Dayton Music

Club Panama Rocks for 7th Annual Juvenile Diabetes Benefit

October 2, 2013 By Mike Ritchie Leave a Comment

For seven years Club Panama owner Susie Maynard has held the For Love of Sonny Rock 4 A Cure, a juvenile diabetes fundraiser to raise awareness, educate and honor her son who passed away in 2004 from the disease. Maynard has owned the club for over 25 years, giving several area bands their start including ShovelHead, National Headcase, Devium and Mother’s Onion. In 1994 she was dubbed The Mother Of All Rock by the Springfield News & Sun. Panama was also one of the only clubs at the time to give original local metal bands a shot.

The club has received several awards from the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). Over 3 million people die annually from the disease and it’s the leading cause of kidney failure, blindness, amputations, and a major factor in heart attacks and strokes, among other conditions. It’s a physically debilitating disease and no cure has been found.

On Friday October 4th and Saturday the 5th, 12 bands from Dayton and Springfield will volunteer their time and talent to help support the cause. Friday’s lineup includes Element of Surprise, Fletcher Munson, Blackout Method, TBH (This Blessed Hatred), National Headcase and Killed By Art. Saturday’s showcase features The Defendants, Mothers Onion, Dead Beat, Gathering Mercury, Silver Skull and Abrade The Regal. There will be raffles, auctions and drawings both nights. Both shows start at 8:00pm with a $5 cover. Club Panama is located at 951 James Street, Springfield OH 45503.

Over The Rhine Returns to Victoria Theatre Ticket Contest

September 30, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro 4 Comments

The husband and wife team of pianist/guitarist/bassist Linford Detweiler and vocalist/guitarist Karin Bergquist make up the core of the Cincinnati inspired musical group OVER THE RHINE. Performing for over 20 years, they developed a large and intensely loyal following in their hometown, before they independently released their first two albums, Till We Have Faces (1991) and Patience (1992). Their new double album’s (Meet Me at the Edge of the World) effortlessly engaging, timelessly resonant songs more than justify such loyalty, once again validating OVER THE RHINE’s enduring musical mission. Their 2012 debut at the Victoria Theatre has led to a return engagement this Saturday, Oct 5th at 8:00pm.

Opening the show will be Akron native Tim Easton. Now a Nashville, Tennessee-based guitarist and singer-songwriter playing musician. His latest album “Not Cool” is described as “kind of a 50′s, Sun Studio thing, kind of a rock and roll thing.

Tickets are available online for $30 – $40 with a $5 processing fee. You can avoid the fee by purchasing tickets in person at our box office.

DMM has two pairs of tickets to giveaway to one our lucky readers! Just like and share this story and fill out the entry form below. We’ll post our winners here on Tuesday night. [form 55 “DMM Contest Entry – Generic”]

Coming Up in Local Jazz – September 25 through October 8

September 25, 2013 By Ron Gable Leave a Comment

Hall of famer Clay “The Cooker” Collins

Who is Clay “The Cooker” Collins?

Clay Collins came to Dayton from Chicago in 1968 as a Radio News Reporter for WAVI/WDAO and advanced to Program and Community Relations director. Clay’s infinite knowledge and love of jazz music gave birth to his own weekly program “Jazzsistically Speaking” which aired on WAVI/WDAO from 1969-73, on WING from 1975-83. His jazz radio career continued at WCSU up to 1994 and at Clear Channel’s Smooth Jazz 106.9 until they decided to go Country in 2009 and he opted to leave them behind. Shortly after and because of Clear Channel’s decision, WDPS 89.5-FM went to an “all jazz, all the time” format. On October 1st, 2009 “The Cooker” hit the airways from 9:45 AM to 12noon, and so “Jazzsistically Speaking” continues to this day.

On November 24, 2007 Clay was inducted into the Dayton Broadcast Hall of Fame and on September 28th Clay will celebrate forty-five years of being on Dayton radio and the station has decided to celebrate his milestone on that date by offering their 3rd Annual Listener Appreciation Concert. WDPS (Dayton Public Schools) radio is located at 741 Washington Street in the David H. Ponitz Career Center.

In addition this free event will be a continuation of Jazz Advocate’s annual Community Jazz Festivals and will be offering four acts on stage:

The John Slate Trio (4:00 – 4:45 pm)

The Special Guest Band (5:00 – 5:45 pm)

The Jazz Central Band (6:00 – 6:45 pm)

Dean Simms’ tribute to Louie Armstrong (two sets, 7:00 – 7:45 & 8:00 – 8:45 pm)

In addition we will have drink and food vendors, a student bake sale, a dancing area, sponsor tables and of course a number of give-away prizes.

Satchmo Dean Simms

The above four groups are all great and have the elements to make this a very fun and entertaining mini jazz festival. The finale tribute to Louie Armstrong, I’ve had the good fortune to have seen twice and in my humble opinion is the best live jazz performance ever. When Dean Simms takes the stage, the audience is immediately captivated, as they are taken on an epic journey of Louis Armstrong’s “bigger than life” stellar career. Their rendition of “Basin Street Blues”, show stopping Conga-line performance of the “Saints Go Marching In”, up tempo version of a “Wonderful World”, “St Louis Blues”, and ending their 90 minute show with a standing encore performance of “Hello Dolly”, that leaves you totally mesmerized! This man looks like Louie Armstrong, he sounds like Louie Armstrong and when he plays the trumpet that caps it off – he is Louie Armstrong. You end up feeling like you’ve experienced a live performance of America’s greatest ambassador of jazz.

WDPS (89.5 FM) has filled a void in the local market as “Dayton’s home for jazz” since moving to its new studios in the Ponitz Career Technology Center in 2009, and has earned a loyal following. Students in the Ponitz CTC arts and communication career pathway have disc jockey duties and serve as on-air personalities alongside familiar on-air voices, like Clay “The Cooker” Collins who have brought area listeners the best in jazz over the years. Clay says “I want to see your face in the place!” (More details at: http://www.jazzcentraldayton.com/#05)

Jazz Calendar

Here are some (not all) of the upcoming jazz events for the next couple of weeks:

Today Wednesday, September 25 – The Faux Frenchmen are at the La Poste Eatery in Cincinnati and Ricky Nye is at Chez Nora in Covington, KY.

Thursday September 26 – There is a Jam Session hosted by Chay Buddah & Hott2def at Bankshots Sports Bar & Grill in Trotwood, OH.

Friday September 27 – The Scott Belck Quartet is at Washington Platform Saloon & Restaurant in Cincinnati and the Brent Gallaher Trio is at Radisson’s 360 In Covington, KY.

Saturday September 28 – The WDPS-FM 3rd annual Listener Appreciation Concert will be held at David H. Ponitz Career Center 741 Washington Street in Dayton.

Sunday September 29 – The Swingtime Big Band is at Legends and Bluesbent is at the Blue Wisp Jazz Club both in Cincinnati.

September 30 – The John Taylor Trio is at Brio Tuscan Grille in Beavercreek and Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra is at the Clintonville Woman’s Club in Columbus.

Tuesday October 1 – Dave Greer’s Classic Jazz Stompers is at Jimmies Ladder 11 in Dayton and Derek DiCenzo Trio is at Local Roots in Powell, OH.

Wednesday October 2 – Swing Dance with Lizz & Rex Review at the Dayton Event Connection and Rich Lopez is at Rigsby’s in Columbus.

Thursday October 3 – The Jazz Central Big Band returns to Jazz Central with special guest Ken McCoy and there is a new Jam Session w/Eddie Brookshire at Gilly’s both in Dayton.

Friday October 4 – The Shaw Stanley Trio plays at Carvers Steaks & Chops in Centerville and JC & The Rowdy’s Blues Jam is at Jazz Central in Dayton.

