THE BANDS
Belreve
*Noisethereal pop with a cute bass player
How the heck did I skip Belreve last time and why did my roommate not notice?
We both have big crushes on the bassist, Elizabeth (aka Goo). The guitarist
Matt has perty cute hair himself - plus he plays bass for the New Bomb
Turks. Drummer Jen - that movie we never saw, I have it on tape now. To
flatter Goo, I'll mention Teenage Fanclub. The band kinda broke up, but a
bunch of recordings were just released, so maybe they'll reunite. - Joel
Bigfoot
*Loose rootsy/bluesy/surfy country rock with a cute bass player
So Dave, the more country soundin' guitarist/vocalist from Ugly Stick, formed
a band with fellow Sticker stick-man Jeff on guitar. As ya might expect,
the more country/melancholy (less 50's rock/punk) side of US comes through.
Dave's got great lonesome, desperate & on the edge vocals and lyrics. So
far, the only time I've seen 'em Jeff sat in for the missing drummer. - Joel
bOb's fANtaSy
*My band/Little funk rock quintet
These guys are sooo underground, you haven't even seen them yet (just
kidding). Actually our little funk rock quintet hasn't played out much
lately, but hopefully something will give soon. While we're trying to make
that happen, if anyone out there needs a band for any kind of event or
opening we'll do it, just e-mail me at [email protected]
(I know it's self promotion, but it is SHAMELESS). - Bill Carnes
Boryborygamos
*This band stood for so many good things: eat beef, drink beer and fart (or
something like that). Good luck Kirby & Bill, wherever you are. - Bill
Carnes
Boryborygamos
*Flatulent-beer-drinker-core
I saw a few fliers for these guys back in March. Soon after, I ran into
member Bill. Bory, Bill and Kirby are back! Ewww! Gross. - Joel
Bumble Flea
*Cool funk-core band, kinda Bad-Brainish but with more groove and less speed.
Unpretentious lyrics. - Bill Carnes
Codename: Stingray
*New 60's garage/surf band with a cute bass player
This is guitarist Craig Dunson's (Pica Huss, Vibralux, Thomas Jefferson Slave
Apartments, Eardrop Productions & Magnetic Planet) new band. Jeff (Creeper,
Howitzer Brunch & Super Duper) does the vocals and drums with anger and
attitude from front stage. Sam (formerly of Ten Tongue Chain & Moviola)
rumbles bass. Jon (the Yips drummer) cheeses it up electric organ-wise. The
result is surf music with a bit of that mid-late 60's Van Morrison & Them and
the Animals blue-eyed garage R&B. - Joel
Creeper
*One man kazoo, vocal, guitar, drum & drugs band
I'm ashamed I missed Creeper (aka Jeff) in the last Cringe. Most of the
lyrics deal with drugs, sex or environmental issues, but in fairly clever,
humorous or twisted ways. The music has a certain late 60's early 70's
psuedo-folksy slant (even Donovany) - mainly due to the limitations of
playing acoustic guitar and all this other stuff at the same time. Kinda
Hairy Patt with a hippie outlook. I made my mom listen to the tape ... her
favorite title/line seemed to be "Sex in a Smoke Stack." - Joel
The Crunch
*Classic/art rock influenced rock
It's been years since I've seen these guys. One of my roommates from eons
ago was a fan. From what I remember, the guitarist was pretty good, but
tended to wear his influences (Yes, Rush, REO) on his sleeve when doin
originals. He did some perty mean Chet Atkins style pickin though. - Joel
Dead Flower Bloom
*Another band overlooked in the last issue. They are LOUD, really really
LOUD, and fun, did I mention fun? I think the lead singer is an English
major at OSU. - virg
Pat Dull
*Fun acoustic guitar/vocal/harmonica guy
Pat ain't one of them thar screamin' guitar bangers. He ain't exactly a
sappy love song balladeer or new age tinkerer either. The lyrics can be
subtly humorous, clever or just outright funny. Novelties such as "Vampire
Girl" and "This Song???" are my favorites. AC/DC's "TNT" is a real crowd
pleaser - especially when the sparklers are passed out to the audience. Then
the "OI!" chanting begins! - Joel
DV8
*Soul with ska & funk bits
Soul in that mellower George Clinton vein. Not too exciting, but that's
kinda the difference between soul and funk ... kinda. They get a decent
groove going at times. And most of the playing and singing seems perty
thoughtful, if not soulful. - Joel
Earwig
*Ballad rock
Todd "Lizard" incorporates played out riffs, cliches, and general self-
indulgent whining to somehow create things of incredible beauty. Go figure.
