Dayton Music

Steve Makofka: Life/Music Getting ‘Back To Normal’ In Revealing EP

June 18, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

(Photo Courtesy: Jennifer Clarke)

Walking up to Fifth Third Field, you will notice the usual fanfare of Dragons shirts, jerseys, hats that people will be proudly displaying as they enter the ballpark. There will be the folks walking up and down the sidewalks. Some with large groups of other individuals. Some simply walking solo. The area around Fifth Third Field is starting to really come back to life. For a period of time, the area surrounding the minor league stadium was dormant. What were empty, decaying buildings are now becoming and/or transitioning to restaurants and shopping centers. What was the old Buckeye Brass & Iron Foundry in the 30s is now residence to Warped Wing Brewery, one of the fastest growing breweries around the area. New luxury apartments are starting to pop up-giving more of an excuse for people to continue to move closer into the city. Also seeing some new life being up into it is the formally known Canal Street Tavern. Currently under the name Canal Public House, the music venue is merely steps away from the ballpark. When you come down on weekends this summer before the first pitch, you will find singer/songwriter Steve Makofka playing the piano.

For the past couple of years, Makofka has been also going through some changes within his life. During this time, he has become more involved in the music scene and has released his debut EP Back To Normal. Makofka went in to record Back To Normal in December of 2013 at F.M. Records in Dayton, Ohio. The recording of the EP only took an all-day session, Makofka mentioned. Makofka was able to record the EP so quickly was mostly in part with the band that he assembled. Local Dayton musicians guitarist Todd theFox, bassist Chris Barnett, drummer Jay Madewell have all backed Makofka throughout the open mics around Dayton, including the now departed RnR Playdate. The group played the songs that are on the EP during the allotted times during the events. The familiarity is also the reason that the band was chosen. “I had to use those musicians is because I felt like the songs themselves would have suffered without the chemistry…the songs, the music, the style-all grew up together with those people,” Makofka said.

Makofka officially moved to the Dayton area in 2000. Originally residing in the outskirts of Atlanta, Makofka took a minister position at a church in Centerville. For 25 years, Makofka followed his passion for ministry after attending Grace College. For 25 years, Makofka taught and guided others through his instruction and faith. He would prepare couples for marriage as being their counselor. He would be involved with events within the congregation. Over time, however, Makofka decided to step down. Makofka’s enjoyment of teaching and helping while being in the ministry life led him to go into substitute teaching for a period of time. Nevertheless, playing music and performing became Makofka’s love.

To some, they view Makofka’s music as his way to continue being able to preach. To Makofka, he sees it at a different vision. To him-the simple pleasures of playing and the connecting with people are what really drives his music.

The concept of Makofka’s introspective EP Back To Normal explores and summarizes the past four years of his life. From working small stints at Kings Island to the housewares department at a retail store during a holiday season to working in a music store influenced the old school country, honky tonk opener “Something Else”. “Back To Normal Blues” has Makofka coming to the realization that the way life was will not be coming back (I can’t get what I want/And I guess that’s just too bad/If I can’t get what I want I’ve got to learn to want what I have). “February In Dayton”, the acoustic tune which highlights Makofka’s stellar play on the accordion, talks of the feelings we all experience during the winter season. Shaun O’Shaugnessy, who was the engineer of the EP, allows Makofka and company the freedom to be raw and unpolished. Just the way the band played these songs at the open mics around Dayton. “I wanted to capture that on this album”, Makofka explained.

The road of life hasn’t been the straight and narrow that Steve Makofka thought it would be. The year’s post-ministry life have thrown him more curveballs than a Major League baseball pitcher tosses at an opposing batter. However, Makofka has found happiness and joy through his love of making music and performing them to live audiences.

Performing especially to those that will be walking up to the ballpark on those gorgeous summer nights this year.

C. Wright’s Parlour Tricks, The June Jazz featured on Sound Check Chat podcast

June 16, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

The Sound Check Chat podcasts with Andrew Low of The Jazz June and Christopher Wright of C. Wright’s Parlour Tricks went live on Friday, June 13 via iTunes and Stitcher.

While magazines and blog interviews often provide a peek behind the curtain and into the minds of music’s best musicians, every interviewer knows that there are nuances of humor, sarcasm, honesty, and even sadness that are left on the tape. Even the best journalist, one who gets close to translating the experience of hearing someone’s thoughts and words in their own voice, could never quite share 100 percent of that experience.

Appreciating this phenomenon, Dayton-based music journalist Tim Anderl (of YouIndie.com, Ghettoblaster Magazine, New Noise Magazine, etc.) teamed with Frank Steele, a professional media and video producer (Frame Jump Music Videos), to create the Sound Check Chat podcast. The podcast shares the experience of dialing up a musician or talking to them one-on-one, face to face. The podcast will typically drop on the first and 15^th of every month.

On March 15, 2014, the podcast launched via iTunes, as well as at the Sound Check Chat website. Previous podcasts included interviews with one-half of Insane Clown Posse, Violent J, JT of Hawthorne Heights, Grieves, Drew of Circle Takes The Square, Joe and Justin of The 1984 Draft, and Andy of Buffalo Killers.

Download the podcast at iTunes here: http://goo.gl/cIF7G0 or  https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-check-chat-music-lovers/id841331756

In addition to the podcast, Sound Check Chat provides a show notes page providing background behind the podcast and artists covered, as well as links to topics discussed on the show.

Additional details about future podcasts, including those already in progress with Those Mockingbirds, Beebs and Her Moneymakers, Tiger Flowers, and more are forthcoming. The podcasts are sponsored by Topshelf Records.

‘On The Inside’ Is Quite Special-Just Ask Colleen Badenhop

June 13, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

(Photo courtesy: Jennifer Taylor Clarke)

It was a chilly, mid-morning day when I met up with singer/songwriter Colleen Badenhop. When she walked up to our meeting location, I noticed that she was wearing a thin hooded zip-up sweater. The sweater couldn’t barely keep anyone warm on this day. However, Badenhop had a good reason for the clothing choice. “We are in the process of moving,” explains Badenhop. “All of my warm clothes are in boxes [laughter].” For Badenhop moving into a new home is just one of many things happening as of late. She recently finished her eleventh year of teaching music in the Kettering City Schools, and she will be releasing her debut album On the Inside today.

Badenhop grew up in the little town of Wauseon, Ohio, about 45 minutes away from Dayton. Her mother would play the piano and the organ while her father would sing in the church choir. Badenhop picked up playing the piano when she was young through reading music and watching her mother, and once she started attending Bowling Green, she started to get a better understanding of chord structure. As soon as she started to write songs, Badenhop started to become more serious about playing the piano. She started to dive deeper into learning and practicing. Following college, Badenhop married her high school sweetheart, and they migrated to the Dayton area.

