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Home , Bassist, Blake Babies, Cover band, Evan Dando, John Strohm (musician), Juliana Hatfield

ence. “The wilder I was and the more I jumped around, the bet- {THEN} ter,” she says. “It was never about beauty for me; it was always about art, performance and energy. WHERE ARE Connecting to the audience ... I loved it!” As the began rehearsals for Wisteria in 1991, the guitars became a greater focus for them. THEY NOW? According to James, he and Mann were working on a song called “Pact,” during which they both Highlights of Indy’s rich began writing intricate guitar parts and pushing the sound as far as they could imagine it. musical past … and future Their final album, The Belle Stomp, should have launched BY MEL DUNCAN, NORA SPITZNOGLE, JEFF NAPIER, MATTHEW SOCEY, them into the national indie-rock P.J. CHRISTIE AND JEB BANNER; EDITED BY LESLIE BENSON mainstream. When recording The PHOTOS BY KRIS ARNOLD, GILES CLEMENT, JEFF BEDEL Belle Stomp, Arson Garden had AND MELONSHE the freedom to explore a less bombastic new sound within the One of the most universally context of the full band. It was the onnuvo.net loved forms of art, creates a most ambitious album the band sense of community — of family had made, and with the emer- /VIDEO /PHOTO and artistic connection. gence of new independent bands Discovering highlights of Indy’s Music round table discussion at the Music into international superstars, the Mill by Leslie Benson, Tim Barrett, Mitch Reeves and musical past (and future), NUVO world seemed wide open to a cre- Jenna Baker encourages you to claim owner- Radio Radio reunion show of The Pieces, ative group of free thinkers with a ARSON Action Strasse and Those Young Lions March 17 by ship of locally produced music and powerful live show. “Prophetically, Mitch Reeves its ambitious purveyors. Only our record came out the week GARDEN Burn It Down and Ice Nine live video footage through community support does Digital galleries of all the bands Kurt Cobain died,” James says. PHOTO BY DANIEL CORRIGAN our creativity continue to thrive. “Everything just seemed to kind Press photo (circa 1990s) ow do you sum up 30 Beneath the drama and the of stop.” From front left: politics of the music business, Joby Barnett, James Combs, years of Indianapolis’ rich —P.J. Christie April Combs, Clark Starr and musical culture in less you’ll find people devoted to H their art. We will take you Michael Mann than 8,000 words? The undertak- ing became organic, growing of through some of the stories of its own accord, through winding local musicians over the past 30 TINA BARBIERI branches and roots off one years and uncover where their Genre: gigantic tree of musical history. roots were planted and where www.nuvo.net/band/uvula If you were ever a 15-year-old their branches have led them. And with nothing better to do on a for those we were unable to men- Tina Barbieri has been around the block a few times, Saturday night than hang out in tion at this time, we still want to musically speaking. Between Bloomington and Indy, the front of the Emerson Theater or honor you. Please share your per- vocalist and bassist is best known for her stints in the Night at the Melody spectives and stories about Indy’s indie-rock cover band Situation Grey and one-time major label hopefuls Mysteries of Life. Interestingly Inn, you’ll revel in this issue. If complex musical past by e-mailing enough, it was neither of those two bands she sites as you know where The Secret [email protected]. You personal favorites. Location is, you’re among the can hear some of the bands’ elite, and if you claim to have music at www.nuvo.net and at “I had the most fun in Uvula,” Barbieri says of the met Rusty from the Birdmen of www.musicalfamilytree.com. Our -esque band she founded in the late ’90s. Alcatraz, you’ve probably been a second installment of this prod- “Fabric too,” she adds, referring to the tripped-out fan of the local music scene for uct will be published this fall, so electronic band. “Fabric was great because I actually more than a few years. we’re happy to hear from you. had input.” Now, on with the stories! When asked about her involvement in Mysteries of Life, the “lots of free sushi” when they were being wined and dined by RCA records seemed to be a fond ARSON GARDEN along with guitarist Michael Genre: Indie rock Mann, who joined while also play- memory. “Our A&R guy was awesome; there was just www.myspace.com/arsongarden ing in the Opiates. no support from the label. They just really dropped www.myspace.com/jamescombsmusic “People in Bloomington at that the ball, like the single they chose to put out [‘Going www.myspace.com/aprilcombsmusic time were really interested in Through the Motions’]. It’s a good song, but of all the www.myspace.com/theplushinteriors music,” James says. “Our earliest songs on that record ... they could’ve done more.” If the measure of a band is songs received amazing feedback, In the midst of major label chaos with Mysteries of and we had this instant connec- Life, Barbieri had a tough choice to make with her based on artistry, energetic shows {THEN} and steady success, then Arson tion to the crowd.” Arson Garden’s other projects Uvula and Fabric. Ultimately, the latter Garden was the top band in early music (1988’s Arson Garden, two won, and she quit Mysteries. Even though the produced by Paul Mahern, and Central Indiana. James Combs on TINA group continued to tour in support of the albums guitar and Joby Barnett on drums 1990’s Under Towers, recorded at Keep a Secret and Come Clean, it was eventually Paisley