Athens Music Scene (9-17-09)

Jingoism! Jingoism! Rah! Rah! Rah! Demagoguery! Demagoguery! Shish Boom Bah! I was confronted with an uncomfortable level of patriotism last weekend. Given, it was Sept. 11 and all of that, that's one thing, but to make me take my hat off and recite the Pledge of Allegiance to a polyester flag stapled to a fake wall on a stage struck me as a bit contrived.

I am all about America. I am a patriot, and I don't think my diatribe about the abuse of the American flag should go here, but lacking any other substantive thing to write about, I might as well.

I was brought up in an environment that honored the flag. We put it up in the morning and took it down in the evening. It did not hang out in the rain; it saw no nighttime flying. If the flag touched the ground it was to be burned - and we did not let it touch the ground. I grew up knowing how to fold a flag into a tight triangle, and in an unrelated rant, I know how to fold a map.

I know that people are generally upset about 9/11, rightly so, but the ritualization of mourning is disgusting. I am sure I cannot convey this properly. It's not that people are insincere; it's that it has become a habit. There is no true feeling left in it. Many people do it because they feel that they ought to, and think that putting on a big show proves their worth as an American. I call shenanigans.

Same with the uproarious Town Hall meetings. The people disrupting these meetings are anti-American. They are trying to destroy the fabric of our society. They seek to neutralize any kind of actual discussion. Unless they are taking up arms to overthrow an unjust regime - something that should have been done during the last eight years - they are just being obstructionist and serve to hinder our country's growth.

The thing that has put me over the edge was the row people caused when the president of the United States wanted to address the children of our nation. WTF? Pulling their children out of school? Is this what is left of the Republican Party? Is this a real divide? Is this real racism finally raising its head? Is this country filled with more idiots than I can fathom? I guess I can answer: Yes, yes, yes and yes.

Americans, I implore you to stop the nonsense. Legislators, I implore you to read and understand the legislation you pass into law. That you do not read it and admit that freely, yet vote bills into law is an offense to us all. For shame.

Communication is only possible between equals. I can hold out hope that the disparate parties might get it together, try to see the real issues and say no to the rhetoric. I maintain my right to optimism.

The one thing that continually restores my hope in humanity is the joy people find at live music events, the actual thing this article purports to report upon. So it goes.

Casa Cantina

Lucky & the Magic bring their formerly Zionite mentality to bear upon the Casa tonight. Expect distinctly reggae rhythms and a rappish delivery. Duke Junior & the Smokey Boots add their bluesy acoustic roots style to round things out.

Friday night Casa has an All Male Revue, though the fliers do not denote a venue. You know what it is, you know how to do it.

International Dance Night will happen Saturday night.

Don't forget Rattletrap every Monday and Open Stage (with Chris Biester) every Wednesday.

Jackie O's

Tonight, the terrifically under-known Katty Whompus will bring their fantastic three-part harmony-laden bluegrass back to Jackie O's for your dancing and listening delight.

Eric Sommer delivers an energetic and diverse sort of blues all by himself on Friday night. Expect several eye-boggling guitars and a lot of sweat.

The inimitable Poobah returns to Athens on Saturday night to give you your essential dose of psychedelic rock. They have dozens of albums and kudos from all over the map. The myth, the legend, the Poobah.

Papadosio gets it on next Wednesday at Jackie O's. This could be a great opportunity to see them - in the new room; maybe, and if not, it is still a great chance to check out the increasingly absent (from Athens) Papadosio.

The Union

Nebraska's coolest rockers, Brimstone Howl, return to the Union tonight. These guys are completely fantabulous, and you might be a fool for staying home. Wheels on Fire and the new and excellent Seascape ensure a great night of rocking.

Dance or Die is back at their job of instigating riotous dance parties at the Union on Friday night.

The Makebelieves show their meretricious metric Saturday night when they rage the Union. Love. Super Predator and Mt. Carmel crease the world with the joyful noise they make. Lord.

The Wasteland Jazz Unit brings its unique noise ensemble to the Union on Tuesday. Grating sounds greeted my ears from their MySpace page. Delve deeper and who knows what you may find? Tiger Hatchery, Dinner of Swords and the Athens Noiseorchestra add their whim and studied bravado to the table. Swirl, swirl, swill.

Donkey Coffee

Carissa Bragg will play her "sweet, sad, folk music" for you on Friday night.

