Don't you love how I always introduce this part with my pithy comments and observations? I thought so, and I thank you. You should see the dirt under my fingernails from digging this junk up. What I did for love.

We Swore We Wouldn't Say "Rock The Vote": So it's that time of the year again when you, the guy sitting next to you and that girl across the table from you get to dole out the good stuff to local musicians. Yes, it's the 2003 Flagpole Athens Music Awards. We've got 407 more categories than any other award in the country. We've got 50-foot tall prizes. We've got private limos and Cristal just for the dogs. We've also got terrible, terrible liars working over here on Foundry St. But what we do have, for serious, is the opportunity to award the local music acts you think are most deserving, so check out the ballot on p. 34 or vote on-line at www.flagpole.com. The show kicks off AthFest on June 19 at the Morton Theatre with live music and hilarious antics on and off-stage. All ballots are due June 2, so get to it. [Chris Hassiotis]

Endorsements? We Don't Need No Stinkin' Endorsements!: Sweet baby Jesus, this year is shaping up to be one of the best years for shows in Athens in about 10 years. (For those that remember, the early 1990's golden club days are about to be challenged but good!) Upcoming at the 40 Watt we have Sparklehorse (who was supposed to play April 26 but instead played three songs with The Flaming Lips last week, and will reschedule his solo show), the motherlovin' Cramps on May 6 and the I-can't-believe-he's-gonna-be-in-Athens-Johnny Marr And the Healers on May 12. For those that want to see one of the best flat-out rock bands this town has ever seen get yer duffs over to Tasty World on May 30 for an original lineup show by The Dashboard Saviors. Also, don't ever forget to check the schedule over at The Caledonia Lounge. Better yet, just show up on a random night and you'll pretty much be satisfied. I love this town so damn much sometimes it hurts.

Yes, This Is Really Happening: Jomo Entertainment has joined forces with Brown Coffee Productions to bring you "Jam Cruise 2004." No, it's not a marathon viewing of Risky Business. It is a four-night jam-band cruise which will set sail on January 4, 2004. Some 800 folks will be able to sail away with "some of the brightest talent in the world of improvisational music, brought together for the sole purpose of creating an atmosphere of good vibes, incredible music and great fun among friends." Just so you know, I fully endorse loading a boat full of hippies and sending 'em out in the middle of the ocean, and you should too. If you wanna put down that falafel sandwich and get in on the action, point your browser to www.jamcruise.com.

Ever Get The Feeling You've Been Cheated?: Johnny Rotten's famous statement made in San Francisco in 1978 could just as well be applied to crap bands like The Used in 2003. Kids all over Athens were disappointed when the band had to cancel their appearance at the fabulous 40 Watt. The band was set to play with Coheed & Cambria, but couldn't make it because of a questionable arrest of their guitar player the night before. Refunds are available, but the question has to be asked: Should we feel more sorry for the kids because they missed a show or because the bullshit-generating music industry has convinced them that gumball-machine rebellion like The Used is authentic in any way?

Oh, Hell YES!: Athens-via-New York label Bumblebear Records is simply ruling it nowadays. Their "free label" features compilations and single artist CDs that are, literally, free for the asking. Their releases by Boys Star Library and Miss July simply rule, but the releases I'm most excited over still haven't come out. Those would be the debut album by Murder Beach and the double CD whammy of The Masters Of The Hemisphere's final show. Sitting on my hands with excitement guys, so kick it up a notch and send me copies, dammit!

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Lookit Me! No, Over Here: Studio wizard and all around good guy Jason NeSmith has some cool junk going down over at his Bel-Air Studio. For starters, Nesmith's flagship band Casper And The Cookies have completed their latest album and are planning on shopping it around to labels before they decide what to do with it. If you've never heard them, trust me when I say they would be perfectly at home on SpinArt, Happy, Happy Birthday To Me, Bumblebear or pretty much any solid pop-oriented outfit around. In other news, Andy Gonzales, also of Of Montreal, has finished the new Marshmallow Coast record which has yet to be named. The label for this one is up in the air also. The Late B.P. Helium has wrapped the Kumquat Mae EP, their newest batch of hits over at Bel-Air, also, and Athens hopefully will soon see the release of the debut by Cyndi Harvell who recently completed her album with Nesmith at the knobs.

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The Name's the Thing: According to Jason Ellis of in-town rockers hey, revolution!, the band's life has so far been a good one. The band was formerly called Jason Ellis, but Ellis claims that "our last eight months as hey, revolution! has gotten us ten times further then our first two-plus years in town as Jason Ellis. More people are coming to shows, we are getting better shows, and the crowd response to these shows has been wonderful." So you see, when you and your potential bandmates are sitting around taking hits off that peace pipe, coming up with pun-laden, really silly possible band names, don't go with any of them! Not that we're saying that's how Ellis decided to name his band. We're just saying give it some thought - it matters more than you think. [CH]

Time to Stock Up: Quickly, it's happening again - Kurt Wood's impressive Front Porch Record Sale. With hundreds of LP's, 45's and 78's available, the Wood place is a fine way to fill up those bags with all the vinyl favorites you've dreamed of owning, spinning or just loving. On Saturday, April 26 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and on Sunday, April 26 from noon-5 p.m., 1080 Oconee St. will become the treasure-hunter's paradise you've been looking for. Call 546-9602 for more info. [CH]

And that's all, folks. Bust out the tanning butter and meet me at the pool. Get your news to me regularly and timely or I'm just gonna start making stuff up about you. Run for the roses via email to music@flagpole.com, voicemail at 549-2360; via fax at 548-8981; or by post at P.O. Box 1027, Athens, GA 30603.

Gordon Lamb