Athens Music Scene
By Eric Leighton
Athens NEWS Writer
April 17, 2008
I was wondering if there can still exist in the world music, or other art, that can be truly shocking. I mean, believe it or not, the early Beatles and Stones really put people out. Given the times and the way music was produced in the mid-’60s, that stuff was truly radical.
At the same time, Bob Dylan was changing the musical formula, inspiring the likes of Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Carole King and many more to step up and sing their own songs. At one point, this was groundbreaking. I mean, people used to obsess about the Beatles’ haircuts!
I grew up in the age of the Butthole Surfers, Psychic TV, Einstuerzende Neubauten, Bongwater, etc., bands that pushed the limits of human endurance, often in spite of the music, just going for shock, or even annoyance alone.
I just wonder if we are so desensitized that people no longer can be shocked with music. It used to be that you could still be musical and do this. At another juncture, noise was all you needed, but I wonder where there is to go next? I bet Andrew could tell me.
Even aside from being shocking, is there some artist so unique these days that he or she defies description? There are definitely some great bands out in the world pushing some limit or another, but I bet in every case, there’s another band that you could compare them to.
As to what might be cutting-edge these days, I am not near that boat whatsoever (“Duh” you say). I’d be pleased to find something I considered listenable (what a caveat) that still defies description.
A bunch of great bands are definitely kicking it, but I can generally describe them in terms of what’s come before. I love Akron/Family, but they are easy to hang descriptions on.
If I had to put a band out there, I would say Beat the Devil has something that even the most evil Krishnas could not wrap their heads around. Educate me, people: circle5music@gmail.com. I am truly curious as to what kind of stuff is going to lead us creatively into the end of the world.
Casa Cantina
Tonight Casa has a benefit for My Sister’s Place. You can help create the fun by signing up and singing on stage to the Karaoke madness. This event happens after the Take Back the Night rally and march.
D Jones is throwing a CD release party Friday night with help from friends DJ Barticus, DJ Self-Help, Lady Zen, Dysfunktional Family and more. (See article in this issue.)
Similarly, today’s NEWS has an article about The Cactus Pears (featuring Tony Xenos, Bryan Gibson, Dan Dreifort and more), who have reformed for a couple of gigs this spring (at least). Saturday night is the first one in almost four years. Expect some new faces mingled with the old, a raffle, surprise guests and more. Kaslo will open this night of thoughtful and melodic rock.
Sunday night Chicago’s Mahjongg rolls into town for some 420 action. Devotees of the god Kontpab (according to their bio), these folks make a joyful noise unto their deity. Space6oy and Death Beef add their mechanically musical mayhem to the mix.
Tuesday night you can listen to Jack Rose (Philly) and his take on Americana and blues via the resonator guitar and who knows what else. D. Charles Speer and his band(?) are on this tour as well and explore everything from country, to blues, to Nawlins’ inflected boogie.
The Union
It’s Rock n’ Roll X-mas once again as BLACKOUTFEST XIII digs in and swells your liver. At least 33 bands will appear over three days, and the fun starts tonight at 6. From last to first the bands are Preacher’s Kids, Psychedelic Horseshit, Wheels on Fire, Grafton, Pink Reason, Dragline Bros., Never Evers, Casual Future, Spooktober, and Mishka Shubaly (Beat the Devil).
Friday also begins at 6 p.m. and features, again perversely, last to first, This Moment In Black History, Greg Cartwright (from the legendary Oblivians/Reigning Sound), Dan Melchior Und Das Menace, Thomas Function, Cheap Time, El Jesus De Magico, The Makebelieves, Paper Machetes, Loaded Revulvas, and Goodbye Goats.
Saturday’s finale begins at 3:30 and unleashes, last to first, Terrible Twos, Birthday Suits, Necropolis, Dropdead Sons, Ribs (members of The Spiveys/Means,Beat The Devil, Bob City), Guinea Worms, Kurt Vile, Grave Blankets, Silo Circuit, Octoberfist, Red Dahlia, Sad Bastards and The Pages (See related story in this issue.)
Monday night the Union offers a Hip Hop Shop for FREE! All Ages and all comers welcome.
Tuesday night the Union is hosting an Open Stage. Bands and any kind of act can show up and do their thing.
Blue Gator
At 9 tonight the Word Arts Foundation kicks off its four-day Dancing Words Festival at the Gator with book signings and meet and greets with local and national wordsmiths. This month is poetry month, so get out and dig on verbiage, yo!
Chicago’s “Priemere Bluegrass Band” Cornmeal returns to Athens tonight to show you what they’re all about. Touting John Hartford, New Grass Revival and more as their influences bodes well for them. Get yer fix of grass.
