Dayton: Bands to Watch 2007

Bands to watch for in 2007
By Richard O Jones and Eric Robinette
Dayton Journal-News Staff Writers
Friday, January 19, 2007
MySpace.com and other Web sites promoting bands from those that practice in an uncle's garage to the ones we see at the Grammys helped us determine just what we want to hear this year. Big or small, the Internet streamed to us the bands we thought should be forwarded to you.
Local venues continue to play a major role in giving ground to rockers. You'll find these bands anywhere from the Southgate House in Newport to Barb's Pub in Middletown and beyond. We like their sound, their quality and their determination.
Give it up for the bands to watch in 2007, and do yourself a favor — add them to your online friends lists.
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TUPELO HONEY
acoustic/folk/rock
"Cincinnati's answer to the Wreckers"
About them: Ft. Thomas, Ky., high school classmates Heather Turner and Katie Wefer started playing guitar together to get themselves through some nasty break-ups. After winning $100 in a talent competition at Austin City Saloon in Lexington, Ky., singing "Sweet Child O' Mine," the duo began gigging together. Last March, an open mic slot at Cincinnati's Courtyard Cafe garnered the attention of Kelly Thomas and the Rivertown Music Club, who helped them put together a full band. Recording is in progress and the band expects to have a CD ready by the summer. Catch them Monday at the Poison Room and Feb. 2 at the second "One More Girl On a Stage" event at the Southgate House.
URL: myspace.com/tupelohoneyz
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DCOMPOZD
rap
"Telling it like it is"
About them: The Middletown-born-and-based rapper writes and records his own tunes, and is working on new material for 2007. These include two mix tapes, "Your Not 2 Sicc", and "M.O.B. Mix Tape Vol. 1." He may also turn out his second full-length album, called "Middletown You Have the Right to Remain Violent."
URL: myspace.com/DcompozD.
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JONUH
rock/pop punk/indie
"The heartbeat revealed through song"
About them: Jonuh started in 2005 with three best friends that share the same passion for writing and performing music. Jonuh will be touring throughout 2007 and promoting their self-titled CD, which was released last October, and hope to record another sometime this year. "Our basic goal is to keep getting our name out not just in Cincinnati but around the country through lots of hard work and plenty of shows," said drummer Michael Maher. See Jonuh Jan. 28 at the Poison Room in Cincinnati or Feb. 9 at the Underground in Fairfield/Forest Park.
URL: jonuh.com
myspace.com/jonuhmusic
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A NERVOUS WRECK
rock/metal
"Back to basics, no apologies"
About them: In three short years, A Nervous Wreck has become Cincinnati's resident metal opening act, warming up crowds for Firehouse, Warrent, L.A. Guns, The Bullet Boys, Stryper, Jackyl and Faster Pussycat, just to name a few. "Our band is a mix of old Motley Crue/Guns N' Roses/L.A. Guns/Faster Pussycat/Skid Row all rolled into one with our own flare added," says the band's MySpace bio. "We are not a glam band by any means but we don't shy away from our influences either." A Nervous Wreck's first full-length CD is due out early this year. Now touring regionally, the next area gig will be Feb. 15 at The New Rhino's, 11473 Chester Road, Cincinnati.
URL: myspace.com/anervouswreck
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THE TURNBULL ACS
alternative/rock
"Twisted tales of hospitals, hearses and true love"
About them: The Turnbull ACs started in mid-2005 by vocalist and songwriter Dan Mecher, formerly of the Denials. The band created an immediate splash, earning Cincinnati Entertainment Award nominations for new artist of the year and singer/songwriter of the year. Since then, the Turnbull ACs have participated in two MidPoint Music Fest showcases and unleashed its first full-length, self-titled CD last May. See The Turnbull ACs Saturday at the Southgate House.
URL: theturnbullacs.com
myspace.com/turnbullacs
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THE LIONS RAMPANT
garage / blues / rock
"If the Clash had listened to grunge"
About them: The Lions Rampant channel the old blues attitude, '70s punk rock guitar and hip-hop rhythms to created a truly unique sound — and they do it all wearing custom-made lion costumes. The debut EP, "Half Woman Half Alcohol" is six rollicking tracks, which, according to singer/guitarist Stuart MacKenzie, "capture the introspection and the language of three friends, some whiskey and a lot of women" recorded in a trailer in Burlington, Ky. The band also includes Paul Bunyan on bass and Alex Brauer (who refuses to wear the lion suit) on drums. See Lions Rampant at the Courtyard Cafe, 1211 Main St., Cincinnati on Jan. 26.
URL: thelionsrampant.com
myspace.com/thelionsrampant
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PIKE
alternative/pop punk/indie
"High energy, brightly dark alt-pop"
