Storytime: Thomas Sanders We live in a world in which Pokémon capture is a sort of reality. Social media platforms have become entwined into our daily narratives and to the folks who are often confused by these sort of things, there’s nothing more confusing than the rise of the internet star. This might be due to a series of essentially “modern” events. Think a resurgence Thomas Sanders in ludditism, rapidlyevolving technologies, percapita accessibility to the tools-of-the-trade… in general, things are way different today than they were a decade ago. One of the bigger misunderstandings that befuddle and further compound the problem is how the general assumption towards internet celebrity-dom rises out of a “notalent” ideology – which in a way is true but for a few, it isn’t. Thomas Sanders, with 7.9 million followers on Vine, is a maestro of the sixsecond loop, an astute observer of Americana, and a young man imbued with genuine charm. For the Florida native, it doesn’t hurt that he embodies the physical and aesthetic appeal of a Disney prince and has the stamina to maintain an almost too-personal connection with his fans, no easy task given the largesse of his followers across his platforms. Sanders’ greatest quality, one that seems fake at first glance, is that unlike others in the field, he doesn’t mine the crude and crass for comedic effect. Sanders is one of those rare gems with actual talent and on-screen charisma. Now embarking on a tour showcasing his skills in a variety show format and capitalizing on his incidental catchphrase “Story Time,” the Ultimate Storytime is a culmination of his Vine work’s catalyst for his self-admitted “nerdy and theatrical side.” It might be content aimed at a younger crowd, but the goodnature of his comedy and the genuine appeal of his smile might be enough to win over those in a different bracket who are having troubles adjusting to the modern world. That folks, is good, old-fashioned entertainment. The Ultimate Storytime with Thomas Sanders at 8:30pm on Saturday, August 13 at the Kelsey Theater, 700 Park Ave, Lake Park. General admission $30. thomassanders.com. ~ Abel Folgar
Mo’Booty: Psych Surf Noir Chill, rump-shaking surfrock is the MO of Mo’Booty, a supergroup of Miami scenemakers consisting of local music photographer-guitarist Monica McGivern, Alexandre “Booty” Merbouti (experimental jazz act Seafoam Walls, postpunk foursome The Bearings) and Colombian drummer Danny Calle (Miami punk wizards The Cost). The trio’s garage surf-punk project came together in the Mo’Booty by Chad Perna Miami home studio of noiserock pioneer and Churchill’s Pub habitué Frank “Rat Bastard” Falestra, where McGivern would shoot photos of visiting local bands. Fascinated with playing music instead of documenting it, she swapped her DSLR for a bass guitar, and learned to jam long enough to attract the attention of Merbouti and, soon after, Calle. The trio then schlepped around the South Florida music scene in search of gigs. Their washed-out lo-fi experimentation is what SXSW audiences discovered in March when the three-piece performed an impromptu set at Hotel Vegas in Austin, Tex., opposite bigger names such as Thee Oh Sees, the Blank Tapes, Hinds and Tijuana Panthers. Listen to Mo’Booty’s scorching single “90 Degrees,” off the three-track release “Bedroom Demos” on