Newspaper Page Text
MUSIC NEWS AND GOSSIP
As per usual around these parts the Threats & Promises weekly
rodeo has rounded up some essential information that all you cow
boys and cowgirls can put to good use in the coming weeks. Roping
instructions below...
► Got A TV Eye On Me: Local band Television Buzz has "been
putting the finishing touches' on a new EP called Treasure Chest
with the help of engineer Andy Baker and mastering dude Jeff
Capurso. S*ated to be released in August, the FP will include a
cover of the '60s tune "Open Up Your Heart' which was written by
Brill Building songwriters Artie Wayne and Stan Blieman.
Research reveals that the song was recorded in demo form, but
never actually released to the public, so Television Buzz seems to
have the exclusive on this one. The band's next shows are
Saturday, June 18 at Lunch Paper (a birthday celebration
for long-time local music aficionado/ Lunch Paper guy
John-Boy) and Wednesday, July 6 at Atlanta's 10 High
club. For demo tracks, etc., please see www.myspace.com/
tvbuzz.
Will They Continue?: News has come in that Killer Rock
From Space drummer Jon Reed will be leaving the band
this month. Reed has accepted a newspaper editor position
in Surf City. NC. It is uncertain as to whetner the band will
continue with a new drummer, but those who think they
can fill Reed's shoes are encouraged to check out the band's
music over at www.killerrockfromspace.com or write the
band at killer.rock.from@gmail.com.
See Them Again For The First Time: Just in case you don't
get your fill (and really, who could?) of Pylon from the
upcoming AthFest performance, you can catch the band in
Atlanta on Thursday, July 7 at the EARL. The bill is rounded
out by Tenement Halls, which is the new project by former
Rock*A*Teens honcho Chris Lopez and the not-to-be-
missed Nikki Sudden.
Original Pranksters: The Dictatortots, Atheiis' own gangsters of
humor, have completed their newest album. Titled Dung Shui, the
record is 28 tracks and runs an entire hour. The group says, "It fol
lows a tribe of cynical ideologues as they travel through an entropic
wasteland, their lives and dreams systematically demolished by poor
furniture placement.' Wow. The band plays a CO release show on
Friday, June 10 at the 40 Watt along with Dirty Sanchez & the
Pancho Villas.
Get Your Song On: There's a couple of new avenues for budding
singer-songwriters out there in Athens town. First, Locos Deli &
Pub will be hosting a “Songwriters Showcase' every Thursday night
with master of ceremonies Carla LeFever. This will take place at the
restaurant's Harris Street location and interested parties should call
Television Buzz
Oh, Hell Yes: Sometimes people have no idea why I will champion
certain bands, and such has generally been the case with Green
Bean Go. The members are about as far from master musicians as I
am from being president Their lyrics are more often than not con
fusing journeys into the psyches of the founding members and/ or
their adjunct players. Still I have a very special place in my heart
for the non-purposeful amateur charm of this band. The songs are
clever, funny and crafty. Similar in both spirit and sound to bands
such as Beat Happening and Some Velvet Sidewalk, the music is
sincere and thoughtful And the band returns after a two-year hiatus
to DT*s Down Under on Friday, June 10 to open for New Jersey band
King Astro's Trip. The free show will be an early one at 6 p.m.
Needless to say, I think everyone should experience Green Bean Go
at least once. Why not now?
With A Certain Sadness: Athens will lose one of its most enter
taining and enthralling acts soon as Audition With Max Reinhardt
will be dosing up shop. Singer/ multi-instrumentalist Sanni
Baumgartner will move to Berlin in July, so you've got three more
chances to see the German cabaret stylings of the band. The group
performs at the Ricker Theatre & Bar on Thursday, June 10; the
outdoor AthFest stage on Sunday, June 26 at 2 p.m.; the final show
is on Saturday, July 9 at the 40 Watt
548-7803. Also new is the revamped Open Mic Night every Monday
at The Ritz. The event runs from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m., and the winner
will receive a S50 cash prize. The promoters of the event say that
anyone is welcome and performances are limited to two songs or 1C
minutes. At the end of the night, three finalists will be picked and
then each will have to play one more song to determine the winner.
Semi-annual contests featuring all previous winners will be held in
November and May. If you wanna get in on this, please contact Ritz
booking agent Megan Molotov at promoritz@hotmaiLcom.
Churn, Grind: The heavy-rocking '90s gurus of Athens rock from
Harvey Milk are reuniting for a couple of shows—-and possibly
mo r e than that although drummer Faul Trudeau's planning on
moving soon, so we'll see what happens. The band plays at the 40
Watt on Thursday, July 28, the EARL in Atlanta on Friday, July 29
and at the Caledonia Lounge on Saturday, July 30.
