originally published March 19, 2008

Welcome back, my friends, to the beat that never ends. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome this week’s Athens music news. Begin your journey below…

On the Southern Front: As with most music genres, there’s a whole lot of frustration that comes with having to weed through truckloads of crap to get to the gold. As an unapologetic fan of authentic Southern rock, I’m pretty sure the next band to get me excited about the style is going to be local dudes Holy Liars. Formerly known by the less-than moniker of Carolina Shitkicker, they’ve managed to capture the intangible essence of the music without resorting to cheap mimicry. They have also just added local engineer Asa Leffer (Dark Meat, Michael) on bass guitar. Although the band doesn’t have any local dates in the near future, the Liars do have a new album on the horizon and you can sample some over at www.myspace.com/holyliars.

Two Dudes, One Room: One of the weirdest things to occur in Athens music is the posting of several videos featuring individual performances from The Middle 8 (Seth Hall, formerly of Athens band The Modfathers) and Fabulous Bird (Peter Alvanos). The videos were shot in a hotel room at the Comfort Suites in Lawrenceville, GA this past January. I mean, dudes, I know studio time is expensive but, oh, wow. The performances, which include five songs from each of them, are pretty great, though. In other news, Hall has been up in North Carolina recording a new EP of tunes which will be available in a few months. Go check out the videos over at www.youtube.com/user/middle8music.

A Band with Benefits: New-ish local band Three Foot Swagger will play a benefit for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society on Thursday, Mar. 20 at the Nowhere Bar. The band, comprised of Dave Cardello, Jake Cohen, Scott Lerch, Charlie McCoy and Jeff Reusche, has dedicated the show to the memories of Jack Sanders and Paul “Pa-Pa” Alleysmith, which makes the whole thing very personal for them. Describing their music as “high energy rock and roll with a whole lot of funk” should ensure that interested parties go to the party.

Can’t Beat ‘Em, Dammit: Local pop duo Cars Can Be Blue finished mixing its newest album last week with engineer Joel Hatstat over at The Bakery. Titled Doubly Unbeatable, the album will see release later this year on Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records. In other news, the band is planning a small U.S. tour in June to be followed by its first ever U.K. tour. Maybe someday soon the duo will play locally again, but who knows. Dig it over at www.myspace.com/carscanbeblue.

And Another One: Nashville/Athens duo The Lolligags have also finished up a new recording. Also to be released courtesy of the aforementioned Happy Happy Birthday To Me, the EP, Out Of Perversity Join Hands, will be released this coming July. It was recorded with engineer Jason Nesmith at his Bel-Air Studios. Keep up with them via www.myspace.com/thelolligags.

The Party Rages On: No R.E.M. release would be complete without the traditional hometown record listening party. As usual, the band will not be in attendance at the event. Also, as usual, the event is a benefit for Community Connection. A new feature is that it’s also a benefit for Athens-Clarke County Family Connection Partnership/ Communities In Schools. The new album is named Accelerate and the listening is to be held Monday, Mar. 31 at the Melting Point. The party starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets are available online via www.athensmusic.net or www.meltingpointathens. You can also charge by phone at 706-254-6909. Not only will fans hear the entire new album, but there will also be video screenings, a silent auction and a live auction featuring an autographed Gretsch guitar. Accelerate comes out Tuesday, Apr.1. For countdown action please see www.remhq.com.

Related: For those who become entirely too enthused by the aforementioned listening party to wait until the next morning, you can head down to Wuxtry Records the same night and pick up your copy of Accelerate. The 32-year-old Athens record store will host its traditional R.E.M. midnight sale for the anticipated new album. If you have any questions on pricing or other details, just go ask the dudes in the store.

Was It Worth It?: This is a call to all Athens bands who made the trek out to Austin, TX for South By Southwest. Anything significant happen? Did you get signed? Did you lose your shirt? Let Threats & Promises know. Why? Because, um, we care. Yeah, that’s it.

Double Punch: The 40 Watt has a weekend of treats going on soon. First up is a completely free show on Friday, Mar. 28 featuring Black Lips, Pride Parade and The Selmanaires. So, that’s two of Atlanta’s best bands in two decades and one of Athens' current finest for absolutely no money. Unless, of course, you’re aged 18-20. Then it’ll run ya a measly $2. If you’re under 18, even you can head to the club the next night, Saturday, Mar. 29, and catch an early set by Kimya Dawson. Although Dawson spent years leading the often spotty, and rarely satisfying, Moldy Peaches, her superior compositions for the soundtrack to Juno have made her an overnight success. You can participate in the fun for $10 in advance. Also on the bill are Angelo Spencer and Paul Baribeau. Yes, again, this show is all ages and doors open at the not-even-sunset time of 6 p.m. For more info please see www.40watt.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. You wanted the best you got the best 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