originally published May 28, 2008

As the countdown toward AthFest begins, there’s still a whole lot of stuff going on. I’ve actually met people who only ever see local bands during AthFest, and I always think, “What a shame.” Avoid this shame and stay informed. Avoidance therapy begins below…

This Is It: At this point, I really don’t know what else to say. You’ve been advised of the procedure, shown your options and had the process explained to you. Still, if you haven’t yet voted in the 2008 Flagpole Music Awards, you can still dilly-dally until Friday, May 30, but no votes will be accepted past that date. Even if you simply want to vote in one category, that’s cool. Want to write in your own vote? Totally acceptable. Just get it done over at www.flagpole.com/Awards. Generally I’d mention that you could also use the paper ballot in this issue and drop it off at the Flagpole office, but if you were organized enough to handle that, you’d have already done it. The winners will be announced at the annual Flagpole Music Awards Show at the Morton Theatre on Thursday, June 19.

Pride Purchase: A couple of weeks back local rockers Pride Parade released their self-titled debut album during a show at the Caledonia. The 11-track CD, titled Descendants, showcases the band wonderfully, and fans of sweaty, muscular rock and roll would do well to pick it up locally at Wuxtry or Schoolkids. For irritations and confrontations, please see www.myspace.com/prideparade69.

The Boys in Texas: The now-34-year-old Austin City Limits will kick off its new season with a performance by R.E.M. The band will appear on the show, which broadcasts locally on Georgia Public Television, on Wednesday, May 28 at 9 p.m., and then the show will re-run Saturday, May 31 at 12 a.m., Sunday, June 1 at 11 p.m. and Monday, June 2 at 11 a.m. The band's set is a mix of new tunes from Accelerate and older material.

Enter. Maybe Win: Decatur-based, but nationally recognized, magazine Paste is running a contest whereby a bunch of you can win free AthFest stuff. The grand prize is a full-on, take-your-mom thing, and the winner gets two nights (June 20 and 21) at the Foundry Park Inn & Spa, two VIP passes, two copies of the 2008 AthFest compilation CD, two wristbands that will get you into the individual venues, two AthFest t-shirts and a basket full of local CDs. Five additional winners will be chosen and each will receive two wristbands, two t-shirts and two copies of the 2008 AthFest CD. For full details please see www.pastemagazine.com/contests.

Old’s Cool: The call has been sent out for people who were part of the old Atlanta scene, which was focused around the 688 Club, the Metroplex, the Wreck Room and the Cotton Club, to gather up any old memorabilia and share it at a currently-being-organized event. Billed so far as simply a “reunion” show (similar to the Athens Rewind event that took place here in town), the event will take place Sept. 20 at Atlanta venue the Masquerade. The whole event is a benefit for the newly organized Atlanta Music Museum which is a non-profit attempt to gather, organize, archive and preserve memories from the past 30 years (or so) of Atlanta music. I’m pretty sure you don’t have to donate your original stuff, and that copies would be just fine. The organizers have also put out the call for bands to play this event, so I’m really hoping some of you folks out there who had bands that played these venues would consider reuniting, if only for one night. To get involved and get more information, please see www.myspace.com/the_metroplex.

Studio Moves: Local band Bambara (pronounced “bomb-ba-ruh”) has finished recording its album with engineers Dave Barbe and Joel Hatstat. As is the case with so many bands these days, the band isn’t quite sure when the record will be released, but a few tracks have been posted online. I just can’t get a handle on these guys yet. I mean, seriously, three songs isn’t a whole lot to go on, but presumably, they chose the three posted songs based on those tracks’ ability to demonstrate the diversity of their sound. And in this case, I’m not promoting diversity. The band shifts between propulsive and engaging guitar rock (“Shake”) to by-the-numbers alt-rock (“Ferocious Beasts at Play”). Still, the jury’s out for now, but will be in session when the band plays the Caledonia on June 17. Get a briefing over at www.myspace.com/bambaraband.

Yes, It’s True: Word spread quickly around town last week when it was announced that deservedly-famed U.K. band Stereolab will play Athens on Saturday, Sept. 27 at the 40 Watt Club. In the interest of full disclosure, I must tell you that I am the co-promoter for this show, along with Mike Turner from HHBTM Records, and he did most of the legwork for this. Stereolab last played Athens in 1999, so this is, you know, a big deal for all concerned. Advance tickets are on sale now and are $15 over at www.ticketalternative.com. Locally, tickets will be available at Schoolkids and Wuxtry by this time next month. If you require more information please see www.stereolab.co.uk.

Remember the Letters: Although inexplicably sharing the name of a television outlet in Jackson/Lansing, MI, local jam band WILX wants you to know that it's currently recording an album with Athens engineer John Keane, which should be released by fall of this year. The band, who will play the AthFest main stage on Saturday, June 21, is no stranger to the festival circuit, and should do just fine up there with very few stage jitters.

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. The kids are losing their minds 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