Music News & Gossip
Jul 30, 2003
Threats & Promises
Yes, it's that time again, kids. So pull up your mats, put your things away, lie down with your blanket and let ol' Unca Gordon fill you in on what's been going on...
Sometimes They Come Back: The High Caliber guitarist and longtime (as in, like, 10 years) employee of Musician's Warehouse Reid Howland is leaving the Warehouse to go back to college. While normally someone quitting a job wouldn't be as much of a nipple tweak as this, Howland has been an inspiration and provided enormous assistance to musicians in this town. It's rare that a novice player can walk into a store and be treated with the same respect a seasoned pro would be. While we're all a bit saddened that his face won't be behind the counter anymore, here's to hoping owner Ed Magruder will hire someone equally friendly to continue in his tradition.
Ya Gotta Be Inspired By Something: After taking a little while off, songwriter Dodd Ferrelle and his Tinfoil Stars are back in the action. Earlier this month the band released Sweet Lowland: Songs Inspired By Tybee Island And Savannah and the official release party will be held on Tybee Island, GA, Saturday, August 16, at A-J's Dockside restaurant. (Y'know folks, this album is pretty ambitious. I was once going to name an album Sweaty And Lowdown: Songs Inspired By The Intersection of MLK and North Avenue but I chickened out.) If'n you can't make the trip to Tybee Island, you can catch the band at their next Atlanta date Thursday, August 14, at Eddie's Attic. For all your information needs please look over at www.doddferrelle.com.
Suzie, You Don't Have To Turn On The Red Light: Atlanta guitar-pop band Metroscene will begin recording its newest album any day now, and should wrap it up pretty quick so the band can start gigging again in September. If you wanna get a jump on things, though, you can head over to Metroscene's web site and download a copy of the track "The Ballad Of Suzie Wong" which is available there in demo version. (As a side note, the story of Suzie Wong, according to the movie which was based on the play, is that of a prostitute desperate for love and hiding her past from the object of her affection. Whether or not the bandmembers realize it, they may have stumbled upon the most apropos subject for a rock band to write about ever.) Oh, the web site is www.metroscenemusic.com.
I'm Looking Through You: Have any of you gone down to check out the dance parties being thrown almost every week at The X-Ray Café on Washington St.? All types of whacked-out, DJ madness and hi-jinx seem to be occurring during these happenings so methinks it would be well worth yer two bux to check 'em out. The joint has garnered some praise around the world, too: from Mojo Magazine ("X-Ray Cafe is the center of the new psychedelic music scene!") to New York's The Village Voice. To get on the email list for updates and news, drop a line to owner Paul Thomas at Paul77@bellsouth.net.
Did You Get 'em? I Got 'em!: With an opener like that what else could I possibly be speaking of except about R.E.M. tickets. If you weren't on the ball enough to grab you some via the pre-sale at The Georgia Theatre on July 18, maybe you can still try your luck via mean ol' Ticketmaster. (Hey, you know, you're unlikely to find a bigger supporter of free-market capitalism than me, but Ticketmaster is just a slimeball factory.) At any rate, the band will be taking the stage at Philips Arena in Atlanta on October 11 so you've got some time to beg, borrow or steal whatever you have to make sure you're there.
Local Lyric For This Week: Let's reach back into the closet and dig up something good. Back when Athens, Ga.: Inside/Out was still brand new to the rest of the world (although locals insist that by the time it was filmed the scene was "over") these guys were poised to break huge. As it turned out they scored some solid college radio success but ultimately fizzled on a major label (Arista). They still surface occasionally and, even though they were originally from Marietta, GA, they will always be associated with Athens for most folks. Here's a little line about a lesson in humility from the 1987 album 2 x 4 by Guadalcanal Diary: "I hate to say you're not the sun/ The world around is much more fun/ I know it hurts to bear the shame/ Of people who don't know your name."
Final Notes: Lona has launched its new Web site www.lonarockandroll.com; The Possibilities have returned safely from tour and have some new MP3's up at www.thepossibilities.org; Drive-By Truckers have received 4 out of 5 stars in Mojo Magazine for the latest release Decoration Day.
