Week of Confession (Great Lake Swimmers)

The Confessional

Your fearless author has never really been in a band. Really. I mean there was that summer that a few of us spent a week getting an abandoned room in an abandoned apartment (that my buddy’s dad owned) ready to be our practice space. We swept it out, replaced the light bulbs, found a couple of metal chairs (the church reception hall kind), an old Coleman cooler (to hold vast quantities of Orange Crush and Mello Yello) and hoisted old camp mattresses over the windows to contain the fierce rock n roll we intended to make. We spent a lot of time just setting that place up and at least a few hours sitting on those metal church reception hall chairs talking about how cool our band was going to be and how we might even play prom before it was all over.about 10 years ago on a magazine/sampler that used to go around called Virtually Alternative which, like Blender, is no longer with us (we won’t be mourning the loss of the latter though). The band has had a revolving door of members since then but principal architect, Anton Newcombe, has remained throughout. I gotta think that the whole Committee to Keep Music Evil shtick has got to get old for artists who aren’t psychotic. Don’t be mislead though, this is not Swedish death metal or even angry punk. Really, the sound is rooted in shoegaze and occasionally (probably unwittingly) demonstrates a bit of 60s pop sensibility that, but for the general instability of the band’s line-up, might have sold some records by now.
Sell Outs

That practice space saw a lot more dreaming than real practice. The highlights were a few rousing, if poorly executed, renditions of Blitzkrieg Bop and Bitchin’ Camaro (and when you can’t execute those songs, you know your career is limited). Oh yeah, and there was that time we asked that one kid who ended up at the conservatory of one of those Northeastern liberal schools to play with us. He spent close to an hour setting up his drum kit, less than five minutes playing, and about twenty minutes telling us how much we sucked while furiously dismantling those drums (I wonder if he writes a music blog too?).

Anyway, the point of all that, if there can be one, was to explain in part why and how Atlanta’s A-List makes its way to your doorstep (or desktop) each and every week (and to add links to a couple of my favorite songs). Despite all the guitars laying around this house, we make music by queuing up the needle, clicking the mouse, or just hitting play (and it can be argued that we don’t even do that so well). You don’t need to be a world class musician to know what you like or like what you know. Music is here for all of us (just like the A-List). Take what you will and support the music and artists you love. Another soapbox, another A-List.

Back to the Future (of Atlanta)

This is a weekend only week in Dogwood City. Which is just another way of saying that last Thursday’s hangover may last until this Thursday. By Friday we should be ready for the Great Lake Swimmers at The Earl. These Canadian indies are out in support of their brand new release, Lost Channels. If you have found yourself enjoying recent phenomena Fleet Foxes or Blitzen Trapper, then the earthy feel of this quintet should appeal to you.

If you’re looking for something a little more aggressive then check out Brian Jonestown Massacre at the Variety Playhouse. We found BJM

Saturday night will be your opportunity to see some good old fashioned power pop with A-List favorite, Gentleman Jesse and His Men at the home of tandem unbalanced pool tables and PBR tallboys, Lenny’s. Jesse will be playing behind (which means before) Memphis garage artist, Jay Reatard. The shows start at 9:00, Jesse probably won’t hit the stage any earlier then 10:00 (cuz there’s somebody behind him too) which give you plenty of time to sip your unoaked chablis before heading to the stop just this side of the wrong side of the tracks.

It’s happened again. The May 2nd Ben Harper show at the Variety Playhouse, which was announced by the A-List on Twitter the day tickets went on sale, has already sold out. Be the first to know (or the forty-fourth depending on our mood and intake of normal people coffee that day), follow Atlanta’s A-List on Twitter.

From Bench to BayThere’s a lot on the horizon to be excited about – our favorite live act of 2008 returns to the scene of the crime – Eddie’s Attic – April 14 & 15. Judging by the ads in the free press, tickets are still available to see Wilco in Athens on April 20th. Yes, that’s a Monday night, but well worth the trip. Get your tickets now.

Finally, welcome to a couple of the newest A-Listers from Kalorama and Cal, they’re joined by Delta Moon who follows the A-List on Twitter. Don’t forget to check out Atlanta’s A-List on the interweb for music reviews and other cool stuff that won’t fit in the email box.

That’s the A-List and what’s that you say Mrs. Robinson, Joltin’ Joe has left and gone away?