OPEN MIC

1. Shake It Records: If the digital age is bringing about the demise of the record store, then Mark Twain’s often quoted adage about Cincinnati and the end of the world is fortunately true!

2. Melt: It’s a treat to find an affordable menu where the vegetarian options go beyond a portabella mushroom on a bun.

3. Fort Thomas Dog Park: No, you’re not crazy if you go here. Yes, you will have a great time!

4. Southgate House: I know it’s usually BS when a rock band says your city is their favorite place to play, but at the Southgate House I believe it.

5. Lemon Grass: The vegetable basil at this Hyde Park treasure is the best food I’ve ever had!

MIKE FAIR is guitarist for Rock band Lonely the Seabird. Find more info at www.lonelytheseabird.net.

Photo By: Sean Hughes

1. St. Vincent de Paul and the Village Thrift stores: When I need a little shop therapy, I head to these places for an out-of-body experience. The fun is in the mystery and discovery. You never know what you’ll leave with or what you can’t live without.

2. High Street: The best place in town for high-end style and housewares. Go here for their wonderful book selection and home decor ideas — and sometimes they even offer tiny cups of hot tea.

3. Madison’s Market in Northside: Where else can you get fern shoots and kumquats on a Monday night? Plus that homemade gelato!

4. Northside hardware store: This place is a museum! Just ask the owner for what you need … you’ll never find it on your own.

5. Avant Garage: It’s next to The Comet on Hamilton Avenue and is open bar hours and weekends. They have fun and comfortable frocks at friendly prices.

DANA HAMBLEN, aka Cuddly D, is the drummer for The Fairmount Girls and Culture Queer. She says she really misses playing the bass. Find more info at www.myspace.com/fairmountgirls and www.myspace.com/culturequeer.

Photo By: CityBeat Archive

1. Yum Yum: The best Chinese food on the planet. You haven’t lived ’til you’ve tried one of Mrs. Lee’s egg rolls.

2. The Hideaway: I would eat here every night if I was not a poor, broke musician. Eclectic cuisine, all of it delicious.

3. Amol India: We have an abundance of good Indian restaurants in the area, but this is my favorite. Nice and spicy, just the way I like it.

4. The Works: Worth the drive to Loveland. Delicious hot brick oven pizza, and the best spaghetti and meatballs around.

5. Melt: If you like your sandwiches freshly toasted and tasty, this is the place.

JACOB HEINTZ is guitarist with the Rock band Buckra. Find more info at www.buckra.com.

Photo By: Sean Hughes

1. Myra’s Dionysus: We always order Brian D’s famous falafel sandwich, baked tofu noodles and hummus. It’s so good I’d eat it off the floor.

2. Amol India: If I’m not working my way through the buffet, I’m going home with Vegetable Korma (no spicy).

3. Dewey’s Pizza: I cut through my neighbor’s back yard once a week in order to get my hands on their best pie, Socrates’ Revenge (spinach, black and green olives, red onions, tomatoes, feta cheese and garlic).

4. Thai Express: Sweet Chili Paste noodles go a long way. We always eat Thai Express on Wednesday right before watching Lost.

5. Melt: What better Northside Tavern pre-show meal than a box of nachos? I always side with the slaw.

JAKE SPEED is a singer-songwiter who performs regularly with his band, The Freddies. Jake’s annual Rivertown Breakdown extravaganza comes to the Southgate House on June 9. Find more info at www.freddiesmusic.com.

Photo By: Sean Hughes

1. Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen: The best place in town for great seafood served up in a New Orleans style. If you have a seafood allergy, the manager will assist you in your selections and follow your food from order through the entire kitchen preparation.

2. Chez Nora: This MainStrasse mainstay is the perfect place to bring that special someone for a great dinner and live entertainment. The rooftop patio is quaint and romantic.

3. Kabuto: My favorite Japanese steakhouse and sushi bar. What else can I say?

4. Don Pablo’s: When it comes to Mexican cuisine, it can’t be beat. I love the large selection of fajitas.

5. Smokey Bones: Fun, casual and great food. My two favorite entrees are the smoked turkey and smoked beef brisket. It’s a great place to catch a game while enjoying your meal. A TV control at your table allows you to select the game you want to pay attention to.

