Cincinnati Blues Society: Winter Blues Festival Sells Out

Feb 1, 2011 by classicgrrl

This past Friday and Saturday The Cincinnati Blues Society had their annual Winter Blues Festival at the Southgate House.  Speaking briefly with Mary Beth Weaver and James Czar Saturday night, Friday was a near sell out at 550 tickets and Saturday was a sell out at 650 tickets.  The festival sold out last year as well but tickets went quicker this year and some were turned away at the door.

The festival was jammed on Saturday night with all three stages of the Southgate House literally pounding.  The hallways were smoky, hot and so crowded people had difficulty moving and most just stayed at one stage especially if you they were lucky enough to get a seat.  The crowd reflected the musicians and bands in that  it was racially mixed; something of a rarity in Cincinnati.  The typical age range was older too killing the notion that only the younger set get out in Cincinnati. 

I saw one act on each stage catching  The Gearshifts  in Junie’s Lounge, Voodoo Puppet in the Parlor and Miss Lissa & Company in the ballroom.   One thing that suprised me about each of these bands is the depth of the vocals.  Usually I dislike vocals in jazz or blues bands preferring that the instruments and players take center focus.  All three bands had fantastic vocals with Miss Lissa channeling Etta James including growls and skating on the low end of the scales.  She really poured herself out on stage gasping for air at the end of her set and the band sported several original tunes which can be found on their Facebook and MySpace pages.

Voodoo Puppet KILLED in the Parlor rocking so hard the floor shook. The beer bottles on the table next to me kept vibrating themselves into my lap. Once again, strong vocals made for a great set and the band has recorded their first original tune which was my favorite.  You can listen/download it on their website and it is featured on the compilation CD availabe at the Blues Society website.

The Gearshifts ruled Junie’s Lounge with outstanding horns featuring Rick Tolbert on Trombone (a top bone player from San Francisco) and Dr. Scott Belck on trumpet, Director of Jazz Studies for CCM.  The Gearshifts were formed by Jerry Linger who talked with me a moment via phone:

“The Gearshifts were formed in 2004 in Pittsburgh and have since gone through 8 drummers and 3 bassists finally ending on our current lineup.  We have one player who drove in from Pittsburgh but the others are from Cincinnati. I’ve personally been playing for over 35 years on lead guitar, double bass and trumpet.  We have recorded one original tune, “The Love Doctor” but intend to do more as we are preparing for the Cincinnati Blues Challenge. Recording as a band is our next step and sound clips will be available on  our website.”

As mentioned earlier, the compilation CD is available on the Cincinnati Blues Society website and proceeds go to Blues in the Schools (BITS).

read more

Happy Invasion Day or Reconsidering Columbus Day

Oct 11, 2010 by Loki

Today is Columbus Day (observed), the day we honor the explorer who discovered America back in 1492. The question is how much of that commonly accepted history is factual and how much honor should we actually bestow on Columbus? By the time one gets out of high school the name Leif Erikson is known for getting here first (by about 500 years), and that is only the beginning.

Let us start with this message from Reconsider Columbus Day.

You see, I’ve had good fortune in my life. I’ve had access and encouragement in delving into the darker side of history, something I always find fascinating. I’ve also had a number of Native American friends over the years. Socialization and information have changed my perspective a lot as time has gone by. The message above is one I view as important. To help substantiate that position and provide food for thought I’d like to share the following short videos.

First is a Cherokee industrial band called Corporate Avenger. Like the Dead Kennedys they refuse to pull any punches, getting their message across in no uncertain terms. This excerpt from the band’s wikipedia entry should help communicate their views:

Spike and Adawee have stated in the past that they do not attempt to speak for all Native American people and only speak for themselves, but the band uses their music to reveal their truth about America’s past. Songs like ’20 Dollar Bill’ and ‘Christians Murdered Indians’ provide historical analysis about what was done to the Native Americans at the hands of both early English settlers and Spanish Christian invaders.

Be warned there are a few F-Bombs in this so it is definitely Not Safe For Work (NSFW). As you listen to the lyrics and spoken word portions make sure to read the parade of substantiating facts that parade through the video.

If you pay attention to history there is no doubt that the native population of our continent has suffered gravely in the wake of Columbus. A legacy that not only reflects poorly on us as a nation, and our values, but also one that sadly continues into the present day.

If you have doubt of this I ask you to read up on the Trail of Tears. Here is another Corporate Avenger tune talking about just that, it’s called $20 Bill. The reference is to the fact that Andrew Jackson is on the twenty, the man associated with not only forcing many tribes from their lands but also with the distribution of smallpox infested blankets during their exodus. The chorus is “If Hitler was on the twenty dollar bill, how would the Jews feel?”

