Music News & Gossip
Threats & Promises
Music News And Gossip
originally published November 9, 2005
So this is one of the weeks when the news piles up like a snowdrift against the front stoop. Not that that's ever happened to me, but you get the idea. Anyway, dig yourself out below…
Randall Bramblett
Another Benefit Coming At You: Lest anyone forget that there was some major shit going down in New Orleans in particular and the Gulf Coast region at large a few months ago, there's an all-star show this week to remind you. Voice of the Wetlands and the Georgia Theatre have joined forces to host a benefit show for the victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita on Wednesday, Nov. 9. The price is $10 dollars and the show will feature Chubby Carrier, Randall Bramblett, The Normaltown Flyers, Jason Fuller and Tishamingo, among others. Voice Of The Wetlands began as an organization that brought attention to the specific environmental problems of Louisiana's barrier islands and wetlands, but has shifted its focus to hurricane relief for the time being.
Legal Buzz: Local band Television Buzz has found itself entangled in a lawsuit with the manufacturer of its latest EP Treasure Chest. While the band is unable to provide specific details pending the suit's outcome, the rough version is that a series of communication errors and factory mishaps have not only left Television Buzz without a current record to sell, but have also left the band without legal means to seek a new manufacturer until this dispute is resolved. The group is plowing forward, though, with plans to begin work on a new full-length release in January, 2006. The band's final show for the year will happen Dec. 17 at Atlanta's Masquerade as part of a Toys For Tots Benefit.
Ten Years Have Got Behind Us: It's hard to believe, but this next summer will mean that AthFest is now a full 10 years old. The event, which will take place June 22—25, 2006, seemed in its early years ineffectual at best and outright silly at worst. After undergoing some growing pains, however, AthFest has turned into one of the biggest and best annual draws to Athens. The 2006 festival is open to sponsorship as of now - interested parties should email ads@flagpole.com - but bands need to wait a little while before submitting anything for the performance slots. Keep your eyes coming back to this page for updates. I haven't let you down yet, have I?
Nom de Rocque: Looks like Murder Beach's sophomore album won't be called Song of Our Music anymore; word is the band has decided to go with the title Vacation Corps. No news as to when the disc'll be released, but a few newer tracks are available at www.murderbeach.com.
And It's Free, Too: Local band Psychic Hearts is currently undergoing a fairly radical transformation while also enjoying some exciting developments. The group's traveling companion and lighting technician Sam Lane has formed the company White Like a Raygun, which will serve not only as the band's label, but also, potentially, as a local promoter of live shows for traveling bands. "He's putting together this label with the first ambition being to put out our record. He'll basically provide the opportunity for us to make a record better than we can make on our own," says bandmember Matthew Rain. In other news, Psychic Hearts is playing its last live show of the year on Thursday, Nov. 10 at the Caledonia Lounge with Snowden and Twin Powers. It will also be the last show with member Nico Cashin playing bass guitar. After that, the band is giving up the bass guitar altogether and will be a trio with drums, guitar and Cashin taking up keyboard duties full-time. The band is looking at several studios to record its upcoming full-length release, tentatively slated for next spring.
The Best Records To Ever Enter This Building: Even if late-night dancing has never really been your thing, you may want to head over to the Go Bar on Friday, Nov. 18 when DJs Kurtwood & Grrtch will spin from their enormous collection. I dare say that Kurt Wood has been collecting records longer than most patrons of the Go Bar have been alive, and I know his taste to be impeccable. Also on the bill is Fabulous Bird, a fast favorite of many folks.
Just In Time For Winter: Longtime Athens resident Paul Thomas has announced that his X-Ray Café on Washington Street has undergone an "amazing transformation" and is ready to resume hosting its regular experimental music and art happenings soon. Now restocked with a bunch of unique merchandise, the X-Ray has proven itself to be a valuable member of the Athens music scene over the past several years. Thomas, an artist and musician in his own right, has been involved in the Athens scene for more than 20 years and shows at the X-Ray tend to be very much like the way it was in the old days. That is to say they're exciting, enormously creative and nearly devoid of any typical music scene trappings. Interested artists and musicians should stop by between 1 p.m. and 10 p.m. to secure booking.
Yes, With A "K": Southern Bitch frontman Adam Musick hunkered down at Chase Park recently to record material for an upcoming solo album, as of yet untitled. Session players included Fabulous Bird's Peter Alvanos on drums, The Chasers' Marcus Thompson on guitar and Chuck Bradburn of Southern Bitch, Echo Canyon and Pig Iron on bass. A number of special guests plan to put in appearances. Expect the album next year sometime.
How Many Bands Is The Law Gonna Shackle?: Although its name has an air of blatant illegality about it, local band Heist is involved in a legal dispute surrounding its newly recorded EP. The group says the issue concerns copyright issues, but can't give up too many details. To solve this problem - at least partially - local engineer Asa Leffer will record the band's Tuesday, Nov. 22 show at Tasty World, for release as an EP. Heist plans to spend a couple of days with Leffer in his Downtown Athens Recording Company studio in December. Heist also recently had some photos taken by New Orleans photographer Blaine Capone, who was forced to split his hometown during the recent troubles in the region.
It's Getting Bitter All The Time: Local band A Bitter Fight Against Nothing has a solid holiday season coming up. Its debut EP, recorded at Pig Pen Studios and titled Put Down Your Guns, was funded with money the band won through this past summer's "Bitter Tuesdays" concert series and it has secured national major-chain retail distribution for the record. Of course, this still means that the stores have to actually order the record, but at least they have the option to do so. For high-tech types, the EP will be available for download on iTunes as of Tuesday, Dec. 18. Featuring cover art from Flagpole comic artist Joe Havasy, Put Down Your Guns will be released locally via a show at the Georgia Theatre on Dec. 15 when the band will play with The Dictatortots and Tristan & Isolde. For those who don't want to wait that long to catch the band live, A Bitter Fight Against Nothing also plays the Caledonia Lounge on Saturday, Nov. 12.
All right now. I know it's getting cold out there, but keep your news coming in and we'll be sure to spread it as wide as possible. Remember to always mention my name or Threats & Promises in the subject line of all emails. I know I'll never love this way again via email to music@flagpole.com, voicemail at 549-9523, ext. 203, or by post at P.O. Box 1027, Athens, GA 30603.
Gordon Lamb
Gordon Lamb
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Threats & Promises
Music News And Gossip
originally published November 2, 2005
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