WHAT THEY DID: Congratulations are due to both decades-long Athens artists Five Eight as well as director Marc Pilvinsky. His documentary film on the group, Weirdo: The Story of Five Eight, is finally ready for audiences. He lived in Athens during Five Eight’s 1990s superstar days; this is where he began his filmmaking journey, and is himself a former Flagpole editor. The film itself is beautifully shot and wonderfully realized. Pilvinsky must’ve had a lot of difficult choices to make as far as what to include in the film because, you know, there is no shortage of knowledgeable folks—real or imagined—here in Athens. I can attest he made some very nice choices, as commentators who appear include Bill Berry (R.E.M.), Amy Ray (Indigo Girls), Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers), Kevn Kinney (Drivin N Cryin), Vanessa Briscoe Hay (Pylon, Pylon Reenactment Society), Mike Albanese (Cinemechanica), Michelle Roche (Michelle Roche Media Relations), David Barbe (Chase Park Transduction) and, of course, the band itself. There are currently three screenings scheduled. The first two happen Saturday, Sept. 28 at Ciné. The 7:30 p.m. show is already sold out. The band plays a live show in the Ciné lab at 9:30 p.m., and then there’s a second screening at 10:30 p.m. That one will sell out as well, if it hasn’t by the time you see this. Ciné will screen the film again on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 7:30 p.m., and there is no rock show that night. Waller’s Coffee in Decatur (240 Dekalb Industrial Way) screens the film on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m., and Five Eight will play that same night at 9:30 p.m. Whew! For all other information, please see weirdodoc.com and marcpilvinsky.com.
WELL BEGUN IS HALF DONE: The unstoppable creative force that is JOKERJOKERtv will host its third annual VHS Fest, along with co-host vhs.or.die, at Athentic Brewing Co. on Nov. 3 from 1–8 p.m. Musical acts have been filled, but the call for vendors is still open through Oct. 20 via the “Vendor Sign Up” link on JOKERJOKERtv’s website, so don’t miss it. Also, please do not wait until the very last minute to place your entries. This type of work is nearly 100% thankless, grueling and expensive. The rest of it is fun, exciting and rewarding. Make it easy on these folks by getting your material and information submitted early. As in previous years, the show will include live music and visuals, and if you head out to your local thrift stores, you just might stumble upon one of the promotional video tapes made for this year’s event. This event is free to attend. All other information and your entry form are available at jokerjokertv.com/athens-vhs-fest.
METAL MACHINE MUSIC: The mighty Shadebeast—whose actual operations include booking, promotion and the cultivation of a world-class heavy metal cultural touchstone brand—is celebrating its seventh anniversary at Flicker Sept. 13–14. Tickets are $15 per night or $25 for both nights. With eight bands total, and shows in Athens running an eye-watering 10 bucks-plus for even the dinkiest locals, this is a massive value, easily worth much more. On Friday, you get Pervert, Rosie and The Rat Dogs, Weaponized Flesh and Spoil. Saturday will feature Guillotine A.D., Beast Mode, Maha Pralaya and the debut show of The Flesh That Binds. I’m here to tell you, too, that Maha Pralaya is the first Athens band in history that honestly feels like Satan is its co-pilot. For tickets and general information, please see shadebeast.com and facebook.com/shadebeastofficial.
OLLY OLLY: Exit Row is back with a new single named “Oxenfree,” which is its first new music since its full-length album Hauntology was released back in May. It was engineered by Ian Hemerlein (Saint Syzygy, Kwazymoto). The song starts with a quick tempo guitar run, but then quickly slouches back into a chunky indie rock number. This is not unlike multiple early Sebadoh records especially considering its hard rock leaning toward its end and its increasingly crowded guitar field. Not essential, but also not bad. Enjoy it at exit-row.bandcamp.com.
LET’S ROCK!: A new collection of tunes from Iodine Watt was released at the beginning of the month. This six-track release is terribly named Awful Waffle, but ignore that part because this little record is really good. Starting with the minimally percussive yet driven “Cold Breath,” the listener is instantly transported into a Lynchian environment where the owls are not what they seem. The punchy future pop of “The Dead Should Stay Dead” is next, followed by the empty streetscape new urbanist jazz of “Palate Cleanser.” “16-Bit Karma” is a nice slice of reimagined Tropicalia whereby it’s twisted into maze music for a video game. “Space Wizard Deluxe (drone)” isn’t necessary, but everyone wants to publish drones these days so it’s included. Closer “Dungeon Run!” doesn’t kick in until a minute and half into its 2:50 running time, but once it does you’re in for a near-outrun-style treat. Find this at iodinewatt.bandcamp.com.
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