Author Archives: Andrew Patton

Tuesday @ Woodlands: The Dead Kenny Gs

YouTube Preview Image

MP3: Black Truman (Harry The Hottentot)

When I first wrote about the Dead Kenny Gs here two years ago, I was still amazed that the band had released an album and was touring beyond the bars of Seattle.  They put on a great set at that show and have continued confirming their very real powers since then.  Last year they released their second album, Operation Long Leash, which expanded on the themes of fiery social consciousness from the first album while continuing the jazz-punk maelstrom.  Earlier this month they released a new EP entitled Gorelick (which you can hear some of below), the art of which references an Ohioan currently in a position of power.  After a couple of dates opening for the Primus/Gogol Bordello tour (including their stop back at the LC last week), they headed out on a week-long run of Midwest headlining club dates to support the new EP and bring the Dead Kenny Gs’ message of rambunctious anti-artificiality directly to the people.

Their tour brings the band back to Columbus (for their second show in town in 6 days) for a stop at Woodlands Tavern on Tuesday.  After seeing part of a 30 minute set from afar, I am very excited to see a full set from mere feet away. Opening is Athens’ Hellnaw, an Ohio band with a similar vibe.  Doors are at 8, cover is $8.

Dead Kenny Gs – “Kill The Poor” from Gorelick

Wednesday at Ace of Cups: Bobby Conn/Sonny Vincent

YouTube Preview Image

MP3: Macaroni

Wednesday night brings a smorgasbord of rock ‘n roll sounds to Ace of Cups.  Among them is Chicago’s Bobby Conn, whose latest album Macaroni was released on May 1st.  Macaroni sees Conn and his band, the Burglars, covering a bevy of relevant topics over a backdrop of mutant pop-rock flavored by various stylistic influences.  “Govt” parodies the political viewpoints of the masses hypnotized by TV while becoming a low-key funk jam.  “The Truth” utilizes “a beat stolen from Fela” to address society’s fears of the realities of life, and “Can’t Stop Th’ War” describes the feeling of carrying on while war continues around the world while conjuring up both Jon Spencer and Slayer.  The broad palette used here helps the messages come across in different ways, and usually effectively.  While this collage has the potential to become incoherent, one aspect that connects the material is the searing violin of Conn’s wife Monica Boubou, which certainly gives a unique spin to the results.

On this tour, Conn and the Burglars play second fiddle (sorry) to Sonny Vincent and the Bad Reactions.  To quote the press release, “Sonny Vincent has been contributing stellar Rock ‘n’ Roll for over 30 years now with the legendary TESTORS as well as his solo work.  Sonny is making his first trip back to the states to tour since 2003, and features members of Ex Humans, Carbonas, and Sorrows.” Opening is Starring, who look pretty darn interesting themselves.

After the jump, peep the new Starring video as well as material from the other bands. Continue reading

Tuesday @ Woodlands Tavern: Snarky Puppy

YouTube Preview Image

Stream: GroundUP (Bandcamp)

Brooklyn-by-way-of-Dallas “Jazz/Funk/World Fusion” group Snarky Puppy will be making an appearance at Woodlands Tavern on Tuesday night.  They are touring in support of their newly released live CD/DVD set GroundUP (GroundUP Music/Ropeadope Records).  The album was recorded live in front of a 40 person audience over 3 nights at a freshly built studio in a Brooklyn warehouse. The results, like much of the band’s recorded output, exhibit myriad styles and influences.  Funky horn-laden jazz gives way to synthesizer workouts which then transform into electronic beats. Though it’s possible that a tour stop based on a live album could simply replicate the album, the genre-mashing spontaneity on display here predicts an unpredictable performance.

Doors are at 8, showtime is 9. $12 at the door.

Saturday @ The Summit: Fool’s Gold

YouTube Preview Image

On Saturday night, Los Angeles’ Fool’s Gold (and Columbus ex-pat Brad Caulkins) returns to Columbus to play a show at The SummitAs discussed upon their previous visit, last year’s Leave No Trace was a quality sophomore effort.  The band recently shot a new video for “The Dive” (above), one of my favorites from the album.  Maza Blaska reprises their opening slot, and upstart locals The Beers are also on the bill.  Cover is $8, show time is 9PM.

