Skankin’

When I think of festive music, my mind will usually go right to ska. With vibrant and lively horns, up-beat tempo, and heavy-hitting drums, its hard not to move your feet. Modern day ska, containing elements of grassroots reggae with splashes of punk, funk, and jazz, has  a little something for everybody if listened to with the right set of ears.

The band Demon Waffle of Johnson City is currently holding down the ska scene in the area, being that they are pretty much the only band in the area pushing the ska movement forward.

They had released their debut album, “Eat Your Breakfast” in the winter of 2012, and are currently mastering their follow up album, “Drink Your Dinner,” which they say will hopefully be released later this year.

The band recently played their longest set of three hours at Wild Wing Cafe, loaded with originals, covers, and creative mash-ups that kept the crowd surprised and anticipatory of what else was up their sleeve.

As I’ve seen the boys plenty of times and have shared plenty of drinks with them, I know what to expect. What was exciting for me about this show was the audience. Wild Wing Cafe always has an interesting mix of people that might not be apart of the Johnson City music scene. People were exposed to this lively music that, otherwise, might not have experienced.

Seeing people exposed and enjoying music outside of their comfort zone is one of my favorite things about this existence. It reminds me that we all have our favorite sounds, expressions, that we have not found yet.

In a way, it keeps hope alive.

https://www.facebook.com/demonwaffle/

 

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

Just as I cherish the intimate conversations shared between two or three people over drinks, I love a good dive bar for more or less the same reasons.

The depth of an experience can be appreciated much more with less distraction.

With a smaller room, cheap drinks, a pool table or two, a functioning jukebox, and a staff that actually cares enough about their patrons to maintain a relationship on a first name basis, what more could you ask for?

In describing my ideal dive bar, I found myself describing Johnson City’s Crowbar, located at 123 E Springbrook Drive.

I love spending time there to blow off steam after a long work shift. They welcome me by my first name upon arrival, with my regular drink order waiting for me. Small tokens of appreciation and familiarity like these are what really take an establishment to the next level.

I have even taken a few dates there for drinks and a few rounds of billiards, and I must say, those dates in particular have always exceeded expectations. I don’t know, perhaps the genuine environment without the frills of an expensive restaurant or bar allows for a more comfortable date experience.

One thing is certainly true: If you don’t like a good dive bar, you probably won’t like me.

A Slice of Productivity

In order to enjoy guilt-free play-time in the Johnson City night, we often must get work out of the way first.  For most, a responsible night out means first putting a dent in that term paper, or investing time studying for that Spanish exam that almost seems as if it’s a foreign language.

But who says we can’t merge work and play?

As Knight’s Pizza is located at 1701 W State of Franklin Rd., basically connected at the hip of East Tennessee State University, is frequently attracts students and faculty. I love stopping by for a spell, working on assignments an studying while enjoying a slice and a cold one or two.

What I enjoy more so is noticing I’m not the only one.

Seeing another  working diligently at the bar, a commune of a few students discussing philosophical topics, or a large assembly of professors plotting their next endeavors, I love seeing people enjoying Knight’s 30 taps in the name of productivity.

A Higher Perspective

I love meandering the streets of downtown Johnson City. From hopping from establishment to establishment, to walking aimlessly, seeing what the moment brings.

With the right pair of eyes, there is always something to see. There is life around every corner.

Sometimes, though, we tend to forget that we, ourselves, serve to be another’s subject of beauty.

Aside from the numerous bars and venues, what I adore about downtown is the ability to enjoy some rooftop patio spots. Sharing a few beers and laughs with friends under the east Tennessee sunset.

What comes with a rooftop session in downtown, is the life, the moment, happening for others down below. From this perspective, we can peek into the natural state of people enjoying their night, without their altered facade that comes with being noticed.

This bird’s eye view provides insight that not everyone can appreciate.

You can see yourself down there.

 

Downtown Colors

What makes a community? A definition  may merely include a group of people inhabiting a space in close proximity. What is fascinating to me are the departments within a community that allow people to congregate, socialize and grow. If utilized responsively, the bar scene can effectively develop this interpersonal development, both between individuals and the relationship those individuals share with the city itself. Johnson City’s downtown experience is far from an exception.

Every establishment downtown offers its own unique personality. With varying atmospheres, activities and events, it can only be expected that the regular patrons are equally diverse.

I see regular patrons and the establishments they frequent to have a mutual relationship, trading energy back and forth. Every individual has something unique to bring to the table, or in this case, the bar. The different personalities at play decorate the walls that, in turn, vibrate collectively back to the congregation. An energy that, while similar to other nights out, can never be truly replicated.

A different shade of color for every experience.