Athens Music Scene
By Eric Leighton
Athens NEWS Writer
February 7, 2008
People might think it odd that I don’t consume much music. In the various positions I have held — radio DJ, booking agent, newspaper music columnist, musician, etc. — you might think that I listen to a lot of recorded music. I probably should. The fact is I did most of my music consumption at a younger age. I most certainly was front and center at a seemingly endless array of shows: SNFU, Agent Orange, Black Flag, GG Allin, Gone, Rollins Band, Soundgarden, Butthole Surfers, Primus and many, many more. I have had numerous bands open for my various bands that have gone on to greatness shortly after sleeping on my floor. Smashing Pumpkins comes to mind. In the intervening years, I have seen or played with any number of bands that are practically canonical, or at least very influential, especially to yours truly.
The other night I worked sound for two different shows, basically an eight-hour shift. I did the best I could but it was an endurance fest. My ears hurt, despite the earplugs. The next morning I was dozing to the music on the radio – I had to turn it off. In my dreams I was saying, “I think the bass needs to come up a bit.”
Long story short, besides the music that I play, and the music I encounter through the course of my week – almost all of it is live or in rehearsal – I just don’t listen to much recorded music. When I was forming myself as a human being and musician, consuming music was very important to me; these days, not so much.
Yet, many of the hats that I wear require me to listen to bands with a relatively unbiased ear – at least that’s how I feel I need to approach it. I recently listened to about 15 different musical submissions that came my way, and I was completely underwhelmed. I tried on my various hats, and by and large if I were to see the band live, maybe; other than that, wow, what a glut of music.
The digital age has made it possible for anyone with a laptop to be able to make an album. On one level, I say “Effin Brilliant!” On the other level, I say it’s just more pooh to wade through. A lot of bands are playing out there, but sadly, not many have done the work to make themselves extraordinary. Don’t shut me off; I know that there is a learning curve, and I certainly don’t expect a beginning band to step up to the musicianship that I know exists. What is it then?
I like to see a band in action. One album I listened to, by Rootstand, while not being my favorite album ever, I could hear the live show, and know they can deliver. How, I don’t know, just the gut instinct that I trust. In the digital age, when everyone can have a MySpace page and six songs available for people to listen to, the end result becomes, well, the end result. What the digital age has done is localize music again. Instead of a global audience – which can exist – what happens is regional bands secure their fan bases by local appearances. This is how it used to be. The playing field is leveled. I, as the guy researching bands for a variety of reasons, go right to a band’s MySpace page. I can find their show schedule, pictures and, band information, and the songs play as soon as I open the page. If I go to their Web sites, I am often greeted by a weird hodgepodge of stuff. I know right where to find it on MySpace. Yes, it’s cheesy, but as a guy who writes about upwards of 40 bands every week, it’s a blessing.
Is there a message or a moral? Dunno but here’s some advice. If you want your music to reach someone who might do something with it to further your career, let me offer up a few pointers: Have a Googlable name. When I type your name in the search engine, it should be among the first five “hits.” Have a MySpace page and make it functional. Put songs that represent you, pictures and graphical features that can be used for fliers. Put useful biographical information on your Web site. Have a short intro, a longer explanation, then do a person-to-person rundown.
Expect the talent scout/writer/whomever to give you less than five minutes to wow them. Wow them. Do this on a Web site, too. Don’t get fancy; don’t be arty and self-indulgent. You can do that for the fans, but the industry folks will ditch you. Give them something easy to find and useful. It’s not that tough.
And when you try to gain my attention and don’t even touch upon these suggestions, don’t be upset when there’s no reaction from me. Try harder. It’s a tough business. People often complain about the difficulty in getting a show as a young band. Well it’s just like the person who asked how to get to Carnegie Hall – practice, practice, practice. If there isn’t room for amateurs, become a pro. If you are just a hobbyist, don’t complain. I can’t quite apologize for those of us want want it more. Hey, OU might give you a gig. And there are always the open mics to hit for stage time …
Casa Cantina
Tonight, Adam Torres, Zephuros and Tim Pritchard will match wits and guitars in a winner-takes-all match of wits, or lack thereof.
