Thursday, March 11, 2010
CurMUdGeOn
CurMUdGeOn  | May 21 2007 11:21 AM Jogging Your Memory Banks... Somber Reptile, Masquerade, Chris Collarbone ATV Fun, Joel steals back 'free' merch from Nashville VooDoo Priest, Fart or Taco Bell?, No stage guitar playing moshpit with Codeseven Raleigh dive-bar Madness, Marietta homecoming "I'm so glad that loud obnoxious band is finished" Halloween costume mimicry love - No Fucking Smoke Machines behind a curtain or ever, Spit Sweat Guitar Amp Electrocution, Drop Fucking F?, Okay! |
Atlanta Linux Showcase at the Somber Reptile
Release 1.0: Atlanta, 24 October 1998
The second Geeks With Guns outing took place the last night of the 1998 Atlanta Linux Showcase. The chain of causation began with some slightly wigged-out speculation on the linux-kernel list about what might come down on us when Microsoft wakes up (the thread subject was "Arm the gnus!").
There came a point at which I offered to teach basic defensive pistol technique to anyone feeling really paranoid about the Borg from Redmond. This had two main effects: (a) it started a huge gun-control flamewar in which I carefully took no part, and (b) it prompted somebody to suggest that I run my tutorial at the soonest upcoming Linux conference, ALS.
I posted an announcement, and thus was ``Geeks With Guns: Release 1'' born, announced as an ALS Birds of a Feather session. The ALS guys (some of them gun fans themselves) swallowed hard and didn't mess with us, except for telling us not to bring firearms into the convention hall itself and requesting that the flyer describe the shenanigans as ``not an ALS-sponsored event''.
Once again, communications problems nearly screwed us over. But we managed to meet in the Day's Inn lobby, 1900 Saturday night, and found Georgia Range and Guns off I75 without difficulty.
Our cast this time included Rob Walker, Russ Nelson, Tom Turner, Bob Macmillan, myself, and Richard M. Stallman (Richard fulfilling our quota of at least one demigod per expedition). Richard was our star newbie this time -- he didn't quite match Dan Quinlan's bravura performance in Mountainview, but he was a pretty damn good shot for a first-timer.
Once again it was my .45 and a couple of rented nines. I had a strange accident early on when the barrel bushing popped out of my gun; this cut into my shooting time because it turned out my recoil spring cap had to be unjammed. All ended well, however.
Russ took pictures. Here's everybody but Russ on the firing line. And here's RMS demonstrating his new policy towards software hoarders. (Russ's own report has more pictures).
Afterwards, RMS steered us to a bar/restaurant called the Somber Reptile to meet some friends. There indeed proved to be a bunch of ALS people there; in fact, we basically had the place to ourselves.
There was live music (with a band that turned out to include a Linux hacker!). There were games of eight-ball, at which I was completely incompetent (note: Russ Nelson is a pool shark!). There was excellent Cajun food, including spicy-hot gumbo and po' boys. There was an archetypal sexy blonde biker-chick waitress with tattoos (she offered to show me her new ones if we come back next year...).
Once again, a good time was had by all.
Avail outside of Somber Reptile. Atlanta. June 13th, 1993
Railhed tour. McKinney and Erik from Avail outside of Somber Reptile. Atlanta. June 13th, 1993.
Club Planet Review
The Somber Reptile Atlanta, Venue Description
Somber Reptile, The - Excellent Cajun restaurant that also has very wide mix of live music and DJ performers.
The Somber Reptile Atlanta, Reviews From Clubplanet Users
Cajun kitchen Reviews Yahoo
A ChefMoz User - Mar 28 2004 (rated 8/10). "Very casual Cajun lunch spot. Excellent food." http://www.chefmoz.org/United_States/GA/Atlanta/Somber_Repti... http://www.accessatlanta.com/ This anything-but-somber downtown fixture sheds its old skin and grows larger serving Cajun food cold beer and attitude to a bustling crowd...
