only when i show middletown to out-of-towners do i realize how unique it is. there are a lot of positive things, but especially to an outsider they are easily overshadowed by its shortcomings and recent struggles. it’s an old, quaint place full of hard-working people, faded glory and failed city projects. the favorite stories:

in 1975 the city spent millions to build a roof over the entire downtown, blocking off traffic completely and hiding once-magnificent historic buildings and storefronts. as “real” malls (as opposed to covered downtowns) moved into the surrounding area, the name-brand stores began leaving. soon it was essentially vacant, except for a few thrift stores and the occasional sleeping bum. a couple years ago they removed the roof (see a photo of destruction in progress on the back of July For Kings’s SWIM album cover) and eventually completed the restoration process. while you can get the sense of a wonderful place on the verge of rebirth, so far not many stores have returned. just the ghosts.

in the 90’s the city tried to dam up a part of the miami river to create a lake. after spending millions they discovered they couldn’t secure the appropriate permits with the EPA, and the project was abandoned. many townspeople began calling it “lake mistake”. if they weren’t then, they are now. it is a confusing sight. sitting near the pseudo lake-side is AK Steel Pavilion, one of many expensive structures and parks built by the AK Steel company. in september of 2000 we played at the opening ceremony. i’m not sure if anyone has actually used the pavilion since. ? although it’s rather nice and i’ve often thought of renting it out for a big outdoor summer concert. maybe this is the year.

the beautiful castle-like Sorg Mansion (built in 1888) was turned into low-income housing. AC units and towels hanging out the windows. these are a few of the many great mysteries of Middletown.

downtown, AK, Sorg…there is a point to all this and i hope to get there. first i should stop and mention that even as i can’t help but portray these stories in a drab light, they add a unique midwesternish interest and quirkiness that a lot of places don’t have. and of course there are a lot of wonderful things and places and people, like any city. the website.

but nothing in middletown effects more people than AK. AK steel is the deep dark heart of the city. it is a lot like Mordor. orange smoke-stack fires aglow in the night, mysterious ash falling from the sky, clanking of gargantuan foreign machines. everyone has a friend of a relative who has lost an arm or had his face nearly (or actually) blown off inside.

lately the plant is even stranger as the place is surrounded by employees on strike, wielding signs and huddled around barrels of fire. these tattered weathered men are unhappy. they’ve been there in shifts for about a month.

as ominous and unpleasant as the place may seem, it’s really the economic cornerstone of the community. it will be interesting to see how the strike/lockout plays out and what kind of an effect it has on middletown. i honestly don’t understand all the intricacies of the situation. it is a union thing. but i know for sure that 2600 steel workers are increasingly pissed off. most want better wages or benefits; they ALL want their jobs back. a lot of these guys have been toiling for decades, doing their part to make AK a valuable steel company, and keeping the city intact.

to show our support, next Saturday April 8th we are playing a benefit show for the steel workers and their families at the (historic & beautiful!) Sorg Opera House. this will be the first time since my childhood that i play piano for a crowd. the rest of the roster TBA. please come out and support the workers and their families, and the city of Middletown Ohio itself.

thanks
joe

before the show i spent the day in Middletown Ohio, my teenage stomping grounds. i got a haircut at Looks Ahead salon. this is a plug for my stylist, who also happens to be the mother of our ex-guitarist and best friend Travis. if you need a cut or dye job (or want to hear some weird childhood stories about me and trav) you can make an appointment with Amy by calling 513-423-9500. Looks Ahead is at 3741 S Dixie Hwy Franklin OH 45005 (near the Towne Mall, right off I-75). she is great. thanks Amy!

after that i stopped by the Salvation Army and ran into my friend Sam, my ex-drummer. weird coincidence. sam recently challenged me to a beard-off. i am kicking his ass. so hard in fact, that he didn’t recognize me at first.

later i met up with T and we drove a million miles into infinite flatness and farmland. so much corn! where are all the soybeans? must not be a good year for growing soybeans. i just made that up. i don’t know anything about growing either. Here are some pictures of the show in greenville.

thanks to niles for those photos. and thanks to everyone who made the trip. i think that must be some kind of record for show furthest from major highway. thanks especially to jeff for putting it all together. rock and roll. the bands were great. said hi to some old friends in smalltown sleeper and northmont. while it was nice to play a couple new songs, i think our acoustic act may have come across a little like an intermission. but such is life until we have a new bassist auditioned and ready to rock. we are still looking.

after the show T and i ducked out early to see the university of kentucky win its first game in the NCAA tournament. they have since been eliminated. i am now rooting for george mason, because really, how can you not? even if you don’t like SPORTS you have to root for these guys. i barely watch enough sports to call myself a male but i really want them to win it all. fun.

I just sent a mailing about this–
we need to try out some new songs.
we are looking for acoustic gigs. including but not limited to clubs, coffee houses, bar mitzvahs, birthdays, rallies, and weddings.
if you’ve got something please pass it along or get in touch with our managers, media five.

not much to tell right now. did you know it’s national transparent government week?
in celebration of transparency, i’ll tell you exactly what’s going on right now–nothing.
okay that’s not exactly true. but i do wish i had more news! our album is still in limbo at the moment.
here’s some more transparancy for you–
blumpy and i are completely in agreement with the terms of the deal. but he isn’t comfortable working until the attorneys have written it up in the clearest way, and it is signed. this is what happens. i understand it but it is extremely frustrating.

in the meantime, i have been twiddling my thumbs and working on some album art.

had a really good practice the other day with T and dan. it involved a piano and a cello and some acoustics.
it was so musical.

what else…
i’m out of room on my ipod.
i finally grew a beard.
AK steel is on strike.
i miss you.

see some of you at the show friday!
your friend
joe

it’s time to make a formal announcement. please spread the word. thanks!

Young, positive, music-loving bassist wanted for eclectic rock band based in Cincinnati OH/Lexington KY area, positioned for shot at national album release and tour. Album slated for 2006 release is currently being produced and mixed acclaimed L.A. producer (Also worked with Vast, Marilyn Manson, Sevendust, Eminem, Vertical Horizon, Kid Rock, Filter, etc.) Other relationships in place include a contract with managers who shaped careers of multiplatinum artists, as well as a well-known business manager and an entertainment attorney both based in New York.

The songwriting and production on the forthcoming record was influenced by Genesis, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Radiohead, Chris Cornell, David Gray, The Arcade Fire, Deftones, Nine Inch Nails, Patty Griffin, Tori Amos, Frou Frou, Live, The Beach Boys, Smashing Pumpkins, Van Morrison, Stone Temple Pilots, Amy Hedges, Billy Joel, Catherine Wheel, Eisley, Muse, Garbage, Coldplay, Travis, Our Lady Peace, Tool, Seal, The Verve Pipe, Daniel Bedingfield, The Who, Swim, July For Kings, U2, Sponge, OMD, Depeche Mode, Collective Soul, Train, Sigur R?s, Better Than Ezra, Dishwalla, Hum, Cool For August, David Bowie, Elton John, The Flaming Lips, Harry Chapin, Cat Stevens, Keane, Nine Days, Pete Yorn, The Postal Service, Simon and Garfunkel, Garbage, Tom Petty, etc.

Background vocal ability, keyboard ability, guitar ability, business skills, computer skills a big plus.
Bo-staff skills and super powers for extra bonus points.

We own a good bass rig and a decent bass available for your use.

For more information please contact me Joe Hedges joe@julyforkings.com