Around 2012, Badenhop started to throw around the idea of exploring going further with her music. “I didn’t know how get from point A to point B at all”, said she. “I wasn’t sure what I do, who to talk to, how much it was going to cost.” She started off small-going to establishments and performing karaoke every week. “I would learn the songs that I wanted to sing that night. I would get on YouTube and learn the song really well,” Badenshop explained. Attending each week started to give the crowd a sense that Badenhop was destined to be doing more than already released music. “Someone told me that I should write my own songs. I would say to them that I should, but I don’t have anything to write about [laughs].”

Over time, those doubts of not having anything to write about washed away. Badenhop mentioned that she had some emotional moments that fueled some of her writing. Although she didn’t specifically mention what happened, Badenhop talked about how she starting forming moments into music. She sang the newly formed songs in her mind and would play them on the piano. Badenhop reached out and messaged another local singer/songwriter Jayne Sachs, who she was a fan of. Sachs became a mentor of sorts for Badenhop and explained that she needed to go out to places like Canal Public House and perform.

On the Inside was recorded at Babblefish Studios in Franklin, Ohio. The album, which was part of a successful Kickstarter campaign, was started in September of 2013 and ended in January. The recording was spread out, with Badenhop and her band recording mostly on weekends. During the recording process, Badenhop really wanted to have her hands in every part of the process down to the design of the album artwork. “I found out I was a little bit of a control freak [laughter],” Badenhop jokingly said.

The lyrics throughout On the Inside spotlight the full spectrum of human emotional experiences. Songs like the soft, gentle “Home Again” (When I lay down with you/I am home again/Enclosed in your arms/I am free again) to “Story” (If you were a boat/I’d be your river) highlight love and hope. Alongside are tales of loss and frustration-“A Comfortable Veil” and “The Last One to Know”. For fans of singer/songwriters like Ben Folds and Sara Bareilles, Badenhop’s On the Inside will be right on.

Colleen Badenhop will be releasing her debut On the Inside today, and we will be one half of the CD release show at Yellow Cab. Badenhop will be sharing the stage with local musician Steve Makofka tonight. Showtime is 8pm. $5 admission. To hear more from Colleen Badenhop, click onto her Reverbnation website here.

Jazz Up Father’s Day with “Women in Jazz”

June 10, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro 1 Comment

The Downtown Dayton Summer Music Series kicks off on Father’s Day (Sunday, June 15) with the 32^nd Annual Women in Jazz Festival, from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Dave Hall Plaza (Fourth at Jefferson). Admission is free.

The line-up includes Chicago-based headliner the Petra van Nuis Quartet, featuring guitarist Andy Brown. Other performers include: Donna & Friends; Audrey Whitaker; Kate Ross; Sabrina Tutstone & Friends; The Jazz Central Band featuring The Ladies of Jazz Central; and April Aloisio with the Phillip Burkhead Trio.

A variety of food and merchandise vendors will be present, with free water provided by the Dayton Water Department. Lawn chairs, blankets, empty water bottles and individual umbrellas are welcome. Outside food or beverages, coolers and tents are not permitted.

The Women in Jazz Festival is presented by the City of Dayton Department of Recreation and Youth Services, with support from the Downtown Dayton Partnership, Heidelberg Distributing, Crowne Plaza Dayton, WROU Radio and Martin Romie Talent.

The City of Dayton’s Downtown Summer Music Series will continue with the Dayton Blues Festival (Sunday, July 20) and the Dayton Reggae Festival (Sunday, August 31). Both events will be held at Dave Hall Plaza, with free admission.

For more information, call 333-8400.

J.D. Legends Kicks Off Summer Concert Series With Sunday Best

May 26, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Blue Moon Soup Concert Benefits WYSO Radio and Clifton Opera House

May 13, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Blue Moon Soup

On Friday, May 16th, Blue Moon Soup along with the Celtic duet Changeling are going to be hosting an evening jam packed with everything from gypsy jazz to rock n’ roll at the Clifton Opera House, 5 South Clay Street, Clifton, OH 45316. The concert is to benefit WYSO Public Radio and the historic Clifton Opera House! The show is an alcohol- free, child-friendly event, so be sure to bring the whole family!

Since Blue Moon Soup’s first show in 2010, they have been helped along the way through the kindness and charity of others. “We like to find ways to give back to the community that has given us so much! In the past, we have donated generously to Glen Helen and have plans to do so again on June 14th,” said Robbie Marion, band member and organizer. “Much like the Glen, Yellow Springs’ WYSO has had an impact on all our lives and we would like to play our part in sustaining this great local source of news and unique music,” says Marion.

Tickets for the event are $10 at the door for 18+ and an additional $5 concession (if under 18). The doors for the event open at 7:00pm. The evening opens with Changeling from 7:30 PM to 8:15 PM followed by Blue Moon Soup from 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM.

Public radio station WYSO 91.3 is licensed to Antioch College with studios in Yellow Springs, OH. It broadcasts on multiple platforms: 91.3 FM, live streaming at WYSO.org, on HD radio and on the Public Radio Player, a mobile application. WYSO is the Miami Valley’s only NPR News station with programming from NPR, Public Radio International, American Public Media, PRX and the BBC as well as the the work of local and independent radio producers.

Clifton Opera House hosts year round entertainment. The Opera House, designed by Springfield architect Charles Cregar, was built in 1893. Cregar is known for his magnificent designs such as the municipal building in Springfield and numerous churches.

Over the years, the Opera House has served as a venue for minstrel shows, town offices, after school sports and community meetings. Most weekends, you can find a variety of musical offerings and entertainment. The Opera House is currently hosting live concerts and events every Friday and Saturday night during its operating season. All donations are applied to maintenance and repairs of the building.

Blue Moon Soup is Jon Baumann on standup bass, Robbie Marion on fiddle, Brendan Moore on mandolin and Justin Moon on guitar. All members provide vocals. The band’s webpage contains photos, upcoming dates and bio information on the band members. You can find their websites at http://www.bluemoonsoupmusic.com and https://www.facebook.com/BlueMoonSoup.

Local Celebs The Village Fam Host Legendary Rapper Crooked I at Peach’s

May 11, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

On Monday, May 12, famous Rap Artist Crooked I, Member of the All-Star Rap Group Slaughterhouse produced by the legendary Eminem, will perform Live at Peach’s Bar and Grill located at 104 Xenia Ave, Yellow Springs, Ohio 45387. The Guinness Book of Records holder for longest freestyle, M- Eighty will be accompanying Cooked I. Opening for Crooked I will be local celebrities, The Village Fam, and other great local artist such as Obelo, Ty Spacely, Stone Cold, and the Alpha Team. Doors will open at 9 pm, and DJ Philly Phill will be DJing throughout the night.

This will be a historic night for the small town of Yellow Springs. It will be the first time a famous mainstream rapper performs live in the village. The show is being hosted by The Village Fam, a unique Rap/ Hip Hop group based out of Yellow Springs. This local rap group have not only caught the attention of the Shady Records artist, but have also collaborated with the legendary Wu Tang Clan’s Cappadonna on a Cypher, as well as opening for high profile legends such as Stalley from Maybach Music, and MC LYTE. The Village Fam have released 3 albums as a group and 5 solo albums from various members within the group. They are rapidly growing in popularity because each member of the group has a unique style which allows them to appeal to a diverse audience. They display deep intellectual lyricism along with hard core crowd-moving beats that are produced within the group.

