Athens Music Scene
By Eric Leighton
Athens NEWS Writer
January 17, 2008
I got some news the other night that had me crying in my beer, and I wasn't even listening to Hank Williams Sr. In order to confuse the issue, I cite the name of one of my favorite childhood books, "Hop on Pop." It appears as though the hop bubble has popped, or, due to the lack of hops, we will have to drink pop. What am I talking about? Always a fair question...
We are experiencing a worldwide hop shortage. Due to crop failures, a warehouse fire, and the numerous farmers who stopped growing hops when there was a glut of them, there are simply no hops to be had. Sure, the larger brewing companies will be fine because they buy their hops on contract, but the smaller microbreweries -- like our own Jackie O's -- are feeling the crunch. Buying hops on the spot market is a dicey and pricey affair, and the fear is that a number of young microbreweries might not see it through these dry-hopped days (apparently no worries for Jackie O's fans!).
One of the most tragic realities is this: It takes at least three years for a hop field to mature and produce to capacity; in short, this is not a problem that will go away soon.
It doesn't stop there, thanks to all the eco-fascists out there trying to wean us off foreign oil for the sake of "the planet"; They who have caused the price of grain to skyrocket in order to make their precious ethanol, and consequently, barley and wheat prices are at an all-time high. And don't get me started on the corn-related price of moonshine!
The aftermath: Beer prices will go up; certain varieties of beer - like my beloved pale ales - may disappear in favor of more seasonal varieties; beer will start tasting more like Belhaven - yikes! But maybe all's not lost; luckily, most brew masters are up to the challenge and they are already kicking out some serious beer - coffee stout anyone? Oh my goodness.
I can see it already; my bottom field planted in hops, just a year or two too late in maturing for me to be competitive on the market, because we will likely be back up to "glut" levels by then, but I will have some mighty fine-tasting homebrew waiting for me each night.
So tip a glass in honor of the glorious liquid that helps make bands sound better; makes us feel like dancing; makes us more attractive to the other sex (at least if they are drinking it!). To beer! Long may you hop!
The Union
The Union has DJ A-Rock tonight and ACRN Dance Night on Friday.
Saturday night Silo Circuit is back to the Union with their gypsy-tinged rock. The Dragline Bros. are also on the bill; they are one of the region's finest rock bands if you didn't already know that.
Jackie O's
Tonight offers a singer/songwriter night featuring Columbus' Ryan Smith and Athens' own Katy Reichlin along with me (Junebug) and perhaps one or two other musicians whom I'll pick up down at the soup kitchen before the gig.
Friday night, The Werks werk their jamalicious magic upon you from the Jackie O's stage. These boys arrive from Dayton and will be joined by Cincy's Perfect Norm.
Saturday night, The Floorwalkers come down from Columbus to lay their mixed bag of songs upon you. They ooze soul and are currently one of my favorite bands to hear and see. They are tapped into something a lot of younger bands miss - song craft. Check them out, as well as The Wooly Lemons, whose rock and roll is not to be missed, especially with their new guitarist.
Sunday night Zach Deputy comes down from whatever planet he is from to deliver his groovy music. He and his percussionist sound like a six-piece band. Zach is a unique and fascinating character whose marathon shows are one for the books - "The Guinness Book of Stout Beers"!
19 South
Tonight, Red Dahlia makes their 19 South debut, and boy-oh-boy is the bar excited to have this well-traveled group of rockers. White Album also debuts tonight with their well-received material. The Revulvas are back in action and slinging their brand of all-gal punk rock. Rumor has it that We March might get it together to play a set as well.
Black Spyral Dancer plays their last Athens show for a while Friday at 19 South. It seems they are gearing up for some out-of-town shows and a new recording. El Fabuloso is along for the ride on this one. They will perform "Fabulosatrocities" and other such marvelous whatnot.
It may not be the case now, but check in if you're a band and would like to perform on Sunday - MLK Day being Monday - you too could check out the newish stage.
Wednesdays you can catch Cold Bargain in their house-band guise, rocking the blues with the occasional Kent Lankas thrown in for good measure.
Casa Cantina
Tonight Casa has an international Dance night with DJ Self Help.
Friday night, the fine rock-and-roll machine known as Wheels on Fire is back to rip up the Casa. Church of the Red Museum - a favorite of some of my favorites - is back down from Columbus to get all carnival on you; the Paper Machetes round out the night.
Saturday night, The Billy Cats, in all their finery, perform western-swing-tainted jazz for you all. This band features veteran pickers from lots of locally infamous bands: Realbilly Jive, The Royales, The Wing Nuts, etc. Nice picture in "the Onion" there, Bubba! (theonion.com/content/from_print/all_dad_blues_band_a) See a related story in today's A-News.
Sunday, I, Crime returns to the stage in Athens to get their musical thing happening. Red Dahlia gives us the second of their emotionally packed shows on Sunday, and the nearly (or totally?) all-girl band The Never Evers make a rare appearance.
Blue Gator
Tonight the Spiked Rivers, or is that The Spikedrivers?, return from Columbus to put the Yee back in your Haw! Featuring new guitarist John Boerstler (and occasionally guitarist Steve Sweney from Hookah) this band of pros really gets you moving. (See the story in today's issue.)
Friday night, Jones for Revival gets their jam on while you get your butt to shaking. They have begun to route themselves through Athens and we are glad.
The Rumpke Mountain Boys finally return to Athens Saturday night with their take on bluegrass music; they have just enough Hartford to forgive the more jammy movements. They are a fun band for sure.
Sunday night, the radio-ready heavy rock of Downplay will echo in the Gator upstairs. LoveSick Radio and The Ordinance will also perform.
Court Grill - Pomeroy
Saturday night, the Court Grill swings back with some serious hard-hitting blues-rock and some "guitar god in the making" type music when The Frank Harrison Group rolls into the club.
Sandstone - the Bistro - Logan
Saturday, Steve Zarate will be doing his indoor Buggy routine at the Sandstone restaurant in Logan, the downstairs portion which is called the Bistro. Good food, good music and a pleasant atmosphere. The show runs from 7-11 p.m.
Albany VFW
Saturday night the D& R Studio Band returns to the Albany VFW for a night of classic rock and oldies tunes that sound just like the radio was playing them. Dancing is welcome.
Stuart's Opera House
Our favorite opera house starts off '08 with a down-home bluegrass show featuring bluegrass luminary Melvin Goins and Athens County/southeast Ohio's own Hart Brothers. Goins has played bluegrass with some masters of the form, including the Stanley Brothers, Hilo Brown and Bill Monroe. The show starts at 8 p.m.
Hometown Showcase - Radio
The Leading Tones, Athens' finest a capella group, can be heard on "Hometown Showcase" this weekend. The show airs on WATH 970-AM Saturday mornings at 10, and Sunday evenings at 7.
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