- Carl Hirsch
Econothugs
*Beercore
I should hate these guys, but they destroy all. - Carl Hirsch
The Enlargements
*JazzCore skankabilly
This band is huge. Not in a Boo-Yaa Tribe kind of way, but rather the
lineup keeps growing. Last time I looked, the band consisted of drums,
guitar, 3 piece horn section, bass, vocalist, Latin percussion/turntables,
and I'm told they just added a clarinetist. Noisy noisy stuff. They used
to play Zorn-inflected loudness, but the style is constantly shifting. If
only they'd play more ska. - Carl Hirsch
Epicureans
*Suburban pop rock band
I noticed in your last issue that the Epicureans didn't make it in. While
they are just a straight suburban pop rock band, they've been together
a while and have learned to play their instruments pretty well. I have only
seen them play live once - at Ruby Tuesday. They sound just like they do on
their CD "Little Man," which is OK if you like that clean seamless studio
sound. - virg
Flyin' Saucers
*Punkabilly
A couple of the Saucers moved to Texas for a bit a while back. Looks like
they're all back together in Columbus now. They put on very audience-
involved shows. Guitarist Johnny Rebel (His real name? Doubt it.) likes to
jump in the crowd and throw guitar solo fits on the floor. The bassist does
acrobatics with his upright. The drummer may be trapped, but he's got these
intense beady cat eyes and a tall thin blonde pompadour. Johnny also runs
the Talamasca Gallery in the Short North area. - Joel
Gallows
*They are heavily influenced by REM and sometimes sound like the Stone Roses.
They have a lot of fun on stage, and are willing to try new songs out for the
audience - you feel like you're at a practice session. I don't think
they've recorded anything, but that doesn't matter since they're playing
around town a lot these days. - virg
Gal's Panic (not local)
*Anyone know anything about them? They opened for someone a while ago at
Stache's. Small singer, wore some Costello horn rims. Psycho-ska. Truly
memorable. Any leads would be appreciated. - Bill Carnes
Gaunt
*Nothing ground breaking, by any means, but entertaining melodic feel good
pop/punk nonetheless. - Bill Carnes
Gasohol
*Metal
Would you like some bread with your shit sandwich? - Carl Hirsch
Granny's Hole
*Maybe you need a posthumous note on Granny's Hole? As much as I liked them,
I don't know if I want to touch that one. - Nathan Weaver
Granny's Hole
*Grand-parental advisory scum with a cute bass player
Take the guitar away from Hairy Patt frontman, Jason, and stick him on lead
vocals alone. Add Mike Deane (Eric's Mother/Hairy Patt) on bass. Then
sit brother Mark Deane (MT005/Vibralux/Pica Huss/Medicine Wheel/Creature)
on the skins. Finally, mix Gus from Stache's in on guitar. You get some
nasty, incestuous, pornographic, raunchy, discordant numbers. Yes, G's H
opted for numbering songs rather than naming them. I believe song 1 and all
the multiples of 3 were darn right disgustingly good. Mike's dealing with
some serious stuff now, so G's H is inactive. - Joel
Gunshy Ministers
*Cock rock
Opened for CORM at Stache's. I thought I was listening to QFM-96 about five
years ago. - Carl Hirsch
Hairy Patt Band
*Saviors
Hard liquor, hard drugs, and inbreeding. There is no other. - Carl Hirsch
Hard Black Thing
*Drunkest band
The guitarist was playing something totally discordant to everyone else,
almost fell down several times, and seemed to have turrets syndrome. I
don't know, you can call it avant, but I won't. - Bill Carnes
Howitzer Brunch for Mayor
*Psycho-schitzo time changing whackcore
I regret not seeing these guys sooner. Now they've broken up. They kinda
reminded me of Eric's Mother or the Butthole Surfers with more of a
metal, hardcore and/or funky Hendrix edge. Lot's of interesting guitar
sounds, out of whack song structure and timing, and those mad man vocals.
