Cover songs for the masses
Tribute bands do covers for ego, acceptance, gigs
This is a monthly column that highlights the historical shenanigans of The Homewreckers frontman Steven J Athanas and his bandmates.
This definition may be a bit dated. I think a Led Zeppelin cover band would now be called a Led Zep tribute band, assuming that’s all they do is Led Zep. Whereas a cover band (or bar band) is a band that covers/interprets multiple bands. Apples and oranges, I suppose.
The fact of the matter, however, is this: 99.99999 percent of musicians, regardless of gender, style of music, amount of talent, etc, have one thing in common: an ego. An egoless musician is an oxymoron, it just don’t happen. It is that ego that leans them into being a musician – to put themselves on a stage, under lights, and putting it all out there, for all to see and judge.
Of course, there are varying degrees of ego. Some have the talent to back it up, while their humility will keep it all in check. Still, others seem to throw it all against the wall and see what sticks. Some, of course, have more ego than talent and vice versa.
But it’s that “ME” aspect of being a musician, present in all, that puts us out there, dares us, prods us.
When a human being starts a rock band, it’s that initial ego that puts us on stage. Then what? We sing and play, and nine times out of 10, we sing other people’s material, because the ego wants acceptance, and we get acceptance by offering our audience the familiar, that which they already know.
The audience knows the words, the melody and they recognize the rhythm, which allows them to get up and dance. It’s nearly impossible in most local nightclubs in Northwest Ohio to come out and grab ‘em with a song that is an original composition. Sad but true. The performer and the audience want to bond, feel that they’re coming from a common place, and have something to share. Truth be told, the band is usually secondary to the crowd that is just looking to have a good time.
One of the things that is always there, but not given much recognition in a bar/live music situation is this: the club owner. He/she wants one thing and one thing only – to make money, and he/she does that by selling drinks.
If people are happy and thirsty because they’ve been dancing, working up a sweat, then everyone’s happy. The owner’s happy because he/she’s making dough, and the bartenders are happy because they’re getting tips. The crowd is happy because they’re familiar with what the band is puttin’ down, and the band is happy because their ego’s being gratified and there’s a good chance they’ll be asked to return to the club.
And yet, that nagging ego usually wants more. Initially, it’s great to make people dance, but after a while many musicians think they can throw in one of their tunes. It’s a risky proposition. When the dance floor’s packed because you’re playing Brown-Eyed Girl, or Everlong, and you throw in an unknown song at the crowd, it breaks the flow. People leave the dance floor, maybe even the club. Then you got trouble, brudda!
Of course, there are bands that defy this premise, that are happy making the money and getting the gratification of playing other peoples’ music exclusively. Nevertheless, many musicians try to push the envelope.
All of my bands were cover bands. From Jell-o to The Homewreckers, we played the familiar, while, as stated above, trying to sneak in a tune created by one of us. It would always be with mixed results.
It seems that if the tune kept up the momentum, kinda like a DJ does by “mixing” one beat into another, and the crowd was with us (or drunk enough), no problem. But yes, there were usually the frequent heckles or the “play somethin’ we know!” from an unimpressed crowd. When the latter happened, the fragile ego of the musician would run for shelter and quickly break into I Want You Back, Honky Tonk Woman, or some other recognizable tune.
There were exceptions to the rule, however. The band I had called The Coosters was a short-lived one, but one of my faves. We were all over the musical map, doing not only originals, but jazz, blues and a totally eclectic repertoire.
I’ll never forget when we were playing a downtown club and doing a rendition of Lydia the Tattooed Lady, made popular by Groucho Marx from At the Circus, and the owner came up to me while I was singing the song and yelled in my ear, “DONCHA KNOW ANY BEATLES??!” Of course we knew Beatles, but this guy (mind you, the one who paid us at the end of the night) didn’t want us to take the chance with his crowd.
Still, we could get away with a broad spectrum of tunes because:
a) we didn’t charge that much
b) we weren’t really a dance band
c) we were mostly acoustic, with a percussionist, not a drummer per se..
When I was in The Raisin Band, though we started as a cover band, it quickly became our challenge to get a record deal, and we started writing songs. We would sprinkle our songs in with covers that we were doing, with mixed results.
Eventually, the songwriting became the priority, and the boys moved to Cincinnati while I went to NYC. Another one of my bands, The Best, released a package of two 45s with three originals and a cover of NRBQ’s Green Lights. Loved By Millions self-released two cassettes of all originals (save for a Thelonious Monk cover), and The Coosters put out an EP of seven self-penned tunes.
