Athens Music Scene (11-12-09)

Do you suffer from paraskavedekatriaphobia? I'm not too sure what it means because I have a 10-syllable limit to any words I might encounter or make up, but I think it has something to do with a fear of movies named after a traditionally unlucky day, or a fear of hockey masks or people named Jason, or something like that.

A letter in Monday's paper got me to thinking about the most glorious of all maligned days, Friday the 13th. I have long held to the story as introduced to me by my hero Robert Anton Wilson and put forth by numerous folks who like to look under the hood of history and discern the inscrutable. Monday's letter claimed that it is the devil who put the fear of Friday the 13th into us, and upon reflection of the varieties of information I have slogged through, I may be more inclined to believe such a claim - the devil is in the details and all of that.

The Wilsonian claim goes something like this: The Knights Templar, heroes of the Crusades, had become wealthy and strange. These Poor Fellow Soldiers of Christ had been in operation for a couple of hundred years and amassed lots of land and treasures, secrets and favors. There were rumors of strange rituals and blasphemies making the rounds, and by 1307 Pope Clement V had had enough. He enlisted the help of King Philip IV of France (who was deeply in debt to the Templars for his war with the English) and sent sealed messages across the kingdom to be opened on Oct. 12, 1307. The message contained the order to round up the Templars on Friday the 13th. Many Templars were arrested and set before the Inquisition and sentenced to death. Apparently this theory is not in favor with scholars. I blame the popularity of Dan Brown's novels as the main motive for this dismissal.

Other folks (like whoever wrote Monday's letter) believe it has to do with Christ being crucified on a Friday and that he and his 12 disciples made for a party of 13. We know how that one turned out. "Jesus, party of 13."

Norse mythology has a different dinner party happening with 12 invited guests. When Loki, the trickster god, showed up, things took a turn for the worse. Similarly, the story in Greek mythology involves Eris and the Golden Apple. All hail Eris, goddess of Discord!

There are seemingly endless wives' tales, platitudes and sayings attributing bad omens to Fridays, but I believe we can all agree that the fear of the number 13 is a result of it being a Fibonacci number. Everyone hates math.

There were 13 stars on the original American flag, and there remain to be 13 stripes. There are 13 arrows in the eagle's talon on the back of a dollar bill and 13 stars above it, making up a Star of David, or more anciently, Solomon's Seal (and what exactly did the Templars find during their excavations underneath the Temple of Solomon? The Grail? The Widow's Son?).

OK, one more. If you take a full octave of music (western scale), say from C to C (like a good sailor), there will be 13 steps in the chromatic scale leading from one C to the other, and half step at a time. Each day is what you make it. Numerology is dogging me. That and poor attendance to local music concerts. Do your part in dispelling the hype. Go to a show.

Two more points of interest. Go check out the web version of this article. Editor Smith is going out of his way to make it a truly fabulous offering. There are links to bands, videos, pictures and all kinds of value-added material. I have seen many online music columns, and this one beats the pants off most of the ones that I've seen.

Final note. I am beginning a series I am calling in my head "the Gift of Music." I hope to focus on all the rest of the music-related offerings that this region has. I will examine, for your edification and mine, music stores, recording studios, record stores, music teachers, music programs, luthiers and all of the other fabulous things that go on around here to help deepen your love of music and the experience of music. Hopefully, we can collect this into a nice little online resource. If you have ideas of things I should cover or want to give yourself a shout-out, e-mail me at athens.music.scene@gmail.com. Of course, if you want to tell me about the great things your band is doing, this would be the appropriate address as well. Do us all a favor and get yourself out and see some live music this weekend!

Abrio's

You won't believe it but a bevy of internationally famous stars, including Pink, Shania Twain, Lorrie Morgan, Jodi Messina, Lady Gaga, Cher and more are coming to Abrio's Brick Oven Saturday night to perform and entertain.

One small detail I should probably mention: these are actually female impersonators who are performing as Roger's Stars of Illusion. Various versions of this show have been performed annually in Athens, and always pack an entertainment wallop. The show starts at 9, and if you're worried about getting a ticket, call 594-8500.

Casa Cantina

Joey Hebdo is hoping you'll come out and celebrate the recent release of his newest album "Prosciutto." He will have a full band with him tonight (the Hebdo Quatro) featuring the amazing Larry Cook on the bass and Tom Lasky from the Floorwalkers on drums, among others. The Barn OwlsTGP will close the night.

The Spikedrivers come down to rip-snort on your bluegrass-funk movement. Big stomping beats, blistering solos and good, drunken times make this Friday night show one that might be tough to remember.

Saturday evening, at about 6:30, The Wailin' Elroys return to their rockabilly form and hickify all that they see - for FREE! It's like a sore peter; you can't beat it.
open and
Saturday night will be the regular monthly installment of Open Doors Dance Night.