Park by Tom Herbers) was BARBIERI started with a sound and a mutual ABOVE SUBMITTED PHOTO dropped from RCA and found a home on the No a unique blend of Midwestern appreciation for intricate rhythms (Clockwise from top): Nostalgia label with the 2001 release Distant Relatives. guitars, poetic lyrics and adven- and breaking new ground. They Chris Kupersmith, Tina Recently, Barbieri has been paying the bills as a built up the band with James’ sis- turous rhythmic arrangements. Barbieri, Scott Ewing Frequent touring, better record massage therapist but is also working on a new pro- ter, April Combs, and bassist Clark PHOTO BY GILES CLEMENT ject entitled Toulouse Toulouse with longtime friend Starr. Their first gig in 1987 was deals, a Peel Session performance, Tina Barbieri (2007) a slot at Lollapalooza and airing a and collaborator Chris Kupersmith (currently playing held at Second Story in guitar for Gentleman Caller) and Jason Cavan (bassist Bloomington, at the event known video on MTV’s soon for You Will Die). as Er Night, and later that year built the band’s self-confidence they opened up for the and international notoriety. The project is a little more pop rock than some of her Replacements at Alumni Hall. April recalls a Red Hot Chili past ventures, but the demos show promise, and it’s great From then on, the band enjoyed a Peppers performance giving her to know that such a talent is still contributing to our scene. bigger ideas about her stage pres- loyal following and a wild ride {NOW} —Mel Duncan 26 cover story // 03.28.07-04.04.07 // NUVO BIG MF STICK other two vocalists were known as Papa G Genre: Hip-hop/rock and Evergreen the Eye. http://cdbaby.com/cd/madpoets Big MF Stick’s second album, 1997’s Attack of the Peanut Butter and Jelly People, If you own Big MF Stick’s first album, was released to a beyond-capacity Emerson Discombobulator, or the Ate Up compila- Theater crowd. “That might have been the tion, you understand the power of biggest crowd we played to,” Johann says. “Parasite,” an instant classic. How could it After completing a few semi-successful not be with the lyric “lookin for lovin’, but all tours, the band was road-weary, but the I got was the crabs”? excitement of homecoming shows were In the mid to late ’90s bands, like Big MF, enough to push them back into the studio the Birdmen of Alcatraz, $ucka and X-Up for what would have been the third album, played a style of music that wasn’t just rock, A Horse Named Future Glue. Unfortunately, nor was it just hip-hop or . The style only three songs were recorded, and that was became known as “rip hop,” an alternative basically it for Big MF Stick. to the alternative. Jazzy grooves and lyrical “We were just bored and the songs flows would give way to distortion and weren’t coming as easy as they used to,” screams. It was a revolution of sorts, and it Johann says. was the first time some people really started Because they just stopped playing, fans to pay attention to what was going on in the outside the loop were left wondering what local music scene. happened. In late 2002, the band played Big MF Stick was conventional in the two more shows, a warm-up gig at Birdy’s sense of having a drummer, bassist and gui- Bar & Grill and its final performance at the tar player, but with three singers, the band Vogue. stood out. Johann, one of the vocalists and Rising from the ashes, Johann, drummer the guy usually seen sporting a Pacers’ jer- A-dub and vocalist Papa G recorded an sey on stage, chatted over a couple glasses album and played shows under the name of Blue Moon about how the band came Mad Poets Society, a straight-up hip-hop together and how it eventually came apart. band with live drums and programmed “It would seem like there would have synth. The last show was part of the 2004 been more personality clashes with six peo- Midwest Music Summit. ple in the band,” Johann says. “But we all Big MF may be gone but it’s not forgotten. liked hip-hop, and we all liked metal so it “Man, there’s always someone coming up and just came together.” saying, ‘Weren’t you in that band?’ I’m happy The band may have clicked, but club that we did something, ya know, left our owners weren’t as excited. “Having three mark,” Johann says. “Everything about that singers was a nightmare for the sound guy,” whole band was just an accident that worked.” Johann laughs. In the band’s prime, the —Mel Duncan

FILE PHOTO Rusty Redenbacher {NOW} (right) of Birdmen of BIRDMEN OF ALCATRAZ Alcatraz and the Before MySpace.com and the Internet, Genre: Hard rock/rap Mudkids the band would spend hours at Kinko’s www.myspace.com/ working on flyers and posters for the mail- birdmenofalcatraz ing list. Then they hit the road. www.myspace.com/mudkids “We usually went out for a week or two,” he says. “Sometimes a month. That got to be In the late ’80s, it seemed the combination harder. It was all DIY shit. You play shows of rap and hard rock was limited to Run out of town and met other bands. Traded D.M.C./ and then Anthrax/Public shows with others. It was a real grind.” Enemy. In Indianapolis, the Birdmen of The band took a “much needed break” in Alcatraz proved that you didn’t need a video or 1996, and Redenbacher formed the record contract to combine the two powers. Mudkids in 1997. “We always try to get From 1989-1996, the Birdmen toured together when we can,” he says. “The music North America and represented the city’s was so good. I still get good feelings.” music scene. Singer Rusty Redenbacher (aka, The Birdmen have resurfaced for one- That Dread-Locked Guy at Northside News) off shows for special events, including