Lokal Loudness 2000 : Store

MAY / JUNE 2007

STONEY SPEAKS
Augusta Gets Funky
With things starting to warm up weather wise the time is right for dancing in the streets. Some would say that is old fashioned thinking. I say why not dance in the street. Perhaps we need that today more than we ever have. No one was ever better at presenting such a positive outlook on life, at least in public, than our very own Godfather of Soul James Brown. Now perhaps he has given us an excuse, if not a reason, to dance in the streets!
Mr. Brown's birthday hits this week thursday May 3rd and Augusta is kicking out the celebration with everything from a birthday cake to live music to, yep, dancing in the streets. But before we celebrate, lets delve into more serious issues involving lokal legends.
As many of you know, we here at Lokal Loudness, along with friends in the community have been trying to get the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and the State Tourism Board to add Augusta to it's Historic Music Trail. This would not only mean recognition of our area music history but additional coverage and awareness for tourists passing through the area. This of course can generate more commerce and revenue into the Augusta community and surrounding towns.
How can you help? Sign the petition. For more info just go to the Headlines page and find the corresponding story and links.
So now that the serious stuff is out of the way, back to dancing in the streets?
What a week Augusta has planned...and it's al FREE!
On wednesday May 2nd the over 21 crowd can visit 1102 Bar & Grill's Back Room for Reel Rock Movies featuring a big screen showing of Soul Survivor and many rare video clips courtesy of Keith Jenkins. Other surprises and a special live performance are also planned.
On friday May 4th the celebration takes over downtown Augusta from 5-10pm as part of the monthly First Friday celebration. Look for live music and huge projections plus a birthday cake on 10th street and at the Common lots of live music including a performance by the Soul Generals. Once again...all free!
PET PEEVE OF THE WEEK
Recently I have been increasingly annoyed by drive-thru signs that state that an establishment makes their food fresh and there could be a slight wait. Now mostly that rarely presents a problem and after a small pause you get your food and go. What has gotten on my nerves has been the increase in places that have started to seemingly take advantage of this.
The other day I was asked to pick up some food from Zaxby's in Martinez. No problem right? Well after 30 minutes I had yet to place my order. I had been behind the car at the menu sign the entire time. Further inspection revealed that less than half the parking lot was full so obviously inside customers weren't the issue. There are few things you can "special order" at Zaxby's. What was the hold up? After waiting 50 minutes (I know most of you are thinking what a dumbass I was but this request was my wife's and having left my cell at home I had no way to request an alternative) I finally reached the window. The employee was nice when I asked why it took so long. She responded by making reference to the "not a fast food place" sign.
Why even have a drive-thru at all.
Stoney

TOO HOT TALK
Maximum Tone
Questions and Answers Part II
Question: I can hear the batteries rattling around when I plug my new Taylor 814ce (acoustic / electric guitar) into an amplifier. Do you know of any simple way to fix the problem short of having to send the guitar back to Taylor?
Answer: The problem you are experiencing is fairly common with the new Expression System-equipped Taylor guitars and, yes, there is a very simple fix. The problem is not with your guitar, its Expression System or even the amp you are using. The rattling you are hearing is due to the fact that AA batteries will vary slightly in size.
The simple fix is to take an ordinary 3”x3” sticky note, cut off about Ľ of it from the non-sticky end and then wrap the batteries together, starting with the sticky end. This will cover the middle section of the two adjoined batteries. This will give just enough padding and support to keep the batteries from moving around inside of their compartment.
The Expression System is a great new approach to acoustic guitar amplification. The pre-amp of the system was even designed by the legendary Rupert Neve. As always, Taylor is ahead of the pack when it comes to innovative acoustic and acoustic – electric guitar design ideas.
The biggest challenge I think most people find with using Expression System-equipped Taylor guitars is that the system is so radically different from anything that was previously available that you really have to approach equalizing the tone a little differently than you would with a traditional piezo element system. However, it should be noted that there is plenty of information and tech support available from Taylor Guitars to tackle any issues with which you may be having problems.
Question: I recently acquired a Mosrite Ventures guitar. I’ve seen these guitars before, but I don’t know that much about them. What can you tell me about them?
Answer: Semi Mosely was a colorful character in the guitar-building world. He was born in Oklahoma, but he moved to California at a young age. He worked for Rickenbacker in the late 1950s, but he was encouraged to start his own guitar company by his friend and pastor, Ray Boatright. A permutation of their names yielded the now famous brand name. An often overlooked, yet interesting, feature of Mosrite guitars is the “M” shape on the tip of the headstock.
In 1963, Mosrite released the Ventures model. It was both endorsed and distributed by Nokie Edwards and his band for which the model was named. The Ventures model was, by far, the most popular guitar ever produced by Mosrite. However, Mosrite went out of business in 1969, thus ending the first chapter in the company’s history.
For the next twenty-five years or so, Mosley was unsuccessful with any large-scale production of Mosrite guitars. However, by 1984, the demand for Mosrite guitars was great enough that Mosely was able to open a production facility in North Carolina. Part of the demand was due to the retro fever of the vintage guitar scene and part of it was due to another high profile Mosrite devotee, Johnny Ramone of The Ramones.
Mosely died in 1992, but his widow continued the business, shifting all production to Japan by 1995. The Japanese made Mosrites are also excellently crafted guitars. Congratulations on your catch!
Scott Terry
Scott Terry with more next month in TOO HOT TALK!

