Phil Spector sentenced to 19 years in prison

The end to famed producer Phil Spector’s six-year saga came to an end today. After recently being found guilty for the 2003 murder of actress Lana Clarkson, Judge Larry Fidler sentenced Spector to 19 years to life in prison today. The judge also ruled that Spector must pay the Clarkson family $17,000 as compensation for Lana’s funeral costs.

It has taken six years and two trials for Spector to be convicted. The first trial ended in a hung jury and a mistrial in September 2007. In Spector’s second trial, the prosecution painted a picture of Spector as a misogynist with a “history of playing Russian roulette with the lives of women” (as reported by The Las Angeles Times). The jury found him guilty in April of 2009.

On the night of February 3rd, 2003, Spector took Clarkson, who was working as a hostess at L.A.’s House of Blues, home with him. Clarkson was later found dead with a bullet in her head. Spector reportedly told his chauffer “I think I killed somebody” immediately after the shooting.

Spector is a renowned producer, best known for his work on the Beatles’ Let It Be, George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass and John Lennon’s Imagine.

Judge Fidler denied Spector’s request for a new trial, though Spector’s lawyer vowed that he would file an appeal.



-Laurie Moot

Currently listening to: "Ten Women," by Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band



This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Think you can do the best air guitar solo in Atlanta?

Tune up your air guitars, everyone. The U.S Air Guitar Championship comes to Atlanta June 1 (that’s Monday) at The Earl.

If you can shred the air better than any other Atlantan, you will move on, along with the winners from the tour’s other 24 cities, to the August U.S. Championship at a yet-to-be-announced city. The winner of the national competition will then go on to compete in Finland against champions from all over the world.

Practice up and choose a sweet name for yourself. How awesome would it be for the new World Champion at Air Guitar to be from good ole’ Georgia.


Currently listening to: the super sweet guitar solo in my head, and practicing my air guitar shredding
This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Dr. Dre Claims He's a Doctor: A Doctor in a Dr. Pepper Ad

On June 1st, a Dr. Pepper advertisement featuring Dr. Dre will hit television screens. But, that’s not all. A few seconds from Dr. Dre’s much delayed album, Detox, can be heard in this ad.

"Scientific tests prove when you drink Dr. Pepper slow, the 23 flavors taste even better. For me, slow always produces a hit," Dr. Dre says in the commercial, before stepping behind a DJ booth, putting on a pair of his own signature "Beats" headphones and slowing down the sped-up techno song that's playing by placing a can of Dr. Pepper over the record. The new track comes on, the party goes wild and Dre states "Slower is better -- trust me, I'm a doctor." (billboard.com)


-Sarah Saltzman
Currently listening to: “Wade in the Water” from Songbird by Eva Cassidy

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Former Destiny's Child Reinvents Herself

Kelly Rowland, R&B artist, became famous through her involvement in former Destiny’s Child group and by her solo work. After collaborating with DJ David Guetta, Rowland has made a new song entitled "When Love Takes Over" but it is not R&B. She is now making dance music.

The song is the first single on DJ Guetta’s new album, One Love. The song is already a major hit and has encouraged Rowland to explore this new genre and give R&B a rest for a while.

Rowland told Billboard “I had spent nights dancing in the South of France from 12:45 a.m. to 8 in the morning, but I had never thought about recording a dance track myself. Hearing David's song made me consider taking on this whole new style.”

Rowland will be touring with DJ Guetta at various locations this summer as well as co-hosting Bravo’s new series The Fashion Show with fashion designer, Isaac Mizrahi. She will also be starting a new charity called I Heart My Girlfriend with the goal of creating a support system for teen girls.

Even though Rowland will now be exploring dance music she still does not want to stray “too far from [her] urban roots.

-Sarah Saltzman

Currently listening to: “Must Be the Ganja” from Relapse by Eminem

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Cheap Trick Selling New Album Online

Cheap Trick is ditching its label to independently release its next studio album, The Latest, online and will be available June 23 (the same day Cheap Trick kicks off its tour with Def Leppard and Poison) for fans who pre-order off Amazon or the band's Web site. Though Amazon will have exclusive rights for one month, the 13-track album will be available in limited LP and 8-track editions. Think the band is getting a bit too close to getting the Senior discounts? In a recent interview, Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen said, "When you hear something like (Sick Man of Europe), you think, 'This can't be the same guys.' It sounds too energized for what people expect from somebody who's been around as long as we have...But musically I think it sounds like we grew up a bit." The online album thing has worked for some artists, but do you think Cheap Trick still has enough devoted fans to make it work?

-Kristen Lee
Currently listening to "Hope" by Jack Johnson
This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact HYPERLINK "mailto:editorial@athensblur.com" editorial@athensblur.com

'Street Sweepin' into Overdrive

Step 1: Take one serving of Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, the Nightwatchmen).

Step 2: Take one serving of Boots Riley (The Coup).

