BASSO BAR WANTS BANDS
The Basso Bar (located at 691 N. High St) is looking to book local bands, DJ's, etc. So far they've hosted rock shows with 84 Nash, Go Evol Shiki!, Flotation Walls, Town Street Ramblers, and some local musicians/DJ's spinning some of their favorite toons. The booze is cheap, and apparently they have "video crack" and pool, as well as coffee. If you are interested in playing there, drop off a demo/press kit thingy at BASSO (Attn: John Weills).

LET THE BYGONES BE BYGONES
Local band The Bygones want you to know that they have a website available for public viewing at http://thebygones.com. It includes "the usual suspects: news, bio, shows, audio, etc." The Bygones also want you to know that "there is content provided courtesy of Cringe and that we have a track on the new [Cringe] complition."

BLATANT FINGER AND THEIR HOOLIGAN FRIENDS
Blatant Finger wants you to know that Jeff Sack has just updated their website. In other words, "there's lots of new stuff for your enjoyment" at www.blatantfinger.com. The band is also planning another big show with a big name, this time it's on September 29 and it's called Hooligan's Holiday (@ Bernie's). At this show, you can check out Tommy & The Terrors and The Lashes (from Boston), as well as The GC5 (Hellcat Records). On top of all that, add Minimum Wage and Blatant Finger, and you've got yourself a Hooligan's Holiday.

RECORD RELEASE MADNESS
Local band Brodie is releasing a CD called Don't Say Goodnight (on FoulMouth Records) in September. The CD is a collection of 13 tracks, all "emotionally driven melodic punk rock." It was recorded at Immortal Productions by Cal Moore, and there will be an as-yet-undetermined release party/show at Bernie's. Check out http://brodiehome.tripod.com for more info.

- Pat Dull

DISASTER RELIEF BENEFIT SATURDAY AT RUBY TUESDAY
Given the events of last week, Let It Rip Productions has turned its Saturday, September 22 show at Ruby Tuesday into a benefit for The American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. The bands are:

• The BaXters
• Blatant Finger
• Bastard Squad of America
• Hex on Wheels

Many local entities are helping support this show and the cause. Contact John of Let It Rip Productions at [email protected] if you'd like to help in some way.

GO ROBOT, GO! GOES WITH BYRNE
After last Saturday's show at the Newport with David Byrne, Go Robot, Go! had the opportunity to open for Byrne the following night also. The Sunday show was in Indianapolis at the Egyptian Room.

THE SUSANS AT UNDERCURRENTS FRIDAY
This Friday night, September 21, the Susans will be playing at the Undercurrents 2001. The showcase begins at 9pm with the Susans going on at 10:00PM at the Phantasy Niteclub, 11802 Detroit Ave, Lakewood Ohio (216) 228-6300.

- Joel

AUTOREVERSE ARCHIVES
A few months ago AUTOreverse ceased publishing. Well, that hasn't changed, but all 12 issues are now archived on the Web at http://autoreverse.batcave.net/.

Combined, the issues represent over 1000 reviews plus interviews with C Reider, John Sosnowski of Broca's Area, Don Campau, Martyr Colony, Mark Gunderson of Evolution Control Committee etc., Mike Chlasciak, Big City Orchestra, Corpsevomit, Daniel Prendiville, Scott Brookman, John Neil, Cosmonauts Hail Satan, Kenyata Sullivan, Franco Turra, Pax Aeterna, FUXA, Joe Morris of Kylie Productions, Little Fyodor, Doug Harrison, Daniele Brusaschetto, Warser Gate, Tinty Music, Scarve, Ken Clinger, Ray Carmen, Cliff Brown Jr, Rautavaara, Dave Stafford, Eyelight, Sara Ayers, Mara's Torment, Martin Newell, Household Names, Mitch Friedman, Ben Gott, Pat Dull, Moonbabies, Greenland, Mark Ritchie, Best Kept Secret, Karda Estra, Paragon Null, PBK, Zapruder Red, Jacob Berendes, Wayne Butane, Secret Archives Of The Vatican, Bent With Light, whew! ... and more.

COLUMBUS REPRESENTS AT CMJ
Now, I've never kept track of this very closely, but this seems like a banner year for Columbus at the College Music Journal Music Marathon. This year the showcases includes at least 5 Columbusites:

• adam
  September 16, 9pm @ C-Note
  
  
• Go Robot, Go!
  September 16, 10pm @ Knit Active Sound Stage
  
  
• Manda and the Marbles
  September 14, 2001 at 8pm Meow Mix
  
  
• Moviola
  September 14, 12m @ Acme Underground
  
  
• The Terrifying Experience
  September 15, 8:45pm @ Parkside Lounge
  
  

SPACE ROCK ATTENTION
Progression Magazine is looking for space rock releases to review. I'm told Progression probably has the largest readership of any prog rock publication in the world. For more information you can contact Progression publisher John Collinge at [email protected].

CRINGE COMPILATION STATUS
We've updated the Cringe.com/pilation info a bit. The release show for volume 1 is set for Saturday, September 29 at Little Brother's. Grafton, Geraldine, Superstar Rookie and Stonevelvet are on the bill. Geraldine and Stonevelvet will be on second compilations. Look for a listing of all the bands slated for volume 2 and day now.

Scrawl was initially part of the release show, but it looks like the band is now on an indefinite hold.

MORE EAR SHOT RAW UPDATES
Recent photos and/or video for Frostiva, Gil Mantera's Party Dream, Go Evol Shiki!, Guinea Worms, Hex On Wheels, Kingrods, Lylo Americans, The May, The Vague and The Vincents have been added to Ear Shot Raw. I'm particularly embarrassed (yes, that's a pun - you've been warned) and ashamed of the Gil Mantera shots.

- Joel

DAVID ... SMELL THE GLOVE IS HERE ...
Local country rockers The Peachbones want the world to know that their long-awaited Peachbones t-shirts have arrived! It's a simple design - white shirt, with the band's name in color ("the" in red, "peachbones" in blue). Simple. Beautiful. Classic. Call (419) 282-9980 to order, or email [email protected] [or even write to: 713 Center St. Apt.2, Ashland, Ohio 44805. If you order soon, you'll get the special bonus price of only $10.00 (reg. price = $12.00)!!! The 'Bones are hoping to have a record available in time for the annual celebration of the birth of Christ.

SODA VS. POP VS. PROFITS
Local popsters Soda Vs Pop is in the midst of recording new material, some of which are near completion and will be posted (for FREE!) on their web-site. You can download "The Planet is Caving In" and "Transformer Broken Heart" at www.sodavspop.com.

LOCAL RECORD RELEASE MADNESS
Local band Imp have self-released a CD called Spectrum vol.1. It was recorded at their practice area, by the band (and their computer), and it only costs $5.00! You can order it at http://imp.iuma.com, or e-mail the band at [email protected].

- Pat Dull

WOOSLEY BAND SINGLE ON SAMPLER
The Woosley Band is going to be on a sampler from Miles of Music. The song is "Painted" from their upcoming release, Too Old for the Pool. Neither we nor the band have all the details, but it looks like it may be included free with any order of 2 or more CD from Miles of Music.

MUTANT RENEGADE DEGRADES
Long standing Dayton zine, Mutant Renegade, is putting out its last issue then putting itself out to pasture anytime now. Mutants Mite, Gail and Grog will be moving on to The Grand Delusion. Grog will also be contributing to Rockmagazine.com (Los Angeles, CA) and possibly Torpedo Magazine (Syracuse, NY).

MORE RAW FOOTAGE
Well, now all the Ear Shot Raw galleries include their videos with the exception of most Little Brother's shows. We got permission to post a couple Cringe.com shows at Little Bros. already. Nearly every show has video. Note, it may take around 15 minutes to download some of the videos on a 56k modem dial up connection.

- Joel

LOCAL RECORD RELEASE MADNESS

The Emerald Down
The Emerald Down is releasing their Scream The Sound CD (POPsound Records) on September 1, 2001. It was recorded at Engine Studios in Chicago, IL, by Andy Bosnak. Check out more info at www.mp3.com/theemeralddown

- Pat Dull

BASIC ELEMENT NEGOTIATES TITLE & LABEL
Longevity Entertainment artist Basic Element tells us they are currently in label negotiations with Interscope Records. The local hip-hop group expects to release its yet to be titled debut album this October.

CAMPUS PARTNERS IN BED WITH STARBUCKS, NOT INSOMNIA?
I'm still confused and a bit scared by the "grand wizard in the burning bush" comment in the message that passed along this news. Anyway, Insomnia is closing and scheduled for demolition on September 15 - just in time to welcome the kids back to OSU. As part of what just might become an informal "fuck Campus Partners!" rally, the coffee joint is hosting a final closing show this Friday, August 31. Go Evol Shiki, Kopaz and Frostiva play with some DJs turning it into an allnighter. I do think maybe Barsucks, er, Starbucks, which is in bed with Micro$oft, should be included in the protest.

THE CRINGE.COM RAW MEAT MARATHON CONTINUES
The second installment of the The Raw Meat Marathon is this Friday, August 31 at The High Five. Organized by the rock stalkers over at Let It Rip Productions, it features some fresher bands from around town. Some I ain't even seen yet, so who knows what to expect:

August 31:
• Sioux Cavanaugh (8pm)
• The Vague (9pm)
• Hex on Wheels (10pm)
• Lylo Americans (11pm)
• The Kingrods (12am)
• The May (1am)

Sponsored by: Revolver, Storm Front Entertainment, 101.5 "the rock"/wobn.net, 1Ear Media, Twisted Tomorrow, Inc.

The shows starts at 8pm and cover is $4.

EAR SHOT VIDEOS ADDED
Well, it took me some time but I've started adding the raw videos that accompany the numerous show pictures over in the Ear Shot Raw section of the site. For now, all the videos from June though August, 2001 have been added. Note, this excludes Little Brother's shows since Digital Club Network has exclusive distribution rights to video shot there. We've perty much worked out an agreement with DCN, but I've gotta get my act together to avoid any problems. Yes, this is the main reason we've held off on adding any further videos until now.

- Joel

MOVIOLA'S PROUDEST MOMENT
Moviola's fifth CD is out today (June 21, 2001), and they are having a record release show (of sorts) Saturday, August 25, 10pm, at Madlab (105 N. Grant Ave). The show will feature solo sets by Chuck Cleaver (Ass Ponys), Marcy Mays (Scrawl), and Ben Arnold (Medicine Wheel). The new CD is called Rumors of the Faithful (on Boston's Spirit of Orr). In addition, the band will be doing four (!) split singles this fall on Spirit of Orr with four different groups:

1. Moviola/Tobin Sprout (of GBV)
2. Moviola/the Handsome Family
3. Moviola/Bugskull
4. Moviola/Home

On September 9, the band will be doing an in-studio live broadcast at 10 pm on CD101 radio, and then it's off to NYC for a Spin Magazine taping, followed quickly (September 14) by a CMJ Festival slot in NYC, and then a Dot-Dash in-store appearance Saturday afternoon in Philadelphia ... whew!

Despite all the above, what's the thing Moviola is most proud about? They're in the Onion this week!

THE CRINGE.COM RAW MEAT MARATHON
On August 24 and August 31 at The High Five, the sight and sound spectacular that is The Raw Meat Marathon invades Columbus. Check out this line-up:

August 24:
• Sioux Cavanaugh (8pm)
• Creatures of Habit (9pm)
• Walt James and The Invisible Toad Demons (10pm)
• Twin Cam (11pm)
• The BaXters (12am)
• Slow Motion Riot (1am)

August 31:
• Sioux Cavanaugh (8pm)
• The Vague (9pm)
• Hex on Wheels (10pm)
• Lylo Americans (11pm)
• The Kingrods (12am)
• The May (1am)

Sponsored by: Revolver, Storm Front Entertainment, 101.5 "the rock"/wobn.net, 1Ear Media, Twisted Tomorrow, Inc.

