Asking me to pick the top 50 songs in any year is a hand wringing, completely over-analyzed, self-inflicted, joyous hell. I have no idea how many songs/albums I listen to in the course of a year. A zillion. But it’s almost always new stuff, with an ear toward my day job. Every song that I come across and every submission that we receive for Savannah Stopover gets put into one of several Spotify playlists. Those playlists go on shuffle every day of the year in the background of my life … in the office, in the car, at home — whenever and wherever I have time to listen. Generally in “shuffle” mode because that allows for the grand surprise, that moment when something really stands out, at least to my ear. I love it when I have to put down the knife on the cutting board and run to see ‘wow, who is this?’.
Does the year shape the music or do the picks reflect my year? Probably both but there’s no doubt that we’re seeing a resurgence in exceptional songwriting and lyricism which I tend to gravitate to; not that I don’t love a good barn burner (see Ron Gallo’s “Young Lady, You’re Scaring Me”, a garage jam with great lyrics!).
My song of the year goes to “Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales” by Car Seat Headrest, a prolific young artist named Will Toledo whose dazed and confused lyrics keep blowing my mind! He’s a modern day Pavement for those almost too young to know who Pavement was (and for those of us too old to let them go).
Here’s a list of all the songs, followed by a Spotify playlist. Hopefully, you’ll find some bands and songs you already love and a few of those grand surprises. And if you’re a Stopover fan, you may see a few familiar names, past and present:
Car Seat Headrest – Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales
Cass McCombs – Bum Bum Bum
Pinegrove – Old Friends
Old Man Saxon – Breakfast
Whitney – No Woman
Ron Gallo – Young Lady, You’re Scaring Me
Lucy Dacus – I Don’t Wanna Be Funny Anymore
Lee Fields & The Expressions – Make The World
Goat – Temple Rhythms
Mondo Cozmo – Shine
Twin Peaks – Wanted You
Big Thief – Paul
Kevin Morby – Beautiful Strangers
Lydia Loveless – Longer
Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam – A 1000 Times
The Mystery Lights – Follow Me Home
Fruit Bats – Humbug Mountain Song
The Lemon Twigs – As Long As We’re Together
Mitski – Your Best American Girl
Father John Misty – Real Love Baby
Native Young – Crystal Lion
Nick Waterhouse;Leon Bridges – Katchi (feat. Leon Bridges)
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah – Fireproof
Ezra Furman – Teddy I’m Ready
Frightened Rabbit – Woke Up Hurting
The Bones of J.R. Jones – The Heat
Blood Orange – Augustine
Lambchop – NIV
Circuit Des Yeux – Chicken Picken
Alex Cameron – The Comeback
Porches – Be Apart
Parquet Courts – Human Performance
Cross Record – Steady Waves
Dent May – Face Down In The Gutter Of Your Love
Molly Burch – Downhearted
Susto – Jah Werx
Futurebirds – Only Here for Your Love
The Castillians – I Left My Tassle Jacket in San Luis Obispo
Julia Jacklin – Pool Party
Methyl Ethel – Rogues
Choir Boy – Two Lips
pronoun – just cuz you can’t
Noname;Xavier Omär – All I Need (feat. Xavier Omär)
BadBadNotGood;Samuel T. Herring – Time Moves Slowly (feat. Samuel T. Herring)
Oh boy. I think 2016 was a doozy for pretty much everyone. Looking back on it I was able to see some sweet shows and catch some amazing artists (known and unknown). I’m reminded of the shows I had all intentions of seeing, but just didn’t make it — or forgot my camera.
Overall I’m glad I’m here to experience this — the good, the bad, and the ugly. So here’s to 2017, getting “the shot”, maybe seeing me at venues other than The Jinx (hah), and just plain enjoying our lives through music.
Check out some of my favorite shots below (some commentary included), and more after the jump!
P.S. now that I’ve gone through these I need a nap.
As we wind down the year & take stock of what was…there were plenty of memorable live music moments for me. The following are just a few (so many to choose from!) of my favorite performances that I photographed throughout 2016, with more after the jump!
Capsula at The Jinx
Natasha Drena of Onstage Cabaret at Lucas Theatre for the Arts
Fourth Ward Afro-Klezmer Orchestra at El-Rocko Lounge
For reasons I can only guess at, I watched that terrible John Cusack movie High Fidelity about 4.5 times this year. Whether intentionally or on accident, I just kept watching. In reflection, my 2016 was about love, heartache, and music, basically what that stupid movie is about so it makes some sense (minus the overt misogyny of the late 1990s dating scene).