Step 3: In a ‘metal’ bowl, mix Morello and Riley with a bit of rap-rock and alternative.

Step 4: Bake on ‘High’ until a Jane’s Addiction or Nine Inch Nails consistency is reached.

Step 5: Sprinkle in a bit of funk. Prepare and serve your Street Sweeper Social Club!

It’s a recipe concocted by one of rock’s greatest chef’s, Tom Morello and has been around longer than you may think. The band, Street Sweeper Social Club, at first, was a leisurely project that both Morello and Riley collaborated on. They formed in 2007 and played at benefits and several Nightwatchmen tours, but after a phone call from Nine Inch Nails front man, Trent Reznor, the band’s ‘work-at-your-own-pace’ production pulled a one-eighty when Reznor asked the guys to be the opening act for the Nails and Jane’s Addiction’s summer tour. The members of the Street Sweeper Social Club accepted the offer and are currently opening for every Nails/Addiction show in North American.

Their self-titled, debut album will be released on June 16, filled with 11-tracks of what Morello describes as, “revolutionary party jams. It’s got huge steamroller riffs combined with depth, charge, funk, while Boots unloads clip after clip of incendiary rhymes rich with satire and venom.” Morello’s socio-political views are expressed through Riley’s lyrical flow, and of the band’s overall message Riley explains, “This is a time when the working class is being fleeced left and right. More families will be homeless and more people will be jobless. They’ll need something to listen to on their ipods while storming Wall Street.” Fans can buy the first single, “100 Little Curses” on Itunes and if you want to hear more from the guys, check out their Myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/streetsweepersocialclub.

- Jessica Cole

Currently Listening to: "That's the Way" by Led Zeppelin from the album Led Zeppelin III

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Emirel’s new competition: Three 6 Mafia

Three 6 Mafia basically disappeared after their Oscar win for “It’s Hard Out There For a Pimp” (Academy Awards: Alfred Hitchcock-0, Three 6 Mafia-1; marinate on that for a minute). But the group, which recorded favorites like “Stay Fly” and “Ridin’ Spinners,” is now shopping around a cooking show called “Cookin’ Ain’t Easy” to any network who will have them. It’s supposed to be a comedy with Three 6 Mafia whipping up “culinary classics,” presumably with no knowledge of how to do so. I’m not one to watch cooking shows (seriously, what the heck is foie gras?), but I will be tuning in to see them make their way around the kitchen. “Sippin’ on Some Syrup” seems to be the only food-related song the group has produced. Unfortunately, I recently discovered that “syrup” actually is a street name for codeine cough syrup, so anyone hoping to see some pancake action on the show will probably be disappointed. So, networks: any takers? Food network? Bravo? That channel that has America’s Next Top Model? Let’s see how hard cookin’ is for a pimp.

-Julie McCollum
Listening to: “Best of What’s Around” by the Dave Matthews Band

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Depeche Mode Lead Singer Recovering from Tumor

Originally, Depeche Mode lead singer, Dave Gahan, went into the hospital thinking he had a severe case of the stomach flu. This happened right before the band’s tour in Athens, Greece scheduled for May 12th.

According to a press release, “while in the hospital, further medical tests revealed a low-grade malignant tumor in Dave’s bladder, which has since been successfully removed” (pitchforkmedia.com).

15 out of the 75 shows were cancelled due to the singer’s medical complications. Some of the shows may be rescheduled. The tour will resume June 8th. Look out for Depeche Mode in Atlanta on September 9th at Lakewood Amphitheatre.

-Sarah Saltzman

Currently listening to: “Marvelous Things” from Room Noises by Eisley



This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Yoko Ono: Don't Stop Me!

The last album that Yoko Ono and the Plastic Ono Band made was entitled Yes I’m a Witch. This album featured artists from Cat Power, Spiritualized, Le Tigre and Ono wrote all songs. Ono was hoping for some big name artists to help her out in her new album, Don’t Stop Me!; however, she only was able to get help from her son Sean Lennon, Cornelius, Yuka Honda of Cibo Matto, and a group of NYC improv artists. She was hoping for Michelle Branch or Rob Thomas.

The newest album has not been released yet but a song from the album will be available June 9th on Chimera Music.

Ono is performing in London on June 14th during the Meltdown Festival with Ornette Coleman, Antony Hegarty, Cornelius, and Mark Ronson.

