for fans of music & those who make it Issue 9 • Free • athensblur.com ORCHESTRA • FUTUREBIRDS • • VAN HUNT • LISSY TRULLIE • VIENNA TENG & MORE!!!

The AVETT BROTHERS A major band gets a major label ’s new perspective Ten Questions outlives and outlasts on Release passion The Trouble ’s buzz with tickets band fights A proposed merger could turn the whole business the hype into one giant auction pit (AIR) HEROES Melting faces and saving the world, one performance at a time

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*New members only. Free trial valid in the 50 only, and cannot be combined with any other offer. Limit one per household. First-time customers only. Internet access and valid payment method required to redeem offer. GameFly will begin to bill your payment method for the plan selected at sign-up at the completion of the free trial unless you cancel prior to the end of the free trial. Plan prices subject to change. Please visit www.game y.com/terms for complete Terms of Use. Free Trial Offer expires 12/31/2010. (22) The buzz instigated by five Boston kids just barely able to buy a Sam Adams at their local joint is inescapable — and quickly making its way to a town near you... by Kristen Lee remembering (40) the georgia theatre

A proposed merger of live music giants could turn the whole business into one giant auction. by Ed Morales (53) 10questions with sisterby Natalie hazel B. David (46)

The Avett Brothers get a Amakeover Major — Rick StepRubin style. (48) by Alec Wooden Something Forget those pesky plastic controllers. The U.S. Air Guitar Championships melt faces and save the world, one performance at a time. by Natalie David Taking Back Sunday’s Adam Lazzara finds a fresh perspective. (59) by Nicole Black (50)

ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 3 music 29 COLUMNS EDITOR’S PLAYLIST: 7 Ten Tunes Worth Noting THE FIRST WORD: 9 Life...after MJ WHAT’S YOUR MUSICSCOPE? 66 Astrology for Musicians 14 Regional Report: Memphis, Tenn. 66 spotlights 12 11 11 Lissy Trullie 12 20 13 Derek Trucks 13 Eric Lindell 14 Eric Heatherly 17 Mindy Smith 18 Vienna Teng 19 fun. 20 Passion Pit 22 24 Marshmallow Coast 25 26 28 Van Hunt 29 Futurebirds 30 28 ALSO: EAR CANDY: Reviews 32 THIS DAY IN MUSIC HISTORY 36 64 38 TOUR DIARY: Tishamingo 38 18 UPCOMING CD RELEASES 45 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT MOVIE PREVIEWS: Worth your money? 67 69 Mike Epps: A Big Kid Livin’ in a Grown Man’s Body UPCOMING DVD RELEASES 71 FOOD MEALS FOR YOUR BROKE ASS: 73 69 Cool Treats! ALSO INSIDE: MUSICIAN’S GEAR GUIDE 64 CALENDAR OF EVENTS: 74 Go Ahead, Make My Date ATHENS LIVE: The Month in Photos 78 73 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 5 FROM THE EDITOR BLUR FROM THE

DEAR READERS The Athens Blur Magazine

“Just be there opening night.” That’s all Wilmot Greene wants — or, at least, that was his response to my P.O. Box 7117 hollow-feeling (yet heartfelt) question, ‘what can we do to help?’ Athens, Ga 30604 As he says this, his pride and joy (The Georgia Theatre) isn’t even two weeks removed from being gutted by fire. Donations and goodwill continue to pour Main Office(706) 353-7799 in, but rebuilding the joint isn’t, at this point, a foregone conclusion. Still, he’s confident: just be there opening night. Amazing. For my part, Sales(706) 207-9091 there’s not a circumstance on this planet that could keep me from it. The truth is, of course, there is more we can do. As a community, keep giving. Don’t let the donations slow as we become Executive Editor further removed from the tragedy on Lumpkin street. As music fans, get out Alec Wooden to one of the many benefit shows that continue to pop up around town. Oh, [email protected] and...be at the Theatre opening night. For our part as Blur Magazine, we’re trying to pitch in a couple ways. This Director of Sales month’s centerfold feature is a simple and poignant look back at memories Stephen Simmons made in the Theatre. Photographer Kevin Quinn generously donated a large [email protected] part of his archives for the project, showcasing photos from around 2001- 2009. Following the photo spread are just a few of the favorite memories from Account Executives a wide range of people both willing and eager to share some of their favorite Adrienne Klein times had in the building. [email protected] Also, I’d like to draw your attention to the page normally dedicated to the Jim McGahee Georgia Theatre advertisement (this month, immediately after the above- [email protected] mentioned section) as we announce our efforts to chip in on the fundraising. Zach Greco In partnership with www.eCampusWIDE.com, Blur is proud to sponsor “Re- [email protected] vive the Theatre,” a massive percentage day planned for Saturday, August 22 at Jen Allen more than 20 establishments around Athens. These businesses have generous- [email protected] ly offered a percentage of their full day’s sales, which will be gathered and do- nated through the current online giving means at georgiatheatre.com. Advertising Interns For a full list of participating bars and , see the advertisement or Elaine Emma Kelch, Morgan Kelly, Julia Ott visit www.eCampusWIDE.com/revive. If you’re around on the 22nd, get out to eat, grab a few , an ice cream cone, whatever. Know that every dollar Design you spend will be chipping in to the rebuilding battle — and it’s a long, uphill Colin Dunlop, Lauren Mullins, battle — and getting us one step closer to opening night at The Theatre. Carlye Norton, Alec Wooden Editorial Interns Cole, Will Hackett, Lindsey Lee Kristen Lee, Lauren Moot, Julie McCollum, Sarah Saltzman Alec Wooden Executive Editor Contributing Editor Jon Ross editor’s playlist Contributing Writers old or new, 10 songs I can’t get enough of this month Natalie David, Ed Morales, Zac Taylor, Jon Ross, Melissa Coker, Amanda “1901” Phoenix “Sunken Union Boat” Cuda, Matt Fink, Kelly Skinner, DeMarco John Vanderslice Williams, PT Umphress, Jacquie Brasher “So Blue” The Corduroy Road “I’m Sorry Baby, But You Can’t Stand For general comments and inquiries: “Cold Hands” in my Light Anymore” [email protected] Bob Mould For advertising opportunities: “Polyanna” [email protected] “Trillion Candles” A PostWar Drama “Miss Bliss” Dodd Ferrelle The Athens Blur Magazine issue 9, copyright©2009 By The Athens Blur Magazine, INC. The Athens Blur Magazine is “I’ll Be There” Jackson 5 (really) an eight issue/year music and variety publication, proud to be “Jessie The Goat” Joker’s Daughter based in the “Classic City” of Athens, Ga. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part in any way by any means unless written permission is received from the publisher. Published monthly except for each summer issue in the United States of America and distributed free of charge ON THE COVER: Boston’s Passion Pit, celebrating the release (limit one copy per reader, each subsequent copy is distributed at a charge of $4.95). Postmaster send address changes to The of the new record, Manners. Photo by Elizabeth Weinberg. Athens Blur Magazine, P.O. Box 7117 Athens, Ga. 30604

ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 7 BLUR THE FIRST WORD MUSIC “Jackson’s now cancelled Life...after mj “This Is It” London show remembering the man in the mirror series had him originally scheduled to appear 10 times Pop quiz, music fans: who’s the only 1980’s. He even holds a record for having artist more popular than Presley and more the most records by a recording artist. A at London’s O2 Arena. When prolific than Lennon? record for having records? Wow. But the ticket sales went through the You got it. Michael Joseph Jackson. most interesting record to me? Jackson Okay, so I don’t mean that — com- holds the Guinness for the most chari- roof (at one point, sales num- pletely. But let’s break it down for a sec- ties donated to by a recording artist. For bers were around 11 tickets/ ond. Like Elvis, MJ understood that being all the controversy that swirled around the second), Jackson bumped the a musician wasn’t enough. His heart rest- beleaguered star, a whole lot of good came ed in presentation, and no one did it - from his misunderstood life. number to 50 shows. Here’s ter. Like Lennon, MJ wrote songs unlike The jarring thing about Jackson’s death some perspective: when Paul any other in his time period, showcasing — again, I dare say as it was with Pres- a genius unparalleled. So while it’s tough ley and Lennon — is that he was not an McCartney tickets for Citi to make the above blanket statement, it’s artist totally out of the sphere of cultur- Field (New York) were going certainly a defensable one (by the way, in al relevance, despite the general concen- an interesting coincidental sidenote, Jack- sus that his musical prime was long, long well for two shows, the pro- son’s death came one day before the 32nd gone. Jackson’s now cancelled “This Is It” moters bumped the number anniversary of Elvis’ final ). London show series had him original- As was the feeling (I think, I wasn’t ly scheduled to appear 10 times at Lon- up to three shows. A British around) in 1977 (Elvis’ death) and 1980 don’s O2 Arena. When ticket sales went star in America added one (Lennon’s), a generation of fans is now through the roof (at one point, sales num- left with a simple, profound and hollow bers were around 11 tickets/second), Jack- show by popular demand. truth about their days on this planet. Life son bumped the number to 50 shows. An American star in Britain exists now in two distinct spheres: life be- Here’s some perspective: when Paul Mc- added 40.” fore June 25, 2009, and life after MJ. Cartney tickets for Citi Field (New York) Jackson is one of those sad cases of were going well for two shows, the pro- the last decade (think OJ Simpson, if moters bumped the number up to three you’re a sports fan) whose name has be- shows. A British star in America added come a punchline in its own right for a one show by popular demand. An Ameri- joke that needn’t even be said. I didn’t care can star in Britain added 40. then — 2005, during the trial — and I This column wasn’t originally going to don’t care now about the allegations. Yes, be about Michael, ya know. By the time some sick charges were brought forth you read this, he’s been gone for at least and, was he to be found guilty, nothing a month, and the news outlets have long would have excused the behavior. But that since retreated from the story. But when I doesn’t change 200+ million album sales. checked the mailbox today, sitting inside That doesn’t change countless #1 singles was “Now That’s What I Call Music, Vol. (back when it meant something to have 31,” and it made me stop in my tracks at a #1 single). That doesn’t change genius the irony of its arrival date. Looking down — genius — writing and arranging. It the artist and track list, I couldn’t help but doesn’t change an untouchable legacy of think the genres Michael bred and saved showmanship. time and again are essentially dead, as Any legacy, to be untouchable, must be they have been in his absence from the properly defined — a chore not even re- music before his death. Will we ever motely difficult when dealing with Jack- see this type of genius again? I’m not con- son. The week after his death, he sold vinced the answer is yes. I hope it is, but over 400,000 records and claimed 14 of I just don’t know. There was everything the top 20 spots on ’s UK charts. before June 25, 2009, which was blessed The week prior? He sold around 10,000 by his presence. And now, without warn- and wasn’t even sniffing a chart. Jackson ing, we must head into something which holds a host of Guinness world records. something music and pop culture is frank- He claims the top selling record of all ly not prepared — life after MJ. time, the most successful run of of all time, and the most #1 hits of the — Alec Wooden ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 9 ALTERNATIVEMUSIC band on fire behind the buzz of ’s rising rock ACt On the career trajectory, Manchester Orchestra is somewhere between up-and- coming and everywhere (think pre-“Sex on Fire”). The promising signs are there. First, there’s the crowd volume. “It was a pretty sold-out tour, so that was encouraging,” said Chris Freeman, Manchester Orchestra’s keyboardist, calling in from his hometown of Atlanta during a two-week break after wrapping up the U.S. tour. But for Freeman, the “something’s happening here” moment for him occurred a few years back at Atlanta’s . “Our hopes were to sell 400 tickets, which was the most we’d ever sold before,” he recalled. “A couple of hours before the show, it sold out at Photo: James Minchin III 1,200, and we walked onstage in our hometown and there While the rest of us have example, in “The Only One,” were 1,200 people there going MANCHESTER been gradually catching on, Hull sings, “I am the only son ape-shit. … I just couldn’t stop ORCHESTRA the band has been steadily of a pastor I know who does the smiling the whole show, which hitting its stride, most evident things I do.” (Hull’s father and was awesome.” on the group’s recent release, grandfather were pastors.) The Then, there are the awkward WHO’S WHO Mean Everything to Nothing, lyrics on the new record have fame moments. “I had my first (vocals, guitar), Manchester Orchestra’s answer gotten more personal than the encounter with a crying fan,” Chris Freeman (keyboard), to ’s Pinkerton. first, but sometimes they go over Freeman admitted. “I had to go Jeremiah Edmond (drums), “Our goal was to make the even Hull’s own band mate’s to the bathroom so bad ‘cause I Robert McDowell (guitar), loudest parts louder and the heads. Freeman admitted that was kind of drunk and we’d just Jonathan Corley (bass) quietest parts quieter,” Freeman for the most part, he isn’t quite played. This girl looks at me and said. sure what the lyrics to the music just starts bawling her eyes out FORMED 2004 in Atlanta, Ga. The effect leans on the he’s playing actually mean. He and shaking.” (Wait ... it gets dramatic side, but the band’s confessed, “A year later I’m like, worse.) “I tried to comfort her other influences — including ‘Oh hey, what the hell were you until she grabbed my butt. And LABEL Favorite Gentleman the Pixies and Neutral Milk talking about?’” then it got really awkward.” Hotel as well as what Freeman Remember back when you Finally, there’s the whirlwind LATEST RELEASE described as the “nasty, grungy, thought you were the only one schedule. The band played 300 Mean Everything To Nothing loud” sound of Atlanta bands like listening to Kings of Leon, and shows in one year following its (2009) — keep the then it turns out most of your first major release, I’m Like A edge on. As far as what influence friends were, and then suddenly Virgin Losing A Child, and the ON THE WEB growing up in the South has had everyone you know name-drops promotion for this record is just www.themanchester orchestra.com on his music, Freeman said, “We them as their favorite band? Well, as intense. Freeman said it’s “tour, were all raised in the church, so with Manchester Orchestra, tour, tour” until Thanksgiving. “I I think that definitely affected your friends are onto them, but saw the schedule about halfway said), the constant togetherness us musically, and we listened to the band’s music hasn’t exactly through this last tour, and I makes them tighter. a lot of Christian music growing infiltrated mall department thought I was gonna have a “When it came time to write up.” stores. It is not a bad spot to be mental breakdown.” for a record, it was just super easy. Though the discovery of — all of the awareness without All of that touring does have We’d been around each other for, in high school steered the over-saturation that happens its perks, though. In addition to you know, ever — every day,” the musicians in a different after a big hit song. But at this upcoming shows in Australia, Freeman said. “Playing all of direction, religious themes do rate, it’s only a matter of time. and a gig at those shows, you end up getting tend to pop up in singer and (“My favorite festival,” Freeman better by default.” guitarist Andy Hull’s lyrics. For — Julie McCollum ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 11 MUSIC lissy’s european vacation rite of passage great food, killer accommodations...and a case of swine flu the surreaL Travels of musical prodigy derek trucks

