Unknown Legends

Originally posted @ Consume-Media.com

Even though the band claims its roots in Athens, Georgia, Atlanta is still kind of a hectic homecoming for Futurebirds. When I was talking to ToJo Dojo a.k.a. Thomas Johnson in the ballroom lobby of the Buckhead Theatre, we could barely get five words into a conversation before an old friend or family member would spot the distinguishingly bearded guitarist, stop, chat, and beam with holiday spirit and pride for the progress of the young band.

Thomas greeted each one with more zeal as he got more drunk on the comfort of being back home and the venue-provided Bud Light. When I told him I wanted to shoot a little promo for Consume, he suggested we go backstage where we would have a some quiet and a chance to catch up.

This is a big night for Futurebirds for more reasons than just impressing a hometown crowd.

It’s their first show in a while. They’ve been laying low in Richmond, Virginia, at Montrose Recording studios tracking their third LP that they hope to release into the world by next Fall. The departure from their stomping grounds at Chase Park Transductions in Athens was welcome, Johnson told me, they needed to shake up their environment in order to decompress, but also to avoid the creative trap of familiarity and comfort.

“We knew the room, the boards, everything so well,” Johnson said. “Which can be good, but we just wanted to loosen up and get a change of scenery.”

They’re excited about the album, genuinely invested in their baby. Thomas and guitarist Daniel Womack had something good to say about every track. Because they are a band born and bred on the road, their songs seem to really come together live. So with the new record on the horizon, they worked a few of the tracks into Friday night’s set.

Even with a receptive Atlanta crowd, it can be intimidating to test new material in front of an audience. But the Birds donned their best Santa suits, Heisenberg T-shirts and googley-eyed sport coats and pulled out some songs that had a surprisingly pure rock n’ roll feel to them. Not Buddy Holly. Greasy 1970’s, long-haired stoned-out romps. The new tunes fit right in amongst the sing-along wordless chorus of “Yr Not Dead” and the Peter Buck-esque “Serial Bowls”. It was an evolved sound that still held on to that indefinable Futurebird mojo.

But that maturity didn’t stop with the new material. The boys pulled out polished up versions of early tracks like “MJB”, material off Hampton’s Lullaby, “Johnny Utah”, “Happy Animals” and “Battle for Rome”, and they made them sweeter, more gutsy but still refined. They even paid homage to Neil Young and the Stones with roaring covers of “Unknown Legend” and “Rocks Off”.

The band was on their game. Harmonies came together better than ever. Guitars cut, drums grooved and bass danced, all wrapped in the velvety waves of Dennis Love’s ‘verb-ed out pedal steel.

And the Buckhead Theatre rocked and swayed in approval. Amidst a violent sea of Patagonia vests, people sang out at the top of their lungs, joining in on the raucous mood of the show, all while Futurebirds remained headstrong in their drunken swagger.

Futurebirds’ shows are an experience, for sure. Friday was a night of old friends, proud family, good beer, a little whiskey, and music that brought it all together. But it never ceases to amaze me how this band can bring so much out of its audience. I’ve never heard someone walk away from their show disappointed. Their excitement is contagious, an intangible aura that comes from a profound passion for the music they’re creating. So, catch them on their next tour and be on the lookout for the next album.

There’s a reason the band is already the next big thing coming out of Athens.