What Up In The ATL?

This is an incredible week for live shows in the A. Get it started with the trailer to the upcoming documentary on the Atlanta music scene We Fun (this looks awesome!):

Official WE FUN Trailer


The Gaye Blades (featuring Jared Swiley from the Black Lips) will be at The Drunken Unicorn tonight with Coffin Bound and Mammals.

Wednesday night RJD2 is at the Variety Playhouse. I caught him last year at about this time and I didn't really dig it. So if you're smart, you'll go local and check out The Good Moods, The Hotels and Goodnight Mush. at The Drunken Unicorn:



The Good Moods : Jericho


The Good Moods : Old Jersey Trees



Thursday night the Free ISP/Pine Magazine showcase at The Star Bar is the place to be:



Lovesick Scientist is Justin Sias (Elevado) produced by Brian Slusher (Slushco). Go Listen!

A Fight To The Death : Old Black Chains


Cassavettes : My Heart Your Beat



Friday night I'm going to the 11:11 Teahouse to catch 13 Day Mission, Beatrix Kiddo, and Miles From Pangea. I'm working on a piece about these great bands that will be out in the next couple days and I highly recommend checking this one out:




Saturday night is an ATL superstar supernight:

Enon, Howlin Rain, All Night Drug Prowling Wolves, Nomen Novem (featuring members of Moorish Idols) are at The Drunken Unicorn.

The Mourdella (Jessica Juggz's band) CD Release show with Chopper (featuring Colin Mee of Deerhunter), The Coathangers and West End Motel (featuring Brett Hinds of Mastodon and Tom Cheshire of All Night Drug Prowling Wolves) is at The Earl. Looks like Tom Cheshire is gonna have a busy night.

Mourdella : Brink Of Catastrophie


Mourdella : 'Til You Bleed


You can cap off your week with Dunch (the Sunday brunch/dinner) at The Earl featuring The Jupiter Watts doing a low-key set.

Jupiter Watts : Felix (1/4/2008 version)



Damn, the ATL is just too fun!

What Up In The ATL?

Atlanta's From Exile have re-released their epic 2006 debut full-length album Crushing Reality for FREE right now at their website. I highly recommend going and getting that because it really is such a great album. From Exile are currently in the studio recording their newest record which should be out later this year. Also, stop by their myspace.



Another Ohmpark favourite band, Moorish Idols, has gone on a hiatus of sorts to shift their focus on David Norbery's newest project, Nomem Novum. Nomem Novum will have a 7" called Mantis Man out in March and a full-length to follow in November. You can check out the great new tunes at the myspace. There are a handful of shows coming up that you should check out:

02/09/2008 08:00 PM - parkgrounds amphitheater w/Recompas
02/22/2008 09:00 PM - LennysWithTheOrphinsBenefitForSarahJones
03/20/2008 09:00 PM - Drunken Unicorn w/ Blitzen Trapper
04/05/2008 09:45 PM - Drunken Unicorn w/ ENON

Nomem Novum : Aunt Urn


Last week we talked about the new Slushco album, When I Met The Boss Of Nova, being released. Apparently there were some technical issues with CDBaby where it was released digitally, but you can now go purchase the new album here. While I was waiting for that, I finally bought a copy of the self-titled album and it is really awesome. I'm on a heavy Slushco kick right now, but I'll have more on that in a few days.

Tonight there a couple hippy friendly shows. The Greyboy Allstars will be at Smith's Old Bar and I'll be going to The Tabernacle to catch Ween again.

Tomorrow there a few great shows. I'm way stoked about the Super Furry Animals, Fiery Furnaces, Holy Fuck show at The Variety Playhouse. At the Earl, you can catch High On Fire and A Life Once Lost. At The Starbar you can catch Scott H Biram.

Thursday night you can go see Zoroaster at the Drunken Unicorn or Brass Castle and Undomskulen at The Earl.

Friday night you can check out many of what I call the "nu-Black Lips" Atlanta bands such as The Howlies, The NEC, and Thee Crucials.

