THE HANGOUTS & VENUES
Al-surferosa Villa
*Most consistent place in bringing cool national acts (just kidding)
But this place will always remain a mystery to me. If it's not some
pasteurized tribute band, it's some ghastly '80's metal band that no one
even knew was still around. - Bill Carnes
Bernie's.
*My favorite place for shows. - Bill Carnes
BW3 on a Wednesday night (open stage)
*Most surreal place I've ever been
People just sit around, eat wings, have a couple drinks and watch sports on
the big screen. Meanwhile there's someone over in the corner trying to
share his/her soul. The only people who seem to give a damn are the people
who are on next - who have been known to all sit at their table and make
masturbation jokes. By the way, I forgot to mention that there is this guy
in a funny little hat who keeps the beat with some spoons. I was frightened.
- Bill Carnes
Larry's
*An old bar to drink, sit, talk, shoot pool, be "scene" and drink more.
Larry's has long been rumored to be a gay bar. This rumor is said to have
been started to keep young Greeks and such from coming in and puking in the
bathrooms. This is not to say Larry's doesn't have it's fair share of
alternative lifestylers. Larry's is also known to be a pretentious older
drinkers' bar. The Monday night poetry readings and the number of older
people drinking a lot help support this. Then again, there's no band, dance
floor, or deejay to disguise it as something else. I use to go there semi-
regularly to hang out with my roommate, friends and to see a beautiful woman
or two. Now they've moved on and I got tired of the pretension. Friday and
Saturday nights are unbearably crowded and deep for me. However, it still
might be the place to find me on summer Sundays (when Bernie's is closed).
And, hey, I still dislike alcohol more than the average regular. - Joel
Magnetic Planet
*Studio & show warehouse space until the landlord shut the shows down
There's this little converted warehouse near the corner of 5th Ave. and High
(actually on Pearl just south of 5th), formerly known as Art Force One. Just
over a year ago it was converted to a recording studio/practice space/show
space. Craig Dunson runs the studio, Bim did most of the shows and some
Hippies provide a lot of miscellaneous/financial support. Only a few special
shows were done in the beginning - with some minor problems putting 'em on
hold. The shows returned but the landlord recently said no more. The New
Years crowds were huge. Other shows I saw there were comfortably attended.
The sound was pretty good as long as the police or the neighbors didn't come
a-knockin'. (We'll be done in 15 minutes anyway, sir; or I'm a guest of the
renter of the building I was peeing on, sir.) - Joel
Neil House, 1473 Neil
*This is the only regular DIY show space that I know of in Columbus right
now. They occasionally pull in touring indie punk & hardcore stuff, lots
of emo stuff. It seems like the choices in what local bands they'll book
are a little cliquish, but you'd get that at any club. The PA is lo-fi
but workable. The space itself is a living room. I like the atmosphere.
You don't get the drawbacks of a bar - like drunken idiots trying to pick
up meat. - Carl Hirsch
The Neilhouse, 1473 Neil Ave between 8th and King, next to the Mershon Center
*This is just a house where a bunch of kids live. They put on shows in their
living room+dining room (it's pretty big), and have recently put a stage in.
The shows tend to be of the emo/straightedge/hardcore variety. Bands that
play often include Falling Forward, Grain, Preston Furman. Other notables
have played there like Shades Apart. Sometimes they go out of that format
and have booked bands like Craw. Once in a while they will do a kind of
"satellite" show at another space, like when Bikini Kill was here last year.
That was too big to have at the house. The crowd is young, and sometimes
very inclusive, which can be a turn off to any older, non-scenester or not
"in" people. The door price is kept low (less than $5 usually), most of it
going to the bands. This summer the kids are planning a "fest" with a lot of
bands and some workshops which will probably be worth looking into - even if
you don't like the bands. It's all in the planning stages, but it will take
place June 23+24, fri/sat, I believe. For any information contact the house
at (614) 299-1160 and for booking ask for Steve or Scott. - Jen Angel
The Newport
*Weirdest smell before a show. - Bill Carnes
Talamasca Gallery, 1190 North High Street, 291-9300
*A voodoo coffee shop? Believe it or not, that's probably the best way to
describe the Talamasca - the little coffee shop that could. Nestled in a
near-invisible location across from the old Garden strip club, the Talamasca
has been around for almost half a year but is just starting to stake their
claim. To what? Many things: April alone sports surrealism game nights,
Twin Peaks nights, various performances and DJ nights. I'm responsible for
the latter two. Every other Saturday we have a performance of some kind,
followed by Gothic/industrial DJing for the rest of the night. The
performances can be anything from performance art to weird rock, but the key
is that it's something unusual, and I don't just mean "alternative." It's a
great little space, a secret (and perhaps too secret) space where some great
things are happening. - Mark G.
