MP3: Frontier Folk Nebraska “City Lights”
MP3: Frontier Folk Nebraska “Restless Hearts”

MP3: The Motel Beds “Loves Hurts” (live)
MP3: Grizzzzy Bear “Aim the Flame”

…so, we settled in to catch Lungs‘ set in celebration of the release of their 7″ on The Mylene Sheath label. For the first time that we’ve seen them, the band evaded all technical difficulties and turned in an incredibly powerful set. Although the star of the set was Mick’s new kick drum (allegedly purchased from screamo powerhouse The Devil Wears Prada), the metallic, yet soaring, guitars found a near-perfect balance of drone and motion, progressing at just the moment when any idea was in danger of becoming stale. The band’s ability to draw out and unfold their ideas at this glacial pace may frustrate some, but really makes it for us…

…closing out the evening, Toads and Mice started a bit slowly, with a few missed notes dashing all hopes of a perfect game. By mid-set, however, they had found sure footing in their newer material. With their winding arrangements, Toads and Mice possess a dreamlike essence: floating and spacious one moment, savage grinding the next, all narrated by the haunting, ethereal vocals of guitarist Dustin Rose. We just have to love a band that can get a crowd alternately dancing and headbanging uncontrollably all within the span of 40 minutes…

For more photos from the show, go here.

…next up we had the colorfully costumed Everthus the Deadbeats from Indianapolis. With their set drawing largely from their incredible new album, John Kill and the Microscopic Lullaby, the psychedelic swagger of ETD held the crowds attention throughout. With bounding synths and searing guitar work, the subtle, demanding grooves of the rhythm section provided unending support for the group’s freak-pop melodies. With any luck, the band will soon find receptive ears throughout the land…

…rounding out the evening, the always-impeccable Toads and Mice served up yet another rousing set of cathartic exuberance. Although we’ve covered this band at length over the last year, Toads and Mice solidly remain at the pinnacle of the Dayton scene. With a tour planned for next month, we can only hope that the band are successful in exporting what has emerged as one of the most engaging sounds in town…

For more photos from the evening, go here. Black and white photos of Toads and Mice by Marla Bremer.

…although burdened with an ailment, The Happy Planets (aka Eric) mustered up more energy on this night than most six-piece bands in good health. Roaming the dancefloor, as well as nearly every surrounding surface, The Happy Planets got the small crowd up and moving from the start and dished out a highly entertaining set of electronic dance music that ultimately left his dress on the floor and the man dancing around in briefs…

…next up we had the dapper Sitandance open with a dramatic reading of the standard “If You Wanna Sing Out”, which gave way into an exploratory set of freak pop and free jazz. Augmented on this night with a saxophonist, the band delved even further than usual into their psyche-pop regions. Oscillating somewhere between Beefheart and Waits, the band is certainly one of the most unique acts going in Dayton at the moment…

…in from Columbus, Blastronauts rolled in on this night at least a couple of members short. Although the band’s funk-tinged indie rock had a few shining moments, the lack of a bass player left a slightly thin sound and visibly hindered at least one member of the band. We’re hoping Blastronauts are able to secure a steady lineup soon, as their songs are more than deserving of a full reading…

…closing out the night, St. Louis outfit Gentleman Auction House rose to the occasion and delivered an epic set for the dwindling crowd. Armed with dual drummers and keyboardists, as well as all manner of percussion and wind instruments, GAH possess a unique blend of earnest sentimentality a la Conor Oberst or Arcade Fire which is perfectly offset by an Elephant 6-sized playfulness that always keeps things in the fun zone. Although witnessed by only a handful of Daytonians, it is certain that those few will certainly spread the gospel of Gentleman Auction House…

For more photos from the evening, go here.