Last Monday night I was given the opportunity by CLEAR to attend, and live-blog, the Wolfmother show at The Tabernacle. When I arrived at The Tabernacle I met with CLEAR’s representative Ben and was told that the show had been moved from The Tabernacle main stage to the basement of the building — the space which was once known as the (new) Cotton Club. I was perfectly fine with the new arrangement as I love shows in smaller spaces, but unfortunately the change in venue also meant that I’d be unable to “live” blog the show because there was no place that I could be positioned to see what was going on without being in view of the bands and in a location where CLEAR’s signal could be received. As a nice gesture I was allowed to attend the show for free in exchange for this post (see, being a Metblogs author does have some benefits!).

The night was actually a triple bill. Unfortunately I never caught the name of the first band to take the stage; they put on a spirited, short set of rock which was well received by the small, but growing audience.

Second on the bill was Ohio’s Heartless Bastards. This band has been getting a lot of indie buzz of late so I was happy to get the opportunity to hear them for the first time. The band, which is a typical four-piece with anything but typical female lead singer, performed an admirable set which the crowd seemed to enjoy. I’ll admit that the band’s sound never quite caught my ear and I was pleased to see them wrap up their set as boredom set in.

With the “Cotton Club” now packed “Wolfmother” took the stage. But first I must inject some math to explain Wolfmother’s lineup…

Wolfmother[2009] = (Wolfmother[2008] – (original_member *2)) + (new_member * 3);

“What the hell does that mean?” you say? The current Wolfmother lineup consists of Andrew Stockdale (lead singer and original member), and Ian Peres, Aidan Nemeth, Dave Atkins who all joined the band after the departure of original members Chris Ross and Myles Heskett in 2008. Wolfmother formed in Australia in the early 2000′s and wound up changing band members after their first cd when Ross and Heskett left the band citing “artistic differences.” The new band lineup was responsible for Wolfmother’s latest cd “Cosmic Egg” which was released earlier this year.

How does one describe Wolfmother’s sound? Easy! Wolfmother’s sound can best be described as the love child of early Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath! Stockdale has brought back the 1970′s Rock and Roll sound with a vengeance, wailing into the microphone and pulling off guitar riffs that have must have Jimmy Page nodding with approval. All that’s missing from a Wolfmother show to make it authentic are acid-dropping teens, psychedelic lighting, and sequined bell-bottom jumpsuits.

Don’t take my description as an indication that I didn’t enjoy Wolfmother’s set. Just the opposite in fact. And, if the full house’s reaction was any indication I was not the only one “into” the show. Youngsters and old farts alike, yours truly is 44, were head bobbing and fist pumping throughout the entire set. Wolfmother obliged with a nearly two-hour set filled with great musicianship and showmanship. My only regret was that I didn’t sneak a camera into the show so that I could include some photos into this posting.

“Next time we play Atlanta we’ll be playing upstairs!” stated Stockdale at one point in the show. And you know, I believe him.

If you ever get the opportunity to see a show in the space formerly known as the Cotton Club I recommend you go. The only thing you need to take into account for this space is that the line-of-sight in the room is weird for such a small, rectangular space. Many locations are visually obscured by signage, poles, or air-conditioning duct work, so get there early and secure a good place to stand.

Another thing unique to Eddie’s is the concept of “early” and “late” shows; on many ocassions Eddie’s schedules two shows a night to provide options for its patrons.

Like many Atlanta/Decatur venues Eddie’s is more than just a music venue. Eddie’s has a separate bar and seating area outside where people can mingle and talk to their hearts’ content. Drinks and food can be ordered both inside and out.

Eddie’s Attic was originally opened in 1992 by Eddie (Owen), was sold in 2002 to Todd van Sickle (husband to Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles) who then sold it to its current owner, Bob Ephlin, in 2005.¹

Decatur’s parking may be Eddie’s the only detriment to a fun night at Eddie’s Attic. Limited metered spots (meters not checked after 6:30pm so I am told) are nearby, but if none are available you’ll find yourself paying to park in someone’s lot.

