SAE’s Open House is the perfect opportunity to tour our campus, talk to real students and instructors, learn about our unique hands-on approach to audio education, and find out about the many benefits our graduates enjoy.
sae institute atlanta 215 peachtree street, suite 300 atlanta, ga 30303
PG 2 • November 2013 • insiteatlanta.com
CONTENTS • NOVEMBER 2013 • VOLUME 22, NO. 4 Atlanta’s
Entertainment Monthly
INTERVIEWS 10 Katey Segal 14 Jeffery Toobin 21 Paul McCartney 22 Buena Vista Social Club 23 James Spader 23 Michael Nesmith 24 Arsenio Hall 25 Chad Coleman 26 Goodie Mob 27 Exene Cervenka 28 Direct Hit 28 Less Than Jake
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21
FEATURES 06 08 14 29 29 30
Autumn Day Trips Best of Atlanta 2013 Station Control NCAA Preview GSU Basketball NBA Preview
COLUMNS
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04 05 05 07 13 14 19 20 27 30
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Around Town On Tap On A Dime Events Under The Lights Movie Reviews Home Releases Album Reviews Concert Calendar We Got Next Favorite Things
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Around Town The Michael C. Carlos Museum hosts Renaissance and Baroque Images of Rome through Nov. 17. Over 130 works of art representing ancient Rome will be featured, including notable works by Pirro Ligorio, Giuseppe Vasi, and Giovanni Battista Falda. For more information, visit atlantaopera.org.
ALL NOV
Theatre/Film/Performance
NOV 09
NOV 10
NOV 05
Other Stuff
NOV 07
NOV 08
NOV 01
Music/Comedy/Sports
each ticket purchased, $10 will be donated to the local charity organization, whose mission is to educate about the disease and advocate for research funding. Tickets can be purchased online at foxtheatre.org/ghost using the code GABCC, now through Nov. 4. For more details, visit www.broadwayinatlanta.com.
The Radio City Christmas The High Museum will host Go Spectacular starring the West! Art of the American Frontier Rockettes comes to the Cobb from Nov. 3 through April 13. This Energy Performing Arts Centre exhibition considers the evolving from Nov. 7-23. Tickets range from $27-$125. notion of the American West through more Go tot cobbenergycentre.com for show times. than 250 paintings, sculpture, photographs and Native American artifacts dating from 1830 to Don’t miss “Autumn Portraits” 1930. For details, go to the high.org. from Nov. 8-10 at the Center for Puppetry Arts. The show kicks The fun and famous Big Bad off CPA’s Teen and Adult Series. Voodoo Daddy comes to the This award-winning solo puppet-and-mask Ferst Center on Friday, Nov. 1 at performance has toured the world. For more 8pm. This year marks the 20th details, go to puppet.org. anniversary of this band’s remarkable arrival on the music scene. In their first years they The Rialto Center for the Arts reminded the world that it was still cool to hosts “James Brown: Get on swing – Big Band style. Today the high-energy the Good Food” on Nov. 9 from ensemble is continuously performing and 8-10pm. Tickets start at $34. For recording while expanding their horizons with more info on this tribute to the Godfather of new musical inspiration and influence. For Soul, go to rialto.gsu.edu. tickets and info:ferstcenter.org or 404-894-9600. The Atlanta Symphony Get into the spirit of giving with Orchestra in partnership with “Ghost The Musical” Nov. 5-10 at Georgia Public Broadcasting and the Fox Theatre. In honor of Breast the producers of the documentary Cancer Awareness month, Fifth film, “Robert Shaw: Man of Many Voices,” will Third Bank Broadway In Atlanta is offering a host “Stars Shine on Shaw” - a musical tribute special offer benefitting local charity, Georgia celebrating the life and legacy of former ASO Breast Cancer Coalition Foundation. With Music Director Robert Shaw - on Sunday,
ALL NOV
Museums/Exhibits/Arts
Ferst Center presents Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (Nov. 1)
Nov. 10 at 3pm in Atlanta Symphony Hall at the Woodruff Arts Center. Additional concert details are available at aso.org/shaw. Atlanta Braves All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel and his wife Ashley Kimbrel are hosting an exclusive fundraising event Nov. 15, “Cowboy Boots & Cocktails” at the Egyptian Ballroom of the Fox Theatre. Tickets and sponsorships are available at curingkidscancer. org. Individual tickets are $150 including food, drinks and concert.
NOV 15
The Atlanta History Center hosts the Southeastern Indians Heritage Program on Nov. 16 from 11am4pm. Discover Southeastern Native American heritage and culture through demonstrations, performances, and discussions. Please call 404-814-4150 or reserve your tickets online at atlantahistorycenter.com.
NOV 16
The Atlanta Botanical Gardens hosts Garden Lights Nov. 16Jan. 4 from 5-10pm each night. Experience the garden as it transforms into a twinkling winter wonderland. The SAE Institute will host an Go to atlantabotanicalgarden.org for more. open house on Nov. 16 from noon Zoo Atlanta will host “Cookies to 3pm. Explore industry-standard with Santa” on Nov. 30 when Ol’ studios and workstations and Saint Nick makes his first stop connect with actual, in-house professionals. of the holiday season. For more Go to sae-usa.com for more details. information, visit zooatlanta.org .
NOV 16
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2891 North Druid Hills Road • Atlanta, Georgia 30329 PG 4 • November 2013 • insiteatlanta.com
LOCAL EVENTS
LOCAL
On Tap this Month
EVENTS HAPPENING FOR SMALL CHANGE IN ATLANTA
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Nov. 2-17: Marcus Jewish Community Center
BOOK FESTIVAL OF THE MJCCA
The 22nd Edition of the Book Festival of the MJCCA is scheduled for this month, and features works from this year’s most soughtafter and talked-about authors, celebrities, and influencers. More than 10,000 visitors will enjoy engaging speaker programs, author meet-and-greets, book signings, panel discussions, The Family Reading Festival, and more. Most events will be held at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. To purchase tickets, call 678.812.4005 or visit online at atlantajcc.org/bookfestival.
Nov. 16: Philips Arena
ELTON JOHN
After eight years, Elton John and his band return to Atlanta’s Philips Arena. The 13-city tour will feature iconic hits and classic album tracks from throughout his incredible five-decade career, as well as a selection of new songs from his highly-anticipated album, The Diving Board. Elton John’s band includes Davey Johnstone on guitar, Matt Bissonette on bass, John Mahon on percussion, Nigel Olsson on drums, and Kim Bullard on keyboards. Tickets are on sale now at LiveNation.com, Ticketmaster.com, Philips Arena Box Office, and by phone at 800-745-3000.
Nov. 21: Georgia Dome
FALCONS VS. SAINTS
So maybe the Falcons’ season isn’t quite going as planned. There have been injuries (Julio Jones) and insults to injury (Steven Jackson’s contract), but that doesn’t mean it’s time to stop rising up. One of the best home games of the season takes place this month at the Georgia Dome. The New Orleans Saints return for the annual NFC South battle of hated rivals. Currently, Drew Brees & Co. are the class of the division. Can the Falcons crawl back into the post season? Stay tuned. Game time is scheduled for 8:25pm (NBC). Go to atlantafalcons.com for tickets and info.
Nov. 22-23: Fox Theatre
JOE BONAMASSA
Joe Bonamassa has been lauded as one of the world’s greatest guitarists and he is fast evolving into a full-blown truly charismatic and mesmerizing blues-rock star, as well as a singer-songwriter of stylistic depth and emotional resonance. Bonamassa currently has nine No. 1 Albums on the Billboard Blues Chart. To support his upcoming DVD/CD release “An Acoustic Evening At The Vienna Opera House,” Bonamassa is back on tour with an exciting new show to wow his audiences. For tickets, head to foxtheatre.com.
Nov. 26: Tabernacle
JANELLE MONAE
Janelle Monae has come far from her Atlanta roots. One of the best and most unique acts going, Monae returns to the Tabernacle for a show with Roman Gianarthur. The show starts at 8pm. Doors at 7pm. Ticket prices start at $25. Monae got her start with “The Audition,” but reached critical and national fame with her debut studio album “The ArchAndriod.” Since then her fame has risen with guest appearances on song’s like “We Are Young” by fun. Don’t miss a chance to catch one of Atlanta’s best in Atlanta.
Nov. 29: Philips Arena
HAWKS VS. MAVERICKS
It’s finally time for Hawks basketball again. The season cracks open on Nov. 1, but if you’re looking for the best game of the young season, head down to Philips Arena on Nov. 29. After a month of games like Detroit (ugh) and Orlando (double ugh), the Hawks host the Dallas Mavericks. Don’t miss one of the best teams in the Western Conference rolling into Atlanta. Dirk Nowitzki is still one of the league’s best. Come root for Al Horford and all that extra cap space. Tip is set for 7:30pm. For more information, head to nba.com/hawks.
SIPS IN THE CITY CALLAWAY GARDENS PHOENIX FLIES CHOMP Feb. AND STOMP August, Check WebsiteFESTIVAL for Deals Through 28, FREE CHILI
“CITYWIDENovember CELEBRATION OF LIVING LANDMARKS” Saturday, 2, 11:00am – 6:00pm Various Downtown Restaurants Callaway Gardens March 5-20, Free Free, $5 Tasting Spoon Available www.atlantadowntown.com 17800 Hwy 27 Around the City VariousUS Landmarks Cabbagetown Park Pine Mountain, phoenixflies.orgGeorgia chompandstomp.com This summer promotion encourages callawaygardens.com
patrons to experience DowntownofAtlanta The Phoenix Flies: A Celebration Living This festival honors Cabbagetown’s past
on ice!music Throughout the heated months of Admission tocreated Callaway Gardens is where and food have always defined the Landmarks was in 2003 by The Atlanta July and August, featured restaurants in the complimentary through the end of this neighborhood’s spirit.asChomp andcelebrate Stomp will Preservation Center a way to the Downtown District will be offering month isofnormally $15 for adults, feature a(Price chiliDining cook-off including individual 25th anniversary the dramatic rescue ofand the refreshing signature cocktails, hipAtlanta’s happy $6.50 per chilis, child) guests with restaurant 5Kproviding run, artist market, live Fox Theatre, an event that changed hours and deals that you won’t want to miss. bluegrass music, beer and more. This is the opportunity to enjoy time with their preservation outlook forever. This year, the the list 10th anniversary of this festival. Participating restaurants Atlanta family and reconnecting in Theatre, nature. includes freefriends guided tours of include The Fox Grill, AzioPark, Downtown, BLTtheSteak, Max Free admission includes Virginia Piedmont Historic Oakland Cemetery, CHASTAIN ARTS FESTIVAL Lager’s, No Mas! Cantina and The Sundial Hand Callaway Discovery Center, Day Civil WarNovember Atlanta 2Walking Tour,November Tullie Smith Saturday, andSibley Sunday, for 3 Restaurant. Visit the website a complete Butterfly Center, Horticultural Farm House, Margaret Mitchell House, the Saturday –Mr. 10:00am – 6:00pm, list ofBeltline deals. Center, Cason’s Vegetable new Park and much more. Garden, Sunday- -11:00am – 5:00pm, Callaway Brothers AzaleaFree Bowl, Overlook Chastain Park Garden, Discovery Bicycle Trail, Pioneer AMERICAN CRAFT COUNCIL SHOW IN ATLANTA chastainparkartsfestival.com Log Cabin, Ida Cason Callaway Memorial March 10-13, Regular admission: $13 Chapel, nature trails up and daily programs. This event will 12: feature Children under free to 185 fine painters, photographers, sculptors, leather and metal Cobb Galleria Center THE UNIVERSOUL CIRCUS craft persons, glass Atlanta blowers, jewelers and Two Galleria Parkway, more. The festival will offer Feb. 10 27, Tickets range from $15visitors - $35 the craftcouncil.org/Atlanta also opportunity to view Turner Field Green Lot artist demonstrations, enjoyCapitol live entertainment, participate in hands521 Avenue, Atlanta This 3-day event is the largest juried fine craft on arts activities, and enjoy festival foods and universoulcircus.com Show in the southeast. The show has been beverages. The Festival benefits a scholarship the premiere for regional fund for localmarketplace artists UniverSoul administered by fine the The Circus craft lovers and collectors, and offers guests Georgia Foundation for Public Spaces. continues itsworksurge the chance to meet and purchase from YELLOW JACKET to the top ofcountry. the live esteemed artists from around the To ATLANTA VETERANS DAY PARADE entertainment ranks FAN DAY reach first-time collectors and established craft Saturday, November 9, 11:11am, Free with interactive funky Saturday, 6, 3pm –its6pm, Free collectorsAugust alike, the newest show category for Downtown Atlanta rendition of a traditional Bobby Dodd Stadium Grant Field Under $100. gavetsdayparade.org participating artists isatHandmade UniverSoul has www.ramblinwreck.com Artists who sell workcircus. for under $100 will have captivated audiences This is dedicated their year’s boothsparade specially marked toforhonoring patrons around the world Korean Warinbegin Veterans and aon record number of Festivities at from 3ap.m. Callaway Plaza interested starting collection. with its unique brand parade entries and spectators are anticipated. with music, prizes, inflatables and games for Parade starts 11:11 hours in that circus arts, the kids.which From 4-6 p.m.atblends the gates willHOUSE open ATLANTA MOTOR SPEEDWAY FREE OPEN Downtown Atlanta on Peachtree Street south of theater and music. and enter the stadium to meet the Marchfans 12, can 11am-3pm, Free Ralph McGill/Ivan Allen Blvd. The parade will Founded in Atlanta over 2011 Jackets. Football players will be AtlantaYellow Motor Speedway proceed souththeir on Street, turn right 17Peachtree years ago, the at audience seated with position groups various 1500 Tara Street Place, Hampton on Baker towards Centennial Olympic will watch in amazement as stilt points on the playing field. Head coach Paul atlantamotorspeedway.com Park, The World of Cocaway Cola and Georgia walkers make their across a tight Johnson will sign autographs fromStand 4-5 p.m. Aquarium. The Parade Reviewing will rope, horse riders perform death-defying and will be available for photographs from be onthe Baker Street between the World of Coca Visit track’s Open House for free. Activities stunts, and bend into 5-6 p.m. Pleasecontortionists limit legends autographs Cola andchampionship Georgia Aquarium. include racingtoonONE the incredible and beautiful shapes. item per player or coach. be the quarter-mile “Thunder Ring.This ”, freewilldrawings first getown thecar 2011 football for bigopportunity prizes, drivetoyour on the track poster as well as schedule cards, ticket CHEERSPORT 2011 NATIONAL with the purchase of Labor Day NASCAR information andselect other items throughout the CHEERLEADING & DANCE tickets, fans can their seats for the Labor afternoon. Most campus parking lots will Day Race Weekend, tour the Speedway’s race CHAMPIONSHIP be available. control Feb. 18 –tower 20 and suites, take photos with the Atlanta $30 for 2-dayMotor pass Speedway pace car and a SIMON GAMEPLAY NASCAR Sprint Series winner’s trophy, $20 for 1-day passCup TOUR Saturday, August 20gift @ shop 10am,and Free discounts much more. Kids Under at5 AMS are Free DiscoverWorld Mills Mall, Lawrenceville Georgia Congress Center www.simon.com 285 Andrew Young International Blvd., Atlanta cheersport.net
The Simon GamePlay tour will connect fans of all ages to the hottest video cheerleading games before Bring it on…this electrifying they are launched and available in stores. and dance competition features teams The recently launched Nintendo 3DS competing from across America. This gaming system will take center stage with year, it expects to grow larger than ever a “Nintendo Lounge, ” with couches, with over 9003DS teams participating, from snacks and games. Nintendo also offer ages three through college. will Cheersport “Street Pass,”bytournament-style play loved using was founded all-star coaches who Nintendo 3DS devices. GamePlay will competitive cheerleading and dance. feature 10 gaming pods, including 2 mature Check the website for the full competition zones, with products from instrusty leaders schedule. like SEGA, Capcom, 2K and Atari.
By Marci Miller 2011 SOUTHEASTERN HUNGER WALK/RUN 5KFLOWER SHOW DECATUR WINE FESTIVAL Feb. 25 27, Adults $18 in advance) March 13, Noon-4pm, $25($15 for runners 8th ANNUAL GERMAN BIERFEST Saturday, November 9, 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Youth/Student $7,27, Kids2 under Free for walkers Saturday, August – 7pm5 are Free $35 per ticket Cobb Galleria Centre Parking is free $30 Online, $35 AtSquare the Door Downtown Decatur Two Galleria Parkway, Turner Field Green LotAtlanta Woodruff Park, Downtown Atlanta decaturwinefestival.com sehort.org 755 Hank Aaron Drive, Atlanta www.germanbierfest.com hungerwalkrun.org The annual Decatur Wine Festival, metro Presented by thewine festival, Southeastern This summer celebrates the greatness Atlanta’s largestevent outdoor is held Horticultural Society, this annual premier Join thousands of runners and walkers of the German in a Decatur, family-friendly on square inbeer downtown Georgia.at gardening event preservation this annual event thatDecatur benefits theauthentic Atlanta Proceeds benefit thepromotes Arts Alliance, environment. Complete with and awareness of flowers and which produces the Decatur Arts Festival and Community Food Bank and five other local German food, activities for the kids, plants music many other arts events, toregister theexpression. through education andfree artistic nonprofits. Participants can as a team and fun, the German Bierfest iscommunity not only each year. The online 2013 Decatur Wine Show activities include speakers, juried or individually or register theFestival day in of the only authentic German Bierfest showcases more than 500 domestic and competition, kids’ activities, Landscape & the event.but There will befamily-friendly activities for all beer ages Atlanta, the only international wines. Visit eachof participating Discovery Gardens and more. includingasgames, livethe entertainment & more. festival well. For price admittance,
local to view of meet Gatesbusinesses opencan at noon, theallart 5Kthe runall &kinds, walk attendees drink beer theybegin can artists, and enjoy complimentary food and at 2 p.m. safely consume. Designated drivers are 10th ANNUAL OAKHURST WINE CRAWL beverages. encouraged and can attend for free. No one Saturday, Feb. 26, 4 pm-7 pm under the age of 21 will beOLYMPIC permitted to $25 in advance forCENTENNIAL Tasting Glass A-TOWN DAY ICE SKATING IN PARK consume alcohol. A designated driver $30 day26,of23 event March Noon-8pm, $5 20, Monday – Friday November – January service will also be on10:00am site for –those who Oakhurst District Lakewood 4:30pm – Business 10:00pm, Saturday 11:00pm, find themselves in an unsafe condition to oakhurstga.org 2002 Lakewood SE, Atlanta Sunday 10:00am Ave – 10:00pm, $10 per person for drive home. 90 minute session (includes skate rental) atownday.com Centennial Olympic Participants in Park this year’s event will get centennialpark.com to sample wines from around theconcert, world A-TOWN DAY is a health festival, PIGS & PEACHES BBQcare FESTIVAL while exploring all the businesses in the and a 26 major of 5pm Awareness August & 27,day Friday - 11pm celebrating Celebrating its fifthteenth anniversary season, Oakhurst neighborhood. There will be 20 all things10am Atlanta. A-TOWN Saturday – 10pm, Free DAY benefits downtown Atlanta’s only outdoor ice skating participating establishments and the event the Diabetes of Atlanta and The Ben RobertsonAssociation Community Center, Kennesaw rink at Centennial Olympic ParkThe is anFur annual expects sell out quickly. Bus B-Aware to Foundation. This event will feature www.facebook.com/PigsAndPeaches holiday tradition. Visitors enjoy covered will be on hand to transport participants live music, poetry, show and lots ofon family observation seating,car theatrical lighting the from bar to bar. Ticketsacannon-sanctioned be purchased friendly events. The event features real ice and holiday music. After the skating, from Ale House, Ujoint, Backyard BBQ, in Anything Butt and Peach visit theSteinbeck’s “Holiday Lights” display where the and Karvana Coffee Shop, all located in Dessert Contest, well aswonderland a WEEK Kansas with City INMAN PARK RESTAURANT park transforms intoasa winter Oakhurst village. Barbeque sanctioned Professional thousands ofSociety lights that make up the sparkling March 28-April 3, $15 Contest, is recognized display. $25 & $35which for three-course meal as a Georgia State NATIONAL Championship Cookoff. IHOP PANCAKEBarbeque DAY CELEBRATION inmanparkrestaurantweek.com LIGHTS OF LIFE Over $14,000 cash and prizes will be Tuesday, March 1,in7 am-10 pm, Free Pancakes November 29 December 31 withBesides awarded to –House contest winners. food International of Pancakes Savor historic Inman Park three-course Sunday - Thursday: p.m. - 10:00a p.m. for sale, and free music from number of Locations throughout Metro Atlanta dinners from 11 6:00 local restaurants. Proceeds Friday -and Saturday: 6:00 Open p.m. - festival 11:00 local national acts, goershelps will IHOPPancakeday.com will benefit Project Hand,p.m. which $5 per car, $10 passenger van, (with $20 permany bus be treated to aperlarge Kid Zone people prevent or- $10 better manage chronic (Fridays & Saturdays per car) attractions FREE to families), vendor On thisthrough day, customers willunique receive one disease comprehensive nutrition care. Life University, Marietta booths andstack sponsor exhibits. The Silver free short (three) ofand IHOP’s famous $1 raffle tickets will be sold will go towards life.edu Wings paratrooper aerial exhibition buttermilk pancakes. All they askwill is team that the charity. The winner of the raffle win returns to the event, and will jump into the patrons consider making a donation to aLights hosted hor d’ouerves, beer and wine party of LIFE is an annual holiday tradition that festival on Saturday, August 27. Crowds support local children’s hospitals through at Park’s Edge Restaurant for thirty of their was started by Life University and dates back will be ItEach treated to Network aPark display of Children’s Miracle or other friends. Inman will local bring to 1989. has grown to wonderful berestaurant the most affordable aerobatics in charities. Since beginning National holiday light patriotic show inperformances the Southeast. tastes from and their restaurants foritsthe winner. the There will be ato fireworks Pancake Day celebration inhuge, 2006, IHOP We welcome you come by The sky. winner will be also announced at the endand of grand finale.more has raised $5.35 million toa experience this visual treat for that the restaurant week.than Check the website the inwhole will enjoy. support the family communities in complete charities list of participating restaurants. Concessions are available which it operates. FESTIVAL PEACHTREE LATINO seven– 7:30pm, days Free a week. Sunday, August 28, 11am Additional activities will Piedmont Park be available during the www.festivalpeachtreelatino.com weekends for a small fee including petting Festival Peachtree Latino beenrides, the zoo, hastrain largest family & multicultural event in the pony rides and southeast since 2000. They have featured photos with Santa. hundreds of exhibitions, family activities, sporting events, parades, arts & crafts, ethnic foods and outdoor musical performances featuring renowned international musicians ICE SKATING IN part CENTENNIAL on two stages. The best about it is that OLYMPIC the event is absolutely PARK FREE!! This year, Festival Peachtree Latino has more to offer, with new attractions and a larger schedule of musical performances.
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Autumn Activities Around Atlanta UTUMN HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY favorite time of year. From the cool, crisp weather to the rich hues of the changing leaves, there’s something magical about these months before the craziness of the holidays holds sway over everyone. In recent years my lady and I have been doing a lot more traveling at this time of year, which only serves to make us appreciate the beauty of autumn in Georgia all the more. Whether we’re taking our pontoon boat out on Allatoona for a sunset barbecue, listening to live bluegrass music on the public square in Dahlonega, or simply taking our dog for a hike near our home at Rope Mill Park, we always seem to spend a lot more time outdoors in October and November. Fortunately, there seems to be no shortage of things to do and places to go within an hour’s drive of Atlanta, in the foothills of the Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains. Whether you want to go for a hike, pick apples, or simply take a scenic ride to see the leaves change, north Georgia is a remarkable place to witness the beauty of nature in all its splendor. And autumn is the perfect time in which to do it.
