HELLBOUND TRUCKERS RAISE A RUCKUS
Local three-generation (a young 'un, pa & grandpappy triumvirate) party band The Hellbound Truckers are hosting a CD release party for their new disc Ruckus at The Northberg on March 2, 2002. Also playing is Rocketboy-9 from Cleveland featuring Dave Loy ("one of the HOTTEST guitar players around!").

FORECAST: ABSOLUTELY NO RAIN

Zero Rain will be releasing their new CD called Atmosphere (Thin Ear Records) at a record release show on February 28 @ The Brickyard. The band consists of James Housteau on lead vocals, guitar, and piano; Dave Gallagher on lead guitar and vocals; Chris Winder on drums and percussion; and Steve Gross on bass and background vocals. The CD was recorded at John Schwab Studios by Joe Viers. Also on the bill is special guest Stonevelvet. Check out www.zerorain.com for more info!

THIS JUST IN ... NEW BAND IN TOWN!
An unbiased Cringe-creeper has written in to tell the world and Columbus that:

"there's this band called "Underhero" thats kinda just getting started. They are just starting to play out, and all, but they kick ass. no joke. I saw them at a party in Dublin, everybody loved 'em... everybody was kinda drunk, but alcohol or no, these guys are about to storm the city."

Forewarned is forearmed.

- Pat Dull

COMFEST APPS AND UPDATES
If you jumped on the online Comfest applications last week, make sure ya get both forms. You can also get them at Monkey's Retreat and music shops around town. The application deadline is April Fools Day. Really. No. REALLY! This year's Comfest is June 28, 29 & 30. Keep in mind, stages may be a bit limited this year since Goodale Ave. will be closed for construction. I gave my 2 cents a few weeks ago and suggested moving the Jazz Tent to Poplar and adding new stage on the lawn somewhere.

BIG FREE BATTLE FINALS MARCH 1
The Ohio State University Battle of the Bands finals are March 1 at Woody's Place in the Ohio Union at OSU. The winner gets the headlining spot at OSU's Big Free Concert. Yes, crowd response counts. And the finalists are ...

Fire
The Honey's
The Jeremy Richter Effort
The Shantee
Soul-Fu Villains
Spiker-Konesky Band
Stonevelvet
Woosley Band

For more info, email OUABConcerts@osu.edu

BUCK SHOT EAR SHOT
There are few shows worth of new pictures and videos in Ear Shot Raw including the Baxters, 1.3, King Combine, F** Bomb, Pity The Fool, Media Whores, Bob City, New Bomb Turks and Grafton.

FURTHER SERVER UPDATES
I performed a few Cringe.com server updates over the weekend. There were a few version conflicts, but things all worked out. With any luck, this time next week you'll be seeing some major changes to the site.

- Joel

CULT OF THE PSYCHIC FETUS
On Thursday, February 21, 2002, the world's leading "Goth-a-Billy" group Cult Of The Psychic Fetus will be performing at Outland (1034 Perry St. Columbus, Ohio 43201). The band was recently been nominated for the second year in a row for a Cleveland Free Times Music Award 2001, having already won a Cleveland Free Times Cleveland Music Award 2000 as well as a Scene Magazine Music Award 2000 for "The Best Gothic Act." Also appearing will be the return of Columbus's own G-Spot Tornados and Bastard Squad of America. For more info contact Outland: (614) 421-2789 or email at outland@columbus.rr.com or Cult Of The Psychic Fetus: ravenmusicgroup@ravenworldwide.com or http://www.ravenworldwide.com/cultof.htm.