About them: It's already shaping up to be a big year for Pike. The band is signed up for three high profile national music festivals — a repeat appearance at the Invasion of the Go-Girls at SXSW in Austin, Texas; the Hyperactive Music Festival in Albuquerque, N.M., and Diversafest in Tulsa, Okla. A six-song (as yet untitled) EP is due in the spring. Next gig: Saturday at Arlin's, Cincinnati.
URL: piketheband.com
myspace.com/piketheband
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THE HIDERS
psychedelic/country/soul
"A delicate demolition of roots music"
About them: Bill Alletzhauser has been a fixture on the local music scene since the late 1980s as the lead guitarist for the Ass Ponies and more recently for the band Ruby Vileos. Now he joins forces with local actress, Beth Harris, to create a mellow Neil Young/Emmylou Harris-inspired act. The band's debut set, "Valentine," has already garnered national attention on NPR's "World Cafe." See them next at Alchemize, Cincinnati, Jan. 27, and the Poison Room, Cincinnati, Feb. 17.
URL: thehiders.com
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THE HOST
indie/alternative/rock
"Big, juicy guitar riffs"
About them: Emerging from the remains of experimental band Levelnine, fronted by Hamilton High grad Chris Charlton, The Host has developed a classic sound with big guitar riffs and dramatic song arcs. The band also includes former Levelniners drummer Marc Sherlock and bassist Stephen Streit (both HHS alums) and guitarist Tim Kindberg, formerly of Dropshadow. The band's debut EP, "Receive," has caught the attention of local audiophiles and a follow-up EP, titled "Transmit," is due for a February launch.
URL: thehostband.com
myspace.com/thehostband
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PERSPECTIVE
progressive rock
"Breakout band with inspiring lyrics from the soul"
About them: The trio became a quartet in 2006 with the addition of lead vocalist Joel Butch. Previously, Perspective had sung harmony vocals. According to singer/guitarist Rod Middleton, the group is finalizing a record deal with the independent label Nightmare Records to distribute their CD "Latitudes" which was recorded last year.
URL: myspace.com/perspective
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A NIGHT TO DISMEMBER
middletucky metal
"Leave the kids at home"
About them: The band had a big line up change at the end of 2006 with lead singer Jason Tipton now playing guitar and singing backing vocals. Filling his position is William Fecke from Dayton, formerly of the band Winter of Discontent. Josh GoodLoe is the new bassist. The group is writing a new album with Glen Benton from the band Decide producing. A full west coast tour is in the works for late summer/early fall.
URL: myspace.com/anighttodismember
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MY WASTED YOUTH
hardcore/rock/metal
"Hardcore and in charge of the stage"
About them: The Franklin-based band is working on a new album, having just started recording it. It should be finished in two or three months, said John Ross, who runs the group's label, Road Apple Music. My Wasted Youth will also try its hand at the battle of the bands at Cincinnati's Bogarts.
URL: myspace.com/mywastedyouth
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MICHAEL D. MYERS
celtic/folk
"Multi-talented and movin' on up"
About him: Myers plays Celtic and folk music in the old tradition as a songwriter, performer and vocalist. He will release his debut effort, "Celtic Souls and Other Misfit Spirits," this spring and will be performing in the Main St. Art & Music Festival in June in Middletown.
URL: alphadawgrecords.com/artists/mdmyers/
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KING BLUE ALL-STARS
blues
"Attracting leisure seekers, New Orleans-style"
About them: An homage to blues legends including Muddy Waters, Son House, R.L. Burnside, Elmore James and more. King Blue will record its follow-up effort this year for release in the summer. The band will offer rare performances throughout the region but will focus on continuing to bring local talents together to record. All music is available for free download at alphadawgrecords.com.
URL: alphadawgrecords.com/kingblue/
myspace.com/kingblue2006
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JW LASWELL
roots/americana
"Acoustic tales coated with experience"
About him: This songwriter continues a musical heritage that spans generations. Rob Hoffman, the head of Alpha Dawg records, says Laswell produces "true roots music." Laswell will release his second album this year and will perform in the Main St. Art & Music Festival in June in Middletown.
URL: alphadawgrecords.com/artists/jwlaswell/
myspace.com/jwlaswellband
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FUNTIME FREDDY
funk/rock/soul
"A party through every single note"
About them: This quartet had been inactive for a number of years but is getting back into play. "We're working on a second CD, we've been trying to practice and write new music. Hopefully by springtime we'll play as often as possible and head up some big places around here," said Dave Thornton, the band's guitarist. The follow-up has been a long-time coming— the first, "It's On," came out in 1995.
URL: myspace.com/funtimefreddy

What do you recommend?

Here are a few noteworthy bands to check out, recommended by Athens' Rem from Southeast Engine:

Athens: Mike Elliot, Dropdead Sons, Wheels on Fire, Adam Torres, McGovern Brothers
Columbus: Paper Airplane
Dayton: Captain of Industry, Joe Anderl, Flyaway Minion, American Static
Cincinnati: The Dandybeards, The Sundresses

The Athens Sound

Finding a way to describe the historical and current sound coming out of Athens (home of the Ohio University) is tricky. The reason is because what defines Athens so much is its attitude, even more so than the music. What permeates the city is a quasi laid back vibe, interspersed with a touch of violent stress caused by the roving crowds of fraternity folk.
For example, one night you might walk over to The Union, stop and listen to some old guy playing electric piano on the street, then say "Hi" to Junebug as he makes his way to O'Hooley's for a gig, and then have some beers with friends.
But the next night you may walk down the street to The Union and get pegged in the head with a bottle of beer, thrown by some drunken idiot from the top of a roof. I've seen both happen.
Back to my point: It all comes through in the music. You have a load of interesting 60s hippie folk bands, producing sincere sing-a-long vibe acoustical music based in tradition. But you also have some hard rock fans, via Dropdead Sons. I think overall the sense of "anything can happen" makes for a great environment for creativity.

BEST VENUES: Cincinnati's Northside Tavern

Animalhead note: I'd like to make this an ongoing feature for "People with Animal Heads." It occurred to me that no one EVER interviews local bar owners, especially the places that both bands and music fans love. What makes these bars so special? What is their secret to success?
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Ideally, walking into a neighborhood bar should be akin to walking into your living room. It should be inviting, warm and make you feel comfortable.
Instead most end up feeling like your basement after spaying beer on the walls for four days straight.
For the past five years of its existence, Cincinnati's Northside Tavern has quickly become one of the last remaining refuges for any fan of the ideal neighborhood bar. Its presence at 4163 Hamilton Ave. (513) 542-3603 has become a special place.
Amongst other bars full of sour beer smell and smug bartenders, what makes it so unique is an ambiance of old brick, high ceilings, friendly staff, pool tables in the back (so you don't ruin live music shows) and an outdoor patio that still allows you to hear the bands inside.
For musicians, Northside Tavern has come to represent how life would be perfect if every bar followed the path set by its owner Ed Rush. The motto: All shows are free entry, treat everyone nice and make sure the bands are paid well. It's so simple and yet so revolutionary. Funny how most venues will never understand that.
Rush said Northside Tavern had humble beginnings and wasn't necessarily focused on bands at all.
"When I first looked at the space, I thought 'neighborhood bar and a courtyard.' The first music was jazz on Mondays," he said. "Business in the beginning was really inconsistent and a lot of times it was dependent on what was happening at other places. I was (and am) friends with a couple of The Tigerlilies and when they played the first time, we were packed, the music was great, people were into it, and the light went on in my head."
From there, Rush said it took awhile to get connected with the music scene in town. But he found that most musicians enjoy playing at new venues, just to see what its like. The grass is always greener. Soon many bands began reveling in the green fields of Northside Tavern.
"Bands have always liked to play Northside Tavern because we pay a guarantee, and we're up front about the money. We pay more for nights that are busy due to the bands, and we try to take care of the bands' need for drink," Rush said. "What can never be lost is my staff is fantastic, and most bands feel very welcome. The money for the bands is factored into my cost, we try to keep prices as low as possible and we'll never charge a cover. This is mostly due to the thought that people should be able to come and go as they please. If they like what's going on, they'll stay. We don't try to compete with other bars and there's no hard feelings if someone wants to go to another place."
Rush also made an excellent point in that the Northside Tavern is not alone in Cincinnati. The Comet bar lives by the same motto and makes me think I should highlight that place next. It's indeed a great one and I can't believe I forgot about it.
He said the success of his venue also spurred a feeling of wanting to give back to a town that gave him so much.
"Northside (District) itself has been a good neighborhood for us because it attracts the crowd that cares for mainstream Cincinnati. I was born here and I really like this city, and it's beyond me why people go to chain restaurants and bars when there are so many owner operated places in Cincinnati. People who come to Northside Tavern and other businesses in Northside, and/or live in Northside appreciate that sentiment.
"Cincinnati has always been a hot spot for music, R&B and blues have thrived here, and there have been a wealth of alternative and avant garde bands for years. I think this goes hand in hand with the large artistic community in the city, and many artists are also in bands," he said.
Rush added, "I've been lucky to attract a crowd that likes and respects what we're doing. I've been in the bar business for 27 years, and my staff also has vast experience in the business. I couldn't succeed without them, they have my back."
For those interested in preserving good people and good venues, start enjoying what Northside Tavern and The Comet have to offer. It would be a sad day to see either venue dry up.

The Columbus Sound?

Just to update this one, the whole news out of Columbus in 2007 was the growing appreciation of noise rock and experimental bands, which have been playing around the city for the past few years. Turns out, more bands formed throughout the year. Then one of it's leading shitpop bands, Times New Viking, got signed to Matador. Then Pitchfork was all over TNV. Then people started talking about Psychedelic Horseshit, a band in a similar vein bit a bit more experimental.
Now we're going into 2008 with the bourgeoning possibility that this noise rock scene is exploding in national fascination. It could mean good things for Columbus. But read on, because as I previously pointed out. Bands move in quick cycles in Ohio's capital city.
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Stepping back for a look at the Columbus "sound" is a little harder.
Essentially it's an easy thing to dissect because history shows it revolves around the broader "Midwestern Sound" (loud heavy guitars, thick bass, a bit of white trash twang ala Neil Young, and simplistic punk arrangements with a touch of off kilter chords thrown in for good measure).
I think the bands that sum this up are Gaunt, A Planet for Texas, Silo the Huskie and many many more. But that sound then mophed into three paths, one decidedly pop, one decidedly prog and one more punk. I'd paint Howlin Maggie into the pop side and Pretty Mighty Mighty and Miranda Sound into the prog side and maybe Gaunt and Planet for Texas into the punk side.
The weird thing about Columbus is that it's a big city that can feel like a high school talent show contest. That sounds bad, but my point is that things can change quickly. There is a huge turnover for bands. Although Columbus is known for the birth of the Midwestern Sound, what essentially comes to the forefront is any new trend of the times that suddenly becomes popular. There is also a large old school Columbus crowd that goes to shows in order to follow specific musicians no matter what band they are in.
Looking back over the past 10 years, you can see a three year rotation. The mid to late 1990s saw a rise in bands like The Johnson Brothers and plenty of swing groups. So during that period bands seemed to focus on "the show." (It was odd, because the whole swing thing came down from Detroit, passed into Toledo and finally dragged itself to Columbus YEARS after the fact.)
So the Columbus sound has gone from Midwestern in focus, to a trendy modern rock thing around 2000, to a sudden surge in pop elements like Tiara around 2003 or so. The next three years seemed to weigh heavily on bands going back to that Midwestern Sound again. Currently, the thing is to mix experimental music with the Midwestern Sound. There is also a bit of noise pop surging up (which I love) from bands like Terribly Empty Pockets, The Lindsay, The Proper Nouns, Paper Airplane, Church of the Red Museum and many more. Meanwhile a growing singer/songwriter contingent is happening from Time and Temperature to Eric Metronome and everything in between.
See? Columbus is a little harder to explain. Hopefully this made some sense.

The Cincinnati Sound?

It facinates me how different cities can produce different "sounds."
So people at Cincinnati's www.cincymusic.com are discussing what music genre prevails in their fair city. The message board discussion went on for some 10 pages. I didn't read it all because I have somewhat of a life. But the basic gist is that "indie-rock and/or rock" was the final answer.
I guess I think that's pretty vague. To me Cincinnati has it's own version of rock that you don't hear elsewhere. It has two parts.
Part one is a dark modern rock tone, kinda bass heavy with loud guitars. People sing about topics like vampires, death, or create love songs about murder. Hard Rock Dirge Music? I think the sound can best be summed up with bands like The Sundresses, The Turnbull ACS, Noctacula, Ass Ponys, Get Sweaty, Cari Clara and more. It is almost a branch off the Afghan Whigs sound.
At the same time, another sound is prevalent, akin to The Heartless Bastards. It focuses on wild vocals, with a more rootsy and bluesy arrangement. This seems to be the "old school" Cincy sound. It can be found in bands like The Greenhornes, The Hiders, Buffalo Killers, Wussy, The Staggering Statistics. Some of the bands have elements of both sounds. Then you have Campfire Crush, Paper Airplane, Lonely the Seabird, The High and Low and Spectacular Fanstastic bringing out the experimental and poppier side of those sounds, with Kim Taylor adding to the folk side. Granted, there are a ton more bands I could include to nail my point in, but I'm doing this off the top of my head!
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UPDATE: One reader reminded me that rockabilly is also a big part of the Cincy music style. Although it's kind of like a rockabilly/Social Distortion mix. Check out 500 Miles to Memphis for that sound.

#1 Midwestern artist

Check out the artist Tony Fitzpatrick. His stuff is amazing and he's from Chicago. He does etchings that bring to life his memories in a visual form. He does it to document Chicago. He used to make work that reflected his father's memories of the olden days of Chicago. Unfortunaely, his father passed away - but Fitzpatrick has continued to create stunning images that I've never seen done so well.

Check him out:

www.tonyfitzpatrick.com

JAMC?!

Coachella posters list Jesus and Mary Chain as part of the bill for 2007. Are they back together for good? Is there a US tour in the works? Why the hell didn't they do this shit three years ago when all these crappy new bands started aping their style?
:::::UPDATE:::::
OK, so I learned that no one knows yet if it's a full scale reunion with tour. The band doesn't even have a web-site for god sake. I do know that JAMC is reissuing its full catalog of work. So it could be the Coachella show is just for publicity to sell more of the reissues. But I also learned that the Reid brothers are already in a band called Sister Vanilla (horrible band name, by the way) with their sister on vocals too. Maybe the fact that they are in a band already - despite their huge onstage bust up in 1998 and eventual break up - has the fence officially been mended with the help of a sister? One of the best shows I ever saw was Jesus and Mary Chain with Mazzy Star at Newport in Columbus. I hope they have changed their hair cuts by now. We only need one Cure hairdo going on.

Random art site I found just now

I was randomly googling for some other thing and happened upon this site: www.penguinsdawn.blogspot.com
What incredible drawings, and I like how they seem done in colored markers - or is it watercolor? I guess I like that I can't tell. Check out the great stuff. I have no idea if this person is from the Midwest yet, but it probably doesn't matter.

SPOTLIGHT: Southeast Engine (Athens, OH.)

The Ohio University's home bed of Athens sits among caves, trees and hills in Southern Ohio.
It's filled with an interesting mix of old hippies, young hippies and the typical angst-ridden college fraternity crowd, all co-mingling. It's quiet and small and it snows a lot in the winter.
Athens may not be the center of modern rock, but it's home to one of the best bands in the Midwest right now.
Southeast Engine wrapped up 2006 as a year of steady touring for a CD (2005's "Coming to Terms with Gravity" - Bettawreckonize Media), earning them a new legion of fans across Ohio; steadily growing by word of mouth. For the launch of this site, my hope was to include this band right from the start, in "Spotlight: Athens, OH."
The sound of Southeast Engine is both laid back and intense, modern and yet roots, alt-country and yet indie rock. The main point is that they carved out a niche that is unique and multi-layered. Perhaps compare them to Wilco, but in recent years Southeast Engine has blossomed into more depth than that.
Currently the group is hard at work on its third full-length CD and with it could bring further recognition, along with a new direction. As always, the songs begin with chief songwriter Adam Remnant and group arrangement.
"I typically send out a demo of the songs that I've written to the band members so they can familiarize themselves with the songs. When we get together to arrange them, we always try to do what's best for the specific song. The process works best when everyone has ideas. Someone might have a specific idea, or we might relate it to another song that we'll use as a point of reference. There's a process of trying different things until the song starts to click with all of us," Remnant said.
He explained that the new CD is titled "A Wheel Within a Wheel."
"We've been hacking away at it off and on for about a year now. In terms of musical direction, it's more ambitious than our previous releases. Several of the songs have weirder structures with lots of parts/sections packed into short songs. The lyrics are a bit more surreal as well," he said.
Southeast Engine has also expanded the amount of shows it has been performing - hitting new towns and going south and east with their music. Their tours show the spark of a band trying to expand. It's a phase that every group will have to accomplish if it's intent on broader appeal.
"We're always trying to branch out as much as possible. It's exciting to play somewhere we've never played before," Remnant said. "Our set is typically different every night. We're always adjusting it to keep things interesting for us and our audience. We always try to play what feels right in the moment to propel the energy of the show as much as we can."
One aspect of the group is dealing with the Ohio stigma: In an increasingly "bi-coastal" focused music industry, being a band from Ohio trying to make some national noise, can be like dressing up as a tree and knocking yourself down in the woods. But Remnant actually revels in that.
"Ohio is a great place to be in a band. There are plenty of cities close at hand that you can perform in. Also, there are tons of great bands in Ohio. We get a lot of our gigs through friendships we forge with other bands," he said. "Athens is of course great as well. It's a small Appalachian college town. You feel insulated in this corner of Ohio. You're sort of in your own little universe to create something that is your own. It's always reminded me of the mythologies that revolved around The Band when they created the songs for Music from the Big Pink in Woodstock, NY."
Southeast Engine seem headed in the right direction with a philosophy like that.

Wilco's new release and Noise Pop

Just found out that according to a tip from a Pitchfork reader and later confirmed by Wilco's publicist, last night at a solo show in Nashville, Jeff Tweedy announced that his band's forthcoming record is called "Sky Blue Sky" and will be out May 15 on Nonesuch. It will be the band's first studio release since 2004's "A Ghost Is Born."
Wilco is one of those bands thats continues to amaze me from record to record. For some reason people seemed to hate "Ghost is Born." But I completely loved it. It's my favorite record they ever put out. I'm amazed that people still want Wilco to keep holding that tired "alt-country" torch. Alt-country indie rock has become boring. It's essentially a stagnant form of music, like singing standards. Wilco took it where it needed to go and there's not much more you can do with it. Twang only goes so far. Standard song structure only goes so far. "Ghost" seemed like a natural progression from all their other albums. The album also (in my opinion) expanded on a newer form of music - noise pop. I know most people think noise pop has been around for a long time - and it has. But let's face it, other than Sonic Youth at its most conventional and maybe a few others, noise pop was on the fringes. After "Ghost is Born" came out I have been hearing many more bands becoming interested in taking standard pop/rock songs and "weirding" them up a bit with noise or more creative song structure. But the main change seems focused on keeping the songs listenable and poppy - which Sonic Youth often snubbed its nose at, until it's most recent release. Give a listen to Sirius radio's "Left of Center" and virtually every song owes a nod to the "new" noise pop that Wilco expanded upon. I absolutely love where this is going. Only musicians can appreciate music that is so obscure it becomes unlistenable. It's time songwriters started keeping people in mind. Music is supposed to create emotions in us - something much deeper than anger or paranoia. Although I'm a bit worried Wilco is heading back to alt-country. I base this on the tune "The thanks I get" they've been playing live. That song seems like a step backwards again. Oh - and I know "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" was essentially filled with more "noise" than "Ghost" but you have to admit "YHF" was pretty pretentious (even if it is a great album), whereas "Ghost" comes across in a much more minimal and straightforward way. All of this is based on ignoring the migraine inspired track on "Ghost." I suppose I skip throught that song like everyone else...

Planning in the works

Work is still going on for the "official launch" of People with Animal Heads. Interviews are being conducted with bands. The hope is to have city profiles featuring different musicians and groups. Hopefully I can begin adding MP3s of randome tunes as well. Stay tuned.

Columbus 2007 drama

Every now and then I like to post about lame music scene drama going on in cities around the state. Right now there is some drama going on at www.donewaiting.com over Columbus "Bands to Watch in 2007" lists.
It doesn't matter who makes a "best of" list, people think the bands chosen don't deserve it. So it looks like ex-Columbus Alive writers thought it would be great to make it an "Us vs. Them" type thing. Indie vs. Corporate.
Back story: Columbus Alive gets bought out by Columbus Dispatch because the Alive was losing cash. New blood comes in, gives the music editor the boot, along with his music writing staff.
So that was a year ago. January approaches and with it comes the annual "Best of" lists. Perhaps feeling slighted he got the boot, ex-music editor makes his "Bands to watch 2007" list anyway, hoping people will still rally behind it. Meanwhile, Columbus Alive has it's own "Bands to Watch 2007" they plan to do. So ex-music editor books a show a week ahead of the Alive's show, at the same bar (Skully's). Ex-music editor makes a big hullabaloo over his list, posting new bands, video interviews and MP3s every day - all while taking pot shots toward the "corporate" Alive.
Oddly enough, many people start posting on Donewaiting how his list wreaks of favoritism: Chooses bands he is friends with personally, chooses bands based on where he goes to hang out, etc. People generally hate the list before it's even fully announced. Some girl says that having two lists (Big Bad Corporate vs. Ex-writers list) is just going to end up "hurting the bands." Lo and behold, she is right. People start lashing out at the bands chosen: Unholy Two, The Black Canary and Church of the Red Museum. More bands expected to be announced. Hopefully things will calm down? I'm not sure, it's too fun to read. - (UPDATE -People have become relaxed about the whole thing now. They even chose a couple great bands like The Lindsay, and a new kid I'd never heard of named Blake Miller, who writes Elliott Smith-styled tunes, but coming from more of a Beach Boys vocal harmony angle. They also chose Lambsbread, who are a noise band that totally blows. Columbus Alive chose Blake Miller also, indie pop Paper Airplane, rapper Catalyst, 60s punk rock Outerspacist and instrumental Brainbow.)

Macca did it

It's still raining.

(in) camera on WOXY today

Recent note from WOXY:
We're going to break 2007 in when we reopen the Lounge this afternoon for a session with Cincinnati's own (in)camera! We were big fans of the band's self-released EP last year and are excited to finally have them in to play in the studio.
Join us for a live Lounge Act session with (in)camera today around 4pm eastern -- only on WOXY.COM.

End is near, part two

I also blame that picture for the fact it's supposed to rain for the next four days straight.

The end is near

This picture symbolizes all that is wrong with the world. The fact that it pertains to American Idol only makes it worse. Both are expected to be judges on the show.

Sports!

There will never be posts about sports on "People with Animal Heads" - unless it's absolutely necessary and irrelevent to the actual game, or about Huey Lewis. Sports discussions are rather like people who play Euchre at parties. Everything is fun until all the hilljacks break out the Euchre cards and spit dip into cups the rest of the night. Party over. And college sports? I've never understood how people can idolize kids younger and more stupid then they are. Professional sports? It's reduced to people begging these "athletes" to show some passion and actually play like they are being paid millions. They never do.

Oops, just talked about sports.

Buddha Boy

So I've become obsessed with the story of this 16-year-old kid in Nepal who may be the next reincarnation of Buddha, Ram Bahadu Bamjan. Back story: His family thinks he's weird. He grows up a bit. He starts meditating and fasting for months on end. People start noticing the kid never eats or drinks water and sits at the base of a tree for weeks not moving. People begin to wonder about his powers and thousands start paying homage to him. Then he disappears into the wilderness for months. They send groups of people to find him - he's just a kid. No one finds him. On Christmas the kid finally comes back, says he had to leave because he couldn't get any peace. He sits back down by the base of the tree and has been meditating and fasting there ever since. He's been bit by two snakes. Thousands of people visit him, but are kept within a certain distance. Then his brother says he witnesses the Buddha Boy's hair gather on top of the kid's head and knot itself without using hands. Sparks begin spitting from the kid's body. A weird light eminates from his neck. Symbols appear on his skin. Then one day the Buddha Boy's clothes spontaneously combust and burn from his body. Apparently there is a video of this, but it has not been released. So is it a farce or the real deal? That's the big debate. Scientists have decided to investigate him, but without disturbing his meditation. There's been no update on that. I'm fascinated by it. I especially love how people I know who are huge Christians get visibly upset when I bring up Buddha Boy. They say it's a big joke. Everyone is making it up and the kid's probably eating at night. But I wonder why it's so easy for someone to think Jesus could walk on water, heal people and turn water into wine thousands of years ago - but stuff like that can't happen now? It just seems hypocritical. It would be crazy if he were really Buddha and no one pays attention to him out of fear. Jesus would be screwed if he ever comes back.

