Drown out the static on the FM radio

The Apples in Stereo debuted the video for "Can You Feel It?" from New Magnetic Wonder yesterday. It has dinosaurs, retro pop art, singing reel-to-reel machines, and even a cameo from the Maxell guy. That's pretty cool.

Audio is a little warbly in the YouTube vid, but you get the idea.

In other E6 news, there's a neat show at the 40 Watt in Athens on April 9:

Of Montreal, Elf Power, and Dark Meat for $10.
Even better? It's a benefit for Nuci's Space, and Of Montreal's set WILL BE KARAOKE. They'll be playing as the backup band for audience members who sing covers and Of Montreal songs. Nifty, if I do say so myself. I ain't getting up there to sing, but that might be worth a road trip...

Of Montreal - Where Eagles Dare [Misfits cover]
Of Montreal - The Paw Paw Negro Blowtorch [Brian Eno cover]

Leslie and the LY's coming to ATL, 4/21 and 4/22

Heads up, Atlanta -- we're about to be visited by an Internet (do we still capitalize "Internet"?) celebrity. Iowa-based gem sweater collector, kitsch queen, and DIY hip-hop artist Leslie Hall will be in town for shows at Drunken Unicorn (4/21) and Eyedrum (4/22) with her band Leslie and the LY's. Chances are good you've seen one of her videos, possibly forwarded by a friend with the words "awesome" or "LOL" in the subject line. Basically, I'd describe her music as the mischievous spawn of '80s rap and an Adult Swim sketch. Who else rhymes and sings about their love for spandex, the Bedazzler, and killing zombies?

Leslie and the LY's - Beat-Dazzler
Leslie and the LY's - Gem Sweater
Leslie and the LY's - Zombie Killer

For more on Leslie and additional tour dates, check out her MySpace.

If you haven't seen the video that began Leslie Hall's march toward world domination, here's "Gem Sweater" in all its Bedazzled glory:

Atlanta this weekend...

Some of what's happening this weekend in Atlanta... music samples provided where minimal hassle was required to grab 'em.

Friday, 3/30

Hope for Agoldensummer, Jeffrey Butzer/Midwives, Drakkar Sauna @ The EARL

Hope for Agoldensummer - Malt Liquor
Hope for Agoldensummer - Hearts in Jars
Drakkar Sauna - Om, John Surratt
Drakkar Sauna - O, God, I Have a Canoe
Drakkar Sauna - Glissade Pressee

Deerhunter, KillGordon, The Coathangers @ Lenny's

Deerhunter - Spring Hall Convert
KillGordon - In the Know
The Coathangers - Parking Lot

The Colour, Gringo Star, The Changes @ Masquerade

Twin Pet, A Butterfly-Eaten Horsehead, Johnny Buffalo @ 11:11 Teahouse

Augustana, Vega4 @ The Roxy


Saturday, 3/31

Snowden, Variac, Julius Airwaves, DJ Klever @ Lenny's

Snowden - Anti-Anti

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, Love of Diagrams @ Variety Playhouse

Ted Leo/Rx - Where Have all the Rude Boys Gone
Love of Diagrams - Pace or the Patience

VieTNam, The Subliminator, Tree Creature @ ISP

BaconFest @ Dad's Garage (with Pistolero, Attractive Eighties Women, more)

Attractive Eighties Women - They Shoot Hipsters, Don't They? [3-2-2007]


Sunday, 4/1

Mary O. Harrison, Georgia Fireflies, Casados, Russian Spy Camera @ ISP (4PM start!!!)

Mary O. Harrison - Where is Charlotte Anne?
Georgia Fireflies - On Down the Line
Russian Spy Camera - Svengali What's the Caper

I know I left a lot off the list. See AtlantaShows.org for more.

It's so comfortable!

Oh my. Apparently Atlanta girl garage/punk band The Coathangers met John Norris from MTV News at SXSW, and got some love from said newsman:

Among the bands, at varying levels of notoriety, that have introduced themselves to me on the streets of Austin and gotten their music into my hands in the past couple of days: Aloke, the GoStation, Locksley, New Year's Day, the Animators, the Stock Market Crash and some pretty cool garage girls from Atlanta who go by the lovely name the Coathangers (who count in their arsenal a fairly demure jam called "Nestle in My Boobies").

I haven't watched MTV in years, but that's pretty cool.

The Coathangers - Parking Lot
The Coathangers - Nestle in My Boobies

For more on The Coathangers, visit their Myspace. They play at Lenny's in Atlanta tomorrow night (Fri., 3/30) with Kill Gordon and Deerhunter.

