Battle of the Bands / February 1, 2013 / Jackie O's

By: Kristin Ray, Contributor

When 10 p.m. rolled around, I was convincing myself to venture out into the frigid night air and up to Jackie O's. It had been a while since I had been to a show, and I wanted to see The Burning River Ramblers and Mantra play. Plus, it was Battle of the Bands, so it was sure to be a good time. 

I got to Jackie O's after the first two bands had already played, but it was perfect timing for me. BRR had just taken the stage. While they were playing, I couldn't help think back to the interview I had with Chris Rush a few days prior. I could pick up on the reggae influence in their music. I could also understand why people described them as "breezy, catchy and diverse." You could pick up on the influences from a variety of genres. While their set flowed together, no song was the same.

I had never listened to BRR's tunes before coming to this show, but I was singing along. I think their music was almost designed for that.

The crowed was dancing and the energy levels were high. The band was grooving right along with the crowd. It was hard to not get caught up in the music. 

Unfortunately, I started feeling a bit under the weather and had to leave after their set, but seeing The Burning River Ramblers play was well worth the trip up to Jackie O's Friday night.

Lennon Orchestra / January 20 / Jackie O's

By: Kristen Spicker, Contributor

“Oh yeah, I’ll tell you something, I think you’ll understand.”

This is how Beatles cover band Lennon Orchestra started their set Friday night to a packed Jackie O’s full of dads and hipsters.

And let me tell you something: It was amazing.

I had many reservations going in. From the $5 cover fee to the idea of a three-hour set and the fact that if this band screws up The Beatles, it’ll be near impossible for any redemption. But Lennon Orchestra has been playing tunes from the Liverpool group for years, and their familiarity showed.

However, before I get too far into this I need to set a quick disclaimer: First, I was in the back of the bar and could barely see the stage. Also, it was loud back there and I might have missed a few technical things that I’ll critique later on. Third, although I like The Beatles I wouldn’t call myself a fan. I don’t know their discography very well. However, my father is a Beatles fan and he sat there all night telling me what changes Lennon Orchestra made and what they left out.

That being said, it was obvious with the first song, “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” that the cover fee was worth it. Lennon Orchestra’s lead vocals were stunning; no matter which member was singing. Unlike The Beatles, the band didn’t have one member sing John Lennon songs and another sing Paul McCartney’s songs, but instead divided it up in their own manner. Joey Hebdo skillfully managed to sing tracks from both vocalists while capturing the true essence of their voices.

Lennon Orchestra’s rendition of “I Me Mine” was one of the best of the entire set. The minute the song started my father sighed and said, “This is a tough one to do.” However, we were both extremely pleased with the outcome. Everything seemed to fit together smoothly. The drums were strong and the vocals were spot on. The transitions between tempos in the track flowed together effortlessly. “I Me Mine” proved that not only did Lennon Orchestra like The Beatles, but that they knew the music as well.

Another stand-out track was “Revolution.” Instead of picking one version to cover, Lennon Orchestra molded the two together. The result was up-tempo with less aggressive guitars. Although the back-up vocals went in and out throughout the song, the lead vocals were steady and strong then entire time.

The band took a break after an hour of playing before launching into “Eleanor Rigby.” Any of the kinks from the first hour had been worked out. The drums were sharper and the harmonies stronger. I was disappointed when the track was over, and would’ve been perfectly happy for the track to go on for another five minutes.

However, the first two hours were just a warm-up compared the to the band’s third time taking stage.

By that point in the night, the majority of the bar had enough drinks in them that Lennon Orchestra could unleash the “classic” Beatles’ tunes. “Hey Jude,” “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds,” “Across the Universe,” and “All You Need Is Love” all made an appearance. Lennon Orchestra stuck pretty close to the tried-and-true versions, which made audience participation all the easier, with woo girls and belligerent dads taking over the dance floor and providing the band with more back-up vocals than needed.

