Kristen's Band Picks: Active Favorites Edition

Wondering what bands you've just got to catch in action this year?  Who's still rocking' stages around town and where can you find them? Here at Echoreyn of Athens, we decided to do something a little different this time around.  Presenting our local active band favorites!

Band: The Athens Band
Status: Active
Usually plays at: various venues
Description: These guys started out as some of the youngest rockers around town, but they've long since come into their own with a sound that hearkens back to classic hard rock and sets full of quality original tunes!

Band: Bambara
Status: Active
Usually plays at: the Caledonia Lounge
Description: They may live in New York now, but these melodic noise rockers always stop by Athens once or twice a year to blast our ears with their intense, eardrum exploding sound!

Band: Chris McKay
Status: Varies
Usually plays at: various venues
Description: Chris McKay's band the Critical Darlings inspired me to create this blog years ago with their energetic show and classic soft rock sound.  Since then, Chris has been a part of many local bands, including popular Beatles cover band Abbey Road Live.  No matter the venture, Chris McKay always creates quality music!

Band: Doctor Squid
Status: Plays at Squidmas
Usually plays at: various venues
Description: With a sound chock full of happiness and shows that are fantastically fun, Doctor Squid has remained a longtime favorite.  Best known for their festive Squidmas shows, their pop rock sound is positively infectious!

Band: Dangfly!
Status: Active
Usually plays at: various venues
Description: Dangfly! rocks every show with their dance-inducing folk style, infused with a gleeful mix of trumpet and fiddle.

Band: Efren
Status: Active
Usually plays at: various venues
Description: Gritty folk at its best, Efren's sound holds within in it the strength and sorrow of a full life lived.

Band: Emily Hearn
Status: Active
Usually plays at: various venues
Description: If you haven't heard her sing yet, you'll fall in love with Emily Hearn's unbelievably sweet voice the moment you hear her first note. Her sound will blow you away!

Band: Feather Trade
Status: Active
Usually plays at: Go Bar
Description: Bright lights intermix with Feather Trade's dark alt-rock style tunes to create a fully immersive rock experience!

Band: Kenosha Kid
Status: Active
Usually plays at: Hendershots
Description: If jazz is your thing, Kenosha Kid is the band for you!  Voted best jazz band in town year after year, these guys infuse their sound with style and a sense of fun.

Band:  Lera Lynn
Status: Active
Usually plays at: various venues
Description: Lera Lynn's strong, quality melodies and her band's twangy style always make for an awesome show!

Band: Sam Sniper
Status: Active
Usually plays at: various venues
Description: Unique southern rock with a touch of folk and a sense of humor, Sam Sniper's got it all.  Don't miss your chance to dance along with the crowd and rock out to their tunes!

Band: Seven Handle Circus
Status: Active
Usually plays at: various venues
Description: Every Seven Handle Circus show is a fun, one-of-a-kind experience.  Be sure to check out their bouncy, upbeat folk tunes!

Band: The Skipperdees
Status: Active
Usually plays at: various venues
Description: These talented twin folk singers serve up some of the best folk tunes around. You'll just love their soft, tangy sound!

Band:  Thayer Sarrano
Status: Active
Usually plays at: various venues
Description: Nothing can match up to Thayer Sarrano's sweet spoken word style melodies!

Band: The Warm Fuzzies

Status: Active

Usually plays at: various venues

Description: Take a step outside of the norm with the fun, indie style of the Warm Fuzzies! 

Band: Yip Deceiver
Status: Active
Usually plays at: the Georgia Theatre
Description: Nobody throws a party like Yip Deceiver.  Get ready to go wild and have fun!

Be sure to click the links above to visit each band's Facebook page and to find out about all of their upcoming shows!  Looking forward to a particular local show happening soon?  Share the details with the world in the comments below.   See ya around town, my friends!

Kristen's Concert Picks: Blast off your summer with May's rockin' tunes!

Summer is coming. Prepare yourself... And get your party on with this month's lineup of awesome bands!

 Sat, May 4: Thayer Sarrano @ 10:00 PM @ Caledonia Lounge 
Take a break before finals and check out Thayer Sarrano's set.  You'll just love her unique voice and incredible sound!

 Sat, May 4: Athens Band @ 8:30 PM @ Melting Point

I hope you've already got your tickets for the Athens band because these young local favorites are playing a sold out show at the Melting Point on the 4th!

 Mondays in May 6 - 27: Kenosha Kid @ 8:30 PM @ The World Famous

My favorite jazz band in Athens takes up residency at the World Famous every Monday in May!  Trust me, you'll love the fun, upbeat, and sometimes quirky sound of the ever talented Kenosha Kid.