All Night Drug Prowling Wolves - "Want Me to Be" (with Brent Hinds of Mastodon)

Alex is mesmerized by the Wolves at Drunken Unicorn

As I settle in to do some work and listen to the Georgia Music Show (Thursday 6-8pm on WRAS 88.5), I thought it might be a good time to alert C&T's readers to a little treat courtesy of Pine Magazine. Last month that Atlanta-based publication released an exclusive collaboration between two ATL acts of note. Rock/pop band All Night Drug Prowling Wolves and Brent Hinds, guitarist for metal outfit Mastodon, combined forces on "Want Me to Be." It's a straight-ahead power pop tune, and I've been playing it pretty much all afternoon.

All Night Drug Prowling Wolves - Want Me to Be [with Brent Hinds of Mastodon]

If you haven't yet, be sure to pay a visit to the Pine Magazine homepage and check them out. You can thank them for providing the track above here, and feel free to enter their Ted Leo caption contest. Because free Ted Leo stuff and tickets are pretty cool.

The Preakness 7" on Eskimo Kiss

Since I first saw them at Corndogorama last summer, The Preakness might just have become my favorite pop act in town. Comprised of guitarist/vocalist Brandon Arnold (Bad Magic Number, ex-Licentious Five), bassist Tracy Clark (ex-Silent Kids, ex-Blue Hour), and drummer Tim Genius (ex-Bon Vivants), this trio has in less than a year become a significant act in the Atlanta indie scene. After a few months in the works, they have just released their debut 7" on Eskimo Kiss Records.

The sound of The Preakness has been likened to some of the seminal indie rock acts of the 1990s -- Sebadoh and Superchunk are prominent examples. In fact, Arnold himself has joked that the early Preakness demos sounded like Lou Barlow basement demos. Creative Loafing labeled them as jangle-pop, and I won't quarrel with that. The Preakness sound often revolves around restrained vocals and hooks anchored by a kickass rhythm section and blissful eruptions of rockin'. As their Myspace page notes, they tend to keep things "simple, hooky, and to the point." I'm already looking forward to the next release.

Tracklist:
this side: Demons/On the Couch
that side: I Thought I Was in Control/What They're Saying

And a sample...
The Preakness - What They're Saying

Their 7" release can be ordered from Eskimo Kiss Records, and is also available from eMusic and iTunes. In Atlanta, they're available at Criminal Records (L5P), Wax 'n Facts (L5P), ISP (East Atlanta Village), and Wuxtry (Decatur).

Elephant Parade release "Goodbye" video

Brooklyn's Elephant Parade have just released a video for "Goodbye," the opening track from their lovely and lo-fi Bedroom Recordings:

In addition, the track itself:

Elephant Parade - Goodbye

For more on Elephant Parade (or to hear some tracks featuring Ido as well as Estelle), check out their Myspace. They've just released version 2.0 of Bedroom Recordings and have it for sale online.

New goodies from the Peachtree State

Athens-based Tin Cup Prophette's Liar and the Thief will be re-released April 24 on Subway Grime Records. TCP is led by Amanda Kapousouz, who has long been affiliated with various Charleson, SC, and Athens, GA, bands including Jump, Little Children and Bain Mattox. A wonderful violinist, you may also have seen Amanda K. and/or Tin Cup Prophette open for Jeff Tweedy on his most recent tour. For those of you who attended the Atlanta show, that was her on stage with Scott McCaughey for the 'Minus 3' set.

Tin Cup Prophette - Going Numb
Tin Cup Prophette - Speak or Spill Down

I don't know if the packaging will differ, but the self-released version of her album is currently available from AthensMusic.Net.


On April 29, Je Suis France will release their Afrikan Majik on Antenna Farm Records. The members of this former Athens powerhouse have dispersed across the map, but they came together to create this new record. Their press release claims that this album does quite a bit of genre-hopping, and these two tracks are a good indication that they're not kidding. "That Don't Work That Well for Us" is a pop tune, but "Whalebone" includes elements of electronic music and/or prog within a pop/rock structure.

Je Suis France - That Don't Work That Well for Us
Je Suis France - Whalebone

For more on the band, see their Myspace.


Former Black Crowes and Blue Floyd guitarist Marc Ford has a new release titled Weary and Wired. It was released Tuesday, in fact. By all indications, Ford's new album heavily features blues and funk influences along with the dirty rock sound you'd expect. Of the tracks below, "The Other Side" is more traditional Southern Rock (yes, capitalized), while "Greazy Chicken" is a blues-funk instrumental.

Marc Ford - The Other Side
Marc Ford - Greazy Chicken

Ford's album is available from Shrapnel Records. For more from Ford, see his Myspace.


Another new release of note is Finest Worksongs: Athens Artists Play the Music of R.E.M. This release is the result of one big night of R.E.M. covers at the 40 Watt last September, the entirety of which was recorded for posterity. Artists involved include Patterson Hood (of Drive-By Truckers), Tin Cup Prophette, Bain Mattox, Modern Skirts, Claire Campbell (of Hope for Agoldensummer), Five Eight, Liz Durrett, and The Observatory (a collection of Elephant 6 and related musicians) along with Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills (of R.E.M.), Scott McCaughey (of Minus 5 and Young Fresh Fellows) and Vanessa Hay (of Pylon).

I'd share a track or two, but my copy hasn't come in the mail just yet. Durrett's contribution was, notably, actually recorded by Sloan Simpson of Southern Shelter at The EARL after the 40 Watt event, which she missed due to illness. The album is available now from AthensMusic.Net and will be available nationally in late May. As now is sooner than May, I suggest ordering from the aforementioned website.

Boddicker - Big Lionhearted and the Gallant Man

If he's not yet on your radar, I'd say it's time that you start paying attention to Boddicker. Hailing from Oxford, Mississippi, Caleb Boddicker has been making music since his teenage years and made fans of such artists as Pinback and Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse. The latter will come as little surprise after sampling Boddicker's material -- it seems relatively apparent that Brock & co. are his primary influences.

Boddicker's forthcoming Big Lionhearted and the Gallant Man was produced by Brian Deck, the man who also produced The Moon and Antarctica, Brock's Ugly Casanova project, and releases from Holopaw, Fruit Bats, and Chin Up Chin Up. After a couple of initial listens, I'm impressed with this youngster. While much of it does echo the brand of dissonant rock emanating from the Pacific northwest, Boddicker's sincerity and experimentation with soundscapes and instrumentation (whether due to Deck's influence or not) make it an interesting, captivating listen.

I should add that a few of Boddicker's songs tug at my heartstrings a bit too -- my Missouri home (pre-Atlanta) is/was right on I-55, just off the Mississippi River. Not that I'm nostalgic for those rural surroundings, but it's nice to hear an homage to something from your own experience. I imagine you know what I mean.

Boddicker - Pretty Baby (Part I)
Boddicker - Mississippi Beautiful, You Know I Love You
Boddicker - Interstate 55

Boddicker's Big Lionhearted and the Gallant Man is due in May on Banter Records.

Tweedy A Go-Go

The fine folks from The Owl & The Bear are hosting a number of interesting lossless live recordings at the moment (most in .flac format). One of them immediately caught my eye -- a compilation of live covers played by Wilco and related bands. Rather than go completely nuts, I've converted just a few of my favorites to mp3 format. They're all a bit sloppy and have some goofs, but it's fun to hear Jeff Tweedy playing these gems.

Jeff Tweedy - King of Carrot Flowers Part 1 [Neutral Milk Hotel; 1-29-2005]
Jeff Tweedy - I'm Into Something Good [Herman's Hermits; 9-13-2000]
Jeff Tweedy - Three is a Magic Number [Schoolhouse Rock; 2-17-2002]

Wilco's Sky Blue Sky is due in May. Here's the first release from that album, courtesy of the band:

Wilco - What Light

By the way, if anyone knows if the January 29 Tweedy show from Tabernacle (Atlanta) is circulating please let me know. I haven't tracked it down just yet.

Play. Listen. Repeat.

I know one of these EPs has gotten plenty of blog attention, and the other has already been mentioned by some awesome bloggers I read often... but I want to explicitly recommend the current EPs by Illinois and Warm in the Wake. I have been listening to one or the other on an almost daily basis, primarily because they've been in my car and I've not yet tired of either.


Pennsylvania's Illinois is another band on the great Ace Fu label, along with Man Man, Annuals, and Devotchka (um, hell yes). Idolator declared them the "biggest band in the world" last week, and I can understand why their EP has been so widely embraced. Though only seven tracks long, the release ranges nicely from noisy indie pop to something resembling the avant-pop of Eels or Flaming Lips. Good stuff.

Illinois - Screendoor
Illinois - Alone Again

Their What the Hell Do I Know? EP is available online. Tour dates are on Myspace.


Warm in the Wake is from closer to C&T headquarters. In fact, for all I know these guys could live in my zip code. They hail from Decatur, Georgia, the same city and state where I currently sit in my apartment watching The Situation Room. Their sound is within the pop-folk realm, with Americana elements. If pushed to make a comparison, I'd say they remind me of The Thrills. Hard to believe they're local and I'd heard so little about them before picking up their EP at Wuxtry.

Warm in the Wake - Tame Thoughts
Warm in the Wake - Golden Inhibition Destroyer

Their EP, Gold Dust Trail, is available from Livewire Recordings. See their Myspace for tour dates, including three upcoming appearances in Atlanta.

SXSW Aftermath

Over 4 days I got to see 34 bands and a bunch of comedians. Here's some acts that I saw that will be making their way through the Atlanta area soon:

Deerhunter has their record release show on Friday, March 30 at Lenny's with Kill Gordon and The Coathangers

Greg Ashley is playing with his group Medicine Fuck Dream at the 11:11 Teahouse on Saturday, March 31.

