My 2018 Concert Rundown - by Kevin Montavon

Anyone who knows me, even on a casual basis, can tell you what my favorite pastime is. Here's a hint...it starts with "live" and ends with "music." I like, no, I love to go to concerts. Whether the venue is a tiny bar or a massive sports stadium, no matter if the band is an up-and-comer or a certified legend, the motto I live by is "Always go to the show." Or, more practically stated, as I have told many friends, "I don't see every show, but I see every one that I can.”

As an avid concertgoer, I keep track of shows, but only to a degree. I save ticket stubs, but not every concert requires tickets, or in many cases the venue just checks your name off a list. I have heard of people who meticulously keep track of all the shows they see, movies they watch, albums they listen to, etc. But who has time for that? In addition I suspect that the people who do this don't see as many shows as I do.

Enter modern technology. This past year, 2018, was the year I fully embraced the calendar in my phone. I kept track of every show I wanted to see, and if I ended up not going to a particular show, I removed it from the calendar. If I went to a multiple band show and missed any of the acts, I only listed the bands I saw. In the end I was left with an accurate look at a year in the life of a concert addict. Starting with Clutch on New Year's morning (they played Express Live for New Year's Eve 2017, taking the stage at 11:30 p.m. and playing until 1:00 a.m. on January 1st of this year); and ending with Colin Gawel and The Bowlers at the traditional December 23rd Woodlands Tavern gig, this year conveniently held at the easily manageable matinee hour of 4:00 p.m.; it was a typically full year. 

It's always hard for me to choose highlights from a year's worth of shows. For me live music played well is a sublime experience in and of itself. But this year I can easily say that two nights of Pearl Jam in their hometown of Seattle was heads above all other shows, particularly Night Two, which has already attained mythological status among Pearl Jam fanatics. The Missoula, Montana Pearl Jam show a few nights later takes an easy 3rd place spot. Double doses of Clutch (previously mentioned New Year's show and a co-headliner stint at the InkCarceration Festival in Mansfield, Ohio), and Lucero (opening for Frank Turner at Express Live in June...where they performed their entire as-yet-unreleased album as their set; and a headlining show at Skully's later in the year, where they played a request of mine...a song they haven't played in a decade) were fitting, as the albums both bands released in 2018 were my absolute favorite offerings of the year.

The Rumba Cafe remains my favorite venue to see a band, anywhere. And this year at Rumba I was treated to face-melting sets from Dan Baird & Homemade Sin, Drivin' N' Cryin', American Aquarium, Brandy Zdan, and Aaron Lee Tasjan, who was the biggest surprise of the year. I had not seen him previously, and I knew he would be good, but I wasn't prepared for just how mind-blowing of a performer he is. 

There's really far too many highlights to mention. You will also not be shocked to hear that I have zero plans to slow down any time soon. I already have Cher, Nick Mason's Saucerful Of Secrets, Kiss, and Iron Maiden on my calendar for 2019. Can't wait to see what other artists fill in all those other, as yet still blank, boxes. If you see me at a show in the new year, say hello, and let's rock!

Below is a list of all the bands I saw in 2018 (In many cases two or more bands were seen on one bill. This is a list of bands seen in total, and number of times I saw them):

Colin Gawel  (5x)

Pearl Jam  (3x) (click here to jump into Kevin’s excellent Pearl Jam Road Trip blog)

Trash Junkies (3x)

Clutch (2x)

James McMurtry (2x)

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit  (2x)

Lucero  (2x)

Race Of Devils  (2x)

A Perfect Circle

Aaron Lee Tasjan

Adam Kamm & The One Drops

Alice In Chains

American Aquarium

ASG

Berlin

Black Label Society

Black Spirit Crown

Blackberry Smoke

Bourbon Train

Brandy Zdan

Brett Michaels

Carach Angren

Corey Branan

Corrosion Of Conformity

Dan Baird & Homemade Sin

Dee Snider

Devildriver

Dokken

Don Felder

Drive-By Truckers

Drivin' N' Cryin'

