The Strange Days Fest is soon to establish itself as one of the best local Atlanta festivals.

Click the link above to see the full list of amazing bands playing the festival.

 Click here to download the album.

Wizard Smoke has some upcoming shows:

Saturday, March 20, 2010 at the Caledonia Lounge (Athens, GA) with Vincas and Pride Parade.

Sunday, March 21, 2010 - EARL (Atlanta, GA)
with Torche and Irreversible.

ATL Ska-core superstars The Disregardables are readying a short stent of the Southeast...they had this to say about it...

 

 The Disregardables are about to embark on their 9th (or 10th?) tour this March. Although a short weekend-to-weekend tour, this will be about the 7th time we have hit the east coast! We tried to make it a point to only play house/basement shows and for the most part we succeeded! Over half the shows are in DIY spaces (virtues VERY important to us) and we can't wait to meet new people and see old friends. If you have a chance to come to any of the shows, please do. Even if you don't enjoy us live, we would love to shoot the shit with you and make friends. Support the scene and keep it alive!

Much love, The Disregardables

Hit them up on their myspace for date confirmations.

The Deadbeats are on the scene and establishing themselves directly on your face. Their debut album Ska's not Dead...Yet is a no holds barred ska and punk extravaganza (thats with extra, extra vaganza). Each song is a bold assertion of living life as you please and not letting anyone tell you otherwise...a true punk attitude. Take that attitude and lay it across gushing ska melodies and adventurous punk narratives and you have what embodies The Deadbeats.

The opening song Head held High is perhaps one of my favorites and moves to quickly substantiates that the Deadbeats are a force to be reckoned with. It croons the lyrics "...let me live my life and I'll let you live yours....I'll turn away with my head held high and I'll be a deadbeat till the day I die." Clearly the Deadbeats want everyone to know that they are here to stay and they don't give a fuck what you think. Wannabe, the second track, shows the satirical side that comes complete with any true punk band talking about wanting to be none other than a "wannabe." 

Track number five titled Something to Prove is a favorite as it stays true to what I consider the embodiment of the one value I want in a punk-ska band...that of hating the police and authority. It starts out with mention of some douche using and hiding behind a badge and it is clear by the title that they don't think highly of the situation. "...he's got a gun and he thinks he's got authority, but he know its not enough, so he rallied up his crew...why you fucking boys in bluuuuueee." The next track so cleverly and appropriately titled Bitch, creates a beat out of the word bitch and then quickly picks up the pace into a more hardcore song lyrically, but remains a fast paced, melodramatic ska song with one purpose...and that is to say "fuck you bitch." I only wish I knew who it was directed at - so I could laugh like a super-villain.

When all is said and done, Ska's Not Dead...Yet is a truly magnificent debut from a band that clearly appreciates their ancestors that laid the foundation of what it means to be a ska band and a punk band. The lyrics and vocals are raw impressions of living life with anarchistic views and the hooks and melodies are clever and fun. During their most rapid moments, the Deadbeats are aggressive and in league with the best. The few times they slow it down, in such songs as Tracy, the band is ruminative and introspective. One thing is for sure, the Deadbeats are a sensational merging of punk, ska and reggae stylings. 

It will be easy to find evidence of their greater influences like Sublime and Rancid and just as easy if not easier to find the unsurpassed and distinctive essence that manifests inside The Deadbeats. I don't speak for the band but I believe they would close with this...Fuck authority and the boys in blue and if you don't like The Deadbeats, then fuck you too. Rock on deadbeats; I'll be a deadbeat till the day I do...too...beatlanta is on board. SUPPORT LOCAL MUSIC AND SUPPORT THE DEADBEATS. I can't wait to see what they have in store for us in their follow up.

Read more about The Deadbeats on beatlanta.com here.

See pictures of the band on beatlanta.com

Watch more vidoes of The Deadbeats at beatlanta's youtube channel.

BE A DEADBEAT TILL THE DAY YOU DIE

    As I sit listening to Of Legend’s album ‘Cleric of Samsara’, I am immediately thinking of the legends of old. The album begins with an introduction of ambient, wind sounds and a man talking about the relativity of time and opening gates to alternate points in time…then begins with a song that sounds like waking up to the call of legend. The song progresses slowly until the singer comes in with a voice that shakes the foundations of doom.  As he shouts out curses unto the torment of mankind, the music is preparing a vessel for his journey. Slow and heavy guitars and drums set the sails for an epic that continues as the album does.

    Throughout the album, you can hear definite themes of the dips and peaks of being at sea, and of being in peril. The songs are all lengthy and melodic, but compelling and easy to fall into. The melodies are very long and trance-like, perfect for the feverish state of a hero on his quest for the conquering of his demon. The singer is always extremely passionate though mellow, allowing him to slay his verses with confidence and ease. The entire album is very monotonous and concentrated, but upon a close listen the motions are very distinct and can be understood as a book can be read. The mood changes are dynamic although subtle, and very mesmerizing. A good listen for a time of reflection and meditation.

    The song titles are all homage to the old legends and myths, such as ‘Poseidon Swims’ and ‘the Cleric’, as well as some newer legendary themes, such as the song ‘Asleep at the Edge’, reminding the listener of the very factual basis of old legends. This album has darkness to it, but it is not a ‘dark’ album. It is a patient, driven and strong album. The whole group comes together to deliver a solemn assemblage of songs, appropriate for those who appreciate metal to those who appreciate epic music. Check songs from the album out online at http://www.myspace.com/oflegend, and download the album HERE for free.

