Best of Ohio 2012: Part Two

Aquabear is kicking off a brand new year-end tradition by asking some of the state’s best musicians and music related folks to share their favorite Ohio music finds and experiences of the year. Look for a whole bunch of these before the start of 2013! Here’s the second batch featuring David Obenour (Dayton – Ghettoblaster Magazine), Mike Makosky (Athens – Disjointed Records, Goodbye Goats, Skattoo), Ron Kretsch (Cleveland – Murderedman, Banging Fragiles), and James Harris (Athens – Manasseh Records). Look for more in the coming weeks and please share, if you would like to participate drop us a line at contact@aquabearlegion.com
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David C. Obenour
Dayton (editor of Ghettoblaster Magazine)

What were your favorite Ohio releases from 2012?
What were your favorite Ohio releases from 2012? All three Guided By Voices albums, Bassholes – Contains Bassholes Music…, Motel Beds – Dumb Gold, The Dopamines – Vices, Human Cannonball – Let’s Be Friends and probably a bunch more that I’m forgetting.

Favorite new Ohio band
Best new Ohio band? Hyrrokkin, jazz+Dischord=awesome.

Favorite Ohio show you saw this year
Afghan Whigs – Bogarts – 10/25. A band I’d always heard a lot about but had never really gotten around to, that’s all changed now.

What are you most excited about for 2013?
In descending order of probability: three more Guided By Voices albums, four more issues of Ghettoblaster and the Browns making the playoffs.

What have you been working on lately?
New issue of Ghettoblaster should be out in February!

What are you listening to right now?
Prince Paul – Negroes on Ice
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Mike Makosky
Athens (Disjointed Records, Goodbye Goats, Skattoo)

What were your favorite Ohio releases from 2012?
Aquabear/Disjointed 16 in 16

Favorite Ohio show you saw this year
I didn’t get out much this year, but the Skeletonwitch/Havoc show at The Union was pretty damn sweet.

What are you most excited about for 2013?
Most excited about either : getting my newest band project named and playing gigs! (its been 4 months of practice so far getting ready): or the release of my solo album – Descent ‘White spider’

What have you been working on lately?
I play in 4 different bands, some regularly, some not so much, also my solo album is about to be released.

What are you listening to right now?
I enjoy a wide range of music, my most listened to right now would be a close split between Sargeist ‘Let the devil in’ and Fela Kuti’s debut 1969 ‘Fela Fela Fela’, but Ghost ‘Opus Eponymous’ probably has the most plays for me in the past year.
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Ron Kretsch
Cleveland (Banging Fragiles, Murderedman, Self Destruct Button)

What were your favorite Ohio releases from 2012?
Little Bighorn’s “Chaperones” LP is my #1 by like a mile. Also the Drose 7″. Shitbox Jimmy’s album is pretty damn great too, as is the LP from Mike Uva and the Bad Eyes. Do I even NEED to mention “Attack On Memory?” I haven’t heard the new Mr. Gnome yet, but there’s every reason to assume that it’s just stupid fucking awesome. And the second All Dinosaurs album as well.

Best new Ohio band
Tough call. Goldmines maybe. Wesley Bright and the Hi-Lites sure did hit Northeast Ohio like a bomb this year. I’ve been liking Nights, Dead Sweaters and Shitbox Jimmy a whole lot too, but I’m not sure they’re new in 2012.

Favorite Ohio show you saw this year
I’m going to be an egodick and name a show I played on – Murderedman, Drose, Envenomist and Temple of Ur at The Summit in Columbus on October 12th. Despite copious problems with the power in that venue (and a soundguy so blase about them that it ultimately became as amusing as it was annoying), all the performances were illuminating. Except Murderedman’s because the power cord to my amp kept falling out of the goddamn wall. WTF, The Summit? Seriously WTF? But Drose totally slayed, what an eye-opening band they are.

What are you most excited about for 2013?
I’m excited that three bands I am in or used to be in will be releasing full-length albums in 2013. I’m excited to start bringing Drose to Cleveland so they can blow some minds up here. I’m jumping-out-of-my-skin excited for the third installment of the Cleveland Lottery League.

What have you been working on lately?
Both of my current bands, Banging Fragiles and Murderedman, are in the process of finishing recordings. Murderedman intend, fates allowing, to continue to hit the road as hard as we’re able to, as our past trips have been very encouraging. And when Banging Fragiles start getting out more, I sincerely think people are going to like what they see.

What are you listening to right now?
I’m listening to “Counting The Beat,” the lone album by a criminally overlooked 1980-81ish New Wave band from New Zealand called The Swingers that featured former Split Enz member Phillip Judd. It shoulda been a classic, goddammit!
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James Harris
Athens (Manasseh Records)

What were your favorite Ohio releases from 2012?
Southeast Engine’s Canaanville EP.

Favorite new Ohio band
I have to say ‘White Girl Raps Fast’ Bailee Moore. She’s a Bobcat, and Athens artists are always my favorite. Jesse Remnant’s Human Cannonball is fantastic too.

Favorite Ohio show you saw this year
Bruce Dalzell’s Open Mic shows in OU’s Front Room will always rank at the top of my list.

What are you most excited about for 2013?
Spending time with my new family, and hanging out with friends in Athens. To keep it related to music … early in 2013, I’ll be exploring tunes by Old Hundred and Maza Blaska.

What are you listening to right now?
‘Charlie Brown Christmas’ album has been on repeat. As has Dave Brubeck’s ‘Time Out.’ Earlier in the year, I was into Sam Cooke and dove back into Southeast Engine’s older albums. At the gym, it was Girl Talk on repeat and some old Dr. Dre mixes.