This will be a magical night in Yellow Springs that no true music fan should miss. Tickets are $10 at the door. Venue capacity is expected, so for pre-sale tickets, fans can text “tickets” to (937)561-3809. Tickets also available at Peach’s Bar and Grill, and Toxic Beauty Records located at 220 Xenia Ave, Yellow Springs, OH 45387. For more information regarding The Village Fam, please visit https://www.facebook.com/villagefam. For press inquiries, please contact publicist, Eva Costa at(937)554-7766.

REVIEW: The Architects of Ohio Metal at Blind Bob’s

May 7, 2014 By Mike Ritchie Leave a Comment

On Saturday April 26^th, four Ohio bred metal bands came to Blind Bob’s to make noise, scream, yell and thrown down in a small deadly space, where the moshers really danced and the pit was much more friendly than the ones outside.

Columbus’ Northern Widows opened with a short set of six songs, just long enough to keep the hardcore fans’ attention, because Sargent D was coming, and you’re all on his list. Playing a nice blend of thrash, groove and speed with some old school punk attitude and delivery, they opened with the aggressively fast Boundaries & Vices and then got moody, muddy with some boot stomping drums and guitar on The Blessing Way. The Ghosts Of My Sins Are Consuming Me had a slower, dirtier beginning with guitar groove a minute in. Standing On The Shoulders of Omega was an ode to a lost family member, standing at their gravesite wishing them well in the afterlife. Three Storms was the slow mosh tune while A Clock Without A Craftsman finished with an old school punk feel.

Imbroglio (photo by Mike Ritchie)

Red Moth Inc, Dayton’s home of players and producers of anything and everything extremely not mainstream brought us Imbroglio, born in 2007, with six releases to date including this year’s The Struggle In Pursuit EP. Experimenting with grind, sludge, doom and whatever they want to hear and are influenced by, the band pushes their dark creations through the speakers for you to hear like the noise of an army made by three men, questioning comfort zones and what is ‘safe’ to play. After the drum smashing, uneasy guitar interplay of the Full Speed face smasher, we get bit from 2012’s Declared Self Hatred with Sharp Teeth. Then, The Drought comes slow and damaging, with Sabbath sludge, leaving throats dry from yelling. When all hope’s gone and the end comes what have you done to leave a mark? Daybreak delivers melancholy with an eye opening hard bitch slap to your morning wake or keeps insomniacs going with its wall scratching charm, Meshuggah tempo’s and Dillinger Escape Plan breakdowns. Desolation ends with a slower, trippy sounding ode to atmospheric isolation, with a slow trudge in the end of hopelessness.

Enabler (photo by Mike Ritchie)

Ohio’s Enabler owned the stage, getting the crowd pit ready with some wall blaster tunes including several new songs from the upcoming La Fin Absolue De Monde LP out May 27^th from Earsplit Compound. Metal, hardcore, punk crossovers open a can with the passion in the veins of Speechless, the ultra-fast not quite a minute and a half fury of Mercenary yells the tale of someone who just needs to be taken out, in a low rent blaze of glory. Unconditional Surrender plays with weird chords before the speed slams in, playing frenetic breakdowns while building speed. They played several songs from the upcoming CD including Prey; run, run, run with the speed of a punk song, they’re after you and New Life with its guitar buzzing beginning and very danceable, body ramming beat and pace, with a little Death mixed in for technical flavor. To end the show, a former band member came up and jammed for a very loud and fast reunion.

Dayton’s Mouth of the Architect took us past the witching hour with sounds and songs that would scare a witch’s Sabbath into casting protection spells. Going strong for a decade, playing most of the songs from the new Dawning EP, they open with the almost ten minute Lullaby starting soft and soothing while the bedtime story yells you to sleep. Sharpen Your Axes got the crowd in a killer mood starting slow, but with menacingly subtle stalking guitar strings before the invading high squealing notes come from behind. The Other Son could be the sludge/prog/doom version of Dream On with Irish drinking song vocals at the five minute mark before going into the dark side of Tool territory ending with unexpected calm and quiet twisting attack of the keyboard/ sound manipulator.

REVIEW: Decibel Magazine Tour Decimates Columbus

May 5, 2014 By Mike Ritchie Leave a Comment

Noisem (photo by Mike Ritchie)

On Sunday April 6^th, the Decibel Magazine Tour slammed into Columbus’ Newport Music bringing its youngest screamers Noisem, the growling sands of Tibet from Gorguts, the dark horror themed, violent intentions of the Black Dahlia Murder and the graphic godfathers of gore, grindcore and surgical steel, Carcass.

New kids Noisem delivered an opening set of non-stop, psychopathically cathartic tunes that they couldn’t stop moving to. A sonic whiplash ensued with perpetual movement as they cranked out songs from their Agony Defined CD. Their sound is death/thrash metal with an old school Sepultura vibe. Vocalist Tyler played the straight jacket escapee berserker well, thrashing the stage harder with each tune. Vertebrae rattlers Rotten Remains and Split from the Inside Out pummel until they’re down. Tyler leapt off stage taking the cardio dance to the photo pit, getting in the crowds face, frantic in performance possession, trapped in a spiritual shaman war dance, sweating/screaming out his demons with every head-bang and growl.

Gorguts made their Columbus return, in much nicer weather, bringing their set to a mesmerized crowd in awe of Tibet’s heavy history. Starting with the fast-slow mix of pulverizing guitar work/drums and haunting interludes of Le Toit Du Monde, the highest level on the planet is the home to many sights, stories and mysteries. An Ocean of Wisdom wastes no time ramming its guitar necks down your throat viciously with no apologies, removing at two minutes, slowing down the tempo before reinsertion. Even in death the 13th Dalai Lama gave clues pointing to his successor. Forgotten Arrows, inspired by the words of Buddhist Monk Matthieu Ricard, makes a melodic death metal tune sound as happy as it can be. Title track Colored Sands aka the wheel of time, gives peace and healing to all things starting with its single, simplistic, alluring but foreboding plucked notes turning up the charged tempo with some addictive body moving chug. The heavy metallic voice of ancient wisdom churned and shredded out of a guitar. They finished with the guitar screeching, wrapped around your neck screaming and squeezing title track from their ground breaking record, Obscura. Beautifully grim guitar notes tapped into your head like an automatic staple gun. Luc Lemay gave a shout out to everyone he saw back in December.