their Bandcamp page, and it sounds like a crossbreeding of David Lynch’s “Lost Highway,” Dick Dale on acid and a Humphrey Bogart gumshoe film noir. Against Calle’s methodical drumming rhythm and McGivern’s reverb-drenched bass is Booty’s Leonard Cohen-style baritone, which he uses to shout and harmonize with a low growl. On “O.K.,” another track from the same release, the trio sound indecipherable as they drone in unison against a tight, grungy wall of noise that erupts into a loud, mortarlike sonic shrill. Mo’Booty, torchbearers of a brand of self-described “psychedelic surf noir” rarely played in South Florida (save, perhaps, for guitar heroes Gold Dust Lounge), has remained busy in the eight months since their inception, booking shows at Swampspace Gallery in Miami, Dada in Delray Beach and, later this October, at Wynwood’s III Points Festival. The trio also maintains an active Tumblr account, a home for McGivern’s sharp tour photos, concert reviews, music videos and hand-drawn gig posters. Mo’Booty will perform at Aug. 25 at Respectable Street, 518 Clematis St., in West Palm Beach. Doors 11pm Openers are Stoop Kids and Ates Isildak, along with DJs Marvelous Kendall, JJ Contramus and Ozwaldus. No cover. They also play BUMBLEFEST on September 17! MoBooty.Bandcamp.com and MoBootyStudios. tumblr.com. ~ Phillip Valys
Ray LaMontagne: Ouroboros Ray LaMontagne croons in raspy echoes over dreamy drumbeats and electric guitar along with haunting background vocals on Ouroboros. His sixth album travels even further into the expansive, introspective psychedelic universe of the 70s than 2014’s Supernova. It was 2004’s title track “Trouble” that put LaMontagne on my radar. He followed up with 2008’s Gossip in the Grain and 2010’s God Willin’ the Creek Don’t Rise. The albums were acoustic-guitarharmonica-laden American folk rock, giving us a classic alternative--reminding us that in a world of pop starlets, we still crave an Adele, a Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, a Leon Bridges, a Ray LaMontagne. (No offense to Brittney Spears or Taylor Swift.) LaMontagne expands the contemporary soundscape by pulling the past into the present and somehow evoking a feeling of forever. He does the same with Ouroboros but this time is less like rolling Ray LaMontagne by Brian Stowell down a lonely highway or smoking weed and dancing with your lover. There is less of a grasp on tangible moments and more of an existential acid trip. Even the title invites contemplation on the nature of the self and the universe. The ouroboros is an ancient symbol for infinite regeneration crossing cultural mythologies depicted by a serpent in a circle closed by the creature’s mouth holding its own tail. The idea that as soon as something ends it will begin again survives in Nietzsche’s concept of Eternal Return. He presented the idea that we should not live our lives as if we only had one to live, but that we should live out our lives as if we were going to live out the same existence over and over again for eternity. Again, forever, gives a little more gravity to our choices, but imbues life with less fleeting meaning for ourselves. LaMontagne seems invested in this search for meaning through his music. In “Hey, No Pressure,” LaMontagne sings “Anything you want your life to mean, it can mean.” Sounds liberating--- or like a shit ton of responsibility. But if I had to choose what to do Saturday, August 13 based on the prospect of living it over again for eternity, I’m fairly certain I would like to do it at the Fillmore in Miami Beach to see Ray LaMontagne. Doors open at 7pm. Tickets at www.livenation.com. ~ Jessica Chesler
