Athens Music Scene (6-9-11)

To quote George Harrison, "All things must pass," and so it goes that spring quarter has come and gone, giving us eight weeks of rain and two without, certainly not contiguous.
Graduation weekend looms and goodies begin to appear curbside as we poor folk hasten to arrive before New to You or ReUse grab them up, bless their enterprising selves.

Friends will be leaving, some for good, some for the summer, and the rest of us will kick back and enjoy a more laid-back summer style. Sure, it often means fewer choices of music around town, but there's always something going on, and the year-round open stages can be interesting founts of entertainment. Ohio Brew Week and Boogie on the Bricks are only about a month away, so never fear.

Yes, all things must pass, and it is with a heavy heart (or is that heartburn?) that I must report to you that this is the last time we will be together at least in the foreseeable future. The Athens Music Scene is taking a hiatus from the paper this summer, and maybe for good. Editor Smith will report back to you on that later.

We have had some good years together. I have been here for almost 10 of them, and the column itself stretches back beyond that (I'm too lazy to figure that out any help Ed.?). I would like to thank Terry Smith and Bruce Mitchell for giving me this extraordinary opportunity for so many years, letting me espouse whatever nonsense came into my brain (and thanks to former AMS scribe Roman for demanding I do it), before getting on to talking about the music.

This music scene has done some immense growing since I first began in this column, and I am proud to have helped to be a part of it. I'd like to thank the hardworking folks who book the clubs and bothered to tell me about the shows each week as well as the bands and musicians who sent me pertinent info.

Mostly, though, I'd like to thank you folks who bothered to read this column each week. The folks who told me it was the only reason you picked up the paper. You kept me going and trying to do my best each week. Thinking of you all expecting me to be entertaining often got that fire lit, and we all got to have some fun.

Never fear. If you still care to read my writing, there are things in the works. The ending of the weekly AMS came on me a bit quick, so I haven't quite gotten everything together, but I have a spot you can visit to see if I ever do get it together: thejunebugshow.blogspot.com. At this virtual location I will collect a variety of my writings and make them available, hopefully on a regular basis. There are also talks of a couple of books. We'll see.

Alas, 'tis time to go for a (final?) stroll through the Athens Music Scene. Shall we?

Casa Cantina

Tonight the Casa offers International Dance Night with DJ Self Help leading the way.

Friday night, the Fayble Family showcase their wide-ranging skills along with JJ Reed and his fine stable of songs and The Alley Cats, a great new rock band with lengthy numbers loaded with guitars.

The Corbin Marsh Band brings their rootsy-blues jams to the Casa on Saturday night. Joey Hebdo joins in with his ethereal music, and JJ Reed's newest collaboration with Matt Box and Tommy Stumpp, Supertape, swings it. The flier I saw said that The Porters were playing, but the email I received did not mention this, so

Jackie O's

Constant Gardener Karaoke sends the school year out with one more round of karaoke fun tonight in the Public House. Better iron that shirt, Teddy!

Elizabeth Atwell's new dance project, Steampunk Ballet, will make a brief debut in Jackie O's Public House tonight somewhere between 9:30 and 10, so come out and catch this exciting new dance troupe.

The Royales give you another night of fabulously funky music at Jackie O's Friday night. Got family in town? Come on down!

The Union

Boxcar Burlesque helps to present "burlesque so hot it will give you tan lines" tonight when they support the nationally touring Sinfully Yours, a burlesque tour featuring "the Madam of Washington D.C," Miss Kitty Victorian, Ms. Fever Blister, Crystal Swarovski, Ms Vagina Jenkins and Viva Valezz. Numerous of the Boxcar Burlesque gals will perform as well, so get on over there.

Friday night, the mathematically intricate Zapano is celebrating a record release party with friends Valley Boys, Vagrant Beat and Got Air Ballooning.

"Aquabear Legion is an Athens-based Ohio music and art collective that since 2004 has worked with over 150 bands and musicians from around the state." Saturday night they will proudly unveil their latest compilation, "Volume Four," which features numerous Ohio bands as well as hand screen-printed packaging with artwork from Athens ex-pat Jed Collins. Seascapes, Black Owls, Scubadog and Weedghost all put forth their talents to help make this party a success.

Smiling Skull

Tonight Shellshag headlines a night of two-piece bands at the Skull. Their tribal Sonic Youth-meets-Jesus & Mary Chain is hypnotic and catchy and their 15 years together make this a fascinating group to be held. The Hussy comes down from Madison supporting their new album, "Cement Bomb Mind Control," which packs a very fuzzed-out, garage-y, lo-fi surf-rock kind of vibe. The B-Sides combine one each from Wheels on Fire and the Snarlas to form a duo the likes of which we haven't seen since the Wonder Twins. "Form of" Octopus & Owl square off this brace of pairings.

Uncle Buck's

The Blues Cowboys bring you great rock & roll in addition to the other types of music hinted at by their name, and you can visit with them at Uncle Buck's near New Marshfield on Saturday night. Graduation weekend got you down? The BC have your cure.

Court Street Grill

Trip Dog features members of Three Sided Soul and Without Papers, among others, and presents a fine mix of rock and alt.country similar to Drive-By Truckers and Crazy Horse. They will bring this hard-driving mix to the Court Street Grill on Friday night. Good stuff.

Red Brick Tavern

Steve Zarate brings his encyclopedic catalogue of songs to the Red Brick Tavern Friday night from 6-10 p.m.

OU Inn - Cutler's

Steve Zarate offers up tasty dinner music Saturday evening from 6-8:30 p.m. at Cutler's of the OU Inn for all of you graduation weekend celebrators.

Salaam

The Coolville Hotclub makes a special appearance at Salaam on Sunday evening to ramp things up for a special show here next week, I believe. Catch them in the act; enjoy some gypsy jazz and some great food.

The Oak Room

Steve Zarate gives you the first taste of the summer season Wednesday evening from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Oak Room.

Stuart's Opera House

Caravan of Thieves circle their wagons in Nelsonville tonight to kick off Stuart's Free Summer Concert Series. These shows take place in the parking lot across from the Opera House, weather permitting (if not, the shows are held inside the House), and this first one seems to be a doosey. Caravan of Thieves are an amped-up, fire-breathing band filled with stage drama, theater and good solid gypsy jazz. They are quite a fun bunch with a hell of a show. A free show, as the series name suggests.

Fur Peace Ranch

Honeyboy Edwards has cancelled his appearance at the FPR for Saturday due to illness, but he has sent a fine replacement in Louisiana Red. Red has done time in John Lee Hooker's band and has jammed with Muddy Waters and B.B. King. Stefan Grossman is well-known for his ground-breaking guitar teaching techniques and was in Even Dozen Jug Band with David Grisman, Maria Muldaur and John Sebastian, the Fugs, and even had a brief stint with Janis Joplin. The guy is a gifted fingerstyle guitar player, so go visit with him for awhile.

Well, that's it. Thanks again everyone for all of the fun. It's up to you now to motivate yourselves to go see live music, but I will still see you at the gigs. Bugout!

Submitted at 440Hz by the Articulator 1500, powering down at the AMS-HQ. This space for rent.