And who could forget my masterpiece, We Are Our Own Parade, an LP’s worth of Athanas originals??! I still have about 400 copies gathering dust in my basement.
I have long since given up on the quest and hardly ever pick up my guitar, except to sing Happy Birthday to friends. It’s a very tough plight to get recognition from your personal output, and I would venture to say that it’s tough to maintain once you’ve achieved it, hence the term “one hit wonders.”
So, with dubious logic, and still an overpowering need to create, I’ve switched from being a musician to a visual artist, because, as well you know, it’s so much easier to make a living from making art!
How to vote in 2024
Lucas County Board of Elections explains voting details, process
Toledo – With Election Day a month away, preparations are in full swing at the Lucas County Board of Elections office.
“We’re up and running and getting everything ready,” said Timothy Monaco, deputy director of the elections office. “It’s a wonderful time. It’s important to exercise your right to vote.”
Logistics that the staff and officers have been handling for weeks on behalf of Lucas County’s 303 voting precincts include preparing ballots, training precinct election officials, and getting early voting dates and times posted on their website.
Monaco said the most commonly asked question from voters during the past couple of weeks has been when absentee ballots will arrive in the mail.
Here’s the answer: Ohio voters can look for the absentee ballots starting Oct. 8, which is one day after registration ends for the Nov. 5 election.
The Lucas County Board of Elections staff doesn’t give predictions on voter turnout, Monaco said. But, according to state election records, 67 percent of registered Lucas County voters participated in the 2020 presidential election, and 66 percent did so in the 2016 presidential election. This participation includes absentee voting, early in-person voting and traditional Election Day voting.
Those choices are meant to help all eligible voters participate, whether they prefer going in person to a local polling site or to cast a ballot before they travel out of town.
“It’s important to make your plan as to who you are going to vote for,” Monaco said. “Make sure you make a plan and know what is on your ballot.”
While the presidential campaign is the key race of the Nov. 5 election, there are also races in Lucas County for local judges and city officials. For those who want to see the list ahead of time, ballot proofs are available for review on the election board’s website.
“Ballots will be three pages for everyone and four pages for some,” Monaco said.
While some people remember how they wish to vote when going to the polls, others find it helpful to bring paper notes or refer to a list on their phone, Monaco said. “Some folks really come prepared,” he said.
“It’s also important to be respectful at the location,” he added, referring to an Ohio law that prohibits photos of marked ballots. “We do ask that you limit cell phone use at the ballot.”
Many other election details are explained at lucascountyohiovotes.gov.
Election calendar
Key dates for the November 5 election:
- Military and overseas civilian voting: Started Sept. 20.
- Voter registration deadline: 9 p.m. Oct. 7.
- Early in-person voting season: Oct. 8.-Nov. 3.
- Absentee ballot postmark deadline: Nov. 4.
- Election Day: Nov. 5.
CAMPUS TALK
OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS SOUND OFF ABOUT VOTING
Question: How important is voting to you?
Voting is not my main concern, but it is pretty important because it is the future of America and I would like to have a say in what is gonna be my future. I usually try to vote on voting day, if I can’t I’ll do the absentee ballot.
Oliver Odendahl | EMT Major | Tontogany Resident
I am not a registered voter. If I was to lie to you I’d say yes. But honestly, I don’t have enough time … it’s not really a main priority, even though it should be. I do plan on voting at some point, maybe when I’m in my adult phase. Even though I’m not a registered voter I do think voting is important because it basically determines the society and the rules and regulations we live by.
James Johnson | Broadcast Media Technology Major | Toledo Resident
I’d say voting is very important. There’s certain aspects of it that do feel sort of depressing, when you think about it, because a lot of people would say people voting normally wouldn’t matter because of a small majority in the Electoral College – their votes matter 100 times more than your own. That’s what it feels like at least from what I know. It does feel a little degrading knowing that’s going to happen.
Nivant Dawson | Business Major | Toledo Resident
I think voting is important, but I’m not exactly sure why it’s important. I mean, there’s a lot of things that come from it. You’re voting for someone that you’re putting your trust and you’re faith into to guide us all in the right direction, but we just all don’t know what that direction is yet. So, we’re just kind of free-balling it, in a way. So, I don’t know … I’ve never voted before but this will be interesting. I really don’t know what all is involved. I just have a lot to learn about voting – like what I should be looking for in the leader I’m going to be voting for. So, yeah, it’s coming up soon. There’s a lot to learn.
