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July 2008
DBP tale of the tape
Round two - Dayton Band Playoffs - at Canal Street Tavern - Thursday, July 31st
A Familiar Encounter vs Electric Smoke
This match-up is a classic rock versus roll Dayton Band Playoff match-up. Both bands are grounded in the hard rock genre and fans from either band may cross-over and vote for the opposition. The final vote should be very close.
In round one Electric Smoke had a wild show complete with a near drag-out fight between band members (and brothers) onstage.
A Familiar Encounter, who finished eighth overall in first round voting, seems like the favorite going into Thursday’s competition.
But, anything can happen. The winner will take on the top ranked The Joose Box on August 13th in round three.
Here is how the band’s stack up.
A Familiar Encounter
Band members: Matt Penny (lead guitar), Garret Willis (rhythm guitar), Brad Wendling (bass guitar), and Justin McMurry (drums).
From: Dayton
Established: 2006
Style of music: hard rock influenced by Smashing Pumpkins and Metallica
“We believe that our ability to win rests on the fact that our music is so much different than anything out there right now. Everyone who’s heard us has said they haven’t heard anything like it. We respect Electric Smoke and know how hard they have worked to get here and we wish them good luck.” - A Familiar Encounter.
Electric Smoke
Band Members: Landon McKibben (vocals), Brock McKibben (guitar), Matt Szafranski (bass), Ben Shank (drums)
From: Medway
Established: 2007
Style: hard rock, southern rock, blues
“We are bringing loose, fast, rugged and raw hard rock n’ roll back to the forefront of the music scene, where it never should have disappeared from in the first place. We’re doing it with a liquor bottle of southern rock and a white line of blues.” - Electric Smoke.
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The Story Changes and My Latex Brain to play Warped Tour
The Warped Tour is hitting Riverbend in Cincinnati next Wednesday, July 30th, and two local bands will be playing alongside headliners like Against Me, Motion City Soundtrack, Angels and Airwaves, Say Anything, and more.
Local pop-punk/rock band the Story Changes and local experimental-rock band My Latex Brain will perform on two stages at Warped Tour.
The Story Changes will play on the Ernie Ball stage performing between noon and two. My Latex Brain will be on the Kevin Says stage and will play early as well.
The Warped Tour is a punk and rock music festival that has been around since 1995. Thousands are expected to attend the Cincinnati leg of the Tour.
I heard from Story Changes front-man Mark Mcmillon this week while the band was on tour in Houghton, Michigan.
He told me that he spent the night in the emergency room nursing a common rock n’ roll injury.
“I’ve been battling a pretty bad inner ear infection on this tour, not fun,” said Mcmillon. “The pressure in my head was so bad on Saturday that I caved and went to the walk in ER in Houghton, MI. I got some medicine it’s slowly getting better, but taking it easy as much as possible.”
The Story Changes this week also released a brand new track on a new Future Destination records compilation cd entitled Good Times.
The song is called ‘I Remember’ and fans can check it out a www.FdrShop.com.
Fans can also leave Mark or the band a ‘get well’ message at www.myspace.com/thestorychanges.
My message to Mark is to get out of Michigan.
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Wake Up Mordecai releases debut cd
Johnny Callon is a 17-year-old singer/songwriter who writes songs with the maturity and intelligence of someone twice his age.
Callon, who plays shows and records under the name Wake Up Mordecai, recently sent me a copy of his forthcoming ep entitled North to the Nth Degree.
The Nth Degree is acoustic bliss and filed between catchy and smart in the indie-pop drawer.
Recorded with lo-fi warmth in Callon’s Vandalia house the songs are stripped down to guitar, voice, drums, and the occasional bell, organ, and kazoo.
But, Callon’s witty one-liners and catchy melodies are more than enough to keep the Nth Degree atop your I-pods most played.
“All the songs were inspired by my then girlfriend and now ex-girlfriend,” Callon said. “I also got a lot of help from the band Fine China and local band XL427.”
Wake Up Mordecai, which is an odd Royal Tenembaums reference, will officially release his new cd this Friday at the Vineyard Church in Springfield. The show is all-ages and begins at 7 pm.
“I am super excited about releasing the record and playing the show Friday,” said Callon. “One of my favorite local bands Towhee is also playing.”
Callon, who will be a senior at Vandalia-Butler High School, will be releasing his debut record on Dayton-based Poptek records. The cd will be for sale at the show.
Visit www.myspace.com/wakemordecai or www.poptek.com to hear samples of Wake Up Mordecai’s new cd North to the Nth Degree and get more info about the show.
Sorry Johnny, I will not mention that you are good-looking like you asked me too.
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DBP round two begins Wednesday
Round two is when the Dayton Band Playoffs really get interesting and dramatic. Every show is a head-to-head battle between two bands. With one band being eliminated at the end of each night.
The 16 bands with the most overall votes from round one have made it into round two. Round two begins Wednesday, July 23rd at Canal Street Tavern.