ART OF AUGUSTA
First Friday
This is going to be one Funky First Friday. What better way to showcase the art & soul of Downtown Augusta than to celebrate the birthday of the hardest working man in show business – Mr. James Brown. A culmination of music, art, food and funk – this First Friday is an outcome of dedicated volunteers, generous downtown businesses and we at the arts council who are working towards the growth of the event into something everyone in the area can enjoy.
May’s First Friday brings us live music, including the Soul Generals & Lauren Hartley at the Augusta Commons – but they aren’t the only ones who know how to get funky! The corner of 10th & Broad boasts its own live musical acts, including DJs, Jerusalem Sounds Brass Band & Lee Landers. Don’t forget to cut the cake with the Brown family at 8:30pm!
The Greater Augusta Arts Council welcomes the opportunity it has been given to organize First Friday each month. The talent & dedication that is given to this event from downtown individuals is always encouraging, and we look forward to the growth of this celebration of Augusta’s Downtown.
Virginia Colflesh

THE MORETZ MANTRA
Coming Soon!
David Moretz

EVERYTHING AFTER
When she hit Rockstar: Supernova, most Augustans had never heard of Dana Andrews. Even fewer knew that she had a killer band! Now with all the glamour and glitz of TV land behind her Dana and her group of modern rockin' guys can get back to the business at at hand: Exposing the masses to EVERYTHING AFTER!

LL-Last year the world found out about Dana Andrews. Tell us about the rest of EVERYTHING AFTER.
DA -Everything After formed immediately on my return from California. It's made up of Mark Cox on bass and vocals, Kevin Mitchum on lead guitar, Wes Wikel on rythm guitar and the occasional keys and Jody Wilson on drums.

LL-So the guys aren't excatly new kids on the block. They'd been around in previous Carolina bands before picking Dana to help them in thier new direction. Was it frustrating for the rest of the band when Dana went to do Superstar:Supernova?
MC - It more a suprise than frustration. We searched for a singer for a whole year and as soon as we found them, they were wisked away to Hollywood. We'd already decided that Dana was it, so it was going to be a new begining or the end. All in all, we were really excited for her to experience all of that. I'd say it worked out better than it could've.

LL-Did the band discuss options in the case that Dana won Rockstar Supernova?
MC - I personally had decided that the search was over and if she won, you know, "Thanks for the memories" and keep playing a couple acoustic shows here and there... I'll never give up music altogether, but I was at a point of giving up on pursuing a rock star kind of life.

LL-So how was the band homecoming?
DA - It was great! We threw a party and the guys rocked the whole night. I only stepped in for a few tunes being that it was the first time I ever got behind a mic with them. Since I'd only known them for a few months before leaving, not many people had met them... or even knew I'd found a band to work with!! So, it was fun introducing everyone!

