Batman furrows his brow in concentration while the deep groove of his bass-line rings out. Next to him, Cowboy Barbie is adjusting his blonde wig before he grabs his mic to sing harmony alongside the throaty vocals of the pirate lead singer. Despite the mask from his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle costume covering almost the entirety of his face, the drummer has no trouble laying down a beat that fuels the band’s high-energy, punchy pop rock songs. It’s the Saturday before Halloween; the members of Heffner came dressed for the occasion and ready to have fun.
Lead guitarist Lars Hefner (left) and vocalist Reagan Byrd shared a moment at Trashfest. (Photo/Izzy Wagner)
Heffner has a carefree energy. Their sound is simultaneously chaotic and refined, making them a popular act around Athens. Tonight, they are headlining the second annual “Trashfest” in celebration of the release of their third studio album “Super Bowl XLIX.” While last year’s festival took place at the 40 Watt Club, this year they packed a big enough crowd to upsize to a larger venue: the Georgia Theatre. The night has been long, starting at 8 p.m. with Sex Cell, followed by subsequent openers Secondhand Sound, T. Hardy Morris, Shane T., Commune, and Girlpuppy to round out a versatile group of local talent. Many familiar faces from the local Athens rock scene appear both onstage and in the crowd; the fest is clearly a celebration among friends.
Vocalist Reagan Byrd lays his head on guitarist Lars Hefner’s shoulder, belting out lyrics while Hefner hammers out a clean riff on his shiny orange Gretsch. From their playful stage presence, it’s evident that camaraderie is the crux on which the band has built itself. Lars and his brother Will Hefner, who plays drums, are the band’s namesake. In 2018, they joined forces with Byrd who had been making music with Taylor Cotton, a childhood friend, and McKendrick Bearden, who worked at a restaurant with Byrd and Cotton. The fivesome quickly became close friends, bonding over their shared love of rock music.
The bright opening chords of “Tommy” ring out and are followed by Byrd’s tongue-in-cheek lyrics: “Tommy bought another hot rod / you can’t convince me that he’s not God.” The words are earnest, vulnerable, even; yet they are carried by an upbeat tune that leads the crowd into joyful sways and cheers. According to an Instagram post, “Tommy” deals with themes of imposter syndrome and insecurity, but Byrd’s nasally vocal delivery paired with a cheerful chord progression make for a danceable, lighthearted song. They take on a similar style to the classic rock bands that preceded them, such as Jimmy Eat World and Fountains of Wayne, touching on intimate topics in their lyricism while the backing melodies remain catchy and fun.
Halloween celebrations were in full swing on this night in October. (Photo/Izzy Wagner)
Despite being rock and roll lovers at their core, Heffner’s sound is infused with a wide range of musical influences. From Porches to Toro y Moi to Animal Collective, “Super Bowl XLIX” was inspired by everything from bedroom pop to classic R&B. The result is a versatile collection of songs. In “Rainstick Intro,” a Tame Impala-esque synth reverberates behind the echoing spoken words “it’s time to get high.” The short song then transitions into a stripped-down intro to “I Hate The Light Through The Window,” a raw, emotionally-charged ballad. The live performance of these songs accentuates their contrast and Heffner’s versatility; the crowd goes from smiles and swaying to a hushed focus on Byrd and his guitar as he sings softly “I don't wanna get really high / and play my guitar in front of you / I don't wanna write you this song / but I do tons of things I don't wanna do.”
Having just been released the day before the show, the music is received by an observant audience that nods their heads along silently, absorbing the music rather than shouting back the words. Aside from a man in a shark costume jeering and pushing towards the barricade, there are no mosh pits or violent headbangers. Some crowd members appear tired, perhaps from the Wild Rumpus parade that made its way through downtown before the show. But whether or not the show’s turnout satisfied the band’s hopes, they do not seem to care. They play for one another and for their friends, refusing to take themselves too seriously.
While they aren’t exactly subverting the alt-rock scene in Athens, Heffner brings a classic, raunchy sound that continues to grow in a college town that loves its local musicians almost as much as its first-place football team. The music lovers and partygoers gathering in the name of celebration at Trashfest keep Athens’ rich music scene alive by supporting growing acts like Heffner.
At the end of the show, the sweaty band members have taken off their costumes and stripped off various layers of clothing. The crowd raises their drinks, cheering and clapping at a show well done. But it wouldn’t make a difference if the crowd were even there at all. The men on stage are content playing their hearts out only for each other. Trashfest is the celebration of an album’s debut, but for Heffner it’s just one big party among friends.
By: Izzy Wagner
*This was written October of 2023*
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