Zac Taylor: You’re fresh back from A yard sale and a $5 salvaged Europe. How’d the tour go? LISSY TRULLIE acoustic guitar provided enough Lissy Trullie: Our tour was an intrigue to spark the interest of unlucky one. Ian fell sick, and then nine-year-old Derek Trucks to become a musical prodigy. By the following morning we took WHO’S WHO him to the hospital in Hamburg Lissy Trullie (vocals, guitar), age 11 he was gigging with some of the industry’s most prolific MUSIC ALTERNATIVE where he tested positive for Josh Elrod (drums), Eben the Swine Flu! We all had to D’Amico (lead guitar), Ian artists of all time, developing be quarantined and spent three Fenger (bass) his pickless style and days in a hotel room where we skill. were not allowed to leave. We FORMED “You’re at an advantage at that had to cancel a gigantic chunk of 2009 in New York, N.Y. age — musicians will open up the tour and had to take Tamiflu the book to you and teach you LABEL things if you’re inquisitive and (wrecks your stomach; not fun). Wichita Recordings We were only able to salvage your attitude is right, where the last two dates — Paris and LATEST RELEASE a little later in life it becomes THE DEREK Amsterdam — as a three piece. Self-Taught Learner (2009) more competitive,” said Trucks. TRUCKS BAND All and all, it was not what I was “At that age I found that a lot of expecting from this tour, but I’m ON THE WEB world class musicians - whether so happy Ian was alive in the www.myspace.com/lis- it was or , WHO’S WHO end. sytrullie or people we would do shows Derek Trucks (guitar, photo courtesy derek trucks band with — were always pretty open slide guitar), Todd Smal- lie (bass), Theatre burned down. I know you see things differently. We try ZT: How do the European and would invite you into their what got us where we are going. (drums), there are so many musicians that to take that to the stage.” stagehands and accommodations circles.” Everyone’s a critic, and everyone (keyboards), had a strong tie to that room. Married to blues and soul compare to those of your most recent His father, a roofing contractor, loves a chance to call bullshit (lead vocals). Count M’Butu That whole scene was thriving artist with two tour of the United States? and mother, an elementary school (percussion) on something. Give them that when I was just coming to. I was small children, Trucks is the LT : I think the European techs/ teacher, named him after Derek chance and prove them wrong. starting to gig, play and travel quintessential time manager, sound guys are a little more of Derek and the Dominoes, FORMED and it was an eye-opener seeing continuing to play with the attentive, but we’ve had great and he remains appreciative 1994 in Jacksonville, Fla. ZT: Your blog is very charming of his situation. Enduring the all of those great musicians — Allman Brothers Band — experiences in the U.S., too. As th and honest — great photos, too. Athens was the hub for it.” who will celebrate their 40 for accommodations, Europe grind of the long, slow pathway LABEL How else do you keep in touch with Traveling hard, playing up to Anniversary this year — and kills it. Great food. Great to stardom, Trucks has received Music/Victor fans and keep the word out about 300 shows per year, the members touring behind the new album dressing rooms. You get spoiled accolades and his rite of passage your music? LATEST RELEASE of have with The Derek Trucks Band. over there. from infamous rock royalty, LT : People have asked me about (2009) managed to maintain a sense of “You make great music that including . Carlos . I can’t think of anything humility about their craft. An you believe in, you don’t cut ZT: What kind of mentality did Santana called Trucks’ playing ON THE WEB more terrifying (that’s a little bit evolving, growing entity for more corners and your intention you have when you were living in photo: jay hanna “stunning” and unlike anything www.derektrucks.com of an exaggeration), but I have than 16 years, the group credits is pure,” explained Trucks. New York and knew you wanted to he had ever heard before. a feeling mine would be either the Atlanta and Athens music “Then, you throw it out there pursue the musician life full time? ZT: How would you describe the my experience, it can also be “I remember having my whole really boring or borderline youngest musician named to the scene — along with the likes of and whoever is turned on by Was there a moment when it all current New York music scene? Is from the standpoint of the family in London, staying with offensive. Probably not the best magazine’s list of the “Top 100 Colonel & The it — great. Writing the tunes, fell into place, or was it a gradual it overrated? Do you fit in? Does it journalists labeling my band Eric Clapton at his place in idea. Guitarists of All Time.” Aquarium Rescue Unit — with recording it and producing it realization amidst working odd ever drive you mad? “cool” and using it in a negative the country,” recalls Trucks. Asked to join the Allman contributing to its progression yourself (Already Free), it felt jobs to survive? Did you pass LT : I think that being from connotation. Many interviews I “It hit me how surreal it was ZT: What have you learned and/ Brothers Band as a permanent into a Billboard chart-topping a little different than the other around a mailing list at open mic NYC often impresses people do are more like myth busters. If watching my dad, the roofer or taught yourself with the Self- member in 1999, Trucks accepted blues-rock standout with its records. You tour so much and nights? Open up for bigger bands? that aren’t from here, and that’s I had a penny for every time I’ve from Jacksonville, , Taught Learner EP? What do you with assurance that he would latest release, Already Free. you work so hard and you’re out LT : I’ve always played music. It something that’s overrated. It heard, “Wow, you’re really nice. sipping tea with Eric Clapton. want to do with your upcoming maintain the freedom to pursue “There was such a great there just trying to make things was never a conscious decision; should be about the music only. I thought you were too cool for Or, you spend time with guys full-length record? his own work outside of the period in music from the 50’s work. Sometimes you have to it’s just what I do. I went to As for fitting in, I don’t think school,” I’d be a rich girl. NYC like Santana, people you grew LT : I learned the value of time. band. In June 2004, The Derek to the 70’s and so many great take a little break and a deep college in New York and worked that’s ever happened to me, and their idea of “cool” often up with completely admiring The EP was crammed into Trucks Band released Live at the artists — singers, breath and realize that what a bunch of weird jobs, but I was musically and beyond. clouds perceptions. and learning from. Just spending a small amount of time and Georgia Theatre, which Trucks and musicians,” said Trucks. “It you’re after is right in front of making music the entirety of time with them like people, like money. For the full length, I’m considered a turning point — seemed to get lost for a while and your face.” that time. I’ve done everything ZT: Much has been made over ZT: There are so many bands in friends — you definitely cherish definitely going to experiment the group’s first statement as a become completely commercial from solo gigs to strange arty the trendiness of the scene — that . Some are good, but those moments.” with many different instruments unified band. driven. Music shouldn’t just be — Luanne Byrd conceptual shows to proper it’s often style over substance. Is most are bad. You’ve managed to Sharing company with the there a higher value placed on the take your brand name to the next and sounds that we didn’t have “Athens was one of the first for entertainment, it should opening shows. It just fell into likes of and John The DerekT rucks Band featuring very special guest the resources for before. Also, towns that we started doing serve a different social function JJ Grey & Mofro is the first performance of the place when it did, I guess, and coolness of a band over the quality level. What has set you apart? Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili it’ll be my first time working really well in,” said Trucks. “We — it should enhance your life. season in 2009-10 Bud Select Music Series at thank God. I was fed up not of material and performance? Good reviews? Hard work? Luck? Peppers on the cover of Rolling The Classic Center Theatre.T ickets for the 8 p.m. show LT : Yes. Coolness can be LT : I’ve paid my fair share of with a producer. Stone’s “2007 New Guitar had some great shows over the There’s a reason music is in all of on Sept. 16 are priced from $20 to $38. For tickets or being able to only make music. information call 706.357.4444, visit www.classiccenter. years and it’s sad that we’re the major points in your life. It confused with substance, and dues, but I think working hard Gods” issue, Trucks was also the com or stop by The Classic Center Box Office at 300 N. that often happens. From and playing lots of shows is — Zac Taylor coming back after the Georgia has the ability to tap in and make Thomas St. indowntown Athens. 12 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 13 defying description eric lindell can’t be pinned down Eric Lindell is a blues musician. Wait, no — he’s a BLUES ERIC LINDELL artist. Actually, hold on there. He might be a musician. Or a practitioner of WHO’S WHO inflected rhythms. Or a reggae Eric Lindell (vocals, guitar) artist. Or ... well, what is he exactly? FORMED All of the above and none 1993 in San Mateo, Calif. of the above, said Lindell, 40, during a recent phone interview LABEL Alligator Records from his home in New Orleans. The San Matteo, Calif., native LATEST RELEASE has been performing music for Gulf Coast Highway (2009) much of his life, but still doesn’t know quite how to define his ON THE WEB style. “It’s kind of all over the www.ericlindell.com place,” Lindell said. The musician’s latest album, Gulf Coast Highway, came out in His musical style continued April and, like his other releases, to evolve, as he moved to New combines elements of soul, York City in 1998 and played New Orleans funk, blues and some gigs there before moving other styles to create something to New Orleans in 1999. That unique. Though some critics city quickly became his adopted have tried to pigeonhole him as home. Upon arriving there, he a blues or New Orleans artist, discovered the area's roots music Lindell eagerly admits he doesn’t scenes. He hung out in West fit into one category, and that’s Bank dive bars in Gretna and the way he likes it. After all, his Algiers, Louisiana, where he met tastes in music have always been older musicians who helped him diverse. Throughout his life and get regular gigs. career, he’s been influenced by a Lindell has come a long way variety of artists, including blues since those days. In the 16 years singer Buddy Guy, reggae artists following the release of Bring it Toots and the Maytals and Back, he’s recorded several more acts like Sly and the . His last three discs have Family Stone. “To me, it seems been for the independent blues pretty broad,” Lindell said. label Alligator Records, including Perhaps one of his earliest Gulf Coast Highway. Since that musical influences was the Los courtesy alligator records album’s release, Lindell has Angeles band , which spent most of his time touring combined multiple styles, “Every record I made in the studio, I just to promote it and is already including punk, funk and ska. musing on what he wants to do knocked out live. I really took my time with this with his next album. But, for the That sort of versatility impressed one. Sonically, the record came together nice.” Lindell, even in his mid-teens, meantime, he’s happy with Gulf and he credits Fishbone with Coast, which he considers his inspiring his loose, undefined — Eric Lindell — most technically assured album style. “They crossed all genres, to date. “Every record I made in kind of seamlessly,” Lindell said. wanted to form a skate band.” honed his guitar and bass Lindell’s been playing studio, I just knocked out live,” Lindell played the bass in the skills and eventually added the Lindell explained. “I really took music practically his whole band, though it wasn’t his first harmonica to his repertoire. life. He received a guitar at my time with this one. Sonically, choice. “I wanted to play guitar Lindell played with a few short- the record really came together age 10 and, just four or five really bad,” he said. “But my lived bands in before years later, Lindell joined his nice.” friend was the better guitar starting his own band in 1993. Whatever the future holds, first band, which consisted of player, so I got demoted.” In 1996, he produced his debut him and a few friends. “We one thing’s for sure: it won’t be That little setback aside, album, Bring it Back, and began easy to define. were all skateboarders,” he Lindell was quickly hooked building his reputation as an explained. “And we decided we on music. As he got older, he eclectic artist to watch. — Amanda Cuda 14 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE Oh, the things he can do guitar slinger is a man of many talents What’s in a name? Well, “Heat” is in Eric Heatherly — in more ways than one. The multi-award winning, multi-talented phenom perennially proves an ever- engaging showman, startlingly gifted lyric-shaper and master of his beloved green Stratocaster. To call him country’s grooviest guitar slinger is an understatement. “I’m not a man of many words ... but baby I can still communicate/ You’ll understand me when you hear me play … journey worlds away from this old /Oh, the things I could do to you with my guitar,” he cleverly constructs on “The Things I Could Do to You,” a track from his much- anticipated album, 2 High 2 Cry. He can also command attention. He planted firm roots with first album, . courtesy eric heatherly Released in 2000, it hit No. 6 on added, “The glory and all … it’s show. Both the hot-rod strap Billboard’s Heatseekers chart, ERIC HEATHERLY shallow compared to what artists and the arresting new handcuff became its 44th Top Album of can really do.” Not to mention strap are distributed worldwide the Year and yielded three Top his anatomy. It’s quite a visual, at Guitar Center stores (the latter 40 singles. His best known song, WHO’S WHO though something of a grey area. wherever Levy’s Leathers products “,” grew to Eric Heatherly (vocals, Heatherly’s self-penned, highly are sold). Just don’t let the cuffs guitar) be the third Top Country single contagious “Unforgettable” was fool you: this is one man who is of 2000 and the No. 1 video featured in a recent episode of neither chained in nor imprisoned on both the Great American FORMED 2006 in Nashville, Tenn. TV’s “Grey’s Anatomy” (On a by the industry. Country (GAC) and Country related note, Playgirl named him “Every single song [on Cry] Music Television (CMT) stations. LABEL one of country music’s top five is a different vibe and mood,” He was the — and acoustic Mercury Nashville sexiest singers, twice). he reflected. “‘Bluer ‘n Blackie’ — opener for Merle Haggard at Oh, and another thing. This is mainly for guitar players, the Ryman Auditorium in 2003. LATEST RELEASE artist, who is such in every sense ‘Unforgettable’ is like roll your Heatherly has recorded two 2 High 2 Cry (2009) of the word — he paints, for one, windows down, ease back and more works, 2002’s Sometimes It’s plus plays at least 10 instruments groove, and ‘Curb Appeal’ will ON THE WEB Just Your Time and The Lower East — is really quite a tool. He single- make you get a speeding ticket. Side of Life in 2005. Sometimes isn’t www.myspace.com/er- icheatherly handedly founded a clothing/ I’m getting a really, really good widely available, but it does surface music accessories company, and unexpected response from the online from time to time. Life some of his designs have made rawness of ‘Close.’” traveled to Europe and spawned their way into the Musician’s Hall When it comes to music- six top 10 singles. day one — make a living playing music and be able to pay the bills of Fame in Nashville. He also co- making, Heatherly just can’t Speaking of life, Heatherly got created and patented the hot-rod shake the ache — he’s booked up an early start on it. He wrote his with a guitar around my neck.” One way he’s taking matters seatbelt guitar strap, featured on a through 2010. first song at age eight, took the Guitar Player cover. “I’ve spent the last three years stage at thirteen, then confronted into his own helping hands is by placing copies of 2 High 2 Cry and Lately the strapping star has writing, touring and recording for the college circuit for a two-year fashioned a handcuff design my real true fans,” he said. “I paid stint at Yesterday’s (now Midtown more merchandise (like original lyrics) on eBay, passing along a and divulges he made one for for the making of this record one Music Hall) in his hometown Miley Cyrus mere weeks ago. He gig at a time.” of Chattanooga on the banks of portion of sales to the Make-A- Wish Foundation. describes it as soft pink, stone- tuned, and do remember Graysville, Georgia. lined leather with handcuffs. He his name. Knowing Heatherly, “If someone asks me what I’m “Make-A-Wish is close to my heart,” he said. “I’ve sent several also made a tough jet-black leather he has plenty more hot one-of- doing now, I tell them, ‘The same strap with black cuffs for Billy Ray a-kind surprises up his well- thing I’ve done since I was five kids on Disney cruises already … I love animals and children.” Cyrus. The original design locked outfitted sleeves. years old. I never stopped,’” he in a “Show Stopper” designation said. “This was really the goal from Heatherly, who rescued his dog, Lucky, from an animal shelter, at this year’s prestigious NAMM — Melissa Coker ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 17 the next best thing a little less kinky mindy smith jumps back into the limelight former software engineer traces history through song

Though most musicians have When Vienna MUSIC FOLK the unenviable task of spending MINDY SMITH Teng’s grandparents escaped most of their careers trying communist China for Taiwan, to get people’s attention and they left everything behind. the rest trying to keep it, ’S WHO In the decades since, Teng has expectations that come along Mindy Smith (vocals) grown up hearing fables of with being labeled a “next big her father’s childhood in the FORMED Taiwanese rainforest. He told of thing” are both a blessing and 2003 in Nashville, Tenn. a curse. In 2004, Mindy Smith the guns he made out of bamboo was one such artist, with a LABEL and of wild afternoons tying critically-acclaimed debut water snakes into pretzels. album (), a “My favorite story was about single on the radio (“Come to LATEST RELEASE the time when my grandfather Jesus”) and a high-profile fan Stupid Love (2009) caught an eel in the creek near named who sang his house and wanted to eat it backup harmonies on Smith’s ON THE WEB by himself but didn’t want my first record. After 10 years of www.mindysmith.net grandma to know,” said Teng. struggling and being ignored, she “So he hid it in what he thought finally had our attention. Smith had that throughout my life was a rain barrel but was instead made the most of her moment, with music. It’s nothing new. a bottle of rice my grandma appearing on late night television I’ve gone back and forth with was making. [The snake] woke and barely taking a break from it. Most people look at trying up pretty drunk before he met nearly two years of touring to go to do art or music, trying to his demise.” right back into the studio for her have a professional career, [and] Inland Territory, Teng’s latest follow-up, 2006’s typically they go, ‘Well, good release, is about roots. The album Shores. Then, unexpectedly, she luck with that!’ But, for me, it ranges in subject matter from a released a homespun Christmas was what I was going to do, and grandma’s disapproval of her rock COURTESY ROUNDER RECORDS album, 2007’s surprisingly it did take me a long time,” she star granddaughter’s lifestyle — unsentimental My Holiday. And explains. “Sometimes music and yes, it’s autobiographical — to “It was kind of this scary and exhilarating then nothing. Mindy Smith had I get along, and sometimes we a song about people running VIENNA TENG moment where I was like, ‘Alright, here we go, this out of their homes in a flood disappeared. don’t, like a relationship.” thing I’ve been planning for a couple of years is “I feel like so much time Music is a fickle lover, to a song about lovers traveling has gone by that I don’t know however, and Smith has been through time. WHO’S WHO finally happening.’” if people know that I’m still faithful enough to her restless “My last album (Dreaming Vienna Teng (vocals, guitar) around,” she laughs, seeming creative vision that she probably Through the Noise) was a very — Vienna Teng — eager to discuss Stupid Love, mood-centric album, and with ensures that Stupid Love’s shifts FORMED her eclectic and darkly cathartic from electronic to acoustic, from Inland, I thought it was more 2003 in Saratoga, Calif. have a job while I was sorting would have to quit. It was kind fourth album. “I think, to me, it pop to rock to country, will face important for me to dig deeper that out.” of this scary and exhilarating embodies an explanation of the long odds in finding the sort of with what was on my mind. LABEL So as she worked as a software moment where I was like, two years that I took off from COURTESY vanguard records mass audience that will pay off There were a lot of things that Rounder Records engineer to support herself, ‘Alright, here we go, this thing music. I had some things that I Smith’s mortgage. She might were going on with my family Teng recorded her first album I’ve been planning for a couple had to deal with in my personal “But, for me, it was what I was going to do, not have a future at the top of at the time,” Teng said. “There LATEST RELEASE and released it on her own. She of years is finally happening.’” life. Sometimes you have to and it did take me a long time. Sometimes music the charts, but in continuing to were a lot of people who made Inland Territory (2009) started putting her music online She admits that she’s always release that, and I feel like this reinvent herself song by song, a lot of sacrifices for me to have and I get along, and sometimes we don’t, like a for people to buy, she submitted been a bit “kinky,” always the one record is an exploration of failed she has the next best thing. the life I have and there are a lot ON THE WEB relationship.” www.viennateng.com music to reviewers, she learned to gravitate towards the geeks relationships and my career being “There might be people who of people making sacrifices for how to book her own shows and and the nerds as “her natural on hiatus. Sometimes you think go, ‘Oh, this was not what I their children right now. There’s she started soliciting labels — all tribe,” which may explain her relationships are going a certain — Mindy Smith — was expecting or wanting,’ just the sense of me needing to lifestyle of a performer is a of which took about three and a obsession with dissecting the way, but they’re not. I think it’s but, personally, I think it’s my recognize that and to find my bit of a second life for Teng. half years. songs of musical greats like just about life … or my life,” she favorite record,” she explains. “I way to feel grateful for that, skittering electronic beats (“Love songwriting as therapy, one that Though she’s been playing “When I really made the Radiohead or says. “It’s hard to explain.” write songs and do all this stuff which has led to a lot of the Lost”). There are brokenhearted captures a period of time when since she was five years old and leap from software engineer to (her own music sounds similar What Smith struggles to so that I can just sing. That’s songs. A lot are autobiographical -laden ballads (“If I Smith was content to be away always saw it as “unchallenging musician, I had been working to Sarah McLachlan with a shot explain in conversation is really my agenda,” she laughs. — some of which are more Didn’t Know Any Better”) and from her responsibilities and and comforting,” it wasn’t until for Cisco for two years, and I of Dido with a little Feist thrown abundantly clear on Stupid “So I make up all these songs so like me imagining things like ruminations on a devastated wasn’t even sure she wanted to an epiphany halfway through had just gotten signed to a small in for good measure). But it’s the Love, however. There are breezy I can sing them. That’s what has situations in the Middle East or internal landscape hidden under continue making records. college that she knew she wanted independent label who wanted content of her songs that sets drink-myself-into-a-stupor always brought me back, having past lives or future lives.” driving electric (“What “I did feel like that,” she to be a musician. me to tour,” she said. “I looked her apart. After all, stories are in ballads (“What Went Wrong”) an opportunity to use my voice.” As a computer science major Love Can Do”). Obsessively admits. “But it’s all I know how “I didn’t really know where at my calendar and saw that I her blood. and frustrated post-breakup from Stanford University and disillusioned but never self- to do. I said, ‘Nuts to this! I need to begin,” she said, “so I figured had used up all of my vacation ruminations scattered over pitying, the album is a study in to do something else.’ But I’ve — Matt Fink a former employee of Cisco Systems, songwriting and the I might as well graduate and days, so if I wanted to tour, I — Kelly Skinner 18 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 19 for the FUN of it Members of , Anathallo and have a blast It takes some guts to name your band “fun.” By definition, fun. it’s a word used to express enjoyment and amusement, but it implies a slurry of other WHO’S WHO upbeat meanings, from the , , whimsical to the adrenaline- Jake Antonoff MELTING POT MUSIC MELTING fueled. But for the band fun, the FORMED new project from The Format’s 2008 in New York, N.Y. Nate Ruess, Anathallo’s Andrew Dost and Steel Train’s LABEL Jake Antonoff, the word has Indie even more complications. “It’s scary. It’s really scary to LATEST RELEASE have a band called ‘fun,’ because Aim and Ignite (2009) you’re very much expected to be fun or be zany and wacky ON THE WEB www.myspace.com/fun or be danceable,” said Dost via telephone from Michigan, admitting that the group’s worse I’ve yet to know,” Ruess debut, Aim and Ignite, doesn’t sings in his identifiable voice on exactly match those descriptors. the album opener, “Be Calm.” “We might not be fun. It might The record is a departure from be ironic. It might be true. I The Format’s more straight-to- don’t know.” the-point . The quirky, Formed in 2008, the band effervescent tunes found onAim was born from the sudden and Ignite contain the obvious, announcement that beloved over-the-top influences of indie pop band The Format had ‘70s icons like Queen and called it quits. “The news about ELO mixed with the style of The Format was very much a modern bands like Weezer and surprise,” said Dost, who had Superdrag. It’s a sound that toured with The Format as certainly won’t alienate The an added instrumentalist in Format’s anxious fans but still support of 2006’s . sets the band apart from simply Dost and Ruess had already becoming The Format 2.0. bonded over a shared love of “I think once they hear the ‘70s pop and Weezer B-sides. record, they’ll understand that They had even worked on a there are a lot of different few tunes together while on the people in play,” Dost said. “And road. When Ruess came calling if it still sounds like a Format about the possibility of a new record, that’s not a bad thing. project, Dost didn’t hesitate. I think the Format’s a great “I don’t think I really had to courtesy big hassle media band, and I would be proud to think about it at all,” Dost said. sound like that, but when I hear “It was pretty much instant.” the record, I can definitely hear But following the analogy “It’s scary. It’s really scary to have a band called traces of everybody’s hands that that a band is like a marriage, ‘fun,’ because you’re very much expected to be were in the mix.” did Dost feel at all like Ruess’s As for the band’s name, it rebound? fun or be zany and wacky or be danceable.” may not be a sound that people “If anything, we were both associate with “fun” now, but rebounding,” he explained. “I — Andrew Dost, fun. — they hopefully soon will. “It’s a had recently parted ways with lot to live up to basically,” Dost my band, and we were just said. “It’s a weird, bold choice creative endeavor with the walk through the new streets really in a similar point in time and it’s one that’s a little scary, three of us.” of my new city/ my back in our lives. It didn’t feel at all but ultimately I really, really Aim and Ignite begins with an feeling much better I suppose/ like a rebound — like I was a love it.” anecdote of newness, even if it is I’ve reclaimed the use of my second choice to be a part of laden with apprehension. “As I imagination/ for better or for The Format. It felt like a new — Natalie B. David 20 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE MELTINGMUSIC POT p hoto: ou see a band. You and buzz-wise, but musically

elizabe really like the band. PASSION PIT I doubt we’d ever be on a bill YThen, suddenly, you’re together. I’d never say we’d be in the band. the perfect bill with MGMT th th

weinberg Sounds pretty unreal, but that’s WHO’S WHO LABEL and Vampire Weekend. I don’t exactly how Nate Donmoyer (vocals), Frenchkiss Records/ think we’d draw the same fans became the drummer in the Ian Hultquist (synths), Ayad at all.” electro-pop darlings, Passion Al Adhamy (synths, sam- If it sounds like Donmoyer is Pit. plers), Jeff Apruzzese (bass, LATEST RELEASE complaining, he’s not. Any band “I’m a DJ — that’s my synths), Nate Donmoyer Manners (2009) would be fortunate to receive main thing. I ran a show in (drums) the amount of attention Passion ON THE WEB Boston and we would always FORMED www.passionpitmusic.com Pit has gotten as of late — it’s book local bands, usually with 2007 in Cambridge, MA just that, well, all this attention sort of an electronic minded is sort of a shock for someone sound, to open up for national who isn’t far removed from or international DJs touring playing in a bunch of bands through,” begins Donmoyer. that weren’t even taken seriously “[Passion Pit] played one night “Musically, we wanted it to be very positive and amongst their own respective and I interviewed them for euphoric. And the best way to describe it would be like a members. a blog and I was totally like cure. So like whenever you put it on, you feel better. Like a “When I was in high school I ‘I really like this band.’ I had was in like six bands and each of a couple friends in the band drug kind of thing.” them had like five or six geeks already and then somehow, six playing in my bedroom and we months later, I ended up being Nate Donmoyer, Passion Pit never played shows because we in the band. Since then, I’ve sucked,” he said, laughing but passion pit: gotten to be really great friends not joking. “This one is actually with all four members. It’s pretty any type of buzz, ya know?” critical bar set for it, or the band fun to play in every night. lucky to have it be that way.” The formula behind Manners is doomed for the all-too-often During Manners’ tracking, Long before Donmoyer — was, for the band, quite simple. failure in the eyes of commercial the quintet employed the help before every band member, “Musically, we wanted it to be expectations — and a lot of fear of an unexpected (and much actually — Passion Pit was very positive and euphoric. The can sprout from this concept. younger) source for the backing minding its born from the simplest of best way to describe it would be “I guess [what we fear from] vocal pads on the album — a circumstances. , like a cure,” said Donmoyer. “So the buzz standpoint, that Chunk children’s choir. the band’s 2008 EP, was actually whenever you put it on, you feel of Change is the last thing that “It was so humbling and a solo production of now- better. Like a drug kind of thing. will ever be good; that the full inspiring to see. They were so frontman Michael Angelakos, However, lyrically it hits on a length doesn’t live up to it or on point and didn’t seem like recorded two years prior as a lot of pretty dark subjects. That something, that we’ll just be a 4th and 5th graders. They were manners Valentine’s gift for his girlfriend kind of contrast, I think, is in all flash in the pan,” said Donmoyer. better singers than I am,” said at the time. Now, Angelakos the music that I love, we love.” “We were 21 when we made it. Donmoyer with a laugh. “It has a full band, a record deal If Manners is a drug, critics Please stop comparing us to was an after school program, The buzz instigated (actually, two — one with the aren’t the only ones addicted. bands that are on their seventh because their public school boutique Frenchkiss Records Fans, too, are quickly catching and eighth album and were in doesn’t have a music program, by five Boston kids in the U.S. and the other with on. Not only is Passion Pit their mid-30’s when they made with an amazing director who Columbia across the pond) gracing the stage (or has already) [hit records]. See promise, but knows how to approach music and gigs from Atlanta to Paris of nearly every important music don’t see this as our end-all-be- for younger years — mainly pop just barely able to behind the band’s official debut, festival this year (Bonnaroo, all and every single thing we music — and that’s what we Manners. Glastonbury, Lollapalooza, have.” wanted. A bunch of kids, not a Unless you’ve been living Austin City Limits), but they The boys of Passion Pit polished choir, just kids buy a Sam Adams at under a rock, it’s been hard to are touring non-stop, collecting aren’t the first group of kids to their hearts out and that’s totally avoid the buzz instigated by a mere 14 days off from May release a heavily-hyped record what they did. It was really kind their local beer joint these five Boston kids just barely until Christmas Day (at least 10 of late (think MGMT and of moving.” able to buy a Sam Adams at shows in that span are already Vampire Weekend) — but their Rave reviews. A buzz for their local beer joint, marqueed sold out). similarities to these brethren which bands spend a lifetime is inescapable — and by sterling reviews from Clash “[Tour dates] on the MySpace serve, if nothing else, to actually searching. Throngs of fans and Magazine (9/10), are very limited to what actually highlight the differences. ticket sales through the roof. quickly making its (4/5 stars), Paste Magazine is happening, just because we’re “I mean there are definitely All signs point north for (92/100), Spin Magazine (3/5 going to be coming back to the songs that are electro-pop, but Passion Pit — but can they stars) and (8.1/10). same cities and I guess we’re not not the entire album is pop,” possibly keep up the current way to a town near “I still just feel weird, having supposed to put up that we’re said Donmoyer. “Listening to pace? people critique our debut album going to be playing later on so MGMT’s record or Vampire “It’s insane,” Donmoyer said you... like it’s our masterpiece or people come to shit [now],” said Weekend’s record, the overall with a nervous laugh. “But I something,” said Donmoyer of Donmoyer. feeling I get [is that] all three wouldn’t wanna do anything the recent attention. “Wait until This type of publicity comes are completely different. I else.” our fourth or fifth album to with a price, though. Manners understand the analogies that decide whether we’re worthy of must absolutely live up to the are made between us career-wise — Kristen Lee ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 23 POPMUSIC the metal revival inspiration from odd places one band’s struggle to make it with metal finally pays off andy gonzales has a new album and a new direction

