Quarantine

Time for a new band

2012-02-03T03:00:00.000-05:00

My first band was a short-lived (but long notorious) punk band called Third Trimester Abortion. My second band was a rap group (also notorious) called Hotsauce. We recorded, like, 30 songs. Ask, and I'll send you some. Third band was a country group that never got off the ground called, Kissin' Cousins. Kissin' Cousins had songs like, "You Crashed a Plane into the Twin Towers of My Heart," and, "She Left Me for our Son."

Now, I have determined the next band I start will be called, Moonwolf.

Moonwolf is a shitcore metal band that only plays covers of Xfactor1 and Bobaflex. Our band t-shirts are made from shirts we buy at Walmart and Goodwill that have wolves and Moons printed on them.

Try to come up with something better than that. I dare you.

Starlight Girls

2012-01-16T13:22:00.000-05:00

Starlight Girls are a female fronted four piece group from Brooklyn, New York who play music that fuses different genres from previous decades into something new.

Yeah, I know what you are thinking. I thought it too before I started listening to this EP.

Hipster douche baggery.

I can't say anything about them personally, but I do know this...

This is great music!

Starlight Girls sound like the soundtrack for a B-Movie sci-fi/horror flick from the '50s mixed with 60's surf rock with some jazz flute thrown in. Organs, flute solos, breathy vocals; it all melds perfectly together for a uniquely pleasurable listening experience. My first thought was that it would be great to put on a mix tape for a Halloween party. But after listening more and more, I feel it's good for anytime; sticky-hot Summer nights, frozen Winter spiced-rum parties... there is a lot of stuff going on in the music that evokes different things. It's not terribly, technically amazing; but the composition is neat. I hear new and different things each time I listen.

Unfortunately, their only Ohio tour date is towards the end of March in Cincinnatti. I don't know, maybe Columbus (the "Indie Art Capital" of the Midwest, with the largest college in the country) should be amended into that tour. Just sayin'. I mean, Kobo or Circus or Ace of Cups would be absolutely great places for Starlight Girls to play. Hint Hint

Here are a couple tracks (posted with permission)
Flutterby by Starlight Girls

The Hunch by Starlight Girls

and a video!!!

Starlight Girls - Gossip from Black Sundays on Vimeo.

Starlight Girls are releasing a 7" EP on February 1st. I hope to get my grubby hands on a copy.

They also are working on a full-length album to be released... sometime. I'm not sure if a date has been announced yet.

Ray Ray's Hog Pit

2011-12-06T17:00:00.001-05:00

Ray Ray's Hog Pit is located on the corner on Pacemont and High street, in the parking lot of the Super Food Mart on Friday's Saturday's and Sunday's. The rest of the week, the trailer is hidden in a secret location known only to a chosen few.

I've been eating regularly at Ray Ray's for about 8 months now. It is my lunch on most weekends. I am currently the Mayor of Ray Ray's on Foursquare, and have been for some time. I love it. Everyone I know that has been there loves it. You should love it too.

The menu is simple, self explanatory, and with out pretension. There are three regular sandwiches; Beef brisket, pulled pork, and Carolina pulled pork. All three are amazing, but the Carolina is definitely my favorite of the three. The vinegar-based sauce is delicious, and the cole slaw slopped on the meat adds a creamy texture and counterweight to acidity.

Ray Ray's also occasionally offers specialty sandwiches like smoked turkey and most recently, burnt-end beef brisket. If you ever get the chance to eat the burnt-end brisket, you will slap your thigh and exclaim, "GAWD DAMN!" This is absolutely true. One of the best sandwiches I've ever had.

On Sundays, Ray Ray's sells a grain-fed beef brisket sandwich with a Dogfishhead Ale sauce (mustard based?) that will make your knees weak.

The ribs come in a sample size (3 ribs, split into 6) as well as half and full racks. There is literature posted on the side of the trailer about why the ribs are pink in the middle and how ribs are supposed to be cooked. It's all genius, and the ribs are some of the best I've ever had.

There are several different sauces available to choose from. Sweet BBQ, Jalepeno, and Habenero. All are wonderful, although everyone seems to have a favorite.

The sides are definitely worth mentioning too. The Mac and Cheese is absolutely killer - someone told me they throw it in the smoker (I don't know if that is a fact) and you can taste it. Possibly the best mac and cheese I've ever had that I didn't make myself. They also serve collard greens, cole slaw, and baked beans. The collard greens are good, a bit salty, but you'll have that.

Ray Ray's also has deserts in the form of banana pudding that is excellent. Drinks are glass bottles of ginger ale, birch soda, and mellow tea. Music is almost always reggae - and strangely doesn't seem out of place at all.

Prices are cheap for the serving size and taste-value of what you get. For example, the pulled pork sandwich is only $4 and you won't find a better one in Columbus.

Here is there Facebook page, which is updated with whatever they're cooking up for the weekend.

WNCI Playlist Part 2

2011-10-12T15:12:00.000-04:00

Bad Meets Evil feat. Bruno Mars - Lighters [Official Video] [HD] from D.T. on Vimeo.

WNCI Playlist Part 1

2011-09-27T23:06:00.001-04:00

A few weeks ago at my "real" job, we got a new General Manager. He's alright, but he keeps the radio on WNCI so I have to listen to the same 6 gonad-shriveling, soulless, songs every hour with themes and lyrics so banal and impotent that I place great doubt into the future of humanity.

This is Part 1 of an ongoing series.

The first is a song that I first thought was either a Japanese poptart debuting in the U.S. or a weird Alvin and The Chipmunks techno mash-up. I didn't really listen to the lyrics at first as I had more important things to do. When I did finally learn to understand the squeaky/robotic vocals I learned that the singer is indeed female, and just wants to fuck everything and everyone but feels so darn trapped due to the restraints society or her parents or whoever are putting on her.

I thought to myself, "Gee, didn't Britney Spears cover this bullshit ten years ago?"

I guess she still feels like she's supposed to be a Little Goody Two-Shoes after 2 kids, flashing her pussy, two failed marriages (one lasting a day), public intoxication, and... you get the drift.

