Northberg Tavern

One of the spots that I used to regularly see bands at and occasionally play was the Northerberg Tavern. Though not as storied as Bernie's or Stache's, it definitely had a history:

From a 2001 piece in The Lantern:

Walk down the narrow stairway next to Donatos, get a drink at the bar, enjoy the live band, sit back and take in the atmosphere at the Northberg Tavern. 

The intimate bar, which is now owned by Donatos, has been a part of the Ohio State off-campus culture since the 1950s. It was originally named the North Heidelberg, after the town Heidelberg in Germany, and was affiliated with the South Heidelberg further down High Street. 

Bar Manager Greg Gould said it closed in 1988 for four years because it was in poor condition, and then it burned down. After the fire, it opened as Donatos Downstairs and was used as a party room that also featured comedy acts, he said. 

“At that point in time, Donatos didn’t feel a bar fit in their structure, so to speak,” said Tony Federer, manager of both Donatos and Northberg. Federer re-opened the bar in January 1997 under the Northberg name.

Here's a blog post from Jason McGathey at Lover Letter To Columbus about the Northberg:

The Northberg is located beneath a Donatos Pizza at the corner of Frambes and High. After descending a flight of stairs and handing over the minimal admission to an absent minded doorman, I find most of the gang immediately, probably because they’re clustered at the most prominent table in the room. A long, banana shaped table with holes cut out to wrap around two pillars, it runs through the center of the tiny bar and affords the best possible view. 

A funky, electric blue light suffuses the space, lending it a sickly and garish 1980s worthy hue. That coupled with the poor sound in the early going don’t seem to promise much of a future, and you add a sterile basement vibe into the mix. But man, though we never would have dreamed such at the time, for about a solid year, I and my friends – in various configurations, and numerous reasons – will wind up spending an awful lot of time at the Northberg.

Here's video of The Cusacks playing at the Northberg in 1998:

Cityscene: Sidetracked from Abstract

Cityscene: Sidetracked from Abstract

Nov 30, 2015

There’s no telling what will help Barth get in the right headspace for creating. Usually, music does the trick. Bob Dylan and Superchunk records often make up his personal soundtrack. Lately, he’s also taken a liking to Nick Cave and Cheap Trick. 

“You can spend hours in the studio and nothing will happen,” Barth says. “Usually, there’s music or a Cleveland Indians game playing. There’s also a drum set in the studio. I wish I knew how to make it so that the setting is right all the time. There’s no solution to having the right atmosphere. Sometimes, it’s just a frame of mind.” 

Barth, a self-described “mid-career artist,” says he doesn’t know where his profession will take him next. Younger artists, he says, don’t have much to lose. Those with established careers are always looking for ways to stay relevant.

Terminal Boredom: Datapaniked in the Year 2005: A Look Back at One of the Best Labels of the 90s

Terminal Boredom
Datapaniked in the Year 2005: A Look Back at One of the Best Labels of the 90s

Boys From Nowhere / Two Hour Trip - split 7" 

From 1990, where it all began. With two then-current Columbus bands playing covers of Ohio 70s proto-punk classics, this was originally intended to be a give-away with a zine by first Datapanik label-head Craig Regala. Somewhere along the way, the zine was forgotten and a label was born. Boys From Nowhere had been around since at least the mid-80s, putting out a number of solid garage-tinged singles and an album. Their high-energy cover of Mike Rep and the Quota's "Rocket to Nowhere" is in my opinion the best thing they ever did. Chuck Warner of Hyped 2 Death once accurately said that you need to hear this (hi-fi) cover in order to fully appreciate the (lo-fi) original. Two Hour Trip were a pre-Greenhorn, pre-Gaunt band whose only recorded output is this straight-forward, but solid cover of Peter Laughner's "Dear Richard". It seems this record was always hyped to collectors primarily as the label's first release, but it's definitely in the top half musically of the label's output and well worth owning. Scum info: 650 numbered copies, but probably more total pressed since there are 25 numbered promos plus un-numbered ones out there. The xerox covers are usually on white paper, but at least a couple very low-numbered copies are on blue. There's also some slight variations to sleeves, especially on the promo and low-numbered ones, probably because they were made in small batches to start.