Foghat

Frank Turner

Fu Manchu

Glenn Hughes

Goatwhore

Hall & Oates

Henry Rollins

Hiss Golden Messenger

Jake The Snake Roberts

John Moreland

Kingpin

Lita Ford

Lo-Pan

Magic Dick

Michael Schenker Fest

Moodshifter

Mr. Speed

Orphaned Land

REO Speedwagon

Satyricon

Sevendust

Sheryl Crow

Sleep

Snowblynd

Steve Earle

Styx

SubRosa

Suicidal Tendencies

Terry Davidson & The Gears

The Hold Steady

The Magpie Salute

The Shelter People

The Sword

Tool

Train

Tyr

Warrant

Willie Phoenix

Yes, featuring Anderson, Rabin & Wakeman

Rob Braithwaite's 2018 Music Compilation

Here are the songs I’ve chosen to represent how I spent my 2018 music fund.

“Music Box Theme”
Howard Blake
The Changeling (soundtrack)

The Changeling is my favorite horror movie. It got the blu-ray treatment this year, and with it came the soundtrack. It’s pretty great, too.

“Hate and Control”
Bully
Losing

I’m a big fan of the extended opening.

“Death Camp Fantasy”
Hot Snakes
Jericho Sirens

Person: What’s your favorite band?
Me: uh, which band is John Reis in now?
Person: Hot Snakes.
Me: Hot Snakes.

“You Can Have Alonetime When You’re Dead”
Remember Sports
Slow Buzz

If it pops and it rocks, it works for me.

Remember Sports plays an all-ages show at Ace of Cups January 3rd.

“Oyahytt (featuring Lakeith Stanfield)”
The Coup
Sorry to Bother You: The Soundtrack

A great lead track for a soundtrack of one of the most nuts movies I’ve seen in a while.

“Apostrophe’”
Frank Zappa
Apostrophe (‘)

Having seen Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words two years ago and read The Real Frank Zappa Book this year, I was ready for a serious sampling of his massive catalog. I asked the friend who saw the movie with me and gave the book for a starter compilation and an album suggestion. Knowing me, he suggested listening to Apostrophe (‘) and/or Over-Nite Sensation while he thought about how to tackle my cuts request. The title track of Apostrophe (‘) was an instant favorite. I imagine it as the soundtrack for a very extended opening credit sequence for Barney Miller.

Spang’s Frank Zappa Starter Kit (runtime: 32 minutes):
01 “My Guitar Wants to Kill Your Mama” - The Mothers of Invention - Weasels Ripped My Flesh
02 “Peaches en Regalia” - Frank Zappa - Hot Rats
03 “Village of the Sun” - Frank Zappa & The Mothers - Roxy & Elsewhere
04 “G-Spot” Tornado” - Frank Zappa - The Yellow Shark
05 “Watermelon in Easter Hay” - Frank Zappa - Joe’s Garage: Acts I, II & III
06 “Any Way the Wind Blows” - The Mothers of Invention - Freak Out!
07 “Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance” - The Mothers of Invention - We’re Only in It for the Money
08 “Electric Aunt Jemima” - The Mothers of Invention- Uncle Meat

“Boys in a Better Land”
Fontaines D.C.
single

IDLES will tour the U.S. again in 2019 and Fontaines D.C. will open. Do not miss this show. Fontaines D.C. are fine. They will make a good addition to the best concert of the year.

“You Only Live Twice”
Beulahbelle
Tully (soundtrack)

A pretty cover of one of the best James Bond songs. It’s a prefect selection for Tully.

“Birthday Cake”
Slothrust
The Pact

TV introduced me to Slothrust. Their song “7:30 A.M.” is used for the opening credits of You’re the Worst (final season start January 9th). I love Slothrust so much that I saw them at The Basement, Columbus’ worst music venue. There were several songs from the album I could have put on this compilation, but I liked how this one sounds after “You Only Live Twice.”

“Talk of the Town”
Elle King
Shake the Spirit

An album with so many styles shouldn’t work. This is the second time Elle King proved that it can.

“I’m Scum”
IDLES
Joy as an Act of Resistance

The albums are great. The live show is amazing. Seriously. They will be on tour in 2019. GO. SEE. THEM.

“Beating My Head Against a Wall”
Jeff Rosenstock
POST-

It pops. It rocks.

“Bang Someone Out”
Sleaford Mods
EP

So I was hanging in Oslo and my Norwegian cousin says to me, “Vil du se Sleaford Mods i Göteborg?” Then I said, “What?” Soon we were on our way to see Sleaford Mods in Göteborg, Sweden.

Two guys, a laptop and a microphone. It’s not quite hip hop. It’s not exactly punk. It was fascinating to watch and one of the best concerts I’ve seen.

If you can, get your eyes on the band’s documentary, Bunch of Kunst. It captured the band at a perfect moment and the last fifteen minutes or so is Rock Doc Hall of Fame material.

“Tester”
Hinds
I Don’t Run

The English-as-a-second-language vocals give the super catchy songs a added flavor.

“Cut Stranger”
J Mascis
Elastic Days

Unlike a box of chocolates, I always know what I’m going to get with a J Mascis/Dinosaur Jr album. Few artists can get away with such a thing for so long (see also: AC/DC).

“Our Work Is Done”
Superchunk
single

Not only was it a surprise Superchunk came to town this year but they go and drop a single before the year is through. [happy monkey emoji]

Happy Listening in 2019,
- rob.

Rob watches movies and listens to music and writes stuff. He once watched 365 movies in one year and wrote about each one. Click here to check it out.

J. Browning talking? Early NFL entries, The UW D, The Luster of the Rose: Baver Answers Colin's Questions - Rose Bowl Wk. (pt 2 of 2)

Colin: Bosa, Dre’mont and Mike Weber have already declared for the NFL draft. What other Buckeyes will be joining them?

Baver: The chances of Haskins leaving are just a tad less than 100%, and it sounds like KJ Hill is out the door as well. It wouldn’t be a shock to see each of Jordan Fuller, Kendall Sheffield, and Damon Arnette declare. I’d say the most likely scenario is that two of those three leave. I think Michael Jordan will likely be back, and that Day will promise him that he moves back to guard. There was once talk that Malik Harrison was mulling over his options, but it now sounds like Harrison is coming back. 

Colin: Justin Fields from Georgia may be leaving the Bulldogs and last we knew he was giving OSU a hard look. If he transferred to Ohio State is he the starter the first season he is eligible and what is the likelihood Fields could be eligible to play here immediately? Also, Tate Martell had tweeted something like: “Better not swing and miss twice” recently. Was that tweet directed at Fields?

Baver: If Fields is leaving Athens (which now sounds likely), I would think he has some in-the-know folks advising him that he will indeed be granted a waiver to play immediately at his new school. OSU seems to have a fair shot at landing Fields if he does transfer, and my guess is he would probably be eligible to play in ’19, but that’s not a given. 

Tate was indeed taking a dig at Justin Fields, insinuating that Fields couldn’t beat out Fromm at Georgia, and won’t beat out Tate at Ohio St. I’ll say this though, Justin Fields is a special talent, who is in a situation at Georgia that is not unlike Dwayne Haskins’ situation sitting behind JT Barrett. And as for Tate Martell, if I were him, I’d worry first about Matthew Baldwin. I have heard from multiple Buckeye insiders that say Baldwin is most likely the starter at QB for Ohio St next fall.

Colin: The Rose Bowl still carries some luster among fans in the Midwest, do you think it has any magic for the players?

Baver: It definitely does, which is why Haskins and Dre’Mont are playing. The updated mock draft I looked at Saturday had Haskins as the #6 overall pick and Dre’mont at #15. That same mock had Washington’s CB Byron Murphy at #8 overall, and Murphy won’t be missing this one either. The Rose hosted a playoff game last year, and in the year before that, the Rose matched Penn St vs USC. That non-playoff game drew 16 million viewers, not far behind the playoff games that year that each drew around 19 million viewers. The Rose is the one bowl that is still a pretty big deal to players and fans even in the years when it is not hosting a playoff game.

Colin: Everybody seems to think the Huskies are just going to roll over for the Buckeyes. Is this a trap game? 

Baver: Washington is top 10 in each of the 3 major polls, and I’d say they deserve it. Michigan’s defense turned out to be somewhat of a fraud, but this Washington D is really, really good. They have not given up more than 24 pts in regulation in any game this year, and gave up only 137 yards TOTAL in the Pac-12 title game. There were still a lot of chinks left in the OSU armor when they battled Northwestern, and this of course will be a tougher matchup for OSU. I’d caution against underestimating a team with a defense like Washington has.

