Threats & Promises

Music News And Gossip

originally published October 18, 2006

Okay, gang, here we go with another week of news and other stuff. Start searching below…

Everyone Needs Art: Well, the big news this week is that the MusickFest benefit shows, auctions and donations from a week ago raised more than $15,000 (!!!) for the medical bills of Southern Bitch guitarist Wendy Musick. I want to drop a reminder in here for folks to attend the MusickFest Art Auction taking place at the Flicker Theatre & Bar on Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 6:30 p.m., featuring works from approximately 30 artists, including Jeff Owens, Don Chambers, Chris Bilheimer, Gretchen Wood, Mandy Jane Crouse and Robbie Cucchiaro. To preview the art, please see www.southernbitch.org/musickfest/art.htm.

Radio And Little Records: Rat Babies just became the first band to play live on the newly resurrected WUOG 90.5 FM specialty radio show "Boiling Point." The band celebrates the release of its new EP at the fabulous 40 Watt on Wednesday, Oct. 18, and plans to release a total of six three-song EPs before it heads to the studio to record a full-length album. This newest one is the second and is called Friends Fade And Disappear. Also on the 40 Watt bill are Commander Chameleon and Augusta, GA band Emotron. Free samples available at www.myspace.com/ratbabies.

Cool Show, Yo: The Caledonia Lounge is the envy of all other local venues on Wednesday, Oct. 18 when it hosts a rare show by local hard rock act Teenage Meth Lab. Of course, that’s not necessarily earth-shattering news. This is: also appearing that night is Kill Rock Stars band and all around powerhouse Two Ton Boa. The last time I got to see this act was more than five years ago, and I’m excited as hell that it's going to be back in our town. Check it via www.twotonboa.com, and see a review of the band's new album Parasiticide in this issue.

Don’t Miss This: Perennial entertainer and songman Dexter Romweber will make an appearance at the fabulous 40 Watt on Thursday, Oct. 19, hot on the heels of his newly released album Piano. Unlike everything else the former Flat Duo Jets founder has been involved with, Piano, true to its name, features no guitars; it's an album's worth of Romweber’s neo-classical compositions. Although he has no formal training in this arena - as he had none when it came to rock and roll, blues and jazz - he has taken his admiration of classical music and let his enthusiasm for the form be his guide. Also on the bill and performing alongside Dex is Sara Romweber, who spent time with Chapel Hill, NC band Let’s Active before going on to a more upfront role with her own combo Snatches of Pink in the mid-1980s. Be sure to catch the whole show at which local wonders Flash to Bang Time and Polemic open. Oh, just go.

Avery’s Outta Here: Local band Of Mirth And Matter has announced the departure of keyboardist Avery Epperly, so the band will play piano-free for the time being. And those times of being will fall in the near future, namely Friday, Oct. 20 at Amici and Monday, Oct. 30 at Tasty World. Check out the band out over at www.myspace.com/ofmirthandmatter.

Know Your Roots: Local musician Carl Lindberg, along with Chris Lutz and the Asheville, NC-based Dogwood Alliance, will host a free party out at Roots Farm right outside of Athens on Friday, Oct. 20. The featured performance is by Conjunto Grogus, which is local jazz combo Grogus getting all Afro-Caribbean. Light snacks and beverages are also provided. The whole thing is being done so folks can meet some of the Dogwood Alliance and learn about the group's efforts to protect Southern forests and ending what it characterizes as the current process of unsustainable forestry practices. Sounds like a potential good time, as guests are invited to come early and encouraged to stay late. For full directions to the Roots Farm, please see www.rootsfarm.org.

Gone, Daddy, Gone: The disco ducks known as Funkle Ester will bring their four-and-a-half-year run to a close Friday, Oct. 20 at the Melting Point. Even so, the band is not above doing private parties and such and is available for hire in these situations, but as a live-club phenomenon, it’s over. Tickets for the show are $7 in advance through www.meltingpointathens.com and doors open at 6 p.m. for the 9 p.m. performance, so you can grab dinner before you disco. Funkle Ester was the winner of the 2006 Flagpole Athens Music Award for Best Cover Band.

Big Tours ‘n’ Stuff: Newly relocated-back-to-town artist Madeline will hit the road with Geoff Reacher this month. Her last local show for a while takes place at the DIY goddamn-I-wish-I-could-mention-it place on Sunday, Oct. 22 and then winds around the nation until Nov. 9. Then Madeline goes it alone for another few weeks before landing back in the arms of Athens. Normally, I can’t stand hype of any kind, but believe me when I say this: Madeline Adams will be stupidly, hugely famous someday. Her newest album, The Slow Bang, is out now on vinyl on Valiant Death Records, though it won't be until January that Orange Twin puts out the CD. Gather more info, such as show location, over at www.madelinesongs.com.

Cinemetourica!: The guys in Cinemechanica report from the road that their current U.S. tour is going swimmingly. As the bandmembers travel around all cramped up in their van, they’ll enjoy tour highlights such as the Gainesville Festival in Florida on Oct. 28 and a Hello Sir Records label showcase at New York’s CMJ festival on Nov. 2 at The Tank. The band returns to Athens to play the Caledonia on Nov. 16 and will share the stage with We Versus the Shark and So Many Dynamos. Rock 'em, sock 'em!

Well, Like Finally: The local pop dudes of Nutria have finally seen the release of their double-CD titled Cheef/ Metronome on Fundamental Records. The record is available in stores now, and the band will formally celebrate its release on Dec. 1 at the Caledonia. Oh, and with regard to Nutria, when I say “pop dudes,” I mean pop in the vein of classic American power-pop and not, say, kiddie-core twee-pop or anything like that. Just want to make that clear. Over and out. See a review of Cheef in this issue.

Back To The Garden: Florida organizations Spanish Moss Productions and The Spanish Moss Foundation will host the Down On The Farm 3 festival Nov. 10–12 on Spanish Moss Farm in Quincy, FL. Lots of Athens folks will perform, including Drive-By Truckers, Tishamingo, Dubconscious, Ralph Roddenbery and Perpetual Groove and Atlanta-based legend Col. Bruce Hampton. Beneficiaries of this year's festival include Gadsen County Public Schools, Goodwill Industries, The Boys And Girls Clubs of America and America’s Second Harvest Network. Tickets for the three-day event are $90 and include camping and parking. Much more information can be had by visiting www.downonthefarmfestival.com.

The New And The Old: Rolling Stone gives Athens music a little more attention yet again. The current issue with Fergie on the cover features a review of The Whigs' Give 'Em All A Big Fat Lip, giving the band's debut album three-and-a-half-stars, and in an interview, ex-Phish dude Trey Anastasio says he's currently obsessed with Neutral Milk Hotel's In the Aeroplane Over the Sea. Word.

Fuggedaboutit!: If you were planning on going to see Corey Smith at either of his upcoming November shows at Atlanta's Roxy or here at the Georgia Theatre, put the notion out of your mind. Both shows, according to Smith’s people, are slap sold out. However, if you are the sort to drive down to Florida for the Georgia-Florida game, you may still be able to catch him when he performs at Jacksonville venue the Florida Theater on Saturday, Oct. 28. I dunno how he does it, but the Jefferson, GA native manages to sell out these large venues with ticket prices close to $20 a pop, pre-sale! God only knows what people are paying scalpers. Visit him over at www.coreysmith.org.

Be sure to keep your news coming in and always mention either Threats & Promises or my name in the subject line of all emails. Up against the wall redneck mothers 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