All photos provided by Swank Motel

It happens to be a coincidence that two feature Friday segments in a row feature the two most swanky bands in Atlanta,  but this week we have an interview with Swank Motel as well as some promotional items.

Each week living inside the Atlanta music scene is greater than the next. I constantly discover absolutely amazing bands, and Swank Motel is an awesome example. They preside in the ranks of Atlanta's post-punk garage-indie scene and quite frankly I think they belong near the top. I hear and read their name constantly while doing what I do for beatlanta but to be honest I've never taken the time to stop and take a listen, and I haven't had the pleasure of seeing the band live. Over the past two weeks or so I've been listening to what they have on myspace and playing it for my friends and everyone seems to have the same thoughts. Swank Motel is a pummeling of jangly guitars, rugged vocals and steady drums that merge the senses in ways that leave the listener staring blankly, wondering happily at what is occurring and hoping it never ceases (yes, thats what we all thought together). Here is a song that have posted on youtube...

From the first song to the last I never pulled my ears away. The guitar solos were brazen displays of Strokes like genius and the vocals the same. Swank Motel engineers a sound soaked in talent and determination and you can barely tell they just returned from a two year hiatus. You can tell however, that they have built up an energy that they are ready to release on Atlanta, and you want to be around when they do.  Head to Swank Motel on MySpAcE and take a listen to the song Drop the Drink for the band's elite take on fast paced garage sounds; and then hear Overdue Acoustic for Swank Motel's more sensitive side...you'll be thunderstruck.

Swank Motel has a number of Atlanta shows coming up including one on March 15 at Smith's Olde Bar. We had the pleasure of asking the band a few questions and this is what they had to say:

B: When did Swank Motel form?

Well we formed in late 2006, and after playing shows most of 2007 our drummer developed a substance abuse problem that subsequently led the band into a two year hiatus. We rejoined in 2009 with our new drummer, Robby Dotson, and have been playing out for the last nine months.

B: How does everyone know each other?

We all met in high school.

B: Do you have any albums out now or coming soon that we should know about?

We have a four-track demo coming out in with our Producer Phil Jones (DogBite) which should be released and in record stores throughout Atlanta for free in the next two months.

B: Where are you recording?

We will be recording in a local Atlanta studio.

B: Have you recorded anywhere in town before?

We have once with very unfavorable results, since then all our previously released tracks have been recorded by ourselves.

B: Do you have any upcoming shows and/or tour plans?

We are currently booked through May playing shows all over Atlanta as well as a couple of Athens shows.

B: What are your goals as a band?

Right now we’re trying to play all over the city and meet as many bands and new people as possible. We’re trying to develop a name in Atlanta.

B: Describe a Swank Motel show?

We try and capture the true essence of all our songs and energy through our live shows. We’ve tended to stay away from Atlanta studios because we’ve found our self-made recordings capture as close to our live shows as we could make possible. That’s really what we’re striving for in our new demo, not only new material but something that almost feels your right there. Our live shows capture the true sound that “swank motel” is going for, we’d love to see everyone out because it really is a different experience then listening to our myspace recordings.

B: What experience above all others do you hope fans take away from the show?

We just hope fans can really take in the music for what it really is, and we feel that our live shows above all show that.

B: Tell us about your writing process.

Normally our lead singer (Mckie) writes down a basic idea and as a band we develop upon that.

B: Are there any major influences that influence your sound or made you want to start your band?

In high school we were in a big Strokes/Early Kings of Leon phase, as well as older bands like The Rolling Stones and the Kinks. I think through our music it’s definitely apparent the influences those bands had on us as well as our music.

B: Does the band share any of those influences, music or otherwise?

We all seem to be coming from close to the same tastes, sure all of us listen to music others aren’t as fond of, but we all really come to a pretty relative consensus.

B: Have you had a chance to tour outside of Atlanta?

So far we have only been playing in Athens, but we’d love to bring our music everywhere.

B: What are your thoughts on the Atlanta music? How does it treat Swank Motel?

Big fans of the Atlanta music scene it’s given birth to a lot of great bands.  We feel it has been pretty good to us for only really playing out the last nine months.

B: Are you in any way, shape or form related to Swank Sinatra? Or did you get your "swank" separately?

No, we got our swank elsewhere, a cocktail actually.

B: What are the band's thoughts on file sharing?

Pro-file sharing, it’s been a real help getting our name out.

B: What local bands would you recommend to your fans and fans of local music?

Black Lips, Atlas Sound, Deerhunter, The Booze, and Jungol

B: What are your favorite non-local bands?

The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Velvet Underground, and The Strokes

B: Whats your favorite venue to play in Atlanta?

Masquerade has been treating us really well , we also love Vinyl, Smith’s and Drunken Unicorn.

B: How do you advertise your shows?

We try an flyer the metro Atlanta area, as well as social networking sites and word of mouth.

B: Any closing statements or thoughts?

We know we aren’t as well known as other young Atlanta bands around the area, but really encourage everyone to come check out at least one show, and we will have free demos all throughout Atlanta in the next two months that everyone should check out!

Swank Motel is Andrew Mckie - Guitar/Vocals; Jordan Parker - Guitar/Vocals;

Drew Mitchell  -Bass; Robby Dotson - Drums

GO SEE SWANK MOTEL