Colin: There is lots of good film on how to gash the Buckeye defense. How many points would you expect the silver bullets to give up on New Year's Day? Can our offense match it against a high ranked Husky pass defense? 

Baver: UW QB Jake Browning: “We’ve reviewed a lot of tape from Ohio State’s loss to Purdue, and I think we’ve keyed in on their biggest weaknesses, especially on defense. From what I’ve seen, I don’t think they can stop our passing attack.”

My questions for Jake Browning: “The passing attack you are referring to....is that the same passing attack where you connected on 16 TD’s in 13 gms, with 10 picks? And the same one that has a 4-year starting QB that regressed in his junior season and again his senior season? Washington may put some pts up on an underachieving OSU D, but Jake Browning even putting the words “passing” and “attack” together is laughable. Their offense generated 3 pts in the P12 Championship. What usually makes UW’s offense go is tailback Myles Gaskin, and the good line he has in front of him. Doing the math, Vegas has OSU giving up 25 ½ pts. I have the Bucks giving up a tad less than that. 

I do not see Ohio State having nearly as much success on offense as they had against UM and N’Western. Still, I see too many things pointing OSU’s way in this one: (1) Urban’s final game, (2) Urban’s prior bowl success, (3) Chris Peterson’s 0-3 record in the big out-of-conference games at UW, (4) PSU beating UW far worse than the score indicated in last year’s Fiesta Bowl, and (5) OSU fans attending the game expected to outnumber UW fans by a 2-1 margin.

The Call: Ohio St 31 Washington 23

Urban's Reasons, the Ryan Day Hire, Landing Zach Harrison & the CFB Playoff: Baver Answers Colin's Questions (pt. 1 of 2)

Colin: Rose Bowl talk coming in Pt 2 but let’s cover some other areas...Urban Meyer has officially called it quits since we last chatted. Is this truly because of health issues or did the Zach Smith saga and Urban’s suspension factor into his retirement? And does Urban go down as one of the top 10 coaches in CFB history?

Baver: There is much talk about the OSU Board and the school president not publicly sticking up for Urban, and this being key in Urban’s choice to step down. I mean, they could have publicly hammered home the countless things Urban had done for OSU besides win football games. On the other hand, it’s been reported that Urban will take on an assistant AD role at OSU as well as teach a leadership class. If he is that ticked off at OSU, why stay on in multiple new roles? We’ll never know for sure, but I think Urban is still coaching this team into 2019 and beyond if Zach Smith’s skeletons were not dragged from the closet.

As for top 10 coaches, it’s pretty hard to compare coaches today to a Pop Warner, a Knute Rockne, or even a Woody Hayes. But in following college football pretty closely for 40 years, and just looking at coaches in the that time frame, I have Nick Saban in a league of his own, followed by Urban Meyer, before another drop-off.

Colin: Ryan Day seems like a genuinely good guy…I just hope he is ready for what he has gotten himself into. Did Ohio State make the right call here?

Baver: I hope so. I am guessing Matt Campbell at Iowa State was the next option, but with Campbell you would have definitely had a reset period of 1 to 2 years with a major recruiting hit. I think the continuity is huge here. I really like Day….he does indeed seem very genuine, and certainly has a lot upstairs. Before the choice was made, I had told people I felt Matt Campbell was the better option. But with the transition being pretty smooth, and with the buzz about Day’s smarts continuing to grow, it looks to me like OSU knew what they were doing with this hire.

Colin: The Buckeyes inked 15 guys, losing the QB that was supposed to be in this class but reeled in Zach Harrison while keeping him out of Harbaugh’s and James Franklin’s hands. This class is not where they normally rank nationally but considering the coaching change things could be worse. What are your thoughts on this class so far?

Baver: Yeah, it’s a solid class despite the coaching change which always hurts recruiting. I would have liked to have kept the QB Dwan Mathis, but you can’t have everything. One of the verbals that didn’t sign is 4-star guard Doug Nester from West Va who says he is still committed to OSU, but will take official visits prior to the February signing day. OSU is in need of more quality O-linemen, so Nester a is recruit they want pretty bad. A lot of people that follow Ohio recruiting closely think Zach Harrison could be a major bust, but OSU has never had a physical freak quite like Harrison. And as we all know, OSU has had their share of freak athletics. Larry Johnson coaching Zach Harrison? Yes, please.

