One of the more enjoyable aspects of working on this site is that I often have no idea what’s going to happen next. You may have perchance noticed that things are a wee bit chaotic around these parts – and that’s totally by design! Or should we say, this is the design you end up with when chasing down whatever random interests happen to appear on your radar. I try to stay as organized as possible, and have a decent idea of things that “need” to be written about…but when that might happen is anyone’s guess. And part of the reason for this is these amazing detours that seemingly pop up out of nowhere. Which soon become the latest road I turn down, to see where they might lead. And the freshest of these at the moment, for me, is this Columbus Local Podcast.
It’s true on occasion that I might be inordinately taken aback by coincidences. Even when knowing they are theoretically just coincidences, it’s hard to ignore them, and not find yourself caught up in their charming sweep. As a result, I commonly consider these a signpost of what I should focus on next. This is how it is for me and the Columbus Local podcast (subtitled Giants Among Us, a sentiment I would wholeheartedly endorse), a show which is up to 55 episodes as of this writing. It was seriously not even a week ago that I happened to stumble upon it, thanks to one newer broadcast featuring The Godz. And emailed the link to a couple friends who were fans of that band, who I knew would dig it as well. Then, just a handful of days later, though I’m convinced there’s no possible way she could have known about this, one of the musicians on an older episode reached out to me, to ask if I’d heard of this podcast and if I could possibly review her episode on here.
I’m not embarrassed to admit that this almost never happens. Though happy with the response my project has gottten thus far, and thankful for its fans, believing that it has an okay sized following, et cetera, I feel like almost always, people are just kind of hanging back and seeing what I might come up with next. There have been very few occasions where someone has suggested a piece, and virtually nobody reaching out ever to specifically request a review.
So with this in mind, it’s understandable that the happenstances of this past week really jump out at me. I think of this as a huge flashing sign that this should become my newest obsession. Which helps in that I find it genuinely fascinating anyway – it’s a show dedicated exclusively to the local music scene, and how could you possibly go wrong there? Especially with its focus upon the history of Columbus music, just as much as the present. And am further blown away by the additional connections that emerge everywhere, as far as bars I’ve frequented, too, and bands seen, some of which I’ve maybe even forgotten about.
Len Damico is the mastermind behind this project and interviews everyone. He plays in a band called Days Gone By himself, but is first and foremost just an intense music nut, which is what inspired his brilliant undertaking here. Without furher ado, then, here’s my thoughts on some of the episodes I’ve listened to:
Episode 1: Larz Raymond
Larz is a drummer of some reknown who has been around the Cbus music scene since the mid 80s or so. He seems like a funny guy with many, many stories to tell, only scratching the surface during this initial episode (he and host Len Damico tentatively agree that there will be more). Raymond is currently playing in a couple different cover bands around town, Toast and the awesomely named Third Degree Sideburn. He also gives lessons, and regarding his history, mentions having played for Desperately Seeking Fusion.
Something about this reference clicks, and I’m now wondering if I haven’t met this guy. One day in the early 2000s a few of us were in Pro Percussion, and one of the employees was showing us some stuff. He also mentions playing with DSF. And was as I recall a wisecracking guy who says something about having a wife and kids. So if ever bumping into Mr. Raymond (or if anyone reading this happens to know), it would be fascinating to make that connection and confirm he did indeed work at Pro Percussion during that time frame.
Among the other local references: Park Street Tavern, Ohio State University
Episode 2: Matt Cistone
This fellow meanwhile, who goes by the nickname “Mr. Matt” (and even has personalized license plates declaring such), is a bass player. He too specializes in cover bands, but has also written and recorded originals and recommends that every musician should do a little of both. Is currently in at least 3 different outfits around town, possibly more, and namechecks the old music equipment chain Coyle Music.
Episode 3: Beth Nuzum Cronewerth
An episode which gets off to a comical start as host Len struggles to describe his romantic partner: this episode’s guest, leader of the band Megabeth. This is the third straight episode that has mentioned OSU, so I’m guessing the university’s specter will loom large over this podcast. She too is involved in countless other projects, another common thread and recurring theme. One of which, apart from her bread n’ butter Megabeth, is a Steely Dan cover band that I’m dying to check out. She also gets bonus points for once considering The Dunning Kruger Effect as a band name.
Overall I’m kind of digging the slant Damico has taken on here with interviewing slightly older musicians. Primarily because they’ve got the stories and the history to fill in many gaps for me, pertaining to my own project here, which are often difficult if not impossible to track down anywhere else. But also I find their attitudes refreshing, in that they’re generally happy with where they’re at now, and glad to just be playing music, in any guise. Whereas with the youngest crowd, as I’ve noted elsewhere, there’s this strange wariness found in the Columbus music scene, as though they’re frequently highly suspicious of anyone who shows interest in their music. Alongside the standard general snarkiness and competitiveness you’re more likely to entertain at that age.
Other local references: Mozart’s Cafe.
Episode 4: Merv Roland
Though now living up around Lake Erie, Merv here hails from Bexley and spent many a year playing out live in Columbus. And indeed, even continues to journey down on occasion to continue doing so. On what is the first phone interview conducted for this series, Roland relates some adventures stemming from his decades on the scene, including one where a member of Brownsville Station stole a piece of his gear. He also offers some key pieces of local history I haven’t heard before, like how when he came up, there was the campus music circuit, and there was the Alrosa Villa circuit, and never the twain should meet. Except somehow, despite being an OSU-area band up to this point, his band caught on opening for another act at the Alrosa, and this helped break down that distinction moving forward.
Among his bands were Bad Haircut, Lost Dog, Rock House, and The Point. Some random local mentions that haven’t cropped up elsewhere (at least thus far in my listening) include Apollo’s and Bill Foley’s shop down in German Village. And of course the expected references to campus, Bernie’s, The Godz, et cetera.
Episode 5: Jon Coleman
His episode begins with a snippet of his own band playing a recent Comfest. This singer and drummer is mostly a frontman now, I gather, and just like everyone else featured on here, has an extensive history and family tree around the Cbus scene. He seems like a good guy and is taking his lumps well, like for example the Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis which could have derailed him, many years ago, though he keeps his spirits up and continues charging ahead as though unfazed. In fact, Coleman relates that his neurologist credits him playing the drums throughout, to explain why his body is in much better shape than expected at this stage in the game.
Coleman has been playing out around town since the 1970s. He was too was in Desperately Seeking Fusion at one point! Other local references include Stache’s and Little Brother’s. Unfortunately his episode does cut out due to a technical glitch, so the ending is apparently permanently lost.
Episode 6: Rob Johnson
This one opens with an amusing bit called Guitarchitecture, which is a piece of a Rob Johnson solo cut. From here what follows is one of the more entertaining interviews I’ve stumbled upon thus far. Currently playing in (the Ohio band named) Clubber Lang, but is another of these guys who briefly brushed shoulders with some famous musicians in the past. Says he purchased his first guitar at Uncle Sam’s Pawn Shop, then briefly went to Lang Music for lessons before moving on to Sonny’s Guitar Shop at the Great Southern shopping center.
I like his attitude and that he says it’s all about serving the song, not trying to impress people with your chops. Even so, he clearly knows his way around his instrument of choice, the guitar. As far as local record stores go, he throws out references to Singing Dog, Magnolia Thunderpussy, and Used Kids. Used to play in Saddleback Shark and Magnitude 9.
