Athens Music Scene (5-12-11)

Tim Peacock had a dream. He wanted to hear and see live music. Living here in the backwaters of American culture, he found great live music to be too rare a commodity, so he did something about it. The logical conclusion of this can be found in Nelsonville this weekend.
Unless you have been living under a rock, or have your media blinders on, chances are you have heard about this thing called the 7th annual Nelsonville Music Festival. With humble beginnings as a single-stage, single-day festival on Nelsonville's Public Square, the fest has exploded this year into what is arguably the single best weekend of music this region has ever seen.

Held on the grounds of Hocking College in their historic village re-creation, Robbins Crossing, this festival has it all. Three days of delightful music, ranging across numerous genres, with bands from all over the U.S., lots of local vendors and beer, and lots and lots of beer.

The only drawbacks that ever present themselves are the unpredictable weather, which has no doubt put the campgrounds into a bit of a puddle, and the limited road access to the site. I would highly advise that you build in the notion of Traffic to your travels to the NMF, especially on Saturday when the world shows up to check out the Flaming Lips.

I got to see the Flaming Lips at Stache's in Columbus years ago, 1992 in fact. It was a Monday night and I had gone to Columbus by myself to see King Crimson (I know, hard to believe no one wanted to go to that!). So there I am, sated after seeing the band I had wanted to see since I was 14, and at loose ends because the show was over and it was 10 p.m. Seeing as how it was a Monday in the fall, I thought I would stop into Stache's and see if anyone was there watching Monday Night Football. Imagine my surprise when I saw "Flaming Lips" on the marquee!

I had worn out a copy of their album "Priest Driven Ambulance" (which I still think is one of the best albums ever). I had been wanting to see them play since I was 18. Lucky for me, my friend was the booking agent/doorman and he had some tickets set aside for losers like me. The show was packed. The band had crazy lights strung all over the place and speakers throughout the room. When they hit the stage, the place exploded. It was amazing. They didn't play "Five Stop Mother Superior Rain" but I forgive them.

Needless to say, I would have to put that evening as a high-water mark for me, musically (King Crimson and Flaming Lips on the same night? Come on!). This weekend's musical line-up seems poised to challenge that night for first place. Thanks Tim and Brian and all the other folks in the Stuart's Opera House organization that put their hard work into making this weekend a possibility. Good job!

Now Mother Nature just has to hold up her end of the bargain.

The offerings in the rest of the town are a bit slim, but there are some fine opportunities nonetheless. If you aren't in Nelsonville this weekend, stop in to hear some of the rest of the folks.

Casa Cantina

Tonight there is an opening for the Casa Nueva's Employee Art Show. I imagine that food and music will accompany the fine art produced by the folks who feed us so well and so often.

The Billycats bring their sizzling western swing bebop to the Casa stage for an early free show on Saturday evening. The show begins at 6:30 or so, I believe.

Saturday night you can enjoy an Open Doors Dance Night.

Jackie O's

Tonight, Broken Ring heads up a night of music solidly in the Americana camp. BR and their new album continue to win new fans as the band just seems to get better and better. Josh Eagle & The Harvest City are a great rootsy band from Cincy. I predict great things for them. Glass Winged Sharpshooters are a cool band out of Columbus that mix it up with some nice instrumentation and good singing.

A Latin Dance Night is on tap at Jackie O's Public House on Friday night.

Captain Planned It will bring his DJ wizardry to the Brewery on Friday night.

Any Color is a completely fabulous band that plays the music of Pink Floyd, and if you have any inclination toward that music, I would have to INSIST that you go hear them and their renditions. They are really good. They will bust out the laser lights and fog machines for you on Saturday night.

Saturday you can groove out to an African Dance Night in the Brewery.

The Union

Tonight the Union features HipHopalooza III, and unfortunately, that is all I can find about the event.

Friday night, Dave Rave brings out the grass skirts for a luau-themed dance party.

Wednesday, ACRN presents some interesting music. The Body comes in from Providence, R.I., to duo-fy their strange doom sludge. More sludge, this time with dueling basses, comes from Columbus' Bridesmaid. VIT are purveyors of "post-black metal," and Nyodene D swings dark and heavy industrial death.

Red Brick Tavern

Dave Rave gets together with both the Japanese and International Student Unions tonight to raise money to help earthquake victims. Head to the Bull Pen and dance the night away.

Smiling Skull

Selective Timing has a song featured on the CD sampler in June's edition of Relix, and you can hear them live Friday night at the Skull. Athens' own Bricks & Bones are a newish crew whose enthusiasm for the music can be felt in every song.

Donkey Coffee

It's a full one at the Donkey on Friday night. The percussive sounds of Acarya will reverberate through your soul, and Mike Cody will make you laugh. Emily Dale does stripped-down versions of her tunes, just her and a piano. Christi Maharani & Dedy Kurniawan will perform a short set of Indonesian songs for you.

"Sing around the Rose-y." Um. There will be a concert "in the round" on Saturday night. In this instance, three musicians will take turns playing songs for you. Usually this kind of arrangement lends itself to an intimate show with stories about the songs being shared. Performing on this charming evening will be Mindy Braasch, Dawn Parker and Nicolas Rose.

Fur Peace Ranch

Nelsonville ain't the only local spot featuring world-class entertainment this weekend.

Jorma's Fur Peace Station Concert Hall is presenting Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks, the legendary swing-tastic band from the late '60s San Francisco scene, Saturday night. As the bio tells it,"Along with his vast musical talent, Hicks' witty, sharp and cleverly hilarious lyrics align perfectly with his one-of-a-kind eccentric outlaw swagger to provide the audience with a truly unique performance." The current tour is to promote Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks' most recent album "Tangle Tales"

Now that you're all excited, I'd be remiss if I didn't also mention, the show has been sold out for quite a while.

Court Street Grill

Bobaflex is a rip-roaring metal band that has toured the country and made fans at every stop. If you are looking for a professional show in a cozy bar, head to the Grill on Friday night.

Austin Walkin' Cane is a master of the resophonic guitar, which is what a lot of people would call a dobro even though that's akin to calling all facial tissues Kleenex (and that is completely off point). AWC is an "acoustic blues troubadour" that is so very at home with that swampy Delta slide sound. He will be at the Grill Saturday night.

Uncle Buck's

The Blues Cowboys ride out Saturday night to New Marshfield's Uncle Buck's Riding Stable & Dance Barn. Special guest Linda Dachtyl is back on the keyboards (B3 maybe?), and let me tell you, this gal can swing! She is a jazz pro who has jammed with some of the best over the years. The music begins at 8 p.m.

Nelsonville Music Fest

Oh yeah, I might have mentioned it before, there's this little music festival happening in Nelsonville this weekend. This is the 7th annual Nelsonville Music Festival, and it appears to be a doozy. I haven't done the math, but there are three days worth of bands and the fun begins on Friday with country music icon George Jones headlining the night. Saturday night, the Flaming Lips are the top draw, and Sunday's main attraction will be Neko Case. See separate articles in this issue, or www.nelsonvillefest.org, with more details.

I am sure that there is a lot more to be heard this weekend, so keep your ears peeled, and I'll see you at the gig. Bugout,