Threats & Promises

Music News And Gossip

originally published January 25, 2006

Well, now we find ourselves all ready for another episode of who-did-what and what’s-gonna-happen. Isn’t this the best part of your week? I know it’s mine. Anyway, here we go…

Listen Up: The listening party for the posthumous solo album by late-Widespread Panic guitarist-vocalist Michael Houser is being hosted at Smith’s Olde Bar in Atlanta. Taking place Wednesday, Jan. 25 (it’s available in stores the day before), the event will feature no live music, but Houser’s album Sandbox will play over the PA for the night and CDs and posters are going to be available for purchase. Houser recorded the material in his home studio between the fall of 2001 and spring of 2002. Much loved by fans, family and friends, Houser passed away due to pancreatic cancer in August of 2002. Sandbox, with its heartbreaking, intimate lyrics, is something of a love letter to those he knew he would leave behind. You owe it to yourself to take a listen to Sandbox; flip to p. 31 in this issue to read a review of the new disc.

Get Filmed On The Cheap: The folks over at local film company Fossil Lip Productions have devised what looks like a catch-free and very attractive offer for local bands. Basically, what they want to do is shoot your band for free. Anyone that wants to contact them to set this up can have them come out to one of your local shows, film a few songs and then they’ll give you a DVD copy of both the raw and edited footage. All you pay for is the cost of the actual tapes - all the other work, including a two-man camera crew, comes at no charge. Currently operating out of the old Red & Black building at 123 N. Jackson Street, the company is willing to do this simply to spread word-of-mouth and to help out the music community here in Athens. Interested parties should contact Leeman LeClair at leeman7272@yahoo.com or call 461-4300.

Old Songs, New Discs: This week sees two release shows for two Athens acts who’ve been on the scene for a good long while and have also taken a good long while to put out any official recordings. First up is Jay Markwalter. The local talent manager, booking agent and musician performs at the Georgia Theatre on Friday, Jan. 27, opening up for Stewart & Winfield. He’s got a new disc coming out called Downtime, a collection of roots-rock songs written between 1994 and 2004. Markwalter regularly performs his tasteful acoustic Americana songs solo, but finds collaborators on the album in A.J. Adams, Carlton Owens, Stewart Marshall and Julia Schoenning. Secondly, we’ve got the local hip hop-rock fusion act eLeMeN.O.P., which after extensive recording and production time, is dropping the debut full-length The Element of Progression. Combining forward-thinking rhymes with hard-hitting, Rage Against the Machine-type sounds, the band’s celebrating the release with a show at Nuçi’s Space on Saturday, Jan. 28. The Renegadez and Tresor Hugo open.

Check Your Head: Nuçi’s Space will host the music portion of this year’s Mental Health Benefit. This annual event, which is as integral to the yearly event calendar in Athens as the Boybutante Ball and the Human Rights Festival, has seen local heroes Five Eight play the music portion every single year. This year is no different as the band will play along with other local artists Hope For Agoldensummer, Some Animal and Heros Severum. The show takes place Thursday, Feb. 9. Please support this most worthy cause.

A percentage of the proceeds from the Modern Skirts/ Trances Arc/ Noises 10 show on Friday, Jan. 27 at the 40 Watt Club will go to UGA’s Dance Marathon, the large philanthropic organization which benefits Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Tickets cost $6 in advance, $8 at the door and are available online at Athensmusic.net and in the real world at SchoolKids Records, Junkman’s Daughter’s Brother and Low Yo-Yo Stuff Records.

Better Late Than Never: I mentioned this a few weeks ago on this page, but I wanted to give it one more shot. Local publicist Michelle Roche, of Roche Media Relations, is teaching a seven-week course on publicity in the music industry at UGA’s Georgia Center for Continuing Education. Although classes began on Monday, Jan. 23, there’s still a chance for latecomers to register. Official registration closed on Jan. 20, but if you ask real nicely, maybe they’ll let you in. Please see www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/ppd for all relevant information. Also, if you’re in a band that would like to submit materials for potential use in a class project, please contact Roche directly at michelle@michelleroche.com.

