By: Evan J. Thomas

Bogarts in Cincinnati, OH was alive and roaring on December 12 as Black Stone Cherry rolled into Cincy with a stacked lineup that delivered raw Southern grit, modern rock fire, and soul-soaked intensity. Joined by Ayron Jones and Them Dirty Roses, the night felt less like a standard tour stop and more like a full-blown rock revival.
Kicking off the evening, Ayron Jones set the tone with a blistering, emotionally charged performance. His blend of hard rock swagger and blues-rooted soul hit hard, with massive riffs and introspective moments pulling the crowd in early. Jones commanded the stage with confidence, proving once again why he’s one of the most compelling voices in modern rock.  Hitting the crowd with "Blood In The Water," "Filthy" and ripping it up with "Take Me Away" as the finale Ayron's music and band is tight and deep.  
Them Dirty Roses followed and turned Bogarts into a Southern-fried rock party. Armed with crunchy guitars, gritty vocals, and undeniable swagger, the band delivered a set packed with grit and groove. Their chemistry was electric, feeding off the crowd’s energy as fans sang along and raised fists high. By the end of their set, they had clearly won over anyone who wasn’t already a believer.
When Black Stone Cherry finally hit the stage, the venue erupted. The Kentucky rock veterans delivered a powerhouse performance that showcased both their hard-hitting heaviness and emotional depth. Thunderous drums, massive guitar tones, and Chris Robertson’s unmistakable vocals filled every corner of Bogarts. The band seamlessly blended fan favorites like "Me And Mary Jane," "Again," the incredible cover of Tracy Chapmans "Give Me One Reason" and some newer material like "Celebrate," proving their evolution hasn’t dulled their edge—it’s sharpened it.
The crowd stayed locked in from start to finish, feeding off the band’s relentless energy and genuine connection. Black Stone Cherry didn’t just perform—they owned the room, reminding everyone why they remain a dominant force in modern hard rock.
From top to bottom, December 10 at Bogarts was a masterclass in rock and roll. Three bands. Zero filler. Just loud, honest, hard-hitting music that left Cincinnati buzzing long after the final chord rang out. Rock on!

By: Evan J. Thomas

Bogarts became ground zero for one of the most intense nights Cincinnati’s metal scene has experienced this winter. The Violent Hour, playing in just their third ever show and displayed some ferocious stage presence, delivered a performance that felt less like a concert and more like a seismic event.
From the moment the house lights dropped, the band launched headfirst into a set that blended tight musicianship with unfiltered aggression. With Carla Harvey (Butcher Babies, Lords Of Acid) being the face of the band and having four incredibly talented female musicians filling out the bands lineup.  Their sound—equal parts modern metal bite and atmospheric darkness—filled every corner of the venue, pulling fans straight into their storm.
Carla's command of the crowd was undeniable, pacing the stage with an electric urgency that ignited the crowd as she thrashed about whipping her hair around. Guitars sliced through the air with sharp melodic leads and punishing riffs, while the rhythm section hammered away with industrial-strength force. The energy never dipped; if anything, it intensified as the set went on.
Between songs, the band connected with the audience in raw, genuine moments, reinforcing why their fanbase continues to grow at such a rapid pace.
By the final song, Bogarts was drenched in sweat, adrenaline, and the shared exhilaration of a crowd that had willingly surrendered to the chaos. The Violent Hour didn’t just put on a show—they stamped their name deeper into Cincinnati’s heavy-music landscape.
Another unforgettable night for a band proving they’re one of the most dangerous rising acts in the scene.

By: Evan J. Thomas

Sunday was the last night of his nearly two weeks of performances and a day after the city of Chicago got hammered with nearly 10 inches of snow.  Walking into the Lyric already felt different than lining up outside a normal rock venue.  Billy Corgan’s performance at the Lyric Opera in Chicago, IL celebrating the 30th anniversary of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness was nothing short of surreal for longtime Smashing Pumpkins fans. This wasn’t just a show — it was an emotional time machine wrapped in elegance, nostalgia, and power.   

Fun little back story... Billy grew up in Glendale Heights, IL, same town I did.  He also lived on the same block behind the Brunswick Bowling alley on James Ct.

Instead of distortion pedals and chaos, the night leaned heavily into orchestration, atmosphere, and drama. And somehow, the songs that raised hell in the ’90s felt even bigger in this space — more important, more permanent, more alive.The history in the walls, the chandeliers, the velvet seats — it all signaled that something special was about to happen. And when Corgan took the stage, the room transformed from opera hall to sacred Pumpkins cathedral.
There were certain moments sent chills through the crowd

“1979”
Pure nostalgia flooded the room. A smile crept across every face as that familiar rhythm kicked in. You could practically feel everyone flash back to car rides, high school, first loves, and summers that never seemed to end.  Most everyone was singing to this one. 
“Bullet with Butterfly Wings”
Even stripped of its original sonic rage, the song’s message hit just as hard — maybe even harder. The audience sang along in unity, a powerful reminder of how timeless the lyrics are.
“Zero”
Still dark. Still defiant. Still iconic. The opera house setting gave it a haunting new edge.

“Tonight, Tonight”
Hearing this inside the Lyric Opera felt like destiny fulfilled. The orchestral elements wrapped around the song so perfectly that it felt as though it had always been meant to be performed this way. There were actual tears in the crowd during this one with myself being one.  The way it was set up, moments of the song sprinkled into other areas of the night's performance before the big finale which drew a nice long standing ovation. 

You didn’t just hear these songs.  You felt them.  This was different, a magical display of visual and sonic ambiance.