Inkwell

Tom Cheshire and Dry Ink speak w/ Bimbi about the upcoming release of Soft Opening H E R E.

A-bomb-enable Funk Mane

According to a recent survey, Ca$h for Gold has been awarded the "funkiest album of 2009" award. Much appreciated. We'll be back in 2010 with another dookie platter o' funk. Summer time is always the right time. If you wanna finish out the week w/ the funk, its Nice and Naasty at the Ballroom on thurs, Cozy on fri at the Q cafe, and Saturday Nite at 529 w/ Noot d' Noot and Grip Plyaz!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Bananas Foster

Jah Scorpion would like to send some special birthday wishes today to Belmont "Bananas" Foster, our spiritual adviser and Shakedown Records label magnate. We hope this message finds you well.

"Do they ask me what pleasure I find on the sea? -

Why, absence from land is a pleasure to me:

A hamper of porter, and plenty of grog,

A friend, when too sleepy, to give me a jog,

A coop that will always some poultry afford,

Some bottles of gin, and no parson on board,

A crew that is brisk when it happens to blow,

One compass on deck and another below,

A girl, with more sense than the girl at the head,

To read me a novel, or make up me bed --

The man that has these, has a treasure in store

That millions possess not who live upon shore."

Hard In The Paint

We're hoping we can get back in the studio w/ Grip before the show, but we will surely be jammin' big and goin' hard in the paint at the 529 Jan 16th.  Check out "Retail Girls" for a preview.

Soft Opening

Shakedown has a March 5th street date for "Soft Opening." This is the first solo release for Mathis Hunter, who has performed w/ Noot d' Noot, The Selmanaires, and Good Friday Experiment.  The album crossfades 90's British and 60's Californian Psychedelia and then splices it with the waay down yonder funky rhythms you've come to expect from Shakedown Artists. Recorded by MH at home and at The Living Room, the album features guest spots from members in the above mentioned groups as well as players from Judi Chicago, The Tom Collins and others.

The album release show is at The Earl on March 5th, and the bill will also feature The Selmanaires and Noot d' Noot.  Tickets are available H E R E from Ticket Alternative.

Wealth Reform

Just when you thought it was over, Noot Deejays are back in action this Saturday Nite.  Get Ready, Get Ready. 

Cold Duck On Ice

One last post for the year.  This is a team up for the ages...nearly to the effect of the Clark/Duke Project. See you at the UNICRON.

Noot d' New Years Gala Holiday Spectacular and Possum Drop

Man, seems like yesterday I was at MJQ on New Years Eve 1999.  Tickets include Champagne, though not sure if its Cold Duck.  Bring in the new decade proper.

Take It (Speak) Easy

Noot live from Speakeasy 6, August 1, 2009.  Who's missin?

The Thomas Peake Farewell Celebratory Concert

Can't say I knew the man personally, but from all accounts he must have been a great human being.  His love of music is apparent from the eclecticism in the line up for this celebratory concert which will take place at Eyedrum, Sunday, December 20th.   This is a vast and strange collection of musicians/bands and many of them have not performed in ages.  At the request of Dr. Kinje, many members of Noot will reassemble Seventy Spacebird to perform the concert's "Exit Music".

Keys To The Light

Friend and collaborator, Stephen Key has returned to the A from a healthy stint in BK and a short shift on the Left Coast.  To set his parameters, he is inviting all into his new home for a showing of his art that remains from these journeys.  Join him at:

1058 Delaware Ave SE, 30316 this Saturday or Sunday from 1 to 5pm.

Hopeful Gamblers

Just got a video still from Petricor Inc. for "Gathering The Hopeful Gamblers", the lead single from Bimbi's upcoming solo efforts.  Shakedown has an early 2010 release slated.  We'll let you know more as we have it.

Opium Truce

Don't mind the cold stares and snickers. It's just upwards of 20 Georgia longhairs walkin' into the Love's on a pit stop in between adventures.  Bob Seger didn't have it half as bad.
The Star Bar's stage'll be packed to the gills once again on FRIDAY DEC 4th, as Athens' DARK MEAT and Atlanta's NOOT d' NOOT rump sh...18"s of Dubwise Thundar!!!

Surface Strength

Ended up sitting in w/ Recompas  on Friday so I missed it, but its up all month.  Man's work speaks for itself.  Dig it:

The Rail Yard
448 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd.
Atlanta, Ga 30312

You never get to say goodbye

As many of you have probably heard, Jerry Fuchs passed away yesterday. It is not my intention to use this forum to discuss the tragedy specifically, but instead put some thoughts down about Jerry and his life and talent. I really encourage all of you to do the same, in whatever way you decide to do it. He made an impact on all of us, whether it was personal or through his music. I would not have considered our friendship to be close by any means, but based on how I feel I can’t even begin to imagine what it must be like for his family, friends and bandmates and the grief they are experiencing. For everyone out there going through this, you have my condolences and utmost sympathy.

To put it in simple terms, Jerry was the drummer that I always wanted to be. He had an amazing natural style that you can’t acquire, and he worked hard to take that talent to an extraordinarily high level. He was the master of his trade. Along with his unbelievable musical ability, he had such a vibrant personality and an energy that was an inspiration to us all. He was living his dream as a professional drummer, which could have been perceived by most as a truly difficult road to take, but he always put it in terms that made it sound like such an adventure. He was doing exactly what he wanted to do, and we were the ones lucky enough to be his audience. We should have had a lifetime of experiences, but instead all we have are a stack of records and some video clips. It’s nothing. We will never experience his love of life, his intensity, his humor again.

That’s all I think I can say for now.