-Salute their shorts! The four-eyed force behind Quiet Hooves- David (28, from Roswell, GA) doesn’t look to shabby with the sweetest arm candy Athens, GA has to offer: behold, Beth (25, from Athens, GA) the girl who is easily adored.

-Parks and Jeff of Mans Trash.

-Somehow Erin (23, from Atlanta, GA) makes a hot summer night, even hotter with a sexy floral jumper.

-Can’t help but dance yrself clean to Quiet Hooves who made for a noisy fun party on the patio.

We are, of course, referring to AthFest, 5 days of what our humble hometown is famous for: music, arts, film… and kids? That’s right- you’re partying for a good cause! AthFest is a non-profit organization, and proceeds from your $15 wristband (also available at Schoolkids, Wuxtry, Cine, Musicians Warehouse, and Athens Welcome Center; $20 at AthFest) is supporting local schools!
While folks spend a lot of time and money perfecting their starving artist look, many Athens residents don’t need the pomade or artfully torn clothes.  Athens-Clarke County has one of the highest poverty rates in the nation. By attending AthFest, you’re not only getting access to some of the best music, film, and art available; you’re also contributing to local education and, in turn, Athens’ next generation.

With over 150 bands throwing down in the next 3 days, its impossible to attend all of the shows. Here’s a list of the Friday shows where UGAStyle will be grooving; stay posted for our Saturday and Sunday picks!

Friday, We’re In Love:
Cars Can Be Blue (Cine BarCafe, 1 am, 18+)
Nate Mitchell and Becky Brooks can guarantee an interesting live show. Not only are their songs irreverent and hilarious, but their onstage banter gives you a concert experience that verges on stand up comedy. If you want to end your night on a high note (that’s heavily suffused with dirty humor), Cars Can Be Blue is the band to see.

Our New Silence (New Earth Music Hall, 10 pm, 18+)

Kai Riedl

Our New Silence is the genre-bending child of local musicians Kai Riedl (of Macha) and Suny Lyons (of Hope for Agoldensummer), whose Javasounds project took them to Java, Indonesia to record local musicians. Our New Silence builds on those recordings, remixing and reworking the distinctive sounds of the gamelan ensemble into songs that range from sweeping, electronic orchestration to playful, danceable beats.

Suny Lyons

Our New Silence has become a trio with the addition of local percussionist Jeremy Wheatley, whose bangin’ talents are in high demand in Athens. In fact, he’ll be working a double shift at New Earth – Wheatley also plays with LeMaster, who immediately follows Our New Silence. The trio will be joined by chanteuses Maria Taylor (of Azure Ray)  and Kara McKinney (of The Premonitions).

Bananafish (Rye Bar, 10 pm, 21+)
Hailing from the land of Mickey (Orlando, FL), Bananafish sounds more Pacific Northwest than Florida orange groves. They’re often compared to Fleet Foxes, and there’s some truth to that reference. Our favorite track is “Walden Pond”, which evokes the exotic gypsy-folk tones of Beirut. Bananafish is in control of its own sound and is in no way a poor imitation of artists its compared to. In fact, one of the most refreshing things about these guys is that with a name like Bananafish, its clear that they aren’t taking themselves too seriously.
Followed by: Beauvilles, 11 pm; Woodfang, 12 am; Laissez Funk, 1 am

We’ll also be scoping out:

Thayer Sarrano

• ‘Powers/Bambara/Pride Parade/Cinemechanica (40 Watt Club, 10 pm-til, 18+)

• Thayer Sarrano/Major Love Event/Hope for Agoldensummer (Flicker Theatre, 10 pm-til, 21+)

• Easter Island/Creepy/Ramone/Engineering/Immuzikation & Twin Powers (Go Bar, 10 pm-til, 21+)

Check out the AthFest website to download the schedule or pick up this week’s Flagpole for a handy insert. Overwhelmed by the sheer volume of performers? OnlineAthens has provided a rundown on every single act…we’re writing them a thank you note.

(Image by Jessica Horwitz)

Athens’ own Packway Handle Band is a local roast of American Folk mixed with a shot of funk. This medley of songsters brew up twangy bluegrass tunes that are sure to get your toes tapping. If you’ve seen a live show, you know that these five gents bring a certain spunk to the stage that is triumphed by magnetic harmonies & a spirited vehemence that goes unmatched. (Shall we also point out that they are mighty easy on the eyes?) Always dressed to impress, the Packway crew keeps it classy in dashing threads which accompany their banjos, mandolins, & fiddles quite adequately. These dapper dudes recently graced the 40 Watt stage with the beautiful Lera Lynn & members from Venice is Sinking. Before the strumming of strings commenced, UGAstyle slid on the scene to snag a few pics.

