Infernofest.org

Ok boys and girls. We are really really pondering another Infernofest, maybe fall of 2010 or spring of 2011. We thought about the Ski Lodge, but too expensive and steps are murder to get gear up and down and even the road crew ain’t no spring chickens.

We have the Liederkranz in Mansfield where the last fest was held which was a nice smaller venue with good bar and decent food. OR I have been told we can have it at the Eagles Club in Ashland which is pretty new, nice bar, food provided, lots of parking and the best part: free; which would give us more $$ for Hospice. 

I am curious for those of you who read the blog, what you think? I am sure Ashland people would love to have it in Ashland but I need the input of my Mansfield, Columbus and Cleveland readers. You can comment here or you can email me at nwasen@zoominternet.net

Thanks and please do let me know your preference!

Word has come to me via Dave Workman, that there is a benefit that will be happening , for Columbus blues legend Willie Pooch.  Hope some of you Infernofest fans will be able to make the trek to Columbus and help out Willie.

Here’s the scoop: January 31st. Doors open at 2 and music kicks from 3 till 10. Roadhouse 66 Bar and Grille located at  480 E. Wilson Bridge Rd.  Worthington Oh. Cost is 10 bucks to get in. Menu for bar and food sounds great and 10% of sales will also go to Willie.

Looks like plenty of parking. If lot in front is full there is a large lot out back with wheelchair accessibility. This should be a killer show with Dave flying in from San Francisco and most of the usual suspects in the house.

See you there with bells on! 

Willie Pooch and the Upsetters

Welcome your musicians for 2003

After taking a year off to recharge our batteries and ponder on how to make the show bigger and better we found the key to our next success: the snagging of ALL original Dantes. We were thrilled to have one of our fave area 60’s bands come from all over to play Infernofest.

The Commerce Center was excited to have us back in the house. They knew we attracted a large group of pretty well behaved people who also spent some good money at the bar. We got good press coverage and kicked out the jams with some great bands.

New band and one that was not even born in the 60’s, let alone played any venues in that era but had the tunes and the sounds was Shelby’s Duff. They hit the stage and I saw some people looking at them wondering why they were playing Infernofest. But after one Beatles song; the crowd was hooked and they gave the kids a rousing hand.

Dale Powers graced our stage with Jim Bush and Mike Brumm. Dale can plaly anything he wants, with or without a band and we all know he is always the consumate musician.

New friend Tom Fallon brought his Cleveland band to the fest billed as The Satellite 4 (actual name Satan’s Satellites!!) and they were a kick to add to the fest.

The Dantes really wowed the crowd after not playing Mansfield since the late 60’s. We had Barry and Lynn come from Columbus, Dave flew in from San Francisco, Joe from Portland and Carter from Virginia. When the curtain opened and the first notes were played, the crowd rushed to the stage just like when we were teens. Those who thought they would have no drawing power were sure quieted!

We were also thrilled to have the Wildlife onstage with Bob Tousignant. A set of always rock steady songs made us wish the night would never end.

Infernofest brought the night to a close in 2003 with a killer jam with some of the musicians from the bands that played earlier and also featured Tommy See on harp, Mark Norris and local legend, Pat Wasseman on guitars.

A great night for rock n roll in the heartland benefitting again our fave orginazation Hospice of North Central Ohio. An evening to hear those songs that touched us in the 60’s and

We are in the thinking process of perhaps having another Infernofest. Many have emailed, called, or had a friend ask if they were too shy.

We have the option of a bigger stage at the Lierderkranz and wondered what any of you think about using that space again? Snow Trails Ski Lodge has been mentioned, but the cost there is high and this is a benefit and we would want to give as much as possible to Hospice. Any thoughts??

We will keep you posted and until then: Do a random act of kindess, follow your heart and get out and support live music!!!

Peace, Nancy

Gotta love that hurdy gurdy!

November 7 was a beautiful night in East Cleveland; perfect weather and a great dose of rock n blue eyed soul at the Beachland Tavern thanks to Scott Morgan of the Rationals. His new band is called the Irrationals and they played alot of the stuff that made them faves in central ohio in the mid 60’s. From slower soul stuff to the rousing rendition of ” Respect” I was blown away by Scott’s voice. He either was blessed with super genes or has helped preserve his voice by no smoking or heavy drinking.

His band was superb and a good time was had by all. I was sad there wasn’t a bigger crowd. For any of you within driving distance of the Beachland, you are missing some excellent shows! 3 bands for $10.  and in a small, intimate setting.

Anyway; I reminded Scott that I saw him back in the day and that they pitched buttons that said “Think Rational” into the crowd that night at the Grotto Hall.

Check the band or Scott out on the web. You can find their music on YouTube, his band on Facebook or MySpace or just Google them. You will be glad you did.

Scott Morgan

For any of you in the Wooster area the Saturday after Thanksgiving and jonesing for some live music: Blue Steel will be playing at the Best Western in Downtown Wooster. I believe show time is 9-12 (p.m. not a.m.) lol

Many of you that read this blog grew up in the Mansfield area in the 60’s and hung out at the Inferno. I met some of my best friends there: guys and gals. Some are still my good friends. 

One such friend was Russell Kingsley Arthur. We met, probably in 1966, at the Inferno. I remember his coat with a hood that was rabbit lined. Kingsley was obsessed with the Beatles and was one of the smartest people I had ever met. We dated on and off in high school and when he went to Kenyon College. We drifted apart and got back together in the early 80’s for a brief time. We reconnected again as friends about the time that Infernofest was coming together and he did make it to acouple of shows. It was great to see him again but tough to realize that he had not had such a great life after last seeing him in the early 80’s.  His health was ruined and he was a shell of the smart, hip guy I had known “back in the day”. He got sicker and ended up in a care facility this past year. My dear friends, Jack and Hal, and myself went to see him this past summer and it was pretty tragic. Hard to see the guy who we all thought would end up being a presidential advisor or something grand, end up not knowing who we were.  We left that day in shock and knowing that the Kingsley we knew was gone forever. Today I got the call from Hal that Kingsley died yesterday. I guess I knew this would be coming but I still feel sadness.  Goodbye dear old friend and may you rest in peace.

The Dugout, Downtowner and Bob A Lou Bar Ashland Ohio

For any of you old enough to have been hanging out in Ashland Ohio in the mid to late 60’s, you should remember the Dugout, which was housed on Main Street in the basement.

I was too young to get in, but somehow did and saw one of Cleveland’s iconic bands, Renassiance Faire, perform in the Cavern style club. The year was 1967 and I remember the night with great fondness. How I got in is a mystery to me as I was only 17 and sure as hell did not look any older than that!

The club and the whole block where it resided is long gone. In chatting with Mike Sattler from Art Printing, I found out that he had one of the original posters (his dad owned the business before Mike did and had printed it back in the day). Mike and staff worked hard to recreate the original. We have used the same font and the same color posterboard.

If anyone would want one: we have 50 left. We printed 100 and that is all we will print. The cost is $10.00 each and a portion of each sold is going to Hospice of North Central Ohio. If you need it shipped to you; please add $5.95 for priority mail. You can contact me at nwasen@zoominternet.net or thru this site.

Peace, Nancy

Ashland's Dugout