Well, it's May again & we here in Augusta are still trying to find out why the weather is still cold! We'll luckily the music is not! The recent show at Garden City Conference Hall was a success with such cool bands as PINKEYE, YOUTH @ RISK & SOLEMN scheduled to play. But for eager participants and attendees, the late addition of DIEAGNOSTIC was sure to be a very great surprise. If you missed (as my Daughter keeps telling her friends) you missed out! Upcoming show @ the Martinez Community Center on the 28th will feature YOUTH @ RISK & FINAL DARKNESS as well as 1 other band for only $4.

For those of you wondering about the recent KINGTHURSDAY developments dept.: The band is reported to still be on track with the same lineup they graced us with at the March Lokal Loudness Show. More info as it comes in.

During April I seemed to be celebrating my birthday (the 4th) everytime I turned around. Three weekends in a row, I was wisked off to surrounding cities for cool music festivals. First we caught Columbia's COLLOSSAL MUSIC CRAWL, then a weekend of Charlotte's CENTER CITY FEST and finally, after all that, Atlanta's music midtown! WOW! You can read all about it here!

For you bands & musicians, I added a whole lotta links to sites in the resources page under band/musicians. These are really cool & helpful. Check 'em out.

For those of you interested in the poll, the results will be posted next week along with another interview. For now you can catch THE INSUBORDINATES & MOONSHINE in our xklusives!

Talking Back with the INSUBORDINATES.

Punk music has always had it's share of naysayers and those trying to drop it into it's own little bucket, claiming lack of talent and musical ability. What these people don't realize is that punk was born out of a need go against the grain of what was meant to be normal. You didn't need to be a shredhead to be in a band mentality. Lokally, this scene has been hard to find since the mid 80's when there were quite a slew of english punk enspired bands in the area. Now comes the next gen of CSRA Punk, bearing more attitude, more style & more ability. Here now to backtalk us are THE INSUBORDINATES.

LL-How long have the INSUBORDINATES been together?
IN-August of "97

LL-Was the thought to go punk from the very beginning?
IN-Yeah we started out as a punk band.

LL-Musically what are some of the bands influences? Are they like classic punk, or newer punk bands?
IN-Mike is influenced by old-school punk and oi. Dug is influenced by new school punk and hardcore. Devon is influenced by old-school punk and 3rd-wave ska.

LL-When the INSUBORDINATES say they are punk, what does that mean to them & their fans?
IN-We don't consider ourselves punk rock. We just consider ourselves many different things.

LL-Describe a typical INSUBORDINATES show.
IN-Energy and injuries.

LL-Are you as a band, stifled by the traditional "punk only" standards of punks or do you ever venture out musically and try to change that stereotype?
IN-We venture out and hit on many different musical styles. We don't give a shit about stereotypes.

LL-Tell us about the recent release. Where was it recorded, when, etc.
IN-The recent was 3/04/99 at the Jam Room in Columbia SC.

LL-Was it a hard or easy release to make?
IN-It came easy to us.

LL-Ready to go out & support it with some live shows?
IN-always.

LL-If you guys had any band ever in history to go on tour with, who would it be?
IN-Master P.

> LL-If you were put on a podium in front of the whole area music scene & government artist support, what would you tell them?
IN-We would make obscene bodily noises into the microphone.

STONEY'S QUICKIE QUESTION'S

Fill in and/or finish:

Paper Plates or fine china?
>Mike-China...is fun to poop on
>Dug-Paper Plates
>Devon-you don't hafta wash paper

I make best use of unwanted CD's by...
>Mike-I don't have any unwanted CD's
>Dug-One word...Microwave
>Devon-scratch em up and then let them play

It's raining outside, I should get my...
>Mike-my pink hearted rain-slicker
>Dug-my skateboard
>Devon-sunshine

Nothing to drink in this house but beer! Guess I'll just haveta...
>Mike-Drink beer
>Dug-Drink the fucking beer morons
>Devon-knock one back

The MOONSHINE's in Columbia.

Recently we traveled to Columbia, SC for the COLLOSSAL MUSIC CRAWL (check out LiveJive for a review) and it was here Jim & I found a band that just took our socks off! Look for an in depth interview in an upcoming issue and for Lokal Loudness to bring these guys to Augusta. Until then, here's a lil' info.

