New years--it’s a time for celebrating the coming year with friends and family, watching the ball drop, drinking champagne--and if you’re in Cincinnati, it’s also the night of one of the most anticipated shows of the year: The Yugos New Year’s 10th Anniversary show at the Woodward Theater.
Along with a solid line up of some of the most recognizable bands in the Cincinnati music scene, the first band to take the stage is ROVR. Formed in Toledo in 2017, the band consists of two members: Dean Tartaglia (vocals/ misc. instruments), and Matt Klein (Drums). Formally known as Seven Lions, the band brings a unique combination of garage rock, metal, hip- hop, and electronic to make a heavy and distorted sound that is haunting. The band recently received some national press for their unique sound from the folks over at Pop Matters about their unique cover of The White Stripes song "Seven Nation Army," calling their rendition of the song “gritty,” “unhinged,” and a “functionally destructive reworking” of the song.
After ROVR takes the stage local band Oids will be up next. Formed in 2017 by the remaining members of Injecting Strangers, the band consists of Peter Foley (vocals/guitar/synth), Dylan Oseas (bass/synth), and Cousin Nathan (synth/saxophone). The band burst onto the Cincinnati music scene with their debut album Zonked! which came out this year and seemed to give them instant local acclaim as one of the most unique bands in the city. Drawing influence from many 80’s new wave acts like Talking Heads, Elvis Costello, and Devo, the band’s sound is funky, weird, and beautifully awkward. It is only a matter of time before this band starts getting some national attention because there is literally not another band out there like them.
Founded in 2016, Sylmar consists of Brian McCullough (vocals), Luke Glasser (guitar), Dan Sutter (guitar), Chase Watkins (bass), and CJ Eliasen (drums). In 2017 the band released their first self-titled album and to no one's surprise it was an instant hit. So much so that the band was nominated in 2017 for Best New Artist and Best Indie Band at the Cincinnati Entertainment Awards. Their sound is best described as what one person wrote as “taking rock genre to the meat grinder.” The band toys with the rock genre by bringing in other styles of music like reggae, pop, and alternative and mash them together to create a sound that is unconventional but pleasing to the ears. What makes these guys even more of a treat to see is not just their music but also their stage presence. To add to his awesome voice, Brian McCullough is also a giant ball of energy.
Headlining the whole show are Cincinnati music scene staples The Yugos. Formed in 2009, in Taylor Mill, Kentucky the band consists of Christian Gough (vocals/guitar/synth), Jordin Gough (drums/vocals), Jackson Deal (guitar/vocals), and Jeremy Graham (bass). Following the formation of the band, 2011 would see them release their first full-length album in on their own label happily named Best Friends Records. Later in 2013, the band would release their sophomore album (and a personal favorite of mine) titled Life is Awesome and You Live Forever. After the success of their sophomore album the band went on hiatus for a few years until 2017 when the band made its return to the spotlight with their much anticipated third full-length album Weighing The Heart.
To say that The Yugos have a high energy sound is an understatement. The band brings an indie pop sound that is fast paced with upbeat guitar riffs that are both loud and in your face but will also get you dancing. Their sound falls in line with many other upbeat indie pop bands out there like Vampire Weekend and Phoenix. Not only will the crowd be dancing their hearts out, but the band has a stage presence that will match the good-time high energy of the crowd.
Good times are definitely going to be had at the Woodward Theater on December 31. Not only is it New Year's Eve, but to have a show with such a killer line up that's also the 10th anniversary of the formation of The Yugos? This show is sure to be a great way to ring in the new year. While you're there, be sure to come and celebrate new years with us at Inhailer, we will be definitely be at the show!
Where: The Woodward Theater
When: December 31, 2018 at 8:00PM
How Much? Advanced: $10.00, Door: $12.00