Dead Giveaway

Greetings fellow Confed-heads. In honor of the truly kickass show Dead Confederate put on Thursday night at the 40 Watt, we're giving away a copy of the Dead Confederate EP. First person to email us at athensmusicjunkie@gmail.com with the subject title REBEL REBEL gets it. We'll email you back, get your mailing info, and in three to five days you will have yourself a piece of awesomeness. Take it and tell yer friends.

Seriously, I've gotten like 8 of these things from different places so please, email.

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Congrats to MaryBeth! She emailed first! YAY!

Well That Was Random: Strawberry Flats at Bolton Dining Hall

Some days, I really just have to toss my head back and laugh at the sheer ridiculousness that is my luck. Really, how many people can say they had a world famous record producer's band play in their dining hall? I got to sit and eat amazing food and watch Strawberry Flats rock Bolton. I'm pretty sure about me and five others were the only ones who realized what was happening. Needless to say, we stayed the whole time.

I arrived just as the band was finishing up their first set. My friend Zach and I went over to talk to Mr. Keane for a second, explaining that we were in the Music Business program and really appreciated him coming to teach us ProTools. We also chatted about his epic win at Dancing with the Athens Stars. He blushed a bit and turned the conversation away from his dancing towards how much money they raised. He looked over as Scott Sanders (bass) sat down with a plate full of food and then excused himself to go take advantage of the all you can eat style that is Bolton.

Zach headed off downstairs while I stayed in listening range. I met a guy named Daniel and we decided to risk hearing loss and sit up close for the show. Turns out that we had both been to the Flats' show at the Melting Point and had felt the same awkwardness that comes with being 20 years younger than anyone else there.

My "Cheeseburger in Paradise" was huge. Massive even. There was no way I'd ever be able to eat it all but I tried. It seemed oddly appropriate fare for a rock show. Regardless, the band clambered back onstage and I noted that their clothes were exactly the same ones as at the Melting Point. Gig wear. All black for Keane, a rather awesome tye-dye shirt for keyboarist Tim White, a neat relaxed ensemble complete with baseball cap for Sanders, and a t-shirt and jeans for drummer Deane Quinter.

The group launched into some incredible Santana grooves, sliding easily from one song to the next. Some Deep Purple thrown in here and there and a lot of other classic rock songs that I've heard before but really can't place, my knowledge of that era being pretty pathetic. We watched the band play on as people just came in, ate, and left. We had made it a point to stay as long as we could and pay attention. Daniel and I only spoke during the breaks, after we had finished clapping. This caught the eyes of Quinter and White. After that, I found them often looking our way and smiling.

By this point, I'd finished a quarter of my burger. Delicious. The second set ended and Quinter practically leapt over his kit towards us. He shook our hands. "It's nice to see someone actually paying attention." Well, you're welcome but it wasn't that difficult. What constantly amazes me is the polish that they have. There's not a sloppy note, missed vocal, or goofed beat. Or at least not that I could tell.



We took the opportunity to look around at the impressive decorations in Bolton. Every wall was covered in posters and records. The centerpieces were made of a vinyl record, a black box on it, a tape cassette glued to it (We had Stryper! HAHA) and a cd on top. Very elaborate for a dining hall event. The wall above the tray return was mostly Athens posters. B-52s and R.E.M., sure, but there was a NormalTown Flyers, a Brains (technically ATL...), and several Widespread Panic ones too. Nicely done. Strawberry Flats took the stage again as I made it halfway through my cheeseburger. It was a lost cause. Like looking for paradise. It's too big to be found.

Anyway, they played some Clapton, which made me happy because I knew it, and two awesome songs called "Truck Driver" and "Walk the Dog." Keane switched over to bass for a few songs as White picked up a cowbell for the last song. By now, most of the students had left and it was just us and the dining hall staff. The song ended, we clapped, and my cheeseburger remained on my plate. Well, a quarter of it anyhow. We chatted with the guys one last time and promised to come out to the Melting Point for the May gig. It was SO worth braving that pit that is Bolton for the music. We had a great time. I picked up my bag and started walking. I had another gig to go to: Dead Confederate at the 40 Watt.