Anyways. It seems fitting to write several Top 5 lists. In the midst of a mostly shit year in which grand musicians of rock ’n’ roll departed, and an orange demagogue was installed as our new “leader” (I suspect, however, he would prefer the term “King”), there was a ton of great music released.
I found love in music I never thought I would. I found music lovely that I never thought I would.
There’s a nifty Spotify playlist and embeds below for your listening pleasure. In the name of brevity, of which I am rarely apt, I kept it to mostly single sentence reviews. You’re welcome.
(The accompanying photo with this post is one I took on my mobile phone. Please excuse the poor quality. hissing lawns photographers, which does not include me, are some of the best in the city and continually deliver high quality stuff despite the worst lighting conditions a photog can encounter. This photo of fellow hissing lawns contributors Tom and Petee just summed up my year pretty well.)
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Top 5 Best Savannah Albums of 2016:
5 – COEDS, Thrill Me!
Garage rock for your face and dancing feet!
4 – Cray Bags, Beauty Love
One of my favorite punk albums of all time. Seriously.
3 – Garden Giant, Mutual
Favorite surprise of 2016, from the best indie rock band in town.
2 – Nightingale News, Bell Rope
Gorgeous folk rock.
1 – Casket Girls, The Night Machines
Simply magnificent, poignant gothic pop.
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Top 5 Best Albums of 2016 Vol.1:
5 – Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Skeleton Tree
Nick Cave doesn’t just write music, he writes poetry with music behind it. His latest poetry, about his recently deceased son, cuts deep.
4 – Nothing, Tired of Tomorrow
Emotional, thick and heavy shoegaze glory.
3 – Illegal Drugs, Illegal Drugs
I hope this is the future of punk, and rock ’n’ roll in general.
2 – Mitski, Puberty 2
I cannot understand why I connected so deeply with songs about self-discovery written by a 20-something Asian-American, but I did.
1 – Radiohead, A Moon Shaped Pool
One of the most beautiful albums I’ve ever heard, and the most beautiful collection of music Radiohead has made.
Top 5 Best Albums of 2016 Vol. 2:
5 – Leonard Cohen, You Want It Darker
Fare thee well you poet, you giant of a man, and thanks for this gorgeous requiem.
4 – Whores., Gold
Loud, noisy punk fun. So much noise and fun, it’s worth a two sentence review saying so.
3 – White Lung, Paradise
There’s a song about kissing while bleeding, and more good punk via these rad Canadian females than you can probably handle.
2 – Casket Girls, The Night Machines
Simply magnificent, poignant gothic pop, as stated above.
1 – Periphery, Periphery III: Select Difficulty
The future of progressive metal, and one of my most listened to albums of the year.
Top 5 Songs of 2016:
5 – COEDS, “Push”
4 – Nothing, “The Dead are Dumb”
3 – Mitski, “Your Best American Girl”
2 – The Casket Girls, “Nightlife”
1 – Periphery, “Marigold”
Thanks Savannah for the good times and great music this year. It was a nice distraction from all of the other bullshit going on in the world.
So, Sarah suggested that we should do a joint post of holiday songs, and this strange collection was the result. Enjoy, if you dare.
Opal Foxx Quartet Atlanta, Georgia
“Somebody’s House Always Burns at Christmas” from the album The Love That Won’t Shut Up
From the depths of Cabbagetown in the late 80s & early 90s, underground legends were born beneath the smokestacks. Opal Foxx Quartet featuring singer/poet Benjamin crossed boundaries and brought together folks of all stripes. I was fortunate to be a young ‘hanger-on’ of the scene, friend of Benjamin’s, and catch so many performances by OFQ, and later breakdown, but no less important to the fabric of Atlanta’s growing independent sound, Smoke. Tragic, raw, beautiful-ugly, and ‘real’ are just a few words that come to mind. The importance of their presence during a very formative time in the city’s history can’t be overstated…. – Jon
. Peanuts/Bad Brains
“It’s a Bad Brains Christmas, Charlie Brown”
As Schroeder’s hands near the keys at the Peanuts gang’s Christmas pageant, we all know exactly what to expect, right? Another classic from The Vince Guaraldi Trio. What we don’t expect is 4 black former jazz musicians from DC playing one of hardcore punk’s seminal singles. Bad Brains’ “Pay to Cum” synced to the Charlie Brown holiday special is one of my absolute favorite Christmas traditions. Even when you know it’s coming, it’s jarring and hilarious every time. – Tom
. Sufjan Stevens Brooklyn, NY
“Get Behind Me, Santa!” from Songs For Christmas Volume V.- Peace
Sufjan Stevens has dozens and dozens of holiday songs, both covers and originals, which range from flat out beautiful to, well, really goofy, but more often than not they work. This original falls in the middle of the beautiful/goofy scale and is super catchy. If I have to listen to Christmas songs, the best case scenario is Sufjan’s two holiday compilations on repeat. If you want a little more variety in your carols, I highly recommend checking them out. – Tom
. No Use For A Name San Jose, CA
“Fairytale of New York” from the album More Betterness
Yeah, I might get some flack for this one, but I prefer this melodic pop punk version to the Pogues original. RIP Tony Sly. – Tom
. Nerf Herder Santa Barbara, CA
“I’ve Got A Boner For Christmas”
Nerf Herder rarely takes anything too seriously, and their shot at a holiday song holds true to that tradition as well. Crude? Yes. Lewd? Most definitely. Funny as all get out? But of course! Grab the mistletoe and kiss that special someone while listening to this pop-punk jam! – Petee
. No Doubt Anaheim, CA
“Oi to the World!”
