Athens Music Scene
By Eric Leighton
Athens NEWS Writer
October 4, 2007
I have been really enjoying the Open Stages lately. It's refreshing to see and hear new musicians -- young, old and of varying experiences -- and watch them blossom. I've gone from being that young Turk standing around chomping at the bit to play to being a host who helps to fine-tune these individuals into better musicians. It's nice to know that I can help direct these folks toward comporting themselves well onstage (and how to not blow up someone's PA system due to negligence).
It took me a long time to realize I had stepped over the line to being a teacher. I have always been and intend to remain a student. I resisted the notion that I might have anything to share because I felt that I had so much to learn - I still feel that way. I think that I was being lazy and shy. I'm still lazy, but I'm not as shy when it comes to schooling some inexperienced musicians once in a while. I can give you some references, right Nate?
The best part for me is that I continue to grow as a musician. It might not be every time I play that I have a breakthrough. Sometimes they are years apart, but when you have that one night when you hit everything you were always hoping to hit, when your fingers find all of the right places and your voice soars to new heights, wowee, what fun!
I've learned more from falling on my face, though. That's the tough stuff. For every mediocre to great gig, there are those (fortunately) few gigs that suck like an aardvark in an ant colony. Sometimes a lesson is learned, most times not. Luckily, I have yet to let the futility affect my humility, or my ability and desire to get back up on the stage and have at it one more time. I can't wait.
Considering the fact that there are hundreds of like-minded musicians out there - many of whom are playing this weekend in town -- I implore you dear reader to seek out these passionate individuals and lend them your ear for a while.
Donkey Coffee
The Donkey has an Open Stage tonight and every Thursday hosted by the talented Troy Gregorino, who plays with the Jarts. Sign up at the counter. Also tonight features an art opening for renowned comic artist Sandy Plunkett.
Friday evening at 6 you can hear "Jazz & Blues Cafe" with Linda Lukasik's piano students. Later that night you can hear the marvelous Nostra Nova, the performing outlet for Adam Torres. Ukulele Typewriter - which is exactly what it sounds like - along with Jesse Remnant, brother of Southeast Engine's Adam Remnant (who sounds like a blend of Adams - Torres and Remnant), and Matt Emmons will also perform.
Saturday night Donkey has a Common Language Benefit featuring the eclectic and Taylor-esque musical stylings of The Bob Stewart Band as well as numerous Athens High School performers.
Casa Cantina
The Wooly Lemons return to the Casa Cantina tonight to rock out in their driving, heavily riffed rock and roll. I saw them recently and really enjoyed the show. Ones and Zeroes are on the bill, as are Megan Cameron and Amethyst Stone - a fine and ethereal act if there ever was one. Midwest Kid is gonna rock out in their trademark way. The Kid has it going on.
Friday night the Casa has a Rural Action benefit featuring Chris Biester, Liz Pahl, Andrew Weiland (Snails, Dragline Bros.), J.J. Reid (Wheels on Fire), C. Tomazic and Maceo Gabbard (Heartlanders).
Saturday night it looks like the DJs take over when DJ Barticus and The Meat bring the Pomegranate Parade, old school funk and soul on vinyl.
Jackie O's
Juan Soto and his Merengue Night will take over Jackie O's tonight for some sweaty and sexy dancing. Apologies to the folks who thought this was to be a Rural Action Benefit featuring Casual Future and Bram Riddlebarger - it isn't happening.
My very good friends Memphis, from Chapel Hill, N.C., will be rocking the house Friday night with their boogie-woogie, down and dirty, super groovy tunes. I couldn't be happier than to have them in town. The Paranormals - Catfish and I - will play from Happy Hour onwards until Memphis is ready to roll. (Editor Smith says he liked our Roger Miller medley at the Reclaim Fest.)
Papadosio rolls back into Jackie O's to ply you with their electronica-laden jamalicious tunes Saturday night. Opening the night is Jones for Revival, a rocking unit out of Youngstown, Ohio. Good night to get your spin on.
Monday nights I host an Open Stage and Tuesday nights are Celtic night. Wednesday nights are looking for company. Interested bands or DJs should contact the bar.
Stuart's Opera House
The Avett Brothers return to Stuart's Opera House on Wednesday. Their blend of rock and roll attitude with acoustic music has taken them on a lovely trip around the planet. Selling out shows wherever they go, their musical melding seems to be working exceedingly well for them. They sold out Stuart's last time, so you might want get right on those tickets.
OU Inn
Steve Zarate will take over for Kent Lankas Saturday night at Cutler's restaurant performing his atmospheric tuneage.
The Union
Tonight three local bands with eccentric names and music to match will perform tonight at the Union. Esskyma is an instrumental band that crashes through crescendos and decrescendos with gusto. Russenorsk employs a cello and sticks to the more acoustic moody side of things, and Zephurous is another in a long line of solo artists with band names, and follows a similar musical vein as well; somewhere toward the darker side of Iron and Wine.
