INsite Atlanta June 2008 Issue by INsite Magazine

June 200F8REE

0 Vol. 16, No. 1

rtainment Monthly e t n E s â&#x20AC;&#x2122; a t n a Atl tlanta.com www.insitea

The Best Margaritas in Atlanta

Summer Guide

Duran Duran Jeff Francoeur Death Cab for Cutie Jack Black

and our Summer Movie Preview

Best Hair Salon

CONTENTS • JUNE 2008 • VOLUME 16.10

Buckhead 39 West Paces Ferry Rd. Atlanta, Ga. 30305 (404) 237-4664 Virginia Highlands 778 N. Highland Ave. Atlanta, Ga. 30306 (404) 874-6604 Sandy Springs 220 Sandy Springs Circle Atlanta, Ga. 30328 (404) 255-0026 Norcross 5161 Peachtree Parway, Suite 606 Norcross, Ga. 30092 (678) 987-3600 www.vanmichael.com

INTERVIEWS 06 LAURA SAN GIACOMO 14 WILLAIM HURT 06 15 JACK BLACK 20 THE NIGHT MARCHERS 19 DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE 22 DURAN DURAN 23 ESTELLE 29 JEFF FRANCOEUR

FEATURES 08 SUMMER GUIDE 11 MARGARITAS 12 SUMMER MOVIE PREVIEW 24 EAST ATLANTA 26 BURGERS

COLUMNS 05 ON TAP 21 06 BOOKS 06 WANTON DISTRACTION 07 UNDER THE LIGHTS 10 AROUND TOWN 16 CONCERT CALENDAR 18 ROAD WARRIORS 18 WE GOT NEXT 19 ALBUM REVIEWS 27 MOVIE REVIEWS 23 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 Film Editor Matt Goldberg matt@insiteatlanta.com Local News Editor Glenn LaFollette glenn@insiteatlanta.com Local Events Editor Rav Mansﬁeld rav@insiteatlanta.com Sports Editor DeMarco Williams demarco@insiteatlanta.com Web Design Kalico Productions info@kalicopro.com PG 4 • insiteatlanta.com • June 2008

Contributing Writers / Interns: John Davidson, John Moore, Mathew Goldberg, Russell Fisher, Zena Scott, Margo Aaron, Andrea Hatter, Kim Guelcher, Richard Marsh, Tracy Gould, Mark Fitten, Dave Cohen & Russ Marshalek CONTACT US 2250 North Druid Hills Rd. #100 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.

Check out our Summer Movie Preview on page 12!

Chin Chin...

LOCAL EVENTS

OnTap for June

A Window Into Hong Kong.

EMAIL EVENTS TO ONTAP@INSITEATLANTA.COM

Centennial Olympic Park

“Most Memorable Meal Award”

SCREEN ON THE GREEN

1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 – Where Magazine

Peachtree TV will present Atlanta's popular SCREEN ON THE GREEN in Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park with five consecutive Thursday evening films perfect for picnicking with friends and family. The complete viewing schedule for 2008 SCREEN ON THE GREEN is as follows: May 29 - Jaws (1975), June 5 Big Momma's House (2000), June 12 - Chicago (2002), June 19 E.T. (1982), June 26 - Viewers' Choice of Back to the Future (1985), Rocky (1976) or Footloose (1984). No pets or glass containers. Umbrellas and high-backed chairs are strongly discouraged to allow visibility for all viewers.

“Mouthwatering Chin Chin spices things up”

– The Atlanta Journal Constitution

“Best Chinese” 2002–2007 – INsite Magazine

“Best Chinese” 1998–2007 – Creative Loaﬁng

Summer 08: Fabulous Fox Theatre

COCA COLA SUMMER FILM FESTIVAL

The greatest rock-and-roll band of all time, an eavesdropping elephant, a classic and a contemporary romance, one of filmdom's best villains, a historical cinematic chariot race, and an adventurous young girl light up the big screen during the 2008 Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival at the Fox Theatre. The Festival starts in June with a line-up that includes Shine A Light (June 5th at 7:30 p.m.),Horton Hears a Who! (June 8th at 2:00 p.m.) Atonement (June 8th at 7:00 p.m.) Casablanca (June 17th at 7:30 p.m.) and No Country For Old Men (June 18th at 7:30 p.m.) Tickets available at the Box Office 404-249-6400 and at Ticketmaster 404-817-8700, or www.ticketmaster.com. All tickets are general admission.

June 6-8: Virginia Highland Avenue

VIRGINIA-HIGHLAND SUMMERFEST

The Virginia-Highland Civic Association is proud to present the 25th annual Virginia-Highland Summerfest, June 6 (2pm 8pm), June 7( 10am - 8pm), and June 8 (11am -6pm). Visitors to Summerfest can celebrate the beginning of summer by shopping for original art in a variety of media - and by enjoying great food and an exceptional array of live music presented by radio station partner DaveFM (92.9 FM). Summerfest takes place along tree-lined Virginia Avenue, in the heart of the historic and charming Virginia-Highland neighborhood. This year's event also features a 5K race on Saturday morning. Register at www.active.com.

June 6-8: Crowne Plaza Hotel

SCI-FI SUMMER CON

Sci-Fi Summer Con Atlanta is a science fiction and fantasy convention featuring literary and media panel discussions, celebrity Q&A's, 24-hour gaming, live musical and theatrical performances, film screenings, costume contests, outdoor activities, an art show, a dealer's room and much more. Panel discussions range in topic from science-fiction and fantasy to anime and costuming. Sci-Fi Summer Con memberships cost $20 in advance (deadline applies) and $30 at the door (kids under 12 get in free). Visit www.sfscon.net for more information or call 770-428-4400.

June 14: Oglethorpe University

TASTE OF BROOKHAVEN

The fourth annual Taste of Brookhaven is a culinary experience you do not want to miss. Bringing you some of Brookhaven's finest restaurants, diners are treated to a variety of favorite menu items and wine pairing from Bones, Haven, Roy's and much more! The historical and picturesque grounds of Brookhaven's own Oglethorpe University are the backdrop for this neighborhood dinner party. Ticket sales are available through the BAA website and at participating restaurants and community retail locations. For further information visit www.brookhavenartsalliance.com or at 404-266-3426.

June 20: Decatur Square

DECATUR BEACH PARTY Celebrate the beginning of summer at the annual Decatur Beach Party. Decatur turns its landlocked square into the Decatur Beach with plenty of wading pools, a kid’s boardwalk, live music, a stage built across Ponce de Leon for dancing on the street, and more! Music will be performed by The Reputations at 5pm. Tickets for adults are $10 at the gate and $6.50 in advance at www.decaturdba.com. Children under 12 are free (limit two per paying adult). No coolers, glass or pets in beach party area.

OPEN EVERY DAY!

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PG 5 • insiteatlanta.com • June 2008

Book Review SNUFF

Author: Chuck Palahniuk BY JOHN B. MOORE Those genuinely shocked by the topic of Chuck Palahniuk’s latest novel, the surprisingly creative Snuff, should probably ask themselves why they picked up the book in the first place considering the author’s past track record. Taking place entirely in the basement of a makeshift studio in which aging porn queen Cassie Wright is trying to end her career by breaking the world record for having sex with 600 men, the novelty of a book set in the porn world quickly wears off thanks to Palahniuk’s deft ability to take seemingly shallow characters and expose a lot of depth. Each chapter is told from the point of view of one of four characters: Number 600, an over-thehill male porn star who has a long history with Cassie; Number 72, a young adoptee who may or may not be Cassie’s long-lost son; Number 137, a once-relevant TV star caught up in a sex scandal who sees this video shoot as his way to get back into Hollywood; and Shelia, Cassie’s assistant and the woman who organized the porn stunt. For anyone looking to slam the author for glorifying the porn industry with Snuff, you only need to read the first couple of chapters to see just how pathetic the lifestyle is, overshadowed only by the fans it attracts. Palahniuk’s ninth novel, Snuff definitely rates up there with Fight Club and Choke among the best this cult author has written. Grade: A

CELEBRITY CORNER

Wanton Distraction Skewed Views on Entertainment News BY MATT GOLDBERG �� has taken time away from working on his upcoming film, “The Lovely Bones”, to invite you and all your friends in Middle-Earth to ask him and Guillemo Del Toro questions about the upcoming “Hobbit” films. They will answer the top twenty most frequently asked questions, so for those of you that wanted to know why Tom Bombadil wasn’t in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, I’ll go ahead and field that one right now: because he was fucking stupid and no one cared about him except you. I also wouldn’t ask the following questions: Will Andy Serkis return as Gollum? (probably) Will Ian McKellan return as Gandalf? (probably) Do you feel stupid since you destroyed Bag-End and returned the area to boring countryside and now you’ll have to rebuild it? (user banned from chat)

�� has signed on to play Dick Cheney in Oliver Stone’s upcoming

for meaty, dramatic roles he can sink his teeth into. Also, he has a penchant for shooting people in the face. �� has finally decided that he wants some of the proverbial “fat cash” and since appearing in serious movies is only earning him bullshit critical acclaim (that noise won’t buy you a jet-ski), it’s time to saddle up to a big old blockbuster. The blockbuster will be Gore Verbinski (the “Pirates of the Caribbean” trilogy) adaptation of the popular videogame series, “Prince of Persia”. The clearly Persian Gyllenhaal was the clear choice for the pick as any actor who may have been from Iran would clearly be a terrorist. And people don’t want terrorists as their action heroes. There have been studies. �� the studio with either the best sense of humor or the worst casting agents imaginable because for their upcoming thriller, “28th Amendment” they’re getting �� to play THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. I can buy a stupid President. I’ve had to for the past eight years (ba-zing!), but I’m not sure I can buy a bug-fuck insane President.

�� has found a spare moment between making films �� and making films to make another film. �� has received strong His new movie will be “Unthinkable” critical acclaim, she’s a singer that where he has only two days to stop carries a lot of baggage and now terrorists from launching a nuclear that she’s been signed to write and attack. Jackson and a female partner will Amy Winehouse will write and perform the new James Bond theme. perform the theme for the upcoming have to interrogate their only suspect James Bond film, “Quantum of Solace”. by any means necessary. The studio that So as you sit and watch the opening credits of George W. Bush biopic, “W”. Dreyfuss was signed on for the film has never heard of “24”, the movie, and you suddenly hear this massive approached for the role because he’s known “Jack Bauer”, or “Republican Talking Points around Hollywood as a serious actor looking Regarding Torture”. snorting sound, that’s why.

FILM INTERVIEW

Heaven Must Have Sent You From Above

Laura San Giacomo stars on a faith-questioning show on TV. In real life, she’s an angel to children with physical challenges. BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS

HIS NEW JERSEY NATIVE BEST KNOWN FOR her rolls in TV’s Just Shoot Me and the big screen’s Pretty Woman, has found am more worthy cause to focus her time. San Giacomo’s son, Mason, was born with cerebral palsy. Rather than be content with him learning at a slower pace than “normal” children, Laura helped to establish an inclusive preschool. From that pioneering move, and with the help of some forward-thinking California professors, an elementary and middle school for all kids was established.. Below you won’t hear any

angst from Laura San Giacomo for her efforts being overlooked in mainstream media. She’s crusading for Mason and young ones like him, not for spreads next to Brad and Angelina in some glossy magazine. For those who didn’t see the first season of Saving Grace, what did they miss? The first season was kind of introducing you to Grace and her life as a cop, a person, a sister, a daughter, a friend. She is a person that some of us might consider extreme. Her life, to some, looks like it’s unraveling. A tobacco-chewing angel has appeared to her to help her find a better way but he’s not really giving her too many clues besides Look at yourself and What are you doing with your life? Your character, Rhetta, appears to be Grace’s friend to the end. Are you that kind of person in reality? I certainly have my share of watching people who I felt were going through some really tough times. I’ve tried to be there for them, to listen, to help them through. I hope that I have been there for people. What do you love about Saving Grace star Holly Hunter? She is so smart, so detailed. She has her eye on everything that is going on. I think that one of the reasons why is because she is a producer on the show. She’s really in there watching everything and has an opinion about everything. And that type of behavior is contagious on set, right? Yep, very good observation. It brings everybody’s game up. Everybody goes about it a different way. Everybody goes about it with a different sort of energy, but she is carrying the torch and the script. You’ve been fortunate to work on stage, film and television. How special is that?

PG 6 • insiteatlanta.com • June 2008

You’re really lucky if you get to work in this business. I’ve never really had a map of myself with very specific ideas of what I wanted to do. I’ve always taken the turn of “I want to do something different next, whatever that means I’ll accept it. I just have this feeling that I want to do something different.” That’s really happened to me. Would you say your career has gone the path you envisioned? I think that right now I’m very happy to have a job in this industry that also allows me to be home and be a mom sometimes, too. That’s really what I was looking for at this time in my life. I’m very happy to have something I can really delve into, but not have to work everyday and have some time off during the year to be a mom. That’s a very important part of my life, so I’m very fortunate to do both. Mom. Now that’s a role you’re playing perfectly. Speak on the amazing things you’ve done with your son and the school. My son had a little injury around the time of his birth and he has what some people would consider physical disabilities. He was involved in an inclusive preschool, which means that children of all abilities go to school together. There were two children with disabilities in a class of 18 typically-developing, regular children. The parents and families really loved that. From there grew an elementary and middle school based on that philosophy with [the help of ] some professors from the Department of Education at California State University-Northridge. We have two charter schools in addition to an inclusive preschool and an early-intervention center for children with disabilities. We’re really serving families from birth to the end of middle school. It’s a very wonderful academic environment for all children. There are about two to four children [with disability] in elementary school and middle school per class of 20. What it really does for everyone is it teaches diversity. Communication skills, problem-solving skills, empathy, compassion, self-esteem, self-worth, a sense of belonging [can be found at the schools]. I’m just one in a group of moms who have pushed some really great educators to make it happen. Are there any other big-screen movies in the works for you? No, I’m going to be committed to Saving Grace for the next six months. After that, I’m not committed to anything.

THEATER

Under The Lights Theatrical Performances in June

paradise they visited 20 years earlier. Over 24 chaotic, magical hours, new love will bloom and old romances will be rekindled on this lush island full of possibilities. Inspired by the storytelling magic of ABBA's songs from "Dancing Queen" and "S.O.S." to "Money, Money, Money" and "Take a Chance on Me," MAMMA MIA! is a celebration of mothers and daughters, old friends and new family found.

MAMMA MIA!

June 10 - 15 The Fox Theatre www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com

404-817-8700 Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus' MAMMA MIA!, the smash hit musical based on the songs of ABBA, returns to The Fabulous Fox Theatre for a special one-week engagement. Seen by over 30 million people around the world, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus' global smash hit musical MAMMA MIA! is celebrating 6 sold-out years at the Winter Garden Theatre on Broadway, and is currently playing record-breaking engagements in Las Vegas and on National Tour in the United States. An independent, single mother who owns a small hotel on an idyllic Greek island, Donna is about to let go of Sophie, the spirited daughter she's raised alone. For Sophie's wedding, Donna has invited her two lifelong best girlfriends-practical and no-nonsense Rosie and wealthy, multidivorcee Tanya - from her one-time backing band, Donna and the Dynamos. But Sophie has secretly invited three guests of her own. On a quest to find the identity of her father to walk her down the aisle, she brings back three men from Donna's past to the Mediterranean

The Launch Pad for Atlanta Night Life

Fran Brill’s “My Life as a Muppeteer”

June 28 Center for Puppetry Arts 404-873-3391 www.puppet.org

Emmy Award-winning actress and puppeteer Fran Brill talks about her fascinating life juggling her acting and puppeteering careers. Brill was the first female Muppeteer hired by Jim Henson on Sesame Street and is best known for creating and performing Prairie Dawn and Zoe. She has also performed with the Muppets on Saturday Night Live, The Muppet Show, The Jim Henson Hour, and Elmo in Grouchland. As an actress, Brill has gueststarred on many night-time dramas including Law and Order and her film credits include Being There, Midnight Run, and What About Bob? Her presentation includes backstage video of Sesame Street and a Q&A opportunity.

PHIPPS PLAZA • BUCKHEAD • 404.814.9640

OPEN DAILY • PRIORITY SEATING AVAILABLE www.TheTavernAtPhipps.com

PG 7 • insiteatlanta.com • June 2008

FEATURE

2008 Summer Guide

FILM FESTIVALS

days. There will be no wine tasting prior to 2 p.m. shows on Saturday or Sunday. Tickets are just $10 each for Wine Tasting (entry is valid only with the 2008 COCACOLA SUMMER FILM purchase of a movie ticket and wine tasting attendFESTIVAL ees must be at least 21 years of age.)Then pick your The greatest rock-andseat and enjoy a magical roll band of all time, an pre-show experience eavesdropping elephant, featuring Larry Douglas a classic and a contemEmbury at the “Mighty porary romance, one of Mo” organ, the tradition ﬁlmdom’s best villains, of a sing-a-long and a a historical cinematic classic cartoon. chariot race, and an Individual tickets are adventurous young $7 and ticket packs are girl light up the big $60 and include 12 tickscreen during the 2008 ets which may be used Coca-Cola Summer for any movie combinaFilm Festival at the Fox tion for individuals and Theatre. The Festival their friends all summer. starts in June with a Individual tickets and line-up that includes ticket packs are on sale Shine A Light (June 5th The Rolling Stones’ kick-off this year’s Fox at the Fox Theatre Box at 7:30 p.m.),Horton Oﬃce 404-249-6400 and Hears a Who! (June 8th Film Festival with Shine A Light at Ticketmaster 404-817at 2:00 p.m.) Atonement 8700, or www.ticketmaster. (June 8th at 7:00 p.m.) Casablanca (June 17th at com. All tickets are general admission. 7:30 p.m.) and No Country For Old Men (June 18th at 7:30 p.m.) Come early and join in a favorite Atlanta tradition: Wine Tasting at the Fox beginning at 5:30 p.m. on weekdays and Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sun-

PG 8 • insiteatlanta.com • June 2008

SUMMER FILMS AT THE HIGH

June heats up with Close Up: Don Cheadle and Starring Javier Bardem. Cheadle has been nominat-

ed for nearly 60 awards and has won 15, including three Black Reel awards and two Screen Actors Guild awards. “Close Up: Don Cheadle” features the actor’s intense, highly focused performances in four powerful films that articulate African and African American history. “Close Up” is presented in coordination with the exhibitions “Road to Freedom: Photographs of the Civil Rights Movement, 1956–1968” and “After 1968: Contemporary Artists and the Civil Rights Legacy,” both opening on June 7. Close Up: Don Cheadle runs June 7–28, and Starring Javier Bardem continues through June 26. Beginning June 1, tickets are $7 for the public and $6 for Museum members, students and seniors. Patron-level members enter free. Tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.High.org, by visiting the Woodruff Arts Center Box Office or by calling 404-733-5000.

26 – Viewers’ Choice of Back to the Future (1985), Rocky (1976) or Footloose (1984) Moviegoers are welcome to bring picnic baskets and food, but no glass containers or alcoholic beverages can be brought into Centennial Olympic Park. Food and beverage vendors will be available. In consideration of others, SCREEN ON THE GREEN attendees are asked to leave pets at home. Umbrellas and high-backed chairs are strongly discouraged to allow visibility for all viewers. Grills of any sort are strictly prohibited. Peachtree TV’s SCREEN ON THE GREEN is a partnership with Piedmont Park Conservancy, a member- and donor-funded nonproﬁt organization that works in partnership with the City of Atlanta to maintain and enhance historic Piedmont Park. Plans call for SCREEN ON THE GREEN to return to Piedmont Park once drought conditions subside.

SCREEN ON THE GREEN MOVIE FESTIVAL

FLICKS ON 5TH

Peachtree TV will present Atlanta’s popular SCREEN ON THE GREEN in Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park with ﬁve consecutive Thursday evening ﬁlms perfect for picnicking with friends and family. The complete viewing schedule for 2008 SCREEN ON THE GREEN is as follows: May 29 – Jaws (1975), June 5 – Big Momma’s House (2000), June 12 – Chicago (2002), June 19 – E.T. (1982), June

Flicks on 5th returns this summer to 5th Street at Technology Square in Midtown with an incredible lineup of the years’ blockbuster titles including: I am Legend, Horton Hears a Who, The Bourne Ultimatum, Hair Spray, Super Bad and 21. This free summer movie series starts at dusk (approx. 9pm) every Wednesday evening starting June 11 through July 23 (no showing on July 4th week). 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. Hourly parking is available in the surface lot at 5th and Spring Streets across from Barnes & Noble and the parking deck adjacent to the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center on Spring Street. For a more detailed movie schedule, please visit www.ﬂicksonﬁfth.com or call 404-894-2805.

NEIGHBORHOOD FESTIVALS: TASTE OF BROOKHAVEN

The fourth annual Taste of Brookhaven is a culinary experience you do not want to miss. Bringing you some of Brookhaven’s ﬁnest restaurants, diners are treated to a variety of favorite menu items and wine pairing from Bones, Haven, Roy’s and much more! The historical and picturesque grounds Taste of Brookhaven of Brookhaven’s own Oglethorpe University are the backdrop for this neighborhood dinner party on Saturday, June 14, 2008, 6p-10p. The opportunity to utilize the University’s beautiful quad adds to the charm of the evening. Along with the excellent food and wine guests will enjoy the sounds of Latin Pop Jazz band Marea Alta. Ticket sales are available through the BAA website and at participating restaurants and community retail locations. Tickets are $40 prior to the event and $50 at the door. Included in the ticket price is unlimited food and wine, a commemorative wine glass and gift bag. Guarantee your seating. A limited number of tables will be available for purchase for $350. The price includes 6 tickets to the Taste and a table. For further information on the Brookhaven Arts Alliance or the Taste of Brookhaven please visit the website, www.brookhavenartsalliance.com or contact the oﬃce at 404-266-3426.

VIRGINIAHIGHLAND SUMMERFEST

The Virginia-Highland Civic Association is proud to present the 25th annual Virginia-Highland Summerfest, June 6 (2pm – 8pm), June 7( 10am – 8pm), and June 8 (11am -6pm). Visitors to Summerfest can celebrate the beginning of summer by shopping for original art in a variety of media - and by enjoying great food and an exceptional array of live music presented by radio station partner DaveFM (92.9 FM). This year’s event also features a 5K race on Saturday morning (register at www. active.com) that features 1,000 runners, along with activities designed for children in the KidsFest area on Arcadia, adjacent to John Howell Park. Summerfest takes place along tree-lined Virginia Avenue, in the heart of the historic and charming Virginia-Highland neighborhood. Regularly recognized by local media as on of Atlanta’s best neighborhood festivals and consistently revered by art professionals as one of the best artists’ markets in the southeast, Summerfest is a great event for the entire family.

DECATUR BEACH PARTY

Celebrate the beginning of summer at the annual Decatur Beach Party held the Friday evening June 20th from 5pm until midnight. Decatur turns its landlocked square into the Decatur Beach with 60 tons of sand, a kids’ boardwalk, live music, a stage built across Ponce de Leon for dancing on the street. The Boardwalk features old fashioned carnival type games, as well as a moon walk and other inﬂatables. Music will be performed by The Reputations on the Community Bandstand Stage

beginning at 5pm. Enjoy dancing in the street until midnight to the music of Terry Lee and the GTs. Tickets for adults are $10 at the gate and $6.50 in advance at www.decaturdba.com. Children under 12 are free (limit two per paying adult). No coolers, glass or pets in beach party area.

ARTS AND SCI-FI FESTIVALS: SCIFI SUMMER CON The 8th Annual Sci-Fi Summer Con rolls in to Crowne Plaza Hotel Atlanta-Marietta, 1775 Parkway Place SE, Friday through Sunday, June 6-8. Sci-Fi Summer Con Atlanta is a science fiction and fantasy convention featuring literary and media panel discussions, celebrity Q&A’s, 24-hour gaming, live musical and theatrical performances, film screenings, costume contests, outdoor activities, an art show, a dealer’s room and much more. Panel discussions range in topic from sciencefiction and fantasy to anime and costuming. Special guests include directors Michael W. Bay and Chris Thomas, authors Christina Barber and Kristy Tallman, and media celebrities including Atlanta’s own Ken Feinberg who portrayed the “Chaos Demon” in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Sci-Fi Summer Con hosts two costume contests: Hallway (any theme, worn throughout the Con) and Outrageous 80s (film, TV, literature and comics themes from the 1980s to 1990s). Weather permitting, the Con also boasts super soaker duels, Nerf gun wars and target shooting, boffer battles, CD discus throw, Warrior Challenges and other outrageous outdoor activities. Sci-Fi Summer Con offers free tabletop gaming, including miniatures, board and specialty games; Texas hold’em; and the signature, throw-back, classic video arcade featuring stand-up, arcade style games and pinball machines. Sci-Fi Summer Con memberships cost $20 in advance (deadline applies) and $30 at the door (kids under 12 get in free). Friday only passes cost $15 at the door, while Saturday or Sunday only passes cost $20 each. Memberships grant attendees access to all events, activities and contests, in addition to a con suite featuring free snacks and sodas. Visit www.sfscon.net for more information or call 770428-4400.

JULY 24

SATURDAY, JULY 26

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

DRAGON*CON

The inimitable Dragon*Con returns to Atlanta for 4 Days of nonstop fun and excitement this Labor Day Weekend August 29 - September 1, 2008. Located in the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, The Marriott Marquis, The Hilton Atlanta and The Atlanta Sheraton, DragonCon and its 30,000+ attendees will almost literally take over downtown Atlanta. Among the highlights are the DragonCon Parade, a sea of merchandise vendors, panels and programming on virtually any pop culture topic you could think of, live music, late night dances and even a Miss Klingon Beauty Pageant. Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings), Lance Henriksen (Aliens), Robert Englund (Nightmare on Elm Street), Linda Blair (The Exorcist), Mickey Dolenz (The Monkees), Adam West (TV’s Batman, Family Guys) and James Marsters (Buﬀy the Vampire Slayer) are just a few of the celebrities slated to attend this years extravaganza. Tickets are $65-$90 and can b ordered at 770-9090115, www.dragoncon.org.

TICKETS ALSO AVAILABLE THROUGH TICKETMASTER AT 404-249-6400.

All dates, acts and ticket prices subject to change without notice. Ticket prices subject to applicable fees.

NATIONAL BLACK ARTS FESTIVAL

The National Black Arts Festival (NBAF), the internationally acclaimed celebration of the arts, is pleased to announce its 20th Anniversary. The 2008 NBAF features a multitude of art and culture oﬀerings, including: The Oﬃcial NBAF Artist Market moving to its new home at the Georgia World Congress Center; the NBAF Children’s Education Village; Pan African Film Festival; Friday Night Jazz at the High; World Music Festival at Centennial Olympic Park (acts TBA); Funk Jazz Kafe; Summer Institute; and, Ebb and Flow: The

Next Generation of Poets Speak. NBAF 2008 20th Anniversary Highlights include: The fine art fair of the National Black Arts Festival, Mason Murer Gallery, July 17 - 20. Legends Celebration: An Evening with Gladys Knight, Atlanta Civic Center, July 19. Wynton Marsalis/ Robert Spano concert with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Woodruff Arts Center, July 19. A Tribute to Judith Jamison, Artistic Director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, featuring The Urban Bush Women, Ron K. Brown/EVIDENCE and dancers from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Rialto Center for the Arts, July 19. A Requiem Marks the Moment, commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., featuring artist Carrie Mae Weems. Commissioned in partnership with Savannah College of Art & Design, Woodruff Arts Center, July 15-July 27. Oprah Winfrey Presents the Color Purple, The Fabulous Fox Theatre Atlanta, July 15-August 3.

PG 9 • insiteatlanta.com • June 2008

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Tickets for the Festival, which takes place July 18-27 in and around Atlanta, Georgia, are now on sale. Tickets for festival events are available via the web at www.nbaf.org or by calling the Woodruﬀ Arts Center at 404-733-5000.

AREA ATTRACTIONS 4TH OF JULY AT LENOX SQUARE

Put on your red, white and blue, and head to Lenox Square for the largest ﬁreworks show in the Southeast. Activities for the whole family include the Kid Zone, featuring giant slides, a rock wall, face painters, balloon artist, an obstacle course and Lenox Square Fireworks more. Live musical entertainment begins at 6 p.m. on Lenox Square’s outdoor main stage with the dazzling ﬁreworks display beginning at approximately 9:40 p.m. WSB-TV Channel 2 will broadcast the festivities live beginning at 9 p.m. Everyone is invited to join in Atlanta’s legendary celebration; admission is free! www.lenoxsquare.com

STONE MOUNTAIN PARK LA SERSHOW

This summer the Georgia skies explode with color during Stone Mountain Park’s 25th Anniversary Lasershow Spectacular. This Atlanta tradition celebrates its silver anniversary with a digitally re-mastered show. New additions to the Lasershow Spectacular include a musical score featuring a parity of all-time favorite tunes and medleys from themes such as Star Wars, PG 10 • insiteatlanta.com • June 2008

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Pirates of the Caribbean and Indiana Jones. Longlasting traditional favorites such as “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” “Trilogy” and “Celestial Soda Pop” are also back by popular demand. Admission is free. Vehicle entry into the park is $8. More information call 770-498-5690 or visit www.stonemountainpark.com.

PEACHTREE ROAD RACE

This year’s Fourth of July Atlanta tradition will feature 45,000 runners competing in one of the country’s best known 10K races. The race which starts at Lenox Square was forced to move the ﬁnish this year from Piedmont Park due to drought. The new ﬁnish line will be at Ponce and Juniper. Race time is at 7:30 AM so get up early. For more information on how to volunteer go to www.atlantatrackclub.org

SUMMER CONCERTS LAKEWOOD AMPHITHEATRE

Atlanta’s largest and premier dedicated concert venue has another stellar line-up of shows this summer. 2008 summer line-up includes: Jimmy Buﬀett (June 5); Tim McGraw (June 11); R.E.M. (June 21); Dave Mathew’s Band (July 7); Vans Warped Tour (July 9); Tony Hawk’s Boom Boom HuckJam (July 24); 311 (July 26); Poison (July 27); Linkin Park (Aug 3); Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival (August 12); Jack Johnson (August 13) and Jonas Brothers (August 20). Tickets available at www.livenation.com or ticketmaster charge by phone 404.249.6400.

ASO’S CLASSIC CHASTAIN

The Delta Classic Chastain series is in full swing again this summer. Some of the most anticipated performances include: Melissa Etheridge (June 20); George Benson (June 21); Kenny G (June 25); Boz Scaggs (July 2); Soul Asylum and Gin Blossoms (July 9); Michael McDonald and Al Green (July 16); Crosby, Stills & Nash (August 2) and Erica Badu (August 27). Tickets available at www.ticketmaster. com or charge by phone 404.249.6400.

VERIZON AMPHITHEATRE

Atlanta’s newest concert venue has a great inaugural line-up of shows. Some top performances include: Stevie Nicks (June 10); Steely Dan (June 11); Tom Petty (July 9); Foreigner and Bryan Adams (July 20); Boston and Styx (August 17); and Rod Stewart (August 27). Tickets available at www. ticketmaster.com or charge by phone 404.249.6400.

CONCERTS AT BOTANICAL GARDENS

SunTrust Concerts in the Garden is back for its 6th season with a stellar lineup that includes: Shawn Colvin (Friday, June 20); John Hiatt and the Ageless Beauties (Friday, July 11); Jerry Jeﬀ Walker with The Train Wrecks (Friday, July 18); Lucinda Williams (Friday, July 25); and KT Tunstall (Friday, August 1). The intimate setting on the Great Lawn oﬀers concert-goers a one-of-a-kind experience with

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some of the music industry’s most acclaimed artists. Visit www.concertsinthegarden.org for complete details.

BEACH ESCAPES SANDPIPER BEACON BEACH RESORT; PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL

Only a tank of gas away, The Sandpiper Beacon is one of the most popular spots for vacations on the Florida Gulf Coast. The hotel is a self contained resort offering so many recreational activities for different age groups that most guests never even leave the property. The Beacon sits on over 1000 feet of beach frontage. Escape and unwind with a cool beverage, and relax at the Tiki Bar and marvel at the breathtaking sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico. Onsite amenities include: Indoor Heated Pool, Lazy River Ride, Turbo Slide and Miniature Golf Course. This summer the smash hit duo “Gilligan Loves MaryAnn” performs daily with hits from Sheryl Crow, Tom Petty, Jimmy Buffett and other favorites. There is also family karaoke from 7 – 10PM each night and a DJ spins from 10PM – 4AM. July 5th will feature the top fireworks show in the area from the national company Pyroshows. Hotel rooms offer kitchens and there are outdoor bbq grills on the property. All entertainment and amenities come free of charge. For more information call 800.488.8828 or go to www. sandpiperbeacon.com.

DINING

Margaritas!

100 Tequilas Lime Optional.

Tequila is all the rage this summer! Agave 242 Boulevard SE 404.588.0006 agaverestaurant.com

Voted Atlanta’s Best Margarita, Agave with its high energy dining room, blends upscale Southwestern cuisine with an extensive wine list, tequila bar and exceptional service. For the past 5 years Agave has been rated excellent by the Zagat Survey, voted Best Margarita and one of ATL’s top 50 dining facilities. Agave only uses the finest ingredients and products and uses only fresh squeezed lime juice in all their margaritas which has been why they have won so many awards for the drinks. They have 85 tequilas and 10 different award winning margaritas. Some of their more renown drinks are: The Cuervo Traditional with Jose Cuervo Especial, Fresh Lime, Triple Sec & Sour. The Agave Reposado Margatini, served straight up with Cuervo Tradicional Reposado, Triple Sec, Fresh Lime & Sour. The Agave Don Eduardo Anejo with Don Eduardo Anejo, Triple Sec, Fresh Lime, & Sour served on the rocks. Agave should be your first stop on your quest for the best margarita in the city!

Coyote’s Mexican Grill 2740 East College Ave. 404.373.9383 With great food, friendly staff and strong margaritas, Coyote’s has built up a loyal following in the Avondale Estates area of Decatur. Their patio is the place to be Friday nights as their four piece Mariachi band plays to the crowd.

Coyote’s is known for their extensive list of tequilas. This summer try their Texas Margarita made with 100% Agave Tequila and Grand Marnier Or sample one of their exotic brands of tequila on the rocks. To cool off try one of their 7 GIANT flavored Margaritas. Guava, Mango, Strawberry, Papaya, Banana, Raspberry and Wild Berry are all made from 100% fruit. These fruity specialties are all made using Sauza Gold premium tequila.

Mexico City Gourmet 2134 N. Decatur Rd. 404.634.1128 www.MexicoCityGourmet.com

For 25 years, Mexico City Gourmet has been a Decatur institution. They are located in N. Decatur Plaza on the corner of N. Decatur Rd. and Clairmont. In recent years, Mexico City Gourmet has been voted best Mexican Restaurant and won awards for their food and Margaritas. The margaritas here are outstanding. The Classic is their original margarita and has been a favorite here for over 20 years. The El Dorado is a blend of Jose Cuervo, Contreau and Gran Gala. Their Villa Margarita consists of Jose Cuervo Classico, 1800 Cuervo and Blue Curaceo. They also have several fruity margar-

itas including strawberry, mango and peach. You can also make a margarita of your own using any of their quality tequilas including Patron, Don Julio, Herradura and Tres Generationes. The margaritas are sold by the glass, jumbo size (18oz), by the liter or pitcher. They have 12 lunch specials on the menu for under $7 offered weekdays from 11-3:30pm with $3.50 margaritas. Each Monday at Mexico City Gourmet their classic margaritas are sold at $3 and every Thursday for the margarita afficionados they offer the ‘1800’ ultimate margarita for only $4!! They also offer nightly specials for summer.

El Azteca 939 Ponce de Leon 404.881.6040

Overlooking Ponce De Leon Avenue, the award winning outdoor patio at El Azteca is one of the most happening places to be in summer. El Azteca boasts a renovated interior in case you can’t get a table outside. However if you are lucky enough to grab one, there is nothing better than to hang out on their patio with one of their “kick-ass”margaritas. Served as small, medium, half-pitcher and pitcher they come in four flavors. The traditional Texas plus fruity Strawberry, Peach and Mango. Popular tequila served here include 1800, Cuervo and Patron. This long serving neighborhood restaurant serves all the standard Mexican dishes you'd expect, such as starters like chips and salsa and entrees including burritos, chalupas, enchiladas and a wide selection of vegetarian dishes.

Blue Frog Cantina 469 Flat Shoals Ave. SE 404.658.6108 www.bluefrogatl.com

Under new ownership, this popular East Atlanta cantina is offering exciting new menu items and events this summer. Among them is their $1 Taco deal every Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday is ladies night as they serve up frozen margaritas and featuring DJ sassy. Team Trivia is offered Thursday nights at 8PM and Poker is held on Sunday nights also at 8PM. Their popular patio is reserved for people watching and tossing back one of their 17 margaritas. Their many fruity flavors include banana, tangerine and orange. The house favorite is pomegranate served with fresh pomegranate liquor. Some of their killer margaritas include the Texas made with Grand Marnier and the Cadillac made with Cointreau. Blue Frog is open Monday - Saturday from 5pm - 12am and Sundays 5pm - 11pm. There is ample free parking and credit cards are accepted.

Sweet Devil Moon 980 Piedmont Ave. 404.347.3600 www.sdmatlanta.com

Sweet Devil Moon serves authentic Peruvian Tapas and Great Margaritas to boot! Located just off the corner of Piedmont and 10th Street, they offer a great enclosed patio that is a part of the hot Midtown scene. A variety of margaritas including lime, peach, mango and stawberry are served either frozen or on the rocks.

O C C I IT Y X E M Gourmet

Giant M

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argaritas

Located N. Decatur Plaza 404-634-1128 | www.MexicoCityGourment.com “Serving Emory / Decatur Since 1982”

East Atlanta

DOLLAR TACOS Mondays & Tuesdays Largest Selection of Margaritas

Wednesdays 8pm: LADIES NIGHT WITH DJ SASSY Thursdays 8pm: EAV TEAM TRIVIA Sundays 8pm: POKER 404.658.6108 469 Flat Shoals Ave. SE | Atlanta, GA 30316 PG 11 • insiteatlanta.com • June 2008

2008

FILM

BY MITCHELL HUGHES

ELL, SPRING HAS SPRUNG, but the Summer movie season seems to keep coming earlier and earlier. We saw last year’s award season end in February with No Country for Old Men receiving the Oscar for Best Picture (that was one hell of a haircut, wasn’t it?), we saw Lady Liberty removed of her crown in Cloverfield, and though we were made to see Jason Segal’s junk we’ve all but forgotten Sarah Marshall. Iron Man is already a hit, Speed Racer already isn’t, but such is the cutthroat world of the Summer blockbuster. Enough talk. Let’s get it on! MAY SAVAGE GRACE May 30th The Cast: Julianne Moore, Eddie Redmayne, Stephen Dillane The Plot: Spanning 1946 to 1972, the film is a dramatization of the shocking murder of Barbara Daly Baekeland, a London socialite who married above her class to the heir of a plastics fortune, and depicts the tumultuous and sordid details of their dysfunctional family which includes a son. The Scoop: For an actress as daring as Julianne Moore (Short Cuts, anyone?), it’s ludicrous to think that she hasn’t won an Oscar. She might have a chance for another nomination with Savage Grace, if only it wasn’t just a tad lurid (and by a tad, we mean more like a ton). But bonus points should be awarded for the film not being titled Saving Grace. Wasn’t that a Kate Hudson movie? If it isn’t, it probably will be. THE FOOT FIST WAY May 30th The Cast: Danny McBride, Mary Jane Bostic, The Plot: Through the five tenets of Tae Kwon Do: courtesy, self-control, perseverance, integrity and indomitable spirit small town Tae Kwon Do instructor Fred Simmons (McBride) teaches his young protégés the power of the Foot and Fist. But when his wife leaves him he and his odd-ball friends make a pilgrimage to meet the greatest Martial Artist of all time, “The Truck.” The Scoop: It may not be saying much, but McBride all but stole Hot Rod from underneath Andy Samberg (he was hilarious as Rod’s ramp-making friend, Rico) and is on the cusp of comedy stardom. This deadpan film originally came to the attention to FunnyorDie.com founders Will Ferrell and Adam McKay in 2006, and the duo helped get it a theatrical release. PG 12 • insiteatlanta.com • June 2008

It just might be the sleeper hit of the summer. JUNE YOU DON’T MESS WITH THE ZOHAN June 6th The Cast: Adam Sandler, Emmanuelle Chriqui, John Turturro, Nick Swarsdon The Plot: In You Don’t Mess With the Zohan, a comedy from screenwriters Adam Sandler, Robert Smigel (Triumph the Insult Comic Dog) and Judd Apatow, Sandler stars as Zohan, an Israeli commando who fakes his own death in order to pursue his dream: becoming a hairstylist in New York. Dennis Dugan, the maker of some of the worst so-called comedies in memory, directs. The Scoop: Sandler continues to dance with the one who brung him and is back with another familiar, conventional “Adam Sandler Movie”. Granted, most of his films do not contain Israeli soldiers or amorous hairdressers, and with Reign Over Me he’s shown some out-of-the-box thinking, but it would be a shame to think that his Big Daddy, Waterboy-era fanbase has outgrown him. KUNG FU PANDA June 6th The Cast (Featuring the voices of ): Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Ian McShane, Angelina Jolie The Plot: Jack Black is the voice of Po the Panda, the laziest of all the animals in the Valley of Peace. Po’s dreams become reality when he joins the world of Kung Fu and studies alongside his idols, the legendary Furious Five-- Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper and Monkey-- under the leadership of their guru, Master Shifu. Suddenly, their world is threatened by the vengeful and treacherous snow leopard Tai Lung, and Po is the unlikely one chosen to defend their peaceful existence. The Scoop: Try as they might, DreamWorks Animation can’t quite measure up to the consistent excellence that is Pixar. As long as they continue to dabble in tired pop culture references and in-jokes only parents will get, Kung Fu Panda is likely to be nothing more than a temporary diversion on a hot day. THE INCREDIBLE HULK

June 13th The Cast: Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William Hurt The Plot: The Hulk returns, this time played by Ed Norton in place of Eric Bana and directed by Louis Leterrier in place of Oscar-winner Ang Lee. When the movie begins, Bruce Banner has already transformed into the giant green Hulk and hiding out in Brazil trying to find a cure for the gamma-ray exposure that turns him into a monster. On his trail is Gen. Thunderbolt Ross (Hurt) and Emil Blonsky (Roth), a soldier who turns into his foe, Abomination. The Scoop: The new film is said to be truer, not only to the comic book, but to the ‘70s TV show. However, there have reportedly been major creative differences over the final cut of the picture between Norton and Marvel Studios. Marvel opted for a leaner, more fast-paced version and apparently prevailed. If Ed Norton is as apoplectic as has been reported… well, that’s not a good sign. THE HAPPENING June 13th The Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel, John Leguizamo, Spencer Breslin The Plot: While on a train journey to sort out their rocky marriage, Wahlberg (as a Philadelphia-based science teacher) and Deschanel discover that a mysterious and deadly force is wreaking havoc throughout major American cities. Heading for the Pennsylvania farmlands, where they hope they’ll be out of reach of the grisly, evergrowing environmental attacks, they discover that nowhere is safe. The Scoop: The Happening looks to be a return to form for M. Night Shyamalan after the failures of The Village and The Lady in the Water. It looks incredibly scary. Give him credit also for the unlikely pairing of Wahlberg

and Daschanel as a married couple. On the downside, the chances are slim of someone in this movie declaring, “It’s my happening baby and it freaks me out.” Which is ironic when you think about it. GET SMART June 20th The Cast: Steve Carrell, Anne Hathaway, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Alan Arkin, Terrence Stamp The Plot: Maxwell Smart (Carell) is on a mission to thwart the latest plot for world domination by the evil crime syndicate known as KAOS. When the headquarters of the U.S. spy agency CONTROL is attacked and the identities of its agents compromised, the Chief has no choice but to promote his ever-eager analyst, Maxwell Smart. With little field experience, but with the help of Agent 99, Smart must thwart the doomsday plans of KAOS. The Scoop: It’s hard to predict which Steve Carrell will show up in Get Smart. Will it be the Carrell of 40 Year Old Virgin and The Office, or will it be the Carrell of Evan Almighty and his somewhat stilted SNL hosting stints? More importantly, does director Peter Segal (The Longest Yard, 50 First Dates) have what it takes to match the sardonic wit and comedic timing of the classic 1960s spy spoof sitcom? We wouldn’t bet on it. THE LOVE GURU June 20th The Cast: Mike Myers, Jessica Alba, Justin Timberlake, Romany Malco, Verne Troyer The Plot: Pitka (Myers) is an American raised by gurus in India who returns to Canada in order to break into the self-help

business. His first challenge is to settle the romantic troubles and subsequent professional skid of star Toronto Maple Leafs hockey player Darren Roanoke (Malco), whose wife left him for rival skater Jacques Grande (Timberlake). Jessica Alba plays Jane Bullard, the owner of the team and Pitka’s love interest. The Scoop: Myers modeled the milky voice of Pitka on his own spiritual guru, Deepak Chopra. The two appeared together in IFC’s Iconclasts series, where Myers explained that the death of both his father and his hero, George Harrison, eventually led him on a spiritual quest to create this film. And yet, in spite of his enlightened state of consciousness and gift for creating inspired characters, he also has a weakness for lowbrow humor. Plus, something tells me Austin Powers has Guru Pitka’s number in his rolodex. WALL-E June 27th Robotic Voices Designed by: Ben Burtt The Plot: The makers of the newest Pixar animated film wish to ask us, “What if mankind had to leave Earth and somebody forgot to turn off the last robot”? WALL-E (short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class) is that last and loneliest of robots who, for 700 years, has dutifully collected trash on an isolated and empty planet. Suddenly he meets a sleek search robot named EVE, who discovers that WALL-E has inadvertently stumbled upon the key to the planet’s future. The Scoop: WALL-E appears to be a leap forward in a photorealistic style of computer animation, but it also represents a bit of a risk for Pixar in that the robots’ only means of communication are electronic beeps and bloops created by Oscar-winning sound designer Ben Burtt. If it’s possible for the world’s most consistently excellent film studio to have yet another breakthrough at this point, WALL-E certainly looks like just that. WANTED June 27th The Cast: Angelina Jolie, James MacAvoy, Morgan Freeman, Common The Plot: Young Wesley Gibson (McAvoy) finds out that his long-lost father is an assassin. When his father is murdered, the son is recruited into his father’s old organization and trained by a man named Sloan (Freeman) to follow in his dad’s footsteps. Jolie plays Fox, the woman who teaches Wes to unlock his dormant powers of reflex and agility, but ultimately proves not to be who she seems. The Scoop: If this movie is wanting for anything, it would be a better title. Based upon the explosive graphic novel series by Mark Millar, Wanted appears ready to offer only the occasional cheap thrill, including a bullet-bending trick a la The Matrix. JULY HANCOCK July 2nd The Cast: Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman The Plot: Will Smith is John Hancock, an alcoholic and lazy vagrant with no respect for authority or property. Ironically, he also possesses superpowers, and the de-

struction he leaves in his wake leaves him despised by everyone. A publicist (Bateman) emerges to help rehabilitate him, and the new superhero eventually begins an affair with the publicist’s wife (Theron). The Scoop: Smith is already predicting that Hancock, a film that has been in development hell for 12 years, will be his biggest to date. A bold statement, to be sure, but if you haven’t already learned by now, when it comes to the 4th of July movie weekend, you don’t mess with the Will Smith! HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY July 11th The Cast: Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Jeffrey Tambor, Doug Jones The Plot: Ron Perlman is back as Hellboy, the possessor of the coolest pair of severed devil horns in movie history. In this sequel to the 2004 film, the mythical world starts a rebellion against humanity in order to rule the Earth, so Hellboy and his team must return to save the world from the rebellious creatures. The Scoop: Expectations are a bit higher than they were for the original sleeper, which found a cult following and earned $59 million at the box

mastermind known to the terrified citizens of Gotham as The Joker. The Scoop: Long gone are the days of the campy Pop Art aesthetic of the ‘60s TV show. Given the tragic and untimely death of Heath Ledger, the newest incarnation of the Dark Knight seems from the outside at least to be all the more depressing. That the film might draw more interest from non-devotees may not be a bad thing. According to director Christopher Nolan, Ledger’s approach to playing the Joker was “totally fearless,” and perhaps that’s the best way to remember him in his last performance. MAMMA MIA! July 18th The Cast: Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, July Walters The Plot: An independent single mother who owns a small hotel on an idyllic Greek island, Donna (Streep) is about to see her young daughter Sophie

Mary Steenburgen, Richard Jenkins The Plot: Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly play Brennen Huff and Dale Doback respectively, two overgrown underemployed man-children, who become stepbrothers when their single parents marry and move in with one another. Initially full of contempt, they form and unlikely bond as they hatch an elaborate plan to bring their parents back together. The Scoop: Look, nobody says Will Ferrell has to grow up, unless of course he wants to, but it sure would be nice if for just once Ferrell, Reilly and McKay would put as much effort into making a cohesive movie while sticking to the script (that they themselves wrote) as they do constantly coming up with one-liners on the set that ultimately leads to a funny trailer and yet a bad film. AMERICAN TEEN July 25th The Cast: 4 real life senior classmen at Indiana high school Warsaw Community High The Plot: Nanette Burstein is a documentary filmmaker who, in her films On the Ropes and The Kid Stays in The Picture, has displayed a great respect for her subjects and a dedication to portraying them fairly and honestly. In American Teen, she focuses her attention on a diverse group of high school teenagers as they navigate the struggles of school, cliques and life in general. The Scoop: American Teen premiered at Sundance in January, received an award for directing and was picked up for distribution. It has drawn comparisons to The Breakfast Club and has garnered some buzz. Gee, it’s so great to finally see young people in this country get the chance to voice their thoughts and feelings… AUGUST

office. But for a superhero action movie, the Hellboy franchise is relatively low-key and seems to prefer subtle, dry humor in the midst of demons and monsters doing battle. Director Guillermo Del Toro (aka Peter Jackson’s heir apparent on The Hobbit) hopes to convey a sense of loss of fantasy and imagination, not only in his fictional world, but in our world as well. Hey you! That sounds like Winter Movie Season talk... THE DARK KNIGHT July 18th The Cast: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Maggie Gyllenhaal The Plot: With the help of Lieutenant Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman sets out to dismantle the remaining criminal organizations that plague Gotham City. The partnership proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a reign of chaos unleashed by a rising criminal

be married. Donna invites two old friends but Sophie has tracked down three men from her mother’s past to see which one may be her father. The film is based on the popular Broadway musical set to the songs of ABBA. The Scoop: If the word of mouth success of Nia Vardalos’ My Big Fat Greek Wedding could have the same effect on Mamma Mia!, the producers of the film would be very happy. People from Greece sure seem to want to see movies that have something to do with their home country. This is probably because there aren’t a whole lot of them, movies that is. And as if you didn’t know this was a chick flick, the exclamation point pretty much seals the deal. STEP BROTHERS July 25th The Cast: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly,

THE ROCKER August 1st The Cast: Rainn Wilson, Will Arnett, Christina Applegate, Josh Gad, Jeff Garlin, Teddy Geiger The Plot: Musician Robert “Fish” Fishman (Wilson) is fired from Vesuvius, a fictional 1980’s hair band, before they become famous. The movie follows him as he gets a second chance at fame when he joins the garage band of his nephew, Matt (Gad). His love interest (Applegate) is the mother of the band’s guitarist, Curtis (Geiger). The Scoop: If it’s even remotely fathomable, Pete Best-- the original drummer for the Beatles before he got the boot, only to see his former mates achieve the heights of greatness and glory-- has a cameo role in the film. He plays himself, as you might imagine, and that alone is worth the price of admission. No hard feelings, Pete. THE MUMMY: TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR August 1st The Cast: Brenden Fraser, Jet Li, Maria Bello The Plot: The Mummy franchise shifts from Egypt to China for this next chapter in the adventure series. Brendan Fraser returns as explorer Rick O’Connell to combat the resurrected Qin Emperor (Jet Li) in an epic battle that races from the catacombs of ancient China high into the frigid Himalayas. He along with his wife Evelyn (Bello) and son Alex (Luke Ford) PG 13 • insiteatlanta.com • June 2008

must stop a mummy awoken from a 2,000-year-old curse who threatens to plunge the world into his merciless, unending service. The Scoop: Another Mummy movie? You gotta be kidding. Director Rob Cohen says that although he had walked away from the XXX and Fast and the Furious franchises, his conversion to Buddhism inspired him to make a movie set in China. The unpredictable but always likable Brendan Fraser returns as well and, in spite of non-stop CGI action, he might be the film’s strongest attraction. But no Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson? What’s up with that!?! SWING VOTE August 1st The Cast: Kevin Costner, Kelsey Grammer, Dennis Hopper, Stanley Tucci, Nathan Lane The Plot: Costner stars as Bud Johnson, an apathetic, beer slinging, lovable loser, who is coasting through a life that has passed him by, except for the one bright spot in his mundane existence is his precocious 12 year old daughter, Molly. She takes care of them both, until one mischievous moment on Election Day, when she accidentally sets off a chain of events which culminates in the presidential election coming down to one vote, her dads. Suddenly, Bud Johnson becomes the voice for everybody when the world realizes that his vote will be the one that elects the next president. The Scoop: It seems like the more times the notoriously cantankerous Kevin Costner plays these care-free loafers the more you kind of want to have a beer with him. He’s definitely getting smarter with choosing more off the beaten path roles

and it might just be his road back to the respectability and stature he once possessed. Swing Vote looks like the kind of bipartisan, populist crowd pleaser we used to get with movies like Dave. PINEAPPLE EXPRESS August 8th The Cast: Seth Rogen, James Franco, Bill Hader, Rosie Perez, Gary Cole The Plot: That’s “plot,” not pot. Oh, but there’s that too. Rogen plays stoner Dale Denton, who has only one reason to visit his equally lazy dealer, Saul Silver: to purchase weed. Specifically, a rare new strain called Pineapple Express. But when Dale becomes the only witness to a murder by a crooked cop and the city’s most dangerous drug lord, he panics and dumps his stash of Pineapple Express at the scene. Both men hit the road, but soon realize that their herb is traceable and that the bad guys are hot on their trail.

