Music News & Gossip
Nov 20, 2002
Threats & Promises
Another week of sleepless nights and nerve-wracked days has passed. Having said that, see below for The Mother Of All Columns:
Trickle Down Disco: Former Athens resident DJ Jordache has informed us that she's now got a regular gig at Atlanta's Masquerade. She will be spinning 1980s "disco," which is actually a sporty euphemism for New Wave, every Saturday night in the club's lower level known as "hell." So, folks, if you're up for a night of traveling 120 miles round-trip, spending $6 on a single drink, paying for parking and putting up with the Masquerade's Gestapo security, then, damn, knock yourselves out.
The Mindz of Hip-Hop: The Dreaded Mindz Family has informed us that they will be celebrating "Hip-Hop History Month" by hosting a "King of the Ring: Put Up or Shut Up" emcee battle in the form of a four-round, mock boxing match to be held on Monday, November 25 at UGA's Georgia Hall. Admission is $3 advance, $5 at the door and begins at 8 p.m. I encourage music lovers in town to attend. I mean, come on, 16 emcees, break dancers, graffiti wall art and "the sauce?" - why wouldntcha? [Sarah Lee]
I Wanna Bang On The Drum All Day: If you, like me, are sick of the amateur "drummers" making their racket at the expense of College Square occupants you might be interested in seeing
how it's supposed to be done. Athens resident and musician Dr. Arvin Scott hosts a benefit for his Drumming For Success youth motivational program. The show is Saturday, November 23 at The Healing Arts Center and will feature The Drumming For Success Youth Ensemble & The UGA Hand Drum Ensemble. Both groups will perform under the direction of Dr. Scott. The minimum donation is $6 and you can call (706) 613-1142 or (706) 425-9451 for more information.
What Just Flashed In My Pan? Comedian/Singer Jimmy Fallon will open a series of shows for The Strokes and will be bringing the mayhem to Atlanta's Tabernacle on Sunday, November 24. This reminds me of nothing so much as the unintentional comedians the Spin Doctors opening for the ill-fated Pauly Shore at The Tate Center back in 1991. Judging from the nosedive both careers did soon afterwards, one can only hope history won't repeat itself.
Weeze On Down The Road: Matt Sharp has gone, what else, solo. He's the co-founder and former bass player for college-rock icons Weezer, and founder and former frontman of The Rentals, his side project formed after Weezer toured in support of its 1995 platinum-selling "blue" album. He left Weezer in 1998, and The Rentals disbanded in 1999. Searching for a label, Sharp is in no need of gigs as he makes his way across the northern half of the country the rest of this month. If nothing else, he can no doubt attest to a well-known touring truth: using a bass guitar as a pillow leaves unsightly marks.[SL]
Nothing Like Ho-Made: Atlanta's Echo Lounge will be hosting a Sex Workers Art Show on Thursday, November 21 at 8 p.m. The show costs $8 and is about as cheap a price as one is likely to get to be in a room full of prostitutes and strippers. While I can appreciate the proletarian aspect of something like this, I fear attendees will be subjected to a night of tampons-in-a-teacup-type "art." If any of you guys go and can prove my prediction wrong, I'll give you a free lap dance .
Talkin' Turkey With Moby: Madison Avenue's favorite jingle writer and Eminem punching bag Moby has joined "forces" with the People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals (PETA) to combat the killing of turkeys for Thanksgiving. According to Moby, who has been a vegan since age 21, "there is no proper way to kill and cook these beautiful birds." Actually, folks, there is. See turkeyhuntingsecrets.com for full instructions.
How Lo Can You Go?: Well, guys, it's true. The beautiful and talented Jennifer Lopez has confirmed her desire to continue a string of ill-advised romantic entanglements by announcing her engagement to actor Ben Affleck. The marriage is Lopez' third and Affleck's first. J.Lo, if he breaks your little heart you can contact me at music@flagpole.com for consolation.
Our Generation's Bob Hope: Rapper Coolio has just finished a string of dates performing for US troops in Tuzla, Bosnia/Herzegovina. Coolio, who has performed USO shows for troops around the world since the mid-1990s said, "I perform for soldiers because they are important. They are willing to die in order for me to be able to do the things I do everyday... for my kids to be able to go to school, and to be free. I just think it's my responsibility as a human being and an entertainer to see the soldiers." On the strength of this one statement I have forgiven him for foisting "Gangster's Paradise" upon an unsuspecting public.