The Black Dahlia Murder (photo by Mike Ritchie)

Black Dahlia Murder starts with a signed sealed and delivered screaming sadistic apology/confession of the unknown sadist who took the young starlet, giving her immortality through death becoming a true crime legend. In Hell She Waits for You, with a sawed off torso and some mean karma. We go to commit our own atrocities, feeding the nocturnal beast within as we look up, teeth sharpen, eyes turn to dark scarlet rage and hairs rise up as the Lycan bloodlust takes over, reflecting the glow of the Moonlight Equilibrium. Now a salty sea’s tale from the Everblack, told by the battle worn, rusted vessel of the damned, hunted by its bloody history. God seemed to be MIA tonight, as our Beloved Absentee searches for a reason for our worship and penitence. A war torn case of historical Statutory Ape, leaves a world’s dignity destroyed and violated from the horrors of war to the horrors of 1980’s comic book adaptations of terror. Meteors bring the green along with beasts in crates and cheating spouses on a day at the beach. Mankind’s karmatic destruction comes with insatiable appetite, a sick and twisted dismembering fetish of pain giving pleasure. What part of you don’t you like? Most of what moves, Phantom Limb Masturbation, climax at separation.

What a Horrible Night to be among the cursed walking dead, conjured back to un-life by the dark one, cannibalizing the living, swallowing souls for the grave. I Will Return, from this ice cubed crypt, a cryonically frozen man.

Splatter death metal, gore-grind, pioneers of melodic death metal, whatever toe tag you want to hang Carcass is the autopsy room’s house band and metal masters of the morgue churning out a gross use of lyrical misconduct and bringing noises out of guitars that bring back the dead. A career made from sick symphonies, necromancy and art collages of death.

Carcass (photo by MIke Ritchie)

The howling guitars of their birth year, 1985 sang out from the autopsy slab as they appeared ready to perform non-anesthetic open heart-work on anyone ready and willing. The spinal-connected hands of peace opened and Buried Dreams began…welcome! It’s been a long time Columbus! Are you ready to rock? When Jeff Walker says it, it’s not a cliché, it means you’re about to get your innards scrambled. Walker’s cheery opening belies the dark macabre manifesto of twisted talent buried inside the devils delivery with humor in a British accent, as dual video screens broadcast the evening’s voyeur visage. They pull out the wrapped plastic (decades before Dexter) and body bags early with Incarnate Solvent Abuse. We got the night’s first taste of the newest tools of the trade with a Congealed Clot of Blood frozen on the Cadaver Pouch Conveyor System, causalities of the blood lust and pink mist. Time to estimate the rotting layers then mass calculate the body stock pile on Carnal Forge.

We take another un-sanitized stab into cold flesh with Surgical Steel on Noncompliance then continue the heart games without emotion on No Love Lost. Walker throws a few bottles of clear liquid embalming fluid from the tap to the crowd. ‘Don’t throw them back or we’ll see you’. We enter the Dark Granulating human churning machine with its Satanic charm and numeral mystery. A three era dose of heavy ether was next starting with a fresh mourning cup of Wake Up and Smell the Carcass with the slow bluesy grind of Edge of Darkness. The frantic beat and guitars crunching bone on This Mortal Coil and the air tight sealed winds of ancient death blow within masking the dead’s ancient whispers as they Reek of Putrefaction trapped in a permanent death/murder montage.

In true British humor, Carcass style, Walker mentions one of their guitarists is legitimately quite ill, but he’s a trooper this evening. ‘It’d be cooler if he threw up on stage, it’d have much more appeal.’

It’s, Unfit for Human Consumption; indeed, even for a cannibal’s holocaust or a grave-robber’s Gein, a creepy closed-door craving left off the coroner’s report. Walker joked that anyone who’d never seen them might think all the songs are on the new record, or maybe this one’s from 1987. They crank out the uncomfortable instrumental Genital Grinder then feast on the Pyosisified rotting remains, a meal too vile for even Hannibal to digest.

Walker also mentioned, tongue in cheek, that during their ‘secret recording sessions’ for the comeback Black Dahlia Murder tried to steal their drummer but Jeff put his foot down pointing ‘No no, girlfriend.’

It’s the graveyard dinner bell and the dead are spoiled but ready for the feast. Exhume to Consume is on the menu, way past expiration is how they’ll have you. Captive Bolt Pistol’s a trigger stop to the working mind. Corporal Jigsore Quandary, a mutilated, massacre of human debris, the rotting anatomical puzzle sewn back in piece.

They go ‘a bit’ more commercial as Walker announces some tunes from the Swansong era asking that all doors be closed and locked so no one can run and leave. We Keep on Rotting in the Free World under that bright shining Black Star. Ruptured in Purulence is our final tale of sickness before the crowd pleasing works of art are painted black in magniloquence ending with a taste of the Carneous Cacoffiny.

All images by Mike Ritchie

Black Dahlia Murder Setlist courtesy of Kelli Malella and Max Mobarry of Crucifixation

Silent Lions: Setting Themselves Up To Roar In Dayton

April 22, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

“We have a little cabin fever up here [laughs],”explained Silent Lions drummer Matt Klein during a recent phone conversation. Klein, along with his bandmate Dean Tartaglia, resides a little over two hours away from the friendly borders of Dayton in the beautiful city of Toledo. Just like pretty much everywhere in the Midwest, Toledo is just now coming out of one of the worst winter seasons that has ever occurred. The record low temperatures and the significant amount of snow that accumulated during the beginning of the year forced a lot of folks to stay indoors. Spring is now upon us, and that means that folks, including Klein and Tartaglia, are able to get back out on the road and start touring again. Silent Lions will be stopping by Dayton on Wednesday at Hole In The Wall, which is located on East Fifth Street. “We have been itching to get back out and tour.”

The music scene in Toledo, much like the one in Dayton, features a wide assortment of great musicians. It’s how Klein and Tartaglia formed their bond. “We would see each other around gigs, and we just thought that it would be cool to do something together.” The bands they were previously a part of never seriously made music a focus, so the duo pairing up came naturally. Klein and Tartaglia started branching outside of their comfort zone in Toledo music landscape, and began spending a lot of time in the Detroit area. Although Klein and Tartaglia still call Toledo their home, going somewhere different and new was needed. “Detroit gives us some many more opportunities for experimentation. It fuels our creative sides.”

Establishing their footing in the Motor City, Silent Lions met with Zach Shipps. To many, Shipps is known for his time in the Detroit-based rock band Electric Six. Electric Six, known by many for their single “Danger! High Voltage,” infused elements of disco, punk rock, new wave, and metal into their music. Klein and Tartaglia went to Shipps’ studio to recorded and released their first EP The Parliaments in December 2012. The four song EP set the tone for where the twosome wanted to take their music. The lyrics are mostly written by Tartaglia and dance around several topics. The spooky “Terrible Days” dives into leaving before it’s too late. “Pop Rocks” features Tartaglia crooning about plotting his take over with music: “You are bumming me out/I know better than this and rock n roll is not a fad/It takes more than good luck and a well thought out financial plan you know” with a nice little hip-hop closing. Fuzzed out octave bass, sampled synths, thrashing drum play, and manipulated atmospheric vocals are highlighted throughout the EP, the staples of how Silent Lions wanted to play their music.

In May of 2013, Silent Lions released “ripe•people” during some downtime in between tour dates. The 8-plus minute song jumps all around the music spectrum. Klein begins singing in a high pitch then Tartaglia breaks in with a fast-paced riff that’s a blend of hiphop/rock. Halfway through, the band jerks the song over to a heavy-soul driven pace that continues to show their progression into nailing down their signature sound. “ripe•people” is a wild experience for listeners, and it truly will give you the clear vision on where the band was headed.

At the beginning of this year, Silent Lions released their newest EP, The Compartments. “We wanted to record again with Zach [Shipps]. He shared our vision, and we benefited a lot from him due to his experience,” explained Klein. The Compartments presents a more defined sound. Silent Lions’ time inside the Detroit music scene is noticeable when you are listening to the EP. You can hear the influence of blues and soul along with their lo-fi gritty fuzz. One great example of this is the soulful “Crash and Burn”. “Stolen In The Heat Of The Moment” is a driving force that is energetic and loud. “Runnin’ Me Down” is completely opposite – slow and spooky. The duo shows throughout the EP their evolution of being in a band together. The future of Silent Lions is really going to be fun to watch. Klein echoed those same feelings. “We haven’t been a band for real long. We are still learning from one another, and we can’t wait to see where we go.”

A full-length LP is on Silent Lions’ radar, and they plan on having Shipps produce the album. They’ll start recording in Detroit in the summer. For now, the band is going to tour some, playing for audiences around the Midwest and Eastern seaboard. The duo are noticing that the crowds are growing and growing with each show. “We have found support and made new friends in every new city we’ve been to. It’s been really humbling”, Klein says. “It’s all about making connections.”

Silent Lions plan on releasing a music video for “Runnin’ Me Down” on YouTube. The video will feature haunting imagery comparable to the old school horror films, which are favorites for Klein and Tartaglia. To hear what many have labeled “heavy soul,” “chill punk” and “Hall and Oates backed by Rage Against The Machine,” you can go to the band’s website- http://silentlions.bandcamp.com/music. Silent Lions will be stopping by in Dayton in support of The Compartments by performing at Hole In The Wall on Wednesday night. Door open at 9. Music starts at 10.

Best thing about the show – no possibility of snow.

Buffalo Killers Kick Off DMF’s 10th Year Anniversary With Special Show

April 21, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

For the past nine years, the Dayton Music Fest has spotlighted the burgeoning music scene in Dayton, Ohio. Founded by Dan Clayton, Andy Ingram, and Shawn Johnson, the Dayton Music Fest features artists and bands from all around the area over two days in several area establishments. Within walking distance from each other, festival attendees are able to experience live, local music in ways that they never thought possible. The event also allows people who don’t come down and watch live shows often the opportunity to witness the rich musical talent that is coming out of Dayton.

Now curated by Kyle Melton and Don Thrasher, the tenth anniversary of the Dayton Music Fest will undoubtedly be one of the best yet. For starters, the DMF organizers, along with David C. Obenour and Ghettoblaster Magazine, will be having their kickoff event this Friday night at Christ Episcopal Church in downtown Dayton (20 West First Street). The kickoff event will feature Dayton’s/Cincinnati’s own Buffalo Killers.

Lead by songwriting brothers Zachary and Andrew Gabbard, along with Joseph Sebaali and Sven Kahns, Buffalo Killers have drawn the attention of the likes of The Black Crowes’ own Chris Robinson and Dan Auerbach from the Black Keys. Robinson enjoyed the band so much that he even invited the Buffalo Killers to open a string of dates. The band’s previous albums, Buffalo Killers (2006), Let It Ride (2008), 3 (2011), Dig. Sow. Love. Grow. (2012), Ohio Grass (2013) present signature hook heavy homegrown rock n roll play with an undeniable Southern psychedelic tone.

Buffalo Killers have recently released their fifth studio album, Heavy Reverie this month via Sun Pedal Recordings. Heavy Reverie was recorded in Cleveland, OH at Crushtone Studios with producer Jim Wirt (Incubus, Fiona Apple). The show on Friday will feature a backing choir accompanying the band for select songs, truly a once in a lifetime experience that fits perfectly into Dayton Music Fest’s vision each and every year.

Tickets are limited to 250. Advanced sales are available through Monday at: http://daytonmusicfest.bandcamp.com/, and additional tickets will be available at the door.

Also on the night of the show, Toxic Brew Company will be releasing the limited edition Buffalo Killer Brown Ale. The tapping will be at 5pm.

NFL Films Select-Dayton’s Own ‘The 1984 Draft’

April 8, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

The last seconds of the National Football League’s season winds down at the Super Bowl, and a champion will be crowned. For those who root for the soon-to-be champions, they will be taking in the sweet taste of knowing that their team just won the most prized trophy in the world. The euphoric feeling is beyond anything they could dream of or explain. For those whose teams just simply can’t get out of being an absolute bottom-dweller embarrassment of a franchise, they will be in despair. They wonder if that day will ever happen. For most, they deal with the realization they will never get to that moment-that moment they see their team win the championship. Those same fans will just want to go into the fetal position and have a good cry after really diving into that reality.

In the spring after the Super Bowl, the beginning stages of the NFL season give all the teams a fresh start, regardless of the previous years ending standings. The first stage of the season getting underway is the annual yearly draft. The draft is designed to increase the competitive parity between the teams as the worst team would, ideally, have chosen the best player available. Teams select eligible college football players in seven rounds.

Local musician Joe Anderl’s father grew up a Nebraska Cornhusker fan. Growing up in the state, Anderl’s father became an avid Husker fan. However, the life of being in the Air Force forced him to move all around the United States. Older Anderl’s wife gave birth to Joe in California, and it was there that he would instill his passion and dedication of the Cornhuskers to his newborn. Anderl’s loyalty with the University of Nebraska’s football program runs deep. He will go in detail on the glory years that the team had during the 90s under Tom Osborne era. He will explain just how awful the Bill Callahan era was, as he tried to implement the West Coast offense. He will even tell you the story about how he and his father finally had the chance to catch their beloved Huskers in Indianapolis in 2012 for the Big Ten Championship against the Wisconsin Badgers.

In 1984, the NFL draft was especially significant for the Anderl’s. Two highly talented All-American Cornhuskers-wide receiver Irving Fryar,and offensive tackle Dean Steinkuhler-were selected first and second in that year’s draft. It has been the only NFL draft that has had two Nebraska Cornhuskers to be picked first and second. For his obsession with the college football team, and due to some of the greatest players to ever put on the Husker jersey, it propelled Joe Anderl to name his band The 1984 Draft.

