Gallery: The Rock*A*Teens Reemerge in Charleston
There’s nothing quite like a beer-soaked, high-volume, amusingly sloppy rock band reunion. Last weekend, I enjoyed hooking back up with the Rock*A*Teens — am Atlanta, Georgia-based quintet with whom I played drums a years ago (between 1998-2002).
The R*A*Ts are doing a handful of “reunion” shows tied into the indie label Merge Records’ (Carrboro, N.C.) 25th anniversary festival this summer. Our first shows in 12 years were “warm-up gigs” here in town on May 16 at the Royal American and on May 17 the Tin Roof. We had main songwriter Chris Lopez on guitar, keys, and lead vocals; Justin Hughes on guitar and vocals; Will Joiner on bass and vocals, and guest/pal Michelle DuBois on keys, vocals, and extra percussion.
The Rock*A*Teens formed in the Cabbagetown neighborhood of Atlanta in 1994 as a twangy pop/rock band with a vintage sound. I joined in 1998, replacing original drummer Chris Verene.
The band released a handful of reverb-drenched collections on the Daemon and Merge labels in the late ’90s and early 2000s.
The band has a string of spring and summer shows booked in support of Merge’s re-release of the 2000 double-album Sweet Bird of Youth (due on vinyl on June 3).
Here a few snapshots from the first two shows (thanks to Jessica Mickey and Devin Grant!). Check out the band’s Facebook page for more.
Photo by Jessica Mickey.
Photo by Jessica Mickey.
Photo by Ballard Lesemann.
Photo by Ballard Lesemann.
Photo by Ballard Lesemann.
Photo by Jessica Mickey.
Photo by Jessica Mickey.
Photo by Jessica Mickey.
Photo by Jessica Mickey.
Photo by Jessica Mickey.
Photo by Jessica Mickey.
Photo by Jessica Mickey.
Photo by Jessica Mickey.
Photo by Jessica Mickey.
Photo by Jessica Mickey.
Photo by Jessica Mickey.
Photo by Ballard Lesemann.
Photo by Ballard Lesemann.
Photo by Devin Grant.
Photo by Devin Grant.
Photo by Devin Grant.
Photo by Devin Grant.
Photo by Devin Grant.
Photo by Devin Grant.
Photo by Devin Grant.
Photo by Devin Grant.
Photo by Devin Grant.
Photo by Devin Grant.
Photo by Ballard Lesemann.
Photo by Ballard Lesemann.
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About the Author
Ballard Lesemann is a musician and writer. Born and raised in Charleston, S.C., he spent years playing in bands and working for Flagpole Magazine in the bustling music town of Athens, Ga. He returned to his hometown and served more than seven years as the Charleston City Paper's music editor. He's better at drumming than he is at playing guitar.
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