Off-Guard Records UpComing Shows

Off-Guard Records Upcoming Shows:

Dan Shaw & Organ Crusaders.............................Saturday, 3/16 @ The Brothers Drake 10pm
The Middle Rats......................................................Friday, 3/29 @ Kafe Kerouac 8pm
 The Middle Rats.....................................................Friday, 4/26 @ Rumba Cafe 10pm

"Sledgehammer" - SOHUD Music Festival

--Skully's, Short North, Columbus, Ohio


Live at the SoHud Music Festival 2010, after The Floorwalkers and Max Power, I had the joy and privilege to perform some of the greatest songs ever, including this Peter Gabriel classic.  I am lucky enough to sing with some great singers and play with some great players.  Thanks to everyone else who made this possible.


Jesse Michael Barr:  Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals
Steph "Ladybird" Rogers:  Backing Vocals
Sara D:  Backing Vocals
Mike Twice:  Drums
Evan Oberla: Trombone
Jason Branscum:  Trombone
Steve Kortyka:  Sax
Mike James: Guitar
Marc Subel:  Bass

We Are the Middle Rats

--Hocking Hills, Ohio


Elizabeth and Jay followed us with their cameras as we romped in the woods in Hocking Hills, Ohio.  This was shot in and around the cabin where we recorded "The Middle Rats" album.  The Middle Rats are Joey Hebdo, Mike James, Jon Elliott, and Jesse Michael Barr.  Kudos to Jay Alton and Elizabeth Nihiser for shooting the footage and editing this awesome video.

This is the title track, "We Are the Middle Rats", from the album "The Middle Rats", by the band "The Middle Rats".  Anyway, notice the New York subway sample at the top of the tune.  We made it ourselves using a microwave from the cabin.

Joey Hebdo:  Vocals

Jon Elliott:  Vocals

Jesse Michael Barr:  Guitars, vocals

Mike James:  Guitars, drums, vocals

*video by Elizabeth Nihiser

Jesse Michael Barr - "Brainstorms"

Produced by Jesse Michael Barr.  Mixed and edited by Jesse Michael Barr.  From a live recording session featuring Ohm Patel (Tabla), Megan Palmer (Violin), DJ Chuck Johnson (Turntables), Ben Lamb (Bass), Brad Poure (Electric Guitar), and Jesse Michael Barr (Acoustic Guitar).  Engineered by Kevin Dippold.  Recorded at Off-Guard Records, Columbus, Ohio.

Jesse Michael Barr - Brainstorms by Off-Guard Records

"I'm Not Gonna Cry" - Steph Rogers & Company

--Skully's, Columbus, Ohio


Steph "Ladybird" Rogers leads this awesome Sharon Jones song at the SoHud Music Festival 2010.  Steph is the go-to backing vocalist for Max Power, but she sure can deliver a lead vocal!  The rhythm section is Mike Twice on the drums, Mark Subel on bass, and me (Jesse Michael Barr) on the funk guitar.  Another highlight of this video is the dueling trombone solos by Jason Branscum (left) and Evan Oberla (Right).  My favorite part of the video is when Steve Kortyka (sax) saves the end of the trombone solo with this tasty little riff that wraps everything up perfectly.

Living Loving Maid - Joey Hebdo, SoHud Super Show

--Skully's Music Diner, Columubs, Ohio

Joey and the guys did  some killer Zepplin at the SoHud Super Show III.  This song is so cool and you can see Larry Cook is absolutely loving it up there.  Thank the gods of rock that I recovered some pretty good multi-track audio from this show and was able to put a pretty good mix on it.  I also went nuts on the video editing.  Enjoy the trip back in time into the 70's era of psychedelic mirror effects.  This song features Joey Hebdo singing lead and playing guitar, Mike James crushing the lead guitar and also singing, Larry Cook laying down the bass and also contributing the 3rd voice on the chorus, and the big man on the drums, Floorwalkers drummer, Tom Lasky

Max Power "Let Down"

--Columbus, Ohio


This was the climax of the night for me and I think everyone else as Max Power played the classic Radiohead song, "Let Down" in a juxtaposed ska style.  It was the perfect ending to the beach-themed SoHud Super Show II.  I've always wanted to hear this lyrically hopeless and depressing song done in the most joyous and upbeat  genre possible.  This song is a true collaboration as the Floorwalker's Jon Elliott and Todd Hamrick help out on vocals and organ, respectively.  Jason Branscum absolutely kills the trombone solo.  He has such a sure, strong style.  It was the end to a great night and a beginning of sorts for Max Power incorporating more ska into their live set.