Feature:
In Civilian Clothing
The Nite Owl
Dayton, OH
It's 9:15, and my friend Dave and I are hydroplaning our way North to Dayton. Normally the drive would take about 45 minutes, but at this point we have already been on the road for a little over an hour, and we still have quite a way to go. I'm kind of pissed because the main reason I am making the trip is to see In Civilian Clothing who were scheduled to hit the stage at 9:00.
I have been to the Nite Owl before, so I am roughly familiar with the territory. But of course, half the interstate exits are closed, and the ones that are open are unmarked. By the time we get to our destination, it's a little after 10:00. Dave and I unsuccessfully try to navigate our way across the waterlogged street without getting too wet. My canvass shoes are soaking up the nasty slush water like it is their job.
The stage at the Nite Owl is right by the front door, and as we enter I can't help but notice that the stage is completely bare. A sinking feeling sets in, as I wonder if tonight's shows have been cancelled due to the extremely inclement weather. But then I spot Leslea, guitarist extraordinaire for In Civilian Clothing, standing over in the corner by an assortment of rather wet instruments. Clayton spots me and makes his way over to our table, no doubt simply happy that someone made it out to the show. A couple of minutes later, Chris and Troy get back from parking the van. With his pea coat, hat, and his beard (approaching Grizzly Adams length) Chris looks as though he has stepped right off the deck of a whaling ship. Troy, on the other hand, looks like he was dragged behind Chris's ship. His clothes are so wet that he is forced to remove them. Luckily for everyone involved, he brought extra clothes with him.
About this time the opening act takes the stage, nearly three hours behind schedule. Tom Vollman plays an assortment of acoustic songs. His songs sound somewhat similar to each other, but they are catchy and easy to listen to. I have trouble understanding the lyrics on many of them, but that could be the fault of the nearly-nonexistent sound guy. When he was in the booth, he focused his attention on a Game Boy rather than the soundboard.
Tom Vollman finishes his set and In Civilian Clothing make their way to the stage, only to find out the sound guy has yet to get all their stuff hooked up. Clayton takes this as his cue to order another whiskey. Leslea lights another cigarette. Nintendo boy finally gets everything set up and In Civilian Clothing starts their set. Clayton is loose. Between songs, he's thanking people for making it out, dedicating songs, and asking new arrivals what it's like outside. But once they start playing he's all business. They sound great, even though there is no sound coming from one of the keyboards, and one of the mics appears to be off. I glance back at the sound booth. No one is there. I can only imagine the guy is in the bathroom playing with his handheld. Either the sound issues got straightened out, or In Civilian Clothing just rose above them, but they are turning in a great performance. I forgot how much I enjoy watching these guys play.
In Civilian Clothing cut their set short so the final band can start before it gets too late. Yakuza Heart Attack brings some high-octane electronica as the evening's closer. They have a unique sound, like playing Nintendo on acid. (Mom, if you're reading this, I have never done such a thing.) Some girls who had been busy at the pool tables make their way to the edge of the stage, dancing to the frenetic keyboards and pulsing bass. They are quickly joined by the adorable Hanna, a friend of In Civilian Clothing that rode down with the band. Yakuza Heart Attack, four young Daytonians...Daytonites...whatever, really know how to energize a room.
My feet are almost dry, but it's now time to head back outside. Dave and I bid farewell to Hanna, Leslea, and the guys, and wade back across 5th Street to my trusty little car. The roads are clear and we don't hydroplane once on our way back to Cincinnati.
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Looking back on this concert, my main complaint doesn't actually involve any of the bands that played. It is leveled directly at Cincinnati's own Peter Adams. A friend of mine had lent me his CD this passed summer, and I really enjoyed it. When the guys from In Civilian Clothing were trying to set up a gig in Cincinnati, I recommended that they contact Adams. I had heard him live, and thought that his sound and theirs would mesh quite well. He was supposed to play that night, right after In Civilian Clothing and before Yakuza Heart Attack.
However, not long before Dave and I arrived at the Nite Owl, Adams had walked in and cancelled his performance. He told the bartender that the rest of his band had made it halfway to Dayton and then decided to turn around because of the weather. He inquired about the nearest liquor store and left.
Now, Tom Vollman had played a gig in Cincinnati the night before, and he made it up to Dayton just fine. In Civilian Clothing came all the way from Detroit. But let's pretend I buy the excuse about his band. Peter Adams plays solo all the time in Cincinnati. Why not do the same in Dayton? Maybe his guitar was with the rest of the band. Well, then Mr. Adams should have sat his ass down, bought himself a drink, and supported the bands who made it a priority to play there that night.
- Carlton Farmer