Original performed on The Vandals little known about Christmas album, Oi To The World, this cover by No Doubt is pretty excellent in its own right. While the original album is definitely a bit more in the traditional Oi punk vein, a little ska can definitely be good for the soul during the holiday season. – Petee
. Foxtails Brigade San Francisco, CA
“I’m Not Really In The Christmas Mood This Year”
While most people find that the holiday season is usually one for getting together and celebrating with friends and family, there are certainly those of us who tend to lean towards the Scrooge and Grinch side of the spectrum. For those who want to do a little bit of lamenting as the days get shorter and the weather gets colder, Foxtails Brigade’s indie-folk tune provides the perfect soundtrack. – Petee
. Joni Mitchell Los Angeles/British Columbia
“River”
I have two traditions every year before Christmas; I read Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory” and I listen to Joni Mitchell’s “River” (and hey, a blog named after a Joni Mitchell album deserves the occasional dose of JM, right?). Some might find this ritual sad as hell, but there’s such beauty in the sadness and a stirring reminder that the holidays can be a tough time for many people. Let’s spread some cheer. – Kayne
. The Polyphonic Spree Dallas, TX
“Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”
This 2005 cover of John Lennon’s 1971 classic is by a band I miss and love. And it reminds me why Lennon’s work stands the test of time. It’s a song that seems ripe for re-thinking and re-telling every few years; perhaps never more so than as we head into 2017. – Kayne
. Kermit
“One More Sleep ‘Till Christmas”
For those of us that are obnoxious with Christmas spirit there’s the greatest Christmas movie ever: A Muppet Christmas Carol. Even today on Christmas Eve, I make a point to listen to this song at least once (ignoring the fact I’ve likely watched the movie at least once a day, like the most boring advent calendar). It’s a song that brings back all the good feelings of being a child on the night before Christmas. – Sarah
. SHeDAISY
“The Secret of Christmas”
If you’re a bit nostalgic for some quintessential 90s country, there’s this original by SHeDAISY. This song is a nice reminder that Christmas doesn’t always about the gifts, but rather family and/or friends. Included on the same album are other great originals and a mash-up of two of my favorite traditional Christmas songs Hark the Herald and Carol of the Bells. – Sarah
. Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt
“What You Doing New Year’s Eve?”
Not a Christmas song, but still relevant to the holiday. Since deep down I’m a hopeless romantic (despite my cynical exterior), I’ve always loved the idea of this song. Or maybe it’s just because I’d be completely happy if Joseph Gordon-Levitt were asking me? Either way, the answer is exactly where I want to be – sitting at home in my jammies. – Sarah
. The Tractors
“Santa Claus is Comin’ (In a Boogie Woogie Choo Choo Train)”
The Have Yourself a Tractors Christmas is quite possibly my favorite Christmas album. The whole album is Christmas originals, and there are more traditional songs, but the fun ones are where it’s at. Taking the base of their 1994 hit Baby Likes to Rock It, they made it even better by Christmas-fying it. If you want a bluesy, country twinged, rocking Christmas song (or album), this is for you. – Sarah
. Lemmy Kilmister/Billy Gibbons/Dave Grohl Los Angeles
“Run Run Rudolph”
This is the super group that should have been. Lemmy lends his voice, Billy his guitar, and little drummer boy Dave rounds out a killer rendition of Chuck Berry’s Xmas standard. The animation for this particular video is pretty awesome as well. I think Santa riding a motorcycle is how Lemmy would have envisioned it. — Joshua
. Ahmad Jamal Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
“Snowfall”
I personally really enjoy jazzy Xmas tunes, but not the standards you hear in Target. Ahmad Jamal is one of the finest jazz pianist of all time. Next to Thelonious Monk, he wrote some of the most original jazz piano pieces ever constructed. Beyond his compositional skills, this live rendition of Snowfall is a testimony to his improvisational genius. — Joshua
. Murder By Death Bloomington, Ind./Louisville, Ky.
