By Max Stewart
Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider cooked up a really great idea for a unique giveaway that gives some exposure to some talented local bands. An avid fan of music, Strider is doing a vinyl giveaway at the Braves game on Wednesday (8/7) where the first 15,000 fans will get a Third Man Records 7″ vinyl record featuring one of Spencer Strider’s favorite Atlanta-based bands: Trash Panda, Dinner Time and Lunar Vacation. In addition, after the game Spencer will host a performance by all three bands at the Georgia Power Pavilion stage in The Battery Atlanta.
To promote the event, Strider joined all three acts on Monday at Atlanta’s iconic Criminal Records for an in-store performance and interview. It was abundantly clear that Strider put a lot of thought, time and effort into the questions he asked each of the musicians. His genuine passion for the bands’ music and earnest interest in the their artistic processes was very admirable and made for a fantastic conversation.
From making correlations to the day-to-day grind of baseball life to touring with the members of Dinner Time, to learning about local influences from Lunar Vacation, Strider was thorough and sincere in trying to learn more about these bands. He also revealed that he came up with the idea for the vinyl giveaway when touring Third Man Records in Detroit with fellow music fan Franco Garcia (who is the Director of Player Relations of the Braves).
Kudos to Strider for not just doing another bobblehead night, but using his promotional night to shine a light on local bands. Check out the game on 8/7!
Per the Braves website, some additional background on Strider’s fanhood of the three local bands.
Trash Panda: “I discovered Trash Panda with the release of their 2023 album ‘Pandamonium!’ The record was instantly discernible as thorough, exciting, and unmistakably unique. Only immensely talented and creative musicians could produce such a complex style that is received so effortlessly. It’s impossible not to enjoy yourself while listening to Atlanta’s Trash Panda.
Lunar Vacation: I remember exactly when and where I first heard Lunar Vacation—that’s how immediately they became one of my favorite groups. When I learned they were from Atlanta, it exponentially increased the enjoyment I derive from their music. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have followed their maturation and growth from the beginning.
Dinner Time: I like to imagine the members of Dinner Time, dancing with smiles on their faces, jamming their distinctly original sounds in someone’s garage or basement. I feel their music conveys quite easily how much fun the band has making and playing it. I like to describe their sound as ‘a bunch of friends from Atlanta hanging out and having a good time.”
