subterranean

Dayton Musicians Remember Music Fan With Special Benefit Show

July 4, 2017 By LIbby Ballengee

Live music has a special way of bringing people together. Some refer to it as a scene, community, tribe, family, or simply “my people.” It’s a genuine form of self and group identity, that has a unique place in music lover’s hearts. When one of our people is tragically taken from us, it’s a ripple effect of sadness throughout the scene.

Sarah Vesey was a bright spot in the Dayton jam band family. She was a dedicated fan and friend to many in the area. This summer, Sarah died tragically, at the young age of 29, leaving behind a grieving family, parter and young son. Friends rallied together to pull together Stay Strong for Sarah Benefit Show to both remember Sarah, and help her family.

Sami Love, one of Sarah’s friends, and the organizer of this benefit described how the show came together. “Sarah’s passing has deeply affected us all. I wanted to put together this event in memory of Sarah. For all of us near and far to get together and show love for her, and for one another.”

The evening starts early, with music starting at 6:30pm, during the dinner hour with acoustic jams from Sway. A portion of dinner sales this evening will be donated to the family to help offset medical costs, and set up a college fund for Sarah’s son. What a great reason to stop in for food and fun with friends!

Music will be running on all evening, till 2:30am, with awesome local jam bands including Cheezcake starting at 9:30pm, followed by Subterranean and The Ohio All Stars. What an incredible line-up! This is certainly a don’t miss evening! Everyone will be feeling the love at this show!

While you’re there, check out the awesome raffle items they have gathered from various restaurants, tattoo parlours, music festival passes, art work, and surprise baskets donated from national to regional bands. Seriously, cool stuff they’ve gathered!

How to Go?

Stay Strong for Sarah benefit show at Jimmie’s Ladder 11
Thursday July 7th, 2017. Music from 7pm – 2:30am
Donations graciously accepted any time. Cover charge of $5 after 10pm.

Subterranean’s April 22nd album release is getting national attention

April 19, 2017 By LIbby Ballengee

Subterranean, a band who got it’s start downtown at the old J-Alan’s club, has evolved into one of the hottest bands in the region. Their debut album, Loom, which releases on Saturday April 22nd, is already garnering attention from multiple national music publications, as one of the emerging acts to check out.

The members of Subterranean describe their music as “improv with intent.” There is no succinct way to describe them, as they genre-bend not just from song to song, but within songs themselves. I asked guitarist Chris Coalt how they manage to pull that off so seamlessly.

Subterranean. Photo by Libby Ballengee

“I think it starts with consuming music without boundaries. I’ve never liked titles or categories. Why can’t things just be what they are? So as a songwriter, I’ve always naturally blended different genres together, because it felt natural to me. As a band, we’ve wanted the freedom to do anything, so we have never let ourselves get pigeon-holed into one style.”

As an avid fan of their live music, I wondered how that improve sound would translate into recorded music. Would it alter or evolve once they got into the studio? Chris further explained that for the most part, the nuts and bolts of the songs remained. “Gary King (Refraze Recording Studio) is a great engineer, so he was able to give us some nice ideas on harmonies and vocal arrangements, but the majority of the songs were already in place. Although I will say, one song got created spontaneously in the studio!”

Subterranean’s debut album “Loom”

A song developing naturally and unexpectedly in the studio doesn’t surprise me. These veterans of the Dayton music scene schooled themselves on improv during tireless jam sessions all over the city. Replacing a rhythm guitarist or keyboardist with sax, proved to be their winning combination. Breaking the rules of the traditional 4-piece rock arrangement helped this band find their voice: a sound is extraordinarily dynamic, bouncing from moody jazz to funky jams to what borders on heavy metal.

Check out what all the buzz is about, and celebrate the release of the debut album Saturday April 22nd at Gilly’s Jazz. Cover $5. Parking is validated. Doors 8pm. Show starts at 9pm. Electric Orange Peel opens the show, followed by Subterranean.

Subterranean St Valentine’s Funky Massacre

February 4, 2016 By LIbby Ballengee

Unlike the chaotic streets of Chicago in the 1920’s where Speakeasy’s were the source of nightlife and the spot for bootleg alcohol, Subterranean invites you and your loved ones to Jimmie’s Ladder 11 for an open celebration to show our appreciation and love of our musical community!

The St Valentine’s Funky Massacre show is FREE for the both longtime and new fans, featuring free toasting, snacks and swag!

Each person will be given a raffle ticket at the door and be entered into a contest where you can win tickets to some festivals that we will be apart of. Thanks to Yes Please Entertainment we have 2 tickets to Hookah in the Hot Tub and thanks to Alchemy House Presents we have 1 ticket at the Alchemy Rising Festival to give away. Winners will be drawn randomly throughout the night and you must be present to win and claim your prize.

