"Predator's roots can be traced back to a much earlier day of Atlanta punk when Douchemaster had just begun assembling its initial roster and Die Slaughterhaus was still run by Black Lips. At this time Brannon Greene and Mike "Bison" Beavers were just old enough to buy their own beer but were cranking out brilliant harcore punk under the name Frantic, a band that could have rivaled Carbonas if the circumstances were any different. They would also be a founding part of Beat Beat Beat, but in it's demise they would join forces with John Necro and summon up the same youthful attitudes and dark ingenuity they once nailed in Frantic. Within a few short months this trio has become forerunners in the Atlanta punk scene."
"Mood Rings’ debut EP is called Sweater Weather Forever, a title we’re going to blatantly rip off for a future Itemized post. This winter has been heavy on the knits, mostly out of sleepy-eyed getting-dressed laziness, last night’s pinstripe Oxford reborn under the nearest top-of-the-hamper crew neck. That Mood Rings are from Atlanta—and that their album cover features swamp skinny-dipping, and that it was produced by Washed Out’s producer Phil Jones—seems to orient things away from the gray-out title we’re picturing, somewhere toward porch light High Life’s and shoegazing the banks of the Etowah. Sweater Weather flies by, only four short songs, but it sounds so effortless and exact that 13 minutes feels just right." - The Fader
Celebrate Friday the 13th of May 2011 with Primate at the Drunken Unicorn.
Just think raw, hardcore brutality. The overall sound comes from five guys with five different backgrounds melding it all together into a single focused beam of chaos. Kevin brings years of grind and punk into the mix from his Brutal Truth and Venomous Concept projects, but adds a little taste of the south coming from his Atlanta roots. Add to that a little of Billy K's technical brilliance from his years in Mastodon and before that Lethargy, along with a solid punk background and you get complex harmonies on top of brutal riffage. Evan throws in some rock 'n' roll meat and potatoes to thicken up the sound. Dave pulls out a couple decades of hardcore punk thunder and a solid grindcore base coming from his background of solidifying Atlanta punk and hardcore bands Timebomb77, The Despised and grindcore legends Otophobia. Then tying it all together is drummer Shayne who hails from a couple decades of hardcore punk roots playing with and writing for Atlanta's The Despised, Bloody Sods and playing with NYC's Virulent Strain.
The writing is done by everyone in the band so everyone's styles are interjected to create a solid blend of "stoner grind meets Swedish/Japanese hardcore..."
The vision:
Kicking ass and flighting poo....
Don't think that because of who's in the band we're going to sound just like any one of our other bands. Sure, there are elements of Mastodon, Brutal Truth, Venomous Concept, The Despised, Otophobia and others in our writing, but this band is a unique creation completely separate from any of those bands. The whole reason we started this band was to do something different and new. If you want to hear one of our other bands that's great, buy that band's album. If you want to hear what happens when a bunch of monkeys start playing brutal hardcore/punk with stoner metal and grindcore parts listen to PRIMATE! You won't be disappointed!
“Javelina take what’s best about acts like Black Cobra (the intensity) and High on Fire (the riffs) and put them together to create one of the most pissed off approaches in the heavy underground today. "Beasts Among Sheep" is like a parade honoring Freud’s death instinct...”
— JJ Kozan, Stonerrock.com
"There's something about the South that brings out the darkness and deep-seeded, unrelenting rage. Bands like Goatwhore, Soilent Green, Sourvein, Rwake, Weedeater, Dark Castle, Zoroaster, and countless others have proved that for every sunny Taylor Swift wannabe, there is an equal and opposing force.
Atlanta's Sons of Tonatiuh (that's "Tahn-a-tee-ah") specialize in the same crusty doom & gloom punk stylings that made Southern favorite sons Eyehategod & Buzzov*en so frightening/awe-inspiring. A merciless onslaught of down-tuned misanthropic riffs pepper the band's sludgy and powerful new self-titled debut out now on Hydro-Phonic Records. Check out "Adam & Evil" available for stream below for more proof of the madness that lurks behind the eyes of these current/past members of Leechmilk (members of which went on to join Withered), Fell A Victim, Noble Rust and Whiskey Shit Vomit." - Brooklyn Vegan
Ted Leo performing solo on Wednesday, May 11th, 2011 at the Drunken Unicorn.
