About Flagpole. (Athens, Ga.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 28, 2011)
2012: THE YEAR IN REVIEW No one likes to be behind the curve, and in the age of instantaneous reporting, fall ing behind is par for the course. So, in an attempt to alleviate our shared conundrum of perpetual disappointment, I wanted to give everyone a leg up on the new year. Clip this out, hang it on the fridge and stay cool in the knowledge that you've got 2012 covered. JANUARY: The Drive-By Truckers' three-night stand at the 40 Watt was almost canceled when the club couldn't get tne band's catering requirements correct. One intern, who spoke under assurance of anonymity, said, “I have no idea what a Stuckey’s Pecan Log is! Is that, like, old people food?" The event was saved by a quick-thinking Ba r rie Buck, who dispatched Zack "Z-Dog" Nosey to South Carolina to grab a case of the sticky treat. Twenty flea market stops later, Hosey arrived back in Athens, and the shows went off without a hitch. FEBRUARY: Although every local musician gave lip service to looking forward to Valentine's Day, none were able to commit to actually being anywhere with anyone. That one band- member you were interested in wound up tell ing me to tell you that they might be at that place you said you were going to but didn't know when they were gonna arrive, so it was probably best to just plan on maybe meeting up later that night. MARCH: Officially selected Athens bands, young hopefuls and self-assured pundits made the trek to Austin, TX this month for South by Southwest. Those left behind in Athens spent the month complaining that their Facebook and Twitter feeds were totally clogged by the following postings: "TACOS!," "wait ing in line" and blurry, off-center Hipstamatic photos. Most were heard saying that they "couidn't care less" about whatever was happening in Austin and that people should just shut up. Upon returning to town, the travelers were asked by everyone how it went, and they answered, "Awesome," To which the inquirers replied, "Awesome." Thus, the scene's passive-aggressive equilibrium was maintained. APRIL: Local instigator Mercer West pulled his biggest coup yet with his "April Foolin'" lineup of $20 shows. West said at the time, "These people have gotten a free ride for, what, seven years? Time to get paid, homey; time to get paid!" Local bands Mouser and Bubbly Mommy Gun, having never seen actual dollar bills, went through a tough transition a la The Gods Must Be Crazy. MAY: Several local musicians graduated from the University of Georgia this month and were relieved that they were able to get the entire day off of work. A few packed their bags immediately and moved to Brooklyn, but most decided to hang around for at least the sum mer. A few briefly mentioned graduate school, but the conversation ended abruptly when word spread that there was this party over at that house where that one girl lives. JUNE: AthFest, in its 15th year, expanded its scope to include potato-sack races down Washington Street and a Ferris wheel on North Campus. In a related item, scene booster Daniel Peiken celebrated by snapping his 1,000th photo of Bloodkin. JULY: Local maestro Adam Klein promoted the the first "Freedom Isn’t Free" festival at Little Kings Shuffle Club. The revolutionary, iTunes- inspired event was the first to ever charge patrons 99 cents per song. Sadly, the revolu tion was cut short when it was discovered that Klein had neglected to bring enough pennies to make change. AUGUST: It was too hot to move in August, so no one did anything. Oh, really? Well, then you tell me what they did, 'cause I don't remember anything happening at all! SEPTEMBER: Tunabunny released its latest album, We Can Hear the Footsteps Out Along the Walkway. Although ostensibly inspired by Germany's Can, the band finally admitted in an interview with Boise Public Radio that Tom Cochrane was its most unifying influence and that, indeed, they had taken the title for the album from Red Rider's 1981 hit "Lunatic Fringe." OCTOBER: The Athens PopFest celebrated its annual event in style with sponsorships from Old Spice, The Glenlivet Distillery and Gulfstream Aerospace. Speaking from his hide away luxury condominium on the third floor of the Shackelford Building, festival founder Mike Turner said, "Glenlivet is classy. Private jets are classy. What's wrong with being classy and smelling good, too? If Puffy can do it, so can I." NOVEMBER: Fresh from playing their annual Halloween cover band gigs, every musician in town took what they considered to be a well-deserved three-week break. Then, just as UGA classes let out for Thanksgiving, every one wanted to play shows again. This glut of performances, matched with the suddenly dwindled local population, left every club floor bare. That guy in that one band who never goes to any shows but his own declared loudly to no one, "Wow. I guess no one cares about live music anymore!" DECEMBER: Growing tired of twiddling his thumbs for a little over a year after his band broke up, Athens resident Michael Stipe announced, "This retirement thing is for the birds. And I should know because I'm the king of birds." Other fo r mer members Peter Buck and Mike Mills seemed to be plenty happy with the band's closure. Taking a cue from his hero, George Clinton, Stipe made several phone calls and assembled his new hits-only combo: Michael Stipe & The R.E.M. All-Stars. The band first took Manhattan, then it took Berlin. Gordon Lamb threalsandpromises@flagpole.com Bubbly Mommy Gun Five Points Bottle Shop BEER wiNE ~~ LIQUOR cigARS Five Points Bottle THANKS EVERYONE for letting us serve you this year! We’ve got TONS of CHAMPAGNE and SPARKLING WINE to celebrate the New Year! Kick off Spring semester with a visit to the stores with the most extensive selection ofWine, Beer and Spirits! tip* *’ r '& ' 4: Get All Your HOMEBREW SUPPLIES & GROWLERS at our Growler Stores! NO FAKE I.D.s • NO CRYBABIES I www.FIVEPOINTSBOTTLESHOP.com Join Our Mailing Last for Information on Events & Specials! MJt £ -Q’ 7* S 2 lomions: 1655 S. LUMPKIN ST. • 706-543-6989 3685 ATL. HWY. • 706-316-2337 'BEGINNERS WELCOME! NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY a, H0Vi » M mum at 706-355'3tf> A ^.eoODDWY*® 1 GOOD DIO? GAI1ERY wtMW.gooddirt.net 706.355.3161 New Year? 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FIRST CLASS JANUARY 8-14TW Check out all our new classes and prices for 20121 FloorSpace DANCE A Unique Movement Arts Studio In the Chase Warehouses ISO Tracy Street #4A Athens Ga 30601 www.ReorSpaceAthens.com DECEMBER 28, 2011 & JANUARY 4, 2012 • FLAGPOLE.COM 7