Metal thrashers Chimaira For many musicians, writing, (pronounced Ka-mare-ah) are

MUSIC METAL playing and recording music is not among an elite list of metal their full-time job. Too often (and bands from the late ‘90s credited this is certainly true in Athens) for a movement known as the the singer in the midnight slot New Wave of American Heavy at Caledonia has someplace Metal (NWAHM). While the to be in eight hours. But from movement may have been a slow these day jobs comes inspiration process through the latter of the — Andy Gonzales can attest ‘90s and the beginning of the to that. Gonzales, an Athens ‘00s, these days Chimaira has mainstay for a decade, has worn finally gained momentum on many hats during his Classic the metal scene. Lead guitarist City days. Once a member of discussed all things Music Tapes and , metal recently during a phone he’s best known as creator and interview. CHIMAIRA keeper of Marshmallow Coast (briefly M Coast). And while Nicole Black: It seems like metal he’s also Andy from faded and went underground in WHO’S WHO and A.G. Forrester, during the the late ‘90s/early ‘00s but it seems (vocals), workday he’s Registered Nurse more and more there’s a rebirth in Matt DeVries (guitar), Rob Photo: Adrenaline PR Gonzales. And it’s there the the metal scene today. It just seems Arnold (lead guitar), Jim LaMarca (bass), Andols muse will hit him. the support is emerging again for So everybody’s always singing helps us out and keeps us sane.’ “I work in endoscopy; I’m MARSHMALLOW metal music, would you agree? Herick (drums), Chris Spi- along in English to the words. NB: Do you think your music cuzza (keyboards/FX) totally inundated in that world,” COAST Rob Arnold (RA): I totally agree. I think it will be the same way is responsible for the actions of Gonzales said. “I have this song I don’t really know what to say in Russia. others? For example, if a mosh- photo courtesy andy gonzales FORMED in my head right now called WHO’S WHO or why but we (Chimaira) were pit gets out of control at a show or 1998 in , Oh. ‘Poop Cycles’, which is gonna Andy Gonzales (guitar, vo- “Im never going to be on VH1; why don’t I just write definitely affected by that. We NB: Would you agree the key someone commits a crime listening be like this great ’80s song about cals), Sara Kirkpatrick (, were a young, up-and-coming LABEL to musical success is constant to your music; do you feel the band pooping — probably the first percussion) whatever absurd lyrics come to mind? That’s more real.” metal band in the early 2000s. touring? is responsible? and last song about it. But I can’t On this album: Heather I don’t know what people were RA: Totally, especially with RA: I personally don’t think change the lyrics; the lyrics are McIntoch (), Jesse — Andy Gonzales, Marshmallow Coast — LATEST RELEASE listening to at that time but metal. That’s really the only way that at all. I think that’s unfortunately stuck with that Flavin (guitar), Will C. Hart Infection (2009) (4 -track madness) metal certainly wasn’t as popular to have your band known is to ridiculous. Every person is title. It could be this amazing where my interests have been for about his approach. A fiddler of as it is now. play, play, play and let the word responsible for their own song that’s going to end up as a quite a while.” sounds and lyrics, Gonzales is ON THE WEB of mouth spread. There’s no actions in my eyes. Obviously, FORMED www.chimaira.com joke video on YouTube.” 1999 in Athens, Ga. Where other Marshmallow comfortable with the recording NB: You have an upcoming radio for metal bands, or videos. somebody has a problem if Three years removed from Coast albums, such as Slang and tools that allow him to create You have to catch an hour of they can’t decipher between summer tour with , was his previous release (Say It LABEL , bounded with songs from his bedroom. And he’s Hatebreed ever influential to your Head Banger’s Ball on a Friday right and wrong and feels some Europe but it just happened to in Slang under the M Coast independent piano riffs, 1960s psychedelic embraced his identity and voice style? night at one in the morning; it’s form of entertainment drives work out perfectly. We were moniker), Gonzales dusted off pop and nods to , amidst the sea of songwriters. RA: They probably came the only time you get to see a you to do something crazy able to work the dates out before the Marshmallow Coast name LATEST RELEASE Phreak is a child of the 1980s. “I have the freedom to work out a year before us. While metal video. But yeah, word of or commit a crime or fight. our European headlining tour. and returned to the racks with Phreak Fantasy (2009) Gonzales sought to create on whatever I want. I can record we’re all huge fans of the mouth and touring is the only Perhaps indirectly but in no way Phreak Phantasy. The nine- electronica, but not the electronica a song I feel OK about releasing band, I wouldn’t say they were way to build a successful career. directly do I think our music is ON THE WEB NB: I’ve always wondered about song collection of “nasty and listeners would expect. at home, which is something I influential. They’ve always been responsible. www.myspace.com/marsh- these other countries that might weirder” tunes has Gonzales “My major influences before never had before. If somebody a hardcore band. We came NB: Do you feel like your music mallowcoast not know English that are fans singing to drum machines and were classical music and turn- else delivered my songs, it might from hardcore bands but we makes people angry or do you NB: And it seems like it’s more of American music, when they are , aided by his wife, of-the-century French music, so sound crappy, but I hope in my wanted Chimaira to be a metal think your music’s a therapeutic like parents trying to find an there rocking out, are they singing Sara Kirkpatrick, and Circulatory I feel like I’ve gotten away from delivery there’s a little sarcasm band. So I wouldn’t say they outlet for anger? excuse for their kids’ actions. in English? System’s Will Hart with some “I left the band, and he went that,” he said. “I’ve been inspired that makes it OK,” he said. “A lot influenced our music because RA: I would say the latter ­— RA: Absolutely. I remember RA: You’d be surprised; “4-track madness.” on to do that with great success. by ’80s production and drum of songwriters try to write for this we were doing two different a therapeutic outlet for anger. being young and my mother everybody everywhere in the The seventh Marshmallow I was about to record an album machines. I’m trying to approach audience that isn’t their audience. genres of heavy music. But like And we hear that all the time. thinking was world speaks English. There Coast album, stamped with the that was going to be kind of like the kind of modern music style They try to write for a bigger I said, we’re all huge fans. So many people say, ‘Oh I’m in all about Satan and drugs. Of are so many countries over of approval, has that with Derek (Almstead), but like what I think electronica is. I audience than they have, like, ‘I’m this rough spot and Chimaira’s course there are those relations there (Europe) that are taught Gonzales reaching into his past. Derek was, ‘No, let’s do drums; don’t listen to that kind of music, gonna write songs that could be NB: What made you decide to st th music really helped me out’, or but I turned out to be a good it 1 through 6 grade and “Forever ago, I used to be in let’s make it a big production.’ I but I want to use those tools and played on VH1.’ I’m never going include Russia on this fall tour? ‘Chimaira’s music saved my life.’ kid and certainly not Satanic in everybody has to learn it Of Montreal and Kevin (Barnes) thought that was a great idea. We create my own version. I’m trying to be on VH1; why don’t I just RA: The right offer came in. A lot of the troops overseas, anyway. And now she’s totally because it’s such a universal and I were talking about doing did that record as M Coast. Now to approach that from a naive write whatever absurd lyrics come Things just never worked out we get letters or (Myspace) happy and supports me and is language. For the most part we this kind of upbeat music with that I have my home studio, I’m perspective.” to mind? That’s more real.” scheduling wise or time wise comments from them saying ‘It’s proud of what I do. rarely run into places where the drum machines, synthesizers gonna go on this path I meant When it comes to making while we were going to be in brutal over here but Chimaira majority doesn’t speak English. — Nicole Black and keyboards,” Gonzales said. to go on five years ago. That’s music, there’s nothing naive — Ed Morales 24 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 25 round and round and round band spins wheels to launch career

MUSIC POP BLIND PILOT

WHO’S WHO Israel Nebeker (guitar, vocals), Ryan Dobrowski (drums), Luke Ydstie (up- PC Sales & Support right bass, vocals), Dave Jorgensen (keyboard, ), Kati Claborn Networking (dulcimer, banjo, vocals), Ian Krist (vibraphone) Printer Sales & Service FORMED Phone & Surveillance 2008 in Portland, Ore. Systems LABEL Expunged Records Website Building & Hosting LATEST RELEASE 3 Rounds and a Sound Email Hosting (2008) Call us today to see how we can streamline your IT. ON THE WEB http://blindpilotmusic. wordpress.com (706)-549-6781

“There is a little more pressure www.netstreamconsulting.com photo: jay blakesberg to keep connected in the digital world, but I think too many What does it take to make it as “I personally think it is a better time than ever artists spend too much time a band? Talent. Determination. to make music. It certainly isn’t perfect, but the working on that instead of the And ... quadriceps? less industry involved, the better it will be.” music,” Dobrowski said. Like The musicians in Blind the bike tour, the band even Pilot, the band out puts their own home-spun of Portland, , worked — Ryan Dobrowski, Blind Pilot— on blogging. The page consists their legs almost as much as of postcards Dobrowski writes their instruments on a 2008 Blind Pilot jumped onto the Dobrowski said. from stops on the band’s tour. “I tour of the West Coast. With national music radar last July In a time when many generally don’t enjoy computers, no accompanying van, the when its single, “Go On, Say musicians yearn for the old days, but I liked the idea of post band members transported It,” was featured as the iTunes Dobrowski embraces the digital cards. It seemed like a good way themselves and all their gear by single of the week. The song music revolution. “I personally to keep people updated on our bicycle, crafting handmade bike is emblematic of the group’s think it is a better time than whereabouts but more fun than trailers for their instruments. brand of — softer and ever to make music,” he said. “It just standard blogging. It isn’t as Luke Ydstie’s trailer for smoother than that of the Avett certainly isn’t perfect, but the immediate, but ultimately a little his upright bass was dubbed Brothers but harder than Fleet less industry involved, the better more satisfying,” Dobrowski “the coffin” for its odd shape. Foxes’ music. 3 Rounds and a it will be. If iTunes has helped explained. Musicians aren’t immune to Sound, Blind Pilot’s debut album, to break that down, I think it’s For the rest of the year, Blind pitfalls, however, and the tour, rides the wave of recent success great. Plus CDs and jewel cases Pilot will be busy touring the planning to take the band from seen by the folk genre. Infused are kind of a crappy format for country (not by bike) and Vancouver to along the with soothing harmonies and music. It’s great how fast music working on its second album. coast, was cut short when the smooth pop melodies played can spread now. It is pretty Dobrowski has a humble band’s bikes were stolen in San with folk instruments, the amazing.” outlook on the band’s future. Francisco. In just a year, Blind record has a pure quality thanks In keeping with the times, “I think we feel very fortunate Pilot has gone from stolen to Nebeker’s voice, separating Dobrowski does maintain a blog to have experienced so much in a bikes and handmade trailers Blind Pilot from its more gritty for Blind Pilot, but while some short amount of time. Hopefully to wowing music critics and a Southern folk peers. “I think musicians spend more time in things will keep growing. I think European tour. The band also there is definitely a rise in folk- the blogosphere than the studio, Kati and I are just happy to not welcomed a few new members, influenced music at the moment. you won’t find personal rants be working at the coffee shop swelling from Ryan Dobrowski It wasn’t anything we were really and ravings à la anymore.” and Israel Nebeker’s duo to a trying for, it just happened,” or John Mayer on this blog. six-piece touring band. —Lindsey Lee 26 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE RHYME, RHYTHM & SOUL RHYTHM RHYME, MUSIC share her world hunting for goodness keyshia cole’s tumultuous life is an open book limitless mind equals flowing neo-soul

We don’t know what’s more amazing, Keyshia Cole’s meteoric KEYSHIA COLE rise to the music stratosphere in such a short period of time or the fact that we’re able to get her on WHO’S WHO the phone long enough to talk Keyshia Cole (vocals) about it. For the sake of keeping this story going at a decent pace, FORMED we’ll go ahead and say the latter 2004 in Oakland, Calif. is slightly more unexpected. LABEL If you’ve ever been to Oakland, Universal California, Cole’s hometown, you know the city has its rough LATEST RELEASE edges. The singer was raised in (2008) MUSIC RHYME, RHYTHM & SOUL one of East Oakland’s grittiest corners. While musical acts like ON THE WEB En Vogue and Tony! Toni! Tone! www.keyshiacole.com made names for themselves in the Bay Area, Cole knew that if she too was to shine, a move down to would be “When I’m singing in order, so she did just that. about pain, you can Cole found a recording home at A&M/Universal and released actually feel it. It’s not the well-received debut The Way something that somebody It Is in 2005, which spawned FM wrote for me. That’s my mainstays like “I Should Have life. That’s my family. COURTESY big hassle media Cheated” and “Love.” With the That’s a side of my life.” When the clock hit midnight [Matthews] was a humbling said, “but, of course, there are the CD, which has sold more than on March 8, 1970, some certainties VAN HUNT experience. … Here’s a guy natural pleasures like love that 1.4 million copies, the world were established: artists such as making a million dollars a show, will always come to relieve you of R&B had seemingly found — Keyshia Cole — and and he was as down to earth from the hard times.” WHO’S WHO a younger version of Mary J. had paved the rudiments for soul as could be,” Hunt said in a Hunt is currently working Blige. Van Hunt (vocals, guitar, music, Stax Records had formed bass, keyboards, drums) smooth, easy-going voice that on his latest album, Popular, “That was six years ago,” “We know everything about in Memphis and the singer Van incorporates the compelling and a collection of unreleased recalled a maturing Cole during my mother and my family and Hunt was taking his first breaths FORMED classiness that percolates through studio outtakes, Use In Case of a rare, slow moment in her what I’ve been through and of Dayton, air. Once bound 1997 in Atlanta, Ga. his music. Emergency, that will supplement summer touring schedule. “I the road it took to get here,” together, those oxygen molecules Hunt worked with Dallas Hunt’s planned two-year tour was young when I went to L.A. said Cole, who’s ending her TV layered Hunt’s lungs with soul, LABEL Austin in Atlanta until 2008 and with his band. Before that and first got my deal. Also, me show and allowing the spin-off, jazz, funk and, damn it, some Blue Note has since moved out west to Los happens, however, the solo artist and my family, we’ve all grown. “Frankie & Neffe,” to air in all amazing talent. Angeles. The move to L.A. can must tackle the task of selling his I’ve grown as a musician, as its drama-filled delight this fall. In asking Hunt about the LATEST RELEASE be a whirlwind for anyone, but music. Since the albums are all Popular (2008) an entertainer. I’ve learned so That’s too bad for fans itching process of making his records, he for Hunt it became a balancing Hunt, the business has become much more about the business to see footage of the artist all replied, “Well, since it’s just me, act. all Hunt; in both a literal and and how to handle myself and ON THE WEB hugged up with current boyfriend it can take some time, man.” In www.vanhunt.com “I just stay away from [the figurative sense, he must prey on actually prepare. I’ve evolved as and Cleveland Cavaliers guard 2006 fast-paced life of L.A.],” he says those who truly appreciate his a person throughout everything Daniel Gibson. recognized this process by of his decidedly low-key lifestyle. work. in my life.” “When I’m singing about pain, honoring Hunt with the Grammy “I’ll just stay inside, play music “It’s hard to get a perspective Since those days of getting you can actually feel it,” Cole for Best R&B Performance by a industry, but at the end of the and stay away from it.” [of the music industry] from her feet wet, Cole has released said. “It’s not something that Duo or Group with Vocals for day, it’s the votes of your peers After all, soul music, in its the outside looking in,” he said. two more heartfelt albums, 2007’s somebody wrote for me. That’s his collaborative work with John that really matter.” broadest sense, is a blend of “But I wanna get my work out Just Like You and A Different Me my life. That’s my family. That’s Legend and Joss Stone on Sly Peers are something of which the sacred gospel music and to people who already love my in 2008. Cole has also changed in COURTESY keyshia cole a side of my life. But my music and the Family Stone’s “Family Hunt has many, ranging from the profane blues music. It’s work and to people who might both the physical sense (another side is definitely something his work with Dallas Austin the 27-year-old songbird are in “Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is,” Affair.” as though Hunt just lets the love my work. If I spend less move, this time to Atlanta) and different. That’s why I wanted to manager Randy Jackson — her personal life. But it’s likely that has shown confrontations “Man, despite all the politics world present the profane and money making a record, I may symbolic one (she’s a certified to try something different. And yeah, the guy from American you already knew that, seeing as with her mother, Frankie, fights that go behind it, that was one encapsulates it with his sacred make less, but I know I will be star with more than three million that’s why I named this album A Idol — to sharing the stage with all her business is pretty much with her sister, Neffe and DNA of the bigger pleasures I’ve had,” talent. getting it out to the people who in domestic album sales). Different Me.” , Curtis Whitehead and public knowledge because of searches featuring guys claiming Hunt said of the humbling “Most of my songs are about truly love my art.” Still, the area where things The Band. a revealing BET reality show, to be Cole’s father. experience. “The momentum the everyday struggles and that may have altered the most with — DeMarco Williams for the show comes from the “Working with Dave life gives you no promises,” he —Will Hackett 28 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 29 flocking to a familiar sound together, athens’ futurebirds found what they were after

MUSIC ROCK FUTUREBIRDS

WHO’S WHO Carter King (vocals, guitar, banjo, drums), Payton Bradford (vocals, drums, mandolin, guitar), Daniel Womack (vocals, guitar, banjo), Thomas Johnson (vocals, guitar, banjo, mandolin), Brannen Miles (vocals, bass), Dennis Love (pedal steel)

FORMED 2008 in Athens, Ga. LABEL independent LATEST RELEASE Futurebirds EP (2009)

PHOTO: Alyssa De Hayes ON THE WEB www.myspace.com/thefu- turebirds They had the big show booked, “What I’ve heard, which I like the best, is we’re the studio time slotted, the songs psychedelic cowboy country-esque but with a poised for production. What they Holt (percussion, vocals) round didn’t have was time. It was the start definite weirdo edge to it.” out the crew. of March, and the seven members An online roster of band of Futurebirds were rushing to — Carter King, Futurebirds— members lists an eighth Futurebird, record an EP to showcase at their one with a curious yet familiar March 4 gig opening for Blitzen name: Reverend Cleophus James, Trapper at the 40 Watt. Playing in eponymous six-track EP (available were. master of the doom stick. After different groups over the years, the for download at futurebirds. “I knew a little bit about them a little investigating, the truth is band members had a good feeling bandcamp.com) is exactly what being an Athens resident — you revealed; Rev. James was the name about their brewing, underground the seven sought. A mixture of kind of have to — but I didn’t of James Brown’s character in the sound. But something else was melodies accompanies a healthy really do a bunch of investigating cult classic “.” brewing overhead. helping of guitar, banjo, mandolin, until we heard all that comparison “Yeah, James Brown is in the “We wanted to record in two keys and pedal steel in a wide- stuff,” he said. “People go, ‘You band,” King said with a laugh. days, but we had to record in ranging free-for-all that’s difficult sound like these bands,’ but I “He’s our spiritual adviser.” two and a half days because we to describe — though King gave haven’t really listened to those Summertime saw the band line got snowed out,” said Carter it a shot. bands. I guess Athens just has that up dates in Nashville, Tennessee; King, Futurebirds’ “grease-stained “What I’ve heard, which I kind of feel.” Atlanta; New Orleans and Austin, monkey wrench” (code for vocals, like the best, is we’re psychedelic Joining King in this latest . And while the wanderlust guitar, banjo and keys player), of cowboy country-esque but with enterprise are buddies from is the sign of a band raring to the freak snowstorm that left a definite weirdo edge to it,” he previous (and present) ventures go, unlike the recording of the Athens in a deep carpet of white. said. “Everybody plays something and buddies who moved from auspicious EP, King said this time “It never snows in Athens. We different on every song.” other projects. Payton Bradford they’re not in any particular hurry. were just trying to crank that out. For some, the sound evokes (drums), Thomas Johnson “We all met in college and had We got some cardboard sleeves, the Athens of a dozen years (mandolin, guitar) and Brannen all been in a few different bands, I made a stencil, and we spray- ago, when the denizens of the Miles (the bassist who took over but no one was getting the kind of painted the stencils all crazy — scene were ruled by Elephant for China-bound Reid Scott) sound they were after,” King said. some of them sucked, some were 6 and Kindercore bands. King anchor Futurebirds; they also “But we found it. It was a slow cool — and just gave them out.” was intrigued after hearing his play with King in The Interns, a evolution and it is all working In a few furious days, band compared to Olivia Tremor folk rock outfit started after they itself out. We’re all still young and Futurebirds’ good feeling was Control and Masters of the met as (you guessed it) interns at fresh — we’re not in a rush.” confirmed. And now flocks Hemisphere, though notes there Chase Park Transduction Studios. of listeners are heading their was never any intention to mimic Daniel Womack (guitar), Dennis — Ed Morales direction. Fresh yet familiar, the them. He hardly knew who they Love (pedal steel) and Jessica 30 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE Luke Winslow-King New Old Baby

