INsite Atlanta July 2018 Issue

JULY 2018

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VOL. 26, NO. 12 FREE

Collective Soul Retro Futura Creedence Clearwater Revisited

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2018/19 SEASON

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TM and © Paramount Pictures and TM and © The Estate of Irving Berlin. All rights reserved.

MUSIC BY SARA BAREILLES “LOVE SONG”, “BRAVE”

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PG 2 • July 2018 • insiteatlanta.com

CONTENTS • JULY 2018 • VOLUME 26, NO. 12

EARS! ING 26 Y T A R B E CEL

Summer Film

Atlanta’s

Entertainment Monthly

INTERVIEWS 10 Retro Futura 11 Bowzer’s Party 11 Antonia Bennett 13 Creedence Clearwater Revisited 14 Collective Soul 16 Yes 17 Mighty Mighty Bosstones

FESTIVAL

10

NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD

JULY 27 • 10:00 PM

TROLLS

AUG 11 • 2:00 PM

AUG 2 • 7:30 PM

MOANA SING-A-LONG

AUG 23 • 7:30 PM

AUG 25 • 2:00 PM

FOR TICKETS, VISIT:

FOXTHEATRE.ORG

We Pay Cash For CDs! Vinyl!

Blu-Rays! ATL

Music Editor John Moore john@insiteatlanta.com Contributing Writers / Interns: Alex. S. Morrison, Dave Cohen, Benjamin Carr, Demarco Williams MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 76483 Atlanta, GA 30358 WEBSITE • insiteatlanta.com ADVERTISING INFORMATION (404) 308-5119 • ads@insiteatlanta.com

BEST of

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 misleading advertising or editorial content, nor do the publisher or editors of INsite assume responsibility Collective Soul should such advertising or editorial appear. No Retro Futura Creedence Clearwater content, i.e., articles, graphics, designs and Revisited information (any and all) in this publication may be reproduced in any manner without written permission from publisher.

JULY 2018

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insiteatlanta.com Publisher Stephen Miller steve@insiteatlanta.com Art Director / Web Design Nick Tipton nick@insiteatlanta.com Managing Editor Lee Valentine Smith lee@insiteatlanta.com Local Events Editor Marci Miller marci@insiteatlanta.com Movie Editor Steve Warren s.warren@insiteatlanta.com

GREASE SING-A-LONG

Join us in watching film favorites under the starry sky of the Fox Theatre. Our theatre was originally created to be a "movie palace" in Atlanta and we honor that tradition every year by showing classic films and the latest blockbusters!

Around Town On Tap Atlanta on a Dime Under The Lights New Releases Station Control Albums Movie Reviews 17

STAFF LISTING

JULY 28 • 7:00 PM

One of Atlanta's Greatest Traditions

08 Best Burgers 12 Summer Music 04 05 06 07 07 15 17 18

JULY 28 • 10:00 AM

IRON MAN

13

FEATURES

COLUMNS

SATURDAY AM CARTOONS

DULUTH 2175 Pleasant Hill Road 770-623-1552

TOWN CENTER 50 Barrett Parkway at Bells Ferry Road next to Barnes & Noble 770-425-3472

ROSWELL 10800 Alpharetta Hwy At Mansell Road 770-518-3300

CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK! CD WAREHOUSE ATLANTA insiteatlanta.com • July 2018 • PG 3

Around Town

Events and Performances taking place around Atlanta

SUNDAY, JULY 8 SATURDAY, JULY 14 SUNDAYS ON THE RIVER CONCERT ATLANTA FIELD DAY Chattahoochee Nature Center

The Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell is offering great nighttime entertainment this summer. Their Sundays on the River Concerts series is held the second Sunday of each month. Come out and see Adron on Sunday, July 8. Adron’s music is infused with an international texture that playfully blends Brazilian samba, Bossa Nova and Tropicalia encapsulating the fullbodied rhythms of 1970’s Pop and R&B. Visit chattnaturecenter.org for tickets.

FRIDAY, JULY 13 BRUCE HORNSBY & THE NOISE Atlanta Botanical Garden

Historic Fourth Ward Park

Atlanta Field Day is a throwback to grade school, built with adults in mind. They've got all the classic events like tug of war, relay races, obstacle courses, etc. plus some surprises throughout the day. Teams will earn points in each event to add up to your total for the day. Grab some friends, start your team (8 or more people) and gear up for the competition of the summer! Visit atlfieldday.com.

SATURDAY, JULY 14 REPTILE DAY

Fernbank Museum

Come face-to-face with table after table of live reptiles and amphibians, including pythons and other large snakes, geckos, tortoises, lizards, iguanas, and many more!

This popular annual event offers a unique opportunity to interact with and learn more about these ecologically-important creatures. Visit fernbankmuseum.org.

FRIDAY, JULY 27 BOWZER’S ROCK AND ROLL PARTY Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre

Concerts in the Garden is a summer concert series by Atlanta Botanical Garden.

Enjoy Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers Friday, July 13. Bring blanket and chairs for general admission seating on the lawn.

Other performances this summer include: Michael McDonald (July 27) and Mary Chapin Carpenter (August 4). Atlantabg.org

PG 4 • July 2018 • insiteatlanta.com

Everyone participates at Bowzer's Rock 'n' Roll Party. Who can sit still with all the high energy rock 'n' roll music and all your favorites of the '50s and '60s played by original artists?

Bowzer and his friends play the

kind of music that makes everyone want to get up and dance and sing along. Jay Siegel's Tokens ("The Lion Sleeps Tonight': "Tonight I Fell In Love"); Shirley Alston Reeves, Original Lead Singer of The Shirelles ("Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow"; "Soldier Boy"; "Baby, It's You"); Freddy "Boom-Boom" Cannon ("Palisades Park") perform with Bowzer & The Stingrays.

Tickets at cobbenergycentre.com.

JULY 27 - AUGUST 25 COCA-COLA SUMMER FILM FESTIVAL Fox Theatre

The Fox Theatre kicks off its 2018 CocaCola Summer Film Festival with a 50th anniversary screening of the cult-classic Night of the Living Dead on Friday, July 27 at 10 p.m. Beyond opening night, the festival will include early and evening shows of family fun such as festival favorite Saturday AM Cartoons, Dreamwork Animation’s Trolls, and sing-a-long showings of Grease and Disney’s Moana. For silver screen classics, the festival will be showing the 50th anniversary of Barbra Streisand’s Funny Girl.

For film schedule and ticket information visit FoxTheatre.org or call 855-285-8499.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 5

SOUTHERN WING SHOWDOWN

The Fairmont,1429 Fairmont Ave NW

Come on out for a finger lickin' good throw down with some of the best chefs in the Southeast at Springer Mountain Farms' Southern Wing Showdown. This amazing event will be held at The Fairmont on Sunday, August 5, 2018. Advance ticket purchase highly recommended as they will sell out. For one day only, this event will provide wings, beer, Southern spirits and local music from Alex Guthrie to benefit Angel Flight and Second Helpings Atlanta.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 11 ATLANTA SUMMER WINE FESTIVAL City Winery at Ponce City Market

The third annual Atlanta Summer Wine Fest will be held on Saturday, August 11th for two sessions: 12-4 pm and 6-10pm.

There will be over 50 wines as well as a selection of beer to choose from. Live music and a DJ will be on site, and food will be available for purchase. The wine list will be added to the website the week of the event.

Visit AtlantaWineFestivals.com.

SATURDAY, JULY 28 ICE CREAM FESTIVAL

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15 TASTE OF HELEN

Founded in 2010, this family fun event features America’s favorite dessert, Ice Cream! Meet with vendors; take part in fitness routines and other fun activities including entertainment and an ice cream eating competition. The event is free to attend with ice cream for purchase. Visit atlantaicecreamfestival.com.

Take a short drive up to Helen, GA, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains on the Chattahoochee River, for Taste of Helen.

Enjoy culinary tastes from top area restaurants, live music and libations! Event takes place Wednesday, August 15 from 5:00 8:00 pm. Go to helenchamber.com or call (770) 878-1908 for ticket information.

The Meadows at Piedmont Park

Festhalle, Helen, GA

On Tap this Month MAJOR EVENTS COMING TO ATLANTA

July 4: Lenox Square to Piedmont Park

AJC PEACHTREE ROAD RACE

e AJC Peachtree Road Race, organized by Atlanta Track Club, is the largest 10K in the world. In its 48th running, the AJC Peachtree Road Race has become a Fourth of July tradition for thousands of people throughout the metro Atlanta area and beyond. 60,000 runners follow a course that starts at Lenox Square, travels down Peachtree and finishes at Piedmont Park in Midtown. Visit PeachtreeRoadRace.org.

Saturday, July 14: The Fox Theatre

WHEELS OF SOUL

Tedeschi Trucks Band’s Wheels of Soul summer tour lands at the Fox eatre Saturday, July 14. With their blend of American soul, blues, rock and country, the 12-member Tedeschi Trucks Band, led by the husband and wife team of guitarist Derek Trucks and vocalist/guitarist Susan Tedeschi, offers a one-of-a-kind musical experience. is year features special guests Drive-By Truckers and opener e Marcus King Band.

July 21 - 29: Atlantic Station

BB&T ATLANTA OPEN

Four-time BB&T Atlanta Open champ and University of Georgia star John Isner with be the odds on favorite to take the title again in 2018. e Bryan Brothers will look to repeat as doubles champs. is year offers new stadium design that not only provides more shade and air-conditioned spaces, but more activation areas and activities for fans. Last year was the third all-American Atlanta Open final. Visit BBTAtlantaOpen.com.

July 27 - August 25 : The Fox Theatre

COCA-COLA SUMMER FILM FESTIVAL e Fox eatre kicks off its 2018 Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival with a 50th anniversary screening of the cult-classic Night of the Living Dead on Friday, July 27 at 10 p.m. Beyond opening night, the festival will include early and evening shows of family fun such as festival favorite Saturday AM Cartoons, Dreamwork Animation’s Trolls, and sing-a-long showings of Grease and Disney’s Moana. Visit Foxeatre.org for listing.

Friday, July 27: Cobb Energy Centre

BOWZER’S ROCK AND ROLL PARTY Catch all your favorites of the '50s and '60s played by original artists. Jay Siegel's Tokens ("e Lion Sleeps Tonight': "Tonight I Fell In Love"); Shirley Alston Reeves, Original Lead Singer of e Shirelles ("Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow"; "Soldier Boy"; "Baby, It's You"); Freddy "Boom-Boom" Cannon ("Palisades Park") perform with Bowzer & e Stingrays. Tickets at cobbenergycentre.com.

Sunday, July 29: Infinite Energy Center

PANIC! AT THE DISCO

Panic! at the Disco from Las Vegas, Nevada, formed in 2004 by childhood friends Brendon Urie, Ryan Ross, Spencer Smith and Brent Wilson. ey were heavily influenced by 1960s rock bands the Beatles, the Zombies and the Beach Boys. All founding members except for the lead singer Urie eventually left the band.

Since then have added three new members and have released their sixth album. Infiniteenergycenter.com insiteatlanta.com • July 2018 • PG 5

Wednesday, July 4

Sunday, July 8

Concourse Corporate Center Free; SandySpringsga.gov

Heritage Sandy Springs Free; HeritageSandySprings.org

Celebrate the nation’s birthday as part of the City’s Stars and Stripes Celebration.

