Athens Music Scene
By Eric Leighton
February 28, 2008
This last week my body went through a period of Global Warming and my soul went through a Long, Dark Night of the Soul. The Creeping Crud that has been passing itself around town found me, apparently as I was writing last week’s column.
Lots of surreality has been my companion this past week. A completely broken sleep schedule, fevers so hot that I could not sweat, a couple of days of wet wood that would not burn, etc., etc. I know many of you have been experiencing the same thing.
For me, the fever is like a journey into darkness. You’re taken down from your intellect and your emotions, and are brought to a mere survival level by this mechanism in your body that’s designed to raise your temperature so high that it renders your body inhospitable and unlivable to the invading organism.
Some people talk about Global Warming – or the lame PC version Global Climate Change – as being brought on by humankind. I can agree with that. Our deforestation is akin to being attacked by the mange so we lose our hair; our drilling for oil is an attack on the fat cells of the Earth; you get the idea. We are a scourge on this planet, no more than a virus, perhaps. I can see GCC as the Earth getting a fever, raising her temperature in order to make her body inhospitable to the invading organisms – us! Just a thought I keep having over and over and over…
I would like to thank the numerous heroes who came to my rescue over the week. Each one of you in your way helped to alleviate my sufferings and get me through each day and into the next. You are all invaluable to me, and I thank you deeply. I could not have made it without your assistance, plain and simple.
Sort of a side-note, or more accurately; a slide-note: I managed to scrape myself off of the couch in order to play with The Royales on Friday night. I play the trombone with them. In the midst the fevers I was enduring, I apparently had a bit of a sinus infection. Attention horn players!
I played the gig and sweated my way through what was left of the fevers, but by the end of the night, I couldn’t hear out of my right ear. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but several hours later I could think about nothing else. Apparently I had blown my sinus infection into my ear for a doozy of a Karmic ear infection. If you have never had one of these, I do not recommend trying it out. I’d rather the fevers. Wind and brass players beware.
To health with you, denizens of Athens! May you all go to health – and to hear music; there is some seriously great stuff going on this weekend. Let’s go listen …
The Union
The Union offers a Film Fest Benefit tonight featuring the fantastic rock and roll stylings of Wheels on Fire, The Paper Machetes and Fleshworld.
Friday night features another ubiquitously successful Dance or Die.
The Big Cover Up #9 arrives on Saturday night, featuring numerous groups performing the music of Joy Division, Turbonegro, Michael Jackson and possibly more. Sorry to say that Spinal Tap will not be appearing; something about their drummer blowing up…
Wednesday, please do remember to go hear The High Strung. I can’t tell you how great this band is and how lucky we are to get them. They have great bouncy harmonies, good driving energy and awesome songs. They have done at least a couple of tours of libraries — nationwide — and have been featured on the PRI radio show “This American Life,” as well as in numerous magazines. These guys are fun! Russenorsk opens the evening.
ARTS/West
The second annual Aquabear Legion County Fair will be held at ARTS/West Saturday afternoon. The AL is dedicated to promoting local arts and music and creates a network to do so. The County Fair is a FUNdraiser for the Legion. The entertainment begins at 3:30 with films by Brian Wiebe and continues with Woody Pines & the Lonesome Two, Weedghost, Sun God, Nostra Nova, Casual Future, Machine Go Boom and Silo Circuit. The evening finishes with a glorious reunion of Kid Panda Hands, so don’t miss it! The party moves on to the Casa Cantina; well, just read about it in the next section.
Casa Cantina
Tonight the Casa has an InterAct benefit. The line-up looks suspiciously similar to the last well-attended event, so what the heck? Kaslo is back in form and will rock it out with Esskyma and The Five Deadly Venoms.
Papadosio is back on their game in Athens at the Casa on this leap-year night, Friday. They’ve no doubt got numerous more gadgets and electro devices working for them – God forbid a hard-drive crash! Opening the night is one of my favorite bands in the world, The Ragbirds (Ann Arbor). Their organic approach to music and their world beat/Appalachian blend is fascinating. Go early and stay late.
The Aquabear Legion County Fair is earlier Saturday (read above) and their after-party will take place at the Casa Cantina. Southeast Engine will kick off the party followed by The X-Bolex and Men of Gentle Birth.
Jackie O’s
Merengue Night takes over again tonight as the hot and sweaty Latinos make us starchy gringos feel inadequate once more.
The Ark Band makes a triumphant return to Jackie O’s on Friday night. These folks sold the place out the last time they were here. They are an enduring reggae band out of Columbus that features some serious veteran players and have long been a staple of the Columbus reggae environment (which is more profound than you might think!). Pre-sale tickets are available at Haffa’s, Blue Eagle and Jackie O’s – going fast!
Saturday night, Jackie O’s is excited to introduce to you Ann Arbor’s Rootstand. This crew uniquely blends acoustic Appalachian music with roots-rock reggae combined with an often rapid-fire vocal delivery that boggles the mind. The Mary Anns (Columbus/Cleveland) are an all girl group of veteran Ohio musicians. Their delivery tends toward a muscular danceable proto-punk with melody and a deadpan Elvis-style vocal. Hilarious songs about, um, cats and whatnot will ensue. Come early for sure.
Donkey Coffee
Friday night the Sad Bastards bring it down at Donkey with their pals Russenorsk. Should be interesting.
Saturday night features a punk show (read LOUD) at Donkey benefiting The Wire in its continuing attempts to regain a home. Spooktober is the only listed band, though I am sure they’ll have others.
Memorial Auditorium
Friday night, two-time Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Jeff Coffin will join the Jazz Ensemble I for an exciting evening of jazz. Coffin is most noted for his work with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, and can frequently be seen playing the alto and tenor saxes at the same time, a la Rahsaan Roland Kirk. He is an exceptional player, and he’ll lend his talents to a free musical clinic Saturday morning at 11 in Glidden Hall Room 101.
Blue Gator
Tonight Black Spyral Dancer is back at the Blue Gator for their last show of the quarter. Red Dahlia slinks their way into a set as do the Blue-Eyed Gunslingers and Turning Pages.
Red Wanting Blue returns to the Gator Friday night boasting one of my favorite front-men, Scott Terry; a road dog for sure, I hear he’s working on a new solo album. Can’t wait. Need session guys?
From the remains of numerous jam bands rises the mighty One Under. With members from ekoostik hookah, The Recipe and numerous other groups, you can count on a jamalicious good time Saturday night.
Rhapsody - Nelsonville
Steve Zarate waxes eloquent with his harmonica and his guitar while you dine at the Rhapsody on this Leap Year Friday evening. Enjoy the art and good times at Final Friday, too.
Court Grill – Pomeroy
Still Standing hopes to be that way by the end of their set on Saturday night at the Grill. This crew pumps out classic rock and country music that fits a nice groove down their on the river.
Union Hall Theater - Chesterhill
Megan Murphy and Yankee Bluegrass will light up the Union Hall Theater in Chesterhill Saturday night at 7. This young picker is on the up-and-coming list of future bluegrass hall-of-famers. She is well on her way to establishing a nice career in bluegrass music and is a delight to hear. If you need a bluegrass fix, head to Chesterhill. Visit: www.unionhalltheater.org for more information.
Sandstone – the Bistro – Logan
Steve Zarate sounds more like the album he is recording on Saturday night as he entertains the folks at the Sandstone Bistro with full voice and guitar with harmonica.
If that’s not enough music for you this weekend, well, kudos be yours. I hope to see you at the gigs!
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