originally published May 7, 2008

And here we are again for another week of Athens music news. Be sure to take notes as you’ll be tested on this. Buckle down below…

Well, Hello There: The long-awaited new full-length LP from local rockers We Versus the Shark will see release on July 1 courtesy of Athens label Hello Sir. Titled Dirty Versions, the album was recorded by engineer Joel Hatstat while mixing and mastering was collaborative between Hatstat and the band. We Versus the Shark is currently engaged in a massive U.S. and Canadian tour, but well-wishers can send them greetings over at www.myspace.com/weversustheshark.

Woo Light Up My Life: From the “well, finally!” department comes news that local rockers Down with the Woo have finished the new album. Recorded over at member Eric Friar’s Downtown Athens Recording Company, the new collection is titled Thylacines and the band is now on the hunt for a label to release it. Hopefully, this won’t take too long because this is a band that people should hear. In other news, Down with the Woo has been busily working on completing a video for its song “Muscle Minus Brain” via the nimble fingers of member Winston Parker. Drop them a line and tell them you need these things over at www.myspace.com/downwiththewoo.

Locals Only: Life-long skater and skate enthusiast Jason Thrasher, who has also been a renowned photographer for as long as I can remember, just finished his first music video for Drive-By Truckers. The piece is for the song “A Ghost to Most,” and was shot here in town at the Skate Park of Athens. All the actors are local skateboarders. The video is online as we speak and can be viewed by heading to www.myspace.com/thrasherphoto.

Go West: Local goof-pop band Kite to the Moon will make its Los Angeles debut Thursday, May 8 at Cat Club. The trip is being funded by former Athens/Atlanta musician-turned-actor Jonathan Spencer. The showcase comes courtesy of television and music producer Mark Dutton who caught the band here in town and immediately started formulating all sorts of ideas for them. Dutton originally pitched the band for a developing show on The Disney Channel, but soon wrote an original treatment for them in which the bandmembers are aliens who come to Earth to help restore ecological balance. They would do this via education, solar-powered concerts, etc. Sounds great, but will it play in Peoria? Ponder this and more over at www.myspace.com/bitchinsolos.

Another Year of Me: This is an open call to let you know that my annual birthday celebration will take place once again this year at the Caledonia Lounge. Originally released in 1971, I have undergone several lineup and stylistic changes, but have consistently proved to be an audience favorite. This year’s party features local bands Spring Tigers, Entertainment and Wedge; and Happy Happy Birthday to Me’s Fishboy from Denton, TX. So, yeah, you’ve got your Brit-pop, goth, garage and indie-rock-pop covered right there. Also on the bill is Athens comedian extraordinaire T.J. Young. This year we’ll be celebrating the 16th anniversary of my 21st birthday, so I expect that y’all will have a blast. This all happens Saturday, May 10, and due to the enormous lineup, things will start right around 10 p.m., or maybe even a little earlier. For more information drop a line to jglamb@gmail.com and we’ll set you straight.

The Kids Got LeFever: Local rockers Carla LeFever and the Rays will play a very special benefit at Allen'son Saturday, May 10. The band will play an "unplugged" set along with sets from local kids and teachers beginning at 4 p.m. The event is a benefit for Clarke Middle School, and the funds raised will assist the school in paying for art supplies and field trips. There's also an open jam planned for the event (all amps, drums and P.A. provided!), so just show up with your guitar if you want to get in on it. Also, if anyone knows any kids out there who would like to play, please contact Carla LeFever at 706-540-0908 or carla@carlalefever.com.

On the TV, On the Stereo: Ken Will Morton saw his song “Oh Lord” featured on the Apr. 29 broadcast of The Discovery Channel’s program “The Deadliest Catch.” More importantly, though, is Morton’s presumable excitement about his two new upcoming releases, Devil in Me and Kickin’ Out the Rungs, which will be released simultaneously in the next month courtesy of Rara Avis Records. To see and hear more, go take a look at www.kenwillmorton.com or www.myspace.com/raraavisrecordsmusic.

It’s Almost Here for Real: After months of planning, hard work and honing their general survival skills, locals The Critical Darlings report they’ve completed their long-rumored album Satisfactionista. They are, however, still messing around with the mastering of it. That said, the band hopes for a digital release of the album sometime in June and an actual, honest-to-gosh physical CD release by the end of summer. The band has posted some of the new material online and would love to hear what you think. Seriously. Let them know over at www.myspace.com/criticaldarlings.

New News: Local experimental artist Killick is up to a lot lately. He recorded his newest H'arpeggione (his 18-stringed, upright instrument) solo album back on Mar. 9 with Tom Lewis and missed it the very next day. Provocatively titled Amplifucker, the album features Killick playing live with no overdubs whatsoever. Reports indicate that the sound of the album should be very distinct as it has taken a while to figure out how to properly mic the H'arpeggione due to its naturally “soft-spoken” sound. After some trial and error, Killick reports that what was used were, “four microphones, a contact mic, a pickup, two amplifiers, and then the whole lot was run through a PA speaker and that was recorded. All of the signals were then blended in the mix.” And, yeah, it was done in one day. Take that, rock bands. In related news, Killick is a featured commentator in the new book on Slayer’s Reign in Blood on the 33 1/3 imprint. Killick recorded his own version of Reign in Blood back in 2005 to overwhelming critical and fan praise. Here’s to Amplifucker being just as good. Dig deeper over at www.myspace.com/iamkillick or www.myspace.com/solponticello.

Still Open: Don’t forget to vote in the 2008 Flagpole Music Awards via the paper ballot available in this issue or (preferably) online at www.flagpole.com/awards. Voting ends Friday, May 30.

As always, be sure to keep your news coming in, and always mention either Threats & Promises or my name in the subject line of all emails. Sing me to sleep via email to music@flagpole.com, voicemail at 706-549-9523, ext. 203, or by post to P.O. Box 1027, Athens, GA, 30603.

Gordon Lamb