She seems to have finally given up on pretending that she has a singing voice and gone over to the Autotune bandwagon. Why do pop singers even exist? There really only needs to be one singer who just sings on autotune and is remixed in to various songs created in the studio on a computer. Record companies would make a fortune, idiots would still have their favorite music, and jobless pop stars would go back to doing what they were born to do. In this case, have 8 kids from 7 different men, while sharing a mobile home with their sister and parents.

Scarlet and Grey Cafe Comedy Night

2011-09-09T14:25:00.001-04:00

Scarlet and Grey Cafe is a campus institution that's been around for a while. 8 years, according to their website. Just a block North of Lane Avenue, the bar has cheap drinks, nightly specials, live bands, and on Tuesday nights, open-mic comedy.

Open-mic comedy is hosted by Cory Baxter; who looks like a cross between Lemmy from Motorhead and a redneck speed dealer. I'm sure this is intentional. He's pretty funny, especially his bit about doing meth his buddy found in an alley.

Comedy-wise, it's open mic, so it's generally piss-poor. Fat lady making fat jokes, Nerd making nerd jokes, random d-bags trying to tell jokes with no punch-line, etc. Now, while that is a very critical note, it takes a lot of courage to get up on stage and try to make strangers laugh at your jokes. I have a great deal of respect for ANYONE who has the balls to do open mic night.

Highlights were a girl whose name I can not for the life of me remember who told a rather funny suicide joke, and Bob Cook, who for all intents and purposes is the best comic in Columbus. He's a pro, and does these open mics as basically practice and to try out new material. Then there is The Devil. This old-timer has been around FOREVER. Before the comedy begins, he plays a one-man cover set under the pseudonym of Flatt Rascal. His covers are all about 30 seconds to a minute long, and he sings them ala Will Farrell pretending to be Robert Goulet. The Devil is a fixture at Scarlet and Grey Cafe.

Of special note was the bartender, Amber. Noteworthy not so much because she's pretty (okay, she's gorgeous) but because she is actually a good, if not great, bartender - on Campus, no less. The place was pretty crowded but she remembered my name immediately, she didn't let anyone wait for drinks, and she is friendly and talkative. You don't get that too often on campus, or anywhere for that matter, especially from female bartenders. Usually that kind of attention is reserved for regulars, but we had never met before and I haven't been to Scarlet and Grey in a year or so. Needless to say, I was pleased as punch with her service.

Tuesday nights also has $1 PBR and Miller Lite drafts as well as $2 well drinks. No cover charge, but they check IDs at the door. They also serve food, so you can have some munchies with your booze.

2203 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43201
614.291.2347
Mon-Tue: 4p-2a
Wed-Sat: 4p-2:30a
Sunday: 5p-2a

Get Right

2011-09-04T18:23:00.000-04:00

This would have been a proper review of the Get Right dance party thingamabob, however, I wasn't able to attend. Yes, sad faces all around. Transportation difficulties kept me from cutting a rug.

However, intrepid journalist and object of my jealousy for her wordsmithing skill, Erica Strauss sent me the following text message from the event;

"Dude this get right is so fun"

Short, sweet, to the point. Wish I could have been there.

By the way, I wasn't being sarcastic at all about Miss Erica's writing skill. I am also very jealous of her day job.

Food Carts Festival

2011-08-31T14:53:00.000-04:00

Last weekend I attended the Food Cart Festival at the Columbus Commons with Natalia of We Are Glitterati. It was the busiest I've seen Downtown with the exception of Red, White, and Boom. This is not necessarily a good thing.

The concept is awesome. A bunch of food trucks (not the boring gyro/brat types) all in one area with beer, live music, and various booths of community minded businesses. Like a smaller Comfest, really.

Looks good on paper, not so much in execution.

The event was to last from 6pm - 10pm. More than half the food trucks were closed due to running out of food by 8pm. The lines for food easily lasted an hour. Herds of people were tripping over each other to shuffle anywhere as about half the Commons was cut off from the event by barricades (no doubt because of the alcohol).

Much like Comfest, the bloat of too many people is what hurt this festival.

Because so many of the food trucks closed early, the ones that remained open saw even longer lines. Many people were leaving without getting anything to eat because they refused to stand in line for an hour or more.

Ray Ray's Hog Pit was advertised for the event but wasn't there; after talking to one of the Ray Ray's guys (not Jaimie, the owner), I was informed that Ray Ray's never agreed to be there at all and wasn't even contacted. Interesting.

For the live music, there seemed to be a preponderance of hip hop (no issues with that) but the closing band was a cover band. A pretty good and lively cover band, but still. I will hand it to the cover band though; they got white people to do the "drunk white person dance," you know the one; girls in peasant skirts swaying jarringly with their arms in the air.

Jeni's Ice Cream truck was the only one we visited as it had the smallest line (not because no one was buying Jeni's, but because it was moving the fastest). I tried the Goat Cheese and Cherry for the first time and it was divine. It tasted like a combination of cherry cheesecake and a girl in her early twenties. Delicious.

I'm not sure what to suggest to improve the festival for next year. I like the idea of a food truck festival as the food trucks in the town are pretty amazing. It's good for all of these small business owners, it's good for downtown (Dirty Frank's and Little Palace were packed), and it's good for people to just get out of the house and do interact with other people. But all of this is limited when you can't get the food you came to get, and you can't move or talk due to the oppressively large crowd. How do you fix that?

Check out the We Are Glitterati blog, Facebook, and Twitter pages.

Dubstep

2011-08-18T17:43:00.000-04:00

After a brief hiatus, I am back. You're welcome.

I've noticed that there has been a surge in popularity of dubstep in this City. For those unfamiliar with dubstep, here is my loose description; techno with heavy bass, rapid even sudden changes in tempo, and lots of weird shit going on.

This popularity reminds me of the techno boom of the 90s. Remember that? I'm not talking about Moby or Fatboy Slim of the late 90s. I'm referring to the movement that started with the Mortal Kombat movie soundtrack. Yeah, there were lots of electronic musicians and bands before then, but the release and popularity of that soundtrack really put electronic music on the mainstream map.

Dubstep groups tend to use the old techno props of hoods, masks - anything to hide the identity of the programmers/DJs. I've never really understood this.

On the other hand, the rise in popularity of dubstep (every time I hear or read the word, I automatically think of Jamaican music) doesn't seem to have a notable flash point. It's just grown. Shoot, we have like 15 dubstep shows/events/club nights a month in this city right now.