A very interesting story came out of the last conversation we had with the band. The night Tyrone's O.C. burned down, they had a keyboard/organ in there. It was left there for the next night's act...Randall Bramblett. Small world eh?

Well That Was Random: tunabunny at WUOG

After what had been a very long and incredibly strange day, I had hoped to just be devastatingly lazy with my dj shift at WUOG on Tuesday. Normally, I have everything that I play outlined a bit but I just had not had the time this week. Yes, it makes me feel bad but it's only happened twice before this. Luckily, the gods of rock decided to throw me a bone and sent me a band: tunabunny.

From what I can gather, tunabunny had made an appointment to be interviewed by a staffer for the Local Music blog. The staffer wasn't there but tunabunny was. I, being the good Athens music junkie, was hiding in the stacks next to the Dreams So Real vinyl, reading liner notes and considering playlists. I was also standing on the swivel chair of doom.

Three of the members come in and start talking making me nearly fall off my chair. After a quick questioning (read, slightly paranoid questioning) I thought it best that if they'd already come all this way, why not let 'em hang out? It wasn't the first time I've had a full band come in. I had no clue what to expect. It turned out to be one of the best times I've ever had with a band.

I was very pleased and flattered to learn that they had heard one of my shows before, taking note of my habit of ALWAYS starting my shift with Pylon. I started doing that nearly three years ago. We clicked very well, sharing jokes and interesting music from the archives. I had never heard of tunabunny before but they're playing our prom so I figured I'd let them plug a few shows and then I'd ask a few questions. Great chance to do some on the fly music journalism right?

There were the basic questions: Tell me about your name, what do you sound like, what are you working on, etc. Then I asked the traditional Local Music staff question: What's your favorite magical creature? One answer: MICHAEL STIPE. Needless to say, anyone listening at that point was treated to five minutes of laughter from all of us. We laughed a lot actually. It was the silliest I've felt in a long time.

So, do me a favor and check these guys out. Anyone with that much cheer deserves a good fighting chance. The past few weeks have been rough but they're looking better. I think my new favorite magical creature is a tunabunny.

Speak Loudly and Carry a Large Spork

I was hoping to have a review of Flash to Bang Time's show at the Caledonia for you today but the band canceled and the venue didn't have enough time to tell the rest of us. I should've known it was going to be one of those nights when "Piano Man," the song that's been stuck in my head all freakin day, came on the radio. I was SO screwed.

I got to the Caledonia around 9:45 and met G at the door. We conversed for a bit until he broke the bad news. No Flash to Bang Time. GAH! I had already heard the other bands on the bill and none of them were worth staying for so I headed out for a walkabout on the nice Spring evening.

Patterson Hood's birthday party at the 40 Watt was pretty empty when I passed by the first time on the way to Little Kings. I stopped and made a mental note to check back in. It felt good just to be outside on Monday night. You could see the stars through the streetlights. Then things got a little creepy. NO ONE was out. Downtown Athens was as empty as my head during finals. I swear, I thought I saw tumbleweeds.

I made it to Little Kings in time to catch a friend who was leaving "Trivia Night." Apparently there were only a few people there so the whole thing ended quickly.

"I WILL FIND MUSIC!" I swore loudly to the heavens above the Georgia skyline. The heavens just laughed at me. There would be no satisfaction this night.

With no other options, I headed back to the 40 Watt. I passed through the smoker's ring in time to catch the last 3 minutes of a really long jam session. Then a dj came on and played "Piano Man." Yes, the same freakin song I've been trying to get out of my head for days now. I'm afraid I've done permanent damage to my ear canal trying to gouge out my brain with a spork.

