originally published October 31, 2007

Are you dressed up while reading this? Time to get spooky…

Party Over Here, Party Over There: After signing to new label ATO Records last year The Whigs have become a veritable touring machine. Somewhere along the way the band found time to record its debut for the label, the band's second full-length overall, titled Mission Control. Recording in sunny Los Angeles, the band hooked up with producer Rob Schnapf and the final product will see the light of day on January 22, 2008. Currently, the band plans to stay on the road for the rest of year in order to gear up for the touring to support the record next year, though no Athens shows are on the books as of right now. I can't even count how many truck-stop chicken dinners that is.

Perspective, In Review: For those of you who missed the panel discussion "R.E.M. in Perspective: An Athens History" a couple of weeks back, you can read a full report from the current vice president of the Athens Historical Society Blair Dorminey over at www.remhq.com. The entire event was filmed for an upcoming DVD release by the group, and will feature the full commentary made by the convened panels. I was in attendance and was most impressed by the poignant remarks by Curtis Crowe (Pylon), Kathleen O'Brien (at whose birthday party R.E.M. made its debut), Dan Wall and Mark Methe (both of Wuxtry Records) and longtime Athenian businessman Milton Leathers. Further, the comments made by former ACC CEO Gwen O'Looney and restaurateur Dexter Weaver were quite funny and charming. For more information on the DVD release of the event please drop a line to athens_historical_society@yahoo.com.

Playin' Dress Up: Athens non-profit theater company Rose of Athens will host a gala masquerade fundraiser Sunday, Nov. 4 at Watkinsville's bed-and-breakfast Ashford Manor. The event runs from 4 to 10 p.m. and features performances by Grains of Sand (which is a truncated version of The Common People's Band), Christopher Henderson, Jason Beckham, William Tonks, The Low Lows and Magpie Patty (formerly Banish Misfortune). Tickets cost $25 and can be found at www.roseofathens.org or by calling 706-340-9181. Since this is a masquerade, all attendees are encouraged to dress up, but if you arrive out of costume some will be available at the event so you don't look like the one lone party pooper who refused to have some fun.

I Smell The Blood Of Several Englishmen: This week Athens will see the live debut of new-ish resident Kris Barratt's new band Spring Tigers. Barratt also heads up the England-based band The Capes, whose travels first brought him to Athens. Spring Tigers will be opening for the Leeds (England)-based band The Lodger, whose new album Grown-Ups has just been released stateside by Slumberland Records. I should go ahead and tell you that I'm the one who organized and booked this show, so sue me for tooting my own horn. Fans of The Wedding Present, The Housemartins and pretty much any smart, guitar-driven English indie-rock would do well to catch The Lodger, as it's the band's last US date before heading back across the pond. The show takes place at the Flicker Theatre & Bar on Monday, Nov. 5, and will start early (about 9 p.m.) so you can still catch Mudhoney at the 40 Watt that night. For more information please see www.myspace.com/thelodgerleeds or www.myspace.com/springtigers.

Way Down South: Fans of international music may want to turn an ear the Melting Point's way on Tuesday, Nov. 6, when Chilean band Inti-Illimani comes through town. The South American octet is currently touring in celebration of its 40th anniversary and its 43rd album (!!) Pequeño Mundo. Founded in traditional Latin American roots, the band is heavy on wind instruments and strings and performs Chilean, Argentinian, Brazilian and Mexican tunes, among others. Local band Dromedary Quartet opens the earlier 8 p.m. show.

Good Enough For Me: Local musician and songwriter Billy Wilkerson has organized a series of benefit shows titled Grassroots Revival. The beneficiary of the shows is AIDS Athens whose work with those affected by HIV/AIDS has been happening for several years and is much appreciated in the community. The first benefit happens Tuesday, Nov. 6 at the Georgia Theatre and features Levi Lowrey & the Community House Band, Sonia Leigh, King Billy and Bearfoot Hookers. For more information on AIDS Athens, please see www.aidsathens.org.

Can't Think Of A Better Guy: I don't even wanna think of what the Athens music scene would be like, or what my experience of it would be, if it weren't for Jared Bailey. His various roles in Athens include involvement, ownership or founder status at such current and former establishments as the 40 Watt, Flagpole, The Shoebox, The Athens Arcade, AthFest and many, many other activities. There's just not enough room to give the man his proper, um, props. Bailey headed down to New Orleans last weekend for the annual networking conference held by the Responsible Hospitality Institute as one of six regional representatives of different U.S. "music cities." The goal of the conference is "to define what it takes to 'be' a music city and how to 'manage' one." Representatives from New Orleans, Seattle, Chicago, Montreal and Austin were also on hand to discuss not only the benefits but also the issues sizable music scenes face concerning noise ordinances, police presence, underage drinking, etc. If you're interested in learning more about the conference please see www.rhinetwork.org/conference.

Thank God It's Tuesday: Those of you who enjoyed the weekly bluegrass nights over at the Melting Point this past summer will be happy to learn that the series will continue on indefinitely, instead of packing it up for winter like in the past. Doors open each week at 6 p.m. and live bluegrass is featured from 7–10 p.m.; tickets are a mere $3. Shows are currently booked through March of 2008, and some upcoming shows of note include Johnny Roquemore & The Apostles of Bluegrass (Nov. 13) and Jimmy Driftwood & His Legendary Sidemen (Dec. 4). You can get the full schedule and other lowdown from www.meltingpointathens.com.

Duty Now For The Future: Although it's still a month or so from now I wanted to go ahead and tell you about the upcoming Next to Last Festival. The local music and arts festival will take place Saturday, Dec. 8 and Sunday, Dec. 9 and features performances by Ninjatune recording artist Daedelus, Asthmatic Kitty recording artists Liz Janes and Chris Schlarb, Southern Lord rockers Wolves In The Throne Room, Dark Meat, Circulatory System, Hope For Agoldensummer and Daniel Clay. There are still approximately 10 other acts, including the headliner, to be announced. The non-profit festival will feature "progressive speakers, performance art, a vendors market, a farmer's market and a community info center for creatures of all ages." The location for the festival is just off Cleveland Road out on Atlanta Highway and the site is a real beauty. The beneficiaries of the event are Common Ground Athens and Common Ground New Orleans. This'll be the second year for the festival, though last year's was decidedly more low-key, local, and ended up getting rained out less than halfway through. The festival is still seeking volunteers, vendors, sponsors and non-profits to help out, sell merchandise, etc. Those who volunteer get in free for the very reasonably priced event. Single day tickets are $15 and a weekend pass is $20. For all other information please see www.nexttolastfest.com.

Be sure to keep your news coming in and always mention either Threats & Promises or my name in the subject line of all emails. Kick 'em when they're up, kick 'em when they're down 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