Located west of downtown in a somewhat sketchy neighborhood, this rough-and-tumble spot is popular with Georgia Tech students and with anyone else who values good funky food over trendy environs. Outfitted with recycled booths and mismatched furniture, the rather dingy dining area, with its prank-playing wait staff, belies a competent menu of Cajun and regional food. Sandwiches, salads, gumbo and the low-country standby red beans and rice are offered for lunch and dinner. For for a lighter bite, try the fried okra nuggets or Cajun toothpicks (fried julienne jalapenos and onions).
Located west of downtown in a somewhat sketchy neighborhood, this rough-and-tumble spot is popular with Georgia Tech students and with anyone else who values good funky food over trendy environs. Outfitted with recycled booths and mismatched furniture, the rather dingy dining area, with its prank-playing wait staff, belies a competent menu of Cajun and regional food. Sandwiches, salads, gumbo and the low-country standby red beans and rice are offered for lunch and dinner. For for a lighter bite, try the fried okra nuggets or Cajun toothpicks (fried julienne jalapenos and onions).
Yelp Review
I used to LOVE this place when I was a high school kid. It was one of the few bars that had all-ages metal and punk shows in Atlanta. Another memorable one was the Wreck Room, a Georgia Tech meat market that I later frequented in my first year of college. That place is long gone, but the Somber Reptile has managed to stick around.
I really need to go back and visit this place now that it's a Cajun kitchen. If I do, I will update my review to let you know how it went. Sarah E.
I really need to go back and visit this place now that it's a Cajun kitchen. If I do, I will update my review to let you know how it went. Sarah E.
Somber Reptile is now a Martini Bar
- January 6, 2009 8:48 PM
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I still remember the practice we had with Joe at James' house. I can't remember if it was our only practice, but it was right before the Somber Reptile show. That show was great.
BTW Brian, I don't know if you've heard, but Somber Reptile is now a martini bar. So funny driving past it remembering all the shows, train hops, and general west marietta crazyness.
And don't forget Dave walking around with a pitcher of beer in his hand at most times.
Round Ear Spock
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Round Ear Spock a terrible name? You should see some of the ones we left on the cutting room floor. Tribal Spear Technique? That's not punk! Moist, Yet Comfortable? That's not punk and it's gross! Hell, the band was originally called Grandpa's Muffin Shop. So sure, Round Ear Spock was bad, but it could've been much, much worse. And besides, if our name hadn't been bad, we'd be forgotten just like the rest of the bands on that flyer.
At any rate, this is awesome to see. There are some incredible lineups on this page. Makes me a bit misty-eyed for the old days. Thanks!
-Cory, Round Ear Spock - June 19, 2008 5:38 PM
- James Joyce said...
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Hey Cory - No offense at all on your name. My main intention was to say that although your name was not so good, you guys were known in the Somber circle as a really good band! It was kind of a comment on the dichotomy of good bands with bad names. God knows I've been in my share of bands with bad names as well, and we just embrace it at revel in it. Thanks for the post, and if you have any MP3s, send them my way!
- June 20, 2008 8:58 AM
- cdb said...
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Haha, no offense taken, don't worry. By the way, you had a run-in with Round Ear Spock prior to the show listed here that I'm sure you don't remember. One of our earliest shows at the Somber Reptile was with Substandard. Wasn't that your name? Your pre-CvD band with you on bass and Jonathan on guitar and vocals?
- June 20, 2008 9:50 PM
- James Joyce said...
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I remember that show at the Somber Reptile, but I have no memory of the bands we played with. Crazy. I was the other guitarist of Substandard, and a guy named Kyle Richards was the bass player (he was the trumpet played in the Go-Steadys). I have a recording of our set from that night, but I don't know if I'll post it, as it's too embarrassing even for me. I only remember that we played really late at night, and didn't know if we were going to play at all, but then had a good show for the 5 people or so still hanging around. My feeling is that as long as the band does not outnumber the audience, then there are enough people there. This can be a problem with ska bands, however. Thanks again, and I'll post some more flyers soon. If you have any old flyers, contact me through myspace and I'll get them up.
