Atlanta Music Guide

CD Review: Gills and Wings -- Gills and Wings; Playing Smith's December 28

Gills and Wings
Gills and Wings

By Al Kaufman

Freddie Mercury lives.

Gills and Wings, a five-piece band from Richmond, Va., must have an iPod loaded with "Bohemian Rhapsody." In their wonderfully theatrical rock style, they sing of losers and loners. On "Dealer," their sympathetic paean to the neighborhood drug dealer, lead singer and synth player Danny Keyes croons lines like, "For those who despise me, I'll sing a prayer for you." On "Catastrophe," which rocks harder than anything else on the five-song EP, he is a guy who gets drunk and does bad things.

Shows of the Year from Our Favorite Atlanta Promoters

'Tis the season... to put together "Best of the Year" lists. So we thought we'd get into the spirit in our own way, with a few of our favorite promoters, booking agents and talent buyers telling us what their favorite show of the year at their venue was, brought to you by Ticket Alternative, of course!

Thee Oh Sees, Wizzard Sleeve, TV Ghost @ The EARL, October 14 - Damon Hare, assistant talent buyer for The EARL, Atlanta, GA

"This was one show in particular that I was already excited to see. The bill may not have made sense to everyone but it did to me. TV Ghost being on tour with Wizzard Sleeve and also being label mates with Thee Oh Sees. The label being the legendary In The Red Records.

 

TV Ghost started the evening with an abrasive blend of DNA, Suicide, and Birthday Party. They played surprisingly tight for a band that was inevitably going to fall apart however never doing so. They left the crowd (95% not knowing of their existence) in awe. Wizzard Sleeve then took the stage with their mix of damaged, goth tinged, and heavily Chrome inspired death rock. The drummer doing double duty with maintaining the backbone of the performance while also playing many of the synth leads. They never ever disappoint.

To end the evening Thee Oh Sees didn't take to the stage. They instead took to the floor with their own PA and just exploded on to the crowd with their high energy and uber catchy garage pop. It's their staple and not many can compare. Definitely one of the most exciting live bands in the United States. There were definitely members of the crowd saddened with the band performing on the floor but majority still got it. No matter what you took away from the show you know you'll never forget the evening. That is something very few live acts can pull off these days."

*****

The Drones @ The EARL, April 5 - Patrick Hill, talent buyer for The EARL, Atlanta, GA

"For many reasons, most of them obvious, Sunday is our least favorite night of the week to host a show.  In this case, both the band and I had been at a mutual friend's wedding in Charleston, SC the night prior and I don't think either party was particularly looking forward to the 5 hour drive that led to the early load in and sound check (the band arrived on time despite my poor attempts at explaining to these Australians the concept of Sunday blue laws- take that, Broadcast!). 

Somehow, The Drones made it all worthwhile. Loud guitars and hangovers have never meshed so well.  Howling vocals and a lack of sleep. Low end and tired eyes. Rejoice, sweet rock n' roll!"

*****

K'Naan @ Vinyl, March 4 - Brandon Mize, Rival Entertainment, Atlanta, GA

“One of my favorite performances of 2009 was K’Naan, a brand-new Hip Hop/Folk artist, on March 4 at Vinyl. We were only familiar with this artist from some initial Internet research prior to booking the show, so we were not expecting much out of the night. Little did we know that the show would not only sell out, but he would blow us and everyone in the room away with his talent. His current CD Troubadour became a mainstay on my iPod throughout the summer and still is to this day.”

*****

Dan Nolan, Co-Owner of Smith's Olde Bar, Atlanta, GA

"It's always hard to pick just one show that was my favorite. If I had to pick, I would say that B.o.B in October. Having Whynatte come in and celebrate their 1st Anniversary was special, and having such a rising star come play the venue is always a lot of fun.

James Hunter in February was another great show. Having such a legend come in and tear the place down is as much fun as you can have without being destructive. 

Bob Schneider plays here often, but the show we had in October was a great one. He had just released a new album, and was back rockin' our stage. We can't wait to have him back.

From a music fans point of view, I am most proud to have had Band Of Skulls played Smith's. We got them right after Lollapalooza, and right before they blew up. I'm so happy that we got to have them play our room."