Fri, May 10: Easter Island @ 9:00 PM @ 40 Watt

Easter Island's smooth vocals and rhythmic drumming drive their sweet, melodic rock sound.  Catch them over at the 40 Watt!

Sat, May 18: White Violet & Brothers @ 9:00 PM @ 40 Watt

From soft rock to indie tunes, this lineup has it all.  Make the most of the end of the school year with a White Violet and Brothers combo!

Sat, May 18: Efren @ 9:30 PM @ Green Room

Efren's southern style rock will take over the Green Room on the 18th.  Don't miss them in action!

Thu, May 23: Powerkompany CD release @ 9:00 PM @ The World Famous

The otherworldly strength of Powerkompany's tunes sets them apart from the rest.  Hear their latest songs at their CD release party at the World Famous!

Thu, May 23: Cicada Rhythm @ 9:00 PM @ Georgia Theatre rooftop

A free Cicada Rhythm show on the rooftop of the Georgia Theatre? Awesome.  Sounds like the perfect time to check out their unique folk style!

Fri, May 31: Manray @ 10:00 PM @ Caledonia Lounge 

Of course, there's no better way to finish the month than with those crazy noise rockers, Manray!

Are you guys ready for this?  Wow, May looks like it's going to be amazing!  As always, if you're totally pumped for another local show not listed here,  give the world all the details in the comments.  Have fun and go wild, my friends!

Kristen's Concert Picks: March will be a month to remember!

For optimal viewing of these picks on a mobile device, click here!

On the tail of a stormy raincloud, March dances in, bringing us warmer temperatures and fresh, new tunes!

Thu, Mar 1: Tealvox @ 9 PM @ Georgia Theatre

There's no better way to kick off the month of March than with Tealvox's strong, quality rock. Catch them as the opening act on the Georgia Theatre stage!

Fri, Mar 2: Lera Lynn @ 8 PM @ Georgia Theatre

Lera Lynn's powerful vocals will captivate you from the start.  Best of all, she'll be releasing her new 7" vinyl and EP at this show, so you'll have a chance to get your hands on her latest tunes!

Fri, Mar 2: T. Hardy Morris & the Outfit @ 8 PM @ 40 Watt

The first time I saw T. Hardy Morris and the Outfit, their soft indie folk songs blew me away. Don't miss this one!

Fri, Mar 2: White Violet @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

You're sure to love White Violet's soft rock tunes, tinged with darkness!  Check 'em out at the Caledonia.

Sat, Mar 3: the Athens band and Showtime @ 8 PM @ Nuçi's Space

Our town can't get enough of the Athens band!  These young rockers will be sharing the stage at Nuçi's with rap act Showtime.  Nice!

Sat, Mar 3: Manray @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Craving a bit of dark, noise rock?  Manray will satisfy your needs over at the Caledonia!

Mon, Mar 5: Little Tybee and Viking Progress @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Little Tybee joins the Viking Progress at the Caledonia for a night of soft indie tunes and sweet melodies.  Quite a combination!

Wed, Mar 7: Tumbleweed Stampede @ 8 PM @ Georgia Theatre

Dance it up with Tumbleweed Stampede at the Georgia Theatre.  Looks like this show's going to be tons of fun!

Sat, Mar 10: Grogus @ 8 PM @ Georgia Theatre

Want to add a dash of spice to your life? Athen's own Latin band Grogus will have you grooving to a delicious beat in no time!

Sat, Mar 17: The Donner Party @ 7 PM @ Melting Point

Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, the Donner Party is back to give us some festive tunes for the occasion.  Get your green on and enjoy!

Thu, Mar 22: Powerkompany @ 8 PM @ WUOG 90.5

It's time for another helping of Powerkompany's strong yet ethereal sound.  Tune into WUOG 90.5 or hear them live at UGA's Tate Student Center!

Tue, Mar 27: Reptar @ 11 PM @ Georgia Theatre Rooftop

Did you miss last month's unbelievable Reptar event, a night that will go down in Athens music history?  Don't miss out again!  These guys are on fire!

Fri, Mar 30: Abbey Road Live @ 9 PM @ Melting Point

Beatles fans, rejoice!  Abbey Road Live is back again to quench your thirst for those old school tunes.  Plus they're doing an all-request show, so be sure to submit your favorite tunes to info@abbeyroadlive.com to be included in the setlist!  

Sat, Mar 31: Dangerous Ponies @ 9 PM @ Farm 255

Dying for something totally different?  How about a bit of old school-flavored indie dance pop?  That's just the sort of exciting madness you'll get from Philadelphia band Dangerous Ponies!  These guys are always worth seeing.  