FIRST ANNUAL SWIM MEET
The First Annual Swim Meet takes place at Ruby Tuesday this Wednesday, February 20. Hosted by Swim Team, these events will feature local bands covering entire records. The first meet schedule:

• 10pm Season's End (Help! - The Beatles)
  
• 11pm Mohio (vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot - Sparklehorse)
  
• 12am Swim Team (Infidels - Bob Dylan)

MIRANDA SOUND BABY REBORN
Local band Miranda Sound is releasing a full-length CD called Baby Inertia (on Standard Recording Company Records, from Kokomo, Indiana). It's basically a re-release of their debut, but with some extra songs and a remastering job by Neal Schmitt at Workbook Studio. There will be a CD release party on March 2, 2002, at Oldfield's on High, with Silo The Huskie. Check out these promotional opportunities:

• February 24, 2002 - The Independent Playground, 101.1 FM - CD 101 Radio - 10pm
  
• February 26, 2002 - The Local Buzz, 101.5 FM - WOBN Radio - 10pm
  
• March 2, 2002 - Magnolia Thunderpussy in-store appearance - 2pm
  

7-TRACK MIND EP
7-Track Mind, an "original, guitar driven rock band from Columbus," has just "finished" their debut EP. They will be having a CD release party on Friday, February 22, 2002 at The High Beck Tavern, 564 S. High St. (224-0886). The 7-Track Mind website can be found at www.7-trackmind.com.

GRAFTON SINGLE AGAIN
Local rockers Grafton is releasing their new single ("Sumbitch" b/w "Fine, good, go") on Derailleur/Diaphragm Records. It was recorded at Workbook Studio by Jon Chinn. A release party will be held on February 22, 2002 w/ New Bomb Turks, Bob City, and Bleed. Check out cringe.com/grafton and rawk@hotmail.com for more info.

- Pat Dull

SIT SILO, SIT! STAAAAYYYY
Pat already mentioned Silo the Huskie is playing Miranda Sound's CD release show March 2 above. Ends up that will be Silo's first show since Comfest 2001. That means we can expect some new tunes, including some from their next CD which they're still shopping around to see what happens.

COMFEST BAND APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE
Speaking of Comfest, it's about that time of the year. Comfest band applications are available now at www.comfest.com, Monkey's Retreat, and some area record and music stores.

THE VINCENTS UPDATE UPDATE
The Vincents have stayed near home recently recording a few songs and updating their Web site. A couple new tunes will surface on an upcoming split 7" on Diaphragm Records with Dayton's The Igniters. Look for that in April. If ya need to see them soon, they're at Ruby Tuesday Saturday, February 23.

- Joel

2ND ANNUAL ROCK AND ROLL LOVE JIHAD
Once again, the fine folks at Let It Rip Productions have figured out a way to turn Valentine's Day into something dirty. Called "Columbus' kinkiest Valentine's Day Tradition" by someone, probably, somewhere, the 2^nd Annual Rock And Roll Love Circus will be hitting Bernie's Distillery on Saturday, February 16, 2002. This year the featured bands are (in order of appearance): The Media Whores, The Baxters, and The Jive Turkeys. As if that weren't enough, Mike and Mark (from Twin Cam) will be hosting the first ever "Raffle Of Love." Mike and Mark are going to be raffling away tons of free t-shirts, magazines, CD's, ball caps and other stuff courtesy of Revolver, Derailleur Records, Cringe.com and Workbook Studio and two $50 gift certificates provided by Columbus' Finest Adult Emporium, The Garden. The show starts at 10pm and is $5 at the door.

Let It Rip Productions also has a new web site at www.letitripproductions.com. Check it out, or email: green51999@voyager.net for more info!

FAT JOHNNY VS. PLANET 12
Local band Planet-12 will be interviewed on 99.7 the Blitz with Fat Johnny on Sunday, February 17 @ 10pm. The band will be playing a few tracks from their EP Eclipsed.

DOORS ARE OPENING FOR THE BIG CREAK
Local legends The Big Creak are excited to announce that they have been selected to showcase at the Millennium Music Conference in Harrisburg, PA on Saturday, February 16. They are showcasing at one of the nations largest brew house bars, Appalachian Brewing Company from 12:00 to 1:00 am. Their tune "Sick" will be featured on the Millennium Music Conference Compilation CD. Congrats! Check out more details at www.thebigcreak.com and check them out at their next Columbus show, March 1 at the Newport Music Hall.

