What Up In The ATL?

Corndogorama is the best local music fest in Atlanta, so that is the biggest deal this week. We will have our guide to Corndog’ soon, but there is also a ridiculous amount of other great shows going on in town this week, so here’s some:

Tonight I urge you to catch Times New Viking, The Preakness, Gold Painted Nails at The Earl.

The Preakness : Demons

Wednesday night I’m going to catch the Russian Circles, Daughters, Sorry No Ferrari show at The Drunken Unicorn.

Daughters : Recorded Inside A Pyramind

Thursday night Daniel Johnston will be at The Variety Playhouse.

Daniel Jonston : True Love Will Find You In The End

Friday night Islands will be at The Masquerade. It is also the last ever night of Decatur Social Club. I’m going to try and hit both of those and Corndog’, so that should be a long day and night.

Islands : The Arm

Saturday night Frightened Rabbit will be at The Drunken Unicorn.

Frightened Rabbit : The Modern Leper

Sunday night you can catch Zechs Marquise (featuring members of The Mars Volta) and 13 Day Mission at an early show at The Ozone Lair.

8-12-07 Daniel Johnston, Keith Kozel & The Lovesick, Pink Kodiak at Savannah Smiles – Savannah, GA

Daniel Johnston loves pop culture icons. His songs are littered with references to Marilyn Monroe, Captain America, and Casper the Friendly Ghost. Like his cultural heroes, Daniel Johnston is a legend. Through all the adversity of his life Daniel has triumphed to become the rock star he always aspired to be. Admittedly I just discovered him this year after renting the exceptional documentary “The Devil and Daniel Johnston.” Seeing him achieve his dreams and stay positive regardless of his bipolar disorder gave me strength in a recent difficult time in my life. His stark honest song writing is imaginative, captivating, and original. Since the 80’s people have worshipped and emulated the man and his songs with good reason.

Last Sunday night I caught him live in my hometown of Savannah, GA. I hadn’t seen a concert there since I saw White Zombie years ago when I was in the 8th grade. I am pleased to see Tiny Team Concerts booking such eclectic and amazing shows in a city that lacks them. I waited in a long line to get into the show but once inside had easy access to the front of the stage because not a soul was waiting there! A huge crowd was at the bar and everyone else was seated around tables. The opener Pink Kodiak was a one-man project playing self-described “Death Pop.” After a few songs he counted the people standing in front of the stage: Eight. He tried to coerce more to the front by exclaiming” I can count well into the thirties.” The songs were entertaining and catchy. He played a bass while the other parts were pre-recorded. Later I asked about his lack of band (thinking he was misunderstood by the local scene) and he told me the concept of the band involved it being a solo project. It was much easier to tell the second band was local. Keith Kozel and The Lovesick were a typical bar band in a city full of them. The band had all the movement and talent of the “The Rock-afire Explosion”. Keith Kozel did his best Mick Jagger impression. Later “The Lovesick” served as an unnecessary backing band for Daniel Johnston.

By the time Daniel Johnston came out people were standing and ready. He opened with a few songs on electric guitar. Sadly this was the only time Daniel would play an instrument all night. After those songs a friend accompanied him on acoustic guitar, which was very nice. Together they did a few songs including a cover of The Beatles’ “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away.” During the night Daniel performed old favorites like “Grievances” and “Walking The Cow” and more recent songs such as “Rock This Town.” His performance was great considering he read his lyrics and was very nervous (an apparent fact due to his shaking). I would have loved to see JUST him for the entire concert, especially playing piano but perhaps he didn’t possess the will power for such an intimate performance.

(Click for larger photos)

Pink Kodiac

Keith Kozel & The Lovesick

Daniel Johnston

Some Miscellaneous Daniel Johnston Videos:

“I Live My Broken Dreams”

“True Love Will Find You In The End”