Nick Tolford & Co, Envelope & Detox, Freaky Franz & Cornelius Jackson, DJ Johnny Cashola, DJ True Skills are performing at Skully’s Tonight for Daymon Day Eve.  
The 5 dollar cover raises money for parade costs.
I wrote a story about the Daymon Day weekend in the Other Paper.
I didn’t get to use quotes from everyone I talked to..

So after the jump, Mike O of Nick Tolford & Co, Johnny Cashola, Envelope and Freaky Franz all speak on their experiences with Daymon Dodson, and the Daymon Day Parade.

Mike O’shaughnessy of Nick Tolford & Co and El Jesus de Magico

I met Daymon… wow, maybe in like 2000 or 2001 down at hip-hop night at Bernie’s. I don’t think there was one certain point where I ‘met’ him, it was sort of like we were just both around at the same time. All the rocker kids went to Bernie’s for hip hop night because the music was always good, it was always fun, and always packed. I think, for the same reasons, Daymon came out to pretty much every el Jesus / CDR associated show.

I learned from Daymon that it’s easier to bring a community together than you might think. Daymon brought crowds of people together that you might not expect; people gravitated toward him. He’s the reason we could do a show like Greenhouse Effect, Cheater Slicks, and el Jesus de Magico and have it packed with all the hip hop kids, all the old rockers, and all the young trouble makers. If you think about it, it’s a weird bill – you’d never think noisy ass rock bands would be able to hold the attention of backpackers that are into clean beats – but if Daymon was standing there watching Tom Shannon shred the room with feedback, he was always surrounded by as many dudes in baggy jeans as dudes in tight jeans. This is also why it made so much sense to have him as ‘The Jesus’ in the Last Supper photo re-creation we did for el Jesus. We were just as honored to have him in the center as he was to be there, I think. And we weren’t ripping on religion, he knew that, because we’d had so many conversations about mystical bullshit that he knew it was beyond some sort of lame attempt to downplay the importance of the image. He was the center of so many normally disparate music scenes that he essentially ended up merging just by existing. I mean, it’s not like he had some master plan to get everybody together. He was just as into going to a rock show as he was clowning on the mic next to Prizm djing at some house party, and he would clue you in on what to do the next night, or what show was going to be good, cos he had better taste than anybody handing out handbills. The thing was, he was this real nice, god-fearing dude hanging around all these criminals and druggies and miscreants, and he never pushed his politics on anyone – it’s like, just by him wearing a shirt that said “Token” summed it up perfectly.

The first Daymon Day parade was pretty emotional, really. I mean, we were out on tour (el Jesus) when BJ called to tell us he’d died. I think we were driving in California drinking champagne and listening to “St. Elmo’s Fire” by Brian Eno. Every time I hear that song it takes me right back. Everyone just went silent. I felt a million miles away from Columbus. I was almost like, alright, turn the van around, let’s go be with our friends. We can’t miss the funeral. But, shit, Daymon would have wanted us to spread that good Columbus word the best we could. I was glad to be with Tony, Jon, Sarah, and Dave, who were all just as close with Daymon as I was.
So, seeing the turnout for the first parade was great. It was my first chance to really be with everyone and remember Daymon together. I had to put sunglasses on when we started marching because I got a little misty. I had the shivers, the hairs standing on the back of my neck listening to everyone chanting. All these Betty and Bobby Buckeyes dropping their beanbags and running up and asking what the deal was, I couldn’t even talk to them. My hope is that they start scheduling games around the Daymon Day parade. It’ll just keep getting bigger, next thing you know OSU will want their band to march with us. Think we could teach them “Bitch, You Don’t Know Shit”?

I think the parade is going strong mainly because of Tony(Envelope), honestly. Dude got all the permits and the cops wrangled up – we both know he has a special relationship with Columbus’ Finest – and he’s a tireless promoter when he’s hyped about something. Now, I don’t think it’d fall by the wayside if Tony didn’t organize it, don’t get me wrong. It’s like, Daymon was a catalyst, he gave us all a reason to get off our asses when he was around. Now that he’s not, we’d be knuckleheads to just stand around and talk a bunch of shit when we should be doing something fun and creative and constructive and bringing everybody together. You know, there’s gonna be a point where I’m too feeble minded to remember anybody’s name, and young kids aren’t gonna come visit me in my rocking chair asking for stories about how cool So What was back in the day. I hope at that point Daymon Day is still going, Tony Envelope pushing Detox down High Street in a wheelchair with turntables on it and a huge crowd of the next-next generation chanting ‘Ra-cst Jo-oe’ behind them in green Chucks.

