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9/3/2001

FILM FLAM
Saturday we arrived at Starlight Drive In just in time to get the last front row center spot. Amy Pike & The Last Cold Beer were on stage in front of the concession stand cranking out old time country with an occasional upbeat edge, the barbecue vendors were just opening up, and the crowd was small but happy. The rain had threatened in the morning but cleared by afternoon and I was looking forward to this weekend for a while. I cruised the lot in search of classic cars and ogled a few beauties, as well as cars, and settled in for Johnny Knox and High Octane. This particular combo featuring Johnny does more strait up rockabilly than other combinations with him. Sometimes he's more blues, sometimes he's more rock, but regardless it's always a delight to watch his fingers fly. Caroline and Alice, both local musicians worth noting, got up and sang backup for a few Elvis tunes to fit in with the 50's theme and a precursor to Jailhouse Rock, one of the evening's films. After a break Caroline and the Ramblers took the stage. Another great set of rockabilly and rootsy country, a barbecue sandwich and a beer later the sun came out in full force and the lot started to heat up. Fortunately it was late in the afternoon and shade was available. Blacktop Rockets followed, with Johnny Knox backing up Dave Weil for a double dose of rockabilly guitar wizardry. Some of the retro kids started swinging, everyone was swaying, and we kept swilling beers and sucking down pork. Belmont Playboys wrapped up the musical portion of the evening with blistering rockabilly and retro rock, getting everyone's heads bopping and lots of folks twirling. The pre-movie cartoons started but the Playboys didn't stop for another two or three songs. We hustled down to the front and set up our seats for the movie. After the cartoon they showed a few trailers for some hilarious films like "Son of Spartacus" and the ever-popular "Gator Bait." They kicked off the features with The Blob, a dull 50's horror film starring Steve McQueen and a few hundred pounds of gelatin. Not the most thrilling film, but fun to heckle. After a break and another cartoon and round of trailers it was Elvis in Jailhouse Rock, a film chock full of opportunities for prison jokes. We didn't make it to the third film, skipping out after Elvis.
Saturday I woke up to the sound of rain. We lurked around the apartment hoping it would quit but the weather channel had nothing but bad news and radar images of rain pouring across Atlanta non-stop. We got a bite and actually headed towards the theater, only to run into heavier rains so we headed home. Only to have it stop, and not start again for the rest of the night. Damn!
Monday it poured most of the day and we hardly even considered it so if anyone went either day send us a report! Photos from Saturday should be online by next episode.

EAR PLUGS
Degenerate JH sent us this:
Morning Edition recently did a piece on one of my favorite bands of late,
Mofro, from Jacksonville, Florida. Unfortunately I didn't find out about it
until after the fact, but you can listen to the approx. 8-minute story at:
http://www.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2001/aug/southern/010823.southe
rn.mofro.html
The band plays some authentic southern soul and funk that is a loving
tribute to the disappearing South. It's kinda funny to hear the stiff
delivery of the NPR announcer, especially when he quotes the
tribute-to-Southern-food song "Hoecake," "It will kick your ass." It's also
a trip to hear the San Francisco hipster giggling about JJ's camoflauge cap
and overalls. "He's like a sweet dude." But the bottom line is this is some
groovy swamp music, less regional than the story would lead you to believe.
The band is supposed to come through Atlanta in late November or early
December. Check out their album in its entirety at www.fogworld.com. By the
way, if you are ever in Jacksonville, check out Chowder Ted's, featured in
the NPR story. I sought it out when I was down there recently and it's worth
the effort. An authentic place with some good downhome cookin.

BLASPHEMY
I was reminded of an old Specials tune "Ghost Town" when thinking of the Atlanta music scene of late:
This town is 'coming like a ghost town
All the clubs are being closed down
This place is 'coming like a ghost town
Bands won't play no more
Too much fighting on the dance floor.
Do you remember the good old days before the ghost town?
We danced and sang and the music playing in a da boomtown.
This town is 'coming like a ghost town
Why must the youths fight against themselves?
Government's leaving the youths on the shelf
This place is 'coming like a ghost town
No job to be found in this country
Can't go on no more
People getting angry.
In other subjects, love him or hate him, you have to admire Castro's ability to thumb his nose at the U.S.:
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,173119,00.html


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