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Dayton Gives Back-Sidebar Benefit Show

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When you walk around the Oregon District, you take in some of the great places that people frequently visit.  You have Omega Music and The Record Gallery for all of your music needs.  If you are looking for an establishment to have dinner at, Thai 9 has become one of the premiere places to partake in.  If you are looking for a night involving drinks, you certainly have your fill of the many options, with Lucky’s to Trolley Stop to Oregon Express and more.

The former Sidebar (photo by Tommy Johnson)

One establishment that you couldn’t help and check out when you were in the Oregon District was the sophisticated and trendy Sidebar.  The lounge was very distinctive as opposed to other nearby bars with their exposed steel beams, old brick walls and hardwood pine floors that creak with every step.  Sidebar’s sleek layout with a very stylish vibe gave the bar its own staple in the area.

Sadly, the crowds that flocked to the business each and every night will no longer be coming.  The dim lighting that gave the bar an intimate vibe will no longer be turned on.  The building that gave the neighborhood a suave, New York/Chicago vibe will become a building that will sit empty, collecting a colony of dust in the inside.

On July 30th, Sidebar owner Brian Higgins decided to close the doors of the bar for good after unpaid rent and taxes.  Employees were not only told about the closing, but they also weren’t paid for weeks.  If they received a paycheck, former employees would only see that check bounce.  The men and women who gave their life to the bar, who sacrificed everything, now were left with nothing.

With the people of the now-obsolete hotspot becoming a thing in the past, and the folks of the Sidebar now having to find jobs, they still needed to figure out how they were going to make ends meet in their everyday life.  With rent, utilities, insurance, children, and other things piling up, times are sadly going to be tough till they can get on their feet.  In spite of all this, light streaked through the clouds.

Bob and Lisa Mendenhall, owners of the Oregon District’s popular watering hole Blind Bob’s hosted a benefit concert for the former employees of Sidebar that took place on August 7th.  Also that night, a raffle took place of prizes that were donated from companies located throughout the Dayton area.  Some of the prizes were a certificate for a $50 payment to any utility company, pieces of art from local talent, t-shirts, 2 bottles of Grateful Dead vino, ton of CDs, steel tipped darts and a schnapps branded dartboard just name a few.

M Ross Perkins onstage at Blind Bob's (photo by Tommy Johnson)

The turnout was simply astonishing.  The weeks leading up to the event, people went to  the Facebook event page to not only voice their frustrations about the undoing of the establishment, but also show support.  The closer the event came closer, the number of people going increased.  As the night of the benefit show went on, Blind Bob’s became jam-packed.

The live music from all the bands was filled with a little bit of everything.  The first band that came out to perform was Orange Willard.  The five member band that is known for the grunge/prog rock sound stripped down and performed acoustic.  The set was raw, intense, and emotional.  M. Ross Perkins sang songs of businesses corruption and being hurt by phony people.  Roley Yuma changed the pace of the show with their brass, unapologetic set of punk blaring thru the bar.  Me & Mountains finished the show with their smooth indie rock sounds, giving the crowd a little bit of everything.

The night raised over $3300, giving some of the former employees of Sidebar a little help.  The night also raised awareness of  the depth of love that Dayton residents have for one another.  Strangers coming together at a moment’s notice to help others in the time of need.  Giving back to others who they have never met.  It didn’t matter.  The former employees of Sidebar will always remember this generosity.

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Editor’s Note: video footage courtesy of the great Gem City Diamond YouTube channel.  We’ll be featuring more of their videos in the coming months here on Dayton Most Metro.

Downtown Dayton Revival Music Festival Band Spotlight – Volume 2: Werking Hard On The Duck Farm

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Catch The Werks At The Downtown Dayton Revival Music Festival

Music. It has always been with us. It has been our healer, our voice, our stories as well as our histories. It has been an invitation to dance, a call of the community spirit and a spark to inflame one’s temperament. The ambiguous moniker of “jam band,” while conjuring up images of searing light shows, the untroubled writhing of bodies and feverishly hypnotic rhythms held together by intensely introspective melodies, it is also a signal for a shamanistic release. In the final analysis, it is an uncompromising unity of spirit that not only surpasses, but supersedes and envelopes the music itself.

The Werks, a Dayton original if there ever was one, have found themselves in possession of the perfect potion to create the perfect storm of music, ambience and spectacle that has skyrocketed them into the pantheon of progressive musical groups. Formed in 2007 by Dave Bartoletti, Rob Chafin, Chris Houser and Chuck Love the group has run through various permutations, ending up with their current line-up of Chris Houser (guitar and vocals), Dino Dimitrouleas (bass and vocals), Norman Dimitrouleas (keyboards and vocals) and Rob Chafin (drums, vocals, samples and percussion). Through their melding of various styles of rock, funk, psychedelia, jamtronica and other musical elements, The Werks has created what they have coined “psychedelic dance rock.”

Recently, I was able to speak with  Rob Chafin, the band’s drummer, to ask him about the band’s role in the upcoming Downtown Dayton Revival Music Festival, how they have dealt with the band’s dramatic rise in popularity as well as the role the fans play in creating an exceptional show.

DMM: With the audience being just as much part of the show as the band, do you feel that it more about a communal event rather than just being about the band?