graduated from guest rapper to band singer. the Midwest Music Summit and the clos- He was excited to be part of the experience. ing of the Patio. “I had no idea how blessed I was. A lot of “That Patio show; I paid for it. I was so people gave me legs,” Redenbacher says. sore,” Redenbacher says. “I’m not in the “That band set us apart. When we first came same shape to do what I did in my 20s, but out, we were a little more funk-based. We you can’t cheat the audience. They’re expect- got compared to the [Red Hot] Chili Peppers. I would freestyle a lot.” continued on page 28 NUVO // 03.28.07-04.04.07 // cover story 27 Strohm on guitar and vocals and Freda Love Dan Pachyinski (), Don Weddle {NOW} on drums, the band was a college radio dar- (drums), Paul Puntenney (pedal steel) and ling and gathered a respectable fan base Mike Brady (saxophone). Kennedy no around the world. longer plays with that lineup. “Some got real Strohm and Love were high school sweet- jobs, some retired, some moved on and hearts while growing up in Bloomington, some died,” he says. “I could tell you lots of Ind. Although Love started out with violin, stories about the band and its escapades, she eventually found the drums at age 17, but it might be better left unsaid and only with the help of Strohm, who was already remembered by those present. We had a playing and touring as a drummer in local couple of successes and a hell of a lot of fun.” punk bands. In 1986, when they were fresh- One of the first local bands to play the men at the in Vogue, Chooch and the Enchanters shared , Mass., they ran into Hatfield. the marquee with Tammy Wynette. While Strohm recalls, “Freda and I thought Juliana the band often played the Patio, Crazy Al’s looked like someone we should be in a band and the Ritz, Kennedy’s most memorable with,” he says. “[It] turned out she thought gig was during the blizzard of 1978 when the the same about us.” Within a month, the band performed live on WNAP with Adam new band had a full set’s worth of material. Smasher. “Just to get everyone there was a Early on, the adopted the real chore, but we all got there with the help DIY attitude of the Indiana punk scene. “We of four-wheel drive vehicles and persever- didn’t think anything of playing in a used ance. The show was great and it is a hoot to clothing store,” Love says, “or putting out listen to 30 years later,” he says. our own first record and selling it ourselves “Very happily married” with a 12-year-old through 20 different distributors.” When the son who can sing, Chooch Kennedy is still band’s success began drawing interest from playing music for a living. “I have sung in labels, Strohm’s experience with the indus- Las Vegas; you might hear my voice on a Bob try helped them navigate the waters and & Tom Show song, on a commercial or hear score a deal with , based me in a supper club.” out of North Carolina. The relationship was —Nora Spitznogle successful enough for the label to release future projects, including Antenna, Hatfield DATURA SEEDS and Velo Deluxe records. Genre: Indie rock As the band’s success grew, so did the www.musicalfamilytree.com/ pressures within the group. Hatfield and bands/datura_seeds Strohm didn’t always share the same vision for the band’s future, which eventually led {NOW} PAUL to its breakup in 1991. Looking back, he recalls his only real regret: “We were offered MAHERN the first leg as main support on Nirvana’s PHOTO BY MELONSHE Syria and Paul tour,” he says. “The band was Mahern breaking up, and we just couldn’t get it BLAKE together. We were huge Nirvana fans from BABIES Bleach, but at the time, it just seemed like another tour.” ABOVE PHOTO BY JEFF BEDEL After finding success in various solo and Freda Love (2005) group projects, the trio reunited in 1999 BELOW SUBMITTED PHOTO until 2001, with the help of sometimes Left to right: Freda Love, John P. bandmate , to record and tour Strohm, behind God Bless the Blake Babies. Both the tour and album were met with approval by “Birdmen” continued from page 27 {THEN} fans and critics of the band. The project and ing that kind of shit from the Birdmen.” tour were seen as a one-off by the band and Fellow Birdman Richard “Dino” Codalata they have no plans to re-unite in the fore- says he still gets feedback from Birdmen fans. seeable future. “We still hear about it daily,” he says. “A All members of the Blake Babies remain lot of bands playing now are saying how active musicians. Love recently moved to England with her husband Jake Smith and When the Zero Boys imploded in the mid much we influenced them.” 1980s, musician and producer Paul Mahern Codalata says he’s ready to perform live their two sons. Love and Smith’s band, the Mysteries of Life, recently released its fourth kept himself busy first with Dandelion again with his band, Stepchildren, featuring full-length album, Beginning to Move. Abortion, a short-lived outfit that merged the singer Lucinda Russell. “We do real old Heart Strohm is now an entertainment lawyer in Zero Boys’ hardcore fury with a mish-mash and Fleetwood Mac stuff,” he says. “I’ve had Birmingham, Ala., and is married with two of styles from a more angular approach, à la to put everything on hold for three and a half children. He is planning his third solo Television to Sonic Youth-meets-Jello Biafra years, and that’s all about to change.” release in spring of 2007, titled Everyday noise. One of its songs, “Stab ’Em,” could’ve Codalata is adding guitar to Redenbacher’s BLAKE BABIES Life. Hatfield continues to write and record even been on a Devo record. dark new Lazarus project, and the two will Genre: Indie rock music, as well as actively tour. Her band However, while working with Jonee Quest collaborate on a future funk project. www.blakebabies.com with Love, Some Girls, recently released its at Indy’s Hit City recording studio, a high The Indianapolis music scene family tree http://members.aol.com/autobeatnik/ school girl named Lee Cuthbert brought in www.some-girls.com second album, Crushing Love. is bound to wind around the Birdmen of her band to record, and as Mahern puts it, “I www.flatearthrecords.com/jps/ —Jeb Banner Alcatraz. When you least expect it, or when fell in love with her personality and song- you need it most, don’t be surprised if the Read the full interviews with and writing skills and asked her to join us.” band soars again, even if it’s for one night CHOOCH AND THE Having already cut a few demos with Quest Freda Love on NUVO.net. ENCHANTERS and for the right cause. and a Linn 9000 drum machine, they “I love the fuckin’ Birdmen, dude. I got Genre: Soul The Blake Babies were born on the cusp www.mariekennedy.com recruited a drummer named Tom Downs nothing but hugs and smiles to them,” of the indie rock explosion. Allen Ginsberg and thus formed the Datura Seeds. Redenbacher says. “I love those dudes.” bequeathed their name, a reference to In 1977, Jim “Chooch” Kennedy was Mahern’s flower child persona came to —Matthew Socey English poet William Blake, when they working on a song when a couple of friends the forefront as the band created powerful asked him to name their band following a sat in on the recording. One thing led to pop masterpieces that ranked as some of reading at Harvard. another, and Chooch and the Enchanters the best stuff coming out of Indiana at that The Blake Babies released a string of suc- were born. time. The band’s sole album, Who Do You cessful albums and EPs on Mammoth The original members consisted of Want it to Be?, created a minor national Records in the late 1980s and early ’90s. With Kennedy (guitar, harmonica and lead buzz due to the strength of tunes like “Half Juliana Hatfield on bass and vocals, John vocals), Fred Yde (keyboard and trumpet), Asleep” and the infectious “S&P ’69.” 28 cover story // 03.28.07-04.04.07 // NUVO Unfortunately, the ensemble only lasted a few toured and recorded in Europe last autumn. Main years. Towards the end, after his band, Jot, broke up, owns and manages Puccini’s Smiling Teeth Pizza. Vess Ruhtenberg joined, and shortly thereafter, he Pyle is a session drummer, plays with several bands In Tufty’s shoes followed Mahern as he reformed the Zero Boys. The and is a nationally acclaimed illustrator. chemistry between the two carried over to the Zero —Nora Spitznogle Boys’ third album, Heimlich Maneuver, which fea- Rock icon remembers local music “firsts” BY JEFF NAPIER • [email protected] tured artwork by Quest, who went on to become one DALE LAWRENCE of Indianapolis’ premier sound engineers. Cuthbert Genre: Punk went on to moderate acclaim as a member of the Gentle Readers. “I haven’t seen Tom in years,” Mahern says. “Lee {THEN} has a furnishings store in Atlanta, Jonee is still in Indy DALE doing his Questy thing, Vess is a Lemonhead, among LAWRENCE other things, and I am meditating somewhere.” SUBMITTED PHOTO When asked if a reunion or reissue of the band’s The Gizmos’ recordings were a possibility in the near future, Mahern Dale Lawrence and turns coy, simply stating “Anything is possible.” Billy Nightshade, 1979 —Jeff Napier {THEN} {NOW}

{NOW} If Dale Lawrence had done nothing else with his DALE life, he could have hung his hat on fronting Indiana’s “TUFTY” CLOUGH first punk band, the Gizmos. The kids and scenesters SUBMITTED PHOTO RIGHT PHOTO BY RONI DONALDSON that talk now about “boring Indiana” should appreci- David “Tufty” Clough of Toxic ate life in Bloomington, circa 1979. With no local Reasons and the Zero Boys music scene to speak of, and certainly no other punk bands around to play shows with, the Gizmos, along with Purdue’s Dow Jones and the Industrials, eventu- David “Tufty” Clough has been one of Indy’s shining beacons in the ally got a following around Indiana. But in a place local rock scene for the better part of three decades. He has been the where even the (with whom the Gizmos bass player in Toxic Reasons, the Zero Boys and Bigger Than Elvis. His played) weren’t understood, the group packed up and fluid, yet blindingly fast bass lines made up the cornerstone of all these took off to NYC. That didn’t exactly pan out either, and groups. That unique sound (as well as his Liverpudian accent and gre- the band broke up soon after. garious personality) has made him one of the most recognized and Thankfully, Lawrence still had it in him, though for respected figures in town. his next venture, he chose a different path in the form Tufty also helped start the alternative Future Shock store in Broad of Right to Left, a groundbreaking alternative band Ripple and slowly built it into one of the most successful and long-lived that became the Vulgar Boatmen. independent businesses in the village. More recently, he has built his The story of the Vulgar Boatmen, to this day, stands Fountain Square nightclub, Radio Radio, into one of the hippest rooms as one of the most interesting arrangements in rock in town, acting as sort of Indianapolis Knitting Factory, bringing a wide ’n’ roll history. Two bands, two cities, one name: the range of eccentric bands to town while hosting several “firsts” — regu- Indianapolis version that Lawrence fronted and the larly adding video and movies to the mix and making Radio Radio a Gainesville, Fla., version fronted by