"Maybe the dilapidated garages and all-ages clubs of the East Coast post-hardcore scene of the late 80s is a fitting place to begin our story. That’s where the chronicle of our era’s ever-humble valedictorian, Ted Leo, really gets interesting, anyway. It was here in bands Citizen’s Arrest and Animal Crackers (and later as the main song writer in Chisel) that Ted developed a sharpened political prowess, an assiduous commitment to his Gibson ES-335, an ear for melody, and charisma contagious enough to be considered chemical weaponry. A mod-punk savant in an age where punk (like practically everything intangible we’ve ever expressed interest in) has been replaced by product. With his latest, "Living with the Living," Ted Leo delivers that existentialist ethos to a new crop of rude boys."
Gentleman Jesse will be performing a very special SOLO set as the second performer of the evening.
"Jesse Smith leads a double life -- when he isn't playing bass with Atlanta's fast, loud, and frantic punk band the Carbonas, he's the leader of Gentleman Jesse & His Men, a combo that revels in the bright, energetic power pop sounds of the early new wave era. Smith first made his name on the Atlanta music scene as a member of the indie rock bands Paper Lions and Some Soviet Station, citing bands like the Birthday Party and Drive Like Jehu as early inspirations, but he became dissatisfied with their creative direction, and as he told journalist Chad Radford, "I remember in '98 I thought I should check out MC5. I like rock music and didn't want to play beat-your-chest emo just to get laid, like a lot of people did." Smith's enthusiasm for direct, emotionally honest rock led him to accept an invitation to join the Carbonas in 2004 after the final breakup of Paper Lions, and he settled in just in time for the recording of their Frothing at the Mouth 7". Later the same year, Carbonas' drummer, Dave Rahn, expressed interest in forming a side project with Smith, and in 2005 the first edition of Gentleman Jesse & His Men came together, with Smith on vocals and guitar, Rahn on drums, Craig Johnson on guitar, and Dustan Nigro on bass. In 2006, the band released its first 7", Don't Wanna Know (Where You Been Tonight) on the local Douchemaster label, which received rave reviews and quickly sold out its initial pressing; it was followed by a pair of split singles for Rob's House Records (one with Joseph Plunket, the other recorded live at a house party and including tracks from the Black Lips, the Carbonas, and Predator) and a Christmas single on Die Slaughterhaus with Fever B. After earning a loyal following in Atlanta, Gentleman Jesse began taking his act on the road, touring with the Black Lips and new wave pop heroes the Paul Collins Beat, and in the fall of 2008, Douchemaster released Introducing Gentleman Jesse & His Men, their first full-length album. Shortly after the release of the album, Smith revealed that Nigro had amicably left the band, and they were in the market for a new bassist." - Mark Deming / All Music Guide
Carnivores released the album “All Night Dead U.S.A.” in January of 2010 on Double Phantom Records. In October of 2010 they released their 2nd LP “If I’m Ancient” also on Double Phantom Records. Carnivores released a split single with Brooklyn band, Dinosaur Feather on Music Mule in December 2010 and are featured on Fierce Panda’s ‘Tape Fear’ compilation.
Their latest EP, “Chandelier” is available from Double Phantom as a free download.
Twin Tigers on Saturday, May 7th, 2011 at the Drunken Unicorn
Twin Tigers is a rock 'n roll band from Athens, GA. Matthew Rain and Aimee Morris started it in their basement. A bunch of people have come and gone, and the third tiger was found when Forrest Hall started playing guitar number 2. They write songs and play them, they are loud and abrasive, but beautiful and kinda catchy. They play music because that is all they know how to do.
"Bypassing electro fever, Cusses pushes out with a raw rock rhythm, reminiscent of yesteryear, made capable by multi-pedal powered guitar and crash-tested drumming that creates a sound not much heard these days by young bands trying to make it in the indie scene.
The hardcore influences are apparent in presentation and strum alike. Drummer Brian Lackey has the ability to brutalize his drums into submission and produce a fearless and well-organized spread, harvesting the bottom-line for each song with strong tenacity.
Bryan Harder, who in my few encounters with, gives off a smooth and quiet presence, but behind that guitar gets sentimental and ramps up a mesh of chords, maximizing his play projection through double amps, providing an air of bass and himself. He creates a facet of noise that shows off his appreciation for strong hard-carrying danceable movements, as Lackey also appreciates in his drumming.
More than head-bobbing, it is a guarantee that more than half of fans will be dancing around, jumping into one another, and holding on for a moment to burst out loud with vocalist Angel Bond.
