Week # 340                                      Magister Ludi performing "Starman"

March 24, 2017

                                                             Winner:  Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL.  Co-winners"  Tom English,                                                                   Archdale, NC;  Darryl White, Melbourne, AU;  Andy Johnson,                                                                             Athens,   GA;  Craig Williams, Portland, OR;  Liam  O'Hara, Seneca,                                                                   SC;  Chris Hartstonge, London, UK;  Steve Fleming, Tourmakeady, IR  

 

Hint: this was an Athens band that played at our place on Clayton version 2.0, opening for the Woggles among others. They had a small but vocal following, and I remember them being extremely easy to work with. They also featured a cello on some of their songs, which qualifies as the only time I ever miked a cello in my life. I'm afraid that's about all I can give you in way of a hint, except to say we've featured them twice in the past, most recently three years ago next month. 

 

 

Week #341                                       Chris Stamey performing "Why Does Your Love Hurt So Bad?"

March 31, 2017

                                                             Winner  Tom English, Archdale, NC.  Co-winners:  Tim Abbott,                                                                         Skipton, UK;  Chris Hartstonge, London, UK;  Kip Shepherd,                                                                               Huntsville, AL;  Andy Johnson, Athens, GA;  Joel Suttles, Asheville,                                                                 NC;  Steve Fleming, Tourmakeady, IR; Craig Williams, Portland, OR;                                                                White, Melbourne, AU;  Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA

 

 

Hint: this band was formed in New York by a member of a well-known North Carolina band that was a huge influence on indie bands in the late 70's-early 80's. This band came to the Watt on Clayton the day before my birthday in 1983. Doug had made a $500 guarantee, something he was loath to do, and the paid door was something like $40. I'll never forget the look on Doug's face when the front man asked him "what about our five hot meals?" Good luck with this one everybody!!

 

 

Week #342                                        Mercyland 

April 7, 2017

                                                              Winner:  Darryl White, Melbourne, AU.  Co-winners:  Chris                                                                                  Hartstonge, London, UK;  Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA;  Robby                                                                        McMahon, Gainesville, GA;  Tom English, Archdale,  NC;  Kip                                                                              Shepherd, Huntsville, AL;  Steve Fleming, Tourmakeady, IR;                                                                              Melissa Bock, Charlotte, NC;  Tim Abbott, Skipton, UK;  Andy                                                                            Johnson, Athens, GA;  Liam O'Hara, Seneca,  AL.  

 

Hint: this band was one of the first bands in Athens to explore what I'm told is grunge. I don't know if that's an accurate description or not, but I do know they struck a nerve with some people in Athens at the time and they developed a loyal and vocal following in the Classic City. They also paved the way for other bands who performed in that genre and they did some extensive touring with those bands in addition to regular appearances at the Watt. Since one of their members is a frequent participant on Band of the Week he will have to pass up venturing a guess this week but to everyone else good luck!

 

 

Week #343                                        Chattahoochie Coochie Men performing "Straight to Hell"

April 14, 2017                                      

                                                              Winner:  Chris Hartstonge, London, UK.  Co-winners:  Tim Abbott,                                                                  Skipton, UK;  Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL;  Darryl White,                                                                                    Melbourne, AU;  Tom English, Archdale, NC;  Andy  Johnson,                                                                              Athens, GA;  Craig Williams, Portland, OR;  and Kenneth Rogers,                                                                      Atlanta, GA

 

Hint: this band was a compilation of members from two bands that were current in the late 80's, and they got together on a night that has gone down in Athens history as the "snow night". After that performance, they performed impromptu shows at the Watt on Clayton several times, unannounced but without diminishing the crowd that came to hear them. This one ought to be easy if you're familiar with Athens music, and since I'm running late today we'll leave it at that and we hope you'll forgive our tardiness. 