Both shows start at 8pm and are $4 at the door.

LOCAL BUZZ GOES CABLE ACCESS
The producers of "The Local Buzz" (101.5 fm) at Otterbein College are currently developing a television version of the popular Columbus music radio show for air on WOCC-TV3 in Westerville, Ohio. The half hour yet-to-be-titled program will feature music videos and live performances by bands from Columbus in an "old-skool MTV" style format. Artists wishing to submit videos or "good" quality tapes of their live performances may send them to:

WOBN
"the local buzz"
Attn: Videos
Otterbein College
Westerville, Oh 43081
[email protected]

60 Watt Jackass (update)
The web-site address provided to y'all last week was incorrect. The real one is:
http://www.geocities.com/fsu_records/fsurecords.html

- Pat Dull

SILO THE HUSKIE SQUATTERS
Let this be a lesson to ya. It looks like SIlo the Huskie's previous site was taken over buy a domain squatter. That can happen if you let your domain registration lapse. Someone else can then buy it and ask you to pay who knows how much to get it back. Anyway, Silo's site has instead been moved to silothehuskie.net. The band tells us "the page might be dusty, but look for updates on all you favorite Silo guys and what's new at Camp Silo."

GREEN PARTY CALL FOR BANDS
The OSU Campus Green Party is having a Green Party benefit Sunday, September 23 at Little Brother's. They are looking for some bands to round out the bill, so if yer interested, contact Hillary Tinapple ([email protected]) or visit www.osugreens.org for more information.

THE FROGS VERSUS LADY MONSTER
I don't think Stephanie (aka Lady Monster) really wanted this listed here, but since she's responsible for passing on much info and comments to Cringe -- including the Green Party one above, I figure it deserves mention. She's leaving town with a famous punk rock icon named Jello serving as her host. The Frogs show at Bernie's August 25 doubles as a sort of "homeleaving" party for her. So as not to cause confusion, there was no mention of Jello being present at the show.

CRINGE.COM COMP CD READY FOR PRESSES
Yeah, there's a reason the Lowdown is a bit late this week. We've spent the last couple days (and nights) finalizing the first Cringe.com compilation CD layout and such. It should be in the hands of the printers and pressing plant any day now. The official release show is Saturday, September 29, 2001. Do you remember where you put your Cringe.com/pilation card?

Oh, I also did some work on the server today. Things may be a bit goofy until 1am or so ... hopefully no longer. Sorry.

- Joel

THE BAXTERS ARE THROUGH WITH PLAYIN' DIVES
Saturday 18, 2001, local rockers The Baxters will storm the stage at The Newport Music Hall with their friends Blatant Finger, Kopaz, and Twin Cam! Tickets are available at Stained Skin or from any band member (the show costs $5 at the door, but the bands will be selling them for a mere $3!). This show is sponsored by Guitar World (thanks to Let It Rip Productions) Check it out!

"NIGHT OF THE LIVING PROMOTIONS" MUSIC SERIES
Somehow local punkers Blatant Finger have hooked up an unholy alliance with Jagermeister and Pacific Sunwear of California to bring you the Freshly Squeezed Music Series. As their press kits states: "It is no secret that music groups tend to get lumped on the same "bill" over and over again with acts quite similar in comparison. The Freshly Squeezed series liberates these groups from their niche and places them on a diverse ticket, exposing the artists and their loyal fanbase alike to the incredible music in our community that has been under their very nose all along." Sounds like a good idea!

Show number one kicks off August 16 @ The Northberg Tavern (2084 N. High Street, 294-5371) with Go Evol Shiki! ("spacie indie-rock"), the aforementioned Blatant Finger ("rough'n'tumble, acidic pop/punk"), and Salt Horse ("unmistakable, adrenalized tirades"). The show begins promptly at 10pm, and earlybirds through the door will be eligible for prizes from the bands and sponsors.

Show number two in the series is on August 30 at The Northberg Tavern (with Blatant Finger, Frostiva, and The Secret Sound of the NSA. For more info on The Freshly Squeezed Music Series contact Jimbo Stiers at [email protected] or 447-2373. At both shows there will be FREE STUFF galore from the sponsors. Stained Skin and Black Sheep will have booths "in the house" for the evenings.

LOCAL RECORD RELEASE MADNESS

The Vincents
The Vincents will be putting a split seven inch record out this fall on Diaphragm Records. The record will feature two new songs by The Vincents and two new songs from Dayton rockers The Igniters. Release date and record release party tba.

60 Watt Jackass
60 Watt Jackass put out a CD called Ornery on FSU Record around the first of August. The band features Aaron Webb (guitar, vocals), Trey Livingston (guitar), Sean Nelson (bass), and Peter English (drums), and the CD was recorded at Rubber Room Studios. The CD can be purchased at CD Exchange on North High Street. Check out http://www.geocities.com/sixtywattjackass/60wattjackass for more info!

- Pat Dull

EAR SHOT AND RADIO UPDATES
We haven't mentioned Ear Shot or Cringe Radio updates recently. There've been a few in the last month or 2. Here's the most recent additions:

I've added 3 tracks from each of these recent releases to the Recent Releases station:

• Kopaz
• Orchestraville
• The Staggers

I've also uploaded pictures from recent shows by the following to Ear Shot Raw:

• Cobra Verde
• F**Bomb
• the Jive Turkeys
• 1.Point.3
• Orchestraville
• Templeton

Speaking of Ear Shot, if ya check the story on the Emerald Down in the current Columbus Alive you'll see a live shot of the band. Guess where that came from ... Can I put "published photographer" on my resume now?

- Joel

TIARA-BLE NEWS
Sorry, couldn't resist that headline! Actually, it IS bad news for all Tiara fans - the band is leaving the country! In September, the band will be playing two shows in Japan! Here's the schedule:

• 09/10 Mon - Tokyo, JAPAN @ Shibuya Quattro w/ Naht
• 09/12 Wed - Tokyo, JAPAN @ Shelter w/ Ieha, Chicago Bass

LOCAL RECORD RELEASE MADNESS

Voodoo 101
According to their e-mail, Voodoo 101 put out a CD back in March 2001. It's called Voodoo 101 (on Tricycle Records), and was recorded at Motion Digital Studios. They describe it as "twelve tracks of groovin hooks and Power Pop. Female vocals and kick ass guitars and drums in the vein of Garbage, K's Choice, No Doubt and Veruca Salt." Check out http://www.voodoo101.com for more details!

- Pat Dull

USED KIDS TO REOPEN WEDNESDAY
Well, you probably already know this, but Used Kids is scheduled to reopen Wednesday in the ol' World Record space (1980 N. High St.).

RAW MEAT MARATHON AUGUST 24 & 31
A few months ago Let It Rip Productions asked if Cringe.com would be interested in helping with some shows featuring a bunch of new and somewhat unknown bands. Well, after I finally got my act together, the Raw Meat Marathon became the Cringe.com Raw Meat Marathon ... err, something like that. Both shows are at High Five and feature 6 bands each night. Many of the bands are indeed quite fresh, if not raw. See http://www.cringe.com/promo/rawmeat/ for more info. And, yes, you can expect ta see and hear more about this as the show dates approach.

CRINGE HACKED
Yes, last Monday - quite nearly exactly a week ago this hour - Cringe.com was hacked into. No major damage appears to have been done. It looks like the hacker was just using us as a relay to hack into yet another site. It's kinda thrown my schedule and sanity off, but we upgraded the server and plugged up a bunch of holes last Tuesday and Wednesday. Everything appears to be running quite smoothly. Special thanks to Kevin and Mike of Internet Concourse for helping fix this so quickly. See http://www.freebsd.com/ for more information on the recently discovered security hole we believe was exploited.

The Cringe server problem wasn't related to these, but while I'm on the subject, there are a couple viruses and such making the rounds right now. Be particularly cautious if you use Outlook on a Windows machine or run an IIS server. Emails with attachments and a message that says something vague & poorly written like "I send you this file in order to have your advice" are probably bad news. Trash them or at least virus scan them first.

- Joel

"THE JUICE RUNS DOWN YOUR LEG" MUSIC SERIES
Somehow local punkers Blatant Finger have hooked up an unholy alliance with Jagermeister and Pacific Sunwear of California to bring you the Freshly Squeezed Music Series. As their press kits states: "It is no secret that music groups tend to get lumped on the same "bill" over and over again with acts quite similar in comparison. The Freshly Squeezed series liberates these groups from their niche and places them on a diverse ticket, exposing the artists and their loyal fanbase alike to the incredible music in our community that has been under their very nose all along." Sounds like a good idea!

Show number one kicks off August 16th @ The Northberg Tavern (2084 N. High Street, (614-294-5371) with Go Evol Shiki! ("spacie indie-rock"), Blatant Finger ("rough'n'tumble, acidic pop/punk"), and Salt Horse ("unmistakable, adrenalized tirades"). The show begins promptly at 10:00 p.m., and earlybirds through the door will be eligible for prizes from the bands and sponsors. The next show in the series is on August 30 at The Northberg Tavern (with Blatant Finger, Frostiva, and The Secret Sound of the NSA. For more info on The Freshly Squeezed Music Series contact Jimbo Stiers at [email protected] or (614)447-2373.

BACK SEAT OF THE VAN WITH THE PROMS!
Local popsters The Proms have been invited to play The Vans Warped Tour in Cleveland, Ohio, on Tuesday, August 7. They will be on the Ernie Ball stage at around 4:00pm. Apparently, the band can win some really cool equipment if they get enough support! Check 'em out!

TWO BOXSTEPS FROM THE MOVE
Boxstep from Pittsburgh are playing at the High Five on Wednesday, August 1. They've been described as "kinda mellow with some violin and spacey slide work." They have a record coming out on Overcoat Recordings (Richard Buckner, Kingsbury Manx, International Airport, and New Bomb Turks) later this year. Incidentally, it's also Matt Reber's (from NBT) birthday, and he will be there to celebrate! Buy Matt a birthday beer, and check out Boxstep!

LOCAL RECORD RELEASE MADNESS

Frostiva
Frostiva will be releasing a CD-EP in late August, which has been recorded at Workbook Studio. Some songs include "On Your Knees," "Robot Love," "Broken Ankles," "Bound," "Dear Mr. W," and others ... Check out www.frostiva.com for more info!

Reinfield
Local punk rockers Reinfield will be releasing a CD on Mousetrap Records sometime in August. Reinfield consists of Josh Feeney, Mandy Hartley, Will Lehnert, and David Slocum. The new CD features 12 songs, was recorded at Moo-Pigface by Dan Boyd, and will cost around $8. See www.reinfield.8m.com for more information.

We March
We March is releasing Sonic Assault (Non-Prophet Recordings) on July 10. The CD-EP features four songs, plus a bonus track, and will cost about $3.00. It was recorded at Ballsnare Studios in Athens, OH, by Ryan Stotts. E-mail [email protected] or [email protected] for more info. The band will be playing at Bernie's on August 27, 2001, with Disengage.

The Chandler Wright Story
The Chandler Wright Story's releasing a CD entitled Chapter 1 in late August. If that's not enough information for you, then check out www.cwstory.com

- Pat Dull

SCREEN OPPORTUNITIES
Bill Hutchinson of Bandaloop Records has been sending Cringe.com some big screen, little screen and game screen opportunities the last few months. I've got the OK to pass them on, so here are the ones from the last month or so ...