Colin: Midwestern schools haven't had much luck playing Clemson. Can Notre Dame keep it close or is it going to be another embarrassment for the Irish on the big stage?

Baver: I think this is a pretty good Notre Dame football team. The problem is, this Clemson team dominated more this season that the elite Clemson teams from ’15, ’16 and ’17. That Clemson D-line, with or without Dexter Lawrence, I think will be too much for the Irish to handle. They allow just 2.4 yds per carry, tops in the nation. The one advantage ND does have is the size of their receivers which will create problems for the Tigers if Ian Book does find time to throw. On the other side, Notre Dame has a solid D, but Clemson has so many weapons to throw at them. 13 pts is a lot, but if I had to pick this game against the spread, I’d still take the Tigers.

Colin: Considering Oklahoma cannot stop the run, wouldn't Bama be wise to start Jalen Hurts and just pound the rock all day long keeping Kyler Murray off the field?

Baver: Interesting theory and makes some sense, but I don’t think it will matter. Bama should score at will on OU’s defense no matter who they line up behind center. The close game the Tide got from Georgia should prove to be a blessing….this Bama team needed to be challenged. This is another game with a spread that appears high (at 14), and I do think the Bama D will be in prevent mode with a 3-score-plus lead at some point in the 2ndhalf. I could see Oklahoma getting a back-door cover with a few late scores. But it’s hard for me to see anything but Bama vs Clemson Round 4, a week from Monday.

The Magic of Christmas - by Wal Ozello

It’s Christmas Eve here at the Pencilstorm offices and as the rest of the staff cleans up after our annual holiday party, I’m sitting down for one last assignment. As a side note, this year’s gift exchange went well for some and not so well for others. While Ricki C. got Springsteen on Broadway (on Vinyl), Scott got an authentic Ace Frehley Guitar Pick and Colin got The Complete Epic Albums Collection by Cheap Trick, my secret Santa was Jeff Hassler, who for some reason thinks I share his adoration for Styx, so he got me one ticket to their show on June 29 at Rose Music Center in Huber Heights. Why one ticket? He’s got the other one. I’ll probably come down with the flu that week and try to trick Ricki that the opening band is Mott The Hoople.

Any who, it’s my job to write the holiday blogs around here and I have to admit that it’s getting harder and harder to write about the magic of Christmas. I mean, have you looked out your window and seen the world we live in? Seriously, how many death and destruction government shutdown RGB is going to die doomsday scenario posts did you see on your Facebook feed before scrolling down to this one? My guess is there was at least 14 different stories. Is Armageddon around the corner? Vegas odds are 4/1 that we’ll see the end of the world in our lifetime. I’d take that bet but how would I cash in?

Here’s the great thing: with Christmas there is hope. In our darkest day of the year, someone lights a candle to shine for the world to see and scream at the top of their lungs, “Just like Andy Dufresne in Shawshank Redemption we can crawl through this sewer of shit and find freedom on the other side.” (Note: I am contractually obligated with Castle Rock Entertainment to mention Shawshank Redemption at least once a year.)

Hope. There is hope, folks, that this world can be a better place. But we can’t just sit in our houses scrolling through Facebook to find it. We have to create it. Let me share a story about my friend, Steve.

Steve’s no Superman but last Friday he was in line at the AMC Lennox to catch the 5:30pm showing of the movie Aquaman when he heard a car horn outside at the intersection in the parking lot. He could see from a distance that a Buick LeSabre was stopped in the middle of the intersection. Steve’s a mechanic and knows that these cars are frequently owned by older people. As he watched the car he saw it creeping forward to the movie theatre sidewalk. This AMC is one of those movie theatre entrances with big glass windows and doors that start at the end of the intersection - directly where the car was slowly heading.

Thinking the car may have an elderly driver that needed some help, Steve headed out to offer assistance. He approached the car, looked in the window and discovered a woman in her 30’s inhaling smoke from what looked like heroin on foil. She seemed higher than a kite. Your reaction here may be what mine probably would be: yell at the druggie woman for putting all these people’s lives in potential danger. Thankfully, that wasn’t Steve’s. He didn’t wanted to freak out the woman and have her accidentally hit the gas and drive through the AMC entrance.

