Merry Christmas! - posted by Mail Clerk @ 1:41 AM | Permanent Link
Okay, I lied... here's another post. Just wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. To get you through, we're re-posting a link to Robo-Dave's annual hit video for "Mexican Christmastime" (NSFW ... duh). Dude's gonna end up making more buck off this than Feliciano... eventually, when its genius is realized on a national level.
Anyway, hope y'all enjoy and have a great Christmas! And since this post knocks off the post with all the happenings in Athens for the next week or so, here they are:
MON (12/25): Merry Christmas!
THURS (12/28):Little Country Giants perform at the Melting Point for Americana-ish fans. Plus hey, it's a great show in the middle of the break, even if that's not usually your thing.
SAT (12/30): Since New Year's Eve is on Sunday this year, the Krush Girls play their annual New Year's show a night early at the 40 Watt. So, go shake booty and count it down to New Year's Eve. It's also your last night to enjoy Room 13, so I hear, as rumor has it that ownership has recently changed hands.
Oh, and DJ Other Voices, Other Rooms'll be at Little Kings spinning as well, which is sure to be a great set (a best of 2006 set!).
SUN (12/31): Holy effing s, who woulda thought on a night with the bars closed you'd get as great a NYE party as the Secret Squirrel's throwing. Brown Frown plays their final show ever (and simultaneously releases their album Courage To The Gap which is both awesome and free). Then you also get to hear Music Hates You and Dark Meat later in the night. Loud, awesome, drunk. Just like a New Year's is supposed to be. Thank you, Secret Squirrel!
MON (1/1): Happy New Years!
SAT (1/6):Time Toy comes back out of hiding for the 4th time in the last year or so to perform their brand of proto-math-pop at the 40 Watt.
Our best to everyone in the new year...
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Athens Music (for the Holidays) - posted by Desktop Publisher @ 10:44 AM | Permanent Link
The Vic Chesnutt and Elf Power set from the 2006 40 Watt Christmas party, and the Good Ship set from the same venue from just a few weeks earlier, are now available over at Southern Shelter. The Vic set, in particular, may bring you some holiday cheer (or not - depending on how you like your Christmas carols). I do have to say that this was a fantastic set, including some brand new songs and some old favorites as well. (Photo by Daniel Peiken)
Saturday, December 16, 2006
The Beatles Yellow Submarine - posted by Computer Support @ 6:37 PM | Permanent Link
This might kill some time during the slow work week leading up to the holidays. Google video has posted the Beatles' Yellow Submarine in its entirety.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Weird In The News - posted by Mail Clerk @ 3:47 PM | Permanent Link
Just in time for the holidays comes the weirdest, heart-warming story of the year about a Chinese giant saving the lives of dolphins by yanking things out of their stomachs. No crap. It's also likely Yao Ming's best chance at a movie role ever.
This Holiday In Athens - posted by Mail Clerk @ 3:44 PM | Permanent Link
Hope y'all had a great 2006. See you in 2007. Please, keep posting your favorites in the Best of 2006 post and post any cool goings-ons in this post. And I'm sure someone'll post something inbetween now and the second week in January, but likely not me (except for the other stuff today).
FRI: The long-lost Roosevelt returns to the 40 Watt stage. Ballard and pals play an awesome brand of rock that hadn't seen the light of day in this town for years. Well worth catching. Plus, the Shut-Ups and Down With the Woo (the new band featuring Eric & Mandy formerly of Heros Severum). More here and here and here and here.
If that's not your bag, then check out Peter Alvanos (of Fabulous Bird) at the Mercury Lounge or Honey at Little Kings or Summer Hymns at Tasty World or the songwriting duo of "El Diablo Y La Pistola" (which is actually Jim Wilson and Matt "Pistol" Stoessel performing a bit Dan Penn & Spooner Oldham like in the wake of their other band's departure) at Flicker (more here), or the loud combo of another long-lost Athens band Balpeen over at the Caledonia or of course, Leon Russell's at the Melting Point if you got the money.. Plenty to see and hear.
