I Got Stuck In An Elevator. No Kidding.

Not an elevator.

This morning I had the distinct pleasure of being trapped inside of an elevator for a half-hour. While I'm not claustrophobic by any means, the experience was, shall we say, not enjoyable. All that could run through my head was this:

 

True, it's the middle of a workday and the security people showed up pretty quickly but elevators are not like the Tardis. They are even smaller on the inside. Boo. Naturally, I got stuck in the basement with no phone signal (brilliant) so I was left with nothing but my thoughts. So what do I think about when just bored? Random stuff, I suppose. Pondering the imponderable.

1. R.E.M.'s new album and what's going to happen with their Warner Bros. Contract. If memory serves, this is the last one required on that mega deal they signed a while back.

2. GA Music Hall of Fame in Athens. I'm all for it. I'd work there if I could. I wonder though if some might try to make it TOO Athens centric. We've got ages and ages of GA music to build off of you know...

3. My socks. I left them in the dryer this morning. Dammit.

4. I picked the wrong day to not get coffee.

5. Dead Confederate had to cancel shows cause of a robbery. Major bummer. No one got hurt though so that's good at least.

6. The Truckers are sick as dogs right now while touring Europe. 

7. I need a new AMJ logo. *think think think*

8. Someone in the basement made cinnamon rolls. Great. Now I'm hungry and in an elevator.

9. Would R.E.M. make a good indie band? Did they ever stop being indie-oriented? Could they be indie? What is "indie" anymore, anyway?

10. Oh yeah, voting is today. 

11. What does this button do?

So, long story short, I spent more time asking questions than formulating answers. In the probable case that I do get stuck in that stupid lift again, I'd like some more things to think about. Lay 'em on me.

New Addiction: New Sound of Numbers

As with most Athens bands, New Sound of Numbers has undergone several transformations in the members department. A project that once included Randy Bewley and Will Cullen Hart, New Sound of Numbers is as fluid as water itself. And just as soothing at times.

The latest lineup boasts Jeff Tobias (of numerous Athens projects) and William Kennedy (Reptar) in addition to Kay of Casper and the Cookies, Vanessa (Pylon), John "I can play any instrument under the sun" Fernandes, Hannah Jones, Kathryn Refi, and Greg O'Connell. Talk about your massive projects.

Anywho, if experimental is your thing, then look no further. When that many creative minds get together, you never know what you're going to get. And each live performance will surely be different than the last. Make sure to catch the gang at Flicker on SATURDAY.

Thanksgiving, Collapse Style

It Happened Today. My great food coma experience. I was sitting there, dozing off, when all of a sudden...BAM! I'm in some sort of weird trance-like state. I felt like I needed to tell someone. Unfortunately for y'all, That Someone is You.....


There's so much food! Gosh, cranberries and stuffing and corn and casseroles... Oh My Heart! All of the kitchen utensils take on the smells of the food being cooked. Mine Smell Like Honey.

I think I ate too much. Way too much. So much food... I feel a food coma coming on. I'm delirious, speaking nonsense! Alligator Aviator Autopilot Antimatter... Uberlin....Me Marlon Brando Marlon Brando and I......


Woahkay.....time to Walk it Back a bit. Need to clear my head. It's nice being a Discoverer of other worlds for a bit but I'd like to spend some time in reality please. Maybe watch some football, watch the parade, or even just read a book.

Here's hoping that the economy doesn't have you feeling Blue. There's a lot to be thankful for, even if it's just the roof over your head and the people you have near. Just remember, Every Day is Yours to Win.

Wishing you All The Best,

The Crew at AthensMusicJunkie



Collapse Into Now Tracklisting, via the REM newsletter
1. Discoverer
2. All The Best
3. Uberlin
4. Oh My Heart
5. It Happened Today
6. Every Day Is Yours To Win
7. Alligator Aviator Autopilot Antimatter
8. Walk It Back
9. Mine Smell Like Honey
10. That Someone Is You
11. Me, Marlon Brando, Marlon Brando and I
12. Blue 

Weekly Show Picks

Anyone else around hear crickets? It's dead out there. Hope everyone takes care on holiday travels!

TONIGHT

The Melting Point

Normaltown Flyers

THURSDAY

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all.

FRIDAY

40 Watt

Drivin' N Cryin'

The Rattlers

Trances Arc

Melting Point

Deja Vu

Strawberry Flats

Variety Playhouse (ATL)

The Whigs

Futurebirds

Bambara

SATURDAY

Caledonia

Karbomb

Burns Like Fire

Pericles

So it Goes

40 Watt

The Agenda

Matt Kurz One

Grape Soda

Eureka California

MONDAY

Rye Bar

Summer More Than Others

TUESDAY

Sidewalk Symphonies

Yo Soybean!

UGA Accidentals

When There's Almost Absolutely Nothing To Do

Some of us at AMJ were pulling together this week's Show Picks when we remembered that this is the time of year that very little is actually going on. Yes, with most of the college crowd heading home for some turkey and various amounts of whatnot, many places just seem to shut down. Or at the very least, slow down. Now would be a great time for The Walking Dead to film a few scenes in Athens. It's a ghost town.

So what are those of us left here to do? Well, you can always go to the smattering of shows that will continue, pick up a local paper type thing and see what other events are going on, or even just go for a walk. I prefer to listen to all of my old favorite albums when I've got nothing else to do.

Must. Resist. Cheerfulness. Ack!

This one for example. I find that I keep coming back to Cosmic Thing as my all time favorite B-52 album. True, I could probably pick another one that has more songs that I love than CT but as far as I'm concerned, this is a "stranded on an island and can only bring a number of things" type record. It's cheery and yet there's some undercurrents there that have this nostalgic sadness to it.

.................

While I could never choose between Reveal and New Adventures, I'd have to say that NAIHF has made many more trips to my record player. You want something that you can close your eyes and dream to? This is it. Many bands make the "road trip" album but few records turn out so well. It's as brutal and harsh as the American west. Love it.

Rawr!

This album by the Skirts may be something they don't want to revisit much anymore but I'm a shameless fan. Catalogue is my "sick" album, meaning I throw it on anytime I'm not feeling well or am just exhausted. Surely everyone has one of those, right? Well, this is mine. The songs flow well into one another and lean towards that mid-tempo piano bliss I enjoy.

So what are some of your favorite rainy/sick/bored day albums?

5 Simple Rules For...

Naming Your Indie Rock Band

One of the most important things you can do for your band is to give it a crowning name of awesome. Your name is you, your fans, your music, everything! So do yourself a favor and think about it for a second. And if need be, take a look at a few tips for Naming Your Indie Rock Band.


Google It. 
Believe it or not, someone else may have come up with the name Satan's Spawn from the Necks of Youth. Or even worse, you may end up with a name that is nearly un-Googleable. Example: Television. Yes, they came up with that long before any of us had heard of the Google monster but that still doesn't change the fact that instead of Tom Verlaine you get a nice LG 32".

Glory.

Posters, Buttons, and Displays
This one is more about practicality than anything. How would your name look on a button? Would you have to resort to abbreviations or simple pictures instead? How about on the 40 Watt marquee? Remember that your future fans will only get a brief glimpse of your name on which they will judge everything about you. It is important that your name sound good, look good, and provide a draw.

"Free Beer" will work once before the all the venues will want to kill you.

Know The Trends.
Ever notice how all of a sudden a ton of bands all have similar sounding names? Like Wolf Parade, Wolf Eyes, Wolfmother.... THEY PLANNED IT! Yes, there's an ultra secret organization that you're not a part of that decides these things and then tells all its members what to name their bands. Last few years have been animal themes. Next Year? Body parts and food.

Somewhere Anus Full of Wasabi is doing a fist pump.

Radio. Television. And those people who don't like curse words.
You're hip and edgy and you want to show the world you mean business by naming your band something that would make your Nana blush with shame. You're thrilled at the idea of your mom hemming and hawing when trying to avoid telling the relatives the name of her son's band. Yeah, you're stoked. Know who isn't happy with your "edgy" name? Mainstream radio and tv, that's who. So go ahead and call yourself The F***ing Bastards of Shithead. Just remember that the FCC won't take too kindly to that and your chances of breaking through to the mainstream just shrunk.