Saturday night The Earl has yet another awesome show with Rizzudo and The Liverhearts:

Ohmpark's Top 10 Best EPs Of 2007

An EP, or Extended Play, is the sweet spot between a full album and a single. Typically between 10 and 25 minutes, although what has come to define the difference between EPs and LPs can sometimes be blurred. Usually EPs get a bad rap, as it carries with it connotations of being "less-than" and not good enough to be a proper album, but I like seeing variations in the art medium. There are EPs like Alice In Chains' Jar Of Flies and Radiohead's Airbag/How Am I Driving? that beat most full lengths. Also, EPs afford an artist the chance to showcase things that don't fit in the context of a larger piece of work, or explore a different sound without moving fully in that direction. Anyways, I'd take an EP of nothing but the goodness over a full-length comprised mostly of filler surrounding a few good songs any day.

In 2007 I actually heard many great EPs. A few of which I'll give honorable mentions that just missed this list that are worth-while include Joanna Newsom And The Ys Street Band, Vampire Weekend, and Black Kids' Wizard Of Ahhhs, of which I've come around a little bit on now that I've listened to it more. Here are the 10 most essential short-length albums of 2007:


10. Animal Collective : People



This EP feels more like a single, but the title song is so good that it makes this short release something special. The two songs that lie between the studio and live versions of "People" are both really cool too. People was the prologue to a banner year for the Collective.


9. Illinois : What The Hell Do I Know?



A collection of simple songs that touch on everyone from The Flaming Lips, to Beck, to Wilco in sound. There is nothing groundbreaking on this seven track collection, but Illinois do what they do well, and that's write some really sweet jams. I'm excited to see what this Pennsylvania band will do next.


8. Elevado : This World Is On Fire



On the bigger and longer side of the EP spectrum, Atlanta's own Elevado put forth one of the better local releases of the year. This self-produced effort bounces around stylistically while retaining a very connected whole piece of work. Standout songs like"Postcard From Four Walls Down", "Song of A Purple Man", and my favourite, the early-Floydy "Hypnopaedic Sunshine", kick ass and anchor this sonic journey.


7. Parade : Answer Me



I've found over the course of the year that every time I revisit Answer Me I fall in love with a different song. It seems no matter what mood or state of mind in, something on this 5 track release speaks to me. Parade are one my favourite bands in Atlanta and if you read this blog, they are mandatory listening.


6. Deerhunter : Fluorescent Grey



The local hype-monsters followed up the epic Cryptograms with this four song EP, of which the two pieces are inextricably linked and many are treating the two as one whole. I tend to treat Fluorescent Grey as Deerhunter in its most accessible and "poppy", which they also do really, really well, and more a short sequel. Either way, it's over 16 minutes of pure gold.


5. Plants And Animals : With/Avec



I've just recently gotten hip to this Montreal group and have fallen in love with this EP. At 4 songs and 25 minutes, this band can jam with the best of them while never ambling to something that doesn't feel deliberate. They do rootsy yet epic folk soundscapes that remind me of Jim O'Rourke, Sufjan Stevens, The Grateful Dead and Jeff Buckley at times, and make this release feel bigger than a full-length as you immerse yourself in it.


4. Porcupine Tree : Nil Recurring



This 28 minutes-plus spanning prog-jam fest is a collection of 4 songs from the Fear Of A Blank Planet recording session. I tend to treat it as an epilogue to FOABP, mostly because i like the ending to Nil Recurring better. It has guest stars like King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp and FOABP songs completely redone into new songs. If you have yet to look into this band, now is the time.


3. Portugal. The Man : It's Complicated Being A Wizard



Before going in a blues-rock direction with Church Mouth, Portugal. The Man released this electronically driven piece of work, comprised of a first 23-minute song and then followed by the same song broken up into a track for each movement, creating an endless loop of music. In addition to the gimmick of the EP's structure is some of the best tunes this young and talented Alaskan outfit have done. Don't overlook this album.


2. Grizzly Bear : Friend



Grizzly Bear's follow-up to last year's mind-blowing Yellow House is longer than many full albums and packed full of redone songs, unreleased gems, and guest appearances from all sorts of indie superstars, most notably to us ATLiens is Deerhunter's Bradford Cox (Atlas Sound). Despite the jumbled mess of sources, the album itself is a fairly cohesive listen and musically it is top-notch. With this latest installment, this band is fast becoming one of my favourite of the decade.