Sydney Stanley | Chemistry Major | Millbury Resident
Voting is very important, especially in this day and age, when everything’s going on.
David Chase III | Literature Major | Toledo Resident
Registration details
Ohio voters must be registered by 9 p.m. Oct. 7 to be eligible to vote in the Nov. 5 election.
Residents can register to vote, look up voter registration, change their address, find an early voting location, look up Election Day polling location or track an absentee ballot at VoteOhio.gov.
Photo ID requirement
Bring your photo ID when voting. The options are:
- Current Ohio driver’s license or State of Ohio ID card.
- Interim ID form issued by Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
- U.S. passport or U.S. passport card.
- U.S. military ID card, Ohio National Guard ID card or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID card.
A registered voter who has changed his or her name since the photo ID was issued will need to show proof of legal name change and sign a form. A photo ID card can show a former address if a current address is on file with the voting records. If you forget a photo ID, you can request a provisional ballot.
How to vote absentee
An absentee ballot in Ohio needs to be requested, signed, dated and submitted for each election. Military personnel and civilian overseas voters can file one application for all elections happening in a given year.
The application asks for the number on your Ohio driver’s license or Ohio ID card, last four digits of your social security number, or a photocopy of other eligible ID such as a U.S. passport or military ID.
Mailed absentee ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 4 and can be hand delivered to the Board of Elections on Nov. 5.
Additional instructions are on the Ohio Secretary of State’s website.
In-person early voting
Ohio’s in-person early voting season begins Oct. 8 and ends Nov. 3.
The Lucas County Early Vote Center is at 3737 W. Sylvania Ave. Suite 121 Entrance C (at the rear of the Lucas County Board of Elections building) in west Toledo.
Voting times and dates can be found at LucasCountyOhioVotes.gov.
Election Day voting
Polling sites are open in Ohio from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Nov. 5. You can look up your polling location at VoteOhio.Gov.
What’s on the ballot?
A “ballot proof” is available for review on the Lucas County Board of Elections page. It lists candidates and ballot issues by precinct, so voters know what to expect.
For example: Six president/vice president candidate teams have declared in Ohio, with an additional write-in option available. Other candidate races include U.S. Senator, Lucas County Sheriff and openings on Toledo City Council.
Ohio Issue 1 is a proposed state constitutional amendment that has gained a lot of attention. This issue, if approved, would designate a redistricting commission to draw state legislative and congressional districts.
There are other issues locally, such as a proposed bond issue for the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library and a tax renewal request from the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority.
Are ballot “selfies” allowed?
Ohio does not permit photos to be taken of a marked ballot. It’s actually a fifth-degree felony should that take place, according to Ohio law.
The “I Voted” Sticker
A traditionally popular way to showcase voter participation is through an “I voted” sticker, picked up on Election Day at the polling site.
Ohio’s current “I Voted” sticker design was adopted in 2019 through a student art contest. A red squiggle depicts a map of Ohio, nestled in a blue circle outline, with the phrase “Ohio Voted.”
Voters are invited to download the image to share on social media at the Ohio Secretary of State website. That website also has also a “future voter” coloring page for children available for download.
Is campaigning allowed at election sites?
Ohio does not allow election campaigning, also known as electioneering, within 100 feet of a voting site. This means no campaigning messages on attire such as shirts or hats, Monaco said.
Two small United States flags are placed at each voting site to designate the “neutral” zone where this applies.
Where is the Board of Elections office?
If you need to visit the Lucas County Board of Elections regarding a voting matter, that office moved about two years ago from its former location at One Government Center to 3737 W. Sylvania Road in West Toledo.
When are election numbers official?
Ballots cast on Election Day will be delivered in person to the Lucas County Board of Elections for the counting procedures.
There will be numbers reported after that count is complete.
The Ohio Secretary of State does not consider voter counts to be official until two or three weeks later, after provisional ballots are accounted for and to give time for absentee ballots to arrive that met the postmark deadline.
BMW hybrid vehicle tour
TPS high schoolers get a look at 2023 BMW XM hybrid
Toledo – Career technology students received a close-up at a high performance hybrid vehicle when a BMW representative visited the Waite and Start high school campuses on last week.
The tour was arranged by Yark Automotive Group and BMW of Toledo as a way to showcase today’s EV and hybrid technology to students, as well as what they might work on when they join the workforce.