So I left. I walked briskly across the parking lot to the Caledonia and commenced several conversations with G. The band inside was loud and just plain boring. But we did have a nice conversation about "Around the Sun." It was nice catching up with him again but this night was a complete bust.

I came back home, typed up an important email, blogged this, and am currently looking at my bed longingly. *SIGH* At least I have the radio show tomorrow.

There Will Be Bloodkin

I don't know if you caught this week's Flagpole article on Bloodkin but it seems the boys are finally getting some respect and recognition.

There are certain things that bands go through that aren't very nice to think about. People become addicts, alcoholics, abusive...while the bandmates are left to either resist or become overwhelmed themselves. People die from these things guys. When I heard the story about Bloodkin, I was very inspired. It takes a lot of work to get to where they are today.

So Congrats and well wishes guys.


Bloodkin - LIVE AT Nuçi's Space from Nuçi's Space on Vimeo.

Pitchfork seems very pleased.

Rolling Stone's David Fricke finally gets the picture here.

Okay, I've taken a lot of potshots at David Fricke over the years but I have to agree: Bloodkin rocks.

Five Eight at Sustainapalooza

(Photos/Jordan Stepp)

Five Eight is the embodiment of Athens bands. They've been around a long time and have had a bit of success but have never become THE band. They're funny and as of right now, the only active Athens band that is sure to always make me dance.

These are pictures I took at the Sustainapalooza on Thursday. It is the first concert I've ever shot so I've got a lot of work to do still. The constantly blinking lights and my camera's inability to work in the dark were rough but I got a few shots off. I'll upload more soon.

Record Rumor Mill

I've been hearing a lot of rumors going around town about some bands FINALLY putting out new material and releasing the older stuff in newer packages. So here's a minipost.

Five Eight is rumored to be working on new material as a follow up to their last album. They played a kick ass show to Legion Field on Thursday night, photos up soon.

My beloved Television Buzz, how I miss thee. I received a very touching letter and a copy of some unmastered material. It is mind-blowing.

R.E.M., never far from our radar here, is re-releasing "Reckoning." This much we know. But it's looking like, again, according to rumor, June 23rd may be the magic date. That means release party (hell yeah!) on the 22nd, which is also the week of ATHFEST. Do with that info what you may.

Pylon IS going to re-release "Chomp". Artwork will more than likely feature Randy Bewley's dino drawings.

So there's a mini-post until I get back up and running. Sorry for the crazy week guys. We'll be back on schedule (Tues/Thurs/Weekend/BreakingNews) next week.

Lean Keane Dancin' Machine

(Photo/David Manning, Athens Banner Herald)

Producer, guitarist, singer....dancing champion. Yes folks, apparently John Keane can do it all.

Last night was "Dancing with the Athens Stars," the benefit for Project Safe that pairs professional dancers with not so professional Athenians. This year's event brought in $93,000! The event was postponed after the snowstorm two weeks ago but that didn't seem to put a damper on things at all. Keane danced, shimmied, and slid into the first-place Judges' Choice award.

Keane, known for his work with artists like the Indigo Girls and R.E.M., flew back from recording sessions in California TWICE to take part. You'll probably remember him from a few posts here on AMJ about his band Strawberry Flats and his performances with Randall Bramblett.

Fortunately for anyone who couldn't be there, the Athens Banner-Herald was. Congrats to all the performers.



Next year I wanna see Nelson Wells on that floor.

Shameless.

So it's no big secret that I've done freelance work for Flagpole. The alternative weekly rag here in Athens lets me write show and album reviews from time to time and basically helps me eat. Well, if you didn't think they'd lost their minds the first go round, brains are running rampant in Athens now. They gave me a co-authorship on their blog.

I BLOG FOR FLAGPOLE. Wow. I feel, established, or something...

The name of the blog is Homedrone and I cover music along with editor Michelle and local musician Jeff Tobias. They call me a "pro" blogger. Now if I could just convince my parents that blogging is an actual profession.

