Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1407173
split 10-inch single on Philadelphia indie label Nefarious Industries. The label describes them as "two of the heaviest hitters ever to crawl out of the swamps of the dirty South," so if you're in the mood to get sonically obliterated, you know where to be. Dead Hand: @deadhandcollective on Facebook Choir of Babble: @BabbleChoir on Facebook Hughes Taylor is known for his enthusiastic, bluesy rock 'n' roll, a craft he's been honing ever since he can remember. He recently released "I believe that 2021 is the best year for 'local' music since the mid- 70s," says Jamie Weatherford of Rock Candy Tours. His picks for bands to watch out for? The Dustin McCook Trio, homegrown bluesy rock 'n' rollers who will be releasing an EP later this year. Weatherford also names psychedelic groove-rockers BAS Music and Shaun Oakley (grandson of founding Allman Brothers Band bass player Berry Oakley) and his band The Maconites as "young bands that show tremendous promise." Dustin McCook: @ dustinmccooktrio on Instagram BAS Music: soundcloud.com/ musicofbas Shaun Oakley & the Maconites: @ShaunBOmusic on Facebook On Aug. 7, Big Boi — half of iconic Atlanta rap duo OutKast and originator of the oft-quoted "cooler than a polar bear's toenails" lyric — will be performing live in Macon at the Macon Arts Center, 4570 Pio Nono Ave. The event, dubbed the "Leo Bash," also features local DJ talent T-Luv, AJ the DJ and DJ Smooth. Some readers may remember with a twinge of sadness that Big Boi was slated to play the street party at the 2011 Cherry Blossom Festival, until storms rocked the area and ruined everyone's night by shutting down the fun. Now's your chance to show up and give Mr. Antwan Andre Patton — who is also a consummate performer, a charming and funny guy, and a true living legend — some Central Georgia love. $40/ticket, $200/table, all you can eat and drink, 21+ only. Call 470- 653-2748 for tickets. Moody, melodic rockers Choir of Babble have been hard at work on a new album and will be hitting the stage at JBA on Aug. 20. Local doom/sludge metal outfit Dead Hand, also on the roster that night, recently teamed up with Valdosta- based band Machinist! to release a his fourth studio album, "Modern Nostalgia," which was recorded at the renovated Capricorn Sound Studios. The end result is smooth and sweet, with nods to the musicians who put Capricorn on the map combined with a modern sound all his own. hughestaylormusic.com FIRST PAGE: DUSTIN MCCOOK TRIO AT JBA. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: MACONITES, PHOTO BY BILL BROOKINS. DEADHAND. HUGHES TAYLOR BAND AT GRANT'S LOUNGE, PHOTO BY CLARK BUSH. AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | maconmagazine.com 55