Jeepers creepers, where’d you get those peepers? Well, if you are unfortunate enough to share values with the people currently executing the demolition of the last remaining bulwarks protecting our illusion of a free society, you probably got them from the same pit that extinguishes the gleam in the eyes of everyone else who dares to reach for chintzy treasures from the Void. My condolences.
It’s always been a sucker’s game to lose your soul for empty promises, and it must sting even harder to have been rooked by demons dumber than the devil himself for a treasure far smaller than the whole of the world. If that’s the case, I’m not writing for you, so you can buzz off with Beelzebub and the rest of the flies. I write for myself and for the people who want to enjoy life with, not at the expense of, their neighbors and fellow revelers. If you are among that number, do read on.
Last weekend I visited a dear old friend who I have been blessed to count as family since I was a boy. That’s underselling it a little; I like her a lot more than I did some of my natural family. Anyway, it was a really lovely time that helped to realign what my priorities should be.
It’s easy to close off and lose too many precious hours that tick away into months and years that should have been spent with the people you love while they are here. I’m not the first person to suspect that one of the central flaws of our culture is its brutality in enforcing striving and toil over the simple pleasures of communal existence, or that the empty crater this practice leaves in its wake is ground zero for a nuclear winter of megaton deadly sins.
We are being asked to hollow ourselves out and pour our precious little resources into a giant piggy bank for the exclusive use of the ultra-powerful. Those whose massive wealth has made them incapable of seeing value in our humanity and who are using this obscene gluttony of hoarded resources to destroy the entire living world.
Well, I’m not the first person to say this either: Fuck all that. Your life is your own; this is your world, too. And it doesn’t have to die with a bang or a whimper, especially if enough of us say otherwise. Grab the first tool you can and get to carving back nice hearty chunks of it. Let’s start with this week.
Thursday, October
Thursday genuinely feels timeless, as we transition into the darker part of the year, we are frozen in the amber of the perfect light of early fall. It seems appropriate to celebrate such a cool, smoky era by enjoying something else timeless: electric blues done right.
In this county there are few contenders who meet that mark as well as Buddy Reed and Th’ Rip It Ups, whom you can enjoy for a mere $5 tonight at the Basement. The doors open at 7:30 p.m.
Friday
Here are two great shows on two different sides of Humboldt Bay for those with disparate tastes looking for some powerful fun.
If you want something heavy by means of distortion and high amplitude, head over to the Void in Old Town Eureka at 6 p.m., where you will find Nevada’s electro-noise machine Gülb and local demented art-core bashers Image Pit playing dueling duos in a versus set that sees each act trading tunes back-to-back. Also on board are local hardcore band Executive Order and Arizona avant punkers Goldhouse ($12, all-ages).
Two hours later in Arcata at the Wild Hare Tavern, it’s a heavy night in terms of grinning soul and bumping funk as The Sweet Soul Band joins forces with musical co-workers Big 8 to bring the big beat to the stage. This one’s not an all-ages gig, but $10 is an inviting price nonetheless for those of you of drinking age and looking to dance.
Saturday
I’m told The Hitch show at the Shanty is sold out, so unless you know something I don’t, you’ll likely be looking for something exciting to get down to tonight. Have no fear, Makenu is here. Or rather, there at the Basement, where at 9 p.m. you can enjoy Humboldt’s finest cumbia band for a 10-spot.
Sunday
It’s the beginning of the new season for the Eureka Chamber Music Series, and if you missed last night’s 7:30 p.m. performance at the Calvary Lutheran Church, you can still catch the 3 p.m. matinee at Arcata Lutheran Church.
Canadian American in Paris Gary Hoffman is a world-class cellist who will be performing a program of pieces by Bach and Beethoven, as well as presenting a conversation section including a Q&A with the audience.
Depending on how much you wish to experience and what your student status is, tickets will run from $5 to $40, so you should probably head over to eurekachambermusic.org to see what is right for you.
Monday
If you are in the mood for some music from where the waters of punk and country converge into one fine big river, head over to Moss Oak Commons tonight at 8 p.m. There you will find Kansas City, Missouri’s finest The Pentagram String Band crossing necks with local heroes the Bow-Legged Buzzards. Also on the bill are Hellbound Howlers and Cheshire High.
Entrance costs a negotiable $5-$20 and helps keep one of our few DIY venues running.
Tuesday
Jamaican roots-reggae singer Luciano is headlining Humbrews tonight at 9 p.m. for those of you interested in hearing one of the better second-wave rasta dancehall singers on the scene for the last three decades. Expect soulful stuff full of gospel harmonies and drum-tight rhythms. Local reggae group Irie Rockers opens the night up ($35, $30 advance).
Wednesday
The Miniplex is continuing its Htv series of music videos from local Humboldt bands from today and yesteryear. Tonight has three showtimes, at 7, 8 and 9 p.m., and there will be a spooky theme to the series all month.
Admission is not only free, but it is $1 off pints for all sows to sweeten the pot.
About the author: Collin Yeo (he/him) has started a blog at collinyeo.substack.com where he will be compiling various pieces about film, politics, horror, literature and kitty cats.
This article appears in Protecting the Night.
https://www.northcoastjournal.com/music/the-setlist/jeepers-creepers/