Music from the band Shiloh will begin at 7:30 pm and fireworks will dazzle the sky beginning at 9:45 pm. Pack a picnic, bring a blanket, and enjoy an evening under the stars. Pets, tents, outdoor cooking, drones, alcohol, and personal-use sparklers will not be permitted.

See Jazz and R&B performers Gwen Hughes & e Kats for a free outdoor concert 7:00 - 8:30 pm Friday, July 8. e outdoor concert series is offered free of charge one Sunday each month at the Heritage Green through September. Limited number of tables available for purchase.

Coolers welcome and beverages are sold.

Thursdays, July 5, 12 & 19

MOVIES ON THE TOWN

PARADE & FIREWORKS SHOW CONCERTS BY THE SPRINGS

EVENTS HAPPENING FOR SMALL CHANGE IN ATLANTA

Know of a low cost event happening? Event@AtlantaOnADime.com

By Marci Miller

Saturday - Wednesday, July 1 - 7

FANTASTIC FOURTH

Stone Mountain Park $15 Parking; StoneMountainPark.com Experience the Lasershow Spectacular with state-of-the-art digital graphics and awe-inspiring effects 7 nights in a row. e show includes a lighting feature at the base of the mountain shining up like fingers of light showcasing the 825 foot mountainside. Laser beams bounce around in harmony with the music. e special patriotic fireworks finale will immediately follow the Lasershow all four nights. Visitors may bring blankets and lawn chairs.

Wednesday, July 4

4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION International Plaza; Downtown Free; CentennialPark.com

is year’s 4th of July Celebration will offer fun and entertainment for the entire family, including free music from chart-topping R&B quartet After 7, best known for the hits “Ready or Not” and “Can’t Stop,” performing with JFly and Friends. Entertainment begins at 7:00pm and fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:45pm. e Georgia World Congress Center Authority

(GWCCA) is moving this year’s Fourth of July Celebration and fireworks show to International Plaza, the green space and surrounding areas between the Georgia World Congress Center, Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Philips Arena. e change in venue is due to ongoing renovations of Centennial Olympic Park. Take MARTA or check website for parking options.

Wednesday, July 4

4TH ON THE PARK

Marietta Square Free; MariettaSquare.com Grab your American flag, put on your red, white and blue, and celebrate America's independence July 4, from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. with an Independence Day parade and celebration on the Square presented by Superior Plumbing, free live concerts, arts and crafts show, food, carnival games and the City of Marietta fireworks finale. roughout the day more than 80,000 people are expected to enjoy great food, fun activities, the best arts and crafts around and free entertainment. e Marietta Independence Day parade begins at 10 am and will include more than 40 floats and 2,000 participants. e fireworks display is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m.

MOVIES IN CENTRAL PARK

Thursdays, July 12, 19 & 26

Town Brookhaven Free; TownBrookhaven.net/events

Atlantic Station Free to attend; AtlanticStation.com Atlantic Station's outdoor summer movie series, Movies in the Park, is offering free movie screenings each ursday evening in their Central Park through July 19.

Moviegoers can also enjoy meal deals each week from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. from a variety of Atlantic Station restaurants.

Movie screenings will begin at dusk.

e 6th annual Movies on the Town series at Town Brookhaven takes place each ursday night through the July 26th screening of Coco. Arrive early, grab dinner from one of the area restaurants and eat on the green space. ursday evening specials are also being offered by several retailers. Bring blankets and chairs. No pets, outside food/drinks or coolers.

Movies in central park

Free • Atlantic Station • AtlanticStation.com

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Your Neighborhood Pizzeria!

movies in central park 7/5:

2007 – I Am Legend

7/12: 2008 – Hancock 7/19: 2009 – UP!

Atlanta’s BEST Favorite ATL Pizza! Winner of

I Ns i t e ★ 201 7

Multiple Atlanta Locations: JohnnysPizza.com

PG 6 • July 2018 • insiteatlanta.com

Under The Lights ON STAGE THIS MONTH

HOW BLACK MOTHERS SAY I LOVE YOU

July 13 - August 19 Horizon Theatre (404) 584-7450 HorizonTheatre.com

Second in Horizon’s New American Dreams Series is How Black Mothers Say I Love You, a powerful story about a mother and her daughters. Hard-working Daphne left her two young daughters in Jamaica for six years to create a better life for them in America. Now thirty years later, proud and private, Daphne is relying on church and her nearby dutiful daughter to face a health crisis. But, when feisty activist Claudette arrives unexpectedly from far away to help out, her arrival stirs up the buried past, family ghosts and the burning desire for unconditional love before it’s too late.

THE COLOR PURPLE

Through July 29 Actors Express (404) 607-7469 Actors-Express.com A great novel becomes a great American musical. Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning triumph bolts joyously to life with soaring music and unforgettable characters.

Celebrating the very best of the human spirit, The Color Purple tells the uplifting story of Celie, a woman who struggles through adversity to find strength, love and power of her own voice.

MARTIN LUTHER ON TRIAL

Friday & Saturday July 6 & 7 Ferst Center for the Arts (404) 894-9600 Arts.gatech.edu A dazzling evening of theatre erupts onstage in an afterlife trial for the soul of Martin Luther . . . at Lucifer’s request. This fantastical courtroom drama features Hitler, Freud, MLK Jr and Pope Francis as witnesses, a reenactment of Satan’s rebel-

lion and his failed attempt to enlist Michael the Archangel! All this along with a thorough examination of Luther’s life and his loving relationship with Katie Von Bora.

BOOK OF MORMON

July 17 - 22 The Fox Theatre (855) 285-8499 BroadwayInAtlanta.com

Back by popular demand, The Book Of Mormon, which played a record breaking two week return engagement in 2014, as well as in 2016, returns to Atlanta for a limited run, July 17-22 at the Fox Theatre.

Hailed by The New York Times as "the best musical of this century" and the winner of nine Tony Awards, The Book Of Mormon is the blockbuster Broadway smash from South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and the Oscar winning composer of Disney's Frozen and Avenue Q, Bobby Lopez. This outrageous musical comedy follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word.

NEWSIES

July 19 - September 2 Aurora Theatre (404) 733-5000 AuroraTheatre.com Inspired by the real-life Newsboy Strike of 1899, Disney’s Newsies kicks off the Aurora Theatre’s 23rd season with rousing dance numbers and non-stop fun for the whole family. In this high-energy musical, audiences will follow charismatic Jack Kelly and his ragged band of teenaged “newsies” as they strike against an unfair system in New York City at the turn of the century. Newsies highlights publishing titans Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst as they try to take advantage of newsboys to increase profits. However, everything changes when Jack Kelly and his group of “newsies” come on the scene.

HOME THEATER

NEW RELEASES THE LATEST DVD, BLU RAY & VOD RELEASES

By John Moore

RED SPARROW

(Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment) On the surface, it would seem that Red Sparrow has all of the elements for a great movie.

Jennifer Lawrence does a solid job with a Russian accent that’s impressive enough; it’s build around a popular spy novel, but in the end, the result is a pretty uneventful thriller. Lawrence plays a ballerina who is left without an income after an injury. She’s lured by her uncle into a brutal spy training regimen and is tasked with getting close to the CIA to discover a mole.

The ending has a satisfying conclusion, but the movie drags on for most of its two-plus hours. I’d hazard a guess that many viewers never make it to the end.

JERICHO: THE COMPLETE SERIES

(Paramount) It’s been a decade since this short-lived CBS series went off the air, but it’s earned an impressive cult status in the years since. Skeet Ulrich and Esai Morales star in this sci-fi drama about residents in a post-apocalyptic Kansas town dealing with the aftermath of nuclear attacks. The writing was top-notch with paranoia and

the unknown taking over every character. But, somehow the show was cancelled after two seasons, despite heavy lobbying from the diehard fans (likely to make room for another CSI spin off ). Paramount has pulled together all 30 episodes and spread them across eight DVDs, including a bonus disc crammed with a slew of extras in this solid offering.

WENT TO CONEY ISLAND ON A MISSION FROM GOD… BE BACK BY FIVE

[Special Edition] (MVD Rewind) This 1998 indie feature co-written

by Jon Cryer has received mixed reviews, but that hasn’t stopped a core group of fans for lobbying for more attention to the film. The movie focuses on two New York friends setting out to find a long out-of-touch high school buddy who was spotted living on the street in Coney Island. The movie is not awful, but it’s also not great. Cryer, however, does a commendable job with his role. MVD Rewind’s Blu-Ray release comes with plenty of extras including a short comedy, behind the scenes featurettes, commentary and a collectable poster.

insiteatlanta.com • July 2018 • PG 7

Taste of the Month-BURGERS!

Where to Go for the Best Burgers in Town Farm Burger

Dunwoody (770) 454-2201 Decatur (404)378-5077 Buckhead 404.816.0603 Grant Park 404.748.1310 farmburger.com

Farm Burger is about more than just a great burger. It is a labor of love that satisfies its founders’ personal commitment to animal welfare, ecological agriculture and sustainability practices. In an era where the concept of “Farm to Table” has become little more than a commodity, Farm Burger has created its own self-contained agricultural and economic ecosystem which keeps dollars in the local economy while restoring the productivity of its pastures. While championing all things local, their grass feed beef is raised right here in Georgia. With their communal tables and lack of pre-designed burgers, Farm Burger encourages participation from its customers. There are wide assortments of toppings starting with the basics that come free with your burger to the more extravagant for a dollar or two more. If you prefer something unusual but you want to be sure it will be good, try one of their Blackboard Burgers or the Daily Burger which varies by location. All Farm Burger burgers are grass-fed, antibiotic and hormone-free, locally raised, ground fresh, made in-house and griddled to perfection!

Flatiron

520 Flat Shoals Ave. SE East Atlanta (404) 688-8864 flatironatl.com

The Flatiron is located in the historic flatiron building on the corner of Flat Shoals and Glenwood, in the heart of East Atlanta Village. It is a favorite hangout among residents and those visiting the area.

Open since 1997, their friendly and professional staff and great bartenders keep their customers coming back. Flatiron was a first place winner in Creative Loafing’s Burger Week contest last year from over 50 Atlanta restaurants and bars. They placed second in 2016. Build your own Half Pound Angus Beef burger using their variety of toppings or try one of their originals like the Flatiron Burger. This tasty treat is topped with bacon, grilled peppers, blue cheese crumbles, American cheese and crispy onion rings. In addition to their award winning burgers, the vegan friendly menu offers a variety of sandwiches, soups, salads, quesadillas and other appetizers. The Flatiron

THE BEST KITCHEN IN SPORTS SERVING UP BURGERS THAT ARE SMASHED AND SEARED TO ORDER FOR MAXIMUM FLAVOR.

WATCH YOUR FAVORITE SPORT EVENTS ON STATE OF THE ART HDTVs MADE-FROM-SCRATCH MENU

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3365 PIEDMONT RD. ATLANTA, GA 30305 (404) 961-8946 HANGOVER BURGER | BILLIONAIRE’S BACON BURGER | AVOCADO SMASH BURGER

offers non-smoking inside and dog friendly patio. Upstairs is the Trophy Room with second bar, pool table and dart room. Flatiron is a 21 and up establishment.

