The Athens Blur Blogazine: September 2009

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Backspacer Takes No.1 Spot on Pop Album Charts

A congratulations is in order. Reuters reported today Pearl Jam has made their way to the top of the U.S. pop album chart for the first time in 13 years.

Every Wednesday night is trivia night at Athens' 283 Bar. Trivia night seems innocent enough -- just a few groups of friends throwing back some beers and scratching their heads to come up with that answer that's right on the tip of their tongue. But it's about to get real, because on October 7 the Trivia War begins.

Next Wednesday marks the start of the month-long general knowledge trivia competition. The factoid buffs who prove themselves most full of useless/semi-useless knowledge will win the following: $120 for a custom tattoo by Dustin Hill at Walk the Line Tattoo and gifts certificates to Ike and Jane's bakery and Dynamite Vintage Clothing.

Sister/sister duo Tegan & Sara are preparing to release their next album plus a three book set to go along with it. Sainthood is T & S's sixth full length effort, and the books In, On, and At chronicle the last two years -- since the release of 2007's The Con -- in the sisters' musical career.

The three books will include photos of the Tegan and Sara from their tours in both the U.S. and Australia and
words written by members of T & S's touring band as well as Death Cab's Chris Walla and Dallas Green of City and Colour and Alexisonfire. In, On and At will be available only to those who pre-order the new album.

Athens mainstay "The Bulldog" radio (100.1 FM) will undergo a music philosophy overhaul, according to a source close to the situation, though it does not appear parent company COX Communications has sold the station.

The changeover will be completed Friday morning, but there was no official word on what the new format/programming will be.

As of 8:40 p.m. Wed, the station was broadcasting wildly out of philosophy music and breaking up each song with the promotional identification "Athens new home for Obama Government Controlled Radio."

Calls to multiple numbers at the station went unanswered.

More details to come......

Live Show Review: The Felice Brothers

A Felice Brothers concert is not a spectator sport. From the get-go, it was clear that participation is required. Taking the 40 Watt stage around 11 p.m., the Felice Brothers motioned to the crowd to come right up to the front. Without hesitation everyone got off of the stools and chairs they occupied during an opening act by Taylor Hollingsworth, a member of Conor Oberst's Mystic Valley Band, which showcased his guitar prowess and original material (does emo-folk exist? If not, it does now with Hollingsworth). The Felice Brothers opened with a slow, soaring instrumental intro before going straight into “Murder By Mistletoe,” followed directly by “Greatest Show On Earth.”

The Half Dozen Brass band, manufactured from some of Athens’ best horn players, has graced the stage at many of the Classic City’s top spots, such as Little Kings, the Globe and Tasty World.

Tonight they’re playing at the Melting Point before (and during) Lefty Hathaway delivers blue-centric performance with members of the Bareknuckle Band and Avery Dylan.

Known for their blended assortment of styles-- mixing jazz, funk and country in one setting—the horn band puts on a New Orleans-esq performance. The Half Dozen Brass Band was also named Best Jazz Band at the Flagpole Athens Music Awards this year.

The Half Dozen kick off the night at 9:00 PM and Lefty Hathaway starts at 10:30 PM. Admission is only five bucks!

-Ashley Thompson
Currently listening to entertaining Blur staffers

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

Live Show Review: Tom Goss

What do pop music, Catholic priesthood, gay rights and Washington State have in common? Gay, indie pop songwriter Tom Goss, a Washington native who abandoned his first chosen profession of becoming a Catholic priest, now takes his quest to spread love beyond the secular to the stage. Though he no longer seeks the conduit of Christianity for his message, Goss intends not to lose his focus with his newest album release Back To Love. Openly gay and marriage to his partner in the near future, his songs not only promote social justice in the gay community, but also discuss familial love and camaraderie between friends and the quest for and loss of love.

This past week, on a slow Monday night at Athens’ Little Kings Shuffle Club, Goss and his opener Mara Levi played a short set for a small crowd of townies. Though the showing was a bit disappointing, it no doubt had nothing to do with the quality of the musicians. Goss and Levi both seemed to posses a passion that they were planning to give out to anyone who had the ears to listen. This kind of determination leads to loyal fans and will no doubt ensure that Goss has many more opportunities to spread the word of love via stage shows.

