'The Final Showdown' comes to The Wire's rescue
By Dani Purcell, Staff Writer
February 28, 2008 | 8:33 a.m.
“The Final Showdown,” is a three-day, weekend-long benefit event from Thursday, Feb. 28, through Saturday, March 1, to raise money and awareness of The Wire, which is in danger of extinction.
Formerly located at 21 Kern St., The Wire served as a communal effort to provide resources and information, while also housing seminars, music festivals and shows to students and residents. In fall 2007, The Wire lost its physical residence due to impeding monetary circumstances.
However, punk rock pioneer and Ohio University student Max Wheeler’s ingenuity may help elevate The Wire in terms of notability and financial standing. Wheeler organized a series of shows packed into one explosive weekend appropriately titled, “The Final Showdown.”
This DIY event kicks into action on Feb. 28 at 9 p.m., with “Punk Rock Prom,” which will be held in Ellis Hall, room 116. Coordinators plan to distribute awards in several categories, including “best punk rock loner” and “person most likely to be an undercover police officer.”
Wheeler concedes that the idea for an alternative dance party was influenced by an event he attended his freshman year.
“It was called ‘Dance, f***er,’” he said. “It was like Dance or Die but with all punk rock and rock 'n' roll music.”
The benefit continues with local instrumental powerhouse October Fist, who is scheduled to play the Smiling Skull with Indianapolis, Ind.-based hardcore band Bolth and Cleveland's Amish Electric Chair on Friday, Feb. 29, at 9 p.m.
Bolth is a curious hodge podge of punk-descended genres. The band describes itself as “reggae punk,” yet employs a raw, hard sound and screaming vocals associated with hardcore punk bands like Ceremony or Nerve Agents. The act also successfully incorporates thrash-style “circle pit” beats into several of its tracks, plus one dash traditional punk chord-progressions.
Bolth addresses loaded subjects and serious political concepts with their music. The lyrics project the occasional bout of sarcasm, and, at times, brutal misanthropy, but they outshine most typical hardcore outfits with their outstanding sincerity.
Members of Bolth expressed feelings of excitement to play in Athens for the first time since 2005, Bolth vocalist John Saxen said. The four-piece plans to embark on an East coast tour throughout the entire month of March.
The difficult-to-classify Bolth seems a perfect match for genre-defying locals October Fist.
“There’s not a whole lot of hardcore bands that come through Athens, and they’re a good hardcore band,” said Brian Wenner, October Fist guitarist. “I think people are going to be blown away [by Bolth]. I’m pretty excited about that for sure.”
“The Final Showdown” concludes with an ironic, fresh approach to appropriate venue: it's the first punk show at Donkey Coffee.
Local pop-punk bands Front Royal and Spooktober plan to take the stage Saturday, March 1, at 9 p.m.
Though proceeds go to The Wire, they will also fund For Real Fest, a two-day DIY punk festival that occurs the last weekend in April at The Union. The festival unites bands and individuals from across the nation to share in the community of punk ideals through music, socializing, merch and a vegan potluck.
For Real Fest Founder Ray Houska vehemently strives to maintain financial support for this cultural celebration with various fundraisers, including shows. Wheeler recently booked an upcoming house show in support of For Real Fest on W. State St. in which Athens legends Endless Vomit and Street Sharks reunite March 15 to play with Columbus hardcore band Triceratops.
Though the shows raise awareness for two social organizations and feed the Athens music scene, they may provide a sense of responsibility and acceptance on the individual level. “The Final Showdown” encourages Athens bands, residents and students to actively participate and contribute to their local music community.
“I just raise mad money for For Real fest and The Wire,” Wheeler said, “and book fun shows that are safe for everyone and welcome and show people that you can help out and have fun, and you can be involved with something that is positive.”
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Admission to “The Final Showdown” events costs $3 individually or $7 for all three. For more information or for updates to the current roster of events, check here.
Click here for updates on shows and other For Real Fest fundraisers.