About Flagpole. (Athens, Ga.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 28, 2011)
Wednesday, December 28 Max Levine Ensemble, Titans of Filth, Delay Go Bar There's been a tot of politi cally charged music recorded over the years that is leaden enough to sink a flotilla— which by and large misses the point: by injecting thoughtful messages into artful, spirited anthems, the potential for introducing the masses to your point of view is increased exponentially. While the purpose of the Max Levine Ensemble appears to be even more time-honored—friends having fun—they seem to get the point of political punk handily. The D.C.-based trio of guitarist/singer David Combs, bassist Ben Epstein and drummer Nick Popovici walk and talk to the same stridently political rhythm, writing songs relat ing to the problems of homophobia, sexism and body image. However, this makes them a rare bird in a punk scene which has, to a large extent, rejected political content in recent years. "Punk has never been one thing, but I think there used to be a lot more politics in punk," says Combs, speaking to Flagpole while on tour in Detroit. "When I was first get ting into punk in the early 2000s, you had a broader protest culture around the World Bank, WTO protests, anti-Iraq War protests. At that time, I think that punk and that sort of activism scene were pretty intertwined. Politically, a lot of people got burnt out, feel ing like their protests didn't really amount to anything. At the same time, in the punk scene, people felt over-saturated by the politics, and then there was a reactionary wave against having politics in punk that I still kind of think is where punk's at." Walking out of step in the tradition of much of D.C.-area punk rock, the Ensemble plays catchy punk that is not afraid to tackle socially relevant issues. While the trio is not strictly pop-punk as it's known today, they will be joined on this tour by Cleveland, OH band Delay, who fit snugly into that genre. Rounding out the bill is a resurgent Titans of Filth. It's also worth noting that this show will be all-ages—as any punk show worth its salt should be. [Jeff Tobias] SLEEPING FRIENDS Playing Talking Heads covers tonight 1 40 Watt Club 9 p m $16 (adv). www 40watt com ELF POWER This local band never ceases to explore new sonic terntories-always experimenting with unconventional instrumenation and arrangements behind its driving tolk-rock GRINGO STAR P y r ock from Atlanta, formerly known as A Fir-Ju Well THE WHIGS show with big melodic hooks and a raspy Southern edge trom one of Athens favorite rock bands Z-DOG dance classics punk 60s and more Georgia Theatre 8pm $10 wwwgeorgiatheatre. onr QURIOUS ales spacey soundscapes featuring dreamy female vocals, samples, synthesizers and freaky masks REPTAR Recently Records this highly praised local synth-pop band otters fun. irrever ent tunes with angular rhythms and danceable beats in the vein ol Vampire Weekend and Talking Heads VELVETEEN PINK This quartet of tunksters (including DJ Alfredo of Immuzikalion) plays electro- based. groove-laden, upbeat stuff in the Prince. Stevie Wonder and Jamiroquai style. Go Bar 9 30 p m FREE 1 706-546-5609 DANCE PARTY W/HAROUKI ZOMBI DJ/performance art protect trom Nina Barnes and Orenda Fink THE GOLD PARTY This local band plays danceable new wave originals and synth-driven glam Expect a few special covers thrown in the mix tonight as well DJ LIST CHRISTEE f M ontreai frontman Kevin Barnes spins dance music to ring in the new year in style. YIP DECEIVER An infectiously fun blend of feel-good pop. R&B grooves and noise-bending electro from right here in Athens Featuring of