He has been coined the ‘Reigning King of the Blues’ and has recorded music for four decades, now, Riley B. King or most notably B.B. King, a vital persona in the history of blues music and the man responsible for inspiring artists such as John Mayer, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy and Otis Rush, just to name a few, will be doing Athens the honor of playing live at the Classic Center on Friday, October 2.

The 84-year-old legend has spent his entire life devoted to music. Born on September 16, 1925 in a small town in Mississippi, King made his way out of the south and into the hustle and bustle of LA in 1949, getting his first recording contract with RPM Records.

How ‘aboot’ that? The Rural Alberta Advantage, a trio of indie-inspired musicians from Alberta, Canada, found their way to Tasty World Tuesday night, and the result—a mellow, yet powerful performance causing the audience to go more into deep thought rather than scream out loud.

“You guys are really quiet, you must be really paying attention,” lead singer Nils Edenoff told the crowd of 25 or more hipster-type fans bobbing back and forth to the raging drums of Paul Banwatt. This was the mood of the entire 30 minute set performed by the three folksy Canadians.

Times They Are A Changin'

Reuters reported Bob Dylan’s bombshell decision to release his first Christmas album in November just got trumped. The deal now comes with a digital component.

Christmas In the Heart will be offered for download to 13 million folks enrolled in Citibank’s reward program the week before the album hits stores—proof the times really are “a-changin.”

However, the proceeds from the album (Columbia Records) will go to charities that feed the poor. Ah, yes—that’s the Dylan we know.

-Ashley Thompson
Currently listening to Randy Travis outside on the balcony.
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: Wavves

Wavves is busting out of San Diego with its noisy low-fi surfer punk sound. The band is vocalist/guitarist Nathan Williams backed by drummer Ryan Ulsh, who come together to create an impressive amount of noise and sound with their two-man band resources.

Wavves released its first full-length album in 2008 and followed it with 2009's Wavves, released on Fat Possum Records. Wavves drew positive attention from indie tastemakers Pitchfork. The 16-track record features short upbeat noise pop songs about being young, poor and bored ("No Hope Kids," "Bored") and the beach ("Beach Demons") - which is about what you'd expect from a couple of young So-Cal rockers.

There’s a charming bed and breakfast about 15 minutes outside of Athens known as Ashford Manor. Its tucked in a corner of Watkinsville, Ga.—kind of like a best kept secret. But, the secret’s out.

Ashford Manor is becoming one of the area’s most desired venues for seeing some really great bands. They've actually been bringing live music to their stunning backyard for over nine years. You can reserve a table, or just bring a picnic and a blanket and make camp on the lawn next to the stage--the closer the better.

After a summer of talented live bands, Packway Handle Band is closing the summer season and performing on the Ashford Manor stage on October 5^th.The weather is finally cooperating (they’ve rescheduled twice due to rain) and it should be a great time to relax and enjoy the fall weather—and one rockin’ bluegrass band I might add.

On October 4th and 5th, local Los Angeles band Lucky Dragons have an opening slot at The Orpheum Theatre for some band playing its first shows together.

The band? Radiohead's Thom Yorke, Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich, Beck/R.E.M. drummer Joey Waronker, percussionist/multi-instrumentalist Mauro Refosco, and Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea.

Athens bar the Globe turns 20 years old today. In celebration of this birthday, the Globe is throwing a party tonight featuring music by local acts Art Rosenbaum and Flash to Bang Time. It's free to enter, and there will be $3.50 Guiness and other great beers on tap, as always.

Don’t blame Canada—they produce some pretty rad musicians and every song containing any variation of “out” has a bit of charming Canadian accent to go along with it. Indie pop group and resident Canadians, Rural Alberta Advantage, are hitting the stage at Tasty World Uptown tonight and it should be an energetic showing—you can’t play low-key indie pop…it’s just not plausible. The tone of this performance should feel along the lines of Ben Kweller, Conner Oberst or Ben Folds’ musical styling.

Hailing from rural Alberta, Canada, RAA’s lyrics speak of growing up in their hometown; complete with tales of summers in the Rockies, the lives of mineworkers and the wide-open spaces in which they spent their younger years. Appropriately named, Hometowns was released this past July and is gaining a lot of hype in Canada and good reviews nationwide. With their east coast tour and their U.S. record label, Saddle Creek, RAA is breaking into the U.S. market with their nostalgic tunes and are on the road to the big time.

Catch their Athens show: Tasty World Uptown, at 10p.m. tonight (Tuesday). $7 (18+) $5 (21+). Remember Tasty World is upstairs only. Live show preview after the jump.

Dear Readers,

Well, we've flipped the calendar to September - which means, in the publishing world, we've essentially flipped the calendar to December. That's right...it's already time to think about our end of the year issue!

Our last issue of '09 hits on December 1st, and in it will be a comprehensive 2009 in Review spread. And now you've got a chance to become a part of it! Starting today, and running through November 1, we'll be collecting reader data on your Top 20 albums of 2009.

Update: Local Muscian Jon Guthrie dead at age 26

Athens Clarke-County police made official this morning what friends and family of local musician Jon Guthrie have feared since news of a single-car accident was reported last night along Guthrie's projected route after leaving downtown early Sunday morning.

From the ACCPD media release: Officers responded to a one vehicle accident on Beaverdam Rd near Weatherly Woods Dr around 1850 September 28. A 1994 Mercedes Benz was east bound on Beaverdam when the driver, JON GRAHAM GUTHRIE of Hardin Dr, apparently lost control, crossed the center line, and left the roadway. The vehicle went down a ditch, went airborne, stuck an embankment, overturned, and came to rest on the roof in a creek. GUTHRIE was deceased. The investigation continues. (09-2201)

Guthrie was last seen leaving downtown Athens around 1 o'clock Sunday morning, headed outside of town towards a friend's house. He was officially reported missing sometime thereafter when friends and family became concerned over a lack of contact and absence from work. The wreck was discovered towards dusk on Monday.

Guthrie was a member of the Michael Guthrie band, of which his father was the name sake. A still-budding local musician, he was 26 years old.

U2 yet to turn profit on $750,000/day world tour

How does a band make money in the digital musc age, where bands are giving away records and labels are folding like houses of cards? It's easy: load up a truck. Drive to a city. Play a show. Sell three dozen t-shirts. Pack up the truck. Rinse and repeat, every day.

Unless, of course, you're U2, where everything is bigger, better and, naturally, more expensive.

Breaking: Local musician Jon Guthrie dies in car wreck

Local musician Jon Guthrie, missing since early Sunday morning after leaving downtown Athens en route to a house outside of town, has been found dead, the apparent victim of a single car accident outside of Athens.

Guthrie was more recently part of The Michael Guthrie band, of which his father is the namesake. Guthrie's self-written profile in Flagpole Magazine's Athens music directory reads as follows:

"At only 23, Jon has been incredibly been playing music live for over 10 years! From his beginnings in punk bands to playing in the Michael Guthrie Band, Jon's music has taken him from NYC to the West Coast, tours of the U.K. and Europe, from pubs to festivals. Now also performing solo, Jon brings a wealth of influences: rock, pop and progressive roots played on both acoustic and electric guitar, sometime solo or with a group with his songs and energetic style, carrying on the tradition into the future."

Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

Tonight's Don't Miss Music

The Epic Mic Night hosted by Athens BLUR Magazine and Rye Bar. (Rye Bar is located at 140 East Clayton Street—below Helix, across from Transmetropolitan). Come lend a hand by cheering on your favorite act and hope your “woops” or “yays”—no “boos” allowed this ain’t American Idol folks—will be heard by the judges panel and influence their final decision. You can’t play a show without an audience. Support the underground music scene and maybe you’ll witness the next big breakout artist.

The show starts @9:30. Check out www.myspace.com/ryebarathens for more details.

Whistler extraordinaire Andrew Bird just debuted the video for "Anonanimal," a track off of his 2009 album Noble Beast.

The video is a stop motion wonderland, with weird worms and bouncy sea creatures slithering around a happy little cave. Sometimes things glow in the dark. There are lots of stalactites. All of a sudden, My. Bird pops up in the midst of this wormy world to serenade us. All in all, it's pretty cool.

Warner Music Group, the company responsible for band’s like Death Cab for Cutie, Jason Mraz and The White Stripes, have announced a reconciliation with the internet video site Youtube, and have given the site permission to post videos featuring music by WMG’s long list of artists, Adversting Age reported.

This deal is a response to last December’s controversy, when WMG pulled all of their artists’ songs from the popular video site.

Surfjan Stevens puts the term, “multi-instrumentalist” to shame. Hailing from Detroit, Sufjan started releasing music on his own label, Asthmatic Kitty, he formed with his step-dad in 2000. He plays the guitar, bass guitar, sitar, piano, banjo, xylophone, vibraphone, French horn, oboe, recorder, and the drums--a real one-man orchestra.

In 2005, his album Illinois hit No. 1 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers. But you can’t really pin Sufjan down. He’s been pegged as part of the folk revival in indie pop. However, he’s also been measured up to electronica musically. Sufjan has released a Christian-folk album titled Seven Swans as well as a Christmas compilation, Songs for Christmas. His influences and inspirations range from the Bible to expressways.

After touring extensively with Kings of Leon, The Whigs have turned into Athens newest band to go “pro” in the music industry.

The band’s recent line-up includes lead vocalist Parker Gispert, drummer Julian Dorio and bassist Tim Deaux and on the band’s official website, www.thewhigs.com, a brand new list of tour dates have been posted, starting on the 28^th of October.

Brooklyn's indie pop-rock quartet The Subjects is playing Athens' Tasty World Uptown tonight (Monday, Sept. 28). The show is scheduled to start at 11:45.

The Subjects formed at a NYC high school back in 2004 as a half teacher, half student band. After the younger half of the group graduated from high school, the band started touring and getting attention from MTV and various magazines. The Subjects' debut album, With the Ease Grace Precision and Cleverness of Human Beings, was released in 2007.

Lucy Vodden, the childhood friend of John Lennon's son Julian and the inspiration for "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds," is dead at age 46 after a lengthy battle with lupus, The Associated Press is reporting. British press is reporting she may have died as early as last Tuesday.

Stop it England. Stop sending angelic-voiced, ubertalented English boys to expose bare chests and bum-accentuating jeans on the stages of the States.

From Lancashire, England—by way of New York—Greg Holden has come to woo women throughout the nation with his honey-sweet music and quirky British personality and as he grows over these next few months, through his tour with Ingrid Michaelson, it will be safe to call him the Robert Pattinson persona of the music world. No woman can deny a man with an accent…especially if he is a damn good musician.

As people trickled in the Classic Center Theatre Friday evening, the half-filled theatre looked gigantic. The black ceiling went on forever and the empty maroon seats only emphasized the size of the venue. Five guys took the stage around 8 o’ clock and a raspy, southern drawl of a voice proclaimed, “for the next 35 minutes we’re going to talk about girls and drinkin’.”

True to their word, American Aquarium played songs about one-night stands, PBR and girls past--calling each out by name. It worked though. Front man, BJ Barham’s untamed voice combined with the twang of the guitar made you forget you were in ritzy theatre but in your favorite honky-tonk-- if you have a favorite honky-tonk, that is.

Happy Birthday Go Bar

Athens institution Go Bar is celebrating 10 years of business today. The bar is a local favorite and known as a late-night dance party haven.

To celebrate this double-digit birthday, Go Bar's having a party tonight with WUOG's Back to School Dance featuring Deaf Judges, Casper & the Cookies, Twin Powers and DJ Immuzikation.

Morrissey is getting ready to release his B-sides compilation disc Swords. Today the Moz revealed the album's cover art and announced some U.S. tour dates for this fall/winter. Swords is due out November 3.

40 Watt Club
www.40wattclub.com
Perpetual Groove: Night 1
Doors: 9 PM

Tasty World
www.tastyworld.net
The Blekers, Welcome to Buckhead
Doors: 10 PM

Caledonia Lounge
www.caledonialounge.com
The K-Macks, Andrew Nelson, Harrison Hudson
Doors: 10 PM

New Earth Music Hall
www.newearthmusichall.com
Grogus
Doors: 9 PM

The Melting Point
www.meltingpointathens.com
Evening with The Jesters
Doors: 6 PM

The Rialto Room
www.therialtoroom.com
Christopher Cross
Doors: 8 PM & 10 PM

Ed O'Brien Gets Behind the Fight Against Album Piracy

Radiohead guitarist Ed O’ Brien, along with Blur drummer Dave Rowntree have teamed up to support a motion proposed by the Featured Artists Coalition against illegal downloading

The motion proposes a “3 strikes” rule, which would cause those who constantly download music illegally to receive up to three letters, each increasing in severity if the piracy continues. After the third letter, and the user continues to steal music, restrictions would be placed on the guilty party’s internet connection speed.

Ready to mix it up a bit?

