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.

The Buddha Den Presents: Gentleman Auction House/Blastronauts/Sitandace/The Happy Planets @ Pearl 10.20.08

...for the few that opted to head out to Dayton for this rare Monday night show, they were treated with an incredible night of inspired performances. Luckily, those that took the stage this night dug deep and delivered the goods...

...although burdened with an ailment, The Happy Planets (aka Eric) mustered up more energy on this night than most six-piece bands in good health. Roaming the dancefloor, as well as nearly every surrounding surface, The Happy Planets got the small crowd up and moving from the start and dished out a highly entertaining set of electronic dance music that ultimately left his dress on the floor and the man dancing around in briefs...




...next up we had the dapper Sitandance open with a dramatic reading of the standard "If You Wanna Sing Out", which gave way into an exploratory set of freak pop and free jazz. Augmented on this night with a saxophonist, the band delved even further than usual into their psyche-pop regions. Oscillating somewhere between Beefheart and Waits, the band is certainly one of the most unique acts going in Dayton at the moment...




...in from Columbus, Blastronauts rolled in on this night at least a couple of members short. Although the band's funk-tinged indie rock had a few shining moments, the lack of a bass player left a slightly thin sound and visibly hindered at least one member of the band. We're hoping Blastronauts are able to secure a steady lineup soon, as their songs are more than deserving of a full reading...




...closing out the night, St. Louis outfit Gentleman Auction House rose to the occasion and delivered an epic set for the dwindling crowd. Armed with dual drummers and keyboardists, as well as all manner of percussion and wind instruments, GAH possess a unique blend of earnest sentimentality a la Conor Oberst or Arcade Fire which is perfectly offset by an Elephant 6-sized playfulness that always keeps things in the fun zone. Although witnessed by only a handful of Daytonians, it is certain that those few will certainly spread the gospel of Gentleman Auction House...




For more photos from the evening, go here.

The Buddha Den Presents: Gentleman Auction House/Blastronauts/Sitandace/The Happy Planets-Tonight @ Pearl

...we know there aren't too many shows on Mondays at Pearl, but this one you'll definitely want to catch. We're very excited to be hosting St. Louis septet, Gentleman Auction House. The band has been getting rave reviews, including landing their latest album, Alphabet Graveyard, in the CMJ top ten. We spoke with them last week as well. If you wanna check them out beforehand, they'll be in the WOXY studios today at 1:30 for a Lounge Act set. You can tune into that right here. Also on the bill tonight are Blastronauts (Columbus), the always-surprising Sitandance, and solo newcomer, The Happy Planets. Hope to see you down there....

Fab Gear Presents: Andrew & the Pretty Punchers/Sitandance-Tonight @ Pearl

...with the weekend fast approaching, it's time again for another great show at Pearl. Yet again, Fab Gear has yr back with a double bill for ya to get yr fill. Tonight you have Andrew & the Pretty Punchers, hot off the release of their stellar debut disc Goodbye Ohio, and the always-surprising Sitandance. In addition, DJ Nonekned will be spinning vinyl throughout the night. Head on down...

The Buddha Den Showcase Presents: Sitandance 7.12.08

...braving the sweltering heat and the intermittent thunderstorms, an impressive crowd gathered last evening to witness the fourth installment of The Buddha Den Showcase at South Park Tavern. This time around, we featured Sitandance, who turned in one of the most memorable sets we've ever seen at these events. Donning some of the shiniest costumes around, the band began the evening in a subdued, countrified manner with a handful of acoustic tunes including a tasteful cover of The Beatles' "I'm Only Sleeping". Once the band went full throttle into the electric material, however, the evening really took off. Sitandance's penchant for instantly recognizable melodies fused with inventive, experimental twists and turns throughout their arrangements held the audience rapt for the duration of the evening. As the band roved between instruments, filling up their arrangements with trumpet, violin, xylophone, and anything else they could find, the atmosphere was that of a symphony that simply could not find enough musicians to fill all the seats. Despite the deficiency in numbers, Sitandance is one of the most exciting newer bands coming up through Dayton at the moment. Adding in their flair for the vaudevillian element, certainly this was a show for the ages...




For more photos from the evening, go here.

The Buddha Den Showcase Presents: Sitandance-Tonight @ South Park Tavern

...yes, we're doing our showcase again this month over at South Park Tavern. This month we have the indie/freak-folk/soul of Sitandance. As always, music starts promptly at 9 PM, with a second set starting somewhere after 10:30. Remember, the show is FREE and ALL AGES. Come on down and check out who were talking about this month...

The Gluons/Kanible/Sitandance-Tonight @ Acid Fever House

...we apologize for the late notice on this one, but it's just come to our attention that there will be a show this evening over at Acid Fever House. Noise/pop commandos The Gluons headline a show that also includes Kanible and Sitandance. Should be a good one....