I wonder when the Dubstep Bubble will pop. Because it will.

In the meantime, check out roeVy. They are suitably weird, interesting, and put on a good show. Laser eyes, dudes. Laser eyes.

Strangers in Daylight, Burglar, Spruce Campbells

2011-03-13T14:29:00.000-04:00

There was an excellent turnout at Hotel War's CD release show at Skully's last night. The hippest kids in Columbus were there; and there are a lot of the buggers.

Opening act Strangers in Daylight were a pleasant surprise. A standard three-piece, their unfortunately short set was fun, lively, and got a decent amount of people to the dance floor. It helps that they seemed like they were friends with everyone in attendance, but that's Skully's for ya. I look forward to seeing Strangers in Daylight again in the future.

Burglar, of course, got all the women dancing. Which was amusing to watch because all of the "cool" hipster guys wear standing in a semi-circle, encasing a horde of young, fashionable females grooving on the dance floor. The sweet sounds of the lovely and gorgeous Lindsay Ciulla's mellophone and the sultry and dripping-with-sex appeal singing of Mehgan Hutchinson melded perfectly with the percussion of Drum Guy, Upright Electric Bass Dude, Guitar And Sometimes Vocals Guy, and Keyboard Dude. I'm not trying to be a jerk guys; but you are honestly not what I or any other straight guy is paying attention to when we see Burglar play. However, you will be happy to know that every single girl I know says things that I can not mention here about you. Suffice to say, they find all of you to be very handsome fellas and would like to do naughty things with you. So there ya go.

Couldn't stay long as I had to rapidly travel to Kobo using Columbus' red-headed stepchild of public transportation - the COTA bus. The Spruce Campbells were closing out Kobo and I told a couple people I would be there.

Not enough is said about Kobo. I think the sound at the old Oldfield's on High is superior to most (if not all) bars in town. Unlike some other more prominent places, the vocals don't get drowned out, the balance of guitars, bass, drums, etc isn't all out of whack, and the acoustics of the room just seem better.

Anyway, the Spruce Campbells killed it. Unfortunately, it was late so the crowd was small (but still good for the late hour). Some pre-set jamming to Rush by Chris Cheeseman the drummer and guitarist Matthew Forney was welcome (and amusing). Chelsea Moore's and Jason Kusowski's vocals complimented each other perfectly. The band seemed to be having fun, and that translated to the crowd; there was dancing and smiles everywhere. Chelsea tells me that she has no groupies, and I think this is an absolute crime. With her voice and looks, she should be beating dudes off with a stick.

Also in attendance at the Spruce Campbells show was Scott Ball (accompanied by his lovely fiance) of the tragically defunct Asthmo. Few people probably remember Asthmo, but they were good. Real good. However, their demise brought about The Nuclear Children, which begat the Spruce Campbells (which is apparently going to give birth to a bouncing Barker's Beauties at some point). Sometimes it's weird how everyone in Columbus is connected. Also, you just got a short lesson in some Columbus indie band history.

You're welcome.

Essential Music Videos - 90's Indie Rock

Lucky 13 Hair Salon

2011-02-25T20:06:00.001-05:00

Lucky 13 is the best hair-cutting experience I've ever had. I can say that honestly and without question.

I was going to write up a nice little review using all the review techniques they teach you in school. But I hate writing like that, and I hate reading sanitized, boring reviews. Most people agree with me. So here we go.

I needed a haircut. For the past couple years I always went to Great Clips or other McDonalds-like chain places. I have always been completely unsatisfied with these hair-cutting experiences and figured that I just hate getting my hair cut. So I posted a status update on Facebook asking for any recommendations for a new place to get my hair cut. I got 4 responses within about 20 seconds, all of which said "Lucky 13."

Being a guy who doesn't pay attention to such things, I had no idea what "Lucky 13" was or what it meant. So I Googled it to find out. Sounded hip, cool, and therefore not like something I would like at all. So I mulled it over for a few days before I decided, "Aw, what the hell. Why not?"

I had a bunch of other errands to run so I put Lucky 13 at the end of my list for the day. When I finally walked in, a very pretty blond woman (can't tell from the pictures on the website who she was) smiled a genuine smile at me and asked me to sign in. She informed me that there was a 45 minute to an hour wait, and I was welcome to wait inside or leave and come back. I was Famished, so I left and got a Reuben at the Deli down the street. That isn't important. What is important is when I walked back in, a completely different woman (I'm assuming Lane) said, "Tim?" To which I replied, "Yes?" She told me I was up next. I had only been gone for a half hour, so I was pleasantly surprised.

A quite attractive, smiling (perfect teeth) young woman named Angie walked up, introduced herself and extended her hand for a shake. She led me to her chair, and asked me what I wanted done.

This is always the part of getting a haircut that I hate the most. I never have any idea of what I want done. All I know is that I look horrible, I despise my hair, and I just want to get in, get a haircut, and get out as quickly as possible. I don't like to chit-chat, I don't like being sociable with people I don't know, and I do not like haircuts.

So I say, "I dunno."

She laughed, which made me laugh, and Angie proceeded to start making suggestions while we were facing the mirror (Another issue I've had with every past barber or stylist I've ever had is that they always face me AWAY from the mirror so I can't see what they are doing). She made me feel comfortable; the most comfortable I've ever felt while getting a haircut. I talked, I chit-chatted, and I never once cringed and thought, "Oh God, what is she doing?"

I even mentioned my past experiences of horrible haircuts with her and how this was so much better. She replied that she thinks it's probably because unlike the people at other places like Great Clips, she actually likes what she does and where she works. She's been working at Lucky 13 for three years now and loves it. (Angie was pretty fascinating; she's backpacked through the jungles of Costa Rica, has a tight rope in her backyard that she performs yoga on, and other ridiculously cool things that I can't seem to remember right now)

This made me recall that every employ I came across seemed genuinely happy and friendly. I think that means quite a lot.

So, I think I've found my new hair-cutting place. I don't want to say my new barbershop because it doesn't sound right, nor do I want to say my new salon because, well, I just ain't gonna say that either.

Lucky 13 is the best hair-cutting experience I've ever had. I can say that honestly and without question. I like my haircut, I liked my experience, and I will definitely go back.

