Entertainment at the Drunken Unicorn 1-11-13

A man and his veil. That would describe the show that I witnessed at the Drunken Unicorn on Friday, January 11, 2013. The first show that I was able to pull myself together for after the new year's eve recovery. Stumbling down the long, dark tunnel into MJQ, the bleak and twisted faces huddled around the bar...elbowing for a spot to dance sent me around the corner to the Drunken Unicorn. Entertainment took the stage. All members dressed in black, lead singer Trey Ehart out of Athens, GA slithered to the center stage - black lacy veil across his face. I could hear some nerds in the corner making jokes. They snickered and tried to hide their poor taste from the girls they were with - girls that clearly were not interested in their dates. All eyes were on the man on stage. It was refreshing to hear a set - one could describe as "Trent Reznor and Marilyn Manson - gentle love couple" - in a town filled with pop-star, folky, dipster rock. Electronic drum beats were soothing, and complimented by moody synthe. When I say electronic drums, I don't mean a guy at a computer...I mean a guy at a drum set, with freakin' electronic drums and sticks. Who knew electronic music could come from an actual man? Bari Donavan has been on the scene for a long time now. His style separates the band from the typical bland goth rock and Cure comparisons. The beats are awkward and powerful. Todd Caras has joined the band - probably just as a rental though. An amazing bass player, Todd has slutted himself off to many bands in Atlanta. Whoever manages to keep him around is surely to succeed. I heard that the synthe guy - Ross Henderson - is also a super talented guy, and plays in other bands as well.

Though the nerdy nerds behind me continued to snicker for various reasons, they stayed for the entire set. We all did. Entertainment is sexy. The music, the mood, their stage presence - not everyone wants to see a bunch of sweaty dudes tossing their hair and smiling with a big open mouth as they "jam". If you have yet to see this band, do yourself a favor. Do it. And bring a date. It just might help you get laid. Music Monkey gives Entertainment 3 bananas.

When Punk Falls Flat: Bukkake Boys, GG King, Manic, Hawks, Wizard Smoke, Shaved Christ show review

The Star Bar is one of my favorite venues to see a show. Not only is it located in the heart of the coolest shopping area in town - yeah, that's right, it's Little 5, my big dog East Atlanta - but it is across the street from the best pizza in the area. At the Star Bar, you can get caught up in a big crowd, and still have room to escape. What's better than an old bank vault decorated as a shrine to Elvis to hide out in? The drinks are cheap, and in some cases, so is the music. This is the case for Shaved Christ. What a pile of crap to my ears.
This show - Bukkake Boys, GG King, Manic, Hawks, Wizard Smoke, and Shaved Christ - on Thursday, January 5, 2012, was so hyped. I was pumped for a great night of punk rock/face blistering rock. Why, oh why, did you guys let these little turds on the bill, and why did you wait so long to get started??
Pushing 11 pm, the room was packed. Everyone was thriving on the same energy - we wanted a show. Shaved Christ takes the stage, and down to the lounge we all go. Another good thing about the Star Bar, if you don't like the act upstairs, head to the lower level. It's a lot smaller, but the cool factor is nice.
The Bukkake Boys started up and I couldn't contain my excitement - yes! Finally, something worth coming out for. Bukkake went Bucrappe. They should have been upstairs. You couldn't see the act, and the music was that sort of washed out garage stock that you hear in a low budget B-movie during the teenager make out scene. If that's what you're going for guys, you have achieved it. Way to reach for the bottom where the floor's the limit. I know you can do better.
Out to the patio I went for some air. A guy next to me was smoking some spice and ran off all the girls. That stuff stinks.
Manic was up next, but after hearing some pathetic screams of "music" I decided to stay put. When you choose physical stink over listening to stink, that should say something.

Time was passing rapidly, and I hear Wizard Smoke take the stage upstairs. James, WS's front man, was already dripping with sweat and glaring his crazy eyes into the crowd behind masses of stringy hair. The music was decent, but I've heard better from them. I think stupid Shaved Christ sucked all the goodness out of the room. Wizard Smoke puts on a good show, but at this point, the hype was gone, and it just felt too late to be out on a Thursday night. I was not the only one who was feeling this way...as I walked out, I watched the room begin to clear and people poured into the street. How disappointing. And the worst part??? I didn't even get to see GG King, or Hawks.
For the reviews sake, I will say that Hawks can be hit or miss even though they have a big following. Maybe it's the name. GG King is great. They have a big, buzzy drone sound that really makes you feel like you're out on the town and making the most of your time and money. They are the real deal.
Note to the bands - stop dragging your ass. Pick some bands with real punch to open up. Then get ye butts to the stage. Ease up on whatever you're doing in the back room and entertain me. Otherwise, you're just a word on the page.

Music Monkey gives this show one banana...because I'm feeling nice.



Thank you to latestdisgrace.com for the Wizard Smoke pic.

Black Swan: My Twisted Interpretation

Movie Review: Black Swan - The Twisted Interpretation

I just watched Black Swan last night, and needless to say, but I was left with many questions regarding the story. The Atlanta Misfit usually doesn't review movies, thus, we introduce...the Movie Monkey. Nothing like a big pile of internet research crap to inspire a new blog post. After reading through multiple "interpretations" I have come to two conclusions.

1. That some people are morons, and really like to get website hits, so they regurgitate info that no one needs to read, and that other people have already written!

2. That I have a sick mind, obviously, because I didn't find any interpretations that are as twisted as my own. Of course, I too, like the Director Darren Aronofsky, am an artist and we tend to have a different point of view.

Yes, Nina's (Natalie Portman) got the crazy disease. She needs meds. But there are a lot of crazy people in the world who don't need meds because they find a hobby or trade that allows them to obsess over. A ballerina is very disciplined and obsessive -and they have to be. No slacker could just show up to the ballet and bust out a parawet. Somehow she has managed to hold it together over the years. So where is the controversy…? Time for the meat and potatoes.

After discussing my own crazy theories with a coworker and what he found researching, this is what we think…and yes, there are spoilers.

The ending - she dies from a fatal wound. Out of her misery! Poetry and suicide - the crazies do it best.


Her Mother (Barbara Hershey's kiss) - Nina really lives alone, and her Mother is never there at all or just possibly visits. Her Mother is a molester. There is one part in the movie where Nina's Mother is standing in Nina's bedroom doorway and says "are you ready for me". And why the need to block your own door with a piece of wood unless you really don’t want someone getting in? Nina's Mother is also very doting - but in a creepy way. Recall the scene where she is helping Nina take off her dress and Nina snaps "I can do it" - but the Mother persists. Yep, just like a Molester - they want to touch you. Even the ballerina music box by Nina's bedside is something that her Mom uses to soothe her to sleep - like a kid. Does an adult really need to be tucked in? I think it is a bad memory, and isn’t really happening. When Nina smashed the music box, it is her trying to let go of that memory.

The demented portraits in the next room - Nina painted them. It is the way that abused children often communicate. When you see the person painting, the view is only the back of the head.

Nina’s scratching – She feels better when she hurts herself. It is a way to bring herself back to reality. Kids, don’t try this at home.


Nina’s issues with sex and masturbation - She is riddled with guilt from her experience with her Mother (and/or Father, who is MIA). She has deeply repressed sexual feelings which develop into fantasies about Lily (Mila Kunis). She allows her boss Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel) to touch her because he steals it – something she is used to. Biting his lip is her attempt to fight back.

But the crazies always lose the fight. Nina will be remembered, but not forgotten. Hey, cinema will ALWAYS bring back that make out scene...
Very cool film.

Capibara, The Pinx, and Hip To Death Show Review at the Drunken Unicorn 1/2/10

Happy New Year's everyone. I don't know about your night, but I celebrated into the wee hours with friends, drinking my way into a peaceful slumber. By Saturday night, I was thirsty for more, so I decided to check out the Chad Radford recomendation - from Atlanta's own Creative Loafing picks for the week's best shows. See below...