Dark Horse Tavern

816 N. Highland Ave. Virginia-Highland (404) 873-3607 darkhorseatlanta.com

For more than 25 years, Dark Horse Tavern has been one of Atlanta’s favorite spots in Virginia Highlands for food, drinks and live music. Enjoy one of their two outdoor bars while their amazing bartenders pours you the perfect cocktail. Dark Horse serves classic bar food with great appetizers, salads and sandwiches. But what they are best known for is their burgers. The Dark Horse Stacker comes with two beef patties stacked high with Romaine, beefsteak tomatoes, onions, bacon and choice of cheese and their special sauce on a triple stacked brioche bun. Dark Horse also offers a variety of veggie burgers and sliders along with the option to build your own. After dinner head downstairs to 10 High for Metalsome Live Band Karaoke.

The Earl

East Atlanta - 488 Flat Shoals Rd. (404) 522-3950 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 restaurant, 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.

The Blue Bacon is topped with grilled mushrooms, bacon and blue cheese. There are also vegetarian options including the Homemade Veggie Burger and Black Bean Burgers.

The open front offers cafe’ seating with a great view of the East Atlanta scene. At night anything and everything can be heard on the back stage while the crowd varies with the bands. National acts and the best of the emerging Atlanta music scene grace the Earl nightly to packed crowds. The jukebox in the restaurant has one of the most eclectic group of albums in town. Bar regulars love to wash Earl burgers down with their PBR tall boys. With a casual atmosphere and eclectic mix of patrons, you can’t go wrong with a visit to The Earl.

100% GRASSFED NOW OPEN IN

GRANT PARK

AT THE CORNER OF MEMORIAL DR + HILL ST

www.farmburger.com • decatur • buckhead • dunwoody • grant park

FlatIron Award Winning

BURGERS!

UPSTAIRS NOW OPEN!

FEATURING POOL TABLE & DART ROOM 21 and up

520 Flat Shoals Ave • East Atlanta • (404) 688-8864 PG 8 • July 2018 • insiteatlanta.com

Taste of the Month-BURGERS! Continued . . .

Babalu Tapas & Tacos 33 Peachtree Place, Atlanta (404) 900-9595 eatbabalu.com

Babalu Tapas & Tacos features scratch made Latin inspired dishes with a touch of southern flair. So, how did they win one of the best burgers in Atlanta? Taste and you will see! Their Baba Burger® is a guest favorite and is even featured at a special price of $7 every Thursday. Located in Midtown on the corner of Peachtree Place and Peachtree Street, Babalu’s patio offers both covered and uncovered options with stools at the outside bar and plenty of casual couch seating.

Come early so that you can snag a spot and sip on house-made seasonal sangria or their award winning Baba Rita® while you nibble on bar bites like crispy pork belly sliders and black bean fritters. It’s no surprise that Babalu was named one of Atlanta’s Best Group Dining spots. Their community tables and Chef’s counter are perfect for friends and families that want to share and enjoy tapas for a night out. Babalu is steps away from the Midtown MARTA station and they will also validate parking tickets in the garage located behind the restaurant.

Hudson Grille

7 Metro Area Locations hudsongrille.com

Hudson Grille is the perfect place to catch the game, meet up with friends for a great meal or enjoy drinks from one of their expansive bars. All of their burgers are half-pound, hand-pattied. The signature Hudson Burger is a double patty with chili, jalapenos, onion rings, cheddar, jalapeno cheese. The Maker’s Mark Burger is made with Maker’s Mark Bourbon BBQ, applewood-smoked bacon, cheddar and crispy onions. Bulldog fans may like the #UGA Breakfast Burger served with fried egg, smoked bacon, BBQ mayo and cheddar cheese. Visit Monday thru Friday for lunch as they offer their “Three for $10” lunch special: soup/salad, entrée and drink for only $10!

On Mondays receive double VIP points and $4 off all Burgers. Tuesday offers two for one appetizers, Fridays you can receive a free dessert with any Big Plate or dinner special, and Sunday all big plates are discounted $5 after 5pm!

Twin Peaks Restaurant

3365 Piedmont Road Buckhead (404) 961-8946 twinpeaksrestaurant.com

Twin Peaks Restaurant is a rugged mountain lodge known for its man cave setting and beautiful Twin Peaks Girls.

They have the best kitchen in sports and serve up high-quality comfort food with a wide array of sandwiches and salads to choose from. Twin Peaks’ menu features generous, mansized portions of classic American favorites like butterbrushed Ribeye, hand-prepared Mozzarella Cheese Bites and Buffalo wings. The most popular item on the menu is the Twin Peaks Cheeseburger. Every burger is smashed and seared to order for maximum flavor. These delicious burgers are served up on buttery challah-inspired buns with caramelized onions, a choice of five cheeses, and fresh veggies like lettuce and tomatoes. For those looking to get a little more adventurous with their burger, Twin Peaks also offers its special Billionaire’s Bacon Burger, served with a bacon-laced burger patty. This burger is topped with Sriracha Pimento cheese and thickcut Billionaire’s Bacon laced with brown sugar, red chile flakes, and smoked paprika. It is then finished off with lettuce, tomato, bacon beer mustard and finally bacon mayo.

Twin Peaks has an extensive selection of 29-degree draft beers from 32 taps served into huge ice-cold, frosted mugs. There are private rooms available for bookings and a lively rooftop patio with great views of the city.

George’s

Virginia-Highland 1041 N. Highland Ave (404) 892-3648 georgesbarandrestaurant.com

George’s, the iconic 57 year-old VirginiaHighland establishment, keeps winning over new fans of their famous burgers. These burgers are made from 100% ground chuck, handpattied, charbroiled and served on a lightly grilled whole wheat bun with lettuce, tomato, red onions, and a pickle spear. Each come with choice of fries, tots, potato salad and coleslaw. George’s has many great specialty burgers on the menu. Some of the favorites include the Bleu Cheese Burger, Mushroom & Swiss Burger, Turkey Burger and the Hawaiian Burger. They also offer a Lamb Burger plus a Vegetarian and Black Bean Burger. Besides burgers, George’s offers a wide range of salads and sandwiches. You will find everything from Grilled Chicken Wraps, Patty Melts, Reubens and Sloppy Dogs.

And they have a kids menu for the little ones. Adults can order from their full bar and choose from a wide selection of draft and bottle beer and wine served by the glass or bottle. George’s is open for lunch and dinner. Sunday (11:30am - 9:30pm); Monday (11:30am - 10:30pm); Tue -Thu (11:30am - 11pm); Fri -Sat (11:30am - 12am).

Award Winning Burgers and Sandwiches

DOWNSTAIRS AT 10 HIGH Metalsome Live Band Karaoke Every Monday–Saturday from 10:30PM–3:00AM

816 North Highland Ave. • Virginia-Highland Atlanta, GA 30306 (404) 873-3607 • DarkhorseAtlanta.com

The Baba Burger

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A BURGER SO GOOD, WE TRADEMARKED IT.

33 PEACHTREE PLACE NE • (404) 900-9595 • EATBABALU.COM insiteatlanta.com • July 2018 • PG 9

MUSIC

MAD ABOUT THE ‘80S Belinda Carlisle Still Has The Beat

BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH

T

HE RETRO FUTURA TOUR kicks off its 2018 tour in Atlanta this month. The ‘80s-centric package tour features co-headliners Belinda Carlisle and British new-wave act ABC with Modern English, Haircut 100’s Nick Heyward, Kajagoogoo’s Limahl, Bow Wow Wow’s Annabella and Tony Lewis of The Outfield.

Carlisle personifies the decade with a career that began in Hollywood in the late ‘70s and continued through the height of the MTV era as the lead singer of the Go-Go’s, the world’s most successful all-female rock band.

The group issued a small but highly influential body of work that includes ‘80s staples “We Got The Beat” and “Our Lips Are Sealed.”

When the members went their separate ways, the California-born singer embarked on a solo career with eight stylistically different albums and a number of iconic hit singles including “Mad About You” and “Heaven Is A Place On Earth.” In the meantime, she’s been an active part of pop culture with a stint on Dancing With The Stars and even an appearance in Playboy. In the past decade, she’s been an active animalrights supporter.

Now based in Thailand, Carlisle’s main focus remains music, whether on solo tours, ‘80s revival shows or occasional reunions with The Go-Go’s. Her latest album Wilder Shores is a decidedly ambitious collection of Sikh chants, released a decade after her previous release Voila, a collection of chansons performed entirely in French.

INsite caught up with Carlisle by phone on her way to a Go-Go’s rehearsal.

Anyone who follows you on social media knows that you are always on the go.

Another day, another country.

I’m a gypsy at heart, but today I’m in L.A. for Go-Go’s rehearsals for the Hollywood Bowl shows next week. Then I fly to Atlanta to do rehearsals for the solo shows. I’m lucky at my age to be as busy as I want to be.

You’re on an incredible spiritual journey that’s so far removed from the early days of L.A. punk.

I had always been defined by what I do, which was the music. I’d been doing that since I was 17. But around the time I turned 40, I was dropped by a label and it led to a big journey to who I am now. It led to chanting but I still couldn’t avoid where I was at in my life which was a lot of addiction, secrets and lies. When I got sober, I was chanting two or three hours a day. I knew its power and then I knew that one day I’d like to do a chant album.

And last year you did it. It’s definitely not a standard pop record.

Yeah and I’m really proud

PG 10 • July 2018 • insiteatlanta.com

of it. It’s not for everybody. I don’t think I’ll ever be a chant artist, but I thought, ‘Why not take mantras that I know and ones that I know have been very powerful for myself and put them in a pop song format?’ It did well for something like this. I don’t think I’ll ever do it again, but I got it out of my system. I’m working on another album and it’ll probably be ready sometime next year.

For the Retro tour, you can’t delve too deep into your catalog because you don’t have a lot of time.

Yeah, it’s only 30 or 35 minutes. But it’s all hits, beginning to end. Solo hits, Go-Go’s hits. I don’t think people will be disappointed.

The ‘80s has really endured. Why do you think people look at that decade so fondly?

The ‘50s and ’60s were great, but I think the ‘80s was the last decade for music with a definitive sound and full of great music. So many good things like power pop and the New Romantic movement and it definitely had a sound.

You mentioned the Go-Go’s and obviously that band means a lot to many people, including myself. But you had a farewell tour last year. Now you’re back doing some shows. Is this a permanent return?

We did the farewell tour but we said if something incredible came our way, we’d do it. Then we were asked if we’d join the L.A. Philharmonic for three nights and we said yes because it’s a once-in-alifetime opportunity. But as far as doing it and slogging it on the road again, that will never happen. I live in Thailand and its getting harder and harder to commute and I hate flying. I don’t think I’ll ever retire, but I do think I’ll be cutting back on things.

It’s no secret that the Go-Go’s didn’t always get along. But now at this point, what is the band dynamic? You never see each other, so it must be great.

