INsite Atlanta July 2009 Issue by INsite Magazine

J u l y 2 0 0 9FREE

11 Vo l. 17, N o.

Upcoming Events Artist Interviews Concert Venues

tainment Monthly r e t n E s â&#x20AC;&#x2122; a t n Atla ta.com

insiteatlan

SUMMER MUSIC

issue

;BD #SPXO #BOE t "TIFS 3PUI t "OUJ 'MBH 5ISFF .BmB t 5BOZB .PSHBO t .BODIFTUFS 0SDIFTUSB

Thr, July 2

Ocean Street

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Fri, July 3

miss Used

Fri, July 10

AZ IZZ

(80’s Rock Cover)

(Hip-Hop Cover)

Fri, July 17

Fri, July 24

TALK JOURNEY TRENT RECKLESS TOMLINSON (Country TO ME Rock Cover)

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(Poison & Journey Tribute) (3 Billboard Hot Country Top 20’s)

NO COVER WEEKNIGHTS! �� WINNER BEST LOCAL MUSIC!

East Atlanta Village www.badearl.com

Fri - July 03 9:00pm

The EARL’S 10th ANNIVERSARY!

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Snowden

Sealions | Abby Go Go Triple Ds presents: The EARL's 10th ANNIVERSARY & 4th of July BASH!

Sat - July 04 4:00pm

7/7 Tuesday Devon Allman’s

›

HONEYTRIBE Nick Edelstein

7/10 Friday

Sat - July 11

CARBON LEAF

7:30pm

The Alternate Routes

7/17 Friday

Tue - July 14

BLOODKIN’S ROCK & ROLL STIMULUS OLDE DOG HOLY LIARS

8:30pm

Wed - July 15

7/18 Saturday

JOE FIRSTMAN (early show at 6pm)

BEN

7/18 Saturday

›

7/21 Tuesday

FLOREZ HIGHTIDE BLUES Y-O-U

7/30 Thursday

THE BRIDGES Natalie Warner

Fri - July 17 9:00pm

BEN DEIGNAN

7/25 Saturday

8:30pm

› ›

7/31 Friday & 8/1 Saturday

TOUBAB KREWE Thursdays & Saturdays 11pm in the Main Bar

DJ SKY OR DJ KNUMBSKULL Open Daily 5pm Ask About Atlanta Room for Private Parties

1578 Piedmont Ave. 404-875-1522 www.smithsoldebar.com PG 2 • insiteatlanta.com • July 2009

The Selmanaires

Rama Don & the Powermoves Mr. Lucky | Chakra Bird

Handsome Furs

Dri | The Cinnamon Band Triple Ds presents:

The Coathangers

Judi Chicago | Can Can OK Productions presents:

Dirty Projectors Atlas Sound

Wed - July 22

Cracker

Thr - July 23

Cracker

Sat - July 25

Club Awesome

8:00pm 8:00pm 9:00pm

Mon - July 27 8:30pm

Thr - July 30 8:30pm

Fri - July 31 9:00pm

The Interns

The Moaners Yourself and the Air | Thing-One OK Productions presents:

Destroyer (solo)

David Matysiak (from Coyote Bones) Tight Bros. Network presents:

Gil Mantera's Party Dream Night Moves Gold | Living Rooms Chunklet Magazine presents:

Harvey Milk Torche

Tix available at Fanstasyland Records, Decatur CD,The EARL & badearl.com

Tuesday Texas Hold ‘Em Tourney, FREE Pool, Beer Pong & Corn Hole Wednesday Speed Texas Hold ‘Em Tourney Beer Pong & Corn Hole Thursday LIVE Music Texas Hold ‘Em Tourney Beer Pong & Corn Hole Friday & Saturday Voted Best College Bar Voted Best Texas Hold’em Voted Best Cocktails NEVER A COVER!

�� 3179 Peachtree Rd. (Buckhead) 404-231-4201 Join us on Facebook. Search Moondogs!

SEPTEMBER 29

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PG 3 • insiteatlanta.com • July 2009

CONTENTS • JULY 2009 • VOLUME 17.11 Atlanta’s

Entertainment Monthly

INTERVIEWS 10 HUGH JACKMAN 12 PENELOPE CRUZ 14 GERARD BUTLER 15 KEVIN BACON 18 ASHER ROTH 21 TANYA MORGAN 23 ZAC BROWN 26 TOMMY KEENE 27 MANCHESTER ORCHEATRA 28 ANTI FLAG 28 PAUL STANLEY 29 THREE 6 MAFIA 29 CAT CHANG

FEATURES 08 BBQ 11 LITTLE FIVE POINTS 22 MUSIC VENUE GUIDE 24 SUMMER MUSIC GUIDE

COLUMNS 05 ON TAP 05 ON THE CHEAP EVENTS 06 AROUND TOWN 06 HEALTH 07 UNDER THE LIGHTS 13 MOVIE REVIEWS 16 CONCERT CALENDAR 19 ROAD WARRIORS 19 WE GOT NEXT 20 ALBUMS 30 FANATIC

www.insiteatlanta.com STAFF LISTING Publisher Stephen Miller steve@insiteatlanta.com National Managing Editor Bret Love bret@insiteatlanta.com Art Director Michael T. graphics@insiteatlanta.com Music / Sports Editor DeMarco Williams demarco@insiteatlanta.com Events Listing Editor Glenn LaFollette glenn@insiteatlanta.com Special Features Editor Marci Miller marci@insiteatlanta.com Entertainment Editor Matt Goldberg matt@insiteatlanta.com Web Design Michael T. graphics@insiteatlanta.com PG 4 • insiteatlanta.com • July 2009

Contributing Writers / Interns: John Moore, John Davidson, Jon Latham, John C. Snider Benjamin Carr, Ryan Loftis, Mike Brune, Matt Goldberg Mitchell Hughes, Alexis Gray, Rodney Hill, Rebecca Crosby, Zena Scott, Alex S. Morrison, Blue Sullivan Michele Fontanelli Arnett, Roger Presswood Dave Cohen and Russ Marshalek CONTACT US 2250 North Druid Hills Rd. #234 Atlanta, GA 30329-3118 phone 404-315-8485 website insiteatlanta.com ADVERTISING INFORMATION �� Editorial content of INsite is the opinion of each writer and is not necessarily the opinion of INsite, its staff, or its advertisers. INsite does not knowingly accept false or mi leading advertising or editorial content, nor do the publisher or editors of INsite assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. No content, i.e., articles, graphics, designs and information (any and all) in this publication may be reproduced in any manner without written permission from publisher.

200th ISSUE!

LOCAL EVENTS

OnTap this Month EMAIL EVENTS TO ONTAP@INSITEATLANTA.COM

July 4 : Peachtree Road

PEACHTREE ROAD RACE

This year's Fourth of July tradition will feature 55,000 runners competing in one of the country's best known 10K races. The race starts at Lenox Square Mall and follows a path that winds through the heart of the city. It's a huge undertaking mainly handled by 3500 dedicated volunteers. Restaurants and bars along the route offer specials and many have live entertainment to greet the runners as they pass by. The race returns the finish line to its original home at Piedmont Park, which was forced to move last year due to drought conditions. The race kicks off at 7:30 AM. For more information, visit www.atlantatrackclub.org.

July 4: Lenox, Stone Mtn., Centennial Park

4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS SHOWS

The big three shows this year include 4th of July at Lenox Square, Stone Mountain Park and at Centennial Olympic Park. Along with their fireworks displays, Lenox Square and Centennial Olympic Park will both feature food, live musical entertainment and children's activities. Stone Mountain will kick off their fireworks display with their Laser Show Spectacular. For more information on all of these events, visit www.lenoxsquare.com, www.centennialpark.com and www.stonemountainpark.com

July & August: The Fox Theatre

COCA-COLA SUMMER FILM FESTIVAL

This summer festival kicks off on July 9 and offers an outstanding mix of classic and contemporary film favorites on one of Atlanta's largest movie screens. Highlights of the festival include a celebration of the 20th anniversary of Do the Right Thing on Saturday, July 11 with a special pre-show event featuring Spike Lee. Other upcoming titles include Slumdog Millionaire, Up, Woodstock (40th Anniversary), Breakfast at Tiffany's and many more. Tickets are $8 and available at the Fox Theatre box office or through Ticketmaster. Visit www.foxtheatre.org or www.ticketmaster.com.

July 24: Wild Bill’s in Duluth

WILD BILL’S FIGHT NIGHT

Mixed Martial Arts fighting, often referred to as Ultimate Fighting, has gained popularity throughout the years and no fight promoter does it better than those over at Full Throttle Entertainment and Undisputed Productions. The Wild Bill's Fight Night series has about 10-12 fights per event along with 1-2 female MMA matchups. This card proves to be one of the best ever with 14 fights scheduled to take place. For more info visit FullThrottleMMA.com,UndisputedProductions.com or call the Fight Hotline at 404-626-2126. Tickets are available starting at $25 up to $800 for a VIP table of 8.

July 28: Aaron’s Amphitheatre

VANS WARPED TOUR

The annual punk rock extravaganza celebrates its 15th anniversary this year with a return visit to Atlanta. The 2009 tour will host a diverse lineup of the hottest artists on the scene, as well as a full concourse of lifestyle attractions and vendors. Appealing to fans of traditional punk, hip hop and metal, Vans Warped Tour has its finger on the pulse of the fieriest acts in absolutely each and every genre, from the brash gutter punk of Gallows to the epic art metal of Underoath and the street savvy rhymes of P.O.S. For more information or to check out the full Atlanta line-up, visit www.warpedtour.com.

July 29- Aug. 2: Woodruff Arts Center

NATIONAL BLACK ARTS FESTIVAL

The National Black Arts Festival showcases the works of more than 1,500 artists in music, theatre, film, literature, and dance. Highlights of this five-day cultural experience include the Legends Celebration: A Tribute to Nina Simone, Pan African Film Festival, International Marketplace, The Coretta Scott King Book Fair, Children's Education Village, A Midsummer Gala: Brazilian Cool and much more. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.nbaf.org or call the Woodruff Arts Center at 404-733-5000.

EVENTS HAPPENING FOR SMALL CHANGE IN ATLANTA

Know about a low cost event or happening in Atlanta? Email AtlantaOnADime@insiteatlanta.com

ASO 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION

FLICKS ON 5TH

Saturday, July 4, 8PM $75 Family Four Pack Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Encore Park www.vzwamp.com 404.733.5010

Wednesdays July 8,15,22 at 9pm; Free Tech Square at 86 Fifth Street, Atlanta www.flicksonfifth.gatech.edu 404.894.2805

Conductor BridgetMichaele Reischl will lead the Atlanta Symphony orchestra in an allAmerican 4th of July Celebration. The U.S. Army Chorus will perform patriotic favorites alongside the ASO. A post-concert finale will conclude the evening with the first-ever fireworks display at the venue. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is offering a Family Four Pack for this concert (and all their classical summer concerts) at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. The Family Four Pack includes four general admission lawn tickets, four lawn-chair rentals, four food baskets and one parking pass for $75 (18.75 per person). Ovations, the on-site caterer for Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, will offer themed cuisine to complement the programming of all ASO concerts at the Amphitheatre.

Flicks on 5th continues in July with an incredible lineup of the years' blockbuster titles including: Taken (July 8), Monsters Vs. Aliens (July 15) and I Love You Man (July 22). All movies will begin at dusk (approximately 9:00 pm). This year 5th Street will be closed between Spring Street and Techwood Drive so guests can bring their own blankets and chairs for viewing and dining. Moviegoers can eat in or carry out dinner at any of the many restaurants located on 5th Street at Technology Square. The event is scheduled rain or shine. Please leave coolers, umbrellas, grills and pets at home. Check website for parking information.

PEACHTREE RUN & FITNESS EXPO

July 2 and 3rd; 11am - 8pm; Free event Intercontinental Buckhead www.atlantatrackclub.org 404.946.9000

Get a jump on the excitement of the Peachtree Road Race by attending the 2009 Peachtree Expo. There will be three separate ballrooms to explore, filled with goods and services designed just for runners. Exhibits will feature experts in health and nutrition, training aids, food, and miles of official Peachtree memorabilia. Vendors will be on hand with the latest in running apparel and equipment by nearly all major manufacturers, all at special Expo prices. There will be a drawing every hour during the Expo for a free Peachtree number.

MARGARET MITCHELL HOUSE

July 4th and 5th; 12pm - 5pm; Free event Margaret Mitchell House www.GWTW.org 404.814.4018 Enjoy FREE admission at the Atlanta History Center's Margaret Mitchell House in Midtown. Two days of free, fun-filled, familyfriendly activities will include tours of Mitchell's apartment where Gone With the Wind was written, dancing, croquet, games, face painting, homemade ice cream, arts and crafts, living history performances, and Gone With the Wind trivia and prizes. Kids enjoy a special 1920s dress up area and food and beverage from Mary Mac's Tea Room are available for purchase.

BUCKHEAD BEACH PARTY

Saturday July 4; 11am - 12 midnight & July 5th; 1pm - 7pm; $10 Two Day Pass Upper Andrew’s Square Parking Lot www.buckheadfestival.com 404.869.1171 Spend July 4th & 5th at the Beach.... in Atlanta. Get tickets now for the Buckhead Beach Party with live music from Drivin' N Cryin' & Money $hott. There will be 100 tons of sand, beer, beach games, kiddie pools, cornhole, flip cup and beer pong. Plenty of bars and restrooms will be available too. A complimentary shuttle to the Lenox fireworks will be provided. All those with a Peachtree Road Race t-shirt will get in free before 2pm on July 4th.

CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER SPLASH

Saturday, July 25; 9pm - 4pm; Free 5862 Interstate Pkwy. NE Sandy Springs www.nps.gov/chat 678.538.1200

This 6 mile float down the Chattahoochee River goes from 9:00am - noon with music, food, and exhibits continuing until 4:00pm. Enjoy live music, wildlife programs, exhibits, crafts for kids, and self-guided hikes. The float begins at Morgan Falls Dam and ends at Powers Island. Bring your own raft, kayak, or canoe or rent one from a local outfitter (prerental suggested). Register for the float by contacting the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.

WHOLE WORLD IMPROV THEATRE PAY WHAT YOU CAN THURSDAYS

Thursdays in July; 8PM 1216 Spring Street, 404.817.PLAY www.wholeworldtheatre.com

Thursday nights this summer, pay whatever admission price you can to enjoy laughs with Atlanta's awardimprove winning troupe. This is a walk up special only, reserved tickets are $16. Whole World Theatre is a non-profit theatre company that began in Atlanta, Georgia in late 1993, when a dedicated and talented core of actors united to form the hottest improv company in town.

ATLANTA BRAVES

Check website for games; $1.00 - $8.00 Turner Field 404.522.7630 http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com Atlanta Braves sell 186 upper deck skyline seats for $1.00 2 1/2 hours before game time at every home Braves game. Other deals at Turner Field include a buy one, get one free upper reserved tickets at every Tuesday home game (2 seats for $8) and now, in honor of Bobby Cox's 2000 wins, Golden Moon Casino Pavilion tickets are only $6 per game (excludes the New York Yankees and the Red Sox series.) Other deals include a free game on your birthday, 2 for 1 deals for college students (valid ID required) and members of the military (valid ID required). Also, make sure to visit the park on August 2 for the Ultimate Kids Day where kids 14 and under get in for just $5.00. Atlanta on a Dime by Marci Miller

ATLANTA ON A DIME! E-MAIL NEWSLETTER Sign Up at : newsletter@insiteatlanta.com

PG 5 • insiteatlanta.com • July 2009

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. . . X T I E S N E O WHMES T IGNORANCE IS CO

DEFINITELY NOT BLISS

At the Feminist Women’s Health Center’, we provide all the FACTS you need to understand your own body and to make the best choices for your health care. �� 1924 Cliff Valley Way Atlanta, GA 30329

404-728-7900 www.feministcenter.org PG 6 • insiteatlanta.com • July 2009

Surgi-Center License 044-287

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Book Review POISONED HEART: A PUNK ROCK LOVE STORY Author: Vera Ramone King BY JOHN B. MOORE It’s clear just a few pages into it that Poisoned Heart– Vera Ramone King’s memoir of her time with Ramones bassist Dee Dee– was not an easy book to write, as the tome comes off as part therapy, part twisted love letter to the clearly disturbed rocker. King met and fell in love with the rock legend in 1977, just before the band helped introduce punk music to the world. Her relationship with Dee Dee lasted for decades, despite the tour bus full of baggage he brought into the relationship. Manic depressive, violent, a struggling drug addict, but also insanely talented, the Ramones’ primary songwriter was clearly not a joy to be around. Fortunately, King’s memoir is revealing without being overly exploitive, and entertaining without sugarcoating Dee Dee’s exploits. There are some amazing revelations in the book, like the fact that Dee Dee and Vera were supposed to hang out with Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen the week the Sex Pistols bassist ultimately stabbed Nancy to death. King’s writing, however, is more than a little distracting throughout, what with her abusive use of clichés and notso-subtle habit of dropping names at any given chance. Regardless, the stories are undeniably compelling for any fan of The Ramones (or

Behind The Music-style stories in general). A handful of other members of the band come off as unsympathetic or simply oblivious to Dee Dee’s violent abuse of Vera, with Johnny Ramone portrayed as little more than a tyrant who lived to make Dee Dee miserable. The book even goes into some detail about the bassist’s fatal heroin overdose in 2002 after years of sobriety. Poisoned Heart could have very easily been just another sleazy punk rock tell-all, but the author handles the personal subject matter relatively delicately. The writing may be a little stilted, but the story and emotions behind them come out loud and clear. Grade: B–

Under The Lights New Theatrical Performances this Month BLOOD KNOT

July 10 - August 2 Balzer Theatre Box Office 678.528.1500 www.theatricaloutfit.org

American Idol Winner

Taylor Hicks

stars as “Teen Angel”

Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre Company team up with Theatrical Outfit in Blood Knot: A Play in Seven Scenes by Athol Fugard and directed by Susan Booth. Performances will take place at Theatrical Outfit's Balzer Theater at Herren's. Acting powerhouses Tom Key and Kenny Leon reprise their acclaimed 1998 roles as half-brothers, one white, the other black, in 1960s Apartheid-era South Africa in this searing masterpiece about the corrosive effects of racism and the inextricable family ties that bind. Sharing the same mother, Zack (Leon) and Morrie (Key) have fathers of different races. Morrie can "pass" for white in society, a fluke of fate that dictates both brothers' lives. The two share a one-room shack and dreams for a better life; but when a female pen-pal suddenly proposes a face-to-face meeting, their mutual fondness for imaginary game-playing turns dark and reveals the inner fears and wounds haunting each man's sense of self. Never before have three renowned Artistic Directors worked together in such a capacity in Atlanta.

42ND STREET

July 28 - August 2 Fox Theatre Box Office 404.881.2100 www.foxtheatre.org

Based on the 1980 Tony-Award winning musical, 42nd Street tells the story of young Peggy Sawyer who comes to New York in search of fame and fortune. She catches the eye of one of the most powerful directors on Broadway, Julian Marsh. As can only happen in a Broadway musical, Peggy is discovered, hired, fired, and eventually becomes the star of the show. Starring as Broadway diva “Dorothy Brock” is Loretta Swit best known as “Major Margaret Houlihan” of television’s

CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF Through August 1 Oglethorpe Box Office 404.264.0020 www.gashakespeare.org

The Georgia Shakespeare Summer Festival continues this month with Tennessee Williams' Pulitzer Prize-winning play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. It stars local award-winning actors Daniel Thomas May as Brick and Courtney Patterson as Maggie (pictured). It is directed by Jasson Minadakis, former Artistic Director of Actor's Express in Atlanta. Also performing this summer in a rotating schedule is Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream and the Family Classic Series production of Alice in Wonderland. In addition to award-winning theatre, Georgia Shakespeare offers an experience like none other in Atlanta. Guests are encouraged to arrive early and enjoy al fresco dining on the theatre's furnished picnic grounds. Thirty minutes prior to every performance, guests are invited to attend Terrace Talks, a free pre-show orientation with members of Georgia Shakespeare's artistic staff. Terrace Talks take place on the picnic grounds.