Anyway, posts range from breaking announcements to social media (which I seem to be posting a lot about lately.) Like this post about Athens bands on twitter. Which reminds me...you can follow me on twitter via the cool little button on the left.

More posts coming this week as I continue to get my strength back from Spring Break.

Everything for a Reason

Sorry for the lack of updates this week folks. In case you were wondering, no, I did not make it to NYC for the R.E.M. tribute. Normally, I'd probably be complaining about it by now. But I currently have better things to complain about.

Like the fact that I've been 2 ounces of Gatorade away from the hospital and an iv this week. Got sick on Tuesday, am currently typing this from a cot on my floor today. Needless to say, maybe it's a good thing it didn't work out this time. That said, reports are coming in about the awesome night and everyone seems to agree that it was something special. I managed to sit up for a few minutes last night and catch some updates from ethank via twitter.

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Amazing video of Glen Hansard doing "Hairshirt"






From remhq, Patti Smith and R.E.M.

Rolling Stone was impressed too.

Paste gives the best overveiw.

And Spinner throws in their two cents.

Maybe next time I'll be able to join in. I did get to spend my night in the dark, listening to New Adventures in Hi-Fi though. No comparison but it made me feel a bit better.

See ya on Monday

Ten Reasons Someone Should Send Me To NYC

Well, it's obvious that I am a huge R.E.M. fan. Anyone who has read the blog or knows me at all is well aware of that fact. I am also a journalist. I ask questions, find answers, speculate and report. So when I found out that there was going to be an R.E.M. tribute in New York with Patti Smith and Elf Power/Vic Chesnutt, I said "Someone has to cover this." My best friend said, "Why not you?" So I sat and thought.

According to priceline, the flight ticket there and back will be about $150. VIP tickets to the show go for $245 while balcony go for $38. All the proceeds of the event go to charity. And of course, I can't afford Taco Bell, much less this awesomeness. So here's the deal. I'm listing 10 reasons why someone should send me to the event in NYC. I was going to do the whole serious reasons thing but I need some humor right now.

10) Instant Updates: Wanna know exactly what's going on in real time? I swear I'll twitter you the instant anything interesting happens. Yes, I stole the idea from REMroaddog but that should show you how cool this could be. Imagine this tweet: Blueshades: "Holy cow, Patti Smith singing Orange Crush. Who would've thunk?" or "Peter just jumped onstage half-naked and danced to Stand. Laughing so hard I might die". You send me, I'll tweet you.

9) Spacesaver: Fortunately for me, I'm pretty compact. Perfect for carry-on luggage and overhead compartment space. Or, if you have a private flight, I fit easily into the cargo hold, thus saving you valuable leg room and keeping the journalist in the dark. Once we get to a hotel/apartment/venue, just stick me in a closet. I've spent much time in a dorm. Believe me, a closet is an upgrade.

8) Video: Want some footage of people doing things they might love/regret/sue over later? I've got a Flip. I can upload it to you via youtube or do some interviews. Nothing's for sure but who knows what can happen? Maybe we'll all just go on some crazy road trip to NYC and I'll tape the whole thing.

7) Analysis: Did Elf Power rock it or drop it? (most likely they'll rock) Did someone put in a half-hearted attempt? I'll give you a non-biased play by play. Honest. Any biases will be put aside as much as possible if you wish. I'm not biased. Really! Athens music junkie? Pfft! I swear that I will not spout how awesome R.E.M. is. What do you think I am? A fan? Like, wishing them happy birthday and stuff? Yeah right.

6) Fandom: I know R.E.M.'s stuff. The songs, the history, the trials and triumphs. If you want someone covering this who knows the original drummer's name and the name of Stipe's first cover band, I'm your junkie. What's Peter's toothbrush colored like? Boxers or briefs? (boxers, btw.) You can rest assured that I won't call Peter Mike or Mike Peter. But they may call out my current restraining order...

