Minus One performing – Photo credit: Randy Brozovich

On November 1st, MCo (Musician’s Collective), a longstanding student organization at The Ohio State University, threw a benefit show, the third annual Music Loves Ohio benefit, in the Ohio Union. Featuring tunes from 10 local and touring acts from around the state. All of the proceeds went to Music Loves Ohio, a nonprofit that focuses on initiatives targeting Ohio youth designed to foster an interest & love of music.

Bands on the bill included: Back to Save the Universe, Tom and Potato, Matt Taylor of Discount Tents, All My Sons, Eli Thresher, Love Alive, Soundcolors, Sam and the Barbers, Out to Lunch, Minus One.

Back to Save the Universe: 6-piece indie rock band, with 3 guitars, a bass, drummer and keyboardist. Three different people took turns on lead vocals, changing with songs. Bluesy lead guitar, shredding rhythm guitars, driven drums and bass, and warm keyboard filling out the sound.

Tom and Potato: Singer-songwriter playing an acoustic guitar. Great music, highlights included covering Outkast’s “Hey Ya,” with all the required audience participation on Ice Cold and shouting out to the ladies. Warbley bubbly voice and warm sound on the acoustic, quiet but powerful.

Lights Go Out (Love Alive): Zak, the current president of MCo’s main performance as lead guitarist and singer, backed by the former club president on drums and bassist. Soaring guitar over math rock bass and drums, more instrumental than sung, and all very awesome.

Matt Taylor from Discount Tents: Went up when Eli was delayed. Awesome lyrics, impeccably dressed, warbley vocals singing indie rock anthems in the fondest way. One of those guys you can hear the imaginary backing band for in your head.

All My Sons: 4-piece rock outfit; bass, guitar, drums, prowling lead singer sometimes donning a second guitar. This was their third year at the benefit. Sounds like RHCH, vocals at times like U2, Muse, guitar at times like The Killers. Strong stage presence. You can imagine the stadiums these songs were made for: Midnight set at Coachella. They have a radio pop vibe, a mix of soaring indie, James Blunt, while still rock and roll with hints of The Libertines and Incubus. These guys have clearly won the entire room over.

Eli: Beatmaker / DJ playing beats. The bass was a bit weak in the speakers, not his fault. However, despite the borderline weird method of delivery of his electronic music, people are hanging out, zoning out, and getting into it. Eli Thresher is on Soundcloud dot com.

Love Alive: What a crazy looking guitar the lead had. 4-piece rock band, 2 guitars, bass, drums. The lead is shredding, bass is chill, with flourishes. Singer reminiscent of The Black Keys. Guitar at times like Phish, Eric Clapton, at times Van Halen, 90’s grunge, like STP before axing Scott Weiland, and Pearl Jam. The drummer is really awesome. Bassist seems like the rock of the band, while lead guitarist, vocalist and drummer seem to soar above. They closed with a cover of Eric Clapton’s Sunshine of Your Love.

Soundcolors: Heavily effects ridden guitar, concise and awesomely retro looking bass, with drums like Incubus, and vocals like Deerhoof. Guitaring and pedalwork like Johnny Greenwood. I’ve never seen anyone play the bass one handed before, this guy just did it. Singer sounding a bit like Rainer Marie, guitarist playing riffs reminiscent of Jpop, like FLCL’s The Pillows (Ride on Shooting Star). I get the feeling this band may have just been thrown together for this show, however, STILL good! More epic bass antics with harmonic hammerons / hammeroffs. At one point indie pop, moments later glitched out pedal exploration; It was AWESOME watching these guys.

Sam and the Barbers: 3-piece rock outfit, 2 guitars and a drummer. One of the guitarists sings. There’s a bit of pop here. Reminds me of Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, and Arctic Monkeys. Backing band sounding like Kasabian/Spoon. Chugging bluesy rock and roll, but also at times pop, verging on peppy indie rock. The sound is full despite not having a bassist; it actually soars much more. Lead singer playing a hollowbody, sounding pretty lush. At times sounding like Ben Kweller, at times Franz Ferdinnd. You get the feeling alot of this is for the ladies. A bit of The Beatles and The Monkees, complete with 3-part harmonies and peppy rock and roll. In short, if Ben Kweller was in The Beatles. Throw in a bit of Semisonic. They ended their set with a Strokes cover. I approve immensely.

Out to Lunch: 3-piece acoustic outfit; singer/guitarist, hand drummer & violinist. Folk arrangements, a welcome break from the many talented rock bands of the night. The guitar was low in the mix, likely intentionally, lending to a campfire sound. Very laid back music. This’s the soundtrack to a summer night’s party with friends with instruments sitting around a campfire playing and singing songs.

Minus One: 3-piece rock outfit. Guitarist/singer, bassist and drummer. A groovy and almost Britpop sound; driven bass, adding an awesome bottom end to all of the songs. Smooth movie soundtrack vibe. Guitar creates the ambiance, drums and bass the drive. Reminiscent at times of A Perfect Circle’s Judith. Great way to end the night.