About Flagpole. (Athens, Ga.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (July 27, 2011)
Friday, July 29 Bird Names, Quiet Hooves, Will Donaldson Farm 255 Any group that has been around for a while and made something of a name for itself comes to a crossroads of sorts: endlessly rehash the same sound, or take a risk and switch things up. Some bands, fear ing a loss of success or credibility, keep treading that familiar terrain. Bird Names is not one of them. The experimental pop duo uprooted about a year ago after six long years in the Chicago art-house scene and moved to Athens ("for the rasta easy-livin'," explains bandleader and chief songwriter David Lineal). And along with the relocation, the group also totally changed its musical approach—a new sound that's reflected on the band's seventh full-length record, Metabolism. "There are many stages to making an album, and with Metabolism we tried to do every stage better than before," Lineal says. "We mixed the record to maximize ambience and texture, so there are 40-plus [layers] on every song moving all around through each other. We tried to make this the purest, most conscious expression of our soul in music yet." In keeping step with the painstaking process that birthed Metabolism, the duo of Lineal and multi-instrumentalist Phelan LaVelle decided to expand their live lineup. On Friday, Bird Names will make its debut as a six-piece with Athenians Mercer West (Quiet Hooves, Man's Trash), Joe Kubler (Bubbly Mommy Gun), Kelsey Brooks (Sea of Dogs) and Cameron Dye onboard. "We had written and recorded this very ornate record with exactly realized ideas of our songs," says Lineal. "Rather than re-inventing it live organically, we transposed it verbatim. The songs sound jazzy and free, like some animal making a great bleat, but with a succinct density of composition.'' Despite the newfound attention to detail, there's something organic and pure floating within Bird Names' nostalgic psych-pop. "Metabolism is the physical process inside of people that directly binds us to the cos mos, via which we can take the energy of the sun and convert it into, say, 40 minutes of minutely composed music," Lineal says. "Ours is a magical and beautiful world." [John Barrett] Bird Names Highwire Lounge 8-11 p m. 'AFAW.highAifelounge.com KENOSHA KID Every Tuesday! Centered around the instru-improv jazz compositions ot guitarist Dan Nettles, Kenosha Kid also teatures Robby Handley (bass) and Marlon Patton (drums) The new originals spark like Booker T & the MGs mixed Aith 20th-century harmony; the new covers include musical twists ot Willie Nelson, The Beach Boys and Radiohead The Loft Dance Lounge 9 p m. 706-613-7771 ATHENS 2 IBIZA DJ BangRadio pre sides over a special Girls Night Out, for which he remixes current pop radio hits with fistpumping beach party beats Every Tuesday The Melting Point Terrapin Bluegrass Series. 7 pm. $5. wwAmeltingpointathens.com HOMESICK ELEPHANT Indie-folk duo with devastatingly charming harmonies over mellow tunes fit for the background of nearly any indie film. No Where Bar 10p.m S3 706-546-4742 TENT CITY This Athens-based four- piece blends new-age funk with soulful biues Chuck Leave!! After Party' Wednesday 3 Alibi 9pm FREE' 706-549-1010 KARAOKE With ttie Singing Cowboy 1 Blue Sky 5-10 p m wvFwblueskyatheris.com VINYL WEDNESDAY Bring your own vinyl and be a DJ for the night Boar's Head Lounge 9pm 706-369-3040 OPEN MIC NIGHT Welcoming singer-songwriters to the mic every Wednesday. Farm 255 Primals Night. 9 p.m FREE! www farm255com DIAL INDICATORS Background sounds lor dinner and cocktails. This quiet jazz duo features Jeremy Roberts on guitar and George Davidson on tenor sax playing odd covers and improvising on familiar themes Sunday 31 ACC Library 3pm FREE! 706-613-3650 LIVE! AT THE LIBRARY This month The Triskelion perform traditional Celtic music Hendershot’s Coffee Bar 6 30 p m. $3 706-353-3050 NO SHAME! Open mic hosted py Rose of Athens Theatre Highwire Lounge “The Evening Service." 