athensmusic.com

Happy birthday, Cindy (and much more)

Cindy Wilson (pictured) of the B-52's celebrates a birthday today.

On March 22, The Melting Point will be serving Hot Buttered Rum. Download a recent San Francisco gig here and read about a recent Seattle show here.

Thunder King is a fledgling stoner rock outfit from Athens. They recently performed on-air during 90.5 FM's "Loud Fast Rules!" program. Listen to their only song, a 20-minute sludge rock soundscape here. Support stoner rock. Tune in tonight to catch Coulier.

The Chasers, Count, Electa-Villian, and ex-Athenian Kitty Snyder will be performing at the Atlanta Dogwood Festival this year (April 7-9). The complete line-up here.

The Birmingham News Website al.com (Everything Alabama) shares, "5 Things to Know about Bain Mattox."

This Live Journal(ist) has developed an interesting mathematical/musical equation to solve for Of Montreal.

Tuesday 02.28.06

• 40 Watt: Ceramic Dvck, Dynamite Club, Talibam!
• Georgia Bar: Ralph Roddenbery.
• Tasty World: Virginia Coalition, Florez.
•: Wild Wing Cafe: Mad Margritt.

Some thoughts on Cinemechanica, et al

Local musician Taylor Northern offered up the following review of a recent Cinemechanica show:

When I was a ripe, young fledgling entering UGA my first year I was slightly intimidated. I knew that there was a vast and immense music scene in Athens and that the music scene in Athens had lots of potential just waiting to be tapped. However, I did not know any musicians to bond with and I had no clue where to start. I remember reading a little bit about math rock and the "hipster" scene and I figured I'd try to find some musicians there and make some connections.

After quickly flipping the pages of a dusty, old Flagpole, I saw that the ultra mathy and calculated group Coulier was having a concert at the small hole in the wall joint the Caledonia Lounge on the weekend. My friend Jonathan and I decided we would check out the show in the hopes of meeting some new people, but more importantly gaining consciousness about some new and innovative groups in Athens. ...

As we walked into the dimly lit and smoky Caledonia Lounge, I had no clue of what to expect. I recall a group named Serka opening up for Coulier, everything they played seemed like poorly constructed noise, and unshapely fragments of what should have been Omar Rodriguez Lopez's guitar licks. In other words, I was not the least bit impressed by "math-rock" or "avant-garde rock" when I first heard it. When Coulier took the stage, it wasn't really them. The musicians involved in We Versus the Shark and Cinemechanica took the stage and played their songs for them as the real Coulier sat back and pumped their bodies with liquid courage.

As I watched We Versus the Shark and Cinemechanica play Coulier songs the more I realized how much music was actually written and I could tell the musicians had taken time to sit and develop their songs. No matter how artsy and avant-garde the music was, I still admired the fact that all of the groups involved in that concert cared about their music enough to try to develop and mold a sound that was unique to what was being crafted in today's rock industry.

Fast forward a year later and now I've become a sort of We Versus the Shark and Cinemechanica addict, constantly taking in the sonorous math rock frequencies that are pumping through my dark speakers. Now I've become acquainted with the music of these groups and I happily look forward to their show at the 40 Watt club. When I finally arrive at the 40 Watt to see the show I am excited at how many people have turned up to see the bands. Cinemechanica and Iron Hero were having their dual CD release party and We Versus was opening.

I'd seen We Versus about five or six times before this show, but each time is unique and brings a new experience. All of the members of that group have a strong love and conviction for what they're doing musically and all of those emotions are emitted onstage. The show at the 40 Watt was no different. We Versus puts one hundred percent into every show and they did an amazing job. Cinemechanica and Iron Hero also played very energetic and frenetic shows as usual and the crowd went wild. To be honest, the show at the 40 Watt was not that distinctive from other Cinemechanica shows. However, Cinemechanica's objectives as a group became very clear to me that night.

I want to make a bold stand and quickly express my current music philosophy. Currently the music industry is run by corporate bigwigs who do not take much time helping new and innovative groups shape their sounds and letting them mature. They want a quick and simple musical product that is easy to sell. With that being said, Cinemechanica is definitely a rock group that does not fit well into any conventional categories. They are forging a new sound, but they are carefully setting boundaries and terms as to what defines this new sound. They are being non-traditional and it is that same radical outlook on life and music that makes up the core of rock music. Therefore, the show at the 40 Watt was not just any ordinary CD release party at the 40 Watt. From a very broad vantage point, it might have appeared to be. However, it was really a profound musical and social statement in addition to being a celebration of rock music and commemorative to the great rock heroes of yesteryear who conquered new ground.

Monday 02.27.06

• Go Bar: Jena Paradies.
• Globe: Drew Ward.
• Tasty World: Community Chaos, Unavox, Angels on Acid, Last Car in Alaska.

Click away the time

Peter Buck's other band, The Minus Five, won't be in town until April 1. Their latest album reviewwed here.

John Keane was not in the Bahamas with WSP.

Visit An Aquarium Drunkard right now. There are recent posts about Vic Chesnutt and Joseph Plunket and plenty of Athens msuic on the radio blog (including Daniel Hutchens and DBT).

Silver Jews March 10th at the 40 Watt. Filter reviews "Tanglewood Numbers" here.

RAQ rolling through town

Thanks to Jambase for giving us the skinny on rock-quartet RAQ (pictured), scheduled to perform at the Georgia Theatre Wednesday, March 1. Little Green Chairs opens. Speaking of LGC the local jamband is boasting a slick new Web site these days AND has a few high-profile dates on the horizon. In addition to next week's Theatre gig, LGC has announced they'll partake in the South Carolina Family Gathering this June and the Shakori Hills GrassRoots Fest in April.

Here's more about RAQ: RAQ, the dynamic rock quartet from Burlington, Vermont, is hitting the road once again for a tour throughout the East Coast. Self described as "high performance rock and roll," RAQ's music features infusing live performances, kinetic improvisations and powerfully charged riffs, delighting the senses of the most discerning rock and roll aficionado. ...

RAQ developed their unique sound five years ago playing to ardent fans in local Burlington clubs. Their music has matured with age and experience and has evolved into a sound that is both retro and cutting-edge to a generation of grassroots music fans. They have performed at many of North America's highest profile venues and festivals including Tennessee's Bonnaroo Music Festival, Langerado Music Festival, moe-down as well as Gathering of the Vibes. They've graced the stages at The Great American Music Hall, have supported moe. at The Tabernacle Theater in Atlanta and sold out the famed BB King's in New York City. Last summer RAQ held their very own festival, the Lew Au, where over 600 fans were treated to a weekend of music and camping in New Woodstock, New York.

Their tour continued throughout the Northeast in early February. From there the group heats things up in warmer climates with shows in Georgia, Florida and the Carolinas.

Friday 02.24.06, Saturday 02.25.06

Friday:
• ATHICA: hope for agoldensummer, Diet Rock Star, Sock Monkey Wrench, Thimble Circus.
• Boar's Head: Matt Wink.
• Caledonia: Engineering, Tora Tora Tora, Colour Revolt.
• DT's: Buffalo Alice, The Edison Project.
• Eastwood Pub: Mike Watson Band & Tommy Crain.
• Farm 255: Squat.
• Flicker: Sleepy Horses.
• 40 Watt: Sara O'Brien Band, Don McClosky, Heidi Hensley, Brian Connell & the Dickens.
• Georgia Theatre: Corey Smith, Grayson Hill, Brantley Gilbert.
• Hot Corner Coffee: Sweet Tooth Simpleton & the Simple Tones.
• JR's Baitshack: John Thrasher.
• Last Call: Suburban Camoflauge, Crazy Anglos, 23 Jinx.
• Little Kings: Ham 1, Mandy Jane & the Jaws of Life,
• Melting Point: Robert Fripp.
• Mercury Lounge: Would-Be Farmers.
• The Ritz: Countdown to Ectasy.
• Tasty World: Trances Arc, Count, Tentonic.

