1. FIRST OF ALL Congrats on the reopening of Colin’s Coffee! Can’t wait to stop in for a coffee on our way to the Starliner Diner next time we’re in Columbus. How’s the new digs? How’s looking back on how it ended at the Golden Bear Center?
Thanks, Jeremy. Colin’s Coffee is now open seven days a week at our new location inside The Daily Growler. (2812 Fishinger Rd). We sell coffee drinks until noon, shut it down, and then they fire up beer for the rest of the day. How great is that? And we are located literally just 100 yards across the street from our previous location in the now vanished Golden Bear Center. I have to admit, all nostalgia aside, our new space is way sweeter than our last. Two huge rooms inside for hanging out and great patio space with sunshine in the AM.
The transition period was stressful, as all transition periods are, but I am forever in debt to my coffee shop co-workers Charlotte and Tony who helped in so many different ways. It would not have happened without them. Also, Brian Phillips invited me to guest on his CD92.9 Morning Show while I was unemployed and those were 44 of the greatest mornings of my life. Gave me a reason to still get out of bed early, drink coffee and run my mouth. Kept my chops up, as they say. And Brian is a world-class DJ and the nicest guy I know. It was my pleasure to have a front row seat watching his genius at work for an extended period of time.
2. Watershed just played the Rumba Cafe a couple weeks ago and you’ve got a residency at Natalie’s in November? You're hitting it pretty hard this fall! How was the Rumba show and how are the Grandview shows shaping up?
Watershed had a blast playing the Lost Weekend Anniversary Party last March and we wanted to get away from those mega-shows we had been doing where we play 40 songs or whatever because we do not play very often. We got the idea for The World Series of Rock where we would hire one of our favorite bands to come play in Columbus and we could be the opening act. The Rumba show featured a set of deep cuts that wouldn’t have been possible if we were the “headlining act.” We had a blast and then we got to watch Terry Anderson and The Olympic Ass Kickin’ Team blow the roof of the joint.
In related news, I literally got the test pressing for the new Watershed full-length LP in my hands today. The album release party will be a two-night affair at the Rumba Cafe June 14/15 2024.
Natalie’s offered me a one-month residency and I jumped at the opportunity to put down some roots in such a great venue. I have drummer Dave Masica helping out and we have been having a blast improvising our way through two sets. Through the first two shows we have hit all kinds of original tunes and mixed in some surprises from Lucinda Williams, The Kinks and Bruce Springsteen among others.
3. You also did a “Just Vote Yes” show at the Woodlands Tavern. Perspective from the state to the north is that Ohio leans right but gets it right once in a while at the polls. How do you feel about this past election and how things shook out?
Ohio is in such a sad state with gerrymandering and conservative courts that ignore the rule of law that I made the personal (along with my band) decision along with Marcy Mays and Quinn Fallon that we would be vocal and public in supporting Ohio amendments to protect women’s health care and the legalization of marijuana. I fully realized our show wasn’t going to tip the election or anything, but we felt it was important to publicly attach our names and faces to the cause. As a small business owner, I understand taking a side on any controversial issue can have some blowback but I can live with the fallout to let people know where I stand on the issues. Especially when it comes to a woman’s right to make decisions about her own body without governmental interference. A rare win for freedom in the Buckeye state.
4. You were in my neck of the woods last weekend for THE HIVES at the El Club in Mexican Village, Southwest Detroit. Great club, eh? How was the show? The venue? The crowd?
Best rock show I’ve ever seen? Is that an answer? The Hives going scorched-earth in a 400-seat venue like El Club is a rock n roll experience I wouldn’t trade for seeing The Beatles at the Cavern Club. But that’s just me. I love that band.
5. What’s happening at Pencil Storm these days? How’s morale in the compound? Is Ricki behaving? Any big, exciting scoops in the works?
Thank the heavens for you, Ricki C. and the criminally underappreciated JCE keeping the Pencil Storm presses greased up and running smooth. As you know, it’s a labor of love. It is supposed to be a stress release experience for all involved both writing and reading. I’m really proud of all the content we have managed to put together through the years. If I stumbled on Pencil Storm, I would love us. That’s kinda what it’s all about, eh?