the athens Still kickin' & still free INSIDE: THREE SIX MAFIA • HORROR POPS • THE WATSON TWINS • G.G. ELVIS AND THE TCP BAND • FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH BLUR • JOHNATHAN RICE • BUMBLEFOOT • KEN AUGUST 2008, VOL 1, ISSUE 2 MAGAZine WILL MORTON • KENI THOMAS & MORE!!!! gas guzzlers Are pump prices draining sec downtown commerce? preview 2008 KATY PERRY KISSED A GIRL (AND SHE LIKED IT) GOLDEN RECEIVER: summer fashion FIVE MINUTES WITH goes to school MOHAMED MASSAQUOI the legend of tilly &the wall>> INTRODUCING THE NEW FLY 150 Performance and style on two wheels. 150cc, single cylinder, four-stroke engine, automatic transmission, 12” wheels, underseat storage for full size helmet. TOP GEAR MOTORSPORTS 4215 Atlanta Hwy, Bogart, GA 30622 Phone: 706-548-9445 www.topgearmotorsports.com © PIAGGIO GROUP AMERICAS 2008. PIAGGIO® AND VESPA® ARE WORLDWIDE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF THE PIAGGIO GROUP OF COMPANIES. OBEY LOCAL TRAFFIC SAFETY LAWS AND ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET, APPROPRIATE EYEWEAR AND PROPER APPAREL. WELCOME BACK STUDENTS! CHECK OUT OUR NEW FALL SPECIALS! FRIDAY and SATURDAY HAPPY HOUR UNTIL 11 749 W. BROAD ST. 706.543.7701 • DANIELSVILLE 706.795.5400 KROGER SHOPPING CENTER, COLLEGE STATION RD. 706.549.6900 HOMEWOOD HILLS SHOPPING CENTER, PRINCE AVE. 706.227.2299 WATKINSVILLE 706.7669.0778 BLUR CONTENTS BLUR CONTENTS FEATURES DEPARTMENTS KATY PERRY MUSIC KISSED SPOTLIGHTS: GENRE COVERAGE FROM METAL TO COUNTRY 9 THE BUZZ: THE LATEST IN NEWS AND RUMORS 28 A GIRL EAR CANDY: ALBUM REVIEWS 30 20 EDITOR’S PLAYLIST:10 TUNES WE CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO 33 SPORTS 2008 SEC OUTLOOK 40 &the COMEDY THE RANT: DON JAMIESON’S BACK TO SCHOOL ADVICE 57 COMIC SPOTLIGHT: THE MISERABLE MIND OF DOUG STANHOPE 59 JUST FOR LAUGHS / 34 GEORGE CARLIN TRIBUTE 61 ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT MOVIE PREVIEWS 62 FOOD DIVES TO DELICACIES: A-OK CAFE & BASIL PRESS 65 42 MEALS FOR YOUR BROKE ASS: IS DOWNTOWN CHEAP BACK TO SCHOOL EATING 67 ATHENS LIVE 84 COMMERCE DYING? ALSO INSIDE: 45 52 SUMMER FINDS MEET This day in (music) HISTORY 84 BACK TO SCHOOL 70 ATHENS BLUR MAGAZINE 5 BLUR FROM THE EDItoRS BLUR STAFF the athens BLUR FROM THE EDITORS MAGAZine WHO WE ARE AUGUST FEATURED Editor-in-Chief The Athens Nicole Black [email protected] Dear Readers, Blur Magazine CONTRIBUTORS Editor P.O. Box 7117 MATT ALEXANDER (“Dives to Deli- called “Meet The Creeps” and in his new Wow. August already. The whirlwind of getting our first issue into the public eye cacies,” p.65) writes based on gluttonous ex- show coming this fall to VH1 called “That Alec Wooden (while simultaneously planning for the future) really made this summer fly by. We Athens, Ga perience with fine cuisine. As you might ex- Metal Show.” When he’s not busy touring [email protected] should begin this letter by thanking those of you who lent your support and kind pect, he has some very round spots on his the nation or pulling pranks on innocent by- words of feedback in the wake of the first issue. We were blown away by the positive 30604 body and claims that only a fisheye lens standers, Don enjoys reading, doing the NY Sales Manager response, and we hope the relationships we’ve built thus far will continue to flourish. can accurately capture his portrait. Writing Times Sunday crossword puzzle with his softens his hard edges which were formed mom, watching sports, drinking beer, listen- Chuck Adkins One particular change we struggled to make was to represent an even wider gamut of through years of military and corporate ser- ing to metal and stealing wireless internet [email protected] genres in our music section. It’s hard these days – bands don’t want a label slapped on Editorial vice. The restaurant piece allows him to go from his neighbors. back to his roots in Anthropology where he them, but the consumer needs a starting label for direction. There’s a tricky dichotomy Art Director to represent variety without pigeonholing artists. Our answer? More spotlights. (706) 351-5306 learned a little about a lot, and a lot about SARAH A. MCCARTY (“The Leg- a little. All in all, he’s kind of an oval peg end of Tilly & The Wall,” p.34) hails from Terry Wilson This month’s music section is even bigger and wider than our summer premiere. in a rounded off square hole, enjoying every Northeastern Tennessee where she freelanc- minute of his explorations. es and is a community editor with an affini- [email protected] Our cover choice for this month is pop sensation Katy Perry. In a world Sales ty for alliteration at a local paper. She holds where “pop” is all too often a dirty word, there’s something incredibly ALLIE BYRD (“Downtown Commerce,” a