Saturday October 5 – The NEW Ed Moss Trio w/special guests is at the Schwartz Point Jazz Club in Cincinnati and the Wade Baker Jazz Collaboration is at the Chatterbox Jazz Club in Indianapolis, IN.

Sunday October 6 – Jazz Central will feature special guest artist Bob “Big Cutty” Bass on the Hammond B3 Organ to take part in their regular Sunday Night Jam

Monday October 7 – Mark Flugge, Derek Dicenzo & Jimmy Castoe is at Due Amici in Columbus.

Tuesday October 8 – Tony Monaco is at the Rumba Café in Columbus and the Part St. Tavern Jazz Jam continues, both in Columbus.

More info and jazz listings can be found at JazzAdvocate.com

REVIEW: Curse of Cassandra, Evil Eye Gypsy, One Day Steady Rock McGuffys

September 24, 2013 By Mike Ritchie Leave a Comment

Saturday the 14th, the day captured in comedic horror parody in the early 80’s, brought the locals to the McGuffy’s stage and one extended Cincinnati local to play a unique variety show of inspirational/experimental tunes. Instead of the oft-accustomed loud thrash head-banging and mosh pits, the audience got some hot club swinging electronica, some southern rock n blues and some quirky-edged modern rock.

Curse of Cassandra (photo by Mike Ritchie)

Opening the show was the new, new-wave dark ambient foursome Curse of Cassandra, electronic gothic rock with haunting vocals and enticing dance beats weaving songs from the synth, drums and keys about obsessive dominating relationships strung whip tight. Formed earlier this year, they’ve already gained considerable attention coming in second place garnering over 500 votes in the June’s featured band/artist of the month contest on Music Connection Dayton. C.O.C., not to be confused with Corrosion of Conformity, is a nostalgically fresh wave of dance floor domination and deviation harkening back to the downtown Goth/industrial era mecca of the 1470, Asylum, Foundry heyday. Their musical muse brings back black nailed, opaque memories of dancing in euphoric bliss till dawn then retiring to your sheeted coffin or rafter. In Greek mythology, the beautiful Cassandra was given the gift of prophecy by Apollo but after refusing his seduction, he cursed her so that no one would believe her predictions, a female Nostradamus of sorts.

They open the dance floor metaphor with the cold sweetened pain pricks of the Pins and Needles. Asher Black plays the first longing notes calling out to sweet, sweet Aurora, her soft daybreak eyes sparkle with twilight bringing the sun behind her. The classy burlesque clad tattooed Alexis Machine straddles the mic like a personal plaything, fondling its cold rail as she sings a low lunged serenade of Satiation. Electra’s Complex gives a hard boot-licking smash on keyboards so we can feel the deep, dirty throbbing moan of the bass. Alexis prances the stage playing nice on some tunes then getting right in the faces of her hordes of willing subservient followers. Their performance could be described as a husky voiced, musical striptease of sound encasing the cold fanged embrace of midnight and the warm slumber of dawn. We’re immersed in the mysterious presence of the Unknown Woman as we watch her Stardance with a heavy bass groove down the rainy streets of London after midnight. You Complete Me’s robotic heaviness accompanies its techno, Goth, industrial brethren creating landscapes of all night bliss and lyrically obsessive romances.

Everytime I Feel Alone is a slow moving slice and dice of the heart with a wet butcher knife stained with some NIN self-loathing and disdained hope. Alexis pulls out some Maria Brink making it her moment under the smoky spotlight in her lounge singing salute. Dead of Night brings out the slinking serpent tongued Arabian delight reminiscent of The Ubiquitous Mr. Lovegrove. Next we enter into a heavy breathing Binding relationship as Cassandra offers us an addicting taste of the whip and the accompanying pain, pleasure and ecstasy found within. Miss Machine compliments her eurythmic presence with the vocal aura of Grace Slick, Jem, Christa Belle and Siouxsie spreading the curse for the rest of her banshees.

Evil Eye Gypsy (photo by Mike Ritchie)

Next Dayton’s Evil Eye Gypsy protects us from the Maloik bringing its seven members onstage for its fifth trip to the house of rock. EEG resembles a family more than a band with three guitars, bass, drums, five guys, two women, four microphones, tambourines, morocco shakers and a good ole fashioned thunder-stick for effect. They play a unique version of psychedelic blues, alternative, hard rock and folk music. It’s Skynyrd meets Fleetwood Mac with some Credence in the Clearwater for this funky, southern prairie jamboree revival. They play the musical gospel that makes the body move.

Bitter Comedy plays like a surreal desert trip acid nightmare driving down the long dehydrated highways of discarded dreams hoping to meet the sun face to face as beautiful haunting voices remind you of your past life. All I Had to Say breaks out the lyrical attitude alongside some journeyman blues. Mojave’s introduction leaves us deserted, dry and stranded staggering in the sand under a scorching sun in a barren Pink Floyd landscape. Two minutes until the end we delve further and further in letting the desert plains tell us its deepest secrets and memories.

They played a nice lullaby to the tune of War Pigs possibly opening the first ever ‘dance pit’ for worshipping the Sabbath. Playing three tunes off the Dirt Roads CD and a few new unreleased tracks they gave us something to look forward to hearing. Their music is available for free download on www.evileyegypsy.com.

One Day Steady (photo by Mike Ritchie)

From Cincinnati One Day Steady (we’re only the same for one day) starts Slurred and ready with an alternative, modern rock sound rocking the cradle with some punk tasting rockabilly and a 50’s greaser throwback style. The Dave Song’s a weird mixture of Dave Matthews and the Traveling Wilburys hanging out on the right side of the tracks waiting for the train to flatten pennies. They played a collection of new unreleased tunes and a heart breaking cover of Cold Hard Bitch. They Drove Through has a nice surprising Sabbath-like end breakdown and unique lyrical inspiration coming from rhythm guitarist/vocalist Ryan Peters bizarre dream of helping a stranger get revenge on their boss, then waking up and writing the song in three minutes. Break Break’s a twangy, stringy breakup dance after an impassioned phone message. Just over a year old, the band’s earliest roots begin in 2008 with a band called Drop From the Top. In 2010 what would become ODS was formed, and they’ve already played with a list of accomplished musicians in the Cincinnati and Cleveland scenes and are ready to go anyplace, anywhere.

Local Music Adds Hip Flair to Outdoor Recreation Festival

September 23, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

By now, you probably already know that the Midwest Outdoor Experience presented by Subaru is the best weekend event to experience all things outdoors, from the intense (like the slackline skills area, practicing yoga on a stand-up paddleboard or trying out the mountain biking challenge course) to the more laid-back (fly fishing, orienteering and hiking are all great ways to relax with Mother Nature). But did you know that in addition to presenting a plethora of premier park pursuits, visitors to the annual Midwest Outdoor Experience also have access to fantastic local music, co-presented by public radio station WYSO and Dayton Music Fest?

The Midwest Outdoor Experience, set for Friday, October 4, through Saturday, October 5, will feature some of the best musicians Dayton has to offer. Celebrating nine years in the local music scene, the annual Dayton Music Fest “seeks to shine a spotlight on Dayton’s indie music scene” with performances taking place October 4-6 at several venues, including Eastwood MetroPark, home to the Midwest Outdoor Experience.

WYSO also contributes to the fun, presenting the musical lineup for Friday night, Oct. 4, featuring:

6:45-8:15 p.m. Jah Sol: With their combination of not only reggae, but soul, funk and disco, Jah Sol supplies the good times with their music. The eight member band gets the party going.

8:30-10 p.m. William the Accountant: Formed in 2009 in Columbus, Ohio, William The Accountant composes a musical playground of late ’70s new wave, Brazilian samba and New Orleans second line that defiantly incites activity and impulse.