Envelope rapper/ Co-organizer of the Daymon Day Parade

1.How did you meet Daymon?

I met Daymon in the late 90s through the Bernies/Thieves World/Columbus Hip Hop Expo circuit.

2.What Daymon, Przm, and Camu teach you?

They all taught me different things, but the one thing they all taught me was the need to be original.

3.What are some memories you have from the parade?

looking around and seeing everyone smiling.

4.Why do you think the parade is so strong after 6 years?

It has meaning.

sorry man, i kinda struggled with the questions today. i think i could of wrote a book on the subject. but i decided to make my answers as simple as possible.

1.How did you meet Daymon?

 I met Damon at a party at camp David he took a liking to me and my friend Lil Eric cause 1.) we were the two youngest people there chillen and 2.) we knew everyone and was always busy causing trouble there.

2.How did he affect your life?

He always was in a good mood and as a younger kid being around him the positivity he let off was contagious. Although a lot of time it was sarcasm and joking about people.

3.What are some memories/feelings you have from the parade?

The first year I went I think someone had like an almost life sized cut out of him and that shit was tight.

4.Why do you think after six years the parade is going strong?

I think Damon is a hard person to forget for many reasons and people aren’t ready to let go of him and hopefully it stays like that. If there is a way to come back for it every year or I can give a hand to keep it going I’ll bend over backwards for it. I mean shit he gave me the crown as the prince of this city

Saturday night (May 1) marked the conclusion of the Jazz Arts Group‘s 2009-10 Inside Track concert series at the Lincoln Theatre with a much-anticipated appearance by soul legend Booker T. Jones and his band. Though the buzz for his appearance itself was plentiful, the addition of local openers Nick Tolford & Co. seemed to contribute additional interest, visibly making the show more appealing to a slightly younger demographic. These factors combined for an exciting, well-attended show that won the audience over. (Check out Kim Rottmayer’s photos here.)

Nick Tolford & Company’s set was a quick and fiery runthrough of the best of their soulful rock ‘n roll. The band was a bit nervous as they opened for one of their heroes but overcame any stagefright to deliver a solid set. In their allotted 30 minutes, Tolford and band performed with enough reverence and joy [insert pic of smiling Mike O here] to win over many concertgoers who would have never been otherwise exposed to their music. The JAG should be recognized for providing this outlet for local musicians, as Mojoflo’s recent set opening for Trombone Shorty gave them similar exposure, including my parents’ introduction to the band.

Booker T’s performance was a tale of two sets: the first set was the considerably lesser of the two, and its initial impact overpowered my enjoyment of the second set. Everything started out fine: Mr. Jones came out to contribute organ to his band’s introductory instrumental and then launched into recent composition “She Breaks.” After these fine examples of his new excursion into soulful roots rock, he played the biggest Booker T & The MG’s hit there was, “Green Onions,” which the crowd ate up. Unfortunately, at this point in the set, Jones and the band set off into a miniature review of the storied Stax Records material that he helped write and/or record. I had no problem with this, as his role in this material should be recognized, but this transition meant something else: he switched to guitar and started singing. As a man famous for performing on the Hammond organ (and basically on nothing else), this part of his performance was not his strong suit. His vocals were serviceable, but not nearly strong enough to do justice to powerful classics like “Born Under A Bad Sign” or “Hold On, I’m Comin’.” The other problem with the latter rendition of Sam and Dave’s classic tune was that drummer Darian Gray was given a mic – and proceeded to rap. Two verses, riddled with “I can rap now, and I’m going to” cliches. Though the crowd reaction was somewhere between positive and indifferent, it was painful to this audience member. The set ended with a solo guitar/vocal tune by guitarist Vernon “Ice” Black, and though Jones came out to add organ for its conclusion, I was left wondering during intermission what happened to the “Hammond B3 alchemist” we were promised.