-Sarah Saltzman

Currently listening to: “Such Great Heights” from Give Up by The Postal Service



This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Brown down... again

            Chris Brown’s aggression appears to be rubbing off. A photographer filed a lawsuit yesterday accusing Brown’s bodyguards of assault and battery, emotional distress and negligence. The photographer, Robert Rosen, claimed that the bodyguards chased after him and assaulted him, causing him to fall down a flight of stairs after he tried to take a picture of Brown playing basketball. Brown’s lawyer, Mark Geragos, (who Brown has been keeping very busy lately) said in a statement that Rosen “has done this before and lost. We will vigorously defend against this.” (Rosen unsuccessfully sued Pierce Brosnan in 2007 under similar circumstances.) Brown’s legal team won’t have too much time to worry about Rosen’s lawsuit though, because today they will all be in the Los Angeles County Superior Court for a completely separate case concerning Brown’s two felony counts against ex-girlfriend Rihanna. So the legal team might just have to table Rosen’s lawsuit until after Brown’s felony charges are taken care of. Ironically, and unfortunately for Brown, his felony hearing and Rosen’s lawsuit both come just a day after he premiered a video of him and Bow Wow on the Web, in which Brown claims vehemently that “I ain’t a monster.” Sorry Chris, but for some reason, I’m just not buying it.

-Laurie Moot 

Currently listening to: "Famous For," by Priceless The Kid

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contacteditorial@athensblur.com

Live & Local: 3 Foot Swagger

If you happen to be in Athens tonight, check out 3 Foot Swagger at the Georgia Theatre tonight along with special guest DJ TRIZ and Dr. Louis Sullivan. 3 Foot Swagger is an Athens-born and based band that combines bluegrass, funk, and psychedelia. Lead singer and rhythm guitarist Jake Cohan put this outfit together on the spot for a show at a Georgia river outpost in 2007, and after a successful set the group decided to keep at it, putting their diverse yet harmonious influences together to make their own music (check out “Rollin By”). Cohan brings the bluegrass, Scott Lerch adds that funky baseline, Jeff Reusche’s guitar and vocals puts the southern spin on it, Charlie McCoy’s drum mastery keeps it all the right tempo, and Dave Cardello’s guitar skills and jazz influences help everything flow. Their live show is heavy on the jam tangents, while also playing both Swagger originals as well as covers ranging from Pink Floyd to Talking Heads. So for you Athens summer dwellers, take it to the Theatre to get your Swagger on!

-Julie McCollum
Listening to: “Crawl” by Kings of Leon

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Does M.I.A. Understand English?

This quote was taken from M.I.A.'s Twitter page. If this is English, I speak another language:

"ok soo coca cola asked me to be the face of coke errrrr um im lovin it? but its all about the milk this year, AUTO TUNED BABY IM COMIN ZZZZ"

I am going to guess that M.I.A. responded to this advertisement offer with a no.

-Sarah Saltzman

Currently listening to: "You Say He's Just a Friend" by Biz Markie


This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Kanye West Featuring Rihanna Video

Kanye West's "Paranoid" music video starring Rihanna started circulating around last week. The original bootleg version has since been taken down. Rihanna has been spotted leaving Kanye's house recently after the split from model girlfriend Amber Rose. Now, rumors are circulating about a new romance between West and Rihanna. Early on in Rihanna's career, the star supported West in his tours.

What do you think of this sexy video? Is it well done or too provocative?



-Sarah Saltzman

Currently listening to: "Silver Wings" from The Alchemy Index, Vol 3 & 4: Air and Earth by Thrice

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

All who wander are not lust

California has out-hippied the rest of us yet again. While the rest of the nation’s summer festivals have settled for the standard extracurriculars (drum circles, hoola hoops and noodle-fests), California is hosting one festival that is adding a new element into the mix: yoga. The first annual Wanderlust, happening July 24-26 in Lake Tahoe, Calif., is a new kind of festival, combining rock and roll with yoga and the outdoors. Festies can wake up and spend their morning practicing yoga with some of the country’s most renowned yoga instructors, go hiking on one of the many trails that Lake Tahoe holds in the afternoon, and rock out to great music at night. At the heart of Wanderlust is Kula Village, which is sure to be a Mecca for festies. The village hosts vendors and non-profits during the day, and a turns into a veritable saturnalia at night with burlesque, fire-dancing, acrobatics and late night music sets. If that’s not enough to hook you, check out the bill. Michael Franti and Spearhead, Spoon, Jenny Lewis, Broken Social Scene, Mates of State, Andrew Bird, Girl Talk, Gillian Welch and Rogue Wave are just a few that plan to perform at Wanderlust. So, in the words of Wanderlust’s tag line, “feel good, rock out.”

-Laurie Moot

Currently listening to: "Blue and Gold Print," by Mates of State

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contacteditorial@athensblur.com

Introducing awkwardfamilyphotos.com

I'm sorry, but this was too funny not to pass along when I saw it. Be sure to spend some time at www.awkwardfamilyphotos.com to pass those boring hours in the office along. Just hope and pray not to see you and your family wearing Winny the Pooh costumes.

--Will Hackett currently listening to Lakers vs. Nuggets, Game 5

Bye bye T.I.