5) Experience: I've interviewed the likes of Otis Redding's family to Randall Bramblett. I've sat terrified in front of microphones and cameras and experienced each sensation of nervousness and near vomiting you can imagine. So I think I can conjure up just the right amount of excitement and fear you require.

4) Humor: I have no sense of it. Sorry. Sarcasm is a no go too.

3) Torture: I listened to Kinky Boots. And lived. I listened to Johnny Jingo. And lived. Anything Mike Mills can dish out, I can take. I'm like the guys in 300 without the muscles...and capes...and swords...and motor skills...

2) Puns!: It's not the end of the world if I can't be leaving New York on Thursday since I just can't get there from here. I'm hoping some pretty persuasion will get up the support I need to walk unafraid into the show.

1) Begging: I'm not above it.

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So there you go. 10 Reasons someone should have the heart to take/send me to NYC this Wednesday to cover the R.E.M. tribute at Carnegie Hall. I'm actually serious about wanting to go, thank you. If you do want to help and want a resume or contract or something, email athensmusicjunkie@gmail.com. Thanks for reading and have a great week.

blueshades

Sick of Singing Sorrow

It's been a really rough time for us here in Athens. We've lost apartments and homes and cars to fire and ice after the snowstorm and then losing Mike after just losing Randy... needless to say, I don't want Athens Music Junkie to turn into an obit blog, singing sorrow and trouble all my days. Expect some mostly lighthearted fare this week. Oh, and 10 reasons why someone needs to stuff me in a closet. That'll be up tomorrow.

Mike Sparrow

You probably didn't know Mike Sparrow. And to be perfectly honest, I really didn't know him either. But we've lost another Athens musician. This has been a truly horrible week for our community with Randy's passing, snowstorms and power failures, and now this.

Mike played in a Sublime tribute group called "Wrong Way." I always had them perpetually marked as a "Go See Eventually" kind of band. I'm regretting that now. My thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.

Flagpole has details here about what happened.

Nuci's Space has a blurb about Mike here.
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Update:

Mike Sparrow Farewell Gathering
March 19th @ Pigpen Studios 7-11pm

The evening will be in memory of Mr. Mike Sparrow.
We will be listening to his latest record, Bored in the South, amongst others.
Fellow musicians and friends are encouraged to play their own renditions of his songs. Terrapin is showing their undying support by donating some of their wonderful brews.
Come listen, come talk...love you Mike!

Please RSVP.

Daniel Maldonado Collins
Pigpen Studios
Pigpen Records
(706) 369-6755

www.pigpenstudios.net
http://www.myspace.com/pigpenstudios

Athens in Perspective: Scion Metalfest (Part Deux)

(Photo/ Nick Bennett 2009)


Guest Author: Tyler Webb

I’ve got to say, I’m normally not a big fan of corporate sponsorships, but if it results in something as awesome as the Scion metal event I just went to, bring ‘em on. Hosted at the good old Masquerade, the show was a metal showcase that stretched from 12 to 12.
I managed to catch Trash Talk, Skeletonwitch, A Storm of Light, Harvey Milk, High on Fire, Converge, Neurosis, AND Mastodon. I’ll do a little play by play to give you a taste of each of the bands.

Trash talk is a metal band that breaks many stereotypes: all the members are black (metal is kind of dominated by white folks for better or worse), their songs are really short (no 15 minute songs here), and full of anger (ok pretty typical, but my friend Nick managed to take a punch to the face by the main vocalist before they even started singing.)

Skeletonwitch was the best surprise of the showcase for me. Old school metal with the long hair and screaming about Satan is simply amazing. My favorite quote, “This song is about … Satan!” They are amazing check ‘em out. Seriously.

A Storm of Light is one of those bands trying to do a mix media approach with a dvd playing behind them. Normally I like the wavy metal field, but this one really didn’t do too much for me.

