Crib Notes

More than one member of the band The Sunglasses sports a fading, blue-green, prison-style tattoo of the letters F.I.D. Drummer Ray Fleming wears it on his arm, while the others don them on less visible parts of their bodies. When asked about it, they give each other a shifty look before Fleming sheepishly offers, “It stands for ‘Fuck It Dude.’” While that isn’t necessarily the Atlanta-based band’s philosophy, it’s a credo that drives the brash and arty post-hardcore rhythms of its newly released debut album Bad Happy (Trans Ruin/Dark Wolf Records).

It isn’t easy to describe the sound that Fleming, along with drummer Daniel Deckebach, bass player Zach Rivers and vocalist Josh Lyner have concocted. Songs such as “100 Names,” “Chut Brittany” and “Smoke It” swing wildly between noise rock, grunge and drug-damaged pop, with math rock leanings. “I usually try to come up with the stupidest riff I can think of and morph it into a nasty pop song,” Deckebach explains. By stupid, he means unorthodox. “I can’t really shred on guitar so I’ll think, what sounds really ridiculous and doesn’t make sense with these weird-sounding chords, but then have it tie the whole song together.”

Continue Reading “The Sunglasses get Bad Happy“

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If anybody remembers Michel’le, the late ’80s/early ’90s R&B singer who worked with (and eventually had a son by) producer Dr. Dre, you might understand why Atlanta-based songwriter and artist the Dolldaze reminds me of her.

They sound nothing alike, mind you. But Michel’le has this helium-high speaking voice that’s the polar opposite of her rich, soulful singing voice. The difference in the Dolldaze’s speaking and singing voices isn’t quite that dramatic, but it’s interesting to hear how her Southern, round-the-way accent totally disappears once she begins singing.

But trust, that’s where the comparison between them ends. The self-penned song that the Dolldaze starts singing about 1:18 into the above video is one of the highlights from her recently released six-song EP, Acid Report: The Missing Peace. Titled “Let it Blow,” it features her signature blend of classic rock and soul. The traces of flamenco in her guitar strumming combine with her vocals in a way that reminds me of Jefferson Airplane’s Grace Slick singing “White Rabbit” for some odd reason. The alternating push-and-pull of the song’s changing rhythms builds a nice bit of tension, too.

Download Acid Report: The Missing Peace for free.

The Dolldaze performs tonight as part of the Think New 9 line-up featuring Sidestreet Ked, Grand Prize Winners From Last Year, Innate Forte, Lundy, Richelle L. Brown, Rico Wade, Dungeoneze and Pobody’s Nerfect. $10. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn, 736 Ponce de Leon Ave. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net.

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Remember Deerhunter? Not the Deerhunter, mind you, of Brooklyn Vegan hype or Pitchfork Best New Music fame, and not the Spike Jonze/Trent Reznor-hanging Deerhunter, but Atlanta’s Deerhunter. Remember when they gigged tirelessly, I mean, all the damn time, at the Drunken Unicorn here in town, or at the sweaty, dank Caledonia Lounge over in Athens? Above all, do you remember Turn It Up Faggot? Yeah, the one with a Black Lips’ dick on the cover. Notoriously effusive frontman Bradford Cox would just as soon have you purge it from memory — he’s trashed the band’s grimy, lo-fi debut in interviews, citing, among other apparent pratfalls, the band’s musical immaturity at the time.

While it’s definitely true that the songs on Turn It Up Faggot lack a certain cohesiveness aptly displayed on Deerhunter’s following recordings (say what you will about Cox and his occasionally impish ways, the guy knows how to put an album together), there exists throughout the record a gnarled, raw sort of furor that is nowhere to be found on, say, Cryptograms. Chalk it up to artistic evolution, if you will — obviously, a band must grow, mature, change; if not, you’re Kiss. With all the best groups, though, there’s usually a good deal of intrigue, if not all-out enjoyment, to be found by examining and absorbing their earliest work. In this case, TIUF, ugly scabs and all, contains some revelatory stuff. (more…)

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iPhone photos rule supremes

I hadn’t heard Mayer Hawthorne’s stuff until I downloaded the one of the most recent podcasts from KCRW’s “Morning Becomes Eclectic.”

