originally published September 12, 2007

Let's get on with it, we've got tours to catch up with!

Have A Cigar: Atlanta/ Athens band Dead Confederate has signed on the dotted line with TAO Records. TAO is a new label formed by industry veteran and former Capitol Records president Gary Gersh, who had more than a small hand in probably a good third of your record collection from the '90s (Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Hole, Sonic Youth, etc.) Dead Confederate is the label's first signing. In other news, the group plans to release a new EP in late October featuring remixed, previously released material. The band begins work on a full-length release early next year. After seeing the guys several times now, the jury between my ears is still out, but their brand of mid-tempo, psychedelic grunge has proven popular with audiences. You can catch 'em live at the Caledonia Lounge on Friday, Sept. 14 with Cinemechanica and Burn Baby Burn. Go see www.myspace.com/deadconfederate for more info.

Out Now: Local band Wickets released its newest EP The First Princeton last week. It contains four tracks and is reasonably priced at $5 for a CD and $3.50 if you just want to download it. The band also has copies of three other releases available (a self-titled full-length from last year, another full-length called Being There and an EP named Spherical Miracle). Bet you had no idea these guys had this many releases out. As much as I try to keep up with everyone and everything, I had no idea, either. So take the hint and check the band's totally enjoyable pop sounds over at www.wicketsmusik.com.

Two Parties, One Reason: Although it has been a band since 1999, local blues-rock act The Dylan Blues Project went on an extended hiatus between 2003 and 2006. Reforming with a new lineup last year, the band is celebrating its newly released album Possum Hollow Road with two shows this week. On Friday, Sept. 14, the band will be at Foxz and on Saturday, Sept. 15, you can find the guys at the Eastwood Pub. The group is comprised of members Avery Dylan (guitar, vocals), Britton Posey (bass) and longtime Athens musician Brian Crumm (drums), so it sure would be nice of you to go check 'em out and give them some support. Recommended for fans of Stevie Ray Vaughan, classic rock and drink specials. Have a listen for yourself over at www.myspace.com/dylanbluesproject.

Dope, Guns, Etc.: Enormo-rock band Dark Meat left town on another tour a few weeks ago. This time around, the 21-person ensemble took its horn-and-guitar revue through the Southwest and to the West Coast. The band stops back through town to play the 40 Watt on Friday, Sept. 14 with Long Legged Woman opening, and Atlanta's Drunken Unicorn on Saturday, Sept. 15 before heading back out on the road again. You should probably catch Dark Meat here while you can. With that many people, you probably have a relative in the band somewhere.

God Of Thunder: Washington, DC may be the new home of former Athenian Lars Gotrich, but his heart is still clearly in the Classic City. The label he started last year, Thor's Rubber Hammer Productions, continues to release the free-associative, highly inspired and inspiring, sometimes self-effacing and occasionally overtly-serious noise, ambient, drone and otherwise emanating from our burg. Just released is the new CD from brand-new Long Legged Woman / Dark Meat collabo-band Sweet Teeth titled From the Fourth Hand of the Buddha the Lotus Was Born for the Seventh Time. No, that's really what they named it. Also new is the compilation Brownturnsblack, which Gotrich describes as "essentially a glorified mix CD disguised as a label sampler." Well, okay, but it certainly functions as a great introduction to the aesthetic of the whole affair. The thing sells for $6, but, as late as last week even, there was a whole bunch of 'em available for free over at Wuxtry Records, so maybe you can score one. In any case, Gotrich has not only begun to document the deep underground of the Athens scene, but has also, by way of providing an outlet for it, inspired more creative energy in this area. So, hell yeah. Visit www.myspace.com/thorsrubberhammerproductions for loads more information.

Humble Is As Humble Does: Local band Captain #1 released its first full-length recording last week titled The Humble. Captain #1 is the musical outlet for songwriter Tim Denson, who pretty much is also the band; well, he and whomever he surrounds himself with. Currently on tour throughout the Northeast with a couple of dates in Canada, Captain #1 plays an unassuming blend of folk and indie pop. Have a listen over at www.myspace.com/captainnumber1. It's worth the trip.

Pass Them Around: Local pop act Casper & the Cookies will leave town for approximately 45 days around the middle of October. Yep, these folks are going on tour again for, like, the ninth time this year. You can catch the band locally at the Caledonia Lounge on Wednesday, Oct. 10. In other news, the band's profile was significantly raised last month when it performed back-up band duties for Daniel Johnston during the Athens Popfest. For more Casper junk, head over to www.casperfandango.com.

And Another One: In keeping with the theme of this week's column, I figured you should know that We Versus the Shark will also head out of town on tour for the month of October. Always a powerful live act, WVTS just released co-packaged CD/DVD We Wanted A New Government, Not Odd Time Signatures/ EP Of Bees EP on local label Hello Sir Records. The truly amazing thing, though, is how member Jeff Tobias, currently in 25 or so bands - including Pegasuses-XL, WVTS and the aforementioned Dark Meat - and a contributing writer for Flagpole, ever manages to hold down a job here in town. Drop him a line and ask him yourself over at www.myspace.com/weversustheshark.

Stay cool and keep off the grass. Be sure to keep your news coming in and always mention either Threats & Promises or my name in the subject line of all emails. Send me an angel 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