Also, I thoroughly recommend Angie. While it certainly seems like I've been gushing about her, you just can't understand how much I hate getting my hair cut, nor how much this experience made me realize that getting my hair cut doesn't have to be an awful experience.

One last thing; they give you a card which they punch out every time you are in. Get 12 punches and your 13th cut is free.

As an aside; what is the proper amount to tip for a hair cut?

[Photos were pulled from Lucky 13's website. I do not make any claims to ownership of photos, and if you want them taken down, just tell me]

I built an electric guitar today

2011-02-04T17:55:00.001-05:00

Actually, it is a Diddley-Bo, but more or less an electric guitar.

Shows this weekend

2011-01-26T12:49:00.000-05:00

Friday:

The lovely Salty Caramels are going to make Happy Hour at Woodlands Tavern happier than ever.

Following the Salty Caramels; Erika Carey, the Spruce Campbells, Marvin the Robot, and the Glass Winged Sharp Shooters finish the night at Woodland Tavern

At Circus; Dirty Girls, George Elliot Underground, Nathan Kalish and the Wildfire, and Hotel War perform in a TRIO production.

Kobo presents Bicentennial Bear, SPD GVNR (I love that name), and Vanity Theft

Saturday:

Skully's and TRIO present Burglar's CD Release show, with the ever-present Phantods, and Two Cow Garage.

The Briar Patch presents Verner Caliper who have one of the best flyer/posters I've seen in a while.

Sexiness, Spruce Campbells, and other stuff

2011-01-21T17:14:00.002-05:00

Sometime in the near future, Quarantine will interview Jason of The Spruce Campbells. It should have happened earlier this month, but my old tape recorder went to the Big Analog Tape Depository in the Sky.

Speaking of The Spruce Campbells, their next EP should be coming out soon and I have been informed that it is very, "sexy." Sexy is always good.

Ino other news, Lackluster is having a CD release show at Ravari Room on April 15 with Lost Revival, The Spruce Campbells, and a mystery guest. Wouldn't it be cool if Hotsauce had a reunion?

Quarantine is also looking for a new reviewer. We have a back log of albums that need to be written up. You won't get paid, but you'll get a by-line, free music, and maybe make some new connections.

We always take submissions of any music; from a single song, to a rock opera. So if you are in a band, send us your stuff and we'll give it a fair review. Submissions always take precedence over anything else (anything else meaning stuff I pick up at the record shop, which is currently what the back-log consists of)

Lastly, Quarantine is one of the very few music blogs in Columbus. Less pretentious than half of a hipster, but still cooler than your mom.

CD101 @ 102.5

2011-01-11T17:07:00.000-05:00

Image via WikipediaOh, CD101, I don't know what to say to you.

You have had a great influence on my life, perhaps more than any other source of media other than Ranger Rick. I have been a loyal listener for nigh on 20 years now, and I will remain loyal until the day one of us dies.

That being said, as a fan, as a member of the extended family of CD101 listeners (and we are all a family, brought even closer together with the tragic loss of our adopted father, Andyman), as someone who loves you as much as anyone can, I have a suggestion for you.

This suggestion is from my heart, and not to be taken as anything but meaningful and hopeful advice. Something to think about, experiment with, learn from, or ignore.

I will not suggest that you stop playing certain overplayed and awful bands or music; like U2 or Red Hot Chili Peppers or ska, for example. I will not tell you that if you do not follow my suggestion you will fail and suck and I will hate you - I could never hate you, and I will always desire the best for you. No, CD101, you are too good to be yelled at or chastised; you do so much good for the city and surrounding communities already.

As the "Alternative Station" you have such an opening to play new and less known music; more than any other station in the region. You already do this very well, but here is a suggestion to consider.

A bi-weekly Hip Hop/alternative rap show. It would focus on lesser known, underground, indie-label, and local acts. You already play Outkast, Beastie Boys, Flobots, and others so it isn't that far out from what you are already doing. The Independent Playground and Local Stuff are wonderful and definitely should stay, but this would supplement them and allow them to concentrate on underground and local rock music.

Alternative rap is a rapidly growing trend just as alternative rock was 20 years ago. With musical styles merging as much as they do now, with rap, rock and even country are mixing together, it makes sense to be at the forefront of this wave.

No other Columbus radio station has this market. Power 107.5? Nope, they play only the most popular hits by the most popular (and talentless) "artists."

You have a golden opportunity, CD101 @ 102.5

Just something to think about.

St. James Tavern

2010-12-20T15:54:00.000-05:00

St. James Tavern is an inconspicuous little bar on 4th Street and Detroit Avenue in Italian Village. I first came here when I was 21 or 22, but didn't really return until I was 24 or 25 (my polish brother, the legendary Brett (from foid, Hotel War, and Vietnam II: oOo! Shameless name-drop!), lived on Detroit so we would walk to the bar frequently). There are two pool tables, chairs and tables all around, and a long bar with stools. They don't serve food, they don't have shitty cover bands, and (most importantly) they don't have a TV.

What they do have is great beer, great prices, atmosphere (something that is seriously lacking in most every other establishment in Columbus), and the best jukebox in the city.

However, all of that has been said by other people already. What is new? What hasn't been said about St. James Tavern yet?

They specialize in imports and microbrews; especially the rarer high alcohol content ales. The Bourbon Barrel Stout is ridiculous.
My friends and I got a nice special price on Beck's Dark because they were trying to get rid of them. Fine by me; I give those Hessian bastards a new home in my tummy!
Three kegs of Affligem Noel are available in the city; St. James has two of them.
The clientele is predominantly college hipsters; although a faithful older crowd of former college hipsters fills in the gaps on off-days.
The place is dark. The lighting is kept to a minimum, but not to the point where you get squinty trying to strain your eyes. The music is loud, but not overbearingly loud. It creates a very intimate atmosphere even when the place is jammed with people.
Wood covers EVERYTHING.
There is graffiti in the men's room that says something along the lines of, "This isn't a ladies room; keep the seat up."
Speaking of the Men's room; it was stocked with soap and paper towels!
I know nothing of the Women's restroom except from the few, instinctive and unintentional peeks I got while playing pool at various visits. Dude's can't help that reaction. It's not that we're being pervy, it's just that the Women's room is like the last frontier for men; an unexplored mystery where women (who we are most interested in but can't seem to understand) seem to congregate (and, we think, to talk about us).
Simpson's Pinball. That should be self-explanatory.