The Scoop: Judd Apatow protégés Seth Rogen and James Franco have not officially been reunited since the classic NBC series Freaks and Geeks until now. Apatow’s roster of stars has a new member in director David Gordon Green (George Washington) which no doubt gives this movie considerable cache. And although he’s only the producer of this, one can only wonder what comes first, the Judd Apatow Backlash or the Judd Apatow Backlash backlash? TROPIC THUNDER August 15th The Cast: Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., Nick Nolte, Steve Coogan, Matthew McConaughey, Danny McBride The Plot: A group of generally spoiled and vainglorious movie stars filming an epic Vietnam War movie find themselves in an actual war zone and are forced to become the soldiers they are portraying

when their fed-up writer-director decides to dump them in the middle of the jungle. The Scoop: Thunder is Stiller’s first time in the director’s chair since Zoolander in 2001 but his new creation has more of the absurdist feel of his short-lived Fox sketch comedy series. Among the handful of bold choices is the casting of Downey Jr. as an eccentric, “serious” actor who undergoes a risky medical procedure to darken his skin to play a black man. As you might imagine, Stiller had initially planned to hire an African American actor. But most buzzed about is Tom Cruise’s cameo as a balding, overweight studio boss blowhard. However, Thunder’s producers are doing their best to keep that under wraps so, just pretend you didn’t hear that. For the love of God people, keep it to yourselves! CROSSING OVER August 22nd The Cast: Harrison Ford, Sean Penn, Ray Liotta, Cliff Curtis, Ashley Judd The Plot: Crossing Over is a multi-character canvas about immigrants of different nationalities struggling to achieve legal status in Los Angeles. The film deals with the border, document fraud, the asylum and green card process, work-site enforcement, naturalization, the office of counter terrorism and the clash of cultures. The Scoop: Few details are available regarding the production of the film, although given the cast and director Wayne Kramer (The Cooler) it sounds like an early critical favorite that may stay around long enough for the onslaught of award season that, like Summer, seems to start a little earlier every year.

FILM INTERVIEW

HURT’S SO GOOD: Whether Playing a U.S. President or the Incredible Hulk’s Nemesis, William Hurt Raises the Game BY B. LOVE

ITH FOUR ACADEMY AWARD nominations (and one win, for 1986’s Kiss Of The Spider Woman) and more than 50 credits over the course of a respected 30-year film career, William Hurt is hardly the first actor one might consider for a lead role in a comic book adaptation about a scientist turned into a hulking monster by gamma radiation. But just ask the Washington, DC native about his turn as General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross in this month’s The Incredible Hulk and you’ll watch a broad smile cross his grizzled face. The sequel to the 2003 film directed by Ang Lee, The Incredible Hulk finds Edward Norton taking over the Bruce Banner/Hulk role from Eric Bana, with Hurt’s Ross both the military mastermind trying to capture the green giant and the father of Betty Ross (Liv Tyler), Banner’s love interest. We recently sat down with the iconic star of films such as Altered States, Children of a Lesser God, Broadcast News and A History of Violence to talk about everything from Bill Clinton and politics to complex characters and comic books. I read somewhere that you spoke with Bill Clinton during your research for your role in Vantage Point. What was he like in person? It’s amazing how available he was, how personable. Imagine the number of people he has to meet! So I was pretty floored by that, but it was a quick conversation because I was pressed for time when I got through to him. Imagine me saying, “Mr. President, I gotta go. I’ve got a plane PG 14 • insiteatlanta.com • June 2008

to catch…” It was absurd for me to be telling him that, but I found him even in that circumstance to be very decent. I heard you’re going to Europe for your next film? Yes, to work with Julie Delpy on her next film, which is called The Countess. And you play the bad guy in that? I don’t know. It’s set in the feudal ages, when I think everyone was pretty much basically bad. Or maybe we’re all still bad, I don’t know. And now you’re playing the bad guy in The Incredible Hulk. In The Incredible Hulk, he’s not a bad guy either. He’s not a villain? Nooooo... He’s conflicted. (Laughter) Did you love The Hulk when you were a kid? I did– I loved it! So I didn’t blink. I jumped at it, and then I found out

after I signed up that it’s one of my 18-year-old son’s favorite comics. So now you’re the cool dad. I don’t know if I’m cool. It depends on the day when your kid’s a teenager.

wasn’t questioning himself. I think unless you were asked to play one, and then you’d have to play a simpleton, or a crazy person, or an angel. A pathologue or a saint. One of the bookends of life.

Could you talk a bit about your character in the film? General Ross is conflicted. He wants Hulk’s power, but is humiliated by Hulk’s conscience. He actually sees and occasionally recognizes that it’s more developed than his own, even though he’s a patriot and a warrior for his country. He’s sacrificed immensely for that purpose, but at the expense of his humanity, which he occasionally recovers.

Your character in Mr. Brooks didn’t seem very conflicted. That’s not a person. He’s there to provoke conflict, pure and simple. That’s a wonderful thing for an actor to get to play, because it’s a real clear throughline. Brooks was a lot of fun for me because I didn’t have to worry about playing a human being. Playing a human being is real difficult. Look at the dimensions of humanity, which are always to some extent in doubt. To me, one of the standard events in human experience is, “Jeez, I don’t know what’s going on here today, or what’s going to happen next.” We don’t quite know. There are people who are completely committed to no more surprises, and there’s something to be said for that. But it’s gonna throw armies of babies out with the bathwater.

Was your character in A History of Violence conflicted? Was Richard III conflicted? They’re all conflicted. Yes, definitely.

Other than the Julie Delphy ﬁlm, what else are you working on next? Actually [Vantage Point director] Pete Travis and I are talking about doing a ﬁlm on Nelson Mandela in South Africa, and I’m really chomping at the bit to get started on that.

Is there even such a thing as a non-conﬂicted character? I don’t think I could identify with one who

Would you be playing De Klerk? No, I would be a poly sci professor who was involved in the back room negotiations, which took place mostly in England before Mandela was let out of prison.

FILM INTERVIEW

TENACIOUS JB- JACK BLACK ON MOVIES, MUSIC & BEING A DAD BY B. LOVE

T’S BEEN seven years since I first met the force of nature that is Jack Black in a Beverly Hills hotel suite, but movie stardom, worldtouring rock god status and a burgeoning family don’t seem to have changed the 38-year-old much. Though his hair is currently dyed shockingly blonde for a film role, he still bristles with sarcastic wit, his manic eyebrows and expressive facial contortions like a master class in the fine art of comedy. Though he may have a musician wife (cellist-singer Tanya Haden, of Let’s Go Sailing fame) and a toddler son, Sam, he’s still an unpredictable ball of spastic energy, his id unleashed for the amusement of all. And though movies like The Holiday and Margot At The Wedding allowed him to stretch his talents and play more serious roles (not to mention romancing Kate Winslet and Jennifer Jason Leigh), films like this month’s Kung Fu Panda and August’s Ben Stiller-directed Tropic Thunder prove that comedies remain his bread and butter. Truth is, Jack Black is the rare Hollywood talent who doesn’t seem all that affected by fame, preferring hanging with his family and best friend/Tenacious D bandmate Kyle Gass over pretentious parties. Here’s he touches on topics from his love of naked Schwarzenegger and Bobby McFerrin to the attraction of animation. For a guy who rose to fame with a cable TV comedy band, you’ve become a huge movie star. What kind of movies did you enjoy growing up? When I was a kid I really liked the sci-fi/action genre. I really liked RoboCop, and the original Terminator with the naked Schwarzenegger. The Road Warrior was another one of my favorites. Did you make your own movies as a kid? I never really made my own movies. I did little plays and performances, but never on film. That was never my medium. I had a tape recorder and I did radio plays. But making Be Kind Rewind did remind me of childhood. What did you do with the million bucks you made for your first big movie role? I actually bought a house and it turned out to be a big piece of crap. I was like, “I’m going to fix it– I’m gonna polish this turd!” Then a year later I’m like, “This thing sucks! Get rid of it!” So I sold it and

I lost like $150,000 on it because I’m a big retardo. Be Kind Rewind was very different from your last movie, Margot at the Wedding. Do you like mixing it up a bit and moving from comedy to drama? Yeah, that’s why I like making movies as opposed to doing a play. It’s fun to change gears! Tenacious D has obviously influenced a lot of young comedy bands, like Flight of the Conchords. Who were your major musical influences when you were growing up? I’d go through different psycho fan periods. I was a big Urge Overkill fan, and I went through my Soul Asylum period. Now I’m like, what was I thinking?! I was a huge Bobby McFerrin fan in high school– I don’t know what that was about. I was

Monk song! But I did do some studying because my wife’s father [legendary bassist Charlie Haden] is a jazz musician and I wanted to impress him, so I went out and bought that documentary about jazz by Ken Burns. I learned something interesting– blues and ragtime created jazz when they had sex in New Orleans, and jazz was the baby. What’s going on with Tenacious D at the moment? We’ve been writing some songs, but they’re all really lame right now except for one powerful jam called “Death Star.” We need to surround it with another 13 equally powerful songs, so in about 2012 you might see another album from us. How do you and your partner Kyle Gass work when you’re writing songs together? Kyle is always a bubbling cauldron of

How do you deal with getting recognized in the street now? I go, “What?! I don’t know who you’re talking about. Who?! Oh yeah, people always think I’m that guy. No, that’s not me.” Or sometimes I just go, “Yeah, that’s me.” It depends on how I’m feeling. One time I went to this place and this really drunk guy started touching my hair, then he started mushing my face with his hands. I was VERY perturbed. He wasn’t blind or anything; I think he just liked me. How do you balance Tenacious D, movies, marriage and being a dad? I’m very, very busy. But the way I do it is I look ahead on the future calendar and I can see that, at some point, I have nothing on the schedule. No matter how hard it is, no matter how little sleep I’m getting, I know that there is sleep at the end of that rainbow. I heard your wife is expecting again? Yes, she’s expecting! You must be the perfect father, because you already do the kinds of crazy things most kids want to do. Yeah, I’m already breaking all the rules! But he [his son Samuel] isn’t even two years old yet, so it’s not time for breaking the rules. I tell him when he can’t do stuff, though. You really have to explain things. You have to say, “I know you really want to go in this drawer and play with the shaving cream, but you can’t because it’ll make a big mess.” But he still cries.

THE MOST ROCK ‘N’ ROLL THING ABOUT ME IS DEFINITELY THE HOURS I KEEP. I’M NATURALLY A STAY UP ALL NIGHT, SLEEP IN ALL DAY KIND OF VAMPIRE DUDE. THE LEAST ROCK ‘N’ ROLL THING IS HOW WHIPPED I AM BY MY LADY. I PRETTY MUCH DO EVERYTHING SHE TELLS ME TO DO. into heavy metal, but not to the same degree I am now. What are the most and least rock ‘n’ roll things about you? The most rock ‘n’ roll thing about me is definitely the hours I keep. I’m naturally a stay up all night, sleep in all day kind of vampire dude. The least rock ‘n’ roll thing is how whipped I am by my lady. I pretty much do everything she tells me to do. I notice you’re wearing a Thelonius Monk shirt. Are you a big jazz fan? I’m wearing a Thelonious Monk shirt, which means I know one Thelonious

tunes. He’s always playing and working on little melodies and riffs, so then I need to have something that I think is funny, like a concept that I want to riff on or a type of song that I want to make that we’ve never made before. Then we can just start jammin’, and we’re always recording. You guys have a fairly rabid following. What’s the weirdest fan encounter you’ve had so far? Probably the weirdest encounter is just people Kyle talks to in the Internet chat rooms coming out to our shows and taking us back to their shadowy lairs for all sorts of debauchery.

I bet he’ll get a big kick out of your next film, Kung Fu Panda. Why are animated films so much fun for you? They almost don’t count when you’re doing it, because it’s so easy. You don’t have to get up early, you don’t have to get in makeup, and they can get your voice anywhere in the world. It’s a sweet gig, if you can get it. You go in like once a month for a few hours… once a month for eight years. At the end there’s a great cartoon, and you’re the star of it. It’s the best job! The only thing is that I’ll have to promote it like crazy.

What can you tell us about the character you play? Well, it’s a kung fu panda bear from China, and it’s set in an alternate universe where animals talk. It’s an escape from the real world. Why spend so much time trying to recreate what the real world is like? PG 15 • insiteatlanta.com • June 2008

East Atlanta Village www.badearl.com Wed - June 11 Mudhoney 8pm

Tues & Thurs: Trivia 8pm Wednesdays: Texas Hold ‘em

Thr - June 12

LIVE MUSIC TUES–SUN

Fri - June 13

Every Wednesday THE MIKE VEAL BAND Every Sunday THE FRANSISCO VIDAL BAND

Sat - June 14

Thursday, June 12 CONNOR CHRISTIAN’S BAND Friday, June 13 SWAMI GONE BANANAS Saturday, June 14 BRIAN WILTSEY & FRIENDS Thursday, June 19 STEROTYPE Friday, June 20 TYLER REEVE BAND Saturday, June 21 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY PARTY BRIAN WILTSEY BAND Friday, June 27 BRIAN WILTSEY & FRIENDS Saturday, June 28 DODGER FEST MUSIC: TBA

��

9:30pm

Tue - June 17

9pm

Unwed Sailor

Sybris ▪ O’Brother OK Productions presents

Shearwater

Silver Lakes ▪ Jeffrey Butzer OK Productions presents

Firewater

Bear in Heaven Chunklet Magazine presents

Harvey Milk

Pride Parade ▪ Birthday Suits

Grand Archives

Thr - June 19

Thao and the Get Down Stay Down

Sat - June 21

Triple Ds presents

9pm

9:30pm

Mon - June 23

9pm

Fri - June 27

9pm

Sera Cahoone ▪ Ben Trickey Liz Durrett ▪ Sealions

Modey Lemon

The Liverhearts ▪ Vera Fang OK Productions presents:

Times New Viking

Centro-Matic ▪ The Preakness Alan Bishop and Richard Bishop presents

The Brothers Unconnected

(A tribute to the music of Sun City Girls and Charles Gocher)

Sat - June 28

Cas Haley

Mon - June 30

Silver Apples ▪ Loto Ball Show

9pm 9pm

Fri - July 4

9pm

Sat - July 5 9:30pm

Tue - July 8

8pm

& special guests

Chunklet Magazine presents

Boris

Torche ▪ Clouds OK Productions presents

The Black Angels

The Warlocks ▪ Imaad Wasif

�� www.bottler.biz PG 16 • insiteatlanta.com • June 2008

�� Samantha Crain �� Don Dixion & the Jump Rabbits �� Blues Envy �� Burden of Visions �� Left Lane Cruiser �� Fran & Co. �� Joz Garage �� Imrov A**hole �� Open Mic �� Patrick Vining �� Sarah G. �� Dark Tranquility �� Mighty Orq �� Summer Hostage �� Weston Faulkner �� Dysrhythmia �� Theresa Andersson �� JT Speed �� Tendaberry �� Stereotype �� Ingrid Michaelson �� Stevie Nicks

Burning Brides

��

OR VISIT US AT

�� Steve Coffey �� Josh Joplin �� Blues Envy �� Roots of Creation �� The Boys of Oak Ridge �� Fran & Co.

