A friend of mine is off to grad school at the University of Georgia. Since she also happens to be one of the world’s biggest REM fans, we were talking about what a musical hotbed Athens has been off and on. I did a set last night on my radio show of Athens (and nearby) tracks, and I thought I’d put a CD mix or two together for her before she goes.
I’m sure I’ll dig up some rare REM tracks to put on there, along with some B-52s and plenty of Elephant 6 love. (I know a lot of those bands are not really from Athens, but that’s where E6 was based.)
For older stuff, there’s Widespread Panic. Don’t have a particular song recommendation there.
Pylon was a seminal band. Their best-known song (covered on a B-side by REM) was “Crazy.” REM always deferred to Pylon as being a better band back in the day.
Another good old-school band was Dreams So Real. I recommend “Whirl” if you can find it. Damn fine song.
Guadalcanal Diary was from metro Atlanta, but they were sorta part of the Athens scene. Their best known song is “Watusi Rodeo” but a better song (IMHO) is “Trail of Tears.” Other good songs: “Litany” and “Little Birds.”
My buddy used to be in a band called Funkomatic in Athens in the early 90’s. They moved to Ohio and changed their name to Mr. Tibbs, though.
Apparently they were good enough to make a meager living…but since they split up around the time the Internet caught on, I can’t find any of their stuff on the Web.
If you’re interested, I could get him to donate a track or two for ya. PM me.
Also, not an Athens band, but Let’s Active (a Winston-Salem band) was fronted by REM producer Mitch Easter, and had that same jangle-pop sound. Played Athens quite often back in the day. Best song IMHO is “Blue Line” or maybe “Crows on a Phone Line.”
Alex Chilton lived in Athens for a while, as did Syd Straw. From Syd Straw, I like “CBGB’s.”
Billy Bragg also did a sojourn in Athens, and while there recorded the song “You Woke Up My Neighborhood” with R.E.M. (A damn fine song.)
You should probably have something by Hindu Love Gods, a side project collaboration between REM and Warren Zevon. “Narrator” was a great song. They also did a cover of “Raspberry Beret.”
For an unusual R.E.M. track, try “Fretless” (which also features Kate Pierson) from the Until the End of the World soundtrack. Or maybe their cover of “First We Take Manhattan.”
The Drive-By Truckers are based in Athens. “Carl Perkins’ Cadillac” just might be their best song, though there are a lot of great ones to choose from.
Was Drivin’ N Cryin’ from Athens? I can never remember.
Also, leave us not forget The Woggles, a fine garage band fronted by my friend and former roommate Manfred Jones, and also Hillbilly Frankenstein, who seem not to have a Web presence, but you should be able to find their fine rockabilly/swing discs somewhere.
How about the Flat Duo Jets? I know they were from Chapel Hill but they played Athens all the time and had ties. I used to love Drivin’ and Cryin’ (although I think they were form up north originally) and a local band called The BBQ Killers.
Man, this brings back memories. Iwas there from '87 to ‘90 and the general consensus was that I had just missed the “golden age” of indie Athens rock. But it was great anyway. Lot’s of hours at the GA Bar, seeing Billy Bragg two nights in a row at the 40 Watt, sneak reunion of Pylon, getting wasted at Curtis’ house which was across the street from the kudzu field that was featured on one of the REM album covers.
And how could I forget Big Fish Ensemble, which includes a friend of mine (Paul Schwartz). Sample video.Another here.
I knew 'em when they started up in Athens as Big Wall of Shit. Paul invited me to come and do some vocals once, but I never did. My lost opportunity for stardom…
10,000 Maniacs have an Athens-y sound, and indeed tried their hand at making it in Athens, unsuccessfully. Of course, there’s the whole “touring with R.E.M.” thing too
I’ve never heard that song, but “Never Gunna Change” and “Danko Manuel” are both great tracks.
Other recs:
Elf Power “An Old Familiar Scene”
Jet By Day “O Salvation” ; “Meet Me In The Dark” ; “This Quiet Hell”
I Am The World Trade Center “Look Around You”
FTR, there’s a list of Athens Bands here. I only know a handful of them, personally. (I’m familiar with, but not a fan of, Summer Hymns and The Whigs too. The Afghan Whigs on the other hand…not from GA, however.)
Bands from Atlanta are too far away for “and nearby,” right?