ZINES & INFO RESOURCES
Asylum for Shut Ins by Mike Kole (See TDD)
*Full size zine: 56pgs - $2.00 ppd
This zine is really similar to the book HIGH WEIRDNESS BY MAIL. It's kind
of hard to follow, but once you get used to the scattered kind of format
there's a lot of really interesting (and weird stuff) inside. (ohio) - Jen
Angel
Ball Buster by Amanda Runyon Lynch (See TDD)
*Full size zines: #1:40pgs, #2:28pgs, #3:28pgs - all $1.25 ppd
Amanda is one of my favorite female friends in Columbus. She is just so
cool. Lots of gender politics stuff, queerness, letters, poetry, reviews.
#1 has lots more poetry/writing, good drawings. #2 has an interview with a
local band The Curse and lots of good photos. #3 has an interview with her
mom! What a good idea! (ohio) - Jen Angel
A Beginner's Guide to Putting on Shows by Jen Angel (See TDD)
*Half size zine: 36pgs - free + 2 to 3 stamps
Everything you always wanted to know about spaces, bands, money, sound
systems, advertising, legal issues and more. Zine format, great
illustrations! Factsheet Five says: "From the editor of Fucktooth comes
the incredibly valuable guide to putting on shows. In many ways it's like
the missing piece from "Book Your Own Fucking Live" in that it provides
real practical advice on getting bands, setting up sound systems, and
promoting shows. Jen should get an award for this... She starts at the
beginning: finding a place and dealing with the rental fees. Then she
covers the nuts and bolts of setting up a sound system, explaining mikes,
monitors, amps, and the other confusing electrical stuff. There's even the
fine points of legal stuff, canceled bands, and paying people. An immensely
valuable guide that could get anyone started in the glamorous world of
concert promotions." - Jen Angel
The Columbus Dispatch
*Columbus' only major daily newspaper
Well, I don't get the Dispatch - not even on Sundays. No real reason other
than when I did get it, I just didn't read it much. Whether that's a poor
reflection on me or the paper, I ain't sayin'. Thursday's Weekender is the
main music/arts/entertainment section. Other stuff appears through the week.
Bill Eichenberger is the main music critic guy. Most of his stuff seems to
focus on more major, yet semi-alternative shows. He's not one to totally
trash bands but, at the same time, he can be nicely critical ... - Joel
Fucktooth Fanzine ## by Jen Angel (See TDD)
*Half size zines - $1 + 1 stamp
My zine, Fucktooth, is available for $1 and one stamp postpaid. It is half
size and copied, not printed.
17: 72pgs : Corporations, capitalism, women's health issues, legalization
of drugs; tattooing, piercing, interview with local tattoo artist Lars
Johansson; history of ska; distribution (how it's done and what you need
to know); tribute to Bob Stinson; philosophy; news and reviews; Ohio scene
stuff; and lots more.
16: 56 pgs : Voting, government, capitalism, guns/gun control; feminism/
women in the scene; Ohio scene report; reviews, letters and news bits;
Ashley & Sasha on Bloomington Women's Health Collective; John Daniel Dider &
Michael Mclellan on punk; Food Not Bombs History; Larry Bob on Mainstream Gay
Magazines, and Lance on drug dealing and getting busted. MRR says: "Jen
always manages to fill her huge zine with even more information than thought
possible. This zine is better with every issue and though I wasn't so nice
about it last time, this issue won me over. Good pieces on food not bombs
and a super rad piece on the state of prisons today." - Jen Angel
In Your Ear
*A half-hour music video, performance and talk show airing on Columbus's
Public Access Station ACTV 21. Each show features either a combination of
videos and musicians, bands, and others in the industry talking about their
music, live studio performances, or documentaries of musical events.
For the music lovers in Columbus that do not have cable access, some episodes
are available to borrow from the Grandview Public Library and hopefully will
be available at other Columbus Public Libraries in the future.
My goal in producing In Your Ear is to inform, entertain and showcase the
original music scene in central Ohio. The styles covered have included
alternative rock, individual folk/singer song writers, country and heavy
metal. Judging by the response we've had, the show has had a tremendous
impact on the community.
Upcoming shows include (Every Tuesday at 11:00 pm):
* APRIL Performances and interviews by Pretty Mighty Mighty and Radioland
with Host Joel Mathers.