Friday night the inimitable Box Car Satan returns to the Union. These guys rip a hole in the fabric of the musical world and stitch it up like the sutures on Frankenstein - which is to say they are monstrous. Filled with nasty evil fun, these guys are a must hear. The Revulvas are one of the few all-female troupes in town, kicking out old-school punk rock in the best possible manner. Fleshword is a new one to me, but on good information I have it that they evoke early Butthole Surfers "but through an old coffee filter designed by some of the most creative folks in town." I like the Butthole Surfers a whole lot.
Saturday night The Makes Nice debuts in Athens. These folks bring to mind the early Who, in no small part due to their manic drummer; a power trio in the truest sense of the word. They sound utterly modern, yet from another time altogether. Wheels on Fire recently returned from a tour without their gear thanks to some kind folks who thought it was weighing down the van too much. Jerks. Nonetheless, Wheels on Fire have evolved into a top-notch rock-and-roll machine. If you haven't seen them yet, I can only wonder what you're waiting for. Paper Machetes are skillfully slinging a style of music that went out in the early '80s, and I'm talking the good kind of punk rock that used to exist, the stuff that was crossed with a good dose of '70s rock.
Man Man is currently embarked on a tour that takes them around North America all the way into early December. Yowza. The humor in their music is readily apparent. Playful falsettos and lots of unison singing -- let's just say that you will enjoy yourself immensely Tuesday night. The first strains of "High Five the Cactus" from The Extraordinaires had me grinning ear to ear. I cannot begin to describe their music except to say that it's way fun. They even wrote their own musical - "Ribbons of War." Cool stuff. Our own Men of Gentle Birth will open the night.
Rhapsody
Steve Zarate continues his dominance of the dinner market at the Rhapsody in Nelsonville on Friday night.
Smiling Skull
The incredible Chooglin' will be slamming it out at the Smiling Skull Saturday night. I saw this Minneapolis band a while back and immediately obtained a CD and then watched the sun rise with 'em. They play stripped-down rock and roll with good singing and plenty of gratuitous guitar riffs. How much great music can we get in one weekend?!?
Ridges Auditorium
Something for the kids: Suzi Shelton, one of the leading children's music purveyors, will be performing a family-friendly show for kids and parents alike at the Ridges Auditorium Saturday at 11 a.m. She has been praised by the likes of Parenting Magazine and thrills children all over the States.
Hometown Showcase
This week's featured band will be the bluegrass band New Image. You can tune in this radio show Saturday mornings at 10 and Sunday evenings at 7 on WATH-AM 970.
Athens Amvets
The D&R Studio Band will perform their classic takes on classic rock Saturday night at the Athens Amvets from 8-11.
19 South
19 South continues to ramp up the live music, which is awesome as far as I'm concerned. This venue is really nice and itchin' for a new start. Tonight, Robots on Crack return to the music scene. This is a special audio/visual show that is likely to induce seizures. Crispy Rice and the Get Downs will also perform.
Sunday night will be a FREE show featuring Five Foot Forward, "Athens' premiere cover band." The show begins around 7.
Wednesday night, Without Papers rolls into town to get their down-and-dirty rock and roll happening at 19 South. It's been a while since I've seen Nick and the boys. Sounds like fun.
Baker Center
Victor Rasgaitis and friends will take over the Front Room tonight with effusive energy coming out everywhere.
John Vanderslice makes a return to the Baker Center Theater tonight. He writes nicely musical songs that build internally to a great conclusion. This show like all others there is FREE. Bishop Allen is built around poppy and occasionally moody melody lines. They will open the night.
Bruce Dalzell holds down the Open Stage every Friday night at the Front Room.
Voxtrot hits the Baker Center Theater on Friday night; radio-friendly rock and roll that evokes some of the other music of the '80s. The Little Ones fit right into that mold too; early '80s New Wave music. The Teeth have a bit more of a musical independence but still have moments that induce Madness, the band, not the malady.
Saturday night at the Baker Center Theater we have some more of the same with VHS or Beta. Headlights achieve a musical style that stands alone a bit more, and our own locals Melty Melty and The Kyle Sowashes make for a nice break.
BW3's
BW3's apparently wants to make itself music friendly as they have hired Steve Zarate to perform every Wednesday from 8-11 p.m. Stop in, grab a pint and a bite, watch a game and listen to Steve.
Wow! What a weekend. I'm excited about the music happening, and I hope that you are, too. I'll see you at the gigs!
Oh, Editor Smith wanted to add one of his occasional musical recommendations. This time, it's "The Johnny Cash Show" (parts 1 and 2), just released on DVD. They've got the classic duet of Dylan and Cash singing "Girl from the North Country," Smith says, along with performances by Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, George Jones, Credence, Louis Armstrong, Linda Ronstadt, etc., etc., all circa 1970-71.
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