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Local bands featured on second AthFest compilation
f±. think Flagpole only catches hell
L when it turns a critical eye on pop
ular local bands. Last year, things got just as ugly
when the paper turned that criticism on itself.
The paper's review of the first AthFest CD (of
which we were a major sponsor) was what you
might call enthusiastically mixed. Those of us in
the editorial department thought it was a fine
piece of writing that captured the essence of the
disc, but Flagpole's publisher and associate pub
lisher were... concerned, as it were... about the
wisdom of turning the critical gun, disgruntled-
postal-worker style, on ourselves.
Well, the second AthFest promotional CD,
AthFest '99. is in stores now, produced by Flagpole
advertising representa
tive Russ Hallauer and
released by his
Ghostmeat Records
label (and again spon
sored by Flagpole and
Musician's Warehouse).
For last year's disc,
Hallauer hand-picked
his favorite artists. This
year, he did so again,
but also put out an
open call for submis
sions. Despite this,
Hallauer says the new
record is more cohesive
than the last.
On the cohesiveness
issue, I agree with Mr.
Hallauer: this one hangs together better than last
year's, even while showcasing a diverse array of
local bands (well, diverse within the white rock
dude genre, but who is Flagpole to cast stones?).
A full-blown review (here we go again...) will
appear in these pages soon, because now that I've
revealed a little of last year's inter-office friction
you won't believe me when I contend that any fan
of Athens music — from the casual eavesdropper
to the most jaded twrfly — should consider pur
chasing AthFest 99.
Briefly, here's why. The Glands' "Livin' Was
Easy” is a day-late/dollar-short indie-pop keeper.
Unlike other Flagpole writers, I wasn't too
impressed with their Double Thriller CD, but this
track seems to represent a major melodic step for
ward. It's followed by "Nickel To Roll," the most
adventurous and sensual track on Jucifer's debut
CD, Calling All Cars On The Vegas Strip. Jack Logan
returns to country and western with the song
"Mama's Door," and the return warms my heart. I
like Logan's country stuff best — it tends to be
more nuanced than his f ock repertoire, and you
can hear his crackling-dry lyrics better. The
broken-up Dnp, who seemed to have trouble
coping with the weight of alt-rock past when they
were together, truly trompe le monde on their
swan song "Subtle Deliberate Drone" — Andy
LeMaster lets his Georgia drawl hang out like an
untucked shirt, and their Stones-addicted
drummer is given a chance to put some roll into
the band's rock. Damn, damn damn!
You also get a preview from the new Star Room
Boys CD: "Both Our Towns" is a woozy heart-
breaker that suggests the boys could be one of
those rare acts that busts beyond the strictures of
the honky-tonk genre, thanks mostly to Dave
Mari's lugubrious but straight-shooting singing
and songwriting. And I'd tell you that Hayride's
"Bucket Brigade" cements the trio's reputation as
one of the best classic rock bands around, but you
really wouldn't buy that
one since drummer
Ballard Lcsemann works
here. too. Maybe I'm all
mixed up. friends, and
can't separate my per
sonal relationships from
my professional work,
but I'm telling you, this
band — given up for
dead by many scen-
esters years ago — is
currently making the
best music of their
careers.
AthFest ‘99. the CD.
isn't 100 percent fun. I
don't want to guess
why those Elephant 6
kids won't toss just one bone AthFest's way, but I
suppose it's none of my business. And some of the
other bones should have stayed in the boneyard:
Dayroom, who I happen to like when they're a
goofy pop band, goes for substance on the track
"Better Days" and winds up sounding like Frank
Stallone. And there are a few emotive, unfocused
"New Rock" tracks on here that are like a 12th
grade goth-rock poetry reading and a tooth
drilling all rolled into one. But as they say in the
industry, that's what sells, Morty. So why really
fight it?
So much for not reviewing the CD. It's avail
able all over town, and also includes tracks from
Empire State, Vaudeville, Slackdaddy, Planet Jive,
The Lures, Cafeteria, Jennifer Goree, Mike
Mantione, Michael, David Barbe and Wunderkind.
For more info, log or. to the Ghostmeat home
page at http://users.aol.com/ghostmeat/
home.htm. AthFest '99 takes place June 24-27. In
the meantime, there will also be two AthFest '99
record release parties: March 26 at the High Hat
(featuring Jack Logan, The Glands and Hayride)
and March 27 at Tasty World (with Juctfer, The
Lures and Michael). Stay tuned for details.
Richard Fausset
Eiiiotitj smmn
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