Original Pylon vocalist to perform band's 1980 debut album in concert return

2020 was a landmark year for pioneering Athens band Pylon. In September, they were among the 10 inductees for the inaugural class of the Athens Music Walk of Fame, and their plaque was the first to be installed downtown. In early November, a career-spanning box set of their music was released.

It would've been the perfect time for the Pylon Reenactment Society (PRS), a group formed in 2014 featuring original vocalist Vanessa Briscoe Hay, to get out and play some shows. COVID-19 got in the way of that, but fans will finally be able to catch them Friday at Southern Brewing Company on a double bill with Elf Power.

PRS will be performing Pylon's 1980 debut album, "Gyrate" in its entirety, along with selections from the Pylon catalog. The four-piece lineup includes Hay on vocals, bassist Kay Stanton, guitarist Jason NeSmith and Gregory Sanders on drums. It will be the first show for PRS since their Feb. 28, 2020, gig at The Foundry with Vision Video.

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"We had an entire tour booked for 2020, but we had to put the brakes on for the greater good," Hay told the Banner-Herald. "We're all grown-ups, so we're used to being disappointed, but it was disappointing to do all that work only to have the tour not happen."

Between doing press for the Pylon box set and a steady creative output that includes writing, drawing and painting, Hay kept busy during the 18 months away from live music, and remained in touch with her bandmates. With all members fully vaccinated, PRS reconvened for rehearsals two months ago, and booked Southern Brewing Company because it is an outdoor venue.

Fellow Athens Walk of Famers Elf Power, who were inducted in 2020 as members of the Elephant 6 collective, recently performed at the venue during last month's September Days Fest. Lead singer and guitarist Andrew Rieger told the Banner-Herald that he is excited to share a bill with PRS for the first time.

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"Elf Power and Pylon played together twice I believe, once at the 40 Watt for a New Year's Eve show and once on the outdoor stage at Athfest," said Rieger. "(PRS) really do an amazing job of keeping the Pylon catalog alive, while adding new flourishes and unique touches that keep the songs sounding fresh."

The original incarnation of Pylon was formed in 1978 by University of Georgia art students Randy Bewley and Michael Lachowski, who added Curtis Crowe and Hay before playing their first show early the following year. Described by Hay as an "art project," Pylon disbanded in 1983 and enjoyed two reunion periods before Bewley's passing in 2009.

Friday will mark the first time PRS has performed an entire Pylon album live. Though Hay and her bandmates had to get reacquianted with songs like "Read a Book" and "Weather Radio" in preparation for Friday's concert, PRS remains true to the "art project" roots of the Pylon experience.

"PRS isn't a tribute band. I'm the original singer and I'm in it," said Hay. "These won't be note-for-note renditions of the songs. We will be in the moment and we will play according to how we feel."

Tickets for the all-ages Pylon Reenactment Society/Elf Power concert can be purchased at eventbrite.com/e/pylon-reenactment-society-elf-power-special-double-bill-tickets-168742215509 or through the calendar at sobrewco.com.