 

 

Week #344                                        Michael Guthrie Band performing "My Generation"

April 21, 2017

                                                              Winner:  Darryl White, Melbourne, AU.  Co-winners:  Tom English,                                                                  Archdale, NC;  Andy  Johnson, Athens, GA;  Kip Shepherd,                                                                                  Huntsville, AL;  Tim Abbott, Skipton, UK;  Chris  Hartstonge,                                                                              London, UK;  Steve Fleming, Tourmakeady, IR

 

Hint: this band was one of the biggest draws at Tyrone's when I came to Athens in 1980. Shortly after that they moved to Charlottesville, Virginia and plied their trade there for about 6 years before they returned to the Classic City. That gave me the opportunity to record two of their performances, one at the Watt on Broad and the other not long after we reopened on Clayton in the summer of '87. This clip is from the Clayton Street show, we hope you enjoy it as much as we did selecting it for this week's episode. Good luck everybody!!

 

 

Week #345                                         Brave Combo performing "Money Can't Buy Everything"

April 28, 2017

                                                               Winner:  Darryl White, Melbourne, AU.  Co-winners:  Joel Suttles,                                                                     Asheville, NC;  Tim  Abbott, Skipton, UK;  Kip Shepherd, Huntsville,                                                                 AL;  Tom English, Archdale, NC;  Andy  Johnson, Athens, GA;  Chris                                                                 Hartstonge, London, UK;  Steve Fleming, Tourmakeady, UK;                                                                             Craig Williams, Portland, OR;  Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA;  Liam                                                                   O'Hara, Seneca, AL

 

Hint:  Hint: this band hailed from Denton, Texas and was one of those Texas bands that found their way to the 40 Watt, this one to both Broad Street and Clayton. I really liked them and did what I could to get Doug and, later, Jared and Barrie to book them again. The intro by the front man alludes to that in a bittersweet way. They have enjoyed a long-lived career, as I still receive emails announcing their upcoming shows. Here's to "four lads from Denton, Texas", good luck everybody!!

 

 

Week #346                                         the Squalls performing "Elephant Radio"

May 5, 2017

                                                               Winner:  Tom English, Archdale, NC.  Co-winners:  Chris                                                                                       Hartstonge, London, UK;  Joel  Suttles, Asheville, NC;  Andy                                                                               Johnson, Athens, GA;  Darryl White, Melbourne, AU;  Kip                                                                                     Shepherd, Huntsville, AL;  Steve Fleming, Tourmakeady, IR;  Craig                                                                   Williams, Portland, OR; Monty Greene, Dubai, UAE;  Kenneth                                                                             Rogers, Atlanta, GA;  Mike Czysz, Durham, NC;  Liam  O'Hara,                                                                           Seneca, AL.

 

Hint: this band was and still is one of my personally favorite Athens bands, and my association with them goes back to my earliest days residing in the Classic City. Since they will be appearing tomorrow at the Human Rights Festival I thought it appropriate to acknowledge the many years they've been an integral part of this town and its music culture. They are deserving of special recognition of their many contributions in that regard. Like many of the episodes we've featured, this one is one you either know or it probably won't come to you, but we hope everyone recognizes these dear old friends of mine. Good luck everybody!!

 

 

Week #347                                         Norman & Nancy Blake performing "O'Caroline's Welcome"

May 12, 2017     

                                                               Winner:  Tim Abbott, Skipton, UK.  Co-winners:  Chris Hartstonge,                                                                 London, UK;  Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL;  Tom English, Archdale,                                                                 NC;  Darryl White, Melbourne, AU;  Craig Williams, Portland, OR;                                                                     Steve Fleming, Tourmakeady, IR;  Andy Johnson, Athens, GA;                                                                          Liam O'Hara, Seneca, AL.

 

Hint: this band was a trio consisting of the front man, his wife, and an accompanist. This show was one of the first I worked when I came to Athens in 1980, and although we've featured this particular selection once previously we're featuring it again in honor of my mother-in-law for Mother's Day. The song is titled "O'Caroline's Welcome", and it's dedicated to Caroline Schilberg. Happy Mother's Day to all and good luck everybody!!