“I like your style, man” said the host, Jason Bentley. “Aw man,” said a young, subtle voice, with appreciation. The sounds that followed were not at all congruent with what I’m used to hearing from Stone’s Throw records – the epitome of an underground hip-hop label.

Conveniently, I learned via Twitter that Mayer Hawthorne and the County would be headlining last night at the Drunken Unicorn. So what the hell, I thought, let’s go.

Bentley was right, dude has style. Dressed in a V cashmere sweater, tie, slacks, and reading glasses, this Ann Arbor, Michigan native was on a one-man mission to bring some love to the ATL. Each song is an original piece (save for a few covers) that emulates the best of Motown’s heyday standards. Hawthorne channels a great mid seventies soul-vibe through a neo-romantic tip. Hipster love tunes if you will, but done with taste and in earnest.

Though the set-list was short, (his debut runs 12 songs long), Hawthorne kept the crowd engaged, and offered some variations – dubbing it down for “Green Eyed Love”– and covers, doing a choice rendition of the Isley Brother’s “Work to do.”

Hawthorne brought the love, and from the looks of it (via his Twitter feed), Atlanta responded in stride.

I cannot BELIEVE how hype Atlanta was last night. Totally blew me away! Possibly the best crowd of the tour! Thank you ATL!

(Photo by Molly Egan)

After the jump, see Mayer Hawthorne performing on KCRW’s “Morning Becomes Eclectic”.
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By Kelli Goldman

The vivacious Juliette Lewis’ performance last night at the Drunken Unicorn was out of this world. Scantily clad and gyrating, off-the-wall Lewis brought to the audience a seductively captivating sexual freak show.

“When I started this music thing five years ago, I meant it,” said Lewis. And did she ever. Mostly playing songs from her new album Terra Incognita, but still revisiting her older tunes with the Licks, Lewis moved the audience with her heavy beats and breathing, heart-felt screaming lyrics and wailing guitar and drums. It was hard not to feel a personal connection with Lewis as she directly addressed the audience several times in the tiny venue.

Juliette Lewis is definitely a must-see when she comes back to Atlanta. She is currently on a world tour promoting her solo album, Terra Incognita.

See more photos from the Juliette Lewis show at the Drunken Unicorn

(Photos by Perry Julien)

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The phone call interrupts dinner around 6 p.m. on a Thursday. It’s my girlfriend’s birthday and our meals have just been served up at her favorite Italian restaurant. Normally, I wouldn’t answer at a time like this, not even for my own mother. But the picture of B Jay pops up on my phone’s screen, his arms outstretched like Mr. Bill when he’s about to get squashed. I have to answer.

For the last nine months, Benjamin Jay Womack has been soldiering through terminal lung cancer that has spread to his brain, liver and God knows where else — at the age of 34. I answer, expecting to hear his voice on the other end asking for a ride to get something to eat or a pack of cigarettes. But it’s his roommate Jessica. “I had to put B Jay into hospice care today,” she deadpans. “His hips gave out and he’s having a hard time walking. We’re filling out paperwork with a social worker right now and B Jay wants to know if he can put you down for power of attorney.” I answer yes, envisioning the worst-case scenario as a wave of denial sweeps over me.

One year ago, the man best known by his stage name Bobby Ubangi was a rebel without a pause, partying like a rock star and working as the grouchy door guy at the Drunken Unicorn off Ponce de Leon Avenue. Long considered a mascot of sorts for the Atlanta music scene that nurtured such bands as Deerhunter, Black Lips and Gentleman Jesse, B Jay was a founding member of Carbonas before he got kicked out because he didn’t like to practice. He went on to play guitar and sing in such local garage-punk outfits as the Lids, the Gaye Blades, and Bobby and the Soft Spots. “B Jay is omnipresent around here,” says Jared Swilley of the Black Lips. “He’s been around forever.”