Anderl’s chance to showcase his talents won’t be the first for him. His has been around the music scene for some time now. His high school ska band at the time took second place at the Canal Street band playoffs. He played in a hardcore band called Keaton that had the opportunity to record with Chris Common, who has helped produced and engineer albums for indie bands such as Minus The Bear, and Native. Anderl also ran a boutique label Bettawreckonize Media, releasing records from the likes of Southeast Engine, The Kyle Sowashes, and 8 Bit Revival in the mid ‘00s. He has supported the likes of Maritime, The New Amsterdams, The Wrens, Murder By Death, Limbeck and Ink and Dagger, to celebrated songwriters like John Vanderslice, party rocker Andrew WK. It’s pretty hard to not be impressed with Anderl’s resume.
This month, NFL Films will be releasing a documentary on the 30^th anniversary of the 1984 NFL draft, and Anderl’s band have been given an amazing gift-they will be showcased in the show. The band was noticed by the folks at NFL mostly in part due to the amount of videos that are on YouTube. The large collection of videos are Anderl and the band performing all around town caught the folks who were putting together the movie. “I thought that it was a joke”, Anderl explains when he was notified about the inquiry of being part of the documentary. “I thought that it was a buddy messing around with me. So, I went to the internet and looked up the person that contacted us. Everything that came up was true on the person.” The person who contact Anderl was Greg Frith, a senior producer at NFL Films.

The NFL Films crew arrived in Dayton back in January, and the experience was pretty surreal for Anderl. “I was headed to Justin’s house when I noticed these black SUV’s following me. When I arrived to the house, the vehicles stopped as well. You could tell these guys had no clue where they were at (laughs). After they spent some time with us, they loosened up.” The documentary is scheduled to be aired April 30^th on NFL Network, just in time for this year’s draft. The NFL film crew stayed all day interviewing and filming the band. Footage was even recorded when the band performed a set at Blind Bob’s that evening.

To help celebrate the airing of the film, The 1984 Draft have released a 3-song EP Bo Jackson Up The Middle. The 1984 Draft went to the studio to record Bo Jackson Up The Middle in the middle of January this year at Popside Recording Studio in Troy, Ohio. Anderl, along with drummer Justin Satinover and guitarist Eli Alban, worked with Micah Carli, guitarist for Dayton’s own Hawthorne Heights. The recording session only took a single day to complete. The EP, which features alt-folk sensibilities along with a ‘90s emo and hardcore vibe, is heavily-driven with football themes and imagery. “Clear Heads Full Hearts” gives a bruising bird’s eye view of small town men who played high school football recounting playing under those glorious Friday nights under the brightest of lights, feeling invisible.

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Now those same men live normal lives, driving minivans and trying to recapture those missed opportunities through their own children. “Scarlet and Cream” pays homage to a deceased Cornhusker that was special to Anderl, his grandfather. “Straight Out Of Will Compton” completes the blistering EP with Anderl giving everything he has. The EP truly doesn’t do justice on the instrumental play that Satinover and Alban bring.

Currently, Anderl and company are slowly putting together the follow-up to their first LP that was released in late 2013, Return to Tallboy Mountain. The band hopes that the album, which will be called Return to Tallboy Mountain, Again, will be recorded at Popside with Carli again. For now, however, the excitement of the NFL Films documentary and the EP being released is the band’s primary focus.

Hey-it’s not every day that you can be ‘selected’.

To listen to the EP Bo Jackson Up The Middle, you can go to iTunes here. You can also hear the EP on Spotify, eMusic, Rhapsody, and Amazon.

NFL Films presenting the 30^th anniversary on the 1984 draft will be aired on April 30^th on the NFL Network.

Where the Rivers Meet: Sequel to Playing for Change Video

April 3, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Michael & Sanday Bashaw. Photo credit: Blue Sky Project

Since its release in June 2013, the first locally-produced YouTube sensation “Where There is Love” has been viewed by over 200,000 people in more than 200 countries. Local artists, Michael & Sandy Bashaw, from the local band Puzzle of Light, organized the original video which featured 14 acts from jazz, reggae, spoken word and even The Burundi Royal Court Drummers.

The video presented Dayton to the world – via YouTube – in a very positive light to lots of people. Using music in this way to celebrate diversity and collaboration demonstrates to those outside Dayton that this is a great place to live, work and do business.

Prompted by its continued success and great enthusiasm from both the regional and global communities they are gearing up for making a brand new Dayton music video. As before, this project will be shot on-location in the greater Dayton area, and will feature artists from our home town. Filming will commence in mid-May. Producer David Sherman who directed the first video and will also be part of the creative team producing the sequel.

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“During our first collaboration, we discovered we absolutely loved working together and did so very efficiently as a team. So with this production experience under our belts we’re ready for a more ambitious project” shares Sandy Bashaw. “Micheal Bashaw explains, “we’ll be renting some specialized photographic equipment, and we’re delighted that Andy Snow has joined our team as Director of Photography. The new cast of musicians, singers and dancers is stellar!

This time, our community has the opportunity to play a part in making this new video happen. Welcome Dayton and Involvement Advocacy are partners as well as Culture Works and their new crowdfunding initiative – Power2Give. Through Power2Give, Dayton Power & Light is matching every dollar donated. Donors can simply go to power2give.org/DaytonRegion and look for our project, which is entitled “S.O.S – Share our Song.”

Dayton sits at the convergence of rivers – a perfect metaphor for the blending of people, cultures and ideas. Great things happen at the point of convergence. But we need for our regional and global communities to join us to make this happen. In this case, every dollar really DOES count.

Help Make “Mick Montgomery Way” A Reality!

March 30, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro 1 Comment

From 1981 to 2013, 1st. Street and Patterson Blvd. was an address we were as familiar with as that of our own. With the world around us changing, we will always identify with that corner, like a childhood home.

Efforts for an honorary street naming of “Mick Montgomery Way” began in December of 2013. Members of the City of Dayton Planning Dept., City Managers Office and Downtown Priority Board have been enthusiastic and generous with their time to make this a reality for the community. There are a few steps remaining to finalize this project. Paper work up to this point is finished. The business at hand is where the community comes in.
There is a fee involved for the physical materials and manufacturing and installation of the street signs. This fee accompanies the application and order for the sign. After the application and the fee are submitted to the City of Dayton, the Plan Board goes through the step of voting for the legislation (resolution) to be placed on the agenda for the City of Dayton Commission to vote on and approve. Once those steps are complete, the order goes to the Public Works (street department), the signs are printed and scheduled to be installed.

The fee for this work is $500.00. This is where you all come in.

As soon as we meet the goal of $500.00, the process continues. It is realistic to say this will be about a 2 month window from the time the application and fee is turned in to the time the Public Works department has an installation date for the signs.

The signs will hang under the regular street sign and will say “Mick Montgomery Way”. This will cover the area from the corner of Patterson Blvd. for the first 2 blocks of First Street, ending at Sears Street.

Two signs will be hung; one at First and Patterson and one at First and Sears. The third sign will be presented to Mick to keep. ( I’m not sure if they are going to be blue or brown but will resemble such signs as Erma Bombeck on Brown Street in UD)

Contributions to the “Mick Montgomery Way” honorary street sign can be made at Omega Music, located in the Oregon District. The address is 318 E 5th St, Dayton, OH 45402. You can contribute any amount. They will accept cash or (for a small charge) credit and debit card. Omega has also graciously offered to take charges over the phone for those of you out of the region who wish to participate. Call (937) 275-9949. A receipt will be issued for your donation. You do not need to give your name if you want to be anonymous.