It seems as if it has been Winter, late Fall, or early Spring every time I've been there. I associate the place with visible breath, scarves, and floppy knit hats.

You can find St. James Tavern online on Facebook, Twitter, and their own website. Facebook and Twitter are updated frequently, so those are your best bet to find out what's on tap on any given day.

Spruce Campbells - The Lessons We Learned From Ghosts

2010-12-09T16:49:00.002-05:00

Jason of the Spruce Campbells told me this is their "pop" EP. While it is certainly more poppy than their previous two EP's, it can't really be called poppy compared to the conventional wisdom's idea of pop music sound. Just like their previous two EP's, this one is full of gorgeous music that sounds both strikingly familiar yet substantially different than anything you've heard before. They are playing at Skully's tomorrow night, which is the official release of this EP. I recommend you go and buy it along with their previous two EP's - you will love them.

Star Girl -Very catchy. Probably the catchiest song on the record. Lyrically, it isn't particularly poignant, but I doubt that it's meant to be. Jason's vocals are reminiscent of Crash Test Dummies, while Chelsea's have that sexy, smokey sound; they compliment each other perfectly. There is only one hiccup in the song - after the third verse, "gonna getcha, getcha, getcha, HEY!" doesn't seem to really fit; at least to my ears. It by no means ruins the song, I just don't care for that line.

Hell O's - I love the opening guitar, and the drumming is definitely poppy (and good). The conversational style of the singing should be trademarked by The Spruce Campbells - I really like how Chelsea and Jason go back and forth with the lyrics. Jason asked me which song I think should be the single, and I pick this one. It just seems so accessible and (ignoring the lyrics only because they are kind of depressing) is simply a fun tune to listen to. Which actually gives the song layers of depth you don't hear much anymore - a fun, happy sounding song with sad, buzzkill lyrics. Nicely done, and well played sirs and madam.

With You - This song has a distinct 50's pop sound. Like it could be played during the school dance in Back to the Future. I wonder what it would sound like with 3 female back-up singers. They could be named "The Sharlene's," and stand 6 feet behind Chelsea and wave their hands in front of them while they sing. Listening to this makes you want to go necking with your steady in the front seat of a Dodge at the dead end of Lover's Lane.

A Farewell - The counterpart to With You, A Farewell sounds more like the general sound of the first EP than the other songs on this disc. This is a death song; two lovers saying their final goodbyes. It is sadly sweet, and probably the deepest, lyrically, of the songs on the record. This is also my favorite song out of the four (followed closely by With You). Jason sings lead, with Chelsea backing in a beautifully soft undertone.

The Spruce Campbells around the internet:
Bandcamp - listen to the album for free
Myspace
Facebook

Darynyck - The Chaotic LP

2010-12-06T17:20:00.001-05:00

New post title format - how evolutionary!

Today's review is of Darynyck's newest release; The Chaotic LP. Daryn and Nyck switch lead vocals and instruments throughout album, and all the songs were recorded by the two in various basements and attics.

Listening to this album, it would probably lead you to believe that Darynyck are heartbroken and depressed individuals. It's a stark contrast to their live performances, where they are cheerful, fun, and very personable. The songs on The Chaotic LP are beautiful in their simplicity, and absolutely gorgeous in the feelings they evoke in the listener. These are themes that most people have felt at one point or another, but are difficult to put into words. Darynyck has found a way to express and deliver these themes and feelings in a surprisingly upbeat style that manages to remain honest without seeming condescending. I think I love this album.

Make Some Music - A primer on starting a band because, "you're tired of working for the man." I could totally see this song being played on Sesame Street by a band of muppets to teach kids about playing music. It's a sweet, fun song that's just enjoyable to listen to. It isn't full of profound or deep lyrics, or overly complicated compositions. It's just a couple dudes making music.

Working Hard (Going Nowhere) - Light, fast-paced, with simple arrangements. The song pretty much asks the listener if it's all worth it? Going to college to get a job, working hard, but you never know what's going to happen, do you? What is time well-spent? What is really worth it? It's a rhetorical question, obviously, but lyrically this song is a stark contrast to the previous track.

Chaotic - Interestingly, one of the first songs I heard from Darynyck a few years ago. Although the liner notes say it was recorded in 2006, so I guess that shouldn't be surprising. Acoustic pop with lots going on in the background - tambourine, claps, harmonica. Nyck sings, with Daryn and guest Gabe; on backing vocals. I've known my share of chaotic women and this song reminds me of all of them. However, I have to wonder; is the behavior really chaotic? Or more like indecisive?

Pure and True - Different style than the previous tunes. Different feel; more like a traditional folk song. The whistling complements the rest of the music; in most other songs by other artists that contain whistling, it is often used as a centerpiece of sorts - and usually sucks. Not here. The lyrics remind me... unfortunately they remind me of myself and a past relationship in a lot of ways. I listened to this song a few times; just reminiscing about the past and how I'm glad I'm sane after all that happened.

Same Old Song - Another simple and straightforward tune with some cool guitar effects that do not overshadow the singing.

Pieces - Jesus, another song that seems to be ripped from my own experiences. I'm starting to think that Darynyck are telepathic and have scoured my brain. Or are these themes more universal and shared than I previously thought? Beautiful song in a tragic way.

Now or Never -Quick tempo, still going along with the theme of complicated love and sad, failing relationships. Now I'm convinced they've been stalking me and taking notes. This is a gorgeous song, but kind of hurts to listen to, as it strikes too close to home.

Alive - This is another song that is slowed down, downcast in mood, and full of honest feeling.

Waiting (Did It Again) - "Well it looks like I fucked up, I did it again..." I think this is the only song with swearing in it, and that conservative usage really adds to the power of the word. While on the surface it doesn't seem like it, this song seems bitter to me. Bitter at the narrators feeling of being at fault, and bitterness at hoping for something better. I may be wrong, but art is up to the interpretation of the audience, right?

New City Lights - A song about moving on. The singing wraps around the beat rather than being subordinate to timing (which is how 99% of all rock songs are), which is pretty neat. The music is upbeat and a little quicker in tempo than most of the other songs on the album.