CELEBRATE THE SEASON AT THE STONE MOUNTAIN PUMPKIN FESTIVAL Stone Mountain Park, Hwy 78 770-498-5633 I’ve been taking my daughter to this annual celebration of autumn (now in its 11th year) since my daughter was old enough to walk. Stone Mountain Park gets decked out in all the colors of the season, with scarecrows, hay bales, and pumpkins around every corner. There’s a lot for kids to see and do, including autumnthemed arts and crafts, a costume dance party, pie-eating contest (pumpkin, naturally), Spookley’s A-MAZE-ING Adventure maze, and a Trick or Treat scavenger hunt. There’s also the high-energy Pumpkinpalooza game show, in which audience members endure a series of increasingly humorous challenges. Winners get prizes, while losers spin a “Wheel of Misery” that leads to punishments such as a pie in the face or slime poured over the head… all in the name of good fun, of course. Tickets to the festival also grant you access to Stone Mountain attractions such as the adventure ropes course of SkyHike, a “4-D” Journey 2: The Mysterious Island movie, and a Summit Skyride that provides spectacular views of the fall foliage from the top of the mountain. (www.stonemountainpark.com)
Here are a few of our favorite autumn activities around Atlanta:
GO APPLE PICKING IN ELLIJAY Autumn is prime apple-picking season in
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north Georgia, and the small town of Ellijay seems to be the state’s unofficial apple capital (perhaps due to the Apple Festival held there every October). From B.J. Reece Orchards and Hillcrest Orchards to Red Apple Barn, there are plenty of perfectly good picking places to choose from. But we prefer Mercier Orchards, which was recommended to us by a friend. If you go late in the season, you’ll want to show up very early– preferably right when they open at 10AM. For $10, they’ll give you a small plastic bag that you can fill to the brim with every kind of apple you could possibly want, from Fujis and Pink Ladys to Cameo and the treasured Honeycrisp (if you’re lucky). The friendly employees encourage you to taste them as you go, and will help you out with simple tools to reach the massive fruits near the tops of the 10’-12’ trees. You can buy Mercier’s apples by the bag at grocery stores and farmer’s markets around the city, but somehow they seem to taste just a little bit sweeter when you pluck it from the tree yourself. And, at just $10 a bag, you can afford to pick plenty for sharing with friends and family. (www.mercier-orchards.com) HIKE THE NORTH GEORGIA MOUNTAINS Located less than 90 minutes from metro Atlanta, north Georgia is a haven for outdoor adventurers and casual nature-lovers alike. There are nearly 20 state parks located north of the city’s I-285 perimeter, from the mountain biking trails at Fort Yargo State Park in Winder to the horseback riding trails of Watson Mill Bridge State Outdoor Recreation Area in Comer. The hiking is exceptionally beautiful at this time of year, when the weather is cool and leaves are beginning to reach the peak of their autumn colors. From the 729-foot cascading waterfall (the tallest east of the Mississippi River) of Amicalola Falls and the 4,784 foot summit of Brasstown Bald (which offers a 360-degree view of Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee), to the striking rock outcroppings of the 4.8-mile West Rim and Waterfalls Trail at Cloudland Canyon and the impressive canyons of the 2-mile long, 1000-foot deep Tallulah Gorge, the area boasts natural wonders aplenty. Check out the Georgia State Parks website for further info. (www.gastateparks.org) NAVIGATE UNCLE SHUCK’S CORN MAZE
4520 Hwy 53 East, Dawsonville 1-888-OSHUCKS An annual tradition for our family, Uncle Shuck’s offers the biggest corn maze in Georgia, with four miles of trails stretching across 12 acres. The maze changes every year, with this year’s model designed to look like a moonshine maker in honor of a new law, passed last year, allowing local distillers to make their own corn-derived liquor. Each of the two main mazes offers checkpoints along the way to help visitors track their progress, and this year there’s a CSI-influenced game of whodunit that encourages kids to find the clues to a barnyard crime along the way. A third, smaller maze becomes haunted at night on October weekends, providing spooky (but still familyfriendly) Halloween fun. Of course, Uncle Shuck’s isn’t just about the maze: There’s also goats to feed, ponies to ride, corn cannons to shoot, pumpkins for sale, old-fashioned hayrides around the cornfield, and a nightly bonfire and marshmallow roast. And, since it remains open until late November, it’s one of the few seasonal attractions in Georgia you can visit between Halloween and Thanksgiving. (www.uncleshucks.com) RIDE THE BLUE RIDGE SCENIC RAILWAY 241 Depot Street, Blue Ridge 877-413-TRAIN or 706-632-TRAIN Trains have played an integral role in Georgia’s history (particularly the Civil War), and this budget-friendly attraction in north Georgia offers the equivalent of an immersive history lesson. Running out of the downtown Blue Ridge depot, the train takes visitors on a scenic 13-mile ride along the beautiful Toccoa River to the twin border towns of McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee– a 125-year-old route. Volunteer conductors and “car hosts” are a veritable font of information, keeping kids entranced with colorful stories while the grown-ups enjoy the picturesque views. When the weather is warm, they will occasionally offer special trips that combine train rides with activities such as white water rafting or tubing. But in the fall, the focus is all on the foliage, with late October through mid-November typically an exceptional time to see autumn leaves at their brightest and most beautiful. A word to the wise: At this time of year, advance reservations are strongly recommended. (http://brscenic.com)
Under The Lights Upcoming Theatrical Performances BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK
Now through November 10 The Alliance Theatre Stage Box Office (404) 733-5000 AllianceTheatre.org/verastark
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark tells the story of an aspiring actress trying to break the mold of stereotypical AfricanAmerican film roles in 1930’s Hollywood and the legacy she leaves on the film industry seventy years later. The story is a seventy-year journey through the life of Vera Stark, a headstrong maid and budding actress in a time when speaking roles for African-American actors were impossible to come by, and her tangled relationship with her boss, a Hollywood star desperately trying to hold on to her career. When Vera lands a groundbreaking role in a new Southern epic, she turns Hollywood on its head and paves the way for future generations of black actresses. Seventy years later, film buffs are left to reflect on the life and legacy of this controversial star, whose eventual fame and fortune may have come at the price of perpetuating dangerous stereotypes. By the Way, Meet Vera Stark celebrates the individuals who fuelled the remarkable American cultural changes of the twentieth century and examines themes of gender and race identity.
WARRIOR CLASS
Now through November 17 Alliance Theatre Hertz Stage
Box Office (404) 733-5000 AllianceTheatre.org/warriorclass
In the critically acclaimed new political drama Warrior Class, a potential political star is being groomed for a big Republican race in New York City. But when someone from his past threatens to reveal a college transgression, he must decide how far he’ll
go to keep the incident out of the public eye. Whatever his decision, the consequences may be costly. Warrior Class is a thriller of a play that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Playwright Kenneth Lin provides an astute and blisteringly contemporary eye for dialogue that contains surprises up to the final “lights out.” Warrior Class is the second production in the Alliance’s 10th Anniversary Season of the Alliance/ Kendeda Graduate Playwriting Competition. The Alliance is helping in the development of new American playwrights through its commitment to the competition, which provides developmental opportunities and readings for all finalists as well as a full production for one winning play each season.
GHOST
November 5 - 10 The Fox Theatre
Ticket Office (855) 285-8499 FoxAtlTix.com
Dubious backdoor politics in “...an incisive new play that crackles with authenticity.” —The New York Times
By Kenneth Lin 2006 Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition Winner for ...,” said Said Directed by Eric Ting
Set in modern day New York City, Ghost The Musical is a timeless fantasy about the power of love. Walking back to their apartment one night after a romantic dinner, Sam and Molly are mugged, leaving Sam dead on a dark street. Sam is trapped as a ghost between this world and the next and unable to leave Molly, who he learns is in grave danger. With the help of a phony storefront psychic, Sam tries to communicate with Molly in the hopes of saving and protecting her. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Film in 1990, Ghost became a blockbuster hit and an instant classic. Starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, Tony Goldwyn and Whoopi Goldberg the film ended up winning numerous awards worldwide. Ghost The Musical is directed by Tony Award-winner Matthew Warchus (God of Carnage) and created by a team of Grammy and Academy Award-winners, including an original score by Dave Stewart (Eurythmics). This brand new score also includes the iconic song “Unchained Melody,” famously performed in the film by The Righteous Brothers.
Tickets as low as
$25
October 25–November 17 Tickets @ 404.733.5000
alliancetheatre.org/warriorclass | Groups 404.733.4690
As a healthy young female
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Series on the Hertz Stage
insiteatlanta.com • November 2013 • PG 7
2013
Midtown 404.875.1667 thevortexbarandgrill.com The Vortex's award winning hamburgers are big, beautiful and delicious. There are 20 varieties offered and you can create your own version with any combination of toppings. Some unique Vortex creations include the Elvis Burger, Splanish Fly and Double Bypass burger.
BEST BURRITO Willy’s Mexicana Grill 22 Area Locations Catering 404.422.7107 willys.com
DINING Sandy Springs 404.255.6368 Brookhaven 770.451.1112 Emory Area 404.474.9444
Pig-N-Chik has won numerous awards over the years. Their ribs are St. Louis cut and cooked until they show a pink smoke ring. This makes them nice and tender with just the right smokey flavor. They come naked (without the sauce) as owner Jim Graddy feels ribs should stand on their own. But should you want there is homemade PigN-Chik sauces on the tables. You will also find great barbecue pork, turkey, beef brisket, chicken wings, smoked salmon along with a variety of sides, salads and appetizers.
18 Area Locations jchristophers.com
J. Christopher's specializes in
BEST BRUNCH Wahoo! Grill
BEST CHINESE Chin Chin
This casual European-influenced neighborhood bistro with an elegant, warm style inside, and a glass-walled dining room surrounded by an enchanting garden paradise outside, makes for the perfect brunch setting. Choose individual entrees or their bruch buffet. We recommend the Charleston Shrimp & Grits.
chinchinatlanta.com
BEST BURGER The Vortex Bar & Grill
BEST CAJUN Copeland’s
See the Full List of Best Of Categories online at INsiteAtlanta.com
BEST BARBECUE Pig-N-Chik pignchik.net
BEST BREAKFAST J. Christopher’s
breakfast, brunch and lunch, serving up traditional favorites with a twist. From Eggs Benedict and Blueberry Crunchcakes to a Bistro Salad and Turkey Dijon BLT, there's a menu item for everyone - even the pickiest of palates.
Atlanta’s original burrito chain. Willy’s award winning signature Californiastyle burritos keep the concept of freshness true. Their rice and beans are cooked daily using no lard or animal products. Willy’s restaurants are vegetarian friendly offering grilled tofu and veggie burritos. College Students make sure to check out their $5 burritos on the first Tuesday of the month with college ID. Planning a tailgate this fall? Order a Willy’s truck to come to your event by calling their Catering Hotline.
1042 W. College Ave. Decatur 404.373.3331 wahoogrilldecatur.com
Little 5 Points 404.688.1828
HUNGRY YET?
18 AREA ATLANTA LOCATIONS
Find One Near You At
www.jchristophers.com PG 8 • November 2013 • insiteatlanta.com
ER! W INN
3887 Peachtree Rd. 404.816.2229 and other area locations From prawns to whole fish, Chin Chin offers fine dining that won’t break the bank. Chin Chin has several locations around Metro Atlanta, each with the same great flavor, healthy portions and elegant décor. A perennial Best Of winner!
Cumberland 770.612.3311
Kennesaw 770.919.9612 copelandsatlanta.com Copeland's Famous New Orleans Restaurant and Bar offers great Cajun cuisine in a French Quarter inspired setting. You will feel like your back in the Bayou when tasting their Shrimp Etouffee, Fried Catfish Creole or Crawfish Po-Boy. Don’t miss their famous bruch buffet. Spice up the holidays with a Copelands Famous Fried Turkey dinner for parties large and small. Call store locations for details.
BEST CUBAN Havana Restaurant
A landmark of great meals 24 hours a day! Whether you crave a 2 a.m. breakfast or an 8 a.m. steak, the dishes at Landmark Diner will hit the spot. The buckhead location is now offering three-course dinners for just $9.99; including dinner entree, soup & dessert. Deal offered from 2 - 9 pm daily.
BEST GREEK Athens Pizza
1341 Clairmont Rd. 404.636.1100 athenspizzaatlanta.com
BEST DELI Goldberg’s
6 Area Locations Plus 4 at Airport goldbergbagel.com
Healthy Vegetarian Items Always Available
ER! W INN
3979 Buford Hwy #108 404.633.7549 havanarestaurantatlanta.com An Atlanta icon at their original Buford Highway location for many years. After the building was lost in a fire many thought that they would have to live without Havana’s great Cuban cuisine. But they found a new location up the road and their authentic Cuban dishes are as good as ever!
#1 Chinese Restaurant in Atlanta
3887 PEACHTREE RD • 404-816-2229 • BUCKHEAD/BROOKHAVEN DELIVERY (LIMITED AREA; MIN $10) CARRY OUT • CATERING • FULL BAR SERVICE
WWW.CHINCHINATLANTA.COM The Papadopoulos family at Athens Pizza continues to serve the same delicious Greek cuisine to the Emory / Decatur area that their customers have come to expect. Some of the favorite recipes on their Greek dishes go back 50 years. There is much more than pizza here. Try the Veal Parmesana, Roasted Lamb or the Oven Baked Chicken.
BEST INDIAN Bhojanic
Goldberg’s is Atlanta’s favorite deli for dine in or takeout. Here you will find the finest kosher meats and dishes. All Goldberg’s Atlanta locations offer full table seating. Follow them on Facebook for weekday takeout specials.
1363 Clairmont Rd. 404.633.9233 bhojanic.com Bhojanic understands the need for authentic Indian fare. The finest vegetables and meats are used to create the flavorful expe-
BEST DINER Landmark Diner
PANCHO’S
3652 Roswell Rd. 404.816.9090 landmarkdiner.com
Catering Now Available
Best Inexpensive Mexican Restaurant & Cantina Restaurant
Your Neighborhood Pizzeria!
ER! W INN
eatsonponce.net • now accepting Visa & Mastercard
PANCHO’S
Catering Now Available
Mexican Restaurant & Cantina Fridays – SALSA BAND Saturdays – MARIACHI BAND
LUNCH SPECIALS STARTING AT $6.75
Monday–Friday! ER! W INN 2641 BUFORD HIGHWAY | ATLANTA, GA 30324 404-325-2898 | PANCHOMEXICAN.COM
BEST PIZZA! ER! W INN
&
Multiple Atlanta Locations: www.JohnnysPizza.com
Hours • M-Th 11am-10pm • Fri 11am-11pm Sat 12pm-11pm • Sun 1pm-10pm insiteatlanta.com • November 2013 • PG 9
TV
SHE’S A BAD MAMA JAMA
Katey Sagal On Playing Sons Of Anarchy’s Gemma Teller, TV’s Most Badass Mom BY ALEX S. MORRISON
T
HE SHIT IS SERIOUSLY HITTING the fan for SAMCRO (Sons Of Anarchy Motorcycle Club- Redwood Original) on this season of FX’s hit show. From a school shooting and IRA attacks to a child pornography ring, vengeful ex-federal marshal, and legal troubles for Clay (Ron Perlman), Tara (Maggie Siff), and Nero (Jimmy Smits), the pressure on the club has never been more brutal. And at the center of the storm stands Gemma Teller (Katey Sagal), a mama bear just as vicious as the leatherclad “boys” she fights to protect. Just as Bryan Cranston shrugged off his Malcolm In The Middle sitcom past with his role on Breaking Bad, Sagal’s turn as SOA’s badass motorcycle mama has proven a revelation of dramatic range that makes it difficult to believe she was once Peg Bundy on Married…With Children. For that, she can thank her husband, Sons of Anarchy creator/ writer/director/producer (and occasional actor) Kurt Sutter, who gave Sagal one of the most challenging, multi-dimensional roles an actress could ever dream of. As she approaches her 60th birthday in January, Sagal has never been better. Earlier this year she sat down with TV reporters to discuss this season of Sons of Anarchy, give insight into Gemma’s character, and how it feels knowing that next season will likely be the show’s last.
How does Gemma balance her feelings for Nero and Clay, and what do you see for her this season? I think, like all the relationships in the show, it’s a lot of duality. Clay crossed some lines with her that she can’t get back from. When he tried to kill Tara, it wasn’t even so much the beat down that he laid on her, but it was the things that he did to other people. Gemma’s very family-oriented. What Jax (Charlie Hunnam) asked her to do, which then ultimately landed Clay in jail, she had a conflict about it, but she knew that that’s what was going to happen. At the same time, she had this new relationship with a very different kind of outlaw. Nero is an outlaw, too, but not quite the ruthless, coldblooded type that Clay is. Thinking of all the tough decisions that Gemma had to make through the course of the show, what action was the hardest for you to justify?
Well, sending Clay to prison last season was a tough choice because she knew that it was a setup. But there have been so many. She comes out of a situation and has to think on her feet, right at the moment. At the time, she never thinks there’s that tough of a decision. It’s really just what she HAS to do, if that makes sense. In other words, it’s high stakes, all the time. They
THE VORTEX HAS BEEN VOTED ATLANTA’S
EST URGER B B EVERY YEAR SINCE 1992! OFTEN IMITATED
NEVER DUPLICATED REAL BAR YEAH! THE VORTEX IS A FLIPPIN’ ORIGINAL
REAL BURGERS THANKS AGAIN, ATLANTA!
MINORS NO -You must be 18 or over to enter-
In MIDTOWN and
little 5 points
NO WHINERS
-Now that’s what we call a Happy Meal-
-AN OFFICIAL “IDIOT-FREE ZONE” (TheVortexBarAndGrill.com)PG 10 • November 2013 • insiteatlanta.com
pretty much react instinctively, and there’s not a lot of time to think, “Is this a hard thing to do”? How much do you relate to Gemma, as a woman? I have three children. How my children are raised is of utmost importance to me, and I’m really involved, which is a quality that Gemma also has. She’s all about her family, and keeping this lifestyle of hers together. I think that Gemma tends to be vain, as do I, in certain ways. What you’re seeing this season is a more Zen-like approach. What’s interesting to play is when people start to have a conscience about where their lives are going. Her viewpoint is being influenced by Nero, who is not as ruthless, and that shades her. She tends to soften a little bit around him, which I think she likes. All of these characters have been changing. I really love how Juice (Theo Rossi) is changing, and you can really see the difference in Chibs (Tommy Flanagan), now that he’s VP. Over the course of seven years, there’s actual life to all of the characters. They’re not just one thing. As an actor, that’s really fun. When I get a script, I’d never say, “Oh, that character would never say that. This is not who this character was before.” In life, we’re never the same people, day-to-day. We have certain codes that we live by, but our responses and reactions will change as our circumstances change. I think that these characters do the same thing. There’s a lot of violence, death and mayhem on this show. How difficult is it to lose a main character? Is there a period of grieving for you, or is it just another day at the office? No, none of it’s just another day at the office. When you’re creating the make-believe world that we create, those relationships have intensity and life to them. I love Ryan Hurst (Opie), I love William Lucking (Piney), and I loved Johnny Lewis (Half-Sack). But it’s also in the world of what we do as actors. Characters come, and characters go. Jobs come, and jobs go. So there’s a certain amount of detachment that is natural to what we do. This was a show that nobody was sure was even going to see the light of day. There wasn’t a lot of support at the beginning. There was always support from John Landgraf and FX, but there were other people that were just not so sure about this. It was a similar experience that I had with Married… with Children, which was on a network (FOX) that nobody had even heard of. When you get into those situations and, week after week, it’s
getting bigger and more people like it, you’re all rooting for each other. It’s a wonderful experience that only those involved really understand. So when anybody goes, it’s very sad. We have a party for everybody that dies on the show– all of our major people. It doesn’t just stop at the job. But I’m sure, going into Season 7, we’re all going to be dropping like flies. There may be a lot of parties. That’s not a spoiler, by the way. That’s just my assumption. Do you feel that Gemma is really the role of a lifetime? Yes, absolutely! I was so well known as a comedienne on a funny sitcom, and it was hard for me to move past that. I was really grateful for that job, and I loved playing on Married… with Children for all those years. But it was hard, as an actor, to say, “No, I really want to do a drama.” It took a minute before I could find something like this. Luckily, my husband wrote it, which was awesome. So it has definitely been career-changing and career-opening. It’s the part of a lifetime for me, absolutely! How do you feel about the show ending soon? We all know the end is near. There’s a great vibe on the set this year. There’s something that happens when you realize that everybody really likes your show and the work you’re doing. It’s really fulfilling. We think the storytelling is great, and then people respond well. It’s an amazing experience, and it doesn’t happen very often. We’ve all made such close friendships, and done really, really wonderful work together. It’s very bonding. So there’s a melancholy that starts to set in. Everybody clings onto every moment because we know that there’s a countdown about to happen. It’s bittersweet. But, what’s really cool about our show is that it’s one big story. It’s nice to have that, and to be a part of it. “Nice” is a weird word to use, because I’m sure it’s going to be bloody. Is there anything that you’d like to see Gemma tackle before the series comes to an end? I’m fully convinced that I will hit all those notes and be required to go to places that will stretch me even further as an actress. I’m pretty content. Every week, I get the script and I’m asked to explore different pieces of her, which ultimately means different pieces of myself. It’s been a really good stretch, these last six years. I couldn’t ask for what, I’m sure, will come anyway.
Best Of Continued from Page 9
-rience of the Indian culture. The food you find at Bhojanic is exactly like the food cooked in the homes of India.
BEST INEXPENSIVE RESTAURANT Eats 600 Ponce de Leon Ave.
404.888.9149 eatsonponce.net
For over 20 years now, people have been heading down to Ponce to experience their great jerk chicken and pasta dishes. Over all this time Eats has maintained the great quality of their food and kept their prices low!
AWARD WINNING CUISINE!
chef-owned and operated restaurant. They serve authentic regional dishes like gyros, falafel and kabob sandwiches made to perfection. Try their fall off the bone lamb shank.
BEST MEXICAN Pancho’s Mexican
2641 Buford Hwy. 404.325.2898 panchomexican.com
agave restaurant OVER 100
BLUE AGAVE TEQUILAS
BEST ITALIAN Sotto Sotto 313 N Highland Ave 404.523.6678 wrestaurants.net When Riccardo Ullio opened Sotto Sotto, he envisioned a restaurant serving all of the delicacies from his childhood. Over a decade later, the cozy authentic Italian spot in historic Inman Park has been named Atlanta’s Best Italian Restaurant by too many publications to mention. Sotto Sotto’s kitchen strives to create authentic Italian food with flavors developed from centuries of Italian culinary traditions.
Pancho’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina has become an Atlanta landmark. They offer superior quality and great value that makes Pancho’s a hit with their customers. You will find inspiring dishes like their Filet Mignon Medallions and Pancho’s Florentine and lunch specials for just $6.75. Enjoy their Salsa band of Fridays and Mariachi on Saturdays.