Next Time You Snap a Photo at a show TAG IT with #FillmoreMB
FillmoreMB.com
SATURDAY, JULY 30
BOSTONS: Lance-O of Kulcha Shok & Jahfe
MONDAY, AUGUST 1
DADA: Comedy Open Mic KYI: Acousti-Kill Open Jam PROPAGANDA: Karaoke Night CHURCHILLS PUB: Radio Bemba: A Latin Punk/Rock Invasion
CULTURE ROOM: Us The Duo RESPECTABLE STREET: Mr. Clit & the Pink Cigarettes, Killmama, Problem Child, Milk Spot, The Grumps, Fuzzadelic TUESDAY, AUGUST 9 DADA: Open Mic KYI: Drag Mondays BOSTONS: Lance-O of Kulcha Shok & Brothers United CHURCHILLS PUB: Miami Jazz Jam FUNKY BISCUIT: Jerry Garcia Birthday ft Crazy Fingers
TUESDAY, AUGUST 2
DADA: Spoken Word Open Mic KYI: Acoustic-Kill Open Jam PROPAGANDA: Karaoke Night CHURCHILLS PUB: The Convalescence, Crossing Rubicon REVOLUTION LIVE: K. Michelle, Ro James and PJ
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3 DADA: Whiskey Wasps KYI: Hoy Polloy
RESPECTABLE STREET: Eric Andre
C.W.S. BAR & KITCHEN: Crazyfingers STACHE: Whiskey Society CHURCHILLS PUB: Open Mic ft. Makai, King Complex
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10
RESPECTABLE STREET: Last Chance for Sarah, Wallace
DADA: Brittany Loynaz & Josh Hollins CHURCHILLS PUB: Words & Wine Open Mic ft. Nicole & Diego BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Think & Drink Trivia
THURSDAY, AUGUST 11
RESPECTABLE STREET: Zoo Peculiar
KYI: Karaoke & Kraken DADA: Closer to the Ocean PROPAGANDA: Ladies Reggae Night, Lftd Lvls C.W.S. BAR & KITCHEN: Juke REVOLUTION LIVE: Bayside CHURCHILLS PUB: Nicky Williams STACHE: Comedy, DJ Ivano Bellini BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Open Mic Night
AUGUST 10-13
ATHENS POPFEST at Georgia Theatre, Little Kings, World Famous w. Daniel Johnston, Love Tractor, Deerhoof, His Name Is Alive, Ought, Shopping, Guerilla Toss, Cancers, Elf Power, Dressy Bessy, Eureka California, Bunnygrunt, RESPECTABLE STREET: MoonRunes PROPAGANDA: Ladies Reggae Night, Lftd Lvls, Of Good Nature Cowtown, Tunabunny, Haybaby, Elekibass, Bastards of STACHE: Comedy, DJ Hilary Bell Fate, Bent Shapes, Casper & the Cookies, Marshmallow GRAMPS: Eric Andre Coast, Ruby the Rabbitfoot, Expert Alterations, Nana CHURCHILLS PUB: Tripping The Mechanism, Reapermanser, Grizol, Lunchbox, Outer Spaces, Mercury Girls, Antlered Seven Serpents, Host Auntlord, Grand Vapids, Schwervon, Romantic States, Try BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Open Mic Night the Pie, Feather Trade, Lylas, Big Fresh, Half Sour, Blue Blood, Wieuca, Big Quiet, Johnathan Coody, Minorcan, AUGUST 5-7 KISMET VINTAGE: Tax Free Wknd, Summer Sale + Fall Preview Shehehe, Dead Neighbors, Spaceflyte, Gauche, Mythical Motors, Hunger Anthem, Soccer Tees, NightBlonde, FRIDAY, AUGUST 5 Crappy Dracula 2, Outer Sea, International Friendly, Glass
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4
DADA: Fashion Riot Fashion Show KYI: Karaoke & Kraken
DADA: Lavola STACHE: DJ Misha C.W.S. BAR & KITCHEN: Jeff Fulks Duo & Bobby Lee Rodgers Trio JUMP THE SHARK: WAVs: J.K. The Reaper, She.Go, Apollo Fresh, Spreadlovegang and more! CHURCHILLS PUB: Helstar, Omen, Thrash Or Die, Nekromaniak, GRAVESEEKER, & Brainhinge
