Local Bands at Forecastle

When the 8th Annual Forecastle Festival descends upon Louisville’s Waterfront this weekend, several bands from right here in Cincinnati will be playing alongside greats like Widespread Panic, the Black Crowes, the Black Keys and Umphrey’s McGee.

If you’re into the local scene here, I’m sure you know of names like Bad Veins and the Lion’s Rampant. Hell, they may even be friends of yours. If you don’t know them or “of” them, then you should. Just like you should also know about the other two local bands playing the festival: Seabird and You, You’re Awesome.

Playing this Friday at the festival are Bad Veins and the Lion’s Rampant.

Over the past couple years, Bad Veins have been building quite a fanbase both in and out of town, like Austin, Texas for example. I think that they’ve done pretty well so far, considering the fact that they have yet to release their debut album. They’ve played some pretty big deals in the festival world, like South by Southwest and CMJ, and have opened for some pretty big names, like VHS or Beta and Enon. Their self-titled album will be released on Dangerbird Records two weeks from today.

I can’t remember the first time that I saw Bad Veins play, but I think my reaction was pretty much, “I can’t believe these guys are from here.” Having never heard or seen anything like their live show before with any other band, I was completely mesmerized by their use of orchestrated, symphonic backing tracks and telephone/megaphone microphones.

I first discovered the Lion’s Rampant through one of my brother’s CincyPunk Festivals, many years ago. While band members have come and gone, as did the lion suits, not much has changed by way of music or their chaotic, adrenaline-fueled live show. Their sound has become a little more developed or seasoned if you will, sort of like in cooking. Add some flavors here and there, and just let the ingredients simmer and absorb for awhile before completely turning the heat on high. What you’ll get is probably the tastiest treat for your ears – if that makes any sense…

I’m not completely sure on what the Lion’s have been up to recently, but I understand that they are working on an album with former member, Cam Cochran (who also played in the Sheds), and Dan Mecher of the Turnbull AC’s (who also played in Denial). Cam and Mecher will be joining the Lion’s onstage at Forecastle, and I tell you, it sounds like a show not-to-be-missed. If you’ve seen them as a three-piece, just imagine all hell breaking loose when they become a five-piece.

On the last day of the festival, Sunday, Seabird and You, You’re Awesome will be playing.

Although Seabird dates back to 2004 and formed just a few minutes from my home in Erlanger, Kentucky, I was not aware of this band until they kicked off MidPoint last year. One of the bigger success stories in music from the area, they passed on a demo to EMI and were signed soon after. However, it took a little longer than planned to record their first full-length, ‘Til We See the Shore, which saw their single “Rescue” on the short-lived television series, Pushing Daisies.

From the moment they started playing on Fountain Square that day at the MidPoint Kickoff Party, I was a fan. At that time, I was really into piano-driven pop bands like Coldplay and David Gray. But also, during that show, it seemed like they weren’t just trying to write short, catchy pop songs. Often times they would break into experimental, instrumental jams, proving that while they can do the pop thing quite well, Seabird can also improvise and rock.

Though I don’t know much about You, You’re Awesome, one thing I do know is that they are awesome. The Seedy Seeds were the Artist-in-Residence awhile back at the Southgate House, and one night they had this two-piece, experimental, electronic, dance duo open for them. Around that same time I was just starting to get into this kind of music, and I’ve always enjoyed watching musicians operate onstage. What really draws me in to a performance, is when somehow only two people manage to operate all of this equipment and make all of this beautiful noise at the same time. Though I never manage to completely break free and dance around like a maniac, this band will get you to do that if you’re that type of person.

Four of the area’s best bands, representing four completely different styles of music. Louisville’s Forecastle Festival this weekend.

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