As I continue on in my quest of finding the perfect venue, I've moved on to another stronghold in the Atlanta music scene. OK, maybe I'm not searching for a perfect venue, cheapest beer-maybe, but I am looking for who creates the best feel for a band no matter the turnout or music style. The stairs up to the second floor stage is a hallway of posterific madness. A gallery of graphic design crammed into a 23 stair corridor. Glorious. Entering the stage area, a disappointing setup for those arriving late or in the middle of a show because they have to cross in front of the seated crowd in the back to get to perimeter seating. However, the bar is miraculously in the same room as the show (point SOB - sorry DU). After taking a seat with my lovely date in the perimeter seating during the first show, we sat back and watched the Javelins.

Off of Suburban Sprawl, the Javelins are touring machines and made it down to Atlanta en route to SXSW. After touring a while with Anathallo and others, they have settled in with their fellow palm pointers for a unique mixture of fun and technical quality. I have a confession. Bands with drummers as primary vocals, really hit me in the right spot. Ergo, something stuck with me about these guys. The vocals were never whiny, but still raspy and in the upper ranges for a passionate and poignant message.
As for the synth/keys, it's different. As I'm listening to the myspace page as a bit of a refresher, there is some repetition that edges on natty. Still, they come together in a natural way. Much like the bands in the last post, these guys could use a little energy and team power (yea, captain planet style).
SXSW will be a great outlet for them. Like I said, they are a touring machine and I think they will bust on the national indie scene in a few months. Best of luck to ya.





Next up... The Hard Lessons.
Smith's curtains, electronically retractable, ripped apart as the first cord hit and from that point, I never wanted it to stop.
Recently married, Augie (dude at the top of the page) and Korin (dudet pounding the keys), commanded the stage, the crowd and their craft. After their second or third song, they collected the crowd for a classic "quick two clap" for the middle of their refrain. It worked for some of the song but after the plugs were pulled and they went acoustic, everyone tuned in to the chorus and begin to meld into the band. The next song... a rock anthem. Augie requested that everyone come up to the stage and take part in this next one as he dedicated it to us. It was a call to not let rock die and let the world know that The Hard Lessons are going to do their part to keep it alive. Whew. Made me smile.

At about 10:10, the stage manager let the band (oh yea, they've got a new drummer that hasn't learned all the songs-more to come) know that they still had 20 minutes on their set. It caught them by surprise and took two requests plus one they had on the list. Two strong songs and then the closer was a doozy. Finishing with the request that they took on reluctantly because their drummer didn't know it, Augie moved to the drums and their drummer moved by us in the audience. After a confession that he had only performed the song 4 times, it left us curious for the possibilities of flopping on the last song. No chance. I couldn't be more impressed with his ability to step in and nail the song.

Overall the best show I've seen thus far in Atlanta. A must see if you're headed to SXSW. Enjoy the pics and check out the bands!

its cold. how cold? the kind of cold that forces veteran campground hippies into their cars (or vw vans) with little regard for their at-one-with-nature synergy.  the trio was a bit chilly but that's nothing a festival buzz can't protect us from, right? that night the tweakers were a bit quiet, the college folks beside us had felt the need to unload the unruly amounts of beer into their stomachs and there was chaos caused by the venue logistics and changes in stages. adding to the experience were winged fairies with eyes that had long since lost their focus. we were not reluctant to step out that chilly night because we didn't recognize the bands that were playing.  i had long forgotten my experiences with late night cram sessions accompanied by pelican and there was a bit of a commotion about the need for some sort of intoxication to follow the yard dogs road show.  none the less we set off certain that our late night adventure would yield excellence.

we were not let down.

arriving in time to find our front row, stage right standing space, we post up and prepare for the confusion and dream like performances to come.  

pelican.  when your friends are expecting an indie band with witty and intriguing lyrics, and the possibility of a dynamic singer... well, they were a bit of a shocker. i had heard their music through hype music but still was not prepared for the performance.  entranced by the instrumental expertise, the crowd involuntarily bobs their head.  i bob my head.  d, looks confused and a bit upset that we're out here for a band he'll never listen to again but i still have faith that pelican will grow on him, time will tell. after 20 minutes of intense guitar rifts and hard hitting drumming that was a bit over the top, we here someone ask, "yo, you as cold as i am?"  i look at my comrades and realize that we had no idea if that was the band speaking or just someone in the audience. beyond the ominous voice, an incredible display of extended jams and intense solos satisfied the inebriated and disconnected crowd and this blogger.

yard dogs road show. to date my age, i had flashbacks to the classic are you afraid of the dark episodes in theme parks and mysterious worlds of show girls and sword eaters.  the strangest part of the show was the suspenseful stage setup.  Rumors flew; "who are these guys; i hear they traveled the world on a penny," "i heard that one guy plays the guitar with his blood as it drips," i just knew a lady came out in a girdle, fishnets, and an accordion.  i approved.  never-the-less, it primed my attention for a wtf performance that led to jaw dropping banjos, guitars, and yes... sword and neon light swallowing. it fulfilled my late night craving for a burlesque show.

All in all, great night: phenomenal energy from a transcending crowd and two groups that can only fully be appreciated live. 

Tune in next time for the dazzling performance of your favorite Jewish reggae artist.