Local rockers discover musical partnership

Every so often a Dahlonega band comes along that simply must be taken seriously by all who hear it.
This is not that band.
“The charm and attraction of Clique Bait is that we have no idea what we’re doing,” said Carl Jah Haasis with a grin.
His partner in musical crime Jerry Piper laughs and nods in agreement.
“When people ask for Free Bird and Stairway to Heaven, we do it as a polka,” he said. “And they never ask again.”
Don’t be fooled by the nonchalance though. The members of Clique Bait may be winging it, but they’re still experienced professionals.
“We’re great on our instruments but we’re an improvisational band,” said lead guitarist Haasis. Tie a Yellow Ribbon around the Old Oak Tree might have a Rush moment in the middle of it. Or a Metallica moment.”
Piper, who can often be found on the bass or keys, chimes in.
“At any moment we take off and take a left turn,” he said.
They also take requests.
All requests.
“If you want to hear a song just yell it out,” said Piper. “We’ll play a song that may be a little out of our range but you asked for it.”
So what’s the craziest request they’ve ever heard?
“Well somebody wanted to take the tip jar,” cracked Haasis. “And we said you can’t do that.”
Piper thought about it and said they often hear requests for something called “Far and Away.” Then he added it might not be an actual song.
“I don’t know that song,” he said. “I just think they want us to play far and away from them.”
From the improv-friendly banter it’s apparent that Haasis and Piper are used to playing off each other, with or without instruments.  And that’s exactly what Clique Bait is known for.

MUSIC MAKERS

Both Haasis and Piper bring a lifetime of musical experience to their newest project.
When asked to list all his previous bands, Haasis hesitates for a moment.
“All the bands?” he said before rattling them off in chronological order.
“… The first band I was ever in was called Kick. Then I was in Fabulous Cyclones which turned into The Cyclones which turned into The Item which turned into a solo thing called Guitardom, and that turned into Even Odd and that turned into Dred Zeppelin and that turned into Keep and that turned into Jurassic Party and that turned into Shocking Violet and then Clique Bait.”
Those who were frequenting the smoky Atlanta club scene in the 90s will be familiar with Dred Zeppelin, a rasta-style Led Zeppelin cover band that gained a sizable following.
Nowadays, Haasis can be found playing in a church band at Chestatee Worship Center with Tommy Pirone and Jonathan Benton.
When it comes to rock résumés, Piper saves time by providing his own printed out musical history. It’s a list that includes performances alongside Kenny Rogers, Tony Bennett, Big Al Downing, Kitty Wells and The Drifters among many others.
He also recorded at the Power Station in New York City, a renowned studio started by Tony Bongiovi (cousin of Jon Bon Jovi).
He originally got his start as a violin major on a full scholarship to Ohio State University.
“And then I got drafted into the Army so I ended up being a violinist playing parties at the White House, the State Department and stuff like that. So that’s what I did in the Army,” he said.
So which president did he play for?
“Ahh if you say it people will think ‘Hey this guy’s ancient, he shouldn’t be alive,’” joked Piper before admitting it was during the Nixon administration. “… It was right during Watergate.”
Sure Haasis and Piper are technically nearing retirement age, but they’re proving that age doesn’t apply to rock-and-roll. Or even the occasional rock-and-roll polka.

DAD JOKE JAMS

It was back in 2008 when Haasis and his wife Shana first moved to Dahlonega and eventually started a record store called Heartbreak Vintage Vinyl. It shifted from a South Chestatee store front to its current location at Antiques & Collectibles on East Main Street.
Piper just happened to be a neighboring vender at that same mall. The pair soon struck up a friendship that turned into a musical partnership.
After working on Wall Street, Piper and his wife Rita moved to Dahlonega in 2015. Once he arrived in town he was hoping to bring his musical talents to the local stage, but couldn’t quite find a spot.
That is until he met local business owner Deb Rowe.
“Not one person would give me the time of day,” he said. “Except Shenanigans.”
Rowe is glad she did, since Piper has filled in as a musical act at the downtown pub whenever needed.
“I have a great affinity for Jerry Piper,” Rowe said. “And I think he’s fantastic about working a crowd. He’s super professional and you can tell he’s really passionate about entertainment.”
When Piper and Haasis formed Clique Bait in 2021, it was a natural fit for the friendly downtown pub.
“It’s well done music and then there’s the way they incorporate every dad joke they can think of into it,” Rowe said with a laugh. “I find it wildly entertaining.”
If you’re hoping to experience that entertainment in person you can catch Clique Bait’s next act on January 20 at Shenanigans. Or check in at jerrypiper.com for updates.
So what’s next for Clique Bait?
Piper is thinking weddings. Haasis just likes to jam. But one thing’s for certain. Retirement isn’t a option.
“We’re keeping live music alive,” said Haasis.
And that’s some serious business, in the least serious way possible.