originally published January 24, 2007

And another week has passed as we are find ourselves full-bore into 2007. So much stuff is going on, too. This week's begins below…

And While You’re Applying For Things: Did you submit your entry for the 2007 AthFest compilation CD yet? Geez, I've been telling you about this for weeks now. Okay, bub, you still have a little time left. The absolute final deadline is Wednesday, Jan. 31. Details can be found at www.athfest.com and submissions must be mailed or delivered to the AthFest office. Yes, as in a physical package - that’s the way things were done before the Internet. Like, how totally retro?

Just Do It: The 2007 Flagpole Athens Music Directory wants your information! Truth be told, you want to be in it, too, as it lists everything from bands to record stores to CD manufacturers to everything else possibly associated with Athens music, including attorneys and accountants. So, head to the front page at www.flagpole.com and click the button and enter your info. Do it now!

Straight to Video: Cinemechanica headlines the Georgia Theatre on Saturday, Jan. 27, though performing as its video-gaming alter-ego Contraband. What makes this show special - besides the fact that the townie-friendly lineup rounded out by Mouser, Venice is Sinking and We Versus the Shark is a surprising but encouraging bill for the Theatre - is that the band will film the performance for an upcoming DVD release. Show up, get filmed, support the scene, get yer nerd-rock on: all in one night! Tix are only $7.

Reppin' the Classic: It looks to be a pretty big weekend for hip hop in Athens, if that's your thing, then Saturday, Jan. 27 finds Athens rapper Bear appearing as part of the Caledonia's "Battle @ the Lounge" event, which incorporates a lot of freestyle rap battling and performances from featured artists. On Saturday, Jan. 27 Atlanta emcee Tresor Hugo is bringing a lot of local talent along with him for his CD release show, including Son 1 and DJ Set It Off. And then also on Friday night there's a big event going down at Safari on Atlanta Highway. "Pompeii" will be a full night of Athens-based hip hop, featuring a rap competition with a winner-takes-all cash prize. Featured acts so far include Bear, Static Y Mizza, Elite and C-Fre$h, among others; check out the website of promoter Mantooth Music at www.myspace.com/mantoothmusic for the full skinny.

The More You Know: Just so there's no confusion, let it be known that the band VietNam opening for the Lemonheads at the 40 Watt this Saturday is not the VietNam of the Athens and Atlanta scene; it's the band of the same name from Brooklyn that just released its self-titled debut on Kemado Records. And along the same tip, what about the band The Noisettes opening for TV on the Radio in April? It's not the experimental noise group The Noisettes which used to kick around Athens 'round about the turn of the millennium. Instead, it's an indie-rock trio from London building a good amount of buzz over the past year. Just so's you know.

Calling All Pretty Good Students: The Music Business Program at UGA's Terry College of Business is accepting another round of applications, this time for the Fall 2007 semester. The minimum GPA for applicants is 2.8, UGA students only, naturally, and the program takes approximately two years to complete. While it seems that so far most of the participants have been students intent on working in the meat-and-bones arena of the music business, I don’t think it’d be a bad thing at all if a few artists with at least a passing interest in "the biz" were to give this a try. I mean, you’ll have to work and get along with people and everything, but knowing about the business side of one's artistic endeavor is always a plus. Get more details over at www.terry.uga.edu/musicbusiness. The deadline for applications is Mar. 15.

It’s Promo Time: Publicist Michelle Roche is gearing up for another one of her classes titled "Publicity & Marketing for Your Band that Works"  to be held at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education. This course is to be held each Monday between Jan. 29 and Mar. 5 from 7 to 9 p.m. Registration is open to the public and costs $125. Registrants can pay half when they register and half when classes start, if money is tight. For more information, please head over to www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/spring07 or www.michelleroche.com. Now go learn something.

Rockin’ The Yeast Away: Although they swore up and down for, like, two years that they weren’t planning on moving, the guys behind the Downtown Athens Recording Company are, indeed, moving their operation. Only thing is, according to interior revision plans submitted to the Athens-Clarke County planning department, the new space is to be located at 393 N. Finley St., currently the address of Big City Bread/Cafe. It’s good to know that honchos Asa Leffer and Eric Friar will keep their operation true to its name, though, and stay near downtown.

A Slight Change In Programming: Local hardcore band Of Legend has undergone a change in lineup recently as bassist Phil Chaflin has left the band and Daniel Shroyer (Cobra Clutch, The Knife Trade) has taken his place. Shroyer better have his wits about him, because his first gig with the band is on Wednesday, Jan. 24, when Of Legend opens for the mighty and legendary Agnostic Front at Atlanta’s Masquerade. This is the hardcore equivalent of being jumped into a gang: even if you get in, you’re still bruised and bloody. Good luck, my man.

Rock And Road: The popular Beatles tribute act Abbey Road Live! will return to its hometown of Athens with an expanded lineup featuring the self-explanatory Magical Mystery Horns, a brass-and-woodwinds section. The group's upcoming show at the Georgia Theatre is, according to the band, a prelude to much more ambitious performances this coming spring during which the guys will do an entire run-through of the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band LP in honor of its 40th anniversary, complete with an 11-piece band including sitar, cello and violins. So, if this sounds like your bag, baby, then catch 'em on Saturday, Jan. 27.

New Album And Back To Town: The members of Atlanta’s Black Lips have steadily (and not so quietly) plied their craft across the world's stage since forming in the early part of this decade. They're a band which I sorely misjudged years ago. Yes, I admit it, I quickly dismissed these guys as hopelessly adolescent when I should have been embracing them for keeping rock and roll alive. The last time they played Athens was in November at a sold-out Caledonia show, and they’re currently on tour again across the United States. Before they head out to Europe for the umpteenth time, they’ll play a couple of shows in our area with Athens’ own Dark Meat and Houston, TX rockers Fatal Flying Guilloteens. The first show close to home is at the very-cool-yet-family-friendly Whirlyball Atlanta (which is actually north of Atlanta in Roswell) on Friday, Feb. 23, and then on Saturday, Feb. 24 at the fabulous 40 Watt. The Black Lips' newest album, Los Valentes Del Mundo Nuevo, will come out on Feb. 20 courtesy of Vice Records.

Zach Attach: Longtime 40 Watt Club employee and all-around incredible dude Zach Hosey will open his musical gear shop in the West Washington Street space - right in front of the 40 Watt and formerly occupied by record shop Low Yo Yo Stuff - later this month. To be named High Voltage, the shop will concentrate on used and vintage items such as guitars, keyboards, amps and other gear. Noted guitar repair expert Steve Hunter will offer services through the space as well. Hosey has been planning on opening a shop for a while and as soon as more details are available, you'll find 'em here.

Okay, hoss, I’m spent. Keep your news coming in and always mention either Threats & Promises or my name in the subject line of all emails. What makes a man start fires 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