Antibalas are at the Variety Playhouse on Wednesday, April 11 with Chin Chin

The Black Lips are playing a benefit show for Jessica "Juggz" at Lenny's on Thursday, April 12

Snowden is also playing that benefit show at Lenny's on Thursday, April 12 along with miniDESTROY

MC Chris is at Vinyl with Piebald on Tuesday, April 17

The Hiss have a record release show with Dead Confederate at The EARL on Friday, April 27

Zach Galifianakis is at The Roxy on Saturday, May 5

Dark Meat is playing with Elf Power at the Georgia Theatre in Athens on Saturday, May 12

Sloan play The 40 Watt in Athens on Tuesday May 15

The Carbonas are at Lenny's on Thursday, May 24 with The Wax Museums and Frantic

Los Staightjackets are playing with Big Sandy from Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys on Saturday, June 16 at The EARL with The Iguanas

And if you'd like to see more of my SXSW photos, they are here:

Ruby Isle - "Teenage Riot" (Sonic Youth cover)

The new act from Dan Geller (I Am the World Trade Center) and associates, Ruby Isle, has released a cover of Sonic Youth's "Teenage Riot." It's a fun track with all the electro-pop goodness you'd expect from an act with which Geller is involved. Check it out:

Ruby Isle - Teenage Riot [Sonic Youth cover]

The track appears on their debut 3-track EP, which you can download online.

Bob Dylan - No Direction, Period

Last week when I was at SXSW, I saw a show sponsored by Super Deluxe, and in between the comedians and bands, while the bands were setting up, they would play videos from Super Deluxe and Human Giant. I thought all you music fans would appreciate this. I'll write more about SXSW soon.

Cold War Kids 3-23-2007 @ Vinyl, Atlanta, GA

The Cold War Kids absolutely owned Vinyl last night. The sold-out show was nowhere near as intimate as some of their prior visits to Atlanta, but the band seems to have refined its performance and command of the stage. If you can catch 'em on this tour, I'd suggest you do so.

Individual file downloads are down (more filehost issues...) but up again and the full show is available below.

Cold War Kids
March 23, 2007
Vinyl, Atlanta, GA

Taped: SP CMC-4's > batt box > Nomad Jukebox 3
Conversion: JB3 > Cool Edit Pro 2 > CD Wave

01. Nobodys Fault But Mine^
02. We Used to Vacation
03. Passing the Hat
04. Rubidoux
05. Hang Me Up to Dry
06. Saint John*
07. Robbers
08. Hospital Beds
09. God, Make Up Your Mind
10. Hair Down
11. banter
12. Every Valley is Not a Lake
13. Quiet, Please
14. banter/audience
- encore -
15. Tell Me in the Morning
16. banter
17. Well Well Well**

^Blind Willie Johnson
*with members of Delta Spirit and Tokyo Police Club
**John Lennon cover

The full show is available in .mp3 format via Sendspace here or here.

A lossless (.flac) torrent of the show is available at dimeadozen.org (registration required).

Boogie fever

Mountain Goats - Dance Music [live 10-28-2005]
Keller Williams - Last Dance with Mary Jane > Breakdown > LDwMJ [Tom Petty cover(s); live 11-19-2006]
Eric Hutchinson - I Wanna Dance with Somebody > How Will I Know [Whitney Houston cover(s); live 10-9-2006]

What a week. There's been a good show every damn night! Just got home from Youth Group/Aqueduct/The Preakness, and the hits just keep on coming here in ATL. Song links are provided if the artist has something free and legal online.

Friday, March 23

Bird, Rescue Mission, Tiger! Tiger! @ The EARL

Cold War Kids, Tokyo Police Club, Delta Spirit @ Vinyl

Cold War Kids - Heavy Boots
Tokyo Police Club - The Nature of the Experiment

Dean and Britta, Cortney Tidwell @ Variety Playhouse

Dean and Britta - Singer Sing
Cortney Tidwell - Eyes are at the Billions

Saturday, March 24

Squat, Georgia Fireflies @ Smith's Olde Bar

Mute Math, The Cinematics, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin @ Variety Playhouse

The Cinematics - Break
SSLYBY - Oregon Girl

Bishop Allen, +/- {Plus/Minus}, Say Hi to Your Mom, Parade @ The EARL

Bishop Allen - Click Click Click Click
+/- {Plus/Minus} - Steal the Blueprints
Say Hi to Your Mom - Snowcones and Puppies
Parade - Penelope Shoes

Pete Yorn @ Center Stage

Brooks Meeks (of The Close), The Orphins, S.I.D.S., The Blue Hour @ 11:11 Teahouse


I'm hitting the Cold War Kids tonight, and on Saturday I'm planning to hit SSLYBY and then jet over to The EARL in time for +/- and Bishop Allen. Woo!

