Athens Music Scene
By Eric Leighton
September 18, 2008
Creativity can be such an elusive mistress; so can sleep. Tuesday night as I tried to sleep, the brain that would not work for me during waking hours composed, over the course of the whole night, a story of such subtlety and complexity I was continually amazed during my nightlong doze-and-wake cycles.
Now, I had been reading Philip K. Dick previous to my somewhat-successful night’s rest, so I can see what influence those stories had upon my dream, but the nuances my brain put into this somnolent excursion, which continued the whole night despite my waking frequently, made me wonder where was this able and clever creature when I needed it.
Perversely, my most creative moments occur when I have the least ability to do anything about them to preserve such flashes of brilliance. Songs or great lines to potential songs will assail me as I drive down the road or when strolling through the grocery store, and stories, apparently, hit me when I’m sleeping. So it is, and I suppose it is my own fault that I have not mastered my brain enough to access these secret rooms where the real writers hide.
Let’s just say that the president is safe, and I’ve got a nifty song and a companion story coming about that adventure soon — oh, and your computer is watching you through a secret government program via images of the Mona Lisa.
Casa Cantina
Tonight The Pack A.D. will perform at the Casa Cantina. This Canadian all-female duo rocks a tough-sounding blues that garners comparisons to the White Stripes. The Sad Bastards will open the night.
Brainbow returns from Columbus to headline an eclectic show Friday night that also features the metallic attack of Dead Sea, a creative Moons and the ever-moving Weedghost.
Saturday night, October Fist continues to be a rocking favorite, while Mister Got Heat continues to funkify. Majed Khurshid opens the evening.
Jackie O’s
Tonight, Broken Ring will showcase the voice of Colleen Carrow in an evening of contemplative and rocking numbers. Jess Kauffman will open the night with her soulful and powerful voice, and the Jazz Cream Assassins will bring things to a rocking close.
Friday night SUPER-MASSIVE arrives with roots-rockin’ reggae and new CDs in tow. These folks are a perennial fave at Jackie O’s.
Saturday night, Common One, Shannon Scott’s new group, gets their rock and roll happening for the Jackie O’s crew.
Wednesday evening the old-timey guys will hang out on the patio while inside, Busman’s Holiday will entertain you with their guerilla folk-pop. They are on tour from Indiana.
The Union
Mister Got Heat has me thinking about anagramming their name again as they prepare for tonight’s show. Special Guests make a special appearance, as well as Go Analog.
Dance or Die tears up the dance floor upstairs at the Union Friday night with their ever-expanding tricks of the trade.
There will be a matinee show beginning at 3 on Saturday — a Welcome Back Thrash Attack featuring Phoenix Bodies, Masakari, EV and more.
Saturday night Wheels on Fire is back at the Union setting the right to rock. The Never Evers get their fashion senses as together as their moody rock and roll.
The Hip Hop Shop opens for business on Monday, and Jess Kauffman continues her stint as Open Stage host on Tuesdays.
On Wednesday, the Union features Front Royal, Sister Shuffle, Bridge and Tunnel. I’m not sure if that’s two bands or one.
Stuart’s Opera House
Tonight Stuart’s Opera House has a FREE outdoor show with a “Beer Garden” (I’ve never been able to grow them!). The Carpenter Ants from West Virginia will headline the proceedings for your gospel-boogie meltdown, and The McGovern Brothers will kick the evening off with fine bluegrass at 6:30.
Donkey Coffee
Donkey has a poetry doubleheader on Friday night. The Athens Peace & Justice Network will take the early shift at 7, and JK Publishing will take the late at 9. William Evans, a nationally ranked Slam Poet, will perform at the late show along with Aimee Gabbard, Max Graf, Justin Carel and Ben Sutton. Greg Johnson will start the evening off with some music.
Jesse Remnant returns with his infectious pop-hooks to Donkey on Saturday night. Billy Matheny, the new keyboardist for Southeast Engine, will join him for this night of fine music.
19 South
The Dragline Bros. bring their fabulous rock and roll to 19 South Friday night. The Sad Bastards will provide their rollicking tunes to the service of the evening.
Saturday night, The Wooly Lemons continue to support the release of their new CD, and Eva Destruction & the Ohio Outlaw Country Band add their strum and twang to the proceedings.
Every Wednesday The Jazz Cream Assassins lay it out for your dancing pleasure.
Smiling Skull
Tonight and every Thursday Andie Walla hosts an Open Stage at the Skull.
Friday night, Bud Carroll & the Southern Souls will rock and blues you. They are happy to be back since recording their CD at Eddie Ashworth’s MDIA 413 class.
Saturday night’s Breastfest should be a popular event. Backwords will rock you with their classic rock and oldies mix and proceeds will go to a breast health device at O’Bleness.
Court Street Grill
Friday night the Court Street Grill in Pomeroy features a “Tribute to Little Walter” with Dennis Gruenling, a fabulous young blues-harp player. Doug Deming will be on the guitar. Good stuff!
Dale Kulchar hosts an Open Stage every Tuesday night at the Grill.
Rhapsody
Duo-Glide will have a two-night run at Rhapsody Friday and Saturday. Ted Harris will play sax and clarinet on Friday, and Chad Dodson will join Dale Kulchar on sax Saturday
ARTS/West
The Aquabear Legion, a regional musician’s collective, continues its monthly concert series Friday night with shows by Casual Future, Flotation Walls and the elusive Weedghost. All-ages show at 8:30 p.m.
Saturday night you can enjoy SEPTEMBERFolk, a benefit for ARTS/West and Village Productions. Laura Nadeau will lead the music with her soaring vocals and fine songs, and Missy Whaley will lead the dance. Silent auctions, food goodies and other fun stuff will happen. 6 p.m.
Sunday there’s a FREE performance of the Bread & Puppet Theater’s “7 Election Campaign Celebration Dances by the Lubberland National Dance Company.” Community members can volunteer to perform. Auditions are at 3 p.m. Sunday, and show time is at 8.
The Crystal Castle at 28 Central
The Crystal Castle at 28 Central is the spot for one of the many DYI shows happening in the area. Friday night the gruff and tumble Gunshy returns to Athens, and he is joined by the Five Deadly Venoms and the Donner Party Dinner Party.
The Front Room, Baker Center
The Front Room’s weekly Coffeehouse Concert program features snger-songwriter Zach Parkman and the locally popular Victor Rasgaitis Band from 8-11 p.m. This is a free show, and a good opportunity for underclassmen at OU to sample our music scene.
Uncle Buck’s
While the weather is good, Uncle Buck is continuing to offer his weekly Saturday night BBQs. This week’s edition will feature long-running Columbus mainstay Donna Mogavero. She’s a pro, and always delivers a dynamic show.
That’s about I’m aware of this week. Good luck and good gigs. I’ll see you all there!
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