Brian Fallon & the Crowes at the Newport Music Hall, Columbus, Ohio on 1/13/16.

     Brian Fallon is the talented New Jersey rock singer, writer, and guitarist who has been most famously in the Gaslight Anthem band. I read a review of the Gaslight Anthem before I actually heard their music and it said they sounded like Bruce Springsteen singing for the best Cure cover band. What's not to like, I thought! And then I heard them. And I love so many of their songs! In fact, their "'59 Sound" song has meant a lot to me -- in fact, it inspired me to play my father his favorite music in the hours before he died. That will stick with me for a lifetime. And inspired by Brian Fallon.
     Sometimes these blogposts are filled with words a few pictures. This post will be filled with pictures. The band was terrific that night. And I feel like the pictures will tell the story. Thanks for a great show, Brian Fallon and band. I look forward to seeing more performances in the future.

Brian Fallon & the Crowes 

Brian Fallon 

Brian Fallon

Brian Fallon

Brian Fallon & the Crowes

Brian Fallon

Brian Fallon

Brian Fallon & the Crowes

Brian Fallon & the Crowes

Jukebox the Ghost and Mainland at Skully's Music Diner, Columbus, Ohio on 3/3/16

     I was excited to see Jukebox the Ghost again. I in fact had never heard of them until I saw their performance at Atlanta's Shaky Knees Festival 2015. I was stunned that I had never heard their stuff as they were quirky, talented, and catchy. I very much looked forward to seeing them again after listening to their CDs.
Venue: Skully's Music Diner is a live music venue, a diner, a bar, and a dance bar. It holds just enough people to be an intimate space while attracting some name bands. A really nice place to catch a show.
Merch: Both the headliner Jukebox the Ghost and the opener Mainland had t-shirts and CDs and some other cool merch. Nice selection.
Opener: I had not heard of Mainland previously. And another pleasant surprise when an opening band plays that I had not previously heard! These guys are going to be make some really good music and get radio play in the future. I like their catchy sound with a mix of NYC garage (ala the Strokes) sound with some rocking but danceable beats from a classic four piece band. Jordan Topf is the lead singer and he has a really good stage presence and voice to match. Corey Mullee and Greg Pitta are other members in the band. After hearing their performance and buying their EP, I look forward to hearing more from them.
Headliner: Jukebox the Ghost were great! I was happy to see a "full show" from them since a festival show is often abbreviated. They did not disappoint. They did so many of the songs I wanted to hear, were funny and quirky, and sounded terrific. They even did a cover of "Under Pressure" by Queen featuring David Bowie. That was the third time I'd ever heard that song live: David Bowie performed it when I saw him (with a female backup singer doing the Freddie Mercury part), Queen with Adam Lambert performed it (with the drummer Roger Taylor doing David Bowie's part), and now Jukebox the Ghost. Somehow JtG has not gotten much airtime (hello, CD102.5) in the Central Ohio area. I hope that changes in the future!
After show: Skully's lends itself to interacting with the band after the show and this show followed that tendency. Mainland came out and were hanging out by the merch table, signing autographs, and posing for pictures. I spoke with Jordan the lead singer. He asked me about my concert t-shirt (sadly, I have no idea which one I was wearing), we talked about Sound City Studios where their EP was recorded, and Jordan signed their EP that I purchased. Good guy, that Jordan.
     Next up, I realized all three members of Jukebox the Ghost, Ben Thornewill (lead vocals and piano), Tommy Siegel (vocals and guitar), and Jesse Kristen (drummer), were hanging out, signing autographs and chatting with folks. Each of them signed their latest CD that I purchased after the show. All the guys were friendly and seemed to genuinely enjoy interacting with the fans.
     Overall a really fun experience. If you are unfamiliar with these bands, check them out.

Mainland 

 Jordon Topf of Mainland

Another picture of Jordon Topf of Mainland

Mainland 

Ben Thornewill of Jukebox the Ghost

Jukebox the Ghost with their iconic doodle behind them.

Tommy Siegel of Jukebox the Ghost

Jesse Kristin of Jukebox the Ghost

The Southern Troubadours, Southern Theater, Columbus, Ohio 4/3/16

     Joe Ely, Ruthie Foster, and Paul Thorn are touring as the Southern Troubadours. They are playing primarily acoustic shows with each artist taking turns playing their own material and covers.
Venue: Southern Theater. I was fortunate to sit in the center of the third row and had a great view of the stage. This venue always sounds great!
Merch: Each artist was selling some CDs and t shirts. Nice selection.
Joe Ely is an amazing artist who has been playing for years. He has many amazing songs, has played with Bruce Springsteen, and sings backup vocals on the Clash song "Should Stay or Should I Go". A lovely road-weary voice and a fine guitar player. Joe did a number of terrific songs and a cover of "You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone",
Ruthie Foster is a soulful folk rock artist with a powerful, gosple-strong voice. Ruthie did some recent material and a great cover of "Ring of Fire".
Paul Thorn is the son of a pentecostal preacher and also has a church-worthy strong voice. Paul had some funny stories about him playing "Three Times A Lady" at a middle school talent show and about a meth lab playing his stuff when the SWAT team knocked down their trailer door!
     All three artists came out and signed autographs after the show while sitting in the lobby at a table. Thanks for signing ya'll!

Joe Ely

Paul Thorn

Ruthie Foster

Paul Thorn

Joe Ely

Joe Ely, Ruthie Foster, and Paul Thorn (L to R).

The autographed ticket.

Magic Man, The Griswolds, and Panama Wedding at the Newport Music Hall, Columbus, Ohio, 4/22/16

Quite the enjoyable show featuring three bands whom I like but have never seen live. And were those fans loud and enthusiastic all night!
Venue: The Newport was sold out for the event. Really good, vocal crowd. Way to represent Cbus! Although the vast majority of shows at the Newport are standing only, there is a small fenced-off area on stage left that has space for some chairs and wheelchairs. Thanks again to my security buddy for grabbing me so I could sit in this area. You are the man, _____!
Merch: Each band brought some combination of vinyl, t shirts, and CDs. Panama Wedding came out after the show for picture and/or autographs. Nice.
Panama Wedding: Good energy, good sound, upbeat, and overall a nice set. Also, I enjoyed the cover of the Killer's "When We Were Young".
The Griswolds: I really like these guys. Loads of energy, really good pop-punk sound, and good stage presence. They thanked our beloved CD102.5 local independent radio station who has supported them. I cannot wait to hear what they will produce in the future. Terrific.
Magic Man: I was interested to see a familiar face on keyboards for Magic Man -- Fran Litterski of local band Kid Runner. I spoke with her after one of their shows at the local A+R Music Bar (Kid Runner are worth seeing!). I only knew a few Magic Man tunes but quickly warmed to their energy and catchy songs. Alex Caplow (lead singer) and Ben Lee (guitar) front the band and consistently add a nice stage presence and solid musicianship. I really liked the Bruce Springsteen "Dancing In The Dark" cover! Well done, guys!
All three bands converged on the stage to finish off the show with a lively cover of R Kelly's "Ignition". Quite the night of music!

 Panama Wedding

 The Griswolds

 The Griswolds

Magic Man with Fran Litterski on keyboards

Magic Man, the Griswolds, and Panama Wedding close out the show with a group encore performing a cover of "Ignition" by R Kelly.

This photo is from Panama Wedding's Twitter account. I am on the far left of the photo in the black (Iggy Pop) t shirt -- sitting.