The second set was much stronger, as Jones returned to the organ, put away the mic, and played a rousing collection of MG’s hits and tunes from 2009′s Potato Hole. The classics were well-handled for the most part, though “Melting Pot” seemed to lack some precision and conciseness and Gray returned to the mic with two more unneeded rap verses on “Hip Hug Her.” The band gave thunderous life to the current songs, adding some rock energy that the sometimes sleepy album versions lacked. Guitarist Troy Gonyea apparently had guitar problems, as he left the stage a couple times and fiddled with his amp repeatedly, which was a distraction, but he was always ready for a solo or other exposed part. With two sets, the concert ran a bit past 11, which also lessened the focus and energy for my enjoyment of the second set. However, the set was great in the end and though I missed the encore (I heard he went back to guitar and vocals), I still got the Booker T I wanted to hear.

Though Jones and crew saved their portion of the evening with a focused second set, the first set left a bitter aftertaste that they could not quite overcome. In post-concert discussion, we agreed that the show would have been perfect if the band only played their second set (and perhaps “Green Onions”), but as an American music legend, I suppose Booker T. Jones has earned the right to learn the guitar and play around a bit, and the happy audience supported this notion.

Perhaps I’ve said it before (no way I’m trudging through those old posts) and If I haven’t, I’m saying it now. I’m a bringer togetherer, make it happennerer and a motherfucking idea factory. Basically what I’m saying is let’s all be cool, hang out and high five-you know? Life’s too short to not be a cool motherfucker!

In this blogisode, I pretty much ran myself ragged but I had a fuuuucking blast. Mouth of the Architect slayed, I somehow found time to check out a couple CD101 day Big Room performances, GenWex presents put on a killer benefit called Off the Grid with a bunch of awesome food and good looking people, Nick Tolford and Company made the crowd wet (myself included), The Hood Internet rocked the joint hard, I managed to catch a couple Brainbow songs at Carabar, did shots with Ron and jammed to some Team Tim Trivia (y’all gotta get on this).

YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO AND HOW TO DO IT

Pictured: Mockingbird@Summit

Friday night it was time to get my metal on and I sure the fuck did. Openers and young Columbus dudes Red Sun surprised the fuck out of me. These dudes like The Melvins and Baroness a whole bunch, but it wasn’t too contrived or apey at all. Dudes got the parts down, but IMHO could stand to tighten up a bit. Will definitely scope these dudes again next time I get a chance. These kids were followed by Dayton dudes Mockingbird and they pretty much totally ripped. Reminded me of a heavier, sludgier Pelican with a few more vocals. I wasn’t expecting two bands I had never heard of to melt my face off. (love the shit out of when that happens)

Pictured: Mouth of the Architect@Summit

I mean what can I say about MOTA that I haven’t already. These dudes were loud as fuck, ethereal as fuck and the shit was damn near transcendental. Don’t do yourself the disservice of missing them the next time they come through if you’re not a pussy-you heard???

Pictured: Biffy Clyro@CD101 Big Room

Not quite sure how I ended up at CD101 on Saturday afternoon, but since I was there I figured I might as well check out a couple of the CD101 day Big Room performances. Biffy Clyro are Scottish dudes that are huge in Scotland. I caught them a while back when they opened for Queens of the Stone Age and didn’t totally hate them and I can pretty much say the same thing this time around. Only caught one song-dude was using some type of wooden box for percussion-thought that was pretty neato.

Pictured: Dan Black@CD101 Big Room

Dan Black is some British dude that lives in France and Kid Cudi is on one of his tracks. I mean look-all I got. Dude was cool enough, like I didn’t want to gouge my ears out or anything. Heard his set wasn’t totally rad at the LC later. Whatever Whatever. Now for the good shit lollipop.

Pictured: Nick Tolford and Company@GenWex presents: Off the Grid

Aight here’s the story. GenWex presents Off the Grid. Benefit. Dope food from a bunch of dine original joints, dope jams from Nick Tolford and Company, dope beats from The Hood Internet and DJ Detox and dope weirdo dance whatever from Anna and the Annadroids. (check out real pics from our girl Rachael Barbash here.

