Mercer's New Site - posted by Mail Clerk @ 10:37 AM | Permanent Link
A lot of y'all know Mercer - the guy behind the Secret Squirrel and all the "Jammy Jamm" free shows at the 40 Watt lately (not to mention his own music). Well, he's started a new site that's sort of his hub of operations and recommendations. Here's what he says about it:
I wanted to let you know about this site I launched last night --- www.heyguys.biz --- it's basically a recommended show listing and it will eventually expand to host free music and video from local bands, a blog (whoa!), crappy gifs and jpegs/artworks, and other fun stuff.
Thanks guys! - Mercer
Always good to have someone with their ear to the ground to recommend stuff for you. Thanks, Mercer. Also, I'm sad to see we're not the only ones without local band recs tonight.
This Weekend In Athens - posted by Mail Clerk @ 10:26 AM | Permanent Link
If we make it through December... FRI: Seems like local musicians are getting a head start on the December lull tonight. There is another round of the UGA Symphony's Holiday Concert at Hodgson Hall. Other than that, really, you're on your own here. Suggestions, anyone?
SAT: The 40 Watt hosts "Underneath the Covers II" - a benefit show for AIDS relief. Patterson Hood's doing Springsteen, Deaf Judges and Pegasuses-XL will be the Beasties, Still, Small Voice & the Joyful Noise are Elvis Costello & the Attractions, The High Caliber as the Jesus & Mary Chain, and Dead Confederate as Sonic Youth. Sounds like a fun show.
Meanwhile, over at the Caledonia, Goat release their newest CD, I Got the Recollection of the Blood of the Lamb. I haven't heard one song from it, so I couldn't tell ya' how it sounds, but hopefully good. Man, Don Chambers, Japancakes, Hope For Agoldensummer, and Pylon all releasing CD's within a few weeks of each other - what year is this? Ham 1 opens the show (they also have a new CD recently, I believe).
And for people who like really old R&B performers, "The Coasters", "The Platters", and some dudes from "The Temptations" (all quotations indicate that I have no idea which lineups of these groups it'll be) will be at the Classic Center.
Also: Christopher's Liver at Go Bar, Sweet Tooth Simpleton & The Simpletones as well as Timber at Little Kings, Redneck GReece Delux at Loco's new Timothy Road location for a very early annual Christmas benefit/party (9PM), and Five-Eight at the Melting Point. Man, why couldn't any of y'all play on Friday?
SUN:Rorshak releases a new album as well entitled Ghost of Frankenstein Rhyme. To celebrate, he's performing at the Secret Squirrel with Pegasuses-XL, Elite tha Showstoppa, and Christopher's Liver.
Tonight In Athens - posted by Mail Clerk @ 12:00 AM | Permanent Link
It's Christmas Parade time again! Of course the action takes place downtown and ends with the lighting of the tree. (No, Mills isn't in it again, I just wanted to re-use the pic.) Afterwards, if you're still in the holiday spirit, there's a concert full of holiday tunes by the UGA Symphony at Hodgson Hall at 8 PM.
Saving your spirit for later? Well, then check out Thunderchief at Little Kings, Jeremy Wheatley at Flicker, and/or Sleepy Horses at the Caledonia.
Tonight In Athens - posted by Mail Clerk @ 12:43 AM | Permanent Link
Another one of those great free lineups organized by the Squirrel crew happens tonight at the 40 Watt with Casper & The Cookies, Christopher's Liver, Ice Cream Socialists, Titans Of Filth, and more.
Meanwhile, Honey will be at the Caledonia and Patterson Hood and "friends" (Don Chambers was on the bill a while back - I wonder if he got demoted to "friend" status) will be at Farm 255 to raise money so that Robert Osborne can come show us movies - hey remember when that money went to pay a loopy Parker Posey to come into town and act above it all for half an hour with a Heineken?
Finally, last but not least, our pal Jay Gonzalez will be playing the hits of yesteryear on his "piano" at Kingpin's. Fun times there. And pretty good food for a bowling alley. Really.
Tonight In Athens - posted by Mail Clerk @ 7:20 AM | Permanent Link
Hope For Agoldensummer and many others perform at the 40 Watt. Hey, didn't they have an album due at some point sometime? Anyway, it's a benefit for water conservation or something like that. Look for Woody Guthrie tunes.
There's also Nana Grizol at Detour supposedly - though that date's not listed on their myspace.
Tonight In Athens - posted by Mail Clerk @ 7:19 AM | Permanent Link
Christopher Ingham performs ukulele numbers solo under the name "Christopher (Without His Liver)" or something like that at Little Kings. Not making this up. Gemini Cricket plays too. Hassi spins later. Oh, and it's free.
