8-Bit Revival/Pretty & Nice/Mascot @ Nite Owl 10.30.07

As expected, the show at Nite Owl last night was an excellent show. Despite the thin crowd, everyone turned in incredible performances and those who were in attendance received musical treats sweeter than any Halloween candy....

...opening the evening was Mascot, offering up a solo acoustic set filled with quick bursts of pop tunes and historical rants....



...turning the corner was Pretty & Nice, out on tour from Boston. Their incendiary stage presence and propensity toward melodic bliss left everyone in the room fairly breathless. Although we're already big fans of their first two discs, the unveiling of several new tunes left us eager for their next offering...



...closing out the evening was local favorites 8-Bit Revival, who gave what looks to be their last performance of the year. Their gigantic angular tunes were the perfect conclusion to an evening of ecstatic fun times...



....yep, you missed another good one...

Photos of Mascot and 8-Bit Revival by Marla Bremer

8-Bit Revival/Pretty & Nice/Mascot Tonight @ Nite Owl

We know it's only Tuesday and that you might still be rebounding from the weekend, but you need to know a few things about tonight....

...Pretty & Nice are coming in from Boston. With their patented tazer rock they will blow your minds and move your feets. You really want to catch them, since you probably missed them the last two times they played Dayton this year. Also, on the bill are 8-Bit Revival and Mascot. see you there....

Wild & Free/Endless Mike & the Beagle Club @ Jake's House Party 10.28.07

Although we missed the myriad events that took place on Saturday night (Pollard's Birthday Party did us in), we were back out in the fray last night....our sources told us that there was to be a house party hosted by Jake Geisege of Wild & Free. So, we made our way out to the wilds of Wilmington Pike....



Upon our arrival, we caught Endless Mike and the Beagle Club, in town from Johnstown, PA. Truly, this seemed to be the atmosphere in which the band fully thrived. I simply could not imagine them in a bar. A handful of audients were thoroughly versed in the band's repertoire, while most of us were seeing the band for the first time. Regardless of familiarity, EM&TBC proceeded to win over every person in the room, holding the attention of even the most jaded. With a sound somewhere between early REM, Neutral Milk Hotel, and the Hold Steady, this was truly a treat....



...fresh off their CD release show for the incredible debut, Andiamo, Wild & Free turned in a spirited set for a select group of Sunday nighters. While it seemed that most people had been to see them on Saturday night, those of us who braved the basement were treated to an intimate reading from the rehearsal board. If you missed it, get their disc Andiamo at your soonest convenience....

Robert Pollard's Surprise 50th Birthday Party

Yes, the Robert Pollard. In Dayton. For his 50th birthday...Somehow, we managed to make it into this exclusive event. You don't need to know how. Just be glad we were there for you...

...amidst circulating rumors that Eddie Vedder or Ric Ocasek might materialize (they never did), and after milling about for an hour, the guest of honor reluctantly appeared to an overwhelming ovation from family, friends, and fans. Eternally gracious, Uncle Bob proceeded to spend the better part of the next three hours talking to old bandmates (we spotted no fewer than 10 ex-GBVers), his requisite Monument Clubbers, and basically any fan who just wanted to gush over Pollard's genius. He took it all in stride...



...after several hours, the GBV cover band The Heedonists took the stage and treated the birthday boy and fans alike to a parade of GBV classics and several songs by some of Bob's oft-mentioned heroes. Ex-GBV bassist Chris Slusarenko joined in for a couple of songs, as did Bob's longtime cohort Ron House....


...and then, just when you thought it might not happen, Bob and the Boys (the 98-99 lineup, to be exact) took to the stage and ran through a handful of old GBV tunes. At least one song was aborted, and the only song we can recall hearing for sure was the elusive James Riot, but the rush was there. Hearing that band play those songs litup even the most jaded in the crowd. With everyone being on the floor, the intimacy was stunning....

....so, in the end, it was a perfect drunken afternoon with Dayton's favorite son. Thanks Uncle Bob!

Human Reunion/Eat Sugar @ Nite Owl 10.26.07

For a weekend where everyone seemed to be saving it up for a big Saturday night, Dayton had plenty of great shows on the nights leading up to the Halloween celebrations...Friday at Nite Owl was no exception...