Instead he had the foresight to gently tap on the window and get her to roll it down. Then he calmly reached in the car, put it in park and then took her keys. He called 911 and stayed on the line with the police and EMS to help monitor until the police and paramedics could arrive.

I don’t know if Steve ever got into see Aquaman but he was definitely a hero that night. Probably saved a woman from OD’ing, or worse yet, driving her car into a movie complex to hurt a dozen or so other people. All because he simply went out to see if he could help.

That’s what Christmas is all about: helping others because in the end, we’re all in this together.

The magic of Christmas isn’t in a box wrapped under your tree. It’s in you and me. Be a goddamn Albus Dumbledore Gandalf Merlin 25th Level Wizard this coming year and spread that magic everywhere. That’s what Steve did. Maybe one day we’ll wake up and end up on the beach of Zihuatanejo and forget all this shit ever happened. Until then, be magical.

From all of us here at Pencilstorm, to you and your families: Have a Merry Christmas and happy holidays.

Wal Ozello is a science fiction techno-thriller novelist and the author of Assignment 1989 ,  Revolution 1990, and Sacrifice 2086. He's the lead singer of the former Columbus rock band Armada. His film work includes directing Dad Can’t Help You Now by Colin Gawel.

"Mock and Roll" / One Year Later - by Pete Vogel

Last year I had the pleasure of meeting Mark Stewart, a local filmmaker who debuted his feature film – “Mock and Roll” – at the Gateway Theater in Columbus last November.  This was his debut film and he was showing it to local audiences for the first time. The film was shot primarily in Columbus, so having a hometown debut was both a blessing and a curse, with all the highs and lows that accompany a homecoming of this nature.  Mark’s journey was a little off the beaten path—he left his day job in HR (after working 34 years) to pursue his passion of music and movies, so there was a lot at stake for his Gateway debut as he began his sixth decade.

“Mock and Roll” was a dream come to fruition, a perfect blend of music, satire and storytelling.  It follows a local band (Liberty Mean) that parody another local band (The Black Owls) in their attempt to gain fame and fortune as a cover band.  It’s a mash-up of “The Office,” “This is Spinal Tap” and “Fargo” all rolled into one, with the storyline focused around a cadre of hapless millennials.

In the spirit of “The Odyssey,” Liberty Mean is set to embark on a sojourn to Austin TX to attend the South-by-Southwest (SXSW) Festival, even though they weren’t booked for the event, nor had any idea what to do once they arrived.  They decided to raise funds for the trip by setting up a crowd-funding page, but their contributions were paltry at best—on par with their paying gigs. This didn’t stop them from their quest, however, and they ended up engaging in questionable scientific experiments to raise funds for the trip…..Tomfoolery ensues.

There are many plot twists and turns, so I’ll leave it at that.  If you like music, DIY, dreamers, cameo appearances, satire, mockumentaries and homegrown art, you’ll love “Mock and Roll.”  It’s got something for everyone.

The film has been featured in many festivals since last fall, including the Orlando Film Festival, Oklahoma’s Eyecatcher International Film Festival, Austin’s Revolution Film Festival and Cincy’s Inside the Loop Film Festival.  They received several nominations (Best Comedy, Best Director, Best Editor, etc.) and received awards for Best Feature and Best Original Score. It also took home awards from Cleveland’s Indie Gathering Film Festival. Stewart and company have enjoyed an entire year of basking in the spotlight.  

More good news: “Mock and Roll” is currently available on Amazon for the low price of $9.99.  It’s a perfect stocking stuffer for the holidays. You don’t have to be a member to purchase; you can simply follow the link here: https://amzn.to/2zvFWOE

Congratulations to Mark and his team that brought us “Mock and Roll.” It was a wild ride.  We definitely look forward to the next project! - Pete V.

Trailer for the award-winning Mock & Roll named Best Feature at the Inside The Loop Film Festival and Best Original Score at the EyeCatcher International Film Festival. Also nominated for 8 other awards at festivals ranging from Austin (its World Premiere) to Orlando to Hollywood, Florida to Adrian International including Best Comedy, Actor, Actress, Director, Editing, Poster and Horizon Award.