What I Like
• The sound is usually great.
• Silence from the audience is encouraged and enforced.
• Smoking is not allowed inside.
• Venue is small so shows are intimate.
• Because the room is all partially general admission if you get there early enough and you can almost guarantee a good place to see the show.
• Prices for shows are generally reasonable.
• Food is available through the show.

What I Dislike
• Parking can be somewhat of a bother.
• Venue is small so shows can sell out quickly.
• Stage is tiny, larger bands will never fit.
• Tickets cannot be purchased in advance at Eddie’s.

Address : 515-B North McDonough St, Decatur, GA
Capacity : 185²
Cameras Allowed? : Maybe, depending on the show
Smoking Allowed? : No
All Ages? : Only for specified shows
Ticket Source : Eddie’s Attic’s website
Favorite Shows I’ve Seen Here : Bob Mould, Alejandro Escovedo, Christine Kane

What’s your opinion of Eddie’s Attic?

My goal for this Venues series is to highlight Atlanta music venues. However, since we have an Indie Music Mecca only ninety minutes to our east I’m taking some artistic license and going to write about Athens’ 40 Watt Club. It is at this time that I will admit that I am an extreme latecomer to seeing live music in Athens; I suppose some of this is my bent to stay ITP and some of this is my desire, as a Florida Gator, to stay out of Bulldog Country. Why then am I choosing to write about the 40 Watt Club? Because in a one-week period I made two trips to Athens to see shows at there. On July 22nd I went to Athens to see Magnolia Electric Co. and on July 27th I returned to see M. Ward; these were the second and third shows that I’ve seen there.

Currently located in Athens’ quaint downtown the 40 Watt Club isn’t much to look at from the outside. In fact, the first time I went there to see a show I drove past it at least once before finding it. As far as music venues go I really enjoy the 40 Watt. Some of this joy may be tied to Athens’ banishing of smokers to the outdoors (now if we could only do the same with talkers) and some of it may be tied to Athens’ lower (than Atlanta) beer prices.

The 40 Watt Club is the perfect size for up-and-coming bands (and I guess for those riding the one the downside of the ‘Hill of Success’ too) in a city known for raising REM and the B-52′s, and for each of the four shows that I’ve seen there the sound system has been exemplary. The 40 Watt is essentially a large open space flanked by two bars. Like many non-renovated-movie-theater venues the floor is level, but to help patrons see the act the stage is elevated a good four feet.

As a hobby photographer the 40 Watt Club is a hit-or-miss proposition depending on the artist’s whims. For the Magnolia Electric Co show I saw people with dslrs as well as video equipment, while for the M. Ward show all photography was verboten and 40 Watt employees combed the show confronting all who failed to comply.

What I Like
• The sound is usually loud, but is mixed well and sounds great.
• Smoking is not allowed inside.
• Because the room is all general admission if you get there early enough and you can almost guarantee a good place to see the show.
• Prices for shows are generally reasonable and if Athens is convenient for you tickets can be purchased at Schoolkids Records

What I Dislike
• Parking can be somewhat of a bother. I’ve been lucky to find close street parking on my trips.
• People tend to talk a lot during shows (SHUT UP, PEOPLE. YOU ARE SUPPOSEDLY THERE TO HEAR MUSIC) and while the music is loud it can’t drown them out.

Address : 285 West Washington, Athens, GA
Capacity : unknown
Cameras Allowed? : Maybe, depending on the show
Smoking Allowed? : No, smoking areas are provided outdoors
All Ages? : Yes (at least to the best of my knowledge)
Ticket Source : 40 Watt’s website, or Schoolkids Records in Athens
Favorite Shows I’ve Seen Here : The Hold Steady, Magnolia Electric Co., M. Ward

What’s your opinion of the 40 Watt Club?

I’ve been a resident of East Atlanta for ten years now; ten mostly good years. About this time five years ago I was robbed, relieved of all of my bodily possessions as well as my automobile at gunpoint (two, but who’s counting), in my driveway.