BEST MEDITERRANEAN BEST MIDDLE EASTERN Mediterranean Grill Mezza mezzabistro.com N. Decatur Plaza 404.320.0101 2751 Lavista Rd. 404.633.8833
Midtown 404.917.1100 East Cobb 678.996.0045 mediterraneangrill.com
Mediterranean Grill is a perenial Best Of Winner. For over a decade their loyal customers have continued to flock to this family /
Mezza a Lebanese bistro and dar offers one of the most characteristic elements of
Continued on Page 12
V oT e d B e s T i n d i a n 2013 | W e h aV e T h e B e s T C u s To m e r s ! NER! W IN
Book your holiday party at Bhojanic p r i vat e di n i ng a n d of f p r e m i s e
TradiTional indian food in a n o n T r a d i T i o n a l aT m o s p h e r e Buckhead | 404.841.8472
d e c at u r | 4 0 4 . 6 3 3 . 9 2 3 3
3400 Around Lenox Dr, Buckhead, GA 30326
1363 Clairmont Rd, Decatur, GA 30033
Shops Around Lenox N e xt t o C r at e & B a r r e l ™
J u s t N ort h of N . D e c at u r a n d Clairmont Rd Intersection
3680-WMG BOA-Insite Ad-p.pdf
1
10/22/13
5:21 PM
PHOTOS BY MARK PETKO
An eclectic southwestern eatery & tequila bar est. 2000 Reservations at
404.588.0006
or online at: www.agaverestaurant.com
242 Boulevard S.E. Atlanta 30312
ER! W INN
agave restaurant
Holiday Catering, Lounge Space Available for Rental
“Atlanta’s Favorite Middle Eastern Restaurant” 2751 lavista rd decatur ga 30033 404-633-8833 • www.mezzabistro.com
ER! W INN
insiteatlanta.com • November 2013 • PG 11
Lebanese cuisine. Much like tapas, Mezza is an array of hot and cold appetizers. At Mezza you will find the most authentic middle eastern tapas and great wines. Enjoy belly dancing and hookahs while dining on the weekends.
BEST NOODLE BOWL BEST TAKEOUT Doc Chey’s
1556 N. Decatur Rd. 404.378.8188 1424 N. Highland Ave. 404.888.0777 563 Memorial Dr. 404.688.4238 doccheys.com The original pan-asian noodle house in Atlanta. Menu includes dim sum, salad bowls, soup bowls, noodle bowls and rice plates. Best Spicy Thai Basil Noodle Bowl in the city! Their bowls are great for take-out serving parties large and small.
BEST PIZZA Johnny’s Pizza
BEST SOUP Stone Soup Kitchen
Johnny's Pizza has been synonymous with great pizza in Atlanta since 1977. They specialize in NY style pizza, which is thin in the middle and thick around the edges. The secret to their success is in the preparation. They always use the finest ingredients accompanied with friendly staff that keeps customers coming back. Try one of the house specialties: Johnny’s Deluxe or Pesto Buffalo Chicken.
Stone Soup Kitchen is only 8 years old and is already an Atlanta classic, a favorite destination for locals and also longtimers that remember it's cousin, Stone Soup Natural Foods. Enjoy breakfast anytime, hearty soups and sandwiches and custom tasty cocktails. You don't want to miss out on this neighborhood gem that features a friendly vibe and something for everyone.
584 Woodward Ave. (Across from GardenHood) 404.524.1222
1810 Cheshire Bridge Rd. Multiple Area Locations johnnyspizza.com
BEST RIBS Fat Matt’s
BEST SUB SANDWICH Baldinos Giant Jersey Subs
1811 Piedmont Ave. 404.607.1622
fatmattsribshack.com
Featuring finger-licking-good smoked meat and tangy sauce. Eat ribs by the slab, half-slab, as a combo or chopped pork sandwich. Great barbecue chicken and sides as well. Listen to local blues bands in this friendly honky-tonk.
BEST OUTDOOR DINING Park Tavern 500 10th Street NE 404.249.0001 parktavern.com
The Park Tavern has arguably the best backyard in the city in overlooking Piedmont Park. This provides for great atmosphere. The Southwest Porch at Park Tavern boasts a large patio area dotted with table seating, private cabanas, fire pits and TV’s to catch your favorite teams in action. The patio can be transformed for weddings and in winter becomes an Ice Rink. They offer halfoff Sushi nightly from 10pm - Midnight. Wine Wednesday are half-off priced bottles of wine and whenever it is raining they pour $1 drafts.
BEST SOUTHWESTERN BEST MARGARITAS Agave
242 Boulevard SE 404.588.0006 agaverestaurant.com Agave’s unique blend of eclectic southwestern cuisine, extensive tequila bar and wine list coupled with exceptional service makes this one of Atlanta’s top restaurants. They are the recipient of numerous awards from various publications for their inspired dining experience. There are over 100 tequilas and 12 specialty margaritas on the menu. All Agave margaritas are made with blue agave tequilas and fresh squeezed lime juice. Come early and enjoy Two for One appetizers at the bar from 5pm - 7pm every day.
80 Powers Ferry Rd. 770.321.1177 5697 Buford Hwy. 770.455.8570 baldinos.us Consistently voted Best Sub Sandwich in the Atlanta market, Baldinos Giant Jersey Subs has been recognized as the only true New Jersey Style submarine in the South. They bake their bread fresh daily and every sub is either sliced fresh or grilled when ordered. When you eat a Baldinos sub you know the difference.
BEST TACOS Escorpion 800 Peachtree St. 678.666.5198 urestaurants.com
Escorpion is an authentic Mexican cantina located on the corner of 5th and Peachtree. Their inspired tacos come in a wide variety that includes Jumbo Shrimp, Hanger Steak and Braised Beef Tongue. Escorpion also has great salads, quesadillas and an assortment of torta sandwiches. Best Of Continues on Page15
Serving the Best Pints in Atlanta! ER! W INN
• Tuesdays: Trivia @ 8pm • Wednesdays: $5 Burgers, $1.50 Tall Boy PBR • Saturday & Sunday: Open for EPL Soccer at 8am and Brunch till 3pm • Sunday: $3.50 pints all day
ER! W INN
★ Catch Every College and Pro Football Game ★ 100 TVS ★ Open Air Bar Upstairs ★ Made from Scratch Food
The Elder Tree Public House
469 Flat Shoals Ave. East Atl • www.eldertreeatl.com • 404-658-6108
NOVEMBER SPECIALS
www.baldinos.us
MONDAY – Baldinos Extra Special (#7) TUESDAY – Like it Hot? Grilled & Toasted The HOT Italian WEDNESDAY – Ham it Up - (#5) Boiled Ham & Cheese w/ soup or side THURSDAY – “Check Out Our New Chicken Breast” – Try our #21 FRIDAY – Meatless Combo - Tuna (#10) or Veg Stir Fry (#27) w/ side SATURDAY – Steak Out- A-Steak Sub Your Choice (#11,13, or 19) SUNDAY – American Special - (#14) w/ choice of soup or side
Marietta 80 Powers Ferry Rd 770-321-1177 (closed Sundays)
$3.49 All Day!
Doraville 5697 Buford Hwy. 770-455-8570
VOTED BEST SUBS IN ATLANTA PG 12 • November 2013 • insiteatlanta.com
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FILM FILM
TRUMP Movie Reviews CARD 12 YEARS A SLAVE (R)
There have been other movies that didn’t flinched when it came to illustrating the physical atrocities of slavery. In a quiet moment, you can all still see the graphic imagery from Amistad and Roots in your heads. Yes, this movie —an adaptation of Twelve Years A Slave, Solomon Northup’s 1853 autobiography about being a free, successful black man in New York who was kidnapped and forced into nomadic servitude in Louisiana— has unimaginable moments where flesh is ripped and blood is spewed, By B. Lovebut that’s not what’s most lasting here. What stays with you long after the s one of AmericA’s most cringing stops are thoughts of the emotional successful and high profile businesstoll the evil must have had on those exploited. men, Donald trump was well known Northup (a spectacular Chiwetel Ejiofor), like long before survivor producer mark Burnett countless others, was torn from his family. tapped him to star in the Apprentice. But Whitenooverseers narythebat an show eye about there’s denying that reality ruining multiple lives with the exchange turned trump from a cartoonish curiosity of paperwork. Ourphenomenon, lead thinks with of hishiswife and into a bona fide signatwocatchphrase– children often. Director SteveinextricaMcQueen ture “You’re fired!”– heightens moments with a stubborn bly entering such the pop culture lexicon. camera that focuses on Ejiofor’s faceflounfor 60 or Although the Apprentice initially so uninterrupted seconds. Slave owners wave dered a bit in the ratings, Burnett and trump the Bible upon and sometimes lightlyby(especially stumbled a winningtalk formula recruittheseconddevilishly Michael ing and perfect third-tier actors, Fassbender), athletes, but sheer spews from almost everything models andevil musicians for a celebrity edition It’s now all such a confusing psychological ofthey the do. show. in its third incarnation, dance, but McQueen’s never blinks. the celebrity Apprenticecamera tosses disparate His such shotsasare stunning. Foghorn-like noises stars rocker Bret michaels, wrestler are eerie.baseball (Noted legend composer Hans Zimmer Goldberg, Darryl strawberry, handlesgovernor the music.) Casting is aand revelation. former ron Blagojevich sharon Benedict together Cumberbatch, Pal of Dano, osbourne for a variety team-Sarah Paulson,exercises Paul Giamatti and Alfre designed Woodardto all building and challenges leave an business impact, no matter how little screen test their mettle. “theeach Donald, ” asStill, the it’s crazy-coiffed real when time gets. the moments estate magnate if often known, recently held a Ejiofor and newcomer Lupita Nyong’o, court with reporters discuss the show’s slave/concubine whotopicks cotton with more current season. fervor than any man on the plantation, are in shots together. The two family-less souls have Can you tell us a bond little bit selec-The a brother-sister thatabout feels the sincere. tion process? lone casting call that feels forced is Brad Pitt’s interesting, because so many The asit’savery Canadian anti-slavery advocate. celebrities want air to be on the after theand “white savior” comes off show a bit clichéd success of the previous two though, seasons. itWedoesn’t unnecessary. Thankfully, wanted some athletes, some actors, some and take the ultimate spotlight from Ejiofor models and some wrestlers, so i would say to Nyong’o. Oscar voters will learn how probably six their or seven people spot we pronounce names soonper enough. were turning down. the hardest thing isWilliams that –DeMarco
BAD GRANDPA (R)
The latest film in the Jackass franchise is completely immature and juvenile, and that’s exactly why it works. Fans of the Jackass crew will surely not be disappointed with this film. It has pretty much everything that is to be expected but still manages to make it feel new and funny. The biggest concern going in was that the “old man messing with people” shtick wouldn’t be able to hold up for the length of an entire film seeing that it worked so well in short bursts before but they made it work by adding a narrative with some heart in between the often laugh out loud gags. Thisreading time around, there’sfor a story following through about them so many years, a lot (Johnny of timesKnoxville) somebodywho thatrecently you Irvingbut Zisman don’t think a star. lost his wifeof andsoishighly excitedturns to getout backtotobeenjoying You will happen with the just singledon’t life know when what his drug addict daughter pressure heat(Jackson of battle. leaves herand sontheBilly Nicoll) with him because she is going to jail. The rest of the film What a celebrity to do really followsdoes Irving and Billyhave as they gettointo wacky set themselves andtrip show that they’re shenanigans onapart their road to Billy’s deadbeat in it to it? odd to see Knoxville stay in dad. It’swin definitely i can tellwhile you not fromscrewing seasonswith 1 and 2 and character people but he from theother regular Apprentice, people reallyand and the writers (director Jeff Tremaine want to win. every Spike once Jonze) in a while you’ll the always brilliant crafted a strong have a quitter, but it doesn’t happen often. enough story to keep things moving and made isure think thea reason they do is the of that smile stayed on ityour facelevel the entire intensity they feel for their charity. Unlike time. It’s not the best offering that Dickhouse the regular Apprentice, where Productions has given us but somebody it’s definitely a works for me for a pretty good salary a worthy addition and one that fans willforsurely year, with this one the money goes to charenjoy. ity. Last year we raised millions of dollars. –Christian Perez
The Donald Waxes Rhapsodic On The Celebrity Apprentice, “You’re Fired!” & Fixing NBC 12 YEARS A SLAVE
A
we really have some good people that want toAMERICAN go on very PROMISE badly. But i (NR) guess maybe we’ll save them for the next show, because it looks like that’s happen. Man, did going I havetoit easy in school! I didn’t even
have filmmaker parents using me and my
How this season going be different than bestisfriend as lab rats intoa social experiment. past seasons? Idris Brewster and Seun Summers were fiveWell, when you have a success like we’ve year-old, middle-class, African American had, you don’t like to do too many changes. Brooklynites when their parents enrolled What we do have is a different tone. the cast them in the prestigious, predominantly white has been very interesting: they’ve been very Dalton whichbutwas under a mandate tough andSchool, very nasty, there’s also a lot of to diversify. Some of what happened over the fun and humor with respect to what happens, next 13 years is predictable, some random which i don’t think we had in the last one. (one boy is dyslexic, one has ADHD), some With Joan [rivers] and with Piers [morgan], Littlepeople reference madeeach to the itsurprising. was really nasty reallyishating boys these being followed everywhere by but a camera other. people hate each other, it’s crew, although that had to be as big a factor also funny. i think that might be the biggest as their race ininmaking standcasts. out. The differentiation terms ofthem the three
everybody has a charity that they love; some are foundations they’ve set up themselves BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR (NC-17) years in advance of the show. so i think they really fight more intense because it’s a charToday high school is the time for the sexual ity they’re fighting for.
experimentation most of my generation saved for college. Thefavorite French title, which translates What are your challenges to watchto The Life of Adèle, is more descriptive of this epicthe celebrities tackle? length romance. Adèle (Adèle Exarchopoulos) Well, we do have a lot of different challengis awhether high school junior dabbles in boys es, we go backwho to the selling of theand girls but decides she prefers girls – especially lemonade or doing something else very basic one girl,having Emmato(Léa a blue-haired without dealSeydoux), with Proctor & Gambudding artist etc. five sometimes years her senior. They hook ble or Kodak, [sponsor-based up in a couple graphic sex scenes,but andthey’re fall in challenges] areofsort of interesting, love. Tunisia-born director Abdellatif Kechiche expensive for us to do. the ratings suggest givesthe youfans’ plenty of time all in, that favorite parttooftake the itshow by with theislanguid, European-style Americans far the boardroom, and thepacing boardroom maygotten have longer gotten over usedthetoyears through Breaking has because of Bad, the though withoutstill startling cinematography that. challenges have plenty of time and we’re violent deathson to your but attention. and focused bothhold aspects, we Exarchopoulos in going have been tryingistoincredibly lengthen natural the boardroom through ofthestrong joy, passion pain of first love, because viewerand requests. often in real time; but while the international jury at like Cannes awarded theattorney film the Palme You’re a prosecuting in thed’Or, most Americans would enjoyyour it twice as muchtoif boardroom. Do you meter approach it were half as long. different personalities? Yes, i think you deal with different people –Steve Warren differently. i deal with Goldberg differently than i deal(R) with Governor Blagojevich. i CAPITAL dealt with Dennis rodman and Joan rivers differently of the other contesIf you don’tthan knowsome the difference between French tants. You have to have that ability.– and I sure capitalism and American capitalism
don’t – you may want to send your accountant
How you feelforgoing the boardto seedoCapital you. back The in French version of room a little hiatus? a Wallafter Street movie, its financial shenanigans i just get a greatcomplex kick outfor of it. really liketo are impossibly a ilayperson itfollow. a lot. they to renew it for another Also want confusing is the personal arc of two three seasons, and we’rewho thinking MarcorTourneuil (Gad Elmaleh), is crowned i like little bit ofbank a break puppetthat. CEO of having a majora European and net impact is like watching three episodes of about between shows, where it goes on once a year. a more of off Michael Apted’s Can you focused usually version tell right the bat who is“... finds various factions fighting to pull his strings, Up” series. There’s word about a potential including an American group represented by going to do well andno who isn’t? you ever feelIsbad about firing evil someone, Gabriel Byrne. Marc inherently or does sequel, but as much as I hate thequespeculiar Do that’s always the most interesting or is it just part of the job? abuse they’ve suffered, like toof find out money corrupt him gradually? (Some may see tion to me because i’d likeI’d to think myself i always feel bad… no,ofnot always. industry.) somehim as the Walter White the banking to people. Idris and aswhat beinghappens okay with ButSeun oftenini’llcollege say, times i don’t like people. the hard ones The husband and father is also tempted byaretwo and beyond. “this one is going to be a star,” and then he when youa teasing really like and respect supermodel and somebody a banker who –Steveknow. Warren women, turns out to be a dud. You never really and they make a mistake. Like, as an extries to act as his conscience. Director and coYou feel like you’ve known these celebrities
MCQUEEN’S CAMERA NEVER BLINKS. HIS SHOTS ARE STUNNING. FOGHORN-LIKE NOISES ARE EERIE. (NOTED COMPOSER HANS ZIMMER HANDLES THE MUSIC.) CASTING IS A REVELATION. Our review: writer Costa-Gavras (Z, Missing, The Music Box), who turned 80 this year, hasn’t had a film released widely in the U.S. in over 20 years. He still has some skills, but dumbing-down a script to a comprehensible level isn’t one of them. –Steve Warren
learn more due to the intriguing questions and information provided and for that, the film is a success. –Christian Perez
LET THE FIRE BURN (NR)
I was born in Philadelphia but was long gone before the 1985 MOVE disaster. To evict that Check off another mark on Chloe Grace religious cult/revolutionary organization/ Moretz’s bucket list. She has successfully starred terrorist group (take your pick) from a residence in a remake of the classic horror film by the same in a row of houses, the police dropped a bomb name. Moretz clearly has a long career ahead of on the roof and allowed the resulting fire to her and her take on the tragic role of Carrie is spread before taking action. Eleven people solidifying her mark in Hollywood. Kimberly died, five of them children, and 61 homes were Peirce directed her cast with the finesse of a pro destroyed. Jason Osder’s documentary tells the and the thoughtfulness of a seasoned writer. story and lets you draw your own conclusions. It Moore turned outbeto Be aongood was a no There phrase, are a couple ofBut updatesIt at the end but Julianne can either beautiful Monday-morning quarterbacking. screenFLuke. or she can freak you out and in hervery role as FIrst durIng the show Eagles I was a LIttLe The footage is from vintage sources, mostlyI TV news Margaret White, Carrie’s mother, pulledoF out the exasperated wIthsheone contestants and used all the stops to make you believe that time stood coverage of the event and a special investigation LIne, “you’re when hearing [producer] Mark five months later, including still forthe her while the rest of the worldFIred!” carried commission and I story, agreed to dothethe show wewhodIdn’t deposition of a boy was one ofhave the two on. Burnett As for the remake of the it made sense Most MOVE were African that the teenage set Carrie off on her survivors. that.angst wethatthought we’d say, “get the members heLL out but so were the neighbors who supernatural murderous rampage fit withor American, oF could here” soMethIng. the world of today. Weaving in social media was complained about them; yet you have to wonder you raised suchfire self-sufficient ample, from the rage last season. thethat (white) police and commissioners a smartscott way ofHamilton, adding fuel to her induced iffact ifire. Overall, had to let scott go. is i’mworth a great fan of scott: –children? and the city’s first black mayor - would have this film seeing. Whether Well,differently i’m getting a lot ofhad credit on the chilHe if events occurred in a youwon watcholympic it alone gold is up medals to you. and he’s a great acted dren.neighborhood. everybody’s been asking ivanka champion. But he understood that–Kalena he made There’s a lotabout to think about Boller white and the yes, me she’ll back onfor thean a mistake on the show and i really had no here, but answer it didn’tismake feelbehomesick show. But they’re very good kids. they went choice. i feltESTATE very badly about that, because THE FIFTH (PG-13) instant. to very good schools, and they were great i considered him to be a great person, but i –Steve Warren have to do what’s it’s never fun, bogged but it’s students. i couldn’t wait to get them on the Bill Condon’s The right. Fifth Estate is being show. i hadPLATES no idea (NR) the show would be into easier when i don’t calling like somebody or when SPINNING down by detractors factual inaccuracies, itsninth and tenth season, which is pretty they’re really, really bad. an incredibly poor opening box office intake, amazing in the world of television. and even Julian Assange himself personally I’m not a foodie, never willingly watch the Food That line, ” became a pop cul-it Network and would rather not know what bashing the“You’re film’s fired, existence and detesting There’s in been of news surrounding NBC ture phenomenon. Can even you talk the lots kitchens of the restaurants where on WikiLeaks. Though withabout all ofthethis happens lately, and your show does well for them. origin of it? negativity and controversy, it’s a well made and I can afford to eat; but I was surprised at how What Iyou think NBC to do to get back turned out thriller to be a that goodisphrase, butworth it much enjoyed Josephneeds Levy’s documentary anitentertaining absolutely in the ratings game? was a fluke. During the very first show i was seeing. It’s not the best film of is kind, many are portrait of three very different American Well, i knowChicago’s Jeff Gaspin (chairman of nBc acomparing little exasperated of the conAlinea, named the it to The with Socialone Network and when restaurants. Universal television entertainment) and, as testants and i used the line, “You’re fired!” that happens, it’s going to appear lesser but on best restaurant in the U.S., is the brainchild you know, he’s new to the role. i think he’s When [producer] mark Burnett and i agreed its own, removed from everything, Condon of Grant Achatz, who combines art, craft and going to do a spectacular job at nBc. they to do the show we didn’t have that. We in his creative concoctions. Breitbach’s has crafted an engaging film that thrills despite science thought we’d say, “Get the hell out of here” or need more shows like the Apprentice. not being almost solely dialog driven. The biggest Country Dining in Balltown, Iowa, founded something. And all of a sudden America went necessarily from a reality standpoint, but immigrants over 150 years ago, serves as a strength is Benedict Cumberbatch’s portrayal by they need shows that capture the imaginacrazy over the show. it happens to be a great community center and draws crowds from great of Julian Assange. Aside from looking the part, tion. catchphrase. tV Guide or one of the major distances. More immigrants not Cumberbatch presents the subject in a way that frankly, certainrecent shows that are on(status should entertainment magazines did a poll and, after specified but since they’re in Arizona they must allows for high praise and total condemnation be changed because, while they get some “Here’s Johnny!” and one other great, it was legal)good run reviews, La Cocinathey de don’t Gabbyget while trying all at This100 is not a one sided characterhisand be pretty people #3 ononce. the top phrases in television to keep their home from foreclosure. The the portrayal allows and even calls for audiences tory! so that was a pretty big honor. it’s been watching. it’s nice to get both. We’ve hadfirst tells you everything to decide forthing themselves look into the man an amazing and anand amazing phrase that half-hour emmy nominations and a lotyou of could good want ac- to know about these restaurants; the second and his work well after the credits have finished just seems to work. it really caught on, and colades passed our way, and that’s alwaysadds seemingly details, crises rolling. It is not the greatest film nor even one of it’s been an amazing thing to watch. nice. But unnecessary ultimately you havebut to leads have to people strike all three in the final half-hour, the kind the best of the year but it is an interesting look that watch. nBc is going to really do well. i know stuffleadership screenwriters never invent. into a do subject awarebiggest of butaccommay not oftheir What you many think are is your andcould i think they’re winners, really know your aboutbusiness and will success likely lead plishment, or them the to so i think they’ll turn it around. –Steve Warren
CARRIE (R)
insiteatlanta.com • November 2013 • PG 13
BOOKS
COLUMN
STRAIGHT FROM THE HEADLINES STATION CONTROL Toobin Visits Atlanta to Discuss “The Oath” BY MARCI MILLER
Y
OU SEE HIM NIGHT AFTER NIGHT on CNN…usually as part of the panel of talking heads discussing today’s top legal and political stories. But Jeffrey Toobin always seems to be the standout expert with his no-nonsense and intelligent approach to the day’s events. And now CNN’s senior legal analyst is coming to Atlanta as one of the many high-profile speakers and guests attending the 21st annual Book Festival of the MJCCA (Other heavy weights attending this year’s event includes Scott Turow, Pat Conroy, Alan Dershowitz and many more). Toobin will be discussing his book, THE OATH, which takes an in-depth look at the relationship between the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice John Roberts, and the Obama Administration. And when looking for subject matter, Toobin did not have to go any further than the courts 5-4 ruling in 2012 to uphold the Affordable Care Act, now the source of so much contention between the Republican and Democratic parties. No stranger to political and legal upheaval, Jeffrey Toobin, a Harvard Law Graduate, joined CNN from ABC News, where, during his six-year tenure as a legal analyst, he provided analysis on the nation’s most provocative and high profile cases, including the O.J. Simpson civil trial and the Kenneth Starr investigation of the Clinton White House. Toobin received a 2001 Emmy Award for his coverage of the Elian Gonzales custody saga. Toobin is a staff writer at The New Yorker and has been covering legal affairs for the magazine since 1993. The Oath marks the fifth book for this accomplished author. We asked Mr. Toobin to tell us a little about his book and recent events in Washington: In “The Oath” you explore the relationship between Chief Justice John Roberts and Barack Obama – you say that Roberts is more the “apostle of change” than Obama…can you explain what you mean? Chief Justice Roberts is trying to make dramatic changes in constitutional law, while Obama has shown himself to be committed to more gradual changes.
