Athens Music Scene
By Eric Leighton
October 11, 2007
Do you ever get the feeling that your life is a direct conversation with the All-That-Is? That you are perhaps hearing the voice of God, but that it's not exactly in words, let alone a mode of communication with which you are conversant? I had one of those a couple of weeks ago. I still have not bothered to decipher too much of it - not sure that I'm supposed to. One thing for sure, it got my attention and I have been more aware and happier ever since. It firms up my belief that life can be lived as prayer, but that's a whole other topic. Caution: This tale contains brief nudity and is rated PG - pretty good - by the author.
I was awakened one evening from a nap by an incessant squeaking that I was certain was emanating from my fan. Pesky thing. I finally woke up enough to take action and noticed the smallest of mice sitting in the middle of my room squeaking -- at me! Looking right at me he was. I gave chase and he ducked, er, moused under some things as mice are wont to do when being pursued by larger mammals.
Chase aside and moving my mouse-trap to a more convenient location -- right beside the spot where he disappeared -- I gave up and walked to the bathroom where I proceeded to shower. Walking back naked to my room, I caught sight of a deer in my fenced-in yard, so of course I grabbed the camera. Dripping wet, I endeavored to snap a picture of this lovely doe -- no more than a year old. She panicked and ran right into the fence at full speed. Ouch! I retreated to keep from inspiring her to more face-marring activities and got dressed. Good thing too; I had company coming down the driveway.
As I was moving from bedroom back toward the kitchen to greet Liz Pahl, I caught sight of that little-bitty mouse bouncing his way into the kitchen. Any mouse catcher worth his salt will tell you that the lid to a pot is one of the best mouse-catching devices known to man -- handy too, especially if you are in the kitchen.
I dropped the lid over top of the bouncy mousey and turned to answer the door. Liz and I exchanged pleasantries and then I noticed that in my haste I had missed the pesky mouse and he bounced under the refrigerator. Jerk. As I went over to the fridge to move away the recycling and whatnot, I saw a black squiggly thing in front of the stove. I hadn't noticed it there before, but odd things fall to the floor at my house with regularity. To my surprise it was a baby black snake about 14 inches long. He was as surprised to see me and retreated under the stove.
All this happened in less than an hour's time. The mouse I later caught and took across the creek and tossed into the woods to freedom or owl fodder. Legend has it if you take mice across water, they won't come back. Who knows?
The snake has not been seen since. I spotted the deer the next morning -- I was naked again -- she stayed in the yard for another three days wreaking terrible damage to herself and my fence. She would try to flee and run face first into the fence. She was fast and did not jump. It was painful to watch.
There was an exciting moment when I had to pull my dog, Bobo, off of her and sit on him until she got loose from the fence she had knocked over on top of her. She finally tore up things so badly I cut the fence in two places and left her to find them after herding her had failed to win her freedom. She apparently found the gaping holes. It was totally horrible, and I can now drive the tractor into the yard -- not that I want to.
Does anyone have any ideas about the symbolism involved with a baby mouse, a baby snake (Frank Zappa aside), a yearling deer and a naked musician (that sounds like the setup for a raunchy joke - hmmm...)?
Homecoming is this weekend. To me that assures a plentitude of music to listen to. Join me, won't you?
Blue Gator
Afroman returns to Athens tonight to pump out his humorous hip-hop. He's been a favorite around here for a while. He must like us, too, because he keeps coming back.
Joey Hebdo makes one of a couple Athens appearances downstairs on Friday before heading to the left coast. Jason Quicksall joins him with his laconic and tasty tunes. This show is FREE!
The Billycats are up to their western-swing-meets-jazz shenanigans on Friday in the upstairs portion of the club and in the absence of the Royales, though a couple of the Royales play in the band, as well as a couple of Wingnuts and a couple Realbilly Jivers (with much overlap). You can take that however you want.
Dave Chisholm and his fabulously silky, bluesy, soul-steeped band comes to the downstairs of the Gator on Saturday for another FREE show.
Saturday night features the Open Doors dance party. They put the gay in Gator - they said it themselves on the flier.
Jackie O's
Tonight the Sad Bastards get together with Drive Fast and Doc Dailey and the Dixie Hellbenders for a night of great music. Doc is from Alabama and pens melancholy tunes about life in the South. The other two bands sling straight-ahead rock and effin' roll.
Friday night One Under comes back to Athens for a gig of genre-blending proportions. Featuring ex-members of Ekoostik Hookah, Mary Adam 12, the Shantee and others, this is a bit of jam-band super-group.
Megan Palmer and the Hopefuls return Saturday night to perform songs off of Megan's new album "Take You Away," of which she has been out touring in support. Everyone should know by now that Megan is one of my favorites. Show up and see why if'n you don't already know. The Paranormals will step into the void left when best-laid plans waylaid the Pahlbearers. Heheh.
Donkey Coffee
Troy Gregorino hosts the Open Stage every Thursday at Donkey.
