The Buddha Den Showcase Presents: The Northwest Ordinance @ South Park Tavern-TONIGHT

...we've been waiting for what seems like forever to finally hook up with one of our Dayton faves, The Northwest Ordinance, to do our monthly Buddha Den Showcase with us over at South Park Tavern. If you haven't caught these guys yet, they're one of the most fun and raucous bands in town right now. Full of vintage punk energy and great songs, their debut, State of Ohio, made our Best of Dayton 2008 list...

...we have it on good authority that the band has a slew of special guests lined up to join them tonight onstage. Whatever happens, people are gonna be talking about it for a while. Music starts at 9 PM sharp. Did we mention that this is a FREE/ALL AGES show??? Yeah, see you there...

MP3: The Northwest Ordinance- "Found Love"
MP3: The Northwest Ordinance- "Dancin'"

Boston Spaceships-The Planets Are Blasted

...Less than 6 months since Brown Submarine dropped, we've already got a follow up from Boston Spaceships, The Planets Are Blasted. If you aren't already a Pollard disciple, odds are there is little here to make you a believer. If yr already on the team, there's plenty to get fists in the air, singing at the top of yr lungs about the requisite UFOs, demons, and girls named Dorothy. Although he perpetually floods his listeners, Pollard will seemingly always offer a choice nugget or two every go-round....

MP3: Boston Spaceships "Canned Food Demons"
MP3: Boston Spaceships "Tattoo Mission"

Poptek Records Announces 2009 Releases

...local purveyors of indie pop, Poptek Records have announced a slew of upcoming releases for the upcoming calendar year. Needless to say, we're pretty excited....

One of Dayton's most prolific songwriters, Kris N. has two albums slated for 2009 release: Lo-Fi Movement will see an April release and Supine Sailor will follow that. Poptek is also generous enough to post a new song by Kris N. every Tuesday as a FREE DOWNLOAD.

...Even though still in high school, John Callon, aka Wake Up, Mordecai, will release his second album, Too Young for the Disco, in May.

...Additionally, Reutschle is heading back into the studio to finish their Color Theory album, slated for a fall release.

...On the strength of their stellar debut, Yesterdays Forever, XL427 plan to take the goods to the people in live performance over the coming months. We highly recommend you check them out...

...what's more, you can grab full album downloads from Wake Up, Mordecai, Reutschle, and XL427 for free HERE...

...we highly recommend you head over to Poptek Records and grab these goodies up. You can thank us later...

King Kahn and the Shrines Announce Tour Dates

...if yr still in love with rock n' roll like we are, odds are you probably already know about King Kahn and the Shrines. For those of you that know, you know. For everyone else, here's yr chance to get it on with the band out on tour:


3/6 Elkton, FL - Harvest of Hope
3/7 Miami, FL - The Vagabond
3/10 Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
3/12 Asheville, NC - Orange Peel
3/13 Nashville, TN - Exit In
3/14 Memphis, TN - Hi-Tone Café
3/15 New Orleans, LA - One Eyed Jacks
3/16 Dallas, TX - Palladium Loft
3/17 San Antonio, TX - The Warhol
3/20 Austin, TX - SXSW
4/29 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
4/30 Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church
5/1 Music Hall of Willamsburg - Brooklyn, NY
5/2 Hoboken, NJ - Maxwell's
5/3 New York, NY - Santos Partyhouse
5/7 Boston, MA - Paradise
5/8 Ottawa, ONT - Babylon
5/9 Montreal, PQ - La Sasa Rossa
5/12 Toronto, ONT - Phoenix Theatre
5/13 Detroit, MI - Magic Stick
5/14 Columbus, OH - Wexner Center
5/15 Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge
5/16 Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock
5/19 Calgary, AB - The Warehouse
5/20 Edmonton, AB - The Starlite Room
5/22 Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom
5/23 Quincy, WA - Sasquatch Festival
5/25 Portland, OR - Dante's
5/28 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
5/29 Los Angeles, CA - Echo
5/30 Los Angeles, CA - Echo

New Wilco Album Due By June

...after the announcement a while back about the upcoming DVD and tour, we were already pretty stoked. Now, according to The Smoking Gun, Wilco are gonna be releasing another new album by June. The article suggests Wilco might be moving back into a Yankee Hotel Foxtrot range, which totally got our attention...