“Oh, To Be An Animal” from Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon
Just this week, Adam from MBD shared this eerie song on the band’s Facebook page and said that he wrote it while on a visit back for Christmas. “House is alive with music & lights. / Oh, to be a mirror inside, to catch the sights. / Oh oh, oh oh, / It’s the loneliest of times.” – bill
. Chuck Berry
“Run Run Rudolph”
When I saw that Joshua was submitting an, ahem, different version of this song, I had to counter with this 1958 classic. – bill
. David Bowie & Bing Crosby
“The Little Drummer Boy”/”Peace on Earth”
OK, I’ll admit that I saw this when it originally aired in 1977. The 73-year old Crosby died in October of that year, after his Christmas special had been taped but many weeks before it aired. The back story goes that Bowie agreed to do the special because his mom was a fan of Bing Crosby, that he arrived on set in a full-length mink coat, and that he actually hated “The Little Drummer Boy”, which prompted the writing of the stirring lyrics that he sings here. – bill
. Live Aid Finale
“Do They Know It’s Christmas?”
Seriously, how the fuck did Bob Geldof pull this off? – bill
As some of you may remember, I’m working through an inexcusable backlog of photos I’ve shot in the last couple of months. 2016 has been a long year, but that’s no excuse for being so slow editing all these photos.
So this was a great one — another effort from our friends at MusicFile Productions/Savannah Stopover — with Mount Moriah, Jake Xerxes Fussell, and Isaac Smith and his band.
Singer-songwriter Fussell played beautiful songs in between two sets that I expected to be somewhere in the genre of Americana rock but turned out to be flat out great rock and roll. I’d seen Isaac Smith solo — he’s great — but I wasn’t prepared for the power of the full band, and this was my first time seeing North Carolina-based Mount Moriah, a band that seems headed for much bigger things. Anyway, click on through for more photos:
For this penultimate New Music Monday of 2016, the hissing lawns team recommends the new work from:
The Tarantula Waltz
Saw Black
Iron Reagan
At The Drive In
Foxygen
Car Seat Headrest
Enjoy!
The Tarantula Waltz Stockholm, Sweden
“The strive, the strive, the strive”
Markus Svensson, aka The Tarantula Waltz has released a stunning new video/song with his fellow countryman Kristian Matsson, aka The Tallest Man on Earth who plays guitar on the track. It’s a bleak love letter to the planet. The video, shot in Iceland over three weeks, literally shows the planet melting but we’re hit with images so beautiful that it’s impossible to want to do anything other than continue to strive. TW will release his new album Blue As In Bliss in February 2017. – Kayne
. Saw Black Richmond, Virginia
“Rosie’s Comin Home”
Saw Black is a new project from Justin Black, an RVA art handler, producer and owner of Crystal Pistol Records. There’s lots of Neil Young in his voice- it has a windswept, road weariness which grabbed me by the throat and wouldn’t let go. He’ll release his debut album on February 10th on his own label with support from Spacebomb Records (home to Matthew E. White and Natalie Prass). If you’re still in an end of the year funk like I am, this is a great song to curl up with. – Kayne
. Iron Reagan Richmond, Virginia
“A Dying World”
Crossover thrash/punk-metal badasses Iron Reagan have unleashed new fury on the world with a fresh single off the forthcoming third studio album “Crossover Ministry” on the unholy Relapse Records. Carrying on the best traditions of thrash metal with their own punk/metal infusion, Iron Reagan is loud, obtrusive, zero-fucks rock ’n’ roll. And, as I and others at hissing lawns can confirm, they put on a pretty rad live show. Crossover Ministry is due out in February of 2017. Personally, besides the music itself, I throughly enjoy this band’s mockery of hardcore christianity. No one does it better. Here’s an infomercial for the new album in that spirit. – Joshua
. At The Drive In El Paso, Texas
“Governed By Contagions”