EP Of The Year:

Moorish Idols : Moorish Idols



At less than 17 minutes, Moorish Idols make the most of it in their debut release, just pure sonic euphoria from start to finish. Lyrically the stories and characters pull you into a beautiful piece of work that is an aesthetically pleasing experience on every level. While the sound is fairly conservative relative to most of what I love, they do what they do perfectly, and it's hard for me to think of a four song succession from this year that I enjoy more. I'm looking forward to seeing what these guys do with the vast amount of potential they possess.

Photos & Video: From Exile, Moorish Idols at Home Park Fest - November 3rd, 2007

From Exile

"Crushing Reality"


Other Videos:
"Minor Key Jam"
"Product Of Sin"












Moorish Idols

"Fer-De-Lance w/ Runaway Train Teaser"


Other Videos:
"SETI"
"Renouncing The Renaissance"
"Past Lives Club"
Moorish Idols - "Trem Two" (Mission of Burma cover)









Lots more Home Park Fest Photos and Video to come!

Home Park Festival 2007

November 3rd, 2007 we will have some of our favourite Atlanta artists for you to see in a beautiful outdoor setting for free. We've worked hard to put together a line-up were very proud of. This year, Home Park Fest will have two stages to maximize the rock. The Jupiter Watts and Slow Motion Crash have each dropped an amazing album this year. This Piano Plays Itself is an upcoming band with Home Park roots. Ohmpark favs Parade returns for their second Home Park Fest appearance. Critically-acclaimed Jamie Radford will bring his special brew of electronic music and hip-hop to the fest. Pool Partiers Club Awesome will bring the awesomeness. Home Park's most badass band, From Exile, will be performing a special acoustic, instrumental set unlike any they have done before. Finally, one of my personal favs, Moorish Idols, will close out the fun filled day. We hope to see you down in our 'hood for this absolutely free fest and tell your friends!

Photos: Do Make Say Think, Moorish Idols @ The Earl, Atlanta GA - 9-22-07

Saturday night was a great night to be a music lover in the A. "Queens of The Stone Age", "Girl Talk" and "Dan Deacon", and "Do Make Say Think" all shared the same Saturday night. The Ohmpark crew all settled on the "Do Make Say Think" show which was opened by one of our favorite local bands "Moorish Idols". The Idols played to an already somewhat large audience which showed not everyone was there just for just the headliner. After a solid set which included a few new tunes "Do Make Say Think" was up. The Toronto band which Saturday included 8 members played a hefty set of incredible instrumental music. If you haven't heard this post rock group with members associated with "Broken Social Scene", do yourself a favor and pick up one of their albums.

Moorish Idols











Do Make Say Think

I Heart The A

Not much blogging over the long weekend while I was out enjoying the beautiful weather and sweet events. I spent alot of time in East Atlanta including the East Atlanta Strut and the Go Funk Yourself uber-house party. The really fun weekend is mostly a blur to me and I don't have much objective journalism for you, so here's some tunes from some of the artists I might have seen:

Parade : Answer Me : Lunch Lady


Anna Kramer : Anna Kramer : I Can't Take It


Elevado : This World Is On Fire : Postcard From Four Walls Down


Howlies : Howlies : Angeline




This week is fairly enormous for great shows. Tonight I'm going to see Bjork and Klaxons at the Fox. Diplo is going to be at MJQ tonight too. Wednesday night at Lenny's is Zoroaster's CD release party featuring Daath. Wednesday night is also the beginning of Atlantis Music Conference, Atlanta's answer to South By Southwest. Thursday night John Vanderslice and Bishop Allen will be at The Earl. Pretty much every venue in town has an interesting show Friday night but i like the Eyedrum show with Vietnam, Random Violets, Subliminator, and Tree Creature. Saturday night is just ridiculous. Do Make Say Think and Atlanta's Moorish Idols are going to be at The Earl. Queens Of The Stone Age are at The Tabernacle. Girl Talk and Dan Deacon are at MJQ. Then Sunday night The Apples In Stereo will be playing for free at Piedmont Park(Park Tavern).