[Laughs] well it is great actually. Of course, after 40 years of being in a band of all women, the dynamics are complicated. But at the end of the day,

AFTER 40 YEARS OF BEING IN A BAND OF ALL WOMEN, THE DYNAMICS ARE COMPLICATED. BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT’S FAMILY. WE’VE BEEN IN EACH OTHER’S LIVES A LOT LONGER THAT WE’VE BEEN MARRIED OR KNOWN ANYONE ELSE. WE HAD A LOT OF AMENDS TO MAKE AND NOW IT’S GOOD. it’s family. We’ve been in each other’s lives a lot longer that we’ve been married or known anyone else. We had a lot of amends to make and now it’s good.

new format?

It’s amazing, it’s surreal and it’s great. I have no question that it’ll bring new fans to the band.

Everyone is on good terms and just in time for the Broadway show, Head Over Heels.

You know, I heard it got a ten-minute standing ovation the other night! It opens officially next month. So we’ll see how it goes.

I may be a bit biased, but I truly believe Beauty and the Beat is one of the most perfect pop records every made and it’s almost 40 years old now.

That’s crazy think about. In some ways, it’s gone by quickly. I’m proud of it. It’s always in at least the Top 50 best American albums. It’s a good album and I’m lucky we have it.

How does it feel to know that songs you were a part of, almost 40 years ago at this point, are living on stage in a whole

RETRO FUTURA TOUR 2018

Wednesday, July 11 Chastain Park amphitheateratlanta.com featuring BELINDA CARLISLE ABC MODERN ENGLISH MODERN ENGLISH

TONY LEWIS from THE OUTFIELD

TONY LEWIS

Tell us about Animal People Alliance and how people can meet you at the show.

I stated it about four years ago in India. It’s one of the big loves of my life.

A couple of us started it to help provide services to stray animals and to create employment for women in need. We train them to become active in veterinary services and it’s doing really well. We have nine people on staff now, building our own hospital and we’ve treated 1500 animals in the past year. I’ll be doing a special meet and greet every night on the Retro Futura tour to benefit Animal People Alliance and people can sign up on the website or on Eventbright.

MUSIC

GREASE FOR PEACHES LESSONS FROM TONY Jon “Bowzer” Bauman of Sha Na Na Antonia Bennett on Being the Daughter Brings His Rock’n’Roll Show to Georgia of Jazz Icon Tony Bennett

BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH

A

S LOVEABLE LUNKHEAD greaser Bowzer, musician-actor-activist Jon Bauman led music revivalists Sha Na Na on stage, records and eventually on their own variety show. After joining the band n 1970, he became the most recognizable member of the ensemble.

Now he produces and hosts touring oldies shows featuring the voices of the some of the greatest hits of the early rock era. The Atlanta edition features Jay Siegel’s Tokens, Shirley Alston Reeves of the Shirlelles, Freddy Cannon and his own band The Stingrays.

When he’s not rocking, he’s busy pushing for legislation to give deserved rights back to some of the genres early pioneers. INsite spoke with him by phone from his home in California.

Columbia University, largely to keep the music alive. Amazingly it worked. Whatever you want to call it, it led to things like American Graffiti, Grease, even Laverne and Shirley.

Then it all came full circle for us when we had our own television show and they asked us to be in the Grease movie. The guys who wrote it said one of the things that inspired it was seeing Sha Na Na in the earliest days of our career. And it helped younger people relate to us, so it carries on.

Sha Na Na was unusual because you were a show band rather than a hit-making band.

I think we were the most successful band in the history of rock music without the benefit of a hit record. Our massmedia vehicle ended up being a television show. And that was a great outlet for everybody, us and the guests.

It helped keep the music alive during that time.

Friday, July 27

BOWZER’S ROCK & ROLL PARTY

Tell us a little about the Truth In Music law.

Cobb Energy It’s a state law and it’s called Will it ever be seen on Truth In Music or Truth Performing Arts Centre TV again? in Musical Advertising, The problem is clearing cobbenergycentre.com depending on the state. I the rights for all the songs in spearheaded it to help artists the show. It’s so expensive to get the credit they deserve. pay for the rights for every song we did on that So far, it’s passed in 34 states. Basically, it helps show, so i’m not sure if it’ll ever come back. to define the billing of a show. If the show is Plus, now that its been away for so long, I’m a advertised as The Drifters or The Platters, it little worried that if people saw it now, they’d should actually be the officially recognized be like, ‘We used to watch that?’ band not some knock-off. The effort has been pretty effective and we’re definitely TV was the perfect platform for Sha Na Na seeing results. because you were a true showband.

Exactly. We were putting a visual and In the ‘50s and ‘60s the it was quite common theatrical take on all this great music. As the to see rouge bands pretending to be Bowzer character, I was looking at the ‘50s the hitmakers. through the eyes of the ‘60s and ‘70s, so there’s Oh yes and even into the ‘80s, as you know. another full circle. I based Bowzer on the I don’t think it’ll ever be as bad as it was in the greaser kids who’d try to roll me for nickels ‘50s and ‘60s, mainly because of the inability as I was on my way to the Julliard School of to recognize the members of the bands then, Music where I was studying classical music because there was so little visual media at the when I was 13 years old. time, even up until the British Invasion. Then when The Beatles came along Tell us about the live show. and everything changed.

I love doing producing these shows because I get to hear all Right, in the early days, these great songs live. I get to quite often the record hear Jay Siegal sing “The Lion labels didn’t even put the Sleeps Tonight,” or Shirley Alston correct line-up of the band Reed sing “Will You Still Love Me on the cover.

Tomorrow,” sounding exactly like Ah, so you know the story. There the records. I play with my band was definitely a race component in the Stingrays and there are some those days, too. African-American songs we have to do, or I won’t get bands were especially hurt by out the venue alive. I have to do “Blue the practice. It was still a rough Moon” and “Goodnight Sweetheart.” and tumble business even when And even after almost 50 years of doing Sha Na Na came along. But we them, I still don’t get tired of them. were darlings of the Bill Graham Presents world and by that time On TV, you’d end the show by saying in the ‘70s, artists were actually “grease for peace.” How did that somewhat respected. originate?

Somewhere early on, where the In the rock’n’roll revival in Bowzer character was talking in the ‘70s, Sha Na Na was a interviews - because there was major player. no talking in the live show at There’s always been that point - I just said “grease something that kept the for peace.” Then when we music going. We were a big did the TV show, it was how part of the revival and I said goodnight. Nowdays, we didn’t even know I say, “I’ve been saying this that we were ushering since 1970 - and it hasn’t it in. We started as a worked yet!” college singing group at

BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH

A

S THE DAUGHTER OF AN iconoclastic performer, singer-actress Antonia Bennett has learned a thing or two about show business. An interpreter of standards and a writer of thoughtprovoking, groove-laden adult alternative and jazz, the busy performer trained as an actor at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York. Since the middle of this decade, she’s been opening shows for her famous father, the legendary Tony Bennett.

Beginning in the mid-2000s, the Berklee alum began appearing as an opening act or special guest at her father’s shows but the two have harmonized since she was a child.

With a handful of solid albums to her credit, the personable vocalist is currently working on a new release, but for her current tour, she’ll stick to the Great American Songbook.

INsite spoke with her from her home in Southern California.

A great benefit of being on the show is that you have a built-in fanbase. If they like him, they’ll probably enjoy your set as well.

His crowd is just ready to have a good time.

They come out, ready to enjoy themselves and that’s so lovely.

I’m always amazed by the wide variety of ages at a Tony Bennett show.

He’s very lucky that way. He always says that, back when he was putting his show together at the Paramount, doing seven shows a day, he said he always wanted to do a show that people of all ages could enjoy.

yourself and the way you’re a decent human being, all of those are equal, and maybe even more important. It feels nice to be able to spend so much quality time with him. At this point in his life and at this point in my life, too.

He seems to have an old-school work ethic.

He does and you know, being famous in today’s world is such a different bag than when he was coming along. But he’s been able to maintain himself in a completely different world, just be being himself and doing what he loves to do. He’s super-lessed but I am too, to be able to see it.

ANTONIA BENNETT

I’ve seen the show a number of times and it’s always different, a different Tuesday, July 27 You came on the show groove at each venue. pretty much fulltime a few Symphony Hall He’s not going through the motions. atlantasymphony.org years ago.

Yeah, on and off since He really brings it, every 2000, but I’ve been sitting night. He finds a way to in with him since I was five. Early on, at the make it new every time, like it’s the first Fairmont Hotel, when I was a kid, I’d sit in time he’s singing those songs. He’s just the with him and then every summer we’d go out ultimate pro. Never complains, there’s just so many lessons to be learned from him. He’s on the road to places like Cape Cod Melody Tent. And a lot of those audiences, they’d stellar at doing what he does and loves it. He always finds a way, even when it’s a long travel come to the show year after year and they’ve day or when he’s been working a lot, to never literally watched me grow up as a singer. It’s so bizarre but so amazing too. Certain places complain. He does his job. So much of what you do in life is your attitude and that’s been a I go to, I feel like I’m coming home. good lesson for me.

You were born at a very creative period in Besides the attitude, what has been the best Tony Bennett’s career, the ‘70s. He had his own label and was expanding his sound thing you’ve learned from him? into cool jazz territory with Bill Evans in the There’s so many things that he’s sat down and told me. Like, when you sing “I love you,” middle of decade.

Right and some people called that a make sure you really mean it. commercial failure because it didn’t sell a lot You are lucky in that you get to see the show of records at the time. But he’s told me this, ‘People said that was a flop, but everywhere I every night you’re on the bill. go, people tell me they love that record I did That’s where I’ve learned the most, I with Bill Evans.’ So he sees it as not a failure think. Just watching him. I’ve seen so many but important that he did it because it’s still shows, watched him break in new material selling, even today. So you have to stick to and watched just the evolution of his what you think is right and you have to do performances. You know, the road can be a things that you feel are right for you. That’s a grind but he loves it. The way he embraces the public, the way he treats his fans, because big part of being an artist, somebody’s gonna like it, but it might take decades to hear that they’re the people who bought the records, they loved it. I think that’s probably the best and the way he carries himself. Those are lesson I’ve learned from him. Just do what the big lessons for me. The music obviously feels right to you. is important, clearly, but the way you hold

insiteatlanta.com • July 2018 • PG 11

Sum me r Mu sic Gu ide SISTER HAZEL & EDWIN MCCAIN

Saturday, July 14 The Fred Two of your favorite performers – one unforgettable night! Sister Hazel and Edwin McCain hit the stage at the Fred Amphitheater in Peachtree City on Saturday, July 14th. Grab your friends and family and come sing-a-long to a non-stop list of hit songs from these two amazing performers and their 20-year careers! Only a 45 minute drive from Atlanta gets you to one of the coolest venues nestled in the woods. Other shows this summer include: Creedence Clearwater Revisited (August 3), Departure: A Tribute to Journey (August 25), Phillip Phillips (September 8) and recently announced Yacht Rock Revue (September 28). Tickets may be purchased through the Fred website at amphitheater.org or by phone at 877-725-8849.

VANS WARPED TOUR

Tuesday, July 31 Cellaires Amphitheatre at Lakewood The world’s longest running punk rock summer camp has announced that the 24th season will be its last. Kevin Lyman founded the event in Salt Lake City in 1995 with a lineup of 19 bands.

The festival became known as the Vans Warped Tour in in 1996 its second year.

