event

Root Cellar Xtract, Jeremy Francis
Fri February 2, 2018 9:00 pm (Doors: 8:00 pm )
The Southgate House Revival - Revival Room
Ages 18 and Up
$10.00
Root Cellar Xtract

“For anyone who misses that distinct emotional feeling those songs that came out of the ’70s Laurel Canyon scene gave them, Rear View Mirror Eyes is a must-have. There aren’t many people making music like that anymore, and even if there were, it’s doubtful anyone could do it with the precision and artistry Root Cellar Xtract does.” –Cincinnati CityBeat

The consummate musicians of Root Cellar Xtract (RCx) play a kind of throw-back country rock which embodies the rootsy soulfulness of that early California country-rock sound. But there's a stripped-down purity--a maturity, if you will--that makes this a thoroughly modern outfit. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio Root Cellar Xtract draws as well from its own "edge of Dixie" geography. Formed in 2016 by Clyde Bailey, who writes the band's original compositions, Root Cellar Xtract (RCx) represents the culmination of rich musical careers coming together in perfect harmony.

Root Cellar Xtract’s (RCx) music and sound is deeply rooted in the earliest origins of true “California Country-Rock”. Root Cellar Xtract harkens back to the era of the mid 60’s to early 70’s and hills of Laurel Canyon, California which was the birthplace of California Country Rock. With names like Neil Young, David Crosby, Stephen Stills Graham Nash, J.D. Sourther, Rich Furay, Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Jackson Brown, Joni Mitchel, and Gram Parsons that bounced across multiple bands like The Band, Buffalo Springfield, Little Feat, Poco, Flying Burrito Brothers, The Eagles, Pure Prairie League, and The Byrds. Not unlike the founding members and bands of Country Rock, the members of Root Cellar Xtract have played in multiple bands from this musical space not only in Cincinnati but also across the country and Europe.

The band has recently released 12 songs on Root Cellar Xtract's full length album entitled "Rear View Mirror Eyes". Bailey teamed up and co-produced the album with Brian Lovely of The Flying Underground and formerly Brian Lovely and the Secret.  Ironically both Lovely and Bailey won the 97x/WOXY Best Cincinnati Band contest in separate years in the mid-90s.  Jim Peltz also co-produced the album. These consummate musicians play a pure kind of Country Rock while avoiding sub-genre excursions into "southern rock" or "folk rock" for example. 

Root Cellar Xtract can be found playing live throughout the Cincinnati area at venues like Arnolds, Japs, Washington Platform, Fretboard Brewing, Braxton Brewing, Urban Artifact, Plain Folk Café, Little River Café and Bobby Mackey’s and Southgate House.

On pedal steel, Steve Mueller creates an unmistakably unique atmosphere.  The solos are passed backed and forth in “jam” between pedal steel and the piano of Phil Burkhead, surrounded by the 4 part harmonies. 

Which brings us to a kind of hush. The band members' level of experience with music--that careful appreciation each person brings--has resulted in a sound that is as much about what is not played as much as what is.

"We talk alot about respecting the space and letting the songs breathe"says Clyde.

Garnering a growing fan base, Root Cellar Xtract is expanding its roots and continues to grow.

Artist/Bands that Root Cellar Xtract members have shared the stage with: 

Willie Nelson, Marshall Tucker Band, Kris Kristofferson, The Mavericks, Marty Stuart, Randy Travis, Ricky Skaggs, Lionel Richie, Blue Oyster Cult, B-52s, Richard Thompson, Blues Traveler, Molly Hatchet, Smokey Robinson, Average White Band, Chicago, Doc Severinsen, James Brown, Joey Bishop, Little River Band, George Jones, Freddy Fender, Chuck Leavell, Juice Newton, Dickie Betts, Commander Cody. 

Jeremy Francis

Jeremy Francis is a 20 year veteran of the Cincinnati, OH music scene. He has spent most of his career as a solo artist but has performed in bands such as his first, Cousin Silas who performed numerous shows in the Oxford and Hamilton, OH areas. Other acts he has been a part of include Heathens Halo, Crow Shot, Blue Caboose, Bibs and Barefeet and most recently Atlas River. 

Jeremy started to play music because of his dad. He's a great guitar player and singer. He often remembers his dad pulling out his guitar when he was a kid and how excited he would get. . Around 16 in between his infatuation with hockey his Dad showed him how to play Twist n Shout by the Beatles and Jeremy was hooked. 

Jeremy in his own words: I think playing live just goes along with learning guitar. It's such a social thing for me. Yeah it's fun practicing and singing songs on my couch but sharing music at a gig or around a campfire is so much more fun. You just connect with people in such a exciting and gratifying way. I think music is one of the only things we all really have in common. I remember playing a show at the stadium in oxford one time and there was quite a few people there. Most people could have cared less what I was doing but there was a table with 5-6 people sitting by the stage and they were singing along with every song that I was playing. It felt great to have them appreciate what I was doing and right then I knew it was something that I wanted to always do! 

Jeremy has performed at numerous venues in the Cincinnati area including Arnold's, Valley Vineyards, The Crow's Nest, Julian's Deli, Paxton's, Macs Pizza Landon and Mariemont, Village Tavern, The Balcony, The Stadium, Cock n Bull, Overlook Lodge, Plain Folk Cafe, Folk School Coffee Parlor, Mt. Carmel Brewery, Listermann Brewery, Washington Platform and Wunderbar. 

He has also performed at many festivals, including Poppy Mountain Bluegrass Festival, John Hartford Memorial Festival, Abbey Road On The River, Black Walnut Festival , Wham Bam Thank you Jam, Cincinnati Cheese Fest, StarkBier Fest Listermann Brewing Co., Appalachian Fest Miami Whitewater Forest, The Hartford Boogie, Glendale Street Fair, Glendale Beer & Wine Festival and Metamora Music Festival. 

Jeremy has also opened for David Gans, Larry Keel (twice) and Aaron Lewis. 

Plans to start recording a new EP in March of 2017.