Episode 7: David Cothern
I had some trouble getting into this one and had to listen to it twice to really pick up much from it. He seems like a good guy and everything but the episode was somewhat reminiscent to me of how you’ll occasionally encounter a rambling coworker in the breakroom at your job (or for that matter at some live show in a bar) and have difficulty following along with their tales. I think this is because he’s more bopping around and relating disconnected anecdotes, but you don’t get much of a narrative sense from it, of how he got from point A to point B. Then again maybe even he listens to it himself and thinks, eh, this probably wasn’t my best interview. I might know a little myself about feeling as though I botched a podcast interview – plus let’s just say have reason to suspect people struggle following my tales in person, too. So glass houses/stones/etc. And anyway host Damico says he likes the way Cothern is randomly bouncing around, which is surely all that matters.
As far as specifics, Cothern here says he grew up around Morse Road, in the area between Maize and Northland Mall. Once again another of these guys who cut his teeth on the Alrosa scene, so this is another puzzle piece for me, in my endless quest to connect the dots around this town. There’s a Mark Chatfield reference which takes place at the Alrosa Villa, while Cothern was playing bass for Petty Theft. His other local musical credits include Dirty Side Down and Shock II (I think this is how they stylized their name.) Although from here, he left Columbus, and wound up playing with rock star royalty such as Paul Stanley and Rob Halford. So clearly he knows what he’s doing, whereas I’m just some dude posting meaningless reviews in a vacuum.
He also gets off at least one timeless quote, here: “if rock n’ roll on its own isn’t gonna help you, just add some pyro.” This sounds like something my buddy Paul Linville might say, actually, which makes me think I probably would hit it off with Cothern if ever actually meeting him.
Episode 8: Paul Weiss
Paul is a relative newcomer to Columbus and doesn’t have a ton of backstory here – at least not years-wise. However he is currently house pianist at Mozart’s Bakery and Event Space (their listed name online – Weiss himself though refers to it as Mozart’s Piano Cafe) in Clintonville. And also apparently has about a half dozen different specialized cover bands going at the moment, too. The Liquor Talking is his main gig in this vein, and they play a somewhat wider range of classic rock tunes, heavy on the Elton and the Billy Joel. But he’s also in The Rolling Rock Show, which sticks exclusively to the Stones, and has also made forays into Steely Dan and Fleetwood Mac tribute acts, among others.
He says he got the Mozart gig because it was on his way home anyway, and he stopped in there to audition. Among the Columbus references are Arnett Howard, Dave Powers, Eldorado’s, Abell Audio (now defunct), Gatsby’s, Donna Mogavero, and Myke Rock. Overall, Weiss is an amusing interviewee, seems like maybe a bit of a goofball. I like that this podcast gives significant airtime to cover musicians, too, because they get short shrift overall in Columbus media. Which has pretty much always been the case, as far as I can tell. I mean, I get it, I too like original bands better in general, and find them more interesting. But these guys reinterpreting rock/blues/jazz/whatever numbers have plenty fascinating careers of their own – and I would say they are probably better musicians on average, because they have to know this material and need the chops to play it, as opposed to just making up their own compositions.
Episode 9: Imber Solis
This was an entertaining and highly informative episode, too. In this one, band leader Imber is joined by her co-writer/keyboardist as well as one of her lifelong best friends. I feel like Solis reveals more about her headspace and process than the other guests I’ve listened to thus far, when it comes to songwriting and performing. Also that I can relate to much of what she and her bandmate are saying at times, such as this seeming inability to stop working on projects. She was actually once the vocalist for The Liquor Talking, back when Paul Weiss first joined that group.
My only wish regarding this podcast is that there were more actual snippets of the music in question interspersed here and there. That’s true of all the episodes, by the way, not just this one. But I know that depending on the platform and the use case, there are often roadblocks to using music in your podcasts. Which seems ridiculous but happens to be true. So maybe that’s why Damico hasn’t included much (at least not that I’ve heard thus far). Or maybe he wanted to focus exclusively on the interviews. Either way, it’s a minor quibble and I’m still majorly enjoying this project.
Noteworthy local references: Natalie’s, Comfest
Episode 10: Brian Weibel
This character seems more closely associated with some suburbs (like Reynoldsburg) or even the entire state than just Columbus per se. Even so, he peppers his interview with a slew of local references. And while not saying much that I would characterize as hilarious, maybe, it’s been one of the better episodes thus far – and a good example of why I tend to favor the narrative approach more than the scattered shotgun anecdote style. I feel like he’s just getting warmed up and then his time is abruptly over, having nowhere near covered everything and with many gaps you’re already aware of remaining. It also helps that he has a smooth voice well suited to this medium, one that makes me think he probably does well as a rock n’ roll frontman.
As one of the younger subjects thus far, i.e. only in his mid to late 40s, he mentions cutting his teeth playing guitar for some nu-metal type bands in the late 90s and early 00s. Before moving onto the likes of And Five Makes Twenty or else Kings Of The Drink (featuring Len Damico as well), with numerous pit stops in between. Often or even more commonly as vocalist than he is on guitar.
Notable Columbus references: Andy Shaw Band, Spikedrivers, Skully’s, Little Brother’s, Martini Affair.
Episode 11: Chance Danison
Chance is a country artist and seems to be an old friend of Damico’s. Amusingly enough, the beginning of the episode appears to be chopped off, but is left as-is. Len says he does not edit these interviews whatsover, which I admire and find to be a major component of its homespun charm. Danison is an engaging interviewee, with a lot to say about the current sad state of mainstream country music. And I dug it quite a bit on that level. But he’s not actually based out of Columbus and the local references are not exactly abundant. He does mention being friends with the guys in the 3C Highway band, who are based out of Cbus, or close enough to it anyway.
Special Guest: Tommy Mitchell
This isn’t a local musician, but one of Len’s old friends from another city entirely. It’s a short episode where they talk about various famous bands they’ve seen. So the only C-bus mention I really caught at all is when Len says a recent Eagles show here might be the best show he’s ever personally witnessed.
Episode 13: Frank Harrison, Jr.
If this isn’t basically an ideal installment, then I don’t know what is. It checks all the boxes. He’s a great guest, flies through a condensed narrative at breakneck speed, drops a ton of names and dispenses some fascinating, often forgotten slices of local history. On top of that, has a great attitude, like many on here – and has in common with them that he is also a top notch musician.
This party actually kicks off however with Damico relating a personal anecdote, which is that seeing Harrison play at the Short North Tavern, one night in the early 2000s, is what inspired him to go out and pick up a guitar himself, begin to learn how to play. This is basically the kind of tale that I live for, a good example of why this blog exists, to help connect these dots in this manner. I just find such anecdotes endlessly fascinating.
As far as the particulars of Harrison’s story, whew, holy smokes, there’s a lot to unpack here. One completely unique angle, as far as I’m aware, is that Frank here was actually living in Florida, then moved to L.A. to try and make it, discovered this wasn’t his cup of tea…and only then wound up moving to Columbus, at the behest of a friend, because he thought this sounded like more his kind of scene. So it’s basically a complete inverse of the most common narrative of that era.
Phil Stokes is the friend in question, and Harrison winds up joining him in a band called Shakedown. After this the Cbus references arrive with a furious flurry. Villa East, Sugar Shack (a beloved bar on High Street – not this fucked up diner that later coopted the name), Mr. Brown’s, Vets Memorial, the Agora (later Newport Music Hall), Starz, and Cafe Rock N’ Roll are some of the venues mentioned. As far as bands go, he’s in Shakedown, then Lizzie Borden, before forming Frank Harrison & The Straits (not sure how he spelled that last part, actually.) Their first gig as at Alrosa Villa, opening for Foghat.
