Apologies if this has been done before, but I’ll run it back again because it’s always fun to talk about music around these parts.
I honestly hadn’t thought about Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ in a while, so I started pining a little for home grown bands that influenced me when I was in my music-listening prime. As such, here are some of my favorite Georgia-based bands from the 1990s, regardless if they originated in the 90s or not.
The Black Crowes
Ah, the Brothers Robinson. Originally forming as “Mr. Crowe’s Garden” taking a page from Leonard Leslie Brook’s Johnny Crow’s Garden, they hit the scene with their wildly famous Shake Your Money Maker in1990, followed by this masterpiece, The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion. Still stands as two albums I can listen to front and back, time and time again. “My Morning Song” is one I can listen to over and over again and usually use to start my day, and still brings a tear to my eye, listening at top volume in the early morning commute to work.
Collective Soul
Loved the music, but also kind of personal as they did a lot of their early work out of Reel 2 Reel Studios down here in Stockbridge (Son of Stockbridge here, kinda. Really ClayCo, but Stockbridge is near and dear to me later in life). Their 1993 debut album Hints Allegations and Things Left Unsaid featured “Shine” and their 1995 self-titled album included hits like “Where the River Flows” and “The World I Know” that blasted from my Cherokee’s sound system and our house stereo during Friday evening parties.
Drivin’ N’ Crying’
Kind of personal here, too, as “Honeysuckle Blue” was in our rotation for our garage band, Southbound, when we played at frat houses and Allen’s back in our time at UGA. Kevin Kinney, you beautiful bastard.
R.E.M.
Obvious, not only because they influenced the bands above but because they’re Athens own. “What’s the Frequency Kenneth” came out in 1994 and became a regular song in our garage band rotation, although my favorite of theirs is “Imitation of Life”.
Short list, and I could go on and on here, but what about you…who’s your favorite Georgia music act and what’s your favorite song from their catalog?
Have at it, scamps, and apologies again if this has been discussed here before specifically.
Uh, no Panic?? “You better wave your hands if you need a breeze”
I enjoyed Panic in the Streets, but Panic did not become a regular in my music rotation.
Panic in the Streets was legendary. I miss Houser. They haven’t been the same since he passed. That guy could flat out play
Crowes’ SHMC is one of my favorite albums of all time. Great choices
Southern Harmony and Musical Companion is one of the best albums of the 90’s. My favorite homegrown artists and songs are listed in no particular order below…
Drivin N Cryin-Honeysuckle Blue
Outkast-SpottieOttieDopaliscious or B.O.B.
Allman Bros- One Way Out or Sweet Melissa
Wow this is a tough one because quite honestly, Georgia has been blessed with talented influential music across all genres. I wish you had mentioned Guadacanal Diary in the post above because I think I saw them almost every time they played in Athens. I think they were completely underrated and underappreciated.
I was at RHS when Tim Nielsen was a senior and he was the first “punk” I remember around Roswell in the early 80’s. His dad was my brother’s soccer coach for a time and his younger brother graduated a year ahead of me. I can’t remember specifically if was the Night Porters or D’n’C or a hybrid of both that was the band for an alternative prom RHS had to have because tickets were oversold at the regular one. I still listen to them a lot today and their hybrid of punk, rock, folk and country helped usher in Americana type bands. Coincidentally, Tupelo was forming about the same time in the Midwest.
I knew a lot of folks from Walton HS who knew Richie Robinson and loved the guy. For period of time they lived across the street from a buddy in Jackson’s Creek. My buddy’s Dad used to say that Richie was great but Chris was always causing trouble. Kinda funny. I am happy they have reunited again – just a really good band.
That being said, REM is still my favorite. Years ago I would say “Rockville” was my favorite song because we would sing along to it but change Rockville to Roswell knowing Buck graduated from Crestwood. Of course that had nothing to do with the actual origin. Now I play this song a few times a week …
https://youtu.be/rj55GSeXYuI?si=g1jRJoAUbioEPSXZ
As a Walton kid myself and having grown up next to the Robinson brothers, we saw them super early in middle school (!) and haven’t stopped going to their shows. Coming to Austin again soon. Saw them acoustic here on their last show before the world shut down in 2020 too.
All that said, Panic is the most underrated band I can think of. They aren’t a jam band, people. Take some time and listen to their stuff. Lyrics, rock and roll, blues, great riffs, amazing live. Get well soon, Jimmy!
