FOR FANS OF MUSIC & THOSE WHO MAKE IT Issue 9 • Free • athensblur.com MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA • DEREK TRUCKS FUTUREBIRDS • MINDY SMITH • VAN HUNT MARSHMALLOW COAST • ERIC HEATHERLY LISSY TRULLIE • VIENNA TENG & MORE!!! THE AVETT BROTHERS A major band gets a major label TAKING BACK SUNDAY Adam Lazzara’s new perspective TEN QUESTIONS Sister Hazel outlives and outlasts on Release passion THE TROUBLE boston’s buzz WITH TICKETS band fights A proposed merger could turn the whole business the hype into one giant auction pit (AIR) GUITAR HEROES Melting faces and saving the world, one performance at a time REMEMBERING THE GEORGIA THEATRE>> SIGN UP AT www.gamey.com/print ENTER CODE: NEWS65 *New members only. Free trial valid in the 50 United States 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.gamey.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 beer joint is inescapable — and quickly making its way to a town near you... passion pit 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 New Again 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 usic 29 m 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 Manchester Orchestra 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 Chimaira 24 Marshmallow Coast 25 Blind Pilot 26 Keyshia Cole 28 Van Hunt 29 Futurebirds 30 28 ALSO: EAR CANDY: Album 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 BLUR DEAR READERS The Athens Blur Magazine FROM THE EDITOR “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 restaurants, 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 beers, 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 Jessica 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” Black Lips in my Light Anymore” [email protected] Bob Mould For advertising opportunities: “Polyanna” Patterson Hood [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 bet- 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 concert).