Threats & Promises

Music News And Gossip

originally published May 24, 2006

Now that Athens has turned into a semi-ghost town for a few weeks I’m sure some of you think the news has simply dried up and is blowing like tumbleweeds down our streets. Well, Bub, we’ve gathered all those weeds together for you, so start reading below…

The Poll Is Still Open: If you’re so inclined, and we certainly hope you are, remember to get your vote in for the 2006 Flagpole Athens Music Awards. You don’t have to vote in every category and you don’t have to necessarily vote for the bands or acts nominated within a category; you can always write-in your choices. Vote via www.flagpole.com/Awards or use the old-fashioned paper ballot available in this issue on that page there to your left. The deadline for all votes is Wednesday, May 31, so hop to it.

Good Rockin’ Tonight: UGA’s Hodgson Hall will host a Rock For C.A.S.A. Kids event in conjunction with the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus on Thursday, May 25. The show, featuring Maggie Smith, Chris McKay & the Critical Darlings, Timber, Tangents, The Winter Sounds, Someday Merry, Mike Mantione and William Tonks, begins at 8 p.m. and costs $10. This is a wonderful cause that benefits the court-appointed special advocate program that helps children suffering in abusive or neglectful homes. Plus, anyone that is so inclined can tour the John Lennon Educational Tour bus before the show. Well, imagine that. Any questions? Call 706-613-1922. (

Yo! Dudes!: Local dude Corey Smith either has a rabid fan base or a great sense of hyperbole (or both), as he’s just announced to a bated-breath email list that his debut album UNDERtones has been remastered and re-released. Further, fans who want new tunes from Smith can visit www.myspace.com/coreysmithmusic and listen to new demo tracks. Anyone willing to spend $20 (!) on a t-shirt and $15 on a CD can visit www.coreysmithmusic.com. Well, word up!

Four Layers Of Stuff: ATHICA (Athens Institute For Contemporary Art) will host a “four layer celebration” on Sunday, May 28, and the point of the whole thing is to mark the end of the “Dear Diary” exhibit, celebrate four years of ATHICA, mark the occasion of ATHICA’s renewal of non-profit status and celebrate Memorial Day with a cookout hosted by Daily Groceries and a performance by Sleepy Horses. The event runs from 6-8 p.m. and more info can be had by surfing over to www.athica..org.

First One Out: The local hotshots in A.Armada will see the release of their first EP in early June. Featuring six tracks, the self-titled debut of these Columbus, GA, natives should be a nice addition to the current local discography. Basically, if their recorded work is in any way akin to the killer job they did opening for Appleseed Cast last month, then it should completely rock. The band next plays locally on Friday, May 26, at the Caledonia Lounge with fellow Columbians Continue And Save.

Renewed: Those familiar with Athens group The Jack Crevelle Band will like to know that they are currently finishing a new album over at David Barbe’s Chase Park Transduction studio. The band describes Nothingtown, which features eight original songs and four covers, as being “about depression and addiction and happiness and redemption.” The band is composed of members Brooks Wimberly, Andrew Hamner and Jonathan Walker. Guests include Eric Carter (Bloodkin), Paul “Crumpy” Edwards (Barbara Cue) and Adam Musick (Southern Bitch). The album, written largely after Wimberly returned from a rehabilitation center in Anaheim, CA, is to be a benefit for Nuçi’s Space.

Because Car Moguls Are So Down: Some news just in of interest to local producers and beatmakers. Carmaker Scion, currently Toyota’s equivalent of the major-label-backed fake indie label, has embraced hip-hop music. To assist in selling more cars to the 18-35 year old set, Scion is sponsoring a multi-city competition (Atlanta, New York City and Los Angeles) at which beat-makers will have the chance not only to battle each other but also to be judged by both local folks and big-time producers. Rhazel of The Roots hosts all events. The winner in each contest will fly out to New York and perform with Wu-Tang Clan. Whoever wins this shindig in NYC will be named Scion’s King Of The Beats. Deadline for entries is June 30 and the Atlanta contest will be held October 3 and feature Wu-Tang’s Raekwon. Groove on over at www.scion.com.

 A Breakup That Shakes Up: Word has come through that local rockers and all around great folks Heros Severum are calling it quits. Since forming six years ago, Heros Severum has always occupied the inside fringe of the Athens rock scene and was one of the first to play its type of driving, angular, aggressive rock in Athens. Curiously, this split is coming on the heels of a rather successful jaunt up to Washington, DC and their appearance on the cover of this month’s issue of Southeastern Performer Magazine. Currently the band is nominated in the “Album of The Year” and “Best Hard/ Heavy Rock” band categories of the 2006 Flagpole Athens Music Awards. The band's latest album Plague Dogs was released earlier this year by Two Sheds Music. Heros Severum will play a final show at Tasty World during AthFest on June 24. At press time, no one in the band was available for comment but, believe me, I’m looking for an explanation, so check this space again.

All Day, All DJ: On Saturday, June 24, beatheads can spend the entire day over at the soon-to-open bar Detour (at the corner of Hull and Dougherty streets) and witness Wired ’06. Presented by Dash Productions, this is the fifth annual Wired Electronic Music Festival. Featuring deejays operating in the genres of downtempo, house and drum'n'bass, any of the 23 performers may offer the opportunity for attendees to have their minds blown. The event runs from 2 p.m. until 2:30 a.m., and costs a mere $10. For more information please see www.dash-productions.com.

Pricey, But Worthy: The Melting Point continues its habit of bringing high quality acts to town even if the prices ($20 advance and $25 day-of-show) are kind of outside what your typical townie music fan can afford. Hell, maybe that’s the point. Either way, on Saturday, June 3, the venue will host a performance by jazz vocalist Francine Reed, and it’s worth the bucks to go see her sing. Ms. Reed has not only shared the stage with such greats as the late Miles Davis, Etta James and Smokey Robinson, but has been a member of Lyle Lovett’s Large Band for more than a decade. Her newest release is Shades of Blue and was produced in Atlanta for CMO Productions. For more info please see www.meltingpointathens.com.

All right, pokey, that’s it for now. Be sure to keep your news coming in and always mention either Threats & Promises or my name in the subject line of all emails. Be a simple kind of man 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