originally published February 13, 2008

Once more unto that musical breach, dear fans, once more…

Meet The New Boss: After a long and involved process of sorting through potential candidates, a decision has been made. Let me be the first to welcome Michelle Gilzenrat as our new music editor here at Flagpole. As of Friday, Feb. 15, she'll be (wo)manning, so to speak, the helm of our music desk. She comes to us well-versed in both music journalism and public relations, so don't think just because she's new blood you're gonna sneak anything past her. All contact information, as well as deadlines and schedules, remain the same. If you're so inclined, drop her a note of welcome via music@flagpole.com. But since I got this news before y'all did, I get to be the first. Exiting music editor Chris Hassiotis, who's been steering things for the past five years, will still be around and you'll still see his name in Flagpole as a writer. Welcome aboard, Michelle!

A Veritable Ton: Ghostmeat Records honcho Russ Hallauer reports that AthFest received 167 submissions for the 2008 AthFest CD, and they're digging through them all, carefully considering each one. Hallauer will announce the final lineup for the disc by the end of the month and, of course, we'll report it here.

Ape To The Future: Local insane underground hip-hop act Future Ape Tapes will see its debut album Fuck The Future released via Atlanta label Double Phantom Records in April. Although the title is clearly inspired by the pronouncement made by Saturday Night Fever character Tony Manero to his boss (who replies, "No, the future fucks you."), Future Ape Tapes is the most original and interesting hip-hop-related thing going on in Athens right now. It blends reggae, electronic bleeps and bloops and a variety of other magic together in a way that is thoroughly not irritating. Double Phantom will also release a split 7" between Future Ape Tapes and similarly-minded Athens artist Wolf Pak. Future Ape Tapes has also teamed up with the Ecliptic Sight podcast in a project named "The Future Edition," which is geared toward promoting underground hip-hop and is available free via iTunes. In other Double Phantom news, the label has also agreed to release the debut full-length by upstart-y, kind-of-garagey semi-local band Chainestereo, and this will see release the same day as the Future Ape Tapes album. These two records will be the first full-length releases by the label, which normally operates solely via 7" singles. For more propaganda, please see www.myspace.com/futureapetapes, www.myspace.com/doublephantomrecords, www.myspace.com/wolfpakmusic  and www.myspace.com/chainestereo.

Dem Tiger Twinz: Although the band has been gigging steadily for the past several months, the biggest news to happen in the camp of new local band Twin Tigers is that the group has finished recording its debut EP, titled Curious Faces, Violet Future; and plans to release it next month. The tracks were laid down over at The Bakery with engineer Joel Hatstat. Comprised of ex-Psychic Hearts guitarist and vocalist Matthew Rain, along with Aimee Morris, Enoch Bledsoe and Richard Young, Twin Tigers next plays locally Friday, Feb. 15 at the Caledonia Lounge with Iron Hero and Oblio. Samples available at www.myspace.com/thetwintigers.

New And Already Almost Famous: Jacksonville, FL recording place The Glow Studio has packed its bags and moved to Athens. Now located at 2010 South Milledge Ave., the studio is best known for producing the demo heard 'round the world: Black Kids' Wizard of Ahhhs. To celebrate its new location, The Glow Studio is hosting a free show and party on Saturday, Feb. 16 featuring The Lazerstar, The Shylights and Manatella. Yes, the show is at the actual studio - in a house at the corner of Milledge Avenue and Habersham Drive - and starts at 8 p.m. For more information, please take a look at www.myspace.com/theglowstudio.

Simple And Solo: Emily Armond (Dark Meat, ex-Titans Of Filth) played her debut solo show a couple of weeks ago at Flicker under the name Sea of Dogs. Armond, who so far is just recording with herself and a banjo, has a truly sweet personality about her music that is, if not entirely infectious, certainly worth more than a casual listen. That name, however, is just a tad too close to that of Swedish artist Sarah Assbring who performs under the name El Perro Del Mar, though flipped and translated. Oh, well. So it goes. Please give Armond a listen over at www.myspace.com/seaofdogs.

California, Here They Come: The local pop-punk dudes of The Honor Roll inked a deal with California-based Enexia Records to release an album. While I certainly congratulate The Honor Roll on this exciting development, I can't make heads or tails out of Enexia Records, whose roster is an insane mish-mash of hip-hop, metal and easy-listening. Seriously! Don't believe me? See for yourself at www.myspace.com/enexia. Dig The Honor Roll over at www.myspace.com/thehonoroll.

One Out Of Four Ain't Bad: Local band Beatrix Kiddo will perform at the first Hijacking Music showcase along with Atlanta's 13 Day Mission, Marietta's Miles From Pangaea and fellow Athenian act In The Lurch. The show takes place at Tasty World on Wednesday, Feb. 20 and is billed as a DIY music showcase (true) that focuses on creative and innovative artists who play "unsafe" music (almost true). Although Beatrix Kiddo can be pretty creative and definitely knows its way around a fret-board, I wouldn't say the band's music is particularly dangerous. The same goes for the heavy surf'n'turf rock of 13 Day Mission… and don't even get me started on the jam-band ways of Miles From Pangaea. However, In The Lurch will probably rip your face off. The band plays totally cock-eyed, funky, mean-ass, you-gonna-stick-me-with-that-fork? metal. And I would expect nothing less from a band made up of members named Mark Moody, Gonzo and CJ Winger. For real, yo. For more information, please see www.myspace.com/beatrixkiddomusic and www.myspace.com/inthelurch.

Kids With Guns: Just a note of caution here. In the early hours of Wednesday, Feb. 6, outside a local DIY venue here in town, two women were held up at gunpoint. No one was hurt, thank God, but it does seem fitting to remind folks to always be aware of their surroundings. When you get that gut feeling that something isn't right, it most likely isn't. Even though you're somewhere near your friends and having a good time, there can always be someone in the area that is not so benevolent. The women in question seemed to be doing everything right, too. They did not engage their attackers in needless conversation or provoke them in any way and were using the buddy system. And shit still happened. Be aware, be safe; Athens is still the greatest place on Earth, but, like every other place, it has its share of assholes and criminals.

As always, be sure to keep your news coming in and always mention either Threats & Promises or my name in the subject line of all emails. Vote early and often 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