March 09, 2006
Silver Jews, Wilco, Durrett, Metric, Dark Meat
Longtime rockers Silver Jews embark on first proper tour: The most interesting curiosity surrounding Nashville-based Silver Jews is that, despite being a band born in 1989, they have never enjoyed (or endured) a proper tour - until now (Friday, 40 Watt). Celebrating the release of 2005's acclaimed "Tanglewood Numbers" (Drag City), and a host of personal victories (namely abated addiction), singer-songwriter David Berman has extinguished his anti-peripatetic position. Full story.
Wilco makes a stop in Athens on latest tour: Wilco (tonight, Classic Center) last played in Athens at the Classic Center Theatre on Nov. 1, 2002, and many things have happened to the band since then. As Chicago Tribune journalist Greg Kot said on the 2003 DVD "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart (A Film About Wilco)," "I see a band here that is really ambitious, artistically. It's not a VH1 'Behind The Music' story. It's not a drugs-groupies-celebrity kind of story at all. This band's story is the music. ... The appreciation for its records is going to increase as time goes on." Full story.
Liz Durrett finds home in sophomore album, "The Mezzanine": When the Rolling Stones play "Satisfaction" in 2006 or Bob Dylan trots out "Blowin' in the Wind" for the 4,794th time, they're essentially covering themselves. Far-removed from the artists who first recorded those songs, they may as well be different people entirely. Liz Durrett's (Saturday, 40 Watt) songs aren't classic rock standards, but she knows what it's like to be an oldies act of sorts. Full story.
Metric proportions: Jimmy Shaw, guitarist for the Toronto-based band Metric, sees similarities between the musical landscapes in his hometown and in Athens. "It's a supportive scene," says Shaw, whose band will visit the 40 Watt Club on Monday. "I've found it amazing. I lived for a long time in New York City and the scene was never like that, no matter how much I wanted it to be. There's a healthy dose of competitive qualities, but it should end at a heavy dose. There's a real misconception that there are only a few spots for successful bands." Full story.
Athens' Dark Meat serves up a buffet of musicians: Dark Meat is a big band, as most Athens music fans are well aware. In fact, says the band's bassist, Ben Clack, the Polyphonic Spree-size number of members is one of the things everyone asks about. "We call it a family band," he says. "It's kind of a weird association with old psychedelic bands. Every single person in our group, regardless of contribution, is equally important. This is what we want to share with people." They play next Wednesday at the 40 Watt. Full story.