professor and non-smoking venue. VESS scholar Robert Ray. The two met at IU. “I was an RUHTENBERG undergrad, and Robert was a grad student helping PHOTO BY MELONSHE teach a course I was taking — as fate would have it — NUVO: Was it hard at first to bal- spokesperson for a band. I sang Vess of the Zero Boys and ance your ambitions as a busi- four or five songs a night in Toxic the Datura Seeds on song lyrics,” Lawrence says. “We became friends, though neither of us were in bands at the time and nessman with that of a rock and Reasons, and that was enough for didn’t start writing together until much later.” roll bass player? me. I wouldn’t want to put people The plan wasn’t to create two separate, yet identi- D.C.: Yes, and it still is. Part of me through anymore than that. THE LATE SHOW cal bands. “As Robert and I wrote more together, the wants to be the artistic musician NUVO: Do you have any regrets? Genre: Pop two bands’ repertoires started mirroring each other,” and just concentrate on the cre- D.C.: Having the Toxic Reasons www.thelabelmusicgroup.com Lawrence says. “When it came time to make an ative side of things, and the other guys talk me into joining Toxics, album, it just made sense to pool everybody and call part of me wants the security of quitting the Zero Boys and spend- The first incarnation of the Late Show began in the whole thing the Vulgar Boatmen.” being financially stable and inde- ing 10 years of my life in a van 1972, when four North Central High School students The albums, 1990’s You and Your Sister and its fol- pendent. when I should have put that ener- formed a band. Mark Cutsinger, Kevin Kimberlin, low-up, Please Panic, released in ’92, were met with NUVO: What is your fondest gy into the Zero Boys — where Don Main and Mark Moran performed under the local praise and caught the attention of music critics musical memory? there was a lot more potential for band name Clayburn. They played originals and nationwide. The band’s sound came from its respec- D.C.: The first time we went to L.A. success. music from the 1960s. tive geographic locations. East Coast art-rock met with the Zero Boys. We played NUVO: What lessons have you The musicians moved to New York City in late 1974 with Southern R&B — with punk, country and folk with the Dead Kennedys and learned from running Radio and officially became the Late Show. Kimberlin left thrown in the mix. The tours were handled primarily Minor Threat. There were about Radio? the band a year later, but stayed in NYC, where he still by the Indy lineup, though a handful of shows saw 3,000 people there. The intensity D.C.: Running a club is a lot hard- lives. The band continued to play with the other three the two incarnations blend together on stage. of the crowd and the reception we er than I thought it would be. It’s core members. When the band was signed to Warner Brothers’ got was overwhelming after play- hard to make everyone happy. It’s By 1979, the Late Show was back in Indianapolis, U.K. division, its third album, Opposite Sex, was ing to just a few people in a tricky balance between being a Rick Clayton and Scott Fletcher played with them, released in Europe. This led to interest from Elektra, a Indianapolis. businessman and being an artist. and Chris Pyle replaced Cutsinger as the drummer. division of Warner, but the president of that label cut NUVO: Of all the bands you’ve Sometimes I get it right and some- A popular Indianapolis and regional band, the Late the Boatmen from its roster before Opposite Sex played in, which one are you most times I don’t. Show often performed at the Patio and the Vogue. could be released stateside, thus ending the Vulgar proud of? NUVO: What future plans do you Pyle remembers a favorite show in 1982. “We got a Boatmen’s major label hopes. D.C.: I would say the Zero Boys, have? last minute gig opening for the Pretenders on their It was a situation that Lawrence says is all too com- because I got goose bumps when D.C.: I don’t know. The last couple first U.S. tour, in Columbus, Ohio. We took the slot for mon. “Signing with a major either makes things real- we recorded Vicious Circle. I still of years, I have been studying the exposure and did not know what to expect,” he ly go or, more often, kills them,” he says. get chills to this day when I hear or filmmaking, so I’d like to do says. “The place was packed, and no one had any idea Since the band’s three albums are out of print, a play that record. something with that. Danny and I who we were. People were going crazy over us. We self-released compilation, entitled Wide Awake, NUVO: Bruce Stuckey, Paul have been talking about taking had to quit playing encores so the Pretenders could showcases Ray and Lawrence’s favorite cuts from Mahern and are Bigger Than Elvis to Europe. We’ve take the stage.” their career. It is available on the No Nostalgia label. all strong frontmen you’ve played had more people ask about Zero The band underwent a few name changes (Recordio While the Gainesville incarnation has all but music with. What have you learned Boys shows. Who knows? Maybe and Rock House) and stopped playing in 1991. stopped playing, Lawrence and company still play from these guys, and have you ever we’ll sell everything, Roni and I around and were seen last year at Locals Only for the had the desire to front a band? will get married and we’ll move to Moran is still playing music. He brought the Late  Show back in 2006 (he is the only original member), Midwest Music Summit. D.C.: It’s a tough job being the Hawaii. and the band performs nearly every weekend. —Mel Duncan Cutsinger is still working full-time as a drummer; he

