Preview: Pinegrove, Double Winter, bbigpigg, Window Box / November 5 / Smiling Skull
By Van Williams, Contributor
The Smiling Skull / Thursday, November 5th, 2015
Halloween and the terror that is reigns down on Athens, but that time is finally in the rearview, which means there is now only one problem to deal with: the Christmas music that will now inevitably be heard in every public location from now until December 26th. If you’re looking for a way to put off the holly, jolly Christmas spirit a little longer, then head down to The Smiling Skull this Thursday to watch four artists who deserve your attention. The show is a five to seven dollar donation to support the touring bands, and with this lineup, it will be worth every cent.
The show is headlined by the idiosyncratic half-folk rock, half-math rock Pinegrove. Right under Pinegrove on the bill is Double Winter, a psychedelic space rock group from Detroit. Playing before Double Winter will be bbigpigg, a noise rock group hailing from Brooklyn, N.Y. Starting the show off will be Window Box, an indie folk project from right here in Athens.
Pinegrove, from Montclair, N.J. are quickly picking up steam in the indie community, having just signed to Boston label, Run For Cover records.
Double Winter, second down from the top of the bill are a hardworking psych rock band from Detroit. This will actually be their first out of state run as a band together. This writer got to talk to Holly Johnson from the band, who expressed excitement in visiting the thrift and record stores of Athens. Johnson also mentioned bands and artists that inspired the group to pick up instruments in the first place, such as The Beach Boys, The Shangri-Las, The Talking Heads and The Breeders. Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys was one of their essential touring/on the road records.
If you’re in the mood for some New York noise rock, make sure to get to the show in time to catch bbigpigg from Brooklyn. This band is excited to be playing with Pinegrove and have known them since they moved to New York. En route to Athens the band will most likely be listening to anything from Iggy Pop to Neil Young. The 2015 release of their EP Din-Din has garnered the band some online attention and provides more reasons to see their eclectic sound live.
Playing first will be Athens’ very own Window Box. Brigetta Fernwalt, a member of Window Box, is very proud of Athens’ scene, saying “I think the best thing about the scene here in Athens, is that is seems to be more socially aware/inclusive than places I've been to back home. Safe spaces are important and I think a lot of the people take that into consideration." Guitarist Ethan Gower also spoke openly of how accessible shows are here, thanks to a tight-knit community proud of the music scene they belong to.
To sum it up, if you’re interested in being out in public and not hearing any Christmas music, come out to The Smiling Skull this Thursday with a monetary donation and catch four really talented acts.