Recompas ▪ DJs Vicki V & Suzy Q (Fringe Factory)

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�� Reverse Bomonkey �� SWEAT �� Magic Slim & the Teardrops �� Ian Schumacher �� Earl Greyhound �� Michelle Malone �� Rough Draft �� The Breaks �� The Almost, Emery �� Slippery When Wet �� Lord T & Eloise �� De Nova Dahl �� Brian Wiltsey & Friends �� Over the Rhine �� Today the Moon, Tomorrow the Sun

Jah Roots

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

CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION

CALENDER

Birds of Avalon ▪ Anna Kramer & the Lost Cause

Wed - June 18 9pm

CONCERT

�� Unzipt �� Kenni Myles & Guests �� Hipxotica 404 �� Flux Capicitor �� Dead Confederate �� Open Mic Shootout �� Jumpin’ Jukes �� Feeding Fingers �� The Bastard Suns �� Emarosa �� Poptart Monkeys �� Xtra Medium Friends �� The Dreadful Yawns �� Brian & Gareth �� Jeremy Enigk �� The Standby Records

Jimmy Buffett @��(6-5) �� Open Mic �� Patrick Vining �� The Hired Gun Band �� Emmure �� Gravel Undertone �� Summer Hostage �� Hipnotic Unplugged �� Jay Clifford �� JT Speed �� EP3 �� Stereotype �� Al Smith’s Midtown Jam �� Mac McAnally �� The Long Shadows �� Jeff & Vida, The Gougers �� Chicago Joe Jones �� Hoedown of Darkness �� DJ Tubby Style �� The Kin �� Twin Tigers �� Mike Veal Band �� The Regulars �� Brandon Perry �� The Barberries �� Don Chambers �� Chickenshack �� Joe McGuinness �� Jimmy Buffett �� Sparkys Flaw �� Delicious �� Attractive 80s Women �� Icecaps �� Mr. Fernando �� Railroad Earth �� Eric Huthcinson �� Might McFly �� Orquesta MaCuba �� 4 out of 5 Dentists �� Dixie Bee Liners �� Work in Progress �� Ligion �� The Ying Yang Twins �� Captain Soularcat �� The Right Rev. Andy’s �� Brain P. & Friends �� Ledisi �� The Jungle & Sun Domingo

�� Al Smith’s Midtown Jam �� Mudhoney �� Sonia Leigh �� Chicago Joe Jones �� Hayden �� Dilated Peoples �� Tim McGraw �� Alien Sex Fiend �� DJ Tubby Style �� Dumpstaphunk �� Guilty Hearts �� Mike Veal Band �� Vampire Weekend �� Steely Dan �� 80s for the Ladies �� Time 2 Shine Showcase �� Haz Mat �� Unwed Sailor, Sybris �� Arlington Priest �� Chickenshack �� Jazzmatic �� Murphys Law �� Rise Phoenix �� Tab Benoit �� Freakout!!! �� Connor Christian’s Band �� Zappa Plays Zappa �� Colour Revolt

Shinedown @��(6-17) �� The White Leppard Crue �� Killer Mic, Yelawolf �� Ian Schumacher �� Shearwater �� Carolyn Wonderland �� Fat Back Deluxe �� Enter the Haggis �� The Breeders �� The Breakfast Club �� Maria Taylor �� Gasoline Heart �� Rachelle Ferrell �� Swami Gone Bananas �� Ladytron �� Crazy Anglos �� Girlz Girlz Girlz �� Fusion �� Chris Botti

�� Brian Wiltsey Band �� Moe �� Rick Brantley

BEETHOVEN’S BEST

�� Robert Spano, conductor DejanScalded Lazic, piano �� Dog �� Open Mic July 4 ~ 6:00pm �� Patrick Vining �� Ralph Roddenbery �� Dreaming of High-Fives �� Summer Hostage

ALL-AMERICAN CELEBRATION Robert Spano, conductor

�� July Hipnotic 9 ~ 8:00pm ��

SAM BUSH JIMMY GAUDREAU & MOONDI KLEIN

PUCCINI’S LA BOHEME

TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES

BOSTON/STYX JULIE ANDREWS �� Milk & THE TOMHarvey PETTY “THE GIFT OF�� MUSIC” Winter Ransom August 27 ~ 8:00pm �� Jeff Holmes HEARTBREAKERS �� Kush Ian Fraser, conductor �� JT Speed ROD STEWART �� Missy Gossip & the Secret Keepers Steve Winwood host �� The Spill Canvas Julie Andrews, �� Janet McLaughlin �� Royal Family �� Chickenshack For the latest show updates, please visit vzwamp.com SALE �� ONShinedown �� Luchini OW! �� TyNReynolds Tickets available at all �� outlets Az Izz Charge by phone: 404.249.6400��Online: ticketmaster.com �� BMI Showcase �� Tickets also available at the box ofﬁce Monday - Friday, noon - 6pm and Saturdays, 10am - 2pm. �� Gareth & Friends The venue isMidtown conveniently located and schedules subject to change without notice. �� Al Smith’s Jamoff GA-400 in Alpharetta. All artists �� Daniel Johnston �� Frankie Valli �� Grand Archives �� Band of Heathens �� Chicago Joe Jones �� Soul in Little 5 �� DJ Tubby Style �� Kingrat �� The Standard 8 �� Mike Veal Band �� Jakob Dylan & the Gold Mountain Rebels �� Oneeders �� SpaceOut Project �� John Mooney �� Ian Schumacher �� Thao the Get Down Stay Down �� Maureen Murphy �� Chickenshack �� The Flow �� The Fighting Foo �� Meghan Coffee �� Big Trouble in Little 5 �� Stereotype �� Gary Pfaff �� The Friday Flow �� Lizz Wright �� Melissa Etheridge �� Comic Gypsies �� Gentleman Jesses & His Men �� Bobby Yang �� Tomi Isobe �� Deep Blue Sun �� The Modern Skirts �� Trotline �� Florez �� Ponderosa �� Raheem Devaughn, Chrisette Michele �� Tyler Reeve Band �� Jeffery Steele �� Slippery When Wet �� 4th Annual Poetry Fest �� George Benson w/ ASO �� Moby Dick �� Modey Lemon �� Alice Peacock �� The Two Timers �� Ralph Roddenbery Band �� REM, Modest Mouse �� Radio Cult �� Justin Townes Earle �� Howlies

EMMYLOU HARRIS Friday, June 27

with ASO MEGHAN COFFEE Saturday, June 28

BOZ SCAGGS

Saturday, July 19

Wednesday, August 13

G. LOVE & SPECIAL SAUCE THE JON BUTLER TRIO

Friday, August 22

Friday, July 25

Reserved Seating. No Tables, No Coolers or Carry Ins.

JILL SCOTT

SISTER HAZEL

with ASO Saturday, August 23

HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH

ERYKAH BADU

Wednesday, August 27

DREW DAVIS BAND

Friday, August 1

REGENERATION TOUR

CROSBY, STILLS & NASH

with ASO

Saturday, August 2

SOUL ASYLUM/ GIN BLOSSOMS

THE KICKIN’ PICKIN’ BLUEGRASS PARTY

Wednesday, July 9

TRACE ADKINS

featuring MARTY STUART, DEL McCOURY BAND, DOYLE LAWSON

Friday, July 11

Wednesday, August 6

RONNIE MILSAP

with ASO

Wednesday, July 30

Wednesday, July 2

Reserved Seating. No Tables, No Coolers or Carry Ins.

AUGUST

THE BEACH BOYS

BOYZ II MEN/ MORRIS DAY & THE TIME

Wednesday, June 25

EDWIN McCAIN BAND

Saturday, August 9

RHETT AKINS BRANTLEY GILBERT

Reserved Seating. No Tables, No Coolers or Carry Ins.

KENNY G

FOREIGNER BRYAN ADAMS

An Evening with

GIPSY KINGS

featuring THE HUMAN LEAGUE, BELINDA CARLISLE, ABC, A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS, NAKED EYES

Friday, August 29

INDIGO GIRLS

Saturday, September 13

CALL 404.733.4800 Groups of 15 or more CALL 404.733.4848

��404.249.6400��ticketmaster.com

Tickets available through all

Tickets also available at the Woodruff Arts Center box ofﬁce, 404.733.5000. 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 brought to you by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Promoter.

�� The Breakfast Club �� Mausiki Scales & Common Ground �� Emmylou Harris �� Hipnotic �� The Brothers Unconnected �� Evan McHugh �� South City Blues Band �� Phoenix for Saints �� Wrong Way �� Kinchafoonee Cowboys �� The Sundogs �� Brian Wiltsey & Friends �� Fervor

JUNE

�� Cat Power June 28 ~ 8:00pm �� Fran & Co.

COREY SMITH

Saturday, June 21

YES

July 20 ~ 8:00pm Robert Spano, conductor �� Garrick Ohlsson, �� Al Smith’s Midtown Jam piano �� Jonny Lang �� Kenny G August 16 ~ 8:00pm �� Scott Miller July 26 ~ 8:00pm �� Chicago Joe Jones �� London After Midnight ��with DJ Tubby Style Osborne host Robert �� Matt Wertz Richard Kaufman, conductor Robert Spano,�� conductor Ski Club �� Lifehouse August 17 ~ 8:00pm August 2 ~�� 8:00pm Mike Veal Band

Reserved Seating. No Tables, No Coolers or Carry Ins.

Friday, August 8

Friday, July 18

with ASO A Tribute to the Music of Nat King Cole EARL KLUGH

JULY

The Sam Yahel Organ Trio �� Reggae Sundays

IDINA MENZEL

GEORGE BENSON

AN EVENING OF ROMANCE

STEELY DAN

Wednesday, July 16

MELISSA ETHERIDGE Friday, June 20

July 12 ~ 8:00pm �� August 4 ~ 8:00pm �� Brandon Perry Jakob Dylan @��(6-18) �� Gay Pride Comedy Night Keller Williams �� JT Speed �� August 8 ~ 8:00pm The Toadies Robert Spano,�� conductor June 11 ~ 8:00pm �� The Cure �� Robert McDufﬁ e, violinIggy Walker’s Diaper Fund �� Grace Braun �� Amazing Mongooses �� Blues Envy

ALL TCHAIKOVSKY

JULY

Wednesday, June 18

June 10 ~ 8:00pm

STEVIE NICKS

MICHAEL MCDONALD/ AL GREEN

FRANKIE VALLI & THE FOUR SEASONS

�� Grand Prize Winner �� Times New Viking �� Open Mic �� Patrick Vining SATURDAY �� Kate Kwik AUGUST �� Sean Bright & The Evicted 23 �� Summer Hostage RUSH.COM stonetemplepilots.com

Saturday, July 12

HIPPIEFEST

featuring JACK BRUCE of Cream, ERIC BURDON & THE ANIMALS, THE TURTLES featuring Flo & Eddie, MELANIE, BADFINGER featuring Joey Molland, JONATHAN EDWARDS

��

LIVE CD IN STORES NOW

June 10 ~ 8:00pm

REM @��(6-21) �� When Sid Slid �� Edwin McCain Band w/ ASO �� Asphalt Grunge �� Cas Haley, Jah Roots �� Cruis-o-Matic �� Little Joey’s Big Band �� Nojaboinga w/ Newberry Jam �� Reckless �� The Swing Richards �� Homeroom �� Ryan Cabrera �� Beethoven’s Best �� Groundation �� Max Forstater �� Blues Envy �� Flat Cat �� Fran & Co. �� Silver Apples �� Open Mic �� Patrick Vining �� Joe McGuinness �� Hammerdown, Elli Perry

SATURDAY AUGUST 23

JULY 22

��

STEVIE NICKS Keller Williams

June 11 ~ 8:00pm

STEELY DAN

The Sam Yahel Organ Trio June 28 ~ 8:00pm

BEETHOVEN’S BEST Robert Spano, conductor Dejan Lazic, piano July 4 ~ 6:00pm

ALL-AMERICAN CELEBRATION Robert Spano, conductor

RUSH.COM

August 4 ~ 8:00pm

ALL TCHAIKOVSKY

YES

July 20 ~ 8:00pm

FOREIGNER BRYAN ADAMS PUCCINI’S LA BOHEME

August 16 ~ 8:00pm

with host Robert Osborne Richard Kaufman, conductor

August 2 ~ 8:00pm

August 17 ~ 8:00pm

Julie Andrews, host

Robert Spano, conductor Garrick Ohlsson, piano

Robert Spano, conductor

JULIE ANDREWS TOM PETTY & THE “THE GIFT OF MUSIC” HEARTBREAKERS Ian Fraser, conductor ON SALE NOW!

August 8 ~ 8:00pm

AN EVENING OF ROMANCE

TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES

July 26 ~ 8:00pm

July 9 ~ 8:00pm

Steve Winwood

stonetemplepilots.com

July 12 ~ 8:00pm

Robert Spano, conductor Robert McDufﬁe, violin

JULY

LIVE CD IN STORES NOW

PAULA COLE

THE TEMPTATIONS/ THE FOUR TOPS

SEPT.

��

featuring

Saturday, June 14

JULY 22

��

An Evening with

CHRIS BOTTI

AUGUST

�� Mary Miller �� Billy Joe Shaver �� Blues Envy �� Adam Lee & the Dead Horse Sound Co. �� Rancid �� Bellrosa �� Fran & Co. �� Rooney

SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE NOW! JUNE

�� Walkin’ Sidewayz �� Firewater �� Ten Story Relapse �� Patrick Vining �� Bonobos Convergence �� Sweetwater Junction �� Starﬁsh & Coffee �� King of Prussia �� Brian Wiltsey & Friends �� Israel Vibrations �� Sons of William

BOSTON/STYX August 27 ~ 8:00pm

ROD STEWART

For the latest show updates, please visit vzwamp.com

Tickets available at all outlets Charge by phone: 404.249.6400��Online: ticketmaster.com

Tickets also available at the box ofﬁce Monday - Friday, noon - 6pm and Saturdays, 10am - 2pm. The venue is conveniently located off GA-400 in Alpharetta. All artists and schedules subject to change without notice.

PG 17 • insiteatlanta.com • June 2008

Ticke

Tickets a

Delta

Road Warriors This Month’s Hottest Shows BY JOHN DAVIDSON JIMMY BUFFETT

Lakewood Amphitheatre He’s the prince of populist, the everyman singersongwriter who conquered the the pop music world three decades ago with a half-dozen great songs and a laid-back party vibe. The Buffet brand has expanded vertically to include restaurants, booze, and all the trinkets of modern-day stardom, working over the same couple hundred thousand or so fans every year in a fit of nostalgic shed tours. Hate him for his fame but the guy is doing something right.

6/05 SWERVEDRIVER

The Masquerade The shoegazer scene in the United Kingdom during the 1990s—so named for the way that guitar players stared endlessly at their effects pedals to coax feedback-laden walls of sound—never grabbed hold outside of domestic college radio, but it’s influence continues to inform art rock in modern times. Swervedriver, following the lead of My Bloody Valentine’s upcoming reunion, is out playing small clubs and promising to blow the doors out with squalors of sound. Catch this earbleeding time warp before the scene dies a soggy death at the end of the summer.

06/07 DAMIEN JURADO

Variety Playhouse Damien Jurardo’s claim to fame—well, there hasn’t been all that much fame just yet—is his low key, low-fi folksinging. Armed with not much more than a guitar and some spare chords, he has a ghostly magnetism that belies his not-so-spectacular vocal skills. His charm as a solo artist—lingering honesty and poetic bravado on a stage of bleak vulnerability—is sometimes so subtle that a big room can overcome his aesthetic. It’s a quiet night out, that’s for sure.

6/78 “VIRGINIAHIGHLANDS SUMMERFEST”

Virginia Avenue It’s one of the great local festivals, assuming you like hanging in Va-Hi with other people who like hanging in Va-Hi. The lineup (folk rockers Michelle Malone and Sonia Leigh, aging local rockers Sister Hazel) fits the crowd and the food and beer will be good. If you haven’t been out to one of Atlanta’s best neighborhoods lately, this is a great weekend to do it. Get there early to secure good parking.

6/11 TIM MCGRAW

Lakewood Amphitheatre One of country music’s biggest stars purrs through town on a tour of outdoor shows, and capacity crowds will be there to welcome him. Tim McGraw was already huge when he married Faith Hill a dozen years ago, and it proved to take his career to even higher heights. An established performer with dozens

of killer sides under his belt, McGraw is legend long before his 50th birthday.

6/11 MUDHONEY

The EARL A relic from the grunge days of Seattle circa 1990, Mudhoney never found the fame of Pearl Jam or Nirvana or even any of the b-listers that sprung from that scene. Instead, they’ve toiled away in clubs for two decades with very little to show for it. Back in town for what is a reliably ferocious show at the EARL, Mudhoney is out to prove that they are still a relevant act in an age when few are.

06/11 VAMPIRE WEEKEND

Variety Playhouse Vampire Weekend, more than any other band of the last five years, will go down as one of the last Internet bands that mattered. They surfaced under an avalanche of New York-centric blog buzz, and when SPIN magazine raced to put Vampire Weekend on the cover before they’d ever released an album, a pre-formed star was born. The conventional wisdom is that this act spent way too much time with the Afropop sensibilities of Paul Simon’s landmark Graceland album, and that wisdom is well born out.

06/15 CAT POWER

The Tabernacle Hard to believe that Cat Power survived her first decade as one of the underground’s most inconsistent live acts. Her stage show was often a debacle, one where she exercised personal demons and had more diva moments than is typically allowed in indie rock. She’s cleaned up her act in the past few years and with her excellent sidemen at her back, she’s actually become a formidable performer.

WE GOT NEXT THE TOSSERS

6/1617 “TRUE COLORS”

Chastain Park Amphitheatre The lineup is as gaycentric (Rosie O’Donnell, Tegan and Sara, The B-52s, Cyndi Lauper, The Cliks) as they come so keep that in mind if your homophobic sensibilities make you averse towards hanging out with an eclectic crowd. The “True Colors” tour is long on nostalgia and short on new talent, but in the end it’s probably good that our culture has come far enough for this event to even happen at all.

6/18 JAKOB DYLAN

Variety Playhouse Poor Jakob Dylan. He’s better looking than his father and his old band, The Wallflowers, hasn’t mattered in a decade or so. His new solo album Seeing Things isn’t all that bad, and it’s kind of nice that he hasn’t given up on his musical career entirely, especially given that he’s had more success than 99% of everyone else out there. Still, isn’t it kind of sad that a guy who saw success like that couldn’t make it last more than just a few years? Apparently in today’s market, even the best pedigrees don’t guarantee careers.

06/21 R.E.M.

Lakewood Amphitheatre R.E.M. once said they’d never play stadiums and they have. They said that if one of the members ever quit, they’d all quit. They didn’t do that, either. The sad story of R.E.M.’s last dozen years continues to astound, the way they’ve tried to push things forward and failed spectacularly. With this year’s Accelerate, R.E.M. has finally released an R.E.M. album again and sadly, it seems ten years too late. The National and Modest Mouse open up for what might be a good show.

Artists on the verge of making it big

Latest Project: Live on St. Patrick’s Day (Victory) Why You Should Care: Because, years before Flogging Molly and the Dropkick Murphys decided to mix traditional Celtic instruments with punk rock, Chicago’s The Tossers were perfecting the genre.

For Fans of:

BY JOHN B. MOORE

ONG BEFORE FLOGGING MOLLY or the Dropkick Murphys decided to blend charging guitars with tin whistles and bagpipes, the Chicago-based band The Tossers had the bright idea to marry the genres. If their just –released live record “Gloatin’ and

The Pogues, Dropkick Murphys, Black 47 and Flogging Molly

Showboatin’ is any indication, the hard-drinking band is still carrying the torch for Celtic Punks everywhere. Guitarist Mike Pawula spoke with us recently about the new record, life on the road and what it means to be a trailblazer for the genre. Congratulations on your new live CD and DVD. What made you decide to put out a live CD now? Victory Records had filmed the show and we’re between records right now so they suggested that we get the stuff out there and we were all for it. We’re real happy with the way it came out, from the layout to the DVD to the CD. You just got back from Europe. Does touring ever get old? Sure, sometimes, when you’re playing the same cities and the same places in those cities, but you have to try to make it interesting. Whether it’s getting out into the cities that you visit or making your days off adventures or mixing up the set. Of course, it was our first time to Europe so it never got old.

