Threats & Promises

Music News And Gossip

originally published April 12, 2006

Nothing snappy this week, folks. Yeah, every couple of weeks I say that and I generally mean it and then I go and blow it all to hell by explaining. But, hey, there’s something to be said for consistency, right? On with the show…

Obligatory "Two Turntables" Reference: Genre-bender Beck has scheduled a show at the Georgia Theatre for Wednesday, June 14. Tickets, which cost $40 (!!), go on sale on Thursday, Apr. 13 at 12 p.m., and are only available on-line at www.georgiatheatre.com.

Rock For Middle Earth: Longtime Athens musician Mike Richmond has sent word that the latest Love Tractor album will arrive in stores this week. Described as the second record of a trilogy that began with the previously released Black Hole, the new album is titled Green Winter. The third installment is to be released later this year and will be called White Mountain. No, I’m not making this up. The label responsible for this next shot of Tolkien-rock is Fundamental Records which also lists Athens acts Vigilantes Of Love, Jack Logan, Ken Will Morton and, most recently, Nutria on its roster. For more information, please see www.fundamentalrecords.com.

I Wonder If They’ll Tour On The M-Train: Andy Gonzales has expanded the creative forces behind his project Marshmallow Coast. The group, re-christened M-Coast, has Gonzales sharing songwriting duties with longtime friend and collaborator Derek Almstead. The new sounds are a marked departure for the band, which has become synonymous over the years with tender, guitar-based twee-pop. The new songs are much more expansive and encompass a range of pop styles, from space age Stereolab-sounds to fuzzy and tight rockers a la The Cars. The band was originally supposed to open for Of Montreal last month, but didn't, and doesn't have any performances scheduled right now, so check out some new stuff over at www.myspace.com/themcoast.

Buy Early And Often: Folks that love both the Internet and exclusive limited edition stuff can go ahead and pre-order the newest album from Casper & the Cookies. The album The Optimists Club is rumored to have a poster and perhaps even a graphic novel included with this limited edition. After these are gone, though, feel free to pick up the record in local stores. The official street date is Apr. 28. Preorders are now being taken over at www.hhbtm.com/order.html.

Holy Shit, That Was Quick!: Local supergroup Dark Meat, which is threatening to completely overshadow the members' other musical projects, is just about done with its debut album Universal Indians. Not too shabby for a band that was a mere idea less than half a year ago. Unfortunately for fans, the album won’t be released until July 25, but you know how these things have a way of making the rounds well before release time. Anyway, local label Cloud Recordings will do the honors.

An Army of One: Although for years Bill Mallonee has played under the moniker Vigilantes Of Love, for his newest record Mallonee is going under the name Victory Garden. The newest record is titled Permafrost and Mallonee says the song styles present will be a little mixed. Of course, his permanent brand of folk-rock/ psychedelia is present, but so are heavier rock styles and the influences of such bands as Crazy Horse. Mallonee promises a little British pop styling on this one, as well. Although initially the album was to be limited to a mere 500 copies, the overwhelming response has enabled Mallonee to increase the pressing. Still no word on how many will ultimately be available, though, so jump on it. To do so head to billmallonee.net, click on “mall” and follow the lead. This is Mallonee’s 23rd record in 15 years.

Kick Out the Stamps: UGA's chapter of Amnesty International will crank up its third annual “Amps For Stamps” benefit on Friday, Apr. 14 upstairs at Tasty World. Scheduled to perform are Telenovela, Ice Cream Socialists and Freeze Tag. All proceeds from the event will go toward the chapter purchasing stamps to aid in its letter writing campaigns. You might wonder why postage stamps are still crucial to the organization in the current digital age. Well, Yankee, it’s because homeboys like Castro and Kim Jong-il don’t cotton to the infidels' Internet. For more information, please contact Laura Soltis at lauraemikosoltis@gmail.com.

Not So Slack: Longtime local band Slackdaddy has released its third album exclusively on the web. For free! Yes, the entire album Karmageddon, which the band started working on four years ago, is available for track-by-track downloading in both FLAC and MP3 formats. So start downloading this thing over at www.slackdaddy.com.

Relay This: There is a concert benefiting the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay For Life over at Tasty World on Thursday, Apr. 13 featuring Chris Anderson, Dark Horse, Mayberry and Ocean Street. The show costs $5 and is presented by the Relay For Life teams Jaybirds and Dawgfish. That band Dark Horse used to be called Canaan, but had to change its name due to someone else staking a claim. Even so, it’s a wonderful cause and just one of many Relay for Life events that will occur around our town. Doorprizes, too!

Full Assault: Wesley Cook, the Athens singer-songwriter who's recently been playing every other day it seems, has a local TV appearance coming up. On Saturday, Apr. 15 at 7 p.m., he'll perform on the program "The Billy Dilworth Show." Though the show tends to favor older and more traditional folk and country, it looks like it's branching out a bit. You should be able to pick up the show on Channel 6, the CBS station for Northeast Georgia. It'll rerun at 11 p.m. that same night.

Officially Famous Now: R.E.M. is to be inducted into the Georgia Music Hall Of Fame this year along with Gregg Allman, Felicia Bryant, Dallas Austin and Jermaine Dupri. The ceremony will take place Saturday, Sept. 16 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The ceremony and banquet is sponsored each year by the Friends of Georgia Music Festival, Inc. and the Senate Music Industry Committee. Members of R.E.M. were unavailable for comment, but I’m quite sure they would say something like, “That’s awesome. Thanks.”

Recruitment: Local metal band The Knife Trade is looking for a new frontman, as creative differences have split former singer Joey Stilleto from the rest of the group. "Midrange screamers are preferred," posts the band on its blog, "but if you can do highs, gutturals, sing, etc., those are also a plus. Also we are looking for someone with creative lyrics and concepts." Interested? Drop a line to theknifetrade@hotmail.com.

Off-The-Record War: Kurt Wood, Athens’ spreader of the warm hiss and pop, again opens up his vinyl vaults at 1080 Oconee St., holding another of his semi-regular front-porch sales. The man owns tens of thousands of albums, singles and 78s. Swing by his place on Friday, Apr. 14 or on Saturday, Apr. 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to peruse his wares.

Well, la-di-da. Be sure to keep your news coming in and always mention either Threats & Promises or my name in the subject line of all emails. Kilroy was here via email to music@flagpole.com, voicemail at 706-549-9523, ext. 203, or by post at P.O. Box 1027, Athens, GA 30603.

Gordon Lamb

Gordon Lamb