The 5 Most Anticipated Local Albums of 2009

The following is from a piece I wrote for Rough Draft:

THE 5 MOST ANTICIPATED LOCAL ALBUMS OF 2009
-By M

1. Modern Skirts – All Of Us In Our Night
I suppose it’s cheating to include this album considering it’s been floating around locally since late in 2008, but the national release is slated for January 20, 2009. I love their distinct palate of chords and semi-Brit pop chord progressions. Add infectious melodies and you have a damn fine pop album. Having already listened to it extensively, I say Modern Skirts are on the way up and I expect this album to kill in 09.
Why I’m excited: Their previous material proves the band’s songwriting worth, and with production help from David Lowery (Cracker, Camper Van Beethoven) and Mike Mills (uh, R.E.M. dumbass) you know it’s good.
Next Athens show: January 31 at the 40 Watt with Constellations and Oblio.
http://www.myspace.com/modernskirts

2. Cinemechanica – As of yet untitled full-length
I don’t know much yet, but Cinemechanica has a new one in the works. If you are a virgin to the bliss that is Cinemechanica, please do yourself a favor and go see them at their next Athens show. The formula of some unbelievable guitar work and the sickest drum fills you’ve ever heard promises to create epic albums.
Why I’m excited: It’s been 4 years since the last Cinemechanica full-length,
and I’ve listened to the three songs on 2008’s Rivals EP on continuous repeat
for months. Stiff Slack is onboard to release the album in Japan, but look for
its U.S. release in the fall on HelloSir Records.
http://www.myspace.com/cinemechanica

3. A.Armada – As of yet untitled full-length
Speaking of epic albums, the debut full-length from A.Armada is one to look forward to. If you’re one of those people who think that it’s difficult to get into instrumental bands, check out A.Armada. From bombastic and soaring to beautiful and ethereal, this band will make believers out of skeptics.
Why I’m excited: Even with only six songs it’s still very easy to get lost in the swirling delay and reverb of A.Armada’s exceptional last release, Anam Cara. I can’t wait to see what their debut full-length is capable of. Golden Antenna will release the album in Europe, but once again look for its fall local release on HelloSir.
http://www.myspace.com/aarmada

4. Pegasuses-XL – As of yet untitled full-length
I love the glitchy, abrasive, distorted keyboard madness that is Pegasuses-XL. This new record is being produced by Andy Baker and promises to be somewhat of a departure from previous sounds, but I’m confident it will still retain the controlled chaotic element that makes Pegasuses-XL such a great live band.
Why I’m excited: Even though some critics tore Pegasuses-XL’s 2008 release The Antiphon the proverbial new asshole, I thought it was excellent. It’s thematic from track to track, and a few moments really excel and leave you wanting more. What the fuck do the critics know, anyway? Look for this new one on the Ernest Jenning Record Co. in late spring/early fall.
Next Athens show: January 30 at Little Kings with the outstanding local hip-hop kids Deaf Judges.
http://www.myspace.com/pegasuses

5. Gift Horse – Debut full-length very tentatively titled Die Leaves, Fall
Birds
So…this is my band, and I’ll be damned if I’m not including our own stuff. As you read this, we’re in the studio with Hank Sullivant (Kuroma) and Nate Nelson (Nate Nelson & Cortright) making our debut full-length, which should be out as soon as possible. Shameless self promotion, you say? Damn right.
Why I’m excited: I love myself.
Next Athens show: January 23 at Caledonia with Baak
Gwai, Kebert Xela, & Sound and Shape http://www.myspace.com/gifthorsetheband

Since 2009 is well underway, I figured it was time to throw this up there. Obviously you may disregard the dates and stuff, as most of them have already passed.

Countdown to Christmas Eve

V is for: Various Artists, Yule Be Miserable (Verve, 2006)

Holidays are a double-edged sword. For some people, Christmas is a great opportunity to get together with friends/family and roast chestnuts over the open fire blah blah blah... For others, it's the most depressing time of the year because they have no one to give presents to nor anyone to give presents to them blah blah blah... Some people are just scrooges. 