All Things Being Equal: Washington, DC, band The Evens will per
form a benefit for Nutf's Space at the fabulous 40 Watt Club on
June 21. The band, comprised of Ian McKaye (Minor Threat
Embrace, Fugazi, Egg Hunt etc) and Amy Farina (The Warmers),
performs rock/ pop music played entirely on baritone guitar and
drums. Far from sounding sparse or incomplete, the songs are very
well realized and composed. Touring behind their self-titled debut
album, which was released in March of this year via McKaye's
Dischord Records, the band is a must-see for anyone in town.
Neat Stuff: A few upcoming shows that /all should be reminded of
are: Bill Frisell at Null's Space on Thursday, June 9 at 8 p.m.
Tickets cost S20 and, while that may seem pricey to some, I can
attest that this show is pretty damn worth it The Grammy-winning
jazz guitarist will share the stage with Viktor Krauss on bass and
Matt Chamberlain on drums. For more info, please call 227-1515.
Also on the docket is Julie PoweU & Friends performing at St
James United Methodist Church (111 Westlake Dr.) on Friday, June
10 at 6:30 p.m. The show will feature primarily religious tunes that
Powell has been working on for the past several years. Powell is an
integral part of the jazz/ modern classical/ experimental community
here in Athens, and her music cuts a wide swath that encompasses
both secular and deeply religious themes. Her 'friends' are Martha
Aenchbacher, Bryan Shaw, Chris Enghauser and Seth Hendershot.
The show is free and you're encouraged to bring both picnics and
blankets. For more info, please call 546-1680.
Measuring The Disorder: The dudes in funky group Entropy have
been touring their butts off all spring around the Southeast, and
even slid in a set at the New Orleans Jazz Fest The band
has added an additional saxophone player who simply goes
by the frustrating non-identifier of 'Hawk.' Oh, whatever.
On the upside, Hawk did a good amount of time as the sax
player with legendary Chicago R&B singer Tyrone Davis
(who passed away in February of this year). Anyone
wanting to check out the 'tighter, funkier" Entropy can see
the band at Atlanta's Earthlink Live on Saturday, June 25.
The band will also high-tail it back to Athens that night to
play a late-night party at the former Habitat For Humanity
barn (255 Barber St). If late-night hijinks ain't your thing,
you can catch Entropy during the daylight on Sunday, June
26, on the AthFest outdoor stage at 5 p.m.
The Definition Of The Term: Local math-rock conglomerate
Cinemechanica will be taking the stage with North Carolina
band Ahleudiatistas and Kudzu Wish at the Caledonia
Lounge on Friday, June 10. The band's in-house label Hello
Sir Records has also made plans to release the vinyl version
of The Same and the Other by Ahleuchatistas. The CD ver
sion was originally released on Virginia label Noreaster
Failed Industries. If you're at all into the music described
by the incredibly over-used and rarely-accurate description of 'math
rock,' then you're in for a treat Every single thing the band plays
sounds as if has been charted out in advance by both MIT graduates
and NASA engineers. Every conceivable musical twist finds its place
in the music and attacks the listener without warning.
Dead Really Isn't Dead: The Olivia Tremor Control's brief reunion in
April seems to have reinvigorated the band, and the psych-rock
Elephant 6ers have scheduled four more dates over the summer. On
Friday, July 29 the band performs at Chicago's Subterranean dub
(with Tall Dwarfs opening), then it's over to New York's Bowery
Ballroom on Wednesday, Aug. 3 and Thursday, Aug. 4 (with A Hawk
And A Hacksaw opening). Everything wraps up at with a perfor
mance at Athens' own Orange Twin compound on August 7. If you
caught last year's Will Oldham show at Orange Twin, you know
shows at this unique venue are not to be missed.
Okay, punters, that's all for right now. Always mention either
my name or Threats & Promises in the subject line of all emails.
Please tell your lovers and friends tc send it via email to music@
flagpole.com, voicemail at 549-9523, ext 203; or by post at
P.U. Box 1027, Athens. GA 30603
Gordon Lamb
The 2005 Flagpole
Athens Music Awards
SHOW!
Thursday, June 23rd
Morton Theatre • 8pm
See next week’s issue for category
finalists, show lineup & ticket information
Thai Cafe
“Athens’ First Authentic
Thai Restaurant"
149 N. Lumpkin St.
Downtown Athens
Full Menu
Now Available
for Lunch
CUSTOMER APPRECIATION WEEKS
10% DISCOUNT
WITH THIS AD
June 6th - June 20th
EVERYONE WELCOME
(706)548-9222
JUNE 8, 2005 • FLAGPOLE.COM 29