MS. JAZ is a Jazz singer who once owned her own catering company and says she “truly appreciates quality food.” Find more info at www.msjaz.com

Photo By: Ms. Jaz

1. Deli720: Michelle Lightfoot, former owner of Poppies Deli, opened this little deli (location’s not as great, but I’ll go the extra mile to get good food) on Pete Rose Way. Poppies was my favorite restaurant in Cincinnati when it existed, so I’m glad I can still get the great food elsewhere. Eclectic and delectable combinations of food bring savory goodness to your mouth and belly. Yes.

2. Cumin: I finally tried this restaurant a few months ago, and wow! You’ve never had Indian food like you’ve had it here. Don’t get offended if you don’t see your traditional Indian usual menu items here; it’s fusion, yo! And the incredible-looking interior doesn’t hurt anything either.

3. Brutopia: I know, I know, this is a coffeeshop. True. Yet some of the few lunch items they have are off-the-hook. Try their chicken curry salad sandwich or their organic soups. You won’t regret it.

4. Speckled Bird: I know, I know, I’m silly, this is yet another coffeeshop. But have a crepe there (tomato/pesto, mushroom/
brie, banana/chocolate) and I bet you’ll be going back to this “coffeeshop” for another!

5. Mt. Adams Fish House: If you like fish, which I love, don’t wait too long to eat at this incredible restaurant. Superb dishes for prices that don’t completely thin out your wallet. These people know how to do salmon!

6. Mei: A friend who’s been living in Japan for a while eats here when he comes home. That’s gotta tell you something about the authenticity of the food at this wonderful Japanese restaurant. It’s my favorite sushi in the city, hands down.

7. Melt: Let’s just say that yesterday I had the Lingo sandwich and felt like I had ascended to the throne of the Almighty God. This place is a safe and delicious haven for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike, making you feel great both on the inside and outside. Yum!

SHARON UDOH plays keyboards for The Newbees, the Beau Alquizola Band and other groups. Find more info at www.thenewbees.com and www.beaumusic.com.

Photo By: Sharon Udoh

1. MidPoint Music Festival: This brings in all kinds of music industry people to the city. It’s a good opportunity to make contacts and try to get them to your show.

2. Toxic Fest at The Poison Room is a great event to connect with possible music industry hook-ups. The Poison Room is a great place to also hone your stage show, and the owners (Tony and Ryan) really try to help you out.

3. The music scene itself: There aren’t many other local scenes that rival ours. There are so many good bands and musicians in town to trade shows with and build a bigger network. You can do this by going to shows at places like The Poison Room, Southgate House, The Mad frog, The Madison Theatre, Top Cats, Northside Tavern, The Comet, Gypsy Hut, Arnold’s, alchemize, acoustic night at Allyn’s, Bar Monet, The Mad Hatter and so many more.

4. Online at www.cincypunk.org, www.cincymusic.com, www.cincinnatimusic.com and www.i-see-sound.com. Great places to meet new bands and musicians and to ask advice.

5. Seeding your disc in local stores like Shake It Records, Everybody’s Records, Borders, Barnes and Noble, Phil’s Records, CD Galaxy, CD Baby (not local but a vital market), CD World and Wizard’s. Have a place people can go to get your music while spreading your name at the same time.

CHRIS SARVAK is lead singer and guitarist with local Rock band patientZero. Find more info at www.patientzero.net.

Photo By: PatientZero

1. Mavis Concave: Like digital Hardcore but faster and more abrasive, he runs MIDI hardware and other instruments for Realicide, SX, DJ THumper and solo performances. The important thing is he always throws himself 100 percent into the physicality of Hardcore no matter what form it takes.

2. Ryan Faris and Jonathan Prunty: I put these guys together because they almost always work together in Capital Hemorrhage (ex-Ultra/Vires) and Hentai Lacerator, redefining and personalizing an approach to drums/guitar Hardcore and Noise Rock. They’re from Dayton but mainly play in Cincinnati.

3. Colin Murray: He operates the Evolve project, solo or with the YES! and Swill at times. It’s a very passionate approach to experimental Hip Hop with elements of spoken word and tape collage; increasingly one of my favorite local bands.

