originally published December 5, 2007

Yours truly is feeling slightly under the weather this week (we sure have been having a lot of it, huh?), so this intro is going to be short. Just pay attention and it will all be okay. I promise. Start now…

Pile On!: On Friday, Dec. 7, there's no place you need to be other than the 40 Watt. Headlining the night is the newly-enthused Pylon, whose 1980 album Gyrate was re-released last month via DFA Records. Also on the bill are the perpetually creative New Sound Of Numbers, Supercluster (featuring members of Pylon, New Sound of Numbers, The Squalls, Olivia Tremor Control and Casper & the Cookies, among other bands) and a very special deejay set by Hugo Burnham (billed as Gang of One). Burnham is, of course, the drummer of the deservedly legendary Gang of Four. Tickets to the show are $10 in advance and more info can be had over at www.40watt.com.

His Best For Free: Spencer Rich (local singer-songwriter and member of Suspenser & The Wickets) has compiled a CD-R called The Best of Spencer Rich which is available free at local record stores Wuxtry and SchoolKids. The Best of compilation features tracks culled from Rich's numerous recordings over the years. When I say "numerous," I mean a veritable shit-ton (which is similar, but not mathematically equal, to an assload). Spencer Rich will perform solo at Detour on Thursday, Dec. 6 and with a full band at Go Bar on Saturday, Dec. 8. For more information and song samples, please see www.myspace.com/spencerrich.

Well, Somebody's Smoking Something Around Here: Local garage/ noise /rock-and-roll duo Smokedog may have inadvertently sent a message to bands around town this year, and that message is, "You guys spend way too much time recording. Just fuckin' do it!" Smokedog, comprised of guitarist Thom Strickland and drummer Jason Jones, just released its 11th recording of the year last week. The impossibly titled Smoke for Breakfast: Breakfast In America was recorded in one week with the final touches added during Thanksgiving weekend. "One thing about Smokedog is that all of our releases are free," says Jones. "We just want people to hear us. We don't care about the money. Well, we do… but not really. People hearing us is payment enough." Aww. Athens-related label Thor's Rubber Hammer will release a compilation of the multiple Smokedog releases in February 2008. For now, though, grab a copy of the new one, and maybe even a few other Smokedog titles, when the band plays Go Bar on Saturday, Dec. 8. Taste test via www.myspace.com/smokedogifeelalrightifeelalright.

Your Gold Is Almost Here: Fans of local folk/ Southern gothic band Hope For Agoldensummer should be pleased to know that the band's new album is almost out. Currently being manufactured, the new album, Ariadne Thread, will ship on Dec. 10 to customers that pre-ordered it. The band has spent the past two years working on the record which was composed by core members Claire Campbell, Page Campbell and Deb Davis. A veritable cast of thousands accompanied the band during the recording process, including Heather McIntosh, John Fernandez, Liz Durrett, Count Kellam, Leslie Helpert, Sara-J Ursrey, Daniel Clay, Anna Kramer, Pete DeLorenzo, Chris Waldorf, Robby Handley and the horn section from Dark Meat. The band recently broadcast live sessions at both WUOG 90.5 FM and WUGA 91.7 FM and will next play locally at the Next to Last Fest on Saturday, Dec. 8, Rubber Soul Yoga on Saturday, Dec. 15 and then at the Flicker Theatre & Bar on Friday, Dec. 21. Advance tickets are available for the shows via the band's website, and, when purchased with a copy of the new album, you'll get a cool bundle-purchase discount. So go see 'em at www.hopeforagoldensummer.com.

Golden News: Just the other day, I was wondering about what local band Sleepy Horses had been up to. Then, blammo! I hear from band leader Nic Goodson, who reports that the band has finished its newest album The Golden Light, recorded with local rocker/ engineer Kyle Spence. The album was recorded live over the course of four days, and the band will make some copies available locally sometime early next year. Sleepy Horses next plays locally on Dec. 20 at the Caledonia Lounge. Sample the goods over at www.myspace.com/sleepyhorses.

Our Friend To The Northeast: Sure, there are a lot of folks who think they're pretty enthusiastic about the Georgia music scene. Well my friends, you'd have to be wearing a cheerleading uniform 24/7 to out-enthuse Coco Rubio. As the longtime owner/ operator of Augusta venue The Soul Bar, he has not only provided a solid venue for bands all around the Southeast, but also done a whole lot to help promote Athens music in general. Rubio and The Soul Bar just released the fifth installment of their ongoing project 12 Bands of Christmas, and its ties to Athens are many. Augusta artist Shawn Piazza recorded his track with Athens' David Barbe and had Barbe play bass and keyboards on it and former Drive-By Trucker Jason Isbell played electric guitar. Also, former Athenian and filmmaker Matthew Buzzell, along with his band Night People, has a track on the album. Buzzell made the compelling 2006 documentary on New York band Luna called Tell Me, Do You Miss Me. For more information, please see www.myspace.com/12bands or www.soulbar.com.

Okay, I'm off to drink more cold medicine. Be sure to keep your news coming in and always mention either Threats & Promises or my name in the subject line of all emails. I will be alone again tonight 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