July 11, 2023
September 29th Show at Ciné
We will be playing at Ciné Lab, 234 W. Hancock Ave, on Friday, September 29, along with It's Snakes from Charlotte, NC and Bitch Doctor from Athens, GA.
Doors at 9:00 PM. The show starts at 10.
All ages show. Tickets are $12 in advance / $15 at the door and are available here.
"Hit Girls" book at the Athens-Clarke County Library
Author Jen B. Larson in discussion with special guest Vanessa Briscoe Hay (Pylon and Pylon Reenactment Society) on July 20th at 5:00 PM. Books will be available for purchase.
Think punk was only a boys club? Read about the women who were the punk revolution!
Women have been kicking against the music patriarchy since Sister Rosetta Tharpe first played the guitar riffs that built rock-n-roll. The explosion of punk sent shockwaves of revolution to every girl who dreamed of being on stage. Punk godmothers Suzy Quatro, The Runaways, Patti Smith, Poison Ivy, Tina Weymouth, Debbie Harry, The Go-Gos, and Fanny’s Millington sisters provided the template for thousands of girls and women throughout the United States to write and record their songs.
"Hit Girls" is the story of local and regional bands whose legacy would be otherwise lost. Despite the modern narrative labeling women as anomalies in rock music, the truth is: women played important roles in punk and its related genres in every city, in every scene, all over the United States. The women and bands profiled by Jen B. share their experiences of sexism and racism as well as their joy and successes from their days on stage as they changed what it meant to be in a band. These pioneering women were more than novelty acts or pretty faces--they were fully contributing members and leaders of mixed-gender and all-female bands long before the call for “girls to the front.”
The women of Hit Girls are now rightfully exalted to cult status where their collective achievement is recognized and inspiring to new generations of women rockers. Included are interviews with: Texacala Jones, Stoney Rivera, Mish Bondaj, Alice Bag, Nikki Corvette, Penelope Houston, Vanessa Brisoe Hay, and many other formidable women.
Show at The Earl on September 30
We will be playing at The Earl, 488 Flat Shoals Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA, on Saturday, September 30 along with It's Snakes and Lynx Deluxe.
Tickets are $15 and are available here.
BAND BIOS Pylon Reenactment SocietyMore than a tribute band. Pylon Reenactment Society (PRS) have written new songs with Pylon as their guiding star. PRS have delighted old Pylon fans while making new ones. The band features original Pylon vocalist Vanessa Briscoe Hay, guitarist Jason NeSmith, bassist Kay Stanton and drummer Gregory Sanders.
PRS formed in 2014 to perform Pylon songs for the art retrospective Art Rocks Athens. Vanessa decided to call the project Pylon Reenactment Society to differentiate the band from Pylon. The show was enthusiastically received and they were invited back in 2015. With the surviving Pylon members’ blessings, Pylon Reenactment Society became a real band. What started as a one-off project has since made an international splash, wowing both long-time fans who thought they would never get to see this music performed live as well as younger fans who have just discovered Pylon.
It's SnakesStarting in early 2015, singer Hope Nicholls took tentative steps in the daunting shoes of Phil Collins and Levon Helms, attempting to keep the beat on drums while crooning. The former vocalist for 80’s college rock main-stays Fetchin Bones, 90’s pissed-off Sugarsmack and 2000’s secret Snagglepuss hit the skins with a vengeance and zero shites given. Aaron Pitkin added his signature riffage: It’s Snakes marked his return to guitar, a first since the ‘Bones epoch. Long time collaborator Darrin Gray (bass) and fellow member of Snagglepuss coached Nicholls on drumming and believed it just might work. Guitarist Greg Walsh believed as well and the dream was real.
Nicholls took the name It’s Snakes from a Lynda Barry comic strip that featured a nonchalant retail encounter with Medusa, legendary snake goddess and first female super villain.