There are a couple amusing tales involving Cub Koda (from the band Brownsville Station, best known for Smokin’ in the Boys Room – although that’s also him playing harmonica on Blackfoot’s Train Train) who would eventually jam with Harrison, on at least one occasion, after secretly slipping in to watch one of his shows. Most fascinating of all, perhaps, though, is the time Harrison caught Frank Zappa playing at Vets, met him backstage…and then was somehow able to convince this all-time legend that he really should come out and watch Harrison’s band play, later that same night.
Harrison’s wife apparently escorted Zappa and his entourage (which included guitarist Adrian Belew) up to Oldfield’s on 4th, for a bite to eat, after which they all walked up to Sugar Shack and took in Harrison’s set. He relates that one of the most surreal moments of his career is watching Zappa out there on the floor dancing while the band is playing. It feels mighty otherworldly just listening to this tale, in fact, from the comfort of my home, many years removed.
He estimates that this probably occurred in 1978. It’s another rabbit hole that I will surely pursue at some point, trying to line up all those points and figure out exactly what night it was. After this, in the early 90s, he later forms a new band called Frank Harrison Group. Among other highlights, they begin staging an annual Stevie Ray Vaughan tribute night, at various venues around town. The last of these occurred at Whiskey Dick’s.
Other local mentions of note: Mark Chatfield, The Godz.
Special Guest: Jack Herr
Every so often, Damico has somebody on the show who isn’t currently based in Columbus and/or is not a musician. Both apply to Jack Herr, who is an old friend of Len’s and just happens to be a major music buff. The two of them went to school together in the Westerville South district and have been good pals ever since. Ranking his top shows, Herr mentions seeing Nick Cave at Stache’s, and a Replacements performance at Mr. Brown’s where the roadies played the encore, a good 45 minutes of it with no P.A. as the owner had pulled the plug. It’s a cool episode for your inner music buff, with plenty of famous musicians mentioned and a handful of local venues/acts.
Other Cbus mentions of note: McGuffy Lane, Vets Memorial, St. John Arena, The Matchmatics (local band with matching outfits?), Ronald Cole, and on old music store on Morse Road called Peaches.
Episode 14: Shawn Pruden
Well, this has to be one of the more hilarious chapters, and if not then it certainly boasts the most LPMs (laughs per minute.) This may have something to do with the tequila cocktails Pruden, Damico, and Shawn’s wife Julie are sipping while they chat.
But the tales are often truly hysterical. I’ll leave it to the listener to absorb these, as many occur outside Columbus and are beyond the scope of this site. But the local references remaining are aplenty, to be sure, arriving with a fury. I often feel like I need to do a better job connecting the dots on here – both for myself and the readers – and try to organize this random barrage of material a little better. However, an episode like this demonstrates why there are infinite points to connect, and pushing this boulder up the mountainside will never be fully complete.
Anyway, Pruden is currently the bass player in Hott Lucy, who are a cover band that recently began branching out into originals. He has been playing with guitarist Matt Bradley for eons. Got his start roadying for a band called Cold Strike and was hooked for life on the rock n’ roll dream thereafter. One of his first bands was called Four Guys and they played places like Jay’s Sports Lounge. And oh yeah, in his younger years, Pruden used to work at Just Sweats! No way! So there’s a comical segment here where among other things he’s comparing his hair at the time to that of the disgraced John Hawkins. Merv Roland, who was in an earlier episode, is the one who saw his band play and named them Hott Lucy.
Other Cbus mentions of note: Flint Station, Chris Wood/Ace Of Cups, Shuckin’ Bubba Deluxe, Godz, Starz Bar, Gatsby’s, Dan Orr.
Episode 15: Larz Raymond (Redux)
For his return visit, drummer Raymond is instructed to focus exclusively on stories from his stint out in Los Angeles. During this time, he rubs elbows with many famous people, and the tales are fantastic. But not much relating to Columbus during this one. He does mention working at Coyle Music after returning to town. And having attended Capital University during his formative years. At the very end, Damico throws in a reference to Raymond currently teaching at Music Royale, if anyone wants lessons. And that he’s playing out still with the band Toast.
Other Cbus mentions of note: Park Street Tavern, Alrosa Villa
Special Guest: Dennis Kelley II
Another highly amusing slice of the podcast here. This one is actually unique for a few different reasons. First off, though he spent many a year entertaining himself and others singing at karaoke, Kelley considers himself more a music fan than a musician. So the tales he’s relating here are much different as a result. And one aspect to them that I really like is he’s diving in deep with a couple of the tales, and not so much bouncing around all over the place. For example getting in depth talking about the clientele and the bartender at this one place, Jitterbug Cafe, which is exactly the sort of material I’m into, and wished we had a lot more of – although not quite the angle Damico might wish to take all the time with this podcast, obviously. It would be awesome for a different project, though.
And then at the end, he and Damico break out a live cover of George Michael’s Waiting For That Day to close out the episode! With Len on acoustic and Dennis singing, which is also a fresh wrinkle to this enterprise. So that’s really cool, and Kelley absolves himself well on the vocals front. Regarding the whole karaoke thing, though the argument is often advanced (and I’ve said as much on this site, actually) that it helped in part to “kill” live music, I’m not sure that is the case anymore. If you were out on the nightlife scene in the late 90s and early 2000s, at the absolute height of karaoke’s popularity, I feel like this was irrefutable – yes, bars were clearly booking far less bands than they used to. Since that time, however, one trend has kind of waned in popularity while the other has made a bit of a resurgence. Now I believe they more accurately just peacefully coexist and probably don’t have much impact on one another.
Kelley himself actually hasn’t sang out anywhere in years, before this episode. It’s extremely fascinating for him to mention Otani as being one of his former haunts, however, that he was often singing there. Because though I didn’t brave the karaoke waters often myself, the last time I ever did so, as far as I can recall, it was at…Otani. So now I’m wondering if he happened to be there that night and how on earth you’d ever go about determining such a thing.
In a side note, Damico comes up with one of the top laugh-out-loud moments I’ve yet encountered, where they’re discussing how they like their martinis, and Les describes his as basically being a “liquid salad.”
Other Cbus mentions of note (forgive the misspellings on things I couldn’t look up): Jimmy King and his band Kings of the Drink – which used to feature Damico on guitar. Columbus Gentleman’s Suits Society. Sidebar. Donerick’s Pub on Broad. The Martini Affair. Columbus Blue Jackets and some parody song Kelley wrote about them back in the day. 94th Aero Squadron. Some Arnell Damasco guy who apparently ran that Otani karaoke. Bands such as My Kid Sister, Headbanger’s Hangover, Stadium 11. Also the Brewery District.
Episode 16: John Widner
I like this guy’s laidback, humble attitude, which Len himself alludes to at one point. Currently he’s guitarist for Toast and Dirty Red Sunshine, though his pedigree includes a lengthy stint with noteworthy local group The Bellows in the 1980s and early 90s. In his formative years, he took lessons from Brad Taylor of The Godz. Then was hired while still in high school to play for The Bellows, based on a boombox tape he recorded in his basement. They played first Fridays at High Beck Tavern for 5+ years, among other highlights. Won the “Rock Wars” at East Dallas in 1986.
He bought his beloved blue guitar at Cowtown Guitars, from Mark Chatfield personally. The Bellows opened for The Godz on at least one occasion, at Valley Dale Ballroom. His dad led the Jack Widner Trio, which was a popular local jazz band in the 1960s. In recent years, John has been encouraged to sing more in addition to his duties as guitarist.
Other local mentions of note: Chelsie’s, South Heidleberg, Ruby Tuesday, Willie Phoenix, Stauffer’s University Inn, Bistro Lounge, The Continent.