SATURDAY, AUGUST 6
JUMP THE SHARK: Wallace, Raggy Monster, Sunghosts, Kids, Vincent Mango KELSEY THEATER: Bourbon, Bacon, Biscuits & Beer: 5 Course Dinner with Bourbon Tasting
BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Fort Defiance DADA: Sandratz LONGBOARDS: Reggae Souljahs SUBCULTURE COFFEE DELRAY: Jeff Rose & David Barnard STACHE: Dh Hanz, DJ Edgar V PROPAGANDA: Web Three, Peter Pepper, Sight Step, Cam Airborne CHURCHILLS PUB: MARAGEDDON 2: Silenmara, Inferion, Epsilon, FERO LUX, Escape, Born Beneath, Mordeum, Letters of the Lost, Acaedia, The Atlas Complex, Katabatik, Irra’s One FUNKY BISCUIT: The Old Boca Music Festival 3
SUNDAY, AUGUST 7
WYNWOOD YARD: Sweet Justice, Lance-O, Kulcha Shok, Ricky D, ODM, DJ Idrin, Mello D & Bin Bin BREWHOUSE GALLERY: PaintNite (3-5), JL Fulks CHURCHILLS PUB: YourDesign, Novel, NorthStreet
MONDAY, AUGUST 8
DADA: Open Mic KYI: Drag Mondays CHURCHILLS PUB: Miami Jazz Jam, Theatre de Underground
FRIDAY, AUGUST 12
DADA: Big Chief KYI: SuperFuzz BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Subgroove PROPAGANDA: Green Jelly
O’MALLEY’S: David Liebe Hart, Jigsaw Youth, Kocosante STACHE: DJ Misha C.W.S. BAR & KITCHEN: Sun Hands CULTURE ROOM: Motion City Soundtrack CHURCHILLS PUB: 90’s FLASHBACK FESTIVAL
SATURDAY, AUGUST 13
KELSEY THEATER: Ultimate Storytelling with Thomas Sanders presented by Playlist Live BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Mainstreet Dreamers
FILLMORE MIAMI: Ray LaMontagne
DADA: Raggy Monster KYI: Keep It Deep SUBCULTURE COFFEE DELRAY: Fiesta Bobs LONGBOARDS: Jah Steve & The Counteract Crew PROPAGANDA: Bands Take A Stand Against Heroin CULTURE ROOM: Jacob Whitesides STACHE: Wolf Story, DJ Hanz CHURCHILLS PUB: Kitchen Club Anniv: DJ BIT, Bella Luz, & Armada FUNKY BISCUIT: Turnstiles – Billy Joel Tribute
SUNDAY, AUGUST 14
BREWHOUSE GALLERY: A Sunday Kind of Blues (2PM – 4PM) CHURCHILLS PUB: SHAKE 108 LOCAL LOVE LIVE
MONDAY, AUGUST 15 DADA: Open Mic KYI: Drag Mondays
BOSTONS: Lance-O of Kulcha Shok & Brothers United CHURCHILLS PUB: Miami Jazz Jam
TUESDAY, AUGUST 16
DADA: Comedy Open Mic KYI: Acoust-Kill Open Jam PROPAGANDA: Karaoke Night CHURCHILLS PUB: Countdown, Glory, Abuse of Power, Faze, Trust No One, Guilty Conscience, Curbed
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17
RESPECTABLE STREET: Viva House: Troy Collier, Marco Paez, Inlighten, Matt McGuire DADA: Will Willens CHURCHILLS PUB: Words & Wine Open Mic
THURSDAY, AUGUST 18
DADA: Similar Prisoners
RESPECTABLE STREET: Celebratorrrrrr, Rats Mouth KYI: Karaoke & Kraken
KELSEY THEATER: Otep, Doll Skin, Fire From The Gods, Wicked Playground, Fame On Fire, Oblivious Signal BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Open Mic Night STACHE: Raggy Monster, DJ Mikey Ramirez PROPAGANDA: Ladies Reggae Night, Lftd Lvls
FRIDAY, AUGUST 19
DADA: Killmama KYI: Bermuda Beach BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Josh Miles & the Sweet Somethings C.W.S. BAR & KITCHEN: Solemark STACHE: DJ Misha FUNKY BISCUIT: The Nouveaux Honkies & Ben Prestage
SATURDAY, AUGUST 20
KELSEY THEATER: Summer Meltdown Fest 2016:Felicity, Raggy Monster, Ghost Cat, Hiding in Vegas, Church Girls BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Sprockets & Spokes: Custom Bicycle Show, Shae Krispinsky DADA: Altered Roots LONGBOARDS: Reggae Souljahs SUBCULTURE COFFEE DELRAY: Octo Gato PROPAGANDA: Response Negative, Moguera, Seven Serpents STACHE: Burlesque, DJ Dean Mason C.W.S. BAR & KITCHEN: Jeff Fulks Band CHURCHILLS PUB: Black Pussy, Cave of Swimmers, Milkspot
MONDAY, AUGUST 22
DADA: Open Mic KYI: Drag Mondays BOSTONS: Lance-O of Kulcha Shok & InnaSense CHURCHILLS PUB: Miami Jazz Jam
TUESDAY, AUGUST 23
KELSEY THEATER: The As Good As Dead Tour: Local H DADA: Comedy Open Mic KYI: Acoustic-Kill Open Jam PROPAGANDA: Karaoke Night CHURCHILLS PUB: All Folk’d Up
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24 DADA: Chloe Dolandis
RESPECTABLE STREET: 90’s Buffy Dance Party BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Think & Drink Trivia CHURCHILLS PUB: Words & Wine Open Mic STACHE: Whiskey Society
THURSDAY, AUGUST 25
RESPECTABLE STREET: Mo’Booty
DADA: Aaron Lebos Band KYI: Karaoke & Kraken BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Open Mic Night PROPAGANDA: Ladies Reggae Night, Lftd Lvls, Helmsmen REVOLUTION LIVE: Bros Safari CHURCHILLS PUB: House of I, Frankie Midnight, Jordan Esker STACHE: VINOLOVERSUS, DJ Mikey Ramirez
FRIDAY, AUGUST 26
DADA: Milkspot & Wilkes Oswald KYI: Shameless Burlesque BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Acoustic Soul PROPAGANDA: Summer Luau, People Upstairs, No Name Ska Band C.W.S. BAR & KITCHEN: Chloe Dolandis Duo & Josh Miles Band STACHE: Stripped & Stranded Luau, DJ MISHA CHURCHILLS PUB: Strummer Jam with Askultura & Armageddon Man
SATURDAY, AUGUST 27
KELSEY THEATER: The Rocky Horror Picture Show
DADA: Epicurean Pleasure LONGBOARDS: Jah Steve & the Counteract Crew SUBCULTURE COFFEE DELRAY: Chloe Dolandis KYI: The Wire – Hip Hop party BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Deal James & Summer Gill PROPAGANDA: Telekinetic Walrus, Not Spices STACHE: DJ Hanz C.W.S. BAR & KITCHEN: Juke CHURCHILLS PUB: Animalia Music Fest IV edition! CULTURE ROOM: Unknown Hinson FUNKY BISCUIT: Dreams Crystal Visions Of Fleetwood Mac
SUNDAY, AUGUST 28
BREWHOUSE GALLERY: Garrett Fogg CHURCHILLS PUB: Cyborg Sundays with Skinny Hendrix
MONDAY, AUGUST 29
DADA: Open Mic KYI: Drag Mondays BOSTONS: Lance-O of Kulcha Shok & Brothers United CHURCHILLS PUB: Miami Jazz Jam
TUESDAY, AUGUST 30
DADA: Comedy Open Mic KYI: Acousti-Kill Open Jam
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31
DADA: Jessica Morale & Xander James CHURCHILLS PUB: Words & Wine Open Mic C.W.S. BAR & KITCHEN: Crazyfingers
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
RESPECTABLE STREET: Similar Prisoners
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
POORHOUSE: Suede Dudes, Wake Up, Nick Petakas
BOHEMÏA AG: Ænniversary3 (day1)INlighten, Danny Bled
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
BOHEMÏA AG: Ænniversary3 (day2) – Marion Royer, Amy Foreman, Ballet Atlantica, Michelle Rassner, Anthony Stuart, Dave Calculator, Kristian Jacobi, Aceskully, Cheap Plastic, Cog Nomen, Beatles Haircut, Fall of Olympus, Juvenals, Keith Welsh, Last, Pain Appendix, Pedro Sampedro, Skagboy, Symbols, UXVIE
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
GRAMPS: PUREHONEY 5 YEAR PRE-PARTY w. THE STARGAZER LILIES (Graveface), Heavy Drag, Peyote Coyote
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
