In the early 1980s, Athens, Ga., had a thriving music scene. Bands such as Pylon, B-52s and especially R.E.M. marked the Southern college town -- home to the University of Georgia -- as an innovative center of alternative music.
Then there was Widespread Panic, which plays the Chevrolet Amphitheatre in Station Square Wednesday.
Although keyboardist John "Jo Jo" Herman wasn't a member of the band then, he says. Widespread didn't really fit in with the jangly guitar sound that was prevalent.
"Historically, at the time the band came out in '84, '85, what they were doing was against the grain," he says.
But look who is still standing. Except for R.E.M., most of the Athens-based bands have either dissolved or don't have the national stage anymore. Widespread Panic, on the other hand, is thriving even though the band decided not to perform any dates in 2004.
"It's by far the longest time we've ever taken off," says Herman, who joined the group in 1992.
The hiatus was necessary. After the death of guitarist Mike Houser from cancer in 2002, the band spent most of 2003 on the road. Last year was necessary to recharge batteries that had been in use almost constantly for almost two decades.
"There were times we were on the road for six months straight," Herman says.
A year off, Herman says, has not hurt the band as far as exposure goes.
What's different is the tone and sound of the music. George McConnell, who filled in for Houser during the periods he was too ill to perform, is now a full-time member.
"It's a different band now, and it's a different style," Herman says. "Mikey had his own style, and there's just no way to duplicate that. We couldn't find a way to play like Mikey. We've known George a long time, so we never said let's hold auditions, we never went kind of that route. We just decided to go with a different sound."
Last year Widespread's label, Sanctuary Records, released three live CDs; a fourth, "Live at Myrtle Beach," was issued earlier this year.
If that's not enough, the band also makes available a free, weekly download at its Web site, www.widespreadpanic.com , and sells complete shows at www.livewidespreadpanic.com .
"Inevitably, this is all there will be," Herman says. "We'll still do studio records, but I think studio records will be more like posters where they just become promotional tools. We'll do them as art, too, but I think inevitably all bands will be selling their stuff over the Net, and record companies will basically be reduced to Top 40, country, rap and stuff like that. I recommend all rock 'n' roll bands learn to sell their stuff over the Net. ... I think it's a transition, that for us, has been inevitable." Additional Information:
Details
Widespread PanicWhen: 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Admission: $28.50.
Where: Chevrolet Amphitheatre, Station Square.
Details: 412-323-1919, belkinproductions.com .
