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...

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...

Andrew & the Pretty Punchers/Wild & Free @ J-Alan's-11.22.07

...after gorging ourselves on the proverbial Thanksgiving feast, we regrouped and headed downtown for our first visit to J-Alan's in order to catch Wild & Free and Andrew & the Pretty Punchers. Man, were we in for a perfect dessert to the day....

...opening the evening, somewhat unexpectedly, was Wild & Free. At this point, the band is building such an incredible momentum that they have willed themselves into being one of the best bands in this town within a matter of months. As guitarist/vocalist Jake Geisege continues to unveil one remarkable tune after another we can only say that Wild & Free is writing some of the most infectious and memorable songs in Dayton at the moment...



...without allowing any of the evening's momentum slip, youngsters Andrew & the Pretty Punchers stepped right onto the stage like a well-seasoned band and delivered their own brand of high-intensity, earthy pop tunes. Enduring technical difficulties, the band soldiered on and whipped the crowd into a frenzy. With Josh Wickersham pulling double duty on bass this evening and Cry Baby Genius dropping in on drums, the lineup continues to expand and fluctuate. Eh, who cares? The songs are great. Truly, it was a great evening of great songs with two of the best young bands in Dayton....



...as it was our first time venturing into J-Alan's for a show, we should say that we saw a lot of potential for this venue. With a sizeable stage, plenty of floor space, a pool table in back, and tables off to the side, both band and audience could be satisfied with the environs. Not to mention, there was no cover charge....so, who's next?

For more photos from the evening, go here.

Wild & Free/Andrew & the Pretty Punchers-Tonight @ J-Alan's

If you've been paying attention, you may have noticed that we've provided extensive coverage on Andrew & the Pretty Punchers and Wild & Free over the last few months. You may have also noticed that these two bands really like playing together. Really. By our count, this is the fourth time in three months they've done so. Quite frankly, they're an amazing pairing. The two bands have a genuine admiration for one another and their sets are so complimentary that it makes for a near-perfect event every time....well, we hope you don't think they're going to play every show together forever. You know that isn't true....so, eat yr turkey (or Tofurkey, as the case may be), let it all digest, and get on over to J-Alan's (on Ludlow near the Schuster Center, in the Talbot Towers) tonight to catch two of the best younger bands in this town on their respective ways on up...

...to seal the deal, here's some video of A&TPP doing "Helluva Lot Colder" over at Goloka Gallery a while back...