APPROPRIATE FOR AGES 10+

Fri. Aug. 7–Sun. Aug. 16 AT THE

LIVE ON

consignment shops

Photo of Original Broadway Cast by Joan Marcus

Photo by Brian Steely

Aug 11-16 Only

M*A*S*H*series. In between the intrigue and the plot twists are thrilling dance numbers, fabulous sets and gorgeous costumes, and some of the most famous songs ever heard on a Broadway stage including “You’re Getting To Be A Habit With Me,” “We’re In The Money,” “The Lullaby of Broadway,” “About A Quarter To Nine,” “Shuffle Off To Buffalo,” and the title song, “42nd Street.”

FOX THEATRE

800-982-2787

STAGE ticketmaster.com

PRICE TICKETS TUES, AUG. 11 & WED, AUG. 12 SHOWS ONLY!

Photo by Bill DeLoach

ALWAYS BUYING CURRENT MALL CLOTHES

90’S GOTHIC SANDY SPRINGS (404) 255-5578

PSYCHOSISTERSSHOPS.COM

Available in Stores July 28th

LITTLE FIVE POINTS (404) 523-0100 PSYCHO-SISTERS.COM

WE PAY MORE $ FOR USED CLOTHES $3 OFF Purchase of $10 or more

PG 7 • insiteatlanta.com • July 2009

Taste of the Month-Barbecue! Fat Matt’s Rib Shack

catering information and online purchases of such things as BBQ Sauce, T-Shirts and CD’s.

1811 Piedmont Rd. 404.607.1622 www.fatmattsribshack.com

Slope’s BBQ

200 Johnson Ferry Rd. 404.252.3220 840 Barrett Pkwy. 770.794.8600 www.slopesbbq.com gies as anything else. So for an experience that harkens back to the good old days when Andy Griffith was all the wisdom we needed, come on over to Slope's BBQ, chomp on a homemade pork rind, and say hey! An Atlanta institution for near 20 years, Fat Matt’s keeps packing them in. On most nights you will find a line out the door of people eager to get to their famous barbecue. Owner Matt Harper, who is actually quit slim, has perfected the art of Southern BBQ. Not limited to the North Carolina or Kentucky styles, Fat Matt’s uses their own seasoning and cooking technique. These ribs are smoked to perfection and literally falling off the bone. Fat Matt’s ribs were voted Best In Atlanta in ‘08 by INsite readers and other publications. The ribs can be ordered as a whole, half slab, or on a sandwich. They also serve great barbecue chicken and pork. The signature side is their Rum Baked Beans, but they also have delicious Brunswick Stew, Roasted Peanuts, Potato Salad, and Cole Slaw. Fat Matt’s serves 9 beers on tap and more in bottles. They feature live blues seven nights a week. Fat Back Deluxe performs every Sunday night and has a huge following. The rest of the weeks schedule is as follows: Mondays-Uncle Sugar; Tuesdays - Crosstown Allstars; Wednesdays - Frankies Blues Mission; Thursdays - Chickenshack. Check out their website for weekend performances as well as

5th St. Ribs n Blues 86 5th Street at Spring (Tech Square) www.ribsnblues.com 404.249.8808 Slope's BBQ is Georgia home grown. They started out in 1991 with a little store in Roswell. The McDaniel brothers opened a location in Alpharetta in 1998 and then the Sandy Springs location in 2002 as shown. There newest location in Kennessaw opened this summer. They have made BBQ a way of life and continue to prepare the famous "Slope's Style" BBQ everyday. Slope's is an experience from the counter to the table, and even if you’re just getting take-out or catering, you'll feel like you've stepped back in time into an old neighborhood BBQ joint. All of the BBQ at Slope's is pulled and chopped daily, and their smoker is always running. You can smell the smoke before you can see the restaurant. The ribs and chicken are the best around and the secret sauce whether hot or mild is a perfect compliment. The menu is simple at Slope's; they don't do it all but what they do they do right. Slope’s has great sides; they say they sell as many southern style veg-

Ribs n Blues is a family owned and operated. It has been popular among Georgia Tech faithful since it opened and today has become an Atlanta barbecue favorite. They’re famous for their "fall off the bones" ribs. Also find great chopped pork, chicken and all the standard sides. They use a family recipe for their sauce that is applied generously on all the barbecue. The sauce is kept heated and served fresh all day. Ribs can be had full slab, 1/2 slab or as a sandwich. Chicken is served as 1/2 bird or

quarter. You can also find chopped chicken and pork sandwiches. They have all the popular sides including coleslaw, potato salad, mac & cheese, green beans, “Rum” baked beans and brunswick stew. All sides can also be purchased by the pint. Beer is served in bottles, draft and pitchers. They serve lunch and dinner daily, and are open Monday through Saturday 11am - 9pm. Ribs n Blues offers catering for groups of all sizes and now offers delivery of their mouth-watering ribs and barbecue. To order food for delivery go to www.zifty.com and place your order online.

Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q 1238 Dekalb Ave. 404.577.4030 www.foxbrosbbq.com

This popular Candler Park eatery will be celebrating it's 2nd Year Anniversary this summer. They offer "Southern style" barbecue and all their meats are hickory smoked. Their sig-

RIBS n BLUES

5th St.

Hours: Mon. – Sat. 11am – 9pm Closed Sundays

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Corner of Spring St. & 5th St. (Tech Square) 404-249-8808 | www.ribsnblues.com

’ �� Catering

FREE SIDE w/ any sandwich or purchase Not to be combined with other coupons. Exp. August 15, 2009.

200 Johnson Ferry Road NE - Atlanta, GA 30328 - 404.252.3220 840 Barrett Pkwy. #540, Kennesaw, GA 30014 - 770.794.8600

GRAND ��

www.slopesbbq.com

PG 8 • insiteatlanta.com • July 2009

OUTDOOR PATIO

LIVE MUSIC

Lots of Love always

East Cobb’s NEWEST CANTINA! ��

incredible food! incredible fun! oh yeah! ��

Taste of the Month-Barbecue Continued from Page 8

nature Smoked Chicken Wings are in the smoker for 4 hours and dipped in their homemade wing sauce. Another favorite is the Tomminator; tater-tots topped with brunswick stew and melted cheese. Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q offers daily specials. These include Monday, Fried Catfish Filets and Hushpuppys; Tuesday Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes; Wednesday Porkchops; Thursday, Beef Short Rib; Friday and Saturday, Smoked Beef Tenderloin (dinner only). There are desserts including Banana Pudding and Pecan Pie. Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q is located on the corner of Dekalb Ave. and Elmirea. They have plenty of indoor seating and offer a large outdoor patio dining area which is popular on summer nights. Fox Bros. is open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week! Fox Bros. homemade Bar-B-Q sauce is available for sale at Whole Foods.

One Star Ranch 25 Irby Ave. NW 404.233.7644 732 North Main St. 770.475.6695 www.OneStarRanch.com

Frank and Pam Bonk operated the Rib Ranch in Buckhead for over 20 years. In 2001, they opened their new location in Alpharetta and changed the name of the restaurants to the One Star Ranch, still giving their customers great food and great service. One Star Ranch offers a full menu with multiple barbecue options to choose from. These

include baby back ribs, pork ribs and their famous beef ribs. The ribs come on the bone or pulled served on a plate. You can also find wings served medium, hot and bbq of course. There is brunswick stew, chicken tenders and a great all beef chili. If you're already one of their customers, you know when it comes to bbq and ribs, it doesn't get any better than this. If you've never been to one of their ranches, what are you waiting for? One Star Ranch is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner and offer a full bar at both locations. Catering is also available for parties large and small.

Dreamland BBQ 10730 Alpharetta Hwy. 678.352.7999 www.dreamlandbbq.com Since John "Big Daddy" Bishop first opened the original store back in 1958 in Tuscaloosa AL, the legendary ribs live on at Dreamland’s various locations in the southeast. Regardless which restaurant you are at, you’ll always get a Bid Daddy welcome. In addition to the legendary ribs and sauce, the menu at the Roswell location has expanded to include such items as pulled pork, BBQ chicken, hickory smoked sausage, baked beans, cole slaw, potato salad, house salads served with their own BBQ house dressing and a true Southern favorite for dessert; banana pudding. Opened in January 2000, the Roswell store offers an expansive dining area plus outdoor patio seating. This popular location goes through 22 tons of hickory wood every ten days!

Your Neighborhood Pizzeria! LIVE MUSIC LINEUP FOR JULY Sundays Mondays Tuesdays

FAT BACK DELUXE UNCLE SUGAR CROSSTOWN ALLSTARS Wednesdays FRANKIES BLUES MISSION Thursdays CHICKENSHACK FRI 3 – SAT 4 – FRI 10 – SAT 11 – FRI 17 – SAT 18 – FRI 24 –

SAT 25 – FRI 31 –

EMMA COOKE & CO. JORDAN GONZALEZ BURNING TIME THE STOOGE BROTHERS THE RADIO RAMBLERS THE SOUL SHAKERS DEACON BRANDON REEVES EDDIE TIGNER NITES MOSTLEY

1811 Piedmont Ave. NE

404-607-1622

For Booking: 404-325-8846

BEST PIZZA!

& Multiple Atlanta Locations: www.JohnnysPizza.com PG 9 • insiteatlanta.com • July 2009

FILM INTERVIEW

THE BOY FROM OZ How Hugh Jackman Became Hollywood’s Hottest Aussie Import

There’s something oddly endearing about the image of an actor who gets paid $20 million per movie wringing his hands and worrying how fans and critics alike will respond to his work. It’s all part of Jackman’s genuine Aussie charm, which seems to keep him grounded in an industry where most people have their heads in the clouds (or wedged tightly in their posteriors). For that, he credits his wife Deb, an actress he met back in 1995 on the Australian TV prison drama Correlli. “Deb is honest to a fault,” he admits with a laugh, “and she doesn’t know any other way. When you’re married to someone who loves you for who you are, no matter what comes and goes, that goes a long way, particularly in this business. When I walked out on stage at the Oscars, the first person I looked for was Deb, and she gave me a little nod. There was this feeling, like I could completely die on my ass and know that that’s okay. Everything could fall apart– beauty comes and goes, bodies change, fame comes and goes, we all die eventually– but when you have that solid foundation in a relationship with someone, it doesn’t matter. On a deeper level, that’s something that lasts forever. And that’s what I try to focus on.”

BY BRET LOVE

T MAY NOT BE AUTUMN YET, but 2009 has already been one heck of a year for Hugh Jackman. The 40-yearold Aussie actor began the year riding high as People magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive,” had Hollywood singing his praises after showcasing his song ‘n’ dance skills as host of the Academy Awards in February, and raked in nearly $400 million at the global box office as the star (and producer) of XMen Origins: Wolverine in May. The truth is, it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. Born in Sydney of English parentage and raised the youngest of five children by his father after his mother left the family, Jackman stumbled into stardom back in 2000 as a last-minute replacement for Dougray Scott, whose Mission: Impossible II schedule prevented him from taking the part of Wolverine in X-Men. When I first met Jackman during his promotional rounds for that film, he seemed like a charming family man truly humbled by his luck in landing such an iconic role. Almost ten years later, it seems very little has changed. “I’m very excited about it,” he says when asked about his success after years of struggling as an unknown stage actor. “Ten years ago if I had to dream of what I’d be doing, I’d never believe I would be franchising the character of Wolverine and that I’d have worked with Woody Allen (Scoop), the Aardman guys (Flushed Away), Darren Aronofsky (The Fountain) and Christopher Nolan (The Prestige). I’m staying so busy because everything I’m getting is turning me on so much, it’s almost impossible to say no.” While some actors tend to shy away from larger-than-life comic book characters out of a fear of being typecast, Jackman dove headfirst into the role of the temper-addled mutant with the indestructible adamantium claws. Even after three highly successful X-Men films, with lucrative offers coming in droves, he remains fiercely loyal to the character that made him famous. “I knew it was a great role once I read the X-Men script,” he recalls. “I knew nothing about the comic book, but it was like the Mad Max/Dirty Harry/Han Solo antihero thing I grew up with. I knew I was onto a great role, but nobody knew what would happen with the series. I remember several people saying, ‘Make sure you book another gig before this thing comes out… because the word on the street is it’s probably not going to do great business.’ So I was shocked when it came out, and things definitely changed for me. But anybody who knows me wouldn’t pick a character like this to be the thing I would be known for.” Jackman readily acknowledges that XMen Origins: Wolverine upped the ante for him considerably. Not only was it the first time he’s carried a summer blockbuster squarely on his shoulders, but it was also the first major movie from Seed Productions, the company he co-owns with partner John Palermo. With nine other projects currently in development, including the action thriller Drive and an adaptation of the Broadway hit Carousel, Jackman clearly had a lot riding on the success of his latest Wolverine outing. “There’s no less effort or desire that goes into every role,” he insists, “but obviously PG 10 • insiteatlanta.com • July 2009

60 SECONDS WITH HUGH JACKMAN ON THE SUCCESS OF X-MEN:

“All of us can identify with that feeling of being alienated, and of being different. There’s not a person on this planet that doesn’t mask some kind of pain, which comes out in their behavior in some way.”

ON BEING NAMED SEXIEST MAN ALIVE:

“I’m not going to spend too much time worrying about it either way, but it’s better than a kick in the teeth. I’m sure in a year or two I’ll be on some other list that has me at the other end of the spectrum. One of the greatest things I ever heard was when Halle Berry turned up to accept her Razzie Award for Catwoman. She said, ‘If you’re going to put on a dress to accept an Oscar, you’ve got to be prepared to turn up and accept this one!’ That is probably the coolest, most wise thing I’ve ever heard in this business.”

I’M VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT (MY SUCCESS). TEN YEARS AGO IF I HAD TO DREAM OF WHAT I’D BE DOING, I’D NEVER BELIEVE I WOULD BE FRANCHISING THE CHARACTER OF WOLVERINE AND THAT I’D HAVE WORKED WITH WOODY ALLEN (SCOOP), THE AARDMAN GUYS (FLUSHED AWAY), DARREN ARONOFSKY (THE FOUNTAIN) AND CHRISTOPHER NOLAN (THE PRESTIGE). I’M STAYING SO BUSY BECAUSE EVERYTHING I’M GETTING IS ON WORKING IN AUSTRALIA: TURNING ME ON SO MUCH, IT’S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY NO. “I do have a production company down this movie has a different dimension for me as a producer. I asked all the actors (including Ryan Reynolds, Liev Schreiber and breakout star Taylor Kitsch) and Gavin Hood, the director, to come on board, so

obviously I’m more attached to it and it feels more personal. I found myself asking everyone what they thought of the movie and I was nervous about it, because it’s more like my baby.”

there to help facilitate work being done. I feel very indebted to the beginning I had in Australia, so I support institutions such as WAPA and the Actors Center in Sydney, which really gave me the grounding I’m forever grateful for.”

Neighborhood Guide to Little 5 Points

Explore Atlanta’s most eclectic Neighborhood this Summer

Centered on the corner of Euclid and Moreland Ave. lies a business community, a neighborhood, and arguably the coolest spot on the map between Greenwich Village and the French Quarter. This bohemian hangout has grown into a neighborhood with a mix of art, theater, and commerce. The vast retail businesses offer unique psychedelic storefronts and hard to find merchandise. While the many bars and restaurants provide a wide array of entertainment and cuisines to be had by the young and old.

The Flying Biscuit

1655 McLendon Ave. 404.687.8888 www.flyingbiscuit.com The original location on McLendon Avenue is nestled among funky craftsman bungalows and has remained one of Atlanta's favorite spots for brunch since it opened in 1993. The Flying Biscuit Café recipes have endured thanks to the diligence of the staff and the neighborhood customers. Try one of their favorites, like the “Turkey Meatloaf & Pudge” or the “Vegan Burrito”. And, of course, there is their famous breakfast, with dishes like “Orange Flavored French Toast” and omelets named after local streets. You can’t leave without trying their mouth watering biscuits. Be sure to visit the bakery right next door so you can pick up biscuits for the road. The Flying Biscuit now has 7 locations in Atlanta serving breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week starting at 7 am.

thrown with real hands and get enough air to make Tony Hawk jealous. In addition to their famous pizzas, they also have calzones, salads, subs and pasta. Savage serves both lunch and dinner with indoor and outdoor seating and offers catering and delivery.

Psycho Sisters

428 Moreland Ave. 404.523.0100 www.psycho-sisters.com Friendly staff, fun funky, unusual and outrageous Psycho Sisters has been the #1 consignment boutique in Atlanta for more than 20 Years. Much more than a consignment shop, this original location of the hip Atlanta chain sells vintage clothing, new items from other stores, and second-hand goods (as long as they're still stylish and funky). From current mall trends such as BCBG, Abercrombie, bebe, Arden B, Lip Service to new trendy shoe styles, unbelievable bling, bracelets, earrings, headbands, shades, belt buckles to Gothic or Costumes, Psycho Sisters has something for everyone whether you are 12 or 90 years old!

Rag-O-Rama

1111 Euclid Ave. 404.658.1988 Mon-Thurs 11-8, Fri -Sat 11-9, Sun 12-7 www.ragorama.com

Junkman’s Daughter

464 Moreland Ave. 404-577-3188 Mon-Thurs 11-7, Fri 11-8, Sat 11-9, Sun 12-7 www.thejunkmansdaughter.com

No place better encapsulates the raw edgy pulse of Little 5 Points like the alternative super store known as Junkman’s Daughter. Now celebrating their 27th anniversary, the Junkman’s Daughter's floor has grown to a staggering 10,000 square feet! The store is crammed full of far-out fashions and groovy accessories for men and women, unique and unusual gifts, housewares from around the world, cool collectables, retro nicknacks and toys. They also offer terrific hard to find, unusual books and a fully stocked tobacco shop. Junkman’s Daughter was recently named one of the 25 Best Independent Stores in America by the book Retail Super Stars. Make sure to check out Junkman’s this Halloween for the most irreverent and original wigs, masks and costumes in town.

Savage Pizza

484 Moreland Ave. 404.523.0500 www.savagepizza.com

With their homage to comic book super heroes adorning the walls and hip staff, Savage Pizza fits right in with the Little Five Points neighborhood. On Savage's menu you'll find innovative homemade sauces, fresh dough and thoughtfully prepared dishes made from scratch every day. They prepare all the recipes using only freshest vegetables and first quality meats, cheeses, breads and pastas. Savage’s hand-tossed crusts are

Rag-O-Rama is a resale clothing store. The Atlanta location has been opened for almost 3 years now. The enormous space is filled to the brim with spectacular men's and women's fashions and accessories. They carry an ever changing inventory of new and second-hand merchandise; including name brands, designer labels, vintage styles and one-of-a-kind wears. Rag-ORama buys daily, without appointments, during all hours of operation and offers cash and store credit on the spot for modern and vintage styles that reflect the current season. Also, be sure not to miss their awesome semi-annual Dollar Sale on July 18th and 19th. 1000's of items on sale for buck. It is definitely a experience you will not soon forget!

