Happy Birthday, Happy Happy Birthday..

It was late and a massive headache had kept me from moving around too much earlier in the day. Life's been a bit different lately. New scenery, new assignments, and a lot of friends coming and going. I was feeling a bit down, having been fighting the headache and a bit of anxiety earlier. A lot of things had come up all at the same time, leaving me feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Thankfully, all it took was some Tylenol, two hours of work, and $5 at the Caledonia to make me feel a lot better. It's been a while since I'd been to my first hangout spot. I remember going there years ago to see the Sleepy Horses (what are they up to now?) and Gift Horse...

It's been a busy time for the Lounge lately. Kaya's redone the stage, deck, and sound systems and the venue just celebrated its 10th year of existence. Right on that party's heels came the Happy Happy Birthday To Me celebrations. The label has also been around for a decade, making for two straight weeks of quality entertainment. I had to miss Thursday because of meetings and the headache came back on Saturday but I did manage to stay up long enough to get to the Friday show. I didn't realize how much I needed it.

Upon parking (Prestige could build a pool with all I've paid to them), I wandered in to find my bestest good buddy Mr. College Grad at the door. Needless to say, he was super excited about the line up. Especially this band called Los Meesfits. A salsa Misfits cover band? Giving away fake mustaches? I love this town!

There were little party hats everywhere. Balloons were hung on the back wall over the new stage. And I? I was sitting in my spot near the door, watching the people file in and getting pwnd by Mr. Grad because I like the Modern Skirts. After a few comments about his age, he let the Skirts obsession go and conversation turned to the night's festivities.

I finally got to meet Mike Turner (!) who mentioned he's seen my Flagpole work (!!). It was really nice to finally put a face to the name. I've been a fan of HHBTM's label without even realizing it until recently. I've usually only bought the cds (a shame, I know) so I didn't recognize the awesome packaging that went along with the records until it was pointed out to me.

Los Meesfits played well and were followed by the Lolligags who, unfortunately, were playing their final show. The duo had swapped stage clothes for the occasion, giving me my first Athens show watching a man in a dress. Shocking that I could've gone this long, I know. Mr. Grad poked me in the ribs. "This is REAL Athens." I couldn't help but smile.

Some of Oh-Ok and family passed by my perch at the door, and a few remembered me from Randy's birthday party a few months earlier. They weren't performing as Flash to Bang Time tonight. I finally left my seat to get closer to the stage. Even after all this time, I'm still finding myself the youngest or next to youngest at these type shows. It's never really been a problem, just a funny situation when you compare our "dancing" styles.

We were grooving along when the band suddenly struck up three extremely familiar chords... HOLY COW! They're playing PYLON!!! I couldn't believe it. I turned back to the door and mouthed "No Way!". Guess there were a few as surprised as I was. I never thought I'd get to hear "Look Alive" live in concert ever again. But here it was, being covered by probably the only band left in Athens that COULD cover it right.

The rest of the set went on and I retired back to my perch, filled with glee that the Lindas had seen fit to pay tribute to Pylon. I managed to stay for the rest of their set but by the time Marshmallow Coast was starting up, my headache decided to start up too. I said my goodbyes and tried to take extra care not to back up over the gaggle of musicians behind me car. THAT could've been bad. All in all, a great night. So great that I took all of Saturday off to write about stuff. Yup. I love this town..

The Modern Skirts Grow Up

Probably one of the coolest things I've been witness to in my years in Athens is the transformation of the Modern Skirts. All bands worth their salt undergo a lot of changes between touring, recording, and practicing together for years.

When I first arrived, the Skirts had just released their debut album Catalouge of Generous Men. The most popular track from the record by far was a sentimental ballad called "Pasadena." No matter where you went in town, if it was the week of a Skirts show, people would be humming "Pasadena." The song could easily fit on some "O.C." type tv show, it was powerful and catchy. Instant hit.

