Comfest... again

It's that time of year again. Columbus, Ohio's Comfest.
Blah, Blah, Blah...

Ohio University receives record $92 million bequest

Looks like the Ohio University students will finally get some money to do such frivolous things as conduct a class on "How to polish your expensive diamonds" or one dissecting "What is the best luxury vehicle to have washed by your butler."
A record gift to OU, based in Athens, OH. has grown by more than $10 million, now that the value of the donors' estate has become clearer.
University President Roderick McDavis announced in Dayton Wednesday that Fritz and Delores Russ left about $92 million in cash, securities and property to the school, to be used for engineering education and research.
When he first disclosed the gift in January, McDavis said the university would receive an estimated $80 million.
Fritz Russ studied electrical engineering at OU and got his degree in 1942. He and his wife lived in Dayton and launched Systems Research Laboratories, specializing in control systems for airplanes.
Delores Russ died in January at age 86; her husband died in 2004.

Kanye may actually go to Indiana voluntarily!? Oh... never mind

I just read on Switchbladecomb that Kanye West was added as a panelist for the Midwest Music Summit.
For those who read PWAH regularly you'd know that the MMS was cancelled in 2007, so the organizers could come back this year with a much better festival. I guess this addition is part of that.
HOLD the PHONE!
This has nothing to do with the Midwest Music Summit. I guess it's the Industry Meltdown Midwest Music Summit in Madison, Wisconsin. Never heard of it.
Anyway, here are two links about it:
HERE
HERE

Columbus is for Haters

Oh man, I just saw this article on Shitgaze. Wow, they make it seem like it's some exotic music made by baby-eaters from Berlin.

Danko in Ann Arbor

The Band were pretty damn great - until, of course, they began to suck.
But as a boy I can recall listening intently to "The Weight" for that part when bass player Rick Danko began to sing. I was fascinated by his voice. All at once, it was friendly, weird, interesting, confused and wise.
I was similarly fascinated with the dude's voice from Canned Heat for similar reasons, but that's neither here nor there.
Alas, Danko fell asleep in Dec. 1999 and his heart stopped working. That night the world lost a unique voice.
Thanks to music writer Jan Berrett for writing this review of Rick Danko's CD "Times like these."
Berrett points out that the last show Danko ever performed was at The Ark in Ann Arbor, Michigan. That was pretty interesting to hear. It was the very last stop on a Midwestern tour, before he went back home outside of Woodstock, NY and died.
She also explains that the CD includes live performances from that Ark show. I hope to find some examples on-line soon.

Noteworthy causes to support this weekend

I would like to point out two important benefits going on for truly tragic events that have occurred this year.

• Check Each Note Secure for information on how to support musician Katie Reider. A truly talented and popular folk and pop musician, Reider has been hit with a debilitating cancer that has left her unable to sing or perform anymore. What is so scary is that I saw her perform last year during Taste of Cincinnati. She was her usual vivacious and energetic self. What I didn't know is that in the past year, doctors discovered a tumor in her jaw and neck, which had spread destruction to her throat and sinuses. She has been struggling ever since with rehabilitation to overcome this.
What we can do as a music community is go to KATIE REIDER/ 500Kin365.org for information on how to help and show your support for Reider.
As Joe Long wrote on Each Note Secure, "At the site, you can start listening to her songs by download (9 original songs written and performed by Katie over the last 10 years) for $1.00 donation to her cause. So, I would highly encourage you to head over to the site and make a 1$ donation to the cause of a great Cincinnati musician and person as she fights for her life."

• In another tragic series of events, volunteers have been focused on raising money to help a young Columbus, Ohio woman and her boss after the two were seriously injured in a hit and run.

Haiku Hit and Run Benefit
Saturday, June 7, from 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Corner of North High St. & Hubbard St. (next to Haiku). Volunteers will be on hand to register donations.
Performing at the show Saturday:
5:30 p.m. - DJ True Skills
6:00 p.m. - Bob Ray Starker
7:00 p.m. - Megan Palmer
8:00 p.m. - Karate Coyote
9:00 p.m. - Paper Airplane
10:00 p.m. - Two Cow Garage