There will be over 200 bands touring with the festival in 2018 including: Sum 41, Bowling for Soup and Simple Plan. Over the years many now famous artists have graced their stages including Katy Perry, Beck, blink182, Eminem and Black Eyed Peas. Tickets at LiveNation.com.

DECATUR BBQ, BLUES & BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL

Saturday, August 11 Harmony Park in Oakhurst The 18th annual Decatur BBQ Blues & Bluegrass Festival flavored by Tabasco takes place Saturday, August 11th and has a musical lineup that features something for everyone. Eight bands and two stages will include local, regional and national Blues, Bluegrass, Folk and Rock acts. Headlining this year’s event is the Texas Blues Guitar Legend Chris Duarte. “Each year we are fortunate to bring to our fans a great lineup of music, this year we feel the variety of acts and music will offer the festival goer a bit of everything while staying true to our blues and bluegrass roots” says Michael Vajda Festival Director. All but one of our artists will be making their debut at the festival. This includes 17yr old country, blues and “The Voice” and “American Idol” contestant Preston James. Festival hours are 2pm – 9pm

Peachtree City’s Favorite Diamond in the Woods!

2 of Your Favorites - 1 Amazing Night!

SISTER HAZEL & EDWIN MCCAIN SAT, JULY 14

CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVISITED with Special Guests Band

X

FRI, AUG 3

DEPARTURE: A TRIBUTE TO JOURNEY SAT, AUG 25

PHILLIP PHILLIPS with Special Guests PARACHUTE SAT, SEPT 8

YACHT ROCK REVUE - 2 Shows in 1!!!

Performing the Beatles and Your Favorite Smooth Sounds of 70’s

FRIDAY, SEPT 28

www.amphitheater.org 877.725.8849

PG 12 • July 2018 • insiteatlanta.com

and will be located at 630 East Lake Drive and Harmony Park in the Oakhurst neighborhood in Decatur, GA. Tickets available at Fresh Tix and Ticket Alternative. For more information visit Decaturbbqfestival.com or call us at 678 778 2000.

ABBA THE CONCERT

Thusday, August 16 Cobb Energy Centre Audiences around the world and press all say that ABBA The Concert is the closest to ABBA you’ll ever get.

The riveting show brings one of the greatest pop phenomena back to life. ABBA The Concert continues to be the top ABBA tribute group in the world, dazzling all who see with their fantastic performances. See performed live the most iconic hits from ABBA, including “Mamma Mia,” “S.O.S,” “Money, Money, Money,” “The Winner Takes All,” “Waterloo,” “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme,” and “Dancing Queen.” Come dance, come sing, having the time of your life at the ultimate tribute celebration! Tickets at CobbEnergyCentre.com.

DRAGON CON

Labor Day Weekend, August 30 – September 3 Downtown Atlanta Dragon Con returns for to Downtown Atlanta for five days over Labor Day weekend.

The convention is held at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Hilton Atlanta, Sheraton Atlanta and Westin Peachtree Plaza.

Dragon Con is the largest multimedia, popular culture convention focusing on science fiction and fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music and film in the world. Dragon Con boasts close to 40 fan-based tracks, a film festival, parade, art show, comics, pop art exhibits and displays, nightly concerts and parties. Visit DragonCon.org for more info.

IMAGINE MUSIC FESTIVAL

September 21 – 23 Atlanta Motor Speedway Imagine Music Festival (IMF) is a 3-day camping and electronic dance music festival held in Atlanta, Georgia. Ranked top 5 in the nation, the festival is an all-encompassing, 360-degree sensory experience that blends music, circus troupes, performers, dancers, art, workshops, classes and more. Returning for their 5th year, the Imagine Festival will continue its immersive aquatic fairytale with an abundance of performers, live acts, unique atmospheres, amusement rides, vendors and The Imaginarium’s variety of sacred teachings, ceremonies, and transformational workshops.

Headline performers this year include: Armin Van Buuren, Alesso, Galantis, RL Grime, Zeds Dead, Bassnectar and Kaskade. Tickets at ImagineFestival.com.

MUSIC

COSMO’S FACTORY REVISITED Doug Clifford on 50 Years of Creedence Clearwater

BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH

O

if we don’t make it, we don’t make it.’

NE OF SEVERAL CLASSIC That was an era where political songs rock bands celebrating a golden reigned supreme and social commentary anniversary this year is Creedence was running rampant.

Clearwater Revival. One of the most Yeah but even as ‘boy scouts,’ we were a acrimonious bands of the rock era, the voice against the Vietnam War and a lot of group of childhood friends officially other social issues of the time. Because we disbanded in the fall of ’72, leaving a could get to the masses, unlike so many legacy of hit records and some incredible of the others who were putting the people live performances. down they were trying to get to. Like In 1995, drummer Doug “Cosmo” “Fortunate Son,” that was a huge hit and Clifford and bassist Stu Cook revived got to people who wouldn’t the group to relive the hits actually go and try to make originally written by lead a change, by using AM radio singer and guitarist John as a platform to protest.

Fogerty. Now together for several times longer than While we have a minute their original run, Creedence we should talk about that Clearwater Revisited Friday, August 3 obscure little music festival continues to tour the Frederick Brown Jr. called Woodstock. country with a live show that Amphitheater [Laughs] Well it’s little spans their entire catalog. known that we were there! amphitheater.org They arrive in the area on the 48th anniversary of Obviously because you their classic album Cosmo’s weren’t in the film.

Factory. INsite spoke with Clifford from We still fight over that one. It was a his home studio in Nevada. big mistake not being in it, but that was John’s call. He said, ‘we don’t need it, we’re You and Stu have Revisited the music already number one.’ Historically, it was much longer than the original band the greatest concert ever, for so many existed. How does it feel to still do reasons. And it’ll never be repeated. it after all these years? It must be a great vindication that you’ve thrived A one-in-a-lifetime event. And then they with the music that had such a did Woodstock ’94 but it just wasn’t tumultuous history. the same.

We had the idea back in 1995, because Yeah, they had an abundance of food, people were saying they’d never had a any and everything they could want for, chance to hear this music played live. comfort and sustenance-wise and they Since John Fogerty wasn’t playing the rioted and burned the stage down. But songs, we said, ‘Why don’t we give the [the original] Woodstock was horrible public what they want?’ We had a fiveconditions. Cold, wet, no water or food, year plan and now here we are, 23 years except food from the ones who came to later still going strong. the festival. They shared it with complete strangers. And there was no violence.

You started out as “Cosmo’s Factory,” as a nod to the album, and then it morphed But getting there was a problem. into Creedence Clearwater Revisited.

Logistically, that was a nightmare. We We couldn’t use the Creedence name. were coming from L.A. We’d filmed a John is a grudge-carrier. You’d think as special with Andy Williams. We got in time goes on, he’d mellow out a bit but late and everyone was having a good pretty much it’s gotten worse. We just time despite the conditions. My partner settled another [lawsuit]. But since this Stu Cook said it best: ‘Woodstock is the 50th anniversary of Creedence wasn’t about the bands, it was about the Clearwater Revival, I just look back and audience.’ So true.

I realize that it’s all about three kids Talk about culture who had a dream. shock, coming from Me, John and Stu. The Andy Williams We backed John’s Show to Woodstock. older brother Tom It was cool because Fogerty and we stayed Ray Charles was there together ten years and then the Osmond and honed our craft.

Brothers were on Then we had a hit the show. So you can [“Susie Q”] and the imagine… rest you know about.

So for the hopefuls, But let’s talk about just know it can happen. the actual performance. You had to follow the Grateful Dead in the middle of CCR sounds timeless, which is so the night. different than many of the other San They’d played way over their allotted Francisco bands of the era. With many of time and things were late anyway because them, you can tell what year - and maybe of technical problems. But they did a even what month - they recorded those 45-minute version of “Turn On Your records.

Lovelight.” I was pulling my hair out!

It’s funny, our peers called us the ‘boy When we finally got out there, between scouts of rock and roll,’ and said we’d one and three in the morning, we were never make it playing that kind of music. really tired. We’d taken the red-eye in But we were like, ‘This is what we do and from L.A. and just waiting drives you

CREEDENCE

CLEARWATER REVISITED

IT’S FUNNY, OUR PEERS CALLED US THE ‘BOY SCOUTS OF ROCK AND ROLL,’ AND SAID WE’D NEVER MAKE IT PLAYING THAT KIND OF MUSIC. BUT WE WERE LIKE, ‘THIS IS WHAT WE DO AND IF WE DON’T MAKE IT, WE DON’T MAKE IT.’ crazy. Then having to listen to that!

Looking back, what do you think of the actual performance?

It wasn’t our best but it wasn’t our worst. It kinda reflected what was going on. There was chaos, there was this, that and the other thing. But once we got up

and running, we were going. You can see it on You Tube, but we should have been in the movie, to be with our peers and something so great. At that time, we were number one in record sales and the number one concert draw. So it’s like a great bottle of wine, it’s gotten better as the decades roll by.

BEST of

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insiteatlanta.com • July 2018 • PG 13

MUSIC

THE LEGACY OF COLLECTIVE SOUL Founder Ed Roland Looks Back on the Bands 25-year History

BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH

O

Oh yeah, that’s a lot different. It starts mostly with just kind of a feel. More of a laid-back feel because it’s such a different genre of music. Then lyrically, it gets a little more into storytelling.

That’s something I enjoy. But for Collective Soul, very few songs are ‘stories,’ for lack of a better term.

ever went into the studio with us, we’d just go in and do what we do.

RIGINALLY FROM STOCKBRIDGE, Georgia, Collective Soul first began its journey with I know that’s frustrating, but at the same time, it’s very rare. help from college and alternative radio stations.

Yeah, it got frustrating, but I’ve talked to a lot of artists from Atlantic Records picked up on the popular group and released that time and they’re like, ‘You have no idea how lucky you Hints, Allegations and Things Left Unsaid, in 1994, promoting Speaking of songwriting, do the crazy times we live in have a were.’ So it works both ways. Of course, you want to feel some the single “Shine” which ultimately ushered in an international factor in your thought process? A lot of the bands we both love love and support, but some of those [industry guys] get in there wave of popularity for the band. came from the ‘60s, when change was in the air. and they really don’t know what they’re talking about. But with Still based in Atlanta, the creative nucleus of the band Oh yeah. Very much so. Especially on the new record. But us, recording has always been a joy. We know what we can do continues to be lead vocalist Ed Roland, rhythm guitarist Dean we’re not a political band and I wouldn’t say they’re political and we push each other. I don’t know man, I’m just blessed to Roland and bassist Will Turpin with drummer Johnny Rabb songs. I hate to sound like a ‘60s guy, but know the guys in band personally. But to work with them has and lead guitarist Jesse Triplett. As they I do think peace and love will win out been pretty awesome. prepare for their 25th anniversary next in the long term, so we kinda get those year, the band will headline this summer’s vibes going. I’ve had fun writing a few And what a good time for a band to come on the scene. You Rock and Roll Express tour with 3 Doors things like that. I’m not trying to take a had the power of commercial alternative radio behind Friday, July 6 Down and Soul Asylum. side, I’m just saying we can come through you, but you didn’t have to sound like the other bands on Chastain Park INsite spoke with founder Ed Roland as this because we’ve been here before. At their charts. he prepped for the tour. chastainseries.com Yeah, we were like the last of the rock world to come through, my age, I’ve seen it a couple of times, that incorporated the old school rock sounds. The idols we you know? It’s nothing that hasn’t been The band is spread out a bit now grew up loving, like The Beatles, Zeppelin, The Who. resolved before. So keep pushin.’ geographically, but does an Atlanta show still feel like a homecoming?

