If I were making a top ten favorite bands in Athens list, the Titans of Filth would make it on that list. The Titans of Filth are fronted by one of the most unlikely front men if there ever was one named Sam Grindstaff. Sam has a way about him that is very shy, nervous, and almost embarrassed to even be on stage. He is always polite thanking the audience for being there between every song, and apologising if a song has the slightest error, even though most of the time you wouldn't really know if there was [...]
It's a lazy Tuesday, and I'm busy with tour booking, singles clubs, and popfest. So please watch this cool live video from one of my new favorite bands from Sweden Liechtenstein. They only have a 7" single out so far, but they just sent me two tracks in demo form for an upcoming release on HHBTM.
I am starting this Monday with the first post from the HHBTM archive. Flink was a solo project at the time of this guy Paul who was friends with the Gwens . Paul sent in this cool 7 track mini album in early 2000, and I made up about 200 cassettes which sold out pretty quickly. So quickly in fact that somehow I even sold my copy. I only have the original CD-R that was sent in that I made [...]
Not even three weeks in and I'm already off my schedule of postings. Oh well, I'm busy, and the blog is still building anyway. The big news for this Friday is that Cars Can Be Blue have finished recording their follow up to " All the Stuff We Do ". Now the new record " Doubly Unbeatable " just needs to be mixed and mastered. I'll post a track when the band gives me the ready for the pressing plant CD. The Lolligags recorded two new [...]
The early 90's as modern of a time as you would think, the indie scene was still pretty much a boys club. Girls were the ones that did zines, or just played bass in the band, or did vocals. The Riot Grrrl movement came along and flipped things around really quickly. The movement was a scene for the ladies, led by the ladies. Zines started to cover topics like cutting, rape, sexual abuse, sexism, media body image, and the music soon followed. The girls were playing guitar, bass, drums, and writing about all the things that were a bit taboo [...]
I am a bit behind, and I'm posting my blog on a non- HHBTM band on a Thursday. This one might be cheating a bit, as I am talking to this band about putting out their debut CD in the states, but I just had to post on them sooner rather than later. The Bobby Mcgees are a little trio that I stumbled upon about this time last year by the band mentioning how they would love to play the Athens PopFest [...]
The B 52's are one of the most original and inventive bands ever. Ignore the blip of Romeo Void's "Never Say Never" at the beginning, and just enjoy one of the best songs the B's ever wrote. I am too excited for the new album in February.
I am cheating a bit on this one today, as this isn't truly 100% part of HHBTM's past, but for awhile Poison Control Center considered HHBTM their home before signing to Afternoon Records. This video is one of my favorite moments ever for the Athens PopFest. I'm still excited that while they are on Afternoon Records these days, from time to time PCC will release a song or two on HHBTM. The shows aren't as violent as they used to be, but then again they are playing more technical songs now and not just straight up three chord rock and [...]
I have been a bit swamped over the weekend, and didn't get to post on Friday, but since it's still the beginning of the new year, there really isn't much to post about news wise. We did however get in the CD's for Bearsuit 's new album OH:IO on Friday. The preorder copies ship out on Monday. The Love Letter Band sent in their two songs for the singles club this week, and Cars Can Be Blue are recording their song [...]
Lost Penguin are so bratty and fun that it makes me wish the riot grrrl movement would have a bit of a revival. Sure Lost Penguin have a lot to say, but the actual music is so spazzy with nervous energy from the sirens, to the ADD too many beats drum machines, to the fierce vocal yelpings that it has me wanting to cover all the baseboards in the apartment with rope lights while taking out all the bulbs from the overhead sockets and live like an airport runway almost forgetting their message. I guess what strikes me most [...]
The Plastics are one of my favorite finds of 2007. I could not believe I had never heard this band before early last year. The music is very much Japan's take on the B-52's, only the Plastics were around at almost the exact same time. I was lucky enough to get a hold on a professionally shot video of the band playing a show in Atlanta in 1980 which I am having transferred to a DVD. I am too excited to see a full show,but until then I guess we'll just have to enjoy this video.
I totally missed posting on Monday as I had planned due to working out how to load MP3's at the HHBTM website. One of my resolutions for this year was to become more computer savvy , so I am still doing baby steps. I had not planned on posting about Cars Can Be Blue today, but they gave me their demo CD for the new album " Doubly Unbeatable" which they start recording next week. I wanted to post a new track from the demo, but I think I'll wait till we get [...]
Friday will always bring two things to the Happy Happy Birthday to Me Records blog. Label news, then a new song or two that is not officially released yet. This week has been a slow week label news wise. Tullycraft / Smittens single is well on it's way to being completed for the next singles club mail out. Keith John Adams , Ideal Free Distribution , and James Husband have their tracks in as well. Red Pony Clock are recording their singles club song next week, and the [...]
Every Wednesday I'll be posting about a new band that is not on HHBTM . Spring Tigers are a new Athens band which is fronted by ex- Capes front man Kris Barratt . The overall vibe is very early XTC with lots of herky jerky pop hooks. So far they have only played two shows in Athens, but I'm already looking forward to the third. These days pop bands are very few in Athens, so when one as exciting as Spring [...]
It might be a bit strange to kick off a label blog with a band that is not on the label, but the Cure were the first band I fell in love with as a kid. It all started in 1981 be given the gift on my birthday of the with a LP of "Boys Don't Cry". I will be posting at least four days a week. Tuesdays will always be video days, so you'll have to check tomorrow to see what the middle of week holds.
Happy Happy Birthday to Me
[LISTEN] Gotye (Passion Pit Remix)
Big Boi & Theophilus London (feat. TRE LUCE) - 'She Said OK'