"On the evening of May 15, Julie Liu (co-owner of Haiku Restaurant) and Rachel Widomski (a bartender) were seriously injured by a hit-and-run driver outside of Haiku restaurant in the Short North.
That evening a man left Haiku without paying his bill. Julie, co-owner of the restaurant and Rachel, OSU student, artist and bartender, followed the man outside to his vehicle.
According to police reports, the man started his car and purposefully struck the two women as he backed out of his parking spot. A restaurant guest who tried to help was also injured. Both women were transported to the hospital with serious injuries.
Rachel Widomski suffered sever spinal cord injuries from the crime. While she has displayed remarkable strength throughout the ordeal, Rachel will be permanently paralyzed due to the severity of the spinal cord injuries. Her rehabilitation will be extensive.
Julie Liu suffered fractures to her sternum, multiple fractures to her ribs, a broken collar bone and a dislocated wrist. She is also suffering from a serious concussion and a bruised brain. Doctors at the Ohio State University Medical Center are keeping Julie at the hospital to monitor her brain condition and her rehabilitation.
Despite her serious injuries, the Liu family is asking donations be focused on the recovery of Rachel"
Fundraising options have been going on all week and do not end with the benefit show, so visit www.haikuhelp.com for more information...

Some Web site news...

There has been a flurry of activity lately on many Ohio music related Web sites. Here are a few tidbits:
• The most exciting thing to me is that Dayton's Buddha Den site reported Bob Pollard will be headlining this year's Dayton Music Festival. Check out my links section and go there for more information.
• Fortunately, this thing didn't turn into another Nite Owl situation. But Columbus, Ohio (in)famous Andyman's Treehouse bar and venue will change ownership later this month. Read all about at Andyman's Treehouse. Essentially, co-owners Andy Davis (head honcho at CD 101) and Quinn Fallon (of X-Rated Cowboys and who books the bar) are selling their hold on the bar. The good news is that a long time patron of the bar is buying in. Fallon is expected to take up a spot as bartender again and remain as booker.
• Each Note Secure has information on the new Dr. Dog album and an MP3
• I Rock Cleveland has an extensive review on folky/noisy musicians The Dreadful Yawns new CD. Check it out.

Spotlight: Unholy Two of Columbus, OH.

I did this interview with The Unholy Two right before the band's recent 7-inch release. Unfortunately, I never quite got around to writing it in time for the release show.
I've always appreciated the band, because when it comes to "noise rock" the band definitely focuses a lot more on the rock aspect. It's a pure guttural release of sounds.
I've seen the band perform several times in the past few years and I'm always amazed how one night 80 percent of the room will leave, running with hands over their ears. But another night the same amount of people might rush the stage and dance to the same music like it's some 1980s dance night. Like most noise rock, it's an acquired taste. There is a middle ground in there somewhere that should be respected.
So I sent a few questions to Unholy's Chris Lutzko for further inquiry. I didn't quite expect him to take the questions seriously. Alas, he did not. But there are still a few nuggets of insight in his answers in there somewhere.


PEOPLE WITH ANIMAL HEADS: I've seen you live a few times over the years and I think what strikes me about your music so much is that it sounds like an some kind of riot. The vocals come off like a monk screaming down from a mountain, or like cops shouting on the street with a bullhorn. Does this come anywhere close to your intentions?

CHRIS LUTZKO: There was never an intent to sound chinese or like a cop. Maybe a leather cop.

PWAH: I haven't heard your new release yet. I plan to, but how do you think the recordings compare to your live shows?

CL: When you play a show your audience is mostly gun grabbers and baby killers so it can throw you off. The only other people at our recording were the engineers, Tom and Will, and we're more comfortable being around Koolies.

PWAH: I really like to focus on the aspect of Midwestern music on my site. How do you think being from the Midwest has influenced your music?

CL: I grew up during THE DRIVE, so most of my cleveland sports memories are kinda white guilt. Cheater Slicks rule Oblivians drool.

PWAH: What do you make of the increased attention Columbus has been getting over the past year in its avant garde scene? Is it hurting what has been going on, or is it providing more opportunities for like-minded musicians in town?

CL: I'm not really clued in to what the queers are doing, but I know that Columbus, Ohio is the rock and roll capital of North America.

PWAH: What are some midwestern bands you like right now that you think other people should know about?

CL: The Waterboards and The Beautiful Two

PWAH: Tell me a bit about your latest release, any lyrical themes you delve into and what your plans are right now to get the word out on it. (tours/release shows/any songs people can hear online).

CL: The A-side is about how girls can't rock. The B-side lets you know where you can find 'em.