Athens Music Scene
By Eric Leighton
May 31, 2007
We all know that Athens is a special place. Of that there is no doubt. Why is it special? Well, that is a bit harder to put your finger on. To me, it has always felt like something in the ground, wavering its energy upwards, absorbing us into its vibe. If you have ever been to New Orleans, I'd say that city hits in a similar manner - both places have soul. I also got to wondering why we have such an excess of excess around here, especially when it comes to partying hard, so here was one of the things that I came up with.
When the Greeks started not believing in their gods anymore, some of the gods disappeared in despair, while others just wandered off to find something else to do. Dionysus was the Greek god of wine, lover of peace, whose goal was to use music to bring the soul solace, and he was a patron of agriculture and fertility.
I figure he set out for a walk and found him this nice little spot, oddly enough called Athens. Now maybe he was here long before it was a grotto and directed those surveyors to the wrong spot so that Athens would end up here instead of the Plains as it was intended. (Were they drunk, perhaps?)
At any rate, Dionysus liked a good party, so he brought the party to him, manipulating things the way gods are known to do (he did give Midas the power to turn what he touched to gold), and so built himself a nice little place where he could be worshipped without anyone actually knowing they were doing so. Once he had the college in place, he merely had to wait and direct.
So, assuming Dionysus resides here in some manner, and is the spur in our side toward the mass consumption of alcohol that is so pervasive here - his tribute perhaps - it stands to reason that he has a level of tribute that he expects, hence the binge drinking by students by the thousands. Summer comes upon us, and as every townie type knows, when the students leave, the rate at which the locals consume the booze goes through the roof. The reason: Dionysus demands his tribute. The only way he can maintain his lifestyle over the summer is through the gullets of the locals, so the locals get it done (see also: winter break, spring break, etc.) That's really all that I have on that for right now. Talk to me later and I'll explain at length, and how.
Some great music here this weekend, thank Dionysus, so let's take a stroll through the Athens Music Scene.
Casa Cantina
Friday night, those Funkin' Kings of Rock and Soul, The Royales, will trot out yet newer tunes than the last time and make you slather yourself in gloriously sexy sweat. Funk yeah! Opening for The Royales will be a side project of Royales bass player Roman Warmke, The Break Down Way Boys. Roman teams up with David Wolff, a talented acoustic guitar player who runs a Web site (www.breakdownway.com) that allows music students to log on and learn vintage Hot Tuna songs via streaming video. During their short show, the two will play 10 songs from Acoustic Hot Tuna's repertoire.
Saturday night they had better keep the mops handy when Papadosio comes into the Casa to drench you with the glorious musical explorations and dance frenzy that you have come to enjoy.
Jackie O's
Juan Soto helps you sexify yourself tonight by teaching you the ins and outs of Merengue dance and music.
The fine brother-harmony bluegrass of The McGovern Brothers return Friday night to the hallowed hall of Jackie O's. Now that's a banjo working there!
Saturday night, the Aquabear Legion collective of bands presents Casual Future, The Kyle Sowashes, An Owl Machine and Sweet Melons.
Monday nights are still the open Mic. I'm waiting.
The Union
The Union plays host to the Lobsterfest "after parties" this weekend, and Friday night the bands will be Yakuza Heart Attack, Swamping Bobulus, Esskyma and Paper Machetes.
Saturday night I am excited to hear that This Moment in Black History is coming back to town to lay waste to our senseless bodies. These guys are a perennial fave amongst the in-the-know. Bim, I'm coming to see ya, buddy! Langhorne Slim will make an appearance the day after his LobsterFest gig at Baker Center, The Dropdead Sons come in full force to rage it Athens style, Shotgun for Royalty returns home from Chicago for a visit, and The Spider Bags spin their webs in your brain.
Blue Gator
Fokushima will take to the Gator stage on Friday for their last show of the spring season. Their fine mix of harmonies and songcraft make these folks a pleasure to hear. The talented young songstress Giana Marie will open the evening shortly before heading to Nashville to do the music world a favor.
Paranormals, Tuesday, Open Mic, anyone?
Lobsterfest
Friday and Saturday, ACRN, Baker Center and the Union are happy to present Lobsterfest. This annual end-of-the-year event has grown and grown. This year's FREE festival boasts a pretty impressive lineup.
Friday's events will take place in the Baker Center Theater beginning at 7 p.m. Featured will be Murder By Death, Langhorne Slim, The Gunshy, Oh My God and Melty Melty.
Saturday begins at 3 p.m. and features two stages that will be down by the pond adjacent to the lower level of Baker Center - follow your ears. The bands on the Chris Stage are Six Gallery, Machine Go Boom, Wussy, Detachment Kit, Kevin Devine, Chin Up Chin Up, and the evening wraps up with The New Amsterdams. (Editor Smith says he highly recommends the band Wussy, which plays from 4:50-5:20 p.m. Wussy is the current main project of longtime Ass Ponys leader Chuck Cleaver. Along with GBV, Ass Ponys led the indie-rock scene in Cincinnati for nearly two decades. A week after Lobsterfest, Wussy will be playing at Twangfest in St. Louis.)
