L O O K I N G   A H E A D

• Roots rockers Pike 27 plan to release their second record early next summer and will tour regionally. • The Fairmount Girls plan to have a new CD out this spring. • With the departure of Dophesus drummer Ezra Waller, Dave Cupp has decided to change the band into a rotating ensemble of musicians. • Tracy Walker's new CD will be released this spring. • Kailip's new album, tentatively titled "Spots of Exile," is due out this spring. Guitarist Lou Larson calls the new songs "more introspective." • Ryan Adcock plans to tour college towns in 2003 promoting his latest CD, "From Silence and Joy." • Saving Ray's new CD should be out in January. In March the band will join the No Headliners Tour, hitting Indianapolis, Terre Haute, Bloomington, Columbus and Cincinnati. • The Stapletons will be touring regionally to promote "Low Dealers and Hangers On." Occasionally Len's Lounge will join the tour, promoting their bluegrass CD, "String Band." • Thee Shams will release their sophomore effort on Telstar Records sometime in 2003 and plan a coast-to-coast tour. • The first Comet Bluegrass Allstars CD is coming out this spring. • Philosopher's Stone will release their sophomore album this spring.

By Alisha Woolery
Enquirer Contributor
for Cincinnati.Com

Highlighted by the electric buzz of the Midpoint Music Festival and solid releases by local bands, 2002 was a vibrant year for the Cincinnati music scene. A look ahead to 2003 reveals a promising batch of coming records and a flurry of music events.

The bands

Rock band Buckra recently finished its new 12-track CD, tentative title "Doomed," set for release this spring. Guitarist Jacob Heintz says the group hopes a good independent or major label will pick it up and plan to play nationally to "spread the Buckra word."

Readymaid is scheduled to record in the spring, working on another "short and sweet" EP.

"We have scheduled through the end of April for recording and hammering out some ideas that we have been tinkering with, but have never had a chance to dedicate any substantial time towards," said band member Gregg Wilson.

On the folk rock front, Messerly and Ewing have plans to push their latest CD "The Last Twelve Hours," internationally.

"We are hoping to get to Europe for as least two short tours this summer and try to get our music into the hands of anyone who has never heard of us," said Brian Ewing.

The duo was chosen as 97Xposure Band of the Year and may use the studio time received for the award to do some recording, although they have no plans to produce another full-length record until 2004. They have solidified their new full band with Greg Mahan on lead, Brian Mahan on bass and Justin Hackett on drums.

Clabbergirl is busy working on a new record for this spring with the tentative title "Pop Goes Geronimo." Lead singer Sean Rhiney describes the new tunes as "more rocking this time, less love, more glove."

"I'm really ready to get back in the studio with the 'new' lineup and see what we can do," Rhiney said. "I've been writing songs with this band in mind for 11 months, and they've delivered beyond my wildest dreams."

Record label talks are in the works for rock band Echo Park. The group is working with a Los Angeles producer in hopes of a major record deal and is looking into a few indie labels out West that are offering the band a spring tour. Their title release, "Little Breakdown," was scheduled for release in January, but is on hold while the band decides on the next step.

Country rocker Dallas Moore is also talking to record labels. His band is scheduled nationally to promote their new CD "High on the Hog," and has tour dates with Montgomery Gentry and David Allen Coe.

Hot funk band Freekbass is currently recording the follow-up album to "Body Over Mind." The new album, due out in April, will be executive produced by Bootsy Collins and will feature guest appearances from Buckethead and Richard Fortus, both guitar players of Guns n' Roses.

July For King had a big year in 2002, releasing "Swim" on MCA records and receiving national play with single "Normal Life." (Read more...) Vocalist Joe Hedges says the band's plans for 2003 include a second single release in the spring and international release of the album. There is also talk of touring with either Sister Hazel, SR-71, Collective Soul or a few other bands, although nothing definite has been planned.

See events planned in 2003...