There are 46 different similes used by Luke Winslow-King to EAR CANDY express exactly how tired he is, and you can hear all of these in the track, “Never Tired” from the Cadillac, Mich. native’s new The Cubists album, New Old Baby. It’s kind of ironic to hear Winslow speak Mechanical Advantage of growing tired of something since it seems nearly impossible

to tire of this album. The new record from Augusta-based The Cubists is anything but ordinary. While known by the bar King approaches each song with an affinity for a whole slew of genres that include: New scene as an indie-rock band, the band also fuses pop, new wave, electronica and dance. Some songs, Orleans rag time, delta blues, country blues, folk and even classical composition. Showing such as “Redux,” have no vocals and showcase the band’s unique yet sometimes eerie instrumentals love for such a vast array of musical styles, New Old Baby stays interesting through and that call on and Rush. I wasn’t a huge fan after hearing the four minutes of ALBUM REVIEWS through. One instrument that is rarely heard in contemporary folk tunes is the jazz . sounds from “Redux” and the six minutes from “ Out.” However, after I heard “Hallelujah The instrument stays prominent from the first track “As April Is To May” to the last track, Hollywood,” The Cubists quickly had my undivided attention with its upbeat dance rhythm that will “Your Eyes, Your Eyes.” Wilson’s voice is a wispy wind on a dry New Orleans afternoon and easily lift you out of your seat and onto the dance floor. Noel Brown leads the eight-man band with it is hard not to think of him as a Big Easy version of M. Ward, but with a fantastic '20s era his soft voice, while sometimes playing multiple instruments. Brown sounds like a gentler version brass section. of in The Cubist’s “Fire in the Backyard.” Listen also for peaceful sounds that may The horns can be heard most prominently on track five, “It’s All The Same.” The remind one of the Postal Service in “Best Friends,” my personal favorite. The stylings of The Cubists combination of sax and trumpet creates a fantastic mix of free flowing riffs that unfold left me feeling refreshed — partly because I had never heard anything quite like them before and also because the band, put simply, evenly with the lyrical rhythm. Another track that stands apart is the instrumental rocks. Mechanical Advantage is worth a listen, especially since there is a little bit of every genre incorporated into the music. The band has “Birthday Stomp,”which gives you the feeling that you are listening to the prelude before a the potential of quenching every listener’s musical thirst for good music. Vaudeville show, or maybe what you would hear playing at a carnival in the 1920's. Either — Sarah Saltzman way, the track is a light hearted and extremely fun, toe type of song — one which would be ruined by any sort of lyrical input. All those who are fans of the nitty gritty delta blues can appreciate “Bird Dog Blues.” With lyrics like, 'Don’t bird dog and don’t trail me/ Don’t track where I tread/ What I picked up I’m having/ And back through what I said,' Pattern Is Movement Winslow makes you believe that he knows what he wants and goes for it. This mentality All Together is how New Old Baby is fueled. Luke Winslow-King’s new album is definitely one you can’t fully appreciate until you’ve given it a couple good listens. Every spin makes it easier to The first thing that struck me when I popped Pattern Is Movement’sAll Together into my CD player distinguish all of the wide varieties of sound. With all the work that seemed to be put forth was the seemingly endless amount of noise the band managed to pack into their songs. And I don’t in New Old Baby, it would be appropriate to assume that Winslow is as tired as a Mardi Gras mean to say noise in a negative way. It’s just that this band has strung 10 incredibly frenetic, overly night — that would be simile number 47. But no matter how many different ways he can be dramatic banging songs back to back with such a fast and intense pace that I kind of felt like I just tired, one thing is certain: Luke Winslow-King will never tire of making stand-out records. got done running a marathon once I finished listening to it all the way through. While the beats and banging minor chords get a little baffling (and tiring) at times, Andrew Thiboleaux and Chris — Jessica Cole Ward somehow manage to pull it off. Ward’s thumping drums hold Thiboleaux’s strange melodies and keyboard choir together, if at times only by a string. And every once in a while, a truly beautiful section emerges from all that sound to keep you pushing through. “I Just Like the Sound of Your mewithoutYou Voice” gives the listener a peaceful break with a more composed song featuring beautiful tinkering it’s all crazy! it’s all false! it’s all a dream! it’s alright keyboards accented by a slightly eccentric horn section and more comprehensive lyrics. Although the overdose of sound and slightly off-

kilter melodies may come off as esoteric or pretentious to some listeners, overall, All Together is a success… if just barely. Having not drunk the proverbial Kool-Aid of indie/ — Laurie Moot that would magically allow me to totally forgive a band its blatant musical sins in exchange for its obvious artistic creativity, I find myself deeply conflicted when it comes to mewithoutYou in general, and their new album it's all drazy! it's all false! it's all a dream! it's alright specifically. So, at Back & Fourth risk of being crucified by devout fans, I will speak my piece to the masses and promptly make my exodus. When I was little, I was a Dimetapp junkie. At the slightest sign of sickness, I’d demand a generous I like mewithoutYou, and if I could get over the disturbing fact that mewithoutYou’s spoonful of that sweet grape , and even if I wasn’t sick, I’d play ill just to get a fix. singer Aaron Weiss tends to sound like a creepy cross between a folksy Sesame Street Fast-forward 15 years and I’m a writer who has called Dashboard Confessional “Robitussin for character and Heath Ledger’s Joker, I just might love the band. I will say, their new album the broken heart” – a surefire remedy for what ails you but which, when unneeded, is practically contains much less screaming, ranting and violent instrumentation – traded in for a unpalatable. Well, if Dashboard is the ‘Tussin, Pete Yorn’s Back & Fourth is Dimetapp, because I’ll playful, Nickelodeon-ready vibe and folksy, childish singing inflection – so it sounds much be damned if Mr. Yorn hasn’t turned me into a 24-year-old drugstore cowboy jonesing for sugary less like the schizophrenic rock ramblings of a religious nutcase and more like the subdued nepenthe for the broken-hearted, despite the fact that I have absolutely no legitimate need for it. soundtrack to a Sunday school puppet show…put on by a religious nutcase. Yorn wears his lyrical heart on his sleeve without coming off as trite, and he bears his musical soul It’s really too bad I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place – the rock being the sense without being over-the-top or melodramatic. If the album were to be boiled down to two adjectives, that I’m listening to a band that jacks off to Raffi tapes (“A Stick, A Carrot & String”) and I would say: “honest” and “subdued.” It’s honest without being brutal, and subdued without being the hard place being the growing fear that their lead singer belongs to a cult and I’m being boring. Like chugging on Dimetapp when you’re not really sick, listening to Yorn’s new album when you’re not presently heartbroken subliminally recruited (“Bullet To Binary (Pt. Two)”). isn’t exactly something to brag about – but it’s also far from unenjoyable. Bottom line, if you’d like to see the wolf in sheep’s clothing, this one’s for you. Bottoms up. — PT Umphress — PT Umphress

32 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE These United States Everything Touches Everything

Through assembling cities and realizing the truly important things in life, to waking up feeling a need to make a change and hope cracking open a beat heart, These United States take listeners on the roller coaster ride that is the human condition in their third full-length album, Everything Touches Everything (out September 1st). The band comes out swinging with their banging guitars and throbbing drums that just scream rock ‘n’ roll. And just when you think you’ve got a handle on them, they throw in a glockenspiel or a dobro and create a completely new sound. Bridging the gap between tunes that make you want to get up and dance and lyrics that make you want to sit down and think, Everything Touches Everything allows for anything but a passive listen. These United States play every song on their 42-minute album like they mean it. This eccentricity gets passed onto the listener, and by the time the album reaches its final track, “Good Night Wish,” it feels like an entire day of emotion and adventure has passed by and it’s time for the band to sing you to sleep. And honestly, this album is so good, I wouldn’t mind it if they did just that.

— Laurie Moot

The Idle Hands: The Hearts We Broke On The Way To The Show

Before I even listened to The Idle Hands, I knew the band had a great sense of humor just from the name of the songs on its first albumThe Hearts We Broke On The Way To The Show. Lead singer Ciaran Daly and his Idle Hands, brother Criostoir on bass, Eileen on keys, Emma on guitar and Nick on drums, are a trip with their lyrics to “The 80’s Killed Your Boyfriend,” “The Fall” and “Loaded,” showcasing a dislike of all things popular and mainstream. The first four songs on the album were made with the help of Mark Needham who worked with The Killers and Cake. Daly’s voice has serious character, changing the genre of the band from song to song, especially in the spontaneous sounding must-listen-to “Sunshine On The Tenements,” that may possibly be the best song on the album. One second, The Idle Hands are , the next, electronic infused pop, and the next, new-wave…it goes on and on, even entering the realm of disco and just plain rock. They add a little bit of the synth player to get that new-wave rocker sound in their radio hit “Loaded” and “The 80’s Killed Your Boyfriend.” If you are a fan of the Arctic Monkeys, look no further. This band is definitely for you. Song “Space Thing” reminds me of the voice of a softer, grungier version of James Mercer, lead vocalist in The Shins. The band members hail from Irish decent and the Midwest, making the mixture of sounds on this album interesting, unique and just plain good. Album set to release September 8th, 2009.

— Sarah Saltzman

Dave Matthews Band Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King

Being one of the most successful bands in recent memory, DMB has delivered, yet again, a kick-ass collection. With the death of founding saxophonist LeRoi Moore, DMB proves that a table can indeed stand with one leg missing. The New Orleans' roots that scream out of Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King should serve as a perfect tribute to Moore, who died from complications after injuring himself in an ATV accident. The opening sax solo “Grux,” is an unintended tear jerker with the recent memories of Moore flowing through the listener's mind. Hit single “Funny the Way It Is” rings the typical DMB tone, yet its refreshingly new jazz/rock style incorporates the Cajun roots of the album. Produced by , the liner notes do not specify which tracks Moore was a part of, as he died before the bulk of the recordings were finished. (Bela Fleck and the Flecktones) subs for other tracks on the record and is currently on the road with the band. GrooGrux is a true New Orleans-style mourning, with its crooning ballads crammed between brawny and healthy jams. —Will Hackett MUSIC THIS DAY IN MUSIC HISTORY MUSIC THIS DAY IN MUSIC HISTORY 1939 - “The Wizard of Oz” premieres in Hollywood, Calif. 1923 - An ordinance is passed in 1964 - The Kinks Kalamazoo, Mich., forbidding dancers 1969 - The first day of The release “You Really from gazing into the eyes of their partner. Music and Arts Fair begins in Bethel, N.Y. Got Me.” 1993 - ’s lyricist and longtime 1986 – co-writer, Bernie Taupin, is married to 1972 - Paul and Linda McCartney are drummer Rick Allen Stephanie Haymes. arrested for drug possession after a plays his first concert concert in Gothenburg Sweden. after losing his left 1994 - Jimmy Buffett’s plane flips arm in a car wreck. 1985 - Madonna’s “Like A Virgin” shortly after take off in Nantucket. He becomes the first album by a female to swam to safety. be certified for $5 million in sales. 1989 - Izzy Stradlin of Guns ‘n Roses 2001 - Aaliyah and eight others are is arrested for creating a disturbance 1974 - The play the band’s first killed when their plane crashed on an airplane. 1962 - Booker T. and the MG’s release show at CBGB’s in New York. in Marsh Harbor of the northern an instrumental song, “Green Onions.” Bahamas. The cause is ruled as 1995 - and ex-wife 1985 - Madonna and Sean Penn are wed. engine failure due to the plane being reunite for a concert on 1972 - Elvis and Priscilla Presley file for They would divorce in 1989. overloaded. Martha’s Vineyard. august divorce after being married since May of 1967. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

1957 - American 1960 – “The Twist” by 1882 - Tchaikovsky’s Bandstand makes its 1966 - apologizes at a 31 Chubby Checker is released. 1991 - Charges of “1812 Overture” 1983 - Jerry Lee Lewis’ network debut on ABC, news conference in , Ill., for 1967 - The play assault and property debuts in Moscow. wife, Shawn, is found hosted by Dick Clark. his comment that “ are at the wake of a Hell’s Angels 1981 - MTV makes its debut damage are filed more popular than Jesus.” dead at the couple’s member hit by a car in San at 12:01a.m. with “Video against Axl Rose 2001 - The remaining home. The autopsy would 1975 - Stevie Wonder Francisco. Killed the Radio Star” by the of Guns N Roses in dates of reveal she died of a signs a seven year, $13 1998 - Scott Weiland of Stone Buggles as its first music connection with a European tour are methadone overdose. million contract, the Temple Pilots pleads guilty to felony 1986 - receives a video. riot during a show in cancelled when the highest contract in the heroin possession. star on the Hollywood Walk of 1974 - “The St. Louis, Mo. band’s drummer, 1998 - is recording industry at Fame. Partridge Taylor Hawkins, is forced to halt a Syracuse, the time. Family” ends 1997 - Garth Brooks 1975 - Hank Williams, Jr. fell 500 feet admitted to the N.Y., concert when its television plays a free concert hospital. lightning hits the ground 1962 - Robert Zimmerman down a mountain in Montana. After, 1906 - The Victor Talking run. in New York City’s two years of surgeries, he returned 40 yards behind the Machine Company changes his name legally to 1973 - Stevie Central Park. to music. stage. commences the 1997 - James Brown Bob Dylan. Wonder is seriously 1956 – Big Mama Thornton manufacturing of the Victrola. becomes the first injured in a car releases the original version 1992 – A riot occurs at a concert in The units would sell for $200. U.S. artist to appear 1991 - Rick James is arrested accident. He of “Hound Dog.” 1964 - Bob Dylan Montreal after a Guns ‘N’ Roses’ set 1947 - Margaret Truman, in Lebanon after the and charged with sexually permanently lost and Joan Baez is cut short because Axl Rose has a daughter of President Harry 1979 - released lifting of a travel ban to torturing a 24 year-old his sense of smell 1992 - Kurt Cobain and perform for the first sore throat. Truman, gives her first public its last album, “In Through The the country. woman in Los Angeles, Calif. and was in a coma Courtney Love have a child, time together on performance as a singer Out Door.” for four days. daughter Frances Bean. stage. 1952 - The original version of at the Hollywood Bowl to an estimated audience of 1967 - Brian Epstein, former 1989 - Adam “Hound Dog” is recorded by Willie 1978 - Muddy 15,000. manager of the Beatles, is 1963 - The Beatles make Clayton of Mae Thornton. Waters performs found dead in his home their final appearance at the is arrested in at a White House 1998 - “Scary Spice” Melanie from a drug overdose. Cavern Club in Liverpool. his home in 1995 - of R.E.M. picnic for U.S. Brown announces her Dublin, Ireland undergoes surgery for a hernia. President Jimmy pregnancy. 1990 - Stevie Ray Vaughn 1974 - Jeff Baxter quits Steely for possession of Carter. and three members of Eric Dan to join the Doobie marijuana. 1985 - outbids Clapton’s band are killed in a Brothers. helicopter crash. Paul McCartney and Yoko Ono for 1977 - The Pretenders 1956 - Elvis Presley releases the ATV music-publishing catalog 1964- The Beatles begin their first played their first public gig. 1970 - The Kinks release “Lola.” “Hound Dog.” which gave Jackson the rights American tour in San Francisco. to more than 250 songs written by John Lennon and Paul 1987 - Sonny 1996 - Isaac Hayes, co-writer of “Soul Man,” sends a protest 1980 - John Lennon and McCartney for $47.5 million. 1980 – In Toronto, 1,400 people announces plans to run for letter to presidential candidate Bob Dole about the use of Yoko Ono begin recording riot after Alice Cooper cancels a mayor of Palm Springs, Calif. his song, which his supporters had changed to “I’m A Dole their album “Double 1995 - The Grateful Dead decide to cancel their fall tour in the show due to illness. He would win the election. Fantasy.” wake of Jerry Garcia’s death. Man.” 36 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 37 July 3, Casalmaggiore - Arrived to Italy that morning, show that night. Sort of in twilight zone due to time change and not much sleep. - Reacquainted ourselves with how incredibly scary people drive over here. We came to grips with the possibility that we might not make it home in one piece. - Fun show. - Sang four part a capella “Star Spangled Banner” at midnight for 4th of July....proud to be Americans. - Richard barfed in his food during a laughing fit at dinner....

July 4, Aosta July 8, Brindisi - Drove 200km to the - Early trip to the airport to mountains of northern Italy. fly from Milano to Brindisi (the Bellissima! southern tip of Italy). Hungov- - We were told by the pro- er...badly... tour diary: moter that we were incredi- - Still hungover, they put us bly too loud....pretty standard on the very back row of a plane really. that’s sweltering hot and smells Tishamingo in Italia - At dinner, journalists con- like jet fuel. ducted an interview for a news- - A member of the band (who This will be Tishamingo's 4th trip to Italy. This time we are here for just two weeks and playing six shows (“breve” tour). We find on paper. The questions all seemed will remain nameless) passed these tours that we usually eat and drink our way through this beautiful country. We also have a little time to explore, drink more and try to come back to the Allman out shortly before landing. He not to get booted from the hotel. We are very thankful to have friends and fans in Italy who love blues and rock ‘n’ roll music and always Brothers. For ex: “Richard, you awoke shaking violently in what make our trips over very memorable. On this tour we have Tishamingo and our great friend Jason Fuller, who actually played keys on took lessons from ? resembled a grand mal seizure. our debut album. Due to the fact that the show last night was rained out and rescheduled for Sunday we have only played three shows as Tell us about that.” “Cameron, Other passengers requested this is written. We are about to head to our fourth show in the town of Traviglio (Tra-vee-leo). Again Graziemille to the wonderful folks do you think is a a doctor and the flight atten- who support us and make it possible for us to play music in such a beautiful and wonderful place. Tomorrow we play on the north side of better guitar player than Duane dants pulled out an insulin kit Lago di Garda in a town called Malcesine (in redneck it is pronounced Mal chesney). That would have been the end of tour party but we Allman?” Or even, “Jason, your and a defibrilator. Apparently, have a make up gig on Sunday in the Castle of Soiano. This just means two end of tour parties right? By the way, everything in this tour uncle was in Canned Heat. Did this band member had a dream journal can be accounted for and verified. Some shit you just can’t make up...Ciao! they ever play with the Allman that the plane was crashing. He — Chuck Thomas,T ishamingo Brothers?” We are still laugh- thought we were going down ing about the possibilities of and freaked out in his sleep. that interview going any longer. Needless to say, the ambulance A typical day in Italy while we are touring looks like this: For example, “If Derek Trucks 9:56 a.m. - Wake up and head down to hotel lobby. Try to catch breakfast and deeelicious caffe greeted our plane on the tarmac and had a baby, (espresso) or cappuccino before breakfast ends at 10. July 5-7, off in Brindisi. Phenomenal...the what would he look like? Would band has arrived. “What? Ya’ll July 9, Soiano 11 a.m. - Following breakfast we get in our Fiat Ducato 8.5 passenger van with “Beppe,” our tour - Ate absurd amounts of pas- - Flew back to Milan. We he be a better guitar player than don’t like to party?” manager, at the helm and head to the next town. “Beppe” is short for Guiseppe, sort of like Dick is short ta and drank lotsa vino. decided to forego the medical ?” - Band member was released for Richard. He is a great tour manager and very kind-hearted. Not quite sure he knows what to make - Traveled to Lake Garda emergencies on this flight. from medical professionals once of us and our antics, but seems to be going with the flow pretty well. (Lago di Garda) one day and re- -Set up in the amazing vitals come back okay. He was acquainted ourselves with cul- outdoor venue at the Castle of given a mild sedative, making for tural customs of women not Soiano. a hell of an afternoon for him by wearing tops on the beach. - Show was cancelled on 2 p.m. - Stop at Autogrille to grab a small lunch consistiwng of Pasta — they have chefs and full the pool later on. Rumors have - Watched way too much BBC. account of inclement weather. service restaurants at the rest stops over here! The food is delicious even at a highway . It it that said band member pissed - Drained the mini-bars in all - We decided to get com- would be nice to have that on the road in the states. Typical lunch on road? Caprese (7 dollar ball of his pants...really. of our rooms. pletely drunk there on the lake buffalo mozzarella w/ tomatoes and basil), large plate of delicious pasta, too much bread, large piece of - Drive to amazing old estate - Late on the night of July 6, instead. As usual, the night meat, water and wine — either vino rosso (red) or bianchi (white), depending on the mood. No, we that has been turned into a des- Jess and Chuck got into a mi- degraded into talking to our are not here to fuck around or diet. Finish it off with “un caffe” and then back on the road. tination they refer to as “Agri- nor, non-violent altercation with friends in accents that seem 4 p.m. - Check in hotel. Usually the hotels are pretty nice but every now and again we will wind up turismo” or Agricultural tour- the hotel attendant. We some- more like something out of in a place where one could contract hepatitis D. What is that you ask? That would be Hep “D”= All The ism. It was an amazing hotel how managed to avoid getting Star Wars than anything Ital- Above. Ok...they’re not that bad... with a 2,000 year old church on kicked out. That guy was real- ian. Luckily, no one was of- the premises. Pool was phenom- ly pissed. fended. Cameron kept buying enal, placed conveniently amidst 6:30 p.m. - Sound check (no load in...sweeet) - Got completely hammered those beer tower things like a massive olive tree orchard. 9:30-11:30 p.m. - Showtime! at an incredibly packed bar in they have in Vegas. - Show was really fun. It was Midnight - Sit down for what is usually around a 2 hour dinner (w/ possible “” Brescia. Learned crude things - Night ends with our Italian an American on interview following). The dinners are pretty ridiculous. Our first dinner on our first night here, Rich- to say to Italian women, made comrades singing the theme a farm. It was also a Sausage ard our drummer was so full and laughing so hard that he just puked right there on his plate. Had to many friends...well, maybe a song to "Happy Days," and Party....no seriously, they were include that because it is not something that Richard would normally do. couple enemies, too. Cameron doing beer tower stands to see grilling copious amounts of sau- 2 a.m. - Continue drinking, either back at hotel or a bar with new Italian friends. Try to speak ate two roses on a dare from two how many liters we can drink sage. Okay, there were too many Italian, but the drunker we get we end up sounding like Watto from Star Wars. Italian ladies. They then told at once...it's sooo cold when it drunk dudes there as well. ???? - Make it back to room hopefully with a few hours to sleep before breakfast. him “bye bye.” hits your lips! 38 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 39 “The Theatre was a place of memories and raging good times for many, including myself. It would be hard remembering to describe my times there in words better than the photos I have captured could. I hope these bring mem- ories of good times to you the same as they do for myself. Be sure to help resurrect those great times by do- nating to the rebuilding of the Theatre. Thanks for all the great times and fond memories!” the georgia theatre — Kevin Quinn, photographer —