Know Yer Band: Two Hour Trip

Band: Two Hour Trip

Members
Bass – Eric Barth
Drums – Stephen Hanula
Guitars, Vocals – Dan Spurgeon, Mark Spurgeon

Releases
1989 - Boys From Nowhere/Two Hour Trip 7" single (Datapanik)

Video: The Black Swans "Where Are You Tonight?" (Official Video)

Pitchfork: Words Are Stupid by The Black Swans review (2010)

Pitchfork: Words Are Stupid by The Black Swans review
April 29, 2010

When I say the Black Swans' new songs are "haunted," I mean that as literally as the word can be interpreted. After the Columbus, Ohio, band finished recording its second album Change!, violinist Noel Sayre died suddenly in a swimming pool accident in July 2008. He left a laptop full of recordings-- some incidental music, some snippets of melody-- which singer-songwriter Jerry DeCicca incorporated into the Black Swans' follow-up, Words Are Stupid. That's Sayre setting the scene on opener "Blurk", adding dramatic eddies of violin to "Open Sky", and kazooing on "Kazood". He remains only a glimmer at the edges of the music-- present and pointedly not present-- but it's not the tragedy of his death that makes this strange, smart, soulful album resonate so darkly. His playing has always been crucial to the band's sound, adding a dusky ambiance to DeCicca's world-weary croak and bluesy, brainy lyrics. Why wouldn't these found sounds do the same?

New Additions: Occasion For Song album by The Black Swans

Though they were around when I was an active participant in the Columbus music scene, I didn't quite get The Black Swans back then. But as my ears have changed, I've come to appreciate the subtle, low-key approach of the band while crafting tunes that can fall in between beautiful and haunting, like on the 2012 album Occasion For Song that I picked up in the winter.

Know Yer Band: The Black Swans

Band: The Black Swans

Members
Vocals/Guitar - Jerry DeCicca
Guitar - Milan Karcic / Chris Forbes
Bass - Matt Surgeson / Canaan Faulkner
Drums - Jovan Karcic / Keith Hanlon
Violin/Viola - Noel Sayre
Keyboards - Jon Beard
Banjo - Tyler Evans

Releases
2004 - Who Will Walk In The Darkness With You? album (Delmore Recording Society)
2006 - Sex Brain EP (Bwatue Records)
2007 - Change! album (The Listening Party)
2009 - Split single w/Alina Simone (Sunken Treasure Records)
2010 - Split single w/Bonnie "Prince" Billy (LJW)
2010 - Words Are Stupid album (St. Ives)
2011 - Blue Bayou/Joe Tex 7" single (Scioto Records)
2011 - Don't Blame The Stars album (Misra)
2011 - Split single w/The Fisherman Three (Shelved Records)
2011 - Split single w/Ed Askew (Scioto Records)
2012 - Occasion For Song album (Misra)
2012 - Split single w/The Malefactors Of Great Wealth (Not On Label)
2012 - Singles 2003 - 2012 compilation album (Scioto Records)

Video: WOSU Columbus Neighborhoods: Music in Columbus

VIDEO: TALK TO ME BABY performed by RAY FULLER and THE BLUESROCKERS

Video: Comfest 2018 Quick_Highlights

Blues Blast Magazine: Ray Fuller and The Bluesrockers – Pay The Price | Album Review

Blues Blast Magazine

Ray Fuller and The Bluesrockers – Pay The Price | Album Review

A true road warrior, Ray Fuller has been playing music professionally for the last forty-five years, mixing tours of one-nighters with frequent trips to far-flung gigs outside of the USA. With his slashing slide guitar style and solid backing from the Bluesrockers, Fuller’s music is exactly the right tonic when you want to hit the local roadhouse on a Saturday, looking for music that drives away that stress of a mundane work week. 

There is little difference between the eight Fuller original tunes and six covers. The band is adept at creating a hard-edged, driving sound that is often irresistible. The opener, “Hoodoo Train,” teems with palpable energy as Fuller delves into the pleasures and mystery of a journey deep into Louisiana. The title track sports a solid foundation from drummer Tutu Jumper and long-time Bluesrocker Manny Manuel on bass. Fuller has a strong voice, and his years of experience have taught him to take his time, to let the story unfold at an unhurried pace.

New Additions: The Ray Fuller Band album (1978)

When considering the Columbus music scene over the past forty years, Ray Fuller was not a name that jumped immediately to mind. But in talking with musicians for this project, it became apparent that Fuller plays an important part in the evolution of the music scene, more so in the 70s and 80s than the more recent years. With that, I picked up his first record, the only one under the name The Ray Fuller Band, released on Blue Ash Records in 1978, a collection of well-done blues standards that show that rawer edge that would get smoothed out over the years.

