Mongo’s Corner

Welcome to the New Lonewolfsound Blog.  I will be attending as many of Jimmy’s shows as I can and writing live reviews of each performance.  Hopefully, you will enjoy the opportunity to read about the bands, and post your comments.  Band member? Fan? Club owner/manager/employee?  We want to hear from all of you.  Currently all posts will need to be approved before showing up, but if I see that we don’t get spammed by a bunch of crap, I will change the setting to allow all posts.  So keep it clean please.

I would love to know what you all think of the new blog?  I’m trying to stay with the times, and it seems blogging is what’s hot.  Do you have any ideas of things I can add to the blog to make it more exciting?  What do you want to see here?  This blog is for you, let’s hear from you.

After a short 2 hour drive to the club, Jimmy and I are set up and ready for the band to arrive. The owner, Mark, and the general manager, Josh, have been really helpful, and made the load in as easy as possible for us. The club is really cool with a great menu, fantastic food and clean bathrooms. The coolest part of the club is the arch across the front of the stage. It is part of the original bar from the 1920’s which has been cut down to fit the stage. I love historical touches to the architecture, it really adds a touch of class. The atmosphere is downtown industrial, trimmed in wood. Pool tables, and a large separate bar area for private parties really make the club stand out. There is a capacity to hold 2,000 people here, so I’m looking forward to one heck of a show. Parking is no problem, there is on street parking and 2 lots across the street.

BIG News:  Shucking Bubba Deluxe will be travelling to Arizona to play for the OSU Championship Game. Congratulations guys. Any possibility of a stowaway?
The band just took the stage, and WOW!!  This has always been the one band that starts out Rockin’, knocking you out of your seat and on your feet within one verse of the first song.  Sudhir (lead singer) is  way HOT and has the voice to back it up.   Ricky’s guitar licks will keep you in awe, and the drummer never misses the beat.  I love their selection of music.  Not many people can pull off a prince song. Close your eyes and you’ll swear it’s him on the stage. However you won’t want to miss the “dance box”.  Sudhir has a small box front center stage where he will give you a show to see.  Later in the show he will invite girls from the crowd to come up and dance on his box which I gotta say is a great way to get the guys up front.  Shucking Bubba never has an empty dance floor. Currently playing is “Slim Shady”. I’m 46 years old, and I want to get up and move!  How often do you see Grandma dancing to this?  Other songs performed include:

• Gnarls Barkley’s Crazy
• George Michael’s You Gotta Have Faith
• Poison’s Talk Dirty To Me
• Killer’s Mr Brightside
• Def Leppard’s Pour Some Sugar On Me
• Prince’s (beep) Control; Kiss;
• Big & Rich’s Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy
• Buckcherry’s Crazy Bitch
• Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline
• R.E.M’s Stand
• Weezer’s Beverly Hills

Don’t ya love it when somebody has a few too many and let’s off a killer stink bomb in the club?  I gotta give Sudhir alot of credit, he kept the song going with tears in his eyes, and the rest of the crowd searching desperately for gas masks or the nearest window.  Now that’s professionalism.

In closing, Shucking Bubba is one band you definitely will Never get bored watching.  I can’t give them a high enough rating.  Now, its that time of night where we get to pack it all up, get in the truck, and try to stay awake long enough to get home.  Wish us luck, I believe we’re going to need it.  Neither one of us could sit down during this show.  The band just won’t let you.

Tonight we are at Big George’s Bar in Plain City once again.  This week with Highway 70.  This  week we have a surprise opener… Last Big Town.
The band is on stage and setting up.  I’m looking forward to finally hearing a band I’ve heard so many good things about.

I’m excited to have Crystal behind the bar again, she is the only bartender anywhere who will come out from behind the bar to see if I need anything at the sound board.  I love Big George’s. 

BIG NEWS..  Joe Hahn just came in with his new “fiancee”. Congratulations Joe and Susy.  The ring is awesome.

Last Big Town has taken the stage and all I can say is OMG!!  These guys are absolutely incredible.  The talent on the stage is over and above anything I could have expected outside a large concert hall.  Why these guys aren’t playing in front of thousands of adoring fans, I have no idea.  For the first time in a very long time,  I’m speechless…. We are now at the end of their set, and I swear, they kept the excitement going non stop throughout the whole thing.  This is one band I can’t wait to hear again. You definately Don’t want to miss them if you ever get the chance. One thing to mention is the keyboardist for Last Big Town is the same keyboardist from Highway 70.  Watching Gary is always a thrill.

