The Avenue | Music - The Independent Florida Alligator

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Album review: Ben Folds - "Way To Normal"

By ROBERT HILSON Avenue Writer | Oct. 8, 2008

"Oh, that stupid bitch is mine." Now before you make any snap judgments, know that this line comes from a song called "Errant Dog." Get it? It's funny - or at least Ben Folds thinks so. On "Way To Normal," Nashville's longest-running jokester walks the fine line between kitschy fun and tasteless humor with twelve politically incorrect songs designed to challenge the gag reflex. "The Frown Song" and "Dr. Yang" play like dumbed-down, cheesed-up New Pornographers outtakes - frenetic, hyper-pop of the most hummable order. "Bitch Went Nuts" uses the phrase in a more conventional sense and adds a shot of gratuitous profanity for good measure. Call it a guilty pleasure if you'd like - the track has more hooks than a fishing charter. Get it? Hooks? Fishing charter? Ben would think it's funny.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Album review: Jack's Mannequin - "The Glass Passenger"

By ROBERT HILSON Avenue Writer | Oct. 8, 2008

There are a lot of ridiculous band names out there, but every once in a while, these guys will hit the nail right on the head. Jack's Mannequin: genius. It's got a ring that conveys all of this band's qualities - androgynously nice-looking, probably could be found in an Abercrombie & Fitch store, personality of a stiff piece of plastic. "The Glass Passenger" is the vehicle by which frontman Andrew McMahon pans off his stepford-wife rock 'n' roll on, well, whoever's into this kind of stuff. "The Resolution" and "American Love" will be hits on a spunk-rock station that plays your favorite mix of "80s, 90s and today!" But the kicker is a line from "Annie Use Your Telescope" that yearns, "Is there anybody out there?" It recalls the Pink Floyd song: "Comfortably Numb."

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Liquid Limbs goes for solid sound at upcoming concert

By JESSICA METZGER | Oct. 8, 2008

Kevin Nowak, Liquid Limbs guitarist and vocalist, gave an unusual forecast for the band's Saturday performance at The Atlantic. He promised a "razor sharp set of mind-blowing volcanic riff tornadoes."

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

MTV teams voter registration groups and bands to encourage voting

By CARLY FAIN Avenue Writer | Oct. 8, 2008

College students' participation is crucial in deciding which way the presidential elections will swing in November, according to voter registration groups such as Why Tuesday? and indie-rock band Death Cab for Cutie. To encourage students to vote, the band partnered with voter registration groups to organize the Ultimate College Bowl.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Against Me! Q&A

By ROBERT HILSON | Oct. 1, 2008

The three greatest things to possibly come out of Gainesville: Emmitt Smith, Gatorade and Against Me! It might be surprising to learn that the resident punk heroes eat at The Top, listen to The Streets and are playing a benefit show for the Civic Media Center this Sunday at Common Grounds. Yeah - not very anarchist of them. But lead singer/songwriter Tom Gabel also does interviews while dodging traffic. Now that's more like it.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Funkatron

By MEGAN HERON | Oct. 1, 2008

Reggae-hip-hop band Funkatron defines its name as "the musical creation and expression of five individuals' hearts and souls."

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Former "Dispatch" guitarist forms new band

By HENRY TASKIER | Oct. 1, 2008

For Chadwick Stokes, former guitarist of the acoustic-rock group Dispatch, anti-war songs like "The General" weren't enough. Stokes wanted something sharper when it came to political issues. He found this edge in bassist Chuck Fay and drummer Mike Najarian. The three formed the politically charged reggae-rock band State Radio.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Reggae–metal band The Expendables not so disposable anymore

By HENRY TASKIER | Sep. 24, 2008

In their formative high school years, members of the California reggae-metal band The Expendables claimed they sucked so much as musicians that they labeled themselves "expendable," said Geoff Weers, singer and guitarist for the band. A few years and four albums later on the band's national tour, the name stuck.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Band mixes moods and grooves for eclectic sound

By ZACH SEYMOUR | Sep. 24, 2008

Members of Gainesville band Moodhosa said their sound is hard to explain - even for them. There's a backdrop of gutty, gritty Delta blues, hints of funk, undercurrents of reggae and a smattering of good, old-fashioned rock 'n' roll. What shapes Moodhosa's groove is exactly what makes rock music great: a respect for the classics, an acknowledgment of contemporaries and a personal touch.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Band’s album more catchy than kitschy

