The Everybodyfields/Umbrella Men-Tonight @ Canal Street Tavern

...emerging alt-country sensations The Everybodyfields (from Johnson City, TN) kick off a Midwest tour this evening at Canal Street Tavern. Fronted by Sam Quinn and Jill Andrews, the outfit has garnered rave reviews in such taste-making publications as Paste Magazine for their earthy country flavor, and the group will wind up this tour with an appearance at the massive Bonnaroo Festival in mid-June. We'd highly recommend you get out tonight and catch them while you can. Opening the evening will be local folk duo Umbrella Men, who we are looking towards to make a big move in 2008. Get on down....

the folk and the fury...

...this evening's best options illustrate the wide range of music happening in Dayton at the moment. If you're in a more relaxed mood this evening, stop over at Oregon Express to catch Umbrella Men (and more), or swing up to Canal Street Tavern to catch one of our favorites, Andrew & the Pretty Punchers. If it's unbridled rock n' roll you desire, they've got you covered over at South Park Tavern (on Wayne) with Harlots, Six Gallery (from Columbus), Sexicon, and intermission sets by John Gassett. Don't let the rain stop you. Pick a path and head on down...

down on the street....

...tonight's a big night for music in Dayton, so we hope we see everyone out there. Here's the lowdown...


...we're starting early tonight over at Jasper Wall Cafe with one of our favorite monthlies, Echos Dayton. This month their musical guests will be Jordan Hull, who everyone really needs to check out, and indie/folk duo Umbrella Men. Featured poets this month are Fred Kirchner, Matthew Estvanic, and Cherokee. This gets under way early at 8 pm, it's free, and it's all ages. Go grab a coffee, catch some culture, and get ready for the main event...


...one of the most highly-anticipated musical events of the season, tonight at the Nite Owl the ubiquitous Squids Eye Records celebrates its first year with a showcase of monumental proportions. Four of the labels finest are on tap for the evening: Grizzzzy Bear, Toads and Mice, The Sailing, and Romance of the Young Tigers. In addition, Squids Eye will be handing out a complimentary sampler CD to everyone in attendance. With four of Dayton's most promising young bands and the most ambitious record label in town putting this on for you, you owe it to yourself not to miss this one...

Andrew & the Pretty Punchers/Umbrella Men/Reggie Stone @ Nite Owl 1.18.08

...despite a pair of cancellations on the bill and a last-minute addition, the evening's festivities at the Nite Owl came off just fine...

...opening the evening, Reggie Stone wowed the audience with his acoustic guitar pyrotechnics,at times gently coaxing the instrument only to revert to pummeling the guitar into submission. Stone's ability to make the most of the limitations of the guitar and to transform himself into a virtual one-man band certainly impressed us, although a shorter set might have made for greater impact...


...next up were Umbrella Men making a rare appearance in Dayton. On this night, the brothers Tuss muddled through various technical issues and delivered an fairly good set based on what we've seen in recent months. With many pieces in place, we'd still love to see the band augment its lineup and quite possibly elevate their brand of folk rock to the next level...



...closing out the night with a rousing set, Andrew & the Pretty Punchers continue to up the ante with each successive appearance. As the band blitzed through their own fiery take on folk/country inflections blended into power-drinking anthems, the audience gave back as much as they received. While the band may still have a few minor tweaks to make, we are expecting great things from A&TPP in the coming months...



photos of Andrew & the Pretty Punchers by Marla Bremer. For more photos, go here.

Pretty Punches & Young Tigers...

...as with a typical Friday night in D-town, you got some quality options based on your various wants and needs. As always, we'll break it down for you....

...over at the Nite Owl, you've got the more folk/acoustic end of the spectrum, featuring Umbrella Men, Andrew & the Pretty Punchers, and Ruckus and the Trousers. Keep in mind, these bands may favor acoustic guitars, but this is not a light event. Should be a really good time...



...if you're inclined to trudge into the underground, head over to Acid Fever House and dig the wall of white noise. For you tonight: Antilles, Romance of the Young Tigers, Concrete Artery, Lungs, and Hills. Truly for the initiated, but they will be rewarded...

Holiday Revue-Tonight @ Canal Street Tavern w/Umbrella Men/Wild & Free/Andrew & the Pretty Punchers/The Jones Street Boys

...just in case HoliDayton last night wasn't enough for your musical holiday hunger, head over to Canal Street Tavern tonight to catch a few of our favorite bands. We've written extensively about how we feel that Wild & Free, Umbrella Men (who were recently featured on NPR's All Things Considered for their cover of "Jingle Bells"), and Andrew & the Pretty Punchers are some the best young talent in Dayton at the moment and we expect great things from all three in 2008. We consider it a real Christmas miracle to get all three bands on one bill in one night. Opening the night will be newcomers The Jones Boys. You've got all the makings for what should be an excellent evening of music....

...for those of you wondering where our coverage of HoliDayton is, we will have a full report, along with the Holiday Revue shows, tomorrow for you...

Rev. Peyton's Big Damn Band/Umbrella Men-Tonight @ Canal Street Tavern

...if it's genuine ol' timey music you need this evening, look no further than Canal Street Tavern. Tonight will see the return of Rev. Peyton's Big Damn Band and some genuine Piedmont via Delta blues. Armed with acoustic guitars rather than Strats, the big stomp of this band is sure to get the crowd up and moving. Also on the bill will be one of our favorites, Umbrella Men, with their purist folk sound. It's sure to be an evening of pure music...

Echos Dayton: Tonight @ Jasper Wall Cafe

...every so often, you want your weekend to start a little earlier. And maybe have something free to do. Well, do we have an option for you tonight...

...from the girls at NC, in conjunction with our friend Matt Estvanic, we bring you Echos Dayton. Starting at 8 over at Jasper Wall Cafe, you will find a host of regional and local poets doing their thing, as well as the acoustic stylings of Mascot and Dayton Band Playoffs Runners-Up, Umbrella Men. For free, you can't go wrong....

They will cover us all....

There's gonna be some good ol' timey music tonight over at Canal Street Tavern....

Opening the show will be Dayton Band Play-Offs runners-up, Umbrella Men. The brothers Tuss recall the Carter Family and Sweetheart of the Rodeo-era Byrds, and the Band, but definitely have a more modern, DIY ethic about them that makes them anything but a retro novelty act. Not to mention they write really good songs.

Headlining the night is Red Stick Ramblers from Baton Rouge. Combining western swing and a little bit of cajun flavor, RSR should be a really good time.

Red Stick Ramblers on Myspace
Umbrella Men on Myspace

Dayton Band Play-Offs Finals tonight!

Yes, the 24th Annual Dayton Band Playoffs at Canal Street Tavern conclude tonight with the Finals between The Audible Influence and Umbrella Men. TAI has been the top-vote getters throughout the play-offs and many would consider them the favorites. Their radio-ready, piano-driven alternapop has earned them a very loyal following. However, Umbrella Men have steadily been winning converts over the summer (me among them) with their vintage folk and twang. Get out and vote!

The Audible Influence on Myspace
Umbrella Men on Myspace