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Georgia Theatre crowd Particle Herring, Rogers and Sipe (2006) Moonshine Still (2006) Kris D (2006) Halloween (2006) Box Office line in 2006 AthFest (2006) Bling the Children Classic Theatre Crowd RAQ Wilmot Greene onstage with Perpetual Groove Backstage with Dubconscious & Grogus Basement, Matt Martin (2001) Back Home STS9 (2002) Moonshine Still (2006) The Frequency Tom Hamilton & TAB (2006) . Manchester Orchestra Dubconscious (2006) The . Perpetual Groove (2006) Les Claypool Frog Brigade Spam Allstars (2006) Grogus (2006) remembering Jay Markwalter — Singer/songwriter, former High Hat owner: Kevin Lane — The Arcs: Nelson Wells — President, Team Clermont Publicity: I have been very fortunate, over the last 17 years in Athens, to work with I have SO many great memories of the Georgia Theatre, but one that sticks My memories are of moments at “The Theatre” and they are powerful; they the georgia theatre out in my mind is a show I played there in October 2001 when I was with memories, stories and so many great people and musicians as a manager and friend; howev- date back & include many great shows, including Book of Love, Dead favorite shows from years past er, Athens musicians and music industry professionals aren’t just friends – The Possibilities. We’d been asked to take part in a Community Connec- Milkmen, Marilyn Manson, Allgood (& meeting my first business partner they are family. I am not sure that I stopped in the years of good times to tion benefit show and a day or two before the show was to take place, I got Jimmy McLean there), Derek Trucks at 15 years old, Feist, David Byrne, realize how much I love the Georgia Theatre until I saw it burning. The a call from the R.E.M. office asking if the band could use our gear to play , The Avett Brothers, , Venice is Sinking,K ud- Dave Schools — : scene of barefooted Theatre fans and a former mayor working together to a set when we were done. We said, “sure.” We were asked to keep it a se- zu Bowl IV 1991, Team Clermont Prom with Patton Oswalt & Tiny hand exhausted firemen drinking water made me realize how much I care cret and we did, but it didn’t matter. The word inevitably got around and Sticks, the Athens Comedy troupe, Drivin & Cryin, & of course witness- Widespread Panic was playing the Theatre 3/13/1992. This was the key- about the Athens community and what a special place downtown Athens the place was completely sold out by show time. We played some ing Wilmot’s proudest moment with the installation of the largest fan on boardist John ‘Jojo’ Hermann’s first night playing with the band and he is for so many people – especially a landmark structure that thousands have covers with Scott McCaughey joining us, some and Posies songs earth; just to name a few. didn’t know that the bands usually enter in the side door on Clayton Street. enjoyed….A ticket for a great show, a stroll past on tip-toes for a look and with , and Pete Buck joined us for “You Don’t Mean It” He was stopped at the door by security guard Steve Fleming. Steve was the listen, or maybe just a wave to a friend working inside - that's the Geor- (a song of ours that had recently covered on Conan O’Brien). best door man on the planet and wouldn’t let Jojo inside. Jojo tried to con- gia Theatre - the shows run together but the experiences brand the sights, R.E.M. followed and the place went nuts. Somewhere in the middle of the Daniel Peiken — AthensRockShow.com, Analogue Records: vince Steve that he was in the band but Steve pointed to the photo on the sounds and smells forever!! set, Michael Stipe thanked us and dedicated a song to us! That was one of wall. It was an old photo with the previous keyboardist, . Af- MANY special nights that I’ve spent at the Georgia Theatre. My first visit to the Georgia Theatre was in 1987 as a University of Geor- ter almost missing his very first gig with Widespread Panic, Jojo wrote the gia freshman. It was a ‘Carafe and Draft’ at that time and I liked it. Since classic “One Arm Steve’. Derek Trucks — Allman Brothers Band/Derek Trucks Band: then it has hosted thousands of unforgettable rock shows and I’ve made my Troy Aubrey — Nomad Artists: way to hundreds of them. I’ll never forget seeingWidespread Panic, , There are so many musicians that had a strong tie to that room in Athens. Hot Tuna or the Ramones at the Theatre. I was also lucky enough to see Owen Gray — Theatre Staff/Nimbleslick Entertainment: We played so many great shows in that room with a lot of different people I have some fond memories of seeing some amazing shows at the Geor- Drivin’ N Cryin, the Drive By Truckers and the Chickasaw Mudpuppies back to the days when Colonel Bruce Hampton & The Aquarium Rescue gia Theatre during my time in Athens (1988-present)…like The Replace- there. Warren Zevon sang ‘Werewolves of Athens’ on January 22, of 1992. I started working at The Georgia Theatre in the summer of 2006, dur- Unit were playing amazing stuff. We did a lot of shows with those guys. ments, when during the 1st song some kid threw one of the big Theatre Those memories will never be forgotten and I look forward to creating more ing . First day in, Wilmot gave me two free tickets to Phil Lesh & beers at and he threw his guitar down and jumped off musical memories in the New Georgia Theatre. Friends, and that’s the kind of person he is — cares deeply about his staff Bruce Burch — UGA Music Business Program: the stage with fists pumped after the kid, crowd surfed around and then and friends. One great night was a surprise birthday bash for Adam Per- jumped right back up on stage, picked up his guitar and told the kid “not ry. After a huge dinner we all hung out at the Theatre ‘til very early in the to fuckin’ do that again” and went right back in to “” with- Mike Rizzi — Former drummer, Five Eight: morning with different musicians playing their hearts out, collective im- The Georgia Theatre wasn’t here when I attended UGA from 1971-1975 and neither was the Athens music scene. I came back here in 2005 to start out missing a beat! Coolest thing I’ve ever seen. Paul’s been my hero ever promptu. Now more than ever, I feel what the people and endless nights of The biggest memory of all is running into Wilmot Green in Athens a few the UGA Music Business Program and the first place I went was to the since.Can’t wait for the new and improved Georgia Theatre, but will miss music at the Theatre mean to me. years back and he told me that he just bought the Theatre. Then he took me Georgia Theatre. Wilmot Greene introduced me to the Athens music scene the old one dearly! on a tour of the Theatre (which I've seen many times, but this time was spe- and I will forever be grateful to him. It felt like coming home. cial). He had a glow and was proud of his new baby and I totally was hap- Andrew Heaton — Packway Handle Band: Nic Goodson — Sleepy Horses: py to see him so excited about something I longed to do myself someday. Not Daniel Hutchens — Bloodkin: a better guy to have to own such a venue. He understands the musician, The Georgia Theatre was one of our wilder venues and the bar for extreme I stumbled into Athens (without ever having set foot in Georgia before) seeing as he is a great one himself, and has a perspective most owners don't antics on stage had gotten pretty high. One show, we drew a blank and I remember the "Bar Tab" shows my band Bloodkin participated in, along on a balmy day in August. I had decided to move outta Texas for some rea- have. I don't doubt he'll rebuild and it will be even greater than before. went on stage with no real plan except to think of something. Nothing with members of Widespread Panic and several other bands around town, son or another.....music...grad school....change of scenery. My first night in good came to mind, so in a panic, I announced a “sexiest dancer” contest on town I heard that Will Johnson (Centro-Matic) would be playing with during the mid ‘90s...those were always great gatherings, lots of old friends, Benjy Davis — The : stage for a free CD. Several girls got on stage and then the half of us who new friends, just pretty memorable events...and about two weeks before Patterson Hood and Don Chambers. I found the Theatre (after a long, were paying attention broke into "Happy Birthday" (to “Blah, Blah”) at long walk around downtown). I fell in love with Athens that night. I the fire we did a "Bloodkin & Friends" benefit, and lots of those same fac- We have always loved the warm welcome the Georgia Theatre and Athens breakneck speed. It was impossible to dance to, but they tried and the result was in awe of the Theatre. I decided right then that I had to play the The- es from all those years back showed up, and it felt like a full circle...though gave us. The fans there rocked. I remember when we were playing with The was ludicrous. The audience loved it. Half the band was profoundly em- ater someday. I've played there quite a few times...however, AthFest 2008 I hope it won't be the last time we ever play the Theatre. Let's rebuild it. I Kin, there was a woman at the show who worked at a salon. So we took barrassed to have been a part of something so idiotic. I just shook my head Sleepy Horses played with Don Chambers + GOAT....I had come full cir- also always recall seeing the Replacements at the Theatre, and her backstage after the show, and she gave us all haircuts. and thought “man, what was that?” It was the Georgia Theatre. on a different occasion...two of the better rock shows I've ever seen. cle...it was a perfect night."

Sometime in the early morning, a massive fire breaks out in the back right Sea Level is the first per- Carafe and Draft The building is sold to Wilmot Elite Theatre Movie House corner of the building. While the walls Publix-Lucas Theatres Inc. buys the former of the Theatre’s new Theatre opens as mov- Greene and Randy Smith, who opens on ground floor, while United Theatre Enterpris- are salvaged, the roof and interior are are building, cuts it in half, builds a incarnation as a music hall. ie house, with “Raiders of the undertake massive renovations The Majestic Hotel occu- es Inc. buys the building; badly damaged. The investigation is ulti- balcony and opens a new cinema. Lost Ark” as the first show. over the span of the next 5 years. pies second and third floors. continues Georgia Theatre. mately inconclusive in its search for a cause. Jan. 11, 1978 1918 1930’s 1967 April 9, 1982 2004 June 19, 2009

July 7, 2009 1989 1889 1926 1960’s Oct.,1975 1977 1979 2004 From Wilmot Greene, in his latest Building erected and con- Reopened as a music venue, Kyle Pil- Masonic Temple Associated Serves as a worship hall for make a tour public update: “The smoke has cleared Georgia Theatre shows Sam Smartt, Hap Harris, grim and Bill “Duck” Anderson buy the The Derek Trucks Band verted into the first YMCA of Athens buys the building. United Methodist Church. George Fontaine and Shef- stop at the Theatre. and now it’s time to focus on rebuild- of the South. Would later it’s last movie, building; plan to open Georgia The- recorded Live at the fy McArthur team up to open ing the Georgia Theatre. I am still become a department store. “Brotherhood of Death.” atre as a concert venue. First band to Georgia Theatre. confident that out of all this confu- Georgia Theatre as a concert hall. play was Pylon on October 2, 1989. sion something positive will emerge.” Ed. Note: A special thanks to Daniel Peiken for contributing past Theatre ticket stubs! 42 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 43 MUSIC RELEASE CALENDAR 45 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE ATHENS

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Release dates are subject to change. Check artists or store websites as these dates approach.

Hey local bands! Got a release date coming up? Let us know at

Lil Wayne Rebirth Sean Paul Imperial Balze Ursa Major Brandi Shearer Love Don’t Make You Just Paul Burch Still Your Man Destroyer Bay Of Pigs [EP] (Vinyl-only) Nathan Maxwell And The Original aug Bunny Gang White Rabbit aug

Colbie Caillat Breakthrough Light Dolores O’Riordan No Baggage Zechs Marquise Our Delicate Stranded Nightmare Loundon Wainwright III High Wide & Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project The Casualties We Are All We Have Mariah Carey Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel sept

Whitney Title TBA Black Crowes Before The Frost...Until The Freeze

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Fabolous Lose’s Way Howling Bells upcoming CD releases july Radio Wars Sax Ruins Yaqiauo Ryan Starr 11:59 Ashley Tisdale Guilty Pleasure M.O.P. The Foundation J-Kwon Hood Hop 2.5 Swollen Members aug Greatest Hits aug Warren Haynes/Gov’t Bill Champlin Mule No Place Left To Fall By A Thread Jullan Plenti Skyscraper Circulatory System Signal Morning Seasick Steve Dog House Music The Duke & The King Amerie Nothing Gold Can Stay In Love & War Cooper Boone Cobra Starship Cooper Boone Hot Mess Raekwon Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II Danny Chaimson And The 11th Hour Young Blood, Old Soul Hazel. So I think that was another thing that well. A lot of bands have started paid fan clubs, brings it together. It can be the most avant SISTER HAZEL and we’ve been in the middle of whether or not garde music brought to the table, but Ken’s still we wanted to do something like that. With us gonna put his take on it and make it what it is, being so accessible, we’re sort of caught in the which makes it sound like Sister Hazel. WHO’S WHO middle that we’ve done so much where our fans Ken Block (lead vocals, guitar), Jett are used to whatever. But we decided that one ABM: Now this is also Sister Hazel’s 7th Beres (bass, vocals), Andrew Cope- of the other ways for people to recognize the album, excluding live releases and other land (guitar, vocals), Ryan Newell name, because so many times people have heard things like that. Once you hit album 7, do (lead guitar, vocals), Mark Trojanowski (drums) our music, “All For You” or “Champagne High” you still get butterflies about its release? or “Change your Mind,” but they don’t connect MT: Oh, I think anytime you put our new FORMED the name to the face of the band. music you’re excited about the fans hearing it 1994 in Gainesville, Fla. And at the same time, we’ve got some good and other people getting to hear it for the first relationships with different bank people and LABEL it’s sort of a difficult economic time, not that time, and the big thing for the band is getting Croakin’ Poets to play new music live. You can write new we are encouraging people to take on debt, but music and play it live, but without a record it’s LATEST RELEASE we think it’s one of the lowest rates possibly out almost kind of pointless because without fans Release (2009) there. Obviously we don’t encourage people to getting to hear that song ahead of time, or at go get a credit card and put all their spending ON THE WEB on it, but we always try to do different things least having a recorded copy of it, you get a lot www.sisterhazel.com of people looking at you with blank faces when with our fans and we felt like this was another you play music that they’ve never heard before. way to brand our name and brand who we So it’s exciting for us that we can play a bunch are by people using it and hopefully we’ll be days we started with our fans at the , offering different specials and perks to some of of new music live and people know the music th which is coming on the 10 one this year and those people who use it as well as, or instead and the words already, so, it just kind of breeds that was a fans-based, sort of appreciation thing excitement, not only for the record release, but of, having a fan club. Maybe as more and more questions with after one of our tours to try and get every one fans start using the card, we will offer concert for touring and live shows. Once you make a together and have a big party and it’s just this record, usually there’s a lot of creative energy tickets and things like that as a way to give back big music festival. And we do the Hazelnut to them through that system, rather than use a Now on the verge of releasing their 7th and most collaborative album yet, Sister Hazel’s Mark Trojanowsi sounds around to create more songs, so hopefully we’ll hang, which is in South Carolina in May. And 10as determined as ever. On a phone call from Atlanta, the drummer is eager to discuss the band’s latest, what it go back into the studio in the fall. fan club based paid kind of thing. sister hazel so we just try to do some fun things with our takes to outlast their peers and having their faces on a credit card. Read on…By Natalie B. David ABM: You’ve really kind of out-lasted a lot fans. Ken, our lead singer, has the Lyrics for Life ABM: You all are really involved in a lot charity foundation. So it’s just being accessible of bands that emerged around the time of different things, but I have to admit Athens Blur Magazine (ABM): The new and trying to have our fans be as big a part of own or you collaborated with other people, we went into this record knowing that everyone when you all did. Has it always been easy that I didn’t know about most of it until I album, Release, is a very collaborative got together in Gainesville for a week before was getting all their material on the record and our music world as possible. to keep the band going? was doing research for this interview. effort for the band with every member going to Nashville to the recording studio, and so I think that was another positive situation ABM: You mentioned Lyrics for Life — MT: Well, that’s been the hardest thing. contributing at least two songs — how that was the first time that the band got to play for us, knowing that you were not going to have MT: I think the most difficult part was We’ve been that band that has been around everyone else’s songs. And we knew we needed to wait to the end of the process to know if your probably in the early years, but once we got past what are you hoping to achieve with did that idea come about? since the late ‘90s and we’ve done all of these to do that in order to go into the studio and play songs were going to be on the record. You knew our first two records, I think whatever could’ve Lyrics for Life Day? Mark Trojanowski (MT): It got inspired from things, but a lot of it is so much under the them and it still sound like a band, like Sister from the beginning that your songs were going potentially caused problems for us, and then our Christmas record a few years ago. We went MT: I think the goal is, we can only do so many radar because we weren’t considered the Hazel. So even though everyone had their to be on there, so we just sort of picked what we broke up many other bands, kind of dissipated. into the Christmas record with everybody things in a year, right? And we can only be so media darlings and we weren’t considered the songs, everybody in the band still had to learn liked the best and put them on there. We don’t really have to worry about that much choosing three songs and you could either many places between touring and family life Matchbox Twenty-type band, whatever. But their parts and what they were going to bring anymore. Even with this record, while we were choose to do original Christmas songs or and we had a Lyrics for Life main event that there’s certain things that we can control and to the songs, so that was a pretty crucial part of ABM: Sounds easy enough. So Release in the studio we were playing shows. A lot of cover Christmas songs, and then you got to do we were doing here in Atlanta for many years certain things that we can’t. And that was one the process. And we’ve always done it on every is certainly varied, but in a subtle way. other bands will make a record, do a tour and whatever you wanted to produce those songs, and then Tim started doing smaller satellite of the things that has helped the five of us other record and we knew that we needed to do Having five people writing and helming then disappear for two years. You really can’t whether you wanted to do them acoustically projects in the New England area, and we do continue our career and forge ahead and we it on this one as well. So we got together for a the different songs, what did you all do do that and have a career like this. Your fans or do full band versions. And that record was one in Tampa in the fall, which I think is on just have to learn that there are certain things week and every person had a day to bring their want music. They want to see you. And so we’re sort of made in multiple places — everybody to make sure it still sounded like a Sister the day that they’re hoping to do Lyrics for Life that we can’t control and we don’t worry three songs in and get the band to learn them. always playing at least four to five shows every did their own things. Some people recorded in Hazel record and not just a compilation? Day, and then there’s Operation Swan Dive in about it. If our song doesn’t get on the radio, Then, the following week, we went to Nashville month or so. I think that has been a major point the Boston area, where people actually jump Ryan [Newell, guitars]’s basement. I went out MT: Well, I think the one thing I already said it’s not going to be the end of our record or and pretty much in four days recorded all of in why we’ve held out as long as we have. out of a plane and people get donations for to Dallas. So with it being a hodgepodge like that sort of addressed that was getting together the end of our career. We’re just gonna go out the bass and drums on all of the songs on the Lyrics for Life from people who sponsor them. that, recording being all over, it all seemed to and playing the songs as a band. I think it ABM: You mentioned your fans, and you there and tour and do other things to get our record and then we took several months after So there was all these sort of side Lyrics for work really well, and we did a lot of the vocals, would’ve been quite different if we had gone to guys have an incredibly loyal fan base, music out there for people to hear it, and I that to start doing all of the guitars and over Life events popping up and we could only do actually, out on the road. So after having the Nashville and never played it until we got into think that’s why we continually come and dubs and keyboards and strings and vocals. the Hazelnuts, but what have you all done so many of the events in a certain year. Some of success of that, and everyone kind of getting the studio. There wouldn’t be as much of a band play Athens and play other college towns to attract such loyal fans? these other events were started by other people more of an integral part of the recording process feeling about the music at that point, and at least, because if we don’t have a vehicle, whether ABM: How did you all decide what songs who wanted to help so we just felt like let’s try and creative process, we decided that it might Ryan and Jett [Beres, bass] and myself having a MT: I think that partly is because we do it’s media or radio or television for the new from each of you would be the ones that to organize all these people to do something on be a good way to do a new studio record. strong foundation of the rhythm sections of the appreciate them and try to do as much as we younger college students or younger people to made the record? the same day. songs was a major key. And it’s kind of hard to can for our fan base. We’re very accessible at hear our music, then we have to go out and ABM: So when you were writing your MT: Um, it was just, everyone just kind of our concerts. And I think that we’ve always not sound like Sister Hazel when you have Ken ABM: I have to ask you about this: when play it live for them. And that’s what we’ve songs, were you off in your own little picked the material they felt strongly about. been that way, in the early days when we were continued to do for all these years. If one door [Block, vocals] singing. So having him sing I went to the website, the first thing that world, or was there much collaboration or Some people only wrote two songs. Some all the songs, even though Drew [Copeland, starting, trying to get ourselves out there, we gets shut down, we open two or three more popped up was something saying to apply input from your bandmates? people wrote three songs. The normal process gutars/vocals]’s singing the most he’s ever sung would walk around at colleges and just hand until we can make it work for ourselves. was people write songs and it was a vote system out our music and just meet people and try to for the Sister Hazel credit card… MT: The way it works for us, everyone had their on a Sister Hazel record on this one, you hear of what was going to make the record. So we get them interested in our music. And these MT: Yeah, we actually started that this year as B songs and then, whether you wrote ‘em on your Kens voice and instantaneously know it’s Sister 46 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 47 traded its cozy, boutique home of Ramseur Records and settled in the with the magic THE AVETT BROTHERS touch of some guy named in a little place known as Columbia Records. WHO’S WHO “I can’t honestly tell you that I wasn’t a (guitar, vocals), Scott little uncomfortable playing in front of Avett (banjo, vocals), Bob Crawford Rick Rubin the first couple of times,” said (bass, vocals) Crawford with a laugh. “But it’s typical to shut your mind off to who is in the room for FORMED me personally. I think it may have been felt 2000 in Concord, N.C. by the other guys, but after you get used to LABEL it, and it kind of goes away.” Ramseur/Columbia What’s developed between Country Was and has been steady LATEST RELEASE songwriting maturity, not overstated in its I And Love And You (2009) process but evident in the end product. ON THE WEB “Between I And Love And You and www.theavettbrothers.com Emotionalism (2007) there isn’t a great distance. Ya know, we learned a ton but I think song-wise and playing-wise there is only a step of evolution. I think between it’s never been a problem for us.” Four Thieves Gone (2006) and Emotionalism Watching an Avett Brothers show is an there is also a step. I think between exhausting enterprise for a fan, let alone for Mignonette (2004) and Four Thieves Gone the men on stage making the magic happen. there is a step. A Carolina Jubilee (2003) and But if the trio has slowed with time, they Mignonette there is a step, so if you want to hide it well. Much like the improvement take A Carolina Jubilee and I And Love And on their respective instruments, Crawford senses a better understanding of what it takes night in and night out to put on the “For us, it was always kind of no-holds-barred, whiskey soaked melee they’ve claimed as a trademark. the live show before there “In a normal show, I have found in recent was anything else.” years it’s better to pace yourself,” he said. “It’s almost like when you’re exercising, you might get on the treadmill for ten minutes Bob Crawford or work your legs or whatever you want to The Avett Brothers do, but you stretch, you get loose. I like to PHOTO courtesy crackerfarm get loose on those first four or five songs and pace myself, rather than let it all hang A Major Step by Alec Wooden said Crawford. “The world is very small, and so You there will be this huge gap. But if you out and be beat for the last 30 minutes of The Avett Brothers Get a Makeover — Rick Rubin Style I don’t think you’re gonna have people that play take them all in context, it is a nice steady the show, which has happened sometimes.” atching Bob Crawford on the a tour with Dave Matthews, all the while thinking about how much like filmmaking ‘old time music’ the way the very bizarre rules of, ladder and a nice progression and very Crawford’s words make perfect sense road is no surprise. Bassist for prepping for the release of a new studio that that process is and that it's a very visual say, certain types of jazz or rag time do. You’re comparable for us.” coming from (and going to) any musician. the hell-raising album, I And Love And You. process to make a record. For me, there is gonna always have people that try to carry that Apart from the records, Crawford has Such a steady progression is a musical goal “grungegrass”C (we’ll get to that) trio The The well-spoken Crawford sticks out from a lot of commonality in making a movie or tradition on, which is great and necessary and seen a progression in other logical ways — of any band. The commercial success is a Avett Brothers, Crawford and his bandmates the group in a couple ways, namely the lack television show and being a touring band or we need that. I think the larger population that simply put, for the first time in years as a bonus, and The Avett Brothers enjoyed the (brothers Seth and ) have enjoyed of a particular lineage (obviously, he’s the only in the aspect of making a record, filming and makes music is going to be influenced by a lot band, the Avett Brothers now brim with more rare combination of the two being a meteoric rise through the musical ranks, Avett “brother” without the last name Avett). logistical things that a lot of people probably of fringe elements. What I mean is, you can’t confidence in their actual playing ability. hand-in-hand. Of course, the terrifying realized the old-school way: touring. Lots Moreover, he’s the band member that almost don’t think about. It's 80 percent logistics. tell anybody now that they’re a certain genre. The elaborate stage presence for which the side of the coin is that with each new album and lots of touring. Naturally, then, as wasn’t, nearly choosing a career path in film Creativity, of course, factors in but you need I mean, it’s always 'this meets this', well 'this band is known was, at one time, essentially comes new expectations and all-too-often Crawford speaks through the traffic noise on production shortly after his move to North to have all of these logistics in place so the means this' and so on. I think ultimately when a cover up for what many saw as relatively crushing pressure from a large and still- the other end of the line, he must be steaming Carolina and shortly before he got hooked creativity can flow open.” people talk about this period of popular music, sub-par playing ability — now, however, growing group of fans. toward some new musical high – Bonnaroo, up with the songwriting brothers. Years later, In that flow of creativity, The Avett Brothers it will be a more generational term, where you it’s a compliment to the much improved “What fans can expect from I And Love MerleFest or any one of the mid-sized there’s little doubt his career that didn’t pan have conjured up some unique genre monikers kind of have a term to represent a generation. I technicality of the members. And You, I would say, is that we expand performing arts centers across the country out has immensely benefited the one that (or the fans have, more correctly). There’s think it is going to be less jazz/funk or rock and “I think we are only beginning to the range of sound and texture. We play they’ve come to sell out with a frightening did. “polk” (punk + folk), “bluerock” (bluegrass roll, there will be less of that kind of stuff and understand how to play our instruments and more of the different instruments than I regularity. “I think about [the similarities] all the + rock) and the ever-popular “grungegrass” more of like, whatever, information age rock or more in a professional manner and I think think we have in the past,” said Crawford. “Actually,” he said, “I’m driving to Ohio to time, especially with recording I And Love ( + bluegrass). Whichever one chooses, technology music, I don’t know.” to make up for the lack of professionalism “The topics are getting broader and deeper. go see my parents.” And You and the way we did it. In film you a large part of the Avett Brothers appeal, The Avett Brothers have long been a “major” with our instruments, we just let it all There are some songs on the new album Oh. have storyboard, where you get the shots that particularly to a younger demographic, has player in the music world, with a cult following hang out and leave it all on the stage,” said that are just incredible and then the Well, if anyone deserves some R & R at you need to get but, you know, you won’t use been the high-profile left turn from the turned super-sized as a result of each album Crawford. “For us, it was always the live songs that we are just playing now and their folks’ house, it’s these Avett fellas. They every shot. You get so you shoot as much as romanticized view of folk music as old-timey, since the sterling debut (with the current show before there was anything else. We’ve learning that are even newer that I think claimed over 150 shows alone in 2008, and possible and you edit — that was more of the out-dated or “Deliverance” laden music. lineup) Country Was in 2002. I And Love And always felt like if people are choosing to are even more incredible — so I think that 2009 has already seen them hitting the above approach in recording this album than it had “This is the information age, and You, however, marks the first “major” step for the spend their time with us, we’re going to give the progression just kind of continues.” B listed hotspots and freshly-removed from ever been before. I was kind of beside myself everybody is influenced by everybody else,” band in the literal sense of the word, as the trio them their money’s worth every night and 48 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 49 Something Adam Lazzara gets a freshNew perspective Againby Nicole Black here’s more than one reason lead singer Adam Lazzara “ was a word that we used of Taking Back Sunday feels new again. Not only does TAKING BACK SUNDAY to make fun of our friends with. he have a new album and a new band member, he’s also a newly married man. It’s no wonder the band chose New Again as I wouldn’t consider myself emo at T WHO’S WHO the title for its latest release. Adam Lazzara (vocals), Eddie Reyes (guitar), Mark all. It’s weird we got put in that “Both in our personal lives and wour lives within the band, that’s O’Connell (drums), Matt Rubano (bass, vocals), category. Maybe it’s because of the just how everything feels,” Lazzara said. “When we were writing Matthew Fazzi (guitar, vocals) this record, there was this excitement that each one of us had, and bands we’ve toured with. I’ve just it felt almost like a rekindling of a flame.” FORMED always considered us a rock band.” Lazzara credits the rekindling to the band’s newest member, Matt 1999 in Long Island, N.Y. Fazzi, who replaced lead guitarist and vocalist Fred Mascherino

