Blog Topic: Editors' Picks

Culture Briefs: Michael Thurmond Signs New Edition of Athens Black History Book Saturday

By Blake Aued | June 7, 2019 10:19am

Athens native Michael Thurmond will sign copies of A Story Untold: Black Men and Black Women in Athens History at The Classic Center from 4–6 p.m. Saturday.

Thurmond has updated the book for its 40th anniversary.

In 1986, Thurmond became the first African-American elected to the state legislature from Athens since Reconstruction. He served as state labor commissioner from 1997–2010, becoming the first non-incumbent African-American to win a statewide race in Georgia. After a failed run for Senate, he became superintendent of the DeKalb County school system, and was elected CEO of DeKalb County in 2016.

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Homedrone: Preview: Stop Light Observations Play Georgia Theatre Thursday

By Rosemary Scott | October 16, 2018 4:27pm

Since the release of their first album, Radiation, in 2013, Charleston, SC band Stop Light Observations have made a name for themselves by touring across the country.

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Culture Briefs: Psychedelic Nic Cage Stunner Mandy Screens at Ciné This Weekend

By Stephanie Rivers | October 3, 2018 1:51pm

Cage gonna Cage.

After watching director Panos Cosmatos' Mandy, my friend Kris Deason described it as "a baking-soda-infused, water-soluble, completely smokable concentration of Heavy Metalmagazine… like a nightmare where the worst monster you can imagine comes for you and you stomp its dick."

That's really the only review you need, but here are a few more words of praise.

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Homedrone: Q&A: The Rock*A*Teens Talk Cabbagetown, a Double Double-Cross and Black Flag

By Chad Radford | September 19, 2018 4:15pm

Photo Credit: Brett Falcon

After 18 years, Atlanta's Rock*A*Teens returned this summer with Sixth House. While the group’s sixth album doesn’t throw any surprise punches, songs such as “Billy Really,” “Lady Macbeth” and “Crystal Skies” rise above the signature haze of reverb and distortion layered over singer and guitarist Chris Lopez’s haunting tales of heartache in the Deep South.

Flagpole caught up with the band's Chris Lopez and T. Ballard Lesemann in advance of their show at the 40 Watt Club this Saturday. This interview has been edited for length.

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Homedrone: Noise-Rock Supergroup Crazy Doberman Plays The World Famous Thursday

By Chad Radford | September 18, 2018 3:40pm

Under the direction of brass player Drew Davis and reeds player Tim Gick, Crazy Doberman unleashes an industrial-grade ambiance built upon the naturally dark resonance that occurs when horns, electronics, steel chains and an occasional cement mixer collide.

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Culture Briefs: Chatting About America With Comedian Judah Friedlander, Who Plays the 40 Watt Apr. 10

By Nathan Kerce | April 6, 2018 12:02pm

Comedian Judah Friedlander ("30 Rock," Wet Hot American Summer) is coming to the 40 Watt Club Tuesday, Apr. 10 to promote his fictitious run for president that began in his new Netflix comedy special, America Is the Greatest Country in the United States. We hopped on the phone with Friedlander to discuss his special, comedy in the Trump era and what it means to be a real American.

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Homedrone: First Tuesday One-Year Anniversary Show Celebrates Growth of Athens Hip Hop

By Emma Korstanje | September 5, 2017 10:27am

Photo Credit: Joshua L. Jones/file

Miller (right), with MC Ziggy RoxXx at the 2016 AthFest hip-hop showcase.

The one-year anniversary party of the First Tuesday series, happening tonight at The World Famous, carries a clear message best summed up by host Montu Miller: "Our arms are open, our hands are extended, so please come and enjoy everything that we have to offer."

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Culture Briefs: Comedian, Actor and Musician Creed Bratton Speaks Ahead of May 8 Foundry Show

By Nathan Kerce | May 5, 2017 11:44am

Photo Credit: Andrew Hreha

Best known for playing an exaggerated version of himself on NBC’s “The Office,” Creed Bratton has a storied history as an American icon. In the late 1960s, Bratton was recruited to be the lead singer and guitarist in folk-rock group The Grass Roots. During his brief time with the band, it released its most enduring single, “Let’s Live for Today." Years later, he began a new career as an actor, taking bit parts in a slew of TV shows and movies before landing the “Office” role and becoming one of the show’s most popular figures. Bratton has also released music under his own name since the early 2000s. His current tour is a unique mix of comedy and music that aims to please fans from every generation.

Ahead of his show at The Foundry Monday, May 8, Flagpole picked Bratton’s brain on his unique dual career, the current state of his live show and what he thinks the future may hold. (Warning: Some his answers may or may not be facetious.)

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Culture Briefs: Q&A With Comedian Jim Breuer, Playing The Foundry May 2

By Nathan Kerce | April 28, 2017 12:43pm

Photo Credit: Greg Pallante

Comedian Jim Breuer has been active for nearly three decades, and shows no signs of slowing down. Anyone raised on copious amounts of Comedy Central will know Breuer for his late-'90s run on "Saturday Night Live," as well as his role in the cult-classic stoner film Half Baked. Breuer’s most potent material, however, is his unique stand-up comedy.

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Homedrone: Q&A With murk daddy flex, Playing ATHICA Tuesday, Apr. 4

By Gabe Vodicka | March 29, 2017 10:30am

Photo Credit: Anna Staddon

After dropping off the radar following 2014’s brilliant Genesis full-length, local psychedelic hip-hop producer murk daddy flex has returned with a triumphant new EP, Bring on the Major Leagues, which he will perform in its entirety Tuesday, Apr. 4 at the Athens Institute for Contemporary Art. Flagpole caught up with the man behind the murk, Terence Chiyezhan, for an interview.

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