The Clientele, Beach House to tour, hit ATL

If you won't be worshiping at the altar of Ben Gibbard on May 12, here's another show that evening worth attending in Atlanta. The Clientele and Beach House will be touring in May and June, including the following dates (at least kinda) in the South:

5/9 Satellite Ballroom, Charlottesville, VA
5/10 Cat's Cradle, Carrboro, NC
5/11 Map Room, Charleston, SC
5/12 The EARL, Atlanta, GA
5/13 The Basement, Nashville, TN
5/14 The Hi-Tone, Memphis, TN
5/16 Spanish Moon, Baton Rouge, LA
5/17 Walter's on Washington, Houston, TX
5/18 Hailey's, Denton, TX
5/19 Emo's, Austin, TX

Brooklyn Vegan has more details, and the full set of dates. Thanks to Fat Asian Baby for the tip. Here are tracks from each:

The Clientele - EMPTY
Beach House - Apple Orchard

Moz coming to ATL, July 20

Morrissey has extended his upcoming tour, which now includes an Atlanta date on July 20 at Chastain (where I still have never seen a show). The full set of dates is available at Pitchfork. Here's the southern leg, courtesy of that site:

7/9 NorVa, Norfolk, VA
7/10 Tennessee Theatre, Knoxville, TN
7/12 Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, FL
7/14 Mizner Park Amph., Boca Raton, FL
7/15 Hard Rock Live, Orlando, FL
7/17 Morocco Shrine Aud., Jacksonville, FL
7/19 Alabama Theatre, Birmingham, AL
7/20 Chastain Park Amph., Atlanta, GA
7/21 House of Blues, Myrtle Beach, SC

To celebrate, here's the encore from Morrissey's October 22, 2004, appearance at The Tabernacle in Atlanta.

Morrissey - There is a Light That Never Goes Out [live 10-22-2004]

I hope this post made somebody happy today. I know his fans are a devoted bunch.

Youth Group, Aqueduct, and The Preakness at The EARL, 3/22

On Thursday night (3/22), it looks like the place to be in Atlanta will be The EARL. That night, three high quality indie/power pop bands take the stage. Australia's Youth Group, Seattle's Aqueduct, and Atlanta's own The Preakness should all get your head bobbin' and feet movin'. That is, unless you wanna just stand there with your arms folded holding your PBR. That's alright too.

Youth Group - Sorry
Youth Group - Dead Zoo
Aqueduct - Living a Lie
Aqueduct - As You Wish
Aqueduct - Growing Up with GNR
The Preakness - I Thought I Was in Control

Note that The Preakness will be selling their new 7" release on Eskimo Kiss Records at the show. More on that in the near future...

The Black Lips and The Old Grey Lady

Ladies and gents, here's a fun little tidbit. An 8+ minute video of the Black Lips is up at New York Times Video, in which they're dubbed them "hardest working band at SXSW." Travis from Drunken Unicorn and Rob's House Records makes an appearance too (he's the road manager). That rules.

For the Atlanta locals, the Black Lips play at The EARL tomorrow night (Weds., 3/21) with The Ponys. I'll be there in my usual spot. Say hi.

Black Lips - Stranger
Black Lips - Not a Problem
Black Lips - Oh Katrina
The Ponys - Double Vision
The Ponys - Poser Psychotic

Silver Lakes - The Great Pretenders

Atlanta's Silver Lakes may, it seems, prove to be a force to be reckoned with. They have only been playing out since December, and their debut release has been out less than a month. However, they have already been embraced by the local music community, been featured in Paste Magazine, played at SXSW, and seen their The Great Pretenders picked up by college radio. I saw them for the first time only recently and have become increasingly enamored with their album.

Fronted by Steven Satterfield (ex-Seely), the Silver Lakes sound is a nostalgic one. The vocals are sweet and often layered, while the guitars are jangly and keyboards often front and center. One much appreciated aspect of the album is that even while it ventures into adult contemporary territory at times (e.g., "Only Love Can Break Your Heart," "The Good-Bye Girl"), it steers clear of being a simple collection of mid-tempo tunes for those bored with their Chicago and Air Supply records.

The strong and melodic opener "Be Here Now" sets the tone for the album, which is built around thoughtful lyrics and Satterfield's pop sensibilities. "Feel My Heartbeat" and "The Fool" are reminiscent of the more interesting singer-songwriters of the 1970s, even while the latter's synths recall the peak of the new wave era. The bah-dah-dum chorus and bells of "Wake Me Up" are instantly likable, while "Get Ready" sounds like an updated take on college rock anthems of the early 1990s. My personal favorite has probably been the title track -- its prominent hooks and sing-along chorus have had it stuck in my head for weeks. That would be a wee bit annoying if I didn't enjoy it quite a bit.