Last A Lifetime - A departure from the styles of the previous songs. Much more focused on the lyrics and singing, rather than the instrumentation.

Without You, It's True - The perfect closer for the album. The last line sums up not only this song, but the entire feeling of the album; "I hope you'll come around."

If I had heard this album a year ago, it would have never left my CD player and I probably would have cried everytime I listened to it. I know some people who could use the catharsis, and I will be passing this on to them. Buy this album, borrow it from a friend, just find a way to listen to it. It is well worth it.

One last thing; My favorite Darynyck song is I'm So Sad (which DID help me through a rough patch), unfortunately I'm So Sad is on the Sasquatch Sessions, which is an album I do not have, nor have I listened to. Someday I hope to rectify that.

Darynyck on Sonicbids, Myspace, Youtube, and CD Baby

Why the Scene Sucks

2010-11-08T21:19:00.000-05:00

There have been a few stories written about the public's disdain for local music printed in the various newspapers and websites that cover such things. I thought I would throw my hat in the ring.

Residents don't buy local band albums or music.

There are only a few places where a fan or potential fan can buy local music. They can buy it at a show (the difficulties of which will be explained below), they can buy it at a store (see last months adventure with Used Kids Records), or they can buy it online from the bands' website. The problem with buying online is that many bands don't have websites with music available to download. Some are still on Myspace only and the company that allows bands to sell music on Myspace has a very poor reputation for actually paying the bands. Of course, the biggest obstacle to online sales of local music is how do you get people to listen to your music in the first place in order for them to want to buy it?

People don't go to local shows.

People DO go to local shows; just not that often. Some people only go to local concerts; usually people who are hipsters and friends with everyone and probably in a band as well. Some people will go through life having never seen a local concert. But most people will go to at least a few because they know someone who begs and pleads for all their friends to see their band play at some overpriced shit-hole like Pub 161 outside the City.
There is one thing about our city that people often complain about but has, as far as I can tell, been completely ignored in this argument. This issue is that of public transportation. COTA does not have the coverage, nor does it run late enough on enough lines to be more than the half-assed mediocre bus system that it is. I don't own a vehicle and use COTA quite frequently; I know first hand how limited it is. Add COTA's crappy coverage with how spread out Columbus is with sprawl, and that Central Ohio is the DUI capital of the world, and you don't have a city conducive to lots of people going out to bars at night and enjoying their local artists.

Local music doesn't get enough publicity or media attention.

The Other Paper is very busy patting itself on the back for not being The Columbus Dispatch.
Alive is owned by The Columbus Dispatch but is trying to be just like The Other Paper. However, The Other Paper and Alive do a pretty good job of publicizing local music. They've put local bands on the cover page, each issue has a comprehensive listing of every local concert and event for the next week, and for the most part their music review sections are tight except for Wes Flexner, The Other Paper's hip hop guru, calling The Unholy Two's new album the "Best local album of the year". The Unholy Two have the album of the year? uh huh. There aren't enough blunts in the world to make that a defensible position. By the way, Chris Lutzko works for the company that publishes The Other Paper - it's not who you are, but who you know.
There are music blogs (Howdy!) that cover local music. Some of them (I assume) are better than this one in various regards. Music blogs, unlike newspapers and radio, are viral in nature - people with nothing to do and unhealthy internet addictions write about their experiences, other people who are the same read it and repost it or link to it, and casual observers find it and check it out. I wish there were a lot more music bloggers in Columbus. There are 5000 food blogs here, and 5 music blogs. Columbus is full of fatties who hate music. I wish that was a joke.
The more established web sites have their own issues. Cringe has "The Columbus Sound," whatever that means, since that would assume that all bands in Columbus play the same things. They don't. Columbus has one of the most eclectic and varied musical scenes in the country. Every genre that exists can be found here. Donewaiting is run by a guy in Brooklyn, New York. That's really all that needs to be said.
CD101 is now CD102.5 for no good reason and has Independent Playground (We miss you Rudy G) and more importantly Frontstage 101 every weeknight at 9. But you know what would be even cooler? Local music in the regular rotation (I call for this in just about every Sounding Board survey I take). How about a contest (like the Blitz's Choose It or Lose It) where listeners call in and vote on local music to be played on regular rotation? I mean, you've played 2 Howlin' Maggie songs, 2 Watershed songs, and a musical abortion by Earwig. How about some new, and good local stuff played throughout the day? The Blitz is less shitty than ever! They actually play metal now and let the DJ's have more of a say in what is played. If The Blitz had a daily local stuff version of Choose It or Lose it for hard rock and metal bands, it would get the audience involved and act as somewhat of a filter for bands - competition breeds exception.

These were just some thoughts I had after reading various articles and listening to various radio stations and talking to various musicians.

Used Kid's Records

2010-10-10T12:38:00.002-04:00

According to Used Kid's Records, the proper way to support local music is to tell anyone who suggests how to better support said music to go fuck themselves.

Around 10 years ago, a clerk at Used Kid's pissed me off so much on my very first visit (at their old location) that I never went back until 2 years ago. I only went back on that occasion to please my then-girlfriend. I was impressed with the new location and was hit on by some random hot chick while smoking a cigarette outside. So it was a good second impression.
Since then, Used Kid's has become my go-to record store. Not because it is better in any way than any other record store, but because it's close to where I live and easy to get to.
So, just like many other people, I befriended Used Kid's on Facebook. This led to the record store inviting me (twice) to an event called, "Weekend of Mayhem." Weekend of Mayhem is an event with live music, record deals, and is advertised as such, "Please come out and support your local independent record store as well as your local music scene."
I think I do a fairly decent job in supporting the local music scene. I give free press to local bands, I stroke their egos, give creative criticism, go to their concerts, and buy their CDs and vinyl records. So, being the supporter of local music that I am, I suggested, in an admittedly snarky way, that Used Kid's could do just a tiny bit more for local music than what they are currently doing.
this is the result.
Yes, you read that right. For my suggestion of moving the local music section nearer the register and out of a box on the floor, I have been called a "dickweed" by the official Used Kid's facebook page. Think about that for a moment, but not too long, as the story continues!
Used Kid's, in their infinite wisdom, made two identical event pages for Weekend of Mayhem. So I wrote the exact same thing on the second page that I wrote on the first. This is the response and boy, it's a doozy!
In case you can't see it for some reason, here is a screenshot

