Athens Music Scene
By Eric Leighton
June 12, 2008
Place is meaningful. Given their age, most of the denizens of this town are accustomed to moving every nine months or so — or at least moving home for the summer.
I, as a child, lived no more than 10 years in the same abode; as far as I can remember. After moving from the most stable place of my childhood, it became a matter of a couple of years to go from here to there. Not that it was so dramatic; once I entered middle school and high school, it didn’t much matter. But both of my parents (separated; disillusioned — a perfect term, really) picked up this semi-nomadic lifestyle, where they continually upgraded homes as they worked themselves out of the poverty to which we were all born.
I grew up in increasingly better homes, but I think the only thing that stuck with me was that restlessness to move to the next locale — which I fought. Wanting to have a normal childhood, I always dreamed of having the same house to go home to. I was never bitter about not having it, but I always wanted that level of stability in my life.
Confronting your stuff as you move can be enlightening, or en-burdening, as you lug it about. If I’ve noticed anything it’s that the more room you have, the more stuff you accumulate, and the longer you are there, all the more so.
As I contemplate a slight relocation of my stuff (after 10 years, interestingly enough), I’ve thought of a new rule I would like to apply: For every one thing I bring in, I must take another out, such that at any given time, the balance of things remains the same. I doubt I can do it, but it’s a good thing to shoot for.
So, as you all send stuff to the local thrift shops and pack your merry ways out of town, I’d like to say: It was a good year. Thanks especially to all of the musicians that worked so hard to make music happen, both within themselves, and for all of us. By the by, a note to bars and others: If your summer lineup of weekly events is going to change, please send the new info to news@athensnews.com. Editor Terry would like that. See ya around.
ARTS/West
Tonight at A/W there will be an Aquabear Legion show. This is a group of musicians who gather their strengths to get things done. Tonight’s show features Nostra Nova, She Bears and Dinner of Swords, and the show starts at 7 p.m.
Casa Cantina
Tonight’s International Dance Night will serve as a benefit for the United Nations World Food Program. This has been a very popular dance night thanks to the work of DJ Self Help.
Friday night isn’t National Suicide Day, but the band of the same name will be there. These Clevelanders are a “heavy soul rock band” containing members of the oh-so-popular This Moment in Black History. The Snails have taken their sweet time oozing up to another show, and let’s hope that Super Predator doesn’t eat them alive. Milton Melvin Croissant III will go down like a succulent French pastry filled with broken glass and nails, and dugoutcanoe will have you floating along as fine as a misty rain.
Jackie O’s
Tonight the adorably talented Weedhawks wend their way through the audience and into your hearts with their surprisingly funny, heartfelt and spot-on tunes. The Paranormals will perform as well.
Friday night there will be an Ohio Brew Week Benefit (OBW runs July 14-19) featuring Midwest Kid, Tony Adami, and Arthur Killroad.
Saturday night, one of my heroes, Greg Ginn, will be at Jackie O’s. His band Gone was a favorite of mine, but most of you will remember him as the guitarist in Black Flag and the founder of SST records, the label that changed the direction of my life. He is touring with two instrumental acts, Jambang, and the Texas Corrugators. Between these bands you can hear everything from country punk, lunge, jazz and the flat-out wandering weird. I am excited. We March is going to do a brief opening set at 9 p.m. sharp.
The Union
Tonight the Pricklies from Columbus team up with Civilian which features members of Mutilitia. Why I Like Robins isn’t the subject of discourse, it’s a band.
Friday night Spooktober takes the lead and wangles its way through a tangled set, Submarine Spaceship will do their performance rock noise bit, and FSU will, um, FSU.
Wheels on Fire roars into the Union for one more rocking show on Saturday night. Blues and folk troubadour Ron Franklin adds his bit to the mix from cuts off of his third album, and the Paper Machetes are purportedly hacking their way out of town. Rumors abound that this might be their last go round.
19 South
The music tonight features Grind House which in turn features Talon, Kareem and Kyle from Columbus. Dysfunktional Family will help get this Hip Hop train a-rolling.
Court St. Grill
Friday night at the Grill, “author, songwriter, creator of sensual tension” and master screedster Tommy Womack will change the way you think about things. Todd Snider said he was the only person in Nashville that was crazier than he was. He is a Historical Jesus buff and NY Mafia buff, and he used to be in a band called Government Cheese. Not only that, he is a hell of a songwriter and a great performer. Who wants to go to Pomeroy Friday? Check out tommywomack.com – it’s fun.
Rhapsody
Duo-Glide is happening at the Rhapsody this Friday and Saturday playing groovy tunes to dine by.
Fur Peace Ranch
Too bad for those of us without tickets because G.E. Smith’s Heroes of Electric Guitar show is SOLD OUT! We could have seen Jorma Kaukonen, Larry Coryell, and Bob Margolin, in addition to G.E. of course.
Uncle Buck’s
UB’s Saturday Night BBQ features the 3rd Shift Band out of Jackson Co. performing their blend of country, bluegrass and classic rock.
That’s all I’m aware of. Congrats on making it through another tourist season, er, school year!
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