Even jail can’t cramp T.I.’s style. The rapper cruised into the Forrest City low-security prison fashionably late yesterday in a black conversion van with tinted windows. T.I. arrived a bit past noon (the time he was supposed to show up) amongst a crowd of fans that had gathered down the road from the prison. His arrival at Forrest City may be the last big entrance he has for a while, though. Traci Billingsley, a spokeswoman for the prison said that the prison will not have any special protections or preparations for the rapper. “We treat all our offenders in the same manner,” Billingsley said. T.I. was arrested in 2007 after attempting to buy unregistered machine guns and silencers from undercover cops. He originally faced a maximum of 10 years in prison with a $250,00 fine for each charge on his three-count indictment, but that was lowered to a year and a day with a plea deal. The rapper said a temporary goodbye to his fans in a concert in Atlanta on Sunday. The concert sold out Atlanta’s Phillips Arena with a crowd of 16,000 people. “See y’all in 366 days,” T.I. promised his fans from on stage Sunday night.

-Laurie Moot

Currently listening to: "Asheville to Abidjan," by Toubab Krewe

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contacteditorial@athensblur.com

Summer 2009 Means Pimpin' and Fly Kicks

The summer is approaching and it’s about that time that the people all across the urban culture will bust out their freshest kicks. Sneaker culture started in the 1970’s; around the time that New York saw a thriving Hip Hop movement and the emergence of “streetballers” on playgrounds. Since that time, rappers such as Run DMC and NBA players like Michael Jordan have spearheaded the movement. A former basketball player at Carnegie Mellon University, Elliott Curtis, even taught Sneakerology 101 for two semesters, the first bulleted academia of sneakers in the world. “Sneakerheads,” as the followers of the fashion are called, can impersonate the lead of Antwan “Big Boi” Patton who says he easily owns over 400 pair of sneakers. “Since you can really tell a lot about a person by their shoes,” Patton claims, “you gotta keep a fresh pair.” His most coveted sneakers, a pair of crocodile-skin Air Force 1’s, would sell on the open market for around $1800 — a long time since sneakers were first seen as a symbol of pimpness after Run DMC’s 1986 hit “My Adidas.” Today, Adidas, Nike and Puma compete with luxury brands such as Chanel, Prada and Gucci. The major sports shoe companies also allow customers to design their own shoes. Upstarts such as San Francisco's JB Classics and Japan's Madfoot and KKOK have snatched up market share as well. With this business model in mind, the recent release of Converse’s legendary All-Star shoes came branded by Chicago’s Lupe Fiasco. Last year’s summer season witnessed the largest gathering of sneakerheads—about 13,000 gathered in Jakarta, Indonesia. It should come as no surprise that the most recent gathering of sneakerheads came in the ATL, where fans, designers, and artists gathered at the Tabernacle to check out the freshest designs out there, from the “Ace of Spades,” inspired by MLB pitcher, Dontrelle Willis; or the winged (literally has wings) Adidas kicks, by designer Jeremy Scott. For the sake of us all, keep it fly people.

--Will Hackett currently listening to “Say Hello” by the Whigs

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Anchorman 2?

Here’s some afternoon delight for you: there may be an Anchorman sequel in the works. Will Ferrell recently hinted around about an Anchorman follow-up when in Australia promoting Land of the Lost. He told an Aussie radio station that he planned to meet with Paul Rudd and Steve Carell next week to discuss ideas and salaries, saying, “Believe me, I'm not taking a pay-cut. No way!" Last year, Ferrell told Entertainment Weekly online that he and Anchorman director Adam McKay were working on a followup that would bring the legend of Ron Burgandy from the 1970’s into the 1980’s. Get excited, all you smelly pirate hookers!

-Julie McCollum

Listening to “Player’s Ball” by Outkast

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

School of Rock? This Kid's Already A Ph. D.

You think you can play Ozzy Osbourne’s classic track “Crazy Train” on an electric guitar? What about when you were 9 years old? The Japanese prodigy, 9-year-old Yuto Miyazawa, can accomplish this task easily, just ask Ellen Degeneres. The incredibly young guitarist appeared on The Ellen Degeneres Show May 11 to show off his craft and to wow audiences with his effortless technique. The little guy has been playing for as long as he has been walking and the dedication shines through his unlikely exterior. Using a Randy Rhodes, flying-v style guitar (an instrument that is taller than he is), Miyazawa has wowed viewers around the world with cover tracks of classic songs like Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird” and Eric Clapton’s “Crossroads.” The Guiness Book of World Records has placed Miyazawa in their vault, naming him the world’s youngest professional guitar player. He has already performed with guitar guru Les Paul and with the funk group Galactic. Needless to say, the future looks long and bright for this (very) young musician.



- Jessica Cole

Currently Listening to: "Strangers" by Portishead from the album Dummy

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact HYPERLINK "mailto:editorial@athensblur.com" editorial@athensblur.com

The Manson Files: Songs that Give Meaning to 'OMG!'