So, an employee, who is an actual representative of the store, told me to "shove it up my ass."
See folks, that's a classy lady right there. All this time, I thought I knew what it was to support local music. But I was obviously very wrong.
According to Used Kid's Records, the proper way to support local music is to tell anyone who suggests how to better support said music to go fuck themselves. Obviously they are right, because several people "liked" what they have to say and even defend their position. Well, okay, their defense isn't really all that good, since he just called a local musician and myself "douche bags."
I will provide no links to Used Kid's Records as I have no interest in generating any business for them at this time. If you want to buy records from stores not operated by dickheads, spend your money at these fine establishments:
Spoonful Records
116 E Long St
Columbus, OH 43215
Lost Weekend Records
2960 North High Street
Columbus, OH 43202-1136
Magnolia Thunderpussy
1155 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43201
[Edit: I have no issue with the owners of Used Kid's Records. I sincerely doubt that Ron or Dan even know about any of this. Although the girl who told me to "shove it up my ass" is apparently Dan's daughter, I have no reason to believe that he or Ron House feel the same way. But it does not change the fact that I will no longer shop at their store, nor will I encourage anyone else to shop there.]

The Pee Pee Dance

2010-09-26T13:45:00.001-04:00

I was at a concert the other night and some hipsters took the stage. I sort of know some of them and they're nice people, so I don't mean to use the term "hipster" in a derogatory sense. Just a statement of fact. They dress, act and play in hipster style.
So watching them play I noticed something about their frontman that hit me like a... well, I almost said a ton of bricks, but that is too much of an exaggeration. No, I just came to realize something about hipster frontmen.
Hipster frontmen always have to pee really really bad when they're on stage. They do what every mother knows and calls, "The Pee Pee Dance."
Their feet spread, but their knees together, they twist their torso while sort of semi-squatting up and down with their eyes closed and a pained expression on their face. Now, I know that they don't actually have to pee really bad (or at least I assume that), but that just makes it more hilarious - hipster frontmen actually think pretending to have to pee makes them seem more earnest; like their banal, smug, and pretentious lyrics are SO important that goddamn (!), if the audience doesn't believe in their sincerity, they're just going to pee through their super-tight dark jeans, dribble on their vintage cowboy boots or converse all-stars, and maybe, just maybe, get a little bit on their too-small flannel shirt with the sleeves buttoned up.

If I feel up to it, I will post some videos of this phenomena later.

2010-09-21T21:52:00.000-04:00

This Thursday at Kobo (Oldfield's on High) a concert event is happening that all should attend.

Lackluster
Spruce Campbells
The Nuclear Children (loved this band, but never reviewed them)
Evan Harris and the Driftwood Motion

The Spruce Campbells will be joined by Jack Atreides of The Futurists. The Nuclear Children are having a reunion show of sorts. Lackluster will be doing what Lackluster does best - making hipster girls shake their asses. and Evan Harris and the Driftwood Motion will bring everyone back to their roots - in the right way.

Album Review: All Saints' Day by The New Heaven and The New Earth

2010-09-05T11:26:00.002-04:00

I didn't know there was an old heaven and an old earth before I reached the new ones with the unexpected album All Saints' Day released in 2009. This collection of six songs handles itself much like a stranger at a street fair, propelled on by it's hunger and emptiness, yet tragically beautiful as a natural beast that is perpetually stuck. They sing as if they have found scraps for dinner, and eat, all the while knowing it's rotten. The cellos shift gracefully as only a bleeding heart can shift through moments and days and years. Accompanied by beautiful chords and simple slow beats, portraits of low poignant freckles of time frozen by myth and melody. It is sad, luring, and yet still shines light, demonstrating the delicate partnership between hope and fear.

Noah, the first track gives a powerful kick start to the album and is a mix between a 70's acid trip and a Sunday afternoon at church. The cellos and angelic background choir give it a forceful yet graceful balance that sets the stage for the rest of the songs. It almost sounds as if it starts out in the middle of the track which gave little room for a climax, however, the whole 3 minutes is dramatic through the breezy vocals and harmonies.

Dry Stalk lives up to its name and instantly sounds like it is off of The Royal Tenebaum's soundtrack. It is dry and slow in an interesting and offbeat way that tells of a slowly recovering heartache. The male backing vocals are a perfect choice in this short (2 and a half minutes!) track, packing a certain quality I can't put my finger on. They sing "do-do-do-do-doo" with a shy awkward tinge - reminiscent perhaps of someone with incredible talents that is overshadowed by perceived imperfections. Its modest instruments and melodies create such sympathy for the dried up used stalk of a man, while the bells and chorus give hope, only to be dashed on contradiction and held together by its own sick cycle.

Simon sounds like second wind extension to its previous neighboring track. It starts out with tambourine shakes and the choir crying out with pain like flailing souls trapped half in the sand. This nearly five minute song provides some of the most interesting and well done vocals on the album. They don't shake in syllables but in whole, each word ending like a cliff, mountains filling up even my mouth. The song progression is like a roller coaster, allowing the vocals to take stage as a harpsichord, sad organ, and tambourine provide the simple tune throughout the verse, allowing the bridges to provide the sweeping punch of a rooted gospel. Two minutes in, the bells chime and the tambourine is accompanied by chilling lyrics and climaxes into an orchestra of sound where the voices take shape as instruments themselves.

After a long pause, the soft piano starts. Tori Amos and PJ Harvey's love child climbs through the speakers and leaves the windows open, the cold winter breeze blowing through. St. Valentine is my favorite song and an excellent fourth track to give fresh breath to the album. The shifting sounds and reckless instruments near the end are like ghosts, mindless in their habitual echos. Yet, something beautiful is created and harnessed, leaving a craving after its short two minutes. It is like a lucid dream, haunting and stunning.

With a Mark Lanegan's guitar and Radiohead's melodic vocals, Santa Muerte is sad and reflective. It imagines life outside of our present constraints, welcoming the future as a replacement. However hopeful the lyrics might be, the reality is the darkness of the present and the pain of hope. The cellos offer a deep contrast to the guitar melodies and show the depressing acceptance of such a life.

