Bob Hay & the Jolly Beggars, The Squallz

Friday, August 4, Melting Point

originally published August 2, 2006

Since 2003, Bob Hay & the Jolly Beggars have been known for their acoustic interpretations of the melodies and eloquent prose of Scottish poet Robert Burns. Hay and fellow Beggars Ken Starratt and Diana Torell are also internationally known for their days in The Squalls, the popular Athens pop band from the 1980s. So far, Hay & Co. have released two albums of Burns’ songs with a third in the works [see Record Reviews], but tonight the folkies meld their own storied past with Burns' literary past.

“Some of the Jolly Beggars have been pushing some of the Squalls stuff,” says Hay. “I had been resisting the idea. They're always like, ‘They're such good songs,’ and I've been like, ‘Yawn.’ But one night I felt a certain emotional resonance to a couple songs and now I just want to do them one time in a show, to revisit some emotional territory and see what happens.”

Hay makes clear that this will not be the original Squalls’ electric dance party like their shows circa 1985. This is the Squalls two decades on and seen through the eyes of the Beggars. He’s even billing the stripped-down troupe as “The Squallz” to differentiate this from the original band; a 12-song Squallz set follows the full Jolly Beggars set.

The Squalls’ quirky rhythms and danceable rock have been altered to fit the stripped-down mood of the show. “The more strummy songs seem to work okay,” says Hay. “Several of the songs were written specifically to avoid strumming. They were more in a call-and-response mode where each instrument would play a melody, interweaving with a couple other melodies… I'd like to get ‘Crickets’ working, but a lot of the songs were about ‘the sound.’ Maybe we can simulate guitar feedback and delay with pennywhistles or something. We'll see.” Show starts at 8 p.m.

Lee Valentine Smith

Lee Valentine Smith

Polemic, Rat Babies, 696, Rorshak, Commander Chameleon, Opposable Scum, Le Horla

Saturday, August 5, Oasis

originally published August 2, 2006

If there’s anything readily apparent about the Athens music scene, it's that musicians dig helping people out. On any given week, there’s invariably at least one benefit show going on somewhere in town. Although the upcoming multi-band bonanza at Oasis is not a benefit show per se, organizer McKenna Mackie hopes that this event will help raise the profile of the place and spread the word among bands that Oasis even exists.

“I’d promoted a few house shows around here that were really well attended," says Mackie, who heads the band Polemic. "My neighbors took notice and told me about Oasis. They asked me if I could organize something to help the owner [Suni Baker] out, you know, like a big event out there.” The day-long event includes local acts Rorshak, Rat Babies, Commander Chameleon, 696, Polemic and South Carolina bands Opposable Scum and Le Horla. Mackie says that more acts are in the works, but the seven mentioned here are confirmed.

In addition to all the music, expect a cookout for all the bands and attendees, and the best thing about all of this is that it’s completely free. Yes, the show is free and the food is free. Musicians and assorted types are also eligible for drink specials, so it would seem you’re gonna have to think up a good one to excuse yourself from heading up 441 North a stretch and checking out the place that calls itself “Athens' Premiere Honky Tonk Venue.” Oasis is located at 1905 Railridge Rd., at the corner of Railridge Road and Hwy. 441/ Commerce Road, and everything gets kicking at 5 p.m.

Gordon Lamb

Gordon Lamb