Athens Music Scene
By Eric Leighton
September 6, 2007
We here at AMS HQ would like to extend a big hearty welcome to all of the folks just getting into Athens. This here is the Athens Music Scene, a weekly, somewhat entertaining article about the musical options available to you here in Athens and throughout the region. I am a working musician who daylights as a music writer, among other things. My job here is to notify, edify, obfuscate and irritate you into going out to hear live music.
There are so many fine quality bands in this town; I exhort you to go see them as often as possible. Pay the cover, folks. Don't try to talk the door person out of it. Musicians might have the advantage of having a job that they enjoy, but most of us have to do other things in order to survive. Five bucks out of your pocket often barely covers the sound person -- who always gets paid -- and then gets spread out to the bands on the bill.
A typical Union show has three or four bands performing in a night, and they tend to have four people on average in the band. If they manage to get 100 people in the door, and pay the sound person, that works out $25 a person -- and let's not forget the bar tab! This doesn't factor in rehearsal time, travel expenses, equipment maintenance and so on. It's not an easy way to make a go of things.
So have some compassion for the plight of the musician, if you will. Go out, try to remain quiet for a few songs, and dance your butts off! I will see you there.
Fur Peace Ranch
Fareed Haque's Flat Earth Ensemble will be performing at the Fur Peace Station near Darwin, Ohio, on Saturday night. This sounds like a faraway place, but it's only about 20 minutes from Athens, southeastward. For those of you who do not know, Haque is an amazing instrumentalist who has some crazy instrument that he plays. His band is composed of international players, and the music is based in Indi-Pakistani roots with lots of improv and a heavy groove. You might know Fareed from his band Garaj Mahal. Opening the night will be David Jacobs-Strain, an up-and-coming blues singer/songwriter.
Baker Center
The Front Room is the focus tonight when Zephuros returns with his quiet and gentle acoustic music. Teddy Humpert of Kaslo will join him.
Every Friday night the Front Room has an open stage hosted by Bruce Dalzell. You can sign up there.
Saturday night you catch the synth-rock stylings of the Cinematics, a band from the UK. The beguiling Carina Round will bring her band and her driving, yet subtle music, and Yakuza Heart Attack will unleash the power of Nintendo music upon your twitching thumbs.
Tuesday nights is a Songwriters' Circle hosted by Bruce Dalzell and featuring special guests. Wednesday nights you can do the Open Stage in the Bunch of Grapes Room, also hosted by Dalzell. Every other Thursday you can bring your band down to the Band Open Stage at the Baker Center Theater.
Casa Cantina
Tonight, Nostra Nova, featuring the excellent songwriting and performance skills of Adam Torres, will perform at the Cantina. The Jarts, a jangly collection of talented musicians, will get their groove on, cello and all.
International Dance Night takes the floor at the Casa Friday night.
Athens' own Latin Jazz band, Los Viejos Blanquitos, will rule the roost on Saturday night. This is a group made up of musical veterans and it shows.
Viva DeConcini brings her band, Viva Labanda, over from Brooklyn on Sunday night. She has a fascinating sound and is a bitchin' guitar player. I can't describe the music adequately enough, as it ranges from sambas to breakdowns, so you'll just have to go check her out. My favorite line: "You can show a man a vision, but you just can't make him see."
Russenorsk, along with Esskyma, bring their dreamy, experimental sounds to the stage in support.
Every Monday night, Rattletrap hosts an old-timey jam, and Wednesdays the Cantina has an open stage with the usual host, Chris Biester
19 South
New to the live music scene is 19 South. They will feature bands every Thursday night. Tonight is the official Grand Re-Opening with food and whatnot for everyone. The Royales will be the first band to get on the new stage and test out the sound system. Rockin'.
Jackie O's
Tonight you can get your booty shaking at Merengue Night with Juan Soto.
Friday night the fine and fabulously funky Greenleif returns to tear up the town. These folks have horns and everything.
Saturday night you can get a dose of the rocking blues when Cold Bargain takes to the stage. Look out for that guitar! Wowza.
Every Monday you can check out the open stage with me. Tuesday nights you can groove to the music of Celtic Night, and Wednesdays you can try your hand at the open jam.
Smiling Skull
After Hours will perform at the Skull Saturday night starting about 8, if I remember correctly. Originals and tasty covers are par for the course with this group.
Albany Community Fair
The D&R Studio Band will be jamming their classic cuts at the Albany Community Fair on Saturday from 7-10 p.m. Not quite sure where the event is, Albany fairgrounds maybe?
Factory Street Studio
The Factory Street Studio (no longer on Factory Street -- 37 Ohio Ave.) is having a Dance-a-Thon Saturday from 1-7 p.m. to raise money for their scholarship fund. You can also register for classes then.
Blennerhassett Hotel -- Parkersburg, W.Va.
Steve Zarate continues to run the Happy Hour scene ragged tonight from 5:30 to 7:30. Vocals, harmonica and guitar are par for the course.
Sandstone -- Logan
Steve Zarate brings his shtick to Logan on their fabulous patio Friday night from 7-11.
Rhapsody Restaurant
Rounding out the dinnertime trifecta this week, Steve Zarate hits the Rhapsody on Saturday, this time just utilizing is guitar and harmonica to add ambiance to the ritual of eating.
Donkey Coffee
The Three Hours Open Stage was supposed to back tonight, but apparently is delayed a week.
Russenorsk will do the experimental folky thing at the Donkey on Friday night.
The wonderful Carrie Elkin returns to Athens for a show at the Donkey on Saturday night. She is an Athens' alum and a very talented singer-songwriter. Speaking of talent, Bruce Dalzell will open the night. He is such a great player, you need to hear him.
Blue Gator
Papadosio returns to the Gator on Friday night. They took the summer off in order to record an album, so I bet they are just itchin' to get out and jam. See an article about the band elsewhere in this issue.
Saturday night the Gator plays host to the Open Doors Dance phenomenon.
The Paranormals host an open stage every Tuesday night. No sign-ups necessary.
The Union
The Union has a Rural Action benefit Friday night featuring The Snails. The Snails are a great band, full of quirk and fun. I dig 'em. Silo Circuit and their gypsy-inspired tunes, along with the Paper Machetes, round out the night.
Saturday night heralds the return of Dance or Die.
Monday you can catch Alive Records' Radio Moscow along with the Sad Bastards and Midwest Kid.
Court Street Grill in Pomeroy
Music returns to the Grill Saturday night with the blues/rock of the Frank Harrison Group. Jackie describes Frank as a "true-blue guitar hero." www.frankharrison.com.??
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