originally published May 14, 2008

Another week of Athens music highlights for your edification follows these very brief words. See? Told ya…

The Good Sailor Provides: Atlanta/Athens musician and label owner Ryan Cox, who performs his music under the name Sailor Winters, is always methodically and quietly going about his business of making very big noise. Case in point, is the new double album by Sailor Winters titled Parker 1 & 2 which will see release this month via WitchHouse Records. Cox’s own label, Black Noise, has had a veritable slew of releases in the past couple of months, and there’ll be more on those in this space soon. But for now, check out some new Sailor Winters tracks over at www.myspace.com/sailorwinters, and find out more about the new album over at www.witchhouserecords.com.

The Newest Troops: No matter what style of music we’re talking about, I’m always excited for new bands that have just recorded their first demos. It’s truly one of the most special times in a band’s life. For example, new Athens rockband Welcome to Buckhead just tracked four songs over at the Downtown Athens Recording Company. The as-yet-unnamed songs are currently available online, and the band is open to any suggestions listeners might have for titles. The band has already been playing out, but doesn’t currently have any gigs booked, so give them the needed encouragement over at www.myspace.com/welcometobuckhead.

Drivin’ On: Although officially based in Athens, the geographically challenged dudes in Maserati are happy to report that the band’s new label, Temporary Residence, will release a special remix LP of two of the band's songs from its most recent full-length Inventions for the New Season. The remixes were handled by !!! member Justin Vandervolgen and DFA Records cofounder Tim Goldsworthy (AKA, The Loving Hand). In other news, the band absconded into local studio The Bakery this week to record its half of an upcoming split-LP with Pittsburgh, PA band Zombi which won’t see the light of day until late 2008 or early 2009. Beyond this, the band is planning a week of dates with Summerbirds in the Celler at the end of June, including a show at the 40 Watt Club on Saturday, June 28, and a headlining slot on the final night of Atlanta’s Corndogorama on Sunday, June 29 at Lenny’s Bar. If there’s anything you could possibly need to know, I guess you could inquire over at www.myspace.com/maseratirocks.

Double Trouble: After a three-year wait, local garage-pop-insanity band Cars Can Be Blue will release a new album. Titled Doubly Unbeatable, the album was produced by Jeff Walls (Hillbilly Frankenstein, The Woggles, Guadalcanal Diary) and it sounds like a quantum leap for the band. Citing influences as wide ranging as The Cramps, The Minutemen, Whitehouse, The Dwarves, Tom Waits and Nick Cave, the band describes the album as snotty, vindictive and spiteful. Speaking for myself, I can also guarantee you it’s a hell of a lot of fun and an awesome achievement considering that the members, Becky Brooks and Nate Mitchell, can barely stand to be in the same room together most of the time. The band will play a release party for the album, which comes courtesy of Athens’ Happy Happy Birthday to Me Records, on Thursday, May 29 at the Caledonia Lounge. Special guests are promised, but yet to be confirmed. More details should be available over at www.myspace.com/carscanbeblue.

Nope, No, Nuh-uh: In the April 30 issue of Flagpole, the feature story on Atlanta/Athens band Morning State erroneously reported that superstars Gnarls Barkley had performed on the band's recording You Know People, I Know People. In actuality, it was Heather McIntosh, who is a member of Gnarls Barkley’s touring band, who played on the album. It was also reported that the band had signed to a now-defunct label named “Livewire Records.” This was also incorrect as Livewire Records is a very much alive and well hardcore punk label from Brooklyn, NY. The label the band had signed with was the now-gone-with-the-wind Atlanta-based venture Livewire Recordings. This should bring you up to date.

Groovin’ On Up: After spending seven years with Perpetual Groove, member Matt McDonald will make his final appearances with the band at the P-Groove-hosted annual event known as Amberland in Lafayette, GA May 23–25. The reason for his leaving the band is simply that he wants to spend more time with his wife and kids. Tickets for Amberland are on sale now, and there’s lots of info to be had about camping, vending, swimming and all the normal jam-band-in-a-field things you’ll need to know. Amberland has grown to a massive size since its inception several years ago, so if you’re serious about attending you should make plans now. Find out more over at www.pgroove.com or www.myspace.com/pgamberland.

Venetian Cool: Hot off the heels of its seven-week residency at Flicker, local band Venice Is Sinking will headline a show over at the Georgia Theatre on Saturday, May 17. Also on the bill are Matias, The Buddy System, Fairmount Fair, Casper & the Cookies and Deaf Judges. Venice Is Sinking will begin recording its third full-length album the very next day at the Georgia Theatre with engineer David Barbe. Member Lucas Jensen informed me that for one track in particular, a reported drinking song, the band is seeking volunteers to play additional percussion (think handclaps, foot stomping, other hand percussion, etc.). The band also wants to assemble a choir of sorts to sing on the track. While Venice Is Sinking certainly won’t be able to accommodate everyone who might want to participate, lots of folks are needed, and interested parties should drop a line to veniceissinking@gmail.com to get involved. The most likely date for the guest-recording will be May 24, but Jensen said this could change. Either way, you can’t catch a fish without dropping a line.

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. Beat my guest 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