But just up the street before all that our friends in Nutria will be performing another of their great sets at Flicker around 8:30 PM. It'd make an awesome pre-show for sure. Also, you can catch Push! over at the Go Bar or our oft-drunk friend in Thunderchief over at Transmetropolitan. Oh and what might be the last UltraOdd house show ever.
MON: The Renegadez continue the "Versus" shows inviting local emcees up for rap battles and fighting it out with opening acts for applause and door money. Rhymes and beats between all that of course.
THURS (12/28):Little Country Giants perform at the Melting Point for Americana-ish fans. Plus hey, it's a great show in the middle of the break, even if that's not usually your thing.
SAT (12/30): Since New Year's Eve is on Sunday this year, the Krush Girls play their annual New Year's show a night early at the 40 Watt. So, go shake booty and count it down to New Year's Eve. It's also your last night to enjoy Room 13, so I hear, as rumor has it that ownership has recently changed hands.
Oh, and DJ Other Voices, Other Rooms'll be at Little Kings spinning as well, which is sure to be a great set (a best of 2006 set!).
SUN (12/31): Holy effing s, who woulda thought on a night with the bars closed you'd get as great a NYE party as the Secret Squirrel's throwing. Brown Frown plays their final show ever (and simultaneously releases their album Courage To The Gap which is both awesome and free). Then you also get to hear Music Hates You and Dark Meat later in the night. Loud, awesome, drunk. Just like a New Year's is supposed to be. Thank you, Secret Squirrel!
MON (1/1): Happy New Years!
SAT (1/6):Time Toy comes back out of hiding for the 4th time in the last year or so to perform their brand of proto-math-pop at the 40 Watt.
Our best to everyone in the new year...
Thursday, December 14, 2006
(Your) Best of 2006 - posted by Mail Clerk @ 12:03 AM | Permanent Link
Figured instead of us mouthing off about our favorite stuff this year we'd let y'all do it. No one's hear to read my stupid opinions anyway. So, let us know in the comments what y'all liked this year - could be music, movies, books, sports, places to eat/hangout, local, national, whatever - as long as it happened or was new in 2006.
FBI Spreads Democracy, Bureaucracy, Corruption - posted by Mail Clerk @ 12:02 AM | Permanent Link
Check out this poorly-written CNN headline. The story itself doesn't do much to help it either. I mean, my immediate first reaction to the headline was: "How?"
More Brimley Magic - posted by Mail Clerk @ 12:01 AM | Permanent Link
Tonight In Athens - posted by Mail Clerk @ 12:00 AM | Permanent Link
Folklore returns to the Caledonia stage tonight in promotion of their new 5-song EP, Carpenter's Falls. You can get it for free by going to the show. And since M Coast and Fabulous Bird are both opening, it's a solid lineup all the way around (more here). Meanwhile, Folklore's soon-to-be tourmates in Summer Hymns are playing a show at Flicker earlier in the night, so you could proabably catch both shows if you put a little effort into it (slackers).
There's also Diet Rockstar at the Mercury Lounge for experimental tastes, BadKat at Repent for rap fans, and for the just-plain ridiculous, the Dictatortots will be at the 40 Watt.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
R.I.P. Will Westbrook - posted by Mail Clerk @ 10:38 AM | Permanent Link
In some sad recent news, Will Westbrook, possibly best known here as the guitarist for the Gerbils, passed away recently. Our best to his friends and family.
(Thanks to Hillary for letting us know.)
Tonight In Athens - posted by Mail Clerk @ 12:21 AM | Permanent Link
One of Denton, TX's most awesome bands (Slobberbone and The Gourds are from there too), Centro-Matic swings through Athens once again to bring some amazing rock to the Tasty World. It's like they keep getting more solid every time they come through. I've never seen a bad Centro-Matic show, though. Well worth seeing if you never have. Also, Still, Small Voice & The Joyful Noise opens. So, it's a great line-up all around. More here.