Have any good articles for us to read? Stories to tell? Especially embarrassing ones (Robo Dave, that's where you come in.) Anything interesting going on this weekend? A poem to share? We aren't picky 'round these parts.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
The Next To Last Festival - posted by Mail Clerk @ 12:57 AM | Permanent Link
From the folks at the Next To Last Festival...
Dear Friends,
The Next to Last Festival, a charitable music, arts, and farming festival located in Athens, Ga, has just completed its exciting plans for the Saturday, Sunday weekend of December 8th and 9th, 2007. Proceeds from this year's event will be going to Common Ground Athens, Common Ground New Orleans, and the fantastic artists who have volunteered their time and efforts to make this happen. The inspiring, genre-bending musical lineup will consist of:
Daedelus (Plug Research, Mush, Ninjatune) Liz Janes (Asthmatic Kitty) Circulatory System (Cloud Recordings' Olivia Tremor Control offshoot) Diane Cluck (Important, Voodoo-EROS) Chris Schlarb (Asthmatic Kitty, Sounds Are Active label founder) Dark Meat (Orange Twin) Spenking (Marriage) Hope for Agoldensummer Grampall Jookabox (Joyful Noise, Fat Bird) Geoff Reacher (Orange Twin) Long Legged Woman (Thor's Rubber Hammer) The Hot New Mexicans Daniel Clay Deaf Judges Ben, BEAR, and DJ Killacut plus a few more (including a second headliner) additions still to come...
In addition to this unique musical experience, festival attendees will be immersed in a local farmer's market, a wide selection of creative vendors, charitable and informational tabling, performance art, fire acrobatics, and a selection of other interactive happenings. All of this is going down in a scenic pasture, surrounded by towering trees and bubbling creeks, which can be previewed at our website. This gorgeous spot is hidden less than a mere 10 minutes from downtown Athens.
The website, which has just launched at www.nexttolastfest.com , allows for a colorful and musical jaunt through the upcoming happenings. Stop by to listen to artists, take a tour of the grounds, buy tickets, volunteer your time or organization and get generally psyched about the weekend.
Tickets are already on-sale through the website, Athens-area record stores, and mail-order for the ludicrously low price of $15/day $20/for a two-day pass with free camping. Our parking policies, designed to encourage carpooling, can be examined on our FAQ page.
The Next to Last festival is still accepting volunteers, who get to experience the event for free, vendors, sponsors, and charities. Please email nexttolastfest@gmail.com to get involved.
This (Thanksgiving) Weekend In Athens - posted by Mail Clerk @ 12:22 AM | Permanent Link
Hey y'all, gonna be my last post for the week; be back on Monday. Have a great Thanksgiving... TUES (Tonight):Pete McBrayer starts the holiday time off right when he hosts the "Stand Up Comedy Explosion" tonight over at Flicker. He's kinda been laying off the performances lately, so y'oughta catch the funny while you can.
WED: The Normaltown Flyers play their annual Thanksgiving show at Foxz Tavern. Meanwhile, our pal Jay Gonzalez will be right next door at Kingpin's playing the hits (I think he'll be there, at least).
FRI:Jackpot City comes out of hiding to play at the Eastwood Pub of all places. Always a solid show, they rock some pretty catchy hooks. Too bad it's such a rare occasion.
There's also Bloodkin at the Georgia Theatre, Thunderchief at Little Kings, and/or the Dictatortots at the 40 Watt. Pretty big post-Thanksgiving night for those itching to get out.
SAT:Ishues helps wind down the holiday at the Georgia Theatre.
UPDATE: Rare occasion indeed... no Jackpot City show after all, it seems. Thanks to Chris for the heads up.
Tonight In Athens - posted by Mail Clerk @ 7:16 AM | Permanent Link
The ol' 1-2 hardcore combo of Music Hates You and The Dumps happens again, tonight in the Caledonia, which is a bit of change from normal. I guess I shouldn't take 'em for granted - most towns' hardcore acts are bound to suck, so having a few good ones around (like these two) is a good thing.
Odds & Ends - posted by Desktop Publisher @ 10:31 AM | Permanent Link
Happy Friday y'all. Here's a funny read on the 25 Most Baffling Toys from around the world. I love the pro-toilet training rhetoric tiger.
And these researchers provide interesting statistics on yet another way music programs in schools when we were younger can be advantageous to us now as adults.
Also, Hillary posted this is yesterday's comments in case you missed it.