But the band soon grew weary of playing this hit, though they loved that it was popular. I remember one show where Jay picked up the acoustic and girls began to squeal in anticipation of "Pasadena." "Just cause I pick this up doesn't mean I'm playing that song," he remarked as the band launched into tracks that would become their second album All of Us in Our Night.

The album was a marked departure from their debut which was full of sweeping piano ballads, the kind of stuff you could lie on your bed and listen to while you cry at the rain outside. I'm probably making it sound more sappy than it was but there you go. Night introduced more experimental themes and sounds. The pop/rock was still there but new elements had been added to the tunes and the live show.

Pre-recorded background music had started appear in the Skirts' live shows, allowing Jay to gain a bit more confidence as a frontman. Even Jo-Jo, Phillip, and John had shown marked improvements from the first time I had seen them. Spending time on the road forces a band to get good or go home. Their work paid off when a spot opening for R.E.M. appeared. Off to Europe!

So the band has been currently recording in New Orleans, fine tuning music they've been introducing on the road. They stopped by Ardent Studios in Tennessee to play, a performance that shows just how far they've come.

Their manager Troy has been telling me for a while that the new material is nothing like the past two records. It's completely true. The Skirts sound like they're channeling the E6 at times with rapid pace changes and many, many drums. "DUI" is probably the most widespread of the new cuts, showing a versatility that wasn't there before.

Last time I saw the Modern Skirts, there was a look in Jay's eyes that I hadn't seen before. It was one of a man who was completely in his element. Who knows what we'll see tomorrow?

The Modern Skirts are playing the 40 Watt on Saturday with ExcaliBrah and the Love Language. Doors at 9:30, $12 at the door with $1 of all sales going to the GA Theatre fund.

Give Venice is Sinking a Kick in the Pants

Venice is Sinking is pressing their third album and need your help. The band's set up a Kickstarter account (man, that thing is popular right now) and are asking for donations. Here's the "kicker," they recorded this unreleased album inside the GA Theatre. With such an emotional connection to the building, the band has redirected the funds to helping rebuild and restore the Theatre to its rocking glory.

The band's offering up prizes for each level of donation, from updates and back catalogs to naming songs after you. It's all pretty cool and you can check it out here.

And in case you need a reminder of just how awesome Venice is Sinking is:

WUOG News and Other Things

As if I didn't keep myself busy enough, the nice folks over at WUOG have set up blogs for pretty much each show to hit the airwaves. I'm not sure who's actually going to be writing on them, but I'll be updating the Sound of the City blog every Tuesday night. You can find it here.

Also of interest, DJ FOR WUOG. Yup, we're doing the community Dj shift again this semester. It's always a ton of fun to see who signs up for this. Last time I "babysat" the station, our friend Michael Lachowski showed up and we had a blast. If you feel like giving up an hour of your Saturday night to come hang out and play any songs you want, sign up here.

And if you ever want to know what was played on Tuesday nights, check out this section of the website and it'll get you up to speed.

Shameless Fawning Over: Bill Mallonee

It began when I first heard "Nothing Like a Train." I had pulled the Vigilantes of Love disc off the WUOG wall one Tuesday night at random, amused at the band name. I was still heavily on my punk/art rock kick at that point, scorning most country-esque music since it had haunted my past so much. But I put the disc on and discovered Americana. And I've been addicted ever since.

Mallonee's a first rate story teller. You can step inside the songs easily, wrapping your mind inside the character's. And he writes many, many, many songs about trains. His voice is easier to love than Vic Chesnutt's, his lyrics a bit more to the point than Randall Bramblett's, and more inventive song structures than Don Chambers, all of whom make up my own personal Athens songwriter holy grail. This is the guy you want to sit on your front porch and talk about his life.

My favorite disc is Audible Sigh. I can't find a single song on there that I wouldn't want to listen to over and over. Between "She Walks on Roses," "Solar System," the travelogue of "Any Side of Anywhere," and, of course, "Nothing Like a Train," you get the sense of movement, of time.

