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FLAGPOLE’S MUSIC DEPARTMENT
LISTS A FEW BANDS “NOT TO BE MISSED”
W hile AthFest 2002 stresses a certain emphasis on up-and-
coming Athens artists and major scene acts, it% heartening
to see a stronger presence of regional bands on the
schedule, as well.
With over 120 bands vying for attention this
weekend, it will be pretty darn difficult to figure out
where to start and how to go about seeing everything
you want to see. We suggest getting a Full Event
Wristband, keeping an AthFest 2002 Program (you'll
find one inserted in this issue!) rolled up in your pocket
and plan ahead. If you've already had the pleasure of
observing many of the Athens-based acts on this year’s
schedule, perhaps you should seek out the more
unusual "outsider band" gigs. There's a broader variety
of musical styles with more bands from all over who
don't necessarily pop up in the Flagpole music listings
every month. Take advantage. Go seek out these shows.
Enjoy yourself.
Of course, there's no way to see everything at once,
so here are a few suggestions from a few of us in the
Flagpole Music Department:
BRANDON BUTLER:
rmHSPAV.,HNE20
Flagpole Athens Music Awards (Morton Theatre 8 p.m.)
Every year it's about five times as much fun as I think it will be,
and every year is better than the last. This year s line-up features
two of the most promising bands in town: Empire State and The
Drive By Truckers. Either one of these bands alone is reason enough
to attend
FRIDAY. Jl \Jtil
Dnve-By Truckers (AthFest Outdoor Stage, 9:20 p.m.)
If you can believe his lyrics, DBT frontman Patterson Hood has seen
a lot of arena rock shows, so an outdoor set from these incredibly
adept Southern rockers should be a dream come true for the band
and the audience. The band is getting intense praise from big-time
rock critics around the country, and has just signed to Universal
imprint Lost Highway Records.
Murder Beach (Engine Room inside, 11:30 p.m.)
A trebly, bouncy, and concise indie-pop five-piece (since adding
Laura McKee on bass), Murder Beach cranks out relentless head-
shsking ditties that run less than two minutes on average. A cross
between New Order, The Shins and early Kindercore. A truly talented
band with an ear for great melody, a world apart and light-years
ahead of the once-ubiquitous bands of scenesters stringing chords
together and trying to be "twee."
SATURDAY. JUNE 22
The Sugar Shakers (Tasty World. 9:15 p.m.)
A youthful, exuberant band channeling Pylon, the Olivia Tremor
Control and '50s pop all at the same time (not that those things are
totally unrelated). Probably the freshest young band in town, the
fact that it's already this interesting means there should be great
things ahead.
Paper Lions (Tasty World, 11:15 p.m.)
If you see one post-punk band (and that's pretty much half of the
bands in town) at AthFest, see the Paper Lions. Formed last fall
from the remnants of Some Soviet Station and At The Price Of The
Union, the Lions are already a very mature act. with tons of song-
writing and tounng experience among them. Picking at sounds
ranging from Fugazi to Clinic, the Lions are causing a major buzz
around town. See what it's all about.
EMERSON DAMERON:
Polemic (Engine Room outside, 9 p.m.)
Help Polemic recoup its spraypaint expenses. I've never actually
seen this band. But I know that lead singer McKenna Mackie once
offered to fistfight some dude who said nasty things about the P, so
she obviously knows more about entertainment than a lot of go-
along-to-get-along, ba-ba-ba-ba indie rock scrubs. Jeff Fox is sitting
in for bassist Jackie Lyons tonight, by the way...
Sri Fu (Engine Room outside, 10 p.m.)
One of Athens' only viable art metal units, and a brilliant one at that,
serving the architecture surrounding the spacious Engine Room patio
an unsolicited root canal. Brian Head, my friend and one of this
berg's finest drummers, had some vehicle problems lately, so tip him.
The Wee Turtles (Engine Room inside, 12:30 a.m.)
Nice fellows. Find out if their unpretentious pop still
evokes the early Mommyheads.
Dawgtown Ramblers (One Love Music & Dance Hall 1 a.m.)
Just so you can tell everyone you saw a band by that
name.
SATURDAY. JUNE 22
Ishues (Athens Music Factory, 9:30 p.m.)
One of the quickest, wittiest rhymers in Athens, and
one of the brightest lights on a local hip hop scene too
long ignored.
Heros Severum (Null’s Space, 10 p.m.)
HS gets angry, and occasionally rocks. Plus, Eric's always
been nice to me. And his mom might show up.
Your American Math (40 Watt, 10:15 p.m.)
These cereb-rockers used to be called plain ol' Math, but
some other douches claimed that name, so they changed
theirs. They changed it to a name that, although it will
consign them to the very back of the record racks, sounds inclusive
and patriotic. Alan Tanner, a friend and Your American Math creative
force, had some vehicle problems lately. So tip him.
Cyndi Harvell (Flicker Theatre & Bar, 11 p.m.)
We were in the same English 3800 class, and she seemed friendly.
blackcowboy (40 Watt Club. 11:45 p.m.)
Joyful noise.
Exit 86 (Nu<;i’s Space. 12 a.m.)
Still Athens' best punk outfit.
MASSAGE THERAPY
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22 FLAGPOLE COM JUNE 19. 2002