Bad name but they got an 8.6 on Pitchfork! That means something, right?

 The Final Checklist
1. Does your band name sound like a thirteen year old boy came up with it cause it was cool?
2. Are you a thirteen year old boy?
3. If so, continue. If not, you may want to reconsider your life choices that led you to this point.
4. Rename band
5. Disagree with the guitarist about the deeper meaning behind said name
6. Rename band
7. Lose your drummer and bassist
8. Rename your band some variation of previous name
9. Launch your career
10. ???
11. Profit!
12. Sign a record deal
13. Rename band

Contest: It's My Birthday. You Win Stuff

I can't see myself at thirty.... well, not for a few more years at least. But YAY! Today's my birthday and you know what that means, right?!

PRESENTS!

FOR YOU! Yes, I'm giving away a prize pack of local cds to you as a birthday present. All you have to do is be the first to answer me these questions three. Then they're yours! Included is a record from Neutral Milk Hotel and a few more odds and ends. Just email your answers to athensmusicjunkie@gmail.com with the subject line "I Got Ya Something." 

1. Who writes the Flagpole weekly feature called "Threats and Promises"?

2. What's that guy's name who runs Happy Happy Birthday to Me and works at Wuxtry?

3. The bassist in Pylon's name.... What is it?

Good luck!

New Addiction: Crumbling Arches

Oh Arches, I'm so sorry I stumbled across you so late. But at least I'm on the boat, right? Figures I always manage to get in on the tail end of things.

Anyway, the Crumbling Arches is a poppy rock band in a town not really known for being keen on the pop as of late. Taking complex melodies and paring them with a radio-friendly sensibility is what these guys do best. They remind me of a heavier version of another late band, Leading Edge.

I'm a sucker for vocal harmonies and the Arches do not disappoint. Thankfully, they know when to tone it down and when to let the harmonies fly, unlike so many other pop bands. But there's the rock edge to them as well. Listen close and you can hear the guitar solos ripped from classic rock, a dancey bass, and a pummeling drumline here and there. Just awesome.

Check 'em out at their "Last Ever" show tonight at Farm 255. I really hope it's not the last....

Weekly Show Picks

TONIGHT

Eddie's Attic (Decatur)

Autumn Defense 

New Earth Music Hall

Last Comic Standing

The Classic Center

Lyle Lovett and His Large Band

Caledonia

Bridges and Powerlines

Eureka California

Bombs Bombs Bombs

THURSDAY

40 Watt Club

Ryan Francesconi

Joanna Newsom

Flicker

Dromedary (10th Anniversary)

Farm 255

Crumbling Arches (last show ever?!)

Hendershot's

Mary Sigalas

Rye Bar

Eddie and the Public Speakers

FRIDAY
40 Watt Club

Azure Ray

Dead Fingers

James Husband

Little Kings

Brad Heller and the Fustics

Ken Will Morton Band

Timber

Go Bar

Urbn Trbn

Georgia Bar
Wood Fangs

Truce

New Earth

Dj Kurt Wood

Dj Mahogany

Dj Suzy Q

 

SATURDAY
40 Watt Club

Maserati

DJ Z-Dog

Powers

Melting Point

The Splitz

Flicker

The Stonebreakers

Farm 255

Adam Klein Band

The Darnell Boys

MONDAY

Go Bar

Marvin and the Cloud Wall

Hendershot's

Beast Reunion

TUESDAY

Rye Bar

Sumilan

Athens Music News Roundup

LET'S PARTY IN ATHENS!

The B-52s will be playing Athens! Holy green colored cows! Yes, the original party people are returning to Athens on February 18, 2011 to play the Classic Center. Tickets for the event go on sale Friday, December 3rd. The lowest price starts at $39.50 so unless someone wants to throw me one for my birthday, I may have to sit this one out. Regardless, this will prove to be an awesome show and a very rare happening indeed. Thanks to Dan Matthews for the heads up!

Downtown Athens has a spiffy new website up and running. My current favorite feature is the calendar but I'm sure you'll find something awesome of your own while rummaging around. 