500 BLOCK OF CLEMATIS, DNTN WPB: BUMBLEFEST: THE STARGAZER LILIES, Armageddon Man, Bleubird, Celebratorrrrrr, Chaucer, Cog Nomen, Dan Bonebrake, The Dewars, Fat Sun, John Ralston, Keith Welsh, Killmama, Lindsey Mills, Mo’Booty, Other Body, Peyote Coyote, Pocket Of Lollipops, Problem Child, Rivers, Similar Prisoners, Sweet Bronco, TreeSwifts, Wallace, Whiskey Wasps. 6PM START
The Stargazer Lilies PureHoney is no moneymaker – far from it – and it certainly isn’t a vanity project either. This is a labor of love and as such it has had its many ups and downs but it always arrives in your hands as a worthwhile, tangible and unique artifact of and for the local scene. Print media isn’t what it used to be and to hit the sixtieth issue in print without corporate backing means that for five solid years, you’ve done something right. To help celebrate this milestone there will be a The Stargazer Lilies party, as there’s been for each year reached and one of this year’s headliners are the Stargazer Lilies. Fans of shoegaze will recognize this outfit as the evolved presence of husband/ wife creative musical duo of John Cep and Kim Field, formerly of Soundpool. “Since the creation of TSL we’ve kept things pretty much about heavy guitars and lush hushed vocals with minimalistic drum beats,” explains Field. “We see it as a sort of The Shangri-La’s meets Slowdive meets Pink Floyd live at Pompeii.” With the addition of Tammy Hirata on drums, the band has evolved their sound organically in their first pair of releases, the latest being Door to the Sun, but are already looking into the future, “we’re going to be trying something totally different with the third album,” says Field. “We’ve always pieced our songs together in the studio. This time we’re going to be working the songs up as a group and playing them live before recording.” There are many parallels that could be drawn between this band and how they conduct themselves professionally with Rullman and his baby, PureHoney. It wouldn’t even require advanced poetic skills to evoke the sentiment. You can hear it in their music, you can see it in the way that this magazine is properly curated and still in awe of live music. Will this publication be around another five years? Time will tell. The collective hope is that it is and that it thrives. Fold out the poster and tack it on your wall. Like Field explains of her band and what I’ll appropriate for this anniversary: “collaborating with someone you are deeply intimate with is a beautiful thing.” TSL play BUMBLEFEST on Saturday, September 17 on the 500 Block of Clematis Street, Dntn West Palm Beach at Subculture Coffee, Longboards, O’Shea’s and Respectable Street. 25 Bands, 5 Stages, 6pm-4am and the Pre-Party September 16 at Gramps with Heavy Drag and Peyote Coyote. ~ Abel Folgar
David Liebe Hart
David Liebe Hart by Jonah Mociun
If you believe David Liebe Hart, the puppeteer who offers bizarre life lessons on Adult Swim’s “Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!” the musician has met aliens and can trace his heritage to U.S. president Ulysses S. Grant. On the cult sketch-comedy show, the street performer-turned ventriloquist has claimed he’s related to Orville and Wilbur Wright; and that, as a child, he was abducted by a race of vegetarian aliens called “Korrindians.”