Marilyn Manson, the name strikes fear in suburban parents nation-wide and yet the sadistic rocker is still going strong, and released a new album on May 26, entitled, The High End of Low. Some have said the album is Manson’s turn back to his roots, sounding similar to his 1996 album, Antichrist Superstar. Manson has always had a knack for producing extremely offensive songs, and creating titles to these songs that make even the most loyal Manson fans cringe. From the new album, songs like “I Want to Kill You Like They Do in the Movies” and “Arma-Goddamn-Motherfuckin-Geddon” are only a couple examples of his new explicitly labeled tracks. The High End of Low is Manson’s seventh LP to date, so let’s take a look back at some of the other song titles that have made you want to wash your mouth (and eyes!) out with soap. Where’s your mother when you need her?

Portrait of an American Family (1994)

Track #2 – “Cake and Sodomy”

Sample lyric: (Yeah, Right, Great/ If you're so good explain the shit stains on your face/ White trash get down on your knees/ Time for cake and sodomy)

Antichrist Superstar (1996)

Track #3 – “Dried Up, Tied Up, and Dead to the World”

Sample lyric: (You cut off all of your fingers/ Trade them in for dollar bills/ Cake on some more make-up to/ Cover up all those lines)

Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death) (2000)

Track #19 - "Count to Six and Die (The Vacuum of Infinite Space Encompassing)"

Sample lyric: (I've got an angel in the lobby/ He's waiting to put me in line/ I won't ask forgiveness/ My faith has gone dry)

The Golden Age of Grotesque (2003)

Track #9 – “Slutgarden”

Sample lyric: (I'm unsafe, I'm unsafe/ I won't repent and so/ I memorize the words to the porno movies/ It's the only thing I want to believe)

Eat Me, Drink Me (2007)

Track #9 – “Mutilation is the Most Sincere Form of Flattery"

Sample lyric: (Rebels without applause/ I sell my shadow to those who are standing in it/ They think I would bitch about them/ Thinking they are the shit)

Manson is currently touring overseas, but will be returning to the states for Mayhem Fest, where he will take the stage in the late summer with bands like Killswitch Engage and Slayer. Be sure to check them out when they stop in Atlanta on July 24 at the Lakewood Amphitheater!

- Jessica Cole

Currently Listening to: "Rise Up With Fists" by Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins from the album Rabbit Fur Coat

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact HYPERLINK "mailto:editorial@athensblur.com" editorial@athensblur.com

Athenians, Consider Yourself Lucky

Like comedian Pat Oswalt once said, Athenians live in a weird, bubble, dream city of goodness. Kiplinger.com, the Web site for "timely, trusted personal finance advice and business forecasts," agrees. They named Athens as the 5th best city of 2009. Though the Classic City is often praised for being the music capitol of the South (I'm a little biased), or for it being home to one of the best Universities in the country (again, a little biased), this year, Kiplinger says it's all about jobs. While half of Georgia's counties are reporting unemployment of 10% or higher (Atlanta is 9.1%), the unemployment rate in Athens is 6.8%. This we can attribute to the University as well as our area's hospitals which provide employment to not only Athens' residents but surrounding cities as well. Hospitality is the only sector to have shown employment growth in 2009, largely due to the bulldog's big football season and the many conventions Athens hosted this year. Other cities to make the Top 10 list were Huntsville, Ala. (#1), Washington D.C. (#3) and Raleigh, N.C. (#10). So in this joke of an economy, consider yourself lucky to be living in this dream city of goodness. 

-Kristen Lee

Currently listening to "The Reeling" by Passion Pit

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact  HYPERLINK "mailto:editorial@athensblur.com" editorial@athensblur.com

Kings of Leon, Eminem Set to Perform at 2009 MTV Movie Awards

The 2009 MTV Movie Awards Show is rapidly approaching, being held on Sunday, May 31 and will be hosted by comedian Andy Samberg. The network has announced only two official performers for the night that include, Kings of Leon and Eminem. Executive Producer of the show, Mark Burnett, has promised that the event will be “unpredictable” and has high hopes for the new addition to the night’s line up, sneak previews of upcoming summer movies like Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and the most anticipated film of the year, Twilight’s sequel, New Moon.
Like the annual MTV Music Awards in the late summer, the movie awards have been known to attract all sorts of outlandish celebrities and musicians who come together to make a colorful night in tinsel town. You can expect no less from this year’s show and with SNL’s Andy Samberg heading the festivities, The Lonely Island creator has been known to keep the laughter flowing and will hopefully out shine last year’s host, Mike Myers. Fans can vote for each category (Including the always famous ‘Best Kiss’ category) of this year’s MTV Movie Award’s and learn more about the event by logging on to http://www.mtv.com/ontv/movieawards/2009/. The Kings of Leon always dazzle and I can’t wait to see what they have in store for May 31! I don’t usually enjoy MTV’s programming but for this instance I do love my MTV!