One spring day, I walked down to the riverside with the earbuds in. You can see the train tracks from where I was sitting. It felt like a movie. Sunset came, a train rumbled by, and the Vigilantes were playing. Perfect.

I'll just go ahead and say that he's my favorite singer/songwriter in Athens. So just as an FYI, you can catch the band this Wednesday at Flicker at 9 p.m.

Poster Torn..

It's been 27 years since it came out but R.E.M.'s "Chronic Town" EP still sounds as timeless as ever. It's a howling, haunting, hell of a debut for a band. I came to the EP as many others my age have, through the collection Dead Letter Office. On cd. I finally emptied my pockets for the vinyl version last year only to find my record needle in a broken condition. Regardless of the way I hear it, "Wolves, Lower" is probably my favorite early R.E.M. song.

What was it about this little EP that caught on? It was so vastly different than anything else on the radio, so much so that it originally could only find a home on GA radio stations and college stations like our own WUOG. Grab some punky art-school tastes, throw in a melodic bass, thundering drums, and a guitarist in love with the Byrds and here you are. It shouldn't have worked. But it did.

It also established many R.E.M. traditions early on. "Chronic Town" reviews sited the lyrics as "mumbled" and Stipe was labeled "mysterious," Buck's guitar became "jangly" and so on. It also started the fun tradition of renaming sides. Instead of the "A" side, you have "Chronic Town" and the B side is "Poster Torn." The back side of the album originally listed the songs in the wrong order. Not quite the mystifying numbering on albums that we'd see later, but still something that just seems REMish anyway.

What's truly amazing is how well the songs have held up. When the new Dublin Rehearsal discs come out, take a listen to the "Chronic" songs alongside the new "Accelerate" stuff.

When all is said and done, "Chronic Town" is an incredibly Athenian album. For me at least, a chronic town is one where everything is always the same but always in flux. Here we have students always coming and going from UGA but it's always been that way. Bands come, bands go, and the same goes for venues. You pass by the kiosks downtown and there's tons of posters, taped and torn. Trains run through campus, boxcars covered in graffitti. Sure, we're now nearly three decades removed but what's really changed? When past meets present, it points towards the future.

Weekend Housekeeping

Firstly, WOW. Thanks to the folks at Widespread Panic, the blogpost on Friday had a record number of hits. So thanks very very very much. Look out in the future for Jordan's trip through the Panic catalog.

Secondly, we need a catchphrase for the blog. You can vote for the new one on the side to the right OR send in suggestions to athensmusicjunkie@gmail.com

Thirdly, R.E.M. widget. Since R.E.M. announced the release date of R.E.M. Dublin, we've put up a handy little widget on the sidebar so you can enjoy some live tunes while browsing around. PS, the record drops on Oct. 26.

Fourthly, T-SHIRTs. We've been seriously considering making t-shirts or tote bags. Need some feedback on this. Thanks.

And last but not least, DEBATE questions. We've got some stored up. But we're always looking for slightly controversial or highly contested questions here in Athens. So if you have one, email.

Anyway, busy weekend coming up with Mulefest, Leading Edge, and tons more. Catch ya on the flip side.

John Bell: 5 Things You Should Know

Picture via THE RED & BLACK

Widespread Panic's John Bell kicked off another semester of classes for the University of Georgia's Music Business Program on Tuesday. He spoke a bit, sang a bit, and tolerated one slightly stunned Athens Music Junkie at dinner afterwards. If you got to be at the Chapel, you know that it was a great event. If not, read below for some insights into what he spoke about.

Widespread Panic, if you didn't know, was inducted into the GA Music Hall of Fame, closed down Athens with 100,000 of its fans, and is seriously into working for charities like Hannah's Buddies, The Make It Right Foundation, and Tunes for Tots. Here's five things you should know about Widespread's lead singer, JOHN BELL.