Their tape sounds perty good too. - Joel
Howlin' Maggie
*The day I heard Happy left the Mob will be my JFK day. (I'm only a little
boy and wasn't around to be traumatized by the assassination.) But when I
heard he had his own thing going I rejoiced and couldn't wait to check them
out. But sadly I couldn't get into them. I could appreciate what they were
doing and I think a couple of the tunes are real gems but, I don't know,
they didn't really excite me. Oh well. - Bill Carnes
Iris
*Really basic alternative pop with no sparks
I find it hard to believe (or remember) I've seen this band twice. Having a
female vocalist is the closest they get to anything special. Even she has a
certain bland nervous - almost monotone - Middle School talent show singer
quality. They draw a big crowd of what I've gathered to be co- Greeks and
co-workers. - Joel
Kevin & the Kasualties
*Old school punk/glam rock
A long lived three piece Kiss & AC/DC influenced punk band. Often
overlooked, berated and ignored but, ya know, the current line-up really does
put on a perty good show. As for historical significance, many locals have
been in K&K at some time (Rudy of V3 and Byron Weaver of Pet ufo were brought
to mind recently). - Joel
Jim Kolbe
*Acoustic blues guitar
He's been doin a lotta shows with this harp (harmonica) player, Jim
Biersdorf. I ain't seen 'em together yet, but Kolbe does some pretty
respectable blues pickin and sliding. He's got a sense of humor too. - Joel
The Kosher Spears
*Best folk band/Best impromptu show for a Saint on the Oval
Whether you like folk or not, you can't help getting into the Appalachian
spirit when you hear these guys and their washboard. I went out in the
Oval one day in Autumn quarter to listen to "St. John of Westerville," and
after I'd been sitting out there a while, the Spears decided to set up
right next to me and start playing. They drew a pretty big crowd and even
stole some of St. John's audience. Anyone more entertaining than him is
definitely noteworthy. They even finished up by playing "Pearly Gates" for
the Saint himself. - bellomy.2
Chris Logsdon
*Buffet covers for the drunk and stupid at heart
At one point I had Chris in the first issue of Cringe. It said, "If yer into
this, why are ya still reading ..." or something to that effect. - Joel
Men of Leisure
*Solid R&B, MG-ish group, garonteed good time
"see boys and girls that man is playing the gItaR" - Bill Carnes
Monster Zero
*Alternative garagethereal with a cute bass player.
Leave it to Lizard Family Music to discover the young melodic songwriting
bands around Cowtown. Leave it to Moo and Anyway to push 'em to the
forefront. Musically, MZ's got a Lush wall of sound thing going, but it's
delivered with and through a garagy mentality. The vocalists do a good deal
of harmonizing (and unisonizing?). And both have that certain operatic/
throaty sound of goth (neighbor Dave suggested Ministry), Bob Mould or even
metal (Iron Maiden), but with that Midwestern nasal accent. Hmm, kinda
describes Eddie Vedder's vocals ... but that's not quite it either. - Joel
Moody Jackson
*Pop punk
Not bubblegummy like The Queers. A little faster and more driving than
Screeching Weasel. They make my ass wiggle and my legs pogo. - Carl Hirsch
My White Bread Mom
*Best hardcore band in Columbus via Chillicothe
Fact: punk rock was invented by fifteen year olds. The problem with
Columbus is that most of its better known hardcore bands are way too old to
rant about how much their parents suck. Well, MWBM is probably too old to
bitch about mom and dad too, but they play with the need and desire of
fifteen year olds anyway (must be 'cause they were raised in suburban
Chillicothe). Plus, the gtr work is the most imaginative of any HC bands
I've seen in these here parts. The distorted vocals are cool too. All
that and they do a cover of a song by the infamous Granny's Hole. Look for
their fine 7" split e.p with Moody Jackson on Burnt Sienna. - Nathan Weaver
My White Bread Mom
*Youthful sounding punk/hardcore
The first time I saw this Chillicothe band, I only really liked the one tune
that ended up being on the 4 band split single they were celebrating the
release of that night. A few more shows went by with little ado. Then I
took the journey to The Blue Monk in Chillicothe to see my Richmond friend,
Jettison Charlie, with MWBM. The opening band and the rest of the audience
must have had an average age of 15. They moshed to the first angry kid
hardcore band (Nathan W. suggested real punk/hardcore comes from kids like
these mad at their parents - I think he has a point). JC went on next - no
moshing, but they are a dynamic and "meter changing" Rollins influenced band.