- Pat Dull

BLUES NEWS FOR YOU
The Columbus Blues Alliance dropped us a note with some news and updates:

Shaun Booker and the New Blues Revue have left for Memphis to represent your CBA and Central Ohio at the International Blues Festival. There's still time for you to get down there and show your support! We wish Shaun and the band all the best of luck ... break a leg!

Bring your valentine to the CBA Broken Hearts Blues Benefit Show on Friday, February 15 at the Thirsty Ear Tavern, 1200 W. Third Avenue in Grandview. We're featuring four of the area's top blues bands: The Terra City Blues Band featuring Sister Rose, Willie Pooch and the Upsetters, the Nerak Roth Patterson Band, and Mike Patrick and the Blues Drivers. The show starts at 8:30 PM and admission is only $8.

February 15 is the deadline for all submissions to the Mar/Apr edition of CBA Magazine.

- Columbus Blues Alliance

COLUMBUSMUSIC.COM NEWS FOR US
ColumbusMusic.com has started up a weekly update giving the Lowdown a run for its money ... and then some. They even mentioned something I keep forgetting to pass along ... The Cringe.com/pilation v1.0 CD gave a Spendid Zine reviewer fun, warm thoughts and maybe a few youthful "soft feelings" for Columbus. Awwww, ain't that nice.

WOULDN'T BE WORTH WRITING DOWN WHAT I SAY
Yeah, I stole that headline from Pretty Mighty Mighty's "Best of the Worst." Why? Cause I really like it -- if for no other reason than the irony of writing it down. Anyway, we're collecting favorite and memorable local lyrics. If you've got a favorite lyric from a local, send it to us. I can't promise it'll end up as headlines here, but ya might just see it somewhere on the site.

WITHIN EAR SHOT
Yeah buddy, we've added a bunch of new pictures and a few videos to Ear Shot Raw. I managed to capture a few moments from the beginning of the Queen-a-thon at Little Brother's before hiking down to Bernie's for the return of Heeva Hava and the premiere of Gypsy Witch. Yeah, I hate the name Gypsy Witch too, but it's kinda a local super group with members who have done admirable time in Bob City, Terrifying Experience, Spider Friendz, The Econothugs, Girly Machine, the Method, Pica Huss, My White Bread Mom ... Well, I think ya get the idea.

SPEEDIER SERVICE
If it seems like Cringe.com pages have been coming up a bit faster over the last few days, it may not be yer imagination. There was a recent router change that basically means our pages jump through one less hoop to get to you.

- Joel

THIS BYRD HAS FLOWN
Local band The Mighty Quinn band played with Roger McGuin (of The Byrds) last week at the Columbus Athletic Club. Apparently McGuin was in town for a friend's wedding reception, and joined the band onstage for renditions of "Mr. Tambourine Man," "Turn, Turn, Turn," "I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better," and "So You Want To Be A Rock'n'Roll Star." Check out pictures of the event at www.TheMightyQuinnBand.com.

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S NOT SATAN
Satanic music just got a whole lot funnier, now that Columbus' Chefs of Destruction Devilcake will be rocking live at Midgard Comics this Friday February 9, 2002. Midgard Comics is located in Columbus Square, at 161 and Cleveland Ave. Home of the Bowling Palace, among others. The former home of Chuck E Cheese!

OPEN MIKE WITH IKE AND J.D.
This Thursday, Feb. 7 at Andyman's Treehouse, Ike (from A Planet For Texas) and J.D. (from the Media Whores) will wow the crowds with "Tunes! Prizes! Snacks! Bad jokes! Wacky lightshow! Beer! Play a song! Tell a joke! We'll have guitars there! Or just enjoy the shenanegins! (sp?)" Check it out for a fun time. This may or may not be a recurring event!

THUMPFLUID INDUCTED INTO ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME
Thumpfluid was chosen out of more than 250 bands to be one of 18 to participate in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's Battle of the Bands, and will also be featured on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame compilation CD.

The preliminary rounds will take place on the Museum's Main Stage the following Sundays in February:

February 3 (no word on the results yet)
February 17
February 24
March 3, 2002 (Finals)

All times from 12:00pm to 5:00pm. All competition performances are FREE and open to the public.

Thumpfluid is scheduled to appear Sunday Feb., 24 at 2:10pm

Six bands will compete for the Grand Prize on March 3. The Grand Prize includes the opportunity to be the opening act for a National recording artist at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and a host of other prizes.

For a complete list of entrants in the R&R Hall of Fame Battle of the Bands, visit http://www.rockhall.com/home/default.asp for more information.

- Pat Dull

THE LACK ON NEED TO KNOW BASIS WITH ALTERNATIVE PRESS
Alternative Press Magazine has deemed the Lack one of the "100 Bands You Need to Know in '02" in its March 2002 issue!

There is also a special clear vinyl limited edition (500 to be exact) of the Lack's recent self-titled release on Troubleman Unlimited Records planned. Meanwhile, the band will be touring both coasts beginning April 1, 2002.

For more info you can also email webmaster@the-lack.com.

OSU GATEWAY FORCES CLOSINGS
There's no doubt about this one. No rumored suspicious fires. No utility problems. No suddenly boarded up doors. No mystery at all. A handful of OSU area businesses had closed their doors last week to make room for Campus Partners' OSU Gateway plan. The affected businesses are Singing Dog Records (relocating nearby), Panini's, Cornerstone, Greek Village Gyros (relocating to Clintonville) and Cluck-U-Chicken. It was obviously a bit more desolate and quiet on South campus this past weekend. For more information, see http://www.thelantern.com/main.cfm?include=detail&storyid=166102.

COMFEST COMETH, LOGO NEEDED
Well, it's time to start thinking about Comfest. If yer the artistic type, submission for this year's logo contest are now being accepted:

Download the submission flier (RTF)

Oh, this year's Comfest is June 28-30. The one change I've heard about is that the fest will not be able to use Goodale Avenue due to construction plans.

TALENT SCOUTS FOR BANDALOOP
So as to be thorough and accurate, I'm just gonna quote this one:

We are currently looking for several music lovers who are interested in becoming Talent Scouts for Bandaloop Records.Ê Candidates must be available to visit clubs weekly and research bands on a daily basis.Ê Finders fees will be paid for each Artist that is signed and releases a CD on the Bandaloop label.Ê Please reply to talentscout@bandalooprecords.com if you feel you have what it takes.Ê Please include in your email, your name, a daytime phone number, and the reasons why you are the best choice for the position.

Bill Hutchison
Bandaloop Records
http://www.bandalooprecords.com

Bandaloop has worked with Go Robot Go! and Silo the Huskie locally and several other bands not-so-local bands.

CRINGE FOOTNOTES
Yeah, last week was a perty busy week for me. One coworker out and another 2 traveling make Joel an overworked Web programmer. On the bright side, we hit an all time high in our stats. Actually, they've been perty steadily increasing for the last year or more.

So the site's been perty busy too.

- Joel

TRASH BRATS INVADE COLUMBUS / MEDIA WHORES FILM VIDEO
Detroit punk-glam legends the Trash Brats are hitting the Columbus shores this Friday, February 1, 2002, at Bernie's, as a warm-up for their appearance at the Queen-a-thon the following night. Opening the show will be Hensley-Sturgis and the Media Whores. The Media Whores will be filming a video that night for an upcoming single called "Today Is Mine."

PEACHBONERS CHANGE NAME
What once was the Peachbones is now Sons of F.M. With a record due out in March, the band thought "now would be a good time to change." Along with the name being retired, so has their country itch; apparently the band is moving on to "something different, something else." Check out their upcoming CD for further details...