Montreal's Davey Pierce Hendershot's Coffee Bar Rockm New Year s Eve 8pm $20 (adv) www hendershotscoffee com ATHENS Y lung local rockers ranging in age from 12-16 with classic rock influences and a super energetic live show MICHAEL GUTHRIE BAND L ; running local mix ol melodic tangly British-sounding throwback reck Champagne toast tonight plus plenty ot food and a ride home ft you TEALVOX hint of classic British rock Little Kings Shuffle Club 9 30 p m FREE' 706-369-3144 DJ MAHOGANY Freaky funk, sultry soul righteous R&B and a whole lotta unexpected faves Dance your way into 2012' The Melting Point 9pm $95 (dinner and show), $55 (adv). $60 (door) wwwmelting- pointalhens com* CAROLINE AIKEN Renowned acous tic folk artist Caroline Aiken shared the stage with the Indigo Girls for some time Her soulful voice purrs and growls the blues over bright finger-picking. MOTHER'S FINEST Hit-making funk band trom Atlanta that's been tearing it up since the 70s with a genre-de fying sound that's dipped into R&B hip-hop rock and even metal New Earth Music Hall 8 30pm S20 www newearthmusi- cnall com DUBC0NCI0US tically minded reggae heavy hitters travel the bass-heavy reggae path while borrowing from dub, funk and jazz MARTYPARTY Half of dance party sensation PANTyRAiD Expect a “roller coaster ride of emotion and dance' with intense bass, huge beats and cutting-edge sound design TR0GD0R Local trance DJ named after the cartoon Burninator The Office Lounge 9 p m FREE' 706-546-0840 THE SHADOW EXECUTIVES Get your fill of straight-up. authentic blues covers from this skilled Athens five-piece Free party favors and a champagne toast The Rialto Room 6pm $199 (Incl one-night stay af ^riotel Indigo two tickets and cham pagne toast) www mdigoathens.com BULLET PROOF A tive-p ece cover band playing well-loved country, rock and dance party hits VFW Athens Largest New Year's Eve Parly “ 6pm (doors). 7 30 p m. (butfet) For reservation and advance tickets, call Sherry at 706-546-0543 THE SENSATIONAL SOUNDS OF MOTOWN Local motown, R&B and soul dance band featuring Mr Motown Music starts at 9:30 p m Sunday 1 The Georgian Tap Room 6 p m www thecapitalroom com OPEN MIC Every Sunday Monday 2 Hendershot’s Coffee Bar 8pm FREE' www hendershotscof- feebar com OPEN MIC ' . local soulful singer Kyshoria Armstrong ► Wednesdays &. Friday, Jan. 6 KARAOKE 9:00pm Thursdays 8:30pm BLUES NIGHT with THE SHADOW EXECUTIVES Friday, Dec. 30 ^ v / s WILDCARD Saturday, Dec. 31 MEW 7EAR1 EVE with THE SHADOW EXECUTIVES FREE PARTY FAVORS • CHAMPAGNE AT MIDNIGHT * Saturday, Jan. 7 * " JIM PERKINS 706.546.0840 A 2455 Jefferson Rd. in Homewood Hills ' Open 2pm M-F • 12pm Sat Southern 'aterbeds * Futons Since 1975 cooLplaces TO SIT AND SLEEP BEAN BAGS • FUTONS • MATTRESSES PLATFORM BEDS • KIDS' LOFTS BUNKBEDS • WATERBEDS UGA ROOM DECOR! Open 6 Days 10-7 • 706.543.4323 Across from Georgia Square Mall southernwaterbeds.com ■ 1 ■ 1 p ■ Do You Want to Change Your Drinking Habits? • YVe are conducting a study on a medication for treating alcohol problems. • Participation will include five in-person assessments, including four sessions of individual outpatient treatment for alcohol problems. • There is no cost for the treatment. • You will be asked to take a medication or placebo on two occasions. Call 706-542-8350 for more information. The University of Georgia wj- VK. . * {local & sea son a L. /s V - ■ iit" ' -s' ■' (at] farm 255 { wilh nrwchcf} new year s eve feast & fete prix fixe or a la carte supper I with J quiet hooves 6c free bubbly farm255.com 255 w. Washington street seasonal in every season, dig in. 706.549.4660 DECEMBER 28, 2011 & JANUARY 4, 2012 • FLAGPOLE.COM 11