*****

Von Iva and Semi Precious Weapons @ Drunken Unicorn, January 28 - Gavin Frederick, Booking Agent for Drunken Unicorn

"NYC's Semi Precious Weapons started it with a raucous glam rock performance with their singer producing a performance that would have given David Bowie serious competition during David's prime while SF's Von Iva ended the show with their great blend of Tina Turner, dance and punk jams."

AMG Presents DRINKSHOP Live with Rebecca Loebe, January 7

We've loved Rebecca Loebe's sweet, infectiously joyous style ever since we heard her old school jazzy cover of Kanye West's "Stronger" (which you must have a listen to over on her MySpace, as well as the rest of her gorgeous tunes). Now we're glad to be able to showcase her at our monthly DRINKSHOP gig at the W Downtown Atlanta on January 7. Come check her out!

All The Best New Year's Eve Events - Right Here!

There's been quite a few changes and additions for all the New Year's Eve events that we've been highlighting, so we thought we'd make like a little easier for everyone and put up one major list - think of it as a cheat sheet for the greatest party night of the year. Tickets are all available at Ticket Alternative.

Crave New Year's Eve Around the World at Life Nightclub lets you view New Year's Eve festivities around the world on five projection screens and 12 plasma TVs, and enjoy four rooms of music from around the world. Tickets are at Ticket Alternative.

N.J. Griffin Productions have teamed up with V-103.3 for Blame it on the Alcohol at The Sheraton Hotel in Atlanta. There'll be free alcohol until midnight and DJ Tee tha Barber spinning tunes. Tickets are available at Ticket Alternative.

Smith's Olde Bar have announced another event for their venue, with a Martay Partay in the Atlanta Room. Get your tickets at Ticket Alternative.

ESSO's 3rd Annual New Year's Eve Celebration will have a complimentary champagne toast at midnight, party favors and three rooms of music with hip-hop, '80s and '90s faves and new lounge reggae music being spun all night long. Get your tickets at Ticket Alternative.

Whiskey Park at the W Atlanta Midtown Hotel has an open bar package, champagne toast at midnight and much more. Tickets are on sale at Ticket Alternative.

Their sister bar, Whiskey Blue at W Atlanta Buckhead, has a champagne toast, party favors and DJ Chris Rimby spinning tunes. Get your tickets at Ticket Alternative.

Atlanta's own Heavy Mojo will be ringing the New Year in over at Gateway Events Center along with Demun Jones of REHAB and Money-4-Nothin. Get your tickets now at Ticket Alternative.

"The Groove's Bangin' New Years Eve" brings rocker Tommy Lee and DJ Aero to Primal Nightclub for a huge party. Get your tickets now at Ticket Alternative.

The city's best bringers-of-the-party, partners in crime, Noot D'Noot and Judi Chicago will rock in the New Year over at Drunken Unicorn. Tickets are on sale now at Ticket Alternative.

Smith's Olde Bar hosts Athens own incredible indie rockers Modern Skirts, who will be joined by Five Eight for an incredible night of music. Get your tickets at Ticket Alternative.

Atlanta's princes of madness The Black Lips will play to a sure-to-be-sold-out crowd at The EARL. Get your tickets soon at Ticket Alternative. UPDATE: This show is SOLD OUT!

The folks at Pop Death Squad have put together a mammoth party at Star Bar with Gringo Star, The Coathangers, The Judies and Young Orchids. Get your tickets at Ticket Alternative now.

If you're in the mood for some classics from a bit further back, Unzipt cover those memorable tracks from the '80s and early '90s at Andrew's Upstairs. Tickets are on sale at Ticket Alternative.

Tavern 99 will be spinning tracks with DJ Madflip. Tickets are at Ticket Alternative.

HALO Lounge will be providing an open bar from 9 - 10p.m., a complimentary champagne toast and a dessert spread, as well as a burlesque performance. Tickets are on sale now at Ticket Alternative.

DRINKSHOP at W Downtown Atlanta will be bringing party-goers a special edition of DRINKSHOP Live with performances by Angie Aparo and Michael Tolcher, guest DJ Rod Summers, an open bar from 9 p.m. until midnight and a Veuve Clicquot champagne toast to ring in the new year. Tickets are at Ticket Alternative.

And finally, Sanctuary Nightclub and Lounge will be hosting A New Year's Resolution. Your ticket gets you five hours to take in the top shelf open bar, a champagne toast at midnight, hors d'oeuvres and other delicacies, as well as optional luxury couches and private booths. Smooth. And of course there will be music, supplied by DJ Rohit B. Get your tickets at Ticket Alternative. 