LABEL p last spring. “With the addition of Matt Fazzi, it really made it fun Warner Bros. hoto: k Adam Lazzara, Taking Back Sunday again,” he said. “We [felt] like we were putting out our first record

() all over again.” LATEST RELEASE ur t

On finding Fazzi, Lazzara explained, “We’ve known him since New Again (2009) iswarien ko 2004. We met him on the when he was playing with to go. We’re just really blessed. Somebody’s looking out for us. We his band, Facing New York. We just stayed in contact with him. ON THE WEB always dreamed of doing this; we never thought it would happen, He was actually the first person to come and audition, and he was www.takingbacksunday.com though. Being that it has happened is just really awesome.” just the right guy. We went through a lot of other auditions, but it After so many heartaches and devastating breakups, Lazzara always came back to Matt Fazzi.” says he has finally found someone that can put up with him. Members of TBS decided to take a year-long break after heavy were reminding ourselves that it’s up to us to dictate who and what Married for just one year, you might wonder how Lazzara can touring supporting their third album, . Taking Back Sunday is.” still write such agonizing love songs. “After we did the tour for Louder Now, we just wanted to take a Some people classify TBS as an emo band. When asked if he “The songs were written prior to getting hitched,” he admitted. break for a little while to kind of get reacquainted,” Lazzara said. considers himself ‘emo,’ Lazzara laughed. “Leading up to getting married, just as we all do, I put myself “We wanted to not feel like carnies for a hot minute.” “Emo was a word that we used to make fun of our friends with. through a lot of crap. You’d be pretty hard pressed to meet anybody Getting everyone back together wasn’t a process, he explained, I wouldn’t consider myself emo at all,” he said. “It’s weird we got in their mid-20’s that doesn’t have some horror stories. There’s “There wasn’t really a defining moment; it’s just what we do.” put in that category. Maybe it’s because of the bands we’ve toured one or two that are quite the hopeful love songs, like ‘Catholic New Again plays a little more with pop-rock than on previous with. I’ve just always considered us a rock band.” Knees.’” albums, as evinced in the song “.” Yet the lyrics still Lazzara credits constant touring as the group’s reason for The most trying period lies ahead for the couple, as TBS begins remain dark in true TBS fashion. success. a venue-packed summer tour to promote New Again. “I try to “I don’t necessarily think that the music’s happier,” Lazzara “Since we’ve started, we’ve toured nonstop,” he explained. “And bring her out as much as I can,” Lazzara said. [Touring] is just said. “The music just feels a little happier with a little bit darker we kind of all dropped our last names for the name of the band. what we do, and she knows that. We both knew that going in to subject matter. We went in and said, ‘OK, there’s nothing that Then again, I have a bunch of friends that did the same thing this. You can make anything work as long as you put the right B we’re not going to try,’ and that was really freeing. It was like we (touring), and they’re still kind of struggling. We have a long way heart behind it.” 50 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE

n three decades traversing the ticket market as well as many of the as a writer I drink coffee by the boatload. music business, Wakeling has seen it all. world’s top musical acts. But I would like to have a choice. Whether IThe 53-year-old Brit has been on stages Now that’s power. the product is good or bad, it’s just not big and small, playing in front of tens of a choice and that’s not good for the thousands and sometimes just tens. consumer. The lack of competition is Much of the industry has changed in never good for the consumer.” those 30 years – once a realm inhabited In an analysis of the merger released by the connected few, the personal by the American Antitrust Institute in computer and Internet opened the gates April, James D. Hurwitz, who worked to everyone, whether you want to listen, with the Federal Trade Commission, create or simply learn about music. ere’s where we’re at. wrote: “Live Nation Entertainment would “The old model we had of the music In February of this year Ticketmaster be a vertically integrated enterprise with industry may be dead, but the music has Hand Live Nation announced they wanted dominance or substantial power on five never been more alive,” Wakeling said to merge and become Live Nation market levels. The new entity would as he prepared to take The English Beat Entertainment, a full service company therefore be able to use its strengths out on a lengthy American tour. “It was uniting the largest ticket distributor in some markets as leverage to gain all so sown up and cut and dried when I with the largest concert promoter. The customers or compliance in others. This started, and certainly who you knew or two entities spent years fighting, as vertical integration would effectively who you could meet could make a whole Live Nation ended its contract with frustrate new entry because, as a practical big heap of difference. Monopolies were Ticketmaster in 2007 – which gave it matter, it would require firms seeking to guarded very tightly and to be invited into sole control to sell tickets at Live Nation compete seriously against Live Nation the monopoly was much sought after. events – and started a ticket service of its Entertainment to enter the industry on It’s always been a mixture of sharks and own. Ticketmaster countered, buying several levels at once. The second factor angels attracted to the music business, Front Line, one of the world’s largest is that the merged entity would likely and I think it’s all for the better now. The artist management companies, and enjoy market power not just as a seller but whole thing has fallen to bits. It deserved TicketsNow, a secondary ticket sales also as a buyer. In essence, the company’s to.” subsidiary (read legal scalpers). market dominance would benefit it in Amid those bits lie remnants of A few years ago, Live Nation started both ways.” an industry’s past – concept albums, signing several top artists (Madonna, I’m not sure what it means either, but it cassettes, large record companies, David Jay-Z to name a few) to “360-deals,” certainly doesn’t sound good. Lee Roth – while what arose remained giving them multi-million dollar lean and compact. Small, tightly-run payments upfront in exchange for future record labels, CD collections stored in percentages of their recording, touring electronic boxes the size of your hand, and merchandising sales. the music itself reduced to one or two The fight proved costly, as a weakened downloadable megabytes. economy saw the companies’ sales and Everything got smaller. stock prices plummet. But not the live spectacle. What could save them? A gathering of ace it, the arena concert- Concerts became the behemoth. the giants. going experience is a pain in the ass. Amphitheaters of steel built in empty lots, “This combination will drive measurable IfF you’re lucky to get tickets to the showcasing lights of all colors and sounds benefits to consumers and accelerate the concert of your choice before a) it to deafen the sky. Lead singers displayed execution of our strategy to build a better sells out, b) Ticketmaster times out their faces and egos on television screens artist-to-fan direct distribution platform,” your computer before you can make a 200 times their size (or 100 times, in Live Nation’s Michael Rapino said in a purchase or c) Ticketmaster sends all the Kanye West’s case). statement after merger plans went public. best seats to its secondary-selling site The crowds grew, the venues grew, and “This merger, and the resources of where you can buy tickets for five times the tickets prices – oh my did they grow. these combined companies, will create the base price (a practice which reared A show that was once $35 became $100 a new dynamic and unique creative its crooked head with (thank you Eagles), then became $350 platform of choice for fans across all levels tickets earlier this year), you’re still left (thank you Paul McCartney). of the live entertainment experience,” paying a small mint for a few hours of And yet for the last decade, this growth Ticketmaster’s Chief Executive Irving entertainment in what may be crappy was steered by the power of two – Live Azoff said. seats. Nation (the world’s largest live music Sounds good? Of course, for the convenience of company) and Ticketmaster (the world’s “Monopolies are inherently bad,” said buying tickets online and printing them largest live entertainment ticketing longtime rock critic Jim DeRogatis, who out yourself, Ticketmaster charges you company). has written for Spin, Rolling Stone and a fee. Now they want to be one. now resides as pop critic for the Chicago “We’re kind of on the cheaper end One company controlling the tickets, Sun-Times. “I miss the corner coffee the venues, the promotion, the secondary shops. I like I drink Starbucks,

54 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 55 of the tickets and I’m grateful of that,” to do.” thereby returning us to a near monopoly Wakeling said. “We do hear it sometimes, “You’ll start to see dynamic pricing,” situation in music ticketing . . . the abuse where you might have a $20 ticket and Bluett said. “You’d have thresholds. You of our fans and our trust by Ticketmaster by the time you finished buying it you would sell the first couple of thousand has made us as furious as it has made might be paying $32 or $35 for the same tickets at $100 and then once they sell many of you,” Springsteen wrote on the damn ticket.” out you put the tickets up to $120, very band’s official Web site. Ticketmaster “What is convenient?” said Iain Bluett, much like the airline industry. It gets relented and apologized. president of Atlanta’s Ticket Alternative, more complicated because the artists are But then there’s Billy Corgan, a company fighting Ticketmaster for a looking to get more money out of it as Smashing Pumpkins’ front man, who small piece of the ticket-selling pie. “The well.” wrote to a U.S. Senate Committee earlier convenience was allowing you to buy the Surely the artists will put a stop to this this year that “the combination of these ticket online? They have no competition ticket-selling plan. companies creates powerful tools for and they built this huge infrastructure an independent artist to reach their and that fee just kept creeping up and fans in new and unprecedented ways, up. If they’re so worried about their fees, all the while restoring the power where why are they charging you $2.50 to print it belongs.” Corgan, as it turns out, is out the ticket yourself? Your printer, managed by Azoff. your paper, $2.50 to do that? Ohhh, they “It’s starting to look a little less have to pay for that technology. Well appropriate for $150 or $1,000 stadium you know what, I don’t know how much ono didn’t know. seats tickets to go on and watch a technology costs but it’s not that hard to When asked by DeRogatis about the band that’s in front of the television print out your own ticket.” Bof Ticketmaster/Live Nation merger, screen with the singer dancing and So you paid for the tickets, the fees, the bespectacled honorary knight, who miming their latest,” Wakeling said. “It’s allowing people to pay on layaway. “Ticketmaster is going to be forced much past their balance sheets. now it’s time to go to the show to have seemingly knows something about becoming to appear a bit pretentious April’s Coachella festival (, Paul to sell TicketsNow, and if they do that But the window of opportunity to see some fun. everything, was clueless to the news. and particularly in this social clime when McCartney, ) checked in at I don’t think there’s any reason why it bands before they ascend to a new level “You’re treated like a piece of shit,” “A charlatan and a fraud,” DeRogatis people are losing their jobs, their houses, $269 (or less than a single top-tier seat wouldn’t go through,” he said. “Those are could be closing faster by the day. With DeRogatis said. “With Live Nation I said of Bono. “If you just made $50 losing any sense of hope for the future. for one McCartney show) to see more a complete conflict of interest, how on controlling interest in all music matters, resent being treated like cattle. Whether million from somebody, you would It’s as though the artists have in some than 100 bands during the three-day earth anyone ever let that go through the merged companies could seek it’s the added parking fee, which they do know.” ways separated from the people they’re event. June’s Bonnaroo (Springsteen, blows my mind. But if Ticketmaster does 360 deals with smaller, lesser-known per ticket – four people carpool out to a In fact in 2008, Live Nation signed meant to reflect on and service.” , ) charged that, then they’ll likely merge with Live bands to join their cadre of superstars. show and each of them are paying $15 U2 to a 12-year touring deal worth “I know Ticketmaster makes a lot of $250 for the three-day festival, while Nation” Suddenly the up-and-coming band you to park? $7.50 for a beer? $5 or $6 for a $100 million. And therein lies the next money,” Tim Mahoney, lead guitarist of August’s Lollapalooza (, Members of the U.S. Congress and wanted to see before it was big has hot dog? And then in between they have dynamic piece of this improbable puzzle 311 said. “To charge for a ticket now, The Killers, Jane’s Addiction) runs $190. the Justice Department are looking into reached the land of $50 tickets and $9 the audacity to advertise to me? I paid – what are the artists to do? most people buy it online, but the cost And Bluett, for one, is trying to tackle the merger, and some have vowed it will beers. $50, $60, $100, $250 for a ticket, I just There are vocal barbs on both sides of for that service charge just seems like a the dreaded convenience charge. Ticket not go through. Of course, the winning The power of live music has never been paid $60 for the whole car to park in the the issue. Many top artists signed deals ton of money. I know our band; we don’t Alternative, handling between 150 and of mergers such as this depends on more important, or valuable, as it is now. middle of nowhere in a dirt field. You’re with either Ticketmaster or Live Nation, get any of that. It’s not like the bands or 400 venues nationwide in usually smaller how deft the companies are at playing There’s a belief that if the merger goes lined up, they search your bag and God and their silence is deafening. artists are getting any sort of cut of it venues (such as The EARL and Smith’s political poker – and Live Nation has a through, live music’s best of the best forbid you brought in a bottle of water – “I think there is a certain amount of … it interests me where all that money Olde Bar in Atlanta), charges less than face card in the hole. (and maybe even its middle of the pack) throw that away because they’re going to artists spitting in the face of the fans,” goes.” half of what Ticketmaster does. “We only “I think it’s a 50-50 shot, I think will be reserved only for the affluent and sell you one for $5. The experience is an DeRogatis said. “When Paul McCartney In the end, the artist will set the price make money if we sell tickets,” Bluett this is a really bad time to be selling connected. inferior one.” was 15 or 16 he was able to see Little at what the people will pay. said, “so we work really hard for our the American public this argument of And those anchored amphitheaters, This will change with the merger, Richard in Liverpool for the equivalent And they’re paying. venues to help them sell tickets.” bigger is better,” DeRogatis said. “On the much like the high tension wires they right? of a dollar or two and it changed his “If I was in a band like Coldplay and Of course the merger can only help other hand, the Live Nation board has sit aside, will be forever seen but never , the mastermind behind life. Now some kid who’s sitting in a U2 and I heard that people weren’t him, since the overwhelming presence of a really interesting fellow on it named touched. Nine Inch Nails, is quite vocal about basement learning to play those Beatles going because of the price, I would do one company could spur venues to look Ari Emanuel who happens to be Rahm “The thing that is old as mankind itself the merger, especially in what happens songs, unless he has access to his dad’s everything in my power to change it,” for alternatives. Emanuel’s brother.” is the traveling troubadour who goes to ticket prices if it were to go through. gold Amex card at $350 a ticket, can’t Bluett said. “Unfortunately there are “It’s actually a great thing for us if it Who is Rahm Emanuel? He’s President from village to village with his mandolin, On the NIN Web site, Reznor wrote a see that experience. Paul McCartney has 80,000 other people at the Georgia Dome goes through because a lot of the smaller Barack Obama’s Chief of Staff. puts out his hat and if he’s any good he scathing review of the events, with a the right to charge whatever he wants, who don’t care and suck it up and say venues are looking now to jump ship, Live Nation with a straight to the king. winds up with a couple loaves of bread harbinger of things to come. but don’t you tell me you’re an artist ‘Well that what it is, screw you,’ click and like this is the final straw,” he said. “It’s and pennies,” DeRogatis said. “If he’s “My guess as to what will eventually anymore. You’re not. This is now some they bought the tickets. We all do it.” a bit of a win-win, lose-lose for us. On not, he better become a blacksmith. happen if/when Live Nation and capitalistic cash-in enterprise. How one hand, I don’t want it to go through “People talk about cybersex, but it’s TicketMaster merges is that they’ll move much money does everybody need for 90 because consumers have a hard enough still just jerking off. It’s not as good as to an auction or market-based pricing minutes of work?” time getting good deals on buying tickets the real thing. The one experience that scheme – which will simply mean it will Springsteen fans bellowed after and the exorbitant fees those companies can not be duplicated in this digital age cost a lot more to get a good seat for Ticketmaster sent tickets to his show to charge are outrageous. On the other is sitting in a room with a musician you a hot show,” Reznor writes. “They will its secondary selling site, TicketsNow. hand, if it does go through it could mean et’s stop where we started. admire and he or she is playing this simply BECOME the scalper, eliminating The Boss himself got involved, scolding great things for us because it’s going to For fans of the underground, none incredible music. That remains incredibly them from the mix.” the company for its practices and hat, if anything, is push more promoters to look for other Lof this matters much. Clubs and bars valuable – that may be the only part of “We’re moving to this world where demanding they stop: “The one thing being done? As the economy continues alternatives, which is where we step in.” were never tied to Ticketmaster and the music industry that is still viable. you have to be filthy fucking rich to see that would make the current ticket toW falter while tickets continue to rise...is But the billion-dollar question Live Nation, and likely never will be. And to have that in the control of one a concert and if you’re not you’re out situation even worse for the fan than it anyone paying attention? remains: Will the merger go through? The underground, after all, is the company is outrageous.” of luck,” DeRogatis said. Auctioning off is now would be Ticketmaster and Live Some of the country’s larger festivals Bluett sees it happening, though with future before anyone is aware of it, and tickets “is absolutely what they’re going Nation coming up with a single system, remain a great bargain, and all are some concessions. monopolies are never too good at seeing