Continue reading “The life and times of Bobby Ubangi”

(Photo by Chad Radford)

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DJ LE CASTLE VANIA

These days it’s rare for anything to last very long in the club world. But when you have the right mix of cutting edge electro beats, the right venue and hipster credibility, you’re bound to get repeat business and a word-of-mouth following.

Such is the case with Fuck Yesss, the monthly indie electro dance party celebrating its second anniversary at the Drunken Unicorn this week. The dingy rock ‘n’ roll atmosphere lends itself to the equally skuzzy beats provided by DJs Le Castle Vania (aka DJ DJ Dylan) and Rrrump, a collaborative unit consisting of local favorites Justin Bright, Drew Van Atten and Anthony Rotella. Add to the mix the funked up disco sounds of Treasure Fingers and you’ve got an anniversary party worth wearing your dancing shoes to.

In addition to rocking DJ sets, there will also be video experimentation from Video Bean (aka Bean Summers) and plenty of Day-Glo, ironic bling and sunglasses at night. And Oh Snap! Kid photography will be there to document the debauchery.

$5 for ages 21 and older; $7 for ages 18-20. 11:30 p.m. Thurs., June 4. The Drunken Unicorn, 736 Ponce de Leon Ave. 404-870-0575. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net.

(Photo courtesy Ryan Prouty)

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Brad Syna – concert promoter for Variety Playhouse’s Windstorm Productions

My mixtape

1. “Riot Act” – Elvis Costello
2. “Pot Kettle Black” – Wilco
3. “Sleep Together” – Porcupine Tree
4. “The Wraith” – E.S.T.
5. “Lie To Me” – Tom Waits
6. “We Laugh Indoors” – Death Cab for Cutie
7. “Going Underground” – The Jam
8. “Idiot Wind” – Bob Dylan
9. “Sexy Sadie” – The Beatles
10. “Station to Station” – David Bowie

My favorite local band?
Anna Kramer and the Lost Cause. A great band that is hard to define.

Check out Mixtape Love: CL Music Issue ‘09

(Photo by Lisa Miller)

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Susan Archie – Queen, World of anArchie

My mixtape

1. “Digital” – Joy Division
(I have been watching Joy Division: The Movie)
2. “Use Me” – Bill Withers
(This was a hit when I was a kid, I just got it off iTunes)
3. “Mama Caught a Chicken” – Chickens and Pigs
(I have been playing drums a few times w/ CnP, love his songwriting)
4. “Born Under Punches” – Talking Heads: Live in Rome
(I captured off YouTube Video)
5. “$20″ – M.I.A.
(My favorite artist for awhile now)
6. “Walking Stick” – Golden Gate Quartet
(A classic harmony and rhythm ‘race’ record)
7. “Goin’ Where The Monon Crosses the Yellow Dog” – Scrapper Blackwell off Art of Field Recording Vol. II
(insanely raw primitive blues)
8. “Storms are on The Ocean” – The Carter Family
( I am always listening to the Carter Family)
9. “Brainwash” – The Moaners
(2 pc girl blues out of NC)
10. “Arms Akimbo” – Hugo Largo
(I found some of video of them from the 80s in London. If it had been NYC I would have been in the crowd, I saw them every time they played.)

My favorite local band?
Whatever Kristin Klein at Vacation tells me. Too many to choose: I love Deerhunter, Atlas Sound, Black Lips, HubCap City and Chickens and Pigs.

Check out Mixtape Love: CL Music Issue ‘09

(Photo by Dene Shepherd)

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Armando Celentano – supreme keeper of ye olde Drunken Unicorn and Black Lips tour manager.