...in case you missed the Wilco DVD trailer earlier, check it:


...in case you missed those tour dates:

03-26 Burlington, VT - Higher Ground (Jeff Tweedy solo) *
03-27 Northampton, MA - Calvin Theatre (Jeff Tweedy solo) *
03-28 Beacon, NY - Beacon High Auditorium (Jeff Tweedy solo) (Benefit for Hudson River Sloop Clearwater)
04-14 Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theatre #
04-15 Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theatre #
04-16 Bloomington, IN - IU Auditorium #
04-17 Athens, OH - Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium #
04-18 Knoxville, TN - Tennessee Theatre #
04-20 Athens, GA - Classic Center #
04-21 Asheville, NC - Thomas Wolfe Auditorium #
04-22 Birmingham, AL - Sloss Furnaces #
04-23 Oxford, MS - Lyric Oxford #
04-25 New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
05-23 Tenerife, Spain - Tenerife Auditorium
05-25 Malaga, Spain - Teatro Cervantes !
05-26 Madrid, Spain - Teatro Calderon !
05-29 Seville, Spain - Territorios Festival, La Cartuja
05-30 Oporto-Braga, Portugal - Teatro Circo
05-31 Lisbon, Portugal - Lisbon Coliseu
06-01 Santiago de Compostela-Galicia, Spain - Palacio de Congresos, Sala Braque
06-03 San Sebastian, Spain - Kursaal
06-04 Barcelona, Spain - Auditori Barcelona
07-11-14 Manchester, TN - Bonnaroo Festival
07-22-25 Detroit Lakes, MN - 10,000 Lakes Festival
08-21 Erfurt-Hohenfelden, Denmark - Highfield Festival

* with Pronto
# with A Hawk and a Hacksaw
! with Akron/Family

The Walkmen Tour With Kings of Leon

...having been fortunate enough to catch both The Walkmen and Kings of Leon at various times, we're pretty excited about the proposition of catching them both together. We're pretty into The Walkmen's latest, You & Me, and although we wish Kings of Leon would stop apeing Bloc Party, they're still loved around these parts. Here's the when & where for the tour:

04.18.09 - Boston, MA - Agannis Arena
04.19.09 - Boston, MA - Agannis Arena
04.20.09 - Montreal, QC - La Sala Rossa*
04.21.09 - Toronto, ON - Air Canada Centre
04.22.09 - Pittsburgh, PA - Palumbo
04.24.09 - Fairfax, VA - Patriot Center
04.25.09 - Philadelphia - Spectrum
04.27.09 - Norfolk, Va - Constant Convocation Center
04.28.09 - Raleigh, NC - Koka Booth Ampitheatre
04.30.09 - Charlotte, NC - Bojangles Coliseum
05.04.09 - St, Augustine, FL - St Augustine Ampitheater
05.05.09 - Orlando, FL - UCF Arena
05.07.09 - Miami, FL - Bank United Center
05.08.09 - Tampa, FL - Sundome
05.08.09 - Charleston, SC - North Charleston Coliseum
05.12.09 - Cincinnati, OH - National City Pavillion
05.13.09 - Cleveland, OH - Tower City
05.19.09 - Phoenix, AZ - Mesa Ampitheatre
05.21.09 - San Francisco, CA - Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

VIDEO: Jesse Remnant "Who Knows, Who Knows?"

...here's a rather dark clip from Jesse Remanant's performance at J-Alans earlier this month for The Buddha Den Present show. This is a great song off his album, The Human Cannonball, which we highly recommend everyone check out. Dig the clip (courtesy of Austin Radcliffe):



Remnant will soon be joining his brother, Adam, and the rest of Southeast Engine as they head to SXSW and other locales in support of their new album, From the Forest to the Sea...

The 1984 NFL Draft/Andrew & the Pretty Punchers/Six Gallery-Tonight @ Blind Bob's

...looks you've a good chance to see some great Dayton and Columbus bands tonight over at Blind Bob's. Kicking off his mini-tour tonight, The 1984 NFL Draft will be hosting Six Gallery (who we've been hearing lots of great things about) and Eric Metronome from Columbus, and has brought along Dayton faves Andrew & the Pretty Punchers for good measure. See you there...