Rob: Oh, absolutely! We feel that the audience and that connection that we have between the audience and ourselves is great. We feed off the energy that they throw at us and the more people that are getting into it, the harder we play. It’s a cycle. That’s what makes the improvisation at our shows so unique every time. The crowds and the energy of the room has a lot to do with that.

DMM: Do you think that the audience being a very active member in the band keeps everyone’s egos in check?

Rob: Yes. We’re all very humble guys and we’re all really down to earth. We like to talk to everyone after the show, just to say hi and to thank everyone for supporting us.

DMM: I don’t know if you can speak for the band on this, but what would one of your ‘dream collaborations’ be for a jam session?

Rob: Ones that have already happened?

DMM: No. One that you would love to have happen. It can even be one that you know could never really happen.

Rob: Is this with living musicians today?

DMM: Yeah…well, hell…let’s throw in the dead ones too.

Rob: (Laughs) Well, that would be broadening the list quite a bit. I think I’ll stick with the live ones. I think it would be pretty cliché to say Phish. I’d really love to jam with David Grohl.

DMM: Now that was more of a personal one, right?

Rob: Yeah, definitely. Oh, it would also be great to jam with Santana.

DMM: What do you think is one of the more oddball covers that you guys have done?

Rob: The Power Ranger’s theme song.

DMM: That would be cool! I’d actually like a recording of that.

Rob: Trust me…no you don’t (laughing). We like to have fun onstage and for everyone to have a good time, so sometimes we’ll throw in something weird. We do a version of Killing In The Name by Rage Against The Machine, so that’s kind of an oddball cover for us. We’re kind of all over the place, so you never really know what to expect.

DMM: Aside from the musical aspects of the band, are there other elements that you guys want to incorporate into the live performances that you haven’t gotten to yet?

Rob: I’d like to get even crazier with the lights. That’s my goal: to get the light to where we’re even wearing LED suits. It would be fun. We feel that the visual aspect is very important to the show as well. When you go to a concert, you’re not just listening to a CD, but you’re going to see a show. Sometimes, you have to rely a lot on the showmanship and the visual aspect of the show just as much as the music, but we have been very successful because of that. There is something to be said for that, that’s for sure.

DMM: With the Downtown Dayton Revival Music Festival, are you guys going to be able to do a full set or is it going to be shortened?

Rob: Oh, it’s definitely going to be a shortened version of our usual shows. In a perfect situation, we would try and go for two or three sets, but I think that we are only going to be playing for an hour or an hour and fifteen minutes. It will be a quick little taste of what we do, as it is with any festival.

DMM: Is the band being recognized more readily outside of Dayton?

Rob: Dayton is definitely our home base, as is Columbus for me. I guess Columbus would be our biggest draw as of right now, but Dayton is where everyone else in the band is from, so there will always be strong roots in Dayton. Ohio in general is just great for us.

DMM: Now, you guys shot up in popularity incredibly quick. Are you all taking it in stride or are you still standing around trying to make heads or tails of it?

Rob: Everything in your life is relative. Every once in a while, you have to step back and take a look at the big picture. Sometimes, it’s funny. There are things that happen now that, if they had happened two or even three years ago, we would have just absolutely flipped out. Now, it’s like, ‘Oh! Cool!’ We’ve definitely been blessed with a lot of amazing opportunities and have met a ton of wonderful people who have helped us throughout the years.

After getting a “quick little taste” of The Werks at the Downtown Dayton Music Revival, make sure to catch them September 20th through the 22nd at the Werk Out Music And Art Festival being held at the Legend Valley Music Center in Thornville, Ohio. For more details about this and other upcoming acts appearing at the Downtown Dayton Revival Music Festival, go to http://www.downtownrevival.com. To learn more about the Werk Out Music And Art Festival, as well as The Werks other upcoming shows, go to http://thewerksmusic.com .

 

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See all of our Downtown Dayton Revival Music Festival Band Spotlights

Holy Ghost Tent Revival, Todd the Fox and Daniel Dye and the Miller Road Band to Perform at WYSO Community Concert

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Holy Ghost Tent Revival

On Sunday, August 19th, WYSO 91.3FM will present a free summer concert at RiverScape MetroPark featuring Holy Ghost Tent Revival. Local musicians Todd the Fox and Daniel Dye and the Miller Road band will also perform.

“We’re looking forward to another great gathering of the WYSO community,” says WYSO Music Director Niki Dakota. “It’s a great treat to bring live music to the Miami Valley.”

Hailing from Greensboro, NC, Holy Ghost Tent Revival has built a reputation for highly energetic live performances. The six-piece band blends Dixieland and ragtime inspired folk with rock and roll and a horn section for a memorable sound. Since 2009, Holy Ghost Tent Revival has played 300 live shows a year including several previous stops in the Miami Valley. Their third studio album, Sweat Like the Old Days, will be released later this year.

Todd the Fox and Lisa Bunny (Photo by Frank Coleman Jr.)

Dayton-based singer/songwriter Todd the Fox mixes blues, folk, bluegrass and rock and roll influences to create what he calls “Hyper Delta Blues.” Performing with a resonator guitar and homemade suitcase drum and accompanied by a washboard, Todd the Fox delivers a fun, engaging live show.