The Vortex Bar & Grill 438 Moreland Ave. 404.688.1828 www.thevortexbarandgrill.com

This family owned corner pub is known for serving the best burgers in town and offering an excellent selection of drinks. In addition to the great food and spirits, the owner’s off-beat and humor large collection of kooky decor have become hallmarks of Vortex. The The Little 5 Points location opened in 1996. They added a 20-foot high “Laughing Skull” facade to the building which has since become an Atlanta landmark. The Vortex has been honored with various awards over the years from several publications including: “Best Burger”, “Best Beer Selection” and “Best Neighborhood Bar”. They have live music by Ozlo every Wednesday night at 7pm; Poker on Monday nights starting at 7PM and Trivia on Tuesdays at 10pm. Thursday is Bike Night, and during the summercan attract 300 bikes to the lot.

we’re the place with the big f*cking skull out front.

thevortexbarandgrill.com PG 11 • insiteatlanta.com • July 2009

C-FORCE Penélope Cruz Finally FILM INTERVIEW

Comes Into Her Own BY ALEX S. MORRISON

HEN PENÉLOPE CRUZ TOOK the stage at the 81st Academy Awards last February to accept her Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Woody Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona, it was a moment that had been a long time coming for the Spanish enchantress. In recent years, the Madrid native had been better known for her exotic beauty and highprofile relationships with A-list actors such as Nicolas Cage, Tom Cruise and Matthew McConaughey than for her acting abilities. But this was not the future most pundits would have predicted for Cruz when she first came to Hollywood. Born Penélope Cruz Sanchez in 1974, she began her career as a ballet dancer with Spain’s National Conservatory before besting 300 other girls in a talent agency audition at the age of 15. Roles in Spanish TV shows led to films, including a role in 1992’s Oscar-winning import Belle Epoque. By the end of the decade she’d become director Pedro Almodóvar’s favorite leading lady, proving her thespian cred in Live Flesh (1997) and the Oscarwinning All About My Mother (2000). That same year she appeared in her first English-speaking role in Woman On Top, and was soon co-starring opposite Johnny Depp in Blow. The hype machine went into overload, and numerous cover stories proclaimed her Hollywood’s next big thing. “I’ve never felt like I had difficulty [breaking through in America] because I never expected this to happen,” the demure Cruz acknowledges, “since it never happened to an actress from my country. Maybe they came to America and made one movie, but that was all. The doors were much more closed years ago, so I was very grateful that they kept giving me opportunities.” Unfortunately, though she was never reduced to playing Latina stereotypes, the majority of Cruz’s Hollywood opportunities came in mediocre fare such as Waking Up In Reno, Gothika, Head In The Clouds and Sahara. By the end of 2005, she had widely been written off as just another pretty face. “The most difficult thing in the world is to start your career known only for your looks,” Cruz admits, “and then try to become a serious actress. No one will take you seriously once you’re known as a pretty woman. I feel like I have played a few characters that have made me able to demonstrate where I wanted to go as an actress. Of all the movies I’ve done, even the ones that have not been successful have taught me something, and I feel grateful because they helped me stay in the game.” It was reuniting with Almodóvar for 2006’s Volver that reminded critics and audiences alike that Cruz could actually act when given solid source material to work with. Channeling the sultry spirit of Sophia Loren, Cruz’s passionate portrayal of a woman dealing with the death of her parents and the murder of her

wicked husband by her daughter made her the first Latina ever nominated for a Best Actress Oscar. She credits her old friend/director with bringing out her very best performances. “He knows that I trust him completely,” she says, “so I didn’t need to read [the script] to say yes. However, when I read it I was so happy that he was giving me that character, and I knew it was an amazing opportunity. Every film with Pedro has been amazing, and he gets better and better every time. He’s very generous: If something is not working he will tell you the truth, and if something is working he takes the time to call you to tell you how grateful he is for what you did. It always surprises me, with how busy he is on a set, that he takes time for those things.” Of course, it was her performance in Volver that led Woody Allen to cast Cruz as Javier Bardem’s mentally unstable ex in Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Then her dynamic turn opposite Ben Kingsley in 2008’s critically acclaimed Elegy assured casting directors that her Oscar-winning turn was no fluke. But Cruz remains circumspect about the long-term impact winning an Academy Award might have on her career. “You can be flattered about it,” she says with an air of practicality, “but in a sense it’s an award just to get appreciation from people for a movie they love so much. I’ve been on the other side too, you know? I’ve gotten some good reviews in my career and some bad ones, so I know what it feels like being on both sides. [Vicky Cristina Barcelona] was the most extreme experience in a positive way, so you can look at it for what it is and be flattered. But I cannot assume anything is going to happen as a result of it, because then you’re disappointed if it doesn’t.” Still, one could argue that things are already starting to happen for Penélope Cruz in a big way. She earned rave reviews for the 2009 Cannes debut of her latest collaboration with Almodóvar, Los Abrazos Rotos (“Broken Embraces”); provided a voice for Disney’s summer family flick G-Force; and will soon return to her singing and dancing roots in director Rob Marshall’s adaptation of the Broadway musical Nine. Based on one of Cruz’s all-time favorite movies (Federico Fellini’s 8½), the film casts her opposite legends like Daniel Day-Lewis, Nicole Kidman, Sophia Loren and Dame Judi Dench, proving that the Spanish Enchantress can more than hold her own. “I think every day changes you a little bit and makes you learn something new,” Cruz says when asked how she feels about this stage in her career. “I think we’re constantly moving forward, evolving, changing and learning. When I started, my biggest aspiration was just to be able to be an actress with work. The best situation I could imagine was to be able to choose what I wanted to do. That counts more for me than the concept of stardom. I never want to lose that sense of excitement every time I go to the set.”

OF ALL THE MOVIES I’VE DONE, EVEN THE ONES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL HAVE TAUGHT ME SOMETHING, AND I FEEL GRATEFUL BECAUSE THEY HELPED ME STAY IN THE GAME.

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Gerard Butler on Life After 300 BY BRET LOVE

ERARD BUTLER HAS BEEN MAKING A name for himself in Hollywood ever since his 1997 debut opposite Billy Connelly and Dame Judi Dench in the critically acclaimed British indie Mrs. Brown. But it took nearly a decade before his breakthrough turn as King Leonidas in director Zach Snyder’s historical action epic 300 made him an international star. Now the 39-year-old actor finds himself on Hollywood’s A-list, part of a new wave of UK-bred macho men that also includes Daniel Craig and Clive Owen. It’s a career that almost didn’t happen. Born in Glasgow and raised in his mother’s Scottish hometown of Paisley after his parents divorced when he was still a toddler, Butler initially had no intentions of becoming an actor. Instead, he sang in a Scottish band called Speed while getting his Law degree from Glasgow University, where he was elected President of the Law Society. But when actor Steven Berkoff approached him in a London coffee shop and offered the untrained Butler a role in a stage production of Coriolanus, he soon abandoned his job as a solicitor in favor of a career on stage and screen. Small roles in films such as Tomorrow Never Dies followed, but it was actually one of the worst films on Butler’s resume– Wes Craven’s Dracula 2000– that led to his first big break when The Phantom of the Opera director Joel Schumacher stumbled upon it at the multiplex. “There were six other films in the cinema and he’d seen all of them,” Butler recalls with an incredulous laugh, “so he said, ‘We might as well go see Dracula.’ It just goes to show you that it can be one character you take in one movie for somebody to see something that inspires them.” In what was considered a fairly controversial choice at the time, Schumacher selected Butler to step into the Phantom’s mask worn to great Broadway acclaim by Michael Crawford, enraging devout fans of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. Even Butler acknowledges his surprise at being offered the role despite the fact that he’d never had a singing lesson in his life, but his admirable performance opposite Emmy Rossum ultimately earned accolades. “When they approached me I had sung for fun in a rock band,” he admits in his thick Scottish brogue, “but that was about as good as it gets. I thought I was too young, and I didn’t come from a musical background. So I was surprised until I read the script and realized Joel Schumacher’s genius at casting. He wanted to make the story younger, and I think it’s all the more heartbreaking for the Phantom because he’s a man in the prime of his life who’s denied sexually, intimately. He’s already been through a lot of that pain, but he still has so much to offer. But [Christine’s] love was not for him, which killed me in every way.” Though Phantom was his first major exposure to mainstream audiences, Butler’s schedule was quite busy even before 300 came along and lit a fire under his career. From the adrenaline-charged action of 2003’s Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life and the heartfelt drama of 2004’s Dear Frankie to the blood-soaked violence of 2005’s Beowulf & Grendel, the actor took on a diverse litany of roles that showed a surprising depth and range. “It’s a very intuitive thing choosing a role,” Butler says of his personal philosophy. “You sit down to read a script, and either it’s an issue to turn each page and you find a bunch of other things to do, or you feel good and have fun and want to know what happens next. When you have a great time reading a

script, you want to get involved in it, so you put it down and make the call.” Of course, nothing in his career could prepare the Scotsman for the worldwide success of 300. The film was based on the true story of 300 Spartans (led by Butler’s King Leonidas) who defended their homeland against the invading Persian army of over 100,000 in the Battle of Thermopylae of 480 BC, ultimately uniting the Greek city-states and ushering in the world’s first democracy. With its unrelenting action, striking visual imagery and groundbreaking special effects, the adaptation of Frank Miller’s influential graphic novel brought in over $200 million in the U.S. alone, making Butler a star virtually overnight. “The night that 300 opened,” he recalls, “there were like 25 people from the film going from cinema to cinema to see how long the lines were. Suddenly everyone I’d ever met was calling and saying, ‘We can’t even get in to see this damn movie!’ We were getting these emails literally running a tally [on the box office take]– $10 million, $15 million, the next day $25 million, $35, $50 and on up to $70 million. It was shocking because it wasn’t a franchise like Superman or Pirates of the Caribbean. So that was a highlight of my career, and I was surrounded by some very serious producers who I could tell this had never happened to them before either. I was experiencing something that was pretty amazing.” And that amazing experience has made Hollywood Butler’s oyster, offering him his choice of roles. Thus far, he has used that power to great effect, tackling disparate projects ranging from romantic comedies (P.S. I Love You) and family films (Nim’s Island) to gangster flicks (Rocknrolla) and animation voiceovers (Tales of the Black Freighter, a direct-to-DVD companion piece to Snyder’s latest film, The Watchmen). “I think it’s hard to be definitive about the path of your career,” Butler muses. “The roles I choose to play are so different that choosing them can’t always be about the same thing. For instance, with Rocknrolla I loved the idea of an unusual comedy and exploring the quirkier sides of my personality, playing with the softer parts of myself in a context that made people laugh. We weren’t changing the world, but we weren’t trying to. But then there are films that allow you to challenge yourself and go to the very core of your soul, opening a part of you that can be fascinating for people to see. Some things are more emotional, some things are more dark, but each one appeals to a different part of you.” The actor continues to challenge himself in the latter half of 2009, releasing two films that couldn’t possibly be more different. First up is this month’s The Ugly Truth, a romantic comedy in which he co-stars opposite Katherine Heigl; and in September he’ll headline Citizen Game, a sci-fi thriller set in a world where players control other humans in a massive online gaming environment. And according to Butler, this diversity is precisely what he strives for, both in his life and his career. “Normally when I’m doing action I think I prefer comedy,” he says, “and when I’m doing comedy I think I prefer action. You don’t get much more fun than the action in Citizen Game, because you’re surrounded by explosions, gunfire, and the most kick-ass battle you’ve ever seen. I’m having the best time on it, but you miss the chance to sit down and do scenes where you’re just having a regular conversation or getting the chance to be funny. Just like as a human being, I wouldn’t want to work every day of my life: I want to have some leisure time, some sexy time, and be able to experience all the parts of life. I couldn’t just do acting. It’s as much to keep myself interested and to keep trying new things all the time.”

FILM INTERVIEW Women’s · Men’s · Accessories

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Little 5 Points ��1111 Euclid Ave

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BRINGING HOME THE BACON

HOW MUSIC MAKES KEVIN CUT LOOSE A

in 60 films in the past 30 years. But the choice of creative paths wasn’t always crystal clear in S AN ACTOR, KEVIN BACON’S his mind. reputation precedes him to the extent “I was a very driven kid, and I finally made that there was a game invented for the a decision to become an actor. I was ready to sole purpose of pointing out his Hollywood chase that dream until I caught it,” he insists, ubiquity. From crowd-pleasers like Footloose, “no turning back. But there was a time when She’s Having A Baby and My Dog Skip to I was thinking it could also be music. Before I award-worthy dramas started taking acting sesuch as Apollo 13, riously, my driving force Mystic River and Frost/ I WAS A VERY DRIVEN KID, was to be famous and Nixon, the Philadelphia rich. I’d pick up a copy AND I FINALLY MADE A native has carved out of Tiger Beat, and the quite the career, and in AN DECISION TO BECOME guys I was aspiring to recent years has even be were like Jack Wild ACTOR. I WAS READY TO ventured into producing or the Monkees– they and directing. But what’s CHASE THAT DREAM UNTIL were actors and musisignificantly lesser cians. Before my life I CAUGHT IT, NO TURNING known is the fact that he took a different turn, has an enduring passion what I really wanted BACK. BUT THERE WAS A for music, which he be was a pop star. I pursues in a band with TIME WHEN I WAS THINKING todidn’t really care that it his brother Michael, was music or acting.” COULD ALSO BE MUSIC. IT aptly named the Bacon course acting was Brothers. BEFORE I STARTED TAKING theOfcareer that made The band’s roots go Kevin Bacon’s name SERIOUSLY, MY ACTING back to the Bacon brothsynonymous with “Six ers’ childhood, when DRIVING FORCE WAS TO BE Degrees,” and it was Kevin would tag along 17 years after his film FAMOUS AND RICH. to his older brother’s debut before he and performances at Philly’s Michael formed the famous nightspot, The Electric Factory. Already Bacon Brothers. As a result, the band will likely a fan of classic rock acts such as the Beatles, forever be saddled with questions about actorsLed Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix as well as the turned-musicians– a subject that prompted soulful sounds of Motown and Philadelphia InBilly Bob Thornton’s meltdown during an interternational Records hit-makers Gamble & Huff, view with a Canadian radio DJ. But the Bacons the budding performer decided to get in on the seem more down-to-earth, accepting that these musical act. things come with the territory. “Michael was doing a solo thing,” he recalls, “We’ve always known that was going to be “ and I was backing him up on percussion and part of the drill,” he admits. “It’s a bit of an doing a little singing. I was also playing in albatross. One of the things that happens a lot other bands around Philly, so we started writing is you get lumped in with all the other actors together around that time. I couldn’t play guitar that have bands. or piano, so my writing was all in my head. I just But we try not to think to much about that and started singing my lyrics to Michael a capella, try to keep rolling along and do the best show then we’d figure out the changes together.” we can. You come to the show because you’re Kevin eventually chose to pursue an acting into my movies, and that’s ok. Hopefully we can career over life as a touring musician, starring put on a good enough show that you’ll actually in Animal House at the age of 20 and appearing dig the music.”

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TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT LAKEWOOD BOX OFFICE AND ALL TICKETMASTER OUTLETS CHARGE BY PHONE 800-745-3000 OR ONLINE AT TICKETMASTER.COM PG 16 • insiteatlanta.com • July 2009

CALENDER

�� Tribute Night ��Shamora �� Anita Baker �� Marah �� J.T. Speed �� Sleep Creeps �� Patrick Wolf �� Kerry Ayres & Rambunctious �� Last November �� Heavy Pettin’ �� Dane Cook �� The Hackensaw Boys �� Richard Blais Cooking Demonstration �� ASO: Magniﬁcent Mozart �� The Smart Brothers �� Blues Envy �� ASIFA Blowin’ Smoke �� Kid Rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd �� Triosity �� The Wooden Birds �� Patrick Vining �� The Breeze Kings �� Gentleman Jesse & His Men �� J.T. Speed �� Open Mic Jam �� Movie Lounge �� Einstein Meets Elvis �� Lustre King �� Al Smith �� Michael McDonald, Boz Scaggs �� Jessica Juggz �� The Forty-Fives �� Frankie’s Blues Mission �� Five Spot Sessions �� Comedy Gold Open Mic �� Tyler Reeve �� Beyonce �� Steamline Revelation �� Soulphonics �� I Do Music �� Le Castle Vania �� The Black Lips �� Midwife Crisis �� Chickenshack �� HipHop vs. Raggae �� The Beards of Comedy �� Irvine �� Ocean Street �� Mama’s Love �� Jeffrey Butzer �� Yacht Rock Revue �� Van Hunt �� Our Brother The Native ��Snowden �� Garrett Moore �� Emma Cooke & Co. �� Ralph Roddenberry Band �� P’tree Social Dance Party �� The Beards of Comedy �� Altered with Auburn �� FUZE �� Miss Used �� Judi Chicago, Noot D’ Noot �� Hollyweerd �� 90’z Throwback Summer Jam �� DJ Dwight �� Drivin n Cryin �� Van Hunt �� Japandroids �� The Selmanaires �� The Civil Wars �� Jordan Gonzalez �� Sandwiches & CheapShots �� 311, Ziggy Marley & the Expendables �� The Beards of Comedy ��Punk Rock Extravaganza �� Salute to America Pary �� Judi Chicago, Noot D’ Noot �� James Hall, The Constellations �� 4th of July All-American Celebration �� Blowoff �� Red, Wild & Blue

�� Georgia Fireﬂies �� Fat Back Deluxe �� Bluegrass Jam Sessions �� The Beards of Comedy �� Groove Stain �� Open Mic �� Uncle Sugar �� Holly Howell �� Soul Sister Sally �� Crosstown Allstars �� Crash Test Comedy �� Brett Butler �� Devon Allman �� Al Smith� �� Gladys Knight, Smokey Robinson �� Vampire Lezbos �� Travel by Train �� Eddie Kowalczyk �� Frankie’s Blues Mission �� Comedy Gold Open Mic �� Atheist �� Tyler Reeve �� Blair Lott �� Soulphonics �� Stanza �� Abby Go Go �� Chocolate Kiss �� Chickenshack �� Oliver Wood �� John Zedd & The Clairvoyants �� Jake Johannsen �� LFO �� Paul Warner �� Slippery When Wet �� Blackshire �� Kansas w/ ASO �� Jungol �� Greg Laswell �� Burning Time �� Zach Deputy �� Secret Weapon Quartet �� Jake Johannsen �� Psycho Devilles �� Az Izz �� Carbon Leak �� Wreckless Eric & Amy Rigby �� Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers �� Citizen Icon �� Wrongway, Grassroots �� Gary Pfaff & the Heartwells �� Diana Krall �� The Varsity �� Rama Don & The Powermoves �� The Brilliant Inventions �� The Stooge Brothers �� Wighat �� Jake Johannsen� �� Talk Journey To Me �� Calu’s Peep Show �� Hillgrass Bluebilly Tour �� Bonobo �� ASO: Stars Wars �� Jeffery Steele �� Cat Power �� Chojo Jacques �� Fat Back Deluxe �� Obie Jessie� �� The Nouveaux Honkies �� Lymbyc System �� Open Mic �� Uncle Sugar �� Jake Johannsen �� Den of Lions �� Sonic Youth �� HipHop Jam Session �� Crosstown Allstars �� Open Mic Jam �� Brett Butler �� Open Mic Club �� Al Smith� �� Regeneration Tour �� O’Brother �� The Coathangers �� Kyler England �� Frankie’s Blues Mission �� Areosmith w/ ZZ Top �� Comedy Gold Open Mic �� Poison the Well and More �� Tyler Reeve �� Georgia Theatre Employee Beneﬁt

