the hum / By Bob Doran

No Paraskavedekatriaphobia

Rock zombies of the Redwood Run, lucky Friday in Arcata, Li’l Red Lion action

(June 12, 2008)  Did you notice the date on this paper? It’s Thursday the 12th of June, which makes Friday June 13th. That’s right, Friday the Thirteenth. I guess it’s no coincidence that M. Night Shyamalan’s latest scary movie, The Happening, opens that night.

What’s the big deal that makes it an unlucky day? Hard to say. Those who look at folklore point to the cultural importance of 12, supposedly a “complete” number. The Norse trickster Loki was the 13th to show at some party for a dozen in Valhalla: bad luck for Balder the Beautiful, the God of Happiness, who ended up shot with a mistletoe-poisoned arrow by Hoder, the blind God of Darkness. Then there was Judas, the 13th guest at the Last Supper: bad luck for Jesus, who was executed on a Friday.

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Chas “South Side” Lewis writes to say, “Don’t succumb to paraskavedekatriaphobia [fear of Friday the 13th]. ShinBone is nothing to be ascared of, my people!” Lest you’ve forgotten, Chas plays harp in that blues/B&B combo. They’re one of the bands playing around town Friday evening for Arts! Arcata, specifically at Arcata Exchange, where you can kick back on a comfy couch and take in the tunes.

Other usual suspects around Arcata for Arts! night: Duncan Burgess singing and strumming at Libation, and Clean Livin’ pickin’ bluegrass tunes at Bubbles. And you’ll find a new band, Cadillac Ranch, at Umpqua Bank (along with cool photo collages by Ellen Land-Weber). The Easton Pablo Shao Way Jazz Trio (as in Stuard, keys, Rotter, drums, and Wu, bass) will be jazzin’ outside at Café Brio. Joanne Rand sings at Plaza Design.Arcata Photo Studios marks its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting that night in Jacoby’s Storehouse. There you’ll find pix by Sheldon Sabbatini, Martin Swett and Eye man-about-town Terrence McNally. Terrence swears I’m in one of his photos, and I guess I am, but I’m pretty blurry. (It was New Year’s Eve; I was a bit blurry.)

The 31st Annual Redwood Run starts Friday the Thirteenth, bringing motorcycle aficionados and classic rock fans to Piercy for “the ultimate biker party.” The line-up sounds impressive, but … Well, top-billed Creedence Clearwater Revisited is not quite the Revival — no Fogertys are involved. Instead it’s Stu Cook and Doug “Cosmo” Clifford, the old band’s rhythm section, with new guys out front. Lead singer Doug Gray marshals on as the only original member in the current Marshall Tucker Band lineup. (The Caldwell brothers and guitarist George McCorkle have all passed away.) Ten Years After will undoubtedly play familiar hits like “I’m Going Home,” but shredding lead guitarist Alvin Lee left the group in ‘75. Eighties glam-rockers Ratt are currently into their second reunion with three members from their classic line-up. (Do bikers actually like hair-bands?) After fierce internal battles, the members of post-industrial art-rock band Spudgun have set aside their creative differences to reunite “for the glory” of rock. They will be rolling down to the Run on custom pentacycles. Delbert McClinton may be the exception to the rule here: The Texas bluesman is the real deal.

A while back I had a spirited e-mail exchange with a member of a local Dead tribute band, touching on whether or not JGB is the real deal without Jerry. I’m not a Deadhead, so I’ll reserve judgment. For the uninformed: JGB stand for Jerry Garcia Band. After Jerry died, bluesy organist Melvin Seals, a JGB member for 15 years, continued with the initialized name. David Kemper, on again off again JGB drummer from 1983-‘93, is part of the current incarnation. Dylan followers may recognize the name: Kemper was drummer in Bob’s touring band from 1996-2001. JGB offers a two-night “tribute to Jerry Garcia,” Friday (the 13th) and Saturday at Humboldt Brews.

The 18th Annual Arcata Bay Oyster Festival takes place Saturday on the Arcata Plaza. Along with mollusks — raw, barbequed, fried etc. — they’ll have a wide range of music, from swing jazz and rock by Magnolia (11 a.m.) to hip hoppity worldbeat by WoMamma (1:15) old timey jams by The Bucky Walters (2:45) and funky funk by Bump Foundation (4:15).

The Devil Makes Three are back in town Thursday, June 12, for what will surely be a sold-out show at the Jambalaya. Absynth Quintetopens, joined by special guest fiddler Zebulon Bowles, a cool cat from Georgia who has a band called Stop Drop and Roll. Advance tix recommended, get ‘em soon.

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