originally published March 26, 2008

Alright, now. Let’s jump in this week without even looking. So, whatever you do, don’t look out below…

Good Night and Good Luck: Local band Television Buzz has gone off the air. After six years, the band finds itself at the crossroads of having a baby and balancing a solo career. Although the band's latest full length is completely recorded, it is not yet mastered, and the band is unsure of what will happen with it. Television Buzz released an EP, Treasure Chest, in 2005. Member Brent Cash released his solo album titled How Will I Know If I’m Awake earlier this year. Member Kris Langley will play his second solo gig at Allen’s on Saturday, Apr. 19, and Television Buzz will play its final gig at Rye Bar on Friday, Apr. 25 with The Brothers Gore. Although the band does not rule out playing together again, the chances seem slim to none. Go hear what they have done over at www.myspace.com/tvbuzz.

Spreading the Rumor: Joining the ranks of other west-end originated cover bands comes The Gossip Cover Band. Made up of Erica Strout and Mary Joyce, both of Shitty Candy and The Circus Peanuts, and Scott Smith of We Versus the Shark, the band is a living tribute to the still current sounds of Pacific Northwest band The Gossip. Although any venture into cover territory is necessarily somewhat ridiculous, at least they’re not in, ya know, a Jimmy Buffet Cover Band or something completely unbearable like that. The Gossip Cover Band will play over at Go Bar on Saturday, Mar. 29.

Looking Around the Planet: Longtime Athens musician Andy Gonzales has taken his latest project, Andy From Denver, out on a U.S. tour with British artist Keith John Adams. Both are affiliated with local label Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records and have paired together to hit pretty much the entire east coast with a couple of Midwest dates thrown in for good measure. The pair return to Athens to play the Flicker Theatre & Bar on Tuesday, Apr. 8. Unsurprisingly, Gonzales has made the transition from band member to one-man band quite smoothly. As far as Keith John Adams is concerned, let’s just say I’ve never seen any other British BBC correspondent (yes, that’s his day job) thrill a crowd like him. Check them out over at www.myspace.com/andyfromdenvermusic and www.myspace.com/keithjohnadams.

The New Sounds of Now: The now 14-year-old Elf Power released its ninth album, In a Cave, this week. The album, the band's second for the Rykodisc label, is a continuation of what has become the Elf Power trope. That is, the tunes are full of boundary-nudging experimentation, but remain, at heart, very well-written pop songs. It’s going to be great to see these new songs live. And you can do just that this week when they play the 40 Watt on Saturday, Mar. 29 with Ham 1 and Madeline. Yes, this is the same night as the early Kimya Dawson show; she’s early, Elf Power is late. All details available at www.40watt.com.

Off of the Porch and into the Street! Further evidence that new establishment Rye Bar is committed to hosting stuff on East Clayton Street you’d actually want to see was presented last week when DJ Kurt Wood hosted his first “Mid-Week Dance Party.” As you can gather from the name, this event will happen each Wednesday night until, I guess, it doesn’t. What punters can expect from Wood is garage, soul, 1960s pop and rock, psychedelic, proto-punk and more. In short, Wood has sold more records than you or I will ever even lay eyes on, and he’s got the crates to do the deep digging. Speaking of which, Wood’s famous “Front Porch Record Sale” has moved into cyberspace. What’s so great about the new site is that Wood lets you hear the A and B side of most of the 45s he’s got up there, and also writes so informatively about them. He also provides details on a bunch of his DJ gigs, with set lists and everything, so you’ll know what’s in store when you go see him. Take your savings and head to www.kurtsfrontporchrecords.com.

Again for the First Time: UK label Coppertree Records has re-released the 2005 album Aw Come Aw Wry by Phosphorescent on sweet 'n' heavy 180 gram vinyl. The former Athenian, also known as Matthew Houck, is currently touring the world in support of his latest album, Pride, which was released by former Athenian Phil Waldorf on his brand new Dead Oceans label. Aw Come Aw Wry was released originally by Misra Records when Waldorf was label manager over there. Houck’s first two records under the "Phosphorescent" moniker were released by Athens' own Warm Electronic Recordings in 2003 and 2004. Yes, this is probably more information than you care to know and have forgotten most of it already. But, I’m a completist, dammit. Check out his new sounds over at www.myspace.com/phosphorescent.

New View: In addition to giving away its new album for free, local band Russian Spy Camera has debuted a couple of new videos this past week. The first is for the track "Blueprint" from the band's debut album You Are a Vulture, and the second is for the track "Bring Down the Mannequins" from the new album Mutiny in the Kitchen with Knives. Both are on view at www.russianspycamera.com.

Well, Why Not? Athens' own Subrig Destroyer is easily one of the loudest bands in Athens, if not the absolute loudest. With a mere two members, bassist Joel Martin and drummer Chris Holcombe, the band's also one of the smallest. The duo is getting props from me this week for making the trek out to the Austin/ Dallas area for a few dates this past week. Normally, this wouldn't be such a big deal, but considering they've made this trip exactly a week after SXSW when literally hundreds of bands have already laid devastation to every club, microphone and highway in that area, they deserve some props for hunting out the last pairs of unexhausted ears in the region. Blow your speakers out over at www.myspace.com/subrigdestroyer.

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. Ain’t nothing’ goin’ on but the rent 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