Exactly How Big Is An Assload?: Holy crap, the guys at Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records are staying busy! In addition to gearing up to start their 2006 Singles Club - that’s 7” vinyl singles folks - featuring a killer lineup of bands (including Apples in Stereo, All Girl Summer Fun Band, Bunnygrunt, The Marbles, 63 Crayons and Cars Can Be Blue), they’re also working on a series of out-of-print albums by Athens bands to be reissued by the label. So far they haven’t announced any titles, but I’m drooling with anticipation over this announcement. You should be, too.

Big Times: Local artist Kalen Nash is about to start his latest tour, only this time things will be a little sweeter for the man. Miller Lite and Oakley Sunglasses have signed on as tour sponsors, and Nash is fairly stoked over the development. Fans will want to make sure not to miss his appearance at the Georgia Theatre on Thursday, Feb. 9, when he will shoot his first music video. Nash, a former member of duo Gabriel Young, won’t be sticking around Athens as soon as he makes the big money, though. He recently remarked to student paper The Red & Black, “When I settle down, I don’t see myself in Athens.” So, if this is your bag, catch him while you can.

Well, You’ve Heard of Them Now: Athens band Beyond Tomorrow won a contest sponsored by Atlanta radio station Star 94 and got to open up the big-ass Bon Jovi concert last week at Atlanta’s Philips Arena. The band, which is at its best when it rocks, features a sound not unlike the Gin Blossoms, Soul Asylum and Bush. When playing soft, acoustic numbers, these guys are not that awesome, but there are definitely some potential radio hits up their collective sleeves. And for getting to play with the mighty Bon Jovi, I salute them.

Don’t Change That Dial: Some fine folks from Turner South headed up to Athens last week on Monday, Jan. 23, for a taping of their new music series “Music Road.” The taping featured a segment on performances by Elf Power, Phosphorescent and Vic Chesnutt, one on the Drive-By Truckers and Don Chambers, and included an exploration of our own 40 Watt Club. Hosted by super-famous musician Edwin McCain, the series looks to be cool and, of course, the Athens episode looks to be the coolest. Airtimes will be announced as they’re known.

Last Chance For A While: Jeff Chasteen and Deb Marlow will bring their Box Devils one last time to the Flicker Theatre & Bar before taking some time off to record with engineer Larry Acquaviva. The show, taking place Thursday, Jan. 26 at 8:30 p.m., will feature the band’s self-proclaimed “21st century torch music.” Good times, I tell ya. Chasteen and trumpeter Jeff Crouch are also at work on a multimedia piece called “The Defenestration of Chet Baker,” set to see the light of day in late February.

Grammy Would Be Proud: Former Athenian turned globe-trotting deejay and producer Danger Mouse (AKA Brian Burton) has been nominated for a Grammy for his production work on Gorillaz’s sophomore album Demon Days. He’s up against some very heavy-hitters, too. Also nominated are super-star producers Steve Lillywhite (U2) and Nigel Goodrich (Paul McCartney) and production duos The Neptunes and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. The winner will be announced at the official Grammy ceremony in February. Here’s to you, DM; we’ll still love you no matter what the grown folks say.

I’m Telling You One More Time: This year’s AthFest CD. Festival’s 10th anniversary. Currently accepting submissions. Tuesday, Jan. 31 deadline. Official submission form, details at www.athfest.com. Local bands only. Don’t miss out. You’ve been warned.

One More Thing to Remember: The 2006 Flagpole Athens Music Directory is currently under construction and coming together fast. To get your band, label, store or service listed - or to update your existing listing - just visit www.flagpole.com (hint: you're already there) and click on the handy button (hint: it's on the left towards the top), or there’s always the real-world form in this issue. This thing’s invaluable, and will help you book gigs, find equipment and build a better tomorrow. Among other features, bands will be able to host mp3s, pictures and more information than in the print edition on the website.

And I’m so outta here. Keep your news coming in and always mention either my name or Threats & Promises in the subject line of all emails. Yes, I have my own chocolate attack 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