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Broad Ripple Random Ripplings
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Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v05n01)
Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
posted: Jan. 04, 2008
Happy New Year! It has been a busy three weeks since the last column. I'm not sure that I can recount all of the extraordinary shows that I saw - I went to a ton of shows and had a darn good time, but did not take the first note. I'm going to give you a snapshot, both figuratively and literally (I did take a ton of photographs - see page A12 and our website) of each show.
Birdy's Christmas Party
Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007
Nora and Greg Brenner at Birdy's.
image courtesy of Nora Spitznogle
I arrived at the Birdy's annual holiday party late, even by rock and roll standards. I did get there in time to race upstairs for a photo with Santa Greg Brenner, who stepped in for the touring Santa Otis. I missed the music but got to catch up with a lot of people who make it possible for music to be played in this town- Mike and Sue (Birdy's owners), Jeff Sample (booking manager - Birdy's and Upper Room), Matt Schwegman (booking manager - Vogue) and Greg Brenner (booking manager - Punk Rock Night at the Melody Inn). I also had fun catching up with friends that were in town for the holidays - newly engaged Jeff Zuckerman and Carrie Sloo and visiting from Austin, TX Aaron Stroup.
The Benders and Chevy Downs
Friday, Dec. 21, 2007
Birdy's
A great byproduct of the holidays (besides fudge) is that hometown musicians come back to visit. You can always count on a raucous Chevy Downs show around Christmas. This year was no different and these charming lads play a hard-to-describe mix of rock, bluegrass and soul. They are always good sing-along and dancing fun.
image courtesy of Nora Spitznogle
The Benders grabbed everyone's attention with their amazing harmonies, right-on timing and excellent musicians. John Byrne (guitars and all things guitar-y, vocals), Dave England (guitar, writer, vocals), Tad Armstrong (bass, writer, vocals) and Wade Parrish (drums, vocals) make up this super-star lineup. Visiting guitar player Aaron Stroup joined them for a few songs, which unfortunately coincided with a tragic camera battery incident. I got a great aerobic workout racing upstairs and retrieving the fresh batteries from Tammy Lieber and flew back down the steps. It's not often that I get to see my two favorite guitar players on the same stage with my favorite singers. Some people play Fantasy Football - I like to play Fantasy Bands, and the Benders are one of them. I cannot say enough good things about this band, but I'll keep trying!
image courtesy of Nora Spitznogle
The Northside Newsstand Festivus Party
Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007
The Jazz Kitchen
The weather was very cold and windy so I bundled up for the walk down to the Newsstand Party. It was great to see all of the Christmas lights along the way - thanks neighbors for decorating. I promise to take my lights down before Independence Day next year.
If you have not been in the Newsstand the décor focuses on globes and maps. The window is filled with globes and each table has map under glass. There was a ceramic gnome tucked among the globes in the window. I noticed at some point this year the gnome was gone. I asked what happened to it. This fall, photographs of the gnome in a hospital bed appeared at the newsstand with a note saying that he would be returned soon. Who sent it was a mystery. A few weeks ago a friend admitted that her daughter had broken the gnome. She panicked, put the broken gnome in her bag and fled. She snapped the photographs and plotted how she could sneak the gnome back to the window. She got the idea to dress up as a gnome to return the original gnome at the Festivus party. As you know, I love a theme - I found a great stuffed recordable gnome at Posh Petals. Jamie's boyfriend recorded a "see you later" message and left it at the Jazz Kitchen before the party. Jamie came dressed as the gnome and almost offed the secret - the gift bag containing the ceramic gnome had a tag attached that said "to Jamie."
The party was a blast as always. There was lots of great food and conversation. Otto the Comic did a fun set and DJ Rusty kept the packed house dancing.
image courtesy of Nora Spitznogle
image courtesy of Nora Spitznogle
image courtesy of Nora Spitznogle
Middletown
Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007
The Corner Wine Bar
The late great Middletown has a reunion show whenever Aaron Stroup is in town. I have a soft spot for the band. Aaron and I used to live on either side of the double that we both rented (and I now own). I heard Middletown form and practice through our shared wall. I loved sitting on the sofa reading with the songs filtering through the wall. The band sounds good as ever. Amazing harmonies, terrific songs and all-around lovely people. Tad Armstrong (vocals, songwriter, guitar and bass), Stasia Demos (vocals, songwriter and accordion) and Aaron Stroup (vocals, songwriter and guitar) manage to play together in various forms. Aaron and Tad tour as part of Susan Cowsill's band, and Stasia and Tad team up for occasional acoustic gigs.
Tad co-fronts The Benders and plays solo gigs. I hear that his to-be-released-this-Spring album is amazing. I'm looking forward to it. Stasia also plays solo (if fact they boys hijacked this gig from her). Aaron plays with the Austin based Johnny Cashdraw.
The Corner Wine Bar is starting a Thursday acoustic music series. The shows will be early and you can have dinner (and delicious food it is). I'll keep you posted on the schedule.
