of sound with social, cultural and political criticism.

This show promises to be an exciting evening of musical exploration. This is an opportunity to see some terrific bands! Go here to check on PRESALE TICKETS!

Cross posted at Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative.

REVIEW: Bobaflex Plays Black Friday

January 8, 2014 By Mike Ritchie Leave a Comment

Bobaflex on stage at McGuffy’s (Niki Forte Photography)

Bobaflex is West Virginia’s answer to the finest cut high-octane spit and shine hillbilly rock this side of the rolling river. They came, played, kicked ass and left. They also braved to play on the one day where the rough, riotous crowds and moshpits were more dangerous at any given retail giant than at any sophisticated metal show. Where the fights draw blood, especially with high-heels and the deal/discount diving shoppers have less mercy than angry drunks in a Slayer pit (concert goers at least have the common courtesy to help each other up when they go down before the mauling). They came to Dayton on the blackest of days and the only Friday more infamous and violent than the 13^th.

McGuffy’s will compensate you, if no one survives Black Friday, Bobaflex. Luckily plenty of people did and showed up for a raucous good time. ViFolly braved the Dayton traffic along with returning Columbus artists Xfactor1 and Dayton’s own Black Cloud Syndrome.

Xfactor1 (Niki Forte Photography)

Making their first appearance since Halloween, the out of costume Xfactor1 returned with seven songs that would make great stocking crushers for all the little naughty elves in the family. In Gibson and sunglasses we trust, however QBall just doesn’t look the same without the bloody surgical scrubs, though he performs with the passion of a natural born killer. They open with It’s My Life, because without girls, there’s no guys. Over and Out is more than CB talk, it’s a deep, emotionally played, melodious tune with tone and feeling. QBall pulls out Scott Stapps voice giving it a darker, harder Vedder edge. The light will follow even if they Paint It Black. Who doesn’t wanna be like a Rolling Stone?

The day after Thanksgiving’s the biggest shopping/party day of the year. Time to Live Another Day and find a way to survive. The next song’s about pulling the best part of yourself out and being that person every day because we must believe in ourselves and have Hope For Tomorrow. Whatever technology and industry brings, they can’t tear us away from our humanity or Break You down because no matter how much convenience comes, real-life hard work and passion cannot be faked. They break out Rock on the Range tune Never Live then get a little extra ‘exercise’ putting some metal thumpin power behind the Stroke. Peace love and alcohol.

ViFolly (Niki Forte Photography)

Straight from Eaton/New Lebanon/Cincinnati, ViFolly bring an impressive resume to the stage: recording music for Bret Michaels’ Rock of Love: Bus and Rock of Love alumni Taya Parker. They’ve also played live at MMA fights in Cleveland and there’s talk about future fights in other states as well.

All songs are written, recorded and pre-produced by ViFolly in their recording studio in Eaton Ohio. They’ve worked with Bon Jovi’s producer Fab Dupont and will be releasing a new record in March with Dupont at the helm. Playing over 100 shows in 20 states in 2011, they’ve opened for Seven Dust, Jackyl, Drowning Pool, Sick Puppies, Tantric, 60 date tour with Hawthorne Heights, Saliva, members of (Molly Hatchet, Black Foot and Lynrd Skynrd) and the list goes on.

They take a rock sound inserting high, sometimes frantic notes giving an unsettling, melancholy feeling to the music with a mixture of Bush vocals and Tool tones. The guitar whistle’s the opening of Kettle Doll then the guitars go nuts on Crazy. Sweet Revenge has those weird notes, sweating off sanity. The seven minute opus Feathers starts swimming in guitar tranquility, turning up the rock with haunting harmonies, singing us a wicked little nursery rhyme Opeth style. Under scarlet lights we feel the Burn as dreamlike, nightmarish notes escape the stage. They also play tracks from the upcoming CD, All For Nothing and Heaven Help Me. Finishing as King(s) of the Castle, they’ve taken the dark side of the Beach Boys, and adding some of that haunting calm Opeth charm.

Black Cloud Syndrome (Niki Forte Photography)

Black Cloud Syndrome brings the heavy hard rasp of Shannon’s Bobby Blitz meets David Draiman with R Lee Ermy commanding vocals. They enjoy their Freedom and love to sing it. Music’s in their blood, have another shot; its 100 proof metal strong; it’s a Revolution Rising. There’s some guitar churning, slow heavy groove in this Never Ending War to Exposure the Truth with some heavy drilling sound. Nobody Rides 4 Free, you have to earn your metal keep. I Am has a disturbing influence as Planet X comes to ya live from the shed to the McGuffy’s stage. They finish with the newest F’n song Stand and Fight!