You benefitted from that sort of 99X-style commercial That’s been the Collective Soul mindset since the beginning, Oh yeah, my brother Dean moved out to California, but we alternative push and you were all over the radio. Nowdays, keep pushing. You’ve always pushed through on your grew up here. Jesse, our guitarist, lives in Madison and we that might not even happen. own terms. spend so much time recording here at my house when we’re off, never worried about that. That’s That we have. And we made mistakes WE ENJOY EACH OTHER’S oneButofwe’ve so Atlanta’s still home. those things that when we were all along the way but that’s ok. Just don’t be COMPANY. DOING OUR over the radio, we weren’t like, ‘We’ve gotta dumb the second time. Make mistakes, Speaking of recording, you guys have been busy in the grow and learn.

SOLO PROJECTS HAS write a song that gets us on the radio, dude!’ studio lately.

You know? We got lucky that people love JUST BROUGHT OUT Yeah, Jesse’s over here this week and when we wrap it up, we’ll You never gave into fads or industry what we do. have about 22 new songs when all’s said and done. We wanted MORE CONFIDENCE. NOW trends. You can hear a Collective Soul to get it all done before we went on tour, so we could just focus record and it lives on its own timeline WE RECORD LIKE WE People are starting to call you a “legacy on the show and not think about recording. now. How do you feel about that? unlike so many of your peers.

USED TO WHEN WE FIRST act” It just means we’ve been around long I appreciate that you think so. We’ve When will the new material be released?

STARTED, JUST SITTING enough, I have no problem with that. always prided ourselves on that. When we I think we’ll do it next year, that’s the 25th anniversary of the first started, we experimented a little bit, IN A ROOM TOGETHER Twenty-five years ago, if someone were to band. We figured why not blow it out with a new record, or have said to me, ‘Twenty-five years from but then we realized that people like what AND PLAYING LIVE. maybe two because we’ve got so many songs. We’ve gotta figure we do, why would we want to change it? If now, you’re about to release your tenth or that out. even eleventh album, because we have so we want to do something different, we can form a new band. That’s what I did with Sweet Tea or Dean with many songs ready. You’ll be called a legacy band.’ I’d say, ‘That How has your songwriting changed over the years? Some Magnets and Ghosts and Will with his solo records. I find that’s sounds like a great ride. Let’s go.’ writers just stop after producing as much material as very healthy for Collective Soul. It’s like, all right this is what you’ve released.

Yeah when you look back at the catalog, it’s a significant we do.

I think a lot of it has to do with just changes in life. Some of us amount of work. You’d have a box set that twice as thick as got married, some of us had kids and that brings new subject Led Zeppelin at this point.

And doing what you wanted to do got you the contract with matters - good, bad or indifferent. But it opens you up to parts We do think about that. It’s a lot of music.

Atlantic that started it all. of life you’ve never experienced. After doing it for so long, I [Laughs] And that’s why we left Atlantic - because we wanted think the band knows how to express them and I’ve gotten With the 25th anniversary ahead, what are you planning? to what we wanted to do, too. better. You should, over time. It doesn’t matter what your skill We’ll definitely tour and we’ve been in talks about who we’d is, you should be better at it than when you first started. like to go out on the road with. Not many bands can say they’ve But now you have complete artistic freedom as an been around 25 years, and be still relevant, still putting out independent act.

For the [Roland’s side project] Sweet Tea Project, do you have music and having people show up at the shows. So we’re gonna We did back then because Atlantic didn’t even know what we a different writing technique than for Collective Soul? take full advantage of that and make sure everyone knows what were doing. They never showed much interest. No A&R man we have accomplished so far.

COLLECTIVE SOUL

You still haven’t had to rely on nostalgia or recycling old stuff.

That’s why we keep putting music out. If you think about it, in 2020, if we have an album out and it charts, we’ll have had an album in the Top 40 in four decades.

Even classic rock bands can’t say that.

Absolutely. But for us, we’re enjoying it more than we ever have and I think I shows onstage. We enjoy each other’s company. Doing our solo projects has just brought out more confidence. Now we record like we used to when we first started, just sitting in a room together and playing live.

Not many bands do that anymore.

At one point we got off of that too. With technology, people were like, ‘Oh I’ll just do my part at home.’ But we made a conscious effort that we are a band we are gonna do it this way.

So we sit in a room and just rock it out.

Just like The Beatles.

That’s it! We took one break and then we came back and just felt so excited about it. I’ll never forget when Jesse and Johnny came in the band, they just lit a fuse under us. They came in and said, ‘Guys, we’re Collective Soul, we’re good. So let’s go.’

PG 14 • July 2018 • insiteatlanta.com

TV

Station Control

EXTRAORDINARY AND CONFLICTED

BY BENJAMIN CARR

Fleabag

W

OMEN WRESTLE WITH themselves all the time in good television. TV has built many classic series around women and how they connect, disconnect and battle one another. The emotional lives of women, as well, are a ripe landscape for drama and comedy. New miniseries, returning shows and unsung gems promise to give you a new perspective on complicated women worthy of your attention.

GLOW (Netflix)

The best show of 2017 returns for a second season on Netflix this month, and it’s bringing all the zany comedy, drama and 1980s nostalgia with it. Leads Alison Brie and Betty Gilpin - playing Ruth and Debbie, former best friends turned rivals in the ring. In the first season, aspiring actress Ruth slept with Debbie’s husband, ended up pregnant by him and had an abortion. Debbie, meanwhile, used her former soap star credentials to secure a starring role on the wrestling show where Ruth worked partly so that she could beat up the woman who ruined her life. As the show developed, the wrestling show-within-the-show also emerged.

And Ruth and Debbie took on the roles of a Soviet villain and an All-American Girl.

Meanwhile, the ensemble cast of women also coped with racism, sexism, coming out and learning how to be comfortable with their bodies.

In the second season, Tamme - played by actual pro wrestler Kia Stevens - gets her own plot, showcasing how her character “Welfare Queen” faces the stereotypes that she embodies as part of her job. And Arthie, played by Sunita Mani, deals with the consequences of playing an Arab terrorist in a wrestling show in the ‘80s.

There are so many layers to explore within this show, which is based upon the actual “Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling” program from the 1980s. The ring of truth echoes through many episodes, which keeps the show fascinating.

SHARP OBJECTS (HBO)

Multiple Oscar nominee Amy Adams, who got her start in guest spots on shows like Smallville, returns to the small screen for HBO’s adaptation of author Gillian Flynn’s first novel. Flynn, also the author of Gone Girl, has a penchant for creating twisted mysteries around complicated, difficult women. Directed by Jean-Marc Valee, who helmed last year’s excellent, female-centered Big Little Lies, this eight-episode thriller promises to be an event.

In addition to Adams as Camille, a newspaper reporter who returns to her hometown in Missouri to investigate a serial killer, the show also features Oscar nominee Patricia Clarkson as Camille’s cold and detached mother, who is trying to stop her

daughter from unearthing town secrets. Chris Messina (The Mindy Project) and Sophia Lillis (Stephen King’s It) also appear in supporting roles.

While trying to solve the murder mystery, Camille must come to terms with her own past and her fraught relationship with her family. Having been hospitalized for self-harm, her return to her hometown raises up very difficult feelings for her.

FLEABAG (Amazon)

The recently announced second season of this British sitcom is coming to Amazon in 2019, but the profile of writer-star Phoebe Waller-Bridge has risen lately, thanks to her excellent, funny work in the new film “Solo: A Star Wars Story”. Fleabag, which premiered originally in 2016, is based upon the play by Waller-Bridge, and the show is hilarious, savage and fascinating.

The main character in Fleabag is an oversexed, profane mess of a woman living in London, trying to keep her cafe open and herself afloat after the suicide of her best friend and business partner. Her relationship with her family has frayed since the death of her mother. Her father has remarried a terrible, terrible woman (Olivia Colman, Broadleaf), who antagonizes her at every point. Her sister (Sian Clifford) is a cold, unhappy sort married to an inappropriate American cad (Brett Gelman).

Fleabag’s approach to the inner psychology of this main character is terrific. Waller-Bridge frequently breaks the fourth wall to address the audience with her inner thoughts, which are wildly inappropriate and hilarious. At the same time, flashes of memory suggest that the character is in utter turmoil with very little hope.

The show is must-see, buried in a landscape of too-much-TV. It is great comedy, strong drama and an intimate look at the inner life of a deeply disturbed woman. Try it. You’ll be glad.

COMING NEXT MONTH! Space: July 30 Street: Aug 3

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CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK! CD WAREHOUSE ATLANTA insiteatlanta.com • July 2018 • PG 15

MUSIC

50 YEARS OF PROGRESSIVE ROCK Tony Kaye of Yes Celebrates The Past, Present and Future

BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH

A

you’ve been fired at least once.

S YES REFLECTS ON 50 YEARS The tour kicks off tomorrow, so it’s of influential music, two versions almost here. of the ever-evolving progressive I’m on my way to rehearsal in about an band are hitting the road this summer. hour and then the first gig’s tomorrow.

The edition headed to Atlanta this month But I had a little taste of it on the Cruise is led by guitarist Steve Howe, as part of a to the Edge. It was really cool to get in 35-city tour for an evening of music called front of Yes fans again and you can’t “Celebrating 50 Years of Yes.” Founder and find any more dedicated vocalist Jon Anderson heads fans than on that cruise. an ensemble sometimes It felt great to be on stage known as ARW, with band and doing the Hammond alumni Trevor Rabin and Saturday, July 28 thing again.

Rick Wakeman.

Howe’s line-up includes Symphony Hall You’re billed as “special drummer Alan White, yesworld.com guest.” What does keyboardist Geoff Downes, that entail? vocalist Jon Davison and I’m playing with [current bassist Billy Sherwood.

Yes keyboardist] Geoff Downes. I didn’t Billed as a “special guest,” founding know him before, but he’s doing a great member and keyboardist Tony Kaye has job. This stuff is not easy and he manages also joined the tour. Kaye has the unique to put his own stamp on it. He’s extremely distinction of being in two of the band’s generous to me, so we play together. Then most pivotal moments, at the formation I basically play at the end of the set, on in 1968 and returning during their ‘80s the tunes from the old days, “Starship MTV-era revival.

Trooper,” “Roundabout,” all those great An aggressive reissue/remix campaign tunes from the early years. is also in line with the tour. Last month, Warner Music released Yes: The Steven In previous years, Yes has been playing Wilson Remixes, a five-album vinyl a couple of albums in their entirety. collection featuring remixes of five classic But this is more of a retrospective studio albums and Fly From Here - Return evening, correct?

Trip, a new edition of 2011’s album Fly Yeah and there’s a lot of great music.

From Here LP was released in March.