Lynx DeluxeLynx Deluxe was founded in 2020, in the midst of the pandemic. The band's first EP, "Jungleland," was released in 2021 and shortly thereafter, Lynx Deluxe's debut performance was at Atlanta's Coca-Cola Roxy supporting Drivin N Cryin. In October of 2022, members Andy Browne (The Nightporters), Lucy Theodora (Peppermint Synapse), Brad Mattson (The Phones), Billy Fields (Follow for Now), and Dean Browne (Irrational Velvet) recorded their follow up LP at the historic Capricorn Sound Studios in Macon, GA. The yet to be titled album is currently being mixed in Atlanta, GA by Palmer Wood.
Love.Craft Benefit August 25
We will be playing at Burning Love.Craft at Southern Brewing Company on Friday, August 25, along with The Howdies and The Love.Craft Band.
This is a benefit for Love.Craft Athens whose mission is to educate and integrate by empowering differently abled adults through the creation of art and music.
The art market is at 5 p.m. and the music starts at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for kids and are available here.
PRS at AthFest June 24
PRS will be playing AthFest at the fabulous 40 Watt Club on Saturday, June 24.
The show features Tears for the Dying and Vision Video, as well as DJ dance party sets by Gregory and Adria and Goth Dad and Twin Towers.
Wristbands for access to all club events are available at the AthFest ticketing web site.
Lyric Video for "Read a Book""
Vanessa has created a lyric vidoe for Pylon's song "Read a Book" with lots of images contributed by fans.
You can watch it on YouTube at this link.
Tennessee Shows in June
We'll be playing in Knoxville, TN, at The Pilot Light, 106 E. Jackson Ave., Knoxville, TN, on Friday, June 9. With Dirty Knees and Bark.
Tickets available here.
We'll be playing in Nashville, TN, at The Basement, 1604 8th Avenue South, Suite 330, Nashville, TN, on Saturday, June 10. With Palomina and Thayer Sarrano.
Doors at 7:30 CDT. Music starts at 8:00 CDT. 21+ / under 21 admitted with parent or guardian - both must have a ticket.
Tickets available here.
North Carolina shows in May
We have two shows in North Carolina coming up: Friday, May 5 at the Gas Hill Drinking Room in Winston-Salem, NC and Saturday, May 6 at Snug Harbor in Charlotte, NC. We'll be appearing with It's Snakes and Secret Monkey Weekend.
Tickets for the Gas Hill show are available here.Details and ticket info for the Snug Harbor are here.
PRS "Part Time Punks Session" EP Re-Issue
Chunklet Industries has made a second pressing of our "Part Time Punks Session" EP, this time on blue vinyl released as the "Georgia Goes Blue Limited Edition".
On December 11, 2016, during a short west coast tour, PRS performed for PART TIME PUNKS at the Echoplex. PTP is a monthly event curated and promoted by MICHAEL STOCK, a DJ at KXLU, Los Angeles.
Click here to get this limited edition EP.
January 28 and February 4, 2023 Shows Announced
We've got 2 shows coming up early in 2023. (Happy New Year!)
On Saturday, January 28, 2023, we will be a part of The Bad Ends album release show at the 40 Watt Club in Athens, GA, along with Lo Talker, The Bad Ends, and A D Blanco. $15 in advance. Click here for tickets.
On Saturday, February 4, 2023, we will be playing a show at The Lab at Ciné with special guests Go Public and Tears for the Dying. $10. Click here for more info.
Nuci's Space Benefit "Athens Uncovered Steeple Edition"
On Sunday, November 27, 2022, Pylon Reenactment Society will be closing out the Nuci's Space Benefit "Athens Uncovered Steeple Edition". PRS goes on at 9:15 p.m.
Proceeds from this event go to support Nuci's Space.
This all day festival features 12+ bands, a silent auction, beverages, and food trucks,
If you are planning to go, please click here to RSVP to help Nuci's Space plan for the event.