On the Brian Stage, starting a half-hour after the other stage, you can hear Spanish Prisoners, Adam Torres, Southeast Engine, The Heligoats, Joe Anderl and Owen.
Here is my only request for submissions to this article and I'm sure I can speak for the What's Happening and Letters sections as well: PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT EVERYTHING IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, AS IT HAS BEEN PROVED THAT IT IS HARDER FOR PEOPLE TO RECOGNIZE WORDS WITHOUT THEIR MORE GENTLE AND SEXY LOWERCASE SHAPES, AND IF YOU SUBMIT EVERYTHING IN CAPITALS (CALLED 'SCREAMING' IN INTERNET JARGON), I CANNOT CUT AND PASTE THE NAMES OF THE BANDS INTO THE ARTICLE, HAVING TO RE-TYPE EVERYTHING, AND I AM A LAZY, LAZY MAN. END RANT. THANK YOU. (I, editor Smith, echo Mr. Leighton's concerns wholeheartedly.)
Fur Peace Station
Jazz-fusion master Larry Coryell will perform at the Fur Peace Station on Saturday night beginning at 8. Jamming with his groovy trio, you will be wowed by this man's abilities. He has recorded over 70 albums in the last 35 years, both as band leader and featured accompanist. He has toured with the likes of Cream's Jack Bruce, and been featured on recording sessions with Jimmy Webb, the Fifth Dimension, Charles Mingus, Billy Cobham, Chick Corea and John McLaughlin. This guy helped spearhead the jazz-fusion movement and certainly is a legend in his own right. I know numerous guitar-heads are rolling out to the Ranch on Saturday night, won't you?
Donkey Coffee and Espresso
The Donkey is taking a study break for the rest of the quarter, so go study and relax to the soothing sounds of study-ness.
Stuart's Opera House
Califone will be at Stuart's Opry House on Friday night. This band features Tim Rutili of the popular Red Red Meat. These guys blur the lines between blues, folk, rock and noise. They will have a full band including a percussionist, and will go one better by utilizing the opening band Bitter Tears' horn section to boot. I always love to hear the more experimental music go down in the Opry House. This will no doubt sound amazing. The other opening band is Spanish Prisoners, a Columbus band.
Editor Smith, who downloaded Califone's recent album, "Roots and Crowns," awarded his seal of approval to the band, saying they remind him of various bands that skillfully blend their instruments and vocals into mesmerizing soundscapes -- band as varied as Yo La Tengo, Pink Floyd and Calexico.
Memorial Auditorium
John Horne will take things to a new level tonight when he performs with the OU Wind Ensemble at Mem Aud. The piece performed is called "Chaos Theory," and was composed by senior composer/sound designer for Midway Games, James Bonney. This is the man who brought you the sounds for "Mortal Kombat: Armageddon." Horne is excited to perform this piece as he looks to unleash his "inner shredder." I want to see that too! The show begins at 8 p.m. For a foretaste got to: www.jimbonney.com/chaos_theory.php
Rhapsody
Friday night, Steve Zarate helps to cleanse the palette with gentle musical ministrations from 6:30-9:30. Steve also has a show from 7-8 Saturday night at the Federal Valley Resource Center in Stewart.
Athens Amvets
The D&R Studio Band will be rocking it up at the AMVETS on Saturday night. Cool, clear classic rock and R&B.
Hometown Showcase
8 a.m. will appear on "Hometown Showcase" this weekend: Fine country-grass. You can hear the show Saturday at 10 a.m., and Sundays at 7 p.m. on WATH-AM 970.
Elsewhere
The Court Grill - Pomeroy
Jackie must be beside himself with Friday night's appearance of Cleveland Fats at the Court Grill in Pomeroy. Fats is schooled in the down-home real guts of the blues and brings it to bear everywhere. He knows the masters and learned first-hand from many of them. In fact Robert Jr. Lockwood performs on Fats' latest album, "The Way Things Go." I know where you need to go to catch some real blues this Friday night - the Grill!
Late Night Logan - (umm) Logan
Late Night Logan happens the first Saturday of every month and features art and music all over town. Here are the events for this month: Hocking Valley Bluegrass will perform at the Washboard Quilt Show from 4-8 p.m. at the Bowen House.
Pianist Ramona Hicks will perform at the Spotted Owl from 7-9 p.m. Guitarist Fred Norman will perform jazz at that same time but at the Piano Works instead.
M R Mac's Cafe will have music from 7 p.m. until 2 a.m. and feature some familiar names: Men of Gentle Birth, Red Road Travelers, Three Chords and a Beer, Without Papers, and Wooly Lemons.
Scott Blazer & Audie Wyle will perform on the Sandstone Patio from 8-11 p.m.
If that's not enough for you to consume this week, well, come on back next week for more, for sure! Buggin'!
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