Clairvoyants

�� I Married My High School Sweetheart �� Todd Snider �� Chickenshack �� King Johnson �� Bonaventure Quartet �� Funny For Money �� Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band �� State of Man �� Austin Kyle

�� Hal Sparks �� Cedar Hill �� Gov’t Mule �� Dredg �� The Breakfast Club �� Hightide Blues �� Eleni Mandell, Old Custer �� ASO: Beethoven Blockbusters �� The Dustup

�� Dave Matthews Tribute �� Reba Russell� �� Pete Yorn �� Joe Cocker �� Glen Iris 7” �� Dirty Projectors �� Todd Snider �� The Radio Ramblers �� Tim Lawrence �� Eddie Ifft �� Moe. �� Trent Tomlinson �� Bloodkin’s Rock-n-Roll Stimulus �� 3rd Annual Fringe Binge �� Gasoline Heart

�� The Waybacks �� Fat Back Deluxe �� Five Spot For Peace �� Hal Sparks �� Rose’s Pawn Shop �� Old 97’s

�� Stat Quo �� Corey Smith �� Pistolero �� Jennifer Daniels �� The Soul Shakers �� Dappled Grays �� Pink Panty Pulldown Party �� Eddie Ifft �� Moe. �� Tyler Reeve �� Ben Deignan �� Amy Speace �� Fat Back Deluxe �� El Scorcho & Friends �� Marshall Chiles & Friends �� Good Old War �� Nachtmahr �� Wednesday If Not Before

Quartet

artwells

�� Personal & The Pizzas �� Open Mic �� Uncle Sugar �� Hollis Gillespie �� The Secret Handshake �� Brownshoe �� Nightmare of You �� HipHop Jam Session �� Ocha La Rocha �� Catch 23 �� Crosstown Allstars �� Open Mic Jam �� Breast Cancer Beneﬁt �� Brett Butler �� Florez �� Al Smith �� War & Average White Band �� Monstrosity �� Cracker �� Peter Bradley Adams �� Frankie’s Blues Mission �� Comedy Gold Open Mic �� Tyler Reeve �� Trevor Hall �� Cracker �� Maia Sharp �� Chickenshack �� Ben Trickey �� Hal Sparks �� Moovies at The Mable �� Today the Moon, Tomorrow the Sun �� Tron Jackson �� The Good Life �� Winston Audio �� Deacon Bradon Reeves �� The 54’s �� Marilyn Manson & Slayer �� Hal Sparks �� Reel Big Fish �� Reckless �� Col Bruce Hampton �� T-Bird & The Breaks

and More

�� American Idiot �� Chris Isaak �� Something Fierce �� Club Awesome �� The Floating Men �� Eddie Tigner �� The Diane Durrett Band �� Fringe Factory

�� Destroyer �� Open Mic �� Uncle Sugar �� Tool �� Jeffree Starr �� Justin Kennedy Band �� HipHip Jam Session �� Pterodactyl �� Comedy Night �� Crosstown Allstars �� Open Mic Jam �� Movie Lounge �� Vans Warped Tour �� Brett Butler �� Tetrarch �� Dream Theater �� Paolo Nutini �� Al Smith� �� Neville Bros. �� Black Moth Super Rainbow �� Silent & Listen �� Kodac Harrison �� Frankie’s Blues Mission �� Bernadette Seacrest �� Comedy Gold Open Mic �� Tyler Reeve �� Villanova �� Snub Zero �� Gil Mantera’s Party Dream �� Chickenshack �� Paul F Thompkins �� Moovies at The Mable �� Blazed & Confused Tour �� The Cab �� The Bridges �� Tommy Emmanuel �� Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp �� Tom Jones �� John Nolan �� Harvey Milk �� Pat McGee �� Nites Mostley �� American Idols Live �� George Hughley �� Rascal Flatts �� Paul F Thompkins �� CKY �� Eclipise �� Fuel the Fire 09 �� Toubab Krewe �� Eric Lindell �� Grupo Fantasma �� Life & Limb

Beyonce @��(July 1)

SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE NOW! with

FRIDAY, JULY 10

WEDNESDAY, JULY 8

WEDNESDAY, JULY 1

ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

An Evening with TOM JONES Friday, July 31

DIANA KRALL with Symphony Orchestra Saturday, July 11

THE TEMPTATIONS

REGENERATION TOUR

ASHFORD & SIMPSON

��TERRI NUNN & BERLIN ��

Saturday, August 15

JOE COCKER

Christopher Cross Wednesday, August 19

Friday, August 14

FEATURING

STEELY DAN

Wednesday, July 15

AMERICA

Friday, July 17

THE FLAMING LIPS

ON SA

FRIDAYLE Explosions in the Sky , LY 10 Stardeath and White Dwarfs ATJU10 AM! Wednesday, August 26

COREY SMITH

The Randy Rogers Band Saturday, July 18

This show is reserved seating only. No tables, coolers or carry-ins.

WAR AVERAGE WHITE BAND

WITH

EDWIN McCAIN FREDDY JONES BAND Friday, August 28

EN VOGUE

Wednesday, July 22

�� Saturday, August 29

CHRIS ISAAK Saturday, July 25

PET SHOP BOYS

Saturday, September 12

THE NEVILLE BROTHERS DR. JOHN & THE LOWER 911

LOGGINS & MESSINA The Gabe Dixon Band Friday, September 25

Wednesday, July 29

Tickets available at all outlets including Publix Supermarkets. Charge-by-phone: 1.800.745.3000 Buy online: ticketmaster.com Tickets also at the Woodruff Arts Center box ofﬁce (M-F: 10AM-8 PM, Sat/Sun: Noon-8PM)

deltaclassicchastain.com

MAKE IT A GROUP! (15 or more) 404.733.4848

Concerts take place rain or shine. Artists and schedules are subject to change. All sales ﬁnal. No exchanges or refunds.

Delta Classic Chastain Concerts at Chastain Park Amphitheater produced by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Promoter

ON SALE NOW!

WITH

THE

SPECIAL

DUKE

GUEST

SPIRIT

AND

PLAIN WHITE T’S

FRIDAY

JULY 3

FRIDAY AUGUST 14

��

ENJOYINCUBUS.COM

JUDAS PRIEST

MYSPACE.COM/INCUBUS

KICKS COUNTRY JAM 2 featuring BIG & RICH Cowboy Troy Craig Morgan

Whitesnake PopEvil August 20

Sunday, August 23

O.A.R.

JOURNEY

Brett Dennen

Friday, August 21

Saturday, September 19

SOUND TRIBE SECTOR 9

��Matt Nathanson

Ghostland Observatory Bassnectar �� Saturday, August 22 Tickets available at all

SUGARLAND

Saturday, September 26

FOR CONCERT UPDATES AND VENUE INFO, VISIT vzwamp.com outlets including Publix Supermarkets.

Charge-by-phone: 1.800.745.3000

Buy online: ticketmaster.com

Tickets also at the box ofﬁce (M-F: noon-4pm, Saturday: 10am-2pm, Closed Sundays). The venue is conveniently located off GA-400 in Alpharetta. All artists and schedules subject to change without notice. Concerts rain or shine.

CONCERT CONNECTION

YOUR TICKET TO CONCERT NEWS – Get news on the hottest concerts sent straight to your phone. Simply text “1400” and enter “Encore” to get information on concerts, performers and more! Standard text messaging rates apply. ©2009 Verizon Wireless

PG 17 • insiteatlanta.com • July 2009

Believe the Hype

MUSIC INTERVIEW

Asher Roth takes his buzzedabout rap act on the road. Suburbia, look your doors! BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS

OR US TO EVEN HINT AT THE THREE guys –Philly’s Asher Roth, Cleveland’s Kid Cudi and A-town’s B.o.B.- heading The Great Hangover Tour this July as the future of hip hop is more than a bit of an exaggeration; it’s actually a slap in the face of fellow upstarts like Drake, Wale and Nipsey Hustle. Still, there is some significance to what Ash and Co. are doing, spreading their respective brands of fitted pants-wearing, non-drug-dealing rap. Already a revelation to MTV nation and those who frequent Asher’s site, www.dailykush.com, this tour marks the first time the 21-year-old Roth, who’s sold about 140,000 copies of his debut Asleep in the Bread Aisle since its April release, has taken his suburban act coast to coast. While we’re on milestones, this also marks for the first time Asher has been featured in this magazine. But based on the depth and clarity of the level-headed MC’s answers below, we’re pretty certain it won’t be the last. Ash, give me a few words that describe yourself. You know, there are words like “quirky” and “fun.” But at the same time, I’m very introverted. I’m also cheating a little bit because I know more about me than a lot of journalists do. A lot of people are just basing their opinions of who I am as a human just off songs like “I Love College” and a little bit off The Greenhouse [Effect mix] album. There are some real attributes out of “I Love College” that are true attributes about me. But for the most part, there’s still a lot more. “I Love College” is sort of its own entity on the album. There aren’t many songs that piggyback off

PG 18 • insiteatlanta.com • July 2009

that whole theme or anything like that. There’s numerous directions that you can go. That’s kind of a good problem to have. What kinds of things did you do at ground level to generate the buzz you’ve received over the past 12 months? I’m letting people into my world. I’m introducing a personality and a lifestyle, not just music and a couple of punchlines here and there. I’m really opening up my world in the sense of when there’s not new music out, there’s a video of me eating apple sauce and being stoned. People can search on a lifestyle and personal basic; rather than being forced to relate purely through music. With the internet, you can do that. You can open up your world visually. It’s a very visual world that we live in. People don’t read interviews anymore. They want people to sit down in a video and watch it. They’re lazy. We live in this world where people want things handed to them on a silver platter. Rather than make it hard on people, I just allow them to step into my life. So, would you have made it five or six years before this current digital boom? The era that I came up in is pretty much 100% digital. It’s just a different time. It’s a different era. There’s a lot more going on. The times have changed. You can’t compare Moses Malone to LeBron James. It’s two totally different ballgames now. It’s just the same thing with music. We’re entering a new generation of hip hop musicians. We’re entering a new generation of how to sell these records and all that. Would the same project work 10 or 15 years ago? Who knows?

A lot of folks have heard you and made the quick Eminem comparison. But I actually hear a lot of Kanye in your approach to the mic. Kanye, even when he experimented with 808s and Heartbreak, has been a mainstay in hip hop for the past decade or so. He’s obviously inﬂuential and inspirational on that level, but that’s pretty much all that stands for. But it’s true. Artists like Em and artists like Kanye have very much opened the door for a project like myself, where regular, everyday topics and a white kid could be successful.

important social skills are. You can’t be socially inept in this world. You have to understand and communicate with people and really fraternize and really socialize. For me, college was 60% socializing and 40% going to class.

What’s been the hardest part about becoming pretty famous so quickly? It’s really not easy. It’s hard work. You’re constantly being inconvenienced. It’s not like I took the easy road out and now Asher’s living the life. There’s work every day. If you get a day off where you don’t have to do anything, it’s an absolute rarity. People are starting to invade your privacy. And being a white kid in hip hop, I’m grilled about Not to stay on Em too long, but how did you manage to politics and race and very serious issues. It’s important for stay sane with all the incessant comparisons? me to have a good head on my shoulders. It’s not an easy It’s funny. A lot of people are answering their questions transition, going from a “normal” lifestyle into very much entering a role of responsibilbefore they even ask me. I’M LETTING PEOPLE INTO ity and being a role model of Just like you did –blah, blah, blah… I don’t even want to 12 or 13 watching what MY WORLD. I’M INTRODUCING kids you do and watching what go there. A lot of people are A PERSONALITY AND A you wear. At some point, all starting to go that direction. They hear the album. They’re of that is going to have to be LIFESTYLE, NOT JUST starting to understand who toned down because of who’s I am. They’re starting to paying attention and who MUSIC AND A COUPLE OF really does matter. It’s really get past the pre-conceived PUNCHLINES HERE AND notions and easy reference about these children. When points. They’re starting THERE. I’M REALLY OPENING I was 12, 13 and I was being me at 0 instead of -10. All influenced by hip hop, UP MY WORLD IN THE SENSE heavily they were telling me how right, this kid isn’t Marshall Mathers. It’s not that bad. It’s OF WHEN THERE’S NOT NEW to behave. I understand I’m whatever. It is what it is. It’s entering that world as well. MUSIC OUT, THERE’S A VIDEO There’s nothing really easy pretty simple and clear-cut. I just know that when the OF ME EATING APPLE SAUCE about that. My whole mentality is going to have to change. album drops, it’s going to be AND BEING STONED. an entirely different ballgame. Tell me a few things you’ve There are many pop culture and sports references in learned about the business in your short time being in your bars. Did the TV babysit you as a child? it. Yeah, there was a little TV in my life. Some video I feel like a lot of people, especially in hip hop, are very, games, playing Tony Hawk and getting into my Playstavery serious. I understand. But at the same time, you have tion [too]. I played a lot of baseball growing up. Sports to relax and realize the world doesn’t revolve around you. You aren’t entitled to nothing. If it wasn’t for the fans that and a good TV show are a part of my life. I love waking up, making a good breakfast, hanging with a honey, came out to the shows and bought the albums, we really watching some Sportscenter and going out and playing don’t exist. So, the whole entitlement thing or I deserve all some wiffleball. Nothing too wild. I’m a very simple kid. It of this, it’s a strange position to take as an artist. All of this was the same way when I was 14. I’d hang with the boys, can end tomorrow. Let’s have some fun and enjoy myself and also talk about some things people don’t want to talk flirt with some local debutants and get some good food. about. Those are things that have helped me gain success. I pretty much haven’t changed. That’s why you hear that youthful exuberance in my music. I still carry some of the I’m genuine and sincere in my actions. I’m not really here same attributes I did when I was 13. to bullshit and fool anybody and put on any façade and put on any song ‘n dance. There are no songs that are the same. They’re all about something. There’s substance. Any regrets about not finishing West Chester UniThere’s content. There’s something going on here. versity? I understood the importance of an education, but when Respected cats like Beanie Sigel and Busta Rhymes you start to go to class and realize you’re not really learnappear on special versions of Asleep. What did they see ing anything and learn some loopholes in the class –a lot in you? of the answers in my Sociology class where in the back Being sincere, being genuine and seeing that you’re of the book- you cut some corners. It changed to where trying to do something progressive for the people [is girls started being ahead of studying for sociology. At the why they attracted to me]. They’re 100% backing that. same time, education is super important. [It’s important] As long as it’s not some bullshit. That stuff gets weeded to be knowledgeable and have questions and understand the world that you live in. People don’t understand how out so fast.

Road Warriors

This Month’s Hottest Shows BY JON LATHAM 7/1  BEYONCE

Philips Arena Call her what you will; Beyonce, Sasha Fierce, whatever. What matters is that voice, alongside a commanding stage presence that makes Mrs. Jay-Z a force to be reckoned with this touring season. All the guys out there with a Beyonce fan on your arm would do good to have this on the calendar. All the single ladies...make it a girls night out.

7/4  311

Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood Considering the summer tour is bread and butter for Omaha natives 311, it is fair to say that they know what the fans want, namely the old songs. What mediocrity the band has cut loose on their more recent studio efforts melts away to reveal a skilled, fun show chock

full of fan favorites like “Down”, “Feels So Good”, and “Applied Science”. Ziggy Marley will be on hand as support.

7/12  JAYZ

Chastain Park On the verge of dropping the Blueprint 3, Hova himself never falters when it comes to the big show. His skill on the mic and his ability to feed off of the crowd make Jay-Z one of the premier live performers in hip-hop today. It won’t take much for him to turn the venue into an extended block party.

7/13  SONIC YOUTH

Variety Playhouse The elder statesmen (and woman) of the noisy New York guitar rock return to Atlanta, reaching a new peak in their 20+ year career. Ever expanding their sonic horizons, Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon, and company refuse to settle for what others would consider a healthy standard. The sold out show will be yet another foray into what sounds they can conjure this time, however beautiful or frightening it may be.

7/15  AEROSMITH/ZZ TOP

Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood Two legendary live acts converge on one stage. Both bands are recognized as legends by name. Why do I need to tell you about them? I won’t insult your intelligence.You know them. They are probably playing somewhere on the classic radio dial as you are reading this. Any rocker can tell you, by name alone that this will be a show not to miss.

7/27  TOOL

Gwinnett Arena Two years seems like a long hiatus to most, but not to Tool. The enigmatic prog-metal four-piece has seen longer breaks. While no plans are made to showcase any new material from the band, Tool carries with them a unique live experience, playing almost in silhouette to a light and laser spectacle unmatched by most. Oh, and the music flat out rocks too. Kind of like Rush, but with a little more Satan.

7/28  DREAM THEATER

The Tabernacle There is no band that harvests the type of fanatical devotion as Dream Theater; they are an entity to themselves. Bringing virtuosity to metal influences,

WE GOT NEXT SCREAMING FEMALES

7/31  RASCAL FLATTS

Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood This one’s for all the Georgia Peaches out there. Country’s prettiest pretty boys are back on the road, making all the cowgirls swoon. Packing a wallop of a romantic punch with their signature harmonies, Rascal Flatts continue to bank on the pop-polished country sound that has scored them hit after hit after hit.

8/8  KISS 104.1 FLASHBACK FESTIVAL 2009

Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood On this summer night in Atlanta go back in time with the world’s funkiest bands. The Barkays, Con Funk Shun, Sugarfoot’s Ohio Players, The Dazz Band and Slave will all be performing on stage. It’s a spectacular funk-a-thon as these icons of funk check their egos at the door and give the people what they want; pure, uninterrupted Old School R&B and everlasting Funk!

Artists on the verge of making it big

Latest Project: Power Move (Don Giovanni) For Fans of: The Ergs, Sonic Youth and Yeah Yeah Yeahs Why You Should Care: Because after two self-released records, the trio has collected fans like Henry Rollins and The Indigo Girls, while Jack White just handpicked the group to open for his new band.

BY JOHN B. MOORE

Dream Theater craft a type of progressive music that is a genre all its own. Also on hand is Dweezil Zappa tribute to the music of his father Frank, aptly named Zappa Plays Zappa.

