My photograph and review of the David Cassidy concert at the 2007 Indiana State Fair made a David Cassidy fan site.
Monday, January 28, 2008
I think he loves me
My photograph and review of the David Cassidy concert at the 2007 Indiana State Fair made a David Cassidy fan site.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Broad Ripple Gazette, vol 5. no 2
Originally published in the Broad Ripple Gazette
Reviews:
Elvis Birthday Bash
Friday, January 4, 2008
Local’s Only
This was the third year for Wayne Bertsch’s Elvis Birthday Bash, but it was my first. I had so much fun I was sorry that I’d missed the first two.
Little Voice kicked off the show. Erika Thomas was an adorable Elvis and channeled the King admirably. I was charmed by this talented group of alt-rockers. Little Voice is on hiatus, but promise they will have a new album when they come back this summer.
Jay Elliott played solo sets between the bands. It was such a great idea and one of my favorite parts of the evening. His sets were a combination of Elvis tunes and his own. He played right on the dance floor, and often had a crowd of folks dancing next to him as he sang. Jay’s voice is amazing and he has great charisma. He dressed the part, looking like the young handsome Presley. Jay is part of band Stereo Deluxe. The band is on the cusp of greatness, just waiting for the rest of the country to discover what we already know.
Hey Hey Melodica was big acoustic rock fun. You could tell the band was having a good time on the stage. They put the fun in to Presley’s songs.
The Mess Arounds did the most traditional covers of Presley’s songs. Elvis’s songs were perfect for the rhythm and blues band. Danny Thompson’s voice is instrument enough, but his hot guitar playing is icing on the cake.
My only regret of the evening is that I didn’t try the special at Local’s Only that night – fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches.
Friday, January 11, 2008
It was a typical Friday night. I was exhausted and hunkered down for the evening, in my bathrobe and preparing to write this column. Ah, the best laid plans…My friend Kristi called. She was five minutes from my house and offered to pick me up. Some how pulling on jeans and cowboy boots led to three venues and getting home at 1:30 in the morning.
Steve Allee Band
The Jazz Kitchen
9:30: We walked in to a full of jazz fans Jazz Kitchen. Steve Allee, piano player/arraigner extraordinaire gathered cream-of-the-crop players for the evening. Kenny Phelps on drums, Frank Smith bass and Rob Dixon played saxophone. The result was amazing. I really enjoyed the music, atmosphere and food. It was also good to catch up on neighborhood news. After working on that corner (and by working on the corner, I mean working at the coffeehouse) for so many years I miss seeing everyone.
We were chatting with the band after the set, when I saw that I had a text message from Tammy Lieber “I’m listening to John Byrne play pedal steel.” Magic words, a siren call right on my iPhone. A flurry of text messages determined where John was playing and that Tammy could give me a ride home.
http://www.steveallee.com/
http://www.thejazzkitchen.com/
http://www.owlstudios.com/
Jes Richmond Band
Daddy Jack’s
11:00: We walked in to another full venue. This was my first time seeing the Jes Richmond band, and I can’t believe that it took me this long. I always enjoy seeing Jes as part of Soul Bus.
The Jes Richmond band is Jes, his talented wife Vicky, Chris Pyle, Randy Melson and, of course John Byrne. The band was great; they play folk-rock – lots of sing-along and dancing tunes. The stage banter was fun, and Jes and the lovely Vicky were celebrating their 28th wedding anniversary that night. Clearly they married as teens.
As a side note, between both venues we wound up seeing a good chunk of the Bob and Tom Band – band leader Steve Allee, Frank Smith, Chris Pyle and Randy Melson.
http://myspace.com/entertainmenttopaz
http://www.konajacksindy.com/
12:30: I jumped in to Tammy’s Jeep for the ride home. We were driving down College Ave. when we passed the new/old façade of the Vogue. Lazarus and Hum-V were playing. I talked Tammy in to parking and going in.
The Vogue has started to have live music every Friday. I am thrilled. The lineup for the next couple of months is a great mix of local, regional and national acts. I was happy to see that the Vogue was still busy – even though we’d missed the music. We did get to chat with Lazarus band mates Rusty Redenbacher and TJ Reddington. I heard plenty of people talking about how good the show was. I’m looking forward to actually hearing them.
www.myspace.com/dblneg
http://www.thevogue.ws/.