How hard was it to gain access to the judges and their clerks when writing this book? Difficult. Fortunately, most of them know me in person or by reputation by now — but that doesn’t mean they all agreed to speak to me. How surprising was it for Judge Roberts to rule with the four more liberal members of the court to uphold the Affordable Care Act? Stunning, astonishing, amazing. I’m still in shock. And speaking of Obamacare, the roll out so far has had so many problems. It’s only been a few weeks, but can they rebound and do you think it will succeed? Obamacare will be around for decades. No one remembers the first weeks of Medicare. If it works, it’ll be a triumph. If it doesn’t, it will be a disaster. The substance matters more than the politics. Its so disheartening for regular Americans to see all the bickering in Washington….what do we do to get through these troubled times? It’s not bipartisan bickering. It was a conscious decision by Republicans to shut down the government. That’s an important distinction. During the government shutdown, you were on CNN one night and just looked exasperated when various lawmakers came on the show to state their case….how do you do listen to these partisan points of view night after night? I hate listening to canned talking points, which is most of what you get from politicians from both sides. I don’t find interviewing them very rewarding. The Oath: The Obama White House and The Supreme Court featuring an appearance by Jeffrey Toobin will take place on Thursday, November 7 from 7:30pm – 9:30pm at MJCCA-Zaban Park located at 5342 Tilly Mill Road in Dunwoody. The Book Festival of the MJCCA will take place November 2 – 17, 2013. For more information on the festival or to purchase tickets, visit atlantajcc.org.
Fan Service: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. BY JOSHUA CARSTENS
I
’M A MAJOR FANBOY WHEN IT comes to a great many things. So it should be no surprise how giddy I became when Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. TV show was first announced. With the release of Iron Man 3 in May, there was a six-month absence of legitimate superheroes before Thor: The Dark World comes into the world in November. Agents looked promising as metaphorical the Helicarrier that would keep Marvel fans sated during that long gap. Created by Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon, and Maurissa Tancharoen (Jed’s wife), the show built off the hype and momentum of Joss’ blockbuster film, The Avengers. It promised the return of killed-inaction S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Phil Coulson (played by Clark Gregg), a man whose film death and TV resurrection would be enough of a draw to make any semiinterested Marvel fan tune in. Early commercials for the show teased and tormented us with clips of superheroes from the movies, as well as other characters that might appear in the series. Unfortunately, the reality of the show thus far has been less than spectacular. With the exception of Gregg’s Agent Coulson and the enigmatic Melinda May (played by Ming-Na Wen), many of the characters are unmemorable, onedimensional cardboard cutouts. As of our press deadline, we are four episodes into this series, and I can honestly say I still don’t remember Agent White Undershirt’s name. Fitz and Simmons (played by Iain De Caestecker and Elizabeth Henstridge, respectively) are memorable for their comedic banter, but nothing else. Jim Steranko– a comic book artist and writer for Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.– was quoted by The Hollywood Reporter criticizing the show’s first few episodes. He bemoaned the pilot episode, saying, “the show had no menace, no tension.” Little love was given for the second installment of the series, calling it “too unfocused to be satisfying.” However, high praise was given when Samuel L. Jackson’s eyepatch-wearing
leader, Nick Fury, appeared in a cameo at the end of the show. Steranko called it “an electrifying reminder of what the series could and should be.” I couldn’t agree more. Independent movie and TV news site ScreenRant even went so far as to list four simple ways Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. could improve. Their suggested changes included things like killing off the weaker characters (computer hacker Skye and black ops specialist Agent Ward), focusing on the cooler ones (pilot/weapons expert Melinda May), and introducing more intrigue to the episodes. While I can appreciate ABC’s vision for the show, they seem to have taken some cues from the BBC’s Doctor Who spinoff, Torchwood, in that their job is to hunt down alien tech and either repurpose for good use or destroy it. The only difference is that Agents has a decidedly familyfriendly approach that smooths out S.H.I.E.L.D. TV too many of the rough edges. So far, the most interesting parts of the show are things that only someone who has read the comics and remembers every minute detail might understand. Naming a physicist Franklin Hall means nothing to the casual viewer. But, in the minds of The Avengers comic book devotees, Hall’s presence portends an origin story of the man who eventually becomes Graviton. It’s the first real tease of the show’s villainy potential. Despite the fact that Agents is sometimes slow-to-please, and generally seems as if it’s only around to keep our interest piqued between movies, the show does have some serious potential. The Marvel movies have been successful because of their blending of fantasy, action, adventure, and humor. The show could easily build on that, without merely attempting to replicate the formula. Whedon & Co. need to focus more on the espionage aspects of the supersecret organization, sharpen bits and pieces to a fine point, and thrill us viewers the way only a few other successful spy-type shows have done. But, in the end, the 12-year-old, comic-bookreading fanboy in me will probably keep watching regardless, endlessly curious to watch the storied Marvel Universe expand.
HOME RELEASES
The unrelenting creepiness requires nerves of steel, but there’s nothing else on TV like it.
idiot neighbor). Episodes are hit and miss, but when they hit, they’re hilarious.
them out there to become urban legend for another generation.
ROOM 237
BY BRET LOVE AND JOHN MOORE
FAMILY TREE
This documentary from novice director Rodney Ascher compiles a number of divergent theories from fans of Stanley Kubrick’s horror classic, The Shining. Among the theories that are exhaustively argued (and allegedly supported by closeups and stills from the movie) are claims that the film is about the slaughter of Native Americans, the Holocaust, and/or American astronauts landing on the Moon. Ascher does nothing to shoot down any of these theories, each of which is passionately maintained. Instead, he leaves
VIKINGS: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON
THE LATEST DVD, BLU RAY & VOD RELEASES
The latest from mockumentary
AMERICAN HORROR STORY: ASYLUM- king Christopher Guest (This is Spinal Tap, Best in Show) is THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON “That’s the scariest thing I’ve ever seen on TV,” my lady said, insisting I turn the channel. That’s perfect praise for creator Ryan Murphy’s chillingly horrific show, which cranks the psychological tension up to 11. The second season casts Emmy winner Jessica Lange as Sister Jude, the sadistic nun who runs the Briarcliff Home for the Criminally Insane. Between her, a doctor who may or may not be a former Nazi (James Cromwell), and a shrink with questionable intent (Zachary Quinto), it’s clear the lunatics are running this asylum.
PG 14 • November 2013 • insiteatlanta.com
his first foray into TV, and the results are mixed. The show is slow going at first, but proves worthy for those who stick with it. Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids) plays Tom Chadwick, an Englishman who inherits a box of family heirlooms and begins a quest to find out about his ancestors. The journey takes him to America, where Guest introduces his regular cast (Ed Begley Jr. as a pretentious Californian, Fred Willard as his
The History Channel is about 90% reality TV junk food. So it’s nice to see that their first scripted series is actually about HISTORY. Created by Michael Hirst (The Tudors), the show centers on ambitious explorer Ragnar Lodbrok (Travis Fimmel), the legendary Norse hero who became the scourge of France and England for his frequent Viking raids. The first season largely follows Ragnar as he challenges the authority of his local ruler (Gabriel Byrne) in an effort to make better lives for his family, including his scheming brother Rollo (Clive Standen). It’s no Game Of Thrones, but it was a breakout hit, so we’re looking forward to the start of season two in March.
BEST TAPAS Eclipse di Luna
4505 Ashford Dunwoody Rd. 678.205.5862 764 Miami Circle 404.846.0449 eclipsediluna.com Eclipse di Luna set the trend for tapas restaurants in Atlanta. With over two dozen tapas to choose from, there is something to please any taste. Their tapas is priced affordably to encourage multiple sampling.
BEST LOOKING WAITSTAFF Twin Peaks 3365 Piedmont Road 404.961.8946 twinpeaksrestaurant.com When Twin Peaks opened their first Atlanta location in Buckhead last year, it turned heads. The mountain lodge-style sports restaurant with the Twin Peak Girl wait staff has certainly created some scenic views.
in 1983. Hooters now offers 12 wing sauce varieties on boneless, traditional or naked wings. Hooters makes you happy!
NIGHTLIFE BEST ACOUSTIC CLUB Eddie’s Attic 515 N. McDonough St. 404.377.4976 eddiesattic.com Decatur's most prominent music venue features some of the best acoustical music in the city. Made famous by the frequent appearances of the Indigo Girls, they still offer great new acts on a nightly basis.
BEST BILLIARDS BEST TRIVIA Corner Tavern
1174 Euclid Ave 404.521.0667 thecornertavern.com Corner Tavern knows how to keep their customers occupied. Whether it be Pool, Trivia or Darts, there is always something to do here. Trivia is held Tuesday and Wednesday nights with Dart leagues on Thursdays. They have tournament quality billiard tables that stay occupied most nights. Corner Tavern also has a great beer selection and Poker nights.
BEST WINGS Hooters
BEST BREWERY Red Brick Brewing
10 Atlanta Locations hooters.com Hooters wings are fresh, never frozen and have been their signature menu item since the first Hooters opened in Clearwater, FL
2323 Defoor Hills Rd. 404.355.5558 redbrickbrewing.com Red Brick, originally known as the Atlanta Brewing Company, is the oldest operating
craft brewery in the state of Georgia, and has a proud history of brewing award winning beers over the years. Red Brick opens its brewery doors for public tastings each Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (5pm-8pm), and Saturday (2pm-5pm).
BEST COCKTAILS PROHIBITION 56 E Andrews Dr 678.244.3612 prohibitionatl.com Prohibition is a swanky buckhead club with the feel of a 1920’s speakeasy. Their mixologists craft cocktails from a recipe book passed down for generations. If nLucky Luciano was alive, he’d drink here.
BEST COLLEGE BAR BEST DANCE CLUB QUAD 714 Spring St. 404.870.0040 quadatlanta.com Located on Spring Street near GA Tech, Quad is Atlanta's most popular 18+ dance club featuring the best of local and international DJ talent. Their open from 10pm 4am weekdays and 10pm - 5am on Friday and Saturday. Quad is also a favorite late night destination. Check their web site for upcoming events.
BEST COMEDY CLUB Laughing Skull Lounge 878 Peachtree St. 877.523.3288 laughingskulllounge.com
Located in the back of the Vortex in Midtown, this intimate comedy club has made a big imprint on Atlanta’s comedy scene. Check out Dana Gould, Jared Logan and Pat Dixon this month.
BEST EDM IRIS 2715 Bufurd Hwy. 770.240.6377 irispresents.com The most electrifying audio-visual experience in the city. Featuring the best national, regional and local electronic music acts, with the biggest lighting and sound production. Partying every Saturday night.
BEST HAPPY HOUR Tin Lizzy’s
3639 Piedmont Rd. 404.846.6000 415 Memorial Dr. 404.554.8220 1136 Crescent Ave. 404.537.5060 tinlizzyscantina.com Tin Lizzy's is a fun and casual cantina and taqueria. If you you are looking for a place to unwind, Tin Lizzy's is the right place. They stock their bar with the finest spirits available. Live acoustic performers add to the electric happy hour vibe during the week. Great place to meet friends for appetizers and margaritas.
BEST LOCAL MUSIC The Earl
488 Flat Shoals Ave. 404.522.3950 badearl.com
The Earl prides itself on booking the hottest local acts in Atlanta. Check their schedule and you'll see that the club features the best bands that the ATL has to offer. Shows run nightly, so keep checking back to see when your favorite is playing.
November 14 - 16
Andy Hendrickson
Andy Hendrickson is a New York City based comedian and writer. He debuted on the Late Show with David Letterman in March and has made multiple appearances on Fox TV’s Red Eye.
November 21 - 23
Mark Pitta
Mark Pitta is a national headliner coming from the fervent San Francisco comedy scene of the 1980’s. Mark has hosted Totally Hidden Video for the FOX and Friday Night Videos for NBC.
November 29 & 30
Jarrod Harris
Over 15 million people have seen Jarrod’s popular Action Figure Therapy characters and he was named LA Weekly’s “Top Comic To Watch in 2012.”
Inside Andrews Entertainment District 56 E. Andrews Dr. NW Atlanta, GA 30305 • 678.244.3612 www.TheImprovAtlanta.com insiteatlanta.com • November 2013 • PG 15
BEST MUSIC VENUE INDOOR The Tabernacle
152 Luckie Street 404.659.9022 livenation.com
BEST PATIO SCENE East Andrews Cafe’
56 East Andrews Dr. 404.389.0856 andrewsdistrict.com
529 Flat Shoals Ave 404.228.6769 529atl.com This popular East Atlanta venue has been building a large following. Upcoming acts include: John Vanderslice (11/9); Saint Rich (11/12) and The Difference Machine (11/25).
LIFESTYLE This turn of the century church turned concert venue attracts some of the biggest national acts to Atlanta. Check out Iron & Wine (11/17); Third Eye Blind (11/22); MGMT (11/24) and Janelle Monae (11/26).
BEST MUSIC VENUE OUTDOOR Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
2200 Encore Pkwy. 404.733.5050 vzwamp.com
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre has quickly become the favorite music venue in Atlanta. Set on 45 acres of beautifullylandscaped wooded land in Alpharetta, the 12,000-seat Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park provides an incredible setting. Some of the top shows from this past summer: Tony Bennett, Sumerland, Robert Plant, Allman Brothers and Steely Dan.
Andrews Entertainment District, in the heart of Buckhead, offers first class dining, entertainment, and nightlife scene. As the original establishment in the district, East Andrews Cafe’ boasts a piazza like quad that comes alive at night.
BEST BOOT CAMP Higher Purpose Fitness 3130 Mathis Airport Pkwy 678.525.6347 higherpurposefitness.com
469 Flat Shoals Ave. East Atlanta 404.658.6108 eldertreeatl.com All Boot Camps are not alike. This one located in Swanee / Cumming burns fat fast. They offer 45 minute high energy sessions to get you in and out. Their trainers are highly certified with degrees from top nationally recognized organizations.
BEST ROCK CLUB 529
THANK YOU ATLANTA! * BEST DANCE CLUB * BEST COLLEGE CLUB
BEST DOGGY DAY CARE Happy Dogs Play & Stay 678.807.7795 happydogsplayandstay.com
Happy Dogs Play and Stay is a full-service dog daycare and overnight facility dedicated to providing high customer satisfaction through excellent service and quality dog care. All dogs must complete and pass a free orientation to ensure that they play in a fun, clean and safe environment.
BEST HEALTH CLUB Urban Body Fitness 500 Amsterdam Ave. 404.885.1499 urbanbodyfitness.com
BEST PINT The Elder Tree
This European-style Irish pub serves gastro fare rooted within authentic Irish tradition. They offer 13 European beers on draft. They have a classic style bar to saddle up to while tossing back one of their cold pints.
Full Serve #1 Car Wash with purchase of an Oil Change or Emission Test (Ponce location only).
BEST CAR WASH Mister Car Wash
Midtown 404.876.3232 Buckhead 404.846.4040 mistercarwash.com Formerly Cactus Car Wash, their Ponce location was recently rated as best nationally. See their Best Of Atlanta coupons for $5.00 Off Full Serve #1 Car Wash and Free
Voted Best in Atlanta by INsite readers three years running, Urban Body is a favorite destination for those looking to get fit intown. Their attention to detail from the clean towels, most up to date machines and fresh brewed gourmet coffee and tea makes their members fans.
BEST MARTIAL ARTS Unit 2 Fitness
240 Ponce De Leon Ave. 404.745.3019 unit2fitness.com Whether it be Brazilian Jiujitsu, Kickboxing, Boxing or Mixed Martial Arts you know you are being instructed by the best. The staff is comprised of World Champion martial artists who have competed at the highest levels. They have a full gym with free weights, weight machines, and cardio equipment.
www.stonesoupkitchen.net ER! W INN
Alll Day Breakfast, Lunch and Cocktails Mon-Fri 6:30am-3pm Sat & Sun 8am-3pm Insta
E G A R E ! S M U O C ITH W 714 SPRING ST. NW 404 870-0040 Best Of Continues on Page 21 QUADATLATNTA.COM PG 16 • November 2013 • insiteatlanta.com
Grant Park – 404-524-1222 584 Woodward Ave. (Across from GardenHood) Atlanta’s Original Havana Restaurant established in 1976
ER! W INN
FULL MENU OF CUBAN CUISINE
Same Smiling Faces & Great Food for over 35 Years 3979 Buford hwy #108 Atlanta, Ga 30345 404.633.7549 HavanaRestaurantAtlanta.com
BEST SPA LaVida Massage
5944 Roswell Rd. 404.236.7291 LaVidaMassage.com
2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd. 404.728.0701 With over 10,000 DVD’s for sale or rent, Southern Nights has Atlanta’s widest selection and at great prices. View films on-site in their 62 channel hi-def video arcade. Their open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
BEST ART SUPPLY Binders LaVida Massage of Sandy Springs is a unique concept in health and wellness that provides affordable therapeutic massage and esthetic services. Their products and services are specifically designed to meet the needs of both men and women through: relaxation, deep tissue, couples massage, hot stone, Swedish, and pre-natal care.
RETAIL BEST ADULT STORE BEST ADULT TOYS Starship
Multiple Locations 404.766.6993 shopstarship.com An Atlanta favorite for those into the erotic. Thousands of videos, dvd’s, adult toys, condoms, candles and novelties to meet whatever your desire. Their 22 locations make Starship a convenient one stop shop.
BEST ADULT M0VIES Southern Nights
3330 Piedmont Rd. 404.237.6331 bindersart.com
ER! W INN
THU. OCTOBER 31, 2013 | 8:30PM
CHELSEA LIGHT MOVING MERCHANDISE GEORGES BATAILLE BATTLE CRY FRI. NOVEMBER 01, 2013 | 8:30PM
DEATH ON TWO WHEELS STONERIDER • EEL PIE SAT. NOVEMBER 02, 2013 | 9:00PM
TIM KASHER (OF CURSIVE) LAURA STEVENSON TUE. NOVEMBER 05, 2013 | 8:30PM
THE BLOW • LOVE INKS
Bullet For My Valentine
THIS MON 10/28 with special guest 7:20 Black Veil Brides,
Stars In Stereo and Throw the Fight
WED. NOVEMBER 06, 2013 | 9:00PM
BIG FREEDIA • DIP
The place to go for all your art supply needs. Their staff are accomplished artists themselves that can offer knowledgeable and caring customer service.
BEST CD STORE CD Warehouse Roswell - Alpharetta Hwy. 770.518.3300 Duluth - Pleasant Hill 770.623.1552 cdwarehouseatl.com They have 10,000 used CD’S for plus all the new releases. They pay cash for used Bluray, CD’s, DVD’s and games. If you can’t find it, they will special order it for you.
BEST CONSIGNMENT BEST VINTAGE Rag-O-Rama 1111 Euclid Ave 404.658.1988 6500 Roswell Rd. 404.497.0701 ragorama.com Continued on next page
SAT. NOVEMBER 09, 2013 | 9:00PM
Halloween Night!
SUN. NOVEMBER 10, 2013 | 8:00PM
NEXT THUR 10/31 with special guests 8:00 Asking Alexandria
HOLY GHOST TENT REVIVAL CUTE BOOTS • BESIDES DANIEL
Sevendust
and All That Remains
ACTIVE CHILD • JMSN
TUE. NOVEMBER 12, 2013 | 8:30PM
MIDLAKE NICOLE ATKINS (SOLO)
THUR Liquified Presents 11/07 8:00
Krewella
WED. NOVEMBER 13, 2013 | 8:30PM
BIRDSMELL (BEN BRIDWELL FROM BAND OF HORSES) BRYAN CATES THU. NOVEMBER 14, 2013 | 8:30PM
Michael Franti & Spearhead
FRI 11/08 8:00 with special guest
Serena Ryder
LEE FIELDS & THE EXPRESSIONS
FRI. NOVEMBER 22, 2013 | 9:00PM
PRINCE RAMA ZONERS • WHITE WOODS SAT. NOVEMBER 23, 2013 | 9:00PM
SWAMP DOGG (WITH LEE BAINS III & THE GLORY FIRES) SHONNA TUCKER & EYE CANDY TUE. NOVEMBER 26, 2013 | 8:30PM
THE MELODIC • VIKESH KAPOOR Tix available at Fantasyland Records, Decatur, CD, Criminal Records, The EARL & badearl.com
Iron & Wine
MON 11/17 with special guest 7:30 Jesca Hoops Reserved Seating
FRI HOB 20th Anniversary Presents 11/22 8:00 Reserved Balcony/General Admission Floor
Third Eye Blind MGMT
SUN 11/24 with special guest 8:00
Kuroma
The Electric Lady Tour TUES 11/26 8:00 with special guest
Janelle Monae
Best OUtDOOr mUsic venUe
Roman Gianarthur
FRI 11/29 8:00
Blackberry Smoke
The Brothers and Sisters Holiday Homecoming with special guests
Chris Knight and Levi Lowery FIVE NIGHTS! 12/27 12/31
SAT 01/18 7:30
New Year’s Run! STS9
with very special guests 5 Night Packages Available! The truTV Impractical Jokers Tour featuring
The Tenderloins Reserved Seating
Pixies
2013 cOncert seAsOn WIDESPREAD PANIC • 97.1 thE RIvER’S 97 DAyS of SummER kICk off CoNCERt: StyX, REo
SPEEDWAGoN & tED NuGENt • thE AvEtt BRothERS • DARIuS RuCkER • toNy BENNEtt WIth JACkIE EvANCho & thE ASo • JBL PRESENtS SummERLAND touR: EvERCLEAR, LIvE, fILtER & SPoNGE • hANk WILLIAmS, JR. & GREGG ALLmAN • CIRQuE muSICA fEAtuRING thE ASo • JuLy 4th ALL-AmERICAN CELEBRAtIoN fEAtuRING thE ASo • PhISh • RoBERt PLANt PRESENtS thE SENSAtIoNAL SPACE ShIftERS • thE BLACk CRoWES & tEDESChI tRuCkS BAND • LASt SummER oN EARth: BARENAkED LADIES, BEN foLDS & GuStER • kEIth uRBAN • PEtER fRAmPtoN & B.B. kING • thE kILLERS • ChICAGo • StS9 & umPhREy’S mCGEE • thE ALLmAN BRothERS WIth GRACE PottER & thE NoCtuRNALS • StEELy DAN • fALL out Boy • fuN. • 97.1 thE RIvER’S SouthERN RoCk REvIvAL: LyNyRD SkyNyRD • CARL BLACk PRESENtS kICkS 101.5 CouNtRy fAIR: DARIuS RuCkER, JuStIN mooRE, RANDy houSER & CoREy SmIth • JohN foGERty
TUES 02/04 with special guest 8:00
Cults
Panic! At The Disco
FRI 02/07 8:00 with special guest
The Colourist
WED Word of Mouth World Tour 2014 05/07 8:00
The Wanted
TabernacleATL.com
4 PACK TICKETS ON ALL SHOWS WHILE SUPPLIES LAST
CHARGE-BY-PHONE: 877-598-8698. Advance tickets for all shows available at the Tabernac Box Office on show nights and select Blockbuster locations. Tickets subject to applicable fees.
facebook.com/tabernacleatl
twitter.com/tabernacleatl
CHARGE-BY-PHONE: 800-745-3000. Advance tickets for all shows available at the Tabernacle Box Office on show nights. Tickets subject to applicable fees.
insiteatlanta.com • November 2013 • PG 17
Both Rag-O-Rama stores are filled with specatular men’s and women’s fashions and accesories. They carry an ever changing inventory that includes brand names, designer lables and vintage styles. Find the best prices in town with tons of outfits arriving daily.
