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Athens' Lost Indie Gem: The Glands Finally Get Their Due
14 Sep
Summary
- A new box set reissues the complete works of the Glands.
- The band's music is described as warm, weird, and rangy.
- The Glands were a prominent band in Athens' indie rock scene.
The Glands, an influential indie rock band from Athens, Georgia, are now accessible to a broader audience through the release of a comprehensive box set. This collection, "I Can See My House From Here," compiles their 1996 debut "Double Thriller" and an expanded version of their 2000 self-titled album. It also includes "Double Coda," a new set of 23 unreleased songs, highlighting the band's distinctive sound.
Despite Athens being a prolific hub for exporting notable bands like R.E.M. and The B-52's, the Glands' relative obscurity remains a point of discussion. Leader Ross Shapiro, a former restaurateur and record store owner with a deep appreciation for music, played a central role in the band's formation. Their music, characterized as warm, peculiar, and expansive, emerged from after-hours creative sessions.
These late-night jams, fueled by coffee and camaraderie, were initially perceived by members as mere recreational activities. However, Shapiro meticulously shaped these raw recordings into coherent, albeit unconventional, songs. The Glands' self-titled album, released in 2000, was a local phenomenon, its track "Livin' Was Easy" resonating throughout Athens.