Episode 17: Myke Rock
I’ve heard the name countless times, of course, but never really knew much about the guy until now. A truly fascinating installment intersecting with basically the past 50 years of Columbus music history, plus some stories about other locales. Like he’s already the 3rd musician I’ve listened to on here who went to L.A. in the 1980s to try and hit the jackpot. And so rubbing elbows with various famous peeps here, there, and elsewhere. You get the feeling this guy truly lives and breathes music. Easily the most name-droppingest episode I’ve taken in so far, too, in case you’re wondering whose paths he might have crossed here in Cbus.
Local mentions of note: Rome Records (former recording studio), Screaming Urge (former band), Ray Fuller, Willie Phoenix.
Episode 18: Shaun Booker
This Columbus Blues Hall Of Fame member has been performing basically her whole life, beginning in church at the tender age of 3. She says the blues got a hold of her at that early age, and you have to believe this is true: she is one of just three women inducted into this hallowed circle. At any rate, much like Myke Rock in the previous transmission, you can just tell music is absolutely essential to her being. I’m not the hugest blues fan, but consider her one of the more entertaining interviewees I’ve heard on here, and it made me want to catch her playing live somewhere. Which I did soon afterwards. And I also have this hunch that, if we were to meet, as often turns out to be the case, I might totally hit it off and have a ton in common with someone from a completely different background. Though originally from the Youngstown area, she’s been in Columbus for quite some time, long enough to have played at places like Bernie’s. Kindly click on my Shaun Booker Dammit Band profile to learn a bit more.
Other local mentions: Natalie’s, Gatsby’s
Episode 19: Anne Wilson
We don’t get a ton of backstory with this one, but then the variety in approaches with the various interviewees is kind of nice. She’s been the vocalist for a local band called Six Foot Blonde since about the mid aughts, and has some amusing anecdotes to dispense, like the time Fred Ricart (actually I think this might have been multiple occasions) got up to play guitar with the band during a corporate party. What’s interesting about this episode though is that it’s more of a rumination on life in general, what you might even call philosophical in spots, than so much about her music career specifically.
Len is also a little more chatty than average, as it becomes more of a conversation than interview per se. And in so doing, it makes me realize that this is a great skill he has, as an interviewer overall, and why this podcast works so well: approach these sessions as conversations first. I’ve thus far steered clear of ever attempting to “interview” anyone for this site, mostly because that just seems like a dreadful and awkward experience. If I actually know the person, it wouldn’t be a problem, as that would essentially be a conversation anyway. Actual strangers, though? Not so much. But it’s surely necessary at some point, and I think his example points the way forward. Instead of posing your nerdy little bullet points of questions, and sitting back while the guests ramble at length, turn it into more of a chat. Even when you don’t necessarily know the person extremely well.
As far as other specifics go, Anne does mention getting her start playing at Grandview Cafe, and that she’s collaborated with local musician Rob Armstrong for eons. And playing Hineygate! Yes!
Episode 20: Aaron Buckley
Man, this dude is mighty entertaining. It would be riot to kick back for untold hours and listen to him tell his war stories, or for that matter even just read a repair manual or something. He’s a country performer currently associated with a band called Buckshot and also The Buckley Shot Band. Still, there’s not a whole lot of Columbus-based material here to hang your Stetson upon. He did grow up on the west side and attened Pleasant View Middle School as well as Westland and Franklin Heights for high school. While still a teen, he joined forces with some Larry Wilson guy and joined his gospel group – which were nonetheless named God’s Country Band.
At some point Buckley wound up moving to Nashville, and much of this episode covers that era. Upon his return to this region, I feel like he’s mostly playing on the outskirts if not fully outside of town. Although Damico does mention catching him for the first time at a place called The Red Brick, which is in the German Village area. I’m also endlessly amused by the fascinating little blips, these side notes that don’t pertain a whole lot to the matter at hand, yet tell you something you never knew before – like when Len mentions that where the Anheuser-Busch factory now sits, that used to be a buffalo field.
Episode 21: Chris Cochenour
Drummer for local group The F-Bomb, who are a terrific, hard rockin’ outfit that any fan of such needs to see live. Mike (bass) and Chris have been playing together in various groups since ’89 or ’90, Cochenour estimates. They did one album before he joined the group, but as of this podcast have another batch of originals they hope to release soon.
As far as his pedigree, Chris mentions being in a band called Dirty Annie back in the day, who had their cassette tape played on the Columbus Z-Rock station. Bob Damnit was in Dirty Annie with him, and later the two of them also joined forces in The Damnits for quite some time. The Damnits are actually an ongoing band these days, though Bob has unfortunately passed away and they have a different drummer, too.
Other Cbus references of note: The Pub in Gahanna, Shock II, Alrosa, Newport, Terry Davidson & The Gears, King Of Clubs, some bar called Shakers.
Episode 22: Bart Jenkins
This reknowned upright bass player used to work at, and actually purchased his instrument of choice, at the Sam Ash store on Morse. So in addition to him, I know the guitarist from Tina Holly’s band, and Arty from various bands/venues familiar to the campus and Short North scene, were also Sam Ash employees. And can’t help but wonder if any of these eras overlapped. I’m already trying to wrap my head around some strategy for an interactive family tree or web of connections for musicians and all their musical projects – coming up with something similar for rock venues or even shops like this would be awesome, too.
To cite another example, he says his parents bought him an amp and a bass on his 15th birthday…from the old String Shoppe on campus! There’s another music adjacent beehive of activity where it would be fascinating to list the employees. Anyway, that was his first bass, and he’s been attached to the instrument ever since.
Bart plays for the awesomely named Third Degree Sideburn. He estimates that they formed in 2002 or thereabouts, and he’s been with them ever since. Among the highlights were opening for the Stray Cats’ Lee Rocker at Skully’s one time. John Petric apparently reviewed this show and was none too impressed by TDS. In 2013 he also joined The Digs, a group for which he and sax layer Fred are the only original members remaining, as the others have all been revolving doors. In that outfit, Fred Sharp (also from Bastard Sons Of Neptune and Stolen Fire) plays guitar. And going way back, Jenkins said he was in local band called Clubber Lang – which is different from the current Clubber Lang lads. But jokes they should get together for a split bill sometime.
Other Cbus references: Eldorado’s, Local Roots in Powell, Forty Deuce, Imber Solis, Natalie’s. His first ever show he played was at a place – I think he says – called Dal’s on High.
Jason Endicott (live from Columbus Oktoberfest 2023)
This is an interesting though very short “on the fly” episode in that Damico apparently just met Endicott moments earlier, and decides to roll tape while at this festival. Endicott is the new drummer for Cowtown Inc. – he just joined the band this week! With a running time of just 6 minutes, there’s not a ton to sink your teeth into here. Jason does offer one cool piece of advice, however, when he advises local musicians to “stay focused, stay friendly.” Which is a lesson for pretty much everyone, I supposed. One other interesting side note is that you can hear some other band doing a soundcheck (at least I hope that’s a soundcheck) in the background – it would be cool to figure out who this is somehow.
Episode 23: Cliff Marsh
Local saxophone player who, incredibly enough, just got into playing out live back around 2015 or so. He’s in 270 Famous, Rockhouse Columbus, and Kismet Notes. But has jammed with an eye-popping number of musicians since then, as if to make up for lost time. As such this easily eclipes the Myke Rock installment for name dropping, an absolute flurry of the references that I can’t even keep up with in certain stretches.
Though a bit digressive at times, Marsh seems like an interesting guy, and it would be cool to meet him. I was kind of wondering when the first A.C. Collins reference would show up on this project, and it makes sense that it finally happens here. Cliff arrived here around ’89, from parts elsewhere, and was attending OSU, at one point managing some unnamed restaurant. He says A.C. was one of his first key inspirations. He also mentions Sean Wallace (teaches at OSU) as well as Michael Cox (teaches at Capital University.)
Rockhouse Columbus played last on Saturday night at the ’23 Oktoberfest. Marsh was a regular member of 6 Foot Blonde, Has Beens, The Digs, Blue Spectrum in the past. Among the other interesting references are Lazy Chameleon and Dolphin Lounge. Damico also drops the wild factoid, which I wasn’t aware of, that former Hoodoo Soul Band guitarist Kevin Oliver is now playing with Parliament-Funkadelic these days – or whatever George Clinton currently calls that band.
Episode 24: Ross Davis
I like that Len’s interviewing a somewhat different character this time, in that Davis here is a soundman. So we get a unique perspective on the scene, an angle not yet covered by this podcast. And while I get that not everyone’s going to be interested in this nerdier aspect of the rock n’ roll lifestyle, he doesn’t get too bogged down, for the most part, discussing gear or scientific aspects of recording or what have you. So I personally found this an enjoyable chapter.
However, having said that, I wish there were more specifics given in this episode. Surely with enough detective work I could track down particulars myself, but like Ross mentions owning a recording studio here in town for many years, and unless I missed it, though this eats up a huge portion of the broadcast, nobody gives a name or even definitive location for the studio, and almost no musicians are mentioned as far as who actually recorded here – the only one I caught came from Damico himself, when he relates hanging out there one day when Matt Bradley breezed in for a session.
But anyway…Davis came here in ’98 to do some work for his brother’s band, moved to Cbus permanently himself in ’07. Owned that studio for awhile, but lost it, and is now doing sound for live shows at various venues in the region. Most of the specific Columbus references are tossed out by Len, relatively late in the episode: QFM, Jackass Genius, Red Light Go, Days Gone By, Lovesick Radio, Flint Station, Grandma’s Cookie Jar are some of the names dropped.
Episode 25: Rev. C. Barton Love
This was a gripping episode on many levels. The Reverend here is currently in Devil’s Payroll, which were formerly known as Skillet Lickers. He describes their sound as “garage grass” and “Stonesy Ramonesy George Jonesy.” But he’s a veteran of the scene and therefore dispenses some fascinating tales stretching way back to his early days.
He first started getting involved because his neighbor was in a band called I’m With Stupid. Then was in his own groups G Spot Tornado (a Frank Zappa reference), Broken Circle Gospel Deluxe, and Bubba Hotep (he knows the guy who wrote that, and got permission to use the name before it was made into a movie.) And so he’s playing at or if not then just mingling at all the expected hotspots of that time: Stache’s (says he attended the infamous Nirvana show there,) The Dell, Crazy Mama’s (he mentions doorman Charlie Wonder), Chelsea’s, later Little Brother’s.
He and Len have known each other forever, though, so there’s much discussion about former Westerville haunts as well. Damico says he bought this one special guitar at the Guitar Center on Morse Road specifically to give to Love as a gift, quite a while ago. And then also, on a somber note, Love details the day he was shot in the neck while working at Lev’s Pawn Shop. All in all, quite the compelling listen.
Other local references of note: Lost Weekend Records, Natalie’s, Victorian’s Midnight Cafe, Calico Cupboard, Buzzard’s Nest, Swamp Dog Music
Episode 26: Alecia Houston
She is currently fronting a couple different projects, Houston We Have A Problem as well as Alecia Houston and The Firmm. Both are classic rock and blues bands, but the first is more of an acoustic approach, the latter amps it up. Depending upon the venue, Houston might flesh out these bands with extra musicians, and she says the irrepressible Myke Rock is one of her first choices if doing so. And actually this episode might have now surpassed his, as far as counting the local references, her points of contact between them.
Among the local references are King Of Clubs, Shaun Booker, Willie Phoenix, Kim Crawford, and Eldorado’s. To cite but a smattering. Alecia also tells an amusing story about a stripper trying to join them onstage at this westside bar. I like what she has to say, too, about every venue being a mystery that you have to figure out. And that she feels as though when performing there, she is basically an employee during those hours, and has a responsibility to the business as well as the clientele and the other employees – these are some interesting takes that I don’t recall ever hearing before.
Episode 27: Bob Mains
Bob is a guitarist who has been in not one but two different QFM house bands, Stadium 11 and now Radio City. So he presumably knows his way around a fretboard. He was also a graduate of Westerville South and spends some time detailing his amusing beginnings there, that he had a high school band called Pantera and they played an original song at the school talent show one year. This would have been the early 80s I believe. He went to Tony’s Music in Westerville for some of his early guitar lessons, and later learned some scales from a guy at the String Shoppe. After the original Pantera folded, he joined a group called Kid Gloves who recorded one EP here. Running contrary to many others interviewed on this project, when they left for L.A. to make it big, he decided to just stay put right here instead. At some point he opened for Rosie, Mark Chatfield’s band after The Godz, at the Agora (later renamed Newport Music Hall, of course). And he also opened for BTO, among other career highlights. Currently likes to play in a musicial project with his two daughters, during his down time from Radio City.
Episode 28: Will Newsome
Will here is leader of the band This Day Forever, and also plays guitar with The Martini Affair. His first show with the latter was at Red, White, and Boom in 2015. He has also played with a cover band called The Filthy Habits, and another outfit named Razorbliss.
He seems like a cool guy with a solid philosophical grip on things. So it’s interesting to hear his thoughts on songwriting. Still, as is often the case, I find the really old war stories most compelling of all, and so it is here. He details working at this tiny club called Park Avenue, from ’90-’96, and seeing Tool play there as a result in their early days. Also that Sepultura camped behind the place when they played, during their first ever trip to the States. Fascinating, fascinating stuff.
Other Cbus references of note: Colleen’s Collectibles, Saddleback Shark, Roosters, Ronald Cole, Oak Park Animal Hospital, Tansky Toyota, Lollipop Factory.
Special Episode: Tom House
He is the manager for Shaun Booker Dammit Band. He says he first met her at something called the Hot Times Festival in Olde Towne East. I’m wondering what makes Damico tag certain episodes as “special” ones, though, instead of giving them a number (although sometimes they are labeled as such and use up the number.) It seems that maybe when the interview winds up less musical than expected, then he gives it this designation.
So yeah, you’re not going to hear a ton about Columbus music history here. However, it winds up being a fascinating installment anyway, with a boatload of unexpected references, and countless rabbit holes for me to investigate when I have the time. Wild, wild stuff. For example there are two different true crime cases he’s come into close contact with – his 2nd wife was on America’s Most Wanted for fleeing the country in relation to the National Century Financial fraud case. And the Dispatch interviewed him at one point for his thoughts on such. Prior to that, he says he was watching some band at Vets Memorial and they went out for drinks at the Sheraton afterwards, where their waitress was this woman named Claudia Yasko. Who later gave a false confession for the .22 Caliber Killings – in fact he was out to breakfast with her, he says, when she decided to stroll over to another table and confess to some cops.
Otherwise, for a couple decades he ran his own barber shop. It must have been more than one location because his mentions his first salon being at the corner of Parsons & Oak, and that he later expanded into the next shop over. Then, during Covid times he decided to start staging house parties (no pun that I’m aware of) and this is when he got into the whole band management racket. I also love the soundbite he gives on what you might call his musical philosophy: “let’s just go out & punch em in the face.”