The motivated and erratic front lady; body shaking, mic and hands air-born, hair flung up done proper, a local example of the high class power thrilled female singers in the current running. Motions swingin’ like Alice Glass and a dressed down workout attire sure to keep you interested much like the hip hop digs of Alexis from Sleigh Bells.
Shining, charismatic and thriving full as they should be, Cusses seems to fit quaintly in the middle of a scene long saturated in a stew of punk rock, rockabilly, dancepop and hip hop Savannah culture." - Courtney Johnson / XT Mag
"Abby Go Go release their self-titled, debut full length November 30th, and if you enjoy psychedelic, shoegazey rock, you’ll definitely want to pick this up. Most of the record extracts poppy garage-rock riffs and elongates them into effect laden, four-to-seven-minute compositions of indulgence. The two shorter, more conventional garagey tracks are less interesting, but in context they help pace the album. With this release, Abby Go Go have definitely established themselves as one of the best in the massive army of Black Lips/Deerhunter descendant bands in Atlanta." - Ohmpark
Dead Rabbits are having an EP release show on Friday, May 6th, 2011 at the Drunken Unicorn.
Dead Rabbits is a garage / blues band with a lot of soul. The band was formed in January 2009, but the members have a history that goes back much farther. Vocalist/guitarist, Joshua DeRosa, and drummer/vocalist, Lucas Fuentes, met during their freshman year of High School in ‘02 and have since formed numerous bands together. Over the years their musical styles have grown and matured together to create their unique sound. Dead Rabbits’ are raw and melodic with firm roots in ‘60s garage rock and early blues. Their live performances have a commanding presence and are full of energy, to say the least. With Dead Rabbits’ determination to keep the music simple and gritty, and the performances wild and energetic, the band is sure not to blend in or disappoint.
"We dare you not to like this..." raves Brooklyn's Indie Naked Magazine to the single “Counting Backwards,” from the new self-titled EP. Touring the South can be hard for other bands but The Grenadines tell their tale in striking clarity, creating hauntingly orchestral moments and contagious melodies as they travel. They've forged their way onto the music scene with a striking presence which cannot be ignored, opening for Jenny Lewis and The Heartless Bastards in the summer of ’09 and continuing to move forward. Two EP's have been released, a Lynn Bridges and Grenadines-recorded collaboration known as "Carousel" and another self-titled collection recorded by Andy LeMaster. Since their 2009 performance at SxSW, they've been working with Jim Eno from Spoon to release a full-length album.
Michael and Lauren Shackelford, Bama-born, from multi-generational musical families and visionary artists, immerse themselves in the chronicles of love and loss they craft. The songs simply hypnotize as a "...psychedelic rock and roll trip. Sometimes slow and droning and sometimes upbeat" - NPR. The Grenadines' stories are hard-earned. They've expertly crafted their vocal interchanges while performing with Andy LeMaster (Bright Eyes), Orenda Fink (Azure Ray), and Bear In Heaven. They've been heard from The 40-Watt in Athens, Nashville's The Basement, and The Bottletree in their very own Birmingham. The Grenadines intend to find ever wider landscapes for their impressive musical backdrops. As one singer put it, "It's make or break time".
Mountain Lion was born from the ashes of Addison Morarre's numerous attempts to start a band after he wrote a few of his own songs in 2008. It wasn't until early 2009 that he found a drummer in Addison Foreman. Shortly thereafter, they recruited the help of friends Robert Henry and Carlo Suits on guitar duties, along with occasional help from seasoned bassist Jo Jameson. Jameson helped the band record their first demo with Michael Green in winter 2010.
The Daylights will be performing at the Drunken Unicorn on Wednesday, May 4th, 2011
THE DAYLIGHTS are a commanding three-piece from Los Angeles making a huge impact on the alternative rock scene nationwide as well as on the L.A. scene with their passionate lyrics, giant melodies and cinematic sound. After recently touring with Katy Perry and OneRepublic and currently on tour with Civil Twilight, THE DAYLIGHTS released their debut album on Tuesday, September 14, 2010.
To record their international debut release, the band worked with an unbelievable all-star cast in London that included super producer, Youth (Paul McCartney, U2, The Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony”) and mixers Michael Brauer (Coldplay, John Mayer), Dave Sardy (Oasis, Jet) and Tim Palmer (U2, Pearl Jam).
