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!

Falling for the sheer insanity of Hans Darkbolt

Tomorrow, we'll continue with our overwhelmingly detailed Athfest coverage, but today I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to write about my wild experience seeing Hans Darkbolt live for the very first time last Friday night. Memorable doesn't even begin to come close to describing that show! I'd even venture to say that a little something called destiny played a part in my discovery of this band.

Perhaps I should explain myself. You see, once upon a time (or last year, if you want to be specific), regular readers of the blog might remember I had a favorite band called Crumbling Arches who most tragically split up in November. After their break up, I was quite sure I would never find another awesome band that fit into the theatrical progressive alt rock genre again. But then, during my extensive research of every band playing Athfest this year, I stumbled across the curious stylings of Hans Darkbolt. Upon checking out their Facebook page, something just clicked. Immediately, I knew I had to catch these guys in action!

Now I've got to admit, it's been months since I've been to a show where I didn't know a single soul by name, but it was kind of a refreshing change too. The courtyard outside of Farm 255 was packed with friends and fans of the band, awaiting what I was told would be a brilliant live show. Before the set began, lead singer Peter Dovey, sporting suspenders and a zebra-striped headband, yelled something nonsensical into the microphone and then ran offstage. From that moment on, my suspicions were confirmed. I knew I was going to like this band.

As their set began, haunting gothic overtones joined in a post-genre dance with fun, showtune-styled rock to create a deliciously unique sound for their tunes. Humorous inflections and lyrics peppered their vocals, which ranged from soft and smooth to the occasional yell, and they approached each song with a sort of chill, rock-edged energy that defied explanation. What's more, a slight touch of a placeless international feel gave their set a dreamlike quality which persisted throughout show. This band, alternating between a 4-piece and a 5-piece ensemble depending on the song, ruled the stage with an air of mystery that kept the whole crowd intrigued during every second of the set. And whenever we thought we had figured them out, these multitalented guys would all trade instruments again or surprise us by twirling offstage and into the dancing crowd. Just a few songs in, clutching his guitar as one possessed, the lead singer stumbled like a zombie through their sea of fans until he was behind the audience, then sprinted on over to where his parents were seated to play just inches from their faces. Minutes later, faced with a few technical difficulties, he grabbed two mics on their stands without hesitation and sang into both of them at once. It was madness, I tell you! And I loved every minute of it.

Then, as the set neared an end, the band encouraged their fans to shout out all of their favorite lines from action movies, once more displaying their incredible sense of fun. To top it all off, the aforementioned Dovey leapt offstage in the middle of the final song, lapped the crowd twice, ran inside the Farm 255 while strumming his guitar, then jumped up to play his final notes atop a small, rickety-looking table before collapsing on the ground in the most overdramtically awe-inspiring and hilarious display of manic, musically-induced insanity I've ever seen! And believe it or not, I've only mentioned some of the main highlights of this band's set... Their live show must be experienced to be believed. Hans Darkbolt is one band I'm positively dying to see again!

Kristen's Concert Picks: Take a break from it all with July's tunes!

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

After the hundreds of bands and the insanity that has been and will continue to be this June, July sure seems pretty quiet. The shows we’ve got to look forward to, though, are guaranteed to be incredible! Weirdly enough, it looks like Sundays are joining the Fridays and Saturdays of the month to make these upcoming weekends chock full of rock. Exciting!

Fri, July 1: Hans Darkbolt @ 11 PM @ Farm 255
I’ve been searching far and wide for another theatrical alt rock band, and from what I’ve heard online of these guys, it seems I’ve hit the jackpot. Can’t wait to catch them live! And, if you miss this show, they’re also rocking the Caledonia stage on the 14th as well.

Sun, July 3: Yo Soybean @ 2 PM @ Melting Point
Got music festivals on the brain? Well, you’re in luck! The American Music Festival is giving us an incredible lineup of band after band on one ticket. Some of the highlights are sure to be Yo Soybean, Lera Lynn, Patterson Hood, and Packway Handle Band. Buy your tickets now on the Melting Point website: http://www.meltingpointathens.com

Fri, July 8: Little Tybee @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt
Little Tybee's soft indie sound has garnered all sorts of buzz lately. Check 'em out for yourself at the 40 Watt!

Sat, July 9: The Orkids, Tealvox, & Chris McKay @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge
WOW, what a combination! The awesome rock of Tealvox and the newest incarnation of Chris McKay & the Critical Darlings meets the unbelievable pop sound of the Orkids for a show that’s sure to blow everyone away. Don’t miss this lineup of some of Athens’ best!

Sun, July 10: Vincas @ 8 PM @ Highwire Lounge
I just caught noise rock band Vincas in action for the first time last week, and I definitely liked what I heard!

Fri, July 22: the Athens band @ 8 PM @ New Earth Music Hall
Much buzzed about young rockers, Athens, will be ruling the stage at New Earth on Friday. If you haven't seen one of their shows yet, trust me, you won't wanna miss this one!

Fri, July 22: Sam Sniper @ 9:30 PM @ Flicker
A little bit country, a little bit rock with a funky style that that's all their own, blog favorite Sam Sniper's show is a must-see!

Fri, July 22: Turf War @ 10 PM @ Caledonia Lounge
If you're looking for a fun, rock-filled show this Friday, Atlanta's Turf War is your band! You can see them at the Caledonia with rockers the Agenda.

Fri, July 22: the Shut-Ups @ 10 PM @ 40 Watt
Over at the 40 Watt, you can catch the fun, electronic stylings of the Shut-Ups with another purely rockin' set from Chris McKay and the Critical Darlings. What a lineup!

Thurs - Sat, July 21 - 23: Slop Fest @ 6 PM @ Little Kings
You haven't heard the last of the music festivals yet! Slop Fest 2011 will kick it in Little Kings Shuffle Club on this late weekend in July with a lineup of over 30 bands including awesome melodic noise rockers Xavii and Manray plus insanity-filled experience Ye Olde Sub Shoppe. Can't wait!

Sat, July 23: Camp Amped Session 2 Finale @ 7 PM @ Nuçi's Space
Want another taste of the future of the Athens music scene? Catch a glimpse of the youngest and newest emerging bands in our town at Camp Amped's Session 2 Grand Finale showcase. And since it's a free, all-ages show, bring your family and friends along too!

Sat, July 23: Daddy Lion @ 10 PM @ Flicker Theatre
I've heard a few tunes from South Carolina's indie musician Daddy Lion online, and now you can check them out too at Flicker on Saturday!

Fri, July 29: Bambara & Dead Confederate @ 8 PM @ Max Canada
Noise rockers Bambara join southern rockers Dead Confederate for a show that's going to be several different kinds of amazing! I've seen these two blog favorites perform together before, and I was blown away by the sheer incredible rock I experienced. Plus, Five Eight is on the bill as well. Trust me, you'll want to be there!

Well, it looks like July's got a few sure-to-be awesome shows in store for us! Don't forget, if you hear of a show that you want the world to know about, post in the comments and share it with us. And as always, check back often for any new shows that just might appear on this list throughout the month. Happy listening, you guys!