Middletown Reunion at the Wine Cellar at the Corner Wine Bar.
image courtesy of Nora Spitznogle
Shadow Myers and Dale Lawrence at Locals Only
image courtesy of Nora Spitznogle
image courtesy of Nora Spitznogle
image courtesy of Nora Spitznogle
The Benders
Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007
Daddy Jack's
I had a rare Saturday night off from the Red Key (thanks Brandy) for the Spitznogle family Christmas party in Logansport. I stopped to see The Benders on the way home (anyone else get the feeling that I'm stalking Tad and John?).
Daddy Jack's is a grown-up, smoke-free place to see music. The Benders had the dance floor full and the crowd clapping and cheering. David England, John Byrne and Wade Parrish were on it.
You can next catch The Benders at Daddy Jack's on Saturday, January 26th. Great food and no cover (be nice to the band tip bucket) - can't beat it!
New Year's Eve in Broad Ripple
Monday, Dec. 31, 2007
Spin (10:30 pm)
Jason Webley and Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band.
I started my evening at Spin (where I was assured by the owner that the building will not be torn down). Jason Webley was playing accordion when I walked in to an appreciative crowd. His sound is gypsy-punk-folk. I'd describe his look the same way.
Indy CD and Vinyl and Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band teamed up to hold a raffle to benefit Second Helpings, Inc. Thank you, thank you!
image courtesy of Nora Spitznogle
Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band marched to the stage with accompanied to hoots and hollers from the packed crowd. You cannot help but dance, clap and giggle to the band. What a fun high-energy way to bring in the New Year. I covered the Big Damn Band show for NUVO last New Year's Eve and 2007 was a good year - so I can only imagine how good 2008 will be. And, once again, the adorable Breezy Peyton was the best-dressed woman in the room. It takes a good eye to accessorize with a washboard.
image courtesy of Nora Spitznogle
The Vogue (12:15 am)
Here Come the Mummies
This was my first Mummies experience. They are an amazingly good funk band dressed in Mummy rags. The Vogue was packed with revelers. I stood by the soundboard (and stole a quick Happy New Year peck on the cheek from Jonee Quest) for a bit to soak it all in. The band is big - I'm not sure how many were on stage. Lots of horns and vocals. I look forward to seeing them some other time. I took a quick lap through crowd and headed back out to the cold.
The Mummies at the Vogue.
image courtesy of Nora Spitznogle
image courtesy of Nora Spitznogle
A side note, the Vogue staff did an outstanding job with the crowd. As I was standing there thinking of how I did not miss the days of club management, I was checking out the staff and they were doing an excellent job with the yeah-hoos.. . . and I'm glad I was not on the clean-up crew. Lots of confetti, noise-makers ands boas were floating through the air.
Locals Only (1:15)
The Gizmos
I took a chance that the music was still going on at Locals Only and I'm glad that I did. The second that stepped on the dance floor I felt like I was at home. I swear that 25 years melted away when I saw Billy Nightshade, Tim Carroll, Shadow Myers and Dale Lawrence on stage. All of us (average age 45) on the dance floor pogo-ed and sang along. The Gizmos sounded as good as ever.
The Gizmos guitar player Tim Carroll lives and records in Nashville, TN where Billy Nightshade moved a few years ago from Boston. Tim and Billy still play together in Nashville. You can find Dale Lawrence playing with The Vulgar Boatmen and as a solo act.
image courtesy of Nora Spitznogle
I'm just sorry that I could not get to Locals Only sooner - I hated to miss the Slammies set (featuring Otto). I hear that it was fabulous. Hopefully they'll play again soon.
I was glad that I got to end the evening - and start the New Year among old friends.
Preview:
Elvis Birthday Bash Friday Jan. 4th, 2008, 10:00 PM Local's Only
Each year on the weekend of Elvis Presley's birthday Locals Only celebrates the music of the King of rock and roll. Now in it's third year the Elvis Birthday Bash has become one of the most happening events of Indy's winter music season. As always the event is headlined by The Messarounds, featuring Danny Thompson.
Danny is well known to rockabilly fans as the long-time front man of Bigger than Elvis. Hey Hey Melodica play artsy, acoustic rock in the tradition of The Flaming Lips or Ben Folds. Little Voice are a female fronted trio of alt-rockers whose sound is compared to music of Allanis Morrisette or Juliana Hatfield. As a special added bonus Jay Elliot will perform solo in between sets to keep the music going.
I'll be there with my Elvis mask and bacon sandwich!
Not-for-profit director by day, music writer by night, Nora Spitznogle reviews music that happened and previews music and events around Broad Ripple Village. Nora managed CATH Inc coffeehouse at 54th Street and College Avenue for seven years. During that time she hosted hundreds of local and touring musicians, both at the coffeehouse and her home. When CATH closed in 2004 and the music was no longer coming to her, she had to wander from her corner of Broad Ripple to see what is happening elsewhere. You can find her at Second Helpings during the work day, waitressing at the Red Key on Saturday nights and prowling Broad Ripple music venues the rest of the time. Visit Nora's Web site nora-leona.blogspot.com, send any questions, comments or suggestions to Nora@BroadRippleGazette.com
nora@broadripplegazette.com
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