PRS will be part of the R.E.M. 40th anniversary celebration
On Wednesday, December 14, 2022, Pylon Reenactment Society will be performing 3 songs at the 40 Watt Club in Athens, GA, as part of the 40th anniversary celebration of the release of R.E.M.'s "Chronic Town" LP.
On the next night, Thursday, December 15, 2022, the all-star tribute will be at the Roxy, 800 Battery Ave SE #500, Atlanta, GA 30339.
Proceeds from these event go to support Planned Parenthood.
This tribute concert will feature many luminaries including Chris Robinson and Rich Robinson of the Black Crows, Darius Rucker, John Cameron Mitchell, Fred Armisen, Kevn Kinney, Lenny Kaye, Mitch Easter, Steve Wynn, David Ryan Harris, Elf Power, Pylon Reenactment Society, and more special guests.
For tickets to the Atlanta show, visit the LiveNation site. The show at the 40 Watt is sold out.
Show at Star Bar Saturday, November 12
Pylon Reenactment Society will be performing at Star Community Bar, 437 Moreland Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA. 30307
Also playing are Magnapop, W8ING4UFOS, and We are Magic.
The poster designed by Henry Owings will be for sale at the show with proceeds going to the Star Community Bar legal fund.
Doors 7 p.m. Music 8 p.m.
For more information, visit the Star Community Bar Web site.
Show at Flicker on Friday, October 14
Pylon Reenactment Society will be performing at Flicker Theatre & Bar, 263 W. Washington St. in Athens, GA on Friday, October 24 with Secret Monkey Weekend.
$10. Doors at 8:00 p.m.
Click here to visit Flicker's Web site.
Finster Fest show announced
Pylon Reenactment Society will be performing at Finster Fest in Summerville, GA on Saturday, September 24 at 3:00 p.m. on the Mosaic Garden Stage.
The festival is on Saturday and Sunday, September 24 and 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and features more than 60 artists and crafts people and has musical performances on 3 stages.
Admission is only $5 with children 12 and under admitted free.
Click here for more information..
Show at the 40 Watt Club on August 18, 2022
PRS will be closing out the release party for Squalls Live from the 40 Watt, a double LP from Strolling Bones Records. Also playing are Bob Hay and Wild Jordan Tonk Cats. For info and tickets, visit the 40 Watt Club ticket web site.
Show in Sandy Springs on July 29, 2022
As part of the City Springs concert series, PRS will be opening for The Smithereens, with guest vocalist Marshall Crenshaw,. For info, visit the City Green web site.
AthFest show cancelled
We are so sorry, but we have to cancel our Saturday, June 25, show at the 40 Watt Club due to one of the band members testing positive for covid.
AthFest show announced
Pylon Reenactment Society will be performing at the 40 Watt Club on Saturday, June 25 as part of the AthFest Music & Arts Festival. Door opens at 9 pm. The Woggles play at 10 pm, PRS plays at 11 pm, and Maserati plays at 12:15 am.
Click here for ticket information..
New "Chomp" T-shirt available for pre-order from New West Records
Pylon Reenactment Society will be performing Chomp in its entirety at their upcoming show at Savannah Stopover.
To celebrate, pre-order the brand new, limited edition Chomp shirt today at New West Records online store.
New Song and Video Released "Compression"
Wild Rumpus is an annual Halloween event in Athens, GA that usually includes a huge costume parade and multi concerts. Due to the pandemic, Timi Conley, organizer for wildrumpus.org, shifted the festivities to an online Halloween Special with 30+ acts — including Cindy Wilson and her son Nolan Bennett. “Rumpusing” in place was encouraged. When invited to perform at a local taping for the show, Pylon Reenactment Society decided to make a video instead using an unreleased song they had previously recorded with the help of Josiah Mazzaschi at the Cave in LA for KXLU’s long running show Part Time Punks. Filmmaker Dan Aguar gathered a local team to help realize Vanessa Briscoe Hay’s homage to one of her favorite directors, David Lynch. Kay Stanton’s bouncy bass and Joe Rowe’s driving percussion relentlessly set the pace for Jason NeSmith’s angular guitar lines that are sprinkled with otherworldly keyboard sounds by Damon Denton. Vanessa coos space-time continuum inspired lyrics to her vehicle’s passengers until the song builds into a musing on life and asks them to “just shut up.”