Previews:
Thursday’s at the Corner Wine Bar (the Wine Cellar)
Free, nonsmoking, 21 and over.
I was chatting with Corner Wine Bar manager Michelle at the Jes Richmond show (I’m always thrilled to run in to restaurant folks when they’re not working) about the new Thursday music series at the Wine Cellar (below the Corner Wine Bar). I think it is such a great idea. The shows start at 6:00 and you can have dinner. I was there a few weeks ago for the Middletown show. There were a passel of us; the service was great and the food excellent. I would suggest getting there early to eat; the seating is first-come, first-seated. A Touch of Grass will continue to be the house band on Friday and Saturdays.
Thursday, January 17, Whiskey Biscuits
Thursday, January 24, The Brandon Meeks Duo
Thursday, January 31, Crackhead Patty
If you are interested in booking a show, contact Pat Brunner pbainc@comcast.net.
Healing Sixes
Friday, January 18, 2008
Birdy’s
2131 E. 71st St.
The Healing Sixes are known for their great live shows. As their Web site says, their music separates the men from the boy bands. I’m looking forward to seeing them, and not just because drummer Wade Parrish has an almost involuntary need to say “Nora Spitznogle” peppered with a colorful expletive over the microphone.
http://www.healingsixes.com/
http://www.birdyslive.com/
Friday, February 1, 2008
Antje Duvekot
8 pm, $10, all ages, non-smoking.
Indy Hostel
4903 Winthrop Ave
317.727.1696
Antje Duvekot [DOO-va-kot] was born in Heidelberg, Germany. She remembers her German childhood as carefree and filled with song. In school they sang old folk songs and she was enchanted at summer camping trips by the sound of adults singing around the campfire. She was drawn to the old melodies and the emotion.
When she was 13, her mother remarried and the new family moved to Delaware. She barely spoke English and music became even more important to her. She discovered the folk world of urban songwriters like Ani DiFranco. She made tapes of them, and listened while she wandered through her new world. As she told the Boston Globe in 2005, "The only time I was truly happy as a teenager was walking around the neighborhood, listening to my folk tapes. My English wasn't so good yet, but I just loved the kind of melancholy, solitary aspect of the songs. And I could tell that these people were saying something important. That was profound and meaningful to me, even before I knew just what it was they were saying. It was like these artists were actually talking to me, not just making sounds."
She has become a player in the urban folk world. One of her songs Merry Go Round is featured in Bank of America’s national campaign.
The Hostel is the perfect place to see Antje, everyone will be there to listen and you’ll get a change to hangout with her.
http://www.antjeduvekot.com/
http://www.indyhostel.us/
http://www.segementofsociety.com/
Reviews:
Elvis Birthday Bash
Friday, January 4, 2008
Local’s Only
This was the third year for Wayne Bertsch’s Elvis Birthday Bash, but it was my first. I had so much fun I was sorry that I’d missed the first two.
Little Voice kicked off the show. Erika Thomas was an adorable Elvis and channeled the King admirably. I was charmed by this talented group of alt-rockers. Little Voice is on hiatus, but promise they will have a new album when they come back this summer.
Jay Elliott played solo sets between the bands. It was such a great idea and one of my favorite parts of the evening. His sets were a combination of Elvis tunes and his own. He played right on the dance floor, and often had a crowd of folks dancing next to him as he sang. Jay’s voice is amazing and he has great charisma. He dressed the part, looking like the young handsome Presley. Jay is part of band Stereo Deluxe. The band is on the cusp of greatness, just waiting for the rest of the country to discover what we already know.
Hey Hey Melodica was big acoustic rock fun. You could tell the band was having a good time on the stage. They put the fun in to Presley’s songs.
The Mess Arounds did the most traditional covers of Presley’s songs. Elvis’s songs were perfect for the rhythm and blues band. Danny Thompson’s voice is instrument enough, but his hot guitar playing is icing on the cake.
My only regret of the evening is that I didn’t try the special at Local’s Only that night – fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches.
