Newspaper Page Text
MUSIC NEWS AND GOSSIP
Six-Pack Fabs: There are six new tracks avail
able from the newly christened Blue Blood.
The band formed after Hunter Morris (Gift
Horse) played some demos for Hank Sullivant
(Kuroma); Sullivant then became a primary
collaborator. The pair is joined by J.J. Bower
(Dead Confederate) on drums. These six songs
comprise half of Blue Blood's debut album,
which is slated to be released next month. The
record is being engineered by Joel Hatstat,
mixed by Drew Vandenberg and will be
played practically in its entirety when Blue
Blood performs at the Caledonia Lounge on
Thursday, Feb. 14. The band's got this energy
that only really comes from being in a new
project. The songs range from unobvious pop
and organ-driven psychedelia to mid-tempo
fuzzy rock???not unlike Gift Horse. I dunno,
there's just a lightness to it, a playfulness.
Maybe this impression will change if I ever
get to read a lyric sheet. And we all know how
longtime promoter and community enthusiast
Montu Miller. The night's special event is the
release of the new album by So-Hi, which fea
tures guest appearances and production from
the guys in Mad Axes.
Sturm und Klang: The blessed weirdos (which
I mean entirely affectionately) in Pretty Bird
released a new album last week. Titled In the
Machine, the 14-track record feels sparser
than previous material, and the group's tell
tale rhythmic clatter is pushed fully to the
front. I've enjoyed experiencing the work as a
front-to-back listening experience, but if you
need something meaty and (relatively) more
traditional to grab on to, skip ahead to tracks
like "You Can't Hellpitt," "Policeman" and "Big
Lil." The album was recorded by Jesse Mangum
at The Glow Studio and features appearances
by a bunch of Birdhouse Collection conspira
tors like Josh Evans of Muuy Biien. Dig it
Ken Stringfellow
first impressions can be, so grain of salt and
all that. But, for now, listen in at blueblood-
music.tumblr.com and keep up at facebook.
com/bluebloodtheband.
A Bain All Around the World: It looks like
things are swimming along toward the open
ing of new downtown venue The World
Famous. The spot, located inside the guts
of the former Wilson's Soul Food at 351 N.
Hull Street, is imagined as an intimate space
with a capacity of less than 100, and even
casual observers can abide that the laws of
physics would prevent it from being anything
more than that. Its first live music event
will happen Friday, Feb. 15 and feature long
time Athens artist Madeline, along with The
Darnell Boys' extracurricular project Empty
Wells. A list of upcoming concerts includes
appearances by Ken Stringfellow, Shannon
Wright, Hardy Morris and a reunion show by
World Famous owner Bain Mattox's band Shot
From Guns. Follow the steps towards opening
day at facebook.com/theworldfamousathens.
Now Hear This: Hammer Squadron
Productions will present a regional hip-hop
showcase at Farm 255 on Friday, Jan. 25.
Featured acts include So-Hi (Greenwood, SC),
ContraVerse (Atlanta), Last of the Horsemen
(Nashville, TN), Athens homeboys Mad Axes,
Projekt Lotus (Greenville, SC) and new local
artist Chop Bryant. The event is hosted by
over at thebirdhouse.bandcamp.com. In other
Birdhouse news, the collective released a
new compilation/mixtape titled Patchwork at
the turn of the new year. It's got tracks from
Ritvals, The Rodney Kings, Tree Spirit, Muuy
Biien, Green Gerry, k (v) i d s and more, and
you can find it at the aforementioned URL.
New Clear Days: Chris McKay is steadily work
ing on his upcoming solo album. He's released
a new song, titled "The Best of What's
Around," which is a half-sad/half-whimsical
take on using what you're blessed with.
Having stepped away from his long-running
band The Critical Darlings, McKay has had
some fun experimenting with different studio
techniques, etc. He's currently gearing up to
play his first ever solo acoustic show???the
type of gig he's always turned down in the
past. He seems pretty set on giving it a solid
try, but with the caveat that if he doesn't
enjoy it, he's not doing it again. So, McKay
fans, this may be your only chance. Mark your
calendar???and then, you know, consult it???
for Feb. 9 at Flicker Theatre & Bar. You can
stream his new song, and one he released a
little while ago named "That Excites Me," at
criticaldarlings.bandcamp.com. There's a new
video for "The Best of What's Around" at you-
tube.com/user/CriticalDarlings, so click around
if you feel the spirit move you.
Gordon Lamb threatsandpromises@flagpole.com
athens business
a benefit for Nuci's Space
COME TO THE
40 WATT CLUB
(285 W. Washington St ??? Downtown Athens)
Thu, jan 31 & Sat, Teh 2
Grand Finale Event on Saturday,
February 23 rd , 2013
??0 to auienshusinessro^ksxom to
VOTE FOR YOUR
FAVORITE BAND NOW!
$1 = 1 vote
SCHEDULE:
Thursday, January 31 st
8:00 DOORS OPEN
8:30 Ruby Sue Graphics (King Cotton & The Sweaty T's)
9:00 TSAV (Punch List) 2012 ABR Finalist
9:30 Daily Groceries (Jesus Thrice)
10:00 Partner Software (Kneel Before Diamond)
2011 Judges Favorite
10:30 Blanchard Law Office (Notary Public Enemy)
11:00 Baxendale Guitars (The Fret Dressers present: STEPPINPOOP)
2012 Judges Favorite
11:30 Flagpole Magazine ('87 Is A Place On Earth) 2011 ABR Winner
12:00 ANNOUNCE JUDGES & CROWD FAVORITES
Saturday, February 2 nd
8:00 DOORS OPEN
8:30 The Red Zone (The Double Oh Zone presents:
Shaken, Not Stirred) 2011 Crowd Favorite
9:00 Oglethorpe County Schools (The Torpideros)
9:30 Auto Max (Sam & The Backbreakers)
10:00 Bel-Jean Copy & Print (80# Cougar) 2012 ABR Winner
10:30 Jimmy Johns (Super-Proof!)
11:00 State Botanical Garden of Georgia (BotJam)
2011 Crowd Favorite
11:30 - Avid Books (Book You!)
12:00 - Heirloom Cafe (Turnip The Beets) 2012 Crowd Favorite
12:30 - The 40 Watt Club (40 Cent) 2011 & 2012 Crowd Favorite
1:00 - ANNOUNCE FINALISTS / JUDGES & CROWD FAVORITES
WWW
visit out website for details
ssfrocfas.com
JANUARY 23, 2013 ??? FLAGPOLE.COM 19