LL-So now with all that behind, EVERYTHING AFTER has been moving ahead full steam. What all has happened since Dana got back?
D A - Well, everything!!! We immediately got in the studio to record a song that a few of the guys had been working on. I came home and loved it, we wrote the lyrics and recorded within two weeks... just a short time later, the guys at WARQ 93.5 in Columbia had us come in for an interview and since then have put "Not A Lie" in heavy rotation!! And we've been holding steady at number four for a few weeks. Now we've got some of my hometown love on 95 Rock and we are also going to be added onto 98X in Charleston! All of this combined and we're the highest charting unsigned band on Active/Alternative Rock radio in the Country!!! We've also bagged a management deal with All-In Entertainment, landed the Alternative Addiction's Next Big Thing contest winning their Indie Spotlight of the month in February on www.alternativeaddiction.com, and we're FINALLy releasing our first recordings ever! And it's in my hometown!!! Life just keeps gettin' sweeter!

LL-So the band has played several shows in the guys backyard. Is the band excited about performing on Dana's turf?
MC - Yes. We've played Augusta before, without too much success... Wes is from Augusta as well, so we always had his family's support, but just twenty people in a room didn't make for a huge rock show. Now that we've got so much support from the radio, the papers (thank you very much) and word of mouth, we're predicting a strong turnout!!! It's gonna be great!!!.

LL-So for the uneducated, how would you decribe EVERYTHING AFTER?
DA - We're a band that wears our hearts and influences on our sleeve. Being that everyone has a wide variety of influences, we think it creates something new with tight guitar riffs, memorable melodies and intelligent lyrics... we do our best to make our music accessable to everyone. Hey, my parents love it too!!

LL-So new CD soon?
DA - YES!!! The show at The Mission on April 14th is our first official EP release party!!! With Hot Lava Monster and Deepfield kicking off the festivities, it's sure to be an awesome night of rock!

LL-Cool! Thanks!
DA - Thanks again for the support!! I'll see you there!!

JOSEPH CHRISTIE
Suffering similar obstacles as most secular artists, Joseph Christie has persisted by playing from the heart presenting passionate modern Christian music. With a new band and plans for an upcoming studio release, Christie continues his plan to spread his musical ministry.

LL-So what made Joseph Christie decide to start playing music?
JC - It was really just on a whim. I just decided one day that I wanted to play guitar after my friend showed me some stuff that he had been learning in lessons so I decided to start taking lessons. I mean when I started playing I really wasn’t even that much into music but today that statement is far from the truth. Maybe at the time it was just the cool thing to do. Now it’s 8 years later and music is my passion.

LL-You consider yourself to be a Christian artist. Did you start of wanting to be Christian of original attracted by more secular music. If secular then what made you eventually want to change to Christian based music?
JC - When I first picked up a guitar and started taking lessons I really just liked to play and there wasn’t any thought of being a “rock star” or scheming on how I could make it in music or anything. Once I started to get good enough to play and sing (I wasn’t very good at all) I started playing for my youth group at church and things just kind of went from there. So I don’t think I was more interested in becoming a Christian artist. It’s just that being a Christian showed through in my lyrics. It’s just like someone who is in love so they write a love song. I’m just writing love songs to the Savior of the world. Any true musician and lyricist puts their heart and soul into their songs and that is exactly what I’m doing.

LL-So people might be surprised that you rarely listen to other artists that are similar in style to you. Why is that? What artists do you enjoy listening to?
JC - I do listen to some artists that are similar to me. I really enjoy heavier music than I play just because it’s fun to listen to. I guess I just really like the vocal in a heavier song because it just sounds like the singer is putting a lot of driving passion into what he is singing. I really enjoy listening to bands like Skillet, Kutless, Breaking Benjamin, and Disciple.

LL-For those not familiar with Christian music, who would you compare yourself to secularly?
JC - I would probably compare myself with either The Fray or Snow Patrol. Or pretty much any acoustic driven rock.

LL-How do you feel Christian bands, outside of musical inspiration, differ from mainstream secular artists?
JC - Outside of musical inspiration there is no difference. They are all just musicians doing what they love.

LL-We've heard that you may have a CD in the works. What is the scoop on that?
JC - I’m slowly but surely saving up and hopefully I will be able to release a full-length by Christmas. Right now I’m in the works of arrangements and recording those arrangements so that I can be ready once I have enough money to get into the studio!

LL-What do you hope to accomplish as a Christian artist?
JC - I hope to be able to inspire other Christians to be an example for Christ as well as bring the unsaved to an understanding of the truth.