Ram on L.A. Compilation

...one of our favorite MP3 blogs, An Aquarium Drunkard, will be offering a great FREE compilation next week, Ram On L.A., which will feature several great bands covering Paul & Linda McCartney's 1971 classic, Ram. AD got some great bands to pitch in, including The Broken West, Earlimart, and Bodies of Water. Even better, the comp serves as a fundraiser for No More Landmines, an international organization that "helps and empowers communities around the world by removing the threat of landmines and unexploded weapons." Be sure to tune in next week and grab this goody and help a great cause...

Wil Cope Back In Studio

...as we're always keeping up on Daytonians currently working out of foreign locales, we were excited to hear that troubadour Wil Cope is currently working on some new material in the studio. Following up on the beautiful rocker that was 2008's Dead Moon Motel, Cope is back in the studio working on the follow-up, 1977 Again. Getting help again this time around from Heartless Bastards' drummer and fellow Daytonian Dave Colvin, we're very much looking forward to this new disc from Cope. The duo are also working on a side band called Doe Purr. Cope is slated to make a run through Ohio in April, so we'll offer this up as prelude...


.

The Story Changes Reissue Debut

...earlier this week, The Story Changes announced that they've partnered up with their label Future Destination Records to re-release the band's debut, Last Night a Rock Band Saved My Life. The reissue disc will also feature bonus tracks not on the original issue. Always ones to add a personal touch to everything they do, guitarist Mark McMillon prepped this cool little video clip for the announcement. Check it:


...you can grab this newness over here.

Neko Case Album Stream @ NPR

...thanks to NPR, you can stream the upcoming Neko Case album, Middle Cyclone, which is due to drop on March 3. Although the album definitely veers more toward the country flavors Neko favored on Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, it doesn't seem nearly as detached from her work in The New Pornographers. Have a listen here...

The Deep Vibration on WOXY Today

...Nashville's The Deep Vibration will make a stop in the famed WOXY studio for a Lounge Acts performance at 4:30. The band has been getting all kinds of love from people like Paste and Blender as a band to watch. You might wanna check them out, since we'll be bringing them to Dayton in April...

VIDEO: Bela Fleck Meets ?uestlove in Memphis

...courtesy of Loudersoft, check out this clip of bluegrass/jam legend Bela Fleck and ?uestlove from The Roots throwing down on an improv at a seminar at the Folk Alliance Conference this past weekend. Guess it really isn't that far from bluegrass to hip-hop, huh? Until the cameras flash, it's hard to see ?uestlove, but you just know he's there...

Dinosaur Jr. Sign to Jagjaguwar

...reports from Pitchfork confirm that proto-altrock legends Dinosaur Jr. have signed with Indiana-based indie label Jagjaguwar. While we weren't necessarily looking for new material from the band, who do we need to talk to about hooking up a Black Mountain/Dinosaur Jr./Swan Lake tour?

The 1984 NFL Draft Mini-Tour Starts Thursday

...one of Dayton's favorite songwriters, The 1984 NFL Draft (aka Joe Anderl) is hitting the road this weekend for a few dates with some good friends. Here's the lowdown:

Feb 26 @ Blind Bob's Dayton,OH w/ Six Gallery/Andrew and The Pretty Punchers

Feb 27 @ The Crystal Castle Athens,OH w/ Six Gallery/The Kyle Sowashes/Programs 8:00 p.m.

Feb 28 @ The Matinee Cleveland, OH w/ The Celebrity Pilots

March 1 @ The Metronome House Columbus, OH 5 p.m.

In case you still haven't picked up the most recent offering from The 1984 NFL Draft, The Fictionband Sessions, go grab it here....

VIDEO: Surf City "Records of a Flagpole Skater"

...we've been coming across New Zealanders Surf City here and there for a while now, but didn't really take it all in until this morning. Coming off as the baby of Bossanova and Bee Thousand, Surf City crash waves of surf rock over layers of lo-fi, not unlike fellow New Zealanders, The Clean. Take it for a spin...

The White Stripes Say Goodbye to Conan

...it must be difficult getting into the Late Night host circuit. How long did Leno and Letterman wait for Carson to cash out? Then there was that awesome movie made about them duking it out for the spot. All this makes the fact of Conan O'Brien's ascendancy to the coveted 11:30 PM slot all the more remarkable. Just ask Glad Girl...

...for his final appearance on his 12:30 show, Conan invited old friends The White Stripes to play. Admittedly, we're a little late on this, but we have to admit, this seems a little undercooked for the occasion. Then again, we weren't in the studio. Guess it's just the shock of Meg on guitar...

Willie Nelson to Headline Nelsonville Music Festival

...although there are several good music festivals in Ohio every year, we think it's safe to say that one that might be overlooked is the Nelsonville Music Festival, which takes place out Robbins Crossing at Hocking College. Presented by non-profit arts organization Stuarts Opera House and buried out in the lush country of Hocking Hills, this seems like a near-ideal place to catch the legendary Willie Nelson, who is slated to headline the 3-day fest. Other notables include Cincinnati's Buffalo Killers and Athens fave, Wheels on Fire. You can grab all the ticket info here.

VIDEO: Vanity Theft "Edit Edit Edit"

...this came across our desk late yesterday, so we thought we'd pass it along to all of you. The young ladies in Vanity Theft put together a video for the track "Edit Edit Edit" off of their debut, Post Script Pace Yourself, which features the girls on stage, in the studio, and everywhere in between. There's also some nice footage from their Buddha Den Showcase performance back in January. Check it out:

The Funeral Party: A Tribute to The Cure-Today @ Dayton Dirt Collective

...looks like DJ MisterKid has gone and hooked up yet another tribute show at the Dayton Dirt Collective. This time around he's corralled several local bands into doing short sets of songs by those masters of mope, The Cure. You can check out the poster to see everyone that is slated to play, but we have it on good authority that there will be a number of special surprises tonight. The show gets an early start at 5 pm and, as with all DDC shows, things will wrap up around 11, so you can still get up in the morning for work. See you there...

Goody Sheriff Partners

...it is a Saturday, and even in Dayton, Ohio there are signs of life, despite what Forbes keeps saying about us. Here's the rundown on local action tonight...


...over at Oregon Express, you've got garage/punk delights with The Goody Two Shoes, The Give Ups, Marijuana Johnson, and The Adversaries...


...at Blind Bob's there's a pretty savage bill with Stone the Mayor Sheriffs, Kuan, Tree No Leaves, and Javelin Dance (from Cincinnati)...


...up in the big room at Canal Street Tavern, there's some serious art-rock going down with a rare local appearance by Lab Partners, along with a couple of our favorite new bands, Hospital Garden and The Turkish Delights. We dug up this clip of Lab Partners performing at Dayton Music Fest last fall to whet yr appetite a bit...



...we'll see you out there...

VIDEO: Jesus Lizard "Destroy Before Read/Puss"

...in honor of Touch and Go Records' announcement earlier this week that they would be scaling back their operations, the kids over at Pitchfork decided to put up some reminders of why this is such a big deal. Culled from a 1994 performance, the site put up a clip of The Jesus Lizard tearing through a pair of tunes. You can check that clip out over here. We thought we might throw one of our favorites, "Mouth Breather" up for you as well...


For those of you old enough to remember, this should be a nice retro trip. For everyone else, let this be a reminder...

The Buddha Den Presents: Eat Sugar/The Gluons-Tonight @ J-Alans

...we've got a great show for you tonight over at J-Alans. Following up on their Buddha Den Showcase appearance back in December, we're bringing the spastic electro/dance of Eat Sugar back up from Cincinnati. Along for the ride is the return of noise/pop faves, The Gluons. This is one you don't wanna miss. We'll see you there...

TRAILER: The Hardcore Strikes Back

...we were contacted about a new music film currently in the works called The Hardcore Strikes Back. Under the direction of Christopher Brewer, the film documents the hardcore punk scene thriving under the radar in Dayton. Slated for completion this Fall, here's a clip of things to come...

Breeders Shoot Video with Rollergirls...in St. Louis???

...last weekend, The Breeders spent their Valentine's Day in a way that is so the Deal sisters: filming a video with rollergirls. According to the St. Louis Riverfront Times, the band filmed a clip that will appear in conjunction with an EP due out this Spring, although the band only have an All Tomorrow's Parties date booked in May at the moment. While we're excited to see activity in The Breeders' camp, we're more baffled as to why the girls went to St. Louis to find some rollergirls. Who dropped the ball in Dayton???

RIP Touch and Go Records?

...word spread this morning that venerable indie label Touch and Go Records would, after 25 years, announce that they would be forever closing up shop today. An announcement this afternoon from label head Corey Rusk states that the label will merely be shedding the numerous other indie labels it currently distributes (Merge, Kill Rock Stars, Suicide Squeeze) and return to merely putting out its own roster. You can read the full story from Time Out Chicago here...

Factotum Tapes to Issue First Release

...as seems to be the trend this time of year, cabin fever has inspired yet another new enterprise: Factotum Tapes. Emerging from the ashes of prodigious noise label Epicene/ESR, Factotum Tapes promises that all releases will be on....yes...cassette tapes. Being the analog junkies that we are, we absolutely stoked. Although the first release is slated for February, details remain elusive. Rest assured that we're on top of this one and will keep you posted as information becomes available...

REVIEW: Southeast Engine-From the Forest to the Sea

...So it begins...

...the opening lines of Southeast Engine's latest release, From the Forest to the Sea, [Misra Records, 2009] instantly indicate the biblical overtones that run rampant throughout its duration. Seemingly picking up where their last album, A Wheel Within a Wheel, left off, Adam Remnant continues the narrative on the three-part opener, "The Forest". Marrying their straightforward rock roots with subtle prog flourishes, courtesy of sprawling composition and cryptic carnival organ, "The Forest" ultimately delivers a mystical awakening that nearly feels like the end of the story. As it stands, it sets the tone for an album that explores the depths of despair and regret, doubts in societal norms, and the ultimate reconciliation of a man and his maker...

...with themes of a pale-faced lady torturing his soul and the impending flood that awaits the human race, Remnant paints a tale so grand in scope that only DeMille could possibly bring it to life. The band stick close to their musical guns throughout the album with traces of The Band, The Beatles, and Wilco running in its veins. Their focus emerges as their strength: these tales beg to be told in a traditional manner, and the band rise to the challenge. In the near-apocalyptic climax of "Preparing for the Flood" SEE virtually ascend into the heavens in the track's final moments, only to return to the terrestrial realms to spread the word of this world's shortcomings, only to finally descend into the depths of the sea to arrive at the realization that perhaps there may be an order to all things that simply can't be understood...

...although Remnant's storytelling stands strongly at the fore of From the Forest to the Sea, this is an outfit that understands how best to support the narrative with subtly rather than flash. Adam's brother Jesse Remnant chimes in with impeccable harmonies and bass and, along with drummer Leo DeLuca, grounds the songs as they move from sprightly shuffles to driving rockers to pastoral ballads. Keyboardist Billy Matheny's organ only further heightens the gospel overtones of the songs. At times chiming and understated while at others stinging and to the fore, Adam Remnant's guitar work is second only to the uncharted depths of soul found in his tortured vocals...

...From the Forest to the Sea stands as proof positive that the classics never really go out of style...

Spraygraphic Local Band Poster Contest

...late last week, we received notice that the online creative community that is Spraygraphic will be hosting the 1st Annual "Support Your Local Band Poster Show" in Tempe, AZ on March 28. So, how does this affect you? They are accepting submissions from artists across the country that showcases posters that promote the bands in their locale. Although most posters are related to performances, we find the concept of band posters to be just as fascinating...

...if you're an artist and at all inclined to participate in this event (which we highly encourage!), you can get all the submission info HERE...

VIDEO: Eat Sugar "Pop Singer" Teaser

...why are there teaser clips? Really? We find this whole concept to be in direct violation of everything we hold to be American: instant gratification, sensory overload, self-indulgence...In all seriousness, we're pretty excited about the teaster clip that came across our desk over the weekend from Cincinnati's Eat Sugar. The clip for the unreleased-upcoming-album-track, "Pop Singer" was produced by Ragged Productions and features a spandex clad young lady appearing more than slightly demented by the proposition of pop stardom. Have a look...


Eat Sugar-Pop Singer Teaser from Ragged on Vimeo.

...don't forget, Eat Sugar will be in Dayton this Friday for The Buddha Den Presents at J-Alans, along with Dayton's very own The Gluons. We'll see you there...

