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REVIEW: NIB/Aces High Play Dublin’s St Patrick’s Bash

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Saturday March 16, with the Irish spirits flowing and the green stuff coming from the tap, bottle, ATM’s and everywhere else desirable and not, The Dublin Pub showcased the beginning of an all weekend long celebration to good ole St. Patrick and the snakes he drove out of Ireland way back when. In the words of Aces High singer Tony Oliver, “A group of Americans came to hear British music in an Irish pub.”

Engines of Chaos's NIB

Engines of Chaos’s NIB

Engines of Chaos’s Nativity in Black a tribute to all era Black Sabbath started the outside heated mayhem as patrons were having their fill of spirited blarney. Though the immortal wah-wah bassline intro’d song’s meaning is more about hair than evil Christmas decorations. An intro straight from the Metal Gods… or else-where filled the speakers then one of the best known riffs in metal history started to occupy our brain. We’re taken Behind the Wall of Sleep then visit their tribute namesake. While EOC singer Scott Toops doesn’t have Ozzy’s banshee wail or the hints of Birmingham hopelessness and desperation in those early songs his voice does carry the essence of the Ozzy effect. “You’ll know this one.’ He smirks as drummer Eric Estes starts kicking Marvels favorite signature tune.  All they have to give you is music that never dies; the Symptom of the Universe is written in the eyes of some fine ladies from the crowd dancing to the satanic blues. It was time to pay tribute to the little Elf with the goliath voice. Dan from Aces High joined them when the two fingered Maloik, Dio, the Neon Knight himself made famous were raised for the Mob Rules. Toop’s voice can carry Ronnie James’s pint sized heavy weight well. They reach forward playing some early solo Ozzy about the wickedest man that ever lived with original intro. Then it was all aboard the Crazy Train. The sirens screamed as the War Pigs gathered in their masses with evil minds that plot destruction. From a war stricken land we take a cool mellow trip with the incense and candles burning with Sweet Leaf through time and space to Planet Caravan. Then when you’re nice and relaxed the devils tritone jolts you back to reality as the figure in black gives chase. Due to time restraints there was no encore and no chance to go extra, extra, extra, extra f*****g crazy! God bless, Engines of Chao’s NIB loves you all.

Aces HIgh

Aces HIgh

Any band can play Iron Maiden covers but it takes true dedication and passion to design your own props,  make a large Seventh Son of a Seventh Son replica Eddie and turn a stage inside a tent into the Somewhere Back in Time tour but that’s exactly what Dayton’s Aces High have done. They show their love of all things iron and maiden. In addition they constructed an Egyptian backdrop and their own personal Eddie of Spades. They take their homage very seriously and give it to the audience up the irons as much as possible. During their 2 set 3 hour show they played heavily from the 80’s which too many die-hards is the best era. Maiden’s a band that’s acquired global success with little to no airplay but they’ve made millions scream for them. Churchill said it best, ‘we shall never surrender’! The doomsday clock says 2 Minutes to Midnight; maybe the Mayans were closer than we thought. Wasted Years is the British version of Turn the Page and one of the coolest Maiden videos for fans of Eddie art. Time to take flight on Ed Force One and touch the sun with Icarus and go Where Eagles Dare cause every Wrathchild needs a nice Piece of Mind. Transylvania was dedicated to recently deceased, early drummer Clive Burr. We go back to the ice age and get Clairvoyant with the ice man after he thaws, wakes and finds himself a Stranger in a Strange Land. We then follow the Nile to Egypt drawn back by the enchanting whispers of the ancient gods and the eye of Horus to be their Powerslave. While we’re there we’re reminded what not to do when an albatross flies over you. One of Maiden’s longest and favorite songs is played in its entirety, including sound effects but sadly no smoke machine. Lyrical belter Tony Oliver does a fine job of handling songs operatically sung by one of the greatest metal voices of all time. Though very few can completely match Dickinson’s delivery and 4 octave range, Oliver can deliver the Tattooed Millionaire’s vocal presence well enough. Bassist Randy Gaines has Steve Harris’s foot on speaker bass pointing Tailgunner style down pat. Dan Briley/Dave McCarty play the parts of three guitar maestro’s with no pressure and Matt Tickel keeps McBrain’s beat perfect.

Aces High

Aces High

Starting off the second set we get a little creepy Crowley with the Moonchild and get some spiritual help to comprehend those Infinite Dreams. They play the war dance on The Trooper and crowd favorite Run to the Hills having one of the most recognizable drum intros in metal history.

Unfortunately, once again due to time restraints as Revelation would have it a few goodies had to be cut but we do have enough time for a trip to Acacia Avenue using a little green for a good old time. Hallowed Be Thy Name of the band that’s given us nearly 40 years of incredible music. Though this evening, the sands of time for us are running low and we know the time is short to consume and finish potent Irish liquids. So let he who hath understanding reckon the number of the beers he’s hadith, for it is a human number, and condition. No worries, Dublin Pub announced Care Cab for anyone whose mind was blank, couldn’t remember how many they had and needed time to get the memories from their mind.

Engines of Chaos’s NIB and Aces High take their tributes very seriously paying respect to two of the biggest names in British music, the undisputable Alpha/Genesis of metal and the greatest band of all time to be named after a guy in a mask and a medieval torture device. Even to the most Eddie’d up ‘Irish for the evening’ stumbling patron what we all saw that night was real and not just fantasy.

REVIEW: Bogey’s Bar Hosts United We Jam Against Cancer

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Editor’s note:  In May of 2013, the Springfield News Sun reported that Michelle Mundy was under investigation for potential fraud as she allegedly had faked a cancer diagnosis.  Ms Mundy subsequently surrendered to the police.

Saturday March 9th Bogey’s Bar and Grill in Springfield held the United We Jam Music Against Cancer Fundraiser for Yellow Springs resident Michelle Mundy. Four acts as different as they were united in the cause played to help raise funds for Mrs. Mundy’s treatment and medical expenses.

Mundy was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) at 37, 8 years after fighting her first bout with the  ‘big C’ at 29. Starting chemotherapy in September of 2012, continuing into 2013, she’s gone through 6 rounds every other Monday until Mid-December. Radiation may follow. 11 tumors were found in the soft tissue, bones, organs, abs, and some attached to bones on the ribs. Her medication expenses are around $1500 a month. From September-October 2012 she received R-CHOP therapy (an administration of four chemo-related drugs) every 14 days.   NHL is found in cancerous white blood cells and is curable so the fight rages on. For more information, go to www.cancer.org.

The Shope Brothers

The Shope Brothers

The show began with the uniquely rap inclined Dipspit. In the vein of Eminen meets Tenacious D the duo perform emotional, spirited raps of slight adult nature. Spewing out ultra-serious lyrics that’ll make you laugh, roll your eyes or go WTH. The bearded high priest of sweaty movement DJ DumptRuck shouts out his backup sermon through mic and megaphone bringing their own personal mini sound system as front-man DipSpit tells the stories of the Pontoon boat and Dropkicking the Dub Plate. They’re as different in their spectacle as they are entertaining in their effort and presentation.   We’re infected with DipSpit Fever forever and the Springfield scene will never be the same.

And now for something completely different…. the Shope brothers, Jason and Jacob scale things down with an acoustic as older Jacob keeps the beat a bit differently playing a hand slapping Cajon Box. They play some sweet country tunes singing about the intoxicating effect that special girl has on you. There’s Hell on Wheels as we get the adrenaline twang going and a bootleg shiner from the law for our trouble.  Jason Aldean’s Wheels Rolling could be the cowboy hat tipping version of Turn the Page. We go cruising n sightseeing down that Florida Georgia Line whistling Dixie at all the ladies. From the southern panhandle we take a Canadian detour to heaven with Bryan Adams.

Destracore

Destracore

Dayton’s four piece angry thrashers Destracore opened their turbo’d up set turning on the metal machine full grind unleashing The Beast upon the unsuspecting onlookers. Singer Don Potter tag teams between yelling and actual singing as some screamers can’t do. Now that Twinkies have been resurrected, those and Cockroaches will still be the only things surviving the apocalypse but we’ll still all Die Out in style. The bearded Potter, technically a harry Potter possesses a unique pallet of the usual growls, screams and screeching but can also carry a tune with a bit of creepy melancholy and tension attached. They play their future single When I Close My Eyes. They’ve found a nice balance of the heavy stuff infusing some well-placed melody. They take a page from priest, and Break the Law. There’s some nice Death inspired bass and drum dancing beginning/during the Final Act slowing down the ends coming. Their core started humbly in a New Carlisle kitchen in 1998; relentless touring made them a staple in the Dayton/Springfield metal scene releasing their debut effort Yield. In 2002 they invaded the Columbus area scene and after an 8 year hiatus have returned with a five song crunching demo displaying a hybrid influenced sound and new musical presence. See them April 6th at Club Panama.

Gathering Mercury

Gathering Mercury

The sirens roar as Gathering Mercury start a Bitchin good time. They start with the opening tracks from their debut CD Where The Others Go. Ashley Stacey sings with a sweet soft spoken cue with a rasp of attitude proving with each show she’s a forerunner for her generation’s Joan Jett.  She’s the cute girl next door with a sweet smile with a ‘hint’ of rebellion you keep your eye on. They Lean Into the Fall playing their Dayton Does Dayton tribute to Mona, try out two new tunes. Stacey has the stage presence for rock n roll and Broadway. Bassist Quique Bucio plays deep notes with a side or two of comical humor and physical comedy. They finish with a little high octane Hoochie Koo then Paint it Black with mercury.  See them April 13th and May 11th at Canal Street Tavern.

Mayliner Looking To Join Area Punk Rock Elite

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The elderly hate it.  Some groups of people find it repulsive.  People question whether or not it’s actually considered music.  There are also those that would fight you for daring to speak out of line about what they are passionate about; those same individuals also say they have found something that makes them feel like they are part of a family.  What I am talking about is punk rock.