PG 18 • insiteatlanta.com • June 2008

You were one of the first bands to mix punk and traditional Irish instruments. What brought about that idea? Did you get a lot of strange reactions when you mentioned the type of band you were starting? I’m not an original member, but I was around for the early years, so I’ll give you my take. I think that The Pogues had an influence. It really came from the idea of being able to play a song fast and loud and then being able to play a ballad. The range made it attractive. As for people’s reactions, they still react like we’re fools. How were you able to find so many musicians that could play both traditional music and punk? Luckily the core of the band (Dan Shaw, Bones and T. Duggins) has been the same throughout, so anyone who joined melded to that core. When it comes down to it, I don’t think that anyone in the band thinks in terms of “I’m playing this more punk and this more traditional.” Really, we just play what we think is good for the song. Were you surprised at how the fans reacted to your sound? A little. I didn’t think that we would ever get to do a lot of the things that we’ve been lucky enough to do. Are you surprised that so many bands, like the Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly, have

picked up on the genre that you helped start? It’s totally surprising to see how many bands are playing something related to Irish and punk nowadays. It’s pretty cool. I don’t think anyone could have predicted how well it has been received. You had a chance to open for The Pogues last year in New York. What was it like? It was great. How many bands can say that they opened for one of their inﬂuences? It was a great night. The largest indoor crowd we have played for, and it was St. Patty’s Day and the Pogues in New York. Great. Have you started working on a record of new material yet? The songs are there, but we haven’t started much work. We’ll probably get demos done soon and go into the studio in the next two months. We’re looking forward to it. Any upcoming tour plans? Right now, no. We’ve toured pretty solid for a year and now we’re going to do some one-oﬀs and work on the record and get to know our dogs again. Anything else you wanted to add? We’re really looking forward to the next record. We’ll probably run updates on our website (www. thetossers.com) and all that jazz, so stay tuned.

MUSIC

��

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

EARLIMART – HYMN AND HER (Shout Factory) The Shins meet Elliott Smith �� USHER – HERE I STAND (Arista) & HESTON – STORYTELLER (Worldsoul Music) The soundtracks to summertime romance ��

��

�� MY MORNING JACKET – EVIL URGES (Red) The hipster’s hippies ��

�� SCARLETT JOHANSSON – ANYWHERE I LAY MY HEAD (ATCO) If Tom Waits were dead, he’d be rolling in his grave ��

MUSIC

� � � � � �� NERF HERDER – IV (Oglio) Nerd rockers embrace their inner geeks �� BUN B – ILL TRILL (Rap-a-lot) The Texas Two-Step: hot lines and hotter beats ��

��

�� B. Love, Williams, John �� By�� DeMarco �� EARLIMART – HYMN AND�� HER (Shout Factory �� The�� Shins meet Elliott�� Smith �� POLARA – BEEKEEPING (Susstones) �� Popgazing �� USHER HERE�� I STAND (Arista) �� – �� & HESTO (Worldsoul Music) �� STORYTELLER �� The soundtracks to summertime romance �� ANTHONY DAVID – ACEY DEUCEY (SoulBird/ �� Universal) �� Getting’ grown and becomin’ nationally known �� PG 19 • insiteatlanta.com • June 2008

�� ROGER CLYNE & THE PEACEMAKERS – TURBO OCHO (Emma Java) Former ‘90s alt-rocker heading for the border �� ATTENTION – STAND STRONG (Self-released) & I HATE KATE – EMBRACE THE CURSE (Glassnote) Two frontmen try to get a second chance ��

THE ROOTS – RISING DOWN (Def Jam) & ATMOSPHERE – WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS, YOU PAINT THAT SHIT GOLD (Rhymesayers) Will progressive rap for food �� PG 20 • insiteatlanta.com • June 2008

�� NEIL DIAMOND – HOME BEFORE DARK (Columbia) Introspective collection from an often-underrated balladeer ��

MUSIC INTERVIEW

WHEN JOHNNY COMES MARCHING HOME

Former Rocket From The Crypt Frontman John Reis On His New Band, The Night Marchers BY JOHN B. MOORE

OHN REIS HAS A KNACK FOR STARTING and abruptly stopping some of the best bands around, including Rocket from the Crypt and Hot Snakes, just to name a couple. So prepare to get your hopes up and your hearts broken yet again with news that Reis has formed yet another brilliant new band, The Night Marchers. Reis sat down with us recently to talk about the new band (with the sort of colorful description only he could come up with) and the just-released Rocket From The Crypt live CD, and to remind us that he’s “still the best.” As if there was ever any doubt… When did you start putting together this new group? About nine months ago I started putting ideas on tape and inquired as to everyone’s availability. We cut the ribbon by spray painting our band name on the side of my old high school. We then broke the champagne bottle on our bow by making our first sticker at Kinko’s (pressing of 85). From there, our prolific nature continued to flourish with several designs for an aborted t-shirt project and then finally getting accepted to MySpace.

comes out? Touring? Yeah, we got shows, practices and more recording scheduled. All that sorta band stuff. You also have a final Rocket From The Crypt CD/ DVD coming out. When/where were those songs recorded? It’s out now and it’s called RFTC RIP. It’s a document of our final show which happened Halloween 2005 in San Diego. Is Swami Records coming out with anything new in 2008? I have some things planned, but I have often opened my mouth prematurely on the matter only to let down nearly dozens of people. I’ve been working on another installment of All Systems Go which is the ongoing collection of RFTC rarities and vinyl only recordings that are no longer available. This one will be Volume 3 and will most likely be a two CD package and the final release in the series. We recorded and filmed a couple of Hot Snakes shows on our final run of shows. I remember the audio sounding great, but there is so much footage to go through that it’s gonna take a while to get to that one. Dan Sartain, Beehive and the Barracudas, The Spits all have amazing recordings almost ready to go. We’ll see what happens.

I’M STILL THE BEST. THANKS FOR GIVING ME THE PLATFORM TO REMIND YOU.

You’ve got some of your old band mates in Night Marchers, right? Yeah, J. Sinclair and Dner and myself have seen each other naked as well as played in Hot Snakes. Thomas Skitsos is the wild card and the wild man from the French outback of Montreal. He has been in the concert business for years as a bass tech for Crash Test Dummies and monitor man for Men Without Hats, so he really knows his stuff. For fans who know you from RFTC and Hot Snakes, what does the Night Marchers sound like? We sound like everything else on MySpace. Our sound could be described as GG Allin and Hall and Oates riding down a water slide at a boogie woogiethemed water park, but instead of water it’s Sha Na Na’s pee pee mixed with the blood of Christ. It’s kinda typical adult thrash, but without the Benihana beat. It’s definitely different than my previous bands, to some degree– more traditional than either RFTC or Hot Snakes, but with the inescapable sameness inherent in the some of its particles. When The Crypt and Hot Snakes ended, did you consider taking time off or leaving music for good? No. That never crossed my mind. The record was delayed a bit. Was there a problem with recording? No, the capturing of data went without a hitch. Trying to fit such massive jams on one CD proved to be a bit of a problem. Eventually we changed pressing plants. It only ended up pushing things back a month or so. What are the plans for the band after the record

As a musician and label owner, do you get a lot of demos handed to you at shows? Do you listen to all of them? I do get quite a bit of unsolicited material from bands that have no idea of the kind of music Swami releases. I think it’s the product of being on some listing of labels in some “how to make it in the music industry” book or pamphlet. I do get cool stuff time to time from people who are genuinely into the Swami universe of noise and that always gets my attention and I am happy to check it out it. I appreciate the opportunity to stay connected to the music of the street. So yeah, I listen to all of those. I don’t really put out that much stuff and everything I have done thus far has consisted of me reaching out to the bands instead of vice versa. So historically, I’d say it’s probably pretty useless to send in something to the label in hopes of getting a lucrative recording contract. This is especially true when you take into account that my tastes are so extremely refined. Do you still have the radio show? Yeah, I’m still spinning records on 94.9 FM in San Diego doing the Swami Sound System. It’s been a lot of fun and a perfect foil to the notion of curbing my record store spending. It’s way cool to hear from the people of the street as to what sounds are offering them relief. So in that regard, it’s also a way to get turned onto new/ old/new-to-me sounds. Anything else you want to add? I’m still the best. Thanks for giving me the platform to remind you.

MUSIC INTERVIEW

Death Cab For Cutie On Their Eagerly Awaited Follow Up To Plans D BY JOHN B. MOORE

ESPITE HAVING MORE THAN HALF a dozen records under their belt at the time, it seemed like Death Cab for Cutie still had something to prove to the record-buying public after signing to Atlantic Records. Their ﬁrst major label release, Plans, not only appeased longtime fans, but brought in a slew of new ones. The scrutiny gone, Death Cab is prepping their next full length, Narrow Stairs, a slight departure from the band’s customary sound. Though it certainly won’t be classiﬁed as metal, the guitars are a little louder and the sound a tad more confrontational. That being said, it still sounds very much like a Death Cab record. Drummer Jason McGerr recently spoke with us about the new record, being a drummer for hire and the beauty of nerdy passions.

ence with this album as opposed to the last is that we brought in another engineer; the guy who does front-of-house with us when we play live. His name is Will Markwell. We wanted Chris to be playing guitar more than sitting behind the console this time, and it allowed us to capture more of that full band live sound. It was still very much produced by Walla, but it was nice to have one more set of ears in the room that we trust, but that could also be transparent when necessary.

What can you tell me about the new record? It has been described as more aggressive. How would you describe it? Adventurous, maybe. It’s sort of like we raised our voices is an easy way to put it. I’ve described records in the past as Tranatlanticism was an inhale and Plans was an exhale. Before you take a big leap you need to take a big breath, so this would qualify as that leap or that jump. It’s very much a culmination of the live band we have become. I don’t feel like it’s this huge, adventurous, bloody crazy thing like everyone seems to quote us as having said, but still it has more teeth.

Have you started playing all of the songs live yet? We’ve started playing about seven of them live right now, just to get a feel for them and to see how people are reacting even before hearing the record. Once the album comes out we’ll be playing more. It’s got to be the right time and place and it’s got to ﬁt into the set. It’s also diﬃcult when you’ve got a catalogue of six records now to choose from. What we need to do is take a fan poll and have our fan community help build our set list.

Having heard it, I think it still sounds very much like a Death Cab record. That’s the thing. All the time you read about bands who say, “We really wanted to go off the rails with this one to be totally different. We secluded ourselves for 18 months …” Whenever I read those stories and buy the record, I want to say, “Yeah buddy, it still sounds like your band.” You can’t ever stretch that far from who you are as a band. Ben (Gibbard) sounds like Ben and the songs sound like Death Cab songs and the production sounds like a Chris Walla record. But it has, hopefully, bits and pieces of everything we have done in the past as a band as well as some new things. Some different energy, and it is very much coming from more of a live performance perspective rather than a very surgically composed album. So Chris produced this one as well? Chris did produce this one. He is the producer. He definitely has the whole thing in mind-- the road map of how it’s going to come together. We all chime in and we all selfproduce our own parts, but he’s credited as the producer. The only differ-

Do you have a favorite track on the record yet? I like a lot of the songs for diﬀerent reasons. I think “Grapevine Fires” is one of the best songs Ben has ever written, but I love the energy we captured on “Long Division.” It’s one of the more fun songs to play live.

Have you thought about putting out a full live album? We kind of have one-- the John Bird EP from 2007-- and we have the Drive Well, Sleep Carefully DVD, but hopefully… We’re geared up to be recording all of our live shows and it could be that something winds up being put together at a later date. I don’t think anything will come our immediately because we’ve got to let the record sit for awhile. Also the rest of the world is doing this for us when you get on YouTube. You can compile your own little live album. You joined the band in 2003? October of 2002, but the ﬁrst shows we did were in 2003. Was it odd at all to join a band that had been together for awhile or had you already known the guys? I had known the guys. I played in a band with Nick (Harmer) for three years before Death Cab had started and that band never really went on to do anything, but we had time together. We had been in some trenches and sweated it out in the practice space and spent a lot of time together as a rhythm section already. I had known Ben and Chris for years just from being in Bellingham (WA) when all those

EVERYONE IN THE BAND HAS A VESTED INTEREST IN EVERYTHING THAT IS CREATIVE, FROM THE ARTWORK TO THE LYRICAL FONT IN THE ARTWORK AND EVERYTHING ELSE… ALL OF MY BAND MATES JUST GET REALLY INTO THINGS LIKE THIS. BECAUSE WE ALL HAVE THESE SUPER NERDY PASSIONS FOR ALL THESE CREATIVE ENDEAVORS...

guys came there for school. We hung out and we were contemporaries, going to each other’s shows. In between drummers they had asked me before at different times to play in the band. The timing was just never right until just before Transatlanticism. Nick and I wound up filling in for a bass player and a drummer for this band, Juno, and one night after practice we were talking and we said, “Why don’t we just play together?” We had this musical crush on each other for years and we admire what each other does. I thought they were a really great band, so I said, “We should just work together on the next record.” He went back and talked to the band and, long story short, we got together and when we started to play it was, “Oh, so this is what good chemistry feels like.” The rest is history. I know you’ve played drums for a number of different bands, like Tegan & Sara, in the past. Is there anyone else you’ve been playing with lately? This guy named Matt Nathanson. I did half a record for him last year. There’s a deep catalogue of things, but most of those are either out of print or hard to find. Tegan & Sara was the biggest commercial release I was a part of.

Do you enjoy the chance to be able to play songs outside of your main band? Definitely. Literally, you get to wear a different suit to work. As a drummer in a band, I’m not out there as a drummer for hire. I’m not a chameleon who gets hired to do this stuff all the time. It’s more that someone is really into the way that I play or the sound that I get, so when they ask me to be involved in their record they are genuinely excited just to hear what I have to offer, which gives me a lot of liberties to throw in a whole bunch of stuff out there that I typically wouldn’t do. That’s really the fun part. So will you be playing on the next Slayer album? (Laughs) I’d be all for it! I’ve got some double bass chops. That would be a dream come true to be some incognito drummer that plays on all these different records that you would never ever guess. The video for “I Will Posses Your Heart” seems like a major undertaking, filmed all over the globe. Are videos important to you as a band? (Laughs) Everything is important to us. Everyone in the band has a vested interest in everything that is creative, from the artwork to the lyrical font in the artwork and everything else… All of my band mates just get really into things like this. Because we all have these super nerdy passions for all these creative endeavors, we all have a lot of friends that share these same passions, like Aaron (Stuart-Ahn, who directed the video). PG 21 • insiteatlanta.com • June 2008

MUSIC INTERVIEW

Taylor Made

‘80S LEGENDS DURAN DURAN RETURN TO RECLAIM THEIR SYNTH-POP CROWN BY BILL STUPAY

rom Interpol and Bloc Party to She Wants Revenge and The Faint, recent years have seen a slew of new bands inﬂuenced by the sounds of ‘80s post-punk and New Wave. Duran Duran remains one of the few bands from the dawn of MTV to maintain a relatively consistent relevant presence over the past 25 years, and with the exception of guitarist Andy Taylor all of the original “Fab Five” are still present and accounted for. With their new album, Red Carpet Massacre, featuring collaborations with meda-producer Timbaland and pop idol Justin Timberlake, the Durannies are hitting the road for their biggest world tour in years. Bassist John Taylor and drummer Roger Taylor (no relation) recently took time out from their busy schedules to give reporters the advance scoop on what they can expect from the new live show. Given your continued relevance and overall body of work, can you tell us how the band determined the current set list? John Taylor: I doubt if anyone would believe just how much time and thought we all put into each performance, which songs we are going to play and in what order. Perhaps because it is the most powerful way of expressing ‘this is who we are, right here, right now’.’ Of course having new material is important to us, as it freshens up everyone’s sense of what we are. New songs like ‘Nite Runner’ and ‘Red Carpet Massacre’ are a lot of fun to play, and they change the way we think about older material, like ‘Rio’ or ‘Wild Boys’. It’s not even about ‘giving people what they want’--we couldn’t imagine playing a Duran Duran concert without referencing our most popular songs. It would be like an Andy Warhol Restrospective without a ‘Marilyn.’ Roger Taylor: This is an ongoing discussion that usually is still going on minutes before we go onstage. We have such a huge catalogue of work to pull from and we do like to vary the set most nights. We are also playing quite a few tracks from the new album but of course don’t want to disappoint people by not playing the classics.

celebrity culture that is deﬁning us as a society. Can you give us your take on the title? RT: For me it’s just a nice bit of word play. I’ve not seen these words together before–it created a nice bit of juxtaposition and yes the song is generally about how shallow celebrity culture has become and how the red carpet scene is now often more important than any artistic statement. JT: We were appearing at an awards show in Los Angeles last year and were required to walk the red carpet. We had to wait for ﬁve or six minutes as some willowy young thing was giving a performance to the battery of photographers. No one knew who she was, nor cared--she was simply extremely pretty and had a lot of moxie. I wonder, just once, if the patience of the paparazzi were to crack, and as one they crushed the barriers and tore her apart limb from limb, either out of frustrated lust or just sheer hatred, what that would look like. I could imagine it happening. It’s modern times class warfare. How have fans reacted to the new material so far? JT: The fans are always very supportive of our new material. It’s what keeps them interested. We would not have the dedicated worldwide following we have if we stopped recording new material and simply dragged our arses around playing songs from the eighties. I think our fans are proud that Justin and Timbaland came to our party. RT: Great, they love it despite initially being concerned that Timbaland was going to homogenize the Duran Duran sound.

