The Red and Black

Issue date: 9/27/07 Section: Out & About

Media Credit: Courtesy October Frequency October Frequency is one of many local bands featured Friday night at the 40 Watt Club as part of Pigpen Studios' third compilation album release party. The record features 13 local tracks from a wide range of genres. [Click to enlarge]

Contrary to popular belief, Daniel Maldonado Collins didn't name Pigpen Studios for the Grateful Dead's Ron "Pigpen" McKernan.

Collins instead is referencing the famously filthy Peanuts character in an attempt to go against the grain.

"Rehearsal spots are thought to be dirty, but this is like an oxymoron, because it really isn't," Collins said, referring to the cleanliness of Pigpen Studios. "It's easy to remember, too."

After Collins played in various bands for many years in and around Atlanta and studied music at the Art Institute there, he wanted to settle down in Athens to do more studio work. He began going after bands himself and approaching them to work with him. After two years, Collins is the one being asked to work with bands. Pigpen Studios now houses almost every genre of music, and their new compilation album, to be released at the 40 Watt Club Friday, reflects the newfound diversity.

"The genres are all over the place," Collins said. "People have no idea how much commercial stuff is in Athens. You always heard about this indie-rock town. Everyone knows the indie guys and not the commercial ones, and this (CD) opens people's eyes to what's going on here."

The first two Pigpen Studios album release parties were at Tasty World, but with the number of bands playing this year, Collins knew he needed a bigger space.

The third volume of the Pigpen Studios compilation album has 13 eclectic tracks, and nine of the featured acts are performing at the record's release party.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools