Athens Music Scene
By Eric Leighton
June 26, 2008
Just when I thought things were crazy, they are getting even crazier. It’s certainly not the heat, as that has been reasonable lately by Athens’ standards, but man alive, things keep getting thicker – and not even localized to Athens! The stars must be in some weird alignment, or maybe I’m just off my meds – wait, I was never on any; I am a self-medicated man (maybe I should double-check that!).
I used to blame the craziness of this time of year on Gemini and all of the things that fell within those dates. But now that we are out of that and into the claws-to-the-fleshy-parts crablike Cancer, the ante seems to have been upped a bit. I’d hate to go “all in,” but maybe that’s the best thing. Then I can let the chips fall where they may. Enough poker allusions (Poker!?! You brought her; I don’t even know her!).
As it seems that the banks to my stream-of-consciousness doth overflow, I will try to put some levity to work so that we can get on to the important part of this article – the music.
The pool of music to wade in seems to be a bit shallower this week, but no less in quality – we ain’t dealing with no part-timers this time of year. Just be sure to stay out of the shallow end of the gene pool, or as we like to say here at AMS-HQ: No Kidding! Go hear some music please.
Casa Cantina
Tonight: Bob Wayne and the Outlaw Carnies are a roving band of misfits generally from the area of Seattle; they may include a bearded lady and some fine rockabilly-ish music. The Hairy Hearts are Bram Riddlebarger’s most recent stab at music; my guess is that it falls into the hillbilly country/rockabilly realm that he has mined so well.
Natty Nation rolls into to town via Madison, Wisc., on Friday night to ply us with their unique versions of “hard roots, rock, reggae, dub, dancehall and more.” Jah rules! (See separate story in this issue.)
Saturday evening about 6:30, you get to listen to the delightful western swing music of The Billycats while you wait for a table, or better yet, order from the Bodega so as not to miss a lick.
Saturday night, Southeast Engine will unleash some new songs from their upcoming release “From the Forest to the Sea.” This will be a fun opportunity to hear some new songs and to give a listen to The She Bears, an “indie-quirk” band from Athens.
Don’t forget that Rattletrap still plays Old-Timey music every Monday night, and Chris Biester runs the Open Stage every Wednesday.
Jackie O’s
Tonight, The Werks return from Dayton to get their guitar-laden jam on. These guys are one of the best in the genre.
Saturday night Old School Union returns to Athens for some classic jazz, blues and R&B. They first showed up with the Blues and Jazz Fest over the winter and I think y’all would really like them. Bandleader Wayne Williams has played with the Temptations, The O’Jays and numerous others over the years. Think Royales on jazz.
I, aka Junebug, host an Open Stage every Monday night, there is a Celtic Jam every Tuesday, and Rattletrap will appear most Wednesdays.
The Union
Friday night get prepared to metal-out! Blueprint for Murder is back with designs on killing your mind, and Crucifixion Addixion has the ways and means to implement your demise. Other bands will be added to this body count of a bill.
The Dragline Bros. shine up their guitars and give you a hell of a rock and roll show on Saturday night. The Ohio Outlaw Country Band also revs up their motors to let loose with the wild calls of the night.
Tuesday night the Union offers a Makeout Party with Audacity and the Donnybrooks.
Blue Gator
The Blue Gator continues to host an Open Stage with The Paranormals every Tuesday night. No sign-ups necessary.
Donkey Coffee
Friday night Ones & Zeroes execute some binary fusion with their uncompromisingly “all-female unconventional folk-rock.” LVNMUZIQ is the outlet for aggressive urban folkie Liz Snavely, who is often accompanied by classical musician Steph DeJong for some fine-sounding music.
Saturday night the oh-so-talented Laura Nadeau sneaks in for an early 8 o’clock show. Have you ever had the hair stand up on the back of your neck while chills run the length of your body as ecstasy approaches? Then maybe you have seen her before – if not, be prepared to be delighted.
Smiling Skull
Tonight, as with most Thursday nights, Andie Walla hosts an Open Stage at the Smiling Skull Saloon.
Saturday night, two touring bands from Chicago invade the upper-lower west side for some skullduggery. Black Ladies are a “loud, experimental drum and bass duo” and Hot Garbage fancy themselves “electro-punks.” Locals Spooktober and Submarine Spaceship will balance out the flavor for this eccentric bill. The show starts at 9.
Under the Elms Concert Series – College Green
As is typical with numerous OU-sponsored events, finding out just what they are is difficult for me. I can usually find the previous year’s schedule, but generally, their online things seem a tangle to me. Suffice to say that the concert series is underway each Wednesday for a several weeks – I bet there are posters.
Oh, wait, Editor Smith informs me that Under the Elms will be every Wednesday at 7 p.m. on the College Green through July 23.
Rhythm on the River - Pomeroy
Johnny Rawls will kick off this year’s Rhythm on the River series that take place every Friday evening in Pomeroy, right on the Ohio River. Rawls is a first-class musician whose roots run back to the ’50s and ’60s soul-blues influences. He has performed with a veritable who’s who of bands and musicians over the years – even the Royales. These shows begin at 8 p.m. and are always FREE!
Rhapsody - Nelsonville
Steve Zarate will fingerpick pretty melodies and even add an innocuous harmonica or two while you shovel in the food at the Rhapsody.
Sandstone - Logan
Zarate will entertain the Happy Hour crowd Friday evening at the Sandstone in Logan from 6-8 p.m. Expect songs off his most recent release and a lot of requests filled.
Home Tavern - Logan
Without Papers will crank the Home Tavern on Saturday night. This will be a full-on band jam with keys, horns and percussion added to the standard rockin’ line-up.
I hope this is enough to bring some of you folks out of the woodwork. If not, check back with me next week as we stroll through the Athens Music Scene! See you at the gigs!
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