Hi Everyone,
This is the final “Threats & Promises” of 2023, and I just wanted to say thanks to all of you. While there’s no chance we’ll always agree on the relative merits (or lack thereof) of every record released, show performed or band created, the fact is that all these things are essential to the big wheel of Athens music that keeps turning. Indeed, they are the reason for this column’s very existence. So, thank you. And, thanks to all of you who faithfully read these words each week. It really means a lot, and I wish all of you a wonderful holiday season. Now, let’s get on with it…
DON’T FORGET ME: I’m starting something this year that I should have begun years ago, and that’s remembrance of those we lost during the preceding 12 months. It was only through routine and oversight this didn’t come to fruition much sooner. Please join me this year in kind remembrance of Jimmy Taylor, Keith “Bear” Fowler, Matt Lahey, Eric Agner and Todd McBride. Each had a particular impact on our music scene, and most I could count as personal friends of several years. Here’s to their memory and a wish for peace for their families and loved ones.
CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES, COME ON: New West Records will celebrate its 25th anniversary Saturday, Dec. 30 at The Georgia Theatre. The formidable label powerhouse will celebrate with performances from The Pink Stones, Elijah Johnston, Lilly Hiatt and Clover Country. Note that this is the first local appearance of The Pink Stones since AthFest as they’ve been tooling around Australia and Europe giving their sophomore album, You Know Who, the proverbial full court press. Tickets are on sale now at georgiatheatre.com.
SPEND MONEY THERE: There are just a whole slew of things going on in the Pylon Reenactment Society camp. First, in advance of its Strolling Bones Records debut LP, which comes out in February, the band released a non-album holiday single named “Christmas Daze,” which is available everywhere you get digital music. Also, they’ve been accepted as a showcase artist for the 2024 South by Southwest event in Austin, TX, not to mention a cool West Coast tour they’re undertaking just as the album is released including dates in San Francisco and Los Angeles. And, if you’ve got a few bucks burning a hole in your pocket, they’ve got a new T-shirt and button available for pre-order, each designed by OG Pylon bassist and founding member Michael Lachowski. So throw those into your shopping cart when pre-ordering the new album over at strollingbonesrecords.com/pylon-reenactment-society. For all other information, please see pylonreenactmentsociety.com.
THE ESSENCE FROM WITHIN: Scott Creney and Brigette Adair Herron, both of Tunabunny and celebrated authors in their individual right, will return to Athens to do a reading and book signing Saturday, Dec. 30 at the Athens-Clarke County Library from 3–5 p.m. The pair has received due praise for their recently released book The Story of the B-52s: Neon Side of Town, and they’d be happy to discuss it with you when you show up.
BLISTERS ON HIS FINGERS: Rocker Garett Hatch has a new EP named Stories coming out Dec. 28. It features new versions of his 2020 song “Place Without A Name” and this past summer’s “Nobody,” as well as a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” which, out of an abundance of caution, I’m going to refrain from commenting upon until I hear it. Right now, though, you can hear the new version of “Gatekeeper” which was originally released as a single back in January. Hatch will celebrate this release with a show this same night at Flicker with Patrick Barry and Suture Self. Get up to speed on all things Hatch over at garetthatch.bandcamp.com.
TWO FOR TUESDAY: Mac McComb, who released the quite good and impressive full-length album The Nameless back in August, has returned to close out the year with a two-song EP named 100 Proof. The title track is a slow and smooth, gently plucked and reverberated guitar, but with nearly three different arrangements within the song itself. Between the two, it’s the second track that’s the winner here. It’s named “I Wish That It Were Simple,” and it’s a matter-of-fact tune with straightforward writing and a nice harmony. Not essential, and neither are as good as anything from his full-length, but not a bad thing to spend a few minutes with, either. Find it at macmccomb.bandcamp.com.
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