Saturday:
• Caledonia: Ceramic Duck, Ahleuchatistas, Subversivo!
• DT's: The Family, Liquid Sundrop, Nelo.
• Flicker: Magic Missile.
• 40 Watt: Krush Girls, I Am The World Trade Center, Twin Powers.
• Georgia Theatre: Beyond Tomorrow, Helios, Whim.
• JR's Baitshack: Holman Autry Band.
• Last Call: Tom Petty Tribute Band.
• Little Kings: Short Road Home.
• Melting Point: KARE Benefit with Randall Bramblett, Hackensaw Boys, Little Brown Peach.
• Mercury Lounge: Billy Batts Trio.
• Nuci's Space: Bo Bedingfield & the Wydelles, Adam Klein.
• Tasty World: Ruse, Rhythm Token, Joel Rush.

Stipe to headline 'Bring 'Em Home' concert

NEW YORK (AP) — Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan and R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe will headline a New York concert to urge the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

The "Bring 'Em Home Now!" concert will be held at the Hammerstein Ballroom on March 20, the third anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. Rufus Wainwright and Bright Eyes also will perform, it was announced Wednesday.

Rock band R.E.M. is based in Athens, Ga. ...

Sheehan, who camped outside President Bush’s ranch in Texas last year to protest the Iraq war, will speak during the concert. Her 24-year-old son, Casey, was killed in Iraq in 2004.

Chuck D, Fischerspooner, Peaches, Steve Earle and Devendra Banhart also are scheduled to perform.
"It is impossible not react to the current state of affairs through personal action and artistic production," Casey Spooner of Fischerspooner said in a statement.

Organizers said the concert will be followed by a national "Bring 'Em Home Now!" speaking tour that will feature Sheehan and various authors traveling to 15 U.S. cities in April.

Beyond Tomorrow, BRMC, Fripp

Beyond Tomorrow goes from open mic to arena shows in its first year together: It's a big step from open mic night in the basement of the Washington Street Tavern to opening for Bon Jovi at Philips Arena in Atlanta, but it was all in a week's work for Athens band Beyond Tomorrow. The University of Georgia-based quartet - which came together a little more than a year ago - earned the coveted warm-up slot for Bon Jovi on Jan. 17 by winning a contest on Atlanta radio station Star 94 after bassist Alec Wooden submitted one of the band's songs on a lark. Full story.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club considers the conditions: Using counter-culture imagery from the 1950s, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (playing at the 40 Watt tonight) has a message for this modern world: Pay attention, pay for what you like and speak out. Full story.

Fanning Fripp's flames: Fans of Robert Fripp are a devoted bunch, if their online activities are any indication. The degree of analysis and discussion directed at the well-known guitarist, best known for his work with King Crimson, is incredible. Fripp performs Friday at the Melting Point. His stop in Athens is part of his "Soundscapes" concert series. Playing solo, surrounded with a rack of sound manipulation devices, he explores tones and mood in his songs, which often stretch to 10 or 15 minutes. Full story.

This will keep you busy for a while

At last! Dubconscious in the national spotlight.

LHB's recent Bittorrent Brunches featured beloved Athenians. Of Montreal's 2-18-06 Orlando performance was posted on February 21 and Elf Power's 11-23-05 ATL performance was posted on the 22nd.

Tennessee blues outfit at JR's this Friday. The R&B has the scoop.

The current issue of Georgia Music Magazine reviews recent releases from Bain Mattox, Bloodkin, and Ken Will Morton.

A review of Pat Metheny's recent Melting Point performance here.

Win tickets to Langerado (Sunrise, Florida - March 11-12) and catch the Drive-By Truckers rubbing elbows with Buckethead, Ben Harper, and Secret Machines.

Michael Houser's "Sandbox" reviewed here.

For more info on the Serge Gainsbourg tribute album featuring a track from Michael Stipe I recommend clicking this.

This blogger shares her experience (and pics) of recent Bain Mattox show in South Carolina.

Thursday 02.23.06

• Caledonia: Andrew Nelson & the Shotgun Lovers, The High Caliber, Manchester Orchestra.
• DT's: Renegade Sound System, Solution 7.0.
• Flicker: Kenosha Kid.
• 40 Watt: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Elefant, Voyager One.
• JR's Baitshack: Chris Anderson.
• Last Call: Matt Wink, Fish Position, The Immaculate.
• Lunch Paper: The Brothers Gore, Chop Top, Of Legend.
• Melting Point: Tinsley Ellis.
• No Where Bar: Thelonious.
• Tasty World: 6 p.m. - Wesley Cook, Bart King & Taylor Marsh, Parker's Rich.