Then there is Blackfire. A Dine, or as we call them Navajo, power trio. I have the great honor to cal these three friends. We met shortly after my wife and I started living together when she told me she had some friends coming in town who needed crash space. At the time I was producing shows so having bands crash at the house was not uncommon in those days.

That is how I met Klee, Klayson, and Janeeda Benally. I have rarely had the good fortune to cross paths with such good people. Integrity, passion, a thirst for justice, and enough musical talent to knock your socks off.  Their passion for preserving their tribe’s dying language bridges into their music, and I must say that Dine chants and loud, crunchy guitar work go together brilliantly!

The last video is one of their more recent ones- (Silence) is a Weapon.

Soak this stuff in. This is a view of America that is authentic and all to often swept under the rug.

Since 1971 we have celebrates Christopher Columbus on this day. Yet “Columbus’s claim to fame isn’t that he got there first,” explains historian Martin Dugard, “it’s that he stayed.” Take a good think about the legacy that he left and you might just reconsider Columbus Day.

[This article is crossposted on HumidCity.com]

read more

MPMF – Make It A 5 Way

Sep 21, 2010 by classicgrrl

Yesterday I posted my top do not miss out of towners:

1. Brent Reed
2. Shoreline Dream
3. Filligar
4. Surfer Blood
5. Scotland Yard Gospel Choir
6. Confuctive Alliance
7. Aficionado

This time it’s the do not miss list of in-towners:  In order:

Messerly & Ewing – Thursday, Arnolds 9:00 PM

The cornerstone of the indie original music scene in Cincinnati.  They consist of Mark Messerly, Brian Ewing, Sean Rhiney and Bill Donabian.  Mark and Brian have been wrtiting and playing together for nearly 15 years and the depth of their songwriting shows it – they are simply the best songwriters in the city.  The Last 12 Hours is a killer record if you can find it.  Mark Messerly played in Clabbergirl with Sean and also plays in Wussy.  Bill D. played with Clabbergirl (keyboard) and Rockets to Mars (drums). Everyone knows the story of Sean and Bill starting MPMF 9 years ago; they helped turn this town from a cover into an original.  It doesn’t hurt that they are the absolute salt of the earth.  Starting MPMF without M & E is akin to starting an engine without gas – not possible. 

Can someone PLEASE get them to finish their new record?

Chocolate Horse – Saturday, Below Zero 10:00 PM

Part of the fabulous All Night Party showcase, these guys hail from the ashes of one of the top Cincinnati bands of all time – Readymaid.  Eclectic and superb musicianship is the Horse in a nutshell. 

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgaXwsCAJ1o 

You, You’re Awesome – Thursday, Cincinnati Club 10:30 PM

Yusef and Kevin met on the Woxy.com message boards and have been causing mayhem and mischief ever since.  Beyond talented, this duo makes for an electronic experiment which should probably be featured in video games rather than on a stage.  Lucky for us, it is on a stage.

 httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X2tgei1nHM

 The Harlequins – Friday, Blue Wisp 9:30 PM

I first heard the Harlequins open for Blood Sugar at Northside Tavern.  They were raw but exhibited strong songwriting.  I thought if they could hold it together and practiced they would make for a very decent garage rock band.  They did and they have…

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jqQqfSkA_0

Daughters and Sons – Friday, Mr. Pitiful’s 12:00 AM

The most danceable band in Cincinnati?  Maybe or maybe not but the musicianship is outstanding and the instrumentation is hard not to like-no videos yet but you can check out their music via facebook: Daughters and Sons

read more

Music, Music, Music!!

Sep 20, 2010 by classicgrrl

First of all, there is a band you MUST see out of Austin, TX tomorrow night at the Mad Hatter in Covington, KY at 8:00 PM called Quiet Company.  Quiet Company is Taylor Muse, Thomas Blank, Matt Parmenter with Jeff Weathers on drums.  Matt is from Cincinnati and played in the infamous and phenomenal hard rock outfit SemiAutomatic.  Matt plays bass and piano; did I say play?  More like wail.  I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Matt bang his heart out on the ivories in an intimate setting – honestly he is one of the better piano players I’ve seen in these parts.

This may be the last time you can see them for under $50.  They are THAT good and are blowing up as I type this.  Currently on a US tour (affter completing a tour of the UK) to support their new EP “Songs for Staying In” and their full length “Everyone You Love Will Be Happy Soon”, they have featured on Jersey Shore and a whole mountain of other places I’m not even going to bother to list including Mtv.

One thing:  the band’s guitars were stolen in TX shortly before their tour.  When you click on their website there is a popup asking for donations; simply click on the X in the right hand corner to close if you like.