• Songs in all genres that are Money Songs (i.e. referencing money, getting money, making money, etc.)
• A TV show needs A LOT of songs with the word "Ride"
• A TV show needs songs that mention "New York" or "New York City" or "Big Apple" in a POSITIVE way
• A few TV shows want Rap, Hip Hop and R&B music with NO samples and NO obscenities
• Major ad agency seeks original New Year's songs.
• Birthday songs wanted! We are looking for new original songs celebrating birthdays
• A top TV show needs songs with the word "Horse" or "pony".
• A major video game needs song about boxing, with any reference to boxing, punch, "get in the ring", etc.
• A top TV show needs songs with the word "invisible". Any ideas? (other than the RSTA song, which I already sent)

NEW BOMB TURKS INTERVIEW
We've just added an interview with Eric and Matt of the New Bomb Turks courtesy ol' Lowdowner Chad Painter. Oh, and Happy Birthday, Matt!

I'M A BANNER WAVING ID-10-T (IDIOT)
It was pointed out to me this weekend that the little banner questionnaire I've been running here wasn't working. It looks like a typo cropped up sometime after the first week I posted it. It hasn't work since. So let's give this one more try:

Banner Ad Comments:
1. What pages or sections would you most like to place and/or see your banners on? (Message boards, Current Issue, Live Shows Calendar, Home Page, etc.)


2. What time periods for running ads would be most useful to you? (day, week, month, Monday-Sunday, Thursday-Wednesday, etc.)


3. What kind of ads would you like to see or not see? (local music, national music, non-music, etc.)


4. What's a fair price for, say, 1 ad in rotation with 4 others for a week across the entire site? (or any other time, rotation and page combinations ya might find useful)


5. What other options would you like to see made available for running yer own banner ads on Cringe.com?

- Joel

Better late addition than no addition ...

HEY HEY IT'S THE HEARTDROPS
Columbus' only band from NYC (The Heartdrops) play their second show in two weeks at the High Five this Friday, July 27. The band is on a three-week tour, and wanted to play Columbus on the way from and on the way back to NYC. Check 'em out.

ROCK AGAINST RAPE!
Thursday, July 26 at Little Brother's is a benefit for the Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio (Columbus' rape crisis center) with The Emerald Down, The Flotation Walls, Tiara, and Ohio Anna. Also, The Emerald Down will be performing a live set on Otterbein College Radio Show "The Local Buzz" (101.5 fm) on Tuesday, July 24.

MOSH IN THE PARK
On Saturday, July 28th at Fran Bar Park (where they hold the Haunted Hoochie) is Mosh in the Park. Bands playing are Metal Blade artist Jacob's Dream and Olympic artist Internal Bleeding. Also performing will be Crush Efekt, Psycho Scenario, 13 South, Bodyfarm, Laid to Rest, Shattered Soul, Vile, Bent, Bonedust, Pets or Meat, and Caje. This is an 18 and up event, $10.00 per person. Bring your own coolers and food! No pets, no glass.

DEVILCAKE IS BACK IN THE MIX
Columbus' only evil food-rock band Devilcake will rock the rectum offa the High Five stage next Thursday, July 26, with the suspiciously foodless Stainless Mind. Devilcake is currently recording the follow-up to their multi-platinum Shout At The Devilcake. It currently has no title but some of the songs on it are "Wienermobile," "Pizza Party," "Baby Back Bitch," "Sacrificial Leg Of Lamb," "Cereal And Beer," and "Breakfast Is The Most Important Kill Of The Day (My Alphabits Told Me To Kill You)." The Devilcake site is at http://go.to/devilcake

AND DON'T FORGET STUPIDFEST 2001
Those of you who remember the mighty pirate radio station Radio Free Columbus (91.5 FM) will be pleased to know that Estefan the Pirate is putting on StupidFest 2001, on Saturday, July 28. StupidFest features tons of hot rock and cold beer, plus cookouts, camping, and chiggers. Also featured is Burning Corn, a crazy horny art-thing to behold, indeed. It's all held at Estefan's "wooded field" about 30 minutes north of Columbus, and all ya gotta do to snag a personal invite is to ask one of the bands that are playing for your own, well, personal invite. Said bands are: Media Whores, Manda and the Marbles, Jive Turkeys, A Planet for Texas, Salt Horse, Kingrods, Broken Circle Gospel Deluxe, and the G-Spot Tornadoes.

- Pat Dull

WORKBOOK PROUD LIKE PARENTS 2 COMP
In order to spoil and tout the kids, Workbook Studio is releasing their second Proud Like Parents MP3.com compilation. The CD gathers material from many of the bands Workbook has recorded over the last year or so. The celebratory show is Saturday, July 28 at Little Brother's with Stonevelvet, The Vincents and more.

VINCENTS BORROW HUSKIE BASSIST
With Silo the Huskie relaxing and finishing up their next release (due out in January), bassist Pete Cline has some free time on his hands. Enter The Vincents, long short a steady bassist. So now Pete is a Vincent. The new line up is playing that Workbook's Proud Like Parents show mentioned above.

THE ROBOT BALL AT MADLAB
Well, this all started as celebration of robots, raving, costumes, film making and indie music in our nations capitol. This year, with the influence of Go Robot, Go! and their Robophilic masses, the Robot Ball moves to our state's capitol. Yes, costumes are encouraged with prize payoffs for costumes and dancing. (Ya think someone will do "the Robot" or break dance?)

09:00pm Breakdown (live band)
09:45pm Original Robot Videos
10:00pm The Simpletons (Cincinnati's award-winning popsters)
10:45pm Robot Costume Contest
11:00pm Go Robot, Go!
12:00am Robot Rave! with DJ

The all-ages show is Saturday, July 28 at Madlab (105 North Grant Ave) with a $5 admission. All proceeds to go to Oxfam and local charity "Friends of the Homeless." More information, pictures, and video from previous years' balls can be found at http://www.robotball.com/.

AT NIGHT, ORCHESTRAVILLE IS PARTICULARLY LOVELY
On July 27 at Little Brother's Orchestraville is celebrating the release of its second CD, At night, it is particularly lovely. Also on the bill are the Bygones, Parker Paul, The Velveteens, and more!

To promote the show and release the band was on The Local Buzz (WOBN FM, 101.5 FM, Otterbein College) July 24. They'll also be on the Independent Playground (WWCD 101 FM) at 10pm Thursday, July 26.

STUPIDFEST 2001
Those of you who remember the mighty pirate radio station Radio Free Columbus (91.5 FM) will be pleased to know that Estefan the Pirate is putting on StupidFest 2001, on Saturday, July 28. StupidFest features tons of hot rock and cold beer, plus cookouts, camping, and chiggers. Also featured is Burning Corn, a crazy horny art-thing to behold, indeed. It's all held at Estefan's "wooded field" about 30 minutes north of Columbus, and all ya gotta do to snag a personal invite is to ask one of the bands that are playing for your own, well, personal invite. Said bands are: Media Whores, Manda and the Marbles, Jive Turkeys, A Planet for Texas, Salt Horse, Kingrods, Broken Circle Gospel Deluxe, and the G-Spot Tornadoes.

BAND FOREPLAY
It's a school night, and four band are book on the bill. Nothing unusual about that, you say? Why should I go out and waste my time, you scoff? Well, the kicker is that, according to their e-mail, each of the four bands will be playing songs from the other bands' repertoire. I'm talking 'bout The Baxters, Manda and the Marbles, Twin Cam, and The Kingrods. See if they pull this crazy idea off Thursday, July 19 at Bernie's Distillery.

SUBJECT: OPERATION: GETDOWN
The Operation is GO! Crazy new band (Operation: Getdown) makes debut splash this weekend. Why should you care? Do the names Johnny Rebel, Craig Dunson, TJ Superstar, and Mark Farley mean anything to you? If the answer is no, then you don't know much about Columbus music, Einstein. Get yer butt down to Little Brother's on Friday, July 20. Opening will be The Sovines and The Cowslingers (from Cleveland). Check out http://home.columbus.rr.com/ogdhq/ or e-mail [email protected] for more info.

KOPAZ RECORD RELEASE NYMB'S LAST SHOW
Thursday July 19th is the official Starboard Rail CD release party for local band Kopaz. Also on the bill will be Pretty Mighty Mighty from Columbus, NYMB from Chicago and Protokulture Shaman from Cleveland. This will be the last Columbus show for NYMB (an indie rock female vocal band), as they are breaking up. Check it out!

- Pat Dull

GLAZED RECORDS BIRTHDAY SALE
Glazed Records (New Bomb Turks, Tiara, Rocket From The Crypt, etc.), err actually Bill, the president of Glazed, is turning 30 this month. To help celebrate, everything in Glazed's mailorder page is 30% off in July.

COLUMBUSMUSIC.COM REDESIGN
Well, I was popping over to ColumbusMusic.com to check out a few things Monday night. First I got a server busy message, so I waited a few minutes. When I reloaded, a whole new look presented itself. I'm sure they're still making tweaks here and there ... so give it time. Hope they don't mind one comment from the peanut gallery: that xx-small font size isn't legible on Mac Netscape. Yeah, I'm a freak. I use Mac and Netscape. But who among you wouldn't consider side-stepping Microsoft products given the opportunity.

USE IT OR USED IT
Ok, I'm gonna try out a special promotion here to potentially help out Used Kids and to motivate myself and other Cringe.com writers to write more reviews:

• Send Cringe.com yer recently released local music.
• We'll post a review of it within a month.
• For CD formats we'll also put at least one tune on one of the Cringe.com streaming MP3 stations.

Um, anyone wanna help us write some reviews ... ? I think I'm gonna need a little help.

I'M A BANNER WAVING ID-10-T (IDIOT)
It was pointed out to me this weekend that the little banner questionnaire I've been running here wasn't working. It looks like a typo cropped up sometime after the first week I posted it. It hasn't work since. So let's give this one more try:

Banner Ad Comments:
1. What pages or sections would you most like to place and/or see your banners on? (Message boards, Current Issue, Live Shows Calendar, Home Page, etc.)


2. What time periods for running ads would be most useful to you? (day, week, month, Monday-Sunday, Thursday-Wednesday, etc.)


3. What kind of ads would you like to see or not see? (local music, national music, non-music, etc.)


4. What's a fair price for, say, 1 ad in rotation with 4 others for a week across the entire site? (or any other time, rotation and page combinations ya might find useful)


5. What other options would you like to see made available for running yer own banner ads on Cringe.com?

- Joel

FLICKERSTICK WINS!
Thank God!

RECORD RELEASE BONANZA!

Gravy
Gravy will be releasing their eponymous CD (er, that's Gravy) on Absinthe Mind Records on July 21, 2001. It was recorded at OATH Studios, produced by Gravy and Matt Cooke, and mastered by Tom Boyer. A release show will be at Little Brother's. Check out www.gravyband.com for more info.

Big Ass Yard Sale
Big Ass Yard Sale is having a CD release show on Thursday, July 12, 2001 at Bernie's Distillery. No other info is available!

Sugar Pill
Sugar Pill will be releasing a new CD at a record release show set for July 12 at The Brickyard (in the Arena District at 155 W Vine St.; phone is 221-4600). They will be playing from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm. (Happy Hour drink specials will run from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm) Also, the band will be appearing on the "Local Buzz" on Tuesday, July 10 from 10:00 - 10:30 pm to perform live in studio.  The "Local Buzz" can be heard on WOBN 101.5FM

The over 50-minute CD is called Dose (SugarPill Music), and features 9 groove-filled songs that has equal parts rock, soul, jazz, and r&b. The CD was recorded by Tom Boyer at Oath Studios. Look up www.sugarpill.net for all the dirt!

