FILL THIS OUT: You’re probably already planning on catching the new duo of Jay Gonzalez and Tom Heil named Irreparable Damage at Flicker Theatre & Bar on Saturday, Apr. 20, but here’s an additional heads up. Athens band Triplicate, formerly known as Convince The Kid, will celebrate the release of its new EP Falling Off that night as well. The record is to be released the day before. The four-song release is another entry into what I’ve been calling the new Big Pop sound happening in Athens. This has heavy shades of Imagine Dragons, 5 Seconds of Summer, Zayn, et al. Not one-to-one comparisons exactly, but it all resides in the same big tent. It took me a few listens for anything to really grab me, but I did wind up enjoying the third song, “Killer,” a bit more than the others. Its watery guitars and subdued Gene Loves Jezebel-ish vocals fit well together. Bad Staples are also on the bill this night. Find the EP over on Spotify, and for more information, please see facebook.com/convincethekid.
NAKED LUNCH: Michael Potter (Null Zone) has reached back into his archives again to deliver a set of The Electric Nature songs recorded circa 2009–2010. It’s titled Plastic Mind and runs eight tracks long. I can’t tell 100% if knowing he recorded all this on an old Dell laptop with an earbud microphone had any effect on my hearing of it, but it probably did. In any case, this collection once again makes the case for Potter being among the most creative minds to ever work in this town. Opening song “Junk” is a big groove of a song with samples of William S. Burroughs. A handful of these songs have appeared in other places, but you’ll do best to just listen to them here. This whole record is highly listenable and oddly invigorating. The beautiful drone “Dreaming” is worth the price of admission by itself, but other specific highlights are the electro-pop stylings of the title track and “Dumbstep.” This collection is released courtesy of Los Angeles label Already Dead Tapes and Records. In other news, Potter is currently on a huge U.S. tour that won’t wind up until May 19. Find this over at alreadydeadtapes.bandcamp.com.
THE INCREDIBLE STRING MAN: Athens artist Handholder released a collection of demos last month as a benefit for Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. It’s named Memos, which I really like. These are, indeed, demo quality recordings with some done directly on a cell phone with an internal microphone. In any case, though, this is a very nice collection of sensitive tracks and delicate playing. Old Athens folks might notice a similarity, too, between “n2L” and Nuçi Phillips’ old project Koncack. The piano-based “Highwayhold” is a real charmer, too. Consider this entirely recommended even though I don’t normally do that sort of thing. Find this at handholder.bandcamp.com.
GET THE FIREHOSE: The third annual “Only The Strong” Firefighter’s Benefit will happen at Akademia Brewing Company on Saturday, Apr. 20 starting at 4 p.m. According to a press release, this year’s proceeds will be dedicated to The National Fallen Firefighters Association and Local Fire Education and Training. The brewery will celebrate the re-release of its brew The Irons as well. There are multiple raffle items to be given away from a fairly sizable list of sponsors, too, so take some spare bucks to participate. Featured entertainment includes the Broken String Band and more. Only The Strong is described as a “local nonprofit organization built by firefighters for firefighters and the community they protect.” For more information, please follow this badly-in-need-of-an-update URL, facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089992414849.
HERE’S TO NEVER GROWING UP: Athens punk-ish band Hambear has a four-song live release out this month named Live At Market Hugs, which was recorded at the popular semi-regular Atlanta pop-up market. If you ever wondered what, say, Avril Lavigne fronting a screamo band who learned everything from some imaginary compilation named Now, That’s What I Call Third Wave Emo! sounded like, then this is for you. I want to feel like this project has potential, though, and I do appreciate the drums at the very beginning of the first song. Find this at hambear.bandcamp.com, and find out more about Market Hugs at instagram.com/market_hugs.
LEFT OF THE DIAL: On Saturday, Apr. 20, Ciné will host a screening of the college radio documentary 35,000 Watts. The film traces the history and influence of college radio stations and the story is told by those who were, and are, behind the microphone. I was informed by former WUOG 90.5 FM staffer Jennifer Griffith that the director interviewed a slew of Athens folks and former staffers back in 2022 during WUOG’s 50th birthday celebration. So you can expect to see staffers Mike Henry, Lee Echols and Arvell Poe, as well as the aforementioned Griffith. Athens luminaries include Michael Lachowski (Pylon), Vanessa Hay (Pylon, Pylon Reenactment Society) and Bob Hay (The Squalls), Mike Richmond (Love Tractor), and Bertis Downs (R.E.M./Athens, LLC). The film is described as a love letter to college radio. For more information please see athenscine.com and 35000watts.com.
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