Bobaflex are supporting their newest CD Charlatans Web, now available, with the first single Bad Man charting at #34 (BDS) and #35 on (Mediabase). CW is their follow up to 2011’s Hell In My Heart featuring stage anthem Bury Me With My Guns On (inspired by The Preacher comic), Chemical Valley and the Simon and Garfunkel inspired Sound of Silence. Formed in 1998, the ‘flex is one of the hardest working bands in the country, the heart and soul of the McCoy brothers, Shaun and Martin, actual descendants of the Hatfield/McCoy legacy. Though their side might’ve lost a few more than the other, anyone who’s seen or heard Bobaflex are the real winners. A historic truce was made between families in the early 2000’s. The band had their share of turmoil when an earlier label went bankrupt losing rights to their name and songs to a bank for a few years. Eventually getting them back, Charlatans Web is a satirical shot at the music industry.

And now a few choice words for a former manager… a mix of George Thorogood, Skynrd, Georgia Satellites, The Ramones and Wasp, Bobaflex emerges bringing the black-leather biker pride to the stage with a road-blistering sound. They’re motor-heads on diesel, steroid dust and gasoline dreams straight from the mind altering, booze guzzling Chemical Valley. They keep the loaded ride flowing and going swerving down the disillusioned road of the Low Life. We take a hit from the chemical valley one more time and Rise to the occasion with a loud battle cry, we’re not one of your kind. Better Than Me is visited from Apologize For Nothing. For all the online stalkers and voyeurs who love getting their sick-fix through the webcast feed, Pretty Little Things is your sweet unfiltered cyberspace song of fantasy, for a fee.

Bobaflex (Niki Forte Photography)

The next single from Charlatans Web, the excessively happy, sick, twisted, conniving glee of I’m Glad You’re Dead, has a nice sing along chorus. Sticking with the dark, decomposing and deadly theme we have a draining visit with the rock n roll Vampire. Life really sucks when you find the wrong succubus that leaches off you. There’s still more sin to indulge in as we get our love-sexy groove on swaggering down the neon lit halls of any said sex club, bottle in hand, working our way into a Slave state of mind, looking for a limber agile pole-rider.

We get down to the bottom of the bottle ready for more dirty behavior with the tambourine shaking, gypsy waltz and some filthy southern brewed blues, playing the Bad Man with the Charlatan watching from above. We get down to back-dirt roads stringed basics singing about Home, where the dream started and the stage, where the dream’s lived.

It’s all about the beautiful sickness we have inside; when we indulge ourselves we lose our minds. We enjoy the peaceful Sound of Silence courtesy of The McCoy’s and Simon and Garfunkel. Charlatan stretches out her treacherous black webbed claws one last time, if you’re entangled, you’ll Never Come Back. They make their last stand, true outlaw style going out in a blaze of glory, so they can be buried with their guns on. When they get to the other side, they can show what it feels like to die. When they fall from heaven they can shoot the devil right between the eyes, HEY!

Images courtesy of Nikki Forte Photography.

Wedding Showcase @ Presidential Banquet Center

January 2, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Join us at the beautiful Presidential Center in Kettering for a unique opportunity to see custom-designed “event-scapes” created by some of the best wedding professionals in the Dayton and surrounding areas. Located in a private, park like setting, this beautifully remodeled, full service venue has four elegant banquet rooms to accommodate the size of your special event. The Event Connections is transforming the entire space for this special event so that you’ll be able to visualize great ideas for decor in actual reception settings, try food samples, hear music and experience DJ styles, and more.

You’ll also have the opportunity to register for the 2014 Wedding Package Give-Away and meet many of the wedding professionals who will be participating in this great prize.

Event Details

Sunday January 05, 2014

11:00 AM – 04:00 PM

Cost

$5 at the door

“Elvis” Live At Gilly’s

January 2, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Inspired by an Elvis performance he attended when 10 years old, Ryan Roth has since steadily worked toward a professional singing career. He was headlining a rock oldies show at Cedar Point by the age of 20.

He won ‘Be a Star” performing on TNN in 1994. Since then he has devoted himself to performing as Elvis, his greatest musical influence, bringing the excitement and entertainment to Elvis fans across the USA with a powerful tribute to the King.

Even Date and Time: Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 8:00 pm.

Cost: $10

Come out and support this talented and fun performer!

Ring in the New Year with First Friday Fun

December 30, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Jan. 3 First Friday to Feature Art Exhibits, Live Music, Ice Skating & More

Downtown’s next free First Friday event will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3.

Several businesses will offer post-holiday shopping sales and discounts. Students can represent their schools during a School Pride Ice Skate at RiverScape MetroPark and the monthly Courteous Mass bike ride will seek to light up the night.

Details are below about other events taking place at participating locations during the Jan. 3 First Friday.

Art

• CADC, 45 S. St. Clair St.: Featuring an after-holidays close-out sale with appetizers and eggnog to snack on while shopping. Call 313-9883.

• Clash Consignment, 521 E. Fifth St.: Showing art exhibit Sight Sizeby Adam Mitchell and Stephanie Riolo with live music by the Left Hooks. Call 241-9434.

• Color of Energy, 16 Brown St.: (Open until 8 p.m.) Reception with Abby Rose who will discuss her involvement in the art community and her new position as events director for Mike Elsass. Call 266-3491.

• Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park North: (Open until 8 p.m.)Showing the exhibits Object of Devotion and A Buckeye Abroad: Frank Wilcox in Paris. Call for cost. 223-4278.

• Dayton Society of Painters and Sculptors, 48 High St.: (Open until8 p.m.) Exhbiting work from new members and serving light refreshments. Call 228-4532.

• Dayton Visual Arts Center 118 N. Jefferson St.: (Open until 8 p.m.) Exhbiting paintings by Zachary Armstrong. Call 224-3822.

• Gallery 510 Fine Art, 508 E. Fifth St.: Featuring new artwork and gifts by a variety of artists. Call 672-6717.

• Olive, an Urban Dive, 416 E. Third St.: Hosting “Buy It off the Wall,’ featuring the up-close nature photography of Diane Stava available for purchase, and offering Esther Price hot chocolate to go. Also featuring Olive’s new winter menu. Call 222-3483.

Music

• Blind Bob’s, 430 E. Fifth St.: Featuring happy hour from 4 to 8 p.m., $2.50 well drinks, 75 cents off bourbon and other drink specials. Music by Cherry Lee and the Hotrod Hounds, and The Sandwich. Call 938-6405.

• De’Lish Café, 139 N. Main St.: Featuring happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. during a mix and mingle with downtown business professionals. Call 461-2233.

• Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave.: Featuring happy hour until 6 p.m., a performance by the Miami Valley Pipe and Drum group starting at 6 p.m., and live music from Mothergrove starting at 9 p.m. Call 224-7822.

• Gilly’s, 132 S. Jefferson St.: Old Skool Groove Night from 8 p.m. to midnight. Call 228-8414.

• Oregon Express, 336 E. Fifth St.: Featuring half-price pizza from 4 to 8 p.m. and live music by Linda Prevo and South Side Slackers from8:30 p.m. Call 223-9205.

• Trolley Stop, 530 E. Fifth St.: Live music starting at 9:30 p.m. and happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. Call 461-1101.

Food and Drink

• Deaf Monty’s Wine, 22 Brown St.: $2 tastings of select wines. Call 225-9463.

• Franco’s Ristorante Italiano, 824 E. Fifth St.: 10 percent off food. Call 222-0204.

• Lucky’s Taproom and Eatery, 520 E. Fifth St.: Dinner specials, along with the special tapping of a firkin of craft beer. Call 222-6800.

• Riff Raff Tavern on the Canal, 130 N. Patterson Blvd.: Drink specials offered throughout the night. Call 361-3131.

• Salar, 400 E. Fifth St.: DJ in the lounge and drink specials starting at10 p.m. Call 203-3999.

• Smokin’ Bar-B-Que, 200 E. Fifth St.: 10 percent off food. Call 586-9790.

• Thai 9, 11 Brown St.: 15 percent off food. Call 222-3227.

• Uno Chicago Grill, 126 N. Main St.: 10 percent off food. Call 910-8000.

Entertainment

• Don Crawford Plaza in front of Fifth Third Field, 220 N. Patterson Blvd.: The monthly Courteous Mass Ride will meet at 5:30 p.m. This month will be a glow-ride. Dress up your bike with lights, wear glow bracelets or necklaces — anything to make you glow. All tours are free and welcome any skill level.

• Grass Roots Enrichment and Wellness Center, 400 E. Fifth St., Suite C: (Open until 8 p.m.) Featuring teen artist Sarah Libassi, along with activities for families and light refreshments. Call 723-6747.

• The Neon, 130 E. Fifth St.: Call 222-SHOW (7469) for films and show times.

• RiverScape MetroPark, MetroParks Ice Rink, 111 E. Monument Ave: School Pride Night Ice skate from 7 to 10 p.m.; $7 includes admission and skate rental; half-priced admission available with student ID. Call 278-2607.

• Wiley’s Comedy Niteclub, 101 Pine St.: Featuring comedian Steve Lott. Shows begins at 9 p.m. Tickets are $12 per person. Call 224-5653.

Shopping

• American Pi, 41 S. St. Clair St.: Featuring a store-wide 50 percent off sale (contact store for details). Call 938-7890.

• Beaute Box, 116 W. Fifth St.: Free makeup lessons. Call 903-3165.

• Found Treasures 4 You, 502 Wayne Ave.: Offering 20 percent off everything in the store. Call 580-8803.

• ReCreate, 438 E. Fifth St.: Sale on select items, including new and used instruments, other music-related items, and original artwork. Call 321-3517.

• Sew Dayton, 261 Wayne Ave.: Offering 10 percent off all independent patterns and sweet treats from the 2nd street market. Call 234-7398.

• Sherwood Florist, 444 E. Third St.: (Open until 8 p.m.) Offering 10 percent off all in-store items. Call 298-3655.

• Spice Paradise, 8 Brown St.: Offering samples of Indian food to visitors. Call 224-3227.

Come out to enjoy all the best that Dayton has to offer!