Home > Atlanta Music Scene > Archives > 2008 > March > 06 > Entry
Georgia’s Blue Flashing Light plays China
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Blue Flashing Light: Joshua Schwarber, Ian Schwarber, JJ Bower, Adam Monica and Ryan Cattie. Photo: Chris Mckay for ConcertShots.com. Stylist: Kim Singer.
We have peaches. They have peaches. And apparently those peaches are related, so we’re celebrating that luscious fruit by sending China a taste of something else Georgians love, the music of Athens.
Athens band Blue Flashing Light will be representing Georgia on the other side of the world at the International Peach Blossom Festival in Chengdu, capital of the Chinese province of Sichuan.
The anthemic rock quintet was selected to perform at the festival by the Atlanta-based US-China Cultural & Educational Foundation, and the band members have embraced their role as Georgia’s emissaries.
When we first tried to get in touch with frontman Ian Schwarber, he was busy meeting with the Chinese cultural ambassador and getting a little phonetic instruction.
“I’m actually going to sing three songs in Chinese, so that’s surreal,” Schwarber says, before giving us a short sample that sounds pretty darn good. “It’s a pretty daunting task for me to learn all this, but the melodies are amazing.”
Schwarber goes on to explain that the white Chengdu peach is the ancestor of our own Georgia peaches, and that connection is one of the reasons the festival organizers bring over Georgia artists. “This year they decided they wanted a rock band,” he says.
Blue Flashing Light plays the festival beginning March 15, but the band will also stick around through March 23 to perform in this year’s Olympic host city, Beijing. After returning to Georgia, the band completes its fruitful cultural exchange with an appearance at the Georgia Peach Festival in Peach County in June.
Check out the band’s official site for more info.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Sam
March 7, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
I have heard these guys play 4 times, once at Andrew’s Upstairs, then at 10 High for 99x, and twice at the 40 Watt in Athens, and I think they will be AMAZING emissaries for Georgia! Ian is so charismatic from the stage, and the band just rocks. What an opportunity! How’d they get this gig?
By Sam
March 7, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
I have heard these guys play 4 times, once at Andrew’s Upstairs, then at 10 High for 99x, and twice at the 40 Watt in Athens, and I think they will be AMAZING emissaries for Georgia! Ian is so charismatic from the stage, and the band just rocks. What an opportunity! How’d they get this gig?
By Kraig
March 7, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
Looks like 5 homosexuals if you ask me. What is up with rock ‘stars’ nowadays? I mean seriously…look at these fruits. These days you have to be all into fashion and look like you don’t care or as if you are in deep thought. Garbage music. Please people, use your brains. There is much better music out there than what is being sold to you on the radio.
By Blue Flashing Light Fan
March 8, 2008 12:14 AM | Link to this
Well, I love this band and 4 of the 5 members are gay, so it seems perfectly natural that they would appear homosexual…they are. A lot of their songs deal with what it is like to be gay and in the South and they are right on target. Great band…it’s great when gay people succeed.
By jhc
March 8, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this
I saw these guys play a few times. They are unbelievable. They will represent GA well in China. Their wives and girlfriends were nice too when I met them at the shows. I guess those are just beards though Kraig.
By kbt
March 8, 2008 9:09 PM | Link to this
I am big into the ATL music scene. I attended their show last week at Vinyl, and the performance gave me chills. I can assure you they are all very straight, especially the lead. I will be wearing red all week! Go get em…
By kbt
March 8, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this
I am big into the ATL music scene. I attended their show last week at Vinyl, and the performance gave me chills. I can assure you they are all very straight, especially the lead. I will be wearing red all week! Go get em…
By jodawg
March 9, 2008 7:58 AM | Link to this
Good to hear local acts are getting big opportunities. I will have to check them out. Nice hating, Kraig. Shouldn’t you be running out to buy a Hank Williams Jr cassette?
By Goldenlady
March 9, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this
This band absolutely rocks. I’ve heard them and also have had the opportunity to meet them. They are five extremely (handsome)talented, and hard working guys. Ian is so passionate with his words and he has a strong stage presence. I’m telling you guys to check them out————
By S. flower
March 10, 2008 7:18 AM | Link to this
This amazing peaceful band ROCKS!!!
I am a major fan & their music is of a different kind. These guys really sing from the soul! Give yourself a treat & check these guys out.~~~
By anthony
March 10, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this
To the misinformed, the band is not gay. Not that gay is bad(Seinfield). Just want to be correct in light of some comments. IMO go with the music, you like it or you do not. Why some of the trash talk. People who ususally do that I am told have their own issues.
By anthony
March 10, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this
To the misinformed, the band is not gay. Not that gay is bad(Seinfield). Just want to be correct in light of some comments. IMO go with the music, you like it or you do not. Why some of the trash talk. People who ususally do that I am told have their own issues.
By doylan
March 10, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
This band works their ass off, and they aren’t going anywhere but up! the haters in the crowd know that better than anyone, thats why they speak up…Kraig, do yourself a solid and have a look at their website…its amazing, and you might reconsider your use of “garbage music”. just doesn’t make sense.
By doylan
March 10, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
This band works their ass off, and they aren’t going anywhere but up! the haters in the crowd know that better than anyone, thats why they speak up…Kraig, do yourself a solid and have a look at their website…its amazing, and you might reconsider your use of “garbage music”. just doesn’t make sense.
By Patricia
March 22, 2008 11:53 PM | Link to this
Now that the band is in China and has had tremendous crowds and fabulous critiques, let those who thought they were gay, or otherwise, be silent. The proof is in the awesomeness of talent and integrity. It’s amazing when you have it - and terribly sad when you don’t.
By Patricia
March 22, 2008 11:53 PM | Link to this
Now that the band is in China and has had tremendous crowds and fabulous critiques, let those who thought they were gay, or otherwise, be silent. The proof is in the awesomeness of talent and integrity. It’s amazing when you have it - and terribly sad when you don’t.