Check out the Dayton Music Fest lineup at the Midwest Outdoor Experience, taking the stage Saturday, Oct. 5, featuring:

11 a.m. Josh Eagle: This Cincinnati coffee-house regular shares personal, soft, longing, winged Folk. Eagle’s gripping voice, touching finger picking and bleeding harmonicas snatch you up like the raw, intimate music of Ray Lamontagne. Soothing and originally raspy, songs hurt and heal, gliding into calmness.

12 p.m. Good English: Good English is a three-sister rock band from Dayton whose musical style is reflective of the indie, roots, blues, and folk rock that has influenced its members. Running counter to the usual young girl-band stereotypes, the band’s authentic instrumentation and rich vocals proves their budding talent as musicians, while their original songwriting and irresistible grace and beauty makes them a powerfully appealing package. They know how to rock, and they carry themselves with a sense of poise and style that is well beyond their years.

1 p.m. Meghna & the Majority: Singer/songwriter Meghna Mahambrey first stepped on stage for a solo performance in her elementary school musical. She went on to cover the hits of Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Etta James in her middle and high school talent shows. In college, she recorded an R&B/pop album; in graduate school, she recorded an acoustic/folk album. In December 2012, alongside her career in education, she released a jazzy, singer-songwriter album and formed her new band, Meghna & the Majority. With her soulful, seasoned voice, she sings – not for the fame, not for the fortune. She sings because she has a song.

2 p.m. Kris N: With his second release and first full-length, “Lo-Fi Movement,” Dayton-based Kris N. has made a great pop record. Marked by strong melodies and lyrics that explore the place he is in and his life as a husband and father.

3 p.m. Jah Sol: This group brings back the bass and keys, returning to the stage to bring the funk to attendees at the Midwest Outdoor Experience for a second time.

4 p.m. Starving in the Belly of the Whale: Starving in the Belly of the Whale is the music of Ricky Terrell. Terrell is accompanied by a changing cast of musicians on each album to capture a unique, desired sound.

5 p.m. The Repeating Arms: Max Nunery plays banjo, guitar, lap steel and sings back-up. Harold Hensley plays acoustic guitar and sings. Chip Pritchard plays upright bass and sings back-up vocals. Brian Spirk plays mandolin and fiddle.

6 p.m. New Vega: The Southern Ohio four piece New Vega brims with vibrant hooks and aching melodies. Their debut album Tempo has captured the attention of major festivals and media outlets.

7 p.m. PUBLIC: Formerly known as “crown” – PUBLIC is comprised of three friends who wish to always be allowed to dance, yell, and have fun with their music as long as inhumanly possible.

Other awesome activities that pair nicely with a fun-filled afternoon of outdoor adventure include:

Great Lakes Brewing Co. Beer Garden: Hosted by Bonbright Distributors, funds from the beer garden will benefit the Mad River Mountain Ski Patrol. (As if you needed more reasons to raise a glass around the campfire on a crisp, fall evening!)
Outdoor Food Truck Rally: Re-fuel your recreation-ravaged body with delicious fare from several local mobile eateries, including Fressa, Cheeky Meat Pies, Pa’s Pork and Smokin’ Bar-B-Que.
Zuke’s Bark Zone: If you bring Fido to this pet-friendly event, be sure to check out the Subaru Ultimate Air Dogs competition and let Spot get a little exercise at Subaru Pooch Island.
Exhibitor Village: Get the gear you need to “Get Out & Live” all year long at the Exhibitor Village.

That’s just a small slice of everything there is to do at the annual Midwest Outdoor Experience. Stop by (perhaps for a little overnight in the Eddie Bauer Campground camping) and discover why Dayton has rightfully earned the title “Outdoor Adventure Capital of the Midwest”!

REVIEW: SITH, Horlet, King Stench, Zuel Bang Heads on Friday the 13th

September 22, 2013 By Mike Ritchie Leave a Comment

Horlet (photo by Mike Ritchie)

Friday the 13th has been associated with many bad things for a long time. Historically, theories suggest the combination of two superstitions claiming 13 as an unlucky number and Friday as an unlucky day are partially responsible for its original bad reputation. In numerology 12 stands for divine organized arrangements and completion (12 months, 12 hours of the clock). 13 is thought of as irregular, offsetting the pattern. There’s also a superstition possibly derived from the Last Supper that having 13 guests at the table meant the death of one, and Friday was the day of the crucifixion. Historical references are almost non-existent before the 1907 novel Friday, the Thirteenth where a shady broker takes advantage of the superstition creating a panic on Wall Street. There’s also a fear of Friday the 13th called friggatriskaidekaphobia, if you can pronounce it.

The most popular version of Friday the 13thaka ‘Jason Day’ began at the dawn of the early 80’s slasher era, introducing the world to one of the longest running film franchises in history, the creepy effect of two whispered one syllable sounds and the craziest mother since Norma Bates. According to some die hard horror fans, Friday the 13^thshould be a national holiday worldwide and with a proven track record that nothing goes better with horror than heavy metal, a metal show on Friday the 13th is a machete to the head no-brainer.

SITH, Horlet, King Stench and Zuel fit the blood soaked bill delivering loud, killer performances providing the music for any screaming chase scene.

Shadows in the Hourglass take the stage at Blind Bobs opening with the eerie ambient trance of bass and drums. Zack Ryan plays bass like a lead guitar with effects pedals making it the center of attention and conversation, his fingers spelling out the intelligent intricacies of the strings. Cliff Burton would be proud. The Lovecraft-inspired Behind the Veil of Sleep is a high neck, frantic sounding interpretation of an MMA fighters walk to the cage. Illusions of Serenity pour schizophrenic sweat down the face of a deep dark jagged cliff starring into the dark mirror of water below. Ryan turns his bass into a dark voiced reverberation of a tortured soul’s inner turmoil as drummer Travis Abling hits the skins providing the musical canvas for the two man tapestry of sound. They finish with namesake SITH, as Ryan plays the dark lord on bass.

Death metal lovers of Egypt, Horlet play next, promoting their new CD The Keys of Life and Death. Starting with the musical pile-driver Wings of Ariel, we walk through the hallowed Halls of Amenti. We’re Taken to a place where Iron Maiden and Amon Amarth coexist on the same stage at the same time. Next is the potential ‘CD single’ and hit Annabelle’s Curse, which might conjure up visions of evil but has nothing to do with raggedy dolls. We get a warning From the Clouds then they finish with their own special heretic anthem Children of the Light. The band played as loud as Allen D. McCowan’s neon green bass strings.

Zuel (photo by Mike Ritchie)

The stench has arrived, worse than any bottom of the lake drowned body or stalking masked corpse. King Stench has come with their working class black/death metal legions. Hell Gates open with the hellacious blast beats of the hammering Eric Barnes with Slayer solos bringing the crowd up front and necks rapidly mobile. They deliver the electro shocks, shrieking notes of False Prophets and the down in the dirt on the knees riffs of Fight. They unleash the army of hungry, fanged mongrels on Hell Hounds. Visions of Death bring the violence of the battlefield to the stage. They finish with a Behemoth sized cover of Ov Fire in the Void.

Intelligent, instrumental thrash and pound masters Zuel headline starting with the neck power-bombing Facemelter giving out fast secondary beatings with the grunting, thudding concrete wallop of the S—thammer. Rapture’s heavy mechanic, destructive, industrial sound captures the human panic of a world without mobile technology, texting and computers for a few days. There’s a nice guttural mixture of Godflesh, Meshuggah and Morbid Angel without evil/violent vocal intentions. Though, lyrically silent Zuel showcased a healthy experimentation with the elements of the periodic metal table, finishing with the five minute chug juggernaut Johnny.

