The Bands (2003):

Karma Lingo brings their music to life by combining their virtuosity with their experience in theater.   All 6 members sing and play a variety of instruments creating an atmosphere with endless possibilities! 
Although their influences are too numerous to name, some of the ones that stand out the most are Kansas, Queen and Yes.

Formed in 1995, Cobweb Strange has released three studio albums, has been featured on numerous compilation CDs and has toured across the United States.  Their 3rd album, A Breath of October, was released on October 1, 2002.   Cobweb Strange plays dark, psychedelic music and have been compared to bands such as Porcupine Tree, The Police, Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Rush and The Doors.

Paine's Promise has often been compared to "Heart meets Rush" in that Veronica's vocals are reminiscent of Heart's Ann Wilson and the song arrangements are precise and structured very much like Rush songs.  With Daniel on drums, Veronica on guitar and vocals, and Dave Siff on bass, Paine's Promise represents intelligent rock played with precision and feel.

Post-progressive rock; New-edge ambience; Psychedelia with a world-beat flavor;
Funky, frenetic jams; Eclectic instrumental soundtracks to surreal multi-media experiences...Their debut CD, "Reality Check" has received enthusiastic reviews from across the world and is still selling briskly. Meanwhile Z-Axis has begun recording their second CD, due to be released later in 2003.  Z-Axis's live performances frequently incorporate multi-media elements, visual imagery and performance art. They frequently featured free-form improvs in their set alongside the more "composed" pieces.

Man on Fire was introduced to the world with the release of their self-titled debut CD in 1998.  Formed by Jeff Hodges (vocals, keys, production) and Eric Sands (guitars, basses), the Man on Fire sound combines melodic vocals, fretless bass, layered keyboards, and heavy guitar soundscapes.  With influences ranging from Japan and Peter Gabriel to Rush and Kevin Gilbert, Man on Fire is preparing for their second release, The Undefined Design, which features special guest David Ragsdale (Kansas) on violin.

Farpoint formed in 1997. Their first live performance was at Yescamp '98, a gathering of Yes fans in South Carolina. The recorded output of Farpoint consists of Just Like You, a two-song cd single released in 2000 as a part of a fundraiser for the Special Olympics, and First Light, Farpoint's first full-length album released in April, 2002. The follow-up to First Light, entitled Grace, is currently being recorded and set for release sometime in early 2003.

UT

UT is the brainchild of guitarist/vocalist Bob Hutson. He writes and produces all of the band's songs with the exception of lyrics, which are collaborated on with his wife, Collette. His craft was honed over the past 20 years and included diverse training such as a classical foundation with one of Andrés Segovia's star pupils, Russell Brazil, as well as Jazz Improvisation and Theory at The World of Strings in New Orleans, La.  The technique that Bob applies to his progressive style has been described as efficient and very expressive melodically.

Lord Only is an Atlanta-based hard rock band with intricate arrangements, intense instrumental passages, memorable melodies, lush harmony vocals and diverse influences such as Rush, King's X, old U2, Yes, the Beatles, and the great rhythm sections of Motown and the 70's and 80's.  Lord Only is electric and eclectic.  Their first CD, Fear and Trembling, will be released in mid 2003.

The Datura Blues

The Datura Blues literally evolved out of a joke.  The original idea was to start a group in one day, as an excuse to go "on tour" to Tijuana. Each of the songs contain pre-written sections, but the shows are now more frequently moving into improvisational parts in a continuous wave of sound and spectacle. Ideally, the songs try to emphasize the experience of climax and space and the dominance of chaos over structure.

Fronted by Multi-Award Winning Composer and Marimba Virtuoso Kevin Lucas, Dead Musicians' Society has a completely unique style of music with rock, jazz, and classical influences featuring the marimba. This instrumental ensemble has broadened their musical talents by creating a vocal pop song, From Afar written by Andy Waldron, that landed on New Music Weekly's "Future Hits Volume 11" album.

Solution Science Systems are a full life-cycle research entity encompassing all aspects of Solution Science development.  Or they just may be Atlanta's state-of-the-art power-trio, mixing up classic art-rock, post-punk, and pop savvy with a heady science fiction themed stage show.  Either way, the sound generated by Kelly Shane, Rob MacGrogan, and Andy Tegethoff is shockingly accessible and even hum-able, delivering the excitement of kick-ass rock'n'roll, not to mention understated humor, in layers of complex rhythms and subtly intricate arrangements.

With a new singer this year and a new name, heavy metal rockers XL will be presenting their new sound at this years festival.  Just to clarify though, this is a local metal band, not the popular female soul quartet of the same name.