Zaun Zehner, sitting at a table in a 3 piece, is the first person I see upon entering tonight. This seems poetically fitting. The other guy seated with him turns out to be Chris Bay (from Night Vision, back in the day) but he doesn’t look least bit familiar to me – also in 3 piece.
A former classmate and current friend of who knows how many years’ standing, Zaun has basically always been considered the ultimate musical prodigy of my age bracket, back in our little hometown. But even so, our exposure to his prowess has proven relatively limited. Across the decades we’ve had scattered glimpes of him rocking out on various instruments, and doing so nimbly, with many more additional legends about performances we were not on hand to witness. Playing out with a couple bands here and there, or maybe just jamming in somebody’s basement. Still, one of the more puzzling aspects about his musical “career” to this point is that he really hasn’t done much else that we know about with these talents. For example, nothing that I’m aware of by officially released music – until now. His band Panda & Angel have just released their eponymous, debut EP in July of this year, and they’re in town all the way from Seattle on a tour to support it.
He’s such a tremendously nice guy, though, and in the big scheme I guess it really doesn’t matter – but only if we are making the bold claim that music doesn’t matter, period. I mostly think it does, however, and therefore kind of fall into the same camp as everyone else, not exactly grilling him about his lack of output, but privately wondering what the deal is. But maybe he always intended just to keep music a casual hobby, despite his oversized talents.
“Here’s McGathey,” I hear Josh Wackerly say, as I move deeper into the bar. He’s the guitarist in Panda & Angel, also a longtime friend, and is currently standing with Nate Sautter as well as some chick who turns out to be the singer: Carrie Murphy. Josh tells me Matt Montanya saw them 2x in Chicago; that they stayed with Chris Nicholson in Idaho; and for some reason, the first thing he tells Carrie about me concerns my involvement in the Goofy Guys.
“You guys had some good stuff,” he says, and appears to be serious, incredibly.
“What do you play?” she asks.
“A little bit of everything. It was good fun, though – bedroom recordings, 13, 14, 15 years old, using the two boombox method.”
“What’s that?”
I explain – incredibly, too, she says she’s never heard of anyone else doing this before.
-Andy Carpenter (big ol beard) and Melissa are here right after me: “what’s this I hear about a baby? I never heard nothin about that crap,” he says. Then Damon and Maryland (she’s got OSU attire and buckeyes on a necklace), along with some Carrie Ann chick she works with (tall, brunette hair shellacked sharply, stylishly; a shiny dress w/ decent cleavage, alternately blue and green; tanned; mischievous glint in her eyes) and Maryland’s brothers, Ted and Gary, whom I met once each about 6 years ago. Jason Woods is here, camera dangling from his neck. Jenny Mundy outrageously hot w/ long blonde hair tied back in ponytail – didn’t recognize – and also a black 3 piece suit. She’s talking about her ten year reunion.
“Was it a bust?” Damon asks.
“I wouldn’t say it was a bust, but it was definitely disappointing,” she says.
“That’s about what I’d say about our ten year,” Damon seconds, “it wasn’t quite lame but it was really close.”
“I never bothered going to any reunions because all the people I’d wanna see, I still see them,” I note.
“That’s pretty much how I feel,” Jenny agrees.
-I wanted to introduce Taylor and Damon, and finally have a chance to. Josh loves mentioning the Goofy Guys when introducing me, maybe, but for some reason I can never resist introducing Taylor without bringing up his Recordtown days.
-apparently, Clif sent Damon pictures of himself with Andrea, either before or after wedding. “She’s pretty hot – I’m not sure how he did it,” I praise Clif as we stand beside where he’s sitting.
“That’s what I was thinking,” Damon laughs, tells Clif, “and I agree with you, dude, that’s great: she’s from this white conservative Republican family, you know they gotta be just loving this.”
-I ask Maryland if she had to flash someone to get that necklace.
“I’m not that kind of girl!” she gasps, but laughing.
-I ask Taylor, across room I shout it, for a “Columbus Ohio.”