REVIEW: Slutfest 2013 at Screamin Willies

September 20, 2013 By Mike Ritchie Leave a Comment

Five Finger Donkey Punch (photo courtesy of Metal Splinter Promotions)

Saturday August 24th marked the third annual local showcase of unsigned talent. Bands from around the state trekked to Columbus to play the coveted Slutfest stage. Though the morality of a musician can be called into question at any time, the local event is promiscuous only in title. Supporting Local Unsigned Talent is the brainchild of Oldschool Promotions’ Aaron Snyder. A current member of Five Finger Donkey Punch and former member of Severed, Snyder organized the all-evening, 12 band, nine and a half hour music fest bringing several genres together under one roof: hard rock, rap/hip-hop and various forms of metal. There was also a charity raffle, won by Oliver Chainsaw Gemmel, for an electric acoustic signed by the bands, a SLUT sign and other memorabilia held for O’Shecky’s staff member David Sheets to help cover medical bills for a kidney transplant.

Tonight was the last show in the venue’s history as Screamin Willies, ending its long 38 years of bringing the best local/regional acts and national artists in rock, metal, country and blues. The building will continue under a new name and management continuing to bring Columbus the best entertainment, including stand-up comedy, rap and hip-hop.

Main sponsors Lost or Forgotten Photography brought their unique art and images to help the show, including stylistic group shots for all performing talent. Bands from Columbus, Dayton, Cleveland, Canton, North Lewisburg and Newark earned their spot after being voted onto the show by fans out of over 200 Ohio bands that entered. This year’s hot SLUTS included Five Finger Donkey Punch, Second Sight, The Factor Project, Destracore, Padded Room, FHSP, Killing Khaos, Infidel, The New Black Jesus, Impending Lies, Cross Solder and Error 504.

To make sure everyone got their money’s worth, as soon as doors opened FFDP started playing a set of cool acoustic covers of the catchiest, recognizable rock tunes and radio friendly hits of today.

Second Sight (photo courtesy of Metal Splinter Promotions)

Columbus’ Second Sight started the early evening noise at 5:45pm, dinner time for normal folk, early breakfast call for the all-night partying rockstar. Starting with some serial crunchy guitar riffs, guitarist/vocalist Ben Robinson delivers a sincere Scott Stapp sound without the annoying ‘wharling’ but with a little gnarly snarl. Come Whatever May opens Slutfest. Heaven can’t save them and hell won’t take them but with the gift of the second sight they already knew that. Second Sight play with the ingredients of grunge, employing the darkness of Alice in Chains with angry/aggravated breakdowns and that gritty sound and hunger that takes bands from the basement to the arena.

Newark’s The Factor Project handled the sophomore set with their own self-made brand of rock-poetry fusion blending elements of punk, rock, blues and countless other inspirations. They start Buried Alive in their sound going from the garage rock noise of what Nirvana might’ve sounded like in the beginning to the sunshine punk vibe of a tattooed surfer riding the waves in and coming out a half-eaten brain-dead zombie. The mid-tempo blues burner Ten Thousand Voices messes with the brain. The Factor Project captures the angst of Cobain, the melancholy moodiness of Tool and the sun drenched water spray of a beach hazard.

Destracore represents for the Dayton scene, bringing their screeching thrash and heavy groove up north to the capitol. The fury of The Beast is unleashed in the Hatebreed yell of belter Mr. Potter. Next the thick stringed, heavy bass groove, melodic Armageddon tale of the Final Act, followed by their loud, fast Reprise. What humbly started in a New Carlisle kitchen has come to the Columbus stage tonight.

From Canton comes the Padded Room, a band with enough hard, heavy groove and energy for an all-night one person mosh pit, slam dancing into the lining of a private cell. Padd Room is made up of five dedicated musicians who found a formula that works for their brand of stage rage, like the Chili Peppers on ‘roids with Fred Durst at the helm. Performing cuts from the Time Tells disc, they play with the soft sentiment of being wrapped in barb wire on the tracks with the train speeding at your face on Cry, Cry, Cry. Steve Chaney creates a unique mixture of growled words and soft spoken sighing with searing inner turmoil. F’n Sick starts with a POD riff and an impressive vocal range between Serj Talkin and Mushroomhead. Then comes the hard crunching meaty guitar/vocal hook of Natural Disasters. The rap, hip hop groovy mosh-friendly Room 3 is a well-organized cathartic blend of rapid revolving influences hitting you hard like a stage-flung body into the pit. They’re new school enough to keep the hip kids coming back and play old school showing respect to their forefathers. Their sound is best described as an unclassifiable guitar chug keg party which may be the best label a band can have.

Killing Khaos (photo by Mike Ritchie)

The tag team rapid fire rapping lyricists F.H.S.P. took over the space, hitting club goers with danceable beats and a different kind of hardcore style showcasing the diversity that Slutfest is known for. They delivered a high energy, sweaty, tattooed performance rivaling the surrounding metal adrenaline around them. Winners of multiple local talent showcases, they open up with H.Y.F.R. Kaine and Regal start the insane amount of rhymes they’re able to spit out before inhaling. They can flow as fast as any ferocious blast beat. The dark cape crusader comes out Eminen style on I’m the Batman. They slow down the vocal speed and make most words audible and get modified, ending with some fast guitar on Power up. They gave respect to the US armed forces welcoming guest mic master J-Rush returning from a tour in Korea adding some extra energy to the ultra-sped up words.

North Lewisburg’s, Killing Khaos bring out the War Inside Your Head. High pitched, high octane yelling connecting like a chilled ice pick to the head, Joe Everhart has some Schuldiner inspired death screeching vocals. Drummer Ben Holtsberry has listened to a few Skipknot records a few times. They get out all the nasty anger and stress the healthy way in the Fight Song. With music played this loud and heavy some emotions are best left unspoken, channeled through the music and released on stage. A fan was quoted as saying “one small step for a band and one huge step for heavy metal.”

Battle for ROTR alumni Infidel took stage next bringing some of the tunes that got them there including Hanging By a Thread and the dyslexia murder anthem Redrum. They got the first pit of the night but since it was an all ages show, everyone had to play nice. Larry Coake’s pit fighter yell threw him into the crowd, rubbing elbows and banging heads (not literary) with the gang. Playing everywhere they can, their star’s on the rise.

The New Black Jesus (photo by Mike Ritchie)

The New Black Jesus, the sound of urban noise, brought the hard living spirit of the street to the stage. Lazaar Williams brought the sleazy, mean and dirty riffs bringing the spirit of Jimmy with him playing tunes from 2012’s Ghetto Democracy. Think Suicidal Tendencies with Burton C Bell/Chad Gray on vocals. Over My Dead Body opened its military march pace with guitar battle siren riffs about living the life of access and paying the price. The hungry undead creatures of the night come out for a shotgun blast Dance of the Dead. They bring out the goddamn electric on God Damn Its frenzy filled riffs that make you want to run the other way. The Gangster Soups poured into the dirty bowl, seasoned with meaty guitar gristle and tasty rusty chord crackers. They’ve put in five years playing (H.A.M) Hard as A Mother…and the meat just gets tougher, harder and tastier.

Straight from Cleveland Impending Lies bring a hard rock, melodic sound balancing a sound reminiscent of Disturbed adding background hints and winks of atmospheric industrial Fear Factory noise. James Skrtich’s vocals are a stained mixture of Dramain and Lewis. Earlier this year When the Lights Burn Out was released, and with a new lineup they’ve hit the road ready to go wherever the gig takes them. Starting with the lead mic sung/background vocals yelled Scream to Whisper. They make beautiful noise out of the Chaos they bring. Their sound shares musical influence and echoes with Linkin Park and Godsmack. Bringing the only songs truly song, showing that pain, anger, grief, sorrow can be translated through soft spoken lungs as much as guttural growls and screams. The melodic hooks of In Time take you to an almost spiritual place of salvation. It’s no accident their sound is unforgettable. They also gave a big 80’s shout out to Journey performing Separate Ways; the loudest and heaviest it’s probably been performed in Columbus.