5877 Buford Hwy. 770.458.3272 towerwinespirits.com With the best selection, service and price in Atlanta, customers come from all over to stock up on their favorite beer, wine and spirits. They have been taking care of their customers since 1948.
BEST HIP CLOTHING BEST INDEPENDENT Junkman’s Daughter
BEST MUSIC STORE Guitar Center
As one of the top ranked independent stores in the country, Junkman’s Daughter keep their racks full with the hippest clothing and accessories. At 10,000 square feet of retail space, Junkman’s is the place to go when shopping in Little Five Points.
Your one stop shop for guitars, amps, keyboards, drums, basses, recording equipment, mics, accessories and more! Guitar Center always has plenty of knowledgable staff on hand.
2891 N. Druid Hills Rd Toco Hills 404.634.3197 alexandersofatlanta.com
This is the place to go from everything for your smoking needs. You will also find adult novelties, incense, posters, vaporizers, aromatherapy and more.
464 Moreland Ave 404.577.3188
4 Metro Area Locations guitarcenter.com
BEST SMOKE SHOP 911 BEST JEWELRY STORE Smoke 4 Metro Area Locations Alexander’s of Atlanta shopsmoke911.com
As one of the most established and respected jewelers in Atlanta, Alexander’s maintains a strong commitment to the high standard of quality and service that one would expect from a fine jewelry establishment.
BEST LIQUOR STORE Tower Beer, Wine & Spirits 2161 Piedmont Rd. 404.881.0902
Junkman’s Daughter
BEST THRIFT STORE The Nearly New Shop 1715 Howell Mill Rd. 404.355.3547 nearlynewshopatl.org
The Junior League of Atlanta’s Nearly New Shop has served hundreds of thousands of customers since opening their doors in 1949. They serve as a cornerstone to the community while offering great inexpensive clothes.
get ThrIfty
Named one of 25 Best Independent Stores in America
@ THE NEARLY NEW SHOP
Thanks Atlanta! ER! W INN
Best Thrift Shop
Final Visual
Insta
Sales Rep:
mcac
HMN
Tue - 09/25/2012 - 1
www.nearlynewshopatl.org • 404-355-3547 1715 Howell Mill Rd. Atlanta, GA 30318
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464 Moreland Ave * Little 5 Points * 404-577-3188 PG 18 • November 2013 • insiteatlanta.com
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Kennesaw LaVida Massage of • Suite 201 1635 Old 41 Hwy Sandy Springs Kennesaw, GA 30152 5944 Roswell Road 678.354.1161 ER! Sandy Springs, GA 30328 Gift Cards Available LaVidaMassage.com W INN (404) 236-7291 BEST SPA ©Valpak , 10/2012. www.LaVidaMassage.com ®
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MUSIC
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Album Reviews Reviews by Brett Love, John B. Moore & Lee Valentine Smith
The Dean’s List THE KENNEY-BLACKMON STRING BAND – The Singing Tree (Cowboy Angel Music) Georgia-bred newgrass
lame (see: the entire Fearless Records series of B- and C-grade pop- punk bands covering Top 40 hits).
BL: Born and raised in metro Atlanta, but with ancestry in rural Georgia, Ap p a l a ch i a n Tennessee, and the wild West, it took me a long time to come to terms with my family’s country roots. My grandparents fed me a steady diet of Dolly, Loretta, Johnny and Willie (not to mention Hee-Haw). But the cultured city kid in me rebelled against any music that reminded me of cowboy boots, hoedowns, and any other stereotypes of Southern redneck ignorance. By the time I was 30, alt-country artists (particularly Gillian Welch and Shelby Lynne), the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack, and the field recordings of Alan Lomax made me a bona-fide convert. I still hated “new country,” but traditional bluegrass artists like Bill Monroe and the Carter Family and “newgrass” acts like Nickel Creek and Bela Fleck worked their way into steady rotation. When Nickel Creek broke up in 2007, it was like watching close friends divorce. Athens’ Kenney-Blackmon String Band is the closest thing I’ve found to Nickel Creek in the years since. Leading the group are fiddle player David Blackmon, a traditionalist who co-founded Blueground Undergrass and toured with the legendary Jerry Reed, and vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Jason Kenney, a Dahlonega boy who formerly played lead guitar with Corey Smith. Together with vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Noel Blackmon and double bassist Chris Enghauser (who teaches jazz bass at UGA), they form the finest Georgia-based bluegrass band I’ve heard. Produced by John Keane (who also provides pedal steel and harmony vocals), the quartet’s debut album offers a refreshing mixture of traditional Appalachian folk tunes and more modern originals, with occasional nods to the genre’s roots in England, Ireland and Scotland. Kenney in particular establishes himself as a formidable singer/songwriter with moving ballads such as “I’ll Follow You” and “Better Man,” but he’s equally adept at interpreting other people’s work (see: Jonathan Byrd’s “Jesus Was A Bootlegger”). For me, Noel Blackmon’s vibrato-filled voice is an acquired taste (and perhaps best suited to background vocals), but “Jalisco” proves she’s a helluva songwriter. But it’s on instrumental tracks such as “Yew Piney Mountain” and Norman Blake’s “Walnut River/Texas” that the band’s prowess really shines. Can’t wait to hear where their muse will take them next.
These tribute a l b u m s are usually best when the bands involved cover songs by artists that they truly owe a debt of inspiration to, and Our Lips Are Sealed definitely falls into that category. Though they went on to become top 40 queens in the early ‘80s, The Go-Go’s had deep roots in LA’s early punk-rock community. Belinda Carlisle even tried out for The Germs at one point! So it’s heartening to see modern punks genuflecting to their heroes and covering their songs, not with “aren’t we ironic?” attitude, but out of genuine reverence for a collection of likeminded peers from an earlier generation, who truly knew how to write catchy-as-hell pop songs. Among the best songs on this impressive 14-song compilation is The Slow Death covering “Head Over Heels,” the Cobra Skulls’ take on “Our Lips Are Sealed,” Masked Intruder (perhaps the male version of the GoGos?) playing “We Got the Beat,” and The Great Apes’ aggressive take on “Has the Whole World Lost Its Head.” But, to be honest, there’s hardly a weak track in this set, with each band earning their spot on the record.
VARIOUS ARTISTS – Our Lips Are Sealed: A Tribute to The Go-Go’s (Solidarity Recordings) The Go-Go’s get the modern punk treatment JM: Punk groups doing tribute/cover records are about as old as liberty spikes and safety pins. The subgenre can skew from the brilliant (such as the fantastic 2008 Anchorless Records homage to Johnny Cash) to the ridiculously
ELTON JOHN – The Diving Board (Capitol) The Elton John of the 2000s – sober, somber, with a sly grin waiting at every turn LVS: Elton John has released over 30 solo albums, so it’s not unfair to marginalize some of them in the process. On new tangents, in search of some new way of expressing himself and pleasing his audience, Sir Elton has made a quite a few stylistic detours. This time, with the help of producer T Bone Burnett, he’s gone full circle, back to the early folk-inspired, piano-based work of his pre-flamboyant days. The result is a collection of stark, introspective songs that staunchly eschew the hook-laden excess of his greatest hits. Lacking big, catchy singles, the album will probably find a warm welcome in only diehards’ music collections. That would be a shame, because it radiates a knowing glow and sly humor that should resonate in the hearts of his aging fan-base. Here, with lyrics by longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin, John explores highly personal themes largely based on remorse (the plaintive “My Quicksand”) and aging. The opening track, “Oceans Away,” features John on piano and wonderfully emotive vocals, as he dramatically explores the transitions of life and the varied lessons learned from experience. “Can’t Stay Alone Tonight and
“The New Fever Waltz” detail the intimate tension and relief of finding a perfectly flawed love. The pain of the outsider artist is explored in both “The Ballad Of Blind Tom” and “Oscar Wilde Gets Out,” two radically different stories that propel the dual threads of regret and redemption that make the album an astonishingly sobering and uplifting experience overall.
Rest of the Class EVERYBODY LOOKS FAMOUS – Fuel to Fire (Self-Released) A dreadful stab at pop-punk music JM: If you t h o u g h t Paramore had some good songs, but they were ultimately way too abrasive for your tastes, have I got a band for you. The UK’s Everybody Looks Famous is primed to set the British music scene back about a decade or so. Everything about the band feels contrived, from the painstakingly coiffed hairdos (and I’m talking about the guys here, not the ladies) and the ridiculous moniker to the overly produced songs. There is not a hint of originality with this release: You can only imagine that this band was put together for the sole purpose of selling t-shirts and branded hoodies. The band is trying its hardest to appeal to fans of Summer Set and the like, but their sound is too sterile to succeed. It’s been stripped of every last bit of grit, with just layers of polished synths and guitars. You can’t help but wonder if Simon Cowell had something to do with Everybody Looks Famous. (D) THE FLATLINERS – Dead Language (Fat Wreck Chords) Canadian punks reinvent themselves once again JM: The Flatliners have been all over the place musically with their albums in the past… and that’s far from a bad thing. At times focused on aggressive ska, at other times rocking a reggae vibe a la late-era Clash, on Dead Language the guys opt for straight-ahead punk. As a result, they’ve turned in their most consistently solid release to date. Avoiding overdubs and other studio gimmicks entirely, the band goes for a more live feeling on this, their fourth effort. The album has an urgent immediacy akin to a lot of the punk records from the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, when bands couldn’t afford endless hours in the studio experimenting with various sound tricks. Instead, you get loud, fast, melodic punk-rock sing-alongs. Not to knock the band’s earlier albums, but frontman Chris Cresswell’s raspy vocals are much better suited for this brand of get-inand-get-out rock. While 2010’s Cavalcade saw the guys opening the studio up to everyone from members of Dillinger Four to A Wilhelm Scream, Dead Language features the foursome all alone, knocking out some of the best songs of their nearly 10-year-old partnership. (B)
PAUL McCARTNEY – New (Hear Music) A winningly winsome collaboration with four hot, young producers LVS: Even for Beatles obsessives, a new Paul McCartney solo album isn’t always a good thing. He’s a made a few yawners along the way. But, since he was a Beatle, he’s entitled to pull any sort of self-indulgent move he desires. For his first album of original material in six years, McCartney brought in executive producer Giles Martin (son of legendary Beatles producer George Martin), and the duo wisely enlisted the production assistance of Mark Ronson, Ethan Johns and Paul Epworth. But collaborations with younger generations is nothing new for McCartney: Since 2007’s lackluster Memory Almost Full, he has often worked with a host of popular musicians, including last year’s Nirvana supergroup. The results of his experimentations are sonically evident in this great New collection. With four younger producers at the board, McCartney sounds fresh and rested, taking on the self-penned material with the gusto of a performer half his age. The title track/lead single is a lovely “Penny Lane”-referencing pop song, aided by Ronson’s hooky, yet offkilter sensibilities. Likewise, his work on the edgier “Alligator” highlights McCartney’s early inspiration from Carl Perkins-style ‘50s rockabilly. Simply because he can, Macca revisits his early days with the Fab Four on the best song of the batch, “Early Days.” “I live through those early days,” he sings, as he reflects on the band and its many critics and fanatics. An engagingly brief and brittle chronicle of the band, it ably balances McCartney’s fresh new mindset by keeping in direct touch with his inescapable past. (A) ARLISS NANCY – Wild American Runners (Black Numbers) Colorado country-punks return after 4-year absence JM: It’s been four years since Colorado’s Arliss Nancy last put out a fulllength album (2009’s Simple Machines, which was re-released on vinyl last year). And, while their beards have grown out a bit and their arms have collected more ink, the band shows no sign of having collected dust or rust in that time. Wild American Runners, their first album for growing indie punk label Black Numbers, is an impressive step forward both musically and lyrically for the quintet. Songs like the album opener, “Benjamin,” and the instant classic “Directions Never Hold” come across like a beautiful marriage between The Replacements and Gram Parsons. While Simple Machines had some great songs scattered throughout, American Runners is consistently solid from start to finish. Cory Call’s hoarse, but powerful vocals give these songs an impact that’s often missing when others try to tackle the punk/country hybrid. His voice is right up there with Chuck Ragan and Tim Barry in terms of pure emotional weariness. Can’t wait to see where this band goes from here. (B) insiteatlanta.com • November 2013 • PG 19
CONCERT CALENDAR FRIDAY NOVEMBER 1 529 PLS PLS CENTER STAGE Timeflies EARL Death on Two Wheels EDDIE’S ATTIC Peter Bradley FAT MATT’S John Sosobee FOX John Legend MASQUERADE Chambers of Horror SMITH’S All The Locals VINYL Roshambeaux WILD BILL’S Thomas Rhett SATURDAY NOVEMBER 2 529 Muuy Biien CENTER STAGE Lupe Fiasco EARL Tim Kasher EDDIE’S ATTIC Brett Young FAT MATT’S Ron Cooley & The Hard Times MASQUERADE Southern Culture on The Skids SMITH’S Dave Matthews Tribute Band VARIETY Michael Nesmith VINYL Afton Showcase WILD BILL’S Duelo SUNDAY NOVEMBER 3 BUCKHEAD THEATRE Hugh Laurie EARL Weatherbox EDDIE’S ATTIC Lindsey Hinkle & Erica Sunshine FAT MATT’S Tony Bryant MASQUERADE Minus The Bear MONDAY NOVEMBER 4 529 Slowriter BUCKHEAD THEATRE Fitz & the Tantrums FAT MATT’S Pead Boy & The Pork Bellys MASQUERADE The Maine TUESDAY NOVEMBER 5 529 War Master EARL The Blow EDDIE’S ATTIC Kevin Dunbar FAT MATT’S Crosstown Allstars MASQUERADE Alkaline Trio VARIETY CocoRosie VINYL The Icarus Account WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 6 529 Melt Banana CENTER STAGE Dir En Grey EARL Big Freedia EDDIE’S ATTIC Songwriter Series FAT MATT’S Frankies Blues Mission MASQUERADE In This Moment SMITH’S Dan Bern VARIETY The Robert Glasper Experiment THURSDAY NOVEMBER 7 529 Volume IV CENTER STAGE Cat Power Solo EARL Nik Turner’s Hawkwind EDDIE’S ATTIC David Ramirez FAT MATT’S Chickenshack LOFT The Mowgli’s MASQUERADE Attila PHILIPS Drake SMITH’S Dangermuffin TABERNACLE Krewella VARIETY Black Uhuru FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8 529 Rapturous Grief EARL Orange Goblin EDDIE’S ATTIC Sierra Hull FAT MATT’S Lady Tea MASQUERADE Streetlight Manifesto SMITH’S Please Please Rock Me TABERNACLE Michael Franti VARIETY Colin Meloy VINYL Elf Power WILD BILL’S Joe Nichols SATURDAY NOVEMBER 9 529 John Vanderslice EARL Holy Ghost Tent Revival EDDIE’S ATTIC The Greencards FAT MATT’S Sana Blues MASQUERADE Kevin Devine PEACHTREE TAVERN Turnpike Troubadours SMITH’S Rosco Bandana VINYL Blitz The Ambassador PG 20 • November 2013 • insiteatlanta.com
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 10 BUCKHEAD THEATRE Journeys Noise Tour CENTER STAGE Frank Turner & Sleeping Souls EARL Active Child EDDIE’S ATTIC Lisa Marie Presley FAT MATT’S Tony Bryant MASQUERADE High On Fire SMITH’S Gary Ray MONDAY NOVEMBER 11 BUCKHEAD THEATRE Two Door Cinema Club FAT MATT’S Pead Boy & The Pork Bellys SMITH’S Kung Fu TABERNACLE Iron & Wine TUESDAY NOVEMBER 12 529 Saint Rich BUCKHEAD THEATRE Head & The Heart EARL Midlake EDDIE’S ATTIC Ed Kowalczyk FAT MATT’S Crosstown Allstars LOFT Tori Kelly SMITH’S Stephen Kellogg WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 13 EARL Birdsmell EDDIE’S ATTIC Basia Bulat FAT MATT’S Frankies Blues Mission MASQUERADE Trombone Shorty SMITH’S Bernhoft VINYL American Babies THURSDAY NOVEMBER 14 CENTER STAGE 2013 Funniest Accountant EARL Lee Fields & The Experience EDDIE’S ATTIC ATL Collective FAT MATT’S Chickenshack MASQUERADE The Story So Far SMITH’S Twiddle FRIDAY NOVEMBER 15 EARL Os Mutantes EDDIE’S ATTIC Toby Lightman FAT MATT’S The Radio Ramblers LOFT Anthony David & The Do Gooders MASQUERADE Homegrown Hip Hop Showcase SMITH’S Enter The Haggis VARIETY Gungor VINYL The Royal Concept WILD BILL’S Henny Whyte
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 20 529 Paint Fumes EARL The North Trolls EDDIE’S ATTIC Joe Robinson FAT MATT’S Frankies Blues Mission FOX Rick Ross SMITH’S Anna Vogelzan
MONDAY NOVEMBER 25 529 The Difference Machine CENTER STAGE Chance The Rapper EDDIE’S ATTIC Emily Kinney FAT MATT’S Pead Boy & The Pork Bellys LOFT Chance The Rapper MASQUERADE The Business
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 21 EARL Ben Trickey EDDIE’S ATTIC Sarah Jarosz FAT MATT’S Chickenshack SMITH’S Slambo! VARIETY Dave Rawlings Machine WILD BILL’S Velcro Pygmies
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 26 CENTER STAGE The Stuffing EARL The Melodic EDDIE’S ATTIC Sonia Leigh FAT MATT’S Crosstown Allstars SMITH’S New Madrid TABERNACLE Janelle Monae VARIETY Chvrches
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 22 529 Free Acid CENTER STAGE Rebellious Soul Tour EARL Anniversary Party EDDIE’S ATTIC Bobby Yang FAT MATT’S AJ & The Wild Oats FOX Joe Bonamassa LOFT Shahin Najafi MASQUERADE He Is Legend SMITH’S Col. Bruce Hampton TABERNACLE Third Eye Blind VINYL Matt Wertz SATURDAY NOVEMBER 23 529 4:20 Comedy Hour CENTER STAGE twenty one pilots EARL Anniversary Party EDDIE’S ATTIC Open Mic Shootout FAT MATT’S Swamp Funk Quartet FOX Joe Bonamassa LOFT Johnny Marr MASQUERADE Griz SMITH’S Stone Soup VARIETY Who’s Bad VINYL Paper Lights SUNDAY NOVEMBER 24 CENTER STAGE Jonny Lang EARL Alex Commins & Todd Prusin EDDIE’S ATTIC Jesse Terry FAT MATT’S Tony Bryant MASQUERADE Ab-Soul TABERNACLE MGMT w/ Kuroma
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 27 CENTER STAGE The Stuffing EDDIE’S ATTIC Stevens Layne FAT MATT’S Frankies Blues Mission FOX Yacht Rock Revue LOFT The Stuffing MASQUERADE Bro Safari THURSDAY NOVEMBER 28 EARL Wowser Broswer FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29 BUCKHEAD THEATRE Moon Taxi EDDIE’S ATTIC Ellis Paul FAT MATT’S Seminole Jackson FOX Jaheim SMITH’S Migrant Worker TABERNACLE Blackberry Smoke SATURDAY NOVEMBER 30 EARL The Romenz EDDIE’S ATTIC David Wilcox FAT MATT’S Kerry Hill FOX Yanni LOFT The Divas of the A SMITH’S Last Waltz Ensemble VARIETY Shawn Mullins VINYL Afton Showcase
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 16 CENTER STAGE Concierto Vive 2013 EARL Church of Misery EDDIE’S ATTIC Roxie Watson FAT MATT’S The Jumpin’ Jukes FOX Bonobo LOFT Laura Mvula MASQUERADE Flatbush Zombies PHILIPS Elton John SMITH’S Have Gun Will Travel VARIETY War VINYL William Fitzsimmons WILD BILL’S Terri Clark SUNDAY NOVEMBER 17 CENTER STAGE Hoodie Allen EARL Shannon & The Clams EDDIE’S ATTIC John McCutcheon FAT MATT’S Tony Bryant MASQUERADE Pop Evil SMITH’S Mose Jones VARIETY Rickie Lee Jones VINYL Afton Showcase MONDAY NOVEMBER 18 EDDIE’S ATTIC Tony Lucca FAT MATT’S Pead Boy & The Pork Bellys VINYL Dessa TUESDAY NOVEMBER 19 EARL Ha Ha Tonka EDDIE’S ATTIC Billy Buchanan FAT MATT’S Crosstown Allstars MASQUERADE Baauer VINYL Charli XCX
Third Eye Blind at TABERNACLE: Nov. 22
MUSIC
LET IT TWEET
Paul McCartney Uses New Media to Promote His New Album BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH
T
O PROMOTE HIS NEWEST album, Paul McCartney invaded the Twittersphere last month. His visit was to field a few questions from his fans about the record, appropriately titled New. The event proved to be an extremely popular gathering and the questions were so plentiful the conversation was delayed for over an hour. The content was mostly hype, of course, and the answers were short and direct, due to the wordlimit of the online format. Overall, it was a thoroughly entertaining discussion, even though the slant was a bit stilted. The hundreds of questions ranged in topics from the banal (autograph requests and pleas for the former Beatle to play a show in the poster’s hometowns) to deeply moving, timely and informative. From the massive outpouring, someone obviously culled a few of the best questions and McCartney then provided the answers in his typically cheerful style. The whole process featured McCartney Tweeting for around an hour. His replies covered his work with Beatle producer George Martin’s son Giles, the unique album cover art, and insights on several of the songs from the album. The #askMacca tagline set-up for question submissions was the worldwide top trending topic on Twitter during the course of the session. He concluded the conversation by signing a copy of the new album for the first person who posted a question. After the session, a note was added to the site, explaining that more questions might be answered at a later date in response to the tremendous number of originally submitted posts. Here are the best questions and reply Tweets from the decidedly unique conversation, presented as they appeared online, including the original hashtags and @ signs. melissa @dollybird1963: “Why did you call the new album ‘New’”? @PaulMcCartney: “Thanks @dollybird1963. I was playing around with more poetic titles but “New” was a simple word and the name of a song on the album.” Allen Ramon @allen_sosa: “I can’t wait for the New album! What song are you the most proud of on the album? Thank you!” @PaulMcCartney: “Cheers @allen_sosa. I like ‘Early Days’ and the hidden track which is called ‘Scared’. But I like them all.” Carry Your World... @WiressBeetee: “What was the inspiration for the album artwork?” @PaulMcCartney: “Thanks @WiressBeetee. At [the]meeting about the album cover, someone came up with the logo, another said, you could treat it in style of [the late, New Yorkbased minimalist artist] Dan Flavin.” Johan Leijon @JohanLeijon1: “What was it like recording with Giles Martin? Any difference from recording with George Martin for so many years?” @PaulMcCartney: @JohanLeijon1 “Similar.