Moonshine formed early in 1996. The original line-up consisted of Bobby George (guitar and vocals), Robert Simpkins (guitar and vocals), Matt Nelson (drums and vocals), and Jarred Golden (bass). They had met at open jam sessions at the Wateree Bar & Grill, and began practicing at the Storage Trust shed near the 76 Truck Stop on the Northeast side of Columbia. They had already begun working on original material, like "Minimum Wage", "South", and "Cure."

In August 1996, Moonshine played at their first gig at "Oasis" in Columbia, SC. In September 1996, they played at their second gig at "Jimmy's" in Columbia, SC. More gigs followed throughout the fall, mainly in Northeast Columbia. Jay King, a local keyboard player, joined the band on many of these gigs and started to become the bands booking agent.

The summer of 1997 saw Moonshine with a new bassist. Jarred had left and Ron Barnes joined the band on bass. Later that year, Moonshine recorded a demo tape at the Jam Room in Columbia, SC. On it are five originals (South, Minimum Wage, Rider On The Road, Crazy-Ass Woman, Pieces Of Your Heart) and two covers (Mustang Sally and Stormy Monday). Joining Moonshine in the studio was Jay King and a vocalist named Nancy Pope.

Early in 1998, Ron Barnes leaves Moonshine without a bassist again. Jay King and Mike Angel fill in on bass at gigs until April. Hugh Hubble joins Moonshine and they have a permanent bass player again. Also joining the band is David "Snake" Stewart, a precussionist. The band begins developing material for it's first CD. They also performed their first charity show at Riverfront Park. It was in support of Riversweep and Keep America Beautiful.

Fall of 1998 finds Moonshine a four piece again. Dave Stewart left the band. It also finds them in the Jam Room again. Bobby, Robert, Matt, and Hugh recorded the instrumental tracks for their CD, The Stars & God, Inequity & Fear, on November 14th and 15th. Jay King (keyboards and saxophone) and Mike Angel (guitars and precussion) join the band as guest musicians for this project. A few weeks later, Moonshine performed their last gig with Matt Nelson at Stuffy's. Dr. Nelson was leaving for Pittsburgh.

So now it's 1999. Moonshine has found a new drummer. Tony Clauss

So off down I-20 we drove in Jim's muffer-less Mazda RX-7, listening to a healthy dose of new rock & 80's hard rock until finally arriving in Columbia at a former Jim hangout THE HAMPTON'S. Cool HUGE bar. After shooting back a couple of brews we decided to head to Five Points for dinner and for some bar walkin'.

Dinner found us at an ally style bar with a great bartender names Carem. She gave us the low down on the night activities and we gave her the LOKAL LOUDNESS address. Check us later!

First stop-The legendary Elbow Room, breeding ground of Hootie and other top Suthern Bands. Here we caught an incredibly entertaining set by the GOODIES, who incidently played at the Red Lion Pub in AUgusta the night before. These guys are kinda of like alternative music version of vaudeville & ragtime with very entertaining stories & songs.

Next to take the stage were a band very familiar to Augustan's, especially the mid 80's Squeaky's crowd. THE DRAG swerved very mellow into their set of English inspired pop songs that tight yet very unenergetic in comparison to previous time I have seen these guys. Great band, lame night.

Now it's hard to get to all these clubs as all these clubs are having bands at the same time, so Jim & I decided to go check out BALANCE OF POWER, a told to be very heavy band appearing at Sharkey's. After waiting several moments for some of the people to leave, we were let in to a loud smoke filled room being barraged by the intense sounds of BALANCE OF POWER. These guys ROCKED and Jim was having flashbacks of days gone by ala Judas Priest live! Soon the band was done and we had had enough of the pushing & spilled beer so we decided to venture over to Monterrey Jack. Man are we ever glad we did!

What we found were two seats right in front of the next band. Armed with little knowledge other than the name of the band in the schedule listing, we sat back and waited.

MOONSHINE kicked into a way too short set of pop/punk/rock tunes that got the crowd clapping, singing, stomping & ROCKIN! These guys were like, no lie, The Knack on a Ramones fix with Greg Allmann on lead guitar! Different, weird, kinda surfy, oh dammit! I find it too hard to describe! Come to find out hese guys have all been on the scene a while and just hooked up together a couple of years ago! Me & Jim decided right then & there that these guys need to come to Augusta, we're gonna try!