The line between derangement and showmanship seems just as blurred in his music, performed on “Tim and Eric” against low-budget, “Reading Rainbow”style starry-night backdrops. The balding, crooked-toothed Hart, with his selfaware goofiness, obvious ventriloquistic mouth movements and operatic singing style, is usually accompanied by his hand puppet companion Doug the Dog – or, in most-popular video “Salame,” a bow-tied tiger named Jason. On his new full-length album, “Astronaut,” a collection of similarly outré songs, Hart waxes on the tenets of Christian Science, failed relationships and UFOs. On his soulful funk single “The Pickle Man & Mr. Moose,” Hart recalls the time he lived in a haunted Chicago house inhabited by two ghost dogs that enjoyed a special form of torture. “I got licked and tickled and my blankets pulled out from over me,” Hart says, recalling the song by phone from his Los Angeles home. “They were very devious. Ghosts are just as real as extraterrestrials and Bigfoot.” Hart cut his teeth as a puppeteer at Sunday school in Washington, D.C., when Jim Henson taught in the Christian Science church. “There were famous puppeteers teaching there,” Hart says. “When he saw that I became famous, he asked me to do puppet shows teaching kids to say no to drugs.” His popularity grew when Hart was discovered performing with his puppets outside the Hollywood Bowl and the Santa Monica Pier, which led to stints as an evangelist and public-access host. His surreal brand of alt-comedy proved a perfect fit for “Tim and Eric,” where he appeared for three seasons. During his South Florida stop, Hart’s songs of paranormal encounters will be accompanied by videos and producer Jonah Mociun, a.k.a. Th’Mole, his recent collaborator. David Liebe Hart will perform 8:30 pm Aug. 12 at O’Malley’s Sports Bar, 1388 State Road 7, in Margate. Opening acts include Köcosanté and Jigsaw Youth. Cover is $10. ArtByLiebeHart.com. ~ Phillip Valys
Athens Popfest is Back! Daniel Johnston, Deerhoof, Love Tractor, His Name is Alive, Shopping, Guerilla Toss, Ought, Tunabunny, Eureka California, Bastards of Fate, Bunnygrunt, Antlered Aunt Lord, Marshmallow Coast, Half Sour, Haybaby, Bent Shapes, and Big Quie are just a few of the bands playing Athens Popfest 2016. While major festivals like Bonnaroo and Coachella seem to be xeroxing each other’s lineup, it’s the growing number of local fests that are able to create truly unique experiences. At some point, before Coachella was a backdrop for ridiculous Kardashian Instagram pics, they too started with an idea of bringing people and good bands together while fighting the good fight against the Ticketmaster music monopoly. Athens Popfest has been around for 12 years, but it has managed to maintain an indie ethos and sense of community while continuing to grow. This is in no Daniel Johnston by Peter Juhl small part due to the instincts of founder Mike Turner who also happens to run the label HHBTM Records, manages Wuxtry Records in Athens, and handles publicity for bands under Crashing Through Publicity. In 2004, Turner left North Florida for the long established music haven of Athens, Georgia. Turner, who had only booked a handful of shows at the time, decided to hold the first Athens Popfest to celebrate this next chapter of his life. “I just made a list of bands I wanted to book, sent out emails, secured the venue, and it just sort of happened. I learned so much in the moment as the event was happening and just took notes as what not to do in the future. That still applies with each one. You learn something new each time.” There were 40 bands the first year. That number doubled by 2008 and demanded multiple venues. The festival took a hiatus in 2009, returning the following year as a non-profit. Record, comic, zine, and craft fairs were added in 2011--- and then things just weren’t coming together in a way Turner felt right about. So, he took some time off. He went overseas and managed a few touring bands.
Mike Turner
“I hadn’t planned on bringing the festival back, but I was over in the UK at this amazing festival called Indietracks with the label band Eureka California and I was kidding around to someone who asked me if I’d ever do the Athens Popfest again and I said go ahead and pencil it in for August 2016.” Bands started approaching him at that festival to book for the Athens Popfest 2016 reboot. Just like that (and with a lot of organizing on the part of people like Eureka California Drummer, Maria A. Uhler)--- it was on again. Turner guarantees a great time, but issues one warning to festival goers and bands alike: If you stay in Athens more than 2 or 3 days, you’ll end up moving here. The four day, indoor festival happens August 10-13 at Little Kings, World Famous, and the Georgia Theatre. Tickets start at $12 and 4-day passes are $48. Find info and join the popfest at AthensPopFest.com See our small poster insert on reverse for complete lineup! ~ Jessica Chesler