“I can tell this is gonna be good,” Damon says.
Taylor looks to Lori, then back at me, shakes head. “She says it’s too early. Let me finish my wings first.”
-Brian Schaub rolls in, he’s quit Grant Hospital to go back to school, is now at Cap City but claims he doesn’t need the money; Jeremy Wendling; Matt Wackerly in a sweater, looking totally unchanged.
“You know, there’s only one guy in this room who looks exactly the same as he did 15 years ago,” I tell Angela.
“Matt!” she laughs, “I know, that’s what everyone says.” She resembles the old self, but like many of us I suppose just a little older and with the edges rounded off, or whatever you’d call it. Her hair is longer, reddish now too.
-“Is that Jack Edinger?” Damon gasps
“Yeah; that’s the same reaction I had the first time I saw him after it had been a few years,” I reply.
“Man! He’s lost weight and he’s really shot up!”
“Little Jackie’s all grown up now!” Schaub cracks, “he’s shaving, he likes girls, he’s even gotten his pubes….”
-Jessie Adkins looking rough in yellow hoodie, giant rings in ears, bags under eyes. Insists he’s been off heroin awhile but “now I’m just a really bad alcoholic,” he says.
-Donnie Larck’s here; now, I’ve seen him a couple times in the past year, once shopping at Oats and once at North Market, and he I believe must be clean – both times he was immaculate and dressed to the nines in brand new threads, and I thought both times, this guy is supposed to be a big junkie? But he says it’s been 3 years, actually.
-Dan says he’s most surprised to see Donnie here out of anyone. “He always used to come into the String Shoppe scratchin his nuts, his nose all red…”
“Lookin for something to steal?”
“Well of course. I kept my eye on him.”
-Mr. Enderle is here! Looks the same, only greyer of head
-Ryan Fry and some girl; come to think of it Jack has a girl (Jeremy says it’s been going on a year and they’ve yet to sleep together); Megan Stolfi, looking hot; Dan’s woman Carrie, who waves hi to me from where she stands nearby, along w/ 2-3 other chickees – we talk briefly; the drunken entourage supporting Hostetler’s last hurrah: Travis (up from NC), Tony, Keith, Norman, Yarman, Pitt – I spot Carrie Ann talking to him.
-“There’s something wrong there,” Damon says of Carrie Ann, “she makes a ton of money, she’s good looking, she seems cool but she can’t find a guy? I tell Maryland there’s something wrong, there, and she says no! She’s nice! And I’m like yeah (scoffs, nods knowingly). Like I said, there’s something wrong with her.”
“She’s got an ugly pussy,” I speculate, and we both start cracking up.
-Matt Wackerly is also asking me about Emma. I keep telling Andy and Melissa they’re next – “don’t say that!” she laughs.
-Eric Voss is here in a head to toe St. Louis Cardinals baseball uniform. It’s unclear why, other than his status as a hardcore Redbirds fan. Knowing his Lee Marvin fanatacism, I mention catching an obscure movie of his recently (Gorky Park) and asking him if he’s seen it. He nods, but then realizing he doesn’t have this movie in his collection, actually pulls out a notepad and scribbles this down, a reminder to acquire it. I think this is hilarious, but then again guess I don’t really have much room to talk.
Less defensible are his apparent game-crushing antics. Jeremy Wendling drifts over to a few of us at one point asking who on earth this guy with the “radio announcer voice” is (Eric), wondering why he’s talking like this (always does), and lamenting that this dude was totally fucking up his game in trying to hit on some chicks.
-somehow, don’t ask me how, I end up spending a great deal of time hanging out and chatting with…Andy Thomas’s parents.
-Opening band: Sarah Asher. Damon insists, “eh, if you stand up there close, you can hear there is some cool stuff going on.” But for me, it’s an intriguing idea that needs a lot of tweaking – she whelps a la Bjork and plays violin (dressed in Geisha outfit, as is chick guitar player); aside from that and guitar, there’s a guy playing drums a guy
(*this is what you might call a “fractured narrative.” My notes stop right there, mid-sentence, at the bottom of a page. But I obviously wrote more than this, recall doing so as well, but am simply unable right now to find the page(s) to conclude this tale. So about 2 1/2 reviews are missing here. Actually I feel like there’s at least one more handwritten page, possibly two, and that I had them out not so terribly long ago – so have hopefully just misplaced them for the time being. I’ve been sitting on this post for a while, as a result, was leaning toward shelving it – but recently decided to just publish it as is instead. Why not.)
II.
Carabar (sometimes stylized as Cara Bar) was a former live music venue/bar located at 115 Parsons Avenue. It opens in the summer of 2005, courtesy of wife-husband founders Cara Borkes and Ron Barker, in a spot once occupied by The Dell. They obviously drew the bar’s name, in case you didn’t quite catch that, from a mash-up of their own. Although I must also relate that in the course of my research, I found an unexpected reference in a 1903 edition of the Dispatch, this poem by someone named Margaret Kirby Taylor, whereby she mentions (twice) someone named the “Earl of Carabar.” I’m sure this is just some wacky coincidence, but a great one – and it makes me wonder at opportunities lost, if they couldn’t have held a yearly event or something crowning the current Earl Of Carabar.
Carabar’s unique in that they almost never charge a cover. Instead, they pay the bands a certain percentage based upon sales for that night. It’s an intriguing business model, though I haven’t personally polled any musicians on how this concept worked in practice. But, moving forward about a century to a January 2007 piece for the Dispatch, Sarah Asher’s accordian player, Alana Odenweller, is quoted as saying, “we’ve gotten paid more there than lots of other places we’ve played that had a cover.”
John O’Connor’s a bartender here circa this era, and though we have some mutual friends, he’s always been a dick to me for some reason – although it’s unclear whether he’s a dick to all unfamiliar people, or if it’s something specific that I did. Or didn’t do. One thing I know is that while able to be “cool” in the sense of just hanging out and going with the flow, I’ve certainly never been “cool” in the sense of saying and doing what’s trendy. And it feels like maybe this is the beef: I’m not trendy enough for his tastes. One night for instance some of us ended up at his place somehow for afterhours, and he was positively apoplectic with disbelief over my admittedly dumb but totally harmless jokes – these observations of mine just weren’t cool enough. And ditto a different night at the Glass House.
Well, at least he serves the drinks here without too much drama, so that’s something. Joining forces with him on some nights is Amber, who is also known to sling drinks at Andyman’s Treehouse too, and is Judas Cow bassist Ryan Haye’s girlfriend during this stretch. And as far as highlights for this bar, Tenacious D’s Kyle Gass once played here semi-incognito (sporting a hilariously cheesy fake wig) with his side project, Trainwreck. Otherwise, they have a treasured old pinball machine named High Speed, and Christmas lights hanging year round to spruce up the joint. This bar never trifles with a website, which I somewhat admire, even as it’s made figuring out who played here when a daunting enterprise. They do, however, feature for a spell this regular dance night called Sweatin’, so some may consider this a worthy concession prize. They also have their own little record label going, titled Manup, with the first ever release being Dragged Out by The Lindsay.
As for why Carabar ever closed, all I can find are some references in the early 2010s that the state of Ohio was acquiring the property, just to demolish it for a planned interstate widening project of nearby I-71. While I’m not sure if the proposed acquisition ever took place or not, the demolition clearly did not, for 115 Parsons Avenue still stands – currently, it is occupied by KB Fleet Solutions. There is some dude on Youtube, however, who says he was given Carabar’s former payphone booth. That, some live footage, a couple flyers and mountains of memories are all that remain, it seems, from this once treasured musical oasis.
2005 events:
December 22 – Mark Mallman
2006 events:
As of 2006 (not sure if this is eternally true), Carabar proudly declares that admission is always free at its shows. Taco Ninja, he of Cafe Bourbon Street fame, is running the in-house kitchen here. They also serve hot dogs, though it’s not quite clear who is responsible for such. Vegan options, too, including hot dogs as well as chili.
