Dayton scene veteran John Jacobs is the brains behind John Jacobs Jingles Promotions first Sacrifest event honoring sacrifices musicians make for their art. With a diverse lineup from acoustic to death metal, the weekend fest plans to make a memorable first impression. “This is an event for all local bands,” Jacobs says. The event takes place from September 21 till the early morning of the 23 with 11 bands. His biggest event to date. “I’m hoping we’ll see a second.”
Jacobs promoting began with scene veteran Marc Godsey showing him the ropes, “He told me the right way to do it,” he remembers. “It’s been going pretty good.” He’s booked at Hanks Pub, Blind Bobs and Oscars with an eventual eye on Oddbody’s and beyond Dayton.
The fest’s in Germantown, on a large 11-acre private field near a log cabin, in case of bad weather with camping, grilling and a bonfire, “We have a barn, if weathers bad, we can always play in there.” It also helps being off the beaten road, “It’s pretty far out.” The event is BYOB, but attendees might end up partying with bands, friends and he who walks behind the rows. It’s a big cabin, all decked out to where you can go in and hang out. A cabin in the woods so to speak. There’s limited capacity and parking, so get there early.
Musicians play 45-minute sets with 15-minute breaks. Friday will feature four bands with seven on Saturday. “Most of these bands I know personally so it makes it more fun, he says. “I have five acoustics. The rest are metal. Saturday, Slaves Among Death close the weekend.” Friday features Sonny B. Good and Mara Moon. Saturday features Temper, Dark Soul, Slaves Among Death and a few surprises.
Saturday begins with Ollie & Atom acoustics, featuring Olivia Thomas who met Jacobs at another festival, “He really liked my stuff and asked me to be a part of this.” She plays ukulele while her boyfriend plays guitar and stomp box. “I play a little bit of everything. A lot of people call it indie alternative. It’s mostly covers but I have six or seven originals.” Her plays Ingrid Michaelson to The Knack. Sacrifest will be a first with heavier company, “I like to go first. It’s an easy sound to warm up to going in.”
The ukulele seemed like a hip instrument to her. “It makes me stand out having the different style. As long as I’m having fun it makes it easier for everyone else to enjoy it. It warm’s my heart.”
Jacobs likes the sweat and grind of promoting, “I got interested because I love music.” He’s a 20-year scene veteran. “I’m gonna keep doing what I do,” he says. “I learn more each time I do it.” He’s approaching a decade of promotion with a strong, growing network. “If it wasn’t for some of these bands I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.”
Dark Soul met Jacobs through the scene becoming friends, “He was putting on the event and told him we were interested,” Vocalist Robert Smith says, “He said he’d love to have us on it. The rest in history.”
Beginning in ’98, after a 2009 hiatus and 2013 reformation they now have a firm lineup. “They asked me to sing in 2013,” he says. “Guttural vocals wasn’t my forte at the time. Its labeled groove metal, I just say its brutal metal.”
The show will feature fan favorites and new material, “We’re in the studio working on the third album,” Smith says. They’re playing new material live including “Puppets in the Field” and “Tis the Season” and rehashing material getting a modern feel for older songs with 10 more upcoming.”
Dark Soul’s helped Smith through some turbulent times with a strong family support system. The newer version’s a different vibe, “You can tell the distinct influences.” Come to Sacrifest and have fun, “Cut loose, enjoy yourself, get your necks wrecked. It’ll be an action-packed event.
Jacobs has lived with a name akin to Jingleheimer Schmidt his whole life. Johnnie Wallace (Engraved Darkness) said he should name his promotion John Jacobs Jingles. “I said, ah man, I don’t know. He goes, if you don’t I’m not gonna play for it. Ok, you win,” Jacobs laughs.
The weekend’s a trial run as Jacobs might do more shows there. Attendees that do both days might have to rough it a bit but there will be outdoor amenities and open re-entry with armbands.
Jacobs invites everyone to celebrate musical sacrifices, “Come out and have a great time. Enjoy family and friends. That’s what it’s about. The sacrifices of local talent. Support them all.”
Sacrifest will happen September 21 & 23, 9987 Puddenbag Rd, Germanton Ohio. 15 and up $15 for both nights, $10 per day, 15 and younger free, 9pm Friday, 5pm Saturday, BYOB. Dark Soul, Suffer These Wounds, El Dios Malo, Ollie & Atom Acoustics, Slaves Among Death, 454 Acoustic, The Ram Ones, Sonny B. Gould, Mara Moon among others will perform. For more information https://www.facebook.com/events/299525170855190/