You can follow them on twitter @QuietCompanyTX and you can follow Matt @tormenter.  Tormenter was Matt’s old moniker on Cincy Music Online. He’s also responsible for getting me hooked on Jamison. Rat bastard.

Modern Man Video

Second of all:  MPMF!

After listening to the majority of the bands (I skipped Cincinnati locals – there is simply too many) here is my bucket list and finalized schedule.  I’ll only be able to attend Thursday night due to volunteering as a venue lead Friday and Saturday.  I will be blogging about my volunteer experience afterwards as this is the first time since 2004 I have participated as a volunteer.   

This is by NO means perfect - AND more than likely I will change it.  I have bolded those that I would absolutely NOT miss. 

Thursday:

9:00 PM Brent Reed - Fountain Square

9:30 PM A Shoreline Dream – Main Event

10:30 PM Van Dyke Parks – Blue Wisp

11:00 PM Shonen Knife – CAC

Friday:

7:00 PM Filligar – Fountain Square

9:30 PM Secret Show – Cincinnati Club

10:30 PM Drink Up Buttercup – Know Theatre

11:30 PM Surfer Blood – Cincinnati Club

12:30 AM Scotland Yard Gospel Choire – Main Event

Saturday:

9:15 PM Conductive Alliance – Courtyard Cafe

10:00 PM Aficionado – Washington Platform

11:00 PM Black Owls – Jack Potts

11:30 PM Place to Bury Strangers – CAC

The Bucket List:

Place to Bury Strangers

Best Coast

Shoreline Dream

Aaron Daniel

Aficioonady

Barnaby Bright

Black Owls

Blue Cut

Boutros

Brent Reed

Conductive Alliance

Drink Up Buttercup

Elf Power

Evan Holmes with Exit Ghost

Fang Island

Filligar

Gold Metal

Ha Ha Tonka

Male Bonding

Light Pollution

Jason and the Scorchers

Josiah Wolf

Lower Dens

Unicycle Loves You

Surfer Blood

Young Republic

Shonen Knife

Van Dyke Parks

Candy Claws

Caravan of Thieves

The Strange Boys

Scottland Yard Gospel Choir

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists

Brighton, MA

Monkeytonk

read more

The Future of the Cincy Music Scene – John Yung

Sep 16, 2010 by classicgrrl

Guest post by John Yung who graciously attended the ‘call to action’ at Play to Play in Silverton and was kind enough to summerize the event.  During the next few weeks, readers will notice music posts to coincide with the Midpoint Music Festival.  Thank you John!

On Thursday September 9^th, musicians, promoters, booking agents and others gathered at Play by Play  in Silverton to express their concerns regarding the state of our local scene. Hosted by Geoff Weissenberger of Revolving Door Productions, Frank Morris, owner of Play By Play Cafe, Rome Ntukogu of Far-I-Rome Productions, Chris Schmidt the Sound Engineer for The Mad Frog, and Rick Always of Urban Pioneer Promotions, the meeting was described by Frank Morris as, “an open forum, is what we really want this to become.” 

The intent of the meeting was to discuss ideas for saving the independent music scene in Cincinnati.  The local scene has generated successful artists from Over The Rhine to Bad Veins and The Seedy Seeds but cooperation between artists, promoters and booking agents has been waning as bars and venues turn to cover bands or reduce the number of independent acts by having more alternative events during weekdays.  “It’s been a long time since we’ve been a community,” said co-organizer Chris Schmidt, “and I hope everyone has a lot of opinions”.  After the introductions, people had the chance to submit comments to the comment box and to meet other people in the scene and network.

After about an hour, the group reviewed the submitted questions.  One of the main concerns brought up was about bringing in more people to shows.  Frank Morris addressed this concern, “Work on doing the things before, getting your friends out to shows, getting limited shows…if you play so much that someone can see you whenever they want, it’s not going to help your draw.”  Other concerns addressed included encouraging venues to book more acts and concerns about cover bands.

In summation, the questions addressed many of the concerns of the musicians and indentified the overall state of the scene.  As co-organizer Rome Ntukogu put it, “Our Cincinnati scene is super cliquey.  It’s like Northside bands don’t play in Clifton, Clifton bands don’t play in Northside, OTR bands don’t play in West Side, West Side bands don’t play in Newport.  It’s ridiculous.” 

The meeting resulted with the creation of a Facebook page called Cincinnati Music Scene, which will serve to continue the discussion as well as an outlet where musicians and venues can promote their shows and network with other members of the music community.  In closing Frank Morris stated, “The best way to do it is to get on the forum and open it up to everything.” 

read more