1) He likes anchovies. No. Seriously. The dude likes anchovies. I discovered this at dinner. We then talked about anchovy and pineapple pizza.

2) He used to watch American Idol. After being asked a question about the current suckiness of popular music and the phenomenon that is A.I., Bell admitted to having watched the show a few times, though not recently. He made a point that "some talent and music DID come out of it," at least in the form of Carrie Underwood.

3) He took a Music Business class long before he taught one. Prof. Bell revealed that while a UGA undergrad, he took a music business class, complete with a hip and jiving professor that smoked Virginia Slims. It should be noted that the class had nothing to do with the current MBUS program but he recalled that he did learn quite a bit. According to him, it took away a lot of naivety about the business, something that helped quite a bit when it came time to sign his own contracts. Bell promised to carry a version of the current MBUS textbook with him on tour for reference.

4) He likes to keep the peace. Bell seems a very laid-back fellow so it's no surprise that he got a question about how to keep a band of six egos from falling apart. The secret? Knowing your ego, knowing your bandmate's ego, and being willing to talk it out and compromise. Also, they share all the songwriting credits as a band in order to cut that potential beast off early. Bell said they took the idea from R.E.M. I swear I saw Bertis Downs smirking in the back of the room...

5) He really digs the current Athens music scene. After the lecture, we chatted about Athens music past and present. "I really dig the scene now," he said. "How do you figure that?" I asked, a bit surprised. He went on to recount how there was a period once of two weeks when there wasn't a single music venue open in Athens. Inconceivable to me, I pressed him further. He explained how there's so many opportunities for bands to play now and how that wasn't really so back then. Tons of bands exist now because of the support and infrastructure that was created earlier. And much of that came from bands like his. So thanks Prof. Bell and Widespread Panic.

New Addiction: Efren

Techincally from Crawford, GA (it's close enough), Efren is one of those artists out there making music that you hope people can pick up on naturally. I imagine that if we didn't have tv or the internet or the radio, you could find this kind of music by hopping on a train and taking it to the smallest town that you can find on a map, walking to the corner near the post office and sitting yourself down on the curb. Appalachia. That's what Efren sounds like.

A mix of soft, half-spoken stories and a bit of guitar, Efren doesn't immediately grab you. But when it does, you've got a whole new world of stories to explore.

EFREN will be performing at FLICKER on SATURDAY, August 29th. Check the music out here or here.

Fire & Ice

Since I'm still completely beat from yesterday's adventures (maybe to appear here later) I'm just going to highlight this EPIC team-up I came across while researching. Widespread Panic. Vic Chesnutt. One's fire. The other's ice. Either way, this song burns so good.

Weekly Show Pick

It looks like another great Fall Semester of music here. I spent about two hours trying to just list everything that I needed to see in the next two months. And holy cow is there a ton. So, short post with some picks for shows that you need to see in the upcoming weeks.

TONIGHT:

CALEDONIA
The Starter Kits, The Beatings, and Small Beige Girl

Thursday:

FARM 255
Don Chambers & Friends (Don's playing every Thursday this month)

Friday:

CALEDONIA
10 Year Anniversary: The Arcs, Cinemachanica, Vincas

Saturday:

MELTING POINT
Leading Edge, Five Eight

Sunday:

THE GREEN ROOM
Mulefest 2009: Benefit for Nuci's Space

Monday:

FLICKER THEATRE
American Cheeseburger, Asshole Parade, Cop Dope

Tuesday:

WUOG
Live in the Lobby

Athens In Perspective: The B-52s in Florida

Guest Post by AMJ's Florida Office Editor Ziona Kocher

As my parents and I drove all day on Saturday, the only thing I could think of to be happy about was the prospect of seeing the B-52's. Everything else seemed so depressing (to me, at least). Everybody keeps telling me how great college is, and that I will love it, but I wasn't convinced. I was moving away from the people I loved most to go to a school I wasn't 100% sold on. Why on earth would I be happy?

