Their mission is to identify cities throughout the nation and, at each location, join forces with an established organization already combating issues such as poverty, abuse, and homelessness at a local level. They then reach out to local musicians in each city to create a benefit concert series, and all funds raised at the show are infused directly back into the community through a donation to the partner organization.

Their next effort? Tonight they’ve got a fantastic lineup at the 40 Watt in Athens, partnering with an organization called Whatever It Takes, supporting their effort to fight poverty by promoting education in Athens. The benefit will feature some of Athens’ best talent including Futurebirds, Patterson Hood (guitarist and vocalist for Drive By Truckers), Claire Campbell (of Hope For Agoldensummer), Woodfangs, and My Cousin, The Emperor.

“One of the core principles of the Whatever It Takes initiative is collaboration with other organizations to maximize the effect we all have on our community,” said Ryan Lewis, Communications Director of Whatever It Takes. “Partnering with Poverty Is Real and the participating musicians and local businesses gives us an opportunity to showcase the creativity that makes Athens such a special town while providing people with an easy and fun way to help all children in Athens succeed in life.”

Photo by Phil Dokas

Mangum will be playing one solo show in Atlanta at Variety Playhouse on February 1 and two solo shows at Athens’ 40 Watt Club on February 10 and 11. Tickets for these shows go on sale today, Friday, November 11, at noon. Expect to spend over $30 a ticket. There is a 4 ticket limit per show.

Pick up your tickets here:

Wednesday, February 1 at Variety Playhouse

Friday, February 10 and Saturday, February 11 at the 40 Watt

Today are the Municipal elections so get out there and cast your vote.

Here’s an older post about both Atlanta and Georgia voting that still applies —

What you’ll see on the ballot? It’s all local City of Atlanta. No, Obama isn’t going anywhere yet. You’ll be able to vote your picks for the likes of Mayor and City Council.

Deer Tick
J-Roddy Walston & the Business, Jonny Corndawg
Saturday, October 17
40 Watt
9PM Doors | $10 ADV | 18+

To win a pair of tickets to see Deer Tick at the 40 Watt on Saturday, October 17, enter via email with your full name and tell me why you should win the tickets. First one to enter (and confirm) will win the tickets and notified via email by 2PM on the day of show. Upon confirmation, the winner will receive two tickets which they will receive at Will Call. You must be able to confirm by 4PM EST.

[mp3] Deer Tick – Art Isn’t Real (City Of Sin)

Friday night, one of the best comedy shows in Athens, The Beards of Comedy, will be celebrating the release of their debut album, Comedy for People at The Melting Point.

The Beards of Comedy, featuring Tj Young, Andy Sandford, Dave Stone, and Joe Zimmerman, are four of Atlanta’s best comedians. Their style is deeply rooted in stand-up with masterful use of improv and sketch thrown in. With a brand of comedy not typical of the south, be prepared to hear everything from pop culture to philosophy to down-right silliness. The Beards, and yes they all have beards, are a welcome break from the idiotic Dane Cooks of the world. A sense of humor that is sarcastic, observant, and intelligent, The Beards aren’t going to dumb anything down for anyone, except maybe the redneck in the back.

Copies of Comedy for People will be available for only $10 at the release show. For those not able to make the show, you can buy Comedy for People on iTunes or from RooftopComedy.com.

Added Bonus: Tj Young’s band, Hey, Revolution, will be making a special appearance after the comedy.

For a sneak peek, check out this reel from the Beards of Comedy:

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3

• Sunny Day Real Estate, The Jealous Sound at Center Stage 8PM Doors, 9PM Show | Sold Out | 18+
• Matt Brown (of Uncle Green), Jon Auer (of The Posies & Big Star)
• Dan Deacon, Wavves, Ganglians at 40 Watt | $12
• Found Art at Mint Gallery
• Comicpalooza at Laughing Skull Lounge | 8PM & 10PM | $15-$18
• John Caparulo at The Punchline | 7PM & 9PM & 11PM | $20
• Comedy Gold featuring Joe Zimmerman @ Landmark Diner Side Lounge | 9PM | $10

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4

• Hunx & His Punx, Balkans at Vacation Gallery
• Comicpalooza at Laughing Skull Lounge | 7PM & 9PM | $12-$15
• John Caparulo at The Punchline | 8PM | $15

Burning Question: Why is the douchebag-to-normal human being ratio so high in the Hilarious Hijinx world of commercial radio?  It’s one of the great unanswered questions, like “Why do we need sleep?” and “How does Uwe Boll sleep at night?” 

In another display of commercial radio facepalmery, those marketing whizzes at Cox Communications decided to change the format of WPUP, 100.1 FM, Athens’ “Home of Concerts and World Class Rock” out of the blue.  What took its place?  Why Obama Radio, of course. 

Claiming victim to an Obama-led government takeover of the station –- perhaps Obama’s armies of ACORN and Americorps warriors are behind it. The new format is nothing but Obama speeches juxtaposed with soul/R&B/novelty pop and Hawaiian music (get it?).  Listen here.

Great idea, guys!  Feed the government takeover frenzy that dominated our national “discourse” this summer!  And, hey, Obama’s black, so let’s play a bunch of “black music” and pop music and stuff!  Because white folks would never dig that!  Playing pop/soul/R&B music is funny because it’s not to be taken as seriously as the sterling rock music they used to play on WPUP.  You know, classic bands like BTO and Golden Earring.

Me, I like the change in format.  I just heard “Superfly” on the radio for the first time in quite a while.  Also: Chic, The Dazz Band, and Hot Chocolate.  And Peaches & Herb.  And Tony! Toni! Tone!  I’m down with that.  I’ll jam Rick Astley over Lifehouse any day of the week.  Furthermore, who doesn’t like the ukulele?  I say keep Obama Radio going, just with fewer speeches.

Above is the latest from Athens-based Jucifer called “The Mountain” from the album L’autrichienne available now via Relapse Records. Previous to Relapse, Jucifer was on Atlanta-based indie label, Velocette Records, where they released their 2002 album I Name You Destroyer.

VIDEO CREDITS
Director: Marc Pilvinsky
Photographer: G. Edgar Livengood

R.E.M. Live At The Olympia Track Listing:

Disc 1:
Living Well Is The Best Revenge / Second Guessing / Letter Never Sent / Staring Down The Barrel of the Middle Distance / Disturbance At The Heron House / Mr. Richards / New Test Leper / Cuyahoga / Electrolite / Man-Sized Wreath / So. Central Rain / On The Fly / Maps And Legends / Sitting Still / Driver 8 / Horse To Water / I’m Gonna DJ / Circus Envy / These Days

Disc 2:
Drive / Feeling Gravity’s Pull / Until The Day Is Done / Accelerate / Auctioneer / Little America / 1,000 / Disguised / Worst Joke Ever / Welcome To the Occupation / Carnival of Sorts / Harbor Coat / Wolves Lower / I’ve Been High / Kohoutek / West of the Fields / Pretty Persuasion / Romance / Gardening At Night

I refrained from posting this a few months ago because I thought it was absolutely ridiculous that Yo Gabba Gabba doesn’t allow video embeds. I didn’t want to completely deprive you junkies of Athens’ Of Montreal, so now I will bestow upon you a link to the clip…

Check out Of Montreal on Yo Gabba Gabba.