Coffin Bound and Mammals: They came from Austell
Two bands put suburban twist on Atlanta rock
Austell isn’t exactly known as a garden spot for musical talent. But over the last few years two bands, Coffin Bound and Mammals, have generated a strong buzz in Atlanta’s underground rock scene with their respective takes on primitive rock ‘n’ roll. Both are adamant about the distinction that they are from Austell, not Atlanta. “I can’t name a single band who’s ever come from Austell,” Coffin Bound guitarist and vocalist Brad Watson offers.
Consisting of Watson, along with Josh Dooley (bass) and Adam Martin (drums), Coffin Bound blends swampy, Southern rock with dark imagery of death, crime and addiction. The songs on the group’s “Walkin’ Out On You” 7-inch (Die Slaughterhaus Records) are an exorcism of personal demons summoned by relationships gone sour. “It’s hard not to write about those things.” Watson says. “If it ends badly, I’m going to write a few songs about it.”
Coffin Bound has been around since 2000, but the group first connected with the much younger Mammals a few years ago after Mammals’ guitarist Justin Bauman came into the sub shop where Watson works and introduced himself. But even after their first meeting, Watson didn’t know Bauman was in a band until later, when the sub shop’s manager wanted to know why someone had carved the word “Mammals” into a wall in the men’s room at the eatery. “I didn’t even know that was the name of his band,” Watson laughs.
Over time, Bauman and fellow Mammals Paul McPherson (drums) and Josh Ary (guitar) befriended the members of Coffin Bound as well.
Die Slaughterhaus released Coffin Bound’s 7-inch in the fall of ‘07 and will release Mammals’ first single later this year. Both bands share an affinity for hazy, noisy, raw rock ‘n’ roll sounds, but Mammals embrace stronger punk and pop aesthetics.
Stylistically speaking, neither band has much in common – aside from a penchant for fuzzed-out tones and almost comedic allegiance to Austell.
Coffin Bound plays The Star Bar on Wed., June 11. $6. 9 p.m. Mammals play Thurs., June 12. Free. 9 p.m. 404-577-7721. www.starbar.net.