originally published March 12, 2008

For all of you that were waiting so patiently, here is another week of Athens music news that I’m sure you’ll find essential and gratifying. Get gratified below…

A New Wedge is Driven: Local band Wedge has a new EP on the horizon, sort of. That is, the recording is all brand-new, but the songs were actually written before main man Tommy Wedge had written the group's debut album Heavensville, which was released to much acclaim last year. Recorded in Wedge's home, the tracks feature the distinctive, Cocteau Twins-style atmospherics and tenderness that Heavensville was so lauded for, but they are slightly grittier. Of course, "gritty" is completely relative, and in the case of Wedge, that means perhaps an untreated guitar line or a clearer-sounding vocal. Titled Until I Reach L.A., the EP is currently in the mastering stage, and should hit shelves and digital distribution sites later this spring. Assisting Tommy Wedge this time around were John Neff on pedal steel and Marc Gilley on saxophone. A couple of the new tracks are available for preview over at www.myspace.com/tommywedge.

An Honor at Home: Athens music history goes a lot deeper than most folks may realize. To wit, last week, the University of Georgia paid tribute to the 50-year career of country songwriter and performer "Whispering" Bill Anderson. Anderson, a UGA graduate, began his career as a 19-year-old journalism student and recorded his first song, "City Lights," in the studios of WGTV in 1958. The space is now occupied by the Georgia Center for Continuing Education. A historical marker was dedicated to Anderson commemorating his 50 years in the music industry. Anderson was inducted in the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 1985, and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001. There's simply too much information about Anderson to print here, so please do yourself a favor, and look him up over at www.billanderson.com.

Well, Go Ahead And Move Right In: Local band Venice Is Sinking began its residency at Flicker Theater & Bar last Wednesday, sharing the stage with Ginger Envelope. The band will play the next six Wednesdays at the venue, hosting a variety of opening bands. Sharing the night with Venice Is Sinking, will be Lake City (Mar. 19), Matias (Mar. 26), Stereo Campbell (Apr. 2), Jesse Flavin and the Dumps (Apr. 9), Big Gray (Apr. 16) and Tin Cup Prophette (Apr. 23). Venice Is Sinking promises that each show will be special in some way, and I have no idea what the band means by that; so don’t ask me. Feel free, though, to ask yourself over at www.myspace.com/veniceissinking.

And The Kite Rolled On: Local goofy rock band Kite to the Moon will play Monday, Mar. 17 at the Georgia Theatre to benefit local roller derby team the Classic City Rollergirls. The band and the venue refer to this as a St. Patrick's Day event, which isn't totally accurate. This year the head honchos of the Catholic Church have moved St. Patrick’s Day to Mar. 15 so it doesn’t coincide with Holy Week. Still, why not drink some green beer on Monday if it benefits the Rollergirls? In other news, Kite To The Moon reports that the band is currently mixing its debut album and that a couple of never-recorded songs by band member Tim Conley’s old projects Fuzzy Sprouts and Aqualove have made the cut. Also nearing the finishing stages is the band's video, in HD no less, for the song “Tigers.” For everything else see www.myspace.com/bitchinsolos.

Sound Off: Remember the last time your band played at Go Bar, and you thought, “Wow, this place is awesome! Great bar, good-looking people and convenient location. I sure do wish, though, they had a brand-new P.A. for us to play through?” Well, they do. So go use it. The venue is currently booking for March and April. Get in touch via www.myspace.com/gobar.

Submission Time: The 2008 Athens PopFest will happen again this year on Aug. 12–16. In the interest of full disclosure, I should say that I am involved in the organization process for this year's event. That said, selection of bands has begun, and those interested in playing can submit an EPK via www.sonicbids.com/athenspopfest for a fee of $12, or submit free via snail-mail to Athens PopFest, P.O. Box 742, Athens, GA 30603. Please note that slots are filling up very quickly, and the process is highly selective due to limited space. All local (read: Athens) bands applying to play will receive a response by May 1. Venues for this year’s Athens PopFest are the 40 Watt, Caledonia Lounge, Little Kings, Flicker Theatre & Bar and Ciné. For more information, please see www.athenspopfest.com.

One Click and It’s Yours: Local jagged pop band Russian Spy Camera has relieved itself of manufacturing its newest release Mutiny In The Kitchen With Knives, and made the whole thing available for free as a digital download. It seems there was some money set aside for the record's manufacturing bill, but frontman Ryan White decided to spend it on a plane ticket to Istanbul, Turkey, instead. No, I’m not making this up. Because of this, the band will largely be in a state of hiatus for an indeterminate length of time, but Russian Spy Camera will play locally once more before the break at Farm 255 on Friday, Apr. 4; local group The Cubs opens. Although the album is free, if you’re so inclined, you can also throw a few bucks the band's way via a donation button when you download. Go grab one over at www.russianspycamera.com.

And Another Thing: Just so there's no confusion over the announcement of Bryant Williamson taking over booking at the Caledonia Lounge, please let it be known that longtime booking dude Coley Dennis is also still at the helm. What has not changed, though, is the email address. Send all booking inquires to: booking@caledonialounge.com.

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. Be a slave to the rhythm via email to music@flagpole.com, voicemail at 706-549-9523, ext. 203, or by post to P.O. Box 1027, Athens, GA, 30603.

Gordon Lamb