LIKE A ROLLING PIN
On Saturday, February 2, 2002, the High Five will be hosting the Rock-N-Rolling Pin. It's a combination rock show/bake-off, featuring the tasty Walnut Brothers, plus 60 Watt Jackass, Guinea Worms, Exfacto, and F**Bomb. In addition to rocking the house, all the bands will be in competition with each other by bringing food that they've made themselves. The audience will then be asked to taste and judge each band's delicacy, voting for the best dish. The winning band will receive a golden rolling pin. The proceeds will benefit the Mid-Ohio Foodbank.

HELLBOUND TRUCKERS RAISE A RUCKUS
Local bad-asses the Hellbound Truckers are releasing a 13-track CD called Ruckus in the next few weeks, with a record release show on March 2, 2002, at The Northberg. Think "Hank Sr. meets the Cramps"! The CD was recorded by Jose Gonzales of The Lilybandits. Check out http://www.mp3.com/hellboundtruckers for more details!

- Pat Dull

IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY. I'M GOING TO BED.

- Joel

QUEEN-A-THON
Little Brother's is again hosting a benefit for a terrific cause! This time it's the "Queen-a-thon" - a tribute to the late, great Freddie Mercury and the music of Queen! 100% of the proceeds will benefit two local organizations: the Ohio AIDS Coalition, an organization that provides statewide programs and advocacy to people living with HIV, and the Columbus' Meals On Wheels program, who has set up an account specifically to benefit AIDS patients.

The date is Saturday, February 2, 2002, and over 10 local/regional acts including Fenster, Anna Paolucci & The Vague, Johnson Brothers, Dixie Wreckman (aka Jim Castoe accompanied by Dave Powers as "Jeeves"), Dan D. & the Freddies, Pat Dull, Mendelsons from Queens, Heffy (Rob Maccabee of New Basics Brass Band), Mello Death (Mark Gunderson of Evolution Control Committee), Elliot 12trees and the Funky Bunch, Lollipop Factory, fire performances by Jade, a special appearance by Freddie Mercury impersonator Billy (former member and co-founder of H.I.S. Kings), and headliners the Trashbrats will be performing their versions of various Queen songs. We also have word that the fabulous Miss Freeta Lay (recently seen performing at Axis) will be making an appearance!

The doors will open at 8:00 and the music will kick off by 9:00. Minimum $5.00 donation at the door with a dollar off discount to anyone dressing up "in drag" or as any character from Queen's videos or movies. Raffle and event tickets may be purchased in advance at Little Brothers, Monkeys Retreat, Torso, or by emailing graci74484@aol.com. For more info call organizers Joyce Rice 614.268.9104, or Anna Paolucci 614.443.4357 or see http://www.comfest.com/queenathon/home.html.

WHERE-AH TIARA?
Tiara is still alive and has been busy mixing their next record (their 3rd full length). It's almost complete and is due out on Grand Theft Autumn (manufactured and distro by Parasol) from Illinois this April. Expect a release show at little brothers in April. Tiara also has a booking agent now www.candygrambooking.com and will embark on a 2 week east coast tour after the release of our next record.

NEW BOMB TURKS GET GLAZED
Local label Glazed Records is pleased to offer a updated New Bomb Turks single - Spanish Fly By Night (Glynt Mix) b/w Chip Away The Stone. As Glazed sez: "The un-abashed kings of taunt return with a vengeance. This single features 2 blistering tracks from the Nightmare Scenario sessions. The A-side is the Jim Diamond (White Stripes, Dirtbombs and every other Detroit garage act) alternate mix of the album track and the B-side is a swagger-laced cover of the Supa ditty "Chip Away The Stone." This single has been out of print for over a year and these two tracks have been remastered, repackaged and repressed lovingly for you by the good folks at Glazed." Send a wad of cash to:

Glazed Records
PO Box 82006
Columbus, Ohio 43202
or paypal the $$ to: info@glazed.com

CHUCK'S JUNK CD RELEASE INFO
Local "shake-your-booty" funk band Chuck's Junk will be releasing a CD EP called Junk Food at a record release party this Saturday, January 26, 2002 at Oldfield's on High. They took the time to write a short history of the band, so who am I to fail to post it? Here it is:

"Throughout 1999 guitarist B-iLL and bassist JoePJunk cut their teeth playing funk in Columbus, Ohio with a band called Mescalito. When these brothers left Mescalito (or were they fired?) in early spring of 2000, they knew the possibility of a new funk music, without boundaries, to stimulate dancing. B-iLL and Joe P. first enlisted their classic rock and blues guitar father, Felonious Junk. Felonious played many years with another Columbus band, the Boogiemen. The family then asked Lenny Benson to ascend the drum throne. Lenny, fresh from two years in Los Angeles' music scene, was a high school classmate of B-iLL and Joe P. in the mid-90's. Together, the four of them chose by process of elimination the name Chuck's Junk, and the music began. Destination, first gig: August 24, 2000, Little Brother's, Columbus, OH.

Alto saxophonist MCjim, another high school friend, quickly joined Chuck's Junk when he returned home late May 2000 from school with a minor in jazz studies. His task of piecing together the horn section proved difficult. Chuck's Junk saw three horn players quickly come and go who could not commit. In a strange twist of fate MCjim connected with yet another high school classmate, Freako the trumpeter, in late December 2000. With a music performance degree and a penchant for quirky humor and jazz, Freako clicked. Soon after followed Gramps-the tenor saxophone player-who still attended high school. But Gramps was no stranger to jazz. Like Freako years ago, Gramps plays with the Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra and studies jazz saxophone privately.

Joe P. completed a music performance minor while at Otterbein College and there met Cleveland native and vocal major Napoleonstevewil. Though his roots lie in the classic soul singers Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, Napoleon is equally comfortable in rap and hip-hop,. (Some of the band's other influences include: Van Halen, Miles Davis, Erykah Badu, King Crimson, Sly Stone, Outkast, Kenny Garrett, Chicago, Herbie Hancock, and Heat Wave). Napoleon's trepidation faded by late June 2000 when he committed his vocal and lyrical talents.

Chuck's Junk promises music that powerfully stimulates dancing, much like funk, only invigorated with interesting invention. The band shies from boasting of their music's interesting subtleties and sophistication. Too nerdy, they might reply. Let the critics debate the music, anyway."

Check out chucksjunk@chucksjunk.com and www.chucksjunk.com for more info.

- Pat Dull

MYOPIA REPRESENTS
I'm gonna be lazy and just quote the email:

Myopia has been selected as this year's music feature for the OAC Showcase located at Vets Memorial (Columbus), Lima Convention Center (Lima), Memorial Hall (Dayton), Memorial Auditorium (Athens) and James A. Rhodes Arena (Akron). These showcases will be hosted by Roger Bingham (Survivor II), Lisa Marie Miree (Ms. Black USA) and Dr. Mike Thomson (popular author and comedian). Check out www.myopia-rocks.com for more information on these events.

MORE 2001 LISTS
We've got a couple more 2001 favorites local releases from a couple more regular Cringe.com contributors. I've also added reviews of a couple releases from my 2001 favorites.

Salt Horse - The Best Of Times?

Hensley-Sturgis - Cabin Fever

The Honey's - Shoot From the Hip

The NSA - Eyes to the Skies

Neal Schmitt of Workbook Studio & Pretty Mighty Mighty:

Grafton - Grafton
Kicks ass without spilling a drop.

The Emerald Down - Scream The Sound
Kicks dreamy ass.

Soul-Fu Villains - The Nappy Mans Guide To Living
Kicks the booty.

The Lack - The Lack
Kicks loud scary ass.