8pm FRFF' www.highwirelounge.com WITCHES Local rock band featuring Cara Beth Satalino on lead vocals backed by a drummer and bassist Monday 1 Georgia Theatre Georgia Theatre Re-Opening Celebration." 9 p in SOLD OUT' www georgiatheatre com THE GLANDS Beloved local indie- pop band comes out of hiding Bes'des a secret (very packed and exciting) show at Flicker last year, The Glands haven't played out since 2004 Welcome them AND The Georgia Theatre back 1 This snow kicks ol the Theatres two-week long re-opening celebration MADELINE Bell-voiced local songwriter Madeline Adams plays endearing songs ot smalltown loves, and other assorted torments and joys Check out our review ot her new album. Bleck Velvet, on p 13 Tuesday 2 Caledonia Lounge 9 30pm $5 (21+). $7 (18+) www caledonialounge com FIELD MOUSE Brooklyn four-piece plays sweet, lemale vocal-led me lodic indie rock. CARA BETH SATALINO Witches lead singer plays a solo set SEA OF DOGS Songwriter and banjo- picker Emily Armond leads this endearing folk group with disarming honesty ana warm harmonies ALLISON WEISS Heartfelt songwriter with quirky charm sharp pop sensibilities and an avid online following 8e's Bar 9 p.m. FREE! tacebook com/tecropolis TECROPOLIS Join your fellow citizens of Tecropolis. capital ol the United States of Electronics and hear your favorite techno, trance, house, drum & bass, dubstep and more. This week feat DJs andyredrum, xb, D RC and more Georgia Theatre "Georgia Theatre Grand Re-Opening Celebration." 9 p.m $25 www geor giatheatre com RANDALL BRAMBLETT Longtime Athenian Randall Bramblett will per form his highly acclaimed blend of funky, soulful Southern Americana. CHUCK LEAVELL AND FRIENDS World-renowned pianist who has played alongside the likes ol Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones will perform a mix ol classics SNAP! Organ-heavy funk/jazz tunes delivered by local all-stars Go Bar 9 p.m www myspace com/gobar EASTER ISLAND LuSh, post rock- influenced shoegaze with sweet, pop melodies, tender harmonies and shimmering guitars Georgia Theatre 'Georgia Theatre Grand Re-Opening Celebration- Open House.” 9 p m. FREE! www.georgiatheatre.com KENOSHA KID Centered around the instru-improv jazz compositions of guitarist Dan Nettles. Kenosha Kid also teatures Robby Handley (bass) and Marlon Patton (drums). Locos Grill & Pub 6 p m. FREE 1 www locosgrill.com (Timothy Rd. Location) TANGENTS This country-tried rock group Irom Watkinsville carries Lynyrd Skynyrd licks and John Mellencamp melodies. Porterhouse Grill 7-10 p.m 706-369-0990 JAZZ NIGHT Every Wednesday' Stop by for live jazz bands and drink specials. Terrapin Beer Co. 5 30 p m $10 glass www.terrapinbeer. com THE MAH KABUS BAND Polished, folksy pop reminiscent ot early John Mayer. ' Advance Tickets Available 285 W Washington SI Athens GA • Call 706 549-7871 lor Show Updates CHEAP DRINK SPECIALS EVERY NIGHT BEFORE 11PM • 18 + UP FRIDAY, JULY 29 All Acoustic Show with CHASE 56 THE BUZZARDS doors open at 9pm SATURDAY. JULY 30 GiRLS R2CK CHIRP SHSUICflSE (Families Welcome) EARLY SHOW! doors open at 6pm FRIDAY, AUGUST 5 “REDNECK RIVIERA THEN , E“ £tcTAT©RT©TS KIIUKY WAIKIKI doors open at 1 Opm SATURDAY. AUGUST 6 VIOLATORS TRUE WIDOW THOMAS HARDY doors open at 9pm WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 10 CO CO Rl CO HANK SULLIVAN DJ Z DOG doors open at Opm **8/27 KEVIN KINNEY BAND, THE HEAP **9/3 MODERN SKIRTS, MATRIMONY PLAY **9/7 COMEDIAN: MICHAEL IAN BLACK All Shows 18 and up • + $2 for Under 21 * Advance Tix Available at Schoolkids Records $nd Wuxtry Records ** Advance Tlx Sold at www.40watt.com JULY 27, 2011-FLAGPOLE.COM 19