Eric Andre At the Republican National Convention in July, Comedian Eric Andre strolled into a proDonny Trump rally, camera crew in tow, to interrupt a fiery speech by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. Jones, who espouses a theory that the U.S. government was responsible for destroying the World Trade Center, spotted the wavy-haired troll easily: Andre was competing for the crowd’s attention by tapping audience members in the face with his microphone. Jones took the bait and invited the comic onstage. He called Andre a Democrat. “I’m a nihilist,” Andre corrected, and brandished his hotel key. “I want you to have sex with my wife,” he told Jones. Before security dragged him Eric Andre offstage, he screamed to no one in particular, “Who put the bombs in Tower 7?!” “Nihilist” doesn’t quite describe Andre’s streak of anarchism, which can be found on his cult TV series “The Eric Andre Show,” premiering its fourth season Aug. 5 on Adult Swim. Andre’s stunt at the convention, of course, is part of the new season. Accompanied by deadpan sidekick Hannibal Buress, Andre plays the clueless maniac host of a public-access, late-night program, a bizarre alternate dimension where he strips down naked and smashes his own set. He chats with D-listers (Sinbad, muscular has-been Dolph Lundgren) and A-listers (Amy Poehler, muscleless weed-smoker Seth Rogen), all of whom he inevitably manages to offend. In other street pranks, Andre lunges at pedestrians while wearing a green bodysuit. He punches focus groups critiquing his own show. It’s a seat-of-your-pants skewering of talk-show conventions, a “Between Two Ferns” with a healthier budget. When Andre brings his Florida Tour to Respectable Street on Aug. 3 and Gramps on Aug. 4, it will be a homecoming of sorts for Andre, a Boca Raton native who graduated from Addison Mizner Elementary School and Dreyfoos School of the Arts. Longtime fans will notice his standup is no less bizarre, with routines that tackle the use of Jamaican music on the TV series “Cops” and feeling sick after watching the film “Precious” in 3D. Eric Andre will perform at 10:30 pm Aug. 3 at Respectable Street, 518 Clematis St., West Palm Beach, and 9 and 11pm Aug. 4 at Gramps bar, 176 NW 24th St., Miami. $20-$25 cover at Respectable Street, $20-$30 at Gramps. EricAndre. com. ~ Phillip Valys
Otep at Kelsey Theater In the late 90’s, early aughts the masses started to have an awakening. Pop culture had birthed a revolution that married the aggression of metal with hip hop beats and found a groove somewhere in the middle. However, while it started with bands like Rage against the Machine, who used these elements to further a political agenda and speak to a larger audience than the hardcore/ metal scene could reach; we ended up with ‘Nookie” by Limp Otep Bizkit and “Butterfly” by Crazy Town. Quite possibly two of the most moronic songs about chasing tail ever recorded. It wouldn’t be fair to say those songs, or bands ruined the genre; but the case could be made. Otep, on the other hand, is a band fronted by a woman who is openly vegan and lesbian; pretty much turning the testosterone fueled bro-down that was Nu-Metal on its head. It’s this mixture of ideals that have kept Otep ahead of the pack when it comes to the genre. Otep came together in Los Angeles in 2000 and were offered a spot on Ozzfest before putting out a proper recording; having been spotted by the eagle eyed of the Osbourne clan: Sharon. They gigged around, paid their dues in the L.A. metal scene and wrote their debut album Sevas Tra; having earned their spot amongst the 2001 Ozzfest line-up. Much like punk rock feminist icons such as Kathleen Hanna before her Otep Shymaya has used her band and her celebrity to bring light to subjects that aren’t typical fair in the metal scene. She is a published writer, having released a book of short stories titled, “Movies in my mind”, she’s an outspoken animal activist and was a speaker at 2008 Democratic National Convention. Due to this and her outspoken stance on LGBTQ causes the band shared the spotlight at the GLAAD awards in 2010 with the likes of Lady Gaga and Adam Lambert as nominees for outstanding musical artists; an honor most metal bands can’t boast about. It really says something about a group immersed in a deeply testosterone filled genre that not only can they sustain a career by going their own way, but making a cultural impact that gets them invited to prestigious events because of their politics and ideology, not just their music. Get into the pit, bang your head and learn a little something while you acquire that next dose of metallic dopamine release. When people have something worth while to say, you should listen. Otep plays Kelsey Theater on August 18 with Doll Skin, Fire from the Gods, Wicked Playground, Fame On Fire, Oblivious Signal. Doors 7pm. http://www.oteploves.me ~ Tim Moffatt