The Columbus, Ohio band Two Cow Garage is accurately named. A garage band that dubs their home “Cowtown”, Two Cow Garage have embraced their surroundings. Released in April of last year, Two Cow’s third album, aptly titled III, has received great reviews and allowed them to tour throughout Europe and play shows with bands like Iron and Wine. In this Stomping Grounds exclusive, bassist Shane Sweeny tells us why Columbus is a haven for music, art, and best of all, dollar PBRs.


What’s your town’s nickname?
Cbus or Cowtown
Why do you live there?
Great art, music, but most of all it’s home.
What is your favorite local attraction (monument, park, etc)?
Gooddale park around the end of June.
What is your favorite local event/festival?
Comfest, which coincidentally is held at Gooddale Park, around the end of June
What is the best time of year to be there?
Really anytime. Autumn is pretty amazing here though.
Who is your favorite local celebrity/personality?
Jeff Fernengel of Tree Of Snakes
Who has the best jukebox (and what’s in it)?
Well, that’s hard to say as most are internet jukeboxes and those are bogus. Larry’s Bar has a pretty good one though with a wide variety of stuff.
Where is the best place to drink and what’s their specialty or happy hour?
I prefer the Ravari Room, $1 PBR’s during happy hour, $1.50 otherwise. Plus it’s in walking distance from my house.
What is your favorite place to see live music and what was your favorite show there?
The Ravari Room again. The sound is great, they have great bands come through. Though the best show I’ve seen lately was The Lindsay at the Carabar, which is also a great venue.
What is your favorite local band?
The Evil Queens
What is your favorite diner or restaurant and what is their best dish?
The Blue Danube is a Columbus standard. The black bean burger is astounding.
What is your favorite record store and what was your best find there?
You be hard pressed to find someone in Columbus who wouldn’t mention Used Kids Records here. I recently found Very Emergency by the Promise Ring for 3 dollars.
What is your favorite local shop?
There is an antique store on the corner of Como and High that is pretty rad. I don’t know the name of it though. Once around or something like that. They all have similar names anyway.
What is your favorite local publication (alternative weekly, zine, website or blog)?
It’s a tie between Donewaiting.com and Thenewdarkages.net. Our other weeklies have been conglomerated which, like internet jukeboxes, is bogus.