Dayton band Astro Fang reunited for the first North of Nowhere South in December 2013. Juan Monastereo, John Schmersal and Tyler Trent, the surviving members of Brainiac, reunited with guest Tim Krug of Oh Condor in 2014. Last year’s show featured a reunion of ’90s band Cage and a performance by Cigar Jar Crash Attack, which featured former members of Frederick’s projects like Cigarhead and Let’s Crash.
“The first year was all about Jeremy,” said Krug, an organizer of the benefit. “All the bands were covering some of his songs, and we were just celebrating his life and music. The second year, we knew John was going to be in town so Tyler had the insane idea to get Juan in too, so we could do some sort of Brainiac set because Jeremy would have loved that.”
Before PJ Paslosky reinvented himself as the stage-prowling frontman of Dayton indie rock powerhouse Motel Beds, he was one-fourth of the short-lived dynamo known as Ohio Casket. The group also featured Kevin Passmore (vocals, guitar), Steve Bright (bass) and Nick Morano (drums). The band’s lone release of the seven-song CD EP, “People in Hell Want Ice Water,” came out in 2000. This is Ohio Casket’s second reunion since band folding in the mid-2000s.
The nucleus of Shesus was Heather Newkirk (vocals), Michelle Bodine (guitar, vocals) and Kim Passmore (guitar). Other members included bassists Erika Wennerstrom and Kari Murphy and drummer Craig Nichols and Dave Colvin. Wennestrom is now the leader of Heartless Bastards, which also features Colvin on drums. The group released two memorable CDs for New York-based Narnack Records: 2003 full-length “Loves You … Loves You Not,” and the 2004 follow-up EP, “Ruined It For You.”
“It kind of feels like the reunions have become a theme, but I can’t say for sure that will continue indefinitely,” Krug said. “Next year could be another reunion, or it could be something totally different.”
WANT TO GO?
What: Jeremy Frederick presents North of Nowhere South featuring Oh Condor and reunions from Shesus and Ohio Casket.
Where: Blind Bob's, 430 E. Fifth St., Dayton.
When: 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17.
Info: Call 937-938-6405 or visit www.blindbobs.com
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