UPDATE: Totally forgot that We Versus The Shark is filming a DVD at the Secret Squirrel tonight. Another great show to catch. Also, Lucas mentioned the Team Clermont Party at the Go Bar tonight as well - a good place to meet up before any of these shows.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Attention Everyday Warriors - posted by Mail Clerk @ 12:41 AM | Permanent Link
If you haven't been my the official site of Athens' #1 billboard personality (James Hugh Potts II) lately, you need to check it out. It's been completely re-designed (at some point in the last year or so since I've been there), and while there's no longer free t-shirts, there are still free koozies and keychains.
New photo shoot too. Now if he would only reclaim that square billboard.
(Thanks to Vet Pharmacist for the heads up.)
Tonight In Athens - posted by Mail Clerk @ 12:31 AM | Permanent Link
I feel like there's some kinda punk cred to be protected by mentioning that Exene Cervenka & The Original Sinners are playing the 40 Watt. I haven't ever heard them play. And I haven't listened to X in years. And yet, somehow I feel compelled to post it. Anyway, they're playing. More here.
Also, you could go catch Madeline playing a show at the Go Bar. She always plays good stuff.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Grammy Update - posted by Mail Clerk @ 12:03 AM | Permanent Link
Holy crap, can't believe I missed seeing our friend Henry Owings' name in the list. He got a nod as an art director in "Category 87: Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package" for the Fonotone Records box that Dust-To-Digital put out. Congrats Henry! We hope you kick Howard Fritzson, Dan Ichimoto, Seth Rothstein, Hugh Brown, Jean Krikorian, Sheryl Farber, Maria Villar, Flea, John Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis, Chad Smith & Matt Taylor's asses (you'll have to kick Hugh's twice!). There's a "package" joke to be made here, but I'm just not getting it. Robo?
Also, thanks to "Caitlin" for figuring out another Athens connection: " Producer of the Gnarls Barkley album Ben Allen is a native of the A-T-H as well." So, congrats to Ben too!
Tonight In Athens - posted by Mail Clerk @ 12:01 AM | Permanent Link
Local maistro Clay Leverett brings hits the Tasty World stage solo tonight. Playing the same songs he's played for the last 5 years? Probably. But they're pretty good songs. Plus, some covers, I'm sure. No complaints 'cept I wish he was more prolific. Also, upstairs The Renegadez host another in their weekly "Renegadez Vs." nights where they challenge local acts to get bigger applause than them... and win the door money.
Monday Morning Sound-Off - posted by Mail Clerk @ 12:00 AM | Permanent Link
Hey y'all. Hope the weekend was good. Drop us a line and let us know what's good that's worth experiencing around here or otherwise. To the students: good luck with finals! To the locals: just a week till you can eat at your favorite lunch location again and find a seat!
Friday, December 08, 2006
Former Athenians Nominated For Formerly (Somewhat) Meaningful Award - posted by Mail Clerk @ 12:01 AM | Permanent Link
Grammy nods were announced yesterday. Among the way-too-long list of nominees, you'll find former Athenians DJ Danger Mouse (as Gnarls Barkley got tons of nominations) and John Mayer. I think that's it.
Now that no one's worried about New Orleans anymore, wonder what kind of "don't download music" lecture we'll get? In any case, it's good to Spyro Gyra back on the list this year.
For other peoples' opinions, Metacritic's got their list and links to other sites' lists of top albums of 2006. Poor December releases.
This Weekend In Athens - posted by Mail Clerk @ 12:00 AM | Permanent Link
The quiet December holiday party season begins...
FRI: A coupla' loud folks from down the road perform at the Caledonia tonight: the Black Lips and Deerhunter - both highly praised by F'pole this week and you can read here and here. I've never heard 'em, but there's not a ton going on tonight anyway.
You can also catch The Packway Handle Band at the Georgia Theatre or if you wanna shake some ass, DJ Mahogany'll be over at Little Kings.
SAT: There's a "Save Darfur" Benefit at Flicker featuring The Folk Yous, Adam Klein, Patrick Carey (of The Ginger Envelope), and Casey Beth (who I've never heard of, but didn't want to leave off the list). Great music for a great cause. Starts early, apparently - 5:30 PM.
Across town, there's another good benefit and a local institution as you can catch Redneck GReece Deluxe at Eastside Loco's for their annual Christmas party to benefit the Athens Boys & Girls Club.