Both very musical and smart. Different: Giles comes from a younger generation and has a more contemporary approach.” Tatiane Andrade @tatiii_andrade: “What was the most memorable moment during the recording of the NEW album. Can you tell us?” @PaulMcCartney: “Thanks @tatiii_andrade. Many memorable moments but especially recording the slide solo at the end of ‘Appreciate’ in L.A.” Callum Bay @callumbay: “Why is your #New song called “Everybody Out There”? And what inspired it?” @PaulMcCartney: “Cheers @callumbay. I wanted to write a song that would get the audience singing along.” Thomas O’Keeffe @okeeffe_thomas: “Does Nancy have a favourite track from the album?” @PaulMcCartney: “Thanks @okeeffe_thomas. Nancy says she likes all of them, but I’ll have to ask her about which is her favourite.” skye @campbower: “Can you describe the NEW album in one word?” @PaulMcCartney: “Thanks @campbower. I’ve been told I can’t say NEW so... ‘Fresh’!”
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Michael Fulfs @MichaelFulfs: “What would you say is the hardest aspect about writing a song?” @PaulMcCartney: “Cheers @MichaelFulfs. Finishing it!” Jess @tardisofbones: “Describe your fans in 3 words?” @PaulMcCartney: “Cheers @tardisofbones. Fan-Bloody-Tastic!” Nina Chaubal @NinaChaubal: “What strings do you use on your Hofner 500/1?” @PaulMcCartney: “Cheers @NinaChaubal. I use flat wound .95 gauge.” Zico @11Zico: “What motivates you to keep on producing music?” @PaulMcCartney: “Thanks @11Zico. A love of what I do!” Sara Moller @magicalmysterys: “Are there any current artists you’d like to do a duet with?” @PaulMcCartney: “Cheers @ magicalmysterys. There was a rumour about a year ago that @bobdylan & I might work together but we haven’t picked up on it.” Olivia McCartney @olivoil7: “What do you think about the fact a large amount of your current fans are teenagers?” @PaulMcCartney: “Thanks @olivoil7. I’m amazed, amused & happy. The band & I are very surprised at what a beautiful young audience we attract!” Before he signed off, the legendary musician concluded the Twitter conversation/worship service with a typically Beatlesque benediction : @PaulMcCartney: “Thanks everyone for Tweeting in with me! It’s been a great experience and we must do it again sometime.” insiteatlanta.com • November 2013 • PG 21 2013-ATLANTA-CITYPAPER-THANK-YOU.indd 1
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BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB Celebrates Cuban Culture
BY BRET LOVE
A
SSEMBLED BY MUSICAL DIRECTOR Juan de Marco González, the project was originally designed to be a crosscultural collaboration pairing African and Cuban artists. At the same time, González was organizing an all-star team of veteran musicians for an album paying tribute to the golden era of Cuban Big Band jazz. When the Mali-based musicians failed to get their travel visas, González quickly arranged an album of songs in the more relaxed Son Montuno style. He enlisted many of the allstars, including bassist Orlando “Cachaito” López, pianist Rubén González, and guitarist/ vocalist Eliades Ochoa. Once American producer/guitarist Ry Cooder arrived, they entered EGREM Studios in Havana and recorded a Big Band set (released as A Toda Cuba le Gusta by the Afro-Cuban All Stars) and the Buena Vista Social Club album in rapid succession. Named after a members-only club in Havana whose dances attracted the city’s best musicians during the 1940s, Buena Vista Social Club sold over 12 million copies. Although Segundo, Ferrer and Rubén González all passed away shortly after the BVSC’s popularity exploded, the other original members continue to lead the 13-piece Orchestra Buena Vista Social Club today. How did each of you come to be involved in the original Buena Vista Social Club project? Eliades Ochoa: I was one of the original members, but that’s just because I was doing what I was doing, in Cuba, with all of the other members at the time. It was just a natural fit. Barbarito Torres: I was honored to be included in the original list of musicians that Juan de Marco González made for our debut London concert.
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their own musical histories. Torres: This project brought together three generations of prestigious and well-known musicians, some a bit older than me and some a bit younger. It’s been a great privilege to work with them. Buena Vista Social Club became one of the most successful World Music albums ever released. What was your reaction to the resounding success? Were you surprised or overwhelmed by the response? Ochoa: To be involved– to be able to make music for a living and take Cuban music all over the world– fills me with great pride and happiness. Truthfully, I get happier and happier every day! Torres: I had been touring and working in other countries prior to working with BVSC, and had already grown to expect a certain level of success. The international response to Cuban music was strong. But with BVSC it became even stronger, almost like a worldwide explosion!
I know that, in Cuba, this music is very much a traditional, classic sound. What was the reaction to your success back home? Ochoa: There is great love and support for us in the Cuban community. Every day at home they would congratulate me when I woke up in the morning, and it continued straight on until I went to sleep at night. Torres: I think Cubans felt and continue to feel extremely proud of our success.
The music of BVSC is rooted in the Son Montuno style. For our readers who don’t know much about Son Montuno, can you explain a little about its origins and history? Ochoa: Son originally comes from the countryside, the tumbao campesino. It grew out of Cuban music styles such as the quiriba and the changuí, though it has more of a cadence to it than those other rhythms. Torres: We play the son that comes from the countryside. But in addition, we also play a more urban variation, which is more sophisticated and uses different instruments and arrangements than the traditional version.
How does Orquestra Buena Vista Social Club differ from the original band people fell in love with 16 years ago? Ochoa: We still maintain the original roots, not only because they’re essential to who we are and what we do, but also because the public still wants us to play the songs that made BVSC famous. Songs like “Carretero,” “Chan Chan,” “Cuarto de Tula,” and “Candela” remain part of our repertoire. But, at the same time, we’ve incorporated younger musicians with other careers and other influences. Pianist Roberto Fonseca, for example, whose Cuban jazz career is an excellent example. Torres: This orchestra was originally founded to accompany our master, Ibrahim Ferrer. It has definitely changed some over the years, but it still includes venerable musicians like our trumpet player, Guajir Miralbal, who is still with us even though he is in his 80s.
Buena Vista Social Club gave Cuban legends like Compay Segundo, Ibrahim Ferrer and Rubén González their well-deserved moment in the spotlight of stardom. Can you talk about the incredible musical talent that the project brought together? Ochoa: Simply put, Buena Vista Social Club arrived at just the moment it needed to arrive. It is indebted both to the history of the Cuban people and Cuban music, as well as to the original founders of the project, who also have
You’re not fluent in English, and most of your American listeners aren’t fluent in Spanish. What do you hope to communicate to them through the universal language of music? Ochoa: That’s true, but we’ve always communicated in the language of Cuban music. Over the years, we’ve found that that language has no borders. Torres: Everyone everywhere loves music and understands it, and therefore it’s the language that has an ability to cross all boundaries.
TV
IN THE RED
James Spader Returns to TV in NBC’s The Blacklist BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH
A
CTOR JAMES SPADER HAS BUILT AN IMPRESSIVE career on his portrayal of eccentric characters. His roles in critically acclaimed films such as “Pretty In Pink,” “Less Than Zero,” “Sex, Lies and Videotape” and the upcoming Avengers installment have sealed his reputation for playing moody, often unusual roles. His most recent quirky turn is as the star of NBC’s new suspense series The Blacklist. His sketchy persona is Red Reddington, one of the FBI’s Most Wanted renegades. Spader recently spoke with the press about the show and his knack for playing decidedly mysterious protagonists. Your character is painted in broad strokes in early episodes, will the plot ever outline the details of what sort of questionable things he’s done in the past? Yes, I think that’s going to be sort of eked out slowly over the course of the episodes. A sort of overall history lesson, I don’t think it will ever happen on the show. I think it’ll be over the lifespan of the show that you start to discover more and more about him. You do start to see, in subsequent episodes, the transition from him being a prisoner to working out the parameters of his deal with the FBI and the Department of Justice. And then, of course, they take on a case immediately. But from that point - right away, you see he’s now moving freely. He is still living his life away from the FBI and in subsequent
episodes, you’ll see small samplings of him still conducting his nefarious affairs. You chose to shave your head for the pilot episode. How did that feel? It felt wonderful. I had my hair long for the last few projects that I’ve done. And it just felt like the right thing for him, so it was an idea that I instigated and I think it was the right choice. It just seemed to fit his lifestyle and, he’s someone who has to travel lightly and move swiftly. It seemed eminently practical for him. What attracted you to the project when you first read the script? Well, the character. I just thought, first of all, that he seemed like he’d be great fun to play in the pilot, but he also just seems like he’d sustain over the course of the season and even over the course of multiple seasons. I just think there’re so many unanswered questions and it felt like it would take a long time to answer the questions. And for me, just from a completely selfish point of view, that was enticing because it opened the door to all sorts of surprises as time goes on. You are known for your various theatrical projects. Do you enjoy the pace of television? I’ve never been a great big TV watcher. And so for the first time, when I first started working on the series, I got the feel what it felt like to be a viewer. Then I was so anticipatory about the next script that was going to come in and what direction we’re going and how the story might unfold and how relationships might evolve and what kind of mess we might be getting into next. And with this show, it just seems like the possibilities for that are limitless. I mean, it really has such of an inherent surprise factor in this show, because you know so little going in. So I really like that aspect of it a great deal. I also like being able to find the piece of material that tries to marry something that’s sort of growing and fun to watch and very dark
and quite serious. And at times it can be funny and irreverent. This show marries those things very well and it allows the character to be more exciting and compelling, from an actor’s point of view. How did you choose to wear a fedora for the role? It came from just sort of what Reddington looks like. We didn’t want him to look as if he’s from any specific style of fashion of any given year or from any given place because he’s someone who would compile his wardrobe from around the world. And people dress differently in different parts of the world. And he has been on the move for a couple of decades now, if not longer. He travels lightly and he has to wear clothing that’s practical. We also wanted it to be timeless and difficult to place in terms of place or time. When you play characters that are on the darker end of the spectrum, how do you create different shades of antagonism or villainy? I look to the story and I look to the influences or relations in whatever that character’s life happens to be. I also look to see what their everyday life would be like and how that would inform who they are and try to look at what sort of person can live that life. All those things sort of come together and marry with a given set of circumstances in the story and on the page. Can you explain what “The Blacklist” is, for those who missed the pilot? And what does it mean for Red? The Blacklist is just a name that Reddington gives to a sort of freeform and very fluid list of targets -- but there is no list. It’s just in his head. And the targets can sometimes be quite spontaneous based on whatever’s going to serve his greater agendas. I think sometimes the targets are more calculated and I think at other times they’re not. The Blacklist airs Mondays at 10 pm on NBC.
MUSIC
LISTEN TO HIS BAND
Former Monkee Michael Nesmith’s the Star, But Chris Scruggs & the Band Play On BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH
I
N “LISTEN TO THE BAND,” A SONG which originally appeared in The Monkees’ late-‘60s TV special, singer-songwriter Michael Nesmith assumes the role of a man in the throes of a broken relationship. The band that brought him to the attention of millions of music fans was also in the final stages of its career, and the song resonates with a bittersweet tone. But the group’s breakup didn’t hurt his career: It served as the springboard for his solo work, beginning in 1969. Nesmith is currently on the road, playing a career-spanning selection of his most-recognized material, including a few nods to his days in the oft-maligned “pre-fab” four. Unlike his recent tour with his fellow surviving Monkees, this trip includes a cache of respected, veteran studio musicians with decades of impressive credits. Currently, the band features Paul Leim (drums), Joe Chemey (bass), Boe Cooper (piano) and multiinstrumentalist Chris Scruggs. The last time the Nashville-based Scruggs was in town, he was playing a honky-tonk set with his band The Air Castle All-Stars. Now taking a break from tours with She and Him, M. Ward and Robbie Fulks, he’s on the road with Nesmith. INsite caught up with the busy, affable and opinionated musician to discuss the state of country music in general and his current role as Nesmith’s able sideman. Listen… You’ve been around the Nashville scene all of your life. How do you think it’s changed in the past ten years or so?
I think the local rock scene is getting a lot more attention. This probably has a lot to do with Jack White and the Black Keys, which is kind of funny as they were both wellestablished before ever moving there. But it’s definitely helped to widen and deepen Nashville’s standing as the music city, which I think is a very good thing.
You seem to champion a lot of so-called pure music, whether it’s pure pop or sweet country. What is your take on the new, poppier Nashville Sound? Is it a natural progression? I kind of don’t believe in the concept of “pure” music. Robert Johnson could play showtunes and Bill Monroe could play blues. It’s always been a mishmash. American country music, to begin with, isn’t pure and that’s what makes it beautiful. It’s always been a stew of influences. Country music has always been influenced by the pop music of the day, all the way back to Bob Wills, Ernest Tubb and Roy Acuff. I think the difference is that mainstream pop music isn’t as good as it used to be. What were your main musical influences, while growing up around the industry? I was raised listening to a lot of good older music. Everything from Webb Pierce to Hank Williams to The Everly Brothers to The Beatles. It was watching “A Hard Day’s Night” that made me want to play the guitar, but within a few years I had ended up in a little punk band. We only played a couple of shows but it got my feet wet playing an instrument on stage. The Sex Pistols recorded a number of Eddy Cochran songs and that sort of turned me back
towards country music, through the backdoor of rockabilly. By the time I first played in the Opry, I was very deep into Honky Tonk country and was living and breathing the music of Carl Smith, Ray Price and Faron Young. Tell us a little about the show, he’s conceptualized the presentation, from all reports. Every song is introduced like a movie plot, with additional storyline not found in the lyrics, which is a really fresh way for a singersongwriter to present songs instead of the typical, “here’s a song I wrote one time, when I felt like writing a song” type of thing. It changes the picture the song paints in your mind, even if that preexisting picture has been a certain, defined thing in your imagination for years. It makes old songs new, for sure. The first three Nesmith solo LPs are still such templates for the Americana sound. What are your thoughts on his contributions to the genre? I think his contribution is massive. Even with The Monkees, he gave a definite southern flavor to the rock and roll sound, which, along with Rick Nelson and Gram Parsons, formed the foundation of what, at the time, was called California “country rock” and is now known as Americana. Counting The Monkees’ countrytinged recordings, I believe his experiments into country rock predate any of his West Coast contemporaries’ efforts in that sound. He was seriously paving the way. He likes to mix up the genres on his albums.
What is your favorite song of his, to play, or just to listen to - and why? “Rio” and “Life, The Unsuspecting Captive,” without a doubt. “Rio” has some trippy audio-collage stuff happening and “Life, The Unsuspecting Captive” is just so grand and cinematic. I get to play some baritone surf noir guitar on that one, too, and it makes me feel like I’m ten feet tall! It’s all fun, though. Every one of them. Tell us about the tour. Does he change up the set, or is it a set-performance for the whole tour? Is there any room for improvisation? The set is very predetermined. Three of the four musicians onstage are playing along to sequenced laptop computers that control a whole ton of sounds that are flown into the songs, including string sections, nature sounds and percussion instruments. It’s a really different experience from the typical three guitars and drums “rock show.” Much more cinematic and atmospheric in both sound and presentation. It’s extremely cool. Michael Nesmith plays Saturday, November 2 at Variety Playhouse. insiteatlanta.com • November 2013 • PG 23
TV
HALL OF FAME
Arsenio Hall Returns to Late-Night Television BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH
A
S THE ‘80S BECAME THE ‘90S, Arsenio Hall was one of the most popular stars on television. His selftitled late-night talk show became a popculture cornerstone, attracting the younger viewers that old pros like Jay Leno and David Letterman had long since lost or isolated. Hall’s brash, eager-to-please style easily complimented his impressive roster of guests, including an historic guest shot from saxophone-wielding presidential candidate Bill Clinton in 1992. Two decades later, he’s now reviving his talk show format with The Arsenio Hall Show. Before the series premiere, he spoke with the press about the show and his place in the current late-night hierarchy. What is the biggest difference in television production of the early ‘90s and today? When I left there were people talking about $10 million paychecks. Now, if a man can say the words “One million” about his film salary, it’s unusual. There are film stars moving to TV and TV stars going back to the comedy clubs. It’s an interesting time in show business. The fat has been trimmed and the fat artists have been trimmed. It’s much more crowded than when I left and I know I’ve got to get in and try to work hard for mine. I’m not coming in complacent. I can’t do that. I can’t come in like a Laker. I’m coming in like a Clipper.
You created a pop-culture phenomena with the now-iconic dog-woofing and fistpumping. How did that originate?
Well, I’m from Cleveland and growing up, we were always privately known in Cleveland as “the dogs” and it’s something I tried to take national with me. Because I always noticed that people from Cleveland either did jokes about it or buried it. I wanted to take Cleveland with me. I wanted to say I’m from Cleveland and I’m cool with it. I used to do jokes about it and the dogs and people would bark at the clubs. It’s something that kind of caught on. I remember doing standup on the Johnny Carson show and I walked out and said something about being from Cleveland and they barked! I realized people were starting to do that. You garnered a lot of acclaim for highlighting the work of African-American musicians, entertainers and thinkers. Now that you’re back on television, how do you feel the climate for diversity has changed? You expect it to be very different in every way. In some ways it is. In some ways I’ve come back to a business that is somewhat disappointing. When I looked at writers in television comedy situations, I was a little depressed because it hasn’t changed as much as I thought it would by 2013. But then there are other things where there’s great
advancement because not only is there an OWN with Oprah and, of course, BET is still there with a responsibility that they are trying to live up to every day, I’m sure. One of the big differences is I’m not in it so much alone as I used to be, back in the day. Jay Leno said to me one day, when you look at the lineup of a show you should be able to tell whose show that is. Because back in the day you could look at my lineup and you could look at Johnny’s lineup and you knew that’s Arsenio and that’s Johnny. That one has Alan King and this one has Busta Rhymes. Now we’re in an era now where you can turn on Jimmy Kimmel and hear him saying, “Ladies and gentlemen, Rick Ross,” or “Ladies and gentlemen, Kobe Bryant.” So I understand that I don’t come back into the game being the Arsenio of the ‘90s. I come back into the game as the new, small guy. I’ll probably have to earn my way back into the game again by maybe being the person who looks for the new or tries to get ahead of the curve. What prompted you to return to late night? And why now? [Until now] I realized that I wasn’t ready; that as a father, as a man, my life wasn’t ready for me to jump back in it. Latenight is all-consuming. You’re either reading somebody’s book, watching somebody’s movie, or trying to fill
a hole for the next day. It goes on 24/7. And so I kept waiting, but it was in my heart to do it. What stands out as one of your favorite moments in the history of your show? You know how something can be bitter and sweet? When Magic [Johnson] called me and told me he wanted to make his announcement [about being HIV positive] on the show, I said no initially. I said, “Magic, that’s heavy shit. That’s too serious, man. I’ll go with you and we’ll do it, you know, with Larry King or whatever.” And he said, “No dog, it’s important that I do this with you.” And we did it. You know, I’ve done a lot of things on the show, but I just try to remain who I am. I’m not Chris O’Donnell, I’m not Piers Morgan. I just try to remain who I am through it all, no matter what it is. Whether it’s sitting with Amy Schumer or some enlightened politician. How does it feel to back on the latenight stage? When you make that decision, you look back on your life and you realize, you know what, I’m a standup comic and a talk show host and that’s when I’m happiest. So basically, when I walk out there [on opening night], imagine seeing a woman that you loved, the woman that got away, the only woman you’ve ever loved, that’s who I’ll see when I walk out that night. The Arsenio Hall Show airs Monday – Friday nights on select stations. Check local listings for time and channel.
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TV
DEAD WAIT
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In The Walking Dead’s fourth season, Chad Coleman finally gets his stab at real stardom. BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS
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HE SEASON 4 PREMIERE OF THE Walking Dead scared up a ratings-smashing 16.1 million viewers. Chad Coleman’s character Tyreese was back trying to fight off the horde of undead. In our recent chat with Coleman, he talked about all of the zombie exterminating he’ll be doing this season. But the man who also played in another beloved cable drama, HBO’s The Wire, had a few things to say about his budding career, his real-life fears and the last scary movie he took his daughter to see.
of it. You’re trying to reconcile and make your way in the world and [wonder] how much is too much, you know. You’re trying your best to be a good person and do things in a way other people will respect, but when you challenged, sometimes you have to do things that, you know, you are not happy with. But at the same time, survival is huge. So, you know, I love that complexity of character.
I know that no one has officially said how this outbreak started. What is your theory of how all this got out of hand? Wow, man, that’s a big one, boy. You know, that’s hard. That’s hard to say, but I guess I would look You’ve been attached to two very at history and there have been successful shows. Would you incredible outbreaks of disease IN REAL LIFE, MAN, credit that to luck, hard work or things of that nature that being blessed? WHAT SCARES ME IS and occurred. So, we know on one A combination of all of the JUST MAKING SURE level that’s possible. This type above, you know? Definitely disease, I don’t know, but I… MY FAMILY IS WELL ofThat’ talent, hard work, passion — and s hard, man. I don’t think being in the right place at the right TAKEN CARE OF. I can say. You’d have to talk to time with some very talented Robert [Kirkman, the show’s folks that created both of those creator] about that one man. I don’t know. I mean, shows. And, obviously, part of the medium is how you could make a couple parallels, possibly, but you look, so, I have been fortunate enough to fit the I don’t want to get that deep. You do think about characters with both these characters. So, yeah, I stuff like, you know, AIDS and stuff like that. You say all of the above. It takes all of it, you know? know there’s a possibility [of an outbreak] But I don’t want to put it out there too much because Tell me a couple of elements that make a good that might be… I don’t want to turn people off. hour-long drama? Wow... Storytelling. Storytelling. You’ve gotta What scares you in real life? have great writing and you’ve gotta have bonaThem killing me off the show! I’m joking, I’m fide actors. I think those are the two things that joking… In real life, man, what scares me is just people are drawn to most. Great writing means making sure my family is well taken care of. That having that integrity to tell the truth, and being sort of thing. But scares me? I don’t know, man. committed. No kind of falsehood. That’s the way Senseless violence. Just killing each other for no you get respect. Because they know you aren’t reason. That scares me. trying to manipulate them, you know? I have my opinion of your character on this show. You know, he appears to be a good guy who seems like that dude who is down for the team. Tell me how you see Tyreese. Well, first and foremost he is a humanist. And I think family is incredibly important to him. He’s a pragmatic person. I think that he would rather peacefully resolve situations as opposed to resort to violence. But violence is an option if it’s necessary. I think he’s a person who wants to seek what everybody is looking for; some sense of normalcy and a way to rebuild. And as a person who comes from an athletic background, the football field, he’s learned a certain amount of discipline. The rules on the field he tries to apply to life. So, it gave him a real moral structure and a real purpose of life with a lot of integrity. I’m going to have that quote in the back of my mind when I’m watching him stomp on zombies during the season. That is exactly the beauty of the show! And that’s why I love playing roles of complex characters, just like Cutty [on The Wire] was very complex as well. I think most human beings wrestle with both ends
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Have you seen any good scary movies in the last few months or so? The last one I saw was Paranormal Activity 4. That got me. The thing about it is you either like that visceral experience of being scared or you don’t. There’s really no in between. I guess it goes back when you were young. Like if you dig roller coasters, you dig it. But if you don’t, you probably never will. Well, being another fan of the show since the start, I’m glad to see you around this season. Oh yeah. Season 4 is going to be huge. Nobody goes unscathed. I truly think it’s funny. But it puts you in the mind of, like, being the president. You don’t get to be president and just walk on through. You know, Congress is not going to go, “Hey, whatever you want to do Barack, it’s fine.” Everybody is going to get tested. Even if you have good intentions and want to do the right thing, you are still going to get tested. So, you are going to definitely see Tyreese tested in a major way here, man, in season four.