56 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 57 Photo courtesy Dan Eckstein

Forget those pesky plastic controllers. The U.S. Air Guitar Championships melt faces and save the world, one performance at a time. $3.99 by Natalie B. David BUFFET

MAKE YOUR OWN GUITARIST Directions: good anytime! 1. Select your favorite champion air guitarist and cut along the dotted lines. (limit one per customer) 2. Pick out some rockin’ gear-- make sure to color coordinate. 3. Crank up some power ballads in iTunes and 3190 Atlanta Hwy. put all of his hair spray to good use. 706.613.2424

ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 59 air guitarists, local music journalists, and radio personalities, score performances on the Olympic Figure Skating scale: from 4.0 to 6.0. A perfect score from round one, aptly, is a straight 6-6-6.

Judging is based on a combination of three criteria: technical merit (the extent to which contestants appear to be playing the guitar), stage presence (how well contestants win over the crowd) and airness. Defined by U.S. Air Guitar as “the extent to which a performance transcends the imitation of a real guitar and becomes an art form in and of itself,” airness is the variable of Air Guitar that makes it, well, awesome.

“It’s when a person is playing air guitar and you forget that they’re just standing there madly gesturing and flailing their arms about and you go ‘Wow. That guy, or girl, is actually holding some kind of guitar,” Björn illustrates. “It’s best experienced live at a show, and airness does melt faces.”

Commonly likened to pornography, as in you know it when you see it, airness is the pinnacle to which every contestant strives, the singular element that makes air guitar worthy of contest, rather than what rock nerds do at home in their spare time. Airness is crucial, the quality that turns air guitar legends into air guitar gods. Photo courtesy Photo courtesy For The Fro, now in his second year of competition, his standards of Natalie B. David Natalie B. David airness lie with the original U.S. Champ, David “C-Diddy” Jung, and that Hello Kitty breastplate-clad maniac’s 2003 world championship winning performance. “To me, that’s airness,” says the superhero, of one “Freebird” in honor of world peace. Chris Harden, a 34-year-old software engineer and comic book author Like any normal rock show, things are running late. The crowd, plied from Columbia, S.C. “When I look at that, I know he’s not playing a guitar, with PBR or, even better, straight-up , is getting restless while “I think consciously or not, what but holy crap! Every time I watch it, I get pumped up.” snuggled in the black box of trendy East Atlanta lounge, The Earl. It it’s really about is bringing people seems like any other night, any other show. together to make idiots of themselves The Fro, a character pulled from Harden’s comic book of the same name, in celebration of music, which is a very when embodied by Harden, is an exuberant cross between Stephen Colbert But look closer. communal art form, and it’s about not and Jeff Lynne. For his regional win in Atlanta (he originally hails “ It’s kind of taking yourself seriously and basically from good ol’ Villa Rica), The Fro performed an homage to the now retired Scattered amongst the chattering crowd are several Guitar Hero all of the having a good time,” says Björn of the C-Diddy, lighting candles beneath a mock-up of the air legend, before characters come to life: a monstrous, spiked rocker in black, a of the contest’s politically conscious side. “And, exploding into his own rendition of C-Diddy’s signature song: Extreme’s ‘70s stereotype with a mullet and Kool cigarette-branded pants, thrill to me, that’s what world peace is about.” “Play With Me.” L MpiCs a hybrid of a dirty and John McEnroe, even a spandex- O y suit wearing super hero. The latter maneuvers his gigantic afro but with a lot more Contestants from Finland, England, Japan Beyond scoring, titles or prizes, it’s these unique characters that keep

around the room, mingling with the crowd. He introduces himself and Italy have all held the world title, both fans and contestants coming back year after year. Although the “

as The Fro and passes out guitar picks with his logo (“Air Guitar R “ with the U.S. producing three world Atlanta show had a decent turn out, in other, more established cities, is all about being safe!”), working the crowd like a pro. bEe champions in six years, including the venues fill to capacity with throngs left waiting for entry. Air guitar involved current world champ and two-time U.S. stars, like L.A.’s Rockness Monster and New York’s William Ocean, both of whom have held U.S. titles in 2005 and 2007, respectively, earn local The stage is bare, save for a spotlight, but who needs instruments? -Björn Türoque winner Hot Lixx Hulahan. This is Air Guitar. For two hours, contestants ranging from the fan bases that easily rival those of local bands that rely on real mundane to the eccentric will mount the stage in a quest to be Hot Lixx is immediately likeable and instruments. crowned Atlanta’s best air guitarist and continue on to the national incredibly humble about his air-

championships in Washington D.C. What results is a testament to the chievements. At a first glance he doesn’t However, while maintaining a fan base and keeping on your air guitar spirit of rock ‘n’ roll, full of splits, jumps, moonwalking, outrageous seem like the type to hold a World A-game is one way to become air guitar Hall of Fame material, others make hair styles, ridiculous names, stage dives, burning chest hair, costume Air Guitar title, but on stage he’s a it in through dedication, like Björn Türoque, or simply via circumstances malfunctions and drunkenness. Definitely drunkenness. firecracker. A perfect foil to Björn’s on par with the greatest of rock myths. A story well-known in air guitar philosopher ramblings, Hot Lixx seems circles is the case of Bettie B. Goode. During her 2008 regional “It’s kind of all of the thrill of the Olympics, but with a lot more beer more amused than thoughtful of the performance, which included a metal folding chair, Bettie, real name Taryn involved. And louder music,” explains Björn Türoque (pronounced “Byorn whole phenomenon, but still very much Kapronica, accidentally severed the fourth toe on her left foot. Bettie too-ROCK”), the undisputed face of U.S. Air Guitar and perhaps one of its believes in the art of air guitar as chose to continue her performance anyhow, going for air guitar glory biggest philosophers. In it since U.S. Air Guitar began in 2003, Björn, the philosophized by Zac “Mr. Magnet” rather than medical help. The incident resulted in a regional win for alias of former New York software producer Dan Crane, competed 11 times in Munro, the much respected elder Bettie, while the toe was inevitably a sacrifice to the gods of rock.

three years, coming in second place a total of five times, including at the statesman of air guitar and two-time The Fro himself even had his own 2005 nationals. His struggle to overcome air legend C-Diddy was chronicled in world champ from London. Air Guitar Nation Air Guitar injury to speak of, the 2006 documentary , and his further exploits were compiled into his book To Air Is Human: One Man’s Quest to Become the World’s Greatest Air spraining his wrist in a fall “It really is one of the final art Guitarist. If nothing else, he is a mad genius among madmen. during an intense practice forms, at least for right now,” session. says Hot Lixx, the doppelganger of As an activity, air guitar has raged on since the earliest days of Alamedia, California studio engineer rock ‘n’ roll, but it was first practiced on an Olympic-style scale (continued on page 62) Craig Billmeier. “It can’t be bought when the World Air Guitar Championships began in Oulu, Finland in or sold. You can’t put a sticker on 1996. The U.S. organization, surprised that the birthplace of rock ‘n’ it. No one can take it away from you. roll had no representation at the world’s, formed in 2003. It doesn’t take any skill to have it. You’re born with it. All that kind of World organizers began the contest as a way to promote world peace, stuff.” based on the belief that you can’t hold a gun if you’re holding an air guitar. Customary at the end of every competition, all But before contestants can begin competitors join onstage for a mass air guitar to plotting a world title, they have to win a regional competition. In 2009, the search hit 25 cities, Photo courtesy including Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, Dallas and Boston, in search of the country’s best air guitarist. It’s a ridiculous quest, but Natalie B. David there are plenty of eager participants willing to don their mullets and bring the air guitar out of the bedroom and onto the stage.

Unlike similar tournaments for the video game Guitar Hero, air guitar competitions are fast and furious, taking place over two rounds. In the first round air axemen perform 60 seconds of a song of their choice.as veteran The top five competitors move on to the compulsory round, where they must all perform to a pre-determinedincluded real song guitar that, godsin some like cases, Tom Morello, contestants as well have never heard, let alone practiced. Three judges, which have previously ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 61 “I Broke a rope climbing a stairwell, fell right to the floor,” he says. “The ground broke my fall, which was nice, but up until the day of the show I was wearing a wrist brace so my wrist could heal before I got on stage.”

The air guitar faithful are some of the most dedicated rock ‘n’ roll goofballs on the planet, but it’s not a free trip to D.C. or Finland that keeps air guitarists coming back for more and pushing the sport to . For many, the air guitar mythos is so appealing because in many ways it is the ultimate rock star fantasy: all the glory, thrill and excitement without the necessary skill, connections or expensive equipment. Except for ponying up a small registration fee, which gets paid back in free beer, and brainstorming a truly outrageous rock ‘n’ roll alias, there are no requirements for competition. Photo courtesy Nick Robles “I think the common misconception about air guitarists is that they’re all mulletted losers who live with their mother,” says Björn. “I used to have a mullet, and lived with my mother, but those days are long gone. Air guitarists, they come from all walks of life, from a hot dog vendor at Mets stadium to a British architect who is the two-time world champion from London. But I think we all have one thing in common, and that’s the ability to have no shame on stage and celebrate the beauty that is rock and roll.”

It’s a pursuit truly open to anyone but the best air guitarists are certainly of a certain character type. It’s not for the shy or self-conscious. Those that come to play need only, in the words of the world champion, “a complete and total lack of shame.”

“It takes, I think, primarily cohones. It takes inebriation, or the ability to fake inebriation if you don’t drink. I think it takes most of all a complete love and absurd dedication to rock ‘n’ roll and everything that rock ‘n’ roll stands for,” elaborates Björn. “But to be an air guitar champ, you must be willing to surrender your dignity at the door. We don’t allow guitars and we don’t allow dignity.”

Even real guitarists who think that knowledge of the instrument will give them an edge in air competition should think twice. Many contestants, including both Björn and Hot Lixx, have played the guitar, or “fake air guitar” in air terms, in various bands and legitimate musical endeavors. However, musical skill doesn’t always translate to air genius. www.campusapts.com/abbeywest “The only real advantage is that if somebody makes fun of me for playing air guitar, I can always get my real guitar and conk them over the head with it,” kids Hot Lixx, who lost while defending his 2006 U.S. title in 2007 to backflip-wielding William Ocean, who wasn’t a real guitarist.

“I think knowing how to play non-air guitar can be a disadvantage in that you know too much,” explains Björn, whose original air guitar style was very much based in guitar reality. “You have to have a decent foundation, but it’s really about getting in the crowd’s faces, wagging your tongue, bulging your eyes out at them, doing whatever you need to do to get them excited, and that’s not what guitarists are used to.” Your Vision. Amplified. Because air guitar forces performers to go beyond the typical realm of modern guitarists, and relinquishes the physical limitations of real guitar playing, there’s little surprise that many air fans claim that air guitar contests are some of the best concerts they’ve seen CAREER TRAINING FOR THE AUDIO AND FILM INDUSTRIES this decade. Far too frequently than they should, rock shows produce disinterested audiences and static performances. On the opposite end of the spectrum, air guitar encapsulates rock ‘n’ roll hysteria from the height of its excess. Performers routinely choose songs from the likes of , , Tesla, and The Scorpions, even , for their energy and, of www.sae.edu course, guitar prowess. CREATE YOURSELF WITH SAE “It’s better than seeing a concert in many ways because the contestants really have to distill everything they know about rock ‘n’ roll in a 60 second performance, so they tend to go pretty crazy. I mean, there’s acrobatics. There’s sometimes breasts flashed. I’ve seen a penis used as a guitar pick on more than one occasion,” says Björn. “My face hasn’t been melted at a concert in years, but yet I find that I have numerous scars from face meltings at air guitar shows.”

