| Since I didn't make it to Day 3, my contributions
end here:
Day 2 entailed more bands for me than Day 1 as well as much
more drinking. So my memories, though hazy, are more extensive.
THE ECHO LOUNGE, round one
The Bluejays: Another solid show by my favorite local "slide
guitar and harmony" band. Everyone looked a little bored, and
the set was a little rote. But this reaction is understandable
when you are playing to a crowd of, well, five. Plus, The Bluejays
played out a lot in the month prior to the show. They're probably
bored of hearing themselves right now.
Martyr and Pistol: The set was short but sweet and had a nice
resonance in the quiet, cavernous atmosphere of the almost-empty
Echo Lounge. Martyr and Pistol also rolled out at least one
new song from their latest CD. It rocked a little more than
their earlier work with more guitar and less melancholy cello.
The new direction is interesting and different, but I'll need
to hear more of it before I make a real judgment.
Martini: Since I wasn't designated driver, I began my evening
with two martinis at The Echo. The martinis were decent. They
could have been drier, but at least The Echo has great olives
-- firm and salty. Considering the sparse crowd at the time,
the bartender wasn't terribly friendly, and I believe The Echo
has raised its drink prices slightly.
EARTHSHAKING MUSIC, round one
Envie: Probably the most musically beautiful set I saw all
weekend. The addition of drums added grounding to Renee Nelson's
ethereal vocals and harp. Props to Renee also for taking a fashion
risk with a daringly revealing outfit and a new 'do.
Martini: Did I mention this was at Earthshaking Music? No martinis
in a drum store. The greatest downside of this set was that
I started it with a buzz and ended it sober.
THE ECHO LOUNGE, round two
Binary System: OK, so this Roger Miller guy is from Mission
of Burma which meant that when we returned to The Echo it was
much more crowded with emo-boys and jazz geeks who were all
boot-prepared with cameras and microphones. With the Mission
of Burma influence, I was thinking that there would be at least
some guitars. But no. What we got was Schroeder on acid. The
act consisted of Miller with spastic jazz keyboarding and poor
vocals as well as an amazing drummer who really gets into his
percussion work. However, this was free-jazz-a-rama. Not my
thing. I left before the end of the set because I got tired
of inexplicable "oohs" and "aahs" from the many male music geeks.
Martini: Two more from the mediocre and unfriendly bartender.
Even with these two, I still wished I had my old buzz back.
Before Binary System was over, I fled to The Earl.
THE EARL
Hex Error: Ahh, the sanctity of punk. The lead singer for Hex
Error was a bit on the smallish side, but he yelled loud. And,
the guitars were ear splitting. Just what I needed after so
much musical gentility and reverence. What I most remember of
their act involved a lot of my own head banging, and on a Friday
night, that's a good thing.
Martini: Ahh, the sanctity of a good bartender. My favorite
bartender in East Atlanta made me two fabulous martinis, so
smooth I shot them back like water while rocking out. Who says
hardcore has no class? As usual, the olives were big, chewy,
and robust. But, most of all, I appreciate the humility of my
favorite bartender who ran low on olive juice. He feared my
second martini just wouldn't be dirty enough. But, like Jesus
with the loaves and fishes, he conjured an abundance of olive-y
goodness, and my buzz was back.
EARTHSHAKING MUSIC, round two
OK, at this point, I had every intention of seeing Larvae with
some of The Minions, so with a nice buzz and optimistic attitude,
I headed to Earthshaking. Larvae, it turns out, is a TWO MACINTOSH
band. Sober, I can handle one dose of electronica, but buzzed
and in stereo, I was gone.
THE ECHO LOUNGE, round three
Catpower: I'll just state this upfront-- I didn't go to The
Echo to see music. I went for a nightcap in the fabulous back
bar while waiting for Larvae-listening Minions. Anyway, when
I walked in, the band was only on soundcheck, so I paid no attention
and made a beeline for the booze. That was the extent of my
Catpower experience. However, I did find out later that the
soundcheck was actually their set, and I wasn't *that* drunk.
Note to self: no need to catch Catpower at a later date.
Martini: The back bartender was much nicer and funnier than
Mr. Unfriendly up front, which makes it difficult to give my
review. Ah, but I must be honest. This final martini of the
evening was the strangest and lowest quality of the weekend.
I'm not sure (I was on Martini X at this point), but I think
she used sweet vermouth instead of dry. Good green olives and
sweet liquor just ain't right. But I had a wonderful conversation
with someone more drunk than me -- the magical beauty of The
Echo's back bar -- so it was worth it.
I then skipped up to Earthshaking (Absolut makes such a happy
drunk) and met up with the sober Minions.
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