Sat, Mar 31: Oryx & Crake and Viking Progress @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Don't miss the Viking Progress's album release at the end of the month.  You'll never forget this musician's unique style, and as an added bonus, you'll get a taste of Oryx and Crake's gorgeous pop rock sound as well!

Wow, what a month of album releases and incredible bands!  And don't forget, if you know of another awesome show rocking Athens this March, tell us about it below in the comments. Have fun, my pals!

Kristen's Concert Picks: February

For optimal viewing of these picks on a mobile device, click here!

The month of strength and heart is upon us, dear Athenians.  February is filled with tunes you're sure to love!

Thu-Sat, Feb 2-4: Athens Business Rocks @ 8 PM @ 40 Watt

In Athens, nearly everybody's a musician.  Most likely, that server at the restaurant rocks the guitar like nobody's business in his free time, and that store owner plays a mean bass on the weekends. Athens Business Rocks is a 3-day show that celebrates these hidden musical talents and raises money for Nuçi's Space at the same time. You can't beat that!

Fri, Feb 3: the Athens band @ 8:30 PM @ Melting Point

Over at the Melting Point, the young super rockers of the Athens band will be taking the stage with heavy metal band Anvil. You won't want to miss this show, that's for sure!

Mon, Feb 6: DJ Mahogany @ 8 PM @ Georgia Theatre

Dying to catch another show at the Georgia Theatre, but running low on cash?  Well, then, I've got good news for you.  DJ Mahogany will be spinning the beats at the FREE Betsy Kingston and the Crowns album release party. Awesome!

Thu, Feb 9: Doctor Squid @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia

What's this? Doctor Squid is back to bring their joy-filled rock to the Caledonia once more?  Amazing news!

Fri, Feb 10: Abbey Road Live @ 8 PM @ Georgia Theatre

Beatles fans of Athens, Abbey Road Live is back to rock the Georgia Theatre!  

Tue, Feb 14: Kishi Bashi @ 8 PM @ WUOG 90.5

As seen at past Of Montreal shows, this guy's got mad skills on the violin!  Check him out live on UGA's student run radio on Valentine's day. Perfect!

Thu, Feb 16: Modern Skirts @ 8 PM @ WUOG 90.5

Craving some Modern Skirts?  Great news!  You can hear their latest tunes live on WUOG 90.5 in the middle of the month.  Can't wait!

Fri, Feb 17: Of Montreal @ 8 PM @ Georgia Theatre

The magical insanity you'll find at Of Montreal shows is unequalled.  Get yourself to the Georgia Theatre, and have a ridiculous time!

Fri, Feb 17: Lazer/Wulf @ 10 PM @ Caledonia

Need more dark noise rock in your life?  Lazer/Wulf is here to fulfill that need!

Sat, Feb 18: Athens Business Rocks Finale @ 8 PM @ 40 Watt

It's time for the Athens Business Rocks Finale. Excellent!

Sat, Feb 18: T. Hardy Morris & the Outfit @ 8 PM @ Melting Point

I've been yearning to hear more of T. Hardy Morris and the Outfit since their show at last year's Athfest.  Add in the Modern Skirts, and this show is a definite can't-miss!

Sat, Feb 18: Efren, Sam Sniper @ 11 PM @ Farm 255

Gritty, folk rock and southern jungle madness of the folk variety under one roof?  That's right!  Get yourself some Efren and Sam Sniper at Farm 255 on the 18th.

Tue, Feb 21: Grinnin Bear @ 8 PM @ WUOG 90.5

Folk tunes with a sense of fun, Grinnin Bear will be taking over the airwaves over at WUOG. Don't forget, you can catch 'em play live at the station in UGA's Tate Student Center!

Tue, Feb 21: Half Dozen Brass Band @ 8 PM @ Georgia Theatre

The Half Dozen Brass Band knows how to have a good time.  Don't miss them!

Fri, Feb 24: Powerkompany @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt

If strong but ethereal tunes are your style, Powerkompany's the band for you!

Wed, Feb 29: Androcles and the Lion @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia

Celebrate the leap day with a spectacular lineup of rockers featuring Androcles and the Lion, the Winter Sounds, and Sleepy Eye Giant.  Wow, what show this will be!

This is going to be quite a month!  As always, if you've heard of another incredible show happening in Athens this February, let us know all about it in the comments.  Have a wild time, my friends!

Rockin' December sights

We've got a bunch more pics from two awesome shows up on the Echoreyn of Athens facebook page today!  Missed the Athens band rockin' Bad Manor or the merry event that was Squidmas 2011?  Want to relive them all over again?  Check out these visuals!  A few of our very favorites are below:

Chase and Justin of the Athens band rock some tunes

Larry of Doctor Squid brings the Squidmas cheer

Holding up a lighter for Beau of the Athens band

See all of the pictures from these shows and tons more in our latest Facebook album.  Enjoy!

