RICHARD FAY
MUSIC NEWS AND GOSSIP
Jam on It: If you missed the show by Athens
heavy rockers Helmsman at Go Bar last week,
then you're pretty much out of luck on the live
front, because this band never plays. OK, they
play like twice a year, so maybe you're only
lost for six months or so. In the meantime,
you can grab a copy of the band's new record
for free over at www.bringforththehelmsman.
com. The six-song album—it runs too long to
really be an EP—is titled Strawman and was
recorded at Atlanta's Orange Peel Recordings
by engineer Raheem Amlani. It's recom
mended to anyone who digs the Melvins,
Universal Order of Armageddon or destructo-
rock in general.
Two Hours Only: A CD release show for this
year's AthFest compilation will happen
at the Melting Point Monday, June 6 from
8-10 p.m. Featured performers include The
Knockouts, Powerkompany, The Welfare
Liners and Susan Staley. The event will also
rally the troops in support of this years fes
tival through the distribution of yard signs
and the taking of volunteer applications.
The 'elease party is presented by the Athens
Folk Music & Dance Society and is a free
event. This year's AthFest CD includes tracks
homeboy Colt Ford sold 19,000 copies in its
first week of release. The record hit number
three on Billboard magazine's Country Album
Charts and was the number-24 album in the
country overall. Most of these sales were
physical CDs, with only approximately 21
percent being digital sales, indicating that
at least Wal-mart shoppers still respect the
physical medium. (Before you get punchy,
that's no slag from me. Ford has participated
in exclusive promotional deals with the world's
largest retailer in the past!. Ford is on the
road all the time, and while he has no Athens
dates anywhere in the near future, he'll hit the
Georgia towns of Milledgeville, Rossville and
Gainesville in early June. For more informa
tion, please see www.coltford.com.
On the Road Again: Long-running Athens band
Rat Babies is heading out on tour this month.
Pretty much the brainchild of Mux Blank (AKA
Mr. Blank), the band has changed its sound
over the years from merely heavy and weird
to thunderously noisy, sludgy and horrify
ingly perched at the crossroads of provoca
tive and insane. The tour will run until June
11, and the band will play Georgia, Kentucky,
Illinois, Ohio, Virginia, Michigan, Tennessee
Free Mountain
by the above artists as well as The Vestibules,
Monahan, Free Mountain, The Burning Angels,
BombsBombsBombs, Romper Stompers, The
Spinoffs, Adam Klein, Spirit Hair and Betsy
Franck & the Bareknuckle Band. For more
information, please see www.athensfolk.org or
www.athfest.com.
A All Twisted Up in the Game: Everyone
knows that Athens musicians often play in
several bands at once. Shuffling practice
dates and shows is just part of the deal. But
Bryan Howard of Free Mountain decided to
put together a show featuring all the bands
that share members with that group. So, to
that end, Free Mountain will perform with
The HEAP, Hayride and The Dictatortots on
Friday, May 27 at the Caledonia. This is one of
the only non-house show, non-punk bills to
share this many members in recent memory.
I don't know if that makes it memorable or
notable, but it's something, I guess.
Recognize: While you were busy hanging
around the bar and complaining that none
of your bandmates ever want to practice, the
new album, Every Chance I Get, from Athens
and North and South Carolina. Rat Babies'
most recent release is the Cough Medicine EP
that came out last year. More information is
available over at www.ratbabies.org and www.
muxproductions.com.
It's That time of Year Again: Yes, the one
where you get to either actively support
your favorite bands and artists with a posi
tive vote in their direction or just slink back
and complain that your favorite band didn't
get nominated officially on the ballot for the
2011 Flagpole Athens Music Awards. This
year's ballot has categories for experimental,
rock, electronic, DJ, cover band, jazz, hip-hop,
world, folk, pop, jam, Americana, punk, metal
and country/Southern rock. There's also a
chance to vote for your favorite live act, local
album of the year, your favorite upstart band
of the year, best cover art and artist of the
year. Only one vote per person, so make yours
count Winners, and by default, I guess, non
winners, too, will be celebrated at this year's
award ceremony Thursday, June 23. Handle all
this over at www.flagpole.com/MusicAwards.
Gordon Lamb threatsandpromises@fiagpole.com
7niehdfiest
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MONDAY, MAY 30
THE SPLITZ
Motown
WEDNESDAY. JUNE 15
DEJA VU
Crosby, Stills,
Nash & Young Tribute
SATURDAY. JULY 2
THE ATHENS
KING
Elvis Presley Tribute
SATURDAY. JULY 30
SONS OF
SAILORS
Jimmy Buffet Tribute
MONDAY, SEPT. 5
HALF DOZEN
BRASS BAND
Traditional Homs
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 21
RANDALL
BRAMBLETT
BAND
Soul, Funk. Rhythm and Blues
WEDNESDAY. OCT. 5
A TRIBUTE TO
SANTANA
Collaborative Tribute
to Carlos Santana
WEDNESDAY. OCT. 19
PACKWAY
HANDLE BAND
Old Tima Bluegrass
MAY 25.2011 FLAGPOLE.COM 13