Silver Lakes - The Great Pretenders
Silver Lakes - Be Here Now

The Great Pretenders is available from CD Baby. For more info, check out their pagina de Myspace.

Modest Mouse pre-sale info

Tix for the upcoming April-May tour from the boys in Modest Mouse go on pre-sale today. Golden Fiddle (whom C&T hearts) has the skinny and the password. Go tell Spencer that you love him.

Here's the southern leg...

5/4 - Greensboro Coliseum Complex, Greensboro, NC
5/5 - Masquerade Music Park, Atlanta, GA
5/6 - BJCC Arena Concert Hall, Birmingham, AL
5/8 - House of Blues, New Orleans, LA
5/9 - The Backyard - Austin, TX

For a taste of Isaac Brock & co., here's the video for "Dashboard" from We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank:

You can find ample helpings of Modest Mouse at The Hype Machine.

The Shaky Hands - "The Sleepless"

Here's a track that came to me highly rec'd by my friend James, and I'm almost embarrassed by how long it's taken me to post about it. James lives in Portland, Oregon, and bought me a copy of last year's PDX Pop Now! compilation when it was released. One of the real standout tracks on that release, imho, was "The Sleepless" by The Shaky Hands.

The Shaky Hands are a quintet from Portland who have the sort of sound I've come to associate with that city -- elements of pop, rock, and folk flavored by their northwestern surroundings and a DIY ethic. I don't quite know why, but "The Sleepless" is the sort of song I can't help but listen to more than once each time I play it -- I like the vocal, the lyrics, the tension/release throughout. It has character, if you know what I mean.

The Shaky Hands - The Sleepless

"The Sleepless" is available on the 2006 PDX Pop Now! comp, as well as on the current EP from The Shaky Hands. The latter is available via mail order from the band (info via their Myspace). The Shaky Hands have a full-length due on Holocene Music in April.

Screen on the Green 2007

This was posted over at Metroblogging Atlanta, but I forgot to say anything about it until now. Oops. The lineup for this summer's Screen on the Green series has been announced:

May 31 - Casablanca
June 7 - Car Wash
June 14- Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
June 21- Funny Girl
June 28 - E.T.

Not thrilled by any of these, really, although I do like Casablanca and Butch & Sundance. Never seen Funny Girl, and I'm alright with that. Certainly not as good as last year's terrific lineup.

Locals probably know the drill, but these showings are on the lawn at Piedmont Park (corner of 10th and Monroe near Park Tavern) each Thursday from 5/31-6/28. They start at sunset, and they're free.

The Folk Yous

Sure, it's pretty much a gimmick. But it's also a celebration of the music we've grown up with. The Folk Yous are an Athens-based act, now a trio, that plays acoustic versions of classic rock songs. Comprised of Courtnie Wolfgang, Julie Dyles (also of Murder Beach and Big Gray), and Jesse Flavin, they've become a popular live act in their home town. I haven't seen them live just yet, but it's apparent that their catalog includes songs originally performed by such distinguished and accomplished artists as Journey, Def Leppard, Asia, REO Speedwagon, and Guns N' F'n Roses. Their Myspace profile says they sound like "couples skate," and that alone should be enough to heart them.

The Folk Yous - Heat of the Moment (Asia cover)
The Folk Yous - Don't Cry (Guns N' Roses cover)

For those in the Athens area, they have upcoming gigs at Little Kings (4/9) and Caledonia Lounge (5/4). If you'd like to take this opportunity to go watch Asia and their God-awful haircuts rock out to "Heat of the Moment" back in '82, be my guest (link to YouTube).

And because it would be downright criminal not to post this while it's relevant, here's audio of Eric Cartman performing "Heat of the Moment" while addressing Congress -- one of my all-time favorite South Park moments:

Eric Cartman - Heat of the Moment (Asia cover)

I would post video, but it appears to have disappeared as a result of the recent war between Google and Viacom. Sigh.

Goldrush - The Heart is the Place

Among the finer promos I've received recently is the forthcoming CD by UK act Goldrush, titled The Heart is the Place. The album is actually due out next Tuesday, March 20, and I'd guess it'll be getting plenty of attention soon enough. I can already imagine scores of college radio music directors drooling over it.

Goldrush straddle a line between an indie aesthetic and one I'd more readily associate with accessible commercial material -- think Grandaddy/The Broken West meets Snow Patrol/Doves. Although it may not be evident from evoking those bands, Goldrush's music is also infused with some Americana elements... but they're still not afraid to incorporate synth and straight-ahead rock. They do venture into "epic" territory more often than I'd like, but that's a matter of personal taste.

Goldrush - Every One of Us
Goldrush - Heaven's My Destination

It appears that Goldrush is in the U.S. right now for a SXSW appearance and some western dates, and then they're headed back to across the Atlantic. For more info and music to sample, see their homepage or Myspace page. You can purchase The Heart is the Place from Better Looking Records.