Now I can add house theft to the list.

I considered myself lucky, because in order to be lucky one must be prepared. I don’t have my head in the sand, even without being robbed five years ago I knew that crime in Atlanta is real. So it was with this knowledge that I prepared my house for the day that the asshats would arrive.

My house has an active alarm system which is set every time I leave the house. I also belong to the East Atlanta Security Patrol. Both of these are advertised on my front lawn.

I have been diligent to make sure irreplaceable itmes are never left out, in fact they are usually with me when I leave the house. Ridiculously, items are chained/locked in order to make it harder to be taken. Hell, the computer which was stolen was “secured” to my desk with a (now obviously useless) Kensington lock.

Do I own a nice flat-screen television? Not in this neighborhood I don’t. In fact, I was hoping that on the day someone broke in that he would give himself a hernia trying to move the boat anchor that is my 32″ tube television.

All in all the feeling I have right now sucks ass. In the end all I lost was a computer and a little more of the happiness I once had in calling myself an Atlanta resident. I know people who have suffered way more than I have today.

There is little one can do to ensure that crime will never occur, but there are things you can do to be prepared in case it does. Think about your house. Yours may be next.

Without doubt my favorite music venue in L5P is the Variety Playhouse. For some reason my photostream over at Flickr doesn’t contain an image of the Variety Playhouse’s iconic marquee. However, I do have one of the inexplicably narrow door which is in the rear of the building:

(image used by permission)

The building which houses the Variety Playhouse started its life in 1940 as a movie theater; the theater occupied the space until the early 1960′s. For more than twenty years the building was not used for any sort of performances until it was resurrected as a performance space in the mid-1980′s. It wasn’t until the early 1990′s that Variety Playhouse gained its foothold as one of Atlanta’s better music venues. Remnants of Variety’s days as a movie / theatrical venue remain as the space contains a slanted main floor and what best can be described as “vintage movie theater” seating in the middle of the lower space as well as in the balcony. The seating is surrounded by fairly generous standing room areas including a patch of cement nearest the stage.

Because of the quality of the sound within Variety Playhouse as well as the size of the venue, it’s ideal for bands who come through Atlanta and are either too “big” to play in bars or are not “big enough” to warrant playing in the city’s largest venues such as Philips Arena or the Georgia Dome.

What I Like
• The sound is usually loud, but is mixed well and sounds great.
• Smoking is not allowed inside.
• Because of the standing-room locations if you get there early enough and you can almost guarantee a good place to see the show.
• It has three bars and all are located away from the music area. This keeps the “bar noise” down to a minimum.
• Shows rarely start at a late hour.
• Prices for shows are generally reasonable, and Variety Playhouse offers an online ticket purchasing option which is far better than Ticketmaster’s.

What I Dislike
• Parking/Traffic can be somewhat of a bother. I don’t much care for the parking lot behind the Variety Playhouse.
• People tend to talk a lot during shows (SHUT UP, PEOPLE. YOU ARE SUPPOSEDLY THERE TO HEAR MUSIC) and while the music is loud it can’t drown them out.

Address : 1099 Euclid Av, Atlanta, GA, 30307
Capacity¹ : Seated 750, General Admission 400-1050
Cameras Allowed? : Yes
Smoking Allowed? : No, smoking areas are provided outdoors
All Ages? : Yes (at least to the best of my knowlege)
Ticket Source : Ticketmaster, Variety Playhouse’s website, or at the Variety Playhouse’s ticket booth
Favorite Shows I’ve Seen Here : Bob Mould, Built To Spill, Manchester Orchestra, New Pornographers, Alejandro Escovedo, Steven Malkmus and the Jicks, Cracker, Dead Confederate

What’s your opinion of the Variety Playhouse?

This week I will choose the venue which has probably gotten more of my money than any others since I moved to Atlanta in January, 1995 — The EARL.

I moved to East Atlanta in March, 1999 and a handful of months after that The EARL, which actually stands for East Atlanta Restaurant and Lounge, opened its doors for business. From the building’s front you’d never know that this bar contained a great little music room that has seen the likes of many “big name” acts.