The self-titled album, The Daylights features the first single “Rogue Machine,” which has featured on the Hot AC Top 50 chart. Other featured songs on the 15-song album include “Weapons” and “Outsider” and "Happy" which were in the season premiere of the WB’s “One Tree Hill“ on the same date as the album release.
Inviting comparisons to the likes of Radiohead and Kings of Leon, the close-knit group is made up of brothers Ran (guitars/vocals/keys) and Ricky Jackson (bass/vocals/guitars) and drummer Svend Lerche, of Denmark. Although they consider themselves an indie rock band, they don’t really seem like much of an indie rock band at all, since their opportunities have been nothing short of extraordinary. Securing a Top 50 record on Hot A/C without a label is a notoriously difficult format to crack. 21 stations have already added the record and more every week. Not only do they have an enormous fan base in their hometown, with the ability to pack rooms like Hollywood’s House of Blues, but they have also been touted as L.A.’s most underrated band by top selling artists such as Katy Perry, Switchfoot, and OneRepublic.
In today’s music market, it takes a truly unique voice to command the attention of listeners. Chicago native, Andrew Ripp, invokes both vulnerability and soul in his infectious debut, Fifty Miles to Chicago.
Ripp aimed to create an organic album reminiscent of those made in the 70’s and by artists like Otis Redding, Bob Dylan, and Hank Williams. Musicians Pete Maloney (Dishwalla, Tonic), keyboard player Will Hollis (Eagles), and steel guitar player Eric Heywood (Ray LaMontagne) were brought in to help create a timeless record based around Ripp’s rhythmic guitar playing and soulful voice. From the electricity of the full-band backed, organ-driven groove of “Get Your Smile On”, to the solo acoustic guitar and vocals of “It’s All Good”, and the heart-wrenching rock ballad of “Dresden Wine”, Ripp does just that.
Operating independently of a label, Ripp has attracted rave reviews from fans and fellow musicians, including Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello who describes Ripp’s vocal style in his blog as a “mix between Ray LaMontagne and someone else I can’t quite put my finger on…”
The Blackline are a local Atlanta band that are influenced by Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes, Editors, The Hives, The Sunshine Underground, The Bravery, We Are Scientists, Bloc Party, Tokyo Police Club, The Cribs, The Killers and Kings of Leon.
Jeff The Brotherhood headlines the Drunken Unicorn on Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011
Jake and Jamin Orrall, aka JEFF The Brotherhood, are seen by many to be latter-day pioneers of the Nashville rock scene, but they see themselves as brothers who can't remember not playing music together for fun. Their family-owned, vinyl-centered record label, Infinity Cat Recordings, has been a pillar of support for Nashville bands since 2002 (with 60 releases to date) and was named "Nashville's Best Record Label 2010" by the Nashville Scene. But their first love has always been the Brotherhood known as JEFF.
Known for their relentless touring and their "we'll play anywhere" mentality, they have built a reputation for stripping rock music down to it's basics, and delivering mind-bending live shows with Jamin's three drums and three cymbals and Jake's three-string guitar and ferocious vocals. JEFF The Brotherhood's work ethic practically defines D.I.Y., from their simple but compelling videos to their self-produced and critically acclaimed albums, EP's and singles.
The band clocked in over 230 shows in the past year and received critical acclaim for their Heavy Days album from the likes of Brooklyn Vegan, Spin, Nylon, Village Voice, the New Yorker, KEXP, Maximum Rock n' Roll, and MANY more. Now, JEFF is ready for 2011 (or as Nashville's Dead calls it "the year of the Brotherhood") with their finest album to date, We Are The Champions.
"Chandu's have a murky, five-song demo posted on their Band Camp page that's worth checking out. What’s most noteworthy about these songs is that they capture the sound of a group that's torn between two sides of its personality. The first shows off the new wave no wave and death-afflicted art rock stylings of songwriter David Spence (formerly of Facehugger) in “Ain't Got No Money.” The second is a more lovey dovey venture under the influence of Jaye Marie Spangler in “You Were Wrong,” “Caretaker” and "Toes."
"Anything You Need" is sort of a 50/50 affair that emerges as one of the best numbers of the lot.
Both sides draw from a haunted backdrop of girl group cadences as Spence and Spangler take turns alternating between bass, guitar and vocal duties for their respective parts. Lilly Roche (keyboard) and Balkans vocalist Frankie Broyles (drums) fill out the rest of the songs.
