If you are a fan of the sitcom Seinfeld you are probably familiar with the holiday episode where Frank Costanzia introduces us to Festivus. The strange holiday was filled with fun and wacky traditions like the Festivus pole and feet’s of strength. Our good friends at Laughing Sam Productions put together a Festivus celebration right in our back yard at the D.A.V. Hall in Middletown, Ohio that included December’s Artist of the Month Blue Moon Soup, Glostik Willy, and one of the hottest bands in the Buckeye state The Werks. Buckeye Music Magazine was proud to be on hand for the first Annual Festivus and we were even there to witness the standing of the Festivus pole and one feet of strength when a guy and his girl friend lifted our good buddy PhatRob off the ground. Pretty impressive! But tonight’s Festivus was more about the music than anything else, which is just the way we like it.

December’s Artist of the Month, Blue Moon Soup opened the show and got the party started. The quartet from Yellow Springs, Ohio have been out relentlessly promoting their new CD entitled “Lonely Mountain” that was to be released the following night at Canal Street Tavern in Dayton. The guys came to Festivus with some steam and have been featured on Rukus Radio, WYSO’s long running radio program called Kaleidoscope, and the Buckeye Music Radio Show on WTTF Radio in Tiffin, Ohio. Ben Clonch (Guitar, Vocals), Robbie Marion (Fiddle, Vocals), Jon Bauman (Standup Bass, Vocals), and Brendan Moore (Mando, Vocals) have quite a following that seems to be growing with every show. The reasons behind the bands success is their charisma (on and off the stage) and their love for the music they perform. Tonight the band gave fans a treat playing many of the tunes off the new CD including “Break in the Clouds” “Possum Creek” and the guys ended their set with the title track “Lonely Mountain” one of my favorites. Festivus was quickly becoming “the” party of the holiday season and we were just getting started.

  

Ohio’s hottest band, The Werks, was next to the Festivus stage. Chubby, Kim, and I arrived just in time to hear the band’s sound check and it was off the hook, so I knew we were in for a treat. The Werks have been selling out venues all over the state of Ohio and beyond. Recently the guys played to a sold out crowd at the House of Blues in Chicago and it was standing room only for the bands Werksgiving show at Canal Street Tavern in Dayton.  The band has been on a roll, with the tremendous success of the 2011 Werk Out Music and Arts Festival the band seems to be destined for big things in 2012. In fact the band announced that this year’s Werk Out Music Festival will be held at Legend Valley in Thornville, Ohio September 20 - 23 and the guys are set to headline this year’s Karma Music and Arts Festival in Morehead, KY, May 10 – 12, 2012. Tonight the guys played plenty of fan favorites like “Duck Farm” with a little help from Blue Moon Soup’s Robbie Marion as well as a couple of new tunes including “Galactic Passport” which has become my favorite. Chris Houser (Guitar, Vocals), Rob Chafin (Drums, Vocals), Norman Dimitrouleas (Keyboards, Vocals), and Dino Dimitrouleas (Bass, Vocals) have a unique sound that combines Psychedelic, Dance, Funk and Rock that resonates with fans. Along with one of the best light shows in the business by Jim Dewey, The Werks brings fans to the dance floor in droves.And be on the lookout for a new CD that is in the werks and set to be released in April of 2012.

 

After a set that intense, it was time for a well deserved break with our good friends at Disco Pizza. Danny and Michele from Disco Pizza were on hand to provide the Festivus crowd with slices of the best pizza around with all the proceeds going to help a young cancer victim in the area. This pizza is addictive (I had like four slices) and people have been known to go to festivals just to get a slice of pizza heaven; it’s that good! After getting our bellies full we were ready to werk our Willy; Glostik Willy that is. The first time I saw these guys was at this year’s Werk Out and I was an instant fan. Their sound reminds me of that late 60’s early 70’s Psychedelic rock with a modern Glostik Willy twist. The three piece band from Muncie, IN has been making a splash in the Jam band scene as well. Consisting of band mates Jameson Bradford (Guitar), Buddha Aguilar (Bass w/glow in the dark strings), and Ralf Mowf (Drums), Glostik Willy is a power trio that will blow you away. Tonight the band invited Chris Houser and Norm Dimitrouleas of the Werks up for a little Werk & Willy action that was freakin amazing. The bands recently shared the stage at Doc’s Music Hall in Muncie and I heard the place may never be the same. The guys gave us quite a show as well playing tunes like “My Brudda” and the song “Highs and Lows” that was mind-boggling. Glostik Willy will be on the Karma stage in May as well so get your tickets early for this one, it’s gonna rock.