NUVO // 03.28.07-04.04.07 // cover story 29 {THEN} second album was recorded, Village THE STRUGGLERS band for those times. We mixed Chicago Records had become a subsidiary of Genre: Blues/alt-country blues, Western swing, old rare country Mercury. The summer of 1979, Roadmaster tunes and some .” toured as the opening band for Pat Travers The Strugglers started in a south of Broad The band members insist they invented and Blue Oyster Cult. It was often included Ripple house in 1970 and did not break up newgrass (progressive bluegrass) in 1972 at on the bills of huge outdoor shows on its off until one of the members moved out of Union Grove in North Carolina. “Sam Bush days. One of Myers’ favorite memories is town in 1985. The band had the same basic won’t admit it, I’m sure, but he stole the from a Columbus, Ohio, show. Touring in a lineup for most of that time: Scott whole idea from the lowly brain-addled Winnebago, that day the band went from Ballantine (guitar), Jack Clarke (harmoni- Strugglers,” Ballantine says. ROAD being stuck in traffic (with “Drivin Ivan” ca), Kevin Hughey (drums), Dave Langfitt Ballantine plays several times a week as a MASTER Solomon behind the wheel) to opening for (pedal steel), Joe Langfitt (bass) and Stanley solo guitarist with his and with sev- the Cars, Cheap Trick, Eddie Money and Smith (clarinet and vocals). eral bands (including The ReachArounds ROADMASTER Todd Rungren in front of 75,000 people. “It Ballantine remembers, “The Strugglers Genre: Rock and the Amy Lashley Band). He also owns was blazing hot, and our set was roaring played everywhere there was to play — we Roadmaster can trace its musical family Funhouse Guitars and Records. Clarke and the crowd loved it,” Myers says. were on the bill with Les McCann the first tree back to 1967 when Asher “Adam works for the Marion County Board of The band dissolved in the early ’80s and weekend the Vogue was open. We played Heath and breaks out the harmonica. Smasher” Benrubi met Michael Read while the Patio, Crazy Al’s [and] Caesars’ Pub attending Shortridge High School. With the in 1989 played a local mini-reunion tour. Hughey has a picture framing business and McNally passed away in 1998. “We all miss [later the Stone Mug],” he says. “All said we still drums. Langfitt also owned Hit City addition of Rob Swaynie, they formed the were really a creature of the Hummingbird widely popular college band Pure Funk. By Mac,” Myers says. “His voice was truly one Recording. He sold that to Tim Brickley, and of a kind.” Benrubi is now a St. Louis, Mo., and played there a lot — [having] warmed now plays music with Randy King. Langfitt 1971, the lineup included Rick Benick (gui- up for Mose Allison, Newgrass Revival, the morning radio personality and fronts the works at the Monroe County Library. tar), Toby Myers (bass) and Stephen Riley Dillards, Taj Mahal, Doc Watson, Townes band Smash. Johns lives in Florida and Smith moved to Austin, Texas, and played (drums). Van Zandt and many more sort of famous works with children. Read continues to play many years with the Asylum Street After Pure Funk evolved to Roadmaster, people. We once played a stint at the Patio music, currently with Zanna-Doo and Ribs Spankers. He is the leader of the Jazz Todd Rungren, front man for Utopia, invit- for a year straight [six nights a week] when and Bone, also writing scores for video pro- Pharaohs. He has played in all but three ed the band to New York to record a demo. Gordon Atchinson owned it. Dave jects. Benick played with Grand Ole Opry states, toured Europe five times, released That led to a contract with Indianapolis Letterman was a big fan and came in late star Hal Ketchum. his first solo album in 2003 and toured label Village Records and the release in 1976 every night after doing the weather on While Benick lives in Nashville, Tenn., of the self-titled album. When Benrubi left Channel 13.” Japan. He’s playing a full schedule in Austin. rumor has it he’s moving back to Indiana. the band, Steve McNally took over lead Smith’s favorite memories are of the The band recently reunited for Clarke’s Myers played for John Mellencamp until vocal duties. The band added cover tunes Crazy Al’s gigs. “Sometimes we would play birthday. The show was full of old fans 1999. He now plays with his band NoNet. At by J. Geils Band and Utopia to the R&B the whole week,” Ballantine says. “Each singing along and dancing so hard the floor Nashville West, his studio, Myers records music they were currently playing. night would get a little crazier than the last. was moving. The Strugglers still sound fan- Riley left the band in 1977 and Bobby other bands and works on his own music. I have tapes of some of those nights when tastic — even 37 years later. Johns took over on drums. By the time the —Nora Spitznogle I’m brave enough to listen. We were a crazy —Nora Spitznogle

