Grandpa Matt just urges you to drink responsibly
Operation Thunder! Run! No seriously, you can run or walk, but you can’t drive. The authorities were out in full force this past weekend with Operation Thunder, cracking down on drinking and driving. Figuratively popping a squat on Calhoun Expressway and turning the place into what some were calling a parking lot.
Luckily for myself, I don’t drink and drive, and I live downtown. But I did find it funny how I overheard people talking about not going out much anymore because of this and my first response was, “Why don’t you just not drink and drive?” I feel so old having to be a person of reason, but the equation is simple: drinking equals calling a cab.
I think this is a good thing for the city. Driving in Augusta is already bad enough because people normally drive like they are mentally impaired on a weekday at lunch, let alone after at one a.m. after a couple of drinks. So be safe out there and drink responsibly. Don’t let this hold you back from seeing some great shows around the CSRA either. Just keep in mind: Maybe you don’t need that last shot of Jack Daniels before you walk out the door. There, I feel better.
There are some very cool shows coming to Augusta in the next couple of weeks. If you’re picking up the paper the day that it comes out, Thursday, February 21, head over to Sky City to see the Athens-based band, Mother The Car, with special guests No Beat, Billie Vacation and Shaun Piazza. If that’s not to your liking, you can head over to the Playground Bar for Barb Wire Dolls featuring False Flag. Two good shows in one night, and a school night at that. I’ll take it.
The weekend then gets kicked off with the best ‘80s band in Augusta, Acid Wash. Big Troy and the boys head over to the Loft on Friday night. As always, spandex is optional, and very much encouraged. Adrian at the Loft will personally thank you. If you aren’t familiar with many local bands around the CSRA, here’s your shot at seeing a ton of them in one night. The 2013 Lokal Loudness Awards are on Friday night as well, with six bands set to perform. Jacob Beltz will kick everything off with a solo set and it’s only $5 to get in.
Time to pull out your calendars and write down some shows. Next weekend, Friday, March 1, if it’s not already sold out, the brand new M.A.D. Studios welcome in Mann Ray and De-Evolutionaries. Then on Saturday, March 2, Steve Hall Productions presents The Last Bison with Swear & Shake and The Ramblin’ Fevers at Sky City. Steve Hall, who I’ve known since my radio days in Alabama, has been bringing in some of the best shows for the past couple of years and already has some great shows lined up for 2013. This show is no exception.
A big congratulations goes out to Augusta’s own Will McCranie. Will has been making his way in the music scene in New York City for the past five years and released a brand new single this past Tuesday. Head to iTunes and download “Ain’t That Strange?” and support him. Will is doing great, making new music, and touring nonstop. Hopefully little Willie Mac will be back for a show in Augusta soon. Another Augusta band is making waves with new music and a new tour, this time it’s the band Veara. Their first local show of 2013 is Friday, March 22, at Sector 7G, with $12 advance tickets. Details about the new album are soon to follow. I got a sneak peek and it’s awesome.
Some other music you should check out comes from the band Pucifer, a side project of Tool frontman, Maynard James Keenan. The new album is called “Donkey Punch the Night” (I will pause for laughter here).
What shows are coming to Augusta? Where is the best live venue? Fine, we can’t drink and drive, but can the police just drive me home? Email me at matt@themetrospirit.com.You Might Also Like:
