Matt Joiner is one of the most admired up-and-coming guitarists in and around Athens, Georgia. Born June 18th, 1982 in Athens – a place known as much for its historic, rich, and electric music scene as it is for its largest resident: The University of Georgia, Matt began taking an interest in the guitar at an early age. Over the last 12 years, Matt has showcased his talents in many ways, including contributing to the Christian group Souls Forgiven and the classic rock cover band Assfault. He currently plays in his blues-influenced, southern rock band The Rattlers and has been invited onstage by Kevn Kinney to join Drivin’n’Cryin during their encore set at the 40 Watt Club in Athens. His guitar playing can also be heard in radio commercials for an assortment of businesses and industries. In 2010, Matt reached out to Clay Hinson (Bass) and Woody Hughes(Drums) and started working on his career. Music of choice for the group was straight forward Blues/Rock. Playing shows in 2010 at different venues like Mikes Down Under in Jefferson, Ga were mostly packed houses.  Most recent shows have taken Matt to such locations as Nashville, Atlanta, Savannah, Columbus, Macon, Warner Robins, Birmingham and Charleston.

Watch Matt at Center Stage

Charlotte garage surf band The Monterreys break the mold. The Monterreys’ music may be based in surf rock, but the band breaks out of the garage with its infusion of Latin, sci-fi and lounge. The band might just be hitting its first anniversary in existence, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have the skills to entertain. It’s hard to listen to the music and not picture a great Spaghetti Western playing in the background. – Jeff Hahne (Creative Loafing)

Hailing from Charlotte, N.C., The Monterreys serve up instrumental bliss sure to appeal to fans of early 1960s surf-rock and vintage spy-movie soundtracks. Twangy guitars meld with a percussive backbeat, creating a fun-filled and highly danceable sound that conjures up images of a bygone era when Dick Dale and James Bond were part of contemporary mainstream culture. – Dan Armonaitis (GoUpstate.com)

See them in action click here and one more here

The Antibodies

The lyrics are thoughtful and sometimes quirky. From the touch of bluegrass in ABDUCTED to the grunge of DON’T BE QUIET to the beauty of JIMI.

Marc Higgins Band

Formed in the early spring of 2005 in Spartanburg, South Carolina Marc Higgins Band is already becoming an upstate “must hear and see” with other regions soon to follow. Having Toured in support of their 2006 debut CD “Change is Good”; Marc Higgins Band has already made fans out of first time listeners. Their no gimmick attitude and entrancing live performances draw audiences closer with each song. Following “Change is Good” comes Marc Higgins Band 2007 cd release “Slow Moving Train”. As a seasoned songwriter, Marc Higgins shows depth and much diversity using tasteful guitar licks, raw harmonica melody and alluring lyrics .”Slow Moving Train” is a well documented record of marc Higgins ever evolving and well crafted song writing. Relating personal experiences into his songs and sticking to the idea of “only write what you know”, “Slow Moving Train” is a testament to the wide spectrum of Marc’s regional influence only found in the upstate of South Carolina’s Bourgeoning music scene.

El Caniquero will start off the show, and is a film about a one eyed sharp shooting marble player. Jose is faced with a tough decision, after shooting out his sisters tooth by mistake. He must decide whether to play the game he loves one more time, to help his friends.

Dulce Vida will be the second film to show. Far from home in Lake Norman, Marcel, an eccentric but talented baker must come to grips with his two co-workers decision to now offer donuts in their high-end Patisserie. Marcel further complicates matters by insisting his best friends and dog, Tata, come to work with him while missing his family back home.

The Lot will show last, and was funded by a grant from the South Carolina film commission. It is a short film about Sam, a out of touch used car salesman. Sam has good intentions as a businessman. We notice this right away as he gives his only employee, Ernie, a free lesson on how to do business. But he has failed to stay in touch with how consumers shop for cars these days. This is evident with his latest customers, a married couple (Alex and Kimberly). Failing to notice right away that the wife is heading the deal, Sam tries to catch up to her way of doing business the entire film.

All of these films were shot in Gaffney, and would not have been possible without the support of local businesses and individuals. The Capri Theatre, Daddy’s Joe’s, Dee Tee’s, Mechanical Services, Mike’s Bike Shop, Pieces from the Past, La Vaquerita, The Cherokee Chronicle, The City of Gaffney, and Limestone College have been tremendous supporters of film in Cherokee County, and their involvement is greatly appreciated. Support like this, makes films on this level possible.

The Premiere is open to the public
Admission is Free
Place: The Capri Theatre
Time: 8 pm
Dress: Semi Formal

These guys have been opening for Avett Bros, Mumford, Old Crow and many more.  Since its inception by Drew Carman and Dylan Solise in early 2006, The Corduroy Road has melded bluegrass, Americana, folk rock, and old-time country with the rawest of live performances. The two, born and raised in the Central Kentucky Bluegrass Region where they learned their craft, now reside in the musical gem of the southeast: Athens, GA.

With the addition of John Cable on drums, Elijah NeeSmith on bass, and Cameron Thomas on electric guitar, The Corduroy Road quickly gained a reputation in Athens as an up and coming band on the scene after sharing the stage with such notable bands including The Avett Brothers, Paleface, The Packway Handle Band, Ian Thomas, Langhorne Slim, Trampled by Turtles and more. 

“The chatty banjo, rolling harmonies, the acoustic guitar and melodic, Southern vocals are the name of the game for the Athens quartet. The music is so damn, well comfy, that the quaint country and roots music peppered with folk rock sounds warmly familiar.”
-Creative Loafing

Opening acts will be Kentucky’s own Drew Boyd backed by Will Moore, Jaron Ferrer and Cody Carpenter. Next up will be Gaffney’s Lee Cutchin “Fat guy with Lil’guitar”,  then to lead you into the main show will be Drew Spencer with “Midnight Fire”.

Back in the dead heat of the summer, L Shape Lot feature on HBO Series East Bound & Down, stopped into visit Gaffney. Mixing a healthy amount of musical chops, honest, and creative songwriting, powerful stage presence and well sung four-part harmonies, L Shape Lot creates an original and dynamic American sound based in country, rock, bluegrass and roots/folk music. Their lively sound explores new ground, while still paying homage to their predecessors. L Shape Lot is from Wilmington, NC and consists of four members: Eric Miller (Acoustic guitar, vocals), Alex Lanier (electric, acoustic guitar, vocals) Rick Williams ( 6 string electric bass, upright bass, vocals) and John Kovalski (drums, vocals).

Their high-energy live shows have become a hot ticket at both night clubs and music festivals of all types. This group of veteran musicians has been perfecting their sound for over 8 years.  In 2009, the band completed their second full-length studio release, Looks Like Snow, and earned excellent press and numerous honors including Encore Magazine’s Best Band and The Beat Magazine’s Best Country Band. They have become the go-to roots band in the area for touring national acts, sharing the stage with the Avett Brothers, Peter Frampton, Drew Emmit from Leftover Salmon, Larry Keel and Natural Bridge, Chatham County Line, and most recently Railroad Earth. 2010 finds LSL moving beyond the confines of their coastal stomping grounds to serve up their unique brand of “on your feet” Americana throughout the Southeastern US. Visit them http://www.lshapelot.com/home/ or watch some video L shape back in Aug