Backward Goatherd

...for those of you in some kind of heavy-duty relationship, odds are you've got some big plans for Valentine's Day. For everyone else, yr probably looking for anything to possible distract you from the fact that you don't have those big plans. Well, you've got a pair of great options tonight no matter on which side of the l'amour line you find yourself...


...over at Blind Bob's, Brandon Hawk has assembled a trio of duos for his Valentine's Day Show. In from Columbus, The Receiver blew us away when we caught them last year. Dayton noise duos Hills and Goatherd round out the lineup...


...over at Oregon Express, you've got the Anti-Valentine's Day show, featuring the debut of Dark Backward (ex-Luxury Pushers/Mondolux/The Bang Tale/etc.), the politically-charged sonic assault of My Latex Brain (who made our Top 5 Albums of 08), and female punk quartet, Jasper the Colossal...

FILM: Mellodrama: The Mellotron Documentary

...odds are, you've probably heard The Beatles' "Strawberry Fields Forever". Or The Moody Blues. Or King Crimson. If you have, you know about the legendary instrument, the mellotron. Well, we came across this new film, Mellodrama: The Mellotron Documentary. Done by Diana Dilworth, the film features interviews with such notables as Brian Wilson, Jon Brion, and Rick Neilsen. Check the clip:


...maybe someone knows how to get a screening in Dayton?

Toads and Mice/Lungs @ Pearl 2.12.09

...with the winds dying down and the temperature staying a little above freezing, it seemed like a great night to go catch a show at Pearl (or Vexx, or whatever it's officially called now...). Unfortunately, we arrived just after the first band, La Dispute, had finished. Much to our chagrin, we were instantly informed by half a dozen attendees of the awesomeness we had just missed...

...so, we settled in to catch Lungs' set in celebration of the release of their 7" on The Mylene Sheath label. For the first time that we've seen them, the band evaded all technical difficulties and turned in an incredibly powerful set. Although the star of the set was Mick's new kick drum (allegedly purchased from screamo powerhouse The Devil Wears Prada), the metallic, yet soaring, guitars found a near-perfect balance of drone and motion, progressing at just the moment when any idea was in danger of becoming stale. The band's ability to draw out and unfold their ideas at this glacial pace may frustrate some, but really makes it for us...





...closing out the evening, Toads and Mice started a bit slowly, with a few missed notes dashing all hopes of a perfect game. By mid-set, however, they had found sure footing in their newer material. With their winding arrangements, Toads and Mice possess a dreamlike essence: floating and spacious one moment, savage grinding the next, all narrated by the haunting, ethereal vocals of guitarist Dustin Rose. We just have to love a band that can get a crowd alternately dancing and headbanging uncontrollably all within the span of 40 minutes...




For more photos from the show, go here.

Wilco "Ashes of American Flags" DVD Trailer

...Thanks to Donewaiting for pointing towards the trailer for the new Wilco DVD, Ashes of American Flags, which is due out in April. From what we're seeing, this should be a great live document and an interesting insight in the modern American touring band, even if it will get an asterisk beside it...

Lincoln Turns 200

...although we're somewhat historically-minded here, we completely missed the fact that today is Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday. Thanks to Each Note Secure to pointing us over the 21st Century Abe site, which involves Bryce Dressner of The National, who contributes with The Lincoln Shuffle. You can sample Dressner's composition, "Rose of Lincoln" on the page, of which Dressner had this to say:

The Rose of Lincoln is a short brass fanfare inspired by a Civil War era composition, Hunters’ Chorus from the Rose of Erin, by Julius Benedict. I have long been fascinated by early-American brass music and this particular piece has a very strange melody in its first 16 Bars which modulates twice over a static harmony. I decided to repeat this introduction and then build a quasi-minimalist fanfare around the pulsing trombones of the original work.

...The site examines the ongoing fascination of this 19th century man well into the 21st century, asking viewers to submit their views on the matter. We've definitely got some thoughts on the matter, but for us, he was the first US President to speak at the Old Courthouse here in Dayton. Yeah, we tied it back in...