- Andrew Heaton, aka “the Fiddlin’ Heatwave”, (Fiddle and Vocals)

- Josh Erwin (Guitar and Vocals)

- Michael Paynter (Mandolin and Vocals)

Vest: standard uniform, we’d conclude.

Be sure to check out Packway Handle’s new CD What Are We Gonna Do Now? And don’t forget to vote for Packway (Americana) in the Flagpole Music Awards! (And if you are impatient and getting an itch to see them soon, they will jammin’ in ATL June 11 at Eddie’s Attic.)

KATS & HAGS ♥ UGAstyle

(yes, we reverted back to 5th grade yearbook rituals & went there)

-Summer lovin’ happened so fast…In honor of the dawning of a new season, Tess (20, Pike, GA) slips into an ensemble that is sweet and chic, just like a Georgia peach.

Everybody’s free…to wear sunscreen. And remember, just because it’s summer, don’t get too easy breezy in your closet…always keep yourself in check, dawgs:

May 7, 2010 until May 11, 2010

7-9pm

Lamar Dodd School of Art.

-Sam (22, from Decatur, GA) is an eager beaver as he gets all ready and set for the official launch of Foto Pixx. Imagine it: portraits of you, put online, at your disposal (hellooo, new Facebook picture!) and then printed in Young, Foxy & Free. Don’t miss the window of opportunity to be a part of the next session at YFF’s Summer Music Issue launch party on Monday, June 21—location to be announced.

-Look at the little princess of darkness: Kelly O. (25, from London, England) rocks brogues with a prim and proper dress. See this and more pictures from Coachella at TheCampusStyle. (all photos taken by UGA student: Dusty G.)

-No matter his latitude, Logan (21, from Athens, GA) has the best of attitudes, as he soaks in the California sun.

As if you haven’t been counting down the days, we are on the brink of summer, ladies and gents! To celebrate, and in honor of Music Mondays, here’s a little playlist from us to you. Click HERE to stream it from our Grooveshark account and listen there. Good luck on finals!

1. Sinister Kid by The Black Keys
A preview off the amazing new album, Brothers, coming out May 18^th.

2. Keep Yourself Warm by Frightened Rabbit
With lines like “it takes more than fucking someone you don’t know to keep yourself warm” and “I’m drunk and you’re probably on pills,” what’s not to love?

3. Blood by the Middle East
A bittersweet song about faith, family, and death.

4. Home by LCD Soundsystem
From the album “This Is Happening,” coming out May 17^th.

5. Divisive by We Have Band
Let them spell it out for you.

6. Turpentine by Vandaveer
Raw vocals and sweetness.

7. I Am Not a Robot by Marina and the Diamonds
“The Diamonds” does not refer to Marina’s band, it’s actually the American translation of her Greek last name, Diamandis, and is a little tribute to her fans.

8. Heaven’s On Fire by The Radio Dept.
Contrary to sex on fire.

9. Om Nashi Me by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
Mumble jumble goodness.

10. Single Ladies by Pomplamoose
A cover of Beyonce’s original, with a burn thrown in – “don’t make me sing this part of the song, the lyrics are so bad, so we’re going to skip ahead to the single ladies part instead.”

11. Dance Floor by Apples In Stereo
A great song, with a great music video – featuring Elijah Wood. Watch it here.

12. No Fucking Around by Rafter
Rafter does not fuck around, simple as that.

13. Alligator by Tegan & Sara
I don’t know what relationship these twins have with alligators, but I like this song. And the music video. Watch it.

14. Southern Comfort by Arrah And The Ferns
Prettiness. Ooh la a la la oo, la la…

15. Airplanes by Local Natives
Local Natives just played in Atlanta this past weekend, and you bet your pretty little ass the UGAstyle team was in attendance. Missed the show? Catch them at Bonnaroo in June.

16. I Was Playing Drums by Efterklang
Watch the band from Copenhagen do their thing here.

17. Harmonix by Surfer Blood
Surfer Blood is on tour in Europe this month, but no worries, they come back to the States in June to begin their tour with The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart.

18. Young Adult Friction by The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
Just so you can know who TPOBPAH are.

19. What I Wouldn’t Do by A Fine Frenzy
If you’re an avid House watcher, you’ve heard her lovely female vocals without even knowing it. This girl is adorable, see for yourself.

20.  BTSTU by Jai Paul
Listen to this on loud through big headphones. Have noise canceling ones? Even better.

21. Boat Behind by Kings of Convenience
Not to be confused with Kings of Leon. Anyway, nerds are cool, and so is this video.

22. Howlin’ For You by The Black Keys
To end this playlist off right. Howlin’ For You, like the first song on this playlist, is also off the new album, Brothers. Make sure to buy it when it comes out May 18^th because it’s absolutely fantastic.

…NOW STOP PROCRASTINATING, LISTEN WHILE YOU WORK!

-Pizza! Pizza! The delivery man just got lazy… bummer, dude.