- Jessica Cole

Currently Listening to: "Let Go" by Frou Frou from the album Garden State the Original Soundtrack

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

It's about time

It’s been a very long five years, but the legendary band is finally back. Phish is set to start their reunion tour in just a few days, and to accompany their return they just released a brand new track on iTunes today. The track, “Time Turns Elastic,” is a collaboration between Trey Anastasio and composer Don Hart. It’s not a completely new song, though (as Phish fans probably already know). Anastasio first showcased it while headlining the Orchestra Nashville’s season opening show. He also performed the song last week in Baltimore. This version of the song, however, features all four members of Phish and will be on the band’s album (due out July 28th). This new album, yet to be titled, will be the first that the band has recorded since Undermind in 2004. Phish recorded the song in a New York City studio with producer Steve Lillywhite (remember him from Phish’s 1996 album Billy Breathes). Phish also posted a video of the band recording the song in the studio on their website (http://phish.com/timeturnselastic/). Go check it out. It’s not very long, but seeing a band like Phish in the studio will never cease to be entertaining. And get ready for May 31st when Phish finally ends what was way too long of a hiatus, and kicks off their tour at Fenway Park in Boston.



-Laurie Moot

Currently listening to: "Time Turns Elastic," by Phish

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

"I Kissed a Girl": But That's About It for Katy Perry

Katy Perry remarked that she loves to flirt with strangers, but nothing more. According to an interview with WENN, Perry stated "Getting your flirt on is the best thing in the world, but when it comes to sharing bodily fluids with a person I don't know - no thank you.”

Based on her comment, I would say that Perry is a great role model for children, despite the popular lyrics many modest parents will not tolerate.

However, after the break-up with her former boyfriend, Gym Class Heroes frontman, Perry told reporters “Celibacy for the whole year? I’d rather die.”

Make up your mind Miss Perry! Are you a role model or not?

-Sarah Saltzman

Currently listening to: The Weepies “Can’t Go Back Now” from Hideaway

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Beastie Boys Announce New Album on the Way

The Beastie Boys announced on “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” that a new album is in the works. The album will be entitled Hot Sauce Committee and is due out in September. The Beastie Boys strutted their stuff by performing “So What’cha Want” featuring the Roots. Ch-Check it out...



-Sarah Saltzman
Currently listening to: "Bittersweet Symphony" from Urban Hymns by The Verve

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

A White Wedding

On May 22 Jack White held his bandmate and former marital partner Meg White’s wedding in the back yard of his Nashville home. Meg married Jackson Smith, son of Patti Smith and guitarist for Detroit band Back in Spades. The ceremony was actually a double one; Jack Lawrence, bassist for the Dead Weather and The Raconteurs, married his girlfriend, Jo McCaughey. The wedding was officiated by yet another musician, Benjamin Swank, former drummer for the Ohio band the Soledad Brothers. Congrats!

-Julie McCollum
Listening to: “Consequence” by Incubus

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Get snug with Weezer

Heads up infomercial junkies, Weezer is coming your way. Apparently, the very popular ‘Snuggie’ (the blanket with sleeves) struck Weezer as the perfect canvas to advertise their band on. Following Hannah Montana’s lead by plastering their logo on completely unrelated objects (i.e. boogie boards, Crocs, any school supply you could imagine), Weezer has teamed up with the blanket company to make their own version of the Snuggie; the ‘Wuggie.’ (Well played, Weezer.) These ‘Wuggies’ will apparently be exactly the same as ‘Snuggies,’ but they will say Weezer on them. These Wuggies are set to come out sometime later this year. “The people at Snuggie are doing it with us and promoting it with us,” band member Rivers Cuomo told Rolling Stone. “It’s a totally legit Snuggie.” Well, that’s a relief.

-Laurie Moot

Currently listening to: "Unless It's Kicks," by Okkervil River

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

311's Uplifter due out June 2nd

So it’s been a while now since 311’s release of Don’t Tread on Me in 2005. I don’t know about you, but the expected release of their new album Uplifter has me pretty damn excited. The date is initially set for June 2nd, 2009 and they have finished putting last touches on the album while touring. The album was produced by Bob Rock (Metallica, Motley Crue, Bon Jovi, etc.) and was recorded at the band’s Hive Studio in Hollywood. Get pumped, the album should be a dandy. Be sure to check back after the release date, as the review will be posted as a follow-up.

-Will Hackett
Currently listening to “Could You Be Loved” by Bob Marley and the Wailers

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Artist of the Day - The Holman Autry Band

If Southern/Instrumental rock is your thing, Holman Autry Band is your up and coming group. With roots near Athens, in Madison County, Georgia, Holman Autry Band brings a distinct sound that has sold out the Georgia Theater among other clubs around Georgia. With a style that fans and members of the band call “Black Label Country,” Holman Autry Band brings a distinct sound of 5 self-taught musicians in their 20’s. The band pulls influences from Gov’t Mule, The Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Stevie Ray Vaughn as well as Metallica and Eric Clapton. Be sure to check out the guys at the Georgia Theater on Saturday, June 6th. Tickets are $5. They will also be playing at AthFest on June 28th, on the outside main stage at 3:30 pm.