EW JERSEY’S SCREAMING FEMALES MAY have just hit the indie band lottery. After two self-released records, they decided to put their third album out on a friend’s tiny New Jersey label and started to notice some famous names popping up on the mail order list. Musicians like Henry Rollins and the indigo Girls started raving about the punk rock upstarts. Dinosaur Jr.’s J Mascis and Throwing Muses, all recent converts, asked the Screaming Females to hit the road with them for a while. Flush with a plenty of buzz and a growing fan base, the band was recently asked by Jack White to accompany his new band Dead Weather on its soon to commence world tour. Not bad for a band that doesn’t even have a booking agent yet. Drummer Jarrett Dougherty spoke with us recently

about the band’s recent spate of good fortune, having celebrity fans and advice for fellow DIY bands. What can you tell me about the new record? Power Move is our third full-length and the first one that we didn’t release ourselves. The local New Brunswick, NJ label Don Giovanni Records, run by our friends Joe (Steinhardt ) and Zack (Gajewski), released the album. It was recorded and mixed over the course of a week at the end of November 2008 at The Hunt studio in New Jersey with Eric Bennet engineering… We all feel like it is our best record yet. Our first album “Baby Teeth” was self-recorded in my bedroom to a computer. We didn’t have enough mics or space to be able to record multiple instruments at once. As a result the record came out well but lacked the chemistry and fury that tends to come out in our live shows. After hearing that again and again we decided for our next record, “What if someone is watching their TV?” We would go into a studio and record to analog tape with almost no overdubs. We basically setup in a room and played, laid down one set of vocals, a few hand claps and called it quits. The result definitely did a better job of capturing our live feel but is kind of jarring because of its sparseness. Eric Bennet, the engineer on “Power Move,” did an amazing job of working with us, allowing us to all play at once, in a room together but at the same time was able to create a really amazing vibe with a million different sounds. So the record was able to capture our

chemistry and have a really warm, interesting sound. Are you surprised by how many great musicians have suddenly discovered you? It is pretty awesome to fill record orders from Joseph Mascis and Henry Rollins! I mean reading about those guys and their bands in “Our Band Could Be Your Life” really changed my life. It was kind of surprising to see it actually happen but I wouldn’t say it feels that weird. I mean we have played 300 plus shows and around 40 states, released three full lengths and four 7 inch singles. I guess you would hope that people start to hear about a band after all that! What’s it like going from playing small clubs to opening for folks like J. Mascis and Throwing Muses? Playing with Throwing Muses was an amazing experience. It was our first time playing 500 plus capacity clubs for as many people. The reactions we got from the shows was super reassuring as well. People paid attention and bought records and legitimately seemed to dig what we were doing. To be asked by Throwing Muses, Dinosaur Jr., and The Dead Weather to play shows with them without us having managers or booking agents or any industry favors is really amazing to me. All these people have friends in bands and people they owe favors and everything else. Basically there are a ton of reasons that other bands should be playing these shows but I guess our output, recorded and live, brought us to the top of the heap in their eyes. How did you find out Jack White wanted you to open for his new band? I guess we officially found out when The Dead Weather’s booking agent gave me a call and asked if we wanted to do

the tour. That came about because while on our five week tour in the spring (2009) we played a show at The End in Nashville, TN. After we played a guy came up to me and Marissa and said something like “Hey. I help run a record label.” To which we both immediately thought, “Oh, great, another one of these guys.” We’ve dealt with our fare share of smooth talkers coming up to us after shows with all sorts of promises of fame. Then he cut himself short and said something like, “Wow, I just sounded like such a dumbass.” And we all laughed and I thought that maybe he wasn’t so bad. Turns out that he helps with Jack White’s label Third Man and that he and The Dead Weather / The Raconteurs bassist Jack Lawrence were hanging out at the show. They had no idea who we were before the show. The label guy, Ben, said something along the lines of “I am one jaded guy but you all were awesome!” Any advice to other DIY bands just now starting out? It says it in the name. Do It Yourself. Keep it cheap (“Jam Econo” - Minutemen) Don’t expect people to come knocking on your door with the tour or the record deal or whatever. You’ll be waiting a long time. Go see a bunch of other bands. Music is a community. Shows bring people together. You have to be part of that community and put time into it if you expect to get anything back from it. Do it because you love it and because it is fulfilling. There’s not much money and not a lot of thanks for the hard work. A lot of the time the work and touring and whatnot isn’t exactly fun but if you love it, it is definitely worth it. Don’t drink too much. And I’m pretty sure it was Fugazi that made one of the best suggestions ever, ‘Wash the dishes.’ Your roommates will never forgive you if you don’t and the people you meet on tour will love you forever and keep having you back if you do. PG 19 • insiteatlanta.com • July 2009

MUSIC

��

By B. Love, DeMarco Williams, John Davidson, John B. Moore, Matt Goldberg & Jon Latham

PATTERSON HOOD – MURDERING OSCAR… AND OTHER LOVE STORIES (Ruth St.) Drive-By Truckers frontman gets by with a lil’ help ��

��

�� BLACK JOE LEWIS & THE HONEYBEARS – TELL ‘EM WHAT YOUR NAME IS! (Lost Highway) Soul shouters giving you a retro-funk fix ��

TANYA MORGAN – BROOKLYNATI (Interdependent Media) The address for vintage hip-hop

MARCO POLO & TORAE – DOUBLE BARREL (Duck Down) Boom! Boom! Pap!

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PG 20 • insiteatlanta.com • July 2009

TINTED WINDOWS– SELF-TITLED (S Curve) Power-pop supergroup goes down like sugar �� PREFUSE 73 – EVERYTHING SHE TOUCHED TURNED AMPEXIAN (Warp) & DIAMOND WATCH WRISTS – ICE CAPPED AT BOTH ENDS (Warp) Experimental to the extreme �� R.E.M.– RECKONING [2 CD Deluxe Edition] (A&M) Classic album finally gets the deluxe treatment ��

� � � � � �� L.E.G.A.C.Y. – SUICIDE MUSIC (Hall of Justus) Backpack rap that’s a bit too much on the gloomy tip �� DIPSOMANIACS – SOCIAL CRUTCH (FDR) Boozy rock that would make The Replacements proud �� THE FEATURES – SOME KIND OF SALVATION (Selfreleased) Nashville psych-rockers release a masterpiece ��

MUSIC INTERVIEW

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�� Without a doubt, rap group

Are you an Adult with ADHD who has been taking medication for the past 6 months? You may be eligible to participate in a research study for an FDA approved medication. Symptoms of ADHD include difﬁculty remembering information, difﬁculty concentrating, trouble organizing or completing tasks, and procrastination.

Tanya Morgan’s destined to resurrect vintage hip hop. BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS

ROOKLYN HAS A POPULATION OF roughly 2.5 million. Cincinnati’s number is right around 332,000. Oddly, when the rapping city planners commonly known as Tanya Morgan put the respected metropolises together, they come up with the ﬁctional town of Brooklynati, a refuge for hip hop fans trying to escape trap houses, tacky chains and tight jeans. This isn’t the ﬁrst time MCs Von Pea (from the BK), Ilyas and Donwill (both of Cincy) have taken listeners on a trip. With their ’06 debut, Moonlighting, they guided ears to a place thought long-vacated by the likes of De La Soul and Brand Nubian. Now, with Brooklynati (and the clever multimedia package found at Brooklynati.com), the crew’s taking yet another voyage. INsite just got back from one, in fact, with Von and Donwill as our tour guides. Here are the souvenir quotes we brought back…

Where has Tanya Morgan shown the most growth since Moonlighting? Donwill: Creatively. We’ve learned about acoustics and actually how to put an album together and how to write a song. One of our biggest growths has been the musical portion of everything, how to make our sound evolve. All the processes that we’ve taken have gotten a lil’ more streamlined a bit. We write songs different now. We make beats different now. We mix the songs different now. How far do you think you are from being at that spot where you ultimately want to be? Donwill: That’s a tricky one. You always think you know where you wanna be until you get there. If you’re content with where you want to be, that kinda makes you stop. With the old regime, I feel like it’s a lot of people –I won’t necessarily say they should stop- that have reached a point where they’re so comfortable that sometimes the sound doesn’t evolve anymore. That’s why you get a lot of lackluster albums from people who’ve made incredible albums. It’s not even about pushing the envelope; it’s about pushing yourself. You’re trying to do something you’ve never done. You’re trying to do something to impress yourself. That translates to a new sound or whatever. I definitely don’t think I’m anywhere near where I wanna be. I wanna hear your sound keep evolving. Donwill: It’s got to ‘cuz I come from a personality where if I don’t enjoy doing something, I stop. When I was doing visual arts, there are a lot of times where I was drawing a picture or painting something and I could see it before it was done. I would see how the canvas would fill out. I would see the image. When you’re doing something and you can’t necessarily see the final product, you gotta see it through until it’s finished. I don’t know exactly where 10 years I’ll be musically, but I do know 10 years from now I won’t be this person. What makes Brooklynati special? Von Pea: They’ll see the time was taken, from the music

Qualiﬁed participants may receive studyrelated psychological evaluation(s) and may also receive compensation for time and travel.

to everything that surrounds the album. It’s not built oﬀ of hype. We didn’t spend our time on hype and trying to fool people; instead, we took the time to turn it into a whole aesthetic. It’s like a movie. It’s a whole production. When they see that, they’ll see the time that went into the website, went into the packaging and the whole campaign of the album. It’s obvious that it wasn’t thrown together. That’s deﬁnitely worth their money.

For more information, please call Northwest Behavioral Research Center at

So, is there a way folks can purchase shirts and whatnot with “Brooklynati” on it? Von Pea: We have a survival kit that comes with the t-shirt. It’s like a package, a box. It’s a collector’s box. It comes with a t-shirt and a lot of different things that are in the “city.” [There are] flyers for certain shows and little things from different stores in the town- as well as the CD. Donwill: We have Brooklynati fitted caps. Those will be limited. There will only be 600 produced. Maybe a lil’ bit more than that. There are select retailers [selling them] in the coming months. There will be shirts. We’re just trying to work out the logistics with that. This is your third album. Is the direction and pace of your career going about how you expected? Donwill: Nothing usually happens overnight. You kinda want things to happen fast. But when you look at people where things happen fast… Let’s say you look at a Kid Cudi. His meteoric rise to success happened overnight in the public’s eye. But he’s been grinding that “Day & Nite” record for like a year and a half. I remember hearing that record a long time ago on his MySpace page and etcetera. The pace is never what you want it to be. Even when the pace is on par and things are happening fast, maybe you want the pace to slow down a lil’ bit. The pace will never be what you expect it to be. You have to be in it not necessarily for how fast or slow things happen, but just how things happen. Von Pea: There’s no such thing as having your whole plan mapped out. They’re just asking for it. Step 1: Something will happen and you have to change your whole plan. What are some of your passions beyond making hip hop? Von Pea: Women. My passion is music, as far as art goes. Other than that, it’s family. As far me expressing myself, I give it all to music. You have a family? Von Pea: Not like a wife and kids. I mean, like brothers and sisters and my mom. Donwill: I would agree. I wouldn’t put it on possessions or belongings or say I love something like gummy bears or gym shoes. Those are like passing fascinations. You’ll love sneakers for two years or some shit, but then you’ll get a job where you can’t wear them anymore. I would definitely say the intangible things that I love like family. I do have hella passion for visual arts, but it’s just art in general. Art and family.

770-422-2846 Northwest Behavioral Research Center, Marietta, Ga 30060

Dragon*Con is a star studded event with something for absolutely everyone, including our annual Dragon*Con Parade, Masquerade, Costuming Contest, Cosplay Contest, Dawn Look-Alike Contest, Miss Klingon

Leonard Nimoy

Empire Beauty Pageant, Live Bands and DJs, huge Dealers/Exhibitors Halls, Comic Artists Alley, Art Show

Mary McDonnell

and Exhibits, Independent Short Film Festival, Triple X-treme Wrestling, Gaming, Walk-of-Fame, over 35 Fan Tracks making up over 3,500

Patrick Stewart

hours of programming, and hundreds of Guests!

Malcolm McDowell

For more informations, visit us at www.DRAGONCON.org! PG 21 • insiteatlanta.com • July 2009

INsite’s Music Venue Guide

The best places to hear live music in Atlanta Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood

has it seven nights a week! Expect to see the best national, regional, and upcoming acts while enjoying the laid-back, intimate atmosphere. Check out Devon Allman's Honeytribe (July 7); Carbon Leaf (July 10); Trevor Hall (July 22); Taylor Hicks (August 16).

2002 Lakewood Way 404.443.5000 www.livenation.com

The Tabernacle

152 Luckie Street 404.659.9022 www.livenation.com

Atlanta's largest and premier dedicated concert venue in the Southeast since 1989. Lakewood Amphitheatre was built specifically for popular music, designed to offer a state of the art musical experience for both patrons and performers. Superior sound reproduction, advanced lighting capabilities and clear, unrestricted sightlines make Lakewood Amphitheatre the favorite summer concert site for the avid music fan. Some of their hotly anticipated upcoming shows include: Kid Rock and Lynrd Skynrd (June 28); Aerosmith with ZZ Top (July 15); Marilyn Manson and Slayer (July 24); Vans Warped Tour (July 28); Rascal Flatts with Darius Rucker (July 31); Def Leppard with Poison (August 15).

sized, yet intimate, outdoor venue located in a natural setting in south Cobb County. Nestled amongst trees in the quaint suburbs of Mableton, Georgia, it is a beautifully landscaped and covered amphitheatre which boasts of intimate dining table seating with more than 1200 covered seats and lawn area with a capacity of 2,410 people. Summer performances include: Sarah Evans (August 8); The B-52s (August 14); Peter Frampton (August 19); BB King (September 2).

Philips Arena

100 Centennial Olympic Park 404.584.7825 www.philipsarena.com

Chastain Park

4469 Stella Dr. NW. 404.253.5926 www.classicchastain.com

This turn of the century church turned concert venue attracts some of the biggest national acts. The Tabernacle has recently completed an extensive renovation. Some great shows appearing this summer include: Dream Theater (July 28); Asher Roth & Kid Cudi (August 2); Chickenfoot (August 30).

The Peachtree Tavern

3179 Peachtree Rd. 404.842.1700 www.peachtreetavern.com The Peachtree Tavern offers an intimate setting, a large selection of drinks from the bar, and will pay tribute to the always growing southeast music scene by featuring a wide variety of incredible cover bands, upcoming artists, and nationally acclaimed recording acts. The Peachtree Tavern is recognized as one of the premier spots in Buckhead to build memories with friends, artists, and family. This month check out: Ocean Street (July 2); Trent Tomlinson (July 17); Tyler Reeve (July 18); Reckless (July 24).

Wild Bill's

2075 Market St. 678-473-1000 www.wildbillsatlanta.com Home to the Hawks, Thrashers and now the Atlanta Dream, Atlanta's largest indoor entertainment venue also showcases some great concerts. Highly anticipated concerts this year include: Beyonce (July 1); Jonas Brothers (August 22); Britney Spears with Ciara (September 4).

The Fox Theatre Chastain Amphitheatre is one of the great outdoor concert venues in the country. It is an ideal setting to combine dining al fresco with a diverse range of musical talent. Patrons are encouraged to bring their own food, wine and spirits (when permitted) or take advantage of its preferred caterers and concessions to help enhance their concert experience. Among the top performances for the 2009 season include: Gladys Knight and Smokey Robinson (July 8); Diana Krall (July 11); Chris Isaak (July 25); Tom Jones (July 31); Steely Dan (August 15).

Verizon Amphitheatre

Encore Park in Alpharetta 404.249.6400 www.vzwamp.com

660 Peachtree St. 404.817.8700 www.foxtheatre.org

Masquerade

695 North Ave. NE 404.577.8178 www.masq.com

The city's oldest and most revered venue is best known for its theatrical performances. However they do house musical acts from time to time and many say it is among the best concert atmospheres they have experienced. Upcoming concerts include: Il Divo (July 1).

The Arena at Gwinnett

6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy. 770.813.7600 www.GwinnettCenter.com

The Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre is a state of the art facility. The 12,000 seat venue is located in Alpharetta just minutes off of 400. The amphitheatre is expected to hold approximately 55 events during its inaugural year including concerts, community events and movie nights. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre is also proud to be the outdoor home to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. The highly anticipated shows coming this summer include: Jason Mraz (July 27); The Bob Dylan Show with John Mellencamp and Willie Nelson (July 30); Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: Rodgers & Hammerstein at the Movies (August 1); O.A.R. (August 21); Journey (September 19).

Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre 5239 Floyd Rd, Mableton 770.819.7765 www.mablehouse.org

The Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre is a midPG 22 • insiteatlanta.com • July 2009

Billed as the largest country-music dance club and concert hall in the country, this massive Duluth complex is a weekend hot spot. It has an upscale vibe, with only spotted-cow carpet alluding to its country theme. A multilevel bar overlooks the 5,000-square-foot solid oak dance floor, where country-music fans vie for stomping space. Upcoming shows include: Void Where Prohibited (June 27); Wrongdoing - Sublime Tribute Band & Grassroots - 311 Tribute Band (July 3); Jeffrey Steele (July 11).

As part of the 80 acre Gwinnett Center campus, The Arena is a state of the art 13,000 seat facility hosting concerts and other large events. It boasts widened seats, a high-end sound system along with acoustical enhancements and versatile lighting. Upcoming concerts include: American Idols Live (July 31); Green Day (August 1); Taylor Swift (September 3).

Variety Playhouse

1099 Euclid Ave. L5pts 404.521.1786 www.variety-playhouse.com This is Little Five Points' largest music venue, but it can also be one of its most intimate. The Variety has great acoustics and sound combined with an eclectic mix of artists. Some of the great shows appearing here this summer include: Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers (July 8); Sonic Youth (July 13); Sugar Ray (August 12).

Smith's Olde Bar

1578 Piedmont Ave 404.875.1522 www.smithsoldebar.com If you're looking for live music, Smith's Olde Bar

With three rooms for dancing and lounging and an outdoor deck, this mid-sized concert venue encourages concert-goers to stick around after a show to get their dance on or just chill out amidst its turn-of-the-century architecture. Masquerade attracts a combination of loud rock, 80s retro music, and modern electronics. Expect to see a changing crowd depending on the night. Upcoming Shows include: Hank III & Assjack (July 8); The Psycho Devilles (July 10); Yo Mama's Bigfat Bootie Band (July 16).

Andrews Upstairs

56 East Andrews Dr. 404.467.1600 www.andrewupstairs.com Andrews Upstairs is a 400 capacity music venue, located in Buckhead's West Village boutique district. Considered "Atlanta's most intimate concert setting", Andrews' amphitheater-shaped dance floor hugs the large stage, which is comfortable without being cramped; while the three tiers of stools and tables rise into the back of the room for excellent views of the stage. Upcoming concerts include: Buckhead Beach Party with Drivin n Cryin (July 4); Gary Pfaff & The Heartwells (July 11); Tron Jackson (July 24).

The Earl

488 Flat Shoals Ave. 404.522.3950 www.badearl.com An East Atlanta institution for great live music. Anything and everything can be heard at The Earl and the crowd varies with the bands. National acts and the best of the emerging Atlanta music scene grace the stage nightly to packed crowds. In July catch: The Black Lips (July 2); Chocolate Kiss (July 9); Cracker (July 22 & 23); Silent and Listen (July 29).

Five Spot

1123 Euclid Ave. 404.223.1100 www.fivespot-atl.com

Atlanta's most inclusive music and arts venue features industry nights every Monday, a wild Open Mic Jam on Tuesdays, Jazz Thursdays, and Reggae every third Sunday of each month. On any given night you can catch funk, hip-hop, soul, jazz, blues, or rock fusion performances. Live Art performances every first Friday by premier Atlanta visual artists are a crowd favorite. Upcoming music shows in July include: Holly Howell (July 6); Mystery Trip (July 11); Dappled Grays with Packway Handle Band (July 18); The Diane Durrett Band (July 25).

Center Stage

1374 W. Peachtree St. 404.885.1365 www.centerstage-atlanta.com This multi-level music complex houses Center Stage, The Loft and Vinyl. The Center Stage is the largest of the three and books national acts including: Pete Yorn (July 17); Elbow (August 8); Our Lady Peace (August 14); Sister Hazel (August 22).

Eddie's Attic

Decatur Square. 4.377.4976 www.eddiesattic.com Decatur's most prominent music venue features some of the best acoustical music in the city. Made famous by the frequent appearances of the Indigo Girls, they still offer some great acts. Upcoming performers include: Eddie Kowalczyk (of Live) & David Fountain (July 8); Todd Snider & Holly Golightly (July 16 & 17); Girlyman (August 1); Dar Williams & Stephen Kellog (August 15).

Fat Matt's Rib Shack

1811 Piedmont Rd. 404.607.1622 www.fatmatts.com You like ribs? You like the blues? You can get both seven nights a week. Live music begins at 8pm andcome often, because you never know what blues legend is going to stop in and play. Coming up in July is Frankie's Blues Mission (July 1); Chicken Shack (July 2).

