Newspaper Page Text
Page 18
Flagpole Magazine
December 4, 1991
The Ground’s A-Fire
“What we try to do is experiment with a lot of different sounds,
a lot of different tempos," said Andy Tison, vocalist/rhythm guitarist
for The Fire Yard. Listening to the band’s demo tape will attest to
that. Complete with anthemic, harmonic pop melodies to country
folk tunes the fact that The Fire Yard are a diverse group of
musicians is evident.
Three years ago Tison met Brack Hanes (guitars/vocals), Bran
don Cash (drummer), and Tim Trzciak (bass) while attending
school atGeorgiaSouth-
ern. The band won one
of those contests com
mercial radio stations
hold to promote the fact
that they like local, origi
nal music. This particu
lar one was for bands in
Southeast, G A (are there
bands in Valdosta these
days?) It had a clever
title to boot—Savannah
Bandemomum, com
plete with label reps from
Elektra, and others.
Winning the title for best
vocals and best overall
band, The Fire Yard re
ceived what most bands
would kiss their amps for — studio time in which the band cut a 3-
song demo produced by Mark Stowe of Atlanta’s Face Concern.
The opportunity and connections had The Fire Yard realize their
best bet was to get out of Savannah and head to the music center
of Georgia — Atlanta.
The band had also met their manager, Michael Medders, in
Savannah and at present have formed the core of their operations
team including a lawyer, Greg Rogers, who studied under Bertis
Downs. "We’ve been very fortunate," said Tison. "Things have
really fallen into place with management and everything else."
Though many local bands lack managerial impetus, Fire Yard
realized the potential of alleviating themselves of the leg-work
necessary to promote themselves.
The band had also received a slot at the Chameleon Club during
the NewSouth Music Schmoozecase. “That was a personal goal for
me," said Tison. “When we went to Atlanta I figured, well, this whole
thing takes a lot of time and you’ve got to set goals for yourself. That
was one of my goals — to get in the NewSouth."
The Fire Yard are a guitar driven band with a very charismatic
vocalist. "We make a
sound that has a clean
guitar, strong vocals,
strong back-up vocals,"
said Tison. "Our bassist is
very talented. He adds
some very interesting
aspects to our music."
Their various musical
styles are high-lighted on
a tape recorded at John
Keane Studios back in
March of ’91. The Fire Yard
cut 6 songs in which two
cuts — "Train” and "Be On
My Way" — features Keane
on pedal steel. Entitled
Happy Followed Him, the
tape is available on E.D.Y.
Records at Wuxtry and Big Shot. The band is also very happy to
report they plan on returning to Keane’s studio early in '92
“There's a whole kind of development that you go through and
we still have a ways to go, but we’ve developed a lot. We’re not trying
to do anything before the time is right," Tison said. And the time must
be right as the band takes off on a tape release tour beginning Dec.
5 at The Point in Atlanta, Dec. 6 at the Rockin' Eagle in Statesboro
and Dec. 10 at the 40 Watt Club with the Stonesouls opening. Who
knows what lies beyond the perimeter for The Fire Yard after Athens,
but listening to Happy Followed Him is a good indication the band
is On Ihe righ, byway. Hill»y
Worth the
Traveling
Blues Traveler is a mighty good band.
Seems like the guys in Widespread Panic
tell me over and over not to miss B. T. when
it comes to Athens, so that may well be
taken under advisement. They like Phish a
lot, too... and who could blame them?Blues
Traveler hails from New Yawk City, and that
proves that anything can come from the
likes of there. A bluesy-sorta band, good for
wearing your clean tie-dyes and putting on
your best patchouli. I’ve said this before,
but I don't mean it as a slam nor a cliche: if
you’re into Phish and Panic, these guys are
up your alley: and it’s right off Columbus
Circle someplace, hidden in the canyons of
Midtown Manhattan. That itenerary includes
this night at The Georgia Theatre on Thurs
day, December 5.
(30.)
If your’re not
"HANGING AT THE HANGAR
Then we're both Ipsing money!
featuring
The BEST BBQ in the World''
Courtesy of Carnthers BBQ
Serving from I I 00 am till I I 00 pm
Pork ■ Beef ■ Chicken
Sandwiches, Plates & Ribs
99*
BOTTLE DOMESTIC BRANDS
Music Schedule
Wed., Dec. 4
Thurs., Dec. 5 & Fri., Dec. 6
JOHN
BERRY
OPEN: Mon -Fri 11 am - 2 am / Sat. 1J am - Midnight
I 20 East Washington St. • Athens. GA
Wednesday
Gene Cook
$1.25 Margaritas
Thursday
John & Wes
$1.25 Margaritas
Saturday
Gene Cook
Monday
Live Jazz
Friday
no Cover
Tuesday
International
Night
$ 1.25 Margaritas
Come Celebrate
Your Christmas Party
At the Merriest Place
in Athens!
220 College Ave. 546 - 7612
Fresh Pasta,
Pizza,
Calzones,
Sandwiches,
and Salads
354-6966
401 E. Broad St.