Chunklet Magazine has been taking a serious approach to not taking music seriously since 1993.

The 15-year success of the publication has called for a two-night celebration, beginning tonight at the 40 Watt.

Founder Henry Owings came to Athens from Pennsylvania in 1991 on a whim, because he couldn’t find a job with his business degree and was a huge fan of the Athens music scene.

“If I’m not going to have a real job, then I’m going to have fun, so I moved to Athens and on the very first day I was in town, I knocked on the door of The Flagpole and said, ‘I want to write for you.’”

After turning in a hand-written review of the first Pavement single, Owings landed the job despite having no formal writing education whatsoever.

“I moved to Georgia not knowing how to do anything, and I taught myself everything. If I can do it, then anyone else can.” Owings spent the next two years immersing himself in the local music scene.

“Athens used to be the home of the freaks,” he said. Shortly after, he started Chunklet as a “goof.” The zine quickly gained popularity around town, and Owings invited local musicians to contribute, such as Man or Astro Man? drummer Brian Teasley.

According to Teasley, music writing at the time was “very polite, every record was reviewed as three stars or middle of the road, stuff like that”.

Ever since then, Chunklet has developed a notorious reputation for ripping on bands. They even published two issues devoted solely to bands they deem overrated.

“Bands hated us,” Teasley said. “When one of us would write something where another writer would say, ‘Hey you can’t put that in there,’ that’s when we knew that we would be happy with the issue.”

Chunklet does more than trash your favorite bands, though. Owings has been involved in almost every facet of the music business. He’s written books, released records, toured with bands, recorded records, hosted shows and even designs record packaging. Pretty much anything to do with music, Owings has done it.

Since relocating to Atlanta in 1998, Chunklet also has helped promote the burgeoning Atlanta music scene.

So now 20 issues later, Chunklet celebrates its 15-year anniversary with performances by Grammy-nominated metal gods Mastodon and Indie superstars Deerhunter.

When asked about Mastodon’s live show Deerhunter drummer Moses Archuletta said, “They are freaking amazing!”

Also taking the stage are comedians Brian Posehn and Brent Weinbach, along with performances by up and coming Gentlemen Jesse and His Men, local yocals Twin Tigers, and hardcore head bashers It’s Casual.

“The fact that we get a chance to bring all this talent to the 40 Watt is invigorating” Owings said.