It certainly didn’t hurt that the demonstration vehicle – a 2023 BMV XM hybrid – had a range of upgrades and luxury details, which included a lighted interior ceiling and a metallic sparkle amid the dark gray exterior paint hue.
“How often do you get to probe around a nearly $200,000 car?” BMW Group Technical support engineer Jonathan Staley asked with a smile as he prepped for the first student group to arrive.
Participating students were from welding and auto collision career technology classes at Waite High School, along with auto mechanic technology classes at Start High School.
“I’ve always liked cars,” said Brooklyn Tucker, a Waite junior who is taking the welding class.
Waite High School welding teacher Zach Kulwicki said he wanted his students to see the hybrid vehicle because it shows a practical use for the robotic welding lessons they are learning in class.
Electric vehicle adoption has been happening in fits and starts in the United States during the past few years. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that about 50,000 all-electric vehicles were registered in the state of Ohio in December 2023. California, Texas and Florida are the states where they have caught on the most, the federal data shows.
Staley said early adopters flocked to the technology, but others continue to hold out for reasons such as driving range questions and charger availability. “Demand for EVs has definitely cooled off,” he said.
While today’s EVs look similar to other vehicles on the road, their operation and charging logistics are a significant change from the gas engines Americans have driven for decades.
That’s one of the reasons that BMW includes school visits on its promotional campaigns. Staley said it takes a lot of “intelligence and training” for technicians to be able to keep the newer vehicles running smoothly, and he wants the students to be aware of the possibilities when making a career choice.
“We go around and explain the reality of working on cars these days,” Staley said.
Fish sale on now
Fish sale for pond fish available through Lucas SWCD website
Toledo – Local pond owners have the chance to restock their ponds at a discount price, thanks to Lucas Soil and Water Conservation District (Lucas SWCD), which is in partnership with Fender’s Fish Hatchery in Baltic, Ohio.
To take advantage of this sale of $1.35 or less per fish, buyers must preorder by Oct. 3 and pick up on Oct. 10.
The species include large mouth bass, yellow perch, channel catfish, bluegill, and fathead minnows. These fingerlings range from one to six inches in length. To order or find out about future fish sales, visit lucasswcd.org, where you’ll also find events ranging from composting classes to milkweed pod collection.
Lucas County’s strategic plan
Commissioner’s office seeks to map out future of public service
By Lisa A. Sobecki, Lucas County Commissioner
There’s a lot to be excited about in Lucas County.
Last month, the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office unveiled a new precinct in Swanton that provides a central location to seven western townships patrolled by our deputies.
Next spring, we’ll open the doors on a brand-new Canine Care & Control facility in downtown Toledo that will expand and enhance the services we provide to Lucas County dogs.
And in 2026, we will unveil an operational materials recovery facility that will drastically reduce our carbon footprint and save taxpayers money by sorting, processing and separating recyclable materials currently being transferred 90 miles away.
There’s a lot happening in our county in the near future. Our long-term goals, priorities, projects, investments, processes and day-to-day operations, however, need some thoughtful planning to map out what we want our home to look like three, five, and even 10 years down the road.
That’s why we’ve engaged in a strategic planning process, alongside Experience Management Institute, an organizational consulting firm based in Columbus.
Strategic plans are common for businesses, nonprofit organizations and government agencies.
This plan will be the first of its kind for the Board of Lucas County Commissioners.
Our plan will be a roadmap for the board, provide a guidebook on what we value, articulate what our priorities are, and hold us accountable to execute and meet the goals we set forth.
As part of this process, we’ve engaged hundreds of stakeholders, including elected officials, county directors and administration, union leadership, city and township representatives, community partners, and Lucas County employees.
Now, we want to hear from you, our residents.
This is your home. This is where you live, where you work, where you greet friends and family. And it’s where you will retire and watch your children and grandchildren grow up and thrive.
To take our survey, please visit Strategic Plan Survey.
This is your chance to help identify our shared values. This is your opportunity to write what our future will look like in Lucas County.
As an elected official, I work for you. The Board of Lucas County Commissioners works for you. Your feedback is critical to inform this process and develop a specified plan that meets the needs of our community.
By spending a few minutes on this confidential and anonymous survey, you can have stake and ownership of what Lucas County will look like for you and your children and grandchildren.
Help us write a future we can all be proud of. A future for everyone. A future for you.
Trans and Understanding
Trans & Thriving Fest inspires voices to speak out
Story and photos by Lori King
TOLEDO – Holding a pink blow-up guitar and sporting a pencil-drawn mustache, Chip Brewer took a moment to talk about what it felt like to attend his first all-trans cast festival.