Let me just say-Nick motherfucking Tolford and Company killlllleeedddd it maaaaaaaaaaaan. (remember YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST) I mean these dudes are blowing the fuck up. A bunch of fantastic looking motherfuckers these dudes are. Excellent fucking players as well oh man. I mean Mike O on Druummmss!!!! NICK TOLFORD IS THE WHITE RAY CHARLES. I mean this is the soul funk revival slaaaam and these cats ARE NOT FUCKING AROUND. Best band in Columbus. Hands down. If you haven’t heard and you like good shit, you really should reconsider how you do life. CD101 GET ON THIS SHIT THESE DUDES ARE BLOWING UP!!!! (Booker T and the MG’S openers I mean) I dunno what else to say. COLUMBUS BANDS ARE RAAADDDDD MAAAAAAAAAN.

Wasn’t gonna share this ’cause the sound is super blown out but you gotta catch these dudes vibe. (turn your shit down) MOTHERFUCKERS GOT THAT SWAGGA!!!!

Pictured: The Hood Internet@GenWex presents: Off the Grid

O.K. Here’s the scoop. Mr. Dibbs> The Hood Internet> Girl Talk (dudes lucky I even mentioned him) For real though, hip-hop indie rock mash up dudes that rocked that joint hard. Not gonna front, like the mixes better than the live stuff, but mofo’s had them asses shakin’ bigtime.

Pictured: Live ass crowd@GenWex presents: Off the Grid

I TOLD YOU THIS JOINT WAS LIIIIIIVE

Pictured: Brainbow@Carabar

Yeah, you know the story-Brainbow Brainbow Brainbow-IF YOU HAVE TO ASK. For reallls it’s miraculous that i made it to Carabar. Shit got weird, something about Bobby shots. Whatever Brainbow own and Cbus rules.

Last things last. Wex dude Tim Fulton (team tim) does trivia at Bodega on Sunday nights and I AM CHALLENGING YOU (to drink a sixer like me before you get there) and to try and do better than my radass team (2nd place two rounds in a row? WHATEVER JESUS PHONE CHEATERS).

In closing, like I said before-LET’S ALL HANG OUT BE COOL AND HIGH FIVE!!!!!

I need an investor and/or sugar mama. Donewaiting office blueprints in the works. Can’t wait.

Did ipps practice? Will there be two drummers? Will Mike O be those drummers? Will Bo Davis be drunk? Will you be drunk? (I will be.)

Are you going to kick yourself because you didn’t know how awesome Goes Cube is? Is Post-Everything really a genre? Are you going to buy a copy of “Another Has Passed” after you realize how awesome Goes Cube is?

Are The Altered States of the United Snakes really a band?

Exactly how far East of the Wall?

You be the judge! On Saturday! At Carabar!

Proof that Goes Cube is what I said they are after the jump!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Told you.

Bloggers/journalists are the worst thing. Oh man. i mean do you really think anything you have to say is more important than the thing I’m in the middle of? Like I give a fuck bout your website. I was in the middle of something important before you oh so kindly interjected. Maybe there was a reason your interview requests weren’t granted. Fuuuuuck.

Oh hey how’s it going? I’m feeling better thanks for asking. I meant to do this last week but after going to see that “Paranormal Activity” pos@Studio 35 and purchasing Them Crooked Vulture tickets upon arriving home, I awoke on Tuesday morning feeling as though I was hit by a Mac truck. That being said, I had no motivation to do anything so I decided to neatly(weakly) wrap up two weeks of shows at one go. I’m talkin Built to Spill, ipps, Buffalo Killers, Brainbow, The Lindsay, Gil Mantera’s Party Dream, Jemina Pearl and some website that makes Cringe look like Pitchfork. You know what to do.

