Crib Notes

Maybe you have to be high or just extremely intoxicated to enjoy a Kenny Crucial performance. Unfortunately, I was neither of these things when I saw Mack Messiah at the Drunken Unicorn on Wednesday, May 21.

Despite his status as a local music icon, there was nothing profound or amazing about Crucial’s performance, and his attempts to be the intense rock star figure made him look insane, and not in a good, crazy rock and roll way. A heavy air of unease jostled everyone in the room. The typical hipsters were there, coolly sipping their PBR’s, only this time they were clutching them tightly with fear. Instead of dancing to the music they looked confused and uncomfortable, shifting from side to side, trying unsuccessfully to nod their heads to the Casio beat.

Looks of sheer disbelief and confusion spread throughout the room as Crucial resembled a deranged mole from the “Whac-a-Mole” game at Chuck E. Cheese … the one you’re supposed to bop with a mallet. Veins bulging and eyes wide, instead of popping out of a hole, he was popping up and down behind his music stand.

The music was not bad, and I actually enjoyed myself more when Crucial wasn’t screaming/singing. Their sound was a mutant hybrid of glam rock, psychedelic pop, and I would assume funk since one of the songs was titled “Funky Like Your Daddy.” It would have been fun and easy to dance to if everyone wasn’t so focused on Crucial, wondering what crazy thing he was going to do next. The saving grace of the performance was 18-year-old bass, keytar and omnicord player Monika Julien, who stood out even above the supposedly legendary Crucial. Julien met Crucial at the South by Southwest music conference in Austin. According to her, the two hit it off and soon began practicing together. Wednesday was the first time Julien had performed with Mack Messiah, but she has been a member of local experimental hardcore band When Rocky Beat the Russian for about a year now.

Fiercely hunched over while playing her omnichord, Julien was really into what she was doing and it was obvious through her prevailing sound and the modest smile on her face. Not modest at all, Crucial was really into what he was doing as well; however, he was obviously more into himself. Instead of a modest smile, he screamed at the audience and ended the show with his fists pumping in the air shouting, “Bow to me!”

Red faced and eyes full of rage, he no longer resembled the deranged but harmless Chuck E. Cheese mole. In fact, he suddenly looked more like the devil himself and after that little escapade, the band might best be served by calling itself Mack Lucifer.

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The Pinx’s face-melting rock inspired by Led Zeppelin, David Bowie and the Kinks makes for one hell of a show, especially if they start spewing beer on the crowd. The trio, made up of Adam McIntyre, Joseph Giddings and Jim O’Kane, plays Vinyl Friday, April 25. Here McIntyre and Giddings list five reasons why it’s better to play a rock show obliterated.

Continue reading Real Life Top Five.

(Photo courtesy of The Pinx)

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While earning a degree in mathematics at Oglethorpe University, James “Jim Nastix” Sutherland wasn’t too busy to start his own production company. Today he produces hip-hop and R&B artists, and scores films and commercials on the side. Eventually, Sutherland plans to establish a label that focuses its profits toward creating social change. He named his production company NoSo, in honor of the place where it was founded: Sutherland’s North/South Hall dorm room. Check out his top five reasons why a dorm room is the best place to start a production company.

Continue reading Real Life Top Five.

(Photo courtesy James Sutherland)

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Trophy Wives put on a vivacious punk rock show, causing the audience to not only dance but laugh at their witty banter and crude jokes between songs. Attendees may even luck out and see drummer Will Brown wear the infamous sailor outfit, complete with a blow-up doll. The group’s first album, In Heat, is a reflection of each member’s humor and personality. Brown and Mike Francisco explain the meaning behind each song, which they’ll be performing at Nophest ‘08, April 18-20.

Continue reading Real Life Top Five.

(Photo courtesy of Trophy Wives)

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Criminal Records in Little Five Points (466 Moreland Ave.) had a record year in vinyl sales in 2007 by remaining loyal to the local music scene. It proves independent record stores can still enjoy the potential for growth, even in the age of illegal downloading and the MP3.

In December 2007, Criminal Records sold nearly $15,000 worth of new vinyl. With total sales well over $100,00 for the entire year, the retailer reports a 43 percent increase in vinyl record sales over 2006.

Many local bands in Atlanta tend to release their albums on 7-inch vinyl records with hand-crafted covers, sometimes made with stencils and cut-outs. More than just music, vinyl records are priceless collector’s items because bands take the time to create the artwork themselves. Audiophiles prefer vinyl’s vintage sound as opposed to the digitally compressed sound of a CD.

“Whereas the younger generation is still utilizing digital download as their main source of purchasing [or obtaining] music, the average age of those purchasing vinyl at Criminal Records is probably early to mid-20s,” states Criminal Records’ Mel Pinson. “The cool kids have discovered the vinyl experience that their parents loved for so long. And though our increase in sales of vinyl hasn’t offset the downward trend in CD sales, I feel that both mediums will be around for a while and vinyl sales will just continue to grow.”

Criminal Records regularly includes tickets to local shows inside 7-inch releases, which gives their customers the chance to actually go and see their favorite bands perform.

The ticket giveaway promotion helped sales while helping to keep the local music scene alive. With Criminal Records’ dedication to local music, its increased vinyl record sales prove that independent retailers can remain viable in the face of big-box retailers (Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Target) and the struggling music industry.

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After 15 years, alternative-rock station 99X (WNNX-FM 99.7) is moving to the Web to become a high-definition subchannel and webcaster. Top 40 hits sister station Q100 (WWWQ-FM 100.5) will be taking its slot for the higher frequency Jan. 25. Apparently, the transition has been looming over 99X for some time now, as the station’s ratings have been declining and the station is ranked 11 in its targeted audience of 18-34-year-olds.

When the AJC’s Rodney Ho wrote about the transition in his radio and TV blog, the majority of the commentors were thrilled about the change, complaining that it should have been done a long time ago. They also bashed program director Leslie Fram, the morning show and the monotony in 99X’s playlist.

So why are they replacing 99X with Q100, which also has a monotonous 20-song playlist of Top 40 hits and a similar morning show?

The majority of mainstream radio stations in Atlanta have morning shows with hosts rambling on about their personal lives and/or political views. When music is actually played, it’s the same songs over and over again. At least 99X had different radio programs to break up the monotony: “Organic X” played acoustic rock; “Sunday School” played new music, imports and promoted local bands; and “Live X” aired live shows played in the studio.

With the growing popularity of XM Radio, Sirius and the iPod, mainstream radio in general could soon succumb to the same fate. With all the new technology, and the annoyance listeners feel when there’s too much talk and not enough tunes, why would anyone bother listening to the radio at all?

Georgia State’s Album 88 (WRAS-FM 88.5) and Georgia Tech’s WREK (WREK-FM 91.1) — both of which were CL Best of Atlanta 2007 winners — seem to be the only stations that truly play a wide variety of music. Album 88’s playlist consists of everything from Swedish acoustic to hardcore metal. Georgia Tech plays music from video games (no shock there) alongside South Asian music and hip-hop. With their minimal chat and variety in music, college stations could set the standard for mainstream radio in the future.

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