…if you’re ready to kick off summer the right way, head down to Oregon Express tonight where the kids will be having a Beach Party and bands. Headlining the night is The Goody Two Shoes, who have really hit a stride as of late. Up from Cincinnati, you’ve got the consummate songwriting/musicianship of The Turnbull ACs. Opening the night will be the surf rock stylings of Brian and the All-Nighters…

…over at South Park Tavern tonight, The Story Changes kicks off an extended tour that will take them deep into the west over the next few weeks. Take a look at their dates and let anyone you know out there to go check them out. Also on the bill tonight are After the Accident and Models. Big rock party…

…upon arriving at the gallery space in the Cannery District, we were informed that the PA had not arrived and that the out-of-town-band, Unpsparing Sea (from Cleveland), had canceled. As fas as we were concerned, this was absolutely no way to start the evening. Alas, we waited. And waited. And waited. Eventually, Lungs began and thankfully their bludgeoning riffs and sprawling grind were sufficient to bring us back into enjoyment of the evening. As a band we’d not yet seen in town, Lungs were a welcome surprise. Drawing heavily from such 90s icons as Slint and Unwound, Lungs has taken enough from that palate and added their own sludgy melodicism to the template. On this particular evening, the band suffered through several gear failures, but still came out just fine. Apparently, the band is gearing up to release a 7″ later this summer, so stay tuned for more on that…



…as if the evening couldn’t drag out any longer and be riddled with any more gear failures, as Romance of the Young Tigers prepared for their set they were befallen by numerous gear-related issues that put their start time well past that promised for the headliner. Regardless, once the group began, their ebb and flow of sonic landscapes resonated through the gallery and out on the streets of Dayton like an ocean across the harsh post-industrial landscape. As the sheets of distortion raged and retreated, the subtlety of the electric piano offered a welcome familiarity against the backdrop of feedback. While Romance of the Young Tigers continues to challenge audiences in Dayton and beyond, we’d have to say that it’s an experience best enjoyed through recorded mediums…


…after enduring the numerous technical barriers, we simply could not hold out for The Human Reunion to take the stage. We apologize to both readers and the band for this, but if anyone has a report or imagery, we’d love to hear it…

…in their ongoing efforts to infuse the Dayton music scene with new life and vigor, the Dayton Dirt Collective will be holding a benefit show this evening at the CADC Gallery (520 E. Third St. in the Cannery building). Headlining the event will be none other than the Kings of Clack, The Human Reunion. Also on the bill are Romance of the Young Tigers, the haunting Americana of Unsparing Sea (from Cleveland), and post-rock outfit Lungs. We’ll see ya there….

…arriving a bit late and not realizing that a fourth band had been added to the bill at Pearl on this evening, we unfortunately completely missed the set by locals Stone the Mayor Sheriffs. Instead, the first band we witnessed on this night was Carolina Liar, a band who earlier in the day had their video featured on MTV’s TRL program. We had our suspicions that many in the audience had caught that performance and rushed down to see the band perform. No worries, the band sounded great and had plenty of enthusiasm to spare. Decked out in Boy Scout uniforms, the Caronlina Liar’s soaring, brooding pop seemed destined to flood the airwaves in the coming months. Keep an eye out for these guys…



…as the changeover between bands wrapped up and the sharp-dressed gentlemen of Ann Arbor’s Tally Hall took the stage, we could not have been more shocked with what came next. Out of the silence emerged a song that everyone in the club new instantly: it was the Lynyrd Skynyrd classic, Freebird. No, not some ironic reworking of the song. It was a note-for-note rendition, served up with sincerity. For our money, this was a remarkable display and one we aren’t likely to witness any time soon. As Tally Hall plowed into their own tunes, the band’s quirky powerpop stood out as their impeccable harmonies and inventive arrangements continued to surprise at every turn. With the band poised for an appearance at Lollapalooza this summer, it was certainly a treat to have them in Dayton for an evening…



…capping off the evening, De Novo Dahl delivered yet again in Dayton, as both band and audience were whisked away on a wave of sheer exuberance. As the band rolled from blistering dance numbers to slow, grinding funk, the kids just kept on dancing and giving back to the band as much as they received. As can often happen at Pearl, the boundaries between band and audience were completely erased and as the one became the other, the joy of this evening was apparent on the faces of all…

…out on tour in support of the new album Move Every Muscle, Make Every Sound, Nashville’s indie/glam partystarters De Novo Dahl are making their second stop in the Gem City this year. Tonight the band will be at Pearl, along with tour-buddies Tally Hall and local prog/thrashers Stone the Mayor Sheriffs. In case you have somehow missed De Novo Dahl every other time they’ve been through Dayton, trust us, you NEED to see this show….

…while exile may often be perceived in a negative light, many have reveled in its uncertainty and ushered in a new era of personal creativity. In this particular instance, we are witnessing exile in progress. More specifically that of one Jake Geisege of The Judy Blooms. Today Geisege issued forth a new demo for the song “Meg, You’re Starting to Slip”. While its demo quality has its charms, what’s more important here is the way in which Geisege is breaking into new territory. More than any of his post-Wild & Free tracks, there is a more refined sentimentality and a sharper control of the melodies. Sure, he’s still got a rock classicism that is his stock in trade, but as time wears on his ability to infuse an increasing number of elements continues to impress. In many ways, it reminds us of the bristling wit of a younger Ray Davies combined with Jack White’s effortless singalongisms. Have a listen for yrself….

…yes, it’s summer again and that can only mean one thing in Dayton: time for the Annual Dayton Band Play-Offs at Canal Street Tavern. For the uninitiated, the Dayton Band Play-Offs has been an annual right of passage for nearly 25 years. Such Dayton icons as The Method, Brainiac, Real Lulu, and Shrug have all championed the event. More recently, bands such as Bluekarma, Mona, and Orange Willard have done the same. More than that, ask pretty much any musician that has spent any time playing in Dayton and they’ll most likely admit to having done at least one year in the Play-Offs. If your band is looking to make a mark, this is a great place to start. You can download your registration form right here. Get ‘em in…

…as if local labels haven’t done enough lately to help the Dayton music scene, both Fictionband and Squids Eye Records have offered up new samplings from the Gem City. While combing through the past, Fictionband has come up with random offerings from Ohio Casket and Cigarhead. For those of you who missed them the first time, take a listen and dig the history. Meanwhile, Squids Eye Records has made a new track available from the long-defunct Jet Kid Committee in advance of the promise of a 4-song EP from the outfit later this fall. Why? Well, keep in mind that Jet Kid Committee was the breeding ground for such current Dayton fixtures as Grizzzzy Bear and Yakuza Heart Attack, as well as the massively underrated Scott Deadalus. Just have a listen….

…with the closing of Jasper Wall Cafe a few months back, the kids at Echos Dayton were left without a venue. Well, after regrouping and seeking out a new venue, Echos Dayton returns this evening. Apparently, the event will be held weekly instead of monthly now, offering even more opportunities to up-and-coming poets and musicians. On the music tip this evening, Towhee, One Cool Kid, Leo Walter, and Phil Estes will all be performing. As always, this will be a free show. Head and down and dig it…

…wanna start your long weekend off with a bang? The only way to go is over at Aquarius tonight. The brutal grind of My Latex Brain headlines a bill that also includes heavy-hitters Sah (from Michigan), Accidently on Purpose, and Switchblade Serenade. After the smoke clears, you won’t know what hit ya….