Athen Music Scene
By Eric Leighton
July 26, 2007
Last week's Ohio Brew Week culminated in the most successful Boogie on the Bricks ever. Man, do we know how to throw a party. With great bands just lifting people off the ground with their music and the very cooperative weather - not to mention boatloads of finely crafted ales from all over Ohio - I would have to say that we are really getting the hang of this summertime fun sort of thing.
When I first came to Athens oh so many years ago, it was just us ghost-townies and the Appalachian tumbleweeds making the scene. There were about 10 guys to every girl - it was yucky. It's nice to see that some of the things that change are for the better. This year's BotB had lots of fun stuff for kids of all ages to do. I'm building me one of those water-balloon slingshot gladiator things.
The next thing you want to put onto your calendars is the Athens Community Music Festival - the ACMF -- happening on Saturday, Aug. 11. This is another showcase for Athens and how cool we are. Dozens of bands perform in a dozen locations all over town, and one reasonable price gets you in to see all of them. And people wonder what I see in this town?
This weekend is not short of cool, amazing music to witness, least of all the Big Bend Blues Bash. Why don't we start there for this week's tour?
Big Bend Blues Bash - Pomeroy
Jackie Welker, who runs the Court Street Grill in Pomeroy, is a true music lover. He has single-handedly spurred on a movement that has led to the great event called the Big Bend Blues Bash. This year's bash covers two days and features 19 sets from some of the best names in the business on three stages. The show starts Friday at 5 p.m. on the Main Stage with the Andy Francis Group and continues with the Mudfork Blues Band, Free Beer & Chicken Coalition and The Royales, and closes with the great Johnny Rawls. The music on the Ohlinger Amplifiers Stage begins at 6:30 p.m. and features Phil and the Thrill and the Mr. Boogie Band.
Saturday, the music begins at 1 p.m. with Law of Attraction and moves on with Greg O'Brien and the Spoodoo Cadillacs (Greg "Overdrive" O'Brien lives hereabouts, but is a blues guitar-slinger with a national reputation), Dave Childers and the Modern Don Juans (a must-see), Lil' Dave Thompson, another set from Johnny Rawls, Shannon Curfman, and closing out with the fabulous Lucky Peterson. On the OA Stage the music starts at 1:30 p.m. with Capstone, The Speed Knobs, Dale Kulchar, Woody Pines and the Lonesome Two, and finishes with After Hours. What a weekend. But wait, I did say three stages, didn't I? Which brings us to...
Court Grill - Pomeroy
Right around the corner from the Bash is a cozy little bar called the Court Grill, the epicenter of music in Pomeroy, if you will. Both Friday and Saturday nights you can hear The Flat Tires along with David Childers and the Modern Don Juans. The music begins at 8 and continues until the bar closes.
Saturday night from 4-7 you can hear Todd Burge perform before the rock and roll begins.
Donkey Coffee
The Donkey has music this weekend, but maybe they'll take a vacation soon, so stay tuned. Friday night Teddy Humpert and Robinson Earle make beautiful music happen.
Saturday night Chris Tomazic and friends will grace the Donkey stage.
Casa Cantina
Tonight, Futility Knife ("Don't bother to sharpen it."), The Paper Machetes (unable to sharpen), Bad Chemicals (for good people) and Serfesque (sooo middle ages) cram their gear into the Casa for a rock and roll event.
Friday night Casual Future returns to the Casa to get it on. They are joined by the excellent and popular Silo Circuit.
Saturday night, from Oak Park Holler, Mich., the Salt Miners bring their "hard-slugging, two-fisted string-band music" to the Casa to show you that not all acoustic music is for sissies. Good influences and good music, so go forth and listen.
Monday nights you can enjoy the old-timey open jam hosted by Rattletrap. Wednesday nights you can go to the Casa and talk over the acts that perform at the Open Stage hosted by Chris Biester - though you really should shut the hell up and listen once in a while! For real, geez.
The Union
The Union packs in a good run of shows starting Friday night with a great performance featuring the phenomenal Dragline Bros. and a cool new band from Columbus called The Razors. The Razors feature members from such bands as the Jive Turkeys, The Means, Bob City, The Spiveys and Geraldine, to name a few. That ought to give you an idea of what you can expect.
Saturday night, Columbus-based punk-soul rockers Tough and Lovely return to rip you a new one and to throw a CD release party. Their last CD was great, so I can't wait to get my hands on the new one. Wheels on Fire will add a spark to this already glorious show.
Monday night, the oft-returning NYC rockers Beat the Devil are back to befuddle and amaze you. Guitarless, but containing one of the best front-persons in the biz, Shilpa Ray, these folks put out some different stuff. Utilizing a harmonium, and now a theremin - as well as the diminutive Ray's massive and awe-inspiring voice, they will... Well, do me a favor and just go hear them. You will leave open-mouthed.
Tuesday night, from Lincoln, Neb., The Terminals roll through town looking for a greasy diner and ladling out some down-and-dirty rock and roll. The Paper Machetes are along for the ride along with other fine homespun acts.
Jackie O's
Tonight Jackie O's features an act called Frontier Ruckus. I believe that Dirty Johnny has his hands all over this one so it ought to be a good one.
Friday night, Tony Adami and Colleen Girton of After Hours will perform as a duo their original material peppered with tasty covers. Later, the band will join the fray with new member Ed Scott on percussion.
Saturday night the newish trio of jammin' rockers, The Brevity Thing, dish out their "Swampy ... dank and slimy," music for you all to get your butts groovin' to.
Jackie O's has a new guy handling the booking - me. Contact me at junebug@circle5.org for dates and details. Jackie O's also has a MySpace page up now for your viewing and brewing pleasure: myspace.com/jackieospubandbrewery. It's fresh, so drink it in often.
Blue Gator
The Paranormals perform every Tuesday when they host the Open Stage. It's happy-hour prices all night long, and a great sound system.
Rhapsody - Nelsonville
Steve Zarate makes music to dine to on Friday night at the Rhapsody.
Union Hall Theater - Chesterhill
Curator John Wetzel is putting on another of his fun Local Music Showcases Saturday at the historic Union Hall Theater in Chesterhill, Ohio - a mere 30 minute or so drive through the glorious countryside. Donations to the theater will be accepted. It's kind of Open Mic-ish, so bring your axe.
Sandstone - Logan
Saturday night Mr. Zarate is back to his prime self, singing his songs, one of which got high praise from "Mountain Stage"'s Larry Groce last weekend. Something to the effect, "That cell phone song is f*%#$-ing great." Indeed.
CrimethInc. Convergence
This sort-of anarchist collective is holding its sixth annual "convergence" in and around Athens yesterday through Sunday. They'll have "anarchist camaraderie," workshops and discussions, direct-action trainings, planning for mobilizations through next year, gift economics, prisoner support, subversive games (urban capture the flag), anti-capitalist survival skills and "revolutionary pleasure," among many other things.
While music isn't listed as a main attraction, one expects that it will play a role in this five-day event. If you want to get involved, show up at 21 Kern St. (The Wire) in Athens today between noon and 10 p.m., and they'll have plenty of information. Plus, you can just Google "crimethinc."
Let's hope your weekend is effin' great! There's plenty of music to ensure that it will. See you at the gigs!
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