It’s fitting that the man who co-wrote the most famous song about dying, by a group called The Grateful Dead, would see fit to pass away during this period of days that finds the living in communion with the departed, surrounded — around here at least — by a fat backdrop of rain. More on that fella below, but to continue constructing this theme, we are all going through a time of change at present, one that will bring various levels of deep mourning and sickening glee to the people of this country — and the world at large — depending on certain outcomes and the dispositions and material realities of those experiencing the outcomes. To sum things up, a big wet mess. I’m trying to remain stoic and thoughtful, while remembering that Socrates was judged and killed by the restoration of order and democracy, not the tyranny that preceded it. I am certainly no Socrates but, then again, this is certainly no democracy either. Not in the fuzzy and naive sense that we were taught when we grew up saluting the flag and hearing that the Americans had solely won World War II, never mind which ideological project from that era actually prevailed in the long run. FDR spins in his grave like a spectral turbine as we speak, haunting our landscape with visions of a greater society that has been cut down by the real winners of the nuclear age. I know we can do better because I have seen, in pages of history books, anthropology and theory, the ghostly wisps of the contrails from the misfired arc of a moral universe on a genuine path towards justice. In this time of dead souls and visions from the otherworld, consider the rainbow of possibility that lives soaring above us, just out of reach, and past the wreckage from the wake of the latest flood.
Halloween
It’s the Big Spooky tonight. Rather than round up all the various activities available out there for all you Halloweenies, I’m going to stick to my beat and suggest three shows, starting in Ferndale and heading north. That ought to cover the geographic spread for many of you. Over at the Old Steeple at 7:30 p.m., Particle Kid is back in town, that multi-loop, fuzzy folkster who also happens to be a part-time guitarist for Neil Young, and Willie Nelson’s youngest kid Micah. The Stevenson Ranch Davidians are also on the bill ($25). Up at Humbrews at 8:30 p.m., you will find a ska-ful and reggae celebration, with Jamaican singer Perfect Giddimani joined up with our local heroes Checkered Past ($28, $25 advance). Finally, the humble, lovely Logger Bar is hosting a free all-hands-on-deck night of yacht rock with DJ Bury Manilow and the band Yacht Blooded, a group full of aliases, although I believe my predecessor the excellent bassist Andy Powell will be in that number. The hour of power here is 8 p.m.
Friday
It’s the third annual College Night Vampire’s Ball at the Arcata Theatre Lounge tonight at 9 p.m. ($10). It’s a trappy affair, featuring 1942 Boyz and local/traveling DJ KRTMS. If the “college night” part didn’t tip you off, this crowd is going to trend toward the younger side, but no minors, no reentry for under 21 folks and bring a gov’t I.D., not one from school.
Saturday- All Soul’s Day
Mush Love Crew Presents: Dia De Los Muertos at RampArt skatepark starting today at 2 p.m. What does that mean? It means a 12-hour (!) party full of deep grooves provided by a long lineup of psytrance artists, with names like Melting Vision and Luzid Trip. This mini fest comes with big visuals and vendors galore ($15).
Sunday
It’s been a recurring trend in this column to dedicate the quiet nights to musicians who departed last year, with at least a light examination of their work. But I’m going to break with tradition this evening and give a shout out to one who we lost last week, who I am certain meant a lot to a great many of my regular readers, including my late father. Also, when a fellow bassist falls, all hands, picks and fingers assemble to bury the dead. Or in this case, The Dead. You know who it is: Phil Lesh, founding member and low-end maestro of The Grateful Dead. I’m not going to pretend to be the biggest deadhead but I did truly love his music from time to time, and actually read and enjoyed his rather splendid autobiography Searching for the Sound some years back. RIP, man. May your mighty Alembic rumble you through the cosmos to the next great galactic gig.
Monday
Singer, songwriter and producer Jeffrey Foucault hails from Whitewater, Wisconsin, a perfect place name to grow a mind with Foucault’s ability to create the style of next generation no-depression-style country and dark folk tunes he trades in. Heavy sincerity and personal struggle and release all converge in these waters which run tributaries across the map of the soul of American music. It’s good stuff, but don’t take my word for it, come over to the Arcata Playhouse at 7 p.m. and drop $20 on the barrelhead ($2 less for Playhouse members).
Tuesday-Election Day
Having made no endorsements myself beyond pointing out the regressive and reactionary nature of the electoral college, which has obviated the Humboldt vote on the national level, I’m not stressing. This is out of my hands. But I understand that for many of you, today is the real Big Spooky. So, how about taking your mind off things a bit and enjoying some music? In this case, the heavy psyche sounds of Monterrey, Mexico’s Los Mundos. This duo really heats things up right off the pedalboard, and is joined by two similarly sonic California noise acts, Rabbit and The Snares. It’s also taco Tuesday in the adjoining Richards’ Goat, so the food will be good, too. This is an early show kicking off at 7:30 p.m., and $16 gets you in the door, $13 if you plan ahead and purchase early tickets.
Wednesday
Here’s a rap and hip hop throwdown for your midweek’s delight. A touring ensemble of DJ True Justice, Vocab Slick and Z-Man, traveling under the moniker The Ninth annual Slap Frost Tour hits the Basement tonight at 8 p.m., where the roadsters will mix and mingle with some of our local heroes. Representing the 707 will be Eli Fowler, DJ Ricky Switch and my man Flo J. Simpson. Looks good to me and pre-sales are going for only $7, so consider that if you want to sidestep the $15 door price.
Collin Yeo (he/him) hopes that the kiddos saddled by a Thursday Halloween on what may be a rainy night find joy nonetheless. He lives in Arcata, a very walkable city for treats.
This article appears in ‘Doing its Part’.