Music Tonight: Once upon a time, Thanksgiving was contained to just one day — a no-work Thursday during which we all pretty much just chilled with the family and ate too much turkey (or whatever turkey-ish, meat-like food creation non-carnivores pretend tastes just like the real deal). But, over time, it has become a three-day, all-American extravaganza, beginning tonight with Drunk Wednesday (aka "The Busiest Bar Night of the Year"), continuing tomorrow with the gluttonous Turkey Day, and concluding with the infamous shopping-fest known as Black Friday. You may well already have your Drunk Wednesday plans set, but if those fall through or you're up for some bar-hopping, below are some of the more interesting events featuring live music by some of our best original local artists, starting with a free show from recent Cincinnati Entertainment Awards winners for best "Alternative/Indie" act (their fourth in a row!), The Seedy Seeds (pictured), who recently released a new music video from their CEA-nominated full-length, Verb Noun. Check out the clip for "I Am The Conductor" below.—-
• The Seedy Seeds free show tonight at MOTR Pub in Over-the-Rhine is the exciting conclusion of the trio's recent "Meet our new drummer!" promo activities. The "Conductor" video, their recent appearance at the 2011 CEA ceremony accepting their latest trophy and tonight's show serve as Seedy fans' introduction to the band's new drummer, Joe Frankl. Founder of another popular local group, The Frankl Project, Joe replaces Brian Penick, who amicably parted ways with Margaret Darling and Mike Ingram to pursue other interests (including his work with local music-promotion team, The Counter Rhythm Group). Showtime is 10 p.m.
Here's the ultra-charming Indie/Electro/Folk/Pop trio's awesome new video, directed by Anthony Francis Moorman and shot on location right here in the ’Nati.
• Tonight in Oakley, the 20th Century Theatre hosts a trio of local Rock bands for an all-ages, 8 p.m. show. Joining Ten Foot Big and The Dirty McQueens (the new band from musician/singer/songwriter Paul Otten) is Green Light Morning, which is celebrating the release of a debut album that sounds miles more accomplished than the group's newcomer status would suggest. That's because the band's two-headed braintrust — founders Aaron Patrick and Aaron Bright — spent many years honing their craft in the popular acts Oval Opus (former local sensations) and The Big Creak (from Columbus), respectively. The songwriting partnership has resulted in a self-titled album of compelling, accessible Pop/Rock that sounds as good as any big-shot major-label chartbuster and may well lead to Green Light Morning joining those acts on Top 40 radio someday soon. In the meantime, check out the group's slick music video for the track "All I Want." Tickets for tonight's show are $10. Read more about Green Light Morning here.
• Tight, engaging Reggae/Rock crew The Ohms have its Thanksgiving Eve bash planned for tonight at Adis' Place (7925 Beechmont Ave., Anderson; 513-474-4122). Fans can expect (among other Ohms faves, of course) songs from the forthcoming new release the band is currently working on. Showtime is 10 p.m. Admission is $5 (bring a donation-quality canned good for a discount).
• The Southgate House has a unique show featuring numerous top-notch local bands tonight. Despite the logical assumption, "Petty Fest" is not a tribute to short-haired actress Lori Petty, but rather America Rock icon Tom Petty. The 9 p.m. event features artists on all three stages performing some of their favorite tunes from Petty and his Heartbreakers, including recent recipients of the best "Punk" trophy at the Cincinnati Entertainment Awards, The Dopamines, and Sweet Ray Laurel, Martin Luther & The Kings, Shoot Out The Lights, State Song, Mudpies, Le Whorenettes, Frontier Folk Nebraska, The Never Setting Suns, Justin WW, The Minor Leagues, for algernon, Shiny & The Spoon, Wild Talents, Wonky Tonk, Mike Kuntz and Evans Collective. Admission is $10.
Think anyone will play this?
• Also on the tribute tip, oh-so-awesome local Rock foursome Oso Bear will perform a special show tonight at The Avenue Lounge in Covington. The band is taking on Energy, the debut/only full-length from influential Bay Area Punk/Ska legends Operation Ivy, performing the LP in its entirety with Dan Reddinger, formerly of ’90s local Ska greats Short Millie (and later Cobra Kai), on lead vocals. Doors open at 9 p.m. and be sure you arrive early enough to catch the always-impressive openers, Switchblade Syndicate, who heat things up at 10 p.m. Click here for venue deets.
This should put you in the mood (unless you completely hate Operation Ivy or Ska/Punk, of course).
• These recommendations only scratch the proverbial surface of party options tonight in Greater Cincinnati. If you're just looking for a place with alcohol and lots of warm bodies, wander into the first bar you see and you shouldn't be disappointed. If you prefer to hear some live music while you're out, check out our music listings for tonight (right here) for many, many more suggestions.
I was going to leave you with a nice Thanksgiving chestnut to put you in the spirit of the now-three-day holiday (which is probably the worst time of the year for anyone unfortunate enough to simultaneously be suffering from alcoholism, an eating disorder and "shopaholism"). I'm working on one for next year, a Country ditty titled "Got Drunk, Ate Too Much and Spent All My Money (Thanks a Lot, Assholes)" to fill the void, but until then, here's a little funky gratitude anthem from Sly Stone.