VIDEO: Heartless Bastards "Out to Sea"

...with their new album, The Mountain, in tow, Heartless Bastards hit Letterman last night with a great performance. Guess we missed the memo that they've got a second guitarist in now, which fills in the live sounds with all the extra guitar parts. Even with Letterman's dig in the intro, more than anything else, the juxtaposition of Erika's frilly shirt and drummer Dave Colvin's jacket makes this clip more than entertaining...


...as a bonus, we somehow missed the fact that Heartless Bastards turned in a Daytrotter session a little over a week ago. There's a nice mix of acoustic and full band tracks for yr ears. You can dig into that over here...

A Perfect Future

...we admit, from time to time we fall just behind the curve so for those of you who are already aware of this following item, forgive us. For everyone else, we came across this earlier today and just had to share. Coming out of Chicago, Future Perfect Radio seems to fall in a very unique niche in the Internet radio pantheon. In addition to a catchall channel that features most forms of modern indie music, they also have it nicely categorized for varying consumption tastes. They even have regional channels, which we found most interesting. Oh yeah, no subscription, fees, or silly passwords. OK, fine, you have to endure some ads. It's worth it though. Head on over and start paddling....

Midpoint Music Festival Submissions Now Open

...for the eighth consecutive year, Cincinnati's Midpoint Music Festival plans to showcase some of the finest talent in region, right alongside some of those bigger names that everyone everywhere is talking about. Over the years, Dayton has had its fair share of representation from Oxymoronatron to Captain of Industry to none other than Mr. Robert Pollard. Head over here to sign up for maybe possible inclusion in one of the region's best music festivals...

DOWNLOAD: The Years Live @ Elbo's 7.3.05

...in historical context, the significance of some bands seems greater than it was during their actual existence. It's just the way things work out sometimes. An idea emerges and fails to find an audience. The legendarily erratic behaviors of musicians thwart forward progress. People just move on....

...A few months ago we came into possession of a three-song disc by The Years. The band ran for most of 2005 and featured Jake Geisege (vocals/guitar; Wild & Free and The Judy Blooms) Josh Wickersham (bass/Wild & Free, Andrew & the Pretty Punchers); Brandon Guthrie (drums/Toads and Mice), and Dave Kitchener (guitar). What's more, the band's recordings were made by Dustin Rose, currently of Toads and Mice. So, clearly, there's some interesting history here...

...through special arrangement, The Buddha Den is very pleased to issue as a FREE DOWNLOAD, The Years Live @ Elbo's 7.3.05. This set is dynamic, yet driven. It's spacious, swirling arrangements harness the deranged urgency of Modest Mouse and the earthy, Midwestern stomp of My Morning Jacket. The seven tracks offer an interesting insight into the divergent paths of its members: Geisege and Wickersham turned a corner back toward more traditional songcraft; Guthrie would soon pair up with Dustin Rose to form the wildly popular Toads and Mice, retaining, yet further exploring the sonic possibilities presented in The Years. As seems to often occur, one member of The Years, Dave Kitchener, seems to have retreated from music. In many ways, his wiry guitar runs foreshadow part of the essence of Toads and Mice...

...you can grab this tasty little nugget of Dayton's recent musical past for free through us...

DOWNLOAD THE YEARS LIVE @ ELBO'S 7.3.05 HERE

New Venue The Fusion Chamber to Open in Spring

...we received notice earlier today about a new venue, The Fusion Chamber, which is slated to open this spring. According to our sources, the club will operate within the confines of Jazz Central at 2931 E. Third St. in Dayton. The club will feature a smaller stage for more intimate events, while another, larger space will be available to host bigger rock shows. Performers are encouraged to contact the venue now to get spot on their calendar. We will keep you posted as more information becomes available...

The Motel Beds Unveil New Demos

...standing as one of the longest running, yet least active, outfits in the Dayton music scene, any new developments from The Motel Beds camp are always welcome news. The band has undergone some recent lineup changes that seem to have reinvigorated the team to put up 4 new demos on their Myspace (not in the main player, but just below it on the page) that have us drooling for more. Who could blame us? From the acoustic bounce of "Bourbon Skies" to the poplicious "Pinkies" and "81 Sun" to the demented, loping "Ladder Dancer", these guys are hitting the mark in a major way. Word is they'll be hitting the stage soon, so tune in now and get ready...