Kaslo celebrates the release of their new CD, "Watching the Carousel Collapse," Friday night. I like their sound a lot. Sometimes they remind me of a more melodic and orchestrated Sonic Youth. Good stuff.
The Jarts are back at Donkey on Saturday night under the leadership of Mr. Gregorino. They are elusive to my schedule, but their infectious, folky rock tunes me likey.
The Union
Beat the Devil comes back to Athens on Friday night. I'd say that there is a bit of a love affair going on with Athens and BtD. They keep coming back to ever-expanding audiences, and I for one am happy for them. They're certainly one of the most interesting bands you will see or hear. The Meanz from Columbus are no slouches either. They pack a delicious wallop, and Silo Circuit is ever popular with their gypsy-informed musical mantras.
The infamous In-Sect are getting together for their 10-year reunion at the Union on Saturday night. This band features Cullen Beech, Leigh Hight, Tim Sesher (forgive me for butchering your names) among other folks, and was very popular back in the day. They helped to pave the way for the psychedelic garage-band movement that is in full swing these days. The Dragline Bros. are a perfect fit for this gig, and DJ Capt. Midnight will join the fray.
Coyote Bones rolls in from Nebraska Monday night. They have a lilting quality undershot with the mild tensions of life. Earwig is a fabulous rock band with roots in Columbus and Athens. Frontman Lizard McGee was in our first band together 20 some years ago, and he has yet to cease penning fabulously catchy rock tunes. They have been featured on TV and did the soundtrack for a movie about Nirvana. The Peekers, from Louisiana, were here over the summer to record an album, and I hope it's ready! I fell in love with this crew when I saw them. They have fun, catchy tunes that veer off in unexpected directions for indeterminate amounts of time. They are fun, flat out. And of course, I get to work that night...
Casa Cantina
Tonight, Sleepybird brings its multimedia show in from Dayton. They feature all kinds of fun stuff and a variety of styles, and it's hard to guess where these folks will land. All the way from Knoxville, Tenn., hails Tenderhooks. This band has a countrified rock glint in their collective ear. They are currently out on a bit of a tour. The McGovern Brothers will open the night with their trademark bluegrass style finishing off a bit of an odd yet linked together bill.
The Lab Rats bring their thrift-shop hip-hop back to Athens on Friday night. These guys have garnished a large following recently, and it's well deserved.
Saturday night ACRN welcomes the return of singer/songwriter Gunshy. His dark and brooding tunes are full of imagery. His constant touring and Tom Waits-ish voice are both things I admire about him. In times past, he has been by himself, but this time he is touring with a full band. Should be exciting. Joe Anderl lends his prodigious talents to the evening, as do Mystery of Two and Russenorsk.
Poston Lake
The fall edition of Hookah in the Hills takes place Friday and Saturday at Poston Lake. In addition to two sets each night from Ekoostik Hookah, you can catch sets from Crackers & Jam, Papadosio, Joe Prichard (the Recipe), Melvin Sparks Band, Freekbass, Cornmeal, Mike Perkins and BoomBox. See separate story in this issue.
Baker Center
Tonight's Coffeehouse Concert features those melodic monsters of poetic pop, The Princes of Hollywood.
Fridays find Bruce Dalzell at the helm of the Open Stage.
Saturday night the Urban Jazz Coalition will unleash their honk, wail and moan upon you.
Jerseyville Art and Music Fest
Saturday offers a great little festival called the Jerseyville Art and Music Festival down at the Shade Community Center in you guessed it, Shade. This is the former Alexander Junior High School site, and the event benefits the community center. The Christy's Gospel, along with Athens Harmonica Club, Jonathan and Harold Wright (storytellers), Boyd Ruth and Steve Burson (bluegrass), Elvis (Alex Couladis), Bruce and Gay Dalzell, Andy and Greta, Tim Peacock and Woody Pines, Megan Murphy and Yankee Bluegrass will make up the entertainment for this event that runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Best of all, it is FREE!
Fur Peace Station
The fifth annual Tribute to the Rev. Gary Davis takes place this Saturday at the Fur Peace Ranch. Davis was a mentor to Jorma Kaukonen -- who will be performing at the event -- as well as many other bluesmen over the years. His legacy lives on thanks to Jorma and others, and for this tribute they will be: the inimitable Ernie Hawkins, Roy Bookbinder and Stefan Grossman, all students of the Rev.
19 South
Tonight Hiatus will get their groove on at the South. Mister Got Heat is set to jam cause they got hosed by some dude - literally. Someone flooded their basement and ruined their gear. Your dollars at the door can go a ways toward righting that wrong. Prosecution anyone? Red Army will start off the night.
2EB will rock the house on Friday night. Covers seem to be their forte, and rumors have it the place was "to the gills" the last time they played.
Sunday night, Beard of the See gets their 70's rock on, while Meat Feet - whose members look suspiciously like Andrew Lampela and Mikey - do their thing. The Goodbye Goats are the final word on this bill, and some of the final words for this article. It's been fun. See you at the gigs!
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