Punk rock music is beloved by many around the world.  The Ramones, The Clash, and Sex Pistols brought a brash, rebellious sound that was unapologetic and wild.  Full of energy and emotion, catching a punk show is unpredictable.  Expect a pit of people to start the intense participation of slamming into each other while forming a circle, a practice commonly known as moshing.  There is also a pretty good chance that people will be either crowd surfing or the one of the band members will be stage diving.  You never know what to expect, but you know that you are in for one crazy night.  In Dayton, we are fortunate that we have a great collection of punk rock bands taking local stages.  One band that should you should check out is Mayliner.  Mayliner consists of three memembers-guitarist/vocals Josh Caperton, bassist/vocal Chris Barnett, and drummer Paige Beller (Beller is also the lead singer of band Jasper the Colossal).

(Photo Courtesy-Jennifer Taylor Clarke)

Caperton and Barnett have had Mayliner up and running a little over a year now, but the two have been playing and writing music since their high school days.  The two took part in numerous battle of the bands around the local area and were even asked to be part of the bands that they were competing against.  They have also been there for each other through thick and thin during their previous bands’ journeys.    Mayliner alone has had their share of lineup changes, with drummers coming and going up to last year.  However, both men agree that it doesn’t affect their progress.  “As long as I see Josh next to me, and he sees me next to him-it is all good,” Barnett says.

That chemistry and bond are just part of why they are one of the good up and coming punk bands around town.  Caperton and Barnett play with viciousness, with a rapid pace of play on each of their respective instruments.  The drum play of each of their songs is fast and heavy.  Mayliner wants to do one thing: play as loud as they possibly can, a staple in any punk rock band’s live sets.

“I have been told that we sound like The Who but faster”, Barnett says when asked how he would describe the band’s sound.  The songwriting is shared by both Caperton and Barnett.  They will go to each other and share what they have, keeping the process open and free.  The lyrics songs center on experiences that have come and gone throughout their lives including songs about occurrences and encounters that weren’t delightful.  However, those songs do go into how you overcome bad events and become better, and not let the bad define you as a person.

Mayliner and Jasper the Colossal are will be releasing an split EP from the local record company FM Records this Thursday. Each band will have about 4 songs on the release.  So how was this idea brought up you wonder…

“The idea of doing the split EP was up and in the air for over a year”, Caperton explains.  “We loved the idea of doing something with Jasper, maybe with recording one of their songs and they record one of ours.  We heard that Paige (Beller) went in the studio and recorded, so we went and did our thing.”

Be expecting some fantastic punk rock that will downright be a crime if not played at a maximum level.  After all, isn’t that what punk music is supposed to be played?!

This Thursday, Mayliner and Jasper the Colossal will be playing a split EP release party at One Eyed Jacks in Fairborn, Ohio.   Go out and see why Mayliner is truly one of the up and coming punk bands rocking around the Dayton area.

 

 

Jazz Spotlight: Big Jazz Band + Upcoming Jazz Mar. 27 – Apr. 9

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Scott Gasaway and the Stivers Jazz Orchestra

Scott Gasaway and the Stivers Jazz Orchestra

Because I’ve been to six big band performances in the last couple of weeks, this is a good time to write about the impact of jazz band music past and present day in our area. The overall subject is too large to cover in depth but you can find an interesting read here.

A big band is a type of musical ensemble that originated in the United States and is associated with jazz and the Swing Era typically consisting of rhythm, brass, and woodwind instruments totaling approximately 12 to 25 musicians. Standard 17-piece instrumentation evolved in the big-bands, for which many commercial arrangements are available. This instrumentation consists of five saxophones (most often two altos, two tenors, and one baritone), four trumpets, four trombones (often including one bass trombone) and a four-piece rhythm section (composed of drums, acoustic bass or electric bass, piano and guitar).

There were two distinct periods in the history of popular bands. Beginning in the mid-1920s, big bands, then typically consisting of 10–25 pieces, came to dominate popular music. At that time they usually played a form of jazz that involved very little improvisation, which included a string section with violins, which was dropped after the introduction of swing in 1935.

Some names you’re likely to be familiar with today: Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Benny Goodman and Glen Miller because today’s bands play much of their music. The big bands of old toured the country and attracted large crowds, today as a rule those audiences are no longer available but we are fortunate to have many college and high school jazz bands in our area in addition several bands that still survive the leaner economics, mainly because the players love the music and want to keep it going. In today’s market you will also find pocket bands made up of fewer players selected in a manner to play the big band charts.

Speaking of pocket bands and getting back to the performances I’ve seen lately on the 14th of this month The ShinSings Orchestra was at the Dayton Art Institute, a week prior on the 7th it was the Jazz Central Big Band, going forward it was the Sinclair Jazz Ensemble on the 15th, Stivers Jazz Orchestra on the 18th, Generations Big Band on the 21st and this last Saturday, March 23rd it was the fourth annual Jazzcakes where the Centerville School’s put on a benefit concert consisting of three middle school and three high school jazz ensembles. Some other area jazz bands/events I should mention are the Beavercreek Weekend of Jazz where a dozen or more local middle and high school bands compete. The Dayton Jazz Orchestra, the Columbus Jazz Orchestra and the Blue Wisp Big Band and coming in August a series of five weeks of big bands at RiverScape in Dayton.

One final note, I’m told on April 10th at Cline Elementary School in Centerville the Stand Kenton Alumni band concert will perform along with a pre-concert student jam session, from 6:30-7:15. Check it out here.

Jazz Calendar

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

Today Wednesday, March 27 – The Blue Wisp Big Band performs in Cincinnati, OH and you can Swing Dance with Lizz & Rex Review at the Dayton Event Connection.

Thursday March 28 – The Phoenix Project Concert is at Brothers Drake Meadery in Columbus and Dottie Warner and Ricky Nye are atArnold’s Bar & Grill in Cincinnati.
Friday March 29 – Shawn Stanley Trio is at Carvers Steaks & Chops in Centerville and The Mike Wade Quintet is at the Thompson House inNewport, KY.

Saturday March 30 – The Urban Jazz Coalition is at Gilly’s In Dayton and James & Moore is at C’est Tout Bistro in Oakwood, OH.

Sunday March 31 – the Jam Session w/ Kenny Baccus continues at Dayton’s Jazz Central and the Hoo Doo Soul Band is at the Rumba Café in Columbus.
Monday April 1 – The Kyle Eastwood Group is at the Blue Wisp in Cincinnati and the John Taylor Trio is at Brio Tuscan Grille in Beavercreek.

Tuesday April 2 – Dave Greer’s Classic Jazz Stompers is at Jimmie’s Ladder 11 in Dayton and Tony Monaco is at the Rumba Café inColumbus.
Wednesday April 3 – Rich Lopez is at Rigsby’s in Columbus and Dave Powers is at Vittoria Ristorante in Powell, OH.
Thursday April 4 – the Jazz Central Big Band plays at Jazz Central in Dayton and the Elizabeth Hayes Jazz Ensemble is at The Blue Wisp inCincinnati.

Friday April 5 – the Urban Jazz Coalition is at the Thompson House  in Newport, KY and there is a  Friday Night Jazz Show at Washington Platform Saloon & Restaurant  in Cincinnati.

Saturday April 6 – Dick’s Den has the Bob Niederriter Quartet and the Lincoln Theater presents Inside Track series: Kyle Eastwood inColumbus.

Sunday April 7 – There are jazz jams at Victory’s in Columbus and at Jazz Central in Dayton.

Monday April 8 – Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra is at the Clintonville Woman’s Club in Columbus.
Tuesday April 9 – Ed Moss & the Society Jazz Orchestra is at the Schwartz Point Jazz Club in Cincinnati and Part St. Tavern Jazz Jam  continues in Columbus.
More info and jazz listings can be found at JazzAdvocate.com

A Ghastlee Night at Gilly’s….The Sequel

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Friday March 8 Gilly’s Jazz club hosted an evening of extreme musical diversity. Hardcore humored adult rated acoustic singing, a human mix master, sound-machine and beat boxer, a screaming electric Ukulele playing misfit, a trippy rock n roll splattering of horror fed haunted charm and the southern Grand Ole Opry, brought to you by Bloodline Video.  The show was in honor and celebration of the evening’s host and performer, legendary local TV personality, actor and Horror Host A Ghastlee Ghoul, who toyed with the crowd played naughty games, told jokes, made rude comments and headlines as only he can.

The ever charming, cussing, swearing gentleman Felix Wussington started the evening strapped with acoustic guitar and a wide array of lyrical poetry making beautiful prose out of STD’s, lesbians, killing your significant other, the reaper and amusing domestic violence. This tattooed R-XXX rated country punk talked the sh- about backyard body burial, a romantic interlude in the Y’s swimming pool and a tribute to Herbert West and his love of playing with dead things. It’s a good thing Wussington’s someone everyone wants to hang out with and Lives Across the Street from Heaven. It might save his songwriting soul from the reaper and eternal damnation, good thing All Dudes go to Heaven. Hmmm… he could’ve beat the devil, if only he played the fiddle. Mr. Wussington also has select tunes from his debut My Cthulu’s Showing on Soundcloud.

Splattertude

Splattertude

The power and talent of the human voice and throat is put on display as human beat box master Thomas Gardner hits the mic, spins the turntable, scratches some vinyl, plays with some techno grooves all with his voice. He’s a walking sub wolfer, PA, night club sound-system, in one shades/hoodie wearing bass heavy package.