Tin Roof

2591 Briarcliff Road 404.329.4700 www.tinroofcantina.com This popular Tex-Mex Cantina also boasts a indoor stage and huge outdoor patio. They now feature live music every night and are open late, 'till 4am. Tin Roof is run by the guys who brought you CJ's Landing in Buckhead. They have brought with them their huge following and musical acts like: Jon Morrison Band (June 29); Wabi Sabi (July 30); Mike Veal Band (July 1).

10 High

816 N. Highland Avenue 404.873.3607 www.tenhighclub.com The 10 High is located directly below the Dark Horse Tavern in the heart of the Virginia Highlands neighborhood. The venue is a favorite spot for local music lovers and bands as well. Monday nights feature the well-known Metalsome Monday live band karaoke, where everyone is given the opportunity to hop on stage and reincarnate the big hair days.

Star Bar

437 Moreland Ave. 404.681.9018 www.starbaratl.com This Little Five Points music cathedral keeps packing them in. Nothing seems to change here. Romeo Colgne still mixes up the funk disco Tuesday nights and the Elvis Shrine is still alive and well. Upcoming July shows include: Soulphonics & Ruby Velle (July 1); Wreckless Eric & Amy Rigby (July 10); T-Bird & The Breaks (July 24).

The Vortex

L5P - 438 Moreland Avenue 404.688.1828 Midtown- 878 Peachtree St. 404.875.1667 www.thevortexbarandgrill.com This Vortex has always been known for its burgers and excellent selection of booze. Over the years, both the Little 5 Points and Midtown locations have become Atlanta institutions. The Little 5 Points location features live music on Wednesdays and the Midtown location now boasts a comedy club, Laughing Skull Lounge.

MUSIC INTERVIEW

HOME GROWN ZAC BROWN’S SLOW, STEADY STEPS TO STARDOM

BY BRET LOVE

HE NORTH GEORGIA MOUNTAIN town of Dahlonega, which is set at the foothills of the Appalachian range, is primarily known for three things: Gold, as it was the site of the very first gold rush in the United States (which began in 1829 and lasted until the California gold rush began in 1848); wine, with five popular vineyards and wineries in Lumpkin County alone; and bluegrass, the sound of which fills the city’s charming town square every year during the Bear On The Square and Gold Rush Days festivals. It’s a peaceful, pastoral place to raise a family, but it’s also proven surprisingly fertile ground for nurturing musical fruit (particularly when you consider it had less than 4,000 residents as of the last census). Indigo Girl Amy Ray lived here for a while, as did Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles and Widespread Panic frontman John Bell. But perhaps none of Dahlonega’s famous former residents embodies the Southern spirit of this small town as much as Zac Brown, whose bluegrassinfluenced brand of booze-soaked countryrock recently garnered him his first certified Gold album, The Foundation. Although his genre-defying sound has been compared to everyone from Jimmy Buffett to Dave Matthews, Brown grew up steeped in Appalachian culture, living the sort of traditional country life that he would eventually write about with such warmth and affection in songs like “Toes” and “Chicken Fried.” Speaking via telephone during a recent tour stop in Hawaii, the singer-songwriter remembered his childhood growing up in Dahlonega and the even smaller town of Cumming. “Most of my brothers and sisters are older– the oldest is 21 years older than me– so a lot of them were in college or had families of their own by the time I was growing up. My dad had been through so many kids that I was able to throw knives at 4 years old. When I was 10,” he admits with an incredulous laugh, “there’s a picture of me dragging a shotgun though the dirt. My dad taught me how to fish and hunt and do things outdoors. After school we’d always go fishing or swimming, going out on the lake or playing in the Chestatee River and just spending time outside, which was great.” Influenced in part by his father (who played guitar) and mother (who sang in the church choir), Brown began his musical education very early in life. He started studying classical guitar at the age of seven and, by his own admission, played his guitar everywhere he went. He got his first CD player shortly thereafter, getting CDs from Garth Brooks, The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac and The Eagles before expanding his collection to include

classic ‘60s and ‘70s singer-songwriters such as James Taylor, Jim Croce, Dan Fogelberg, Gordon Lightfoot, America and Bread. But one of his biggest musical influences came in the form of his older brother, Wen. “He played guitar and banjo, so he’s the one that got me into bluegrass music,” Brown recalls warmly. By the age of 14, as a student at South Forsyth High School, Brown had begun writing bits and pieces of so many songs that his parents were often being called about their son’s constant daydreaming. By his own admission, “I have a lot of nervous energy and my brain kinda drifts off.” “As everything got a little further along I was starting to play the folk stuff,” he recalls of his early artistic evolution, “and when I heard them sing I was like, ok, this is what I want to do. [In your teen years] you experience love and relationships and you have that first real heartache where you think you’re gonna die. You just think your life is over. So that was what I was writing about then, just to get through it. Even now when I listen back to those songs, I realize music has an amazing way of getting you through your trials and tribulations.” But troubled romance wasn’t the only struggle Brown had to endure on the long and winding road to success in the music business. True to his blue-collar roots, the

singer recalls working a series of odd jobs that he insists gave him a better foundation for writing songs that speak straight to the heart of anyone raised in the South. “I’ve worked everywhere,” he says with a laugh. “I worked at McDonalds. I worked at this place called the Wagon Wheel, which was a catfish restaurant where I’d work in the back frying up fish. I worked as an apprentice jeweler for a year when I was 15. I owned my own restaurant near Lake Oconee (called Zac’s Place) and had all my own recipes. I built the place out and my dad helped me with all the start-up paperwork. So I know how to get my hands dirty, and I think knowing what that means absolutely can help you [as a songwriter], because if you never know anything else but music then you expect to be taken care of. I’ve been the person I write about in my music since day one.” By 2004 the singer-songwriter had decided to eschew the solo route in favor of forming the Zac Brown Band. Bassist John Hopkins and fiddler extraordinaire Jimmy de Martini were the first to join, with Coy Bowles (guitar, organ) and drummer Chris Fryar coming into the fold later. Their selfreleased debut album, Far From Einstyne, came out that year, with Home Grown released a year later. But it was largely through intense, extended stretches of tour-

I THINK IT’S SO VALUABLE THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE TRENCHES AND REALLY LEARN HOW TO ENTERTAIN PEOPLE. WHETHER IT’S FIVE PEOPLE AT A BAR OR 15,000 PEOPLE AT AN ARENA, IT’S INVALUABLE THAT THE HARD WORK GETS DONE.

ing that the band initially began making a name for themselves. “We took off and were playing six hours a night for five nights a week when we got our first tour going,” Brown recalls proudly. “We had negotiated with a club in Panama City to pay us $150 a night, but it was a guarantee if we did 10 nights in a row for six hours a night for $1500, and we toted our own gear. That was just the way we traveled. It’s an old school, grassroots approach to building up a fan base that goes in direct contradiction to the current wisdom of using MySpace marketing, or a hot iTunes single, or the perfect placement of a song in a hit TV show or film to create an overnight success story. But if Brown is to be believed, he wouldn’t have had it any other way. “I think it’s so valuable that you should have to go through the trenches and really learn how to entertain people,” he insists passionately. “Whether it’s five people at a bar or 15,000 people at an arena, it’s invaluable that the hard work gets done. There are a lot of ways now for people to try to get exposure so that they can become famous before they become accomplished. It’s kinda backwards, but people who really love music and dedicate their life to music can see through that. You have to work hard.” Last year saw the band inking a couple of high-profile deals that quickly put their name on the national music map, starting with being chosen as the first group signed to Live Nation’s fledgling record label. Unfortunately when Chairman Michael Cole resigned from the company to serve as an independent consultant, Live Nation shelved its label plans and went back to its previous business model as the world’s largest concert promotion company. But fortunately, it took mere months for Brown to ink a new contract with Atlantic Records. “Live Nation paid us to leave, so we were able to strike a partnership with Atlantic.” Better still, Brown’s years spent on the road building up a fervent following gave him an enormous amount of bargaining power when it came time to hammer out his first major label deal. “I was able to sign a pure split with Atlantic, so we were at the best possible leveraging point that we could be in with the negotiations. In the future, Brown will continue to focus on his band’s five-year plan. “Five years from now we’re gonna be better as musicians, playing and writing songs all the time. We’re gonna have our own stage production out on the road with us so that we can accompany our music with video screens and other background images. I just want us to grow as a band. And every show of ours that someone comes to see, I want them to see us as that much better…” PG 23 • insiteatlanta.com • July 2009

2009

MUSIC

SUMMER MUSIC PREVIEW

BY JON LATHAM, BRET LOVE, DEMARCO WILLIAMS, AND JOHN B. MOORE: COMPILED BY JON LATHAM

S IT IS IN THE SPIRIT OF THE season, Summer has always gone better with a soundtrack. If one could pinpoint the number of mixtapes and iPod playlists, full of the great old Jimmy Buffett tunes, the harmonious message of the Bob Marley jams, the party-starting flavor of the hottest hip-hop beats; it would be close to infinite. Every person has their own unique taste and style. And this summer reflects that as the American festival circuit continues to expand. While some may cling closely to a specific genre to cater to the package-deal fans, most destination festivals continue to push forward with wider varieties of artists and activities. Even if the furthest from work you can get this summer is home, no need to fear. On the home front, big name artists are bringing the heat this summer with a healthy batch of new releases that will make for a new enjoyable break from the monotony of the same five albums that have been in your car since January. It’s time for a breath of new life into that old playlist of yours and INsite has taken time to do the hard work for you, So here it is, kiddos. Save the dates, mark your calendar, and make the plans. Summer is ripening with a slew of new adventures in song just for you. Let’s get ready, ‘cause this one’s going to be a scorcher.

FESTIVALS AND TOURS June 26- Aug. 23 VANS WARPED TOUR Punk rock summer camp comes to town again. The Warped Tour, now in its 14th year boasts its best line up in years. With a stronger emphasis on more established punk bands this year, after a couple summers spent catering to emo kids, the lineup includes Bad Religion, UK Subs, Bouncing Souls, Anti-Flag, NOFX (on some dates), Less Than Jake and Flogging Molly. Also some great up-and-coming bands worth seeing like Broadway calls, Gator Face, Nevershoutnever, Cheap Girls and Fake Problems. (JM) July 2-5 HIGH SIERRA MUSIC FESTIVAL; QUINCY, CA High times and good tunes are the key factors to this laid-back, jam-friendly festival in Northern California. Compared to some of the larger festivals in the country, tickets are quite aﬀordable, and attendance won’t be nearly as cramped. Acts this year include festival circuit favorites such as John Butler, Ani Difranco, Umphrey’s McGee, DeVotchKa, Bluegrass legend Del McCoury, New Orleans’ Galactic, and the incomparable fun-loving Leftover Salmon. (JL) July 2-5 ROTHBURY; ROTHBURY, MI Are you one of the many hippies that remain unenthused by eccentric mix that Bonnaroo has PG 24 • insiteatlanta.com • July 2009

brought to their line-ups? In it’s second year on the map, Rothbury caters to the Deadheads, literally. The Dead make a special summer appearance, along with Bob Dylan, and a one-off reunion gig by the String Cheese Incident. Also joining in the festivities is a down-home blend of sounds from the Black Crowes, Willie Nelson, Soulive, Les Claypool, Guster, and Ralph Stanley among many others. (JL) July 10-12 FORECASTLE FESTIVAL; LOUISVILLE, KY That’s right achievers, more than just Lebowskifest comes out of Louisville.No, we’re not talking about the Derby. Forecastle is in its 8th year, and the festival boasts a heaping helping of rich music from over 65 bands and DJ’s. Standout performers include sets from the Black Keys, the Avett Brothers, Zappa Plays Zappa, the Yonder Mountain String Band, and 2 nights of music from Widespread Panic. (JL) July 10-Aug. 15 ROCKSTAR MAYHEM FESTIVAL Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman is doing for metal what he did for punk rock, bringing the music to the masses (black masses in this instance). Only two years old, this year’s tour is bringing out some pretty big name metal bands like Marilyn Manson, Slayer, Killswitch Engage and Bullet for My Valentine. The side stages will host bands like Cannibal Corpse, Job for a Cowboy, Trivium, God Forbid and a handful of other morbidly creative named groups. (JM) July 18-19 MILE HIGH MUSIC FEST; COMMERCE CITY, CO In the Colorado mountains, hidden away from the rest of the festival scene, Mile High Music Fest promises two days of mountain music (minus the Alabama song of the same name. The big ace up Mile High’s sleeve is a headlining performance by Tool, their first live performance since 2007 which will kick off a summer tour for the group. Also featured in the line-up are radio favorites the Fray, Incubus, feel-good jams from G. Love &Special Sauce, and the power of Ben Harper & Relentless7. Day Two boasts performances by blues legend Buddy Guy, as well as Gov’t Mule, Thievery Corporation and Gogol Bordello (JL) July 22-25 10,000 LAKES MUSIC FESTIVAL; DETROIT LAKES, MN At the 10,000 Lakes Festival, boasting five stages with four days worth of acts, quantity is on par with quality. Sure, it’s a nice little trek to Detroit Lakes, but the destination is just the beginning. Widespread Panic continue pinging off the corners of the country, hitting what seems to be every festival on the way. Along with Panic’s two-night stay, you can expect a fan-friendly set from Dave Matthews Band. Rounding it all out is a night with Wilco, who continue to cement their status as one of America;s premier live acts. Be sure to venture out to catch Sharon

Jones and the Dap Kings laying down some old school soul, street prophet Todd Snider delivering his heartland guitar sermons, and England’s greatest American band, Gomez. (JL) July 31-Aug. 2 ALL POINTS WEST; LIBERTY STATE PARK, NJ Right across the river from New York, on the cusp of Springsteen country, All Points West boasts a bigname array of music acts along with comedians to boot. The Beastie Boys and Tool will hit up Liberty State Park as one of their respective festival stops, while Coldplay, still on tour in support of the phenomenal Viva La Vida record, make a headlining appearance on night three. Just in its second year, the big guns ﬂeshing out the lineup include MGMT, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Vampire Weekend, and Neko Case among others. If that’s not enough, legendary acts My Bloody Valentine and Echo & the Bunnymen will be performing, as well. (JL) August 1-2 NEWPORT FOLK FESTIVAL, NEWPORT, RI Celebrating its 50th year, the granddaddy of all destination festivals has assembled an impressive lineup that simultaneously respects the history of folk music while providing young’uns with the hipster acts they worship Zach Braﬀ for introducing them to. The Decemberists, Fleet Foxes, Avett Brothers, Iron & Wine, Brett Dennen, Gillian Welch, Niko Case and Ben Kweller are all slated to appear, as are big-name legends such as Arlo Guthrie, Joan Baez, Mavis Staples, Judy Collins and Pete Seeger, who headlines both nights. (BL) August 7–9 LOLLAPALOOZA; CHICAGO, IL With over 130 bands playing eight stages over the course of three days, this monolithic remnant of the 120 Minutes era remains vital against all odds. The lineup remains as eclectic as ever, with ‘80s and ‘90s icons such as Depeche Mode, Jane’s Addiction, Tool, Snoop Dogg and Beastie Boys sharing the spotlight with heirs to their modern rock and hip-hop thrones, including TV On The Radio, Asher Roth, Vampire Weekend, Atmosphere and Animal Collective. With a Lou Reed set and a DJ tent featuring A-Trak and Simian Mobile Disco, there should be something for just about everyone.(BL) Sept. 5-7 BUMBERSHOOT; SE ATTLE, WA Seattle boasts the best Labor Day weekend celebration year after year, thanks to the long-running Bumbershoot arts festival. This year is no exception. The full line up has yet to be announced, but so far, Modest Mouse, Sheryl Crow, Franz Ferdi-

nand, Todd Snider, World Party, Katy Perry and a ton of other bands are slated to perform at the nearly 40-year-old festival. Comedians like Todd Barry, Doug Benson, Eugene Mirman and David Cross are also on board for the event. (JM)

ALBUM RELEASES July 7 ALL TIME LOW Nothing Personal (Hopeless) The foursome from Baltimore were still in high school when they started touring and eventually recording. With a couple of EPs and a full length to their name, the band is finally out with a new one for Hopeless Records. The band stands out from the slew of recent pop-punk start-ups who rely on little more than a pair of skinny jeans and a whole lot of underserved bravado simply because they know how to write solid songs. Inspired by 90’s pop punk bands like Green Day and Blink 182, expect plenty of songs about girls and romance gone bad. (JM) MAXWELL BLACKsummers’night (Columbia) It’s been eight long years since the last album from this Brooklyn-bred neo-soul crooner, and the urban music scene has undergone a complete transformation since then. But given the fact that his 2008 tour sold out at every stop with no new material to support it, Maxwell may have R&B’s most loyal fanbase. The self-produced BLACKsummer’snight, the first album in a planned trilogy, finds him working with a 10piece band. From the lovelorn lullaby of “Pretty Wings” and the jazz-influenced “Stop The World” to the inspirational “Help Somebody,” it’s arguably his most ambitious artistic statement to date. (BL) SON VOLT American Central Dust (Rounder) Jay Farrar and Son Volt found a radio hit in “Drown” off their first release Trace, but they eventually slipped under the radar with their next two albums, eventually dissolving around the time Farrar’s Uncle Tupelo bandmate Jeff Tweedy was gaining ground with his outfit known as Wilco. Farrar reformed the band with a fresh line-up in 2004. The new album has a more somber approach than their last effort, The Search, and strips down the sound a bit to let Farrar’s lyrics take front and center. The sonic fuzz of “When the Wheels Don’t Move” recalls Son Volt’s Neil Young influence. The pedal-steel whine on tracks like “Dust of Daylight” and “Pushed Too Far” show Farrar did well by sticking to the roots of the Alt. Country sound he helped to define. (JL) July 14 DAUGHTRY Leave This Town (19/RCA)