Pictured: Built to Spill@The Newport

I was on the fence about going to see Built to Spill. Basically I didn’t wanna buy a ticket. I mean paying for shows is sooo pedestrian. As luck would have it, I managed to win a pair from CD101 the morning of the show. Thanks CD101! So, yeah. The show was pretty rad, the crowd not so much. I mean Doug and Co. played the songs we came to hear. Virginia Reel around the Fountain, Untrustable, which btw garnered little to no crowd response, Outta Site, Car, You were Right, which again, no response, and a 2 hour version of Carry the Zero. I mean nobody in attendance wanted to be caught having any fun. Lotta dudes drinkin the kool aid. There was no barrier up front which I have never seen at The Newport and it was cool to be able to make it up front with no hassle and enjoy the up front without getting smashed.

Pictured: ipps@Rumba

After Built to Spill I conned Mike O. into waiting for me to get to Rumba before ipps played. Thanks Mike O. Let’s talk about ipps. Best band in Columbus that never plays? If you don’t know/aren’t drinkin the kool aid, ipps is Bo, Emily, and Matt from Necropolis and Mike O from El Jesus De Majico. Shoe gazey slow jams. Real fucking cool. Good show guys, big fan.

Pictured: ipps@Rumba

I included 2 ipps pictures due to the major lack of Mike O as of late.

Pictured: Flu Faker@Rumba

Flu Faker are a band that people seem to dig. I’m still on the fence. Sorry…all I got

Pictured: Buffalo Killers@Ravari Room

Friday was Main Street Gospel and Cincinnati’s Buffalo Killers at Ravari Room. For some reason I have a hard time catching MSG. It doesn’t matter if they play first of last, they must just not want me to see them. Whatever Barry, Adam and Tito. I did get there in time to see me some Buffalo Killers. I mean long Cream-esque jams with the right amount of psych…all good. They also really kill buffaloes no shit.

Pictured: Newlyweds Brian and Cassie Travis

Saturday was Brian Travis and Cassie Lewis, of Church of the Red Museum and rosehips, wedding day and their reception was at Carabar with The Lindsay and Brainbow. The nuptials were officiated by none other than Church of the Red Museum Drummer stud, Robby Coleman and everyone in attendance at the reception but me looked fan-fucking-tastic.

Pictured: The Lindsay@Carabar

The Lindsay play rock music with guitars. They are good.

Pictured: Brainbow@Carabar

Brainbow play swirling, epic, distortion laden, beautiful instrumental masterpieces that make me wet.

Pictured: Brainbow and Lara Yazvac@Carabar

Comfest reprise!!!

O.K. new week.

I’m not a big movie dude, but I was invited to go see Paranormal Activity on Monday night and said fuck it why not. I was quickly reminded why not. Those movie theaters will let anyone in! Seriously though, I had never been to Studio 35 before, so I thought that was reason enough to go. You heard about this movie? Oh man it’s like totally like Blair Witch….PSYCHE…Big studio decides to virally market a shitty movie with limited release because they don’t want everyone to see it and realize what a piece of shit it is. Have you seen the trailers? Best to leave it at that. I’m also convinced that’s where I got sick. No Them Crooked Vultures show for me. C’est la vie.

Pictured: Jemina Pearl@The Summit

Decided I felt good enough to make it out on Friday night for BenCo presents Jemina Pearl, formerly of Be Your Own Pet at The Summit. Not really a BYOP fan but Jemina and I have something in common, we both hate people. The show was decent, garage rock with the BYOP chick singing. I honestly expected a better turnout because CD101 is playing the single and she did a Big Room performance the afternoon of the show. I met some dude that named his website after a Reno t-shirt. Whatever. Jemina loves Aleks.

Pictured: Gil Mantera’s Party Dream

Look. Party Dream are great, getting greater and it’s only a matter of time before theses dudes totally blow up. No shit.

Sorry tired of typing. Important shit to do.

This week I leave you with more Bobby Silver awesomeness.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Doing stuff and meeting people rules. Life is too short to not make the most of it. Expect the worst, hope for the best and you’re never disappointed. I mean basically what I’m saying is cheers to life and OH MAN I SURE DID DO STUFF AND MEET PEOPLE THIS WEEK.

