What do you want to do after the holiday? How about taking in some of the very best of Dayton music?  Doesn’t that sound fun.  We thought so too!

The 13th annual HoliDayton showcase will be held on Saturday December 26th, 2015 at Blind Bob’s, 430 E. 5th Street, Dayton, Ohio in the lovely and historic Oregon District. Seven dollars is all it will cost to get you in to a demonstration of the health and vitality of the area music scene.

As with all of the previous years, there will be two stages — a side stage and a main stage.  Throughout the night bands will play one stage and then the music will move to the other stage. Performances alternate seamlessly throughout the evening.

Come early as music is scheduled to start at 8pm, stay late and celebrate another complete revolution of the earth around the sun of great Dayton music with your community, friends, family, and all who are free to join along.

Once again the lineup of Dayton musicians promises to be stellar and takes a slice from several different genres and approaches to rock and roll music.

The Story Changes

Mark and Poppy not only curate Holidayton every year for over a decade, they contribute to the event in sonic fashion as well. While these artists now comprise one half of Hawthorne Heights, The Story Changes is a powerful duo with a legacy of well crafted songs and incredible ability. Their last TSC album, ‘Never in Daydream’ was one of our favorite records of 2014.  With all of the projects that Mark and Poppy taken on, honestly one has to wonder when these guys ever sleep. But as long as they keep making such fine songs with intelligent lyrics and energetic performances, does it matter?

 

PJ and Tommy (of The Motel Beds)

The ‘Beds released an incredible record this year with Mind Glitter! While the full band was not able to play Holidayton this year, an acoustic set from PJ and Tommy is one of those rare oft-discussed musical moments that you will need to see.  And between PJ’s charisma and Tommy’s fantastic guitar prowess – everyone in the audience will not be able to take their eyes off of these musicians who are at the height of their power.

 

Moira

Moira is one of the most exciting new bands in town.  This band is part dream pop, part atmospheric psychedelia with a healthy mix of keyboards and electronic effects that are only used to serve the songs.  Their EP – ‘Asleep//Repeat/Awake’ is one of our favorite CDs from 2015.  Intelligent lyrics that are cleverly constructed and beautifully performed is the hallmark of Moira.  Add to that the band is fronted by Alicia Grodecki who is well known for her captivating performances.  This band is not to be missed.  We have seen this band play on the street during Cincinnati’s Midpoint Music Festival and as they played people stopped what they were doing and were engrossed in the music created by this talented trio.

 

The 1984 Draft

What can be said about The ‘Draft that has not been said elsewhere?  Some of the most authentic and emotional performances in Dayton were created by Joe Anderl, Justin Satinover, Eli Alban, and most recent addition Chip Heck.  Their new EP ‘Heisman Trophy Winner’ includes a new version of ‘Capo’ and the standout tune for us at Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative – ‘Sinking.’  The raw feeling and connection that this band creates with its audience demonstrates the necessity of seeing them on Saturday night.  Community and connection are created every time The 1984 Draft play.  Every. Single. Time.  Do yourself a favor and go see them!

 

The New Old-Fashioned

The New Old-Fashioned released two of our favorite records of 2015.  The powerful ‘Low Down Dirty Summer Nights’ and the split EP with The Repeating Arms – ‘Hilltops and Highways.’  Both are on our best of list for this year.  The harmonies, arrangements, and skill shown on both of those records leads any music lover to wonder “why hasn’t this band blown up big!”  If there is any justice in the world, The New Old-Fashioned will take their Midwestern country-infused rock and roll to the same level that Jason Isbell and others in the Alt-Country movement have accomplished in the last few years. And the single, ’27’ is one of our very favorite songs of 2015.

 

Manray

This groove focused power trio not only has the talent and skill to command attention wherever they play, they have great songs. Remember songwriting?  This band reminds us what a well written song sounds like, feels like, and demands to be noticed.  Their new songs from the forthcoming record, ‘Classic Jurassic’ promise to leave audience members shocked that such a young band can play with such finesse.  The local music scene in Dayton is in great shape if this band is any indication of the future of Dayton music.

 

Bribing Senators

As one of Dayton’s finest rock and roll band’s, Bribing Senators bring a relentless heavy indie attack to all that they do.  Their uncompromising approach is characteristic of their songs and their performances.  This is what real down and dirty authentically played rock and roll is supposed to be.

 

Jetty Bones

From Springfield, Ohio – Jetty Bones deconstructs the archetype that indie music has to be created according to a particular playbook.  This band is focused on making music that speaks to all of us in terms of the missed opportunities, real connection, and long lingering that holds us together when we should be coming unglued; that is what Jetty Bones captures.

Tombstone Tremblers

Intense, fuzzy, evocative arrangements including incredible work on guitar. Not to be missed. Imagine if Roky Erickson had not been institutionalized and continued to make music in his ‘middle period’ with members of The Stooges and The Rolling Stones — that is The Tombstone Tremblers sound and possibly their wake up call to the slick overproduced music found on the so-called Top 40.

Goodnight Goodnight

Atmospheric shoegazing indie rock from one of Dayton’s most interesting bands. The arrangements will remind you of the Cocteau Twins at a party for Robert Smith hosted by Radiohead.  Some of the most interesting deconstruction of indie music in the Dayton area.

So, yeah you should go to the show on Saturday.  See you there.