New Earth Music Hall has a treat for you. Two Fresh -- a trio consisting of (twins) Sherwyn and Kendrick Nicholls and drummer Colby Buckler-- pride themselves on “freshly” mixing jazz with electronic hip-hop. They really are something unique and coming to Athens’ spankin’ new, New Earth- a venue that covers all ends of the music spectrum- October 2. Check ‘em out:

So, next Friday night come dance away the stress from the week and experience a new side to Athens' music scence.

-Ashley Thompson
currently listening to "Guiding Light" by Muse
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

Pearl Jam Back On Top With Backspacer

They say the 9th times a charm. As initial album sales forecast, Backspacer—Pearl Jam’s 9th studio album—seems to be headed to a number one spot on the Billboard’s Top 200 charts. Pearl Jam hasn’t seen this chart topping since 1996’s No Code. After 13 years of waiting, Pearl Jam is finally expected to win big with their newest album and sell a projected 175,000 to 200,000 copies.

Backspacer is different from Pearl Jam’s previous, as the bands first album that doesn’t have a big label behind it.

Zac Brown Band Does Georgia Theatre Benefit Concert

The Zac Brown Band and The Georgia Theatre go way back in the history of making great music. ZBB went from an opener act to a smash hit on the Theatre’s stage and are now a huge band on the national scale. Based out of Atlanta, GA, the ZBB went from little known to touring the nation, winning awards, and gracing the Billboard charts with three singles including the number one hit “Chicken Fried.”

No doubt “Chicken Fried” is the perfect sing-a-long and never fails to get the true Southerner giddy in their cowboy boots—even closet country fans can’t deny they know the lyrics to this one. A night at Athens southern gem The General Bar isn’t complete without “Chicken Fried” on the track list.

And ZBB hasn’t forgotten the small town joints that helped them along the way to the big-time. They plan to show their appreciation for the Theatre at a benefit concert this October.

Interested in a chance to win two tickets to Voodoo Fest 09 in New Orleans, courtesy of Nuçi’s Space, Widespread Panick and Drive By Truckers? Then it's your lucky day.

The low low price of $1 gets you a spot in the raffle drawing. The prize package includes two AirTran tickets to New Orleans, three nights at the New Orleans Marriott, two LOA Lounge (VIP) passes to Voodoo Fest and $300 to do with what you please while wandering the streets of NOLA. Enter to win online. The entry deadline is September 30th.

Shawn Mullins is a story teller. And like all good story tellers, he writes about the people and places he encounters along this trip called life. One story in particular about a girl who “grew up with the children of the stars” resonated with fans across the country. “Lullaby” is a song Mullins wrote after a fan shared her story over dinner--a few lines written in his journal became the singer-songwriter’s most recognized story to date.

But, Mullins is far from an overnight success.

The name Christopher Cross probably doesn’t strike a unanimous chord with college students, even in a known music town like Athens, Ga., but his songs may make you say, “Oh yeah! I didn’t know that guy sang THAT song!”

So, here are some lyrics:

”Sailing
Takes me away
To where I've always heard it could be
Just a dream and the wind to carry me
And soon I will be free”

Are you still unsure of the song? Well, check out Cross’ famous 1980 debut album cover.

If you still haven’t figured out the song, then check out this video of “Sailing.”

One of the most critically acclaimed films of 2006, "Little Miss Sunshine," is about to become a musical. "Sunshine" premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in '06, and the folks at Sundance have now decided to make a musical adaptation of the film.

The film, a character-driven comedy/drama, focuses on a family's struggle through a road trip to California, the ultimate goal being to get to the Little Miss Sunshine junior beauty pageant in which oddball daughter Olive competes. Over the course of the trip, the family is brought together through a series weird and oftentimes sad circumstances. Steve Carell, Greg Kinnear and Toni Collette star in the film.

It's hard to imagine a big stage production where most of the action takes place inside a VW van, then again there is "Legally Blonde the Musical," so anything's possible.

Britney Spears to Release 'Singles' Compilation

Britney Spears keeps coming back. She's like Madonna (only not as inventive, talented or original). The pop star announced yesterday on her web site that she will release The Singles Collection on November 24th. The album you've been waiting for to round out your 2009 collection is here.

Mackenzie Phillips said publicly today her father, John Phillips, raped her when she was a teenager. There are a couple of things that make this situation a little different from your usual rape case (not that any are “usual”). First, Mackenzie Phillips is a former child star (“One Day at a Time”) and John Phillips was a front man of the group The Mamas and the Papas. Secondly, John Phillips was her father. It gets creepier. Thirdly, the father-daughter sexual abuse eventually became consensual, according to Ms. Phillips.

