Well, we're back in the ring to take another swing, guys. Here's the news roundup from the T&P Corral this week. Kick up your spurs and have a look-see...

Hats in the Ring: The AthFest CD, released every year by AthFest and Ghostmeat Records, is in its initial planning stages and submissions are being accepted. The 2004 album will be the 7th compilation of bands playing at the festival. To submit your music, drop off a CD in person to any Musician's Warehouse location. The submission deadline is February 29, so leap to it. For more information, visit AthFest.com, Ghostmeat.com or email Russ Hallauer at info@ghostmeat.com. In related news, the festival, which will run this year from June 17-20, also is accepting applications for performers on the outdoor stages. If you're interested in performing send a press kit (w/ contact info), a photo and a CD of your music to AthFest 2004, Attn: Outdoor Stage Booking, P.O. Box 327, Athens, GA 30603. There's no application fee for Georgia-based acts, and remember, this is for the outdoor stage only. This year individual venues will book their own events, so start pestering club owners now. [Chris Hassiotis]

They're Gonna Make a Big Star Outta Me: On Tuesday, Jan. 20 at the 40 Watt, you'll have a chance to catch The Comet's Tale, a tongue-in-cheek documentary focusing on the local music scene, circa 2000, and the role played by the "legendary" Octa P.A. Directed by Mark Opel (of The Savoir Faire, What and Infrastructure), the film is decidedly Athenian in its home-made feel. The Comet's Tale features such fine folks as Ross Shapiro, David Barbe, Jeff Mangum and Flagpole's own Gordon Lamb. Opel's power-pop act The Savoir Faire also makes a return to the stage on Friday, Jan. 23, performing at Tasty World with The Whigs and Y.O.U. [CH]

Kick It Down, Pardner: Bluegrass fans used to paying a mere $3 on Wednesday night for Tasty World's bluegrass showcase are gonna either have to bring more money or buy one less beer in the future. Rich Mullinax, of promotion company AthenSound, has announced that the cover will rise to $5 effective immediately. Some out-of-town groups were being affected the most by promoters not being able to slide enough bucks their way at the end of the night to make it worth those groups' while and, come on folks, $5 is still pretty damn cheap for a good night of music. It should be noted that neither AthenSound nor Tasty World keeps any of the door money from these events. All door money, less $50 for the cost of sound, goes directly to the performers. For current schedules and other info, please visit www.tastyworld.com/bluegrass. And speaking of bluegrass, the Athens Steam Co. Pub over in the Foundry Park Inn complex has started up a weekly bluegrass night of its own. Thursdays are the night, and this week's performers are the Packway Handle Band.

Better To Shoot Film Than Bullets, I Say: Indie film director Dan Ewen, currently of Big Huge Films and formerly a resident Athenian, just finished up a video shoot for local rap duo Iron Triangle here in Athens. I say "video shoot" but the whole thing was done on 35mm film,

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which should clarify any doubts as to the pro-quality involved here. The shoot was for DJ Mr. Bigg and G. Da War Don's track "Country Music" which is their tribute to our fair town. The track itself is fairly low-key number with a good beat and, Dick, I rate it a 7 out of 10 on the dance scale. Look for Iron Triangle's album Slumjevity to appear in March of this year. For MP3s and other goodies please see www.irontrianglemusic.com.

Jomo Entertainment Scores Again!: Local promotion firm Jomo Entertainment has just confirmed what will likely be one of the most memorable shows this winter. On January 26 former frontman and founder of Dinosaur Jr. (or Dino, for the purists out there) J. Mascis will perform at the Caledonia Lounge. An opening act has yet to be announced, but unless it's something really incredible

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(like when My Bloody Valentine opened for Dinosaur Jr. in the early 1990's at the 40 Watt) then it really won't matter who shares the stage with him. Mascis is one of those rare, crackly-voiced, Neil Young-sounding guys that I can listen to for hours without wanting to punch him, so if that means anything take it to heart. Also, it will be a real treat to see him perform at a venue as intimate as the Caledonia. Tickets for the show are $10 and can be had via the usual local merchants and at www.jomoentertainment.com.

Closin' Up Shop: While the town's been all a-flutterin' with rumors regarding the closing of indie-rock watering hole/meat market/music venue Engine Room's closing (we heard that Bigfoot's buying the building to transform it into a weasel-fighting den), the bar, which had been around in one size or another for almost 10 years, isn't the only music venue out. Spaar's Bar & Grill, located amidst all the Baxter construction, seems to be closing up shop as well. The liquor license wasn't renewed and management has informed all performing artists that all shows have been canceled. Over the past year the pub built a small but dedicated clientele base with its dedication to blues-laden rock and country-flavored solo performers; Ricky Fitzpatrick drew regular crowds, as did Mike Watson's jam sessions, and the loss of a venue always puts a dent in the scene. [Chris Hassiotis]

Tighten Up: A few cool things have been going on with the bands who can best be described as integral to the Tite Pockets scene. Tite Pockets being, of course, that wonderful crumbling building on Hancock where youth springs eternal. At any rate, upstart label We Got The Beets, headed by Zumm Zumm drummer and multi-instrumentalist Theo Helton, is releasing, along with local label Shake Records, an album by Gainesville, FL, band Aphid Ant Collection. They have been described to me as "absolutely gorgeous," though I'm pretty sure what my informant meant was the music. Zumm Zumm itself will see, finally, an official release of its latest album Gerald Bronson this month with re-worked cover art. Carrie Nations' album will be re-released on vinyl by the Philadelphia label Bitter Like The Bean. The original still-available CD version was released early last year by Plan-It-X Records. Man, stuff just keeps on happening, don't it?

And that's it for this week, pals. As always and forevermore, get your news in often and early and reference either me or Threats & Promises in the subject line of all emails. We be chillin' at the Holidae In via email music@flagpole.com, voicemail at 549-2360; or by post at P.O. Box 1027, Athens, GA 30603.

Gordon Lamb