Openers Daniel Dye and the Miller Road Band are a Springfield family band made up of front-man Daniel Dye and his nieces and nephews. This all-acoustic group is making a name for itself with a softly powerful Americana sound.

“Bring the whole family as we celebrate WYSO music and its ability to bring us together,” says Dakota.

The concert begins at 6pm. Food will be sold at RiverScape’s Cafe Velo, and craft beer will also be for sale. Families are encouraged to attend and bring chairs or blankets for seating. Free admission is made possible by support from Wagner Subaru, Freund Freeze and Arnold, and the University of Dayton Department of Continuing Education.

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Downtown Dayton Revival Music Festival Band Spotlight – Volume I

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On September 8th and 9th, Dayton will be participating in the first annual Downtown Dayton Revival, a festival that will celebrate music of all kinds.  With three stages planned to be set up, people that attend the festival will be enjoying chart-topping entertainers, up and coming talent, along with some artists and bands that have become classics over the years.

Buffalo Killers

Andy Gabbard, Joe Sabaali, Zach Gabbard

One of the bands that will be taking the stage is the boys from Cincinnati, Buffalo Killers.  The trio consist of brothers Andrew (vocalist and guitarist) and Zachary Gabbard (bass guitarist), along with drummer Joseph Sebaali.  In 1999, Zach formed a garage rock band Thee Shams.  The band released four albums before disbanding.  In early 2006, Sebaali joined the brothers to form what the band is today.

Buffalo Killers have released four albums since their inception.  The first self-titled album was released in 2006.  The album was originally set to be a five-song demo that was going to be released independently.  However, the band received a call from Alive Records wanting the band sign with them.  The band agreed, and went to the studio and recorded an additional five songs.  The band quickly developed a following that included The Black Crowes lead singer, Chris Robinson.  Robinson loved the band so much he had the band open up for the The Black Crowes fall tour in 2007.  In 2008, Buffalo Killers released their second album, Let It Ride.  The album was produced by Black Keys guitarist/vocalist Dan Auerbach.  3, the band’s third album, was released in 2011.  And just recently, the band released Dig. Sow. Love. Grow.

Buffalo Killers’ undeniable sound is pouring with their influences from the music they grown up listening to-Neil Young, The Grateful Dead, Rolling Stones.  With their garage rock roots still embedded, they also have a Southern psychedelic sound with them.  Without question the minute you start to listen to the band’s music, you instantly become infatuated.

Burnt Sugar

Our second band that will be highlighted helms from the streets of New York.  In 1999, guitarist and writer Greg Tate wanted to start a band and experiment with playing music outside of the boundaries.  Burnt Sugar, as he named the band, started to dig into the libraries of great soul and funk legends Chaka Khan, Nina Simone, George Clinton and the P-funk All Stars, along with jazz musician Miles Davis, and big band great Duke Ellington.  As the band improvises while playing, Tate will direct them by doing conducting them.  The unusual 12 person mash-up themed band has seen over 40 musicians come and play.

Burnt Sugar has over 15 albums out, with their latest in 2011 All Ya Needs That Negrocity.  Each album highlights the bands distinctive sound of soul, jazz, funk, blues, rock, and reggae.  A perfect blend of styles soar through each album.

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Rusted Root

 

90’s music is still widely popular throughout the United States.  Many consider the decade to be the best time for music ever.  One band that is still seeing fans come in hordes for their live shows, and will see their share of fans at the Downtown Revival is the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania band, Rusted Root.

Rusted Root released their first major-label album in 1994, When I Woke.  Now, in the 20th year as a band, the band have released 7 albums and sold over 3 million records worldwide.  In the fall of this year, Rusted Root plans on releasing their new album, tentatively titled Fortunate Freaks.  “Send Me On My Way” has become the band’s most popular song, both commercially and with fans.  Rusted Root’s blend of acoustic and rock, mixed with influences from the many musical styles of the world have given the band a following that many compare them to the likes of the Grateful Dead and Dave Matthews Band.  Having talked to some people that have seen Rusted Root perform live, I have been told that their jam sessions during their live shows is simply poetic.

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 The Cliftones, Robert Randolph and the Family Band

The Cliftones

The Cliftones will be generating some dancing with the crowd at the Downtown Revival.  The 10 piece Cincinnati-based band will be supplying the masses with rich reggae music.  On the band’s website, they declare that ‘the crowd always leaves their show a sweaty mess every time’.   If you are a fan of The Gladiators, The Congos, and of course the best reggae singer possibly of all time-Bob Marley, then you won’t be disappointed with The Cliftones performance.

If Rusted Root, and The Cliftones are not simply enough to satisfy your appetite for soul music, Robert Randolph and the Family Band are going to make sure that changes in a hurry.

Randolph was trained as a pedal steel guitarist in his church at the age of fifteen.  By the age of nineteen, he started to get interested in listening and watching guitar legend Stevie Ray Vaughan.  The influence of the way Vaughan played gave Randolph the fuel to evolve his way of playing the pedal steel.  The change caused people to take notice quickly.