4. C. Spencer Yeh: The Burning Star Core frontman has been active in local music for quite some time now. He focuses on electronics, violin and vocal and is becoming increasingly known globally for his ability to collaborate flawlessly with a wide variety of other artists in the avante-garde.

5. Ron Orovitz: The mad scientist of noise behind Iovae, a calculated and intriguing solo project involving sound and video oscilators, short wave radios, fireworks, guns and the “hell frequency.” Long-time programmer of the infamous Art Damage Radio formerly on WAIF (88.3 FM).

ROBERT INHUMAN is leader of the Punk/Hardcore band Realicide and produces music shows in the area. His next event is April 17 at Skull Lab (271 McMicken Ave., Over-the-Rhine) featuring British artist Z’ev, Realicide, C. Spencer Yeh, Capital Hemorrhage, Iovae and others. Find more info at www.realicide.tk.

Photo By: Realicide

1. Best “new” band in Greater Cincinnati: Knife The Symphony. You might think I’m biased because two of the members are alums of one of my favorite local bands of the last 8-10 years and the other guy used to be in a band with me, but I’m really not. KTS is an incendiary, powerful live band that packs one hell of a wollop. Their debut EP is a great introduction to their aggressive world.

2. Best reason to go out on a Tuesday night: Phil DeGreg Trio at The Blue Wisp. Both the venue and the band are criminally underappreciated in this town. Phil always surrounds himself with top-notch players, and although the vibe of the new Wisp is different than the original it’s still a breath of fresh air.

3. Best annual event in Greater Cincinnati: Cincypunk Fest. An amazing collection of bands for a ridiculously low price, and all proceeds go to charity! The best part of the whole event (held March 21-24) is that Adam Rosing creates an atmosphere of incredible scene unity that unfortunately doesn’t prevail throughout the rest of the year.

4. Best reason not to complain if you’re a local musician: Local venues. It blows my mind whenever I look around at all the venues hosting original live music multiple nights each week. If anything, we’re spoiled with all of the quality clubs in/around Cincinnati. Now if we can just convince the general population of this fact...

5. Best reason to not complain if you love music: Shake It Records. Hands down the best record store east of the Mississippi. I’ve been to most every other heralded vinyl slinger in the Eastern half of the U.S. at least once, and every time I get back to Shake It I’m reminded of how its aura, selection and staff keep getting better and better. A local treasure.

RICK MCCARTY plays drums in thistle and Ampline and, by time this issue is published, probably one or two other bands. Find more info at www.thistlewired.com or www.ampline.net.

Photo By: Keith Klenowski

1. Yours truly: Currently I’m playing seven gigs a week (twice on Fridays), and on my night off on Mondays I host a radio show on ClassX (88.9 FM) playing local music.

2. Sonny Moorman: He’s doing seven gigs a week with his band as well as solo acoustic. He recently finished runnerup in the worldwide International Blues Challenge in Memphis and runs his School of Rock in Fairfield during the day.

3. Dallas Moore: He plays five to six nights a week with his band, solo and in duo combos with his girlfriend/singer Miss Heather or with his lead guitarist Chuck Morpurgo. Between them, Moore and Moorman have won just about every local music award possible.

4. Chris Goins: Plays four to seven times a week with the Danny Frazier Band, in a duo with Frazier and in a weekly gig with Gary Jeff Walker from “The Fox” radio station. He also plays standards with Curly and the Q-Balls, plays numerous gigs for hire and does session work on the side — all the while giving guitar lessons by day and raising three kids under the age of 6.

5. Kenny Cowden: A veteran of many high-profile local bands (Overdue, Only Mortals, Suspect and The Cowden and Goins Band), he currently plays solo five nights a week.

Honorable mention has to go to Chris Verbanic, who plays drums in about a dozen bands; David Rhodes Brown, who does guitar and vocals in about a half-dozen bands; and Kevin Fox, who plays out regularly with his band and solo as well as with several duo partners.

BOB CUSHING is a singer-songwriter who’s such an overachiever that he wrote two “Open Mic” lists for the Best of Cincinnati issue (also see page 81). Find more info at www.bobcushing.com.