Cross Solider (photo by Mike Ritchie)

Lancaster Battle for ROTR alumni Cross Soldier played next with top gun looking Chadd Lunn ready to Light Up the Sky with some old school Megadeth meets Metallica vocals and guitar work. Lunn carries the youth and aggression of Mustaine and Hetfield with a hard rock energetic bluesy formula. Playing their own metallic symphony, they bring out new tune Devil’s Eyes then What I believe from their first EP. They played Shameless and the new accompanying video can be seen on Facebook/Reverbnation.

Battle for ROTR winners and ROTR openers Error 504 came on stage around 2am ready to kick ass and show why they earned the coveted Jager spot at Crew Stadium, playing mid-tempo thumper Give it Away, the deep growler Little Red and Devil’s Angel. Unfortunately this wasn’t an all-nighter and the word/long arm of the law came down with last call, making the band’s set unexpectedly short. Though everyone who’s seen them play knows what the 504 can deliver when the spotlights on, the show had to end at the scheduled time but Snyder announced that next year’s Slutfest would be 2 days of performing bands. Check the Slutfest 2014 message board for more info and updates.

Five Finger Donkey Punch and Second Sight photos courtesy of Metal Splinter Promotions.

Midwest Premiere of ‘Bayou Maharajah’ at Neon Profiles New Orleans Piano Giant

September 17, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Director Lily Keber’s acclaimed new documentary film Bayou Maharajah: The Tragic Genius of James Booker, will be shown on Wednesday, September 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Neon (130 E. Fifth St., Dayton). Keber will be on hand to introduce the film and lead a discussion about the movie following the screening. Admission is $10. Advance tickets are available at the Neon.

James Booker, “The Piano Prince of New Orleans” who died 30 years ago this fall, was a mercurial figure in New Orleans, a prodigy who was leaving his mark on legendary R&B records while still in his teens. A spectacularly gifted pianist and vocalist whose style melded blues, jazz, soul, gospel and classical influences with New Orleans rhythms, his sound defied categorization.

Booker taught players like Harry Connick, Jr., and Dr. John, who described Booker as “the best black, gay, one-eyed junkie piano genius New Orleans has ever produced.” As a sideman during his career, Booker played with the likes of Fats Domino, King Curtis, T-Bone Walker, Ringo Starr, Maria and Geoff Muldaur, Labelle, Joe Tex (including on his big hit “I Gotcha”), The Coasters, and the Doobie Brothers. His outrageous solo career was characterized by virtuoso performance, his bigger-than-life personality, and onstage performances in his underwear, dishing out drug-fueled conspiracy theories.

The movie includes archival footage of Booker in performance plus reflections by fellow musicians, observers and collaborators from the Crescent City and beyond which include Harry Connick Jr., Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, Charles Neville, Hugh Laurie, Douglas Brinkley and many others. The film was introduced at the 2013 South By Southwest festival, where its final screening sold out, and has subsequently sold out screenings at the Film Society at Lincoln Center, Outfest and the Melbourne International Film Festival.

“This winning doc features a can’t miss subject and plenty of performance footage,” said The Hollywood Reporter, calling it a “must see for aficionados of New Orleans music [that is] also accessible to viewers who don’t know a Professor Longhair from a Dr. John.”

For more information on the film, visit bayoumaharajah.com, and for more information on the Neon screening, visit neonmovies.com or call (937) 222-SHOW (7469).

Coming Up in Local Jazz – September 11 through September 24

September 11, 2013 By Ron Gable Leave a Comment

Some Early Jazz History Coming To Dayton:

In the early history of jazz there was a young boy who learned to play his cornet while in a New Orleans reform school and went on to become America’s Ambassador for Jazz throughout the world. This coming Thursday, September 12th Dean Simms will present his uncanny recreation of Louis Armstrong at the Dayton Art Institute from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm in the Shaw Gothic Cloister:http://tinyurl.com/lhaacyh

Dean Simms – Louis Armstrong Tribute

If for some reason you can’t make it to the Art Institute, you’ll have a second chance to catch Dean’s tribute to Louie performance as the finale act of a great free concert at the David H. Ponitz Career Center on Saturday, September 28. We will be celebrating the 45 years of Clay “The Cooker” Collins being on Dayton Radio, the WDPS-FM 3rd annual Listener Appreciation Concert and Jazz Advocate’s 8th annual Community Jazz Festival. Check it out at: http://www.jazzcentraldayton.com/#05

ShinSings Orchestra at Dayton Metro Library

Speaking of early jazz history, I noted two birthdays this week covering the spectrum from the very beginning to current times: Buddy Bolden was born on Friday, September 6th, 1877. Only one dim photograph of him survived but in the annuals of jazz history Buddy Bolden, while almost a mythical character, stands out as being accredited by many as the originator of jazz. Today we have none of his music to listen to because unfortunately he was institutionalized as mentally ill in 1906 before the advent of any practical form of recorded music. Testimony by the likes of Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong and many others who heard him play claimed him as the inspiration of those formative years of jazz in New Orleans. Jelly Roll was so inspired he wrote the tribute song Buddy Bolden’s Blues, which is performed regularly by Dave Greer’s Classic Jazz Stompers right here in Dayton, Ohio. Check out this cool Buddy Bolden Documentary:

http://tinyurl.com/mbr6ms4 and saxophone Colossus Sonny Rollins was born on Saturday, September 7th, 1930 has garnered many national awards for jazz including Kennedy Center Honors on his 81st birthday. Here is a recorded live in Sweden, 1959 video:http://www.jazzonthetube.com/page/11517.html

Two more quick items, both coming up in October: Jerry Gillotti tells they will be starting an open Jam Session every Thursday at Gilly’s. The house band will be Eddie Brookshire, Fenton Sparks & Kieago Hirakawa. In addition Charles Stone tells me JC and the Rowdy’s will be offering a Blues Jam every Friday at Jazz Central.

Jazz Calendar

Here are some (not all) of the upcoming jazz events for the next couple of weeks:

Today Wednesday, September 11 – The Faux Frenchmen are starting a weekly series of jazz entertainment at the La Poste Eatery in Cincinnati.

Thursday September 12 – The Dayton Art Institute is the place to be when Dean Simms brings his tribute to Louis Armstrong to life at the Vectren Jazz and Beyond Series!

Friday September 13 – The Shawn Stanley Trio plays every Friday at Carvers Steaks & Chops in Centerville and they’re celebrating one year of Friday Night Jazz at the Washington Platform Saloon & Restaurant in Cincinnati.

Saturday September 14 – Eddie Brookshire Quintet is at Gilly’s and Robert Sanae’s Indigo Blue CD Release Party is at Jazz Central, both in Dayton.

Sunday September 15 – Honk, Wail and Moan is at the Harrison Park Gazebo and Erik Augis, Woodson, Tsamous are at Third & Hollywood both in Columbus.

Monday September 16 – The John Taylor Trio is at Brio Tuscan Grille in Beavercreek and Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra is at the Clintonville Woman’s Club in Columbus.

Tuesday September 17 – The Part St. Tavern Jazz Jam continues in Columbus and the Marc Fields Quartet is at the Blue Wisp in Cincinnati.

Wednesday September 18 – The Eleven piece Different Hats Band is at the Dayton Event Connection and Ricky Nye & Bekah Williams are at Chez Nora in Covington, KY.

Thursday September 19 – The Generations Big Band returns to Jazz Central in Dayton and the Pete Mills Quartet featuring Matt Wilson is at Nighttown in Cleveland Heights.

Friday September 20 – ShinSings Orchestra is at the Dayton Metro Library and the Eddie Brookshire Quintet is at Serendipity Bistro for Urban Nights in Dayton.

