Its Summertime and the Living is Easy

And so we meet again. Let me ramble for a few hundred words, will you?

Here's a question that predates me and will be asked long after I'm gone: Gainesville in the summertime - awesome or awful?

The older crowd relishes these precious few months when it gets the town back to itself. There's parking everywhere and none of those pesky college students with their hemp necklaces and awkward dread locks.

The younger crowd whiles away these months in intense boredom waiting for its dread-locked friends to come back.

But I think one thing we can all agree on is that summer has a curious effect on the music scene.

Shows get smaller, less people come out, but the ones who do are more attentive. They're not there to "be seen" - they just want some good music.

Which begs the question of every musician: Would you rather play to 400 people who aren't listening or 60 who sincerely appreciate what you're doing?

The cynic would pick the 400 people and walk away with a sweet wad of cash. But I think the true musician, as long as that musician wasn't starving, would rather be appreciated.

And that's what is so beautiful about summer shows. They strip away all the glitz and glamour and get right down to the music.

This is the time when many local bands feel they can experiment. This is the time when you can hear some of the most interesting music you'll get all year. This is the time when supporting local music and going to shows really means something, especially to the bands that sweat it out in an effort to entertain you.

Sure, there aren't as many keggers and club night at the Bank isn't quite as full. But you have a unique chance to really get to know your town.

That's why I cast my vote as awesome.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get off of my soapbox.

We've got another nice and slow summer weekend on our hands. Here are a few things you should know about:

Friday, Big Oil takes the stage at 1982, 919 W. University Ave. Big Oil champions what they call "y'all-ternative" music. If nothing else, show up in appreciation of that awesome play on words.

Common Grounds, 210 SW 2nd Ave., has The Damn Wrights, the Heathens and Cassette. The Heathens are worth checking out. They play some really nice alt-country music.

The Downtown Plaza hosts The Unusual Suspects Blues Band. If you like the blues, those guys have 'em in spades.

Eddie C's, 1315 S. Main St., has Moms Attic and Dave Hegwood. Hegwood's claim to fame is knowing every song ever played. Show up with the most obscure piece you can think of and see if he lives up to his rep.

Over at the Sidebar, 15 SW 2nd St., check out Spencer Garn Organ Trio and Ghetto Bird. This should be a really interesting organ funk/jazz fusion show.

At Tim and Terry's, 1417 NW 1st Ave, Stevie D and The No Shows perform with Oh Sanders and Mr. Ainsworth. Oh Sanders want to sound like Rilo Kiley and the Strokes. Not a bad start.

Wayward Council, 807 W. University Ave., has Laserhead, Towers of Hanoi, the Monistats and Baby Dracula. This should be a solid show all the way through.

Didn't get enough Towers of Hanoi? Saturday they play Atlantic, 15 N. Main St., with Escape Grace and Black Snake.

Tim and Terry's has The Fecal-Oral Route, Snare and a Chair and the Binary Forest Faux Pas. I don't know anything about the Fecal-Oral Route, but, good God, it sounds like you might need to take a shower when they're done. Snare and a Chair play pretty interesting minimalist rock. It's not just a clever name - it's just a drummer and a keyboardist.

Reach Travis at atria.travis@gmail.com.

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Source: https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/2006/07/27/its-summertime-and-the-living-is-easy/31498202007/

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