Mars Volta has always been one of my favorite bands. But, I’ll pretty much listen to any music Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, a.k.a. Frank Zappa Jr., is involved in, although I am partial to his full bands. This dude writes a lot of music. He released seven LPs in 2010, part of 26 total solo albums. It was pretty rad to hear about the At The DriveIn’s reunion earlier this year. While this project shares a handful of musical similarities with Mars Volta, it is most certainly its own music. And like Mars Volta, it is in its own genre. This is the first release from At The Drive-In since 2000’s “Relationship of Command.” Make more Omar, make more. Especially, if it sounds like this single. – Joshua
. Foxygen Westlake Village, California
“America”
Baroque-pop, gospel-infused, soul/rock duo Foxygen is carrying on their particular torch of oddities with a new single, “America.” Backed by a monster of an orchestra the new single opens with a Christmas melody straight from a TV musical, and then with a Beatles-esque escapade, it dips into a jovial symphonic deluge with heavily, probably sarcastic, nationalism. This shit is weird, orchestral, beautiful, Baroque, and jazzy. I love it all and hope you do too – Joshua
. Car Seat Headrest Seattle, WA
Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales (v.2) from appearance on Jimmy Fallon
A reworked version of possibly my favorite song from definitely my favorite album of the year. Additional lyrics, new structure, 2 1/2 minutes shorter than the album version, it still works, a testament to Will Toledo’s seemingly endless talent. A studio version of this has been released, but only seems to be on Spotify and Apple Music, it’s well worth tracking it down if you use either of those services. – Tom
It looks like there are plenty of shows to pick from this week. The annual Holiday Hoedown will be held tonight. I hope you have already gotten your tickets, they have been sold out (again) for a while now. It will feature 3 bands that will be on my year-end list next week, The Hypnotics, The Accomplices, and The Train Wrecks, and Austin Quattlebaum. It is always one of my favorite musical events of the holiday season. I suspect it may be one of the last times you have a chance to catch the Accomplices, Zac and Colleen are moving to Colorado in the next couple of weeks. After the Hoedown, there will be a good show at El Rocko, featuring Plastic Pinks, Twisty Cats, and Taze Daze, Hunter Jayne, Jeff Zager, and Peter Mavrogeorgis’s new band or what looks like a fun show at the Wormhole. I am looking forward to the Funkadelic cover band on Saturday, and will probably wander up and down the street after that. Take note that there is a rare Sunday night show at The Foundery on Sunday. I have listed a few more shows throughout the week that could be of interest as well.
Friday 12/16 Accomplices, Train Wrecks, Hypnotics, Austin Quattlebaum – American Legion Homegrown Holiday Hoedown (7p, SOLD OUT) Solomon’s Ghost, Awaken the Dawn, Amor Exitium – Starlandia (7:30, $6) Bottles & Cans – Funky Brunch Cafe (8p) Clear Daze – Savannah’s Music City Bar and Grill Jahman Brahman – Congress Street Social Club Plastic Pinks, Twisty Cats, Taze Daze – El-Rocko Warm Coats & Smiles Pajama Party w/ Lowcountry Oscillations Dance Party – Wormhole Georgia Flood, Brendan Roberts – Barrelhouse South
Saturday 12/17 Damon & The Shitkickers – Jinx Happy Hour Brent Collins, Holden Taylor – Sentient Bean (8p, $4) California Guitar Trio – Mars Theater (8p, $25) Zach Deputy, Ben Lewis & The Kind Dub – Southbound Brewery ($35/40, includes samples) Michael Moody & Annie Allman – Funky Brunch Cafe (8p) Funkadelic Cover Band with Rodney Smith – El-Rocko Charlie Fog Band – Barrelhouse South Eric Culberson Band – Congress Street Social Club
Sunday 12/18 Train Wrecks, Bottles & Cans – Tybee Post Theater (7p, $15) DiTrani Brothers, Drinking Bleach – The Foundery (7p) Voodoo Soup – Congress Street Social Club
Monday 12/19 Craig Tanner & Mr Williams Open Mic – Abe’s on Lincoln
Tuesday 12/20 City Hotel Solo Sessions – Foxy Loxy Cafe (7p) Ben Keiser Band – Bay Street Blues Eric Culberson Open Jam – Bayou Cafe Voodoo Soup – Congress Street Social Club
The talented performers that make up the revolving cast of Onstage Cabaret at Lucas Theatre for the Arts are back again this year with their Christmas cabaret. This sold-out, three night show, beginning this evening, has become a staple of the Savannah holiday season. If you managed to get one of the sought after tickets you’re in for a treat. Here are a few photos from last night’s dress-rehearsal with more after the jump.