My mixtape

1. “Waiting Room”- Fugazi
2. “Star Wars Theme” – John Williams
3. Crack the Skye (the whole damn album) – Mastodon
4. “Lexicon Devil”- the Germs
5. “Mouth Breather” – the Jesus Lizard
6. “Two Highways”- Allison Krauss & Union Station
7. “Holland 1945″- Neutral Milk Hotel
8. “Ether”- Gang of Four
9. “Got Your Money”- ol’ Dirty Bastard
10. “Coolidge” – the Decendents

My favorite band?
I’m torn here between Mastodon and Gentleman Jesse and His Men. I think I’ll have to go with GJ though. We just went on tour with them for a month and their songs were totally getting stuck in my head to the point where I was craving seeing their set every night just so I could have some peace of mind. Power pop is the future and Gentleman Jesse and His Men are the Jonahs Brothers of the ATL scene.

Check out Mixtape Love: CL Music Issue ‘09

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CL’s Chanté LaGon and Chad Radford chat about upcoming shows for the weekend, including Tealights at the Drunken Unicorn (Sat., April 25), Jamie Stewart from Xiu Xiu at Wonderroot (Sat., April 25), and Richard Lloyd at the Earl (Sun., April 26).

Check out this week’s Sound Menu for a more comprehensive list of upcoming shows.

Air Loaf is broadcast weekdays on 1690 WMLB-AM at approximately 8:10 a.m., 12:20 p.m. and 6:20 p.m.

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CL’s Chanté LaGon and Chad Radford chat about upcoming shows around Atlanta, including Zoroaster’s CD release party at the Drunken Unicorn (Friday, March 27), Eva Kennedy at Sugarhill (Saturday, March 28), and the Preakness at the Earl (Saturday, March 28).

Check out this week’s Sound Menu for a more comprehensive list of upcoming shows.

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Air Loaf is broadcast weekdays on 1690 WMLB-AM at approximately 8:10 a.m., 12:20 p.m. and 6:20 p.m.

Subscribe to the Air Loaf RSS feed to download each new episode automatically

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PAULA NELSON, SHANE BRIDGES Yeah, she’s Willie’s daughter, and her thing is very typical Texas country-blues. The girl can sing, but we’ve heard most of this before. If you dig the blues, be there. Macon’s Americana guy Shane Bridges opens. $6, 8PM. Smith’s Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. – James Kelly

GRAILS Portland, Ore.’s purveyors of avant-garde metal return in support of their darkest and dirtiest offering yet, Doomsdayer’s Holiday. The latest release details epic, instrumental riffage and atmospheres that find sludgy, metal drums intertwining with washes of Middle Eastern textures and a white-hot tussle between harmony and distortion. For their Fri. Nov. 14th show, electronic music pioneers the Silver Apples surf the sine waves, carving out deep, psychedelic grooves. Led by the mysterious Simeon Coxe III, Silver Apples craft songs that are as addictive today as they were when the group emerged from the New York art-rock scene circa 1967. Athens’ instrumental math rockers A.Armada open. $10. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn, 736 Ponce de Leon Place. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — Chad Radford

(Photo Credit: Todd V. Wolfson)

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There are two shows worth checking out tonight. First up at The Earl:FAUN FABLES, JEFFREY BÜTZER Singer/frontwoman Dawn McCarthy, although raised in Washington, tends to favor a musical (and artistic) palette that veers toward British folk with avant-garde leanings. While not exactly like labelmate Joanna Newsom, she attracts a similar audience with her chirping, innocent vocals and acoustic, fairyish approach. Sweet, challenging, occasionally weird but always intriguing, she is still very much an acquired taste. Welcome local opener Butzer back from France, where his cabaret art-pop reportedly was well-received. $10. 9 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — Hal Horowitz

And if that’s not your thing, you can head over to the Drunken Unicorn for…

MARGOT & THE NUCLEAR SO AND SO’S The Indianapolis octet’s debut, The Dust of Retreat, balances careening, string- and horn-fueled arrangements with sweet, melodious broken-hearted odes, lightened by a bit of playfulness, as on “Paper Kitten Nightmare,” where Richard Edwards meows the chorus like an old Meow Mix commercial. Unlike many chamber-pop-oriented acts, Margot rocks convincingly (”Barfight Revolution, Power Violence”) despite their preference for ringing, folk-tinged melodies. In September they make their Epic debut with two different albums, Animal and Not Animal, with varying song selections, one of the label’s choosing and one of their own. $10. 10 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. 404-870-0575. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net.
– Chris Parker

