Posted on Leave a comment

Columbus Local Podcast

Dolphin Lounge

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 coincidences that emerge everywhere, as far as bars I’ve frequented, too, and bands seen, some of which I’ve maybe even forgotten about. 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 late 90s 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 Coil 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 project. 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 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.

My only wish regarding this podcast is that there were some 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 any (at least none 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 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 inducting 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 makes me want to catch her playing live somewhere. Also this hunch that, 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.

Other local mentions: Natalie’s, Gatsby’s

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 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 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 39: Tiffany Bumgarner

Tiffany, meanwhile, has to be the most entertaining 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 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