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PopFest Closing Night: Casper and the Cookies/ Circulatory System/ Elf Power, 40 Watt, 8/15/08

The 40 Watt on the last night of Popfest.

Casper and the Cookies were introduced from halfway around the world on Saturday night.  Keith John Adams, a BBC correspondent and Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records artist, introduced them from Beijing, his video projected on the back of the stage set off the show.  The band was then backed by a high speed video replay of the opening ceremony of the year's Olympic games.  The make-upped four piece played a clean, sexy set, rifling through powerpop anthems for Athens.  They made a statement. "This is pop. You're welcome." 

Circulatory System played next. The seven band members laid down the gamut.  A cello, keyboard, multiple guitars and percussionists, a violin and a clarinet.  Bow trembling, tambourine jerking, keyboard raping, fret slashing good ole time.  The organ crescendos morphed into noise sessions that broke down into a genuine ruckus, on stage and off. They didn't play music, they destroyed it.

At this time I refer to my notes from the evening:

"It's right about this time the guy sitting next to me, whose job description must be 'backstage bouncer' is going to tell me to stand up. First, this is a clearly unnecessary job for a person to have in a venue that no one is trying to sneak backstage. Secondly, I'm sitting in a spot that supposedly creates a fire hazard.  The edge of a step up to a bar with no exit in sight.  My mobile person is quite the obstacle in the case of flames overtaking the 40 Watt.  Since he hasn't bothered me yet I guess I'll keep writing.  

"The athens music scene is a unique beast.  The city is devoid of fanatics.  Mind you there are fans, but a surprising absence of the derivative of that word.  No one seems to put up much fuss over the musicians they flock to see.  Band members meander through packed concert venues immediately after playing with no bother, no fuss.  Maybe it's the extraordinary and paradoxical aversion Athenians claim to have for anything cool.

"It's good though.  Musicians can be themselves. They can buy a beer, watch the next group, and chat with friends without being hassled.  It makes them real.  Fans certainly appreciate the music but respect the difference between a stage performance and a someone's real life.  It ends up being a very healthy relationship for both sides.

"The 'bouncer' tells me to stand up now.  I ignore him. Now Elf Power is on stage so I will stand up. He thinks he has won. Never."

Elf Power enters.  Two guitar, bass, keys, drums, and later accompanied by cellist and clarinetist and assorted other musicians from earlier in the night that make up the 'extended band.' If anything stood out more than another it was their appreciation for the audience. It is refreshing when a band acknowledges the fans just as adamantly as they do the band. Elf Power played some hoppy, cruising tunes with break downs and melodica fun. If there was ever going to be anything that should define pop music, Elf Power would get damn close.  They played to Popfest exactly what is implied in that name. Pop: noticeably rhythmic element, catchy melodies and hooks. Fest: an event, usually and ordinarily staged by local community, which centers on some unique aspect of that community.  

The unique aspect of Athens' pop music scene could be exemplified by the relationship between the audience and bands Saturday night.  Certainly a special relationship that isn't present in many music cultures.

Photo of Casper and the Cookies by Courtnie Wolfgang.