And another week folds itself back into the calendar. Remember, get your news to me and make a big stink about it. There's simply not enough drama going on around here. Remember to reference Threats & Promises or me in the subject line of your email so it doesn't get lost in the vortex. Take the M-Train 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
Sometimes They Come Back: The High Caliber guitarist and longtime (as in, like, 10 years) employee of Musician's Warehouse Reid Howland is leaving the Warehouse to go back to college. While normally someone quitting a job wouldn't be as much of a nipple tweak as this, Howland has been an inspiration and provided enormous assistance to musicians in this town. It's rare that a novice player can walk into a store and be treated with the same respect a seasoned pro would be. While we're all a bit saddened that his face won't be behind the counter anymore, here's to hoping owner Ed Magruder will hire someone equally friendly to continue in his tradition.
Ya Gotta Be Inspired By Something: After taking a little while off, songwriter Dodd Ferrelle and his Tinfoil Stars are back in the action. Earlier this month the band released Sweet Lowland: Songs Inspired By Tybee Island And Savannah and the official release party will be held on Tybee Island, GA, Saturday, August 16, at A-J's Dockside restaurant. (Y'know folks, this album is pretty ambitious. I was once going to name an album Sweaty And Lowdown: Songs Inspired By The Intersection of MLK and North Avenue but I chickened out.) If'n you can't make the trip to Tybee Island, you can catch the band at their next Atlanta date Thursday, August 14, at Eddie's Attic. For all your information needs please look over at www.doddferrelle.com.
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Suzie, You Don't Have To Turn On The Red Light: Atlanta guitar-pop band Metroscene will begin recording its newest album any day now, and should wrap it up pretty quick so the band can start gigging again in September. If you wanna get a jump on things, though, you can head over to Metroscene's web site and download a copy of the track "The Ballad Of Suzie Wong" which is available there in demo version. (As a side note, the story of Suzie Wong, according to the movie which was based on the play, is that of a prostitute desperate for love and hiding her past from the object of her affection. Whether or not the bandmembers realize it, they may have stumbled upon the most apropos subject for a rock band to write about ever.) Oh, the web site is www.metroscenemusic.com.
I'm Looking Through You: Have any of you gone down to check out the dance parties being thrown almost every week at The X-Ray Café on Washington St.? All types of whacked-out, DJ madness and hi-jinx seem to be occurring during these happenings so methinks it would be well worth yer two bux to check 'em out. The joint has garnered some praise around the world, too: from Mojo Magazine ("X-Ray Cafe is the center of the new psychedelic music scene!") to New York's The Village Voice. To get on the email list for updates and news, drop a line to owner Paul Thomas at Paul77@bellsouth.net.
Did You Get 'em? I Got 'em!: With an opener like that what else could I possibly be speaking of except about R.E.M. tickets. If you weren't on the ball enough to grab you some via the pre-sale at The Georgia Theatre on July 18, maybe you can still try your luck via mean ol' Ticketmaster. (Hey, you know, you're unlikely to find a bigger supporter of free-market capitalism than me, but Ticketmaster is just a slimeball factory.) At any rate, the band will be taking the stage at Philips Arena in Atlanta on October 11 so you've got some time to beg, borrow or steal whatever you have to make sure you're there.
Local Lyric For This Week: Let's reach back into the closet and dig up something good. Back when Athens, Ga.: Inside/Out was still brand new to the rest of the world (although locals insist that by the time it was filmed the scene was "over") these guys were poised to break huge. As it turned out they scored some solid college radio success but ultimately fizzled on a major label (Arista). They still surface occasionally and, even though they were originally from Marietta, GA, they will always be associated with Athens for most folks. Here's a little line about a lesson in humility from the 1987 album 2 x 4 by Guadalcanal Diary: "I hate to say you're not the sun/ The world around is much more fun/ I know it hurts to bear the shame/ Of people who don't know your name."
| |
Final Notes: Lona has launched its new Web site www.lonarockandroll.com; The Possibilities have returned safely from tour and have some new MP3's up at www.thepossibilities.org; Drive-By Truckers have received 4 out of 5 stars in Mojo Magazine for the latest release Decoration Day.
And another week folds itself back into the calendar. Remember, get your news to me and make a big stink about it. There's simply not enough drama going on around here. Remember to reference Threats & Promises or me in the subject line of your email so it doesn't get lost in the vortex. Take the M-Train 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
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