MWBM was next and last. It was just a really great exciting fun, almost
intimate, punkcore show. All the pieces - especially the guitar - finally
fit. And kids moshed. Now if they can only do it again in Columbus. Or
maybe Carl H.just put somethin' in the hazelnut coffee. - Joel
Our Flesh Party
*Heavy powerful alternative pop
The first time I saw these guys (5 years ago?), I thought they were a perty
cool young band. Now, since grunge and other alternative stuff has filtered
through the mainstream, it just doesn't do as much for me. I'm not saying
they're copy-cats, it just kinda seems like they're reaching too much for a
piece of the heavy groove-grunge alternative pie. However, they still put
out a powerful sound, if ya ain't had too much of that. They lost a
guitarist not too long ago. I saw 'em just after this happened and didn't
notice a big change - rumor is there has been one though. - Joel
Pounce, Intl.
*Listen to Pounce ... they call it the garden weasel
Hey, I don't want to do the shameless self-promotion bit, so perhaps I can
try a different approach. If I could give any other information to ensure
that it is included in your roundup of local active bands, that would be
great. Thanks.
Pounce, Intl., Po Box 164171, Cols, Oh 43216-4171 USA
Appearing on numerous cd compilations in 1995
A full length cd release coming out fall of 1995 !!!
http://www.cs.purdue.edu/homes/christcd/pounce/pounce.html
- Paul Campbell
Pounce, Intl.
*Beat heavy Tangerine Dream soundtrack with sparse operatic female vocals
Paul sent me a tape and asked me to review it. Two points: I haven't seen
'em live and he doesn't seem to recall/realize I'm the Joel he had a musical
conflict with years ago - or maybe it's water under the bridge. Anyway, this
ex-Martyr Colonist has a much mellower, friendlier sound now. It's much like
a Tangerine Dream soundtrack (think Risky Business' subway sex scene) with a
heavy beat that, I presume, is meant to make it dancy. I even hear a bit of
new age via Suzanne Ciani at times. Yes, it would be real relaxing without
the digital drums. At any rate, it's a much easier listen than Martyr
Colony. Now if only Paul and his press releases would come off as a little
more relaxed (or at least a little less serious) about his music. - Joel
Scream Bloody Murder
*Whatever happened to them? I enjoyed their melodic/techno sound. - Bill
Carnes
Sloe Comfortable Screw
*Folksy punk with accordion, pots, pans, and a cute bass player
Fronted by a singing accordionist, SCS has a pinch of drinking song ala the
Poguesque vocals and a little punk and 60's garage. Most of the songs are
basic 1-4-5 type stuff that go on a bit too long. But there are a few good
tunes - and the texture is great. I even got to play mandolin with 'em once.
The band couldn't hear me (I could barely hear me, and the darn thing was in
my lap), but I was told it sounded OK. Creeper, the percussionist, quit to
pursue other projects, but they've got a young new pan & pot man. - Joel
Space Kids
*Young artpunk with female vocalist
I saw part of what may have actually been their first and only show. They
had High School morbid lyrics but, hey, I think they're in High School ...
Kinda made me think of the Cincy band Snaggletooth with their sassy female
vocals and more than the average basic punk musical ideas. - Joel
St. John of Westerville
*Best performance of a holy man on a college campus. - bellomy.2
Starscream 13
*Melodycore
Risen from the ashes of Parsnip. (For the uninitiated, Parsnip completely
ruled Freak'n Pizza with big crunchy sounds.) They seem more rock-inflected,
but the songs they've written are just about amazing. The set changes pace
several times as they play, from crunch crunch to "Miss Brasilia", a moving
tune that incorporates violin. - Carl Hirsch
("The Bassists" centerfold pictures are here in the hardcopy - pages 10-11)
Starscream ("13" was added avoid copyright problems, I guess.)