Randolph and the Family Band started playing together around 2000.  They started like most bands do small venues and local watering holes.  Rapidly, the band started to sell out clubs.  The band has played with great musical talent.  Eric Clapton, Dave Matthews, B.B. King are some of the people who have had the pleasure of performing with the band.

According to Randolph, the group’s sound is inspired by successful 70s funk bands such as Earth, Wind & Fire and Sly & the Family Stone.  The live shows are legendary.  Randolph is known to bust a moves while the band’s go into a jam session.  Crowd involvement is greatly encouraged.  Dayton-you have been put on notice.  You better be ready to get down, and dance the day and night away as the smooth soul and vibrate funk come out of the band during their performance.

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Downtown Revival is without question going to be showcasing a lot of diverse music from all walks of life.  And that is why this is going to be an amazing weekend.  More highlights of the bands performing on the 8th and 9th of September headed your way…

See all of our Downtown Dayton Revival Music Festival Band Spotlights

Static X Brings Noise Revolution to McGuffy’s House of Rock

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Editor’s Note:  This review was submitted by local freelance writer Mike Ritchie. 

My Name in Vain

Friday August 10th Mcguffy’s House of Rock continued their long running and respected tradition of bringing the best hardest and heaviest bands to Dayton. 2012’s Noise Revolution Tour headlined by Static X and featuring head-liners in the making Davey Suicide and 9 Electric proved that the Hollywood music scene is still cranking out the future headline making notorious metal legends of tomorrow. Also one of Dayton’s finest up and comers My Name In Vain got to show their chops warming up the crowd for the nights inevitable noise and mayhem.

MNIV emerged from the remnants of other dissolved bands bringing together four individuals that refuse to be pigeonholed playing a diverse infusion of influence and style.  They emerged on stage with a nice disco/techno intro with all lights flashing giving an almost Pink Floyd effect to the stage as if saying ‘yep, this is what your all in for tonight’. Singer Josh ‘Slinky’ Miller has some good metal genetics going, resembling/sounding like a cross pollination of Serj Tankian and Sully Erna. They opened with the epic titled By the Gods followed by the first of two songs that mysteriously bare no name. Poor People the first song they composed and penned as a band calls out peoples desire/obsession with the material/trivial world not appreciating what they have, delivered a slow melodic arena sing along chorus ‘Take me to the river bathhouse, me and my shame and hold me under water watch me float on down the stream’ was a performance highlight. Their commentary stance on social media followed with My 2 Cents carrying a ‘destined for controversy’ chorus (you have to see them live to hear it) which they’ll play at weddings and Bar Mitzvahs and ended with The Breakout.

California’s electronic, industrial grooved 9 Electric (9E) delivered the digital mayhem and dance synergy bringing the energy and notoriety of The Hallowed Sunset Strip with an  excruciating non-stop adrenaline seeping set illuminated by an acid-trip blanket of strobes opening with the frantic fist breaker Crank It Up. They performed with the frenzied endorphin rush of a ticking Time Bomb and were the first to use the white background screen showing schizophrenic/story-line imagery and sing-along lyrics reminding fans of Disturbed’s walls of Mayhemfest. Singer Thunderwood resembling Chris Jericho/Stephen Dorf at a distance brought along all the attitude, bravado and rock-star behavior of The Strip owning the stage, mounting the speakers and hanging off the rafters just being himself making him  ‘Your mothers nightmare, the devils dream’ a good reason why you Hate Me. His vocals are surprisingly/refreshingly clean and clear despite his gruff shovel blacktop in your mouth delivery. Fitting since after they say an earthly farewell until a heavenly reunion to a shattered romance with the Cure/Type O Negative laced Goodbye they unceremoniously punched us square in the mouth with a Bullet Tooth. Then make all the ladies feel Filthy inside and all the guys dirty for liking it. With help from Static X’s Ashes on guitar they make sure we could all still Feel This. They finished and Destroy As They Go taking the crowd and making it their own. 9E’s show is a red-eyed fire breathing steel fanged night club/rave come to life.

Davey Suicide

Next up Hollywood’s answer to what would emerge if Rob Zombie, Dimmu Borgir and Cradle of Filth were thrown into a genetic molecule mixer and a nutty professor spliced and mutated the remnants into a concoction of Murderous Dolls and Zombie Mime’s. Taking the bleak depression and anger from NIN, the Hollywood/LA gutter trash lyrical style of GNR and graveyard fashion tips from Rob Zombie and The Cenobites, over half-dead mortuary escapees Davey Suicide looking like they’ve had a good Shout at the Devil were sung on stage by those adorably cute and creepy jump rope playing Elm Street girls as the rusty hinged gates opened and the band invited us into their own private demented playground. Singer Suicides dread locks look styled to kill or at least slice and maim major arteries on contact. Watching Suicide perform gives a memorial glimpse into his own Theater of Pain and future glimpse of what Marilyn Manson’s hell-spawn offspring might look like. Or if you’ve had enough to drink ‘could’ be mistaken as the Predator. Paying homage to the best of 80’s era glam, sleaze and degeneration they launched into a twisted tirade accompanied by creepier more insidious screen imagery reminiscent of Operation Mindcrime.