There is no deadline for this amount.
As soon as the goal is met, this campaign will close and the fee will be submitted to the City of Dayton for the project to move forward.

The corner of 1st. Street and Patterson Blvd. in Dayton, Ohio was home to the iconic Canal Street Tavern for 32 years. Mick Montgomery will always be known for his place in Dayton history for being the founder and owner of this unique concert venue known around the world.

More than just a venue, Canal Street Tavern was home base for musicians and music lovers. With Mick’s guidance, countless performers found their voices, invented themselves and REinvented themselves many times over.

Not only was Canal Street Tavern responsible for the roots of the Dayton music family tree, many friendships and marriages were born there as well. Mick’s decades of mentoring and educating performers and fans turned into generations who called Canal Street their home.

A Dayton native, Mick was one of those “kids” who grew up in local venues, discovered his voice and took his music out in to the world. (He has amazing stories as you all know!) His love for Dayton kept pulling him back and, lucky for us, his commitment to the city kept him here. Long before the internet, iTunes and MTV, Mick was introducing us to music from around the world, as well as making sure the world knew about music from Dayton.

The contribution of Mick Montgomery to the music industry and the City of Dayton goes beyond business. Visitors came from around the world to attend Canal Street Tavern shows and left here feeling like family.
Beyond being a musician and business owner, he is one of Dayton, Ohio’s most valuable ambassadors.

Thanks in advance for your support!
Shelly

REVIEW: Shamrock Athletic Club Host Benefit for East End Community Services

March 25, 2014 By Mike Ritchie Leave a Comment

Safe, engaged neighborhoods, stable, employed families and successful youth. Those are the goals and objectives of East End Community Services, a nonprofit organization formed in 1998 to help meet the needs of people living in East Dayton. They provide programs as part of a neighborhood transformation effort to help children, teenagers, adults, and the elderly succeed in becoming successful citizens, giving back to the community. Over 20 different agencies, donors, funders and neighbors along with AmeriCorps members and other volunteers have helped achieve these goals.

On Saturday January 24th, the Shamrock Athletic Club hosted an evening of art and entertainment featuring the music of Dayton scene icons Evil Eye Gypsy and rapidly rising hometown favorites Curse of Cassandra played sets to raise community awareness for East End Services. Local artists William Green and Katherine McClelland also showcased their work which can be seen at future shows and conventions.

Curse of Cassandra (photo by Mike Ritchie)

COC opened with their renowned sound of goth, industrial, punk meets new-wave, trying out a few different versions of songs off their debut EP and a new tune, Not Your Crush. As the curse of cold bad weather, ice and snow blanketed the outside we start off hot getting slice and diced pricks by Pins and Needles. Alexas Machine starts out cuing her Lennox charm over the crowd making seductive, strong eye contact with several focused male eyes and blushing smiles. Drums and keys gave an electric stinging embrace. Cassandra’s not satisfied till we’d been Satiated as Miss Electra complexed us all with a piano played masquerade of sound-lust and fetish.

COC’s Binding for control with its Eurythemic charm and strapping satisfaction. Next is a piano played Stardance rhymed in astral alignment with a somber ending. Every Time I Feel Alone is visceral in industrial mood swings. I’m not your fairytale, not your fling, not your on-call booty and definitely Not Your Crush. The One I need and I Miss You finished the set.

Evil Eye Gypsy (photo by Mike Ritchie)

Evil Eye Gypsy started their show with a slow seven minute drive through the Mojave. The sun and temperature play tricks with the senses. It was biting cold outside but it’s always blazing in the desert. The guitar’s playing towards that stimulus, giving hallucinations of sifting through the sands with weather beaten hands with harsh thirst swept up in the mysteries of the gypsy’s allure on the wind. If the desert doesn’t kill you, the Purple Haze awaits, all around, whatever the lady of the sands did, put a spell on me. Next we rocked n rolled, drank and partied all night having a Good ole Time with the friendly Miss Neighborhood service girl.

We get some down and dirty gritty rock with All I Had to Say then despite all the world’s problems and who’s hanging out with who, there’s always a Silver Lining.

The show was a bit of an experience for the band. Their original drummer was out of commission, and their replacement had a last minute issue so Curse of Cassandra’s Wolfgang stepped in and did double duty for a few tunes. The Names of those lost are written on the wall of life as well as in our minds and memories. We get a funny little song about Love then close the show with the iconic War Pigs with Wolfgang shredding on the skins.

East End provides programs helping over 300 children and teens in afterschool activities including the Miracle Workers program, as well as support for parents and caregivers through monthly Community Family nights. East End also provides crucial support to children and adults through housing development, community building, afterschool and summer programming, educational initiatives, teen services, services for parents, single adults and seniors reaching more than 3,000 people a year. In addition, they help expecting parents with child development education and what babies, toddlers and young children need to know about kindergarten, with programs supporting them through to college.

Job assistance, readiness, interview skills, resume building and online job searching, securing housing, health care or other crucial services, are provided by bilingual and trilingual staff. 1,400 households living in Twin Towers benefit from activities that improve the quality of housing and life in our neighborhoods. They are working on a project to improve 25% of the housing stock. 40 new green, energy-efficient homes have been built in 2010 and 40 more were built in 2013. Neighbors receive training on financial literacy and a range of other topics. Cultural events and festivals reach hundreds of persons at each event.

East End is also part of the Welcome Dayton initiative and provides services to assist in the resettlement process of immigrants who’ve chosen Dayton as their home including a bilingual, English-Spanish speaking and trilingual, English, Spanish and Arabic staff-assisting those with finding the right job for their skills. East End has served an array of nationalities, including Latinos and refugees from several countries including Russia and Iraq. East End also provides critical services to the elderly to help them live in their own homes, independently as long as possible including case management, chore support and better home accessibility.

To learn more about these services, call 937-259-1898. Their work’s been recognized by: the Better Business Bureau in 2005, the Access to Justice Award from Legal Aid in 2006, the Governor’s Award from the Ohio CDC Association in 2010, the Ohio Association of Nonprofit Organizations Excellence Award in 2012 and received a national ARAMARK and the Together for Tomorrow Award from the US Department of Education and Corporation for National and Community Service in 2012.

REVIEW: Revolver’s Hottest Chicks in Hard Rock Tour Columbus

March 20, 2014 By Mike Ritchie Leave a Comment

Sick Puppies (Photo by Samantha Stewart Photography)

On Friday, February 28th, The Hottest Chicks in Hard Rock according to Revolver Magazine soared into Columbus via Columbus Events Group, the Alrosa Staff, 99.7 The Blitz, Revolver staff and The Shrunken Heads co-owner and Azoic singer Kristy Venrick with a parking lot full of people following them in. Cilver, Eyes Set to Kill, Lacuna Coil, Sick Puppies and the winner of the Facebook fan voted local opener Able Danger all played for an appreciative loud crowd. Long ago and gone are the days of women being the sexy background or provocative eye candy of the show. Despite the tours descriptive adjective, the talent, history, musicianship and stage presence that brought the ‘chicks’ here got the spotlight.