{NOW} TOXIC REASONS restaurants in town, and after battling the TOXIC Genre: Punk/hard rock arthritis in his hands for years, he still can’t www.myspace.com/toxicreasons02 let go of Toxic Reasons. “This group of guys REASONS is probably the best group I had in a long, Toxic Reasons stands tall and proud long time,” he says of his new bandmates, PHOTO BY MELONSHE alongside the Zero Boys as one of the guitarist Kurt Harley, bassist Jason Bruce Stuckey of the Toxic biggest, baddest and loudest hardcore Reasons Pizzleman and the group’s original drum- bands from Indianapolis. From its begin- mer, J.J. Pearson. “We get in a room togeth- nings as a Dayton, Ohio, transplant playing straight-up, old-school punk to its prime- er and it’s like, almost effortless.” time peak in the late ’80s as a hardcore Toxic Reasons is planning to reissue the metal sensation, Toxic Reasons’ Bruce classic Kill By Remote Control album for the Stuckey has stuck it out. first time on CD as the group heads to “All I had was this band,” he says. “If any- Europe for four show dates early this spring, body quit or left, I had to replace them. I and new songs are continuously posted on had to keep Toxic Reasons going.” the Web. Plans also include making most of Spend any time at all with Stuckey and you the band’s music available for download. will hear the most incredible stories — like “With J.J. back in the band drumming the time the band was stuck in Vancouver, and singing a lot more, we are doing more Canada, living in Joey Shithead’s pad, and of the old-school stuff,” Harley says. “Now, the only thing they had to eat was a 100- when you come to a Toxic Reasons show, pound bag of potatoes. Or you’ll hear about you get to experience everything the band the time they opened a rabid Dead Kennedy’s means and has meant … We’re still doing gig in San Francisco, Calif., and nearly stole this because nobody’s killed us yet!” the show. The stories go on and on. Nowadays, even though Stuckey has —Jeff Napier found a calling as a chef in one of the top

THE WHY STORE to bass, and the band changed its Harper, the Samples and Medeski, Zanna-Doo. Pederson lives in {THEN} Genre: Pop name to the Why Store. In record- Martin and Wood. “There was a Louisville, Ky., and specializes in ing Welcome to the Why Store in full moon that night and all of the children’s education. Bushor pro- The Why Store was started in the 1993, it officially added keyboard hippies in Colorado were there to duces jingles with his father, Skeet late 1980s at Ball State University player Jeff Pedersen to complete celebrate,” he says. “It was magic.” Bushor at Skeet’s Music, and plays in Muncie, Ind., by students Chris the lineup. The band broke up in 2000 and with Carl Storie. Shaffer and Michael David Smith. The groove-pop sound was a big has played a few reunion shows The Why Store’s music contin- With local drummer Greg hit with fans. The “Whomheads,” since then. All have gone on to ues to be heard on radio stations Gardner, they played a few gigs as the 8,000-member fan club, fol- other musical projects. Shaffer’s worldwide. Shaffer recently Emerald City. Adding Charlie lowed the band from gig to gig. first post-Why Store project, received an e-mail from a pro- Bushor on drums, Gardner moved The band signed to Way Cool Shaffer Street, ended in 2004, and grammer in France requesting a Music/MCA in 1995 and released he launched a solo career. Shaffer’s copy of Vim to play with the rest of THE The Why Store. The single “Lack of latest CD, Vim, was released this the Why Store catalogue. WHY STORE Water” landed the band on radio January. He continues to write and —Nora Spitznogle PHOTO BY ANNIE CARSON and the Conan O’Brien TV show. “play for his supper.” Smith is a Chris Shaffer Shaffer’s favorite Why Store show Peavey guitar rep who plays with took place at Red Rocks with Ben Rich Hardesty. Gardner plays with

30 cover story // 03.28.07-04.04.07 // NUVO {NOW} {THEN} A new Spin on a legendary bar

THE ZERO BOYS Inspiring Broad Ripple SUBMITTED PHOTO BY JEFF NAPIER • [email protected] David “Tufty” Clough, JOHN ZEPS Terry Howe, Paul Mahern and Mark Cutsinger {NOW} /VIDEO THE ZERO BOYS PHOTO BY GILES CLEMENT Genre: Punk/hard rock John Zeps, owner of www.zeroboys.net Vibes Music Vicious Circle may just prove to be the most influential album ever to come out of Indiana. More than 25 years after Indianapolis hard- core punkers the Zero Boys

released this landmark album of PHOTO BY MELONSHE Midwestern punk fury, the album Gideon Navarro general still sells copies and is nearly uni- manager of Spin versally revered due to its innova- Nightclub tive (at the time) mix of Johnny Thunder’s swagger with the more militant West Coast sound. Live music is back at the venue piano bar fizzled out, and Navarro With an appearance in the formally known as the Patio. For immediately tried to get live rock recent American hardcore docu- whatever reason, there’s still a lit- back into the room. A few ups and mentary and with all the band tle bit of resistance to the concept downs followed as he was fired, members involved in pretty much of Indy’s new Spin Nightclub the bar was sold and the new every corner of the local music (www.myspace.com/spinindy) owner, Todd Johnson, rehired scene, the Zero Boys is about as from local scenesters. It’s almost as Navarro as the general manager of active today as it ever was, albeit if your significant other left, only the newly rechristened Spin in different, varied ways. Although to come back expecting all to be as Nightclub. original guitarist Terry Hollywood it was before. I know. I felt it too I spoke to Navarro when I died a few years ago, the mach II before I stepped back into the recently visited the club. It was my version of the band with Vess venue formally known as the Patio. first time back since the Patio’s Ruhtenberg in Hollywood’s slot But once inside, it was like closing. A positive, upbeat guy has been well-received, selling out going back to my boyhood bed- who genuinely loves music, one-off gigs across the country. room. All the psychic energy was Navarro showed me how he had Bassist David “Tufty” Clough is still there, and soon, if general put the old graffiti-covered walls co-owner of Future Shock and also manager Gideon Navarro has his back up in the band room (man, owns Radio Radio. Drummer