The Red and Black

Issue date: 6/25/09 Section: Variety

Media Credit: WAITES LASETER Robert Randolph and The Family Band say goodnight to a Georgia Theatre crowd in 2007.

Media Credit: WAITES LASETER Possibly one of Athens' most recognizable landmarks, the Georgia Theatre marquee, bears the name of Perpetual Groove, who were scheduled to play the evening after the Theatre burned. The show was rescheduled at the Classic Center the following night.

The beauty of Athens lies in its ability to be a lot of different things to a lot of different people. From seersucker clad fraternity brothers to townies decked in flannels, from nervous freshman to tenured professors, from Michael Adams to Michael Stipe - Athens offers a way to define oneself, an identity. But the thing that most distinctly defines Athens binds all of these extremes together - music.

To Athenians of all kinds the Georgia Theatre brought music, and in doing so it brought people together.

"I know it has a reputation for only catering to a frat crowd, or a jam band crowd or a hippie crowd," said drummer Lucas Jensen of Venice is Sinking. "But the truth is the Georgia Theatre was as open minded as anywhere I've ever played. People shouldn't forget that their diverse clientele is rivaled only by the 40 Watt."

When the inside of the Georgia Theatre crumpled in flames last week a part of Athens' identity burnt as well, and all those who it affected are eager to pay tribute.

"Two of the best shows I've ever been to were at the Georgia Theatre. I saw The Replacements on their final tour and Camper Van Beethoven on their final tour," Bill Mallonee of Vigilantes of Love said.

"As for Vigilantes, our shows there were always really good; everybody in the crowd just had so much energy. I hope they're gonna to rebuild it, and I hope it will be even better than it was before."

Mallonee started playing music around Athens in the late '80s and has played at the Theatre numerous times. Although he was out of town when it burned, Mallonee was deeply saddened when news of the fire reached him, and sends his sympathy out to all of its employees.

Fellow Athens music veterans, Widespread Panic, echoed Mallonee's sentiments in a press release that said, "Our thoughts go out to Wilmot Greene and everyone involved with the Georgia Theatre past and present. We have a lot of great memories from performing there in the early '90s including filming a concert film with Billy Bob Thornton in 1991, Live at the Georgia Theatre. We are happy to hear talk of rebuilding and know that this will certainly not be the end of the Georgia Theatre's long legacy."

Drummer for The Whigs, Julian Dorio, also reflected on his most memorable Georgia Theatre moment.

"I was lucky enough to see R.E.M. play a secret show at the Georgia Theater. I couldn't believe it! It was one of the best shows I've ever seen," he said. "It felt like the entire Athens music scene and history jammed inside one amazing room."

The fire, however, did not only affect musicians who played at the Theatre; it also struck a chord with local Athenians who feel passionately about their city.

With reminiscent eyes, Eynne Ray, an employee at Junkman's Daughter's Brother, smiled when asked if she had lived in Athens for a long time and somberly softened her smile when asked what the Theatre meant to her.

"Well, for starters I was up on stage at an Effie['s Club Follies] show, and that was the only time I've ever been on stage anywhere," said Ray. "I guess it means even more to my husband than to me though; he's played there a number of times with his band Music Hates You. I guess what I'll miss most of all is seeing Noah play guitar up there."

University alumnus and Walker's Coffee Shop and Pub employee, Lou Brogdon reiterated Ray's concern for loved ones.

"I feel bad for the people who work there and for the owner, Wilmot Greene, he's a good friend of mine," he said.

"I know it meant a lot to the locals, and I know a lot of alumni who are in a terrible way. My friend Ben basically spent his entire undergrad there. I hope they really do their best to rebuild and that they make it so great that it'll be around for a hundred more years."

The Georgia Theatre was one of those places that left its mark with everyone who walked through its doors, whether or not they had a personal connection before entering.

"I saw my first show ever in Athens at the Georgia Theatre. It was the first week of my freshman year, and I went to see Nelo," said Olivia Patton, a senior art student from Nashville, Tenn.

"I've seen a lot of shows since then, but the Georgia Theatre will always be one my first memories of Athens."

Plans for renovation are in the works, but until the physical theatre is restored Jensen and the rest of Venice is Sinking hope its memory can live on in their soon-to-be released third album, recorded live on the Theatre's stage. During its final weeks, the band probably spent more time in the Theatre than anyone else.

"We rehearsed there every weekend for two months, and it really became a second home to us," Jensen said.

"Without knowing it, we recorded something that will forever document the sound of a place that can't be replicated. All our proceeds will go to rebuilding the Theatre, and we only hope our album can do its sound justice."

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