 

 

 

Week #348                                         Billy James performing "Baby Blue"

May 19, 2017

                                                               Winner:  Tom English, Archdale, NC.  Co-winners:  Andy Johnson,                                                                   Athens, GA;  Darryl  White, Melbourne, AU;  Tim Abbott, Skipton,                                                                   UK;  Chris Hartstonge, London, UK;  Steve Fleming, Tourmakeady,                                                                 IR.

 

Hint: this band was a local comprised of two veterans of the Athens music community, coupled with two relative newcomers to town at the time this was recorded, which was at the Watt on Clayton about 6 months after we reopened there in June 1987. One of the veteran members belonged to the band that set the house record for take and bar at the 40 Watt in its first configuration on Clayton. The bassist opened a recording studio in Athens around the time of this show, and another member is a direct descendant of the highest-ranking U.S. Army officer to be killed in action during WWII. That ought to make it easy! Good luck everybody!!

 

 

Week #349                                         Greg Trooper performing "Everywhere"

May 26, 2017 

                                                               Winner:  Darryl White, Melbourne, AU.  Co-winners:  Chris                                                                                   Hartstonge, London, UK;  Tim  Abbott, Skipton, UK;  Andy                                                                                 Johnson, Athens, GA;  Craig Williams, Portland, OR;  Kip                                                                                     Shepherd, Huntsville, AL;  Liam O'Hara, Seneca, AL;  Steve                                                                                 Fleming, Tourmakeady, IR; Tom English, Archdale, NC.

 

Hint: this artist played the 40 Watt on Clayton version 2.0 as a solo, opening for a well-known anarchist from the UK. We picked this song to pay respects to Memorial Day, which we felt to be a fitting tribute. I'd been wanting to pay respects to this particular artist since his passing in January. I can't think of a better way to do it, we hope you enjoy this week's episode and take a moment to reflect on our richer lives thanks to the sacrifice of others. 

 

 

Week #350                                          Art in the Dark performing "Invisible/Pathetic Town"

June 2, 2017

                                                                Winner:  Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL.  Co-winners:  Chris                                                                                  Hartstonge, London, UK;  Tom English, Archdale, NC;  Andy                                                                              Johnson, Athens, GA;  Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA;  Darryl                                                                              White, Melbourne, AU;  Steve Fleming, Tourmakeady, IR;  Joel                                                                          Suttles, Asheville, NC; Craig Williams, Portland, OR

 

Hint: this band was a favorite among the college crowd in Athens in the early 80s, and they were one of the 40 Watt's staples during that time period. They received a generous amount of air time on WUOG, and enjoyed a fair amount of acclaim for their performances as an opener for touring acts that played the Classic City. 

 

 

Week #351                                          Deacon Lunchbox performing "Jesus Vinaigrette"

June 9, 2017

                                                                Winner:  Darryl White, Melbourne, AU.  Co-winners:  Andy                                                                                  Johnson, Athens, GA;  Tom English, Archdale, NC;  Chris                                                                                      Hartstonge, London, UK;  Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL;                                                                                      Steve Fleming, Tourmakeady, IR;  Craig Williams, Portland, OR;                                                                        Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA;  Tim Abbott, Skipton, UK

 

Hint: this artist was a street poet in Atlanta in the late 80's and 90's till his untimely demise in a traffic crash that also took members of another band. He developed a vocal following in his stints at the 40 Watt on Clayton, most of those shows splitting the bill with other bands to supplement his short sets. He and I got to be friends and I hold dear the copy of his poetry he gave me at the final performance I worked for him before I left the Watt in 1990. 

 

 

 

Week #352                                          Community Trolls performing "My Roof to Your Roof"

June 16, 2017

                                                                Winner:  Chris Hartstonge, London, UK.  Co-winners:  Tom                                                                                English, Archdale, NC;  Tim  Abbott, Skipton, UK;  Andy Johnson,                                                                    Athens, GA;  Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL;  Darryl  White,                                                                                    Melbourne, AU;  Craig Williams, Portland, OR;  Liam O'Hara,                                                                              Seneca, AL;  Steve Fleming, Tourmakeady, IR.