Harvey Milk an Athens band had a unique feel. The vocalist focuses less on words and has a haunting echo of a voice that seems to pierce you. Instrumentally, it’s very simple, and the songs seem to flow into one another. I’m still mixed about them quite honestly. I can’t decide if I like them or if I’m just biased towards Athens bands.

High on Fire, a band that many friends of mine love didn’t do enough for me. Perhaps they weren’t hard enough, but I left after 3 songs to go check out…

Converge a band out of Boston certainly has a large following, and I’m inclined to say they deserve it. Their recorded music sounds alright, but their shows are down right crazy. I counted no less than six people crowd surfing at one time. Screaming, “There is not God, only you” and getting a response of cheers is a pretty big feat in the South in my book. Never seen it done before, certainly not by from some guys from up north.

Neurosis was a solid wave metal band that was strangely very relaxing. While there was some thrashing about, the majority of the crowd was just bobbing there heads around, enjoying the trance.

Mastodon is well, Mastodon. If you didn’t already know, they’re a huge band out of Atlanta that is putting metal back on the map not by making compromises to the mainstream, but by wowing people with their ridiculously awesome sound. Remember Mars Volta before they went crazy back in the De-Loused days? That kind of ridiculous instrumentation accompanied by piercing vocals ranging from screams to crystal clear vocals is what Mastodon is all about. As much as I like to root for the little guy, Mastodon topped my list as the best show of the day.

Even with my 25db blocking earplugs, my ears still rang for a couple of hours afterwards. It was an amazing show and I thank all the metal gods (Scion, the head of this blog, etc.) for letting me have such an awesome experience.

Athens In Perspective: Harvey Milk @ Scion Rockfest

Scion Rock Fest
February 28, 2009
Atlanta, Georgia, Masquerade Park

Guest Author: Nick Bennett

It could not have been a better day for the Scion Rock Fest; gloomy overcast skies peered down on the pits of mud outside the Masquerade in Atlanta, setting a perfect scene for the 20+ metal bands that appeared Saturday. Surprisingly, all four stages ran close to schedule which made the day quite enjoyable.

After getting punched smacked in the face by California’s thrash outfit Trash Talk, Tyler and I headed to purgatory to check out Athens’ Harvey Milk. The first thing I noticed is the group’s lack of concern for image and stage antics and chose to focus on their craft during performance, a refreshing change. These guys have earned major respect from many in Athens, rightfully so, and I was able to pick out a few die-hard Milk fans in the crowd sludging along with the sporadic and often-syncopated drums and thick guitar riffage. Creston Spiers’ (vocalist/guitar) style is entrancing; as his bellows and belts waned to moans, Speirs’ captured the essence of Harvey Milk’s heavy sludge-rock that made me proud to live in the same town as this outfit.

Five hours later we found ourselves outside under an enormous tent waiting and standing on slippery, muddy ground, for Atlanta’s own metal legends Mastodon. The group found themselves headlining a 20+ band ticket (including some of their idols: High on Fire and sludge metal gods Neurosis) and did not fail to please. Guitarist/vocalist Brent Hinds walked on stage sporting a beautiful 12-string which he proceeded to shred, but later returned to a classic 70’s-era maple SG and a gold Les Paul. The hour and a half set never slowed down for much except for a guitar change or a gulp of Corona, and Mastodon’s prowess took over as a pit erupted instantly and never closed until the show ended. Troy Sanders boomed out his low aggressive bass and vocal parts as Hinds provided the psychotic vocals we are accustomed to hearing from Mastodon. Playing choice hits from multiple albums, Mastodon’s inventiveness was apparent and their toying with time, dueling guitars, haunting vocal styles, and other standards in metal makes this band stand out as innovators who never stray too far from some conventions (providing ample classic thrash and sludge).

OMFG! SNOW!

Not something we see a lot in Athens, GA. But dang if it's not going on 2 inches right now. Beautiful and quiet. Only bad thing is I have to wait until Monday before I can see John Keane dance...