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RESPECT YOUR ELDERS
After 14 Years, Goodie Mob Reunites to Put the Hip-Hop Scene in Check BY BRET LOVE
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N THE STORIED PANTHEON OF Atlanta’s hip-hop history, Outkast has always been heralded as the Beatlesstyle artistic innovators of the “Dirty South” sound, whereas Goodie Mob was seen more like Rolling Stones-style journeymen, giving a soulful, streetwise voice to the concerns of the common man. But Outkast blew up and became consistent chart-toppers, while Goodie Mob fell apart just three albums into their careers after failing to measure up to commercial and creative expectations. For fans old enough to remember the group’s groundbreaking 1995 debut, Soul Food, the Goodie Mob story has always seemed maddeningly incomplete. Big Gipp, Cee Lo, Khujo and T-Mo were like nothing hip-hop had heard before, blessing the souland gospel-infused sounds of Organized Noize with rhymes that covered topics ranging from gentrification and geo-politics to discrimination and racism. Hit songs like “Cell Therapy” and “Soul Food” proved the quartet had mainstream appeal, and 1998’s Still Standing (which, like their debut album, went Gold) revealed Cee Lo’s impressive singing abilities. But all was not well behind the scenes: The group felt increasing pressure to rival the success of their Dungeon Family brethren in Outkast, who hit #2 on the pop charts with Aquemini. Goodie Mob signed to Arista Records for their third album, World Party, but the blatantly mainstream sound didn’t go down well– not with fans, not with the label, and not within the band itself. Cee Lo left the group during the album’s production, Goodie Mob was soon dropped from the label and, for 14 years, fans were left to contemplate what could’ve been.
THE ROAD TO REUNION
A lot can change in 14 years, particularly in the here-today-gone-tomorrow world of hip-hop. With Outkast on extended hiatus and icons such as Public Enemy relatively silent, and few up ‘n’ coming MCs willing to grab hold of the conscious hip-hop banner, there’s a gaping hole in an increasingly vacuous market desperately in need of leadership. And, while Goodie Mob went the way of the dodo after attempting to release one post-Cee Lo album, One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show, their unofficial frontman found mainstream success with Gnarls Barkley, his solo career, and his role as a judge on The Voice. As Cee Lo recalled during our 2010 interview, “Goodie Mob came along at the right time in my life, because I needed that structure to preserve my sanity.” Now he’s
PG 26 • November 2013 • insiteatlanta.com
returning the favor, using the stardom he’s gained to bring Goodie Mob back into the spotlight, right when hip-hop seems to need them most. According to Khujo, the “Four Horsemen” never stopped communicating, even when the media assumed there was bad blood. “We’ve been talking ever since Cee Lo left,” he insists. “One Monkey was really about [LaFace Records]. They tried to stunt our growth by not allowing us to record any music, and then the label folded and left the artists trying to figure out what to do. We had to keep pushing, whether it was with the label or whether our brother had to go through his thing. We still had to continue to make music.” Rumors that the band would reunite have been swirling since 2006, when all four members appeared on stage together after a Gnarls Barkley concert. They officially announced plans for a Goodie Mob reunion album on V-103 back in 2007, and performed at the Tabernacle in 2008 and the Masquerade in 2009. Yet still, there was no album to show for it. “Cee Lo was doing the second record with Danger Mouse,” Khujo explains of the long and winding road to Goodie Mob’s reunion project, Age Against the Machine. “But he always said, ‘When I come back, we’re going to do the album.’ We’ve been recording this album for five years. It took us four years to get the type of songs that we wanted to do. It’s like, now we’ve come of age, and we can continue.”
THE RECORDING
Though it went through a labored birth that included numerous false starts and a rumored signing with Elektra Records, Age Against the Machine finally came together last year when the quartet convened at Geejam Studios in remote Portland, Jamaica. “It was like a day hadn’t gone by,” Cee Lo says of reuniting with his childhood friends. “There’s a kinetic energy that connects us. Goodie Mob was always very overt and outspoken as far as social agenda and politics. We’re all bonded by the banner that we wave, and even my own individual successes could not sever my association with Goodie Mob.” The album’s title pays homage to the influence of Rage Against the Machine, both lyrically and musically, while also making a statement about Goodie Mob’s status as iconic veterans (several of whom are in their forties) hungry to regain their rightful place on a hip-hop scene that’s currently dominated by celebrations of sex, drugs and violence. “Wisdom is the weapon of choice here,” Khujo says of the album’s central these. “We’ve
I’VE OFTEN DESCRIBED THE STATE OF THE ART AS LIKE LORD OF THE FLIES...IT’S ABOUT CHILDREN WITHOUT ADULT SUPERVISION WHO RUN AMUCK. THEY HAVE NO GUIDANCE, NO DIRECTION, NO ASPIRATION. got to let these young guys know that they don’t have to do our type of music, but they need to do SOMETHING different to uplift the culture. These days people look at hip-hop and think you’ve got to have a security team and insurance, because somebody is going to get into a fight, or somebody is going to get shot. We want to change that.” Cee Lo– who speaks in eloquently poetic puzzles that, like an oratory Rubik’s Cube, must be twisted and turned in order to be fully understood– waxes rhapsodically when asked about the state of hip-hop today. “I’ve often described the state of the art as like Lord of the Flies,” he says. “It’s about children without adult supervision who run amuck. They have no guidance, no direction, no aspiration. They have no couth. Because of the spoils– the successes that we fought, slaved and died for– these are wealthy kids wallowing in their inheritance. I’m not saying that we can’t change. It’s a frame of mind, and it can be healed.”
THE MESSAGE
Numerous tracks on the album address Goodie Mob’s mission to get hip-hop culture back on track, and to remind listeners that sociopolitical consciousness was once regarded as an asset rather than a liability. On the intro, “U Don’t Know What You Got,” Dungeon Family member Big Rube intones, “Music’s almost dead as we know it/ But, flowing like poetry, the prodigal sons return.” On the confrontational “State of the Art (Radio Killa),” they paint commercial radio as a form of mind control, declaring a state of emergency that necessitated Goodie Mob’s return. On the closing track, “Father Time,” the group presents themselves as hiphop’s “patriarch, the founder, the forefather, initiator, the forbearer, the predecessor, the architect,” reminding the genre how “we gave you food for your soul and nourished your brain.” Most of the reviews and interviews surrounding Age Against the Machine focus on how Cee Lo’s genre-hopping has come to redefine the Goodie Mob sound; how they address controversial racial issues on “Power” (which centers on Cee Lo’s newfound influence over the white audience) and “Amy” (which deals with interracial relationships); and how fellow Atlanta hip-hop icons TI (“Pinstripes”) and Janelle Monae (“Special Education”) guest on two of the album’s most potent tracks.
But the real story of the album, and of Goodie Mob’s return, can be found in Cee Lo’s final verse on “Father Time,” where the son he refers to is all that’s wrong with the current state of hip-hop. “I contemplated completely killing my son/ If I can’t cut the cancer out that’s stealing my son/ To lay down my own life, I am willing, my son/ I remember smiling when I caught him stealing my gun/ Before I started building my son, I would still leave a crumb/ Couldn’t tell the difference in how I was feeling from numb/ The four walls, the floor and the ceiling were slum/ And right outside the front door, kids were killing for fun… But let’s be clear/ I’m not your peer, listen here/ I am harder, I’m smarter, I’m Sparta/ I am your father.” Not every song on the uneven album works quite so well. But when the Four Horsemen click with such a perfectly produced track, the results will give you goosebumps.
THE FUTURE
Only time will tell if Age Against The Machine will perform as well as Soul Food; if young hip-hop fans will embrace 40-yearold MCs telling them that their music is void of soulfulness and meaning; and if Cee Lo can remain devoted to the Goodie Mob cause with Gnarls Barkley’s third album and the next season of The Voice vying for his attention. But, for now, the quartet seems incredibly excited to be working together again, with Big Gipp telling Rolling Stone that they already have enough material recorded for another album. In addition to being inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in October, they’re slated to star in a reality show, The Good Life, next year, focusing on Goodie Mob becoming the first hip-hop group to have their own show on the Vegas Strip. As the band approaches the 20th anniversary of their debut album, they clearly have reason to look forward to a brighter future. “Rage Against the Machine is a super rock group,” says Khujo. “Hopefully Goodie Mob will have that kind of impact on history. We just got inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, and they don’t just put rappers in there like that. We got nominated for a Grammy, and the album wasn’t even out yet! It’s long overdue. But I’m glad that it’s happening now, in the midst of all that we’ve got going on, so we can stand up and be recognized. It shows that it’s not just our people listening to this music: It’s everybody.”
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X ACROSS THE UNIVERSE Exene Cervenka Speaks Her Mind BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH
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XENE CERVENKA, THE CHARISMATIC co-founder of influential punk band X has a lot to say. She’s been saying it and singing it since the band formed in 1977. Recently, the group toured the country as support act for new wave darlings Blondie on the band’s No Principles Tour. While on the road, the opinionated vocalist/actress/ writer/artist spoke at length with INsite about her career. How did the tour with Blondie come about? Well, we’d gone on tour with Pearl Jam and I think people realized it was a good idea. And so why not with Blondie, it’s so obvious. They were doing a national tour, so it was a perfect match-up. Do you enjoy being the opening act? I like opening for a band. I like being the one that gets the audience prepared for that band, cause I’ve seen people do it for X. You go out there and play the best show of your life, so the audience will have a good time, when their favorite band is on they’ll be even more pumped up. If you can do that, then you have a successful tour and everybody’s happy. A tour ad features you and Debbie Harry, featuring the female aspect of the tour. When we started out there was Heart and Pat Benatar and Joan Jett. There were a lot of women in music who could play, and sing the hell out of any song. They were musicians who toured, who presented themselves as role models; and they weren’t whores. Talented women who have something to do and say of value other than just being sex objects. Some women nowadays, they don’t even sing their songs live. There’s probably a machine that makes those songs! They’re just strippers, basically. One great thing about the tour is it presents two great bands, from opposing coasts. In your opinion, what are the
differences between the legendary NY and LA music scenes you both represent? There was Slash magazine on the west coast and there was NY Rocker on the east coast. There was an English magazine or two. There were a couple of stores in some cities that would sell stuff and records that were cool. There was media that wasn’t as controlled as it is now. So we knew about everybody else but if you wanted to really know what was going on, you had to go to New York or they had to come to you. And when Blondie went to L.A., everybody went to see them. It was the way to see it; there weren’t many videos, you weren’t gonna hear them on the radio, probably. You had to find the stuff. L.A. wasn’t taken as seriously as the N.Y. scene for some reason. The disadvantage we had was when we started out, media, like in England and in other cities, all made fun of the L.A. scene because, you know, we couldn’t be authentic because we didn’t have winter! We didn’t know what it was like to be dark and live in New York, in the Bowery. We didn’t “suffer” enough, we weren’t dark. I remember reading something about X, saying we couldn’t be punk, we were posers because all we did all day was sit around our swimming pools. And nobody in my band ever had a swimming pool, ‘til me. And mine’s inflatable, I just want you to know that! My roommate has a grandson, and that’s the only reason I have a pool. So yeah, we always had a huge disadvantage. Huge. But we always had a great sense of humor. All the bands were just really funny, a lot of joking around. So we weren’t taken seriously. But we did have Ray Manzarek. X became friends with him early on in your career. How did you meet him and how was he to work with? Yeah. He started working with us on our first record in 1980. He came to see us at the Whisky. He was a person you could really learn from. Everything. How to be a husband, how to be a partner, how to be a dad, how to be a human being, how
WE GOT NEXT SMITH STREET BAND
to be a musician, how to be giving, how to be tough. How to be everything, you could learn from him. A smart, funny, generous, sarcastic, beautiful human being and he had a great life. He was a life-lover, man. He launched us, gave us some legitimacy for sure, but we had to do it on our own. But I think of him as a shaman or a guru, in the truest sense of the word. He shared his strengths with people for the sheer joy of giving that opportunity to people. And that, to me, is a true spiritual person. The band hasn’t made a new album in a long time. Will there ever be any new releases from X? Well, it doesn’t really matter because it’s never gonna get played on the radio. There’s no type of outlet for it, in the media. We live in a time where everything is so underground, that if we made a new record, it would be like the old days, and it would only be heard by word of mouth. “Hey, X made a new record, they put it out themselves. Wanna hear it? Come over to my house!” It’s like that, so I don’t really care anyway. I’m past that point. I just do what I do, and whatever happens is not up to me. The universe doesn’t like people to tell it what it to do. The universe doesn’t like beggars, the universe just likes people to do their thing and you’ll find your way, like water.
Artists on the verge of making it big
Latest Project: Don’t Fuck With Our Dreams EP (Asian Man Records) For Fans of: Frank Turner, Cheap Girls, Andrew Jackson Jihad Why You Should Care: Because these brilliant Australian folk/punk kids were hand-picked by
BY JOHN B. MOORE
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The Smith Street Band has had a remarkable run in a pretty short period of time in their native Australia. Thanks to an upcoming high-profile tour with Frank Turner and a recent signing to Asian Man Records, which will put out their two latest albums, the band is now prepping to take over the U.S. If their latest record is any indication, we should be flying the Australian flag over the White House by Christmas. The band’s sound has been classified as everything from folk punk and pop punk to pub rock, but their latest, the EP Don’t Fuck With Our Dreams, is simply punk rock without the unnecessary qualifiers. The album and its title track came out of a specific incident on a recent tour which is not surprising when you realize just how much time these guys spend on the road. Singer/guitarist Wil Wagner spoke with us not too long ago about the incident, their new U.S. label and keeping sane on the road. What can you tell me about Don’t Fuck With Our Dreams? Did it really come out of your experiences on tour? The most recent big Australian tour we did was with Bomb The Music Industry and our mates The Bennies and the EP was all written around that time. The song “Don’t Fuck With Our Dreams” is about an incident at a show we were playing in a storage shed
Frank Turner to play his fall U.S. tour.
where a punter attacked and seriously injured Jules from The Bennies. It was horrible and scary and something that none of us had ever imagined would happen at a show, let alone one of ours. We are quite vocally anti-violence. But when Jules was on the ground he yelled at the guy who hurt him “don’t fuck with our dreams” and that quickly became a bit of a mantra for the rest of the tour. As fucked as the incident was, it’s kind of the aftermath that’s the story of the EP. I was so disillusioned and for a while there I actually wanted to quit. We were calling and canceling shows and then calling back an hour later saying we’d do them and stuff. It was really overwhelming. But the amount of support and love that we, especially Jules (who has since been dubbed King Jules), got really affirmed what we are doing and kind of proved that we could get through anything. We ended up galvanized and great friends and we said we’d never let anyone or anything fuck with our dreams again! You guys were on the road for a while. What was the hardest thing to get used to? It’s maybe hard at first missing people and missing the general comfort of your own surroundings but you have to get used to it pretty quick. I guess I struggle with the relentless nature of everything when you’re on tour. There’s always a flight to miss or a sound check to be late to or a broken amp or something and sometimes it would be nice to pause everything for a day but you learn to adapt to whatever is happening around you. I think, for me now, the hardest thing is not being on tour. I just mope around aimlessly. Have you started thinking about your next full length yet? We would’ve recorded one when we recorded the EP, but we just didn’t have time between the tours! We get home in December and have a festival or two over the summer, and will hopefully then
bunker down and write and record our next album. We are already jamming three songs and we may chuck them out occasionally on this tour. Speaking of that tour, you guys are going to be touring the U.S. with Frank Turner this fall and winter. Have you worked with him before? We did a short run in Australia with him and have kept in contact since. Him and the Sleeping Souls guys are all really lovely, talented dudes and they tour very fucking hard, so it will be good to learn from them. You guys have toured here before. Do you have any expectations for the trip? The first tour was a 20-odd-date run that we booked ourselves, so I feel this one will be a little different! I think with a tour of this size, we will just fall into a routine and hopefully get to see a lot more of the country than we did driving around and getting lost last time. I’m expecting a lot of people not to like or understand my accent. How would you rate the punk music scene in Melbourne right now? Phenomenal! The amount of good, original, inspiring music coming out of Melbourne, as well as the rest of Australia, is just awesome! It’s a pretty exciting time for us down here, and I think people will start paying a lot more attention soon. Everyone should check out our friends/lovers/dads Poison City Records. Anything they put out is amazing! What’s next for you? After this tour we’re coming home for summer and doing a few festivals. Then we’re going to start writing the third album, which we will hopefully record early next year.
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BIG CHEESE
Why Direct Hit! Deserves to Be Wisconsin’s Next Big Thing BY JOHN B. MOORE
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ITH SIX SPLIT SINGLES AND a debut full-length already under their belts, Milwaukee’s Direct Hit! is finally in the right place. Brainless God, the band’s new record, consists of a dozen tightly wound punk nuggets that recall everyone from The Ramones to Dillinger Four. Nick Woods (frontman for the trio, which also includes Devon Kay and Danny Walkowiak) spoke with us recently about signing to the Red Scare label, working with producer Mike Kennerty from All American Rejects, and the ups and downs of being from the less cool Wisconsin town.
that up given the chance. I love touring. But it definitely requires sacrifice outside of the band.
Let’s talk about the new album. What can you tell me about Brainless God? Is there an overall theme? It took us about a year to write, and about a week of Mike Kennerty’s magic touch to make it good. It’s about how love, the apocalypse, a serial killer, and a cult help a battered woman find herself.
What’s your graduate degree in? Is it useful at all in a touring punk rock band? I have a Masters in Business - advertising and marketing, for all intents and purposes. It’s never been useful when it comes to music. Everything having to do with touring, recording, just being in a functional rock band I’ve taught myself. My schooling helps me pay the bills, and I’m lucky enough to have a job where I can work from the road and still make a pretty solid income, so I guess in that respect it’s pretty useful. I can pay rent on an apartment, eat shit besides Ramen, and put gas in our tank when sketchy promoters fuck us over too many times in a row without having to stay home 49 weeks out of the year. So actually, yeah, when I put it that way my degree’s pretty useful. It keeps me from wanting to kill myself, and makes touring a lot more feasible, financially.
Do you really enjoy it, as every band always claims to, or is it more of a means to an end? It has its ups and downs. I’d tour forever if I could come home every night at 6 PM and hang out with my wife and dog. Like, if it were a regular 9-to-5 I’d be way more into it. But it’s hard to beat standing on stage for a half hour every night and having a room full of people tell you how awesome you are. I don’t think there are many people who would pass
You guys are from Milwaukee, what’s the toughest thing about being from there? The fact that no one here really likes what we do, probably. Milwaukee’s music scene is super hip-sounding, and we’re not a very hip-sounding band. Most groups like us skip playing here and go to Madison instead where people dig the kind of tunes we write. I’d rather play more shows in my own backyard. But we’re not from fucking Calcutta or some
shit, so that’s a real minor complaint. I like living in Milwaukee. Most people here are pretty down to earth, you can drive a car around, the fish is good, you can get away from people if you feel like it. There’s not a whole lot I can gripe about. How did you guys connect with Toby at Red Scare? I actually heard from Toby about 6 months before Domesplitter came out. He seemed into the idea of releasing it for us, but we weren’t really in a place where we could’ve supported it the way he needed us to. I had a different job that kept me in an office 40 hours a week, we had a different guitarist who had some personal issues, Danny had just started working as an EMT... We wouldn’t
have been able to tour, basically. But fastforward almost two years after that, I’d found a work-from-home gig, people were into the band more than we’d ever really expected, Devon had joined the band and could actually play his instrument and sing, we had a batch of new songs we were psyched about, had toured Europe once, and the timing just kind of worked out. Lucky for us he dug the first record even though we were sort of sketch about making sure it did well. We started talking again last November when we sent the demos we’d recorded to a few different labels, and it just kinda happened from there. Well, those are all the questions I have. Anything else you want to cover? Smoke weed every day.
BLINDED BY THE LIGHT Ska-Punk Stalwarts Less Than Jake Return With Their First New Album in 7 Years BY JOHN B. MOORE
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T’S BEEN SEVEN YEARS SINCE SKA-PUNK STALWARTS Less Than Jake last released a proper full-length record, but they’ve hardly been phoning it in since then. The Florida-based group, which has been together for more than two decades, has continued to tour the globe, put out EPs, re-released a slew of earlier efforts, produced other bands, and put time in with their various side projects. But the time finally seemed right for the group to put out their next album, so earlier this year they holed up in their home studio and went to work on crafting new songs. They emerged with See The Light, their first new album since 2006’s In With the Out Crowd, and their first since signing to Fat Wreck Chords. Less Than Jake is also co-headlining the FAT TOUR this autumn, alongside Anti-Flag, Masked Intruder and Get Dead. They play the Georgia Theatre in Athens on November 6. Singer/guitarist Chris Demakes and singer/bassist Roger Manganelli spoke with INsite recently about the new record, the changing role of record companies, and their friendly rivalry with fellow ska-punks Reel Big Fish.
wasn’t judged as harshly as a full length. They worked out well for us I think.
You’ve been together for decades now. Do you approach writing music in a different way than you have in the past? Demakes: Not at all. We all write individually and collectively as we have all along. Somehow it all seems to work. You guys produced this one yourselves, recorded in your own studio and weren’t under any pressure to get the songs to a label to review. How does that change the creative vibe when it comes to making an album? Demakes: Personally, I have never felt pressure from anybody when it came to Less than Jake songs. I mean, yes, we have had
Why did you decide to partner with Fat for this record, rather than just put it out on your own label? Demakes: Aside from our more than a decade-long friendship with the Fat Wreck crew, we did it for distribution, marketing and publicity. Fat does a hell of a job promoting their bands. We were completely DIY the last five years, and felt it was time to have some label support behind us. [We wanted] a label that gets the band, the record, the vibe and gets us as people. That label is Fat!
You guys have definitely been busy the past few years, with tours, big re-releases, the EPs, etc. Why did it take so long for another full-length album? Demakes: Because we didn’t feel like we had a cohesive thought that warranted doing a full-length record. We obviously have been busy, as you said, writing, recording, and putting out EPs. But that idea of doing a full-length was not on our radar. A lot of things have changed in the industry over the last five years. The idea of doing a full-length didn’t really feel right during that time, so we kept ourselves busy with smaller projects. Do you think the band is more inclined to focus on more frequent EPs in the future rather than full-length records? Demakes: Not necessarily. I think the beauty of being a band for 21 years is that there are no rules at this point. We can pretty much do what we want in terms of creative output. If the mood strikes us to record an EP, we will. The EP’s were great at the time because they were just what they were: a small taste of work that
PG 28 • November 2013 • insiteatlanta.com
producers and labels in the past. However, I signed up to be a part of that. I did what I could within the parameters of writing, producing and collaborating with others outside the band. Sometimes the results were great and sometimes they weren’t. In hindsight, everything worked out. As far as the creative vibe within the band, somehow it is still fresh and fun after being a band as long as we have. Manganelli: It felt a lot like the GNV FLA, TV EP and the Greetings and Salutations sessions. We’ve kind of been in this zone of sailing our own ship for a while. So it was pretty “normal”. We took our time writing the majority of the material in our rehearsal space and we didn’t ever record demos of the songs this time around. When we finally hit the studio, there was a clear intention of what we were going for already established. Knowing Fat (Wreck Chords) was going to release the album made us excited and anxious to put our best foot forward and get great sounds and play great. Nervous excited energy getting caught on tape. That was the vibe, I’d say.
A LOT OF THINGS HAVE CHANGED IN THE INDUSTRY OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS. THE IDEA OF DOING A FULL-LENGTH DIDN’T REALLY FEEL RIGHT DURING THAT TIME, SO WE KEPT OURSELVES BUSY WITH SMALLER PROJECTS.
