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.

New Additions: Estee Louder 7" single

On occasion, I get to talk about bands I actually saw play live, and Estee Louder is one of them. They were something of a supergroup, bringing in members of The Velveteens, Monster Zero, Templeton, Mudflap Girls From Venus and other 90s Columbus bands to back lead singer Ray Ray with a loud, bruising rawk assault. Their debut EP released on Burnt Herd in 2001 encapsulates the sound, though their 2004 album Ohio's Best is worth picking up as well.

Know Yer Band: Estee Louder

Band: Estee Louder

Members
Ray Ray: vocals
Annie Light-Brown-Wolf: drums/vocals
Anne Spurgeon/Resa Johnson/Mickey Marie: guitar/vocals
Emily Ann Allen: bass/vocals

Releases
2001 - Estee Louder 7" single (Burnt Herd)
2004 - Ohio's Best album (Diaphragm Records)

Datapanik Records Compilations

Datapanik Records was primarily active in the 1990s, although they've had a few releases out in the 2010s, and their roster of bands and artists on compilations reflect their prime years.

Girly Machine, New Bomb Turks, Pica Huss, Greenhorn, Gaunt, Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments are just a few that appear on the 1992 compilation Bumped By Karaoke.

1997's Ubu Dance Party features bands from all over the state, including Columbus bands like Skullbank, RC Mob, Haynes Boys, Scrawl, Pet UFO and others.

Video: Ricky Barnes & the Hootowls - Who Throw Dat Rock

Columbus Alive: Barnes back at carving, music (2016)

Columbus Alive, September 28th, 2016:

While taking a break from carving out a niche for himself in the local music scene, Ricky Barnes started carving out a niche for himself in the art scene. By carving. 

“I was trying to get the music thing going,” said Barnes of his ’80s/’90s-era alt-country outfit High Sheriff Ricky Barnes & the Hoot Owls, which released a few albums on Columbus label OKra Records. But after a day spent on the water, a friend suggested another pursuit. 

“I was the worst, laziest fisherman,” Barnes said with a laugh. “I would always pick up a stick and just spend the whole time whittling.” 

Barnes’ earliest carving efforts were busts made from blocks of walnut or basswood. He had no tools, he said, and walnut is among the hardest of woods. 

“I just started doing it more and more and then sharing it with people. The rest is history,” he joked.

New Additions: Bone Country album by High Sheriff Ricky And The Hoot Owls

One of the unexpected discoveries of researching this book has been the influence of traditional country on a variety of artists and bands. Coming across High Sheriff Ricky Barnes And The Hoot Owls falls into that category, along with others like Hank McCoy And The Dead Ringers.

Know Yer Band: High Sheriff Ricky Barnes & The Hoot Owls

Band: High Sheriff Ricky Barnes & The Hoot Owls

Members
Vocals/Guitar - Ricky Barnes
Guitar/Backing Vocals - Tony Fischer
Bass - Matt Newman/Jeff Passifume
Drums - John Sowder/Louis Tsamous
Steel Guitar/Banjo/Backing Vocals - Billy Hill

Releases
1988 - Lost Track Of Time album (Okra Records)
1990 - Bone Country album (Okra Records)
1991 - Ya Finally Said Something Good album (Okra Records)
1994 - Welcome To Hilltop USA (Okra Records)