19 South
Tonight you can get down and dirty with Ace (heavy on the bass). Get your dance on.
Friday night 2Eb has a “Sibs Weekend Showdown,” with Dave Brandeberry and Kent Lankas opening the evening.
Sunday, 5 Foot Forward is playing a FREE show beginning 9-ish. Come see what they cover without paying one.
Cold Bargain keeps their Wednesday nights sizzling. Kent Lankas will guest on the keys, and Dustin Bryant will rock the trombone.
Jackie O’s
Tonight offers an InterActivist Benefit featuring Esskyma, Five Deadly Venoms, Gelatinus Cube and Erich Hiner.
Friday night Born Old brings their old-timey spiel in from W.Va. Katy Rechlin adds her tasty tunes to the mix. Others may yet be added to this bill.
The Brevity Thing reels out their greasy swamp boogie for the sibs in the house on Saturday night. Rock and roll like it was meant to be.
Casa Cantina
Tonight’s Lab Rats show has been cancelled, but you can count on Midwest Kid to take up the slack. These guys will try to round up someone like, say, the Wooly Lemons, but we’ll have to show up to find out.
There will be an International Dance Night with DJ Self-Help on Friday night.
Saturday the Casa will do another of its early shows with the hillbilly swing of the Back Porch Swing Band.
Saturday night, Los Viejos Blanquitos will rip though Latin and jazz favorites for all to dance to.
Union
The Union sticks with a winner with Dance or Die tonight.
Friday night Wheels on Fire teams up with the Grave Blankets (I prefer mine cheerful) and Robots on Crack for a night of rock and roll, etc.
Saturday night features Casual Future with their ever-increasing rock stature, The Never Evers and their melancholy, mostly womanly ways, and the Sad Bastards of which nothing more needs to be said, for now.
Blue Gator
Friday, the ever imp-grooving Hiatus will unleash a bunch of new material for your grooving pleasure. Mister Got Heat does its funky thang for you as well.
Saturday night there will be an Open Doors Dance Party.
Tuesdays are Open Stage with the Paranormals.
Wednesday Corey Smith brings his music of the people to the Blue Gator. He will be supported by Sam Thacker.
Baker Center – Front Room
Liz Pahl sings a lullaby to her lil bubby tonight at the Front Room. Colleen Girton and Jess Kauffman are also on the bill in some particular order. Sounds like a ladies night out for some good singing!
The second Tuesday of every month apparently brings us The Jazztet at the Front Room. This talented crew will feature special guests, Grammy Award-winning bassist Doug Richeson and acclaimed saxophonist/composer Jay Miglia. After last week’s successful Jazz and Blues Fest, I want to hear me some more of that stuff!
Donkey
Tonight is the Musician’s Open Stage at the Donkey with host Troy Gregorino of the Jarts.
Friday night is movie night, and this week’s free film is “The Corporation.”
Saturday features the fifth annual Movement Organization Dance Concert at 9 p.m.
Stuart’s Opera House
Stuart’s is happy to have Stacey Earle (sister to Steve) and Mark Stuart on Saturday night. This loving couple of singer/songwriters is a fine example of Musicitude, whatever that may be, as I just made it up. I guess it means they have found a balance for music, life and love, and that’s cool as hell. They are entertaining too.
Rhapsody - Nelsonville
Dale Kulchar and Duo-Glide have this weekend locked up at the Rhapsody. Friday night’s show will feature Ted Harris, and Saturday you can hear Chad Dodson on the sax.
Court Grill - Pomeroy
Bobby Kirl will be at the Grill Saturday evening. This West Virginia singer/songwriter comes from the Todd Burge school of music — good stuff. Can we say he is a Burge-oning musician. Heheh.
Sandstone Bistro - Logan
Can’t get enough of that Open Mic? Go visit Steve Zarate at the Bistro on Saturday night because he’s hosting theirs for this week. It runs from 7-11, so stop on out and show yer stuff.
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