Making another trip up from Cincinnati, Eat Sugar looked and sounded great. Their hyperactive synths and grinding bass created a frenetic sound over top of the steady, danceable pulse of the drums, both acoustic and electronic. Like a deranged conductor, vocalist Aidan Bogosian howled and contorted across the stage. We can't wait for them to come back...



Next up was The Human Reunion...although somewhat hindered by technical issues and varying degrees of inebriation, HR demonstrated yet again why they are regarded as one of the best bands in Dayton. With atonal keyboard attacks soaring over the primal rhythms, Tim Krug and Jeremy Fredericks alternated as the voice of the mayhem...with their debut full-length still pending, we can't wait for it to arrive...

all photos from this show by Marla Bremer

Are you a Celebrity or a Nite Owl???

Hey kids, you got two hot options tonight....seriously, there are no losers on this one...

...if you're up for a drive, then you're in for a treat...The Story Changes headlines the bill down at Celebrity's in Centerville (right behind Blockbuster on SR 725). Should be a great rock show with DJ Jay Madewell of Fab Gear fame spinning his top jams in between the bands...or...

...if you're inclined to stay in the Gem City proper, head over to the Nite Owl where the always incendiary Human Reunion plays host to Cincinnati faves Eat Sugar and The Seedy Seeds. This is gonna be a synthy good time....

...either way, get up and get out!

Brimstone Howl/Switchblade Serenade @ Pearl 10.25.07

No one at the Pearl last night was entirely sure where the crowd was. It was a great bill and the turnout was exceptionally thin. We presumed most everyone was saving it up for Halloween weekend....

Regardless, Brimstone Howl brought their bluesy-garage-pop sound into town and it was a real treat. Although they were somewhat baffled by the void between band and audience at the Pearl, they still delivered a rollicking set...



With what can only be described as drunken abandon, Switchblade Serenade took the evening to a blistering new level, as the group delivered what was the best set we've seen by the band. Firing on all cylinders and feeding off the energy of the swelling audience, Switchblade's affinity for raunchy garage was on full display. The new material offered the promise of a remarkable debut album, which is currently in the works...

Brimstone Howl/Switchblade Serenade/Atomic Johnny-Tonight @ Pearl!

Your good friends at Do Tell Records and Fab Gear are teaming up and totally doing you a favor tonight. Garage goodness will overflow from that most 50s of all Dayton landmarks, The Pearl, tonight and out into the streets of the Gem City. Brimstone Howl (Alive Records) is out on tour bringing their hip-shaking, super-charged, bluesy garage into town. Switchblade Serenade is Dayton's most notorious garage supergroup doused in and dripping with mayhem. Atomic Johnny offers up purist garage with a flair for the theatrical. Before, between, and after the bands, the host of Fab Gear, Jay Madewell, will be spinning your favorite tracks of 60s and 70s garage, soul, french pop, and new wave.

you know where we'll be tonight....see you there!

Grizzzy Bear "Stale Body"

Yes, we really like Grizzzzy Bear here at the Buddha Den. We assume you have all ordered your copy of their new album over here. In case you haven't, here's a video to reinforce the point of why you should...a little rough sonically, but some nice editing of the footage makes up for it....


video courtesy of Daniel Greene over at Audendi

Burning Down Belmont

Released yesterday on the local Poptek label, the acoustic indie/pop of Kris N.'s Burning Down Belmont EP bridges the gap between Iron & Wine, Eliot Smith, and journalizing your youth in Dayton. Although a brief affair, the innocently whispered vocal deliveries and ambient, lo-fi recordings beg repeated listens...

Kris N. on Myspace

Return of Musician's Co-Op at Canal Street Tavern Tonight

Predating the inception of Canal Street Tavern, the Musician's Co-Op served as an institution for over 20 years. For local icons wanting to test out new material to the amateur guy who just wanted to take the stage, Musician's Co-Op has seen more than its fair share of rock n' roll moments....

earlier this year, much to the chagrin of Dayton musicians, the co-op was put on indefinite hiatus. Tonight, however, CST has announced that it will open its doors for the return of the Musician's Co-op. If you have some new tunes to try out, better run down and sign up....

Grizzzy Bear CD Release Show 10.19.07

So, Friday night at Pearl, Squids Eye Records held a CD release show at Pearl for their third release of the year, Grizzzzy Bear's self-titled debut.

The show itself left a little to be desired in the way of stage presence, but the performances of the material and the band's interpretations of what is essentially a one-man lo-fi opus only hinted at what might become a serious live juggernaut in the near future....



Take a few minutes and check them out before the record drops on October 30:
Grizzzzy Bear on Myspace

Grizzzzzy Bear CD release tonight!

Although the album does not officially come out for another week on Squids Eye Records, this evening Grizzzzzy Bear will host a release party for their debut, self-title disc at Pearl Niteclub.

With their love of 80s synths and their near-effortless dissemination of one remarkable hook after another, Grizzzzy Bear bridges the gap between lo-fi and punk ethos while never compromising the integrity of the songs. Heap on top a tasteful, yet potent dose of psychedlia and a snotty sense of humor and you've got a band in full command of their muse.

Also on the bill are label-mates The Sailing, Romance of the Young Tigers, and the Gluons.

Punk Legends Agent Orange at Nite Owl Tonight

Yes, we here at the Buddha Den are alive and well. We apologize for the lack of activity this week, but, quite frankly, it's been fairly quiet in Dayton this week...until tonight, that is....

Rolling into the Nite Owl tonight will be California surf/punk legends, Agent Orange. Dating back to...well...before you and me, these guys are the real deal, old school punk rockers. You won't want to miss this one...

Also on the bill are locals, The Give-Ups, The Sics, and Devilhawks. This one is sure to be a rowdy, good time...

Better With You

I apologize, dear readers, in the lack of posts in the previous days. Rest assured, we here at the Buddha Den are still here for you and will continue to bring you coverage on the Dayton music scene....

To that end, we found ourselves at the Nite Owl last eve and caught what can only be described as the second coming...of Bob Dylan. Yes, that Bob Dylan. Surely, you will scoff at this and decry our assessment as hasty. Now, go check out the young Jordan Hull and ask anyone there last night for their assessment. It was universal. In addition to this most obvious stylistic comparison, Hull is writing incredibly complex lyrics and his melodies and song-structures are absolutely classic without being cliche. Catch it now and get board, as he will be releasing his debut disc in the coming months...

as you're walking out the door....

Sorry about the late post today....Just wanted to drop notice about a few quality events taking place this evening. Depending on your mood this evening, Dayton has you covered...

If you're in for a night of relentless, gut-wrenching metal and thrash, head over to Pearl to catch The Harlots CD release show, which will also feature Dance Club Massacre from Chicago, Dead Will Rise, and locals, Marijuana Johnson...

If you're looking for something totally old school, underground, punk benefit-type show, get on Mapquest (or your favorite map search engine) and get directions to 332 Gunckel Avenue in Walnut Hills for the Anti-Corporate Weekend show, thrown by the Dayton Punx. It's an all ages show (which has actually already started...) with free entry with canned food. Bands slated to play are The Adversaries?, The Sics, Sub-X, Junkpile, Second Hand Destruction, and Shotgun Radio....

If, however, you're looking for something a little more low-key, head over to the Trolley Stop and check out Roger Hoover & The Whiskeyhounds. On a tour stop that will take them all the way into the Deep South, these guys deliver quality Americana songwriting that is sure to make you laugh and cry...probably all in the same song...

So, get where you're going and we'll see you there....

The Appreciation Post/Dirty White Ponies/The Gluons @ Nite Owl 10.10.07

Although I would have gone to this show at the Nite Owl anyway, my evening was somewhat hampered by the fact that I was obligated as door person for the evening. Drag. Alas, it turned out to be a very well-attended show with an enthusiastic crowd the likes of which I've rarely seen on a Wednesday....

First up on the bill was Squids Eye Records' The Gluons. The duo took to the darkened stage, armed with small amps and a drum machine, and proceeded to issue forth several new wave/garage gems that were highly danceable and incredibly melodic. However, the group still has a few gear issues to iron out, as well as possibly shortening their set for maximum impact...

Second this evening was The Appreciation Post, out on tour from Boston. Armed with their synth-laden powerpop, TAP rattled off one memorable hook after another. Their sound was also impeccable, allowing the big guitars and keyboard melodies to compliment each other perfectly.


Closing out the evening was the alt/punk of Dirty White Ponies. While showing some promise, this band seems relatively green. Upon inquiry, I was told that Myspace tracks will be forthcoming...


It would be great to see more turnouts like this on weeknights....