From Athens to Athens, Casper & the Cookies continue to rock
By Courtney Baldasare, Assistant Entertainment Editor
November 11, 2007 | 4:47 p.m.
Athens, Ga., is home to power-pop prodigy Casper and the Cookies. Athens, Ohio, equivalent in name, will likely demonstrate its similar musical enthusiasm this Sunday, Nov. 11, when the band graces The Union with its bold musical presence.
Their unique collaboration of the traditional guitar, bass and drum sound with revolutionary keyboard melody intertwined between sectors of catchy lyricism is what makes the band as inimitable as it is. This is not that traditional indie rock band to once again pass through Athens and leave the town with a few new starry-eyed college kids on its mailing list.
“I don’t even know what indie rock is anymore. As a term, it’s outlived its usefulness. Now, it could be anything from screamo bands to somebody who plays a violin and a loop pedal,” said Jason NeSmith, Casper frontman, when asked about the band’s inexplicable genre of music.
The self-proclaimed “power pop” band relishes performing at home in Georgia.
“It’s home, it’s the people there,” NeSmith said nostalgically.
But they have yet to formulate an opinion on playing in Athens.
“Never been there before, but we have some friends that live there," said NeSmith. "My friends, Southeast Engine, are from Athens, Ohio.”
Casper and the Cookies is a four-piece group consisting of Jason NeSmith, formerly of the well-recognized band Of Montreal, on vocals, guitar, and keyboard; Kay Stanton on vocals, bass, and keyboard; Jim Hicks on vocals, guitar, keyboard, and bass and Joe Rowe on drums and keyboard. NeSmith and Stanton are at the forefront in terms of writing songs for the band, but all four virtuosos collaborate tirelessly to create the music that they do. The group has thus far released two albums, Oh! in 2004 and The Optimist’s Club in 2006.
Though its sound is distinctive, the band looks forward to playing small venues such as The Union.
“Just the energy [in a small venue] is great. In a large venue, you sort of feel lost,” NeSmith said. “It’s always the chance that you’re going to have a new experience, you know, the show’s going to take a turn that you didn’t expect and you and the audience can sort of be there together experiencing it. Otherwise, you’d just be playing the same songs in the same order every night.”
Some noteworthy Casper and the Cookies tunes include “Sid from Central Park,” “Summer Spider” and a band personal favorite, “Learn How to Disappear.”
“It can come from anywhere. You never know when it’s going to hit you,” NeSmith said on the topic of songwriting inspiration. “I feel like I’m doing my best work when I’m surprising myself. I turn strange noise into a loop. I keep it fresh.”
His theory is proven in the last of the three aforementioned songs, which was unexpectedly inspired by a simple little paper poster. It was hung in the bathroom of a nonprofit organization’s facilities that NeSmith stumbled upon. The flyer advertised routes of escape for those experiencing trying times and encouraged such people to “learn how to disappear,” hence the track title.
Patrick Fleming and Joe Terry from The Poison Control Center (PCC) as well as local band Casual Future will open the show for Casper and the Cookies.
“The first time I played Athens was solo at The Union and it was great. Last year we played here and it was a blast as well. We always compare Athens, Ga., to Athens, Ohio, and wait to see which crowds are crazier,” PCC guitarist and vocalist Patrick Fleming said. “We will be on tour with The Cookies. They are friends of ours. They bring the goods and Casual [Future] sounds like a great night out for dinner!”
Influenced by “vegan food, coffee, a massage therapist and rock ‘n’ roll,” Fleming, as he said, is “shivering with anticipation for Athens.”
Those influences seem to successfully spawn melodically attractive tunes filled with beautifully airy vocals, capricious guitar and bass riffs, rhythmical drum cadence and whimsical trumpet and saxophone accents. Such one-of-a-kind sound provides for very alluring live performances.
“[The best part about performing live is] when it’s a magical night where the spectators become part of the show and they sweat with you,” Fleming said.
So what can concert-goers and show hopefuls expect from this performance?
“I’m looking forward to a great show. I think the bands are all different, but the bill makes sense," said Brian Ostrander, independent promoter of Insomniac Booking."Casual Future is more of a straight-up indie rock band. Casper has a pop sensibility to them. I wouldn’t expect the average folk singer from [The Poison Control Center] if you’ve heard the full band’s material."
“We have a good time at our shows, but we want to make the kind of music that you can take home and have a different kind of experience,” NeSmith said. “[A necessity] performance-wise – small glass of Jack Daniels.”
When asked whether the band would rather have fans bring helmets or lighters to the show, NeSmith said, “Helmets, for sure! Don’t bring helmets or lighters to the show. Bring grapefruit. Ladies who wear fake mustaches get free merchandise at the show. That’s a promise.”
Sunday, Nov. 11, 10:00 p.m., The Union. Fake mustache-owning ladies – mark your calendars.
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