Good luck, my friends!

I know for many of you, it's that dreaded final exam time again!  Some of you may have already even started your test-taking journey while others will be finishing up this semester over the next week.  Either way, I heartily wish all of you good luck!

Need a study break full of Athens music goodies?  Just like always, you can get your fill of live footage over on our Echoreyn of Athens YouTube channel here!

Want some new tunes to download for your very own instead to help you with your studies?  I'll list some of this year's best free and pay-what-you-want offerings below!

Dead Confederate
the Athens band
Rainbow Ghost
Hans Darkbolt
Sam Sniper
Doctor Squid
the Warm Fuzzies

I'm sending good vibes your way.  I'm sure you'll all do an awesome job on your finals!

Echoreview: the Athens band's Animals EP

Recently released online, the Athens band's newest EP, Animals, is quite a step up from their earlier recordings. A few years ago, as young teens, they made a big splash on the scene with their rather impressive natural talent, but as they have matured, they've honed the quality of their craft as well. The band's classic rock style has gained a stronger, harder edge, and it's clear they've worked to produce a more cohesive sound. So what's the word on their latest tunes?

The EP begins with the title track, Animals (Mama Said), which proves to be my favorite tune on the album. The song's thundering intro provides the perfect start to the record as it builds to an intense peak before all of the band's instruments blast onto the scene. Then vocals that almost resemble those of a young Michael Jackson leap and wind their way through the tune. Listeners might remember this song from the band's music video which debuted last summer and won a Flagpole Award for Viewer's Choice Video.

Softer and slower in its execution, Rainbow drifts in next. While the song comes off as being a bit forced at times, I just love the lyrics in this one. They're so full of hope! Then She'll Wait, another of my favorite tracks, enters the scene. I very much enjoy the rolling style of this song. Something about it just makes it easy to imagine the band playing this tune in arenas, surrounded by screaming fans.

Longtime listeners of the Athens band will probably recognize the final tune on this EP as well. She Don't Even Know, the song responsible for their very first Viewer's Choice Video award in 2010, concludes the album in a stripped down, much harder and darker version of the tune. While it differs markedly from its original incarnation, whispered lyrics and sparse but satisfying backing vocals definately make this song a strong ending to the record.

Want to get your hands on these tunes so you can hear them for yourself? Well, you're in luck! They are all available for download from Bandcamp right here. Enjoy!

Kristen's Concert Picks reminder... July's too rockin' for one post!

Know which show you're going to check out downtown tonight? The choices are unbelievable! We've got listings for Manray, Sam Sniper, Ye Olde Sup Shoppe, the Shut-Ups, the Athens band, and many more. And the fun doesn't stop there... We've just updated this month's concert picks list to include TONS more shows and bands that will be rocking stages all over town during the next few days. You can check out the list right here!

But wait! Have you got an iPhone, iPod, or other mobile device? Then we've got great news for you... Echoreyn of Athens has gone mobile! But it's not just the blog that you can read on the go. We've built a special mobile app, just for Kristen's Concert Picks! The link you need is

http://www.echoreyn.com/ofathens or you can just click on the picture below!

Hope to catch ya partying it up downtown, my pals!

Athfest 2011: Videos!

Do you want to relive the fun and the tunes of Athfest? Did you miss out on some of the action? Well, up on the Echoreyn of Athens YouTube channel, we've got 14 videos of song footage from Athfest 2011 as well as tons of videos from past Athfests and other rockin' shows! Some of our very favorites from this year's festival are below.

Lera Lynn plays Gasoline through the wind

The Athens band rocks their tune She'll Wait

The Orkids perform Social Heroin for a pumped crowd

Remember, you can check out all of the videos on our YouTube channel right here. Dying to see some pictures? We've got over 100 from this year's Athfest festivities up on our Facebook page as well.

For all of our massive coverage of Athfest 2011, from preparation guides to articles on some of the best featured bands and shows, click here! More entries on all the bands and madness of the festival will be posted daily, so be sure to check back often.

Athfest 2011: Bad Manor blows us away with the Athens band, Tealvox, & the Orkids

Friday, June 24th, 2011

Athens, Tealvox, and the Orkids

Just before 10 PM, the venues of Athens opened up to flood our ears with the tunes of bands upon bands. In the mood for a few familiar favorites guaranteed to melt my eardrums with their awesomeness, I headed on over to the Bad Manor. As I entered, I was greeted by quite a hilarious video of the Athens band as they gave us an intro that covered the entire night's lineup on the giant screen before us. Then, the moment the video ended, an engine revved. Curiosity and excitement pulsing through my veins, I turned to face the door of the venue. Suddenly, bursting through Bad Manor's doorway, a motorcycle flew through the crowd towards the stage carrying young guitarist Beau on its back. Oh my God, AMAZING! It was quite possibly the coolest, most rockstar-style entrance I've ever seen. Then the band launched into their set, and I couldn't help but notice that, in the time since I last saw them, they've reached unbelievable heights of solid classic rock. Every song was explosive, and as they played, a huge crowd gathered just for them. Their charisma was just undeniable!