Are you an Adam Lambert fan still reeling from his American Idol loss to Kris Allen? If you’ve been following the career of Chris Daughtry (who sold over 4 million copies of his debut, becoming the show’s biggest success since Kelly Clarkson), you know coming in second may be the best thing that could’ve happened to Glambert. Produced by Howard Benson, Leave This Town features a grittier rock sound, though lead single “No Surprises” (co-written by Chad Kroeger of Nickelback) is the sort of lighterwaving anthem that made “Home” a smash success. Only time will tell if his sophomore CD will follow suit. (BL) THE DEAD WEATHER Horehound (WEA/Reprise) Jack White tends to get a lot of comparisons to guitar heroes like Jimmy Page when he’s riffing it out with the White Stripes or the Raconteurs. With his newest outfit, White sits down behind the drums, bringing the thunderous backbeat to the garage rock sounds of the Dead Weather. At the mic is Alison Mosshart from London rockers The Kills. Fleshing out the four piece is guitarist Dean Fertita (Queens of the Stone Age) and and fellow Raconteur Jack Lawrence on bass. “Hang You From the Heavens”, one of the tracks that has streamed on the band’s site, boasts drum work by White that crashes with Bonham’s thunder. Mosshart delivers some soaring vocals that bring melody to the distortion laced work by Fertita and Lawrence. Certainly, this is one album the rock scene will be talking about. (JL) TIME & DISTANCE Gravity (Not Alone) Charleston, WV is not exactly known as the Mecca for emo rock – or any other genre of rock is we’re being technical – but the third release from natives Time & Distance may change that. Having just finished recording with current goto producer Rob Freeman (Cobra Starship, Hit the Lights, Houston Calls), the band is expected to road test the songs all summer long. (JM) July 21 IAN HUNTER Man Overboard (New West Records) Ian Hunter is in the midst of a landmark year, most notably highlighted by the upcoming five shows by the reunited Mott the Hoople in London this October. With tickets going fast, all the not-so-young dudes can at least look forward to hearing Hunter’s thirteenth solo release. Picking up where his last release, Shrunken Heads, left off, Hunter brings back producer and guitarist Andy York along with a good chunk of the other musicians from the same sessions. At home on a new level, Ian is still proving that Cleveland rocks. (JL) SUGAR RAY Music for Cougars (Universal) Oh Sugar Ray, we knew you’d be back. How long could Mark McGrath be content just serving as co-host of a vapid entertainment show like Extra, when he could go back to making vapid pop records with a faux-reggae edge. The band returns with their fifth record – and first in nearly 10 years. Expect Xeroxed copies of songs what worked well in the past like “Some Day” and “Falls Apart” (JM) August 11 COBRA STARSHIP Hot Mess (Decaydance) It’s hard to explain just what’s so compelling about the emo dance pop outfit Cobra Starship. Fronted by former Midtown member Gabe Saporta, Everything about the band seems calculated, from the made-up back story about a cobra biting Gabe and inspiring the band to the overuse of

synthesizers (they have a keytar player) and the group’s reliance on pop culture references to remain relevant (their first hit was “Snakes on a Plane”). Regardless the kids at Hot Topic love them some Cobra Starship. More servings of the band are finally available at the end of summer when they roll out their third release. Expect leftovers. (JM) RAEKWON Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II (Icewater/EMI) Wu Nation, we’re feeling really good about this one. It’s been 13 years –yep, read that line again!- since Raekwon the Chef cooked up his first batch of felony-filled tales of Shaolin street life. If the neck-achingly good “New Wu” single is of any indication, this second helping of NY grit and wit will taste remarkably similar. If you’re wondering, all of the usual cooks (Ghostface, Method Man, etc) are on board. Some new ones (Dr. Dre, the late J. Dilla) are behind the beats in the kitchen too. (DW) August 18 LIL WAYNE Rebirth (Cash Money/Universal) You can fool the public a lot of the time. But you aren’t gonna get the masses all of the time. We know Weezy, one of the industry’s brightest stars, probably thought, “Hey, I’m gonna do a rock-infused record and people will buy it in bunches.” Ha! Just ‘cuz your name’s attached, doesn’t mean people will settle for irritating crap like “Prom Queen.” Cash Money/Universal won’t say it, but the masses’ tepid acceptance of leaked singles has something to do with the project facing more delays than AirTran. Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz and others help Wayne’s vision get off the ground (DW) SEAN PAUL Imperial Blaze (VP/Atlantic) Across this country and the Caribbean, Sean Paul is unquestionably considered one of the guys DJs seek out if their intent is getting clubs into a sweltering flurry. Now 36, the platinum reggae star hopes to change said image up just a smidge with more socially-relevant material, particularly the plight of poor youth in his native Jamaica. He knows MTV VJs probably don’t wanna hear that, but after Stephen “D. Genius” McGregor creates his festive backdrops, they’ll have a change of heart. (DW) August 25 COLBIE CAILLAT Breakthrough (Universal Republic) It starts in her toes, into your ears, and now

that damn song won’t get out of your head. On the strength of songs like “Bubbly” and “Realize”, Colbie Caillat staked her claim as Malibu’s premier laid-back lady. Her catchy songs resonated with listeners who have connected to the freespirited nature of Jack Johnson and Jason Mraz. Her sophomore effort has been in the works for a bit now, and high hopes from fans reason that Colbie will be able to let her sound evolve. I guess we shall see if she breaks through, breaks down, or if her formula is just plain broke. (JL) DOLORES O’RIORDAN No Baggage (Zöe/Rounder) Though rumors have swirled in recent years that ‘90s alt-rockers The Cranberries would reunite and cash in on nostalgia, frontwoman O’Riordan instead elected to release her second solo album. The sound is much more intimate than that of her former band, inspired by the native Irishwoman’s quiet life as a mother of three living in the woods of Ontario, Canada in recent years. “I probably haven’t worn my heart on my sleeve like this since the second Cranberries album,” she told her hometown newspaper, promising confessional material that taps into “my true emotions.” (BL) September 1 WHITNEY HOUSTON Untitled (Arista) Blessed with one of the finest voices your ears have ever heard, Whitney Houston is a talent that not even drugs, divorce and damaging headlines could destroy. This yet-untitled album is Houston’s seventh –The New Jersey native has sold over 170 million records worldwide, by the way- and probably one of her most anticipated. Legendary songwriter Diane Warren helps out on “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength.” Legendary party starter Swizz Beatz assists on “Mill Dollar Bill.” (DW) September 8 PETE YORN & SCAR LETT JOHANSSON Break Up (Atco/Rhino) Scarlett made a bold move debuting her singing talents with a collection of David Sitek-produced Tom Waits covers. Critics were split, as Sitek’s production tended to obscure Scarlett’s voice, opening up doubt that the actress had a singing voice at all. Here, she has found a more suitable collaborative effort with singer-songwriter Pete Yorn. Consisting of eight Yorn-penned originals, plus a cover of the Big Star song “I Am the Cosmos”, Yorn keeps the production sound minimalistic, and it does wonders to suit Scarlett’s sound. Her smokey voice fits nicely into lead-off single “Relator”. This teaming up could do for Johansson what She and Him did for Zooey Deschanel . (JL)

September 11 JAYZ Blueprint 3 (Roc Nation) Beyond Dr. Dre’s Detox and Drake’s fulllength debut, B3 is arguably the most-eagerly awaited rap record of the year. How can it not be? You heard the venom the Jigga Man spat on “D.O.A.” Even at album No. 11, Hove is still at the pinnacle of his game. With Kanye producing most of the tracks here, this should make for the blueprint of all soul-draped, Auto Tune-free hip hop of the immediate future. That this new one drops on the eighth anniversary of the classic first installment only seems right. (DW) September 22 SEAN “DIDDY” COMBS Last Train To Paris (Bad Boy) Diddy’s done the hip hop thing. Diddy’s done the pop thing. Diddy’s even done the hip pop thing. When he gets onboard this next Train, he won’t get off until he’s reached a place for the electro/funk/soul/hip hop lover in all of us. We know that sounds a lil’ trippy –The album concept of a guy losing love, finding it, losing it again and finding it one last time is peculiar too- but the ever-enterprising Sean Combs surrounded himself with just the right folks (hit-makers like The Dream, The Neptunes and T-Pain) to, hopefully, paint a picture as vibrant as Toulouse in mid July. (DW) BEASTIE BOYS Hot Sauce Committee (Capitol) From Jimmy Fallon’s couch to every summer festival known to man, the Beasties have been damn near everywhere lately hyping their follow-up to 2007’s all-instrumental album, The Mix-Up. The band has promised a classic party album featuring guest spots by hipsters such as Santogold, with Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz promising Billboard magazine a very political album, “if toilet talk and fart jokes are political.” Still, given their activity in organizing and headlining the Get Out & Vote Tour, don’t be surprised if references to Obama and sociopolitical change sneak their way in among the sophomoric antics. (BL) DAVID GRAY Draw the Line (Mercer Street) This British singer/songwriter’s first new album since 2005’s Life Is Slow Motion was written amidst a period of massive change. First Gray found himself without a record label contract, then he elected to challenge himself by starting fresh with a brand new band. The result is one of his most ambitious and multi-faceted albums to date, including a duet with Jolie Holland on a quiet ballad called “Kathleen” and Annie Lennox on the album closer, “Full Steam Ahead.” Which, given the fact that Gray is calling this a phenomenally fertile creative period, may soon be an apt description for his resurgent career. (BL) PEARL JAM Backspacer (Self-Released) The Seattle legends’ first CD since 2006 is notable for two reasons: It’s the first album self-released by the band after an 18-year relationship with Sony, and it’s being released in partnership with Target, one of the country’s biggest retail corporations. Et tu, Pearl Jam? Fortunately, the deal allows the band to distribute via indie retailers as well, leaving the band’s famously anti-corporate stance moderately intact. Produced by Brendan O’Brien, with the video for lead single “The Fixer” shot by Cameron Crowe, the album will either establish Pearl Jam as grunge’s most durable act or showcase a band well past their creative prime. Regardless, you can almost hear sellout-crazed bloggers salivating for their chance to slam it. (BL)

PG 25 • insiteatlanta.com • July 2009

MUSIC INTERVIEW

Late Bright With Tommy Keene A Candid Convo With A Power Pop Legend

BY JOHN B. MOORE

fantastic song to rule the earth!! Besides that absolutely nothing has changed. OR NEARLY THREE DECADES NOW, Tommy Keene has been quietly churning out Have your musical influences changed much from your jangly, guitar-driven power pop masterpieces first records to the newer ones? while everyone from R.E.M. to Matthew Sweet managed to snag all of the glory… not to mention the magazine Not really I tend to like what I like- be it brand new or covers. Though he spent most of the ‘90s as a freelance 40 years old. I have a set basis of classic-in the best sense guitarist working for former Replacements frontman of the term-rock that is a blueprint from which I draw. Paul Westerberg and Velvet Crush, he’s just released In The Beatles, The Who, The Stones, Dylan etc. No matter The Late Bright, 11 songs of brilliant pop/rock that rival what the current trend is you can’t go wrong with that anything he’s done before. template. Keene, who has also been a constant collaborator with Guided Do you think power pop is By Voices frontman Bob THERE’S A CERTAIN finally getting the recognition Pollard, spoke with us about AMOUNT OF the genre deserves? the new record, working with No, not at all. I’m appalled Pollard and why power pop is CRAFTSMANSHIP THAT when I browse on MySpace and not experiencing a resurgence, DESPITE VARYING people call themselves power despite what you may have pop, which these days is any been told. TRENDS IN THE MUSIC band with loud guitars and BUSINESS OR TASTES IN semi-melodic hooks in that tired What can you tell me about format invented by the new record? GENERAL, IS SOMETHING soft/loud The Pixies and done to death by As with any Tommy Keene I WOULD HOPE PEOPLE Nirvana and all their imitators. record, most importantly good songs! There’s a certain amount CAN COUNT ON. I’M Are you still recording and of craftsmanship that despite touring with Robert Pollard? BASICALLY MAKING varying trends in the music How did the two of you first business or tastes in general, is RECORDS THESE DAYS meet? something I would hope people I played guitar on his last tour AND FOR MYSELF can count on. I’m basically behind The Boston Spaceships making records these days for BELIEVE ME I AM THE debut LP Brown Submarine and myself and believe me I am the recently did a little guitar part on harshest critic!! HARSHEST CRITIC! a song from their forthcoming third album 0 to 99, out this fall. Any songs on In The Late A mutual writer/friend hooked us up which lead to me Bright you’re particularly proud of? opening some GBV shows in ‘03/’04 to my playing guitar One especially: ”Elevated.” It’s an instrumental, a very with him live in ‘06 and ‘08 and us doing the collaboration atmospheric guitar fest! I started off with the intention of doing a whole album in this mode, but the inevitable pop/ record Keene Brothers-Blues And Boogie Shoes. rock songs just kept coming. People have been saying it’s Do you have plans to re-release any of your earlier a welcome departure from me-which I like. I’m a guitar albums? playing singer/songwriter first and foremost and a lot Actually we are talking about a Best of Tommy Keene of people in this genre don’t especially come from that two-disc set, which will hopefully come out this fall, school. covering 1982-2009. You’ve been recording and touring for more than two Is there any new music you’re listening to lately that decades now. How has the music business changed in really impresses you? that time? Bob Pollard’s albums never fail to turn me on. He has Besides obvious answers or whatever the state of the four or so that will be released this year! music biz is in, you still have to have a gimmick, or one

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�� (404) 842-9997 PG 26 • insiteatlanta.com • July 2009

MUSIC INTERVIEW

I FEEL A HOT ONE Manchester Orchestra’s Bid To Become Your Favorite Band

BY JOHN B. MOORE

ANCHESTER ORCHESTRA WAS NEVER really meant to be a big deal. The band initially started out as little more than a solo project for a teenage Andy Hull with a revolving cast of musicians. The group however, soon took up most of Hull’s time and a when a full-time line up stuck – including drummer Jeremiah Edmond and bassist Jonathan Corley - the Atlanta indie rock band decided to soldier on to see what would happen. The group self-released an EP, which lead to their full length debut in 2006, the promising “I’m Like a Virgin Losing a Child.” Another EP quickly followed, stoked critical praise and a growing fan base, but it’s the powerful second full-length, “Mean Everything to Nothing” that will likely introduce the band to the rest of the world. Edmond, calling in from a New York hotel room the day before the band plays a sold out show at The Bowery and taping a segment for David Letterman’s show, spoke with InSite about the band’s early beginnings, why “Virgin” wasn’t quite ready for mass consumption and the group’s recent record deal. I wanted to start out by talking about how you all first go together. Andy (Hull) started the band originally in high school and it started out just as a solo project for him. It was actually just going to be a rotating cast (of musicians). He eventually ended up getting some member and homeschooled himself to make the first record during his senior year. It just kind of developed into an actual band. I met the guys through some other fiends I was working with in the studio. We just got to be really good friends. They asked me if I wanted to try out. I did and I was horrible. I hadn’t played drums in three years and didn’t practice before. It was awful. I got my chops back quickly and they said “We can work with this.” Are you originally from Atlanta, too? No, I’m actually from Hilton Head, SC. Down the coast. How’d you end up in Atlanta? I went to school and ended up getting a job here working for (producer) Dan Hannon. He produced “Virgin” (Manchester Orchestra’s debut “I’m Like a Virgin Losing a Child”). How I eventually got to know the band is because I was working on a record with Dan and this other band who knew (Manchester Orchestra). Then Robert (McDowell, guitar) joined the band after interning at the studio. When we did “Virgin,” he was around the whole time. He also grew up with the guys in the band. It kind of all finally came together as a cohesive group. You were with the band in the studio for the first record. How was it different this time around? It was definitely a much different process as far as the planning and the work that went into it. “Virgin” we made simply because we needed to make a record. We had these new songs and the band had changed personnel so much that we just needed to get our new songs down, so we did it out of necessity. With this record there was just so much more going on. There was so much planning and all the rules that go into it, you can just get clouded by all of the chaos and stuff going on. So we just went in our rehearsal space and started writing. We were writing about a song a day. We wrote the whole record in about 13 or 14 days. Then Joe (Chicarrelli, producer for “Mean Everything to Nothing”) came in and we did pre-production and started tracking it live in Nashville. It was tough because Joe was pretty demanding. He really pushed us until he got the great performances he was looking for, even if it took eight or 12 or 20 takes. The last album, we had played the songs live for so long; these we had just written. They were really still developing as we were in the studio. Was there anything you guys were listening to that really affected or inspired the sound of this record? Yeah, we’ve always listened to Weezer a lot. “Pinkerton”

has been one of our favorite records for a long time. We ended up drawing a lot of influence sonically – how we wanted the record to sound. Not necessarily the song structures, but there were different elements we really wanted to pull from Nirvana and Weezer and early Foo Fighters and early Jimmy Eats World. We wanted to make a record that inspires the same emotion and has the same sonic characteristics. “Pinkerton” is one of those albums that was kind of seen as a disappointment when it was first released, but really stands up over time. Yeah, it’s kind of like “How did everyone miss that?” The Blue album was so huge and then

needed and we also knew we could trust the owner and that they believed in our vision and or long term career. We really had to hold the reins and make sure they stuck with us, We didn’t want “I’m Like a Virgin Losing a Child” to be our introduction to the world. We weren’t ready. There was a lot of holding back until this record was finished. Are you pleased with the amount of control they’ve given you guys? Yeah. And we’ve been able to pretty much retain complete control… We’re incredibly pleased to have an incredible team that believes in us and is fighting for us. We’re incredibly lucky because not many artists are able to say that.

“Pinkerton” came out and everyone kind of dismissed it and you would hear it a few years later and think “Oh my God. This is amazing. How did I miss this?”

What can you tell me about the band’s label? Well, Andy and I run Favorite Gentlemen and it started out just as a simple artist community. We realized there were so many bands around Atlanta, and that we toured with, that were amazing and just trying to make it. We figured if we sort of banded together and threw the same logo on our records and tried to support each other, any attention one of us got would feed into the others. It just seemed to make sense to us and it kept growing. When we signed, we ended up getting some funding for the label and some distribution, so know we are able to run the label like a fully functioning label. We signed some bands and now we’re able to put out some records.

You guys were obviously courted by a lot of labels. Why did you decide to go with Canvasback? Our whole thing going into it was never to sign a deal. We set ourselves up to be successful on our own as much as we possibly could. Our whole goal was to tour and be able to survive on our own. Do everything ourselves until the right partner came along and it made sense. We weren’t banking on a deal to make our career. We never had any idea we would be in a major label family. The beautiful thing about where we did end up with Canvasback is that we were able to partner our label, Favorite Gentlemen, with them and Canvasback is just a small indie under the umbrella of a larger label. We were able to retain the control that we

You guys obviously spent a lot of time on the road touring with the last record. Do you plan to keep up that momentum on the road with this one? Yeah. The way we structured the band, and kind of how you have to do it now, is that you have to be out there on the road. That’s where you make your career in music now. I come from the studio world and I love making records, probably even more than I like playing live half the time, but (playing live) is where you make your living now. There’s something there that you simply can’t capture on a record. We’ll definitely play a lot. It won’t be as insane as the last two years – because that was almost deadly... But, we’ll continue to tour hard.

WE’RE INCREDIBLY PLEASED TO HAVE AN INCREDIBLE TEAM THAT BELIEVES IN US AND IS FIGHTING FOR US. WE’RE INCREDIBLY LUCKY BECAUSE NOT MANY ARTISTS ARE ABLE TO SAY THAT.