Upon my arrival at Tropicana Field (not as weird as seeing a band play in a dumpster, but still pretty odd), I started to feel a little bit of excitement, though. The baseball game had just finished, and we had managed to get wristbands from my uncle, who had gotten them from a friend, knowing how badly I wanted to see the concert. We bought an additional ticket, and headed to the entrance, thrilled that we were about to see a group of legends. We get to the doors, and they ask for our tickets. We oblige, showing our wristbands, and then are told that they won't let us in. Um, what?

Apparently you need tickets to get in, and the wristbands only allow you to go down on the field rather than just sit in the stands. Well, that brought about mixed feelings to say the least. My dad and I were already wearing the bands, so we ran back to the booth and bought two more tickets before joining my mom in the lobby. After a short conference, it was decided that it was insane for all of us to miss out on seeing the B's right up close, so dad and I headed down below while mom headed to find a decent seat to watch the screen.

As we stood in line, I could hear the beginnings of “Pump It Up,” from the new album Funplex, over the loudspeakers. I began to silently curse the people in front of me, with their party horns and cowbells, who were clearly only there because it was free with admission to the game. Luckily, we managed to get on the field before the song was over and I ran to get closer, singing along at the top of my lungs.

There were quite a few people, and finally I could tell that some of them were actually there for the music. I whipped out my camera and got a few shots before succumbing to the music and just dancing for a while. It was exhilarating, and it's hard to believe that Kate, Cindy, Keith and Fred are still so exuberant after all these years. But they are. It seemed like nothing could stop them. Speaking as somebody who rarely does more than sway to the music at concerts, I found it impossible not to dance like a maniac as they ripped through song after song, both old and new.

The high point of the night for me came towards the middle of the set. Cindy announced that they were playing a song from Wild Planet, and Fred brought out some sort of glockenspiel. I quickly tried to remember if “Give Me Back My Man” featured that curlicued instrument, and grabbed my camera just in case. It's one of my absolute favorites, and I knew that Jordan would kill me if I didn't get it on tape. As Cindy announced what confirmed my suspicions, I couldn't help but freak out a little bit. I had first heard this song on an old WUOG broadcast with the ever charming Mr. Mills and Mr. Buck, and at that point I fell in love. After Mills played it on the Sled Ride to Hell, I knew it was one of his favorites too, and I can't lie, that made me love it a tiny bit more. Ever since, it has become a bit of a joke between me and the boss lady, and I can almost guarantee that if you hear it on WUOG some Tuesday night, it's because I demanded it.

As I held up the camera and my arms grew more weary, my phone began to buzz in my pocket. I refused to stop, and instead told dad to check his phone to see if it had been mom. It was, and she had good news. She had managed to track down a wristband and was out on the field looking for us. As dad wandered off, I stayed glued to my spot, bouncing ever so slightly and singing at a level I hoped wouldn't be picked up by the camera microphone. In the end, I had a shaky video that didn't have the greatest sound quality...but I couldn't care less. I had my video and I could relive that moment whenever I wanted to.

“Hot Corner” also brought about excitement simply because I love the song, but at the same time there was a touch of sadness as I danced along. I had wanted to go to UGA and spend my time on the Hot Corner, but here I was in Tampa, on my way to Sarasota to move into my dorm, hours away from Athens. As the song progressed I considered what could have been, and couldn't help but smile a little bit. If I had been moving to Athens this weekend, I wouldn't have been watching the B-52's. Sure, I would have been able to see tons of awesome bands, but hey - there's always grad school.

The set was starting to wind down when they (finally) played “Love Shack.” I had been anticipating it the entire evening, and was hoping that it wouldn't be their final song. Don't get me wrong, I love “Love Shack,” but it's a bit predictable. It was obvious by the way that the whole crowd began to shake that they too were finally hearing the song they had been expecting. As soon as the song was over, people began to flood out of the stadium, and I was more than a little shocked. The show wasn't over, but all of these baseballs fans decided it was time to go because they had heard the one song they could recognize. “Love Shack” was followed by “Planet Claire,” which was absolutely amazing (especially Kate's part), and “Rock Lobster” wrapped up the evening. By the way – Cindy can still make some pretty convincing dolphin sounds.