* MAY Edited live performance by the upcoming youngsters Honeychild
taped at the battle of the bands in November at Alrosa.
* JUNE Highlights from 1994 Comfest including performances by Willie
Phoenix, Mary Adam 12 and Miss May 66.
* JULY Live studio performance by the Jenny Morgan Band.
If you would like more information on how you or your band can appear on In
Your Ear write to: In Your Ear/P.O. Box 3518/Columbus, Ohio 43210 or
e-mail [email protected]
- Jerri Shafer
The Midwest Show Listing
*A punk/independent-oriented shows calendar covering the Midwest
The list isn't always complete but, at least locally, it covers a lot of
venues and shows that don't make it into the local rags often (Magnetic
Planet, The Neilhouse, etc.) It's a very ambitious, heavily subscribed to
list from what I've seen. E-mail [email protected] for more info. - Joel
The Midwest Show Listing
*This is a list run from my e-mail account. It is NOT a listserv, and it is
NOT a discussion group. It typically comes out on Thursday or Friday and
covers OH, western/central PA, MI, WI, MN, IL, IN, KY, TN, and sometimes even
WV. The list is generated completely by input from people like you! If you
can add any information to this list or wish to be removed from or added to
it, please write me at [email protected] (or [email protected]). - Jen Angel
NAMUTO (The National Musicians Touring Network)
*Music promotion/touring network
WHAT WE CAN DO: We can act as a collection and distribution point for all
information compiled by those of you who become involved enough to collect
and compile information within your realm of activities to be shared with
all. We can itemize and categorize, build databases and open communications
between all divisions of the business through any and all avenues available.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Compile lists of AND INFORM those in your realm of this
activity, encourage interaction, submit information for databases, build on
the idea and promote it!
We encourage you to pass this information, intact,in total, and without
injection, along to any and all peoples you believe could or would help,
interact, and support these ideals.
Jeffrey A. Yost
Howard A. Yost Ventures [email protected]
1910 Riverbend Pkwy. Voice: 419.332.5667
Fremont, Ohio 43420 USA Fax: 419.332.9959
- Jeff Yost
Taped interviews from/by Jen Angel (See TDD)
I do some interviews though I don't usually print them in my zine. All of
the recordings just sit here next to my stereo collecting dust. If you want
a copy of any one of them, send me a cassette and a couple of stamps (3),
tell me which ones you want, and I'll send them off to you. They're all
unedited and done by me and my friends. Oh, and it usually takes me a
while to get around to copying them, so it may delay your order:
OFFSPRING (09/93 @ 16 min) OFFSPRING (08/94 @ 41 min)
WHATEVER... (12/93 @ 30 min) PITBOY (04/94 @ 20 min)
PENNYWISE (06/94 @ 45 min) Fat Mike from NOFX (11/94 @ 15 min)
BAD RELIGION (11/94 @ 35 min) DOUGLAS COUPLAND (02/95 @ ~75min)
- Jen Angel
TDD (Tone*Deaf Distribution)
*Zine distribution service
Jen "Angel" Engel runs Tone Deaf Distribution (TDD) & the Midwest Concert
e-list. Through TDD she distributes zines from around the country and also
some taped band interviews. Interviews and zines reviewed by her in Cringe
are available through TDD. Keep in mind only a partial list of the zines
that TDD handles is included here. Many more are available from around the
country. Her contact and ordering info are included below. - Joel
TDD (Tone Deaf Distribution)
*Because there's more to (punk) life than music
Read something inspiring lately? Try a zine. I distribute zines because I
think there is more to punk than music and fashion. If you want me to carry
your zine, send a sample! I'll warn you that I only carry zines that I
really love and want to support, otherwise I feel guilty about taking
someone's money for zines I think are only mediocre - so I personally
recommend every zine on this list. It takes about a week from the time I get
your order to the time it arrives in your mailbox. Make sure to write or
call if you have any questions:
tone deaf distro c/o jen angel For faster response until June 1, 1995
pob 43604 cleveland oh 44143 191 W 12th #354 columbus oh 43210
216.449.0140 * [email protected] 614.688.6678 * [email protected]
Make all checks payable to JEN ENGEL (not to TONE DEAF or JEN ANGEL)
Prices are agreed upon by myself and the editors. If you don't list any
alternates and something sells out, you get a zine of my choice. All prices
are POST PAID, fourth class usually. So if you'd like me to send it some
other way, send some extra money. - Jen Angel
WCBE
*A variety of adult alternative music and talk programming
It's a sad statement on local radio when possibly the favorite station of
local music scenesters and fans is a non-college public station. 'CBE has a
great, though fairly easy to listen to, variety. Ya won't hear much, if any,
punk, hardcore, noise, industrial or anything else too harsh. After all, CBE
stands for Columbus Board of Education. They don't like dirty words,
thoughts or habits. Still, you'll hear a lot of potential college acts,
local bands and new artists in the mix. They also carry a lot of NPR/APR
type shows during the day, and the BBC overnight. - Joel
IRRELEVANT EVENT
The CCCC/Macronympha Show at Freak'n'Pizza
*Noise & nudity in tow
Mark Gunderson and I helped bring these two noise bands to Columbus. While
Macronympha was just from Pittsburgh, CCCC came all the way from Japan. Mark
dubbed 'em Japanoise. It was like a Monday show at Freak'n, so not many
people were expected (though we hoped) - welcome to guitar cringe city.