As the whole thing unfolds it’s clear that the group is still groping around in the haze for a singular identity, but along the way they’re turning out a primitive but endearing batch of experiments that are filled with all sorts of secret nuances that have every appearance of being the seed of a something much greater that’s coming down the line. But still, the dark simplicity of it all, and that feeling of stepping into truly unrefined pop terrain is compelling to the end." - Chad Radford / Creative Loafing Atlanta
Live Review: Gobble Gobble, Wowser Bowser, Qurious
March 30, 2011, Drunken Unicorn, Atlanta
by Chris Marley (photo's by Chris Marley as well)
Local duo Qurious kicked off the night with their rhythmic blend of experimental electronica. They dawned glow in the dark masks and were illuminated by black light. Their costumes added to the great atmosphere created by their music.
Now, I’ve seen these guys about five times and they have yet to disappoint. Their sound is soothing and organic, yet intense and sometimes stirring. They consistently leave the crowd wanting more. Undoubtedly one of Atlanta’s best young acts.
Wowser Bowser was up next. I’ve heard their name around town, but prior to this night, I had yet to see them live. Wow, what a surprise! I’m fairly certain no one in this band was more than two years out of high school, but these guys had a stage presence well beyond their years, especially front man George Nick.
Even before Gobble Gobble took the stage it was clear that this performance was going to be tough to top. High energy, danceable, and fun. Oh, and four trash bags filled with balloons that littered the crowd throughout their performance. What more could you want? Clearly this band is dedicated and very talented. One of the more memorable performances from a local act hat I’ve seen in quite sometime.
Alright, now onto the headliners.
I’m not going to lie. I had NO idea who Gobble Gobble was, or even what it was, leading up to this show. Sometimes that works out for the best. This was one of those times.
These guys are just flat out entertaining. Their stage set-up was unique. Only one member was on the actual on the stage. The remaining three members performed from the floor, literally within the crowd. Banging pots and pans and constantly interacting with the crowd. The energy was amazing. They knew how to draw everyone in and keep you interested, even if the music isn’t the best thing you’ve ever heard, their show was thoroughly enjoyable.
Editor’s Note: Chris Marley is a contributor for DeadJournalist.com.
Wizard Smoke "The Speed Of Smoke" release show on Saturday, April 30th, 2011 at the Drunken Unicorn.
"Been looking forward to this one for awhile. I love new music Tuesday.
The Speed of Smoke is psychedelic sludge rock– a new musical permutation (emphasis on mutation): there’s definitely sludge here, and it’s assuredly psychedelic, yet sounds like rock, rather than metal. There’s as much hip-shaking as head banging.
I dig it. It’s NWOBHM covering Blue Cheer.
Atlanta’s Wizard Smoke, and their previous work, Live Rock in Hell, were reviewed (on Hallowe’en, no less) here, and included on my top 20 of last year here.
Singer James Halcrow couldn’t have more distinct vocals– something like Sabbat’s Martin Walkyier, yet his own as well: a raspy as hell, how-can-he-not-shred-his-vocal-chords type of voice. You won’t forget it. The lyrics seem to tell a tale that might make a lot more sense stoned.
Starting with opening track “Dead Wood” and continuing throughout the whole album, there’s almost a swing vibe, a rockin’-yet-laid back vibe, like Jimmy Buffet if he were sold into slavery from a young age and abused meth instead of alcohol.
Track 3, “Weakling” drops in a cool talk-box lyric that works, that sounds like a Hammond B-3 organ is talking to you…yeah: this would sound even better stoned. “Panama II” swirls and rotates over the same chord, up and down, back and forth, in a vaguely Middle Eastern vibe… the snake charmer riff….
Overall, it’s a cool, very slight evolution of the sound on Live Rock in Hell. A bit more complex, more adventurous, while maintaining the same identity." - The Soda Shop review of the new album.