Chris Rock: Ahead of the Curve - posted by Computer Support @ 12:21 AM | Permanent Link
Yesterday, Andrew Sullivan posted this 1993 AT&T commercial which correctly predicted several technologies from the future. After doing so, he asked his readers to send other interesting predictions from the past.
One reader submitted this 1997 video from the Chris Rock Show:
Chris Rock knows everything!
Odds & Ends - posted by Mail Clerk @ 12:12 AM | Permanent Link
A few unrelated things...
Those looking for the Hayride/Harvey Milk split 7", should look here.
The Watt finally posted their pics from Halloween for your viewing pleasure.
As reported in F'pole this week, Athcast, the podcasting site for the nonprofit Athens Music Foundation is now up and running (I thought it had been?). Anyway, here's what they say:
Site News - ATHCAST RADIO. Hear over 100 songs in the Athcast Radio!!
Listen to streaming concert music from the great:
Drive By Truckers, The Motet, Perpetual Groove, G Love & Special Sauce, Lionz, Maserati, Dubconscious, Benevento Russo Duo, The Whigs, Rhythm Token, Pnuma Trio, RAQ, Spy For Hire, Zack Brown Band, Wesley Cook, Moonshine Still and tons more!
Okay, so "great" might be pushing it on some of those. Not to down it, cause it's a great idea and we're down for the cause and all... but if you're gonna compile a list of Athens bands... Anyway, maybe there's some BBQ Killers, who knows?
Anyway, as someone who's not really done the podcast thing (I'm sure I'm not the only one), I'd be interested to know what TDJ readers think are exceptionally good podcasts. If anyone wants to suggest, please do - I'm not even sure how to access them, so if you need to post a link along with names/descriptions, please do.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Fall Weddings Suck - posted by Computer Support @ 2:23 AM | Permanent Link
Fall Weddings Suck is a site that allows college football fans to vent about their lame-ass friends/families who schedule weddings on the same day as the big game.
The many UGA-related posts lead me to believe that the site creator is somewhere 'round GA.
In my case, my LW was thoughtful enough to schedule our wedding the week before UGA's season opener. However, we probably could've saved a good bit of money on food if we'd waited one week.
Season's Greetings - posted by Mail Clerk @ 1:10 AM | Permanent Link
I can't help it...
(This is the second version - with inferior lyrics, but superior dance moves.)
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Athens Audio - posted by Mail Clerk @ 1:47 AM | Permanent Link
Just a heads up to anyone who missed the (sold out?) show at Nuci's Space this past weekend... Sloan's already put up the audio from the Adam's House Cat performance (Patterson Hood, Mike Cooley, and Brad Morgan of the Drive-By Truckers playing Patterson & Cooley's old band's songs).
Other than a whole buncha rare tracks from that band that never see the light of day, of particular note is Mike Cooley's song "Three On The Tree", which isn't found on any DBT or AHC album. Further proof that the man needs to get his ass into a studio and cut a solo album pronto (c'mon man, everybody else is doin' it).
On a serious note (not that I'm not serious about wanting to hear that solo album), I feel like we haven't said enough about the real reason behind this show. If you hadn't heard, a friend of those guys has a daughter who has to have surgery to remove a brain tumor. Here's her website. If you're looking for a place you can help out and have a direct impact on someone's life this Christmas season, a few bucks in that direction wouldn't be a bad place to start.
Blogs Are The New Gay - posted by Mail Clerk @ 12:30 AM | Permanent Link
As a sidenote, Blogger's spellcheck still picks up "blog" as a misspelled word. Gotta be a running joke at this point, right? (Thanks to Andre for the link!)
Nuci's Space Survey (For UGA Students) - posted by Mail Clerk @ 12:29 AM | Permanent Link
If you go to UGA, Nuci's Space needs your input...
Nuci's Space is circulating a survey to find out how much UGA students know about us. We'd really appreciate it if you could fill it out for us. Thank-you so much! (** This will take less than two minutes! I promise!)
So, if you're a student and you have two minutes, give it shot! (Of course, the students who read TDJ probably aren't representative of the general population in this category, but whatever, they sent us the request.)