way, we will forgive and forget all the stories that little room could Mark Cutsinger plays in at least about this queen’s tell!) and told me of plans to paint three bands at any one time. stint with cigar-smoking conserv- the place back to black — a more Ruhtenberg is touring behind atives who wanted to hear bad rock ’n’ roll color. But mainly, he Evan Dando in Billy Joel songs. was excited to bring live rock JOHN ZEPS Yngwie Malmsteen and [Sonic and has joined up with former Through the years, the Patio music back to Broad Ripple on a Genre: Hard rock/metal Youth’s] Thurston Moore.” Majhas alumni in the killer local was a steadfast pillar within the regular basis with the leadership After graduating from Ben Davis group Action Strasse. Lead vocalist Indianapolis rock community. of Johnson. If there were one guitarist to High School came a career move Paul Mahern has worked in the Bands like Nirvana, Tad and “Indy needs a boost to its music define rock music in Indianapolis, that would allow Zeps to practice studio with everybody from the Smashing Pumpkins played there scene,” Navarro says. “There are it would have to be John Zeps. The at night and play gigs on the week- Why Store to Iggy Pop and cur- before anyone knew who they dance places all over. I am hoping man can shred. His unmistakable end: Tracks Records. However, he rently operates the White Ark, were. Local bands like the to help in creating resurgence in where he’s working with Red Light sound varies from fast, squealing may have felt a little burnt out Rastabilly Rebels, Toxic Reasons the live music scene in Indy. ” Driver, Kaiser Cartel and Sloppy solos to odd-time signature after a decade of running the and Birdmen of Alcatraz built up Even though he says he wants to Seconds. He also practices and crunches. He may be best known counter and playing in several the biggest part of their respective bring back that old Patio “feel” to teaches Kundalini yoga. legends through barnstorming the bar, he wants to do something for his work with Burn It Down, a bands. “I almost moved to San Mahern sees little difference political hardcore band that could Francisco with friends but stayed performances at the club. For the with a different “Spin.” His modus between yoga practice and punk better part of two decades, any- operandi seems to follow what raise a crowd up like few this town to own a record store,” he says of rock. “When Iggy sings, ‘Raw body who wanted to be anybody in made the room so successful in has seen. After releasing 2000’s Let buying the store in 2000 and power got a healin’ hand, raw rock music in this town had to play the past: inviting hip, breaking the Dead Bury the Dead, an album changing the name to Vibes power can destroy a man, raw Music, located across from the the Patio. Then, at the end of 2005, national touring bands, cultivat- that transcended two-minute power is more than soul, it’s got a it was suddenly announced that ing the crop of local original Castleton Square Mall. thrashers and gave way to epic son called rock and roll,’ he is talk- the Patio was closing to be turned bands and giving them a chance Zeps’ latest band, Action metal anthems, the band hung it up ing about that same life force that into a piano bar known as Rouge. to build an audience. Strasse, is a little more laid-back — save for a reunion show in 2005. is Kundalini,” he says. It was a seismic shock on a scale Right now, Navarro’s biggest than previous outings. “It’s defi- What few may know is just how Ruhtenberg was almost giddy with the closing of CBGB in New hurdle is getting the message out nitely got more of an indie rock many bands this guy has been in, with the excitement of a couple York. Hundreds, if not thousands, to those heart-broken souls who feel to it,” he says. You can also most of which had a deep impact recent gigs: one with the of local music fans came out to feel betrayed by the Patio’s short- catch him playing out with and have helped to influence the Lemonheads at the Vogue in pay their respects during the last lived dalliance with commercial- hard rock sound coming out of Indy. Lukewarm Bodies (At Best) and February and a January gig at few shows, and with a final perfor- ism. “This is a great rock and roll Zeps took up guitar at age 12, Amongst the Swarm. Spin with Action Strasse. Of mance by Otis Gibbs, the club was room,” Navarro says. “It’s still the and without ever having formal After years of playing, touring, Action Strasse, he declares, “The no more. Enter Navarro, who same as it ever was; it just has a training, was soon tearing up recording and then of course the Strasse! Das ist mein lieblings- worked at the Patio from 1992–’95 new name. I thank everyone that basements and pissing off parents day job, do you think Zeps is satis- gruppe!” which, roughly translat- as a doorman and waiter before has given Spin Nightclub a who wished they never bought fied? “Never,” he says. “I always try ed, means, “The Strasse! That is moving over to the Vogue. In chance. But if you still can’t get their kids instruments. “I cut my to reinvent myself and keep every- my favorite band!” March of last year, he became gen- yourself to come into the ‘old teeth on hard rock and metal from one guessing what I’ll do next.” Look for a Zero Boys show or eral manager at Rouge. “That was Patio,’ at least get off your butt and the ’70s,” he says. “A few early —Mel Duncan two this year. a little painful,” he says. However, support the bands trying to keep influences were , —Jeff Napier within a matter of months, the live music going in Indy!”  NUVO // 03.28.07-04.04.07 // cover story 31