 

Hint: this "band" consisted of the lead singer from one of Athens' most well-known bands and its guitarist performing covers of an ad hoc group that had performed only once previously, outside the Watt on Broad in the summer of '83. The performance that produced this recording took place in September of that year at a defunct textile factory down Oconee Street next to the river, across the street from the old Episcopal church. We want the name of the band that played that night, plus the name of the "band" that they covered. 

 

 

Week #353                                           Mary My Hope performing title unknown

June 23, 2017    

                                                                 Winner:  Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL (woo hoo).  Co-winners:                                                                         Tom English, Archdale,  NC;  Darryl White, Melbourne, AU;  Andy                                                                     Johnson, Athens, GA;  Steve Fleming,  Tourmadeady, IR;  Chris                                                                         Hartstonge, London, UK;  Craig Williams, Portland, OR;  Liam                                                                            O'Hara, Seneca, AL.

 

Hint: this was an Atlanta band that came to the Watt on Clayton and it just might be the last show I recorded during my stay at the Watt, judging from the date on the cassette label. They are referred to as "Gothic rock" or at least the lead singer is called that from his ensuing solo effort and stints with other bands after this one. I liked them enough to stick a tape in the deck and hit the red button, even though they aren't exactly my cup of tea. This one is a little harder than most, but we can't feature three little letters every week now, can we? 

 

 

Week #354                                            Go Van Go performing "Summer"

June 30, 2017

                                                                  Winner:  Andy Johnson.  Co-winners:  Darryl White, Melbourne,                                                                        AU;  Tom English, Archdale, NC;  Craig Williams, Portland, OR;                                                                          Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL;  Chris Hartstonge, London, UK;                                                                            Robby McMahon;  Steve Fleming;  Tourmakeady, IR;  Liam                                                                                 O'Hara, Seneca, AL.

 

Hint: this band was a local favorite that culled members from several successful Athens bands and melded them into a unique and original musical entity. They played the Watt on Broad while it was open and that's where this clip was made. Since we're into the pith of summer we thought a song about summer would be appropriate, we hope you'll agree.

 

 

Week #355                                            Charlie Pickett & the Eggs performing "I'm Waiting for my Man" 

July 7, 2017                           

                                                                  Winner:  Darryl White, Melbourne, AU.  Co-winners:  Craig                                                                                  Williams, Portland, OR;  Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL;  Tom                                                                                English, Archdale, NC;  Chris Hartstonge, London, UK;                                                                                          Tim Abbott, Skipton, UK;  Andy Johnson, Athens, GA;  Liam                                                                              O'Hara, Seneca, AL.

 

Hint: this band was a roadhouse blues band from Florida beach clubs that heard about the 40 Watt when it was in its early days down on Clayton Street. I had been house soundman at the Watt for almost two months at that point, living above the bathrooms in the space that had previously been occupied by the board. The crowd was a little disappointing, but cold January nights in a concrete shoebox that had no heat posed a difficult logistics obstacle to overcome. I understand from the front man that he is now an attorney in the Sunshine State. Good luck everybody!! 

 

 

 Week #356                                           Wheel of Cheese performing "Party Train"

July 14, 2017

                                                                  Winner:  Andy Johnson, Athens, GA.  Co-winners:  Chris                                                                                      Hartstonge, London, UK;  Tom English, Archdale, NC;  Kip                                                                                  Shepherd, Huntsville, AL;  Darryl White, Melbourne, AU;  Tim                                                                            Abbott, Skipton, UK;  Craig Williams, Portland, OR;  Liam O'Hara,                                                                    Seneca, AL;  Kenneth Rogers, Atlanta, GA;  Steve Fleming,                                                                                Tourmakeady, IR

 

Hint: this "band"  was, in reality, the alter ego of one of Athens' most well-known and beloved. The evolution of their career led them to play many fraternity parties on campus to earn much-needed cash to finance their recording efforts and consequent record releases. That activity led to the development of an entire show of party music, of which this clip is a prime example. Please be careful not to boost your volume at the beginning, the dynamics can be misleading and there is a healthy war whoop coming up, and we don't want to be responsible for any blown drivers. Good luck everybody!!