St. Francis highlights a new vocal sound with raspy voice talk telling us "it's not cocaine", but its surely something. This haunting final track is simple at the beginning with raising and falling single tones like the bending of the earth. Then the juxtaposition of a strong single tone strum, followed by a pause then a strum, then a pause, then a strum like the forever eventual breaking of the earth. All sprinkled by the pained singing of a burdened soul. The climax is a beautiful collision of every aspect. The symbols crash like the unknowing angry ocean on jagged rocks, like saints finally opening up their wrists to find it's only their blood in there, "we're not men, we can't pretend that we are fish and marry prophets anymore." Ending in a heavy solo guitar and the sadly building purge of hope and fear and the drugged waltz that all prophets must perfect, dragging all the way up to the earth from heaven.

If you can't tell, I quit enjoyed this little collection from an artist unknown to me. I listened to it while figuring out my terrifying finances and it even helped keep my blood pressure low. It spreads like depression, heavy in afterglow and calm as a diabetic baking a pie. The short length of Dry Stalk and St. Valentine left me wondering where the rest of the song was and some of the tracks had a little lack of dramatics, but it left a definite good imprint. Overall, it reminds me of Muse - that is in a different state of grief. This is Muse after they get over the anger and find themselves in the purgatory of denial, isolation, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Sirens can be hidden in the keys of a piano and behind the strings of a cello, lighthouses of destruction and beauty that live inside all of us - you know you can relate.

The New Heaven & The New Earth
Simon
http://www.edibleonion.com/media/music/simon.mp3

The New Heaven & The New Earth
St. Valentine
http://www.edibleonion.com/media/music/st-valentine.mp3

(songs used with permission)

Album Review: Mosques, Museums, and Mausoleums by The Spruce Campbells

2010-08-09T12:53:00.001-04:00

Mosques, Museums, and Mausoleums is the first of five or six, 4 song EP's. Each EP has its own title, but all are (or rather, will be) collectively called, The Bipolar Coordinates EP's.

Each EP is to have 2 pairs of songs (for you quick ones out there, that's a total of 4 songs), with the songs in each pair to have similar themes or styles that bring them together.

I think I've listened to these 4 songs more times than the last 4 albums I've received or bought combined. It kind of makes me scared as to what kind of earth-shaking, sheet-clenching, toe-curling orgasm I'm going to have when I listen to the next 4 discs.

actual review after you scroll down and look at the album art...

Black Sunshine is a gorgeous tune that is reminiscent of The Pixies with the soft female lead and a kind of obnoxious male chorus. I don't mean that the chorus is bad in any way, I'm just saying Frank Black had an obnoxious voice and this is comparable. Musically however, it is far more complicated than a Pixies tune. When I heard this song live, it struck me as being more similar to the Dandy Warhol's, but I get none of that here on the album. Great song on the album, amazing song to hear live.

More O's just made me cream my jeans for the umpteenth time. Everything about this song makes me happy. There is clapping, and clapping is good. The transitions from simple and soft to bombastic and crazy is amazing. The keyboards, guitars, drums, vocals, violin; everything in this makes me want to have sex with the song. If only that were possible.

So Tired is a Fugazi cover. Putting a cover song on an album can be hit or miss with some bands; it's a tribute to a song or band you really like, but if you don't make it your own, what's the point? The best covers tend to sound very different than the originals. Spruce Campbells manage to make this song their own without drastically changing anything. It's a beautiful song, centered around Chelsea Moore's vocals and keyboard accompaniment (sorry, I'm not sure who was playing the keys).

Far Away is a song that causes complicated emotions in the listener. It starts with just piano and vocals (Chelsea Moore again, as on every song on this album), then drums and violin join in. The conversation between the male and female vocalists will strike a chord with anyone who ever felt the need that to just get the hell out of Dodge and leave everything behind. The song is on one hand sad, but on the other hand kind of hopeful.

Well kids, that ends my review of the Spruce Campbells EP, Mosques, Museums, and Mausoleums. If you want a mind-blowing experience, check them out live and buy the album.

Other places to hear The Spruce Campbells' music...
Myspace
Facebook
Bandcamp

Mini-Review: KOBO

2010-07-04T12:07:00.001-04:00

A few weeks ago my buddy Jon of Lackluster (shameless name-drop) asked me if I wanted to go see Historians play a free show at Oldfields on High. I said, "sure" as I don't mind Historians and hey, it's free, ya know?

So we get there and of course it is right smack dab in the middle of OSU's Senior Crawl. Like my friend Bridgit would say, it was like I was in the middle of an episode of Jersey Shore that continued for hours. Are all college girls whores, or just the ones that go out in public? Ah, but I digress...

We walk in and notice everyone working is wearing Evolved t-shirts. The place also seemed... different, but I couldn't put my finger on it. Outside smoking a cigarette, I talked to the door-guy and he said the bar was recently bought out and is being renamed, "KOBO." I asked him why the name change, as Oldfield's has been around forever and people recognize it. He said he didn't know but I could ask the owner and pointed out a 14-year old kid moving boxes of beer around.

That 14-year old kid is actually Jacob Wooten (who is 26 years old). He's a member of the band, The Pinkertone's and bought Oldfield's with the owner of Evolved.

To be honest, I was dismayed by the name change and unsure of the direction the place was going to go. However, I've changed my mind and think it's pretty brilliant.

Kobo means an artist's work space in Japanese. The idea behind KOBO is that Wooten wanted to make a bar that caters to bands, not the other way around. He's taken down all the beer signs and put up old flyers and posters (many, if not all, seemingly from the old High Five) of local bands. The shit-beer has been taken off the taps and replaced with imports and micro-brews. Sound dampening has been installed behind the stage, and in general, the place looks more cleaned up.

He even took out the cable television! Which is brilliant because even I have found myself being drawn into a T.V. when I should be paying attention to the band on stage.

I think the idea is great, and within 4 years no one will even care that Oldfield's on High is gone. I wish KOBO and Wooten the best, and I hope to make it back often. check out http://www.kobolive.com for more info on upcoming shows.

In other news, that same night I went skinny-dipping for the first time in my life, met some awesome dudes in a band called, Spruce Campbells (seriously, these guys were sweet), and somehow emailed myself something about a band called, "Barker's Beauties" which I think may be linked to Spruce Campbells? I have no idea. If anyone can help me out with Barker's Beauties, I would appreciate it.