LL-There are people out there that look at Christian artists and feel like the artists are trying to force their beliefs on them. Why do you think that is?
JC - I don’t know… maybe we are? But when you listen to any song, secular or Christian, isn’t there some belief being “forced” on you? Whether it’s the belief of love, money, God, etc. I probably wouldn’t use the word force though. It’s more about what the artist or band feels and what they live for that shows through at a performance.

LL-As a Christian artist are you kept to a path of simply presenting songs of praise or do other topics such as personal hope, disparity, etc ever come into play?
JC - For me personally I believe I am gifted in leading others in praise and worship. But I definitely think there is a place for the other topics as well, as long as the artist or band stays strong in their faith and isn’t ashamed of what they believe.

LL-Topics aside, how would you compare the quality of todays Christian music to today's secular music?
JC - I would say musically that they are both pretty comparable. There are really talented secular artists as well as Christian artists. I think that Christian music has really caught up with secular music in terms of sound and originality and not just the same ol’ cliché cheesy lyrics in every song. I feel that the turning point for the better was DC Talk’s release of Jesus Freak.

LL-Thanks Joseph?
JC - No problem, now can I have that raising canes you promised me.

TARA SCHEYER
As part of celebrating Mother's Day Lokal Loudness has decided to talk to some "Mommy Rockers" on the Augusta Music scene. Despite a busy schedule with running a business and household Tara Scheyer, onetime frontwomen of Snapdragon and the Half Shirt Leroys, took the time to answer a few questions.

LL-So what have you been up to lately? Anything musical?
TS-We put out the kid's record, "HiFi Felix volume 1" last November and it's been doing really well. We're playing lots of day gigs to promote it. Dance Augusta's Peter Powlus choreographed a dance to a song of mine, "Rockin with you" and I played it live while the dancers danced all around me. I've never done anything like that before! It was on the stage at the Imperial. Ronnie Hill and Dewayne Wilson played with me. That was April 19. I'm also playing on a Moonlight Music Cruise with Augusta Canal for the first time- Fri May 11.

LL-What would you say has been the biggest difference between your pre-mommy days and now being a mommy.
TS-Tons of differences! I always said things wouldn't change, and although I haven't really consciously TRIED to change things, everything has. It's very organic, though, and each stage we go through feels like we're in exactly the right place. As I look back, I can tell the path has really deviated from my original intentions, BUT when I'm in it, it just seems like I'm chugging along as usual. It's kind of like I'm not really in control, anymore. Which is such a nice break from always being such a control freak. I'm really learning how to relax and just see what happens next.

LL-Has being a parent changed the way you look at or write and peform music?
TS-Oh yes. I never really wrote for my audience before. I just phrased things the way I wanted to and if somebody didn't like it or was offended by it, it didn't really matter to me. Now, it's always in the back of my mind that my child my hear this someday, and I want to make sure I'm clear and fair and, well, nice, about the way I say things. Not that any of my old stuff ever needed much censoring, but I definately feel a stronger responsibility to my listeners, now. Performing, um, I don't do much of that anymore. I could, but I just prefer to stay home. Since we put the kid's record out last year, most of my shows have been to pre-teen, afternoon crowds in the library or museum. So you could say my average venue has changed COMPLETELY!.

LL-What would you say to your son if somewhere down the road he develops a desire to become a musician?
TS-We let him play all our instruments, and encourage any interests he has in music. He's been putting on little concerts for us for over a year now. Ever since we first put him in the studio before he even turned 1 (to sing on HiFi Felix), he loves it. If he ever comes to me and says he wants to be a rock star, or whatever, I'll just tell him between me and his dad, we've got tons of contacts for him - with my Nashville years and Kevin's Columbia years we could really hook him up.

LL-Did your own parents have any musical tendencies?
TS-Yes, me and my parents all played (piano, trumpet, and violin) in school and church. My family reunions in Mississippi are still all about pulling out the fiddles and singing hymns all together. My Grandaddy used to take me to Gospel Sings before I could walk.

LL-Back in the day when you were touring and recording with Snapdragon did you ever think about one day settling down and becoming a parent? If so, what did you think?
TS- thought it would never happen. I got a little round moon tattoo on my stomach just to prove to my friends (and myself) that I didn't ever want to be pregnant. You should have seen that huge, stretched out moon when I was 9 months. It would really crack me up.

