This is my favorite time of year for local music because the fall always brings several hundred new faces into our scene and new blood is vital to keeping things alive around here. So, with that in mind, I welcome all you new folks. Lesson No. 1: come here first for your news and send your tribute regularly…

I Told You Details Were Forthcoming: Last week it was reported that the details surrounding the breakup of Athens hardcore troubadours Community Chaos were murky. Well, they're pretty clear now. And completely mundane. Members John Edwards and James Terry are going back to school. Member Jeff Glenn said of the split that "… we all want to move on to different things, basically." Glenn plans on "laying low" and possibly starting a new musical project, and no word was available on the plans of the supremely talented Jon Guthrie, but it's a given that he'll do perfectly fine in any musical setting he finds. For a final, last look around please see www.communitychaos.com.

Mice! Monkeys!! (Actually, Apes!!!): At the big Infusia grand re-opening to-do a couple weeks back Flagpole ran into superstar producer and former Athenian Brian Burton, better known worldwide as DJ Dangermouse. The Grey Album mastermind was passing through town, where he spent a couple of days at the Downtown Athens Recording Company laying down some of his own tracks. The hip-hop producer was on his way back out to Los Angeles for a while, and by the time this info sees print he should be out of the country; he's about to spend several months working on the forthcoming project from Damon Albarn's electro-cartoon act Gorillaz. Watch these pages all hawklike for more info. [Chris Hassiotis]

Rollin' With The Homies: Local superstars R.E.M. have once again given it up for homegrown talent by granting opening slots on their upcoming tour to local talents Now, It's Overhead and Five-Eight. Five-Eight, who deserves to be regarded among the best in the history of Athens rock music, will open shows in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Francisco and Seattle. Now, It's Overhead will play dates in St. Louis, Indianapolis, Chicago, Akron, OH, and R.E.M.'s Atlanta-area date at the Gwinnett Arena on October 23. This move will remind fans of R.E.M. hiring local bands Elf Power and The Olivia Tremor Control to open its dates at Atlanta's Chastain Park during 1999's Up tour. This simply rules. For more information please see www.remhq.com.

Be Cool. Fix Them Schools: In other R.E.M. news, which you will be getting a ton of this fall (as is always the case before they release an album), the band will appear on a new compilation entitled Mary Had A Little Amp which features superstar artists performing children's songs. The album, to be released via Epic Records on October 5, is a benefit for Project Kid Smart and Start Smart America, both of which are projects by Norman Lear, the man who brought us TV's "Sanford And Son," "Maude," "The Jeffersons," "All In The Family," "One Day At A Time" and "Mary Hartman," among many other shows, and founded People For The American Way and the People For The American Way Foundation. Press releases from the organization describe these efforts as "projects working to ensure preschool education for all American children." Which is as honorable a goal as any. While older rock and pop fans might become a bit unglued at some of the questionable material featured on the album (The Dixie Chicks covering The Muppets' "Rainbow Connection," Maroon 5 playing anything at all and Graham Nash doing the 1,000th rehash of "Teach Your Children") children are curious little folks and will likely find enjoyment throughout. So get it for them. Contributions to look forward to are Moby, Rosanne Cash, Joe Henry and Bonnie Raitt and, of course, R.E.M. who perform "We Walk," which was first released on their 1983 album Murmur. For more information please see www.pfaw.org.

From Us To You: Interested in having the Flagpole music staff recommend live music to you every night? Sign up for the Athens Cloud's free service at www.AthensCloud.com and select us as a business from whom you'd like to receive updates, and your cell phone will receive a text message from Flagpole (with love) when we've got a recommendation for you. It doesn't cost a thing, and it's the perfect way for you to receive up-to-the-minute info if something awesome's going on in town - there are always spur-of-the-moment pieces of brilliance in the Athens music scene or late-breaking news. Current subscribers, for instance, found out that the Drive-By Truckers shot footage for an upcoming DVD during their 40 Watt weekend residency. Don't you want to be cool too? [Chris Hassiotis]

A Few Very Important Words: Okay guys, this is to all you folks out there in band-land. I don't know how many times I've imparted to you that you must get your information to me early. As in at least a week before the paper in which I should write about an event that's slated to happen. You can't call me up on Tuesday afternoon and expect something to be in the next day's paper. Deadlines, print schedule, etc. I'm not trying to sound harsh here, but you can't act like your band is being ignored when you haven't made the effort to get noticed. Peace.

That's all for now, everybody. Please get your news in to me early and often and always reference either me or Threats & Promises in the subject lines of all e-mails. Make with the making out via email at music@flagpole.com, voicemail at 549-9523, ext. 214; or by post at P.O. Box 1027, Athens, GA 30603.
Gordon Lamb