…while it’s been several months since we first began to hear about Bandcamp as a site by which bands could easily distribute their music, in the last few weeks, it seems to have caught fire amongst Dayton bands as THE method of dissemination. With the high quality audio in a number of formats available to listeners, an exceptionally fair pay system to artists, and a clean layout that makes it easy to forget nearly any other previous music site, it seems that Bandcamp provides bands with an unparalleled opportunity to get their music out to listeners. We’ve gone through and taken some of the search work out for you and listed a number of bands whose albums you should give an ear to….

…if yr looking to kick out the cobwebs from a long weekend, may we recommend you have a listen to The Conformists. Hailing from St. Louis, the band possesses obvious reference points to their northern neighbors in Chicago. The point is further emboldened by the fact that their most recent effort, Three Hundred, was recorded by no less a Chicago icon as Steve Albini at his Electrical Audio studios. While there may exist some ties to the likes of US Maple and Shellac, The Conformists present a unique example of deconstructionism in their applications of rhythm and dynamics which set them apart. From its hiccuped drum patterns to its guitar meltodwn outro, “Are These Flowers” still retains enough shape to trace its twisted steps…

….The Conformists will appear at South Park Tavern this Thursday, May 6 along with Passe Montagne [France] and local faves, Toads and Mice. Tune in now and we’ll see you there….

MP3: The Conformists “Are These Flowers?”

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…Although Cincinnati is renowned as a haven for garage rock enthusiasts, the Queen City is also home to the art rock synth/pop duo Pop Empire. While the duo boasts an impressive pedigree, Henry Wilson (son of famous rock photographer Michael Wilson) and Cameron Cochrane (ex-Sheds, producer for The Lions Rampant, instigator for The Seedy Seeds) chart a distinctive course with their debut EP, Rainy Child. Fueled by propulsive drum machines, slashing garage guitars, and moody synthesizers, Wilson serves up vintage glam vocals with Cochran providing a subdued counterpoint. Currently, the band is offering Rainy Child as a free download via their website, so stop by and grab this little goody. Pop Empire will be stopping through Dayton this weekend at Blind Bob’s, performing with XL427, Toads and Mice, and Jesse Remnant & the Trainwrecks. Tune in now…

MP3: Pop Empire “Twirling”

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…although winter weather has descended upon Daytonia with a vengeance, plans have been made for a show of such monumental proportions and simply will not sway. Tonight at Blind Bob’s, the Fictionband Mechanics imprint is making its first foray into physical releases in a major way this evening. Both The Motel Beds and Smug Brothers will issue new discs, Moondazed and Stock Romeo [EP], respectively. Additionally, John Gassett will issue his debut disc entitled Makeher. Add in the always amazing Toads and Mice and you have a bill well worth trudging through whatever ice and snow to witness. We’ll see you there…

MP3: The Motel Beds “Bat Naps”

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MP3: Smug Brothers “Low Like Nothing”

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MP3: Toads and Mice “Dig Hole”

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…in case you haven’t heard, there’s a lot of hoopla floating around Dayton for the big Triple Release show this weekend at Blind Bob’s, featuring releases from The Motel Beds, Smug Brothers, and John Gassett, as well as a special appearance from Toads and Mice. Tonight, local patron saint Juliet Fromholt will host the Beds and the Smugs live in the studio on her Kaleidosope program starting at 8 pm. In all likelihood, the bands will talk about their new discs, play some tracks off them, and maybe even play live in the studio. Be sure to tune in at 91.3 FM locally or online at the WYSO feed….

…here’s a taste of the releases coming out this weekend off The Motel Bed’s Moondazed CD and the Smug Brothers’ Stock Romeo EP, both issued by Fictionband Mechanics. Have a listen…

MP3: The Motel Beds “Mr. Salad Days”

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MP3: Smug Brothers”Build Your Collections”

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…while The Artist’s Den Vol. 1 compilation is a couple of years old at this point, it’s impact for locals The Motel Beds is just now being felt. On the cusp of releasing their new Moondazed CD on the Fictionband Mechanics imprint, the Beds just got some love from The Huffington Post this morning in a review of their track, “Laugh Until You Die”. Certainly, this kind of attention may serve the Beds well as they continue to ramp up their activity…

…in anticipation of their upcoming release show on February 6 at Blind Bob’s with Smug Brothers, Toads and Mice, and John Gassett, have a look/listen at The Motel Beds most recent volume of their Moondazed series…