Next up Dayton’s answer to a loud live horror movie, emanating trippy sounds of the 60’s drug scene Splattertude. Like a bad stain, they don’t come out. Fronted by the howling leather and laced demoness Susperia, MC himself bassist A Ghastlee Ghoul, the ghost faced guitarist Tony Tone and the skins destroying chrome faced Christmas Devil Louu Stahl. The House of 1000 Corpses opened and your Darkest Hour begins. You won’t carry a cross but you’ll have a handful of Black Roses swirling in a pool of dark dreams and persecution. War, murder it’s just a shot away Down the Rabbit Hole. They take us on a train-wreck voyage to the cinema wastelands of Cleveland.

The always handsome Uke playing tallywacker himself Henrique Couto brought his unique brand of showmanship once again to the Gilly’s stage partnered with his friend bass player multi-talent Jay Madewell.  Often accused or assumed as being a walking wardrobe malfunction Couto’s flashy appearance may clash with itself but overall adds to his undeniable talent for drawing a reaction whether by song lyrics or personalized humor and mastery of an instrument few have dared to unlock the mysteries of. Miley Cyrus is Pregnant with his two headed love child, and Couto doesn’t even have a love mullet. He plays Better than Nothing of his new CD That’s Loud and UPS’s his heart to a stalking admirer. He believes ‘educational films’ are bullsh- and gives everyone the lyrical finger with a laugh and smile playing his most popular iTunes song.  He finishes, with a tribute to the man of his dreams saying he’d do Anything Anything to be The Dream Master.

Queen Victoria and Todd the Fox

Queen Victoria and Todd the Fox

The sovereign Queen Victoria and the Reverbnation voted best blues player in Ohio the exalted Todd the Fox take the stage and swing, swagger and silhouette the sounds of the south and old-school/classic rock with a hillbilly twang that was sweet backwater honkey-tonk  strong.  Welcome to Detroit and the Hotel Yorba, such a lovely place. We party with Mr. John Fogerty and the Old Man Down the Road.  Spin the Stealers Wheel and worship Mr. Clapton then jam to some old-time country road blues with The Carters.  There’s a Little Ghost under the Blue Moon of Kentucky, so Sleep On a beautiful haunting lullaby from Alison Krauss. Oh Boy, I see a reflection of a Bad Moon Rising in the Clearwater, I see trouble on the way in the form of big bad Imelda May and the devil divine her Handsome Man. Miss Victoria can swing an acoustic just fine and hold her own on a mandolin with the sexy grace of a rockin country queen.

DRI Thrash Out McGuffy’s

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Friday February 22nd six bands threw down their best punk/hardcore /thrash performance bringing back the original spirit of the early 80’s rebellious alternative scene. Spikes, studs, leather, patches, tattooed faces and 12 inch Mohawks were the lay of the land tonight as every Dirty Rotten Imbecile showed up to mosh, thrash out, surf and tumble their way to a good time. Winding Hollow Productions’  second showcase at Dayton’s house of rock proved an initiation of cardio for the more ambitiously exercise minded in the crowd and an all-night free for all for extreme music.

Dayton’s Abortive Issue opened with the pretty, prim and proper Miss Ashley who danced around onstage like she was in her own private padded luxury cell, complete with open sleeved straightjacket and it was playtime. She embodied the spirit of Wendy O Williams fondling the mic like a plasmatic doll. She’s a raging tattooed Pat Benatar screaming in tune with schizophrenic movement, devious eyes and a psycho friendly smile warming up for mosh pit gymnastics. They play with a smack speed and lots of American Pride but those are just their Minor Qualities, and they Trash Talk too, Just for Kicks.

The Hard-Onz

The Hard-Onz

From the snow covered wastelands of Illinois come’s a modern day version of Bad Brains and Fear in hardcover form in the Hard-Onz. Making the treacherous 7 hour trek from the dark, dank back alleyways of Lake County to defeating mother-nature’s fury and passing several overturned semi’s on the way to be here tonight, bringing the smell with them. They earned their way to the McGuffys stage bringing out the old-school noisy but rebellious conglomeration of punk and hardcore that made the sound of the early 80’s the forerunner of the movement. They spent time falling over each other and even turned a few technical mishaps in their favor adlibbing a song or two.  Playing a song with a broken string totally fits the hardcore work ethos. With Leo on vocals the band jams on songs ramming us with colorful tunes about weekend beer, bitches, pigs, unidentified white powder and tramps also hitting Rock Bottom waking up to find a meth lab in the garage and a Hard-core twist on a Minor Threat classic.  They also made the pit user friendly sending their mascot, Richard Hardon the 1st to stimulate crowd participation in the vintage creepy crawl and classic circle dance moves. What they lack in prettiness and grace they make up for with drive and passion, even if they were influenced by the naked talent of GG Allen and they always towel off after finishing.

The m-m-m-m-m metal shop opened for business with Grim State combining thrash, grindcore and just flat out pounding molten metal. It’s a loud noisy state of the union address and it’s Volatile as hell. All the Deadbeats followed the imbeciles in ready to cause/spread Illness.  Turbine engines kicked on in Solitude and the Madness began as people got a little Absent-minded after a few pit hits.

The Legbone’s connected to the knee bone before a slip and slide beer on the floor disconnection. They’re a nice even groove of punk rock and metal with a packed crowd and filled pit showing a more friendly side of hardcore. With the spirits flowing there’s no Pressure. They dedicated an explicative laden crappy tune to the hard work of the Hard Onz. They’ve too happy and fun loving to be pissed off punks, too heavy to be just punk and punk enough to not just be metal. They do Swallow Razors just to prove their baddass’s though. There’s plenty of time for California dreaming after the screaming over. They cover I Drink too Much by The Give Ups who they’ll be sharing an upcoming split release with.  Next up, the prettiest girls in the ugliest town get some love. Troy gets a unique tribute on Drunk Favors for Beer. Judging by some of the crowd at this point What You Are is one dumb, drunk belligerent degenerate waking up Saturday morning saying I Got Pains, with a Two Day Hangover, so you’re at the right place and basically had fun. They officially break out the metal, throwing up the beer after beer after beer after beer… and the devil horns. They sing a double bandaged, double dose of skater tunes about skinned knees, scraped elbows, broken bones and cracked craniums after 6 foot ledge jumps onto soft concrete. If there’s nothing else you remembered from tonight’s intoxicating show remember this…. B stands for belligerent, E stands for every time I get drunk, E stands for everyone I’m hanging with, R stands for ruthie and the process.

Architects of Doom

Architects of Doom

The unholy Dayton Architects of Doom were ready to spread fury and filth with a trigger happy mutiny of loud angry aggression. They open pulling The Trigger on their own loud heavy breed of Iron Maiden meets Arch Enemy with ‘up tempo’ Morbid Angel gathered in the mix. Keith Hamilton’s vocals are a mix of Zakk Wylde and sonic screamers Randy Blythe and the equally bearded Amon Amarth’s Johan Hegg. Danny definitely has some of Eddie’s influence in his fingers powered by Dragonforce. They start a fierce Mutiny playing the Martyr’s dishing out the Ritual Punishment Under a Black Flag of Bloodshed. Black Flag was dedicated to anyone in music or in any kind of art. The Architects earned the night’s most vicious pit… so far. They played new tune Awaken for the first time and new tune Bloodshed. Their sound is a delicious mulligan stew stricken with cool melody with munchy pieces of scrap iron riffs floating in the swirling muck.

DRI

DRI

The 30th Anniversary of those Houston crossover hardcore punk’s with enough thrash to insight a yard full of angry attack dogs DRI began as the Thrashard opened and In The Pit everyone went. A large perpetually moving group of sweaty, hot, stinky bastards and ladies annihilated the floor and each other spreading bloodless DNA everywhere. Kurt and the boys played all the hits and some crowd surfers barely missed hospital time thanks to the heroic patient efforts and skill of the front stage security team. Classic crossover records Four of a Kind, Thrashzone and Definition were well represented also borrowing from the old school pre-hybrid success and some tunes from the mid-nineties. Brecht and Co played with syringes, discussed the Modern World, As Seen on TV with those annoying Suit and Tie Guys. So get Beneath the Wheel and accept your Manifest Destiny because it’s too late to Do the Dream.  Brecht still has that raspy angry spoken word delivery surrounded by the punk-thrash pollutant mixture of the man of a hundred expressions bassist Harald Oimoen, drummer Rob Rampy and original guitarist Spike Cassidy. They’ve brought out the punks, skinheads and metal heads in droves from the early 80’s to present day earning them the status of being the major ‘crossover’ band of the movement. Judging by the crowd of flailing, flying, flowing and falling bodies both standing foot strong and airborne the band can still cause a Molotov Cocktail reaction in people. We’re all family in the pit anyway. Sweat and BO is the indoor version of Acid Rain. Original drummer brother Eric came up and played a few tunes from the very early days. They’ll be touring with fellow hardcore pioneers Suicidal Tendencies in April and Slayer for a few dates in May.

Cityfolk Presents Dervish + TICKET CONTEST

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DervishCityfolk is proud to present the Dervish, the internationally heralded Irish music ensemble, in concert on Friday, March 22 at Stivers School for the Arts. The concert start at 8:00 pm and is reserved seating. Tickets are $25 and be ordered at www.cityfolk.org or be calling the Cityfolk box office at 937-496-3863.

Dervish has won considerable acclaim for its rare skill in “bringing music from the session to the stage,” in the words of co-founding band member Brian McDonagh. Fronted by the charismatic singer Cathy Jordan, the Irish septet is perhaps the only traditional Irish music group in the world to have inspired “tribute bands,” which are found in many countries, but especially so in Russia and Israel.

Inspired by such legendary County Sligo musicians as Michael Coleman and James Morrison (who recorded in the U.S. in the 1920s), Dervish has “truly absorbed the techniques and, more importantly, the soul that has driven Irish traditional musicians through the years and come out of it with all the freshness, verve and timeless appeal associated with the great Irish bands of the 1970s and early 1980s…They carry Irish history with them” (Irish Voice).