Know Yer Artist: Ray Fuller

Artist: Ray Fuller

Bands
The Ray Fuller Band
Ray Fuller And The Bluesrockers

Releases
1978 - The Ray Fuller Band album (Blue Ash Records)
1984 - Somethin' Shakin w/The Bluesrockers album (Midnight Records)
1987 - Damn Guitars w/The Bluesrockers album (Oahu Records)
1992 - Live w/The Bluesrockers album (Oahu Records)
1997 - Pearlene w/The Bluesrockers album (Oahu Records)
1999 - Twist Of Fate album (Oahu Records)
2004 - "Live" Rockin The Blues w/The Bluesrockers album (Not On Label)
2011 - Piece Of Work w/The Bluesrockers album (Azuretone Records)
2014 - Live At Buddy Guy's Legends w/The Bluesrockers album (Azuretone Records)
2016 - Long Black Train w/The Bluesrockers album (Azuretone Records)
2019 - Pay The Price w/The The Bluesrockers album (Azuretone Records)

Facebook Group: Crazy Mama's

Of all the venues that have come and gone, few have maintained a fanbase and active community like Crazy Mama's on Facebook. Plenty of nostalgia to revisit, but also updates on current activities in the scene from a variety of folks.

Video: Pat Dull and the Media Whores: You!

The Lanter: Break-Up! to break out the talent

The Lantern

October 18th, 2001

Columbus based record company Break-Up! Records is holding a showcase tomorrow at Bernie’s. The show is a fall tradition for the label, and is a great opportunity for the public to get a look at some bands they may not have seen before. 

This year, Dirt Bike Annie, The Heartdrops and Benjamin Cartel from New York will be joined by local group the Media Whores. The showcase isn’t just a local phenomenon; all the featured groups are on a Midwest tour of sorts, playing various out-of-state venues, in addition to shows in Ohio. 

CEO of Break-Up! Records, Pat Dull, has been in the business for nearly six years. 

“The first thing I put out was a 7-inch single by my band at the time, Pop Rocks! It was a split single, with my friend Jerry DeCicca on the flip side. It was sort of a joint effort,” Dull said. 

DeCicca wasn’t into starting a label, so Dull continued on his own. Since then, Break-Up! has released 20 records, including full-length records from the Media Whores, Columbus’ the Marbles, and a compilation of singles and other things from Break-up artists, called “Break-Up! Records’ Guide to Entertaining.”

New Additions: Gimme The Whores album by Pat Dull and His Media Whores

I got to see Pat Dull & His Media Whores, as well as the slightly alternate Media Whores, back in the late 90s/early 00s and always dug the power-pop sound they were putting out. Still, it took me until now to actually go out and get the album and I'm glad I did. Dull's melodies really shine, even if the recording sometimes isn't as hi-fi as it could be.

Know Yer Band: Pat Dull And His Media Whores

Band: Pat Dull And His Media Whores / Media Whores

Members
Pat Dull - Vocals/Guitar
J.D. Dallas - Guitar
Arturo DeLeon - Bass
Matt Goodwin - Drums/Milan Karcic

Releases
1998 - All Torn Up 7" single (Break-Up! Records)
1999 - Gimme The Whores album (Break-Up! Records)
2000 - It's About Time/Declaration 7" single (Break-Up! Records)
2001 - Feel It 7" single (Break-Up! Records)
2001 - 1984 7" single (Break-Up! Records)
2001 - Drunk On Pirate Radio promo live album (Break-Up! Records)
2002 - Master Of Pop Hits compilation album (Screaming Apple)

Video: July 1999 - Virgin Music Megastore in Columbus, Ohio

Video: Estee Louder - Ten Dirty Fingers

Columbus Alive (2013): Estee Louder

Columbus Alive Locals - Estee Louder

March 13th, 2013

Their chemistry may well have something to do with their longevity: The band’s been at it since 1999. That’s when Estee Louder cut their first, eponymously titled EP, and started opening for legendary Columbus acts like New Bomb Turks and Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments. For the next five years, the band gigged around Columbus, and generally just had a good time. 

“Fun’s important,” Ray Ray said. “I like having fun.” 

Important to the band, and to someone trying to describe their music: Louder plays exuberant, galloping rock ‘n’ roll. Their songs are propelled by bright, maddeningly catchy guitar riffs and Light-Brown Wolfe’s hyperkinetic drumming. Of their first and only LP, 2004′s Ohio’s Best, Allen said, “It’s a good road trip record.” She’s right. Tracks like “Bob City” and “I Was a Teenage Mullet” are sun-drenched songs, concise and hook-laden, evocative of the open road and the - yep - fun that’s to be had on it. 

It was at a release party for Ohio’s Best, back in 2005, that Estee Louder played its last show. In the years that followed, the band went on hiatus though; according to Ray Ray, “We always kind of wanted to get back together.” And, now, that’s just what they’re doing.