Brewer (stage name Mag-n-Cheese) was at the 2nd annual Trans & Thriving Fest in Toledo last month to perform in a drag show in front an accepting audience of fellow trans women and men and their allies.
“Being at a trans fest feels really surreal,” Brewer exclaimed as he clutched the guitar, a prop for his lip-syncing performance slated for later that afternoon.
“I’m actually a trans kid from the south, born and raised in the greater Memphis area, so I’m not super used to seeing specific spaces dedicated to trans people or appreciating trans people,” he admitted. “Moving up north is definitely kind of a culture shock … to see these types of things.”
The festival, sponsored by Equality Toledo, TransToledo and Holier Toledo, featured resource and vendor booths, food trucks and the family-friendly drag show.
For five hours that day, LGBTQ+ people shared a rare safe space out in the open. It was an afternoon that wasn’t taken lightly by Brewer, who came to the fest to be amongst others who understood and accepted him, celebrated him and were like him.
But this article isn’t about the fest, itself. You can hear their stories as they share what it feels like to be who they are while living in what can be a pretty hostile environment. By clicking on any photo in the gallery, you will be directed to audio files so you can hear their voices explain what transition stage they’re currently undergoing, the fear they face when in public and what it’s like to be at safe places like the Trans & Thriving Fest.
Perhaps this story can be considered a catalyst for understanding as they continue to fight for acceptance, and even their lives, one public appearance at a time.
According the Human Rights Campaign, consider that in 2023 at least 28 transgender or gender non-conforming people were murdered in the United States, including Toledoans Kejuan Richardson, a gender non-conforming Black man, and Amiri Reid, a Black transgender woman.
Both were considered a hate crime, a violent act that strikes fear into the heart of a community so discriminated against that laws and policies are being enacted to block LGBTQ+ people from playing in sports, reading to kids and even having wedding cakes made for that special occasion.
Because of the enigma of the trans community, hearing them tell their stories might shed light on being trans and misunderstood, and on who they are and what they go through. Though this story only focuses on a few personal stories, it’s a start.
Stevie Phoenix, a trans man undergoing hormone replacement therapy (HRT), is a parent of two children and married to their father. The family lives in Temperance, Mich.
During the middle of his lip-syncing performance at the Trans & Thriving fest, Phoenix wanted his fellow trans brothers and sisters to know they were “seen,” so he pulled out a syringe, held it between his teeth as he pushed down his legging to just above his right knee, and poked the needle into his thigh.
It was a bold statement that effectively got right to the point … they were amongst their people.
Phoenix explained after his performance that he administers his testosterone shot weekly, typically on Saturdays, “and the reason I do it on Saturdays is just in case there is an event that would be appropriate for me to perform while administering my shot.
“I do that to help other trans men and people who take part in hormone replacement therapy feel normalized and seen,” he said.
“It can be very, very powerful when you see somebody on stage who has a bit of notoriety showcase such a precious part of the trans experience, because it is a precious part. It’s almost spiritual to see somebody take that very, very personal experience and share it with everyone.”
Stevie Phoenix
Nikki Orlowski, co-founder and vice president of TransToledo and a transgender woman, said she was at the fest to support the trans community and to sell her art.
She said it’s hard to put into words what being trans means to her. “It’s obviously a physical journey, but it’s so much more than that … it’s spiritual. It’s my identity.”
As for being at the fest, Orlowski said everyone was there for each other, and they appeared happy and embraced who they were. “It means the world to me. It’s my favorite day,” she said.
Dressed in a white suite with rainbow accents and wearing a drawn-in mustache and beard, Theo Rhetically jumped off the temporary stage to interact with the audience. As she lip-synced to The Greatest Showman’s This is Me, she collected applause and dollar bills.
“We can’t possibly do drag without the amazing people who come to watch us,” Rhetically said. “Drag doesn’t exist without people who choose to support us, love us and give us a place to show them our creation. Without them, I literally can’t do what I’m doing … what I love.
“So if you ever come to a drag show or you support drag and you know drag’s not a crime, always come out and support us,” he encouraged. “You’re cheering, your presence is more than anything we could ever ask. If you like drag, please come and support us. We love you.”
Resources:
- Frequently asked questions about Transgender people
- Understanding transgender people, gender identify and gender expression
- What is the difference between transsexual and transgender
- Transgender violence data
Click on any photo in the gallery to hear their stories on Spotify >