The Buddha Den Presents: Andrew & the Pretty Punchers/Jesse Remnant/Mascot @ J-Alans 2.6.09

...you could feel it as soon as you walked in the door. With the near glacial avenues of Dayton finally reemerging as legitimate walkways, the need to break out into the streets was overwhelming. Even early on in the night the restless crowds poured into J-Alans, seeking any sort of respite from the tedium that has beleaguered this city in the throes of winter. Alas, the promise of even a modicum of joy in this, the depths of the season, pulled so many out for the promise of a night of music. Following a short, but spirited, set by Mascot, Jesse Remnant offered a sparkling set of pop gems from his highly underrated debut, The Human Cannonball, as well as string of masterpieces from GBV's Bee Thousand, that induced the revelers into a momentary singalong...

...without a doubt, however, the din had come to witness Andrew & the Pretty Punchers. Over the past 18 or so months, each subsequent appearance garners further accolades from their peers and adulation from their audiences. Yet again, this formidable unit stepped into the lights and channeled the collective angst and optimism of life in this post-industrial wasteland. Unraveling tales of drunken nights and jaded hope, in their unbridled enthusiasm Andrew & the Pretty Punchers deliver a catharsis that, if only for a brief shining moment, enables this sleepy city to revel in near-perfect rock n' roll bliss...

The Buddha Den Presents: Andrew & the Pretty Punchers/Jesse Remnant/Mascot-Tonight @ J-Alans

...in our ongoing efforts to bring you the most for the least, everyone here is very excited about our first show at J-Alans (121 N. Ludlow St., right around the corner from the Schuster Center). Of course, you've the big bang that is Andrew & the Pretty Punchers. Word is they're well on their way to following up their stellar debut, Goodbye Ohio, later this summer and are currently in the throes of a top-secret side project. No worries, we'll keep you posted as details emerge. Also along for the ride are Squids Eye Records' Jesse Remnant, whose debut The Human Cannonball was one of the best discs to come out of Dayton in 2008. Opening the evening will be Mascot. Oh yeah, did we mention that this show is FREE??? Yep, we got you covered. See ya there...

Desperately Seeking Sponsorship?

...thanks to Peopleperson, we'd like to inform all of you late-night food connoisseurs that there is now a way to conjoin yr love of food and music: White Castle amplifiers. We can't wait to see some of these on stage soon...

Southeast Engine on Daytrotter

...we were very excited to discover this morning that Daytrotter put up a session today from Southeast Engine. As per usual, the guys at Daytrotter did an amazing job on the recordings and three of the four tracks are from Southeast Engine's upcoming From the Forest to the Sea album, which has been in heavy rotation here at The Buddha Den. The disc drops February 17 and the band will celebrate its release with a show on March 6 at the venerable Canal Street Tavern. You can grab the aforementioned audio goodies RIGHT HERE...

Scenes Belong In Movies

...we had the pleasure last month to debut a great new band, Night Sky Transit. Emerging out of the ashes of Dirty White Ponies, NST has taken a distinct turn with impressive results. Keeping busy around town as singer for Jasper the Colossal and on her own acoustically, Paige Bellar serves as bassist for NST along with Jason Gilmore on guitar and Lucas Turner on drums. We're looking for this outfit to make some waves in 09. Here's a short clip from their debut show:

The Buddha Den Showcase Presents: Vanity Theft @ South Park Tavern 1.31.09

...after a torturous week that relegated most of the Dayton area to an unbearable level of cabin fever, it was apparent early on that people were excited to head down to South Park Tavern and enjoy some music. Luckily, we were all in for a treat as Vanity Theft served up an evening of near-perfect indie pop. Proving that their impeccable debut, Post-Script Pace Yourself, is no fluke, these young ladies a formidable live unit. With the understated, yet solid rhythm section of Lindsey Keene on bass and Elyse Driskill on drums, the guitar attack of Brittany Hill deftly moved between driving power chords and slashing rhythmic shifts. Rotating between vocals, guitar, keys, and glockenspiel, Alicia Grodecki fronts the band with a conviction and self-confidence that belies her youth. Their cover of the Yeah Yeah Yeah's "Gold Lion" proved the band's mettle and more. Pulling the crowd in with chants and claps, Vanity Theft proved they are one of the finest young talents going in Dayton...




For more photos from the evening, go here.