Friday Night Wrap-Up 3.6.09

...given that it was the first warm night this year in Dayton, we made our best effort to catch as much live music as possible. Lucky for us, we had a couple of great options...

...we thought our first stop of the night would be Blind Bob's, but upon arriving we learned that local purveyors of mayhem and merriment, Sitandance, had taken to the streets. Literally. They had set up in the parking lot next to Ned Pepper's with tiny amps and a makeshift drumkit, attracting enough of a crowd to get the cops called...


...we made our way back over to Blind Bob's to kick off the night the way it usually closes: with Andrew & the Pretty Punchers. Even starting the evening, A&TPP hit a stride with a handful of newer tunes and old standards. Although usually where our night ends, it was only the beginning...




...being a nice night, we decided to walk up to Canal Street Tavern to catch the release party for Southeast Engine's new album, From the Forest to the Sea. Stepping into the cozy confines of Canal Street, we were nearly stopped in our tracks by the heat building in the room due the crowd that had gathered to help celebrate the occasion. Arriving just in time to catch the start of their set, guitarist Adam Remnant quietly launched the band into a set that coursed through new and older material creating a seamless link that runs through Remnant's powerfully reflective lyrics. Unfortunately, the crowd were as excited to see one another as they were Southeast Engine and in the quieter passages easily buried the band in chatter. Despite all the distractions, we wish Southeast Engine well as they head out on the road in support of their new album...




...we made one more tip along the old canal back to Blind Bob's just in time to catch Hospital Garden kick things off. Although the crowd had thinned somewhat, the band still delivered a ferocious set of infectious melodies slathered in ear-splitting guitar, just the way we like it. We'll be hosting Hospital Garden at South Park Tavern on March 28 for our monthly showcase, so tune in now and we'll see you then...




For more photos from the evening, go here.