The Jarts are back in action on Saturday night with their great songs and interesting arrangements. With their new CD in the works, you can count on years of entertainment. The Davenports are a duo from Caldwell, Ohio, and sound to drummer Gibby like "Jay Farrar and Moe Tucker playing tunes about jail, washing machines and the evils of smoking reefer." Sold! Ukulele and kazoos abound.

19 South

DJ Ace returns tonight with his prodigious skills to 19 South. Late Registration will let loose with some action too.

Friday night 7th Cycle roots and rolls it around 19 South. Zapano is also on the bill.

Saturday night offers a hell of a show when Goodbye Goats unleash their monstrously mangled view of the world upon a suspecting populace. They will perform their Rock Opera Part II "Athens Asylum AD," along with the all-girl group the Revulvas, Hell in Grey and Caucasian Refuse.

There is an Open Jam every Monday, DJ Ace seems to hold down Tuesdays, and this Wednesday Triangle Pancake will entertain you with the ubiquitous Special Guests.

Smiling Skull

Tonight some guy named Aaron will host the Open Stage at the Skull. I was told by the Kid that he would be doing it. Conflicting reports? I dunno, show up and see; better yet, play!

Vinnie & the Lubricators will grease your wheels Friday night at the Skull. They have a diverse set of tunes that hit upon blues, funk and that classic Motown sound.

The Wallabeez are back in action Saturday night at the Skull. Lyn Smith is the new vocalist-in-residence with the band, and the gal can SING! Nice. The Midnight Drivers are the new, hot thing in and around town. They will move things past that witching hour and let Say Goodnight finish things off. This band features members of the Vice Versas.

Court St. Grill

Friday night, the Lennon Orchestra makes an appearance at the Court Street Grill. This will be a special presentation of the band. They won't perform as usual; they will play along with the new video game - not. Catfish gets to be George; Joey, John; Dave, Paul; and me, Ringo. Come sing with us.

Saturday night, Michael Locke and the Repeat Offenders roll into the Grill to unleash some Stevie-inspired blues-rock. This is the guitarist that inspired Albert "the Kid" Castiglia. Locke's jazz-trained licks will make you sizzle with delight, or the dark.

Rhapsody

Dale Kulchar will put some culture in you at the Rhapsody during your fine-dining experience Friday evening. The music begins at 6:30, so set your reservations accordingly.

Sandstone

Steve Zarate will perform a FREE show at the Sandstone in Logan Saturday night from 7-10. All manner of familiar familial faves are yours for the offing.

The South Pole

There will be booze-free shows - which are radically different from free booze shows - this weekend at the South Pole (formerly Nelson Down Under). This is the ACRN Welcome Back Lobster Fall Music Festival.

Day 1 features Experimental Dental School, The Sleeps, Spooktober, Forest, Black Phantom Thousands, Ginger Fetus, Five Deadly Venoms, Yakuza Heart Attack, Donner Party Dinner Party, Run_Coward, Blithe Field and Mr. Leg.

Day 2 plays beneath a wedding and heralds Two Hand Fools, Signals Midwest, Martin Luther & The Kings, Front Royal, The Ghost of Asa Phelps, Tim Race and Stomp The Condor.

(Editor Smith says he's not going to boldface all the band names in festival writeups; it wears him out. And hypertexting all these band names on the Web? You've gotta be kidding!)

Corner Pub - Jackson

Saturday night Andy Milliken & Johnny Ryster will play both kinds of music, country and western, at the Corner Pub in Jackson. That's a new one. Check out Jackson.

Pawpaw Fest - Albany

The Pawpaw Festival happens Saturday and Sunday. This is a super-fun, family-friendly event that features all kinds of events and music. Saturday's bands include Steve Free, the Music Men, The Billycats, Mo Mojo, Broken Ring, Rattletrap Stringband, Duke Junior & the Smoky Boots and the Rumpke Mountain Boys.

Sunday you can wake up with the Paranormals, stretch out with the Lennon Orchestra and sun yourself with the Guapolindas and Ras Alan. Pawpaw wheat? Yummmmm.

Pyramids

Throne Down Gone takes their flier and sticker campaign from the metal poles of Athens to the hookah bar Friday night. Learn the rules, play nice.

Athens Public Library

Zach Parkman takes it to the Library on Saturday evening. Expect well-crafted songs and excellent delivery.

If I were an an arm-pit loving Frenchman, I would be in heaven this weekend. Maybe I am French. Well, if I love armpits... nevermind. giggity. You can't make up stuff like this.