HIP TO DEATH, CAPIBARA, THE PINX Armed with heart-wrenching melodies, tastefully stoned riffs and the most fully realized (and good) rock songwriting this town has seen in decades, the Pinx are Atlanta's best-kept secret. Hip to Death plays jagged, morphine post-punk. Capibara opens with fierce, though undercooked noisy rock rants. $5. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — CR

The Pinx opened up to the frozen crowd with mixed emotions. At first, I didn't feel my mouth watering for the souped-up lyric review that you have just read above. As the band played on, their genuine enthusiasm became contageous. Everyone enjoys good showmanship, and this trio of guys were all over the stage. The Pinx tore it up with lenghthy guitar riffs, physical action, and melodic singing that reminded me of Weezer. I heard that the drummer was playing with some broken ribs - but he's obviosly one tough bastard. Overall, it was a sweet beginning to my frothy night.


Up next was Capibara. First let me say that looks are deceiving. Do not judge a Thom Yorke look-a-like dressed rather preppy for anything less than what he is - damn talented, and obvioulsy under appreciated. The string of quick lyrics that flew out of his mouth were captivating. The band was tight, and each song was crafted like a fun shot on your twenty-first birthday. And this band also grabs the attention of the ladies - always important, and quite often overlooked. As the crowd swelled even at the stroke of midnight, I knew the last band had to be interesting.


Hip To Death opened with a catchy tune and I eased back to enjoy the view. The setup was different, and obviosly took the eye of some serious artists. The special lighting, the intricate triangle art on canvas, collages, and my fave - tv's with surf and skate videos playing. It all meshed together like a video on the Fuel channel. Song 2, which I found out is called Red Blood Lips, was dark and heavy on the shadows of bass bass bass. One thing I can say about the lyrics from this band -some of the words and lines really cling to your mind. I'm not sure if that's frightening or facinating. The singer stands tall in stature and spits out his words like a mad man. He was backed occassionally by a sultry bass player who helped drive the nail into the angry song and finished with a little Pixie style. The drummer whaled out punk beats from behind his camp-fire-esk lit drum kit. The music was definetely a style I've never heard before. I'll have to check this trio out again.



Nothing's better than ending of good night of music with some late night food at the Magestic. My hunger had been satisfied, and all of the dark souls could sleep soundly at last.


Music Monkey gives this night 3 bananas.

Jay Reatard at the Earl 12/3/09 - Performance Review

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009, Jay Reatard performed at the Earl in East Atlanta. Special guests/opening bands were GG King and Small Reactions.

Without chewing the fat, let me give you the skinny...it was soul-less. Jay has moved on from his previous drummer and bass player, and has replaced them with Jacob Elving and Anders Thode of the Cola Freaks. Cola Freaks you say? I love those guys! A spastic mash of punk and gravy, but with Jay Reatard, they're all dried up turkey.

I went to the show with high hopes of taking out some aggression on the floor. I must confess that I was late, and unfortunately missed the opening band, Small Reactions.

I caught GG King before Reatard took the stage. They were interesting and provided the kind of quick beat that makes you wanna jump and smile. I was glad that I made it in time for their performance, and was able to observe the Reatard crew set up while I enjoyed a beverage. There was a good energy in the air, but something wasn't right. As the music played, it was like sitting down to a giant sundae - determined to finish it, but not enjoying the glutenous process.

I found myself struggling to feel a connection with the band and the music. You could see it in the crowd too. There is typically a high level of energy in the crowd - dancing, moshing, smiles...but not on this night. One girl in the front row who had been standing still for quite a while suddenly burst into a stationary combo of moves in what seemed like a desperate attempt to have some fun. A drink was thrown, a trio of drunken ladies started a lonely mosh pit - perhaps in order to snare a fellow handsome fan.

At the end of the show, I was happy to have carved another Jay Reatard show into my belt...but when a friend asked me what I thought about the show, I honestly replied, "I think they need to practice more together."

Until next time, J.R.


Music Monkey gives this band TWO out of FOUR bananas.