Mackenzie appeared on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” today and spoke about the ordeal. She told Oprah her siblings were not happy she was there. Oprah also read a statement from Genevieve Waite, John Phillips’ wife when the alleged sexual relationship went on, insisting John was “incapable, no matter how drunk or drugged he was, of having such a relationship with his own child.”

However, Mackenzie displayed her convictions very clearly.

"Your father is supposed to protect you. Your father is supposed to protect you, not f--k you," she told the unyielding talk show host.

Jason Aldean is quickly leaving his new-comer title behind and proving to be a veteran in country music. He emerged on to the scene in 2005 with his first single, “Hicktown,” a song about the quaint yet untamed lives of small town people. Since then, the Macon, Ga. native has released a total of three albums: Jason Aldean, Relentless, and Wide Open. Relentless and Wide Open both were certified Gold.

Aldean made himself comfortable at the No.1 spot on Billboard’s Country Songs Charts with two consecutive No.1s:“She’s Country” and “Big Green Tractor.” “Big Green Tractor” has stayed at No.1 for a notable four weeks.

This Gawga boy hopes to keep his name high on the charts with “The Truth,” the newest single set for release from his Wide Open album.

Don’t you just miss those days of watching B.J. and the Bear on NBC? Watching that crazy B.J. McKay and his lively chimp, Bear, travel cross-country on their Kenworth K-100 semi truck always made me smile. Wait. You have no idea what I’m talking about, I bet. Well, neither do I. But, the guys that make up ambient, indie group Minus the Bear are a little more clued in. After all, they named their band after an inside joke concerning the late-70s television show.

Shins frontman James Mercer is breaking into the world of acting in the upcoming film "Some Days are Better than Others." Also starring in "Some Days" is Carrie Brownstein, formerly of the band Sleater-Kinney. The film's trailer was just revealed today on the "Some Days" site.

Apple Inc. is more than just slim shady. The company is being sued by Marshall Mather’s, a.k.a Eminem’s, publishing company, Eight Mile Music, for copyright infringement, due to claims that Apple Inc. earned $2.5 million from Mr. Mather’s 2002 soundtrack, 8 Mile.

After the recent cancellation of Aerosmith’s tour, following Steven Tyler’s fall off stage in South Dakota, relations between the band members seemed a bit on the rocks. Perry mentioned that he hadn’t spoken with Tyler in over five weeks and didn’t know when the two would converse again. Many fans and Internet gossip sites took this statement as the possible end to Aerosmith’s long career. Say it ain’t so.

At last, after being eligible for 10 years, KISS is seeing the recognition so many of their fans and followers know they deserve. After being snubbed for a decade, KISS’ name is finally on the nominee list released this morning by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. KISS isn’t the only newbie to grace the list—Red Hot Chili Peppers, Genesis, the Hollies, LL Cool J and Jimmy Cliff also made the cut—but KISS has definitely waited the longest for the nomination.

The issue surrounding KISS’ nomination, according to Rolling Stone, is which of the group members would be inducted.

Metric Announces U.S. Tour Dates

Canadian indie quartet Metric has just announced 14 dates for its fall/winter U.S. Tour. The group has already done one round of North American touring and a jaunt through Australia in support of this year's Fantasies. Metric comes to ATL on November 28th. See the full list new dates below.

Scarlett Johansson Sings Live

Scarlett Johansson’s live performance of “Relator” with Pete Yorn on France's Le Grand Journal went pretty well. In my opinion, they sound a lot better together than Johansson does alone on her solo parts. However, the actress-turned-singer can actually carry a tune and proves that she isn’t reliant on synthesizers and other technology to enhance her natural pipes.

I wonder if her voice tone is a result of her trying to come off folk-ish, or if it is actually how her voice sounds when she sings.

John Mayer is a silly guy. Check out this Funny or Die video produced by Knocked Up’s Judd Apatow and features a cameo by Forgetting Sarah Marshall’s Kristen Bell.

“Have all the chords in music been found? Most will say yes. I say, ‘Not so fast, asshole.’” – John Mayer

Makin' Music with John Mayer from John Mayer

- Jessica Cole

Currently Listening to: "Family Tree" by Ben Kweller

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

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Monday, September 28, 2009

Friday, September 25, 2009

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

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