Robert Earl Keen has always straddled the line between
Americana and Country Blues music. But, more than anything else, he is a
singer/songwriter who has the ability to weave sonic tales that are
vivid, interesting and fun.
Jason & the Punknecks
Jan. 11 • Southgate House Revival
0 Comments · Monday, January 7, 2013
The Punknecks’ bio doesn’t mince words. Calling themselves
“Punky Tonkers,” Jason Punkneck is from Nashville while Polly Punkneck
is from Kansas. The duo, along with their drummer Nick Punkneck, are
apparently known for “a rowdy show of drinking, drugging, Jesus, smokin’
pot and living between heaven and hell.”
Langhorne Slim & the Law
Jan. 11 • Taft Theatre
0 Comments · Monday, January 7, 2013
At age 14, Sean Scolnick started writing his first songs,
penning Nirvana-inspired missives about authority, school and “stuff that a lot of 14-year-old
kids probably write about.” Now in his early 30s, Scolnick doesn't
employ those subjects as inspiration anymore. Listening to his
story-heavy goulash of Folk and AltCountry reveals nary any traces of
Cobain and Co. at all.
Denney and the Jets
Jan. 11 • MOTR Pub
0 Comments · Monday, January 7, 2013
Apparently, Chris Denney has only been writing songs for
the past four years, but he’s clearly channeling a lifetime of pent up
creative energy in the tunes he’s unleashing with his Nashville quintet,
Denney & the Jets.
Fever Fever and Clemency
Jan. 10 • MOTR Pub
0 Comments · Monday, January 7, 2013
Fever Fever
is a Columbus four-piece (not to be confused with the U.K. Art Punk band
with the same moniker) whose “Beautiful Dream” crystallizes the joy and
confusion of fresh love in a tight, understated package.
Swear and Shake
Jan. 9 • 20th Century Theatre
0 Comments · Monday, January 7, 2013
Brooklyn, N.Y.’s Swear and Shake coalesced just a couple of
years ago, but from the sound of its debut full-length Maple Ridge,
you’d swear (and shake) that this electric Folk marvel has been
percolating over the course of a decade or more with a half dozen
previous releases under their belts.
The Duke of Uke & His Novelty Orchestra
Jan. 4 • MOTR Pub
0 Comments · Thursday, January 3, 2013
In the case of the effervescent seven-piece, The Duke
of Uke & His Novelty Orchestra, their inclusion of “bacon” as an
inspiration on their Facebook page — alongside the more conventional
choices of Motown, Funk, Ragtime, Jazz, Rock and “Popssical” — is
telling for multiple reasons.
Blackberry Smoke
Jan. 8 • Bogart's
0 Comments · Thursday, January 3, 2013
With two full-length albums and a couple
of EPs under their belt, Blackberry Smoke began to attract some
attention from Rock music fans who wanted a little grit in their musical
gravy in this new century. Then, they began to get bigger and better
gigs, opening for ZZ Top and the Zac Brown Band.
Mondo Generator
Jan. 5 • Thompson House
0 Comments · Thursday, January 3, 2013
Mondo Generator has been perhaps the most
consistent part of bassist Nick Oliveri’s life since 1997. Blending the Hard Rock of
his previous projects with more Punk Rock chaos, Mondo has built a
strong cult following for itself.
by Mike Breen
01.02.2013
136 days ago
Local Funkmaster Joins Local Bluesmaster's Band
Chris Sherman of funky Cincy bands Freekbass and Freekbot joins Jyn Yates as Kelly Richey Band's new rhythm section
While not necessarily “weird,” when fans discovered that bad-ass, longtime local Blues artist Kelly Richey had started a side-business as a “life coach,” undoubtedly a few thought they misheard or misread. It’s not really a logical step from stunning Blues guitarist and vocalist to personal life coach for hire. Likewise, when I first got an email about the new lineup of Richey’s band, I did a double take. Again, not that it was particularly unusual news — I just didn’t see it coming. (The music world could use a lot more moments like that.)Joining Richey in the new version of KRB is experienced drummer Jyn Yates from Kentucky and Chris Sherman, the guiding force behind popular local Funk group Freekbass (and his new duo project, Freekbot). While Sherman (who goes by his stage name, Freekbass) is best known for his huge Funk grooves, dabbling in modern EDM and rather flamboyant stage outfits at times, Richey’s sound skates the line between hard Blues and Rock; the most flash from her live shows come from out of her fingers as she plays and mouth as she sings.On the surface, the pairing seems on par with Buckethead joining Bonnie Raitt’s band or Flea sitting in with Stevie Ray Vaughan. In other words, it should be quite interesting to hear what the trio comes up with. The first single, “Fast Drivin’ Mama,” offers a hint — the song is a rocking slice of riffing Blues Funk. It’s not drastically different from Richey’s usual sound, but the groove is appropriately huge. Here's the debut single/video for "Mama":The new KRB trio was assembled to record the next Kelly Richey Band album, which the musicians have been working on at Shangri-La Studios in Lexington, Ky. The album — Sweet Spirit — is scheduled for release March 1, followed by tour dates that will take them from Florida to Canada. The trio’s debut show is Saturday in Northern Illinois (Mishawaka, to be exact), but local fans won’t have to wait long to check out the new KRB. The group performs on Jan. 11 at Legends Nightclub in Cheviot. Showtime is 8 p.m. and there is a $10 cover at the door.