Before mosying on, we talked to several musicians and picked up a copy of the Crawl comipilation for only $2. Jim then said, we need to do this in Augusta, yeah Jim, we sure do.

ROCK & ROLL REVIVAL IN CAROLINA!

When the plans were finalized and I realized that March's Lokal Loudness Show would include the return of two of Augusta's all-time greatest bands I felt numb. FAMILY JEWELS were THE premiere all ages attitude band of early 80's Augusta and KINGTHURSDAY have been making mega waves in the past year! The ball rolls deeper than that though. Throw in TOMMY HANGOVER and between all three bands you have you have veterans of many a early 80's show with the likes of FAMILY JEWELS, SOUL DAMAGE, DOGWOOD, LIL' VENICE & KARMA! That spells excitement!

TOMMY HANGOVER took the stage around midnite and played guinei pig to the nite sound system. The set was not one of their best but the guys would return to Magoo's the next nite & kick ass. The main highlght here was the debut of new rockin' song "MELT".

After a quick intermission and sound fix, KINGTHURSDAY kicked off their new lineup with radio single "WATERSONG" and rocked threw an hour of tunes that included "WICHITA", & "BASTARD". The group seemed rejuvenated and comfortable on the stage for which they took over with ease.

Around 2 a.m. FAMILY JEWELS jumped into a set that include no early originals but many cool new one's and ultra cool odd covers by HANOI ROCKS, IGGY POP, BUDDY HOLLY & more. These rockers played a blistering 1 & 1/2 hour set and after a short break asked if they could play more. JEWELS second set was about the same length and the band invited former members Paul Sieg & John Cannon up on stage for some reminiscing!

By the time the night was over, everyone was tired, drunk and very happy!

Man, you would think after a weekend in Columbia, plus a night playing at the Highlander we wouldn't dare venture out again too soon. Well Think again! April 23-25 was Charlotte's Center City Fest & damn if we were gonna miss it!

The beginning off our fun started with a cool sets from the CONNELS and a post office flashback with the SCREAMIN' CHEETAH WHEELIES. Man those cats still rock! Good stuff!

Our last night in town was of course our best. JUMP LITTLE CHILDREN on the usual great energetic show they have been know for, kicking out one familiar alternative radio tune after another. ANTHENEUM and TRAIN were two regional band I had heard highly of but had yet to witness. Let me tell you, if you het a chance to see either, go. Both bands put on a hell of a show in a classic alternative vein that is incased with rock & roll!

Ending the festival was everyone's fave Columbians HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH. The delivered set was up to Hootie standards but it is evident that Darious & the boys are road weary. No where near the set we witnessed a couple of years ago at Columbia's Finley Park.

O.k., here we are, after two weekendsof travel,. Someone says, Stoney, what about the last two nights of Music Midtown, and I of course say, HELL YEAH.

Unfortunately we missed the first night last minute addition of THE BLACK CROWES, who took the place of the GOO GOO DOLLS. But there was still fun to be had by all!

Unfortunately I also missed RICK SPRINGFIELD's set as we decided to hangout Staurday & Sunday at the 99X stage. But hey we still caught some great acts like lokals SHOCK LOBO, SOUL MINER'S DAUGHTER, MARVELOUS 3 & THE TENDER IDOLS, all bands that Augustans are familiar with mainly via the Red Lion Pub.

After hearing my Ohio born guitarist Doug talk about KID ROCK'S years of dues on the Detroit scene, I was looking forward to see him live. Very groovy, very heavy and very rap. Visually it reminded me of the 80's hard rock scene, musicaaly, The Riff Raff Kings.

Highlights of the weekend had to be the hard-pop set delivered by EVERCLEAR, who I hear will be disbanding after this tour, thanks for a great finale! This 3-piece delivered all there hits & more. Sorry to see these guys go!
And of course the Godfather of Punk IGGY POP. Like Dick Clark, this guy only gets better with age, lunging accross the stage and at his mic stand, Iggy kikced out faves like "Raw Power" & "I Wanna Bee Your Dog" before retreating to the safety of the backstage area.

Other cool acts included at the 99X stage were BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY, KING SLENEDER and the blonde from hell Courtney Love & HOLE, fresh off of the big Manson tour boot!