journalism degree with a cinema studies Design respectable and admirable about her story. Even at the young age of 23, she (706) 351-5307 p.45) is a recent graduate of The University minor from the University of Tennessee. of Georgia who never wants to leave Athens. Her musical taste range from Sam Cooke Colin Dunlop is an under the radar industry veteran determined to put a different spin on Allison Weiss a genre ruined by late ‘90s boy bands and teen girl sensations. Love or hate If she does leave, however, it will be to Col- to ‘80s New Wave to low-fi, lovesick Cana- the first single, everyone will find something worthwhile in her story. orado, Chicago or Boston - or wherever she dian singer-songwriters. Her ultimate wish gets a job first. Her interests include travel- would be to tour the world (despite her fear Contributing writers: As we continue to serve the readers we’ve already met, there is an inevitable For general comments ing, people watching, reading the newspa- of flying and lack of funds) and attend film and inquiries: per and music. The best concert she ever saw and music festivals in between impromptu Matt Alexander, truth on it’s way to Athens - an overarching theme to our August issue (and, [email protected] was her favorite band The Avett Brothers at philosophical discussions with her family. Allie Byrd, really, to every August in Athens), is “back to school.” The population of this town Bonnaroo this past summer. Her future as- Melissa Coker, will soon swell to many multiples of it’s summer size as school (and football) For advertising pirations include backpacking through Eu- SCOTT REID (“Popfest,” p. 52) is a re- Natalie B. David, kicks back into high gear. Our fashion, comedy, food, and sports sections all offer opportunities: rope, getting a dog, writing a novel and put- cent University of Georgia graduate, now Don Jamieson, something for longtime residents as well as those college Athenians arriving [email protected] ting off entering the “real world” as long as living in Atlanta. Since graduating, he has Sarah E. King, for the first time or returning from what we hope was a restful summer. possible. swam in the Dead Sea, a thermal bath in Sarah McCarty, The Athens Blur Magazine Hungary and in his parents’ neighborhood Ed Morales, Though this is our second issue, the swell of new readers means part of our message August 2008, Vol.1, Issue A 2006 graduate of the University of pool. He will not be swimming in Beijing Robin Postell, on this page must ring the same as it did in the premiere. We hope to be your go to spot 2, copyright©2008 Georgia’s Grady College, NATALIE B. this summer. So far the real world has prov- by The Athens Blur Scott Reid, for music and entertainment both in and far out of Athens, which means feedback from DAVID (“Katy Perry,” p.20) is a freelance en to be much too frightening, so he prefers Jon Ross, the readers is critical. Tell us what you like, what you don’t like, what you’re indifferent Magazine, INC. All rights writer and music junkie currently residing to spend as much time as possible under- reserved. No part of in midtown Atlanta. In addition to Ath- water. He spends the rest of his time look- Tim Sheppard, about….and we WILL listen! If you’re new in town, welcome. If you’re returning, this publication may be ens Blur, Natalie cleverly manipulates words ing for employment, and because there is no DeMarco Williams, welcome back. We’re the Athens Blur magazine, and we hope to meet you soon. reproduced in whole or and phrases for Beautiful/Decay, SPIN.com, money to be made in a swimming pool, oc- Jennifer Williams part in any way by any Stereo Subversion and other points of music casionally comes up for air to do so. means unless written geekdom. When not glued to her laptop she Contributing photographers: permission is received from can usually be found sewing, gluing or duct- Atlanta native DEMARCO WIL- the publisher. Published taping and listening to music at levels her LIAMS (“Golden Receiver,” p. 42) loves Courtney Goldman, monthly in the United iPod often advises are unhealthy. If you see three things: his family, sports and writ- Sarah King, States of America by The her, you should buy her a cup of coffee be- ing. When he isn’t busy trying to keep the Trevor Wooden Athens Blur Magazine, INC. cause, chances are, she needs it. homefront harmonious, he’s doing his best Postmaster send address to combine his other two obsessions. A se- changes to The Athens DON JAMIESON (“The Rant,” p. 57) nior writer with the monthly basketball Nicole D. Black Alec Wooden Blur Magazine, PO BOX is a nationally touring comedian, writer, glossy SLAM, DeMarco also contributes ON THE COVER: Katy Perry Editor-in-Chief Editor 7117, Athens, Ga.