- Pat Dull

DIVIDE AND CONQUER
We'll it started as a just a quick email about the Cringe Band Contact Directory. It ended in a near complete face lift. And that was just tonight. Now ya don't have to wait for all 700+ bands to load to get to where ya want. You can view by beginning letter/number. Don't worry, the option to view all on one page is still there too.

A new backend and further functionailty is still in the works for the entire Contact Directory section in the next few, um, let's say weeks. For geeks like me out there, it will be largely LDAP/PHP based.

WAVE YOUR BANNERS HERE
We're really close to some established banner advertising options on Cringe.com for local bands, venues, shows, events, stores, services, etc. But before we do, I thought I better get a bit more input from the general readership here:

Banner Ad Comments:
1. What pages or sections would you most like to place and/or see your banners on? (Message boards, Current Issue, Live Shows Calendar, Home Page, etc.)


2. What time periods for running ads would be most useful to you? (day, week, month, Monday-Sunday, Thursday-Wednesday, etc.)


3. What kind of ads would you like to see or not see? (local music, national music, non-music, etc.)


4. What's a fair price for, say, 1 ad in rotation with 4 others for a week across the entire site? (or any other time, rotation and page combinations ya might find useful)


5. What other options would you like to see made available for running yer own banner ads on Cringe.com?

- Joel

USED KIDS TRIBUTE, PART I
Bernie's Distillery will be hosting the first in what appears to be a series of benefits for the recently-destroyed (yet recently resurrected) Used Kids Records, which burned down a few weeks back. The sh-bang at Bernie's is scheduled for Saturday, July 7, 2001, and will feature such fine local bands as the Jive Turkeys, Grafton, The Media Whores, plus more TBA!

USED KIDS TRIBUTE, PART II
Little Brother's is getting into the Used Kids benefit act on Sunday, July 15, 2001. At press time, the acts haven't been confirmed, but the cover will be "$5.00, 2 CD's or 5 records!" Sounds like a good way to unload those 101 Strings LP's clogging up your (uh, I mean your parents') record collection.

RECORD RELEASE BONANZA!

Soul-Fu Villains
The Soul-Fu Villains have a new CD out called The Nappy Man's Guide to Living. Expect a full horn section, turntables, guest vocalists and more. The disc was recorded by Jon Chinn at Workbook Studio, and will be unleashed upon the world at a CD release show on July 7, 2001, at Little Brother's. Check out www.soul-fu.com for more action.

Sugar Pill
Sugar Pill will be releasing a new CD at a record release show set for July 12 at The Brickyard. The over 50-minute CD is called Dose (SugarPill Music), and features 9 groove-filled songs that has equal parts rock, soul, jazz, and r&b. The CD was recorded by Tom Boyer at Oath Studios. Sugar Pill is Stubbs (bass), Schaeff (drums), Waz (guitar), Derrick (percussion), and Rick (vocals). Look up www.sugarpill.net for all the dirt!

- Pat Dull

LOCAL BUZZ ADDS MP3S
Ya may be used to seeing the playlist for Otterbein's The Local Buzz over at http://www.geocities.com/thelocalbuzz/. Well, now ya can listen to MP3s of all the tracks they play each week. There are also plans to include MP3s of the live instudio performances.

EAR SHOT RAW COMFEST AND MORE
Yep, there's been another update to the Ear Shot Raw section. This one includes pics from Comfest 2001, Alasdair, The Bloody Matt Dillons, The Bravado, The Cusacks, Hex On Wheels, The Marbles, Rancid Yak Butter Tea Party and Twincam.

WAVE YOUR BANNERS HERE
We're really close to some established banner advertising options on Cringe.com for local bands, venues, shows, events, stores, services, etc. But before we do, I thought I better get a bit more input from the general readership here:

Banner Ad Comments:
1. What pages or sections would you most like to place and/or see your banners on? (Message boards, Current Issue, Live Shows Calendar, Home Page, etc.)


2. What time periods for running ads would be most useful to you? (day, week, month, Monday-Sunday, Thursday-Wednesday, etc.)


3. What kind of ads would you like to see or not see? (local music, national music, non-music, etc.)


4. What's a fair price for, say, 1 ad in rotation with 4 others for a week across the entire site? (or any other time, rotation and page combinations ya might find useful)


5. What other options would you like to see made available for running yer own banner ads on Cringe.com?

- Joel

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHEN COMFEST IS THIS YEAR?
Okay, okay. Everyone knows COMfest is "this weekend" and all, but I betcha didn't know that the Comfest organizers, in addition to putting on a bitchin' party each year, are also a bunch of Johnny Come Do-Rights and bunnyhuggers, out to change the world! Check it out for yourself at their "Declaration of Principles."

There's so much to do at COMfest, it really boggles the mind. Although we here at The Lowdown don't usually pinpoint any single shows to write about, The Broken Circle Gospel Deluxe wrote the best e-mail to us, so they get the honors! The BCGD will be playing the Poplar Street Stage on Saturday, June 23. The BCGD has been on an indefinite hiatus due to Brother Billy's confinement at the John Erlichman Wing of the Gerald R Ford Federal Penitentiary for Male Fraud. Brother Billy has received a special work-release specifically for this revival, so this may be your last chance to see The BCGD in action. Check it out!

AFTER-COMFEST PARTY AT MY PLACE!!
Well, actually, no. I just wanted to see that in the Cringe flashing headlines at the top of the page. But there is an after-COMfest party at Little Brother's on Saturday, June 23, 2001, featuring The New Bomb Turks, Templeton (CD Release Show!), and The BaXters (pssst - you can't see any of these bands at Comfest). Show starts at 10pm and is $5 at the door. Well worth it.

GODZILLA VS. MEGA-TIARA
Just a short note to tell y'all that local band Tiara has a new CD and single in the works, and will apparently be playing some shows in Japan (!?!) in the near future. Check out their web-site for more details! http://www.cringe.com/tiara/

RECORD RELEASE INFO

adam
adam is releasing a music video called OK To Dream (on One Hoarse Town Productions). It was filmed at the old Funnybone in The Continent, and was directed by filmmaker Josef Salyer. The song originally appeared on adam's full-length record (shin jin rui). There will be a release show on June 21, 2001 @ the High Five. For more info, check out http://www.adam.org

- Pat Dull

EAR SHOT: RANCID YAK PREVIEW
OK, yet another Comfest tie in. When I recommended Rancid Yak Butter Tea Party to a Comfest entertainment committee member, they ran with it. Rancid Yak ended up with the much coveted Friday 9pm spot just before Friday closer, Howlin' Maggie. That's perty good for a band many hadn't heard previously. I know a lot of ya aren't familiar with them either, so here are a few pics and vids.

WAVE YOUR BANNERS HERE
We're really close to some established banner advertising options on Cringe.com for local bands, venues, shows, events, stores, services, etc. But before we do, I thought I better get a bit more input from the general readership here:

Banner Ad Comments:
1. What pages or sections would you most like to place and/or see your banners on? (Message boards, Current Issue, Live Shows Calendar, Home Page, etc.)


2. What time periods for running ads would be most useful to you? (day, week, month, Monday-Sunday, Thursday-Wednesday, etc.)


3. What kind of ads would you like to see or not see? (local music, national music, non-music, etc.)


4. What's a fair price for, say, 1 ad in rotation with 4 others for a week across the entire site? (or any other time, rotation and page combinations ya might find useful)


5. What other options would you like to see made available for running yer own banner ads on Cringe.com?

- Joel

EMO-CORE HITS COLUMBUS!
Don't wet yourselves, all you shoe-gazing crybabies ... I'm talking about the greatest comedian in the world!! Yes, Emo Philips will be appearing at the Columbus Funny Bone (located in the Easton Town Center) from Tuesday, June 26 to Sunday, June 30. Tickets are only $8.00. Opening act will not be Neutral Milk Hotel or Jets To Brazil.

GRAFTON, OHIO
Grafton recently finished recording for both its cringe.com/pilation contribution and the B-side to their first single, with local beer magnate (read: magnet) Dwayne. You may know Dwayne, as he plays with Mitch Mitchell's Terrifying Experience and once played with The Method and Pica Huss. The equipment (recently salvaged from the Magnetic Planet recording/practice space) shuddered, squealed, and nearly crapped out during the session, but ace knob-tweaker Joe Kelley saved their asses and muted out the noise like a pro. Both the single and com/pilation should be released this fall. Diamond Ike Midnight of Diaphragm Records has expressed some interest in the single, the A- side of which should feature a tune from Grafton's self-titled CD, which is on Derailleur Records.

SUMMER SHINDIG AT THE NEWPORT
Five local bands (Sister Flow, Uncle Sam's Dream Machine, The Big Creak, Station, and Gravy) will take the stage at the Newport Music Hall on Friday June 29. Tickets are only $5 and are available through any of the bands to avoid ticket bastard surcharge.

Also, the next day you can catch Sister Flow and The Big Creak again at the Summer Shindig, located at Fran Bar Park, just five miles east of 270 on East Broad Street in Pataskala. The show also features the music of The Johnson Brothers, Poop House Reilly, Max Power Trio, Fenster and Chuck's Junk. Advance tickets can be purchased at Singing Dog Records for $8 or you can get yours at the gate for $10. Part of the shows proceeds go to benefit the Short North Youth Choir.

SEASON'S END
Season's End are currently filming 2 videos ("yes, real videos!") for 2 songs from the forthcoming CD with director/script writer (and OSU faculty member) Brian Hauser. Lots of OSU campus-area footage has already been shot (Little Brother's, Frambes Ave, Blue Danube, etc). Plans are to have a cd/video release party in November. In the meantime, the band will be working on their next CD, the follow-up to 2000's Trenches, as a guitar-bass-drums trio.

RECORD RELEASE INFO

The Azoic
Local band The Azoic will be having a release show for their new CD on June 30, 2001, at Outland. The CD is called forward ... (Nilaihah Records), and will feature 11 songs of electronic dance and industrial music (with female vocals), as well as remixes by Assemblage 23, Flesh Field, Fiction 8, and Oneiroid Psychosis. The CD was recorded at Nilaihah Studios by the band. Check out http://www.nilaihah.com/azoic.htm for more info!

- Pat Dull

EAR SHOT RAW UPDATES
I've added pictures to Ear Shot Raw from May 26-June 16, 2001. It includes Bigfoot's reunion show, some locals from the Underground's Springfest, the West Memphis 3 benefit and even one of Silo the Huskie on CD 101's Independent Playground. I'll probably have the Comfest 2001 shots by this time next week.

WAVE YOUR BANNERS HERE
We're really close to some established banner advertising options on Cringe.com for local bands, venues, shows, events, stores, services, etc. But before we do, I thought I better get a bit more input from the general readership here:

Banner Ad Comments:
1. What pages or sections would you most like to place and/or see your banners on? (Message boards, Current Issue, Live Shows Calendar, Home Page, etc.)


2. What time periods for running ads would be most useful to you? (day, week, month, Monday-Sunday, Thursday-Wednesday, etc.)


3. What kind of ads would you like to see or not see? (local music, national music, non-music, etc.)


4. What's a fair price for, say, 1 ad in rotation with 4 others for a week across the entire site? (or any other time, rotation and page combinations ya might find useful)


5. What other options would you like to see made available for running yer own banner ads on Cringe.com?

- Joel

USED KIDS RECORDS UPDATE
Well, the dust has settled a bit around the fire at Used Kids Records last week. Word from the Dispatch is that around 70,000 titles were lost to the fire. Scuttlebutt is that co-owner Dan Dow is looking to relocate (temporarily) in as little as a month or two.