They got Dayton’s attention with the ‘monstrous’ Unholywood Killafornia. Then, definitely a bad idea if your judging on appearance but they went to Grab A Gun & Hide Your Morals anyway. Believe it or not they’re really nice blokes after you meet them.They throw out their impression/advise on the Kids of America. I’ll let you ponder the wisdom they have to share. A special lady gets a back alley kiss and bitch slap being the Hustler Queen. Next up as Mr.Suicide explains is the sick Sick Suicide of trying to be original, living, breathing, being your art, working hard and earning your success. After One More Night/God Head was cranked out Suicide had one more rant in him ‘politely’ denouncing reality show fame ‘idols’ and those who do relatively nothing to become famous. Satisfied his point was proven they finished with the bloody fist in glass crowd thumper calling card of the anti-hero/do it your own way and screw the establishment nay-sayers war cry Generation F-Star. His childhood idols/influences can easily be seen in the G.F.S Youtube clip.   Davey Suicide might have had a broken upbringing but he’s channeled all the negative B.S. and past baggage into a beautifully beastly warped vision of blunt honesty and realism.

Next up Hollywood’s guitar shredding, chatter box screeching Mad Scientist. Emerging from the darkness Wayne Static and Co. sporting his infamous Bride of Frankenstein hairdo with white striped goatee greeted the screaming banshees ripping into the first tune making the crowd feel like  they’d been electrocuted by barbed wire. Sludging out selections from six records Losing Your Mind, old-school thrills Bled For Days, I’m With Stupid, mid career tunes Just in Case and Skinnyman were met with rabid and by some, drunken approval. The icy blue chilling rays of Cold slowed it down a little and new-school killer Stingwray rounded out with crowd fav’s Push It with a tasty piece of Cannibal. A selection from his Pig Hammer solo release Assassins of Youth was also served. If Matt Hardy had been a rock-star instead of taking bumps and falling off huge ladders for a living he’d of been Wayne Static. Plus having a few lovely scantily clad ladies in leather, lace and twirling glow in the dark rope is a nice touch to any metal show.    

-Mike Ritchie

 

Buffalo Killers Celebrating Dig Sow Love Grow, Looking Ahead to the Fall

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A little over a year ago the Buffalo Killers were celebrating the release of their third full-length album, simply titled “3.” But the three piece band hasn’t let the last 12 months go by quietly. In addition to a steady schedule of touring, the Buffalo Killers spent some time at Candyland Studios in Cincinnati working with engineer Mike Montgomery on what would become their fourth full-length.

Dig Sow Love Grow was released nationally on Tuesday via Alive Records and is available at local record stores and digitally. The Buffalo Killers will celebrate the release locally with a show this Saturday (August 11th) at Canal Street Tavern. Joining them onstage is Goodbye, a new band featuring M Ross Perkins, Ian Kaplan, Nick Eddy and Chris Green.

Following Saturday’s show, the Buffalo Killers will begin touring in the support of the album. Your next local opportunity to see them live will be at the Downtown Dayton Revival Music Festival in September. The festival is two days and features 3 stages with over 30 bands including Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Rusted Root, Burnt Sugar and many more. The Buffalo Killers are scheduled to perform on Sunday, September 9th at 4:45pm on the Monster Stage.

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(“Circle Day” – from the Buffalo Killers “3” album)

A Summer Groove: Jah Soul and Soul Rebels to perform at South Park Tavern

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If you haven’t experienced Jah Soul’s live show, then you owe it to yourself to visit South Park Tavern on Friday night for an evening of great summer jams.  The eight members of Jah Soul create a family vibe onstage that’s easily translated to their audience.  They combine classic Dayton funk with reggae , soul and even a little disco for a sound that’s super catchy and highly danceable.

Joining them onstage is Soul Rebels, a 5 piece reggae band that mixes lots of jam influences.  The result is a nice groove with a highly positive message.

As with most shows at South Park Tavern, this one is all-ages, and these two bands will make for a good listening experience for music fans of all ages.  The music starts at 9:30pm.

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Downtown Dayton Revival Music Fest Announces Schedule

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Here is your Downtown Revival Music Festival Schedule! (subject to change)

Saturday, September 8th

Budweiser Stage CareSource Stage Monster Stage
12:15 – 12:45
Prima Luce
Facebook
1:00 -2:00
Burnt Sugar 1:15 – 1:45
1:30 – 2:30 ReverbNation Facebook The Giant Steps
Bronze Radio Return Facebook
ReverbNation Facebook
2:15 – 2:45
2:30 -3:30 Customer Service and the Gem City Horns
Kristy Lee ReverbNation Facebook
3:00 – 4:00 ReverbNation Facebook
Griffin House 3:15 – 3:45
Facebook The Right Now
ReverbNation Facebook
4:00 – 5:15
The Werks 4:15 – 4:45
ReverbNation Facebook Crusher
5:00 – 6:15
Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk 5:15 – 6:00
Facebook Wheels
ReverbNation Facebook
6:15 – 7:30
Cowboy Mouth 6:30 – 7:15
ReverbNation Facebook Motel Beds
ReverbNation Facebook
7:15 – 8:30
Guster
Facebook 7:45 – 8:30
Jordan Hull
8:15 – 9:30 ReverbNationFacebook
Guided by Voices
Facebook
9:00 – 10:15
Needmore
9:30 -10:45 ReverbNationFacebook
John Legend
Facebook