If the three rules of real estate are “1) Location 2) Location 3) Location” then the three rules of concert venues should be “1) Act Booking 2) Act Booking 3) Act Booking.” Let’s be honest, you can create a great music venue, but if you don’t book acts that people want to come and see/hear you are missing the point. For almost ten years The EARL’s bookings have been stellar.

As an added bonus The EARL serves up some of the best bar food in town. Show up early for a show (which, be forewarned rarely starts before 9pm weeknight and 10pm weekend at The EARL) and eat.

What I Like
• The sound is usually loud, but is mixed well and sounds great. Earplugs are for sale from a gumball machine if you want protection from the loudness.
• There really is no bad seat in the room, in fact there are almost no seats in the room.
• There is a back bar which makes it easy to keep your drink on while continuing to hear the music.
• Shows start late.
• Prices for shows at The EARL are usually in the $10-$20 range.

What I Dislike
• Low ceilings and many smokers — I call The EARL “The Home of the ‘Two Pack Minimum’”
• The bathrooms in the music room are usually nasty.
• Shows start late. (My post, I can both Like and Dislike this.)

Address : 468 Flat Shoals Av, Atlanta, GA, 30316
Capacity¹ : ~300
Cameras Allowed? : Yes
Smoking Allowed? : Yes, although rarely shows are “Smoke Free”
All Ages? : No, 21+
Ticket Source : Ticket Alternative or at the door on the night of a given show
Favorite Shows I’ve Seen : Bob Mould, Alejandro Escovedo, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Dick Dale, Meat Puppets, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, The Hold Steady, The Long Ryders

What’s your opinion of The EARL?

A couple of weekends ago I, along with two fortunate Atlanta Metblogs readers, were able to sit in on the day-and-a-half photography workshop offered by Digital Days Photography at Atlanta’s Downtown Sheraton Hotel. I mentioned this workshop in this forum a few weeks before it occurred and this is an evaluation of the workshop.

If you are one of those people who likes to “get to the point,” my assessment of the workshop is positive, I feel that you get what you pay for, and if you are new to photography and Digital Days Photography is holding this workshop somewhere near you (they will be visiting eighteen United States cities in total) then you should consider taking it.

The workshop ran for a day-and-a-half; from 1pm – 5pm on Saturday afternoon, and 9am – 5pm on Sunday.

Saturday was billed as the “Basics” day. The instructor, Phil Mistry, had a lot of photographic experience and enough humorous anecdotes to keep the class engaged as he presented technical details. This day, $69, was all about introducing you to your digital camera (mostly aimed toward DSLR owners, but much of the information applied to point-and-shoot owners as well).

• What is photography?
• What do we mean by the term “Exposure”, and how does one achieve “proper Exposure?
• What is a JPEG file? and a RAW file?
• What is “focal length?”
• What is “aperture?”
• What is this thing labelled “ISO” and why would I ever want to change it?
• My whites aren’t white? What happened?
• My photo is blurry… what went wrong?
• Depth of field? What’s that?
• What are all these modes on my camera? When would I use them?

By and large, the above list of questions were answered in this four-hour session. Saturday’s session was completed with a quick overview of digital photograph retouching using Adobe’s Photoshop Elements.

On Sunday, which cost $99 to attend, Mistry pushed the photographers in attendance further. Not only would this day contain a quick recap of the basics, it would explain why one might use Aperture Priority or Shutter Priority modes instead of the many other modes available, as well as talk briefly about the light and its qualities. At midday the photographers in attendance had an opportunity to move into another large room and practice shooting models (my only gripe — I’ll discuss later). After a break for lunch John Omvik took over the teaching responsibilities for the remainder of the day. Omvik started out by critiquing some of the shots taken by the photographers during the model shoot, and then presented a practical discussion of the digital photographer’s workflow through the use of Adobe’s Lightroom.