THE FANS ARE ALWAYS VERY SUPPORTIVE OF OUR NEW MATERIAL. IT’S WHAT KEEPS THEM INTERESTED. WE WOULD NOT HAVE THE DEDICATED WORLDWIDE FOLLOWING WE HAVE IF WE STOPPED RECORDING NEW MATERIAL AND SIMPLY DRAGGED OUR ARSES AROUND PLAYING SONGS FROM THE EIGHTIES

The title Red Carpet Massacre brings to mind a lot of things, including the increasingly bizarre PG 22 • insiteatlanta.com • June 2008

How does this tour vary from previous tours beyond the song choices? RT: [This one has ] new songs, new lights and an electro set where we all come to the front of the stage and play electronic instruments in homage to our electro roots. JT: Starting out in New Zealand was nice, getting to spend some time there. Then touring with the V Festival in Australia, with Duran Duran sandwiched between Queens Of The Stone Age and Smashing Pumpkins. Fantastic! We’re always trying new things, expanding our repertoire. The electro set is kinda new. We developed it for Broadway. It’s a 20-minute dance mix of songs we don’t usually play. We all play keyboards except Roger, who

stands and plays electronic pads. What is the production level of the live show? Can you tell us what North American fans can expect? JT: For me, a Duran Duran show is about soul. That may sound like BS to someone who doesn’t know us well, but believe me, every show we do is a testament to our love for each other, for the audience, and for the music. It’s about long term commitment and a desire to transcend everyone else’s expectations. That’s the core of it. Beyond that there is a lot of electricity, some high wire juggling, the occasional pulled muscles, loud sound and bright lights. RT: Great new state of the art lighting design and brand new stage set loosely based on the Blade Runner movie.

As musicians who tour the world, what’s it like living essentially without a time zone? Insanity? Or--is the road home? Any survival tips for new musicians? RT: It is an insane lifestyle, away from home for months, constantly moving through diﬀerent time zones but if you love what you do (as we do) it’s a great life. JT: It’s a lot easier than it was. E-mail, texting and international cell phones that really work. It’s amazing! I am actually beginning to believe it is possible to do what we do and maintain a family simultaneously. I know others that have done it, but it has eluded me for years! It’s the one thing, if you want to do what we do, that you have to be okay with. Constant travel, hotel rooms, airports and changing time zones. That’s why the show is so important. It’s the reason we put up with all this crap!

MUSIC INTERVIEW

WHAT HAPPENS IN LONDON… …Can’t stay in London. Hip songstress Estelle’s star potential simply won’t allow it.

BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS

.I.A. AND LADY SOVEREIGN WERE BOTH christened the U.K.’s answer to Lauryn Hill when they first came out. With the U.S.’s answer to Lauryn Hill on a seemingly permanent hiatus, all of the comparisons seemed fine. Each lady somehow captured L. Boogie’s spunk and funk without sounding like junk. Even still, Estelle Swaray might be ultimately best fitted for the honor. And we’re not simply basing that off Shine, her fun, well-rounded debut CD either. As a matter of fact, the London native was on an Atlanta stage recently, giving folks way more than their $20’s worth. She was charismatic. She was fun. She was hitting all of her notes. She was Lauryn Hill, ya know, if Lauryn still gave a damn about music. Things were going so well that people almost forget that John Legend, the Grammy winner who signed Estelle to his Home School Records label, was in the building, too. Clearly, this was Estelle’s night. With Shine still buzzed over, a BET Awards Best New Artist nomination in hand and a European tour this month, this is shaping up to be Estelle’s summer as well. What sort of things do you find here that you don’t in England? The pace of work. Things are on a speed level that I really like. I don’t ever sleep. Being around people who are actually working all the time makes things happen all the time. I think it’s pretty good. People think I’m crazy.

Tell me about the London from your youth. I grew up in West London. It was pretty cool. There weren’t too many crazy things happening. Now it’s pretty nuts. When I was growing up, it was not as crazy as we thought it was. It was community-based and people cared about each other. All like the same over here to a level. Everyone was in some kind

IF YOU LOOK AT MY WHOLE CAREER, I’M ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO’VE NEVER EVER RELIED ON ONE SITUATION TO COME TO ME. I’VE ALWAYS HAD LIKE THREE OR FOUR. MY LABEL AND I UNDERSTAND THAT IT’S NOT ABOUT ONE RECORD WITH ME. of group activity, doing some kind of music or something. It was a lot of fun. Who were some of the English artists you enjoyed listening to? I listened to a lot of reggae artists and pop artists. Kylie Monogue was a favorite. Queen was a favorite. Monie Love was dope. She was like one of the only [female] rappers back in the day. She was definitely dope. Did Amy Winehouse’s spike in popularity affect your career in any way? Amy does what Amy does. I don’t think it hurt. I just think people opened up a lil’ bit more. They wanted to hear things from me and play off of that. I think that’s all that did. I think people opened up a lil’ more. It helped on that level. It’s cool. It works out. I’m not mad at her at all. Amy’s one of my mates. It’ definitely helped though. If you had to compare yourself to an American artist, who would it be? I think I’m me. Every other artist does what they do. I have influences ranging from Mary [J. Blige] to Ella Fitzgerald, but I wouldn’t put myself on their levels yet. Speaking of big names, Shine has John Legend, Kanye West, Cee-Lo and a host of others on it. Looking at it now, I’m like Wooow. When I was doing it, there was no chance for Wooow, no time or space for any kind of Wooow. It was like, “Get in there and make a hit ‘cuz this could be the last day.” That’s the approach [the big names] had to it as well, so pushed me on that level. They came in the studio and said, “This could be it.” Every time we worked together was like Wooow. Looking at it now, everybody is like, “You’ve got Cee-lo, Wyclef Jean, Kanye, John.” Most of these guys are my friends. It feels weird—without sounding bigheaded at all. It feels good, but it’s normal, you know? Even though it’s a good feeling, there still has to be pressure for an album’s success.

Not at all. If you look at my whole career, I’m one of those people who’ve never ever relied on one situation to come to me. I’ve always had like three or four. My label and I understand that it’s not about one record with me. They’re like, “You’re an artist. You’re going to grow. You’re one of the artists that’s going to be around for a while.” They’re not investing in me for the one record, the jump-off record to end all records. Also, I think my fans know me. They know I’m going to keep changing. They know I’m going to keep doing good music. On a level, I’m not that bothered by it. I don’t feel pressured by it. Everybody else goes, “Oh, if it doesn’t [sell]…” I don’t even care about that stuff. I only care about if the fans come to my show and they see my show and get to know me on that level. My thing is never to be involved in the industry part of it; it should be about the fans. There are no record sales nowadays, you know? All I care about is that the fans come see me at my shows. You’re touring in Scotland and England in June. What’s an Estelle show like for those who’ve yet to experience one? It’s going to be a lot of fun. We have fun. We bring people on the stage. We have the crowd sing. They get involved. We really have fun. We’re not one of these artists that can come and sing at you. It’s crowd participation, for real! We have jokes. I talk to the crowd members. I’m bringing the whole band with me, too. It’s going to be a full, live show. It’s going to be crazy. What’s the reception been like from typical black Americans? I’ve seen mixed emotions—not in a bad way either. Some people have been like, “She doesn’t look like Beyonce and them.” I don’t look like the typical, stereotypical [singer] that’s to be popular. A lot of people have been like, “I love it! Avantgarde. Amazing. I can’t wait. I can’t wait. I hope she does well.” My thing is, you don’t have to love it and you don’t have to want it but you’re going to respect it just on that level because it’s different. And it’s fresh and it’s good. I’m not going to try and do anything that isn’t me. I think people appreciate the fact that I’m just me. I feel good. I’m just trying to be normal and go about my business. People run up to me on the trains and I be like, “Oh, you know me?” I think the general feeling is good—unless you know otherwise. No, I don’t know otherwise. But it’s funny you should bring up being “different.” You certainly don’t have the look that most people associate with pop stars. The direction I’m coming from is where black people period don’t get nothing. See what I’m saying? This is nothing to me. The light-skinned, long-haired comparisons? I don’t even care about that talk. I know that I am beautiful. There are a lot more black girls out there that look like me that are beautiful. It’s in everybody’s minds more than anything else. I think that if you have a strong product, a great style of music and people feel you, you’re going to do what you have to do. Other stuff doesn’t really mean much. I’m coming from the perspective that it’s London. Black folk don’t get on. Period. You’ll have one or two maybe. Hopefully. To be honest with you, the light-skinned thing doesn’t even bother me. We’re black and I’m beautiful. All of that doesn’t mean much to my feelings or my sense of self either. I’m actually quite proud of it. What other talents are you proud to have? I’m pretty organized…Umm, I like to cook. It de-stresses me. It really calms me down. I actually breathe a lot more when I cook. It’s fun for me. I can do it with one hand on my hip. Like my friends say, all I need is a baby on my hip and two or three running around the house and I’ll be right at home. I love to cook. But I think I’m very organized [too]. I’m always like three or four steps ahead. My manager always says, “Our job is to stay three or four steps ahead of you. If you’re doing something that means we’re not doing our jobs.” That’s my other skill: staying ahead of everybody else. That’s a great skill. PG 23 • insiteatlanta.com • June 2008

FEATURE

Grant Central East

Sleek and modern, warm and inviting. Eastside Lounge's decor and mood captures the attention off all who relax by the dark red walls, giant paintings and eclectic video projections. Since owner Aaron Lester took over what was formerly the Fountainhead Lounge in March 2005, it has undergone near constant renovation. What catches your eye first is the large display of artwork. Featured artist Timothy Dolph evocative paintings adorn the walls throughout the club. Behind them lies a mural by renowned artist and E Channel regular from “New York’s Best Designer” Dosa Kim. The Eastside Lounge offers an extensive selection of wine, liquor and beers. Customers can order anything from a shot of Jager to a vintage wine served in a long stemmed glass. Their experienced bar staff are notorious for mixed drinks and special Martinis. They also offer many import and domestic beers as well as an excellent draft selection. Eastside Lounge is a destination for dreamers, artists, individualists and musicians who want to get away from the overcrowded bar scene taking over the rest of Atlanta. DJs and musicians play live Monday thru Saturday. They boast an excellent dance floor with a state of the art sound system that is sychronized to their large screens. Retro movies are aired nightly behind the bar. Friday is 80’s night and Saturday is Red Square retro. There is plenty of free parking and a $5 cover on weekends.

Grant Central East is located in the heart of East Atlanta Village on the corner of Glenwood and Flat Shoals. It is the sister restaurant to Grant Central, the 14 year old original restaurant residing in Grant Park. The original was named after Grand Central Station for its NY Style pizza. Here you can find great pizza, subs and salads. The relaxed atmosphere is reflected by the friendly tattoo-adorned staff. They have an open kitchen so you can check out your pizza as it comes out of the oven and there is a large dining area with plen-

485a Flat Shoals Avenue 404.521.9666 www.eastsidelounge.net

East Atlanta Village

A Neighborhood Spotlight on businesses in the Area Tucked away just south of I-20 and east of Moreland Avenue is one of Atlanta's most authentic, diverse, funky and friendly neighborhoods. East Atlanta Village is garnering national attention and local accolades. If you haven't been there before, you may not know that it was named best local neighborhood for 2007, and that it's been profiled in media outlets like the New York Times and the Washington Post. If you have ventured to East Atlanta Village before, then you've already figured out what the buzz is all about. The summer of 2008 is going to be a busy one, with more people than ever expected at every event centered in East Atlanta Village. The 5th Annual East Atlanta Beer Festival quenched the thirst of 3,000 people, who sampled high quality beer and enjoyed some great local music. The following Saturday on June 7th, the Brownwood Bike Rally was another resounding success. Every Thursday evening is the Farmer's Market in the parking lot of Village Hardware on Glenwood Avenue. SOPO Bike Co-op can be found working in the parking lot behind East Atlanta Thai and Sushi every weekend to promote the alternative fuel transportation that burns calories. Hang out on the wide, tree lined sidewalks where you can shop some of the most unique and interesting shops and boutiques in town or just grab a cup of coffee and do some people watching. You can pick up rare edition or used books, music collectibles,

Eastside Lounge

locally created art, furniture and gifts, purses and any number of other items. Come down to see some great live music at the local bars like the Earl, sample some of the award winning food at the Glenwood or relax on any number of huge patios scattered throughout the area. With about 20 restaurants, bars and music venues, and more on the way, there are plenty of tastes and sounds to experience in the East Atlanta Village. The Taste of East Atlanta will be July 17th and gives attendees the opportunity to sample all sorts of great food. The 144th Battle of Atlanta commemoration will take place in East Atlanta Village and the surrounding neighborhoods July 19th weekend, but the biggest event of all is the East Atlanta Strut on September 20th. This year's all day festival is expected to top last year's record crowds, which has forced the Strut to expand its site. The whole village will shut down for one day, while everyone struts their stuff, listens to live music and views fantastic art. Adults will also love the great food and adult libations, while the children will thrill to their own "Kids Village" and the Strut parade. There is no shortage of reasons to come and visit the East Atlanta Village this year. You'll probably want to join the thousands before you who have stayed and helped build the neighborhood into "An urban oasis of community and culture." For more information visit www.eastatlantavillage.net.

NEW YORK STYLE PIZZA & MORE…

1279 Glenwood Ave. (Glenwood @ Flat Shoals) 404.627.0007

ty of tables to accommodate large groups. After residents of surrounding areas have called it a night, expect to see locals trickling into Grant Central East from neighborhood bars to get a slice before heading home. If you dropped most your cash at the bar across the street don't worry, because $1.65 will get you started with a slice, and for under $10.00 you can get an assortment of salads, sandwiches, and pizzas. Grant Central East gives its customers the option of customizing their pizza, even when only ordering a slice. For an extra $2.00 you can get a single piece of pizza with any four toppings, and three bucks buys a slice of their house pizza, the Cardiac Arrest (pepperoni, spicy sausage, meatballs, ham and extra cheese), which is every bit as good as it sounds. So if you're in the mood for great pizza or just hungry after a night out at the bar next door, head over to Grant Central East.

art opening June 26th 2008 | www.colbyart.com

GRANT CENTRAL & GRANT CENTRAL EAST

451 CHEROKEE AVE. (IN HISTORIC GRANT PARK) 404.523.8900 1279 GLENWOOD AVE. (IN EAST ATLANTA VILLAGE) 404.627.0007

Landmark DINER ��

RESTAURANT

Open 24 Hours

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�� PG 24 • insiteatlanta.com • June 2008

LO U N G E

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EASTSIDE

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Mondays: Industry Night DJ Brook Spoorkman Tuesday: 90’s Night Black Sunshine with DJ Adam Wednesdays: Brit Pop / Indie Night Thursdays: Doppelganger with guest DJ Osmose Fridays: 80’s DJ Quazi Saturdays: Red Square retro with Achilles & Chaz

Mon-Sat 9pm-2:30am | Nightly Drink Specials www.eastsidelounge.net | 485 A Flastshoals Ave. | Atlanta | 30316

Holcomb Insurance Services, LLC

404.627.4505 matt@holcombinsurance.net www.holcombinsurance.net

I'm Matt Holcomb, founder and president of Holcomb Insurance Services, LLC. My agency is here to help individuals, families, and businesses with a variety of insurance solutions at the best value. My commitment to you is to provide expert knowledge, friendly service, and timely response. I represent Georgia's top carriers in medical, dental, vision, disability, life, long-term care, Medicare supplement coverage and Medicare Advantage plans. I can also assist you through my strong network of professionals specializing in property and casualty coverage, retirement and financial planning, payroll services, workplace benefit packages, health reimbursement accounts, and flexible spending accounts. Some of the Health Insurance Carriers I work with are Kaiser Permanente, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Golden Rule, United Healthcare, Aetna and Humana. Navigating the world of insurance can be challenging. My job is to help you understand your many options so that you can make educated choices. This doesn't end after the sale. I am here for you year-round, working with the insurance carriers to make sure your needs are continuously met. For more information, please contact me at 404627-4505, email matt@holcombinsurance.net or my website www.holcombinsurance.net. I look forward to serving you!

well as MD Team's client testimonials.

The Earl

488 Flat Shoals Rd. 404.522.3950 www.badearl.com

Located in the heart of the East Atlanta Village,

The Earl is the kind of place you can hang out at all day. It is a great combination of restuarant, bar and concert hall. Featuring an amazing bar menu, moderately priced drinks and a music venue in the back, this is a place that can satisfy just about anyone in your group. Their burgers are well known and have received numerous awards including the EARL Burger, made with 100% Black Angus Beef. The Guacamole Burger is known for its “cowalicious goodness” and served with guacamole, salsa and cheddar, or the Blue Bacon. The Earl is also an East Atlanta institution for great live music. Anything and everything can be heard, 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. The jukebox in the restaurant has one of the most eclectic group of albums in town. Bar regulars love the PBR tall boys that wash their burgers down with authority. The open front offers a great view of downtown East Atlanta. There is also table sidewalk seating. With a casual atmosphere with an eclectic mix of patrons, you can’t go wrong with The Earl any night of the week.

Blue Frog Cantina

The MD Team, Realtors

469 Flat Shoals Ave. SE 404.658.6108 www.bluefrogatl.com

404.538.6849 marc@mdteam.net www.mdteam.net

Under new ownership, this popular East Atlanta cantina is offering exciting new menu items and events this summer. Among them is their $1 Taco deal every Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday is ladies night as they serve up frozen margaritas and featuring DJ sassy. Team Trivia is offered Thursday nights at 8pm and Poker is held on Sunday nights also at 8pm. Their popular patio is reserved for people watching and tossing back one of their 17 margaritas. Their many fruity flavors include banana, tangerine and orange. The house favorite is pomegranate served with fresh pomegranate liquor. Some of their killer margaritas include the Texas made with Grand Marnier and the Cadillac made with Cointreau. Blue Frog is open Monday - Saturday from 5pm 12am and Sundays 5pm - 11pm. There is ample free parking and credit cards are accepted.