The roots of Dervish stretch back to 1989, when five Irish musicians who played together at weekly pub sessions—including Liam Kelly (flute, whistles), Shane Mitchell (accordion), Michael Holmes (bouzouki, mandolin) and Brian McDonagh (mandola, guitar)—recorded an album of traditional music from County Sligo as the Boys from Sligo.

Initially, there were no plans beyond making the album, but that went so well the quintet decided to become a real band—a working band—known as Dervish. Two years later, the band assumed its present format with the addition of singer Cathy Jordan from County Roscommon and All-Ireland Fiddle Champion Shane McAleer. Amazingly, this hard-working band has had only one significant personnel change in the ensuing 22 years, fiddler Tom Morrow (from County Leitrim and another All-Ireland Fiddle Champion) joining the ranks in 1998.

Dervish made its recording debut in 1993 with Harmony Hill and has made a total of 11 albums, all released on the band’s own Whirling Disc label.

“Irish music is one of the oldest forms of music, yet it is influenced an awful lot by other things,” explains Cathy Jordan. “It evolves and evolves. Our sound is very recognizable because of the bouzouki and mandola. And though we have a modern style within the Irish context, you might not say it’s really modern, because it blends in so well. But in actual fact there are a lot of modern influences in there.

“We experiment without straying too far from the roots. We give people something familiar, yet it’s in the genre of traditional music. It’s all the instrumentation of Irish music. But it plays with people’s perceptions a bit.”

Two More Venues To Begin Your Open Mic Night Journey: Canal Street Tavern and Tumbleweed Connection

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Back in the beginning of January, I wrote about my experiences diving into the world of open mic nights. I had been going around the Dayton area scoping out the hidden gems that are playing in town. At these open mic nights, I have noticed some great music being played by artists and bands that have been playing for some time; they are just fine-tuning their music. I have also seen music played by people who are just starting to get their feet on stage. I wrote about the RnR PlayDate, which is on Sundays at One Eyed Jacks in Fairborn. I also talked about the open mic night that is held on Wednesdays at South Park Tavern on Wayne Avenue in Dayton. There are open mic nights that take place at Blind Bob’s Bar and Trolley Stop, both located at the Oregon District. These four events have given many people opportunities to highlight playing music as a way to let yourself get lost in playing, or a chance to start your journey into the music scene in town. However, there are a couple more weekly open mic events that need to be spotlit as well.

Tuesday nights are owned by The Musicians Co-Op, which is held at Canal Street Tavern. To me and many others, Canal Street is a local crown jewel.  I look at Canal Street as Dayton’s version of the legendary CBGB, a concert venue Manhattan that was around from 1973 to 2006. The building hosted great acts from Blondie to The B-52’s to The Ramones. Canal Street, like CBGB, is a place that purely and strictly dedicated to music. The lights are always low, giving the venue a laid-back, intimate atmosphere. The walls are bursting with stories of the music that has been played throughout the years. The unpolished wooden floors have that vintage look and sound to them that others only dare to try to replicate.  The Musicians Co-Op is one of the oldest open mics in town, giving many the opportunity to chance to show their talent.

Victoria Baumgardner onstage at Canal Street Tavern

Victoria Baumgardner onstage at Canal Street Tavern

On a recent blisteringly cold Tuesday night, I ventured to the hollow grounds of Canal Street to witness the talent taking the stage that evening. The whole evening felt like an episode of ‘Storytellers’, with each act telling the stories behind their music. Each performer poured emotion into each note that they played. The first act I saw was Kettering native and teacher Colleen Badenhop. Her piano play was airy and beautiful, with an old soul flowing from the keys. The lyrics were about hardships. It was emotional to sit there and hear lyrics of broken hearts, and hardships that people face. Badenhop even did a stunning version of Extreme’s “More Than Words”. The next act was the host of the night E. Ryan Roth. Roth’s singing was very Alice In Chain’s Layne Staley-dense, moody vocals with haunting harmonies. He had a song that dove into the addiction of caffeine that was simply lasting. The music had a psychedelic echo to it. It was a performance that will keep me thinking about it for a while. The next performance was from the petite, Southern belle Victoria Bumgardner. She started to change the pace of the evening with her folk/country hymns that got the crowd participating throughout her set, singing classic songs ‘Evangeline’, ‘Blue Moon of Kentucky’ and ‘Ophelia’. Bumgardener’s vocals were very Loretta Lynn-like. Amazingly talented, Bumgardner played bigger than her height reaches (which isn’t even close to 5 feet). She gave the crowd the chance to see her impeccable personality, which is playful, open and free. The last performer that I saw at the Co-Op was Trey Stone. Stone brought a bassist and drummer for his set, which was different from what everyone else was doing. He mentioned that he has been currently working on an album (a Kickstarter project that met its goal) for the past 6 months. He played some songs from the album, which had a jazz feel to them. The crowd was glued to Stone’s band- with the fierce piano play, the double bass being strummed with looseness, and the snare drum and cymbals adding a touch of slickness. Fans of Ben Folds Five would have enjoyed this performance. After the set from Stone, I can’t wait to see how the finished album will sound.

Performers at the Tumbleweed Connection's Open Mic Night

Performers at the Tumbleweed Connection’s Open Mic Night

Another great open mic that is starting to find its footing in the Dayton area is happening at Tumbleweed Connection in the Oregon District. Tumbleweed Connection’s bar situated in the middle of our building and there is another bar upstairs on the balcony that looks over 5th Street and all its beautifulness. The structure of the building is very much has a resemblance of one of the fantastic venues that wait on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Tumbleweed Connection just adds another flavor to the Oregon District.

On Wednesday nights, Tumbleweed Connection, along with hosts Barefoot Dan and Dana Farley, gives people the opportunity to come up the stage and grace everyone with their musical abilities. Dan and Dana provide drums and a bass. The hosts provide a guitar amp. All you have to do is come to the venue and play. Tumbleweed Connection is a great place to play for any music genre. The bar patrons always give their undivided attention and will give support for all performers. You never know who will be coming to this open mic. When the musical Shrek was in town recently, some of the musicians from the show came and played a little, and hung out with everyone.

The Musicians Co-Op at Canal Street and Tumbleweed Connection are just two more open mics that you can expand your desire to play music to a crowd if you are beginning, or for the veteran musicians a chance to get out in town and continue perfected their craft. No matter which one you go to, just remember one thing-have fun.

For a list of all upcoming Open Mic Nights in Dayton, just click the link.

Jazz Spotlight: Scott Gasaway and Stivers Jazz Orchestra + Upcoming Jazz March 13 – 26

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Stivers Leader Student Combo (1)Scott Gasaway is the new Band Director at Stivers School for the Arts – though he’s not new to jazz, or to the Dayton area. Born on November 9, 1987, in San Diego, California, Scott’s family moved to Dayton when he was just six years old. Scott credits his mom, Lourdes, with providing him — and his two brothers, Nicholas and Matthew with supporting their education in the arts, an opportunity she did not have as a child.

Scott came up through the Centerville High School band program, which is where, under the guidance of many highly influential teachers, he discovered his passion for music and decided that music was what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. Upon his graduation, Scott went on to pursue music education and saxophone at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts where he studied under saxophonist Dino Govoni and saxophonist and clarinetist Shannon LeClaire and performed with vibraphonist and composer Victor Mendoza and bassist Oscar Stagnaro.

Upon graduation from Berklee, Scott accepted a position as the high school music director with Hull Public Schools, in the Town of Hull, Massachusetts, where he was put in charge of starting the band program — teaching band, piano and music technology. It was while he was back home in Dayton to visit his family last summer, that Scott received a call from Stivers Jazz Orchestra Director Emeritus Claude Thomas.

Scott had met Thomas when Thomas was a faculty member of the Miami Valley Jazz Summer Camp and Scott was still an aspiring jazz musician. Thomas was calling to say that he had retired from Stivers to focus on composing full-time and that he wanted to recommend Scott for his position. The rest, as they say, is history.

Scott is now responsible for the operation of the band at Stivers School for the Arts, where he teaches music theory, directs the middle-school concert band, the high-school symphonic wind orchestra and the jazz orchestra. “It keeps me on my toes — and I can’t imagine doing anything else,” he says, with great pride and excitement.

Scott will make his debut with the Stivers musicians in their March 18 concert entitled “On the Shoulders of Giants” — a salute to the celebrated Stivers student musicians who captured national honors at three separate Berklee High School Jazz Festivals in Boston and who were invitees and performers at Lincoln Center during the New York City Jazz Festival last year.

The March 18 concert is also a celebration of the release of the new CD “From Boston to New York.” The Stivers musicians will be joined by international jazz artist Greg Abate, who played lead alto sax with the Ray Charles Orchestra and who has recorded with jazz legends Rufus Reid and Kenny Washington. The evening’s program will include works from Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Buddy Rich and more.

Click here for all of the concert details.

