Athens Music Scene
By Eric Leighton
Athens NEWS Writer
February 21, 2008
The sun might be shining, but it’s colder outside than the look I got from my dog when I touched his tongue while he was yawning. We might have had a couple of warmish days to tease and ease us through what is most certainly the longest feeling month there is, but friends it ain’t over yet. In order to save you the risk of getting mental indigestion from this column (still there?), I will take my weird-feeling head and walk down the street hoping to hear that lady singing my February Blues away. Help me find her this fine Parents Weekend.
The Union
Thursday night, the Union is the spot for a ’90s-themed dance party, named “My So-Called Party,” after that cult favorite TV show starring Claire Danes. This will be the winter fundraiser for Speakeasymag.com, the online magazine put out by OU student journalists. Speakeasy is an ally of The A-NEWS and is unveiling its new Web site this week, so give ’em some help and check out this event.
Friday night 333 comes back to town to scare the pants off of you; big heavy beats and sultry vocals luring you in for the kill. Locusta is a monstrous metal band with a tight sound. Night Soil falls into a similar vein as Locusta; indeed they even put out a split single together. Their vocals scream as much as growl, and the guitars are delightfully crunchy. Beard of the See is our own home-sprung group that emulates the best of the sludge-metal from the ’70s; think Mountain. They also look a lot like The Snails.
Saturday night, Southeast Engine gets together with some friends and has an indie-rock night out. Frontier Ruckus (Lansing, Mich.) has a penchant for minor chords and a folky approach to their tunes. Nice saw work there. Bananarchy remains one of the only punk-rock bands that employ banana costumes. Sing it with me: “Yes, we have Bananarchy, we have Bananarchy Saturday!” Tough, ain’t it?
Monday night be sure to catch the Terrible Twos – lest they catch up with you! These guys sound like a 2-year-old run amok after eating a pint of coffee ice cream. They must burn more calories than Cambodia in one show — lots of fun. The Paper Machetes get their chops up as they work their way through an opening set.
Casa Cantina
DJ Barticus lays down the grooves at the Casa tonight.
Those “Funkin’ Kings of Rock and Soul,” The Royales, head back to the Casa Friday night infused with new tunes and a vitality that surprises even the band. Editor Smith says he might even come out of his shell and catch the show.
I’m confused a bit here, so bear with me: “Midas Touch” is happening at the Casa on Saturday night. (1) There will be performances by Dedrick Bonner. Silver and Gold (is) Encouraged; or (2) There will be performances by Dedrick Bonner and Silver & Gold Encouraged. Choose the one that works for you or look for a clarifying flier of some sort.
Jackie O’s
Tonight offers you a belated celebration of Bob Marley’s birth anniversary at Jackie O’s. Expect lots of thumping reggae tunes.
Your Little Ponies, a Chicago band with Athens connections, bring their comedy-infused rock and roll to Jackie O’s Friday night. With album names like “Saddle Up” and “Out to Stud,” you might get an idea of where they’re coming from. Other bands will be on this bill, possibly from Chicago.
The Selecter Reggae Band helps to warm us up with some fine roots-rockin’ reggae music Saturday night – never more welcome than this month. Some of these guys might look familiar to those of you who knew Ray’s Music Exchange and other fine Cincy bands.
Front Room – Baker Center
Ryan Smith returns to Athens tonight to tell you how he really feels, along with Jake Householder, another road-weary folky. Teddy Humpert of Kaslo is also on the bill.
Smiling Skull
Tonight the Skull is giving us a battle of the bands. Four bands competing for fame, prestige and a handful of Beer Nuts. Celebrity judges include Johnny Marathon.
Friday night, the fabulous Funk Allegiance returns to Athens to boogie down the Skull. These guys are more fun than a barrel of grease at an ostrich party, and they certainly lay down the Funk – but we all know that Funk never sleeps!
Donkey Coffee
Friday night Silo Circuit brings it down a notch in volume and steps it up a bit in enthusiasm when they bring their proto-European gypsy-mongrel music to the Donkey. Nat Baldwin is also on this bill. He is a critically acclaimed double-bass player who previously performed in the Dirty Projectors. From what I listened to, I can guarantee that you ain’t come across anything like it.
Saturday: Peter Mealy and Laurie Rose Griffith are two troubadour folkies who have toured the world and spent a good bit of time in Athens. Now in Fredericksburg, Va., these two fantastic musicians return occasionally to let us enjoy their music. Bruce Dalzell, who recently won an award for his soundtrack to the movie “A Forest Returns,” will also lend his talents to the evening.
19 South
Tonight The Revulvas ramp up the amps and send their all-girl punk rock screaming down your throat like a hot shot of molten lead. The Penetrators (Columbus) shove a hard-chugging punk through their amps and to your ears. The 24” Pythons (from Oshkosh by-gosh) may or may not be referring to Hulk Hogan’s guns with their name, but their music packs an aural punch like you’d expect if you were bitch-slapped by the Hulkster.
Friday night DJs Aroc and Ace are on the bill.
Saturday night the Dark Lord of Spin (DJ T-Mo) gives things a twirl.
Monday night features karaoke with DJ T-Mo, and Tuesday DJ T-Mo will spin asunder.
Wednesday night, the new house band, The Jazz Cream Assassins, will unveil themselves like Salome.
Blue Gator
Tim Reynolds returns tonight to the Blue Gator. Reynolds, known largely for his work as the guitarist in the Dave Mathews Band, has etched out a nice niche for himself as a solo artist. He puts on a heckuva light show too.
The Spikedrivers return to Athens on Friday night. We (the Paranormals) recently performed a show with them in Columbus and man-oh-man what a night they had. The place was packed, and it seemed as though the band was lifted up to that next level of playing. Come see for yourself; good, boot-stomping twang and roll.
Baker Theater
Friday night, ACRN is throwing a benefit for The Wire, a community resource center that has recently been un-homed. Esskyma will get their moody, layered music floating about; Lunavelis, from Cleveland, apparently sounds like what would happen “if Harry Potter traded his wand for a synthesizer”; Zephuros is a one man band, in that he is a solo musician with a name. He plays very quiet, meditative music.
Court Grill - Pomeroy
Ten Pound will be rocking the Court Street Grill on Saturday night. This is a group comprised of masterful musicians who are sharing in their love of all kinds of music – especially if it comes in the form of blues, jazz, country and rock; classics and originals will be visited. This is the newest outing for Dale Kulchar of Duo-Glide fame. Dale also hosts an Open Stage at the CSG every Tuesday.
Sandstone – the Bistro - Logan
Saturday, Steve Zarate will be swinging the Sandstone restaurant in Logan, the downstairs portion which is called the Bistro. Good food, good music and a pleasant atmosphere. The show runs from 7-11 p.m.
That’s all for this week; tell yer folks we said hi, and we’ll see y’all at the gigs.
Submitted at mock speed by the Articulator 1400 v.2
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