Photo By: Bob Cushing

1. Democracy Now!: The best news show available in Cincinnati isn’t available over the local airwaves. You can go to iTunes or the Democracy Now! site (www.democracynow.org) and download free audio and video podcasts. It also runs weekdays at 8 a.m. on Channel 4 on Time-Warner Cable.

2. WAIF (88.3 FM): The community station has a wide variety of shows dealing with politics and current events, including The Bottom Line (call-in with Larry Arnett), Boiling Point (labor issues), Speak of Diablo, Chris and Rob Late Night Talk Show and (shameless plug since I’m one of the hosts) Curved Air, which features interviews with national (Richard Clarke, Noam Chomsky) and local (Mayor Mark Mallory, Sherrod Brown) authors and politicians. Find the full schedule at www.waif883.org.

3. CityBeat: Still the best local print source of political and music news. Focus on local and state news but have expanded to do some coverage of national politics (which affects us here in Cincinnati) such as the recent cover story on Dennis Kucinich’s run for president.

4. The Web: The mainstream media (MSM) blow at providing information on things that affect your life. Did you catch the report by one of our local major media outlets on runaway courtesy carts at the airport? Ever wonder what’s going on in the world other than the latest on Anna Nicole Smith or Britney Spears? For information on issues of substance, the Web is a great source. Local sites include Cincinnati Beacon (www.cincinnatibeacon.com), the Antipartisan (www.theantipartisan.com) and Cincy Music (www.cincymusic.com). My favorite national sites include Counterpunch (www.counterpunch.com), Buzzflash (www.buzzflash.com) and Media Matters (www.mediamatters.org).

5. Fellow Cincinnatians: I’ve read that in the early days after the founding of our country you could frequently find the local gentry in public discussions of politics. I guess they were excited about participating in their new democracy. Seems like that wore off, but it’s coming back a bit. I like sports as much as the next guy, but what is more interesting and worthwhile than discussing matters that affect your life, your family and friends, your country, the world? Talk with your neighbors, colleagues, family and friends about what they think governments and corporations are doing to impact their lives. You’ll learn things from them and vice versa.

ROGER YEARDLEY is a singer-songwriter and a news junkie. Find more info at www.balanceproductions.biz.

Photo By: Roger Yeardley

1. Spring Grove Cemetery: There is something immensely comforting about living across the street from all those dead folks and their monuments. Watching deer frolic among the grave stones is a plus.

2. Politics: One measure of the political climate here can be found in the many expressions of distaste for the monsters currently occupying the White House. Yard signs and bumperstickers might be fine for some, but I like muttering loudly whilst strolling about.

3. Insulation: I often ask myself: “Is there a way I need never venture out of Northside?” With the arrival of Madison’s Market on Hamilton Avenue, this might be possible now.

4. Eye candy: I’m not sure what this says about me, but I’m fond of looking backward. The first half of the 20th century seems an odd kind of paradise, minus the Great Depression, two world wars and Prohibition of course. The beautifully aged and battered buildings here please my eye to no end.

5. Pop culture: The merchants of Northside kick ass. For my specific tastes, Hobo Books, Bughouse Video and Shake It Records provide a dizzying array of mind expansion.

CHRIS ARDUSER currently plays with psychodots, Faux Frenchmen, Blue Birds and The Bears. Maybe he can join your band. Find more info at www.myspace.com/psychodots or www.thebearsmusic.com.

Photo By: Chris Arduser

1. Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park: This unique sculpture park is definitely worth the drive. A labyrinth of trails lead you through an outdoor art museum.

2. Woodland Mound: The best exercise trail around. River view, nature trails, kids water playground, Frisbee golf, nature museum — it’s got it all.

3. Alms Park: The best overlook of Lunken Airport. Think a mini version of Ault Park with all of the charm and half the crowds.

4. Mt. Airy Forest: An expansive green space with an abundance of great trails. Give yourself a whole day to explore this one.

5. California Woods: My favorite secret hideaway. Great trails, nice creek, beautiful meadow, lots of wildlife and few people!

JACOB HEINTZ is guitarist with the Rock band Buckra. Find more info at www.buckra.com.