"Our new years resolution in 2011 was to refrain from using the words “pop” or “catchy.” We’re sticking to our guns on this release at least as this LP is a punk behemoth. If you remember the Frantic, you know that Mike and Brannon don’t pick up instruments without asking themselves what Rick Agnew would do. This record is short and deliberate, but you can definitely pick up tinges of post punk too. The Adolescents worship continues, but you get the idea they may be secretly digging Warsaw. Comes with digital download as well." - Douchemaster review of the new Predator album
“At the Chateau” is our second release on Atlanta’s Stickfigure Records. The album follows last year’s “King and Queen of the Dance Floor,” which was made for living room dance parties and making funny mix-tapes for your friends. “At the Chateau” still has that La Chansons sense of humor with songs like “Candy Party,” “Dr. & Nurse,” “Heels Come Out at Night,” and “Spin the Bottle.” However, much of this album is inspired by our experiences navigating our double lives as day-time workers and night-time rockers. Songs like, “Jerrica,” and “Turquoise Paradise” illustrate the challenges of working 9-5, and the joy that comes when we “flip the switch” to become La Chansons. We dive a little deeper this time with “Ice Princess” and “Love Dream,” and some songs simply describe our real nights out on the town, like “Club Europe,” and “I Can Rock Harder.”
The “King and Queen of the Dance Floor” are giving you a glimpse of life inside the “Chateau,” a little peak at our real lives. Don’t worry though, it’s all set to slammin’ dance beats and it’s totally ready for the club! We aren’t apologetic for loving dance music, and it shines through on this album. We (Greg especially) voraciously consume all varieties of dance music, and are inspired by all types throughout history. All of these diverse sounds have inspired this album – it’s our homage to our favorite genre!
Here is what some reviewers had to write about “The King And Queen Of The Dance Floor”:
“I really like this record because if I am going to be reminded of my childhood, I want to only be reminded of the good things, namely music and packs of 1989 Score baseball cards. They've done all they can to help me out here. Now if I could just do something with these Luis de los Santos rookie cards." - Joels Hit Show
“It's full of catchy melodies and infectious beats, and synthesizers whir and wail. The three songs recorded in Nashville were originally the band's demo, but were too tasty to be left off the LP. The album flows so smoothly, you'd never know.” – Chris Wilkey / Performer Magazine
ATTENTION SYSTEM has created an institution based on hybridizing the sweaty, three-in-the-morning dance music they love with the guitars and drums they can’t seem to put down.
With dance, darkwave, electronica and punk at their core, Brian Fisher (vocals, keys), Joshua Broughton (guitar, vocals), Jonathan Davis (guitar), Chris Edmonds (bass) and Jason Curtis (drums) have fashioned something new. They´ve created what they only half-jokingly like to call "a rock band that’s mugged an electronica band and is digging through a stolen, dirty pair of pants for extra synth lines."
They´ve been compared to The Faint; Prick; Nine Inch Nails; Does It Offend You, Yeah?; The Presets; and the Editors -- and while the band certainly counts these bands among their influences, Attention System’s music packs a heavier punch while retaining all the danceable elements that make the electropunk genre so compelling.
$10, 21+
Doors @ 9 pm Paid Admission gets one BOTH cd's
This is a special NON Smoking show in the performance room. Smokers can still smoke in the bar.
Mike Herrera of MxPx and Tumbledown is performing solo at the Drunken Unicorn on Thursday April 28th, 2011.
Michael Arthur Herrera (born November 6, 1976, Bremerton, Washington) is an American musician most widely known as the vocalist and bass guitarist for the Punk Rock band MxPx.
Mike is the primary songwriter, and plays the bass guitar as well as performs the vocals in the pop punk band MxPx. In the summer of 1992, just before starting high school, Mike started the band with Andy Husted and Yuri Ruley. MxPx played their first concert in Mike's back yard, and slowly the band became more popular and are now known worldwide.
Mike is the middle of three children. He has both an older and younger sister. His parents, Art and Michelle still live in Bremerton in the house Mike grew up in. Mike married his wife Holli in 2001. The two currently reside in Bremerton, Washington with their cat and two dogs. Mike not only plays bass, but is skilled in guitar and piano as well
Lazer Attack is stripped down musical enjoyment for the nostalgic and disenchanted -- think Bruce Springsteen meets the Violent Femmes with a stand-up comedy routine thrown in. What started as an improv recording session in the middle of a thunderstorm eventually turned into songs about beta fish, dragon t-shirts, office politics, race relations, partying and much more.
We're bum rock.
It's not always pretty. It's not always perfect, but damn it, it's always a fucking good time. A really fucking good time.
We love our fans.
We love our bands.
We like to get drunk, play great music, and just throw down with all that we've got. If you haven't checked us out, come on out. You'll at least have a hell of a lot of fun, or be so blown away that you just fall madly in love with the Bum Rawk Revolution. Our live show is where we shine the dingiest!
New Terminus is the second performer of this event.
