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Friday, February 22
The BTU’s
Allen’s Hamburgers
For years, local folk music
enthusiasts have heralded
The BTU's as a tight, high-
energy traditional bluegrass
combo, capable of nailing
old-time and country stan
dards while putting an expert
twist on a few swing and pop
tunes as welL Unfortunately,
it's been almost a year since
the long-running band has played in town. Perhaps that's all the more reason to run down to
Normaltown this evening.
The lineup still looks the same: guitarist Allan Hughes (ex-In Cahoots, Nathan Sheppard
Band), upright-bass player Keith Morris (ex-Nathan Sheppard Band, Michelle Malone), banjo
player/guitarist Mike Harrison (ex-In Cahoots), and fiddle player Dave Blackmon (known for his
work with Blueground Undergrass, Widespread Panic, Jerry Reed and many others). In planning
what looks like something of a "comeback gig," the band has dusted off some old nuggets and
prepared a new set of tunes for a special show at their old haunt Allen's Hamburgers. It's the
quartet's first club performance since last June.
"All of us come from traditional music backgrounds," states guitarist Allan Hughes. "Most of
us are old folkies, so when we play traditional music, it really sounds traditional."
"The concept of the band is high-energy music in general/ he adds. "We play a lot of stuff in
2/4 time. With the instrumentation of the band, it's pretty hard to get away from that bluegrass
sound... even when we're doing other styles of music."
The band plans to play sets mixed with familiar standards, new original material and a few
"string Swing tunes" here and there. Look for possible special guests and request some
"Shenandoah Breakdown!" [BL]
SOULPATCH (DPs) The newly-formed
local rock trio—guitarist Audi Johnson,
bassist Clint Swords and drummer
Rodney Mykisen—plays off the knot
that binds Southern and classic 70s
rock, trad blues and more modern
groove-rock. Covers and originals.
TRENCHCOAT CLUB (90.5 FM) The
much-missed, lo-fi nerd darlings of
WUOG return for a special "Live In The
Lobby.” This duo played in Athens in
the late- 80s and ear!y-’90s and enjoyed
a siring of ‘local hits.” including
“Throwing A Chair At Geraldo/ 'Save
Tne Ants ‘ ' 3 ciier Disco Party and me
hilarious T-eme -'em Knight Riser."
Cjt of the oiue the duo recently
reuses a new collection m ed Hitcn
Your Station Wagon To A Star 8pm
Friday. February 22
“ACOUSTIC HAPPY HOUR” (One
tove) Acoustic singef-so r gwri;er due
Clint & Audi p>ay a set o’ originals and
covers during napoy hour. 5-8 p m.
ACOUSTIC SYNDICATE (Georgia
Theatre) The North Carolina quartet puts
a diffe r ent spin on acoustic roots music,
mixing reggae, jazz and Worlo Beat into
the stew. The band was formed in 1992
by brothers Fritz and Byron McMurry
and cousin Steve, and just released its
third album entitled Crazy Little Life.
BLUESTRING (Georgia Theatre) The
popular six-piece Athens groove-rock
band has been super-busy this year
touring the Southeast, working new
drummer Jason Jones into the lineup,
and inking a three-record deal with
Flying Frog Records. Tonight is the offi
cial release of the new full-length.
Overthinking.
BREATHLANES (Globe, upstairs) The
unique Athens ensemble has recently
been placing more emphasis on instru
mental forays and creating lilting waves
of sound by use of guitar, drums and
vocals. With guest vocalist Cathy
Riehm. 10 p.m.
THE BTU’S (Allen*) High-energy tra
ditional bluegrass and swing. See Box.
C’ESTMORTALE (Tasty World)
Athens-based post-punk quintet with
math-rock smarts and a spaced-out
sound replete with keyboard noises,
dissonant guitar and massive dynamics.
CYNDI HARWELL BAND (Bird Dog)
Marvell cites Pattv Griffin. Stevie Nicks.
Guster. Joni Mitchell and Jump Little
Children as influences. “We are starting
to accumulate a ‘regular* crowd now,’
says Harvell of these weekly shows at
the Bird Dog. “We are playing as many
originals as we can, and people seem to
enjoy them a lot, but we’re also doing a
few covers.’ 8 pm.
DELUGE (Bean’ry) Hard-hittin’ alt-rock
out of Alabama.