With my ears ringing and that catchy guitar line from “Rock Lobster” still playing in my head, I fought my way to the front of the stage hoping to get a set list, only to see a girl a few feet ahead of me get the last one. I was a little disappointed, but it was nothing in comparison to my excitement. Maybe this was a good omen. I had managed to take this occasion that I was sure would be fraught with nothing but fear and sadness, and made it into something special.

The next day, as I moved into my dorm, I had “Roam” stuck in my head. Somehow it seemed appropriate as I took off into this new phase of my life where I was in control. As I put up posters and old photos, I finally felt like I was ready to roam around the world.

R.E.M. Review

Yes, finally an R.E.M. review on AMJ. Though technically not a cd, this "sampler" pack of songs from the Dublin Rehearsal Sessions in 2007 gives fans a taste of what's to come in October when "Live at the Olympia" comes out. What a coincidence that the remastered "Reckoning" just came out, right? How random...

As always, quick word about the artwork. If you take the recent 8-bit meets apocalyptic style of Accelerate, the bright singular colors of the Dublin Rehearsals and the twisting, old Appalachia drawings from Reckoning, you get the digital cover seen above. Nice, simple colors of black, white, and what the Murmurs gang has so eloquently described as "violent green."

Since this is a live album, we're gonna venture off our usual "here's the song and how it sounds" review. With any luck, you've heard these songs many times before. If not, may I point you to the remastered version available here?

I wasn't fortunate enough to attend the Rehearsals in 2007 (though my boss was and has made that annoyingly clear). But most fans have either heard the bootlegs or have seen the videos up on youtube, so why even bother putting out a live album? Well, I promise you, your bootleg sounds nothing like this. The guitars are jangling clear, drums (which are so hard to mix right) sound phenomenal, and the vocals are blended well. You hear a spatter of clapping and cheering at the end of the tracks, though I do wish you could hear a bit more of the crowd singing along.

It was a big treat to hear some of these older songs on the tour. Tunes that are 20+ years old fit seamlessly beside the new stuff. It's almost as if they hadn't aged a bit.

But let's be honest. Stipe's voice isn't as young and clear as it once was. Decades of singing and smoking have changed it into an even deeper growl than before. So don't expect to hear note for note renditions of the Reckoning songs. Instead, it's an opportunity to observe how age and experience can change a band.

For instance, "Harborcoat." Stipe's lyrics are a bit clearer (though as cryptic as ever), Buck's guitar is louder, and instead of having Bill Berry's voice, you hear Mills and McCoi. For all the differences, it still has a fierce momentum and gorgeous harmonies. I just wish someone had taken Stipe's harmonica away for that middle eight bit..

"Letter Never Sent" is an odd song to throw on here but again, you're running back into some amazing harmonies, something that has been sorely missing in the post-Berry albums. Stipe forgets some lyrics but it's not a show so it doesn't matter right?

Some really interesting vocal interplay between Mills and Stipe on "Second Guessing." Stipe's maintained that you shouldn't confuse the singer with the song but it's interesting to think about where they were when it was originally written. There's a bit of arrogance and naivety on "Reckoning" when a twenty-something Stipe sings "Why're you trying to second guess me?" When it's sung a few decades later by the man who's been there and done that, it's from a position of experience and a bit of exasperation. It's kinda like he's singing to himself...

Finally we come to "Pretty Persuasion," described as "not really a family story." If anyone ever doubted the drumming abilities of Bill Rieflin, this should blow them away. It's hard enough to step into a song that's been made a classic by another drummer but to put your own subtle spin on it, that's talent. Probably my least favorite on the sampler but that's just me.