 

 

Week #357                                            Government Cheese performing " For Those That Died"

July 21, 2017                                                

                                                                  Winner:  Tom English, Archdale, NC.  Co-winners:  Darryl White,                                                                      Melbourne, AU;  Joel  Suttles, Asheville, NC;  Tim Abbott,                                                                                    Skipton, UK;  Andy Johnson, Athens, GA;  Steve Fleming,                                                                                    Tourmakeady, IR;  Craig Williams, Portland, OR;  Kip Shepherd,                                                                        Huntsville, AL;  Chris Hartstonge, London, UK

 

Hint: this band hailed from the Commonwealth of Kentucky, coming to the Watt on Clayton in the summer of 1989. They played a rousing set and received a warm welcome from a 40 Watt crowd that included Ort, who had apparently met them on one of his jaunts around the South. They only played the Watt on this occasion as far as I'm aware, but since I left the following February they may well have come back another time. This was the song they used to close their set, and we hope it gives you a good idea of their stage presence. Since we've only featured them once previously and that was over 4 years ago we might stump our panel this week, but let's see. Good luck everybody!!

 

 

Week #358                                            Peter Holsapple performing "Judy"

July 28, 2017       

                                                                  Winner:  Chris Hartstonge, London, UK.  Co-winners:  Tom                                                                                English, Archdale, NC;  Kip Shepherd, Huntsville, AL;  Joel                                                                                  Suttles, Asheville, NC;  Andy Johnson, Athens, GA;  Darryl                                                                                  White, Melbourne, AU;  Craig Williams, Portland, OR;  Tim                                                                                  Abbott, Skipton, UK;  Liam  O'Hara, Seneca, AL; Kenneth Rogers,                                                                    Atlanta, GA;  Steve Fleming, Tourmakeady, IR

 

 

Hint: this artist came to Athens about a month before I left the Watt to perform for a very worthy benefit, Project Safe. That was one of the many benefits I worked for and continue to support, and since I'll be providing services for the Artist2Artist benefit next Saturday (the 5th) we thought it would be appropriate to feature this clip for this week's episode. Next week's episode will continue on that theme, and both episodes will present out-of-town performers so please keep that in mind. As a big hint to the identity of this week's performer, the Peter mentioned at the beginning of the clip is a member of three little letters.

 

 

Week #359                                           Stiv Bators and the Dead Boys

August 4, 2017

                                                                 Winners:  Craig Williams, Portland, OR.  Co-winners:  Andy                                                                                 Johnson, Athens, GA;  Tom English, Archdale, NC;  Kip Shepherd,                                                                   Huntsville, AL;  Darryl White, Melbourne, AU;  Chris Hartstonge,                                                                       London, UK;  Joel Suttles, Asheville, NC;  Steve Fleming,                                                                                      Tourmakeady, IR;  Tim Abbott, Skipton, UK;  and Kenneth                                                                                 Rogers, Atlanta, GA.

 

Hint: this band came out of Cleveland and headed to New York in the mid 70's, staking their claim as a seminal member of the punk-rock genre, which was gaining followers at the time. They were a staple at CBGB's and appeared in three films featuring the punk-rock scene, Punking Out, Live at CBGB's  and Crash 'n' Burn.  The lead singer left a legacy in Athens for taking the band around town in their high-top van, only to ram it into the overpass at the UGA law school. Athens police turned up at the Watt during the show and arrested him, only allowing him to finish the show after Doug vouched for him showing up in three months to appear in traffic court. Unfortunately, he met an untimely demise while crossing a street in Paris three years and a couple of months after this recording was made, being struck by a taxi in the City of Light. We'd like to dedicate this episode to our dear friend Lisa Mende and my beautiful Jean for their selfless work in their non-profit, Artist2Artist. Although our show at the benefit tomorrow won't feature this band, they'll be performing in absentia in our hearts. Good luck everybody!!