ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, January 19, 1996 TAG: 9601190030
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: Out & About
SOURCE: DONNA ALVIS BANKS|
Paul Poff, the pleasant and proficient postal clerk at the Christiansburg Post Office, handed me the mail the other day.
Nothing unusual about that.
He issues the mail every working day except on holidays when the post office hangs up the "Gone Fishin'" signs and takes the day off.
Let's see, there's Memorial Day and the Fourth of July ... Bird Day and Elvis' Birthday....
OK, OK! I'm kidding already.
Anyway, when Paul handed me the stack of newspaper mail, one of the large envelopes caught his attention.
"Here's something from the YAMS FROM OUTER SPACE," he observed, eyebrows raised.
"Oh, goody," I said. "I've been expecting this. It's their new CD!"
Paul shot me a rather suspicious look as I snatched the envelope and headed for the door.
Let's face it, the Yams are a misunderstood mess of sweet 'taters.
The Blacksburg-based band has been around (on and off, mostly on) since 1986. Mike Kirby of Floyd and George Penn of Pulaski started the band, they say, to "divert attention away from a KKK rally in Radford."
"We thought it was going to be a one-time gig when we came up with the name," Kirby said, "but here we are 10 years later...."
Kirby - the long-haired vocalist, guitarist and songwriter for the Yams - said the band evolved into "a brotherhood based on a never-ending quest for frivolity."
In addition to Kirby and Penn (the group's drummer and singer), the group includes bassist Dylan Locke and guitarist Mark Gibson. The four musicians are on the road much of the time these days, playing in clubs and at colleges from New York to Mississippi.
For those who haven't seen the Yams in action (are you listening, Paul?), rumor has it that the group's stage show includes bubbles, Vienna sausage, helium-enhanced vocals and other peculiar ploys such as playing guitars with "alternative" body parts.
I am not kidding.
The group has produced two recordings. The newest CD, "Rug Fiber," is a collection of nine songs written by Mike Kirby with help from Dave MacDonald on two tunes, "AB3" and "How Many Freaks."
Along with the originals, the Yams' song list includes covers by artists ranging from Jimi Hendrix to Frank Zappa to George Clinton and the P-Funk All-Stars. The guys also do some of their own versions of the oldies. How about the sensitive new-age version of AC/DC's "Highway to Hell?"
Actually, I listened to - and liked - the Yams' new CD. It's a combination of danceable rock'n'roll and heavy rhythm funk music.
If you want to see the Yams from Outer Space, you can catch them Saturday night at Pedro's in downtown Blacksburg. The show starts at 10:30 and admission is $4.
You can order "Rug Fiber" by writing to the group at P.O. Box 10593, Blacksburg, Va. 24062-0593. The CDs cost $12 and make nice gifts for your favorite postman.
THE SHOW MUST GO ON: Not!
Radford University professor Clarity James was all set to go.
Her voice was warmed up, her spirits were high.
But just as the curtain opened at last Monday's concert, the lights went out. The audience who came to hear James' recital with pianist Caryl Conger and violist Doris Lederer found itself in total darkness.
They waited patiently, hoping that the powers-that-be would let there be light.
Alas, darkness.
The show did not go on.
James wants to prove that you can't keep a good opera singer down, so she's moved her concert up a week. You can hear it this Monday at 8 p.m. in Radford University's Preston Auditorium.
James will sing some classical pieces by Brahms, Loeffle and other composers, as well as a series of light pieces by Gordon Myer.
Everyone's invited to come - and wear every good luck charm available.
TRY, TRY AGAIN: Last weekend's prodigious snowfall blew off the Blacksburg Old-Time Music and Dance Group's scheduled square dance, but you can join in the fun this weekend. The dancers have rescheduled the event.
The mountain square dance will be held Saturday, starting at 8 p.m., at Blacksburg's Gilbert Linkous Elementary School. Bill Blevins and the Jug Busters will provide the music.
Caller Beth Molaro will lead you through all the steps. Inexperienced dancers are always welcome.
Admission is $5. Remember to wear shoes that won't scuff the dance floor.
For more information, call Bill Richardson at 951-1061.
WORD BIRD: Luanne Keener's way with words has earned her awards and attention in such literary journals as The Greensboro Review, Northwest Review, Southern Poetry Review, Chelsea and Quarterly West.
The poet will read some of her work Thursday in Radford University's Flossie Martin Gallery. The reading starts at 7:30 p.m. and will conclude with a reception.
Keener, a University of Arkansas alumna who has taught at Virginia Tech and is now pursuing graduate studies in social work at Radford University, has published one collection of poems, "Color Documentary." She will autograph copies at Thursday's reception.
The university's English department and Creative Writing Committee are sponsoring the event. Admission is free.
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