My Conclusion
As I stated at the beginning of this critique, I felt that the information presented was worth the money. (Full Disclosure: I attended each day’s session courtesy of Digital Days Photography.) I have been shooting for some years and have taken many workshops so much of the information is redundant to me, which of course meant that I understood it regardless of how it was presented.

The Pros

• The price charged for each session was very fair, and if you registered for both days the cost was only $139.
• Digital Days Photography runs an organized workshop.
• The instructors were highly knowledgeable and able to convey their information well.
• The scope of the information was presented as advertised.
• At the end of each session at least one camera bag was given away at random.
• I learned things.

The Cons

• The seating was less than ideal, especially for the Sunday session. There seats were not very comfortable and there were no tables so it was very hard to take notes. This ultimately may be a fault of the venue, but it’s up to the organizer to guarantee that its participants have a functional workspace.
• Like with almost every mass-attended model shoot, it was tough to get a decent photo. Here is a shot I took of the scene around one of the models at any given time.
  

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all associated with this workshop for making the experience a positive one.

One of the many benefits of living in a major metropolitan area such as Atlanta is that it draws special events to the area. Atlanta will be one of eighteen cities in which Digital Days Photography will offer their two-day photography workshop. The workshop will be held at the downtown Sheraton hotel on Saturday June 6th (from 1pm-5pm) and Sunday June 7th (from 9am-5pm).

Saturday’s session ($69) will be “Learn the Basics — Inspiration, Fun, Cool things you can do with Photography”

• Digital Fundamentals

• Learn about all the necessary digital photography techniques and terms, from scene modes, manual modes, ISO and depth of field, and everything in-between
• Learn how the fundamental settings affect the shot you want to get
• This session builds a strong foundation of digital photo knowledge

• Explore composition and subject
• Different shooting styles from landscape to macro

• Get familiar with a basic digital workflow
• Learn some editing tricks
• Printing and sharing options!
• Create calendars and postcards. And so much more!

And Sunday’s session ($99) will be “Beyond the Basics — Here’s how to make great pictures, and what to do with them”

• Brief review from Day 1
• Examine light & composition, subject, color & movement
• Advanced camera functions
• Exposure modes
• Analyzing the histogram

• Live model shoot! Lighting is set up and we have several model stations
• Our instructors are available throughout the shoot to answer your questions

• Various attendee images from the model shoot are critiqued live by our instructors

• How to organize your workstation/color calibration
• Build a foundation of digital organizational techniques
• Tagging, metadata, etc…

• Color Management
• Skin Tone
• Digital Darkroom

Sign up to attend both days and the cost of the workshop is only $139.

If you have more questions about this workshop feel free to visit Digital Days Photography’s FAQ page.

Sound too good to be true? Well, Digital Days Photography will sweeten the pot for two Atlanta Metblogs readers. The first two people to correctly email Atlanta Metblogs Contests the names of the two people who will be teaching the Atlanta workshop (pssst, their names and bios can be found on Digital Days Photography’s website) will get free admission to both days! Entries into this contest must include your full name and a valid email address; winners will be notified via the email address supplied. Entries received after 12pm Daylight Saving Time on Tuesday June 2nd will be discarded.

ps- I’ll be attending both days, so if you see me please say hello.

Last night I found out that Ella Guru will be closing in a few days. As a music lover I’m saddened to hear that another of the places I go to purchased used CDs is forced to call it quits. Blame the economy. Blame the consumer who purchases digitally. Blame piracy. Whatever you blame, nothing will change the fact that it’s leaving.

Ella Guru has been an Atlanta used CD destination for nearly ten years. Until last September it occupied a storefront in the mammoth Toco Hill Shopping Center, before picking up and moving to Inman Park where it sublet some space from the now-defunct scooter store. I questioned the move initially because within a mile of its new location there are at least two other music stores selling used CDs (namely Criminal Records and Wax-n-Facts). I reasoned that Ella Guru needed the move to survive and that they might be following the same logic as automobile dealers or piano stores who also seem to cluster together.

