Preview: Fathers of the Revolution, Wholehearted Halfwits, Coal Cave Hollow Boys / October 24 / The
By Christopher Reinbold, Contributor
The Union / Friday, October 24, 2014
This weekend marks the largest annual block party in Ohio. That’s right, it’s Halloween in Athens, baby! If you really want to kick the weekend off right, there is absolutely no excuse to not be at the Union this Friday, October 24. Before Saturday’s intoxicated antics kick-off and blow-up, as they do every year, the Union is hosting a down-home get together featuring Athens’ own Fathers of the Revolution, Coal Cave Hollow Boys and Wholehearted Halfwits.
Coal Cave Hollow Boys is a down-home Appalachian bluegrass band. The band features an upright bass, fiddle, mandolin and acoustic guitar, along with a majority of the band members providing vocals too. The band just recently played at Hocking Hills at The Fall Campout Music Festival. The band is sure to get some feet stompin’ and some whisky pouring to start the night.
Wholehearted Halfwits is yet another Athens band. The band is a near-180 from what Coal Cave Hollow Boys offer. “We really like when people move to our music,” says John Mollica, bassist for Wholehearted Halfwits. “We really like to play danceable stuff.” The band is a culmination of blues and alternative with a hefty dollop of funk on top. The band takes influence from various artists, including modern blues rocker Gary Clark, Jr. and ‘90s funky, alt-rock giants Red Hot Chili Peppers. Mollica describes the typical Halfwits show as “really fun. We try to get everyone moving.”
If Wholehearted Halfwits doesn’t exhibit enough funk to blow the roof off the Union, then the night’s big act, Fathers of the Revolution, will for sure. Fathers is comprised of various OU students, some even being music masters students. If you’ve ever wondered what a modern take on what a swing club’s house band may sound like, look no further! They take from elements of surf, blues, jazz and throw in some swing-inspired percussion. From the moment they take the stage, they will demand your attention through their tasteful, expertly played horn parts, masterfully thought-out and composed guitar passages and singer/bassist Daniel Spencer’s incredible croon-meets-wail vocal style. These guys are sure to get the Union hopping.
If you want to see something you won’t find in Athens every weekend, come to the Union. This show is bound to kick-off the HallOUweekend the right way. “There’s something for everyone, a sample of everything,” Mollica said. Doors open at 9 and the cost is $3.
