Relapse Records recording artists MASTODON will guest on MTV2's Headbangers Ball. MASTODON will make an in-studio appearance on the program's Saturday, September 4th edition. Headbangers Ball airs Saturdays from 10-12 PM EST on MTV2. This Saturday's Headbangers Ball will also feature the world premiere of MASTODON's new music video, "Iron Tusk". The roll-out video from the band's new album, Leviathan, "Iron Tusk" was directed by Chad Rullman, known previously for his work on MASTODON's "March of the Fire Ants" video. MASTODON's Leviathan was released on August 31st.

Andrews Upstairs is looking to hold a battle of the bands competition every Thursday in September. The winner will recieve the opening spot on the East Andrews Fall Music Festival Sunday October 24th, featuring Better Than Ezra and other acts to be named very soon, along with studio time and other cash and prizes. If interested in participating in the competition, please contact Brad Broadrick at 404-467-1600 or by email at brad@andrewsupstairs.com. This is a time sensitive issue, so if you want to win you've got to sign up! There will be some of Atlanta's top music industry professionals judging the contest as well as your band's fan base. The more people you bring, the greater your chances are of winning.

Read up on the Atlanta Music Guide's featured band for September - United ! These rockers will be playing at the Echo Lounge and 10 High this month, so find out about them in our featured bands section and then give them a listen. www.bandunited.com

Our Open Mic Madness recap is now up! You can read all about the craziness on our features section. Be sure to check out the music of winners Avenge Vegas , along with the runner up, Ryan McDougall ! www.avengevegas.com | www.ryanmcdougall.com

GIVEAWAY! - Want to score a pair of tickets to the upcoming Snow Patrol concert at the Cotton Club on September 7th? The Atlanta Music Guide is giving away one pair, and they're relatively easy to win. All you have to do is visit the band's media player and email us at info@atlantamusicguide.com telling us what color shirt lead singer Gary Lightbody is wearing in the "Run (Live at Glastonbury 2004)" video. We'll notify the winner this Friday (9/3/04). Good luck!

Peach Jam 2004, a fun family music festival, takes place Monday, September 6, 2004 (Noon – 9pm) at Wills Park Equestrian Center, in Alpharetta, featuring six bands from the ‘70s. The music line-up will include appearances by Lou Gramm of Foreigner, Starship featuring Mickey Thomas, Firefall, Poco, Andrew Gold and Les McKeown’s Legendary Bay City Rollers. There will also be kid’s activities, a vintage muscle car show, an artist market, and a variety of local food vendors. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Tourette Syndrome Association of GA, Love Our Children USA, and KidsCharities. Tickets can be purchased in advance for only $15 ($20 day of the event) and children 12 and under are half price ($10). Purchase tickets through the website www.peachjam2004.com

Tickets are now on sale for the Intimate Evening Concerts series taking place at the theater next to the Arena at Gwinnett Center . The concert series features mainly pop/rock acts performing acoustic sets. The next two shows feature members of Bad Company , Cowboy Mouth , and more. For additional information, visit www.quincyentertainment.com.

Check out our new interview with Phantom Planet in the Features section. Click here to read our Phantom Planet interview, along with our interview with Atlanta's biggest music fan, Kenny Crucial . Coming soon - an interview with Butch Walker .

Congratulations to Avenge Vegas, the 2004 Open Mic Madness winners! All of the performers did incredibly, and it was tough eliminating over 140 acts down to one, but in the end, it came down to singer/songwriter Ryan McDougall and the aforementioned winning band, both who did wonderfully. Kudos to the crazy yet amazing ringmaster of it all, Josh Rifkind, along with all the judges and people who came out to support the local music scene. You can now read our re-cap on the features section! www.avengevegas.com | www.openmicmadness.com

The Sun Ray Music Festival is a three day festival located in Carlton, GA. Carlton is next to Madison, GA, which is 15 miles outside of Athens, GA. The festival has onsite camping as well the capability to come and go as you please. The festival has over 50 bands booked for the weekend including: George Porter Jr. of the Funky Meters, Cee-Lo of the Goodie Mob, The Radiators, Randall Bramblett Band, Robert Walters 20th Congress, Day by the River, Barbara Cue featuring Todd Nance of Widespread Panic, Perpetual Groove, Moonshine Still, Larry Keel Experience, Ralph Roddenbery, The Grease Factor, Tishamingo, Bernie Worrell of the Talking Heads and Parliament Funkadelic, Acoustic Syndicate, and many more. Ticket information, as well as everything else you may need to know can be seen at the festival website www.SunRayMusicFestival.com

One of the Atlanta Music Guide's own, DJ Iain, will be spinning Monday night (August 23rd) at Formosa on Trinity Avenue from 9pm-3am. He'll be spinning local music, indie, and brit pop until the wee hours of the morning. There's no cover, so come down and check it out! You can check out his current playlist here.

We had a chat with Atlanta's biggest music fan: the infamous Kenny Crucial. You've seen him at almost every show in Atlanta- now you can hear his story. Check out the Crucial Interview.

Don't just sit there... The Atlanta Music Guide is looking for a new intern - if you're interested in the Atlanta music scene, like going to concerts, enjoy writing, love promoting, and have some html and graphic design experience - send us your info!

COMING THIS OCTOBER! - The Atlanta Music Guide Music Awards
Atlanta music supporters - these are your awards, and we want your input!! Fill out our official ballot online to vote in categories ranging from Most Buzzworthy Up and Coming Band/Artist to Worst Promo Photo , Best Riv alry, Best Bartender/Door Guy , and more! Entries must be received by September 30, 2004. Duplicate ballots sent from the same email address will be disregarded. Click here to vote in the Atlanta Music Guide Music Awards! The awards will take place Saturday October 16th at the Hard Rock Cafe'/ Velvet Underground , with a VIP pre-party and then an after party of epic proportions for all attendees. Tickets are already on sale through Ticket Alternative. Mark your calendars, make sure to vote, get your tickets, and prepare for an incredible time!