Bjork : Volta : Wanderlust


Queens Of The Stone Age : Era Vulgaris : I'm Designer


Zoroaster : Dog Magic : Brazen Bull


Do Make Say Think : You, You're A History In Rust : In Mind


Girl Talk : Night Ripper : Give And Go


Moorish Idols : Moorish Idols : Fer-De-Lance

Corndogorama = Hells Yeah

This is probably Atlanta's best music festival and I really wish they would not have scheduled it the same weekend as Pitchfork Fest, but oh well, I'll at least go tonight. I'm interested to see what it will be like for the first time at the new Lenny's. For those of you going to this, here's what i suggest you don't miss:

I'm not very familiar with most of Thursday's line-up but Friday, make sure you go see Parade at 6pm or The Coathangers at 10pm. Saturday is an incredible line-up. Be sure to get there 12:30 pm to catch DJ Klever. 2pm go see Slow Motion Crash and at 2:30pm don't miss The Orphins. At 6:15pm check out Zoroaster and 7pm brings the biggest conflict of the fest between Untied States and The Preakness. One Hand Loves The Other hits the stage at 10:30pm and at 11:30pm be sure to see The Selmanaires and Snowden back-to-back. On Sunday, be sure to get there by 3pm to see Moorish Idols. You should check out Tenth To The Moon at 4pm and the Jupiter Watts at 5pm. And of course Atlanta's biggest band right now, Mastodon, closes out the corn dogs at 9:30pm.

Get more info at the Corndogorama site.

Here's some videos to get you in the mood: See you tonight!

Shows of The Week

There are many great shows happening this memorial day weekend, but there are two local shows that I fully endorse:

Friday:



Saturday:



Seriously, go check out these shows.

7 Shows In 5 Days

Obviously the big show this week is TV On The Radio at the Variety Playhouse friday night. It's sold out, but tickets are currently still available for the show Thursday night at the 40 Watt in Athens. Here's five other great shows this week.

Tuesday April 10th:

Ratatat, 120 Days, Despot at The Loft (9:00pm/18+ $14 ($16 under 21))



Wednesday April 11th:

Gringo Star (CD Release), Phonograph (NY), Morning State at The Earl (9:00pm/21+ $7)



Thursday April 12th:

Black Lips, Snowden, All Night Drug Prowling Wolves at Lenny's Bar (9:00pm/21+ $10 suggested donation for Jessica Juggs benefit)

Bobloblaw79, thanks for these videos from 3-27-2007:





Friday April 13th:

Continue And Save, Parade, The Winter Sounds at Lenny's Bar (9:00pm/21+ $5)



Saturday April 14th:

The Orphins, Moorish Idols, The Subliminator at ISP Space (9:00pm/all ages free(donations))

What The Hell Am I Listening To?!?

Atlanta music edition of "What The Hell":

Moorish Idols: Moorish Idols EP


With these guys it's hard for me to make comparisons because they're sound is very unique, but still contains whispers of an uncountable amount of music. Really, if you enjoy the greater spectrum of rock music there's something here for you. On top of containing 4 stunning songs, the EP packaging kicks ass. Guitarist David Norbery's sketches in the booklet and personalized CD designs per each different EP give this piece of art another dimension. I urge you to pick this up and give it a listen:

• Why Are We Whispering

You can pick up a copy of this at Criminal Records, at one of their shows that you need to see, or snail mail via their Myspace page


Untied States: Retail Detail


Students of the school of Sonic Youth, Untied States are quietly one of Atlanta's best bands. The more i listen to this album, the more I fall in love with it. If you too enjoy the experience of getting into challenging music, get this and you will not be dissappointed:

• My Cause Is My Curse
• It's Not Enough

Buy This Album Here (while you're there pick up Ineffable, By Design too)



Black Lips: Los Valientes Del Mondo Nuevo


Somewhere between Rock 'n Roll, Punk, and something else is where Black Lips rocks faces off. This live album was recorded in some craptastic club in Tijuana, Mexico and through-out the performace the band is virtually fighting the tequilla-crazed audience. If you've seen the Black Lips, you know this is the perfect setting for these guys. A one-of-a-kind live album that you need to buy:

• Stranger
• Not A Problem
• Hippie, Hippie, Hooray

Buy This Album Here

2-22-07 Moorish Idols Live Photos

After listening to songs off the new Moorish Idols EP on their Myspace page all week it was locked in my head and I had to go to the show. I hadn't seen them recently, and was eager to hear this new material live. Now I'm not pushing these guys just because they are friends who used to practice in our basement (which by the way you guys are always welcome back), if they were total oasis-esque assholes that I had no connections with I would still love the music. Seriously these guys and The Orphins are my 2 favorite local Atlanta bands.