The 40 Watt Club was named one of the top ten greatest rock venues by Gibson. Link is here.

In other "We're Awesome" news, GQ named Athens one of the coolest small cities in America. Link right here.

Hey Elf Power! Let's play 20 Questions! What? You already did? Darn you Popmatters!!!

Buy Local this holiday season and you may win some money from Flagpole.

Nuci's Space is tax exempt!

The Drive-By Truckers are currently rambling around Europe but will return home January 13-15 for their premiere of the new album Go Go Boots. Today, the band launched a preview of Go Go Boot episodes. Check out the video below for a sneak peek.

Go-Go Boots Preview Episode - Drive-By Truckers from Drive-By Truckers on Vimeo.

In the non-music news arena, come out to Farm 255 on Monday for a special party celebrating the premiere of The Four Coursemen on the Cooking Channel. Our buddies Damien, Randy, and their crew have worked really hard so why not party hard with them? Congrats guys!

The Beatles are on iTunes for anyone who hasn't figured out how to rip your cds yet...

Dance Party. Friday. Video.

In super secret news, I'd be keeping an eye here on AMJ, our Facebook page, and Jordan's personal Twitter for a chance to win stuff on Friday. Just sayin'. 

Reflections on a Weekend Spent

Sometimes what I do is extremely frustrating. Creating content day after day has that kind of effect on a person, I suppose. It's easy to get burned out, to take the easy road, to wonder why you're doing this at all...And then you happen across something unexpected, maybe it's a new band that blows you away or (in my case) an art exhibit. BOOM. Suddenly, you're back in the mode, ready to create, itching to get to work.

Inspiration doesn't always have to come directly from the field we work in. Or at least not for me, anyways. My better half and I headed out to Cine to observe all the great work that Chris, Lester, and Dan have produced. Chris' photos lined the walls as you walked inside. Dan's work was showing in the Lab next door. But the bottleneck was caused by the one time only screening of Lance Bang's work. We were so fortunate to have Mr. Bangs himself present to bring context to the footage. And what footage it was!





And then came some very special stuff. A little bit of Arcade Fire, some Jeff Mangum action, and an all too brief sneak peek at a particular band (three letters) that had me going "We're not seeing this, we're not seeing this, Holy crap we're seeing this!" Consider me very intrigued.

Anyway, it was great fun getting to see so many of our good friends together in a single place for once. I'm constantly amazed at the sheer talent that surrounds me in this town. One look around the Cine lobby before the show would've revealed the best we've got in photography, videography, music, graphic design, website design, PR, management, and on and on and on. Pretty darn overwhelming.

It kinda makes you sit back for a second and reflect on what you've done. What have I made? Was it worth making? Is it worth the sleepless nights, the low-wage job, the constant strain and push and pull? Is it worth living out of your suitcase for going on six months now? Am I happy with what I've done? As I walked back to our car in the chill of the early evening, I already knew the answer. Everything I've done can only get better. I may not have twenty years of incredible work behind me like Chris and Lance and Dan but as many of my Flagpole commenters have pointed out, I can't get much worse! The Cine trio love what they do and it shows. I can only hope to harness my own passions so well.

Worth it?

Worth it.

This is AthensMusicJunkie. And this is what I do.

Pepperland Cabin Jam

Every once in a while, a benefit concert comes through that isn't for a UGA program. Such is the case for the Pepperland Cabin Jam, organized by our much beloved K.O. The music camp, based in North Carolina, may not be familiar to many of us here in Athens but I think you'll agree that it's a familiar and worthy cause.

The camp is a non-profit organization dedicated to getting kids aged 8 to 16 exposed to music and nature. Their mission? “to preserve and protect the natural state of the land for the kids to have for eternity by creating conservation easement with a local land trust and to provide a safe and positive growth experience for all children, especially those who are physically or emotionally challenged.”

The benefit on Saturday goes toward helping the program rebuild a cabin that burned down last year. In addition to a stellar lineup of musicians, there will be a silent auction featuring some signed artifacts from Athens music including pieces from R.E.M. and Widespread Panic.