Saturday September 21 – The NEW Ed Moss Trio w/special guests is at the Schwartz Point Jazz Club in Cincinnati and the Bobby Floyd Trio is at Boudin’s Bistro & Jazz Club in Columbus.

Sunday September 22 – The Jazz Jam Session with Kenny Baccus and John Hampton Wagner is at Jazz Central in Dayton and Bluesbent is at the Blue Wisp in Cincinnati.

Monday September 23 – Mark Flugge, Derek Dicenzo & Jimmy Castoe is at Due Amici in Columbus.

Tuesday September 24 – Tony Monaco is at the Rumba Café in Columbus and the Derek DiCenzo Trio is at Local Roots in Powell, OH.

More info and jazz listings can be found at JazzAdvocate.com

CD Review: Citizen’s Brigade Pull Out 13 Shiny Guns

September 6, 2013 By Mike Ritchie Leave a Comment

Columbus’s hard rock, heavy blues playing five-some Citizens Brigade have unleashed their debut album 13 Shiny Guns. The disc un-holsters 13 shiny new tracks filled with the working man’s ethic: hard earned, hard played blues and influences ranging from Black Sabbath to the Black Crowes. 13 Shiny Guns delivers the boozy blues and hard rock double fist fight of a backwoods brawl behind the woodshed. Troy Bennet’s vocals greet Elvis, Danzig and play Chris Isaak’s wicked game with a rockabilly twang.

The title track shoots off with a harmonica solo into a back-porch juke, jive and jam honky tonk’en on a XXX rated jug of shine. It’s a good ole cow tippin’ tune with an angry anthrax surprise. The Skynyrd-esque “Time Grow” is mid tempo enough to rock on the porch sipping some extra spicy strong ice tea then knocks the taste out of your mouth with a surprise ending sucker punch of thrash and speed. The tank’s a “Quarter Empty,” but there’s still plenty of diesel and gas to set the road on fire. “Noboy’s Cryin’” over you city fool so get back on the porch and mind yo’ damn business.

Memories of you are going 4 Feet Deep after drudging me through the emotional swamp muck and I’m burying the old powerful conjuring’s on a bed of liquid flowers flowing downstream to the currents deepest, darkest resting place. “In My Mind” opens the page on some early Van Halen in a backwoods, barn rehearsal room mud stomper. “Rock in a Can” shakes with some clankin hard edged influence from Faster Pussy Cat, Black Crowes and Black Sabbath. Speaking of, Kyle Campbell starts “Yeah” with a riff straight out of Tony Iommi’s personal collection. www.brigadenation.com

CD Review: Horlet Bring the Keys of Life and Death

September 4, 2013 By Mike Ritchie Leave a Comment

Horlet

Dayton’s Horlet release their debut album, The Keys of Life and Death, a pulverizing blast of death metal slam-dancing your face into the cold concrete. With 17 tracks including four interludes that violate the ear yet make the brain want to hear more, Horlet takes us to ancient Egypt to hear the voices of the gods. We’re also warned of manmade Armageddon, the ancient curses of unknown dark entities and offered knowledge from the Tablets of Thoth.

It’s solid, fast Nile-inspired death metal peppered and sprayed with Iron Maiden guitar soloing, a Norse drinking horn full of Amon Amarth inspiration and lyrics from the mysterious mouth of the Egyptian river. Jason Lyons’ vocals spend most of the album in the high pitch demon screech octave with the occasional morbid growling. He spits the acrid carcass over everything giving Egypt, the desert and the ancient Gods a new coat of fresh decay.

Opener “Wings of Aerial” starts blast beating into a guitar chug Viking metal roar. First instrumental interlude “The Fallen” is an enticing mixture of Middle Eastern keys and notes strummed with sitar, samisen and a string quartet. Then death “From the Clouds” comes with its icy frozen chill of Maiden-esque guitar notes.

The Godsmack sounding acoustic “Whisper of Solitude” melds into the building sheet metal buzz-saw guitar riffs of “So Far Away” with Lyons chewing nails on a mourning poem about a lost love/hate manipulative relationship and the emotional poisoning that’s still alluring. “Annabelle’s Curse” is the crunchy, munchy revenge circle pit tune.

“The Visit” breathes the breath of the gods into the speaker with a techno itch and uncertain feeling bleeding into “Taken” as the robotic godlike cyborg invasion cripples mankind.

“He Who Walks the Sands” allures with its seductive sand dance for the Pharaoh’s enjoyment. Then “Gypsy” pulls a Mercyful Fate riff straight out of hell’s ass.

“Those Who Follow the Kings” majesty march across treacherous dunes to do his bidding and please the will of Shu and Ra.

Horlet is a strong macabre mixture of veteran local talent with Lyons and guitarist Seth Mullins formerly of A Rogue’s Sorrow and Hollow Offering, bassist Allen McGowan of The Keep, Glitch and Cell 13. Guitarist Keith Byerman of Freq and the Jam Bandits and drummer Eric Barnes formerly pounded for The End, Leveled, Trioxin, Dead Broke, Darkness Undying and currently plays for King Stench, The Transylvanian HellHounds and Connection Ground. www.horlet.com.

Coming Up in Local Jazz – August 28 through September 10

August 28, 2013 By Ron Gable Leave a Comment

What is C’est Tout?

I went with my wife, Rosemary and some friends last Saturday night to see James and Moore at the C’est Tout Bistro 2600 Far Hills Avenue in Oakwood, Ohio. This was the Gable’s second trip to this venue and I’ll have to say it’s a unique experience. Chef/Proprietor Dominique Fortin says “You know, the thing that we do here is a French bistro, good food, fresh food at the right price.” It truly has the ambience of a French bistro, a very meticulous setting for your dining pleasure. To say the food is outstanding is a gross understatement; that combined with the service and the entertainment (the reason I came) made our two evenings something way above our normal life style. I’ll be honest, two retirees living on a fixed income budget makes me very apprehensive about dining in a fancy restaurant but after two trips I found their prices affordable and when you consider the quality of their cuisine, very affordable. You might want to check out their website.

Now lets get back to the reason for the trip, you know the Jazz Advocate doesn’t like to pay the fare for a good meal without some good entertainment. We’ve been following James & Moore for a number of years and I’ve seen Lou James for many years before they formed their duo. Lou is a superb musician who can do magical things on that state of the art keyboard he plays. His song list is virtually unlimited. How many guys do you know who can play Tin Roof Blues, Honky Tonk and just about all of the Great American Songbook? As to the Moore part ot the duo; Pamela especially loves the music of the 30’s and 40’s, the Billie Holiday, Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald tunes. The song’s that tell the stories of life and this young lady has the voice to deliver that kind of music. Pamela says “just 6 years ago I started to live out my dream to be a Singer” and I for one am glad she did.

In summary, a great time was had last Saturday by our group of friends. Great food, great service (Steve the bartender was really something) and last but not least, great entertainment. Entertainment that I feel is the perfect fit for a French bistro style venue. I know the economy is tough and James and Moore will be completing their ten month run this Saturday August 31st. I’m thinking about one more trip to France this coming weekend.

Jazz Calendar

Here are some (not all) of the upcoming jazz events for the next couple of weeks:

Today Wednesday, August 28 – The Sound Body Jazz Orchestra is at Greenhills Commons in Cincinnati and the David Murray Band with Macy Gray is at ShadowboxLive in Columbus.

Thursday August 29 – The Kim Kelly Orchestra plays RiverScape in Dayton and our friend Jeff Hufnagle, will be performing one song!

Friday August 30 – The Shawn Stanley Trio plays every Friday at Carvers Steaks & Chops in Centerville and there’s a Friday Night Jazz Show at the Washington Platform Saloon & Restaurant in Cincinnati.