That section of Inman Park has seen its fair share of business changes in recent times:

• Johnny’s Pizza changed owners.
• The aforementioned scooter store opened and closed.
• The Grape on Highland decided it couldn’t stay in business and closed its doors.

Ella Guru will soon join my list of Atlanta establishments that I miss (see also: Frijoleros, Tortillas, The Point, Burrito Art, Crescent Moon, Kool Korner Grocery, The French Quarter Food Market / The Stein Club, The Beer Mug (Brookwood Interchange), Bridgetown Grill, and the 1990′s version of Buckhead).

Which Atlanta establishments do you miss and would like to turn-back the clock to revisit?

But what is hashing?

Often described as “A drinking club with a running problem” hashing is an activity which combines exercising and drinking, sometimes at the same time. Each week a person (known as a “hare”) lays a trail in flour and/or toilet paper which is followed by the pack (known as “hounds”).

(image used with permission)

The catch is that the hounds don’t know where the trail will end, nor what they will encounter along the way. All terrain is fair game. In my ten years of hashing I have hashed in all parts of Atlanta including its roads, railroad tracks, woods, streams, swamps, and sewer tunnels (all of which, with the exception of pavement, are known as “shiggy”). It’s the pack’s duty to find and follow the trail to its end, where they are rewarded with beer and “orange food”. Along the way the pack communicates by chanting “RU?” (are you on trail?) and “On-On” (yes, I am on trail) in order to complete their mission. Atlanta’s hash trails range from three-to-six miles on average. One of the better things about hashing is that you actually don’t have to be able to run that far in order to participate. There is a motto in the hash that “Hashing is not a race” or as I like to say “There are no winners in the hash, we’re all a bunch of losers.

Hashing is an activity with an accompanying community.  Hash long enough with one group and you will be blessed with your very own hash name (mine is “Wee Little Bit” — don’t ask) by which you will be called for the remainder of your hashing days^* In general hashers put aside color, race, religion, profession, looks, and politics; when it’s time to hash it’s all about finding trail and drinking beer.

Interested? Here is a breakdown of some; of Atlanta’s hashes

• Black Sheep: Black Sheep hashes every other Sunday afternoon. Trails are challenging and usually full of shiggy. If you show up for Black Sheep remember the motto “You pays your money, you takes your chances.”
• Slow Old B@stards: SOB hashes on the alternate Sunday afternoons. Trails are easy, short, and have beer stops. If you show up for SOB remember the motto “There’s no trail that cannot be improved by cutting it in half.”
• Atlanta: Atlanta’s original hash — hashing since the Reagan Administration — hashes every Saturday afternoon. Trails vary in difficulty based on the hare. If you show up for Atlanta remember the motto “Life’s too short to search for a bottle opener.”
• Pine Lake: Pine Lake, which broke free from the Atlanta in order to drink better beer, hashes every Saturday afternoon. Trails vary in difficulty based on the hare. If you show up for Pine Lake remember the motto “Life’s too short to drink cheap beer.”
• Southern Comfort: Southern Comfort hashes on Friday nights. Trails are challenging and usually full of shiggy. If you show up for Southern Comfort remember the motto “I have nothing better to do on a Friday night?”
• Moonlite: Moonlite hashes on Monday nights. Trails vary in difficulty based on the hare, but for the most part are not that difficult. Moonlite hashes usually end in a bar/restaurant so that you can get food after the hash if you so desire. If you show up for Moonlite remember the motto “I sure hope there are no small, impressionable children in this restaurant.”
• Wheelhopper: Wheelhopper is Atlanta’s cycling hash. Wheelhopper hashes two Sunday afternoons a month, one trail is more off road “mountain” biking, one trail is called urban assault. Trails vary in difficulty and often provide options which can be chosen to make your ride harder/easier longer/shorter. If you show up for Wheelhopper remember the motto “Got Wheel? Got Beer?”

And if you do any of these trails then let them know that “Wee Little Bit” made you come.

On-Out!

^* unless you do something that warrants a renaming.