Fifteen @ Freaknik1994
- May 23, 2008 8:24 PM
- maulmatt! said...
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something to note about that show with fifteen... it was during freaknik and queen latifa's limo got into an accident on mariette st outside the somber reptile during the show. legend has it that she came into the somber reptile to use the toilet while we were on stage.
- May 23, 2008 9:06 PM
- proven hollow said...
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holy smokes thats a serious memory dump there. brings alot back...haha. as for the floodgate show, i honestly don't remember playing that show either. but i do remember seeing floodgate at the somber reptile and having pictures from it. perhaps they played and we all decided not to? haha. i can;t remember. i think we only played the somber rptile maybe 3 times? i will have to consult joe, the "book-keeper." i also remember the queen latifah incident. i actually just told my wife about that last week...haha. there always seemed to be a good show during the early days of freaknik and it would take us like 5 hours to get to the somber reptile. those were the days. thanks james!
- May 27, 2008 3:07 PM
- James Joyce said...
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Freaknik. I remember playing drums and seeing a commotion down at the entrance and someone running through the crowd with her head down. Then everyone went outside to check out her limo, and we were playing our set to nobody.
Car vs Driver, Braid, Inkwell,
July 21, 1995 - Our last show. I remember Inkwell played on the floor of the Somber Reptile because they didn't want to play on a stage. The crowd was bummed. Bob Nanna from Braid read a little speech before their set - here it is:
It was a good show, and we had just finished recording the "Out of a Silent Sky" album, so it wrapped up the band in a nice neat package. This was the last time we played together until around 1997 when we were all living in Atlanta again and decided to play another show just for fun (see next flyer below).
Tilt, Levelhead, Car vs Driver,
February 10, 1995 - I made this flyer from GI Joe cards I had. Pretty dorky.
8 Bark, Car vs Driver, The Buck Pets
January 24, 1995 - I liked 8 Bark, but that girl in the band always looked like a pissed-off school teacher to me.
Car vs Driver, Inkwell, Lowboy, Scout
December 30, 1994 - Our first show with Lowboy, who included Craig Lee Dempsey later in The 42/At The Price Of The Union/Thoroughbred/Good Friday Experiment and Brian Fielden (sp?) later in The 42 and San Augustin. These were kids from Stockbridge - Southside Atlanta. This was also Inkwell's last show with their original drummer Josh, who moved to San Francisco. I have a video of them at this show which is pretty good.Punkfest 1994
December 17, 1994 - Horrible computer-generated flyer. You can't read the bands, I couldn't find the date on the flyer, and who was Blindside? I remember Frail from Philadelphia playing this show, those guys were young back then. I also remember Dan and Dave punk on stage between every band acting as MCs for the show. Round Ear Spock - Somber Dave loved them, but could there be a worse band name?
Dog Pound, Broken, Levelhead, Car vs Driver,
November 11, 1994 - Car Vs. Driver "Keepers of the Seven Keys". Early computer designed flyer. I think some of the guys in Thenceforward made this one. Justin? I think we had to start early because it was disco night at the Somber Reptile.
The Queers, Car vs Driver,
October 14, 1994 - Another show with the Queers. We always played well with them.
Levelhead, Car vs Driver, Act of Faith,
September 24, 1994 - First appearance by Levelhead on the Car Vs. Driver flyer archive. Great band. I'll post their single sometime.
Floodgate, Car vs Driver, Scout, Inkwell
July 23, 1994 - According to Steve's notes, this show never happened, but I remember seeing Floodgate at the Somber Reptile, and buying their LP, which I still have. Am I remembering this wrong? Also, very early Inkwell show here.
Cough Syrup, Car vs Driver, Friction, The Martians
June 19, 1994 - The first time we ever played with the Lukens brothers (later to appear in Hal al Shedad, Year Zero, Retconned, Ultivac and a million other bands) as well as our friends Friction from Chicago. A few days later we went on our first East Coast tour, and played several shows with Friction, Current, Angel Hair, The Yah Mos, Spirit Assembly, Hose Got Cable, FYP, Assfactor 4 and many others. I remember Jon Rothman asking the crowd during this show for donations to help with our tour costs. I think Matt and Steve told him to shut up.