I Can't Find A Pulse Here: Succumbing to massive losses in revenue and seeking to plug leaks across the board Tower Records has suspended publication of its free monthly magazine Pulse!. The magazine, which had been available since 1983 at Tower Records stores worldwide, will publish its last issue (for now) this month. The chain, based in Northern California, has reported a $27.9 million loss for the most recent quarter. This is unfortunate because Pulse! was one of the few industry-owned publications that would give space to lesser known artists and print honest record reviews even when it wasn't in their best interest.
Oh, Yeah, That Was A Good Reason: One of the most ridiculous stories to come down the pike this week involves Suif Jackson, the cousin of the late Notorious B.I.G. and current bodyguard for Junior M.A.F.I.A. Jackson was sentenced this week to five years in prison for shooting an unarmed man in Brooklyn last year. Jackson became enraged because the man was talking loudly on his cell phone. Can anyone here spell D.U.M.B.A.S.S?
Recession? What Recession?: The new movie 8 Mile, staring Eminem and some other people, recently enjoyed a record breaking opening weekend pulling in over $54 million in ticket sales. This proves absolutely that Americans have too much disposable income and that reports of economic downturn are a myth.
Oh, Sweet Jesus: Former Skid Row frontman and erstwhile sex
symbol Sebastian Bach is starring in a production of Jesus Christ Superstar in La Mirada, California. Bach plays, you guessed it, the role of Jesus Christ. The show will run for nine months, which should be enough time for local residents to tar and feather him.
Least Essential Program Of The Future: Foul-mouthed matriarch Sharon Osbourne has signed a deal with Telepictures Productions, a division of Warner Brothers, to host her own talk show. The show is slated to premier next Fall and will reportedly follow a format similar to "Oprah." Folks, this is BORING! What we really could use is a variety-hour format hosted by husband Ozzy, complete with clowns, dancing elephants and magicians. Oh, wait, we really don't need that either.
Gallery Of The Elephant Six Stars? Scattered and clumped remnants (survivors) of the first wave of the Elephant Six Recording Co. phenomenon are indeed still out there, somewhere, raising hell and churning sounds. In particular, most of the former members of Olivia Tremor Control are out on the road playing on a
triple-bill featuring Circulatory System (led by main songwriter Will Cullen Hart), The Instruments (fronted by cellist-vocalist Heather McIntosh) and Pipes You See Pipes You Don't (fronted by Peter Erchick). The three bands, all of whom share basically the same members, left on a three-week tour last Wednesday, Nov. 13 of shows across the Midwest. Derek Almstead, bassist out of Of Montreal and Marshmallow Coast, is sitting in on drums. Last fall, Circulatory System released a dizzying, self-titled 22-song album on the new Cloud Recordings imprint. The Pipes followed with a disc earlier this year and The Instruments very recently put out a debut titled Billions Of Phonographs on the Orange Twin label. The bands return for shows at the EARL in Atlanta on Tuesday, Dec. 3 and at the 40 Watt Club on Saturday, Dec. 7. Almstead gets back into town in time to prepare for Of Montreal's New Year's Eve "Covers Show" at the 40 Watt (will they play U2's "New Year's Day"?).