Jazz Calendar

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

Today Wednesday, March 13 – Brian Cashwell Trio is at Wright State’s Student Union Hearth Lounge in Fairborn, OH and you can Swing Dance with Lizz & Rex Review at the Dayton Event Connection.
Thursday March 14 – The Dayton Art Institute kicks off with The Shin Sings Orchestra to open it’s 2013 its Vectren Jazz and Beyond series and Gilly’s presents a Funk In My Backyard benefit.
Friday March 15 – the Chicago Fire Comes to Dayton with Brad Goode & Bill Burns at Jazz Central, trumpeter Al Hood plays with the Sinclair Jazz Ensemble and the Classic Jazz Stompers are at Jay’s Seafood all in Dayton.
Saturday March 16 – A St. Patty’s Day Blues Jam with Kevin Dumont and Mississippi Red is at Jazz Central In Dayton.
Sunday March 17 – the Jam Session w/ Kenny Baccus continues at Dayton’s Jazz Central.
Monday March 18 – Stivers School for the Arts presents “On the Shoulders of Giants” with their new director and special guest Greg Abate.
Tuesday March 19 – the JD Allen Band is at the Blue Wisp in Cincinnati and the Part St. Tavern Jazz Jam continues in Columbus.
Wednesday March 20 – the eleven piece Different Hats Band at the Dayton Event Connection.
Thursday March 21 – the Generations Big Band plays Jazz Central in Dayton and the Rick Brunetto Big Band is at The 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant in Columbus.
Friday March 22 – Shawn Stanley Trio is at Carvers Steaks & Chops in Centerville and Stanley Jordan is Nighttown in Cleveland Heights.
Saturday March 23 – C’est Tout Bistro in Oakwood presents James & Moore and the Randy Fankell Jazz Trio will be at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dayton.
Sunday March 24 – Petra’s Recession Seven Band is at the Gallagher Student Center Theater, of Xavier University in Cincinnati.
Monday March 25 – John Taylor Trio is at the Brio Tuscan Grille in Beavercreek.
Tuesday March 26 – Ed Moss & the Society Jazz Orchestra are at the Schwartz Point Jazz Club and Jazz Cab is at The Greenwich both in Cincinnati.

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

Jazz Spotlight: Randy Fankell + Upcoming Jazz Feb. 27 – Mar. 12

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Happy February 27th; Jazz saxophonist Dexter Gordon was born on this day in 1923, he was among the earliest tenor players to adapt the bebop musical language of people like Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie.  Click here for more information.

Who is Randy Fankell:

I have known and followed Randy Fankell for many years and to this day, he is one of my favorite jazz drummers.

Randy has played drums for mRandy Fankell DMM clipore than four decades, making his professional debut at 18 years of age with the Steve Adams Blues Band.  Following a brief stint in college, Randy opted for education “on the road” spending the 70’s and part of the 80’s traveling and performing with a variety of bands and show groups.  Traveling throughout the U.S. and Canada included working in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Chicago, and many other major venues.  Randy has also performed in Aruba, Norway, Finland and Germany.

In the mid-80’s, Randy settled in Dayton, OH and started to pursue his real love in music – Jazz.  Randy has performed with an array of artists such as Grammy-Winning composer, pianist and recording artist Bill Cunliff, and master bassist, the late great Dave Carpenter whose credits include Buddy Rich and Peter Erskine.  Randy also played with recording artist Randy Villars, Tony Monaco and Doug Simon (Jack McDuff).  From 2003 to 2010 Randy was the house drummer at The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dayton, OH, performing with a variety of artists.

After years of professional musicianship as a ‘sideman’, Randy has moved into the leadership role with the Randy Fankell Jazz Trio/Quartet and has had numerous performances in local venues to include Wright State University and The Crowne Plaza Hotel, downtown Dayton.
Upcoming events:

The next scheduled event is on Saturday, March 23, from 7 – 10pm at the top of Dayton’s Crowne Plaza Hotel, located at 33 E Fifth Street, in their newly remodeled View 162 Room.

Jazz Calendar

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

Tonight Wednesday, February 27 – Arnold’s Bar & Grill presents Todd Hepburn in Cincinnati and you can Swing Dance with Lizz & Rex Review at the Dayton Event Connection.
Thursday February 28 – The Weekend of Jazz kicks off with the Beavercreek Schools free concert at their high school in Beavercreek.
Friday March 1 – The Weekend of Jazz continues with Jeff Coffin and the Mu’Tet in Beavercreek and the Cohesion Jazz Ensemble plays the Thompson House in Newport, Ky.
Saturday March 2 – The Weekend of Jazz holds their all day High School Jazz Band playoffs and presents Ramsey Lewis as the grand finale.
Sunday March 3 – a Live Jazz Party produced by Gene Walker will be at the Hunan Gourmet Restaurant in Whitehall and the Jam Session w/ Kenny Baccus is at Dayton’s Jazz Central.
Monday February 4 – a Jazz Jam hosted by Sandy Suskind Quartet is at the Blue Wisp in Cincinnati and Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra is at the Clintonville Woman’s Club in Columbus.
Tuesday March 5 – the JD Allen Band is at the Blue Wisp in Cincinnati and the Part St. Tavern Jazz Jam continues in Columbus.
Wednesday March 6 – Boudin’s Bistro & Jazz Club presents a Jam Session with Fo/Mo/Deep and Ricky Nye & Rob Lumbard are at Chez Nora in Covington, KY.
Thursday March 7 – 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 March 8 – Shawn Stanley Trio is at Carvers Steaks & Chops in Centerville, OH and Phil DeGreg Quartet is at the Thompson House in Newport, Ky.
Saturday March 9 – C’est Tout Bistro in Oakwood presents James & Moore and Andrew Waters – Smooth Jazz is at the Eastern Palace Restaurant in Columbus.
Sunday March 10 – Art Gore and Friends is at the MidPointe Library in Middletown and there’s at Jazz Jam at Victory’s in Columbus..
Monday March 11 – John Taylor Trio is at the Brio Tuscan Grille in Beavercreek and Mark Flugge, Derek Dicenzo & Jimmy Castoe are at Due Amici in Columbus.
Tuesday March 12 – Ed Moss & the Society Jazz Orchestra are at the Schwartz Point Jazz Club and Jazz Cab is at The Greenwich both in Cincinnati.

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

Alrosa Villa Amplifies Awareness for Autism/TS with Jasmine Cain.

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Writer’s note: my personal thanks and gratitude to the Cautela’s and the Make It Fit Foundation for tonight’s event as I was diagnosed with TS in grade school.

Saturday February 9th the Alrosa Villa in cooperation with the Make It Fit Foundation  held the Amplified Awareness benefit fundraiser for children with Autism and Tourette Syndrome. The evening’s entertainment all volunteering their time and talent included Loboz, Fat Dog and the hot rod riding Jasmine Cain.

Event sponsors included Beckners Costum Cycles, QFM 96, Iron Brothers of Ohio and Boyd’s Goodyear. QFM’s Sue Leighton was there to help MC the event introducing the evenings host and organizer Make It Fit founder Mike Hoover. Fans from 8 different states made the trip for tonight’s show.

 

Loboz

Loboz

Loboz opened cranking out 90 minutes of smooth flowing blues rock paying tribute to the classics and respect to some of music’s most beloved fallen heroes. Beginning with a Chris Duarte female friendly tune and the long bearded boys from Houston say Thank You. They get a little funky with The James Gang and play some sexy Latino attitude for Mamacita. They get original playing a namesake tune from their upcoming CD because somewhere Between Hell and Home you’ve Got to Groove into a swinging night taking the lady out on the town, showing her just how special she really is. If She Came in Through the Bathroom Window around dawn you know it was a good time. They set aside their bikes in favor of a red corvette traveling back to the 80’s with the roof down basking in the Purple Rain. We go to Chi-Town with the fuzzy guitar twirling eliminators hanging out on a bus with Jesus. Then Walk the Dog with the toxic twins of Boston and Scrawl with Mr. Duarte again. Though they’re opening tonight’s show they’re The King Bees playing the blues like they’ve lived the stories of seasoned headliners. But they haven’t ‘weathered’ as many storms as Mr. Vaughan… yet. They might look like the average white blues band but they definitely put some electric gypsy voodoo into their show.

 

Fat Dog

Fat Dog

Fat Dog breaks open the Pearl Jam with an Evenflow of multiple genre gems and classics combined with a Cold Crossfade of collective collectibles that went over cool with the crowd. We get a little dark, deep and introspective with Tool, wait Everlong with Dave Grohl and enlist the crash and burn Bad Company of Johnny. Time for a Journey back in time with some friends from the 80’s Anyway You Want It and a trip to the summer skies of Boston along the way. From Boston to the hair-sprayed dusty old western streets of New Jersey washed in a synthesizer wave of 80’s pop metal where it’s all the same, only the songs change. From the six string streets we go deep in the trenches with The Rooster then Ramble On with Zeppelin. Bassist Nathan Hartley shows off his pipes telling us about love then we get Hot For Teacher and those wonderful grade school memories. They throw out a ‘colourful’ tongue and cheek claim of ownership on the next tune then bust into CM Punk’s favorite theme song. The Good Times, Bad Times keep rolling then everything gets Disturbed by the The Police. The end of the show was a clear Schism of band and crowd. All the pieces fit during the show then they walked off stage.

Straight from the gas guzzling hog wild town of Sturgis comes the raven haired, leather and lace queen of the open road Miss Jasmine Cain. Here to smash your face with a few shots of Jager and a show of originals and covers you’ll want to remember, planting a pretty image in your mind you won’t want to forget. Till the early hours of the morning she weaves her headbanging gothic spell, thrashing out like a mad woman banging out deep soothing, thumping bass lines with attitude and you should hear her scream. Her sound created by red rimmed top hat keyboard playing insanest David Michael Thomas along with her own special traveling band combines the heart of country, the rebel in rock, the dark sinister side of metal with an atmospheric horror movie blend that raises holy Cain.

Jasmine Cain

Jasmine Cain

She blasts into the enchanting nocturnal song of the Nightingale spreading delusional fantasies of hopes and dreams drowned in the wishing well. She breathes out the ice cold embrace of Frostbite then takes us face down in a liquid dream with a Whiskey Kiss. We go back to 1995, a great year to learn to drive and ride officially starting the mileage of life. The engines roar, gasoline and oil burn as we hear the hog-lovers lullaby as she travels down that endless gypsy road the Highway Prophet. She’s a road wise woman with hard living stories spiced with a sweet country slap. An acoustic version was played on QFM’s Arch & Elliot Show the previous morning followed by an appearance at the Columbus Easyrider show. She’s a pretty haunted gothic princess moving under the Evanescence of scattered spotlights, adding her own satin locked touch to Miss Lee’s opus. We get Zombified with a Thunderkiss 30 years before ’95. Whether it’s the whiskey or the past the witching hour, hour talking she’s still got some devil in her lungs proving good loud heavy music is still the ‘international colors’ of the two wheeled roaring beasts. Enter night as the sandman takes over for the Nightingale spreading wicked dreams turning front stage Alrosa into the snakepit. With a cold winter’s moon above Cain is definitely of wolf and woman (and a bit of a Dreamweaver in her own right).

