One the most common questions I am asked by family and friends is why Columbus, OH. Out of all the places I could have chosen to live, I chose here. Not only that but I moved away and came back two years later. First, it’s cold as poop here and it snows, (I’m from south Georgia), second it’s far from home, and last it’s Big 10 country(SEC for life). Based on those three things alone, why in the world would I move here? Well the first time I moved here I’m not going to go into but if you think about, I’m sure you can figure it out. So what about the second then? Well, my old job needed help for the summer and I was just going to spend my summer on the beach drinking and enjoying life. Well after some thought I decided to come back. In the end, it wasn’t because of the job, I could have cared less about that, it was my friends and music. Over the past few years, it turns out that was the right choice as both of those have become things that I truly love. I constantly tell family and friends that Columbus has one of the best music scenes in the country. I believe that 100%. As a matter, a fact a friend and I are talking about that right now as I type this, so if this seems a little off at times blame him as I can’t do two things at one time.

So what does this all mean? Well if you are still reading this, I’m about to tell you. It’s all about that same music scene. On February 4^th, 2017, this Saturday, That Ship’s Sailed will be having their EP release show for Trapped in the Middle. This is their first release and they have lined up quite the show. They have 5 local bands playing with them that range from pop punk to rock to alternative. So there is something for everyone. Joining them will be Odd Promise, Memory Drive, Ohio on Hi, A Decade Apart, and Heroes Like Villains.

First up we have Odd Promise, they are one of two bands I don’t know of on this line-up. They are a 3 piece post-hardcore unit. This is a set I’m looking forward to as I like seeing local bands I haven’t seen before. And on their Facebook page, they list both Hawthorne Heights and LetLive as influences, so I’m hooked right there. Next, we have Memory Drive, they are the other band I haven’t seen or heard before. They are a newer rock band, they have been around since early 2016. They have influences that range from Hard rock, blues, and prog. I can get down with that. I’m a little excited to see them. Ohio Oh Hi is a band I do know a little about. When I first started writing for Tuned Up back in 2013, they were the first local band I covered. And I wasn’t even living in Columbus at the time. The founder of the blog knew I was a pop punk fan so he asked if I would review their album at that time. So I did and I have been a fan since. I actually moved back to Columbus later in 2013 and one of the bands I was excited to see was Ohio On Hi but nope, they broke up shortly after I moved back. It wasn’t until last year that they got back together. Since then I’ve seen them a few times and let me tell you they put on a good show. However let me warn you, they changed their sound a little, they have more of a pop alternative sound. And they pull it off well. If you are into bands like Mayday Parade, Say Anything and later Fall Out Boy then you will enjoy their set. The next band is one that I also have a little history with but not with the present band. Two of the members of A Decade Apart, A scream group, used to be in a band called Silent Days a few years ago. A band that I very much enjoyed. The thing I remember most about that band was the insane vocals of Josh Hardin. He just happens to be the vocalist in A Decade Apart. I’ve yet to see this new band but based on what I’ve heard, they put on a really good show. For you pop-punk fans out there, Heroes Like Villains is also on the bill. If you don’t know this name, you have been hiding under a rock for the past year, not only have they taken the Columbus pop punk scene by storm but they are slowly making a name for themselves throughout Columbus. In the last year, they released a stellar EP, went on their first tour and played a few festivals. 2017 could be the year they truly make their mark.

Last but not least we have the band for which this little shindig is going down for and that is That Ship’s Sailed.  I first came to know of them early last year and I remember not liking what I heard, so I gave them a second chance and it was more the same. I do remember thinking there was potential at that second show. I saw them a few more times and each time I would find something I liked. Then one show I was blown away by their performance and all I could think was is this the same band? I’m not sure what happened but I’m glad it did because they have become a staple in our scene, a scene that is changing and growing every day. I’ll be honest I’m a sucker for amazing lyrics and a great vocalist, That Ship’s Sailed has both of those. Andrew Sarratt very well might be the best vocalist you haven’t heard in Columbus. And Mike Colletti just gets better on the guitar every time I see them.  This is a band that is on a mission to make our little scene better and I for one support that. So if you don’t have anything going on this Saturday, Feb. 4^th, 2017, you should come to Woodlands Tavern. I’m going to leave you with what I have come to call Josh Hardin’s signature, as he ends a lot of posts this way, #weareallwehave!!!! See you Saturday. I’ll be the one going hard in the pit.