Now, excuse me while I go watch the Cubs vs. White Sox game on WGN. Woohoo!

The City & Horses

The City & Horses is Marc Louis. The City & Horses is also a lo-fi indie pop/folk act from New York City. By all indications, Marc Louis is a talented and prolific singer-songwriter with quite a flair for pop and Pro Tools. With jangly guitars, tambourines, and other staples of the genre you might find his music at home in your collection alongside the works of Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, Benjy Ferree, or Jens Lekman.

From the Little Finland EP:
The City & Horses - Little Finland
The City & Horses - Holy Shit, This is Manhattan

From Sheila, Get Me a Lawyer, a little ditty about our second First Lady:
The City & Horses - Abigail Adams

If you like what you hear, head over to Spoilt Victorian Child to download the remainder of the EP and artwork. You can also head over Marc Louis's blog/site to download several other of his self-released albums free of charge.

Bruce Springsteen - "Twist and Shout" (live August 1975)

As some of you may have noticed, I've been unable to tend to the blog this week. I had very limited online access while housesitting over the last week, and now that I'm back in my own place I've been swamped with academic matters. Still, it looks like I'll be leaving momentarily to hit the Band of Horses/Cary Ann Hearst/Arizona show at The EARL. I'd feel bad about not posting to pimp the show, but it's been sold out forever. So... oh well. Perhaps I'll revisit Cary Ann and/or Arizona in the near future to make up for it.

On another note, I've been fortunate enough recently to get ahold of some really nice older shows by artists in Atlanta. While I have a moment, I thought I'd share a choice nugget from one of those. Here's a spirited rendition of "Twist and Shout" performed by The Boss right about the time Born to Run was about to hit store shelves.

Bruce Springsteen - Twist and Shout (live 8-23-1975 @ The Electric Ballroom, Atlanta)

So, where the heck was the Electric Ballroom? I've never even heard of the place, but a quick Google search reveals it hosted a lot of big shows in the 1970s. Anybody?

Local Music Scene: Kill Gordon

It may come as a surprise to find out that the CD which has spent the most time playing in my iPod this year is the debut full-length CD release from Atlanta's Kill Gordon (warning, MySpace link).

Kill Gordon is a three-piece consisting of Kyle Gordon (lead vocals, guitars, drums), Cyrus Shahmir (backing vocals, bass, keyboard), and Daniel Brett David Miksch (drums, tambourine) which formed in 2005 and have been playing the Southeast music scene ever since. I was fortunate to be given a head's up for one of their shows at The EARL in 2006 and was blown away by the show I saw that evening. I eagerly awaited the release of "Kill Gordon" and obviously have not been dissatisfied.

The best way that I can describe "Kill Gordon" is that it is a collection of eleven raw, straight up, in your face, and fantastic rock songs. There seem to be no bizarre studio tricks, no session players, and definitely no background orchestra on the disc. No, it's just Kyle, Cyrus, and Daniel thankyouverymuch.

I suggest you go out and pick up "Kill Gordon" at a local CD store, or if you are so inclined you could pick up a copy at one of their live performances.

Kill Gordon is headlining Saturday night at The Drunken Unicorn.

Bright Eyes, The National coming to ATL

Bright Eyes will make the jump to the Fox Theater this time as he tours to support the forthcoming Cassadaga (due April 10 on Saddle Creek). Conor Oberst and band will make their Atlanta appearance on May 18. No supporting act has been announced yet, but Conor always seems to put together outstanding bills.

Bright Eyes - No One Would Riot for Less [from Cassadaga]
Bright Eyes - Four Winds [from Cassadaga]
Bright Eyes - Tourist Trap [from Four Winds EP]
Bright Eyes - We Are Nowhere and It's Now [from I'm Wide Awake...]
Bright Eyes - Take It Easy (Love Nothing) [from Digital Ash in a Digital Urn]
Bright Eyes - Lover I Don't Have to Love [from Lifted...]

For the full set of dates, go visit Pitchfork.

The last time The National came through town, I intended to go. I went out to start my car and it refused to cooperate. As they were then touring to support Alligator, which kicks much ass, I was pretty pissed off. I've since gotten rid of that heap, so hopefully history won't repeat itself. Then again, I may be in Manchester, TN, when they roll into down. The National will be at The EARL on June 13, a single day before their Bonnaroo appearance.

The National - Wasp Nest [from Cherry Tree]
The National - Slipping Husband [from Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers]
The National - Murder Me Rachael [from Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers]

They'll be supporting their forthcoming LP titled Boxer, which is due on May 22. See the full schedule of dates at Pitchfork.

The Dexateens

In keeping the focus on southern bands who are garnering national attention, today C&T looks at The Dexateens from Tuscaloosa. They're featured this month in both Paste and Spin, with the latter labeling them a "band on the rise."