Amongst their many covers and original songs, they also gave us their own incredible version of Foo Fighters' Best of You. Too cool. It was, unequivocally, their best show yet!

Next up were local soft rockers Tealvox. As even more people poured into Bad Manor, power emanated from the band's instruments, building into an all-encompassing tidal wave of sound. Absorbed in their solid, quality tunes, almost even possessed by the music, the members of the band leapt around the stage in the throes of passion. Then, as their set neared an end, they all shocked the crowd by switching up instruments and calling Athens band's bass player Justin Granados onstage to take the drums as they rocked out a purely awesome song. Wow, what talent all of these guys possess! Simply amazing.

Rounding out the night were pop rock rulers of the local scene, the Orkids. I am positively in love with their style! At their shows, I can always just let loose and throw myself, ears first, into their fun, upbeat sound. And the other fans there clearly felt the same way. Packed into the venue, the crowd went insane during their set, singing the words along to every song and dancing their hearts out. The Orkids' tunes pulsated through the floor, electrifying the room, and once the band had finished, we all begged for more. Without a doubt, this was the most awesome show of theirs I've ever seen! Truly an incredible lineup.

For all of our massive coverage of Athfest 2011, from preparation guides to articles on some of the best featured bands and shows, click here! More entries on all the bands and madness of the festival will be posted daily, so be sure to check back often. Plus, get ready for show footage and Athfest vlogs coming soon to the Echoreyn of Athens YouTube channel as well!

Video Week 2011: the ATHENS band: Animals (Mama Said)

All over town, our favorite bands have been releasing rockin' music videos you've just got to see! Afraid you've been missing out? Never fear. Introducing Echoreyn of Athens' very first Video Week! That's right. Don't forget to check back here every day of this week to catch another awesome video brought to us by a local tunemaker. Exciting!

And there's no better band to kick off our week than the one named for our very own town, ATHENS! Here's the cleverly tongue-in-cheek and undeniably righteous music video for their latest track, "Animals (Mama Said)":

Dying to see more Athens bands rockin' the video scene? Check out all of the entries for Echoreyn of Athens' Video Week 2011 here!

Kristen's Concert Picks: April's tunes thrive

It's April already? The year's passing by so quickly! The cold, dreary weather of early Spring will soon give way to days of warmth and sunshine, and everything around us will bloom and thrive. For those of us in the scene, this month's tunes are thriving too! There's just so many shows to pick from, and we love it that way!

Fri, April 1: Venice is Sinking @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Always a favorite, Venice is Sinking's soft but strong melodies are the perfect way to start off the month!

Fri, April 1: Futurebirds @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt

In the mood for some righteous Southern rock? The Futurebirds have got ya covered with their April Fools set at the 'Watt!

Wed, April 6: Chris McKay and the Critical Darlings @ 8 PM @ The Melting Point

It's Chris McKay and the Critical Darlings 3.0! Chris's long-awaited return with the Darlings is sure to fill the Melting Point with awesome classic rock and boundless energy. Best of all, its proceeds go toward the relief effort for those affected by the disasters in Japan. What a great cause!

Fri, April 8: Bambara @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Bambara is, by far, one of my absolute favorite bands in the scene! Their raucous, noise rock style will awaken something native and carnal in your very being, and your soul will beg for more.

Thurs, April 14: Powerkompany @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Powerkompany is an ethereal serenade traipsing through darkness and light. Your ears are dying to experience their sound, trust me!

Thurs, April 14: The Orkids & Tealvox @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt

The Orkids and Tealvox in one night? This is undoubtably one of those shows where the lineup alone promises an unbelievable night! Infectiously joy-inducing pop will dance through the 40 Watt with solid rock tunes. Excellent!

Fri, April 15: Sam Sniper CD release @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Sam Sniper's delectably intense country rock has made it one of my most recent Athens favorites. Releasing their very first album We're Not Coming Back This Way on the 15th with free copies for all who attend, this show is definitely a must!

Sat, April 16: the Athens band @ 8 PM @ The Office Lounge

Awesome youth rockers Athens (the band) are back to help raise funds for Nuçi's Space. Such a worthy cause! You won't want to miss this show!