Saturday August 31 – James & Moore is at the C’est Tout Bistro in Oakwood, OH and Randy Fankell’s Jazz Militia is at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dayton.

Sunday September 1 – There is a new Sunday Night Jam w/ Deron Bell at the top of the Crowne Plaza Hotel and the Jazz Central Jam continues both in Dayton.

Monday September 2 – The John Taylor Trio is at Brio Tuscan Grille in Beavercreek and Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra is at the Clintonville Woman’s Club in Columbus.

Tuesday September 3 – A Brian Cashwell faculty recital with John Taylor and Chris Berg is at Wright State University’s Schuster Hall in Fairborn, OH.

Wednesday September 4 – The Blue Wisp Jazz Club in Cincinnati presents Noah Wotherspoon followed by their long running Blue Wisp Big Band.

Thursday September 5 – The Jazz Central Big Band returns to Jazz Central in Dayton and Rick Brunetto Big Band is at The 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant in Columbus.

Friday September 6 – Jazz Violinist, Jack Shallat is Petrelli’s Italian Restaurante in Mason, OH and Matt Adams is at Dick’s Den in Columbus.

Saturday September 7 – The Wade Baker Jazz Collaboration is at the Chatterbox Jazz Club in Indianapolis, IN and the John Von Ohlen Trio is at Dee Felice in Covington, KY.

Sunday September 8 – The Jazz Jam Session with Kenny Baccus and John Hampton Wagner is at Jazz Central in Dayton and Phil DeGreg Trio is at Dee Felice in Covington, KY.

Monday September 9 – Mark Flugge, Derek Dicenzo & Jimmy Castoe is at Due Amici in Columbus.

Tuesday September 10 – Ed Moss & the Society Jazz Orchestra is at the Schwartz Point Jazz Club in Cincinnati.

More info and jazz listings can be found at JazzAdvocate.com

Hog Jam VIII: Another Fun Weekend of Camping and Music

August 23, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Eight years ago, Tony Herdman was in a band that was part of the Dayton Battle of the Bands, which was taking place at Canal Street Tavern. The competition ran throughout the summer, with numerous bands duking it out to win time to record in a local studio. Herdman’s band reached the finals, but unfortunately losing. Even though they lost, Herdman noticed the overwhelming support and love from family, friends, and fans of his band. To show how much he appreciated seeing everyone coming out, he wanted to give back and throw a party for everyone. So he found a location in Waynesville, and thus began the yearly event Hog Jam. “We wanted to throw this party for everyone that came out and supported us throughout the summer”, Herdman explains. “So, we roasted a pig, played some music, and had one of the best times of our lives. We had a lot of people afterwards mention that we should do it again.”

Throughout the years since the first Hog Jam, Herdman has constantly tried to make the weekend bigger and better this than the previous. This year, Herdman has enlisted another festival organizer and friend Jim Hamden to help make the eighth installment the best one to date. “We both work so well together, even though we are completely different people”, said Herdman. “I am just thrilled that we are actually doing this together, and plan on working together for a long time to come.”

The weekend will also be showcasing artists and bands from all ranges of genres and from the United States. Some of the bands that will be performing include the local funk/rock fellas over at Magic Jackson to the Dayton version of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Emily and the Lost Cat Ramblers to the rich folk sound of Charlie Tipton Band to Herdman himself. The music will be giving the festivals goers plenty of great music from the beginning of the afternoon to the wee hours at night.

Attendees will be able to camp out and hang out all weekend long. Vendors will be also there for everyone to grab food. Speaking of food, the roasting of the pig will be still take place. And this year’s pig isn’t for the faint of heart. “It’s going to be a 300 pound pig”, said Herdman. Yep-300 pounds. This year’s festival, like the ones before, will surely have everyone planning on attending next year. “We have folks that come to me and tell that they plan on coming for the next year as soon as the event is done on Sunday (laughing)”, Herdman said.

As the end nears at each year’s festival, Herdman shared with me a tradition that he holds dear to him. “Each year, I gather around some of family and friends, grab a shot of whiskey, bow my head down and say ‘here’s to another great year!”

Hog Jam 8 will be located this year at VFW Campgrounds on 8718 Claude-Thomas Road in Franklin, Ohio. The event will be a two-day festival that will have two stages with 17 artists and bands for to play. Tickets at the gates for the weekend are $35. For more info, click on the Facebook page, located here.

Good English: Trio Riding The ‘Wire’ With New LP

August 23, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

(Photo Courtesy-Brian Glass)

You know the expression-blood is thicker than water. It’s a statement that is no truer when it comes to family. Family is unbreakable. Sure, you can get annoyed with them when they do something stupid. Its family-you can’t be annoyed for long. They are always going to be there for you. Part of being in a band, you are in a family. You have each and every one of the members of the group’s best interest far more than most. You can have a disagreement, and minutes later hug it out. The band Good English is no exception. Good English comprises of sisters Elizabeth, Celia, and Leslie Rasmussen. Elizabeth is the lead vocalist, and plays guitar, Celia is on bass and Leslie on drums. The band is set to drop their first full-length album Radio Wires on Tuesday, August 27. This Saturday, Good English will be throwing a CD release party at Blind Bob’s fifth anniversary weekend.

Good English got their start when the ladies were still children. Elizabeth began to start getting interested in learning how to play the guitar and singing while she was in the eighth grade. Celia had to choose between being in choir and being in the orchestra in elementary school. She decided that she would be in the orchestra and started playing the cello. The other sibling, Leslie, was banging away on the snare drum. Their parents would soon after give them newer instruments. Leslie replaced her snare with a drum kit, while Celia obtained the bass. “The cello and the bass are pretty similar as most people know”, Celia explained. “So my folks said give the bass a try. If I didn’t like it-no biggie.” The ladies began work on learning their new instruments and started playing. “Our first song we wanted to learn was ‘Warning’ from Green Day”, added Elizabeth. “We were big fans of Green Day and we wanted to learn their songs.”

To help gain a little more knowledge on playing their guitars and drums, the girls signed themselves up for Hauer’s Music Band Camp around 2008. At the camp, they learned how to polish up their play and also had the experience to perform live at the legendary local music venue Canal Street Tavern. The chance to play at Canal Street would be beneficial to the group as they started embarking on playing more and more live after the camp. Good English added another member to their group and would start to perform at other local venues, with doing shows that were for all ages. Still very young, the adolescents played as if they have been playing for many, many years.

In 2011, Good English felt they had enough good material and wanted to record their first songs. The band packed their instruments and drove down to Nashville. There, they recorded at Reel Love Recording Company. The owner of the recording company is Dayton’s own Patrick Himes. Himes produced an outstanding six track EP titled Take Control. The opening track ‘Hollow Sound’ starts off with twang piano play and then takes a backseat while the guitar riffs. The title song of the album ‘Take Control’ features a slick indie sound, with Celia’s bass line popping out. Himes clearly saw what the band’s individuals bring to the table, and highlighted them all in each song. The music leaps round from all different sounds. You can hear the indie rock in one song, followed by some blues in another. The band takes pride in the fact that they don’t have a specific style. They love exploring all the different styles, and putting their own spins to it. The result is a stylish rocking opus.

With Take Control released for the masses, Good English proceeded to play local gigs at the local taverns, and festivals. One of the big breaks that the band has received to date was being part of the local acts that were able to play at last year’s Downtown Dayton Revival Festival.

Earlier this year, Good English went back to Nashville to work Himes again to work on the follow-up of Take Control. They went down on back to back weekends, with the first weekend setting down the drums and the next weekend laying the vocals and guitar. “I was really great to get away and work with Patrick again”, Elizabeth said. “We know that wouldn’t have too many distractions and we could keep our focus on the music.” The band would work throughout the weekend, bunkering down in the studio for 12 hour days. Still, the experience of working with Himes, and laying down new music helped the band continue to march on.