Monday, December 04, 2006
F'pole Survey / So. Bitch - posted by Mail Clerk @ 12:02 AM | Permanent Link
Hey y'all, just a heads up that the year-end music survey from Flagpole is up now. Basically, a chance to vote for your favorite local releases of the year and to say why you liked 'em. Even a space to write-in an album if it's not on the list.
And while we're talking about great albums, make sure and go pick up the new Southern Bitch (check out the new site), Strong Medicine. I think it's been released and should be available locally, though of course the band's got a few more weeks or so till Wendy's fully ready to rock again. So, it's a low key release for what is an amazing rock album. All that is to say, you might wanna have a listen before you vote in the above survey!
Monday Morning Sound-Off - posted by Mail Clerk @ 12:00 AM | Permanent Link
'Sup yo? How's the weekend treating y'all. Please entertain us (me) with stories of people who have exciting social lives... cause there's gotta be somethin' great going on. Drop a line in the comments.
Tonight In Athens - posted by Mail Clerk @ 12:00 AM | Permanent Link
Matthew Houck (of Phosphorescent) makes what I believe is his final appearance as an Athens resident tonight at Flicker, and man is it a big lineup. He's sharing the stage with Liz Durrett, Ray Raposa (of Castanets), and Jason Molina (of Songs:Ohia and Magnolia Electric Co.). I think there's s'posed to be a lot of song-swapping and whatnot going on. I'm not sure if tix were sold in advance or not, but you better believe it's gonna sell out, so get there early if you wanna see it. Should start at 8:30-ish, I believe.
Friday, December 01, 2006
This Weekend In Athens - posted by Mail Clerk @ 12:00 AM | Permanent Link
Firefox just crashed on me after about 45 minutes worth of putting together an extensive weekend in Athens post (rrrrr!)... so now you get the extremely abbreviated version (sorry). If you absolutely can't find a link for something, ask in the comments and I'll track one down if possible...
FRI:Adam's House Cat at Nuci's Space. Magic Show beforehand.
Nutria CD release show at Caledonia with Still, Small Voice & the Joyful Noise, DJ's Kurtwood & Grrtch. Also they're on 91.7's "It's Friday" at 4 PM.
World AIDS Day Benefit at the 40 Watt with cover sets by BP Helium, Dark Meat, Madeline, etc.
Jerry Joseph & The Jackmormons with Dave Schools at Melting Point.
Stereo Campbell at Bluebird Cafe, Tin Cup Prophette at Flicker, Music Hates You at Repent, Bitch Switch at Go Bar.
Also, Lady Sovereign in Atlanta if you're into rapping British midgets.
UPDATE: Honestly, I hate short-changing a good benefit and my friends' CD release show, but I don't much time to post these days... Anyway, here's a quick note from Christy Fricks regarding more of the fundraising tonight:
There is going to be an incredible fundraiser tonight at Tasty World.
I will be performing a Sufi whirling dance and a group sword dance along with the dancers in my troupe Sulukule
We are starting promptly at 9pm Donations are $5-all proceeds are going to the sabina hartley-burke fund to help this little girl and her family out with medical bill costs for her cancer treatment.
We hope to have something for everyone. There is belly dancing, glow poi spinning, sufie whirling, drag kings, drag queen, a blue grass band, a hard rock band, and a goth/industrial techno DJ spinning. Not to mention a raffle with some really awesome prizes including gift certificates from 2 local salons, gift certificates for tattoos, champagne + glass gift set, books, and iTunes vouchers. The silent art auction will have some great pieces from artists from atlanta, jewelry, and an iPod. All dancers are donating their tips
Some links for some other stuff above have been posted in the comments. Thanks, Chris!
SAT:Don Chambers, Little Country Giants, and Adam Klein at the 40 Watt.
SUN:The Folk-Yous at the Taylor-Grady House at 4PM.
The Day Jobs is a group blog for those who are productively lazy. Each blogger lives, works, and plays in Athens. Expect commentary on music, arts, office culture, television, and many other forms of tomfoolery.