Athens Music Scene
By Eric Leighton
July 19, 2007
I've had a lot of life coming at me lately. I'm fine with that; it's expected. I know that as you get older, people tend to die and end up in the hospital and get sick and all of that crap. I mean, Leighton's First Law is: "The only absolute is uncertainty, and I'm not too sure about that." That said, there are a few things that I do have trouble with.
I like to think I live my life the same way the people I allow to know me well live their lives. That the things that I have done before merit the trust I expect my close friends to have in me. Granted, I am a wingnut and I get out there, but I hope the people who have known me well know me well. It is not always the case - and that's fine. I know for a fact that I do not instill confidence in various individuals, but if they cannot see the true me, I am not sure that I can or that I want to sell myself to them. It's not that important to me that everyone has the faith in me that I need from my friends and the people whom I work with. Simply stated: If I work with you, if you are my friend (separate issues, I know), then your trust in me to do the job must be implicit, or I cannot do it. I will not do it.
Granted, this has lost me a few jobs, but I maintain on every occasion, if you have hired me to do the job, then you have hired me to do the job, and you best let me do it. I know that it is not necessarily a reasonable thing, but if there is not trust between us, it's just not worth it to me.
I have been thinking a lot about life lately, and the thing that I hold to be most true is this: It is not the accomplishments we achieve in this life that make it a life worth living, though I am in no way disavowing that as important. However, the most important thing for me in this life is the quality of my relationships with the people I have had in my life.
To be well regarded and loved among the people I have lived and worked with ( more importantly, loved) is way more important than anything I might have achieved in this life. Maybe that's not how other people roll, but it sure is for me. That's why I cannot work for anyone who has doubts about me and my abilities, or anyone who lacks trust in me.
Notwithstanding my various frailties, I do have a tendency toward competence and honesty, and I give my all to the people who share this life with me. I know it ain't popular in the corporate structure of things, but at this point in my life, I see no need to bend. Thankfully, I am beginning to see, understand, and accept my self-worth. It's a freaking huge deal to realize that. May you all wake up to this in your own way, because I will tell you this: This town is rife with amazing individuals, such a confluence I have never seen. Don't take any crap from anyone.
Ranting aside, with Ohio Brew Week totally kicking butt so far, it has brought us a bunch of great music (and beer, duh). Please meet out at the clubs and let us listen.
Jackie O's
Tonight Silo Circuit and friends bring their unique sounds to the Jackie O's stage. These guys are completely neat, and their enthusiasm for what they create comes through the music. If you have not caught them before, stop into the Athens HQ for Ohio Brew Week and tip back a few pints, absorbing all of it in.
Friday night is a bit of a sad yet glorious occasion. Glorious because the ever musical and fascinating Fokushima will perform their music for you, but sad because it will be their last Athens appearance until such as a time as they are touring here from L.A., which is apparently where at least a few of them are moving. Turn out and give hugs goodbye.
Saturday night offers a band that I am sad to miss due to my gigular obligations, and also sad that I don't have their proper name. I do know that they are a Zappa tribute band, and really, that's all we need to know. Take your Inca Roads to town and don't eat the yellow snow, but do turn out for some amazing music. (Oh, wait, a late bulletin from Editor Smith: He says the band is called Ugly Radio Rebellion, and they are one of the only Zappa/Mothers tribute bands in the country, and the only one from Detroit. They're so good that occasionally, Ike Willis, the late Frank Zappa's longtime vocalist/guitarist, performs with them.)
Don't forget the weekly events: Monday nights with me (Junebug) for the Open Stage, Tuesday nights for Celtic music, and Wednesdays for the Open Jam.
Casa Cantina
The Peekers keep it around for another gig tonight. They are from Shreveport, La., but I sense a strong connection to Athens in the group. If I can give close to a testimony here; most bands I check out on the Web, I listen to a bit of a few songs before I get the gist and move along. These folks, well, I listened to all of the songs I could find at least twice and then some, lo-fi and lovely. Go see 'em. The infinitely fascinating Esskyma will open the night.
Woody Pines and the Lonesome Two are cranking things up on the currently rad retro circuit. Country blues, rags, jazzy whatnots and stripped-down instrumentation keep these folks easy to travel and well received at all stops. Teddy Harris will do some clarinet duties with these folks Friday night and will make things more than special. Speaking of more than special, J.D. Hutchison, whose increasingly rare musical outings disturbs at least this Athens Music Scene writer, will forego his seclusion and share his witty and moving music with us. Don't freakin' miss it!
Adam Torres released what I would have to call the best album of whichever of the last couple of years he actually released it in. It was called "Nostra Nova" and he has a tendency to call whatever conglomeration of musicians he pulls together to perform his music the same thing. Or maybe he does the solo-guy-with-a-band-name thing. Either way, I like this young man very much. He continuously moves me to tears when I hear his music, recorded and especially live, and I mean that in the best possible way. It is cleansing and bizarrely deep music. Saturday night, you can hear him along with Deer Tick and Diego Perez (Providence, R.I.) perform at the Casa. Good call.
Monday nights you can get your fill of old-timey music when Rattletrap hosts an open jam of sorts, and Wednesday nights you can check out the best of local talent at the Open Stage.
Toscano's
The Couch Slugs make their contribution to Brew Week Friday night, albeit carefully, being as beer is a well-known trap for them in the garden. These folks have been rocking Athens for years, and most likely will be making this a patio party of sorts to honor the late Jon Sparhawk, a man dear to many of us and in no small way responsible for the fun we are having this Brew Week. Thanks, Jon.
Rhythm on the River - Pomeroy
The final FREE concert in this fabulous series takes place Friday night on the river in Pomeroy. (Well, not exactly "on" the river, or "in" the river, but beside it.) Randy McAllister closes out this great series by bringing his fine Texas sensibilities, wry humor and excellent songwriting to the floating stage. The PB& J folks do such a fine job bringing in talent that you should be hearing but probably haven't heard of that you should go hear whatever they have to offer - let alone that it is FREE! Next week - the Big Bend Blues Bash!
Court Grill - Pomeroy
Friday night Smoke 'n Mirrors befuddle and delight you with their musical masterpieces. Take some folks from Willie and the Poor Boys and add a heaping helping of good ol' rock and country and my guess is you'll have a good time.
Every Tuesday Dale Kulchar hosts an Open Stage at the Court Grill. Go on and get out there, yo!
Rhapsody - Nelsonville
Speaking of Dale Kulchar, you can catch him in full musician mode Friday and Saturday at the Rhapsody Restaurant in Nelsonville. He calls the band Duo-Glide, and Friday night along with him he features the fabulous Ted Harris on the saxophone and clarinet. Saturday night Duo Glide features Chad "Memphis T-Bone" Dodson swinging the sax.
Concert on the Green
Tonight on the green at OU the D&R Studio Band will perform a FREE concert. This event will serve as a CD Release party, celebrating the completion of their new project called " Time Machine." These guys excel at perfect renditions of classic material. The show, which also features R&B Station, begins at 7 p.m. (See separate article in this issue.)
Hometown Showcase
This radio show that features local music is run by the folks who bring you the D&R Studio Band -- a good group of guys. The show airs Saturday mornings at 10, and Sunday evenings at 7 on WATH-AM 970. This week you can hear the wonderful group called The Jarts.
Sandstone - Logan
Steve Zarate will perform all manner of tunes at the Sandstone Friday night from 8-12. It's a nice restaurant that has a less than high-falutin' patio with which to sip beer and listen to music. Good food.
Blennerhassett Hotel - Parkersburg, WV
Saturday: WOUB-FM radio carries this show that you might have heard of called "Mountain Stage." Well, they operate out of W.Va. and bring great music to the world from their humble state. In order to better dig up new talent, they created a New Song Contest where they invite singer/songwriter types to submit tunes and perform two songs apiece. The winner of this round will compete in the finals in NYC. Our own Steve Zarate has been accepted for this round, and I believe of the 10 other contestants, Bruce Dalzell and his son Harlan Dalzell have been accepted along with Tristan Kinsley, the latter two being from the band Princes of Hollywood. Four of 11 being our own in this regional contest - pretty cool. The thing is, you need to go down and cheer for them so they can win.
The Union
Friday night, Blueprint for Murder brings their heavy-metal assault back to the Union. These guys bring the rock - don't miss them. Crucifixion Addiction and other groups will make this a metally joy.
Saturday's Dan Melchior show has been cancelled, but you can count on something cool happening upstairs at the Union. Stop in and see.
Tuesday night, be sure and check out the Last of the Bad Men. This international punk-rock supergroup features skater/tattoo artist brothers Art and Steve Godoy (the Exploding F%#* Dolls), Deniz Tek (the legendary Radio Birdman!!!), Troy Zak (the Daggers), and Cleveland's own Daniel Creadon (The Curb Slappys). The Loaded Revulvas set up and rock out. Whether they have their original drummer or Chris McKee, they will beat you around like you need it. White Album and more will fill out this bill.
Boogie on the Bricks
I wish this event could somehow serve as a model for the annual Halloween party, but I know that that's not bloody likely. I suppose it's even better that the capstone event for Ohio Brew Week is best shared by the few-ish of us who get to be here when it is a wee bit more intimate. If you don't like music, you can at least enjoy drinking beer on Court Street Saturday without getting arrested. Last year's event was hassle free and beautiful. This year the music starts at 2 p.m. with the Athens Dixieland Jazz Society followed by Midnight at 3, Columbus-based Swagg at 4, Nickalogic Groove Project at 5, Louisiana's Bluerunners at 7 and The Royales at 9. Rock on!
The Blue Gator
Nickalogic Groove Project, a group that features local hero Brian Quinn, returns to Athens Friday night to show you what fine quality music these folks can crank out. It's always fun to see how well young people do coming from this Athens environment. Check 'em out.
Saturday night after the Boogie on the Bricks party The Royales will roll their gear down the street to keep it raging on for the duration of the night
Smiling Skull
Friday evening starting around 7 there will be a benefit for Brad "the Wookie" Strunk. The Paranormals, Kenny Clark, Tony Adami and the usual cast of characters will do their best to raise money for Brad, who broke his ankle in a nasty and costly way. Brad will play in a group called The Crip, if I heard right. Please do stop in.
Uncle Buck's - Zaleski-ish
There will be bluegrass and BBQ at Uncle Buck's on Saturday featuring the Red Brush Band - a really terrific group. Get on out there little doggies.
I'm sure there's more, but my dial-up connection and I couldn't find it. Dig in and listen for music as you peruse the Athens Music Scene! See you at the gigs!
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