The organ blasted out The Phantoms welcome as the Abbey’s creaky gates opened to a Lady Cain guided tour of Mr. Crowley’s house. Bats on the left, doves on the right, don’t expect to leave tonight. We all yell Hey Man Nice Shot as the drinks pour, she lets out a sensual roar and we keep feeling More Human Than Human. She sings like she’d have your back in a bar fight and flings her bass around playing like she’s its scorned lover. It was time for old Ozzy vs. new Ozzy. It’s just a hand in the bush. Tonight was their first show since November and they’ve had plenty of time to make us their Audioslave. Jasmine reminds us that Life is Beautiful and we’re all the Beautiful People, the beautiful people, in it. She gives us a little bit of a ‘sappy’ Love Song then harnesses the energy to Rage Against the Machine.

As part of the fundraiser, a guitar signed by all performing band members was raffled and won by Derek of Ohio’s Number #1 Biker Magazine Thunder Roads Ohio. After a loudly encouraged encore we got a small slice of Americana from The Boss then saving the enchanting White Winged Dove for the last mesmerizing soulful seduction.

Jasmine Cain has come a long way since being the house band for the Full Throttle Saloon back in 2000. She released her debut album The Inside and title track video in 2004 (wins 2 JPF awards in ’06). Videos for Sweet Euphoria and Help Me are released in ’05. Headlines Easyrider shows three years in a row starting in ’07, releases Locks & Keys in ’08 winning 6 JPF awards for it in ’09 and releases Highway Prophet in 2011 winning Female Rock Vocalist of the year award at the first annual Music City Mayhem Awards. Last year the Highway Prophet video was released and they were nominated for three MCMA awards.

The Make It Fit foundation has spearheaded its push for Autism awareness since November 2011. They’ve worked with professional athletes from MMA, football and baseball also appearing at the Arnold Classic and Mr. Olympia 2011 and 12. They’ve donated to numerous charities including Autism Speaks, The Autism Society of Ohio, Cookies for Ipads, Recreation Unlimited, Oakstone Academy and several more. They’ve also partnered with the owners of White Castle who donated 10 million dollars to further Autism research and also donated to Ohio State University and Nationwide Children’s Hospital in a joint venture called The Ingram Autism Research Center. Make It Fit will also be donating to The Ingram Center this year and to the Tourette Syndrome Society of Ohio, tsaohio.org. An Autism Motorcycle was built by Kip Meeks and Mark Beckner of Beckners Custom Cycles painted by Steve ‘Copperhead’ Stritenberger and taken to conventions/fundraisers/Easyrider shows, viewed by millions and auctioned off last year. The annual Ohio Ride for Autism will roar through Columbus on July 27 and The All About Autism Car Truck and Motorcycle show will be on August 17. The Alrosa Villa hopes to make Amplified Awareness an annual event.

Autism is described as a neural disorder affecting mental, emotional development resulting in impaired social interaction, communication and repetitive behavior. It is one of three disorders in the autism spectrum (ASDs) the other’s being Asperger Syndrome which lacks delays in cognitive/linguistic development but greatly affects social behavior. Pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) is diagnosed when the whole set of criteria for the other two aren’t met. Autism has a strong genetic base and signs are noticed within the first two years of life. Movies with autistic characters include The Boy Who Could Fly, Rain Man, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Bless the Child and Mercury Rising and on TV’s Parenthood, Grey’s Anatomy, House, Law &Order Criminal Minds, The Shield and most recently Touch.

Tourette Syndrome is an inherited mental disorder onset in childhood characterized by multiple physical (motor) and vocal (phonic) tics that come and go and can be temporary suppressed occurring from an oncoming pre-urge. TS is defined as a tic disorder which are sudden, repetitive, body movements, sounds and vocalizations which include sniffing, blinking, facial movements, body jerks and spasms. Audio tics include making noises, involuntary cussing, swearing and other derogatory verbiage, though the tics generally subside with age. TV shows featuring TS characters include Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Sopranos and The Tourette Guy with documentaries Twitch and Shout, last year’s Magic Camp and the film short Harvie Krumpet. The 2008 TV movie Front of the Class is based on the real life story of TS diagnosed Brad Cohen who became a gifted teacher. Depending on your sense of humor TS has also been lampooned in Deuce Bigalow and mentioned in The Wedding Singer. Celebrities with TS include Howie Mandel, Howard Hughes and Dan Aykroyd. May 15-June 15 is national TS awareness month.

Gaelic Storm Comes to Dayton’s Victoria Theatre + TICKET CONTEST

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Gaelic Storm (1)GAELIC STORM returns to the Dayton area on February 20th at 8pm following the July 2011 release of their dazzling #1 Billboard World Album Chicken Boxer, a heavyweight record that comes out swinging with a mix of empowering anthems and traditional ballads. Chicken Boxer is Gaelic Storm’s third album to debut at the #1 sport on the Billboard World Albums Chart, with What’s the Rumpus? and Cabbage preceding it in 2008 and 2010 respectively. It is also the fifth album to be released on the band’s own label, Lost Again records, and shows the songwriting and musicianship of a band that has made their mark bringing fans to their feet two hundred days per year. With their signature acoustic production, GAELIC STORM blends indie-folk and world grooves with Celtic tradition to serve up a ringside seat for fifteen rounds of pugilistic poultry pounding sound. A regular at the Dayton Celtic Festival, GAELIC STORM will perform at the Victoria Theatre for the first time!

gs_logo

Through the course of nine albums, the core of Celtic-rock group Gaelic Storm—frontman Patrick Murphy and guitarist-vocalist Steve Twigger—have lived, written and recorded in the United States, far from the overseas environs of Patrick’s native Ireland and Steve’s birthplace of England. So when it came time to find inspiration for Gaelic Storm’s new album, the group’s chief songwriters decided a trip back across the pond was in order.

The result is the dazzling #1 Billboard World Album Chicken Boxer, a heavyweight record that comes out swinging with a mix of empowering anthems and traditional ballads, and the fifth to be released on the band’s own label, Lost Again Records.

“Twigger and I returned to Ireland, driving around the entire coastline in search of Irish music,” says Patrick. “Going back was great and we got some good stories and ideas for songs.”

“That was a really important trip to us,” agrees Steve, who produced the album with help from Patrick and drummer Ryan Lacey. Steve says the journey back to their musical home informs the new album. “The idea of home is all over Chicken Boxer. Whether home is where you were born or where you make your living, that theme runs throughout the album.”

Rounded out by drummer Ryan, piper Pete Purvis and fiddle player Jessie Burns, Gaelic Storm has earned a reputation as one of the world-music scene’s preeminent Celtic bands. With catalog sales of more than 1 million, the group has now had three albums debut at #1 on the Billboard World Albums Chart. (from GaelicStorm.com)

Tickets are on sale now through Ticket Center Stage for $21 each, and may be purchased at the Ticket Center Stage Box Office in downtown Dayton or by phone, at (937) 228-3630 or toll free (888) 228-3630. Ticket Center Stage hours are Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday, noon – 4 p.m., and two hours prior to each performance. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.ticketcenterstage.com.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coBIkX_3hL8′]

Dayton Most Metro Ticket Contest

We have ONE PAIR OF TICKETS to give away to a lucky reader for the Gaelic Storm concert on Feb. 20th – simply fill out the form below and then leave a comment saying that YOU want to win tickets to see Gaelic Storm from Dayton Most Metro (tag us for extra love).  We’ll announce a winner on Monday Feb. 18 – GOOD LUCK!

CONTEST CLOSED

Congratulations to  Laura Rea!

The Last Waltz: Bringing The Movie To Life

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The Last Waltz

A still image from The Last Waltz

“You never know what to expect when they came on stage.  However you know that it was going to be great.”  This is what Jeff Opt said to me while the two of us sat around inside the Yellow Cab building.  What he was referring to in his statement about of the iconic groups of the 60s, The Band.  Jeff Opt is truly special.  He is one of the main coordinators of the yearly event Dayton Sideshow, an annual two day event that highlights the unique art that is being done in town.  Each year, the Sideshow will have a theme to the exhibition that will include a variety of work, which includes video, sculptures, paintings, photography, and live music from local bands.  What the Sideshow aims to do is to help individuals obtain a platform to show off their creations, and also to celebrate the local art scene.  If you haven’t been to one of the previous shows, do yourself a favor and check it out this year during the spring Urban Nights event, which will be taking place in May.  While sitting at the Yellow Cab building, Opt talked about the joys of helping others achieve their dreams.  “It’s a passion of mine.  I love being able to help others.”

For a couple of years, Opt had been dreaming of doing a show that recreated The Last Waltz, the final concert that The Band would perform as a group on November 25, 1976 at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco (the same venue the group made its debut in 1969).  The Band comprised of Rick Danko (vocals, trombone, bass, fiddle), Levon Helm (drums, mandolin, guitar, vocals), Garth Hudson (keyboard, trumpet, saxophone), Richard Manuel (piano, drums, saxophone) and Robbie Robertson (guitar vocals).  The Band was a hybrid of many musical influences, with the Americana folk sound blending in with the psychedelic traits that bands from Cream to Led Zeppelin were built on.  The statement mentioned earlier by Opt was true.  The Band wasn’t the most polished group to come to the stage, but you always were in awe of the way they played music.  It was beautiful how they would bring all these different components into their music.