Sat, April 16: The Shut-Ups @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

I loved the Shut-ups' joy-filled, electronic style when I saw them at the last Athfest, and I've been yearning to catch another set of theirs. Enjoy!

Sat, April 16: Pholksinger Josh CD release @ 10 PM @ Go Bar

So many bands I love are taking the stage this month! Pholksinger Josh's unique style of folk-insfused spoken word will most certainly make this show one to catch. Also, the band is releasing their newest album Watermelon Mountain that night too! Nice.

Sat, April 16: The Beat Geeks @ 10 PM @ Bad Manor

Get ready to move! The Beat Geeks are back to make you lose control on the dance floor. Don't miss your chance to catch these guys in action before they blow up big time!

Thurs, April 21: Taj Motel Trio @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Ska returns to Athens in the form of the Taj Motel Trio. Get ready to skank till you drop to their fast-paced, classic tunes!

Fri, April 22: Dead Confederate @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt

I'm actually listening to Dead Confederate on my iPod right now. Why? Because their songs are just unbelievably awesome, and they never get old. If soft rock with a Southern twinge tickles your fancy, Dead Confederate is your band!

Oh man, Caledonia and the 40 Watt are serving up show after incredible show this April! What a month of music! Just like before, if you know of another rockin' Athens show you think the world should see, post in the comments and tell us all about it. And, of course, don't forget to keep checking the Concert Picks link at the top of the page throughout the month as we add new must-see shows to the list. Have an amazing April, you guys!

Tunes of love, loss, and truth

Happy Valentine's Day, dear readers of Athens and beyond! To show you just how much I love you, I thought I'd share some of my latest favorites among the songs of love, loss, and general debauchery given to us by some of our local bands. Today is a day made for tunes, after all! With the help of bandcamp.com, reverbnation.com, youtube.com, and ilike.com, here are a few treats for your ears. Enjoy!

For those in the throes of love and passion, readers of this blog may remember that my friends and I have deemed Bambara's tune Native Tongue the sexiest of them all. It's just undeniable! So, once more, I wish couples a fantastic night with this one.

Not looking for romance, but in need of a serious good time with no restrictions or conscience to bring you down? Well, then, Mud Scholar's amusing and ever-so-honest tune Man Slut Logic just might be your theme song!

Or maybe you've just had enough of the one you've been with lately. Don't worry! The Orkids have got your back on this one. You can burn all those old pictures and assert your independence to the tune of their hit Paper Dolls!

Perhaps you've got your eye on a new special someone, and you're in the mood to hit the dance floor together. If that's the case, the Beat Geeks' tune Deep Down is the song for you!

But what if your crush doesn't even have a clue how feel about them? Maybe he or she doesn't even know you exist. Well, the Athens band feels your pain, and they've put that frustration into rock with their hit She Don't Even Know, complete with an award-winning music video!

Now let's end on the highest of notes! Valentine's Day is, after all, a time to celebrate love, and the Orkids have got a song for us in that regard as well. I'll send you off with their gentle and touching melody Gold.

No matter what your situation is or how you choose to celebrate, hope you all have an amazing day!

xoxo

'Twas an Unbelievable Week

There's nothing like a three night explosion of tunes from a bunch of your favorite bands! I've been sleeping off the excitement for days now. Since I've already written loads on Dead Confederate, Bambara, Doctor Squid, and the Athens band, I thought I'd share some of my favorite video footage from their past shows with you instead.

Up first, we've got this lovely video of Dead Confederate performing their single, the Rat, at Athfest 2009.

Check out Bambara giving us a sexy taste of one of their hit tunes, Shake.

Everyone in the crowd sings along to Doctor Squid's massive favorite, On My Way!

And finally, here's the Athens band rocking a cover of Van Halen's And the Cradle Will Rock at Athfest 2010!

As always, you can check out the Echoreyn of Athens YouTube channel for more videos like these. Here's hoping the scene's got more weeks like this one in store for us soon!

A Few Awesome Shows

This one's just a reminder that the rest of this week is filled to the brim with amazing shows featuring blog favorites! Don't miss 'em!

Tonight at the Caledonia, Mud Scholar bids farewell to Athens with a nice big helping of the most hilarious, douchiest pop imaginable! If you like songs that are sure to offend your parents, you must see this show.

Then on Thursday, two of our longtime favorites, Doctor Squid and the Athens band are taking over the 40 Watt together to bring a healthy mix of happiness and rock to all who attend. Such joy!

Finally, Friday night will give us an epic pairing of sound at the 40 Watt with Dead Confederate and Bambara rocking the night away! Pure awesome.

For detailed info about these shows and many more, check out January's list of show picks right here!

No Need For A Thousand Words...