By ROBERT HILSON | Sep. 24, 2008

As the classic saying goes, incinerate your ride once, shame on the lighter. Incinerate your ride twice, shame on The Pink Spiders. The Nashville power-poppers have a way with flames, but such is the combustible nature of a touring band on the brink. After accidentally torching an equipment trailer between gigs a few years back, they decided to one-up themselves by setting ablaze an entire school bus. The Spiders traveled Partridge Family-style, at least until the tires melted. It does make a great story, so score it a Pyrrhic victory on the road to the top.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Up–and–coming band doesn't sweat small stuff with 'Sweat It Out'

By MEGAN HERON | Sep. 17, 2008

Their tour bus caught on fire, they were dropped from a record deal, and two of the three original members of the band are out. While this might have spelled the end for many bands, The Pink Spiders pushed on. With their latest album, "Sweat It Out," hitting stores Sept. 23, The Pink Spiders will continue to roll with the punches.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Ninja Gun takes aim at The Atlantic

By HENRY TAKSIER | Sep. 17, 2008

"Our name is really just a bad inside joke," said Johnathan Coody, vocalist, guitarist and songwriter for the Georgia punk-rock band Ninja Gun, which will perform Saturday at The Atlantic, located at 15 N. Main St.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Band led by 12–year–old guitarist

By LAURA NOVETZKE | Sep. 17, 2008

When he's not going to school, Anthony Kavouklis plays late night gigs, poses for CD photo shoots and rubs elbows with blues legends like Buddy Guy. This creates a balancing act for any adult, but Anthony is 12 years old.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Metallica rises from grave state with "Death Magnetic"

By ROBERT HILSON | Sep. 17, 2008

Men grow old. Legends live forever. That's a problem for Metallica. Burdened by paradox, the group's mere relevance in 2008 is a testament not to the graying, leather-clad rockers, but to the near-mythic quality of an era gone by. What's now more brand than band was once a pack of pimply twenty-somethings blessed with a terrifically violent combination of speed, volume and, above all, ability. But passing time, foolish decisions and producer Bob Rock, the grim reaper of thrash, all rendered our heroes disposable. Metal doesn't wear well with age. Even "the quartet of deliverance" gets only so many chances to get back on the horse.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

MAE Q&A

By CAITLIN HEAD Avenue Writer | Sep. 10, 2008

After the merger of their record company Capitol Records and the subsequent release of their new album "Singularity," the members of modern rock group Mae realized something: This isn't working. Despite experiencing severe debt, lack of management and a minor existential crisis, the band set out to find out a new way that did work. Drummer Jacob Marshall talked about the group's upcoming show in Gainesville, its trials with finding management and where it wants to go from here.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Crocs next step with campus tour

By CARLY FAIN | Sep. 10, 2008

Crocs, Inc. and 360 Productions are collaborating for the Crocs Next Step Campus Tour, which will be rolling into Gainesville on Sept. 14.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

New Kids stray too far from The Block in new album

By ROBERT HILSON | Sep. 10, 2008

Caution: Objects in your rearview mirror are older than they appear.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Band questions love and death on new album

By JORDANA FYNE Avenue Writer | Sep. 10, 2008

Why? is all about asking questions. Ask front man Yoni Wolf why call a band Why? and he'll shoot back, "Why not?"

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Mates of State Q&A

By JORDANA FYNE Avenue Writer | Sep. 10, 2008

Minus one organ and plus one new baby, the husband-and-wife musical team Mates of State return to Gainesville for the first time since March 2006. Known for their organ and drum arrangement and catchy, complex pop harmonies, the indie-rock duo shed their signature organ sound on the new album, "Re-Arrange Us." Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel will be toting the new keyboards and their daughters, Magnolia and new addition June, on the road with them Sept. 13 and 14 to the Real Big Deal Festival at the Alachua County Fairgrounds. Calling from a houseboat in the middle of a lake, Hammel discusses the band's rearrangements, what it's like touring with two young daughters and why America is ready for change.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Drive By Truckers Q&A

By KRISTIN BJORNSEN Avenue Writer | Sep. 10, 2008

AVE: So, what are you doing right now?