About Flagpole. (Athens, Ga.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (July 20, 2011)
THE CALENDAR! Wednesday, July 20 continued from p 17 Tuesday, July 26 Ed Schrader’s Music Beat Farm 255 If you let it simmer on the stove for a little while, pop music will reduce to a basic form: a com bination of rhythm 'and personality. Ed Schrader's Music Beat consists' solely of these two elements—plus, as a bonus, some bass guitar. Vocalist/percussionist/ talk show host (seriously—look it up on YouTube) Ed Schrader discovered this simple recipe while touring with fellow Baltimore residents/ Wham City cohorts Teeth Mountain as a stand-up comic in 2007. "I did this thing called 'Grad Libs'" Schrader recalls. "I would give a graduation speech using nouns and verbs that the audience would give me." At a show at an antique shop in Dubuque, IA, Schrader decided to modify his set for the benefit of the scant few present: three older gentlemen who were holding the weekly meeting of their "X-Files" fan club. "That night, Teeth Mountain left a drum [onstage], and I thought, 'Oh, I'll just throw it into the act.' I had a couple of goofy songs—come dic songs, songs that were there to bolster the comedy routine, you know, like..." and with that, Schrader launches into a string of nonsense syllables arranged into a sort of lounge croon. Soon after the Iowa gig, the songs overtook the stand-up, and Schrader enlisted Nuclear Power Pants bassist Devlin Rice to complete his Music Beat. Together, the duo perform such songs as "I Can't Stop Eating Sugar" and "Beautiful Transvestite in the Rain." So, that's it: a guy singing and playing a floor tom accompanied by bass. But here's the thing: it's totally compelling. Schrader gets a lot of stylistic mileage out of his mini mal setup: grim post-punk deadpan, proto-industrial steamrolling, evil-punk hysterics. Convincingly dramatic, he sermonizes to the audience through some man-behind-the- curtain reverb. The result is exceedingly attention-grabbing, engagingly funny and genu inely unique. Maximum bang for minimum buck. Read our extended Q&A with Schrader at www.flagpole.com. [Jeff Tobias] Locos Grill & Pub 6 p m. FREE 1 '.vwvw.locosgrill.com (Timothy Rd Location) NORMALTOWN FLYERS This Athens roots-rock institution plays a set of good-time rock and roll with a Southern leaning New Earth Music Hall 9 p m www newearthmusichall com THE ARTIFACTS Old-school b-boy and grattiti-mspired hip-hop crew, reunited atter solo and collaborative projects with big names like The Weathermen and Del the Funky Homosapien CESAR COMMANCHE Justus League founder has been around the block a few times, bul he's still flow ing with a funky mix of B IG -era style and Mos Def-like rhythm The Office Lounge 9 30 p m FREE' 706-549-0840 KARAOKE .'. Queen of Karaoke' Every Wednesday Terrapin Beer Co. 5 30pm SI0 a 1 ass wwvv terrapinbeer com MCNARY u .a blend of up-tempo cover songs and soulful originals Thursday 21 Alibi 9pm FREE'706-549-1010 PARTY NIGHT music of 80s ana 90s . Caledonia Lounge 9 30pm $5(21+) $7118+1 www caiedomalounge com GUZIK ORDER OF THE OWL H^avy rock featuring members of Zoroaster and Terminal Doom SAVAGIST Impressive Athens metal band featuring tine folks from punk/ metal bands 300 Cobras Hot Breath and The Dumps SOURVEIN Down-tempo destructo- sludqe metal from North Carolina % DePalma s Italian Cafe 6 30-830pm FREE'706-552-1237 (Timothy Rd location) B0RDERH0P FIVE r his biuegrass quintet sums up its sound in two words "high" and "lonesome ’ Farm 255 11 p m FREE 1 www farm255 com FOUR EYES Jace Bartel and Erin Lovett lovingly mingle gentle melo dies with bombastic shredding. THE WOODWORKS New ethereal- folk female trio featuring Jenny Woodward. Mandy Riley (Like Totally') and Stephanie Davis (Yo Soybean). ZOO Two-piece, multi-instrument folk/ punk/experimental/rock featuring formber members of Little Teeth See Calendar Pick onp. 17. Flicker Theatre & Bar 8:30 pm FREE! www flickertheatrean- dbarcom SUBSCRIBER Self-described ‘rootsy vacuum pop’ that borrows elements from garage rock and psych pop. 40 Watt Club 9 pm. $5 (21+). $7 (18+). www 40watt com JK AND THE LOST BOYS Atlanta band with a style strongly reflective of acoustic-tinged folk and blues rock bands such as Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews Band and Counting Crows JUICE BOX New local band lays down some smooth, funky