And Friends

originally published April 4, 2007

And Friends has no club shows currently scheduled but is playing on Tuesday, Apr. 17 at an undisclosed local underground venue.

And Friends, like so many bands in Athens, started out with a couple of kids who had similar musical interests and decided to create something of their own from that vein of music.

And Friends is made up local solo performer Enoch on rhythm guitar and vocals, Matt Kurz (of The Matt Kurz One and Bomb the Music Industry!) on drums, Ryan Vogel (A Soft Perversion) on bass and keyboard, Amy Morris on lead guitar and Rick Young and Danny Gorbachev (both of Slobberdawn) on percussion. According to the band, Enoch and Matt met in a Christian chat room and Ryan and Amy met at an Allison Weiss show; they got together and what they came up with was And Friends. Comparisons to Hum and Sonic Youth and other early-'90s alt-laced noise rock aren't too far off-base for the band's live show. But when it comes to defining the group's musical style, you make that call.

Earlier this spring, the band played a show at the Caledonia with Slobberdawn, Pegasuses-XL and Like Totally, which rocked off more than a few faces. Flagpole sat down with the kids from And Friends and was silently judged.

Flagpole

How would you describe your style of music; what genres do you think you fit into?

And Friends

We don't know how to answer this question seriously. Come to a show and make that judgment for yourself. We can't define ourselves, man.

Flagpole

WUOG 90.5 FM or Hot 100.7 FM?

And Friends

If 100.7 were a little more consistent, we would choose them. So I guess we are relegated to WUOG.

Flagpole

What other Athens bands are you digging right now?AF: Psychic Hearts. The Shark. Allison Weiss.

Flagpole

What would you say are some random sources of inspiration?

Amy Morris

Albert Hoffman.

Enoch

Sting.

Matt Kurz

Sting.

Matt Kurz

Art Vandelay.

Ryan Vogel

Nietzsche and Greenwood.

Flagpole

Favorite Beatles song?

And Friends

That's an unfair question, but we'd have to say the entire B-side of Abbey Road. "You Never Give Me My Money" through "The End."

Flagpole

Is there an EP or CD in the works?

And Friends

7". Be on the lookout.

Flagpole

Any upcoming shows set?

And Friends

[Maybe] Nuçi's Space with Slobberdawn, soon. AthFest!

Flagpole

Wikipedia: friend or foe?

Matt Kurz

Well, Wikipedia was the first "source" to report on Anna Nicole Smith's death.

And Friends

Definitely friend.

Charley Lee

Spotlight is a biweekly feature looking at newer or emerging local acts.