Radio Wires promises to show Good English’s growth since the first EP was released. The instrumental play is powerful and gritty, and is the main focal point in the trio’s mind. The lyrics are open to interpretation for the listener, which always gives each song freshness. “We want to have our songs to be like a story that involves characters”, Elizabeth says. One thing is for sure-audiences and their fans will not be putting down their story anytime in the near future.

Radio Wires will be released on Tuesday, August 27^th. This Saturday, come celebrate the band’s album with their CD release party at Blind Bob’s. Showtime is around 9pm. For more info, click on the band’s website goodenglishband.com.

For those who want a taste of the band, click out the video below. The song is off their EP, Take Control.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoYiMn_oGZU’]

Dayton’s Newest Night Club Now Open: Riff Raff on the Canal

August 22, 2013 By Lisa Grigsby 1 Comment

It’s been a long time coming, but for owner Mike Schmidt, the five years it’s taken to remodel the building, and wrestle with city codes will be well worth it when he sees his Patterson Street Tavern filled with people enjoying the live blues music.

Mike credits his wife Bev for keeping him going when the rules and regulations of the zoning and the costs incurred to do things right became overwhelming. The bar is vintage, the original floor has been restored and Mike proudly calls his cook, Chef John Pope, the Pope of Riff Raff Village. Just barely open, he’s already in competition for the best wings in town, up against longtime favorites Bunkers and Frickers according to DDNews Ken-yon Hardy.

Mike is quick to admit his food isn’t fancy, he calls it blue collar food, saying it’s good and inexpensive. The Tavern will offer burger baskets, ribs, sandwiches and of course wings. No menu item is over $10.50. And you can wash it down with $2 drafts specials every day.

Riff Raff Tavern on the Canal will feature live music every Friday & Saturday without a cover charge, except perhaps for some major special bookings. The Hathaways are the featured opening band and Labor Day Weekend Nashville’s RB Stone will perform Fri & Sat night starting at 8pm.
Schmidt says he’s aligned himself with the Dayton Blues Society and plans to feature the best in local and regional blues and jazz. But that’s not all- for football fans, starting Sept 8th, Sunday’s will be all about football, with the NFL Ticket allowing the bar to feature your favorite teams games. As a Redskins fan I made need to be careful when Chef Pope’s Cowboys are playing, but hopefully by then the Sunday buffet they’ve planned will be the way to go.

The grand opening celebration for Riff R Raff Tavern on the Canal is this Friday night from 5-9pm. You’ll be welcomed to the building, which is next to Southern Belle, by statues of the Blues Brothers. Mike says he and his best friend from his Army days earned the nicknames Jake and Elwood, for their fun loving spirit and the pranks they used to pull. He says that attitude is exactly what you’ll find at Riff Raff- great attitudes, fun and good times for all!

The hours of the tavern are still being worked out, but for now the plan is Wed – Sat, until football starts with lunches rolling out soon. They’ll be open til midnight Wed & Thurs and til 2:30am on Fri & Sat.

Coming Up in Local Jazz – August 14 through August 27

August 13, 2013 By Ron Gable Leave a Comment

What is the Gabriel Foundation?

The Gabriel Foundation is non-profit operating under Jazz Advocate’s 501c3 and dedicated in supporting “Youth in Jazz” in our area.

Back in September of 2011, I was talking to a lady who lived in my apartment building and she was telling me about her eleven year-old grandson who played alto saxophone in an event with a group from the Stivers School for the Arts jazz orchestra. Of course she said he is very good and hoping to get into Stivers next year at age twelve. She told me he was renting his horn through the school and needed his own saxophone and the family didn’t have the money to buy one.

Since then Jazz Advocate started the Gabriel Foundation and partnered with WDPS-FM 89.5, the DABICO Artist Factory and Jazz Central. We held a number of concerts to generate funds to obtain and/or refurbish musical instruments for deserving local youth who otherwise could not afford one. On Sunday, October 23, 2011 the Gabriel Foundation presented young Cade Stevenson an alto saxophone. Turns out he later auditioned at Stivers and called me with the good news that he had been accepted into Stivers School of the Arts.

Presently the Gabriel Foundation is working with Dayton area High Schools to produce a series of “High School Jazz Night” events at Jazz Central, who is donating the use of their club to us. This is a slight change of direction for the Gabriel Foundation and will be an addition to the obtaining musical instruments for youth in our area. The high school jazz nights will not only contribute to keeping jazz alive in our area but more importantly it will give our jazz students a chance to perform in an authentic jazz club in front of a live jazz audience, which is an educational experience they will not get in the classroom or a traditional school concert setting. In addition the event income goes to the school’s music program.

On Friday, June 14, 2013 the Gabriel Foundation held a benefit concert for Stivers student David Jenkins, which was billed as the first “High School Jazz Night” at Jazz Central. We have several schools on board and will be offering the Odyssey Combo (students from Centerville and Alter), on Friday, August 16th. I have a list of prospective high school jazz band directors to contact but we are at the point where we need to generate some funds for operation and advertising for the series to insure the productions. If you’re a true jazz fan, you realize the “Youth in Jazz” is our future and if you’re so inclined to help us you can make a donation of any amount at: http://www.jazzadvocate.com/Member%20Page/

Jazz Calendar

Here are some (not all) of the upcoming jazz events for the next couple of weeks:

Today Wednesday, August 14 – The Blue Wisp Jazz Club in Cincinnati presents Noah Wotherspoon followed by their long running Blue Wisp Big Band.

Thursday August 15 – The Generations Big Band isat Jazz Central and the Hal Harris Orchestra is at Riverscape MetroPark both in Dayton.

Friday August 16 – The Gabriel Foundation presents a benefit concert for “Youth in Jazz” featuring the Odyssey Combo at Jazz Central and Dave Greer’s Classic Jazz Stompers is at Jay’s Seafood both in Dayton.

Saturday August 17 – The music director from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Scott Belck brings a quintet featuring Phil DeGreg to Jazz Central in Dayton.

Sunday August 18 – There is a new Sunday Night Jam w/ Deron Bell at the top of the Crowne Plaza Hotel and the Jazz Central Jam continues both in Dayton.

Monday August 19 – The John Taylor Trio is at Brio Tuscan Grille in Beavercreek and Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra is at the Clintonville Woman’s Club in Columbus.

Tuesday August 20 – Cincy Blues Society – Bluesday Tuesdays is at Arnold’s Bar & Grill in Cincinnati and the Part St. Tavern Jazz Jam continues in Columbus.

Wednesday August 21 – The Eleven piece Different Hats Band is at The Dayton Event Connection in Dayton and John LaIacona is at Eddie Merlot’s in Cincinnati.

Thursday August 22 – Grammy Nominated Gregory Porter in Partnership with Learning Through the Arts & Crown Jewels of Jazzis at Eden Park, Seasongood Pavilion in Cincinnati.

Friday August 23 – The Shawn Stanley Trio plays every Friday at Carvers Steaks & Chops in Centerville and there’s a Friday Night Jazz Show at the Washington Platform Saloon & Restaurant in Cincinnati.

Saturday August 24 – James & Moore will be at the C’est Tout Bistro in Oakwood and The RL Big Band is at Legends in Cincinnati.

Sunday August 25 – The Jazz Jam Session with Kenny Baccus and John Hampton Wagner is at Jazz Central in Dayton and Phil DeGreg Trio is at Dee Felice in Covington, KY.

Monday August 26 – Mark Flugge, Derek Dicenzo & Jimmy Castoe is at Due Amici in Columbus.

Tuesday August 27 – Jazz Cab is at The Greenwich in Cincinnati and Tony Monaco is at the Rumba Café in Columbus.

More info and jazz listings can be found atJazzAdvocate.com