Dudes, Team Brown yard sale on Saturday, starting at 9 a.m. At 359 Greencrest Dr. near the Kroger shopping center on the east side. Lots of books, LPs, DVDs, media in general, plus some clothes, kitchenware (need champagne flutes?), etc.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Vic In Europe - posted by Desktop Publisher @ 10:23 AM | Permanent Link
Thought some folks here (i.e. the Vic fanatics like myself and mail clerk) may be interested in checking out what Vic Chesnutt has been up to in Europe the past few weeks. These are videos from the Munich show on November 3. Splendid, Rustic City Feathers, Distortion, Warm, Debriefing, and Over (solo). His band is completely different than the one here a few weeks ago, as this European tour included many of the folks that appear on his new album North Star Deserter.
Rusty The Narcoleptic Dog - posted by Mail Clerk @ 10:22 AM | Permanent Link
For anyone who hasn't seen this already, it has high replay value:
Tonight In Athens - posted by Mail Clerk @ 9:56 AM | Permanent Link
The Ginger Envelope finally releases their new full-length, Edible Orchids, tonight at the 40 Watt. Venice Is Sinking's in tow to help celebrate - and they're now playing out a lot less (this means recording, I take it?).
Also, Dark Meat's playing a "jazz set" or two in the lobby of Cine in celebration of their showing of the documentary My Name Is Albert Ayler - about a dude who is pretty much the Hank to their Cash. It shows tonight and tomorrow night. According to Jim McHugh (of Dark Meat):
"The music of Albert Ayler, at its harrowing best, is some of the most profoundly representational of the human emotional experience that I've ever in my life heard. Never mind his fulsome, haunted-juke-joint tone itself -- fierce and plaintive all at once -- and his musique-concrete assault of noisome honks and skree; his saxophone recalls much of this world, and much from outside of it, too. Ayler's sound is earthly and astral alike: we can relate to it physically and spiritually and, usually, both simulatneously."
Anyway, the filmmaker will be in attendance as well to field all your Ayler-related questions. And I think Strayhorn Magazine's involved in this too - probably in getting this film set up, so thanks to them.
And don't forget Sweet-Tooth Simpleton & The Simpletones at Little Kings as well as Betsy Franck & The Bareknuckle Band at Roadhouse.
Tonight In Athens - posted by Mail Clerk @ 12:55 AM | Permanent Link
Happy Birthday, Flagpole. Turning a ripe 20, Flagpole's putting on a free variety show starting around 8:30 PM at the 40 Watt. Five Eight and Down With The Woo will both be playing in addition to other non-music acts. And Flagpole-themed costumes? Anyway, as a media outlet that's going on 4 years old (1/5 of F'pole's existence), I gotta say it's not that hard, y'all. Aw, just messin' with ya' Flagpole, you know we love you. Sometimes. Now, if you could add the little "jump to date" option back on the ABC calendar online, that wouldn't be too bad.
This Weekend In Athens - posted by Mail Clerk @ 10:36 AM | Permanent Link
The steady march towards year's end continues... FRI:Summerbirds In The Cellar and Dead Confederate play at the 40 Watt. Meanwhile, Summerbirds' pal (and former Athenian) Maria Taylor (former Little Red Rocket, former Azure Ray) performs a solo show at the Caledonia Lounge.
And what if you just wanna shake ass? Then, go see DJ Mahogany over at Go Bar.
Before all that, though, there's something over at ATHICA called "Animal Instincts",. It's an art show that's having its closing party all weekend. But what you Philistines probably care about is the fact that tonight's part of the party features a little documentary called Tracking The Gorilla, which is all about 8-Track. It starts at 8 PM and the DJ pair of Bitch Switch spins afterwards.
I'd recommend Charlie Daniels, but then you'd have to put up with the Charlie Daniels crowd.
SAT (GO DAWGS!): Local pop maestros King Of Prussia and The Savoir Faire perform at Caledonia. While some other, different, pop can be found at Little Kings being played by the likes of Cars Can Be Blue (insert flyer joke here) and Nana Grizol.
Fans of the rap game will wanna check out Young Jeezy at the Classic Center.
Stuffing Your Face for Charity - posted by Desktop Publisher @ 9:35 AM | Permanent Link
Reminding you once more about the Chili Cookoff that takes place over at the Arch on 288 Lumpkin Street this afternoon from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It's 10 bucks ALL YOU CAN EAT, and you get to vote for your favorite chili as well. I believe anyone could enter their chili, but it will also includes entries from local eateries as well. All proceeds will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Liz Durrett - "Not Running" - posted by Mail Clerk @ 10:10 AM | Permanent Link
Rock Quiz - posted by Desktop Publisher @ 10:50 AM | Permanent Link
Here's a rock quiz from Rolling Stone that is sure to waste 10 minutes of your day. Some tricky questions there, I must admit.
