Friday, December 20, 2013

Broad Ripple Gazette volume 10 number 25

First published in the Broad Ripple Gazette

Chad Mills and the Upright Willies, The Innocent Boys, Stampede String Band
Friday, December 27, 2013
Birdy’s Bar and Grill
2131 E. 71st Street
21+, doors 7:30, $5 presale

I've had the pleasure of hearing Chad Mills twice in the last few months. Once was planned, the second accidental – he happened to be playing at a fundraiser that I attended last weekend. Every single time I see him I’m blown away by his talent and his ability to win the crowd over. Whether he’s playing with the Upright Willies in a bar or solo in a room full of people seeming more interested in eating fancy food and drinking craft beer, Chad’s songs and voice always wins them over.

The Upright Willies are big rock fun. The band includes William Rood (upright bass), Grover Parido (cello), Bob Stewart (percussion), and Chad playing stringed things and singing.

The Stampede String Band is made up of a trio of banjo, guitar, and bass playin’ musicians singing beautiful harmonies. I look forward to hearing them in person!

It is hard to hang a tag on the Innocent Boys. They’re a little bit rockabilly, a little bit bluegrass, and a lot of fun. Banjo, guitar, harmonica, accordion, bass, and harmonies all add up to a big sound.


New Year’s Eve Roundup
Tuesday, December 31, 2013

There are plenty of great places in the neighborhood to ring in the New Year. Cheers!

Brenda Williams and Cold Fusion
The Jazz Kitchen
5377 N. College
21+, 9:00 PM – 1:00 AM, $80 – includes dinner, dessert, champagne toast, party favors

Once you make a reservation at The Jazz Kitchen for New Year’s Eve, you don’t need make another decision. The ticket price includes dinner and dessert, tax and gratuity, champagne toast, party favors, and fabulous music.  If you haven’t heard Brenda Williams yet, you’re missing out. You have just enough time to remedy that. You’ll be charmed by her fabulous voice and talented, all-star band.  The menu looks great – the food at The Jazz Kitchen is always great.


Indien, Minute Details, Kaleidostars, DJ Diablo
Birdy’s Bar and Grill
2131 E. 71st Street
21+, music starts at 9:30, $6

It’s an indie Indy night at Birdy’s. They have a great lineup of local bands to ring in 2014. Go early and have dinner – the food is always good. 

The Kaleidostars are sexy rock fun. Lindsay Manfredi plays guitar and sings, Eric Klee Johnson plays bass, Marc Johnson plays guitar, and Brian Fields is the drummer. They deliver powerful energy, glam rock swagger and ambitious sounds.


Punk Rock Night New Year’s Eve
Melody Inn
3826 N. Illinois Street
21+, doors 8:00, music 9:00

The Melody Inn has a great lineup to celebrate the last hours of 2013. The Fuglees, The Crypto-Kats, Mr. Clit and The Pink Cigarettes, and Maella Cai Vane & Friends Burlesque will entertain with high-energy music and almost-naughty burlesque. In Melody Inn fashion, the countdown to the New Year toast will be with PBR and apparently there is a scheduled countdown to a bra drop. I hope someone takes photos.


Glitz & Glamour NYE
The Vogue
6259 N. College Ave
21+, 9:00 doors and show, $20, VIP packages available

The Vogue knows how to throw a dance party! Put on your party clothes and dance in the New Year. 


I sure enjoyed hanging out with you all in 2013 and I look forward to seeing you in 2014. Have a happy and safe New Year!