Along with the Fat tour, you guys are also playing some shows with Reel Big Fish again. How far back do you go with those guys? Having both come up around the same time, is there a friendly rivalry between you guys? Demakes: We have known The Fish for about 16 or 17 years now. Years ago, when both bands were first starting out, there may have been some competitiveness, mostly because we were younger. As time went on, we grew to be one big happy family. In all seriousness, we love those guys. They are like brothers to us. Touring with them is super easy and enjoyable. Just don’t tell them I said that! (Laughs)
SPORTS
SPORTS
GSA PANTHERS LOOK 2013-14 NCAA BASKETBALL PREVIEW TO IMPROVE... BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS
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HE FOUR TEAMS PARTICIPATING in the Champions Classic (November 12) Duke, Kansas, Michigan State and Kentucky, are the best schools in the land and are also the same teams that INsite expects to see at the Final Four in Dallas come next April. 1. DUKE The combination of so much attention on other campuses and getting the super-gifted Jabari Parker on the roster is all Coach K’s team will need to slide its way into the No. 1 overall slot for the NCAA Tournament. 2. MICHIGAN STATE Our warm feelings towards the brilliant Tom Izzo haven’t changed. But after hearing about the grueling summer Keith Appling and Gary Harris endured to get better, our thoughts about them have only gotten stronger. 3. KENTUCKY We certainly don’t blame 90% of the free world for picking the Wildcats to win the national title — freshmen Julius Randle, Dakari Johnson and twins Aaron and Andrew Harrison are as good as the blogs suggest — but we’ve grown cautious when there are too many five-star chefs in the kitchen. 4. KANSAS Like everyone, we’ve had our eyes on Andrew Wiggins for two years now. He’s a certified program changer. (Not that the Jayhawks needed much changing.) As for bringing a title to Lawrence, however, they’ll need Joel Embiid and Tariq Black to be interior bangers. 5. FLORIDA This slept-on team will either make this ranking look genius or God-awful by mid December, thanks to consecutive games vs. UConn, Kansas and Memphis. The team just hopes stellar frosh Chris Walker is off academic ineligibility by then. 6. LOUISVILLE The national champs may have lost floor leader Peyton Siva to the NBA, but they get a more mature Russ Smith (18.7 ppg), the return of Kevin Ware and the debut of Terry Rozier. 7. ARIZONA During the summer of 2012, we watched freshman Aaron Gordon simply manhandle anyone who crossed his path. We’re expecting similar displays of dazzle as he works his way through the Pac-12. 8. OKLAHOMA STATE Coach Travis Ford’s group is a plucky bunch that won’t flinch against Kansas or anyone else this year. You’d have a confident strut, too, if you had Marcus Smart (15.4 ppg) and Le’Bryan Nash (14 ppg) on your side. 9. SYRACUSE As a gift for welcoming his Orange into the ACC, Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim is giving the conference Tyler Ennis, a smart ball-handler who’ll get the rock to Rakeem Christmas and other teammates with ease. 10. MICHIGAN Only a few plays shy of the national title a year ago, the Wolverines have vengeance on their mind. An unleashing of outside weapons (Nik Stauskas) and mid-range assassins (Glen
Robinson III) shows just how serious they are. 11. OHIO STATE If LaQuinton Ross and Aaron Craft can continue where they left off in the ’13 NCAA Tournament — they averaged over 30 points combined over the last three games — the Buckeyes should have their sights on another Elite Eight appearance. 12. NORTH CAROLINA The Tar Heels are like the show Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.—there’s a lot to potentially love about them (James Michael McAdoo’s length, P.J. Hairston’s heart), but we’re not sure if it’ll ever come together into anything really worth watching. 13. VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH Coach Shaka Smart’s Jabari Parker brand of relentless defense is better known as “40 Minutes of Havoc.” On top of that, opposing teams are gonna have a helluva a time stopping Treveon Graham (15.1 ppg) and Juvonte Reddic (14.6). 14. MEMPHIS The Tigers tend to roar in the regular season (57-14 over the last two years) but barely making a purr in the postseason (1-2 in the last two NCAA tourneys). That could change with heralded freshmen Markel Crawford and Kuran Iverson coming into the season with so much noise. 15. CREIGHTON Now that the Blue Jays have flown on over to the higher-profile Big East, senior guard Gary Gibbs (8 ppg, 5.8 apg) may finally be able to get from the shadow of do-everything forward Doug McDermott (23.8 ppg). 16. WICHITA STATE Oh, it’s okay if you forgot that these Shockers wrote one heck of a Cinderella story for themselves a year ago. With the main man (Cleanthony Early) back from the Final Four group, they’re readying a second chapter. 17. NEW MEXICO Though coach Steve Alford left for greener pastures at UCLA (seven years/$18.2 million contract), the Lobos return the Mountain West’s best player (Kendall Williams), one of its top bigs (Alex Kirk) and hopes for another conference crown. 18. GONZAGA The San Antonio Spurs of college, the Zags aren’t exciting or boisterous; yet here they are, again in the national title mix. Junior guard Kevin Pangos (eight games of 18-plus points) is the reason for this season’s optimism. 19. TENNESSEE Jordan McRae’s offensive output (15.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg) nearly doubled across the board from his sophomore to junior campaigns. If he keeps that up, talk about him being a second-round NBA Draft pick may prove an underestimation. 20. BAYLOR For the first time in program history, the Bears won a national title (NIT Championship) in 2012. Having two guys (Isaiah Austin, Cory Jefferson) on this year’s preseason Big 12 team is another first. The Rest of the Top 25: CONNECTICUT, LASALLE, IOWA, MARQUETTE AND UCLA.
In Coach Ron Hunter’s Third Season BY DAVE COHEN
A
knows he’s also surrounded by better players so it’s no longer a situation where he thinks he has to score thirty points a game for us to have a chance to win and with that makes us better as a team.
S HEAD COACH RON HUNTER begins his third season at Georgia State he leads this year’s team into the inaugural season in the Sun Belt Conference following eight years in the Colonial Athletic You put together a balanced schedule that has Association. The Panthers, who are coming off you at Alabama, Vanderbilt, East Carolina a 15-16 season, are very optimistic with the loss of just one senior, the additions of transfers Ryan and Southern Mississippi as well as home games with Old Dominion and Georgia Harrow (Kentucky) and Curtis Washington (Southern Cal) and the return of Devonta White, Southern. That’s on top of the first season in the Sun Belt Conference. R.J. Hunter and Manny Atkins. The schedule Putting the schedule together was hard. People is aggressive as well with games at Vanderbilt know we have a really good basketball team and and Alabama (Pre-Season NIT), East Carolina to put together a balances schedule was tough. and Southern Miss with home games featuring I would still like to have more Old Dominion and Georgia WHAT I DO KNOW IS home games. When you’re Southern. INsite’s Dave Cohen a good mid-major it’s really, THAT WE’VE GOT A GOOD talked with Coach Ron Hunter. really hard to get good home BASKETBALL TEAM WITH games and that’s always going It’s an exciting time around SOME TALENTED YOUNG to be a struggle for us. I’m this program as you return MEN AND I LIKE THAT. happy with it. We play a few almost everyone, you add a Conference USA teams, which couple of key players, and you the Sun Belt likes to compare get ready for the first season in a new conference to. It’s a good schedule for where we are at, what (Sun Belt Conference). our talent level is and what our expectations are. It is exciting. There is still a lot of unknown. It seems like every year I’ve been here there’s Getting back to the subject of depth, along been unknown. The first year I was here I wasn’t with Ryan (Harrow) and Curtis (Washington), familiar with the CAA, the second year I had a both transfers, you also added two high school whole new team and the third year, this year, I don’t know a whole lot about the Sun Belt. What freshmen in Isaiah Dennis (Eagles Landing HS, McDonough, Ga.) and Jaylen Hinton I do know is that we’ve got a good basketball (Richmond, Va.) How do you see each of them team with some talented young men and I like contributing this season? that. I would rather know that part of it because Well, both of them are big time defenders. in the end it is still basketball. I feel more Jaylen is really starting to push to get into that comfortable than I have before. rotation. When he’s on the floor he does so many You added a few new faces to the roster, notably positive things for us. Then, the best athlete on transfers Ryan Harrow and Curtis Washington. the floor is Isaiah Dennis so both of them bring something that is very unique so to sit here and How does that add to what is returning? Ryan Harrow is a tremendous player. The issue say now that they’re not going to play much is hard to do. What they do is they push the guys. at Kentucky had nothing to do with his talent They guard and they defend and play hard. They level because when you average almost doubleare a great luxury to have because we needed figures in the SEC you’re a pretty good player. I some athleticism and we needed someone to think it was bad timing with his situation there guard the perimeter and that’s what these two which turned out to be great timing for Georgia young men do. We’re going to see. I’m not sure State. He’s a talented young man who’s playing yet how they’re going fit in the rotation but I a lot more relaxed. I think people will see the do know that sometime during the year both Ryan Harrow that they saw in high school and of those guys are going to help us win a game even at N.C. State. I think he’s more relaxed and or multiple games. Knowing that, right there, is he’s going to be a good player. Curtis is a little reason enough to play them. different in the sense that he has not played basketball in almost three years so it is going to take some time for him to get into a rhythm. This is definitely the deepest roster you’ve had since arriving at Georgia State. That’s where I’m starting to see some of the big differences. Our practices are really competitive. We’ve got guys that probably would have played for us the last couple of years and it’s going to be hard to get them on the floor right now. The guys in practice are really getting after it because they know if they are not playing hard there’s another guy right behind you. Last year R.J Hunter went right from playing in the high school playoffs in Indiana to coming here and playing his freshman season in college with little or no break in between. This year he was able to pace himself and enjoy some semblance of an off season. We wanted to physically get him ready. I think that physically he’s gotten stronger. The mental part he understands. It’s not the unknown anymore. Last year he had a lot of unknowns and he did a great job of figuring it out. Now he
insiteatlanta.com • November 2013 • PG 29
SPORTS
MERCHANDISE
2013-2014 NBA PREVIEW BY DEMARCO WILLIAMS
W
E CAN SPECULATE ALL DAY about how Derrick Rose and Kobe Bryant will perform upon returning from major injuries, but no one really knows. The only thing that’s for certain at this point is that anyone who steps to the Miami Heat during their march to a third-straight NBA title had better be at full strength. We like the Indiana Pacers, but one of their leaders, Danny Granger, is just now coming back from a left knee injury. We’re fans of Oklahoma City, too, but Russell Westbrook, who tore his meniscus in April, has a ways to go before he’s 100% again. So, who does that leave? San Antonio? The New York Knicks? Golden State? Nope, just Miami, the one true healthy choice for Playoff domination.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
1. MIAMI There hasn’t been an NBA Finals three-peat since the L.A. Lakers in the early 2000s. With LeBron James in your corner, anything is possible. Mix the King with the one-two punch of a resurgent Dwyane Wade and rested Chris Bosh, a third straight KO seems likely. 2. INDIANA With size (Roy Hibbert), speed (Paul George) and strength (David West), many pundits feel this club could be the one to challenge the Heat some day. With a healthy Granger, that day may come sooner rather than later. 3. CHICAGO Everything we’ve seen early on suggests that Rose’s knee could be better than it was before the ACL tear. That’s a scary thought. But imagining the Bionic Bull running on the break with Joakim Noah and the evolving Jimmy Butler could be more frightening for foes. 4. NEW YORK Like a Porsche Cayenne with a bad axle, these Knicks are certainly great to look at — Carmelo Anthony averaged over 30 points a night in April and May — but they probably won’t hold up to the weight of a full season. 5. DETROIT Josh Smith takes his out-of-the-world athleticism (and underwhelming jumper) to the Pistons. Fascinating talent Brandon Jennings joins him. Gifted bigs Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond are already there. If everyone plays his role, this could be the most interesting team in the East. 6. BROOKLYN Offseason moves to acquire Paul Pierce (36 years old) Jason Terry (36) and Kevin Garnett (37) are great for season-ticket sales, but they’ll do little in the postseason. Of course, if this were November 2003… 7. CLEVELAND We’re still not sure Anthony Bennett was worth the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. We’re almost certain Dion Waiters will expound on his impressive rookie campaign (nearly 15 points a night). We know Kyrie Irving (22 points, 5.9 assists) is already one of the five top point guards in the league. 8. WASHINGTON The Wizards have gone 72-158 over the last three seasons. Now that John Wall has kinda figured out what kind of player he wants to be, things will turn around in The District, starting with their first playoff appearance since ’08. PG 30 • November 2013 • insiteatlanta.com
OUR FAVORITE THINGS BY B. LOVE
W
ITH FAMILY SPREAD OUT from New Jersey to Mexico, we struggle for gift ideas around the holidays. We’ve recently turned to foodie fare– delicious gifts everyone can appreciate. Here are a SNAKE RIVER FARMS few favorites:
STEAK
LeBron James
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1. OKLAHOMA CITY Kevin Durant’s offensive steadiness — 27.7 ppg in ’11, 28.1 in ’12 and 28.3 in ’13 — continues to astound. If Westbrook regains his explosiveness and Serge Ibaka learns an interior move, the Thunder could storm through Miami. 2. L.A. CLIPPERS Doc Rivers’ hiring certainly brings a measure of respect to a franchise thought to be all flash and no fundamentals. We fully expect Doc to watch Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan’s development carefully, while giving Chris Paul enough breathing room to tally MVPlike numbers. 3. GOLDEN STATE In adding Andre Iguodala, one of the NBA’s most-talented teams (Klay Thompson, David Lee, Harrison Barnes) now has a legitimate shot at the Western Conference Finals. Sure helps having the game’s best marksman, Stephen Curry, wearing your jersey. 4. HOUSTON Though Dwight Howard’s antics are what grabbed the headlines a year ago, so-so numbers — 17.1 points and 12.4 boards, his lowest totals in seven seasons — are what we should have been talking about. Maybe playing with the game’s next great shooting guard, James Harden, will get his focus back on the court. 5. SAN ANTONIO Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard are sick and tired of fielding questions about last season’s Finals. Sorry, guys, one more: Exactly how much water is left in the Fountain of Youth that Tim Duncan keeps sipping from? 6. MEMPHIS We love how the heart of the Grizzlies’ bluecollar roster (Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, Mike Conley) remains unbothered. We loathe that steady coach Lionel Hollins was replaced with the unproven Dave Joerger. 7. DENVER Quietly, the Nuggets were the No. 3 seed in the West a season ago. With Iggy gone, that can’t be a realistic goal for this year. Still, with Ty Lawson’s swiftness and JaVale McGee and Kenneth Faried’s swats, the No. 5 or 6 slot is attainable. 8. PORTLAND The Trailblazers are the NBA’s quietest decent team. The good thing about that is that you get to sneak up on the opposition. Of course, the flip side is that sensational players like Damian Lillard (19 ppg, 6.5 apg) and LaMarcus Aldridge (21.1 ppg, 9.1 rpg) are largely unknown outside the Pacific Northwest.
NBA FINALS
MIAMI OVER OKLAHOMA CITY, 4-3
There are few foods I enjoy more than a juicy steak. MEYER NATURAL ANGUS BEEF (meyernaturalangus.com), whose cattle are raised on an all-natural diet, offers succulent cuts ranging from dry-aged ribeye and strip steak to filet mignon. Steaks from SNAKE RIVER FARMS (snakeriverfarms.com) are served at numerous Michelin-rated restaurants. Their Steak & Espresso Brava Salt gift set comes with six 4-ounce American Wagyu sirloins seasoned with espresso and sea salt, for a robust flavor you’ll really savor. For family meals, try DOUBLE R RANCH’S (thedoublerranch. com) Prime Rib Dinner. Their 50,000-acre Washington ranch produces exceptional beef, with beautiful marbling and tenderness. The attention-grabbing Prime Rib package includes an Enamel Roaster and Murray River Salt, making prep a breeze.
MURRY’S CHEESE
CREMINELLI FINE MEATS
THE JAVA TEA CO.
LIQUOR
For my lady’s friends, wine is the drink of choice. CULTIVATE WINES (cultivatewines.com) is a favorite, with their “Wonderlust” Chardonnay and “The Feast” Red Blend sold for under $20. But, for our upcoming 5th anniversary, I surprised her with a $93 bottle of LUCE DELLA VITA’S (lucedellavite.com) 2009 Luce. The Red is a splendid blend of Merlot and Sangiovese, with a tart berry aroma and sweet, spicy, chocolate-y notes. But when I splurge on alcohol, it’s usually for a good Single Malt Scotch from the Highlands, like those of BALBLAIR (balblair.com) and SPEYBURN (speyburn.com), each of which boasts its own rich history, smooth flavor, and warm character.
TEA
OLIVE & COCOA
CHEESE
At the inaugural Atlanta Cheese Festival, we met the folks from GODIVA SARTORI CHEESE (sartoricheese. com), a fourth-generation familyowned Wisconsin business. We were wowed by their awardwinning line of Italian farmstead cheese, especially a great gift set that includes Balsamic, Black Pepper, Espresso, Merlot, and Raspberry BellaVitano. MURRAY’S CHEESE (MurraysCheese.com), founded in Greenwich Village in 1940, was referred to by Forbes as “best cheese shop in the world.” Their Gift Of The Mongers is a dairy-lover’s dream that includes artisan cheeses ranging from snackable Cave Aged Pyrénées Brebis to savory Challerhocker.
CHARCUTERIE
When asked what I want for Christmas, charcuterie is #1. Santa came early this year when we met CREMINELLI FINE MEATS (creminelli.com) at the ACF. Their Grand Tasting Gift blew my mind: It comes with six handcrafted salamis that sing with organic spices, including Barolo w/Red Wine, Wild Boar, and Tartufo w/ Black Truffles. At 2.4 pounds, it’s a meat-lover’s gift that REALLY keeps on giving. MANHATTAN FRUITIER (manhattanfruitier.com) caters to luxury clientele with upscale products and elegant design. Their Charcuterie Sampler makes quite an impression, with two kinds of handcrafted salami (try the Chorizo and Cerveza Seca), goat’s milk cheese, fig paste, fruit, and a knife, all packed into a handsome wooden box.
COFFEE
com) Coffee World Tour, featuring sustainably produced coffees from Africa, the Americas, and Asia/Pacific regions. Available in 3-, 6- or 12-month “tours,” their diverse varietals knocked our socks off.
I adore fine coffees. Grown in the hills above Kona, BRAZEN HAZEN (brazenhazen.com) is a favorite, both for its amazing flavor and because we stayed at their inn. Their 100% Kona Coffee Gift Basket is gorgeous, with two bags (one medium roast, one dark) in a colorful hand-woven Hawaiian basket. We’re also fond of EXOTIC ORIGINS (exoticoriginscoffee.com), which offers an expansive portfolio of single-origin 88+ point coffees purchased directly from growers. Their Suarez Estate Volcan Baru, from Panama, boasts a bold-but-smooth intensity. For serious coffee lovers, get A&E COFFEE’S (aeroastery.
My lady’s family is really into tea. THE JAVA TEA CO. (javateaco. com) offers the world’s first line of coffee-inspired loose-leaf teas, with a coffee-like taste and twice the antioxidants. Made with organic green tea, roobios, herbs and spices, their flavors– including vanilla latte, caramel macchiato, and dark chocolate mocha– taste like homemade Starbucks, but better! Fans of NUMI ORGANIC TEA (NumiTea.com) for years, we love their World Of Tea Collection. The gift box includes five bags each of nine organic tea blends, including flavors from Brazil (Mate Lemon Green), India (Golden Chai) and Morocco (Mint). They somehow made a tea drinker out of a coffee lover like me.
MISCELLANEOUS
Some people love variety. Those people will love the Rustica box from OLIVE & COCOA (oliveandcocoa.com), a gorgeous wooden crate stuffed with dried fruits, gourmet salami and cheese, white chocolate pretzels, and more. In terms of taste and packaging, it’s a beauty. For a taste of the Iberian Peninsula, SPANISH SUITCASE (spanishsuitcase.com) offers unique collections of fine Spanish foods. The Original is their most popular, but we loved the Seafood Suitcase best. GODDESS & GROCER (goddessandgrocer.com), a Chicago shop, offers an “Everything” basket that’s a foodie’s fantasy made real: It has cheese-stuffed olives, pasta & sauce, a bottle of red wine, a bottle of white, and much more.
CHOCOLATE
Is there anyone who doesn’t love chocolate? We’re fans of Atlanta-based CACAO (cacaoatlanta.com), named 2012’s Best Chocolate Shop in the World by Travel & Leisure. Their small-batch Christmas gift set includes incredible Aztec Sipping Chocolate, Peppermint Patty, Cranberry Orange Love Bar, Salame di Cioccolato and more. It’s a truly indulgent gourmet treat! ALTER ECO (alterecofoods) isn’t as fancy, but it is delicious, with unique flavors such as Dark Coconut Toffee and Dark Quinoa. It’s also eco-friendly, grown on carbon-neutral, Fair Trade-certified farms in Ecuador and Peru. But for the true chocoholic, the new Truffle Flights from GODIVA (Godiva.com) are to die for. From Heavenly Mousse and Dark Decadence to Milk Chocolate Lovers and Ultimate Desserts, these remarkably flavorful truffles are… Wait, I had you at Godiva, didn’t I?
Novak Djokovic
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Since 1996 Since 1996 (Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers); Coach of the Year (Gregg
Now that SUPER BOWL XLV is over, football fans can get to the real issue: Will there be a 2011 season? If you let NFL commissioner Roger Goodell tell it, a new collective bargaining agreement is imminent. But listen to ER! NNsituation others closeW toIthe and they’ll say it’s not such a sure thing. While officials work out the numbers, Fanatic knows three things that’ll happen, lockout or no lockout: 1) An SEC defender (Auburn’s Nick Fairley or LSU’s Patrick Peterson) will be the No. 1 pick in the Draft; 2) An 18-game season will be approved; 3) Super Bowl XLVI will kick-off as planned on Feb. 5, 2012 in Indianapolis.
“He’s a beast. What can you say? Some of the shots he made, I was like, ‘Wow. Did he just make that in my face?’ A player like that, you have to live and die defending him one on one. If he makes big shots, you have to go to the other end and stay poised.” –New Mexico guard Dairese Gary, on JIMMER FREDETTE, BYU star and college’s leading scorer
adult For the adultFor in the all of us. in all of us.
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“I feel like a better player now than I was three years ago, because I think that physically I’m stronger, faster, mentally I’m more motivated on the court. I know how to react in certain moments, and I know how to play on a big stage. I have been more focused and dedicated to the sport than ck Up I have ever been before.e ” -2011 AUSTRALIAN s of MEN’SPi d a h S 0 5 OPEN WINNER NOVAK DJOKOVIC Today! !
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“St. Louis was fourth in baseball last year in attendance, but only 13th in payroll. In other words the Cardinals have money to burn, and it’s time to light the match. So here’s what you do if you’re St. Louis: Whatever [Albert] Pujols reason, you give it to him. What’s XZewants, n 12within 00idea. TheFclosest within reason? No leshbaseball lighthas had to a Her eN free agent likeow this!wasN Alex Rodriguez in 2001, when he ow inThat Sto k! million received $252 million for 10 years. wasc$25.2 annually, and that was a decade ago. And Pujols is better.” –CBS SPORTS’ GREGG DOYEL
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“When I signed my contract, my main goal was to earn it. Once I started to realize I wasn’t earning my money, I felt bad. I was making a crazy amount of money for not even pitching. Honestly, I didn’t feel like I deserved it. I didn’t want to have those feelings again.” –GIL MECHE, 32, who retired instead of taking a guaranteed $12 million to pitch for Kansas City this season
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