Big Benefits

· Friday and Saturday, Covington's Mad Hatter hosts a two-day benefit concert for the American Indian College Fund. The show is the brainchild of musician Jeff Albers, singer/guitarist for newcomers Knife the Symphony (and formerly of instrumentalists Ampline), who says he hatched the idea when he took a hiatus from playing music. While many benefit shows deal with issues that are immediate or tragic, he chose the AICF as the beneficiary of the funds raised because he felt the American Indian way of life was something that is largely forgotten about.

"I figure if we can help at least a few Native Americans get through college and onto a career then we've accomplished something great," Albers said in a recent e-mail. "Especially since so much has been taken away from the Native Americans' culture throughout time. The knowledge and traditions of a once great culture should not be forgotten and education is definitely a primary step."

Albers presented the first AICF benefit in 2004, raising over $1,200 with a bill that featured five area bands. Albers says he hopes to continue with the shows and make them huge yearly events. This year's AICF benefit is a great next step, as it features some of the best bands from the Indie and Rock realm. On Friday, the show features a rare local set from The Light Wires, whose much-anticipated new album is complete (the band is still working out release details), as well as The Strongest Proof, The Ralph Jones Band, Voyageur, 24hourflu (see interview, below) and Knife The Symphony (playing just their second show ever).

Saturday, the event features the final performance from Humans Bow Down, as well as sets from MercuroChrome, Caterpillar Tracks, The Livin' Foul, Covington and Louisville's The Slow Break.

Shows start at 9 p.m. each night and all ages are permitted. Admission is $7 and two-day passes are available for $10. For full details, check out myspace.com/indianfund.

· WOXY, the radio station that went from local terrestrial Modern Rock channel to internationally beloved, online-only music outlet (at woxy.com), would be nothing without its fans. Literally. Faced with dire financial problems, the station asked listeners to pay for subscriptions or donate money to keep them on the air. So many answered the call, the station has been able to continue its run as one of the best radio stations on the planet for Alternative and Indie music fans.

Those diehards also know that to keep woxy.com afloat, they must continue to be proactive in raising awareness about the station and keep the money coming. This Saturday, a group of fans has organized a benefit/awareness-raising show at the Southgate House, dubbed Independent Expose. Though the money raised will go to the station, WOXY itself is not directly involved. Organizers have amassed a great collection of (mostly) Dayton/Cincinnati talent, booking acts that have gotten a lot out of WOXY, either as fans or as bands (via airplay).

In the ballroom, catch Captain of Industry, Lab Partners, Happy Chichester (formerly of WOXY faves Royal Crescent Mob and Howlin' Maggie), Nicky Kay and His Fabulous Kaytones and Detroit's The Sights. In the second-floor Parlour room, The Spectacular Fantastic, Goose, Kamikaze Saucers, Leisure and Late Night Drivers perform. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $10. (independentexpose.com)

More Local Notes
· After a successful reunion show last October at Bogart's (opening for temporarily-reformed Funk kings SHAG), Heavy Weather is back for another performance this Friday at the Southgate House. One of the more popular bands locally in the '90s, the Funk/Soul/Rock crew plans on recording Friday's show for a future live CD. The band hints this might not be the last you hear from them; they are reportedly working on new material, some of which will be debuted Friday. HW is joined by an eclectic support cast for the comeback gig; openers include Reggae ensemble Selecter, NYC Free Jazz trio The Eastern Seaboard (see Sound Advice, page 46) and AltRock quartet The Times, plus a few surprise guests. (myspace.com/hwband)

· The Rivertown Music Club is presenting its Red MacCormack Recording Grant awards this Friday during a special show at the Blue Note in Price Hill. The fund was set up to help local musicians pay for studio time and is doled out yearly. This year's winners — Catalog Cowboys, The Sundresses and 500 Miles to Memphis — perform at the show Friday. Also appearing: The Newbees, Pete Dressman, Tupelo Honey, Joshua Black Wilkins, Eric Tepe and Kelly Thomas (the RMC founder) with her band, The Fabulous Pickups. (myspace.com/therivertownmusicclub)