In the early part of the year, the big smoking ban goes into effect for most of Columbus. Some of the less thrilled bar owners are combating this in extremely creative ways, and here, they hand out Altoids tins to the smokers – I think the strategy here was that, in case of some raid, you could just close up the tin, with the cigarette and ashes, and pitch the thing.
March 3 – Early Empire show, with The Handshake and The Judas Cow
March 7 – Townes Van Zandt tribute night
April 6 – Jesse Henry
April 7 – Todd Deathrage, Todd May.
April 8 – The Skilletlickers, Bob Sauls, Mors Ontologica, I’m With Stupid.
The Judas Cow will play here every Saturday in May. The performance area now has its mirrors (left of stage) covered with a giant American flag.
May 4 – Opening night of Columbus Fringe Festival, held at multiple venues around town. There’s a show here, but I’m unsure who plays. It runs for at least 4 consecutive weekends (I think Thu-Sun each week).
May 6 – Wussy, featuring this guy who used to be in Ass Ponys, headlines. The Judas Cow and Kyle Sowash also play.
May 20 – I only “catch” one of these Judas Cow May shows, although even that’s not totally correct, because by the time I show up they’re already finished. But El Jesus De Magico are next, followed by Greenlawn Abbey, neither of which I’ve seen live up to this point. El Jesus sound great, but I feel like their songwriting needs a little work. Tony Allmon plays keyboards for those guys. Ned Hodge is here and runs up to thank me for coming to his get together the previous weekend.
June 21 – Marianne Dissard, Chris McCoy
July 1 – Ocean Ghosts (duo consists of Scotty Boombox and J Rhodes) hold a CD release party for their new release, Stars and Stripes Foreva.
July 22 – The Little Darlings, Drop Dead Sons, Sons of Solomon, Kockasains
August 4 – one year anniversary blowout featuring El Jesus De Magico, Greenlawn Abbey, The Squares, The Outerspacists, Posture Coach
September 2 – New Bomb Turks play a reunion show, with Grafton and Necropolis opening.
September 14 – afterparty for an art exhibition being held across the street, at The Chop Chop Gallery. Featuring artists Chad Gordon and Klutch, that event wraps up at 11pm, so I’m guessing the festivities kick off here around that time.
October 19 – bash held in conjunction with Chop Chop Gallery kicks off at 9, to celebrate co-owner Ron Barker’s birthday. Teeth of the Hydra play on this side of the street (Drop Dead Sons and Welcome Farm are over at the gallery).
October 27 – Church of the Red Museum play. There’s an article in the 10/26 edition of Alive! and “Ultimate” Donnie Roberts, who works in the deli at Wild Oats, is front and foremost, in a black sport jacket and tie, blood red colored shirt, looking quite menacing and serious indeed.
The interview is conducted at Mac’s Cafe. Some of these characters were in Go Evol Shiki but I’m not sure which ones – Brian Travis (singer/primary songwriter), Robby Coleman (I think he plays drums), Tom Butler (guitar), Donnie (bass), Bill Jankowski (organ), Leslie Jankowski (violin/trumpet). In particular they are discussing the tune A Flush Never Felt So Bad, which Coleman describes as “it sounds surgical to me, like you’re standing in a crowd and then – boom! You’re standing there with your guts hanging out.” Here I thought the title was a poker reference.
Butler goes on to say that with Go Evol, they spent five years working on an album that never saw they light of day. But that this Church CD, which just came out, was recorded in a day and a half.
Beat The Devil play tonight also.
October 28 – Panda & Angel show reviewed (well, sort of) at beginning of this piece
October 29 – The Lindsay, Coffenberry
October 31 – Halloween throwdown featuring comedy music duo Pleaseeasaur. This is one rare exception where they are charging admission, which somehow ranges from $3 to $10.
November 10 – The Kyle Sowashes play an album release party. Distribution of this puppy is limited to 300 copies of a vinyl seven inch. Very cool! Miranda Sound, Loretta, and Fine Dining play also.