Macronympha went on first and played the noisiest thing I have ever seen or
been apart of. Neighbors were phoning head Freak Kirby from across the
street to quiet it down. The band went on feeding back, with a woman in S&M
garb chain whipping one of those big industrial steel drums. I think there
were vocals, err, screams at some points too.
The real excitement started when CCCC went on. They barely understood or
spoke English, so the vocals might have been words, or just random screams.
The noise was a little less intense and closer to containing patterns and
sounds that could be confused for melodies, rhythms and notes. They even had
some DIY electronic gadgetry creating sounds. Then the frontwoman/vocalist
crawled up on a loud speaker and slowly stripped. The music mellowed a bit
here too - she was responsible for many of the harsher/louder sounds, but
was now focusing on this "dance." She then lit a red candle and let the
melting wax slowly run down her naked kneeling body. (Why do I feel like I'm
writing a sleazy romance novel?). It's kinda hard to believe this was
happening in a lousy pizza joint in Columbus. All the time people were
peeking in the window to see what all the racket was - and even longer
during the "nude scene." I specifically remember Eric Davidson (New Bomb
Turks/Columbus Alive) hanging outside and peeking in his fair share. It's
not so surprising they played mainly "sex shops" in California and Japan.
Then, while loading out, it came to my (and Macronympha's) attention that a
towing company charged one member of CCCC $50 to unhitch the car he was
napping in. One nymph actually ran down the tow truck on foot and got him
and the police back to the scene of the unhitching. Of course, nothing was
refunded - even though the CCCC guy was actually in the back of the car. The
police were accused of being in business with the towing company however.
But it ain't over. All the band members and their guests (aside from the
intimate couple that stayed in their van) slept at my place. At one point
the CCCC vocalist said something in broken English that I didn't quite
understand - but I picked up enough words to assume it was sexual. One
nymph replied with something like, "No, Joel's a nice guy." A few months
later I got a catalog from CCCC's music and video label. It ends up CCCC's
vocalist is a porn star in Japan ... and she slept on my floor! - Joel
CONTRIBUTORS:
Paul Campbell [email protected]
bellomy.2 [email protected]
Bill Carnes [email protected]
virg [email protected]
Jeff Yost [email protected]
Nathan Weaver [email protected]
Nathan McKnight [email protected]
Carl Hirsch [email protected]
Chris Jedrick [email protected]
Joel [email protected]
Jen "Angel" Engel [email protected]
Mark G. [email protected]
Jerri Shafer [email protected]
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Terence Concannon for the name CRINGE.
John Lennon (really) for the camera, editing, copying, driving & paying rent.
Amanda Runyon Lynch, Chris Myers, Stephanie Stein & Dawn Yount for editing.
Jerri Shafer for helping with copying and being In Your Ear.
Quigmans for independently (I assume) doing a cringe-toon in Hoot.
Lollipop Factory, Cage, Our Flesh Party, the Econothugs, Jason Drenik (of
Hairy Patt), Starscream, Preston Furman, Jettison Charlie, Friendly,
Greenhorn, Crazy Jane, and all at Bernie's & Magnetic Planet for helping
out with shows - even in times of distress.
CLOSING REMARKS:
Again, let me stress that originally the audience for CRINGE was intended to
be local music fans on the Internet, or what have you. The main distribution
is through LS* and related local Newsgroups, not hardcopies. Copying gets
expensive while e-mail/newsgroup outlets are free to me. Can ya guess which
route I'd rather use? However, donations are accepted! And there may be a
"Cringe Benefit" show soon. We'll see ... Have fun, Joel
(Back cover picture is here on the hardcopy.)
THE END
"Get outta here."