Athens Music Scene (11-5-09)

Fevers can be fun. Especially when I get to hang out and jam with Jimi Hendrix! In my feverish state this past weekend, I found myself hanging out in a brown and orange 1979 Ford F-150 pick-up truck with Jimi grooving on the bench seat. He had on a denim shirt and blue jeans with a short fro, very understated. He sat there on the passenger side with an unplugged black and white Stratocaster, and I sat behind the wheel with two Ticonderoga #2 pencils. We jammed.

Jimi just strummed sans amplification as I tapped out a rhythm on the steering wheel and dashboard. It was a somewhat subdued and somber tune - lacking flair and plucked from the air - but it had a distinctly Hendrix flavor. We explored the nameless tune for countless moments until Jimi let me know he was hungry. Upon reflection, I realize that he didn't speak to me with any voice, but inside my head. We left the truck in search of food.

The garage we were parked in was near some sort of open air market (a recurring theme in my dead-musician-jamming dreams, now that I think of it), so we stepped over to it to find some grub. Last call had been announced and numerous people were hustling to get into line to buy take-home beer and munchables; the line was long. As it was in the 2 a.m. neighborhood, I remarked to someone that the store couldn't sell beer after 1 o'clock, state law. That cleared up a few folks, but the line lingered. Jimi was hungry and I wanted to be a good host. I saw my buddy Ben ahead of me in the line. He had been playing pool and was waiting to buy something. I tried a back ditch, but got caught.

I talked with Ben all the same and looked to see if Jimi had picked anything out to eat. I saw him way back in the line with a couple of cheeseburgers in a bag. He had his jacket over his shoulder. He turned, sliding his jacket over the bag, and duck-walked out of the line toward the truck. Seeing this, I ran block for him and cut the distance between him and the floor supervisor, who, fortunately, had his back turned, but with sunglasses on the back of his head so it appeared as though he was watching.

We made it back to the truck without incident. We took a drive after he ate, enjoying the rumble of the truck, just slowly cruising the neighborhood while he strummed out an endless tune. As it was getting late and he was ready for sleep, I found a couple of sleeping bags and a blanket for him and drove back to the garage where we parked his truck. I said goodbye and left him to stretch out across the bench seat. I guess I knew that I would likely not see him again, but at the time I was not upset by this.

I wandered off to find a spot for me to sleep for the night and found some folks staying at a common house designed for such purposes. I inadvertently woke them. As we hadn't seen each other for quite sometime, they asked me what I had been doing lately. Despite other recent adventures, I couldn't help but tell them about my time spent with Jimi.

With a voice hoarse from recent (and "real life") illness and choked with emotion, I told them about my most amazing evening. I further explained things I didn't know I knew about during my experience: How Jimi wasn't really "dead" the way that we experience things; how our experience of Time, Space and Light were so very primitive; and how the essence of Jimi is alive and well in the universe. I used the movie "K-PAX" as an example, because that was kind of how of how I understood it to be.

The soft jangle of the guitar and the clickety-clicks of the Ticonderogas still ramble around my brain. Delightful. I still tear up at the memory, it's so vivid and real. That's how I spent my Halloween. How was yours?

The Union

The All Black Affair is a DJ-fueled dance party happening at the Union tonight.

Friday night: The Sights got together in about 1998 in Detroit and have been working their "frenetic garage rock, Motown sound and '60s pop" into masterful sets ever since. They are touring and about to release a new album, so check 'em out. The Hard Lessons are also on the bill as well are our own fine rock band, Wheels on Fire.

Red Army gets all militant with their socio-political songs Saturday night at the Union. Empirian will rip your arms off and do Pete Townsend-like guitar whirls with them as they shred their way through metal and hardcore-influenced shreddage.

Uzuhi comes to us Sunday night from Japan by way of their now-home NYC. Their name means the Sun, which shines on the world, and that's whom they play their music for, the world. Aggressive, exotic and beautiful music is what they offer, and if you could, stop up and give them a listen. Amish Electric Chair gives this show a local angle.

Stuart's Opera House

Shine up them dancing shoes, 'cause you will need them Friday night down to the Opry House in Nelsonville. The Savoy Family Cajun Band is one of the finest such bands around. Mom and Dad began in about 1977, and the kids have been quick studies, adding intensity to their engaging and fun shows. If you like Cajun music, you know what to do. If you have no clear idea about Cajun music, get your butts out there to learn and dance!

