Here is the content of my article for the current issue of THE METRO SPIRIT....I'll continue to post my articles here for folks out of town who can't read Augusta's Alt-weekly online anymore....enjoy!
I've often been critical of Augusta musicians and bands. It's been my observation that historically the majority of Augusta bands have been lazy in their approach to their own affairs(including my own bands). Groups that spent countless hours perfecting original compositions in sweaty band rooms all over town always seemed to expect success to come to them like an Avon lady on a sales call. Obviously, for success in music at any level, the work doesn't end at the band room door. This point is not lost on groups like VEARA and NO STAR who've burned up the black top relentlessly in their pursuit of recognition(by the way, best of luck to NO STAR on their move to Nashville and best of luck to VEARA on the VANS WARPED TOUR and the European tour after that). Sadly, it has often seemed to me that these bands were the exception instead of the rule. Too many local artists have been content with what I like to call the tour of downtown Augusta. It is a fatal mistake. A band can only pound the same clubs over and over so many times. Burn out is inevitable.
All that said, I now have reason to believe that the mindset of several local acts is changing in a most interesting way. And by that I mean changing in such a manner that the term "music scene" may now become more appropriate for bands in this town than it has ever been. In two separate instances for dates coming up in August, package shows featuring several Augusta artists will be hitting the road for one-off dates in Columbia and Tybee Island respectively. A sort Augusta music invasion as it were. I think that this is an outstanding idea and shows great initiative by all parties involved. The only way it could be better is if the bands in question strung together several dates across the Southeast for a tour...and then made sure to lather,rinse and REPEAT every 2 or 3 months.
Here are the particulars in case anyone wants to travel in support of these endeavors(or if you were curious about the bands in question)...
First up on August 2nd no less than 7 bands will make noise at NEW BROOKLYN TAVERN in Columbia,SC. To my way of thinking, these acts represent the latest wave of fresh faces in Augusta. The list goes like this: MAZES AND MONSTERS, THE RADAR CINEMA, M-TANK, KOKO BEWARE, ROMANCE LANGUAGES, MANN RAY and JOEY AND LINDSEY HART. If no one from Columbia shows up, those kids are still gonna have a good crowd.
The second bill happens at THE ROCK HOUSE on Tybee Island August 26th and features bands that comprise some of the heavier and more progressive elements of the Augusta music scene. I have a sneaking suspicion that this crew will be travelling with a caravan of local supporters(because really...who needs a better excuse to go to the beach). This particular invasion force is comprised of LiE, ARTEMIA, FALSE FLAG and SHOTGUN OPERA. Dang, that's like THE PLAYGROUND on Broad Street pulling up stakes moving to the island.
All the best to our intrepid road warriors. Mind you don't cross the center line.
To find out more about what's going on in Augusta music in particular and the music of the Southeast in general, check out the podcast I co-host with John Stoney Cannon from LOKAL LOUDNESS. This week we feature MIKE GARRETT from ROCKSHOW BOOKING. confederationofloudness.com gets you there.
See y'all at the rock show....
Stak
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