Idea for benefit show: admission = $10, with the Used Kids staff working the door. You can "buy" your way in with used records, tapes, and CD's, with the Used Kids staff hurtling their subtle insults regarding your taste in music (insults free with admission). One Little Richard record gets you VIP treatment, but 20 Blink 182 CD's won't even get you through the door (might help re-build the dollar bin stock, though ...)

INSECT SIREN WEEKEND ROCK FEST!
Dave Gibson (from The Cusacks) is putting together a two-night weekend bash of rock especially for YOU! The shows will help promote a compilation CD coming soon on his Insect Siren label. Check out the action at Bernie's Distillery this Friday, June 15 (w/ 84 Nash, The Igniters, and Luimang), as well as Saturday, June 16 (w/ The Cusacks, The Bravado and Alasdair).

MEDIA WHORES GIVE IT AWAY!
This Friday, June 15, 2001, check out the Media Whores at the High Five for their second record release show this month! The Whores are set to unleash their latest 7-inch single upon the world, featuring the 1-2 punch of "Feel It!" b/w "Can You Keep A Secret?" The first 25 cools and honeys to purchase a single will also get a free CD-Rom QuickTime movie of the Whores live on TV-19! Their pals The Bravado and Mohio will also be playing!

UPCOMING RECORD RELEASES

Templeton
Templeton is gearing up to release their latest CD (actually a 3-song e.p.) called Useful on Derailleur Records. It was recorded at OATH Studios by Tom Boyer and Doug Beale, and will cost a mere $3. Pick it up at their after-Comfest release show on June 23, 2001, at Little Brother's. More on this show next week. For more info, visit www.cringe.com/templeton.

Janine
Local artist Janine will be releasing a CD in the near future entitled Many Sides on the Orange Apple label. It was recorded at the Orange Apple Studios by Janine and eRic ZieLinski, and will retail at about $7.00. For more info, e-mail Janine at [email protected].

- Pat Dull

EAR SHOT RAW SEEING DOUBLE
We'll late last week the new Ear Shot Raw section roughly doubled in size. We've added a whole slew of pics taken from March 23-May 25, 2001. This almost catches us up with the backlog of pictures. What next? Maybe the videos. Maybe pictures from yer collection. Maybe more old school Ear Shot video and picture pages. Let us know what you'd like to see.

OTHER CRINGE UPDATES & ACTIVITIES
The current reviews section has been perty active the last week or two. I even managed to take time to write on myself.

Anyone listen to The Independent Playground Thursday? Silo the Huskie and I were the guests. It was also an all Ohio, in fact I believe all Columbus show. We previewed a 3 new never aired before Silo songs. I also whipped out a few rarities such as an unreleased Hairy Patt Band cut ("No Balls At All") and a cut from Tim(othy) Easton's first tape, ("Duct Tape Shoes" from Goody Boy). I also passed on Lizard's mp3 only "Used Kids" song which they played Sunday night in tribute to, well, you guess.

Speaking of Comfest, the calendar itself has been updated. Only a few shows have changed:

WAVE YOUR BANNERS HERE
We're really close to some established banner advertising options on Cringe.com for local bands, venues, shows, events, stores, services, etc. But before we do, I thought I better get a bit more input from the general readership here:

Banner Ad Comments:
1. What pages or sections would you most like to place and/or see your banners on? (Message boards, Current Issue, Live Shows Calendar, Home Page, etc.)


2. What time periods for running ads would be most useful to you? (day, week, month, Monday-Sunday, Thursday-Wednesday, etc.)


3. What kind of ads would you like to see or not see? (local music, national music, non-music, etc.)


4. What's a fair price for, say, 1 ad in rotation with 4 others for a week across the entire site? (or any other time, rotation and page combinations ya might find useful)


5. What other options would you like to see made available for running yer own banner ads on Cringe.com?

- Joel

USEDKIDS DISASTER
Local record haven/heaven UsedKids Records apparently fell victim to an electrical fire at 3 AM on Monday, June 4, 2001. To those not familiar, UsedKids Records is probably the best "used recording" meccas of the Midwest, and word on the street is that it will take upwards of six months to repair the damage (if it gets repaired at all). Looks like the entire building will be gutted. UsedKids would buy about anything that any local artist put out for its "Local Music" section. It is indeed a sad day for Columbus music.

BLATANT FINGER FACELIFT
Local rockers Blatant Finger have completely redone their entire website, and urge the good people of Columbus to come and "share the love." Check it out at http://www.blatantfinger.com/

RECORD RELEASE MADNESS

Greenhouse Effect and Illogic
Greenhouse Effect (group) and Illogic (solo artist) make up Weightless Recordings, and they will soon be releasing Weightless Presents The B-Sides: Blatant Battle Raps (Weightless Recordings) on CD in the near future. It is a 72-minute collection of exclusive songs, remixes, and freestyles from the Columbus label responsible for the critically acclaimed releases by Greenhouse Effect (Up To Speed ep) and Illogic (Unforeseen Shadows LP). It was recorded at 1BR Studios, and we are assured that the retail price will be quite reasonable (subject to stores' retail price). A record release show will be held on Saturday, June 23 @ 10pm. Where, you ask? At Dragonfly (located at 247 King Ave. in Columbus, OH). The show will feature an open mic and live performances by Greenhouse Effect, Illogic, Drown, EDOTKOM, MHz (megahertz), the Vinyl B-Boys, Spitball, and the Superpowers. The admission will be a mere $7! Check out www.weightless.net for more info!

Sugar Pill
Sugar Pill will soon be releasing their latest CD, called Dose (SugarPill Music), featuring 9 songs comprising over 50 minutes of music. Sugar Pill is Stubbs (bass), Schaeff (drums), Waz (guitar), Derrick (percussion), and Rick (vocals). Together, Sugar Pill creates a groove-filled style of music that has equal parts rock, soul, jazz, and r&b. The CD was recorded by Tom Boyer at Oath Studios, and will be released in Summer 2001, with a record release show set for July 12 at The Brickyard. Advance copies of the CD have been distributed to local radio stations and sold to members of the Sugar Pill fan club. The single "Standing Next To God" has received airplay on 90.5 WCBE, and John Carroll University's radio station (in Cleveland) featured an half hour show dedicated to showcasing the new CD. Look up www.sugarpill.net for all the dirt!

- Pat Dull

EAR SHOT RAW
Some of you may have already discovered the new Ear Shot Raw addition through the message board. What we've done is set up a way to view nearly all the big, raw, untouched pics taken from roughly December 2000-March 2001. I'll be adding more recent ones as time, energy and priorities allow. Some galleries have quite a few images and may not be generated yet, so when ya visit, give it a few seconds to react and display. Also keep in mind, I ain't no photographer. In fact, some of the pictures downright suck. You have been warned.

COMFEST 2001 SCHEDULE
The Comfest 2001 schedule has been announced. Here's Cringe's version, correct as of about 11:00am June 1, 2001: http://www.cringe.com/contacts/comfest2001.htm.

INDEPENDENT PLAYGROUND INTERVIEW
Our old friend Chad Painter has an interview with Tom and Rudy of CD 101's Independent Playground. And if ya tune in this Thursday, 11pm-1am, you may just catch Silo the Huskie and me on the air with Tom and Rudy to talk about the Cringe.com/pilation.

CRINGE COMP SHOW JUNE 8 @ LITTLE BROS.
Yep, it's time for another Cringe.com/pilation show. This one is June 8 at Little Brother's with Guinea Worms, Silo the Huskie and the Jive Turkeys. This is Silo's first show in several months and the Turkeys and Worms both just released CDs.

This is the last Cringe.com/pilation support show until the release show (tentatively September 29, 2001). The more we raise at these shows, the more CDs we can press and distribute. So come on out if ya wanna make sure we get enough for everyone. See http://www.cringe.com/pilation/ for press releases and more info.

- Joel

RECORD RELEASE INFO

Dirt Bike Annie
Dirt Bike Annie will be playing a Record Release show this Saturday, June 2, 2001, at the High Five. DBA hail from New York City, and are celebrating the release of a 7-inch single called Superscope (on Columbus' own Break-Up! Records). The 4-song e.p. will be on colored vinyl and come with a free button for the first few purchasers, so check it out!

eRic ZieLinski
eRic ZieLinski will be releasing a CD called Java Incident (on Orange Apple Records) in mid-July. It was recorded at Orange Apple Studios and Cowtown Sound, and will only cost about $7.00. The album will be a mix of studio and live recordings, some of which was recorded in Columbus at Oldfield's(on 4th) and the Thirsty Ear Tavern. A few special musicians appear on the new album. Check out http://www.ericz.org for more info.

- Pat Dull

OSU SPRINGFEST FRIDAY, JUNE 1
Well, we were expecting a guest columnist from The Underground for the Lowdown this week. But with the holiday weekend I think things got lost in the shuffle. If they get something to us before Wednesday, I may update things here, so check back Wednesday. In the meantime, jump over to http://www.underground.fm/springfest/ to read more about the Underground's Springfest this Friday, June 1, 3pm-1am.

LITTLE BROTHER'S ANNIVERSARY
According to my records and memory this week marks the anniversary of the first real show at Little Brother's. Yeah, there may have been a few shows scheduled before that but things like moving complications and permits delayed a full opening until May 28, 1997. What was that first show? Yo La Tengo and Magnetic Fields.

- Joel

BATMAN 'TIL THE COWS COME HOME
Don Bovee (or Don "B" when he's drinking his juice) will be celebrating his 874th birthday this Thursday, May 24, 2001 at Bernie's Distillery. Helping the man celebrate will be Howlin' Maggie, Greenhorn, Grafton, and Jack Diesel.

OBJECTIVE NEWS REPORTING or SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION?
The good folks here at Cringe.com are putting together what is rapidly turning into a series of compilation CDs to promote local music. To help curb costs (and not to feed sundry drug addictions, as has been rumored), Cringe.com has sponsored several fund-raising shows to get the fucker in gear. The first compilation CD (tentatively entitled Cringe.com/pilation vol. 1.0) has a scheduled release date of September 29, 2001, if all goes well. Needless to say, it's a time-honored Columbus tradition to set a release date and not having the product in time!

Cringe has gathered together the following local artists and bands for the first CD: Bigfoot, The Bygones, Earwig, Tim Easton, Grafton, Guinea Worms, The Honeys, Jack Neat, The Jive Turkeys, The Marbles, Media Whores, A Planet For Texas, Pretty Mighty Mighty, Rancid Yak Butter Tea Party, The Randys, Silo The Huskie, Superstar Rookie, Templeton, Tiara and The Velveteens. Other bands are currently being courted for future compilations.

Two shows will be held this weekend to support the effort. Here's the dilly-o:

• Friday, May 25, 2001 @ Little Brother's
  Templeton
  The Marbles
  The Velveteens

• Saturday, May 26, 2001 @ Little Brother's
  Bigfoot
  The Media Whores
  Estee Louder

Coupons for the compilation CD are available with a paid admission at each show. If you don't lose your coupon in the intervening months, you can redeem it for a free copy of the CD at the Fall 2001 release show. Look for further information and online press kits at http://www.cringe.com/pilation/ as future shows approach and details are ironed out.

MORE MIND-NUMBING RECORD RELEASE INFO

Planet 12
Planet 12 are planning on releasing a seven-song CD entitled FrequenC (on AMN Records) in the coming months ahead. It was recorded by Neal Schmitt at Workbook Studio. A CD Release party will be held on October 12, 2001, at Northberg Tavern, with special guest Fletch. Check out www.Planet-12.com for more details.