Friday, January 11, 2008
It was a typical Friday night. I was exhausted and hunkered down for the evening, in my bathrobe and preparing to write this column. Ah, the best laid plans…My friend Kristi called. She was five minutes from my house and offered to pick me up. Some how pulling on jeans and cowboy boots led to three venues and getting home at 1:30 in the morning.
Steve Allee Band
The Jazz Kitchen
9:30: We walked in to a full of jazz fans Jazz Kitchen. Steve Allee, piano player/arraigner extraordinaire gathered cream-of-the-crop players for the evening. Kenny Phelps on drums, Frank Smith bass and Rob Dixon played saxophone. The result was amazing. I really enjoyed the music, atmosphere and food. It was also good to catch up on neighborhood news. After working on that corner (and by working on the corner, I mean working at the coffeehouse) for so many years I miss seeing everyone.
We were chatting with the band after the set, when I saw that I had a text message from Tammy Lieber “I’m listening to John Byrne play pedal steel.” Magic words, a siren call right on my iPhone. A flurry of text messages determined where John was playing and that Tammy could give me a ride home.
http://www.steveallee.com/
http://www.thejazzkitchen.com/
http://www.owlstudios.com/
Jes Richmond Band
Daddy Jack’s
11:00: We walked in to another full venue. This was my first time seeing the Jes Richmond band, and I can’t believe that it took me this long. I always enjoy seeing Jes as part of Soul Bus.
The Jes Richmond band is Jes, his talented wife Vicky, Chris Pyle, Randy Melson and, of course John Byrne. The band was great; they play folk-rock – lots of sing-along and dancing tunes. The stage banter was fun, and Jes and the lovely Vicky were celebrating their 28th wedding anniversary that night. Clearly they married as teens.
As a side note, between both venues we wound up seeing a good chunk of the Bob and Tom Band – band leader Steve Allee, Frank Smith, Chris Pyle and Randy Melson.
http://myspace.com/entertainmenttopaz
http://www.konajacksindy.com/
12:30: I jumped in to Tammy’s Jeep for the ride home. We were driving down College Ave. when we passed the new/old façade of the Vogue. Lazarus and Hum-V were playing. I talked Tammy in to parking and going in.
The Vogue has started to have live music every Friday. I am thrilled. The lineup for the next couple of months is a great mix of local, regional and national acts. I was happy to see that the Vogue was still busy – even though we’d missed the music. We did get to chat with Lazarus band mates Rusty Redenbacher and TJ Reddington. I heard plenty of people talking about how good the show was. I’m looking forward to actually hearing them.
www.myspace.com/dblneg
http://www.thevogue.ws/.
Previews:
Thursday’s at the Corner Wine Bar (the Wine Cellar)
Free, nonsmoking, 21 and over.
I was chatting with Corner Wine Bar manager Michelle at the Jes Richmond show (I’m always thrilled to run in to restaurant folks when they’re not working) about the new Thursday music series at the Wine Cellar (below the Corner Wine Bar). I think it is such a great idea. The shows start at 6:00 and you can have dinner. I was there a few weeks ago for the Middletown show. There were a passel of us; the service was great and the food excellent. I would suggest getting there early to eat; the seating is first-come, first-seated. A Touch of Grass will continue to be the house band on Friday and Saturdays.
Thursday, January 17, Whiskey Biscuits
Thursday, January 24, The Brandon Meeks Duo
Thursday, January 31, Crackhead Patty
If you are interested in booking a show, contact Pat Brunner pbainc@comcast.net.
Healing Sixes
Friday, January 18, 2008
Birdy’s
2131 E. 71st St.
The Healing Sixes are known for their great live shows. As their Web site says, their music separates the men from the boy bands. I’m looking forward to seeing them, and not just because drummer Wade Parrish has an almost involuntary need to say “Nora Spitznogle” peppered with a colorful expletive over the microphone.
http://www.healingsixes.com/
http://www.birdyslive.com/
Friday, February 1, 2008
Antje Duvekot
8 pm, $10, all ages, non-smoking.