November 16 – MTV2 is on hand to film Ryan Smith & The Agency, for their internet series On The Rise.
November 19 – Portastatic
December 2 – Buffalo Killers
2007 events:
January 11 – Benjy Ferree
January 13 – Odawas, Jorma Whittaker
March 13 – Hot Cross
March 19 – Sarah Asher
March 28 – The One AM Radio
March 31 – another Ocean Ghosts CD release party – this time with pizza! It’s in support of their latest effort, which is of course titled Pepperoni Lovers.
2008 events:
January 18 – Terribly Empty Pockets/Psychedelic Horseshit/Tree Of Snakes/Rage Against The Cage. In mentioning this show, Alive is complaining that the bar doesn’t post its schedule online.
February 23 – Cheater Slicks
April 18 – Guinea Worms
May 16 – Deadsea
2009 events:
January 25 – Skeletonwitch
May 1 – a benefit show for local musician Bob Sauls, hindered at this moment by a broken leg. Happy Chichester, Megan Palmer, Baby Lindy & The Drugmothers, Nuclear Children, and the compellingly named Rock, Ravage, and Coleman are listed as performers. Chris Ryan and Myke Rock made this event happen, to help pay Sauls’ medical bills.
May 12 – Thrones
August 22 – Rosehips
October 16 – Super Desserts
November 23 – Earthless
December 30 – Swamp Leather
2010 events:
April 2 – Couch Forts
April 6 – La Dispute
July 11 – Plague Mountain. The band could shred and all, but the vocals are more of this Cookie Monster crap that I just don’t get. Songwriting and structures seem pretty, um, cookie cutter as well.
August 12 – Flotation Walls
October 16 – Lifeguard
November 20 – Saintseneca. I’m digging the rustic Appalachian approach – not that I have the first clue where they’re actually from…
2011 events:
As of 2011 (if not sooner), local musician Nick Tolford can be found manning the soundboard here during his free time. However, for some reason I’ve yet to find any listings for him playing Carabar.
February 17 – Steamboat
May 17 – The Whines
May 24 – Daytrader, Hostage Calm, Light Years and Colors
May 27 – Way Yes
August 12 – Carabar Metal Fest featuring Churches Burn, The Pledge Of Cain, Red Sun, Bridesmaid, Locusta
November 11 – Zebulon Pike
November 24 – legendary local (and beyond) rockers The Godz play a Thanksgiving show. As you might expect, they come up the most professional and informative footage of any that I’ve seen shot here:
2012 events:
January 8 – not an event within the bar per se, but on this date a band called Enabler does release a live album recorded here, imaginately titled Live At Carabar.
March 7 – The End Of The Ocean
June 5 – Sun Valley, in their first ever live performance
September 12 – Icon Gallery, who’ve posted this clip online. The sound quality of the recording isn’t the greatest, but man, it certainly sounds as if these fine folks know how to rock! I think another band called Inservibles played here this night as well. Not digging their rather simplistic approach quite as much, but hey, this is just one man’s opinion.
October 4 – Wooden Teeth
2013 events:
February 8 – Liquid Crystal Project
February 17 – MAMA. Here’s another live clip. Some wonderfully funky stuff.
I’m a technology buff as much as the next guy, and love my modern gadgets the same as everyone else. But sometimes it’s hard not to feel a little nostalgia for these earlier eras, when any live footage at all was a rare, rare treat. Though clearly becoming much more widespread, even during these years.
March 9 – If These Trees Could Talk. Here’s a nice long video documenting their set. Not much to see here, but it certainly sounds killer:
March 16 – Modes
August 12 – My Dad, The Para-Medics, SRVVLST, I Mustache You A Question
November 22 – Abazagorgath
2014 events:
February 21 – Henry Passion, Eternally Dizzy, Mr. Morning Sunshine
May 23 – Mugger.
And that’s the last live show I can find, folks. Anybody with a hot tip concerning others, I would love to hear from you.