Video on YouTube
Song on Bandcamp
Shirts now available at Bandcamp
Adult unisex white star design T-shirt and Woman's tank-top. Designed by Pylon bassist Michael Lachowski. Printed at Shirtworks in Athens, GA.
For more information, click here.
"Messenger" Video Released
Tony Brazier, videographer for the upcoming documentary “Athens, GA... 30 Years On,” filmed a PRS performance in Athens, GA and has created a video for our new single "Messenger". Click here to watch it now.
New Single Out Now!
2018 found PRS writing new material. Jason NeSmith recorded and mixed two of these new songs in his private studio. He then mastered them at Chase Park Transduction Studios. Adam Smith cut the acetate in Austin, Texas and the single is being pressed at Musicol in Ohio. The single is “Messenger / Cliff Notes.” “Messenger” is a mid tempo meditation on love, war and modern communication. “Cliff Notes” immediately jumps out at the listener at breakneck speed. The lyrics mix silly dance moves with anti-racist admonitions for the precipice we find ourselves on today. Graphics were done by Pylon bassist Michael Lachowski utilizing photography by John Boydston.
On November 2, preorders will begin for the new single via Henry Owings’s label Chunklet Industries. The single will be available both digitally and on black, clear and blue vinyl. A limited edition of 50 signed test pressings of this single will be sold at the Athens and Atlanta, GA record release parties.
Pre-orders will go live November 2 via Chunklet on Bandcamp https://chunklet.bandcamp.com/album/messenger-b-w-cliff-notes
Executive Production: Henry Owings
Produced: Vanessa Briscoe Hay
Mastered: Jason NeSmith at Chase Park Transduction Studios, Athens, GA
Lacquers: Adam Smith
Pressed: Musicol, Columbus, OH
Graphics: Michael Lachowski
Photos: John Boydston
Distribution: Chunklet Industries via Bandcamp & Revolver Midheaven/USA
All songs written by Pylon Reenactment Society (Briscoe Hay/Denton/NeSmtih/Rowe/Stanton) BMI © 2018 All rights reserved.
Media Relations: Michelle Roche
Thank you everyone!
Why does the music of Pylon still have such appeal to all ages and types of people? Vanessa Hay and the musicians in the Pylon Reenactment Society — guitarist Jason NeSmith, bassist Kay Stanton, keyboardist Damon Denton and drummer Joe Rowe — give muscle to Pylon’s compositions, and Hay’s singing remains as tart and original as ever. Pylon’s musical reputation has grown steadily since 1979, which Hay chalks up to, among other things, the universal appeal of music that compels movement. “I think it still sounds fresh because of what it is, and I think it’s danceable,” she says.
- Edd Hurt, Pylon Reenactment Society Carries the Flame for Athens Post-Punk Legends, Nashville Scene, March 1, 2018
In the fertile art-rock scene of Athens, Georgia, in the early eighties, the band to beat was Pylon, a post-punk quartet that front-loaded ominous, danceable bass lines and the screech of the magnetic singer Vanessa Briscoe. As its peers went on to grander stages, Pylon disbanded, in 1983, choosing cult status over a chance to accompany U2 on their first U.S. stadium tour. After a series of reunions, the band closed shop in 2009, upon the death of its guitarist lodestar, Randy Bewley. Pylon Reenactment Society is at once a tribute and a spinoff, with the singer (now Vanessa Briscoe Hay) energetically backed by tasteful musicians from Athens present.
- Jay Ruttenberg, Goings On About Town, The New Yorker, July 1, 2018
Photo by Jim Leatherman http://jimleatherman.com/