Saturday morning, head to Bishop Park to see some of the Pepperland kids perform as well as Caroline Aiken and Carly Gibson. That night, the benefit at Last Call will feature a massive amount of artists from Miss Aiken and Carly to locals Carla LeFever and the Rays. Glenn Phillips, the High Strung String Band, Diane Durrett, Green Bracelet, the Squirrelheads, and Copious Jones will be sharing the stage, rocking out and generally having a great time.

So head on out to LAST CALL and get your music on while knowing that you're helping kids. I cannot stress how great these camps are. At least drop by for a bit. Warm fuzzies all around, people.

For more information on Pepperland Music Camp, click here.

Farewell Chris!

Badass.

There are two posters that hung on my wall that I never failed to get compliments on. Both happen to be the same brilliant blue color, augmented with striking black and white features. Both will soon be hanging in the AMJ office once more, framed, front and center. And both were designed by Chris Bilheimer.

The graphic designer has done a ton of my favorite designs. From the above poster to the now iconic bleeding heart grenade on Green Day's American Idiot. Neutral Milk Hotel's In an Aeroplane Over the Sea? He did that one too.

And as every news story about him mentioned, his website portfolio is ridiculously awesome. One glance is enough to make you cry out "I want this guy's career!". Seriously, if you can make your entire website nothing but screencaps of Letterman holding up your work, you've obviously done pretty well.

Alas, Chris is leaving town for another place out west. It's a pretty big deal. Flagpole, the Red and Black, and Athens Banner-Herald have all run stories on Master Bilheimer and his upcoming art show. Oh Austin, you lucky city, you. As you can tell, Athens is pretty reluctant to let the guy go but we're all pretty happy for him. And it's not like he's gone for good. Bilheimer will continue working for bands in town through the magic of the internet and may visit often as well.

So if you want a look back at some of the work Chris has done, make sure to be at CINE this Friday for his show with Lance Bangs (videos) and Dan Donahue (videos and design). The party kicks off at 6:30 pm. Saturday night, trot over to ATHICA for displays of posters, t-shirts and more. Some of the works will be auctioned off to benefit Nuci's. For more of Chris's poster designs, check out this link.

Best of luck, Chris!

Weekly Show Picks

May I just state for the record that this week is absolutely RIDICULOUS as far as shows go? Man, there's not just one must see show every night, it's more like AHHMUSTSEEEVEYRTHING! Yeah. So good luck pickin' and choosin'. I'm not exactly sure where I'll end up each night (with a few exceptions) but wherever it will be, at least the show will be awesome!

TONIGHT

Hendershot's

One Man Wednesday

Terrapin

Laura Meyer

THURSDAY

40 Watt

(shameless plug alert)

Yo Soybean!

Misfortune 5OO

Kite to the Moon

Farm 255

WUOGFEST 2010

Marshmallow Coast

Nesey Gallons

Sleeping Friends

Witches

Melting Point

Jerry Joesph and the Wally Ingram Duo

FRIDAY

40 Watt

Grape Soda

Deleted Scenes

Modern Skirts

Bad Manor

FOOTSTEPS Benefit SHOW

Doctor Squid

Leaving Araby

Lefty Hathaway

The Less

The Orkids

Go Bar

WUOGFEST 2010

Abandon the Earth Mission

Arturo in Letto

Immuzikation

Marriage

Yo Soybean

Hendershot's

BILL MALLONEE

SATURDAY

Ten Pins Tavern

The Heathens

Boo Ray and Friends

Fester Haygood

170 Virginia Ave.

Firefly Brew Benefit for Cucuyo Art Program

Emily Hearn

Ryan Monahan

Kate Morrisey

40 Watt

WUOGFEST 2010

Venice is Sinking

Reptar

Oryx and Crake

Green Gerry

Bigfoot

Caledonia

Flash to Bang Time

Tunabunny

Kevin Dunn and the Common Article III

Last Call 

PEPPERLAND CABIN JAM

Caroline Aiken

Carla LeFever and the Rays

Copious Jones

Diane Durrett

Carly Gibson

Glenn Phillips Band

Green Bracelet

High Strung String Band

The Squirrelheads

MONDAY

Rye Bar

Only Living Boy

TUESDAY

Go Bar

Matt Kurz One

Little Kings

Justin Evans

Kaitlin Jones and Chris Cason

White Tiger

SIDEWALK SYMPHONIES

Pholksinger's Bluegrass Pickin' Circle

Welfare Liners

Coffee! Coffee! Coffee! Music! Coffee!