The standings from the first round were announced this week and are posted on the bar’s website www.canalstreettavern.com.
The top five are: 1.The Joose Box 2. Alec Delphenich Trio 3. Dangerously Hot 4. Magic Jackson 5. Oxymoronatron.
So now the question is, who will win?
Can The Joose Box, a Ben Folds meets the Arctic Monkeys piano-duo, keep momentum in round two and win the Playoffs?
Or, will the robot-power of Oxymoronatron prevail?
And do not count out the Alec Delphenich Trio who went very deep in the playoffs last year boasting a smooth Jack Johnson style.
Remember in round two bands are required to play two sets which may pose a problem for young bands. In round two (and all rounds) fans determine the winners each night. So it pays to support your favorite local bands.
Click the comments and tell me who you think will win the 2008 Dayton Band Playoffs at Canal Street Tavern. Let the trash talking begin.
Upcoming DBP dates: Wednesday, July 23rd - Oxymoronatron vs White Pongo. Thursday, July 24th - The Joose Box vs Goodfoot. Sunday, July 27th - Alec Delphenich Trio vs Stump.
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S.O.L. try hand in DBP
Positivity drives the Sidney/Piqua based jam-rock band named S.O.L. or Signs of Life.
“We are constantly evolving as a band, but the outlook has always been positive,” said Shawn Spivey (guitar/voice). “We try to always keep our energy and lyrics positive.”
The other driving force behind the band is diversity. The 2-year-old 6-piece band combines a list of music styles throughout their set of original songs.
“Our Style is a mix of rock, funk, reggae, blues, hip-hop and occasional jazz overtones,” said Spivey. “We focus on diversity because it keeps things interesting and allows us to improve and enjoy the vibe.”
The band will perform in round one of the Dayton Band Playoffs this Wednesday, July 16th at Canal Street Tavern. Also playing are rockers Savant and A Familiar Encounter.
“We are participating in the Dayton Band Playoffs because we hope to open doors for our band. Whether this opportunity presents exposure, recognition, respect or simply new fans and friends, we will take it,” Spivey explained.
Visit www.myspace.com/signsoflifephio to hear a sample of the bands tunes (I am a big fan of the trumpet).
Round two of the Dayton Band Playoffs at Canal Street Tavern begins July 30th. The top 24 overall vote getters from round one will move on.
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5 reasons I love Sleepybird
I love the local experimental indie-folk band Sleepybird, and here is five reasons why.
No Flood - The band’s debut album released in 2004 is a beautiful collage of sounds never heard before within the Dayton city limits. The band’s sophomore effort, released in ‘06 entitled All Things are Mine, tops many fan’s best of lists. But, No Flood was my first exposure to the dark dissonance and organized noise of Sleepybird, and still my favorite.
Artwork - The number two reason I love Sleepybird is the album and flyer artwork that the band has created or collaborated on. The artwork for No Flood depicted fictional and mythical creatures that were part man, part bee, and part bird. Talented local artist Amy Kollar Anderson created a line of art especially for the record All Things are Mine. The amazing prints were even displayed at the album’s release show.
Instruments - Sleepbird’s charm resonates from their many incorporated instruments. The band exploits the sounds of trombones, mandolins, violas, keys, synths, and a theremin. The best part is they are able play each piece live and not just on the recording.
Facial Hair - Ok, so my number four is a little juvenile, but I really love the mustache Jason.
Theatrics - The number five reason I love Sleepybird is because the band continues to push the boundaries of a music show. The band has brought Dayton over 100 unique visual and musical experiences over the last four years. Sleepybird is in constant collaboration with artists, writers, and actors. They even did a show at the Boonshoft museum last month.
This Friday, July 11th, the band will be joined by the Zoot Theater Co. to put on a full theatrical stageshow complete with sets, actors, costumes, and scripts. The show is at Gilly’s and will take fans on a journey through the “unseen life of Wigglebird.” Also playing is Toads and Mice and Hotel War.
Visit www.sleepybird.net to get tickets to the Gilly’s show.
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Pollard’s new project will play both DMF and MPMF
Former Guided By Voices frontman Bob Pollard is so proud of his new project that he is set to headline both major southern Ohio music Festivals this fall.
I reported a few weeks back that Pollard would be the closer to the Dayton Music Fest on October 4th. I have now learned he will also appear at Midpoint Music Fest in Cincinnati on September 25-27.
Pollard will be bringing his new band, Boston Spaceships, to both performances. The new project includes former Guided By Voices co-hort Chris Slusarenko and The Decemberists’ John Moen.
The shows at DMF and MPMF will launch the band’s debut cd entitled Brown Submarine and will also start Pollard’s first club tour in two years.
Also set to headline Midpoint are The Purrs and Backyard Tire Fire. Visit www.mpmf.com for more.
The Dayton Music Fest have not announced any other headliners. But, for ticket, contests, and sponsor info visit www.daytonmusicfest.com.
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