The Chevy Chasers
The Chevy Chasers just put out a CD last week called Hughs And Kisses (on Look Hot! Records). It features nine original songs, and was recorded at their drummer's basement (and dorm room) by their keyboardist! The band describes themselves as "The all male collegiate version of The Shaggs having a good time and making noise." (Wait a minute, wasn't that exactly what The Shaggs were?) Anyway, if you want to go to their CD release party, you're out of luck because it was also last week, chump! E-mail your regrets to [email protected]. Fun Fact about the band: "Every show consists of a mandatory 5 - 20 minute version of 'Wild Thing' that will undoubtedly turn into 'Louie Louie' and 'Vicious' several times." Sounds like The Chevy Chasers should be playing at Don "B is for Batman" Bovee's birthday party.

Soul-Fu Villains
The Soul-Fu Villains have a new CD out called The Nappy Man's Guide to Living. Expect a full horn section, turntables, guest vocalists and more. The disc was recorded by Jon Chinn at Workbook Studio, and will be unleashed upon the world at a CD Release Show on July 7th 2001, at Little Brother's. Check out www.soul-fu.com for more action.

- Pat Dull

THE BIG FREE CONCERT
The Big Free Concert, a student run concert festival held at OSU, is this Friday, May 25 from 4pm to midnight. It features OAR, Red Wanting Blue, Ordinary Peoples, Gravity 44, Empathy, Virginia Coalition, The Argument, Oval Opus, Gabe Dixon Band, Five O'clock Shadow and Homunculous. Contact [email protected] for more info.

NEW SITES FOR SORE EYES
The Oldfield's on High, High Five and Little Brother's Web sites have all undergone substantial changes in recent weeks or months -- all for the better from what I can see. I don't plan to make a habit of announcing new or redesigned sites, but I thought these and the synchronicity were noteworthy. Plus, I wanted to give a nod to the people doing the sites -- It's made my work a bit easier.

BIGFOOT REUNITES AT CRINGE COMPILATION WEEKEND
I know Pat already mentioned the Cringe.com/pilation shows this weekend. I wanted to add that this also marks Bigfoot's first show in something like a year ... maybe two. Some of Columbus music's most respected and celebrated songwriters and musicians, members of Bigfoot have also been integral members of Bob City, Ugly Stick, Heifer, the Townsmen and more. See http://www.cringe.com/issues/8.1/misc.shtml and http://www.cringe.com/bigfoot/ for more Bigfoot information.

EAR SHOT: THE MEDIA WHORES HEAD AND HAIR BANGING
Pat Dull's own Media Whores are the newest addition to Ear Shot. Also, many of you have requested copies of the pictures and movies I've taken. I'm working on a simple way to get them all up in their raw (i.e. large, and not optimized for the Web) form. Something will likely be in place by next week.

- Joel

CYNICAL ... MOI?
This Friday, May 18 at the High Five check out one of the greatest frontmen around, in Pittsburgh's favorite sons The Cynics. Opening up will be local booze hounds, Grafton. Show starts around 10pm.

FLICKER, ER, SWIZZLE-STICK
Swizzle-Stick.com has posted new interviews that might be of interest to Ohio lo-fi rock fans. The interviews are with GBV's Bob Pollard and Great Plains' Ron House and Mark Wyatt. The GBV interview centers around the release of the new CD while the Great Plains interview gives a good history of the band from two different perspectives. Check it out at http://www.swizzle-stick.com

BACK-SEAT ACTION
The Proms' sophomore release (Second Base) is finally out, and you can purchase it right now online at: www.promsonline.com. It's $10 ppd. The CD release party is at Bernie's on Friday, May 18th, 2001. The rock should start at around 9pm. The line up for this show will be: Neverwhere, The Chevy Chaser's, and The Prom's (w/ special guests). If you need directions email The Proms at: [email protected].

UPCOMING RECORD RELEASE SHOWS

Johnson Brothers
Their upcoming CD release (Quintessential Honey) was recorded at Oath Studios by Tom Boyer and Doug Beale. The release date is set for Friday June 22 (Comfest weekend!) at Little Brother's. The CD will include "Music + Mind", "Out Of Tune", "Highest", and "Quintessential Honey" and 9 other tracks. Guest musicians include Quinn Fallon (X-rated Cowboys) and Mike Pingway (Gravy). The band tells us, "It promises to be more eclectic than previous release, and includes fun interludes between some songs, plus a hilarious Richard Pryor sample." Check out www.thejbros.com for more info.

Myopia
Myopia plans on releasing a CD called Superhero on Greazy Spoon Records featuring the singles "Lie To You", "Superhero", and "Nasty Groove". It was recorded at Joemon Studios by Joe Morris. The scheduled release date is May 19, 2001, at Gameworks (Easton Town Center). Check out http://www.myopia-rocks.com for more info.

The Emerald Down
The Emerald Down will be releasing their CD (Scream The Sound) in June/July 2001. It's an eleven song CD recorded and mastered in Chicago, IL. The first single from the album is called "Caught A Wave," which can be downloaded on MP3.com. Keep yourself updated by emailing [email protected]

One.Point.Three
One.Point.Three are releasing a CD called Self-Destructica in the late fall. It was recorded at Deadly Toothpaste Studios, and features 7-8 guitar/bass/drum/vocal songs and 3-4 noise/confusion tracks. It's an album "4 years in the making ... for better or worse ..." Contact them at [email protected]

HEY HO! LET'S GO!!!
Ramones-a-thon is Wednesday, May 23 at Little Brother's. If you remember the last one 2 yrs. ago, it was a blast! This time around we got 20 bands doing 60 different Ramones tunes. Doors open at 7pm with a special showing of Rock n' Roll High School. Bands start at 9pm sharp with all night videos, trivia, guest MC's, a Joey look-alike contest, and general drunken rock & roll mayhem. $5 at the door benefits Lymphoma/cancer research. Mark your calendars!

BENEFIT FOR THE WEST MEMPHIS THREE
A benefit for the West Memphis Three will take place on Sunday, June 3, 2001 at High Five (http://www.highfivebar.com/). June 3 has been declared National West Memphis Three Awareness Day by a worldwide network of West Memphis Three supporters. It is the anniversary of the arrests of the West Memphis Three. There will be simultaneous events going on around the country.

Who are the The West Memphis Three? They are Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley, Jr. To find out more information about this case, including how the police and people of West Memphis, Arkansas conducted a witch hunt for the brutal murders of three 8 year old boys, check out http://www.wm3.org/.

The following bands will be showing their support on Sunday, June 3rd at the High Five:

• New Bomb Turks (Columbus, Ohio)
• Swampass (Chicago, IL)
• Behemoth (Columbus, OH)
• Grafton (Columbus, OH)
• Hellbound Truckers (Hebron, OH)
• Thoracic Disruptor (Wheeling, WV)
• Once Again (Wheeling, WV)

Pick up the Spring Issue of the Columbus Free Press for an article about the West Memphis Three, the films, the benefit CD and the Support Fund. This article is also available on-line through MK Ultra Magazine.

SILO SONG ON THE MTV SHOW
MTV's Road Rules played a song from Silo The Huskie<'s Cargo/Headhunter debut last week. Apparently they played "Low Star," and if you want to hear it, it's on the latest episode of Road Rules v/s Real World. Silo will start recording their next record at 9 am this Saturday at Workbook Studio. Look for the record to be in stores, and on College radio in early September!

- Pat Dull

MORE GOOD NEWS FROM THE INDEPENDENT PLAYGROUND
Last week we mentioned CD 101's Independent Playground will be expanding with a Thursday 11pm-1am run. Well, this week we found out the original Sunday spot is going to be on 2 hours earlier - 10pm-12m. These changes should kick in this week. So now we can all hear twice as much indie and local music while getting to bed at a decent hour!

This last Sunday's show included the following locals:

• Kopaz - Uniform (Unsigned)
• Betaroric - Props (Passacaglia)
• The Lack - Eight (Troubleman Unlimited)
• A Planet For Texas - Theme From A Planet For Texas (Diaphragm)
• The Jive Turkeys - Headstomper (Derailleur)
• The Vincents - Mainstream (Unsigned)

EAR SHOT: ESTEE LOUDER FOR MOM
In honor of Mother's Day, their new 7" and their expecting drummer, Estee Louder is featured in this week's Ear Shot.

- Joel

OVER THE HILL BIRTHDAY BASH
Jimbo Stiers is hosting his very own birthday bash at Bernie's Distillery this Friday, May 11, 2001. The bill is Stagger Lee and the Heathens, There's Hope Yet (from Akron), Blatant Finger and C.D. Truth (apparently Akron's longest running punk band; "over a decade worth of ass-kickin'!!!"). The ass-kickin' will begin promptly at 10pm

TEMPLETON UPDATE
Templeton are headed to NYC late this month, with supporting shows in DC, NJ, WV, and PA. They're also about halfway through their next full-length, to be released in September on an as-of-yet unannounced label.

Meanwhile, their 3-song CD EP is completely finished except for the artwork (provided by internationally famous, yet local, erotic photographer, Chas Krider). The CD-EP (entitled Useful, on Derailleur Records), will be released on Saturday, June 23 (Comfest Weekend) at Little Brother's, at an after-show sponsored by Revolver Magazine. On Tuesday, May 15, they will be appearing live on WOBN (Otterbein College) to premiere the Useful CD. Check out www.cringe.com/templeton or email [email protected] for more info.

MORE RAMONES MANIA

Homage to Joey
June 9 at High Five will feature Ron House, Mike Rep, Screaming Urge, BL & The Drug Mothers and a special guest TBA in a night inspired by Joey Ramone. With an open Mic from 9-10 and a Joey Ramone sing-a-long conclusion, no-passive-observers is the evening's motto.

Ramones-a-thon
Wednesday, May 23 at Little Brother's Ike (from A Planet For Texas and Diaphragm Records) is putting this one on. Hoo-boy, be prepared for a real fast-moving, plug in & play kind of night. All proceeds after sound & expenses will go to a lymphoma/cancer charity:

Screaming Urge
The Baxters
A Planet For Texas
Last Hotel
Johnny Rebel & Paul Bearer
Old Jewish Men
Starvos
The Vincents
The Vague
The Sovines
The Bad Pudding
Jackalopes
Kingrods
Media Whores (2 bands)
Stainless Mind
Bedrockers
Slunk
Bastard Squad of America
Greg from Toll/Andyman
The Spurning

THE MOFO FREAKIN' ROCK SHOW #4
Saturday, May 19, 2001 at High Five, featuring Templeton, The BaXters, Salthorse, and The Kingrods. Sponsored by: Revolver, ColumbusMusic.com, Kinko's, WOBN, 1EarMedia. Show starts at 8:19am and costs $1,052.32 at the door.

- Pat Dull

INDEPENDENT PLAYGROUND PLAYTIME DOUBLED
The folks over at CD 101's Independent Playground and local indie fans in general have reason to celebrate. On top of the original award-winning Sunday night, er, Monday morning 12am-2am show, there is now an additional Thursday 11pm-1am slot.

The most recent show included the following locals:

• The Vincents - "Crossing The Line" (Unsigned)
• The Jive Turkeys - "Charleston, WV" (Derailleur)
• Blow Up - "Forbidden Planet" (Blood Of The Young)
• A Planet For Texas - "Cowtippin'" (Diaphragm)

MORE THAN MUSIC FEST 2001
I believe this is the first time in several years that the More than Music Fest is not the same weekend as Comfest. Here's more info from the source:

Columbus, Ohio: June 14-16, 2001 Four days in Columbus, Ohio filled with music, film, workshops and more. There are limited tickets available! We expect this to sell out in advance, and the festival has already told us that no ticket will be available at the door.

