Greenville Scene

NOEL THRASHER

Band Name: Noel Thrasher

Band members and the instruments you play: Noel Thrasher - vocals and guitar

How long have you been playing? Have you or are you currently playing in any other bands? I’ve been playing guitar for almost 4 years and I’ve been writing songs since I was two. When I was growing up I was in a “band” with my dad called BFF (Best Friends Forever), some of the greatest harmonies of the 20th century. I used to be in a band called Super Baby Star where a bunch of friends and I got together and had fun and made music.

What genre would you consider your music? I suppose most of it’s considered folk.

Who/what are your main influences? When I was growing up I always loved and listened to Bob Dylan and Niel Young. As I got older I got into different singer/songwriters like Leonard Cohen, Towns Van Zant, Elliott Smith and Vashti Bunyon.

What are you pursuing right now? I already have a good bit of songs recorded but I’d like to re-record them and put out a little album. I also would like more shows in-town and out.

What is your goal or philosophy as an artist? I guess I’d just like to communicate with people and have a positive impact on the lives of others.

Do you have an album for sale? I have a CDR anyone can buy. Just contact me on myspace and I’ll send you one.

Any shows coming up? I have a show in early November at Coffee Underground. But if anyone would like to know about other shows if/when they appear, they can look at my silly myspace.

Website: myspace.com/noelthrasherisagirl

Denison Witmer is a singer-songwriter from Lancaster/Philadelpha, PA. Mark your calendars for September 29th as Greenville Scene Presents Denison Witmer w/ Marla Hansen live at The Hendrix Center at Clemson University. The show is free and will begin at 8:30pm.

……………………………….
Denison Witmer
Safe Away

by: Andrew Oberholzer

Serenity is something that every human being seeks on some level or another. Whether it is a quiet weekend get-away with your special someone or a solitary drive through autumnal foliage; it revives us, it makes us feel alive. Safe away is the auditory equivalent of said serenity. It was written and recorded by Denison at the youthful age of 19. This collection of tranquil songs was intended as a personal offering to friends and family. Safe Away is filled with sparse instrumentation that allows for a concentrated focus on the most intimate of lyrics. It is more than an appropriate introduction to the works of Denison Witmer. While no artist is expected to make a masterpiece at such a young age, Safe Away is by no means perfect but it gives the listener true insight into the potential of a gifted songwriter: an artist that is well on his way to carving out his own personalized niche in the wide-world of music.

Sign our e-mail list to be registered to win Denison Witmer’s CD Safe Away which comes with a bonus Are You A Sleeper? EP + Live with Saxon Shore + Bonus tracks. If you have already signed the e-mail list, you’re registered already! (Previously we said that we were giving away the Are You A Dreamer CD, that has been changed to Safe Away.) Deadline is Sept. 23rd for entry, winner announced Sept. 24th.

by: Tiffany Heuser

In recent months, the folks in the Christian music scene have decided to make their stamp on Greenville a little bit bigger. From one teeny coffee shop below ground level have emerged two new Christian venues: The Unknown Venue and The Channel Venue. Each venue is an improvement over their previous home and they boast more impressive surroundings and professional sound systems. Not to mention the capacity to host more popular bands. These venues also have more than just live music in mind.

In a newly renovated building right off Haywood road is The Channel Venue. The Channel have partnered together with Carpenter’s Cellar and One Chord Ministries to be more than just a place for concerts but also Greenville’s first performing arts studio. The Channel provides the live concerts with the Carpenter’s Cellar doing what they did before in providing coffee drinks and light fare. One Chord Ministries is open Monday through Saturday offering classes in dance, drama, and sign language to name a few.

Just two blocks from Main Street is the Unknown Venue. You enter the building through glass doors beneath a bright blue NCAA awning but hanging outside on the painted brick wall is a black and white banner advertising the building’s actual use. While The Unknown Venue may be less impressive at first glance, the music and atmosphere certainly is not. Hosted by The Alternative and run by DJ TMAQ, the main focus is Christian hardcore and hip-hop music. Other happenings will include events such as a Guitar Hero contest and Doomsday, a Halo 2 competition. Furthermore, The Alternative offers weekly band coaching lessons for those up-and-comers that want to improve their sound.

Both venues have full schedules for the upcoming months including concerts, competitions, and classes. Be sure to check out their respective MySpace profiles for more information on Greenville’s new Christian venues.

http://www.myspace.com/thealternativeconcerts

http://www.myspace.com/thechannelvenue