While not as commercially successful as many mentioned, I had the privilege of seeing live sets from The Satellites (later known as the Georgia Satellites) at Hedgens Tavern in Buckhead circa 1984. Absolutely blown away at how good these guys were. Glad they eventually got their “15 minutes”.
I blasted “Battleship Chains” yesterday. They were great. Baird is super talented.
Man I love TBC. Southern Harmony is up there w greatest albums of all time for me. Reading the drummers book about them was…disheartening. Also two years in a row snubbed for the HOF. So the HOF can go pound sand I suppose. Seen them many times.
One of the best shows I ever saw was Kevin Kenny, a chair, a guitar, a table & a lamp on stage at a smelly bar in Rome, Ga. Just great.
No guitar = no ROCK & ROLL Hall of Fame. The hip hop/pop acts getting in the hall over TBC is a disgrace
Showing my age, but haven’t any of y’all heard of the Allman Brothers Band? Otis Redding? James Brown? The Atlanta Vibrations opened for The Beatles when they came to Atlanta.
If we are sticking to the 90’s you could definitely throw ABB in. Started in the 60’s but resurged in the early 90’s with the Seven Turns release. Was too young to see them live early in their career but made up for it from 1990 until Gregg passed.
Guadalcanal Diary at the Uptown was a highlight during my time in Athens. I think the drummer was using hoe handles for sticks and Attaway could play.
Yes! Sad about Jeff Walls. Great guitarist.
I can’t leave this thread without another great local group that coulda, woulda, shoulda been a huge national act, but was BIG in the ATL and they’re still out there today………ladies and gentlemen….Mothers Finest!
During my HS days this album (or eight track) was in everybody’s collection:
, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=33636939
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Jeebus! No one mentions the B52s? Fantastic, fun band that basically started the Athens music scene.
REM of course is great and I enjoyed many of the others mentions.
Flat Duo Jets were amazing live.
In college we wore that album out. Not a bad song on it. I still listen to it when I get into a few shaker drinks.
REM is not only my favorite Athens band, they’re also probably my favorite band overall.
So, setting them aside, some of my faves from my time in Athens:
Five-Eight
Vigilantes of Love
Seven Simons
The Jody Grind
The Go Figures
Magnapop
Dreams So Real
Guadalcanal Diary
I wasn’t as much into Drivin’ n’ Cryin’ at the time, but I’ve come to appreciate them with age.
More controversial question for me personally is what’s my favorite REM song…. That one changes depending on when you ask, but more often than not, I come back to “Country Feedback”. Damn good tune.
Man, I loved the Vigilantes of Love back in the day. Need to see if I can dig up “Just Going Blind” and “Driving the Nails” in the old CD collection. Also, I’ll need to find a CD player…
Slide guitar and REM, plus serious Michael equals introspection I wasn’t ready for. Damn fine choice, sir. Heavy, yet epic. Nicely played. Out of Time sounds and feels like a transition album, a sweet goodbye to the eclectic past coupled with the troubled transition to Automatic where they seemed to know they were about to hit it really really pop big. What’s the Frequency is just special to my eager young garage band self, but going back and hearing that brings back great memories.
I really thought Dreams so Real was going to hit after that great debut album. Tough business.
FYI, Drivin’ N Crying is touring. Will be at the historic Holly theater in Dahlonega, GA on May 15th at 8pm. Tickets are available on their website
They are in Dahlonega 2 nights, May 15 and 16th. Their website says 7PM, Holly theater says 8pm. Tickets are almost gone. $39.50, a deal.
Saw Drivin N Cryin about ten years ago and they played a really good show to about a hundred people.
My English professor, Jonathan“Dog Mess” Evans , played with the Vigilantes while I was in Athens. Another favorite college 90’s band was Freddy Jones Band.
The Crowes & The ABB are my top 2 all-time. I’ve seen d’n’c or some version of Kevn’s STAR more than any other band, most recently Kevn solo acoustic @ Capricorn July 2024. Not a ‘90s band, but Blackberry Smoke quickly became a top-5 band of mine. Charlie’s a helluva player & writer.
Love Blackberry Smoke
Trilogy – Allgood
All great picks, but let’s give a strong honorable mention to Drive by Truckers. Still a great working rock and roll band after all these years.