A cuddly, bedazzled wall of rock: Jason Dove
by Ed Schrader

“I kept looking at Jason Dove and thinking, ‘Who does he remind me of? Then it hit me: Yogi Bear,” said an enthusiastic show-goer, having just witnessed Baltimore’s cuddly singer-songwriter Dove and (if ever a word was more of an understatement) backing band Vacation Face triumphantly roar through a debut set Sunday at the Ottobar. The debut was twofold: I’s a new band playing new tunes Dove composed

The group features rhythm guitarist Steve Hefter, 30, and keyboardist Mike Ward, 31 (of local pop-folk band Steve Hefter and Friends of Friends), with bassist Bryson Dudley, 31, formerly of Mojo-friendly Baltimore natives Payola Reserve, and drummer Steve Colmus, 28, of indie rockers J-Roddy Walston and The Business. The outfit was assembled three weeks ago for an album due this winter. “With these new songs, I want to avoid innuendo and metaphors,” Dove said. “I just want to put it out there, like when you hear a song by The Kinks.”

Dove and his new cohorts had played a more low-key affair Sunday afternoon for moms, dads and dance-crazed toddlers at the Creative Alliance. But with no decibel restrictions, the late night Ottobar set gave us a double heaping dose of pub-rock wizardry. Dove took the stage adorned with a little, glitter-be-dazzled pink guitar, comedically contrasting with his towering stature and minimal T-shirt and jeans. The Daisy Rock guitar, “primarily marketed as a low-end beginner guitar for teenage girls,” (according to Dove), was a gift from the Ottobar after Dove’s guitar was swipped.

As he ripped into a new original, “Big Red Truck,” singing “Ba Ba Ba Ba Ba Ba,” you sensed he meant it, as he sheepishly contorted his face into an expression that fell somewhere between a howl and a smirk.
the guy can shred, too. His six-string maneuvers revealed black-belt skill, coupled with a sincere touch of giddiness. The intensity varied from lovelorn independent movie ballad waiting to happen, “The Whisper,” to one of Dove’s strongest new songs, “Be Free,” a drum -rolling, piano-burning, guitar blazing, bass-thumping powerhouse if a finisher. It spotlighted Vacation Face as arguably one of the sickest backing bands this side of the Chesapeake, and Dove as one of Baltimore’s finest song smiths, irony not included.

Dove plays Sept. 13 at the grand reopening of the Metro Gallery, 1700 N Charles St. For more info go to jasondove.com. Ed Schrader is host of “The Ed Schrader Show” and is a member of the Wham City art collective. His Column appears Tuesdays. Find him on bthesite.com

Jason Dove/Vacation Face will be debuting on August 10 with 2 special performances in one day! The first set will take place at the Creative Alliance in East Baltimore, MD. This show is apart of the Sock Hop series where both children and parents gather to hear their favorite bands perform in an “unplugged” environment. Admission is $5, $4 mbrs, $3 kids under 10, Kids under 3 FREE. Show starts at 3PM. Also appearing: Baby Aspirin!!!

Jason Dove/Vacation Face will also be performing a second (most rockingest) set later that night at the Ottobar. Both Abby Mott and Boy Genius will also be performing. Doors are at 8PM. Show starts at 9PM

Special Thanks to Bryson Dudley, Guy Werner and Ed Schrader.

Ed Schrader Show - Episode 10 - Part One (featuring Emily Rabbit, Naeem from Spank Rock and Jesse Engard)
Ed Schrader Show - Episode 10 - Part Two (featuring Emily Rabbit, Naeem from Spank Rock and Jesse Engard)
Ed Schrader Show - Episode 10 - Part Three (featuring Dominion Ice Cream)
Ed Schrader Show - Episode 10 - Part Four (featuring Rjyan Kidwell, a.k.a. Cex and Mason Ross)
Ed Schrader Show - Episode 10 - Part Five (featuring Jason Dove)
Ed Schrader Show - Episode 10 - Part Six (featuring Jason Dove)

take a look:

Ranked 9 out of 10

Jason Dove and Magic Whip with Daniel Johnston “Live May 13th, 2007″

A short DVD set of five live songs by the immortal Daniel Johnston, here backed by Jason Dove and the Magic Whip. As you might expect, the songs are playful, poignant, and oddly powerful. The power is increased a hundred times over by actually being able to see Johnston deliver them, his shaky hand holding the lyric sheet, his looks into the crowd to see if anyone is paying attention. Oh they are.

This four song DVD seems twice as long as it is, mostly because of the way Johnston and company help you fall deep inside each song. You fall willingly. 9/10 — Mike Wood (8 April, 2008)

The Doors open at 9pm. Show is at 10:00pm
Tickets are $10.00