…from the very beginning of this humble blog, one of the bands that inspired us and fueled much of our content was Andrew & the Pretty Punchers. Although the band has remained on the sidelines of Dayton music for the better part of a year now, A&TPP have quietly been hard at work with John Lakes at Refraze Recording Studios on their long-awaited sophomore album, No Longer a Lover. Retaining much of the raw energy that powered their debut Goodbye Ohio, this new album finds lead Puncher Andy Smith in stronger command of both lyrics and arrangements, many of which benefit from the added textures of pedal steel, piano, auxiliary percussion, and harmony vocals. The band will celebrate the release of this new album with a show on Saturday night at Jimmie’s Cornerstone [along with openers Jesse Remnant & the Trainwrecks and The Black Whos?], but the release will also mark the end of Andrew & the Pretty Punchers as a functional unit. Although this may be the end of the road for this lineup, it seems unlikely that Smith and his compatriots will lie dormant for long…

MP3: Andrew & the Pretty Punchers “Cloud Berries”
Download audio file (Cloud_Berries.mp3)

MP3: Andrew & the Pretty Punchers “Shitty Teeth”
Download audio file (Shitty_Teeth.mp3)

MP3: Andrew & the Pretty Punchers “Good News”
Download audio file (Good_News.mp3)

…over at Jimmie’s Cornerstone you’ve got a chocked bill full of Dayton faves: The Northwest Ordinance, Electric Banana, and Mountain Screamer are poised to dish out an excellent show…

…over at Oregon Express, local rockabilly underdogs The Rebel Set host a bill that also includes Drexel, Akillis Green, and the return of one of our favorites, Jordan Hull…

…if you swing by Blind Bob’s tonight, you can catch new locals Minutes, along with Gentlemen, and Brandon Hawk…

…well kids, you’ve got it all laid out for you. Head on out and support whatever sounds like fun tonight…

…as Andrew & the Pretty Punchers took to the stage to celebrate the release of their debut album, Goodbye Ohio, the crowd that had filled the room seemed to double in size, rendering Jimmie’s a virtual sardine tin. Regardless of the close quarters, A&TPP reveled in the proximity to their audience, feeding off of the energy and giving more and more in return. With Andy Smith being down on the floor and right in the faces of the crowd, his ability to oscillate between the delicate and the deranged only heightens his abilities in fronting this incredibly tight outfit. Even on the slower-paced new number, the intensity of the set never let up for a second. As the band encored with the title track off their album, the Pretty Punchers gathered together around the mic behind Smith, playing electric guitar for the only time during the evening, and with the crowd joining in on the singalong chorus, A&TPP captured that rare sensation of unbridled jubilation that rock n’ roll can conjure in its finest practitioners…

Photo credits to Marla Bremer. For more photos, go here.

…if you’re up for an early start, head over to the Dayton Dirt Collective, where there will be a benefit show for Ladyfest Dayton. Those lending their music to the cause this evening include Defiance, Ohio, Hospital Garden, Gem City Saints, Kanible, and Kristen. Proceedings get under way at 7, so plan accordingly…

…over at Pearl tonight, the good kids at Sarasvati Productions are putting on a good show you’ll wanna catch. On tap you’ve got upstarts New Vega, The Last Priority (Oxnard, CA), Hot Box (Boston), and the ladies from Vanity Theft…

…if you wanna catch one of Dayton’s finest on the eve of a new album and tour, head on down to Jimmie’s Cornerstone tonight. Mouth of the Architect will headline an evening that includes Complete Failure (Pittsburgh) and Romance of the Young Tigers…

…make yr plans and watch this town come alive…

…another good option tonight is the show over at Jimmie’s Cornerstone featuring up-and-coming sludge purveyors Mountain Screamer. Also on the bill are Gem City Saints and space-age punk of Atomic Johnny…

…if your tastes seem to be leaning a bit more toward the avant this evening, head over to Acid Fever House to check out sludge/funk/experimentalit drum/bass duo E=MC Hammer (from Milwuakee), one-man noisefest Mannequin Hollowcaust (from Tennessee), and the electronic/noise machinations of The Killbot…

…if perchance you long for the intimate setting of a house show, we’ve got a great one for you tonight over at Acid Fever House. Opening the evening will be The 1984 NFL Draft (nee Joe Anderl), fresh off an East Coast tour. Next up you’ve got one of our absolute favorites, Toads and Mice. Closing the night will be perennial Columbus faves The Kyle Sowashes, who will be celebrating the release of their new album, Yeah, Buddy! Should be a great one…

…as if that wasn’t enough options, you’ve got a couple of heavy hitters over at Canal Street Tavern also. Columbus-based Happy Chichester will make an appearance backed by local faves Captain of Industry. Also on the bill are CMJ alums Halos Were Found at the Landing Site. Should be a good one…

…do yr homework and chart a course. We’ll see you out there….

…over at Jimmie’s Cornerstone, we’ll see the return of one of Dayton’s favorite sons, Wil Cope, as he opens up for Andrew & the Pretty Punchers. A&TPP have been on an incredible roll lately and, entertaining at one of their favored haunts, tonight should be an incredibly fun time….

**CORRECTION** Switchblade Serenade WILL NOT be playing this evening. We apologize for the inaccuracy of our report.