To my dismay I got to the show early and had to listen to the opener which consisted of a drum machine and a guy who talked with a wolf mask on. After about a song of that I decided to make a trip to the store for a 24 ounce of a Miller Lite since this tea house was BYOB. Tea and Rock music just don't mix. Anyway they didn't have any PG Tips.


The second band was a jam band lead by a really thirsty British guy. What a weird ass lineup. I shared my Miller Lite with Idols drummer Alex October.


Finally the Moorish Idols hit the stage and proceeded to rock the fuck out. The songs from the New EP were just as great as I hoped they'd be live even though the production on the disc by former 1084 roommate Eric Olson is superb. Go buy the EP now at Criminal Records for $6 bucks. It's worth it for the unique artwork of singer/guitarist David Norbery alone. Big thanks to Schmike's evil twin Shawn for letting me use his external flash to capture these guys in the non-existent lighting of the 11:11 Teahouse. I'm no music critic but if these guys don't blow up the ATL rock scene soon I'd be pretty surprised.


(Click for larger versions)

An ATL Adventure Featuring Akron/Family, Untied States, and Black Lips

Tuesday night (2-20-07) was one for the ages. After a long day, I headed to Little Five Points to check out the in-store Criminal Records performance of Black Lips. This was the first in-store performance I've ever checked out, so I got there early not knowing what to expect. After picking up the new Explosions In The Sky, the Black Lips album they were promoting, Los Valientes Del Mundo Nuveo, and the Moorish Idols EP, I discovered that Criminal Records was giving out free PBR for the show. +1 . I went to chat with a taper I saw outside and it turned out to be Rich from Cable & Tweed, who was really cool. The crowd was pretty large despite the drizzling and it looked like a mini mardi gras outside the record shop with all the PBR drinking outdoors. Black Lips came out with guitarist "Old king Cole Younger" dressed in nothing but boots, a cowboy hat, and tighty whities:



Black Lips rocked out hard and had a docile crowd transformed into a rowdy mob throwing more PBR cans at each other than hippies throwing glowsticks at a Phish show by the end. A truly great live band that certainly needed to put out a great live album (and it is a great album). The finale came with the other guitarist, "Ian St. Pe'" lighting a pack of firecrackers hanging from his mouth and swinging it around into the audience. From what i understand, this was one of their tamer performances. You should catch them at the Whirley Ball place in Roswell friday night or the 40 Watt in Athens saturday night. Thanks to Chelsea for the pics:



After meeting up with BiggieC and getting some grub at Six Feet Under, we headed to the East Atlanta Village to catch the nights' show at the Earl. Untied States opened up and put it down as only they can. One of my favourite bands in Atlanta cuz they just balls to the wall noise rock and I love it. As far as quality progressive music goes in this town, these guys are king. Finally picked up a copy of Retail Detail, and it kicks much ass. Don't know why it took me so long to get it considering I've listened to Ineffable, By Design like 200 times. BiggieC brings you the visuals:









I really didn't know what to expect with Akron/Family. I had heard a couple of songs and had alot of people who know music suggest them to me, so I bought a ticket. It was an extremely wise decision. They started out with a sweet, beautiful sounding folk slow jam and then blasted out some in-your-face-drog-rock. This schizophrenic style-switching characterized this just simply amazing show. They went from silly 4-part vocal harmonization, to Neil Young-esque rock songs, to sugary lullabyes, to post-rock noise jams, to even pulling out a cover of I Know You Rider from nowhere.







On top of being musical wizards, they put forth one of the most entertaining stage shows i've ever whitnessed. These highly animated characters brought an armada of music toys ranging from strumming bells with a bow, to the drummer playing a banjo, to sqeezing stuffed animal sound affects into the mic, to not 1, not 2, but 3 plastic recorders. At one point Miles Seaton was playing his bass with a cellphone.