Other Cbus references of note: Billy Milligan, the Daniel Keyes book Unveiling Claudia.
Episode 29: Michael Christian
Though tremendously entertaining, I had some difficulty following this guy at times and might have some details wrong. But believe I’ve got the gist of most of his tales. In most unexpected fashion, a good half his episode concerns his interactions with former UFO bassist Pete Way – I never knew this before, but apparently Way relocated to Columbus at some point. Having quit UFO, Way somehow caught on playing with Ozzy Osbourne (I believe this would have been the Diary of a Madman tour) and met some girl from here, while on the road, after which they wound up living together.
Well, anyway, getting back to Michael Christian’s own narrative: after taking some music lessons at Capital University, and getting into songwriting via a friend of his who worked for a major label, Christian landed this gig as audio engineer at the Newport. And was also working at Frezno Eclectic Cuisine at this time, a Short North restaurant. Anyway, he unexpectedly received a call one day from a buddy of his, saying Pete Way wanted to record an album, and they somehow came up with his name for helming the project.
Michael says he changed out of his restaurant clothes and booked it over to a house on Neil Avenue, where Way was living at the time. That Way answered the door with a gigantic plate of cocaine in his hand, snorting from it while they talk on the porch, even though it’s broad daylight and cars are zipping past in both directions. Anyhow, Christian laughably initially believed they would be able to record this proposed acoustic album in a single weekend – it wound up taking about two years. Despite this much time spent with Way, when released in 2007 under the name Acoustic Animal, Pete’s personally penned liner notes got his name wrong in the initial pressings.
As far as his Newport dealings, Christian says his first day on the job was a George Clinton show, and the second Slash’s Snakepit. Doing my own research, it appears that this must have been 2001. The P-Funk show would have been June 28th of that year and Slash’s on July 1st. Amusingly enough, as this occurred smack dab in the middle of his dealings with Way, he says he was standing there talking with Slash for the first time ever when Pete called and asked him to get tickets for the show. When Christian demurred, on grounds of it already being sold out, Way demanded to speak to Slash. Who as it so happens is a huge UFO fan and apparently made it happen.
Otherwise, concerning his own current dealings, Christian plays guitar occasionally with a band called Red Velvet Letdown. He’s landed songwriting credits with some major, though unspecified, acts. Is also involved with an organization called All THAT (Teens Hopeful About Tomorrow) which offers a wide range of counseling and mental health services for local youths.
Episode 30: David Harris
Founder of band LoveSick Radio and also a member of one called Crashing Wayward. Says they don’t use prerecorded backing tracks live! Which is reassuring to hear, although it also seemingly confirms what many of us have speculated – that other locals secretly do. I once accused the Snow Shoe Crabs of such (whether correct in this instance or not), for example, and the singer replied, “yeah, I got your click track right here,” in semi-threatening fashion.
As far as David Harris, he mentions having recorded some stuff at Sonic Lounge. Mentions John Schwab Studio also, Rome Studios on South High, David Cothern, QFM 96.
Episode 31: Todd Bettler
Bettler is bass player for Stadium 11, also fills in occasionally for Radio City. As is often the case, while I enjoy hearing what everyone’s up to these days, the back story usually proves even more fascinating to me. Says he used to take swim lessons somewhere on Morse, as a kid. Originally from the Westerville area and mentions Yogi’s Hoagies, a place called the Grit Pit. Somewhat of a self-admitted hoodlum from the sounds of things, in his early days, before stumbling into a career playing music. Was in a band called Petty Theft which toured extensively, then when that fell apart, he enrolled at Columbus State, Otterbein, et cetera and began taking matters a little more seriously.
He eventually wound up playing with a group called Black Rose Bloom, who stuck around long enough to release one album. Has also recorded a cover of a Firefall song with a group called The Rules. Then fell in with the Stadium 11 cats and the rest is history. Whilst recording this episode, they are sipping on some leftover tequila that Shawn Pruden brought for his installment – I don’t know why, but I find this background continuity, linking certain episodes, to be quite charming. And also dig/agree with what these guys are saying that the music scene seems a whole lot less combative now than it used to. Although I think it’s only half due to “the scene” itself and people evolving better attitudes than we had back in the 90s and 80s and earlier…the other half is you’re just not as snarky as you get older, it seems to me. Or at least certainly a lot less concerned with what other people think about your projects, and trying to compete with them.
Other Cbus mentions of note: Buckeye Mart record store in Westerville, Big Bear, Mojo Crow, Slapsy’s Maxie’s, Dirty Side Down, Lazy Chameleon, Fender’s.
Episode 32: Brian Kerr
Brian is a member of The McIans Acoustic Duo/The McIans Full Band (depending on the venue/gig and therefore how many members are involved.) And discusses at great length his highly unique strategy when performing solo, which is to play one part and run it into a looping machine, then play something else over top of it, and so on and so forth.
As far as his formative years are concerned, he cites seeing Stevie Ray Vaughan and speaking to him during a meet & greet at the Newport as being the spark which set him on his musical path. Motorfly was his first musical venture in Columbus (Chris Cochenour, interviewed in a previous installment, was their drummer), who played Slapsy Maxie’s and other such bars around town. He was also heavily involved in the open mic nights at Dolphin Lounge. After that, Brian played with Six Pack Theory before setting into his current slate of projects.
Other Cbus references of note: Barrister Hall, Hellroys.
Episode 33: John Homan
Homan is currently the drummer in Clubber Lang. Their first shows, he estimates, were in the summer of ’22, so they’ve already built quite a name for themselves in a relatively short time. Of course, prior to this, he has been in all sorts of projects with that band’s guitarist, Rob Johnson.
John started playing the drums in high school, then went to OSU for awhile. Was in a band called Poorboy, then joined Alcazar as a replacement for somebody else. At some point he started jamming with the guys in Saddleback Shark, who immediately decided he was their new drummer, even though they already had one – that guy was given the boot. This is when he first began playing with Rob Johnson, though they would later collaborate in a band called Magnitude 9 for a few albums, as well as Rob’s solo efforts, before teaming up in Clubber. Homan was also in the Black Rose Bloom project, which was mentioned in a previous episode. As well as many others over the years, such as Blue Cuda (forgive my spelling on some of these, if they happen to be incorrect.)
other Cbus references of note: Shock II, Lazy Chameleon, Turtle Creek, Eldorado’s, Alrosa Villa, Tamerlane.
Episode 34: Frank Laughery
Frank plays bass in Days Gone By alongside Len, and is a founding member of that group. Though originally from the Pittsburgh area, he landed in Columbus for work related reasons as an adult and has been here ever since. He originally got involved with the music scene while working at Chase bank, when he and a coworker, Jeff Friedman (not sure about the spelling on these last names) were tasked with putting together a band for some company party. For whatever reason, the specific assignment involved taking famous classic rock songs and giving them work related lyrics. Considering there was at least one AC/DC cut in their repertoire, they named themselves AC Chasey. Jeff wrote the new words, which they flashed on a teleprompter for everyone to sing along with, and were a big smash at the event.
In its earliest incarnation, with Jeff on guitar and Frank on bass, Mike Brown was their vocalist. He dropped out during the practice stage, however. Bob Blankenship was their singer by the time that party came around, and Gary Goff played drums. Over time this evolved to Days Gone By, playing famous rock covers with their original lyrics, began hitting local open stage nights like Kicks and Fender’s and paying gigs at places like the Hilton Easton.
