Green Lantern Showcases Bands You Quite Likely Haven't Heard But Should
originally published October 10, 2001
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Green Lantern serves as the late night entertainment for Kudzu Film Festival patrons, filmmakers, judges, staff and the general public. For a complete schedule of the film-related events, check out pp. 8-9 in this issue. Proceeds from Green Lantern benefit the Kudzu Film Festival. Organized for the second year in a row by Atlanta music aficionado Lee Smith, this year's three-day showcase looks like a winner for sure.
"My goal is to create a show that will entertain the local music community and also be a great regional sampler for the visiting film people," says Smith, a freelance music writer. "I hope everyone will come out and see the shows, because there is truly something for everyone. I can guarantee that there will be a band that you've probably never seen before that will truly knock you out. This year is about a collection of exceptionally great music. I truly enjoy and wholeheartedly endorse every act on these three nights."
Kudzu director Todd Campbell brought Smith into the festival to help dig up some notable bands out of the local underground. Smith was a judge at the EyeBall Music Video Showcase last year and loved working with the Kudzu staff.
"I offered to help do last year's event and here I am again this year," says Smith. "I like doing it because I love to see all the bands on the bill play live."
Wednesday, October 10
The Green Lantern Showcase kicks off on Wednesday at the 40 Watt Club starting at 9:30 p.m. with Atlanta rock band Alastor, fronted by passionate lead singer Elizabeth Elkins. The Yum Yum Tree (not to be confused with Claire & Bain's Maple Yum Yum) is an Atlanta-based (by way of Texas) trio fronted by lead singer and bassist Andy Gish - a vibrant lady whose vocal style has been compared to that of PJ Harvey and Mazzy Star. The silky smooth pH Balance is a stylish Atlanta quintet that carefully combines elements of acid-jazz, hip hop, groove-pop and soul fronted by singer Pam Howe. Athens-based trio Spaceshot eschews the normal DJ route and mixes up a potent drum'n'bass mix through drum machines, sequencers and other instruments. Athenians best know "DJ SUX" as Candy's Michael Lachowski - musician, DJJ and electronica enthusiast (older Athenians know him as the lanky bassist out of Pylon!).
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The festivities shift up to the Flicker Theater & Bar on Thursday, starting at 8:30 p.m. with a set from acoustic rock songwriter Kate Simpkins, an Atlanta-based musician with a punctuated delivery. Athens trio Martyr & Pistol is an unusual, stirring "dramatic torch-pop" project featuring drummer Jason Emond (who spent some time organizing a Green Lantern Showcase or two!), cellist-vocalist Kera Schaley and guitarist Brent Van Daley. Athens' Frangipane is an off-kilter "folk rock" group featuring vocalist Sanni. The group mixes in such oddball instrumentation as singing saws with a somewhat skewed lyrical vision. Kitty Snyder is an Athens-based songstress who regularly wows the crowd with her deeply heartfelt and well-crafted tunes. She's set to release her second solo effort to be on Pitch-A-Tent Records this year. Claire & Bain's Maple Yum Yum (not to be confused with the Yum Yum Tree) features the talents of Athens songwriters Claire Campbell and Bain Mattox - both of whom juggle vocal duties, dulcimer, banjo, harmonica, accordion and musical saw.
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Kitty Snyder returns to the showcase as "Master Of Ceremonies" back at 40 Watt Club on Friday, starting at 9:30 p.m. Kicking this evening's showcase off is Atlanta's American Dream, featuring guitarist David Railey. The band plays its rock with additional harp and cello in what organizer Lee Smith calls "orchestrated chaos held together with a knack for timeless pop melodies." Next up is Goddess Perlman, a cabaret act from New York that is "equal parts Bette Midler and Soupy Sales." Atlanta-based cellist and vocalist Diana Obscura performed her very first Athens show at last year's Green Lantern Showcase. The tall-standing brunette collaborated with Flash To Bang Time earlier this year. It's rumored that she'll be performing wearing only kudzu vines! Atlanta rock and roll quartet The Moto-Litas is a hard-hitting, no-nonsense all-girl band celebrating the "CD Release" of its new album, For The Greater Good (Daemon). The Litas specialize in harmonic double vocals, garagey hi-jinx, gritty surf-guitar overtones and great big hooks. Athens' own Flash To Bang Time returns to the showcase as a trio this year (see story this page). The rascally performance ensemble (Uninsured) Circus Of The Bars will be providing "incidental circus music" and antics between acts, so watch out.
"This is like a Dick Clark's ’Caravan Of Stars' show for freethinkers," states Smith. "I just want people to come with an open mind, have a few drinks and check out a very wide variety of some good music. Athens is blessed to have a nationally known festival event of this level and the community should definitely check out some cool movies that they have never seen before, then come to the 40 Watt and Flicker and hear some truly new music."
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