Athens Music Scene (3-3-11)

We rejoin the story of our (guitar) hero (wannabe), already in progress…

He had the guitar in the house for a couple of weeks before he worked up the courage show his girlfriend. She was very supportive. He set about dusting off every random amp and effects processor/pedal-looking device that he had been hauling around from place to place (year after year!), drooling in anticipation. Then he spent the next several weeks trying to find the power supplies for them.

The guitar called to him through the case. Not actually words, of course, but it created a sense of longing in him. He was aware of its location in the universe like a parent with a child. Almost every moment he wasn’t playing it, his mind was upon it, like Sauron with his Ring.

He couldn’t quite get the hang of the effects pedal-thing. He did succeed in making some fascinating delay loops that rang like John Henry’s hammer in an infinity box. Of course, at the time he was just attempting to add a bit of reverb to his sound, and he was on stage trying to perform a song for people. “Definitely got to lose the pedal-thing,” he thought.

He solved the pedal problem when he got the amp situation figured out. It became simple, after some experimentation. He plugged in an old Fender Bassman that he had picked up (and moved again and again) and barely used, and an old rebuilt Gibson 2x10 guitar cabinet. Someone had wired an extra knob and a little switch to the amp to overdrive the signal and give it some seriously dirty, fuzzy distortion. It was glorious. He finally got satisfactory results, albeit with enough knob turning to require his reporting of a Repetitive Motion Incident to the Union (remedy: he received a shot – of Jaegermeister, the musicians’ cure-all).

The Tone. He was standing in the presence of the Tone. He knew It existed, but It was for the Johnny Borchards of the world, them’s that sought It and bent It to their will. Being a musician for many years brought him into contact with guitarists, so he knew the constant struggle many of them had trying to achieve the Tone. He never thought It would happen to him. He was down the rabbit hole now for sure.

Tone achieved, at least temporarily, he set about to learning how to play the guitar (about time, really). He played every spare moment he had, thinking about playing all the rest of time. His calluses tapped like thimbles when he drummed his fingers on the table. He was writing new material and losing hours in that warm, fuzzy growl, much to his neighbors’ annoyance.

He was happy, but something tickled the back of his mind, like the onset of a cold. The songs were talking to him again, but they wanted voice; they wanted to go public. He could record all the parts to his songs and release them, but there was something lacking in the energy. Then he understood. There were too many open seats in the studio. He needed a band.

Next time; rock ’n roll happens…

The Union

The Aquabear Legion, fresh off a successful Pancake Breakfast, it back with its signature event, the Aquabear County Fair, this being the 5th annual. The event will bring 16 (mostly Ohio) bands to different stages on different days and is widely regarded as a bitchin’ good time. It starts tonight at the Union with the fantabulous Japanese band Zoobombs, whose hybridizations of American punk, rap and whatever are intoxicating. Wheels on Fire represent the finest of Athens rock ’n roll. They just returned from a European tour. Athens’ own Valleyboys and The Pleasure Domes ably round out this bill. This show probably starts at 9 p.m. (maybe earlier).

Dave Rave fills the Union with writhing bodies on Friday night. DJ B-Funk and DJ Time Traveler will man the controls.

Saturday night the Aquabear County Fair reaches an apex when Chickenpussy (they have Nick Cave dolls!) brings rock ’n roll ADR-style back to the Union. This night is chock full of goodness featuring Megachurch, Hex Net (now with more Chris Aubell!), Scubadog, Left Hand Shake, and the mysterious and inimitable Weedghost performing in between sets. Let the conjuring begin. This show starts at 8 p.m.

There will be a free downstairs show at the Union on Sunday night. The Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt are a lo-fi, well-lit, accordion-driven pile of mayhem that may cause seizures. My introduction to them was a man wearing dozens of stuffed animals, surrounded by a host of bouncing individuals singing Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark.” Look ‘em up on YouTube.com. Spooktober gets into the spirit of things along with Seascapes and Valleyboys. Fun and free.

Casa Cantina

The Suffering Moses Blues Band (w/ special guest John Wetzel) continues to spread its influence around the town tonight, grooving and bluesin’ it up. The Glass Winged Sharpshooters and Broken Ring diversify and increase the value of the dollars you won’t spend to get into this show.

Friday night you can continue your visit to the Aquabear County Fair, this night at the Casa Cantina. She Bears (who apparently have relocated to Columbus) will top this night off with their characteristic “sturm and drang,” but the night will start with the guitar-driven Narrow & the Brights, whose music has a Cure-ious ’80s underground sound. The super-fine Whale Zombie rocks the middle ground.

Saturday night features an All Request Night version of ’80s Dance Night. That could get dangerous!

Jackie O’s

Tonight, Mike Perkins is back in the Public House, hopefully with sidekick bassist badman John Zuck. Perkins, known widely for his work with the Shantee years ago, is an able solo performer utilizing loops and other fun things in a compelling manner.

In the Brewery tonight, Victor Rasgaitis’ newest project, The Ridges (“indie-orchestral folk-rockers”) will kick off their tour in the town that made them, and they will be joined by Cincy’s “chamber-folk” faves the Happy Maladies. (See article in this issue.)

