Athens Music Scene (10-15-09)

I was speaking with my mother the other day, and she was talking about her interest in ceramics and perhaps setting herself up at her Texas home to make some. She was filled with her mother's pride in my talents as I was telling her about my renewed enthusiasm for music thanks to the entrance of a Sousaphone into my life.

She claims I got my talent from my father and her father (largely ignoring the fact that anything from her father had to pass to me from her. He, in fact was a Welsh-born jazz pianist licensed to teach piano in this country at the age of 11!). I told her to count her own skills, pointing out that she long held interests in visual arts; we painted and stained ceramic figures together - hers were masterful - and she has painted numerous and beautiful landscapes. She also is an accomplished amateur photographer.

The larger theme, though, to me, is that if you have an urge to make art, make art! We all want to make beautiful art, but every journey starts with a single step. Sometimes you have to assume the beginner's mind and start from scratch (and make atrocious art). As we get older and pride lays hold of us, this becomes harder to do, but I believe that it is vital for us to continue to mount new challenges (heheh). It is what keeps us young.

The only reason I am moderately successful at the things I have chosen to do is that I do them all the time, and I have for many years. There are scads of people with more talent and skill than I have, but they lack the drive I have to pursue things in the manner that I do - and I am thankful for that. If they were in the game, I'd be out of a job. Persistence wins the day.

My enthusiasm for music can be best summarized by my lifelong mantra, "I can do that." It's this idea in my head that got me into my first couple of bands. Actually, the pitch was the same (and in consecutive months): "We have a show in a month and need a (insert position here)." My response, "I can do that." The first was as a bass player, something I was currently doing. The next month, a drummer was needed. I wasn't a drummer, but I spent a lot of time with my friend who was a drummer, so I figured I could do it. I readily agreed, and a month later we made our debut at Used Kid's Records in Columbus. To this day, I am probably at my best behind the drum kit.

I hear people all of the time say that they would like to play the guitar, or learn to play the drums or perform on stage. I have more or less stopped pulling my punches, and tell them that if they really want to do it, they will do it. They need to carve out time in their lives and put in the time. The difference between an accomplished player and anyone else is time spent (usually; there are always the thoroughly disgusting natural talents).

I have been going back to basics while trying to figure out this Sousaphone: relearning to read bass clef, especially below the staff; figuring out fingering; cross-referencing my knowledge of music and applying it to this new beast. I make awful squirting sounds and disgusting blats that cause the deer to snort with derision, turn tail and run (is Blatz the official beer of brass sections everywhere?). It is occasionally frustrating, but I am truly excited to be embracing something new with the goal of attaining some mastery of it. I hope it holds.

To see the results of what years (sometimes even months) of practice will bring you, you have but to go to your local music venue and dig the offerings of the many bands that will be showcasing their talents for you this weekend. Please do so.

Casa Cantina

Tonight, She Bears get all ursine on you and toss a CD Release Party at the Casa. God's weapon of choice will present their slightly acerbic and taut indie rock with such flare as to send your bald head a-running. Manor Animals and Scubadog are coming - as promised illegally on a trash can. This show is PETA approved and FREE, if I read their Web site right.

Friday night Los Viejos Blanquitos make one of their all-too-rare appearances. These folks are mostly OU music profs who get together to play Latin-fired jazz in order to show their students just how things are done in the real world.

Saturday night there will be an '80s Dance Night with the inimitable DJ Barticus.

Jackie O's

Paleface makes a Jackie O's Annex debut tonight. This talented guitar-drum duo combines folk charm with indie-rock quirkiness. Clever songs and sunny attitudes abide. Graveyard Shift will open the night. This ever-morphing classic country-sounding outfit has a pedal steel, harmonica, back-up singers and a great songbook.

Appearing in Jackie O's old room tonight you can hear three OU alums heralding the arrival of Homecoming Weekend. Michael McGaughy, Nick Kratz and Daniel Cohen are three singer/songwriters who now live in New York. They are touring together showcasing their individual and combined talents.

Hiatus takes the first shift Friday night in the Annex for the Homecoming Weekend madness. They combine rock, funk, reggae and hip-hop into a tasty blend that will get your collective booties shaking. Midnight Drivers will open the night.

The band Yarn will weave their magic Saturday night; their current work gaining favor among many, including a certain editor of the only locally owned twice-weekly newspaper. Their special blend of acoustic-driven music, heavy on the mandolin, will grace the Annex stage along with the flowing rock and roll jams of Jones for Revival.

Sunday night, Tom V and Soda, both of whom made friends and fans with their recent appearances with Larry & His Flask, return to Jackie O's to reclaim those friendships. Tom V is from Austin and is seemingly on the road constantly. He has wonderfully strong songs that have an uplifting twang. Soda pulled up in front of the club in his Cadillac, backing in with style. His slicked back hair gives him a faint air of the '50s, and the spirit of that bygone age is in the music, if not in the style. Hard to explain, but a worthwhile gig to catch. Abbi Rajasekhar wins the award for the most difficult name to spell this week. This Chicago s/s has a unique voice and an upbeat attitude; give her an audience, please.

The Union

Tonight the Angel Sluts will roll in from Memphis to unleash holy hell. Sothoros is an Athens-based band that revels in Cookie Monster metal that is precise and head-bangable. Chronicles will open the night.

Friday night Dance or Die is back at the Union, spinning people and records round and round.

The Biggest Cover-Up Ever is happening at the Union on Saturday night! The biggest. The Wallabeez will undertake the Violent Femmes, Broken Ring will tackle Emmylou Harris (with special guests Johnny Borchard & Chris Keesey), members of Dropdead Sons, The Speed Knobs and Schweinhunden will get it straight (edge) with Minor Threat, the Jarts will Clash, Grade School will get U2, and Leah Nairn will give Robert Zimmerman from Duluth a run back to Minnesota.

Stuart's Opera House

Friday night Rhonda Vincent & the Rage return to the Opry House for some solid bluegrass music. A band I was in opened for her some years ago, and she keeps coming back year after year. She is the queen of the bluegrass scene as far as I can tell, and chances are you either already have tickets or will soon consider getting some - if you swing that way.

Having installed herself as everyone's favorite darling, Jolie Holland returns to Nelsonville Saturday night to make sure you are still on board with her. If you have not been converted, you might as well acquiesce now. She will win. Breaking the scene with the Be Good Tanyas, Holland has gone onto other forms of musical worship, to great success. She has the Voice! Get your tickets before I do. It looks like Kentucky-born Matt Bauer will open the evening.

Donkey Coffee

Friday night the King of the Athens Music Scene, Mr. J.D. Hutchison returns to Donkey for a night of ribald entertainment the likes of which have not been seen or heard since the last time this retiring semi-retired (insert private jokes between he and I here) last of the iron-assed folk singers appeared. I was sitting in Casa the other day writing this crap when I heard the J.D. penned and often recorded song "Silver Tongue and Gold-Plated Lies" come on the box. This time it was the Sweetback Sisters - royalty check coming soon! I try to explain how much of a stamp he has put upon so many of us musicians in this town; you really must see the original to be able to see the frequent homages present in every little set.

Saturday: Victor Rasgaitis was a freshman touring the campus with his parents the first time I met him and heard his enthusiastically effusive music. He is now graduated (I feel so old) and returning to Athens (for Homecoming, duh) to perform his finely crafted music. This FREE show features some fine friends in the shape of Arthur Killroad, Kate Suekoff and Charles Lee.

Smiling Skull

There is a College of Business fundraiser eclipsing the Open Stage tonight. No word on whether or not any kinds of entertainment are in the offing. I guess they haven't learned about advertising yet.

Holy Spicoli reinforces our apparent need for '80s music at the Skull on Saturday. They are a flesh-and-blood rock band that gets it done with panache and spandex.

Court St. Grill

Kathie Baillie had 10 Top 40 singles on the country-music charts back in the '80s and has been hosting her own show on TNN for several years. She has scaled back the production for Friday night's show, presenting herself in a more singer/songwriter manner. She is a favorite at the Grill and many other places. If you want top-notch female singing, here ya go.

Fur Peace Ranch

The Fur Peace has its seventh annual Tribute to the Rev. Gary Davis on Saturday night. If you don't have tickets, well, never mind. The show is SOLD OUT. You and I will be missing Larry Campbell, Teresa Williams, Roy Book Binder, Ernie Hawkins and Jorma Kaukonen.

Rhapsody

Steve Zarate hopes you will enjoy fine food with his fine picking at the Rhapsody in Nelsonville on Saturday night. Have no reservations about making some.

South Pole (Nelson Down Under)

There will be a mixed bag of a show at the South Pole on Saturday night. I heard some of the last show they put on there last month while I was playing a wedding in the room above. This month's installment has Murderous Vision (Cleveland dark ambient), Contamination Diet (horror electronics), Cowards (NY industrial), Nyodene D (industrial), programs (Athens' drone), Matthew Emmons (electronic ambient), Vivi C. Diem (punk/industrial) and Shapeless Shadow (electronica). There will be a donation solicited at the door to help the Action Committee. Dig deep.

Happy Homecoming everyone. As the Rainbows say, "Welcome Home!" Giggitty. will tackle Emmylou Harris (with special guests