Since emerging in 2009, they have continued with just a few lineup changes. At some point Blankenship quit and Brown returned for real. Brent Scopell eventually took over on drums, after Goff left, and brought some really fine vocals of his own to the table. Eventually Charles Valentino (formerly of Marble Park) became their next singer, and with it they added some slightly newer material to the repertoire. Finally, around 2016, they began looking for a keyboard player, but Len Damico met with them about joining as a second guitarist instead. They liked him, and knew he could sing, and therefore after an audition in Frank’s basement, he was added to the group.
Episode 35: Ty Barnes
They get off to a somewhat meandering if amusing start with this one, drinking red wine and yukking it up about a recent show where Barnes tried playing Steve Miller’s The Joker and Damico joined him. I was kind of wondering if this kind of stuff might comprise the entire episode. But then around the halfway point, they get down to business and Barnes starts rattling off his impressive resume.
Barnes was born at Riverside Hospital and has lived in this area his entire life. He got his first guitar in April of ’84, when his dad took him to Chuck Daly Guitar Store in the Graceland Shopping Center. After which they popped into some place called Fontanelle so his pops could knock back a couple drinks. He hones his craft via instructional cassette tapes, before moving on to lessons with “Hurricane” Jerry Lews. Then went to Ft. Hayes for a musical program there, after passing the requisite audition for acceptance.
In the early 90s, he went to Recording Workshop, then worked at Mara Sound and Soundscape Studios. HIs first band was a local one called Fallout, who played Stache’s and Apollo’s, among other venues. On occasion he plays bass for Ukelele Man, a person Ty reverently describes as a “father figure,” like for example some Elvis-a-Thon and Replacements tribute nights at Little Brother’s.
From here he began playing happy hour at Shrunken Head with a group called Tryin’ Times. Then was around the Hilliard scene for years doing covers with the likes of Failure To Communicate, Taser, and Sibling Rivalry. This era lasted from approximately 2008-14. After that, he was in a group called Four Finger Shot, which sounds like a bit more bro-tastic affair.
Barnes is currently in Cowtown Inc. with Kevin Mullins, also plays solo acoustic, and in a power trio called Astrocat with John Coleman (drums) and Steve Conley (bass). He also dabbles with a podcast called Moving Music and runs the musical editing/sound for Marjorie Jones School of Dance.
Episode 36: Christy Bagby & Brad McGwire
This duo, from the local group Blue Eyes Black, discuss their first ever single, 6 Years Gone, and also their history together. They started out as a duo (Christy vocals, Brad guitar) and still perform some in that guise, though mostly now will a full band they’ve assembled. McGwire has a studio at his house, referred to as Bradlands, where they practice and record. Brad also plays in an 80s cover band called Never Surrender, sometimes on the same bill as Blue Eyes Black. Christy, meanwhile, is involved with an organization called Central Ohio Women Who Rock – they get together and perform out somewhere on occasion, too.
Columbus references of note: Eldorado’s (of course), Jimmy Deluca’s (spell check – former rock club), The Loft (hotel bar in Westerville)
Episode 37: Tina Holly
This one features what is thus far the funniest story I’ve heard in these interviews, which is how Tina even became involved in the Columbus music scene. A relative newcomer to this circuit, Holly was a Mt. Gilead resident and technically not even living here at the time, when she first met Willie Phoenix in the Eldorado’s parking lot – by almost plowing into him with her car, as he had just walked out of the building. Rolling down her window to apologize, the two began conversing, and it was he who suggested she should start playing drums for a local band. Hence her subsequently joining forces with Brian Clash.
Their guitarist used to work at Sam Ash; aside from that some of the other shout outs of note are the all-female quintet Wednesday Wine (her favorite local group), 614 Rock, Hilliard Music School (where Tina first began taking lessons, a mere seven years ago), Hilliard Shopping Network. Tina’s also someone wearing a million different hats, among them music teacher and even published author – Holly has cranked out four books to date.
Episode 38: Los Giles
Gathering Stars. They play at Natalie’s, Dick’s Den. Record at Secret Studio in Franklinton. Carlton Smith (Royal Crescent Mob, Howlin’ Maggie) plays one at least one of the Gathering Stars albums. Los Giles here currently plays with Megabeth. He was born in Columbus, originally lived in the Hilltop district.
Okay, so as you can tell, I originally went into this episode thinking, man, I’m going to have to start documenting these in bullet point fashion, otherwise there’s just no way I will ever get caught up. But then something shifts a short while into this one, where he starts talking about his early OSU campus days. He offers a hilarious quote, concerning how “sterile” the current campus landscape is, versus those scuzzy early days which persisted clear up until the late 1990s.
“You’ve got to have dirt on the ground for things to grow,” he offers, with a little chuckle, although this strikes me as one of the wisest remarks I’ve ever heard.
Well, so okay, from here he veers into a wild variety of fascinating topics. He originally played campus with a band called Bumble Flea, then was in Triggahappy, presumably as the drummer. Later moved on to other groups such as Soul Fu Villains, Burlap Sun. Then was doing musicals with Teo from Mescalito, involved with OSU in some capacity, though they eventually staged these at places downtown like Southern Theatre.
Still later, Los Giles hosted this show called Trip The Groove Fantastic on WCBE. Near the end of the episode he offers one other funny yet pertinent quote I really love, saying, “I’ll put on whatever hat the party calls for, man.” And one unexpected thing we have in common: both of us were doormen at Little Brothers!
Other Cbus mentions of note: Crazy Mama’s, Sandro’s, Bernie’s, Stache’s, Apollo’s. Presumably there were other campus bars in the 80s and 90s which weren’t named after somebody and/or did not include the use of an apostrophe, but if so these aren’t documented here.
Episode 39: Tiffany Bumgarner
Tiffany, meanwhile, has to be the most amusing overall interviewee I’ve heard on here. Though she began performing onstage with her mom at an early age, she got her first real break while working at the Coconuts Music Store on Morse Road. This was the mid 90s and a coworker, overhearing her sing, said she had a great voice. He just happened to be an OSU student living on campus (imagine that) and was putting together his own scrappy little band (doubly shocking). Though she was only 16 at the time, he invited her to sing for them. A project which eventually turned into Stone Velvet.
From here she launches into a virtual Who’s Who of the late 90s and early 2000s scene, which happens to be the era I’m probably most familiar with: playing at Stache’s, Chelsie’s, and Ruby Tuesday; mentioning bands such as Miranda Sound, Templeton, and Poophouse Reilly; and so on. Then at a later date, fronting the cover band Radio Tramp for over a decade. She also uses this episode to announce that she has just joined The Martini Affair as their lead vocalist.
Bonus Cbus mentions: Red White & Boom, The Barn, Hot Spot Tavern
Episode 40: The Pretty Filth
Highly entertaining installment with Angela and Josh from this local 80s cover band. Even though it’s mostly just these two and Len and even Beth, audible in the background in spots, sitting around drinking and cracking wise about this and that. Learning a ton about their band, though, not so much – this is not the time and place for that. Josh’s voice even sounds like Len’s at times, which further enhances the confusion and chaos as you try to piece together what’s going on.
But some clues do emerge. Like how Josh and Angela, a married couple, first met while living in the same apartment complex, Ponderosa Village. Even though both grew up in Westerville, I think they went to different schools. They only truly “vibed” a short while later, however, while running into one another at a Damn Yankees concert at Vets Memorial, where they began making out.
She’s the vocalist in the group, and gives shout outs to her choir teacher at Westerville North, Mrs. Stonebreaker. She first ever sang live doing karaoke one night at the Gibby’s in Dublin. Meanwhile, he’s the bass player in the group, and says he learned his craft ripping out tablature pages from magazines at some place called Flag Center. Their first gig was in November of 2010 at Bethel Road Pub, with Chuck Oney running sound. Nowadays they often play Turtle Creek, among other treasured venues.