Indy Hostel
4903 Winthrop Ave
317.727.1696
Antje Duvekot [DOO-va-kot] was born in Heidelberg, Germany. She remembers her German childhood as carefree and filled with song. In school they sang old folk songs and she was enchanted at summer camping trips by the sound of adults singing around the campfire. She was drawn to the old melodies and the emotion.
When she was 13, her mother remarried and the new family moved to Delaware. She barely spoke English and music became even more important to her. She discovered the folk world of urban songwriters like Ani DiFranco. She made tapes of them, and listened while she wandered through her new world. As she told the Boston Globe in 2005, "The only time I was truly happy as a teenager was walking around the neighborhood, listening to my folk tapes. My English wasn't so good yet, but I just loved the kind of melancholy, solitary aspect of the songs. And I could tell that these people were saying something important. That was profound and meaningful to me, even before I knew just what it was they were saying. It was like these artists were actually talking to me, not just making sounds."
She has become a player in the urban folk world. One of her songs Merry Go Round is featured in Bank of America’s national campaign.
The Hostel is the perfect place to see Antje, everyone will be there to listen and you’ll get a change to hangout with her.
http://www.antjeduvekot.com/
http://www.indyhostel.us/
http://www.segementofsociety.com/
Friday, January 18, 2008
Three Girls and Their Buddy
I wrote two peices for the NUVO cover story about Emmylou Harris and the Three Girls and Their Buddy tour.
I talked to Indianapolis musicians who have been inspired by Emmylou. You can read that here.
I also wrote the preview of Buddy Miller. You can read that here.
I'm looking forward to the show tonight!
I talked to Indianapolis musicians who have been inspired by Emmylou. You can read that here.
I also wrote the preview of Buddy Miller. You can read that here.
I'm looking forward to the show tonight!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Cynthia Layne's Beautiful Music
Cynthia Layne released her second album, Beautiful Music. You can read about it in the Jazz News here with a quote from your favorite Broad Ripple Gazette music columnist.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Broad Ripple Gazette, vol 5. no 1
Originally published in the Broad Ripple Gazette
Happy New Year! It has been a busy three weeks since the last column. I’m not sure that I can recount all of the extraordinary shows that I saw – I went to a ton of shows and had a darn good time, but did not take the first note. I’m going to give you a snapshot, both figuratively and literally (I did take a ton of photographs) of each show.
Birdy’s Christmas Party
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Birdy’s Christmas Party
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Nora and Santa Greg Brenner
I arrived at the Birdy’s annual holiday party late, even by rock and roll standards. I did get there in time to race upstairs for a photo with Santa Greg Brenner, who stepped in for the touring Santa Otis. I missed the music but got to catch up with a lot of people who make it possible for music to be played in this town– Mike and Sue (Birdy’s owners), Jeff Sample (booking manager – Birdy’s and Upper Room), Matt Schwegman (booking manager – Vogue) and Greg Brenner (booking manager – Punk Rock Night at the Melody Inn). I also had fun catching up with friends that were in town for the holidays – newly engaged Jeff Zuckerman and Carrie Sloo and visiting from Austin, Aaron Stroup.
http://www.birdyslive.com/
The Benders and Chevy Downs
Friday, December 21, 2007
Birdy’s
http://www.birdyslive.com/
The Benders and Chevy Downs
Friday, December 21, 2007
Birdy’s
John Byrne
A great byproduct of the holidays (besides fudge) are that hometown musicians come back to visit. You can always count of a raucous Chevy Downs show around Christmas. This year was no different and these charming lads play a hard-to-describe mix of rock, bluegrass and soul. They are always good sing-along and dancing fun.