Jones for Revival, Rootstand & Elemental Groove Theory / October 9, 2010 / Jackie O's

Welcome to the world of jam bands. At Jackie O’s on Saturday night, Rootstand and Jones for Revival played long jam sessions oriented to groove in their own transcending styles.

Rootstand, a band from Michigan, blended their own version of hip-hop, celtic, and bluegrass music together to form an all-out hootenanny in Jackie O’s main bar. While parents and their children celebrated Parent’s Weekend with a drink or ten, Rootstand played two separate one-and-a-half hour sets. Keeping the feet stomping and the hips shaking, they covered Johnny Cash, The Doors, and many more while still keeping their own songs flowing. Brant Losinski, the band's singer/guitarist said, “I love coming to Jackie O’s and the atmosphere here in Athens.”

Jones for Revival, a band from Youngstown, kept the crowd largely entertained in Jackie O’s Public House. The band's mixing their indie-acoustic jam style set an the mood for an intriguing night, to say the least. As their set played on, they showed that they could jam with the best of them and the crowd seemed to thoroughly enjoy what singer/guitarist Jimmy DeCapua was dishing out. Singing tales of leaving Ohio for better things and the emotions that go along with it, DeCapua seemed to have a real resentment towards his hometown of Youngstown.

The real surprise of the night came late as Elemental Groove Theory took the stage and not only drew in a crowd, but had them grooving all night. Many people wandered into Jackie O’s Public House late on Saturday and found EGT jamming better than they may have ever done. With astounding vocals and a flowing chorus of instruments EGT captured the crowd and drew some of the attention away from Rootstand next door.

As the night winded down, all three acts seemed more interested in starting their nights than sticking around. All-in-all it was a great show more than worth the $3 fee to get in.

--Brian Bound, Staff Writer

Duke Junior album release party!

Local darlings Duke Junior & The Smokey Boots celebrated the release of its album Bag of Bones with drunk revelers and close friends Friday night at Jackie O's.

I showed up towards the tail-end of Duke's warm-up, so not much can be said. The members played a 30-minute set, the crowd was sparse but growing and the familiar scents of Jackie O's homebrew clouded my thoughts and invaded my nostrils. Under a drunken haze, I swayed to the emanating swoon of lead singer Jess Kaufman's voice. Despite being a woman of such small stature, Kaufman's voice commanded the attention of those in attendance, while the sweet country twangs of Casey Davis' guitar lulled the bar into peaceful submission.

I was glad that this was just an appetizer as I eagerly anticipated the full course, and I am not usually one for corny analogies.

New York-based Nightmare Riverband played next to the ever-expanding Jackie O's clientele. I'd heard from a trusted source that they sound like a mix of Tom Waits and Beach Boys, and I must admit that the description was spot on. Midway through the set, members of Duke Junior joined the band onstage for an impromptu cover of Katy Perry's “Hot n' Cold.”

I blabbered to a friend that I “love this Taylor Swift song,” only to be reprimanded for my lack of pop culture knowledge. It was, however, good to see such camaraderie amongst musicians as none tried to hide his joy in playing a Top 40 hit.

Nightmare Riverband ended its set with the audience at peak energy level. A solid opener. The time was right for a Duke Junior reprise.

I'd first seen these darlings open at a Manor show last year, and they have since become the toast of the town. Duke's folk-infused country music combines the charming and rustic elements of Athens into finely tuned tracks that capture the essence of our beloved little town.

The aforementioned Kaufman and guitarist/bassist Kyle Martin exchanged vocal duties throughout the set. The Martin-led “Two Dollar Bill” eased newcomers to the band's nuanced sound, and later on, Kaufman vocalized the pain of a long-distance relationship with the gentle “Honey Go On.” The highlight of the set was a very drunken rendition of my personal favorite “Traveling Man,” which features Matt Horne on the fiddle in a bluegrass hoedown.

With upcoming shows at Casa and The Union, Duke Junior is fast becoming an Athens staple, and judging by reactions from so-called bros and hipsters alike, none at all seem to be in opposition to this burgeoning troupe of talents.

-Paolo Balboa, Staff Writer