Episode 48: The Godz
So here we have the episode that finally made me want to check this podcast out. Even though I’ve been following the Instagram account for quite some time, and would heart the photos, et cetera. Seeing that these legendary rockers had made the cut and were back in business, yeah, I knew this was required listening.
I can’t realistically claim to have been the hugest Godz fan in the world or anything. But they were kind of like the hard rock version of McGuffey Lane in these parts, or something, in that you knew they’d been somewhat of a big deal back in the day, had maybe landed a nationwide hit or two, then sort of fizzled out due to or alongside various lineup changes. Unlike McGuffey Lane, however, I remember actually hearing said hit on the radio, into the 90s or even the 2000s, where you still might catch Gotta Keep a Running on the airwaves every now and then.
The local angle has made them of particular interest to me, of course. And yet there’s always been a frustration there with the inability to find out a ton about them online. Therefore these interviews are especially priceless, for helping to fill in the gaps. Beyond even that aspect, though, I found this group chat way more fascinating than expected. They are mostly hilarious interviewees, it’s true, but another angle soon emerged which I had honestly never considered until tuning in to this episode – the vicarious thrill of knowing some of these places they’re referencing, and maybe even some of the people.
My ears first perk up when they mention some early days of living on Summit Street and jamming in the basement. That this is where they first began spray painting all their equipment white. Other ultra intriguing mentions include their having played at Eldorado’s quite a bit, and also a semi-residency at Alrosa Villa. Listening to them makes me realize yet again just how much history that everyone possesses. Doug relates (a recurring theme, as we shall soon see) having ventured out to the Sunset Strip in the 80s and even rooming with Vince Neil at one point; they’ve all got a million different projects going at present, of course, of which The Godz is just one and maybe not even the top priority; and then also, without intending any disrespect for anybody else, Mark Chatfield is easily the most compelling figure here by far, considering he’s the last original member left. But then, oh yeah, he happens to have been in Bob Seger’s band for quite awhile, too (the only time I’ve actually seen him play live) and also tacks on like an afterthought at the very end that he’s currently a member of Grand Funk Railroad. He never even mentions Cowtown Guitars, a gear store I remember from years ago, up on 161. I don’t know if this is modesty or a very Columbus-esque personality trait where it seems like everybody has a million projects up in the air, and your attitude is somewhere between, “eh, I guess this was kinda cool, but whatever,” and, “dude, I’ve got so much crap going on that I don’t even have time to keep up with it all!”
Other Cbus mentions of note: Valley Dale Ballroom, Capital City Rockets, Chelsie’s, and a bunch of other stuff that is no longer around.
Episode 52: Dolphin Lounge
Breaking with precedent to some extent here, this time around Len focuses on a bar itself, in this case Gahanna’s Dolphin Lounge. Owner Lori Dolphin (not her actual last name) says she wanted to celebrate 52 years of live music by being episode 52. Which is only fair enough, considering that they have the longest running continual blues jam in the United States.
I have been in here a few times, and have mixed emotions about the place. But eh, maybe we’ll save that for a later date, whenever I get around to the inevitable dedicated Dolphin Lounge page (this is my latest strategy for deferring negative comments: I’ll tackle that in a later post! Sure, that’s it!). This is only fair, considering my experiences here date from the late 90s anyway. It’s still an enjoyable episode, like this little tidbit about Eric Clapton once dropping by unannounced to play here, back when he married that young lady across town. Or how Lori’s mom saved every single demo tape/CD anyone ever gave her, clear back to the club’s opening.
Other notable Cbus mentions: Columbus Monthly, Ric Boals
Episode 109: AJ Angelo
Yes! At long last! The legend has surfaced with an especially epic episode. With him, as an added bonus, he has Gabrielle Johnston, who is heavily involved with AJ on the Gatsby’s scene. It makes sense to start here, as they pretty much do, considering that Angelo has been playing most Friday nights at that bar stemming clear back to September 1990.
But okay, Damico does in time turn this ship around and sail back to grab AJ’s origins, which is something I’ve been wondering about for years. AJ moved to Columbus at around the age of 5, and has lived here for the most part ever since. He and his family soon settled in to attending a Holy Spirit church in Whitehall, which is where his dad talked him into joining a folk group, to perform there – the deal was, his dad would sing for the group, if AJ would be willing to pick up guitar. And so he did, in what would have been, he estimates, somewhere around the 8th grade.
After graduating high school, Angelo did briefly move down to Athens, to attend OU. Though at this point he says he basically only knew two songs, Jimmy Buffett’s Why Don’t We Get Drunk And Screw and Hank Williams, Jr.’s O.D.’d in Denver, he began busting these out at this open stage mic night. A bar owner then offered him fifty bucks if he would come back a different night and play a full set, which found Angelo furiously scrambling to learn a bunch more tunes in short order.
Seeing dollar signs with this whole concept, and that his road ahead might already be paved with these cover tunes, AJ decided to drop out after about three months, and return to a much more lucrative Columbus market instead. He immediately found work playing at one of the Ground Round restaurant locations around town, a once burgeoning franchise that is just about defunct these days.
Following a somewhat brief foray out to Colorado Springs, where he had a chance to pursue some leads in a similar vein, Angelo returned to Columbus – this would have evidently been the early or mid 80s – and hasn’t left the scene since. Soon enough, he put together a cover band with his cousin Tommy (drums) and this guy named Gar (bass), with AJ of course singing and picking guitar. They had a regular gig over in Reynoldsburg for awhile, and recounting these days leads to Angelo’s best one-liner of this episode, as he recalls this was “back when drinkin & drivin was a sport – they encouraged it.” Which is maybe the best summation of that era I’ve ever heard.
These guys were called The Mad Hatters, which is a name that stemmed from his Ground Round days. Apparently, in a move highly reminiscent of “wearing more flair” from the Office Space move, Angelo was encouraged to keep switching out hats when performing there, throughout his sets. And stuck with this gimmick with that group as well. Over time, they would try out at least one guy on lead guitar, but he didn’t really pan out, and this trio soldiered on without one.
When the group eventually fizzled out, fellow local musician John Schwab introduced AJ to Greg Chapin, then owner of Gatsby’s. Chapin was looking to start an open mic night, and immediately tabbed Angelo as his man. And though the bar has changed ownership at least once since then, AJ has kept this gig going for nearly 35 years. In fact, there was a ten year stretch in the middle where he scaled down his musical committments, and was playing only at Gatsby’s on Friday nights. His brother Carmen joined him on percussion for awhile, at some point in the late 90s. Alongside Danny Lang, some of the other names who graced the stage from the start include Brad Moore and Doc Livingston. Gabrielle here meanwhile says she came along in the “second class” and has been involved with that scene ever since.
In more recent times, AJ has been involved with the Buckeye Cruise For Cancer. In fact, live here in Len’s studio, he busts out an acoustic and plays one tune he came up with for this cause, which is Buffett’s Changes In Latitudes updated with Buckeye Cruise lyrics. Which is available for download on his website, with all proceeds going to the cause. He’s also been at Giammarco’s in Westerville nearly every Tuesday since 2014, and holds the AJ’s Music Marathon once a year – for 2025’s edition, McGuffey Lane is performing, at the massive Fortress sports complex in Obetz.
The last bit of this interview does shift gears into relative silliness, leading me to suspect some adult beverages might be in play. All in all, though, it’s a tremendous episode, I would even recommend as a starting point for those who might be unfamiliar with this podcast.