John Byrne, Aaron Stroup and Tad Armstrong
The Benders grabbed everyone’s attention with their amazing harmonies, right-on timing and excellent musicians. John Byrne (guitars and all things guitar-y, vocals), Dave England (guitar, writer, vocals), Tad Armstrong (bass, writer, vocals) and Wade Parrish (drums, vocals) make up this super-star lineup. Visiting guitar player Aaron Stroup joined them for a few songs, which unfortunately coincided with a tragic camera battery incident. I got a great aerobic workout racing upstairs and retrieving the fresh batteries from Tammy Lieber and flew back down the steps. It’s not often that I get to see my two favorite guitar players on the same stage with my favorite singers. Some people play Fantasy Football – I like to play Fantasy Bands, and the Benders are one of them. I cannot say enough good things about this band, but I’ll keep trying!
www.myspace.com/chevydownsband
www.myspace.com/thebenderspage
The Northside Newsstand Festivus Party
Sunday, December 23, 2007
The Jazz Kitchen
Gnome Jamie Ridpath
The weather was very cold and windy so I bundled up for the walk down to the Newsstand Party. It was great to see all of the Christmas lights along the way – thanks neighbors for decorating. I promise to talk my lights down before Independence Day next year.
If you have not been in the Newsstand the décor focuses on globes and maps. The window is filled with globes and each table has map under glass. There was a ceramic gnome tucked among the globes in the window. I noticed at some point this year the gnome was gone, but I asked what happened to it. This fall photographs of the gnome in a hospital bed appeared at the newsstand, with a note saying that he would be returned soon. Who sent it was a mystery. A few weeks ago a friend admitted that her daughter had broken the gnome. She panicked, put the broken gnome in her bag and fled. She snapped the photographs and plotted how she could sneak the gnome back to the window. She got the idea to dress up as a gnome to return the original gnome at the Festivus party. As you know, I love a theme - I found a great stuffed recordable gnome at Posh Petals. Jamie's boyfriend recorded a "see you later" message and left at the Jazz Kitchen before the party. Jamie came dressed as the gnome and almost off the secret - the gift bag she returned the ceramic gnome had a gift tag attached that said "to Jamie."
DJ Rusty
The party was a blast as always. There was lots of great food and conversation. Otto the Comic did a fun set and DJ Rusty kept the packed house dancing.
Otto the Comic
www.myspace.com/northsidenews
www.myspace.com/rustyredenbacherofthemudkid
www.myspace.com/ottothecomic
http://www.thejazzkitchen.com/
Middletown
Thursday, December 27, 2007
The Corner Wine Bar (Wine Cellar)
Aaron Stroup
The late great Middletown has a reunion show whenever Aaron Stroup is in town. I have a soft spot for the band. Aaron and I used to live on either side of the double that we both rented (and I now own). I heard Middletown form and practice through our shared wall. I loved sitting on the sofa reading with the songs filtering through the wall. The band sounds good as ever. Amazing harmonies, terrific songs and all-around lovely people. Tad Armstrong (vocals, songwriter, guitar and bass), Stasia Demos (vocals, songwriter and accordion) and Aaron Stroup (vocals, songwriter and guitar) manage to play together in various forms. Aaron and Tad tour as part of Susan Cowsill’s band, and Stasia and Tad team up for occasional acoustic gigs.
Tad co-fronts The Benders and plays solo gigs. I hear that his to-be-released-this-Spring album is amazing. I’m looking forward to it. Stasia also plays solo (if fact they boys hijacked this gig from her). Aaron plays with the Austin based Johnny Cashdraw.
Aaron Stroup, Stasia Demos and Tad Armstrong
The Corner Wine Bar is starting a Thursday acoustic music series. The shows will be early and you can have dinner (and delicious food it is). I’ll keep you posted on the schedule.
The Benders
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Daddy Jack’s
I had a rare Saturday night off from the Red Key (thanks Brandy) for the Spitznogle family Christmas party in Logansport. I stopped to see The Benders on the way home (anyone else get the feeling that I’m stalking Tad and John?).
Tad ArmstrongDaddy Jack’s is a grown-up, smoke-free place to see music. The Benders had the dance floor full and the crowd clapping and cheering. David England, Wade Parrish, John Byrne and Wade Parrish were on it.
You can next catch The Benders at Daddy Jack’s on Saturday, January 26th. Great food and no cover (be nice to the band tip bucket) – can’t beat it!
New Year’s Eve in Broad Ripple
Monday, December 31, 2007
Spin (10:30 pm)
Jason Webley and Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band.
I started my evening at Spin (where I was assured by the owner that the building will not be torn down). Jason Webley was playing accordion when I walked in to an appreciative crowd. His sound is gypsy-punk-folk. I’d describe his look the same way.