Last night as we were hanging up fliers for an upcoming show, I ran into this neat little place called Hendershot's. Flung far away from the main stretch of town, it seemed a like just your average coffee joint. I found it a little odd that something like this would be over on the Westside of town but then again, having the Transmet over there is odd as well.

Anyway, I got a chance to talk to one of the workers there who explained that Hendershot's is a coffee bar that serves wine and beer along with a bit of music. A westside venue? Yup. They've got open mic Mondays and a pretty solid schedule of music throughout the week. Finally, a place off the main drag where you can get some quality sound! And I'm not just saying that cause Bill Mallonee is playing this week (though that may have a little to do with it).

So rejoice all ye outside of the loop dwellers! Entertainment is not far away! I have yet to try the coffee but it smelled awesome. YAY!

I Walked With A Zombie, I Ran From A Zombie

We interrupt this regularly scheduled AthensMusicJunkie post to inform you of the imminent zombie apocalypse. At approximately 6:14 pm last night, an infected individual was spotted in Athens, GA baring the trademark signs of a zombie attack. This individual had numerous wounds, several of which were covered by a large bandanna. Residents of Athens have been warned to stay vigilant and be on the lookout for any suspicious bandanna wearing zombies. Recommended methods of avoiding zombies include socks and running in the other direction as fast as humanly possible.

Long live the humans!

For more details on the student Human vs. Zombie war, check out this here link. :)

Athens Music News Roundup

ATL 2008, Jordan Stepp

More details about R.E.M.'s Collapse into Now have arrived.  Mills discussed the album with several music news outlets, dropping hints at the new sound and tracklisting. Patti Smith guests on a song called "Blue," Eddie Vedder sings on "It Happens Today," and Peaches on a song that includes the word "alligator" in the title. Other song titles on the 12 track album include "Walk it Back," a piano ballad, rocker "All the Best" featuring Mills and Stipe on lead vocals (YES!), and "Every Day is Yours to Win." The new album is expected in Spring 2011 and was produced by Jacknife Lee. Part of the recording took place in the exact same studio in Germany where U2 recorded Achtung, Baby! Nagging questions: What's the release date and isn't this the last album on the Warner contract the band signed for a reported $70 million? 

Speaking of Are We Them, the fire that damaged Rick the Printer's old place near the R.E.M. Steeple on Oconee was apparently caused by a portable heater and a can of fuel presumably left there by "vagrants" using the space for shelter. Bummer.

Elf Power, James Husband, Jason Isbell, Twin Tigers, and Mass Solo Revolt are all appearing on a tribute album to Guided By Voices.

Speaking of tributes, Ruby Isle is covering Guns N' Roses's Appetite for Destruction. You can hear their take on "Paradise City" here. 1987 FTW! I should throw in a Mighty Boosh quote here but I'll pass.

WUOGfest. It's coming.

Gift Horse starts its East Coast Tour today.

Remember how we had those awesome Halloween videos and Widespread Panic had dressed up in them? Well, here's some pics of their 2010 Halloween show along with a review!

And here's a fun interview with B-52s Fred Schneider about his new project and his Christmas album!

In non-music news, Toys for Tots drive starts this Saturday.

And that's the news from around the web. Remember, if you've got some juicy news tidbits, email athensmusicjunkie@gmail.com.

CD Review: Kenosha Kid

By Alex Tank

Early in 2010, something magical was happening at the Flicker Theatre in downtown Athens, GA. Even if you caught one of those subtly electrifying Monday night shows, you were probably unaware that your enthusiasm might become a part of Kenosha Kid’s live work entitled Land of Obey out on Nowt Records.


The album’s cover should give the listener a hint. Nine little portholes give a glimpse into Land of Obey, with its mythical soundscapes punctuated by effortlessly fiery guitar from budding master Dan Nettles, silky and profound bass underpinnings from the ever-steady Neal Fountain, and artful staccato striding from technically-astute drummer Marlon Patton.

