About Flagpole. (Athens, Ga.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 2, 2011)
MIKE WHITE deadlydesigns.com AMERICAN CHEESEBURGER ClOQ£Q QUOP ands flame out all the time. Sometimes JJj/ it's due to horrific interpersonal prob- j5))j lems and sometimes, you know, it's JUe^ just that time. For Athens hardcore heroes American Cheeseburger, it's a case of the latter. Drummer Jason Griffin, arguably the single most durable hardcore musician in the history of Athens, says, "I just think we started to slow down and weren't touring as much... we weren't writing a lot of new songs and were playing the same old songs for awhile. We all actually agreed after our last show in town that it would just be better to call it now and end it on a higher note than keep dragging it out for another year." After five years running, that's probably the best way to handle things. It's still an unexpected occurrence, though, as American Cheeseburger was one of the most well accepted hardcore bands ever to come out of Athens. While the members' previous bands had certainly seen at least some levels of success, American Cheeseburger seemed to spring right from the box with instantaneous tours, record label attention and an ability to fit seamlessly on any bill that featured heavy bands of any style. Griffin concurs: "Cheeseburger has received the warmest welcome across the board from labels, shows, etc., out of all the dumb bands I've been in. I don't really have an explana tion for it. I guess keeping at it finally paid off. [Original singer] James [Greer] and I had been in bands together for over 10 years. We worked really hard for the first few years in Cheeseburger. We toured before we had a demo out." The timeline of American Cheeseburger can be split into two distinct parts. Originally, the band was Griffin, guitarist Steve Armstrong, singer James Greer and bassist John Andrews. This is the lineup that solidified American Cheeseburger and catapulted the band into modern hardcore lore. Just before the band's 2009 split-LP release with Gainesville, FL band Religious as Fuck was released, Jeff Rapier took over on vocals and Hot New Mexicans' bassist Joe Dakin stepped in for Andrews. Although still playing its signature thrashy brand of hardcore, there's no denying the dynamic of the band had changed. Whereas Greer prowled the stage and engaged the audi ence with a menacing intensity, Rapier's pres ence brought a goofier, more good-time aspect to their performances. Of this Griffin says, "I agree that it changed for sure. Jeff had always been a bassist 01 guitar player and, as far as I know, he had never been a frontman, so I think there was a lot of pressure on him since James was a pretty crazy frontman... I think Jeff did a great job. They just have two totally different styles. It changed the sound a bit, but for me it still worked." There's good news for those who wish to see this dynamism in action. Greer will reclaim his spot for approximately half of American Cheeseburger's final show. As of last week he was rehearsing with the band for the first time in two years. All totaled, in five years American Cheeseburger released two 7-inch records of their own, two split 7-inches (one with Bukakke Boys and one with Canadian Rifle), the previously mentioned split LP and an upcoming split 6-inch (!) record with Worlds. This final show by American Cheeseburger shouldn't be a sad affair at all, even though it seems a surprising move by a band with such visible success. When asked the inevitable question of "Why?" Steve Armstrong says, "We played for long enough and nothing lasts for ever. When something is done it's time to put it down and move on. We were always about a spur-of-the-moment energy and channel ing it, and that is something that you cannot force... Bands will come and go, but I believe we made our mark and had fun." For his part, Rapier remarks, "It just seemed like the thing to do. It seems everyone is busy with life, and we haven't really had time f or the band. But it is definitely one of the most fun bands I've ever been lucky to be a part of!" With his trademark enthusiasm, which really hasn't waned in the approximately 16 years he's been in Athens bands, Griffin says, "Well, it sucks to break up the bana at this point because we have worked really hard to get to where we can finally get records out on bigger labels and book tours more easily. But I think we simply got a bit lazy. No one hates anyone... I think we had a great ride, and I'm proud of what we accomplished. And I would like to thank everyone in Athens anJ every where for helping us and allowing us to have so much fun." Gordon Lamb ■- — ■■■ — WHO: American Cheeseburger, Primate, Savagist, Gripe WHERE: Caledonia lounge WHEN: Friday, Feb. 4,10 p.m. HOW MUCH: $5 (2i+), $7 (18+) L_ Spicy Salsa Dance Lessons and Dance Party Emancipator with Blockhead Fatality Farms Fantasy Factory Rich Rock RJD2 (Post WSP) Early: Comedian Brian Posehn Late: Cosmic Charlie 2/24 - Comedian Doug Stanhope 2/25 - Packway Handle Band 2/26 - Kraddy w/ Archnemesis 706.543.8283 227 W Dougherty St. Downtown Athens Open Mon-Sat 5pm-2am • All Shows 18* • $2 for under 21 New Earth Box Office Open Every Day a 4pm Advance lix available at 42 Degrees - 706-353-4202 Schoolkids Records • 706-353-1666 I . and online at www.newearthmusichall.com Checkout our new blog 1 Spice up your Valentine's Day with a visit to Sexy Suz! Check out Athens' largest adult retail store designed for men, women and couples of ail sexual prefer ences. If ft's not sexy, we don't carry it! SEXY SUZ - MAKING LOVE BETTER! 50 Gaines School Rd • Athens. GA 30605 Tel: 706-850-6919 • store.sexy-suz.com MON-THUR10-11 - FRI-SAT10-12 *SUN 12-8 / No One Under 18 Admitted•Photo JD Required JXM wi Tj ! [ »7tVl 1: tf» V f FEBRUARY 2,2011 • FLAGP0LE.COM 15