Masters Live Up To The Name: Self-rolled Athens sophisto-pop band Masters Of The Hemisphere - guitarists Bren Mead and Sean Rawls, multi-instrumentalist Adrian Finch and drummer Jeff "Moon" Griggs - announced plans for a special "final" performance last week. The long-running group is amicably splitting
up (or at least spreading out across the continent) after a five-year run including two full-length releases on Kindercore Records. The band is set to play a beer bash at "an undisclosed location" on the edge of Normaltown (ask around) on Saturday, November 23 before Rawls and Finch finish preparations for moves out West. Rumor has it that local sound engineer Chris Bishop is scheming to record the event, so look for a bootleg CD-R soon... [Ballard Lesemann]
Other K-Core Tours Conclude: The highly-acclaimed I Am The World Trade Center is wrapping a long road trip alongside The Blue States through Texas and the Midwest before returning this week. The Agenda is hot on their heels, due home this week, too. Meanwhile instrumental quartet Maserati is aiming for a triumphant return this weekend as well, arriving for shows with road pals The Mercury Program and Fin Fang Foom for a show at the EARL in Atlanta on Friday, Nov. 22 and at Tasty World on Saturday, Nov. 23. [BL]
Huffin' & Puffin': Hardcore Athens punk band Guff is in its final week of yet another long road trip. The quartet played NYC's legendary CBGB on November 9 and is heading back down the East Coast alongside Park, Toxic Narcotic and Keepsake. The band's forthcoming EP disc Guff Is A Disaster is due out on Gokart Records on January 28, by the way. Go to guffmusic.com for more. [BL]
Elves in Europe: There's some rumors floating about that pop
wonders Elf Power will be playing gigs in Europe with groups such as the Black Heart Procession, Ryan Adams and the Flaming Lips. None of this is officially confirmed, but they did do that show in Florida with Wilco. It makes you wonder is all I'm sayin'... [SL]
Folks, if you want more local stuff in here make some noise and tell me about it. I report on what you give me and what I find out on my own. No local stuff is unimportant, so even if you don't think it's news, it probably is.
Send all your news to me via voice mail at 549-2360; via fax at 548-8981; or by post at PO Box 1027, Athens, GA 30603.
Gordon Lamb
Trickle Down Disco: Former Athens resident DJ Jordache has informed us that she's now got a regular gig at Atlanta's Masquerade. She will be spinning 1980s "disco," which is actually a sporty euphemism for New Wave, every Saturday night in the club's lower level known as "hell." So, folks, if you're up for a night of traveling 120 miles round-trip, spending $6 on a single drink, paying for parking and putting up with the Masquerade's Gestapo security, then, damn, knock yourselves out.
The Mindz of Hip-Hop: The Dreaded Mindz Family has informed us that they will be celebrating "Hip-Hop History Month" by hosting a "King of the Ring: Put Up or Shut Up" emcee battle in the form of a four-round, mock boxing match to be held on Monday, November 25 at UGA's Georgia Hall. Admission is $3 advance, $5 at the door and begins at 8 p.m. I encourage music lovers in town to attend. I mean, come on, 16 emcees, break dancers, graffiti wall art and "the sauce?" - why wouldntcha? [Sarah Lee]
I Wanna Bang On The Drum All Day: If you, like me, are sick of the amateur "drummers" making their racket at the expense of College Square occupants you might be interested in seeing
| |
What Just Flashed In My Pan? Comedian/Singer Jimmy Fallon will open a series of shows for The Strokes and will be bringing the mayhem to Atlanta's Tabernacle on Sunday, November 24. This reminds me of nothing so much as the unintentional comedians the Spin Doctors opening for the ill-fated Pauly Shore at The Tate Center back in 1991. Judging from the nosedive both careers did soon afterwards, one can only hope history won't repeat itself.
Weeze On Down The Road: Matt Sharp has gone, what else, solo. He's the co-founder and former bass player for college-rock icons Weezer, and founder and former frontman of The Rentals, his side project formed after Weezer toured in support of its 1995 platinum-selling "blue" album. He left Weezer in 1998, and The Rentals disbanded in 1999. Searching for a label, Sharp is in no need of gigs as he makes his way across the northern half of the country the rest of this month. If nothing else, he can no doubt attest to a well-known touring truth: using a bass guitar as a pillow leaves unsightly marks.[SL]
Nothing Like Ho-Made: Atlanta's Echo Lounge will be hosting a Sex Workers Art Show on Thursday, November 21 at 8 p.m. The show costs $8 and is about as cheap a price as one is likely to get to be in a room full of prostitutes and strippers. While I can appreciate the proletarian aspect of something like this, I fear attendees will be subjected to a night of tampons-in-a-teacup-type "art." If any of you guys go and can prove my prediction wrong, I'll give you a free lap dance .
Talkin' Turkey With Moby: Madison Avenue's favorite jingle writer and Eminem punching bag Moby has joined "forces" with the People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals (PETA) to combat the killing of turkeys for Thanksgiving. According to Moby, who has been a vegan since age 21, "there is no proper way to kill and cook these beautiful birds." Actually, folks, there is. See turkeyhuntingsecrets.com for full instructions.
