If you haven’t heard, Matthew Specktor wrote a semi-autobiographical novel called That Summertime Sound about a nameless Los Angeles protagonist who spends a between-college summer in Columbus in the mid ’80s. The book is chock-full of thinly veiled references to Columbus locales and figures past and present (e.g. Mick Divvens/Boys from Nowhere become Nic Devine/Lords of Oblivion, Ron House becomes Gary Hauser, Used Kids Records becomes School Daze Records, and on and on).

The book is getting mixed reviews on the message board, but I imagine there will be a pretty good turnout for the free reading at the Wexner Center Wednesday night at 7pm. (I guess this is Wexner Center Week on Donewaiting.) I’m mostly hoping Ron House and others mentioned in the book will show up to say their piece.

Also, if you wanna hear people like James Franco, J. Mascis, Gwyneth Paltrow and Morgan Freeman read excerpts from the book, check out the TSS website.

Video of a book release party, containing a performance by J. Mascis, after the jump. (more…)

Editor’s note: “Overlooked in Ohio” is a new feature in which we ask an Ohio-based artist, music enthusiast, etc. to tell us about a few bands (past or present) from the state of Ohio that deserve some love. Our first installment comes courtesy of Jerry Dannemiller, guitarist/singer in Moviola and director of marketing and communications at the Wexner Center in Columbus. (Not to mention a past contributor to NPR, Magnet and a host of other publications.)

Blank Schatz; photo by Jay Brown

Blank Schatz (Findlay, Ohio, early 1980s): When punk rock was still something weird and foreign and only happened in big cities, the brothers Butler were kicking out the jams in my hometown of Findlay like it was the Lower East Side. I saw them only a couple times in high school and then in Columbus opening for the likes of Live Skull and (a very early) Flaming Lips. Musically, they fell somewhere in the neighborhood of Die Kruezen or a more earnest Black Flag. It hasn’t aged all that incredibly well, but back then, in the desolate environs of northwest Ohio, it was music to my green ears.

Wolverton Brothers

Wolverton Brothers (Cincinnati, late 80s, still active): My admiration for the Wolvertons—as people and as artists—knows no bounds, if you haven’t heard them, you would do yourself well to scrounge up any of their six records. Part Anglo-80s skronk-surf, Beefheart-ish mushmouth, and high-speed boom-chicka-boom, Tim, Billy, Todd, and Jay are the rarest of entities: raw, unaffected by trend, and original to a fault.

Keep reading for more. (more…)

mp3: Atlas Sound – Walkabout (w/ Noah Lennox)

This will be my first time seeing Atlas Sound’s Bradford Cox live, and I’m really looking forward to it, especially after giving Logos a few listens. I’d always paid more attention to Cox’s “main” band, Deerhunter, but this new one is a terrific headphone album of underwater bedroom pop, and so far “Walkabout” is my favorite track. …Nice to have Broadcast on the bill, too.

9 pm Sunday, Black Box on the Mershon Stage. $14.

Annie Clark really likes to have pictures taken of her face. She also released her second full-length this year, Actor, under the St. Vincent moniker. With it, she has sufficiently distanced herself from being just another graduate of Sufjan’s touring ensemble.

What I remember most from the last time St. Vincent played the Wex is Clark’s guitar prowess. The girl can shred. If you would like to see said shredding, we’ve got a pair of tickets to give away to St. Vincent’s Wexner Center show with Andrew Bird at the Southern Theatre. To enter the contest, send a blank e-mail to contest@donewaiting.com with the subject ST VINCENT. Winners will be randomly chosen on Friday, Oct. 16. You can also purchase tickets here.

UPDATE: According to the Wexner Center: “There are no tickets currently available for the show. Be sure to follow us on twitter, @wexarts, for updates on any tickets that may be released as the show approaches.” More reason to enter the contest…

mp3: St. Vincent – The Stranger

There is a new monthly publication available at The Wexner Center, Milk Bar, & Ladybird that was conceived and created by Big Marty and Shawn aka dem Weedsteeler boys aka the same people who brought you Vomitrocity, divisive internet behaviour, Hipsters & YP’s liking Gucci Mane & Dipset, influential flyer design, and I got most of my friends real jobs.