Keller Williams Realty Atlanta

The MD Team, affiliated with Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Midtown, has 12 years combined experience helping clients thrive in Intown Atlanta's real estate market. Owners, Marc Takacs and David Bottomley, are fully dedicated to their clients, as well as the communities they serve. With the MD Team, you get two educated and experienced Realtors for the price of one. The MD Team is dedicated to exceeding your expectations through taking the time to understand and meet each person's needs. The MD Team strives to educate our clients about the various neighborhoods and areas so you will be comfortable with not only your home, but your quality of life. Marc is the President of East Atlanta's Business Association and an Editor and Board Member of the Porch Press, an all volunteer neighborhood newspaper. David is a volunteer tour guide at the Oakland Cemetery and has been instrumental in setting up a neighborhood watch in the Atlanta neighborhood, Peoplestown. For each transaction, the MD Team makes a donation in the buyer or seller's name to PAWS Atlanta, a no kill animal shelter. Both owners have completed the Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) designation, held by less than one percent of all Realtors, and Marc is a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA), a program designed to equip professionals with the knowledge, resources and insight to appropriately advise individuals and families as society ages. Contact Marc and David at 404-604-3100 or mdteam@mdteam.net for more information and to receive their monthly newsletter, containing valuable, up-to-date information about happenings in and around Atlanta. Visit www.mdteam.net to view informative articles on buyer and seller resources and historic home architecture and renovation, as

PSYCHO SISTERS

Traders

485 Flat Shoals Ave. SE 404.522.3006 www.TRADERSatlanta.com

Traders is a unique retail space with a mixture of furniture, home accessories, gifts and novelties. They carry Rowe upholstery, Zocalo and Sitcom case goods (end tables and coffee tables). Here you will find a wide selection of lamps and decorative vases, sconces and artwork. They carry several scented candle lines: Votivo, Archipelago, and Zinnia unscented candles. There is also a great children's baby section full of toys, puzzles and plush animals for that special child. The baby section has books for new Moms and Dads, Onesies, Dish sets and much more. Traders opened eleven years ago in April 1997 across the street in what is now the Eye Too space. The current location is approximately 4,000 square feet of floor room making it the largest retail shop in East Atlanta.

for guys 5964 Roswell Rd. and girls

psycho-sisters.com

404-255-5578

East Atlanta’s Insurance Broker Matt Holcomb 404-627-4505

matt@holcombinsurance.net www.holcombinsurance.net

Sand! Food! Fun!

On the square in downtown Decatur, Georgia

June 20 • 5 pm to midnight Adult tickets

Purchase in advance at decaturdba.com at the gate

Children 12 and under, FREE! (limit two children per paying adult)• No coolers, glass or pets allowed

www.decaturdba.com • 404-371-8386 PG 25 • insiteatlanta.com • June 2008

DINING

Taste of the Month-Burgers Hot off the Grill this Summer! Atkins Park Tavern

The Tavern at Phipps

794 N. Highland Ave. 404-876-7249 www.atkinspark.com

3500 Peachtree Rd. 404.814.9640 www.TheTavernAtPhipps.com

Atkins Park, Virginia Highland’s historic neighborhood restaurant, has been serving up great food and drink since 1922. It holds the title of the longest continuously licensed tav-

As Atlanta’s award winning “Hottest Spot for Cool Cocktails”, “Best Happy Hour”, and “Best Bartender”, the bar at The Tavern at Phipps has made a name for itself. But don’t be fooled, this is a full scale restaurant offering two dining rooms, white linens and plenty of seating on their vast outdoor patio. It is styled after the classic New York steakhouse with thick mahogany wood banisters, brick walls, and a tiled ceiling. Their menu caters to the Atlanta elite and families alike. While the menu remains the same for lunch and dinner, it offers a wide range of items for those looking to grab a quick bite while shopping at the mall to those looking for an upscale sit down experience. The meat used in their burgers is ground fresh daily and made using Grade A choice Midwestern beef. They offer a standard 1/2 pound burger which you can add toppings to prepare it however you like. Their Tavern Burger is made with homemade stadium chili, bacon, melted cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion. As we mentioned earlier, The Tavern offers great cuts of meat. If you’re in the mood for a steak, try their 18oz bonein strip sirloin. This is a Kansas City cut 4 week aged top choice sirloin brushed with fresh garlic butter and accompanied by a salt rubbed baked potato.

ern in Atlanta. For the past 25 years, Atkins Park has been serving the Bruno Burger. It sports Black Angus beef and and simple accompaniments of sauteed mushrooms and onions. It's named after famed restaurantaur Warren Bruno, a previous owner of this historic establishment. This popular burger began in 1975 at the long-gone Aunt Charley's, Bruno's first restaurant. A big fan of 'shrooms and onions, Bruno would saute the veggies with a stick of butter and a cup of sherry. The addition of provolone cheese is a nod to his Italian heritage. "The burger is just a staple of the neighborhood," says manager and bartender Crystal Brooks. "And it's never frozen." Nothing goes better with a great burger than a cool drink. Atkins Park has an extensive list of beers and wines featuring many split bottles. Enjoy their upscale comfort food, burgers seated at the 1922 wooden bar or charming vintage dining room. If you get hungry late, no problem, Atkins serves burgers until 2:30 am Monday through Saturday.

Atlanta’s Historic Neighborhood Restaurant Located in the Heart of the Virginia Highlands

The Earl

488 Flat Shoals Rd. 404.522.3950 www.badearl.com Located in the heart of the East Atlanta Village, The Earl is the kind of place you can hang out at all day. It is a great combination of restuarant, bar and concert hall. Featuring an amazing bar menu, moderately priced drinks and a music venue in the back, this is a place that can satisfy just about anyone in your group. Their burgers are well known and have received numerous awards including the EARL Burger, made with 100% Black Angus Beef. The Guacamole Burger is known for its “cowalicious goodness” and served with guacamole, salsa and cheddar, or the Blue Bacon. The Earl is also an East Atlanta institution for great live music. Anything and everything can be heard, 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. The jukebox in the restaurant has one of the most eclectic group of albums in town. Bar regulars love the PBR tall boys that wash their burgers down with authority. The open front offers a great view of downtown East Atlanta. There is also table sidewalk seating. With a casual atmosphere with an eclectic mix of patrons, you can’t go wrong with The Earl any night of the week.

Your Neighborhood Pizzeria!

Serving Atlanta Since 1922

THE BRUNO BURGER Over 2 million sold since 1975

Serving Lunch, Sat & Sun Brunch, Dinner and Late Nite

BEST PIZZA!

& www.atkinspark.com

794 North Highland Ave | 404-876-7249 PG 26 • insiteatlanta.com • June 2008

Multiple Atlanta Locations: www.JohnnysPizza.com

FILM

�� AMERICAN TEEN:� �� –Matt Goldberg THE FALL:� ��

�� –Mitchell Hughes INDIANA JONES & THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL:� �� –B. Love IRON MAN:� ��

“THIS IS THE ‘INDIANA JONES’ FILM PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR.” Kenneth Turan

“�� SENSATIONAL, AWE-INSPIRING SPECTACLES. 1/2

‘Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull’, Say It Aloud And It Causes Your Pulse To Quicken!” Roger Ebert

“SPECTACULAR FUN!” Claudia Puig

“THE MAGIC IS STILL THERE. IT’S GREAT TO HAVE YOU BACK DR. JONES!” Leah Rozen

now playing

CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THEATRES AND SHOWTIMES FOR GROUP TICKET SALES INFORMATION CALL: 1-877-PAR-GRP5

SPECIAL ENGAGEMENTS – NO PASSES OR DISCOUNT TICKETS ACCEPTED

Text INDY to 33287 for showtimes and mobile content. Standard messaging rates apply.

Insite Magazine 1/4pg FRI 5/30 ALLIED DC JM

A FILM BY DENNIS DUGAN "YOU DON'T MESS WITH THE ZOHAN" JOHN TURTURRO COLUMBIA PICTURES PRESENTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH RELATIVITY MEDIA A HAPPY MADISON PRODUCTION NICK SWARDSON LAINIE KAZAN EMMANUELLE CHRIQUI AND ROB SCHNEIDER MUSIC SUPERVISIONBY MICHAEL DILBECK BROOKS ARTHUR MUSICBY RUPERT GREGSON-WILLIAMS EXECUTIVE WRITTEN PRODUCED DIRECTED PRODUCERS BARRY BERNARDI ROBERT SMIGEL BY ADAM SANDLER & ROBERT SMIGEL & JUDD APATOW BY ADAM SANDLER JACK GIARRAPUTO BY DENNIS DUGAN

STARTS FRIDAY, JUNE 6

CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THEATERS AND SHOWTIMES SORRY, NO PASSES ACCEPTED FOR THIS ENGAGEMENT.

PG 27 • insiteatlanta.com • June 2008

�� –DeMarco Williams JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH 3-D:� �� –DeMarco Williams KUNG FU PANDA:� �� PG 28 • insiteatlanta.com • June 2008

�� It doesn’t matter that Harrison Ford (right) is like 80-years-old and shouldn’t be able to battle men half�� his-age, ﬁre ants and survive a nuclear blast. He’s got that hat, and that’s straight dap. Word, playa. �� –Ryan Loftis �� MONGOL:�� –Mike Brune �� –Kori Frederick THE STRANGERS:� �� SPEED RACER:�� –DeMarco Williams �� –Ryan Loftis STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE:� �� SEX & THE CITY:� �� –Matt Goldberg ��

SPORTS NEWS

A Brave New World

Once Jeff Francoeur shakes this current slump at the plate, it’ll only add to his budding legend in Atlanta. BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS

ROUND THE SEVENTH OR eighth inning at Turner Field, the Atlanta Braves have this game where one fan standing in front of the jumbotron tries to rearrange five life-size numbers into a configuration matching the exact attendance for that day’s game. While the fan at the May 24 contest was frantically swapping a “3” for a “6,” all of those looking from the stands could see the right answer. Some helped by shouting out the correct numerical sequence. Others laughed at the hysteric pacing. Jeff Francoeur feels the frazzled fan’s frustration. Being the only one seemingly not clued in to something kinda sucks. Braves third baseman Chipper Jones is the hottest player on the planet. Atlanta teammates Yunel Escobar and Brian McCann are both batting comfortably over .300, too. But lately, if you’ve looked closely to Francoeur while he’s stood at the plate, all hasn’t been right. He’s seemed lost. Not knowing if the “3” goes in front of the “2” or behind the “6.” At press time, the Braves outfielder was pressing a bit, hitting .259 with just five home runs and 32 RBI. Those stats aren’t terrible; in fact, the 32 ribbies are tied for second most on the club. But for a guy who approached ’08 with realistic aspirations of .300, 40 and 120, they’re a bit deflating. “I said it the other day,” begins Jeff, after an emotional 3-1 victory over Arizona where he hit the game-winning homer. “I feel like I’m battling right now. I definitely don’t feel great at the plate. I can be honest with that. But I’m working hard at it. I came in today worked with [hitting coach Terry Pendleton].” Francoeur continues, never breaking the genuine smile he’s beloved around these parts for. “I’m grindin’. That’s the important thing: As long as I keep grindin’ and helpin’ this team out in different ways, sooner than later, I’ll kinda feel where I’m real comfortable at the plate, get back and do some real damage.” And that’s what the great ones do. When Kobe Bryant’s shot isn’t falling, he’ll make

sure his assist totals are up and his defense is suffocating. Same goes for LaDanian Tomlinson’s receiving numbers when his rushing lanes are stuffed. If Jeff Francoeur’s hitting more ground balls than gappers, he’s also making sure his patrolling of right field is goof-free. The canon-armed Francoeur has four outfield assists so far in ‘08. He tied for the Majors’ lead with 19 a year ago. Another admirable trait from the guy they call Frenchy is that he hasn’t cowered in the wake of the mild slump. After a rough two or three nights at the plate, No. 7 could have easily asked manager Bobby Cox for a day off. He didn’t. As a matter of fact, before May 20, Jeffrey Brandon Francoeur had played in an MLB-best 370 consecutive games. But because a day/night doubleheader was on the slate that day, Cox gave his 24-year-old slugger a breather— much to the chagrin of his teammates. “He’s the most annoying bench player in the world,” jokes good friend and Braves catcher Brian McCann. “I don’t ever want to have him on the bench again. He’s just annoying. He talks the whole time, doesn’t give you your space. Every time you turn around, he’s there. [But] he needed a mental day off. I think sitting back watching the game, you get to regroup your thoughts and think about the game and about what you need to do to hit the ball on a consistent basis.” A free swinger who gave it his all with every at-bat, Frenchy was never confused with Ted Williams at the dish. Still, when the Atlanta-raised ball player was shipped from the Minors to the Braves in the middle of the ’05 season, he came with more hoopla than the Sex in the City movie. Comparisons to Willie McCovey were made. Opponents were baffled. Teammates were awestruck. Fans were learning to spell “Francoeur” so fast you thought they were etymology majors. The media –Sports Illustrated had him grace its cover with the heading “The Natural” attached to his image- swore the second coming of Willie Mays was here. The Robert Redford-worthy run was followed by a sophomore campaign with even more sparkling numbers, none any bigger than the 29 homers and 103 RBI. The home-

town hero had it all figured out. Unlike the Atlanta fan playing the numbers game, he knew precisely where the “3” should go. The proverbial “2” and “6” fell into place, too. And though the long ball totals (19) slipped a bit last year, his doubles (40), RBI (105) and walks (42) all went up. Then Spring Training ‘08 arrived. Word around Braves camp was that Francoeur had bulked up. They said the young man was more focused than ever, determined to hit that elusive 40-dinger plateau. It’s early June now. Jeff is barely on pace to reach half that goal. The crazy thing about expectations is that if you don’t meet them in a reasonable amount of time, folks begin to wonder if you were ever deserving of even the mention. To stay in the same sentence as the Hanley Ramirezes and Josh Hamiltons and Ryan Brauns of the baseball world, Frenchy’s got to hit 40 and 120 eventually, right? At this very second Jeff ’s a bit too worked up to entertain the question. His game-winning home run has given 36,263 (the fan’s guess was a hair off, if you were wondering) at the Ted something to cheer about.

Even more important, it gives the Braves a 21-6 mark at home, the best in the National League. They can almost touch the NL Eastleading Florida Marlins now. “Hopefully,” says a relieved Francoeur, “I can come out tomorrow [and hit even more]. Hopefully, this is something that gets me going here and can get me back feeling relaxed at the plate and grooving it.” Once that happens, the Marlins, the Mets and the mass of doubters had better watch out.

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SPORTS NEWS

FANATIC BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS “The protocol for an IOC ceremony is very strict and formal, and it has to be. On such an issue that has affected a host country, I believe that the president of the IOC would have a very open mind and listen to the advice coming from Beijing organizers.” –Kevan Gosper, vice chairman of the IOC coordination commission, on the idea of honoring the China earthquake victims during the OLYMPICS It’s the NBA DRAFT. You’re the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Chicago Bulls grabbed Derrick Rose with the first pick. The Miami Heat took the consolation prize named Michael Beasley at two. Who do you pick with the third selection? The ’08 crop is deep, so there are lots of ways you could go. Pass on big forwards Anthony Randolph and Kevin Love because you already have Al Jefferson on the payroll. You could probably skip over flashy guards O.J. Mayo, Eric Gordon and Jerryd Bayless, too, seeing as how Randy Foye and Rashard McCants did admirably in the spot this past year. That said, Stanford center Brook Lopez, seven feet of hustle, hooks and soft hands, is probably the best choice for the T-Wolves.

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altering bad calls in May, we might be open to the idea in one instance- determining if a ball is a home run or not. While some are foolishly opening to the thought of instant replay helping in safe/out calls or even –gasp!balls and strikes, we’re thinking something more in the way of managers having one chance per game to dispute a home run call is not only fair but won’t slow down an already-slow sport too much more. “INSIDER TRADING is a bigger deal in sports than in the ﬁnancial markets. We have the Securities and Exchange Commission here. Why not the same for what is a multibillion-dollar sports gambling market?” –Justin Wolfers, business professor at the University of Pennsylvania “In the end, I never discount anyone coming back. At this moment, she needs to take all the pressure oﬀ. When someone announces this and they’re in their mid-20s, I always say it’s 50-50. With Justine [Henin], it might be better than that. Martina announced her retirement in her late 30s and she kept going. I say there’s a good chance we’ll see her again.” –PAM SHRIVER, owner of 22 Grand Slam doubles titles, on the idea of the 25-year-old Henin ever coming out of retirement

“The difficulty is convincing pampered players who already spend 120 nights on the road that it isn’t that big a deal to add a trans-Pacific trip to the schedule. Heck, I once listened to a player complain about traveling to Canada. But if 60-year-old flight attendants can not only manage the trip but can also pour coffee and wheel food carts up and down the aisles for much of the flight, athletes in their prime should be able to manage sitting, sleeping and watching movies during the same trip. Especially when they get a $40,000 bonus for doing so (as the Red Sox and Athletics did this spring).” –ESPN’S JIM CAPLE, on the prospect of the MLB expanding to Asia Fanatic isn’t the biggest supporter of instant replay potentially rearing its head in MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL, but in the wake of the game-

And finally… ESPN’s list of the five greatest drivers ever: 1) A.J. Foyt 2) Mario Andretti 3) Dale Earnhardt 4) Michael Schumacher 5) Ayrton Senna… The Celtics/ Cavs Eastern Conference semifinals Game 7 was the highest rated nonFinals game on ABC the last five years…Golf.com’s most overrated golfers: Colin Montgomerie, Chris DiMarco, Davis Love III, Tom Lehman, Charles Howell and Stewart Cink… At press time, the Atlanta Braves had the second-best home winning percentage (77%). Oddly, they also have the worst road mark (27%)… Baron Davis, a New York Knick? Reports say the Golden State guard has made inquiries into the Big Apple’s interest in him…Bobby Cox, who just signed a one-year extension to manage the Atlanta Braves a 24th season in ‘09, is an eight-time Sporting News manager of the year. No one else has won the honor more than three times.

1 2 3 4 5

NBA Finals

(starting June 5, 8:30PM, ABC)

Most folks are salivating over a nostalgic Lakers/ Celtics ﬁnal, but if I recall, L.A. and Detroit had some memorable battles, too.

Stanley Cup Finals (June 2, 4 and 7, 8PM, NBC)

If NBC doesn’t get ratings with a match-up featuring the best team (Detroit) and its best young talent (Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby), there’s no hope for hockey.

French Open

(June 7-8, 9AM, NBC)

With Henin out of the picture, Jelena Jankovic, Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams rumble in Roland Garros.

U.S. Open

(June 15, TBD, NBC)

Umm, Phil, don’t look now, but you-know-who appears healthy enough to come out swinging at gorgeous Torrey Pines.

Boston at Philadelphia (June 16, 7PM, ESPN)

The AL East-leading Sox do everything in their power to slay the three-headed monster of Rollins, Utley and Howard.

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