How Lo Can You Go?: Well, guys, it's true. The beautiful and talented Jennifer Lopez has confirmed her desire to continue a string of ill-advised romantic entanglements by announcing her engagement to actor Ben Affleck. The marriage is Lopez' third and Affleck's first. J.Lo, if he breaks your little heart you can contact me at music@flagpole.com for consolation.
Our Generation's Bob Hope: Rapper Coolio has just finished a string of dates performing for US troops in Tuzla, Bosnia/Herzegovina. Coolio, who has performed USO shows for troops around the world since the mid-1990s said, "I perform for soldiers because they are important. They are willing to die in order for me to be able to do the things I do everyday... for my kids to be able to go to school, and to be free. I just think it's my responsibility as a human being and an entertainer to see the soldiers." On the strength of this one statement I have forgiven him for foisting "Gangster's Paradise" upon an unsuspecting public.
I Can't Find A Pulse Here: Succumbing to massive losses in revenue and seeking to plug leaks across the board Tower Records has suspended publication of its free monthly magazine Pulse!. The magazine, which had been available since 1983 at Tower Records stores worldwide, will publish its last issue (for now) this month. The chain, based in Northern California, has reported a $27.9 million loss for the most recent quarter. This is unfortunate because Pulse! was one of the few industry-owned publications that would give space to lesser known artists and print honest record reviews even when it wasn't in their best interest.
Oh, Yeah, That Was A Good Reason: One of the most ridiculous stories to come down the pike this week involves Suif Jackson, the cousin of the late Notorious B.I.G. and current bodyguard for Junior M.A.F.I.A. Jackson was sentenced this week to five years in prison for shooting an unarmed man in Brooklyn last year. Jackson became enraged because the man was talking loudly on his cell phone. Can anyone here spell D.U.M.B.A.S.S?
Recession? What Recession?: The new movie 8 Mile, staring Eminem and some other people, recently enjoyed a record breaking opening weekend pulling in over $54 million in ticket sales. This proves absolutely that Americans have too much disposable income and that reports of economic downturn are a myth.
Oh, Sweet Jesus: Former Skid Row frontman and erstwhile sex
| |
Least Essential Program Of The Future: Foul-mouthed matriarch Sharon Osbourne has signed a deal with Telepictures Productions, a division of Warner Brothers, to host her own talk show. The show is slated to premier next Fall and will reportedly follow a format similar to "Oprah." Folks, this is BORING! What we really could use is a variety-hour format hosted by husband Ozzy, complete with clowns, dancing elephants and magicians. Oh, wait, we really don't need that either.
Gallery Of The Elephant Six Stars? Scattered and clumped remnants (survivors) of the first wave of the Elephant Six Recording Co. phenomenon are indeed still out there, somewhere, raising hell and churning sounds. In particular, most of the former members of Olivia Tremor Control are out on the road playing on a
| |
Masters Live Up To The Name: Self-rolled Athens sophisto-pop band Masters Of The Hemisphere - guitarists Bren Mead and Sean Rawls, multi-instrumentalist Adrian Finch and drummer Jeff "Moon" Griggs - announced plans for a special "final" performance last week. The long-running group is amicably splitting
| |
Other K-Core Tours Conclude: The highly-acclaimed I Am The World Trade Center is wrapping a long road trip alongside The Blue States through Texas and the Midwest before returning this week. The Agenda is hot on their heels, due home this week, too. Meanwhile instrumental quartet Maserati is aiming for a triumphant return this weekend as well, arriving for shows with road pals The Mercury Program and Fin Fang Foom for a show at the EARL in Atlanta on Friday, Nov. 22 and at Tasty World on Saturday, Nov. 23. [BL]
Huffin' & Puffin': Hardcore Athens punk band Guff is in its final week of yet another long road trip. The quartet played NYC's legendary CBGB on November 9 and is heading back down the East Coast alongside Park, Toxic Narcotic and Keepsake. The band's forthcoming EP disc Guff Is A Disaster is due out on Gokart Records on January 28, by the way. Go to guffmusic.com for more. [BL]
Elves in Europe: There's some rumors floating about that pop
| |
Folks, if you want more local stuff in here make some noise and tell me about it. I report on what you give me and what I find out on my own. No local stuff is unimportant, so even if you don't think it's news, it probably is.
Send all your news to me via voice mail at 549-2360; via fax at 548-8981; or by post at PO Box 1027, Athens, GA 30603.
Gordon Lamb
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