LL-You are actually married to a musician as well which seems to not be odd for most of the married female musicians in Augusta. Do you think this is an Augusta thing or the norm for married female musicians?
TS-Oh, I don't know about any norms. I just feel so lucky that it worked out that way for me. From the time I was really little and watched Sonny & Cher, I always wanted to be in a band with my husband. It's awesome to share something you love so much with someone you love so much.

LL-Do you ever play kiddy songs for your children? If so what?
TS-Since we're doing lots of kid shows these days, Felix has to sit through a good bit of rehearsing just around the house. He usually knows all the songs by the time the show comes along. He's actually pretty good about stirring up the crowd. He'll be running around up front singing "Hokey Pokey" or whatever, and pulling the little 2-yr-old girls up to dance. He's already got game.

LL-Any advice for women wanting to try and balance music and family life?
TS-I've got no clue what I'm doing. I'm just so grateful to get through each day without causing too much damage (so far!) to me, my husband, or my son. We always sit together, all three of us, at the end of each day, and talk, tell stories, read a book, sing songs. When I get to that point, and we tell him goodnight and turn out the light, then I can exhale, and reflect, and be thankful. Whatever happened that day- good or bad- just washes away with his sweet innocence. Every day- good or bad- ends with me thinking, "man! that was a good day!".

ALLISON FOSTER
She has been praised by the likes of Big Al Beasley and American Skin's Bryan Panowich. Her songs are sometimes felt in the most gutteral of places. She's the furthest thing from an Augusta pop diva. Allison Foster is a rock chick through and through. Just ask any of the guys.
With just enough sass to toughen up the girls and the right amount of heart to soften up the guys, Augusta's Allison Foster has arrived to chip a new notch in the belt of Augusta female musical history!

LL-First off, you just seemed to drop out of nowhere last year, who exactly is this acoustic gal rocker known as Allison Foster?
AF-Wellllll im just me. I'm not sure if there is anyway to pin point the whole essence of Allison Foster [laughing]. Listen to the words in my songs and you'll get a pretty good idea.

LL-So who and what drove you to get into this singer-songwriter biz?
AF-Life. It's the craziest thing sometimes ! The good, the bad, the in between; that's what drives me to write.

LL-On the other hand, what did you ENJOY most about being away from home?
AF-So know that you've done it for a while, whatcha like best about about the world of the singer-songwriter?
AF-The free beer! [Laughing] I'm joking! I love the fact that I get to meet incredible musicians. Augusta is filled with them I learn so much from them.

LL-Singer-Songwriters in the area have been known to move away, try other area. People like Steven Jackson, Tara Scheyer, and even Josh Pierce. Any plans on ditchin' us Augusta folks anytime soon?
AF-I have no plans on leaving, but who knows where i will be 10 years from now. I've lived in Atlanta before and I ended up coming back. I love it here. Augusta will always be my home.

LL-What about just gigging out of town anytime soon?
AF-I'm working on something in Atlanta, and hopefully I'll luck up. and maybe even find somewhere in Athens. I would like to venture out a lil bit. no worries though Augusta is still my home

LL-So decribe the ultimate gig.
AF-opening for Ani Difranco and Melissa Etheridge!!!!!! I would freak out!

LL-There are a few, maybe not a ton, but a few women performers here in Augusta. What makes Allison Foster different than the rest of them?
AF-[Laughing] It's the hair! nah I think its my voice. It's kinda different, and I'd like to think my style of writing and playing as well. I just want to convey how I felt at the time of writing the song to the audience. I have a lot of emotion in my music

LL-Now I know you've been asked, and we're gonna ask as well, cuz Big Al (Beasley) REALLY wants to know, when is Augusta gonna get a new Allison Foster CD?
AF-Soon!! I talked to Mr. Rob Boggs a few days ago. Hopefully I will be in the studio again sometime in april.

LL-And when we get this new platter, what can we expect?
AF-There will be some new stuff as well as old. I am planning on getting some people to play behind me add some drums. Stuff like that. I have a little more control over my voice since the last time I recorded so I am going to concentrate more on my pitches this time around.

LL-Any duets?
AF-Not on my cd, I did practice a song with American Skin last year unfortunatley we were not given the oppertunity to show it to the world. It's cool the world wasn't ready biatches! [Laughing] I am up for anything musically, so if I had offers sure, why not.

