REST IN PEACE: We were saddened to learn of the passing of Athens musician Jeff Evans, 72, who died July 29. Evans was the bass player in The Original Screw Tops band, originally known as the SOB Blues Band. The band was active in both Athens and the immediate surrounding area for well over a decade, and performed original blues material as well as select covers. He is survived by his fellow band members as well as wife Joan, daughter Amanda, son Dylan, daughter-in-law Haley and grandson Archer.
ALL IN THIS TOGETHER: The Athens punks in Commüne do their tuneful best on new EP Thrash. What’s so cool about this is that, for the most part, the band exists in no easily categorizable punk tradition. Of course, the title track—as well as “Bodies”—is straight-up 1977-style, but beyond this Commüne really stretches out. There’s the indie-ish (with a couple of really solid guitar parts) musing of “Embark;” the moody doom of “Fantasy,” which ends on a melodic high note; and the Sonic Youth-ish post goth contained in “I Feel U.” You can listen in over at c0mmune.bandcamp.com, and check out some cool stuff over at c0mmune.tumblr.com.
MECHANICAL MEN: I can’t tell you a single thing about this band named Derby except its new EP, appropriately titled EP 1, is one of the most exciting new developments I’ve heard recently. Whoever they are, they’re incredibly well versed in boom bap, drum and bass, and hardcore electropop. This was like hearing Devo for the first time. The record eases itself open for a minute or so before kicking into a drum-and-bass rhythm, then jumps into the deep end with the frenetic keyboard and guitar styling of “snake,” which then evolves into the even twistier “bug.” Centerpiece track “dancing dog” may well be the most fully realized encapsulation of their overall aesthetic of seismic absurdity. Derby will play live at Ideal Bagel on Saturday, Aug. 16 along with Charleston headliners Beer, Savannah’s Candy Truck, and Mr. [redacted] (formerly known as Mr. Transmission). Doors open at 9 p.m., the cost is a mere $5 and music should begin not terribly long afterward. By the time you read this, presumably, the band should have uploaded this to derbytunes.bandcamp.com, but if you can’t find it there then head to youtube.com/@derbytunes.
IT’S A LOVEBEAT: The Arcs, determined to squeeze every minute out of the runup to its next album, has released its third single from the upcoming Athens Ave album, due out Sept. 16. This one is named “Not In Love.” It’s a dreamy mid-tempo pop song featuring member Kevin Lane’s distinctive lead vocals. The song, one of plaintive yearning and unrequited love, carries on for nearly a full two minutes after the vocals are over as if to emphasize its point. The whole track just kind of screams “AM Gold” but without all the cultural baggage that tag contains. It’s a really thorough production, too, with multiple guitar lines and very lovely background vocals. Find this at thearcs.bandcamp.com, and go ahead and make them happy by preordering the album already. For all other information, please see facebook.com/TheArcs.
DON’T SAY YOU WEREN’T WARNED: Now, if this is your bag, then pay attention. The Sam Holt Band will play a remembrance show to Widespread Panic’s Mikey Houser and Todd Nance, who passed away in 2002 and 2020, respectively. This happens at Live Wire on Saturday, Aug. 30, and tickets are on sale as we speak. This show will absolutely sell out, and I’m not kidding at all. For tickets, please see bit.ly/LiveWireAthensAug30. For more information, please see facebook.com/SamHoltBand and facebook.com/AubreyEntertainmentAthensGA.
MAXIMUM SHAREHOLDER VALUE: It was only just last May when Crying Form unleashed its classic Germs-inspired punk on the world via its debut four-song demo. Somehow, in the past three months the band has found time to record an additional one minute and 43 seconds of music, and released it as a single track release titled Cause in a Much Damaged Society with the music itself titled “Victim of Ignorance / Value Menu.” You know, it’s records like this that make me hate the digital world a little less because, while this is quite good and worth your time, it’s exactly the kind of thing that years ago would have been pressed in an edition of 100 or fewer and wound up on Discogs or eBay for a stupid amount of money. This wouldn’t have been intentional on the band’s part, but record dealers will juice anything they can squeeze. In our modern era you can spend a buck and download it immediately at hardtackk.bandcamp.com.
BE KIND, REWIND: JOKERJOKERtv has compiled a pretty killer video showcase as part of the Athens Film Festival. It happens Saturday, Aug. 16 from 5–7 p.m. at Flicker Theatre and Bar, and these videos are billed as the “Best of The Best as seen on JOKERJOKERtv.” This presentation includes clips from Annie Leeth, August Uprising, Bad Straples, Banned 37, Bayou Princess, Bleach Garden, Bryant Perez x Mr Blank, Chris Ezelle, Chris McKay, Cowboy Kerouac, Dim Watts, Eshniner Forest, Forceghost, Honeypuppy, Infinite Favors, Jake Cook, Johnny Falloon, LeeAnn Peppers, Libbaloops, Milyssa Rose, Nerveclinic, Phantom Dan, Pylon Reenactment Society, SLEEPY CO., Tears For The Dying and The Grawks. So go sit for a couple of hours and catch up! For more information, please see jokerjokertv.com.
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