NO PARKING ON THE DAN’S FLOOR: The only Athens artist you can always rely upon to continue to provide pop-punk anthems to you is Phantom Dan, and he’s just done it again. The brand new track “Maria” came out Apr. 18, and Dan reports that this song, along with the previously released “FANGS,” represents a turning point for this longtime solo project. Both these songs were whole-group compositions, and the project is now much more of a band than a solo outing with selected players. Now, this new song in particular may not crowd the streets quite as much as his previous work, but it’s a totally solid, hook-sweetened banger that is, as of now, only awaiting its turn as a live sing-a-long favorite. Find this on all major streaming services, and keep up with Phantom Dan—the man and band—at facebook.com/phantomdanmusic.
COME ON OVER: Musician, songwriter and singer Julie Caldwell released her album Further On Down The Road recently and was joined on the 10-song release by Colin Bragg, Marlon Patton and Tommy Trautwein. The whole album is a blend of styles ranging from adult contemporary, a little bit of jam band sensibility, some country and folk. Caldwell is at her strongest and best when the conscious styling goes by the wayside and the songs can just breathe on their own. Probably the best example of this here is “Castle,” in which Caldwell straddles the line between Carole King and Shania Twain. I also found myself partial to the plaintive down-home-isms of “Restless Heart.” Your mileage may vary, but if you’re game to take the ride, you can find this on major streaming services. For more information, please see julie-caldwell.com.
MAKE YOU JUMP: Garage rockers The Grawks should still be in high-flying mode after the band’s recent 7” release party celebrating its new release, the three-song single Songs Of Shame and Regret. The title song is a stomping houserocker of a tune, and the third song, “She Drags Me,” remains in its slow tempo for its entire five minutes but never really kicks in until past the four minute mark. The highlight, and centerpiece, of this is The Grawks’ cover of The Sonics’ 1965 song “Strychnine.” Whereas the original track got much of its boogie and oomph from the saxophone in its arrangement, The Grawks’ version is a total guitar number both well executed and retaining all the sense-of-urgency as the original. Find this at thegrawks.bandcamp.com.
FROM THE INSIDE ROOM: Continuing to plow the depths of the outsider creative community Sonic Space at ATHICA will host—on Friday, May 2—the longtime bass guitar-playing experimental artist from Illinois, Satan’s God. Also on the bill is Athens’ own Other Voices, Other Rooms who has been manipulating tape, synth sounds, drum loops, and all sorts of other errant items for longer than, presumably, most readers of this column have been alive. There is a $10 suggested donation so, if at all possible, don’t show up empty-handed. ATHICA is located in The Leathers Building at 675 Pulaski St. in suite 1200. Doors are at 7 p.m., and music starts at 8 p.m. For a preview of what’s happening this night, please see youtube.com/@voidconsequence and youtube.com/@othervoicesotherrooms2857.
DAWNING OF THE DAY: A charming new five-song, self-titled EP by Evergreen is out now. The group is emblematic of the melodic wave of post-punk that began to become established after the first wave of such started boring everyone to death with its hard angles and asymmetrical rhythms. This sound was developed, pretty much, across the decade spanning 1980–1990, and Evergreen has some auditory touchstones here that careful listeners will recognize. Specifically, the vocal melody on “Drinking Oil” is reminiscent of Lush, as are both the music and vocals of opening song “Ourple.” Middle song “Zazzle” kind of meanders and goes nowhere, but is followed quickly by the tuneful and poppy mid-tempo number “Golden Delicious.” The EP ends with a cover of Ween’s 1990 song “Birthday Boy.” Find this at evergreen11.bandcamp.com, and keep up with them over at instagram.com/evergreenathens.
POST-MILLENIUM TENSION: Athens’ Rabbistar Man may simply be, as self-described, a “queer autistic furry just fuckin around,” but I’m all about this particular slice of lo-fi drum-and-bass/gabber stuff. Sure, a lot of this sounds like demos and that may well be the point, if there is indeed any point at all. The track “Regression” lives up to its name with its melting pot of electro sources that wind up as a sonic stew of many flavors. The most thoroughly realized song here is “Mindstream,” but the most mix-tape ready is “I’m Going To Kill Everyone On This God Damned Planet.” There’s nothing too deep happening here, so go ahead and dive right in at rabbitstarman.bandcamp.com.
WELCOME, FRIENDS: Giant Day will return to town in quick order after having just played the Will Hart celebration of life. The show happens Thursday, May 1 at Flicker Theatre & Bar. Based in Pennsylvania, Giant Day has deep roots in the Athens music scene. Also on the bill this night are Chairs and Penny Loafer, each of whom you’ve read about in these pages before. Things are slated to kick off at 9 p.m. To get up to speed with your hosts, please see giantday.bandcamp.com, primordialvoid.bandcamp.com and pennyloafer.bandcamp.com.
LOOK WHO’S BACK: The AthFest Music and Arts Festival has announced the full lineup for this year’s festival taking place June 20–22 with three outdoor stages and 13 venues participating in the Club Crawl. Friday the Mainstage will feature Florence Cardigan, Commüne, Wieuca, T Hardy Morris and Upchuck. On the Hull Street Stage, there will be Bugs Eat Books, Penny Loafer, Easy Honey, Johnny Falloon and a silent disco with Banjo to close out the night. Saturday the Mainstage kicks off at noon with Bea Porges, Los Cantares, Klezmer Local 42, Petty Kash, The Quiet Hounds, Kimberly Morgan York, Misnomer, Lo Down & Duddy and Bubba Sparxxx. The Hull Street Stage will feature Polar Waves, Angie Aparo, dropsonic, The Ladies Of, Beast Mode, Ashes to Omens and Phantom Dan. Then on Sunday you can expect Tropical Breeze Steel Band, Stella Groove, Fawney Rig, Yumbo Tron, Smokey Jones and the 3 Dollar Pistols, Wim Tapley & The Cannons and The Vegabonds on the Mainstage. Dragana, Sutherland, Lánre, Eli Eternal, Me’An Mills, Anna Kellum and Grassland will feature on the Hull Street Stage. See the full slate of performers here. The full schedule with days, times and locations for each performer is coming soon in May, so keep an eye on athfest.com. [Sam Lipkin]
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