What's the best way to balance out the two extremely wordy posts below this one? Pictures, of course! Tons of pictures from all of the unbelievable bands that rocked our September will be up on the Echoreyn of Athens facebook page this afternoon, so be sure to check them out! But to tide us over until then, enjoy a visual feast of some of my favorites from the Athens band, Tealvox, Misfortune500, the Orkids, and the Beat Geeks!

Chase from the Athens band

Beau "Monkey" of the Athens band with a giant inflatable monkey

Tealvox

Misfortune500

Misfortune500 (Photo credit: Page Walker)

Chisolm of Misfortune500 (Photo credit: Page Walker)

The Orkids (Photo credit: Page Walker)

Hanging with the Beat Geeks at their first show (Photo credit: Meghan McBain)

Loved these? Don't forget to visit our facebook page for many more!

More than Music: the Fans

There'a no doubt about it... the fans make the show! You could be the best band that ever lived, but if there's no one there to hear you, did you really make a sound? Some bands go above and beyond to make sure that their fans know just how much they're loved and to keep them always coming back for more. These bands' fans are much more than simple spectators. They become part of the show itself! And often, the fans respond in turn with some rather wild displays of affection of their own.

About a year ago, the Warm Fuzzies brought their tunes to some concert newbies at UGA Freshman night and totally made the show an all-encompassing experience! Their smile-inducing songs already had the crowd pumped, and to top it off, they brought some girls from

the audience onstage to hold up cue cards to let everyone know just when to yell the title words of the song, "HEY MILUNKA!" That sure is one way to get the fans involved and make some new fans in the process!

Bands like Excali Brah, Deaf Judges, the Athens band, and Reptar drive their fans wild by essentially throwing parties during their shows. At their Athfest 2009 concert, Excali Brah threw an outdoor rave party in mid-daylight complete with glowsticks for every fan. They also had us move up and down in unison to different parts of their songs. We were all in the show! Similarly, Deaf Judges, the Athens band, and Reptar have all been known to toss inflatables into the crowd to keep them on their toes. Exciting (and a little frightening) indeed!

And Reptar even takes it a step further. Their love for the fans truly knows no bounds. After this year's Athfest performance, they passed around handmade band shirts to all of the fans

they could reach. And when I say handmade, I'm not kidding. These were t-shirts of all kinds of styles and designs, handpainted and embellished for all of their beloved Reptards. And with these guys, the love isn't just one-sided either. Fans come to their shows decked out in all sorts of costumes and covered in war paint in support of their favorite crazy band!

Now you want to know about something truly original? Aman Amun's got a way to make the crowd a part of his act that's totally unique. Bordering on antics, his innovative method's got everyone yearning to touch him! Using the iPhone strapped to his chest that enables him to control his entire performance, he can manipulate the music and add interference with just his fingers. More recently, he's chosen to take it to the next level by jumping off the stage and letting the fans alter the music themselves. Sometimes it causes some hilariously awkward moments when the fans don't quite understand where they're supposed to put their fingers though. Ah, fun times!

And finally, a discussion of fan love just isn't complete without mentioning Doctor Squid. I still have never seen a fanbase more loyal than theirs. When the fans sing along to their every word, Doctor Squid will often let them take over the song. And their love for the fans doesn't just stop with the tunes. They bring fun to every aspect of their show. Last Halloween, they hosted a show where fans got in cheaper just for arriving in costume. And who can forget their Squidmas celebrations? They give their fans some amazing treats with their festive tunes that blend original songs with holiday favorites, and the fans respond joyously, dressing the part with absolute glee!

These are just some of the ways the bands of Athens spice up their shows and shower love upon their listeners. It's clear to see why fans just can't get enough of these bands! But fan love isn't the only thing that makes a show an unforgettable experience. Keep a look out for the next entry of More than Music!

To read about all of the ingredients that make up a live show to top all others, click here!

Owning the stage: Tealvox, Athens, and Holdcell

Oh, city of Athens, why must you give me such unbelievable shows? Ever since my return to the music scene last week, I've struggled not to write about all of the amazing bands I've seen. You see, I try not to write too much about the same bands which is why I never mentioned the sheer awesomeness of Aman Amun + his live band or why I never even hinted about the fact that Bambara's newest song left me speechless for a whole minute. After tonight's show,though, I can't help myself. I just have to cave in and tell you about Saturday's Tealvox/Athens/Holdcell show.

Tealvox set the bar incredibly high with their polished rock sound as the night began. There's no doubt about it, these guys have definitely stepped up their game since I last saw them. Stage presence was the order of the night, and Cody, Phil, Michael, and Andy had it in droves. So impressive! It always amazes me that these guys continue to be so much better than bands years older than them. Best of all, they're working on some brand new songs. If you haven't checked them out yet, trust me, you need to give their tunes a listen.