Photo By: Sean Hughes

1. Zola’s Bluegrass Tuesday nights: They have decent wine, and I can hear some of my favorite local pickers in an unpretentious bar.

2. A cab ride to the Southgate House is only $6.

3. Very dog-friendly community: I love walking Huckleberry, my beagle, around the neighborhood. People take their dogs to dinner here. And there’s a cool pet store, Strasse Dog, with plenty of stuff to spoil your pooch.

4. Dinner at Cock N Bull: My son and I like to eat there a few times a month. They have great variety, and it’s all good and reasonably priced.

5. Coffee houses: We have three within walking distance — Stoney’s, Bean Haus and Scribbles. I’m currently comparing their vanilla capuccinos.

KELLY THOMAS is lead singer of Kelly Thomas & the Fabulous Pickups and a founder of the music charity organization Rivertown Music Club. Find more info at www.myspace.com/kellythomas.

Photo By: Kelly Thomas

1. The postcard selection at Sitwell’s Coffee House: If you’ve ever sent your parents an Edward Hopper through the mail, you know what I mean.

2. Clifton branch library: Eric Davis and his staff are very cool, and the music nonfiction selections here could keep me inside my apartment for weeks.

3. Diversity: Where else in our city are a mosque, a Catholic church and school and a Jewish college a short walk from each other?

4. And more diversity: A group of volunteers for Ohio politicians, both conservative and progressive, meet for lunch and lively debate at a certain chili parlour on the corner of Clifton and Ludlow avenues. What do these people have in common? Steaming hot plates of chili and cheese over spaghetti.

5. Coming soon, a new arts center: This will be at the site of what was Clifton School as well as the old stone carriage house. And why not book the Swarthy Band on opening night?

SWARTHY, the man and the Pop Rock band, has started playing out again. Be very careful! Find more info at www.myspace.com/
theswarthyband.

Photo By: Scott Preston/Cariboustudios.com

1. New record store: Timmay’s at 212 W. McMillan Ave. Nice little dig spot for records that gets extra points for having CD maxi-singles from early ’90s Ice Cube to Bobby Brown.

2. Say “Fuck it” and get fat in 2007: The shakes at the new Cincy Steak and Lemonade on Short Vine are straight addictive. Like, walk-around-with-an-IV-full-of-frozen-strawberry-milk addictive.

3. Get faded: For fresh cuts, travel to Irby’s on Short Vine. Transplanted from downtown, it has two really cool-ass barbers, never a really long wait and always some good conversation in the atmosphere.

4. Another spot to get faded: Top Cat’s has been on the strip forever with cool bartenders and owners. And the Hip Hop nights are coming back in fashion, so of course I have to mention them.

5. Retribution for David getting punked by Goliath: UC and their development partners, to the dismay of everyone in the neighborhood, “successfully” got rid of Acropolis and Inn the Wood on the Calhoun strip only to do nothing with the land but put up a trailer and some bricks — and they still can’t sell out their rental spaces on campus across the street. Karma is a bitch. Use my tuition money to rebuild the old Calhoun.

ILL POETIC is a Hip Hop artist who lives off of Short Vine in Corryville. His new album, The World Is Ours, will be released in May on Dove Ink/Definition Music. Find more info at www.myspace/illpoetic.

Photo By: Ill Poetic

1. Carson Palmer: A possible future Hall of Fame quarterback and a true class act. An actual true role model for kids.

2. Bronson Arroyo: An All-Star pitcher and part-time Rock star. Chicks dig him, and guys admire him. If the Reds ever make a playoff run, he’ll own this town!

3. Willie Anderson: A perenial Pro Bowl lineman and a stand-up guy. He plays hurt, stuck it out through the Bengals’ losing years, never turned down an interview after an embarrassing defeat — I’m happy he’s staying through (hopefully) the good years.

4. T.J. Houshmandzadeh: Chad’s less glamorous and more reliable counterpart. Money in the bank in the clutch!

5. Ryan Freel: Balls out 100 percent in the tradition of Rose and Sabo. Fearless kamikazee in the outfield and fun as hell to watch play the game. Probably fun to drink with. (I’ll call him a cab!)

BOB CUSHING is a singer-songwriter who plays out six nights a week. Find more info at www.bobcushing.com.