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By Andy Barton music@flagpole.com U is more our speed,” says A11A 9 Jake Ward as he lifts a piece of Popeyes chicken to his mouth. Cajun-tinged jazz is playing over the fast- food restaurant’s speakers, and there are two TVs—one in front of and one behind Ward and bandmate Marie Uhler—set to a low murmur. The first is on ESPN, which is airing a bowling competition; the second is tuned to CNN’s coverage of the Michigan Uber-driver murders. The family at the next table over is glued to that screen, except for the young daughter, who’s on the verge of a breakdown. Uhler and Ward, who comprise the noisy garage-pop duo Eureka California, aren’t distracted. They just wrapped up a meet ing with their label head, Mike Turner, and are in need of some serious sustenance. Among the topics discussed: upcoming tour dates; plans for the release of their third full-length album, Versus; and other, more far-off intangibles that need to be solidified. This is the calm before the Eureka California storm, which is fitting, given the dark clouds moving in overhead on Prince Avenue. Up to this point, Eureka California has crafted the sort of high-energy, ram shackle power-pop that recalls Superchunk, Japandroids and Jonathan Richman. That’s not to say Versus, which the band will release Mar. 25 on Turner’s Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records, is a huge departure in terms of style or influences; they haven’t stopped writing straight-to- the-point rock songs with hooks and bite. They have, however, taken a big sonic step forward, which is even more distinct con sidering their two-person lineup and past recording approach. “It was really just kind of super-sad DIY,” HOPE ANIMAL MEDICAL CENTER Boarding • Digital X-Ray Acupuncture Chiropractic Laser Surgery • Endoscopy PLEASE DOWNLOAD OUR PETPARTNER APP AVAILABLE FOR ANDROID AND IPHONE GET UP TO DATE INFO ON YOUR PET, SCHEDULE APPOINTMENTS, MEDICATION REFILL REOUESTS ALL RIGHT AT YOUR FINGERTIPS 1150 Mitchell Bridge Rd. 706-546-7879 • www.hopeamc.com Office Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30am-6pm Saturday 8am-1 pm & Saturday, April 16th/:00 at the Classic Center Theatv, — Wanting -n with the jy rtmensofors benefiting PROJECT SAFE The Dance Teams Team I: Morgan Power & Mike Fulford Team 2: Stephen Mitchell & Allison Hayn Team 3: Melvin Robinson & Natalie Cox Team 4: Jolin Conine & LaDarius Thortlas Team 5: Roy Segars & Aleksandra Ignatowicz Team 6: Lisa Mende & Christopher Weaver Team 7: Learo Rhodes & Ron Putman Team 8: Ramon Villacura & Cassidy Carson Team 9: Jan Kozak & Eden DeGeorge Team 10: Erin Benson & Fuad Elhage All proceeds benefit Project Safe -an organization working to end domestic violence through prevention and educational programs, crisis intervention, ongoing supportive services for survivors of domestic violence and their children, and advocacy/ systems change work in our community. F. Neal Pylant Sponsors: Allergy Partners Athens First Bank & Trust ETl Construction Services 'Robert Sr' 'Mary Zorn ‘Bates Eric & Margaret Dahl rheqcrk forrtij Carol 6 Paul Kurtz Regina Quick P.C Georgia Emergency Medicine Specialists at ARMC Jenny Coleman and David Shipley McArthur. McArthur. & Overend LLP Niolon Lumber Sales Mardi Schmeichel & Patrick Winter Supporters of CCSD The Commercial Bank ARH Group • Athens BMW • Barberltos BMSI Packaging Services • Rebecca A lean Farmer Low Offices of John Lyndon • Mitchell Bridge Dental As: Peochtr— Mudlcol ling :Buy Tickets Now $21 in advance, $26 at the door /'includes Classic Center lacility feel Classic Center Theater 706.357.4444 300 N., Thomas Street www.classiccenter.com 10 FLAGPOLE.COM • MARCH 23, 2016 STACEY-MARIE PIOTROWSKI