jams THE K-MACKS Danceable, high- energy country-fried punk rock MATT KABUS This Atlanta-based singer-songwriter has a sweet pop voice and delivers heartfelt acoustic ballads Gnat’s Landing 6 30 p m FREE' www gnalslanding net NEXT BEST FRIEND Hook-heavy acoustic rock and pop covers and originals. Go Bar 10 p.m FREE 1 www myspace.com/ gobar DR. FRED'S KARAOKE Hosted by karaoke fanatic John Dr Fred’ Bowers and featuring a large assort ment of pop. rock, indie and more Hendershot's Coffee Bar 8pm FREE' www hendershotscotfee com MEGAPHONE MAN An avant garde and irnprovisational punk iazz trio ■maturing Meal Fountain. Jeff Reilly and Brian Lopes Hilltop Grille 7 p.m. FREE' 706-353-7667 MILLIGAN A . .-i rev.t; th classic rock and more recent hits from CSNY to Johnny Cash to Jack Johnson to Maroon 5 Hotel Indigo Live Atter 5 bn the Madison Patio 6-8 p m FREE' www mdigoathens com MATTHEW MICHAEL ANDERSON AND DUSTY WOODRUFF Half cf the UGA Graduate Guitar Quartet performing under less stressful circumstances than the exams they have to take Little Kings Shuffle Club Sloptest Kickoff 9pm FREE 1 www myspace com/littiekingsshuftleclub DJ MAHOGANY freaky funk, sultry soul, righteous R&B and a whole totta unexpected faves Late night dance party after the bands EUREKA CALIFORNIA Melodic guitar-driven indie rock influenced by bands like Guided by Voices. GRAPE SODA Local band featuring the brothers Lewis (Mat and Ryan also ot The Agenda), on vocals, organ and drums, playing reverb- heavy garage psych-rock MR. BLANK Experimental noise project Irom the man behind the Carmvale of Black Hearts. TENOABERRY Funky, soulful post punk Think Rick James sitting in with Gang of Four The Melting Point 9 p m. $5 www meltingpointathens. com DANIEL LEE BAND Four Georiga boys churning out country and Southern rock. JOHN KING BAND Young Southern rock with a little twang New Earth Music Hall 9 p.m. $5. www newearthmusichall com AMERICANA SONGWRITER SHOWCASE AND SONG PULL A very special performance featuring Austin Darnell (Darnell Boys), Drew Carmen (The Corduroy Road). Scott Low (Efren) and Botsy Franck (Bareknuckle Band) all onstage together Each musician will perlorm a short, acoustic solo set. and then the group will ’pull’ out songs to play together THE HAWKEYES This electric roots- rock group will close out the evening following the songwriter showcase No Where Bar 10 pm 706-546-4742 FLT RSK A funky blend of electromca and space rock featuring members of DubConscious UP UNTIL NOW Local duo plays electronic dance music with driving uptempo beats and catchy, unforget table melodies. The Office Lounge 8 30 p m FREE! 706-546-0840 BLUES NIGHT The Shadow Executives host an open, all-night blues jam. kicking it off with a set of their own originals. Sign up at 8 p.m. The Roadhouse 11 p.m FREE' 706-613-2324 JOHN S0SEBEE BAND These Georgia natives play hill country/ Mississippi blues and the occa sional Hendrix cover Terrapin Beer Co. 5 30 p m S10 glass, www terrapinbeer com KEITH MOODY D unchy. fast-oacea Southern rock heavy on hyper- catchy hooks. Friday 22 Alibi 9 pm. FREE 1 706-549-1010 BIG DON BAND Rea: S .Jthern r 'eatunng sou'ful vocals backed by smooth bluesy guitars Featuring lots ot covers and some originals. Amici 11 30 p m FREE' 706-353-UU00 EYES LIPS EYES Infectious pop band with post-punk hooks and funky beats that recall Talking Heads and The Strokes Boar’s Head Lounge 9 p m FREE' 706-369-304Q JOHN SOSEBEE Eclectic mix ot tradi tional blues and pop Caledonia Lounge 10pm $5(21+).$7(18+) wwwcale- domalounge.com THE AGENDA In-your-face punk rock ensemble that features an energetic show that's both reckless and wildly entertaining TATERZANDRAZANDRA Brand-new local band playing angular, often dissonant but catchy grunge that's maintains a distinct sense ot melody TURF WAR This band takes the lo-fi garage aesthetic ol the Black Lips and turns it into something more than just another sound-alike. Flicker Theatre & Bar 8:30 p m $5 www flickertheatreandbar. com JANE JANE POLLOCK Thomasville. GA experimental indie that utilizes a variety of broken toys, dishware and the occasional actual instrument to play a sort of Southern gypsy music. LOUD VALLEY Orlando band for merly known as Bananafish with a spacey attitude and a mellow shoegaze pop sound. Also playing Sunday at Farm 255! NEW MADRID Echoing, Americana vocals and swift, proficient guitar plucks. SAM SNIPER Southern jungle rock that holds together firmly with big rhythms and harmonies despite joy ful bouncing between genres. 