Then it was Athens band's turn to rock. Talk about stage presence... I've never seen a band with as much energy as these guys have! The crowd

was with them the whole time, and they had their fans going crazy. There's no question that these kids belong on the stage. Following the success of their last music video for their tune "She Don't Even Know," they gave us a new pure rock version of the song to pump up the crowd before filming a brand new music video for their original song "Animals." I've gotta say, their originals are definitely my favorites. During the shoot, they had a giant inflatable monkey soaring over the crowd and dancing along to the tune in the arms of some of the fans. It was a madhouse! Then, to top off their set, they attempted to destroy an electric guitar onstage. It took some effort and a bit of jumping, but they finally succeeded in killing it, like so many kings of rock before them.

Now I have to admit I'm always skeptical of bands I've never seen before, especially bands that try to hold their own after two awesome first acts. Holdcell, though, knew just how to do it. Giving us some of the hardest of hard rock, those lucky audience members who stayed through the end were rewarded with a super loud but brilliant show. Hair was flying everywhere, and that was just from the Athens band whose members were rocking out to Holdcell in the front row. Word has it, this band is a big influence for the Athens guys, and I can see why. Their sound was all-encompassing. As far as stage presence goes, these guys were masters of the art. Emblazoned with a Holdcell tattoo, drummer Chuck Smith spun and threw his drumsticks in the air keeping the beat while Lee and Evan Hackney gave us their all on guitar and bass. So good! I would definitely love to see them again. What a show!

Just a Few Things...

Well, my friends, it seems that it's another sad week for music enthusiasts. The well-loved Paste magazine announced on Wednesday that it has sent out its last print issue. Paste is the latest in a long line music publications that are slowly disappearing or moving to the realm of the web. The world is certainly changing. I truly wish all of Paste's writers the best of luck in their future endeavors.

On a brighter note, the music scene in Athens never stops! You can check out pictures from some of the latest shows up on our facebook page right here. Like what you see? Let us know while you're there!

And hey, ready to make more memories on the scene? Exciting things are in store for us here in Athens over the next few weeks. The aptly named Athens band will be shooting their newest music video this Saturday at the 40 Watt, so if you want be a part of it, don't miss this show! And speaking of music videos, the cannibalistic wild men and women of the Coquet Coquette video that's sweeping the 'net will be bringing their own unique brand of crazy back to the Watt next Saturday. Yup, that's right! Of Montreal is returning to give us some rock madness on the 11th as well. Awesome!

Catch ya around the scene!

Kristen's Concert Picks: September rocks its way in

Hey guys, it's September, and you know what that means... That's right, it's time for even more rockin' shows! Downtown is waiting for you.

Thurs, Sept 2: Leaving Araby @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt
Start off the month with a few of Leaving Araby's soft pop tunes!

Thurs, Sept 2: Yo Soy Bean @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge
I've heard good things. Check 'em out!

Fri, Sept 3: Bambara @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge
I knew it. You've been waiting all summer to see the kings of noise rock the stage again. Well, here's great news... They're back to blow us away again!

Sat, Sept 4: Athens & Tealvox @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt
And the youth will inherit the rock! This is certain to be one show you won't want to miss.

Thurs, Sept 9: The Beat Geeks @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge
Luke Galloway of the Novanauts finally brings his Atlanta-based dance pop project to Athens! Are you ready to move?

Sat, Sept 11: Of Montreal @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt

Guys dressed as pigs throwing spaghetti? Flying feathers and giant screens of color? It's Of Montreal... need I say more?

Mon, Sept 13: Nate Nelson @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia Lounge
This guy is pure voice. Your ears need his songs, trust me.

Thurs, Sept 16: Half Dozen Brass Band - CD Release @ 9 PM @ Melting Point
Sometimes lyrics are overrated. The Half Dozen Brass Band takes this notion and swings with it. Ooh, and they're releasing an album too. Nice!

Fri, Sept 17: Madeline @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt
Soak in the beauty of Madeline's tunes! Ah, how refreshing.

Sat, Sept 18: Reptar & Kuroma @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt
Gotta love Reptar! These crazy fools for pop will have you dancing all night. And Kuroma? This band's been on my list of rockers to check out for a while. Sounds like a party!

Thurs, Sept 23: The Orkids @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge
Yes, the Orkids are back again! These guys and gals are some of my newest favorites. Get ready for some electronic pop that will have you moving your feet in no time!

Without a doubt, September is going to be wild! Of course, if you want to let the world know about a show not listed here, feel free to tell us all about it in the comments. And be sure to check back often to find out about all of the latest shows coming to a venue near you! See you around town, my friends.