Cloaca Melodia

Johnstown Folk Festival, Johnstown, PA.... I've been wanting to see Jason Ringenberg & The Nashville Scorchers live for more than 20 years. At my college radio station in 1985, '86, '87, we used to play "White Lies," "Golden Ball & Chain," and the band's take on "Absolutely Sweet Marie" quite a lot. And I remember my friend John Webber going to see them live and enjoying the hell out of it--despite being nearly deaf for days afterwards. So I wanted to see them, too. But eventually, they stopped playing out of Nashville much. I did see Jason Ringenberg solo live back in 2003 , which was a great time. But I still wanted to see the band. When I saw they were going to be appearing at the Johnstown Folk Fest, I thought that the stars were aligning; I've always meant to go to the Fest since moving to Pittsburgh in 2003 (close enough, although still a more than 90-minute drive). Plus, Del Castillo was also on the bill and performing im...

The Saint, Asbury Park, NJ.... Jason Ringenberg is the formerly (and still occasionally) frontman for Jason & The Scorchers, and he put on an amazing show. He was playing solo, but with enough energy for a whole band. He not only did all the major Scorchers tunes, but he played some of his great solo numbers and even a cover of "Trail of Tears" from Guadalcanal Diary. I met him before the show, and a genial follow as well. We discussed Ed "Hamell on Trial" Hamell, who had made a guest appearance on Ringenberg's latest solo release. I told him that I had a record from Hamell's early band, The Works, and promised to send him a scan of him with '80s hair. Ringenberg gave me his business card, which listed a series of descriptions of what he does and "ruthless music industry mogul" was among them. Great guy.