Sunday, September 9th

Budweiser Stage CareSource Stage Monster Stage
12:15 -12:45
Good English
1:00 -2:00
Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers 1:15 -1:45
1:30 -2:30 ReverbNationFacebook Lauren Eylise
Heartless Bastards ReverbNationFacebook
ReverbNationFacebook
2:15 – 3:00
2:30 – 3:30 Bad Sines
Red Wanting Blue ReverbNationFacebook
3:00 – 4:00 ReverbNationFacebook
Andy Grammer
ReverbNationFacebook 3:30 – 4:15
Green Light Morning
ReverbNationFacebook
4:15 – 5:30
Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe
Facebook 4:45 – 5:30
5:00 – 6:15 Buffalo Killers
Rusted Root ReverbNationFacebook
Facebook
6:00 – 6:45
6:15 – 7:30 The Cliftones
The Ohio Players ReverbNationFacebook
7:15 -8:30 7:15 – 8:00
Matt Kearney Brent James and the Contraband
Facebook ReverbNationFacebook
8:30 -9:45 8:30 – 9:45
Robert Randolph and the Family Band Tony Lucca
ReverbNationFacebook Facebook
9:30 – 10:45
Train
Facebook

‘Thank God It’s Thursday’ Weekly Event

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(from left) Josh Egeland, Jason Weber and Jay Madewell onstage at One Eyed Jacks (photo by Todd the Fox)

Throughout the city of Dayton, and the cities around it, there are a vast number of bands and artists that take to the stage each and every night.  A lot of them have perfected their craft, whatever its rock, country, folk, etc.  It’s remarkable to go around town and see all the different styles that each band or artist perform to.   A couple of musicians from the Gem City have developed another concept that will make your Thursday nights a little more exciting.

Local DJs/musicians Jay Madewell and Josh Egeland are part of a duo called Dirty/Clean and on Thursday nights at One Eyed Jacks on Colonel Glenn Highway they host an event called ‘Thank God It’s Thursday’.   The concept of the duo is really out of the ordinary.  Egeland will spin retro tunes, while Madewell plays drums to the beat of the songs throughout the evening.  Other local musicians will come and play other instruments with the duo.  The end result is a stunning collaboration of great music that will no doubt leave people blown away.  It also will give people all the more reason to bring their dancing shoes, and dance the night away.

Josh Egeland of Dirty/Clean (Photo by Todd the Fox)

The show idea wasn’t thought up within a few minutes.  “I have been throwing around the idea for some time now.  I thought now would be a good time as any to set this idea into action,” Madewell told me before the inaugural show this past Thursday night.  “We hope that the event takes off and we can do shows on Friday and Saturday nights as well,”

The show is truly an experience that you have to see.  As Egeland supplied the crowd with classics from the days of disco and funk to Michael Jackson’s greatest hits, Madewell pounded away on the drums to the beat of the music.  Percussion was added to the mix on this evening from Jason Webber.  If the music didn’t keep people’s attention, the Gem City Rockers performed some Go Go Dancing, and also a light show just to the show’s unique style.

The crowd on the dance floor during Thank God It's Thursday (Photo by Todd the Fox)

As the night went on, the crowd at One Eyed Jacks grew larger and larger.  A large group of the patrons took to Dirty/Clean fun, groovy music playing beautifully.  People started displaying their best dance moves, while many others watched in amazement.  Some of the people that were in attendance at One Eyed Jacks mentioned to me that this was something that they didn’t think to imagine coming and seeing ever.  The concept was fresh and outside of the box, and they couldn’t wait to see the show evolve.   They also said that the bar was a perfect spot for the show to take place.  Madewell agreed.  “(One Eyed Jacks) is one of the best melting pots of music scenes I’ve seen in years in the Dayton area.”

With the event taking place each Thursday night, Madewell and Egeland have their sights set on making the show have themes to them. “I would love to do different shows.  Maybe a super hero theme one night.   Playing the Superman theme would be cool.”  With the way the first night went, the masses are up for anything.

‘Thank God Its Thursday’ takes place at One Eyed Jacks, which is located on 2638 Colonel Glenn Highway in Fairborn, right across from Wright State University.  The show is Thursdays 9pm-2am; 18 and up, and it’s free.

Music Video Monday: June 18, 2012

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According to Okay Lindon’s Facebook page, the band has been hard at work to a follow up to their 2012 album, Rotating Dates.  A release date for the new project hasn’t been announced yet, but in the meantime you can check out the band live this Friday night at Blind Bob’s along with Roley Yuma, Post Coma Network and Bridget Egan.  For details on this and other upcoming shows, check out the Dayton Most Metro events calendar.

This week’s video features Okay Lindon performing one of my favorite songs from Rotating Dates, “Table Talk,” shot by Drexel Dave Sparks.

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Music Video Monday: June 11, 2012

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This Wednesday marks the latest edition in the Dirty Little Secrets series of shows at Wiley’s Comedy Club.  This time around the theme of the variety show is Social Consciousness and will feature comedy, debate and beatboxing from Dayton’s own ErratiC and Chubbs.  We’re featuring them as this week’s video with some footage of their performance at South Park Tavern.  Skip ahead to about 1:05 when the tunes really get rolling, and get more details on the Dirty Little Secrets Social Consciousness Show at the Dayton Most Metro events calendar.