Who’s Who: Brodye Brooks (lead guitar), Casey King (vocals, bass), Josh Walker (vocals, rhythm guitar), Brandon Myers (drums) and Daniel Sartain (vocals, rhythm guitar)
Formed: 2006 in Danielsville, Georgia
Recent Release: Holman Autry Band (2007)
Label: none
Website: www.holmanautryband.com

--Will Hackett currently listening to “Ode to LRC” by Band of Horses

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

I See A Little Silhouette of . . . Adam Lambert?

There’s a little rumor going around stating that American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert is being considered to join the classic rock band, Queen. Guitarist Brian May spoke to Rolling Stone Magazine to get the story straight.

“Amongst all that furor, there wasn’t really a quiet moment to talk…But [drummer Roger Taylor] and I are definitely hoping to have a meaningful conversation with him at some point. It’s not like we, as Queen, would rush into coalescing with another singer just like that. It isn’t that easy. But I’d certainly like to work with Adam. That is one amazing instrument he has there.”

Lambert performed alongside Idol winner Kris Allen during the show’s finale and sang “We Are the Champions” which began the buzz about a new personnel change within Queen’s classic rock line-up. Taking the reigns after the late, lead vocalist Freddie Mercury will be quite the shoes to fill for the eye-liner clad singer but for now, fans can revel in the fact that the future looks bright for this American Idol (runner-up!)

- Jessica Cole

Currently Listening to: "Lady Stardust" by David Bowie from the album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Picks of the Week

Mon. May 25

Packway Handle Band

Ashford Manor

6 p.m.

$15

What better way to spend Memorial Day than sharing a cooler of cold ones with friends and family on the beautiful lawn of Ashford Manor. Not to mention that all the super cool Athens Blur staff will be there.

  Tues. May 26

Dan Nettles

Farm 255

11 p.m.

FREE

Enjoy a lovely summer evening with a glass of wine and some jazz. Known as the frontman for Kenosha Kid, Nettles is a wonderful musician. Make it a date night.

Swing Dancing class

Rubber Soul Yoga

9 p.m.

$3

You don’t even need a partner to hit up this cheap and fun class, and being able to dance automatically gives you extra points with the opposite sex. The class starts at 9 p.m. but the dancing doesn’t stop ‘til midnight. 

 Wed. May 27

Sweetbox

w/ Moths and Tommy Television

Flicker Theatre & Bar

Doors at 8:30

$5

Sweetbox is a new Athens band that apparently plays psychedelic blues infused with some killer sax, and I definitely have a sweet spot for some good sax playing. Sweet, steamy blues are perfect for a summer night. Once you are nice and warmed up from that, Sweetbox’s bassist becomes Tommy Television and does improv hip hop.

Thurs. May 29

Jungol

w/ Kebert Xela and Today the Moon, Tomorrow the Sun

Caledonia Lounge

10 p.m.

$5 for 21&up, $7 for 18&up

 Three bands of electro-based rock that are all a little different should make for a fun night out for your hipster side. 

-Lindsey Lee

Currently listening to: “Ball and a Biscuit” by the White Stripes

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Breaking: Former Wilco member found dead Sunday

Jay Bennett, part of the creative brain-trust that helped spring Wilco to the fame they now enjoy, died in his sleep early Sunday morning.
Though Bennett has been known of late for his well-publicized feuds (and messy lawsuit) with front-man Jeff Tweedy, his creative contributions to the band's rise are undeniable. Bennett first joined the group touring behind Wilco's debut record, A.M., and lent an invaluable production and multi-instrumental hand to Summerteeth and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, both of which have become flagship records for the band.
Tweedy, on tour with the band in Spain, released the following statement: "We are all deeply saddened by this tragedy. We will miss Jay as we remember him -- as a truly unique and gifted human being and one who made welcome and significant contributions to the band's songs and evolution. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends in this very difficult time.
A cause of death is not yet known. Bennett was 45.


- Alec Wooden
currently listening to "Poor Places," by Wilco

Greenday Furious at Wal-Mart but Who Isn't?

Wal-Mart consistently pays low wages, does not provide health-care to all of the employees like traditional supermarket employees have today, puts small companies out of business and hurts the environment.

Greenday is furious at Wal-Mart for a different reason, however. The band’s new album, 21st Century Breakdown, is not sold in any Wal-Mart stores. The giant superstore chain refuses to stock the album. Frontman Billie Joe Armstrong claimed, “They wanted us to censor it.”

Hold up. This makes absolutely no sense since Eminem’s new album, Relapse, can be found at your local Wal-Mart. Armstrong doesn’t think that anything dirty exists in the new album to edit. The album has a few curse words and some adult references. The guitarist, Mike Dirnt, thinks that Wal-Mart should be obligated to sell the album due to the fact that the store is one of the biggest record stores in America.

Greenday’s last album, American Idiot, dealt with the band’s frustration with the president and the Iraq War. The new album talks about the confusion in today's society. Wal-Mart has the potential to curve the uniqueness and creativity of new/old artists by enforcing standards upon the creations of others.