Keith Miller from Karma 10 is in the house!!  It’s always cool to see members of other bands coming out to support each other.  As you all should already know by now,  Jimmy; the owner of Lonewolfsound, is the drummer for the main band tonight,  Highway 70. Yours truly will be running the soundboard this evening.

All right everybody,  it’s time for HIGHWAY 70.  I’ll be giving my report between sets. 

I can sum up Highway 70 in one word… KASHMIR!!!!  This band has definately got the magic, and the talent to be one of the best if not THE best band Ohio has to offer.  I don’t know who else can pull off Shania Twain, and follow it up with Led Zepplin’s Kashmir and have the versatility to do both styles as if it were their own. Being related to 3 of the members of the band, you would expect me to give them a rave review, but ask any of them.. I’m always honest.

I’ve been running sound for this band for a year now, and I can only say each gig they get better and better.  The harmonies are right on time, and having the keyboardist singing a few songs here and there is a nice addition.  Gary’s rendition of Steppenwolf’s Magic Carpet Ride and Warron Zevon’s Werewolves of Londen are perfectly done, and something you don’t hear everyday which makes it even better.

Lisa as lead vocalist takes the band to a new level. To quote Big George. THIS LADY HAS SOME PIPES.  How many people can sing Play that funky music, Redneck woman, Black Velvet and Kashmir and pull them each off giving you goosebumps with each song. 

Of course you all know who my favorite member of this band is… JIMMY HAHN.  Being married to him I am probably more critical of him and at the same time his biggest supporter.  I love the way he plays drums.  He has the snappiest snare and hardest hitting Kick around. Not to mention his awesome fills.  His favorite is a Phil Collins drum roll that everyone recognizes.  Everytime I hear him play I get excited as if it were my first time, and still get giddy knowing I get to go home with him.

Joe Hahn on Bass, and Phil Gariety on Lead Guitar make the band absolutely ROCK.  I can’t wait to see what they do next year.  I only hope I can keep up with them on the sound.

It’s no great surprise that this is one of my favorite local bands.  Keith miller on  vocals is fantastic, Chris Williams on lead guitar, Mike Mapes on Bass and Marty Harris on the drums make an awesome band to back him up.  They play a mix of classic rock and some cool originals.  When they play Zoe, you’ll find me off this computer and on the dance floor singing along and dancing myself senseless. One of their originals is “What’s going on” not to be confused by the 4 non blondes song.  It’s inspired by the school shootings in Oklahoma.  Kudo’s to the boys for this one.  It’s so rare anymore to hear a rock song with a positive message.  We need more like this one.. Keep up the great work.  They do have Cd’s and T-shirts available for sale.  Bring cash, you’ll want to take the CD home with you. And ladies, if you dont have a marker handy for an autograph, Keith will be happy to sign your chest.  Ahhhh.. here comes my song….   WOOOO HOOOOO

Other originals of note:

• I’m Coming Home
• Red Dress Voodoo
• Amnesia
• I believe
• Upside Down
• I’m supposed to be here

There’s one other thing about this band I should mention.  They are all just great guys. I don’t know what it is about musicians, but quite often we mix bands who seem intimidated by my presence and won’t give me the time of day. The Karma 10 boys are just the opposite.  It’s great to be taken seriously as a part of this business despite my being a woman.  Thanks guys. 

As a fashion note, Mike I gotta tell ya, I love the outfit. You look really sophisticated and grown up tonight.  Might I suggest some heels? 

Big George’s bar has to be one of the best places for local entertainment.  The food is incredible for bar food, you can’t find a better burger.  I recommend you do NOT order the double, you won’t be able to finish it.  The potato skins have about double the cheese from anywhere else I’ve ever ordered them.  There are no words to describe the staff.  Coming to Big George’s is like coming home where everyone can’t wait to see you.  For those of you in Columbus, trust me, it’s worth the drive. 

The boys ended their night with Neil Young’s “Rockin in the free world”. Move over Neil,  the boys rocked it out.  There isn’t a head not banging, or a voice not singing along.  I’d go dance but there is no more room on the dance floor. 

In closing.  I’d like to thank the band for the autographed sweatshirt they presented to Jimmy and I earlier in the evening.  I can’t tell you what it means to us.  And like I said, Jimmy will never get his hands on it..  HA HA
Sorry Jimmy.   Running sound for Karma 10 isn’t a job, it’s an honor and  a priviledge, not to mention one heck of a great time.  Looking forward to the next show.

Well  It’s time to go to work and Load Out.  Till next week where we will be doing Highway 70 here at Big Georges again… See you there.