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Show Review: Todd the Fox, Anatomy of Frank, Sam at Eleven at South Park Tavern-May 19th

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Todd the Fox and Lisa Bunny (Photo by Tommy Johnson)

On Wayne Avenue, just about a couple of miles away from the Oregon District lays South Park Tavern.  The tavern was introduced to me when I first started to becoming a Dayton native.  The selection of beer and micros that South Park offers is incredible.  The taps are always in rotation, which can always make any avid beer fan come back time and time again.  Also, the establishment has been labeled by many to have some of the best pizza in the entire Dayton area.  What makes South Park so charming, however, is the atmosphere.  The people who work there are engaging, and nice.  Its no shock to anyone that the people who visit soon become good friends with the staff.  Patrons also become friends with each other.  They share their thoughts of the beer being served, their world views, and stories about their journey thru life among other topics.

South Park Tavern also hosts music on a regular basis.  On May 19th, the tavern hosted two local acts, Todd the Fox, and Sam at Eleven.  Anatomy of Frank, originating from the state of Virginia, also performed this night.

First up was Todd the Fox.  Alongside Todd during the set was Lisa Bunny, who played on a washboard.  Yes-a washboard.  The crowd wasn’t sure what to think when they saw Todd, dressed in all black (vest, shirt, pants) and Lisa, holding a washboard that looked like it was well broken in.  And that’s exactly how they wanted it.

The minute Todd strung the first chord on his guitar, you felt like the tavern became an intimate venue for bluegrass and folk.  Todd’s southern voice was textbook blues and soul.  Lisa strummed on the washboard as flawless as you can get.  Both played fast, and played loud.  Their chemistry was impeccable.  Both fed of each other’s emotions.  Todd and Lisa played some of his original work, including one that I’m thinking about titled ‘I’m Feeling Fine’.  The duo also added some blues-injected covers of The White Stripes ‘Seven Nation Army’ and Stevie Ray Vaughan’s  ‘Pride Joy’.  You just could see and sense the two were just having the time of their lives.  Both playing in front of packed establishment.  Both realizing that we were in the palm of their hands.  At the beginning of the night, Todd and Lisa came in with just a guitar, and washboard.  At the end of their set, they left with their two instruments, along with everyone’s appreciation and attention.

Anatomy of Frank (Photo by Tommy Johnson)

The second act of the evening was Anatomy of Frank.  The band, as mentioned earlier, hailed from the state of Virginia.  As the lights turned to a very low dim, the band came out to having a festive display of lights on their fingers.  Anatomy of Frank goes outside of the box when it comes to their sound. Their show was jam-packed with experimental sounds, with the banjo, and synthesizers overlapping each other so perfectly.  Their possibilities were endless with their play. The band took the audience into a fantasy.  All of us in the crowd and jumped onto clouds and took a flight into the sky.  Their songs were catchy.  ‘Saturday Morning’ is still tossing around in my head to this day.  The finale of their set was wild and free.  The lead singer started to climb over the
tables and chairs.  Another member of the band grabbed a drum and started wailing on it.  Wild display of freedom.  Dayton showed them the love they deserved.

Sam at Eleven (Photo by Tommy Johnson)

Last act to hit the stage at the tavern was Sam at Eleven.  In April, I saw these guys play at Blind Bob’s for a benefit show.  It was their first live in over a year, and they had no signs of rust.  And this night didn’t differ from that night in April.  Sam at Eleven plays effortlessly. Their music has such a way of grabbing you and not letting you go.  The band’s broad punk feel has you almost convinced that they listened to the band’s before them (Iggy Pop, Alkaline Trio), and perfected their spin of the sound.  One thing I have noticed from watching two of their sets is just how raw they are.  The emotion coming from them when they playing each song are hard to touch.  Their songs, which are about their lives, their families, are some oft he most catchiest I have ever heard in a local band.  They are simply just cool guys that love playing music together.

South Park Tavern had three amazing bands take their stage, and took the crowd on a journey thru all kinds of different types of music.  From bluegrass to punk, the night seemed to blend together beautifully.  The three acts gave praise to one another, and admired what they witnessed.  Overall, the night was awe-inspiring.  Truly, the night was one of those nights that had Dayton’s best foot forward.

A Music Review of Dayton’s Urban Nights Event

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HeyThereMorgan

This past Friday night, Dayton hosted the annual Urban Nights.  Urban Nights is an event that twice a year (one time in the spring, and one time in the fall) Dayton highlights downtown with music, art, dining, retail, and urban living.  More than 100 places were showcased during the evening.  As being a music junkie, I had to go around and see all the local music that was filling the Dayton skies.

I brought a couple of friends of mine, and we decided to start at the Main Stage on Courthouse Square.  There, we saw that HeyThere Morgan was beginning to start their set.  HeyThere Morgan is a three-piece band that played cover songs from classic rock to modern hits.  Some cover bands don’t do the justice and respect that the originals are destined to have.  Some cover bands try too hard to spin it to make the songs their own.  By doing that, the cover band becomes a band that loses its flare.  HeyThere Morgan wasn’t one of those cover bands.  They smoothly transitioned between each song.  The band claims to be able to tailor their shows to the crowd, and they were true.  Having never seen the band before, and seeing a number of cover bands, HeyThere Morgan were entertaining and fun to watch.