The Dexateens are an Alabama band whose current album was recorded in Athens and Nashville with the production assistance of Patterson Hood (of Drive-By Truckers fame). That's a pretty good Southern pedigree, I'd say. Sonically they're in the same neighborhood as acts like The Black Keys, North Mississippi Allstars, or the aforementioned DBT -- perhaps not the most original sound imaginable, but probably appealing to fans of dirty blues-rock with a Southern flair. I like to see a band that lists among its influences Gram Parsons and Charley Pride along with James Gang and Captain Beefheart. I hear a little Tweedy in the vocal too. Here are tracks from their most recent releases:

From Hard Wire Healing (2007):
The Dexateens - Naked Ground

From Red Dust Rising (2005):
The Dexateens - Red Dust Rising

Both are available from Skybucket Records.

For more on The Dexateens, check out their MySpace page or official site.

The Sammies

They're currently on the cover of Southeast Performer, and it appears they're about to make an impact beyond their home region. Charlotte's The Sammies strike me as something like what The Whigs would sound like if they listened to more post-punk. They sound a little dirty, a little frisky, and seem likely to have posters of Joe Strummer and Ian Curtis in their practice space. That said, I haven't heard the whole record and I haven't seen them live... so I'm making judgments based on a couple streaming tracks. Check these out for yourself:

The Sammies - Falling Out
The Sammies - Caretaker

The Jet-meets-Jagger "In the Basement" is available to hear on their Myspace, and I might just like it more than either of the tracks above. For more on The Sammies, see their official site.

One additional note to bands... is it really necessary that you mention in your bio that your song was played as background music on a TV show? I see this all the time, and I'm not sure why I should care. Eh?

Silver Lakes, Luigi, and Mary O. Harrison on Thurs. at The EARL

While I have a moment before bedtime to post, I wanted to highlight a few acts playing at The EARL on Thursday night (March 8). That evening a pair of Atlanta's finest pop acts (Silver Lakes and Mary O. Harrison) take the stage along with one of its leading power pop outfits (Luigi).

Silver Lakes is the project of ex-Seely member Steven Satterfield. Their The Great Pretenders was released last year to a warm local reception, with tracks ranging from atmospheric pop to heartfelt folk-pop. Luigi, fronted by Michelle Dubois, should probably be familiar to C&T readers by now -- I've featured them here at least a couple times in the past. Songstress Mary O. Harrison may be new to the blog, but it seems that Mary is in attendance at just about every show I attend these days in Atlanta or Athens. She obviously has good taste. I'm eager to see her do her thing. Tracks from each of the artists:

Silver Lakes - Be Here Now
Luigi - Wash It Down
Luigi - Mariposa
Mary O. Harrison - Where is Charlotte Anne?

Cavemen coming to Atlanta

This news hit a few days ago, but I just came across it. Apparently the executives at ABC have agreed to green-light a sitcom pilot starring those cavemen from the Geico ads. Yes, seriously. Perhaps they have fond memories of Encino Man?

I mention this here not because I suspect it will be my new favorite show, but because it will be set right here in Atlanta. I'm not sure why they chose ATL as the setting but there's certainly potential for shenanigans. I'm eager for their first on-stage appearance with Sass Parilla the Singing Gorilla. I think they'd really hit it off.

Hump Day madness

This Wednesday looks to be a busy one in the region. In Athens, My Morning Jacket will wrap up its pair of sold-out "prom" shows. Here in Atlanta, both The EARL and 11:11 Teahouse are hosting what appear to be good bills. The former will host Elvis Perkins (making the rounds on a solo tour prior to his travels with Clap Your Hands Say Yeah) and the latter will host a pair of D.C.-based bands -- These United States and Revival -- along with local artist Blake Rainey and His Demons. Very nice. Some tracks from the key acts:

Elvis Perkins - Ash Wednesday
Elvis Perkins - May Day
These United States - The Business
These United States - Kings and Aces (live)

Chubby little loser

Ricky Gervais + David Bowie = Gold

Hat tip to ATL malcontent.

Vananarama

If you watched Lost last night, you got to see Hurley, Charlie, Sawyer, and Jin fire up an early 1970s VW microbus and rock out to some Three Dog Night. It was a scene that clearly reminded viewers of a certain Oscar-winning 2006 film. Notably, in each the bus ride is backed by some pretty nice tunes.

From Lost:
Three Dog Night - Shambala



From Little Miss Sunshine:
Sufjan Stevens - Chicago

However, the Sufjan track was presumably not played from an 8-track tape.

FYI, it looks like most of the files I host will be down through the weekend. My filehost is upgrading. Sorry gang, but it's out of my hands. Hopefully things will be normal again on Sunday or Monday. The above should be just fine though, as should links through to tracks hosted elsewhere.