The Stepford Five - The Art of Self-Defense
Kicks your ass and kisses your girlfriend.

- Joel

JAPAN DRUMS UP BUSINESS FOR COLUMBUS PERCUSSION
Columbus Percussion and Yamaha will be presenting welcomes two of Japan's biggest names in drums on January 23, 2002, at 8pm: Akira Jimbo and Kozo Suganuma. Tickets are $5.00 and can be purchased at the store or by calling (614) 885-7372.

Akira Jimbo combines acoustic and electronic drums, and his compositions range in style from Fusion to Drum & Bass. He has been featured in Modern Drummer and Stick It magazines, as well as a recent appearance at the Modern Drummer Festival. His instructional videos have been big sellers, and include Metamorphosis, Pulse, and Evolution.

Kozo Suganuma is a sought-after drummer in Japan's pop and jazz scenes, and has played with American acts such as Larry Graham and Louis Jordan. Dubbed The King of Many Strokes, Suganuma possesses an amazing technique and is active in music education, touring Japan with his clinics and teaching at Yamaha Big Drummers Camp.

For more information: www.columbuspercussion.com or contact: mail@columbuspercussion.com

JIM VOLK CD RELEASE INFO
Columbus Modern Acoustic Guitarist Jim Volk has just released a CD called Blue Wheels ... and other Guitar Favorites on his own label Steel River Recordings. Volk is also the founder and coordinator of The Columbus Modern Acoustic Guitar Fest, showcasing the finest regional solo guitarists. Check out www.jimvolk.com for more info!

- Pat Dull

BESTS BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
We'll we've collected the 2001 favorites of a few regular Cringe.com contributors. Yeah, it's one of those new year list things. Look for some extended reviews of these in the reviews section any day now ...

Chad Painter - Cringe.com and the Other Paper (in alphabetical order):

Earwig - Bored in Chicago
Sure, the tape came out a long time ago, but this year saw the CD version - and it's still better than most of the crap that came out this year.

Guinea Worms - Duct Tape You
Great songs, great production and "Hello From Ohio" is the best song about Ohio since Leonard Bernstein's "Why Did I Ever Leave Ohio."

Howlin' Maggie - Hyde
Overall, the album is pretty mediocre, but "Love Is All Around" is the best song I heard this year.

Manda and the Marbles - Seduction
This is what pop-punk should sound like.

Silo the Huskie - Demopromo
Yeah, it's not an official release, but it's good really good. The first three songs are from Fight (Cargo dropped 'em for the reissue), the fourth is from Sold for Scrap and the last three are still unreleased.

Various Artists - Cringe.com/pilation volume 1
Finally, you don't have to wait until ComFest to hear all of the bands you hear about all year but never actually go out to see. Some good, some bad, like a good comp should be.

Things to look forward to in 2002:
The Bygones
Go Evol Shiki!
Silo the Huskie
F**bomb (a little shameless self-promotion)

12. Various Artists - Cringe.com/pilation volume 1
20. The Means - Vil/viol
26. The Lack- The Lack
30. Them Wranch - Medium Rare
36. The Jive Turkeys - Songs From The Idiodyssey
38. The Azoic - Forward
45. "New" Terror Class - Did You Hear That We Fucked...?
46. Moviola - Rumors Of The Faithful

Honorable Mentions:
Grafton - Grafton
Blow Up - Blow Up
Kopaz - Starboard Rail
Orchestraville - At Night, It Is Particularly Lovely
The Emerald Down - Scream the Sound
60 Watt Jackass - Ornery

60 Watt Jackass - Ornery
Fun, stripped-down, witty, lo-fi, backwoods, smart-assed, bitter, broken-hearted, 50's rockabilly Dylan villains.

Grafton - Grafton
Monster Truck 5 meets Ugly Stick. Or, for the non-locally oriented, MC5 meets X.

