WHAT'S BEHIND THE BAND AIDE?

Last week, I discussed some concerns I had with the inaugural Band Aide event, a multiweek local music showcase at Coyote's on Peach Orchard Road. Because this event is sponsored by another publication, there were some who thought there might have been some malice in my comments.

Nothing could be further from the truth. The aspects of the event, not the sponsors, are what bother me. I love the idea of an extended local showcase. I love the idea of rock acts making the not-so-distant trip from downtown to south Augusta. I think the prize package is pretty amazing. I heard that the first-week crowds were sizable and enthusiastic. Fantastic news.

I still have issues.

Four bands from the nearly 20 participating will be picked to perform in the finals. It seems like an appropriate tournament-style format. Though it is true that the criteria by which those bands are being picked (sound, stage performance, crowd reaction and vocal performance) seem a little abstract, I'm cool with that. Music is abstract and any judging of quality will always have an element of subjectivity involved.

What bothers me is the lack of transparency. There seems to be a lot of confusion, even among acts participating, as to how acts are being chosen for the finals and, more significant, who is doing the choosing.

It's well-documented that I'm involved in a similar event here at The Augusta Chronicle , and I have taken pains to ensure that people understand who is judging. It's my opinion that Band Aide should operate in a similar fashion.

That said, I'd like to urge music fans to check out tonight's Band Aide lineup. It includes False Flag, Turf War, My Instant Lunch, Eleventh Hour and Great Day in the Morning. It should be a good one.

BAND OF THE HAND

It's hard to say goodbye.

It was recently announced that Joe Graves and the Dirty Left Hand had disbanded after the departure of guitarist Furman Fowler. Although Mr. Fowler's impending duties as a first-time father contributed to the decision, the band has always struggled. In the interest of full disclosure, I will acknowledge relationships with members of the Hand that go back many years, but I also recognized the band's innovative twist on rock, pop and punk as something worthy of the time and effort invested. The Dirty Left Hand never got the props it deserved.

SIGHTS SEEN

My most amazing moment Saturday night wasn't stepping onto the stage as the weakest link in the Number 9 chain and joining the band at the Imperial Theatre for a rave-up rendition of Slow Down -- although that was both immensely enjoyable and terrifying.

No, the most amazing moment was watching local television news dude George Eskola, clearly enjoying the casual Beatles vibe, channel his inner Lord of the Dance and spend several songs dancing down front.

NOT VERY TANTRIC

Fans eager to check out Tantric this evening at Sky City are going to be disappointed. The modern rock act has pulled out of the Augusta date. According to the band's publicity guy, promoter Steve Hall canceled the show.

According to Sky City owner Coco Rubio, Tantric pulled out when Mr. Hall insisted on having rising rock act Adelitas Way and Augusta's own Secret Swim open. Ah, the politics of rock.

Adelitas Way will headline the show tonight with Secret Swim and Atlanta act Soul Stash appearing in support.

Reach Steven Uhles at (706) 823-3626 or steven.uhles@augustachronicle.com.