Dan Raridan (Photo by Gary Mitchell)

Next up, we walked over to the Yellow Cab Company building over on East Fourth Street.  The building hosted ‘The Sideshow Lucky No. 7’.  The festival featured 50 local artists that included paintings, photography, and sculptures.  All the art had the feel of freedom of expression.  The artists who did the work seemed to let the creativity run wild. Truly some of the most mind-blowing artwork I have ever seen.

The band that we saw while at The Sideshow was Dan Raridan & The Calientes.  Having heard about them thru people in and around Dayton for the past couple of months, I was looking forward to seeing what they were going to bring to the show.  While most of the bands were alternative, Raridan and crew brought their own sound to the mix.  The guitars were rich in sound.  The vocals had soul.  So many different variations and influences soared out of the band.  Imagine Blues and Punk unified together.  Raridan &The Calientes did it with ease.  All the talk surrounding the band previously before seeing them was comforting.  The crowd and the band gained an appreciation to one another.  It was a very tranquil moment.

Ape the Ghost

Two bands in the books, we decided to head to the Oregon District to see the action there.  The sun had settled into the sky, and moved over to let the moon have its moment. When we arrived to the Oregon District, we were lucky enough to see Ape the Ghost starting their set at Trolley Stop.

Remember that time when you first heard a song or a band that you just knew it would change your view of music?  That sound coming from the instruments. That hunger for wanting more.  ATG’s soft folk sound, mixed with dreamy lyrics made the large crowd feel that way.  It was delightful to see throughout the set the crowd grew more and more.  People stopped and marveled at what they were being witness to.  If their influences were standing there at that time, smiles from them would go cheek to cheek.  Incredible.  Ape the Ghost’s set will go down as one of the top sets ever in Urban Nights history.  If you miss it, I am truly sorry you did.  If you did see it, I know you feel the same as I do.

Urban Nights provided everyone the sense of pride in the town’s music scene. It also showed everyone just how good we have it here in the Gem City.  We have so many options for music.  Folk, alternative, rock.  Bands that play songs that take you back to the good old days.  All these, and so much more.

Ladies and gentlemen-Urban Nights was a night that I will soon never forget…

More Bands For Your Buck: Downtown Dayton Revival Music Fest Adds to Lineup

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Griffin House

15 bands is good, but 23 is even better.  If you haven’t already marked your calendar for the Downtown Dayton Revival Music Festival on September 8th and 9th, you’ve got 8 more reasons to do so.  Festival organizers have just announced the following additions to their lineup including:

Red Wanting Blue (Columbus)

Griffin House (Springfield native)

The Werks (Dayton/Columbus)

Needmore

Brent James and the Contraband

Burnt Sugar

Bad Sines (Dayton)

Wheels (Yellow Springs)

Wheels

“We are very excited to add this group of talented artists to our already exceptional lineup,” said Matt Luongo, President, Downtown Revival, LLC.    “With these additions to our existing lineup, as well as one more round of  bands to be announced at the end of May, we are confident there will be  something for everyone at the first ever Downtown Dayton Revival and cannot  wait to bring these great bands to downtown Dayton in September.”

That’s right, there are still more band announcements to come.  In the meantime, two day passes and are available at www.downtownrevival.com.  Early bird ticket prices are $55 and include entry into a contest for a VIP package upgrade including access to the VIP hospitality tent, invitations to a Friday night preview party, artist meet and greet, and other exciting upgrades.  Early bird tickets are limited in quantity and will be on sale until May 31st or  until sold out.

The Werks

CONFIRMED ARTISTS: John Legend, Train, Guided By Voices, Guster, Rusted Root, Heartless Bastards, Motel Beds, Red Wanting Blue, Karl Denson’s Tiny  Universe, Andy Grammar, Griffin House, Brent James and the Contraband, Mat  Kearney, Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers, Kristy Lee, Tony Lucca, Ivan  Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, Bronze Radio Return, Bad Sines, Burnt Sugar, The Werks, and Wheels.

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Dayton Music Fest Sets Dates, Opens Band Submissions

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Fall 2012 is shaping up to be a great season for music around town, and we’ve got yet another opportunity for music fans to go to some great shows and for local bands to get involved.  Dayton Music Fest 2012 marks its return to the first week of October with festival dates of October 5th and 6th, 2012 at locations around downtown Dayton.  More details will be reveled soon, but in the meantime, bands can submit their music for consideration by following this link. 

We’ll have more on Dayton Music Fest in the coming months here in the Dayton Music section of Dayton Most Metro.

Music Video Monday: April 23, 2012

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Last week Dayton’s own Ruckus Roboticus unleashed a brand new video for his new single, “Take Me to the Disco.”  Ruckus’ new album will be digitally released on Friday, April 27th.  That evening you can catch him at the UpDayton Summit After Party at the CADC.  The event is free for Summit attendees, $10 for everyone else.  More details are available at the Dayton Most Metro Events Calendar.

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