They were joined on stage for a couple tunes by Anna Kramer.
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IG Fest
October 2003
Sunday we loaded up the Thunderbird and headed to the drive
in for the IG fest closing party. We stopped and perused the "giant flea
market" set up in the drive in driveway and lawn, all yard sale and thrift
store detritus worth a look.
| We headed in to find locals A Fir-Ju Well on stage doing
eclectic rock, stuff that ranged from Radiohead to Violent Femmes to Strokes
to Beatles, complete with Chinese fire drill moments where every member
changed instruments with another member. All very good stuff, but perhaps a
bit too intellectual for me - I wanna RAWK. But if you like eclectic,
intellectual poppy stuff, check 'em out at
www.afirjuwell.com. They were joined on stage for a couple tunes by Anna Kramer. |
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A few dozen people lounged in the blazing sun, eating barbecue pork or tofu
from Ria's new place, Patio Daddy-O BBQ. They serve up some
pretty tasty pork with hot or sweet sauce, definitely worth a visit if you're
down in East Point.
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Jimmy and the Teasers came all the way from Chapel Hill to lurk in the shade behind their van, eying the small gathering. Jimmy slugged down a beer and said, "I was taking it easy, but it's only 10 people that are gonna see me fall down I might as well have another." |
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There were more than 10 people watching, but not a lot more. Too bad, 'cause Jimmy can play fuckin' guitar. He can't match it on vocals and I wish he'd get the Teasers to sing, at least as backup so he'd get that mix of male/female voices that works so well, but it doesn't matter, the guy rocks hard. You get the impression that he's not actually in control of the guitar or the fingers playing it or even his arms and legs, he's just hanging on for the ride and enjoying it. Check 'em out online at www.jimmyandtheteasers.com. |
| Between acts the lovely ladies of Dames A'flame did surreal moments of burlesque, doing some strange stuff, revealing more talent than skin. Monkey Zuma came out and put on some high heel sneakers, a red dress, a wig and boxing gloves to the song, High Heel Sneakers. |
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| I think it may have been the Johnny Rivers version, but here's the
lyrics: Put on your red dress, baby Ya know we're goin' out tonight Put on your red dress, baby Lord, we're goin' out tonight And-a bring along some boxin' gloves In case some fool might wanna fight Put on your high-heel sneakers, lordy Wear your wig-hat on your head Put on your high-heel sneakers, child Wear your wig-hat on your head Ya know you're looking mighty fine, baby I'm pretty sure you're gonna knock 'em dead Put on your red dress, baby Lord, we're goin' out tonight Put on your red dress, baby Well, we're goin' out tonight And bring along some boxin' gloves 'case some fool might wanna fight Put on your high-heel sneakers, child Wear your wig-hat on your head now Put on your high-heel sneakers, baby Wear your wig-hat on your head Ya know you're looking mighty good, really I'm pretty sure you're gonna knock 'em dead |
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Magic Magicians followed, sort of blues-influenced rock from a two piece. Good, but not good enough to distract me from barbecue and conversation so I can't say much about 'em. Get more yourself at www.suicidesqueeze.net/magicmagicians.html. |
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During one tune, the drummer came out and dropped a box of maracas on the pavement. During the next tune he led the crowd in maraca mania, getting everyone to shake along. |
| The "green room" for the Dames Aflame. |
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| I'd seen The Black Keys, from Ohio, before on a bill with several other two-piece acts and been unimpressed. This time I was a little more impressed but it still lacks something. Clete says it's the bass, but I enjoy the hell out of the bass-less Immortal Lee County Killers or Modey Lemon, so I don't think that's it. Moments of Cream-flavored blues rock with plenty of energy, but I still couldn't resist wandering off. |
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| They put plenty of energy into their set! They're online at www.theblackkeys.com. |
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| Luna Luxx handed out Krispy Kreme doughnuts, then took the Hot Doughnuts Now sign and hid behind it while she stripped - sweet! |
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One of the big sculptures on display was on rockers. A fellow GSU alumnus and her friend rode it back and forth. |
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Bijou did the final Dames Aflame act of the night, stripping behind a bible - blasphemous! And my kind of girl! |
| As the sun set, Charlie Smith and Jeffry Loy cranked up the propane and brought their flaming sculptures to life. |
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| 5' tall steel flowers shot blue and yellow flames, slowly warming up to a hot orange and changing the shape and color of the flames escaping the cracks and holes. Super cool stuff. |
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| One piece was a tower about 15' tall, shown in the background here. |
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| Another was a giant pint-glass-shaped cauldron, filled with wood and kerosene. The exterior had a few cracks and overlaid patterns that changed slightly as the thing heated up. |
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The screen flickered to life, sans previews, for Elvis: That's the way it Is. It kicks off showing Elvis rehearsing his new Vegas act
circa 1970, joking with the band and backup singers. It shifts to
concert footage, taken from 6 different shows, with Elvis at his
Vegas best, still thin, energized, and having fun. Clete said "Elvis
was underrated," making me laugh.
"Elvis? Underrated? That's like saying not enough people know about
Marlboro cigarettes or Mickey Mouse," I said in disbelief.
"Yeah, but he's known for muttonchops and Graceland, but not as a
musician," he responded, then went on to point out Elvis' talent and
love of the music.
I couldn't argue, the man had a great voice and knew how to use it.
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They lit the last of the sculptures between films, the one pictured earlier that rocks back and forth. Packed full of wood, it spewed fire and embers as if from the mouths of a bobbing, two-headed dragon. Very cool. |
| Led Zeppelin's Song Remains the Same flickered on the screen,
starting with some vignettes featuring the band at home with their
families and cars and such. They each receive a telegram informing
them of a show the next night at Madison Square Garden and the film
shifts into the concert, beginning to end. Unfortunately, by 1976
Zeppelin had wandered from the straight up blues-based rock to Jimmy
Page noodling away for half an hour, punctuated by the occasional
scream from Robert Plant - not their best work. Nor is it
interesting to watch Jimmy's fingers flying up and down the guitar
for a full hour and a half. Apparently even they understood this so
they cut to strange, trippy vignettes of medieval scenes featuring
the band members while the music plays on in the background. Other
times they use kaleidoscopic effects to spice up the visuals. But it seemed like
the last 1/4 of the film is focused almost entirely on Robert Plant's
crotch. I'm a big Zep fan, but I found this film tedious. However, put it together with This is Spinal Tap and you'd have a goddman hilarious double feature. You won't believe how effectively Zeppelin is skewered by Spinal Tap. I've heard the new DVD, How the West Was Won, is far superior to this film, both visually and audibly, so I hope to track it down and rent it soon. |
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During the Zeppelin movie, a guy lit up these weird three-prong torches and danced about, making for some interesting photos. |
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The closing night festivities drew to a close. Overall, I thought the event was a blast, though they took a big risk with an outdoor venue in October. It was more than worth the $12 admission, but with the small crowd I doubt they made any money from Sunday night.
Independent Georgia is online at www.indiega.org.
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