So should you buy this? It really depends. If you're curious about how the Dublin Sessions will sound, go for it. If you're a hardcore R.E.M. fan, it's nothing you don't already own but it's a bit more shiny than your bootleg. If you haven't had the pleasure of seeing R.E.M. in concert, get it.

I'd give it an 8 out of 10. It's a bit of a redundant thing for anyone who already owns a bootleg of the shows but a nice peek at what's to come. I wish they'd do more small shows like this since it captures the energy between band and fan in a way that festivals and amphitheaters just can't. I would've renamed it something like "R.E.M. Dublin: This is Not a Show." but oh well. Minor complaints really. This would make a nice intro to R.E.M. for your friends though. This is not a record. And this was not a review.

- Jordan

Scariest. Ice Cream Man. Ever.

Summer's over. School's begun. Go beat up the ocean and enjoy this clip.



Dammit. Now I want a freakin' Captain Scrummy cap. And a sludgesicle.

Young, Foxy, and A Free Mattress

Since AthensMusicJunkie HQ is currently under construction (ie, I'm moving to a new apartment), I've had to acquire some new furniture. Chief among these is a queen sized mattress sans boxspring. After weeks of searching, I found one. A boxspring mattress. For free! A nice woman on Craigslist would leave it on her front porch on Wednesday and I could pick it up. Only one problem. I drive a small car. CRAP.

Today was a single day trip to move everything I could fit in my car to the new place from its current station at my parent's house. The drive up was gray and rainy. I tried putting on some Ruby Isle but that just didn't help. So I cranked up Automatic to fuel my very moody mood. Got lost on the way to the apartment but found it in decent time.

The last tenants had left quite a mess so clean up took a great deal of time. I finished up as quick as I could and ran to WUOG for a bit. Then downtown for some lamp shopping and a visit to my buddies at Team Clermont. I had put out a desperate plea on facebook and twitter the night before, begging anyone with a truck to come to my aid. At the moment when I was about to give up all hopes of not paying a buttload for a new boxspring, a savior appeared. Michael Lachowski. Mr. Young, Foxy, and Free himself.

After extricating himself from a day full of meetings, he so kindly offered use of his truck. Met him downtown and we walked along, chatting about his newest issue of Young, Foxy, & Free. He's finally gotten 2 new publication boxes downtown (in front of the post office/corner of College & Clayton) for the mag! Woot!

We found the house after a bit of head scratching and conversation about the new Indigo Hotel. Let the record show that Michael lifted that mattress and had it strapped down completely in a matter of 50 seconds. With mattress safely in tow, we turned to leave. Conversation had drifted to my current living situation and where my hometown is. We pulled out a map and found that he has indeed heard of this small town. I mentioned that I think I might've played soccer against one of the Modern Skirts at some point in my childhood. I don't think I mentioned that I'm also pretty sure my team lost...

Speaking of lost, when you've only been to your own apartment about three times, it's easy to forget exactly where it is. My apologies. But we got it into the apartment and up a few stairs no problem. So I owe Mr. Lachowski big time gratitude and a dinner or two.

My life is surreal. But it's surreally awesome.

YOUNG, FOXY, & FREE available now! Look for it! Get it!

Houser. Always.

(c)Michael Sheehan, furtherimages.com/

Michael Houser.

Make those blues run

Ain't life grand
Ain't life grand

The sun came out the other day
Through those dusty clouds
And in my mind I was a child
And it felt good!

Listen to This Now!

Yes, Chris McKay and the Critical Darlings are at it again, playing musical Robin Hood with their websites. They're giving you the chance to have a say about the new songs that have been falling out of Chris lately. Give them all a listen and help him decide which ones work and which should be placed on a disc and used as a frisbee.

Now, the song you HAVE to listen to (no, you have no option) is this one right here. It's an unusually slow one for the Darlings with rain effects in the background. And thanks to our friend Tony, I know why I probably love this song. Sing the chorus of R.E.M.'s "I'll Take the Rain" during "Everything Must Go." Heartbreakingly beautiful.

