Athens Music Scene

Ohio Brew Week. Let me say it again: Ohio Brew Week. I don’t know about anyone else, but for me, the World Cup madness ended on Sunday leaving a void that could only be filled by a week’s worth of Ohiobrewed beer. And it has been. And how! I can be certain that by the time Brew Week ends, the only longings I will have will be for sleep.

 

If you ask me, Athens has been getting more and more fun every summer. Sure, there are those among us who embody the perennial joke about Athens: Q. How many Athenians does it take to change a lightbulb? A. Twelve. One to change it and 11 to talk about how great the last bulb was.

Sure, any of us who have gotten past our twenties will always reminisce about the Good Ol’ Days and how the cops weren’t as mean and the parties were wilder, but I’ve been here for almost 20 years, and I’d say summers have definitely picked up.

I remember the summer of Jen’s, you know, back in the Good Ol’ Days. In those days, and that particular summer, only five girls were in town — and that summer they were all named Jen. It even sparked a Bargoyle song: “I love you Jen, I tell ya, I really gotta tell ya, I love you Jen, I tell ya, I do.” Deep stuff.

Not anymore. So far, even though school let out a month ago, I have yet to come up for air. Brew Week is a blast with music, food and beer all over the place (quite), but this is only the beginning of the summer. The Athens Community Music Fest is a month away. The Athens County Fair is in early August, OU summer enrollment is as big as ever. I say summers have arrived.

Sure, that last light bulb was nice, but I remember back when summers were real belttighteners. When the droughts extended to a variety of facets of life. Summers in Athens are still pretty loose affairs; there’s just more people around to enjoy them.

Things may certainly change when OU switches to semesters and lets out in early May, but then again, my guess is some enterprising individuals will start to have events that make use of the beautiful spring weather.

For me, I can’t see past today’s Ohio Brew Week festivities, and the way those tend to go, I won’t be able to see after them either (entering optimistically, leaving misty-optically).

Ohio Brew Week — just brew it! Brew-yah! Hallebrewia! I’ll stop now.

You can send your Brew Week riffs or information about your music to athens.music.scene@gmail.com. Go out and enjoy some live music; there’s a lot of it this week.

Casa Cantina

Tribe of the Mountain lets loose their psychedelic motives on an unsuspecting populace tonight for free at the Cantina. They will be goaded along by Gunbash and Toads & Mice.

Friday’s free show at the Casa features Theodore, a neo-freak-folk group out of St. Louis. Further proof that trombones can find a home in any band. The 65’s and SacLunch make this dinner complete.

Casa has a post-boogie bump Saturday night featuring Duke Jr. & the Smokey Boots and the fine Columbus band the Floorwalkers.

Jackie O’s

Tonight, Jackie O’s plays host to an Athens Music Showcase featuring The Paranormals, Jess & Kyle from Duke Jr. & the Smokey Boots, Whip & Tickle, the 65’s and very possibly a set from Joey Hebdo.

Friday night Vermont’s super-groovy Afrobeat band, Bearquarium, will rock the Public House stage. These guys are ending their Midwest tour with this Athens stop. Fabulous, fine and funky. Sparrow in the Briar, a duo featuring Corbin Marsh and Angela Perley, open the night.

Saturday night, The Lennon Orchestra returns to its Post-Boogie Brew Week closing duties at Jackie O’s. If you like the Beatles, this is the place to be. (Editor Smith mentioned the other day that one of the three best shows he saw this past year was the L.O. playing Lennonfest at Jackie O’s in December. He also is misusing his editorial omniscience to add the following recommendation for Beatles lovers out there: The Young Veins’ “I Need a Vacation.” Beatles ’65 anyone?) OK, back to me…

The Union

Tonight the Constant Gardener takes his rotating Karaoke machine to the Union for a night of unrestrained wailing.

Happy Hour gets happier at the Union on Friday when a variety of locals step up to microphone and sing. This free show will be downstairs and much fun.

Friday night, the amazing Thin Lizzy tribute band, The Hero & the Madman will play its final show. Say it ain’t so!

Things get steamy at the Union, post-Boogie Saturday night. Boxcar Burlesque strips things down for your unbelieving eyes. Good, clean, sexy fun. There are usually bands and other fun stuff at these events, so avail yourself of this opportunity.

Smiling Skull

Do you want an image of your “plumber’s credentials” plastered on beer bottles for the next year? Well, here’s your chance. Black Box Brewery and the Smiling Skull are hosting the Ms. Plumber’s Crack Competition at 7 tonight. The winner will receive a makeover (umm ...), a professional photo shoot and an all-expense-paid trip to Cleveland for her and four friends. This I like. Where’s the Best Beer Belly competition?

Friday night, Bud Carroll & the Southern Souls are back. These guys are really good. I heard them on “Mountain Stage,” not knowing who they were, and I was floored to discover that this rocking, Allman-esque group is from just across the river in W.Va.! Great stuff.

Donkey Coffee

The Easy Winners take jazz standards and interpret them on old-timey instruments. Friday night they will also feature crafty tunes discovered by Chris Tomazic. Zak Kramer (maybe soon ZaKramer) noodles on a variety of instruments. Discover this gent, dig?

Nathan Zangmeister returns to his Athens roots Saturday night with his heartfelt tunes. Joining him will be the The Bret Elizabeth Jenkins Midwest Poetry Tour, featuring Becca Lachman.

Boogie On the Bricks

Possibly the best street party ever occurs Saturday on Court Street. Ohio craft-brewed beer will be sold and consumed on the street, proof that Athens is one of the coolest towns in the world. Backing that proof is the incredible lineup of music that will happen among the other activities. Athens’ premier familyfriendly band Flyaway Saturn will kick things off at 1 p.m., followed by the old-timey sounds of Rattletrap, the Django-jazz of the Coolville Hotclub, the alt-country of Broken Ring, the sultry blues-folk of Duke Jr. & the Smokey Boots, the Pink Floyd of Any Colour You Like and the supah-funk of perennial headliners, The Royales. Talk about a good time!

Rhythm on the River - Pomeroy

Athens’ own Jazztet takes it to the river on Friday night. These guys craft lovely jazz from the chaos of life. It would be good to hear them in such a great environment.

Uncle Buck’s - New Marshfield

The Blues Cowboys will giddy-up the BBQ on Saturday night at Uncle Buck’s. Horse rides, BBQ and rocking country blues — and beer! Excellent.

Abrio’s Brick Oven

There’s a Brewer’s Feast at Abrio’s tonight.

Steve Zarate will play his Ohio Brew Week song for all who will listen.

Rhapsody Restaurant - Nelsonville

Steve Zarate continues his seemingly endless round of gigs Friday night by providing instrumental music for your fine-dining experience.

Buffalo Wild Wings

Five Foot Forward will play their fine selection of covers at BW-3s on Friday night.

That’s all that I have been able to track this week. Certainly I have missed some things. Be sure to check ohiobrewweek.com for more complete listings of OBW events. Brew ya later.