CD Review: Sondre Lerche -- Heartbeat Radio; Playing The EARL February 11

Sondre Lerche
Heartbeat Radio
Rounder

During the summer in Bergen, Norway the sun stays out for 24 hours; in the winter months, however, you are lucky to squeeze out an hour of daylight. The extra dosage of Vitamin D has clearly done Norwegian transplant Sondre Lerche some good; his sixth album Heartbreak Radio, released in September, is filled with the simplicities of life and love, swooningly strung together with the masterful composition that has already made the 27-year-old a music veteran. But cynics beware, this carefully composed collection will leave its sunny residue humming in your head all afternoon.

Live Review: Benefit for Ruthie Morris @ The EARL, December 15 w/Amy Ray, Warm In The Wake, & Tim Lee 3

By Scott Roberts; photos by Sue Volkert

“It sucks to lose your stuff.” Headliner Amy Ray succinctly proclaimed this during her rocking solo set at The EARL last Tuesday at the benefit for Magnapop guitarist/all-around swell person Ruthie Morris who lost, among other things, thousands of dollars worth of musical/recording equipment, the entire first pressing of the brand new Magnapop CD, and irreplaceable photos and personal memorabilia in the torrential flooding that hit Atlanta last September. And while the show may not have been able to actually replace what Morris lost, it served as a positive step toward her financial and emotional recovery, and allowed the giving spirit of Atlanta’s musical community to shine brightly. And rock!

CD Review: The Bravery -- Stir The Blood

The Bravery
Stir the Blood
Island

By Chris Homer

The Bravery’s third album, Stir The Blood, is packed with the sort of noisy synth-pop you’d expect from the New York band. Despite not departing dramatically from the sound showcased on their 2005 self-titled debut and 2007’s The Sun and the Moon, The Bravery still put together an entertaining LP that runs the range between electro-pop, dance, industrial and punk.

CD Review: Tegan and Sara -- Sainthood; Playing Variety Playhouse February 23

Tegan and Sara
Sainthood
Sire

By Al Kaufman

It's got to be hard for twins to be taken seriously in the music business, especially twins that look robotic, dress to compliment each other, and wear pixie cuts. It's too easy to dismiss them as a cute novelty act. Tegan and Sara Quin are no novelty act. They've been making CDs for over 10 years now and Sainthood, their sixth, is their best.

Leila's Three Picks of the Week - Little Tybee, Soundtrack of Our Lives, Bobby Birdman

All the way from our sister blog TA Live, it's Leila's Three Picks of the Week!

*****

Little Tybee recently played one of our monthly showcases, which we hosted with our sister site Atlanta Music Guide, called DRINKSHOP Live at the W Atlanta Downtown hotel. I'd hate to classify them as just indie folk, because they bring so much more to their music creating delightful vignettes that are just waiting to be eaten up by the masses of hipsters and middle school kids alike. Think of a mellow Dave Matthews Band being led by Badly Drawn Boy. Beautiful stuff. They're playing at The EARL January 14 with Adron, and tickets are available at Ticket Alternative.

Sweden's Soundtrack of Our Lives have always thrilled me both live and on disc with their somehow modern take on pure '60s sweet psychedelic garage rock. Hugely excited that they're coming back stateside, but massively disappointed that they're not playing my hometown of Atlanta. Still, they will be playing the Black Cat in Washington, D.C. on February 18 with Nico Vega. Tickets are on sale at Ticket Alternative.

Bobby Birdman fits wonderfully in that quirky world of keyboard and blips looped together by a smooth voice and adorable melodies. More mellow than Hot Chip and MGMT but just as charming, he's one of my favorite new finds.

Last Minute Christmas Present Idea: Ticket Alternative Gift Certificates!

Need a great last-minute present for a massive music fan? Then give then the Ticket Alternative gift certificate, which can be sent either by mail or by email to print at home, for those who want to get the gift sent as soon as possible. That means the recipient can use the gift certificate to get into shows at The Loft, Vinyl, The EARL, Gateway Events Center, Southwest Arts Center, Drunken Unicorn, Hard Rock's Velvet Underground, Smith's Olde Bar, 529 and many more one-off events that Ticket Alternative sells tickets for, like Taste of Atlanta. Phew. So there's loads of great shows and events for them to pick from.

Buy a gift certificate now at Ticket Alternative!