So maybe there aren’t any instruments. But by turning a silly pastime into a championship worthy pursuit, air guitarists are redefining and reviving rock ‘n’ roll, one performance at a time. SAE ATLANTA www.sae-atl.com 404-526-9366 musicians Sabian Mackie AAX & u.420d HHX Mixer gear guidecorner cymbals The Mackie u.420d In addition to vintage bright sound- 4-channel mixer with SWR golight™ 4x10 Aguilar DB 751 ing AA and vintage dark HH versions, 24bit/96kHz FireWire in- SABIAN has introduced modern bright cludes two Mackie mic channels 4 ohm Bass Amp Bass Head AAX and modern dark HHX designs of its featuring 3-band EQ with mid-sweep, popular Raw Bell Dry Ride cymbal. Renowned a built-in DI box and 30mm faders. 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What’s your Regional ARTS &ENTERTAINMENT musicscope Memphis,report TN. ...By Amanda Dent established 1819 upcoming on the screen Astrology for Musicians? population 1,280,533 making sure it’s worth your $9.50 CAPRICORN AQUARIUS notable bands Big Star, Lucero, The Grifters, Amy (12/22-01/19) (01/20-02/18) Lavere, Al Green, Elvis, Cory Branan, Isaac Hayes, It’s not that you’re a bad musi- A band member quits, forms another Big Ass Truck, Three 6 Mafia, North Allstars, cian, dear Capricorn; you’re just band and takes with him/her songs Justin Timberlake, Booker T and the MGs. G-Force playing the wrong instrument. Try you have written. It’s up to you to usEless triviA There’s 7.5 miles of trolley track in (July 24) (Hoyt Yeatman) In this 3-D animated comedy adventure, animals are trained by alternating to a completely different fight for the songs back or create downtown and midtown Memphis. the government as spies and are given the latest equipment to assist them in their mis- musical interest. new ones inspired by the fiasco. drive from athens 456 miles sions. The ‘G-Force’ consists of guinea pigs by the voices of Sam Rockwell, Tracy Morgan, Penelope Cruz, a literal fly-on-the-wall and a mole by the voice of Nicolas Cage. $5 Cover, a web and television Something Extra PISCES ARIES series featuring real Memphis musicians and fictional- Prediction: The talking animated animals are overdone but the plot is new. The kids will (02/19-03/20) (03/21-04/19) ized stories, aired on .com and MTV during the love this creative 3-D film making pets and insects the deciders of the world’s fate. Someone in your band is bad mouth- Drinking before shows is starting to month of May. The series was the brainchild of “Hustle ing you to every ear that will listen. be a problem. Pace yourself or you & Flow” writer and director Craig Brewer. When you confront the member, may make a total ass of yourself they will deny everything. Be cau- when you fall off stage in the middle your new favorite band Orphan tious about keeping this person of a performance. buzz : star and micey around. the This indie folk/popin memphis outfit picked up steam in the past year after (July 24) (Jaume Collet-Serra) A sweet little girl named Esther is adopted by founder/vocalist/guitar player Josh Cosby met en- a troubled couple, John and Kate, played by Sarsgaard and Vera Farmiga. TAURUS GEMINI gineer and musician Nick Redmond. Redmond joined the band as (05/21-06/21) After Kate’s miscarriage and the couple’s terrible luck with their marriage, (04/20-05/20) lead guitar player, and soon Star and Micey were recording at world- they adopt in order to be somewhat normal. The innocent sweet attitude Your band is gaining momentum. Your significant other is significantly renowned Ardent Studios, becoming the second band on the newly of the little girl quickly vanishes leaving Kate concerned and eager to alert Continue playing as many shows jealous of the attention you have reactivated Ardent Music label (which launched power-pop pioneers her friends and family before something terrible occurs. as you can even if there’s no pay been receiving from the opposite sex Big Star). With Geoff Smith on bass, Doug Walker on organ and keys, and a involved. Hard work does and will after shows. Time to think about Prediction: Oddly resembling the plot of The Omen, this film promises some how to break up with him/her… revolving cast of local drummers, Star and Micey wrapped up their nightmarish scenes that will make your stomach drop. pay off. first studio album (to be released later this fall). Included in the al- bum are special guest appearances by some of Memphis’ most rec- CANCER LEO ognizable names — Big Star drummer , North Mis- (06/22-07/22) (07/23-08/22) sissippi Allstars axman , and Dave Cousar, guitar Funny People Singing is not your forte and no one virtuoso and one of Memphis’ best kept secrets. You are invited to open for another (July 31) () George (Adam Sandler) is a successful comedian who else has the heart to tell you. You band this month but without any Star and Micey continues to be a fixture of the live music scene in Memphis, with future gigs planned regionally. has less than a year to live. He meets Ira (Seth Rogen) after a stand-up set and might want to consider taking vocal compensation. Take the opportunity hires him as his semi-personal assistant and friend. The two form a friendship lessons for a few months before to expose your music to new fans. venue profile on the charts where George teaches Ira how to be a better comedian and Ira helps George trying to start your own band. 10 come to grips with death. However, when George finds out that his disease has the top songs92.9 FMplayed gone into remission, he decides to start living the life he has always wanted and The Hi Tone hi has tonelong been a sta- on wmfs tries to win back the love of his life (Leslie Mann). VIRGO LIBRA ple of the local live music scene, 1.“Gives You Hell” (08/23-09/22) (09/23-10/23) featuring acts from all over the All-American Rejects Prediction: A strange mix of comedy and the very serious subject of death, this 2. “Second Chance” You’re not the only one feeling like A powerful performance at a recent globe and from Memphis’ own movie will be a tough one to pull off. However, if anyone can tackle it, director backyard. Located on Poplar Shinedown Judd Apatow is the one to try. Proving nothing’s sacred, he’s already done it with the drummer has to go. Find a show has generated a local buzz. 3. “The Climb” tactful way to let this person know Avenue — Memphis’ central both virginity and pregnancy (The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up). And if Instead of rushing to play the next thoroughfare — in the heart Miley Cyrus nothing else, the new team of Adam Sandler and Seth Rogan will be interesting it’s not working out, then take your available gig, wait a few weeks to let of Midtown, this intimate and 4. “If Today WasYour Last Day” (and hopefully hilarious) to watch. time recruiting a new drummer. the buzz about your band magnify. gritty bar (which also serves Nickelback superb New York-style pizza) 5. “Boom Boom Pow” SCORPIO Black Eyed Peas SAGITTARIUS is the perfect representation (10/24-11/21) of the city of Memphis and the 6. “I’m Your’s” Aliens in the Attic Don’t let your temper get the best (11/22-12/21) music it has created. With an Jason Mraz (July 31) (John Schultz) In this comedy adventure, a family takes a vacation and the kids discover alien invaders Drink water in between all the sum- estimated 400-person capacity, 7. “You Found Me” of you. A club promoter angers with ambitions to destroy the world. The kids must eventually battle the aliens without their parents ever find- mer boozing you’ve been doing before the Hi Tone has packed them in The Fray you at a gig this month and how ing out about the petite invaders. for acts such as MGMT, Band of 8. “Poker Face” you handle yourself could dictate shows. Otherwise, you may collapse Horses, Brian Jonestown Mas- 9. “No Surprise” Daughtry during an outdoor performance from Prediction: Co-scripted by one of the writers of Madagascar, this film has high-hopes for success. Teen phenom- whether you play any club in town sacre and a broad slate of local 10. “Please Don’t Leave Me” dehydration. enon Ashley Tisdale is sure to bring a large audience after the box-office hit of “High School Musical I and II.“ again. acts and charity concerts. Pink 66 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 67 Julie and Julia (August 7) (NICK EPHRON) Based on two true stories, Julie and Julia is about two women, Julia Child (Meryl Streep) and Julie Powell (Amy Adams), whose lives become intertwined despite being separated by time and 17 Again space. Julie Powell is a temp who decides to change her life for the better by creating a blog to document her The Hangover’s Mike Epps is just a big quest to cook all 524 recipes in Julia Child’s “ the Art of French Cooking.” Going back and forth be- tween time periods, the movie also shows Child’s struggle in making the cookbook and realizing her dream. kid livin’ in a grown man’s body. By DeMarco Williams Prediction: If Meryl Streep and Amy Adams were not in this movie, I’d probably write it off as an overindulgent chick-flick. The switching between time periods may be somewhat off-putting, but with these two actresses side If you’ve seen Mike Epps on film, you know the dude is an absolute nut. If you’ve ever hung with by side, the movie can’t be all bad. Mike Epps in person, you know it’s the farthest thing from a front. The guy smiles incessantly. The guy tells stories like a grandpa. The guy cracks jokes like a cool uncle. Epps, one of the funniest MOVIE PREVIEWS A & E MOVIE people of this generation, simply loves life and all that it entails. “I stayed suspended,” Epps begins, presumably on his way through another hilarious chapter Cold Souls District 9 in his life. “I always had a school prank. Out of 94 days, I might have went to school 50 of (August 7) (SOPHIE BARTHES) In this interesting tragicomedy, Paul Gia- (August 9) (NEILL BLOMKAMP) Peter Jackson takes the reigns as produc- them, straight up. I always had straight F’s.” Thankfully for Mike, the reception he got matti (who plays himself) is a man struggling with anxiety while play- er in this sci-fi flick about alien refugees living in slums on earth who have after a stand-up performance would be the true final exam. ing the lead role in Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya. He discovers a high-tech overstayed their welcome. While the government tries to sort out what “When I knew I was on to something,” the Indianapolis native recollects, “people company offering to deep-freeze souls and, in effect, take away suffer- to do with the extraterrestrials, the MNU (Multi-National Unit) try to cap- would just tell me I was funny. I was actually going around practicing [my routine] ing. Giamatti decides to freeze his soul until after his performance in ture an ex-MNU field officer, Wikus van der Merwe (Sharlto Copley), who on people in just everyday life. I would say to myself, ‘Damn, this shit be workin'. the play, but complications arise when a soul-trafficking “mule” steals has become infected with a virus that is mutating his DNA and just may I was seein’ if I could do it on cue. I was makin’ people laugh all the time, just his soul for a soap-opera actress. The film chronicles Giamatti’s quest be the key to unlocking the alien’s advanced technology and weapons. bein’ me. Then I started gettin’ some one-liners together. My name was kinda to find his soul again while discovering what happiness and being able poppin’ around the city in the after-hour clubs and the bars. I noticed how to experience emotion really mean along the way. Prediction: Sci-fi fans will flock to the theaters and the fresh take people would act when I came around. Everybody would be like, ‘Get’me, on the tired aliens-coming-to-earth scenario may strike interest Mike. Talk about him!’ I was onto something. I ran with it.” Prediction: A combination of dry humor, pathos and the question we in action film junkies. Plus, a new extraterrestrial movie might be From there, gigs started to roll in. Then TV spots. Then movies. have all wondered at some point or another, would we actually be bet- just the breath of fresh air cinemas need from this summer of ro- Then stand-up . But Epps maintains, “I never did it for money. ter off without the burden of our souls?, this film is sure to be worth bots (Terminator Salvation, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen). Still don’t 'til this day. My wife cusses me out everyday. [She asks] checking out. ‘What you gonna do when you can’t do it no more?’ I said, ‘Shiiit. When is that? When I’m dead? I can do this forever.’ I love to do it. I’mma be 70-years-old, talkin’ crazy. Been married five times. Funny The Boat that rocked is funny till you die.” He ain’t lyin’. Just as sure as you’re holding this magazine right now, (August 28) (RICHARD CURTIS) Set in the 1960s, The Boat that Rocked somebody across this great land is bustin’ a gut, watching Epps’ old Def tells the story of ”The Count” (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and Quentin (Bill Comedy Jams footage or a scene from one of his crazy pictures like Next Neighy) who are in charge of an illegal radio station that broadcasts from Friday, All About The Benjamins or last May’s Next Day Air. Hell, Mike wasn’t the middle of the North Sea. Along with a group of rogue DJs, the crew even in the surprise summer hit The Hangover long, but his time in front of fights for their right to play the music that defined their generation and the camera was memorable. It’s almost as if Epps, like Jimmy Fallon or Amy stray from the quintessential jazz music that reigned supreme in Britain. Poehler, makes you laugh the moment he opens his mouth. Almost. For when Mike Epps is 38, married and a proud papa these days- starts Prediction: For movie buffs, the name Philip Seymour Hoffman carries a to explain how his approach to comedy has changed over the years, he’s all business. lot of clout and if writer/director Richard Curtis goes along the same lines “I know exactly what I want out of it now,” says the comedian, who still books stand-up as his previous Brit comedy, “Love Actually”, then audiences should be in dates when he can. “At first, it was like, ‘What do I want?’ Now I want to make my fans for a fun and hilarious romp into the British pop movement. happy and I want to walk away successful. I want people to be able to say, ‘I liked the way he set that up. I liked how he broke it down.’ Details are important to me now. I’m more into what I’m doing as opposed to just going out there freestylin.’ I like to know what I’m doing and how Carriers to attack.” With that sort of focus, fans would have enjoyed watching Mike portray his idol, Richard Pryor, on (September 4) (ALEX & DAVID PASTOR) Chris Pine the big screen. For years a deal was reportedly close to becoming official. Now Epps insists quarrels (Star Trek) and Piper Perabo (Coyote Ugly) star as amongst the Pryor estate may permanently hold up the project. survivors of a deadly viral pandemic that begins “Richard Pryor taught me how to protect my craft and to appreciate it,” tells Epps, who will costar in Western America. Along with two other survi- with Ice Cube in the long-delayed comedy Janky Promoters later this year. “That’s one of the downfalls vors, the group flee from the virus only to find out that he had of being a great artist, you know what I’m sayin’? He was a complete genius. There’s a that they may be more of a threat to one another. heavy price to pay for being that. I learned how to appreciate and protect my craft and protect my blessing and not take it for granted and not let it destroy me. That’s the everyday fight when you Prediction: Though the premise sounds like every oth- have genius qualities or God blesses you with a gift. The fight is just to keep your sanity.» er zombie/infection movie ever made, audiences seem “I make people laugh all the time. I just be wantin’ to laugh sometimes. I want somebody to bust to never get enough of the genre. Not to mention, Chris me up. It’s a heavy price to pay. You so much for the position. I just try to be as normal as Pine’s new found fame with the popularity of Star Trek. possible. I try to do normal things. I don’t have too many people or servants just doing stuff for me. If a PG-13 rating is announced, Carriers should be a Fuck all of that. If I can’t ride down the street by myself, I don’t want it. When it start gettin’ like sure fire hit. that, I quit ‘cuz I ain’t gonna be able to enjoy nuthin’.” B Epps from the “Honeymooners,” 68 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE courtesy Paramount Pictures. upcoming dvD releases Release dates are subject to change. Check artists or store websites as these dates ap- july 27 proach. The 10th Victim Comrades Devil in the Flesh Becoming Charley Chase aug 11 Torso 17 Again Alien Trespass I Love You, Man London to Brighton Almost Heaven Dark Rising Minstral’s Daughter july 28 Soundstage: Chris Isaak’s Greatest Hits Starman Battlestar Galactica Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Dollhouse [Season 1] [25th Anniversary Collector’s Edition] Green Lantern: First Flight An American Affair Dragonball Evolution Fast and Furious Miss March Ancient Aliens Angel of Death aug 18 Life on Mars: Series 1 Sons of Anarchy (Season 1) The Mafia Hannah Montana: The Movie Streets of Blood Go Repulsion : Complete Second Season The Last House on the Left Dexter: The Complete 3rd Season

aug 4 Alien Uprising 25 Delgo aug Mutant Chronicles Adventureland Labor Pains Sunshine Cleaning Race to Witch Mountain Samantha Who?: The Complete The Mysteries of Pittsburgh 2nd season Obsessed House MD: Season 5 Flight of the Conchords: The Complete Second Season The Soloist

ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 71 FOOD

COOL TREATS for your broke ass meals NEW STORE TO BEAT THE SUMMER HEATBy Jacquie Brasher NOW OPEN! Nothing soothes the summer sweats quite as refreshingly as ice-cold treats, am I right? Instead of spending your hard-earned cash buying ice-cream from the grocery store, try making these easy-to-prepare desserts. Not only will you have an abundance of coolness at your disposal, your friends will be begging for more!

Granita is a Italian word for slushy, flavored shaved ice. It’s very Blueberry Mint Granita easy to make, but you need to check on it every hour or so while it is 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint setting in the freezer. Hey, it’s worth 1/2 cup superfine granulated sugar it! 3/4 pounds blueberries (2 1/2 cups), thawed if frozen 3/4 cup water 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice come check out our expanded Directions: retail & distribution facility Finely grind the mint with sugar in a food pro- cessor or . Add blueberries and purée until 195 Paradise Blvd. * Athens, Ga. * 30607 smooth. Force purée through a fine sieve into an 8- to 9-inch baking pan, pressing hard on solids (dis- card solids). Stir in water and lime juice. Freeze, stirring and crushing lumps with a fork every hour, until evenly frozen, about 4 hours total. Scrape with a fork to lighten texture, crushing any lumps. (Scrape less for slushier ice.) Serve immedi- ately. (You can freeze this for a bout 3-4 days, cov- ered. Scrape the ice to freshen it up.)

My friend Teresa runs her own catering business and Throw-It-Together Trifle makes absolutely wonderful desserts. She has graciously loaned me this recipe as something that’s quick, easy, This next dessert is something my mother came up with when inexpensive and delicious! I was a child. I have always loved it. And it involves Jell-O! What’s not to like? Punch Cup Parfaits 1 4-serving size pkg. Jell-O, your favorite flavor 1 8 oz. can fruit 3 lemons 2 thick slices of moist pound cake, cut into 1-inch cubes 1 can sweetened condensed milk ½ pint whipping cream Directions: Prepare the Jell-O as directed. Meanwhile, in a medium glass casse- role dish, combine the fruit cocktail and pound cake cubes. Stir very gently, making sure the cake doesn’t get broken into crumbs. Pour Directions: the Jell-O into the bowl. Stir gently to incorporate all ingredients. Juice all three lemons to yield 1/3 to 1/2 cup juice. Mix juice Refrigerate until the mixture is set. Serve with dollops of whipped with sweetened condensed milk. Pour very cold whipping cream cream--or if you’re really decadent--lashings of heavy cream! into mixing bowl and beat until soft peaks form. Add powdered sugar and mix until medium peaks form. Alternately layer whipped cream and lemon mixture in punch or parfait cups. Refrigerate two hours. If you have a slightly larg- er budget, this pairs beautifully with berries, pound cake, gra- ham cracker crumbs or broken bits of cookies. Just add the lay- er of your choice.

ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 73 Clay Leverett The Pride Kalvinova, Farm 255, 11 p.m. Half Moon , 11 p.m., Daffodil, Cemetery August 1 FREE! Improvement, go ahead : make my date Society, Meteoreyes Harvey Milk, Torche Caledonia Lounge, 9:30 Ashford Manor Concerts upcoming events in athens and atlanta 40 Watt, 9 p.m., $10/adv p.m., $5 (21+), $7 (18- on the Lawn, 6 p.m., $15 20) July 24 July 25 “Slopfest” featuring Tasty World, 10 p.m., FREE! (adults), $6 (children 12 Christopher’s Liver, August 3 & under), FREE! (children Daffodil, Dead Dog, August 18 The Starter Kits, The Gift Horse, All The Casper and the Cookies under 6) Jungol, Lazer/Wulf, Thirties, Guided By Saints, The Balkans Caledonia Lounge, 10 p.m., The Pride Tendaberry, Laminated $5 (21+), $7 (18-20) Half Moon Pub, 11 p.m., High Strung Stewart, Minor Birds Caledonia Lounge Cat August 12 The Melting point, 7

BLUR EVENT CALENDAR FREE! Caledonia Lounge, 10 p.m., 10 pm., $6 (21+), $8 (18-20) Little Kings, 6 p.m., $2 Scarlet Stitch, Daniel Lee p.m., $3 $5 (21+), $7 (18-20) Marshmallow Coast, Heavy Feather, Shanghai Band August 4 How I Became the July 27 The Melting Point, 9 p.m., August 20 Michelle Malone Band, Gesture Bomb, The Lolligags $5 Heidi Hensley Melting Point, 9 p.m., $5/adv. Before the Solstace, Caledonia Lounge, 10 Grogus Wolfgang Wild, Sonny Got Blue The Melting Point Ashford Manor Concerts p.m., $5 (21+), $7 (18- Mad Whiskey Grin Kaos Shining Through, Girasoles, 6-9 p.m., 8 p.m., $10/adv. on the Lawn, 6 p.m., $15 20) Athens Farmers Market, 10 Tasty World, 8 p.m., TBA Shootout the Stars FREE! (adults), $6 (children 12 a.m., FREE! Caledonia Lounge, 9:30 Bob Linvingston & under), FREE! (children p.m., $5 (21+), $7 (18- August 13 The Globe, 9 p.m. FREE! under 6) July 27 August 22 Quiet Hooves, Sea of 20) Dogs, DJ Recreation Sonny Got Blue Man, Valley Arena, The Pride M. Ward, The Moaners Georgia Theatre Department The Incorrigible Girasoles, 6-9 p.m., Creepy Half Moon Pub, 11 p.m., 40 Watt, 9 p.m., $15/adv. presents Packway Farm 255, 11 p.m. FREE! Farm 255, 11 p.m. FREE String Band Handle Band The Melting Point, 7 40 Watt, 9 p.m., $10 Twin Tigers, Panda July 28 p.m., $3 (21+) $12 (18-20) Dear Savannah, Mad Riot, Tunnabunny Whiskey Grin Caledonia Lounge, 10 Trachtenburg family MuleFest! Tasty World, 9 p.m., $5 August 6 p.m., $6 (21+), $8 (18- Slideshow Players, Lady MuleTrain Records, N. 20) Blanche, Joachim’s Thomas St. Time and LoftComedy.com Dream Sonny Got Blue Girasoles, 6-9 p.m., Price TBD. showcase 40 Watt, 8 p.m., $2 (21+), $8 August 14 The Loft, 9 p.m. $5, (21+), (18-20) FREE! $8 (18+) of the August 25 Dark Meat , Bellafea, July 30 40 Watt, 10 p.m., TBA The Holland Dutch String Theory July 28 The Melting Point, 7 The Dumps, Lions, Hot 40 Watt, 9 p.m., $12.50/ August 7 p.m., $3 The Mudflapjacks Breath adv. The Melting Point, 7 p.m., Caledonia Lounge, 10 p.m., Reigning Sound, $3 $5 (21+), $7 (18-20) August 15 August 26 Thomas Function, DJ Kurt Wood & DJ Punk Rock Dance Party The Sauce Boss Kill LeBaron, Eric Culberson Grrtch The Melting Point, 8:30 Little Kings, 10 p.m., FREE! The Melting Point, 7 p.m., $10 Mask the Wretch, 40 Watt, 10 p.m., $10/ p.m., $5/adv. Thunderbolt Five, Kill adv. July 29 Sonny Got Blue The School Girasoles, 6-9 p.m., FREE! August 10 Caledonia Lounge, 10 August 27 p.m., $5 (21+), $7 (18- David Prince Justin Brogdon 20) Cars Can Be Blue, Gnat’s Landing, 6 p.m., FREE! So It Goes, Buddha Wild Wing Cafe, 9 p.m., Heroes, Wrist Bandits The Lovely Eggs, The FREE! Visitations, KAOS Caledonia Lounge, 9:30 August 17 p.m., $5 (21+), $7 (18-20) Tunabunny Recurring Open 1a.m., free 9:30 p.m., free, 706-549-0840 Caledonia Lounge, 9 p.m., $5 (21+), $7 (18-20) Mic and Trivia Locos Trivia Beef O’ Brady’s Nights: All three Athens locations of Trivia Sonny Got Blue Locos Grill and Pub (Westside, Every Monday at 8:30 p.m., free, Girasoles, 6-9 p.m., FREE! Karaoke at Wild Wing Café Eastside and Harris St.) feature 706-850-1916 Every Tuesday night at the trivia night every Tuesday at 8:30 p.m., free, locosgrill.com Buffalo’s Southwest Café August 28 downtown wing chain’s upstairs space at 10 p.m., free, www. Live Trivia wildwingcafe.com Club Chrome Every Monday with Trivia Joe. , Griffin Karaoke Winning teams have a chance House, Green River Cine Bar Café Every Thursday night at the new to qualify for a 200 dollar cash Ordinance Movie Trivia with drink specials dance club off Atlanta Highway prize. 8 p.m., free, 706-354-6655 40 Watt, 9 p.m., $12/adv. and prizes every Tuesday. Sign across from Sam’s Club, 9 p.m., up at 7:30 p.m., free 706-543-9009 Fat Daddy’s Marshmallow Coast, The Texas Hold ‘Em Every Monday at Lolligags, Oh Ok, Red Pony Fat Daddy’s “Dr. Fred’s Karaoke” at Go 6 and 9 p.m. 706-353-0241 Clock Karaoke, Huge karaoke dance Bar Caledonia Lounge, 9 p.m., $5 party hosted by Lynn every www.myspace.com/gobar Rock and Roll Trivia at Little (21+), $7 (18-20) Tuesday at 10 p.m., free, 706- — Hosted by karaoke fanatic Kings Shuffle Club! 353-0241 John “Dr. Fred” Bowers, every 8 p.m., free, myspace.com/ Thursday, 10 p.m. littlekingsshuffleclub Calendar listings are subject to change. List- Fat Daddy’s (again) ed prices may be for ad- Open Mic The Office Lounge WOW Café and Wingery vance tickets only, and Every Wednesday featuring Karaoke Sports Trivia every Monday, 706- listed times are door times Avery Dylan from 10 p.m.- Every Wednesday with Stan at 543-5510 of the given shows. scenes from summer shows 1 2 3 concert shots and athfest 2009

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Trances Arc @ Little Kings (Nicole Black) A.Armada @40 Watt (Daniel Peiken) Dead Confederate @ Mainstage (Daniel Peiken) The Warm Fuzzies @ Hull Heartless Bastards @ 40 Watt (Alyssa De Hayes) @ 40 Watt (AlyssaDe Hayes) The Circulatory System @ Farm 255 (Alyssa De Hayes) Street Stage (Daniel Peiken) Hope ForAgoldensummer @ 40 Watt (Alyssa De Hayes) Play us a song, piano man (Nicole Black) Athfest at The Arch (Nicole The Incredible Sandwich @ Tasty World (Laurie Moot) The Corduroy Road @ 40 Watt (Laurie Moot) The Corduroy Road @ 40 Watt (Laurie Moot) The Black) Ginger Envelope @ Mainstage (Daniel Peiken) Liz Durrett @ Nuci’s Space (Steve Hendriksen) . 10-year-old rocking out @ Kids Stage (Daniel Peiken) Present @ Farm 255 (Laurie Moot) TJ Mimbs @ Sideways (Alyssa De Hayes) The Whigs @ Tasty World (Alyssa De Hayes) . Dodd Ferrelle @ 40 Watt (Laurie Don Chambers @ Main Stage (Daniel Peiken) Sanni Baumgartner @ Main Stage (Daniel Peiken) Randall Bramblett Band @ Mainstage (Daniel Peiken) Cool- Moot) The Present @ Farm 255 (Laurie Moot) Dodd Ferrelle @ 40 Watt (Laurie Moot) ing off at Hull Street Stage (Nicole Black) . Modern Skirts @ Nuci’s Space (Steve Hendriksen) The 8th Annual Bruce Burch & Friends Honor ConcertJohn Jarrard 2009 Thursday, September 24 6:00PM - 10:00PM (Gates open at 5:30pm) The Lawn at Brenau

John was born and reared in Gainesville, Georgia, and moved to Nashville in 1977 to pursue a career as a country music songwriter. Within one year, he began to experience sight failure resulting from diabetes, and by 1979, was totally blind. When country music superstar recorded John's song, "Nobody But You," taking it to the top of the charts, doors began to open. Over the ensuing years, John's songs were recorded by the group Alabama, , , , and others, until he had scored eleven number one hits. MACRO IMPACT. Micro Wedge 7EWANTEDTOCALLTHEM°"ALL2ATTLERS±BUT,EGALWOULDN³TLETUS For Tickets and Further Information: 7ANNAMAKEFRIENDS http://www.johnjarrardconcert.com/ WITH-ICRO7EDGE 3IGNUPAT HTTPWWWMYSPACECOM MICROWEDGE The John Jarrard Foundation is a non-profit organization with proceeds going to a permanent endowment fund in John’s Check it out at www.eaw.com/products/MicroWedge name established at the North Georgia Community Foundation. Proceeds benefit local charities, including the Good News Clinics, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hall County, Georgia Mountain Food Bank Fund, and one of John’s favorite causes, Good News at Noon.

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