DROMEDARY (Seney-Stovaii Chapei)
Athens duo Dromedary plays a unique
hybrid of folk music styles culied from
the Andes, the Middle East. Eastern
Europe. Asia and Appalachia String
piayers Poo McMaken and Andrew
ncissiger previously labored in the jazz
ana roc*' wonds and recently celebrated
tne release of the debut album. Artifact
(Soipont cefio) Part of the Garden
Springs Benefit, see p. 7.8 p.m.
THE GALACTIC HEROES (4G Watt!
Rambunctious indie-pop duo from
Clenson. SC. Listening to their g.ddy
debut, how About San Francisco
(Magic Marker) it's obvious that wide-
smiting multi-mstrumentaiists Ricky
and Mike have soaked up their fair share
of E6 stuff and likely have a lew Modern
Lovers and Herman’s Hermits records in
their collection.
GEORGIA GUITAR QUARTET
(Seney-Stovall Chapel) Athenians Kyle
Dawkins. Brian Smith, Phil Snyder and
Jason Solomon are a working guitar
quartet, something rare in a world
seemingly Hush with guitars They have
great talent, dedication and personality.
However, there* something else hap
pening when they play: a breakdown of
the distinction between high art and
popular culture, a removal of the veneer
shrouding the classical realm. You’ll
just as likely be treated to a bluegrass
medley as you will a Debussy number,
and it all makes perfect sense. Part of
the Garden Springs Benefit, see p. 7.8
p.m. (Erik Hinds)
LESLIE HELPEHT (Globe) The
Boston-based songstress plays and
sings a unique hybrid of folk, pop and
jazz music which, in her words, thrives
in light rain, mixes well with the earth*
soil, sounds like a combination of moon
cycles, fire blazes, lilac-pollen sneezes,
late night taxi cab rides, resolution,
travel.’ She has a powerfully expressive
voice and one heck of an unusual
brogue. She* playing in support of the
new album The Seroentfty Comofete.
JE SUIS FRANCE (Tasty World) Screw
The Strokes—this quintet knows how to
holler and carry on... without dressing
up like the Sweathogs from ’Welcome
Back Kotter ’ The band* self-titled
Pitch-A-Tent debut rocked balls.
JET BY DAY (Tasty World) The Athens
rock quartet returns from a long-ass
tour celebrate the release of its new
album The Feedback That Distracts Us
(Moodswing) See p. 23
JOHNNY KNOX & HI-TEST (Chips)
Formerly ol the high-caliber rockabilly
band Blacktop Rockets and the Johnny
Knox Trio, tne virtucsic. ponpadoured
singer-guitarist currently Ironts this new
rock trie aiongs-de bassist Neil Wilson
and drummer Cape's Olgelree T ne
band just released an aloum titled Doin'
Wat It Takes (Galax-e
KROS FAZE (Kiassics) Class c and
Soutnern reck covers and originals
LONA (Caledonia) Singer Ciay Leveret!
nearly blew his vo ce out last weekend
when this crew ol roc* scalawags
opened for tne Jennifer Nettles Band
with a loose-but-rockin’ snow in tront of
an indifferent audience. The band wiil
likely light a fire under tne collective ass
ot the barflies at this joint, however. The
latest is called To The Nth
MASTERS OF THE HEMISPHERE
(40 Watt) Athens’ indie rock gladiators.
The Masters’ most recent releases. I Am
Not A Freemdoom and the Permanent
Stranger EP (both on Kindercore)—
were inspired sides of rock and roll
heroism. See Box.
HO OPTION (One Love) This Athens
groove-rock quartet is finally getting
ready to release a debut recorded at
Elixir Studio. Fronted by talented singer-
guitarist Josh Perkins and featuring
former members of Creekwater Sound.
OCTOBER QUESTION (Bean’ry)
Comprised of guitarists Bryan Redding
and Ryan Stark White, bassist (and bud
ding music journalist) David Kross, and
drummer Alliene Bouchard on drums
and vocals. The band plays an acoustic
guitar-based mix of rock, funk, reggae
and other styles.
“OLD SKOOL" (AMF) A ’rave’ event
with a range of styles from deep, tribal,
progressive, club house, to minimal
techno and trance. Featuring D:RC (one
of Athens’ top DJ’s), DJ Knee Deep,
Duda, Robin & Cameron, and Bobble.
► continued on next page
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Thursday, February
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FEBRUARY 20, 2002 • FLAGPOLE.COM 19