"For the past nine years, The More Than Music Fest has been a rare example in the underground music scene: A progressive collective bringing an incredibly diverse group of artists and audiences together to share music, ideas, and ideals. The More Than Music Fest has lived up to its name, creating a forum where music itself can be the medium that brings people together, and where a discussion of politics can move beyond the rhetoric of government or activism and into the realms of philosophy, aesthetics, ethics, ethnicity, environment, and the choices we make every day. For 2001, The More Than Music Fest pushes this idea even farther."

Bands include: Suicide, Moss Icon (first show in over 10 years!), The Locust, Milemarker, Alec Empire, The Rapture, The Mercury Program, Q and Not U, Convocation Of, Song of Zarathustra, I Am Spoonbender, Bride of No No, Archer Prewitt, Thrones, Teeth of the Hydra, Dead and Gone, New Terror Class, Nic Endo, The Need, DJ? Acucrack, High On Fire, The Lack, RJD2/Soul, Position OH MY GOD!!! There are more bands to be announced.

EAR SHOT: NSA RELEASE SHOW
We just put up some vids and pics from the NSA's March 10, 2001 release show. NSA will also be at High Five Thursday, May 10 with The Sites and The Fantastic.

- Joel

BANDS WITH THE RUNS
This Sunday, May 6, 2001, at 10:00 PM, the program Bands On The Run (on VH-1) will premiere the Columbus, OH episode. For those unfamiliar with the show, the concept is to unleash four bands on a town, and see which band can drum up the most support in three days, as tallied by the end-of-the-night receipts. See your favorite local barflies and gad-abouts as they attempt in vain to sleep with the fabulous ladies of Harlow. Word on the street is that several Columbus bands are in the running for the next Bands On The Run series.

WHAT IS THE FREQUENCY, PLANET 12?
Local band Planet 12 will be releasing a CD called Frequency (Little Dogs Productions). A release show will be held in early October at Oldfield's on High. Write [email protected] or visit www.planet-12.com for more details.

- Pat Dull

ORCHESTRAVILLE AND FRIENDS
Keith Hanlon, Orchestraville's drummer, dropped Cringe a note with a few items ...

Orchestraville has finally wrapped up recording and re-recording for their next CD. Though the final release and a summer tour may be a few months off, the tune "Weatherblown" is already getting airplay on WCBE.

Keith, along with Jon Chinn and Neal Schmidt of Pretty Mighty Mighty and Workbook Studio, will be backing Ron Hester. Last fall Hester recorded his debut album at Workbook with Jon and Neal. The Columus show is at High Five Thursday, May 3.

ELE-MENTAL FLIGHTS GROUNDED
The Ele-mental collective has been hosting regular electronic/experimental music events at the DFLY Annex for the last several months. However the group is dissappointed to announce that "due to lack of audience, and lack of time to promote the event properly, future Flights have been grounded."

The collective, which celebrates its 9th Anniversary this month, will still be hosting and promoting less regular events such as UP at the DFLY Annex on Saturday, May 19. Ideas for future events or input can be sent to [email protected].

Ele-mental also notes that this is the 10th anniversary of the formation of Body Release. Body Release's members -- Todd Sines, Titonton Duvante, Charles Noel and Mike Szewzyck -- are now some of Columbus' most familar and active electronic music creators and supporters. It made me feel a bit proud when I found out years later that I was the first one to book BR for a live show some 9 years ago or so.

THE BIG ROCK SHOW II, MAY 5
I'm gonna be lazy and just quote this message. I couldn't really present in a better or more useful way any way ...

The Otterbein High Risk Drinking Prevention Coalition presents
"The Big Rock Show II"
Saturday, May 5, 2001
11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Behind the Campus Center at Otterbein College in Westerville, Oh
Donations will be taken to benefit "Directions for Youth"

Featuring Performances by:

• The Stepford Five-9:50 p.m.
• Stonevelvet-9:00 p.m.
• 79 Grove-8:15 p.m.
• The Big Creak-7:25 p.m.
• Scott Gorsuch-6:40 p.m.
• Kopaz-5:50 p.m.
• Myopia-5:05 p.m.
• The Velveteens-4:25 p.m.
• Those Darn Amigos-3:40 p.m.
• No Tagbacks-2:50 p.m.
• Poop House Reilly-2:05 p.m.
• The Moon Dance Experiment-1:15 pm.
• Uncle Owen-12:30 p.m.

Plus food, games, inflatables and much more!

Co-sponsared by the Otterbein Campus Programming Board and 101.5 fm, "The Rock"/wobn.net

Admission is free!

More info and mp3's by the bands at http://www.geocities.com/thelocalbuzz/concert.html

Schedule and times of performers are subject to change without notice.

No alcohol permitted on site.

EDEN'S CRUSH POPSTARS
I meant to bring this up a week or three ago. Anyone watch that Popstars show on UPN/WB/53? It's one of those "Making the Band" type reality shows where they audition a bunch of women until they narrow it down to 5 to form the next big girl band -- Eden's Crush in this case.

Well, I found out a few weeks ago that there's a perty strong Columbus and personal connection to the band. Rosanna Tavarez was studying Dance at OSU before she got the call from Popstars. (I wondered where she went.) Rosanna also ushered over at Wexner Center where I got to boss her around and trade hair grooming tips. (Um, we both had shaved heads at the time.)

Eden's Crush is now a national top 10 pop group, holding the number two single spot just a couple weeks ago. The full album, entitled Popstars, hits the racks today - May 1, 2001. So there. Maybe ya can make it big outta Columbus.

CRINGE COMPILATION SHOW III, MAY 5
OK, I promise not to bug ya all with this for a couple weeks. But the more money we raise, the more CDs we can press and the cheaper we can get 'em.

The next Cringe.com/pilation show is this Saturday, May 5 at High 5. Yeah, Cinco de Mayo or 5/5 at High 5. The bands are Tiara, Rancid Yak Butter Tea Party (whew!) and The Honeys.

The quick scoop: Tiara has been compared to Pavement, Built to Spill and Moviola. Rancid Yak has obvious Mr. Bungle leanings -- schizophrenic cartoon hardcore theremin music. The Honeys feature members of Rancid Yak, Templeton and Electric Porn with the Donnas as a suspected influence.

Tiara is also the featured band over in Earshot this week.

- Joel

SUPERGROUP, COLUMBUS-STYLE
This Saturday, April 28, at Oldfield's on High (2590 N. High St.), The Healers will be making their full-band debut opening the night for Watershed. Who exactly are The Healers, you ask? Well, it's none other than Bob Bellas (Soul Fu Villains), Rick Kinsinger (Pfifer), Jeff Tayama (Cleopatra Grip, Born Digital), John Bellas (Stonebyrd, Fletch), and Bobby Cloyd (Aerosmith). They hit the boards at approximately 10:30. Check 'em out!

IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME
Joey Ramone, dead. Ramones-A-Thon. Wednesday, May 23. Little Brother's. 'Nuff said.

STANDS FOR ULTRA VIOLET
Goth fans rejoice! An ex-Lestat member from Cleveland, Ohio has a new band called UV with a CD due out in July 2001. UV is also planning a show at Outland real soon.

PUNK ROCKERS GET ALL THE CHICKS
Local punk-popsters Blatant Finger have been sponsored by Jagermeister, complete with photo ops with the Jager-ette girls. Also, the band got a ripping review of their CD (Sit and Spin) in a recent issue of Maximum Rock'n'Roll. Check 'em out live, as apparently a Blatant Finger show is, and I quote, "nothin' but TITTY FLASHIN' and BEER DRINKIN'!!!"

- Pat Dull

COMFEST APPLICATIONS DUE THIS FRIDAY, APRIL 27
If you wanna have any hope of playing Comfest this year, ya better get yer act together. Comfest applications are due this Friday, April 27. You can get apps at Monkey's Retreat, Used Kids Records or http://www.comfest.com/appspdf.html. If you don't apply, you won't play. If it helps convince any of you to toss yer name into the hat, this may be the year I finally take time to participate in the selection process.

RELEASES GALORE
I just felt the need to say that local musicians are dishing out new releases faster than, um, my camera can shoot these days. I think there were 5 new arrivals in the last week alone. If you've bothered to read any of this, you should go out and buy at least one of them.

CRINGE COMP, GRAFTON RELEASE APRIL 28 @ BERNIE'S
The next Cringe.com/pilation show is this Saturday, April 28 at Bernie's. The show also celebrates the release of Grafton's self-titled debut CD. (Um, I helped a bit with the CD layout.) A Planet for Texas and the Bygones round ot out the bill nicely, thank you. Once again, we'll be handing out coupons good for a free copy of the Cringe.com/pilation CD at the fall release show.

Oh, Grafton is also this week's Ear Shot addition.

LOOK ALIVE, COLUMBUS
I meant to mention this last week - Columbus Alive's Web site has had a major face lift. Also the upcoming issue should contain both the Alive's Local Music Guide and a story on the Cringe.com/pilation with a bit about Cringe and, yeah, me.

- Joel

SHOOTOUT WITH THEM WRANCH AND GERALDINE
This Thursday, April 19, 2001, Bernie's Distillery hosts a dual record release show for Them Wranch and Geraldine. I haven't heard the Geraldine LP yet, but the new Them Wranch platter (called Medium Rare) is amazingly good! The Shams open the show.

MARBLE MAGNETS
Local popsters The Marbles have a rave review of their latest CD (Seduction) in this month's issue of Magnet Magazine. The reviewer name-checks The Go-Go's and Josie Cotton before finally settling on Holly and the Italians.

DON'T HECKLE WITH DR. JECKLE
Local metal band Mr. Hyde will soon be releasing an independent CD entitled Mr. Hyde in the near future. A release show is scheduled at the High Five for June 22, 2001, at a blowout entitled The High Five Metal Showcase. For more metal mayhem, check out http://home.columbus.rr.com/mrhyde/

- Pat Dull

THE SOVINES COME ALIVE
The Sovines are recording their show at Little Brother's this Wednesday, April 18 for posterity -- or at least a live CD. Magarac and Gunshy Ministers (which has a love-hate relationship with Cringe) are also on the bill.

EAR SHOT: THE JIVE TURKEYS SEEN, HEARD AND RELEASED
Yeah, this is an update I meant to play up more the first time around ... The newest Ear Shot is up. It features the Jive Turkeys, who are celebrating the release of their first official studio CD this Friday, April 20 at Little Brother's. The show also includes the Randys, Bloody Matt Dillons, and the Bygones.

DIA-FRICKUM-PHREEKUM-PHRAGM RECORDS
We've put up that interview with Diamond Ike Midnight of Diaphragm Records, A Planet for Texas and Little Brother's. Former Lowdown lead, Chad Painter, did the interview. He has some other features in the works.

CRINGE UPDATES, ARCHIVED AND PURGED
I archived much of the long unarchived current issue. So check yer bookmarks to make sure yer getting the current issue (11.1).

I also officially removed the Local Play section from the new current issue. I simply didn't have the time and energy to carry on with it. If there is a strong interest in keeping it going and someone willing to help do just that, I have no problem with resurrecting it.

MY FAVORITE MESSAGE OF THE WEEK
Maybe this will be a new regular feature ... And it's one we don't have to write.