Sadly, with Robertson wanting to have the group become strictly a studio-only band due to the exhaustion of always being on the road, along with Manuel suffering a severe neck injury after a boating accident, the group decided their to disband and have a farewell concert that will have some of the artists and bands that influenced them along the way, with a large horn section backing them. During the concert, artists from Eric Clapton, to Neil Young, to Bob Dylan performed as well.  The show was filmed by director Martin Scorsese.  In 1978, Scorsese released the documentary of the same name as the show, The Last Waltz.  The movie featured concert performances, and interviews with the band.  The Last Waltz is hailed as one of the greatest concert films ever made in many circles you talk to.  On February 24th, Opt’s vision of bringing the show to town will become reality.  “It is one of my favorite movies.  I just think that it’s cool watching this great band play one last time.  I thought it would be cool to recreate that movie.”

 

An all-star lineup of Dayton musicians rehearses for Such A Night in the Old Yellow Cab Building

An all-star lineup of Dayton musicians rehearses for Such A Night in the Old Yellow Cab Building

Such A Night: A Celebration of The Band’s Last Waltz will be taking place at the legendary jazz club Gilly’s Niteclub, located on 132 S. Jefferson Street, in Dayton, Ohio.  Close to thirty local musicians along with an eight piece horn section will bring the awe-inspiring film to life.  “All these musicians are excited about being part of this project”, explained Opt.  “Most of these guys have never played together.  So, to see this coming together is really cool.” Opt has been working on this project since last October/November, calling up people that he knew would be great for the show.  Each member will tell you one thing when it comes to the show, including Opt, “This show is going to blow some minds.”

The evening will not only be producing excellent live music, but it’s also going to be helping a cause that is going to help a great deal of people.  All the proceeds from people walking in will go to one of the Miami Valley’s great nonprofit organizations, The Foodbank.  Since 1976, The Foodbank has been helping a network of food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, and backpack programs among others.  Being the largest hunger relief agency in the Dayton area, a single dollar will be able to provide eight meals to the hungry.  Nearly 5,000,000 meals a year are provided to children, adults, and the elderly.  It’s just another gesture of gratitude that Opt gives of himself.  “I am firm believer in helping others.  I want to be a good role model for my kids.”

The buzz of Such A Night: A Celebration of The Band’s Last Waltz has been astonishing.  The show was kept under wraps until the past couple of weeks.  It’s now gotten to the point where a small amount of advanced tickets are able to be purchased.  “I didn’t want to have a lot of people not be able to get to see the show.  So by doing just a limited number of advanced tickets, it just gives people a chance to come and watch, and not be turned down”, Opt said.  Opt believes strongly that the show will be something that people will be talking about for days after.  He hopes that maybe if all goes well, maybe we will do something like this again next year and beyond. “I was asked about doing The Who’s Tommy.  I think that would be cool, but let’s get Such A Night out of the way first (laughs)”, Opt mentioned.  Something tells me that Such A Night is truly just the beginning.

Such A Night: A Celebration of The Band’s Last Waltz  once again is on February 24th.  Show time is 7:30pm, and admission is $5.  Donations will be accepted at the door.

Video from the original “The Waltz”

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_csn7KtVeOU’]

The Attic Celebrates Its Final Night

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Saturday January 26th over 700 kids jammed the Attic’s positive space to be part of the venues final loud shout out of all day music marathon. 15 bands played the Hot Head Burrito and main stage in door festival starting at 2:30 with States Away and finishing 8 hours later with Beneath the Sky. Bands sandwiched in between included Ignite the Empires, Strangers to Wolves, Witness, The Holy Guile and Hail to the King amongst others.

Event vendors No Where To Go Clothing also donated half the evenings proceeds to The Attic. A raffle was held for a signed Miss May I framed poster by Rockstar Energy, a Woe Is Me signed poster, CD and drumsticks and a Texas in July CD.

States Away

States Away

The day started with the high energy of States Away playing human bumper car on stage as they cranked out their pop punk set including I Tried so hard and Mean What You Say. Corey Davis’ Gerard Way influenced vocals carried the band’s sound. Formed in early 2012 they released their self-titled EP in June and plan on recording, playing shows and depending on the kindness of strangers for sleeping quarters on the road.

In Current Standing opened up the first set of heavy agonized screams, growls and a little calm singing mixed in, including some atmospheric laptop tech effects. Guitarist Trevor Strahans skull guitar breathed out some death heavy tunes including Virtues that prompted the day’s first ‘dance’ moves.

Ignite the Empires crash the stage banging heads with some Cheap Wine. The Attic Alumni return from previous shows including opening for A Plea For Purging to play and Piss Off the crowd with their own brand of loud, aggressive in your face noise. They played the guitar intricacies of Miles of Expectations like a thief in the night then told the tale of Xanie Annie before finishing off in a cartoonish manner playing a select tune for all the Family Guy fans.

We take a short acoustic break with the pierced soothing songs sung by rebellious Kevin Brewer including the Foo Fighters’ Hero.

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Strangers to Wolves

Strangers to Wolves brought their snarling pop metal predatory music next. Silver bullets and fang prosthetics aside their sound echo’s the cold dark woods where the howls come from after midnight. They play an 80’s tribute to their namesake historical rival Lost Boys while sporting some hairy wolfish mullets. The night was guitarist Marcus Springer’s second show with the pack. A new EP will be coming out in March with the single Second Star on the Right.

It could be said that Permission to Live are just a bunch of good hearted, fun loving hard edged, hard wood surfer punks riding the wave to future success. A few new tunes in, they pay homage to Taylor Swift, say Final Goodbyes half way through and get a little Smashmouth bringing some VIP’s on stage to celebrate.

Can we get a Witness please? What we get are a bunch of loud, scream/singing loud blokes blending a computer enhanced sound with a warped mixture of pop sound and legit heavy metal cannon fire. Their opener off the Of Great Importance EP spreads F.E.A.R. throughout the building as they played crowd control during The Ledger, a cheery song dealing with the grief and sadness of loss; check out the video on YouTube.

Lammes Lane performed half their set under the man-made flashing light nightshade and stage mist resembling pillaging and plundering shadowed Viking warriors. They play their music like primal animals no matter Who’s at the Zoo. Their hard thrashing sound accompanied by Obituary meets Death vocals brought the crowd up and over the stage for Showtime. Though their music is Yet to be Scene, their debut CD will be available this spring.

 

Witness

Witness

We Are Forever from Indianapolis brought out the special lighting for their 2nd visit. All the girls screamed as they played tunes from their first record Seasons featuring Lights including Make It Through. Their sound is pretty upbeat pop with a high energy presentation.

Grim State play their music down in the heavy drudges and cold earthen woods where they bring us Creeps, Sheep and Deadbeats. Only songs like Solitude and Valor are slow and trudgy enough to come from the darkest forgotten holler. Also songs like Madness, Illness and Torn show just how Volatile and Unstable these Dayton boys are.

Remember When is a five-some power pop band riding high on the momentum of their Save Your Wishes EP, touring with bands such as Miss May I and their new EP He Said, She Said played with high pop precession.

The next act starts with a pretty Cool Story about a band from around these here parts somewhere. They spread their Holy Guile all over the damn place with wicked spewing venom vocals on full rotation, blasting drums, a unique unsuspected cathedral, turntable effects conglomerate with inserted black metal and techno elements to trans-mutate into a chaotic gelatinous mass of metal love and torture. Imagine a holy conversion by Dani Filth backed by Crowbar cranked to hyperdrive. The next songs called Hey Zeus, Yeah, Zeus! As in, father of Apollo? Mt. Olympus? Don’t mess with them or they’ll shove a lightning bolt somewhere special, Zeus! And you better not have a problem with that. All’s good but noisy tonight in Idahoe.

When imagining Hail to the King, think of Fear Factory with an even more pissed off sounding Burton C. Bell in the form of Kody Hale meets Meshuggah, intensity like a thousand screaming armies and aggressive insanity like the screaming mind of a raging psychotic. Hell explodes raining hails of inner earth onto the ground, through the acrid smoke and debris Hail to the King emerge. They clamp on an iron clad Contagion Clasp and Go for the Throat with a malevolent decimation of sound and some nice melancholy guitar notes. They bring everyone together, pit by pit. They play the lovely sounding Starletta then Saud Ahmed of The Holy Guile came out to help harmonize on one of their louder tunes. They thank the crowd with a final pummeling Gutshot shaking the ribs and rumbling organs.

Cincy’s bloody birds pecking at the body of Christ celebrate their second record A Feast for Crows on Victory records with a pretty Portrait of American Greed. There’s Blood in the Water as the ship goes down and those self-made glorious pompous pulpit Monuments crumble to oblivion. A Glorious new song is heralded before we finish with bitterness and hope of Marilyn courtesy of Corpus Christi.

Pastor Kilby address the crowd

Pastor Kilby address the crowd

A reunion show for the Cincinnati metal growlers as they celebrate everything Beneath the Sky with a packed house of tired but hungry for more metal heads is The Reason they’ll are still here. It’d be a Grave Mistake to leave now being it’s the first time the original lineup played since 2007 and not celebrate to the end. The uncomfortably themed and videoed Terror Starts at Home is followed by a Gunsmoke Kiss for the Goodfellas. We spend ten minutes at the users ball before we find an evening partner before Last Call. They talk about Miss Misery and a tale of near death from the Northside. They mourn a friend at 7861 Blackthorne Drive and finish taking us on Our Last Road as sadly The Attic finishes its decade plus road of the area’s best talent.

Though there’s no set timeframe Pastor Kilby has promised that the Attic concept, theme and everything that made it a great hang out for kids will return in the form of another building or venue depending on when some new positive space becomes available.

Special thanks for on the spot event info, go-to guy the prosperous ‘Mr. Tree’.