Drive Like Jehu, Car vs Driver, Tanner, Sunny Day Real Estate
Act of Faith, Car vs Driver, Broken,
June 3, 1994 - This was a big show. Probably the largest show Car Vs. Driver had played so far at the Somber Reptile. Act of Faith were always nice to include us on their shows, even though we were not in the same style of hardcore, but they were inclusive like that.
May 6, 1994 - Unfortunately Unwound didn't show up for this show, but instead Highway 66 and Don's Ex-Girlfriend from Gainesville played instead, who weren't bad at all. One rumor is that Unwound broke down in Birmingham and couldn't make it to the show. Another rumor is that Unwound was told the show would suck, and not to show up. Either way, I was bummed as New Plastic Ideas had just come out and I was really excited about seeing them. I got to see them on their next tour for The Future Of What at the Midtown Music Hall. Here is a video from that show. This is the first contribution by Scott Wishart to our flyers, which greatly improved the design and overall professionalism of our promotional material.
April 23, 1994 - I made this flyer from the instruction manual for the Indy 500 Atari game. I always liked the artwork for Atari games as they made them look so interesting, but then the actual game would be horrible. Indy 500 was not a bad game, though. I especially liked the ice levels where the cars would drift all over the track.
Holy Rollers, Car vs Driver, Harvey Milk
April 13, 1994 - Harvey Milk was a bit too much for me to take back then, but nowadays I look at them as one of the best bands to ever come out of Georgia. I think their van was stolen after this show and all their gear was ripped off. I was never a big Holy Rollers fan, but it was fun to play with any Dischord band.
Hoover, Fiddlehead, Car vs Driver,
March 9, 1994 - This was a show for the ages. Hoover, Fiddlehead and Car Vs. Driver, what a lineup. I remember we played terribly, and I think it was because Steve played to my left and Jon on my right, which was opposite to every other show we played. For some reason, probably superstition, I always needed Steve in my right ear and Jon in my left. The opposite happened in Hal al Shedad, when Ben had to be on my left and Ed on my right.
Rain Like the Sound of Trains, Freemasonry, Car vs Driver, Bite,
WGHR Benefit 1994
January 8, 1994 - Habeus Corpses gets top billing. All the best local bands at the time, including Picasso Trigger. I barely remember this show, and didn't know WGHR before this (we've never heard of you either). WGHR was the Marietta Tech radio station, and Steve Wishart had a punk show on it when he was studying Civil Engineering. I still have a few records lifted from the WGHR vaults in my collection.
Car vs Driver, Crisis Under Control, No Fraud, Quadiliacha
December 4, 1993 - No Fraud gets last billing on this flyer, even though they were the only touring band on this show. This has Matt Mauldin humor all over it. We played our very first show with Quadiliacha (and Gauge from Chicago), but I think this is the only time we played with Crisis Under Control.
Bite, Barrel, Freemasonry, Car vs Driver,
November 7, 1993 - Classic Atlanta local show flyer. I think Rebar might have played instead of Barrel, but I'm not sure.
Pink Lincolns, Spiney Norman, The Queers, Car vs Driver,
October 31, 1993 - Another flyer for the same show. I remember Steve threw up after our set at one of these Queers shows, but I can't remember which. I remember that one of the guys in the Queers saw Steve puke, though.
The Queers, Car vs Driver, Spiney Norman, Pink Lincolns,
October 31, 1993 - We played with the Queers and the Pink Lincolns at the Somber Reptile on Halloween. I thought Midget Farmers played this show as well, but I could be wrong. The boy in the photo is Jon Rothman.
Samiam, Car vs Driver, Scout,
September 28, 1993 - We played with a lot of Lookout bands around this time (Tilt, Fifteen, Samiam), as they were the main bands touring around the country and coming to the Southeast.
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