-Sarah Saltzman

Currently listening to: “Santeria” from Sublime by Sublime

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

Hip-Hop Lawyer Charged with Murder

Paul Bergin, a New Jersey lawyer who defends hip-hop artists such as Queen Latifa and Lil Kim, was charged with murder and conspiracy to murder two days ago. He allegedly murdered a witness and was in the process of hiring a hit man to have another witness killed.

Instead of keeping drug dealers and murders off of the streets, he allowed them to stay longer. He believed, “No witness, no case.”

I want to know who allowed this man to practice law and who was supposed to be watching over his actions. It took a murder, drug trafficking, money tampering and more until Bergin received attention from the police. It appears almost as if he was pushing his limits to see how much he could get away with before landing himself in prison.

According to the New York Daily News, the acting New Jersey U.S. attorney, Marra, said of Bergin, "A licensed lawyer, a former prosecutor, essentially became one of the criminals he represents."


-Sarah Saltzman

Currently listening to: “Wonderwall” from What’s the Story Morning Glory by Oasis

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

An independent Blueprint

It cost him (a reportedly) $5 million, but Jay-Z is finally independent. The rap star confirmed to Rap Radar that he bought out the remainder of his contract with Island Def Jam to officially become an independent artist (according to deal he signed with them, he owed them one more album before he could join another label). Jay-Z has his new album,The Blueprint 3, in the works and he plans to release it on his very own Roc Nation label. Jay-Z left Island Def Jam on good terms, telling Rap Radar “I can honestly say, working with [Island Def Jam’s] Doug Morris and LA Reid has been a unique and fulfilling experience and I respect them immensely. I thank [Doug] for allowing me to be a completely independent artist. Not every artist can say they own or are given the opportunity to own all of their music.” Hopefully, with all the negotiations now worked out, we will start getting some more information about Blueprint 3, originally set to be released last winter. With songs like the Santigold-sampling “Brooklyn Go Hard” and hit song “Swagga Like Us” rumored to be included on the album, we hope the start of Jay-Z’s new independence will also be the end of The Blueprint’s delayed release.

-Laurie Moot

Currently listening to: "Lady on the Water," by Blitzen Trapper

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

The Communion of free music

The Soundtrack Of Our Lives are set to release their sixth album with a title that more than lives up to its name. Communion is set to hit stores August 24, and, like the name promises, the band will be sharing a track off of the album on the third Sunday of every month. The “Sunday communion service” will be complete with an online “sermon” from TSOOL’s own Ebbot Lundberg to accompany the free track. The band will release each song on their website (www.tsool.net) and it will be available for three weeks. “Ra88” has already been released (on May 17, so you still have time to snag it if you haven’t already), “Babel On” is set for June 21 and “Flipside” is scheduled to be released on July 19. The start of TSOOL’s UK tour (and the first time they have played in the UK in three years) will be on June 23 at London Bush Hall. What are you waiting for? Go get you some free music.



-Laurie Moot

Currently listening to: "Tupelo Honey," by Van Morrison

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com

"Take the Trip this Summer"

No matter where you look, especially in Athens, it is impossible to not notice all of the flyers for music festivals that are popping up all over the Southeast and even across the country. This mass uprising of festivals may have something to do with our slacking economy and the people’s need for a time away from the constant stress of reality, but whatever the case, music festivals are hip again. So it is only fitting that the mother of all musical celebrations, Woodstock, is getting a rise in interest, from frolicking hippies to visor-wearing frat guys, the legendary ‘60s era musical gathering is becoming more and more recognized by the youth of the nation and as a result we are now being presented with “Taking Woodstock,” Ang Lee’s newest film starring Emile Hirsch and comedian Demetri Martin. The film is based on the autobiography of Elliot Teichberg, a man who is simultaneously coming to terms with his homosexuality while helping bring the Woodstock festival back to the mainstream in 1969.

“Taking Woodstock” premiered at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival this month, and received uninspiring reviews from Variety and Entertainment Weekly, but don’t judge Lee’s effort just yet, he is also the brains behind 2005’s Academy Award winning film, “Brokeback Mountain,” so his cinematic vision should not be underestimated. No matter what the box office result, “Taking Woodstock” should be a well-received production, at least for the youth demographic and for the older crowd who can relate to the ultimate experience of Woodstock. The film will be released in theaters August 14, so get ready to turn on, tune in and drop out in the ‘Summer of Love’ 1969.

Here is the trailer. Enjoy!

- Jessica Cole

Currently Listening to: "Outta My Head" by M. Ward from the album The Transfiguration of Vincent

This content is solely the property of The Athens Blur Magazine and may not be re-produced without expressed written consent. The Athens Blur Magazine is an 8 issue/year music & variety publication proud to be based in the Classic City of Athens, Ga. For more information, please contact editorial@athensblur.com