They engaged the crowd with sing alongs (which i usually hate but these were great) and had huge heart shaped lolly-pops for audience members to dance with. The only thing i didn't like about the show was the audience talking, which Akron/Family had no problem calling out and rising above. Seriously, why does every person at a show at the Earl gotta talk through the whole thing? wankers.



After performing for about 2 hours straight, they invited much of the audience on stage for one last massive jam and sing along. BiggieC played the hell out of the tambourine while I even got to sing a metal rendition of "circle, triangle, square" into the mic. These guys were the coolest mofos. From my cellphone on stage:





It's amazing what a bunch of hippies can do when they aren't locked in the box of the jamband scene and culture. I mean these guys are essentially the greatest jamband on Earth right now. Where the Grateful Dead took folk and American music and pushed it to another planet, these guys drop-kick it into another galaxy. The Widespreads, and the String Cheeses, and the Moes of the world forget what made bands like the Dead and Phish truly great is that they pushed music to a new level, they were pioneers and experimental and progressive. Akron/Family is all of these things and more and I cannot stress to you enough that you must go see this band if you get the chance. Rarely does a band I've barely ever heard before become an instant favourite, but these guys are that good. What a night!









Check out Akron/Family

8 Shows In 8 Days

The 2007 concert season has begun and we're gonna help you rock it out right. Atlanta averages at least one great show every night, and here's the proof:

Saturday, February 17th
From Exile, Ground Xero, Draped In Sorrow - The Masquerade ($6)



In the shadow of Mastodon, the Atlanta metal scene is bubbling up and From Exile is in the thick of it. After dropping their stellar debut album, Crushing Reality, and playing some killer shows in 2006, a new era is about to begin. This Saturday will be the first show with a new bassist and a new vocalist. Sources also say that this show will feature a new interactive, visual experience. It's an exciting time for a band on the brink and you should check it out.


Sunday, February 18th
Moorish Idols, Remote Islands - ISP Space (Donations)



This show embodies all that is good about the Atlanta independent music scene. Industrial Strength Productions is conglomerate of local bands, promoters, artists, etc networking together that have a multi-faceted space next to The Earl. Bands we like such as Parade and Slow Motion Crash are involved, and Sunday night another band we are big fans of, Moorish Idols, will be performing at the space. Support you local scene!


Monday, February 19th
Dick Dale - The Earl ($18)



I've been listening to a lot of surfer rock lately and Dick Dale is the Elvis of surf. An amazing songwriter and guitarist who is a true legend. His Miserlou is an essential part of one of my all-time favourite movies and I can't wait to hear it.


Tuesday, February 20th
Akron/Family, Untied States - The Earl ($10)



I'm just learning about these guys and I like them. Experimental folk rockers from New York are always a good choice. Plus, opening for these guys is one of my favourite ATL bands, Untied States. This is gonna be a hot show.


Wednesday, February 21st
The Blue Hour, Soular, Epocha - The Earl ($7)



I'm a fan of Tracy Clark and this might be the best band she's been in yet. If you have any doubts, they are on Goodnight Records which include kickass bands like the Orphins, The Close, and The Press. Also on the bill, Albuquerque, New Mexico's Soular.


Thursday, February 22nd
Darkstar Orchestra - Variety Playhouse ($20)



The Grateful Dead are one of my all-time favourite bands and I was too young to see Jerry. I'll never get to have that awesome experience, but i have to say that seeing Darkstar Orchestra is pretty nice. I'd rather go see these guys right now than Bob and Phil. They do do a brilliant job at replicating the Dead and really this is the only cover band in the world that I will give true props. If you're a serious 'head, you can try to guess the date of the show these guys are reproducing.


Saturday, February 24th
Of Montreal - Variety Playhouse ($14)



I'm still listening to Hissing Fauna, Are you The Destroyer? like crazy. The best album to come out this year so far, Athens represent! As long as these guys have been around here, I've yet to see them and am very excited to catch a show ( I'm going to see them in Asheville, though).


Saturday, February 24th
Mastodon - Center Stage ($18)



Mastodon will be closing out their US tour here in the ATL, and you can bet this homecoming is going to be an epic. Blood Mountain is blowing up and suddenly Mastodon is maybe the most important band in Atlanta for the moment (although the Deerhunter craze is just beginning). A great way to round out a week of shows. See you there!