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As Spring continues to do the Harlem Shuffle into Athens and days heat up, the news around here keeps cooking to a boil. So in the interest of keeping y'all simmering in the broth, here is this week's round-up of all you need to know...

The Music Directory Rules! Get One! Hey all you bands and fans, the Flagpole Athens Music Directory 2003 is out now! Over 400 bands, along with local venues and music related services are listed, so check it out. AND - if your band got left out or you just didn't get your crap together in time to be included in the print version, you can send us your info anytime and we'll post it to the on-line Music Directory, available at www.flagpole.com. Submit your info (or update your listing when you get that new bass player) via the form on-line, via email at music@flagpole.com or by mail to: P.O. Box 1027, Athens, GA, 30603 Attn: MD2003.

Been a Long Time Since Iraq and Rolled: Hey you, wanna have a good time and make a political statement at the same time? Well, then put down that PBR and pay attention. The fabulous 40 Watt Club and local promoter Christina Sass are putting together an anti-war benefit sometime in April in which concert-goers will vote on which charity will end up with their dollars. The crowd will get a ballot at the door, and the organizations listed will receive their share of the take based on how the votes break down by percentage. Pretty good idea if you ask me, as this will give people a way to vote with their dollars as far as the various anti-war organizations are concerned. Hopefully the smarmy ones will wind up with a lump of coal or something. At any rate, if your band would like to participate, and if your local organization would like to line up for a share of the kitty, please contact Ms. Sass at 540-4178. Call soon as this thing is taking shape and could happen at any time.

And You Thought Nobody Wanted Songwriters Anymore: The Athens chapter of the Nashville Songwriters Association International had their most recent meeting on Monday, March 17 and if you're unfamiliar with this organization, let me give you the scoop. The organization provides lessons for songwriters ("written by pros"), offers "professional" critiques of members' songs and gives feedback. The group is currently looking for a co-coordinator who will "get trained in Nashville in April." If this floats your boat and you can handle criticism from people that actually make a living in music, then you might want to contact NSAI local honcho Swagata "Ban" Banerjee at 583-8591 or 542-0856 and see when this group will meet again.

Brain Turned To Mush as Soul Ascends to Heaven: Except for the loud-mouthed ramblings of an Aqua-Net soaked, drunk goth chick who was more interested in showing off her spiderweb shoulder tattoo that actually listening to the show, Godspeed You! Black Emperor at the 40 Watt on Saturday, March 8, was mind-blowingly spectacular. Kudos to the 40 Watt staff for making this happen and creating local history once again.

Make The Trip, Spend The Night: Well, kids, Thursday, March 20, is gonna be a damn good night to be in Atlanta. If you happen to find yourself there and are itching to see a couple of cool shows, stop by The Masquerade first for a night of death metal courtesy of local metal acts Dying Fetus, Hate Eternal, Into Eternity and Kataklysm. After you're done there, head over to East Atlanta's EARL to catch Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, The Oranges Band and Heros Severum. If none of this turns you on, you can always stick around Athens and sling back $1 PBR's somewhere.

Attention, Quiet Majority: This is a call to the Tight Pockets gang and other folks around town throwing house shows and small venue shindigs. If you want publicity for your event, get your news to me. My cool turns to drool over this type of stuff and I'm always willing to throw a good word in for ya. Also, I'm sick of missing killer shows because someone thought promotion meant telling two friends and hanging up five fliers.

So wake up before noon and get me your information - unless that's like totally not punk, in which case I apologize.

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Line 'Em Up, Move 'Em Out: The final lineup has been decided for the AthFest 2003 CD and it's one of the best I've ever seen from the Ghostmeat guys. Included on the disk are: Viva, The Eskimos, Julie Powell, Paper Lions, Vic Chesnutt, Maserati, Randall Bramblett w/Jason Slatton, Jet By Day, Park Bench Trio, Lona, Hope For AGoldenSummer, The Fairburn Royals, Sara O'Brien, Breakheart Beat, Kyle Dawkins, The Ones, Jack Logan/Bob Kimbell, Joseph Plunkett and Urbosleeks.

What's notable about this list is the number of Kindercore bands present. In previous years the label had steadfastly refused anything to do with AthFest, so maybe the times are a-changing. Either way, this is looking like the year an AthFest CD will finally make it into my collection. Good job, guys. The disc will be available soon, stay tuned for more AthFest news in the weeks ahead.

Not Just For Happy Hour Anymore: The gang down at 283 Bar has decided to add to the frustration and headache of running a bar by booking local singers and songwriters.

I admire anyone who's willing to do this, so let's give 'em a hand. The first show went down on Monday, March 17 and included Seth Hall, Shauna Lindhurst and Patrick Carey. In the works are shows by Annie, Don Chambers, Alan Tanner and Raleigh Hatfield. If you wanna throw yourself to the wolves, all you gotta do is give a call to Patrick Carey at 543-3243 or 543-9197.

Check It Out: Nuçi's Space is holding a book drive through April 14 and is accepting donations of books relating to music and those relating to mental health. You can donate biographies of musicians, sheet music and books relating to depression, self-help, etc. All these will go into the Nuçi's Space Library which will be launched anew in the first week of May 2003. For more information or to make a donation, call Roy at 227-1515 or email space@nuci.org.

And I'm outta here. As always, get it to me and I'll give it to them. Leave the cake out in the rain via email to music@flagpole.com, voicemail at 549-2360; via fax at 548-8981; or by post to P.O. Box 1027, Athens, GA 30603.

Gordon Lamb