Fri 1/9

Once again, Thomas Mulready and his band Vanity Crash hosted their annual January shows honoring influential rocker David Bowie, who was both born and died in January. These programs included sound clips, video and photos, in addition to the live performance of Bowie tunes and Bowie-esque originals by the band, but brought a little something special this year: guest vocalist Alison Garrigan who provided backup and led vocals, previewing an upcoming February reunion show of Queue Up, the 1990s band she led with Vanity Crash frontman Dennis Van Crash. It also featured the debut of new Vanity Crash bassist Julia Jewels, filling out the live lineup.

This year’s theme was Bowie in Northeast Ohio, with a focus on his first appearance here (and first in the U.S.) at Music Hall on September 22, 1972. Each night featured a special guest who was there and involved with the show: former WMMS program director Billy Bass on Friday, photographer Anastasia Pantsios on Saturday and WMMS long-time air personality Denny Sanders on Sunday.

The show also focused on Bowie’s performance at Blossom Music Center on September 30, 1995 with Cleveland-raised Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails also appearing, with Clevelander Kevin McMahon’s band Prick opening up the show.

They performed the show at the BOP STOP on Friday January 9, at Jilly’s in Akron on Saturday January 10, and at the Beachland on Sunday January 11.

View the PHOTOSTREAM here.