Good grief Chris, you've got us under your spell. As Rebecca has said, "He's not doing a very good job of writing an awful song." Amen.

Up All Night

I wish I had an analog clock. At least then I could watch the seconds tick by, comforting in their monotonous twirl around a plain face. Instead, I’m watching the soft, pale blue light of my digital clock, never knowing when the minute number will change. It always does, with a hint of surprise, and a slight dimming of the background. 2:32. 2:33. 2:34.

I’m up again like I am most nights, my insomnia increased over the stress of the past few weeks. Or at least that’s what I’m telling myself. Who needs a full night’s sleep anyway? Cat naps have always been my preference. Need to be awake when the muse slips in from her night out, having deposited ideas and dreams inside the minds of great lyricists and writers. Need to be awake to beg at her feet for scraps. Need to be awake to beg.

Having been thoroughly ignored by the muse, I turn to my other muses. The songs. They keep no schedule except the ones made by destiny. This one a hit, this one a fan’s favorite, this one destined for the bargain bin. I like to tempt fate. Hit random on the player and see what happens.

Of all songs, “Up All Night.” Thanks. Like I needed a reminder. My life remains truly ironic at times. The only way it could become stranger is if “Daysleeper” followed in Panic’s wake. It doesn’t. Instead, a clip from Mills’ birthday sled to hell fills my earbuds. I glance over at the picture sitting on my bookshelf. Our faces frozen for eternity in a photograph, mine a mixture of disbelief and happiness, his, well…who knows what Mills thinks. Mom keeps a copy as her computer background. I can’t. Mills finishes his speech about my inability to make the turntable work and I hear myself rebuke him. A small smile. It really was his fault.

It’s too late in the night for Hayride. I’m in a mood. Scanning the web for new tables, a lamp, queen sized bed frame for sale? The blinking line on the open Word document seems to taunt me. As long as it’s blinking, you have nothing to write. Nothing to say. Nothing to add. How ridiculous is that? With all the topics in the world, even pared and pruned down to just Athens music, you should find yourself swamped with ideas, words, pithy sayings, things that might look good on business cards, fun things to put on shirts.

NOTHING.

Damn little blinking line. I used to handwrite everything but I couldn’t read it. I still copy song lyrics manually. Something about writing them myself gives me ownership. They’re mine. “Raining in Athens” follows an uncharacteristically slow Critical Darlings song. 3:50. Have to leave the house by 7:45. The nap time won’t be worth it, I decide. You’re still blinking? Persistent little thing, aren’t you?

Okay Blue. Or Jordan or whatever name you’re going by tonight. You’ve got the Skirts playing now, there’s always something to write there right? I’m still at a loss. I’m updating my resume now. And look, more things to put in the contact database. More musician’s birthdays, record releases…Second nature excel skills after my internship days.

We’re going through the whole spectrum now. Chesnutt and Venice to Durrett and Chambers. I’m noticing my taste leaning towards the folksy and lyrical. So that’s where the muse has been. Dabbling in the dreams of Stipe, Bramblett, and Bell. Leaving me drowning in the wake, watching as the boat motors past, not offering so much as a life jacket tonight. Nothing but memories tonight, I’m afraid. “Electrolite” brings a hot June night, surrounded by a cell-phone starry sky. “Cool” dances in with a cold December morning. Remember that one time you did that one thing and nobody knew it was you? I wrote all those posts, saved them. Hid them. Too personal, too irrelevant tonight. 5:42.

Still looking at a blank page but I type the first thought that comes into my head. I wish I had an analog clock.

Guitarist Wanted

You may remember us talking about a band called "Witness the Apotheosis" here on AMJ. Well, they're looking for a guitarist. Zac's been describing themselves as New Wave/Industrial. Anywho, anyone aged 21 and over that's interested can find out more via the band's myspace.

Just thought I'd mention it.