Taking a break

For regular readers, we won't be posting anything else until the 23rd. I'm going out of town to a newspaper conference, where, among other things, AMdC is up for an award. See you soon.

DCB

Cinemechanica/Iron Hero, Trey Wright, Orthrelm

CD release parties for Cinemechanica and Iron Hero bring on the rock: A pair of Athens bands will celebrate the release of their inaugural full-length albums with a CD release party Friday night at the 40 Watt - Iron Hero's "Safe as Houses" and Cinemechanica's "The Martial Arts," from its own Hello Sir label. The show also will feature fellow Hello Sir band We Versus The Shark, who are expected to release the follow-up to their 2003 debut "Ruin Everything!" in the fall. Full story.

Squat's Trey Wright releases solo CD: While Trey Wright's first solo album is titled "Where I'm Coming From," the record tries to explain where he has been. Wright is a jazz guitarist who wears many hats: He plays in Squat, teaches at LaGrange College, Kennesaw State University, the Atlanta Institute of Music, is a Jazz Artist in Residence at the University of Georgia and has a book coming out this year. Full story.

D.C.-based Orthrelm goes in to come out: For the fair-weather fan, the music of the Washington, D.C.-based, post-hardcore guitar and drums duo Orthrelm (playing at Caledonia tonight) defies classification. Guitarist Mick Barr (ex-Crom-Tech) explains it like this: "Right now, if I was talking to my mom or a relative who really didn't know much about music, I'd just say that it sounds like a heavy-metal solo. To other people, I'd say it's like trancy-death metally." Full story.

A Solid Gold Saturday night

A note from Mark of The Bearfoot Hookers:

The Bearfoot Hookers will be hosting the second edition of Solid Gold Saturday Night at Tasty World on Saturday, February 18. This semi-regular show brings together bands with a love of classic country music and aims to create a honky-tonk atmosphere to Athens for one night.

The lineup for this show features some legendary Athens musicians and promises to be an entertaining, foot stompin’, hold your drink in the air affair.

Opening the night will be Junkyard Angels, a new group featuring Athens’ heavy hitters Stewart Marshall (Stewart & Winfield), Rick Williams (Parch Bench Trio, Bloodkin), AJ Adams (S&W, Cosmic Charlie), Scotty Rahn (Monkey Man), and David Nickel (S&W, Bloodkin). ...

Next up will be Workhorses of the Entertainment and Service Industry with Athens longtimers William Tonks, Rob Keller, and Ben Reynolds. Workhorses have just released their new album and are making a stir.

Rounding out the show will be The Bearfoot Hookers who will pull from the country side of their repertoire. Expect tales of truck driver love gone wrong, romance at the Waffle House, and too many late nights at too many bars with too many empty bottles on the floor.

Part of the tradition of Solid Gold Saturday Night is a sing-along at the end of the evening, when the Hookers will invite any and all of the night's performers on stage to help with some classic country standards. Considering the talent that will be in the room, this will be a thing to behold.

That’s Solid Gold Saturday Night ... Saturday, February 18 at Tasty World. Show starts around 10pm.

Thank you,

Mark Durfield
The Bearfoot Hookers

Thursday 02.16.06

• Caledonia: Orthrelm, Colossus.
• Flicker: Mark Brut.
• 40 Watt: Bling the Children Back Home, Velveteen Pink, Aerial Tribe.
• Georgia Theatre: Purple Revolution.
• Last Call: Rhythm Token, Shady Boys.
• Lunch Paper: Empty Face, Horrible Idea, Potatoes.
• Melting Point: Pat Metheny Trio.
• No Where Bar: Little Green Chairs.

Wednesday 02.15.06

• Caledonia: Mother Jackson, The Poles, Garbage Island.
• Flicker: Don Chambers + GOAT, Donny Cash & June Carter Grass.
• 40 Watt: Air Guitar Championship.
• Georgia Bar: Rick Williams' Blues Olympics.
• Georgia Theatre: Elemental Harmonics, Infradig.
• Melting Point: Pat Metheny Trio.
• Mercury Lounge: Ghost Dad the Robot.
• Tasty World: early: Chip Houston, Jonah Sage; late: IKON: Morning Star.

Riser, Of Montreal, Sloan, Elf Power

Summer Hymns bassist and all around interesting fella' Chris Riser has unveiled side-project Magovista on Myspace. Hear a song about a time traveling spaceman, or something to that effect here.

Of Montreal covers Bowie, The Beatles, Velvet Underground and more here.

Sloan Simpson (the hardest working man in showbiz) gets a shout-out from LBH for taping the Undertow Orchestra at the 40 Watt (2-10-06) and the 2-11-06 Bittorrent Brunch features Patterson Hood & the Screwtopians and Vic Chesnutt, and a previously offered Elf Power set.

You know this. Old news. You're going. I envy you. The Shins invited Elf Power (and The Black Keys and Dungen and The Decemberists and...) to All Tommorrow's Parties.

Tuesday 02.14.06

• Caledonia: Annie & Her Guns, Big Gray, A Fir Ju Well.
• Farm 255: "Tuesday Night Jazz."
• 40 Watt: Detroit Cobras, Reigning Sound, The Weight.
• Georgia Bar: Ralph Roddenbery.
• Georgia Theatre: Tommy Valentine, Marvelous Rejectionz, The Renegadez, Rockwell Jones, Thievs of Always, Grand Finale, Bezy & Badkat.
• Melting Point: Leslie Helpert.
• No Where Bar: Liquid Sundrop.
• Tasty World: Taylor Hollingsworth, Richard Sherfey, Blueline.

'In the Sun' credits

When I got Michael Stipe's "In the Sun" EP, released this week as a benefit for Gulf Coast relief, I was curious as to who was playing what on each track. But I couldn't find the credits anywhere. So the fine folks at REMHQ forwarded them to us and they're presented below.

More about the project here. I'd also encourage you to buy it through iTunes. It's only $4.95, and of course the money goes to a great cause.

"IN THE SUN "
CREDITS
As of 01/26/06

"In The Sun"

IN THE SUN [Gulf Coast Relief] --MICHAEL STIPE [feat. CHRIS MARTIN]

Written by: Joseph Arthur
Publishing: Real World Music, Ltd.
(c) (p) 2006 In the Sun Foundation

Michael Stipe: vocals
Chris Martin: vocals
James Iha: guitars, synth, glockenspiel
Joseph Arthur: bass, guitar, backing vocal, tambourine
Adam Schlesinger: piano
Kevin March: rhythm loops/percussion ...

Produced by: James Iha and Michael Stipe
Engineered by Geoff Sanoff
Vocals Engineered and Track Mixed by Andy LeMaster at
Chase Park Transduction in Athens, GA.
Additional engineering by: Mark Plati, Rudyard Lee Cullers
Recorded at Stratosphere Sound, NYC
Mastered at Sterling Sound by Ted Jensen

Michael Stipe appears courtesy of Warner Bros. Records
Chris Martin appears courtesy of Capitol Records
Joseph Arthur appears courtesy of 14th Floor Records

*******************************

IN THE SUN JAW Breakers REMIX --MICHAEL STIPE [feat. CHRIS MARTIN, mix by JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE & WILL.I.AM]

Written by: Joseph Arthur
Publishing: Real World Music, Ltd.
(c) (p) 2006 In the Sun Foundation

Michael Stipe: vocals
Chris Martin: vocals
Justin Timberlake: background vocals, piano
will.i.am: rhodes
James Iha: guitars, synth, glockenspiel
Joseph Arthur: bass, guitar, backing vocal, tambourine
Keith Harris: piano
George Pajon Jr: guitar
Adam Deitch and Mike Shapiro: drums
Matt Morris: acoustic guitar

Produced by: The JAW Breakers (Justin Timberlake and will.i.am)
Mixed by: Ethan Willoughby
Remixed By: The JAW Breakers (Justin Timberlake and will.i.am)
Engineered by: Padraic Kerin and Azuolas Sinkevicius
Recorded at The Chicago Recording Company, Chicago, IL/Sony Studios, New York, NY/Chung King Studios, New York, NY
Mixed at Encore Studios, Burbank, CA & Glenwood Place Studios, Burbank, CA
Mastered at Bernie Grundman Mastering by Brian Gardner

Michael Stipe appears courtesy of Warner Bros. Records
Chris Martin appears courtesy of Capitol Records
Justin Timberlake appears courtesy of Jive Records
will.i.am appears courtesy of will.i.am music group/A&M Records
Joseph Arthur appears courtesy of 14th Floor Records

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
IN THE SUN MIX 3 --MICHAEL STIPE [feat. JOSEPH ARTHUR]

Written by: Joseph Arthur
Publishing: Real World Music, Ltd.
(c) (p) 2006 In the Sun Foundation

Michael Stipe: vocals
Joseph Arthur: vocals, bass, guitar, tambourine
James Iha: guitars, synth, glockenspiel
Adam Schlesinger: piano
Kevin March: rhythm loops/percussion

Produced by: James Iha and Michael Stipe
Mixed by: Geoff Sanoff
Engineered by Geoff Sanoff
Additional engineering by: Mark Plati, Rudyard Lee Cullers
Recorded and mixed at Stratosphere Sound, NYC
Mastered by: Pat Kraus at WEA Studios

Michael Stipe appears courtesy of Warner Bros. Records
Joseph Arthur appears courtesy of 14th Floor Records

************************************

IN THE SUN MIX 4 --MICHAEL STIPE

Written by: Joseph Arthur
Publishing: Real World Music, Ltd.
(c) (p) 2006 In the Sun Foundation

Michael Stipe: vocals
James Iha: guitars, synth, glockenspiel
Joseph Arthur: bass, guitar, tambourine
Adam Schlesinger: piano
Kevin March: rhythm loops/percussion

Produced by: James Iha and Michael Stipe
Mixed by: Geoff Sanoff
Engineered by Geoff Sanoff
Additional engineering by: Mark Plati, Rudyard Lee Cullers
Recorded and mixed at Stratosphere Sound, NYC
Mastered at Sterling Sound by Ted Jensen

Michael Stipe appears courtesy of Warner Bros. Records
Joseph Arthur appears courtesy of 14th Floor Records

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

IN THE SUN MIX 5 --MICHAEL STIPE/COLDPLAY [RECORDED LIVE AT AUSTIN CITY LIMITS]

Written by: Joseph Arthur
Publishing: Real World Music, Ltd.
(c) 2006 In the Sun Foundation
(p) 2006 Capitol Texas Public Telecommunications Council

Recorded from: Austin City Limits, KLRU-TV
Producer: Terry Lickona
Director: Gary Menotti
Audio Director: David Hough
Audio Mixer: Dan Green
Mastered by: Pat Kraus at WEA Studios

Michael Stipe appears courtesy of Warner Bros. Records
Coldplay appears courtesy of Capitol Records

****************************************
IN THE SUN MIX 6 --FREE ACOUSTIC COUCH REHEARSAL MICHAEL STIPE/JOSEPH ARTHUR

Written by: Joseph Arthur
Publishing: Real World Music, Ltd.
(c) (p) 2006 In the Sun Foundation

Michael Stipe: vocals
Joseph Arthur: vocals, guitar

Mixed by: Geoff Sanoff
Engineered by: Mark Plati
Additional engineering by: Rudyard Lee Cullers
Recorded and mixed at Stratosphere Sound, NYC
Mastered at Sterling Sound by Ted Jensen

Michael Stipe appears courtesy of Warner Bros. Records
Joseph Arthur appears courtesy of 14th Floor Records

It's all about mental health

A good show tonight for a good cause. Plus I thought this is a cool flyer and wanted to post it. More details about tonight's show here.

Valentine, Mental Health, Detroit Cobras

Tommy Valentine celebrates love and music: Tommy Valentine is not returning to the stage lightly. After a two-year absence, Valentine has spent months planning his grand re-entry to the Athens live hip-hop scene: a CD release show at the Georgia Theatre on, of course, Valentine's Day. Full story.

Mental Health Benefit teams up with Nuçi's Space: For the past 15 years, the Mental Health Association of Northeast Georgia has endeavored to raise money and awareness in a 10-county area through the annual Mental Health Benefit, in which local artists and musicians contribute their talents for a very worth cause. The 16th annual Mental Health Benefit welcomes a new player into the fold this year as Nuçi's Space has stepped in to provide the venue and various resources for the weeklong event, which began Feb. 4 and ends Saturday. Full story.

Detroit Cobras bring new life to city's lesser-known oldies: The Detroit Cobras straddle the line between past and present with their revamped "oldies," but guitarist Mary Ramirez says she can see into the future and knows what Athens will need on Valentine's Day, when the Cobras play at the 40 Watt. "We will mend all broken hearts," she says. "There will be love in the air." Full story.

Thursday 02.09.06

• Caledonia: Casper and the Cookies, The Shut Ups, Sean Pavone.
• DT's: Fish Position, Renegade Sound System.
• Farm 255: MP3J Vinal.
• Flicker: Trans Fatty Playboys.
• 40 Watt: Andrew Bird, Haley Bonar.
• Georgia Theatre: Kalen Nash, Eleven:54, Plunge.
• JR's Baitshack: John Thrasher & Zach Taylor.
• Last Call: Brantley Gilbert, T.J. Mimbs.
• Lunch Paper: Fabulous Bird, Kilroy, The Octa P.A., Sleepy Horses.
• No Where Bar: Adam Payne Band.
• Nuci's Space: Five Eight, hope for agoldensummer, Heros Severum, Some Animal.
• The Ritz: Dear Enemy, Echovalve.
• Tasty World: Sam Barron (early show), Heavy Metal Karaoke.

Langerado, Elf Power, Bird, Houser

Tickets to Langerado (March 11 & 12, Markham Park, Sunrise, FL) are going fast (and getting more expensive). Catch the Drive-By Truckers on a bill featuring such notables as The Flaming Lips, Wilco, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and Rose Hill Drive. Make Spring Break plans now. Worry about credit card bills later.

Maserati in Creative Loafing.

LHB's Bittorrent Brunch (from 2-7-06) features an Elf Power set (Toronto, 4-19-04).

A recent interview with Andrew Bird (40 Watt this Thursday) here.

Another review of Michael Houser's "Sandbox" here.

'In the Sun' out on iTunes

Here is an ABH story about Michael Stipe's "In the Sun" project, which is now available on iTunes.

Just keeping you informed

Interviews with every member of the Undertow Orchestra here.

A recent Of Montreal perfomance reviewed here.

For details on the upcoming Dave Schools & Jerry Joseph Almost Acoustic Tour (no Athens date) click this.

Record reviews: Houser's "Sandbox" here and STS9's "Artifact-Perspectives" here.

I know I'm so last month. This blogger's Jan. 31 entry has a Heros Severum MP3 available for your listening pleasure.

Tuesday 02.07.06

• Farm 255: "Tuesday Night Jazz."
• 40 Watt: Daniel Lanois and Band, Workhorses of the Entertainment/Recreational Industry.
• Georgia Bar: Ralph Roddenbery.
• Tasty World: The Workouts, Kill Gordon, Sovus Radio.

Stipe sings for Katrina relief

From remhq: "We're excited to announce that Michael has recorded Joseph Arthur's song, "In the Sun," for Gulf Coast relief. Six different versions of the song have been complied as an EP and will be made available as an iTunes exclusive on February 5th (this Sunday) at 11pm EST. The EP features guest appearances from some of Michael's friends including James Iha (ex-Smashing Pumpkins), Chris Martin (Coldplay), and Joseph Arthur, and includes a special mix by Justin Timberlake and Will.I.Am (Black Eyed Peas). All proceeds from the song will aid Mercy Corps in their continuing efforts to respond to needs along the Gulf Coast."

More info and song clips here.

Happy Friday. Click away.

A recent Annie & Her Guns performance gets an EvilSponge bath here.