If the album cover picture of a wasted, passed out Santa (with ciggy still lit) doesn't give it away, this disc is intended for the latter two varieties of people--those who perhaps don't enjoy this time of year as much as say, Buddy the Elf.   

Let's put it this way: The notoriously depressed, cynical and neurotic basket case Harvey Pekar wrote the liner notes to this album. He's awesome, by the way. This is really a pretty good album though, with some old school swing and blues tracks from Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, B.B. King, Billie Holiday, and Count Basie. I like Christmas just fine, but the same old rehashed versions of the same old rehashed versions of Christmas standards really start to wear on me around this part of December. This is a welcome, refreshing respite. For the most part, it sounds like a big ol' glass o' whiskey in a smoke filled bar. Not exactly standard Christmas fare.

Surely you've got to know somebody who would benefit from receiving this album for Christmas. Let me guess how the "gift exchange" would sound:

YOU: "Hey, I got you a little something just to let you know I was thinking of you.  Merry Christmas!"

THEM: "Piss off."

YOU: "Alrighty then."

But, that's what the holidays are all about. 

Thanks to my friend Art Ordoqui for reading the blog and suggesting this album. Art is the program director for the HandsOn Northeast Georgia and Community Connection 211 nonprofit organizations, so I think it's fair to assume that he knows a thing or two about helping out the downtrodden and needy Athenians during the holidays (and year-round for that matter). Click the links to volunteer for something, including a day of service in honor of R.E.M. and all of the great things they have done for Athens. Also make sure you check out the HandsOn blog to see what's new with them.     

Happy Thanksgiving (Random Giblets)

R.E.M.'s 25th Anniversary of Murmur party at the 40 Watt was pretty fun for the most part. Last night's crowd was massive and seemed to enjoy themselves and the music. Considering that all of the proceeds were for charity, I feel pretty good about the fact that the merch booth sold out of the Deluxe Remastered version of Murmur about halfway through the night, and it also looked like they sold out of the Perfect Circle t-shirts at the end of the night. This is good news for Community Connection and Hands On Northeast Georgia, two of the charities that benefited from the sales. Lisa and I were there on behalf of these charities, encouraging people to sign up for an R.E.M. day of charitable service taking place sometime in April 2009. Click the link to sign up. Highlights of the night included Iron Hero (without a doubt one of the most intriguing and captivating acts), Don Chambers and Goat, Nate Nelson (I love the effect that dude puts on his vocals), Liz Durrett, and about 400 people crapping themselves to get a chance to talk to Michael Stipe. The sizable crowd disputes the idea that "everybody leaves Athens for the holidays" and proves that even if they were in town, most UGA students are more likely to inexplicably go see Stewart and Winfield, or something like that. But you truly can't say enough good things about R.E.M. and all that they do for the Athens community. Thanks!

From the news you can easily read in the Flagpole but choose to read here department:
The shifting monikers of Contraband/Megaband/Ninja Gaiden Band have been consolidated under the new name Bit Brigade. They still continue to play the same amazing sets covering the Contra, Megaman, and Ninja Gaiden NES game soundtracks while some dudes beat the games on a big screen without dying once. They are playing the Georgia Theatre on Friday, December 5 with The Buddy System opening up. More to come on that. Promo video!



I was kind of lazy on the calendar a couple of weeks ago, but I wanted to mention that I caught Hank Sullivant's solo set at Mercury last week and although I only heard the last four songs I really enjoyed it. The crowd was small but attentive and the effects on his guitar and vocals were just plain outta site, my man. Sorry I left that show off the calendar, but make sure you do yourself a favor and check out his band Kuroma.

In the spirit of solo sets and shameless self-promotion, I just want to remind everyone that Matt Decamp, Mitchel Thunderbolt, and myself will be playing our own solo sets Saturday, November 29 at the Flicker Theatre. The show is FREE and starts at 8 o'clock or so. Here's the respective descriptions in this week's Flagpole: MATT DECAMP Sweeping, acoustic instrumentals plucked gracefully on guitar from this local musician. MIKE STOKES Guitarist/vocalist for Athens' own reverb-heavy psych band Gift Horse. MITCHEL THUNDERBOLT Soft, swaying folk with an introspective croon and experimental approach. Hope to see you there.