Jason WebleyReverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band marched to the stage with accompanied to hoots and hollers from the packed crowd. You cannot help but dance, clap and giggle to the band. What a fun high-energy way to bring in the New Year. I covered the Big Damn Band show for NUVO last New Year’s Eve and 2007 was a good year – so I can only imagine how good 2008 will be. And, once again, the adorable Breezy Peyton was the best-dressed woman in the room. It takes a good eye to accessorize with a washboard.
Reverand Peyton
http://www.jasonwebley.com/
http://www.bigdamnband.com/
The Vogue (12:15 am)
Here Come the Mummies
This was my first Mummies experience. They are an amazingly good funk band dressed in Mummy rags. The Vogue was packed with revelers. I stood by the soundboard (and stole a quick Happy New Year peck on the cheek from Jonee Quest) for a bit to soak it all in. The band is big – I’m not sure how many were on stage. Lots of horns and vocals. I look forward to seeing them some other time. I took a quick lap through crowd and headed back out to the cold.
A side note, the Vogue staff did an outstanding job with the crowd. As I was standing there thinking of how I did not miss the days of club management I was checking out the staff and they were doing an excellent job with the yeah-hoos.…and I’m glad I was not on the clean-up crew. Lots of confetti, noise-makers ands boas were floating through the air.
http://www.thevogue.ws/
http://www.thevogue.ws/
The Gizmos
I took a chance that the music was still going on at Local’s Only and I’m glad that I did. The second that stepped on the dance floor I felt like I was at home. I swear that 25 years melted away when I saw Billy Nightshade, Tim Carroll, Shadow Myers and Dale Lawrence on stage. All of us (average age 45) on the dance floor pogo-ed and sang along. The Gizmos sounded as good as ever.
Billy Nightshade
The Gizmos guitar player Tim Carroll lives and records in Nashville, TN where Billy Nightshade moved a few years ago from Boston. Tim and Billy still play together in Nashville. You can find Dale Lawrence playing with The Vulgar Boatmen and as a solo act.
Tim Carroll
I’m just sorry that I could not get to Local’s Only sooner – I hated to miss the Slammies set (featuring Otto). I hear that it was fabulous. Hopefully they’ll play again soon.
I was glad that I got to end the evening - and start the New Year among old friends.
Shadow Myers and Dale Lawrence
www.myspace.com/timcarrollmusic
www.myspace.com/billynightshade
http://www.localsonlyindy.com/
Preview:
Elvis Birthday Bash
Friday January 4th, 2008
10:00 PM
Local’s Only
I cannot say this any better than Wayne does, so here is his press release:
Each year on the weekend of Elvis Presley’s birthday Locals Only celebrates the music of the King of rock and roll. Now in it’s third year the Elvis Birthday Bash has become one of the most happening events of Indy’s winter music season. This year the show falls on Friday, January 4th.
As always the event is headlined by The Messarounds, featuring Danny Thompson.
Danny is well known to rockabilly fans as the long-time front man of Bigger than Elvis. They play the hot, rockin’ rhythm and blues sound that made the Sun Records music so dangerous in the minds of 1950’s white America.
Hey Hey Melodica play artsy, acoustic rock in the tradition of The Flaming Lips or Ben Folds. They’re sure to put an interesting spin on the music of the King because their music frequently features such non-traditional instruments as the glockenspiel, slide whitsle and of course the Melodica.
Little Voice are a female fronted trio of alt-rockers whose sound is compared to music of Allanis Morrisette or Juliana Hatfield. They sing earnest songs that are snapshots of hidden moments, and angst ridden truths. Ericka’s excellent original tune “she dreams of Elvis” made them a natural choice for this show.
As a special added bonus Jay Elliot will perform solo in between sets to keep the music going. Jay has quite a good thing going as the the front man of Band Battle Champs Stereo Deluxe. What A lot of people don’t know is that he gigs frequently as a Solo acoustic artist as well. Here’s a chance to see one of Indy’s most charismatic front
http://nuvo.net/nuvoBLOG/archives/345-ELVIS-BIRTHDAY-BASH.html
I’ll be there with my Elvis mask and bacon sandwich!
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