The venue formally known as McGuffy’s re-opened last year under new management with a revamped look, name and promise to bring multi-genre artists and talent to Dayton. So far, so good, while still keeping the local rock and metal crowd happy they have diversified with rap, hip hop, country, industrial, pop and everything else, even two sold out nights of an all-male review. While keeping the spirit of the venue’s past, owner Neilson Hixson in a short time has made the venue a distinctively new place.
To help celebrate the big ‘one’ they brought in local talent Avareous, Cincinnati’s Violent Kind, and the Brent James Vintage Youth band. For a venue that’s given two fingers up high for decades, this new era is no different.
Ontario’s finest Finger Eleven, have just released their sixth album Five Crooked Lines, a departure from previous work. The stars have aligned for them, as crooked as they may be. They changed strategy through trial, tribulation, industry trends and departures as memories of youth inspired them. They came to headline and send Oddbody’s down the road toward the terrible two’s.
The Avareous camp has been busy working on new material and will play the Eatonic Music Festival Labor Day weekend.
The opening atmosphere and vocal melody of “Face” was carried on guitar as emotion rocked out the mic. Bright scarlet flew as Kristine let out the scream. She led us back down the rabbit hole into the mid-sixties haze of psychedelics and Grace Slick’s mind-bending words. A few new tunes were played to a good reception. How could you not pay attention when the wildfire eyes and fingers of a clawing hellcat are inches from you ready to strike.
With a combination of rock, indie noise and alternative 90’s the Violent Kind will be releasing new music this summer. They are collectively driven to write powerful nostalgic music with authentic stories about childhood, the many trials, victories and tragedies of love and growing up in an ever changing modern world.
Opening with the sordid tale of love lost to another and the jealous revenge game of “Ghost.” They flew into the evening and happier terrain with the mellow, upbeat guitar twang of “Tonight We’ll Fly.” “Best Friend” hit a more somber thread of loss with sunbeam rays of hope and renewal. “Composure” swam between depression and reconciliation, rock and watery-submerged notes.
The heat rising, spirit raising revival came a banging, blaring and shaking like a reptilian snake charmer with tambourine and acoustic in hand, bare-foot and stomping to get closer to mother earth. Brent James brought the all ails-curing miracle medicine for everyone to sample, no charlatan sleight of hand here.
With a wicked brew of Buck Cherry, The Cult, CCR and some Skynyrd (of course), they started with the “Jet Set” rich girl, touring the world while they were playing the harmonica blues on tour. Yes, they said he was a “Fine Young Man” with southern manners and a whisky shine smile. They started “Rackin My Brain” with a dirty rock n roll mindset and a faith healers hand. It was fine time for a trip to “Folsom” with some cash in their pocket. With the swagger of Jagger and the presence of Pop, James kept the show chugging along.
“In the way I Bleed” had a certain honky-tonk bayou flavor with Zeppelin on the strings and the Black Crowes flying above. “Hold Still” for me, he demanded… and begged. The guitars and drums fought for him to keep the girl in his grasp. They finished turning the angelic to the condemned with “Halo into a Noose.”
WTUE’s Norm Lilly introduced the boys from Burlington. Celebrating their new record along with Oddbody’s passing its first digit year. The proggy sound of the title track started as guitarist Rick Jackett spent most of the show in virtual non-stop whiplash motion. They went back to The Greyest of Blue Skies for the “First Time” staying old school and alternative with “Tip.” It was Them vs. You. Vs. Me on “Falling On.” They brought out a few crocked lines in a row bringing the wolves to the door, with a “Blackout Song” and “Absolute Truth.”
The “Pieces Fit” on Life Turns Electric opener “Any Minute Now.” The lines just kept coming on “Gods of Speed.” There was a quick trip through “Quicksand” if you were “Not going to be Afraid.” A short aquatic, whale-like guitar solo led into the crowd roaring “One Thing.” The atmospheric Pink Floyd epic “Come on Oblivion” carried Scott Anderson’s impassioned vocals. There was nostalgia from “Above” and new-school on “Save Your Breath.” They got heavy without breaking stuff on “Drag you Down.” “Criminal” ended the new album live promo. They went to the rooftop playing “Paralyzer” and sent them home happy with “Another brick in the Wall.”
Images by Mike Ritchie