THE BAXTERS

---

Hi, we're The Baxters. Sometimes known as "The Stalkers." The reason we are sometimes called "The Stalkers" is that, occasionally, we stand outside local rock fans' apartments late at night wearing nothing but trenchcoats, pantyhose and garter belts. Does that seem strange? We think its just plain, flat out, cool. The Baxters, as you know, are all about cool.

Anyway, if you want to see us at our coolest, here's some shows we are doing:

---

Thursday, May 3rd @ Oldfields
We're opening for Twin Cam and NSA
We ain't/aren't sure if anyone has told Oldfield's yet because they (Oldfield's) were a little pissed at us last time we played there (December 1999). They felt, that perhaps we were a little loud, if you can believe that crap. We have changed since then. We are so much more polite. Just see what our mom's had to say:

Kent's Mom: "...and they are such nice young men, and handsome too"
Drew's Mom: "...WOW! I have a son??"
John's Mom: "...cough, cough, cough, hey Jerry, pass the crack pipe"

SEE THERE - they didn't say we were loud.

---

The MoFo Freakin' Rock Show 4

Thats right, The MoFo is back. We were running out of clever names so we said "shoot (actually we said shit, but like I said we are more polite nowadays), lets do a MoFo." See what I mean about us being cool (and smart too).

May 19th @ HighFive

We asked several hundred bands to join in the fun and two actually said yes. They are:

Templeton
The Kingrods
and oh yea, The Baxters

The cover charge is $34.99 in advance or $4 at the door. Advanced tickets can be purchased directly from me. If you buy advanced tickets I'll mail you one of those stamper things. Please stamp yourself and return the stamper.

---

June 23rd @ Little Brothers with:

The New Bomb Turks
Templeton
and The BaXters

A little more scoop to come on this show.

---

Want taken off this mailing list? Then simply come to one of our shows and beat me up. I'll gladly take you off the mailing list if you kick my ass. If not, just deal with it.

- Joel

ON THE ROAD AGAIN ...
Pat's out on vacation this week and I've got some other things in the works. Fortunately it looks like a slow week for the Lowdown anyway ...

That reminds me, in the past when Pat went on vacation, we ran a guest column from the ColumbusMusic.com guys. We always meant to so something like that more regularly. So if yer interested in being a guest Lowdown columnist, let us know. It gives us another perspective and gives you a chance to promote yer thing. We especially encourage other local music media, labels, stores, studios and venues to take advantage of this opportunity.

COLUMBUS ALIVE LOCAL MUSIC GUIDE DUE APRIL 14
Speaking of contact listings, the deadline for Columbus Alive's Local Music Guide is April 14. The forms are available in recent issues. Call 221-2449 for more info.

COMFEST APPS DUE APRIL 27
And speaking of deadlines, Music Performance Applications for Comfest 2001 are due April 27. Check http://www.Comfest.com/ for the applications and other info. This year's Comfest will be June 22-24, 2001.

YET TO COME TO CRINGE
Look for an interview with Diamond Ike Midnight of Diaphragm Records, A Planet for Texas and Little Brother's any day now.

Also, we got an LDAP server running on Cringe over the last week. There's not really anything there yet, but this is a major part of the changes coming to the contact listing pages. One advantage of this type of server is that most common email readers and address books will be able to access and use the listings directly.

- Joel

YEE-HAW!!!
The Hellbound Truckers (featuring three generations within the band) now have CDs for sale at http://www.mp3.com/hellboundtruckers.

EARWIG'S BUZZ
Some national attention has been garnered for Columbus indie rock band Earwig, to wit:

• Earwig's single "Drag" made the cut out of more than 600 bands into the finals in the ModMusic/BMI-sponsored "Indie Band Search 2001." Celebrity judges for the contest include Claire Danes and Jamie-Lynn Sigler (of HBO's The Sopranos).
• McGee's solo project was also awarded best song in the "Alternative" category in a songwriting contest held by industry insider magazine, Get Fancy.
• Another Earwig song, "Where's Yr. Ghost," has been selected to the top 200 in the "Final Countdown" at Garageband.com, a site that relies on public reviews to rate bands' songs. Chosen from more than 10,000 songs, the selection puts Earwig in the running for the site's top prize - a $250,000 recording contract.

Check out the Earwig Web site at: www.lizardfamily.com.

WHAT EXACTLY IS "SECOND BASE"?
The Prom's sophomore release Second Base is apparently out -- more information will be posted here soon on how to purchase it!

CRINGE.COM COMPILATION CD
By all accounts, the first show to support the Cringe.com/pilation CD was a resounding success! Things look good for upcoming shows, too, with the next one being held on Saturday, April 28, 2001 @ Bernie's, tentatively featuring A Planet For Texas, Grafton, and the Bygones.

CORRECTION TO 2001: A MUSIC ODYSSEY!
The 2001: A Music Odyssey! is a compilation CD with 12 songs from 4 different bands, including Stainless Mind, Twin Cam, Lylo Americans, and Schmeernie (not just Lylo Americans, as reported last week). The CD release show is Friday April 6th 2001 at Bernie's Distillery. You can visit the Web site to hear the disc or buy it online at http://www.mp3.com/2001amusicodyssey

GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH
This Thursday, April 5, 2001, at Bernie's Distillery, the most amazing Figgs (from New York) will be taking the stage. The Figgs have several albums available, including their latest Sucking In Stereo. Opening will be the Media Whores and The NSA.

THE ROCK AND ROLL SPRING BASH!!
Here's the promo, I couldn't write in any better:

That's right Cowtowners, peel off those over coats because spring is here! What better way to shed those icicles than spending an evening with some of Columbus' hottest rock acts. Ruby's and Let It Rip bring together the most spectacular, awesome, riveting ... Alright, I got carried away. How about this:

SIMPLY THE FUNNEST NIGHT OF ROCK AND ROLL THIS SPRING!!!!! with:

• THE VINCENTS (10PM)
• THE BAXTERS (11pm)
• THE KINGRODS (12am)
• MARBLEHEAD (1am)

Sponsored by: Revolver, Kinko's (Campus), Rag-O-Rama, WOBN 101.5/"The Rock," 1Ear Media, and Ragged Records

SHOW STARTS AT 10PM AND IS $4 AT THE DOOR

Get there early to get your mits on free stuff from Revolver (The Worlds Most Wanted Music Magazine). (Don't forget to check out The Kingrods live on-air in the WOBN studios on Tuesday, April 3rd from 10pm - 12am)

- Pat Dull

NEWEST OHIO MUSICIAN MAGAZINE
The newest issue of Ohio Musician Magazine is up. It features Sirens, Twincam, Daniel Cage, Mandah and more.

CRINGE BEHIND THE SCENES AND AFTER HOURS
This week's Ear Shot features Lylo Americans CD release party.

As Pat mentioned, the first Cringe.com/pilation CD support show went quite well. In fact it was such a good show I got a little over-zealous with my celebratory drinking. I ended up worshipping the porcelain goddess and stumbling into the after-hours host's bed (uh, alone as far as I recall). Jager with scotch and Coke chasers -- one should stop after 4. Or is it 5?

We're really close to offering several new services and functions on Cringe. A few of you may already be benefiting from some of them. Many of these new developments are intertwined, so it may be best for me to hold off until we've get them all talking to each other all nice-and-friendly-like.

I just took a look at the site stats for March. We've broken perty much every record we previously had:

• 30382 unique visits
• 223805 pages viewed (that's nearly a 1/4-million)
• 294630 files accessed
• 449473 total hits (that's nearly a 1/2-million)
• 5038655 Kb served

- Joel

SAFETY PIN CORSAGE NOT INCLUDED
Are you a punk in love? Or just in love with punk? Either way, come on out to see Ohio's finest Punk-Oi-Hardcore-Ska bands play at the all-day Ohio Punk Prom 2001 extravaganza on Saturday, March 31, 2001, at the High Five in Columbus! It starts at around 5pm, and will basically never end! The show will feature about 14 bands, including 12oz. Rebels, Time Has Come, Legbone, The Creeps, Frontside, Jerkwater Jive, Innocence Lost, 2% Talent, The Hitchcocks, Blatant Finger, Lazy American Workers, Scallywagon, Skablue, and a few more. Word on the street is that this show will "kick you ass." Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door, but this price will include free food, drinks, videos and all kinds of activities. Come out and rock.

RECORD RELEASE UPDATES AND SHOWS (in order of appearance)

Here Boy!
Local band Fetch will release something (they didn't specify what, exactly) on the Stickfarm Six label this Saturday, March 31 at the High Beck Tavern. For more info, contact ezzo.net/fetch.

Downloading the Philharmonic
The Boaz Philharmonic is making their new single ("I Enjoy Hearing You Talk About Me") available for computer download on or around April Fools Day, 2001. For more info, check out http://www.standuptragedians.com.

Didn't they just release a 7-inch?
Prolific patriots the Lylo Americans are celebrating a CD Release Party at Bernie's on Friday, April 6, 2001, with fellow travelers Twin Cam, Stainless Mind, and Schmeernie.

A band with foresight
Myopia will be releasing its sophomore CD (Superhero) on May 19, 2001, at Gameworks (in the Easton Town Center). The show (from 8-10pm) is for all ages and is free! The 12-song CD was recorded at Joemon Studios in Bellefontaine, OH. For more info, contact www.myopia-rocks.com.

Down the road apiece
Local pop stars The Cusacks are looking at a June 2001 release date for their next CD platter, to be called More Songs from Vagabondia (on Insect Siren Records). It was recorded at S.I.R.S. on 16-track tape, and is replete with horns, strings, plenty of keyboards and layered vocal harmonies! Sound like your cup of tea? Then scoot on over to www.thecusacks.com for more info!

- Pat Dull

HIGH SPEED RADIO
Aural Innovations Radio is living up to its name this week. It has 2 new shows in streaming RealAudio ... or you can download them for later playback. But the real change is that the shows are now available in higher quality streams/downloads That's ideal for those of you with fast cable modem/DSL/T1 type connections. Yeah, I really wanted to make a Sammy Hagar "I can't drive 55" pun here somewhere ... but it doesn't quite apply. Anyway, Aural Innovations is looking for some input and suggestions on this new option.

BIG DJ CHANGES AT WCBE
Last week I mentioned CD101 had dropped Donna Mogavero's Acoustic Coffeehouse show. Well, changes are coming to WCBE too. Long time WCBE DJ, Maxx Faulkner, evidently did his last shift last Wednesday. Also last week Ante Meridiem host, Patrick Testa, notified his email list subscribers that he will no longer be hosting Ante Meridiem. I'm not sure what this implies as far as the future of shows or DJs at the staion. I have the impression that the shows will be staying around but with different hosts. Patrick's last show is this Wednesday, March 28.

CRINGE.COM SHOW FRIDAY AT OLDFIELD'S ON HIGH
Yeah, I kinda mentioned this last week and ya may have seen a slapped together banner on the site already. The first support show for the first Cringe.com/pilation CD is this Friday:

• Friday, March 30 at Oldfield's on High
  Pretty Mighty Mighty
  Jack Neat
  The Randys
  

Oh, and we'll be passing out vouchers redeemable for a free copy of the CD at the Fall 2001 release show. We thought it'd be a nice way to thank you for coming to a support show and the release show. Hey, it might get ya to the shows too.

For those of you who have asked about being on this comp - sorry, it's quite full already. The good news is that we do plan on doing others. This first one really started as a project by a few labels on Cringe. Then I had ta open my big mouth with my own big ideas. So we ended up with a collection that focuses on the bands and labels that have been a big part of Cringe. We definatley intend to explore more scenes, styles and sources on future comps.

- Joel

Check the previous issue for more Lowdowns.

 

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Check the previous issue for more Lowdowns.