I was going to be all cool and say, "The Pixies are from Dayton Ohio!" But they are not. I don't know what gave me that idea. Apparently though, the Breeders were "based" in Dayton, whatever that means. Close enough? Regardless, the photo of deserted downtown reminded me of my hometown of St. Cloud, MN. Every time I visit there, I wonder where the heck all the people are. When I was a kid, downtown was crawling with people, and often the site of the Mountain Dew BMX and Breakdancing Team events. There just isn't enough downtown BMX stunting/break-dancing these days.
Additionally, you mentioned the "toss me a cigarette," song-writing style that made me smile, as Simon and Garfunkel's "America" is such a quintessentially great example of American song-writing, along with "At the Zoo" and "The Only Living Boy in New York." All great songs for a car trip across our country. I mean, they're no "Porcupine Racetrack," but...
Kim and Kelly Deal from the Breeders were born and raised in Dayton and I believe both still live there. Kim had moved to Boston in her early 20s and that’s where she met Frank Black and joined The Pixies. But she moved back to Dayton in 1990 (?) and formed The Breeders.
Cue Cannonball and the question “have you heard of pants?” Ben Folds can really rock them keys! I’ve seen the full band and solo back in the day. Gosh, I would love to see Frank Black, his solo stuff is so good!!!
I grew up in Kettering right next to Dayton. My dad worked in a factory that printed magazines like Newsweek and McCall’s. Fun fact - George Carlin’s father-in-law also worked there. Dayton was the place you rode the bus to and went “fancy” shopping and to see the Rike’s department store Christmas window display every year, right where the schuster center is now. I live in WA and just go back to see family. Would never move back to stay.
True art that re-connects us to our humanity is the only thing that can save us from the bankrupt nihilism that is currently ascendant across our culture. Comedy will hopefully one day be good again too.
You spent time in Dayton and didn't visit the US Air force museum???
Are you some sort of communist???
I was going to be all cool and say, "The Pixies are from Dayton Ohio!" But they are not. I don't know what gave me that idea. Apparently though, the Breeders were "based" in Dayton, whatever that means. Close enough? Regardless, the photo of deserted downtown reminded me of my hometown of St. Cloud, MN. Every time I visit there, I wonder where the heck all the people are. When I was a kid, downtown was crawling with people, and often the site of the Mountain Dew BMX and Breakdancing Team events. There just isn't enough downtown BMX stunting/break-dancing these days.
Additionally, you mentioned the "toss me a cigarette," song-writing style that made me smile, as Simon and Garfunkel's "America" is such a quintessentially great example of American song-writing, along with "At the Zoo" and "The Only Living Boy in New York." All great songs for a car trip across our country. I mean, they're no "Porcupine Racetrack," but...
Kim and Kelly Deal from the Breeders were born and raised in Dayton and I believe both still live there. Kim had moved to Boston in her early 20s and that’s where she met Frank Black and joined The Pixies. But she moved back to Dayton in 1990 (?) and formed The Breeders.
Cue Cannonball and the question “have you heard of pants?” Ben Folds can really rock them keys! I’ve seen the full band and solo back in the day. Gosh, I would love to see Frank Black, his solo stuff is so good!!!
Had no idea you were here. Would have come to see you.
Michael was at the Yellow Springs Film Festival over the weekend.
https://www.reddit.com/r/dayton/comments/1muj5bu/kevin_nealon_michael_ian_black_hannah_beachler/
Thanks for letting me know. Earlier in the year, I had big dreams of volunteering to help out at the festival but it totally slipped my mind.
I'm stopping my morning scroll on this light and lightly heartbreaking note 🎵
Thank you for your writing.
In this case, you were The Luckiest Michael!
I grew up in Kettering right next to Dayton. My dad worked in a factory that printed magazines like Newsweek and McCall’s. Fun fact - George Carlin’s father-in-law also worked there. Dayton was the place you rode the bus to and went “fancy” shopping and to see the Rike’s department store Christmas window display every year, right where the schuster center is now. I live in WA and just go back to see family. Would never move back to stay.
❤️
All I know about Dayton is what I learned while living there (age 0 to 1.5).
Love this. Thanks.
Great writing.
Dayton, also the home of The Breeders and Guided by Voices.
The Breeders, you say? https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJMtmNPJYF7/?igsh=em1nMHZtMzhld2xr
True art that re-connects us to our humanity is the only thing that can save us from the bankrupt nihilism that is currently ascendant across our culture. Comedy will hopefully one day be good again too.
This won’t solve everything, but: Do try “Fisk” on Netflix. It’s truly escapist comedy, partly bc it’s set in Australia, and it’s sublime🥸
Absolutely LOVE that show. Best thing to come out in years!
Saw him with Rufus Wainwright many years ago. Both were great.