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When Ray Lee talks people should listen. You know how it is real umm pay attention. If you aren’t talking about Sirens then you are speaking a different language.

Never mind…

Just watch the the Ray Lee video. It has the Sound artist and composer explaining an experience availble to you. sooooooooooo….Buy some qualudes and go get a brain massage at the Wexner Feb 26-28th. More info here:Wexartsblog.

(disclosure: duffy works there)

MP3:Times New Viking-Pale Blue Eyes(Live)

Throughout the world, and even in America people gather in townsquares to celebrate their regional musicks, cultures and histories. I would imagine in New Orleans they have a celebration of Jazz music at some point.

 Columbus Ohio currently has art rock n roll. So in the townsquare for the arts, the Wexner Center, a town meeting was called to salute the finale of Andy Warhol exhibition. The townspeople came out on a holiday in such a force that this cultural moment was at it’s capacity.

The prodigal sons of the town’s art rock n roll, Times New Viking were rightfully drafted to covet the Velvet Underground in said celebration.

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They are turning the Wexner Center into the Factory Tonight. RJ and DJ True Skills are playing records that Bob Dylan prolly ran game on Edie Sedgwick to.  It will be like this video except silver and with more legendary works art around.

Matmos are returning to the Wexner Center on Wednesday, July 23. This is their fourth appearance at the Wex, and each time has been a memorable one. Purchase advance tickets here.

We’re giving away a pair of tickets to a lucky winner. To enter the contest, send a blank e-mail to wintix@donewaiting.com with the subject line MATMOS. The winner will be randomly chosen July 21.

MP3: Rainbow Flag
Video: Exciter Lamp and the Variable Band

She and Him have added an August 4 stop at the Wexner Center in Columbus OH. Full details here. Tickets onsale soon. I missed them at SXSW (line was too long), so I hope to catch them this time around.

MP3: Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?

(Disclosure: I work at the Wex)

This is a last minute thing so we’re doing this quick.

Jose Gonzalez is playing at the Wexner Center tomorrow night. We’ve got a pair of tickets to giveaway. To enter, send a blank e-mail with the subject title “Jose.” Winner will be chosen TONIGHT and notified TONIGHT. WINNER NOTIFIED, THANKS!

Jose sold out the last time he was at the Wex and I think he might do it again, so if you really want to go you better get those tickets pronto.

MP3: Stream at Hype Machine

UPDATED: Photos from the show by Kim Rottmayer

I still haven’t processed last night’s amazing show. I was hoping Andrew Bird was gonna play a song with Wilco, and it happened! So good. More coherent thought later, including photos. For now, here’s a discussion of the show in our message board and here’s the Columbus OH set list:

Andrew Bird
1. Intro
2. Sovay
3. A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left
4. Why? (stopped and restarted)
5. Spare-Ohs
6. Plasticities (stopped and restarted)
7. Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning (?)

Wilco
1. Sunken Treasure
2. You Are My Face
3. Company In My Back
4. I Am Trying To Break Your Heart (noise intro)
5. Handshake Drugs
6. A Shot In The Arm
7. Side With The Seeds
8. Via Chicago
9. Impossible Germany
10. Sky Blue Sky
11. Forget the Flowers
12. Hummingbird
13. Jesus, etc. (with Andrew Bird on violin)
14. Walken
15. I’m The Man Who Loves You
16. The Late Greats

Encore 1:
17. Hate It Here
18. Heavy Metal Drummer
19. In A Future Age
20. Spiders (Kidsmoke)

Encore 2:
21. Airline to Heaven
22. Too Far Apart
23. Red-Eyed & Blue
24. I Got You (At The End Of The Century)
25. Outtasite (Outta Mind)

[from Via Chicago]