Downplay is back at the Gator Friday night with their hard-edged radio-friendly rock and roll. The new album and press material look great from this hard-working and upcoming band. Mister Got Heat adds some fun and The Ordinance and Philo round out the rock.
Saturday night, Black Spyral Dancer helps out the planet and the local Sierra Club’s Earth Week Shuffle when they jam out at the Gator. There will be a Black Light show, and the singer from BSD will auction off an original piece of artwork made just for the show. Pittsburgh’s Lovebettie and Octoberfist open the night.
Sunday afternoon at 4, the High Society Jazz ensemble will be at the Blue Gator swinging high and low with special guest, author and clarinetist Bill Kenney. They will feature some works by Benny Goodman’s small groups.
Pyramids
The Word Arts Foundation features a dozen or so writers Friday night beginning at 9. If you want to see me looking awkward amongst more qualified individuals, then show up.
Baker Center
Tonight offers a free show at the Front Room featuring Chris Davis, the inimitable Zephuros and the talented Ryan Smith.
Saturday night at the Baker Theatre features an “As Heard on TV” event featuring performances by Griffin House, Landon Pigg and Chris Graham. House and Pigg have had songs used in commercials and television shows, and Pigg has performed on the “Conan O’Brien Show,” “Last Call with Carson Daily” & “The Tonight Show.” This is a free show.
Friday night the Baker Center Ballroom hosts a benefit for the Southeastern Ohio Chapter-Autism Society of America featuring the Wingnuts and The OU Jazz Band. The Wingnuts make rare appearances these days, so get ‘em while you can, and for a great cause!
Saturday night Shannon Scott’s newest endeavor, Common One, debuts at the Front Room bearing original material that is attempting to channel “blues, jam, and soul to create a Zeppelinesque-type show.” Yes, he said it, Zeppelinesque – run that through spell check!
Jackie O’s
Tonight it’s Dance Party south-of-the-border style: Merengue Night with Juan Soto.
Super Massive returns to Jackie O’s on Friday night to continue to win you over with their fine reggae sounds. You might recognize them as the newly renamed Selecter Reggae Band.
Old School Union gets it together with their R&B funkified tunes Saturday night. Bandleader Wayne Williams learned from the masters when he toured with the Temptations and the O’Jays, and now he passes it on to his rocking band and us. Looks like a ready-made post-Wingnuts gig.
Donkey Coffee
In case you don’t get enough of animal lover Zephuros tonight, you can check him out again in a different coffee house on Friday. Think Iron and Wine but even quieter. The Western Civilization is a folk-rock band from Houston chock full of folk-rocky goodness.
Saturday night the Dancing Words Festival brings in OU alum and poetry slam darling Jon Sands from NYC to throw down heavily upon you. He has been winning national championships and touring on the strength of his words. It’s quite moving to hear him. Other top-notch performers will also strut their stuff.
Smiling Skull
Tonight the Skull has a rock show featuring Dead Will Rise and Of Sorrow, continuing the Earth Week Shuffle sponsored by the OU Sierra Club
Red Brick Tavern
On Friday night, the RBT kicks into the Earth Week Shuffle and sponsors The Genuine Junk Band.
19 South
Tonight, ex-Athenians Shotgun for Royalty return to lay waste to your minds. This terrible twosome rocks severely, and since their move to Chicago a while back, I am sure they are kicking hard. October Fist will open the night.
Don’t forget the Jazz Cream Assassins every Wednesday night!
Memorial Auditorium
The ultra-popular Feist will be at Mem Aud on Tuesday night along with fellow Canadian Hayden. Two young pups rocking the free world.
Court St. Grill - Pomeroy
Biscuit Miller brings his funky blues from Indiana to the Court Street Grill in Pomeroy on Friday night. He’s about to embark on a tour of England, so check him out before he starts talking funny.
Stuart’s Opera House- Nelsonville
The everybodyfields are back in Athens County on Friday night. You might have seen them at last year’s Hochocking Fest, or maybe even once at the Casa, but this talented crew creates a mood like you’ve rarely heard before. This is alt.country for lack of a better tag. Stuart’s will be electric!
Sandstone - Logan
Steve Zarate is hosting an Open Mic at the Bistro in Logan Friday night from 7-11. His new album “Silver Linings” was released just this week, so track him down and get a copy.
Rhapsody - Nelsonville
Zarate will fingerpick his way through your dinner Saturday night at the Rhapsody.
There are a million things to do this weekend, so do yourself a favor and pick a few to do – and do them! See you at the gigs!
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