It’s great they play those albums, but this INsite spoke with Kaye by phone the day time it’s especially the music from the ‘60s before current tour began. and ‘70s that the fans want to hear. Not so much the ‘80s, [laughs] but that’s OK. There’s a lot of current activity in the Yes world. Do you think the recent Rock and Since you mentioned it, why do you Roll Hall of Fame induction really kicked think people shun the hit-period Yes of off this new era? the ‘80s? There was some good, but very Yeah it seemed to, and now with two different, music from that era and you bands that are vying for competition, were a big part of it. it’s really heating up. Both bands are on Yeah, it was a great period, the show tour, so we’ve got the alumni coming out was excellent and it kind of took off. The in force one way or the other. It’s pretty band got very successful again. Number exciting, actually. one records and all of that. But it wasn’t totally appreciated by the die-hard fans, I How does it feel to be heading back don’t think. We pulled in a lot of new fans out on the road with the band, after so in that period. A lot of good things came long away? out of it and I have a lot of great memories It was a hard decision to make in a lot of from that time. But ways. I decided to miss out on the hall of as of today, there’s fame for various reason and then the band another band that phoned and asked me to get involved with includes Trevor this. I couldn’t really turn it down.

[Rabin] and it’s their thing Was the recent Yes cruise a to explore turning point? both the That was the tipping point, really. I had early and ‘80s such a great time with them. Such great periods, really. guys. It was great playing with [Circa and Yoso bandmember] Billy Sherwood again.

It must be a great feeling of vindication to know that you So working with Billy was the gateway were part of two very different eras of back into the band that you helped start. the band.

I guess it was. Billy being in the band Well when we first started we didn’t was something that [founder/bassist Chris know what the hell we were doing. It was Squire] really wanted. So with him being just making music and trying to be as involved in Yes for so long, yeah, it was different and experimental and music as an easy fit to get back into. I was basically we possibly could. Fortunately, the era was retired. In the mid-‘90s, I had no intention open to that concept. When I left, there of going back on the road and he kind of was no really big deal made about it. I forced me back into it. had my own band [Badger] and it went on easily from there. And I was determined And that is Yes in a nutshell. Constant to move to America. Then I got a very change and reinvention. lucky break in being invited to join the It does seem to be, doesn’t it? You know, Bowie band. So how perfect was that? you’re not really a member of Yes until

YES

PG 16 • July 2018 • insiteatlanta.com

THE MUSIC IS THE IMPORTANT THING AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE PLAYING IT CAN MOVE ON. WHO KNOWS, IN 20 YEARS TIME, ORCHESTRAS MAY BE PLAYING THESE SONGS WITHOUT ANY OF US! And then to be able to rejoin the band you helped create.

Yeah, it was the beginning of a new era with new keyboard equipment and it was a whole new look at technology. 90125 was great and I liked Big Generator, so it was a good time.

In the early incarnation, you held on to standard keyboards and totally rejected synthesizers. Then in the “hit” era, you fully embraced the whole MIDI revolution.

Yeah I was a purist snob in that respect and great admirer of the players of the time. All those Hammond players were kind of where it was at for me. MiniMOOGs and all that didn’t appeal to me and the fact that none of it stayed in tune was a bit disconcerting for me.

The Mellotron really aggravated me. But by the ‘80s things had changed a lot. Keyboards that stayed in tune, and creating synthesized orchestral sounds was just easier.

The whole uproar over ‘80s Yes mirrors the rebellion of punk against ‘70s progressive.

Yeah, there’s a whole deep discussion there. It went through several different eras when music became political and rebellious and the progressive music was scorned. Then the pop music of the ‘80s was scorned and it went into a whole different era in the ‘90s with grunge. But that’s what happens. It’s probably a good

thing and great bands came from each of the eras.

But that is a perfect example of the old manta that good music will endure, no matter what year it was created. Yes has withstood every sort of trend you can throw at it.

In our case they’re still coming to hear the music. Even for me, I’ll stand backstage and listen to the show, songs like “And You and I,” “Awaken,” and “Close To The Edge.” There’re such great pieces of music, it will continue.

It must be a nice feeling to know that people still love the music from the first three albums. You were a big part of those and in retrospect, you can hear the trademark sound was really starting to gel.

Right, and we’re doing songs from those three albums. They’re still relevant, great to play and the audience loves them.

When you look back at the legacy - and what better time than the 50th anniversary - do you think there’ll be a time when there’s an official Yes with no original members left?

It has been suggested by various people in the band that that’s what’s going to happen.

I think there’s a lot of validation in that and it very much could be. In this band, you know, we have Jay Schellen who is another youngster, and he’s playing drums too. It’s definitely a progression because they really love the music.

The mindset of change that you inadvertently ushered in five decades ago, keeps the band alive and fresh.

That’s right. The music is the important thing and the people who are playing it can move on. Who knows, in 20 years time, orchestras may be playing these songs without any of us!

MUSIC

Indie

MUSIC

Album Reviews

REVIEWS BY JOHN B. MOORE

Eureka California

Roadrunners (HHBTM Records)

Coming in two years after their last LP (the band has consistently put out a new record every other year since 2012), Athens, GA’s Eureka California turn in another solidly fun collections of loud, distorted Indie pop nuggets with “Roadrunners.”

Efficient with both their power chords and song lengths, the duo – comprised of Jake Ward on vocals and guitar and drummer Marie Uhler – take hints of everyone from Husker Du and Superchunk to the Wedding Present and XTC and infuse it with plenty of their own personality for an impressively catchy modern take on ‘70s and ‘80s post punk. Songs like “Mexican Coke” and “I Can’t Look in Your Direction” are some of the band’s best work to date. The acoustic intro of “Howard Hughes at The Sands,” with Ward’s vocals front and center go to highlight just how strong a lyricist he can be, but sadly too often those vocals get drown out by the loud guitar that are pushed too high up in the mix.

A good record that could be just a little bit better with Ward’s vocals at the forefront.

Liz Phair

Whip-Smart; Whitechocolatespaceegg; Liz Phair (Capitol/UMe)

In 1994, Liz Phair was coming off of one of the most criticallylauded debuts of the decade. With expectations set incredibly high, she put out the follow up, “WhipSmart,” just 15 months later and while she could never escape the comparisons to “Exile in Guyville,” decades later, that second album still remains a gem. UMe, alongside Capitol is finally re-releasing a trio of Phair records from her time with Capitol.

Coming in at 14 tracks, there is arguably a little bit of filler on “Whip-Smart,” but overall, it’s a remarkable record that would have gotten more praise at the time if Phair didn’t have to compete with her own debut. Songs like “Supernova” and “Go West” are among some of the best in her catalogue. Opting to go with Brad Wood again as producer, there’s slightly more sheen to the sound, but you certainly don’t lose any Phair’s bitingly witty lyrical appeal in the process.

“Whitechocolatespaceegg,” initially out in 1998, is likely the weakest from this batch, but still houses a couple of Phair’s strongest tracks, “Polyester Bride” and “Johnny Feelgood,” both exceptionally executed alt pop songs that still hold up 20 years later. Phair’s self-titled effort, came out in 2003, her longest break between records at the time, and was an ambitious (considering her role as alt rock queen) pivot towards the pop music world. She even brought in The Matrix, a production team behind some of the biggest hit from Avril Lavigne, Britney Spears, Shakira (and oddly enough Korn) to work on five of the album’s 14 tracks. The idea to bring in The Matrix was her label’s suggestion after they were rumored to be left unimpressed by Michael Penn’s results. Predictably, this new direction alienated some of her earliest fans, but it’s hard to argue just how much fun this record

was and still is. Songs like the amusingly raunchy “H.W.C.” and “Rock Me” are undeniably catchy.

Both “Whip-Smart” and “Whitechocolatespaceegg” have been hard-to-find on vinyl for years, while her the self-titled album has never been pressed to wax before now. “WhipSmart” is being released on a single 180 Gram vinyl LP, while both “Whitechocolatespaceegg” and the self-titled albums are spread across two LPs each.

Leon III

Self-Titled (Cornelius Chapel Records)

Andy Stepanian and Mason Brent, both refugees from Virginia’s Wrinkle Neck Mules wanted to avoid too many comparisons between their old outfit and new band, Leon III. And while they may not sound that far removed from the roots rock/alt country sound of their pervious group (when you’ve got a noticeable southern accent and you use pedal steel throughout your album, it’s hard to shake the country vibes), they have created a pretty solid debut nonetheless.

From the opening track, the sweet “Maybe I’m Immune,” drenched in a psychedelic wah guitar through to the equally lush closer “From These Heights,” Leo III lays out an enjoyably mellow collection pretty much custom made for listen in the dark, bourbon in hand. Stepanian and Bret fill out the band with some of the best session musicians in Nashville. The added vocals of Jordan Caress throughout, go a long way in filling out these songs.

Not all the tracks here are great; a few sound like demos of stronger songs that never made it to the end, but when they do come together with a track like “Jesus,” or “Between the Saddle & the Ground,” you can’t help but forgive the few missteps here and there.

The Underhill Family Orchestra Tell Me That You Love Me

(Skate Mountain Records) Sometime in the past few years, someone made the decision that modern rock bands were free to add liberal amounts of funk, soul and creativity to their sound and (thankfully) the floodgates seem to have finally opened. On the heels of some of the great eclectic Americana, folk and R&B musicians that seem to have surfaced from nowhere – folks like Nathaniel Rateliff, The Wood Brothers and Shovels & Rope - Alabama’s The Underhill Family Orchestra add their impressive 5-part vocal arrangements to the bill.

Their debut, “Tell Me That You Love Me,” covers a lot of ground with just 10 tracks, from the horn-heavy funk on “When the Trumpet Sounds,” the soulful call and response on “Wooden Hymnal in C,” the delicate ballad “On the Wind” through to the gothic/almost hard rock gospel of “Oh Spirit, Bring Me Home.” The band’s refusal to stick to a specific genre template on this record just adds to their appeal.

With such an impressive opening salvo, it will be interesting to see what they offer for a second act.

THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BOSSTONES A Trilogy a Decade in the Making

BY JOHN B. MOORE

D

ICKY BARRETT, THE SINGER and co-founder of Boston punk/ska legends The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, always knew they would finish their trilogy.

Even if it took almost a decade to do it.

“I always knew this other record was coming,” Barrett says. “What I sort of worried about was Ted’s availability. But somehow the stars lined up and it worked. He’s busier now then he’s ever been and that’s because the guy is so fucking good.”

Ted is Ted Hutt, a former member of Flogging Molly and the producer behind some of the most stand out punk rock albums of the past 15 years, including records by the Bouncing Souls, Gaslight Anthem, Dropkick Murphys, Lucero and, of course, The Bosstones.

The final record in the trilogy is the band’s latest, While We’re At It. It’s coming out June 15th on the band’s own Big Rig Records. It follows 2009’s Pin Points and Gin Joints and 2011’s The Magic of Youth.

Barrett was kind enough to talk about the new record recently, along with what’s next.

I’ve been listening to the new album “While We’re At It” and it wasn’t until I read the press materials that I realized it was actually the third part of a trilogy, alongside “Pin Points And Gin Joints” and “The Magic of Youth.” Is that something that sort of happened as you were writing for the albums or did you know all along you wanted to write a three-part series of albums?