*Short lived ambitious alt
Parsnip is gone, and now splinter band Starscream is gone too. Spoken word
with congas, bass guitar, and drums. Then some heavy alternative stuff. A
little experimental thing. Instrument trading (guitar and bass). Then a
nice three part harmony, finger picked electric guitar/violin piece remini-
scent of Jethro Tull meeting XTC (That's a compliment. Really!). - Joel
Stupid Fuckin' Hippie
*"Dork" rock or dirge rock?/Acid punkarage with a cute bass player
So they've been around for years and I somehow skipped over 'em in the last
Cringe - even tho I have several of their recordings (Admittedly, I think I
got 'em all free). Have you seen the end of that Bugs Bunny with the big red
furry monster ... Kinda like having psychotic daydreams while on the same
ether Bugs floated off on in the end. It seems like it could get
interesting, but it doesn't, so I just go nighty night. - Joel
Swivel Arm Battle Grip (How may words is it?)
*Standard tuned Sonic Youth and artpunk with a cute bassist
The first (male) vocalist is out. I couldn't hear him much the first time I
saw 'em anyway. Oops, kinda my fault - I was the sound guy. Now this young
band has a female up front. She tends to wander into that SY narrative
schtick - maybe too much. They're fairly artsy to be just a punk band -
the guitarist throws in some nice pretty and ugly effects. - Joel
Tenors Head-On
*3 tenor saxophonists, a great drummer and a cute bassist
The saxes didn't do much for me. Derek DiCenzo's bass playing was fine, but
the highlight was the drummer. He looked a bit like an anemic Andy Warhol
about to keel over, but when he took a solo ... Well, with that tiny trap
set, he did quite a bit of drumming. - Joel
Three Studies for a Crucifixion
*Selfhatecore
Big big loud. Overpowering emotion, discordant noise. I've seen that at
Luna and other places. But, by sheer coincidence, I saw them in some kid's
basement in Toronto, where they were unbelievably affecting. - Carl Hirsch
Triggerfish
*Ska-soul ensemble
Last I heard, T-fish was looking for a new drummer. The original one also
keeps time with the hopefully returning Bumble Flea. There's a lot of people
and instruments (guitars, keyboards, horns, vocals, drums ...) on stage -
and it seems to change a bit each time. My vote's out until the band
solidifies a bit more. - Joel
Voodoo Chile
*Great funk-ish heavy band
I saw 'em do the "Oompah Song" from Willie Wonka, and the famed "Number Song"
from (Newt's favorite show) Sesame Street. Recommended. - Bill Carnes
Watershed???
*Unsolved mystery. - Bill Carnes
WilFoster+Q
*A sort of surfer/Orbison guitar with Nirvanaesque vocals.
They were great live and they were selling tapes at the show for a buck a
piece. I highly recommend the show, but not the tape. - Nathan McKnight
Wolfgang Parker
*RetroSwing rockabilly
Wolfgang doesn't play out often, but there looks to be some potential in
the showmanship that could come out with experience. Apparently he's now
backed by a full combo with upright bass, drums & guitar. This could make
his show much more versatile. - Carl Hirsch
X-Ray Specs
*Mainstream alternative covers
As for inquiries about the old punk band: no, there are no similarities.
They were either unaware of the X-Ray Spex or thought the name was obscure
enough that no one would recognize it. By the time questions surfaced
they'd grown attached to it. This X-Ray Specs plays covers of mainstream
alternative stuff popular in the region: Pearl Jam, Toad the Wet Sprocket,
Offspring, REM, James, Counting Crows, Dada, Gin Blossoms, Green Day, etc.
They're contemplating the idea of sneaking in a few originals, but I haven't
totally convinced them yet. - Chris Jedrick
Miscellaneous
*Best band that I'm in
Well, we have no name. We only practice once a week - that is if no one has
something else they have to do that night. We write our own songs. We'd
like to play out when we can get enough tunes to open for someone. And we
keep starting new recording projects but never seem to get them completed.
But it's the best band that I'm in. Do you think that's because it's the
only band I'm in? 8~) - Jerri Shafer
Top -- Next Section -- CRINGEdex
CRINGE Home -- Joel's Home -- Mail Joel