40 Watt Club 9 p.m. S5 (21+). $7 (18+). www40watt com CASPER A THE COOKIES Increasingly experimental but always rooted in pop sensibilities, this lo cal act presents a danceable mix ot quirky tun driven by keyboard and guitar Check out Mixtape Wars fea turing Jason NeSmith on p. 13 CHRIS MCKAY ANO THE CRITICAL DARLINGS Drawing equally on '80s power-pop like The Cars and earlier stuft like The Kinks, frontman Chris McKay has a sharp lyrical turn tor every melodic offering of his bandmates New songs and a new lineup! THE SHUT-UPS The Shut-Ups pro duce sounds reminiscent of The Joe Jackson Band The Paul Collins Beat and The Brains. Check out Mixtape Wars with Don Condescending on p 13. Gnat’s Landing 6 p.m FREE 1 www.gnatslanding net NATHAN SHEPPARD The local acoustic guitarist-harmonicist is known for his emotive singing style and his modern reworkings of classic tunes, from Dylan and Neil Young to Van Morrison. Go Bar 8 p.m FREE! www.myspace.com/gobar DR. FRED’S KARAOKE Hosted by karaoke fanatic John “Dr. Fred' Bowers and featuring a targe assort ment of pop. rock, indie and more. IMMUZIKATION Celebrated local DJ Alfredo Lapuz, Jr. hosts a dance party featuring high-energy electro and rock. Dance party starts at midnight! Hendershot's Coffee Bar 8 p.m. $5. www hendershotscotfee com 8-TRACK GORILLA Fun. karaoke- style covers covered in primal fur. JAY GONZALES ANO FRIENDS Multi-instrumentalist and Drive-By Truckers keyboardist who has com posed Fahey-esque instrumentals, memorable Badfinger- and Nilsson- style pop singles, girl-group paeans, low-key piano ballads and unabashed rockers—all distinctly catchy and genuine Tonight with special guests' Highwire Lounge 8-11 p m FREE'www highwirelounge com RAND LINES TRIO Pianist Rand Lines performs original composi tions with the help ol drummer Ben Williams and bassist Mike Be^hara Little Kings Shuffle Club “SlopFest' 6 p m.-2 a m $8 (2-day wristband). $6 (per night), www myspace com/littlekmgsshuttleclub ANTLERED AUNT LORD Fuzz pop guitar/drums duo featuring song writer Jesse Stinnard. BURGERTHIRST Crazy, weird punk from Minneapolis. CLOUD BECOMES YOUR HAND Chill bedroom rock with a quirky, experimental folk twist. DANNY THE LOOPER Ex Time Toy member using loops and making sounds, all with a sense of humor. FABULOUS BIRD Local troubadour Peter Alvanos plays bright. '60s- inspired pop. INCENDIARIES Ladies ot pedigree enforcing angular sensibilities. Featuring local musicians Mandy Branch-Friar, Mary Joyce. Erika Rickson and Erica Strout. MAN RAY Local band waves a big middle finger to traditional song structure while playing what Flagpolds Gordon Lamb has coined "complicated-core.* NEVER Psychedelic, swirling guitars care of Kris Deason and Ryan Vogle plus Peter Alvanos on drums and Chris McGarvey on bass. Melissa Colbert fronts the band with howl ing. cathartic vocals. OLE RUSS Woodstock-based psyche delic folk. RAT BABIES Local trio Rat Babies plays hit-you-in-the-gut post-dirt metalcore, care of Mux on bass. Chodd on drums and guitarist Tim Vance. SERENGHETTO Noisy garage rock four-piece from Minneapolis. SHEHEHE This new Athens band otters 70s-style rock in the vein of The Ramones. The Clash and the Sex Pistols SLAW N ORDER New project trom member of psyc-experimental band Laminated Cat. VESPOLINA Baroque pop-rock band featuring lush arrangements, clever wordplay and fronted by Daniel Aaron. XAVII Moody, dark, progressive rock from Macon. YE OLDE SUB SHOPPE Big-hearted pop music played on tiny instru ments. The Melting Point 9 p.m. $5. www.meltingpointathens. com THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS This Atlanta/Athens group plays breezy, beachy Americana. Performing a special acoustic set. HARP UNSTRUNG This local act gives melodic, alternative rock a bluesy, Southern twist. LIARS ANO LOVERS Local quintent offers Southern 70s rock revival. New Earth Music Hall 9 p.m. $6. www.newearthmusichall. com ATHENS Young local rockers ranging in age from 12-16, with classic rock influences and a super energetic live show. FREE MOUNTAIN Local rock super group that made its debut at AthFest in 2010. Featuring guitarist Kevin Sweeney (Hayride), vocalist Jared Hasmuk (Dictatortots). bassist Bryan . 18 FlA6POLE.COM JULY 20,2011