This blogger previews tonight's Of Montreal show in San Francisco. For more Of Montreal in California read this recent interview with Kevin Barnes for Los Angeles Alternative.

Atlanta's Sopo Bicycle Cooperative is celebrating its first year of being open to the public for low-cost bicycle repair with its second annual Broken Hearts and Bicycle Parts rally and benefit party on Saturday, February 11. Hope for Agoldensummer is scheduled to perform. Read the press release here.

R.E.M. tribute band "Stipe" approaches a milestone.

The ubiquitous Jason Fuller gets profiled by the Red & Black.

Friday 02.03.06, Saturday 02.04.06

Friday:
• Caledonia: Don Chambers + GOAT, Producto.
• DT's: Carla LeFever Band, Millhill, T.J. Mimbs.
• Eastwood Pub: The Unforgiven.
• Farm 255: Scott Leon O'Day Quartet.
• Flicker: Suny Lions, Tin Cup Prophette.
• 40 Watt: Orquestra Grogus, DJ Fire.
• Georgia Theatre: Cross Canadian Ragweed.
• Hot Corner Coffee: Sarah Peacock.
• JR's Baitshack: John Thrasher & Zach Taylor.
• Last Call: Breakfast Club, Sounds of Silence.
• Melting Point: Gabriel Kelley,
• Morton Theatre: "Athens 441" with The Mattoid, The Artie Ball Swing Band, Would-Be Farmers.
• Tasty World: The Hold Steady, Swearing At Motorists, Plastic Constellations.

Saturday:
• Caledonia: Coulier, Robert, Bling the Children Back Home.
• DT's: Intervieu, Nelo.
• Eastwood Pub: Ralph Roddenbery Band.
• Flicker: Paul Lombard and Friends.
• 40 Watt: Summer Hymns.
• Georgia Theatre: Zac Brown Band, Big City Sunrise, Megan Slankard.
• Last Call: Dan Plowden, Matt Wink.
• Tasty World: The Whigs, The Pendletons, Taylor Hollingsworth.

Oteil's in the house

Oteil and the Peacemakers play the Melting Point: The word "peacemaker" contains a lot of hope. In the past, people have used the term to name giant bombing planes and handheld revolvers (and, of course, an action movie here and there). None of these have actually made peace, and bassist Oteil Burbridge understands that naming his band the Peacemakers won't either. It's just not time yet. Full story.

All the best

Pazz & Jop. Spend more than an hour scrolling through the longest Best of 2005 list in the world, probably. Albums from Athens heavyweights Of Montreal, Liz Durrett, Vic Chesnutt and Modern Skirts all finished ahead of Hillary Duff's "Most Wanted."

STS9's recent San Fransico run is described using too many words here and is available for purchase/download here.

Ink 19's Top 19 Independent releases of 2005 reminds me how much music I don't listen to. Bain Mattox makes the list, joined by 18 folks I've never heard of.

Stolen from MesmerizationEclipse: Lot's of throwaways from Athenians here.

Thursday 02.02.06

• Caledonia: Big Eyed Beans from Venus, Garbage Island, Geoff Reacher.
• DT's: Idle Yeti, My Friend's Band, Timber.
• Farm 255: MP3J Vinal.
• Flicker: Rob Veal.
• 40 Watt: Boulevard, Y.O.U., Push Button.
• Georgia Theatre: George Clinton & Friends, Kendra Foster & Sativa.
• JR's Baitshack: Nelo.
• Last Call: Wayne Mills, Fear the Penguin.
• Lunch Paper: Austre Giltrap, Bent Ascent, The Stops.
• Melting Point: Oteil and the Peacemakers.
• Mercury Lounge: Jeff Reilly Trio.
• Tasty World: Heavy Metal Karaoke.

Wednesday 02.01.06

• DT's: Country Fried, Logan Daniels.
• Flicker: Don Chambers, Nic Goodson.
• 40 Watt: Ham 1, The Ice Caps, Rorshak, Still Small Voice & the Joyful Noise.
• Georgia Theatre: Son Volt, Shannon McNally.
• JR's Baitshack: Blackwater.
• Tasty World: IKON, Swank Sinatra, Horrible Idea.