"New Terminus is an Atlanta rock band offering high-powered, guitar-driven sonic experiences! Their music conjures the contemporary rock sounds of Built to Spill and Radiohead with all the pop sensibilities of Elvis Costello and Michael Penn. What you get are captivating vocals and catchy melodies, curious pop and engaging rock. New Terminus infuses each song with an infectious energy."
Tracer Metula is an "indie rock" combo that has seen 17 members come and go. It performed 53 or 54 times in Athens, GA (plus 2 gigs in Camilla, GA) before going on sabbatical and relocating to Atlanta. The band has recorded 14 different songs--some multiple times! That was Tracer Metula by the numbers for you...
Hip To Death are celebrating a CD release show at the Drunken Unicorn on Saturday, April 23rd, 2011.
"Hip To Death opened with a catchy tune and I eased back to enjoy the view. The setup was different, and obviously took the eye of some serious artists. The special lighting, the intricate triangle art on canvas, collages, and my fave - tv's with surf and skate videos playing. It all meshed together like a video on the Fuel channel. Song 2, which I found out is called Red Blood Lips, was dark and heavy on the shadows of bass bass bass. One thing I can say about the lyrics from this band -some of the words and lines really cling to your mind. I'm not sure if that's frightening or facinating. The singer stands tall in stature and spits out his words like a mad man. He was backed occassionally by a sultry bass player who helped drive the nail into the angry song and finished with a little Pixie style. The drummer whaled out punk beats from behind his camp-fire-esk lit drum kit. The music was definetely a style I've never heard before. I'll have to check this trio out again." - The Atlanta Misfit
FishHawk is an Atlanta based band. Their dance flavored electro beats, mixed with the soul of the 70’s and the decadence of 80’s “synthpop”, evolved into what is now known as the signature FishHawk sound. FishHawk formed during the summer of 2006 with producer and multi instrumentalist Andy Slagle and lead vocalist and wordsmith Nick Nickerson. Shortly after the completion of the 1st project, Matt Williams joined the band helping with live instrumentation. They have since toured up and down the east coast and released two albums and the recent EP "Spacehawk" all three available on iTunes. Fishhawk’s innovative style is molded from a variety of genre’s that have been melded together to create their unique style. Infectious melodies and textures from guitars, keyboards, pedals and voices soar overhead, coloring the energetic rhythms that keep you moving all while being entranced by the soulful and poetic lyrics that seem to be channeled by your own subconscious.
Prophets & Kings from Chattanooga are performing second.
Prophets & Kings, four Chattanooga hellions, have crafted a striking album of songs informed by the pop sensibility of Disney themes while slagging the raunchy bass and booming rhythms of the ATL crunk scene. They garner comparisons to Crystal Castles, Depeche Mode and Animal Collective, but cite French legend Johnny Hallyday as their sole influence. PK’s commanding stage presence, thrash sound and intense visuals make for a bang of a live show. Danceable, experimenal, electro-bash.
Easter Island who are from Athens, are the opener for the evening.
Easter Island‘s progressive sound is one of the leading revivalists re-forging the yuppie angst pop that defined the mid 90s and early 00s. This impressive group, of classically trained guys hail from Athens, GA and have been playing together in a carousel of revolving bands since 2005, when vocalist Ethan Payne met lead guitarist Nathan Thompson. Payne (formerly of The Cubs, Union & Corduroy Road) has worked in the film industry for the past three years as a freelance shooter/editor/boom operator. Recently, he produced the Soundie: a series of lo-fi music videos featuring mostly local musicians and bands inspired by Vincent Moon’s takeaway shows.
Their love for creating music evolved from college bands to mature sounds and when Payne’s brother Asher Payne (vocalist and pianist) moved to Athens to pursue a Master’s in vocal performance, Easter Island was born. As drummer John Cable (The Corduroy Road and Moses Gunn) and bassist Andrew Terrell joined the band, the puzzle for the perfect mix was complete. Their balance of calculated chaos, inspired by their birth into their mid-20’s, yuppie adulthood and love gone awry, forms an addictive sound that is just reminiscent enough of 90s pop to create a sentimental familiarity that is surprisingly easy to listen to.
They have quickly gained a following in the South, just as their EP Better Things, is being released this March. Better Things was produced by Five-Eight drummer Patrick Ferguson, at the newly renovated and reopened 1093 Boulevard Studio, in Athens. They have already began work on their next release, full of even more delicious sounds, galvanizing lyrics and of course, their wholly unique vocals.