The Rumpke Mountain Boys are back at Jackie O’s, finally on a Friday night so that more of their fans can make the scene. These guys get bigger and better all the time as they continue to spread their unique amalgam of bluegrass and jams. Good originals.

Eric Nassau is one of the finest songwriters around, and that’s saying something. He will perform with his band at Jackie O’s in the Brewery on Saturday night. The Salty Caramels are a trio of female singer/songwriters made up by the collective talents of Angela Perley, (Miss) Molly Winters and Bree Frick. I’d say kind of like the Local Girls of the new age with an emphasis on a girl group feel from the ’40s to the ’60s. Good stuff.

Merengue Night returns to pack the dance floor of Jackie O’s on Saturday.

ARTS/West

Arts/West helps set the Aquabear County Fair to a smooth landing on Sunday afternoon, at two-ish. The fascinating Super Desserts will join Brian Harnetty and Southeast Engine’s Adam Remnant for a relaxing afternoon of music and camaraderie. This is a potluck as well as a show, so bring along something useful. The show is free, though donations are certainly encouraged.

Smiling Skull Saloon

ACRN sponsors the music tonight and Monolithic Cloud Parade headlines the event with their dreamy reverbed goodness. Historians have a new EP of their low-key, harmony-ridden music. Brothertiger’s new-wave dance music and Damn Animals make this night complete.

The Appalachian Hell Betties are Athens newest and only roller-derby team, and these ladies are hosting a benefit at the Skull on Friday night. There will be a meet and greet, and you can have your picture taken as one of them body checks you into the bar, maybe. There will be live music in support of this fine crew. I received a few different line-ups for this event, so we’ll just assume that some or all of these bands will perform: Slaughterhog, D-Rays, Bonzai!, Corbin Marsh Band, Watch Them Rot and/or Charlie Hustle.

Bricks and Bones are one of the newer bands making the scene, testing the waters at the open stages and finally stretching out to a show of their own on Saturday night. ROL will open.

Donkey Coffee

Kaitrin McCoy has a new recording from 3 Elliott Studio and she and the piano would like to share these songs with you on Friday night. Maybe you can even take home a CD. Dawn Parker will assist in a good, folky manner.

Sigma Gamma Epsilon (Earth Sciences Honor Society) will host “Rockin’ for the Rocks” on Saturday night. Music, dance and comedy will be the fare and the featured performers include Dr. Doug Green, Mark Speer, Shaena Mallott, Alan Strong, the OU Belly Dancers, Greg Stephens, The Church Street Duo, and more!

Souper Bowl Sunday

The annual Souper Bowl, a benefit for the Athens Area Mediation Services, takes place Sunday afternoon from 4:30-6:30 at the Athens Community Center. This 11^th annual event is always a local favorite, with featured food from a variety of Athens’ best eateries, including Abrio’s, Avalanche, Casa, China Fortune, Crumb’s, Donkey, Eclipse, The Farmacy, Fluff, Jackie O’s, Mistretta’s, Purple Chopstix, Salaam, Stephen’s, The Oak Room, Village Bakery, and Zoe.

For this event, area artists donate hand-crafted ceramic bowls, with attendees being able to select from 300 of them, then fill them with the best soup around.

Music will be provided by Lynn Sullivan, Mindy Braasch and Bob Montalto.

Yes, we’ll repeat it – a Souper event.

Court Street Grill - Pomeroy

Jackie is at again down at the Grill Friday night! He’s found an amazing rock band from Chicago, The Steepwater Band. These guys lean heavily towards the Black Crowes (Chris Robinson produced their debut) and Gov’t Mule (with whom they have also worked). Great slide-guitar work here. Their new live album is a rocker for sure! Guitar hero indeed.

Red Brick Tavern

Steve Zarate plays Wednesday from 8-10 and Friday evenings (5:30-9:30) at the Red Brick Tavern. The Red Brick is also offering music every weeknight, plus its regular DJ and Karaoke nights. See What’s Happening for specifics.

Rhapsody - Nelsonville

Steve Zarate performs lovely background music while you dine at the Rhapsody on Saturday night.

Uncle Bucks - New Marshfield

The Blues Cowboys are back rocking the Lady Buck Saloon at Uncle Buck’s on Saturday night. The music starts at 8 and will be a fine time for all.

Tootles Pumpkin Inn - Circleville

A bit out of range for the AMS sensors (censors?), but this show is so big it blew out the capacitors on the GigSeeker: Wayne “the Train” Hancock sounds like a honky-tonkin’ Hank Williams, and almost always has a sizzling instrumental player or two along for the ride. The “undisputed king of juke joint swing” played here once upon a time, and it was a fantastic show. He’s a real-life rockabilly hero and he will perform at Tootles Pumpkin Inn in Circleville Saturday at 9 p.m. This show is definitely worth the drive. Who’s got a car?

Car, shmar. I live in walking distance of some the finest music available. Maybe I’ll see you at the gigs!