And we’re back with more new music for the week. Today’s post includes work from:
various artists performing songs related to the hit musical Hamilton
Dope KNife
Son Volt
Georgia Mountain Stringband
Crystal Fairy
Please join us on Facebook if you’d like to tell us what new music you’re listening to. Thanks!
Georgia Mountain Stringband Decatur, Georgia
‘Hard Man to Love’ off of the new self-titled EP
The boys of GMSB are back with some great tunes, shared vocal stylings, and on the heels of their sold-out EP release at Eddie’s Attic in downtown Decatur, Georgia; Atlanta. The new-ish (released Nov 2016) recording does justice to the individual & collective performances of their updated old-school bluegrass music, with country tinged leanings. – Jon
. Dope KNife Savannah, Georgia Weekend at Brodie’s out now on Fake Four
This feels like a pivotal moment for Savannah-based Dope KNife — he’s one of the founders of the long-running Dope Sandwich label and collective, but he was contacted by the awesomely talented Ceschi about releasing work through Fake Four, an indie label with a stellar catalogue. – bill
. Various Artists New York The Hamilton Mixtape
If you’ve been around millennials at all, you’ve most likely heard of Lin Manuel-Miranda’s Broadway sensation and Tony award winning Hamilton: An American Musical (the story of founding father Alexander Hamilton). This compilation album features artists singing not only covers, but also new songs inspired by the originals. The Mixtape is not so much a new version of Hamilton, nor do I think it is designed to be, but rather it acts an addendum, drawing the listener deeper into an already revolutionary and inspiring work of art. – Sarah
. Son Volt St. Louis, MO
“Back Against The Wall” from Notes of Blue due out February 17 on Thirty Tigers
When Uncle Tupelo broke up, I was sure that Son Volt and not Wilco was the band to watch arise out of the wreckage. Boy, was I wrong. I still prefer Jay Farrar’s voice over Jeff Tweedy’s though, and I’m always glad to see new output from Son Volt. The song probably won’t surprise you if you’re familiar with the band. Farrar helped forge the alt-country genre while in Uncle Tupelo, and Back Against the Wall is a fine example of that sound. This song would have sounded right at home on Trace, Son Volt’s acclaimed first album, and that’s saying something. – Tom
. Crystal Fairy U.S.A.
“Chiseler” from the upcoming self titled full length out February 24 on Ipecac Records
Crystal Fairy is Teri Gender Bender from Le Butcherettes, Dale and Buzz from The Melvins, and Omar from At The Drive In. That, my friends, is a pretty serious lineup. The song, unsurprisingly, is fairly heavy duty, too, a pedal to the floor rhythm section driving the song behind Teri Gender Bender’s fierce vocals. The guitar lays back until a blistering solo opens the song up a bit. Good stuff. – Tom
When you sit down for an interview with the greatest rock ’n’ roll band ever, you better have your shit together.
I feel privileged to have gotten an exclusive interview with Jeff Two-Names & The Born Agains. Savannah’s premiere punk band is embarking on a week-long “International East Coast” tour to the great fortune of Americans in general.
Around 10:32 a.m. on a Friday, I wandered into The Foundry Coffee Pub and was immediately greeted by frontman Jeff, who plays under the name Glowy McNeal. McNeal is the Executive Director of Vocals and Chief Lead Guitarist for Jeff Two-Names.
With him was one of his, I am assuming, 12 children. An adorable, golden-locked two-year-old named Sylvia or something like that. I just wanted him to break into “Dad Band,” the something or other track on the band’s debut EP. It’s my favorite song because they spell out the chords before they play the song. It’s educational punk rock.
Joining us for this epic interview was the other founding member and drummer Rev. Kev, Deacon of Drums; a commissioned preacher with a penchant for good coffee he uses to bribe journalists into writing good things about him.
Auxiliary Lead Guitarist Michael Doctor MD was probably off saving lives, so he wasn’t able to join us. Jeff Two-Names has never had a bass player. They do have someone stand on stage with them and pretend to play bass. This person is usually called “The Bass Player.”
I was disappointed the band’s manager didn’t accompany them to the interview. Dr. Petee booked the entire tour and is a pivotal part of the band, which is probably why he moved to Atlanta recently. Ego can weigh heavy on a band’s chemistry.