And while I'm here, a big TDJ happy birthday shoutout to our friend Brandon Reynolds, bass player for The Wydelles and The Arcs! Hope your day is kickass Brandon.
Tonight In Athens - posted by Mail Clerk @ 7:06 AM | Permanent Link
Okay, so I'm pretty sure that Bo Bedingfield will be performing solo tonight cause he said he was. But I can't seem to find a listing for that show on the Internets. Anyone?
I am, however, pretty sure that Goat (yes, the full band for real this time - take that Lane!) will be at the Georgia Theatre tonight. And last but not least, our pal Jay Gonzalez will be playing the hits and taking requests at Kingpins this evening from 8 till 11. Always a great time there.
Tonight In Athens - posted by Mail Clerk @ 12:00 AM | Permanent Link
If you like rock n' roll (and who doesn't?) tonight's show at Tasty World is for you. Early on, Ben Spraker (Ceiling Fan, The Shut-Ups, The Arcs) plays a rare solo show. Ben says, "I'll do some new stuff that The Arcs will be playing, some "solo show only" material, and probably a Ceiling Fan song or two. There also might be special guests." Speaking of, The Arcs (who are primed to save rock n' roll - no pressure) make their debut at the Caledonia on January 26th. Mark your calendars. Later tonight, Todd McBride & The Cooler Heads will also be at Tasty World.
For more pop tastes, King Of Prussia will be on WUOG's (90.5's) "Live In The Lobby" at around 8 PM. And for citizens of the world, there will be some good old fashioned world music at the Melting Point featuring the Dromedary Quartet.
This Weekend In Athens - posted by Mail Clerk @ 10:59 AM | Permanent Link
A very wide variety out there for homecoming weekend... FRI: I know I'm late on this, so I'll be brief... Cars Can Be Blue will be playing the Caledonia along with the debut of the much-lauded-by-F'pole (and other folks) new band the Lolligags.
For more experimental tastes, there's Craig Lieske and Pablo D. Wilder (of the Austin, TX band Hotel) at Flicker.
Hip-Hop Homecoming continues at the Library tonight. I'm not familiar with any of the specific acts from this night's lineup, but F'pole is, so go there for more info. But also, outta-towner Mr. Lif will be at the Georgia Theatre, so hip-hop fans in Athens have a rare two-choice night.
And in an oddity for the should-rubbing crew, Juliette Lewis performs with her band The Licks at the 40 Watt. There's some kind of "acting-to-singing" joke here, but I'll let y'all come up with it.
SAT (GO DAWGS!):Bo Bedingfield and the Wydelles perform at the Melting Point, fresh off Bo's stint as Chevy Chase.
Grunge stalwarts Mudhoney come around on tour for the first time in a while (and make this their only SE stop) to play the 40 Watt. If you're like me, and somehow you maintain the idea that grunge was a really good time in music despite the fact that it really only turned out 2-3 decent bands, then this is a great event. Anyway, maybe they'll play "Touch Me, I"m Sick". The Dumps open the show.
Hip-Hop Homecoming reaches it's zenith on day six with a show featuring Ishues, Deaf Judges, DJ Killacut and more at the Caledonia.
And for those who want to see a many perform a show on an instrument he invented, check out Killick (the artist formerly known as Eric Hines) at Little Kings. It's a pretty cool thing to see, actually.
SUN:Circulatory System (Phase III - whatever that means) is playing at the Secret Squirrel in a rare outing these days. Sweet Teeth and a buncha others are on the bill as well.
Halloween Pics - posted by Mail Clerk @ 10:35 AM | Permanent Link
Halloween was a blast, y'all. Great performances by ZZ Topless (who ruled) as well as the Shut-Ups featuring Neil Diamond, Billy Joel, The Big Bad Wolf, Paul Simon (yes, that's Bo Bedingfield as Chevy Chase), Dee-Lite, Huey Lewis The Bangles, Kenny Rogers, Rod Stewart, Billy Idol, that dude from Squeeze, ABBA, and lots others. The ABBA costume might've been my favorite of the night. Way to go Kevin, Anna, Lucas, and Courtney! Wish I'd gotten more pics, but luckily Mike White was there, so watch Deadly Designs for more.
Tonight In Athens - posted by Mail Clerk @ 12:00 AM | Permanent Link
Dr. Dog returns to Athens tonight to play the 40 Watt once again. Also on tap tonight is They Might Be Giants at the Georgia Theatre. Rejoice, nerds (obviously in reference to the latter, not the former).
There's also day 4 of Hip Hop Homecoming featuring Elite Tha Showstoppa and Big Earl amongst others at Little Kings.
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.