New to Subterranean? They approach improvisation with intent. Pushing stylistic boundaries and fearlessly exploring their musical journey while still presenting infectious grooves. They create a unique experience at every live performance making each one a must see!!

Caldron of Musical Mayhem at Oddbody’s

October 30, 2015 By Dayton Most Metro

It was a dark stormy night and Dr. Lovenstein was hard at work in the depths of his Subterranean freak lab mixing up a strong batch of funk. As he poured his steamy concoction into the large kettle before him the chemicals began to swirl and a dark melody arose. He raised his arms in victory and the Cauldron of Musical Mayhem was born.

Dr. Lovenstein has invited Glostik Willy, and Jahman Brahman to the Subterranean Funk lab to help share his mystical creation. You won’t want to miss this event that takes place Halloween night October 31st at Oddbody’s! A freaky night of funky musical fun awaits you!

How to go?

Subterranean’s Caldron of Musical Mayhem Featuring Subterranean, Glostik Willy, & Jahman Brahman

Performing at Oddbody’s Music Room (conveniently near 35, north of the Woodman exit at 5418 Burkhardt Rd.)

8pm Doors. $10 in advance, $15 at the door. 18+

Get tickets: http://ticketf.ly/1LCwRlK

More about the bands:

Subterranean approaches improvisation with intent. Pushing stylistic boundaries and fearlessly exploring their musical journey while still presenting infectious grooves. This creates a unique experience at every live performance making each one a must see.

Glostik Willy is the life support for the rock & roll you thought was dead. The band formed in early 2008, and since then has grown to be a driving force in today’s scene bridging the gap between rock and jam and forming their own genre of music that can only be described as Hippy Metal. GW has done 500+ performances in more than 17 states and counting. The band has hosted 7 music festivals (May Daze, Stik Nite, Twig Nite, Willy Fest) and performed at over 35 festivals. Glostik Willy brings an energy like no other during live performances that gets crowds moving and grooving all night long. Currently the band is working on a new album that will feature the bands most recent musical workings while releasing a series of live albums. Glostik Willy continues to thrive on the road spreading their love for music to anyone with an open ear. If this group of in your face Hippy Metal addicts happen to stop by a city near you, be sure not to miss this amazing musical spectacle that the world knows as Glostik Willy.

Jahman Brahman is a four-member collaboration originating from Columbus, Ohio in 2005, and currently residing in the mountains of Asheville, NC. The musical intuition of each member overcomes the restrictions of any particular genre as they pioneer the musical trail with a sound completely their own. The name Jahman Brahman emerged from each member’s goal to achieve the ultimate state of musical cohesion; each instrument connected to one another to create a piece of music from the heart of one.

They’ve described their particular style as shred ‘n’ flow, a dynamic sound with a wide breath of influence, but a focus on rich, fluid, progressions of energy. Providing the low end, Nate “Brother” Brown brings his own style of funked out and super fresh bass grooves giving depth to Justin Brown’s full and conscious lyrics. Drummer Chuck Knott gives the sound its steady concrete pulse providing the heartbeat for Casey Chanatry’s riveting guitar-work. Combined, Jahman Brahman leaves the listener with a message on life, love, and the wonders experienced being part of an extraordinary musical family.

Each member holds a unique passion toward many different audio paths, with influences ranging from classic rock to electronica; from punk to jazz. Instead of conforming, they ascend music through the coalescence of their diverse styles, taking risks that unfold into powerful jams and creative compositions.

Local band, Subterranean, hosts their first Halloween extravaganza!

Subterranean’s Intergalactic Meltdown this Saturday!

September 23, 2015 By LIbby Ballengee

Subterranean hosts the Intergalactic Meltdown Saturday night at Jimmie’s Ladder 11

Subterranean, a local band on the rise, is hosting their 4 year anniversary with an epic show: The Intergalactic Meltdown! The name comes from their friends The Big Black Galactic, from Sandusky, who will be sharing the stage with the Sub-T boys for this special event.

“The Big Black Galactic will have you ebbing and flowing in the intergalactic with their dance worthy improvisation and then Subterranean will continue to meltdown your faces with their intense and provocative sounds” states the band’s event page. I’m a huge fan of technical improvisation, and I couldn’t be more excited for this show!

How to go? Head over to Jimmie’s Ladder 11, on Saturday September 26th, and pay usual $5 cover charge. What you’ll get in musical value is so much more! Definitely worth the cover.

And…. It’s my birthday! Celebrate with me and one of my fave local bands, and we celebrate our personal new years!

You don’t want to miss this one!