The Southgate House’s show on New Year’s Eve headlined by local Punk band The Dopamines (see interview, page 23) will be the last ever for the beloved Newport club under its current, longstanding management. The future of the venue under new ownership is uncertain (and the current owners are reportedly looking for a new location), but the Southgate House as we’ve come to know it — as one of the premier music venues in the Midwest — is effectively done when the sun rises on Jan. 1.
If you don’t have tickets to Saturday’s finale, you’re out of luck as the show has completely sold out. But there are three nights’ worth of quality music before the New Year’s Eve show, for those looking for the right time to say goodbye to the old mansion on the hill.
• The Tillers, one of the leading lights of the local Folk/Americana scene, perform their last Southgate show Wednesday with special guests The Blue Rock Boys. The Tillers’ performance is being professionally recorded for a future live release.
• On Thursday, Indie Pop favorites The Seedy Seeds play the Southgate Ballroom with special guests Rodeo Ruby Love.
• Former local Groove Pop/Rock band Homunculus re-team for the first time in four years for a reunion show Friday at the Southgate. With band members scattered around the country, the show is a true rarity that is likely to be packed considering Homunculus’ regional popularity in the early ’00s. The show — a benefit for cancer support organization The Wellness Community — kicks off at 9 p.m. with a Beatles tribute set by local Pop masters The Newbees. (www.homunculture.com)
More Pre-2012 Shows of Note
• Northern Kentucky’s Switchblade Syndicate has the honor of releasing the final album by a local act in 2011, with its debut full-length As Long As There’s Whiskey coming out Friday in conjunction with a release party at Downtown’s Mainstay Rock Bar. While influenced by classic Country, Rockabilly and Punk, from the sample tracks I’ve heard, the band has streamlined its sound for the debut, showcasing a focused but still riotous Rock & Roll assault. Driven by the ear-grabbing vocals of frontwoman Veronica Grimm, whose elastic, alluringly animated voice makes her one of the best Rock singers in the area, As Long As There’s Whiskey easily makes the list of the top releases by Greater Cincinnati artists in 2011. And it’s a strong indication that the Syndicate will be one of the top local acts of 2012. Mad Anthony opens Friday’s free show at 10:30 p.m. (switchbladesyndicate.com)
• The Cincinnati USA Music Heritage Foundation presents a celebration of the legacy of James Brown (who passed away five years ago on Christmas) this Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the CUMHF’s headquarters (811 Race St., Downtown). The event, dubbed “The Big Payback: Griots Revenge,” will feature The Funky Drummer Allstars MC Cypher and other musical tributes to Brown, who recorded many legendary sides for locally based King Records. Selectas Choice DJs Pillo, Apryl Reign and Mista Rare Groove will also be on hand, continuing the party afterwards at Main Event (835 Main St., Downtown) and taking those in attendance “on a funk odyssey through the musical coffers of Mr. Brown and some of Ohio’s entertainment royalty.” The cost is $10 (including the after-party) or $30 for those who’d like to become a member of “The Funky Drummer Society” and support CUMHF’s mission of preserving, revealing and celebrating Greater Cincinnati’s rich musical history. Visit takingyoutothebridge.org for more on the event and the Music Heritage Foundation.
CONTACT MIKE BREEN: [email protected]