It was kind of always in my head that that was how this was going to work. And you can decide if it worked or not. I wasn’t saying that when number two came out, but it was always in my head. You never know what’s going to happen, but it was always my intent to do that and to do three albums with (producer) Ted Hutt. The songwriting and the way I approached the songs were all done in the same way. It really explains itself if you listen to all three albums and the you go, “Oh yeah, that’s definitely a trilogy.”

So, what is the general theme that makes it a trilogy?

You just need to go back and listen to all three. It’s the way I envisioned it and it’s the way I planned it and it’s really what it is and no one can argue or deny it once they listen to it.

It’s been about seven years since “The Magic of the Youth” came out. Was there ever a point when you thought that might be the last record from the band?

No. I always knew this other record was

coming. What I sort of worried about was Ted’s availability. But somehow the stars lined up and it worked. He’s busier now then he’s ever been and that’s because the guy is so fucking good.

There are a couple of songs on the new record that really stand out. Songs like “Divide” and “Here We Are.” These tend to be particularly poignant given the times we are living in now.

Yeah.

You guys have never shied away from politics, especially when it comes to issues like race.

Have you ever been concerned that some folks might get alienated because you’re knocking their guy…

No, because here’s the thing, I’m not knocking anyone’s guy. I’m looking at the situation and telling you how it makes me feel and how I feel about it. The real problem is that we have always been hedging toward splitting everyone in half and we’ve officially done it. You’re either drinking the Coke or you’re drinking the Pepsi and the guy drinking pepsi is a fucking asshole and the guy in the Red Sox shirt sucks. It’s right down the middle, blue/red or how ever you want to classify it. The album does a very good job of saying exactly what we want to say right now.

Evaluating the world and life and the way things currently are, this is what I see. If you like it fine, if you don’t fine. We’re not here to preach. You know how we feel and we wear it on our sleeves. We toured with “Let’s Face It” last year. It’s been 20 years since it came out and there are so many songs on that cover a lot of these issues.

I caught that show in Philly last year and it’s hard to believe 20 years later some of these issues are still around.

That’s the thing. The lyrics still hold up, these things still happen. You still have to mention to people “Hey, its’ not about the color of somebody’s skin; it’s not about somebody’s sexual preference. That’s not where the enemy is.” I never in a million years imagined that 20 years down the line that we’d still have to talk about this. In some cases, it’s getting worse.

Have you talking about touring around any of your other records – playing them all in their entirety?

We did “Devil’s Night Out,” our first record at Punk Rock Bowling a couple of years ago.

It’s kind of hard, you know you’re plowing through songs you never really got your teeth around, but sure why not. If people would enjoy it. Someday we’re going to do the entire trilogy and it’s going to take all night.

insiteatlanta.com • July 2018 • PG 17

MOVIES

Movie Reviews

BY STEVE WARREN

JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM

(PG-13)  With Hawaii and Guatemala recovering from volcanic damage, this may not be the best time for a volcano-triggered fantasy (after all, school shootings led to the postponement, then cancellation of the Heathers TV series); but the people who flock to Jurassic Park/World movies would rather think about their crossover potential with the How to Train Your Dragon series, or how much better their giant animals are than those of Rampage. They’re more concerned with CGI than IRL. So here we go again. All the rehistoric life on Isla Nublar is about to be covered in lava, wiping out all those species again.

The U.S. government won’t help but wealthy Benjamin Lockwood (James Cromwell) will. He recruits Owen (Chris Pratt) and Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) to help mercenaries led by Ken Wheatley (Ted Levine) to bring 11 species back to the mainland, including Blue, who was practically Owen’s pet. (So was Claire, and they’ve still got feelings for each other.) But some greedy bad guys (Rafe Spall, Toby Jones) have other plans for the animals. I know it’s hokey, and how many times can you believe a 50-foot critter can sneak up on a five- or six-footer? For that matter, even if you can catch these giants, where will you find cages big enough to hold them? and how will you transport the cages? (Hint: Proportions change conveniently.) If you’re going to be picky, go watch something you can believe, like Deadpool.

The effects allow great interspecies interaction; and while Steven Spielberg’s just an executive producer, Lockwood’s granddaughter Maisie (Isabella Sermon) brings the childlike wonder we associate with him to this effort. Whether you go for those aspects or find contemporary relevance in a huge monster with tiny hands, Jurassic offers a World of summer escapism.

BOUNDARIES (R)

1/2 Vera Farmiga is one of my favorite actresses and Christopher Plummer should be on an actors’ version of Mount Rushmore. Having them together in a film raises unreasonable expectations which Boundaries doesn’t come close to meeting. It’s pleasant enough and the stars do fine work, but they can’t raise it much above the level of meh. Farmiga gets to act up a storm.

Her character, Laura has enough problems to ensure full employment for an advice columnist, or the therapist she’s seeing in the opening scene.

A single mom working as executive assistant to a wealthy, bitchy friend, Laura keeps close to a dozen stray animals in her house at any one time.

One of them scares off her man of the month on

the same day her son Henry (Lewis MacDougall) is expelled from school and her estranged father Jack (Plummer) is evicted from his nursing home.

Before you can say “road trip!” Laura’s driving the trio (and some extraordinarily well-behaved animals we rarely see or hear in the car) from Seattle to Los Angeles, to deposit Jack with her younger sister JoJo (Kristin Schaal). Though Laura’s in a hurry, she takes the scenic Pacific Coast Highway (hey, it’s a movie) rather than the interstate. Actually the route is dictated by Jack, who has a trunkful of weed to sell on the way, to clients Christopher Lloyd, Bobby Cannavale and Peter Fonda. Writer-director Shana Feste seems to have made a checklist of characteristics and incidents and crammed them into a script without quite rounding them off into believable characters and events. The result is passable but far short of its potential.

DAMSEL (R)

1/2 Damsel is the kind of movie that, if you’re watching it in a theater, you’re afraid to laugh until someone else does, because so much of it is serious you think the things that strike you as funny may not be intended to be. Oh, there are obvious laughs, like the line about Horehound being a bad name for a pet, and the preacher saying he’s used Bible pages for “personal hygiene”; but most of the humor is more subtle. So is most of the drama, which unfolds slowly and with some big surprises.

The setting is the American West, sometime in the 19th century. Samuel (Robert Pattinson) hires Parson Henry (David Zellner) to marry him to his beloved Penelope (Mia Wasikowska), but doesn’t mention that they have to travel some distance to find her. A couple of other details remain to be revealed. I won’t explain why, but basically the first half of the movie is about Samuel, the second half about Penelope. Parson Henry, whose younger self also appears in the opening scene with Robert Forster, is the most consistent character, perhaps because Zellner wrote and directed Damsel with his brother, Nathan Zellner, who has a smaller role. They would have done better to give more screen time to the more interesting top-billed actors, who both have some time to shine. Wasikowska reminded me of Martha Plimpton, who I could imagine playing Penelope a generation ago. Damsel is for those of us who want something different and don’t care if it’s perfect. It’s kind of infectious – whether like laughter or disease is your call.

JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM

performance, he opens Gus Van Sant’s film by telling his story to a group of fellow alcoholics at the home of their sponsor, Donnie (Jonah Hill, unrecognizable with long blond hair, who could also be remembered at awards time). John’s telling the same story, which comes from Callahan’s autobiography, at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, and in a larger auditorium, and later to a group of neighborhood skateboarders. The multiple locations, and jumping around in time via flashbacks, are supposed to make this seem more like a movie and less like an inspirational speech on behalf of AA. It won’t fool anybody.

The flashbacks are divided between two periods.

Depending on whether John is in a motorized wheelchair or not, it’s either before or after the accident that left him largely paralyzed for the rest of his life. He somehow regained enough use of his hands to start drawing cartoons which are crude both visually and in terms of subject matter, laughing at sensitive subjects including his own condition. (The movie’s title is the caption to a classic, where a posse comes upon an empty wheelchair.) Some sketching is animated and there’s a bit of a vague romance (with Rooney Mara), but it’s often hard to tell where we are in the film’s 30-year-plus timeline. (It’s not stated but Callahan was 21 when he had the accident. I still don’t know when he stopped drinking.) There are people who will benefit from seeing this movie, but if you’re just looking for a good time it will drive you to seek out the nearest bar afterwards.

DON’T WORRY, HE WON’T GET FAR ON FOOT (R)

1/2 John Callahan (1951-2010) was “Portland’s celebrity cartoonist” and an alcoholic. As played by Joaquin Phoenix in an award-worthy

BOUNDARIES

THE KING THE KING (R)

 The King is like a buffet. It has so many items to consume that, as good as most of them are, it leaves you feeling bloated and unsatisfied.

Filmmaker Eugene Jarecki travels around the country in a 1963 Rolls-Royce that once belonged to Elvis Presley, tracing highlights of Elvis’ life, from his birthplace in Tupelo to Sun Records in Memphis, where his recording career began (but not Graceland, although an old housekeeper describes how she prepared his peanut butter and PG 18 • July 2018 • insiteatlanta.com

banana sandwiches); to Nashville, where most of his RCA hits were recorded; to New York, where he made his network TV debut; to Los Angeles, where he made a slew of mediocre movies; to Las Vegas, where he performed and got hooked on the pills that killed him. Other cars drive in Germany, where Elvis served in the US Army.

But filming during the 2016 election campaign, Jarecki wants to compare the American Dream when Elvis worked hard and became successful, to today, metaphorically represented by Fat Elvis, who had everything but couldn’t buy happiness.

Soundbites of election news mix with snippets of interviews with Elvis. Celebrities and unknowns ride and sometimes sing in the car, suggesting a marriage of Carpool Karaoke and Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. There are fascinating (but not always true) bits of Elvis trivia, and complaints of Elvis’ “cultural appropriation” of black music while he didn’t take a stand during the civil rights struggle. You can enjoy the nostalgic nuggets, the augmented Elvis biography, the music, the review of the last 70 years of American history, the travelogue and the political debate; but cramming them all into one movie makes them harder to appreciate.

LEAVE NO TRACE (PG)

 Raising-kids-off-the-grid movies could be a new subgenre. Two summers ago we had Captain Fantastic and Hunt for the Wilderpeople; and now this, arguably the best of the three (or four, if you throw in A Quiet Place). Directed and co-written by Debra Granik with the same sensitivity her Winter’s Bone showed toward people we don’t normally see on screen, Leave No Trace introduces the U.S. to New Zealand actress Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie, whose impact is almost as great as Jennifer Lawrence’s in Winter’s Bone. Though the actress turns 18 this month, her character Tom’s age is unspecified.

(She could pass for as young as 12.) So are details of what happened to Tom’s mother and how long she’s been living outdoors with her PTSDaffected father, Will (Ben Foster). He’s done a good job of home(less)-schooling Tom, as her knowledge is said to be above others of her age; but she’s lacking in social skills, having only brief contact with others when they go into town for supplies. Eventually they’re discovered and a surprisingly compassionate government agency (yes, it’s fiction) tries to ease them back into the system with a job and a house to live in. What’s wonderful about Leave No Trace is how easily anyone at all open-minded can empathize with all the characters and all points of view at the same time. What Will is doing is wrong for his daughter, if not for himself, but he’s certainly not a monster. Your emotional investment may leave you craving a sequel, but that should probably be called Leave Well Enough Alone.

See the rest of our movie reviews at insiteatlanta.com/movies.asp

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