Check out these stories about the kid:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XetexuNHdmo

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4479240.stm

Some WOXY radio news

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According to the Web site, you'll hear "nearly 30 years of adventurous, innovative and influential music from the Velvet Underground, the Clash, Talking Heads, The Smiths, Depeche Mode and much more."

Visit www.woxy.com/vintage.

Get away this summer

All those little islands up around Put-in-Bay are relatively unknown as great places to "get away" on little sunny vacations. You can camp on cliffs overlooking Lake Erie for cheap. When it's warm, it's better than driving or flying somewhere south. Looks like the state is trying to expand the areas people can utilize:

State won’t encourage visits to new Lake Erie island park

SANDUSKY, Ohio (AP) — Plans for a new state park on North Bass Island include fishing and hiking but not tourists.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources wants to preserve the Lake Erie island’s natural beauty while allowing low-key activities such as swimming and wildlife watching.
The state doesn’t want large crowds to visit, said Dan West, head of the Division of Parks and Recreation.
“It is not a site we encourage people to go to,” West said. “There isn’t anything to do.”
The island doesn’t have any restaurants, shops or ferry service. There is a grass airstrip and a small marina for the 20 year-round residents.
The state in 2004 bought nearly all of North Bass Island using $17.4 million of state and federal money.
The island is just two miles from the Canadian border, but 18 miles from the Ohio shore.
A plan released last week includes primitive camping sites for backpackers and fishing along the shore. There are no restroom facilities, but the state would like to add portable bathrooms in the next couple of years, West said.
Facilities on the island will be developed as money allows, he said. “We have no capital money available at this point to do anything,” West said.
About 140 acres, including coastal marshes and wetlands, will be managed to protect native species and to allow visitors to watch the wildlife.
Vineyards on the island have been cleared away, but the state plans to continue leasing 38 acres to Firelands Vineyard of Sandusky, West said.
Grapes have been grown for wine on North Bass Island for more than 150 years, said Claudio Salvador, owner and winemaker at Firelands Winery.
Firelands grows premium European wine grapes on the island, he said. “I have four full-time employees who live and work on North Bass Island,” he said.
“We have a very longterm relationship with the state,” Salvador said. “It’s an important part of the history of the islands and they want to preserve it.”
The park at North Bass Island is part of the Lake Erie Islands state parks, which includes parks on Kelleys Island, Middle Bass Island and South Bass Island.
North Bass and Middle Bass islands are now largely undeveloped, quiet places, much different from their neighbor South Bass, home to Put-in-Bay with its party atmosphere and one million visitors each year.
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Information from: Sandusky Register, http://www.sanduskyregister.com/cgi-bin/liveique.acgi$schfrontpage? frontpage

First transmission from Animal Headquarters...

This blog was created to try and help fill the void that seems to exist between the countless Midwestern blogs going on. Most seem to focus on one city, one type of music and then end up mostly posting national stuff no one cares about. The successful ones normally end up talking about three bands they are friends with, then load on the advertising. The hope for "People with Animal Heads" is to document the entire Ohio music culture from a firsthand perspective. Anything goes. Perhaps we can bring people from the Midwest together, or not, or at least give them a resource to look for realistic information on touring, random interesting crap, new releases, interviews with bands and people who love bands; and what really ticks about different cities. Our headquarters is in Cincinnati, Ohio but the overall focus will be broadly Midwestern at heart. We're completely bored of blogs as it is - don't even like the word, it's creepy sounding - so the desire is not to add to the mess by posting the same crap you see everywhere else. Eye of the Tiger...

-Christopher, People with Animal Heads