Bonus Caulkins video after the jump. Continue reading

EYE To Release “Center of the Sun” on Kemado Records April 3


Stream: Rik Rite (via The Obelisk)

In a bit of exciting news today, local “space rockers” EYE announced that their debut full-length Center of the Sun will be released on Kemado Records on April 3rd. Kemado, home to like-minded bands like The Sword, Saviours, and Danava, seems like the perfect host for EYE’s cosmic metal jams. DW writers have loved this record since it first surfaced in October, and the fact that it will now be available on vinyl via an internationally distributed label is thrilling.

Initial Artist Announcement: All Good Festival


As we mentioned here previously, the All Good Festival is relocating this year from West Virginia to Legend Valley (formerly Buckeye Lake) in Thornville, OH. Today they made their initial artist announcement for the July 19-22 festival. If you’re a jam fan, this looks like a solid lineup so far. I’m most excited about Lettuce and Galactic, but there are plenty of acts worth checking out. According to organizers, there are 20+ acts still to be announced, so hopefully the lineup will end up a little more musically diverse.

The 2012 All Good Festival lineup includes:

The Allman Brothers Band
Phil Lesh and Friends
The Flaming Lips
Bob Weir & Bruce Hornsby featuring special guest Branford Marsalis
Michael Franti & Spearhead
Lotus
G. Love & Special Sauce
Galactic
Shpongle presents The Masquerade
Mickey Hart Band
Trampled by Turtles
SOJA
Railroad Earth
Papadosio
The Werks
The Wood Brothers
Lettuce
The Lumineers
Everyone Orchestra
The Rex Jam

Also:

“Tickets to the 16th annual All Good Music Festival & Campout go on sale Friday, February 24 at 12 PM EST at www.allgoodfestival.com/tickets and include all 4 days and nights of camping, parking, plus all entertainment. Early Bird tickets will be available for a limited time for $159.00 starting this Friday, and are $70 off the gate price.”

MP3s: Los Nombres – “To Be Sure” & “Todos” (Numero Group reissue)

MP3: To Be Sure
MP3: Todos

Today Numero Group, Chicago’s masters of the amazingly detailed reissue, takes another dip into Ohio’s unsung soul history with a self-titled release from Los Nombres. Los Nombres were a late 60s Latin Soul group from Lorain with a sound matching up with their more famous counterparts in New York and Los Angeles. Fresh off their two Grammy nominations for their recent monster of a Syl Johnson anthology, Numero continues to release lovingly crafted reissues of unheralded classics.

Chomp: Done Waiting

Soundcloud: Done Waiting

Cleveland’s Cloud Nothings have certainly been on the DW radar of late, what with their appearance at this fall’s Ohio Film + Music Fest and a new album recorded by Steve Albini slated for release in January. However, the band’s Joe Boyer (also of Total Babes) has just upped the ante with his new side project, Chomp. This week our friends at Exit Stencil Records announced that a full-length Chomp album is tentatively planned for April, and gave us the first Chomp track for the world to hear, called…Done Waiting. An uplifting pop gem that instantly earned a place in our hearts. At the end of the day, aren’t we all just done waiting?

Festival news: All Good relocates to Legend Valley (Buckeye Lake) for 2012

Though the news leaked a few days ago, a press release yesterday made it official: The annual All Good Festival has moved from West Virginia to Legend Valley (formerly Buckeye Lake) for its 2012 incarnation, July 19-22.

This is exciting news to me, and for the Ohio festival circuit. Though I’m not a stereotypical jamband enthusiast, the All Good lineups have often intrigued me over the last ten years. The festival has always had a solid undercard of jazzy, funky, worldly, etc. acts that I was interested in. Though the middle of West Virginia wasn’t a particularly long drive away, however, it always managed to be far enough to keep me from going and/or from convincing friends to go. Therefore, now that the fest is much closer, I have hope that the lineup this year will hold the same promise and will be a solid attraction to local fans of a variety of jams. Look out for further updates as the date grows nearer, and also, if you’re very lucky, a sequel to this (don’t worry about reading that, just skip to the comments).

Keep reading for some press release action: Continue reading

Monday/Tuesday at Woodlands: Todd Barry

YouTube Preview Image

Comedian/actor Todd Barry will make a two-night tour stop at Woodlands Tavern starting Monday night. Currently on TV in the series Louie, Barry has used his sarcastic deadpan style to great effect on three stand-up comedy albums and numerous TV and movie roles. Notable appearances include “Todd the video store clerk” on Comedy Central’s Dr. Katz and “Todd” on Flight of the Conchords.

Barry will be playing Woodlands Monday and Tuesday nights at 8PM. Tickets are $12.

Read on for more video highlights. Continue reading