Jackie O's

Pennsylvanians are running rampant at Jackie O's tonight. Pat "PK" Harmon is back in town and he is dragging folks from his most recent haunt of Johnstown, Pa., over for a good time. Collectively known as My Idea of Fun, these players will show up in a variety of forms including Bikini Test ("apocalyptic love songs & histrionic folk"), Matt Miller (Endless Mike & the Beagle Club), and Dan Oatman (the Higher Fives). Finishing the night will be our own Fodder Beets (mystrionic faux-lk) featuring two Pa. natives. Go Phillies!

Katty Whompus brings their tight three-part vocal bluegrass style back to Jackie O's Friday night. Good stuff.

Jackie O's Annex

Tonight offers a Queen and King Challenge benefiting the Athens' AIDS Task Force. Loud music and loud outfits be fitttin' this night. It's not too late to enter!

Friday night's International Dance Night has been postponed.

Saturday night, The Perfect Norm return to the Greater Jackie O's area (the Annex), to get their jam on. They are one of the finer bands working that circuit. Duke Jr. & the Smokey Boots saddle up and deliver a folksy blues that will put a smile on your face and a swing in your step. (Here's a video from YouTube, done by Athens Guest List. Audio by Clint "the Archivist." Nice job.)

The Union

Tonight features the newish Manor Animal that pick up the pieces (feces?) from the late-lamented Russenorsk. Whalezombie makes their AMS debut hailing from parts here and parts Columbus, and In Silent Movies projects star member Josh Landis for your approval.

Friday night Dance or Die sets a groovy ultimatum that would make Mel Brooks blush.

Saturday night Pretty Mighty Mighty comes down from Columbus to rock the Union in the manner that they used to oh-so many years ago. I remember certain members were in a band called the Underprivileged waaaaay back when. Yowza. Welcome back, guys! I want to know about Chickenpussy - is it enticing? Bongwater references aside, they will appear along with the currently trendy social-networking band, The Twits, and every librarian's favorites, The Book Smarts.

Monday night, ACRN gets the end-of-the-quarter jitters and throws their annual preemptive Pre-New Year's Eve bash.

Stuart's Opera House

Saturday night, Stuart's Opera House is thrilled to be having their big Fall Fundraiser. Thrilled because they get to have The Vagabond Opera perform for you. A more fun and entertaining act to check out I cannot imagine. They are decked to the nines in classy garb and entertain you with "European cabaret, vintage Americana, Balkan belly-dance, neo-classical opera and old-world Yiddish theater." First-rate entertainers one and all, these folks are a heap of fun. Tickets start cheap and get better all of the time. Go if you can because not only is Stuart's in dire need of your support, you will have a great freakin' time!

Memorial Auditorium

The Ohio University School of Music's Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band will perform for you at Mem Aud on Sunday at 8 p.m. Works by Leonard Bernstein and John Phillip Sousa (happy belated birthday!) are but two of the many composers whose work wil be featured.

Eclipse Company Store

Missoula Oblongata will appear at the Eclipse Company Store near The Plains tonight at 7. My favorite quote is this one: "It's like arts and crafts on crack."

Athens Public Library

Silent Lion will go for Baroque tonight at the Library beginning at 6:30. John and Barbiel Saunders are both extremely accomplished musicians that incorporate a variety of musics from across the centuries and across the globe. You will be wowed, and this is probably a free show.

Donkey Coffee

Friday night: Virgin Forest is an offshoot project for Brooklyn keyboardist Scott Stapleton. He just backed up Willie Nelson at Farm Aid. He is touring with town-mates Inoculist, and teaming up with with great local musicians Jesse Remnant (Southeast Engine) and Tim Race (Manor Animals, Russenorsk).

Saturday night you can check out keyboardist extraordinaire Michael Rinaldi-Eichenberg and his female maestro counterpart Rachel Mousie. Billy Matheny (Southeast Engine) brings an earthy singer/songwriter vibe to the keyboards and to the night.

19 South

Saturday night 19 South takes a turn toward the metal with Whispers of the Fallen, Empirian and more.

Monday night you can check out and participate in the Open Jam.

Triangle Pancake continues to to rock out on Wednesdays.

Smiling Skull

Tonight The Kid - aka Aaron - will be hosting the Skull Open Mic.

Friday night you can tear it down with locals We March and Empirian, the awesome and touring Tournament and Athens' own Fleshworld.

Fur Peace Ranch

The Hot Tuna All-Star Jam takes place on Saturday night for those of you lucky enough to have tickets to this Sold Out event. They've got Jorma, G.E. Smith and Erk Diaz among others. This wraps up the concert series for this year. You can look forward to next month's Holiday Faire - and to buying season tickets for next year's shows!

Rhapsody

Dale Kulchar keeps it real at the Rhapsody on Saturday night. Fine melodic picking for your fine dining pleasure.

That's about all I'm aware of this week. Do check out a show, or send me an e-mail to inform me about the things I am missing. Giggity!