Tenacious D is Back and Music Midtown is Gonna Rock

By Matt Stone   New bars in Augusta are good things. This week I checked out Bar West on Walton Way Extension. The bar is right next to Gold’s Gym. Personally, I love grabbing a beer after I work out. I went by on Monday night and honestly, I was impressed. The outdoor setup is awesome, and live music is always a good thing as well. Got to see two of my buddies play, who also happen to be two of the best musicians in Augusta, Dave Firmin and Michael Baideme. Of course, these two never disappoint. The perfect opportunity for you to check out the bar is this weekend, Cinco de Mayo, with Big Troy’s band, Acid Wash. I heard there will be $1 tequila shots, so heads up for a stage dive from Troy. Atlanta’s resurrected Music Midtown Festival has announced its lineup for this year and, I have to tell you, it’s fantastic. Co-headliners this year: Foo Fighters and Pearl Jam! The lineup for each night is pretty sick. Friday night will feature Van Hunt, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, T.I., The Avett Brothers and the Foo Fighters. Saturday night it’s Ludacris, Florence + The Machine, Girl Talk and Pearl Jam. The best part about Music Midtown is that the festival is outside at Piedmont Park in the heart of downtown Atlanta. The worst part is that weekend passes will set you back about $100. Worth it? No doubt. I’m even excited to see T.I., whoever that is. The duo that had once taken over the world is back: Jack Black and Kyle Gass. Get excited, kids. In stores on May 15 is the new Tenacious D album “Rize of the Fenix.” Stream the entire album right now at rizeofthefenix.com. Get ready for future classics like “Low Hangin Fruit,” “Deth Starr” and “They F***ed our A**es.” Awesome videos are soon to follow, I’m sure. The band will be in Atlanta on June 25 at my favorite venue, The Tabernacle. Tickets are on sale now, so you better hurry. As the nerd circuses start to form around movie theaters this weekend, I’ll be heading to iTunes and downloading the new “Avengers” soundtrack. The soundtrack features music from Soundgarden, Shinedown, Rise Against and a horrible song from Scott Weiland, just to name a few. Download folks. The Smashing Pumpkins are set to release new music. But let’s be honest; it’s not the Smashing Pumpkins, it’s a bunch of guys with Billy Corgan. Billy has what I like to refer to as The Axel Rose Syndrome: It’s his way or you’re out. No matter what, new music from the insane bald man will hit stores on June 19 called “Oceania.” This album is part of the band’s 44-song project, Teargarden by Kaleidyscope. Now I’m just confused. The backlash of showing a hologram of Tupac Shakur at Coachella has officially started. T-Boz and Chilli, otherwise known as the leftovers of TLC, are set for a reunion tour. One problem: Left Eye is dead. Well, thanks to Tupac, she’s back! They are set to launch a full-scale North American tour later this year. New local music. Check out the band Southern Conduct this Saturday, May 5, at Shannon’s, and then on May 12 at 1102. Good stuff. Where’s your band playing? Do you guys suck? Can I come? I just want to feel needed. Email matt@themetrospirit.com.You Might Also Like: