Tapping feet, sing-alongs and “booty-shaking” filled Casa Cantina Tuesday night as These United States and Southeast Engine brought their fall tour through Athens.
These United States took the stage first, playing a mix of old songs and new music from its upcoming album. The band last passed through Athens in 2009 when NPR’s Mountain Stage came to MemAud.
“Last time we were here, we approached town from the other side, where that big round building is,” frontman Jesse Elliot said, referring to the Convocation Center. “We ended up at this bar (Tony’s) which turns out to be right across the street from here (Casa) and had a great time, from what we remember. It’s good to be back.”
These United States kept the momentum going throughout its set with its fast-paced rock and the crowd was soon dancing. Chip Detty, an Ohio University senior, was the first person dancing and barely stopped moving all night. Detty was out celebrating his birthday and received shout-outs from both These United States and Southeast Engine.
“I’m turning 23-years young at midnight. I didn’t know what I was doing tonight and my friend Juan (Jp Grijalva) showed me a Youtube video of this band,” Detty said. “I said, ‘yeah, let’s go to that.’ And it’s fantastic.”
Attendees could hardly miss Detty’s dance moves, a skill he said he picked up in Zumba classes. Between the music and Detty’s uninhibited dancing, it wasn’t long before the whole crowd of approximately 70 people was moving.
Although the show was on a Tuesday night, the crowd was hardly deterred by the late hour. When Southeast Engine took the stage at midnight, not a single person in the crowd was standing still and the energy only built throughout the night.
“This one here, it’s a real bootie-shaker, so get moving,” Southeast Engine’s Adam Remnant said as one of the band’s popular songs, “Holy Ghost,” began.
These United States joined Southeast Engine twice on stage, and TUS’s pedal steel player, J. Tom Hnatow, was featured in several Southeast Engine songs. The two groups are currently touring together throughout the East Coast and Canada.
“It’s definitely been a blast and These United States are a great band to tour with,” Southeast Engine’s Jesse Remnant said. “They’re a great band and great guys.”
When Southeast Engine’s set came to a close, the crowd immediately demanded an encore. Obliging the audience, Southeast Engine struck up a rowdy rendition of “Stranded in the Heartland,” a crowd favorite.
“It’s all about living in Ohio,” Adam said, recalling the band’s Ohio roots. “And it’s really more positive than the title lets on.”
The two bands will move on to Pittsburgh tonight, where Elliot said he hopes some of last night’s crowd will come as well. The tour will wrap up Sept. 25 at the Blackwoods Music Festival in Mercersbury, Pa.
Southeast Engine will then return to Athens for the return of NPR’s Mountain Stage Oct. 9 in MemAud.