I attended that Black Keys mess at Skullys, saw Brainbow at The Treehouse, Franz Ferdinand at The Newport and saw a whole bunch of other dumb hipster bands oh man

Sooooooo…I’m pretty much on borrowed time and everyday is a bonus. I’m lucky to still not be dead or in jail and I’m totally stoked for life. i started the week with the Jack Daniel’s Black Keys show@Skully’s on Monday and good lord people love The Black Keys-I mean LOVE LOVE LOVE. This show was insufferable to old dudes like me. Nuts to butts packed+free booze+free show=total bummer for dudes that are old like me, it was still totally fun though and the sound was sweet. Other Girls opened and there were in fact no girls in the band-false advertising if you ask me.

Pictured: Fey Gods@The Treehouse

Thursday night was the last of the Red Rabbit Productions residence at The Treehouse. I finally saw Fey Gods and they pretty much sound like The Unholy New Viking-check ‘em out dudes.

Pictured: Brainbow@The Treehouse

BRAINBOW BRAINBOW BRAINBOW played too. They sound like Floyd, Zepplin and Crimson or something. They play next on 5-16-09@The Summit. Beaten Awake played as well. Red Rabbit Productions is booking some shows at Rumba now instead or something.

Pictured: Zaza@Summit

Friday night I believed the hype and went to check out cute band alert band, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart and hang out with the hipsters. When I arrived Zaza were playing. Zaza are from Brooklyn, need I say more? Seriously though more like The Pains of being Boring Art. Black clothes, black guitars and a spotlight pointed into mirror was supposed to make up for lack of good anything. I really did enjoy the set to some degree and I guess I looked like a Zaza superfan because I wear black and have cool hair. I saw cool ass singer dude by the pool table and I was like “good set man”. Dude looked at me and was all “yeah” and walked away. Seriously fuuuuuuck that dude. I bet he can’t even spell pretension.

DONEWAITING BLOG HARD: I’m sure I was in the middle of saying something dumb/insightful/amazing

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart played a fun set and the crowd ate it up. Apparently Alex from Franz Ferdinand likes Pains or something. I missed thew hubbub because I wanted to catch Mouth of the Architect at The Ravari Room.

Pictured: Mouth of the Architect@Ravari

I managed to catch their last 2 songs which translates to about 15 minutes worth of beautiful brutality. MOTA are a monster and you should giver them a listen if you haven’t. They will be heading out on May 28 for a short tour with Zoroaster.

Pictured: Nick Tolford and Co. in a parking lot

Saturday was a fun/full day. After recovering from Friday night, I made it downtown to the Pabst parking lot thingy to get drunk too early and check out Nick Tolford and Co. The company includes members of El Jesus De Magico, Church of the Red Museum and Deerhead. Tolford kinda sounds like dude from Maroon 5 and that isn’t exactly a bad thing. I mean imagine Maroon 5 on AM radio only better.

Pictured: Jordan Martin@What the Rock

I made a last minute decision to go check out the sold out Franz Ferdinand show so I had to rush rush rush to get to the Newport. It was Gallery Hop and I live in The Short North so I said fuck it and walked. As I passed What the Rock? there was a young girl singing a song with a chorus of “this gig sucks”. I put 2 and 2 together and realized that it was Jordan Martin. She is in 17 bands, has a great sense of humor and she sure can sing.

I realized a couple/few things while I was at the Franz show. One of them was the fact that I am tooooo old for sold out shows, another was I have an intense dislike for the general populace and another was people sure do like to fuck with me and yet another was Franz Ferdinand has a weird fan base and all there stuff sounds pretty much the same. Some dude was being an asshole because some other asshole spilled a little bit of beer a few times on his girlfriend. The third time dude that was bigger than me got shitty with me I got shitty back and he apologized and gave us his spot. It was amazing/I’m lucky I didn’t get my ass beat.

OH MAN MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I went against my better judgment and decided to go to the Hillbilly Drive-In on Sunday@Chateau Awesome and it was fuuuuunnnnn as fuck. I haven’t laughed so hard for so long for I don’t know how long. It’s basically live Mystery Science Theater whatever and I had a blast. Check it out, don’t be scared.

Somebody buy me a laptop I will tell everyone how awesome you are.

Duffy I need another week off.

Cheers to life.