PG 27 • insiteatlanta.com • July 2009

MUSIC INTERVIEW

KEEP IT

BURNING

Anti-Flag Stokes the Fires of Discontent BY JOHN B. MOORE

OU’D THINK WITH GEORGE BUSH & Company back on the range in Texas and where ever else they managed to scurry off to, the political punks in Anti-Flag would finally be able to take a few years off. You clearly haven’t been watching the news lately. Billion dollar corporate bailouts, massive job losses and the coming of the New Depression all make cameos on the band’s latest effort The People Or The Gun. Fresh off a somewhat controversial two-record stint on RCA Records, Anti-Flag have just released their ninth studio album on indie stalwart Side One Dummy. Bassist Chris #2 was kind enough to speak with us recently about the new record, politics and recording in Pittsburgh. You recorded this latest album in your hometown, right? We had a lot of fun making it and we kind of go through this whole rigmarole. Everyone who is from

(Pittsburgh) is very conflicted about the city. We’ll be like, “We need to get the fuck away from here,” then we’ll be like, “No, we need to make this record in Pittsburgh.” I think all of our records that we make in Pittsburgh are hands down better than the others. Is this the first one you made in your own studio? Yeah. What it actually helped with was the energy of the songs. Too often we write and have a demo set up for a long time and then we go into the studio and forget how we played it on the demo. This just afforded us the ability to write the song, record it and then use that recording, because it wasn’t just a boom box demo, but was recorded with real mics and stuff. You mentioned the two records you did for RCA. How was that experience overall? There was obviously a lot of handwringing in the punk community when you announced you were joining a major label. Did you get the amount of control you were hoping to get when you were working on those two albums? Yeah, absolutely. The cool thing about the time we

MUSIC INTERVIEW

KISS BY DAVE COHEN

ITH KISS HAVING RECENTLY COME OFF OF A huge stadium tour across South America, Paul Stanley continues to keep busy. About ten years ago,coming out of a divorce, a friend suggested he try painting as a cathartic way of helping to express his emotions. He went and purchased brushes and canvasses and he’s been at it ever since. Stanley has never been one to stand on the sideline. In the past he’s played the lead in the Phantom of the Opera in Toronto and toured on his own in support of his solo release “Live to Win.” He’s currently producing the forthcoming KISS album, the band’s first release of new material in eleven years, and continues to show his art work at Wentworth Galleries across the country and will visit Atlanta July 31st and August 1st. He recently spoke with INsite. Between touring with KISS, producing the new album, your growing family, your artwork, you’ve got a lot going on. It’s been busy. Four months ago I had a little baby girl. Other than that we just finished a stadium tour of South America playing to anywhere from forty to sixty thousand people a night. Before that we did our biggest, most successful tour of Europe playing seven weeks, thirty shows to over four hundred thousand people. Then, I’ve got my art shows, which are normally once a month in different cities and I’m about a week from completing the first KISS album in eleven years which should be out in September. Other than that, I’m taking it easy! With regards to your artwork, from where you were ten years ago when you started painting, to where you are now, has your approach changed with so many positive things going on in your life? Any creative outlet will come from whatever inspiration or desperation happens to be going on. Certainly as life evolves you hopefully draw from other experiences. My life, it couldn’t be a better story if I wrote it myself, so there’s no shortage of inspiration. I tell people; “If you’re not inspired every day when you wake up then you should either go back to sleep or change your life.” You titled some of your early paintings relevant to where you were emotionally at that time (Starting Over, Scream, Alone), but that has changed as time has moved along (Celebration, What Lies Ahead, The Angel). PG 28 • insiteatlanta.com • July 2009

entered that whole entire deal, that was right when the shit was hitting the fan for major labels. You look around and say why did Rise Against, Anti -Flag, Against Me!, Motion City Soundtrack - any band that sold 100,000 records – why did they all of a sudden get picked up by majors? Majors didn’t know how to sell 100,000 records. They only know how to sell a million albums. They have this radio/video, very archaic business model. They were reaching out and trying to bring other people in. For us, it was like “Sure. You want to spend Sony money for us to create things like the Military Free Zone? Go right ahead. We were going to do these things anyway. We might as well have you pay for it.” And your sound didn’t seem to change at all. Yeah. As far as I’m concerned there are many draw backs to doing it and if I had a time machine, would I do it again? I don’t know. I certainly feel like it didn’t hurt our band. I feel politically and musically, around the world we’re bigger than ever and honestly that’s the biggest plus that came out of the two records on the major label. What are some of the negatives then? I think the negatives are that it’s a big corporate machine and if you want things done… Just as an example, three weeks before we have a record release, you have an entirely new team of five or six people that you’re supposed to talk to on a daily basis to ensure that your record is supposed to be released properly and has an ad in a magazine and these people don’t care about you. They are completely different from the people we signed with. There is business that is attached to everything in our lives because we live in a capitalistic system. But, because we use our music as a business, I firmly work hard every day to ensure our music is not a business. What made you sign with Side One Dummy Records? We could have signed with anyone after the deal was up, but really what we wanted to do was record the record ourselves, pay for it all ourselves; keep people out

of it. Once we were done and saw what kind of record we had, we said let’s see who wants to get involved. We are friends with Brett (Gurewitz) at Epitaph, we’re friends with (Fat) Mike at Fat (Wreck Chords) and we’re friends with Joe (Sib) and Bill (Armstrong) at Side One. It’s not like “Oh no, now we’ve got to get our foot in the door.” It was more like, “Hey, who wants to hang out?” Are they just putting out this one record. Yeah. So far, I would do another record with them. Whether or not at the end of this they’ll do another record with us I don’t know. I call those guys at Side One like a hundred times a day. They might already be annoyed with me. What can you tell me about the new record, The People Or The Gun? I think that it’s a very Anti-Flag record. I think with us making more records and growing as a band, we’ve become more focused and been able to realize what works with our songs and to be able to translate the message of that songs and be able to put it into such context that not only something that’s understandable, but when you listen to the music, the music feels like that ideology. That’s something that we’ve been working on for years, trying to find that right balance. Too often you’ll play something and someone will be so turned off by it that they won’t even listen to what the song is about. So we’ve been trying to hone that craft and that’s something I think we’ve been able to do better than ever on The People Or The Gun. Based on the tour dates already up on your Web site, it looks like you guys are going to be making up for the fact that you didn’t tour too much behind the last record. Absolutely. It was one of those deals where we spent a lot of time in Europe because the European labels were actually facilitating the release and on this record. Knowing that Side One Dummy is there, we’re ready. We back this record 100 percent and we’re going to be playing these songs to as many people as we can find.

Paul Stanley On Art, American Idol & His Band’s Latest “Comeback”

No doubt that there are bound to be some gloomy days, although I haven’t experienced them in quite a while. I seem to find myself painting from a different vantage point. There are paintings like What Lies Ahead, The Mirrors Image, things that are reflective of where I am today and where I see me headed. The great thing about it, I think the other pieces, is that other people relate to it. It’s not something that I have a monopoly on or something that is solely mine. I’ve always found that the beauty of abstract art in particular is that it really illicit its own unique response in each person and that’s what makes it valid. That’s why I tend to tell people, “I can tell you what a painting means to me but ultimately it’s much more important what it means to you.”

I’ve always liked what you’ve said with regards to listening to other people’s opinions when it comes to art: “If you yourself like something, that’s all that matters. Other opinions are not necessary.” I think that’s all a part of snobbery and elitist propaganda, which is designed to intimidate you into needing someone else to tell you what’s good and bad. The problem with that is you’re basing your opinion on what somebody else decides is credible or not credible, worthwhile or not worthwhile. If you love steak and somebody else is a vegetarian, what good is either opinion to the other? You just respect them as individual and as separate. Some people have talked to me about the “Art World.” I don’t really want to be a part of the art world. Anything that cuts itself off and identifies itself as separate is the antithesis of what I want to be. You’ve also begun to work with sculpture a little. Tell me about your interest in that? I’ve always wanted to do large metal sculpture, and my introduction into it is the pieces that I’ve been doing, which are fairly organic. They’re over-spill from bronze casts of sculptures that I’ll find and then have welded together and buffed to a patina as I see fit. That will lead next to some other sculptures, but for me the door is wide open. I am a person who tries to define myself by the challenges that I take on and I’m constantly excited and inspired. The band is obviously going very strong. How cool was it for KISS to be a part of the recent finale on American Idol? American Idol was terrific. When you realize that the biggest shows on TV get a viewership of around nine million people a show and American Idol gets

between twenty-four and thirty million, it’s a phenomenon, unlike regular television! Just being on that show is a wake-up call and an eye opener to a lot of people of what rock can be. We are a spectacle proudly, and when we hit the road again on our U.S. tour we’ll have a great new show, a terrific new album– easily the best new album we’ve done since the ‘70s– and we’re fired up. It never ends. What can you tell us about the forthcoming album the band’s been working on? This is an album where I had a very keen sense and a sharp sense of what I thought it should be and shouldn’t be and it’s turned out to be exactly what I had in mind. The band’s never been more “up” about something and rightfully so. It’s a terrific album. Paul Stanley will appear at the Wentworth Gallery location at Phipps Plaza on Friday, July 31st and at the Perimeter Mall location on Saturday, August 1st. Call 404-233-0903 or 770-913-0641 for details.

MUSIC INTERVIEW

Mayhem in Memphis STEADY AS SHE GOES Three 6 Mafia’s Juicy J Tears the Club by Himself this Time Anything else coming up, movie-wise? We got things in the works. The checks ain’t cleared yet, so I wanna keep it secret. The movie stuff is not as fast as the music stuff. With the movie stuff, you gotta prep it and make sure the music syncs up with the picture. It take s a minute for the movie stuff. We got some things in the works. We got another reality show that we shot the pilot to. We’re getting ready to start shopping it to some networks. I can tell you about that. That’s something we did out our own pocket. It’s called Cookin’ Ain’t Easy. It’s a cooking show. We’re cooking all kinds of foods- Jewish food, Indian food, all kinds of stuff. It’s a reality show but there’s comedy too. A network ain’t picked it up yet, but somebody’s tryin’ to shop it right now. We shot the whole pilot out our own pocket. We did it all independent. We own the show. We created it. We businessmen, man.

BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS

OR 18 YEARS NOW, THREE6 Maﬁa’s Juicy J, DJ Paul and a few other disorderly Tennessee residents have caused all kinds of hell to the rap world, tearin’ up clubs (“Sippin’ On Some Syrup” still gets heads noddin’) and beatin’ down barriers (the group’s “It’s Hard Out Here For a Pimp” was the ’05 Oscar winner for Best Song) in the process. But just because the calendar reads June ’09, doesn’t mean the crew has to stop anytime soon. On the contrary, Juicy has a brand new collection of speaker-shattering tracks called Hustle Til I Die on store shelves. The Hypnotize Minds label release is loud, gritty and features a Gucci Mane cameo. Translation: It’s perfect for the summer. INsite recently chatted with the Three-6 frontman to talk Hustle, survivin’ and cookin’. Hope you’re ready for a taste of the real South. What do you love most about Memphis? The food, the barbecue. And that Memphis music scene is so oﬀ da chain, you wouldn’t even believe it. There are so many gifted musicians and talented rappers, singers, producers. There are so many talented people in Memphis that nobody knows about. From us starting Hypnotize Minds, we’re trying to help out as many people as we can. We still tryin’ to help out people in Memphis.

Are you still learning this new game? I’m on it, man. I know the times. I’m still doing the mixtapes. But I’m doin’ the internet stuﬀ too. Like I said, I come from the hood. All I ever did was hustle. So, I gotta be up on everything. I’m up on everything in the music business right now- especially in the rap game. I’m up on everything, man.

Let’s go back a minute. What was Memphis Let’s go into this new album. What’s its focus? like during your teenage years? This album is about ballin’, gangstas. It’s I grew up in a real hard, rough neighborsome gangsta music and it’s partyin’- all of that hood- North Memphis. It was rough, man. It’s wrapped into one. a blessing that I made it up outta there. It was stuff happening everyday. A lot of times, man, Are songs like “30 Inches” and “Ugh Ugh Ugh” when you’re coming from the hood, it gives meant to be fun, escape records? you a hustler’s mentality, know what I’m sayin’? “30 Inches” is not a fun record. That’s just a Since I wasn’t born with gangsta record. That’s just no silver spoon in my a straight street record. mouth, I got that hustler’s THIS ALBUM IS ABOUT The “Long Dick Her”(“Ugh mentality from the hood. Ugh Ugh”) record is a club BALLIN’, GANGSTAS. I’m always hustlin’. That’s record. Niggas can just what I named my album SOME GANGSTA IT’S dance to it. It’s like the Hustle Til I Die. I know stuff we did back in the day what it feels like to be MUSIC AND IT’S like “Slob on the Knob.” I straight broke, nuthin’ PARTYIN’- ALL OF THAT even took some samples in ya pockets. No food from that song and put it in the fridgerator. I went WRAPPED INTO ONE. on there. But, I mean, I through all of that, growgot some gangsta stuff on in’ up. For me, growin’ up there. I got hustlin’ records on there, records from that just makes me hustle more. I guess, talkin’ about what’s goin’ on in the streets, how I’m good now but I still like to hustle. I like to niggas tryin’ to get money, all of that. help other people. I wanna help some of these young people, these young musicians comin’ What are some of you and Paul’s secrets of out of Memphis. I just enjoy helpin’ people out stayin’ connected like you all have for so long? and makin’ money on the side myself. Man, you gotta be loyal. You can’t have no Juice, in what ways has your hustle changed in ego and you gotta be loyal. You gotta respect a nigga. If you respect your brutha and you’re this digital age? loyal, you’re good. You ain’t got no problems. Everything now is online. It’s a lil’ easier than That’s the key to success. That’s how you do itit was back then. Back then we used to just pass CDs out. Put out the snippets and put the post- simple as that. Keep it real. If you see sumthin’ ers out. Now you can shoot your own videos for that don’t look right, speak on it. If you see sumthin’ you wanna do, speak on it. Just keep nuthin’ and post it up on You Tube. You can go online and on MySpace and let everybody know it real. It is what it is. That’s how we’ve been all these years, so that’s how we maintain to keep you got an album comin’ out. You can do all our partnership rollin’. sittin’ at home! The grind now is the internet.

People don’t even watch TV no more. Everything is online. Everything you missed you can go watch it on You Tube. You ain’t gotta be sittin’ at home, waitin’ on your favorite TV show to come on. You can just pull it up on You Tube. That’s the new hustle game.

What else do you love doing? I go to bars, man. Just hittin’ up a lot of bars. I’m not the biggest club man in the world. Strip clubs are cool, but I like bars. When I’m working in the studio, after we ﬁnish up a good record, I just go to a bar. I take a couple shots

of Patron, head to the house and go back to the studio to work on some more music. So, I’m liable to catch you on Beale Street any weekend? If a nigga lookin’ for me, he can catch me at the bar!

Are you cooking or are you the host? I’m doing the hosting. I can’t really cut up like that to cook in the kitchen. I’m doing the hosting. I got Paul and Big Triece doin’ the cookin’. And I got this other dude, a friend of mine named Victory. He’s a real good cook.

LOCAL ARTIST

Up Close and Personal: CAT CHANG

clothing in high school and walking out on the street looking funky, and (my mom) would just want to have a heart attack.

BY B. LOVE

IFE IS SO HARD FOR THE BEAUTIFUL. Well, it can be if you’re an artist trying rise to validation from a music scene blazed by Katy Perry and Lady Gaga. Meet Cat Chang. The 25-year-old local pop artist has the look of someone you’d expect to show more skin than vocal range, and on some occasions, she probably has. “I started in fashion,” said Chang, who was born in New York to South Korean parents before bouncing around Asian, Tampa and now the Peach State. “I’m very into fashion, and I love trying out different sexy outfits and clothes. So that’s still kind of an on-going identity thing for me. I’m getting older and evolving, andI’m more focused on the music side of it than I ever was before.” For Chang, beauty isn’t just skin deep. The Georgia State graduate was classically trained in piano and singing before ever stepping on a runway. She is currently at work on her second independent album:

So, how do you make the leap from classical piano to pop singer? I was always a dancer through elementary school and high school, andI did cheerleading and things like that. SoI was always listening to hiphop or popular music, and dancing freestyle. Your parents still live in Asia. How do they react to having a pop singing daughter? That’s always been a challenge (for my parents), especially for my mom.She’s the complete opposite. She’s very introverted, and I’m sort of out there. I always cutting up my

Favorite song right now? John Legend “Everybody Knows.”

What do you do in your free time? I don’t really have any, but when I do, I love planting. I love when things come to life. AndI love baking. I’m a horrible cook, but I love to bake. We noticed you weren’t on facebook. Did you miss the memo? Everyone is. Yes. People keep nagging me about it. I think every other artist is on there. I don’t have time, but I’m a texting queen, so I’m on Twitter. I’m constantly texting people. Would you ever ‘tweet’ during a show? I don’t know. I’m not a very laid artist. I met Lenny Kravitz once, and he was super laid back before and during the show. ButI’m just nervous, so I always hand my phone to my manager. I don’t know if I could do it during a show, but maybe I should try. Random fact we should know about you? I love flowers. I love getting flowers before or after my show. I think I love flowers so much they make me cry. Actually, I cry a lot. I cry when I’m playing the piano or working. It’s just something that happens all the time. Chang performs on Fridays at Steel Midtown (950 West Peachtree Street, Suite 255), and you can follow her at catching.com or twitter.com/ CatChangcom. Her first album, “The Cat Chang Show,” can be found on iTunes. PG 29 • insiteatlanta.com • July 2009

SPORTS NEWS

FANATIC BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS Three things you may not know about U.S. OPEN WINNER LUCAS GLOVER: 1) Before the June 18-21 weekend, he had just one round in the 60s over his previous 32 major championships; 2) His grandfather, Dick Hendley, is a sports legend at Clemson; 3) Beyond golf, Seinfeld reruns, mystery novels and sleep are his passions. “Folks, this is not college. Athletes — even great athletes, which Glavine indisputably is — don’t get tenure. There comes a time when every athlete must realize he’s no longer the guy he was at 25 or 35 and step aside. And too many of them simply don’t grasp that. Too many of them walk away blaming somebody else for the inexorable march of time.” -AJC’s Mark Bradley, after Atlanta parted ways with longtime Brave TOM GLAVINE Three things you may not know about recently-reactivated WNBA STAR CHAMIQUE HOLDSCLAW: 1) She’s the only female athlete to ever appear on the cover of SLAM; 2) Was the leader of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers team that was the NCAA’s first to three-peat; 3) Appeared in the DVD series Words Can Work, a project where Holdsclaw opens up about her struggles with depression. “It’s fine. Heck with it. We’re not the GM. We don’t run the team. If they feel like it’s the best move for three or four years from now, great. Unfortunately, that does me no good. I’ve still got to be in here telling guys it’s going to be fine with Nate gone. Well, you can only do that for so long until guys just kind of ... well, they know.” –Pittsburgh Pirate Adam LaRoche after former teammate Nate McLouth was traded to Atlanta on June 5

A Monthly Sports Must-See TV Wrap-up Top 5 Games This Month

Three things you may not know about DEL HARRIS, the longtime NBA head and assistant coach who, after 50 years of involvement in the league, finally called it quits: 1) He was the head coach at three places- Houston, Milwaukee and Los Angeles. He led each to at least the conference semifinals; 2) Joins Pat Riley and Phil Jackson as the only Lakers coaches to record three straight seasons of 50+ wins; 3) He’s coached or advised teams from Puerto Rico, Canada and China in international competition. “The truths noted in my divorce filing are necessary to establish a pattern of cruel and inhumane treatment towards me, not intended to be used by the prosecution against Jayson. He has to work through his psychological issues, they have to work through the facts of their case and I have to work at raising my daughters as best as I can under these circumstances.” –Tanya Young Williams, on troubled ex-husband and former New Jersey Net Jayson Williams And finally… Congrats, of course, go out to the Pittsburgh Penguins for their stellar NHL run this season. Can’t say the same for NBC, a network that Chamique manipulated the day/start time of the Finals to Holdsclaw accommodate I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here… Whatever you do today, please make a visit to MattWeitersFacts.com a part of your schedule. The site dedicated to the Baltimore Orioles rookie is hilarious… Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf is thinking about buying the cash-strapped NHL Phoenix Coyotes… 80s pop sensation Gloria Estefan will reportedly become a minority owner in the Miami Dolphins… Michael Weiner will probably be Donald Fehr’s replacement as MLB Players Association executive director… A note on Stephen A. Smith’s Twitter page: “The Hawks won’t do any better than they did this year unless they get who they want: Amare Stoudamire. They’re after him.”

1 2 3 4 5

Wimbledon (July 4 and 5, TBD, NBC)

No Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros means only one thing: Engravers began chipping “Roger Federer” into the trophy days ago.

British Open (July 16-19, TBD, TNT/ABC)

Angel Cabrera won the Masters. Lucas Glover to the U.S. Open. Who’ll be the What’s-his-face to raise the cup at Turnberry?

MLB All-Star Game (July 14), 8PM, Fox)

Okay, we’re gonna go out on a limb and say Cardinal Albert Pujols (.328, 26 HRs, 68 RBI) will play before the home crowd.

All State 400 (July 26, 1PM, ESPN)

Imagine the excitement if pts. leaders Tony Stewart, Jeﬀ Gordon and Jimmie Johnson are in that order during the home stretch at Indy.

WNBA All-Star Game (July 25, 3:30PM, ABC)

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