In this Flagpole-laden post, check out this article on Julian Koster's holiday caroling tour. He's basically going around to houses that he has been invited to and caroling door to door, playing songs from The Music Tapes and some traditional carols on the singing saw. I thought this was just too good to leave out. One of the coolest ideas I've heard of to date and he gains more and more of my respect as a musician and all around human being as the days pass. I'm not really saying much here am I? Maybe you should just go scoop up a Flagpole...

Above all else, have a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday from all of us here at Rebel Forces. Be safe going where you go, eat too much, be safe coming back home, and don't worry about the economy for a few days.

November 24-30

Tuesday, November 25:

Perfect Circle: Athens Bands Play R.E.M.'s Murmur. 40 Watt. 8 p.m. $10 (advance). http://www.40watt.com/.

CD release party for the 25th anniversary, deluxe edition of R.E.M.'s debut LP. Don Chambers & Goat, Liz Durrett, Iron Hero, Nate Nelson, Heavy Feather, Spring Tigers, and Packway Handle Band cover songs from the 1983 album. The event features a screening of vintage footage of the band and limited edition Perfect Circle event shirts for sale. See the Flagpole's Calendar Pick and Redux Nation spots for more.

Saturday, November 29:

Me, Matt Decamp, Mitchel Thunderbolt. Flicker. 8:30 p.m. FREE. www.myspace.com/flickerbar.

Thats me as in, well, me. I'm excited to do some solo stuff with my good friends Matt (aka Rebel Forces contributor and Gift Horse/Panic co-manager) and Vaughan (aka Mitchel Thunderbolt and Gift Horse bassist). Matt's got a cool acoustic/fingerpicky set worked up, Mitchel Thunderbolt is a touch deeply moving acoustic melancholy-folk aimed at the religious right, and I'm just gonna play some stuff off of my demo page and a few obscure covers, experimental noise rock style. Hope to see you there...

The Black Fortys, The Duke Spirit, Eulogies, Spring Tigers. 40 Watt. 9 p.m. $5 (advance). http://www.40watt.com/.

Heavy Petty. Farm 255. 11 p.m. FREE! http://www.farm255.com/.

Kevin and Jeff from the Caledonia staff roster rock through Tom Petty's catalogue of songs. This is probably where most of our crowd will go after our sets at Flicker considering it's also free, right next door to Flicker, and a hell of a good time.

The Sammies, Idiot Slowdown, JY, Pretty Lights. Tasty World. 10 p.m. $5. http://www.tastyworld.net/

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This is the weekend of NoPhest #5 in Atlanta. This year the festival is held at a community arts venue called WonderRoot and it's only $5 bucks a day. Not a clue about most of these bands but here's the entire lineup:

Friday, November 28:

Walk To Run Records Showcase:
8:00 p.m-Leadcar Holiday

9:00-The Jonesplan

10:00-Nerd Parade

11:00-Sunday Drive Bye

12:00 a.m.-Phoenix for Saints

1:00-Lions & Scissors

Saturday, November 29:

2:00 p.m.-Intrepid Souls

3:00-Lindsay Appel

4:00-Jungol

5:00-Jesse Nobody

6:00-Tealights

7:00-Mice in Cars

8:00-Extraordinary Contraptions

9:00-It's Elephant's

10:00-Envie

11:00-FishHawk

12:00 a.m.-Pistolero

1:00-Trial By Fire

Sunday, November 30:

1:00 p.m.-Toby Foster

2:00-Dustin and the Furniture

3:00-Red The Exploder

4:00-The Sneaky Hand

5:00-Eric Zer
6:00-The Blacks
7:00-Why Are We Building Such A Big Ship
8:00-Bambara-->
9:00-Gift Horse-->

10:00-Wighat

11:00-Free Ticket

12:00 a.m.-Finletter

Thanks to the boys of Bambara for that flyer.