Photos: Holiday Throwdown at Slowdown

Photo by Chris Machian/The World-Herald

Check out a big ol' slideshow from last night's Holiday Throwdown at Slowdown by the OWH's one-and-only Chris Machian.

Laura Burhenn of The Mynabirds got some friends together on Friday night at Slowdown for a little bit of an indie holiday party.

With the stage all decorated in Christmas lights, a tree and a little Santa Claus, the place was downright festive.

Then things kicked off with Rob Walters reading William S. Burroughs' "A Junky's Christmas" while Burhenn played keys in the background. So, you found out what kind of night it would be pretty quickly.

It was kind of an informal setup. Bands (or individuals from those bands) rotated on and off stage with three-or-four-song sets. All Young Girls Are Machine Guns, Honeybee, Bear Counduits (a combo of Bear Country and Conduits), Flowers Forever, the Mynabirds and others were all in and out.

The finale included just about everyone onstage.

My favorite set was that of Jason Meyer-Cusack, of Talking Mountain fame. He sang a few acoustic renditions of his cute-pop Christmas songs and then finished with "The Abominable Abdominal Snowman." The song - about a friend/snowman who just wants to work out - led into a version of the Cuterthans' "My Brother Likes Math," a tune I've always liked but haven't heard in years.

The place was packed in, too. By about 11, there wasn't a lot of room to move.

It was a fun night. I'd love to see it replicated, and not just for Christmas. No reason not to have a little informal sort of showcase night like that every once in awhile.