Guinea Worms - Duct Tape You
Minimal, deconstructed post-pop encrusted with local bar stool snap shots like "Columbus is from the street ... High Street."

The Honey's - Shoot from the Hip
Sex, drugs and female lead metal-edged hard rock that puts a big, cheesy grin on my face.

The MoonDance Experiment - Your Movements
Loose, experimental art pop that's not afraid to take a chance and be a little over-pretentious and silly.

Moviola - Rumors of the Faithful
Americana folk pop that starts to bring back memories of the good ol' days of early 70's AM radio.

The Rancid Yak Butter Tea Party - The Rancid Yak Butter Tea Party
What happens when speed metal, new wave, hardcore, art rock and whatever comes to mind can't decide whether to play, compromise or fight. NotSoEasyListeningScreamzophenicore.

The Staggers - The Staggers are Dead ... Long Live the Staggers ...
If the Who wrote a rock opera for Black Sabbath but Sonic Youth lifted it.

Various Artists - Cringe.com/pilation volume 1.0
Yeah, of course it's listed. Whaddya expect? I picked a lot of the bands to begin with.

Various Artists - Diaphragm Promo Sampler 2001
Rare and rawkin' compilation of Diaphragm releases from Bob City, A Planet for Texas, The Creeps, Superstar Rookie, Black Love, Dogrocket, and Fat Ass.

Close, but not Columbusites:
The Fairmount Girls - Tender Trap (Cincinnati)
Geraldine - Pure Bastard Rock (Athens)
Ruby Vileos - The King is Dead (Cincinnati)

A few othr "2001 Bests" lists may be coming in next week too ... we'll see.

- Joel

6TH ANNUAL JELLY DOUGHNUT-A-THON
This Friday, January 11 at 9 PM is the 6 annual Elvis Presley Birthday Tribute (aka Elvis-a-thon) at Little Brother's (1100 N. High St. Columbus, OH 43201 614-421-2025). You know the deal - tons of bands, tons of Elvis. Hosted by WCBE's Scott Vezdos, and check out these acts (listed alphabetically and not in order of appearance):

1. Billy Vegas And The Swankin' Devils (feat. members of Broken Circle Gospel Deluxe, Jack Neat, Lollipop Factory, Media Whores, Shtick)
2. Blatant Finger
3. Bob Sauls
4. Cheatin' Dogs
5. Dave And The Alley Cats
6. Fallow Valley Sinners
7. Freaks Of 52 Weeks
8. Hellbound Truckers
9. Johnny Rebel
10. Lollipop Factory
11. The Mendelsonics
12. Ray Fuller
13. Southern Diplomats
14. The Sovines
15. Ukulele Man
16. The Wahoos
17. X-Rated Cowboys

Proceeds of this event benefit the Open Shelter. If you need any additional information, please contact Jeff Eaton at JefAMERICA@aol.com

VAGUE RECORD RELEASE SHOW
Local popsters The Vague will be celebrating their new CD (called Divorcing The Shame) with a record release show on Saturday, January 12, 2002, at Little Brother's. The 12-song CD was recorded at GBS Records by Tom Boyer. The release show with also feature Vague pals Manda and The Marbles & The May. Check out www.thevague.com for more info!

- Pat Dull

ANOTHER ROUND OF EAR SHOTS
We've added a bunch of new pics and vids to the Ear Shot Raw section over the last month or so:

• The Baxters
• The Fairmount Girls
• Fulbone
• Scott Gorsuch
• The Honey's
• The Jackalopes
• The Jive Turkeys
• The Original Onions
• The Randys
• Salvage
• Teeth Of The Hydra
• The Townsmen

IT'S A-COMIN ...
I've been doing a lot of work and testing behind the scenes of Cringe.com. I think the care parts have been solidified. We're still open to design ideas too. With any luck, we'll finally be introducing a new site and functionality by the end of the month. Hmm, let's say Valentine's Day to be safe. Oh, I may be asking some of you to put 'er to the test first.

- Joel