originally published May 30, 2007

Hope everyone’s Memorial Day was good. Maybe some of you even did the right thing and, you know, remembered America’s war dead on that day. Something, anything besides merely having a picnic, waving a flag and shouting “yew-ess-ay!" But what’s that got to do with Athens music, right? Nothing, but it seemed appropriate. Let’s check in with the news…

Polls Still Open: In the interest of getting everyone who wants to participate to actually participate, the deadline for voting in the 2007 Flagpole Athens Music Awards has been extended to Friday, June 1 at 5 p.m. Nothing else has changed. You still don’t have to vote in every category or even for one of the nominated acts. You can write in whomever you want. Still, I don’t think it’s gonna look good if you write in something like “Bearfoot Hookers” for every category. It’s not that we’re geniuses, but I think we’d catch on pretty quickly. You can find a paper ballot (quaint!) in this issue, or you can vote online over at www.flagpole.com/Awards. If you go the electronic route be sure to use a legit email address because you’re going to have to confirm your vote afterwards. If you don’t confirm, it doesn’t count. Now get going.

New Website For Y’all: Former Athenian Geoff Reacher has a new website up over at www.onlydarkness.com, and it’s got all the stuff you need to stay in touch with him. You can also get in touch through www.myspace.com/geoffreacher. And to Geoff, come back and play a show or two, would ya?

Variety Is The Spice: The "Uncorked & Unplugged" series at the Melting Point will no longer be hosted by Ken Will Morton. Instead, Ty Manning (Bearfoot Hookers) hosts the May 30 show, and then Jay Markwalter, who hosted the long-running open mic at the High Hat Club, takes over as host through August. According to publicist Michelle Roche, “It is basically to add variety to the shows.” And if that’s all there is to it, I’m starting to wonder why I’m even writing this. I mean, that’s barely even news! At any rate, this week's show features performances from Little Francis, Bart King and Bain Mattox.

Killeen ‘Em All: Decatur-based singer-songwriter Mike Killeen will host a release party for his new album Demos, Outtakes, Live, and Whatnot; Volume I: 2002–2006 at Nuçi’s Space on Friday, June 1. Also on the bill that night are Nathan Beaver and Hope For Agoldensummer’s Claire Campbell. The album, as Killeen describes it, is a collection of 16 tracks that didn't make the cut for his first release Guns Kill People. Killeen will also appear on WUGA 91.7 FM that afternoon at 4 p.m. on the specialty show “It’s Friday” and Linda Phillips of Nuçi’s Space will join him to talk about the show and the space. The show itself is $5 and is a benefit for Nuçi’s Space. Look at what Killeen is up to over at www.mikekilleen.com.

Someone’s Getting Famous Around Here: The Georgia Music Hall of Fame will honor R.E.M. with a slot in its monthly First Friday series. On Friday, June 1, from 6 to 10 p.m., the Hall of Fame, located in Macon, will present First Friday Around the Sun: A Celebration of R.E.M. The event will highlight a display curated by R.E.M. art director Chris Bilheimer, and will feature a bunch of stuff including Michael Stipe’s handwritten lyrics, a genuine Nudie suit of Mike Mills’, the mandolin Peter Buck used to compose “Losing My Religion” and more. More exciting, though, should be the incredibly rare photographs that will be on display, including shots of the band during its first-ever gig on Apr. 5, 1980. The Modern Skirts will also perform as part of this event. For more information, please see www.georgiamusic.org.

Unbelievable: The local pranksters and rockers of The Dictatortots will release their fifth (!) album over at the fabulous 40 Watt on Saturday, June 2. It’s titled Döömläüt and will usher in a series of six-song records by the band. So that means there’s more coming. So watch out. Learn more at www.dictatortots.com.

Awesome: Kudos to Tasty World for hosting an all-ages show on Saturday, June 16. The show starts early, though, at 5 p.m., so pay attention. It will also be wrapped up by 8:30 p.m. so Tasty World can get back to the business of selling booze and setting up for the nighttime show. Note: No alcohol will be sold during the all-ages show - even if you are over 21. Featured acts include The Honor Roll, Guff, Allison Weiss (playing with a full band), Pilot Coat and Five Seconds From Falling. The cost is $6 and hopefully more club owners will start doing things like this.

Cool And New: Generally speaking, I can’t stand getting emails with total-hype statements like “Check these guys out! They brought the house down!” But since I’m committed to all this, I still diligently check out anything that comes my way. Most times, it’ll be some type of unlistenable crap, but other times it will be something exceedingly cool and creative like Kebert Xela. Best, and most simply, described as an indie electronic-downtempo group, Chris Howe and Doug Saylor create gorgeous slices of guitars, beats and some other stuff - similar to Brian Burton’s Pelican City, but with a much more indie-rock vibe. Look for a two-song sampler to begin appearing shortly - and for free! - at area record stores. Currently not scheduled to play any shows until July 5 at Tasty World, I’m sure they’d appreciate it if you checked them out over at www.myspace.com/00100001.

Just So You Know: Flagpole music editor Chris Hassiotis is gonna be out of town until June 10, so if you drop him a line between now and then and he doesn't get back at you right away, that's why. In the meantime, you can continue to send in any show listings to the ABC calendar email address: abc@flagpole.com.

Okay, people, that’s it. Be sure to keep your news coming in and always mention either Threats & Promises or my name in the subject line of all emails. Love comes walking in 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