Jazz Spotlight: WDPS-FM + Upcoming Jazz Feb. 13-26

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Happy February 13th; Jazz saxophonist Wardell “the thin man” Gray was born on this day in 1921, he was a major contributor to one of the great periods of jazz creativity that ushered in modern jazz. Check out Wikipeda at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wardell_Gray for more information.

wdpsJazz Spotlight: WDPS-FM (Support our local Jazz Educators)

WDPS-FM is Dayton’s only jazz radio station. A non-commercial radio station; however, they do accept underwriting. They broadcast from the new David H. Ponitz Career Technology Center in downtown Dayton. The station is staffed by students and the following volunteers: Clay “The Cooker” Collins, Paul and Patti Gehred, Charles “The Ice Man” Stone, Kyle Fisk and Amanda Romero, Slammin’ Steve Wilson, Clifford Darrett, Jim Woodford, Mike Reisz, George Balog, Jazz Cat & Deb, ChrisSmith and program manager Chris “Hippie” Hartley.

(From Ken Kreitzer, communications team leader and station manager):

4 years ago as we were preparing to move to our new studios at the David H. Ponitz career technology center. We decided to make a change in the format of the district’s radio station. When exploring the radio dial in Dayton I found that there was an underserved group of listeners; Jazz was just not getting its due in Dayton radio.

I made the announcement that The Dayton Public Schools’ radio station would become “All Jazz All the Time.” To begin to promote the new format I sought the advice of two people, Ron Gable of Jazz Advocate and Clay “The Cooker” Collins. After our first meeting we formed a partnership that i feel has benefited the Dayton Schools, Jazz Advocate and the local Dayton Jazz Scene. That partnership has sprouted many projects including, work with the Gabriel Foundation, hundreds of hours of on air promotion of local jazz events, free Jazz Listener Appreciation Concerts and much more.

One of the most noted outgrowths of that initial meeting is Clay “The Cooker” Collins being back on the radio in Dayton! Clay is an incredible talent who volunteers to be on the air each weekday and assist with the training of our students in radio broadcasting. Just the ability to interact with someone of his caliber and experience is a tremendous advantage for Dayton students. At the end of the day WDPS is still a teaching tool of the Dayton Public Schools. Students in The Radio & Television Broadcasting Class at Ponitz work on all aspects of running the radio station and web stream. From on air talent, to spot production, to preparing the broadcast logs. It is all about the students! Giving them exposure to Jazz is a great thing! They come to us thinking they will not like Jazz and leave our program with jazz favorites and a bit of knowledge of the jazz greats.

I encourage everyone to listen to WDPS-FM 89.5 Monday through Friday from 9:15 until 4:30 and 24 hours a day on WDPSFM.com.

Jazz Calendar

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

Wednesday, February 13 – Jazz Central presents Blue Wednesday with Jack & Joe Waters and you can Swing Dance with Lizz & Rex Review at the Dayton Event Connection.

Thursday February 14 – James & Moore is at C’est Tout Bistro in Oakwood and CityFolk presents Grace Kelly at Gilly’s inDayton.

Friday February 15 – The Microcosm Trio is at Season’s Bistro & Grille in Springfield and the Classic Jazz Stompers are at Jay’s Seafood in Dayton.

Saturday February 16 – Ron Jones Quartet is at Cincinnati Public Library Atrium and Dave Bixler Quartet is at the Blue Wisp inCincinnati.

Sunday February 17 – the Jazz Education Connection Jazz Jam will be held at Jimmy’s Ladder 11 and the Jam Session w/ Kenny Baccus continues at Jazz Central.

Monday February 18 – Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra is at the Clintonville Woman’s Club in Columbus and the John Taylor Trio is at the Brio Tuscan Grille in Beavercreek.

Tuesday February 19 – the Hot Club of Detroit is at the University of Dayton Boll Theatre and the Part St. Tavern Jazz Jam continues in Columbus.

Wednesday February 20 – Todd Hepburn is at Arnold’s Bar & Grill and the Blue Wisp Big Band is at the Wisp both in Cincinnati.

Thursday February 21 – the Gererations Big Band returns to Jazz Central in Dayton and Jazz Night with Mike Teckenbrock Trio is at Spinoza’s in Beavercreek.

Friday February 22 – Shawn Stanley Trio is at Carvers Steaks & Chops in Centerville, OH and Marc Fields New Quintet are at the Thompson House in Newport, Ky.

Saturday February 23 – Boudin’s Bistro & Jazz Club presents the Bobby Floyd Trio and Andrew Waters – Smooth Jazz is at the Eastern Palace Restaurant both in Columbus.

Sunday February 24 – Phil DeGreg Trio is at the MidPointe Library in Middletown and theres at Jazz Jam at Victory’s inColumbus..

Monday February 25 – a Jazz Jam hosted by Sandy Suskind Quartet is at the Blue Wisp in Cincinnati and Mark Flugge, Derek Dicenzo & Jimmy Castoe are at Due Amici in Columbus.

Tuesday February 26 – Ed Moss & the Society Jazz Orchestra are at the Schwartz Point Jazz Club and Jazz Cab is at The Greenwich both in Cincinnati.

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

Team Void: Dayton’s Own Lucha Libre

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Before you start to dive into the article, please start the music…

The Mexican culture has various lures to it.  From the Meso-American ruins that cover all around the land, the fantastic climate that awaits you at any time, to the rich beauty of the country’s art.  Mexico is a true gem to the world that we live in.  One of the country’s most unique, interesting, and pleasurable attributes that it brings is the history of the lucha libre.

The lucha libre (aka luchador) is Spanish term for “free fighting” in the wrestling community.  The luchador travels all around the countryside getting rid of the crime and corruption that plagued the townspeople.  The masked hero would showcase an aerial display of high-flying maneuvers, along with a dazzling display of moves learned from the Greco-Roman wrestling world.  In 1942, El Santo (“The Saint”) came to the ring and changed the complexion of the masked fighters.  During his career, which spanned over 50 years, El Santo became a huge star in and out of the ring, becoming the symbol of the lucha libres all around Mexico, with several movies and comic books with him as the subject.  That appreciation has landed here in Dayton, Ohio with the lucha libre’s of rock and roll Team Void.

Team Void comprises of lead guitarist Louie Bean Lerma (“El Muerto”), bassist El Bean Lerma (“Infinity”), rhythm guitarist Nate Beam (“Cruzado”), Jon Mercier on drums (“Johnny X”), Gregory Hall (“Blaster”) on trumpet and keyboard.  Team Void also has a couple of musicians as part of the ‘Lucha Superstars’-Gary King (“Slide”) on trombone, Derek Strouse (“Sandman”)  on drums, and on congos Greg Schultz (“La Marmota”).  The band’s trademark is the lucha libre masks that they wear while they are playing live.  “It’s something that you have to get used to”, Beam mentions. “It takes some time, without question.”  El sums it up nicely. “We become part of a role when we wear the mask.  It’s fun and exciting.” The masks, along with the meaning behind the band’s name are simple: “We won’t to make sure that we void the problems that cause bands to not last.  We want to have a corrupt free style with us”, Louie stated.  Seeing the band will throw you off at first, seeing everyone in their character modes, but you quickly adjust.  It’s seeing them without the masks that will catch you off guard. “We have had people at our shows not realize that we just played on stage”, Gregory says.  “One guy saw me at the bar, and started talking about how the band on stage sounded good.  He totally didn’t realize that I was part of the band.  So, I just agreed.  We find it funny.”  No lie-it took me to have a second look also when I first saw the band live.

To understand how the band got together, we have to go back years ago.  In the 90s, Louie was heavy involved with the music scene in the Dayton area, being in two bands that are forever engraved in the town’s history.  He played in one group The Tasties, and he was in The Amps.  The Amps was fronted by The Breeders lead singer, and local native Kim Deal.  The band saw some success nationally, opening for Foo Fighters and playing on ‘Late Night with Conan O’Brien’ show.  However, it was directing, and editing that sparked Louie’s interest more.  As time went on, Louie met his wife El at Canal Street Tavern.  Then, Louie and El met the band throughout the next couple of years.  The group of friends started playing music together, and realized that they had something special.  When you spend 10 minutes with them its crystal clear of the chemistry. They spoke of the time the band went overseas and played (they have a pretty nice size following over the pond).  They joked around about setting up an organ in the headquarters.  They spoke highly of the love of Dayton, and how it’s exciting to be seeing the music scene going through rejuvenation.

There is one unique aspect of the band that you don’t see much anywhere is that they don’t have a lead singer on the band.  In fact there isn’t any singing on their songs.  “We didn’t want to have any singing in our music because we want to have people just enjoy what they are listening to”, explained Louie to me during my meeting with the band.  “We felt with the music we were creating, we didn’t want to have one lead person in the band.  We want people to just take in the music.  By having someone singing, it just distracts you from that.”  The band’s first EP, Gone With The Werewolves is a perfect example of how this concept works.  Each member brings their own specialty into the mix, presenting a surf rock opus with layers of Mexican influence that simply will stop you at your tracks.  The EP also offers the listener sound bites of what appears like they are taken from classic horror films from the 70s.  Gone With The Werewolves is utterly mind blowing with the level of detail.  The lucha libre vibe appears on each song, especially when you hear the playing of the trumpet and trombone.  Listening to the EP, you also feel grateful that there isn’t any singing.  It would simply take away from the dance that the band is executing.  The EP is a shy under 20 minutes, which only leaves you wanting more.

Currently, Team Void is working on their new album, Robot Killer.  The album was intended to be an EP, but the band feels that all the music they are laying down is too good to leave out.  “Get ready for this album.  It’s going to blow some minds”, Beam glowingly stated to me.  After listening to Gone With The Werewolves, I can’t help but agree.  To see the band live, you have a couple of times here soon.  This Saturday at Omega Music at 6, the band will be performing with Five Year Mission, and Sport Fishing USA.  On February 16th at South Park Tavern, Team Void will be hitting the same on the same night with The Madeira.  These are two shows that you simply can not miss.