by j. lyon layden

Travel Channel shoots
@ Velvet Elvis this Friday

The Travel Channel has decided to feature Savannah in its "Enter/Exit" series, choosing Velvet Elvis as the club to exemplify our nightlife.

This Friday, locals and film crew alike will be treated to two extremes of local music:

The Judge and the Jury -- Jason Anderson and Aaron Parrets' "almost bluegrass" Americana band, featuring mandolin, banjo, fiddle, guitar, bass, drums, piano, organ and three-part harmonies. J & J started out recording gospel songs in Jason's living room in Athens, but have since incorporated many originals as well as classic country covers into their act. See the feature story about them this issue.

GAM -- A robot named GAM was the son of some giant superhero in a Japanese cheese show, but as far as I can tell this Savannah quintet got its name from an unfinished rock opera which they haven't performed in eons.

Since its humble beginnings at Congress Street Station, GAM has gone from being known primarily for an excellent cover of King Crimson's "21st Century Schizoid Man" to being the foremost purveyors of a new sonic genre, Southern Fried Freak Rock. They haven't played any King Crimson in eons, either.