After years of stage time, these three players are so well-versed in one another’s vocabulary that each part is complimentary at heart – generosity is the norm, egos non-existent. On the album’s highlight, ‘Muddy Waters’, guitarist Dan Nettles deftly fools with a dark, bluesy entrance that evolves into something far more vast, innovative and intriguing beyond its humble Delta beginnings.

Later on, ‘Take What You Want’ shows some of Kenosha Kid’s famous versatility, lilting along with a slight alt. country / rock twinge albeit with a tight grip on the inherent swinging soul that keeps much of the set tenuously rooted in modern jazz foundations.

All genre tags aside, Land of Obey is a brilliant work borne of inventive melodies and inspiring arrangements, all left to simmer and meld within the recording’s live space. Eclectic folk / jazz artist Dan Hicks famously wrote, “Favorites on the jukebox are only half the show…” in a lyrical reference to the shortcomings of “canned music”. In an era of Autotune and heavy-handed studio trickery, one of the South’s most talented improvisational / instrumental bands, Kenosha Kid, has circumvented this pitfall, and listen y’all, the results are breathtakingly alive!

Alex Tank is a contributing writer for AMJ and creator of res ipsa loquitor. You can find an extended version of his review at his site.

Weekly Show Picks

Man, is it raining or what? Always nice to have a little bit of a shower here and there. Now take your pick of shows to go see tonight, stomping through the rain like oh so many little ducks. 

TONIGHT

Caledonia

Hot Cha Cha

Flesh and Blood

Farm 255

Dead Dog

Hot New Mexicans

Witches

THURSDAY

40 Watt

Ok Go

Samuel

Those Darlins

Farm 255

Nuclear Spring

The Humms

Mermaids

Runaway Suns

Flicker Theatre

Elf Power

Jacob Morris

FRIDAY

40 Watt

Man or Astroman?

Fiend Without a Face

Barnette's

Bloodkin

Nuci's Space

Up Until Now

WildKard

SATURDAY

Caledonia

Abandon the Earth Mission

Qurious

Flicker

Lovers

Christopher Becerra

Matt Strossel

Tin Cup Phrophette

Jeremy Wheatley

Little Kings

Justin Evans

Adam Klein

Melting Point

Brad Downs and the Poor Bastard Souls

William Tonks

Adam Payne

TUESDAY

Caledonia

Native Kid

Artists of War

Dylan Gilbert

Falcones

New Addiction: Mad Whisky Grin

Ah, Mad Whisky Grin. A pure blend of swamp-tinged slide and mournful folk. I can't begin to tell you how often I've thrown on some MWG during a dark fall night, wishing I had some sort of fire going. If music could be tied to a location, I firmly believe that Grin would be a cold fall bonfire in the middle of the woods, with little animals darting in and out of the scene.

When I first got into MWG, the cd I had just featured Frank on guitar and vocals. Since then, I've run across the songs that include Nancy on vocals. It's an improvement for sure. Her vibrato shimmers and shines, giving a high end to a spectrum that tends towards the understated.

Rumor is that Frank's slide is made from an old shotgun barrel. The style he employs ranges from the previously mentioned slide guitar to finger picking. Truly, you could listen to just Frank jam on the guitar for a while and be ok. But then Nancy's vocals kick in and WOW. Do yourself a favor and take a listen. 

Check Out Mad Whisky Grin tonight at Kelly's Jerk Wings.

News Break: Oconee Street Fire

 The red building next to the "R.E.M. Steeple" caught fire sometime early this morning, according to the Athens Banner Herald. The fire is currently under investigation but a call about it was placed around 3:30 a.m.

Those who have been around long enough probably know the building as the old print shop. You could look out from the Steeplechase apartments and see it sitting out there, looking all mysterious and worn out. Once upon a time, it had some apartments in it as well, if memory serves.

And yeah, many of us have gone inside that building to poke around a bit. Something about an abandoned building with an open door invites a visit, no? 

The steeple was not harmed at all but this fire is a sobering reminder of how little time is left to protect and preserve buildings around town. All it takes is a small fire to burn down a lot of memories.