…following up on the success of our first big showcase featuring Andrew & the Pretty Punchers, we’re gonna do it again May. This time around we’re featuring the indie pop sweethearts, Towhee. The band has garnered some serious press accolades over the last year on the strength of the their debut disc, Streetlights. They’ve grabbed ears with their subdued, yet elegant brand of indie rock. We’re very pleased that Towhee is participating in The Buddha Den Showcase Series…

…as far as the details go, same deal as last time:

It’s a FREE show.
It’s an ALL AGES show.
Music starts PROMPTLY AT 9 PM.
The show will be at SOUTH PARK TAVERN, 1309 Wayne Ave.

If you’re curious at all, swing down and check it out. You’ve got nothing to lose…

Thanks to Andy at Magnetic Flux Design for the poster art. We’ll see you on May 10…

…we are pleased to report that the third Captain of Industry album has officially found a home for release through Columbus’s All Hail Records. The band will celebrate the release of the as-yet-untitled full-length with a show at Gilly’s on June 28 that will also feature Grizzzzy Bear and The Scourge of the Sea. We’ll keep you posted as this story unfolds…

…we’re not gonna call it a comeback, but it’s definitely been a while since the guys in Wet Leather graced any stage anywhere. So, tonight should be a pretty big deal with the band performing at 11 SHARP, with DJ sets by all members of the band before and after. Remember, this is a totally FREE show, so you know everyone will be there….

…arriving a bit alter than planned, we made it to the Pearl just in time to catch one of our favorites, Toads and Mice. On this particular evening, the band was in full command of their craft, deftly navigating through the advanced algorithms of their material with a grace and precision that we have come to expect from the band. Even the new song, “Baby Trash Can”, came off as if one of the oldest tunes in the band’s repertoire. As the band continues to branch out and play more shows throughout the region, we’re looking for Toads and Mice to be one of the breakout bands from Dayton in 2008…

Black and white photography by Marla Bremer. For more images from the show, click here.

…if your musical inclination lean more toward raucous punk flavorings, you’ll need to make yr way over to the Nite Owl tonight. Still fresh off the release of their State of Ohio album, The Northwest Ordinance headlines an evening that also includes The Sics, newcomers Psylis, and The Daytones…

…you’ve got a good one tonight to kick off yr weekend. Over at Pearl, Toads and Mice headline a bill that also includes the post-rock/ambient outfit Lungs, Endless City, and an acoustic set by Brandon Hawk. As if that weren’t enough, DJ Jay Madewell will be spinning the best vintage garage, soul, funk, and new wave in between and after the bands. See ya there…

…for your midweek mischief, we submit the following: head to Nite Owl tonight for five bands that are certain fix your rock n’ roll needs up just right. Dig the female-fronted onslaught of Accidently on Purpose, the garage-trash of Switchblade Serenade, the fuzzed-out duo Mountain Screamer, the deranged grind of Splattertude, and the big vintage riffage of Shame Club (out on tour from St. Louis). You know you wanna…

…according to sources within the band, Mouth of the Architect will release their new album, Quietly, on the Translation Loss label on July 22. While a CD release show and subsequent tour are planned at this point, specifics continue to remain elusive. For now, head over to the band’s Myspace page and check out the teaser track “Hate and Heartache”, which opens with moody spoken voice over crystalline guitars before finally giving way to the giant, sludgy riffing that is the cornerstone of the band’s sound. Stay tuned to The Buddha Den for more information at it becomes available…

…if yr out and about this evening, head over to Oregon Express and catch what we have been informed will the last performance by Joe Anderl (The 1984 NFL Draft, who on this night will feature Tod Weidner and more) for many months. Anderl has been extremely busy with touring over the last several months and this serves as the end of a period of intense activity. Also, you should stick around and check out The Celebrity Pilots (from Cleveland) who we profiled earlier this week. Closing the evening you’ve got the alternarock flavorings of Orange Willard….

…yes, there are still independent record stores in Dayton. Today is National Record Store Day, in which more than 30 independent record outlets across the country celebrate the culture of independent record stores. Two of the country’s most renowned indie record stores, Dingleberry’s (who was the first record outlet in the country to EVER play in-store music video promos. Seriously. Look it up.) and Gem City Records will both host special events and have incredibly stupid good deals for patrons…

…starting at 4 today, Dingleberry’s will have DJ Jay Madewell (pictured above) spin vintage rock, soul, funk, and new wave. Over at Gem City Records, there will be special in-store performances by Nick Kizirnis, XL427, and many more all afternoon. Wanna show yr love for independent music? Wave that flag….