Donkey Coffee

Poet extraordinaire Jon Sands returns to the town that opened the doors of his perceptions Friday night. Donkey welcomes back this poetry slam champion with open arms and open ears. Welcome home, John.

The Jarts are back on form at Donkey on Saturday night, and they are particularly excited about this show. Not only will you get to enjoy their particular brand of jangle-folk-pop, you get to visit with some friends of theirs from NYC. Josh Mease brings his "day-dreamy pop" tunes with him from Brooklyn, and This Frontier Needs Heroes evokes epic visions via their melodically melancholy melange of duo-istically natured music.

Casa Cantina

Tonight the deep and throaty vocals of Seth Riddlebarger reverberate during The Hairy Hearts' closing set at the Casa Cantina. I like this band a lot. The Sundresses come over from Cincinnati on their way East for some shows. This trio rocks it in the most delightful way. Spooktober adds flair to this bill with their multi-layered sound and freaky funkiness.

Friday night DJ Barticus brings the best of 1980s dance music back to the turntable and the dance floor with an '80s dance night at the Casa Cantina.

She Bears return to their fine, ursine form on Saturday night, bringing their angst-laden indie rock to a room full of dancing folks. They will receive help from such fine bands as Traveling By Sea, Bonneville and In Silent Movies.

Jackie O's

Tonight is your last chance to catch JJ Reid during his two-night return-home visit. He will appear solo tonight (or maybe with a friend or two), but he will bring his ineffable JJ-ness to bear on all of the songs that you long to hear him sing. I am excited to see him again; come say hi, will you? The Wallabeez are on tap, too; they are certainly picking up and taking off. New-ish lead singer Lyn Smith is just what the zookeeper ordered for this furry band or rockers. Mindfish will surface from psychologically deep waters to meander and mess with your musical mind. Make 'em welcome.

That psychedelic, alien-abduction-based experimental-rock supergroup Vellumn (featuring ex-AMS columnist Dan Dreifort) returns to action Friday night at Jackie O's: reclusive and rocking. Joining them will be the "stoner rock" swagger of Chemical Valley and the "pre-post post-punk" female-fronted rock of The Revulvas. Sounds like an interesting night.

Fox 'n Hounds bring the bluegrass back to Jackie O's on Saturday night. These guys blend Bill's music with a trippy take and slough it down with a couple beers.

Jackie O's Annex

If for some reason I haven't explained things fully enough, or if you have been living in a box during the last six months or so, let me explain the Annex to you. Jackie O's has taken over the space that was Skipper's and turned it into a near 300-person capacity room built for music and fun (with a kickin' sound system!). It is open for business Wednesday through Saturday. Contrary to one gentleman's overheard comments, it is not "still just Skipper's." Hardly. Check it out.

There will be a Latin Dance Night tonight in the Annex. This event will help to raise funds for English teachers in Guatemala.

DJ B-Funk wants to let you know that "dancing doesn't always have to be a life or death decision." He will be spinning dance tunes at the Annex Friday night.

The Royales make their Annex debut Saturday night. The funkin' kings of rock and soul have been waiting for a chance to funk up the new room. Let's see how this floor dances, shall we?

Wait a sec! Wait! Washington D.C.'s Scythian returns on Wednesday night to rip and roar the Annex. This band sold out the old room of Jackie O's their first time in town. This up-and-coming celtic/punk/gypsy band is chock full of energy and replete with bad-ass, high-caliber musicians. Check 'em out now before their tickets become too expensive for us mortals.

19 South

Friday night Circle K relives and revisits some of the set that made them infamous last weekend during the Block Party. Rumor has it that friends will be in attendance and performing.

Tuesday nights First Street Heat continues their weekly gig at 19 South. Similarly, Triangle Pancake shares good rocking on Wednesdays.

Smiling Skull

Steve Zarate hosts the Open Mic at the Skull tonight. make him welcome.

Court St. Grill

Bobaflex rips the roof off of the Court Street Grill on Friday night. These masters of metal have appeared all over the country, but keep it close to home this weekend. Face-shredding stuff.

Rhapsody

Steve Zarate takes the stage on Friday night so that you might enjoy music while you dine. Dale Kulchar noodles away on the guitar while you eat your pasta Saturday night at the Rhapsody.

That seems to be all that I am aware of this weekend. I'm heading to bed to see if anyone else wants to jam. Sweet dreams.