Julie Phillips,

Arts & Entertainment Editor

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I mean that literally.

There are plans and then there’s what happens. My brain is rattled and my voice is hoarse. I have a low-grade headache and a nap is in my immediate future.

The Melting Point wasn’t in the cards last night, and no regrets. Leaving out extraneous details, there’s this that I re-discovered last night. Rock music is something that’s either embraced or embodied. Last night I witnessed the latter. Twice.

Pegauses XL, a band whose irreverence and ability not to take itself too seriously is found in its name (Pegasus plural), consists of three keyboardists and a drummer (though they happily throw in guitars as well). It’s a fearless, punk rock jubilance culled, I found out when I interviewed them, from coffee-house philosophizing. I adored these guys and their music before I saw them live. Last night’s 40 Watt show took that up to devotion. The band’s positive energy and openness was best displayed when member Joel Hatstat hoisted visiting guitarist Jayce (not sure of spelling) on his shoulders and carried him through the rest of the song. I’ve seen a lot of rock show antics in my life, but I think that tops it. I was smiling for hours.

Which was good, because the next few were a battle against impending sleepiness, though I had this feeling there was one more good show to be had. Hayridewas playing at the Caledonia.

If there’s a better rock band in Athens, I don’t know who it is. Sweet, sweet Hayride, you unpretentious, no-nonsense ROCK ‘N’ ROLL GODS. The power trio of Nick Bielli (bass, vocals), Kevin Sweeney (guitar, vocals), and Mark Brill (drums) are as tight and intricate and varied and rocking as any band you’ll ever hear. It’s a travesty that more people weren’t filling the Caledonia for that show, but they didn’t care. And as my friend, the mythical John Barner, said after the show — THAT was the show to see at AthFest this weekend.

It was. My ears are still ringing with the rock.