…what can we say kids? This is a HUGE evening for all of us here at The Buddha Den, as we celebrate two years of bringing you everything you wanted to know about the Dayton music scene and more but were afraid to ask. We couldn’t be more excited or more grateful to all of you who have made this possible. It has been our distinct pleasure to get to meet so many great people near and far over the last couple of years, to see so many great performances from so many great bands, and perhaps play just a tiny role in shining a light on music scene that is so incredibly vibrant and filled with so many talented people. Thanks so much to every single one of you that has come to a show, left a comment, let us share yr music, and just kept reading this blog every day for two years. Rest assured, we will continue to do all that we can to continue to shine a light on the Gem City…

…as our humble way of saying “Thank you!”, we’ve assembled a bill for tonight that has us absolutely giddy with anticipation. As if it would take much to get us excited about a bill that includes Toads and Mice, Pretty & Nice [Boston/Hardly Art], The Motel Beds, and Jesse Remnant & the Trainwrecks. Add in that it’s at one of our favorite Dayton spots, South Park Tavern, and we’ve got a pretty good recipe for a great night of music. We hope yr equally excited. We’re getting things started early tonight, with doors at 8 pm and music by 8:30. Fashionably late at yr own risk. See you there & thanks again for everything…

MP3: Toads & Mice “Skull”
MP3: Pretty & Nice “Grab Your Nets”
MP3: The Motel Beds “Go for a Dive”
MP3: Jesse Remnant & the Trainwrecks “At the End of the Day”

…just to provide a little context to this evening’s celebration, here’s some footage from our 1st anniversary last year, done by Glad Girl…

…if you’re reading this in d8n, we encourage you to stop and go outside. Now. It’s so nice out. Get away from yr computer and come back and read this after the sun goes down…

…moving on, you’ve got a couple of fun bills tonight in town. Over at Canal Street Tavern, Jesse Remnant & the Trainwrecks [pictured] headline a bill that also includes Jesse’s brother, Adam Remnant [of Southeast Engine] and newbies Yazoo Street Scandal…

…over at Blind Bob’s, local stoner rock provocateurs Marijuana Johnson headline a bill that includes local faves Toads and Mice and Suckerpunch Thompson [Pittsburgh]. See you out…

MP3: Jesse Remnant “Same Sun” [from the Squids Eye Records compilation Hi, We're From Dayton]
MP3: Toads and Mice “Skull”

…oh, and just in case you needed a reminder, Toads and Mice and Jesse Remnant & the Trainwrecks will both be part of this next Sunday night…

…while it’s still a couple of weeks off, we thought we’d give you ample opportunity to prepare yourselves. The Buddha Den is very excited to cap off our 2nd year of bringing you everything you wanted to know about the Dayton music scene and more but were afraid to ask, so we’re throwing a big party. With some of our favorite bands: Toads and Mice; Pretty & Nice; The Motel Beds; Jesse Remnant & the Trainwreck. At our favorite local club: South Park Tavern. Sure, it’s a Sunday, but it will be worth it. Trust us. Mark yr calendars now and we’ll see you at South Park Tavern on September 13…

MP3: Toads and Mice “Genghis Kahn”
MP3: Pretty & Nice “Tora Tora Tora”
MP3: The Motel Beds “Go For A Dive”
MP3: Jesse Remnant & the Trainwrecks “Better Than You”

…we’ve been very fortunate over the last few months to come in contact with some great touring bands through The Buddha Den. In many cases, we’ve been able to arrange tour stops in Dayton. Last night at South Park Tavern was another great example. Opening the evening, The Happy Planets and his unwavering belief in the possibilities of making it happen in Dayton got the party off on a supergood foot, despite some early jabs at fellow Daytonian bands. Next up, The Show Is The Rainbow kicked off an Omaha-to-Dayton double dose and delivered an utterly uncompromising multimedia set that found him dancing and jumping through the audience, standing on tables, and ultimately giving a performance that, whether people liked it or not, they will never forget. Next up was the Omaha quartet Beep Beep who, along with The Show Is The Rainbow, are out on an extended tour in support of their Enchanted Islands album. Despite issues with PA feedback, the band overcame a typically difficult Dayton audience with a set filled with wicked humor, twisted guitar work, and an undeniably danceable rhythm section. Closing out the evening, Toads and Mice offered up incontrovertible evidence to the claim we’ve been making for quite some time now that they are one of the best bands currently working out of the Gem City. Armed with several new songs that are slated for their next release, T&M are moving in a decidedly more aggro direction, more fully cultivating their obvious love of Chicago punk in the vein of Touch & Go Records’ heyday. We couldn’t be more pleased…