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Submitted by: Jason R. Jensen

The Young Livers w/Grabass Charlestons @ Drunken Unicorn. Thurs., Aug. 14

The only thing better than seeing a great band right before they take off on a massive tour through the U.S. and Europe is seeing them in an empty club with about 30 other people that belong in the “Who’s Who” of the Atlanta music scene. Gainesville, Fla.-based Young Livers stand a good chance of replicating the success of Against Me!, and with a super loud double guitar sound the band just about shamed me into wishing I’d brought earplugs. The closing band was Grabass Charlestons — the Young Livers’ No Idea labelmates. Grabass seemed to get everyone pumped but my friend and I got bored halfway through and went across the street to Cameli’s to listen to awful karaoke and drink Jameson.

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Ethan Miller is best-known as the main man responsible for churning out the the droning art metal of his other band, Comets on Fire. But with Howlin Rain performing this Friday night, JUNE 6, Miller helms a show of baroque, psychedelic rock jams that are laced with nods to the avant-garde. But above all else, Howlin Rain is a rock band that’s rooted in the traditions of Jefferson Airplane in the ’60s, the Byrds in their psychedelic heyday and the good Grateful Dead records.

The group’s second full-length, Magnificent Fiend, released under the wings of Rick Rubin’s American Recordings, is rife with big, gospel explosions of organ wash and harmonic riffage that glows with the kaleidoscopic aura of San Francisco circa ‘66. $8. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn, 736 Ponce de Leon Place. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net.

If you can’t make it to the Drunken Unicorn and would prefer the the more intimate settings of a FREE in-store performance, Howlin Rain will also be performing at Criminal Records in L5P earlier in the evening at 7 p.m.

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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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SOLO DEERHUNTER: Bradford Cox does his thing at his Atlas Sound CD release performance, Tues., Feb. 19.

Click here to read Mosi Reeves’ story on Cox and his new release.

(All photos by Alan Friedman)

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(photo by Jessica Miller)

The speed-rapping hip-hop artist BUSDRIVER makes complex satire that touches on race, cultural politics and societal trends with aplomb. But if Roadkillovercoat, released earlier this year, was sometimes difficult to follow, then his live appearances are dazzling and overwhelming tours de force. He’s already played Atlanta once this year as an opening act for RJD2. This time, he plays Thurs., NOV. 8, with Daedelus, the electronic dandy who just released an EP on Ninja Tune, Fair Weather Friends, highlighted by a rework of TLC’s “No Scrubs.” Antimc, Chris Devoe and DJ Gnosis open. $8. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn, 736 Ponce de Leon Place. 404-870-0575. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net.

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(photo by Austin Peters and Nick Darmstaedter)

Atlanta natives Supreeme are coming home to Atlanta this Sunday for one quick show at Drunken Unicorn before returning to NYC. Members Tom Cruz, King Self and Negashi Armada will be performing new songs off their latest mixtape, American Badass. Negashi gave me a quick rundown of the mixtape, saying, “American Badass is an irreverent, rebellious freedom party … with raps that are simultaneously genius and childish, and infectious beats that are stripped down to the bare essentials.”

American Badass features guest spots from Murs, Taz Arnold (of Sa-Ra), J Young, Killa T and Mickey Factz. Free copy to anyone who comes out. Check ‘em out, they just got named Best Local Hip-hop Act in Atlanta in our recent Best of Atlanta 2007 issue. And it makes sense — they’re young, fresh, energetic and always put on a fun show. And this Sunday night, you know they’ll be on point and feeling the hometown love.

Supreeme performs with Proton, the Dreamer and Mach 5 at 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at the Drunken Unicorn. $10. 18 and up. Check out their latest songs and what they’ve been doing at www.myspace.com/supreemesupreeme.

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