Explore Dayton: Explosion of Local Music!

Vanity Theft playing First Friday at Riverscape
Vanity Theft playing First Friday at Riverscape

It is often assumed that there is no local music scene in Dayton. Dear music fans, nothing could be further from the truth! We have a literal explosion of new music from bands of numerous musical genres, approaches, and styles happening right now. Once the Gem City was considered the post-punk haven for groups such as Guided by Voices, Branniac, and The Breeders. Dayton has a long and significant music history of which the post-punk wave was but one trend in local music.

Today, we have bands playing in almost too many genres and styles to count. We have new music from The Fair Shakes, Bonneville, We Were Animals (from the previously power-pop dream of Ed vs. Radio), Vanity Theft, The Rebel Set, The Story Changes, the horror-rock of Splattertude, Hawthorne Heights, Me & Mountains, Night Beast, Toads and Mice, Motel Beds, Smug Brothers, and so much more.

We have many places to see bands and musicians are plying their trade in the Oregon District or throughout the city. If the assumption is that there is no growing and evolving music scene in Dayton, that is simply not correct. As someone who has conducted research on music scenes for several years (do not ask how many, I am just a little touchy about the age thing), I can honestly tell you that Dayton musicians have much to offer you. All you have to do is go listen.

You can go to several fine establishments to see bands play most nights of the week in the Gem City. And you should. Come on what do you have to lose except your preconceptions about how the limitations of Dayton music.

Cross-posted at DaytonMostMetro at http://mostmetro.com/music/explosion-in-local-music.html

Support WUDR Radio by eating…

WUDR studio

Ok, so this brief essay is a little self serving.

Now that we have that warning out of the way… this Thursday, January 19th you need to visit the ArtStreet Cafe at the University of Dayton from 7:00-9:00pm and order some delicious food.  WUDR is holding their annual fund raiser to both support Flyer Radio and the annual WUDR spring concert series and — this is the part that you are really going to enjoy — create an opportunity for members of our community to talk to the DJs and others involved in a student-organized independent radio station!  WUDR is the home of our program, Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative and several other fine programs that spotlight Dayton bands, musicians, and local concerts.  So, if you are thirsty for a smoothie or hungry for a sandwich this Thursday evening, you know where you should go satisfy your cravings and support a local radio station that is not part of a huge super mega corporate entity that is programmed and controlled by people far far away.

The only thing you have to lose is a little time and your thirst or hunger or both.

Tell them that Dr. J sent you!

One Reason

Motel Beds - Tango Boys Cover 
The energetic 'Beds captured on the Tango Boys cover

  One reason that Dayton has a thriving music scene is illustrated in the fact that in one weekend we have the vinyl release of Tango Boys by The Motel Beds at The Canal Street Tavern this past Friday.  The ‘Beds played a blistering set with the Buffalo Killers and Chocolate Horse.  And in the same night you have Vanity Theft, Okay Lindon, and Good Sir Con Artist playing Blind Bob’s.  If that was not enough, you then have Bonneville releasing their new CD, Amy’s House with a show again at Canal Street on Saturday.  What we have here is an embarrassment of musical riches. Dayton has a vibrant music scene indeed! And we have not even begun to talk about The Rebel Set, Guided By Voices and Me & Mountains who are both working on new music for your listening pleasure in 2012!

Bonneville Amy's House
Bonneville Amy's House cover... where the record was recorded! Sort of.
Okay Lindon Rotating Dates cover
Okay Lindon Rotating Dates cover art
Get What You Came For cover
Vanity Theft - You Can... you know - Get What You Came For

Busy Friday for Dayton Music Fans!

Vanity Theft's DYT Ugly Sweater/Homecoming Show

This Friday we have shows by Okay Lindon, Good Sir Con Artist, and YTAA faves – Vanity Theft at Blind Bob’s!  Show starts at 9pm!  Then just a mile or two away at The Canal Street Tavern there is another great show from The Buffalo Killers, The Motel Beds, and Chocolate Horse!  That show also starts at 9pm!  What can Mrs. Dr. J and I tell you?  Clearly scientists need to discover cloning technology or maybe the simpler time travel device?

Buffalo Killers/Motel Beds/Chocolate Horse

Friend of the Show

Tom Gilliam of Dayton’s own The Rebel Set (check out their twitter feed @TheRebelSet and Facebook page) will be joining the show in a few weeks to play some acoustic music live in the studio… You should be excited.

Very excited.

More details to follow!

– Dr. J and Mrs. Dr. J