Poobah stands the test of time

Music-news updates from in and around the Mahoning Valley:

Poobah, the psych-rock band led by Youngstown native Jim Gustafson, who now lives in Parkersburg, W.Va., is getting love from some national media.

In the Dec. 27 edition of Rolling Stone magazine, writer David Fricke included Poobah in his “Top 2010 Reissues from Under the Radar” article.

Fricke had this to say about Poobah’s 1972 album “Let Me In,” which was reissued last year:

“The 1972 debut by the Ohio trio Poobah is one of the few that was — and still is, as hard Seventies boogie goes — great. The many extra tracks are a nice bonus but no major improvement on the original half-dozen: a blowout of English-power-trio and Rust Belt blues, with guitarist Jim Gustafson riffing in a thick-fuzz lather that will remind you, fondly, of Grand Funk Railroad’s Mark Farner ... .”

Poobah also got a full-page treatment in the January issue of Classic Rock magazine. The band recently signed with Ripple Music of California and will re-release its CD “Peace Farmers” this spring. You can buy “Peace Farmers” and “Let Me In” at poobahband.com or ripplemusic.com.

Poobah’s next gigs in the region will be Feb. 18 at Iron Saddle, 137 E. South St., Akron; and Feb. 19 at Haps Bar, 3890 Boardman St., New Waterford.

LOVEDRUG SETS AKRON SHOW, PUSHES TO RELEASE ALBUM

Alliance-based rock band Lovedrug is dealing with the collapse of its record label (Militia Group) by enlisting its fans to help fund its fourth album. They’re calling the campaign I Am Lovedrug.

The artsy and moody quartet — Michael Shepard (vocals, guitar, piano), Jeremy Gifford (guitar, synthesizer), Thomas Bragg (bass) and James Childress (drums) — will return to the area for a show next Thursday at Musica in downtown Akron. Tickets are $5 to fans who have made a pledge in the I Am Lovedrug campaign. Fans who have yet to pledge can still purchase a $20 ticket, which includes the base pledge package of $15 plus a show ticket, at LovedrugMusic.com.

Lovedrug first gained national attention in 2003 when it self- released its first EP and followed it with its acclaimed full-length debut “Pretend You’re Alive” in 2004. The band has toured with The Killers, Switchfoot, Robert Plant, Coheed & Cambria and Blue October and has played festivals with the likes of Nine Inch Nails, the Eagles of Death Metal and Silversun Pickups.

Interesting Lovedrug fact: Contrary to popular belief, the band’s name is not a synonym for an aphrodisiac. Rather, it stems from the pull felt by frontman Shepard to start the band. Years ago, Shepard abandoned his music career to attend film school. But his love for music dragged him back.

So Shepard was “lovedrug” back into the music business. It’s a wordplay.

Now, an English teacher might argue that “drug” is not an acceptable tense of the verb “drag.” But it sounds better than “Lovedragged.”

THE KELLYS AT BEACHLAND

Warren rockers The Kellys will play at Cleveland’s Beachland Ballroom at 8 p.m. Feb. 7 as the opening act for Wahnderlust, featuring Parliament-Funkadelic All-Star Kim Manning. Pre-sale tickets are $10; send an e-mail to info@thekellysmusic.com, or call Pam at 330-716-5053.

JONES FOR REVIVAL RETURNS

Jones for Revival, Youngstown’s peripatetic jam band, spends a lot of time on the road but will work in its first local show since August this Friday at The Lemon Grove, 122 W. Federal St., downtown.

Tickets will be $7 at the door. Opening the show will be Pittsburgh’s Sweet Earth.

This past summer, JFR opened for Glass Harp, Rusted Root, Gov’t Mule and Further (which features remaining members of The Grateful Dead).

DIAMOND NICOLE SHINES

Warren R&B singer Diamond Nicole will be one of the openers at hip-hop star Rick Ross’s Feb. 11 concert at Covelli Centre.

The video for her single “Only In My Dreams” had 1,200 views on YouTube as of last week.

Diamond Nicole has been featured in Midwest Music Magazine and will sing and greet fans at the Hot Topic store in Southern Park Mall, Boardman, from 6:30 to 8 tonight.