January concerts and such
So as I've stated before, I've decided to stop writing about each and every show I go see. But I still want to keep track of the shows I do see, so I figured I'd do a monthly recap of the shows and such in that given month. Faithful readers will still get my pithy and wry observations and I won't feel so obligated to come up with pithy and wry observations on a consistent basis. And thus we have a somewhat happy (albeit disappointing) medium. So that being said, here's my first run through (after testing the waters in my prior December recap), enjoy...or not.
Kingsized - 1/10 @ Variety Playhouse
Technically, this should've been included as an epilogue to the "December is Mike Geier Month" post. I had seen this show before I wrote that recap and it was with a band that featured Mike Geier, so it made perfect sense in my convoluted logic that dictates this here blog. Did I keep it until now so I could rightfully include it with the January shows? Nope, I was just lazy. I had written a LOT in that particular blog and wanted to be done with it, so just left this show out to include later.
As this is the first show I usually see in a given year and have seen this show twice a year for almost 10 years now, won't add too much more to all I've written before. But as I keep seeing this show year after year, I obviously enjoy it and plan to keep going back. This year they added Celine Dion and Grand Funk Railroad songs to the encore, so that's something new and refreshing. Also Chris had ordered a pie from Aunt Rikki's Pie Pantry that I delivered earlier...and you should too, come to think of it (www.myspace.com/auntrikkispiepantry).
Hamell On Trial - 1/17 @ Smith's Olde Bar - Atlanta Room
For the longest time, I just chalked this guy up to the truly obscure list of artists that me and a handful of people I know seem to know about. Rikki and I were going to meet Jeremy and his ladyfriend at the show, and Jeremy and I both figured it would be an intimate show of maybe 4 or more (including us). Well, turns out that people are somehow finding out about Hamell, as the show was packed...well, packed for the Atlanta Room anyway. Packed enough where there wasn't a place to sit for the four of us. Guess constantly touring with Ani DiFranco does have some benefits.
I believe Rikki had a good time, even though I told her he was "punk folk" and didn't give her much by way of expectations. I find it nearly impossible to describe Hamell On Trial to anyone who isn't familiar with him (just look him up online, and you'll get the idea). He was as spazzed out and funny as always. Jeremy and I were hoping to pick up a copy of his latest CD/DVD combo, but unfortunately, he wasn't selling anything after his set. But he did played for almost two hours and did "Blood Of The Wolf," so can't say I walked away disappointed. Maybe if this keeps up, they'll let him play upstairs at Smith's. Who knows?
Chris Hamer's "Company Of Thieves" artshow - 1/24 @ The Atlanta Bench
Known Chris for a long time and try to go out and support his group artshows when I can. As this was his first solo art showing, I definitely wanted to be there. That and he had catering by Aunt Rikki's Pie Pantry (email PieLady80@yahoo.com for all your pie catering needs!), so I wasn't going to skip out on this one. I was really impressed by all his new artwork as his new stuff is really good. You can see how he is starting to solidify a vision of where is art is going and he's just on the cusp of some truly amazing work.
In addition to the great art and super tasty pies, the evening also featured a couple of bands - Mice In Cars and I, Elephant (at least I think that was their name). Mice In Cars are really good guys and I like them personally. Personally, I'm not that into the music they play, but then I'm not a huge fan of that Sunny Day Real Estate kind of sound. That's me. I, Elephant seemed to be a bit more up my alley, but they were so freaking loud that I couldn't quite tell. I'd have to check them out again when they play in normal decibels to see if I actually do like them or not.
Oh, and I found out at the art show that there's another guy in town going by "John P." I went to have strong words with the guy, but he turned out to be nice. So I didn't have to take down a potential doppelganger. But I am going to keep my eye on him, don't want him ruining my good name...
Silver Scream Spook Show - 1/31 @ Plaza Theatre
Really wanted to mention this because the movie, Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All Out Attack was such a kick ass movie. That and I haven't been to the Spook Show in awhile. I like the Spook Show and I tried to go each and every month. But then it was getting to the point where the skit before the movie got SOOOOOOOOOO long that they wouldn't show the film until an hour later. I appreciate and respect what the Spook Show folks are doing, but mostly why I show up is just for the movie to be honest.
And this was one of the best Godzilla movies I've ever seen. It was from the late 90's/early turn of the century, and Godzilla looked and acted more of a bad ass than I can remember. He kicked so much ass in this movie, and shit was blowing up good. I'll have to go and add it to the DVD library if'n I can find a copy. And the movie started only about 45 minutes after showtime, so not too bad there.
And I will give this up to the Spook Show people, they had a gal inside a Godzilla costume running around that looked amazing. This would be a Dragon*Con award winning costume, it was that good. I got in a couple of pictures with it and Amy Dumas dressed as Mothra, but I haven't seen them yet. Hopefully they'll show up on the web or someone will email me sometime soon, so I can post them to the MySpace.
Total January concerts - 3
Total January and such - 2