Able Danger (photo by Samantha Stewart Photography)

Dayton’s Able Danger bested 74 other bands with female members in a state wide contest with six finalists in a vote based contest on Facebook to earn the opening spot in Columbus that evening. They’re a very young group, together for only four months, but they make up for their hatchling status with a collective four year history in the Dayton scene in other bands. With former moniker Hereafter, guitarist Chris Stewart joined Jason Winner and Ben Willis with blonde mouthpiece Nikki Luttrell to form the progressive rock sound of AD. Look for their debut in April.

They start with Chaos, a dark, ambiance tune with cranky, growling monster in the closet guitars adding Luttrell’s classic keyboard notes and emotional, melancholy and somewhat creepy vocals sporting the inherited talents of mom and dad. Think the dark side of Roxette and a classical gothic Sheryl Crow. Stewart, a guitarist since age five, comes from a musical family. There’s a certain amount of pain and sorrow in Luttrell’s voice which she blends beautifully with power and emotional confidence.

New York’s Cilver, formally Me Talk Pretty, starts the tour with songs from their just released debut EP featuring In My Head with an appearance by GNR guitarist Bumblefoot. Lyrically it’s a sarcastic, hard-driving satirical look at fame and fortune and feeling the pressure for success. Loud voiced leather clad and tasseled singer, Romanian born Uliana Preotu took over the stage with rasp and attitude. Shimmying out of her jacket into blacker attire, she’s reminiscent of Flo with a more ‘progressive’ harder edge. The crowd claps along feeling the bass thump in their hearts. They have some of the glitter, dirt and grime that Guns n Roses made shine in their early years, and they’re taking their gutter dreams to the penthouse.

Eyes Set To Kill (Photo by Samantha Stewart Photography)

Started in Phoenix in 2003 by the Rodriguez sisters (Alexia on vocals, guitar and Anissa on bass), Eyes Set to Kill have been on the cover of USA Today as one of Alternative Press Magazine’s “100 Bands You Need To Know.” Through numerous member changes, their debut EP sold 11,000 units. Their first full length, Reach in 2008, hit No. 29 on Billboards Heatseakers chart and No. 77 on Billboards Independent Music charts. The World Outside came in 2009 along with an acoustic EP by Alexia, then Broken Frames in 2010. Alexia also released her first solo record Underground Sounds. They released White Lotus in 2011 in a joint venture with Maphia Entertainment on their own label Forsee Records; then signed with Century Media Records in 2012 currently supporting Masks.

They blast open the metal doors pounding the stage with feminine aggression and sound opening with the creepy baby-doll coo of Masks into the thud pummeler Killing in Your Name. Playing the Alrosa a few years back, Anissa plays chug bass bouncer Where I Want to Be. Alexia’s vocals are powerful, soulful with a nice amount of aggression and high peaks, an addictive mix of Crucified Barbara, Drain STH and Lita Ford.

Masks’ title comes from the number they had to wear to impress different people and after so many changes they’ve finally found their face, without the masks. Haze and another new tune Little Liar deals with doing bad shit and karma, it always comes back around. Alexia’s delivery and performance shows there’s some bubblegum in the bad girl. They end, infecting us all with the horror of Silent Hill.

Lacuna Coil (Photo by Samantha Stewart Photography)

Milan’s Lacuna Coil come to us with some Dark Adrenaline and Trip the Darkness with the crowd eager to oblige Cristina’s singing, come to me and follow me, follow me. Our second helping of dark energy comes to Kill the Light inside of us. Cristina Scabbia, dressed in bad fairly-tale stepmother black, twirled, dancing the stage, engaging the masses acting out each song with an enticing grim smile and her own touch of evil evanescence. She seduced all with her enticing aura and piercing gilded glance. Lacuna’s male voice, Andrea Ferro, equally plays the mysterious warlock spellbinder.

Scabbia, a professional singer since 1991, is a lyricist and the feminine voice of reason and advice in Revolver Magazine. She’s been featured on Megadeth’s A Tout le Monde and Apocalyptica’s S.O.S. (Anything But Love) and an alternate version of Alter Bridge’s Watch Over You. Known for her dark haunting image and range, her highest note ever hit is said to be an A7. Scabbia performed a duet with Linea 77’s former singer Emiliano Audisio on the track “Beautiful Lie” for the soundtrack of the 2013 Italian film Passione Sinistra. She’s recorded seven records and two EP’s with LC.

We’re intoxicated in their presence. Whatever the Karmacode might be, we’re happy with our Fragments of Faith. Scabbia continues her interaction as our beloved wicked queen offers the musical poisoned apple to devour. The first new track from Broken Crown Halo, Die & Rise tells us to do so with no regrets. Shiny gothic power continues to flow into tomorrow if it comes. We’re Spellbound with a taste of the Shallow Life. They’re living the dark side Upside Down and laughing at their disaster. We get hallo’ed again with Nothing Stands in our Way, a message to go after your dreams no matter what. They end giving everyone good karma from theirs to Our Truth.

Sick Puppies (Samantha Stewart Photography)

Not all Aussies are sick puppies but fortunately for us, we get three that are. The Sick Puppies open with Die to Save You off the new CD. Half-way through we’re introduced to the angelic vocals of bassist/co-founder Emma Anzai. “You ready for this rock n roll show?” yells Shimon Moore. We’re all just walking Cancer, dressed up as life, searching for disaster, says their sophomore chapter of tunes. There’s no Going Back cause the past is in the past and it doesn’t last. Leave the memories behind like a desert illusion. The devil’s up to his old tricks already, and we’re only four songs in. He’s definitely an Odd One and Tri-Polar at that, adding a bit of rage to his pocket full of shells. Everyone’s got their own personal Riptide to ride and the water’s turbulent but fine. The next song went out to all the people back home from the teachers to the other kids that disrespected them and said they couldn’t do it. Now they send those people pics and texts of them rocking around the world. Welcome to My World, my beautiful nightmare and personal hell, they’re always Dressed Up as Life.

From the devil, to a darkened life we get an uplifting tale of the road to a new life on Maybe. Your Pitiful life’s worth more than an overdose because you think Nothing Really Matters. Welcome to the Real World as Anzai the ‘Female Flea’ slaps and chisels the bass out of her onstage dance partner both in performance and her funky solo. Drummer Mark Goodwin also gets to shine on the sticks. It’s time for War as Moore instructed the crowd to put hands on the person in front of you, friend or stranger and start the biggest bounce pit in Columbus history. Jump up and down like you just got electrocuted by Blanka. From the mean streets of the fighting pits to the dusty old west, you never bring a knife to a Gunfight, you’ll lose! When they’re not shooting off or standing in front of tanks, they’re fighting or playing with Foo. ‘You have exactly 3 ½ minutes to go absolutely crazy in the pit.’ They end with their battle cry and You’re Going Down!

Images courtesy of Samantha Stewart Photography