Colin Gawel & the League Bowlers will play their annual Christmas Eve eve show Thursday, December 23rd at the Woodlands Tavern (1200 W. Third Avenue, Columbus); doors at 7 pm, music starting at 8 pm. (Details here.) Admission is free. (Everybody’s favorite price.)

Following the blockbuster news of the sale of Bruce Springsteen’s publishing catalog to the Sony Music Corporation for $500 MILLION dollars comes the announcement that local Columbus band Colin & the Bowlers will be paid upwards of $500 for THEIR publishing rights.  (With a reported immediate cash advance of $55 to seal the deal.)

Band manager Jeff Hassler – who negotiated the sale, reportedly without the band’s knowledge or involvement – stated proudly, “We think this is going to lay the groundwork for other Columbus bands to get upwards of $600 for their life’s work.”

The sale – to a consortium of local laundromat owners and what Hassler describes as a “Bitcoin enthusiast in Bangladesh” – will involve a combination of cash payments and unspecified quantities of toilet paper & dog food.  (And Gawel doesn’t even own a dog.)    

When news of the deal – which will include all of the material from the band’s Some Balls record (initially released in 2003, followed by a Deluxe Edition in 2017, featuring six new songs) – reached middle-period Bowlers drummer Jim Johnson, his comment was, “What kind of cockamamie deal is this? I’m calling my lawyer.” (Reportedly, Johnson does not own a dog either.)

The sale of the band’s publishing catalog will also mean their work will become available for commercial pursuits. Early licensing endeavors have included “Pretty In a Slutty Way” for Siren’s Gentlemen’s Club on Cleveland Avenue just off the freeway; “Get Up Get Out” to Jimmy’s Bail Bonds downtown near the courthouse; and “Two Sets Of Rules” by the Ohio Republican Party.

Details to follow as they are released. In the meantime, come and see Colin & The Bowlers this coming Thursday for their Xmas Eve Eve bash at Woodlands Tavern.

THE LEAGUE BOWLERS / 2017

COLIN & THE BOWLERS / full set, 2020 (note; video begins at 52 second mark)

bonus holiday videos

COLIN GAWEL & THE LONELY BONES / “STILL LOVE XMAS” 2010

Pencil Storm co-editor JEREMY PORTER (& THE TUCOS) / “Xmas Dance” 2012