LL-Sorry, just funnin ya...but seriously, any duets? Sorry! Any parting words or shots for the Augusta peeps before ya go?
AF-Yes. To all my guys that are working hard playing the music every weekend, keep it up I love it! There are some kick ass bands here in Augusta and I am really glad I can be apart of the music here! Am Skin, Josh, Dave, Mr. Al : Thank you for all of your support! You guys rock my world! And Stoney thank you so much for helping the LOKAL music scence to be what it is. You are amazing. muah

LL-Thanks Allison!
AF-No problem! Thanks for having me =0)

TAILORED - TAILORED
One part classic rock, one part modern rock, several parts energy and passion, TAILORED is an Augusta band that bridges the power of rock and the emotion of Christianity. One listen to their self-titled debut release is enough to make anyone realize that fact.
Songs like "The Light" praise the almighty with a modern rock sacrifice along the lines of Nickelback or even Creed. The only difference being that TAILORED wears a southern heart on their collective sleeves and it shows. But while this lokal quartet can rock, their strength may lie in their ability to express emotion.
"By His Grace" is a great power ballad that could sit just as easily on a modern pop record as it could a new country album. But while this emotion might be their strength, found within could also be their greatest weakness.
TAILORED has all the attributes to make a great band except for possible one thing which in time could be cultured and refined. Overall the lyrics found on TAILORED debut are for the most part overly typical and filled with many overused catch phrase-esque lines. But like previously mentioned, that can be worked out with time.
The guys hit a great pop rock mode in "Holy One" possibly the best tune found on this release. With a little more vocal work in the studio including adding backing vocals this could go from being a good little tune to a great concert sing-a-long.
While this will never be deemed the end all of even area Christian releases it has enough qualities to please anyone into Christ and anything that sounds like John Mellencamp meets Nickelback. With a little work TAILORED could not only turn into a great Augusta Christian band but into something bigger.
To check out this music and more visit Tailored Online

THE YAYHOOS
PUT THE HAMMER DOWN
The Yayhoos play good ol' fashioned red blooded American rock & roll! Not surprising when you consider the Yayhoos are an American quartet made of mostly southern bred rockers. So how come it is then, an American band that most of American has never heard of, tours and performs for a rabid following in places such as Spain, Germany, Japan and the UK? First one must realize who the Yayhoos are.
All four Yayhoos are card carrying rock and roll vets with a resume thicker than a Shakespeare novel and muddier than a Mississippi dirt road after a rain storm. Guitarist Eric Ambel was a founding member of the Del-Lords AND Joat Jett's now famous Blackhearts and most recently was the lead guitarist for Steve Earl's band the Dukes. Terry Anderson has beat the skins for the likes of the Fabulous Knobs and has written songs recorded by Etta James and Jo Dee Messina. Bassist Keith Christopher was an original member of the Georgia Satellites and has toured with Billy Joe Shaver, Tony Joe White, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Paul Westerberg. And guitarist vocalist Dan Baird? Well you may remember him from a little ditty that just about every roadhouse band has covered called "Keep Your Hands to Yourself". Yep, we're talking Mr. Baird of those same Georgia Satellites. But enough of the players, what about the music?
"Put the Hammer Down" starts off with a clunky rocker called "Where's Your Boyfriend at?" courtesy of Anderson with vocals from Baird. This one even comes complete with a chunky bass solo and is the perfect jerky dance number. This number could have easily been on either of Baird's solo CD's or Anderson's Olympic Ass-Kicking Team release.
"All Dressed Up" is a fine blend of Izzy Stradlin, Stones and the Faces. Matter of fact, most of "Put the Hammer Down" lies in this territory with a few nasty blues stompers like "Never Give an Inch" or "Would It Kill" dropped in for maximum drinking effect. It's an easy mix drink of English Whiskey rock and Southern bar room blues.
Surely we've heard most of this before just not for a long time. Good fun rock & roll made for a sreamy backwoods friday night and a cold case of PBR. In a perfect world this would be an instant Camaro classic. Unfortunately in today's world it seems like only the English, Spanish and Japanese have good enough taste to appreciate such a delicious plate of good home-cooked rock & roll.
To check out Dan and the boys and to hear samples of the entire cd, visit the Yayhoos Online