Someone walking by you on the street drops a ring out of their pocket, and it looks very valuable. Before you can pick it up, they quickly return to recover it, and dramatically exclaim how happy they are that they didn’t lose such precious jewelry. You comment on how nice it is, and they offer to sell it to you—they were just heading to the pawn shop. After paying a steep but seemingly reasonable price, you find out the ring is worthless. That’s a fawney rig.
OK, the term’s origin scenario might be outdated, but Athens’ own Fawney Rig is not. The local folk-rock project is led by the band’s self-described lilting voice of Claire Campbell (Hope For Agoldensummer) and the seasoned growl of Nathan Peters (Beat Up). The full lineup includes Campbell playing guitar and the singing saw; Nathan on tenor banjo, electric guitar, mandolin and whistle; Miki Lu Peters, partner of Nathan, playing accordion; David Hecht on bazouki, bodhrán and whistle; Brent Davenport on bass; and Dan Whitman playing drums.
“Miki Lu and I have been fans of Irish music since we were living in Chicago in the ‘90s. We played neighborhood Irish sessions, céilí danced at the Chicago Irish Heritage Center,” says Nathan. “The seeds for Fawney Rig came from the passing of some of the greats in recent years—Shane MacGowan, Sinéad O’Connor, Delores O’Riordan—and the realization that we could contribute to bringing these sounds to new audiences.”
The band plays a wide variety of songs, from Celtic classics to foot-stomping jigs and sweet ballads, covering topics from love to war. Covers include The Clancy Brothers, The Pogues, The Dubliners and more. However, where Fawney Rig really shines is its fun, inclusive and interactive live performances. The audience is provided with lyric sheets to join in.
“What I’ve always admired in Irish music is the common sharing of tunes, and the warm and inviting welcome we’ve always received in sessions in the States and Ireland. I think it gives audiences something to take with them that sets our show apart from the standard band/audience expectation, the opportunity to sing along and experience the magic of these songs in your own way,” says Nathan.
Immersed in the punk scene and fronting the punk band Beat Up, Nathan says that the things that have mattered in his life have required an outlet for painful, angry and alienated feelings. However, growing through the current troubled times, he’s come to understand the need to create music just for the joy of it. Fawney Rig holds space for a positive communal experience despite an awareness of the negatives inherent in being human.
“The depth of Irish music contains the experiences of a whole history of struggle, but also delights in the commonplace. There’s a song for every occasion, and the stories are endlessly entertaining. The humor and raw emotion in equal measure is something that has always moved me. If I can share a bit of that, all the better. I’ve always believed that punk rock and Irish music share common themes that compliment each other when combined,” says Nathan.
Naturally, St. Patrick’s Day is a fitting time for Fawney Rig to shine. The band has multiple shows planned over the extended weekend, in addition to traveling around Georgia and North Carolina. On Friday, Mar. 15, Fawney Rig will play a free show at the Front Porch Bookstore in Winterville at 6 p.m. People are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Then on Monday, Mar. 17, the group will perform two dinner sets (6 p.m. and 8 p.m.) at Hendershot’s. It’s $15 for the show, or $30 for the show and dinner.
Fawney Rig will also join the celebrations for Aubrey Entertainment’s St. Patrick’s Day Bash at The Foundry on Mar. 15. The family-friendly music festival opens doors at 4 p.m. and goes until 11 p.m. with nonstop entertainment scheduled: Repent at Leisure (5:15 p.m.), Carpenter Academy of Irish Dance (6:30 p.m.), The Kids on the Mountain (7:10 p.m.), Thick Lizzy (7:50 p.m.), Fawney Rig (8:45 p.m.) and The Knockouts playing a Pogues tribute set (9:55 p.m.).
Athentic Brewing Co. will have a St. Patrick’s Day Party on Mar. 14 beginning at 5 p.m. with Celtic pub music, Irish dance performances, a new beer release and food trucks. Then Terrapin Beer Co. will celebrate on Mar. 15 with green beer, games and a tie-dye station from 12–10 p.m. If you’re looking for something a little different from music and beer, the Bombshells of Dance FX will perform a themed dance routine titled “Get Lucky” at the 40 watt Club on Mar. 17 at 7:30 p.m. No matter how you choose to celebrate, there are a variety of options over the weekend.
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